No Pleasure in Death

"Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"

Ezekiel 33:11

Before I finally went to bed last night I flipped back and forth between a couple of movies.  I wanted to see the end of both "The World's Fastest Indian" and "The Count of Monte Cristo," movies I had seen previously.  I wanted to see Burt Munro finally open up the throttle on the salt flats.  Then I couldn't remember the exact ending of Monte Cristo, as Dantes took his revenge upon the wretched traitor Mondego.  He is a most unlikable villain who even makes Nurse Ratched seem genuine and caring.

As I saw the final battle scene of the movie that ends with Dantes' sword skewering Mondego's heart, I sensed a difference in myself.  The satisfaction I expected from seeing the fitting end of the snake Mondego never came.  Instead, all I heard were the words repeated over and over in my mind:  "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."  It was a revelation to me, though I was already familiar with the passage in Ezekiel.  But it made me think about God and the misconceptions I have had concerning Him over the years.

There is a tendency for us to think God must think like us. Movies with the theme of revenge are common in both the theater and on the screen.  A happy ending is the right people live and die:  a bad ending is when the "wrong" people live.  Therefore we have this idea that God is pleased when "bad people" die because we are.  In the cases of the ends of the movies I caught last night, both were happy endings:  Munro finally fulfilled his dream of racing in Bonneville, and Dantes killed Mondego, was wealthy, and had a bright future with the woman who loved him.  Mondego acts the part of villain so well I'm sure most viewers really want to see him dead!  After scheming, murdering, lying, and deceiving all the way through the movie, it wouldn't feel like a good ending if Mondego lived, right?  In God's eyes, a good ending would have Mondego repent and live.  And if justice demanded the death of Mondego, God would take no pleasure even in that.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked!  Ezekiel 18:20 states, "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."  Death has come into the world because of sin.  The wages of a single sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Even when people commit sin and deserve death and eternal condemnation under the law, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  Why will people die when Jesus has died so they might live?  There is no divine satisfaction when serial rapists and murderers are executed for their crimes.  God has no satisfaction to see people die and their souls perish in hell. 

Contrast this with Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints."  The wicked depart into eternal torment, while those righteous through faith in Christ will spend eternity with Him.  What gives God pleasure is for people to turn from their sins and be forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus.  He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but in the salvation and redemption of lost souls.  John 11:25-26 contains a wonderful promise to those who trust in Christ.  "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Even a man being strapped into the electric chair is not beyond salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus.

Do you take pleasure in the death of the wicked?  God doesn't.

The Authority of Christ

How important it is for Christians to comprehend their identity concerning their authority in Christ!  Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth and has granted that same authority to all who repent, trust in Him, and are regenerated through the Holy Spirit.  We have been fully equipped and enabled by God to operate according to the power which raised Jesus from the dead for God's glory.  I think it would be safe to say that this power has not been realized in the day-to-day living of many Christians.  But we must be convinced that it is God's will that our lives be a demonstration of the Holy Spirit in power before we can ever do it.  I do not need to convince you:  I trust the Bible and the Holy Spirit to do that!

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, "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."  This passage reeks of spiritual authority granted by God to the believer to be used for the glory of God.  The source of the authority of a Christian comes from Christ and is to exercised in humility and meekness.  The problem is many associate meekness with timidity and weakness.  Paul was not a timid man, but was bold as a lion.  He shook a viper which latched on his hand into the fire without injury, cast out demons, pronounced blindness on a government official, healed the sick, spoke with boldness when faced with torture, imprisonment, and death, wrote strongly worded letters, and even rebuked Peter to the face when necessary.  Paul exercised authority both within and outside the church while remaining under the authority of Jesus Christ.

Now consider for a moment examples of Christ's power and authority.  Even the wind and the waves obeyed Him!  No condition, disease, demon, or Satan himself could withstand His commands.  With a word demons were cast out even over great distances, and when tempted by the devil Jesus said as He stood upon the authority of scripture in Matthew 4:10:  "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."  Before His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension Jesus said in John 14:12:  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."  Even though Jesus emphatically (the verse begins "verily, verily" in the KJV) stresses the truth of this statement, I confess for a long time I didn't live like I thought this was true.  Even now it can be a struggle.  Then He continues in John 14:13-14:  "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."  Whoa.  Do we believe these words of Jesus?  Really?

There is a verse I was discussing with a friend the other day which some have used as a stumbling block in exercising the biblical spiritual authority of a child of God as revealed in scripture.  Jude 1:9 states, "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"  I have heard people say things like, "If the powerful archangel Michael when contending with the devil refused to speak harshly against him, what right do we have to do so?"  In this letter, Jude is dealing with apostasy.  It was not written with the intention of restricting us from exercising the authority we see manifested in Jesus Christ.  I will break it down like this:  the devil is a contentious, accuser of the brethren.  Christians are never called to revile or accuse anyone, much less Satan.  That would be returning evil for evil and answering a fool according to his folly.  Michael the archangel knew his role, knowing full well the authority and power of God to deliver.  There is no need to argue or resort to accusations when God can end it instantly through divine power.

Here is a point that may blow your mind:  as a child of God in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, you have more authority and spiritual power at your disposal than Michael the archangel!  Surprise you?  Angels have not been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ, but every Christian has.  Jesus has made a New Covenant with men by shedding His own blood.  There is no scripture which states that Michael has the Holy Spirit dwelling in or coming upon him in fullness.  But this is true for the believer who has been filled with the Spirit!  Believers have been adopted into the kingdom of God as His children and are co-heirs with Christ.  We read nowhere in scripture that Michael has received a commission from God accompanied with all the power of Jesus Christ:  Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."

