Choose Your Judgment

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2

There is safety in keeping the laws of the land, for such are protected as upright and responsible citizens.  The Bible says when born-again Christians confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins (1 John 1:9).  It is on the basis of Christ satisfying the righteous requirements of the Law of Moses and His atoning sacrifice we are forgiven, receive a full pardon and are rendered righteous by faith in Jesus.  The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the law of sin of death, and this is reason for rejoicing by living righteously.

Because of the Gospel freely offered to everyone, all people have the responsibility and opportunity to choose what side of God's judgment they will be on:  condemnation that leads to eternal death or pardon that leads to eternal life.  In a court of law the accuser and accused present their case before the judge.  As it stands all people are naturally guilty as sin before God and have no hope of exoneration.  Those who deny their guilt will be exposed as evildoers, and those who humble themselves with contrite hearts, admitting their wickedness and appealing to Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, will be redeemed and saved.

I have observed a variety of reactions of people in relation to court judgments.  I have seen the prosecution celebrate the guilty verdict, and some who have been condemned have been incredulous and continued to assert their innocence and desire to appeal.  On the other hand, I have seen the decision of "Not Guilty" celebrated by the accused and their supporters, exonerated from all accusations.  In that situation the accused are the ones who feel the verdict was a miscarriage of justice and lament the court's decision.  What is amazing is God's judgment of believers is not that we are "Not Guilty" (because we are indeed guilty of all manner of sin) but righteous based upon the payment Jesus made for our sin with His own blood.

Having been made free from the condemnation of God's Law and sin's curse that brings death, we are spared the eternal judgment and wrath of God.  Instead we have the promise of the abundant life that now is found in Jesus and eternal life that is to come.  God has given everyone the choice of which side of God's justice we will experience:  His eternal pardon or condemnation.  There are no appeals possible for the one who dies in their sins.  The wise willingly humble themselves and say, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"  The one who trusts in Christ who is righteousness for us is the one who will go home to heaven justified.

Transformation by Grace

As I prepared for this week's sermon, an illustration came to mind of how God seeks and saves the lost.  People could be compared to an abandoned, neglected car that is rusting away in a pile of debris.  Most people would look at a wreck and see it as junk and a worthless liability:  a heap of perished rubber, broken glass, and rat-infested interior.  But to the savvy car enthusiast, it is a dream to find a rare and valuable car which can be purchased to restore to peak condition.  Imagine if the one who designed a one-of-a-kind car found his own priceless design rusting away in a garage and was willing to give everything for it.  That's similar to what Jesus has done for us sinners.

When God looks at lost sinners created in the image of God, He knows what He created us to be.  In our natural condition we are dead in sins, like a car that cannot be started or driven because it lacks a battery, tyres or steering wheel.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost and died on Calvary to provide atonement for our sins.  In receiving Christ by faith, we are born again and God begins a process to restore us and make us more like Jesus.  This is a work God delights to do--not as a hobby for hours on evenings or weekends, but by fellowship continually with Him every day.

God is not interested to purchase us with His own blood for resale value or as a trophy for a showroom, but so when He steps on the accelerator we will roar to life; when He touches the brakes we will respond automatically to the leading of the Holy Spirit and conviction from His word.  He wants us to yield to His guiding hand as He directs every moment.  Our redeemed, restored lives are not stored in a garage or only utilised for road trips, but we have been adopted as children of God and fit for our Father's use and good purposes today.  He designed us, created our personality, gave us precise specifications according to His wisdom, and knows exactly what we need to fulfill our purpose to glorify Him.

How blessed we are to be called and purchased with the precious blood of Jesus!  Our lives are a testimony of God's redemption and love, for while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  God's plans for us are better than we could have ever dreamed for ourselves.  Even in our suffering God's grace is evident towards us as it is written in 1 Peter 5:10-11:  "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."  God does more than maintain us but transforms us from glory to glory.  When God allows suffering we are better for it, and what a glorious journey we are on by His grace.

