The world is upside down... and it sometimes feels like it is square on you. And while we understand that there are those who are going through similar things, or worse situations... and our predicament will never be as dire as was that of Christ, it does not minimize the difficulty of your personal crisis. Without trying to give you tips on how to make it through, let me just share with you some words from a man who as a boy was unappreciated by his family, as a young man disrespected by his kin, as a man pursued by a lunatic king, as a father hunted by his children, and had relationship issues no one would envy. Here are the words of David... I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. I cry to You, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me. (Psalm 142) If you feel oppressed today, feel free to pray this prayer... in hope. [Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.] Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry. One of the most wonderful things about becoming a Christian is the freedom that comes with salvation. We are free to live as God intended because we are not now ruled by Satan, sin, and death. Being ruled by the Spirit is a much better life than being ruled by the flesh. Not only are we free from the power of sin in a way we never could have imagined, but we are also free from the penalty of sin, which is eternal separation from God. This opens up great liberty in our lives. The idea of judgment is a prominent concept throughout Scripture, from the beginning to the end. God's first command to humans was, "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:17) If you disobey God, you will die. Death is the judgment. The book of Revelation is filled with judgment as well. Some of the last words God gives us are... "I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19) Sin always brings death because death is in sin. Romans 3:23 tells us, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Then Paul tells us in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We are all familiar with John 3:16... “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." This is a wonderful counter to Genesis 2:17. But not as many people are familiar with verses 18-19 which say... "Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned,because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil." So as Jesus gives us God's great plan of salvation, He also explains the judgment associated with not receiving that salvation. These are two of the greatest truths in the universe. Anyone who does not believe in (trust and follow) Jesus is already condemned. Anyone who believes in Jesus is not condemned. So much follows those two paths of existence. But is the person who believes in Jesus then free from accountability since they are not condemned? Actually, the accountability level rises for the one who believes in Jesus. Becoming a child or God is not a pass to live like you want without consequences. Though our judgment for sin is set aside by the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, our works as servants of God will now be judged according to the fact that we are now responsible before God to do what He says, and actually have the power to obey. Jesus taught, "Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more." (Luke 12:48) More is expected of believers because our standing with Christ is different. We are now sons and not lost enemies of God. God expects sinners to sin. But He expects children to act like their Daddy. So there is serious accountability in the life of the Christian. We are accountable before other believers, and we are accountable before God. Some may say we are even accountable before the world as they will come to believe in Christ as they see unity in us. So what does this accountability look like? In some ways, the early Church was like us today. They were sort of judgmental at times. Paul once wrote, "We will all stand before the tribunal of God. For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12) At some point in the future, God will take some time to judge all people. This includes sinners and saints. Sinners will be judged according to their sins because their sins have not been removed. In fact, the judgment is already there, because it is in the sin. God will just have to reveal it. He will then pass sentence, which is eternal damnation. But as the passage tells us, even the sinner will at some point give praise to God, proclaiming Him as Lord. Saints have already had their judgment for sin removed at the altar of the cross. This setting aside of judgment is not a way for us to go back out and live in sin. It is a freedom to go out and live for Christ. But in our living for Christ, we do not always hit the mark. Sometimes we actually exceed the mark. Along the way we do stuff that is exceptional in Christ, and other times we are lazy in our approach. God is taking notes. We are after all His servants... His children. There is a higher standard. Jesus talks about this in various parables. And Paul, in another letter writes about this coming judgment of the works of the believer... We are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day [of God's judgment] will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. (Romans 14:9-15) Sinners will lose their souls in the fires of Hell. But there is a fire that will test the works of the saints. What you do today matters. How you serve God matters. What you do in the Kingdom matters. You may think it does not matter today. But someday today will be judged. It is not fitting for a redeemed child of God to be a slacker, lazy, selfish, short-sighted, stingy, etc. How we serve the Lord will have consequences in our lives, and in the lives of others. It will impact our now, and our eternity. This is about placing a premium on the power God has given us in our salvation. Sure, the penalty of sin is removed. But there are still consequences for our actions as His Kingdom