Choose Your Judgment

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2

There is safety in keeping the laws of the land, for such are protected as upright and responsible citizens.  The Bible says when born-again Christians confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins (1 John 1:9).  It is on the basis of Christ satisfying the righteous requirements of the Law of Moses and His atoning sacrifice we are forgiven, receive a full pardon and are rendered righteous by faith in Jesus.  The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the law of sin of death, and this is reason for rejoicing by living righteously.

Because of the Gospel freely offered to everyone, all people have the responsibility and opportunity to choose what side of God's judgment they will be on:  condemnation that leads to eternal death or pardon that leads to eternal life.  In a court of law the accuser and accused present their case before the judge.  As it stands all people are naturally guilty as sin before God and have no hope of exoneration.  Those who deny their guilt will be exposed as evildoers, and those who humble themselves with contrite hearts, admitting their wickedness and appealing to Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, will be redeemed and saved.

I have observed a variety of reactions of people in relation to court judgments.  I have seen the prosecution celebrate the guilty verdict, and some who have been condemned have been incredulous and continued to assert their innocence and desire to appeal.  On the other hand, I have seen the decision of "Not Guilty" celebrated by the accused and their supporters, exonerated from all accusations.  In that situation the accused are the ones who feel the verdict was a miscarriage of justice and lament the court's decision.  What is amazing is God's judgment of believers is not that we are "Not Guilty" (because we are indeed guilty of all manner of sin) but righteous based upon the payment Jesus made for our sin with His own blood.

Having been made free from the condemnation of God's Law and sin's curse that brings death, we are spared the eternal judgment and wrath of God.  Instead we have the promise of the abundant life that now is found in Jesus and eternal life that is to come.  God has given everyone the choice of which side of God's justice we will experience:  His eternal pardon or condemnation.  There are no appeals possible for the one who dies in their sins.  The wise willingly humble themselves and say, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"  The one who trusts in Christ who is righteousness for us is the one who will go home to heaven justified.

Temptation Without Sin

"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

Luke 4:13 (KJV)

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to go into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.  After shattering all temptations with the word of God, Satan departed from Him for a season.  The NKJV renders this passage "...until an opportune time."  It is useful for us to know Jesus did not draw upon divine reserves or abilities born again Christians lack, for He wisely wielded the word of God to counter every temptation.  This ought to bring our hearts great comfort, that God supplies wisdom and strength to recognise and defeat all temptation to sin.

We observe the season of temptation had an end, yet opportunities for temptation would come again.  Jesus had been fasting from food for 40 days and was at a physically weak point when the devil suggested He turn stones into bread.  This shows us Satan will tempt us to sin in the area where we are currently weak.  He looks for opportunities to lead us to satisfy fleshly appetites rather than continuing to trust in God and obey His word.  Jesus understood obedience to the word of God was of greater importance than filling His stomach with food even when He was starving, for His life was in God and for God.

God had to physically become a human to experience and resist temptation, and it is not a sin to be tempted because Jesus remained without sin.  Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."  Jesus experienced the same temptations we do, yet He was able to remain pure, holy and righteous.  It was required under the Law of Moses for people who had sinned to bring their sacrifice before the high priest and confess their sins, and when we believe on Jesus as Saviour He understands perfectly the lure of temptation as well has how we have chosen sin over obedience to God.

Because we have a great High Priest who understands our struggles in seasons of sins, the context of Hebrews 4:16 shines bright with loving acceptance for the humble sinner:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  The human body needs food, and we sinners need forgiveness and strength to resist the temptation to sin.  We are powerless in ourselves to keep resisting a single temptation, but thanks be to God who has overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God given to us.  Jesus Christ has given Himself to us by shedding His own blood on Calvary, and now we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Let our confidence not be in our ability or wits to avoid temptation but in Jesus Christ Who has overcome all temptation and sin that easily besets us.

Preserved by God

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Having forgiven our sins and purified us by the Gospel of grace, He is able to preserve us blameless until Christ returns.  A "life preserver" is intended to save a potential victim of drowning, and Jesus is faithful to save all who trust in Him.  As it is written in Jude 1:24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."  During study preparation I was intrigued by the concept of how God preserves His people and realised His manner of preservation is very different than ours.

When we preserve things, we do so with the intention to keep them exactly as they are.  The first thing that comes to mind are fruit preserves or conserve, fruit canned with a high-sugar content to prevent spoilage.  I thought of pickled organs or body parts suspended in formaldehyde, or even entire bodies stored in glass tubes in clear fluid like in science fiction movies.  There are chemical preservatives added to food to keep it fresh as long as possible.  Artwork is preserved by sealing out moisture, dust and insects, and by maintaining an appropriate temperature out of direct sunlight.  All is done to keep things how they currently are to prevent further decay, damage or degradation.

This is not God’s way of preservation.  He does not put us in glass tubes to protect us from potential dangers of the world, nor is He like an additive infused into us to slow the decomposition process.  After we are born again, He does not preserve us how we are:  He uses our experiences in our fallen world, other people and trials to refine us, gives us His word to change us and supplies the Holy Spirit to transform us.  Our whole selves are blameless by His atoning sacrifice and no one can snatch us from His hand, yet God puts us through the fire of affliction and preserves us while He refines and purifies us.  Spiritually we are made righteous and preserved blameless, but He also moulds us to be more like Jesus every day.

By faith in Jesus we are enabled to endure and press on--even if we feel like the stress and toil of life is tearing us apart.  We can have all confidence in God's preservation and salvation during this life and also when our souls are required of us in physical death.  Having been made alive to God through spiritual regeneration, He desires us to keep growing, learning and choose to joyfully embrace our sanctification.  He does not treat us like the servant who buried the talent in the ground merely to preserve it:  God desires we would be invested in life for His glory and to be fruitful.  Praise God for preserving us blameless and also helping us mature and be changed for the best at the same time.

The Ministry of Righteousness

"But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? ⁹ For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory."

