Moving Trees and Mountains

Reading scriptures in context aids greatly in understanding and personal application.  Here are two examples of verses which the interpretation and application is unclear when read alone.  Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."  Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus had been talking about the hindrance of unbelief in the heart - which is the equivalent to an immovable mountain.  The God who created the world shakes the earth as He wills can remove unbelief from the hearts of men.  Nothing is impossible for God.  It is easier to remove mountains than to changes hearts, but God does both without effort.

In Luke 17, Jesus began the chapter speaking of offenses and how it is impossible for them not to occur.  He pronounced woe on those who caused offenses, yet exhorted His disciples to forgive others.  After they asked Jesus to increase their faith, He responded in Luke 17:6:  "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."  Mulberry trees have extensive root systems which extend to the edge of the canopy of the tree.  They do have small vertical roots but they are primarily horizontal.  People talk about a "vertical" relationship with God and their "horizontal" relationships with people.  Interestingly enough, it is in the horizontal relationships with people with whom we tend to have the most unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment.  Jesus says if we have only a small amount of genuine faith in God a mulberry tree can be plucked up by the roots and thrown into the sea.

In context, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples.  I do not believe Jesus said these things because there is a lack of mountains and trees in the sea but there is a great need to remove unbelief and unforgiveness from the hearts of God's people.  Faith in God is the key component of removing these seemingly immovable sins which no man can move himself.  What is impossible with men is possible with God.  Massive mountains and ancient trees cannot provide resistance to the transforming power of our great God.  We can have great confidence and expectancy in our God to keep His Word!

Spend Time With Jesus

I was reminded recently of when a friend invited me to go to the San Diego Padres spring training in Yuma, Arizona.  One thing I remember about the hotel we stayed at was how adjoining rooms were connected by two doors.  As we scoped out the room upon arrival, we were surprised how a door led to another door.  If both doors were open guests could pass freely from one room to another.  Because we didn't know who was on the other side of the door the concept was a bit creepy, but we agreed it would be awesome if your neighbour was your best friend.

When a person repents and trusts in Jesus, we have unlimited access to the presence of God.  In fact, we are invited into the throne room of God and can have an audience with God at all times.  Hebrews 4:14-16 says of our risen LORD Jesus, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

In a spiritual sense we have been seated in the heavenlies with Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:6).  Prayer opens the way to God's presence.  It is like we share adjoining rooms in the same heavenly mansion and the door opened from Christ's side is always swung wide open.  He can knock on our door when we close it, but we can never knock on His because He is always ready and happy to receive visitors.  He is the Door and also the Way, Truth, and Life.  It is we who close our door which leads to His room when we just want to watch TV and are not interested to spend time together.  It is we who become self-conscious and shut our door so we don't bother him.  And when we are troubled we forget that right next door we have a loving Saviour who is the answer to our problems, has guidance for us in our dilemmas, and is wisdom for us.  We are guilty of long periods of silence and isolation from the very one who saved us and desires to share eternity with us.

Keep the door open, believer.  And when a breeze from this world swings that door shut and you hear His familiar knock, open the door to Jesus quickly so you might enjoy uninterrupted time with Jesus once again.  He loves you and delights to hear your voice.

No Regret in Repentance

Paul was a man who seized every opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It didn't matter if he was in a synagogue, the marketplace, Mars Hill with philosophers, or to women washing clothes down by a river.  He was bold to proclaim of God's judgment and the salvation through Jesus even before rulers.  After being arrested and imprisoned Acts 24:24-25 tells us, "And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ²⁵ Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Felix trembled as Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.  Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11), and Felix squirmed as judgment according to the Law was brought to bear upon his conscience.  Yet instead of confessing his sin and repenting, Felix decided to put it off for another day.  He was convicted by his sin but there was no evidence of sorrow.  According to the verses following, Felix never found a convenient time to call Paul before him.  Two years passed and Felix was transferred.  For our flesh humility, public confession, and repentance is never convenient.  It has the appeal of a cold bath to a water-phobic feline.  Repentance is a necessary step to be forgiven by God and spared eternal wrath.  Those who put off repentance long enough will have all eternity in hell to regret their procrastination.

