Are you attempting to live as a Christian without being one? Millions of people admire the teaching of Jesus that elevates human dignity, that calls for compassion for the poor and the weak. But, at the same time they reject the Cross. “Why did Jesus need to die?” they ask. Some are even arrogant enough to believe that Jesus died as a result of political miscalculation, that he over-estimated his public support as he confronted the religious establishment. Others think that the whole narrative of the Cross was an invention of his disciples to make sense of the end of his life. What nonsense!
The Cross makes it possible for us to live the teaching of Jesus. His mission was to be our Savior first. Many other world religions are built around great teachers but none, to my knowledge, offers us a Savior, a Deliverer! At the Cross, He entered fully into our broken, fallen state that separated us from our Father. His death, far from being sad, is the heart of the Good News. The Word does not merely hint at this. It pronounces it loudly and clearly! "For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." (Colossians 1:19-22, NLT)
Without the Cross, Christianity is just another world religion, an ideal to which we may hopelessly aspire! But, because of the Cross, Christianity is a way of life available to all who will believe the Truth, be reconciled to God, and receive the gift of the Spirit. To mistakenly reject the Cross because it is ‘too ugly,’ or ‘too superstitious,’ is an insult to Christ Jesus. The Cross was not an after-thought or mistake. It was His destiny, the crowning achievement of His earthly ministry. Timothy Keller reminds us that unlike other deities who allegedly extracted vengeance at great cost to humans, the true God “becomes human and offers His own lifeblood to order to honor moral justice and merciful love so that someday He can destroy all evil without destroying us. Therefore, the Cross is not simply a lovely example of sacrificial love. …There was debt to be paid – God paid it Himself.” (The Reason for God)
Far from being a maudlin medieval idea, the Cross is a glorious Truth! It is full of ugliness because it is where sin meets forgiveness. It is full of sorrow for it is where the disappointments of the Fallen creation meet the perfection of the Creator. It is bloody because in the purpose of God, as Jesus Christ explained, "my blood, … confirms the covenant between God and his people." (Matthew 26:28, NLT)
So, I will not insult the Lord Jesus by looking away from the Cross. Instead, I will wear it, love it, and embrace it.
Here’s a word from the Word. May we join Paul in his intention. "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God." (Galatians 6:14-16, NLT)
___________
Your blood speaks a better word
than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth;
Speaks righteousness for me
and stands in my defense,
Jesus, it's Your blood.
Your cross testifies in grace,
tells of the Father's heart
to make a way for us;
Now boldly we approach,
not earthly confidence,
it's only by Your blood!
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can wash us pure as snow,
welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood,
Nothing but Your blood,
King Jesus!
Nothing But The Blood
© 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Matt Redman
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, February 05, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Recovering Peace
One of the evidences of the Spirit’s life at work in us that is frequently forgotten is the third one: peace! Remember the list? “Love, joy, peace, patience?” (Galatians 5:22) Disciples can enjoy peace in this life. One of the remarks that Bev and I hear over and over from people who spend time in our home is that it is a peaceful place. When our children invited their friends to our home, even those teens would often say, ”We like being at your house. It’s a peaceful place.” We knew that quality did not come from us. What they sensed was the peace of God, the Presence of the Holy Spirit, Who was intentionally invited to fill our lives.
Are you living in God’s promised peace?
Before you answer, let’s explore what the Bible says it is. The Hebrew word translated as “peace” is “shalom.” Shalom describes much more than simply the absence of conflict! It is a word that speaks of being whole, complete, prosperous, as well as tranquil. Shalom is more than a momentary rest. It is a state of being at rest in God.
The Word’s wisdom points us towards recovering peace with this advice: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV) As we see in that passage, enjoying the blessing of God’s holy peace does require that we make some important lifestyles choices. Yes, peace is a gift of God, but we cannot receive it unless we align ourselves to God’s will.
If we want to live peacefully, we must forgive! Bitterness against another, a refusal to release a grudge or an insistence on ‘justice,’ will rob the peace of God from our lives, making us miserable. We must trust. Jesus encourages us to ‘become like a little child.’ No, he did not mean childishly irresponsible, but with a faith that accepts each day, each moment from the Lord along His provisions for that day. We must be responsive to the Spirit. When He says, “no,” we stop! When He says, “go,” we move! A rebellious, willful person cannot enjoy holy shalom!
