Colossians 2:13-14
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
It’s always important to take scripture in its context before interpreting what it says. As I read this verse the other day in my Bible, I noticed in the side margin a little note, placed there by the publishing company, next to the word “requirements”. It says, “Ceremonial Law/Ceremonialism”. The reason I thought this was interesting was because of the context of the verses.
In this little section, the writer is specifically writing about Jesus and His finished work at the cross. He’s writing about the total and complete forgiveness of sins through the blood and sacrifice of Christ. He’s saying that Christ’s finished work has wiped out the requirements against us, meaning the law and our inability to completely live into it. Somewhere along the way, however, those requirements became the 613 ceremonial laws that were given to the Hebrews and didn’t remain the actual Ten Commandments that were written by God Himself.
In order to understand scripture, sometimes you have to look back to the original text, rather than assume the writers, translators, or publishers actually put the right information in the margins. The word “handwriting” in verse 14 is the Greek work “cheirographon” which actually means “a handwriting, what one has written with his own hand”
The key to understanding is found in the definition of the word used. The “handwriting” in this verse is what the subject of the statement (Jesus) wrote with His own hands. I can only think of ten things that God (who is Jesus and the Holy Spirit) wrote with His own hand: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:12).
All too often we’re taught that Jesus died to fulfill the ceremonial laws, but that as “good Christians” we must try our best to fulfill the Ten Commandments. But the Bible says otherwise. The Bible, which we believe is the inspired word of God Himself, is very specific in stating that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross with Christ. It goes even further to say that they have been blotted out, erased, translated from the Greek word meaning obliterated!
If you follow the passage it goes on to explain that in nailing the Ten Commandments to the cross as part of Christ’s finished work for us all, the devil was disarmed. It is Satan who has manipulated God’s perfect law into a tool of condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9), rather than its original intended purpose: to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). While Christ walked the earth in human form He used the Law as He intended it, to show everyone (especially the Pharisees) that they were in desperate need of Savior. He never used the Law to condemn people, to guilt people, or to shame people into living a right life.
Satan is the one who manipulates the Law and the teachers of the Law into a weapon of mass destruction. By using the Ten Commandments to “show you where you need work” or “convict you of a sin,” preachers, teachers, and misguided Christians around the world are in essence working for the Devil. They are not using the Law to point people to Jesus. Instead they are wielding it like a club, making people feel insignificant and unworthy. The Law is being used to point people to themselves. It’s being used as a tool for “self-examination”.
This is why the Law was fulfilled in Christ and nailed to the cross with Him: so that we could have freedom from the condemnation that it can bring when improperly used (that is to say, when used by anyone but God). The Law (Ten Commandments) and our inability to fully follow it is what separates us from God. This is why, through the cross, it has been taken out of the way.
Christ died on the cross for so much more than just our eternal destiny in heaven. He died so that we could live. He died so that we could be free. He bore our sickness, curses, diseases, hardships, hurts, habits, and hang-ups, so that we could live a prosperous, blessed, loved, and highly favored life here and now and forevermore with Him. Hallelujah!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Oh you of little faith!
Matthew 6:30
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
I think we read the words that Jesus spoke sometimes out of context and take them to mean something that they don’t. Take, for instance, these words “you of little faith”. Jesus uses these words a few times in His sermons, and not once are they an insult to the people. Instead Jesus uses these words to show just how much God loves us all.
The common misconception is that Jesus is being a wise guy when He says “you of little faith”, but the truth is He’s being an encourager. Take this passage here. Jesus just got done speaking about how God takes care of the birds and how He clothes the flowers. Jesus reminded the people that the flowers will fade away, yet God loves them enough to clothe them with beauty and splendor. Jesus spoke of the birds who don’t work; they don’t toil. Notice how they’re not flitting about doing “the Lord’s work”, giving their resources back to God for the “expansion of the Kingdom”. Nope, they’re just enjoying the life they have and the provisions supplied to them by God.
What Jesus is saying here is that even with your little bit of faith, your very small opinion or knowledge of who God is and how He works, God will still provide for, love, cherish, clothe, protect, and save you. He’s not saying “Oh, you turds. You stupid people with little faith. You non-trusting bunch of Godless sinners. I can’t believe you!” He’s saying, “Look, even though you think little of me, even though you trust little in me, I still intend to love you greatly. I still intend to provide for you an ever increasing abundance. Why? Because that’s what I came here for!” (John 10:10)
Too often the church uses and manipulates this “little faith” statement as a guilt trip to do more for the kingdom. “Hey, just step out, you of little faith, and give this year (x) amount of dollars to the ministry. Do you think that God won’t provide?” The words of Christ are twisted to be a discouragement, rather than used for the Savior’s purpose, encouragement. Even in later passages, where Jesus refers to the little faith of the disciples, He’s not chastising them; He’s encouraging them. He asks, “Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?” and then with His actions Christ demonstrates that even their fear-filled little bit of faith was enough to get Him out of bed and calm the seas!
There was no rebuke for the disciples, no harsh words of judgement or condemnation. Jesus just shows them His desire for their peace by calming the sea and the storm. He acknowledges their little faith, gives them a huge show of His neverending faithfulness, and stops the storm. This is how they grew to be the disciples who changed the world. It wasn’t through their giving to the ministry, their service and devotion to the church, or their sacrifice; it was through their ever increasing knowledge that where they lacked, Christ supplied!
This is how we, too, grow in faith. It’s not by giving more, sacrificing more, or serving more, but by realizing that where we lack, Christ supplies, not just enough, but super-abundantly. If it is in health: He supplies. If it is in finances: He supplies. If it is in parenting skills, spousal skills, job skills, or people skills: He supplies. The more He supplies, the more faith grows. And, the more faith grows, the more He supplies. The method of His work only serves to glorify Him though our blessings!
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
I think we read the words that Jesus spoke sometimes out of context and take them to mean something that they don’t. Take, for instance, these words “you of little faith”. Jesus uses these words a few times in His sermons, and not once are they an insult to the people. Instead Jesus uses these words to show just how much God loves us all.
The common misconception is that Jesus is being a wise guy when He says “you of little faith”, but the truth is He’s being an encourager. Take this passage here. Jesus just got done speaking about how God takes care of the birds and how He clothes the flowers. Jesus reminded the people that the flowers will fade away, yet God loves them enough to clothe them with beauty and splendor. Jesus spoke of the birds who don’t work; they don’t toil. Notice how they’re not flitting about doing “the Lord’s work”, giving their resources back to God for the “expansion of the Kingdom”. Nope, they’re just enjoying the life they have and the provisions supplied to them by God.
What Jesus is saying here is that even with your little bit of faith, your very small opinion or knowledge of who God is and how He works, God will still provide for, love, cherish, clothe, protect, and save you. He’s not saying “Oh, you turds. You stupid people with little faith. You non-trusting bunch of Godless sinners. I can’t believe you!” He’s saying, “Look, even though you think little of me, even though you trust little in me, I still intend to love you greatly. I still intend to provide for you an ever increasing abundance. Why? Because that’s what I came here for!” (John 10:10)
Too often the church uses and manipulates this “little faith” statement as a guilt trip to do more for the kingdom. “Hey, just step out, you of little faith, and give this year (x) amount of dollars to the ministry. Do you think that God won’t provide?” The words of Christ are twisted to be a discouragement, rather than used for the Savior’s purpose, encouragement. Even in later passages, where Jesus refers to the little faith of the disciples, He’s not chastising them; He’s encouraging them. He asks, “Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?” and then with His actions Christ demonstrates that even their fear-filled little bit of faith was enough to get Him out of bed and calm the seas!
