Clean Vessels

"Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD."

Isaiah 52:11

The prophet emphatically reminded those tasked with carrying the sanctified vessels of the LORD's house of their privileged role.  Men born to the tribe of Levi had roles as priests and ministers unto a holy God.  They were God's inheritance, and He was theirs.  Their identity was to be found in the righteous God who had chosen, called, and sanctified them.  They served a holy God who spoke to His people:  "Be ye holy, for I am holy."  For this reason the priests and Levites were to be consecrated and set apart for the service of the LORD, ensuring they lived a life free of defilement.

Under the Law, guidelines were given to ceremonially cleanse and sanctify priests and Levites.  They were to offer sacrifice, wash with clean water, and wear the approved clothing.  Much effort was employed to maintain external purity.  But under the New Covenant in Christ's blood, there are none who "bear" the vessels of the LORD in the same way today.  When the curtain was rent in the Temple during Christ's crucifixion, worship under the Law in a Temple made with hands was wound up.  Jesus had once for all become a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  The Bible tells us that Christians are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every believer.  Our bodies are the vessels God has seen fit to place His glory within.  The focus of Christ during His ministry on earth was not the keeping of outward tradition - carefully washing the outside of the vessel whilst ignoring defilement within - but the cleansing of the inner man of sin through faith in Jesus.  Spiritual regeneration gives a man a new heart and renewed mind through the washing of the water of the Word.  Once our hearts are cleansed of sin, our lives should reflect that transformation.

One of the consequences of focusing on our need for a purified heart and mind can be a neglect of intentional practice to be pure from sinful practices.  Because Jesus remained pure and holy in a world filled with sin, perhaps we think we can entertain unclean thoughts or bring sinful deeds into our lives without negative consequences.  The fact God has forgiven and cleansed us from sin does not provide license for us to dabble in it.  The practice of "toeing the line" leads to stumbling and falls.  The inner man can be affected by the things we do and dwell upon in our thinking.  Our vessels can be polluted and disqualified for service.  A Levite was a Levite, whether or not he was sanctified to perform his God-given duty and calling.  We too can be genuine Christians by faith and spiritual rebirth, but be unfit for service unto our God because we have not kept our minds and hearts pure.

Only God can cleanse minds and hearts of men, but we are told to take action ourselves in obedience to God.  Hosea 10:12 lays forth our personal responsibilities:  "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you."  God has said when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  Jesus came to earth as a man to demonstrate God's love for sinners, and Hebrews 10:22 exhorts us to respond:  "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."  Instead of nurturing affections for this world, Colossians 3:2 says to "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."  James 1:27 puts it this way:  "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."

Christians are in this world, but we are not of this world.  We have been sanctified, set apart for God and His service.  Through God's power we are also commanded to sanctify ourselves, separating ourselves from unholy influences and defilement for the LORD's use.  Let us not be tricked to think Christianity is just an inner work.  Because of our new spiritual birth and heritage given by a Holy God as His adopted children, we are to take seriously this command to bring our inner and outer man into alignment with our Father in heaven.  I have heard it said "the part of your life God cares most about is the part no one else sees," but He also cares about what other people and we see.  He cares about the things we set before our eyes and allow into our lives, minds, and homes.  The God who cleanses the inside of the cup thinks the outside should match.  Being clean on the inside but remaining filthy on the outside is hypocrisy too, right?

Master Or Messiah?

During last night's discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we had an interesting conversation about the contrast between the rich young rulers and blind Bartimaeus in Mark chapter 10.  The only similarities between the two is they were both men, and Jesus made an impression on them.  What that impression was and how they responded to Jesus were completely opposite.

As Jesus walked, a rich man ran up to Jesus and said, "Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good?  There is none good but one, who is God."  This was a veiled claim to deity:  Jesus is either good and God, or He is not good.  Jesus said, "You know the commandments."  He then proceeded to list five commands which the man claimed to have kept.  Despite having riches and keeping commands, the man still recognised his lack.  Mark 10:21-22 reads, "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." ²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."  Wealth was the god of this young rich man, and he proved unwilling to part with his idol - even with eternal life at stake.

On the way to Jericho, James and John approached Jesus.  Mark 10:35-37 describes the interaction:  "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." ³⁶ And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" ³⁷ They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."  The disciples pulled no punches with Jesus.  They shamelessly told Jesus to His face they wanted Him to do for them whatever they asked.  Isn't this a common thread of many who come to Jesus?  Jesus, graciously and patiently, offered His ear to these ambitious followers.  The rich man wanted to know what he needed to do to gain, and these disciples wanted Jesus to do whatever they wanted for them.

As they came to Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus who passed by.  He cried out loudly, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  In saying this, Bartimaeus displayed his belief Jesus was the promised Messiah.  When told by others to quiet down, Bartimaeus only screamed louder:  "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  Jesus stopped and asked the man to come before him.  Mark 10:50-52 says, "And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."  Bartimaeus begged for mercy, and Jesus asked Bartimaeus:  "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He asked to received his sight.  Jesus acknowledged the man's faith, and suddenly he could see!  We do not read of Bartimaeus even going back for his garment, but followed Jesus on the way.

The rich man called Jesus Master, but Bartimaeus called Jesus Messiah.  The rich man asked "What must I do?" and Bartimaeus begged for mercy.  Only after Jesus asked the blind man did he venture to ask for healing.  The rich man went away sorrowful, but the once blind man who now could see followed Jesus rejoicing.  Our eternal destiny depends on faith in Jesus Christ.  When we cling to the wealth of this world, we embrace sorrow now and forever.  Only when Jesus becomes our way can we be healed and obtain eternal life!

The Power of Parables

"All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, ³⁵ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 13:34-35

When Jesus spoke in parables it was to reveal, not conceal.  To the unbelieving and careless the words of Jesus were little more than stories, but to those who trusted in Jesus His parables revealed deep spiritual truths unknown from the beginning.  They have continued to remain an unceasing sources of truths both old and new to this day.  The same thing can be said of the Bible.  Unbelievers without spiritual discernment mock and scorn as they pick it apart, but those who rely upon God find sustenance and balm for their souls.

It's amazing how God opens the eyes of believers to discover deep truth in simple things.  As I prepared for teaching scripture yesterday, I used a couple of strange household items to teach about faith:  an eraser (rubber) and a tube of anti-fungal cream.  Now what spiritual truth could possibly be seen in those things?  The LORD helped me with those items to illustrate the object of our faith matters.  All people demonstrate faith based upon their beliefs:  atheists, agnostics, cults, and Christians alike.  Much of the faith exercised in the world is misplaced in all sorts of false guides and supports.  It is not if you have faith but where your faith is placed that matters.