On a practical level, recovering peace means we will accept our limits. It is important to learn to refuse the requests that come from inside ourselves and the world around that lead us to being overcommitted, exhausted, and stressed out! We cannot be everything that others want us to be. We must choose simplicity as our way of life. The world around you will run your life as long as you allow others to be in charge. Many of us are quite proud of our incessantly ringing cell phones, our overflowing email boxes, and our long hours of work. Even though we complain about our schedules, these things make us feel important and valued. Some people would rather run naked down the street than admit that they have no pressing responsibility on a given day!
Despite having multiple responsibilities, I take charge of my schedule. Sure, occasionally crises arise unplanned and unforeseen that destroy my plans and press me into service for long hours. But, I do not live in crisis mode all the time. Anyone who does needs to take a hard look at their own choices to see if they are trying to do too much, if they are failing to plan well, or if they are simply disorganized. I plan regular times to retreat, times of high output, and times when I know I will focus intensely. And, I have learned that “no” is a good word, too. I get calls all the time in which someone says, “We think your skills or connections could really help us. Would you join our cause?” I’m glad that those people think I could help them, but unless I have a clear leading of the Lord, I say “No, thank you” without any guilt. If I am running around all day and into the night, I will lose the wholeness that is critically important to being who Gods wants me to be.
Disciple, part of our spiritual inheritance is the peace of God. In a fractured, pressured, stressed world, we can be people who enjoy holy peace, the blessing of shalom. We don’t have to escape into isolation, or disconnect from reality to live in it. It flows out of our relationship with the One who loves us most. Here’s a word from the Word. I pray that you will live in the promise.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT) "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)
_______________
Far away in the depths
Of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains
It unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
I am resting tonight
In this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control.
For I'm kept from all danger
By night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Wonderful Peace
Cornell, Warren D. / Cooper, W. George
© Public Domain
Are you living in God’s promised peace?
Before you answer, let’s explore what the Bible says it is. The Hebrew word translated as “peace” is “shalom.” Shalom describes much more than simply the absence of conflict! It is a word that speaks of being whole, complete, prosperous, as well as tranquil. Shalom is more than a momentary rest. It is a state of being at rest in God.
The Word’s wisdom points us towards recovering peace with this advice: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV) As we see in that passage, enjoying the blessing of God’s holy peace does require that we make some important lifestyles choices. Yes, peace is a gift of God, but we cannot receive it unless we align ourselves to God’s will.
If we want to live peacefully, we must forgive! Bitterness against another, a refusal to release a grudge or an insistence on ‘justice,’ will rob the peace of God from our lives, making us miserable. We must trust. Jesus encourages us to ‘become like a little child.’ No, he did not mean childishly irresponsible, but with a faith that accepts each day, each moment from the Lord along His provisions for that day. We must be responsive to the Spirit. When He says, “no,” we stop! When He says, “go,” we move! A rebellious, willful person cannot enjoy holy shalom!
On a practical level, recovering peace means we will accept our limits. It is important to learn to refuse the requests that come from inside ourselves and the world around that lead us to being overcommitted, exhausted, and stressed out! We cannot be everything that others want us to be. We must choose simplicity as our way of life. The world around you will run your life as long as you allow others to be in charge. Many of us are quite proud of our incessantly ringing cell phones, our overflowing email boxes, and our long hours of work. Even though we complain about our schedules, these things make us feel important and valued. Some people would rather run naked down the street than admit that they have no pressing responsibility on a given day!
Despite having multiple responsibilities, I take charge of my schedule. Sure, occasionally crises arise unplanned and unforeseen that destroy my plans and press me into service for long hours. But, I do not live in crisis mode all the time. Anyone who does needs to take a hard look at their own choices to see if they are trying to do too much, if they are failing to plan well, or if they are simply disorganized. I plan regular times to retreat, times of high output, and times when I know I will focus intensely. And, I have learned that “no” is a good word, too. I get calls all the time in which someone says, “We think your skills or connections could really help us. Would you join our cause?” I’m glad that those people think I could help them, but unless I have a clear leading of the Lord, I say “No, thank you” without any guilt. If I am running around all day and into the night, I will lose the wholeness that is critically important to being who Gods wants me to be.
