The term “dispensation of grace” is often used to describe the period of time known as the New Covenant. The time period between Moses and the death of Jesus Christ was called the dispensation of law. One of Webster’s definitions for dispensation is simply “something being dispensed or distributed”. Under the Old Covenant, justice was dispensed according to the law but under the New Covenant justice is to be dispensed according to grace and truth. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) KJV
Some of us in America have grown used to the idea that a grace period is owed to us. In many cases it is required by law that creditors allow a certain number of days for their debtors to be late on payments. Since the law has stepped in and mandated such regulations in our natural world we can carry that line of thinking over into our relationship with God. We thank God that He has allowed us a period of time in which to come and acknowledge our debt of sin but it was never required of Him. The very essence of God’s grace is that it is a gift. It is not owed by Him and it is not deserved by us. A gift can only truly qualify as a gift if it is freely given, not by obligation or debt.
Old Covenant righteousness depended upon human ability and an obligation to keep the commandments, but New Covenant righteousness results from receiving divine strength (grace) as a gift. Only those who are free from debt can give away the gift of grace. If all accounts have not been settled between us and God what I may think is a gift to Him is actually only a payment on my debt. The same is true with our relationships with our fellow man. If I have not forgiven a brother and try to offer a gift to either him or God it is not truly a gift. If I owe my brother ten thousand dollars and give him one hundred dollars I can not call it a gift until the debt is paid. Using an example of financial indebtedness gets the point across but that does not mean if someone owes us money we should automatically release them from their obligation. The critical issue is to never carry a debt of sin or an offense lest we not be forgiven our own sin debts.
Jesus said in Matthew 5 that if we bring our gift to the altar and have an unsettled issue with a brother, we are to go first to our brother and make things right, then we can come and offer our gift to God. This shows us that we can not truly be right with God or “debt free” in God’s eyes if we are indebted to a brother. Many times unresolved issues are the result of us wanting our offender to suffer some sort of punishment. That is a legal trap that will cut us off from grace because the standard of justice we want for others is the one we will come under. If we are the offended one and are not willing to release our offender from his debt we fall into the same indebtedness. We must see offences as a perfect opportunity to dispense grace.
As New Covenant believers we are dispensers or distributors of grace. Freely we have received and freely we impart it to others. Just as we must be debt free to give away a gift we also must be innocent to suffer for Christ’s sake. All who have had their sins forgiven have been declared innocent of all charges. Our enemy the devil is a legalist and is always looking for ways to trip us up. One of his favorites is to get us to hold our offenders responsible to repay their sin debt. In doing so he knows we will become guilty again. If we remain in that condition unwilling to release our offender, our enemy is empowered to harass and condemn us by the law. We must maintain our own innocence by not requiring our offenders to pay their debt to us. Innocence is equal to being debt free. In the same way, only those who have been justified can dispense justice.
Most of us equate justice with the punishment of those who do evil. Old Covenant justice was eye for eye and tooth for tooth, the adulterer was stoned, and the thief had to pay back double. But in this age God has ordained civil authorities for the punishment of evil doers. (See Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2) He has given His people, (the church) the ministry of reconciliation. (See 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Civil authorities are given to struggle against flesh and blood but we as the church battle in the spirit realm. The weapons of our warfare are not natural but mighty through God for pulling down spiritual strongholds. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4)
The Apostle Paul was given the message of grace and the charge to steward it. He was as it were the administrator or executor of Christ’s estate and given responsibility for distributing the inheritance of the saints. Paul was given a glimpse into God’s vast treasure house which he describes in Ephesians 3 as the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul’s revelation ignited a passion within him that all would know the riches of their inheritance in Christ. He was faithful to declare the message, to correct those who were led astray from the truth and to dispense justice on the enemies of righteousness. (See Acts 13)
In Hebrews 9:14-17 Jesus Christ is referred to as the mediator of the New Covenant. Prior to His death, His will or testament had no effect, but upon His death His will became enforceable. Everything that had been left to His descendants became available to them. Paul grasped this revelation and saw that he was to be the executor of Christ’s will and to see that all understood the inheritance that was left to them. The word mediator could also be translated reconciler. God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19) In the previous verse Paul says that God has reconciled us unto Himself by Jesus Christ and has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. So if we connect the dots we see that we are not only to be recipients of this great grace but dispensers of it as well. Like Paul we want every one to know the great inheritance they have coming to them. We want to execute justice upon our enemies who have hindered our receiving it. We want all who have never heard to hear the good news.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Join The Ruling Class
Most of us in Christian circles have heard it said that we are in training for reigning and schooling for ruling. As we become Christ’s disciple He enrolls us in His ruling class. Some that are invited to join are already part of society’s ruling class and may see it as unnecessary or even foolish to join. In Mark chapter ten we read of a rich ruler who was invited to join but when he considered the cost of tuition he went away very sad. Though he had much wealth the price to enter in was more than he wanted pay. Ironically, according to Jesus, the more wealth a person has the more difficult it is for them to pay the tuition. The poor gladly receive the message to enter the ruling class of God’s Kingdom, though the price is the same for all they have much less to leave behind. The rich man’s ruling power was derived from his wealth. To become powerless and weak in order to become mighty and strong made no sense to him.