If I placed my faith in a rubber to remove fungus from the skin between my toes, it would be misplaced faith.  I could rub my skin until it bleeds, but it will do nothing to solve my problem.  I could carry that eraser around in my pocket as a talisman or believe with all my heart it can help me, but it remains powerless to supply the cure I desire.  Yet if I believe the anti-fungal cream will alleviate my condition and follow the directions, I place my faith in something designed to deal with my problem.  Putting my faith in the cream leads to action on my part which in time will lead to restoration of clear skin.  The spiritual connection is we can place our faith in things powerless to help us, where faith in Jesus is the only Way to forgiveness, peace, and eternal life.  You can fight against the example if you want, but those with open ears and willing hearts understand the truth I have spoken.  The Holy Spirit will apply this truth to softened hearts individually and personally.

Illustrations have unique power to illuminate, like glass windows allow light into a room.  Whilst object lessons are useful, it is good to recognise their limits.  My point in using this example was to show how it is possible and even foolish to place our faith in things which have no power to help or save us.  The scriptures have been provided to reveal God to man He created in His own image.  The Bible is God-breathed, having been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is compared to a light which illuminates our steps so we will not veer from the course of God's highway of holiness.  People in the shadows can laugh and mock all they want, but we Christians know where we are going and how we are going to arrive safely to our final destination in heaven.  Have you placed your faith in what is able to forgive, deliver, and save you?  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Go Your Own Way

God gives every person the freedom to go their own way.  It's not just a refrain from a catchy Fleetwood Mac song, but a gift of God provided for every person who lives on this planet.  The way we live our lives has a clear correlation with where we are headed for eternity:  heaven or hell. Sorrow, pain, sickness, and death are all products of sin's presence in the world.  Adam's rebellion caused separation from God, and every human being save Jesus Christ who has walked in this world has contributed to the miserable consequences of it.  God is the only one who can set things right again, and this was clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus left Jericho, there was a blind man named Bartimaeus who sat by the way, begging.  When he heard it was Jesus who passed by that way, he cried out with a loud voice "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  The more people "shushed" him the louder he screamed for mercy from the Son of God, the Messiah promised by God to save His people from their sins.  Having heard his cries and knowing his heart, Jesus stopped and commanded blind Bartimaeus to be called.  Mark 10:50 says he cast away his garment, which is very significant.  Even as a busker opens his guitar case to collect donations, his garment was laid across his lap to collect alms he received.  Hearing Christ had called him, Bartimaeus immediately cast aside his covering, money, and comfort in exchange to respond to the call of Christ.

Mark 10:51-52 says, "So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."  Because Baritimaeus had placed his faith in Christ, Jesus healed the man.  Jesus simply said, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  I imagine Bartimaeus had fanticised for years over what it would be like to see.  Having received his sight, Bartimaeus was free to do as he pleased and Jesus released him from any obligation.  But do you see where Bartimaues went?  He followed Jesus.  The way Jesus went became Bartimaeus' way.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and having received his sight Bartimaeus only cared to follow after His LORD and Saviour.

We don't read Bartimaeus ever went back for his coat or his alms:  in Christ he had discovered all he needed.  Despite his physical blindness, with eyes of faith he recognised Jesus as the Son of David, the promised Messiah.  Once his eyes were opened, he fixed them upon Jesus and followed Him wherever He went.  This is a beautiful picture for all those who have responded to the call of Christ through the Gospel.  We were blind beggars steeped in sin, yet Jesus has opened our eyes to see Him as the Light of the World.  We are free to go our own way.  Which way will you choose?  Many people were healed by Jesus, but not all of them were saved.  Faith in Jesus made Bartimaeus whole.  True faith in Christ results in a life where Christ's way becomes our way.  Christ's way is an exclusive way all who will be saved must choose for themselves:  the way of the cross, humility, dying to self, obedience to God, and serving others.  It is the way which leads to victory, power, and heavenly glory for eternity.  All other ways lead to death and eternal destruction in Hell.

Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:1-7:  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know." ⁵ Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" ⁶ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ⁷ "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

The Grace of Giving

"So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. ⁷ But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also. ⁸ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

2 Corinthians 8:6-9 

At Calvary Chapel Sydney we are studying through 2 Corinthians on Sunday mornings.  Paul reminded the Corinthians of their initial desire and interest to give to others in need.  Despite their willingness to give, their good intentions for a year had not been acted upon.  Paul commended them for their great faith, speech, knowledge, all diligence, and love, yet they stopped short of excelling in the grace of giving.  Following through in giving according to their good intentions was a test of the sincerity of their love.  Jesus was cited as the standard for giving, One who chose to become poor to make others rich.

God continually supplies new tests for His people to take.  Each exam is designed by God to challenge us individually.  God has a way of combining familiar material with bits completely foreign to us.  There are often portions we have been exposed to before, yet it doesn't mean we will always perform well.  God is wise to include bits we are unprepared for to draw us closer to Him in repentance, to remind us we do not know everything, and as an impetus for us to humbly seek Him for the answers on future exams.  I don't enjoy being tested, but God uses tests to show His love and care for us, to affirm we are His, to give us an opportunity to grow, and to do well where we have always failed before.

Like sitting an exam at school, completing it is an exercise of the will.  No one can make you sit a test.  No one can force you to read the questions, pick up the pencil, and fill in the correct answers.  God will not force you to sit an exam He provides.  Sometimes passing a test is required before we can move on to another test!  But it is folly to avoid a test God supplies, because not sitting an exam is the surest way to fail.  We do better to score poorly on a test than to refuse to try!  Our poor scores reveal our need to learn and grow.  If we refuse to sit God's tests we will never know through experience where our weaknesses are.  God's tests are not completed in classrooms, but in our interactions with Him and others through our words, attitudes, thoughts, and actions.  I have never scored perfectly on a test God supplied for me because I am not perfect.  God gives us encouragement through small improvements, and should our "success" go to our heads He will give us the most basic test again so we might fail miserably and recognise our need for complete dependance on Him.

How fitting it is for us to seek to excel in the grace of giving, even as our Saviour gave Himself freely as a sacrifice for sin.  Jon Courson wrote in his Bible Application Commentary:  "Born in a borrowed cradle, Jesus preached from a borrowed boat, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, ate His Last Supper in a borrowed room, and was buried in a borrowed grave.  He who made everything laid it all down and entered into total poverty that I might be rich...To the person not in love with Jesus, giving is a difficult, painful, arduous, burdensome task.  He who loves Jesus, on the other hand, welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate his love." (pg. 1132)  Are you willing to take the "sincerity of love by giving" test?  Whatever test God sets before you this week, see that you do all in your power to pass by the riches of His grace.

Jephthah and His Daughter

Our introduction to Jephthah in scripture is he was a mighty man of valour, but this fact is largely overlooked.  He was a son of a harlot, and for a season was cast out of his family but later asked to return.  Like the elders of his hometown, it is high time for the church to receive Jephthah back again as the man of faith he was.  It seems most references to him in sermons are negative, and he is touted as the poster boy of rashness, a power-hungry or even ignorant man whose folly outweighs any virtue.  It is ironic God does not say one negative thing about Jephthah in the Bible.  In fact, the exact opposite is true.  After discussing the faith of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab, the writer of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 11:32-34:  “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” 

Of all the righteous men and women who could have been listed in what is often called the “Hall of Faith,” Jephthah was one selected by the Holy Spirit.  We human beings tend to focus on outward faults, but God looks upon the heart of faith in God which is accounted by Him as righteousness.  There is much to be learned from the mistakes of others, but to relegate Jephthah to a byword when God provides him as a prime example of faith is a massive error.  Through Jephthah and especially his daughter we are blessed with a foreshadowing of Jesus which greatly challenges and enriches us, all for the glory of God.

