I love it when reading scripture casts new light on old truths. I was raised in a Calvary Chapel in the '80's, a time when the rapture of the church and the coming of Jesus Christ was often discussed. As I child I would hears adults say things like, "God knows everyone that will be saved. When the gospel is shared with the last person and they make a decision for Christ, it will swing into motion the end time events we read about in scripture. Won't that be amazing?" It was an interesting thought, but one I didn't ponder much. This viewpoint may encourage some people to spread the gospel. Throughout my life, however, this has never been my personal impetus for sharing Christ with those who are lost.
The fact is, Jesus will someday return to set up His kingdom on earth. I believe we are living in the last days, and the catching up of the church is not far off. But the other day I read something in Revelation that floored me, a twist on that old suggestion about "the last person being saved" I have heard many times. Revelation 6:9-11 reads, "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
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And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
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Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." The number that needs to be completed is not those who are born again, but rather those who are martyred for the sake of Jesus Christ and the gospel! What a game changer this is!
In all my life, I have never once heard someone say: “As soon as that last Christian is
martyred for their faith and testimony, then the church will be caught up or Jesus will return.” Wouldn't it be far more profitable, instead of asking questions about the "last one being saved," we asked if we are those willing to die for Christ today? Isn't it a fitting question? As Christians, are we willing to die for our Saviour? Unless we are ready to die for Him, it is likely we will never live for Him as we should. Many people have died for their faith in Jesus Christ. Countless Christians have suffered ruthless torments and embraced death, rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's name sake, even as He suffered for them. All of these martyrs died in faith, and their full tale has been added before the throne of God. It appears more are appointed to be "slain for the Word of God and their testimony" before God will send His judgments upon the earth. It is not the lack of converts which stays Christ's hand, but martyrs.
The question that came to my mind when I read this Revelation passage was, "Am I ready to die? Am I willing?" As Christians we are not called to wait around hoping that someone will kill us, God forbid! Instead we are to die to self, dying daily in obedience to God as faithful disciples of Christ. If we count our lives as precious to ourselves we will lose them, yet if we lose our lives for Christ's sake we will find them. What peace, joy, and rest we find in this paradoxical Christian walk! 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 says, "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
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persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
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always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
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For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
Jesus spoke in John 11:25-26: "...I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
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And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? Those who are born again should not fear death, because it is through Christ's death we live. Our bodies will perish and decay, but our souls will never die. Even as Christ rose from the dead we will rise glorified and live with Him forever. Rejoice, o believer, for death has lost its sting!
30 January 2013
28 January 2013
The Walk of Faith
I am convinced that we often assume we are walking in faith when we haven't even taken a genuine step. It is so easy for us to walk by sight, trusting our eyes or even our gut over relying wholly upon God for direction and preservation. Putting on a parachute requires no faith: it is the jump from the deadly height that is the first step of faith in a parachute. To me faith in God looks and feels at times more like leaping out of a plane without a parachute with only His hands to catch us. We step out in faith when He is our only recourse, strength, and salvation.
The scriptures reveal times where people came to a place when they had no choice but to trust God. If we have not been uncomfortable to do what God says, then we must wonder if we have ever walked in faith! The flesh despises the path of faith, but there is nothing better for the soul. Jacob was forced to walk by faith. He was a man who trusted in God and taught his children to follow after God. Jacob was deceived by his sons to believe Joseph was dead. Joseph had a younger brother named Benjamin who was precious to Jacob. For this reason, Jacob was hyper-protective of Benjamin because he likely blamed himself for the supposed death of Joseph and Benjamin was the only remaining son of his beloved and deceased wife Rachel. Jacob and his household were suffering from a severe famine, and the man selling the corn in Egypt (Joseph in disguise!) said they would not be able to purchase food in Egypt unless Benjamin came with them.
Jacob put it off as long as possible. He procrastinated sending his sons for food because he was unwilling to part with Benjamin. But he realised that he needed to let go of Benjamin so the whole family could live. He said in Genesis 43:13-14, "Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob finally submitted himself into the hands of God in faith when he gave permission for his sons to take Benjamin to Egypt with them. He came to the point when he gave all control of the situation to God: "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob was brought to the place of surrender to God. It was at this point when he was forced to walk in faith. He was reluctant to do so, but God would reward him mightily for his obedience with not only the life of Benjamin, but the with life of his long-lost son Joseph, as one from the dead.