To become a ruler in the Kingdom of God we must humble ourselves and become a servant. We must make the shift from ruling with power alone to the authority that comes through humble service. When Peter and John passed by the lame man begging for money at the entrance to the temple they responded to him saying “silver and gold we do not have but that which we have we will give you, in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” (my paraphrase). Having no silver or gold made it more obvious to help him in a different way. He was not just empowered to eat another meal but they empowered him to become productive and self sufficient.
Many government programs are intended to empower people and help them out of their situation, but instead cause the recipient to become more dependant rather than independent. Those in need can easily look to those with money as their source but we need always point them to God. It is much easier to convince hurting people that God is their source through a miraculous healing because they know it could not have come from man.
Power is more than money. Anything that propels us ahead of the crowd so to speak is power. Our God given gifts and talents enable some to exceed the average person in many areas. It may be music, sports, or the ability to speak and teach, all these are good gifts that empower us. The temptation for the highly gifted person is to bypass humility and service and forge ahead in the power of their gift. The danger of doing so is a lack of authority.
To obtain the badge of authority for ruling in the Kingdom we must relinquish ownership of that which we have and become a servant or manager of our master’s wealth. If we learn to be a faithful and wise steward, in due season we will be promoted to a position of authority. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 illustrates this very point. Three servants were each given charge over a portion of their master’s wealth. The first was given five talents, the second was given two and the third was given one. They were to be managers of their master’s wealth while he was away. When the master returned he asked each one what they did with the wealth entrusted to them. The first two servants both had doubled its value but the third servant just kept it in a safe place and returned the exact amount that he was given. This story is an example of three disciples who entered Jesus ruling class. The first two passed the final test and were promoted from managers to rulers over a portion of His Kingdom. The fact that they were faithful in managing the valuables of another proved they could be trusted to be co-owners with the master. The third servant who did not take interest in or add value to the wealth entrusted to him was proven to be unfaithful or untrustworthy. It appears that he paid the price to enter the training class but did not trust that his master would reward his efforts. He assumed the master would take advantage and pocket all the profits.
The reward for being faithful with that which belongs to another is to be given ownership. We are to go full circle in His ruling class. We give up ownership of all we have to enter, and if we are found faithful to value what our Master values we will be given ownership of what He has entrusted to us. The faithful servants were not only given ownership and authority over the wealth but were given cities to rule over.
As joint heirs with Christ we are promised cities and nations as an inheritance but first we must learn the ways of His Kingdom. Some of God’s people have fashioned the use of their gifts and callings after the design of earthly kingdoms. They launch out in the power of their talents and wealth without attending the ruling class and passing the final test. Jesus clearly said to become great in God’s Kingdom one must be the servant of all. The badge of authority is humility and service. Though we may be promoted to co-owner and ruler, we will always need our badge. It is what distinguishes God’s Kingdom from the others.
God’s Kingdom has both authority and power. For example a police officer has a powerful weapon strapped to his side but his authority to use it is given by those over him. He has been trained to understand the heart of authority is to protect, not to lord it over others or use it for personal advantage. In a similar way God’s people have various talents, gifts and even wealth to be used to advance the Kingdom but to do so with authority they must also be under a higher authority. In Matthew chapter 8, the centurion who came to Jesus seeking healing for his servant recognized Him as a man of great authority. He understood that Jesus could only have authority to do the things He did by being under a greater authority.
