Yoked With Christ

When Jesus invited people who were weary and heavy laden to take His yoke upon them and learn humility from Him in Matthew 11:28-30, it is ironic because it was a call to labour.  The realisation people are weary and burdened does not lead us to suggest placing a yoke on their shoulders as a solution.  We tell them to take a break, to cease from labour!  The point is, Jesus is easily able to carry all loads that burden and crush us, and it by submissive labour by the side of Jesus we will find rest for our souls.  His yoke is easy and His burden light because Jesus is mighty, strong and our Saviour.  In drawing near to Jesus by faith and labouring alongside with Him, Christians find joyful rest.

As someone who worked in a building trade for more than a decade, one of the things drummed into workers was the need to learn to work and talk at the same time.  Some people never learn this lesson:  when they begin talking, their hands stop working.  Workers who were slow to learn this lesson worked alone until they did.  While working with Jesus does not always take the form of manual labour, Paul called out Christians in the Corinthian church who had become distracted from Christ and factional over their preferred preachers or loyalties due to whom God personally used in their lives.  People like Paul and Apollos were elevated by great people who esteemed them for the fruitfulness of their ministry.  Paul exhorted the people to return to the unity they had by faith in Jesus and to glorify Him, knowing it was Christ who will reward His faithful followers.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9:  "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building."  Men of God like Paul and Apollos were only fruitful because they were "of God" and ministers who could only offer others what God freely provided for them.  One planted, another watered, and God gave the increase.  Again and again Paul downplayed the glorification of people who do God's work--people who were the epitome of faithful labourers--because God is responsible for all spiritual fruitfulness.

All Christians are called to work together with Jesus, and each one of us will receive our own reward according to our labour and all by His grace.  The last verse is an amazing truth:  in Christ we are God's fellow workers; we are God's field and His building.  God chooses to plant the good seed of His word in us that bears spiritual fruit.  Our lives have been built on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ who is the chief Cornerstone.  We are God's servants, His purchased possession and chosen dwelling place.  Knowing this is our identity in Christ, it ought to unify us as believers to labour together to promote Him.  We are privileged to have been given duties by our LORD and Saviour, yet at the same time who are we?  We are souls who were heavy laden who found rest for our souls in Christ.  Let us unite with those who are yoked with Christ, knowing God will give the increase.

Keeping Words and Worship

As the book draws to a close Revelation 22:6-7 says, "Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ⁷ "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."  Many people are drawn to read Revelation to catch a glimpse into what the future holds, yet Jesus is not content to satisfy our curiosity.  This revelation of Jesus Christ provided John on the island of Patmos is for us to hear and keep, to remember what God has said and to put His word into practice.  The study of the Scripture, whether narrative, poetry or prophecy, is a call to heed God.

While we can be content to know the truth, God's desire is that we would by faith abide in the Truth.  The apostle John wrote in an epistle in 3 John 1:4:  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  In a parable Jesus told of a father who told his two sons to work in his vineyard, the one who said he would go was not as commendable as the one who actually went.  Based on the words of Jesus, blessed is the one who reads Revelation as a book that is a call to the personal action of obedience to God in light of what is revealed concerning Jesus.  It is good for us to read all God's word with this intentionality, not just to learn what is true and right, but to order our lives accordingly to please God.

Following on from the promised blessing of Jesus to all who keep the word of His prophecy, Revelation 22:8-9 states:  "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. ⁹ Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."  This is the second time recorded in Revelation John fell at the feet of an angelic messenger to worship him and was rebuked, for God alone is worthy of worship.  Since John fell at the feet of an angel to worship due to revelation from God, it is entirely possible we can do the same figuratively before human messengers used by God.  We may not physically prostrate ourselves before them or kiss their feet, but we can subtly give people honour and praise God alone is worthy to receive.

There are two directives in the immediate context of keeping the words of the prophecy of Revelation:  do not worship God's servants, and worship God alone.  There are many people who are admirable and good examples as God's servants who excel, yet not one of God's servants is worthy of worship.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd we are to seek and trust, the KING OF KINGS before whom we bow, the one who has our affections and attention, the LORD of LORD we serve joyfully.  When Jesus visited their home, Martha was distracted by much serving while Mary did the needful thing of sitting at His feet to listen to Jesus.  It is good to "get things done" with labour sanctified as done unto the LORD, yet it is also good for our hearts and bodies to be still and rest, knowing He will accomplish all things.

Psalm 95:6-7 exhorts God's people:  "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."  I have heard people speak of taking a stand for God, and there are times to do this publicly.  There is also a time to take a stand for Christ on our knees privately, devoting time to worship Him because He is God, is worthy of all honour, and we are commanded to worship Him.  Blessed are those who keep the words of the prophecy of God and worship Him alone.

Christ's Judgment Seat

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:10

Today at Calvary Chapel Sydney I mentioned how the dead will be raised to appear at the Great White Throne judgment to be judged according to their works.  Those who names are written in the Book of Life will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  Knowledge Christians will be judged by Christ provokes us to consider what this will involve.  The fact Paul wrote this to believers leads me to believe this is a subject people do not know much about, and frankly there isn't a great amount of detail provided.  At times people have been keen to offer their opinions on what this judgment entails, yet the little God has plainly said is infinitely superior to man's ideas.

When we speak of final judgment and the eternal state, there is much we do not and cannot know.  Based on what the Bible teaches us and has revealed to us, there are some suggestions we can soundly reject.  The most common is at the judgment seat of Christ we will be confronted with all our sins, that God will pick our lives apart (publicly, of course!) by rehearsing our transgressions.  Nothing could be further from the truth, for Jesus has already atoned for all our sins, cleansed us entirely and imputed Christ's righteousness to us.  The judgment seat of Christ is not for the dead (spiritually) but those who have been born again and granted eternal life by faith in Jesus.  It is a judgment where we receive rewards or possibly suffer loss.  2 John 1:8 says to believers, "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."  No rewards God gives could ever be earned by our merits:  they are only received by God's grace.

Having received Jesus Christ as Saviour, each believer is called to wisely build on this foundation--hearing and obeying the words of Jesus.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:  "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."  People who build a house in an area prone to fire will select materials suitable to resist and endure fire.  In a similar manner, all who realise our lives will be judged by Christ's fiery gaze ought to live in the way we know pleases Him.  Jesus freely supplies enduring building materials the Holy Spirit produces in our lives.  Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."  The wise build on a solid foundation, and the foolish rely on themselves or things of this world that cannot endure.

