2 Kings 4:43
But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?”
He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’”
Could you feed one hundred men with 20 loaves of bread? My guess is yes. On average there are about 18 slices of bread in a loaf. I like numbers with zeros in them, so let’s call it 20. Twenty slices of bread times twenty loaves of bread equals 400 slices of bread. (Its simple math, 20 X 20 = 400.) That’s 400 slices of bread. That’s a lot, right? Well, maybe, but maybe not.
I’m basing my calculations on 100 men and 20 loaves of Wonder Bread. The fact is these 20 loaves of bread were probably not that big, and there were probably women and children present too. Elisha says “feed the people” but his servant refers only to the men. I’m not sure how many people were there, but I’m pretty sure that they physically didn’t have enough bread to feed everyone.
When I read this story, I thought about another time in the Bible where some bread (and fish) were used to feed a whole lot of people. One time Jesus used seven loaves and some fish to feed about 4000 people (Mark 8, Matthew 15), not including women and children. On another occasion He fed 5000 people (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6) with five loaves and two fish. In both of these accounts there were hungry people and Jesus told His disciples to feed them, and in both of these accounts there were leftovers.
There seems to be a recurring theme in the Bible that has to do with bread, feeding, and leftovers. This bread is a physical representation of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. In all of the stories it is the disciples who are told to feed the people. In all of the stories the people are fully satisfied and there are leftovers at the end.
My friends, we are disciples called to feed the people. We haven’t been called to teach people how to live a good life, be a better person, or follow a bunch of rules. We don’t need a degree in theology, a doctorate in Calvinism, or a diploma in Biblical interpretation; we simply need Jesus, the Bread, and some hungry people. The more we share Jesus Christ, His grace, salvation, restoration, and blessings with the hungry, lonely, and hurting, the more Jesus Christ will abound. There will be satisfaction in the spiritual stomachs of all who eat, and there will be more Jesus left over at the end.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Words and deeds
Isaiah 55:11
So is My word that goeth out of My mouth, It turneth not back unto Me empty, But hath done that which I desired, And prosperously effected that [for] which I sent it.
Have you ever told yourself “I’m going to...” and then not done it, or “I’m never going to...again” and then done it? Have you ever told someone else something that you planned to do, and then not followed through? Come on now, be honest. The truth is, we’ve all done it: spoken thoughts, resolutions, and promises that we never accomplished. Just look at our annual “I’m gonna drop 20 pounds” festival every January 1! We are full of the best intentions, but simply put, our words don’t have the power to do what our hearts intend.
When it comes to accomplishing good things (i.e., weight loss goals, starting a soup kitchen, or curing cancer), just talking about it doesn’t get the job done. Our words, on their own, just can’t cut it. When we speak words, we have to act on them in order for our words to have any effect. If you want to cure cancer, simply saying “I’m going to cure cancer” won’t conjure up a cure. You’re going to have to study, work, and put forth a great effort in order to accomplish such an incredible task.
God, however, is not like us. When He speaks, galaxies are formed. They aren’t the result of His years of study followed by field training in the galaxy industry; God can create simply by opening His mouth and speaking. He’s awesome! But how is His work accomplished? Through His spoken Word.
When God said “Let there be light...” (Genesis 1:3) Jesus made it shine (John 1:1). You see, even the words of God require work to accomplish the job. He speaks, reaches out, and creates. When God speaks, however, He never fails. When we speak, even with good intentions, failure is always a hidden option. We don’t like to acknowledge it, but it’s true. I can say all day long that I’m going to cure cancer. I can go to medical school and study until my head swells. But I cannot definitively say, beyond the shadow of a doubt, “I am going to cure cancer.”
The good news is this: though our words and best intentions may return to us empty, the Word(s) of God will never return without prospering.
The greatest example of this is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14). God sent His Word to us not to help us accomplish our goals, but to actually accomplish them for us. Jesus Christ did all that the Father desired. He lived a perfect life; He fulfilled the law. He restored the fallen nature of mankind and hung, cursed, on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23). He died on the cross for the salvation of the world. He became sin so that we could be made righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ PROSPEROUSLY effected that for which He was sent: redemption.
Jesus didn’t return to the Father empty handed. He had holes in His hand to show the work was finished. Though my words and my efforts are filled with good intentions, I cannot cure cancer. But the Word of God is so much more than just good intentions. It is the starting point of salvation and the finishing goal. He is the one who accomplished all that He came to do. That doesn’t just mean eternal salvation; it means abundant life, now. He bore our infirmities on His back, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3)!
Praise God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who has prosperously accomplished all that the Father desired. And thank the Lord that His desire is to see us restored, healthy, healed, and perfected through the blood of Jesus!
So is My word that goeth out of My mouth, It turneth not back unto Me empty, But hath done that which I desired, And prosperously effected that [for] which I sent it.
Have you ever told yourself “I’m going to...” and then not done it, or “I’m never going to...again” and then done it? Have you ever told someone else something that you planned to do, and then not followed through? Come on now, be honest. The truth is, we’ve all done it: spoken thoughts, resolutions, and promises that we never accomplished. Just look at our annual “I’m gonna drop 20 pounds” festival every January 1! We are full of the best intentions, but simply put, our words don’t have the power to do what our hearts intend.
When it comes to accomplishing good things (i.e., weight loss goals, starting a soup kitchen, or curing cancer), just talking about it doesn’t get the job done. Our words, on their own, just can’t cut it. When we speak words, we have to act on them in order for our words to have any effect. If you want to cure cancer, simply saying “I’m going to cure cancer” won’t conjure up a cure. You’re going to have to study, work, and put forth a great effort in order to accomplish such an incredible task.
God, however, is not like us. When He speaks, galaxies are formed. They aren’t the result of His years of study followed by field training in the galaxy industry; God can create simply by opening His mouth and speaking. He’s awesome! But how is His work accomplished? Through His spoken Word.