Disciple, part of our spiritual inheritance is the peace of God. In a fractured, pressured, stressed world, we can be people who enjoy holy peace, the blessing of shalom. We don’t have to escape into isolation, or disconnect from reality to live in it. It flows out of our relationship with the One who loves us most. Here’s a word from the Word. I pray that you will live in the promise.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT) "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)
_______________
Far away in the depths
Of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains
It unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
I am resting tonight
In this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control.
For I'm kept from all danger
By night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Wonderful Peace
Cornell, Warren D. / Cooper, W. George
© Public Domain
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Re-discovering Salvation
“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!” are the words in which John Newton exults in his transformation from slave ship captain to forgiven child of God. His story is but one in millions. Even after Newton left the ships and slave trade behind, years passed before the Gospel truly changed the man and his destiny. For many years I was involved in ministry to men in prison. One of the more difficult aspects of that work is ‘jailhouse religion.’ Men how live in a rigidly controlled environment start going to church and pick up the language of the Bible. They claims to be morally reformed, ready to live differently on the outside. Within a week of their release, they have forgotten all the claims they made, all the Bible verses they read, and are back in their old ways. Why? Because they ‘got religion.’ They did not experience the Gospel’s grace!
If sin, at its root, is the attempt to establish myself apart from God, then salvation is discovering my true self in Him. Timothy Keller asserts that many people ‘are trying to save themselves by following Jesus.’ He goes on to explain. ‘It is possible to avoid Jesus as Savior as much by keeping all the Biblical rules as by breaking them. … Self-salvation through good works may produce a great deal of moral behavior in your life, but inside you are filled with self-righteousness, cruelty, and bigotry; and you are miserable. You are always comparing yourself to other people, and you are never sure if you are being good enough. … The devil prefers men and women who try to save themselves. They are more unhappy than either mature Christians or irreligious people, and they do a lot more spiritual damage.’ - The Reason for God
Religion restricts, regulates, and judges. It robs joy and celebration from life. True salvation in Christ Jesus liberates, creates, and accepts! Tragically, Christianity is too often known for pronouncements of judgment, for conflicts over who and what is right; than it is for bringing people the experience of the abundant life of which Jesus spoke. The Bible is so clear and so often ignored on this subject. Repeated the Word urges us to stop focusing on managing sin with rules and restrictions. Instead, we love Christ with our whole heart, living openly authentic lives before Him and one another because we believe and trust HIS grace.
Paul shouts a rebuke and challenge to those who would save themselves by moral religiosity.
"“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 2:21-3:2, NIV)
The biggest difference between religion and grace is motive. Religion is fear-based and aims to escape Hell! Relationship is love-based and aims to gain Heaven! Ask many who claim to be Christian if they are really looking forward to Heaven and watch them stutter! They really are not anticipating Heaven because they do not love the One whose Throne is the center of that wondrous place. Untouched by grace, indifferent to the Spirit, they cannot conceive of leaving behind their pleasures, diversions, and things. Yet, because they fear eternal punishment, they cannot enjoy life to the full right now either. What a miserable existence.
Timothy Keller writes of the paradox of grace. “The most liberating act of free, unconditional grace demands that the recipient give up control of his life.” We find grace when we come humbly before Christ, often in complete despair, and release even our best efforts and highest achievements to Him, and trust only in the salvation that begins at the Cross and is completed at the Empty Tomb. In that moment, we become other-worldly, our highest hope fixed beyond this life. Ultimately, the rediscovery of salvation leads to the Resurrection which is the logical hope of those who know grace.
Here’s a word from the Word. I pray that the Spirit will make the words live in your understanding and draw to a re-discovery of salvation.
"And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man (Adam), so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven (Jesus Christ). I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." (1 Corinthians 15:49-50, NIV) But, when we are raised like Him, we will say:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:55-58, NIV)
____________
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss.
