God's love displays itself through sacrifice of self. Men and women greatly used of God are receivers and givers of this love. Moses was a man God called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. When they transgressed Moses said in Exodus 32:32, "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." If it would ensure the forgiveness of the people, Moses would take all the blame along with separation and damnation. Paul was a man called and sent to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. His heart was so burdened concerning the Jew's rejection of Jesus Christ that he said in Romans 9:3: "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh..." That is a heart of compassion and love, a love that only springs from Jesus Christ.
It is hard enough for me to imagine physically dying for someone: how much greater a sacrifice to be eternally damned to hell for the sins of others! Paul was so broken for unbelievers and enemies of Christ that he wished to be sent to hell - if that would mean their salvation. He would give not only his body but his soul. This has shown me my great lack. I am convinced that if an opportunity was presented for me to risk my body to save another, even an enemy, God would give me the compassion, courage, and strength to do so. But to give my eternal soul for anything I am hard-pressed. It is not so much a question of ability but willingness. The testimony of other believers is clear: as a Christian, I ought to love with such fervency that I wish I would to be accursed and blotted out of God's book so others might be forgiven and saved. But I confess that I have not yet gladly offered my soul for the lives of others. Help me Jesus!
The Bible teaches that man will be judged according to his own sin. God said to Moses in Exodus 32:33: "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." Deuteronomy 24:16 states, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin." But there is one unique time in history when grace, love, justice, and mercy collided in the death of a righteous man. Jesus, who is called Christ, became a curse for us sinners. He knew no sin but became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). Galatians 3:13-14 explains it well: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Jesus laid His life down on the cross, and then took it up again three days later as the risen and glorified LORD of All.
It would have been futile for Moses or Paul to die to save others because they could not meet the righteous requirements of God's Law in life or death. But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world, to seek and save the lost. All who repent and trust in Christ will be washed pure from sin, and clothed with Christ's righteousness. When I look at the love of Jesus, I see my love is lacking. How costly is true love! Yet God gives it without money or price. It has more power to do good than nuclear bombs have to destroy. May we continually grow in this love.
May the truth of Romans 5:1-10 be impressed continually upon my heart and made evident in my life through the Holy Spirit: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
23 October 2011
Freely Give
Here is an untitled poem attributed to Archbishop Alexander, as quoted by G. Campbell Morgan in the Westminster Pulpit, Volume 2, pages 175-176:
‘If I have eaten my morsel alone,’
The patriarch spoke in scorn;
What would he think of the Church, were he shown
Heathendom, huge, forlorn,
Godless, Christless, with soul unfed,
While the Church’s ailment is fulness of bread,
Eating her morsel alone?
The patriarch spoke in scorn;
What would he think of the Church, were he shown
Heathendom, huge, forlorn,
Godless, Christless, with soul unfed,
While the Church’s ailment is fulness of bread,
Eating her morsel alone?
‘I am debtor alike to the Jew and the Greek,’
The mighty Apostle cried,
Traversing continents, souls to seek,
For love of the Crucified.
Centuries, centuries since have sped,
Millions are famishing, we have bread,
The mighty Apostle cried,
Traversing continents, souls to seek,
For love of the Crucified.
Centuries, centuries since have sped,
Millions are famishing, we have bread,
But we eat our morsel alone.
Ever of them who have larger dower,
Shall Heaven require the more.
Ours is influence, knowledge, power,
Ocean from shore to shore;
Shall Heaven require the more.
Ours is influence, knowledge, power,
Ocean from shore to shore;
And East and West in our ears have said,
‘Give us, give us your Living Bread,’
Yet we eat our morsel alone.
‘Give us, give us your Living Bread,’
Yet we eat our morsel alone.
‘Freely ye have received, so give,’
He bade, Who has given us all;
How shall the soul in us longer live,
Deaf to their starving call,
For whom the Blood of the Lord was shed,
And His body broken to give them bread,
If we eat our morsel alone?”
He bade, Who has given us all;
How shall the soul in us longer live,
Deaf to their starving call,
For whom the Blood of the Lord was shed,
And His body broken to give them bread,
If we eat our morsel alone?”
