His Wonderful Life

In the American classic movie It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey was one who gave up on his dreams of travel to help others in his small town of Bedford Falls.  He and his newlywed wife sacrificed money saved for a honeymoon trip to keep the family-run business afloat.  When dealt a cruel financial blow through the incompetence of a relative who worked for the business, George was overwhelmed with the debt, a house full of energetic kids, had too much to drink and crashed his car.  After being harshly told he was worth more dead than alive, George began to believe the lie.  He despaired of his life as he looked down into the icy water running under the bridge.  All thoughts of ending his life were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a splash and a cry for help which caused George to spring into action to help a drowning man--who turned out to be his guardian angel in a human disguise.

Clarence (the angel) gave George Bailey his wish of never being born.  By doing so the eyes of George were opened to the massive difference the life of one person can make on people and a whole town.  George thought he was going mad when he saw his hometown was no longer Bedford Falls but Pottersville, a grim town filled with calloused debauchery.  Upon visiting his mother, who didn't recognise him at all, George was shocked to discover his younger brother had drowned under the ice during an accident without his help and thus never became a war hero.  The house he and his family previously enjoyed was cold and dark, and his wife led a solitary existence without the joyful smile which he had taken for granted.  Oh, how George prayed to live again, and his prayer was answered.  George raced back to his wrecked car in Bedford Falls with family who loved him and friends who rallied to help him.  Even petals in his pocket were a welcome relief for a man who for a short while saw an unhappy, ugly world where he had never been born.

When I consider the difference one man made in the city of Bedford falls in a Hollywood film, I realise it is nothing compared to the real transformation Jesus Christ makes in the life of a believer.  By extension the life of Jesus in us has made a transformational difference in our households, workplaces, families and society.  It would be a most unhappy thought to consider for any amount of time how different our lives would be without Jesus.  It is a cop-out to simply say we'd be dead (which is accurate) as it does not account for all the alterations God has made and continues to make in our hearts, minds and perspectives.  To be loved!  To have hope!  To belong and have a eternal home prepared for us!  Having experienced the forgiveness, joy and peace that transcends understanding we are forever changed from the inside out.  Apart from the Gospel and the indwelling presence of God we would have settled down into an oppressive hell of our own making, a slow death beset with hopelessness, futility and grasping for the wind.  To see ourselves without Christ is to look upon a stranger we shudder to even associate with.

The difference Jesus makes in the life of a person is so profound it cannot be stated by anything less than being born again.  One of my favourite descriptions by my friend whose wife trusted Jesus as her  Saviour said, "She's a totally different person, better."  Friends, can political or religious beliefs do this?  Can activism, athletics, music or poetry fundamentally make you a better person and change you from within?  It would be a mistake to see following Jesus as something a person does like going to church, reading the Bible or praying:  Jesus brings about divine transformation within all who trust in Him that results in a new perspective, new desires and new satisfaction.  Jesus totally changes us for better and for good.  It is like a blind person seeing clearly for the first time, the lame man leaping to walk, a person deformed by leprosy being cleansed and accepted in society, and the dead being raised up to a new life.  It's a Wonderful Life is a delightful story that hardly scratches the surface of the personal transformation Jesus brings Who is wonderful beyond compare and calls us friends.  Wonder at the new, eternal life Jesus Christ has provided, believer, and rejoice to share His life with others.

The Praise of God

"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

John 12:42-43

It is remarkable those who heard and saw all the things Jesus did would be hesitant to proclaim their belief in Jesus because of what they stood to lose over what they could gain.  The favour of man is fickle, temperamental and temporary, but the favour of God is glorious and eternal.  What I find more amazing than there were people who loved the praise of men is that the praise of God is on offer for all who declare Jesus their King.

Think of it:  the eternal God in heavenly glory, the Creator of all things Who alone is worthy of praise, delights to praise those who fear Him!  The grace of God simply overwhelms the soul who believes in Him with love, mercy and truth.  As children we beamed with pride when commended for doing well, and as born again children of God through faith in Jesus this pride melts away in the humble knowledge of who God is and our unworthiness of consideration by Him.  Jesus taught in Luke 17:9-10, "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"  Observe the perspective of the child of God and faithful servant who has been obedient to his duty before the almighty.  Instead of clamouring for recognition, the follower of Jesus is joyfully resigned to serve His Saviour.

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus spoke of a master who rewarded his dutiful servant in Matthew 25:21:  "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"  Jesus struck a contast between the servants who were faithful and the unprofitable, and explained how one day He would divide them as a shepherd does the sheep from the goats.  Matthew 25:34-40 says, "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

Those blessed of the Father and redeemed with the blood of Jesus did not trot out their good deeds or sacrifices before their King.  Since all authority, knowledge and dominion is Christ's in all heaven and earth, He is acutely aware of every time His people do what pleases Him in obedience.  He is not looking to destroy them for their faults already cleansed by His shed blood, but to reward them with praise and a glorious kingdom in His presence which shall never end.  Kindness shown others He owns as done to Himself to provide blessing, even as He has taken all our sins upon Himself to provide atonement and turn aside God's wrath.  To hear "Well done!" from the mouth of our Saviour will be among the sweetest words we could ever hear.  Blessed is the one knows Jesus and follows Him, and our righteousness is in Him.  Grace upon grace, now and forever!