Jephthah was a man of Gilead called by men to be their captain.  He came to terms with the elders who sought his leadership and Judges 11:11 reads, “Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.”  Whatever Jephthah said, he spoke in the hearing of the LORD.  Regardless of what men may contrive of Jephthah’s motives – for who among us knows fully his own heart and it is not written – the Spirit of God came upon Jephthah (Judges 11:29).  Judges 11:30-31 says, “And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, ³¹ then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."  The verse begins with a connecting word which continues the thought.  The Spirit came upon Jephthah, and he made a vow.  There was a clear connection between the two.  It was common for people to keep their prized animals in their homes, so this was not as strange as you might think.

Was Jephthah rash to make such a vow?  I don’t know.  But what happened after God did grant Jephthah the victory is the part everyone remembers.  After he returned from the slaughter of the enemy, his one and only child – his precious daughter - came out to greet him celebrating and dancing with her tambourine.  When he saw her, he immediately tore his clothes and cried out in anguish:  “Alas my daughter!  I have given God my word and I cannot go back on it!”  The daughter of Jephthah (her name is not provided us in scripture) did not scold Jephthah or charge him with wrong.  Judges 11:36-38 says, “So she said to him, "My father, if you have given your word to the LORD, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, because the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the people of Ammon." ³⁷ Then she said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I." ³⁸ So he said, "Go." And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her friends, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains.”

Before the LORD Jephthah promised to offer up the first thing which came out of his house as a burnt offering to the LORD, never expecting it to be his only child whom I suspect was in her teen years.  She said, “If you have given your word to the LORD, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth.”  God had fulfilled His part in the matter, and she urged her father to do to her according to his promise.  There are tears in my eyes as I consider the faith and love of this young woman.  It is one thing to say such a thing, but the revelations in the next verse blows me away.  Judges 11:39-40 says, “And it was so at the end of two months that she returned to her father, and he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man. And it became a custom in Israel ⁴⁰ that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.”

Jephthah’s daughter came back.  Let that sink into your soul.  She could have run, knowing what awaited her.  Even as Isaac was bound by Abraham on the altar on Mt. Moriah, and Abraham took up the killing knife, her father would do to her.  But this time there would be no voice from heaven, no ram caught in the thicket.  Two months earlier she said, “Do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth.”  Did you see the difference in verse 39?  After she returned, “he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed.”  Dear friends, they did it together.  He did not do anything “to” her; Jephthah kept his vow before the LORD “with” her.  I wept many tears when I understood this.  I see the man sobbing, weeping at his loss as she waited bound.  Perhaps as his resolve faltered at the prospect of offering his only daughter as a sacrifice, she with gleaming eyes guided the knife to the spot.  He had given his word to God, and it must be finished.  God had not commanded human sacrifice, and the death of any human being is not God’s will.  But this picture has been included for a divine purpose.  Such a display of reverence and faith is not easily swept aside, for it points directly to Jesus Christ.

Even as Jephthah’s daughter returned with the knowledge she would be offered as a sacrifice, so Jesus Christ came as the Lamb of God to be a sacrifice for sin.  Jephthah’s virgin daughter bewailed her virginity two months with her friends, and Jesus wept knowing what awaited Him on Calvary.  Hebrews 5:7-9 says of Jesus, “…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…”  Jesus was God the Father’s only begotten Son, the One in whom He was well pleased.  God had promised a Saviour, a Messiah, and kept His word.  Jephthah’s daughter was remembered four days in Israel every year, and we remember the death of Jesus Christ when we obey Him in celebrating Communion together.

We do not fault Abraham for binding Isaac to the altar and picking up a knife with the intent to slay his only son in obedience to God:  should we fault the faithful Jephthah for doing the same?  God doesn’t.  The context makes it clear Jephthah followed the leading of the Holy Spirit upon him in this very singular event in history which points to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  I cannot fault Jephthah with wrong before his God before Whom he spoke and stands to this day.  It appears the people at the time did not fault this man who willing to pay such a high price to keep his word to the LORD, for he remained a judge until his death.  Jephthah was a valiant man, a man of faith.  When I read of his precious daughter I see a picture of my willing Saviour, and I feel unworthy to read the words – because I am.  We all are.  Who among us would demonstrate the faith of Jephthah, his daughter, or my Saviour?

You Belong to Jesus

This week at Camp Kedron we will be exploring our own identity with the question:  “Who am I?”  Ultimately the only way people can know themselves in truth is by first knowing the God who created them.  I am more than a name, a body, a mass of cells without meaning, but an eternal soul breathed into a body God knit together in the womb.  Since God created man He alone supplies the wisdom and power to be the man He created me to be.  God said to His chosen people in Jeremiah 29:11:  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Knowing we belong to God is fundamental in understanding our identity as Christians.  The reality is, however, we can try to find a sense of belonging in far less than God Himself.  We can substitute our accomplishments, goals, relationships, our job, or even being a member of a church.  I recently came across a Scripture Union handout of being a disciple of Jesus based on the Sermon on the Mount.  It was broken into six separate studies in the following order:  belonging, witnessing, God’s Word, relationships, prayer, and possessions.  Admittedly that first one is the concept rarely discussed these days.  In our highly individualistic and increasingly independent society, most people overlook the simple fact we belong to God.  Man expends great effort to try to belong instead of realising in Christ he already finds acceptance and belongs.

All created things belong to God, but most are not aware of this fact.  Our understanding of our identity has direct results in our decisions and desires.  As I heard pastor Steve Mays say, we do not fight for victory, but we fight from victory.  Lack of knowledge leads to us working and praying futilely for what is already ours, and therefore we never progress into practically experiencing what God has already freely provided.  We can try our best to fit in with a particular group, not understanding we have been made in God’s image and we have been accepted into the beloved through Christ by faith.

We will never experience the future God desires for us until we seek and trust God.  When our eyes are opened to see God we see ourselves in truth.  After being exposed to the wisdom and power of God, Job saw himself as vile and Peter asked Jesus to depart from him because Peter recognised his own sinfulness.  “The best men,” Spurgeon quipped, “see themselves in the worst light.”  It is the Light of the World Jesus Christ and the scriptures which illuminate the darkness of our hearts clearly, and lead us to God who awaits us with open arms and joy unspeakable.  How good it is to know we belong to God and live accordingly!

