Tribulations and Trials

They say the Kingdom of God is an upside down Kingdom. The way up is down. The way to go higher is to go lower; it is no surprise the way to victory in the Kingdom is through set backs, difficulties, and trials. Fellow believers often react in a manner that demonstrates they do not understand God's view of our trials--even though the scriptures are very clear on the matter. The way to victory is to rejoice in our sufferings! To count various trials all joy (James 1:2).

Of course, counting trials joy goes against the grain of our human nature. When we see our difficulties with the natural eye they can frustrate and sometimes overwhelm us. God wants us to take a supernatural view of our difficulties. From heavens perspective our tribulations will build endurance and produce godly character. This character brings a confident expectation of good as God's love encourages us. Trials come to make us strong and produce an overcoming spirit in us (1 John 5:4). Actually, handling our trials successfully will bring us to a place of maturity where we lack nothing (James 1:4). David wrote, "The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those that wait on the Lord (are patient) lack NO GOOD thing" (Psalms 34:10). In fact, I encourage you to read the entire 34th Psalm, it is a great exhortation to rejoice during our trials believing God for deliverance and salvation. It will make you want to shout!

There is a process to rejoicing in our difficulties. Rejoicing builds patient endurance into our lives and this patient rejoicing will produce godly character, which in turn gives us a confident hope of salvation and this hope will not disappoint us (Romans 5:3-6 NLT) . God cannot let us down! It's impossible (Hebrews 6:18).

As an example, a weight lifter puts stress on his/her muscles to break them down. It is the process of "breaking down" that leads to the building up of the muscle. The stronger we get the more stress (on the muscle) we can handle and the greater weight we can carry. Trials are much like this: The more we go through trials with endurance the more spiritual strength we gain. Rejoicing in difficulties exercises your faith in the faithfulness of God. God will never fail you or forsake you, it is impossible for God to break His word to you (Numbers 23:19). Frankly, it is our unbelief that causes us to despair, complain, and get discouraged.

Peter writes to his friends in Christ "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad (rejoice) for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when He is revealed to all the world (1 Peter 4:12,13 NLT). He continues, "So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God (rejoicing!), keep doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you (1 Peter 4:19 NLT). This is great encouragement. I once heard a preacher say, "Don't waste your trials. God truly does work everything for the good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose--even our trials." Do you believe it? Then rejoice!

It's important to keep in mind that although God has a purpose in our trials Satan also has a purpose. His intention is to get you to move off of the word. In Mark 4:17 we see that tribulation or persecution comes to offend you, causing you to give up on the word. The battle truly is a word battle. Are we going to take our stand on the Word of God, or are we going to be offended and stumble (1 Peter 2:8). Satan is not afraid of any human person; but he does recognize the power and authority of the word spoken by lips of faith. Remember Jesus' 3 temptations; He spoke the word each time He was tempted. Jesus overcame the Devil by the word and that's the same way you will overcome him.

The instruction to rejoice in our trials is 100% a faith issue. Listen once more to Peter: "In this you greatly REJOICE, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your FAITH, being more precious than gold which perishes, though it be TESTED by fire, may be found to the praise, honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6,7). It's a test. Do you desire to prove faithful, giving honor and glory to Jesus? Then rejoice!

A New Way

Sometimes I think it is little appreciated what Jesus meant when he said we had to become like children to enter the kingdom.  Jesus didn’t come to teach a new religion or give us a new set of rules to “be good.”  He came teaching a new way of being in the world.  I was struck in my studies today that Jesus’ disciples forsook all and followed him.  They left their jobs, their friends and families, all that they knew, and began to follow Jesus.  

Becoming like little children and forsaking all, means starting over again —  It did to the disciples and it does to us.  We must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.  Without a new life we can’t even see the kingdom.  If we hold on to old ways of thinking and living, we simply can’t follow Jesus.  He’s marching to the beat of a different drummer — the Spirit.  

To a person without the Spirit of Grace, this seems terrifying, or at least foolish!  Paul said it this way:  “The natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.  He CANNOT understand them because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:14).”

Old wineskins cannot contain new wine.  

If we are unwilling to allow the Spirit to renew our minds, we’ll live a very immature Christian life.  Jesus didn’t come to make failures.  He came that we might have life and life in abundance — to have a faith that overcomes the world.  But new life won’t come if we don’t follow and we won’t follow if we don’t humble ourselves like little children.  There is a lot we need to relearn.  