When God said “Let there be light...” (Genesis 1:3) Jesus made it shine (John 1:1). You see, even the words of God require work to accomplish the job. He speaks, reaches out, and creates. When God speaks, however, He never fails. When we speak, even with good intentions, failure is always a hidden option. We don’t like to acknowledge it, but it’s true. I can say all day long that I’m going to cure cancer. I can go to medical school and study until my head swells. But I cannot definitively say, beyond the shadow of a doubt, “I am going to cure cancer.”
The good news is this: though our words and best intentions may return to us empty, the Word(s) of God will never return without prospering.
The greatest example of this is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14). God sent His Word to us not to help us accomplish our goals, but to actually accomplish them for us. Jesus Christ did all that the Father desired. He lived a perfect life; He fulfilled the law. He restored the fallen nature of mankind and hung, cursed, on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23). He died on the cross for the salvation of the world. He became sin so that we could be made righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ PROSPEROUSLY effected that for which He was sent: redemption.
Jesus didn’t return to the Father empty handed. He had holes in His hand to show the work was finished. Though my words and my efforts are filled with good intentions, I cannot cure cancer. But the Word of God is so much more than just good intentions. It is the starting point of salvation and the finishing goal. He is the one who accomplished all that He came to do. That doesn’t just mean eternal salvation; it means abundant life, now. He bore our infirmities on His back, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3)!
Praise God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who has prosperously accomplished all that the Father desired. And thank the Lord that His desire is to see us restored, healthy, healed, and perfected through the blood of Jesus!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Still small voice?
Isaiah 51:7
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.
Any one who is a parent, has a parent, or someday may be a parent has heard or said the following words: “Listen to me!” It’s not often that we hear these words in a quiet tone, and being a parent, I know that those of us who speak them certainly aren’t whispering. Why, then, do we assume that God always speaks through a whisper in our lives? I know that it’s commonly taught that God speaks in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12-13), but as far as I know that’s the only instance of His whispering to get someone’s attention.
God called Samuel while he was lying down (1 Samuel 3:3-4), getting ready to sleep; surely He wasn’t whispering at that moment. He spoke to Moses through a flaming bush (Exodus 3:4); that doesn’t seem still and small to me. He spoke to all of us through Jesus Christ, who wasn’t quiet, reserved, still, or small by any means. Christ ate with sinners, touched lepers, raised dead men, yelled at Pharisees, and conversed with rulers. He did all of these things publicly and usually with large numbers of people around Him. Christ was not quiet when He spoke.
Today we have the Bible, the Living Word of God, that “speaks” to us. Is it quiet? Is it still? I guess that depends on who you are and what you’re doing with it. If you walk by the Bible every day and never read it, then it is a still small voice, literally. But, if you pick it up, carry it around, flip through its pages, and read the words, it will call to you, loudly!
Back to the beginning, “Listen to me”. Are we to assume that God is whispering this to us? Just for fun, right now, try it; whisper “Listen to me” and see how ridiculous it sounds. The fact is this: God does speak softly sometimes so that we’ll really focus on what He has to say, but those times are rare. The truth is God knows we’re all a little slow on the uptake and whispering isn’t the best way to get us to pay attention. (Remember, He created us; He knows us!) Most of the time, like a parent, He’s calling, loudly, to get our attention.
When I say “Listen to me!” (actually, yell is more appropriate than say here), it is so I can get my son’s attention to tell him something. Some of the time when I say these words it’s because I’m trying to protect him from something or correct his behavior. But, the truth be known, a lot of times I have to preface “I love you” with “Listen to me”. Odd, don’t you think?
God speaks in many ways, but most often it’s in ways that we’ll instantly recognize. In this case, He’s calling out “Listen to me” and is following it (like the rest of us who speak those words) with something important. First, He clarifies to whom He is speaking. In this case He’s calling out to Christians: those who know Jesus (Righteousness) and in whose heart is written the Law (Jesus, the fulfillment of the law). Then He says what’s on His mind: don’t be afraid.
It’s really a simple message and it’s true from Genesis to Revelation. God never changes. In the Old Testament, He says over and over “Don’t be afraid”; in the New Testament, as Jesus, He says “Don’t be afraid”. He’s not whispering this to you, to me, to us; He’s stating it with authority.
Sure, God has the ability to speak in a still, small voice, and sure, He still does that today, in some cases. But the greatest testimony God ever gave was with a shout, a cry, in a loud and commanding voice, “IT IS FINISHED”. His greatest lesson, His most important speaking engagement was on a cross, where He died for the sins of the world and the restoration of all mankind. Now that speaks VOLUMES!
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.
Any one who is a parent, has a parent, or someday may be a parent has heard or said the following words: “Listen to me!” It’s not often that we hear these words in a quiet tone, and being a parent, I know that those of us who speak them certainly aren’t whispering. Why, then, do we assume that God always speaks through a whisper in our lives? I know that it’s commonly taught that God speaks in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12-13), but as far as I know that’s the only instance of His whispering to get someone’s attention.
God called Samuel while he was lying down (1 Samuel 3:3-4), getting ready to sleep; surely He wasn’t whispering at that moment. He spoke to Moses through a flaming bush (Exodus 3:4); that doesn’t seem still and small to me. He spoke to all of us through Jesus Christ, who wasn’t quiet, reserved, still, or small by any means. Christ ate with sinners, touched lepers, raised dead men, yelled at Pharisees, and conversed with rulers. He did all of these things publicly and usually with large numbers of people around Him. Christ was not quiet when He spoke.
Today we have the Bible, the Living Word of God, that “speaks” to us. Is it quiet? Is it still? I guess that depends on who you are and what you’re doing with it. If you walk by the Bible every day and never read it, then it is a still small voice, literally. But, if you pick it up, carry it around, flip through its pages, and read the words, it will call to you, loudly!
Back to the beginning, “Listen to me”. Are we to assume that God is whispering this to us? Just for fun, right now, try it; whisper “Listen to me” and see how ridiculous it sounds. The fact is this: God does speak softly sometimes so that we’ll really focus on what He has to say, but those times are rare. The truth is God knows we’re all a little slow on the uptake and whispering isn’t the best way to get us to pay attention. (Remember, He created us; He knows us!) Most of the time, like a parent, He’s calling, loudly, to get our attention.