Esther is another prime example. She was a Jewess who was made queen by king Ahasuerus. The king's top advisor, Haman, had made a decree that all the Jews throughout the land were to be killed on a particular day. Esther was counseled by her cousin Mordecai, who had brought her up as his own daughter, to go before the king to plead for the life of the Jewish people. Esther was reluctant to do so, seeing that a person going before the king without an invitation was given the death sentence unless the king held forth the golden sceptre. Mordecai suggested that the salvation of the Jews could even be God's purpose behind her becoming queen. Esther 4:15-16 says, "Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" Esther was brought to the same place as Jacob, the place where she had to walk by faith in God. The decree was against her, as was the law. She committed her life into the hands of God by faith, and God wrought a great salvation: Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordecai was promoted into Haman's role above all princes, and the Jews were granted the right to take up arms for defense and were saved.
Before Jesus went to the cross He said in prayer to His Father in heaven, "Not my will, but yours be done." It was a place of absolute trust and surrender. Jesus knew that torture and the humiliation of a Roman cross awaited Him. He knew the sins of the world would be placed upon Him as a sacrificial Lamb without blemish or spot, and He would face separation from God. This place of no hope in this world without God is where He desires to bring all of us. It is an uncomfortable place we would all love to avoid in our flesh, yet it is ironic that only in this place of trust where we discover and experience God's peace that passes understanding. We realise in these moments of decision when we walk in obedience how worthy God is of our trust. Those who walk in faith in God will never be put to shame.
Have you experienced this walk of faith? Have you first trusted in Christ alone to save you from sins? If you have not, you are certainly not saved! Have you since been in the position where you have been forced to throw yourself upon the mercy of God? It is the perfect place to be. I have been reluctant in my life to walk on the path of faith, as have we all. God desires that we not only trust Him at the first for our salvation, but that we walk by faith continually. Praise God that He supplies the faith and strength to do so, for it is He who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Instead of worrying or complaining because of the difficult challenges in life, praise God that He allows us ample opportunities to trust Him and walk in love, following Christ until the end!
The scriptures reveal times where people came to a place when they had no choice but to trust God. If we have not been uncomfortable to do what God says, then we must wonder if we have ever walked in faith! The flesh despises the path of faith, but there is nothing better for the soul. Jacob was forced to walk by faith. He was a man who trusted in God and taught his children to follow after God. Jacob was deceived by his sons to believe Joseph was dead. Joseph had a younger brother named Benjamin who was precious to Jacob. For this reason, Jacob was hyper-protective of Benjamin because he likely blamed himself for the supposed death of Joseph and Benjamin was the only remaining son of his beloved and deceased wife Rachel. Jacob and his household were suffering from a severe famine, and the man selling the corn in Egypt (Joseph in disguise!) said they would not be able to purchase food in Egypt unless Benjamin came with them.
Jacob put it off as long as possible. He procrastinated sending his sons for food because he was unwilling to part with Benjamin. But he realised that he needed to let go of Benjamin so the whole family could live. He said in Genesis 43:13-14, "Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob finally submitted himself into the hands of God in faith when he gave permission for his sons to take Benjamin to Egypt with them. He came to the point when he gave all control of the situation to God: "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Jacob was brought to the place of surrender to God. It was at this point when he was forced to walk in faith. He was reluctant to do so, but God would reward him mightily for his obedience with not only the life of Benjamin, but the with life of his long-lost son Joseph, as one from the dead.
Esther is another prime example. She was a Jewess who was made queen by king Ahasuerus. The king's top advisor, Haman, had made a decree that all the Jews throughout the land were to be killed on a particular day. Esther was counseled by her cousin Mordecai, who had brought her up as his own daughter, to go before the king to plead for the life of the Jewish people. Esther was reluctant to do so, seeing that a person going before the king without an invitation was given the death sentence unless the king held forth the golden sceptre. Mordecai suggested that the salvation of the Jews could even be God's purpose behind her becoming queen. Esther 4:15-16 says, "Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" Esther was brought to the same place as Jacob, the place where she had to walk by faith in God. The decree was against her, as was the law. She committed her life into the hands of God by faith, and God wrought a great salvation: Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordecai was promoted into Haman's role above all princes, and the Jews were granted the right to take up arms for defense and were saved.
Before Jesus went to the cross He said in prayer to His Father in heaven, "Not my will, but yours be done." It was a place of absolute trust and surrender. Jesus knew that torture and the humiliation of a Roman cross awaited Him. He knew the sins of the world would be placed upon Him as a sacrificial Lamb without blemish or spot, and He would face separation from God. This place of no hope in this world without God is where He desires to bring all of us. It is an uncomfortable place we would all love to avoid in our flesh, yet it is ironic that only in this place of trust where we discover and experience God's peace that passes understanding. We realise in these moments of decision when we walk in obedience how worthy God is of our trust. Those who walk in faith in God will never be put to shame.