Kingdom responses to life stand in direct contradiction to the philosophies of this world; thus, they become foolish to the worldly man (or christian).  Loving our enemies, forgiving, giving, walking by faith, going the extra mile, and humbling ourselves, don’t seem wise to a natural person; but for us, Christ has become the power of God and the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:24).

The kingdom of God is upside down.  We live and walk focusing on what is unseen to the natural eye and living with our spiritual eyes enlightened.  

Jesus’ words to his followers, that they must hate their own lives in this world and even hate their mother and father, makes sense if we realize the life we inherit from our parents is a life separated from God by spiritual death.  We received our first life, the Adamic life, from our mom and dad.  It is a natural life tied to the world and the flesh.  We must die to all that is of Adam to walk in the kingdom (Christ, Spirit, etc.… ) We must hate our lives in Adam to live the new life in Christ.  There certainly is a process of transformation (2 Cor 3:18) but the journey starts at once when we decide to follow Jesus.   Jesus promises this new life will be a life of fruit bearing abundance.  What are we waiting for?  

“But God forbid that I should GLORY, save in the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  By whom the world was crucified to me, and I unto the world (Gal 6:14).”

“Therefore, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh…Therefore, if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, ALL things have become new (2 Cor 5:16, 17).”

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the GLORY of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4).”

Overcome Evil with Good

Last week I taught on the truth of applying positive faith to negative situations.  We do not overcome a negative situation, i.e. a trial, by responding negatively.  The clear teaching of Christ and his followers is to rejoice in our trials and to count them ALL joy (Ja 1:2; 1 Pet 4:12,13).  The testing of our faith with trials is to be expected and overcome.  

I’m convinced the reason many Christians fail to overcome in life is because we tackle spiritual problems with fleshly remedies.  Paul maintains that with every temptation God makes a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13).  John declares that FAITH is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 4:4).  Paul also exhorts Roman Christians to overcome evil by doing GOOD (Rom 12:21).  

There is no trial or temptation that comes into our life that God is not aware of and has an answer for, or a way out.  Where we often miss the mark is by not using the tools or weapons available to us, or wrongly applying tactics of the flesh.  Paul declares the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.  We do not wage war like the world does—by the flesh (2 Cor 10:3,4).

Lets look at what Jesus has to say about overcoming evil.

“You have heard it said, ‘Eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth’ (Ex 21:24).  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.”  He goes on to give specific examples:  turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, and giving your coat to one who compels you to give your shirt.  Jesus is giving concrete, spiritual responses to evil being done to us in the flesh.  This is quite similar to Paul stating “overcome evil by doing GOOD.”  

The truth is that Satan cannot cast out Satan and evil cannot overcome evil.  Sin cannot defeat sin.  “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined…if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself.  How then can his Kingdom stand (Matt 12:25,26)?”  This principal is contained throughout Jesus’ teaching and the teachings of the early church.  When Christians are faced with a trial and retaliate in the flesh (strife, hate, judgment, violence, slander, gossip, malice, betrayal, doubt, unbelief, etc) they fall prey to the enemy of their soul.  Paul calls this living like mere men in the flesh (1 Cor 3:1-3).  If we want victory we must overcome by doing GOOD and responding in faith.  Jesus is our example in this:  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.  When they hurled their insults at him, he did NOT retaliate; when he suffered he made NO threats.  Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Pet 2:21,23).”

So, the way to overcome, in any area of life, is to do good.  Trust God.  Operate in faith.  This applies to personal relationships, work situations, temptations and attacks from Satan of all stripes.  Complaining, retaliating, arguing, resisting with the flesh, only digs us deeper into a pit.  

If we live by the sword of the flesh, we will die by the sword of the flesh (Matt 26:52).  I suggest we put up our sword of flesh and pick up the sword of the spirit (Ep 6:17)—use the weapons of our warfare (the word of God, faith, love, prayer, etc… ). 

The Promise of the Father

I’ve been preaching on the promise of the Father.  Jesus came from heaven, became a man, died on the cross and rose from the dead so He could send us the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit.  The presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit is often little appreciated.  The Holy Spirit is the One who takes the things of Christ and shows them to us.  He also brings the ability of God to us and empowers Christ’ life in us.  God went to great expense to give us the Holy Spirit.  There are many things the Holy Spirit does for us:  He gives us power to be witnesses for Christ.  He reveals Christ to us and through us.  He writes the law of God in our hearts and brings purity to our life and conduct.  (This law is the love nature of God.)  God has given us a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.  This great gift is so precious we need to value it (Him) highly.  Of all the things God could give us, none can be so precious as His Holy Spirit.  I’m encouraging us to cultivate the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives through worship, prayer, and biblical reading and mediation.  The Holy Spirit is the one that unveils your life purpose and destiny in God.  We cannot put a high enough value on Him.  