Lamp On the Lampstand

Today I listened to a sermon which addressed a parable spoke in Mark 4:21-23:  "Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  The sole purpose of lighting an olive oil lamp is to provide light, and it would be foolish to light a lamp and place it under a basket or bed.  Not only was placing a lamp under a basket or bed be contrary to the point of lighting a lamp but it would be hazardous!  Jesus is the Light of the World, and the truth He has spoken is to be made plain for all to see, even as the parable of the soils exposed the different conditions of the hearts of men.

Pastor Terry of Calvary Chapel Newcastle focused on the bushel basket and bed in contrast to a lampstand to apply this parable personally in examining our own priorities.  In business people measured grain by the bushel, and they also slept upon beds so their energy could be restored to work the following days.  While rest and profitable business are gifts from God, it would be foolish for Christians to allow labour or laziness to crowd out and undermine our godly witness.  The truth of the Gospel and the transforming, saving relationship we have with God can be displayed by when and why we rise and how we approach our business.  Instead of hindering our walk with Jesus, the priority we give Jesus Christ in these basics of life provide great opportunities to let His light shine.

One observation made is even as God has given us physical bodies and minds as He has seen fit, God has also made us stewards of our personality.  This is a point I have not often heard spoken about.  If we will receive the truth God has created us according to His design, our personalities are also custom made to suit His purposes in this world and the Body of Christ, the church.  Now it is true we will spend our lifetime working to discern exactly what about our personality is of the flesh and what is of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth.  There are aspects of our outlook and manner with others that are intrinsically selfish, lazy, greedy and judgmental that will come to light as we walk with Jesus and heed His word.  We are called to confess these as sin and repent when they are exposed, for God will continue to refine us as we humble ourselves to obey Him and love one another.

Even as God has seen fit to make differences between men and women with unique aspects about each one like fingerprints, eyes, right down to our DNA.  In addition to physical differences, God has given us distinct personalities and perspectives as well.  God did not call Peter to be Andrew or John but for them all to follow and obey Him.  God is gracious and mighty to use people to do His will and to share His word, and He is able to use the quiet personality as well as the demonstrative or vocal ones.  We are called to embrace the LORD and to be stewards of the personality He has given us to proclaim His goodness, grace and glory as He leads us.  A cactus blooms at night in the corner of a garden, kelp can grow 60 cm a day in the ocean, and a pine trees drop cones on needle-strewn hillsides.  These are all living things that God has created to thrive, grow and reproduce, and having been born again we can also be fruitful and productive to bring the light of Christ to a dark world by the beauty He has graciously given us.

We can be sure God will bring all secret things into the light.  The good seed of His word planted in a prepared heart will be fruitful now and receive eternal rewards.  Those who set the lamp on the lampstand will enable others to see the truth of Christ and walk in His light.  God also knows those among us who have scorched bushel baskets and beds because we allowed business and laziness--or excuses about our personality--to overshadow the clear display of His Gospel of grace.  Whether you are an early or late riser, self-employed, single or corporate executive, Jesus is the One we serve and obey as we embrace each new day He has made with rejoicing in Him.

Give to the LORD

While in the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read the place where it was written in Isaiah 61:1-3:  "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ² to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, ³ to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."  In coming to earth as a man, God chose to add humanity to His deity to save sinners.  If God was coming only as a Judge and to take vengeance upon sinners, He did not have to become man at all.

Wouldn't it be a strange thing for prisoners to prefer the comfort of their cells than wanting to be free?  To remain a captive to a cruel tyrant when there is opportunity to be free to serve the King Jesus?  It would be sad to continue mourning when God has real comfort for us, and how ridiculous it would be to cling to ashes in memory of what was when God has beauty to give in exchange.  The LORD provides them who trust Him the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness--all for the glory of God and our good.  Even as we must put off old shoes before we can be fitted with new ones, we must be willing to hand all we mourn over to the LORD to receive the joy and praise suited for trees of righteousness established by God's grace.

We who are willing to confess and repent of our sin to receive the atonement, forgiveness and righteousness of God ought to part with the regrets of our past as we enter the new life by faith in Jesus.  To think we can have beauty for ashes is a glorious truth of the reality of God's grace and mercy at work within us.  Ashes are a reminder of what was and will never again be, but far better is the beauty of holiness found in God alone.  having received hope and salvation from God, it is fitting for us to respond by giving to God as it is written in 1 Chronicles 16:28-29, "Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, give to the LORD glory and strength. ²⁹ Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"  Even our ashes are a gift from the LORD's hand that we might bring an acceptable offering of praise for His goodness and the joyful new life He has provided.

Let us by faith make our requests to God, and at the same time not forget to give Him all the praise, worship (and even our mourning and ashes!) so we might grow into the fruitful trees of righteousness for His glory.