As a side note: In recent years we have witnessed a decline in honor and respect for people in positions of authority. I suspect it is closely linked to an increasing rejection of God and His word as the supreme authority in our land. Even those who are in positions of authority lack respect for others in authority. Whenever we reject or fail to honor the one who is over us, that rejection filters all the way down the line, from our president to the park ranger and so on. All authority is given of God and without Him over us all that is left is power, and power that is not under authority becomes self seeking and oppressive. This all sounds rather gloomy but it is the church’s greatest hour to restore and rebuild the ruins and desolate places in our land.
Kingdom people are wealthy in many ways. They are gifted, talented and have every resource available in Christ. There is no reason to hold tightly to our earthly stuff and skip the ruling class because once we have passed the tests we are given access to unlimited resources. We need not operate in mere power when we can have His supreme authority.
To become a ruler in the Kingdom of God we must humble ourselves and become a servant. We must make the shift from ruling with power alone to the authority that comes through humble service. When Peter and John passed by the lame man begging for money at the entrance to the temple they responded to him saying “silver and gold we do not have but that which we have we will give you, in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” (my paraphrase). Having no silver or gold made it more obvious to help him in a different way. He was not just empowered to eat another meal but they empowered him to become productive and self sufficient.
Many government programs are intended to empower people and help them out of their situation, but instead cause the recipient to become more dependant rather than independent. Those in need can easily look to those with money as their source but we need always point them to God. It is much easier to convince hurting people that God is their source through a miraculous healing because they know it could not have come from man.
Power is more than money. Anything that propels us ahead of the crowd so to speak is power. Our God given gifts and talents enable some to exceed the average person in many areas. It may be music, sports, or the ability to speak and teach, all these are good gifts that empower us. The temptation for the highly gifted person is to bypass humility and service and forge ahead in the power of their gift. The danger of doing so is a lack of authority.
To obtain the badge of authority for ruling in the Kingdom we must relinquish ownership of that which we have and become a servant or manager of our master’s wealth. If we learn to be a faithful and wise steward, in due season we will be promoted to a position of authority. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 illustrates this very point. Three servants were each given charge over a portion of their master’s wealth. The first was given five talents, the second was given two and the third was given one. They were to be managers of their master’s wealth while he was away. When the master returned he asked each one what they did with the wealth entrusted to them. The first two servants both had doubled its value but the third servant just kept it in a safe place and returned the exact amount that he was given. This story is an example of three disciples who entered Jesus ruling class. The first two passed the final test and were promoted from managers to rulers over a portion of His Kingdom. The fact that they were faithful in managing the valuables of another proved they could be trusted to be co-owners with the master. The third servant who did not take interest in or add value to the wealth entrusted to him was proven to be unfaithful or untrustworthy. It appears that he paid the price to enter the training class but did not trust that his master would reward his efforts. He assumed the master would take advantage and pocket all the profits.
The reward for being faithful with that which belongs to another is to be given ownership. We are to go full circle in His ruling class. We give up ownership of all we have to enter, and if we are found faithful to value what our Master values we will be given ownership of what He has entrusted to us. The faithful servants were not only given ownership and authority over the wealth but were given cities to rule over.
As joint heirs with Christ we are promised cities and nations as an inheritance but first we must learn the ways of His Kingdom. Some of God’s people have fashioned the use of their gifts and callings after the design of earthly kingdoms. They launch out in the power of their talents and wealth without attending the ruling class and passing the final test. Jesus clearly said to become great in God’s Kingdom one must be the servant of all. The badge of authority is humility and service. Though we may be promoted to co-owner and ruler, we will always need our badge. It is what distinguishes God’s Kingdom from the others.
God’s Kingdom has both authority and power. For example a police officer has a powerful weapon strapped to his side but his authority to use it is given by those over him. He has been trained to understand the heart of authority is to protect, not to lord it over others or use it for personal advantage. In a similar way God’s people have various talents, gifts and even wealth to be used to advance the Kingdom but to do so with authority they must also be under a higher authority. In Matthew chapter 8, the centurion who came to Jesus seeking healing for his servant recognized Him as a man of great authority. He understood that Jesus could only have authority to do the things He did by being under a greater authority.
As a side note: In recent years we have witnessed a decline in honor and respect for people in positions of authority. I suspect it is closely linked to an increasing rejection of God and His word as the supreme authority in our land. Even those who are in positions of authority lack respect for others in authority. Whenever we reject or fail to honor the one who is over us, that rejection filters all the way down the line, from our president to the park ranger and so on. All authority is given of God and without Him over us all that is left is power, and power that is not under authority becomes self seeking and oppressive. This all sounds rather gloomy but it is the church’s greatest hour to restore and rebuild the ruins and desolate places in our land.
