Salvation

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GOD REALLY LOVES US

(Psalm 139:13-17) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them!

From the very beginning of creation, God took great interest in bringing forth mankind. He bent down and formed man with his own hands, and then he formed woman.  Each one was formed from the earth he had created.  King David recognized that God involves himself in the creation of each one of us as he knits us together in our mother’s womb. And isn’t it interesting that he has knowledge of each day of our lives from the beginning of our existence.

There is an intimacy between us and God that transcends our understanding, but his great love for us was revealed when he sent his Son to redeem us.  When we consider these things, it becomes apparent that God is continually working on his desire to have a relationship with us.  Remember, God did not create us and then walk away.  We walked away!

In my own life, I stayed away from God in those early years.  I wanted to do life on my own terms.  I had an awareness that he was there, but I kept my distance.  When the realization of how badly I had messed up my live came crashing in, God, who was waiting patiently, received me with open arms.  I deserved punishment, but through the work of Jesus, I was granted grace.  From that moment on, I began to live a life of blessing in the arms of my God.

I now know that the greatest foolishness in this life is to try to live it without the one who created us and loves us.  The greatest fulfillment in this life is to seek God and his will for us.  Nothing is better than a relationship with the one who calls himself Our Father.

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THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

(Ephesians 2:19-22) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

I was reading this verse last week during our worldwide prayer for the church.  I was intrigued by the idea that all the true Christians across the entire earth are built into a living temple, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone.  Construction of this temple began on the day of Pentecost.  Since then, each new brother or sister who enters the kingdom of God is filled with the Holy Spirit, and they become a part of this temple.

Imagine the earth with a worldwide temple full of prayers and worship rising toward heaven.  What an awesome image, with every born-again Christian across the whole earth having a part in the prayers and worship being sent to our Father in heaven. 

In this fallen world, we know that the enemy must be working to interfere with this glorious work of the temple of Christ.  I believe his main weapon is to keep Christians at odds with each other.  I’m not referring to those who suffer under false doctrines, the enemy has no problem with them; but to those of us who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we are to love all people. We are to love and be in unity with those who are of the family of God.

We are of the same building, and we are filled with the power of Jesus to love and bear witness of his love to the world. Yet, if we are at odds with each other, the walls begin to crumble, and our power is hindered.  In Psalm 133:1 David reminds us, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

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EVERYDAY CHRISTIANITY 3

 (Colossians 4:2-6) Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

(Colossians 4:5&6 MSG) Use your heads as you live and work with outsiders.  Don’t miss a trick.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Be gracious in your speech.  The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Last week we talked about praying for those who are in full-time ministry.  Here in verses 5 and 6, the Apostle Paul transitions to talking about how we ourselves should approach opportunities for sharing the Gospel. 

Paul tells us to be wise in our interactions with non-believers.  We should maintain a positive interaction that will allow us to take advantage of any opportunity to share about Jesus.  Our conversation should be full of grace, which means kind, non-judgmental, and avoiding a “holier than thou” attitude.  As The Message puts it, “The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

The humble place of remembering that we were once outsiders is always the right demeanor for approaching the unsaved. The saying goes, “But for the grace of God, there go I.”  Genuine love, compassion, and understanding is what people need from us. Judgement is in the hands of Jesus who is the perfect judge.  

 I like to think of non-believers as being in a temporary situation.  They are just a prayer away from being a brother or sister in the family of God.  How wonderful to think that God would give us the honor of leading them to Jesus and eternal life.

Paul gave the Colossians sound advice in how to lead a daily Christian life.  Isn’t it an amazing blessing that we still have the advantage of his words today. 

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EVERYDAY CHRISTIANITY 2

 (Colossians 4:2-6) Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Last week we looked at this passage from Colossians, and I focused on verse two which is about devoting ourselves to prayer.  Let’s continue by looking at verses three and four.

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

The mystery of Christ is simply the Gospel message of what Jesus did for our salvation.  It is the most beautiful message ever heard by mankind.  Sharing this message requires presenting it with the recipient in mind and always being attuned to the Holy Spirits guidance.  Paul is asking the Colossians to pray that God would open opportunities for sharing, and that he would do it clearly.

