The Throne of Mercy

This morning as I opened my Bible app, the suggested verse for the day caught my eye, and I thought it worthwhile for some real reflection.  I have included some of the surrounding verses for context.  Here are the verses - Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV:

[12] “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

[14] “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The last verse is the one that really grabbed my attention this morning, specifically the fact that apparently we need to approach God’s throne so that we may receive mercy.  This seems the opposite of what my flesh and human logic would want to do… I would prefer to stay far away from any potential judgment.  I don’t want the Lord to see me, or see my weakness. 

I don’t think I am alone in this, for we have natural fight and flight responses to things that threaten our lives.  The preceding verses speak of how all of our lives are uncovered and laid bare before God, and I believe that if God were to truly look at my life that He would sentence me to eternal judgment. 

I am not wrong in my belief, except for the fact that Jesus gave His life for me, and substituted Himself for me, paying for all of my sins!  He is the only reason I am not judged!  He is also the only reason that I can approach God’s throne in confidence!  He knows my exact condition!  He knows my weakness, and yet He chose me!

I am reminded of a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:8-11 NIV:

[8] “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

I have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.  It is only because of Him that I have any life, any hope, any ability to stand, and any confidence in approaching the Throne. Paul writes also that our lives are now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) so in a very real sense when we are approaching the Throne, we do so from within Christ.  

I am reminded of some additional verses found later in Paul’s letter the Romans 8:31-35 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Putting this all together, while we were still sinners, Jesus paid for us, and our lives are now hidden in Him.  When we approach the throne, we do so fully aware that it is only through Him that we may do so!  When we do so, we find He is sitting next to the Father interceding for us!  He is not sitting there bringing charges against us, He is sitting there on our behalf, telling the Father how much He loves us, how much He paid for us, and how He has chosen us!  

How could the Father extend anything but mercy to us? 

Therefore, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!!

We need mercy, and we need help and both are readily available to us at the Throne!  Mercy is best understood in the face of the alternative, and when we come to the Throne, we should be fully aware of what we should receive, if not for Jesus!

The Good News is that this mercy is available to all of us who would believe, to all who put their faith in Jesus, the only one who has made a way!

Even more so, not only do we receive mercy, but we receive real help in the grace that is poured out on us!

Amen and Amen!

Water From The Rock & Embracing Our Identity

This morning I felt like I should revisit a reflection from 10 years ago where I was thinking about the story of 'the water from the rock' found in Exodus 17:1-7 NIV:

[1] "The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

[3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

[4] Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

[5] The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

A couple of things pop into my mind immediately:

First, the Hebrew people were persistent in their unbelief and ungratefulness.  They were always more worried about what God was going to do today, rather than thinking about what God did yesterday and how that revealed His character and faithfulness in caring for them.  I am reminded of how often I am exactly like this, immediately starting to complain if something doesn't go my way.

Secondly, they were in this place because they were following God, as He directed them.  God had a plan.  He always does!   He was going to provide for them, as He promised He would, but the people weren't willing to wait on God.

Their perspective, once again, was limited by the present situation, not having learned about God's blessing and provision from His previous acts and interactions.  He had previously provided manna and quail, had purified poisoned water, and safely protected them from the pursuing Egyptian army!   A location without water was not going to be a problem for God.  The people, however, were quick to complain and grumble.

I know that by following the Lord, I have several times found myself in what appear to me to be difficult situations, and in those times I am quick to follow the Hebrew people's example of grumbling and complaining. As I think about this, I realize that this is a symptom of an unrenewed mindset, and wrong identity.  The Hebrew people were no longer slaves, they were God's chosen people, the people of His promise, but their mind-set was still slave-like.  Slaves have no choice and no freedom, and when things are difficult they complain and grumble, for that is all they can do.  Slaves are justified in their complaints against unfair and cruel masters.

The problem is that God isn't like their former masters and they were no longer slaves, they were His chosen people.  He loved them, chose them and promised to take care of them and protect them.  The people didn't trust God, didn't trust Moses, and were convinced they would have been better off to have stayed in Egypt.  They were deluded in their thinking, as we can clearly see from our perspective looking back, but in the midst of it all, they could not see their wrong perspective.

In the same way, my sometimes struggles in believing God is good and for me are the result of an unrenewed mind, and wrong identity.  I am thinking like someone who hasn't met or experienced God's love, and I am not embracing my identity as His son, whom He greatly loves.  As Paul says in his letter to Ephesians 1:3-10,15-21 NIV:

[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." 

[15] "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, [16] I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. [17] I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [20] he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

Following those wonderful thoughts I am reminded of Paul’s writing found in Colossians 3:1-4,12-14 NIV:

[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

[12] "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Lord, I pray that I might fully embrace this reality, this truth that not only have I been chosen, invited into sonship and given every spiritual blessing, redeemed, set free and now am hidden in You!  It is too much to comprehend, but it is my inheritance!  

I pray that You might expand my experience, my understanding of Your Glorious love.  I pray that I might better represent You and Your blessings and provision to those around me!  Help me to  clothe myself with Your characteristics and above all, Your love!   Help me Lord to embrace my identity as Your son, holy and dearly loved.  Help me to fully believe in You, Your Word, Your promise and Your timing.  

Help me to see things from Your perspective, rather than from an earthly slavish mindset!  There is no doubt that You can provide water from a rock, pools in the desert, and blessing in the midst of the most difficult seeming circumstances!

Amen and Amen!