Becoming Love

Recently, I preached on becoming Love.  If God is love and we become more like God, we become more like Love.  Life presents many challenges to us and to our love walk.  Every relational challenge is a challenge to our love.  The world values beauty, power, riches, influence, fame, etc…  God values love.  Acts of love aren’t self-seeking and often go unnoticed—but God notices.  Love is best seen in the cross of Christ.  God so loved the world that he GAVE His only begotten son.  Love gives.  Love sacrifices.  Love becomes vulnerable,  Think of this:  God created the world.  All the power in the universe belongs to God, yet He chose to manifest in the world of flesh humbly, meekly, without credentials and without advantage.  He was manifested hidden, weak, vulnerable, and helpless as a babe.  The very nature of the cross is weakness, not strength.  The cross, where God in Christ overcame the world, was a place of total self-abnegation—total surrender.  Jesus gave Himself over to God in complete dependency.  He did nothing from Himself or for Himself.  He surrendered to the Father every moment of every day and found great joy in doing so; but, the cross was a surrender unto death.  The cross involves pain, loss and shame.  When we walk in God’s love we learn to consider others above ourselves, we learn to sacrifice for others and we learn to become vulnerable for the sake of others.  True love is open, honest, pure, self-sacrificing and benevolent.  If we grow in this love our weakness becomes strength and our shame becomes glory.  There is resurrection for those who die to themselves and put on love for the sake of Christ.  

Encountering Jesus

Last week I preached on encountering Jesus.  I’ve been giving a lot of thought and prayer to the idea of encountering Jesus now.  How do we, as Christians, encounter Jesus today?  I know many of us have had times in our lives when we felt the presence of God very strongly: we received a word from God, an answered prayer, a moment of clarity, something that told us God was near and interested in our lives; but, often we struggle to believe or sense God is near now.  Is there a way we can intentionally press into God’s presence?  Can we press into a daily encounter with Jesus?  I believe we can encounter God in His word.  Hebrews 4:12 states that “The word of God is active, and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword.  It is a discerner of our thoughts and intentions…”  If we approach the Word of God with the idea that God wants to communicate with us, that He truly has something to say to us and wants to speak with us, we can encounter Him daily.  This is what abiding in the Lord and His words is all about.  Approaching God in faith, believing that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.  Jesus said; “if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you can ask what you will, and it will be done for you.”  John 15:7  We can approach the throne of grace with confidence because we know God’s abiding presence.  I want to encourage you to seek God in prayer that is soaked in the word of God.  God will speak to you as you expect to encounter Him in His word.  

The Old Way is the New Way

The early church had a very simple church program:  “They were devoting themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  (Acts 2:42)  It seems to me we can be very busy in church doing a lot of things that aren’t as effective as the original vision the church carried out.  Meeting together in fellowship, studying the Word of God together, praying, and breaking bread.  The early church met daily, not out of duty, but out of an excitement about what God was doing and what He might do next.  Worship and giving were spontaneous and joy was infectious.  There was a great sense of expectation and prayer was birthed out of an awe for God and an anticipation of real interaction with HIm.  I believe their sense of mission fueled their passion.  Jesus was alive!  He had risen from the dead.  Their lives had real meaning and purpose.  Announcing the good news was a vision that consumed them and they met to celebrate the Jesus they were announcing and to learn more about Him.  Often, the modern church attempts to create programs to re-create what the early church experienced, but we fail miserably.  The way to build passion is to deepen our commitment to the vision, mission, and calling God has given to the church:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and make disciples of all nations.”  When we take up God’s mandate and focus on what is most important to Him, it will fuel our passion, birth prayer, fellowship and intense hunger for the word of God.  It’s always been my desire to fellowship with a group of people that put God first and desire to push past the average church and Christian experience into the very heart of God.  To do this, many of us will need to shake off complacency, lukewarmness, indifference, hard heartedness, spiritual sloth, and sin.  If we really believe Jesus is Lord and that He is alive, nothing is as important and nothing will satisfy us more.  