When I say “Listen to me!” (actually, yell is more appropriate than say here), it is so I can get my son’s attention to tell him something. Some of the time when I say these words it’s because I’m trying to protect him from something or correct his behavior. But, the truth be known, a lot of times I have to preface “I love you” with “Listen to me”. Odd, don’t you think?
God speaks in many ways, but most often it’s in ways that we’ll instantly recognize. In this case, He’s calling out “Listen to me” and is following it (like the rest of us who speak those words) with something important. First, He clarifies to whom He is speaking. In this case He’s calling out to Christians: those who know Jesus (Righteousness) and in whose heart is written the Law (Jesus, the fulfillment of the law). Then He says what’s on His mind: don’t be afraid.
It’s really a simple message and it’s true from Genesis to Revelation. God never changes. In the Old Testament, He says over and over “Don’t be afraid”; in the New Testament, as Jesus, He says “Don’t be afraid”. He’s not whispering this to you, to me, to us; He’s stating it with authority.
Sure, God has the ability to speak in a still, small voice, and sure, He still does that today, in some cases. But the greatest testimony God ever gave was with a shout, a cry, in a loud and commanding voice, “IT IS FINISHED”. His greatest lesson, His most important speaking engagement was on a cross, where He died for the sins of the world and the restoration of all mankind. Now that speaks VOLUMES!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Mr. Grace
John 4:16
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
What was Jesus saying; what was He doing? Obviously, from the text we can gather that He was telling her to go get her husband. But from the conversation that follows, we learn that she isn’t married. In fact, she is living with a man who isn’t her husband, and she had already been married five times before. (Jesus tells her this after she answers Him saying “...I have no husband...” John 4:17)
So why did He ask her that question? Was it so that He could reveal to her that He knew everything about her life? I’m not sure; yes and no. I believe that this woman was literally with her sixth man, but given the fact that the preceding verses and the verses that follow revolve around a spiritual message, I think He was making a spiritual point. His message to her was physical and spiritual; to us, it’s spiritual. That’s why this passage is in the Bible.
The way I see it, we’ve all, at some point or another, been the Samaritan woman. We’ve been married countless times, right? Some of us have been married to our jobs, others, to our children’s future. Some of us have been married to cocaine and drug addiction, and some pornography. Some of us have even married our ministries at the church. Most importantly of all, nearly every single one of us have been married to Mr. Law.
You know him, he’s the do-guy. He never helps; he only demands. Every one of his demands is impossible to meet. He makes you do everything to please him, then says “It’s not good enough.” If you fall short of his requirements, he points out your shortcomings and cuts you down with guilt. He’s perfect in every way and unless you are too, he cannot tolerate you.
You see, the message Jesus was bringing to this Samaritan woman was the Gospel of Grace. He was telling her, and He was telling us, that we’ve been married to the wrong guy all this time. Whether you’ve been married to a drug addiction or the Ten Commandments, you’ll never succeed in meeting their expectations. Jesus, however, is the Husband who gives. He told this woman, “...but the water I shall give... (John 4:14)
I’m not saying that the Ten Commandments are sins, but to be the bride of Christ means we can’t be married to Mr. Law. We have to be married to Mr. Grace. We can’t overlook the numbers in this story. Five husbands: the law was given in the first five books of the Bible. She married each of these men, living according to law. Guy number six she lived with out of wedlock. Six is the number associated with man, with sin, with the devil. The first five represent her inability to keep the law. The sixth guy represents any sin in her life. But, lucky number seven; He’s the Christ.
Seven is the number of perfection and completion. On the seventh day God rested. Jesus came to give us rest (Matthew 11:28) Jesus wants us to be married to Him, and to His ever abundant grace. He wants to do for us what we have been doing for our former husbands all these years. Jesus wants to be the Man in our lives that we’ve all, as brides, longed for. He is our shield and strength (Psalm 28:7); He is our provider (Psalm 23:1); He is our reward (Isaiah 49:4); He is our salvation (Psalm 27:1)!
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
What was Jesus saying; what was He doing? Obviously, from the text we can gather that He was telling her to go get her husband. But from the conversation that follows, we learn that she isn’t married. In fact, she is living with a man who isn’t her husband, and she had already been married five times before. (Jesus tells her this after she answers Him saying “...I have no husband...” John 4:17)
So why did He ask her that question? Was it so that He could reveal to her that He knew everything about her life? I’m not sure; yes and no. I believe that this woman was literally with her sixth man, but given the fact that the preceding verses and the verses that follow revolve around a spiritual message, I think He was making a spiritual point. His message to her was physical and spiritual; to us, it’s spiritual. That’s why this passage is in the Bible.
The way I see it, we’ve all, at some point or another, been the Samaritan woman. We’ve been married countless times, right? Some of us have been married to our jobs, others, to our children’s future. Some of us have been married to cocaine and drug addiction, and some pornography. Some of us have even married our ministries at the church. Most importantly of all, nearly every single one of us have been married to Mr. Law.
You know him, he’s the do-guy. He never helps; he only demands. Every one of his demands is impossible to meet. He makes you do everything to please him, then says “It’s not good enough.” If you fall short of his requirements, he points out your shortcomings and cuts you down with guilt. He’s perfect in every way and unless you are too, he cannot tolerate you.
You see, the message Jesus was bringing to this Samaritan woman was the Gospel of Grace. He was telling her, and He was telling us, that we’ve been married to the wrong guy all this time. Whether you’ve been married to a drug addiction or the Ten Commandments, you’ll never succeed in meeting their expectations. Jesus, however, is the Husband who gives. He told this woman, “...but the water I shall give... (John 4:14)
I’m not saying that the Ten Commandments are sins, but to be the bride of Christ means we can’t be married to Mr. Law. We have to be married to Mr. Grace. We can’t overlook the numbers in this story. Five husbands: the law was given in the first five books of the Bible. She married each of these men, living according to law. Guy number six she lived with out of wedlock. Six is the number associated with man, with sin, with the devil. The first five represent her inability to keep the law. The sixth guy represents any sin in her life. But, lucky number seven; He’s the Christ.