The righteous demands of the Law and the sure judgment for sin are key aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Peter, Paul, and others in the New Testament wove these themes into their addresses to unbelievers.  After declaring how God was not according to man's design, Paul said in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹  because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." ³²  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter."  The sure promise of judgment by the Almighty God is not enough to persuade people to repent, but happy are those who sorrow for their sin and do repent.  There is no regret for those who repent and choose God's way.

To say you will respond to the demands of the Gospel in a convenient time is a promise to never do so.  Praise the LORD for sending the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment so we will never find rest or lasting comfort whilst in sin.  Unbelievers need forgiveness and so do Christians, for sin separates us from God.  Admission of sin and repentance are the first steps to putting us back on good terms with our Heavenly Father, and there is nothing to regret when God regains His rightful place in our lives as Saviour and LORD.

Revival and All Your Need

When I first visited Australia in 2009, some I spoke to lamented there had never been a spiritual revival in Australia.  Since then I have seen that claim was in error.  In fact I am reading a book now by J. Edwin Orr which speaks of revival and the move of the Holy Spirit in New Zealand and Australia.  We cannot muster up revival from our best efforts any more than we can make gale-force winds blow by flapping our arms.  Yet there is a connection between revival and willing and receptive hearts which prayerfully seek the LORD.  There are certainly hindrances to revival and we must be willing to admit them and repent to receive God's blessing.  J. Edwin Orr wrote of his experiences with a reluctant congregation in New Zealand:

The way to revival was made very clear - prayer and removal of hindrances.  The main object of the address was to make possible the prayer:  "Lord, send a mighty revival to Wellington, but begin first in me."  But I felt that too many people gathered there wanted an easy revival.  Everywhere one finds that type of Christian who thinks that revival is dependent on the recitation of a hocus-pocus magic formula.  This type was in that meeting, and when the necessity of confession was set forth, pride forbade public renunciation of sin.  And so many, in spirit if not in deed, prayed:  "O Lord, send a revival, but begin in somebody else first and convince me that it is possible"  We went home rejoicing that some had the courage of their convictions to get right with God:  but we were equally conscious that the Holy Spirit had been deeply grieved at the hardness of heart of the majority.  The organisers were all right, I think, and I felt conscious of no hindrance in the messenger - responsibility lay with the people. (Orr, J. Edwin. All Your Need: 10,000 Miles of Miracle through Australia and New Zealand. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1936. Print. page 38) 

One common aspect of the revivals Orr spoke of had woven throughout them the seeking of the LORD in prayer and meetings, the public confession of secret sin, and the joyful praise of the LORD.  I desire not only to read about revival or in some vicarious manner rejoice in a work God did long ago, but to experience a move of God's Spirit today.  Like J. Edwin Orr said, I agree it is fitting I would fervently desire a personal revival in my own life instead of being content to see revival.  I am not content to be a "third wheel" when it comes to God.  I believe many Christians fit into the "third wheel" category.  They see others walking with Jesus and how they have heard and are led by God.  These "third wheel" Christians wistfully wish they too could know God in a deeper way but are unwilling to remove hindrances from their lives.  I am convinced of this:  if I can experience a closer relationship with God than I must.  I am not content to see others leaping ahead spiritually while I shuffle slowly back:  if I desire revival I must want it for myself and be willing to pay whatever price is required.  I must lay down my life as a living sacrifice before the Lamb of God without demand of a return.  I must humble myself.  I must pray and align myself with God's Word.

Are you interested in seeing revival or are you hungry for God to revive you?  We must all recognise we have resisted and grieved the Holy Spirit through our unbelief, idolatry, and rebellion.  We cannot pray for revival in our church, city, or nation if we are not willing to seek God ourselves.  It is time to seek the LORD and turn away His judgment through humble repentance.  Psalm 85:6-8 is fitting for us to pray ourselves:  "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? ⁷  Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation. ⁸  I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly."  It is God's will to revive His people.  Don't be on the outside looking in when God brings revival.  Today is the day!