God's Word Works

How do you view the Bible?  Do you see it as God's word or do you believe it contains God's word?  There is a tremendous divide between these contrary views which on the surface seem similar.  One views the Bible as the inerrant, absolute word of God without flaw, spoken by the God who does not change.  God speaks truly of what was, is and is to come, and we are to humble ourselves to be challenged and changed by God.  The other view allows man to assume God's place and make judgments of God's word according to his own limited understanding and agenda.  This person can pick out what they feel is relevant to them, reject the relevance of other passages, and even change God's word to affirm their views.

I read an article recently about a "progressive" push in writing devotionals and story Bibles aimed at children that affirm progressive values--which is actually a clear departure from the true word of God.  It is ironic to me people would write stories from the Bible (they don't actually believe are true) to affirm and validate their theology--as if their words could do anyone good.  People desperately need to hear the truth of God's word like someone who suffers from a life-threatening bacterial infection needs antibiotics.  A sugary elixir may taste sweet and delicious, but it has no power to heal.  "Progressive" agendas cannot give eternal life, and they cannot change a person for good or grant rest to our souls.

See the benefit of God's word received as God's word in 1 Thessalonians 2:13:  "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." Those who read the Bible as a bunch of stories that may or may not be true, written by people inspired by the Holy Spirit we accept or reject on the basis of what God spoke through them, God's word will not have the personal impact God intends.  Rather than affirming what we believe, the word of God effectively works in believers according to God's purposes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  If only some of the Scripture is inspired, only some of it is profitable.  Are those who reject the word of God as eternal truth ones to be teaching it?  Those who believe the Bible merely contains the word of God will remain spiritually stunted and deceived.

The whole Bible is God's word and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  All of these purposes work to give understanding of God, to correct our sinfulness and guide us because we naturally are lost, foolish, selfish and have a debased mind.  Left to our own thoughts and devices we were dead in sins and heading for eternal destruction in hell, deserving wrath and judgment for our wickedness.  We were thinking wrong, doing wrong and saying wrong, being ignorant of God and His holiness.  Having been born again by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us to heed God's word written in the whole Bible.  God's desire is to renew and wash our minds in the water of His word, cleansing us of our own ideas so our lives will reflect the life of Christ to a progressive world that is rushing further from God to ruin.

God's word that teaches us of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the redemption by the death and resurrection of Jesus who loves us, is the word that guides us to live in the way that pleases God today.  We were empty before Christ:  now having been filled with the Holy Spirit are we so foolish to imagine we know better than God by adding or taking away from His word?  May the working of God's word within us be effective and make us complete as God intends as we submit to Him.  Hebrews 13:20-21 says, "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."  Without the word of God teaching, reproving, correcting and guiding us, no story we can tell or book people write can profit at all.

Jesus Hears and Saves

It is good for Christians to consider:  how do your thoughts align with truth of God's word?  There can be a condemning voice that has an accusing tone we listen to, are beaten down by, and even ascribe to God--when God never said such things in Scripture.  If we would compare the content of those accusing words with God's word the Bible, we are able to recognise a foul, sulfurous stench which betrays lies Satan speaks to deceive people, aiming to turn focus away from God to themselves and bring despair to the hopeless.  Satan denigrates mankind and tells us how worthless we are, but Christ's sacrifice on the cross reveals His love and delight to save us sinners because He values us.  There is always hope in Jesus Christ for the repentant sinner, for He is loving, gracious and good.

God has proven countless times when people humble themselves, confessing and repenting of sin, He will forgive and accept the contrite of heart who trust Him.  During a season of Israel's history, God's people were guilty of grave abominations through idolatry, spiritual adultery and even human sacrifice, and they were unwilling to heed God's word or warnings through prophets He sent.  For centuries He endured their provocations and caused them to taste the bitter fruit of the sin they cultivated.  If they would only admit they had done wrong and return to Him, He would heal them.  God's loving desire for His erring people was shown in Jeremiah 3:21-22:  "A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God. ²² "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God."

How different are God's ways and thoughts from ours!  God did not demand the people bring sacrifices, maim themselves, go on a long pilgrimage or prove they had "changed their ways" with good deeds:  from the high places where they had viciously sacrificed children they could weep in repentance for their sin and how they had forgotten God.  Right there God they could return to God and He would heal their backslidings and self-inflicted wounds from sin.  This is similar to Jonah who returned to the LORD in repentance after being swallowed by a great fish.  Jonah 2:1-2 says, "Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly. ² And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice."  In the whirring darkness of the fish's belly, God heard and answered Jonah.  He could not save or help himself, but God could and was inclined to do so.

Isn't it awesome God has sought, pursued and spoken to us?  If you have never known God or if you have walked away from Him or forgotten Him, Jesus is the Way--and the Way back to fellowship with God.  Wherever we are, whatever we've been doing, in our affliction we can cry out to God, repent of our sin and turn to the LORD who will answer us.  There are no hopeless cases as far as God is concerned, for He is able to deliver, save and redeem.  A Philippian jailor ran to Paul and Silas in prison and asked what he needed to do to be saved.  They replied, "Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31)  That very night that man and his whole household rejoiced, for God heard and answered their cries for salvation.  Today the same can be true for you because Jesus saves all who trust in Him!

