Guess where you and I are seated today? In Christ!
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2: 4-8)
And also
"18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 18-20)
We bring our minds into captivity to the following:
Jesus died for all our sins.
He rose again from the dead for our justification -- we are declared the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
He sits at the right hand of God the Father, and we are seated in Christ at the Father's side, too.
He is our High Priest Forever, and we can rest assured that He cleanses away our sins forever:
"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2: 1-2)
What else has come through for me in all of this?
We are not bringing our thoughts into captivity to an idea, but to a Person, to a Real Event.
Not a figment of our imagination.
It is not true because we believe it, we believe it because it is true.
It is not true because we keep believing it. We keep believing it because it is true.
When we bring our thoughts into captivity to Christ's obedience, let us also remember that we are in Christ today, for that is the full culmination of His obedience:
"Herein is love perfected among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
The Obedience of Christ: Death, Resurrection, Ministry
He has taken care of everything, and the proof is in the Cross:
"1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10: 1-5)
We have to revisit the truth that the weapons are not carnal, they are not our flesh.
They have nothing to do with our physical efforts or our feelings.
They are all based on His Spirit:
"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4: 6)
and
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)s
and
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
We do not fight with the ideas of men, but the Wisdom of God:
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6: 17)
We are called to allow the weapons of God to bring the thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Not some idea or imagination, but the true and verified account and reality.
Notice that it is not "Obedience to Christ". It's all about what Jesus has done for us:
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 5-11)
He died on the Cross for our sins, and was raised for our justification.
Today, He is seated at the right hand of God our Father, and sits are our perfect man, our perfect representative, a High Priest Forever, forever justifying us from all our sins:
"23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
Indeed, Jesus was raised for our justification, and today He sits at the right hand of God our Father:
"19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
We bring out thoughts into Captivity to the Obedience of Christ: His death, His resurrection, and His ministry today and forever.
.
"1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10: 1-5)
We have to revisit the truth that the weapons are not carnal, they are not our flesh.
They have nothing to do with our physical efforts or our feelings.
They are all based on His Spirit:
"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4: 6)
and
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)s
and
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
We do not fight with the ideas of men, but the Wisdom of God:
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6: 17)
We are called to allow the weapons of God to bring the thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Not some idea or imagination, but the true and verified account and reality.
Notice that it is not "Obedience to Christ". It's all about what Jesus has done for us:
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 5-11)
He died on the Cross for our sins, and was raised for our justification.
Today, He is seated at the right hand of God our Father, and sits are our perfect man, our perfect representative, a High Priest Forever, forever justifying us from all our sins:
"23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
Indeed, Jesus was raised for our justification, and today He sits at the right hand of God our Father:
"19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
We bring out thoughts into Captivity to the Obedience of Christ: His death, His resurrection, and His ministry today and forever.
.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Christ, Not Man, Is King
Christ, not man, is king.
This inscription greets every visitor to the tomb of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell.
He resisted taking on the Crown of England, and continued to do so until his death.
When the Stuart Monarchy returned to power, the British people had established a greater revelation of their authority, which included putting their monarch under the same rule of law as they.
How did they come to accept this revelation? For centuries, the argument of divine right had determined that one man would be king and have greater authority over men.
The Bible became available to common men, that God had intended for every man to reign in life, through His Son Jesus:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
Even in the Old Testament, there were hints, inferences, and prophesies of the glory which God meant for man:
"5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8: 5)
and
Christ is king, not man.
This sentiment animates the reason why common people in the 1600s would rise up and overthrow a tyrannical king (Charles I).
However, in our world, we find more people who are unable to stand for anything, because they do not know about the King who gave everything for them.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " (Romans 8: 31-32)
In Christ Jesus, we have a King who serves us:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
The perversion pervasive in our times suggested that any king means tyranny and oppression.
Yet in Jesus, we have a King and Priest who serves us, from whom we in turn serve others:
"17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 17-20)
Men cannot be good kings. They cannot supply the full life and identity which men need.
Only God can do that:
"14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6: 14-16)
Christ, not man, is King, and we reign in life with Him (Romans 5:17)
This inscription greets every visitor to the tomb of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell.
He resisted taking on the Crown of England, and continued to do so until his death.
When the Stuart Monarchy returned to power, the British people had established a greater revelation of their authority, which included putting their monarch under the same rule of law as they.
How did they come to accept this revelation? For centuries, the argument of divine right had determined that one man would be king and have greater authority over men.
The Bible became available to common men, that God had intended for every man to reign in life, through His Son Jesus:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
Even in the Old Testament, there were hints, inferences, and prophesies of the glory which God meant for man:
"5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8: 5)
and
"5Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 113: 5-9)
Christ is king, not man.
This sentiment animates the reason why common people in the 1600s would rise up and overthrow a tyrannical king (Charles I).
However, in our world, we find more people who are unable to stand for anything, because they do not know about the King who gave everything for them.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " (Romans 8: 31-32)
In Christ Jesus, we have a King who serves us:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
The perversion pervasive in our times suggested that any king means tyranny and oppression.
Yet in Jesus, we have a King and Priest who serves us, from whom we in turn serve others:
"17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 17-20)
Men cannot be good kings. They cannot supply the full life and identity which men need.
Only God can do that:
"14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6: 14-16)
Christ, not man, is King, and we reign in life with Him (Romans 5:17)
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Jesus Our Chief, as Our Servant
"43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 43-45)
In churches throughout Christendom, the emphasis is on "Serve God!" or "Do What You Can for Jesus!" or "Give Your Life to Christ!"
Yet Jesus told His disciples that the greatest among them would be their servant, and the chief among them would be their slave.
Many read these passages, and then go about trying to serve everyone.
Have we not read what Jesus said to His disciples before He died on the Cross?:
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
Paul reminds us that He is our life, and not the other way around:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
and also
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
We need God to serve us, because we cannot do one thing for ourselves.