Seven is the number of perfection and completion. On the seventh day God rested. Jesus came to give us rest (Matthew 11:28) Jesus wants us to be married to Him, and to His ever abundant grace. He wants to do for us what we have been doing for our former husbands all these years. Jesus wants to be the Man in our lives that we’ve all, as brides, longed for. He is our shield and strength (Psalm 28:7); He is our provider (Psalm 23:1); He is our reward (Isaiah 49:4); He is our salvation (Psalm 27:1)!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Order up!
Mark 6:41
And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.
I like going out to eat. Anyone who knows me would verify that statement. It’s just an enjoyable experience. There’s no work involved on my part; the food is cooked by someone else and brought to me by the waiter. When I’m done, the dirty dishes are removed, by the waiter; I don’t have to wash them. It’s fantastic!
I’ve never really considered this: we, Christians, are God’s waiters. Before you begin to worry that this is going down the service road, let me assure you, it is, but in a different way. I’m not going to expound on all of the things that we have to do in order to be “working” for God. This isn’t about fulfilling the law or being justified by our works. This is about the Gospel, the Good News; this is about delivering dinner to the hungry!
The way I see it, God is the owner of this restaurant. He’s responsible for ordering the supplies, prepping the ingredients, and lighting the oven. He pays the light bill, the gas bill, and the water bill. He stands in the kitchen endlessly (anyone who has ever worked in the industry knows this) preparing food. We deliver.
Just like Jesus told His disciples to set the food before the people, we have to do the same with the Gospel. It is not our responsibility to cram it down their throats or to make sure they eat every last crumb, only to set it before them. It’s up to the individual to reach out and take what has been prepared for them. If they desire to eat it all, let them try. The fact is, no one is capable of finishing the entire meal; there are always Jesus leftovers (Mark 6:43).
We have gone to Jesus and told Him the people are hungry. He, in turn, has given us His word, the Bible, to present to them. We are to rightly divide it (2 Timothy 2:15) in order to reveal Christ, the Bread of Life to them. Our “work” is placing the food on the table. Their “work” is reaching out and consuming it!
The strange and marvelous twist, however, is this: God’s restaurant isn’t really a restaurant; it’s more like a soup kitchen. There is no cost to eat; there is no shame in coming. He has already spent the time prepping the meal and it’s ready to go. He has already paid the price through the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The poor, lonely, destitute, stinky, and nasty are all just as welcome as the rich, beautiful, and good-smelling. That’s the beauty of His Grace.
Jesus has given us more than we need to fill the masses. There is a supernatural abundance of grace ready to explode from the words in the Bible. We just have to deliver it to the hungry people and let them consume all they desire!
And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.
I like going out to eat. Anyone who knows me would verify that statement. It’s just an enjoyable experience. There’s no work involved on my part; the food is cooked by someone else and brought to me by the waiter. When I’m done, the dirty dishes are removed, by the waiter; I don’t have to wash them. It’s fantastic!
I’ve never really considered this: we, Christians, are God’s waiters. Before you begin to worry that this is going down the service road, let me assure you, it is, but in a different way. I’m not going to expound on all of the things that we have to do in order to be “working” for God. This isn’t about fulfilling the law or being justified by our works. This is about the Gospel, the Good News; this is about delivering dinner to the hungry!
The way I see it, God is the owner of this restaurant. He’s responsible for ordering the supplies, prepping the ingredients, and lighting the oven. He pays the light bill, the gas bill, and the water bill. He stands in the kitchen endlessly (anyone who has ever worked in the industry knows this) preparing food. We deliver.
Just like Jesus told His disciples to set the food before the people, we have to do the same with the Gospel. It is not our responsibility to cram it down their throats or to make sure they eat every last crumb, only to set it before them. It’s up to the individual to reach out and take what has been prepared for them. If they desire to eat it all, let them try. The fact is, no one is capable of finishing the entire meal; there are always Jesus leftovers (Mark 6:43).
We have gone to Jesus and told Him the people are hungry. He, in turn, has given us His word, the Bible, to present to them. We are to rightly divide it (2 Timothy 2:15) in order to reveal Christ, the Bread of Life to them. Our “work” is placing the food on the table. Their “work” is reaching out and consuming it!
The strange and marvelous twist, however, is this: God’s restaurant isn’t really a restaurant; it’s more like a soup kitchen. There is no cost to eat; there is no shame in coming. He has already spent the time prepping the meal and it’s ready to go. He has already paid the price through the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The poor, lonely, destitute, stinky, and nasty are all just as welcome as the rich, beautiful, and good-smelling. That’s the beauty of His Grace.
Jesus has given us more than we need to fill the masses. There is a supernatural abundance of grace ready to explode from the words in the Bible. We just have to deliver it to the hungry people and let them consume all they desire!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Promises
Psalms 116:8-9
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
Do you believe that what the word of God says is true at face value? This is a tough question to answer. A lot of times as Christians we get so focused on establishing the groundwork for our faith in a six day creation, literal temptation and fall of man, or Noah’s Ark, that we forget the rest of God’s word. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that the aforementioned aren’t true, and that we shouldn’t believe that they happened. By all means these things are fundamental to belief in God, the supreme Creator. What I am saying is this: we should focus just as much effort on believing and teaching passages like this one as we do on establishing the foundation of our faith on a six day creation!
There is power in this passage, confidence, strength, grace, favor, and forgiveness. The gospel is in there; Jesus’ redemption is in this passage. These verses are full of hope and encouragement. Hope is what brings about faith (Hebrews 11:1); faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).
If you don’t believe me, let’s check it out and see. “He has saved me...” This is in the past tense; it’s already been done. God, through Jesus Christ, since the beginning of time, has saved you (Revelation 13:8). But the second verse is present tense! That means the work of salvation is done so that you (we) can currently, right now, walk and live in the presence of the Lord, on earth.