2 Corinthians 3:7-9

What an appreciation we should have for Jesus Christ and the new covenant made with His shed blood.  The Law of Moses is good when used lawfully, but the Gospel of grace is established on infinitely better promises.  Ministry under the Law was a ministry of death, for it required the sacrifice of animals to provide atonement for the sin of people and the nation.  The sacrifice and offering of clean beasts under the Law was a perpetual requirement with no end in sight because no one could possibly keep the Law--for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  Paul's point in the 2 Corinthians 3 passage affirms the ministry of death and condemnation was glorious, for the face of Moses shone after communion with God, yet the ministry of righteousness through the Holy Spirit who regenerates and sanctifies Christians is far more glorious.

The book of Hebrews develops this concept further, proving the supremacy of Jesus over all angels and even the prophet Moses who was revered by the Jews.  The priesthood of Jesus Christ was not according to the Law, as He was of the tribe of Judah, but of the order of Melchizedek who was greater than Abraham!  Jesus did not enter the sanctuary with the blood of bulls and goats according to the Law but with His own blood that once for all cleansed sinners, providing eternal redemption by grace through faith.  Hebrews 9:13-14 reads, "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  Through animals sacrificed according to the Law and the sprinkling of the water of purification that contained the ashes of the red heifer, the bodies of sinners could be cleansed.  The work that Jesus accomplished by His death and resurrection cleanses us inside and out permanently--and this includes our conscience.

People kept the Law out of fear of divine reprisal, punishment, being potentially cut off from society, family and their inheritance.  Those who feared God were subject to ordinances they kept to the best of their ability, slaves to keep a Law that could not save them but could only condemn.  Jesus ushered in a marvellous change as it is written in Romans 8:1:  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  The Law that condemned us was nailed to the cross with Jesus.  Instead of continuing in dead works of sacrificing animals--which cannot permanently cleanse and could never save--we are born-again, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to go beyond the Law in loving God and others, faithfully serving Him, made fruitful by the Spirit Who indwells us.  This is not "the Law plus," but the Law is out of the way:  Jesus is the Way!  Having received the Gospel, we are free of the guilt and condemnation of the Law of Moses.

Of Jews in the early church who were born again, many kept the Law of Moses as unto the LORD and to remain in good standing in the community to influence and win fellow Jews to Christ.  The Gentiles were not called to become Jews when they received Christ, but out of love were commanded to avoid doing what could stumble Jews or Gentiles.  Love goes beyond the letter of the Law to glorify Jesus and serve one another, governing our lives and hearts from within in righteousness.  Christians have a glorious ministry of righteousness by faith in Jesus; we have conscience cleansed from dead works so we can serve God free of condemnation.  The new covenant Jesus has made to redeem sinners and reconcile us to Himself makes us new creations with clean consciences--able ministers of the new covenant by His grace.

Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 is a fitting conclusion:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Not Under the Law

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!"

Romans 6:15

In the movie The Princess Bride, a hired swordsman named Inigo wondered if his boss knew what "inconceivable" meant because he repeated it over and over.  "You keep using that word," he said.  "I do not think it means what you think it means."  There is debate over whether the swordsman was showing his ignorance, that he ironically instructed his "genius" boss or accurately identified hyperbole.  The fact is, people can mean different things by saying the same word or phrase.  "Taking out the trash" may mean carrying rubbish from inside the house to outside or also include hauling the bins to the kerb for pickup.  Not understanding the full implications of a word or phrase can lead to misunderstanding or a job only half done.

Sometimes I feel a bit like Inigo when I hear people talk about not being "under the Law."  The biblical phrase is used with regularity in Christian circles, but I wonder if we comprehend the full force of it since we have never experienced life as a Jew under the Law of Moses.  To them it was a badge of honour and identify with God, not the drudgery we expect it must be.  The implication I pick up on from Christians is gratitude for not being under the Law is appreciation not to observe rules and regulations.  As we read the Law in the Torah we are blown away by the almost oppressive nature of it in every area of life:  the hundreds of commands and prohibitions, kinds of food to be eaten or refused, the composition of clothes to wear, ceremonial cleansings, sacrificing, appearing before the LORD in Jerusalem in observance of feasts and on.  Born-again Christians can be like happy children because time-consuming chores on their daily list have already been completed by an adult, and thus they can do as they please and embrace playtime.  If this is what not being "under the Law" means to you, some important realities are not being considered.

Not being "under the Law" does not mean we are free to do as we please, for having been born again we are led by the Holy Spirit in our thoughts, words and deeds to go beyond the letter of the Law of Moses.  Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount repeatedly made the point to His disciples "It has been written...but I say unto you..."  The definition of adultery was expanded beyond sleeping with a married woman to simply looking with lust; instead of hating enemies followers of Jesus were to love them, pray for them and do good unto them.  Because the Holy Spirit fills each Christian, we are provided guidance, wisdom and help to do God's will even as Jesus did the will of the Father--not according to the letter of the Law of Moses, but by the leading of the Spirit.  We are not to limit the good we do by the leading of the Spirit to the extra mile but to the ends of the earth for God's glory.  Being under grace does not mean our workload has decreased at all but increased from being under Law that could never save a soul.  Jesus has established a new standard for living by the Gospel, for He works within us to do the Father's will.

No longer being under the Law is cause for rejoicing because we have been freed from the condemnation and curse of the Law:  the letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit gives life by faith in Jesus.  The handwriting of ordinances that condemned us has been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross, and Christ's righteousness is freely imputed to us by faith in Him.  The Law had no power to save and could only condemn, and those who kept it as best as they could still had no promise of everlasting life.  Hebrews 8:6 speaks of what Jesus accomplished:  "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises."  The Jews searched the scriptures, thinking in them they had eternal life, but Jesus said they testified of Him.  The Law was like a schoolmaster that led the Jews by the hand to know and receive Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners.

Rather than obeying the letter of the Law out of fear of punishment or retribution from God, we are under grace that leads us to humble ourselves before God in faithful service who has drawn us to Himself in goodness, love and mercy.  Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Instead of trying to work to measure up to an impossible standard that was incapable of saving us, Jesus has provided the gift of salvation for all who trust Him.   As His workmanship and new creations, we walk in obedience to God and joyfully do the good works He has prepared for us to do that go beyond the Law.  We repent of conviction for sins that are not plainly condemned in the Law because the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.  Jesus did what the Law could never do by atoning for our sins and adopting whosoever will believe in Him as children of God, and He is worthy of all praise and rejoicing.  Better than rejoicing we are no longer "under Law" we ought to rejoice in our Saviour Jesus Who continually works in and through us under grace.