Kingdom people are wealthy in many ways. They are gifted, talented and have every resource available in Christ. There is no reason to hold tightly to our earthly stuff and skip the ruling class because once we have passed the tests we are given access to unlimited resources. We need not operate in mere power when we can have His supreme authority.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Soul Prosperity
3rd John the second verse says, “My loving desire for you is that you will be prosperous and healthy just as your soul is prosperous.” (My own paraphrase)
The apostle John expresses God’s desire for His people to be healthy not only in body but in their soul. In fact he implies that physical health is linked to and even dependant upon a healthy soul. Since the soul is made up of our mind, our will and our emotions it might be good to do a quick health check up in this area.
The mind is where we develop habits and thinking patterns which can be both healthy and unhealthy. What we think about God, ourselves and others determines the level of health in that area of our soul. For example if I believe that God is not concerned with the details of my life or think I do not deserve anything from Him I will receive according to my expectations. If I assume my troubles are meant by God to teach me a lesson then I will likely have lots of troubles. Negative thought patterns are like a withdrawal or a deduction from the prosperity of our soul. A life dominated by negative thoughts is not healthy and will eventually bankrupt the soul. A positive believing attitude will guard the deposits that have been made and add value and health to our soul.
I can not afford to think or believe anything about God or my self that does not agree with His word and will for me. While His desires and thoughts toward me are always to prosper me and instill hope for the future, I must not allow negative thought patterns to drain away the things God is pouring into my soul. While much of the world is in the grip of uncertainty and fear of what the future holds, our God continues to say fear not for I have overcome the world.
Our will is another area of the soul in which we often battle. Isaiah 1:19 says “If ye are willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land.” (KJV) If our will doesn’t yield to the will of God we do not partake of the prosperity of the land. Though this was spoken by Isaiah to the people of Israel concerning the natural fruit of the land we can apply it to our spiritual promised land that flows with the goodness of God.
In 2 Kings 7 we read the account of Samaria being cut off by enemies not allowing commerce to flow thus the people are nearing starvation and even about to eat their own children. The prophet Elisha speaks the word of the Lord saying, “by this time tomorrow a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria.” The King’s right hand man responded to the word of the Lord with doubt and unbelief so Elisha told him he would see it with his eyes but would not taste of it. The next day when food was available in the street the King's right hand man was trampled to death in the stampede of hungry people.
This man was convinced that God was not good and even blamed Him for the starvation of people. His negative attitude and unbelief prevented him from receiving from God when the abundance came. In a similar way our negative attitudes and unbelief will prevent us from partaking of the abundance of God’s Kingdom. We must believe that God is good and not the author of starvation or famine. Though our enemy may have had some success in keeping us from the abundant life, the word of the Lord in these last days has been spoken through His Son. Whose report will we believe? Our will must yield to His will to experience the great health and prosperity He has in store.
The final part of the soul we want to look at is our emotions. Healthy emotions are another key to maintaining a prosperous soul. Just as our mind and will were given by God our emotions are wonderfully designed to experience the many facets of relationships. Unhealthy emotions are usually the result of a shaky foundation. The believer who bases his righteousness, peace or joy on his ability to keep certain religious requirements is building upon the faulty foundation of human effort. The unshakable Kingdom of God is not experienced through rules and regulations but through righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is an undeserved gift from God.
Unhealthy emotions are generally revealed through instability. One who is easily overcome by fear or allows feelings and circumstances to determine their demeanor is not prosperous in that area of the soul. The peace that comes with an unshakable Kingdom stabilizes our emotions. Healthy emotions are a product of being rooted and grounded in God’s Kingdom of love. Feelings and emotions can lie and mislead us. We can not allow our emotions to trump the word of God. I may feel abandoned and worthless but that doesn’t change God’s will and desire for me. If I give more credence to my feelings than to the truth of God I have just allowed the thief to plunder my soul.
Things that are factual truth yet do not agree with God’s plan for us must be treated as such. Not all truth is equal. Truth in this temporary life may conflict with the eternal truth of God. We must focus on what we are becoming rather than the old creation that has passed away. Though I may not feel righteous or see the prosperity with my eyes I can not allow the outward appearance of things to over rule the working of God’s word in me. The things we often see or feel can be contrary to Father’s plan but we are a work in progress and must keep our eyes on the one we are being conformed to.
