...Because of Me

Okay, I really need someone to feel me on this one.  And I know it to be true, because I’ve experienced it quite a few times and often recently, but people will often hate the Jesus in you (even if you have not expressly stated that you are Christian) (Mt 10:22). 

In America, the insults, persecution, and lies that Christians often face are relatively harmless, and are only dangerous on a social level, so for those of us who have survived adolescence, dealing with it should be a piece of cake (1 Pe 3:17).  But knowing scripture lets us know how to respond when we are tested in this: 

• First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised by it.  Jesus said very plainly that men will hate us because of him (Mt 10:22).  We are just visiting after all (1 Pe 4:12).   We’re a peculiar people (1 Pe 2:9 KJV). People of the world don’t understand why we bless when we’re cursed, why we are hopeful, why we don’t lie to make life ‘easier’ for ourselves, etc.  
• Secondly, we’re never fear the world (Mt 10:28).
• Thirdly, not that we should deny everyone else, but Christians are to encourage one another (Mt 28:19-20; 1 Pe 3:8; Heb 10:25; 1 Th 3:2’ 4:18; 5:11)      
• And fourth, and best of all, we’re blessed (Mt 5:11-12)!

So, just pray for the haters y’all (Mt 5:44).

From Sunday to Sunday

Sunday: (Palm Sunday)

1.    ‘The Triumphal Entry’, in Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-10; Lk 19:29-44; Jn 12:12-19)

·         This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:  “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ (Mt 21:4-5)

Monday: 

1.    Jesus curses the fruitless fig tree, pronouncing immediate judgment. (Mt 21:19-22; Mk 11:12-14)

·         “…have faith and do not doubt…” (Mt 21:21)

2.    In the temple Jesus drives out the money changers and heals the blind and lame. (Mt 21:12-17; Mk 11:15-18)

·         But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant. (Mt 21:15)

Tuesday:

1.    The authority of Jesus is questioned. (Mt 21:23-27; Mk 12:27-33; Lk 20:1-8)

·         Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question.  If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Mt 21:24)

(Jesus continues to teach. Mt 21:28-45; 22-25; Mk 12-13; Lk 20:9-47; 21)

2.    Jesus is anointed by Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, in Bethany (Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Lk Jn 12:2-11)

·         Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.” (Mt 26:10)

Wednesday:

1.    Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus. (Mt 26:14—16; Mk 14:10-11; Lk 22:3-6)

·         ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ (Mt 26:15)

Thursday: (Passover observed)

1.    ‘The Last/Lord’s Supper’ (Mt 26:17-30; Mk 14:12-25; Lk 22:7-20: Jn 13:1-38)

·         “I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Mt 26:29)

2.    Jesus comforts and encourages his disciples. (Jn 14-16:33)

·         “All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, 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.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:25-27)

3.    Jesus prays at on the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:40-46)

·         “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Mt 26:38)

           “My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I     will, but as you will.” (v. 39)  

4.    Jesus is arrested. (Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:1-11)

·         “Friend, do what you came for.” (Mt 26:50)

5.    Jesus is brought to trial (before the Sanhedrin, then Pilate and Herod, form Thursday night to Friday morning). (Mt 26:57-68; 27:11-26; Mk 14:53-65; 15:1-15; Lk 22:66-23:25; Jn 18:19-24, 24-40)

·         “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.  “But I say to you:  In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mt 26:64)   

Friday: (Good Friday)

1.    Jesus is mocked and crucified, at Golgotha (Mt 27:27-44; Mk 15:16-32; Lk 23:26-43; Jn 19:17-27)

·         ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!  Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!’ (Mt 27:40)

2.    Jesus gives up his life and dies. (Mt 27:45-56; Mk 15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49; Jn 19:28-37)

·         “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Lk 23:46)

3.    Jesus is buried. (Mt 27:57-65; Mk 15:42-47: Lk 50-56; Jn 19:38-42)

·         Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.  He rolled a big stone in front of  the entrance to the tomb and went away. (Mt 27:59-60)

Sunday: (Easter)

1.    Jesus defeats death and is resurrected! (Mt 28:1-20: Mk 16:1-20: Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-31)

·         ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!’ (Mk 16:6)

Grace, Pt. 2

I had just a few additional words to add to the topic of grace.  I had too many notes left, and felt I wasn’t quite finished anyway. 

To further elaborate on the definition of grace, Romans 11:6 tells us, ‘And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace’.  We see that grace is directly opposed to works, so that it cannot be earned.  It’s not a wage, but a gift that must be accepted (2 Co 6:1).  And with the gift of grace, specific gifts come with it, the most notable being salvation (Eph 2:6, 8-10).  Justification through Jesus Christ our Savior is a gift imparted by grace (Tit 3:7).  Peace of mind in the presence of religious legalism is a gift of grace (Heb 13:9).  Growing is to be done in grace (2 Pe 3:18).  And although it cannot be earned, we learn that grace is given to the humble (Jas 4:6).