God's Appointments

"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

There are many kinds of appointments we have daily, and some of these are arranged and kept by us and others by God.  Yesterday I accompanied my parents to a doctor's appointment, the kind of appointment one would rather not have.  It would be wonderful if we never were sick and doctor's appointments were unnecessary, but having an appointment with a skilled physician is a blessing when you have cancer and want to be rid of it.

I was encouraged by this passage in 1 Thessalonians 5 that tells us that God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our LORD Jesus Christ.  We may forget we have an appointment and miss it, but God never forgets.  As children of God saved through the Gospel, we are not appointed to wrath.  The suffering and pains of this life are not retribution for our sins, for Jesus has provided atonement on the cross, forgiven us and imputed the righteousness of God to us.  In this world, however, we will suffer many trials and tribulations.  We can be sure every one of them is devoid of God's wrath that consumes and destroys, for He utilises trials to refine His beloved children to make us more like Him.

As certain as children of God are not appointed to wrath, He has appointed us to obtain salvation and to live together with Him.  He will not fail to keep these appointments!  Jesus died for us so we can always live with Him in fellowship as companions.  Whether we live in these bodies or after our mortal frame is laid to rest, Jesus has appointed us to life with Him.  Paul exhorted believers to comfort and edify one another with these words, for God has appointed comfort for those who mourn.  The one who mourns over their sin and repents is the one who will be forgiven and comforted, and this knowledge of God's divine appointments and plans for us strengthens us today.

By faith in Jesus we put on the breastplate of faith and love, and we don the helmet of the hope of salvation.  These, my brothers and sisters, will never disappoint.  When we are disappointed with situations in our lives, our hearts and minds are well-protected by faith and the love of God and hope of salvation.  No weapon fashioned against us shall prosper, for God has appointed us to live with Him now and forever.  Jesus is our life, and blessed is the one who is comforted and edified in Him.

Seeing the Unseen

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

A worldview founded by faith in God and His word provides a lens that enables us to see beneath and beyond the surface of what is seen.  Everything we see, read and experience can become opportunities for God to teach us more of Himself, how we ought to live and illustrate the truth of His word.  The one focused on their own present pain and suffering can often think of little else, yet the child of God who suffers can know he does so according to the will of God who is good and causes all things to work together for good.  Thus praise, gratitude and thanksgiving illuminate our hearts and fill our mouths rather than self-pity or frustration.

Paul realised in light of all God has provided for us--forgiveness, atonement, salvation, fellowship, righteousness, purpose and on--even the most severe afflictions are light by comparison.  Not only that, but he understood they fulfilled a practical function in working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  It is only by eyes of faith fixed upon Jesus Christ we can see spiritual and enduring realities our physical eyes cannot see that make present pains of small consequence.  Knowing what Jesus accomplished when He suffered for our redemption means our suffering God allows is never in vain.  Everything we can see is temporary, for this world is passing away.  The things which are not seen with our physical eyes (yet with eyes of faith are seen, comprehended and received) are eternal.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."  Paul was thankful the Thessalonians received the word of God from him and other believers as the word of God:  the authoritative, accurate, divine revelation of God His people ought to heed and obey.  The word of God effectively works in those who believe in Jesus Christ, and one of these ways is how God gives awareness and insight to apply God's wisdom to ordinary activities.  In his book The Bible and the Newspaper, C.H. Spurgeon demonstrated how we can find emblems, parallels, parables and analogies all around us that illustrate the truth of scripture.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, God's word works in a child of God to provide ability to see the unseen, the eternal realities God has made known to us by his grace.

Spurgeon quoted John Newton as saying, "I read the newspaper that I may see how my heavenly Father governs the world."  This insight into God and His ways could only be obtained by John Newton after first being born again by faith in Jesus and being well-versed in God's word.  The things we see are not our primary focus because they are passing away, for we look to our LORD Jesus and consider Him who suffered for our sakes.  We can rejoice with exceeding joy because the light affliction we suffer is working for us and His word is effectively working in us presently for eternal good and His glory. 

Parent Up!

"The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

Proverbs 29:15

On the cusp of battle against Israel, the Philistines were afraid.  They had heard of the miraculous wonders and deliverance by the power of God and knew they were no match.  But they were determined to fight Israel to prevent being made servants over those they had long oppressed.  They rallied themselves in 1 Samuel 4:9:  "Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!"  In modern vernacular, they urged one another to "Man up!" and fight like their lives, freedom and prosperity depended on it.  The Philistines won the battle, and God in time used it as an occasion to prove His supremacy over their god Dagon, plagued their cities for months, and Israel came to understand their need to rely on Him alone.  God was faithful to redeem the situation start to finish.

When it comes to parenting children, there is a need for parents to show at a minimum the same grit and resolve the Philistines had and "Parent up!"  We have strength beyond ourselves in our heavenly Father Who loves us and in Jesus Who is wisdom for us.  A father and mother best embrace their roles as parents by loving God and one another, together trusting and seeking God who allows conception and brings to the birth.  Parents are wise to fear God and provide a constant example of Christlikeness in submission to Him and one another in love, embracing their God-given task of raising a little one with the knowledge of God, providing for physical needs, nurturing, caring through consistent and well-weighted discipline, education and training.  Spending time with children and learning to communicate effectively is so important to convey your love, establish boundaries and expectations, and to encourage little ones as they grow.

Solomon provides insight to prospective or current parents that wisdom is given to children by the rod and rebuke that complement one another.  A common error exasperated parents make is they have neglected one or the other:  they have taken action to discipline without effective communication, or they habitually use words without consistent, corresponding action.  Whatever action employed for constructive discipline ought to be agreed upon by the parents according to God's word.  Threats, complaints, shouting, and pleading by themselves are impotent means of conveying wisdom.  Willful disobedience ought not to be laughed off or treated lightly.  Children learn to read their parents long before they can read words on a page or speak in complete sentences.  They quickly learn to masterfully exploit and manipulate doting parents who do not realise they are in a pitched battle of the will they retreat from and can surrender to.  The groundwork parents lay in a child's infancy will either be a bridge to learning and walking in God's wisdom or work to undermine all efforts to that end.  As Proverbs 29:17 says, "Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul."  Corrective action and words must be used together.

