This morning I felt like I should spend some time meditating on the following verses from the Gospel of John 11:32-36 NIV:
[32] "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
[33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. [34] “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
[35] Jesus wept.
[36] Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
The background of this story is that Jesus' god friend Lazarus had become gravely sick and died. The sisters had sent for Jesus asking Him to come and heal Lazarus, but Jesus at the clear direction of the Father, had waited until after Lazarus died to start the journey to their house. Jesus had been delayed by His obedience to the Father, and was now confronted by Mary, and their many friends weeping in sorrow.
Taking a step back to consider what Jesus has said in John 8:28-29 NIV: "So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” This statement by Jesus, and a similar one in John 14:9 where Jesus says that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father, are critical to understanding the full impact of what was occurring in these verses.
If Jesus' statements about saying and doing only what the Father tells Him, and seeing Him is just like seeing the Father, then we can conclude that the Father was equally moved by the death of Lazarus! The Father wept! The Father was moved in spirit and troubled! This is really amazing to me, that the Eternal Father, the creator of the Universe, the omnipotent, and omniscient one would experience sorrow over the death of one of His Son's friends! Wow!
So often, I can think of God existing in Heaven, separated from Earth, and relatively unaffected by our sorrow and pain, and yet here we have a clear indication that Jesus understands our pain and suffering, our loss and sorrow! If He does then the Father does, for they are one!
If you ever wondered if God understood how bad you hurt, how depressed you are, how hopeless you felt, we have here a clear indication that He does! Part of His coming to earth, which we celebrated yesterday, was to help us understand that He clearly does understand or pain, or loss, our emotions and He is moved by them! God is not some far off God, who rules without empathy or compassion! He is a God who is intimately acquainted with us, with our lives, with our thoughts and even with our losses. He knows fully what it means to be helpless and hopeless, sorrowful and mourning. This is not just true for those big events in our lives, but also true for our everyday existence, the very things we are dealing with today!
He loves us. He is moved by our lives! If we weep, it is likely He weeps! This is the wonder of Christmas, God came down to earth and become man!
This morning I am grateful that Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit truly understand my life! They understand me! They are moved by my life! They love me! God understands my struggles, my fears, my sorrow and He is with me in them! He does love me! He is with me in my sorrows and in my victories, my sadness and my joy! He knows me!
Thank You Lord!
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
An Encouragement from Scrooged!
The other evening we were watching the movie "Scrooged" with Bill Murray, enjoying a little Christmas levity. Like the original "The Christmas Carol" Bill experiences visitations from three Ghosts who take him into the past, the present (other earthly locations) and future. He sees himself and others and realizes the changes he needs to make and is often trying to interact with himself, or with the others that he is seeing, but he is hidden in the spiritual realm in which he is traveling with the ghosts. The story, like original, continues with him coming to consciousness and changing his whole heart and behavior because of what he saw and learned. The message is a wonderful encouragement to look at life with a different perspective, and change the way we act. Scripturally we would call that repentance.
In a similar vein, yesterday during worship at our church, I had an interesting idea pop into my head, that I want to explore. I will lay the biblical foundation first.
Paul wrote the following - Colossians 3:1-3 NIV: "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."
Paul also wrote the following verses in his letter to the Romans 6:8,11 NIV: "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him". [11] "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Continuing that theme, Paul wrote the following - Romans 8:9-11,34 NIV:
[9] "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
[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."
John in his Gospel opened with these lines that help us to understand in some small way the eternal reality that exists beyond time - John 1:1-5 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
And those famous verses from Genesis 1:1-5 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. [3] And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning---the first day."
Finally David wrote the following - Psalm 11:4 NIV: "The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them."
In summary, God exists outside of time, He was there before time was created (Gen. 1:1-4), and will there at the end of time. Heaven is where God exists eternally (Ps 11:4). Jesus is now seated at the Right-hand of the Father (Rom. 8:34). Our lives are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3), even now, as we are in the realm of the Spirit, by evidence of the Holy Spirit living within us (Rom 8:9). Thus, part of our spiritual existence is presently living with Jesus (Rom 6:8), in the eternal realm.
If that is all true, then we exist spiritually in both realms, in both the timeless eternal realm and in this time-based terrestrial realm, for clearly our pirit is present with us here. IF we are also present in the eternal realm, there must be some part of our spirit that can see and experience that heavenly realm. Jesus is sitting at the right-hand of the Father interceding for us, even now in that eternal reality. If we are hidden in Him, then we should be able to hear some of what He is saying, and allow those words to resonate with our spirit here!