There was no rebuke for the disciples, no harsh words of judgement or condemnation. Jesus just shows them His desire for their peace by calming the sea and the storm. He acknowledges their little faith, gives them a huge show of His neverending faithfulness, and stops the storm. This is how they grew to be the disciples who changed the world. It wasn’t through their giving to the ministry, their service and devotion to the church, or their sacrifice; it was through their ever increasing knowledge that where they lacked, Christ supplied!
This is how we, too, grow in faith. It’s not by giving more, sacrificing more, or serving more, but by realizing that where we lack, Christ supplies, not just enough, but super-abundantly. If it is in health: He supplies. If it is in finances: He supplies. If it is in parenting skills, spousal skills, job skills, or people skills: He supplies. The more He supplies, the more faith grows. And, the more faith grows, the more He supplies. The method of His work only serves to glorify Him though our blessings!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Behold!
Jeremiah 1:9-10
Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
Are we to assume, simply because this book was about Jeremiah’s time of prophecy, that it is nothing more than an historical account? Or could it be that the words God spoke to Jeremiah serve the exact same purpose to the Christian who reads them with understanding today? I ask these questions because I think we get caught up in the history of the JB (Jesus Book-see earlier post) and forget its purpose.
What is the purpose of the JB? Well, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all scripture is good for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that we are complete and equipped for every good work. That being the case, this scripture is for us to use for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness so that we can be complete and equipped for every good work.
An interesting fact: the word “words” used in this scripture can either be singular or plural (Strong’s 1697). I find that fascinating because we refer to the Jesus Book as “The Word of God” yet it’s full of words. Is it one single word or is it a bunch of words put together? It’s both. It is both the Word and a grouping of words. Either way, it’s about Jesus. That being said, what does the rest of this scripture mean?
Well, we (Christians) have been appointed as the overseers of nations and kingdoms. This isn’t a worldly appointment; this is God ordained through the cross of Christ. As appointed overseers for the King we have a list of duties: to root out, pull down, destroy, overthrow, and (seemingly off topic) build and plant. The questions I have, the questions that I think derail most Christians, are these: what and how? What/how do we tear down and destroy? What/how do we overthrow? What/how do we plant and build?
The answers are found in your knowledge of Christ and His word. We root out, pull down, and overthrow false doctrines. We don’t do this with our own might or force, but by using the Word of God to reveal the King of kings, who is Jesus Christ. In doing this, the power of sin, which comes through the law, that the Devil has in the lives of unbelievers will be removed. By preaching and proclaiming Jesus and His finished work we overthrow the powers of sin, condemnation, guilt, and regret in our lives as well as the lives of others.
We, with the grace of Christ and His name alone, tear down the walls of shame and rebuild mansions of blessings with a firm foundation on the finished work of Jesus. All around our blessed homes we sow seeds of encouragement, righteousness, forgiveness, and redemption and sit back to reap the 30, 60, or 100 fold harvest that God has in store.
On this day the Lord has put His Word in your mouth. He’s given you and me Jesus to proclaim to the world. We will be overseers of nations and kingdoms and will prevail against our enemies, not with force or fight, but with the name of Jesus! We will build His body based on the confession of His finished work and plant churches established not on the works of man, but on the righteousness of Christ!
Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
Are we to assume, simply because this book was about Jeremiah’s time of prophecy, that it is nothing more than an historical account? Or could it be that the words God spoke to Jeremiah serve the exact same purpose to the Christian who reads them with understanding today? I ask these questions because I think we get caught up in the history of the JB (Jesus Book-see earlier post) and forget its purpose.
What is the purpose of the JB? Well, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all scripture is good for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that we are complete and equipped for every good work. That being the case, this scripture is for us to use for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness so that we can be complete and equipped for every good work.
An interesting fact: the word “words” used in this scripture can either be singular or plural (Strong’s 1697). I find that fascinating because we refer to the Jesus Book as “The Word of God” yet it’s full of words. Is it one single word or is it a bunch of words put together? It’s both. It is both the Word and a grouping of words. Either way, it’s about Jesus. That being said, what does the rest of this scripture mean?
Well, we (Christians) have been appointed as the overseers of nations and kingdoms. This isn’t a worldly appointment; this is God ordained through the cross of Christ. As appointed overseers for the King we have a list of duties: to root out, pull down, destroy, overthrow, and (seemingly off topic) build and plant. The questions I have, the questions that I think derail most Christians, are these: what and how? What/how do we tear down and destroy? What/how do we overthrow? What/how do we plant and build?
The answers are found in your knowledge of Christ and His word. We root out, pull down, and overthrow false doctrines. We don’t do this with our own might or force, but by using the Word of God to reveal the King of kings, who is Jesus Christ. In doing this, the power of sin, which comes through the law, that the Devil has in the lives of unbelievers will be removed. By preaching and proclaiming Jesus and His finished work we overthrow the powers of sin, condemnation, guilt, and regret in our lives as well as the lives of others.
We, with the grace of Christ and His name alone, tear down the walls of shame and rebuild mansions of blessings with a firm foundation on the finished work of Jesus. All around our blessed homes we sow seeds of encouragement, righteousness, forgiveness, and redemption and sit back to reap the 30, 60, or 100 fold harvest that God has in store.
On this day the Lord has put His Word in your mouth. He’s given you and me Jesus to proclaim to the world. We will be overseers of nations and kingdoms and will prevail against our enemies, not with force or fight, but with the name of Jesus! We will build His body based on the confession of His finished work and plant churches established not on the works of man, but on the righteousness of Christ!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Unlimited grace
Ephesians 2:5-7
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Many Christians today haven’t been made aware of their status with God. They are so preoccupied with the rules of living a right life that they have become completely oblivious to the unlimited grace that flows freely from God’s throne. Instead of waking every day to a world full of God’s blessings, they wake to a world full of self-condemnation through unkeepable standards that the “church” sets for them.
It’s this failure to realize the Christian’s eternal right standing with God, through grace, that keeps them in bondage to the laws and to sin that Christ suffered to release them from. The attitude becomes one of “I must not sin anymore or God will be mad. He’ll judge me and punish me if I fail. He’ll set trials before me to once again set me on the right track and keep me from sin.” But that’s not what His word says.
Instead it says that even when we were dead in trespasses, dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ. Even with our sins (which incidentally God sees as were, not are), we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is powerful; this is freeing. We aren’t eventually going to get to be with Christ in heaven; God has already placed us there. He already sees us finished, completely made new, whole, forgiven, sanctified, and remade in Christ at His right hand!
Not only are we already seen as complete in Christ by God the Father, but He sees us sitting. This is where we make the biggest mistake in our Christian walk. We think that once we surrender our lives to Christ we have to get right back out there and get to work being a “good person” as an example to the world.(I’m not saying that we aren’t to be an example to the world; I’m saying we don’t have to work at it, God’s grace makes us one.) But the truth is God has made us sit just as Christ is seated. This means the work is over. It’s done. Christ finished it at the cross. There is no longer a need for you or me or anyone who is a Christian to try to be a good person, God, through Christ, has made us perfect!