Remember Now Your Creator

How good it is for young people to embrace their duty to love and obey God early in life!  The bar is set very low in general these days when it comes to devotion to God, worship, growing in discipleship, evangelism, and service unto the LORD.  For children and youth the bar is lower still.  Just physically attending a church or youth group is seen as a massive victory in itself.  But God deserves that all His people would be active in seeking Him and engaging in His business interests on earth.  We only have a limited amount of time.  Those who make the most of the time and talents given them by God will certainly not lose their reward.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": ² while the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain; ³ in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim; ⁴ when the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low; ⁵ also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets. ⁶ Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. ⁷ Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it."

Life on earth is over for all people soon after it begins in eternity's light.  The exhortation of the preacher echoes to every soul to this day:  "Remember now your Creator!"  And how do we remember Him?  Solomon concludes his writing with this in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:  "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. ¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil."  Jesus has commanded us to love one another as He has loved us.  Let us praise God in Spirit and truth, living righteously for His glory, for He is seeking such who worship Him.  His eyes go to and fro over the whole earth, looking for any who remain loyal to Him so He can show Himself strong on their behalf.  May our holy conduct and righteous affections draw His loving gaze!

Holy Days

In preparation for my citizenship test, I learned several significant dates in Australian history.  Different countries, cultures, and people tend to distinguish some days over others.  There are traditions, accomplishments, and milestones remembered and celebrated.  There are days of national, personal, and even religious significance.  Having just celebrated Good Friday and Easter (which many Christians have termed "Resurrection Sunday"), I was reminded of a statement by a colleague:  "To me, Easter is the most holy day in the year."  This statement caused me to think.  Is one day "holier" than another?

To be "holy" means to be "dedicated, consecrated, or sacred."  God set aside many days and feasts as "holy convocations," gathering of His people for a prescribed purpose.  These references seen in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers are translated a "holy assembly" in the NIV.  Though God saw it important to set aside certain days to be observed according to the Law such as the Sabbath, feasts, and gatherings, it was not that particular days on the calendar were more special than others.  The point was God was holy, and His people had been made holy through His covenant.  It is a holy assembly because it was a gathering of God's people, consecrated and dedicated to Him.

The truth is, this world and its system of time observed with calendars and clocks will someday pass away.  Even now, God operates outside of the confines of time.  The day Jesus was born, died, rose from the dead, or ascended up into heaven are only significant because Jesus is holy Himself.  The day or date is not what is important, for long after the end of this world and time as we know it He will remain holy.  Revelation 13:8 says, "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."  The day we celebrate as Good Friday (which is not always observed on the same date!) was known by God when the world was founded.  In the same way a church is people, not the building, holiness comes from God and not from a service or observance.

Since God instituted feasts and holy observances, sacred assemblies of God's people uniting in faith in Him, there is clearly value in honouring God together as His people.  It is important we do not begin to make our gatherings a source of pride which we believe distinguishes our group as more spiritual than others, or become divisive or combative with believers whose practices vary from our own.  Whether believers observe a day or not should not cause us to judge one another.  As it is written in Romans 14:4-9:  "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. ⁵ One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living."

The Law tells us to "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy."  Under the Law, the Sabbath day was one set apart as sacred, set apart to rest even as God worked for six days in creating the universe and on the seventh day He rested.  But Colossians 2:16-17 tells us Sabbaths and festivals were simply a shadow of what Christ is the substance:  "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."  If you have the substance, one does not need to focus on the shadow.  When we are adopted into God's family by grace through faith, we are made holy unto the LORD.  Every day is equally holy, for we are made holy in Christ.  It is lawful for us to do good, worship, and bring honour to God's name every day, not to be reserved for certain dates on a calendar which will pass away.  Many times in scripture God spoke to His people, "Be holy, for I am holy."  We are positionally holy, are called to be intentionally holy in our conduct, and to be holy every day, perfecting holiness in the fear of the LORD (2 Cor. 7:1).

Psalm 118:19-24 is a passage which well sums up my thoughts:  "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD. ²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter. ²¹ I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. ²² The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. ²³ This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Jesus Will Judge

"Moreover I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. ¹⁷ I said in my heart, "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

King Solomon recognised the irony of wickedness is a place of judgment, and iniquity in the place of righteousness.  In the face of injustice or wickedness Solomon did not charge God with wrong or doubt God's existence as many do.  He saw hypocrisy and evil as contrary to God and His righteous judgment, and ultimately the holy God of all will hold accountable those responsible.  During our short time on earth, the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are heard and seen clearly by God.  The fact evil exists is not an indictment against the goodness of God, but rather confirms His righteousness.

A good judge will not allow guilty lawbreakers to escape punishment, and God is a good Judge.  The Bible tells us every word a man speaks will be weighed according to God's righteous Law, and to be guilty of breaking the Law in one point makes a man guilty of breaking all.  Because all have sinned, every man faces the full weight of punishment the Law demands:  the death of the body and ultimately the second death of the soul.  Having recently celebrated Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, a time to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the implications of Christ rising again is a sign to all everywhere.  Paul spoke to seekers of truth in Athens concerning Jesus Christ in Acts 17:30-31:  "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."  Jesus Christ is the Judge of all the earth, and He only does what is right.

The amazing truth is Jesus has paid the price for sin with His shed blood on Calvary, and His resurrection is a clear demonstration of His power over sin and resulting death.  All who repent and trust in Jesus can be forgiven of all sin and declared righteous through the Gospel.  The world is saturated with wickedness and righteousness.  We know God will ultimately judge the righteous and wicked:  the believer who lives righteously or wickedly, and the wicked who believes himself innocent.  The entire world is guilty before God according to His Law (Romans 3:19), but through the Gospel we can be cleansed and born again.  Jesus is the Son of God written of in 1 John 5:11-13:  "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

Ask In Faith

Times change, but people manage to stay the same.  The way people responded to the Gospel in Paul's day is strikingly similar to how people do today.  Acts 17:32-34 records the response of listeners to the doctrine of Christ's resurrection, "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." ³³ So Paul departed from among them. ³⁴ However, some men joined him and believed..."  To this day some mock in unbelief, others are temporarily intrigued but ignore the implications of Christ's resurrection, and there are a few who believe.

I read through Luke 23 this week and was struck by King Herod's response to Jesus.  A passage describes the occasion when Jesus was sent by Pilate to Herod Antipas in Jerusalem before His crucifixion.  Luke 23:8-11 says, "Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. ⁹ Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. ¹⁰ And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. ¹¹ Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate."  King Herod responded as many people do today concerning Jesus.  They have heard of Jesus and are curious to see if what they have heard is true.  They would love to see blind men see, the dead raised, and thousands of people fed with only a handful of small loaves of bread.  People thirst for entertainment and would be dazzled to see a man actually walk on water without secret tricks.  People are drawn to power.  They want to see it for themselves, and that is what Herod hoped for.