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty Cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Johnston, Julia H. / Towner, Daniel Brink
© Public Domain
If sin, at its root, is the attempt to establish myself apart from God, then salvation is discovering my true self in Him. Timothy Keller asserts that many people ‘are trying to save themselves by following Jesus.’ He goes on to explain. ‘It is possible to avoid Jesus as Savior as much by keeping all the Biblical rules as by breaking them. … Self-salvation through good works may produce a great deal of moral behavior in your life, but inside you are filled with self-righteousness, cruelty, and bigotry; and you are miserable. You are always comparing yourself to other people, and you are never sure if you are being good enough. … The devil prefers men and women who try to save themselves. They are more unhappy than either mature Christians or irreligious people, and they do a lot more spiritual damage.’ - The Reason for God
Religion restricts, regulates, and judges. It robs joy and celebration from life. True salvation in Christ Jesus liberates, creates, and accepts! Tragically, Christianity is too often known for pronouncements of judgment, for conflicts over who and what is right; than it is for bringing people the experience of the abundant life of which Jesus spoke. The Bible is so clear and so often ignored on this subject. Repeated the Word urges us to stop focusing on managing sin with rules and restrictions. Instead, we love Christ with our whole heart, living openly authentic lives before Him and one another because we believe and trust HIS grace.
Paul shouts a rebuke and challenge to those who would save themselves by moral religiosity.
"“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 2:21-3:2, NIV)
The biggest difference between religion and grace is motive. Religion is fear-based and aims to escape Hell! Relationship is love-based and aims to gain Heaven! Ask many who claim to be Christian if they are really looking forward to Heaven and watch them stutter! They really are not anticipating Heaven because they do not love the One whose Throne is the center of that wondrous place. Untouched by grace, indifferent to the Spirit, they cannot conceive of leaving behind their pleasures, diversions, and things. Yet, because they fear eternal punishment, they cannot enjoy life to the full right now either. What a miserable existence.
Timothy Keller writes of the paradox of grace. “The most liberating act of free, unconditional grace demands that the recipient give up control of his life.” We find grace when we come humbly before Christ, often in complete despair, and release even our best efforts and highest achievements to Him, and trust only in the salvation that begins at the Cross and is completed at the Empty Tomb. In that moment, we become other-worldly, our highest hope fixed beyond this life. Ultimately, the rediscovery of salvation leads to the Resurrection which is the logical hope of those who know grace.
Here’s a word from the Word. I pray that the Spirit will make the words live in your understanding and draw to a re-discovery of salvation.
"And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man (Adam), so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven (Jesus Christ). I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." (1 Corinthians 15:49-50, NIV) But, when we are raised like Him, we will say:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:55-58, NIV)
____________
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss.
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty Cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Johnston, Julia H. / Towner, Daniel Brink
© Public Domain
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Re-thinking Sin
I’ve never murdered anybody. I don’t cheat on my wife. I’m nice to kids and animals. Yet, the Bible says, “Jerry, you are a sinner!” That’s because sin is not what we often think it is. We believe that sin is breaking the Law, doing bad things. Actually sin is something quite different which leads us to breaking those moral rules. Timothy Keller says that ‘sin is seeking to become oneself, to get an identity, apart from God.’ We need to think about that for it gives a whole new meaning to the Scripture’s declaration that ‘all have sinned!’
On Sunday I knelt down to eye level of two little boys at church, ages 3 and 5. They wanted to matter! They told me about their stuff, their trains, and their experiences in an excited conversation. Caleb and Hayden enjoyed being noticed and included! Don’t we all? So we learn what makes us noted and we work at doing it or being it better. Everyone of us makes our life about something or someone. We work at being a person who is valuable or noted for something. A pretty girl takes note that eyes follow her and she works to enhance her beauty and to hang onto it. An athlete experiences the approval of the coach and the crowd and decides to push his body harder, to hone his ability to throw the ball with even more accuracy. The Christian notes how good he feels when others take note of his devotion and service and redoubles his efforts. So what’s wrong with any of that? Nothing and everything. Each of those choices become sin when the person makes ‘good things into ultimate things. It is seeking to establish a sense of Self by making something more central to your significance, purpose, and happiness than your relationship to God.’ (Keller)
Only loving God and looking to Him can give our lives true meaning. Anything and anyone else will fail us. Beauty, brains, and brawn will abandon us sooner or later! The Teacher, writer of the book of Ecclesiastes, summarized the end of the life that has misfocused the search for meaning on things of this present world: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NKJV) Addictions result from a misplaced desire for meaning. At first the addict craves the pleasure, then he longs to find escape. The world is full of addictions to sex, to alcohol, to chemical drugs, to stuff – it’s a long list – precisely because we are all sinners. St. Augustine famously wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”
Disciple, pursue Him! Turn your heart and mind often to quiet love for Him. Confess the disorderliness of your emotions and longings that allow idols to climb onto the throne that belongs exclusively to Him. John promises that in our confession we find "a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s." (1 John 2:1-2, The Message)
__________
Father, I am sinful.
