Unity Not Division

This morning I was reading from Acts 21, and read something I have not remembered that way.  It is always good to read and reread scripture over and over to make sure that our understanding and remembering are correct.  Setting the stage, Paul has returned to Jerusalem for his final time and everywhere he has stopped up to arriving the Holy Spirit has warned him about what would happen.  Here are the verses - Acts 21:17-22,27-28,30-32 NIV:

[17] "When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. [18] The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. [19] Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 

[20] "When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. [21] They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. [22] What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, ..."

[27] "When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, [28] shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” ...

[30] "The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. [31] While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. [32] He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul."

What I didn't remember was that the Jews who were trying to kill him were possibly other believers, if we assume that these were some of the thousands of believing Jews James mentioned in verse 20, those that were zealous for the Law.  If so, it is such an interesting and frightening thing that there were a whole group of Jewish believers who were so committed to following the law, that they were willing to kill Paul!  Talk about denominational warfare!

Again, if it is true that Jewish believers participated in this riot, it is both amazing and sad to me that at such an early stage in the life of the church there was such violent disagreement!  We can see why Paul in a few of his letters was advocating and praying for a unified church!  It is good for us to continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters regardless of their specific beliefs, that we all might be unified.  Clearly the voice of the enemy has been at work since the founding of the church to try and convince us to divide ourselves for a unified church would surely crush his plans.  

I am reminded of Paul's encouragement from 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:"

Yes Lord, help us!  Help us to lay down our pride and our opinions and even our particular understandings that cause division! Help us to embrace one another rather than fight against one another!  Do what only You can do, bring full unity!  We are clearly in a time of great division and strife!  Lord help us, sustain us with Your peace and the unity that only You can bring!

Amen and Amen!

The Fruits of Repentance

This morning I felt like I should spend some time reflecting on the message of John the Baptist, which while crucial to God's plans, has generally taken lower priority in my mind and heart, which I guess is right.  However, there is value in considering his words, his message for he was the fore-runner to Christ Jesus.  

I find it interesting that God, when He works, almost always prepares the way prophetically, as well as through personal interactions.  I am encouraged that He doesn't just show up, but He prepares people's hearts and minds and in this way extends mercy to those He intends to visit.

Here are the verses from the Gospel of Luke 3:2-18 NIV:

[2] "during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

[4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. [5] Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. [6] And all people will see God's salvation.' ” 

[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

[10] “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 

[11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 

[12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 

[13] “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 

[14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” 

He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.” 

[15] The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [18] And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them."

I guess the first thing that surprises me is the initial message of John - "You brood of vipers!"  Remembering that this was written by Luke decades after John first appeared, it is safe to say that this opening line was remembered for a reason!  In the history of public speakers, calling your audience a "brood of vipers" is probably not the most recommended opening lines.  These people had gone out of their way, one could say they were stirred by God to the point of actively seeking someone who would proclaim the word of the Lord, and John lays into them!  It surely grabbed their attention.

Secondly, he comments on the coming wrath.  It is interesting that the Greek word used by Luke here is orgḗ  defined as a ("settled anger") proceeds from an internal disposition which steadfastly opposes someone or something based on extended personal exposure, i.e. solidifying what the beholder considers wrong (unjust, evil). Additional definition:  "Orgē comes from the verb oragō meaning, 'to teem, to swell'; and thus implies that it is not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God's) fixed, controlled, passionate feeling against sin." 

While John saw this as a coming wrath, it was revealed as God's victory over sin by Jesus' death on the cross.  He had a plan, and while it was full of wrath and judgement, all that fell upon Jesus who took our place! This great victory does not preclude our need to repent from our sins, for repentance includes acknowledgement, owning the sin, and choosing to think and act differently going forward.  John calls on them to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance".  The people understood this to mean that they needed to change their behavior, not just their heart attitude.  

The people didn't just listen and walk away, thinking that was a good sermon.  They wanted to know how to apply the message to their lives. They asked "What should we do then?"  Wouldn't this be a good question to ask ourselves after we hear a stirring sermon?  How should my life change because of what I just heard?  It is not a works orientation, but rather an obedience orientation.  They were stirred and convicted by John's message and knew they needed to change, they needed to respond to God's words.

Jesus addresses this obedience in Matthew 21:28-32 NIV:

[28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' [29] “ 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 

[30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 

[31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” 

“The first,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

Embracing the Word of God, and allowing it to change us is not working our way to heaven or eternal life!  This is necessary for us to become more and more like Jesus, who we follow.  If we want to represent the Father, as Jesus did, we need to change our way of thinking and acting to do so.  This is what James spoke of when he said faith without accompanying deeds (lives changing) is dead (James 2:17).  I like the way John the Baptist said it, "produce fruit in keeping with repentance."  If we truly believe these are God's words, then we must change our lives to conform to them!  

Oh Lord, help me to listen and respond!  Help me to be obedient to Your word in my life that I might represent You more fully.  I recognize that I am so unlike You in many ways, and I do need to change!  Help me to produce the fruit in keeping with repentance!

Amen and Amen!

