Ready for the Storm?

No matter how much warning is given, inevitably people are not ready for when disaster strikes.  There are times without number I have seen interviews of people talking about their near brush with death because they did not evacuate in time to ensure their safety.  Whether speaking of a tsunami, flood, fire, hurricane, there is a common phrase said by those interviewed:  "It just happened so fast.  We didn't have any time."  Please don't misunderstand my point:  many times tornadoes, earthquakes, or fires can be so fierce and unexpected that there was not even enough time to jump into the bathtub.  I don't want to trivialize or appear to blame victims in any way for being swept up in a disaster.

But the brutal irony is that in some disasters which require rescue or some lose their lives, time was actually on the side of the victims.  Their death was preventable, had they heeded warnings in a timely manner.  In some cases, warnings of severe weather patterns were broadcasted many days before the storm hit land.  There was plenty of time for filling sandbags, boarding up windows and doors, and loading up the car.  The government sends messages telling people they must evacuate.  Patrol cars drive up and down streets blaring the warning of the imminent disaster from patrol cars.  In extreme cases, officers walk up to every door to ensure the message is heard loud and clear:  the storm is coming, it is bad, and time is running out.

There always seems to be some people who disregard the warnings and decide to "ride out the storm."  When the fire is roaring towards a home, some choose to stay to fight back the flames from their doorstep with a garden hose.  Others delay because they are unsure if the warning is valid.  Perhaps they had evacuated once before only to have the hurricane miss their area completely.  Just like people question the warnings of the government and weather service, people question the warnings in the Word of God.  Hebrews 9:27 says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment..."  Every person of the seed of Adam will certainly face death because of the consequence of sin.  For this reason king Solomon wrote 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."  Every man will be judged not according to his own relative standard, but according to God's standard of perfect righteousness.  Romans 6:23 teaches us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  One sin damns a man to hell for eternity, because it is a grave act of rebellion and wickedness before a holy God.

I am convinced that there are professing believers and proud heathens alike who will be snatched into an eternity in hell quite unexpectedly.  The warnings had been broadcast, the message had been played over and over to the point where people weren't affected any more.  In their heart they say, "Time is on my side" and do nothing concerning their eternal salvation.  But who can know when their soul will be required of them?  What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?  There are plenty of people who call themselves Christians who will experience the fires of hell because they have been tricked by the deceitfulness of sin.  They sow to the flesh, reap of the flesh corruption, yet think because they said a prayer, believe in God, and read a Bible they are saved.

When Jesus wrote the letter to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22, He revealed their true condition.  They were convinced they were living righteously, honouring God, and glorifying Him.  Their wealth and health was a testimony of God's favour because He approved of them.  They were deceived, being far from God.  Revelation 3:17-20 reads, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  God has given us His Word, prophets, teachers, each person his own conscience, and sent Jesus to be the Saviour of the world and shine bright in the darkness.

Think of it!  A storm of judgment is coming for those who practice sin in the church, for such shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21)!  The patrol cars have blared the warning, and see the blackened clouds building off the coast!  Last of all, Jesus Himself knocks at the door, calling out, seeking to save those who are lost.  He offers Himself as a sacrifice for sin so all might repent, believe on Him, and live for Him.  If you will not respond to the warnings of scripture or Jesus Christ Himself, how can you be saved - you who are like those in Laodicea?  Will you even now lay hold of the promise in Hebrews 9:27-28:  "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus Christ?  Or drunk with sin do you say, "Not yet, O LORD."  Praise God that He is patient and faithful.  Time rushes away at the speed of a cyclone.  Will you listen to the words of Jesus Christ and build your life upon Him as your Rock of Salvation and follow Him to the end?  Or will you build upon the sinking sand of worldly desires and aspirations?  Jesus says it best in Matthew 7:21-27:  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' ²³ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' ²⁴ "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

A Broken Vessel

In Gene Edward's book A Tale of Three Kings, he shows how God breaks a man before He uses Him.  David is cited as a chief example of a broken man and the means God uses to break men:  circumstances, people, being misunderstood and wrongly judged.  On Wednesday night I heard a message on brokenness.  A man who is self-assured, self-confident, and self-reliant is unfit for use in the hands of the Master Potter.  There is no salvation in self, only destruction.  God is wise, loving, and good to break us from what kills us.

As pastor Drew preached from the Word concerning Moses and Peter, he used a clay pot smashed by a hammer to illustrate the breaking process.  Moses was raised as a prince in Pharaoh's house and had all the benefits of royalty, while his countrymen toiled under harsh oppression in Egypt.  God used being misunderstood by the Israelites, fleeing for his life from Pharaoh after killing an Egyptian, and 40 years of tending the sheep of his father-in-law to break him.  Peter was a confident, brave man whom Jesus called to follow Him.  Peter was humiliated by denying Jesus Christ after bragging that he would face prison and even die for Jesus.  Moses and Peter are numbered among those men and women of faith whom God shattered before He could use for His glory.

A point of emphasis which I appreciated in the message is that breaking is not a one time thing.  The milestones along the path of Christian experience for me are the points of breaking, not the points when I stood in church, came forward for prayer, or raised my hand in response to an invitation in a service.  I have been broken by my own sin and grave offense before God, broken by death of loved ones, broken by being deceived and lied to, broken by hurtful words and betrayal, broken through the power of God's Word and Holy Spirit, and broken through witnessing the pain of others.  The ways that God breaks a person are all ordained by God to accomplish His purposes for our good and His glory.  If we believe that God is supreme over all, we cannot fault His means or methods.  When God breaks a man, that is an Ebeneezer stone along our path towards eternity in Christ:  that is where God most helped us.  Brokenness is the only way to completion and sanctification in Christ.

God says in Jeremiah 23:29:  "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"  Whether the hammer that breaks us is a devastating illness, people, betrayal, being misunderstood, slander, bigotry, or Satan himself, we need to recognize that it is simply a tool in God's hands.  When we are broken, a temptation is the resent or hate the tool God uses.  Instead of hating God or the implement He chooses to use, we must determine to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength.  What did Paul say?  Romans 8:28 reads, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  Faith in God and recognition of His guiding hand brings comfort even in the midst of trials.  When our broken bones are being set back in place, God holds us closely and whispers sweet comforts to our hearts.  Our pain is overshadowed by the healing in His wings, the love from which nothing or no one can separate us from.

Romans 8:35-39 reads, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." ³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  There is only one person who can separate you from the love of God:  you!  You can choose to reject this love, this healing balm which God freely has given to us through Jesus Christ.  We can wallow in our pain, lash out in anger, and flee from the hand of God because we do not trust Him.  We resent Him for allowing suffering.  We can become bitter, cynical, jaded, hateful, and filled with self-pity.  But God's love remains.  It is an active love which pursues all wandering, fleeing, failed men to their graves.  It is a sacrificial love revealed in Jesus Christ as He died for our sins on the cross.

God didn't leave His love for man in the heavens, but sent Jesus so His love could be revealed and received by all who are willing.  Broken bones grow back stronger, and faith in God and our love for Him is strengthened when God breaks us.  Instead of hating the instrument He chooses or the means He uses, may we receive His love and love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength.  Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy!

Back from New Zealand

This morning Drew and I returned from a four-day jaunt to New Zealand to speak at the Calvary Chapel Bible Institute.  It was a blessing as we enjoyed the fellowship of Jesus Christ with staff and students alike.  It is a wonderful privilege to catch a small glimpse of what God is doing in another part of the globe.