In some way, we should have the ability (I am not sure how exactly) to listen to this Heavenly conversation and relay it to our earthly spirit. We can certainly encourage ourselves with this knowledge and allow our perspective to be changed, which should affect our behavior as well. We can set our mind on things above, and allow this new mind-set to change our actions!
We have before us the same opportunity that Scrooge had, and even better we can draw from the truth the Holy Spirit brings! We can speak to ourselves what we are hearing in Heaven and encourage ourselves to change so that we can let His light shine in the darkness!
Amen!
In a similar vein, yesterday during worship at our church, I had an interesting idea pop into my head, that I want to explore. I will lay the biblical foundation first.
Paul wrote the following - Colossians 3:1-3 NIV: "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."
Paul also wrote the following verses in his letter to the Romans 6:8,11 NIV: "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him". [11] "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Continuing that theme, Paul wrote the following - Romans 8:9-11,34 NIV:
[9] "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
[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."
John in his Gospel opened with these lines that help us to understand in some small way the eternal reality that exists beyond time - John 1:1-5 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
And those famous verses from Genesis 1:1-5 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. [3] And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning---the first day."
Finally David wrote the following - Psalm 11:4 NIV: "The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them."
In summary, God exists outside of time, He was there before time was created (Gen. 1:1-4), and will there at the end of time. Heaven is where God exists eternally (Ps 11:4). Jesus is now seated at the Right-hand of the Father (Rom. 8:34). Our lives are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3), even now, as we are in the realm of the Spirit, by evidence of the Holy Spirit living within us (Rom 8:9). Thus, part of our spiritual existence is presently living with Jesus (Rom 6:8), in the eternal realm.
If that is all true, then we exist spiritually in both realms, in both the timeless eternal realm and in this time-based terrestrial realm, for clearly our pirit is present with us here. IF we are also present in the eternal realm, there must be some part of our spirit that can see and experience that heavenly realm. Jesus is sitting at the right-hand of the Father interceding for us, even now in that eternal reality. If we are hidden in Him, then we should be able to hear some of what He is saying, and allow those words to resonate with our spirit here!
In some way, we should have the ability (I am not sure how exactly) to listen to this Heavenly conversation and relay it to our earthly spirit. We can certainly encourage ourselves with this knowledge and allow our perspective to be changed, which should affect our behavior as well. We can set our mind on things above, and allow this new mind-set to change our actions!
We have before us the same opportunity that Scrooge had, and even better we can draw from the truth the Holy Spirit brings! We can speak to ourselves what we are hearing in Heaven and encourage ourselves to change so that we can let His light shine in the darkness!
Amen!
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Of Enemies and the Unrighteous
Recently I have been thinking a bit more about the revelation of Jesus concerning those that would be considered His enemies. Recently I read some of Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, and was really encouraged to look deeper at how God thinks about those that we would classify as His enemies or at least those outside of His plan of salvation. I find that much of my thinking has been colored by verses like the following from Psalm 11:4-7 NIV:
[4] "The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
[5] The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.
[6] On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
[7] For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face."
Much of the Old Testament has similar themes, God blessing the righteous, hating the unrighteous. The issue is that this appears to be related to the partial revelation they were living under, concerning God's character. If we contrast these words from Psalm 11, with Jesus' words from Matthew's Gospel we see a significant difference. Here is Jesus speaking about enemies - Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:
[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
This is almost mind-blowing, if we really think about what Jesus is saying about the Father! If we are to imitate Him, and be perfect as He is perfect, then we are to love our enemies like He loves His enemies. He blesses the righteous and the unrighteous, and so should we! This seems like a completely different message than what was communicated in Psalm 11, and this is where we need to apply the principle of progressive revelation. Jesus being the perfect representation of the Father (Heb. 1:3) is speaking a truer word than David was in the Psalms, concerning those that would be seen as unrighteous or evil. Jesus is revealing to us that the Father loves these that we would consider evil or unrighteous, prays for them, and blesses them! He does the same for the righteous, as well! In my understanding this looks like love and blessing, and more love and more blessing, not hate and love, or punishment and blessing. This is really a challenging proposition to the way I think.
