Our Own Kind

In the first chapter of the Bible in Genesis, we read of God creating the heavens, earth, plants and living creatures.  God created all living things to reproduce after their own kind, and we observe this happening to this day.  Over and over it is repeated that grass and fruit trees produced seeds that yielded according to their kind; birds, fish and living creatures brought forth after their own kind.  Genesis 1:26-27 reads, "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Mankind is distinct from all other living creatures because we have been created in the image of God who put eternity in our hearts (Ecc. 3:11), breathed into Adam the breath of life and made him a living soul.  All human beings today share the common ancestry of Adam and Eve, and after the great flood all descended from Noah and his family whom God spared from death.  Though there are different ethnicities, languages and homelands that distinguish human beings from one another, we are all human kind.  God has united us as mankind, yet man's natural tendency is to divide, to focus on differences rather that the one LORD who created us in His own image.

I read an article recently that illustrated well a misconception that conflates various ethnicities to mean different kinds.  A Hispanic border patrol recruit who could be stationed at the U.S. and Mexico border was asked, "How do you feel about arresting your own kind?"  The recruit responded, "They didn‘t come in the right way. So, they aren‘t my kind."  The premise to this question was deeply flawed from a biblical perspective, for every human being is our "own kind."  It is a great shame as people created in the image of God we would view some people as our kind but dismiss other human beings because of their ethnicity or because they entered a country illegally--than any person would be viewed as less than human.  While the question was intended to be provocative, Christians ought to be peacemakers who extend grace to every nation, tribe and tongue because we have all been created in the image of God who loves us all.

The early church experienced growing pains in walking in grace towards other believers when it was customary for Jews to separate themselves from Gentiles.  Walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel meant we are not to call unclean what God has cleansed, for Jews to put upon Gentiles the burden of keeping the Law of Moses, or for Gentiles to compel Jews to forsake their God-honouring traditions.  The love of God ought to govern us to do good towards all--especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).  God's love helps us to be considerate of people's differences and to celebrate them rather than force people to conform to our preferences.  May the love of Christ be expressed through us to all people, untainted by bigotry, racism and partiality.

Jesus in His World

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:12

How blessed we are that God has given His only begotten Son Jesus to be the Saviour of the world!  One thing I love about the Bible is how Jesus is the central figure in it from beginning to end.  The first verse of Genesis tells us, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  The Gospel of John starts this way in John 1:1-3:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."  The celebration of Christmas reminds Christians how God did not remain distant from the world or mankind He created, but God put on human flesh in the person of Jesus so we might know Him and so He could save us from our sins.

The apostle John began his first epistle in 1 John 1:1-3 with his eyewitness account of Jesus:  "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."  Jesus is the light of the world, the Word of life, the Word that became flesh, and He has manifested eternal life to us through the Gospel.  God is eternal and living, and from Him all living things have come.  Life has never been observed as arising spontaneously or by any means from what was not living.

Life is truly wonderful, and because this world is teeming with life the enormity of the implications of life's existence may be lost on us.  The fact we are alive is a little thing in itself, but it point to the clear fact life has been passed down to us.  Go all the way to the beginning and the living, eternal God was there--one God revealed in the Father, Son (Word) and Holy Spirit.  This reality impacts not only our past but our present and future.  Knowing we have been created by God for God, we ought to live our lives to glorify, praise and serve Him.  Having received assurance of eternal life by faith in Jesus, we are content knowing when we put off this mortal frame we will be gathered to the presence of our Saviour in eternal glory where we will live with Him forever with His redeemed saints.

It would be tragic to be alive and not realise our living Creator and His divine purpose for living.  We would be remiss to see the sun rise every day and not consider Jesus Christ is the light of the world who spoke the sun into existence.  To light the candles of the Menorah without recognising Jesus is the light of the world would be to miss praising God who always does miracles, who breathed life into dust and made man, who came as the light of the world to a world darkened by the spectre of sin and death.  To give and receive gifts on Christmas without realising Jesus is the greatest gift ever given we ought to treasure every day is to miss out on who is most important.  We can be central in our thoughts and little worlds we try to maintain for ourselves, but how blessed we are to make Jesus central and serve Him.  May the LORD open our eyes to perceive God as central in His word and His world God allows us to inhabit for a season.

Rich in Christ

In speaking, my Grandpa was able to make a point without requiring many words.  Once in my late twenties, a cousin and I accompanied him for a visit to his cabin in the woods of northern California.  Were were eating pizza after fishing and I left a portion of the crust uneaten on my plate that was especially hard and dry.  He looked at the scrap of crust and asked with dead seriousness, "What, are you rich?"  He was of an era and mindset that good manners demands one eats everything on the plate, and to leave any bits behind was a claim to wealth, entitlement and superiority.  I felt justified to leave the crust because it was tough to swallow, but to escape the ire of a man I respected I powered it down.

Just today I came across an article which says how much money Australians need to have to consider themselves rich.  The article asserts, "...the average Australian must be earning a jawdropping $389,118 per year to feel rich."  That's a pretty specific number, and I have no idea how this amount was settled on--which is $50K more than last year.  In the eyes of those interviewed, it takes a lot of money to feel rich.  I strongly suspect should people make this amount of money annually, they may be surprised that the feeling of richness remains elusive.  Even more would be needed to secure that "I'm rich" feeling that remains out of reach.  The working definition I have for being rich is similar to my Grandpa's view:  the rich can afford to pay others to do for them what they don't feel like doing themselves.

I believe it is possible not only to feel rich but be rich with nothing of monetary value because of who Jesus Christ is for all who trust in Him.  The smallest blessing becomes an overwhelming bonus from our Father's hand.  Paul wrote to Christians in 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, "I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."  The richest person on the planet cannot compare with the richness of God who created and owns all things.  God has all power, wealth, authority and majesty, yet God became poor for our sakes in the Person of Jesus Christ so we might become rich.  This does not speak of our financial net worth but the enduring richness of a relationship with God, fellowship with God's people and being made citizens of God's everlasting kingdom.  Jesus taught where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

The context of Paul's words to the Corinthian church were encouragement to make good on their word to contribute financially to the church in Jerusalem that was struggling.  Perhaps after agreeing to gather a contribution the Corinthian's reserves looked to be running low:  how would they fare if plunged into poverty?  Paul encouraged them to remember Jesus who became poor to enrich them beyond what money could buy, and God's sincere love prompts us to give to meet the needs of others generously.  God can use our financial situation and decisions to help us realise what we see as the true riches--making and saving money on earth or storing up treasure in heaven by faith and obedience to Jesus Christ?  Comparing ourselves to others makes us see how little we have and leads to envy and discontent, but by Christ becoming poor we have all things and abound (Phil. 4:18).  Rather than chasing the feeling of being rich, let us find contentment and rest in Christ who is our all in all.