The final benefit is knowing that God intends to show us the exceeding riches of His grace toward us, His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The key here is where we are: in Christ. God sees us as He sees Christ, seated next to Him in heaven. And because He sees us as He sees Christ, He blesses us as He blesses Christ: with the riches of His grace and kindness.
Where the believer runs into trouble is with the struggle to comprehend that God sees us in Christ as a finished work and wants to bless us exceedingly abundantly according to Christ (Ephesians 3:20). There isn’t anything more to be done because Christ did it all!
Some may say this is crazy to believe, but the truth is God receives more glory by blessing than He does in being blessed. Our works here are filth before Him (Isaiah 64:6); why do we assume that they would be a blessing to Him? But His works for us? They are magnificent, they are marvelous, and they only serve to reveal to the world the blessing that is found in resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Many Christians today haven’t been made aware of their status with God. They are so preoccupied with the rules of living a right life that they have become completely oblivious to the unlimited grace that flows freely from God’s throne. Instead of waking every day to a world full of God’s blessings, they wake to a world full of self-condemnation through unkeepable standards that the “church” sets for them.
It’s this failure to realize the Christian’s eternal right standing with God, through grace, that keeps them in bondage to the laws and to sin that Christ suffered to release them from. The attitude becomes one of “I must not sin anymore or God will be mad. He’ll judge me and punish me if I fail. He’ll set trials before me to once again set me on the right track and keep me from sin.” But that’s not what His word says.
Instead it says that even when we were dead in trespasses, dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ. Even with our sins (which incidentally God sees as were, not are), we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is powerful; this is freeing. We aren’t eventually going to get to be with Christ in heaven; God has already placed us there. He already sees us finished, completely made new, whole, forgiven, sanctified, and remade in Christ at His right hand!
Not only are we already seen as complete in Christ by God the Father, but He sees us sitting. This is where we make the biggest mistake in our Christian walk. We think that once we surrender our lives to Christ we have to get right back out there and get to work being a “good person” as an example to the world.(I’m not saying that we aren’t to be an example to the world; I’m saying we don’t have to work at it, God’s grace makes us one.) But the truth is God has made us sit just as Christ is seated. This means the work is over. It’s done. Christ finished it at the cross. There is no longer a need for you or me or anyone who is a Christian to try to be a good person, God, through Christ, has made us perfect!
The final benefit is knowing that God intends to show us the exceeding riches of His grace toward us, His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The key here is where we are: in Christ. God sees us as He sees Christ, seated next to Him in heaven. And because He sees us as He sees Christ, He blesses us as He blesses Christ: with the riches of His grace and kindness.
Where the believer runs into trouble is with the struggle to comprehend that God sees us in Christ as a finished work and wants to bless us exceedingly abundantly according to Christ (Ephesians 3:20). There isn’t anything more to be done because Christ did it all!
Some may say this is crazy to believe, but the truth is God receives more glory by blessing than He does in being blessed. Our works here are filth before Him (Isaiah 64:6); why do we assume that they would be a blessing to Him? But His works for us? They are magnificent, they are marvelous, and they only serve to reveal to the world the blessing that is found in resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Jesus Book
Luke 24:27
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
I went to a sign language class the other day and learned some pretty interesting things. I learned how to say “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” with my hands. But the most interesting thing that I learned in that sign language class was the sign for Bible. You see, deaf people don’t call it a Bible; they don’t spell out B-I-B-L-E with their fingers. They have a specific sign to show what the book is. More importantly, what the book is about.
The sign for Bible in American Sign Language is a combination of two signs put together. One is the sign for Jesus and the other for book. When a deaf person tells you to get your Bible, he or she is saying, “Get your JESUS BOOK.” This floored me!
Why can’t the “hearing” Christian community get this simple truth through their heads? The Bible is not a manual for how to live a right life. It’s not a book of rules and regulations. It’s not “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”. These are trite cliches that rob God of the integrity of His word. The Bible is The Jesus Book. That’s it, and that’s what I’m calling it from now on. Maybe I’ll shorten it to JB, but for the most part; it’s now going to be referred to as my “Jesus Book”.
Funny thing: when you read the Jesus Book with the understanding that it’s a book about Jesus, you learn more about Jesus. However, when you read the Bible as a book of rules for you, you only learn more about you! “Hearing, they will not hear.”, I think those were Jesus’ own words (Matthew 13:13). Yet, the Jesus Book tells us that the blind will see and the deaf will hear! Perhaps the deaf have heard with their eyes, and proclaim with their hands, what we, the hearing have been spiritually deaf to.
This is the point that Jesus was making on the Emmaus road: everything written in the Old and New was pointing to Him; it was revealing Jesus. That’s why He hid Himself from them as He expounded from all scripture everything concerning who He was. The Ten Commandments, the 613 ceremonial laws, and the prophetic writings all serve to reveal Jesus. The battles fought, the stories of valiant men, the writings of redemption all serve to reveal Jesus. And this is the blessing that the deaf culture has through their language: the first thing they know about the Bible (Jesus Book) is that it’s about Jesus!
What can we learn from all of this? Put aside the doctrine of rules and laws. Stop looking to the Jesus Book for ways to make it a book about you; it’s not! Are there blessings to be found within its pages for you? Absolutely! Are there promises made to you in the Jesus Book? Yes. But it’s only when you understand Jesus, who He is and what He’s done, that everything in His book will be applied to your life.
So go ahead, pick up your Jesus Book (a/k/a the Bible) and learn more about Him today. Learn how He gave up His throne for your redemption. Learn how He gave up His righteousness for your sin. Learn how He gave up His glory for your shame. Learn how He gave up His life for your death. Understand who Jesus is and find yourself in Him!
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
I went to a sign language class the other day and learned some pretty interesting things. I learned how to say “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” with my hands. But the most interesting thing that I learned in that sign language class was the sign for Bible. You see, deaf people don’t call it a Bible; they don’t spell out B-I-B-L-E with their fingers. They have a specific sign to show what the book is. More importantly, what the book is about.
The sign for Bible in American Sign Language is a combination of two signs put together. One is the sign for Jesus and the other for book. When a deaf person tells you to get your Bible, he or she is saying, “Get your JESUS BOOK.” This floored me!
Why can’t the “hearing” Christian community get this simple truth through their heads? The Bible is not a manual for how to live a right life. It’s not a book of rules and regulations. It’s not “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”. These are trite cliches that rob God of the integrity of His word. The Bible is The Jesus Book. That’s it, and that’s what I’m calling it from now on. Maybe I’ll shorten it to JB, but for the most part; it’s now going to be referred to as my “Jesus Book”.
Funny thing: when you read the Jesus Book with the understanding that it’s a book about Jesus, you learn more about Jesus. However, when you read the Bible as a book of rules for you, you only learn more about you! “Hearing, they will not hear.”, I think those were Jesus’ own words (Matthew 13:13). Yet, the Jesus Book tells us that the blind will see and the deaf will hear! Perhaps the deaf have heard with their eyes, and proclaim with their hands, what we, the hearing have been spiritually deaf to.