My first impression when flying into New Zealand was lush, green beauty.  Ironically, the Bible Institute is located directly across the street from a thermal pool and spa resort called, "Hell's Gate."  On one side of the road people are spreading their beliefs concerning Ruaukoto, the Maori god of earthquakes and volcanic activity, while on the other side people are teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One True God.  The demons worshiped by the Maori people have great power and influence over man, but the Almighty God is both Creator and Supreme Ruler.  Demons can copy God to a fixed point He ordains and deserve no worship.  2 Samuel 22:7-9 reads, "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. ⁸ "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. ⁹ Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it."

Not only did we enjoy several wonderful days at the Bible Institute, but we were treated to an afternoon of walking through the city of Rotorua.  One of the things I wanted to do was drink an "L & P," which is "world-famous in New Zealand."  In May of 2009 in Brisbane was the last and only time I had previously enjoyed the drink.  After Drew and I had ice cream (I chose "dark chocolate raspberry and chili" which I highly recommend) we walked around, handed out some Gospel tracts, and spoke with folks from Calvary Chapel Rotorua.  The anointing of the Holy Spirit permeated our evening, and we rejoiced in the grace and greatness of our God.

Our prayers for a safe return to Australia were answered, and I am happy to be back in the land of OZ.  As I shared with both students and staff of my testimony concerning God's call and faithfulness to me and my family in Australia, it reaffirmed how good and gracious God has been.  How blessed and privileged we are to be broken by Him so He can heal and use us for His glory.  Over and over He bids us trust in Him, for He shall bring His perfect will to pass.  Rejoice in the LORD, believer, wherever God has you now.  Give no room for impatience!  Instead, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.  Be faithful, even as God is faithful.  He will establish His Word!

When the Devil says no...but God says yes!

Every Christian knows we are pitched in a spiritual battle.  Our flesh, Satan, and the world under his sway resist and rage against obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that we can overcome.  Though our awareness or sensitivity to this battle against satanic wickedness and obedience to God might at times be muted, other times we become acutely aware of how much the devil hates God and all those who trust in Him.

Jesus was condemned and crucified an innocent man, though He had only always done what had pleased the Father.  After He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to fill and come upon Christ's faithful followers to instruct and empower them to live for God's glory.  Men who once cowered behind closed doors for fear of reprisal from the religious leaders boldly preached Christ crucified and risen.  On one occasion Peter and John were arrested because they preached publicly after performing a notable miracle in the name of Jesus.  The religious leaders severely threatened them if they decided to ever preach in the name of Jesus Christ again.  In their presence Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you judge.  We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Later Peter, John, and other believers gathered for prayer.  This portion of their prayer is written in Acts 4:29-31:  "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."  God doesn't just rattle the gates of hell:  He crushes them to powder so the captives might be set free.  Instead of making concessions to the enemy of their souls, through God Satan was cast under their feet as they boldly proclaimed the Word of God.

A day will come for every Christian when the devil says "No!" because you are close to encroaching upon his territory.  We can choose to be afraid of Satan and run and hide.  We can be like the Israelites when confronted with the giant Goliath, who cowered in fear in the false hope he would just be quiet and go away.  Or we can respond with the boldness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah because His perfect love casts out all fear.  It is in this moment that God is testing us:  will we respect the "No!" of the prince of this world or obey the "Yes!" of the Almighty God, Creator of All?  Let us make a stand in obedience for righteousness.  Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5:  "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"

Unveiled Face

Last night I was reading in Exodus 34 about how Moses communed with God on Mt. Sinai as God wrote the 10 Commandments for a second time upon tablets of stone.  After 40 days, Moses descended from the mount, carrying the two tablets inscribed with the finger of God.  Unbeknown to Moses, his face literally shone from the time he spent in the presence of God.  This frightened the people, even Aaron his brother, to the point that he needed to cover his face with a veil when addressing the people.  Otherwise no one would come near him!  Exodus 34:33-35 explains, "And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. ³⁴ But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. ³⁵ And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him."  Moses veiled his face to speak with the people, and removed the veil when speaking with God.

When Moses veiled his face, it was practical.  As we look at this veiling in light of scripture, we see it is also symbolic and highly significant.  In the tabernacle, there was a thick veil which separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies, the most holy place where the Spirit of God dwelt above the mercy seat.  No man but the high priest on the Day of Atonement could enter the most holy place without dooming himself to certain death.  When Jesus atoned for the sins of the world through His shed blood, crying out "It is finished!", this same veil was torn top to bottom, exposing the most holy place to all.  From God to man, an invitation to divine communion through the shed blood of Jesus Christ by grace to faith had been offered to all.

Paul relates in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- ¹³ unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. ¹⁵ But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. ¹⁶ Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Isn't this a wonderful truth?  Because of Christ, we no longer need to read scripture with hearts obscured, even as Moses covered his face when he spoke to the people.  Because the Holy Spirit has indwelt and filled Christians, we can approach God with unveiled face in prayer, read the scriptures with understanding and clarity as the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, and speak with unveiled face to our fellow men, sinners who are heading to their eternal destruction - even as we once were.  When we turn to the LORD, the veil is taken away!  If we turn to religion, the opinions of men, legalism, or walk in disobedience without repentance, our veil remains.

Sometimes we can drift far from God, though we have long been Christians.  We try to retrace our steps to where we went off the track, even like Pilgrim in Bunyan's allegory.  The trouble is Satan's lies, our limited understanding, and our own sins blind us to the right path.  When we try to retrace our steps, we sink deeper in the slough of sin, strangled by our own theology, and lose all hope we will ever find our way back to Jesus Christ.  Forget retracing your steps:  turn to the LORD!  Come to Jesus today as you came to him in simplicity in faith at the beginning.  Come to Jesus as if you have never known Him truly until now.  Confess your sins, repent, and trust Jesus Christ and God's Word.  Allow Him to remove the veil from your face and heart and set your feet once again on the narrow path which leads to victory and eternal glory.

Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' "  Jesus revealed Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  The way to eternal life is not through failed attempts to keep the Law of Moses or beating yourself up for your faults, but to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour.  Victory does not come from theological wranglings, but atonement and redemption spring only through the shed blood of the Messiah.  Jesus affirmed this truth in Matthew 11:29 when He said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  A groom does not kiss his bride through the veil, but lifts it to reveal her face.  He does this to demonstrate affection through a kiss without any obstruction.  Allow Christ to remove the veil so you might commune with Him with unveiled face and realize, like never before, how much He loves you.

Digging Deep?

In recent decades much emphasis has been placed on the ease and simplicity of receiving eternal salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The downside of this is a neglect of preaching repentance and the necessity of living wholly for God.  People used to agonize in repentance for months with many tears before receiving salvation, and today people quickly raise a hand while all heads are bowed.  The devil would much rather us make church attenders than disciples of Jesus.  He would be happy for people to have their heads crammed with theology and doctrines rather than simple obedience to love God, love others, and make disciples of all nations.

Servants serve.  Service involves sacrifice and work.  Jesus is the One who said, "If any man come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).  That sounds like a huge life adjustment for most people.  No man should come to Christ so he might have a better life:  we come to Jesus to obtain eternal life.  I did not come to Jesus so I could be happy:  I have come to Christ to receive forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Him.  And I have never been so happy! 

