The Reasonable Appetite

It is interesting how different people's standards of right and wrong can be.  While there is great diversity among personal beliefs, there are sins which are exceedingly sinful on a universal scale:  murder, sexual molestation of children, forced slavery, and theft.  My point is not about these sins in particular, but how there are certain actions the conscience of men deems wrong.  The value of having God's Law held forth in the Bible is to instruct us concerning God's standard of righteousness according to which all men will be someday judged.  Believe it or not, but this is the Bible's claim.  It is for our benefit to know our errors before the Day of Judgment so we can submit a plea bargain and receive the Gospel, having repented and trusted in Christ.

It struck me this morning like never before how God chose a most simple thing - the denial of eating from a particular tree - as the only possible sin after Adam was created,  We cannot know sin apart from the Law, and Adam was given one command:  do not eat from the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden.  It was that simple.  There was no limitation of how much fruit he could eat from the other trees in the garden, but he was strictly forbidden from eating from a tree which would kill him!  Undeterred, Adam sought to satisfy his fleshly appetites and ate from the tree with Eve his wife.  This teaches us man from the very beginning was unable to curb his carnal desires.  Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, man had to sin.  Adam was unable to stop himself from feeding his flesh and ignored something as simple as keeping to a divine diet given by God for his good.  Adam sinned by eating what would kill him, and every sin since has only brought sorrow and death with it.

I do not believe it is a coincidence Jesus instituted the new covenant in His blood by eating bread and drinking of wine during the Passover meal.  Jesus commanded all His disciples to eat and drink together - not to fill their bellies or quench their dry mouths - but to show they found their satisfaction in Christ alone.  They were commanded not only to eat the Lord's Supper that night only but to remember Jesus, His sacrifice, and to proclaim His death until He returned through receiving Communion.  The food and drink of Jesus was to do the will of the Father and to finish His work (John 4:34).  Those who are followers of Christ are no longer to be slaves to our fleshly appetites, but to heed and obey God's Word.  Jesus taught man shall not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.  Adam made the mistake of following the dictates of self, and as Christians we can make the same mistake too.  There is no possible way we can deny ourselves and follow Jesus in relationship unless we are born again.  Adam's nature has led to separation from God and death every time, but being born again through faith in Christ makes us new creations called to be living sacrifices unto God.

People can maintain a high view of their own morality by simply not practicing what they consider to be "major" sins.  We are all like gamblers in that sense; we prefer to remember when we have won or the potential of winning and do not fix our minds on how much we have lost.  Our faults are easily forgotten.  But how about in the little things?  Have we ever eaten too much and strayed into gluttony?  Have we ever enjoyed too much drink and found ourselves under the influence of alcohol?  Have we feasted our eyes on what we know is wrong or uttered words which even we regretted later because they were sharp and vengeful?  The truth is, we cannot help ourselves in the matter of taming our flesh.  It must be crucified with Christ for us to experience the victory He has granted to all who trust in Him.  Let us not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but to humble ourselves before God in repentance over what the world would term "little things" or "non-issues."  It is only in this place of repentance we can be forgiven and restored to fellowship with God.  Romans 12:1-2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Gospel Inspiration

The Gospel of Jesus Christ should impact the way we live our lives.  When I face circumstances which are potentially frustrating and difficult, considering what Jesus has done for me helps me to meet issues with genuine joy.  Thinking about all Christ has freely given me transforms my perspective and aids me to show His love to others.

In our discipleship course we have been talking about seeing our lives through the lens of the Gospel, and keeping this in mind has been vital in me keeping a biblical perspective.  No matter how tired I am, inconvenienced I feel, or the depth of self-sacrifice is too great, Jesus has done infinitely greater for me.  What did Jesus do after a long day of ministry and people continued to seek Him?  He kept on ministering with grace and love.  Was it convenient for Him to leave the glory of heaven, put on human flesh, and take the form of a servant of all?  Is there any pain I have experienced like Christ endured when He was rejected, betrayed, scorned, and crucified?  Not a chance.  Jesus freely chose to be separated from the Father for my sin and it wasn't fair or fun.  It was loving, good, and merciful, but it was the most unfair thing in a human sense ever experienced on earth.  And Jesus still did it rejoicing, for He always did the will of the Father.

The next time you catch yourself feeling inconvenienced, annoyed, frustrated, or feeling resentment because people have been inconsiderate towards you, consider what Jesus has endured for your sake.  Instead of being preoccupied with what loving and serving other people is costing you, remember and praise God that Jesus freely paid a higher cost for your sake joyfully and without complaint.  When we weigh all we have freely received from God, we are able to freely give.  May our lives be a testimony of the Gospel lived out for all to see that God may be glorified for the power of His love and grace.

Jesus Christ = Mind Blown

During a lively discussion last night at the discipleship course, I was amazed afresh by the power of Jesus Christ.  Sifting through even a chapter describing the character and teachings of Christ will blow the mind of an earnest seeker of truth.  No matter how well a person combs through a passage of the living Word of God, the same objective truth comes to people in different ways.  I love how God is able to reveal Himself to all people who seek Him.  Instead of our unique personalities or viewpoints hindering us from understanding, the Holy Spirit is able to lend our individual perceptions to shed light on a passage for all to appreciate.