We are still called to this prayer today.  We pray for those we know who are sharing the Gospel message – our pastors, missionaries, and evangelist.  As the Colossians did for Paul, we pray that the Lord will open doors for them to share, and that they will be able to share the Gospel clearly.  We also pray for their safety.

Next week let’s look at verses 5 and 6.  We’ll talk about Paul’s instructions for us, as we share the mystery of Christ.

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FORGIVENESS

(Matthew 6:14&15) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins.

Jesus made it quite clear that we need to forgive others of their sins.  Forgiving is difficult for us.  Even simple things like being cut off in traffic challenge our forgivability, but we must overcome our self-righteous need for revenge.  Forgiving is not optional.

 Beyond the simple things, there are many worse things to challenge our ability to forgive.  I can think of some very horrible sins that seem impossible to forgive. I’ll leave the magnitude of that to your imagination.  Yet, since God forgives “all” of our sins, there seems to be no limitation on which sins we can forgive.

So, let’s talk about family relations and the forgiveness that must take place in these close relationships.  I’m reminded of an old song that stated, “You always hurt the one you love; the one you shouldn’t hurt at all.”  Isn’t it true that those closest to us often take the blunt of our ill moods and self-protective responses.  I know my wife has lots of opportunities to forgive me, and, dare I say, I have a share of opportunities to forgive her.   If we chose not to forgive each other, these sins would build a wall of unforgiveness between us.  This would put our relationship on a downward slide, eventually this could lead to divorce.

From the family outward, the need to forgive becomes obvious.  If we hold unforgiveness in our heart, then it will fester, rob us of relationships, and make us bitter and alone. Our lack of forgiving others hurts us. Understanding this, I can begin to comprehend why Jesus was so adamant about us forgiving one another.

 God loves us and forgives us.  He sent his Son to pay for our sins, so he could forgive us and restore relationship with us.  Forgiveness is God’s way of dealing with sin.  The only alternative is eternal punishment.  God doesn’t want that for any of us.

God is love.  Forgiveness makes room for Love.

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THE CORD OF THREE STRANDS

(Genesis 2:18) The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Throughout our 44 years of marriage, there have been times when my wife and I have spent time away from each other.  We are currently in one of those seasons. My wife is away tending to a sick brother. I find it emotionally painful to be apart, but it is somewhat beneficial in that our desire for each other is heightened.  From the beginning God acknowledged that man has need for a companion.  Though not clearly stated, our companionship was never meant to exclude God.

Forty-four years ago, two sinners came together to form an intimate relationship.  Would this relationship last?  Ah, they had a distinct advantage.  They both had recently formed a strong relationship with their creator. From the start, God was at the center of their union. What that meant is that in hard, difficult times, they had God to turn to.  When times went well, they knew who to thank. 

So here I am sitting alone at my desk, and what is on my mind?  Gratefulness to God for this beautiful, wonderful woman he brought to me those many years ago.  God has been so good to us.  I am thoroughly convinced that God has been at the center of our successful marriage.

(Proverbs 18:22) He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

(Ecclesiastes 4:12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

God’s presence in any relationship is vital, because with him you can form a strong bond. Thus, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” In marriage his presence makes all the difference. 

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CHOOSE THE GOOD

(Psalm 64:1-6) Here me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.  Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers.  They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.  They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear.  They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?”  They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!”  Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

Since mankind rebelled against God, we have known the difference between good and evil.  God encourages us to do good; who encourages us to do evil?  Ah, we remember the snake.  He, the devil, and all his cohorts work very hard to lead us away from God and his goodness.

Because we have all inherited the rebellious nature of Adam and Eve, we must continuously battle between good and evil.  If evil wins, we see the fruit of it in our choices and actions.  In Psalm 64 David describes what evil looks like in those who choose to perpetrate it.  The people who David calls his enemies show no consideration to the consequences of their actions.  In fact, they delight in the devastation they inflict on others.