The Messiah Identified

I love the intricate amount of detail God provides in His word.  I don't know how many fellows named "Anah" there have been since creation, but we are given an interesting tidbit in Genesis 36:24 about Anah the son of Zibeon:  "The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon." (NIV)  People who read this would say, "Oh, that Anah."  Discovering hot springs while grazing Zibeon's donkeys would narrow down things a bit.

The Bible speaks about real people who were recognisable and distinguished from others.  It is not a collection of fanciful tales but an accurate record of people, and sometimes we are told about their appearance.  When confronted with a message of rebuke from an unknown man, 2 Kings 1:7-8 tells us king Ahaziah was able to easily identify Elijah:  "Then he said to them, "What kind of man was it who came up to meet you and told you these words?" ⁸ So they answered him, "A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."  Perhaps it was not until John the Baptist the leather girdle became a trademark look (Mark 1:6).

The Scripture that distinguished Anah from other men name Anah and Elijah by his hairiness and wardrobe choice also provides a clear description of the Messiah who was to come.  He would be born of a virgin, as it is written in Matthew 1:23:  "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  The Son of God would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and also live in Egypt for a season (Matthew 2:15).  The promised Messiah would also be raised in Nazareth as Jesus was in Matthew 2:23.  Put all these things together and it is clear this Jesus is very singular and unique.

The birth of Jesus was announced by angels to shepherds who watched their flocks by night outside Bethlehem, and wise men from the east came far to worship Him, having seen His star that led them to where the Child was.  John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Christ when the Spirit like a dove descended and remained on Jesus after He was baptised in John 1:32-34:  "And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. ³³ I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."  This is the same Jesus over whom the voice of God boomed from the heavens at His baptism as well as on the mount of transfiguration, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

The Bible is full of evidence that affirms Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah sent to save His people from their sins.  Many people in Israel were not sure who Jesus was, but without a doubt Jesus knew the Father in heaven and the purpose for which He had been sent.  Concerning Himself He said in John 3:14-16:  "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  As Jesus said would happen many times, He died on a cross, rose from the dead and ascended alive into heaven in the sight of His disciples.  This is the Jesus I remember and celebrate this Christmas and every day, the Son of God who is the greatest gift anyone by faith can receive.

Healing for Broken Hearts

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Jeremiah 17:9

When it comes to matters of the heart, God is the only true expert.  He answered His own quesion in following verse:  "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)  Not only does God know the thoughts, motives and intent of every person, He is willing and able to do what no one could ever do:  to give to every man according to His own ways.  Christians who have come to Christ in faith and repentance of sin continue to be made more aware of our sinfulness as we grow in spiritual maturity.  We never knew how deep our sinfulness, rebellion and folly went without the divine illumination from God, His word and conviction of the Holy Spirit.

The people of Sydney, the nation of Australia and the whole world watched in horror and disbelief as Jews were targeted by gunmen at Bondi Beach at a gathering to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.  Many were killed and injured in the despicable and brazen attack upon those in attendance at this joyous Jewish festival.  That anyone would plot to kill innocent people at a festive gathering, to obtain weapons and ammunition, and to methodically slaughter others is unthinkable to most.  But this massacre, like other massacres and murders before it, appears to be carefully thought out and planned by people with wicked hearts who imagined, conspired and implemented their plot to kill.

Witnesses, commentators and politicians have expressed grief, sorrow, and anger at what transpired at Bondi, and the natural reaction when such awful, heartbreaking tragedies occur is to attempt to identify what went wrong.  Some have blamed the lack of education or government inaction against antisemitism; some have said gun laws are weak and need to be strengthened.  Others have pointed to the dangers of Islamic radicalisation or immigration being extended to dangerous people.  What I have not heard anyone talk about is the problem of the heart of killers who premeditively and systematically pointed firearms at people to murder them--because we can't imagine the darkness of such hearts that would justify or condone such evil.  Perhaps it is not discussed because the sinful condition of the hearts of man is not something laws, education, vetting system or government beaurocracy can do anything about.

Because of sin, our hearts are deceitful and wicked.  God who knows the depth of the wickedness within us is able to supply hearts as He said in Ezekiel 36:26, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."  Jesus Christ established a new covenant in His own blood, and by faith in Him we receive a new heart and new Spirit.  Those who are in Christ by faith are enabled to do as Ephesians 4:22-24 says:  "...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."  Because God has given me a new heart, my heart breaks for all involved:  the dead and wounded victims and their families, those who were terrorised by the events and even for the wicked gunmen who will be judged by the God of Israel and receive their just compensation.

The God of Israel not only knows what wickedness is in the hearts of men and can give new hearts to those who trust Him, but He is able to heal broken hearts.  Jesus said He came to fulfil this very thing when He read from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue in Luke 4:18-19:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."  This is entirely consistent with God of whom the psalmist said in Psalm 147:3:  "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  By His grace God puts a love in our hearts we did not possess before being born again--extended even to those guilty of greivous sin.  Today and every day, may the Light of the World Jesus Christ and His love shine through His people so those in darkness would be drawn to Him, redeemed and healed.

Doing Violence to Words

As one who reads, teaches and loves God's word, I appreciate the precision and impact of words to effectively communicate with others.  For a long time I have made it a regular practice to observe the way people use words and the intended meaning behind them.  During my lifetime I have seen words come and go as they fall out of favour.  I have observed the definitions of words morph and change over time.  While I am all for biblical translations in a modern language people can understand, I am also cognisant simplifying words is like adding water to stew.  At some stage words can be so watered down we can hardly recognise the soupy mixture we are swallowing.

God exposed the sins of His people in Zephaniah 3:4:  "Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law."  The prophets and priests in Jerusalem were guilty of breaking the Law of Moses--doing violence to it by their perverse justifications and oral traditions.  At times I have heard people do violence to God's word by pulling verses out of context, and people also do violence to the English language to advance their own agenda.  Today I read an article that termed corporal punishment as violence that should be outlawed, and this is certainly not an accurate representation of the facts.  While abuse has certainly occurred under the guise of corporal punishment or discipline, the foray into criminal behaviour that injures children should in no way disparage Bible-based disciplinary methods.

In his 1828 Dictionary, Webster defined "violence" in this way (condensed):  "Physical force; strength of action or motion; 2. Moral force; vehemence; 3. Outrage; unjust force; 4. Eagerness; vehemence. 5. Injury; infringement; 6. Injury; hurt; 7. Ravishment; rape."  This description shows violence is far more than physical action or moral force:  it is unjust, vehement, intended to injure, humiliate and subjugate.  Violence does not provide any allowance for the love of others, the fear of God or having constructive purpose aside from inflicting intentional harm.  There are those who sadly have suffered violence at the hands of people closest to them, but to say corporal discipline cannot be administered humbly, consistently, and in an age-appropriate manner is misguided.  Discipline may sting, but it does not mean anyone was injured.  Parents who fear God and know they will be judged by Him are led to have self-control, compassion and mercy in all they say and do as they rear their children.

Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."  Parents who discipline their children in a God-honouring way are looking out for the well-being of their children presently with an eye on their future.  It must be love that guides our hands in discipline--never anger, wrath, malice or bitterness.  While the flesh quickly and easily lashes out to assert self, love is longsuffering and moves carefully with the good of others in mind.  Devoid of God's love, discipline at the mercy of easily offended flesh can quickly cross the boundary into sin.  As God's people, let us ensure we never venture towards violence in our relationships with anyone because we are guided by God's love for us.

Fully Convinced

"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."

Romans 14:5

As I continue to learn and understand more concerning God and His word, my grasp of theology has improved.  I have a much better idea why I believe what I do, having been convinced by the word of God, sound teaching, study and seeking the LORD in fellowship with Christians.  At a Bible study recently I heard quite a different perspective from mine, and it has been profitable to prompt people to seek the LORD and read His word to see where they stand.  God holds each of us responsible to know why we believe what we believe, and He patiently allows us time to grow and mature.  We should resist the temptation to tell people what to believe but explain what the Bible says.  This will help their faith to be founded in Scripture rather than in a study leader.

There are many essential doctrines Christians ought not budge on, especially concerning the deity of Christ and the message of the Gospel.  There is room, however, for people to have their own convictions and interpretations of Scripture that may differ from others.  Some churches in the same denomination may have a culture and approach that is quite distinct from one another, and this reflects the diversity within each one church fellowship in regards to individuals.  In God's wisdom He has seen fit to unite people by faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit in His body the church, people who have different gifts, perspectives and convictions.  It follows that at any given time, we are at different places on our journey in spiritual maturity and understanding--and we ought to be patient with others as God (and others!) has been patient with us.

It shows maturity when Christians can express different convictions without being divisive.  Knowing we hold a different view does not mean we ought to hammer away on others to change their minds by force.  Rather, we ought to look to the LORD and rejoice in all we share in common in Christ.  When I was a kid, I was a San Diego Chargers fan and my brother liked the Chicago Bears.  There was no confusion at all concerning where we stood, and we did not quarrel over which team was better; we did not taunt each another if the team the others supported came last.  We were still brothers who loved each other, and that was more important than our differences.  While sound theology is far more important than the team one supports, in the body of Christ we can stoop to the level of immature children by mocking one another for having a different view.  The person with a better understanding of Scripture can show less maturity and love by sowing discord concerning a Christian who was like Apollos who lacked understanding until the way was explained more perfectly.

Paul urged in 2 Timothy 4:1-2:  "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."  In our preaching, teaching and conversing with others, our aim should not to be to take shots at others with different views but to hold forth the word of God rightly divided, being patient with others who still need convincing concerning sound doctrines that took us years to grasp.  We might never be on the same page with others concerning their eschatological position or a great many other subjects, but we can walk in love and give grace as we stand on the word of God, knowing what we believe and why.  Paul wasn't pedantic about personal convictions God has given us freedom in believing, and we ought to extend this grace to others as well.  We should be fully convinced to love one another no matter what.

God Has Chosen Us

Years ago we enjoyed an annual Easter family tradition of an egg hunt at my grandparent's home.  This epic hunt required a lot of preparation and expense to buy and fill the plastic eggs--not to mention hiding them so well.  The "silver" and prized "golden" egg were always expertly hidden on an acre of property, and there could be a lull of more than 15 minutes when no eggs were found as the search area was whittled down to find that elusive golden egg.  As an adult it was fun observing the children (including my own) look around for hidden treasures, and I discovered some children (not my own) quickly grew impatient and complained when they weren't easily finding eggs.  They snatched eggs that lay in full view on the grass and quickly moved on for more.  When finding eggs meant moving grass or pushing past a prickly pine tree or crawling near a cactus, they begged to be told where the best eggs were.  In our family hunts, this sort of seeker never found the prized eggs.

The discouragement in children who are not easily finding eggs can at times bear a resemblance to what Christians can experience.  I have met many believers who are disappointed when they have sought a particular spiritual gift but have yet to operate in it.  Some feel left out because they are not aware of God's calling upon their lives, and want someone to tell them what to do or say--a formula to follow--to obtain what they are looking for.  Discouragement will come when we prioritise the search for a gift rather seeking the Giver, and we choose disappointment in pursuing a call rather than Christ who calls us.  Spiritual gifts and callings are not like eggs that contain a special prize we hold in our hands, but they are the divine fruit of our relationship with God who holds us.  As we are not our own, having been bought with a price, our spiritual fruitfulness, gifts and call are not primarily for our feelings of fulfillment but God's glory.

In his book The Call, Os Guinness made an excellent observation how being called by God "subverts the deadly modern idolatry of choice":

"Choice in modern life is central, powerful, unquestioned, and enshrined in how we think and all we do--so much so that it cannot be undermined merely by an appeal to another choice.  Choice for modern people is a right that overwhelms both responsibility and rationality...Arguments against choice need to recognize the special, godlike power of choice.  But ultimately only one thing can conquer choice--being chosen.  Thus, for followers of Christ, calling neutralizes the fundamental poison of choice in modern life.  "I have chosen you," Jesus said, "you have not chosen me."  We are not our own; we have been bought with a price.  We have no rights, only responsibilities.  Following Christ is not our initiative, merely our response, in obedience.  Nothing works better to debunk the pretensions of choices than a conviction of calling.  Once we have been called, we literally "have no choice." (Guinness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Thomas Nelson, 2003. Page 167)

It is good to realise choice can be idolised, and really this modern luxury is an extension of the ancient tendency to idolise ourselves.  We can be moved to seek a particular gift or calling because of how it could benefit us.  By God's grace disappointment and disillusionment by our preferences not being met can be the means God employs to draw us to Himself, to begin to know and understand God--and have our eyes opened to better recognise how much we need Him.  To be chosen and called by God is wonderful, and to know Him is greater than unlocking a new ability that will someday pass away.  While the focus in our family Easter egg hunt was finding eggs, the real treasure was those loving, generous women who made the effort to prepare, spend and oversee the event.  As we continue on our pilgrimage of faith in Jesus, may God open our eyes to see when we have been searching for and prioritising gifts over the Giver, a calling over the Caller, or our choices rather than God who chose us.

Two or Three Witnesses

The Bible has unexpected encouragement in well-known passages and the more obscure.  I found great encouragement in a passage that is often quoted in part, that Jesus said when two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).  Most often this is said to encourage people who gather at church or in a corporate prayer meeting to emphasise God's faithfulness to be among His people, to hear and answer prayer, to guide and direct those who gather.  This is all true and wonderful.  Yet the context of the passage gives encouragement in circumstances that can be disheartening:  when dealing with conflict among believers and administration of church discipline.