This morning I read Luke 6:46-48:  "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? ⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock."  Jesus has shown His love for the world by coming to earth and putting on human flesh.  He proved it through His dying on the cross while we were all yet sinners.  If a man come to Christ, hears His words, and walks in obedience, Jesus compares such a one to a man who digs deep and lays a foundation upon the rock.

Digging is very hard work.  After a few minutes of vigorous digging with pick and shovel, my keyboarding hands blister and bleed.  Notice that the rock upon which the house is founded is not on the surface of the ground.  This man must dig deep to find the rock.  If we tell people "Only believe!  Jesus has done it all for you!" this is both true and false.  It is true that Jesus once and for all died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose from the dead, defeating death.  In my sinful condition, neither me nor my "good works" can forgive my debt or free me from the condemnation of my sin.  The falsehood lies in that I am still responsible for repenting and receiving of Christ's atoning sacrifice.  I must choose to confess my sin, repent, and place my faith in Jesus Christ, trusting that His shed blood cleanses me from all sin according to scripture.

It is a rare thing indeed to find precious stones and gems lying on the ground without mining.  It is rarer still to find a disciple of Jesus Christ who has "only believed" and walks in complete victory - without digging deep in the Word of God, having allowed the Holy Spirit to pare away besetting sins.  Unless expansive soil and clay is properly amended, even a foundation of concrete and steel will heave and crack.  Contractors have learned it is critical to dig deep and amend the soil with sand before a concrete foundation is poured.  But in this ever shifting world we live, spiritually speaking amending the soil is not enough:  we must dig until we reach the Rock of Salvation, Jesus Christ.  We must toss aside the river rocks of religion, and dig through the stubborn clay of our flesh.  A change in behaviour does not mean that real spiritual transformation has taken place.  That is why Paul exhorts in Philippians 2:12-13:  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Do you desire true wisdom?  Jesus is for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30-31).  The spiritual principle Paul holds forth in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 is this:  "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat."  Unless a man is willing to gather up his own manna, he should not expect to receive the nutritional benefits.  Show me a professing Christian who does not labour in the Word, and I will show you a defeated, unfounded, confounded man.  Owning a shovel does not mean a man has used it, and owning a Bible does not mean you have studied it.  Reading and studying are not the same thing.  If we do not labour to dig into in the Word we are not drawing near to Jesus, we are not hearing His words, and therefore we cannot know to do them.  Ignorance is a poor covering for this sin of negligence, a sin I too have been guilty of committing.

Hear again the words of Jesus:  "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock."  Security and strength is conditional both upon the character of God and my obedience.  No one can snatch me out of God's hand nor separate me from the love of God.  But it is up to me to dig deep and build my life upon the Rock.  I must draw near, hear the Word, obey, and abide in Christ.  Keep digging until you hit the Rock!

A Cake Unturned

People acquainted with me know that I enjoy cooking, especially baking.  From when I was relatively young, my mom taught me how to make pancakes and waffles from scratch.  Since then my love for baking and sharing with others (not to mention eating!) has continued to grow.  Some days I will simply open my Betty Crocker cookbook for inspiration and make something I've never made before.  The house favorites these days are pancakes, Wacky chocolate cake, pineapple upside-down cake, sour cream coffee cake, and lava cake.  It's shocking with all those cakes I can still fit into my pants!  To tweak a quote my Grandpa says affectionately about "Ol' Uncle August, a Lutheran minister who only lived to be 96, he preached moderation:  one cake at a time."

Last night I was reading to our family from Hosea and was intrigued by Hosea 7:8:  "Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned."  God had commanded his people not to adopt the abominable and idolatrous practices of the nations around them.  They were not to intermarry with people who did not fear the LORD or keep His Word.  Because Israel had been disobedient to this command and had been integrated among the heathen nations, God compared them to a "cake unturned."  What they called cakes we would likely call flatbread.  This might seem like a silly or even ridiculous analogy.  But when I took a moment to meditate upon the passage, how true it is!

Unlike today where most baking is done in electric or gas ovens, in Bible times people commonly cooked over a fire.  Those who bake know temperature control in an oven is very important.  I purchased a special thermometer for inside my oven because scorched baked goods revealed the temperature on the dial did not match the internal temperature!  Too low a temperature leads to rubbery cakes that do not rise properly, and too hot scorches the top which conceals a raw center.  Can you imagine trying to cook a cake over a fire without turning it over?  The bottom would burn black and stick to the pan, while the top would be raw and runny.  If you chipped out this cake and threw it to the dogs they would likely just sniff at it and walk away!  A cake unturned is a useless waste of good ingredients.  All the potential for a wholesome, delicious cake was there.  Neglect in baking properly led to a total culinary disaster.

The tribe of Ephraim were part of God's chosen people, the children of Israel.  Ephraim and Manasseh were a unique couple of "half-tribes," because they were descendants of Joseph, son of Israel.  After Joseph was raised as a ruler in Egypt, he had Ephraim and Manasseh.  Before his death, Israel (originally known as Jacob) adopted Joseph's two sons as his own and gave them an inheritance in place of Joseph among his other eleven sons.  In a similar way, Gentiles (non-Jews) have been grafted into the family of God through the New Covenant in Christ's blood.  If we confess our sins, repent, and trust in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour who was sent by God to seek and save the lost, we are accepted into the beloved (Eph. 1:6).  By grace through faith, we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit (born again), and He takes up residence within us.  The power which raised Christ from the dead now lives in every believer, guiding, empowering, and teaching us in all things according to God's will.

By grace, God has given every Christian all that pertains to life and godliness.  Instead of the filth of sin, we have been cleansed and filled with the goodness and glory of God.  Every Christian has the potential to be fruitful and profitable for God's glory.  We are like a cake mixed of the finest ingredients by a Master Chef, and God has appointed us to be responsible for how we are baked.  If we choose to adopt the wisdom of the world, become unequally yoked with unbelievers, love the world, and make fleshly lusts our pursuit, we are like a cake unturned.  Our usefulness becomes stunted.  Instead of a sweet, spongy cake with a delicate scent, a cake unturned begins to smoke and causes God to wrinkle His nose in disgust.  Our lives can be an invitation to know Jesus Christ which is attractive.  But no one wants an unturned cake burned over a fire.

I am not my own because I have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.  In my flesh dwells no good thing, but all the good "ingredients" of my life I have been freely given by God for God's glory.  Let us be careful that we do not adopt the practices and philosophy of the world.  We must be careful that we do not integrate sinful practices into our households and lives.  We are not just to avoid evil, but to live righteously.  Titus 2:11-14 reminds us:  "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."  Instead of mixing with the world, let us remain pure and set apart for God!

The Light of Life

"Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. ²³ They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."

Exodus 10:21-23

God performed signs and wonders in Egypt to reveal Himself in power and glory.  Led by God, Moses demanded that Pharaoh let the Israelites go, who for 430 years lived in Egypt.  Towards the end of their time in Egypt the children of Israel suffered severe oppression and bondage as slaves.  Again and again the might of God was manifested through miraculous plagues.  The same pattern was repeated over and over:  Moses demanded Pharaoh let the people go, God would send another plague upon Pharaoh and the people of Egypt, Pharaoh would plead for respite, and once the plague was withdrawn then refuse to let the people go.  It took 10 grievous plagues and the death of all the firstborn of both man and cattle in Egypt for Pharaoh to let God's people go.