In the Bible, the perfect picture of this godly dependence appears with Jesus as the guest of sisters Mary and Martha of Bethany:
"38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 38-42)
The one thing needful: sit at Jesus' feet, let Him serve you, and in that capacity we treat Him as the Greatest and Chiefest in our lives.
In churches throughout Christendom, the emphasis is on "Serve God!" or "Do What You Can for Jesus!" or "Give Your Life to Christ!"
Yet Jesus told His disciples that the greatest among them would be their servant, and the chief among them would be their slave.
Many read these passages, and then go about trying to serve everyone.
Have we not read what Jesus said to His disciples before He died on the Cross?:
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
Paul reminds us that He is our life, and not the other way around:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
and also
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
We need God to serve us, because we cannot do one thing for ourselves.
In the Bible, the perfect picture of this godly dependence appears with Jesus as the guest of sisters Mary and Martha of Bethany:
"38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 38-42)
The one thing needful: sit at Jesus' feet, let Him serve you, and in that capacity we treat Him as the Greatest and Chiefest in our lives.
Friday, March 27, 2015
The Love of Money is Evil. The Love of God Makes us Rich
"6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6: 6-10)
Looking again at the connections of the Gospel of Grace and prosperity in our body and soul, many believers will refer to the above passage, then argue that we should get used to being poor and barely able to get by.
Let us not forget that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the most immature church in terms of their new standing and calling in Christ, about how Jesus enriched us:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8: 9)
Throughout Paul's epistles, we see how God's grace engaged His people to help prosper other churches:
"25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Romans 15: 25-27)
and also
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me." (1 Corinthians 16: 1-4)
So, wealth is not an evil thing. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, yet let us never think that love of God means that we should expect to stay poor. We can know and believe that in His love, He is meeting all our needs in Christ Jesus.
The love of money is evil. The love of God makes us rich.
Looking again at the connections of the Gospel of Grace and prosperity in our body and soul, many believers will refer to the above passage, then argue that we should get used to being poor and barely able to get by.
Let us not forget that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the most immature church in terms of their new standing and calling in Christ, about how Jesus enriched us:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8: 9)
Throughout Paul's epistles, we see how God's grace engaged His people to help prosper other churches:
"25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Romans 15: 25-27)
and also
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me." (1 Corinthians 16: 1-4)
So, wealth is not an evil thing. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, yet let us never think that love of God means that we should expect to stay poor. We can know and believe that in His love, He is meeting all our needs in Christ Jesus.
The love of money is evil. The love of God makes us rich.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Godliness First, then Gain
There is no Prosperity Gospel, but there is prosperity through the Gospel.
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
This verse could not make it clearer: our prosperity on the outside is directly related to our prosperity on the inside.
Yet still many Christians will quote this verse, arguing that financial well-being in this life should not be a concern for us:
"6But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6: 6)
"Godliness is our contentment, then!" many will charge, and that we should accustom ourselves to barely getting by.
The verse prior to this one gives more context:
"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6: 5)
There are people who believe that they are godly because they own a lot of things, or because they have lots of money.
That is not the case.
We are justified because of Jesus and His blood (Acts 13 :38-39), and we are blessed with all spiritual blessings because of Jesus, not because of anything that we do, or what we have:
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
We are not blessed because of what we have. We are blessed because of Him who has us:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10: 28-29)
Godliness is part of the gift of God's grace in our lives, too:
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; " (Titus 2: 11-12)
As for being taken care of, Paul later writes to Timothy:
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6: 17-19)
God our Fathers gives us all things (not some things) richly to enjoy.
We receive all things freely though Jesus (Romans 8: 31-32), but not of ourselves, nor for ourselves at the expense of everyone else.
Godliness comes first in our lives, through the Grace of God in Christ Jesus. Then as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we find ourselves prospering in every other domain of our lives, aware that He is supplying all our needs according to His riches (Philippians 4: 19).
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
This verse could not make it clearer: our prosperity on the outside is directly related to our prosperity on the inside.
Yet still many Christians will quote this verse, arguing that financial well-being in this life should not be a concern for us:
"6But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6: 6)
"Godliness is our contentment, then!" many will charge, and that we should accustom ourselves to barely getting by.
The verse prior to this one gives more context:
"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6: 5)
There are people who believe that they are godly because they own a lot of things, or because they have lots of money.
That is not the case.
We are justified because of Jesus and His blood (Acts 13 :38-39), and we are blessed with all spiritual blessings because of Jesus, not because of anything that we do, or what we have:
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
We are not blessed because of what we have. We are blessed because of Him who has us:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10: 28-29)
Godliness is part of the gift of God's grace in our lives, too:
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; " (Titus 2: 11-12)
As for being taken care of, Paul later writes to Timothy:
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6: 17-19)
God our Fathers gives us all things (not some things) richly to enjoy.
We receive all things freely though Jesus (Romans 8: 31-32), but not of ourselves, nor for ourselves at the expense of everyone else.
Godliness comes first in our lives, through the Grace of God in Christ Jesus. Then as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we find ourselves prospering in every other domain of our lives, aware that He is supplying all our needs according to His riches (Philippians 4: 19).
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
He's In the Fire to Deliver You Out
"25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3: 25)
The three Hebrew boys, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-Nego refused to give up their faith in the Living God, who lives in us today because of Jesus' Finished Work (Galatians 2: 20-21)
They even boldly defied the most powerful man on earth, refusing to bow down to any idol:
"16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3: 16-18)
When we understand that God is on our side, we have the courage to stand for Him, knowing that He has already stood for us:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
and also
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
and
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
In the Psalms, we find numerous promises of His power to deliver us:
"
The three Hebrew boys, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-Nego refused to give up their faith in the Living God, who lives in us today because of Jesus' Finished Work (Galatians 2: 20-21)
They even boldly defied the most powerful man on earth, refusing to bow down to any idol:
"16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3: 16-18)
When we understand that God is on our side, we have the courage to stand for Him, knowing that He has already stood for us:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
and also
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
and
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
In the Psalms, we find numerous promises of His power to deliver us:
"
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." (Psalm 91: 5-7)
Whatever fire you may find yourself in, know that Jesus is there with you, for you are in Christ, and He is delivering you!