If we take this thinking to a more selfish perspective of what difference does it make to me then if I am pursuing righteousness or not, if God is going to love me and bless me all the same? The answer appears to be relationship. If the unrighteous and evil are loved and blessed by God, the difference for us, is that we are invited into and able to walk in real relationship with God! We have the opportunity to walk in intimacy with God, to converse with Him, to see things from His perspective, to embrace and bless as His representatives. We can learn to walk in our true identities and have open to us the realities of the Kingdom! We can become His true sons and daughters here on earth, living the reality of eternal life now! This is meant to be a better life, a life of recognized blessing and gratitude!
From this place of relationship, the invitation is then to love, bless and pray for those that would be considered the unrighteous, our enemies, even those that are evil. If righteousness is only truly possible through faith and belief in Jesus, then those who have not yet received salvation through the Gospel of Grace would be those that are considered unrighteous. We are to love them, bless them and pray for them, even as God does! We are not to pray down judgment, or punishment or condemnation! We should be for them and treat them as ones that God loves!
This is obviously much more complex then I have presented, and there are nuances and circumstances to consider, but in general the message appears clear to me. This will take time to digest and allow my thinking to truly change, for it is so easy to embrace the black and white, the good and bad, the dark and light mindset. Jesus has revealed the truth of God's Love for all, and I am challenged to embrace this truth and to represent this truth!
Amen!
[4] "The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
[5] The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.
[6] On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
[7] For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face."
Much of the Old Testament has similar themes, God blessing the righteous, hating the unrighteous. The issue is that this appears to be related to the partial revelation they were living under, concerning God's character. If we contrast these words from Psalm 11, with Jesus' words from Matthew's Gospel we see a significant difference. Here is Jesus speaking about enemies - Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:
[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
This is almost mind-blowing, if we really think about what Jesus is saying about the Father! If we are to imitate Him, and be perfect as He is perfect, then we are to love our enemies like He loves His enemies. He blesses the righteous and the unrighteous, and so should we! This seems like a completely different message than what was communicated in Psalm 11, and this is where we need to apply the principle of progressive revelation. Jesus being the perfect representation of the Father (Heb. 1:3) is speaking a truer word than David was in the Psalms, concerning those that would be seen as unrighteous or evil. Jesus is revealing to us that the Father loves these that we would consider evil or unrighteous, prays for them, and blesses them! He does the same for the righteous, as well! In my understanding this looks like love and blessing, and more love and more blessing, not hate and love, or punishment and blessing. This is really a challenging proposition to the way I think.
If we take this thinking to a more selfish perspective of what difference does it make to me then if I am pursuing righteousness or not, if God is going to love me and bless me all the same? The answer appears to be relationship. If the unrighteous and evil are loved and blessed by God, the difference for us, is that we are invited into and able to walk in real relationship with God! We have the opportunity to walk in intimacy with God, to converse with Him, to see things from His perspective, to embrace and bless as His representatives. We can learn to walk in our true identities and have open to us the realities of the Kingdom! We can become His true sons and daughters here on earth, living the reality of eternal life now! This is meant to be a better life, a life of recognized blessing and gratitude!
From this place of relationship, the invitation is then to love, bless and pray for those that would be considered the unrighteous, our enemies, even those that are evil. If righteousness is only truly possible through faith and belief in Jesus, then those who have not yet received salvation through the Gospel of Grace would be those that are considered unrighteous. We are to love them, bless them and pray for them, even as God does! We are not to pray down judgment, or punishment or condemnation! We should be for them and treat them as ones that God loves!
This is obviously much more complex then I have presented, and there are nuances and circumstances to consider, but in general the message appears clear to me. This will take time to digest and allow my thinking to truly change, for it is so easy to embrace the black and white, the good and bad, the dark and light mindset. Jesus has revealed the truth of God's Love for all, and I am challenged to embrace this truth and to represent this truth!
Amen!
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
My Focus For This Season
Over the last few days I have been meditating on the same set of verses and once again I opened my bible to the following verses from Paul's letter to the Colossians 3:12-17,23-24 NIV:
[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."
[15] "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [16] Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
[23] "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
These verses, especially the last few, just seem so applicable to me these days. Recently I have been re-reading some of the letters from Brother Lawrence, and he talks about maintaining a focus on God throughout the day. As I read these verses from Paul's letter, I am reminded of many of the statements Brother Lawrence made in his letters and conversations. His book - "Practice, and the Presence of God" is an excellent read. One quote that I really like is the following -
"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD’s sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards."
"That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of GOD."
He said later that he simply committed himself to only doing those things and thinking on things that He knew were pleasing to God, and doing this because of His love for God. He developed an ability to stay in the state of regular conversation and awareness of God's presence as he went throughout his day, doing those things that he was assigned at work. In doing so, he experienced peace and an awareness of God's abundant blessings that he had not experienced before.
