Free to Fight

I recently bought a re-print of a book written by Nathaniel Dwight (first published around 1840) called The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.  An interesting story with a spiritual application garnered my attention as I read through.  This passage can be found on page 8 of the reprint:

When General Whipple set out to join the army, he took with him for his waiting servant a colored man named Prince, one whom he had imported from Africa many years before.  He was a slave whom his master highly valued.  As he advanced in his journey, he said to Prince, "If we should be called into an engagement with the enemy, I expect you will behave like a man of courage, and fight like a brave soldier for your country."  Prince feelingly replied, "Sir, I have no inducement to fight, I have no country while I am a slave.  If I had my freedom, I would endeavor to defend it to the last drop of my blood."  The reply of Prince produced the effect on his master's heart which Prince desired.  The general declared him free on the spot.  The act was certainly highly to the general's honor; had he not done so, the character of Prince would have stood forth the fairest of the two.

Today every man is born a slave, whether he recognizes it or not.  We have inherited the sin of Adam and have been born into sin.  Our fathers going back to the very beginning have labored under the cruel oppression and tyranny of sin and death.  We have been born into this arrangement, just like many children literally born into slave bondage because their parents are slaves.  Slaves do not have the right to own land, and there is no one who really owns a square foot of God's earth.  Though land may stay in the family through inheritance, we can't take a title deed to a house, acreage, or money to the grave.  The wages of sin is death, and whoever dies in their sins deserves hell for eternity.  How rotten sin is!

But God be praised, who has given all people the opportunity to be liberated from the slavery of sin and death through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior!  Instead of inheriting eternal damnation for our sins, Christians are simply pilgrims who walk through this life having an eternal home secure in the heavens.  Jesus has blazed the trail, and those who humble themselves in faith and receive His righteousness will follow Christ's footsteps to His heavenly throne.  When we repent and believe in Christ, God declares us "free on the spot."  Because our sins have been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus, atonement is complete.

We, like Prince, are also engaged in warfare.  But it is not the sort of warfare Constantine envisioned, using the cross as a banner to conquer the world.  2 Cor. 10:3-6 reads, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, [6] and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  It is first an inner warfare.  We will be tempted through the deceitfulness of our own hearts to justify sin and entertain wicked thoughts and attitudes.  All kinds of allurements will dance before us:  wisdom of the world, fleshly lusts, favoritism, idolatry, godless philosophy, pursuit of wealth, etc.  God has given Christians the ability and duty to purge our lives of everything that challenges Christ's authority.  The warfare is also external.  Once we have confessed all our sin one by one and allowed Christ to remove the beam from our eyes, we can see clearly to encourage others to greater devotion with Christ.  Galatians 6:1 instructs us, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

We should never have the expectations of the general, that the slave Prince would fight for his interests without being free.  Sometimes Christians become judgmental of men and women still slaves to sin.  They berate a sinner for sinning!  That's like berating a bird for chirping!  If a born-again Christian is pursuing a lifestyle of sin without knowledge of it, we should seek to restore this person to God with a spirit of gentleness.  Can you imagine if Prince had been set free of slavery by the general and then screamed at his fellow ex-slaves for not fighting on the right side?  This spiritual fight we find ourselves engaged with need never go beyond the inner warfare.  But sometimes when we aren't looking for it or even wanting it the Holy Spirit will reveal something He wants us to act on.  Since we are free, let us live like free men and women.  Instead of going back to slavery to sin, may we honor God continually by keeping Christ first!  Jesus had the right to throw the first stone, but He offered grace instead:  "Go, and sin no more."

Confess + Pray = Healing

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

James 5:16

Recently I saw this scripture in a fresh light.  How does the James passage unite with the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:23-24:  "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."  Perhaps my brother has something against me because I have wronged him!  If that is the case, it is my brother to whom I ought to confess my trespass.  Confession to God alone is sometimes not enough.

Is God able to absolve my guilt by the blood of Jesus Christ?  Absolutely.  But simply confessing my sin before God it does not clear me from confessing my faults to those I have wronged.  There is an interesting relationship which exists between one wronged by another.  A perfect example is Job.  He was wrong in justifying himself before God, but when confronted by God he humbly admitted his sin.  God never condemned Job for this sin because of his repentance!  Yet He was angry against the Job's "friends" who falsely judged him and condemned him as wicked.  Job 42:7-10 reads, "And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. [8] Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." [9] So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord had accepted Job. [10] And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."