Testimony -> Faith -> Healing

Yesterday morning I was thinking about the woman who was healed by touching Jesus’ robe (see Luke 8:40-47; Matt 9:18-26; or Mark 5:22-43).  This is such an interesting story and one that obviously is significant as it is found in all three of the synoptic Gospels.  I have reflected on this story several times through the years, and everytime I spend some time thinking about it  I see another facet.  Yesterday the thing that caught my attention was how this woman’s faith ended up causing a whole faith movement.  

Here is the account found in Matthew’s Gospel - Matthew 9:20-22 NIV:

[20] “Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. [21] She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 

[22] Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.”

The other two accounts take a bit more time with this miracle, but the facts are quite simple, this woman touched just His cloak and was healed.  Previously people tried to touch Jesus (see Luke 6:19), but this woman only touched His cloak.  There are religious reasons she didn’t want to touch him, as it would have made Jesus ceremonially unclean, but it is my conjecture that this instance became well known and now people just wanted to touch Jesus’ garments.  

Matthew later adds the following note - Matthew 14:34-36 NIrV:

[34] “They crossed over the lake and landed at Gennesaret. [35] The men who lived there recognized Jesus. So they sent a message all over the nearby countryside. People brought all those who were sick to Jesus. [36] They begged him to let those who were sick just touch the edge of his clothes. And all who touched his clothes were healed.”

Later in Acts when Paul visits Ephesus, we find an expansion of this principle in that just Paul’s handkerchief was needed to  bring healing to a person - Acts 19:11-12 NIV: 

[11] “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

It is so interesting to me how a simple act or story can spur faith in people and this can result in their healing. One could say that the testimony of this woman’s healing spurred a whole new ministry model for healing.  Two ministries that I follow to some extent see similar things, not so much with cloth or clothes but in the releasing of testimonies that then result in similar healings.  In the ministries of Bethel Redding (Bill Johnson) and Global Awakening (Randy Clark) they have countless cases where they have seen people healed just by listening to someone’s testimony, and I think we see a similar thing here, where people heard about the woman, took the step of faith and were healed when they touched Jesus clothes, or Paul’s apron or handkerchief.  

God is so amazing in how He will bless and release healing just through the hearing of a story or testimony, often for very similar situations or circumstances.  It seems that the Lord has no issue with “Copycat” faith, and is happy to bless and heal people through similar acts of faith. 

The thing that really got me thinking was how this relates to the healing ministry of Jesus, and how it seemed He never healed the same condition the same way twice.  Clearly Jesus ministered to each individual uniquely, but if we study His healing of blind people, it seemed that He used a different technique every time. We might relate this to His unique approach to each person, but I also think He was making sure His followers understood that they needed to constantly turn to the Father for specific direction, not just do the same thing every time, for then their faith would be in the act, not in the Father’s ability to heal! 

This individualistic approach seems opposite of the healing of the woman who touched His cloak, and the following impact on their ministry model.  This is where we must understand that God is bigger than our logic, than the way we think He should act!  He is God and He does what He wants to do, or as the Psalmist says - Psalm 115:3 NIV: “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.”

This morning I am encouraged that God is God, that He loves to heal His people, and He will not be limited by what makes sense to us!  He can heal through a hanky, through an apron, through a testimony, whatever He wants to do!  I am grateful that He is constantly moving and constantly interacting with us in new and unique ways!  

I am encouraged that He wants us to expect Him to move and do the miraculous, even in our very midst! Let us speak of His wonders, of our interactions with God that others might hear and believe, and be healed! 

Amen and Amen!

Is There A Direct Personal Correlation Between Sin And Sickness?

Recently, due to some personal dealings with long-term sickness, the question of why do some people suffer illnesses has come up.  We have lots of ideas as to why, and last evening I was rereading a journal entry from 10 years ago and found it helpful in correcting one possible wrong idea.  Basically it relates to the thinking that is described in John 9:1-2 NIV: "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

This thinking that sickness and disease were caused by sin were apparently common thoughts in the Jewish society.  This thinking is roughly based on the law and the idea that God punishes law-breakers (sinners).  Here are some of the main passages that talk about this thinking:

Exodus 20:4-6 NIV:

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. [5] You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."

Leviticus 26:14-16 NIV:

“ 'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, [15] and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, [16] then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength..."

What I also find interesting is how common this thinking is in our society today, especially in the church! I must say it is present even in my own life, for one of the first things I think when I get sick is whether this is the result of some sin in my life.

Before I go on, let me say that I do NOT believe this thinking is true, even though I think that way at times.  I believe that disease and sickness are in the world as a result of our fallen nature which was the result of sin, but not that the two are directly related in our individual lives.  I believe that God is first and foremost a loving Father, and that He sent Jesus to save us, not to condemn us and punish us.  I could spend a bunch of time looking at the other passages and developing the logic to say this thinking isn't correct, but instead I am just going to jump to the thought I had yesterday.

So the thought I had yesterday was that Jesus demonstrated that God the Father (for He came to reveal the Father to us) does not cause sickness because of sin.  He demonstrated this through healing every sick person that was brought to Him.  There were only a few times that He addressed sin after healing someone, the rest of the time He just healed them!  He healed them but He didn't address their sins because apparently they weren't related!  Jesus addressed sin several times, but never said it caused our sickness or diseases.

Now imagine thinking to yourself that your sickness was caused by sin, and was the result of God's attitude towards you as a sinner.  Imagine how you would feel about your life, especially if you couldn't put your finger on the specific sin that was the cause of your punishment.  Now imagine all the people around you having the same perspective and how they would look at you, thinking you were clearly a sinner because you were sick.  The book of Job is great example of this type of thinking played out in excruciating detail.