In Psalm 65 David talks about those who choose God’s goodness. (Psalm 65:1-4) Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.  You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.  When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.  Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!  We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.  In these people, we see God honored and praised; thankfulness is in their hearts and on their lips, and they are filled with the good things of God.

What a contrast between those who choose evil and those who choose good.  Yet, even If you have immersed yourself in evil, God has made a way to repent and turn to him. All his children have come to the moment of repentance, and they have been renewed by God’s perfect solution to overcome sins hold. He gave his only Son.  Now is the time to repent, humble yourself, and turn to God.  He will welcome you with open arms.  If you choose not to receive God’s salvation, you will be punished for all your sins.

Choose the good and live in the goodness of God.  Choosing evil always leads to destruction.  Living life the way God intended will lead us to loving others and ultimately eternal life.  Following the ways of evil leads to exploiting others and finally punishment.

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THE END OF THE AGE – Part 2

(Matthew 24:9-13) “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

In this passage, Jesus continues telling his disciples of the end times.  It doesn’t sound like a time when I’d want to be around.  However, I know that most of Jesus’ disciples were put to death and often tortured, so they experienced what Jesus was saying to them. 

The reality of many turning away from the faith, betraying, and hating each other brings a deep sadness to my heart.  Just think what that will be like.  Some of those we worship and fellowship with will turn their backs on Jesus and will become people who hate and betray us.  And can you imagine a world where wickedness has become so prevalent that the love of many will grow cold.  What an image of horror that brings.

Fortunately, there is an Exception Clause, “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”  I love what the Apostle Peter said when Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they also wanted to leave (see John 6:67&68). Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”  Eleven of the twelve stood firm until their end came, and multitudes of others have done the same through the years.  So, no matter what may come our way, let’s remember that only Jesus has the words of eternal life.

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GOD’S AMAZING GRACE

(Ephesians 2:3-5) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.  Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.

God is merciful, and he loves us; but he is also a just and a perfect being in whose presence sin cannot be tolerated. Jesus took it upon himself to pay the debt of our sins. the punishment of all the sins that mankind would ever merit were upon his shoulders.  His sacrifice on the cross cleared the way for grace. With the debt of sin covered by the blood of Jesus, grace was now possible.  God could offer grace to all of mankind, so they might receive the gift of redemption and eternal life.  His grace is available for all who will believe.

The words of this passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians clearly explains the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus paid for our sins; God’s grace applies this great gift of salvation to those who humble themselves and receive it.  We, his children, have been given the mission to share this great news.

Now is the time of salvation! The harvest fields are ripe.

Help us, oh Father, to not shy away from the opportunities to share this amazing message.  Make us aware when the time for sharing is before us.

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OUR LIFE COACH

(John 14:25&26) All this I have spoken while I was still with you.  But the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Jesus died on the cross to be an atonement for the sins of the world.  This includes all sins past, present, and future.  I became a recipient of his great sacrifice when I surrendered to him and put my trust in him.  At that moment, The Father forgave all my sins: past, present, and future; and He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell me and become my teacher.

Since that beautiful experience of salvation, the Holy Spirit has led me on the path of righteousness.  When I falter, he corrects me; and I repent.  There were times when I resisted, but he never gave up on me.  He was training me to become more like Jesus.  I will still be in training till my last breath.

Justification means that our sins are forgiven. That happens when we receive salvation.  Sanctification is the training that happens throughout the rest of our time here in this world.  The Holy Spirit seals us to identify us as God’s children, and he then takes on the task of our sanctification.  You might say he is our life coach.

There have been times when the Holy Spirit has tasked me with going to someone I have sinned against and asked for their forgiveness.  Difficult as that was, It always produced good fruit for them and me.  Over the years, the Holy Spirit has trained me in what to do when I faulter.  I have learned to first go to the Father and repent and then ask the offended person or persons for forgiveness.  

I believe complete righteousness happens after we leave our physical body.  Until then, we will wrestle with our sinful nature and the temptation from the devil.  God loves us, and he has provided us with the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us through this life till we go home to him.