workers. When you decide to skip out on Church because you are 'not feeling it', that choice has consequences. When you give more than is reasonable to a missionary in response to God's nudging, that has consequences. When you make sure your name is mentioned in association with some ministry, that has consequences. When you clean the toilets secretly instead of complaining to the church janitor, that has consequences. Our works have consequences, even though our name is written in the Lamb's book of life. Jesus died and rose again to free us from the penalty, pollution, and power of sin... not to set us free from consequences. He didn't set us free to sin more, but to serve well. Do not let the enemy trick you into bondage on this issue. God's grace is active in the believer. If you mess up and serve with wrong motives, or miss an opportunity to serve, do not worry about your standing with God. But serve the Master with zeal, realizing that one day you will give an account for your actions, and receive a reward for a life lived well before Him. In the end, these crowns and trophies will be presented to us, and in grateful love we will return them to the One who has enabled us to serve in His mission. So our works are always and ultimately a gift to our King. If you are like me, you want to present Him with a great harvest of good works. Serve well today. You may give an account tomorrow. Last night I got a chance to pray with a man who many would call 'disadvantaged', or 'one of the least of these.' After hearing a message about being the righteousness of God in Christ, and being challenged that one does not want to enter eternity without having that righteousness, "Jimmy" came forward for prayer. I asked him what he needed prayer for. He said, "I just want to make sure I have a home with God when I die." It was one of the most genuine requests I've ever heard. I think "Jimmy" probably has some sort of learning disability, but I'm not sure. It may just be a different speech pattern. We've had very brief conversations in passing at various times, but I've never prayed with him, or had dialogue like this. I just looked into his eyes and smiled for a few seconds. He continued... "I believe in Jesus. My mom and my wife died a while back. But I still trust in Jesus. I didn't stop believing. God has been good with me. I just want things to be right between me and God." As we stood under a bridge on a windy Fall evening, I thought to myself, this man is closer to Heaven than He knows. As I think back on that conversation I am reminded of a couple of stories from Scripture... One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which command is the most important of all?” “This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. 33 And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer. (Mark 12:28-34) Jesus told the man, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." I would like to think that everyone is close to the Kingdom of God, but some seem to be running away from it as fast as they can, and others have simply drifted away from it. Others are deep into it. But there are some who are moving closer and closer to it. They are not far. They are asking the right questions. They are seeking Jesus. They are intelligently approaching and answering the most important topics and questions. They are not far from the kingdom of God. There is also this story from the ministry of Paul... Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it—He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” (Acts 17:22-32) Paul is speaking to pagan people and says that people were created to "seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist... for we are also His offspring." We are to search for God, even though He is not far from us. That may be a word for you today. God is not far from you. We may feel like we are lost and abandoned, but God is never far from us... even if we are far from Him. As long as we are engaging our mind and spirit toward the things of God, we will be nearing Heaven, even when we feel like we don't know where we are. The enemy would have you think that you are without hope and nowhere near home. But just as the 'prodigal son', in making our way home, we find that the Father is running to meet us with every step we take toward Him. I prayed with "Jimmy". I asked God to give him the desires of his heart in regard to knowing God more fully and having assurance of eternity. I asked the Lord to honor his faith during the difficult losses in his life. I asked Him to continue building Jimmy's home in Heaven, and also to build his life here and now so that he will grow into the spiritual man God intended from the beginning. The more I prayed, the more Jimmy hugged me. After we were done, he looked at me and smiled. It didn't seem he wanted to leave. I know I didn't. God put "Jimmy" in my life last night to remind me that regardless of how we feel, when we are pursuing God, we are not far from the kingdom, and God is not far from us. I want you to know the same thing today. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8) [Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.] Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry. When the believer sees the difficult news of the day, he feels like he has to make sense of it in light of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is sometimes very easy, but other times it can be more treacherous. One of the most difficult areas to navigate is how a believer reconciles justice with compassion. Can a true follower of Jesus love evil people and still support the earthly judgment that should come their way when they become a danger to the entire community? I believe we can... and in fact, we must. It seems impossible for a Christian to be compassionate and also in favor of hard justice. I think much of the difficulty comes from the fact that most Christians (as most people) mix up the commands of God with the means of God. One of the current hot button issues is how we deal with terrorists. Is it possible for a Christian to love a terrorist and at the same time hope that the terrorist is stopped cold by justice, never to hurt anyone again? This is portrayed as an oxymoron for a follower of Jesus. We are to love our enemies. So our nation should not seek out these people and destroy them, right? Well... not so fast. Two Swords Swords play heavily throughout the stories in the Bible. This was before guns and bombs. It was the primary weapon of war and justice for thousands of years. In the New Testament times, God has given two swords to two groups of people. It is in the proper understanding of these swords that we as people of peace can be in favor of extreme justice. Spiritual Sword The Church has been given a spiritual sword. This weapon is supernatural. While it certainly has a major effect in the natural realm, it is primarily to bring us victory in the spiritual realm. The apostle Paul wrote this to the early Church... Be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. (Ephesians 6:10-17) Now some people do not like this imagery. They don't like the idea of Christians being warriors. They make fun of or even attack the idea. They think it makes us look unfriendly. But the fact is, we are at war. Christians are not at war with people or nations. We are at war with Satan, his demons, the powers of Hell, sin, and in a sense, everyone who surrenders themselves to evil. What? We ar in battle with people? Well... on a spiritual level we are. Jesus had to battle people when the spiritual played itself out in the natural. He argued with hypocrites and called out those who opposed truth. The disciples were told to kick the dust off of their feet as a curse to the towns that would not receive their message. Paul struck people blind and turned others over to Satan. These aren't the things we like to think of when we talk about how Christians are supposed to share the love of Christ with sinners. But while Christianity is the most loving movement ever, it is engaged in real battle with spiritual realities that plays itself out in the natural realm. We have a spiritual sword to wage spiritual war. Every believer should be armed with it. And the sword should be in regular use. We should be good with the sword. When we grab the sword, which Paul says is the Word of God, Hell should tremble with fear. It is by God's Word that we shut down the works of the enemy. This sword is not less than other swords. It is the most powerful weapon given to Christians. But there is another sword... Steel Sword The sword of steel is a natural weapon given by God to proper authorities to carry out natural justice on behalf of a supernatural God. In the natural realm, the sword given to the governing authorities is also a spiritual reality. The sword of the State is a representation of the power of God on earth to enforce justice and peace. This is where we lose some of our more Liberal leaning brothers and sisters in Christ. This understanding does not take mental gymnastics, but it does take holistic thinking about what God is doing on the earth. It seems impossible or hypocritical for a believer to think that Christians should turn the other cheek and not go around killing people while at the same time believing that government has the right... and even the responsibility to execute ultimate judgment on the most evil of us. But the same apostle Paul who wrote that our spiritual weapons are not for waging war against flesh and blood (people), also wrote this... Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. (Romans 13:3-4) Was Paul a hypocrite? Or did he just have a keen understanding of the different roles and duties given to the Church and the State? I think he saw the different groups as different spheres in the world. The sphere of the State is to carry out laws so that good people are protected and bad people are punished. The sphere of the Church is to carry out the ministry of reconciliation between God and man by engaging in battle with spiritual powers that would take captive the souls of men. The government is not a human institution. It is God's magistrate... God's minister of order and justice on the earth. It deals in natural means, but is a spiritual entity. It is to dispense wrath on evil doers. So there is a serious spiritual component. This is why it is good to have in government those who understand the spiritual battle. Someone should understand justice, and be able to stop child molesters, rapist, murderers, thieves, drug dealers, speeders, etc. There are two fronts against evil. One is the Church. The other is the Government. Both have been established by God and given weapons to stop evil. Christians mess up when we try to take the government's role. God did not commission His bride to go around executing people who break the law. The Government messes up when it tries to take the Church's role. The government is a lousy source of evangelism and compassion. But the Government should support the Church in its work, primarily by staying out of the Church's affairs, and using its power to keep lawlessness down, allowing righteousness to spring up. The Church should support the government as it dishes out justice... even when it is justice we cannot dish out, primarily by praying for the leaders, living good lives ourselves, and doing the work God gave us so the Government can focus on its work. There are two swords. When Christians try to use the sword of steel, we get reprimanded by Jesus. Remember this event? Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. (Matthew 26:51-52) Christians aren't here to imprison or kill evil-doers, but the governing authorities are. We can support them in their role while we do not participate in the actual execution of justice. They are not here to be compassionate and evangelistic, and should not stand in the way of our mission. Today, make sure you are carrying the proper sword... and using it well. Pray for your leaders that they will govern properly, but do not hold them to a standard different than God has given. If you are a leader, you are responsible before God, just as we are in the Church. If we all do our part, we will see evil diminish and righteousness and justice bloom. [Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.] Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry. Yesterday I watched an historic football game. I watched one of the greatest Quarterbacks in the history of the NFL set an important record, and then get pulled from the game because he was having the worst game of his career. The Denver Broncos were hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. Peyton Manning entered the game only a few yards away from passing Brett Favre as the most prolific Quarterback in NFL history. He easily set the record. Upon reaching the 71,389 yard mark, they stopped the game and made a big deal out of what was certainly a big deal. Manning came out of college a year late. In other words, he stayed at the University of Tennessee for his senior year, even though he was already a Heisman trophy candidate, and one of the top draft picks coming out of his junior year. He said he loved the college experience and wanted to enjoy it another year. He finished his illustrious career holding 42 NCAA, SEC and Tennessee records. He won the Maxwell Award as the nation's most outstanding player, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Player of the Year honors his senior season, securing his All-America status in 1997. He became the fourth in NCAA history to pass for 11,000 yards and threw for more than 300 yards in 18 games. He finished with 11,201 yards as Tennessee's most prolific offensive player in leading the Vols to the 1997 SEC championship. It was no surprise that he threw for 300 yards in his first game as an NFL Quarterback... but leading the league in passing in his first two seasons? Well, that was pretty special. Even as a rookie, most football nerds knew that this one was special. He was certainly not the most athletic QB to ever step onto the field, but he was one of the smartest, and arguably the most studious. He wa a game film geek, spending more hours watching opposing defenses than some coaches. By the time he took the first snap, he was literally the most knowledgeable player on the field... and perhaps on the sidelines. This enabled him to over the course of his career set multiple NFL records, including throwing for more yards than any other QB ever. As of yesterday, Peyton Manning has thrown for over 40 miles. Think about that. He has completed passes for over 40 miles. But yesterday... he only threw for 35 yards. How bad is that? It was his worst game ever. He only completed 5 passes out of 20 attempts. The Kansas City Kicker had as many field goals as Manning had completions. Oh... and did I mention that Manning threw 4 interceptions? It is a bad day when you complete almost as many passes to the other team as you do your own. After his fourth interception at the beginning of the second half, his coach replaced him with a guy named Brock Osweiler. You've probably never heard of Osweiler. But he will always go down as the guy who replaced Peyton Manning when Manning was yanked from the game... the game where he set one of the most coveted NFL records. Isn't that life sometimes? The day you finally achieve something, you also fall flat on your face. You're receiving an award for competency and you lose your car keys on the way out the door. You get a raise, and you lose your wallet. You get married, and you forget your spouse's name. You make a decision to surrender your life to Christ, and then you mess up by falling to that life-long temptation. Or how about this... you are going to give your life for the sins of the world, and one of your closest friends betrays you, and another denies he knows you. In fact, after pouring into the lives of 12 men for 3 years, they all abandon you at some level in your moment of need. Certainly that wasn't the fault of Jesus. And some of our moments of disappointment aren't our fault. But they can be. You can live your life to great success, and on the day you achieve that goal, you can't seem to tie your shoes. In that moment, you can choose to quit, or go forward. King David had a couple of such moments. After an impressive run as a faithful shepherd, valiant warrior, and great king, he ended up committing adultery and orchestrating the murder of the woman's husband. On the day of reckoning, I'm sure he didn't feel like a faithful shepherd, valiant warrior, or great king. I'm sure he felt like he wanted to die. But God was not finished with him, and would not define him by his failures. He would end up restoring the repentant and broken man. But here is part of the prayer David made as part of his 'comeback'... God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. (Psalm 51:10-17) Scripture calls David, 'a man after God's own heart.' God knew David's best days and worst days. But David was defined by his pursuit of God. God loved David despite his failures, and without regard to his natural successes. That is a great truth for you today. Perhaps your best day will be your worst day. But God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And your relationship with Him can go forward if you proceed in repentance and confidence that He is not done with you, and you are not done with the mission. Peyton Manning will always remember yesterday. His haters will always remember yesterday. But history will basically forget it. You will be able to find it on the internet, but it will never define him. Don't let a bad game define your career. Seek God. Surrender to Him. Succeed with Him. [Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.] Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry. |
AuthorMy name is David, and I want to know God more, and help other people find Him. Archives
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