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Let Him In, and He Gets You There
"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6: 21)
In this verse, Jesus performs a miracle so subtle, that most people miss it.
First, some context.
Jesus had withdrawn from the larger number of disciples, because they had sought to turn Him into a king, by force (John 6: 15).
We do not make anyone king, but rather He seeks to make us kings and priests (Romans 5: 17; 1 Peter 2: 9)
Now, while Jesus was praying on a mountain, the disciples (at this time, more than the twelve), decided to set sail without Jesus.
In other words, they did bring the Living Word into their ship.
"16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6: 16-17)
Whenever we set out because we refuse to trust our Savior and rest in Him, we will find that our path gets dark and unclear, and we may even sense that He is not there with us or for us:
"18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew." (John 6: 18)
Winds speak of strange doctrine as well as fierce outer resistance:
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4: 14)
The disciples rowed with all their might, and yet they got nowhere:
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid." (John 6: 19)
John does not even give precise number for how many miles, 25 or 30, that they rowed. The sea is not that big. Winds, distortions, frustrations all make it very difficult for us to get anywhere. This struggle is also a picture of man-centered efforts:
"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Romans 7: 19)
What is the answer to this toil and struggle? Jesus!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
As an example of this truth, the disciples were afraid, but they saw Jesus, and He spoke to them:
0But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." (John 6: 20)
Jesus reminds us "I am!", and then comforts them with "Don't be afraid." He does not shame them for being afraid, for leaving instead of waiting for Him. He is above time and space, force and matter, and He comes to them.
Then they willing received into their ship, and immediately they got where they were headed.
After hours and miles of rowing, they let Jesus into their ship, and they go to where they were going.
Let Jesus into every situation of your life, for He is our life (Colossians 3: 4), and He will get you where you need to go.
In this verse, Jesus performs a miracle so subtle, that most people miss it.
First, some context.
Jesus had withdrawn from the larger number of disciples, because they had sought to turn Him into a king, by force (John 6: 15).
We do not make anyone king, but rather He seeks to make us kings and priests (Romans 5: 17; 1 Peter 2: 9)
Now, while Jesus was praying on a mountain, the disciples (at this time, more than the twelve), decided to set sail without Jesus.
In other words, they did bring the Living Word into their ship.
"16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6: 16-17)
Whenever we set out because we refuse to trust our Savior and rest in Him, we will find that our path gets dark and unclear, and we may even sense that He is not there with us or for us:
"18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew." (John 6: 18)
Winds speak of strange doctrine as well as fierce outer resistance:
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4: 14)
The disciples rowed with all their might, and yet they got nowhere:
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid." (John 6: 19)
John does not even give precise number for how many miles, 25 or 30, that they rowed. The sea is not that big. Winds, distortions, frustrations all make it very difficult for us to get anywhere. This struggle is also a picture of man-centered efforts:
"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Romans 7: 19)
What is the answer to this toil and struggle? Jesus!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
As an example of this truth, the disciples were afraid, but they saw Jesus, and He spoke to them:
0But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." (John 6: 20)
Jesus reminds us "I am!", and then comforts them with "Don't be afraid." He does not shame them for being afraid, for leaving instead of waiting for Him. He is above time and space, force and matter, and He comes to them.
Then they willing received into their ship, and immediately they got where they were headed.
After hours and miles of rowing, they let Jesus into their ship, and they go to where they were going.
Let Jesus into every situation of your life, for He is our life (Colossians 3: 4), and He will get you where you need to go.
Monday, March 23, 2015
He Comforts Us
"14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof." (Nehemiah 13: 14)
In Hebrew, Nehemiah means "The Lord Comforts".
Our comfort is from God Almighty:
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isaiah 51: 12)
Today, we have this rest through Jesus:
"1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
While Nehemiah under the Old Covenant begged for God to remember His good deeds, today under the New Covenant we rest in the Good Deed of our Lord and Savior Jesus ("It is Finished" -- John 19: 30)
Toward the end of Nehemiah's ministry, however, he found the Israelites returning to the same wicked ways, contrary to God's law, which caused them to be removed from Israel to Babylon.
How do we walk in His Ways today, then?
By allowing our hearts to rest in His grace:
"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Hebrews 13: 9)
We are comforted in Jesus, who has put away all our sins and granted us His life and standing before God our Father today.
In Hebrew, Nehemiah means "The Lord Comforts".
Our comfort is from God Almighty:
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isaiah 51: 12)
Today, we have this rest through Jesus:
"1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40: 1-5)
This prophesy speaks of Jesus' coming, heralded by John the Baptist:
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." (John 1: 23)
The glory of the Lord revealed then -- and now -- is Jesus!
"And the Word was made 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)
The glory of the Lord revealed then -- and now -- is Jesus!
"And the Word was made 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)
While Nehemiah under the Old Covenant begged for God to remember His good deeds, today under the New Covenant we rest in the Good Deed of our Lord and Savior Jesus ("It is Finished" -- John 19: 30)
Toward the end of Nehemiah's ministry, however, he found the Israelites returning to the same wicked ways, contrary to God's law, which caused them to be removed from Israel to Babylon.
How do we walk in His Ways today, then?
By allowing our hearts to rest in His grace:
"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Hebrews 13: 9)
We are comforted in Jesus, who has put away all our sins and granted us His life and standing before God our Father today.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
We Know How it All Ends
Are you worried about the future?