Satan would love for us to fall short of appropriating the authority God has given His people through prayer, walking in the Spirit, and obedience.  Isaiah 54:17 says, "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."  I share this not so Christians will start strutting around like peacocks, looking for the devil so they can try to beat him up or bully him around.  Not at all!  Such a one would fare no better than the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-17)!  There is nothing more humbling than recognizing that all our identity and all we possess is by the grace of God, and all our righteousness, power, and strength comes from God alone.  It is not our ability but God's.  Jesus did not speak on His own authority, and neither should we (John 12:49).  The Spirit is the One who leads and guides us in what we should say (Luke 12:11-12).  Jesus never backed down from satanic confrontation, and neither should I when the Holy Spirit resides within me.

Believer, flee from temptation.  But you walk in sin if you flee from the devil!  You need not fear, for God has empowered you through the Holy Spirit for such conflict.  Ephesians 6:10-18 reads, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."  I gladly run the risk of being called a fanatic to the end that people will embrace the authority and heritage Christ has granted them through His shed blood.  I am no fanatic to believe the words of Jesus Christ.  I am a Christian, and Jesus is my LORD and Saviour.  What He says I believe, and as the Spirit leads so I will say.

Have you walked in the authority of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Spirit today?  That is what abiding in the Vine and walking in the Spirit is all about.  God, grant me the strength, wisdom, and discernment to keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting in you to supply my every need.  Thank you for saving my soul and protecting me from evil.  May you be glorified in my life as I seek your face and trust you to guide my every step.  "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." (Jude 1:24-25)

Clean Hands and Pure Hearts

As I walked back home from dropping off the kids at the bus stop, I sang the words to the familiar song by Chris Tomlin:  "We bow our hearts, we bend our knees, oh Spirit come make us humble.  We turn our eyes from evil things, oh Lord we cast down our idols.  Give us clean hands and give us pure hearts; let us not lift our souls to another..."  I thought carefully about the lyrics of this song I enjoy singing to God.  My mind focused on the phrase, "Give us clean hands and give us pure hearts."

Immediately my mind went to James 4:8:  "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."  When I compared the song to the verse, I saw a subtle but profound difference.  Now don't get me wrong - I am not trashing the song by any means.  When singing the song, I asked God to give me clean hands and a pure heart.  When I read the passage in James, these are things I have the responsibility to appropriate.  The song takes a more passive feel where the scripture dumps the reponsibility upon me.

The truth is we cannot clean our hands or purify our hearts through our best efforts.  This cleansing only comes through repentance and faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  God gives us clean hands and pure hearts, but only when we meet His conditions:  humility, confession, repentance, and faith.  As I mused upon this fact, it occurred to me that we as Christians often request God to give us things He has already given.  The disconnect is we have not fulfilled our responsibility to trust and walk in faith.  God is not to be blamed for the fact we have dirty hands and impure hearts.  He has made the way through Jesus:  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He has given us the Holy Spirit who teaches, leads, and empowers us.

Years ago I attended a ECYWA meeting (just a little shout-out to my youth workers in East County!) during which prayer requests were shared with one another.  There was one youth worker who asked for prayer because he was struggling to get out of bed and was often late for work - which began at 10am!  It seemed he was asking God to do something for him he was unwilling to do for himself.  I wish I could have seen my shocked expression.  Billions of people every day get up and arrive to work on time without seeking the help of God.  God does not exist for us to justify our laziness.  God has given you breath and life:  you can go to bed earlier and set an alarm clock!  The old adage "God helps those who help themselves" is not scriptural but still makes a valid point:  though God works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure, by God we are held responsible to fulfill the duties He places before us in obedience.

Let us seek to lay hold of the promises of God by faith.  Instead of asking for what God has already given, may we simply walk by faith in the truth.  We are to cleanse our own hands, and purify our own hearts through faith in the shed blood of Christ.  Prayer is no substitute for work:  prayer IS work!  God won't do for me what I am unwilling to do myself.  We do not labour for our own glory, but the glory of God!

Don't Mistake Methods for Means

The Bible is an amazing book because it is the living Word of God.  It is also amazing how many books have been spawned through biblical wisdom.  Though thousands of commentaries and millions of books (and blogs such as this!) have been penned inspired by the Bible, not one of them excels the divine inspiration of the original.  Books written by godly men and women can be beneficial and influential in sparking ideas and bringing clarity to our minds.  Though valuable resources, they should never replace the Bible.

It seems like today people are interested in methods.  People want to know what "works" or has been found successful and seek to emulate the process to achieve a desirable result.  They read book after book in a quest to discover a machine where raw materials can be combined in a prescribed order to receive what we want:  three elders, laying on of hands, 10 mils of oil applied just right - and divine miraculous healing is the result!  This misses the point.  When it comes to things of God, the Means is always more important than the methods.  The Holy Spirit is the Means, and we are to obey His methods.  He is our source of life and power.

We can know we have salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ through faith.  It is God's Word which provides us this assurance, not anything we have done.  Titus 3:5 reads, "...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..."  In the same way we are to appropriate all the promises of scripture:  faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  God's Word was written so we might believe it and walk accordingly.  Make sure that you never neglect the study of the Bible itself.  It is not enough to read books by well-known preachers.  Listening to sermons and pod-casts can never replace the necessity of breaking apart the actual Word taught and applied to you personally by the Holy Spirit Himself.

Have you listened to the Holy Spirit today?  Jesus says in John 16:13, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."  He is the Means by which we can hear from Christ and glorify God.  How cool is that?