Have you experienced this walk of faith? Have you first trusted in Christ alone to save you from sins? If you have not, you are certainly not saved! Have you since been in the position where you have been forced to throw yourself upon the mercy of God? It is the perfect place to be. I have been reluctant in my life to walk on the path of faith, as have we all. God desires that we not only trust Him at the first for our salvation, but that we walk by faith continually. Praise God that He supplies the faith and strength to do so, for it is He who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Instead of worrying or complaining because of the difficult challenges in life, praise God that He allows us ample opportunities to trust Him and walk in love, following Christ until the end!
27 January 2013
Falling Precedes Rising!
The cliche goes, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." It is not a question of whether people fall: sooner or later everyone falls. The more well-known a person is, the bigger the media splash will be. When Jesus came to earth as Immanuel - God made flesh - He came to a fallen world. He came to a world cursed by sin and death. Eight days after His birth to Joseph and the virgin Mary, they brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised and to give a sacrifice according to the law. A just and devout man named Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to be in the temple at that time. After taking Jesus in His arms and praising God, Luke 2:34-35 says "Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
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(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." As verse 34 says, a fall must precede the rising. Man has fallen because of sin, and only God can raise him up by His grace.
Though Jesus was without sin, He too had to fall before He could provide life through the Gospel. John 12:23-24 says, "But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." Before Jesus could be glorified, He needed to lay down His life on Calvary as a sacrifice for sin. He had to die before He could be risen. Just like a single head of grain from which many seeds fall, each growing into plants that produce more grain, Christ's death has led to exponential increase for the kingdom of God.
There is great consolation for us who comprise the fallen humanity on earth. Instead of lamenting our fallen condition in despair, it is in our recognition of it in through confession, repentance, and trusting in Christ that salvation comes. Skilled athletes and the infirm both fall, children both learning to walk and the strongest of men fall every day. We can fall into sin and bondage spiritually as well. But it is Christ who raises us from the dead and lifts up our eyes to see Him in unbridled glory. His resurrection from the dead after three days of being dead is the ultimate sign to all of His victory both over sin and subsequent death. What hope and life we have in Christ! It is not a hope to be experienced after the death of the body, but after the death of sin in our bodies. Once we have received the Spirit of God through the Gospel, we are risen with Christ and seated with Him.
Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Since we have been raised with Him, let us live for Him!
Though Jesus was without sin, He too had to fall before He could provide life through the Gospel. John 12:23-24 says, "But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." Before Jesus could be glorified, He needed to lay down His life on Calvary as a sacrifice for sin. He had to die before He could be risen. Just like a single head of grain from which many seeds fall, each growing into plants that produce more grain, Christ's death has led to exponential increase for the kingdom of God.
There is great consolation for us who comprise the fallen humanity on earth. Instead of lamenting our fallen condition in despair, it is in our recognition of it in through confession, repentance, and trusting in Christ that salvation comes. Skilled athletes and the infirm both fall, children both learning to walk and the strongest of men fall every day. We can fall into sin and bondage spiritually as well. But it is Christ who raises us from the dead and lifts up our eyes to see Him in unbridled glory. His resurrection from the dead after three days of being dead is the ultimate sign to all of His victory both over sin and subsequent death. What hope and life we have in Christ! It is not a hope to be experienced after the death of the body, but after the death of sin in our bodies. Once we have received the Spirit of God through the Gospel, we are risen with Christ and seated with Him.
Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Since we have been raised with Him, let us live for Him!
25 January 2013
Leading by Serving
When I think of someone in charge on a jobsite, I don't think of the men wearing the tools. What comes to mind is a man wearing a suit and tie, glossy hardhat on his head without a single scratch or sticker, and carrying a tablet. The boss of the bosses is not paid to swing a hammer, sweat in the sun, or personally install the product: his role is to make sure the job is manned, coordinated, and completed. He has assistants who aid him with everything including making copies, proofreading, orders, mailing, cleaning and even picking up lunch. His time is always at a premium, and it is a waste of valuable company time for him to do menial duties.