There is no reason for us to be worried about the future, because we know that He holds the future:
He tells the end from the beginning:
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" (Isaiah 46: 10)
We also know that Jesus is coming back for us:
"20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
There is no reason for us to be worried about the future, because we know that He holds the future:
He tells the end from the beginning:
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" (Isaiah 46: 10)
We also know that Jesus is coming back for us:
"20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
"21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22: 20-21)
Jesus is our Witness, for He testifies with assurance: "I come quickly!"
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)
and
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8: 36)
and
"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 24)
He wants to be with us more than we want to be with Him:
"6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. " (Romans 5: 6-9)
When we read Romans 5: 15-17, Paul reveals to us our destiny in Christ Jesus:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)
Today, because our future is in Christ, and He holds our times in His hands, we know how everything ends: Christ all in all.
Jesus is our Witness, for He testifies with assurance: "I come quickly!"
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)
and
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8: 36)
and
"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 24)
He wants to be with us more than we want to be with Him:
"6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. " (Romans 5: 6-9)
When we read Romans 5: 15-17, Paul reveals to us our destiny in Christ Jesus:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)
Today, because our future is in Christ, and He holds our times in His hands, we know how everything ends: Christ all in all.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A Revelation for Today
Another thing that I realize today.
I have been so busy holding onto God, or trying to hold onto Him, that I have never appreciated all that He is doing, is committing to doing for me.
He promised to freely give us all things with His Son, did He not? (Romans 8: 32)
It's about time that you and I started to believe Him when He said that!
He has everything already prepared.
I do not have to worry about tomorrow, because His blood cleanses forever and ever.
He is my High Priest forever, too.
I have the testimony of His Word that all things are taken care of.
No longer distracted about the future, wondering if something bad may happen to me, I trust today in the full measure of all that Jesus did at the Cross.
I know that we are going to make it over to the other side.
More importantly, though, I know that I will make it over to the other side because He is bringing me over.
What has really change for me, though, is that I have the full knowledge of Revelation of Jesus as the Real Person.
The Book of Revelation, too, outlines the final end of all things, that we are in full glory and victory with Him. We have more than victory by the Blood of the Lamb.
Not a figment nor a fragment, but a real person, He who lives and reigns forever.
I have read the Book, and those who believe on Him come out on top, for we are already in Christ, and God our Father sees us in Hiim:
"Herein is love perfected among us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
These revelations are a matter of truth and acceptance.
I had harped for the longest time on the need for recognition of confirmation before my eyes.
When I realized that there was plenty of evidence, just a desire for fleshy confirmation alone, I then realized that it was not going to cut it
We are so caught up in our feelings. We want to feel, when the truth is that God cannot physically die for our sins a second time.
He can't. Jesus lives in a perfect body, after the power of an endless life.
He cannot die again. He cannot shed his blood a second time.
Such is what faith is all about.
More importantly, though, we are believing something which has happened, not waiting for something to happen.
That is a revelation in itself, not that we are waiting for something to show itself, but that what matters has already happened.
I have been so busy holding onto God, or trying to hold onto Him, that I have never appreciated all that He is doing, is committing to doing for me.
He promised to freely give us all things with His Son, did He not? (Romans 8: 32)
It's about time that you and I started to believe Him when He said that!
He has everything already prepared.
I do not have to worry about tomorrow, because His blood cleanses forever and ever.
He is my High Priest forever, too.
I have the testimony of His Word that all things are taken care of.
No longer distracted about the future, wondering if something bad may happen to me, I trust today in the full measure of all that Jesus did at the Cross.
I know that we are going to make it over to the other side.
More importantly, though, I know that I will make it over to the other side because He is bringing me over.
What has really change for me, though, is that I have the full knowledge of Revelation of Jesus as the Real Person.
The Book of Revelation, too, outlines the final end of all things, that we are in full glory and victory with Him. We have more than victory by the Blood of the Lamb.
Not a figment nor a fragment, but a real person, He who lives and reigns forever.
I have read the Book, and those who believe on Him come out on top, for we are already in Christ, and God our Father sees us in Hiim:
"Herein is love perfected among us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
These revelations are a matter of truth and acceptance.
I had harped for the longest time on the need for recognition of confirmation before my eyes.
When I realized that there was plenty of evidence, just a desire for fleshy confirmation alone, I then realized that it was not going to cut it
We are so caught up in our feelings. We want to feel, when the truth is that God cannot physically die for our sins a second time.
He can't. Jesus lives in a perfect body, after the power of an endless life.
He cannot die again. He cannot shed his blood a second time.
Such is what faith is all about.
More importantly, though, we are believing something which has happened, not waiting for something to happen.
That is a revelation in itself, not that we are waiting for something to show itself, but that what matters has already happened.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Rest in Him: He is At Work
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." (Psalm 37: 7)
Why do we have a hard time resting?
Because we do not believe that He is working.
Yet He is at work!
"5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
Why do we have a hard time resting?
Because we do not believe that He is working.
Yet He is at work!
"5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened." (Job 37: 5-10)
Jesus our Savior, through whom the whole universe was created, still holds the worlds together, including ours:
"15[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1: 15-17)
During His earthly ministry, Jesus was always working:
"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
and
"16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." (John 5: 16-17)
Notice that Jesus worked on the Sabbath Day, not only upending the traditions of the Pharisees, but signaling to all of us today that He is our rest, and He is working for us:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
and
"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
and also
"12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We rest in Him, and thus He is able to work in us.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
The Grace of God: More than a Baseball Game
One pastor explained our walk like a baseball game.
"Jesus has already hit the home run. All you have to do is hit the home bases."
At first, this view on the Gospel sounded good.
Then the questions emerge: How should I run the bases? Should I be doing what I am doing? Am I missing the bases?
Right away, the moment that someone, anyone adds: "All you have to do. . .", there is nothing but trouble and conflict.