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.  Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

I want to honor those who gave their lives for our country today.  Jesus said:  “No greater love does anyone have but to lay down their lives for a friend (John 15:13).”  The freedoms we enjoy as a nation came at a high cost.  Although we prefer peace, there is a time for war, a time when it is necessary to defend our country, friends, and family.  

I appreciate and am grateful for those who have fallen in service to our country.  I also want to remember the countless men and women who gave the “last full measure of their devotion” for the gospel.  Even as we meet to today, there are many that are dying for their faith in nations like:  India, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Nigeria.  I need to be constantly reminded that the freedom to worship we presently enjoy in this country is not shared with all the nations of the world.  These freedoms come at a price.  Many nations are still in the bondage of religious oppression.  As we remember those who gave their lives for our country, let us also remember and pray for those who are being martyred all over the world.  

False Teachers

Discussing false teachers is challenging.  I want to be careful when I critique another teacher.  In chapter 2 of 2 Peter, Peter warns his followers about false teachers and false prophets.  It is possible to disagree with someone on certain biblical teachings without considering them “false teachers.”  Many Christians disagree on matters of baptism, communion, spiritual giftings, modes of worship, etc…  Peter is dealing with teachers that come into the assembly and teach doctrines that contradict teachings that the apostles and the Lord had previously given (3:2) (Jude 3).  

I’ve noticed that immorality often lays at the heart of false teaching.  In most places, when an apostle is correcting false teaching, they immediately reference immoral behavior and the acceptance of immoral behavior.  Peter is no exception.  His description of false teachers is almost totally a description of immoral behavior:  covetousness, ungodliness, lawlessness, lust, presumptuousness, self-will, evil speaking, rebelliousness, adulterers, lewdness, corruptness, polluted.  So, at the root of false teaching is a license or a down-playing of sin.  Nowhere in scripture do you read any apostle speaking lightly of sin.  God’s grace is amazing in that it forgives the sinner, cleanses the sinner, and gives the sinner new birth.  With this new birth comes the power to walk as sons of God.  To: walk in the light, to walk in truth, to walk in faith, to walk as Christ walked, to walk in love, to awake to righteousness and sin not, etc…  So, in order to teach immorality these false teachers deny the Lord that bought them (2:1).  You can’t confess Christ and license sin.  “Let all who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19).”

Of course, there are basic tenets of the faith that we must get right.  As stated, one core doctrine is our freedom from sin, but there are others.  The certain return of Christ is addressed in chapter 3.  Scoffers will mock the return of Christ in the last days.  Peter, Paul, and Jude all warn of this scoffing.  The revelation of God in Christ is also a core belief.  Jesus is the Son of God and has revealed God to us.  It is by the “righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ that we are saved (1:1).  “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:12).”  The scriptures teach that Jesus is the way, and the only way to God, no one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6).  Peter is so bold to say: “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”  In our day all of these false teachings are manifest.  It’s very common for teachers to speak of Christ being one of many ways to God—the heart of new age teaching.  That we are saved by grace and God isn’t concerned with our behavior thereafter.  Love without accountability is taught.  And certainly, the return of Christ and the day of the Lord, a day of judgment, is mocked, ignored, or twisted.  

I encourage you to stick with the scriptures.  Be prayerful over everything you read and hear.  Respect your teachers; but, be noble minded, like the Bereans.  Search the scriptures to examine what you’ve been taught (Acts 17:11).  And, by all means, don’t reject teaching just because you haven’t experienced it yet.  Faith in the truth will bring the fruit God has promised!  

You Have Need of Patience

Peter encourages the believer to add to their faith patience, or patient endurance.  I’ve been thinking about patience this week.  Paul says: “You have need of patience so that after you have done the will of God, you might obtain the promise (Heb 10:36).”  In this fast paced, attention challenged age, most are looking for quick answers, immediate gratification, and instant success.  With the popularity of cell phones and tablets increasing this trend will only continue.  We are taught that by faith we can obtain the promises of God, which is absolutely true; but, often the answers to our prayers don’t come immediately and some might not even come in this life time!  As we study the Bible diligently, we see that it takes more than faith to obtain promises from God.  The word says you may suffer in the process, that your faith will be tested and tried.  Although we do have exceedingly great and precious promises, we have need of patience to obtain them.  Abraham is called the Father of our faith; the word declares that it was through faith and patience that he inherited the promises (Heb 6:15).  He is one great example, but the Bible is filled with many examples of men who waited patiently for the promise of God to be fulfilled in their lives:  Noah, Joseph, David, Moses, etc…  This is why more than faith is necessary to do the will of God.  All the fruits of the Spirit are needed to walk in God’s blessing and will.  Faith is certainly the starter or the key that unlocks the promises, but patience is needed to continue in faith as we wait for the answer.  So, with Peter, I exhort you to add patient endurance to your faith and while you’re at it, self-control would help too! Grace and peace to you.  

