A Rich Welcome

One of the first commercial jobs I worked was on the Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, one of the few 5-star hotels and resorts in San Diego.  It was nestled in the hills of Carlsbad and overlooked the highly acclaimed Aviara golf course designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.  After the job was completed, I returned to the site after operations were in full swing to do some final touches.  It was a totally different world:  a dirt carpark once full of work trucks and portable toilets was paved and adorned with Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars.  The delicious smell of lobster bisque simmering in the kitchen wafted across the rooftop.  In a staff room I noticed a white board that listed all the VIPs they were preparing to host that day--people who were known locally and internationally.  My name was not on the list, by the way. :)

While I was given access to the Four Seasons Resort to do my job, I did not feel welcomed there.  It was not a place where I was known or my arrival was prepared for with special considerations.  I was in no way looking for favours, nor did I feel entitled to hospitality because I did not hire a room for the night, make a tee-time or dinner reservation.  Exclusive venues are something I am usually excluded from because I will not spend a thousand dollars a night for a room or pay hundreds to play a round of golf.  Similar to what the Shunammite woman said to Elisha, I am content to dwell among my own people.  I would likely choose pub food over gourmet offerings (if seeking value for money) and feel more at home in a bowling alley than a country club.  Exclusive places like the Four Seasons Resort remind me continually with the persistent feeling I do not belong there as the price to participate is above my means.

The situation is different concerning the kingdom of heaven, for there is no place on earth more exclusive, costly or impossible to enter on one's own merit.  It is only by God's grace the Door to heaven has been opened to us unworthy sinners.  God has come to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ, opened a way of salvation and eternal life by His own sacrifice, and He invites all to repent of sin and trust in Him.  Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them so where He is they can be also.  Peter wrote to believers in 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV), "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  We can have full confidence in our good standing with God by receiving and obeying the Gospel, knowing by grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves.  We are nobodies now known in heaven by God who will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ--who is our Most Important Person--the Light of the World, the Door, the Vine, the Good Shepherd, the Living Bread, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

God has better things in store for His people than luxury cars, accommodation and delicious food that perishes:  He knows us, loves us and has welcomes us into His family permanently.  Upon entering eternity, we will be welcomed into His presence where we truly belong.  Today we might feel more "at home" in a casual pub setting than an exclusive resort, but life in this corrupted world in our corruptible bodies is not home for Christians.  In the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ is where we are known and belong--not because we have earned the right or paid to be members--but because Jesus has paid for our redemption and we are in Him by faith.  As members of the church, we are part of His body of which Jesus is the Head.  How wonderful it is to be accepted, loved and known by God!  Like crippled Mephibosheth was given a place at king David's table daily, a lowly servant of God will be a household name in heaven by God's grace.  Knowing we will receive a rich welcome into God's eternal kingdom, let's be those who accept, love and welcome one another in fellowship today.

Prayer Over Protest

When I was a kid, the annual Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon was a big deal.  It brought people together from all over San Diego to participate in a parade that included High School marching bands, people riding horses, floats, clowns and even Shriners in small cars.  The sense of excitement for a main street to be shut down for a community event seems to have gone by the wayside these days, as events (planned and unplanned!) have pivoted from parades to protests.  Instead of bringing people of a community together, it seems gatherings now draw people with intent to oppose one another and are loud and proud about it.  A planned protest gives rise to a counter protest with police in the middle, trying to prevent mayhem as people wave signs, shout slogans and hurl abuse at one another.

Protests, for all the noise and spectacle, seem to have less clout than petitions, which are more for the sake of expressing solidarity than providing real change.  Petitions, parades and protests share one thing in common:  it is the act of those who desire to be heard and seen.  As I considered this, I was struck by the stark contrast between the modern mood of protests and the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.  I suppose Jesus was in a parade because it was a public affair:  He rode into Jerusalem riding a donkey, much to the delight of the Jewish people who laid their clothes and palm branches before Him.  He did not shout at all; there was no megaphone held to his lips or anti-Roman sign in His hand.  Who were the Romans, the governor in Jerusalem or all Israel compared to Him as the KING OF KINGS?  He did not ride in to promote a cause or even Himself, for He rode into Jerusalem to fulfill Scripture which cannot be broken.  Jesus wanted more than to be seen but that all people would come to know Him as Saviour.  To this end He was paraded through the streets covered in blood as He departed the city, carrying His cross after being condemned.  When He was lifted up on Calvary and crucified, He drew all people to Himself.

A mob protesting and rioting makes the news, yet I am convinced it is not nearly as effective and influential as one person who trusts God and seeks Him in private as Jesus taught.  Consider Abraham who drew near to God and pleaded on behalf of saving the righteous people in Sodom.  Think about Moses who interceded on behalf of the erring and idolatrous children of Israel, how one man stood in the gap for his people.  Even if the whole nation had gathered together in protest of God's judgment, it would not have been as effective as one person who feared, trusted God and humbled himself before Him.  Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:5-6:  "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  God hears, answers and rewards the soul who trusts and obeys Him, the one who seeks Him in secret.  Hypocrites love to be seen by others as bold and strong, yet God's people are not to play to the crowd.  God grants people public platforms to share their views and beliefs with millions, yet platforms have miniscule impact compared to those who seek their heavenly Father in secret who hears, answers prayer and does everything--their audience of One.

Dear Christian, let us not be numbered among those who are big on social or political activism while neglecting weightier matters, that we would embrace a humble heart and be obedient to God.  Paul wrote an exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 that remains relevant:  "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  Are you willing to thank God and pray for leaders you would rather protest?  Will you submit to the ordinances and rulers sent by God to punish evildoers and commend those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14)?  Have you considered how those who preach without love or protest without praying play the hypocrite like a corrupt ruler--and all will be required to appear and answer before God in judgment?  As the song goes, "Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

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!