In a parable Jesus told, a master gave talents to his servants according to their ability, left on a long journey, and then settled accounts with each of them upon his return.  Consideration of this raises a question in the light of the judgment Christians will face:  have we wisely invested the life, resources and gifts God has given us for His sake?  Have we laboured to be fruitful with God's things or have we sought to serve ourselves?  Jesus said in Matthew 25:20-21:  "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' ²¹ His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"  The master in the parable commended his faithful servant upon his return, and Jesus will commend all His servants who serve Him faithfully.  The servant viewed all the talents as being his master's, and we serve Christ faithfully when we acknowledge our lives are God's and we are not our own because we have been bought with a price--the precious blood of Jesus.

We can have all confidence in view of standing before the judgment seat of Christ because of all Jesus has accomplished for us through the Gospel.  Having been born again and forgiven by Jesus, we know we are accepted in the beloved and are citizens in the kingdom of God.  If our confidence is ever in our ability to be faithful or to impress God with our efforts, this is confidence horribly misplaced.  All confidence must always be completely in God, knowing when we are found faithful it is His doing for He has given us His Holy Spirit to help, guide and comfort us.  To God's people who will stand before Him and be judged, Jesus commanded humble, faithful obedience in Luke 17:10:  "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"  Any good that arises from our efforts is all God's doing, and we ought to do good because our Saviour has commanded us and provided an example.  Those who fear and trust God ought not to fear future judgment, for God's perfect love casts out all fear.

Praise the LORD Jesus

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"

Psalm 150:6

If we had the capability of observing people approach God through prayer in turn, I wonder what patterns or themes would emerge.  I suspect the main thing would be people asking God for help, blessings or to do something.  This is fitting, for who has more power, authority, influence and ability to help that God?  People who do not believe in God will make requests out of sheer desperation:  what do they have to lose?  When people acquire sums of money, others can feel entitled to a portion of it because of their relationship.  As there are ungrateful brats who expect and demand money from their parents, it is likely God has children that resemble them.  James said Christians sometimes have not because we ask God amiss, seeking His resources to gratify our lusts.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking God and making our requests known to Him, for He invites us to approach Him in faith and ask, knowing He is aware of our needs even before we submit a formal request.  But when all we do is ask Him for things without acknowledgement of what He has already done or given, are forgetful of all the times He has blessed us without even asking, I  am convinced He notices this.  There is an example of this after Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only one thought to return to Jesus, glorified God and thanked Him (and it happened to be a Samaritan, a foreigner!).  Jesus said in Luke 17:17-18, "So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  Jesus asking, "But where are the nine?" rings in my ears because I know I have been numbered among those who happily went their way after God answered and never took time to thank Him.  And then before long I was back again, asking God for other things without glorifying or thanking Him for the miracles He already wrought in my life.

This is one reason praise to God is absolute sweetness to the LORD as well as our souls.  When we give praise to God, it is a free gift of gratitude, thanksgiving and glory to God because of who He is and what He has done without asking for anything in return--a gift untainted by selfishness or angling for additional benefits.  It warms our souls to give a valuable gift, and there is no greater gift we can give our LORD as sincere praise from a heart who loves and delights in Him, who meditates on His word, credits Him with awesomeness and praises Him simply because He is worthy.  Genuine praise of God is not to flatter Him so we might find favour with Him but due to the favour He has already freely given us.  Praising God by faith in Him when we are content in Him alone is a treasured (and likely rare) gift God's people are equipped by the Holy Spirit to offer Him in abundance.

Times of corporate worship are a joyful occasion at a church service, for it is wonderful to join together with recipients of God's grace, singing and praising God with our whole hearts.  Our contentment is not to hinge on the song selection, the quality of the musicians or sings, but in the LORD whose word commands:  "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!"  It is no wonder we are blessed beyond measure in simply praising and thanking God, for Jesus said to the cleansed Samaritan leper in Luke 17:19:  "...Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."  Having his request granted to be cleansed of leprosy did not bring wholeness to the man:  it was faith in Jesus and glorifying Him as God that brought spiritual cleansing the nine did not necessarily experience.  Rather than using our breath to complain or only make requests of God, let us praise Him.  Praise the LORD!

Fair, Just and Right

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?"

Ezekiel 18:25

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God addressed the accusations of His people against Him that He was not fair when they were the ones being unfair.  In other translations "fair" is rendered equal, just and right.  As is always the case, man's sense of justice and righteousness who criticised God was skewed by his own sinfulness, bias and self-serving agenda.  God is perfectly fair, and He is also merciful, gracious, loving and compassionate.  His heart is not inclined to destroy people but to save them.  Yet if rebellious people are hellbent on destroying themselves and refuse His offer of forgiveness and salvation, He will let them have their way.  Everyone receives the opportunity to make the decision if they will submit to what God says is right or stubbornly affirm their own way is right.

God laid the function of justice according to His Law in Ezekiel 18:26-30 to draw sinners to Himself as giver of life:  "When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. ²⁷ Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. ²⁸ Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. ²⁹ Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? ³⁰ "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin."  The Law of Moses judges a man according to his merit in every circumstance and not on his reputation or track record.  A man does not avoid punishment when he has killed a man because he had not killed anyone for 30 years.  Iniquity has been committed and prior good behaviour does not exonerate him from being held accountable for his crime.

On the flip side, one who had been thieving and extorting money for years, should he freely confess his guilt and repay all he stole with interest as the Law demands, such would not face the penalty of theft.  The one who considered and turned away from all his transgressions with repentance would not be incarcerated or executed.  He was deemed free of sin and free to go.  The children of Israel thought this was unjust of God when He is only fair, just and right.  I find it ironic God is righteous and His Law is very effective to reveal our sinfulness, yet man's inclination is to try to find fault with God and justify himself when only God can justify us.  Our natural hearts are so bent and corrupted by sin the existence of God's Laws actually stir us to transgress them.

Apart from God, iniquity would have been all our ruin.  But thanks be to our righteous God who has revealed Himself and provided a way of forgiveness and righteousness, for salvation and deliverance is not found by efforts to keep the Law, but by righteousness imputed by faith in Jesus Christ.  Though the Law of Moses holds forth a righteous standard, it gives us no strength or ability to keep it.  Trying to justify ourselves by the Law can only condemn us, yet the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  Anyone who demands justice will receive it, and those who appeal to their good works cannot justify themselves and remain condemned for every infraction.  But those who admit they are sinners and repent, trusting in Jesus who atoned for the sins of the world, He will justify, sanctify and glorify according to His promise.  How good it is God is just and gracious, merciful and righteous.