Petrine Authorship

The past few weeks I’ve mentioned modern scholarship regarding the authorship of the book of Second Peter.  Most members of the church would be surprised to learn that many modern biblical scholars do not believe Simon Peter wrote Second Peter.  They believe the author was pseudonymous (author writing in another’s name).  There are a list of reasons why they hold this view, chief among them is the different writing style and vocabulary used from First Peter.  However, there are many compelling reasons to believe Peter actually wrote Second Peter.  In my view, it would be impossible to believe in the authority and inspiration of Second Peter and hold to a pseudo-graphic viewpoint. 

Here are my reasons:  first of all, the writer claims to be Peter (1:1).  Also, the author stated that the Lord had talked to him specifically and informed him that he would soon die (1:13,14).  The author states he personally both heard (1:18) from the Lord and was an eyewitness of His majesty (1:16) on the holy mountain.  This is a Petrine experience!  The author states that this was the second letter he was writing to his audience (3:1) and, additionally, he claims to have personally known Paul the Apostle, or at least be a contemporary (3:15).

It is in fashion now to come up with theories about the Bible which cast its authority and inspiration into question; but upon close examination, these arguments can be refuted.  Douglas Moo’s commentary goes into more depth on this topic; his treatment is neither tedious nor incomprehensible like many other commentaries!  I recommend it to you.  Grace to you.  

The House of the Lord

Last Sunday we taught on being the house of the Lord.  Jesus has prepared a temple for the Lord, He has built a house for the Father.  Jesus is the Son over His own house.  We, as believers, are members of His household; and thus, are growing together as a temple of the Lord.  There are such tremendous promises in the word regarding God's presence in our life.  Paul states that God walks with and in us (2 Cor 6:16).  Think on that:  God is with us everywhere we go.  When Jesus said He'd never forsake us He meant it literally.  God is among us.  This brings Romans 10:6-10 into better light.  Paul stated that he preached the word of faith.  What is the word of faith?  The word is near you, it's in your heart and it's in your mouth.  Folks the Holy Spirit lives inside us to quicken the word of God and make it come alive in our hearts.  The logos (word) of God is in us, and the Spirit quickens and makes it a living word (rhema).  If we live by the letter, without the Spirit, the word will not come alive in us.  This is the power of prayer and meditation.  As we take time to read, mediate, and pray over the word, it fills our hearts.  When the word fills our hearts, it becomes the word of faith.  We won't need to bring Christ down from heaven again or raise Him from the dead again.  He is near us, as near as our hearts.  

Revelation Knowledge

God is a revelation God:  He reveals Himself to us through creation, moral law, and the gospel.  Romans 1 declares:  “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed…”  It is written in the same chapter:  “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.”  Further Paul says:  “Although they knew God’s righteous decree, that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do them but also approve of those who practice them.”  In one chapter, in the book of Romans, Paul cites three ways God reveals Himself:  the gospel, nature, and the moral law.  

Psalms 19 proclaims God reveals Himself in nature and through the law:  “The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands…the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.”  God has revealed Himself through His moral law and character,  and His divine power and invisible qualities are seen in creation.  Because of this, Paul states we have no excuse for our evil conduct.  

God in His mercy has revealed Himself, His kindness toward us, through the gospel.  The scriptures, the written word of God, testify to Christ.  Light and life have come to us in the work and person of Jesus Christ.  When we hear the good news of the gospel, God is speaking to us, opening our eyes to see who He really is. We can’t come to know God through our intellect alone or through the scientific method.  Jesus said:  “No one comes to the Father, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”  In fact, Paul declares:  “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…the person with the Spirit discerns all things.”  No, we need to be illuminated by the Spirit to see who Jesus is and what He did for us in His death, burial, and resurrection.  This comes through the written word and the preaching of the gospel.  