God always places priority on the eternal knowing that the things which are seen quickly pass away while those things which are unseen last forever. The health and prosperity of our eternal soul can set the stage for our physical health and financial prosperity. Now that we have discovered the areas that prevent soul prosperity we can plug the leaks so to speak and develop a greater integrity to handle the abundance of His Kingdom.
Friday, May 20, 2011
THE GOLD STANDARD
At one time in America our paper money was backed by a fixed value in gold and silver and could be exchanged for precious metal coins or bullion at any time. But as we are all aware those days are long gone. We have watched the price of gold go higher and higher over the past several years, but in reality gold is not becoming more valuable, our paper money is loosing its value at a high rate. Many people in an attempt to preserve their wealth are trading their dollars by the millions for gold and silver. We hear of people being robbed on the street having their gold necklace literally ripped from their neck. Others have fallen prey to the fraudulent practices of some who offer cash for gold.
Even the value in precious metals such as copper has unleashed a wave of thefts. One report was men disguised as maintenance workers ripped off miles of copper wiring used to power the street lights along a section of freeway. Catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles parked in a metro park and ride. The thieves get a few dollars for the platinum found inside while the car owner is left with a whopping bill to have it replaced.
The main point I want to make is, just as we no longer have a gold standard that anchors the value of our currency in America, many and maybe even most people have lost site of all value standards. Our rush to get rich and be among the wealthy has caused us to loose track of the true value and meaning of life. I realize this is not true with all people but I would have to guess it has reached a majority. Just as the American dollar is loosing value and respect around the world we have lost value and respect for many of our guiding principals. It used to be that we would treat our neighbor as we would want to be treated. The golden rule used to have some meaning but any more it’s he who has the gold rules.
The golden rule was a kind of gold standard that we could also call the God standard. It was His idea in the first place but there again we have traded the fixed value of good relationships for the temporary value of stuff. The God standard is very simple and straight forward, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. These two standards are inseparable. One is dependant upon the other. I can not love God if I do not love my neighbor who is made in the image of God. I can not love my neighbor the way God intended unless I love Him first. Love comes from God and if we think we can love without Him we are fooling ourselves.
It is also evident in America that we have repeatedly distanced ourselves as a nation from the God who is the very source of love. We have removed prayer and anything that acknowledges God from our schools and other public places. It is an indication of what we truly value in this country. We chase after fortune, fame and pleasure as a thing of great value but usually in the process we leave a trail of discarded relationships in our path. The true golden standard for this life is too often kicked to the curb in search of something that passes away and disappears like steam from a boiling pot.
I think we all would like to see our money become stable and have a long term predictable value again. It can only happen by returning to the gold standard of old. In the same way it would be wonderful to think people in our society would highly value relationships so not to violate others in the process of gaining temporary wealth. True value is only found in relationships. We can only understand the value God places on relationships by looking at what He did on the cross. He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for us. He paid a debt that we had no ability to pay and has set us on equal standing with His only Son Jesus. We were not purchased with corruptible things such as silver or gold but by the precious blood of Christ.
Mankind was designed and made to worship. Worship is ascribing value to someone or something. We can get really excited as we dream of what money will enable us to do but it is God that enables us to reach true fulfillment in this life. We will love and worship the thing we most highly value. God designed us to worship Him above all else but as we know other things such as wealth take His place. Money and our pursuit of it becomes most highly valued because we think we can not live without it. I myself have wrongly confessed that without money I can do nothing. That seemed to be true to me because I did not have a proper view of God or my relationship with Him. I observed everyone obtaining their life’s dreams as a result of gaining money. Most of it was borrowed but what difference did that make they were doing well. I got my eyes off God and onto money as the source of my happiness. I have to admit that gaining money at one time in my life was more important than gaining a good relationship with God and my neighbor.
God is by no means against us having wealth, in fact He enables those who are in covenant relationship with Him to gain wealth and take a spoil from their enemies. As Christians, our enemies are not other people but the spiritual forces of darkness who rule over earth’s wickedness. The most valuable spoil we can take in battle is the souls of men who are taken captive by the devil. It is time for Christians to realize what is truly valuable it is what Christ paid such a high price for. We all need to return to God’s gold standard placing the highest value on relationships which last forever. Our value system should lead us to fill our nets with the souls of men and women and spend all the gold and silver we can get our hands on to facilitate the process.
