I am convinced that we often assume we are walking in faith when we haven't even taken a genuine step. It is so easy for us to walk by sight, trusting our eyes or even our gut over relying wholly upon God for direction and preservation. Putting on a parachute requires no faith: it is the jump from the deadly height that is the first step of faith in a parachute. To me faith in God looks and feels at times more like leaping out of a plane without a parachute with only His hands to catch us. We step out in faith when He is our only recourse, strength, and salvation.
The scriptures reveal times where people came to a place when they had no choice but to trust God. If we have not been uncomfortable to do what God says, then we must wonder if we have ever walked in faith! The flesh despises the path of faith, but there is nothing better for the soul. Jacob was forced to walk by faith. He was a man who trusted in God and taught his children to follow after God. Jacob was deceived by his sons to believe Joseph was dead. Joseph had a younger brother named Benjamin who was precious to Jacob. For this reason, Jacob was hyper-protective of Benjamin because he likely blamed himself for the supposed death of Joseph and Benjamin was the only remaining son of his beloved and deceased wife Rachel. Jacob and his household were suffering from a severe famine, and the man selling the corn in Egypt (Joseph in disguise!) said they would not be able to purchase food in Egypt unless Benjamin came with them.
Jacob put it off as long as possible. He procrastinated sending his sons for food because he was unwilling to part with Benjamin. But he realised that he needed to let go of Benjamin so the whole family could live. He said in Genesis 43:13-14, "Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.
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And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob finally submitted himself into the hands of God in faith when he gave permission for his sons to take Benjamin to Egypt with them. He came to the point when he gave all control of the situation to God: "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob was brought to the place of surrender to God. It was at this point when he was forced to walk in faith. He was reluctant to do so, but God would reward him mightily for his obedience with not only the life of Benjamin, but the with life of his long-lost son Joseph, as one from the dead.
Esther is another prime example. She was a Jewess who was made queen by king Ahasuerus. The king's top advisor, Haman, had made a decree that all the Jews throughout the land were to be killed on a particular day. Esther was counseled by her cousin Mordecai, who had brought her up as his own daughter, to go before the king to plead for the life of the Jewish people. Esther was reluctant to do so, seeing that a person going before the king without an invitation was given the death sentence unless the king held forth the golden sceptre. Mordecai suggested that the salvation of the Jews could even be God's purpose behind her becoming queen. Esther 4:15-16 says, "Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:
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"Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" Esther was brought to the same place as Jacob, the place where she had to walk by faith in God. The decree was against her, as was the law. She committed her life into the hands of God by faith, and God wrought a great salvation: Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordecai was promoted into Haman's role above all princes, and the Jews were granted the right to take up arms for defense and were saved.
Before Jesus went to the cross He said in prayer to His Father in heaven, "Not my will, but yours be done." It was a place of absolute trust and surrender. Jesus knew that torture and the humiliation of a Roman cross awaited Him. He knew the sins of the world would be placed upon Him as a sacrificial Lamb without blemish or spot, and He would face separation from God. This place of no hope in this world without God is where He desires to bring all of us. It is an uncomfortable place we would all love to avoid in our flesh, yet it is ironic that only in this place of trust where we discover and experience God's peace that passes understanding. We realise in these moments of decision when we walk in obedience how worthy God is of our trust. Those who walk in faith in God will never be put to shame.
Have you experienced this walk of faith? Have you first trusted in Christ alone to save you from sins? If you have not, you are certainly not saved! Have you since been in the position where you have been forced to throw yourself upon the mercy of God? It is the perfect place to be. I have been reluctant in my life to walk on the path of faith, as have we all. God desires that we not only trust Him at the first for our salvation, but that we walk by faith continually. Praise God that He supplies the faith and strength to do so, for it is He who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Instead of worrying or complaining because of the difficult challenges in life, praise God that He allows us ample opportunities to trust Him and walk in love, following Christ until the end!
28 January 2013
27 January 2013
Falling Precedes Rising!