After Jesus arrived in Nain after the long hike from Capernaum, he saw the sad scene of a dead man being carried out of the city, the only son of a grieving widow.  A large crowd had gathered, for much of the city was there to support the woman.  Luke 7:13 says, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Jesus knew the woman and her great loss, and He had compassion on her.  On the surface it may seem inconsiderate to command a weeping widow to stop crying, but Jesus knew what He would do.  Luke 7:14 continues:  "Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  Jesus spoke to the dead man as if he was alive and could hear him.  Was this some sort of hideous prank?  And then the unthinkable happened in Luke 7:15:  "So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother."  At the command of Jesus, the dead man miraculously rose to life before many witnesses.  Having compassion on widow and talking to a deceased man is one thing, but through this resurrection Jesus revealed power and authority no living man who witnessed it could deny.  Death separates, but Jesus unites and restores.

Later in the chapter, Jesus accepted an invitation from a Pharisee to share a meal with him.  While Jesus was eating, a woman well-known by the locals for her life of sin poured an expensive box of perfume on Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them clean with her hair.  The Pharisee who invited Jesus was completely disgusted with this display and judged Jesus to be a religious fraud.  Luke 7:39  reads, "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  The Pharisee thought to himself if Jesus was indeed a holy man of God, He would not allow this woman to touch Him.  But the next verse says something amazing:  Luke 7:40 says, "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."  The verse says, "Jesus answered..."  Jesus answered the silent thoughts of the judgmental Pharisee.  Are you kidding me?  It is one thing to know if someone is a sinner, but another thing entirely to answer the thoughts of another person and to respond with wise insight.

These sort of events were commonplace in the life of Jesus during His pilgrimage on earth.  He showed compassion on others, spoke to dead people and raised them to life, and knowingly responded to the thoughts and hearts of men.  Jesus lives today and still raises the dead to life and speaks to the hearts of all who seek Him and listen.  I believe God has something to say to me and you today if we will heed Him.  In Christ there is everlasting hope and life.  Jesus created the mind to reason, and it is nothing for Him to change a mind, heart, or life.  He stands at the door and knocks, desiring to dine with anyone who will receive Him.  That will be a dinner conversation to remember!

God and Democracy

It should be a sobering truth:  God gives people what they ask for.  Our gracious God loves and gives.  Despite this, the tendency of men is to look to other men for help, guidance, and provision in this life.  If man does not see God performing as he likes, he is glad to swap to new leadership.  At a time where many in the United States are voting for their preferred party or presidential candidates, concerns are mounting.  From what I see from afar in Australia, there seems to be no presidential candidate on offer who can span the chasm which currently separates parties and people, wealthy and poor, businesses and individuals.  A nation which in the past championed itself as "one nation under God" is as fractured, angry, disillusioned, apathetic, and without hope as I have ever seen.  When we look to men, women, a political party, or even the "power of the people" to save us, it is only a matter of time before we realise we have already lost.

After God brought His beloved people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and established them in the Promised Land, it was only a matter of time before He was deemed an unfit ruler by the masses.  The men of Israel demanded, "We want a king to rule over us like the other nations."  For a long time people had looked to Samuel the prophet and judge as God's mouthpiece, and it was clear to them his sons were not cut from the same righteous cloth.  They were wicked, accepted bribes, and perverted judgment.  Samuel was angry with the request of the people for a king, but brought their demand before God in prayer.  Some might assume God would also be angry and destroy all who opposed and criticised His rule, but He did no such thing.  1 Samuel 8:7-9 reads, "And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. ⁸ According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also. ⁹ Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them."  God told Samuel not to take personally the rejection of God's rule, for it was not Samuel who had been rejected.  This followed a clear pattern of behaviour consistent with God's people from the beginning. Yet God would not give the people their desire before they had first been carefully warned about what to expect from their future king.

God provided specific details about what to expect from their new king and his governance, a stark contrast to God's divine rule.  God had given, but this king would take and take.  Ironically, Saul spoke more about what he would give - fields, vineyards, and position - than what he would take! (1 Samuel 22:7)  Consider the warning given the people in 1 Samuel 8:11-18:  "And he said, "This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. ¹² He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. ¹³ He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ¹⁴ And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. ¹⁵ He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. ¹⁶ And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. ¹⁷ He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. ¹⁸ And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day."  That last line should send a shiver through the most hearty soul.  It was their choice to have a king to rule, but they had no idea how much it would cost them.  Their foolish choice to reject God would silence their complaints to God and they would remain oppressed by the king they desired.  God is gracious and good to provide government which He has been established to punish evildoers and to reward those who do well (1 Peter 2:13-14).  Because men are to be governed by God and Christians have agreed to God as their King, we are called to submit to governors as an extension of His rule.

As much as people in a democratic process want to believe they hold the key to power, remember it is God who lifts up kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21).  Though men and women run for public office, God maintains sovereignty over all nations.  God spoke in Jeremiah 18:7-10, "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it,⁸ if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. ⁹ And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,¹⁰ if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it."  The dearth of candidates in recent elections does not surprise me, for the people have spoken and God has listened.  If people are intent to cast off His rule, His righteous judgments, and deny His authority, we are free to appoint those we choose.  Many times God judged his people by their godless rulers, and God's ways have not changed.  Hearken unto God, the One who tells us what manner of rulers we choose for ourselves.  King Saul began in humility and the fear of the LORD, but finished his course as a madman who consulted witches for guidance.  He died in battle, but not by the hand of the enemy:  in a wounded panic he fell on his own sword.  So it will be for all who refuse to submit to God's rule and look unto men for hope and help.  Such will be pierced through with many sorrows.  Without God no nation is able to stand.  The warning of Samuel is relevant today for those who place their trust in men:  do not expect deliverance from God in heaven until there is first contrition and repentance.  God is our only hope, and in God the wise trust.