We do not add one thing to all that Jesus has done:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
We cannot run anything without Christ Jesus.
Apart from Him, we can do nothing, no thing, not one thing (John 15: 5)
All of this talk about "He does His part, and you do your part"
People, we don't have a part, and when we accept that part, then we have played the best part we can play.
All of Christ. None of us.
The game has been played, the war has been won, and He lives in us.
We live in Him today, and we reign in His life.
This is not a life of winning a game.
"Jesus has already hit the home run. All you have to do is hit the home bases."
At first, this view on the Gospel sounded good.
Then the questions emerge: How should I run the bases? Should I be doing what I am doing? Am I missing the bases?
Right away, the moment that someone, anyone adds: "All you have to do. . .", there is nothing but trouble and conflict.
We do not add one thing to all that Jesus has done:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
We cannot run anything without Christ Jesus.
Apart from Him, we can do nothing, no thing, not one thing (John 15: 5)
All of this talk about "He does His part, and you do your part"
People, we don't have a part, and when we accept that part, then we have played the best part we can play.
All of Christ. None of us.
The game has been played, the war has been won, and He lives in us.
We live in Him today, and we reign in His life.
This is not a life of winning a game.
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
It is a life of having won, and receiving a greater revelation of all that we have received.
It is a life of having won, and receiving a greater revelation of all that we have received.
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)
The grace of God is not a baseball game which He has set up for us.
The grace of God is a certainty, and a message we send to all others, that they can stop trying to win what Jesus has already more than won for us.
The grace of God is not a baseball game which He has set up for us.
The grace of God is a certainty, and a message we send to all others, that they can stop trying to win what Jesus has already more than won for us.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
That message from that preacher did not help me as much as confuse me.
If Jesus has taken care of everything, then what am I supposed to be doing?
Such confusion reigned in me, and confused me.
He has provided all things, and has destined us to reign in life, in His life.
That message from that preacher did not help me as much as confuse me.
If Jesus has taken care of everything, then what am I supposed to be doing?
Such confusion reigned in me, and confused me.
He has provided all things, and has destined us to reign in life, in His life.
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
and also
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
Life is not a game, nor a journey, or a destination.
Life is Revelation, a Person named Jesus, and His resource and blessings are never-ending.
Life is not a game, nor a journey, or a destination.
Life is Revelation, a Person named Jesus, and His resource and blessings are never-ending.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Our Hope is Real: Jesus
"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3: 26)
When Jeremiah wrote this passage, he was commenting on the desolation of Jerusalem and the captivity of Israel to Babylon.
Even the midst of the terrible ravages and despoliation of God's people, because they could not keep His covenant, God was preparing for them to come back, to restore them.
First, God told Jeremiah to buy land and set up a lease. Jeremiah responded:
"25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans." (Jeremiah 32: 25)
God answered:
"26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32: 26)
In fact, the LORD would bring back His people to Israel:
"22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." (2 Chronicles 36: 22-23)
Today, we have a real hope, Salvation personified, and His name is Jesus:
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1: 21)
and
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
Jesus is our hope today:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1: 27)
and
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;" (1 Timothy 1: 1)
This hope is not a weak wish, but a divine certainty:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13: 8) is our very real hope.
When Jeremiah wrote this passage, he was commenting on the desolation of Jerusalem and the captivity of Israel to Babylon.
Even the midst of the terrible ravages and despoliation of God's people, because they could not keep His covenant, God was preparing for them to come back, to restore them.
First, God told Jeremiah to buy land and set up a lease. Jeremiah responded:
"25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans." (Jeremiah 32: 25)
God answered:
"26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32: 26)
In fact, the LORD would bring back His people to Israel:
"22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." (2 Chronicles 36: 22-23)
Today, we have a real hope, Salvation personified, and His name is Jesus:
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1: 21)
and
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
Jesus is our hope today:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1: 27)
and
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;" (1 Timothy 1: 1)
This hope is not a weak wish, but a divine certainty:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13: 8) is our very real hope.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
His Grace is a Sure Thing
"Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." (Isaiah 55: 3)
The grace of God is a sure thing.
Whenever we read "David" in the Old Testament, let us not forgot the original meaning, and thus full sense of the term, is "Beloved" or "Beloved One".
Todyay, because of Jesus, we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1: 6), which speaks of Jesus.
This everlasting covenant is the new covenant:
"31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)
We can trust in the grace of God, for in the Beginning, God created everything, then recreated it all before man came on the scene:
"26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. " (Genesis 1: 26-28)
God made man last, so that he would not be harmed during the Creation process, so that he could enjoy everything, and so that man would not take credit for anything.
That is a perfect picture of God's grace, a sure thing for us, since man could only receive and enjoy all things:
"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:" (Psalm 8: 6)
and also
"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." (Psalm 86: 5)
and
"The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." (Psalm 115: 16)
and then
"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145: 8)
We find Paul presenting to us the fullness of Jesus and all that He is in the epistles, too:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
Today, let us rest in this truth: the grace of God is a sure thing, made sure for us through Christ Jesus!
The grace of God is a sure thing.
Whenever we read "David" in the Old Testament, let us not forgot the original meaning, and thus full sense of the term, is "Beloved" or "Beloved One".
Todyay, because of Jesus, we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1: 6), which speaks of Jesus.
This everlasting covenant is the new covenant:
"31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)
We can trust in the grace of God, for in the Beginning, God created everything, then recreated it all before man came on the scene:
"26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. " (Genesis 1: 26-28)
God made man last, so that he would not be harmed during the Creation process, so that he could enjoy everything, and so that man would not take credit for anything.
That is a perfect picture of God's grace, a sure thing for us, since man could only receive and enjoy all things:
"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:" (Psalm 8: 6)
and also
"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." (Psalm 86: 5)
and
"The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." (Psalm 115: 16)
and then
"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145: 8)
We find Paul presenting to us the fullness of Jesus and all that He is in the epistles, too:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
Today, let us rest in this truth: the grace of God is a sure thing, made sure for us through Christ Jesus!