Jesus taught if a believer was offended by another Christian, the offended party was to humbly go and tell him the fault that caused offence with the aim of reconciliation.  If the one who did wrong was unwilling to listen to the concern of the offended party, Jesus said one or two more believers should accompany the next meeting that "in the mouth or two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:16).  This was not a new concept for Jewish Christians, for it was written in the Law in Deuteronomy 19:15:  "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established."  The one or two who accompanied the first person needed to be convinced the offender had indeed done wrong--not to simply go along as moral support or as a favour for a friend.  The idea held forth is two or three of God's people, having been guided by God's word and Jesus Himself who was among them, were able to discern right from wrong and make sound judgments.

Immediately following this teaching, Peter asked how many times he needed to forgive a sinning brother.  Jesus then spoke a parable where binding and loosing--in context the ascribing of guilt or proclaiming pardon--is illustrated along with two or three witnesses.  Jesus said one servant owed a king a great debt, and he begged to be forgiven.  His king had compassion on him and forgave him the immense sum he owed.  Then he went out and grabbed a fellow servant who owed him a small debt (by comparison), and he was unmoved by the pleadings of his fellow servant for more time:  the man who had been loosed from a great debt had him arrested and thrown into prison.  Matthew 18:31 then illustrated the intercessory action of two or three witnesses:  "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done."  The king listened to His servants and took action against the wicked servant who had been forgiven much but refused to forgive his fellow servant who begged him.  The king commanded the man who was loosed to be bound and pay back his debt in full, for he showed no compassion to his fellow servant.

Jesus Christ is the KING OF KINGS, and whether we have done wrong or been offended by others we are to humble ourselves before our LORD and one another, knowing we have been loosed from a debt of sin we could never pay.  As the Judge of all the earth Jesus will always do right, and by faith in Him we can submit to our brethren in love, knowing Jesus is in the midst of our gatherings.  Should we be the one who refuses to forgive or stubbornly continues in doing wrong, we should be circumspect and humble because our King is in our midst.  Those who are grieved when they observe injustice, lack of compassion or corruption can come to Jesus Christ in prayer, knowing He will hear and answer.  Just two or three witnesses is sufficient to establish a matter and begin legal proceedings on earth, and the same is true in a spiritual sense concerning matters of offence and discipline among believers.

Living by God's Grace

Recently I came across an article that focused on "voluntary assisted dying" that seemed to be a propaganda piece that praised those who pursue dying on their "own terms" as having immense courage.  I do not believe suicide--whether medically assisted or not--is in itself a badge of courage.  Greater courage can be shown in choosing to live despite pain and a terminal diagnosis--looking to the LORD who gave us life in the first place.

One thing that is often missing when the "taboo" subject of assisted suicide is reported on is any acknowledgement or mention of God.  It is ironic (but not surprising!) God who knit us together in our mother's wombs would be left out of the conversation by those who embrace a humanistic or even a nihilistic perspective.  It wasn't long ago I was given paperwork by my doctor to write down my end of life plan, whether I wanted to be fed by others if I was unable to feed myself, or if I would refuse to be given any nutrition if I experience advanced dementia.  Undoubtedly these are uncomfortable topics to dwell on, and I did not view one option as more "courageous" than another.

Courage is defined as, "Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution."  Jesus demonstrated immense courage when He went up to Jerusalem knowing He would be betrayed, arrested and crucified when He was innocent of wrongdoing, young and in good health.  My dad showed courage in being subjected to cancer treatments and facing a terminal prognosis without depression or feeling sorry for himself.  He suffered great discomfort and anguish, and was never far from tears.  But as he looked to Jesus in faith, he continued his course gladly until God took him home.  My mum and family also demonstrated courage in caring for Dad faithfully, knowing his time on earth would come to an end in God's time.

In no way do I want to cheapen or dismiss the pain and difficulties that have led people to choose to die on their own terms.  Speaking for myself, however, it does not require any courage for me to live or die on my own terms.  Me living on my own terms is actually one of bondage to selfishness, fear, anxiety, cares and worries.  It is by faith in the living God in whom courage is found we can face a difficult day without fear, to be brave despite weakness and limitations, and to obey God rather than following our own hearts.  God is gracious to allow us to reach our limit, discover He is gracious and merciful, and to learn to trust Him with peace in our hearts and praise on our lips despite pains.  Knowing God gives and takes away, it is right to commit the length of our days to God who has wisely numbered them.

The suffering, sorrow and pain of this life will soon be over--even if it feels like it will never end.  Those who trust in Jesus Christ are assured of eternal life in His presence where there is no illness, pain, tears, sorrow or death.  God gives His people assurance of His kindness today and always as is written in Isaiah 54:10:  "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has mercy on you."  Death is not our friend, advocate or refuge:  God is!  There is no illness God cannot cure, and no condition greater than His love and power to save.  Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"  Better than waiting to die, we are to wait on the gracious LORD who strengthens us.

God is Reasonable

The almighty God who created all things is beyond all reason due to His omnipotence and power, and yet He is also most reasonable.  Caricatures of God set forth by unbelievers portray Him as being ridiculously unreasonable, easily infuriated, carried away with violence, being unjust and brutal.  This is merely a projection of the worst of man's natural tendencies, and none of these are remotely accurate of who God has revealed Himself to be in the Bible and by the Person of Jesus Christ.  People have done horrid and wicked things in the name of God, but they were not God.  God's holy name ought not be dragged through the mud because evil people claimed to be doing His will--when in reality they acted according to their own wicked desires.

God never makes unreasonable demands of people, for He supplies wisdom and strength for all who trust in Him.  God gave Adam freedom to eat of every tree in the Garden of Eden (including the tree of life) and told him not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the garden.  Adam was plainly warned that should he eat of that tree, he would surely die.  God created Adam and made him a living soul because He desired Adam to live and have enduring fellowship with Him.  Disobedience to the holy God is sin, and sin would bring certain death.  Even as a father or mother warns their child of danger and seeks to protect them, God warned Adam of the consequences of eating from that one particular tree.  When Adam and Eve sinned by eating the fruit, it was they who were being unreasonable in light of God's revelation.

When God spoke to the children of Israel through His word and the prophets, He did not have unreasonable expectations of them.  God did not require anything that we do not expect of our own children.  He said, "...Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23)  The bar was set quite low, for God wanted His people to listen to Him, obey Him and receive correction when they erred.  He did not demand perfection, for that would be unreasonable given our sinful state.  God did not insist they do His will without ever telling them what pleased or displeased Him.  He did not trick or trap a soul.  God spoke using words they could understand and that they agreed to do--except they rebelled and disobeyed.  They were the unreasonable ones, for they assumed the all-knowing God did see their corruption or that the omnipotent God could not discipline them.  Seeing God had revealed Himself by His creation of the world, His mighty works and in writing, God's people were most unreasonable to imagine they could fool Him or disobey without consequences.