There is no need to wait for heaven; no need to think, “When I die I’ll have peace; my (insert problem) will be gone,” because the Bible says you have it now, ON EARTH! Do you believe it? That’s the question!
We believe that Noah floated with the animals. We believe that David killed Goliath. We believe that Moses parted the Red Sea. We believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day. But do we believe that the abundant life He came to give is really ours (John 10:10)? Do we believe that we walk in His presence right here as we LIVE on earth? Or are we so caught up in our anticipation of heaven that we look right past the Christ who is with us?
It’s challenging, I know. You may even think that this is out of the norm; that’s okay. I believe all of the Bible, not just the fundamental stories that establish a base for religion. It’s time that we all start believing what the word of God says. It’s good to believe the stories (they’re true) but we have to believe the rest as well. We have to lay hold of the promises. We have to claim each word of the Bible as our own. We have to say, “I walk in the Lord’s presence as I LIVE here on earth!”
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
Do you believe that what the word of God says is true at face value? This is a tough question to answer. A lot of times as Christians we get so focused on establishing the groundwork for our faith in a six day creation, literal temptation and fall of man, or Noah’s Ark, that we forget the rest of God’s word. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that the aforementioned aren’t true, and that we shouldn’t believe that they happened. By all means these things are fundamental to belief in God, the supreme Creator. What I am saying is this: we should focus just as much effort on believing and teaching passages like this one as we do on establishing the foundation of our faith on a six day creation!
There is power in this passage, confidence, strength, grace, favor, and forgiveness. The gospel is in there; Jesus’ redemption is in this passage. These verses are full of hope and encouragement. Hope is what brings about faith (Hebrews 11:1); faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).
If you don’t believe me, let’s check it out and see. “He has saved me...” This is in the past tense; it’s already been done. God, through Jesus Christ, since the beginning of time, has saved you (Revelation 13:8). But the second verse is present tense! That means the work of salvation is done so that you (we) can currently, right now, walk and live in the presence of the Lord, on earth.
There is no need to wait for heaven; no need to think, “When I die I’ll have peace; my (insert problem) will be gone,” because the Bible says you have it now, ON EARTH! Do you believe it? That’s the question!
We believe that Noah floated with the animals. We believe that David killed Goliath. We believe that Moses parted the Red Sea. We believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day. But do we believe that the abundant life He came to give is really ours (John 10:10)? Do we believe that we walk in His presence right here as we LIVE on earth? Or are we so caught up in our anticipation of heaven that we look right past the Christ who is with us?
It’s challenging, I know. You may even think that this is out of the norm; that’s okay. I believe all of the Bible, not just the fundamental stories that establish a base for religion. It’s time that we all start believing what the word of God says. It’s good to believe the stories (they’re true) but we have to believe the rest as well. We have to lay hold of the promises. We have to claim each word of the Bible as our own. We have to say, “I walk in the Lord’s presence as I LIVE here on earth!”
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Foot obsession?
Matthew 10:14
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Jesus’ words here imply that whoever it was that went in to preach the gospel stayed for a little while. They at least stayed long enough for the dust to settle. Have you ever wondered about Jesus’ fascination with feet?
This isn’t the only time He uses clean feet as a symbol. In John 13 Jesus cleans His disciples’ feet before dinner. So what is His deal? Why this, dare I say, obsession with clean feet?
Well, there’s the symbolism. Here, in Matthew, He’s telling the disciples to shake the dust from their feet before they go. It’s always presented as though He’s telling them to leave in a hurry. Dust off and go! But that’s not really the case. Jesus doesn’t say to leave immediately if the people do not receive the gospel; He says, “...when you depart...”, implying that the disciples could have stayed for some time. The implication is that we could stay for some time with people who aren’t willing to receive the gospel too.
In John, however, it’s always taught that the servant’s heart is being shown. Do for others, serve one another, serve the church. I’ve heard it before, “If Jesus was willing to be a servant, you should be too.” I’m not exactly sure this is an accurate interpretation. Sure, He tells the disciples that they should do for each other what He did for them. But why do we use this story as an example of church involvement? In truth it has nothing to do with serving in the church; it has to do with something completely different.
Well then, what is Jesus talking about? Could it be that Jesus’ fascination with feet has nothing to do with the feet and everything to do with the dust?
In Genesis, God curses the Devil in a very specific way. He says, “...on your belly you shall go and you shall eat dust all the days of your life...” (Genesis 3:14) If dust is the food of the Devil, that would explain Jesus’ obsession with getting it off of our feet! God and Jesus (being the same person) are using literal things to illustrate spiritual points.
Jesus wants you to know that when you are in an area that is unreceptive to the gospel, food for the Devil is present. If you stay for any period of time, you run the risk of picking up traces of the Devil’s dinner on you. Jesus wants you to dust off your feet, that is, renew yourself in Him, before moving on. The message is exactly the same when He washes His disciples’ feet. He doesn’t necessarily want us going from church to church with basins and towels washing one another’s feet; He wants us restoring one another with His grace-filled message of salvation.
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Jesus’ words here imply that whoever it was that went in to preach the gospel stayed for a little while. They at least stayed long enough for the dust to settle. Have you ever wondered about Jesus’ fascination with feet?
This isn’t the only time He uses clean feet as a symbol. In John 13 Jesus cleans His disciples’ feet before dinner. So what is His deal? Why this, dare I say, obsession with clean feet?
Well, there’s the symbolism. Here, in Matthew, He’s telling the disciples to shake the dust from their feet before they go. It’s always presented as though He’s telling them to leave in a hurry. Dust off and go! But that’s not really the case. Jesus doesn’t say to leave immediately if the people do not receive the gospel; He says, “...when you depart...”, implying that the disciples could have stayed for some time. The implication is that we could stay for some time with people who aren’t willing to receive the gospel too.
In John, however, it’s always taught that the servant’s heart is being shown. Do for others, serve one another, serve the church. I’ve heard it before, “If Jesus was willing to be a servant, you should be too.” I’m not exactly sure this is an accurate interpretation. Sure, He tells the disciples that they should do for each other what He did for them. But why do we use this story as an example of church involvement? In truth it has nothing to do with serving in the church; it has to do with something completely different.