Monday, March 16, 2015
The Truth: He is On Your Side
"35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4: 35-41)
Jesus did tell the disciples that they would cross over to the other side. Yet that calm assurance never gave them peace. When the storms raged, and water rolled into the boat, they got scared, and even questioned Jesus as they yelled at him: "Don't you care?"
They were very afraid, too.
Yet when Jesus rebuked the storm, they were MORE afraid.
It is not enough for us to know the future. It is not enough for us to know where we are going.
We need to know that He is there with us and for us!
In other words, we need to know that He is no longer angry with us, and He is on our side.
To believe that He is on our side, look no further than the Cross:
"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 9-10)
There is our testimony, that we can also be assured:
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Jesus did tell the disciples that they would cross over to the other side. Yet that calm assurance never gave them peace. When the storms raged, and water rolled into the boat, they got scared, and even questioned Jesus as they yelled at him: "Don't you care?"
They were very afraid, too.
Yet when Jesus rebuked the storm, they were MORE afraid.
It is not enough for us to know the future. It is not enough for us to know where we are going.
We need to know that He is there with us and for us!
In other words, we need to know that He is no longer angry with us, and He is on our side.
To believe that He is on our side, look no further than the Cross:
"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 9-10)
There is our testimony, that we can also be assured:
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
"6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6)
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Could it be any clearer?
Not our minds, but His death and resurrection, brings us the truth who sets us free!
Something else comes to mind: we do indeed know how everything is going to turn out:
"20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Not our minds, but His death and resurrection, brings us the truth who sets us free!
Something else comes to mind: we do indeed know how everything is going to turn out:
"20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22: 20-21)
Even Romans 5:17 tells us what we are destined for:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
It speaks of our future, in Christ Jesus -- we shall reign in life by One!
We do not reign in life, until we understand that He is our life (Colossians 3: 1-4), and we cannot receive His life if we do not understand His death, where we have eternal everlasting righteousness accorded to us (Daniel 9: 24), established (Isaiah 54: 14) through Jesus, our Great High Priest forever (Hebrews 7: 17).
When we understand that He is on our side, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, then we can take Him at His Word, and we have no reason to fear the future.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Even if You Get Angry, God Won't Be Angry With You
There is nothing wrong with getting angry:
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:" (Ephesians 4: 26)
In the above verse, "anger" and "wrath" are two different words. There are times when we should get angry. There is nothing wrong with expecting people to behave themselves, and there is also nothing wrong with getting angry when people are not behaving themselves in a right spirit.
Jesus did get angry, as recorded in the Bible, one time:
"And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other." (Mark 3: 5)
The lack of grace grieved Jesus greatly. He also upbraided these Pharisees before all when they put the law ahead of grace:
"The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." (Luke 13: 15-17)
For many of us, though, we believed that if we got angry, we had to struggle our way out of it in order to get right with God again.
It's time for us to put away the traditions of men, and stop believing the lies of broken Pharisees looking to force a yoke a bondage on the sons of God, who have received a new spirit.
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
We have already been blessed. We have already been accepted in Christ Jesus, the Beloved Son of God.
What are we worried about?
If we get angry, let us rest in the truth that the blood of Jesus cleanses (present tense) us from all sins (1 John 1:7).
God is not dependent or contingent on our moods, people! Let us never forget the promise in Isaiah, fulfilled by Jesus at the Cross:
"8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:" (Ephesians 4: 26)
In the above verse, "anger" and "wrath" are two different words. There are times when we should get angry. There is nothing wrong with expecting people to behave themselves, and there is also nothing wrong with getting angry when people are not behaving themselves in a right spirit.
Jesus did get angry, as recorded in the Bible, one time:
"And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other." (Mark 3: 5)
The lack of grace grieved Jesus greatly. He also upbraided these Pharisees before all when they put the law ahead of grace:
"The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." (Luke 13: 15-17)
For many of us, though, we believed that if we got angry, we had to struggle our way out of it in order to get right with God again.
It's time for us to put away the traditions of men, and stop believing the lies of broken Pharisees looking to force a yoke a bondage on the sons of God, who have received a new spirit.
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
We have already been blessed. We have already been accepted in Christ Jesus, the Beloved Son of God.
What are we worried about?
If we get angry, let us rest in the truth that the blood of Jesus cleanses (present tense) us from all sins (1 John 1:7).
God is not dependent or contingent on our moods, people! Let us never forget the promise in Isaiah, fulfilled by Jesus at the Cross:
"8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
9For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee." (Isaiah 54:8-9)
Even if we get angry, we can rest in the gracious truth that God our Daddy will never get angry with us again for our sins.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Let the Fight of Faith Be Fought
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6: 12)
When reading this verse, our first impulse is to put up our fists and start punching and kicking. Some of us, who grew up in more charismatic circles, may start running around yelling and rebuking the devil and every sickness we can think of, binding and cursing.
Yet throughout the Bible there are numerous verses which speak of the Enemy defeated, and sin paid for:
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
and also
"I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father." (1 John 2: 13)
"You have overcome the wicked one", John writes to the young men, and they are not even fully grown in Christ!
Also:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16: 33)
and also
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.: (1 John 5: 4)
Paul writes to Timothy, and thus to all of us, that we fight "the good fight of faith."
The full Greek is better rendered:
"Let the good fight of faith be fought." The language is the passive imperative, which is a command to be passive. English does not lend itself to such constructions, but Greek does.
It's not about what we do, but what we believe, and that we rest further in this faith as we grow.
"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5: 5)
When reading this verse, our first impulse is to put up our fists and start punching and kicking. Some of us, who grew up in more charismatic circles, may start running around yelling and rebuking the devil and every sickness we can think of, binding and cursing.