Romans 12:1 says to God's people, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."  Since God has revealed Himself in the Person of Jesus, demonstrated His love by dying on the cross, proved His power over sin and death by rising from the dead, pardoned us sinners, declared us righteous and granted us eternal life as His redeemed children, it is entirely reasonable we present our bodies a living sacrifice to God.  It is reasonable for us to avoid sin that brought death and choose to live in the manner that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  It is reasonable we present ourselves to God as His obedient servants, but we are the unreasonable ones in our relationship.  We must be born again to begin to be reasonable--made new creations by faith in Jesus--and we must learn to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit who fills, gifts and makes us spiritually fruitful.  As little children learn to reason, it is reasonable we as children of God learn to align our thoughts and lives with His wisdom.

Seek the LORD

During our Friday night Bible study, we discussed the importance of seeking God intentionally.  Unlike the children of Israel who went up to the tabernacle or temple where the presence of God dwelt according the Law of Moses, Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (1 Cor. 6:19).  Somehow, someway, seeking God can be neglected in the shuffle of Christian service and spiritual disciplines, our actions becoming the end in themselves rather than drawing near to God in worship, praise and thanksgiving.

Going to a church service--is going to a church service.  Being in a particular place doesn't mean we are seeking the LORD or waiting on Him.  It occurred to me that going to church without seeking God is like going to the airport but never boarding.  The whole purpose of going to a bus, train station or airport is to take a mode of transportation to a particular destination.  Now it is likely we have been to a station to drop or pick someone up, and thus we fulfilled the purpose for going there.  But to go to a station and not drop anyone off, pick someone up or board transport ourselves, we have missed an opportunity.

Speaking for myself, I would never go to an airport unless I had a specific reason for going that involved the aforementioned activities.  Yet I confess I have gone to church services and did not seek the LORD:  I was just there to attend a service.  I participated in singing and heard preaching from God's word; I found insights interesting and enjoyed catching up with fellow believers.  But I didn't necessarily seek God.  I hadn't prepared my heart to approach the awesome, holy, almighty God like people who washed in a mikveh, put on clean clothes and brought their offerings to the priest to be sacrificed.  It is good and needed to go to church and be in fellowship with Christians, but seeking Christ ought to be central.

God's grace is wonderful, for even when we fail to prepare our hearts to seek God and are caught up in activities, God is able to speak and work wonders in our lives.  He is patient, compassionate and merciful.  God delights to reveal Himself to those who are far from Him and pursues the wandering soul--even if they have never been to a church service.  When we make God our destination, we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole hearts.  Psalm 27:7-8 says, "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. ⁸ When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."  In all our seeking and service, may we seek the LORD!

The 10 Letter Word

Sometime during my life, "punishment" became a bad ten letter word that was an indicator of a heavy-handed parent, one who might as well admit to abusing their child.  I can understand serious concern how consequences for doing wrong are meted out because parents, teachers and others in positions of authority have committed abuses, but the Bible shows punishment in itself is not sinful or morally wrong.  God punishes evildoers, and what those in authority must understand is they are not God and must answer to Him for their deviation from love, mercy, compassion and justice.  It is the love and fear of God that ought to govern God's people in the administration of discipline.

I have experienced leaders at schools, camps and the workplace who embraced positive affirmation to a degree that made me squirm with discomfort more than harsh censure.  Instead of identifying bad behaviour and enforcing a clear boundary with corrective measures, some feel compelled to tell everyone how wonderful and amazing their conduct has been.  Had those words come from my mouth, I would have been guilty of lying through my teeth based upon my observations and convictions.  Sometimes bad behaviour occurs when a boundary and clear consequences were not adequately spelled out, and once this is done there is no excuse for those in authority not following through with their own stated policies when there is clear, willful disobedience.  When leaders neglect to take appropriate action, a warning is reduced to an idle threatening which leads to habitual and greater transgression.

Webster defined "punishment" with important distinctions:  "Any pain or suffering inflicted on a person for a crime or offense, by the authority to which the offender is subject, either by the constitution of God or of civil society. The punishment of the faults and offenses of children by the parent, is by virtue of the right of government with which the parent is invested by God himself. This species of punishment is chastisement or correction. The punishment of crimes against the laws is inflicted by the supreme power of the state in virtue of the right of government, vested in the prince or legislature. The right of punishment belongs only to persons clothed with authority. Pain, loss or evil willfully inflicted on another for his crimes or offenses by a private unauthorized person, is revenge rather than punishment."  There are different kinds of punishment that are to be done in an appropriate way in the fear of God.  Punishment is not merely inflicting pain as retribution--"You angered me so I will hurt you"--but has the aim of instruction, correction and restoration.  When punishment is abandoned for vengeance, we transgress upon God's sovereign territory.

I remember years ago there was an unruly youth at a centre where I worked.  We had a simple disciplinary approach taken from soccer for the kids who attended:  a yellow card was a warning, and a red card meant ejection.  While we always encouraged the children and praised good behaviour, we also needed an effective way to communicate what behaviour was unacceptable.  After serving more red cards to one youth than all other children combined, I sought the LORD and His wisdom because the red card punishment was not resulting in correction or reformation.  I was led to consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17:  "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."

My immediate response was, "That's not going to work."  But I chose to heed God's word and put the principle of Jesus' teaching into practice.  I had a conversation with the youth who claimed to be a Christian.  I explained that if I needed to give a red card again, we would have a chat with all the kids at the centre, that the youth would be prohibited from entry until there was a change of heart and willingness to follow the rules.  It wasn't long before the red card was issued, the conversation was had before all the children, and the youth was not permitted to attend.  A couple months later, we were all blessed by God's answer to prayer when the youth returned willing to apologise and had a different attitude.  There may have been a couple of yellow cards given after that, but never again a red card.  I cannot emphasise this enough:  it was not our system but God who made all the difference.  God was faithful to His word and loved me and the unruly youth enough to teach us all valuable lessons that made a difference for good.

I urge you brother and sister in Christ:  trust God enough to put His word into practice concerning administering punishment and discipline to those God has entrusted to you.  Love is shown by being patient and kind, by being slow to anger and not keeping records of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Abuse of authority is unloving, and it is also unloving to neglect appropriate discipline.  Should the temper flare and the flesh bristle with offence, immediately stop and examine your own heart before the LORD, repent of vengeful desires, and humble ourselves before God.  Then, even when it feels uncomfortable, have a conversation where you specifically identify the boundary and how it was transgressed.  Seek the LORD for what are appropriate consequences should the line be willfully crossed again.  Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."  Praise God He is gracious and merciful with His administration of discipline to us when we err, communicating His love without fail.