This is the point that Jesus was making on the Emmaus road: everything written in the Old and New was pointing to Him; it was revealing Jesus. That’s why He hid Himself from them as He expounded from all scripture everything concerning who He was. The Ten Commandments, the 613 ceremonial laws, and the prophetic writings all serve to reveal Jesus. The battles fought, the stories of valiant men, the writings of redemption all serve to reveal Jesus. And this is the blessing that the deaf culture has through their language: the first thing they know about the Bible (Jesus Book) is that it’s about Jesus!
What can we learn from all of this? Put aside the doctrine of rules and laws. Stop looking to the Jesus Book for ways to make it a book about you; it’s not! Are there blessings to be found within its pages for you? Absolutely! Are there promises made to you in the Jesus Book? Yes. But it’s only when you understand Jesus, who He is and what He’s done, that everything in His book will be applied to your life.
So go ahead, pick up your Jesus Book (a/k/a the Bible) and learn more about Him today. Learn how He gave up His throne for your redemption. Learn how He gave up His righteousness for your sin. Learn how He gave up His glory for your shame. Learn how He gave up His life for your death. Understand who Jesus is and find yourself in Him!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Whose faith?
1 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
It seems to me that we, Christians, rely too much on our own abilities and forget all about the promises of God. Sadly, this is the truth. I hear Christians all the time talk about how they plan to work harder at being a better father, brother, mother, sister, uncle, worker, Bible reader, preacher, teacher, or whatever else, only to fail at their own resolutions.
Why do you suppose this is? I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that when you resolve to do something, then you resolve to do it on your own. It’s a common misconception in Christianity that God helps those who help themselves. Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this isn’t in the Bible. In fact, the complete opposite is in the Bible. God helps those who have no chance of helping themselves.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
There’s Joseph. He didn’t have much of a chance to help himself. He was attacked by his brothers, sold into bondage, and made a slave in a foreign land. He couldn’t do anything to change his situation; he was on lockdown. But God changed it for him. God did all the work to make Joseph the second in command of all Egypt.
Then there’s the Israelites. They couldn’t get out of bondage in Egypt on their own. They couldn’t do anything to change their situation. They were weak slaves who were forced to work long hours with little nourishment at the hands of cruel task masters. They couldn’t fight back or revolt; they didn’t have the strength to “help themselves”. But God did! He brought 10 plagues. He parted the Red Sea. He provided bread, water, and meat for them in the wilderness.
What about the New Testament?
Well, there’s the guy at the pool of Bethesda. He was a paralytic. He couldn’t move. He tried to help himself, but to no avail. He was hopelessly laying right next to the pool that would bring him healing, yet he couldn’t get in. Did Jesus wait for him to try more, to work harder at flopping into the water? NO!! Jesus helped the man who couldn’t help himself.
What about Lazarus? Well, he was dead. How could he possibly help himself? He certainly couldn’t unravel the clothes around his body. He certainly couldn’t roll the stone away from his tomb. He certainly couldn’t stop the decay of his body. I don’t know if you were aware of this fact: Lazarus was DEAD! But Jesus could help him, and He did. He raised Lazarus from the dead and brought him back to life.
The point is this: God knows your struggles and your inabilities and He wants to demonstrate perfect faith to you by establishing you and protecting you. He knows that on your own you’re not capable of fulfilling even the simplest of your resolutions. He knows that tomorrow, after proclaiming today how you intend to change, you’ll be right back to where you were before. He knows the guilt that it will bring and the condemnation that you will suffer as a result of your inabilities to stand by your word. That is why He gave us Christ. That is why He did the work.
Reliance on God isn’t a 50/50 game we play; it’s a 100/0 game we live by. While God gives 100, we give 0. This is how He receives all of the glory. If even 1% of the success is gained by our own self effort, then God does not receive the full glory He is entitled to. Furthermore, if you choose to play the numbers with God, that is, you want to be a 50/50 Christian, then you become responsible for it all (Galatians 5:3).
Let’s live and walk by faith; not by our faith, but by God’s. He is faithful to establish us. He is faithful to protect us from evil. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and we’re faithful to Him because He is first faithful to us!
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
It seems to me that we, Christians, rely too much on our own abilities and forget all about the promises of God. Sadly, this is the truth. I hear Christians all the time talk about how they plan to work harder at being a better father, brother, mother, sister, uncle, worker, Bible reader, preacher, teacher, or whatever else, only to fail at their own resolutions.
Why do you suppose this is? I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that when you resolve to do something, then you resolve to do it on your own. It’s a common misconception in Christianity that God helps those who help themselves. Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this isn’t in the Bible. In fact, the complete opposite is in the Bible. God helps those who have no chance of helping themselves.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
There’s Joseph. He didn’t have much of a chance to help himself. He was attacked by his brothers, sold into bondage, and made a slave in a foreign land. He couldn’t do anything to change his situation; he was on lockdown. But God changed it for him. God did all the work to make Joseph the second in command of all Egypt.
Then there’s the Israelites. They couldn’t get out of bondage in Egypt on their own. They couldn’t do anything to change their situation. They were weak slaves who were forced to work long hours with little nourishment at the hands of cruel task masters. They couldn’t fight back or revolt; they didn’t have the strength to “help themselves”. But God did! He brought 10 plagues. He parted the Red Sea. He provided bread, water, and meat for them in the wilderness.
What about the New Testament?
Well, there’s the guy at the pool of Bethesda. He was a paralytic. He couldn’t move. He tried to help himself, but to no avail. He was hopelessly laying right next to the pool that would bring him healing, yet he couldn’t get in. Did Jesus wait for him to try more, to work harder at flopping into the water? NO!! Jesus helped the man who couldn’t help himself.
What about Lazarus? Well, he was dead. How could he possibly help himself? He certainly couldn’t unravel the clothes around his body. He certainly couldn’t roll the stone away from his tomb. He certainly couldn’t stop the decay of his body. I don’t know if you were aware of this fact: Lazarus was DEAD! But Jesus could help him, and He did. He raised Lazarus from the dead and brought him back to life.
The point is this: God knows your struggles and your inabilities and He wants to demonstrate perfect faith to you by establishing you and protecting you. He knows that on your own you’re not capable of fulfilling even the simplest of your resolutions. He knows that tomorrow, after proclaiming today how you intend to change, you’ll be right back to where you were before. He knows the guilt that it will bring and the condemnation that you will suffer as a result of your inabilities to stand by your word. That is why He gave us Christ. That is why He did the work.
Reliance on God isn’t a 50/50 game we play; it’s a 100/0 game we live by. While God gives 100, we give 0. This is how He receives all of the glory. If even 1% of the success is gained by our own self effort, then God does not receive the full glory He is entitled to. Furthermore, if you choose to play the numbers with God, that is, you want to be a 50/50 Christian, then you become responsible for it all (Galatians 5:3).
Let’s live and walk by faith; not by our faith, but by God’s. He is faithful to establish us. He is faithful to protect us from evil. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and we’re faithful to Him because He is first faithful to us!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about the shield of faith. The shield of faith is to be used above all of the other tools in the armor of God. It is to be placed above even the helmet of salvation. Why? Because without it [faith] we have no helmet of salvation to wear (Ephesians 2:8)! That’s why the helmet of salvation isn’t mentioned until the next verse.