How easily I am deceived by the things around me.
I so quickly make Your good gifts into idols.
In trying to find myself in them, I confess that I sin against You.
The darkness deepens.
Be my Light and my Deliverer.
Be my Hope and my Love.
Jesus, hold my hand. - Amen
"How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:9-11, NKJV)
"How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103, NKJV)
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Big Ten
Rules make us complain but what a chaotic world it is where law and order break down! When I was having our deck rebuilt, I chafed at some of the silly regulations that our town had for construction. However, at the same time I am thankful for those same laws that regulate development in my neighborhood. I don’t like when a police officer pulls me over for going a little too fast, but I am very thankful his presence on the road helps to keep drunk drivers from being a greater threat to my safety. Fences and boundaries can be a very good thing in a world where real sinners live.
God gave His people a summary of His expectations which we call the “Ten Commandments.” Read them recently? They reveal how we conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to Him and others. We would do well to memorize them. Make no mistake! Keeping them, if we could, won’t get us to Heaven! No amount of rule-keeping can make us right with God. Only Jesus Christ can forgive our sins, but the big ten serve the purpose of building some fences. Galatians calls them "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, KJV) As the Lord was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, He held a meeting with them to show them the kind of people He wanted them to be. (Exodus 20) Here’s a paraphrase of what He told them.
1. No other gods but Me.
2. No idols in your life.
3. Don’t misuse my Name by claiming to act under my authority when you’re not.
4. Keep one day out of seven for worship (a Sabbath) following the Creation pattern I established.
5. Honor your parents and you’ll live longer.
6. No murder.
7. No adultery.
8. No stealing.
9. No lying about your neighbor.
10. No lusting for your neighbor’s stuff, his wife, or anything belonging to him.
Being human we look for loopholes in the rules, study them to death, and twist them to fit everyone but ourselves. Yet, they stand! They can guide us to faithful reliance on our Savior who makes us holy starting in our heart, or they will stand as a witness against us when we are summonsed to the Throne to face the Judgment! Which will it be for you? Reading that ancient code I found myself challenged anew by the holy expectation of my Father. I am a free man in Christ Jesus, not bound by the Law of Moses, but it does inform me about the quality of the love that God seeks in me for Himself and for those who live alongside of me.
Read the big ten with appreciation today, and then take this Word with thanksgiving.
"Those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing." (Galatians 3:10-13, NLT)
What a Holy God. Hallelujah, what a Wonderful Savior!
God gave His people a summary of His expectations which we call the “Ten Commandments.” Read them recently? They reveal how we conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to Him and others. We would do well to memorize them. Make no mistake! Keeping them, if we could, won’t get us to Heaven! No amount of rule-keeping can make us right with God. Only Jesus Christ can forgive our sins, but the big ten serve the purpose of building some fences. Galatians calls them "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, KJV) As the Lord was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, He held a meeting with them to show them the kind of people He wanted them to be. (Exodus 20) Here’s a paraphrase of what He told them.
1. No other gods but Me.
2. No idols in your life.
3. Don’t misuse my Name by claiming to act under my authority when you’re not.
4. Keep one day out of seven for worship (a Sabbath) following the Creation pattern I established.
5. Honor your parents and you’ll live longer.
6. No murder.
7. No adultery.
8. No stealing.
9. No lying about your neighbor.
10. No lusting for your neighbor’s stuff, his wife, or anything belonging to him.
Being human we look for loopholes in the rules, study them to death, and twist them to fit everyone but ourselves. Yet, they stand! They can guide us to faithful reliance on our Savior who makes us holy starting in our heart, or they will stand as a witness against us when we are summonsed to the Throne to face the Judgment! Which will it be for you? Reading that ancient code I found myself challenged anew by the holy expectation of my Father. I am a free man in Christ Jesus, not bound by the Law of Moses, but it does inform me about the quality of the love that God seeks in me for Himself and for those who live alongside of me.
Read the big ten with appreciation today, and then take this Word with thanksgiving.
"Those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing." (Galatians 3:10-13, NLT)
What a Holy God. Hallelujah, what a Wonderful Savior!
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