Solomon observed this in the training of household servants in Proverbs 29:19:  "A servant will not be corrected by mere words; for though he understands, he will not respond."  When it comes to correction, words are often not enough to illicit genuine change.  A stubborn child can shrug off words easily as he exerts his own will.  Such a one needs to be looked in the eye, spoken to in a caring manner so there is understanding, and physically restrained or moved.  The object must be put down; little hands should not be allowed to strike a parent.  Children are just as tireless as teens and adults to have their way, and the sooner they learn they are not in charge the better it is for everyone.  Solomon also gave a warning in Proverbs 29:21:  "He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him as a son in the end."  The idea is a coddled servant will never grow to be a fit servant and become a dependent and liability.

There is no perfect parent or child on this planet, but praise the LORD God is our Father in heaven who always knows what to do, what to say, and what He is doing.  When parenting feels all too much we are reminded God is not overwhelmed with our situation and can redeem even our fails for His good purposes.  As He has been gracious, merciful and good to us, we can exhibit His love with the rod and reproof to give wisdom.  Whether our children choose to receive God's wisdom is their responsibility, but as much as depends upon us let us always be faithful to pray for them, encourage, listen, be patient, correct when needed, confess our faults when we have sinned, and exhibit grace and forgiveness to build them up in our LORD.  Let us not leave our children to their own devices or to go their own way without correction, for that is the sure way to disgrace.

Our Sure Help

"For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? ¹⁰ Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope."

1 Corinthians 9:9-10

In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul demonstrated the relevance of precepts from the Law of Moses for present personal application.  While Christians were not "under the Law" or obliged to keep the letter of the Law, even a passage that prohibited the muzzling of an ox that treads out the grain provided guidance in the financial compensation of Christian ministers who laboured in the word.  This insight provides precedent by the leading of the Holy Spirit to open up enlightening and refreshing applications tucked away in the Old Testament modern-day believers ought to consider and heed.  Paul's point was God included the law that forbade muzzling oxen at work--not just to prevent animal cruelty--but for the sake of guiding and exhorting Christians to contribute towards the temporal or financial needs of Christian workers.

Understanding the timeless relevance of God's righteousness in Law, wonderful insights are provided for the hungry seeker.  I was greatly encouraged by another passage that happened to involve animals in Deuteronomy 22:4:  "You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again."  Children of Israel who saw their brother's ox or donkey fall over and struggle to rise were not to pretend they did not notice the animal in distress.  Even if the brothers or neighbours were not on the best terms, people were legally obligated to help their fellow Jew to lift up their donkey or ox--a tiring, time-consuming task.  As Paul mentioned, though this passage in the Old Testament is about a donkey or ox falling down, this is written for our sakes.  If we see our brother in Christ stumble or fall into sin, we should not hide ourselves from helping support and strengthen him, desiring him to be restored to fellowship with God and the church (Gal. 6:1).

Carrying this further, we know by the scripture God never commanded people to do things He did not always do Himself.  If God should command brothers to help one another lift up a fallen beast of burden, we can know the God Who sees all does not act oblivious when one of His own precious children stumbles and falls.  God knows very well when we are cast down and unable to lift ourselves.  The Good Shepherd will leave 99 sheep to search and rescue one, and thus we know He will not hide Himself from us even when we are to blame for wandering from His side and into trouble.  God said to His people, "You shall surely help him lift them up again" and we can have confidence God will not hide Himself from us in our distress:  He will surely help lift us up again.  He is the lifter of our head and more still.  When Ezekiel was confronted with the glory of God and fell on his face, Ezekiel 2:1-2 reads:  "And He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you." ² Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me."  Ezekiel stood and heard, yet it was all God's doing.

When we struggle to rise and it seems God is far from us, know He is aware of our need for help.  He does not hide Himself from us to "teach us a lesson" but draws near to help lift us up so we might again walk in the light.  God is not to be blamed or at fault for our falls:  it is we who are weak, stray, stumble and fall and ironically are reluctant to seek or cry out to God in our distress.  He draws near to all who draw near to Him in faith, and should God be hidden from our sight most likely it is because we have not actually sought Him.  We have hoped in ourselves or looked for something or someone other than God to do what only He can.  Psalm 43:5 wisely says:  "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."  By hope in God those who despair are made to praise Him with joy and gladness.

The Shield of Faith

"Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. ¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD."

Isaiah 54:16-17

In Australia, there are homes that are "heritage-listed," which means they are old homes of cultural and historical interest.  These houses often have unique features from modern dwellings like vaulted ceilings, ornate moulding and carvings, or even quarried stone.  These homes can be expensive to renovate because of the rules and regulations established to ensure the character and appearance of the house is preserved and compliments the original.  "Heritage" in a basic sense suggests it has been inherited--like the ownership of a house is passed down through generations.

A lot of people are still waiting for the benefits of an inheritance given by others.  The inheritance God spoke about through the prophet Isaiah would be received and enjoyed by the Jews during the future millennial reign of their Messiah.  Spiritually speaking, however, this heritage for all who trust in Jesus Christ as LORD is to be received and enjoyed today by all believers.  God promised no weapon formed against His people would prosper, and no accusation brought against them would stick.  Even as God created the blacksmith with his tools and fire to bring forth metal instruments, so God is able to harness and direct Satan to accomplish God's will and redemptive purposes.  We see this in the crucifixion of Jesus.  Had the powers of darkness known how God would use Christ's atoning sacrifice to deliver souls from death to eternal life and spiritual fruitfulness, Satan would never have worked to that end.

In the New Testament, Paul utilised an analogy of a warrior's armour to explain the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.  A Christian is able to "be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might," not by what we try to accomplish in the strength of our flesh, but by Who Jesus is and all He has created us to be in Him.  Paul wrote of an especially vital part of armour provided by the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 6:16, "...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."  Notice the shield of faith is able to quench "all the fiery darts" of the wicked one:  no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  There is no flaming arrow Satan can fire at us that can shatter the shield of faith in Jesus that extinguishes them.  Our strength is not our own; our righteousness is not our own.  In Christ by faith in Him we are given strength for the day and righteousness forever by His grace.