All too often the shield of faith, as well as most of the equipment mentioned, is referred to as “a defensive tool” in the armor of God. I tend to disagree with this type of teaching. Yes, a shield can be used for defense, but given that the writer is obviously referring to how the Romans presented themselves in battle, we should take into account how the Romans used their shields.
In battle, the Romans would line up and lock their shields together, creating a wall in front of their opponents. These shields were big enough to cover the Roman soldier from head to toe. In the center of the shield was a metal ball or pointed object. As the Roman army advanced into battle, they would strike their opponents with their shields. This stun-punch would give them the opportunity to destroy their opponent with the sword. Their shields were designed to protect while also being deployed as an offensive tool. This is what our shield of faith is designed for as well.
When we pick up our shield of faith, we must know that God has designed it for our complete and total protection against the enemy. Yes, our armor includes the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, but our shield is designed to fully cover our bodies. According to the Word, this shield is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one! As we, the army of Christ, advance forward, this shield, our faith, is continually stopping and extinguishing all of what the enemy hurls our way.
There is nothing that can penetrate our faith. There is no trick or weapon of war that can defeat the faith that we hold in the perfect, finished work of Jesus Christ. This is what the Christian needs to understand: all of the Devil’s weapons are useless against your faith in Christ! Because of Christ, the Devil has nothing on you. He has no right to you, no authority over you, and no weapon with which to harm you (Colossians 2:14-15).
With your shield in hand, that is, your faith in the work of Christ and your right-standing in Him with God, you are able to advance into enemy territory. Without fear you can use your faith to stun-punch the Devil before slaying him with the Sword that is the Word of God. I’m not talking about quoting scripture for the sake of quoting scripture here, folks; I’m talking about using the Word, the name of Jesus Christ (John 1:1), to slay the enemy. Without fear of harm to yourself, because of your shield of faith, you have the ability to utterly destroy your adversary!
Christians, stand fast in your knowledge of Christ and your faith in His finished work. It’s because of His perfection and sacrifice that you are completely covered and protected against all that the Devil can hurl. There is no dart, temptation, or weapon that can harm you behind the shield of faith that is the confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
I’ll leave you with this:
“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.
ISAIAH 54:17
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about the shield of faith. The shield of faith is to be used above all of the other tools in the armor of God. It is to be placed above even the helmet of salvation. Why? Because without it [faith] we have no helmet of salvation to wear (Ephesians 2:8)! That’s why the helmet of salvation isn’t mentioned until the next verse.
All too often the shield of faith, as well as most of the equipment mentioned, is referred to as “a defensive tool” in the armor of God. I tend to disagree with this type of teaching. Yes, a shield can be used for defense, but given that the writer is obviously referring to how the Romans presented themselves in battle, we should take into account how the Romans used their shields.
In battle, the Romans would line up and lock their shields together, creating a wall in front of their opponents. These shields were big enough to cover the Roman soldier from head to toe. In the center of the shield was a metal ball or pointed object. As the Roman army advanced into battle, they would strike their opponents with their shields. This stun-punch would give them the opportunity to destroy their opponent with the sword. Their shields were designed to protect while also being deployed as an offensive tool. This is what our shield of faith is designed for as well.
When we pick up our shield of faith, we must know that God has designed it for our complete and total protection against the enemy. Yes, our armor includes the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, but our shield is designed to fully cover our bodies. According to the Word, this shield is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one! As we, the army of Christ, advance forward, this shield, our faith, is continually stopping and extinguishing all of what the enemy hurls our way.
There is nothing that can penetrate our faith. There is no trick or weapon of war that can defeat the faith that we hold in the perfect, finished work of Jesus Christ. This is what the Christian needs to understand: all of the Devil’s weapons are useless against your faith in Christ! Because of Christ, the Devil has nothing on you. He has no right to you, no authority over you, and no weapon with which to harm you (Colossians 2:14-15).
With your shield in hand, that is, your faith in the work of Christ and your right-standing in Him with God, you are able to advance into enemy territory. Without fear you can use your faith to stun-punch the Devil before slaying him with the Sword that is the Word of God. I’m not talking about quoting scripture for the sake of quoting scripture here, folks; I’m talking about using the Word, the name of Jesus Christ (John 1:1), to slay the enemy. Without fear of harm to yourself, because of your shield of faith, you have the ability to utterly destroy your adversary!
Christians, stand fast in your knowledge of Christ and your faith in His finished work. It’s because of His perfection and sacrifice that you are completely covered and protected against all that the Devil can hurl. There is no dart, temptation, or weapon that can harm you behind the shield of faith that is the confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
I’ll leave you with this:
“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.
ISAIAH 54:17
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Be a man!
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
How many of us out there could say that we wholeheartedly agree with this verse? I’m sure the hands are up right now. It’s the right thing to do, that is, taking care of and providing for your family. If you are a man (as defined by the stereotypical definition used by society for years; sorry, empowered women of 2012), then act like one! Times are tough; get a job. Oh, I’m sorry, there isn’t one available in the field you studied in college? Too bad, find a job elsewhere! It’s your responsibility as a MAN!
Wow! That was pretty harsh, right? But truthfully, that’s how a lot of us believe. I know that I’ve said similar statements in my days to those listed above, but that doesn’t make them right. Before I go on, let me emphatically state that I believe we (men) do have a responsibility to provide for our families. This responsibility is to be fulfilled regardless of our feelings; it’s what is right and acceptable. And, for those of you who enjoy having rules and requirements by which to judge your status and that of others, it gives you something to achieve.
But I don’t want to talk about us. I don’t want to give you another lesson in how to be a good person. It’s become plainly obvious to me that the more lessons we’re given on how to be good, to do right, the worse we all act. No, what I want is to put this verse into a Jesus perspective.
When we become Christians we become part of the family of Christ. We, the church, become married to Christ, through grace. As his dearly beloved, wedded bride, we also are adopted children of God (Romans 8:17). As God’s children, let’s reanalyze this verse in the light of who Christ is, what Christ has done, and who we have become through Him.
When you read the Bible and put it in perspective, that is, stop making it about you and begin to see that it’s all about Him, you’ll realize some hidden faith-builders in the verses. Instead of reading about the man in our worldly relationships and putting yourself in the picture, think about God in this verse.
We have a problem in the Christian church: we don’t have a good opinion of God! We expect more from a mere mortal man, a sinner at that, than we do from the Perfect Creator! It’s sad but true. We have bad things happen and think it’s God. We have lack and think that it’s God. We have sickness and failing health and think that it’s God. But if it was God, then He Himself would have violated His own scripture. He would have denied the faith.
This verse isn’t a requirement for men (although literally that’s what it appears to be); it’s a promise from God! This verse is stating that God will provide for you. As Husband and Father it is His duty to provide. If He doesn’t provide, He is worse than one who doesn’t believe in Him. (That’s a little confusing.)
Am I saying that God owes us? Certainly not. If your child confidently expects that you’re going to provide food, drink, shelter, and other needs as well as birthday presents, Christmas presents, Easter baskets, and Halloween candy, does that make him or her an entitle-ist? Why, then, does it make the Christian an entitle-ist when he or she has the same confident expectation of security and blessing from God?