Faith Pleases God

There was likely no one more surprised than my dad when I embarked on a career in mechanical insulation.  He remembered very well my aversion to the feeling of gyprock (drywall) dust as a youngster, and he likely figured I was simply not cut out for jobsites and able to endure the dust, noise, fumes and physical labour.  After over a decade in the trade there was probably no one more surprised than me when the LORD opened a door to being a youth pastor in full-time ministry.  Working in a trade was by no means wasted time, for it prepared me for the rigours of pastoral work in countless ways.  I did not begin a career in a trade to please my dad, but I switched into a new line of work with the desire to please God.

It's an interesting dynamic that people who are not particularly fond of their dads wish they could please them.  Dads can be hard--at times even impossible--to please.  I was blessed to be assured of my dad's love and support regardless of my job or career choice, yet not everyone experiences this level of acceptance with their father.  It is possible, however, to live in the way that pleases God--our heavenly Father.  If pleasing our earthly father is a pleasant thought, how much more is pleasing our Father in heaven!  Paul prayed in Colossians 1:9-12:  "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

There is one key and indispensable element to pleasing God as it is written in Hebrews 11:6:  "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  Those who do not believe in God's existence will not go to God, for they do not believe He has done anything or would be able to do anything.  Jesus is revealed as God made flesh, and He preached repentance from sin and the kingdom of God.  Those who heard the message of the Gospel, when mixed with faith, profited them when they responded to it in faith, submission and obedience:  they repented of their sin, believed Jesus is the Christ, and walked in obedience to Him.  It is God who provides wisdom, spiritual understanding and fruitfulness, and having been born again by faith in Jesus we are able to fully please Him by continuing to trust in Him and repent of sin.  The way we came to Jesus Christ by faith is the way we walk with Christ.  Sorrow for sin and repentance leads to acceptance and rejoicing by God's grace.

Some might imagine God's expectation of His children is perfection, that once we know the truth we will never transgress.  Those who have been children and raised children realise this is totally unrealistic.  Parents desire their children to be honest with them and admit when they have done wrong, to show genuine remorse for disobedience, and to take steps to do better moving forward.  Sometimes signs of remorse in people are merely for show, yet the LORD knows our hearts.  It is good for people to go to God in their sin, confessing their faults with contrite hearts--at our conversion and whenever we are convicted of our guilt going forward.  God will not crush and condemn the humble soul who in faith willingly comes to Him for forgiveness and pardon:  it is the one who asserts they are without sin who remain in sin.  It is amazing that having sinned we please God by repenting of our sin, and all heaven is moved to rejoice over one sinner who repents, one who was lost but returned to God in humble contrition.

It's Hell Without Jesus

There is good reason to be wary of anyone who claims they will usher in a new world by their policies and ideology.  Like conquerors who built their homes on top of the cities they took and reduced to rubble, it is only a matter of time until the homes atop the tel are knocked down and made a ruin by new occupants.  Victory in battle or the ballot box may be thrilling, yet leadership that heads in a progressive direction--away from God and values that helped establish a country in the first place--precedes a downward spiral.  Those who claim by their leadership can create utopia for all assert the ability to do something only God can do.  God said in Isaiah 65:17 of a glorious future He will usher in:  "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind."

The Bible teaches that when people or nations lose their way and become corrupt and lawless, it is not that they need to head in a new direction:  they need to return to the old good paths God has established and choose to walk in them.  Jeremiah 6:16 reads, "Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"  One fault of man passed down from the very beginning by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was to follow in Satan's footsteps to desire to be God, to be free to do whatever we will, to speak the word and for it to be fulfilled.  The humanistic and atheistic ambitions to establish a utopian society have never been realised and cannot stand because God--who alone is able to create new heavens and earth and transform man from within into a new creature--has been cut out of the picture.  Mankind is incapable of creating or doing anything new; he is incapable of saving a nation or even himself!  Disregard of our spiritual need for a relationship with the living God leads to ruined minds, bodies, souls and societies.

Many have tried to usher in their ideal age with legislation, and when this falls short they resort to force and control.  When they fail, there is an easy excuse that the status quo was not sufficiently demolished or the foul roots of the previous establishment have undermined a most worthy plan.  Inability to reap the rewards of capitalist, communist or socialist agendas are blamed on the lack of sufficient money, political power, resources or commitment of the common man to prove their ideals sound in reality despite incredible human cost.  The blame often falls on people who become expendable.  The starvation under Mao's Great Leap Forward, the killing fields of Cambodia, propaganda that elevates leaders or the government to godlike status, these are not relics of a distant past:  the implementation of deceptive and authoritarian measures defiant of God and His word continue to this day.  Many aspiring leaders follow Absalom's way of promising justice for all by deceitful and unjust means.  Consider Absalom's approach in 2 Samuel 15:4-6:  "Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice."  ⁵ And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. ⁶ In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."  Absalom was a murderer, thief, adulterer, deceiver and liar unworthy of honour or rule.  His rebellion did not last long, but the human toll was terrible.

The desire of people to be God shows our need as those created in God's image to humble ourselves and submit to God; our ambition to rule and for our word to stand shows the importance of heeding God's word and to take our stand on it.  There is something in utopia that is attractive because it hints at the peace, prosperity and rest that is found in Jesus Christ alone--God who makes us new creations.  People who do not believe in God hope there is a heaven, and this desire to go to heaven comes from God who will create a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells because He sits on the throne.  We are all invited, but people are unwilling to enter in the Door (John 10:7-9) God has swung wide open to us by faith in Christ.  The concept of communal living and all working together for the common benefit hints at the unity people can have by faith in Jesus Christ, united by the Holy Spirit, and loving one another as Jesus loves us.  God's sovereignty, love and grace is conspicuously absent in the ideal world of many people, yet without God man's best efforts result in a hellscape of oppression, control, persecution, poverty, punishment and death.  The world has no idea how the presence of God and the love of Jesus Christ through the church and the wisdom of God's word have worked to protect, preserve and redeem nations to this day:  providing light in darkness, hope for the hopeless and salvation for sinners.

The conception of utopia falls woefully short of the plans God has revealed for all who love and trust Him, eternal life in the presence of our glorious Saviour forever.  Revelation 21:3-5 says, "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  Jesus has overcome pride, sin and death, and He will make all things new forever--and this includes us.  No society on earth has ever boasted freedom from death, eternal damnation, sorrow, crying or pain, but this is the future God has in store for all people who trust in Him.  You can keep your wistful dreams of future utopia, for I have infinitely better in Jesus Christ today and always.