The cliche goes, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." It is not a question of whether people fall: sooner or later everyone falls. The more well-known a person is, the bigger the media splash will be. When Jesus came to earth as Immanuel - God made flesh - He came to a fallen world. He came to a world cursed by sin and death. Eight days after His birth to Joseph and the virgin Mary, they brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised and to give a sacrifice according to the law. A just and devout man named Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to be in the temple at that time. After taking Jesus in His arms and praising God, Luke 2:34-35 says "Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
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(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." As verse 34 says, a fall must precede the rising. Man has fallen because of sin, and only God can raise him up by His grace.
Though Jesus was without sin, He too had to fall before He could provide life through the Gospel. John 12:23-24 says, "But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." Before Jesus could be glorified, He needed to lay down His life on Calvary as a sacrifice for sin. He had to die before He could be risen. Just like a single head of grain from which many seeds fall, each growing into plants that produce more grain, Christ's death has led to exponential increase for the kingdom of God.
There is great consolation for us who comprise the fallen humanity on earth. Instead of lamenting our fallen condition in despair, it is in our recognition of it in through confession, repentance, and trusting in Christ that salvation comes. Skilled athletes and the infirm both fall, children both learning to walk and the strongest of men fall every day. We can fall into sin and bondage spiritually as well. But it is Christ who raises us from the dead and lifts up our eyes to see Him in unbridled glory. His resurrection from the dead after three days of being dead is the ultimate sign to all of His victory both over sin and subsequent death. What hope and life we have in Christ! It is not a hope to be experienced after the death of the body, but after the death of sin in our bodies. Once we have received the Spirit of God through the Gospel, we are risen with Christ and seated with Him.
Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Since we have been raised with Him, let us live for Him!
Though Jesus was without sin, He too had to fall before He could provide life through the Gospel. John 12:23-24 says, "But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." Before Jesus could be glorified, He needed to lay down His life on Calvary as a sacrifice for sin. He had to die before He could be risen. Just like a single head of grain from which many seeds fall, each growing into plants that produce more grain, Christ's death has led to exponential increase for the kingdom of God.
There is great consolation for us who comprise the fallen humanity on earth. Instead of lamenting our fallen condition in despair, it is in our recognition of it in through confession, repentance, and trusting in Christ that salvation comes. Skilled athletes and the infirm both fall, children both learning to walk and the strongest of men fall every day. We can fall into sin and bondage spiritually as well. But it is Christ who raises us from the dead and lifts up our eyes to see Him in unbridled glory. His resurrection from the dead after three days of being dead is the ultimate sign to all of His victory both over sin and subsequent death. What hope and life we have in Christ! It is not a hope to be experienced after the death of the body, but after the death of sin in our bodies. Once we have received the Spirit of God through the Gospel, we are risen with Christ and seated with Him.
Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Since we have been raised with Him, let us live for Him!
25 January 2013
Leading by Serving
When I think of someone in charge on a jobsite, I don't think of the men wearing the tools. What comes to mind is a man wearing a suit and tie, glossy hardhat on his head without a single scratch or sticker, and carrying a tablet. The boss of the bosses is not paid to swing a hammer, sweat in the sun, or personally install the product: his role is to make sure the job is manned, coordinated, and completed. He has assistants who aid him with everything including making copies, proofreading, orders, mailing, cleaning and even picking up lunch. His time is always at a premium, and it is a waste of valuable company time for him to do menial duties.
God's picture of leadership is quite different from what we see modeled in the world. Jesus explained this to His disciples in Mark 9:35: "And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." The greatest in God's kingdom are the ones who are slaves of all. Those who humble themselves are the ones God will exalt. Jesus is the prime example of leading through serving. He could have delegated His authority to angels and men to keep Himself insulated from the pain, disease, oppression, and struggles of people on the earth. But He didn't delegate what God commanded Him to do. Philippians 2:5-8 reads, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." We are not to only place ourselves in a humble frame of mind, but embrace the lowest and most menial, even undesirable tasks in obedience to God for His glory. Does being scourged and dying nailed to a cross sound fun?