I guess for me, in the midst of this crazy busy season, it has been very helpful to just center myself and focus on doing all for the love of God, making an effort to only do those things that are pleasing to Him. It doesn't require great endeavors so much as turning my heart towards Him. As I do so, I am reminded of the abundant blessings, family and friends that He has blessed me with, and I find myself more grateful!
I am grateful for the encouragement this morning to simplify my life and focus. Living in the love of God is not a bad place to be!
Peace!
[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."
[15] "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [16] Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
[23] "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
These verses, especially the last few, just seem so applicable to me these days. Recently I have been re-reading some of the letters from Brother Lawrence, and he talks about maintaining a focus on God throughout the day. As I read these verses from Paul's letter, I am reminded of many of the statements Brother Lawrence made in his letters and conversations. His book - "Practice, and the Presence of God" is an excellent read. One quote that I really like is the following -
"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD’s sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards."
"That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of GOD."
He said later that he simply committed himself to only doing those things and thinking on things that He knew were pleasing to God, and doing this because of His love for God. He developed an ability to stay in the state of regular conversation and awareness of God's presence as he went throughout his day, doing those things that he was assigned at work. In doing so, he experienced peace and an awareness of God's abundant blessings that he had not experienced before.
I guess for me, in the midst of this crazy busy season, it has been very helpful to just center myself and focus on doing all for the love of God, making an effort to only do those things that are pleasing to Him. It doesn't require great endeavors so much as turning my heart towards Him. As I do so, I am reminded of the abundant blessings, family and friends that He has blessed me with, and I find myself more grateful!
I am grateful for the encouragement this morning to simplify my life and focus. Living in the love of God is not a bad place to be!
Peace!
Saturday, December 8, 2018
How Are Christians to Act Towards Non-Christians and Sinners?
Yesterday I started reflecting on the theme of how we, as Christians, should interact with and treat people who aren't Christians. One would think this shouldn't need to be a topic, but clearly this appears to be an issue. Historically it has caused some terrible situations, persecutions and even wars. Taking that reflection even further, I was reflecting on how we, as Christians, should interact with and treat sinners, which although similar is not the same thing.
If I start with a few foundations, that should be widely accepted, then I think I can come to some clarity. First, I need to understand that Jesus is the perfect representation of the Father (Heb 1:3). He represents the Father perfectly in His words and actions. If I see a difference in the way God is described in the Old Testament as compared to Jesus, I must choose the description of Jesus, because He is the perfect representation, the fullest revelation we have of the Father God. Thus, while God is described and His motivations are listed in the Old Testament, I must compare them to the revelation of the Father in Jesus, and let that color my understanding of God's motivation and chacateristics in the Old Testament.
Second, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Old Covenant of the Law (Heb 8:1-13), and we are no longer under those rules and regulations. We are under the a New Covenant, established by His blood (Luke 22:20), and this new covenant is a covenant of love, where our commands are to love as Jesus loved (John 13:34). Thus, the Old Covenant, and its law, its ways of treating others that are not God's children (Jews) is no longer our foundation. The Old Testament pointed to Jesus, to His sacrifice and our salvation, being a type and shadow, but it is fulfilled and replaced by Jesus (Heb. 8:13).
Third, as "Gentile believers" the the Old Covenant Law and requirements never applied to us anyway. This Covenant of the Law was given to the Hebrews, but those who are not of Jewish decent were not under the Law. This question came up early on in the church and the Apostles gathered and decided that the law didn't apply to Gentiles (See Acts 15:1-29). They only asked that the new Gentile believers abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. That is the complete list.
In summary, when we read scripture, we look at the Old Testament as partial revelation of God, and His characteristics and nature. We see the perfect representation of the Father in Jesus. We look at the laws and requirements and know they never applied to us, and should be understood to be pointing towards Jesus, again our perfect representation of the Father. We are under a new covenant established by His blood, and we have a new commandment to love one another as Jesus loved us. The rules, judgments and punishments of the Old Covenant do not apply to us, nor should they apply to our thinking and actions.
It is from this foundation that I can now consider the questions of how to treat those who are not Christians, and those who are sinners. I cover this foundation because my observation is that often our Christian experience is clouded by vestiges of the old rules, judgments and punishments that have some how carried over into our life as the Body of Christ. I am not saying there isn't sin, or anything like that, but I am saying that our attitude towards sin, sinners and the lost needs to come in line with the Covenant we are living under, and the demonstrated attitude of Jesus, as He represented the Father.
