Implements of Iron

The Bible says God chastens those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6).  At times in the history of Israel God empowered nations as His implement to move His people to repentance.  The Syrians were a people God utilised for this purpose.  What often happened is those who defeated Israel oppressed them, and were lifted up with pride against the God who had given them victory.  When they saw the Israelites were powerless to defend themselves, they were cruel.  Their brutality was observed by God, and He would later punish them for it.

Amos 1:3 reads, "Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron."  Threshing is the act of separating the husk from the kernel, removing the worthless chaff to expose the edible grain.  Depending on the kind of grain to be threshed, different tools and methods were used.  The aim of threshing is to remove the husk and retain the edible grain whole.  For some grain types, the hooves of animals was enough to do the job.  Other times a wooden sledge was pulled by animals over the grain.  Syria was condemned by God for the sin of using "implements of iron" to thresh Gilead.  God's intention was to chasten His people - not crush them to powder.  For the Syrian's overreach they would be punished.  Being trampled underfoot may have been enough to remove the husk of pride which covered the hearts of His people, but using implements of iron to pulverise them was criminal.

When I read this passage last night, I considered how before God parents have the responsibility to chasten their children, to discipline them when necessary according to God's Word.  A parent ought to remain humble before God to properly wield authority, for when we are proud ourselves - not demonstrating God's love, compassion, and mercy - we can be guilty as the Syrians were of overstepping their bounds.  We can be too harsh and severe because our patience is done.  We can become furious and allow our emotions to dictate our speech, decisions, and actions.  James 1:19-20 provides a fitting exhortation:  "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."  Instead of being personally wounded by rebellion or disobedience, it is good for us to recognise all sin is primarily against God.  Realising this means we don't need to "get back" at someone because of offence, and with a clear conscience and biblical insight we can choose the right threshing implement and properly wield it for the good of others.  Biblical discipline always works to the end of restoration and the healthy renewal of relationship.

Have you used an implement of iron for "threshing" when a wooden rod would have been more appropriate?  For our overreach in discipline we will answer before God whose discipline is always perfectly weighted in severity to accomplish His purposes, justice and righteousness balanced with love and grace.

A World Under Sway

The Bible says in 1 John 5:19 the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one, the devil who is the "father of lies."  These lies can pass unnoticed, couched in deceptive language.  What used to be properly called "adultery" is now an "affair," a "baby" in utero is called a "fetus," and in short matter of time terms can subtly change from things like "gay marriage" to being dubbed "marriage equality."  To those whose eyes and ears God has opened by His grace, these shifting terms are as subtle as a charging elephant.  Just this morning I heard on ABC radio an interview with a woman representing an agency which supposedly provides government approved "safe abortions" in Australia.  I assume this claim of "safe" abortions concerns only the mother (and this has been highly contested), but what a lie any abortion is safe for the child who is aborted!

Depending in what state or territory a person resides in Australia, different rules apply.  In Queensland, surgical abortion is illegal whilst it is claimed on a Victoria Sate Department website, "Abortion is one of the most common and safest types of surgery in Australia."  This is an interesting claim, as there is no requirement for statistics to be provided on the amount of abortions performed.  There is a distinction made between a medical abortion and a surgical one.  Whilst we might believe abortions do not occur as frequently in our fair state of New South Wales because of limits placed on surgical abortions, in 2013 RU486 or the "abortion pill" was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, meaning instead of paying about $311 for the medication, it is now available for no more than $38.80 to the consumer.  The murder of the unborn is being heavily subsidised by the government, and I don't hear anyone talking about it.  All I hear about it how "safe" abortions are, and I read that women can end a pregnancy quietly in the comfort of their homes for $38 bucks.  This is heartbreaking news for people who understand abortion sheds the blood of a human life, stopping a heart which beats only 3 to 4 weeks after conception (about the time a woman might start wondering if she is pregnant!).

Many who morally take no issue with abortion have summed up the issue as "a woman's right to choose."  In this case everyone has the right to choose - all except the miraculous little one God knits together in the womb of his or her mother.  God is not anti-choice, for He has sovereignly given everyone the right to choose if we will believe Him, heed His Word, seek and obey Him.  The choices we make can have lifelong, even eternal implications.  God has said every soul that sins shall surely die, and all the little lives destroyed medically or surgically will be remembered and brought to account by God who loves them.  Whilst I am deeply grieved for the loss of these children, I realise many of those who legislate and seek abortions see them very differently than me.  Resorting to violence to stop what I see as a grave crime would be using the same brutal tactics as those who intentionally terminate pregnancies.  I do not hate people who have had an abortion or who have even performed thousands of them, but I do hate abortion.  I love those people and my heart feels for them.  I hate how abortion makes victims of children who cannot plead for themselves.  I hate that it wounds women with soul poisoning guilt.  I hate that women are often pressured to have an abortion by others who have no idea of the personal cost.  I hate that abortions are often secret and hidden, as if no one will ever know.  God knows, and in due time He will demand atonement for the blood spilt.

In a world under Satan's sway, there is no way to stop the overwhelming tide of lies and deceit which covers the world in darkness.  But born again followers of Jesus can take great comfort that He is the Light of the world, in Him is forgiveness of sin, and we can know truth from error through His Word.  I don't believe we as Christians have the responsibility before God to personally put an end to all evil in the world.  I believe we are to be a light in this dark world, showing the love, grace, and mercy of God to others who don't understand it and don't even want it - like Jesus did.  Instead of feeling helpless in the face of injustice, we are called to walk in obedience to God and trust in Him.  Paul wrote in Romans 12:21 after saying it is our reasonable service to be living sacrifices unto God, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  We do not need to be overcome or overwhelmed by evil, but through God we can do good and keep doing it.  We can keep loving instead of condemning.  We can show compassion to those who have chosen to have an abortion, and we can pray for those who perform them.  Instead of only lamenting the dead, we can love and bless the living.  We can speak the truth when we know we stand to lose the favour of friends or family because of our biblical views.  Praise God we have been set free by God's truth and we are empowered to help others find freedom in Christ too.  We can choose life in Jesus and experience it forever.

Earnestly Seek God

Whilst there are people who will go to the doctor for minor ailments, it often takes serious illness or obvious trauma injuries for most people to go.  Speaking for myself, I am not quick to seek a medical opinion for my routine pains.  Going to the doctor means setting aside time, spending money, and with our private health care provider appointments beget appointments.  But when the pain is bad enough, like when I tore the ACL in my right knee, even I will make an appointment myself and see the doctor.

This dynamic is similar to how many of God's people relate to Him.  If we will be honest, it is in times of pain and trouble seeking God goes up exponentially in priority.  I was reminded of this when I read Hosea 5:15 when God said concerning His people, "I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."  For their sins God chastened His people, comparing Himself to a lion which tears the prey.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  It appears they were unwilling to admit their sins until they had suffered at the hands of their enemies God allowed to buffet them, and they would only seek His face earnestly when afflicted.

