Agree to Plea

"When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

Luke 12:58-59

It cannot be emphasised enough the importance of studying the Bible in context.  Reading through a passage in its entirety aids greatly in understanding the meaning behind this statement of Jesus.  Themes woven through this chapter are God's coming judgement, the need of men to prepare and watchful, and to recognise the signs of the times.  With this in mind, the point Jesus made has profound application for everyone.

Jesus painted a picture with which we can all identify.  If a man received a subpoena to be judged in a court of law, his innocence or guilt would impact his feelings about going.  If  he is sure of his innocence or is going merely as a witness he could go to court without much trepidation.  But had he received counsel his case was a lost cause and he would be deemed liable and likely fined and imprisoned for years, he would desperately seek to settle out of court.  He would do his best to avoid steep penalties by accepting a plea bargain.  Jesus encouraged all to make every effort along the way to settle before facing judgment in court because the judge would be bound by the law to impose the most harsh, strict measures as a punishment.  There would be no leniency or reduction of punishment at that point.  The only chance a guilty man has to avoid further prosecution is to settle out of court.

All men stand condemned and guilty of breaking God's law.  All are deserving of death, and God has given every sinner an opportunity through the Gospel to "settle out of court," so to speak.  The previous passage Jesus talked about how men noticed weather patterns and planned their days accordingly, yet it was entirely hypocritical for them to ignore the eternal implications of their guilt before God.  If we see wisdom in arranging a schedule or planning a holiday, how much more important is it to consider and prepare when our eternal future is at stake?  Jesus came to this world as a sacrifice for sin so our fine could be paid and our permanent record of sin expunged.  Won't you make every effort along the way to settle accounts with God and men so we might be deemed righteous before the Judge of all the earth?  There is no bargaining with God, but we can plead.  If we take the plea of the Gospel God will plead our case against all our accusers.

All who repent and trust in Christ can echo the words of David in Psalm 35:1-3:  "Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. ² Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. ³ Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Our Eternal Hope

Our family has enjoyed hosting my parents who are visiting from the United States.  It had been a couple years since we have been able to visit in person, and it is a privilege and blessing for which we are most grateful.  We've had great conversations and have had fun praying, working, and driving around town.  Just being together is a treasure money cannot buy.

My dad made a great observation over a pair of wire strippers.  The tool was marketed to do it all:  crimp, cut, and strip wire insulation.  Problem was, the claims of the packaging did not match the ability of the tool itself.  In my hand I held a waste of twenty dollars.  "The thing is useless, absolutely hopeless," I said in disgust as I placed the tool back into the plastic to return it.  My dad said something to the effect of, "Isn't it great that God chooses to use us even though we can't accomplish anything good?"  A fair question.  Yep, that is great indeed!

Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing, and it rings true for all today.  I don't know about you, but when I buy tools I am not lured by the cheaper cost of no-name, generic tools.  I am looking for quality construction, durability, and reliability.  I am also not interested in buying tools or appliances with soiled or ripped packaging, and am especially wary if the item for sale has been used and sloppily resealed and sold as new.  As I placed those hopeless wire strippers on the receipt, I had to admit the truth:  in my flesh I am just as useless and hopeless - without the benefit of neat and clean packaging.  Yet in God's hand sinners forgiven by God's grace are His chosen tools to build His kingdom.  The blood of Jesus purchased our redemption, and when we fail God doesn't demand a refund.  He holds us close and will never let go.

A quality tool designed for the job at hand is important, and because of the vast range of quality between brands and styles we might actually boast in a tool.  But boasting in people or accomplishments is as empty as the false advertising on those wire strippers.  Isn't it wonderful that we are utterly hopeless, yet we have eternal hope through Jesus?  When it comes to life as a Christian the only one in whom we can rightly boast in is Jesus Christ our Saviour.  He is the One worthy of praise.  Psalm 34:1-3 says, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. ³ Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."

Jesus Bound

Heaven is more than a hell-avoidance plan:  it is the privilege of praising, serving, and abiding in the presence of the living God forever.  If your idea of heaven does not involve God at the centre and is more centred around you, something is tragically wrong with that picture.  People talk about being "heaven bound," but only those whose hearts are bound to Christ in faith and obedience will actually go there.

If the only reason why you desire to go to heaven when your body goes the way of the earth is to avoid hell, it is likely you are not particularly interested in spending quality time with Jesus today.  And this begs the question:  if it does not please you to invest minutes, hours, days, and years to cultivate a healthy relationship with Jesus, what makes you think you would want to spend forever with Him?  Choosing heaven over hell never saved a person.  That is not the point.  The point is, do you want a life purchased and redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus or not?