Now imagine how you would feel if you met Jesus, the very Son of God, and rather than punishing you for your sin(s) He looked at you with love and healed you!

Imagine the impact on your self-esteem!

Imagine the relief that would sweep over you!

Now consider the fact that Jesus healed thousands and thousands of people!  He was setting them free from the accusations and judgments of their fellow men, and the enemy!  There must have been a huge uplift in in the regional psyche as thousands of people were set free of the "sinner" label.

The simple fact is that we all are sinners, and if sin and sickness were directly related we would all be sick, all the time.  Jesus, in the story from John 9, specifically says that the man's blindness was not caused by sin, and certainly alluded to that during the thousands of healings He performed without mentioning their sins.  We obviously don't have records of all of those healings, but in the vast majority of specific healings mentioned in scripture, He does not address their sin or need for forgiveness.  In His directions to the 12 He sent out to minister, He does not reference sin - Matthew 10:6-8 NIV: "Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

In summary, I believe that the Lord wants to set us free from this wrong thinking.  I believe He wants those who are presently sick to know that they are not being punished for their sin.  I believe He wants to set us all free from this accusation and old testament thinking about sickness and disease.  I believe the Lord wants to reveal to us His true heart for us, because He loves us and desires the very best for us.  I believe the Lord continues to heal people even today, AND that He has defeated sin and death.

Finally, in closing I thought this was appropriate - Quoting Psalm 103:1-5 NIV:

[1] "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

[2] Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits---

[3] who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

[4] who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

[5] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Amen and Amen!  He is a good God!

Leading by Serving?

This morning I was reflecting on a dream I had that had some unique symbolism, that which I thought had to do with servant leadership.  I was thinking about that as I opened my Bible and felt like I should read from Mark 10, and sure enough the following verses are found there - Mark 10:41-45 NIV:

[41] When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. [42] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [43] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [44] and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. [45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This is such an interesting dynamic in the ministry of Jesus. He was clearly leading them, but He was serving them at the same time.  The question for me is how to lead from a place of servanthood? Jesus provides the counterpoint of the way the gentiles leaders Lord over, and exercise authority over people, and says to the apostles that it must “not be so” with them! 

I would imagine that this statement from Jesus must have really caused them to think.  James and John had just asked Jesus for the seats right next to Him in His kingdom, and the rest were indignant, and one would suspect thinking to themselves that they were the ones that Jesus would choose to sit next to Himself.  Never mind that Jesus had just finished telling them how He was going to suffer and die… they were all thinking about position and title, and such, and Jesus speaks the bit quoted above, to realign their thinking.

Jesus actually uses two different words in verses 43 and 44, just to make sure they fully understood.  In verse 43, what is translated servant is the Greek word diakonos, and it means:

1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister

2) the servant of a king

3) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use

4) a waiter, one who serves food and drink

In verse 44, the word translated slave is the Greek word doulos, which is defined as:

1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

      A) a slave

      B) metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

      C) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests

2) a servant, attendant

Again, Jesus was not just making a point, He was giving them instruction!  This is how they are supposed to see themselves, and their role in His ministry. This is clearly quite different from the other leaders they could look to, and much more in line with the idea of being a shepherd, caring for and feeding, putting one’s life on the line in defense, etc.  

We do see that the Apostles did learn and understand this, for they recognized the role and responsibility and were themselves fulfilling this role (servant) in the early church. When the church grew too large, they had to find others to help and in the following verses describe the character that the Apostles were looking for in the people chosen as deacons, found in Acts 6:1-4 NIV:

[1] “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

I think that in our modern day church, we often overlook this idea of servant leadership, and becoming a bondsman or slave of Christ. I think that at times the church clamors for leaders like we see in the world around us, similar to Israel asking God for a King (see 1 Sam 8), and this is a mistake.  We don’t need rulers, we need servant leaders!  We must have leaders who represent Christ to us, and Jesus constantly rejected the models of the world. 

Let us pray for our pastors, leaders, teachers and others who are serving the body of Christ that they might fully understand and embrace this call to serving tables, to being bondsmen of Christ!  Help us to encourage this mindset and understanding in our churches! 

Amen!

Stay on Target

This morning I felt led to turn to 1 John 2, and spend some time in that chapter. The following verses are the ones that I highlighted anew - 1 John 2:5-6,15-17,20-21,24-25,27 NIV:

[5] “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: [6] whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 

[15] “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 

[20] ‘But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. [21] I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.” 

[24] “As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is what he promised us—eternal life.” 

[27] “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”

I like the verses I underlined, while some of them are familiar, they are not the common themes one hears preached regularly. John is setting the target, and showing the helps we have been given.

Target - “Live as Jesus did!”

Opposite of the Target - “lust of flesh and eyes, and pride of life”  

Helps - “You have been given a real anointing which shows us the truth and teaches us”

The last bit about the anointing being real and remaining in us was really encouraging to me this morning. Sometimes I feel like I am far away, and just unaware of the moving of the Holy Spirit, but the reality is that the anointing is real and it remains in me! Lord, please help me to look to You, and to speak this truth to myself when I am feeling disconnected! 

Also, please help me to live as You lived, representing You to those around me!

Amen!