God's picture of leadership is quite different from what we see modeled in the world. Jesus explained this to His disciples in Mark 9:35: "And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." The greatest in God's kingdom are the ones who are slaves of all. Those who humble themselves are the ones God will exalt. Jesus is the prime example of leading through serving. He could have delegated His authority to angels and men to keep Himself insulated from the pain, disease, oppression, and struggles of people on the earth. But He didn't delegate what God commanded Him to do. Philippians 2:5-8 reads, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." We are not to only place ourselves in a humble frame of mind, but embrace the lowest and most menial, even undesirable tasks in obedience to God for His glory. Does being scourged and dying nailed to a cross sound fun?
In the Old Testament, Joseph is a wonderful example of this kind of servant hood. After being falsely accused of sexual assault, Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian prison. We read in Genesis 39:21-23, "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing." Joseph was placed in charge of the prison, though he was himself a prisoner. He was the "shot-caller." Nothing happened in the prison without him knowing about it and giving his approval. Though he didn't have fancy clothes, he was the man walking around with a clipboard. He kept the peace, took care of inventory, and delegated jobs for others to do. What Joseph said was law in that prison.
Yet even with his authority, Joseph served the men he was given charge of. It came to pass that two very high profile men - Pharaoh's chief of the butlers and bakers - were sent to prison by Pharaoh himself. Instead of being placed with the general population, they were incarcerated in a ward in the house of the captain of the guard. Genesis 40:4 tells us, "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while." Joseph did not delegate the task given to him to a man of lesser status or authority, but he served these men himself. Joseph was a man to whom power was given, but he still humbled himself to serve others. Joseph put into practice the exhortation we read in Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Joseph did not use his authority as a means to justify sloth but used his freedom to serve even his fellow inmates.
Is there any task which you see as "below" you? For instance, it is easy for those of us who have children to order them around to do menial tasks we are too lazy to do ourselves. Following Christ's example, we ought to see ourselves as below God, others, or any task! If we are blessed by God to have a spouse and children, let us seek to use our liberty to serve one another in love. If by God's grace we have a job, let us be those who use what authority we have to serve, perhaps taking on the job no one else wants. When our eyes are focused on Christ, our view of seniority changes dramatically. Jesus says in Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." If we want to be first, we must be last of all and servant of all. Since God has chosen us by His grace, may we choose to obey him by serving one another in love!
God's picture of leadership is quite different from what we see modeled in the world. Jesus explained this to His disciples in Mark 9:35: "And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." The greatest in God's kingdom are the ones who are slaves of all. Those who humble themselves are the ones God will exalt. Jesus is the prime example of leading through serving. He could have delegated His authority to angels and men to keep Himself insulated from the pain, disease, oppression, and struggles of people on the earth. But He didn't delegate what God commanded Him to do. Philippians 2:5-8 reads, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." We are not to only place ourselves in a humble frame of mind, but embrace the lowest and most menial, even undesirable tasks in obedience to God for His glory. Does being scourged and dying nailed to a cross sound fun?
In the Old Testament, Joseph is a wonderful example of this kind of servant hood. After being falsely accused of sexual assault, Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian prison. We read in Genesis 39:21-23, "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing." Joseph was placed in charge of the prison, though he was himself a prisoner. He was the "shot-caller." Nothing happened in the prison without him knowing about it and giving his approval. Though he didn't have fancy clothes, he was the man walking around with a clipboard. He kept the peace, took care of inventory, and delegated jobs for others to do. What Joseph said was law in that prison.
Yet even with his authority, Joseph served the men he was given charge of. It came to pass that two very high profile men - Pharaoh's chief of the butlers and bakers - were sent to prison by Pharaoh himself. Instead of being placed with the general population, they were incarcerated in a ward in the house of the captain of the guard. Genesis 40:4 tells us, "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while." Joseph did not delegate the task given to him to a man of lesser status or authority, but he served these men himself. Joseph was a man to whom power was given, but he still humbled himself to serve others. Joseph put into practice the exhortation we read in Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Joseph did not use his authority as a means to justify sloth but used his freedom to serve even his fellow inmates.
Is there any task which you see as "below" you? For instance, it is easy for those of us who have children to order them around to do menial tasks we are too lazy to do ourselves. Following Christ's example, we ought to see ourselves as below God, others, or any task! If we are blessed by God to have a spouse and children, let us seek to use our liberty to serve one another in love. If by God's grace we have a job, let us be those who use what authority we have to serve, perhaps taking on the job no one else wants. When our eyes are focused on Christ, our view of seniority changes dramatically. Jesus says in Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." If we want to be first, we must be last of all and servant of all. Since God has chosen us by His grace, may we choose to obey him by serving one another in love!
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