When I read about all the children of Israel suffered - famine, drought, defeat and oppression at the hands of their enemies, death of loved ones, loss of their homes and inheritance - I wonder:  what does it take for us to turn to God and seek Him earnestly?  Why don't we seek God with the same fervour in times of peace and plenty as we do in troubled times?  I don't really know that there is a single answer to the question.  The fact is when it comes to people, we often don't seek God unless we feel our need profoundly.  There will always be a cost to come to God in repentance, but the price of forsaking and forgetting Him is far greater.  Let us seek the LORD earnestly while He may be found, trusting in Him alone.  God has promised in Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Christ: the End of the Law

Jesus did many miracles during His pilgrimage on earth.  He also kept the Law without fail, a truly monumental and impossible task for an ordinary man.  He urged His disciples to believe He was the way, the truth, and the life.  He said in John 14:11-12, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. ¹² "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."  One thing which marked the life of Jesus is He always did what pleased the Father.  While shunning man's traditions, He remained blameless and righteous.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul confronted them for their return back to Law after being born again through faith in Jesus.  In chapter 3 Paul proved that righteousness is by faith apart from the Law.  The grave error of the Galatians was thinking once they were born again they were thus empowered by the Spirit to keep the Law.  Abraham was made righteous by faith in God before the Law, therefore righteousness by faith and labours to keep the Law are mutually exclusive.  Paul stated emphatically in Romans 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."  The Law is good, but it has no power to save sinners:  it can only condemn.

There is confusion to this day concerning what role the Law plays under the New Covenant established by the shed blood of Jesus.  The Law should not be thrown out or seen as irrelevant for several reasons:  all people under sin's curse will be judged according to it; it is the primary means of revealing sin and our need of forgiveness; and the Law is thus a schoolmaster which leads us to salvation in Christ.  During my morning reading I was reminded of the great work Jesus did in remaining completely obedient to the Father.  Having been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to a greater task than obedience to external commands.  We are called to be led by the Spirit as we follow Jesus in faith.

So what does this practically look like?  Consider the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 as an example.  Instead of being content with avoiding evil, we are called to do good!

• "Thou shalt have no other gods before me..." - it is good for us to be completely loyal to God alone, but we also are led by the Spirit to tell others about Him so they too can fear and love God.
• "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..." - eliminating idols is critical, but we also should humble ourselves before God and worship Him through faithful service.
• "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain..." - it is good to guard our tongues from blasphemous speech, but the name of God should be on our lips as we pray without ceasing.
• "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy..." - setting aside a day of rest is good in following God's example after creating the earth in six days and resting the seventh, but since Christ is our Sabbath we ought to be holy, set apart unto God, resting in our Saviour and His grace.
• "Honour thy father and thy mother..." - honouring your parents is a command with a blessing for all who obey, yet when we are born again we are adopted by our heavenly Father, entering by faith into a relationship of love and purity.
• "Thou shall not kill..."  - avoiding killing someone is a good thing, but we should love even our enemies, praying for those who hate us.
• "Thou shalt not commit adultery..." - it is good to remain sexually pure in marriage, but husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives ought to submit to their own husbands as unto the LORD, as both spouses submit to Christ in love.
• "Thou shalt not steal..." - it is good to respect the rightful ownership of others, but isn't it a greater work to give to those in need as a sacrifice unto the LORD?
• "Thou shalt not bear false witness..." - in court we should be honest, but how much better still to speak the truth in love at all times, boldly sharing the truth of God's Word with all who has ears to hear.
• "Thou shalt not covet..." - it is good to be satisfied with your possessions without envying what others have, but it is better to do this while thanking God for all He has given you, rejoicing in His bountiful provision.

Jesus did many amazing works, and we shall do them too when it comes to obeying God through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  These thoughts only scratch the surface of the ways God can lead us by His grace as we take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.

God Allows Hunger

When I was a kid, one of my favourite places to go at Sea World in San Diego was the shark exhibit.  Sharks always piqued my interest, and to see them slowly swimming overhead in the aquarium was nearly awe inspiring.  I was impressed by the thickness of the glass and was glad to be on the safe side of it!  But I always wondered:  what kept the sharks from eating all the other fish in the exhibit?  I later found out the primary secret, one that really isn't too complicated:  the sharks are so well-fed they are not hungry to feast on their tank mates.  Sharks in captivity are similar to most animals who learn quickly when it is feeding time.  When they are full there is little motivation to expend effort to feed.

This morning I read a scripture which shed light on God's dealings with His people after delivering them from slavery in Egypt in Deuteronomy 8:3:  "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."  Though they were slaves, the people needed to be humbled before God.  One way God did this was to allow them to hunger.  He supplied manna as their daily bread, and apparently it didn't take long for the novelty of "bread from heaven" to wear off.  Numbers 11 says the people longed for their old diet, and no matter how they dressed up manna it wasn't what they wanted.  Numbers 21:5 tells us the people complained about God's provision, that their souls loathed it.  God could have manipulated the situation by providing all the people wanted in abundance every day.  But He didn't because He wanted to teach them something:  that man does not live by bread alone, "but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This shows us by preventing our desires or even needs for a season to be met, God humbles us and teaches us indispensable truths we must learn to progress.

The proceeding verse in Deuteronomy 8:2 also says, "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not."  Giving the people manna six days a week was not a divine science experiment so God could see how the people would respond.  He already knew what was in their hearts.  He allowed them to be hungry and tested them as He led and taught them.  God gave His people the opportunity to do what pleased Him while keeping them well-fed.  The hunger God allowed brought murmuring, complaining, anger, hatred, and rebellion to the surface.  The people didn't only covet fish and fresh vegetables:  they wanted power, honour, authority, wealth, independence, to call the shots, and have their own way.  See what a little hunger brought to light?  God then disciplined His people to restore them to fellowship which had been broken by their sin.  This is for our learning and provides practical wisdom even in parenting.

All children are delightful gifts from God.  We as parents can make the mistake of doing our best to keep them as those well-fed sharks, pandering to satisfy their desires to keep them from exhibiting undesirable behaviour.  Allow a shark to be hungry and he will chase and consume the fish around him, and deny a child's demands and you will see another side too!  I am not happy when the denial of a request brings a negative reaction from my child, but the behaviour indicates pride in the heart of a child which must be addressed.  Shouting or slamming a door is not really the problem, but the issue to lovingly address is the selfish pride, hatred, and rebellion being expressed outwardly.  The worst thing for pride is to feed it and not realise it lurks seething below the surface ready to strike out at everyone - even God.  Our hearts and those of our children can only be delivered from pride and cleansed of sin by spiritual transformation through the Gospel.  Aiming at behaviour will not result in an inner change, but the Bible exposes the thoughts and motives of the heart.  Life is much more than activities, stuff, and food, but is only available when we rely and partake of the Living Bread which has come down from heaven Jesus Christ.  Lasting satisfaction and contentment is found only in Him.