The ninth plague was oppressive darkness which could even be felt.  While the Egyptians experienced frogs, lice, flies, pestilence, boils, hail mingled with fire, locusts, and tangible darkness, the Israelites in Goshen were kept from these plagues.  David wrote in Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  While the Egyptians huddled in the dark for three whole days without sight, "...all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."  I have never heard of a child being afraid of the light, only of the dark.  As the Egyptians experienced this supernatural darkness, I'm sure the children were not the only ones who were terrified!  The feelings of impending doom, hopelessness, hate, and raw fear permeated the nation.  It was a little taste of how the Bible describes Hell, a place of outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Contrasted with this fearful darkness, how wonderful it is to have light!  God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light.  Light allows a man to see, work, read, write, study, prepare food, distinguish friend from foe, and safely walk without falling.  Before the days of mobiles, televisions, computers, battery-powered flashlights, and electric power, man was at the mercy of fire to illuminate.  Candles, lamps, and a cooking fire were the means of providing light for a dwelling.  After the Israelites left Egypt, the presence of God appeared before them by day as a pillar of cloud, and at night was a pillar of fire.  1 John 1:5 reads, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."  No matter how dark the world becomes, God will still provide light and guidance through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  He who follows Christ need not stumble.

A life without God is devoid of light and life.  The sun, moon, and stars are heavenly bodies which provide light for the earth.  A man may walk in the light of the sun and switch on lights powered by electricity, but may be in complete darkness spiritually.  He is like the Egyptians who cowered in the embrace of darkness.  Jesus says in John 8:12, "...I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  Jesus also spoke in John 12:46:  "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."  If I have received the light of life through faith in Jesus Christ, then I am called to walk in the light so God might use me to illuminate the way for others to receive of the Light of the World.  The light shines in the darkness like a beacon, leading to safe passage to eternal life.

Do you find yourself in darkness?  Find life and light through faith in Jesus!

The Forgotten Fundamental

Sometimes the most simple, basic fundamentals of a life in Christ are the easiest to forget.  Yet God, according to His unchanging, faithful character, does not forget anything.  He fully knows what He has said, and He remembers perfectly what we have said.  It is not uncommon for me to wake up in the middle of the night with perfect clarity.  Perhaps I have just experienced a vivid dream, or perhaps I remember something that I need to do.  Yet with the dawn of the day clouds drift through my memory and I find myself in a thick fog, unable to remember one detail of my thoughts which seemed at the time so clear and unforgettable.  God does not share my forgetfulness.

Being a Christian is much more than words affirming the reality of our faith.  Following Christ is more than a desire to remain in God's will.  So much of our struggles and troubles come not from temptations or trials, but through our lack of obedience.  We all know we ought to obey.  In the last century we have seen a departure from the emphasis on obedience to God and His Word in churches.  There are many factors which have contributed to this neglect.  Perhaps this is due to emphasis on God's grace, desiring to cast aside the scourge of legalism.  Maybe it is to avoid the appearance of "rules and regulations" of a Puritanical era.  It could be that we believe obedience is frankly unnecessary because Jesus has forgiven our sins and has imputed to us His righteousness.  Or even more sinister:  perhaps we feel that since perfect obedience is impossible, we might as well not strive to that end.  Why confront ourselves with our own pathetic attempts to obey?

I find great comfort in this promise 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."  What marvelous assurance this is, that if we pray according to God's will He hears us, and we know with certainty we have the petitions we have asked.  But like all scripture, you cannot take these verses by themselves.  There is a critical aspect we must address before we can claim this promise.  Two chapters previous to this wonderful promise, we read in 1 John 3:21-23:  "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ²² 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."  So we see that we receive whatever we ask of God when we ask according to His will AND because we keep Christ's commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.  His command is that we believe on Him and love one another as He has loved us.

Though Christians are no longer under the requirements and justice of the Law, through being born again we have agreed to submit under the law of liberty.  We have been freed from sin and death to the end that we might glorify God with our words and deeds.  We are empowered to love God and one another as Christ loves us because of the indwelling Holy Spirit who has taken up residence within us, as we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Whatever He says we must do, otherwise we cannot claim to follow Christ.  Romans 6:12-17 says, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! ¹⁶ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered."

Let us not only put off the old man but be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new man which is created after God in righteousness and true holiness.  Jesus always does what pleases the Father, and if we are in Him we must choose to abide in Him.  It is God who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure.  We must present ourselves unto God as living sacrifices because that is our reasonable service.  It is good to pray according to the will of God, but it is just as important to live in obedience to the will of God.  To obey is better than a sacrifice of prayer.

The Burnout Option

More often than we think, God's Word stands in direct opposition to what we naturally think.  Every person understands how it feels to be fatigued and physically exhausted.  The combination of sleeping or eating poorly coupled with hard work simply wipes us out.  The lack of rest can make us drowsy, sluggish, and cranky.  There is a limit to what our bodies can handle, and too much stress can lead to becoming physically ill or having a nervous breakdown.  When Moses embraced the responsibility of leading the children of Israel, his father-in-law Jethro saw the warning signs of overwork.  Exodus 18:18 records his perception, "Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself."  The threat of burnout didn't cause Moses to quit, but to delegate some of his workload to other men anointed by the Spirit for such ministry.

Many people who serve in church ministry have experienced the crash-and-burn effect of overwork.  But the scripture makes it clear being "worn out" occurs when we are out of line with the will of God.  God kept the clothes and shoes of the children of Israel from wearing out as they were led by Him in the wilderness for 40 years!  Sometimes "burnout" is a phrase used to justify laziness; other times men refuse to heed the wisdom of Jethro and throw themselves headlong into the work because of proud ambition, thinking themselves impervious to breakdown.  They neglect a Sabbath rest.  They do not trust the work of God to be done as proficiently by others, and this indicates a lack of faith in God.  There are many people who through their actions reveal they are convinced God's plan depends solely upon them.  They rush to and fro putting out fires, doing what they feel must be done, instead of waiting on the LORD to see what He would have them do and be led step by step by faith.  Walking by sight always ends in disaster.

This morning I was astounded by the simplicity of Galatians 6:9:  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  When I read these words written by Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit, they were like fresh dew upon the soul.  Often we think of weariness as overtaking us, that we are simply a victim of circumstances which have overwhelmed us.  But that is not the way Paul perceived it.  Because every Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and has been granted His infinite spiritual power and resources, we have all we need to do the work God desires to accomplish through us.  Like manna in a spiritual sense, we must day by day receive of God's spiritual vitality through faith.  Do not think that we can save up spiritual strength in a storehouse to draw upon when we see fit:  in that moment God will give us the strength we need to accomplish His will because He has already given us all strength in Himself.  If we faint or grow weary, it is the product of our choices - either passive or active - which have led to the burnout condition.

What does the scripture say?  Isaiah 40:28-31 states, "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. ³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, ³¹ but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  Let God be true and every man a liar.  Our strength must be renewed through waiting upon the LORD.  You may say, "But I am so tired!"  When a man works hard, his appetite grows.  As we serve God through waiting on Him and serving one another in love, our appetite for time spent with the LORD in communion should also grow.  If you find that you are so busy that you have no time even for prayer and the reading of God's Word, you are well on your way to burnout.  You are choosing the path which will wear you out.  How can I be so sure?  Because you are not renewing your strength daily by waiting on the LORD.  The Bible says if you wait upon Him you will run and not be weary.  I don't have to run far before I grow very weary.  But if we will wait on the LORD, spiritually we can run without weariness!  "But I have been waiting on the LORD, and I am still weary!"  Argue with God's Word if you like, but the Bible stands eternal and sure.  Your close walk with Jesus Christ will be your delight, and your strength will only increase as you serve God faithfully.