On God's Side

There is a phrase I hear occasionally, and I have never liked it.  It is a phrase often used to justify what could be called "progressive" yet is often dismissive of other valid perspectives and nothing more than thinly veiled ideology.  I read the city of Sydney has outlawed installation of gas ranges in the CBD and will only allow electric cooktops to avoid "being on the wrong side of history."  This is complete silliness to me, for the vast majority of electricity production in NSW is supplied by coal.  Since natural gas is cleaner burning than coal and produces less carbon dioxide, wouldn't it be more environmentally conscious to cook with natural gas rather than electricity generated primarily by burning coal?  Should we try to impress future generations and alienate those who cook with gas as careless for the environment or clueless today?  Do we look down upon those in previous generations who cooked their food over wood or charcoal?  Those who want to avoid being "on the wrong side of history" very well might be by pushing their overweening agenda.

We live in a world where pleasing others is highly incentivised.  There isn't so much a payoff for being politically correct and progressive, but there can be a high price for sharing unpopular personal views or convictions.  Our desire to be accepted and respected, to be viewed as an ally rather than an enemy, provides selfish motivation to "go with the flow"--or to at least put on a good show for others to see.  I would put myself in the category of a natural "people pleaser," to want others to think well of me.  As followers of Jesus, we must decide if we will work to please people or choose to please God who loves and saves us.  Our motivation after coming to Christ is to change completely as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:22-24:  "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  We ought to put forth effort to please God above all, for a "Well done!" from God forever is better than the fickle approval of man.

Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 10:34-38:  "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; ³⁶ and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' ³⁷ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."  To side with Jesus as being the Messiah and God in human flesh and to love Him set people opposite those who castigated Jesus as a demon-possessed disturber of the peace.  To follow Christ meant choosing His way of living, to value pleasing Him over ourselves, our parents or friends; to embrace dying to self for His sake rather than counting our lives precious to us and trying to spare ourselves suffering.  Being on the "right" or "wrong side of history" does not factor into this equation, for it is what God says that matters most.

When Jehu rode into Samaria, painted Jezebel looked down upon Jehu (literally and figuratively) and chided him for doing exactly what God commanded him to do:  to bring judgment upon Ahab's wicked house.  Jehu called out to the eunuchs who attended to the queen, "Who is on my side?  Who?"  The eunuchs he addressed needed to decide who they would please:  Queen Jezebel or Jehu who had been anointed king by God.  Their choice was required to be public and immediate, for he commanded them in 2 Kings 9:33:  "Throw her down!"  By the wisdom and discernment of God's word Christians are called in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to be "...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...".  As born again followers of Jesus who is our life, our call is to live to please Him.  This means casting down all the ways and wisdom of the world God calls foolishness, and to joyfully entrust ourselves to His loving care.

There is freedom in the body of Christ to have different views about the use of an electric or gas range; there is freedom to have opinions whether a council should make sweeping laws with a desire to avoid being on the "wrong side of history."  But when it comes to living to please people, ourselves, or our LORD, Jesus made it clear where our priorities should lie:  that we ought to live worthy of Christ by following His example, sincerely obeying God from the heart in the fear of God.  We are not worthy, but by faith and obedience to Christ we can live in a worthy manner that fully pleases God, being fruitful in every work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10).  Being on God's side ought to be our priority.

All Scripture Inspired by God

The old cliche goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."  From the perspective of someone who has never owned a horse, what I draw from this adage is sometimes we are incapable of making animals or anyone do what they are unwilling to do.  A horse is a big, strong animal, and for a horse to drink it must be willing to stoop to the level of the water and utilise muscles to swallow.  Leading a horse to water may sometimes be a bridge too far, much less forcing a horse to drink!

I recently considered something Jesus said in regards to willingness and faith.  He spoke of poor Lazarus being comforted in Abraham's bosom while a rich man was tormented in Hades.  The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus from the grave back to his brothers to warn them they were headed to eternal damnation so they might avoid torment.  Abraham replied in Luke 16:31:  "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"  Abraham was convinced the Law and prophets contain all the necessary facts, wisdom and power bring a person to a place of repentance for sin and faith in God, but the sticking point is one of willingness:  people are unwilling to believe.  To receive salvation and walk in wisdom people must be willing to believe, to submit to the truth of God's word and the Gospel declared to them.  Even miracles and reliable eyewitnesses are incapable of making a stubborn sinner believe who is unwilling.

This leads to another observation:  professing Christians who do not believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God.  Because they are unwilling to be confronted and submit themselves to the word of God, they adopt a faithless and blasphemous position that follows this pattern:  God's word was penned by fallible people, so the Bible has mistakes and is not wholly reliable.  This is a ludicrous position that undermines their own salvation and asserts God is incapable and unable to communicate His word through human beings when God's word expressly says otherwise.  Gone is any chance of determining the accuracy of prophecy or theology when the Bible itself is hopelessly out of plumb and crooked.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  Ironically, these self-righteous hacks who foolishly claim the Bible is not the pure word of God assert they are the ones to rightly sift the wheat from the chaff and instruct others by the dictates of their own corrupt hearts.

It is dishonest for people to assert they cannot be convinced by the truth of scripture when it is actually a matter of the will:  they will not submit to God's word that has been carefully communicated, miraculously delivered and preserved by God.  How many times in the Bible does the "word of the LORD" come to people who speak it faithfully to people who will not receive it?  This rejection of God's pure word is nothing new.  God regards His word highly as it is written in Psalm 138:2:  "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."  Jesus said it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle (stroke of a letter) of God's Law to fail (Luke 16:17), and Peter affirms the accuracy of godly prophets in 2 Peter 1:21:  "...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."  Those who dispute the accuracy of the Law, Prophets and New Testament and will not hear them, such will not believe--even if Lazarus rose from the dead to rebuke them.  Praise God He is able to do what man cannot!

Obvious As Jacarandas in Bloom

Today I had a chat with friends who planned to go and see an area famous for its jacarandas in bloom.  As I thought it over, it dawned on me I could not remember seeing any jacarandas recently, which are known for their bright purple flowers--messy but beautiful!  On my way home from church I decided to be on the lookout for jacarandas, and I was shocked by how many I had driven by and not noticed.  After hearing about jacarandas in bloom, it seemed wherever I looked they were easy to find.  They were so prevalent it was incredible I had failed to notice seeing them bloom this spring.

My attention being drawn to jacarandas reminds me of what God does when we are born again by faith in Jesus and read His word.  The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus throughout the whole Bible.  Jesus is not merely central to the Gospels but every book of the whole Bible, for His character, power and wisdom are clearly revealed.  As the Creator and Saviour of the world, all the scripture points to Jesus who is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.  By His word the heavens, earth and all living things were created, and before God who sits on the throne the heavens and earth will flee.