God has allowed us to be hungry for food, significance, belonging, love, and many other things.  It is good when we recognise our hunger and that our satisfaction can only be met by God and the truth of His Word.  When we feed regularly on the Word of God, our souls are satisfied.  Manna was never meant to address the hunger of our souls but Jesus is.  I am glad God allows us to be hungry because otherwise we would never see our need of Him.  We would never know we are doomed to destruction for our sin, cut off from relationship with our Creator.  Psalm 37:3-6 reads, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. ⁴ Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. ⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."  Let us rest in the LORD and do good, feeding on His faithfulness, and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit who guides and comforts us continually.  When we humbles ourselves before God, He will lift us up.

Exercise and Godliness

"But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."

1 Timothy 4:7-8

The past decades have brought new awareness to the importance of physical exercise for optimal health.  From the leg-warmer Jazzercise look of the 80's to the modern gym membership or fitness camps with participants sweating through circuits in a park, many have embraced physical exercise.  For some exercise is a craze, but it is here to stay.  The fact Paul said exercise of our bodies is profitable almost 2,000 years ago is proof gymnasium junkies are not going anywhere.

What I find intriguing about the passage written to Timothy is the admonition to "exercise yourself toward godliness."  Physical exercise, while beneficial for the body, has its limits.  Whether you run, lift weights, or play competitive sports, all physical gains are temporary.  It isn't long after exercise before muscles begin to atrophy and unwanted kilos begin to pile on.  Physical fitness is harder to maintain as our bodies grow older.  A day will come when we cannot physically do (for any amount of time without severe or chronic injury) the things we once did.  Ultimately our bodies, fit or not, will breathe their last and our lives on earth will end.  A lifestyle which includes quality exercise may add a few years to our lives, but all benefits fought for are trumped by death.

See what Paul says about exercising ourselves toward godliness:  "godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."  Walking according to God's will brings lasting benefits on earth and for all eternity.  Exercising ourselves towards godliness, which is the intentional practice of godliness in our lives practically, will enable us to live an abundant life now as well as providing eternal rewards.  Speaking for myself, I grow weary of the limited and temporary gains of physical exercise.  How much better it is to personally invest my efforts into what will endure forever, not to mention that it is profitable for all things today.  Choosing to live a life which honours Christ positively affects all areas of our lives.  Having fellowship with God and knowing Him is better than having all the riches of the world.

Jesus said in John 10:9-10, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Jesus offers an abundant life today for all who trust and follow Him, a life of plenty and salvation.  We must first be born again through faith in Jesus, and then as a sheep of the Good Shepherd He will ensure all our needs in this life and the next are met.  If we give heed to "profane and old wives' fables" or useless debates instead feeding on God's Word and obeying it, we deny ourselves the blessings God has granted us.  A lack of fitness limits what we can physically do, and a lack of spiritual fitness hinders our ability for us to freely and faithfully serve our LORD.  Therefore let us exercise ourselves towards godliness, for this is the will of our Saviour, our Good Shepherd who leads us into green pastures.

Stretch those legs, people!  Enjoy time with Jesus today and follow His example.

Same Same, but Different

During my travels to Cambodia over the years I have heard the phrase "Same same but different" repeated many times.  It is used so widely and frequently by some people the meaning can become a a bit hazy!  I have seen the t-shirts in shops, but have not bought one.  A native English speaker might say of an item, "It is the same tool but a different brand."  "Same same but different" takes on a new meaning entirely when you see vendors in the Russian Market repackaging knock-off items in plastic to look like the real thing.  There are brand-name sunglasses, electronics, and clothing sold cheaply in many shops because they are not genuine.  I don't know about you, but if I am going to spend money on a product I want it to be the real thing.  I want the logo to match the genuine product and the protective plastic sealed by the manufacturer, not by a vendor in a shadowy kiosk.

When it comes to following Jesus, an authentic correlation between our beliefs and deeds is more important than if those Beats headphones you paid $30 for are the real deal.  We Christians ought to be "same same," genuinely practising what we preach.  There are many sides to all of us as multifaceted human beings, but we should be the same person in every setting.  I went to watch a game of rugby with friends the other day and one person remarked upon seeing my enthusiastic engagement, "Wow, I'm seeing another side of you today."  I believe that is a good thing.  People who see us in our Sunday best should see us in track pants as well.  I ought to be the same man in the pulpit as I am at home.  At the same time "another side" of me should not compromise or contradict the other.  The credibility of Christians is undermined when areas of our lives do not agree.  It sends a confusing message to people when our language and practices change based upon our role in church or who our friends are.

We should be "same same," meaning regardless of who is watching, what we do for a living, or what our role in church is, and we must consistently maintain biblical values.  But we are also called to embrace our sanctification, part of which is the process of becoming more Christ-like in word and actions.  It is right for us as disciples of Jesus to be "same same, but different" because we are being transformed more into the likeness of Christ.  We remain the same people in one sense, but we are continually being made new, more loving, gracious, and obedient to our God we fear and honour.  Before God I wish to have interactions with people who knew me five, ten, or twenty years ago and say with amazement, "You're the same goofy guy but I can see you are different.  Jesus means much more to you now.  I had no problem recognising you, but now talking to you it is obvious you have been changed - for the better."

Is your life with Jesus consistent, both in private and public?  Or would it be better said Christianity is a stiff suit you put on for special occasions when it benefits you to do so?  If Christianity is only an external exercise for you, it isn't real.  When we are justified by God's grace through the Gospel we are born again, and this is an inner transformation through the Holy Spirit.  He empowers us to labour and make godly decisions to be set apart for the glory of God, and we should keep changing for the better.  By God's grace I can be "same same" - consistent in beliefs, personal convictions, and practice - but different as I increasingly trust in God for guidance, wisdom, and strength.

The Indispensable Word

Though the word "indispensable" is not often used in casual conversation, the meaning is plain enough:  absolutely necessary.  The Word of God, the Bible, is absolutely necessary to the Christian walk of knowing God and His perfect will.  Romans 10:17 says "...faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Without the revelation of God's Word there is nothing definite to place our faith in.  When the Bible touches a believing heart, it is most profitable.  The writer of Hebrews pointed out the importance of God's truth to mix with faith by using the example of Jews who did not enter into the land of promise in Hebrews 4:2:  "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."  Faith combined with knowledge of God's Word leads to obedient action.

The Bible is not merely a launching pad for faith, but it is the foundation our lives are to be continuously built upon.  God's Word illuminates the narrow road which stretches on before all of us, a "...lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105)  There should be in all faithful servants of God complete submission to the truth of God's Word.  We can all sadly become as King Saul, who began humble in his own eyes but was later lifted up with pride.  On one occasion he commanded the priest to bring the Ark of the Covenant before him to inquire of the LORD.  But when he heard the sounds from the Philistine camp growing he told the priest of the Most High God, "Withdraw your hand" (1 Sam. 14:19), basically saying, "Never mind.  I've got this."  So said the man who intentionally fell on his own sword, and when we toss aside God's Word as a light or trite thing we do the same.