This is a simple truth that Jesus iterated over and over in His ministry: don’t worry, I’ve got it (Matthew 6:25-32)! How many times does Jesus say “Fear not.”? (I’ll tell you: in the KJV, fear not appears 74 times and be not afraid appears 29 times)? Once we grab hold of and fully accept this good opinion of who God is and what He has done for us, we’ll begin to reap the full benefits of His grace in our lives. It’s not about us; it’s always all about Him.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
How many of us out there could say that we wholeheartedly agree with this verse? I’m sure the hands are up right now. It’s the right thing to do, that is, taking care of and providing for your family. If you are a man (as defined by the stereotypical definition used by society for years; sorry, empowered women of 2012), then act like one! Times are tough; get a job. Oh, I’m sorry, there isn’t one available in the field you studied in college? Too bad, find a job elsewhere! It’s your responsibility as a MAN!
Wow! That was pretty harsh, right? But truthfully, that’s how a lot of us believe. I know that I’ve said similar statements in my days to those listed above, but that doesn’t make them right. Before I go on, let me emphatically state that I believe we (men) do have a responsibility to provide for our families. This responsibility is to be fulfilled regardless of our feelings; it’s what is right and acceptable. And, for those of you who enjoy having rules and requirements by which to judge your status and that of others, it gives you something to achieve.
But I don’t want to talk about us. I don’t want to give you another lesson in how to be a good person. It’s become plainly obvious to me that the more lessons we’re given on how to be good, to do right, the worse we all act. No, what I want is to put this verse into a Jesus perspective.
When we become Christians we become part of the family of Christ. We, the church, become married to Christ, through grace. As his dearly beloved, wedded bride, we also are adopted children of God (Romans 8:17). As God’s children, let’s reanalyze this verse in the light of who Christ is, what Christ has done, and who we have become through Him.
When you read the Bible and put it in perspective, that is, stop making it about you and begin to see that it’s all about Him, you’ll realize some hidden faith-builders in the verses. Instead of reading about the man in our worldly relationships and putting yourself in the picture, think about God in this verse.
We have a problem in the Christian church: we don’t have a good opinion of God! We expect more from a mere mortal man, a sinner at that, than we do from the Perfect Creator! It’s sad but true. We have bad things happen and think it’s God. We have lack and think that it’s God. We have sickness and failing health and think that it’s God. But if it was God, then He Himself would have violated His own scripture. He would have denied the faith.
This verse isn’t a requirement for men (although literally that’s what it appears to be); it’s a promise from God! This verse is stating that God will provide for you. As Husband and Father it is His duty to provide. If He doesn’t provide, He is worse than one who doesn’t believe in Him. (That’s a little confusing.)
Am I saying that God owes us? Certainly not. If your child confidently expects that you’re going to provide food, drink, shelter, and other needs as well as birthday presents, Christmas presents, Easter baskets, and Halloween candy, does that make him or her an entitle-ist? Why, then, does it make the Christian an entitle-ist when he or she has the same confident expectation of security and blessing from God?
This is a simple truth that Jesus iterated over and over in His ministry: don’t worry, I’ve got it (Matthew 6:25-32)! How many times does Jesus say “Fear not.”? (I’ll tell you: in the KJV, fear not appears 74 times and be not afraid appears 29 times)? Once we grab hold of and fully accept this good opinion of who God is and what He has done for us, we’ll begin to reap the full benefits of His grace in our lives. It’s not about us; it’s always all about Him.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Peter's revelation?
Matthew 16:16
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
A lot of times we take this verse to mean one of two things: either Jesus is the rock on which the church will be built, or Peter is the rock on which the church will be built. While I can see the case for either of these arguments, I don’t think I agree with them.
While I believe that Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22), in this particular verse He isn’t referring to Himself and He isn’t making a pun with Peter’s name. Scripture must be interpreted contextually. In the context of this little conversation between Christ and Peter, rocks are not the subject! Peter is not the subject. Oddly enough, Jesus Himself, that is, the person Christ, is not the subject either. (Remember that we’re talking about the foundation of the church, not the Deity of Christ or His role in the Church. Jesus is the Head of the Church; He is God, and He is Salvation.)
Initially the subject of this conversation was who people say Jesus is. Then the subject became who the disciples say Jesus is. Finally, the subject became who Peter said Jesus is. When Peter responded, “You are the Christ; the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus seized the moment.
He first recognized that only God could give such a revelation to a human. This understanding of who Jesus is can’t be revealed by the teachings of man, the works of man, or the earthly knowledge of man. God and God alone is the one to reveal Himself! Christ acknowledges Peter calling Him by his given name, Simon Bar-Jonah (which means “heard of the dove or Holy Spirit”), then by His new name Peter (which means “rock”).
This is where the confusion begins because suddenly it’s believed that the subject has changed to Peter, but it hasn’t. The subject is still what Peter said about Jesus! Jesus says “and on this rock” and it’s those words that get people confused. Because Peter’s name means rock it is assumed that Jesus is talking about him, but a look into the language used reveals something completely different.
Jesus calls Peter Petros, a name (Strong’s 4074), but the word rock that He used was petra, a literal rock or, metaphorically, a strength of soul or confession (Strong’s 4073). The “rock” on which Jesus will build His church is the confession of who He is. It’s not Peter! The “rock” by which the gates of hell will not prevail is the confession of who Jesus is. The “rock” that gives us, mankind, the keys to Heaven is the confession of who Jesus is!
Romans 10:8-9 tells us that it is the confession of who Jesus is that brings us to salvation. This confession on the part of Peter is what gave him salvation, even after he betrayed Christ three times! This confession is what will save you as well!
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
A lot of times we take this verse to mean one of two things: either Jesus is the rock on which the church will be built, or Peter is the rock on which the church will be built. While I can see the case for either of these arguments, I don’t think I agree with them.
While I believe that Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22), in this particular verse He isn’t referring to Himself and He isn’t making a pun with Peter’s name. Scripture must be interpreted contextually. In the context of this little conversation between Christ and Peter, rocks are not the subject! Peter is not the subject. Oddly enough, Jesus Himself, that is, the person Christ, is not the subject either. (Remember that we’re talking about the foundation of the church, not the Deity of Christ or His role in the Church. Jesus is the Head of the Church; He is God, and He is Salvation.)
Initially the subject of this conversation was who people say Jesus is. Then the subject became who the disciples say Jesus is. Finally, the subject became who Peter said Jesus is. When Peter responded, “You are the Christ; the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus seized the moment.
He first recognized that only God could give such a revelation to a human. This understanding of who Jesus is can’t be revealed by the teachings of man, the works of man, or the earthly knowledge of man. God and God alone is the one to reveal Himself! Christ acknowledges Peter calling Him by his given name, Simon Bar-Jonah (which means “heard of the dove or Holy Spirit”), then by His new name Peter (which means “rock”).
This is where the confusion begins because suddenly it’s believed that the subject has changed to Peter, but it hasn’t. The subject is still what Peter said about Jesus! Jesus says “and on this rock” and it’s those words that get people confused. Because Peter’s name means rock it is assumed that Jesus is talking about him, but a look into the language used reveals something completely different.