So our questions should be - how does Jesus deal with sinners? How does Jesus deal with sin? How does Jesus deal with the lost? When we look at His life, we see some pretty clear examples, and these should become our chosen response, for we are called to represent Jesus, to become Christ-like. Looking at scripture, I can see several examples of how Jesus dealt with sinners. In fact the whole of the Gospels represents Jesus' dealing with sinners, for according to Scripture all have sinned (Rom 3:23), thus every person He interacted with was a "sinner". Jesus describes His motivation, and the Father's motivation in the famous scripture John 3:16, saying that it was because of love that He came. Thus, His foundational motivation is love towards interacting with sinners. We see this over and over again as He meets anyone and everyone. I often go to the story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-42) as a great example of Jesus interacting with a "well-known" sinner. He doesn't treat her with contempt, He doesn't reject her, He doesn't judge her, and He doesn't even tell her to stop sinning (I know that is a shock)! I believe that He went to that well at the specific time to meet her, for she became the conduit for most in her town to receive salvation! I guess this is a great example of Jesus' attitude towards sinners and the lost.
As I look at this interaction between Jesus and the woman, I see no punishment (the proper penalty for adultery is stoning under the Law). I see an invitation to relationship and conversation. Jesus was the one who initiated the conversation at the well. He didn't wait for her to come to her senses in His presence, He opened His mouth and engaged her in conversation like she was a "real" person. She even exclaims how strange that was, for He was a Jew and she a Samaritan, and they weren't "supposed" to talk. Jesus demonstrates how the Father feels about sinners and the lost, by breaking through that religious rule (it was one of the rules of the Jews - see John 4:4) and engaging her in life-altering conversation. It is my observation that sometimes in the church we are taught to avoid the world, the lost, and the sinners as much as possible, to help us remain pure and righteous. We are taught and encouraged to focus our relationships and energy, our time and money on the church, and those in it. To me that seems a bit like putting out light under a bushel basket (See Matt 5:15-16). Jesus, although He spent plenty of time instructing and teaching His disciples, never lost sight of the fact that He was sent to the lost, nor did He lose His compassion for them (see Matt 9:35-38).
As I look at other examples from the life of Jesus, I see His reaction to sin, which is most often tied into His response to people who are sinning. We do see Him describe a much broader definition of sin during His sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Jesus describes sin as being more of a heart issue, rather than just outward behavior. He goes through a few of the Laws and in every case, expands the definition of sin to include much more than the actual act. For example in Matt 5:21-22 He is discussing murder, and says that from His and the Father's perspective (assumed) that if you are angry with your brother or sister, you are also subject to judgment. There is much distance between being angry and murder, and yet both are subject to judgment (the Greek here means guilty), and thus we can define them both as sin.
Yet in spite of this greater understanding and definition of sin, if I go back to Jesus' statement in John 3:16-17, it is clear He came into this world be cause of His love, to save the world and not condemn it. He even says that He didn't come to judge, even though He could, but rather He came to save the world (John 12:47). Thus, while Jesus talks about judgement and guilt, He wasn't doing so to judge and condemn, but to help people see their need for salvation, for a new Covenant and better commandments.
Continuing on in Matthew, Jesus then makes a very interesting statement concerning enemies - as follows: (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV:) “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Jesus is once again providing revelation of the heart of the Father here, for that is exactly what He is doing, loving the lost, the sinners, even those that are His enemies, by sending Jesus to bring salvation and make it available to all! Taking that further though, Jesus says that the Father is actually pouring blessings on both the righteous and unrighteous. He is specifically describing the Father's heart towards His enemies and it is no different that His heart towards His sons and daughters. In fact, there are several Psalms where David and some of the other authors are lamenting the fact that bad and evil people seem to prosper and be blessed. If all the silver and all the Gold are God's (Hag 2:8) does this not mean that He is blessing those that were considered evil and sinners? Again, we see this heart of the Father acted out by Jesus, constantly. He was healing and delivering, working miracles, and releasing blessing to those that were not Israel, and even to known sinners. Jesus finishes that bit on loving your enemies by calling us to us to be perfect as the Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). Thus we again see the heart of the Father revealed by Jesus, we are to love and bless and pray for those who would be considered our enemies! How much more those that are not are our enemies but our brothers and sisters who are lost or sinners?!