God promises not only to be our strength, but to keep us from stumbling.  Jude ends in verse 24-25 with this wonderful benediction:  "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."  If God is for us, who can be against us?  I can tell you what is against God:  Satan, the world under his sway, and our flesh.  Though our souls long to please God, our flesh hates to sacrifice anything for God's glory.  The threat or feeling of burnout seems to our flesh a reasonable justification to leave off doing God's work and embrace a life of ease.  God affirms in 2 Peter 1:3 that according to "...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue..."  Whatever God asks us to do, He will also provide the means, way, and knowledge to do it.  He is able to accomplish what concerns us today and always.

Let us not be weary in doing good because we will reap, if we faint not.  Waiting on the LORD keeps us from fainting, and by God's grace He keeps us from stumbling.  Let us apply Philippians 4:19 as a salve to our spiritual soreness:  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Notice the scripture does not say, "And God shall supply all that we think we need."  It says that God will supply all our need according to His riches by Christ Jesus.  How great is our God!  Let us serve Him both now and forever without intermission!

Wonderful Nature!

In recent Sunday mornings past, my son Abel and I are typically the first to arrive at Calvary Chapel Sydney to open and set up.  Not this week, however!  We were greeted by a large lizard which had parked itself in front of our building!

And a little closer...

The lizard allowed us to come right up to him.  About five minutes after we arrived, he waddled off.  I wish I could have captured his clumsy, floppy gait on camera!  Next time, I'm going to try to pet him.  Living in Australia has taught me a valuable lesson in the importance of conservation and appreciation for native wildlife.  Even the leaves God creates are beautiful!

Jesus is All We Need

My wife Laura has been reading through The Saving Life of Christ by Major W. Ian Thomas.  So many conversations we have had of late involve faith in Christ and the crippling effect of unbelief.  Yesterday we discussed our tendency as humans to ask for what God has already offered.  Minutes after talking over the subject, Laura returned and read this quote from The Saving Life of Christ on page 136:  "Remember, He does not give you strength - He is your strength!  He does not give you victory - He is your victory!  He cannot be your life without being all you need, for "in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in Him" (Col. 2:9-10a).  Then count upon the fact - and stop asking for what you have!"

For some of us, we trust in God for our justification but think our sanctification is up to us.  Obedience to God is a necessary hallmark of true faith, for good works will always accompany legitimate faith.  One of the best works is to stop relying upon ourselves or our "works" and looking to Jesus to supply our need, even when we face seemingly insurmountable difficulties.  One of John Wesley's favourite passages to preach from was 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, which flows in the same vein with what Major W. Ian Thomas plainly stated:  "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- ³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."   Jesus is our wisdom, our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  He truly is our All in All!

When we take God at His Word - no matter how we feel, no matter how improbable or impossible a situation might appear to our natural senses - we set our feet upon the surest ground:  an eternal, immovable Rock of Salvation.  Any other path which deviates from the Word of God, no matter how certain it may appear, is shifting sand which cascades into a chasm of certain ruin.  If a Christian remains in the middle of God's will, he cannot venture "out on a limb."  Faith in God is not like a child climbing a tree, with every movement towards the top becoming more precarious and dangerous.  Faith in Christ brings a man to his knees, a place where the potential to fall and suffer injury is reduced to nothing.

The words of Hebrews 12:1-3 are appropriate in any case:  "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  Let us look to Jesus for the abundant life intent on receiving even as He has promised us:  not a life quantifiable by health, wealth, fame, comfort, or social status, but a joyful life that endures for the glory of God for eternity.

A Willing Prisoner?

While praying this morning, I was reminded of when Peter was released from prison.  Herod had killed James the brother of John.  When he saw how it pleased the Jewish leaders, he also arrested and imprisoned Peter.  Acts 12:5-10 relates the details of Peter's miraculous release:  "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. ⁷ Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. ⁸ Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." ⁹ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him."

Peter was a Christian who followed Jesus to the end and the Holy Spirit worked mightily through him.  While he was in prison, people in the church were continually praying for his deliverance.  When the day of his likely public execution drew near, God sent an angel to free him from his bonds.  Peter was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly struck on the side and lifted to his feet as a light shown around him.  The chains fell from his wrists, Peter put on his clothes and shoes as he was commanded, and followed the angel to freedom.  The scene was so surreal that Peter figured he must have been dreaming.  It was not until he was outside the prison that he realized his deliverance from the prison was reality.

In a spiritual sense, every person is born into a prison of sin where Satan is the chief warden.  We are all like Peter, chained in a dungeon behind reinforced walls and doors.  There is no capacity for man to escape from this prison, nor is salvation or reconciliation obtainable through good behaviour.  The only way to be saved from our sin is to repent and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, following Him to the end.  The Bible does not say how long Peter was in prison.  Knowing that James had been killed with the sword and that likely death awaited him was not a enjoyable prospect to consider.  Can you imagine if Peter was so depressed because of his plight that when the angel slapped him on the side and raised him to his feet Peter lay back down between the Roman guards, rubbing his sore ribs?  How ridiculous it would seem for Peter to ignore the command of the angel to follow and willingly place his hands back into the shackles.  But this is the same thing defeated Christians can choose to do every day, believing that escape from the prison which holds them is futile.

The only thing more tragic than a person choosing to reject Jesus Christ is when those who have received Him through faith reject the hope, peace, and victory He has granted by grace.  That smack on Peter's side was intended to wake him up and bring him to his senses, not to make him cower in fear or pain.  Peter's escape from prison hinged upon one thing:  his obedience.  If Peter refused to follow the angel through the doors, he would have likely died in that prison.  As Peter followed in obedience, they walked right past posted guards.  They approached bolted doors and secured iron gates which swung open on their own accord.  Peter didn't have to break the necks of guards, strain at rusted locks, or dig his way free:  God loosed his chains, led him out of the prison, and delivered him by God's grace.

I read a story of a 59 year-old man in the States who robbed a bank of $1 the purpose of being arrested so he could go back to prison for health care purposes.  This story is not an isolated case.  There are people, believe it or not, who enjoy being inside prison more than being out of prison.  While incarcerated inmates are given a bed, clothes, access to clean water and showers, food at regular intervals they do not need to purchase or prepare, medical treatment, and have many friends and activities to pass the time.  Is it so crazy to think that there are professing Christians who willingly go back to a prison of sin for the perceived perks?  Friends, God did not save us so we can stay in bondage:  Jesus came to deliver the captives and set us free!  We must follow Him, and the doors Jesus opens none can shut.

For us who have been born again through faith in Jesus, we never need be arrested again.  Unlike Peter, should a Christian find himself in prison of sin again it is because he has willingly chosen to enter and remain.  Isaiah 54:17 promises us, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD."  I'm glad that God slaps me when I am in a sinful rut!  In love and grace He renews our minds and gives us strength to repent and follow Him again.  We have been saved not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to God's mercy.  Let us continually walk and rejoice in this fact!

Do As You Have Said!

I've recently started a new routine of Bible reading in the evenings inspired by something I read in a George Mueller biography.  He said that he had read through the Bible 200 times, and 100 of those times he read on his knees.  Now there was a man who was thoroughly convinced of the truth of God's Word, the importance of seeking to hear God's voice and obtain answers to prayer through reading, and the correct attitude of the heart in approaching God in humility.  So many times we ask God for direction and wisdom, but how often do we actively seek the answer in God's Word?  Now it's your turn to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to do just that!