Offend Our Religiousness

Last evening we had a meeting at church where we were talking about how the Lord would proclaim the Kingdom and then demonstrate its reality, and how some people were offended by the way He did those things.  This morning I felt led to turn back to a very familiar story that I have reflected on many times, the story of Jesus healing the man born blind, recounted by John in chapter 9 of his gospel.  This is such a great example of how religion can get offended by moves of God. Here are verses recounting the aftermath of Jesus healing the man, and local religious authorities being confronted by the reality of God moving in their midst.

John 9:13-19,24-34 NIV:

[13] They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. [14] Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. [15] Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 

[16] Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. 

[17] Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” 

The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 

[18] They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. [19] “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 

[24] A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 

[25] He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 

[26] Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 

[27] He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 

[28] Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! [29] We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” 

[30] The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. [31] We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. [32] Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. [33] If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 

[34] To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.”

I am always amazed at the absolute unwillingness to consider that God might be moving in ways that the religious would consider unacceptable!  To non-believers, it was quite clear that God had worked a miracle!  It was the religious, the experts, who struggled. In fact the man was basically schooling them in the right approach, the right perspective, and they just couldn’t receive it!   

One wonders how we would handle such a miracle in our midst, in some similarly out of order way?  What if someone got radically healed in the midst of a sermon, like went from being blind to seeing?  Would we stop and celebrate?  Would we later have a “talk” with the Lord explaining that its all fine and good if He wants to heal someone, just please do it during the ministry time in the future?  Would we wonder why He didn’t do such a thing when we were speaking?  

There are hundreds of possible responses, but I think the Lord is after our hearts!  I think it is safe to say that He wants our response to be increased faith, and sometimes that requires repentance on our part!  

A second question just popped into my head - are we gathering on Sunday mornings to talk about God and remember what He did, or to encounter Him in the present?  

I think the teachers of the Law, the Pharisees and Sadducees were so busy looking backwards to what God had done and had said, that they couldn’t accept what He was doing right in their midst!  

My prayer is that we might embrace this idea that God wants to encounter us anew!  He is still creating, still doing new things, and we want to look back at what He said and did before, rather then taking a chance of encountering Him now!  

Lord help us to encounter You now!  Help us to have the courage to open our eyes, to open our ears and to step into what You are doing right now, right here!  Oh Lord, I pray that You would offend our religiousness so that we might grow in our faith, and in our experience of You!!

Amen and Amen!

Active Love and Destroying the Devil's Work

This morning felt led to read from 1 John, chapter 3.  I didn’t remember exactly what was in chapter 3, so was surprised to find one of the verses I have been quoting regularly, nestled into verse 8.  Here are the surrounding verses for context and additional conversation - 1 John 3:7-19,23-24 NIV

[7] “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. [8] The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. [9] No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. [10] This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 

[11] For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. [12] Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. [13] Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. [15] Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 

[16] This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 

[19] This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 

[23] And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. [24] The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

Lately I have been praying for the Lord to destroy the devil’s work.  I see his hands at work  sowing division, deception, disagreements, accusations, and the like.  Lord, we pray that You would break through into our hearts and minds and reveal any works of the enemy in our lives, in our thinking, in our actions, in our talking.  Help us to realize that we can’t be attacking a brother or sister at the same time saying we love our brothers and sisters. 

I do love John’s writings for he boils it down to the basics, our love for the Lord and our love for one another are directly related. He challenges us to put real actions behind our words. He pushes those of us who are wholly smitten with God, but who don’t think about or care for people, in his mind the two are inseparable, and directly related to one another. 

John makes it very clear, if we hate, its as if we are murderers (verse 15 above).  While this might seem excessive it does tie back to Jesus’ words during His sermon on the mount - Matthew 5:21-22 NIV:

[21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Clearly, this is some serious stuff.  Bringing it back to Jesus' words, again echoed by John in verses 16 and 23 above.  We are called to love one another the way Jesus loved us, being willing to lay down our very lives for one another.  John makes it very practical, laying down one’s life doesn’t usually involve stepping in front of a person to take a bullet, it is seen in our day to day lives, how we care for one another, how we love in real action!  Verses 17 and 18 are the real challenge!  Can we share our material possessions with those in need, can we open our home to brothers and sisters, can we provide food or care for the downtrodden?  Can we do so when we don’t have extra, but when we are tapping that which we depend on ourselves? 

I could continue on this line of thinking for I am reminded of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and how Jesus expands the idea of loving one’s neighbor.  This morning I am just encouraged to look at my life, at the way I treat and think about others, and to look at my track record of care for those in need!  I see many times where I stopped short of putting my beliefs and spoken words into actions.  Lastly, I am reminded that my loving of others is actually destroying the works of the enemy, for he sows division, disagreement, judgment and hatred!  

Lord help us, for I think the Church has many opportunities to grow in these areas!  

Amen! 

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

I am continuing my reflection on some verses from yesterday.  I find that often I will spend a day or two ruminating on some specific theme or set of verses, and that usually means I need to get these more into my life.  Here are the verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians 4:2-6 NIV:

[2] “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. [3] And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. [4] Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. [5] Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

These are such good verses for this time, this season of being together with family, and friends, some of whom might not be believers. A couple of very good points that Paul makes, and my expansion (Verse 2, 5 & 6), not that they are needed, but I Like to try to apply them to my own life:

1) Be devoted to prayer…

A) This is not just a casual observance, but something of significant and constant focus.  The definition of the Greek word proskartereō:

    i. to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one

    ii.to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing

    iii. to continue all the time in a place

    iv. to persevere and not to faint

B) This mindset requires a constant vigilance, not with a critical eye but as someone ready to help.