Herod was disappointed with Jesus, who refused to even speak with Him!  Herod asked many questions, but Jesus gave no answer.  Herod did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of the Jews.  This is evidenced by his treatment of Christ when his expectations went unmet.  He and his men of war treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him.  Herod was curious to hear Jesus speak and do something, but when Jesus did not act according to his desire he despised Jesus and treated Him like a fool.  Many seekers of the world are like Herod, desiring Jesus to accomplish their will rather than abdicating the throne of our hearts for Christ alone.  So many people go to church for a season and even serve in various roles in churches with the heart of King Herod.  They are willing to jump through a few hoops to obtain their desire.  But when their prayers are met with silence, and nothing seems to be happening, they abandon all hope in Christ.  This is a tragic choice, for in forsaking Christ they deny their only hope of salvation, joy, and peace.

We ought to be as Christ who was obedient to the Father.  Even when the cross loomed before Him, Jesus asked if that cup might pass from Him.  "But not my will, but your will be done."  Christ laid down His will in Gethsemane, and laid down His life on Calvary.  If Herod had humbly approached Jesus in belief, Jesus would have spoken words of peace - even as He did to the criminal on the cross who begged Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.  Jesus answered, "Assuredly, today you will be with me in Paradise."  God is not interested in satisfying the curiosity of men.  But He is interested to give wisdom and insight to all those who ask in faith.  James 1:5-6 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."  How important is faith in establishing a genuine relationship with God!

The Issues of Ethics

One thing I love about Australian culture is the high value placed on volunteerism and being involved in the local community to make a positive impact.  For over a century in Australia, scripture teaching has been provided in public primary schools.  I have been delighted over the last year and a half to volunteer to teach one class a week at a local school.  While scripture teaching is available to all students, parents are free to have their child "opt out" of these classes.  I am in agreement with this policy.  As much as I believe in the power, truth, and necessity of scripture for life, I respect the rights of parents to choose for their kids.  May God use the children who attend scripture to positively live out the scriptures before their classmates in obedience to Christ - a far more powerful and persistent influence than I could ever wield.

In recent years there have been additional options provided, such as "philosophical ethics."  It has been put forth as a secular alternative to scripture with the slogan, "Just Think About It."  Truly, this is the desire of all who teach scripture as well.  Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias has an aptly named radio program called, "Let My People Think!"  I do not view any tension between scripture teaching and philosophical ethics as in any way being in competition with one another, as if "anything you can do I can do better."  The fact is, the worldview and philosophies of scripture and ethics are on opposite ends of the spectrum.  From a biblical perspective, the approach of ethics saddens me for many reasons.

The basic claim of scripture is it is the divinely inspired Word of God.  It is the unchanging truth of an unchanging God who created all things, loves His creation, and created man in His own image.  He holds forth absolutes concerning the fall and subsequent sinfulness of man, the consequences of sin being death, and He has demonstrated His love for all by sending Jesus to be the Saviour of the World.  Through Jesus alone does man find eternal life and the power to live life now in the way that pleases God.  God has revealed Himself, and man can have a relationship with the God who created and loves Him through faith.  The Bible teaches us only God is good, and man despite his best efforts is futile and lost.  Man needs God, and that is a critical problem in ethics.

Since anything good comes from God, anything "good" (by the scriptural definition) must come from God.  Anything "good" therefore in the philosophies of men has been borrowed from the Bible and repackaged.  Ethics appeals to the supposed good found within people which God's Word says does not naturally exist, nor is it fostered through the efforts of the flesh (Ps. 53:3).  Even if the right thing is done, it can be performed with the wrong attitude.  Philosophy is powerless in itself  to provide the actual means, motive, or ability to do the good which only comes through the Holy Spirit empowering a person to do so.  The very nature of a secular approach to ethics suggests man can be good or do right without God.  Humanistic ethics denies the necessity of repentance, spiritual regeneration, and salvation.  It substitutes man's wisdom (which the scripture deems folly) for God's wisdom - the true wisdom from above.  Instead of mere behaviour modification, God desires to transform us from within by His grace.

The scripture says in Colossians 2:8-10, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."  God is not like a man, and God's wisdom is not like man's wisdom.  The Bible is a spiritually discerned book, and we can only implement the truth into our minds and lives by the power of God who dwells within born-again believers.  Most men will proclaim their own goodness, and there is a rare man who sees his faults and acknowledges them.  Without the power of Jesus Christ, however, no man has within him the power to change himself or earn forgiveness of sin.  Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth, and the Life, the wisdom from above who powerfully transforms all who trust in Him!

So the question which must be asked is, has scripture teaching been reduced to ethics or an exercise in behaviour modification?  Or is an opportunity been provided to experience the truth of God's Word and a life of faith in Christ so the change comes from within?  One of the expressed purposes of scripture teaching in New South Wales is for children to hear the scriptures from people who personally exercise faith in their lives.  Information is important, and a relationship with God far more important still!  If scripture is ever reduced to focusing on sharing information or addressing behaviour, it is sorely missing the point.

Never Return to Egypt

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!"

Isaiah 31:1

God delivered the children of Israel from hundreds of years of bondage and slavery in Egypt.  With miraculous signs and a mighty hand God brought forth the Jewish nation and gave them His Law.  Centuries later, a day came when Israel faced the threat of the Babylonian nation.  Desperate to save themselves from occupation, captivity, or annihilation, some Jews decided to take refuge in Egypt from the advancing army.  God pronounced woe on those who looked to Egypt for help rather than look to the Holy God of Israel in faith.  It was folly to return to the "iron furnace" from which God had delivered them. (Deut. 4:20, Jer. 11:4)  How quickly we can forget how horrible our bondage was!

God proved His power and authority over all Egyptian gods through miraculous plagues before the exodus.  After the tenth plague, the children of Israel were released by Pharaoh.  Not long after they departed from his lands, he and his princes had second thoughts.  So hard were their hearts they decided to pursue the freed slaves with chariots and horsemen.  God protected His people and caused the Red Sea to part so the people could pass through on dry land.  When the Egyptian armies attempted a pursuit, it was to their destruction.  The entire army perished, for God fought for his people.  As the people saw the corpses of their enemies washing up on the shore, Exodus 15:1 tells us:  "Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!"

The Jews going to Egypt was far more significant than traveling to a distant city to avoid conflict:  it was telling of the people's hearts before God.  They had forsaken the God who delivered them and returned to a place of bondage.  They hoped for safety from those who had oppressed them, and trusted horses and chariots to save them - the same horses and chariots God had vanquished in the depths of the Red Sea.  The people had departed from serving the living God and did not trust Him to save them.  Israelite kings were given victory by the power of God, but foolishly gathered up the idols of the kings they destroyed and worshiped them instead.  Jeremiah 2:12-13 says, "Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate," says the LORD. ¹³ "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Having been given salvation freely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is possible for Christians to do the same thing:  to seek deliverance and salvation from current conflict by returning to a life of bondage which could not save at all.  When we lean on our own understanding, walking by sight and not by faith in God, the old ways of thinking and living prove alluring.  But we should never be duped to return to Egypt.  It is God who has saved us and He is our God and King.  He is the One who fights for us.  It is He who vanquishes our enemies and provides rest for our souls.  Consider the wisdom of David in Psalm 20:6-9:  "Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. ⁹ Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call."  Do you trust the One in whom you have believed?  Let us seek our Saviour who provides living water, and refuse to hew for ourselves broken cisterns.