Above all we are to take the shield of faith with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of Satan.  Just because the shield is impenetrable and we are able does not guarantee a flaming arrow will not at times find the mark.  People with genuine, saving faith are not guaranteed to always walk by faith in Jesus.  Like Samson, a man greatly used by the LORD, we can think to ourselves in folly, "I will arise as at other times," thinking we are sufficient in ourselves to deliver ourselves!  Those who are in Christ ought to live by faith in Christ, and when we take steps of faith in obedience to Christ we are perfectly protected from all spiritual attacks and evil intent.  Job was greatly afflicted by Satan through loss and severe illness; Jesus was crucified and died on Calvary.  Yet Job was brought through the trial like gold refined seven times and doubly blessed, and Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into eternal glory.  I am convinced the greater our faith becomes the shield of faith is lighter and more effectively wielded, for the Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmities.

Jesus Makes Things New

"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."

Revelation 21:5

Since we live under the constraints of time on earth, new things can only be temporarily so.  Once we receive or use a thing, it is no longer new.  The moment a "new" car is driven off the lot, it becomes "pre-owned" and typically loses thousands of dollars of value.  The smell of a new car dissipates over time, and what is new always grows old.  A new thing may become old to us before very long when it does not meet our expectations.  A new job can quickly become monotonous and dull.  A new haircut or hair colour may never look as good as it did on the first day.

Jesus says to us in Revelation 21:5 that He makes all things new.  Hebrews 10:20 tells us Jesus Christ has made a new and living way for us to approach God in relationship by what He accomplished through His atoning death on Calvary, and we can boldly draw near to Him with a clean conscience by faith in Jesus.  Our thoughts of heaven and present spiritual realities can be difficult to grasp because our perspective can be hampered by our experience on earth where things quickly grow old.  We cannot imagine something that is new that remains new.  Our excitement ought never wane over the new heavens and new earth God will fashion, the new and living way God has made for us to approach Him in holiness by faith, and concerning what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says truly:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  Because we are new creations by faith in Jesus, the "same old same old" is miraculously new without ever growing old.

Just yesterday I considered the passage in Ephesians 2:14-17:  "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near."  Jesus came to seek and save the lost, Jews and Gentiles alike, creating in Himself one new man from the two--joining us together as one in the Body of Christ the church.  We might see the church as an ancient institution, but the reality is the church is as new as His mercies which are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).  The new body of believers and the new heart He has given us by His grace is a delight and not a drudgery.

This newness of life for the Christian was foreshadowed in God's promise to His people in Ezekiel 36:26-27:  "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."  Because we live in a body of flesh influenced by all sorts of things that are not God, it is possible for what God makes new to feel old.  This can happen when we look for satisfaction in experiences, accomplishments or acquiring things when it is found in God alone.  The remarkable thing is when we realise everything under the sun is meaningless, it draws us to God to discover the satisfaction, purpose and rest in our LORD Jesus.  Once what is passing away is put in the proper place and perspective as God's gracious gift, and we discover gratitude and joy before God in even little things.  Our God who makes us and all things new by the Gospel sanctifies a whole new way of life that is fulfilling, satisfying and delightful in His presence.

Somebody God Loves

"So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."\

1 Samuel 16:6-7

When the prophet Samuel saw the eldest son of Jesse, based on his height and regal bearing he assumed Eliab was God's choice to be king over Israel.  God corrected Samuel's error of judgment, for the LORD God does not see as man does.  People can labour to carefully craft an attractive image to impress others that is not indicative of the corruption, deceit and pride tucked away in their own hearts.  Thankfully God sees the character and knows the thoughts of a person, and in His wisdom refuses those who walk in pride--even people who make the impression of being worthy of royalty.

The other day I had the opportunity to see judging by appearances play out firsthand.  I was taking care of some janitorial duties at church when a couple of women in business attire strode in to provide information about a local business with a new location in the area.  They asked if there was anyone they could speak about on the matter, and as I leaned on the mop handle I told them that would be me.  I listened to their brief spiel, received pamphlets from them, and told them my name upon request.  I must not have met their expectation of a person with an administrative and pastoral role in the fellowship, for they later sent an email to our administrator that said something like, "We dropped by today but there was no one there to speak to."  It sounds like they were a bit the prophet Samuel, for I was judged by my appearance to be a nobody.  The difference between them and Samuel is they were correct! :)

As I was judged by my appearance, I too can do the same.  Therefore I must be on my guard to not assume anything demeaning about those who venture into the church building, attend a service, in the shops or on the street.  I ought to see everyone as someone God loves and extend His love to them.  Though I do not share the office of John the Baptist as a prophet, I agree with his sentiment shared with his disciples concerning Jesus Christ:  "He must increase, but I must decrease."  I do not need to be someone of note to point people to Jesus.  But this will likely not happen if I do not say or do anything intentionally towards that end.  Disciples of Jesus are not made in isolation or silence but by joining together with others in loving fellowship by God's grace.  This requires more than "being available" but being proactive to live a life in pursuit of Jesus, encouraging and exhorting others to join with us to glorify and serve Him in obedience.

Questions we could consider in light of God's revelation to Samuel are:  when the LORD God looks upon my heart, what does He see?  Does He see someone who wants the preeminence?  Does He see someone who shies away from embracing the role He has called me to in the body of Christ?  Is there anything within us that would cause God to refuse to anoint us?  Am I someone who places more stock in our own appearance or the appearance of others that blinds us to God's perspective and insight?  Am I seeing people as God sees them or as a man sees?  Why?  The resurrected Jesus was thought by Mary at first to be the gardener, but when He said her name she saw Him for Who He was.  The Pharisees knew the disciples were unlearned Galileans, yet when they were bold in their witness for Jesus they realised they had been with Him.  Though we be nobodies in this world, by our love, words and deeds may everyone we encounter realise the Spirit of Christ is in us.

Doing Good To All

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10

Doing good to others is a mark of spiritual rebirth in those who are born again by faith in Jesus.  Our salvation or forgiveness is not earned by doing good works, but doing good to all as we have opportunity is a result of God's work in us.  Weariness can occur whether we are sowing or reaping, and Paul reminded the believers in the Galatian church doing good is always in season.