God has extended the offer of a relationship with Him as a father to a beloved son or daughter--not a transactional relationship according to our demands to have our way.  It is by faith in Jesus we become children of God and receive the blessings and benefits spoken of in Psalm 103:10-14 and other places in the Bible:  "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him."  Praise God He is faithful, trustworthy and cares for us, perfect in all His ways.

Earnestly and Carefully

"After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest."

Nehemiah 3:20

In the section of Nehemiah that explains who repaired the wall and gates of Jerusalem and the specific areas each person or group worked on, the verse concerning Baruch stands out because it shows how he worked.  The rebuilding of the walls, gates and bars of Jerusalem was a huge group effort, and people took up tasks outside their normal field of expertise to collaborate to accomplish the building project in a relatively short time.  Baruch's earnestness to repair a section of the wall is a good illustration of the focus, diligence and dedication God's people ought to exercise in their service unto Him.

Webster defines "earnestly" as "warmly, zealously, importunately, eagerly, with real desire."  Of all the people who laboured on the wall, Baruch was the only one described as working earnestly.  The NKJV rendering of the same word is "carefully," and this provides a helpful clarification.  Earnestness does not mean a person works efficiently, for desire to accomplish a job speedily can result in haste, wasted effort and materials, and inferior results.  I remember a friend of mine was so zealous to use his new power saw in one day he cut through 3 power cords which required valuable time to repair and replace.  Working earnestly with care conveys diligence combined with accuracy.  Baruch sounds like a worker who was pleased and felt privileged to contribute in the work effort.

As there are people who want to do the least amount of work possible for the most pay, there is a person who puts off doing hard work as long as possible to do as little as possible.  This is unbecoming of a child of God who has been granted life, all resources, ability and opportunity to serve the LORD and one another faithfully.  Paul wrote to believing slaves 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."  In building Baruch worked towards a completed wall that would provide security, protection and a clear vantage point, and in all we do the child of God is to fulfill our obligations to labour as doing it for God's sake.  In this way all our labours are sanctified with earnestness and sincerity of heart, knowing our reward is not only found in a job completed--but confidence in receiving the reward of the inheritance from Christ.

It is satisfying to see a job coming along well and finally complete, yet the reward of the inheritance Jesus gives is far better.  Jobs finished today will always require maintenance going forward, but what we receive as Christ's inheritance is infinitely greater and enduring.  Christians are promised an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:4), and the LORD is our inheritance as it is written in Psalm 16:5:  "O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot."  Rather than working to gain, we are to labour from the place of already having all things, being satisfied in Jesus Christ our Saviour who is our life.  No longer is our mindset to be, "What's in it for me?" or "What do I stand to gain?" but in confidence in our eternal inheritance we put our hands to the plow and our necks to the yoke for Jesus Christ is our portion we have already received and rejoice in.

The Wise and Foolish Exam

"Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more."

Ecclesiastes 4:13

It is said that with age comes wisdom, and this certainly can be true.  It is also true that a good and wise king can make foolish decisions and be unwilling to be instructed or corrected.  A king is in a position of great power and influence, yet life experience and political savvy is no substitute for wisdom that only comes from God.  Only those who maintain a humble posture in faith before the LORD will be divinely enabled to walk in wisdom.

A wise youth and a foolish king both at times need to be admonished, for there is no man who does not sin.  It is not primarily the absence of sin that marks the wise or foolish person but their response to instruction and correction reveals their hearts truly.  Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Fools are revealed in their disdain to be instructed or corrected, for it is an affront to their pride and conceit.  As Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise."  Unlike a fool, the wise will receive rebuke and repent of sin as it is written in Proverbs 17:10:  "Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool."  When disciplinary action is ineffective to address behaviour, it is not the discipline that is the problem but the person who stubbornly refuses to amend their ways.

Consider the difference between the ways scoffers (who fall into the foolish category) and the wise and how they respond to correction, rebuke and instruction in Proverbs 9:7-9 says, "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. ⁸ Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."  It is good for us to ask ourselves:  when admonished or rebuked, does our love for that person increase or do we hate them?  Our hatred is exposed when we realise hatred means to love less, to be more apt to avoid and ignore a person rather than include them and have an inclination toward helping them.

Solomon's proverb suggests there was a time when a king would accept correction and be admonished, but a day came when he became lifted up with pride, was full of himself and indignation:  he was king!  How dare anyone speak to him in this manner?  Was he so inept and foolish he needed instruction?  If his thoughts were along these lines, a wise man would experience conviction of the Holy Spirit and identify the foolish plague of pride in his own heart that must be confessed and repented of as sin.  God can use a foolish youth to rebuke and correct a wise old king.  Let us not miss the message God speaks to us because of the brashness or folly of His messenger.  Believers, as we grow older may we remain as that poor and wise youth, for God promises the poor in spirit the kingdom of God.

Willing Giving

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7

There is no one more generous and giving than the almighty God who created mankind, for He has given us everything we have and enjoy.  Without us asking God has given us life, and having given us His only begotten Son Jesus we have freely received from Him all that pertains to life and godliness.  God has demonstrated His love for all people through Jesus, and He also loves a cheerful giver.  God loves when people give willingly and cheerfully like He does.  Knowing God loves a cheerful giver encourages us to align our practices to walk in His ways.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "God prizes not the size of the gift (cf. Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:2), but the giver’s sincerity (not reluctantly), spontaneity (not under compulsion), and joyful willingness (a cheerful giver)."

In the Old Testament we see occasions where God's people were moved to give to His work, specifically with building the tabernacle and temple.  After Moses spoke to the people concerning the needs for building the tabernacle according to God's design, people brought freewill offerings on a daily basis.  A point came when their generosity was so abundant the people needed to be restrained from giving by a proclamation by Moses, for as Exodus 36:7 says, "...the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done--indeed too much."  When David was king of Israel, he told the people his plans to prepare for the building of the temple in Jerusalem.  He asked the people in 1 Chronicles 29:5:  "...Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?"  In giving gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, marble and precious stones, people gave themselves willingly for the work of the LORD.