2) In the place of prayer be watchful and thankful

A) Watchful tends to bring an idea of being awake and alert ( towards danger) but I think this could also be for what the Lord is doing… (although the Greek tends towards danger).

B) Thankful - with a heart constantly tuned to gratitude… and eyes to see what the Lord is doing and recognizing and then treasuring this in one’s heart. I think that thankfulness must move from our brain to our heart.

3) Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders.

A)  The Greek word means those without, or outside the door, and this is clearly talking about those outside the church.

B) This could be taken to mean that we should be guarded, and there is wisdom in that not all people understand our thoughts, actions, and different citizenship, however I think this relates more to Paul’s vigilance towards every opportunity to share the Gospel of Grace, which is what he continues with….

4) Make the most of every opportunity.

A) This is a clear focus on presenting the Gospel, speaking of Christ , sharing one’s life in the most opportune and effective manner.

B) I find this most difficult, as I struggle with the “fear of man”, and my own personal space boundaries.

C) One certainly understands that Paul, in his courageous work seemed to live this encouragement.

5) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt

A) Oh that we would learn to respond this way, both verbally and through our actions. 

B) The Greek word is charis, and it is briefly defined as follows:

    i) grace

        A) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

    ii) good will, loving-kindness, favour

        A) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

C) This is not a broadcast of words flowing from our lips, like some sidewalk preacher, but this is a conversation, as in two people conversing back and forth.  Oh, that we would learn how to listen, to really hear what the other is saying.

D) This is an encouragement to the church to be a place of conversation, not just proclamation.

E)  A note from David Guzik, referring to the phrase “seasoned with salt”

     i) “In classical writers ‘salt’ expressed the wit with which conversation was flavoured.” (Peake) “Grace and salt (wit, sense) make an ideal combination.” (Robertson)

6) So that you may know how to answer everyone.

A) This is a prayer of mine, for conversationally I am often slow, and think of what I should have said, hours and sometimes days later.  I want to be in the flow and knowing what I should say in that moment.

B) I don’t think this is a methodological preparation for every possible conversation point as one of my college professors urged (grade-school music of all things) but rather a sensitivity of heart and mind to understand one’s fellow conversant, both what is being said and what is left unsaid, to understand the heart of the matter, and being able to speak in that context. 

C) We find times where Jesus operated in this gift, knowing what people were saying among themselves, or even thinking…(Luke 9:47; Matt 9:4)

D) Oh that we would have His same sensitivity!

Lord, thank You for Your encouragement through Paul this morning!  Help me to put these encouragements into practice, even as You clearly demonstrated them in Your ministry.  I want to make the most of every opportunity, speaking with grace, salt and love!

Amen!

Promises

This morning as I sit down to pray I am reminded once again of a theme that has been on my mind, the patience of the Lord, and His fulfilling His promises.  We had an event at church Friday evening and I had a chance to briefly share and read a couple of verses from 2 Peter.  As I was reading them I could definitely sense there was more the Lord was doing and releasing.  I thought I would spend some time mining those same verses this morning.  Here are the verses- 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV:

[8] “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

One of my regular reflection themes is how the Lord is different than us, His thinking and HIs ways (See Isaiah 55:8-9) and these verses once again highlight the Lord’s difference from us.  We want everything now, He is patient beyond our comprehension.  We think we know what His Promises mean, but often only grasp the smallest facet of His Promise.  We struggle in time, He is outside of time, and so has no real concern, for He sees everything in every moment!  His view of time is vastly different than ours! 

I think Peter must have just caught the smallest glimpse of God’s perspective, for he seemed to grasp a bit of God's intimate knowledge of everything and everybody, all at the same time (one day is like a thousand years).  At the same time He must have seen the smallest glimpse of God’s position outside of time, able to look at any moment, in any age, being present, and understanding everything, but at the same time seeing the landscape of thousands of years in an instant. This simple sentence should open a door for us into the absolute microcosmic and macro-cosmic nature of God.  

In school I took two courses that really helped me see this reality, without being religious in nature, microbiology and astronomy.  Having a small understanding of the inner workings of the cell, of the mitochondria, of the critical and foundational functions that happen in the interior of our cells helped me see and appreciate the absolute wonder of order and function at our smallest level. Later when I took Astronomy, I was able to compare the micro with the macro, through the study of the heavens, universes, galaxies, planetary movements, and distances beyond real comprehension in light years. Having a faith perspective I saw in these studies beautiful order and the unknowable depth of the Glory of God, and was able to start to grasp just the tiniest piece of His immenseness and intimate knowledge.

This morning I am brought back to these ideas and thoughts by Peter’s observation and exclamation.  While helpful on one hand - it is in the application of these ideas to God’s faithfulness that really grabs my heart today.  I know that God is faithful, and operates with such a different perspective than ours, that at times it does seem like He is slow!  We think that HIs promises should be fulfilled right now, or in the next few days, and we don’t like waiting for anything or anybody (at least that is true for me!). We think we know what God means when He speaks a promise to us, and in my experience of His promises to me, I am almost always wrong about what His promises actually mean. 

For instance, more than 10 years ago the Lord spoke some promises to me about my job situation.  It felt like I was being launched into a time of significant success and multiplication and I was very excited.  In the midst of His releasing those promises, I was contacted by a company and given a new job that appeared to be the direct fulfillment of His recent promises.  I felt His hand guiding me, giving me favor, and then 3 years later that company closed its doors, and the promise of God never seemed fulfilled. 