The Open Bible

Back when I was a student, as best I could I read the assigned material and learned to take notes during lectures.  This helped me to be prepared for pop-quizzes that I always found challenging.  I always appreciated when we were allowed to have "open book" quizzes or exams.  It relieved a lot of pressure knowing all the answers were already at hand:  all I had to do was read the question or problem, sift through the information in my notes, and answer the question properly.

This week at Camp Kedron Micah 6:8 was our theme verse that says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  God has demonstrated and instructed all people what is good through His wisdom and the Word that became flesh, Jesus Christ.  The scripture is full of God doing justly, loving to show mercy and humility to give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sinners.  Everything man makes has a function and purpose, and thus it follows we have requirements based upon an accepted standard.  God holds man accountable to meet His requirements, and by faith in Jesus our LORD enables us to do His will by doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with Him.

Do you know our lives on earth could be compared with an open book exam?  God has given us the Bible, not just to convey information for us to memorise, but to transform us and guide us to live in the way that pleases Him.  No matter in what season of life we find ourselves, we are provided comfort, directives and correction by God we are wise to put into regular personal practice.  I doubt I would fare well on the course material I was quizzed on years ago because it was not something I used in daily life.  There are mathematic problems and historical questions I could not recall even months later because I never really learned them:  I simply regurgitated information to pass the quiz when the details were fresh in my mind.  Having open book tests all the time doesn't help us retain information because we don't have to learn or put the details to practical use--like all those phone numbers stored in our phones we cannot remember.

God's word provides guidance when we face a problem, yet it is also our daily bread.  It is something that will profit us very little if we reduce its use as a textbook to navigate doctrinal conflict or find fault with others when it is designed to feed and strengthen our souls every day.  By reading the scriptures and meditating on them every day we are guided in real time to consider God, obey Him and seek to honour Him with our attitudes, choices and outlook.  How good God is to speak the truth about Himself and ourselves that is relevant in the past, present and future!  May people called by God's name be those who open the Bible regularly, hungry and humble to receive all God speaks to us so we might walk by faith in obedience to Him.

Temptation Without Sin

"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

Luke 4:13 (KJV)

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to go into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.  After shattering all temptations with the word of God, Satan departed from Him for a season.  The NKJV renders this passage "...until an opportune time."  It is useful for us to know Jesus did not draw upon divine reserves or abilities born again Christians lack, for He wisely wielded the word of God to counter every temptation.  This ought to bring our hearts great comfort, that God supplies wisdom and strength to recognise and defeat all temptation to sin.

We observe the season of temptation had an end, yet opportunities for temptation would come again.  Jesus had been fasting from food for 40 days and was at a physically weak point when the devil suggested He turn stones into bread.  This shows us Satan will tempt us to sin in the area where we are currently weak.  He looks for opportunities to lead us to satisfy fleshly appetites rather than continuing to trust in God and obey His word.  Jesus understood obedience to the word of God was of greater importance than filling His stomach with food even when He was starving, for His life was in God and for God.

God had to physically become a human to experience and resist temptation, and it is not a sin to be tempted because Jesus remained without sin.  Hebrews 4:15 says, "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."  Jesus experienced the same temptations we do, yet He was able to remain pure, holy and righteous.  It was required under the Law of Moses for people who had sinned to bring their sacrifice before the high priest and confess their sins, and when we believe on Jesus as Saviour He understands perfectly the lure of temptation as well has how we have chosen sin over obedience to God.

Because we have a great High Priest who understands our struggles in seasons of sins, the context of Hebrews 4:16 shines bright with loving acceptance for the humble sinner:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  The human body needs food, and we sinners need forgiveness and strength to resist the temptation to sin.  We are powerless in ourselves to keep resisting a single temptation, but thanks be to God who has overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God given to us.  Jesus Christ has given Himself to us by shedding His own blood on Calvary, and now we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Let our confidence not be in our ability or wits to avoid temptation but in Jesus Christ Who has overcome all temptation and sin that easily besets us.