What I love about David's interaction with the people was his presentation of a clear opportunity to meet needs to prepare for the building of the temple.  David did not lure the people to give by telling them they would financially benefit or reap some blessing:  they already had been blessed and provided for abundantly by God.  David did not threaten them, accuse them of greed, or suggest God's work could not continue without their assistance.  There was no guilt-trip placed on the people for their prosperity that hung in the balance or made it a competition among themselves to motivate giving.  There were not a set goal of goods to be received from the people before the project was committed to.  People were not placed in categories or tiers to receive honour from men for the monetary value of their gifts.  David set a personal example by giving himself, and then he exhorted the people to give unto the LORD.  The passage tells us God's people rose to the occasion.

1 Chronicles 29:6 & 9 says, "Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly...⁹ Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly."  The people gave willingly to the king for the work of the house of the LORD, and King David also rejoiced to see people unite in giving with a loyal, perfect heart.  In contrast to misers who are pained and disgruntled to part with a fraction of what they possess, God's people rejoiced to voluntarily contribute generously to God who blessed them.  Though he does not have as much as the rich, a relatively poor man can give with the generosity of a king--as if he has much more in reserve, can draw upon the wealth of nations, count on profits from foreign trade and daily abundance--because his wealth is in God.

Sincerity, willingness, generosity and spontaneity in giving is demonstrated by Araunah when David asked to purchase his threshing floor.  2 Samuel 24:22-23 says in KJV, "And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. ²³ All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee."  Araunah was generous to freely provide valuable oxen and equipment to be roasted in the flames and required nothing in return--and gave a blessing as well!  David refused to offer to God what cost him nothing, so he purchased the threshing floor and oxen.  Both king and subject gave unto the LORD gladly, having been blessed by God continually.  How amazing it is God gives His people the capacity to give with a perfect, willing and cheerful heart unto Him.

When people look at giving to God as an investment, there is no question there is hope of a return of some kind.  People put money in the bank they hope to receive back again--with interest.  Giving to God in this manner is not freely giving as it is with an eye to gain.  To give willingly to God and His work is a sound investment when our hearts are cheerful, not because of what we stand to receive, but as a response to how good God is and all He has already given us.  Giving to God's work in supporting a local church and Christian ministry is viewed by some as optional at best and a drudgery at worst when it is an opportunity to live out our faith in a way God loves.  Paul says we ought not to give because we must but because we can, and may we purpose in our hearts to give to God cheerfully as we receive good things from Him.

Word of Their Testimony

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

Revelation 12:11

In the sermon this morning, this verse from Revelation 12 stood out to me.  Revelation 12:10 said what happened after Satan was cast down from heaven:  "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."  The redeemed inhabitants of heaven praised the LORD and rejoiced in God's salvation, strength and kingdom was revealed by permanently excommunicating the accuser of the brethren.  Due to Christ's blood shed on Calvary for sinners, the power of Satan, sin and death is overcome by faith in Jesus.

Those in heaven also overcame Satan "by the word of their testimony."  The Greek word translated "testimony" is "martyrias" which means "witness."  The book of Revelation describes some residing in heaven who were indeed martyred for their faith in previous passages, and this was strong evidence they loved Jesus more than saving their own lives--having been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  While some people see a martyr's death as an ultimate act of devotion to God, it is only ultimate in that it is the last thing a person can humanly do before their lives end.  In no way do I seek to detract from the courage and fortitude countless Christians have demonstrated in choosing to die for Jesus than to deny Him when their lives were at stake.  The strength and resolve they showed by God's power is commendable, and such sacrifice for Christ's sake ought to be an inspiration for us to live for Jesus every day.

When a witness shares a personal experience with a friend or stranger, testifying of what was seen and heard does not often come with the price of death.  There are places and regimes in the world where witnessing about how Jesus has saved us by the Gospel could potentially put our lives and families at risk.  We ought not be cavalier and foolhardy in our flesh to make waves but humbly led by the Spirit as we follow the example of people who have gone to heaven before us to overcome by the "word of their testimony."  "Word" is "logos," what Jesus is called throughout John 1:1-18, and John affirmed the "Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."  John began Revelation 1:1-2 in this way:  "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw."

In one sense Jesus personifies the word of the testimony of Christians, and our lives are to be living epistles through which God reveals His love, grace, mercy and life to the world (2 Corinthians 3:3).  It is by faith in Jesus Christ we are His witnesses, not merely repeating what the Bible says, but by the evidence of the life of Jesus being lived out in and through us.  When it came time for Jesus to die on the cross, He did not shrink from God's command but set His face like a flint for the joy set before Him.  Paul willingly went to Jerusalem knowing bonds awaited him, yet incarceration was a small thing when he was ready to spend and be fully spent for Christ.  Personal sacrifice for Christ is not reserved for witnesses who face the threat of execution for their faith but for those who live in lands of tolerance and inclusion.  Christians can expect intolerance and exclusion, and considering what Jesus endured we are steeled and encouraged when troubles arise.  Being accepted, included and loved in the kingdom of God is the Gospel message we should boldly share and live out before God--and in full view of others.

Those who have been martyred for Christ's sake are strong witnesses for Him, and every Christian God chooses to preserve alive unto this day has the potential to provide an ongoing witness just as strong by God's grace.  It isn't just those who are killed for Christ's sake who overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, but those who die to themselves daily in following Jesus as His joyful servants wherever He leads.

Resolute in Love

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

Romans 14:5

By God's grace He has given Christians liberty to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, to serve and walk in love towards all inside and outside the church.  Though Christians are all united in Christ as one body, every person is unique and has their own perspective, convictions and corresponding actions.  My introduction to Christian liberty came when my friend's mum asserted I was listening to the "devil's music" because I enjoyed listening to a cassette of a metal band purchased from a local Christian bookstore.  After presenting the lyrics to defend myself and band from such slander, she resolutely held her position:  "It's the devil's music.  It has an evil beat."  In that moment I was faced with a temptation other people usher into our lives with different opinions and convictions:  to love her despite our disagreement, or to lose respect for her and brand her an enemy of thrash metal.  Isn't it ironic we can easily be offended that others are offended?