In the Old Testament, Joseph is a wonderful example of this kind of servant hood. After being falsely accused of sexual assault, Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian prison. We read in Genesis 39:21-23, "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing." Joseph was placed in charge of the prison, though he was himself a prisoner. He was the "shot-caller." Nothing happened in the prison without him knowing about it and giving his approval. Though he didn't have fancy clothes, he was the man walking around with a clipboard. He kept the peace, took care of inventory, and delegated jobs for others to do. What Joseph said was law in that prison.
Yet even with his authority, Joseph served the men he was given charge of. It came to pass that two very high profile men - Pharaoh's chief of the butlers and bakers - were sent to prison by Pharaoh himself. Instead of being placed with the general population, they were incarcerated in a ward in the house of the captain of the guard. Genesis 40:4 tells us, "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while." Joseph did not delegate the task given to him to a man of lesser status or authority, but he served these men himself. Joseph was a man to whom power was given, but he still humbled himself to serve others. Joseph put into practice the exhortation we read in Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Joseph did not use his authority as a means to justify sloth but used his freedom to serve even his fellow inmates.
Is there any task which you see as "below" you? For instance, it is easy for those of us who have children to order them around to do menial tasks we are too lazy to do ourselves. Following Christ's example, we ought to see ourselves as below God, others, or any task! If we are blessed by God to have a spouse and children, let us seek to use our liberty to serve one another in love. If by God's grace we have a job, let us be those who use what authority we have to serve, perhaps taking on the job no one else wants. When our eyes are focused on Christ, our view of seniority changes dramatically. Jesus says in Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." If we want to be first, we must be last of all and servant of all. Since God has chosen us by His grace, may we choose to obey him by serving one another in love!
God's picture of leadership is quite different from what we see modeled in the world. Jesus explained this to His disciples in Mark 9:35: "And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." The greatest in God's kingdom are the ones who are slaves of all. Those who humble themselves are the ones God will exalt. Jesus is the prime example of leading through serving. He could have delegated His authority to angels and men to keep Himself insulated from the pain, disease, oppression, and struggles of people on the earth. But He didn't delegate what God commanded Him to do. Philippians 2:5-8 reads, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." We are not to only place ourselves in a humble frame of mind, but embrace the lowest and most menial, even undesirable tasks in obedience to God for His glory. Does being scourged and dying nailed to a cross sound fun?
In the Old Testament, Joseph is a wonderful example of this kind of servant hood. After being falsely accused of sexual assault, Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian prison. We read in Genesis 39:21-23, "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing." Joseph was placed in charge of the prison, though he was himself a prisoner. He was the "shot-caller." Nothing happened in the prison without him knowing about it and giving his approval. Though he didn't have fancy clothes, he was the man walking around with a clipboard. He kept the peace, took care of inventory, and delegated jobs for others to do. What Joseph said was law in that prison.
Yet even with his authority, Joseph served the men he was given charge of. It came to pass that two very high profile men - Pharaoh's chief of the butlers and bakers - were sent to prison by Pharaoh himself. Instead of being placed with the general population, they were incarcerated in a ward in the house of the captain of the guard. Genesis 40:4 tells us, "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while." Joseph did not delegate the task given to him to a man of lesser status or authority, but he served these men himself. Joseph was a man to whom power was given, but he still humbled himself to serve others. Joseph put into practice the exhortation we read in Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Joseph did not use his authority as a means to justify sloth but used his freedom to serve even his fellow inmates.
Is there any task which you see as "below" you? For instance, it is easy for those of us who have children to order them around to do menial tasks we are too lazy to do ourselves. Following Christ's example, we ought to see ourselves as below God, others, or any task! If we are blessed by God to have a spouse and children, let us seek to use our liberty to serve one another in love. If by God's grace we have a job, let us be those who use what authority we have to serve, perhaps taking on the job no one else wants. When our eyes are focused on Christ, our view of seniority changes dramatically. Jesus says in Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." If we want to be first, we must be last of all and servant of all. Since God has chosen us by His grace, may we choose to obey him by serving one another in love!