Jesus calls Peter Petros, a name (Strong’s 4074), but the word rock that He used was petra, a literal rock or, metaphorically, a strength of soul or confession (Strong’s 4073). The “rock” on which Jesus will build His church is the confession of who He is. It’s not Peter! The “rock” by which the gates of hell will not prevail is the confession of who Jesus is. The “rock” that gives us, mankind, the keys to Heaven is the confession of who Jesus is!
Romans 10:8-9 tells us that it is the confession of who Jesus is that brings us to salvation. This confession on the part of Peter is what gave him salvation, even after he betrayed Christ three times! This confession is what will save you as well!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Repentance or remembrance?
Job 8:20-21
Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.
Job’s friends did what they thought they needed to do, that is, they came to Job and tried to offer and explanation for the situation he was in. They wanted to “lay it all out” for him so that he would be able to “get his life back on track”. They offered their human opinions about why these horrible things were happening to him in the hopes that he would “repent” and change his lifestyle. But the truth is this: Job didn’t need to change anything about himself; he had done no wrong.
All too often in our world today we act as Job’s friends did. We offer our opinions for why tragedies like the tsunami in Sumatra and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans happen. We [the collective Christian population] say the very same things Job’s friends said: “It’s because of sin. What did you do to God? Repent and change your evil ways.” These responses are given, and guess who gets the bad name for it? That’s right, God!
Am I saying that these areas of the world, that my own house, is without sin? Of course not; that would be preposterous. What I am saying, however, is that God does not count our sin against us anymore (2 Corinthians 3:19). In His eyes we are, and will remain, as blameless and perfect as the man Job was to Him (Job 1:1). This is not because of our own doing, but rather, due to the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10). It is by His stripes, His humiliation, His death, and His resurrection that we are viewed perfect in the eyes of Almighty God (1 John 2:2).
What I’ve realized, even through condemnation preaching such as that of Job’s well-intentioned but off-base friends, is that there are glimmers of redemption and hope, just as the Old Testament of the Bible, though full of laws and curses, is full of hidden revelations of Jesus Christ. In the closing words of Bildad’s explanation of why Job was suffering, he does something remarkable. Bildad, albeit probably unknowingly, reminds Job of his status with God. He tells Job that God will not cast away the blameless; He will fill him with laughter and rejoicing.
I wasn’t there with Job, so I can’t speak to whether or not he took this revelation to heart, but I am here with you. Please, take this revelation to heart. Because of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross you are righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). God wants you to know this; He wants you to remember this truth. On the night Jesus was betrayed He had a meal with His disciples. During the course of that meal He spoke of His upcoming death. He broke bread and related it to His body. He poured out wine and related it to His blood. After He gave thanks for these things He told the disciples to get together and remember Him.
This is what we need to do: get together and remember Him. We need to remember that it is by His stripes we are healed, through His death that we are forgiven. Remember it is because of His resurrection we have been given life. And as a result of His perfection we are blessed by God. This is the truth; this is the gospel.
Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.
Job’s friends did what they thought they needed to do, that is, they came to Job and tried to offer and explanation for the situation he was in. They wanted to “lay it all out” for him so that he would be able to “get his life back on track”. They offered their human opinions about why these horrible things were happening to him in the hopes that he would “repent” and change his lifestyle. But the truth is this: Job didn’t need to change anything about himself; he had done no wrong.
All too often in our world today we act as Job’s friends did. We offer our opinions for why tragedies like the tsunami in Sumatra and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans happen. We [the collective Christian population] say the very same things Job’s friends said: “It’s because of sin. What did you do to God? Repent and change your evil ways.” These responses are given, and guess who gets the bad name for it? That’s right, God!
Am I saying that these areas of the world, that my own house, is without sin? Of course not; that would be preposterous. What I am saying, however, is that God does not count our sin against us anymore (2 Corinthians 3:19). In His eyes we are, and will remain, as blameless and perfect as the man Job was to Him (Job 1:1). This is not because of our own doing, but rather, due to the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10). It is by His stripes, His humiliation, His death, and His resurrection that we are viewed perfect in the eyes of Almighty God (1 John 2:2).
What I’ve realized, even through condemnation preaching such as that of Job’s well-intentioned but off-base friends, is that there are glimmers of redemption and hope, just as the Old Testament of the Bible, though full of laws and curses, is full of hidden revelations of Jesus Christ. In the closing words of Bildad’s explanation of why Job was suffering, he does something remarkable. Bildad, albeit probably unknowingly, reminds Job of his status with God. He tells Job that God will not cast away the blameless; He will fill him with laughter and rejoicing.
I wasn’t there with Job, so I can’t speak to whether or not he took this revelation to heart, but I am here with you. Please, take this revelation to heart. Because of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross you are righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). God wants you to know this; He wants you to remember this truth. On the night Jesus was betrayed He had a meal with His disciples. During the course of that meal He spoke of His upcoming death. He broke bread and related it to His body. He poured out wine and related it to His blood. After He gave thanks for these things He told the disciples to get together and remember Him.
This is what we need to do: get together and remember Him. We need to remember that it is by His stripes we are healed, through His death that we are forgiven. Remember it is because of His resurrection we have been given life. And as a result of His perfection we are blessed by God. This is the truth; this is the gospel.
Monday, January 2, 2012
The three R's
2 Corinthians 5:18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
“It’s a new ministry opportunity!” Haven’t you heard this somewhere along the way? This statement and many others like it are thrown about in churches and meetings all over this world every day. There are all sorts of ideas being tossed out there for “new ministries”. Whether it’s a ministry for reaching crappy fathers or one for fixing drug addicts, these ministries are usually sub-categories of another ministry. That ministry is the Ministry of death (2 Corinthians 3:7), that is, the rules and laws established by God and written on rocks.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with having the desire to help others become good fathers, mothers, children, friends, non-addicts, and the list goes on, but cramming rules that lead to death down their throats isn’t the way to do it. In fact, this method isn’t even God’s design.
How can I say such a thing? Because the Bible clearly tells us in Galatians 3:24 that the the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ. Past tense here, folks! After that, the Law itself has no purpose. In fact, those of us in Christ, according to Galatians 2:19-21, are dead to the law. This means it has no more authority over us to condemn or to bring about the sting of death (2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 15:16).
Ministries based around principle-living and rule-following doctrine in order to better live your life are nothing more than sub-categories of the Ten Commandments. They all stem from the big 10 and leave the follower doing the work to become a good person or Christian. This type of ministry is not based on faith in Christ and His work, but on faith in our works. This doesn’t lead to a grace-filled life. Instead it brings us down the road of condemnation and reopens doors shut by the cross for the Devil to sneak back in!
The new ministry that we have, the one that we need to proclaim, the one that surpasses any 3, 6, 9, or 12 step program on the market, is the ministry of reconciliation! What is it? It’s simple, folks: it’s the Gospel. Christ came, lived, and died to make everything right between you and God. He rose again and prepared a place for you in Heaven. He loves you and desires to bless, protect, and prosper you.
The ministry of reconciliation allows the sinner (that’s you and me) to know, without hesitation, that God loves us. He doesn’t love us because we’re perfectly living out His rules; He loves us because Jesus perfectly lived out His rules on our behalf. He loves us because Jesus has imparted grace and favor in our lives and has taken upon Himself the burdens of our sin, debt, sickness, and guilt!