Even the value in precious metals such as copper has unleashed a wave of thefts. One report was men disguised as maintenance workers ripped off miles of copper wiring used to power the street lights along a section of freeway. Catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles parked in a metro park and ride. The thieves get a few dollars for the platinum found inside while the car owner is left with a whopping bill to have it replaced.
The main point I want to make is, just as we no longer have a gold standard that anchors the value of our currency in America, many and maybe even most people have lost site of all value standards. Our rush to get rich and be among the wealthy has caused us to loose track of the true value and meaning of life. I realize this is not true with all people but I would have to guess it has reached a majority. Just as the American dollar is loosing value and respect around the world we have lost value and respect for many of our guiding principals. It used to be that we would treat our neighbor as we would want to be treated. The golden rule used to have some meaning but any more it’s he who has the gold rules.
The golden rule was a kind of gold standard that we could also call the God standard. It was His idea in the first place but there again we have traded the fixed value of good relationships for the temporary value of stuff. The God standard is very simple and straight forward, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. These two standards are inseparable. One is dependant upon the other. I can not love God if I do not love my neighbor who is made in the image of God. I can not love my neighbor the way God intended unless I love Him first. Love comes from God and if we think we can love without Him we are fooling ourselves.
It is also evident in America that we have repeatedly distanced ourselves as a nation from the God who is the very source of love. We have removed prayer and anything that acknowledges God from our schools and other public places. It is an indication of what we truly value in this country. We chase after fortune, fame and pleasure as a thing of great value but usually in the process we leave a trail of discarded relationships in our path. The true golden standard for this life is too often kicked to the curb in search of something that passes away and disappears like steam from a boiling pot.
I think we all would like to see our money become stable and have a long term predictable value again. It can only happen by returning to the gold standard of old. In the same way it would be wonderful to think people in our society would highly value relationships so not to violate others in the process of gaining temporary wealth. True value is only found in relationships. We can only understand the value God places on relationships by looking at what He did on the cross. He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for us. He paid a debt that we had no ability to pay and has set us on equal standing with His only Son Jesus. We were not purchased with corruptible things such as silver or gold but by the precious blood of Christ.
Mankind was designed and made to worship. Worship is ascribing value to someone or something. We can get really excited as we dream of what money will enable us to do but it is God that enables us to reach true fulfillment in this life. We will love and worship the thing we most highly value. God designed us to worship Him above all else but as we know other things such as wealth take His place. Money and our pursuit of it becomes most highly valued because we think we can not live without it. I myself have wrongly confessed that without money I can do nothing. That seemed to be true to me because I did not have a proper view of God or my relationship with Him. I observed everyone obtaining their life’s dreams as a result of gaining money. Most of it was borrowed but what difference did that make they were doing well. I got my eyes off God and onto money as the source of my happiness. I have to admit that gaining money at one time in my life was more important than gaining a good relationship with God and my neighbor.
God is by no means against us having wealth, in fact He enables those who are in covenant relationship with Him to gain wealth and take a spoil from their enemies. As Christians, our enemies are not other people but the spiritual forces of darkness who rule over earth’s wickedness. The most valuable spoil we can take in battle is the souls of men who are taken captive by the devil. It is time for Christians to realize what is truly valuable it is what Christ paid such a high price for. We all need to return to God’s gold standard placing the highest value on relationships which last forever. Our value system should lead us to fill our nets with the souls of men and women and spend all the gold and silver we can get our hands on to facilitate the process.
Friday, May 6, 2011
God is Pro Choice
It is our ability to choose that sets us apart from the rest of God’s creation. In fact Jesus was so emphatic about maintaining our freedom of choice that He purchased us from the slave market. We might think God’s intention was to bind us with rules and laws but not so. Our forefather Adam forfeited human freedom by selling us into slavery to sin and the devil but Jesus paid to set us free. His purchase was very unique. Even though we are legally owned by Him, He never removed our choice to acknowledge His transaction. He wants us to remain free even if that means choosing another master. Though He wants to be our only master it requires that we serve Him willingly. He will not share us with another master but always maintains our freedom of choice. Unlike other slave owners He will not round us all up, strap us to a boxcar and ship us off to His plantation. He desires all who serve Him to do so by their own choice through a heart of love.