Have you ever wondered why there are so many religions in the world?  Or even why there are so many Christian denominations?  I believe it to be the result of man’s intellect trying to grasp eternal realities.  Man’s attempts to figure out who God is and how to know Him—man’s way of understanding.  Paul stated that the gospel wasn’t taught to him by man, but came by revelation (Galatians 1:11,12).  He prays for the Ephesian church to have their eyes opened by the Spirit.  We need the same illumination and revelation today.  What does the Spirit reveal?  Jesus.  I’ll leave you today with this quote from the gospel of John:  “But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify Me (Jesus) because He will take of mine, and declare it to you.”

Jesus, the Light of the World

We’ve all heard it said that Jesus is the Light of the world.  What does this mean?  When Jesus was walking on the road to Emmaus with the two disciples He is said to have opened their eyes; He opened their understanding; His words burned in their hearts.  Jesus brought understanding, or light, to the words of Moses and the Prophets.  John declares:  “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”  The very life force of Jesus is light.  Light shines in darkness and points the way, reveals the way, to those on the path.  Jesus came to reveal God and to enlighten men regarding God’s real nature.  Jesus has declared the Father.  How?  Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and the express image of His person.  When we see Jesus, we see the Father.  We are no longer in the darkness regarding God’s person.  Those that reject Jesus are said to love the darkness; light had shone in on them and they preferred darkness.  Paul states that those without the knowledge of Christ are darkened in their understanding; and thus, alienated from the life of God.  The god of this world has blinded them.  Regarding his own people, the Jews, Paul declared: “Let their eyes be darkened.”  That means, when they reject their Messiah, their eyes will be darkened.  Those that see the face of God in Christ have been enlightened and our spirits have been given light (Prov 20:27).  The Christian has been translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s Son.  We are now sons of Light.  This is why it is so important to walk by faith and allow the Spirit to continually open the eyes of our heart and the eyes of our understanding (Eph 1:17).  As we walk in the spirit and dwell in the word, we will go from faith to faith, glory to glory.  There is so much more I could say on this subject; but I’ll stop for now.  Lord open our eyes to see!

Further Thoughts on Identity

Reading through the story of the Prodigal Son recently a few thoughts dawned on me.  It seems to me that neither boy really knew their Father.  When the younger, prodigal son, came home, he had the idea that he would come back as a servant.  He'd messed up so badly, surely his Father would be upset with him; but, perhaps he could work for his Father.  The boy didn't know his identity as a son because he didn't know the heart of his Father.  The second son, the elder brother, was busy working in the fields.  His mentally was that of a servant.  The younger son wanted to become a servant because he felt unworthy to be called a son; the older son didn't walk in his sonship because he believed he had to work for it.  Again, neither boy really knew their Father or His heart; consequently, neither boy knew who they were and what belonged to them.  The Father loved His sons and all that He had belonged to them; yet they were unaware of their inheritance.  Don't let sin or legalism keep you from the Father's love.  All that He has he has given to you; He is waiting for you to come into the revelation of your sonship.  Grace to you.

Thoughts on Identity

Reading in the gospel of Luke yesterday, I was reminded how Jesus worked out of His position of Sonship—His identity. In Luke 3:22, after Jesus’ baptism, a voice came from heaven saying: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Please note, Jesus’ ministry had yet to be inaugurated. He hadn’t performed one recorded miracle at this point in His life. God was pleased with Him because of who He was, not because of what He’d done. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, at this point, He was being led (or driven) to the wilderness. Now it’s very interesting, in the next chapter, Jesus is tempted by Satan three times. Two of those temptations dealt directly with Jesus’ identity. First of all, Satan challenged what God had just spoken to Jesus; “You are my Son.” Satan tempted: “If you are the Son of God.” This really isn’t a new trick. Satan has been challenging the Word of the Lord from the beginning. Remember with Adam and Eve, he said: “ Hath God said?” That’s the work of Satan, to challenge the word of God. The kingdom of God works like a man planting a seed, that seed is God’s word to us. Satan’s kingdom is challenged when we take God at His word. It’s not our talent, might, or ability that threatens Satan, it’s the word of God received into our heart that threatens him. Jesus knew His identity. He knew He was the Son of God. Satan was challenging that fact. It’s also interesting that Satan wanted Jesus to do a miracle, or to act in a way to prove He was the Son of God. This is a crafty strategy He also uses on Christians. God confirms our identity and immediately Satan challenges it: “Who do you think you are? Everyone knows what you’ve done. You’ve done too many bad things. If you’re really saved, prove it!” God wants us to follow Jesus and to work from the position of Sonship, from a position of resting in Christ finished work, not from a performance mentality. Sometimes, even very good teaching and testimony can cause us to strive. Our works for the Lord should never come from the mindset, I’m proving myself or I’m earning God’s favor. We are truly saved by grace, even our works come from God. We are saved by grace to do good works that God has prepared for us before the world began (Eph 2:8-10). There’s plenty to do and God will have us step out quite often if we are willing; but, our works should spring from our relationship with God and out of fellowship with the Spirit. You can’t fake relationship and you can’t earn relationship. Relationship comes by spending time with God, in His word and in prayer, followed by simple acts of obedience to what He is speaking. Our works come through simple trust. There’s a childlikeness to following Jesus. This is how Jesus operated. He didn’t fall for the orphan mentality of working to prove who He was; Jesus knew who He was, and He worked out of His intimacy with the Father. As disciples of Christ we’re learning to walk in His footsteps. Grace to you.