Grace is from God alone, through Christ Jesus (Lk 2:40; 1 Co 1:4; 2 Th 2:16; 2 Ti 1:9).  Paul testified that it was  by grace that he was what he was, and it was the grace of God working in him that brought about all that he’d accomplished (1 Co 15:10).  Jesus -our high priest- has lived this life that we struggle to stay right and get right in.  And he’s not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but Jesus himself had been tempted in every way just as we are (Remember, temptation isn’t sin; yielding to it is.) –yet was without sin (Heb 4:14-15).  So, we are encouraged to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (v. 16).  Thank you Lord!              

Grace, Pt.1

First of all, my apologies to anyone who may’ve missed my Friday post.  I wasn’t even able to think straight because I was suffering from a viral infection complete with fever, headache, body aches, and loss of appetite (and if you know me, you know it’s serious then).  But I’m -at least- back to blogging health!

I can’t even put into words yet, how these past five days have been.  I’m still trying to evaluate it myself.  But the Holy Spirit has put in the forefront of my mind the value of grace, which is commonly defined as unmerited favor by Christians.  Merriam-Webster’s definition, in the context of biblical scripture, is unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration and sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace; approval; favor; privilege.

To receive God’s grace is so humbling.  In fact, God gives grace to the humble 9Pr 3:34).  Not the perfect, but the humble.  Paul boasted in God’s wisdom to afflict him with a thorn in his flesh along with the revelations he’d given to keep him humble (2 Co 12:7-10).  The nature of his affliction of the flesh was unknown, so we can find ourselves here.  God gives a better solution than removing the thorn:  for him to show himself strong in people’s lives despite their weaknesses.  The absolute best example is Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary and resurrection (Lk 22:41-44; 23:26-24:35).

Paul says something so striking in Acts 20:24, and I second it: ‘…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace’.  Or as the Michael A. Jones version goes, ‘My life wouldn’t have meant nothin’ unless I did as God told me to do, through his Word, by living a life that testifies to the gospel of his grace, which has shown that although I was messed up, God was still able to use me!’  As much as Paul had been blessed with, he also had his weaknesses, which kept him humble and fully aware that it was all God who was working in him, and not himself. 

Without grace there would be no hope.  We’d be subject to the law of sin which results in death (Ro 8:1-2).  The law was given, not to bring about redemption, but to point out the need for it, which is only offered through Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6; Ro 5:20-21, and NIV note).  The Bible tells us to be careful of taking advantage of grace.  Don’t be deceived.  God cannot be mocked.  But grace should be our motivation to obey God in love (Ro 6:1-15; Gal 6:7).

Not to deny the reality and the goodness of justice, but grace is the cornerstone of the Christian faith.  Without it, there is no hope, no faith, no Christianity.  So I conclude with these parting words John wrote until Christ’s return, ‘the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.’ (Rev 22:21)       

  

Binding and Loosening

My purpose in researching this topic was as most people see it: as a way to divinely, and selfishly get my own way (Lord forgive me.), but after reading up on the ability to bind and loose, I’ve put it in Jesus’ intended context that he originally spoke on.

Jesus Christ himself has given us the power to bind (to make secure, refine, constrain, fast or tie together, take up and hold, protect, strengthen, hamper free movement of) and loose (antonym of bind; to free from restraint, etc.).  Although Jesus’ proclamation that the physical manifestation his church would be established by Peter does not apply to us, he has given us –as believers- the ability to bind and loose as well (Mt 16:19; 18:18).  Jesus said, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’.  When we speech, actions, thoughts line up with the Word of God, which is the Holy Bible, heaven co-signs it!   But this is not an authority to determine, but the authority to announce (guilt or innocence according to his Word) (NIV note Mt 16:19). 

For proper context, in Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus instructs us on how to properly address a brother or sister who has sinned.  It refers to disciplinary action that should be taken when they:  1) have failed to listen to the single person who’s brought the issue to them in secret 2) have failed to listen to the one, plus two others who have again –approached this person who has sinned- in a discrete manner 3) and lastly, have failed to listen to the three, plus the church now!  If they are so far gone, Jesus tells us to treat them as the despised, pagans and tax collectors (basis for excommunication; see also 1 Co 5:1-13) (Mt 18:15-17).  What Jesus is promising here is his presence and guidance when such sensitive, crucial decisions to are being made to discipline an immoral brother or sister (They are proven immoral as evidenced by their decision not to listen to the reason of those who are speaking and acting according to God’s word.) (Mt 18:19-20).      