Taking this one step further to put this into action, would that not mean that should pray for the success of those who are sinners? Should we not pray for the success of those that are lost? Should we not be for them, even as the Father is for them? He pours forth blessing no less on them, then on us, His sons and daughters, should we not do the same? Can we love the sinner, and hate the sin? Can we be for the sinner, praying for their success, their blessing, their promotion, even though they are "sinners". I hope so, for I know that I am a sinner, as are we all! Can we do the same for the lost? Again, while we were still sinners and lost, the Father demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus! Jesus even says the Father is like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one who is lost (See Luke 15). The Father's heart is represented in the story of the Prodigal son, and His response to this son when He returns from being lost. He pours blessings upon the son that was lost, and demonstrates that His heart was always for this son, even though he was sinning in a foreign land.
So the last question that we are often confronted with, is if we are for our enemies, praying for them and loving them, if we are blessing sinners, aren't we condoning their sin, or condoning their lifestyle of evil? Could not God the Father only send rain to the fields of the righteous? We see Him specifically blessing the flocks of Jacob, and clearly if He is God He could do something as simple as directed rain. If all the silver and gold are His could He not give it to only the righteous, thus showing the unrighteous His displeasure with their life? If God in His perfection blesses both the righteous and unrighteous, and loves His enemies, should we not do the same? Does blessing them, praying for them and loving the unrighteous and the sinner constitute condoning their life-style? Apparently not! Jesus specifically talks about mercy and judgment requiring sacrifice in the following verses - Matthew 9:11-13 NIV: "When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Finally, James provides the following statement - "mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2: 13b).
I could definitely go on, but I think this foundation is sufficient for me to stand on, and to make sure my life and my words mirror what I see in Jesus and His life. He loved all, regardless of their state, their sin, their own feelings towards God. He blessed and healed, and interacted with them, while they were still sinners! He didn't limit Himself to the chosen people, but many times was blessing and touching those that were outside (like the woman at the well). He was for them, was loving them, and was extending the invitation to relationship to them all! He didn't punish, didn't reject, didn't separate Himself from them, but instead waded into their midst! I am called to represent Jesus here on earth, and thus, my actions, my thinking, my words need to line up with Him.
Amen! Lord forgive me for any wrong attitudes, actions or thoughts! Help me to represent Your and Your heart in all that I do!
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Receiving, Believing and Choosing
This morning I am reflecting on some verses from John's Gospel. I love all of his Gospel, but specifically enjoy his beginning. Here are some verses from the first chapter - John 1:1-5,10-14 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[10] "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
The specific phrase that caught my eye this morning is found in verse 12 - "to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." I guess maybe I am a little sensitive to the use of the word right in this day and age of everyone having a right to everything, it caught me by surprise that John would describe our being children of God as a right!
Before we I spend much time in reflection, it is important to understand the meaning of the original Greek, as it often does not line up exactly to our definition of the English translation. In this case the Greek translated right is 'exousia' and it is defined as follows:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)
It goes on to define the governmental abilities in further definition, but the first three definitions are plenty to consider. This Greek word is most often translated power or authority (98 times - King James Version - of the 102 times it is used). When I read the first definition, what immediately comes to my mind is free-will! We are talking about becoming children of God, and John is basically saying it is our choice if we want! We can choose to be God's child, or not.
John describes the process of becoming and child of God as receiving, believing and choosing. We can sometimes make the Gospel so complicated, but this is the essence right here. First, we must receive Jesus, or maybe its easier to say we must acknowledge Him. Second, we must believe in Him and in His Name. To do this we must encounter Him in some way. Thirdly, we must choose to be in relationship with Him. God will not force us to choose.
Paul prophetically declares that one day all will encounter and acknowledge Jesus, whether they want to or not, in his letter to the Philippians 2:9-11 NIV:
[9] "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Thus, all will be given the opportunity to encounter and acknowledge Jesus, but not all will choose to be in relationship with Him! This is our choice, our ability to to exert our free-will. It is my belief that this can only be after we truly encounter Jesus as He revealed Himself.
John writes that many did not recognize Him, and that is clearly true, for He came as the Messiah to the Jewish people who were waiting for their Messiah. One would think that they all would have recognized Him, but He came in a way they weren't expecting, growing up in a place they weren't expecting, and ministered in a way they weren't expecting. I think I see a pattern there. They were looking for a king, an almost demi-god, who would exert God's power over their enemies, who would restore Israel to its former glory, who would rule with worldly power and majesty. Instead Jesus came fully human, in humble surroundings, ministered in out of the way places, and constantly chose to not pursue recognition, worldly power or authority. He came to the poor and downtrodden, touching individual lives, rather then to the rich and powerful asking for their support. He wasn't what they were expecting and so many missed His coming, not recognizing Him as their Messiah.