I recently purchased R.A. Torrey's book, How to Obtain Fullness of Power.  In the first chapter he made a very good observation concerning the importance of God's Word in bringing people to salvation through the Gospel.  The Philippian jailer, shaken body and soul by the earthquake, sprang into the cell of Paul and Silas and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  I expect many people familiar with the passage will remember their response in Acts 16:31, "So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."  It is what they did next which is indispensable, giving the man something definite to believe and do according to scripture.  It goes on to say in Acts 16:32-33, "Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized."  They did not just tell the man to believe, but "spoke the word" so the man could know what to believe and how to respond.  Being mixed with faith, the word of God was used to bring a family to eternal salvation.  Our words cannot save sinners, but the Bible can.

Paul's exhortation to Timothy is an important one to lay to heart today in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."  This great error of drifting from the preaching of the Word of God was a temptation from the infancy of the church.  Paul did not preach himself, making his personal experiences a central focus of his talks.  Stories and illustrations have their place in an engaging discourse (as we see demonstrated with Jesus with His parables), but the Word should be as indispensable in our preaching as Jesus said the Holy Spirit is to guide and lead us into all truth.  Man's opinions are fickle, but God's Word endures forever.  There is no life in our sermonising or discussions except we make the Word of God central to them, for God alone has the words of life.  Stories lead to more stories, but God's Word brings salvation and personal transformation.

Be Reconciled!

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

These verses were read during announcements at church this morning and they were a useful exhortation to me.  A key word and theme repeated in this portion is reconciliation.  To be "reconciled" is "to restore to friendship or harmony; to make consistent or congruous."  We are not God, and as sinners we are completely opposed to and incompatible with God.  Since repenting and believing the Gospel, God "has reconciled us to Himself."  No amount of effort on our part can reconcile us to God, for who among men can wash himself free of the stain of sin?

In His grace God has reconciled us to Himself and has committed unto followers of Jesus the ministry of reconciliation.  The aim of our labours therefore is to lead other sinners to be reconciled with God as well.  Having experienced God's love, acceptance, and forgiveness of our sins through the Gospel, we can share the good news of eternal life with others.  We who were once enemies of God have been made one with God because Jesus Christ died for us, rose from the dead, and the Holy Spirit now lives within us.  We have been born again, regenerated by the same dynamic power that raised Jesus from the dead.  As God's ambassadors we seek to advance His kingdom, knowing we have a home in heaven prepared for us.

Based on how God has reconciled us to Himself and given us the ministry and word of reconciliation, Paul implores followers of Jesus:  "Be reconciled to God."  What is he saying?  Since we have been redeemed by God we ought to live like those who are redeemed from sin.  We have been made new creations through spiritual regeneration, and therefore we ought to walk in newness of life.  Our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions ought to correlate with the spiritual transaction which has taken place.  If we are Christ's, then we ought to follow in His steps and love as He loves, forgive as He has forgiven us.  It would be a terrible thing for an ambassador of a nation to have multiple warrants issued for their arrest by the government they are tasked to advance.  It is a shame when Christians, whose divine calling by God is to labour to see others reconciled to God, are not even on speaking terms with Him because of sin.

The admonition given to the church in Corinth is fitting for us today.  All whom God has reconciled to Himself should make every effort to be truly reconciled to God, submitting our lives to God's authority and perfect will.  There should be a correlation between our truth claims and choices, and agreement between God's Word and our lives.  Our love and allegiance to Christ should be more than words but be demonstrated by our decisions.  If we know Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, then we ought to live like citizens of heaven.  We are worthless ambassadors of heaven if we live like children of hell.  Since we are children of God through the Gospel, let us walk in His love and light.

The Blindness of Unbelief

"They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, 'It is a good land which the LORD our God is giving us.' ²⁶ "Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; ²⁷ and you complained in your tents, and said, 'Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us."

Deuteronomy 1:25-27

The children of Israel had been brought out of Egypt by God, but their actions reveal they did not know Him.  Their unbelief and subsequent rebellion exposed their ignorance of God and skewed perceptions.  They had seen firsthand the good land God promised to given them in Canaan.  They did not doubt God's existence or the signs and wonders He had performed among them.  He miraculously supplied bread, meat, and water for their needs, but when they considered their enemies and the strong fortifications they lost heart.

Can you imagine it?  The children of Israel were on the threshold of the good land God was giving to them.  God commanded they enter into the land He provided them, but instead they sat in their tents and complained.  They lifted up their voices and wept, and they even accused God of hating them for bringing them out of Egypt.  All they had to do was trust God and obey, but they suspected God all along had schemed to destroy them.  It's a strange thing how unbelief, disobedience, and rebellion - in God's people - led to such ignorant blindness.  Unbelief kept them from entering into the good land God had graciously prepared for them.  They foolishly claimed God hated and hoped to destroy them, and unbelief led God's people to destroy themselves.  All they feared came upon them.

All that is written in the Bible is for our learning, and let us not think we are so different than these overwhelmed complainers who murmured against God in their tents when they should have packed up and joyfully entered into their inheritance!  Do you know failed expectations are often a key part of our struggles?  The Israelites were glad to be saved when they were oppressed slaves.  They liked the idea of living in a fruitful land flowing with milk and honey.  They left Egypt on a high, amazed at the great deliverance of God.  But life wasn't easy.  There was quite a distance to travel without the comforts they were accustomed to.  They murmured about the direction God led them, complained about those God appointed to lead, and they were tired of eating the same thing every day.  Where was this good land anyway?  Why isn't this becoming any easier?  Where is this promised rest?  And how long do we have to keep doing this?

Let's face it:  we too have had expectations about what God should do in a situation.  When He doesn't seem to respond like we assume or expect He should, resentment can grow in our hearts.  We start to doubt God's promises.  Oh, we may agree they must be true but because of opposition we stop expecting them to be fulfilled.  Doubt leads to disobedience and rebellion in small areas which infest the whole.  Pretty soon we are complaining in unbelief against God like the children of Israel, refusing to obey God because we are convinced He actually hates us.  We just want the lesson to be over so we can be done with the uncertainty, pain, and dashed expectations. This is selfishness and sin.  We always want our way, but God's way is different and better than ours.  Understand unbelief always leads to rebellion and keeps us from receiving the promise provided should we trust and obey.  What we fear can also overtake us when we sit in unbelief.