Paul directed the church to do good especially to those of the "household of faith" in Jesus.  This was not to discriminate but to be discerning.  They were to do good especially to their brethren, not exclusively.  As the LORD extended the Gospel of grace to all, so believers were to do good to all.  I suspect Paul emphasised doing good to those of the household of faith because they were or most apt to be neglected.  As opportunities arose they were to do good beyond their local fellowship, for the body of Christ is global and spans all cultures, ethnicities and Christian denominations.

One natural tendency that should not be carried into our walk with Jesus is keeping tabs of the good we have done others.  Everything good we have given we have first received from God, and thus it is for  and through Jesus by faith we do good.  If our flesh ever begrudges someone and says something like, "After all I have done for them..." this exposes our failure to walk in God's grace--to freely give as we have freely received.  This shows our deeds have been out of a sense of dutiful obligation, to gain face, to impress others, to repay good done us, or in the hope of receiving future benefits.  All we have given, the time we have invested, the effort expended, the personal sacrifices we have made ought to be done to all as if Jesus Himself is the recipient, simply returning to Him thankfully what is rightfully His.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we do not become so entranced we are blinded to opportunities to do good to all.  The opposite is the case!  Considering Who Jesus is and all the good He has done us, He inspires us more to do good than the prevalence of needs we can see around us.  He opens our hearts to desire to do good we never could have imagined in practical ways to our family, friends, co-workers and even our enemies.  As God leads us on this pilgrimage of life, He places opportunities on our path to do good to all--especially to those who are of the household of faith.  As the LORD has been good to us, let us do good to others by freely and gladly offering to go the first mile.  God enables us to keep on going for additional miles and learn to pay the distance we have traveled no mind, for He is with us every step.

Sharpened by the LORD

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

There were many kinds of iron implements that benefited from sharpening in Solomon's day.  When it comes to knives, swords and weapons of war, one thing is common between them all:  no cutting weapon or tool is sharpened in the sheath.  The cutting blade needed to be drawn and exposed before it could effectively be drawn against another to remove burs and hone the edge.  This is true concerning Christian fellowship and friendship.  There must be a willingness to expose our thoughts, concerns, delights and feelings in person with one another for the sharpening Solomon talked about to occur.

Having two swords or knives in close proximity to one another does not prevent them from rusting.  It is from the friction of the blades dragging upon the other that provides a sharper cutting edge on both of them.  One thing I love about this analogy is the iron that is sharpening iron is being handled by someone other than the swords themselves.  A sword is not capable of moving itself any more than a shovel can dig a hole or an axe can fell a tree by leaning up against it.  These tools are wielded by the worker, and all of God's people are held and utilised by Him for His good purposes.

A problem arises in Christian fellowship when we find others abrasive or difficult and take it personally--as if they are an enemy when God is able to use them wisely just as they are.  For all of our faults, blind spots, foolish assumptions, and proud imaginations, God is not in any way hindered from using us to sharpen one another.  The sharpening of our countenance--the quickening of our minds, clarifying our perspectives and refining our character--is one of God's purposes in our interactions and fellowship with believers.  Both blades benefit from the friction required to further change us by teaching us to humble ourselves, listen to others and consider others as more important than me, myself and I.

A warrior does not sharpen a sword to hang it on his wall as a trophy, nor does a woodcutter sharpen the axe to conceal it in a leather cover.  This sharpening, tiring and repetitive as it might be, is not the main job or end:  these iron implements are sharpened so the sword will perform best in combat and to fell trees in fewer strokes with less effort.  Our communication and friendship with others works to make us more effective in being godly witnesses for Jesus Christ outside the walls of the church or when we are not around our best friends.  God is doing a marvellous work as we gather with the brethren, and the work He does is our small circle prepares us for labour of greater scope and eternal consequence.  In our gathering with family in Christ (who are our true friends), let us ensure by faith in the LORD and commitment to one another we cultivate opportunities for sharpening we all need to better do the labour God intends to do through us. 

God's Works Revealed In Us

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ³ Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

John 9:1-3

As I was preparing the sermon for this week, I was drawn to consider this among many other passages of scripture.  Having been raised observing the Law of Moses, the disciples were well-versed on passages that warned of the consequences of sin--that God would bring disease and illness upon them for departing from obedience to His word.  It seemed obvious to the disciples, therefore, this man or his parents must have sinned in some fashion to deserve this permanent condition.  The answer of Jesus must have been surprising to them, and it is very good news for us as well.

The disciples had fallen into a common trap that they could by simple observation know the root cause of a problem--as if they were God.  Since Jesus is God and knew all about this man and his parents, He was able with authority to declare the truth:  neither the sin of the parents or the unborn child was the reason for his blindness.  It seems the religious leaders believed similarly to the disciples, for even after Jesus miraculously healed him they sneered, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?"  Jesus did not suggest the man blind from birth or his parents had lived their lives entirely without sin, yet it was not a particular sin that led to their son being born blind.  God had redemptive purposes in mind He would bring to pass in due time.

Jesus said, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."  Here is the marvellous grace of God shown in an unexpected way.  The disciples looked upon the man's blindness as a curse, yet it was the means God would redeem for the works of God to be revealed in him.  What some call a disability was the way Jesus used to bring spiritual insight to the man he would boldly proclaim to others:  he once was blind, but because of Jesus he could see.  On the momentous day this man received physical sight he was thrown out of the synagogue, yet with his eyes he saw in-person the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, and worshipped Him as LORD.  Getting kicked out the synagogue was overshadowed completely by being received into the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus.

Isn't it wonderful to consider the things which may prevent us from doing what others can physically do can be the vehicle for God to reveal His works in us?  We are often like the disciples, rushing to judgments based upon our assumptions without considering God's redemptive power, goodness and grace.  People with perfect eyesight can remain in the dark and blind to God's wonderful works He desires to reveal in us, and only with eyes of faith in Christ can we receive them gladly.  Having experienced redemption by the Gospel, we are now able to proclaim to others the goodness, mercy and faithfulness of God to us--even if our eyesight fails.

God Brings About Good

"Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

Genesis 50:19-20

With eyes of faith in the God of his fathers, Joseph perceived God's redemptive power and purposes in evil he endured.  His brothers had done terrible evil to him, yet at the same time God meant it for good.  It can be difficult--impossible even--to see good in the bad we have suffered.  Our sense of pain, betrayal and loss can prevent us from looking to God who is always gracious and good.