The music we listen to, our style of dress, way of parenting, even the days we celebrate or choose to ignore are all opportunities for us to make choices with the intent to honour Jesus Christ and to show love to others.  We have liberty in Christ to prefer one translation of the Bible over another, but this does not give us the freedom to bash or belittle those who tout their preferred rendering.  One person sees the decoration of a Christmas tree or hanging a wreath as pagan customs and another sees it as a fun family tradition.  Let everyone be fully convinced in their own mind in the way they celebrate Christmas or choose not to celebrate it at all.  What others do should be a little thing by comparison to choosing to live our lives before the LORD by faith in Him.  It speaks to our motivation if our whole point of doing something is because we know it bothers someone else--much to our enjoyment and amusement.  This reeks of flesh.

It occurred to me recently the traditional American celebration of Halloween of dressing up and going to local houses trick-or-treating is no closer connected with paganism than rabbits and eggs are connected with Christ's resurrection celebrated by many on Easter.  There are likely people who frown on dressing up on a certain day (when some kids enjoy "dress up" most days) who have no problem with their child participating in an egg hunt.  Let each be fully convinced in their own mind and not condemn others for having convictions different than their own or when choices of others seem inconsistent.  Because humans tend to extremes, it is possible people who have come out of lifestyles they now recognise as sinful swing far to the opposite to avoid even the appearance of evil.  This was the case with my heavy-metal-hating friend's Christian mum.  She had been a fan of rock music growing up that coaxed her into sinful ways, and those electric guitars took her right back to a place she never wanted to go.  Good on her for not going back and keeping close to Jesus.

Knowing we ought not to condemn our brethren whom God makes to stand and we will all be judged by Christ, Paul wrote in Romans 14:13-14, "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. ¹⁴ I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."  Paul was convinced of something we must grow to learn, that there is nothing unclean of itself.  We have likely many times, like Pharisees before us, imagined something to be unclean of itself when God has given us and others liberty and purity.  It is good not to do things which can stumble, offend or weaken ourselves or a brother--and at the same time it is not loving to cater to legalists by caving to their demands out of fear of man.  Whenever we are compelled to judge a brother due to different convictions, let us first take aim on examining our own hearts and motivation.  God teaches us to gladly forgo our liberties to demonstrate love to others without drawing attention to our sacrifice, seeing Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  This is the true freedom in Christ--not the freedom to listen to a style of music or dressing up for a party on Halloween--to resolutely love one another as Jesus loves us.

Exception or Rule of Life?

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."

Psalm 63:1

David made it a daily practice to seek the LORD early and often.  He had the perspective that seeking and  communing with God was necessary for his life, even as those who exert themselves need to drink more water to stay hydrated.  In a dry and thirsty land where there was no water, God proved Himself able and powerful to reveal Himself to David--the God who gives living water for our souls.

It is important to realise seeking God for David was his rule of life and not just an exception in dire times of need.  We do well to examine ourselves and see what our established rules of life are, especially concerning seeking the LORD.  Considering this in light of diet and exercise is a good illustration to see why we can languish physically and apply it to our spiritual walk with Jesus as Christians.  I have discovered when I am disciplined to exercise daily as a rule, my physical health improves more than when exercise is an exception to my typical daily routine of being sedentary.  If I am watching my portions and being intentional to eat healthier foods as a rule, I can make an exception for occasional sweet treats without ill effect.  But if my rule of life slides into eating more than I need to and having dessert after every meal, I will not see any physical benefit from denying myself one dessert.

The spiritual impact of seeking God as an exception rather than our rule of life is seen in king Saul.  Saul was the sort of fellow who sought the LORD when he faced calamitous trouble but not something he cared to do every day.  Early in his reign when Philistines mustered to attack, he offered a sacrifice to God out of the fear of man.  We do not read of Saul building an altar to God like Abraham or offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving like Solomon of his free will at any time.  Because seeking God was not his rule of life, when he tried to seek God he found it impossible--like people whose rule of life is binge eating junk food who hope skipping a meal will help them drop 20 kilos.  Towards the end of Saul's reign 1 Samuel 28:5-6 says, "When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶ And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets."  Saul's pride and self-confident rule of life exposed his poverty of heart before God, and when God did not answer when Saul hoped, he sought a medium in violation of God's word.  Doing his own thing and going his own way was Saul's rule of life, and thus his attempts to seek God were in vain.

David made seeking God his daily and continual practice, even as Daniel knelt three times a day and prayed facing Jerusalem.  When the command from Darius was signed into law that he alone could be the one to whom prayers were directed for a month, Daniel did not make an exception to his rule of life governed by God:  he turned towards Jerusalem with open windows and prayed to the God of Israel.  Now there is a man who obtained favour from God!  When he prayed for the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, God answered with a vision in the night.  After being thrown into a den of hungry lions, God sent His angel to shut the lion's mouth all night and Daniel was unharmed.  God was with Daniel and gave him wisdom beyond his peers because he made seeking and praying to God his rule of life without exception.  It would have been easy for Daniel to become slack with devotion, reading God's word and worship of God when there was no temple, synagogue or priests in Babylon.  He sought the LORD as a man greatly loved of God, and he was told this personally by an angelic messenger because seeking God was Daniel's rule of life.

How about you?  Is seeking God early and meditating on Him night and day your rule of life or is it more of an exception to your normal routine?  Do not be surprised when you do not grow much spiritually or benefit much from times in prayer and Bible reading when you have reserved these activities only for trying times.  Reading the Bible for a few minutes will not offset all the nonsense we can meditate on as a rule throughout the day.  Worship God and make seeking the LORD your rule of life, and you will find yourself satisfied in Him regardless of your circumstances.  If you go to church, pray or wait on the LORD as an exception to your practice and rule of life governed by faith in God, don't be surprised when nothing seems to make a difference for you practically and spiritually.

Made Up Worship

My evening Bible reading has been from the NIV, a translation I am not as familiar with as the KJV or NKJV.  I have found it more similar to those other versions than different, and sometimes there are renderings that put a fresh spin on verses I can finish by memory.  An example that illustrates this well is found in Isaiah 29:13:  "The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."  This translation makes it abundantly clear how distant, impersonal and rule-oriented the worship of God had become.  God desired a relationship with the Hebrews made possible through faith in Him shown by obedience to His Law, yet it was reduced to what people did or didn't do.  Such "worship" falls woefully short of God's design.

People thought they were worshipping God through their offerings, sacrifices, tithes, songs and observances of feasts, and for those who trusted and loved God it was a genuine outlet of praise and thanksgiving in which God was pleased.  But God observed people who said the right things to honour God, yet their hearts remained far from Him.  Their worship of God was made up--it had become commands and prohibitions cobbled together by men who did not know God themselves.  This is not to say among the Hebrews there were not many people who knew and feared God in truth, yet God's judgment concerning these people who claimed to honour and worship God but remained far from Him is the point made.