Once again, that wasn’t even where I planned to go with that, but I’m just being obedient to the Holy Spirit.  There it is.

Have Nothing to Do With Them

We are all called to be holy and sanctified.  But if perfection was the criteria for whom God allowed us to associate with, then we’d truly be islands, not dealing with anyone.  (Furthermore, how estranged would we be from a holy God himself?) So, I believe that the instruction not to have anything to do with people who are:  lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God should be understood as being indicative of the very character of that individual (2 Tim 3:1-5).  I believe that if the overall tenor of a person’s life is marked by sin -if it doesn’t surprise you that they’ve chosen to do wrong, as opposed to right- then these are the people the Word is referring to.  These are the people we should have nothing to do with. 

To some extent, I’ve found myself in the previous description.  I can work on being more self-controlled.  I have moments of pride.  And unfortunately, there have been times when I’ve put my own pleasure first.  But my life is not characterized by these instances of failing to meet the mark.    

The Bible tells us how to further indentify these people we’re to distance ourselves from.  They seemingly lead a life that is good and holy, with a reverence for God, but they lack the power of one who does (2 Tim 3:5; NIV note on 1 Tim 2:2).  They take advantage of people’s weaknesses (v.6-7). And they oppose the truth of God’s word (v. 8).  But the Bible also lets us know that they won’t get very far, because their folly (lack of good sense, prudence, or foresight) will be clear to everyone (v. 9).  God’s not trying to deny us anything, but it’s plain to see that he wants to save us from suffering the same fate as these people because surely bad company corrupts good character (1 Co 15:33).

Similarly, these people who do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God (the word ‘retain’ is used here because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men [Tit 2:11]), not only continue to do these things -become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity, are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, are gossipers, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil, they disobey their parents; they’re senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless- but they approve of those who practice them as well (Ro 1:28-32)! 

The Bible tells us that these people deserve death (v. 32).  But thank God, he’s loved us enough to provide us with a way out if we’re ever so caught out there that we’re given over to a mind such as this (v. 28; Jn 3:16).  Jesus Christ (our way out!) who’s given the ransom for our lives, so that we can be restored into right standing with God has offered his blameless, unblemished, perfect life for ours (Mk 10:45; Ro 5:10; 10:9; 1 Co 15:56-57; 2 Co 5:21).  Through him we have the opportunity to cheat death (Rev 12:11).  All YOU need to do is accept the gift of salvation offered, by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved (Ro 10:9).  No, you won’t be perfect, but you will be saved.          

Be Encouraged

Encouragement plays such a big part in the walk of one trying to follow Christ.  In fact, it’s absolutely essential.  Throughout the Bible, we ourselves are not only encouraged by God’s word, but charged to encourage one another as well (Tit 2:15; Isa 1:17; Eph 6:22; Col 4:8).  The writer (who we believe to be Paul) of Hebrews was divinely inspired by God to pen these words, ‘…(E)ncourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness’ (3:13).  Here, Today is contrasted with the Day (of ultimate judgment), so we’re presented with many opportunities to admonish (which involves warning and urging, in addition to encouraging) one another in everyday that proceeds our day of judgment.  For those who trust in the Lord, the forthcoming Day is not a looming threat, but an encouragement to, not only find joy in working for the Lord, but to admonish others to share in that joy as well.  For the Christian, there is no suffered loss, whether it’s Today or the Day (Php 1:20-26).  To live is Christ and to die is gain (Php 1:21).  How’s that for encouragement?  If you’re on God’s side you win, no matter what!

There is no real encouragement outside of God’s word (2 Ti 4:2).  Any other words spoken are just flowery and deceptive, with no basis, or promise.  Be careful not to accept negative ‘encouragement’, which we’re all susceptible to (Ps 64:5).  That is why we’re encouraged to regularly meet with those who are strengthening themselves in God’s word (Heb 10:25).  Iron sharpens iron, indeed (Pr 27:17)! 

It’s not only for the prophet, the gifted, or the seemingly strong to encourage (Ac 15:32; Ro 12:8; 15:1).  We can all be an encouragement, at least in prayer.  Remember, Job in his affliction had the heart to pray for his friends (who were supposed to be an encouragement to him), and as a result of his act of faith, he was then prospered (Job 42:10)!  It’s not only for the benefit of others that we should encourage.

God is our source for all things.  Through Jesus Christ himself and God our Father we have eternal encouragement (2 Th 2:16-17).  And if -and when- we become weak, God has a ready ear to listen to our desires and our cries (Ps 10:17).  With that thought in mind, I want to encourage you to go to Him who’s not only ready to hear you, but has all the power in heaven and earth to positively affect your circumstance.              