When our eyes are opened to see the goodness of God and we humble ourselves before Him in repentance and worship, fellowship with Christ by the Holy Spirit becomes a privilege, not a chore.  This divine relationship is to impact all our other relationships, thoughts, words, deeds, and choices.  A biblical, godly perspective provided by the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out.  Too many people are content with the adaptation of behaviour rather than spiritual transformation from within through a life submitted to God.  Their lives become segmented, with time set apart for church, praying, Bible reading - along with hobbies, work, play, television, social media, and internet - but their relationship with Christ is not a chain which connects everything together as one life lived for God's glory.

How about taking intentional steps to do more than include God in various activities of your life when it is convenient, but dedicate all aspects of your life for Him to control?  To tweak a quote from Paris Reidhead, "Why not love and serve God every step of the way whether we go to hell or not because He is worthy?"  And He is worthy.  The path of discipleship is not passive but active in seeking, communicating, and obeying God.  We abide in God's love when we keep the commandments of Jesus Christ, and He is at the moment preparing a place for us where He desires we abide with Him forever.  If we plan to spend eternity with God, shouldn't we start abiding in Him now?  Obedience is costly, but disobedience and selfishness always comes at an infinitely greater price.

Believe in Commas?

"I know some people with mo' money then we'll ever see...they don't believe in Karma, but they believe in commas."

Lecrae in "Confe$$ions"

Money has many slaves in this world, and the queue of the willing seems to stretch on forever.  The thing about the love of money is no matter how much money you have, it never seems to scratch the itch.  The varnish of bigger and better ultimately loses its appeal.  Like superheros lining up to have a go at lifting mighty Thor's hammer after watching others fail, people still covet a chance at great wealth.  Millions are spent on the lottery every day as people dream about a few more commas in their bank account.  The trouble with being a slave to the love of money is you cannot buy your freedom.

Now there is nothing wrong with money in itself, and many would point out much good can be accomplished by it.  I agree, but there is no question it has also cast down many wounded, destroyed lives through addictions and excess, fuels sex slavery and the drug industry, and worst still can become a worthless substitute for God.  Paul warned in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  There is also nothing wrong with being what some would deem rich, but the desire for riches exposes a lack of contentment with what God has given.  Jesus compared hearts ensnared by the deceitfulness of riches as unfruitful ground choked with thorns.  God's good seed is unfruitful even when it falls on that soil.

You do not need to have money to desire money.  Pressing financial needs affect all, even Christians. Many missionaries can be brought to a point of despair for lack of funds, feeling like their God-given calling is being hampered or on hold because of a lack of money.  Trusting God in the area of money is something all people who follow Christ must learn.  The waiting time can be a growing time - not the accumulation of money in an account, but the strengthening of faith and resolve which will later be invaluable in the field.  If God has called you, He will provide for your every need in His time and in His way.

The truth of God's provision is illustrated when Jesus and Peter did not have the money for the Temple tax, but their needs were miraculously supplied when Peter was obedient to Christ to go fishing with a line an a hook (Matthew 17:27).  Every other time in scripture Peter fished with nets.  It seems to be a much more effective way of catching fish, right?  But as Jesus predicted, the first fish Peter brought up with a hook had a shekel in its mouth - enough for both Peter and Jesus.  Many times Peter cast out nets all night long without a single fish, and much effort can be expended in trying to gain financial support without result.  Even if we gain support at first, who knows for how long it will continue?  When Peter was obedient to the directives of Jesus, Peter experienced more gain than he could contain alone.  Whether Paul received financial gifts, worked in a trade to support his ministry, or chained in prison, he learned in all circumstances to be content in God.

Now don't hijack this to be a formula for financial gain.  After His resurrection, Jesus bid His disciples to cast their nets on the other side.  They caught so many large fish their nets were breaking.  When the fish were brought to the shore, Jesus told them to bring their catch to Him.  They were laid out and counted:  there were an amazing 153 large fish, and yet their nets had not broken.  As they were eating of the fish supplied by Jesus (He had some fish already on the coals before they brought their catch), John 21:15 says, "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."  It may seem a bit strange for Jesus to ask Peter if he loved him more than fish, but Jesus was making an important point.  Fishing was Peter's career, and fish were his primary source of food and income.  It was a question straight to the heart:  did Peter love Jesus more than a career, money, food, or family he sought to support?  It is a fair question for us to answer as well.

It is in Jesus, not in commas or a great catch, where we find lasting security, satisfaction, and salvation.  While the world dreams of winning big, we discover in Christ more wealth than can be contained for eternity.