Caleb and Joshua entered in the land because they believed God.  Are you willing to wait 40 years to obey God's command to enter the land when the previous generation called it a death-trap?  Maybe you won't have to.  Perhaps there is one thing God has told you to do this very day and you don't want or feel like doing it.  The risk seem too great.  Unbelief will always distort our vision of God and heighten potential dangers.  If we believe God, we will obey Him.  Looking to Jesus clears our fuzzy perceptions of God and what we ought to do in light of His love, strength, and grace.  Had the Israelites believed God they wouldn't have lamented their losses but celebrated sure victory.  This victory wouldn't be won in a day, month, or year, but it was one they could have experienced again and again by God's grace.  Let us believe God, in faith obey, and inherit the promises!

Freedom to Choose

The Law of Moses and the whole Bible is a comprehensive testament of God's reality, character, and righteousness.  Thankfully the God who inspired the Bible is accessible and available to guide us into all truth, to make sense out of specific dilemmas the Word of God does not explicitly cover.  The Bible is relevant for today because God nor His Word will ever change:  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

After the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, the five daughters of Zelophehad expressed concern the inheritance of their father's house would be lost because he did not bear any sons.  Though the Law was detailed, it did not expressly say what should happen in their case.  They boldly approached Moses so their situation could be addressed.  They said in Numbers 27:4-7, "Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers." ⁵ So Moses brought their case before the LORD. ⁶ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ⁷ "The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father's brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them."  This interaction shows us the importance of seeking the LORD for wisdom and discernment in every situation, especially in cases that are not explicit in the Bible.  Our "common sense" or past experience is insufficient.  God affirmed the daughters of Zelophehad spoke rightly and He always judges righteously.

Later in the book of Numbers the head of the tribe of Joseph came before Moses with another pressing issue:  if the inheritance was to be passed to the daughters of Zelophehad and they married men from other tribes, it would cause the tribe of Joseph to lose the inheritance given them by lot.  The mind of God was shown to Moses and it is written in Numbers 36:5-7, "Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: "What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. ⁶ "This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father's tribe.' ⁷ So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers."  Again, the people of God who knew God's Law were able to ask valid questions and points which God affirmed as right.  God gave another command which allowed the inheritance of Zelophehad to remain in the family and within the tribe.  The women were given freedom to marry whom they thought best, but they were prohibited from marrying outside the tribe of Joseph.  They had complete freedom of choice limited by God's sovereign will.

This is an important principle in dealing with areas of liberty in the Christian life, concerning things which are not plainly expressed in scripture.  After being born again through faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit dwells in us and guides us into all truth.  We are granted freedom from sin and the legalistic requirements of the Law.  At the same time, we are to do righteously according to God's Word and Christ's example.  The Holy Spirit will never lead us to speak or behave in an unloving manner contrary to scripture.  Since their father died the daughters of Zelophehad had the freedom before God to choose any man they thought best, but at the same time were limited to marrying from one tribe.  God is not wrong or evil to place such restrictions upon our lives.  "But what if they loved someone from another tribe?" some might ask.  Even in matters of love and marriage, God's people who fear Him ought to submit to His holy Word.  The same God who told His people, "Be holy for I am holy" says the same to us and if we obey our lives will be profoundly and positively impacted.  Instead of complaining and pushing against God's boundaries, we can rejoice in His righteousness, gracious provision, and our freedom.

I believe God has given all people the right to choose, and as followers of Jesus Christ our choices should be limited to righteous ones.  We naturally lack God's wisdom and therefore we need God's guidance.  How glorious it would be for God to say of our words, "What you have spoken is right."  We stand on solid footing when we choose God's way.

Worship in Adullam

The Bible is filled with amazing accounts of valour and courage in God's people.  One notable example took place in the cave of Adullam where David hid with his mighty men.  After David fled for his life from the face of King Saul, many men gathered to him who were distressed, in debt, or discontented.  From these David's "mighty men" were forged through the grace of God and the leadership of David.  This man after God's own heart made a profound positive impact in the lives of the people he led.

2 Samuel 23:13-15 reads, "Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁴ David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. ¹⁵ And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"  As the men rested during the hot summer day in the cool of the cave, David longingly wished (out loud!) for a drink of water from the well in his hometown of Bethlehem.  No doubt he had been refreshed many times at the well after hot days tending sheep in the arid conditions.  But such refreshment was quite out of reach because of distance and the garrison of enemy Philistines which encamped in Bethlehem.  What happened next is remarkable.

2 Samuel 23:16-17 continues:  "So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. ¹⁷ And he said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men."  Though David did not task anyone with bringing him water to drink from the well, three men decided they wanted to bless and please David by doing just that.  Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah trekked to Bethlehem, broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew the water from the well near the gate, and returned to David with water in hand.  David was amazed at the risk his men had taken and felt himself unworthy to drink of the water for which he longed.  He refused to drink the water and instead poured it out unto the LORD.

I daresay they were not offended David poured out the water unto the LORD, and the fact he did is a reason why these men loved him enough to risk their lives to bring water from the well in Bethlehem.  David valued the lives and well-being of his men over the satisfaction of his own thirst; he poured out life-sustaining water because he saw himself unworthy of so great a sacrifice and gift.  That is why they loved him so.  It wouldn't surprise me that as they were returning to the cave with the prized  water one of them said, "You know, David is a man of such humility I bet he won't even drink this water."  Yet without being asked love demanded they freely give for the benefit of their beloved leader, a man who had been anointed at king by Samuel and filled with the Spirit of the Living God who refused to lift a hand or speak an unkind word against the murderous king who pursued him like a dog.  In the dimness of Adullam water from Bethlehem splashed to the ground, a testimony of honourable men, a humble leader, and the greatest God who is worthy of all sacrifice and glory.  Drinking water became mud on the ground in an act of worship, an acceptable offering of praise.

Was it is waste for David to pour out the water?  Some might say so, but I disagree.  The sacrifice and love of David's men would never be forgotten.  Is it any surprise these three would be numbered in the Chronicles as David's mightiest men?  In freely giving David water he was free to do as he wished with it, and so great was the cost in procuring it David expressed his unworthiness to even drink it, for he felt only God was worthy of such sacrifice.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."  Even the simple gift of a cup of cold water is recognised and rewarded by the God who sees all.  When the gifts you give aren't used or appreciated in the way you intend, realise that when you do it for Christ's sake He will accept it as unto Him.  How sad it would be to give a gift and resent someone because they have not shown appreciation as you thought they should.  Give glory to God for prompting you to give and supplying the means to do so.  God sees the sacrifice of his children and every one - even when we give a cup of cold water - will be remembered forever.

Knowing and Doing

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made one distinction between wise and foolish men (Matthew 7:21-26).  Both the wise and foolish man heard the words of Jesus, but the wise man is revealed through putting it into practice.  We do not become more wise through knowledge alone, but by doing what Jesus says.  Like Richard Bennett said in a sermon preached in Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa titled "Church of Laodicea," "The Bible is not a textbook to be studied, but the Word of God to be responded to."  Our response to God's word separates the wise from the foolish, even as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Because sinners are saved by grace through faith, we may not think the way we live matters.  Based upon what Jesus says, how we live is the best indicator of what we truly believe.  What we say reveals what is in our hearts.  Sin avoidance is not as important as walking righteously.  Jesus does not commend the righteous for sins they avoided but for the good they did to the least.  We are not saved by works but saved to do good works as it is written in Ephesians 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Many people who will claim to know Jesus He will refuse because they did not truly follow Him in deed.