It is one thing for us to exercise faith Paul's confidence God is able and will work all things together for good who love God in Romans 8:28:  "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."  By placing faith in the God Paul knew, he had strong confidence God worked all things he suffered for good even when he could not see it.  It is another thing to believe the evil things we are guilty of could also be redeemed for good by God, and this is the position Joseph's brothers and perhaps you find yourself in.

Joseph was sold to Midianite traders by his brothers at 17 years of age, and he was reunited with them about 20 years later.  Joseph wept when he heard them talking among each other and expressing regret they had sinned against Joseph and were being made to answer for his blood.  They believed Joseph was dead and felt guilty over all they had done, and even after Joseph revealed himself to them they still were afraid of retribution 17 years later after Jacob died in Egypt.  Some 37 years after they ripped off Joseph's colourful tunic, sold him and lied to his father about what happened, they were still wracked with guilt and fear over their past.  Genesis 50:16-17 tells us, "So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, ¹⁷ 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him."

Joseph had forgiven his brothers long ago, yet they were burdened with guilt, remorse and fear because they had not received it.  Joseph accepted God meant the evil that happened to him for good, and it was his brother's turn to believe evil they had done was also intended and redeemed by God for good.  There was no question what they did was sin, nor does God's grace and goodness excuse our wickedness--imagining we are free to do evil so good might come.  The point, is there are many God-fearing people who have repented of sin that continues to weigh heavily upon them with shame, guilt and fear for decades or even the rest of their lives.  As many times we have been in Joseph's sandals because of wrongs done to us, when we find ourselves in the position of his guilty brothers we can rest assured God will forgive our sins when we repent and miraculously bring good from evil we have done.

We might never be able to perceive all or some of the good God does through evil in the world, yet when we look to our LORD in faith we focus on Him Who only is good.  If we are preoccupied with our own pain, shame, the trouble we have caused, lamenting what could have been, wishing we could go back in time and do things differently, we can lose sight on the God who is with us and leads us in righteousness and faith moving forward.  While sin always has negative consequences, living in fear, regret and guilt is not God's intention for the repentant, humble believer who has received forgiveness purchased at the price of Christ's shed blood.  Those who are guilty of grave sin can be brought to a place of rejoicing in God who saves, forgives, redeems, heals and sets captives free.

Godly Sorrow

"Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Paul previously wrote a letter that identified and rebuked sin the Corinthian church, and it resulted in godly sorrow that lead them to repent of their sin, an eagerness to clear themselves of all wrongdoing, longing for reconciliation before God and man, and swift readiness to do justly.  From Paul's words it follows there is a sorrow that falls short of repentance, a worldly sorrow that produces death.  We see this sort of worldly sorrow in Judas after he betrayed Jesus.

During the Passover feast in Jerusalem, Judas secretly met with priests and covenanted to deliver Jesus into their hand at a convenient time and was paid 30 pieces of silver.  As promised, Judas brought the religious rulers with temple guards to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane where He was arrested.  It seems Judas was not fully aware of the murderous scheme of the Pharisees and priests to deliver Jesus to the Romans who sentenced Him to be crucified.  Matthew 27:3-5 reads, "Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, ⁴ saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" ⁵ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."  Judas experienced sorrowful pangs of guilt and acknowledged he had sinned.  Yet we do not see him repent at all for his greed, deceit and hypocrisy:  he imagined if he admitted he was wrong and returned the silver, he could off his guilt.

When the religious rulers refused to receive the silver from his hand, Judas threw it into the temple and went and hung himself--a physical demonstration of a spiritual reality.  Admitting he had sinned, his attempt to return the silver, and the experience deep sorrow did not lead to repentance because Judas did not sorrow in a godly manner.  To commit sin is to make a covenant with death we cannot escape or ignore; nothing we do can undo the evil we have done.  Because Judas only sorrowed in a worldly fashion--without faith in the goodness, grace, redemption and forgiveness freely offered by the living God--his focus was on himself, his wrongs, awful feelings and the bad situation he helped create.  Judas showed admission of sin can stop short of humbling self before God and then he played God by choosing to end his life.  When he could have fallen down before God broken for his sin with tears, he likely wept over his sorrow as he strung himself up.

Judas nursed great regret he could not escape by admitting his sin or trying to set things right by returning the silver.  It was not suicide that prevented him from entering into eternal life (for God forgives murderers who repent and trust in Him) but his refusal to humble himself by faith in repentance before God when he sorrowed for sin.  Sorrowing for sin in a godly manner that leads to repentance is something to rejoice over, for there is hope in God who imputes righteousness to humble sinners who repent.  We cannot right our wrongs by depth of sorrow, admitting our guilt or returning the proceeds of our crimes:  it is by casting our pride, sorrows and ourselves at the feet of our Saviour Jesus Christ in repentance, trusting He will forgive all by the power of the Gospel of grace.  Praise the LORD for the assurance God gives to believers in 1 John 1:9:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

People Whose God is the LORD

In Psalm 1, David says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  He is blessed who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates in it day and night.  Such a one is compared to a tree planted by rivers of water that brings fruit in due season, whose leaf does not wither and whatsoever he does will prosper because of His God.  The idols of the heathen were believed to bring prosperity, good fortune and luck, yet all they could provide was false hope.  The living, almighty God of Israel is the One who gives abundant life and supplies all our needs--in this life and that which is to come.

The blessings contained in the Law of Moses primarily concerned life on earth, the "here and now."  David sang in Psalm 144:9-15:  "I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, ¹⁰ the One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword. ¹¹ Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood--¹² that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style; ¹³ that our barns may be full, supplying all kinds of produce; that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; ¹⁴ that our oxen may be well-laden; that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets. ¹⁵ Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

David's prayer was a good one, that the marital unions of the people would be fruitful to produce godly children.  Blessed and happy are the people whose God is the LORD, who provides salvation and all we need for life and godliness.  Whilst God's people are never guaranteed children, an over-abundance of food and reserves, or everyone will have an ox for their stable (or car in their garage!), God is faithful to provide for all we need--including deliverance and salvation.  What He gives us is more than money could ever buy, for He causes us to be spiritually fruitful by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Rather than our lives being marked by the works of the flesh, our lives can produce the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control and on.