That event began for me a real season of testing and frustration, as my career actually seemed to be going in the opposite direction.  I was so confused. I knew I had heard the Lord's word, and His promise, and yet could see no real fruit. In the ensuing years I changed jobs multiple times, bouncing between companies, technologies, etc. and always having enough to support our family, but never what seemed to be the fulfillment of His word over my  life. I picked up a random mix of skills and experiences that had limited market value, and seriously wondered if I had missed His promise somehow.

However, unbeknownst to me, God was aligning things and situations, companies, technologies and my employment so that in the last 2 years, I have stepped into what i can only describe as the most perfectly aligned opportunity that only a person with my exact random assortment of skills could succeed at, and have seen my career reach previously unapproachable heights.  

As I look back at my life I see the Lord crafting me for this time, this company, this opportunity.  I see His hand on every strange twist and turn, and see His crazy faithfulness, and attention to the most minute detail.  I see Him in the Micro and the Macro, and clearly am walking in some of the fulfilment of His promises, 10 years later.  

I am absolutely convinced that God saw this all in the moment when He spoke those promises to me, and while I was really close to giving up on those promises, He was always faithful! 

This brings me back to the words of Peter, God is not slow in fulfilling His promises, He is patient.  He knows everything and is at work in our lives in ways we cannot comprehend!  He hasn’t forgotten a single promise, and is faithful to fulfill them in the most perfect way.

On Friday evening, when I read these words I felt that there was an encouragement from the Lord, for us to revisit those dreams and promises that we have given up on, to dust them off and to lay them before Him!  God is faithful to fulfill all of His promises! He will never forsake us, nor abandon us.  As David writes in Psalm 9:10 NIV: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” 

At one specific point in the last 10 years, I had to lay down my frustration, and my offense at the Lord for not fulfilling His promise the way I thought He should!  Frankly, I was in unbelief and was believing the accusations of the enemy, believing that all of my following God was in vain, and that He had abandoned me and forgotten His promise.  When I came to that place and laid it all down and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness, His answer was swift, and within a few days I could see Him at work, leading me on the path to today, and my experience of His fulfilling His promise.

My prayer is that all of us might understand today that He is not slow, He is patient, and He is faithful!  He hasn’t abandoned us, hasn’t forgotten us, hasn’t trashed our promises, hasn’t walked away!  Instead He has been carefully crafting the perfect fulfillment of His promises, and shepherding all the circumstances and situations into the perfect alignment to fulfill His promise, in the exact way He meant it to be fulfilled. 

My prayer is that we would step back from our demands and expectations and trust that He actually knows exactly what He meant, and its better than we could have thought our imagined, and perfectly inline with His will!  

My prayer is that we would see His hand at work, even in unfulfilled moments, seeing that glimpse of His greater plan, purpose and perspective!

My prayer is that we might put our hope in the Lord once again!  He is good!  He is faithful!  He loves us perfectly!  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and totally in control at every point in-between.

As someone said recently, if it’s not good, He isn’t finished yet.  

Let us hold onto His promises, keep them fresh, and trust the He is absolutely watching over them to fulfill them!

Amen and Amen!  

 

The Kingdom In Our Midst

Last evening I was reflecting on some verses and reading out of Luke, Chapter 17.  This Chapter has plenty to reflect on, but the two verses that caught my eye were the following - Luke 17:20-21 NIV:

[20] “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, [21] nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

I have reflected on these verses, or the parallel verses in other so the Gospels, several times, and it always amazes me that the Lord, in His wisdom, chooses to effectively hide His Kingdom inside of people!  There are no geographical boundaries to His Kingdom, no wall or border that separates His domain from others.  Jesus rightly prophesied that people could not see it, or observe it… for it is hidden in the hearts of His sons and daughters.  

There are clearly lands and nations that are affected by His Dominion, some walking in closer alignment with His Character and Revelation than others, but His not the recognized leader in any of them.  Instead, He is King over a Kingdom that spans the globe, and is present in almost every nation, tribe and tongue.  

I love the description of people of the Kingdom from an early church writing titled - Epistle to Diognetus 5:1-6, 9-10

[1] "For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or customs. [2] For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle. [3] This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the  thought and reflection of ingenious men, nor do they promote any human doctrine, as some do. [4] But while they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. [5] They live in their own countries, but only as aliens, they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign....[9]They live on the earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. [10] They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws."

I think one of the things that is most vexing about the Kingdom of God, for casual observers, doubters, and even sometimes people of His Kingdom, is its hiddenness when viewed externally.  We are, by and large, people who want to see and know, and have it all make sense.  God, however, is beyond our grasp of understanding, His thoughts Higher than ours (Is. 55:8-9), His ways unexplainable.  

We think that if God was real He would come to earth and clean up all the evil, wiping it from the face of the earth with awesome power, making every wrong right, healing all the disease and sickness, and reigning victoriously from His capitol city!  Our stories of other gods, even of comic book characters, almost always take this approach, and this is where God’s plan and purpose just make no earthly sense (at least to me).

Instead, He has chosen to visit the earth, to become fully man, and rather than reigning in power, He has humbly laid down His life, in payment for debt that we could not pay.  His Kingdom was established in the hearts of 120 followers, almost none of whom had political power, popular favor, or significance!  His Kingdom and His church were persecuted from the very start, and rather than collapsing, it exploded like wild-fire, capturing the hearts of millions, and spreading from city to city, nation to nation.  In the History of the world (that I know of) there is nothing like God’s Kingdom.  It has withstood the rigors of war, deprivation, outright attacks, efforts to destroy it at every turn, and yet it continues to expand and grow, capturing the hearts of billions of individuals!   