19 October 2011
What God Wants is You
I love it when a God changes my whole perspective with words spoken with that small, still voice to my heart. During a time of prayer last night at church, considered my commitment to God. Had I surrendered all to Him, or was I holding back? In my heart I prayed, "LORD, I give you my hobbies, money, and my time. I commit all my possessions and even my desires and dreams to you." Immediately He spoke to my heart: "Forget those things. All I want is you."
God spoke this word of encouragement to me, but I believe it is for all people. Sometimes we think that it is our sacrifices that please God. We think if we give more, serve more, and deny our flesh from food or certain activities God will be satisfied with us. I realized that God wants me to give things to Him - not because He desires them or because I must prove myself - but because those things draw me away from Him. It is me who God treasures. He is a jealous God who wants all my loyalty and affection. It is for the sake of sinful mankind that Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost.
Do you realize that all God wants is you? He loves you just as you are, not for any benefits, devotion, or gain you may provide. Forget trying to offer God things unless you are first willing to offer yourself without strings attached. It is only then your offering will be acceptable in God's sight. Then you will not be looking to your works, but be walking by faith in Jesus Christ as LORD, Saviour, and Lover of your soul as you surrender to Him. Malachi 3:16-17 reads, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." As a man treasures jewels, so God treasures those who fear Him.
God spoke this word of encouragement to me, but I believe it is for all people. Sometimes we think that it is our sacrifices that please God. We think if we give more, serve more, and deny our flesh from food or certain activities God will be satisfied with us. I realized that God wants me to give things to Him - not because He desires them or because I must prove myself - but because those things draw me away from Him. It is me who God treasures. He is a jealous God who wants all my loyalty and affection. It is for the sake of sinful mankind that Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost.
Do you realize that all God wants is you? He loves you just as you are, not for any benefits, devotion, or gain you may provide. Forget trying to offer God things unless you are first willing to offer yourself without strings attached. It is only then your offering will be acceptable in God's sight. Then you will not be looking to your works, but be walking by faith in Jesus Christ as LORD, Saviour, and Lover of your soul as you surrender to Him. Malachi 3:16-17 reads, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." As a man treasures jewels, so God treasures those who fear Him.
17 October 2011
Tefillin without Torah
When I traveled to Israel in 2005, I noticed small metal boxes permanently affixed to the door jambs. The metal box and parchment is called the "mezuzah." A qualified scribe uses special ink and a writing implement to copy selected verses from the Torah. One of the utilized passages is likely Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This has been a long-standing tradition observed by Jewish people both in Israel and around the world.
During my trip to Israel I spent several days in Jerusalem, in the walled area commonly called the "Old City" as a point of reference. It was common to see male Orthodox Jews wearing tefillin (small leather boxes which also contain parts of the Torah) on their forehead and left arm. Coming from an American background, it was amazing to see people devoted to their religious beliefs and traditions. I greatly respect those who out of love for God and His word make great sacrifices to honour and obey Him. Indeed, no sacrifice is too great when you serve the greatest God! While my Christian theology may be repulsive to some Orthodox Jews because of fundamental differences (I believe Jesus Christ has been revealed as the Messiah and Son of God), I love and highly respect them.
As I looked at the mezuzah in our hostel, I considered the Spirit behind the letter of the Law of Moses. Hidden under the metal cover were scriptures from the Torah, the Word of God. But because of the case it could not be read. Other than meeting the requirement of the Law, what function could the words of truth serve if they remained hidden and unseen? I read that the parchment is to be inspected by a professional scribe twice during a seven year period. The same question could be posed concerning the tefillin: what profit is it to carry the Word of God so no one can see it? When I read the Deuteronomy passage, I am reminded how God has said that He will write His law upon our hearts. I ought to love God with all my heart, soul, and strength, and continually teach my children to do the same at all times. Just like a man would tie a string around his finger to remind and signal him of a task to perform, or how a woman wears a jeweled frontlet between her eyes for beautification, in like manner the Word of God must be valuable and precious to me. God's Word provides instructions and signs to follow. The doorposts and gates of a home or city provide security and strength. As a Christian, my faith is founded on the truth as revealed through the Holy Scriptures.