Once your heart and mind is opened to Jesus in faith, He opens our eyes to behold Him throughout the Scripture.  Today I thought of Jesus the KING OF KINGS as I read Isaiah 32:1-2, for He is the only One who can truly do these words justice:  "Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. ² A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."  Paul wrote Christians are of Jesus who is our righteousness, the only begotten Son of God who will dash the heathen as earthen vessels with a rod of iron.  The resurrected Jesus Himself spoke of His divine authority and those to whom He grants it in Revelation 2:27-28.  Verse 2 is fulfilled perfectly by the almighty God who is our refuge, shelter from the storm, supplies a fountain of living water in a dry place, provides shade from the Rock of Salvation and gives rest for our souls.

From beginning to end, the verses of Isaiah captivated me with allusions to God's protection, provision, presence and wondrous promises.  As the presence of God guided, protected and provided for the children of Israel after their miraculous exodus from Egypt, so Jesus will do all for those who trust in Him, hearing and doing what He has said.  He likened all who do so to a wise man who built his house upon the rock in Matthew 7:25:  "...and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."  In His wisdom God does not prevent the clouds from obscuring the light, keeps the rain from falling or floods from rising:  what He does is allow us to realise our need and prove His strength, sufficiency and faithfulness through the storm in this life, to show Himself worthy of our trust forever.  Some fault God for wind, tempests, droughts and weariness when He is able to supply our need for righteousness and all things that pertain to life so we might know, love and fear Him as our rightful King.

If people are drawn to see jacarandas in bloom, how much more ought we be drawn to open the Bible and behold the wonder and glory of Jesus Christ who created all things, the only begotten Son of God who is righteousness for us!

A Rich Welcome

One of the first commercial jobs I worked was on the Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, one of the few 5-star hotels and resorts in San Diego.  It was nestled in the hills of Carlsbad and overlooked the highly acclaimed Aviara golf course designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.  After the job was completed, I returned to the site after operations were in full swing to do some final touches.  It was a totally different world:  a dirt carpark once full of work trucks and portable toilets was paved and adorned with Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars.  The delicious smell of lobster bisque simmering in the kitchen wafted across the rooftop.  In a staff room I noticed a white board that listed all the VIPs they were preparing to host that day--people who were known locally and internationally.  My name was not on the list, by the way. :)

While I was given access to the Four Seasons Resort to do my job, I did not feel welcomed there.  It was not a place where I was known or my arrival was prepared for with special considerations.  I was in no way looking for favours, nor did I feel entitled to hospitality because I did not hire a room for the night, make a tee-time or dinner reservation.  Exclusive venues are something I am usually excluded from because I will not spend a thousand dollars a night for a room or pay hundreds to play a round of golf.  Similar to what the Shunammite woman said to Elisha, I am content to dwell among my own people.  I would likely choose pub food over gourmet offerings (if seeking value for money) and feel more at home in a bowling alley than a country club.  Exclusive places like the Four Seasons Resort remind me continually with the persistent feeling I do not belong there as the price to participate is above my means.

The situation is different concerning the kingdom of heaven, for there is no place on earth more exclusive, costly or impossible to enter on one's own merit.  It is only by God's grace the Door to heaven has been opened to us unworthy sinners.  God has come to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ, opened a way of salvation and eternal life by His own sacrifice, and He invites all to repent of sin and trust in Him.  Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them so where He is they can be also.  Peter wrote to believers in 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV), "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  We can have full confidence in our good standing with God by receiving and obeying the Gospel, knowing by grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves.  We are nobodies now known in heaven by God who will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ--who is our Most Important Person--the Light of the World, the Door, the Vine, the Good Shepherd, the Living Bread, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

God has better things in store for His people than luxury cars, accommodation and delicious food that perishes:  He knows us, loves us and has welcomed us into His family permanently.  Upon entering eternity, we will be welcomed into His presence where we truly belong.  Today we might feel more "at home" in a casual pub setting than an exclusive resort, but life in this corrupted world in our corruptible bodies is not home for Christians.  In the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ is where we are known and belong--not because we have earned the right or paid to be members--but because Jesus has paid for our redemption and we are in Him by faith.  As members of the church, we are part of His body of which Jesus is the Head.  How wonderful it is to be accepted, loved and known by God!  Like crippled Mephibosheth was given a place at king David's table daily, a lowly servant of God will be a household name in heaven by God's grace.  Knowing we will receive a rich welcome into God's eternal kingdom, let's be those who accept, love and welcome one another in fellowship today.

Lasting Peace

People all over the world have seen and celebrated the historic peace deal struck in Israel that ended a war that had spanned two years.  When President Trump signed the document, he said it was peace that would last.  Based on my knowledge of the human heart, I do not share his optimism until Jesus Himself sits on the throne in Israel.  The problem with peace deals is they depend on fickle people who will not be responsible to keep the terms.  Peace on paper, difficult as it has been to accomplish, is far easier than making peace between people and nations.  From a biblical view, peace with others is impossible without first having peace with God.  Even those who have received peace from God are not always inclined to live peaceably, and that is why Paul urged Christians in Romans 12:18:  "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

See what God said about the condition of those who do not know or fear the living God of Israel in Isaiah 57:19-21:  "I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," says the LORD, "and I will heal him." ²⁰ But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. ²¹ "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."  For those in rebellion against God, who walk according to the dictates of their own hearts, lasting peace is not possible.  There is no peace in the hearts of those who are in perpetual conflict with God, and they will remain without rest.  Like ocean waves that continue to break on the shore, the tides swell and currents swirl, so are the wicked troubled from within.  As churning water stirs up sediment and makes visibility impossible, people remain blind to their blindness.  We live in a day where some feel it judgmental to suggest anyone could be wicked, but God says plainly in His word all have sinned.  The natural condition of man is not peace and rest but to be troubled, anxious and easily provoked.

Jesus told His disciples He would return one day, and our Messiah will set up His throne in Jerusalem and rule the nations with a rod of iron.  This period is called the millennial reign of Christ that will usher in a era of unrivaled peace and prosperity upon earth:  Satan will be bound, knowledge of God will cover the land like the water of the sea, once fierce animals will be rendered harmless, and Jerusalem will be a global destination to worship Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS during the annual Feast of Tabernacles.  Even when the Prince of Peace sits enthroned people will be far from perfect and will require correction and chastening.  Zechariah 14:16-17 says, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. ¹⁷ And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain."  Since this word will be fulfilled, it is evident people will choose not to appear before Jesus when summoned.

Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:3-9:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."  Who is humble in heart and mourn their sin?  Who are those marked by meekness, desire for righteousness, who extend mercy?  Who has purity of heart and are peacemakers?  Only those who are in Jesus Christ, born again by faith in Him.  It is solely by the power of Jesus Christ we can be like Him.  Only Jesus can provide lasting peace for all eternity.  It is in Christ alone we find rest for our souls.