I am amazed at the way God changes people, most of all when that person is me! God has a way of transforming everything about my life: my thoughts, reactions, desires, and pursuits. During my late teens, I experienced what I can only describe as a very dry time spiritually. I had such callouses on my conscience. Or perhaps my conscience had not been made tender by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Things that never used to bother me certainly disgust me now.
Case in point: I used to be a huge James Bond fan. In the mid 90's when the films made a resurgence, I collected nearly all of them. I had over 20 VHS tapes of Bond films starring Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and even George Lazenby! When James Bond seduced a girl, it was something to laugh about. Instead of "Boys will be boys!" it was "James will be James!" The gadgets, cheesy and over-the-top special effects, weird villains, and amusing recurring characters were all part of the fun. The newer movies have little similarity to the hokey style of the older films with their trademark mink gloves, vodka martinis, caviar and quail eggs, sharks, and fast-motion fighting sequences.
The other night I switched the channel on the TV to see Roger Moore in a suit talking to M acting in "The Man with the Golden Gun." It was nostalgic to watch Bond banter back and forth with Moneypenny. I left the room and returned when Bond was interrogating Scaramanga's lady friend. He started talking with her, and suddenly slapped her without warning. Then after breaking her down by force, he was given the information he wanted. Then, of course, James was James. Before the scene was over, I turned it off because the scene turned my stomach. It totally disgusted me to see Bond's treatment of that woman. As I poured a glass of water to head upstairs, it struck me that I had never been disgusted by Bond, though over the years he had given me plenty of reasons to be. I was always able to distance myself from the characters and the people in the films. It was only just a dumb movie, right? Why did something bother me now that had never bothered me before?
I do not stand in judgment of people who enjoy or own Bond movies. I am not even saying I will never watch one again. But what I am saying is that I discovered that I have increased awareness and sensitivity where before was deadness. A dead man cannot feel anything. In stark contrast, a healthy man has nerves which conduct feelings of pain for the protection of the body. I praise God that He is giving me a greater sensitivity to what is right and wrong to put before my eyes. My definition of a "clean" movie used to be limited to the amount of cursing or nudity. But what message does the film send concerning the treatment of women? That never used to be on my list. By God's grace, it is now. That's a change only God can make. The closer we are to Christ in relationship, we will begin to see things more as He sees them.
25 October 2011
23 October 2011
Do You Love Like God?
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."
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."
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.
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