By faith in Jesus Christ, every sinner has the opportunity for salvation, to become one of God's people.  There is one LORD over all other gods, spirits, people and creating things, and happy are the people who know and serve Him as God.  As God's servant Habakkuk said well of God his strength in Habakkuk 3:17-18:  "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  Whether or not we seem prosperous today, we can rejoice in the LORD who is the God our our salvation.  He is our Life, and our future is safe and glorious in His presence.

For the Profit of All

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..."

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

In Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, he compared the church to a body where Jesus Christ is the head and all Christians are connected to Him and one another.  Hands and feet are different from each other, but they both have their function to serve the whole body.  God, who created every person unique, by the Holy Spirit gives a variety of spiritual gifts that minister in countless ways to people in the church.  Even as all humans share the same basic physical anatomy but can look very different in appearance, the same spiritual gift can be as unique as believers who receive and exercise it.

Paul emphasised the sovereignty of God, the unity of believers, the diversity of gifts and activities.  In verse 7 the reason is stated for the gifts, ministries, activities and work of the church together:  each believer is gifted for the profit of all.  This passage and others in the New Testament describe roles and spiritual gifts given to Christians so members of the church individually and the church corporately will be edified and Jesus Christ glorified.  It is important to understand the spiritual gifts God gives us are not primarily for our own personal edification but for the building up of the church.  This means spiritual gifts are not to be reserved or limited for personal use but to be used in the church community as we gather together regularly.  Through the use of gifts, ministry and activities, God chooses to work all so all will profit.

In my youth this was entirely a foreign concept to me.  For instance, when I received a birthday gift, I viewed it as mine--it was intended for me to use when and how I wanted.  It was not my brother's toy or my sister's toy, but my personal property.  I remember receiving a gift of beef jerky once and since it was a special treat I limited myself to only one piece every day to savour it until it was gone.  It never once occurred to me to offer some of the jerky to my siblings or parents who gave it to me.  It was mine!  I did not think to follow my dad's example, for whenever he received an edible gift his first impulse was to open the container and pass it around so everyone could enjoy the treat together.  It wasn't that he didn't like cashews or beef jerky but he cared about those around him who would appreciate a snack as well.

Since God has been gracious and generous to give us forgiveness, salvation and spiritual gifts, we ought to be generous with the gifts He has given us to people in the church.  Galatians 6:10 reads, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  When we consider the roles and spiritual gifts mentioned in this chapter, we see all of them involve a group of people.  1 Corinthians 12:29-30 says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"  What is the point of an apostle being sent who goes to no one, a prophet without hearers or a teacher without students?  Jesus healed others rather than himself, and tongues with interpretations are a sign to unbelievers and believers can praise God together with understanding.

God has given us spiritual gifts for the profit of all, and even we are not our own because we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  Praise God for His gracious gifts and how He uses diverse people with various gifts for the same purpose of edifying the church.  Instead of being like me, hoarding my gift of beef jerky for myself, let us be as generous share around God's love and serve others like Jesus always does.

Rejoicing In Labour

"Here is what I have seen: it is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. ¹⁹ As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

King Solomon understood work and the ability to enjoy the good that comes from it is a gift of God.  There is great diversity in what we commonly call work, whether it be the motion of a body or machine, paid employment, mixing, manufacturing, raising children, fabricating, lifting stock, operating equipment, cleaning or managing a business--and the list goes on.  We are resigned to do what we consider to be necessary work, but if something is "extra" work we can look upon it with disdain.  In my generation many people aspired to earn university degrees to work with their minds rather than their hands, creating a false dichotomy that one who works with their hands is not very bright.

Did you know God instituted work and rest from labour from the beginning when He created the heavens and the earth?  He created Adam from the dust of the ground and set him to work by tending the garden of Eden.  Adam was made responsible to keep the garden and also was given freedom to eat of the fruit of it.  It is true that work became harder after Adam's fall into sin, for he would toil by the sweat of his brow to clear weeds and coax fruit, vegetables, herbs and grain from the ground.  The fact work is difficult should not malign this good gift from God and enjoyment of the rewards of our labour.  Not only can work be satisfying in itself, but it brings greater pleasure to enjoy rest God provides by His grace.

Part of the reason work became difficult is because of sin that corrupted the hearts of men made way for selfishness, envy and greed--cruel taskmasters that are never satisfied.  There is a desire to gain the reward of labour by labouring as little as possible, even if it means by theft, illicit or immoral means.  Work and profit can become our god or a means to achieve our desires of riches, ease, possessions and acclaim.  Knowing work is a gift from God we all are called to embrace, the avoidance of work can reveal our sloth and indolence.  Paul rebuked busybodies in his second epistle to the Thessalonians that they ought to work with quietness and eat their own bread.  Jesus said in John 5:17 His Father in heaven was always working, and so did He.  We should take heed to Christ's example to do good works, for unto this we are called and saved.

It is good and fitting for us to eat, drink and enjoy the good of all our labour under the sun, for it is our heritage or portion from God.  When we seek to avoid necessary work we deny ourselves the full reward God has freely provided for us by His grace.  Whether part of the rewards of our labour is to receive financial compensation, the satisfaction of seeing a job completed well or that the work will need to be done all over again from the start tomorrow, we can rejoice in our God who gives good gifts and the ability to receive them.  As servants of the most high God, let us take to heart the exhortation 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."

When our labour is unto the LORD it becomes a sanctified and holy work regardless of how mundane it may be.  We need not be crushed by the daily grind because we realise the reward of our labour is more than hourly pay or a holiday at the end of the year:  today, we get to serve the LORD Jesus in doing our chores at home, tackling tasks on a jobsite or office, managing people and choosing to walk in love towards all.  Our job might be to navigate some intense trials and fix our eyes on God in the face of devastation like Jeremiah who wrote in Lamentations 3:24, "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I hope in Him!"  Asaph concluded in Psalm 73:26 after observing others who prospered while he suffered, "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Happy is the man who receives his portion and rejoices in his labour unto the LORD, for those who fear God realise Jesus is our portion we have received with whom we have fellowship and fullness of joy forever.