Consider this question:  when you read the Bible is it because you want to learn something or because your primary aim to personally implement what God says?  Knowledge can puff us up with pride, and hearing without doing leads to self-deception.  Blessed are those who hear and do what God says.  James 1:22-27 exhorts, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. ²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Knowing is the first step, but practising what you know is vital.  The liberty we have through faith in Jesus Christ moves us to live righteously, loving one another as Jesus has demonstrated and commanded.  It is in reading the Bible we see our imperfections and how we can live righteously by God's grace.  If we are unable to bridle our tongues or walk in self-control, how effective is the work of the Holy Spirit within us?  If we are polluted by the world in our thoughts and deeds, how can we claim inner righteousness?  By a belief system?  By our knowledge?  The demons believe and tremble and are guaranteed hell as their eternal destination.  There is no repentance possible for them, but there is forgiveness for us when we repent and turn from our wickedness.  Let us be those who hear and do, reading God's Word with an intent to obey all God says.

Answers To Prayer

I have been reading through the small but useful book How To Pray by R.A. Torrey.  I appreciate his clear, concise, and logical approach to interpreting and applying scripture.  I am thankful for books like this which allow seasoned believers to share the practical truth of God's Word in a way those who desire to learn can grow.

Of the many verses he shares in the book, two passages have stood out to me.  The first is found in 1 John 5:14-15:  "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."  One point of emphasis is the will of God is a very definite thing which can be known through the Word of God.  This is plainly spelled out many times like in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  We do not need to wonder what the will of God is, for in understanding scripture we can know God's true character.  When we pray in faith, taking God at His Word, we can know we have whatever we ask.

But there is another verse which also should be considered.  We can pray according to God's will but that does not mean we have submitted ourselves to His will!  If we want to receive what we ask for, the Bible is clear we must be obedient to God.  1 John 3:22-24 says, "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. ²⁴ Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."  If we desire God listen to our pleas, should we not also heed His voice and walk in obedience to His commands to love one another?  Many prayers go unanswered because we have not met God's conditions.  We do not earn God's favour by our obedience, but as we abide in Him we adopt a posture which enables us to receive.

Let us continually seek the LORD in prayer and not lose heart, taking heed that we do those things which are pleasing in God's sight.  This is God's will for you and me!

Binding and Loosing

Jesus clearly expressed His desire for His followers to dwell in unity together, choosing to forgive one another even as God forgave them.  In Matthew 18 Jesus explained that offences will occur and how to biblically resolve them.  Out of love for God and one another we are to approach those who have wronged us one-to-one and privately resolve the matter.  If the offender does not recognise his error or sin, escalating measures should be employed ultimately resulting in the removal of the unrepentant person from fellowship.  Even if this were to happen, the victim of the wrong ought to forgive the offender.

Then Jesus said something which by itself would be open to broad interpretation, but in context with the following parable is most enlightening.  He said in Matthew 18:18, "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  When I used to hear of "binding" or "loosing" my initial thought concerned teaching on spiritual warfare and the authority of believers.  However, the immediate context reveals this binding and loosing has to do with forgiveness.  Whilst God has given those who comprise the church of Jesus Christ authority to excommunicate and to graciously accept those who repent back into the fellowship, the aim of this post is to show the personal implications of unforgiveness.  It is fine to tout the authority of the church, but the parable Jesus followed up with shows the intense toll unforgiveness requires from us.  When we refuse to forgive or loose others completely from guilt we only bind ourselves.  Peter asked a personal question, and Jesus would have us receive His instruction personally as well.

Matthew 18:21-35 reads, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" ²² Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. ³⁵ So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Jesus told a story about a king whose servant owed him 10,000 talents, a ludicrous amount of money when a single Roman talent of gold weighed about 32.3 kilos or 71 pounds!  The servant fell on the mercy of the king who had compassion on him and released him - loosed him - from the debt.  This same servant, despite being forgiven such an immense debt, seized a fellow servant by the throat, refused to listen to his pleas for patience, and exercised his right to throw the poor man in prison.  Instead of loosing him, the ungrateful servant bound the one who wronged him.  When the king heard about this he was furious, sent for the ungrateful servant, promptly arrested him, and threw him into prison to be tormented until he paid all that was due.  Jesus concluded, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Based upon the explanation of Jesus the king in the parable is God, and the servants represent those who comprise the church - people who can and sometimes will offend one another.  How does the forgoing statement impact what Jesus concluded, that "...whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven?"  The parable illustrates Peter's position (and ours too) is primarily the one forgiven the great sum 10,000 talents, for God has forgiven our many sins which demand eternal damnation.  Should we bind others under a weight of guilt, demanding they pay us what they owe, God in heaven will see we too are bound on earth.  He is not referring to a prison with cells and bars or a masked tormentor wielding whips or instruments of torture, but He will allow the curse of sin to play out in our lives.  He will allow Satan to buffet, mock, and abuse us.  He will allow oppression, fear, and pain, removing us from a place where we can receive His love, joy, and forgiveness until WE repent for our unforgiveness.

When we remember how much we have been forgiven and the price Jesus was willing to pay for our release, how can we withhold forgiveness from others?  We may not feel like forgiving, but there is great blessing when we forgive others without demands.  When we loose others it is we who are made free by God's grace.  God has had compassion on us, removed the weight of our sin, broken our chains, and imputed to us His righteousness, having accepted us in the beloved though we are sinners.  Won't you freely share God's compassion He has freely extended to you?  Are you experiencing the freedom God has provided you today?

The Oxygen Mask Lesson

I've watched a lot of flight safety videos in my time, and they all basically convey the same information:  where the emergency exits are, how to put on a life vest, when to inflate it (which includes a light and whistle to attract attention), smoking is prohibited, and what happens if there is a sudden decrease of cabin pressure.  Though I have never experienced this firsthand, the presentation says oxygen masks will drop down from a compartment above.  Instead of fitting the oxygen mask to children first, parents are told to put on and adjust their own mask first.

It makes sense that in a frantic moment a parent's primary desire would be to protect their children and ensure their safety.  That is why the video addresses this small but important detail.  An adult without ample oxygen won't be able to help others or provide direction for their little ones.  It is responsible for all involved for the adults to properly wear their own mask supplying the oxygen, for only then can they help save their children in an emergency.  The takeaway is once I ensure my oxygen mask is worn properly, then I can assist others.  This reminds me of what Jesus said in relation to living righteously myself instead of being critical or judgmental of others.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-5, "Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  In all things followers of Jesus are to employ righteous judgment (John 7:24).  It is hypocrisy to criticise others for sins we also practice.  We must ensure we are first walking in love, humility, and holiness ourselves instead of finding fault with others.  Our own sins obstruct our vision and render us incapable of helping others see clearly.  After we remove the hindrances from our lives we are enabled by God to help others walk more perfectly.  We may consider it a great service to others to remove their "specks," but with a log in our own eye we are more blind still!