Though not a perfect man, Job was accepted by God because of his faith.  He had already offered the sacrifice of a contrite and broken heart. Job's friends were told to go to Job and offer sacrifices for their sin. Notice what happened when Job prays.  Not only was the offering of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar accepted, but God restored Job's losses when he prayed.  The offense between these men and God was taken away, and Job's health, family, and wealth returned to him abundantly.  It is true that the prayers of a righteous man avails much.  One righteous man who prays to God and is accepted by Him has more power than entire nations who are right in their own eyes.

Moses is another example of a man who interceded on behalf of others in prayer.  We see this principle at work in Numbers 11:2:  "Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched."  Also in Numbers 21:7:  "Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people."  God directed Moses to place a bronze serpent on a pole, and all who looked upon it would be cured from their poisonous snake bites.  There was another occasion when Miriam and Aaron spoke against the authority and leadership of Moses over the children of Israel.  God called them all to appear before Him and sternly chastened Miriam and Aaron.  To the horror of all, Miriam was stricken with leprosy!  Numbers 12:11-13 reads, "So Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned. [12] Please do not let her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb!" [13] So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "Please heal her, O God, I pray!"  God graciously restored Miriam's heath according to the prayer of Moses.

With these examples in mind, let us read the James passage again:  "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  I had the opportunity to put this principle to work the other day.  I was convicted by God for not being honest.  In the world's eyes, I did no wrong.  But God told me differently!  He doesn't see as the world sees!  I felt God was leading me to confess my sin not only to Him, but to the person who wasn't aware of my dishonesty.  There was no doubt in my heart that my relationship with God was distant, as if I was Samson robbed of his strength (in a spiritual sense).  After I confessed my sin to this person, there was such light which shone through to my heart!  What treachery sin is!  How it robs us not only of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ but denies us the glory of God's presence!

I believe Christians ought to obey the scriptures and confess our trespasses to one another and pray for one another.  The wisdom of this is validated throughout scripture.  This does not mean that prayer meetings are reserved for opportunities to air out our soiled laundry!  Go to the one you have wronged and confess your sin as led by the Holy Spirit.  I am convinced there are many who have denied themselves spiritual health because they refuse to trust God and obey Him in this matter.  Why else would it be commanded in scripture if it did not apply to us?  Praise God that we can at all times boldly venture into God's throne room of grace, where Christ stands at the right hand of the Father living to make intercession for us.  When Christ prays for us, His prayers will be answered.  Whether or not people on earth forgive us, if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Then our prayers will be heard by God and we can intercede for others!  What a wonderful God we serve who hears and heals us!

God's Requirements

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³ and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?"

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

 

I wonder if people understand that God has requirements of His people.  If God grants five talents to a man, at his hand He will require them.  See how many times the word "LORD" appears in the Deuteronomy passage!  This is the word used for the "self-existent and eternal" God.  If you are a Christian, than God must be your LORD.  A good servant always does the will of his master, even as Jesus always did the will of His Father in heaven.  Does a father require things of his children?  Yes.  Would a master who purchased a slave with his own blood expect obedience from that slave?  Certainly.  Yet for whatever reason, the opinion of most people today is words of obedience to God is enough.  God doesn't really require anything of us besides being born again, right?

Perhaps this verse will clear things up:  Micah 6:8 reads, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  But that is so Old Testament, some might say.  Notice that God has requirements of ALL men, not just Christians or Jews.  There is an unfounded fear today in the church that preaching obedience to God will somehow bring us under the legalism of the Pharisees or Puritans.  Understand that the Law is good.  It is a revelation of the righteousness of God.  I would like someone to tell me what is wrong with fearing the LORD with all my heart and walking in His ways.  For even Christ has said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."  When He was asked "What is the greatest commandment?" He said, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  Jesus did not come to destroy the Law but fulfill.

 

Maybe right now you feel some heat flushing into your cheeks.  Now before you start screaming "LEGALISM!" allow me to clarify.  Legalism is not obeying the commands of Christ.  Legalism occurs when man places himself in the place of God, dictating what is right and wrong.  Legalism is the belief that faith is not enough for salvation, but man must earn favor from God by adherence to the Law.  Jesus spoke against the legalism of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:1-5:  "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to be seen by men..."

 

The Law is rooted in externals.  Man corruptly uses the law to add to his pride, arrogance, condemnation, and judgment of others.  Legalism will drive a man to outward actions not consistent with his convictions.  He will do things because he is seen by other men and he will not do things because he is seen.  He is a hypocrite, living a life behind closed doors he would be ashamed to admit in front of others.  Like all men, he is a sinner.  But he remains without repentance, working to create a false persona in the name of "obedience to God" so people will revere and idolize him.  His life is caught up in being right, even if his attitude is wrong.  Ironically, I am convinced there is no one more legalistic than Satan.  He is happy to spout off God's law to cause feelings of condemnation and guilt, not that he would ever obey the Law himself!