Well then, what is Jesus talking about? Could it be that Jesus’ fascination with feet has nothing to do with the feet and everything to do with the dust?
In Genesis, God curses the Devil in a very specific way. He says, “...on your belly you shall go and you shall eat dust all the days of your life...” (Genesis 3:14) If dust is the food of the Devil, that would explain Jesus’ obsession with getting it off of our feet! God and Jesus (being the same person) are using literal things to illustrate spiritual points.
Jesus wants you to know that when you are in an area that is unreceptive to the gospel, food for the Devil is present. If you stay for any period of time, you run the risk of picking up traces of the Devil’s dinner on you. Jesus wants you to dust off your feet, that is, renew yourself in Him, before moving on. The message is exactly the same when He washes His disciples’ feet. He doesn’t necessarily want us going from church to church with basins and towels washing one another’s feet; He wants us restoring one another with His grace-filled message of salvation.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Uttermost
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Have you ever done something that makes you think “There’s no way I’ll be forgiven for this one.”? I have. I’ve made some horrible choices in my life. Some of them involved my body and my mind; they were choices that affected me on a personal level. Others, however, involved the people in my life. Those choices didn’t only impact me, but those who were associated with me.
The thought “There’s no way I’ll be forgiven...” is one that drives more people from Christ than to Christ. The devil likes to manipulate the mind into thinking that your sin is far worse than someone else’s sin. The truth is this: sin is sin; there is no bell curve when it comes to sin. But, because we are human and think on a grading scale, we allow the sin (murder, rape, child abuse, drug addiction, whatever) to dictate its importance on the judgement meter (which incidentally doesn’t exist).
God knew that we would think this way. Look at our legal system, the way it’s designed. Some laws are infractions, others are misdemeanors, still others are felonies. And even in that system there are different levels of offense. There are class 1, 2, 3 misdemeanors, or class a, b, c felonies. We like to give different weight to different offenses, but God does not. All offenses are the same to Him. There is no sin worse than any other sin.
But God, knowing our minds and our desire to “reason” through sin, decided to meet us on our level with His Word. If you were concerned about the level of offense you’ve committed, God says, “...He is able to save to the UTTERMOST...” That “uttermost” is what levels the playing field for you. That “uttermost” is what assures you that no matter what, God is able to forgive you through Jesus Christ. There is nothing you can do, did do, or will do, that Jesus Christ didn’t bear in His body at the cross. That’s some freeing news.
But wait, there’s more...
Realizing that Jesus died for your sins is just the beginning; the best part is that He rose from the dead! He defeated the curse of death and He lives. He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Even greater than that is this: He lives, always, to make intercession for you. It’s the desire of Jesus, it’s His life, to continually give you a good name in Heaven. Whether you did something in the past or are going to do something in the future, Jesus Christ will stand before God in your place and say, “It is finished!”
The grace of God is more than any of us can fathom. Just rest and receive the forgiveness and blessings offered through Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross.
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Have you ever done something that makes you think “There’s no way I’ll be forgiven for this one.”? I have. I’ve made some horrible choices in my life. Some of them involved my body and my mind; they were choices that affected me on a personal level. Others, however, involved the people in my life. Those choices didn’t only impact me, but those who were associated with me.
The thought “There’s no way I’ll be forgiven...” is one that drives more people from Christ than to Christ. The devil likes to manipulate the mind into thinking that your sin is far worse than someone else’s sin. The truth is this: sin is sin; there is no bell curve when it comes to sin. But, because we are human and think on a grading scale, we allow the sin (murder, rape, child abuse, drug addiction, whatever) to dictate its importance on the judgement meter (which incidentally doesn’t exist).
God knew that we would think this way. Look at our legal system, the way it’s designed. Some laws are infractions, others are misdemeanors, still others are felonies. And even in that system there are different levels of offense. There are class 1, 2, 3 misdemeanors, or class a, b, c felonies. We like to give different weight to different offenses, but God does not. All offenses are the same to Him. There is no sin worse than any other sin.
But God, knowing our minds and our desire to “reason” through sin, decided to meet us on our level with His Word. If you were concerned about the level of offense you’ve committed, God says, “...He is able to save to the UTTERMOST...” That “uttermost” is what levels the playing field for you. That “uttermost” is what assures you that no matter what, God is able to forgive you through Jesus Christ. There is nothing you can do, did do, or will do, that Jesus Christ didn’t bear in His body at the cross. That’s some freeing news.
But wait, there’s more...
Realizing that Jesus died for your sins is just the beginning; the best part is that He rose from the dead! He defeated the curse of death and He lives. He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Even greater than that is this: He lives, always, to make intercession for you. It’s the desire of Jesus, it’s His life, to continually give you a good name in Heaven. Whether you did something in the past or are going to do something in the future, Jesus Christ will stand before God in your place and say, “It is finished!”
The grace of God is more than any of us can fathom. Just rest and receive the forgiveness and blessings offered through Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross.
Friday, August 5, 2011
All for One?
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
So, have you found security in knowing that the debt ceiling has been raised? No, I assure you I’m not going down that road with this posting. I just thought that would get your attention! But I would like to address the fact that the world’s economy is failing and we Christians, those who are the Bride of Christ, don’t have a thing to worry about.
Like so many other people today, I have a tendency to get swept away in the sensational news broadcasts that declare the end of the world is near. Whether it’s FOX news telling us how the President is driving the country into the ground, or GMA reporting that the government is going to shut down because we’re just flat broke, bad news sells.
But there is a bad side to bad news. It causes fear, anxiety, heart problems, wars, anger, depression, contentions, jealousy, class-ism, and a myriad of other things. Good News, however, puts a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and some joy in your life. So, for today, Good News.
What do I mean by Good News? Simple; Jesus Christ has opened the storehouses of God’s blessings to all of humanity through His perfect, once and for all, sacrifice on the cross. His humiliation, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven has given us free, unmerited access to the throne of God, where we, sanctified by His blood, are assured salvation.