Stand Your Ground

We know we'll suffer persecution as Christians.  It's been guaranteed to us in the word!  Suffering, affliction, and persecution should not surprise us as if some strange thing has happened to us. We can, however, stand against all the strategies and wiles of Satan.  With every temptation and trial there is a way of escape.  In Ephesians 6 Paul encourages believers to armor up.  To put on the whole armor of God to stand against Satan's wiles.  "Therefore put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then..." Eph 6:13  We don't have to accept defeat at the hands of our enemy.  Paul also once said:  "God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus."  Even during the worst trials we can come out as overwhelming conquerors if we stand in our position in Christ.  The battle we fight is not based on human effort, but by faith in the work of Christ.  We stand in our position in Christ and on the promises of God.  God is faithful, He will never allow a temptation or test in our lives that we cannot overcome.  Peter said that trials have come to test the genuineness of our faith.  A faith that is more precious than gold.  The only way we can lose is if we quit.  I want to encourage you to pick up your spiritual weapons and fight the good fight of faith.  You were made for the battle!  

Discipleship

I've been giving a lot of thought to what makes a true disciple.  We know we are saved by the grace of God, without works.  We don't receive our salvation by works or maintain our salvation by works; so where does discipleship come in?  Paul stated in Ephesians 2:10 that we were created for good works!  Even in Paul's most profound teachings on grace he always exhorts his followers to good works.  We were re-born in Christ to become new people, in a new kingdom, with new principles, and a new King.  We are called to follow Jesus Christ just like Peter, James, and Paul were called to follow Christ--there is no difference.  We may not be able to follow Jesus around and watch Him in the flesh now, but we can be lead by the Spirit and obey His word.  Following Jesus is not a passive affair.  We actively and persistently pursue the Lord in prayer, bible study, and in faithful acts of lovely service.  We simple won't grow in the Lord otherwise.  How closely are YOU following the Lord today?  

The Great Commission

When Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into all the world and make disciples he didn't give them general directions.  He commanded them to teach all things that He commanded them.  This seems to be an ignored point in many Christian circles.  Jesus command is not vague--teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.  We always need to keep the main thing the main thing.  The churches main thing should be to make disciples and teach them to observe Jesus commands; this includes His moral commands, but also His commands to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, etc... Why is this so often ignored?  As we scour Jesus' teaching and commands, let's remember that they are for us as much as they were for the early disciples.  Yes, we have Paul's in Christ doctrine to hold fast to as well.  Our unity with Christ is the power that enables us to do His commands.  Paul's teaching were never meant to exempt the church from obeying Jesus' commands; but rather to empower the church to reveal Christ to the world.

Christmas Reflection

This is the season to think about the birth of Christ.  The birth of Christ is  the most spectacular event in history.  Paul states that Jesus came in the fullness of time.  He was born of a woman and born under law to redeem those under law.  Jesus came to His people Israel.  His mission was first to His people.  He had a message of repentance in preparation for the Kingdom of God.  Repent and believe the good news was His theme.  But we know HIs own people rejected Him. God was not caught by surprise, He had a plan.  Although the gospel was first to the Jew, it was not only to the Jew. God's plan all along was (Paul calls it the mystery of God) that the Gentiles also are included in the gospel.  John stated it this way:  "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born...of God."  John 1:11-13.  The Son of God was born to die, that we might be born again as sons of God.  This is an amazing mystery and wonderful privilege--to the Jew first, and also the Gentile.