Invitation to Repentance

This morning I felt like I should read from Matthew 21:23-32 NIV:

[23] "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 

[24] Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [25] John's baptism---where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' [26] But if we say, 'Of human origin'---we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 

[27] So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” 

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 

[28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' [29] “ 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. [30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. [31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” 

“The first,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

As I was reading these verses I was reminded of something Bill Johnson said in a recent teaching.  He always asks himself the questions that Jesus asks, and that approach seems wise to me.  In this case Jesus is asking questions of the chief priests and elders after they asked Him questions.  I find that is often the case, Jesus asks questions in response to being asked questions, and they aren't usually because He doesn't understand, its because He is getting to the deeper issue at hand, and oftentimes it allows Him to dodge traps.

In this case, it seems they are trying to pin Jesus down trying to get Him to admit that He is the Messiah.  Instead He uncovers their unbelief, and unwillingness to embrace true repentance, something that is required for us to receive salvation.  The way of righteousness that John preached was one of repentance and forgiveness for sins - see Luke 3:3.  The chief priests and elders had effectively rejected John's message, and Jesus knew that and exposed that reality here.

In my looking at those same questions that Jesus asked, I must reflect upon my own response to the Word of the Lord.  

Do I respond immediately?

Do I change the way I am thinking, or do I agree that is sounds good, but remain unchanged?

If I agree with the Word, do I change my behavior and actions to match my thinking?

Am I someone who quickly says yes, and then forgets what I said yes to?

Am I a better follower of Jesus in my mind than in my actions?

Do I consider myself beyond the basics of the Gospel, and choose to listen only to certain Words?

As I look at my life, I find that my responses too often are more verbal than action, and my follow-through is poor.  I find that often I don't act like the Word I am hearing is from the Lord, and responding accordingly.  I have lots of good intentions, but my willingness to change my life is minimal.  Oh Lord, help me and forgive me!

Lord, You are the Messiah, the Son of God and Your Words are life!  Help me to fully embrace that which You are saying to me!  Help me to embrace the invitation to repentance, for that was certainly John's message and invitation.

Amen!

When Pride Blocks Belief

The last few days I have been thinking about the story of the Man born blind, and healed by Jesus, found in John, chapter nine.  I have spent many hours thinking about this whole scenario and this morning I saw another aspect worthy of further reflection.   I am focused on the  review of the miracle by the Pharisees.  Here are the verses - John 9:13-34 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?” 

[20] “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. [21] But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” [22] His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. [23] That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 

[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."

The verse that caught my attention this morning was verse 18, where it said they (The Pharisees) did not believe he (the man) had been blind and received his sight until they sent for his parents.  The critical word here is "until".  They didn't believe until they sent for his parents, which means that after that point they believed it was true.

Isn't that interesting, they were confronted with the truth, and believed it... and yet they rejected Jesus!

They were unwilling to bend their pride and will and fully accept that Jesus was who He said He was!  

They were stuck... 

If they admitted that Jesus was working with God's blessing and His power, they had to admit they were wrong! 

If they admitted they were wrong, they would have to "eat humble-pie"!

If they admitted He was Messiah, then they would have to worship Him!   

They were able to move past only through casting judgment against the man who had been born blind, claiming He was a sinner! They ignored the fact that apparently that was no longer true for the sign of his "sinfulness,"  his blindness was no longer true!  There was no logic to their approach, but they didn't need logic, just emotion and offense!

As I was thinking through this bit this morning, I felt the following questions in my heart:

Do I really believe and live my life like Jesus is truly the Son of God?  

Am I willing to lay down my opinions, my held beliefs, my thoughts of what's right or wrong, when confronted with Truth?  

Is my pride holding me back from fully experiencing His Lordship in my life?

Oh Lord, help me to embrace humility and Truth whenever I am confronted with an area of my life where I am wrong, especially in areas of my faith or belief!  I don't want to reject You or Your words to me because of my pride, arrogance or stubbornness.  Lord help me to recognize when I have grabbed onto some lame excuse to discount You or Your work because of my own offended sensibilities or pride!  

Lord, help us all to put out of our hearts and minds the need to be right, even when we are wrong, especially as it concerns our faith and belief in You!  

Amen and Amen!

The Mystery of God

This morning  am reflecting on the following verses - Colossians 2:2-3 NIV:

[2] "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

That is such a rich and full thought, that all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.  He is the mystery of God!  I like that name and title, for we must understand there is so much more to Jesus than just a good and kind teacher!  His earthly ministry, while so important, and eternally impacting seems nothing when compared to His spiritual works, and yet the two are absolutely inseparable.  His sacrifice, as man, defeated sin and death, and reversed the curse of both for all mankind that believe!  

Not only mankind, but all creation is affected!  For Paul writes the following in his letter to the Romans 8:18-21 NIV:

[18] "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."

Clearly I have not spent enough time getting to know You Jesus!  You are the Mystery of God!  In You are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and I feel like I am mostly poor if not penniless in those characteristics.  Lord, please help me, open my eyes and understanding that I might know You more, and dive deeper in the the mystery of God!

Amen!