The Impossible God

My wife and I recently submitted applications to become dual-citizens of Australia.  It was the exciting culmination of many years of effort and desire.  But truly, it is God who has done all the work.  He has opened a door to us that no man can shut.  Even when God opens doors, the way through them is not as straightforward as I would like!

The online application process proved challenging because I could not figure out how to include Laura on my application.  We had to apply separately, which proved inconvenient because our interviews with the test were scheduled a week apart!  We paid our fees, gathered all the appropriate paperwork, scanned and attached the files to our online applications, had passport-sized pictures taken, and an authorised friend of ours filled out the identity declaration.  We started studying for the test and Laura's appointment came first.

I received the first text from Laura when she boarded the train, another when she entered the building, and then another.  The last message really grabbed my attention, and not in a good way:  "No go," it said.  A small strip of correction tape had been used on the form and therefore it was invalid.  Laura was tasked to contact our friend and have the form filled out again by 3pm and she could go ahead with the test.  "And if you are unable to do so," the man said, "it's looking like April is mostly booked.  You will need to call and reschedule."

This was bad news.  Not crushing or devastating news, but a terrible disappointment.  I felt bad Laura went through the trouble of preparing, made her appointment on time, but was denied from her interview because of a little correction tape.  But right on top of the form it did read, "No liquid paper."  So the rest of the afternoon was spent praying and spamming our poor friend's mobile phone to try to make contact to fill out a clean form.  I had a peace about the situation because God is faithful.  I committed the matter into the LORD's hands, believing it would be resolved before 3am.  It was not to be.

After the 3pm deadline passed, Laura called the office in Parramatta.  She eventually was able to speak to an associate and explain the situation.  "It looks like April 30th is the first opening," the woman said.  I told her my husband had an appointment on 1 April, even though the man said it was impossible.  "Let me check one more time."  And would you believe the women said, "Oh, I can book you in for 1 April at 11:20am."  Would you believe that is the exact same day and time as my appointment?  How awesome is that?  We wanted to have our interviews at the same time, and God answered our prayer in a most unexpected way.  Now we technically don't have the same appointment, but it happens to be at the same place at the same time.  Amazing!

When Laura told me the good news of her rescheduled appointment, I was flabbergasted.  Words came out of my mouth which convicted me deeply:  "How did God do that?"  Ah, me of little faith.  I saw the folly of my words as soon as I said them, for God is the God of the impossible.  I confessed my sin and placed my trust in God, and affirmed the wondrous thing He had done.  The things we cannot do He does without effort.  In this case, He divinely allowed this circumstance to be a tool to reveal a dearth of faith.  God does things like this.  He wants us to recognise though we trust Him, it does not mean we are trusting Him.  It is not my faith which earns blessings from God, but they are all of grace.  God is gracious to show us our lack so He can supply all needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.

God-willing on 1 April Laura and I will meet the interview and test requirements to become dual citizens.  Our children are included in our applications and will be dual citizens as well.  The next step in the process is to go to a ceremony where we recite a pledge before God.  I am looking forward to it, for my God is an awesome God.  The words of Mark 7:37 apply perfectly in my case:  "And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."  Jesus Christ is the God of the impossible!

Be Reconciled to God

"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. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

When we moved into our current house over a year ago, it was not long before I realised something strange was happening in our shower.  It was most peculiar.  Over the years, a small gap had opened around the edge of the shower pan, and to my horror I discovered insects were living in there.  After a good clean, I began to notice thin black streaks on the tile.  One night I turned on the light and there were these tiny little bugs racing around in the shower.  I used bleach, I used toilet cleaner, anything to erradicate those dirty little pests.  Nothing worked as a long-term solution.

I decided to ask permission from our land lady to re-grout the gap.  I went to the shops and bought all the necessary supplies:  a tool to remove grout, bucket, float, new grout, and an additive.  For whatever reason, I didn't perform the repair right away.  Months passed as I was busy with other projects or activities.  With my knee rehab I wasn't keen to be kneeling in a small space.  But in all honesty, any reason I can provide is a lame excuse.  I half-heartedly kept up the losing battle with the shower bugs, but finally I was fed up.  "This weekend," I told Laura with fresh commitment, "I am going to fix our shower."

I had put off the task because replacing grout is a serious pain.  It is a tedious job on your hands and knees, removing the old grout, mixing the new grout to the correct consistency, spreading it evenly into the gaps, and wiping up the excess.  Oh the wiping!  Time after time I emptied the bucket and replaced it with clean water.  Again and again I passed the sponge over the tile, removing the cloudy haze from the glazed surface.  Finally it was complete, and I walked away satisfied the battle with the bugs was over.

When a job long put off is complete, a funny thing happens.  I look at the finished product and ask myself, why did I wait so long to finish this job?  I had all the materials, ability, and time:  why didn't I make this a priority months ago and begin to enjoy the beneficial results sooner?  The same can be true about sin in the life of a Christian.  Through faith in Christ, we have been freed from the power of sin.  Why do we put off being reconciled to God or others when it is so wonderful to finally be free of addictions, hatred, unforgiveness, and bitterness?  How is it we have the promises of God and the divine empowerment at our disposal with all the tools granted by God's grace, but we choose instead to keep fighting a spiritual battle through the efforts of the flesh?

I am very pleased to have a renewed shower, clean and free from the corrupting influence of those pesky insects.  How much more satisfying and pleasing it is when our lives are once again free from sin and aligned with God's will in obedience and fellowship?  Jesus has become sin for us so we might be the righteousness of God in Him.  Take to heart the exhortation of Paul today:  "Be reconciled to God."  Once we have confessed our sin, repented, and received Christ's forgiveness and liberty we will undoubtedly say, "Why didn't I do that sooner?"

The Atheist God Used (to make a Christian live like one)

When I entered Grossmont College as a freshman, I had relatively low expectations.  It amazingly turned out to be an eye-opening season of my life.  I could not have guessed the English professor teaching Advanced Composition would be instrumental in changing me for the better.  A consummate scholar and intellectual, now doctor, author, and acclaimed professor, the man was eccentric, witty, well-read, and captivating.  I felt I recognised and appreciated his brilliant mind more than others:  what was this genius doing teaching at a Junior College?

Our class met on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7am.  Upon arriving for our first day, we were warmly greeted with an interesting question:  "Are there any monotheists in this class?"  I was one of three, and we were directed to sit on the right side of the classroom.  The class was further separated into those with atheistic and agnostic leanings.  The class was heavy on discussion of current events and reading from A World of Ideas by Lee A. Jacobs.  By far it was my favourite class because of the professor I thoroughly admired, with whom I sensed a strange connection.  Perhaps I was able to conceal my admiration, but likely not.  The brilliance of the man in my eyes was undimmed by his worldview, which was admittedly atheistic.  Instead of rejecting me for holding to the view that God exists, I was impressed by his acceptance.  There was a mutual respect which transcended our differences.  I did not always share my professor's views (especially concerning secret messages from Carol LaBeau), but I respected him like no other.