So the question for me today is whether I am representing Christ to those around me, as He revealed Himself? Am I loving others as He loved me? Am I taking time for the one, for the down-trodden for the lowly, for the lost? Am I representing a compassionate, merciful, loving, humble, servant-leader? Am I proclaiming the Kingdom, and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit? Am I acting as a true son of God in all I say and do? I guess my goal in life should be to answer, of my own free-will, each of these, I am. I want to represent Him to those around me, that they might encounter Jesus, see Him for who He revealed Himself to be, and express God's invitation to them to choose to be in relationship with Him, that they might also be a son or daughter of God!
Amen!
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[10] "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
The specific phrase that caught my eye this morning is found in verse 12 - "to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." I guess maybe I am a little sensitive to the use of the word right in this day and age of everyone having a right to everything, it caught me by surprise that John would describe our being children of God as a right!
Before we I spend much time in reflection, it is important to understand the meaning of the original Greek, as it often does not line up exactly to our definition of the English translation. In this case the Greek translated right is 'exousia' and it is defined as follows:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)
It goes on to define the governmental abilities in further definition, but the first three definitions are plenty to consider. This Greek word is most often translated power or authority (98 times - King James Version - of the 102 times it is used). When I read the first definition, what immediately comes to my mind is free-will! We are talking about becoming children of God, and John is basically saying it is our choice if we want! We can choose to be God's child, or not.
John describes the process of becoming and child of God as receiving, believing and choosing. We can sometimes make the Gospel so complicated, but this is the essence right here. First, we must receive Jesus, or maybe its easier to say we must acknowledge Him. Second, we must believe in Him and in His Name. To do this we must encounter Him in some way. Thirdly, we must choose to be in relationship with Him. God will not force us to choose.
Paul prophetically declares that one day all will encounter and acknowledge Jesus, whether they want to or not, in his letter to the Philippians 2:9-11 NIV:
[9] "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Thus, all will be given the opportunity to encounter and acknowledge Jesus, but not all will choose to be in relationship with Him! This is our choice, our ability to to exert our free-will. It is my belief that this can only be after we truly encounter Jesus as He revealed Himself.
John writes that many did not recognize Him, and that is clearly true, for He came as the Messiah to the Jewish people who were waiting for their Messiah. One would think that they all would have recognized Him, but He came in a way they weren't expecting, growing up in a place they weren't expecting, and ministered in a way they weren't expecting. I think I see a pattern there. They were looking for a king, an almost demi-god, who would exert God's power over their enemies, who would restore Israel to its former glory, who would rule with worldly power and majesty. Instead Jesus came fully human, in humble surroundings, ministered in out of the way places, and constantly chose to not pursue recognition, worldly power or authority. He came to the poor and downtrodden, touching individual lives, rather then to the rich and powerful asking for their support. He wasn't what they were expecting and so many missed His coming, not recognizing Him as their Messiah.
So the question for me today is whether I am representing Christ to those around me, as He revealed Himself? Am I loving others as He loved me? Am I taking time for the one, for the down-trodden for the lowly, for the lost? Am I representing a compassionate, merciful, loving, humble, servant-leader? Am I proclaiming the Kingdom, and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit? Am I acting as a true son of God in all I say and do? I guess my goal in life should be to answer, of my own free-will, each of these, I am. I want to represent Him to those around me, that they might encounter Jesus, see Him for who He revealed Himself to be, and express God's invitation to them to choose to be in relationship with Him, that they might also be a son or daughter of God!
Amen!
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Half-Full, Half-Empty or Overflowing?
This morning I felt like I should reflect on some verses from John's Gospel, specifically the story of the woman at the well. I really love this story, for I believe it reveals the Lord's love, mercy and valuation of each of us. Here are the verses - John 4:9-19,25-26 NIV:
[9] "The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )
[10] Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
[11] “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? [12] Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
[13] Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
[15] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
[16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
[17] “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.
What you have just said is quite true.” [19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
[25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
[26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you---I am he.”
The particular point that caught my eye this morning was Jesus' statement in verse ten. Remember this is prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, so one wonders a bit about Jesus' statement about living water. I will get back to this in a bit.