It is possible that a man may obey all the traditions of men from his youth and still not enjoy a relationship with God. He might rise early and go to bed late because of much praying, purchase tefillin from revered scribes at great cost, and recite the Torah verbatim daily from memory and still not know God or be known by God. Jesus has been revealed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Living Bread which has been sent from heaven, and the True Light which has come into the world. Unless a man knows Christ, He cannot know God. Jesus said He is the Resurrection and the Life: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto the Father except through Him. Traditions are good when they cause us to remember and honour God, but they can be empty as tefillin without the Torah when we simply "go through the motions."
Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!" As a young person, I thought this verse meant I was supposed to memorize passages from the Bible. But what good is the memorization of scripture unless I heed it? Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh. When the Spirit of God dwells within my heart, His presence will be evidenced by a life lived for the glory of God through His power. The truths of God's Word keep me from sin. All people ought to treasure and continually bring to remembrance the true sayings of God as revealed in the Bible. Christians are called by some, "people of the Book." May we invest our time in the mastery of God's Word so He might have full mastery over us. What good is a Bible unless it is opened? And what is the purpose of reading without understanding? What will knowledge without wisdom profit?
Jesus says in John 16:12-15: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Jesus still has much to teach us. No matter how many works we have performed for God's glory, there are many left undone. May our traditions and practices draw us into closer communion with our LORD and Saviour, and may others be drawn to the beauty of His holiness! May Christ Himself be as a sign on our hands and as frontlets between our eyes!
During my trip to Israel I spent several days in Jerusalem, in the walled area commonly called the "Old City" as a point of reference. It was common to see male Orthodox Jews wearing tefillin (small leather boxes which also contain parts of the Torah) on their forehead and left arm. Coming from an American background, it was amazing to see people devoted to their religious beliefs and traditions. I greatly respect those who out of love for God and His word make great sacrifices to honour and obey Him. Indeed, no sacrifice is too great when you serve the greatest God! While my Christian theology may be repulsive to some Orthodox Jews because of fundamental differences (I believe Jesus Christ has been revealed as the Messiah and Son of God), I love and highly respect them.
As I looked at the mezuzah in our hostel, I considered the Spirit behind the letter of the Law of Moses. Hidden under the metal cover were scriptures from the Torah, the Word of God. But because of the case it could not be read. Other than meeting the requirement of the Law, what function could the words of truth serve if they remained hidden and unseen? I read that the parchment is to be inspected by a professional scribe twice during a seven year period. The same question could be posed concerning the tefillin: what profit is it to carry the Word of God so no one can see it? When I read the Deuteronomy passage, I am reminded how God has said that He will write His law upon our hearts. I ought to love God with all my heart, soul, and strength, and continually teach my children to do the same at all times. Just like a man would tie a string around his finger to remind and signal him of a task to perform, or how a woman wears a jeweled frontlet between her eyes for beautification, in like manner the Word of God must be valuable and precious to me. God's Word provides instructions and signs to follow. The doorposts and gates of a home or city provide security and strength. As a Christian, my faith is founded on the truth as revealed through the Holy Scriptures.
It is possible that a man may obey all the traditions of men from his youth and still not enjoy a relationship with God. He might rise early and go to bed late because of much praying, purchase tefillin from revered scribes at great cost, and recite the Torah verbatim daily from memory and still not know God or be known by God. Jesus has been revealed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Living Bread which has been sent from heaven, and the True Light which has come into the world. Unless a man knows Christ, He cannot know God. Jesus said He is the Resurrection and the Life: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto the Father except through Him. Traditions are good when they cause us to remember and honour God, but they can be empty as tefillin without the Torah when we simply "go through the motions."
Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!" As a young person, I thought this verse meant I was supposed to memorize passages from the Bible. But what good is the memorization of scripture unless I heed it? Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh. When the Spirit of God dwells within my heart, His presence will be evidenced by a life lived for the glory of God through His power. The truths of God's Word keep me from sin. All people ought to treasure and continually bring to remembrance the true sayings of God as revealed in the Bible. Christians are called by some, "people of the Book." May we invest our time in the mastery of God's Word so He might have full mastery over us. What good is a Bible unless it is opened? And what is the purpose of reading without understanding? What will knowledge without wisdom profit?
Jesus says in John 16:12-15: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Jesus still has much to teach us. No matter how many works we have performed for God's glory, there are many left undone. May our traditions and practices draw us into closer communion with our LORD and Saviour, and may others be drawn to the beauty of His holiness! May Christ Himself be as a sign on our hands and as frontlets between our eyes!
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