The Kingdom of God, and His reign are in our midst, even if we can’t see it with casual observation.  Members of His Kingdom, are our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family.  My prayer is that His Kingdom would continue its aggressive growth and expansion, and that His Kingship would continue to bring health, healing, mercy, compassion and love to the world around us!

Amen!

Have the Mindset of Christ

This morning I am once again reminded of these verses from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-5 NIV:

[1] “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

That last sentence just grabs my heart this morning!  In my relationships with one another, that means every one in the Body of Christ, (I think he is specifically speaking about our Christian Brothers and sisters here) that I should think about them, have a similar perspective as Christ would have… have His mindset! 

I can’t even begin to imagine what that is really like, for He was here to love and save us all!  

He knew that He was laying down His life for us!  How can we even grasp for a moment His mindset?

I guess that the closest I can come is how I feel about my family, my wife, my children, their spouses and their children.  I would gladly do anything I can to help them, to be there for them, to serve them, even to laying down my life for them!  There is an absolute mindset in me that they are worthy of any sacrifice, not because of what they have done, but rather because of who they are, those that I love with my whole life! 

I imagine that Christ Jesus has this same mindset about each of us! Wow!

Going back to some of the most quoted verses in Scripture - John 3:16-17 NIV:

[16] “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

These two verses are worth mining for the rest of our lives, for they explain God’s motivation and plan so clearly. When Jesus issued His famous new command (John 13:34-35), I believe He was building on the foundation of these two verses. 

John 13:34-35 NIV:

[34] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I think the phrase, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” perfectly captures Jesus’ mindset, His motivation and His invitation to us!  This is how we should live!  This is how the world will be changed!  This is what  putting on the mindset of Christ is all about!

Lord help us!  This certainly doesn’t flow out of our natural man!  

We need Your help Jesus!

Amen and Amen!

Supporting One Another Through Struggles

I was reading one of my Blogs from 2015 - based on Gal. 6;1-5 and it seems a really good model for life, growing in relationship with others in such a way that we might be able to help one another in their daily walk, and their daily struggles.  I have copied and expanded that blog entry below.

Here are the verses  - Galatians 6:1-5 NIV:

[1] “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. [4] Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, [5] for each one should carry their own load.” 

It is so interesting reading the English translation and then going back and reading the original language and seeing what if any differences there may be.  Breaking down the Greek:

In verse one, the word Paul used that was translated sin, was not the common Greek word Hamartia, which is defined as missing the mark, or having no share in (target), but rather the word Paraptoma, which is defined to fall beside or near something. The secondary definition is a lapse or deviation from the truth.  

The word translated restore is the Greek word katartizo which is defined as mending or making one complete, fixing something that is broken.  

The word translated temptation is the Greek word Peirazo which is defined as trying or testing whether something can be accomplished. 

Finally the word translated caught is Prolambano which is defined to take before, as in taking hold of someone by the hand before.

When I put those words together I get an image of a brother or sister walking alongside another brother or sister, reaching out their hand to steady them or help them when they stumble or fall and helping them back to their feet, back to the path, helping them fix anything that might have been broken. Paul encourages them to do so gently, lest the one helping might also be drawn into the testing.  I can almost picture two people walking together on a rough trail, steadying each other, both knowing they are the support for the other.  What an awesome picture of how to help one another in our faith walk.  Neither individual takes a judgmental position, but rather they are both acknowledging they are walking the path together.

This actually makes better sense as we shift into the second verse of bearing one another's burdens.  Why would Paul write that if He was just talking about catching someone in their sin? If the image is of walking down a path together, it makes perfect sense, for in the natural we often times will offer to carry the burden of another as they traverse a difficult stretch or their strength is waning.  When we are walking alongside another, we have an understanding of load each other is carrying, their strength and their needs.  Paul says this is fulfilling the law of Christ, which I think relates back to the commandment that Jesus gave us to love one another as He loved us, laying down His life.

Imagine if we all were willing to walk alongside one another and were willing to help each other in their time of need and struggle, willing to lay aside our own concerns and attentions and instead look to them to help them.  We see this type of behavior come out when we are confronted with major catastrophes, as in earthquakes, tornados, blizzards, etc.  People are willing to help one another, laying aside their own concerns for a while, going to those who need help and providing whatever aid and assistance they can.  It is in these times that we see the goodness in our neighbors and people around us.  I believe Paul's encouragement this morning is to live this way all the time.

As I was reading these verses  and this reflection, I was thinking about how important having people who we can trust to help us, and us them, especially in areas where we struggle. We have wonderful models for support groups of all sorts, grief support, dealing with divorce,  chemical dependency support, A.A, etc. These are such wonderful helps for those who are dealing with significant burdens in life.  As I noted above, the truth is that we probably should all live this way, and have groups that help support one another all the time.  

I think Paul, in his next sentences, identifies the issue that keeps us from living with such interdependence, namely pride!  We don’t want to admit that we all need help!  We want to compare ourselves to others and consider ourselves better than those that need help! 

I think in all areas, in all of our lives, we need encouragement, support, transparency and vulnerability with a trusted group of a few who we can trust totally.  If we are all truthful, we all struggle with sins, selfishness, and wanting things our way, which is more often than not in contrast to God’s ways!  Paul encourages us to take a real look at our own lives, not to compare with others, but to own our own state, and see ourselves as we really are! 