During my reading last night, I was struck with a statement by the heavenly visitors when the LORD appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre.  Upon seeing these who had the appearance of men, Abraham ran to meet them and bowed himself to the ground.  Genesis 18:3-5 records the conversation:  "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. ⁴ Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. ⁵ And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."

After Abraham offers his hospitality, his guests graciously accepted.  He was not to leave anything undone which he had said.  He was to have water brought so their feet could be washed.  They were then to rest comfortably under the tree.  Then Abraham would supply some bread (and later meat in abundance) so they would be satisfied.  Their answer was simply, "Do as you have said."  These words remind me of Mary's exhortation concerning the directives of Christ in John 2:5:  "Whatever He says to you, do it."

As Christians we are taught from scripture that God always keeps His Word, for lying lips are an abomination to Him.  Everything He has said He will do.  But we must examine ourselves with the rigorous scrutiny with the same words God spoke to Abraham:  "Do as you have said."  When I read those words last night, I was immediately convicted.  Had I done what I had said?  I committed to reading the Bible immediately after putting the boys to bed, but yesterday decided to watch the cricket for an extra half hour before reading my portion.  In His gentle but stern way God said clearly to me, "Do as you have said."  The Father didn't have to tell me specifically what He was referring to, because the Holy Spirit prompted me to know immediately what He meant.  That's the way God speaks:  through His Word, straight to our softened hearts by means of the indwelling Spirit.

Dear Christian, you expect God to keep His Word to you:  have you kept your word to Him?  The same standard applies to both God and man, for God's standard is righteous and true.  What He says to you do it, and do as you have said.  There is joy and peace in keeping His commandments.

God Gives More Grace

Early in his life as a Pharisee, Saul thought he was doing a great work for God by fiercely persecuting the church.  It was only after Jesus confronted him on the road heading to Damascus that Saul saw that in persecuting Christ and His followers he was persecuting God Himself.  Saul was later converted as a follower of Jesus, baptised, filled with the Holy Spirit, and became widely known as Paul.  The same fire and tenacity was there, but Paul had been tempered and honed by Jesus Christ.  Never again did Paul go on a fleshly rampage or crusade against evil.  Instead he was led and empowered by the Holy Spirit and his words were seasoned with love and grace.

The same ill which affected young Saul as a Pharisee ironically afflicts many professing followers of Jesus to this day.  In trying to make a strong stand for Jesus they do much damage to the cause of Christ.  I'm sure you've seen the websites with animated flames, the screen filled with wordy articles in all caps screaming at "non-believers," all with a sense of smug self-righteousness.  The presentation spoils the message.  The words well-meaning people type very well may be true in an academic sense, but if they are not written motivated by love for God and compassion for the lost they are all wrong.  Some people write as if their blood is boiling with rage instead of having cheeks moistened with tears of sympathy for those who are blind, lost, and dead in transgressions and sins.  James and John suggested to Jesus that they call down fire on unbelievers to teach them a lesson.  Luke 9:55-56 reads, "But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village."

As Christians we should contend for the truth of scripture and the veracity of the Gospel, but we are not called to be contentious.  Many do not share Christ as they should, but this does not give us license to be rude, condescending, and hateful.  We would do well to obey the exhortation of Christ when He faced those who were self-righteous in Matthew 15:14:  "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  When you consider the life of Jesus, you will find that He never entertained dishonest questions.  If someone was testing Him, Jesus would never answer those questions directly with doctrine.  He did not debate views or doctrine that people wanted to fight over.  Yet if someone was ignorant and desired God's wisdom, Jesus took the time to explain.

For those Christians who feed on debate and love to throw punches, seek God for a spirit of meekness and gentleness.  In the long list of sins Paul mentions in Romans 1:29, one of them might come as a surprise:  "...Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers..."  Tucked between murder and deceit, we find the word "debate" in the KJV, "strife" in the NKJV.  Wrangling and quarreling have no place in the body of Christ, and that is not the way Jesus won souls for the kingdom of God.  Love God, love people, and share the truth of God's Word.  We do not need to condemn people, for they are condemned by their sins already - just like me and everyone else!  If they want to fight and debate over it, let them alone.  Go to the next village.  But we should not let them alone without interceding for them in prayer with moistened eyes and a heavy heart.  We should have the heart of David, who fasted and prayed for days that his dying child would live.  Who knows if God might be gracious and turn that soul to repentance and eternal life?

When Liberty Kills

Information and knowledge becomes more widespread and easily accessible with each passing moment.  For those who think the ills of mankind reside in ignorance, this is an indictment against them.  Though information is readily available, people still face the same problems which have plagued them from the beginning.  Man knows the truth but lives in conscious opposition to it, convinced that the truth does not apply in his unique case.  He lives in denial of God's existence, embraces subjective relativism to avoid guilt, and lives as if he is a god.  Generation after generation impales itself upon lust, greed, power, and pleasure, always learning but never receiving the truth of the Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of that way is death.

This tragic saga is not only perpetuated by those who reject God and His righteous commands.  Through the prophet Hosea God lamented, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6)  Even though God had provided His Law and priests, Levites, and prophets to instruct His people in how to keep it, the people remained without knowledge.  The people excelled at keeping ordinances and the minutiae of the oral commands made by men, but they missed the main point.  The Law was intended to reveal the righteous character of God and display man's inability to be holy through external means.  Paul explains in the New Testament that the Law is a schoolmaster which leads us to Christ.  Galatians 3:24-25 says, "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."  Faith in Christ brings forgiveness and freedom from sin.  We are freed from keeping the letter of the Mosaic Law because we are now governed by the law of liberty through the leading of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  We are free from the penalty of breaking the Law because Jesus has met the righteous requirements through His sacrifice.

The Mosaic Law governed a man's external actions, but now the Holy Spirit holds us to God's holy standard from within.  Through Him we have both the will and ability to live a life fully pleasing unto God not according to the letter, but according to the Spirit.  In the book written to the Galatians, Paul marveled how the people received Christ by faith but quickly went back under the Law.  They fell into the trap of thinking a man is righteous by what he does, not by who he is in relation to Jesus Christ through faith.  The opposite error Paul sought to correct in his letters to the churches in Rome and Corinth.  People were using the grace and forgiveness of God as an excuse to pursue sin.  People rejoiced in the "liberty" they had in Christ, misunderstanding what this "liberty" actually means.  Liberty is both what God has saved us from and what He has saved us for:  He has liberated us from the oppressive bondage of sin and death, and has liberated us to serve and glorify Him forever.

This misunderstanding of what liberty is and what it is not remains a massive issue in the church today.  How many Christians have been shipwrecked through the exercise of what they thought or claimed as liberty, but in reality was a retreat back into bondage!  Liberty is not freedom to placate and satisfy the flesh, but the opportunity to honour God through godly action.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:9, "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."  It is understood that Christians ought to also beware that this liberty of ours can be a stumbling block to ourselves - because we too are weak!  It is only through God we are strong.  God did not grant us liberty so we can justify ourselves from the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, having graciously pulled us like helpless sheep from the teeth of Satan, sin, and Hell.  How foolish and ridiculous it would seem if us sheep, having been spared a horrible end and given exceedingly great and precious promises through Christ by faith, used our remaining time on earth to flee from the Shepherd and seek shelter in a dark pit - perhaps the same dark pit we used to frequent before we were saved.  What kind of liberty is this?  The mind is of such a one is still enslaved in old ways of thinking.  Proverbs 26:11 reads,  "As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."  Foolishness in the Bible is directly related to wickedness.  It is the fool who says in his heart, "There is no God." (Ps. 14:1)  To atheists and Christians alike Solomon says in Proverbs 1:22:  "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge."  Fools hate knowledge, and it is because of the lack of knowledge God's people perish.