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us we are new creations in Christ and 2 Corinthians 5:19 tells us our sins are no longer counted against us! We are recreated, reconciled, and righteous. This is the ministry that God wants us to be proclaiming. This is where the change happens. It doesn’t come through the step program or the seminar on parenting a strong willed child. Instead, it comes from the simple realization that we are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.
That’s it!!
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
“It’s a new ministry opportunity!” Haven’t you heard this somewhere along the way? This statement and many others like it are thrown about in churches and meetings all over this world every day. There are all sorts of ideas being tossed out there for “new ministries”. Whether it’s a ministry for reaching crappy fathers or one for fixing drug addicts, these ministries are usually sub-categories of another ministry. That ministry is the Ministry of death (2 Corinthians 3:7), that is, the rules and laws established by God and written on rocks.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with having the desire to help others become good fathers, mothers, children, friends, non-addicts, and the list goes on, but cramming rules that lead to death down their throats isn’t the way to do it. In fact, this method isn’t even God’s design.
How can I say such a thing? Because the Bible clearly tells us in Galatians 3:24 that the the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ. Past tense here, folks! After that, the Law itself has no purpose. In fact, those of us in Christ, according to Galatians 2:19-21, are dead to the law. This means it has no more authority over us to condemn or to bring about the sting of death (2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 15:16).
Ministries based around principle-living and rule-following doctrine in order to better live your life are nothing more than sub-categories of the Ten Commandments. They all stem from the big 10 and leave the follower doing the work to become a good person or Christian. This type of ministry is not based on faith in Christ and His work, but on faith in our works. This doesn’t lead to a grace-filled life. Instead it brings us down the road of condemnation and reopens doors shut by the cross for the Devil to sneak back in!
The new ministry that we have, the one that we need to proclaim, the one that surpasses any 3, 6, 9, or 12 step program on the market, is the ministry of reconciliation! What is it? It’s simple, folks: it’s the Gospel. Christ came, lived, and died to make everything right between you and God. He rose again and prepared a place for you in Heaven. He loves you and desires to bless, protect, and prosper you.
The ministry of reconciliation allows the sinner (that’s you and me) to know, without hesitation, that God loves us. He doesn’t love us because we’re perfectly living out His rules; He loves us because Jesus perfectly lived out His rules on our behalf. He loves us because Jesus has imparted grace and favor in our lives and has taken upon Himself the burdens of our sin, debt, sickness, and guilt!
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us we are new creations in Christ and 2 Corinthians 5:19 tells us our sins are no longer counted against us! We are recreated, reconciled, and righteous. This is the ministry that God wants us to be proclaiming. This is where the change happens. It doesn’t come through the step program or the seminar on parenting a strong willed child. Instead, it comes from the simple realization that we are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.
That’s it!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Job shmobe
Colossians 1:13
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
I heard this scripture read in church this morning and my eyes were opened. I had a revelation, an epiphany of sorts, about Job! That’s right, Job. This scripture is written for our benefit, by the Holy Spirit, to help us understand the goodness of God and the freedom found through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16).
I recently got into the book of Job in my daily reading. Talk about your early morning motivator! Poor Job had a horrible time. His family was killed, his health went sour, and all of his wealth disappeared, all at once! His wife told him to die. His friends told him he was a sinner. He was down and out, found sitting in ashes (the same word also conveys worthlessness), covered with boils. Yet Job continued to praise God. Sure, he had questions about his situation, but Job never wavered on his knowledge that God was just and right.
You know, it’s common practice to use Job as an example in our lives today of how to react to a crappy situation. It’s easy to use Job as an example of how God “allows” bad things to happen in our lives to teach us and show us that He is perfect and always right. But you know what? I think that’s an inaccurate way to use the Bible.
I think it would be more appropriate if we used Job as an example of what CAN’T happen to us. Am I saying that bad things can’t happen to us or our families or our jobs? Certainly not, but what I am saying is this: the Devil has no right or authority over the believer to cause bad things to happen.
This is the revelation I had today: we have what Job didn’t: Jesus Christ. Job had no one to stand in the gap between the Devil and God in the courts of Heaven. He had no Redeemer, Protector, Comforter, Advocate, and Savior. Job had Job, Job’s righteousness, and Job’s authority.
How much greater a blessing do we have today? We have Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father. We have the once and for all sacrifice for sin to bring us back to perfect fellowship and right standing with God (1 Peter 3:18). We have the security of knowing that His finished work at the cross fully satisfies the requirements of the Law. We have peace in knowing that He, Christ, has defeated the Devil. We don’t have to rely on our own righteousness (like Job); we have HIS (2 Corinthians 5:21)!
Christ has redeemed us from the authority of the Devil. He [the Devil] will never hear the same words from God about us that he heard when Job was alive (Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”) because Christ has taken away the Devil’s power over us. He has removed us from the prince’s kingdom (John 12:31) and placed us in His kingdom (John 17:15-19). Rejoice in knowing that your enemy is defeated and has no power over you! By the Blood of Christ you are protected!
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
I heard this scripture read in church this morning and my eyes were opened. I had a revelation, an epiphany of sorts, about Job! That’s right, Job. This scripture is written for our benefit, by the Holy Spirit, to help us understand the goodness of God and the freedom found through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16).
I recently got into the book of Job in my daily reading. Talk about your early morning motivator! Poor Job had a horrible time. His family was killed, his health went sour, and all of his wealth disappeared, all at once! His wife told him to die. His friends told him he was a sinner. He was down and out, found sitting in ashes (the same word also conveys worthlessness), covered with boils. Yet Job continued to praise God. Sure, he had questions about his situation, but Job never wavered on his knowledge that God was just and right.
You know, it’s common practice to use Job as an example in our lives today of how to react to a crappy situation. It’s easy to use Job as an example of how God “allows” bad things to happen in our lives to teach us and show us that He is perfect and always right. But you know what? I think that’s an inaccurate way to use the Bible.
I think it would be more appropriate if we used Job as an example of what CAN’T happen to us. Am I saying that bad things can’t happen to us or our families or our jobs? Certainly not, but what I am saying is this: the Devil has no right or authority over the believer to cause bad things to happen.
This is the revelation I had today: we have what Job didn’t: Jesus Christ. Job had no one to stand in the gap between the Devil and God in the courts of Heaven. He had no Redeemer, Protector, Comforter, Advocate, and Savior. Job had Job, Job’s righteousness, and Job’s authority.
How much greater a blessing do we have today? We have Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father. We have the once and for all sacrifice for sin to bring us back to perfect fellowship and right standing with God (1 Peter 3:18). We have the security of knowing that His finished work at the cross fully satisfies the requirements of the Law. We have peace in knowing that He, Christ, has defeated the Devil. We don’t have to rely on our own righteousness (like Job); we have HIS (2 Corinthians 5:21)!
Christ has redeemed us from the authority of the Devil. He [the Devil] will never hear the same words from God about us that he heard when Job was alive (Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”) because Christ has taken away the Devil’s power over us. He has removed us from the prince’s kingdom (John 12:31) and placed us in His kingdom (John 17:15-19). Rejoice in knowing that your enemy is defeated and has no power over you! By the Blood of Christ you are protected!
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