Though worshippers remained distant from God, He followed up by saying in Isaiah 29:14:  "Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."  God would confound the priests and Levites, the learned experts of the Law of Moses, and He would cause the studious and intelligent scribes to wonder.  He would blow their minds by exposing their spiritual poverty and lack.  They had been so focused on performing the letter of the Law according to tradition they missed drawing near to God and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.  God would do a miracle in causing children to know and worship God with a depth they had not experienced.  We can be guilty of setting the bar exceedingly low for youth to desire holiness in the fear of God, but God would put this desire in their hearts by His grace.

See how the chapter ends in Isaiah 29:22-24:  "Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the house of Jacob: "No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. ²³ When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. ²⁴ Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction."  The God who redeemed Abraham would also redeem his wayward children.  The next generation would be the work of God's hand who would keep His name holy and stand in awe of God.  The wayward child and youth would grow in understanding of God and complainers would receive instruction by the LORD.  How awesome is God to do this, and He continues to do so to this day.

As children of God today by faith in Jesus, it is possible we sing worship songs in church and read the Bible as something we know is good and needful--but our hearts can remain distant from Him.  Spiritual disciplines can become a checklist we are not even faithful to do, and we can do them without our hearts being in it because our affections and desires are elsewhere.  Yet even if our lukewarm and hard-hearts set a lame example for others to follow, God is looking for those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.  As He spoke to young Samuel in the darkness, God continues to speak to children, youth and older people set in their own ways to draw us to Himself by a relationship with Jesus Christ.  As God's handiwork as Christians, let us acknowledge the LORD in all our ways, draw near to the God of Israel to stand in awe of Him, and gain understanding of God as we worship Him with our whole hearts--not reducing worship to rules we follow.

Righteous Destruction

When the sin of God's people in Israel multiplied before the LORD, judgment by the hand of their enemies was the LORD's righteous remedy.  They sold themselves to rebellion, sin and idolatry, so God sold them as slaves into the hands Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.  It is ironic that Israel had been given the Law of Moses, had built the temple as God's dwelling place and had priests and Levites who conducted worship and corrupted themselves, yet it was Nebuchadnezzar who did God's will in destroying Jerusalem.  God had a good purpose and plan even in displacing the people and making the city a ruin, for He would refine them and cause them to return to Him (and the land He gave them as an inheritance) at His appointed time.

Consider what is written in Isaiah 10:20-23:  "And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ²¹ The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. ²² For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return; the destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness. ²³ For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land."  For a season the children of Israel were made to depend on those who defeated them because they would depend on the LORD God in truth.  God preserved a remnant who would place their trust and reliance upon God who chastened them even as a father does his son in whom he delights.  Though it seemed no good could come from the destruction and death, God had a determined end in mind for the good of His people.

God had decreed destruction that would "overflow with righteousness."  This opposes our assumption that building is good and tearing down is bad.  Tearing down is often necessary to build something better, like when a house is condemned and uninhabitable.  God was like a builder who tore down a building who possessed the skill, resources and plans to rebuild and spare no expense.  God directed Nebuchadnezzar to raze the ornate temple Solomon built to the foundation with the intent to make His people the humble temples of the Holy Spirit He would inhabit.  The physical destruction of a building dedicated to keeping the covenant of law preceded the establishment of a new covenant by grace through faith in Jesus.  The people prided themselves in the temple and gave their lives to defend it, yet God in due time would send His son Jesus to die for the sins of the world so all can be made new creations by the power of the Gospel.

Out of the wreckage of Jerusalem and a long period of captivity God would preserve a faithful remnant, and this is good for us to remember in the midst of trials and difficult seasons.  This observation should not cause us to minimise the struggle or pain people experience, that we ought to dismiss grief and troubles we or others face, but to realise God has plans to miraculously redeem them for good.  Romans 8:28-29 holds forth this assurance that is more sure and predictable than the force of gravity on earth:  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."  Rather than seeing predestination as God choosing some and excluding others, it is better to view it as the guarantee that all who choose to trust Jesus were first called and chosen by Him.  From the death of His only begotten Son God has brought the promise of new life He has freely extended to all.  The question is, will we receive Jesus by faith and be faithful?

Humble in God's Sight

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

Galatians 6:14-15

Being born again by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the one way to be righteous in God's sight.  Though the Gentile believers in the church in Galatia once knew this, they caved to the influence of pressure exerted from Jewish legalists to keep the Law of Moses as a means of righteousness.  What appeared to be submission and humility before God and His Law was in reality the strivings of the flesh to accomplish what only the Spirit of God could do.  People began to pride themselves in their sacrifices and looked down on others who did not follow their legalistic convictions.  Circumcision did not make anyone closer to God, and ironically taking pride in subjection to the rite did the opposite.

My son came home from leading a Christian camp this week with the hairstyle of a monk, and as a family we were intrigued by the significance of an odd haircut of monastic orders.  Apparently hair was cut in a singular fashion as an act of humility and identification with Christ because the ring of hair around the head loosely resembled the circular crown of thorns Jesus wore on the cross.  It is possible a haircut could be a means of showing humility, yet because it is an outward act it can easily be motivated by a desire to be seen by others and gain favour in their eyes.  It is important to examine our own hearts that our motivation of our hearts is pure before the LORD, for a good act is quickly corrupted when it is not by faith in God.  It is what we do in secret where true humility shines.

Jesus taught His disciples concerning this in Matthew 6:1-6:  "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. ⁵ "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

There is nothing wrong with doing charitable deeds or praying and being seen by others doing so:  what is wrong is when we do charitable deeds and pray in public to be seen by others.  Jesus said it is hypocrisy to do anything charitable or good because of the glory you may gain from others.  Jesus emphasised again and again God sees what we do in secret, and He will reward us openly for it in His time and way.  It is faith in God that is satisfied by this arrangement, and it exercises humility God enables us to do by virtue of our new birth.  When we humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD, He will exalt us.  Those who humble ourselves to be exalted continue to operate according to fleshly and worldly principles.  A haircut can be humbling, yet those who wear it to appear humble are anything but.