23 January 2013
Playing Dumb!
A mate and I woke early and headed out for some fishing off a pier at Como, a picturesque spot. Boats were docked to the left, and a large swimming area with the perimeter secured with a shark net was to the right. A public pool, park, clean toilets, and a cafe were all close by. As we spent the morning fishing, many people brought their dogs to the swimming area and let them splash around. On my way to the toilet I found this sign on the pier most amusing.
It does not take a genius to see that the sign had been tampered with! Obviously the sign was provided with the intent to prohibit dogs using the swimming area. Someone who disagreed with the council decision to prohibit dogs spent much time and energy carefully scratching out the red line which once stretched over the dog pictured. What was intended to keep dogs out of the area could now be used as an encouragement! The absence of the red line eases the conscience of those who bring their dogs along for a morning dip. The spirit of the law has been dissolved by the scratching away of a little red line.
This is a prime example of what could be simply called, "playing dumb." Anyone with a brain knows the purpose of the plaque's existence is to convey that dogs are prohibited. But the defaced plaque gives everyone an out: if called upon to answer why they are breaking the rules, they need only point to the sign and say, "Oh! I didn't know!" This goes way deeper than breaking the rules for a cheap doggy bath in revealing the depravity of the human condition! People do this all the time with God's laws. Perhaps they think they can "play dumb" on the Day of Judgment and credit themselves before God because there are people worse than them, everyone was doing it, or by pleading ignorance. It will not work! God's laws were written in stone by the finger of the Living God, and He has also written his laws upon our hearts and conscience. God gave us His law so we might see our need for forgiveness and salvation. "Playing dumb" is dumb. God isn't fooled by our clever ploys to dodge His eternal laws of righteousness.
So are dogs allowed or prohibited at the beach? What is the spirit of the law? We don't need to wonder about what God's standards are, for they are written with a diamond point on plates of iron: Revelation 21:8 says, "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." This standard cannot be washed away by playing dumb. Without the forgiveness of sins and righteousness through Christ, certainly all would perish for all have sinned. Instead of working to scrub out God's laws, may Christ wash our hearts clean through repentance and faith. The law is good when used lawfully. How good God is, to wash our sins away!
It does not take a genius to see that the sign had been tampered with! Obviously the sign was provided with the intent to prohibit dogs using the swimming area. Someone who disagreed with the council decision to prohibit dogs spent much time and energy carefully scratching out the red line which once stretched over the dog pictured. What was intended to keep dogs out of the area could now be used as an encouragement! The absence of the red line eases the conscience of those who bring their dogs along for a morning dip. The spirit of the law has been dissolved by the scratching away of a little red line.
This is a prime example of what could be simply called, "playing dumb." Anyone with a brain knows the purpose of the plaque's existence is to convey that dogs are prohibited. But the defaced plaque gives everyone an out: if called upon to answer why they are breaking the rules, they need only point to the sign and say, "Oh! I didn't know!" This goes way deeper than breaking the rules for a cheap doggy bath in revealing the depravity of the human condition! People do this all the time with God's laws. Perhaps they think they can "play dumb" on the Day of Judgment and credit themselves before God because there are people worse than them, everyone was doing it, or by pleading ignorance. It will not work! God's laws were written in stone by the finger of the Living God, and He has also written his laws upon our hearts and conscience. God gave us His law so we might see our need for forgiveness and salvation. "Playing dumb" is dumb. God isn't fooled by our clever ploys to dodge His eternal laws of righteousness.
So are dogs allowed or prohibited at the beach? What is the spirit of the law? We don't need to wonder about what God's standards are, for they are written with a diamond point on plates of iron: Revelation 21:8 says, "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." This standard cannot be washed away by playing dumb. Without the forgiveness of sins and righteousness through Christ, certainly all would perish for all have sinned. Instead of working to scrub out God's laws, may Christ wash our hearts clean through repentance and faith. The law is good when used lawfully. How good God is, to wash our sins away!
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