I came into the class believing there was a God.  I grew up reading the Bible, praying, believing God heard my prayers and answered.  I had seen God's answers to prayer.  I knew I had been forgiven and trusted Jesus as Saviour.  It was far more than a mental exercise.  But during my teen years, I had grown spiritually proud and dull.  My heart hardened, though I maintained a clean exterior.  I did not use the crass language of others, drink alcohol, view pornography, or sleep around.  It was of me Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:5:  one who had a form of godliness but denied the power thereof.  As I was exposed to worldly thoughts and philosophies in English class, I was challenged to the core.  It was like I stood in the valley of decision:  would I hold fast to my faith and belief in the scripture, or would I exchange it for a secular, atheistic worldview?  The temptation was very real.  As the weeks passed I realised I could not forsake Jesus who had died for my sins and rose from the dead.  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was beyond doubt.  The truth was, however, at the time I was not living for God at all.

My first English class in university marked a turning point in my life, to move from knowing about God to living for Him.  God used my atheist professor and the confronting nature of the class to force me to either reject the Bible wholesale as a work of fiction, or actually mix works with my faith.  If I believed God was real, if I believed in the veracity of scripture, then I needed to take steps to intentionally live life for the glory of God.  That class drove me to the scriptures to seek the answers.  As I read the Word of God, I found my feet secure on solid footing.  My confidence shifted from my knowledge to trusting God Himself.  No longer did I feel unsettled by questions or doubts.  I did not know everything, but what I knew was trustworthy, secure, and unshakable.  Once settled with faith in Christ, I no longer felt overwhelmed by the intelligence of my professor or peers.  My conscience was at rest, founded on Jesus Christ and the unchanging truth of the Bible.  I was content with the fact I would likely never be an intellectual revered by colleagues in academia if I held fast to biblical truth.  The class taught me a life marked by Christ's love, grace, and service far exceeds a Christian worldview alone.  It wasn't long before I began volunteering to serve at church, and the rest is history.

I have a great debt of gratitude to the professor God used to change my life for the better.  Shocked out of my complacency, a fire was started in my soul which has continued to burn and spread to this day.  Isn't it ironic God would pull me out of a construction trade over a decade later having ordained me as a minister and pastor?  I would be putting my university education into practice in the most unexpected way as I prepared studies, lessons, and sermons.  I am grateful beyond words how God used that brilliant man to compel me towards Christ.  I love atheists, agnostics, and my fellow believers because God does, and God can use them all for His glory too.  You don't need to believe in God to be used mightily by Him, but how much more glorious it is to know God and be used by Him as well!  To be known by God is more profoundly satisfying than any accolades received on earth.  Our lives on earth will soon be over and we will be forgotten, but the Word of the LORD endures forever!

Groceries From Jesus

I began trusting in Jesus Christ as a child.  When I look back on my childhood, I can see how God worked to provide, protect, and bless our family.  My faith was not primarily built in a church classroom, but at home by parents who were faithful in trusting God and leading us kids to do the same.

By worldly standards we were not rich by any means, but our home was rich in love and faith in Christ.  I never felt poor or deprived in any way, though money was tight.  God always provided for our needs.  When family, friends, or even total strangers needed a place to stay, my parents opened our home to visitors who stayed for years.  During one of these seasons, we had a family of four staying with us.  I remember having two bunkbeds side by side with a roll out mattress in between.  Construction work had taken a big downturn in the 80's, and my dad worked hard to support his family and guests.  We had to put the dresser in the closet because the room was full of beds!

Years later I was told the whole story of what became a defining moment of God's faithfulness in my life.  My mum opened the cupboards one afternoon and came to the startling discovery there was no food on hand for dinner.  She talked with the other mum and prayed for God to provide for us.  As hungry people do, they started talking about the things they would love to eat.  One suggested a spot of tea would be wonderful.  The day continued on, and nothing was said about dinner.

I was in the kitchen about an hour later when I heard a knock at the door.  I can't recall who opened the door and greeted the two smiling African American women at the door, but I remember vividly I had never seen them before.  They held in their arms brown paper grocery bags.  One of the women said through a broad smile, "We've got groceries from Jesus!"  And in they came.  I watched as the joyful strangers brought in bag after bag of groceries, placed them on the bench (counter), and left.  We never knew their names, where they came from, or how they could have possibly known our dire need - a need I didn't even know we had!

It was like Christmas when we started taking the food out of the bags.  I remember there was syrup bought from a store, something we never had at that time.  My mum was deeply touched to find in the bounty there was even some tea, a special personal touch from the God who loved us so much.  I have always been thankful to those beautiful women I never had an opportunity to thank or express how important their generous gifts were to us.  I have thanked and been profusely grateful to God who loves us, hears prayers, and answers miraculously right on time.  The same Jesus who healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, cleansed lepers, and fed 5,000 men plus women and children with five loaves and two fish, sent me groceries when I was hungry.  He has refreshed my soul when I have been weary, swallowed up my fears with His love, and proved Himself faithful without fail.

Jesus willingly went to the cross, died, and rose from the dead to make a way for sinners to be saved.  He is alive today.  He has done much more for you than giving you a meal but has provided Himself as Living Bread from heaven.  All who trust Him will be forgiven and have everlasting life.  Do you know Him?  I find it fitting to close with John's remarks in John 20:30-31:  "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

Feeling Sorry for God

At the Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor's Conference in 2005, Bob Coy delivered a message called, "Loving God First."  One of the questions he asked made me think:  "Do you ever feel sorry for God?"  God did so much for His people.  He heard their cries and delivered them from slavery and bondage.  Yet they forsook the LORD and went after idols.  Pastor Bob read from Jeremiah 2:2-5:  "Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. ³ Israel was holiness to the LORD, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them," says the LORD.' " ⁴ Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. ⁵ Thus says the LORD: "What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, have followed idols, and have become idolaters?"

In a sense, I do feel sorry for God.  He deserves only the best, and sometimes His people can do the worst.  But unlike men who have been wronged, God does not feel sorry for Himself.  He does not have divine "pity parties" when we do not meet expectations because nothing surprises Him, nor is He self-focused.  He is altogether loving, gracious, and good.  He hears our cries and forgives the repentant and contrite.  Jesus Christ is God made flesh, come to earth to demonstrate God's love for sinners.  This fallen, cursed world cannot be redeemed, but every person in whom God has breathed a living soul can - through repentance and trusting in Jesus.  Some look at the suffering on this earth and think in some way it reflects badly upon God.  The exact opposite is true.  This world is under the curse of sin and will surely perish, and only in God can we be made righteous and saved for eternity.  God stands in holy contrast to all the wickedness, injustice, and pain of this earth.