The second thing that made me think was her statement that Jesus was obviously a prophet (verse 19) due his knowledge of her sinful life-style. I can see some correlation there, but my thinking about prophetic gifts is more in line with the gift of prophecy in the New Testament. Her knowledge of prophets would only be based on the Old Testament Prophets, and the vast majority were about exposing the sins of Israel and calling them back to right relationship with God. Clearly Jesus was touching on similar ground in describing her five failed marriages and present sinful life-style. However, that does not seem to be His primary focus and he doesn't tell her to repent or stop in any of the conversation we have recorded here. He seemed to use this topic to really grab her attention, but it was for another reason, that of revelation of His identity (verse 26).
Going back to my first thought, I believe the whole of this encounter was to establish relationship with the woman, to reveal His identity, and in that context to help her see who she really was, as well. I believe this relationship is the living water that Jesus was speaking about! It is through knowing Him that we receive eternal life and Jesus made this very clear later when He proclaimed, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3 NIV) Jesus was enabling her to see Him, to know Him, to relate to Him, and in that context to see herself as He saw her. In a previous reflection on these verses, (See https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2014/09/set-free-to-become-who-we-really-are.html), I wrote, "Imagine, in one afternoon she went from being the shame of Sychar to being the conduit for its salvation!" When we come to the realization that Jesus isn't going to condemn us for our sin (for stoning was the appropriate penalty for adultery), but instead desires real relationship and sees us as valuable and that He loves us, we can step into that relationship and become who we were meant to be! We are not labeled or limited by our sin, by God, but rather are invited to step out of those chains of shame and self-hatred into the freedom that only He can bring.
So this morning I am encouraged that the Lord, although He knows me and all about my sins, is constantly inviting me into relationship! He desires for me to have this living water (relationship with Him) flowing out of my life. He can cure my thirst and hunger for acceptance, for acknowledgement, for belonging, for love, for forgiveness, for freedom and for truth! He brings all of that with Him, when He enters into relationship with us! For us who are in relationship with Him, its not whether the cup is half full or half empty, its that it is overflowing! Lord, i welcome Your living water! Let it overflow me!
Amen!
[9] "The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )
[10] Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
[11] “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? [12] Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
[13] Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
[15] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
[16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
[17] “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.
What you have just said is quite true.” [19] “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
[25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
[26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you---I am he.”
The particular point that caught my eye this morning was Jesus' statement in verse ten. Remember this is prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, so one wonders a bit about Jesus' statement about living water. I will get back to this in a bit.
The second thing that made me think was her statement that Jesus was obviously a prophet (verse 19) due his knowledge of her sinful life-style. I can see some correlation there, but my thinking about prophetic gifts is more in line with the gift of prophecy in the New Testament. Her knowledge of prophets would only be based on the Old Testament Prophets, and the vast majority were about exposing the sins of Israel and calling them back to right relationship with God. Clearly Jesus was touching on similar ground in describing her five failed marriages and present sinful life-style. However, that does not seem to be His primary focus and he doesn't tell her to repent or stop in any of the conversation we have recorded here. He seemed to use this topic to really grab her attention, but it was for another reason, that of revelation of His identity (verse 26).
Going back to my first thought, I believe the whole of this encounter was to establish relationship with the woman, to reveal His identity, and in that context to help her see who she really was, as well. I believe this relationship is the living water that Jesus was speaking about! It is through knowing Him that we receive eternal life and Jesus made this very clear later when He proclaimed, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3 NIV) Jesus was enabling her to see Him, to know Him, to relate to Him, and in that context to see herself as He saw her. In a previous reflection on these verses, (See https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2014/09/set-free-to-become-who-we-really-are.html), I wrote, "Imagine, in one afternoon she went from being the shame of Sychar to being the conduit for its salvation!" When we come to the realization that Jesus isn't going to condemn us for our sin (for stoning was the appropriate penalty for adultery), but instead desires real relationship and sees us as valuable and that He loves us, we can step into that relationship and become who we were meant to be! We are not labeled or limited by our sin, by God, but rather are invited to step out of those chains of shame and self-hatred into the freedom that only He can bring.
So this morning I am encouraged that the Lord, although He knows me and all about my sins, is constantly inviting me into relationship! He desires for me to have this living water (relationship with Him) flowing out of my life. He can cure my thirst and hunger for acceptance, for acknowledgement, for belonging, for love, for forgiveness, for freedom and for truth! He brings all of that with Him, when He enters into relationship with us! For us who are in relationship with Him, its not whether the cup is half full or half empty, its that it is overflowing! Lord, i welcome Your living water! Let it overflow me!
Amen!
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