Let us not be foolish, but wise concerning what liberty actually is.  If my exercise of liberty is not bringing honour to God or is a justification from the Holy Spirit's conviction, I willingly return to bondage.  Psalm 10:4 states, "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts."  I find this verse very convicting.  The righteous must seek God, and God should be in all my thoughts.  I confess to you that I am righteous only through faith in Christ, for in my flesh no good thing dwells.  It is my hearts desire that God would be in all my thoughts, and I have much room to grow!  Let us follow the command of Christ:  seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us.  I find I am not able to do this, but God has liberated my heart, mind, and body to both will and do His good pleasure by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Praise Him!

Unbelieving Believers

In the church today we find an undeniable, brutal irony:  believers filled with unbelief.  Christians are often termed "believers," so this claim might at first seem surprising.  But we don't have to look beyond ourselves to know with certainty that we too can beset with this sin.  Do you see unbelief in God and His Word as a sin?  It is among one of the worst faith-killing, power-sapping, glory of God-robbing sins a man can cultivate.  To add to the danger, there is no sin more easily justified by our flesh than unbelief.  We can be full of unbelief but perceive ourselves as strong, unwavering believers.

Familiarity with God's Word ironically provides an impetus to unbelief.  We assume that because we can repeat verses verbatim we have in belief appropriated all God has granted us by grace.  Through much hearing we become dull and senseless, finding more interest in reading the commentary in our study Bibles than by listening carefully for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit as we read the naked Word of God.  Did you realize this is a primary purpose of the Holy Spirit being sent?  1 Corinthians 2:12 reads, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."  As we read the inspired Word of God, the Holy Spirit enables us to believe and appropriate what God has freely given us.  We are trained to look to the scriptures for assurance concerning forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation, but we can look for feelings as confirmation when speaking about baptism with the Holy Spirit and physical healing.  This ought not to be!

As I considered the unbelief in the disciples after Christ's resurrection, it struck me that it was not only Thomas who had to see to believe:  every single one of them was full of unbelief of Christ's resurrection until Jesus revealed Himself to them.  They all had to see before they believed.  John needed to see the empty tomb, Thomas had to place his fingers in the prints of the nails, Mary Magdalene needed Jesus to say "Mary!," and the disciples on the road to Emmaus needed their eyes to be opened as Christ took bread and broke it while giving thanks.  The fact is, we all need God to personally reveal Himself to us before we can see our unbelief, confess it as sin, and believe Him.

My familiarity caused me to miss the message of this insightful verse for many years.  1 John 5:13 in the KJV at first may seem redundant, but it points out the believer's need to believe:  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."  John was writing to people who already believed on the name of the Son of God.  The purpose for him writing was so people would know they have eternal life, and that they would believe on the name of the Son of God.  John saw there was unbelief among believers!  People were building on the foundation of Christ, but they were also filled with doubts.  It is possible to build a rickety building on a sure foundation.  If we harbour unbelief, we give place to the devil.   James 1:6-8 reads, "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. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

When you look at your Christian walk, is it marked by stability or instability?  Is your life better personified as a lighthouse firmly established upon a rock illuminating the way of salvation through Christ, or as a darkened ship being tossed about on waves, subject to the mercy of the tide?  You do well to build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ - hearing His Words, believing, and doing them - but if you build in unbelief spiritual and emotional instability will be the result.  When you read the Word of God, do you believe it is absolutely true without fail, even if your experience seems to say otherwise?  Some people take the wide, broad path of standing in judgment to explain away why your desired ends have not been met:  "You obviously don't have the faith."  It is not a question of faith, but more the issue of unbelief.  1 John 5:14-15 boldly proclaims, "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."

We can be confident that if we ask anything according to God's revealed will, He hears us.  If He hears us, we know we have the petition we have asked.  It may be that you have faithfully prayed 30 years for God's will in a situation and still you have not seen the end you desire.  Does that mean that God's Word is wrong?  No!  Trust Him and continue to pray according to His will, thanking Him in advance for answering your prayer.  Leave the timing and way to God.  God in a way is like a taxi driver.  He has revealed His plan to bring us and others to a particular end for His glory with sanctification, yet we are filled with doubts because He is taking a route unfamiliar to us.  We complain about His driving, thinking He is taking us the longer way at our great expense.  We want Him to take us by supersonic jet and He is content to let us walk through a desert.  Confess your unbelief and follow Christ in faith.  He will be true to His Word, and we are assured of His love, grace, and faithfulness.

[This Sunday at Calvary Chapel Sydney I preached on the subject of "Unbelieving Believers" from the second half of Mark 16.  If you are interested to read them, the sermon notes can be found here.  Please comment on what God is teaching you so we can all learn and grow!]

World Peace?

An oxymoron is a "combination of contradictory or incongruous words."  Some common examples are "jumbo shrimp," "seriously funny," "modern history," and "long shorts."  I visited a website which claimed to have an exhaustive list of oxymoronic statements, but from a biblical perspective they are missing at least one:  world peace.

At the end of the halftime show during the Super Bowl, the words "world peace" were emblazoned across the field.  Those are completely incongruous terms.  The world's idea of peace is a world without war or conflict, unity of heart and spirit, a place free of suffering, racism, bigotry, nepotism, or hate.  This is certainly a sublime desire.  But this idyllic life cannot be realized in a world full of sin ruled by Satan, the prince of darkness.  In scripture, the world's ways and humanistic philosophies are always at war with God's ways and perfect wisdom.  There is not a square inch of shared ground between the world and God.  There is no room for compromise because God's Laws are absolute and righteous, and the world is absolutely depraved, deceived, and doomed.

The wars, crimes, and death which ravages the globe finds its root in sin.  Government, education, and tax dollars cannot bring this peace.  Even if every mouth was fed, if everyone on the planet had clean water, proper education, and medical insurance, we would still not have peace.  In the current state, "world peace" will always be a ghostly apparition because of the unchecked sin in the hearts of people who walk this earth. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"  Even people who truly have all the world can often fight a war in their hearts every day:  fear of death, fear of man, hate, addictions, insomnia, fear of rejection, pride, violence, and lies.  How many celebrities and millionaires have killed themselves through drugs, alcohol, or with violent intent because of disillusionment, loneliness, or sorrow?  "Let me have their millions - that wouldn't happen to me."  Oh yeah?  Money can't buy you peace:  it will rob you of the benefits you believe it provides.  Murder, greed, violence among families, and hatred among people is only a symptom of the wickedness in the hearts of people when it rises to the surface.

Contrast the world with Jesus, who in scripture is called "The Prince of Peace."   Ephesians 2:12-18 explains how Jesus has brought peace to this world of sin.  "...You were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, [15] having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, [16] and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. [17] And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. [18] For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."  For mankind, Jesus is our Peace, our only Peace.  It is only through Him we can have peace with God through His shed blood, and only through Him we can have peace with one another.  When Jesus came to the world, what did the world do?  He was falsely accused, tortured, and crucified on the cross by those He preached peace to.  The world could not accept the love, way, truth, or the life God offered through His Son.