God allows suffering, and did not insulate Himself from the worst.  Jesus suffered like no man before or since, especially since He was completely righteous and without sin.  God allows people to experience the severe consequences of sin - pain, suffering, sorrow, disease, sadness and death - to bring them to their senses so they might repent and find rest and comfort in Him.  Unfortunately, all the suffering in the world cannot force a person to see their need for repentance and salvation.  The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ speaks of great plagues people on the earth will face and how their hearts will only be hardened against God and hate Him even more.  Revelation 9:29-21 says, "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."  God chastens those He loves, and it is awful so many of the souls Christ died to save will ultimately refuse and reject His atoning sacrifice to their own destruction.

It is one thing to feel sorry, but another thing altogether to take intentional steps to do what is right.  Feeling sorry is an exercise in helplessness if that is where it ends.  Feeling sorry is not enough.  Because of what Jesus has done - not because of what we or others have not done - we ought to love God completely, serve God faithfully, speak of Him boldly, obey Him faithfully, and trust Him loyally.  Ten good things which happen to us in a day can be easily overthrown by one bad thing.  Yet God is not so inconstant.  His delight in those who love and obey Him is not tempered by the fact many have and will reject Him.  He is not looking for sympathy, but hearts responding positively to His love.  When we walk in the way which fully pleases God it does not right all wrongs.  Jesus has already done that!  Our response is to be compelled by the love of Jesus, not guilt or sorrow that God has been slighted.  We are not responsible to change others, but we are responsible before God to cooperate in being transformed according to His perfect will.  Rejoice believer, not in your progress or efforts, but in God who loves you, has delivered you, is saving you, and He will be faithful to complete the work He has begun.

A Heart United

When Christians think of unity in the context of church, it is natural for us to assume this means unity among people.  That is an aspect of unity, but that is not where unity begins.  As each person in the church is made part of Christ's body, we first must be united with Him in faith.  When a person repents and is born again, the Holy Spirit unites us with God by dwelling within us.  Yet placing our faith in Christ does not mean we are wholly united with Him.  Our minds may be in agreement with the truth of His Word, but that does not ensure we are walking in light of that truth.  We can be in two minds over something, and our own hearts can be divided.  If our hearts are divided within us, uniting perfectly with others will prove impossible.

This fact hit me as I read Psalm 86:11-12:  "Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. ¹² I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore."  The psalmist asked God to "unite his heart to fear God's name."  This illuminates the fact our hearts are not always united within us.  Even as our beliefs and actions do not always agree, our hearts can be strangely segmented and stand at odds with each another.  After David asked God to teach him His ways, having firmly decided he would obey, David asked God to unite his heart to fear God's name.  Verse 12 combined the answer and result:  David praised the LORD his God with all his heart.  No man can know his own heart, but God does.  In faith our hearts are united to praise God and glorify Him forever.

Is your heart united in the fear of the LORD?  Praise Him with all your heart, for only God can make us whole, united, and join us in sweet fellowship and victory with others.

Threshing and Declaring

"Oh, my threshing and the grain of my floor! That which I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared to you."

Isaiah 21:10

There is a good application from this verse for all who preach the Word of God.  The role of a teaching pastor is much like that of a chef, in that the preparation of a sermon is similar to preparing a meal.  Quality ingredients are prepared, mixed in the right proportion, and cooked or baked to make nutritious, hopefully delicious dishes.  The audience is considered, even as a chef would adapt his fare to appeal to children or a gourmet critic.  A preacher would be wise not to approach a class of year-three children the same way he would a lecture in seminary.  The truth of the message must not be changed, but the presentation should be altered slightly to communicate the truth of scripture in a way it can be easily understood and received by the listeners.  Appropriate illustrations and applications tailored by the Holy Spirit shed light to illuminate profound spiritual truths in simple ways.

After wheat or other grains are harvested, they must be threshed before they can be eaten or ground into meal.  Threshing is the violent process of separating the inedible husk and stalk from the wholesome grain.  If you are interested for an amazing transcript of a sermon on the subject of threshing by C.H. Spurgeon, follow this link!  A preacher's job is not to read the Bible and thresh the good from the inedible, for all of God's Word is spiritually wholesome, nutritious, and good.  A preacher's own thoughts, motive, and words, however, must be thoroughly threshed.  There are plenty of inedible, coarse, and empty words naturally found in me which must be threshed from my discourses.  We must carefully weigh our interpretations and applications of the text according to the leading of the Spirit to cull our own opinions so we might faithfully hold forth the wholesome Word.  A bushel of chaff is not as valuable as a few kernels of good grain.

May all preachers of the Word be able to say, "That which I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared to you."  We are to preach the Word, not ourselves.  My opinions and words of my crafting are chaff, but the Word of the LORD will endure forever.  God's Word is good seed which has the potential to transform, cleanse, grow in the hearts of willing hearers, and be fruitful.  Preachers must allow God's Word to thresh us of errors so we might faithfully preach as the scripture exhorts in 2 Timothy 4:1-4:  "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. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

Let us declare faithfully the truths of God's Word, and also strive to be doers of the Word.  We cannot expect our sermons to have any lasting effect on anyone if we ourselves are not transformed.  God designed men with two ears and two eyes, and there is little value in a preacher who is all mouth.  We must hear from the LORD and submit to God's truth before we have anything of value to say.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.  Praise the LORD for the effectual life in His Word, and those who hear it and obey will be established and fruitful for God's glory!

Know Your Motive

We can never be sure of the motives of others, but God sees the heart.  Motive is the difference between a word of encouragement and flattery, from manslaughter and first-degree murder.  Motive is the difference between a gift and a bribe, the difference between being genuine or manipulative.  When Samuel looked upon Eliab the son of Jesse with approval, God spoke of the importance of the heart in 1 Samuel 16:6-7:  "So it was, when they came, that he [Samuel] looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  Appearance may convince men, but God is not fooled.

It occurred to me sometimes we can fool ourselves - despite the conscience God has sovereignly placed within us.  How gracious He is to send the Holy Spirit to convict, help, comfort, and guide us into all truth.  As we read God's Word, the Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts.  One verse can be a healing balm, another a sword which pierces us through.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  Even a seared conscience is revealed as tender inside when the sharp sword from Christ's mouth slices like a razor through the thickened exterior.  He does not cut with His Word to injure, but to promote repentance, healing, and wholeness.

We should think before we speak, and our motive ought to be carefully considered.  Words have the power to build up or throw down, to strengthen or undermine.  Proverbs 20:9-10 says, "Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin"? ¹⁰ Diverse weights and diverse measures, they are both alike, an abomination to the LORD."  The use of diverse weights and diverse measures implies an effort to deceive.  Unethical traders would tamper with their weights to affect business transactions in their favour, receiving too much money for too few goods.  It is important our words are carefully weighted with God's truth.  We are responsible to ensure our lifestyle matches our words, we do not show partiality, or act differently around certain people we hope to impress.  So much in the life of a Christian boils down to motive.  May we be transparent and teachable before God as it is written in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; ²⁴ and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."