New Creations in Christ

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

Galatians 6:14-15

Being a disciple of Jesus begins with personal transformation by the Holy Spirit--not behaviour modification as some people imagine.  Better behaviour is not the end God is looking for in us, though that is something that is often emphasised.  What can result is spiritual pride for the good things you do and the bad things you avoid.  This also leads to our "walk" being up and down depending on our performance rather than being compelled by God's love to walk worthy of Him.

Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to Christians who has veered from salvation by grace through faith in Jesus to a return to the Law and legalism--that our good standing with God is secured by effort to keep the law.  One fact emphasised during His Sermon on the Mount was Jesus did not save souls to empower us to keep the Law of Moses, for He holds His disciples to a standard of righteousness that is higher than keeping the letter of the Law.  The Law forbade adultery, but Jesus explained the man who looks with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  No law has the power to change the hearts, minds and habits of mankind:  but Jesus can and does.

While we are called to follow the godly example of Jesus Christ, He does not want us to mimic or ape Him without understanding.  Any Pharisee can keep the letter of the Law and add countless more laws and conditions to it according to human wisdom.  Rather than boasting of being circumcised according to the Law of Moses, Paul's boast was in the cross of the LORD Jesus Christ, the demonstration of His love and power to save lost sinners.  The Gospel makes new creations by faith in Jesus, and efforts to keep the Law of Moses still never saved a soul.  This is why the condition of our hearts is critical for Christians, for copying Jesus does not mean we know Him any more than an ape wearing a suit has fashion sense.  Those who mimic their way through a "Christian" life without inner transformation will hear from Christ, "Depart from Me; I never knew you."

Being physically circumcised or uncircumcised did not avail anything, nor did this emphasis benefit the Galatians or the proponents one bit.  If anything it indicated pride, self-righteousness, fear of being disfellowshipped or excluded, and a lack of faith in salvation by the Gospel of Jesus alone.  It is important we do not fall into the opposite error, thinking ourselves better or someone else lesser due to legalism.  Being made new creations by faith in Jesus, we are to walk in newness of life that hears and obeys the commands of Jesus.  It is the love of God, not a Law, that is to govern our interactions with others so God may be glorified, so He might increase and we might decrease.  Our integrity ought to spring from a heart transformed by God's love and walking according to the guidance and the convictions of the Holy Spirit--not by peer pressure, fear of failure, or to impress others--but because we are new creations by faith in Jesus.

Wise Priorities

"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house."

Proverbs 24:27

God's word provides wise guidance concerning our priorities.  Sometimes our natural inclination is to prioritise the wrong things or neglect to put "first things first."  When flying in a aeroplane, directions are specifically given in case of an emergency that parents ought to fit their own oxygen mask first before helping their child or others.  This may be due to parents prioritising the health and welfare of their child and their first instinct is to make sure their child is able to breathe.  But if the parent does not put on their own mask first, they may lose consciousness and be unable to render the assistance their child requires for survival.  Put on your own mask first, and then you can help others with fitting their masks.

On the subject of making judgments about others (especially negative ones), it is wise for the person who is offended to examine their own heart, conduct and words before weighing in on how others ought to change.  Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 7:3-5:  "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  Jesus explained it was hypocritical to form judgments about others and seek to help them change when you have not considered your own impediments to seeing clearly.  We are to deal with the plank in our eye first before we will be able to see clearly to help others see.

In Solomon's proverb, he guided people to prepare their outside work first before building their house.  Preparing your field by planting and cultivating crops or building fences to protect valuable flocks and herds was a matter of survival.  Neglect of outside work could result in a lack of food, mounting debts and the loss of income if sheep or cows wandered off.  As comfortable and pleasant as having a house would be, tents served as a suitable habitation in the meantime while making fields fit for planting and harvest.  To direct your energies and time towards building a house without food or resources for trading could mean bankruptcy and becoming a slave to others to pay off debts--and never have a habitable home.

I am reminded about what Jesus told His disciples concerning the importance of hearing His word and putting it into practice.  Matthew 7:24-27 says, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 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. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."  Enthusiasm for building a house and seeing progress leads to ruin if the house is built without a foundation of concrete and steel.  People can have many ambitions, passions and plans, but decisions that are not founded upon faith in Christ and obedience to Him will lead to a great fall.  Once a house is built without a foundation it is very difficult to move it onto one, and praise the LORD what is impossible with men is possible by God's grace.

Quenching Thirst

"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise."

Proverbs 20:1

I've been reading through the NIV Bible as my evening portion, and given the use of parallelism in Hebrew poetry it is a very pertinent and accessible translation that speaks to the heart.  The KJV and NKJV put "strong drink" where the NIV says "beer."  There are a lot of beer drinkers who do not drink whiskey or other distilled spirits, and such may miss the point because their drink of choice is not expressly mentioned.  The concept is that all beverages that contain alcohol have the potential to lead people astray from God's wise ways.

"Wine is a mocker," Solomon says, and alcohol has a way of blunting kindness and tact.  Drinking to excess can make people seem very funny and clever (at least to themselves) and influences them to say things which ought not to be said.  A person who is gentle and kind in their right mind can be a mocker when under the influence.  In addition to mockery, alcohol can make people combative and violent.  Mild-mannered people after a few beers can be prompted to start arguments, contentions and even land blows.  I remember many years ago giving a patron of a pub a ride home to his hotel.  "I could fight right now," he said.  Motioning to a man at random walking along the street he demanded, "Pull over, I'm going to beat up that guy."  This was not a man in his right mind, but he couldn't see it.

Another application of the passage is to consider how alcohol makes a mockery of a person by leading them astray:  by drinking to excess a man's folly is put on display.  Alcohol wars and fights like an enemy against the better judgment of people, and it is always seeking to undermine their mental and physical well-being.  Even when it does not lead to poverty, drunkenness always leads to spiritual poverty.  By the fear of God the wise will not be led astray by strong drink, though it has left many wounded and ashamed.  Mocking and brawling are a blight upon fools--and how much more so upon those who claim to know and follow Christ!

Rather that toeing the line of sobriety, the child of God is guided by Christ to be led by the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18-21:  "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."  Debauchery can be defined as "habitual lewdness; excessive unlawful indulgence of lust" that is not limited to those who abuse alcohol.  Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, the outflow of God's presence results in speaking and singing praise to God, giving thanks to God for everything.  The Living Water of the Holy Spirit is more than sufficient to quench the thirsty soul.