Yet throughout the Bible there are numerous verses which speak of the Enemy defeated, and sin paid for:
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
and also
"I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father." (1 John 2: 13)
"You have overcome the wicked one", John writes to the young men, and they are not even fully grown in Christ!
Also:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16: 33)
and also
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.: (1 John 5: 4)
Paul writes to Timothy, and thus to all of us, that we fight "the good fight of faith."
The full Greek is better rendered:
"Let the good fight of faith be fought." The language is the passive imperative, which is a command to be passive. English does not lend itself to such constructions, but Greek does.
It's not about what we do, but what we believe, and that we rest further in this faith as we grow.
"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5: 5)
Friday, March 13, 2015
His Enemies are Your Footstool
"From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." (Hebrews 10: 13)
Human beings are not good at waiting.
We struggle to see a living God taking care of our living, vivid problems.
Yet that is exactly what are loving Father exhorts us to do:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46: 10)
and also
"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3: 26)
Today, we are not waiting for God to move, so much as we are waiting as He is bringing all our enemies to our foot.
This process began the moment that we are saved:
"9And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
Now, this verse speaks of how God the Father placed Jesus, resurrected from the dead, at His right hand in full glory and honor. What does this placement have to do with us?
We are seated in Christ, too!
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
We are seated in Christ, and God our Father sees us in His Son:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Because we are in Christ, and God our Father has placed all things at Jesus' feet, we know that all these enemies are at our feet, too:
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12: 3)
and
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17)
and of course:
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
Rejoice, Beloved! Today and forever more, His Enemies (and yours) are your footstool!
Human beings are not good at waiting.
We struggle to see a living God taking care of our living, vivid problems.
Yet that is exactly what are loving Father exhorts us to do:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46: 10)
and also
"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3: 26)
Today, we are not waiting for God to move, so much as we are waiting as He is bringing all our enemies to our foot.
This process began the moment that we are saved:
"9And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
Now, this verse speaks of how God the Father placed Jesus, resurrected from the dead, at His right hand in full glory and honor. What does this placement have to do with us?
We are seated in Christ, too!
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
We are seated in Christ, and God our Father sees us in His Son:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Because we are in Christ, and God our Father has placed all things at Jesus' feet, we know that all these enemies are at our feet, too:
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12: 3)
and
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17)
and of course:
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
Rejoice, Beloved! Today and forever more, His Enemies (and yours) are your footstool!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
From Close to Into the Kingdom
"And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." (Mark 12: 34)
Who was this scribe, and why did He ask Jesus a question?
Let us look over a broader context from this account in Mark's Gospel:
"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." (Mark 12: 28-34)
This one scribe was looking for answers. He was not interested in shaming Jesus or promoting himself.
He wanted to know the truth. After he heard the Truth speak the truth, the scribe's answer was wiser, and more humbling:
33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
In a sense, the scribe is right, but he leaves out an important part of the verse he references:
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6)
God is all about chesed, or grace. A scribe focused on the law will not understand that. But this scribe at least understood that the greatest law is love:
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 10)
and
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Galatians 5: 14)
The scribe in Mark 12 understood that love is the most important commandment, and thus he was not far from the Kingdom.
What would bring the scribe, and brings us all into the Kingdom, is the Holy Spirit, through whom we receive righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
This gift we receive because of Jesus' love for us:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
Now we understand where our love comes from: "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
John reports the account of Jesus giving us new commandments in the New Covenant:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
Notice that this command follows from His love for us.
We go from being close to entering the Kingdom when we understand how much God loves us!
Who was this scribe, and why did He ask Jesus a question?
Let us look over a broader context from this account in Mark's Gospel:
"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." (Mark 12: 28-34)
This one scribe was looking for answers. He was not interested in shaming Jesus or promoting himself.
He wanted to know the truth. After he heard the Truth speak the truth, the scribe's answer was wiser, and more humbling:
33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
In a sense, the scribe is right, but he leaves out an important part of the verse he references:
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6)
God is all about chesed, or grace. A scribe focused on the law will not understand that. But this scribe at least understood that the greatest law is love:
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 10)
and
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Galatians 5: 14)
The scribe in Mark 12 understood that love is the most important commandment, and thus he was not far from the Kingdom.
What would bring the scribe, and brings us all into the Kingdom, is the Holy Spirit, through whom we receive righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
This gift we receive because of Jesus' love for us:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
Now we understand where our love comes from: "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
John reports the account of Jesus giving us new commandments in the New Covenant:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
Notice that this command follows from His love for us.
We go from being close to entering the Kingdom when we understand how much God loves us!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Our Tithes Testify to His Life
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." (Hebrews 7: 8)
When we tithe, we are testifying that Jesus is alive and serving us.
"And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5: 6)
and also
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
In the passage above, we find Paul writing about Jesus our living Savior, who is ministering on our behalf actively, right now.
We do not tithe, therefore, to move God to do something for us, but rather as a testimony that He is alive, living in us, through us, and for us.
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."" (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
and also
"21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 21-23)
Let us never forget that anything that we have, all is the gift of God:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
We tithe to reap what God has already sown, too:
"7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. " (Galatians 6: 7-8)
In the previous chapter, Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23), all of which comes from His Spirit, not from our striving.
Anything we release back to God, is a response to all that He has given us.
And the first, the greatest thing which God gave, His Son, provided us with His life:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 4)
When we tithe, we are testifying that Jesus is alive and serving us.
"And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5: 6)
and also
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
In the passage above, we find Paul writing about Jesus our living Savior, who is ministering on our behalf actively, right now.
We do not tithe, therefore, to move God to do something for us, but rather as a testimony that He is alive, living in us, through us, and for us.