Christ Himself, before His crucifixion, gave us this promise: first go after the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. What things? Food, water, and clothing, the things that so many people right now are terrified that they’ll go without. But the promise of Christ says “shall”. That’s not a might, maybe, could be, or almost always will be; it is a resounding “shall” from the Son of God!
Friends, there’s a world of turmoil out there, but one thing is for certain: those who are in Christ shall have food, water, and clothing. We shall have a supernatural supply in a world that is full of demand. For we know that Christ is the King whose kingdom we seek; He is Righteousness made man to receive the judgement reserved for sinners. He gave us the plan: seek Him and all these other things will be added to you.
So, don’t worry whether your job will be there tomorrow. Don’t worry what’s going to happen to your 401(k). Don’t put your salvation trust in the works of your hands, the government of man, or the NYSE. Look for Jesus. Seek Him in all that you do; find Him every time you turn around and enjoy the supernatural abundance granted through His grace.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
So, have you found security in knowing that the debt ceiling has been raised? No, I assure you I’m not going down that road with this posting. I just thought that would get your attention! But I would like to address the fact that the world’s economy is failing and we Christians, those who are the Bride of Christ, don’t have a thing to worry about.
Like so many other people today, I have a tendency to get swept away in the sensational news broadcasts that declare the end of the world is near. Whether it’s FOX news telling us how the President is driving the country into the ground, or GMA reporting that the government is going to shut down because we’re just flat broke, bad news sells.
But there is a bad side to bad news. It causes fear, anxiety, heart problems, wars, anger, depression, contentions, jealousy, class-ism, and a myriad of other things. Good News, however, puts a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and some joy in your life. So, for today, Good News.
What do I mean by Good News? Simple; Jesus Christ has opened the storehouses of God’s blessings to all of humanity through His perfect, once and for all, sacrifice on the cross. His humiliation, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven has given us free, unmerited access to the throne of God, where we, sanctified by His blood, are assured salvation.
Christ Himself, before His crucifixion, gave us this promise: first go after the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. What things? Food, water, and clothing, the things that so many people right now are terrified that they’ll go without. But the promise of Christ says “shall”. That’s not a might, maybe, could be, or almost always will be; it is a resounding “shall” from the Son of God!
Friends, there’s a world of turmoil out there, but one thing is for certain: those who are in Christ shall have food, water, and clothing. We shall have a supernatural supply in a world that is full of demand. For we know that Christ is the King whose kingdom we seek; He is Righteousness made man to receive the judgement reserved for sinners. He gave us the plan: seek Him and all these other things will be added to you.
So, don’t worry whether your job will be there tomorrow. Don’t worry what’s going to happen to your 401(k). Don’t put your salvation trust in the works of your hands, the government of man, or the NYSE. Look for Jesus. Seek Him in all that you do; find Him every time you turn around and enjoy the supernatural abundance granted through His grace.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Vengeance
Isaiah 35:4 (Young’s)
Say to the hastened of heart,`Be strong, fear not, lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.'
I’m not really sure why it is that we tend to find joy in idea of vengeance. People seem to anticipate vengeance, retribution, karma, justice, whatever you want to call it, the same way a 3 year old anticipates Christmas morning. And when vengeance isn’t served up, people get mad! Don’t believe me? Just look at the recent Casey Anthony story for an example. Countless men and women lined the streets waiting for a guilty verdict; when it didn’t come, they were outraged!
When the Prophet Isaiah said these words he was seeing outside of time through the eyes of God. What did he see? I believe that he saw the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross. I believe he saw the miracles that Christ performed while He walked the streets of Jerusalem, and I believe he saw the fullness of God’s grace extended to the generations to come.
But what about the vengeance? When is God going to get His payback? I knew you were going to ask, so I prepared this next little bit just for you.
A look at this verse tells us exactly what we want to know. First off, God acknowledges the fear and fatigue present in the hearts of man from ages of running from sin and from punishment in that He calls to those “hastened of heart,” that is to say, with a quick heartbeat. He then calms that fear with some of His favorite words, “Be strong, fear not...” (Isaiah 41:10, Luke 8:50, Matthew 28:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:6)
After setting the mind and heart at ease God says what is going to happen, “lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.” I realize that this is some old school English, so I’ll translate: “Behold [look here and see] your God; vengeance has come, the benefit of God, He Himself has come to save you.”
And what does all that mean? This: fear not, be strong, don’t worry, stop running, look up at your God, Jesus Christ. See Him on the cross? He Himself has come to save you. He has borne the full vengeance of God for the sins of man once and for all.
So, back to our beginning: vengeance. Why are we all so caught up with it? Because we don’t truly understand that it’s already been dealt out. We can’t get it through our heads that Christ bore the vengeance of God and the sins of man when He hung on the cross. “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” It certainly is; His to deal out, and to bear.
Say to the hastened of heart,`Be strong, fear not, lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.'
I’m not really sure why it is that we tend to find joy in idea of vengeance. People seem to anticipate vengeance, retribution, karma, justice, whatever you want to call it, the same way a 3 year old anticipates Christmas morning. And when vengeance isn’t served up, people get mad! Don’t believe me? Just look at the recent Casey Anthony story for an example. Countless men and women lined the streets waiting for a guilty verdict; when it didn’t come, they were outraged!
When the Prophet Isaiah said these words he was seeing outside of time through the eyes of God. What did he see? I believe that he saw the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross. I believe he saw the miracles that Christ performed while He walked the streets of Jerusalem, and I believe he saw the fullness of God’s grace extended to the generations to come.
But what about the vengeance? When is God going to get His payback? I knew you were going to ask, so I prepared this next little bit just for you.
A look at this verse tells us exactly what we want to know. First off, God acknowledges the fear and fatigue present in the hearts of man from ages of running from sin and from punishment in that He calls to those “hastened of heart,” that is to say, with a quick heartbeat. He then calms that fear with some of His favorite words, “Be strong, fear not...” (Isaiah 41:10, Luke 8:50, Matthew 28:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:6)
After setting the mind and heart at ease God says what is going to happen, “lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.” I realize that this is some old school English, so I’ll translate: “Behold [look here and see] your God; vengeance has come, the benefit of God, He Himself has come to save you.”