Good Stewards of Grace

Jesus told parables that involved servants who were given stewardship of talents (large sums of money) by their master to invest while he was away.  They didn't know exactly when he was going to return, yet belief their master would arrive at any hour motivated them to work so they would be ready.  This provides a parallel for Christians today, for Jesus said many times His return is imminent and sudden.  Many believers have passed away before the long awaited rapture of the church, and only God knows if we will remain until that glorious day.

In light of the end of all things being at hand, Peter urged fellow believers to be sober, watch unto prayer, and love one another fervently.  He continued in 1 Peter 4:10-11:  "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."  Freely we have received the Holy Spirit who provides spiritual gifts, and having freely received we are to be good stewards of God's grace to minister it to one another.  God gifts His people, not primarily for their own edification, but so our God-given ability would be utilised for the glorification of God through Jesus Christ.

Receiving a gift is a small thing when compared to if we are using it as good stewards.  God does not fault anyone for not operating in a spiritual gift they have not been given.  Receiving a gift from God should cause us to glorify God by ministering the gift to one another--not seeing it as a feather in our cap of spiritual maturity since all we have is by God's grace.  We may have been Christians a long while before we realised the gift or gifts God has given us, and we need His guidance and wisdom to learn to use it well.  Even when we have a great wealth of experience, every time we minister to one another we need to rely upon Jesus as at the first, for without Him we can do nothing.

Even if you are not sure what spiritual gifts God has given you, common to all believers is the gift of salvation when we are born again by faith in Jesus.  Having been saved by Jesus through the Gospel, we can testify of all He has done for us and how awesome He is.  By virtue of our new birth we have also received the Holy Spirit who indwells us, for Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.  To Jesus Christ belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever, and having been purchased by His shed blood we are not our own.  As people saved by grace through faith, we are to extend grace to all people by loving and forgiving, by edifying words and exhortations to be good stewards of the abundant grace of God.  As we have received, good stewards freely give and lack no good thing.

One Defining Characteristic

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:34-36

God's people were commanded to love the LORD their God with all their hearts, and Jesus upped the ante in person as Immanuel to love one another as He loved them.  It was not boldness, devotion, intelligence or study of God's word but the love of Jesus that was to be their defining characteristic as His disciples.  God's love stands alone from all love that is found in the world.  Jesus went on to demonstrate His love for sinners by freely and willingly dying on the cross to atone for lost sinners so they might have abundant life through Him.

The love of Jesus was seen throughout His life and ministry on earth, and it was brought to the attention of the people of Bethany by His tears.  Jesus went to Bethany after He knew His friend Lazarus had died, and by the time Jesus arrived he had been buried four days.  John 11:33-36 states, "Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"  Jesus was moved emotionally and groaned when He saw people lamenting the death of Lazarus.  When He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, people could see He really loved him.

In those days it was common to hire professional mourners to show kindness to those mourning in addition to honouring the deceased, and this service was seen by some as a fulfillment of loving your neighbour as yourself.  The tears of Jesus were a demonstration of His love for Lazarus.  God who transcends time entered time and Jesus lingered in that sorrowful moment, despite knowing His plan to raise Lazarus from the dead.  He groaned within Himself as He approached the tomb, and Jesus directed the people to remove the stone from the mouth of the tomb.  John 11:41-42 reads, "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."  At the command of Jesus, Lazarus came forth from the tomb and many people believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

There is everything to admire in Jesus:  His power, wisdom, boldness, grace and patience.  There is no end to how wonderful and amazing Jesus is to call unworthy disciples, do countless miracles. always speak the truth, knows perfectly the hearts of men, to take little children in His arms, and show deep interest and care for those who had little or no honour in society.  But if I had to pick one defining characteristic of my Saviour Jesus, it would be His love that undergirds everything He said and did and flavours everything about Him.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, of anything we might be known for, may it be our love of Jesus Christ shown to one another.  I may not be the most bright, clever, brave, strong, kind or gentle, yet may God say of me, "He really loves Jesus."  If this feat is ever accomplished, it will be God's doing and by His grace.  Is that how you want to be known by others--how they would sum up your life--as one who loves Jesus?

In Land Not Sown

"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ² "Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown."

Jeremiah 2:1-2

God is the same yesterday, today and forever; He is faithful and good towards all, and His people know this well.  Through the prophet God addressed His people, the children of Israel, about how over time they had changed.  During the season when God led them like a flock through the wilderness, they followed Him by faith with fervent desire.  This newborn nation followed God like a betrothed woman sought out her husband to walk with him--with only eyes for Him.  Sadly, Israel's devotion and kindness toward God did not remain steadfast.  God remembered how Israel once followed Him in the wilderness:  in a land not sown.

It is significant Israel followed God in a land not sown, for in this barren land there was no hope of harvest, wealth from a crop, or food for their little ones.  In the early days Israel did not follow God in the hope of personal gain, hoping to get something out of him like a gold digger who seeks to profit from the rich.  Over time the children of Israel continued with sacrifices, tithing and keeping feasts according to the Law of Moses, but their works became transactional and tinged with selfishness rather than kind and loving as in their youth when they gladly went after Him in the wilderness.  Boaz commended Ruth when she asked him to perform the duty of a kinsman redeemer in Ruth 3:10:  "Then he said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich."  Boaz was a great deal older than Ruth, yet she did not go looking for the youngest, most handsome men to redeem her.  Instead she went to the one who already showed her kindness in providing a safe place to glean.

Even in early days God witnessed the departure of His people to go after idols that never saved a soul or helped them, and this was memorialised in in Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32:16-17:  "They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. ¹⁷ They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear."  Though God had protected them and provided for all their needs, they were enticed by their lusts to seek benefits by worshipping idols that were not God.  The kindness spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah and Boaz conveys loyal love, faithfulness and joint obligation, godly character that ought to mark God's children expressed towards Him as we follow His example towards us.  God desires that we would gladly, freely seek Him and follow Him by faith in a land not sown, knowing He is our life and will supply all our needs.

Do you pray, read the Bible, go to church and serve out of love for the LORD--or because He has something you want?  We often can tell when people come to us with ulterior motives, and God is not fooled when we come to Him for selfish reasons.  As God's adopted children by faith in Jesus, let us be those who show more kindness at the end than at the beginning because we remember how kind and loving God has always been to us.  Even in a land not sown we should not be weary of doing good, for the LORD has promised we will reap if we do not lose heart.  Haven't we already received all we need for life and godliness by His grace (2 Peter 1:3)?