"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."" (Ephesians 1: 3-6)
and also
"21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 21-23)
Let us never forget that anything that we have, all is the gift of God:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 8-10)
We tithe to reap what God has already sown, too:
"7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. " (Galatians 6: 7-8)
In the previous chapter, Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23), all of which comes from His Spirit, not from our striving.
Anything we release back to God, is a response to all that He has given us.
And the first, the greatest thing which God gave, His Son, provided us with His life:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 4)
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Jesus Makes Us Kings (Not the Other Way Around)
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." (John 6: 15)
Notice how the crowds who followed Jesus saw Him as a celebrity, and they wanted to "take Him by force".
If we take anything by force, we are implying that we have all the power.
Yet apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5)
To this day, there are many Christians pressed with the argument that they have to make Jesus Lord.
That kind of thinking makes no sense. He is already Lord, and He is already King.
How then do we honor His royalty? Not by taking him and trying to make Him King.
We respect His royalty when we allow Him to make us kings to reign with Him:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
and also
"29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 29-32)
Notice that Jesus wants to give us the Kingdom, and it is His good pleasure to do so. Stop denying Him this pleasure in your life.
We do not make Him a King, for we are dead in our trespasses. We are completely in need, and He provides all our needs:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)
and also
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
and then
"9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2: 9-10)
and finally:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus wants to make us kings, to reign in life with Him. Stop trying to make Him Lord, for He already is. Let Him bless you today, king-priest in Christ!
If we do not let Jesus make us kings, how else will we be able to do this?
"10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4: 10-11)
Notice how the crowds who followed Jesus saw Him as a celebrity, and they wanted to "take Him by force".
If we take anything by force, we are implying that we have all the power.
Yet apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5)
To this day, there are many Christians pressed with the argument that they have to make Jesus Lord.
That kind of thinking makes no sense. He is already Lord, and He is already King.
How then do we honor His royalty? Not by taking him and trying to make Him King.
We respect His royalty when we allow Him to make us kings to reign with Him:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
and also
"29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 29-32)
Notice that Jesus wants to give us the Kingdom, and it is His good pleasure to do so. Stop denying Him this pleasure in your life.
We do not make Him a King, for we are dead in our trespasses. We are completely in need, and He provides all our needs:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)
and also
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
and then
"9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2: 9-10)
and finally:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus wants to make us kings, to reign in life with Him. Stop trying to make Him Lord, for He already is. Let Him bless you today, king-priest in Christ!
If we do not let Jesus make us kings, how else will we be able to do this?
"10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4: 10-11)
Monday, March 9, 2015
The Person of Jesus Matters Most
"And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;" (Mark 14: 33)
In the above passage, we find the three disciples whom Jesus more intimately revealed himself.
Peter means "stone", James means "replace" , and John means "grace."
This trio of disciples represents the transition from the Old to the New Covenant: the law has been replaced by the grace of God.
This type appears also in Ezekiel's prophesy:
"And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. 19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: " (Ezekiel 11: 18-19)
Here, God talks about removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh, or a soft heart. The most accurate translation, however, is a heart of "Good News", which speaks of the Gospel of Grace:
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 24)
and then
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" (Galatians 1: 6)
and
"Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:" (Colossians 1: 6)
While in the previous post, we learned about the four disciples asking Jesus about the end times, in the above passage today we learn about the disciples being with Jesus in His darkest time before the Cross.
Jesus wants us to be with Him, not know what the future will be like for us:
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31: 3)
and also
"In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54: 8)
God is all about our knowing Him, and we know Him through the Son:
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14: 7)
and
"14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 14)
In the above passage, we find the three disciples whom Jesus more intimately revealed himself.
Peter means "stone", James means "replace" , and John means "grace."
This trio of disciples represents the transition from the Old to the New Covenant: the law has been replaced by the grace of God.
This type appears also in Ezekiel's prophesy:
"And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. 19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: " (Ezekiel 11: 18-19)
Here, God talks about removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh, or a soft heart. The most accurate translation, however, is a heart of "Good News", which speaks of the Gospel of Grace:
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 24)
and then
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" (Galatians 1: 6)
and
"Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:" (Colossians 1: 6)
While in the previous post, we learned about the four disciples asking Jesus about the end times, in the above passage today we learn about the disciples being with Jesus in His darkest time before the Cross.
Jesus wants us to be with Him, not know what the future will be like for us:
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31: 3)
and also
"In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer." (Isaiah 54: 8)
God is all about our knowing Him, and we know Him through the Son:
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14: 7)
and
"14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2: 14)
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Beyond Prophesy to the Person
"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mark 13: 3-4)
In this passage, four of the disciples approach Jesus, and ask him about the tearing down of the Temple.
Throughout the Gospels, one usually reads about Peter, James, and John only.
What is Andrew doing in this passage, when they seek to learn about the end times?
"Andrew" means "man" in Greek, and men whether they are saved or unsaved are interested in knowing the future.
Man wants to know the dates and the times.
The angels who attended Jesus' physical ascension chided Jesus' followers:
"6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1: 6-8)
He is interested in our witness, in becoming more like Him, as He transforms us:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
and then
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
We have the Word, and the Word boldly declares what will happen and when:
"1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5: 1-2)
Let us rather know more of Him, our Lord Jesus, who already declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46: 10).
In this passage, four of the disciples approach Jesus, and ask him about the tearing down of the Temple.
Throughout the Gospels, one usually reads about Peter, James, and John only.
What is Andrew doing in this passage, when they seek to learn about the end times?
"Andrew" means "man" in Greek, and men whether they are saved or unsaved are interested in knowing the future.
Man wants to know the dates and the times.
The angels who attended Jesus' physical ascension chided Jesus' followers:
"6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1: 6-8)
He is interested in our witness, in becoming more like Him, as He transforms us:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
and then
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
We have the Word, and the Word boldly declares what will happen and when:
"1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5: 1-2)
Let us rather know more of Him, our Lord Jesus, who already declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46: 10).
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