And what does all that mean? This: fear not, be strong, don’t worry, stop running, look up at your God, Jesus Christ. See Him on the cross? He Himself has come to save you. He has borne the full vengeance of God for the sins of man once and for all.
So, back to our beginning: vengeance. Why are we all so caught up with it? Because we don’t truly understand that it’s already been dealt out. We can’t get it through our heads that Christ bore the vengeance of God and the sins of man when He hung on the cross. “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” It certainly is; His to deal out, and to bear.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Zombies!
Hebrews 2:1
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Drift away! That doesn’t sound good at all. It sounds like Tom Hanks in that movie, Castaway. I get this mental image of a person all alone on a raft made out of broken timbers, floating helplessly on the ocean, when I read “drift away”. A poor lost soul, who at one point in time stood on solid ground, cast away with no hope. Is that what you think of, too?
Spiritually speaking, that is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is implying here. If we don’t cling to what we have heard, making it the top priority in our lives, we’ll drift away from the faith. We’ll become a lost, hopeless castaway drifting away from the blessings, love, favor, and honor granted us by the grace of Christ. But what is it that we have heard?
The Good News, Gospel Truth, Salvation Message, that is Jesus Christ. Jesus died for your sins! You are forgiven, made whole, in right standing with God because of the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. You are blessed according to the riches of His glory. The work is finished; the law is fulfilled and satisfied. These are the things that we have heard, the things that have brought us to a profession of faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work at the cross.
Is it possible, then, to drift away from Christ, to become a non-Christian? No, but it is possible to drift away from His grace, to become a spiritual zombie: the un-dead Christian (not dead, but not alive either). I’m about to explain how this happens.
When you come to the realization that you are forgiven in Christ and accept that His grace is sufficient to cover all of your sins, transgressions, mistakes, and flaws, you are saved. But in many Christian circles, that’s where grace stops and the “do-do” principle starts up again. We tend to go back to the idea that you have to work to be a good person. Lessons are taught every Sunday around the world about how to be a better Christian, as if doing more, being less sinful, makes you a better person in the eyes of God.
This is what Paul refers to in Galatians as “fallen from grace”. (You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4) When the law is used as a tool to measure your standing as a Christian (whether or not you’re doing a good job), you void the abundance of grace that Christ has extended to you. The life that He came to give you, the abundance, peace, joy, love, and rest that He promised (Matthew 11:28, John 14:27, John 10:10), is set aside so that you can receive based on your own merit.
Guess what that leaves you? Trials, restlessness, and scarcity, all of the curses that were part of the old covenant under Law. By choosing to live under God’s law (which He’ll allow), you’re forfeiting His grace, becoming a spiritual zombie, the living-dead. You’ve drifted away from the good things, the most important things that you’ve heard (Jesus’ salvation and grace), and have chosen to live a life based on your goodness.
There is no need, however, to live this way. Cling to Christ, to His blessings, to His grace, and enjoy His favor in your life. Give the most earnest heed (top priority above all else) to the Good News that you have heard: Jesus died for your sins; you are forgiven; you are blessed, loved, and highly favored by the King of kings. Don’t drift hopelessly on your raft; jump off and refresh in the ocean of God’s neverending, infinitely supplied, grace.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Drift away! That doesn’t sound good at all. It sounds like Tom Hanks in that movie, Castaway. I get this mental image of a person all alone on a raft made out of broken timbers, floating helplessly on the ocean, when I read “drift away”. A poor lost soul, who at one point in time stood on solid ground, cast away with no hope. Is that what you think of, too?
Spiritually speaking, that is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is implying here. If we don’t cling to what we have heard, making it the top priority in our lives, we’ll drift away from the faith. We’ll become a lost, hopeless castaway drifting away from the blessings, love, favor, and honor granted us by the grace of Christ. But what is it that we have heard?
The Good News, Gospel Truth, Salvation Message, that is Jesus Christ. Jesus died for your sins! You are forgiven, made whole, in right standing with God because of the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. You are blessed according to the riches of His glory. The work is finished; the law is fulfilled and satisfied. These are the things that we have heard, the things that have brought us to a profession of faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work at the cross.
Is it possible, then, to drift away from Christ, to become a non-Christian? No, but it is possible to drift away from His grace, to become a spiritual zombie: the un-dead Christian (not dead, but not alive either). I’m about to explain how this happens.
When you come to the realization that you are forgiven in Christ and accept that His grace is sufficient to cover all of your sins, transgressions, mistakes, and flaws, you are saved. But in many Christian circles, that’s where grace stops and the “do-do” principle starts up again. We tend to go back to the idea that you have to work to be a good person. Lessons are taught every Sunday around the world about how to be a better Christian, as if doing more, being less sinful, makes you a better person in the eyes of God.
This is what Paul refers to in Galatians as “fallen from grace”. (You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4) When the law is used as a tool to measure your standing as a Christian (whether or not you’re doing a good job), you void the abundance of grace that Christ has extended to you. The life that He came to give you, the abundance, peace, joy, love, and rest that He promised (Matthew 11:28, John 14:27, John 10:10), is set aside so that you can receive based on your own merit.
Guess what that leaves you? Trials, restlessness, and scarcity, all of the curses that were part of the old covenant under Law. By choosing to live under God’s law (which He’ll allow), you’re forfeiting His grace, becoming a spiritual zombie, the living-dead. You’ve drifted away from the good things, the most important things that you’ve heard (Jesus’ salvation and grace), and have chosen to live a life based on your goodness.
There is no need, however, to live this way. Cling to Christ, to His blessings, to His grace, and enjoy His favor in your life. Give the most earnest heed (top priority above all else) to the Good News that you have heard: Jesus died for your sins; you are forgiven; you are blessed, loved, and highly favored by the King of kings. Don’t drift hopelessly on your raft; jump off and refresh in the ocean of God’s neverending, infinitely supplied, grace.
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