The beauty of the story is that Jesus rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death.  This is the victory He gives to all who repent and trust in Him.  Not only that, but we can be at peace with God even though our bodies still dwell upon this sin-soaked world.  The world can be in shambles all around us, but we can experience continually a peace that passes understanding.  The peace of a Christian is not dictated by outer forces at work beyond his control which he must manipulate to be happy, but a peace that comes from within through faith in Christ.  In a world where the news seems to only grow more evil and insidious, what grace that God should freely grant eternal life and peace to those who are redeemed through the blood of Jesus.

There can be no peace until there is first justice:  not justice according to man's subjective standards, but according to God's righteous standard.  The Bible says that Jesus will someday return to the earth as a conquering King, and the nations will be subdued before Him.  He will bind Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit and set up His rule over all.  Then, for the first time since Eden, there will be world peace.  Music, dancing, athletics, competition, and the best efforts of men or combined government bodies cannot usher in this peace.  Peace can only be obtained through the Prince of Peace:  Jesus Christ.

Eternal Moments

As I grow older, I am amazed by some of the things my brain has tucked away.  What blows me away is how a single day, action, or statement has made a permanent effect upon my life.  Both good and bad things in my past can have a positive influence on me today and the rest of my time on earth.  I remember being corrected harshly as a child by the church secretary for asking her about her age or the embarrassing feeling when I unwittingly touched a toupee of my Sunday School teacher.  I remember Coach Lib sitting down the cross country team to discuss philosophy, and Mr. Kennedy dropping a metal trash can on the floor at Emerald Junior High.  I remember taking a friend to Taco Bell to cheer him up, and putting my foot in my mouth more times than I care to reflect upon.  We would all likely agree that every day we have a chance to make a positive, permanent influence on the lives of those around us for the glory of God.  The trouble is, because we can't mark those times on a calendar or plan for them, it seems those eternal moments go unrecognized.

Thinking back, it is easy for me to remember a lot of the people I worked with in the mechanical insulation industry.  I remember conversations I had with Navy sailors, places I worked, jobs we accomplished.  Yesterday I thought about a job I had at George Bailey detention center near the border.  I only worked on the jobsite with my buddy Tim for one day.  The "tin-knocker" (installer of the aircon duct we were wrapping) was a piece of work.  He was happy, yelling in his Filipino accent, and seemed to be having the time of his life as he worked.  Over and over he would yell, "Ho-kay sweet!"  I asked him what he was saying.  He said, "If you curse, people think you are a bad person.  So I just made up my own words to say."  And boy, did he say them with gusto!  All day long we heard "Ho-kay sweet" until we found ourselves echoing him.  The words echo in my head to this day, and I chuckle when I think of that crazy guy.

I don't know if that man thought working in the same building with me for one day would make such a long-lasting impression.  I certainly had no idea!  If someone is able to impact me simply with yelling "Ho-kay sweet!" at random times during working hours, how much greater and more positive an influence can God have through His people when they are yielded to Him!  We will never know the breadth or depth of impact we are making on people around us every day, whether we realise it or not.  If we recognized that every moment has the potential to be an eternal moment in someone's life, I'm thinking that simple fact would change the way we approach everything!  However, it does me no good to be preoccupied with the impact I could make.  In my flesh, no good thing dwells.  I am not able to do good without the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Agreeing with the fact that God wants to use me and that anyone can be used by God for the purpose of making an eternal impact in a moment's time is most encouraging.  When I focus on the fact that God can make a eternal difference through me, I look to Him for strength and guidance.

Today, you can make a difference!  It all starts with us allowing God to make us different and align our temporal perspectives with His eternal one.  Who knows?  God can use a smile, hug, a word of encouragement or reproof, even a cup of water given in His name to make an eternal moment out of the mundane.  Praise Him for His wondrous works!

Cover the Sin with Love

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. ⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." 

1 Peter 4:7-8

One little word makes a huge difference.  This is one of the verses from the King James Version I have been memorizing lately.  In the New King James Version, the last part of verse 8 is a quote taken from Proverbs 10:12:  "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."  I am most familiar with 1 Peter 4:8 in the NKJV which reads, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."  As I repeated the verse a few times according to the KJV, I began to consider the difference between the use of "a multitude" or "the multitude."  Though I am not a Greek scholar by any means, upon further examination the original Greek in this passage does not contain the definite article "the."  The English indefinite article "a" does not appear in Greek at all!  The text literally says, "...love will cover multitude sins."  In translating the Greek into English, "the" or "a" have been added as well as "of" to allow the verse to flow naturally.

One thing I refuse to do is to pit differing literal translations of the Bible against one another.  I do not believe I need to choose either the King James or the New King James version as divinely inspired and view the other as spiritually-substandard.  The words we read in English are intended to aid us in knowing God as revealed in scripture.  Both versions are fully supported with scripture.  With the help of the Holy Spirit granting us wisdom and discernment, we can know the heart of God because He dwells within us.  Love covers a multitude of sins, and love covers the multitude of sins.  This minor difference reveals two versions of a single, powerful truth.  As I read the scripture over and over to memorize it, the truth "love shall cover the multitude of sins" made a deep impression upon me.

Peter encourages the believers to above all have fervent love among them.  The Bible says Christians are to be known for our love for God and one another.  There are some in the world which ignorantly brand all Bible-believing, church-attending, Christ-professing people as hypocrites.  This is only partly true.  A more true and accurate statement is, "All people are hypocrites."  The great irony is that the only way to become a Christian is to first admit that you are a rotten sinner, doomed to eternal damnation and separation from God because of your own sin.  After confessing sin in repentance, a Christian is born again through faith in Jesus Christ and receives forgiveness of sins.  No doctrinally sound Christian could claim he is sinless through his own merit, as 1 John 1:10 says, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him [God] a liar, and His word is not in us."  As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are to forsake sin and walk according to Christ's precepts.  But no man clothed in human flesh can do this perfectly.  We all stumble and fall, and we are not hypocrites to admit it.  In fact, we begin to strip away our hypocrisy when we do this!

What comfort there is for Christians in 1 Peter 4:8:  "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."  There are some people who have spent years looking for a church that meets their standards.  These same people would probably leave a church where Jesus Christ Himself was pastor because of all the sinners who attended!  Love does not just cover "a multitude of sins," but "the multitude of sins."  Even in church fellowships with only a few people, there are multitudes of sins represented.  Jesus knew and knows this:  people are sinners who need a Saviour!  I love the fact that Peter does not speak theoretically:  "If there's a multitude of sins, love will cover them."  No!  He says, "There are sins in abundance, and love covers them all."  Proverbs 10:12 affirms, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."  God knows our frame:  He remembers we are dust.  We do well to remember this too and refuse to stand in judgment of one another because a person's Bible translation of choice is a different translation than our own.

Proverbs 17:9 reads, "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends."  When the Christians in Corinth were taking private matters of offense before the legal system, he had strong words of challenge for them in 1 Corinthians 6:7:  "Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?"  It would be better for me to allow myself to be cheated than to stray from walking in love.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us a wonderful description of this kind of love:  "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  I can't count how many times I have read this passage, but it still blows me away.  What love is this, the love of God shown sinners through Jesus Christ!  We can't shed our blood to forgive sins, but we can cover them with the love of Jesus as we trust Him.  Let us be faithful to cover the multitude of sins with God's love.