If we care about saving others from the power of sin, we must first be saved ourselves.  Praise be to God He has provided a way for us to overcome through Jesus, and having overcome we can aid others breathe in God's love, grace, and forgiveness too.

Word Without Effect

The other day I read Mark 7:1-13, a portion where Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in rejecting the commandments of God and teaching instead the traditions of men.  Having laid aside God's word, they found fault with followers of Jesus.  He declared in verse 13 they were guilty of "...making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."  The implications of making God's Word of no effect are enormous, and this caused me to ask the question:  what are effectual benefits of God's Word?

In the Parable of the Sower, the Word of God is compared to good seed which will produce fruit in the lives of faithful followers of Christ.  This reveals substituting traditions for God's Word inhibits fruitfulness.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said those who hear His words and do them are likened to a man who builds his house on a rock which can endure any storm.  Without God's Word then our lives are without a secure or strong foundation.  Peter affirmed in John 6:68 that only Jesus has the words of eternal life.  Should the Word of God be rendered without effect it means eternal life cannot be obtained.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  The consequence of making God's Word of no effect is to stumble aimlessly in the darkness.

Probably one of the most concise and descriptive passages of the effect of God's Word is found in 2 Timothy 3:14-17.  Paul exhorted Timothy, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ 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."  See the invaluable effects of God's Word:

• Provide teaching and assurance
• Able to make wise for salvation through faith in Christ
• Given by inspiration of God
• Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness
• Provided so every disciple of Jesus may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we exchange the Word of God for man's ideas and traditions, we deny ourselves the truth and assurance God provides.  If God's Word has no effect, there is no hope of salvation!  We lose out on the teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction inspired by God!  If we reject the Word we will not mature or be equipped to do good.  What folly it is to put aside God's Word for the "wisdom" of man!  The Pharisees were deceived when they did this in Jesus' day, and there are many deceived today who make this same mistake.  Let us lay Paul's exhortation to Timothy to heart and hold fast to the Holy Scriptures.  Otherwise we reject the light and stumble in the darkness towards destruction.

Stacks of Cash

As I walked past this shrine in our hotel, it had me thinking.  The shrine was supplied with fresh fruit, incense, and what caught my eye was stacks of hundred dollar bills - fake ones.  If those bills were real (as someone mused who passed by), they wouldn't remain there for long!  Why sacrifice real dollars for an idol which can't tell the difference?  This is the epitome of utilitarian religion.  Put on a good show and potentially receive a blessing.  If it doesn't pan out, no big loss.  Pretty weird to worship a god you take for a sucker.

It is most fitting fake money would adorn the altar of a false god.  What good is a god who has carved eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and a mouth which cannot speak?  What purpose does a god serve which cannot move itself but must be carried as dead weight?  Can such a god save?  Can it bless, protect, or provide anything?  I wonder if those who laid the fake Benjamins down ever stopped to think about this:  if a god is not able to tell the real from the fake, how can it know who is responsible for adorning the shrine?

Whilst there can be sinister spirits at work behind such idols, they are all nothing in comparison to the Living God.  The Bible concludes those who make and worship idols are just like them:  powerless.  Psalm 115:1-8 says, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. ² Why should the Gentiles say, "So where is their God?" ³ But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. ⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ⁵ They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; ⁶ they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; ⁷ they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. ⁸ Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them."

Our God is in heaven and does whatever He wants on the earth, for He created it.  He knows all things!  Jesus answered the thoughts of men and discerned hypocrisy miles away.  Putting stacks of fake silver and gold into the treasure is hypocrisy, and God deserves far better than a superficial show.  May we honour Him, not with tithes and offerings only, but with hearts which truly love and trust Him.  Let us be living sacrifices unto the LORD which is our reasonable service, for He is worthy.  Jesus didn't shed His blood for stacks of cash:  He did so to redeem your soul from death and in so doing demonstrate the love of God for unworthy sinners.  Incredible, right?

Dying to Self

When we met for group devotions the first morning in Cambodia, we were given a sheet titled, "What is Dying to Self?"  I believe it paints very well the picture of what dying to self is, that it is directly connected to attitude.  As much as dying to self is something Christ enables us to do, it is also a godly response when things are done to us or our expectations are not met.  It's not just on short-term trips we must die to self, but to be the hallmark of our lives as we walk in love.  I have typed out the sheet and hope it is useful to you!

WHAT IS DYING TO SELF?

  When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy for Christ...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When your good is evil spoken of, your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance, when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility and endure it as Jesus endured it...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption or change of course by the will of God...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good works or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When you see your brother prosper, and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, or question God when your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart...

THAT IS DYING TO SELF!

Are you dead yet?

The Red Heifer

Knowledge of the future has wide appeal.  This was evident when a work mate of mine who showed virtually no interest in living a godly life shared his fascination with the "red heifer" spoken of in Numbers 19.  I found this most strange.  "You may think I don't know about things like that," he said with a twinkle in his eye.  "I've been reading about it.  You gotta have a red heifer to have worship in the temple in Jerusalem.  They be looking for that heifer!"  I didn't know what to think.  He clearly felt as if he had obtained privileged information and was even smug about it.

He was correct a red heifer is required under the Law, though he didn't say anything about what practical function it served - that the ashes were used for making the water of separation to cleanse people who had come in contact with a dead body.  To him, the discovery of a red heifer was a sign of the culmination of end time events, that when a young cow which met the biblical criteria provided proof the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt.  We had many conversations over the years we worked together, but this one had the most impact because it was totally "out of left field."  Common themes of his conversations were about sport, women, shooting pool, his business savvy, and how confident he was.  I saw no evidence of interest in leading a life which honoured God and His Word, yet at the same time he was deeply intrigued concerning finding a red heifer and the fulfillment of prophecy.

The thing I felt tragic about my colleague's perspective is how he believed knowledge indicated faith when it was nothing of the sort.  Knowing about a red heifer and believing people at the Temple Institute were searching for one would not help him be cleansed from his own sin.  It is very fine to find a red heifer, but under the Law only a cleansed and sanctified priest could administer this water of separation on the third and seventh day.  What is the point of having a perfect heifer without a sanctified priest?  Under the Law without the temple, altars, anointing oil, and blood of the sacrifice, this cannot be done.  Thankfully Jesus is for His followers both sacrifice and High Priest, having washed us in His blood through repentance and faith in Him.  The water of separation was for people who had been in contact with the dead, and we who were ourselves dead in sins have been born again by the life of Jesus Christ.