In this social media infested world, where people are aspiring “influencers”, the temptation to create and project false personas and false lifestyles is all around us.  Authenticity is being lost in the world of make-believe, pushed on us daily through social media. This is the exact opposite of what we are called to embrace in our lives as Christians.

I am reminded of Paul’s encouragement from his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

I am encouraged this morning to learn to walk alongside my brothers and sisters, learning to rely on their help and provide real help as well.  I am encouraged to make this a  lifestyle for every day rather than just during special times of extraordinary need.  I am encouraged to look at myself, to see who I really am, and how I am really doing.  I am encouraged to look for those that I can trust and be in relationship with, so that I might grow in my ability to love as Christ loves me.  Lord help me and help us to have such an attitude towards one another.

Amen and Amen!

Humility vs. Pride and Judgment

Last evening we had a time of prayer for our church, and the Lord stirred up some things in my mind and heart.  Last night I was rereading some of my writings from 2015, and the following (with some additions) is what I had written.

As I sat down to pray I felt like I should read from the letter of James 4:4-12 NIV:

[4] "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us ? [6] But he gives us more grace.

That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

[11] Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor?"

It seems the theme the Lord specifically was pointing me towards had to do with humility and love for one another.  Our theme last evening was pushing past unity to full integration.  The only way a people can do this is to embrace humility.  Before we can do that we need to look at our lives and deal with our tendency to walk in judgment rather than love and acceptance.  

It is actually pretty interesting how often this whole topic is dealt with in the New Testament. The term judgment is used 65 times in the New Testament, and at least half of those speak of the Day of Judgment.  Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jude and the author of the letter to the Hebrews all write about judgment, so apparently it was an important subject.

It is interesting that James includes statements about judgment immediately following his discussion of the need to be humble. Actually I think that makes perfect sense for the one who judges takes a place above the one they judge, as if they have authority.  Putting ourselves above another, is really an indication of pride.  I saw somewhere recently a statement that pride is the chief weapon of satan.  It was clearly his main downfall, and makes sense that it is the chief tool he uses to cause us to sin.  At the core of this sin is the idea that we know better, and are better than those around us, and that can include God.

There is only one Judge, and when we take Jesus' place as judge over someone, are we not saying effectively that we are a better judge than He is? Maybe we don't believe that He is doing a good job judging them, or punishing them for their obvious sin.  Maybe we think that He is taking too long, and that He shouldn't be as merciful as He is.  Whatever the vague thoughts or feelings we have when we step into the position of judgment, we are effectively taking Jesus' place.  Lord have mercy on us!

Another attitude that seems to be common is when we assume the motives of someone else.  We look at their life and we think we know what they are thinking, and judge them accordingly.  Again, who knows our every thought and the secrets of our hearts?   It certainly is no one besides God.  For us to assume that we know, is once again us taking the rightful place of the Lord.  He is the only one who knows everything, who understands the person’s life, thoughts, emotions, sins and obedience and even their future.  He is the Lord of their life, and is fully capable of being their Lord.  He really doesn't need our help!

Additionally, as Jesus put it so eloquently, we need to deal with the plank in our own eye before we deal with the speck of sawdust in someone else's (Matt 7:3-5). In other words we need to humbly review our own life, and submit ourselves to His Lordship first.  If we humble ourselves, if we soberly view our own lives in comparison to Him, we will have a lifetime of opportunity to change ourselves.  We will have so much to focus on (our plank) that we really will never need to review anyone else's life.  

If we think we have it all figured out, or that we are doing really well in an area, then we likely have the plank of pride to deal with.  Every one of the Saints that I have read are convinced of their own sinfulness.  In fact it seems that the closer they get to Christ, the more aware they are of their own sinfulness.  I have yet to read of a Saint, who thought they were a Saint.  Every one of them was very aware of their own plank.

Finally, our decisions to be friends with the world (meaning we embrace the spirit of the world, and worldly attitudes and thoughts) puts us at enmity with God - yikes!  The word enmity means a deep and unfriendly feeling.  The word has the same root as our word enemy. I know I don’t want to be considered an enemy of God!!  

Jesus came to reveal the Father (Luke 10:21-22), to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8) and to establish the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43), anything that is not inline with these works is effectively working against Him.  The world would have us focus on our own initiatives, our own priorities, our own wants and needs.  I hate to say it but the root of that type of focus is pride.  We are saying that we know better how to live our life, understand what we need more than the Lord!  

The good news in all of this is that God knows each of us, our depravity, our cluelessness, our weakness, our sin, and our efforts to do good. He sees us in our need, sees our efforts, see everything and rather than judge us, He gives us more grace (James 4:6).  As I have written before, grace is the unmerited favor of the Lord.  In other words, lest we be prideful about this favor of God, it is unmerited, or unearned, as in nothing we have done has earned us His favor.  

He loved us while we were still sinners.  

He loved us so much that He died for us!  While we were still sinners.  

Nothing we did caused Him to extend this mercy, this forgiveness, this atoning sacrifice into our lives, yet He did. Praise God!

So, let us revel in His amazing grace, let us deal with our own planks and let us leave the judging and Lordship to Him. Let us press into love, into fellowship, into relationship with the Lord and with one another!

Finally I am reminded of a few verses Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV:

[20] “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Yes Lord, we want You to do more in us, more than we can ask or imagine, that you might be glorified in our lives and in Your Church!  

Finally, I am moved to pray Paul’s great encouragement from his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Amen and Amen!