Salvation

We’re told that we’ve all have sinned and fallen short of what God has intended us to be -as detailed in his word, which is the Holy Bible (Ro 3:23; Jn 1:1-5).  To be clear, the word all excludes no one.  And falling short of God’s word is the definition of what sin is.  Being made in God’s spiritual image, we’re intended to be like God, who is holy, righteous, just, etc. (Ge 1:26-28; 1 Sam 2:2; Ro 3:22; 2 Th 1:6).  However, after the fall of man we’re all born into sin -meaning we have the propensity to sin, not that we were born with sin (Ge 3; Ps 51:5).  And the result of sin is death, and separation from God (Ro 6:23; Isa 59:2; Hab 1:13). 

There must be a sacrifice given for sin, in order to reconcile us to God, and Jesus Christ has made that sacrifice for us (Heb 9:22; Ro 4:25; 1 Jn 2:2: Heb 10:10-18).  He was qualified because he did what no one else did, lived a perfect life, free of sin (2 Co 5:21).  And not only did he lay down his life, but he was resurrected, meaning he has victory over sin, and the death that results from it (Ro 5:8; 1 Co 15:3-4, 54-57).  And through Christ we have the same power to overcome sin and death (Ro 5: 8-10; 6:6, 23; 1Pe 3:18). 

Since salvation has been offered, it is now for us to receive it by faith in Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12; 3:16-18; 5:13).  It is only by our belief in Jesus that we receive salvation, not by our works (Eph 2:8-9; Jn 5:24).  From sin, death, and separation to righteousness, life and reconciliation we are saved (Jn 20:31; Ro 3:21-22).  People differ on what’s required for salvation:  whether, or not, it is a one time deal or the reception of salvation must be perpetual, and whether, or not, baptism, or a confession in speech, are absolutely necessary (It would be a shame if a man couldn’t be saved because he was mute, or there was a drought.) (Jn 3:5; 17:3; Ro 10:9-13).  But the one thing that all scripture, regarding salvation, has in common is belief in Jesus Christ (Lk 23:39-43; Jn 14:6).  God, being just will only hold us responsible for what we know or have been given the opportunity to know (Ro 1:20; Rev 3:20).  

Nevermind How It Looks

All throughout the Bible there are stories of how God showed himself strong in the lives of people who chose to trust in him, regardless as to how things looked.  And if we are to have any real, definite, supernatural victories in our lives, we have to follow suit.  We’re encouraged not to throw away our confidence because it will be richly rewarded.  We need to persevere so that when we have done the will of God, we’ll receive what he’s promised (Heb 10:35-36).  We’re told that the righteous will live by faith (Heb 10:38).  And faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11:1; 6).  With God, you have what you don’t see, and it’s eternal, and what you do see is temporary (2 Co 4:18; 5:7).  We have to keep in mind that we see in part (1 Co 14:12). 

Abraham was blessed with innumerable descendants after trusting that God’s way was best.  When he obeyed God’s command to sacrifice his only son, he was provided a ram instead (Gen 22:1-19).  Here’s a man that waited his whole life to have an heir, and it looked as though God was taking back what he’d blessed him with.  And as a result of him trusting in God, Abraham not only kept his son, but also gained a countless amount of (spiritual) heirs to bear his name!  God doesn’t just do it; he overdoes it! 

It looked as though the things God had showed Joseph in his dreams wouldn’t come to pass after his brothers had sold him into slavery, but they did (Gen 37-42).  Joshua, a mill worker, became a military hero after following God’s direction.  With the power of God, he and a handful of men defeated the mighty army of Jericho by basically yelling at them (Joshua 1-6).  By faith, a shepherd boy, armed with nothing but a staff, sling and the name of the Almighty God, defeated an army, to include a giant (1 Sam 17:1-58, which is my three-year-old niece’s favorite Bible story, no doubt).  Job was restored twice the amount he’d originally had after trusting in God during his test (Job 42:10).  Satan said, ‘He will surely curse you to your face’, but Job’s response to all of this was, ‘Though God slay me, I will still hope in him’ (Job 1:11; 13:15).  Throughout his test Job testified that God was faithful and just, and if there was any fault at all, it was his own.  He knew who his God was, and stood on it!  It looked as though Mary had fooled around on Joseph, but God sent the angel Gabriel to put both Mary and Joseph at ease, and they were blessed with the responsibility of raising God’s very own son, by following the word that the angel spoke to them (Mt 1:18-25). 

And it appeared as though Christ was defeated on Cavalry, but in fact, he’s the victor, and so are we through him (Mt 27:32-28:20; Ro 5:1)!