How wonderful it is God has given us minds to think and a conscience which is sensitive to things of God!  I pray my friend and many others like him who are interested in random passages of scripture would take the next step of having their hearts and minds transformed by saving faith in Jesus Christ.  Only when we have the Spirit of God within us can we have understanding and practically apply scripture to our lives and what we see in the world around us.  Seeing a kosher red heifer would be rare and interesting, but wouldn't it be wise to consider the Messiah who is coming to judge the nations?

No Sacrifice Enough

In the Law God made provision if people or the nation sinned unintentionally.  When it came to the attention of the guilty party they were directed to offer sacrifices for the atonement of sin.  I was surprised to read in the passage immediately following there was a situation, however, when no sacrifice was acceptable for sin.  In contrast Numbers 15:30-31 reads, "But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. ³¹ Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him."  The word "presumptuously" conveys the motive of the person who committed the offence before God and could be described as self-exalted, haughty, and wilfully promoting sin.

If it was determined someone knew the Law and flaunted it intentionally, proudly and defiantly in opposition to God's command, there was no sacrifice offered for such a one.  As followers of Jesus today are beneficiaries of all our sins being atoned for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, this is quite shocking.  In the verses immediately following, there is an account of a man who was seen gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.  Numbers 15:32-36 states, "Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. ³³ And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. ³⁴ They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. ³⁵ Then the LORD said to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp." ³⁶ So, as the LORD commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died."

It is clear from the context the man was not ignorant of the Law.  Gathering sticks may seem a small offence, but because his heart was defiant and proud before God there was no atoning sacrifice possible for him.  His open rebellion of gathering sticks in violation of the Law was an insurrection God nor man was to overlook.  Here the insidious and destructive nature of sin is played out for all to see:  the wages of sin is death, and for the proud and unrepentant there is no atonement or salvation possible.  Now I do not presume to know the eternal state of this man's soul, for it is possible for those guilty of great crimes to be saved.  God is gracious.  But as a Christian I am reminded of a New Testament passage where this same precept is held forth in Hebrews 10:23-27:  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. ²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."  If we sin wilfully after receiving knowledge of the truth, we can expect to be judged like that proud man who gathered sticks.

Rather than fearing potential judgment, how much better it is to humble ourselves before God in reverent fear!  Those who fear and love God will not fear even death.  We are not worthy for one of our sins to be forgiven by a holy God, yet He purchased our atonement and salvation with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  If you fear for your salvation because of wilful sin you know, it is high time to repent.  If we are afraid of God's judgment, we should stop living like God's enemies and obey Him as loyal sons and daughters.  To obey God is better than sacrifice, and for those who remain in pride no sacrifice is enough - even the sacrifice of Jesus.

The Inner Battle

When I am faced with difficult situations, I find many times a resulting conflict within me.  It is often trying times in life which bring the conflict of the flesh and Spirit of a Christian to the surface.  If I could reduce the inner conflict to the lowest denominator, it would be the decision to walk in God's love or not:  will I choose to love the person according to the love I have received through faith in Jesus, or will I do what I think is best?  The love of God provides wisdom and understanding in how to navigate all the decisions of this life (Phil. 1:9-11)

In a delightful discussion this morning a mate of mine commented how the shield of faith goes before us to block fiery darts so they don't find their mark.  This is a rich insight.  When we walk in the Spirit, remaining vigilant to be led by God in our thoughts, words, and deeds, attacks and insults can be easily extinguished by the shield of faith.  But there will always be situations which catch us off guard, and those sharpened darts sting when they hit our sensitive flesh.  It is in this moment of pain where the conflict becomes personal and real, the exact moment where we must abide in the love of God.  This can also be the moment of victory through Jesus, when instead of retaliating according to the flesh we deny ourselves and choose to love and keep loving others - even the ones we feel are responsible for our pain.

The love of God is not like the "love" of the world, a love which is granted based upon the worthiness of others, a fickle love dependent on emotion, a love that gives only when we feel our needs have been adequately met, or expressed through sensuous encounters.  Walking in God's love is sacrificial, considers God and others, and is the ultimate expression of our faith in God.  It does no good to claim victory in the heavenly realm when we do not love our enemies; it is ridiculous to tout our spiritual authority when we walk according to the flesh in our dealings with men.  Show me a man who abides in Christ's love and I will show you a man before the demons flee because the power of God rests upon Him.

Win the inner battle to walk in the love of Jesus as led by the Spirit, and the outer battle will likely not resemble one.  Those conquered and abiding in Christ's love can walk in sure victory.

God Gives Strength Today

An intriguing balance exists as we embrace our role in God's work.  It is very easy to find ourselves tending to think God's plan and the fulfilment of His promises depends on us.  When we tilt this balance to our efforts, it exposes our limitations.  It makes obeying God an imposing task because we recognise we are being asked to do something we cannot.

An example of this is seen after God miraculously brought His people out of Egypt.  He promised to give them an exceedingly good land, one "flowing with milk and honey."  God had given the land to His people, but there was one big problem (at least to people who did not trust God):  the land was inhabited by strong people in fortified cities.  God had given the land to His people, and their role was to enter in and possess the land.  Naturally the people thought it fell to them to "take" the land, and did not believe they had the ability to defeat their giant foes.  They compared their strength to others, found it lacking, and suddenly slavery in Egypt started looking good.

The fact is, they didn't have the ability to take the land - not by themselves, anyway.  Based on the size of giants they saw they compared their attempts to fight as grasshoppers against men, and they identified with grasshoppers easily crushed underfoot.  The vast majority of the people did not bring the power, the promise, or their past deliverance to bear on the predicament which lay before them.  This is a mistake we can make as well, thinking our entrance to the inheritance God has allotted depends on our strength or natural ability.  Faith in God proves giants to actually be as grasshoppers (which were on the menu for the Jews, by the way), and only those who trust and obey God will experience this for themselves.  Many people stop short of the grace of God and do not possess the gifts or activate the calling He has placed upon their lives because they do not trust Him enough to acknowledge their own weakness and simply obey Him by entering in.

Caleb and Joshua tore their clothes in grief and urged the people to consider God and not be afraid.  They said in Numbers 14:8-9, "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' ⁹ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them."  God had given His people land with defined borders, and this is a picture of the inheritance God has for us in this life, a fruitful and blessed future for all who are born again.  He puts His Spirit within us because He delights in us by His grace.  Caleb and Joshua were right to say God would bring them into the land and give it to them, but at the same time they needed to walk on their own two feet.  God will be with us, even as He was with them.  If God tells us to enter in, through His strength we can.

When you face struggles in this life as a Christian, don't forget to remember and strengthen yourself in the promises of God.  What He has said He will do.  Those giants in your life are as fearsome as a loaf of bread before our mighty God and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The LORD is truly with us and we need not fear them.  You may not be a "fighter" and feel ill-equipped for the journey ahead, yet since God is for us who can be against us?  It's we who fail to trust God.  Isaiah 40:28-29 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. ²⁹ He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."