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

James 2:12-13 (NIV)

Jesus came to fulfill the Law, and He established a new covenant in His own blood that provides liberty from the Law of Moses, condemnation and death.  Having been born again by the Gospel we are not to be lawless but to walk in love, grace and righteousness that trumps the letter of the Law.  The one who walks in love will love God with all his being, and it is love that guides him to bless and help others rather than murdering them or stealing from them.  James referred to the "perfect law of liberty" in the previous chapter, and the Bible Knowledge Commentary explained it this way:  "The “Law that gives freedom” seems like a paradox. Law seems to imply restraint and therefore a lack of freedom. Not so with God’s Law. His perfect Law provides true freedom...One who does what God decrees will find full liberty and will be blessed in what he does."

The perfect law of liberty provides freedom to serve and honour God by eating food or by not eating food, by observing a day or choosing not to observe it unto the LORD.  Jesus demonstrated love for us by dying in our place, and we are to respond by loving God and others as we present ourselves as living sacrifices, freely giving as we have received from God.  One criticism people have made concerning "religious" people is a tendency to be judgmental--to be quick to condemn others as wrong as if they are without fault.  It is easy to make rigid judgments without caring for people; everyone can do this.  James exhorted believers to speak and act knowing we will be judged by the law that gives freedom by showing mercy.  Justice hardliners are naturally suspect of mercy, for they are concerned mercy will encroach upon or undermine justice.  Not so, for God is perfectly just and also is merciful to us sinners, providing an opportunity for salvation we never deserved.

Webster's definition of mercy is excellent:  "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant."  Being merciful is a matter of the heart, an inclination and disposition that is for others rather than against them.  Even as all spiritual gifts, sacrifices, and good deeds are of little value without love, so judgment without mercy misses the point.  Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 23:23:  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."  The Jewish rulers were very strict concerning weighing out their herbs which were light as feathers, but they neglected the weightier matters of the law.  Justice, mercy and faith in God were to be exercised together, and Jesus weighed the scribes and the Pharisees and found them lacking due to hypocrisy.  They were big on giving 10% of their herbs yet ignored the most important matters of the heart.

James explained those who neglect to show mercy in judgment will be judged without mercy--similar to those who refuse to forgive will not be forgiven.  This is not speaking of eternal condemnation for Christians, but a loss of fellowship with God and eternal reward should we refuse to heed God's word.  Do you love God's judgment and mercy?  It is important for Christians to embrace both in the things we say and do.  Mercy is more than a matter of tone, for it is a weighty matter of the heart.  Having been made new creations by the Gospel, justified by grace through faith, forgiven and set free, illustrates perfectly that mercy indeed triumphs over judgment.

Lasting Peace

People all over the world have seen and celebrated the historic peace deal struck in Israel that ended a war that had spanned two years.  When President Trump signed the document, he said it was peace that would last.  Based on my knowledge of the human heart, I do not share his optimism until Jesus Himself sits on the throne in Israel.  The problem with peace deals is they depend on fickle people who will not be responsible to keep the terms.  Peace on paper, difficult as it has been to accomplish, is far more easier that peace between people and nations.  From a biblical view, peace with others is impossible without first having peace with God.  Even those who have received peace from God are not always inclined to live peaceably, and that is why Paul urged Christians in Romans 12:18:  "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

See what God said about the condition of those who do not know or fear the living God of Israel in Isaiah 57:19-21:  "I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," says the LORD, "and I will heal him." ²⁰ But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. ²¹ "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."  For those in rebellion against God, who walk according to the dictates of their own hearts, lasting peace is not possible.  There is no peace in the hearts of those who are in perpetual conflict with God, and they will remain without rest.  Like ocean waves that continue to break on the shore, the tides swell and currents swirl, so are the wicked troubled from within.  As churning water stirs up sediment and makes visibility impossible, people remain blind to their blindness.  We live in a day where some feel it judgmental to suggest anyone could be wicked, but God says plainly in His word all have sinned.  The natural condition of man is not peace and rest but to be troubled, anxious and easily provoked.

Jesus told His disciples He would return one day, and our Messiah will set up His throne in Jerusalem and rule the nations with a rod of iron.  This period is called the millennial reign of Christ that will usher in a era of unrivaled peace and prosperity upon earth:  Satan will be bound, knowledge of God will cover the land like the water of the sea, once fierce animals will be rendered harmless, and Jerusalem will be a global destination to worship Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS during the annual Feast of Tabernacles.  Even when the Prince of Peace sits enthroned people will be far from perfect and will require correction and chastening.  Zechariah 14:16-17 says, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. ¹⁷ And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain."  Since this word will be fulfilled, it is evident people will choose not to appear before Jesus when summoned.

Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:3-9:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."  Who is humble in heart and mourn their sin?  Who are those marked by meekness, desire for righteousness, who extend mercy?  Who has purity of heart and are peacemakers?  Only those who are in Jesus Christ, born again by faith in Him.  It is solely by the power of Jesus Christ we can be like Him.  Only Jesus can provide lasting peace for all eternity.  It is in Christ alone we find rest for our souls.