As much as Satan has tempted away men from faith in Christ through legalism, the age of grace in which we live has given way to dissipation and complacency never before seen in the church.  Because of fear of legalism we have swung far to the left and allow grace to be used as a cloak for lasciviousness.  It is true we are free from the penalty and letter of the Law through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  There is nothing we can do to earn favor with God through the keeping of the letter.  2 Corinthians 3:5-6 says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, ⁶ who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."  The only way to be justified by the Law is to keep it absolutely perfectly.  Yet since the Bible teaches and we affirm all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, the Law only condemns us.  Jesus was without sin and therefore death had no right to hold Him.  He rose glorified and imputes His righteousness upon all who believe!

 

God does have requirements.  Jesus says in Luke 9:23:  "...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  He also told Nicodemus a man MUST be born again to go to heaven.  Must he say a certain prayer or raise his hand, be baptized in a church or join a certain denomination to be saved?  No!  But that spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit must take place.  Titus 3:5 says, "...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..."  It is by grace we are saved through faith, not by anything we have done to earn it.  Ephesians 2:8-9 also 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."  Grace and good works are paired together.  Once we have received freely of God's grace, we show our love for God by obedience to Him.

 

Jesus never spoke poorly of the Law because it is God's creation!  Man is so wicked he devised how to drag it into the mud through envy and hypocrisy.  Even so, the Law is a necessary schoolmaster who has revealed our sinful condition and led us by the hand to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Ask yourself this ever-relevant question:  "What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?"  How are we doing with those requirements?  Indeed His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  Once empowered by the Spirit, His commands are not burdensome!  I love you Jesus, but I confess my sin this day in failing to keep these requirements.  Thank you for not condemning me for my sin, but taking it upon yourself so I might be free and forgiven.  All you have said is right and good, and help me to walk in your ways, serve you with all my being, and keep the commands of Christ.  Make me a man in whom the Holy Spirit is free to use for your glory, both now and forever.

The Next Step

God is faithful to not only establish His word, but also confirms it along the way.  This epic walk of faith in Christ forces us to focus on Him alone, not being distracted by all the unknown.  When this vision to serve Christ in Australia began in 2005, I did not know how, when, or where it would happen.  I only knew God had called us and He would make it happen in His time.  This last week has been a great blessing to me and Laura as we see God doing things behind the scenes and fulfilling His purposes in us right now.

A week ago today, I resigned from my job in construction.  I wanted to have at least a week or two to prepare and spend time with family before I head off to Sydney for two months.  My first inclination was to purchase a departing ticket between October 4th-6th (Mon.-Wed.).  But I simply did not feel led to buy a ticket.  The prices were fluctuating greatly and I didn't feel certain it was the right time.  Early this week Laura received an invitation to attend the Calvary Chapel Pastor's Wives Retreat in Murrieta.  Guess what the dates were?  October 4th-6th!  I encouraged Laura to go to the retreat, and I chose to put off my departure for another week.  This would enable her to be edified, strengthened, and enjoy good fellowship while I could take care of the kid's school carpool and flag-football practice.

On Tuesday I received a call on my cell from Mark, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Alpine.  He was looking for someone to cover the two Sunday AM services at the fellowship.  I had intended to call him to inform him of my soon return to Sydney and that I had accepted the lead pastor role there.  Because I had stopped work I have been able to pray, study, and prepare for the delivery of those sermons and am excited about what God is showing me.  Instead of me asking someone for an opportunity to speak, God saw fit to direct someone to call me and offer that opportunity.  Whether we are on the mountain top, passing through the valley of the shadow of death, or seemingly wandering in the wilderness, God chooses not only to prepare us but actually use us to bring Him glory.  The man who follows Jesus need not wander, because He's leading us every step of the way.  The world laughs and mocks:  "Look at that guy spinning his wheels!  He doesn't even know where he's going or what he's doing!"  It is true!  But all I need to know is God.  And when I remain close to Him and yielded to His promptings I'm where I'm supposed to be.

These two circumstances (and there have been many more like them along the way!) were unforeseen to me, but God naturally brought them along anyway.  He has so many opportunities for us if we will just remain in His will.  I'm no master of this, but I want to grow in this area.  Sometimes we can be so anxious to "do something" or be so focused on our personal role that we forget to look to Jesus.  As Christ walked this earth He was never in a hurry, never spoke out of turn, was always in the right place at the right time, and ALWAYS did His heavenly Father's will.  It is wonderful and freeing to understand I don't have to know everything for God to have His way.  As long as we walk in obedience to God, He will be faithful to show us the next step.