One would think if He paid such a price to make us His own that He would demand our allegiance. But our choice is highly valuable to Him because it is the only factor that separates those who love their master from those who serve out of fear and obligation. God’s love for us does not involve debt or obligation. True love can not be obligated or demanded, it must be freely given. Jesus freely gave His life and now He wants us to freely give ours to Him.
Having said all that, we must understand it is our choice that will determine who we serve and where we will spend eternity. Some suggest God sends people to hell but that is not true. The only way we end up in hell is if we choose to reject God and heaven. Our escape from the slave master of sin and hell is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ so loved us that He took our place in punishment and death that we might go free. All we have to do is accept what He has already accomplished and confess Him as our Master and Savior.
Some may think they are too far gone and could never walk with God. Others say they have tried serving Jesus and it didn’t work out. The good news is Jesus Christ has more grace toward us than we do toward our self. When we fail we often give up trying but Jesus calls us lovingly to His side to empower us to walk in freedom. Life can be like a rut that we have walked in for many years. We may find our self slipping back into that old rut again and again but our loving master is so kind and patient that He is always ready to help the fallen to rise up and go again. Walking with Jesus is a life long love encounter with God. I can not imagine Him giving up on us after paying such an enormous price with His blood.
God has put before us the option to either choose life or death, blessing or cursing. He admonishes us to “choose life that both we and our children might live.” (See Deuteronomy 30:19)
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly.”
Choose Him today!!
One would think if He paid such a price to make us His own that He would demand our allegiance. But our choice is highly valuable to Him because it is the only factor that separates those who love their master from those who serve out of fear and obligation. God’s love for us does not involve debt or obligation. True love can not be obligated or demanded, it must be freely given. Jesus freely gave His life and now He wants us to freely give ours to Him.
Having said all that, we must understand it is our choice that will determine who we serve and where we will spend eternity. Some suggest God sends people to hell but that is not true. The only way we end up in hell is if we choose to reject God and heaven. Our escape from the slave master of sin and hell is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ so loved us that He took our place in punishment and death that we might go free. All we have to do is accept what He has already accomplished and confess Him as our Master and Savior.
Some may think they are too far gone and could never walk with God. Others say they have tried serving Jesus and it didn’t work out. The good news is Jesus Christ has more grace toward us than we do toward our self. When we fail we often give up trying but Jesus calls us lovingly to His side to empower us to walk in freedom. Life can be like a rut that we have walked in for many years. We may find our self slipping back into that old rut again and again but our loving master is so kind and patient that He is always ready to help the fallen to rise up and go again. Walking with Jesus is a life long love encounter with God. I can not imagine Him giving up on us after paying such an enormous price with His blood.
God has put before us the option to either choose life or death, blessing or cursing. He admonishes us to “choose life that both we and our children might live.” (See Deuteronomy 30:19)
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly.”
Choose Him today!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Cast Out the Bondwoman and Her Son
Is bondage an issue in the church today?
Are some Christians spiritually like the descendants of Hagar?
If so, how do we recognize it and deal with it?
Paul writing to the Galatians explains how the two sons of Abraham are typical products of two different covenants. Ishmael was born of the slave woman Hagar while Isaac was born of Sarah the free woman. The Old Covenant law, like Hagar, carried a gene so to speak that reproduced bondage and slavery. Sarah as a type of the New Covenant on the other hand was born free. Therefore her offspring carried a spiritual DNA that would reproduce freedom. Those born of Hagar were of the flesh and the earth while the descendants of Abraham through Sarah were the result of a promise from above. (See Galatians 4: 25-26)
Abraham and Sarah resorted to earthly human reasoning to produce a child through the slave woman Hagar. Human reasoning will always conflict with the ways of God. Therefore the descendants of Hagar and Ishmael will reproduce the same conflict against the wisdom and promises of God. The son that God promised Abraham through Sarah required that He make a way where there was no way. She was not only barren but advanced in years well past the age of child bearing. Isaac was called the son of promise because it was not humanly possible for Sarah to give birth.
Paul is amazed that the Galatians would choose slavery in place of freedom in Christ. Paul reminded them slaves do not receive an inheritance. He repeats the words of Sarah recorded in Genesis 21:10 “Cast out this bondwoman and her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” The Galatians had fallen from grace and had gone back to using the law as their standard for righteousness. In doing so they unwittingly forfeited their inheritance as free children of God through Christ. Interjecting legal requirements into the New Covenant is like expecting human reasoning to fulfill God’s promise, or like trusting in human effort to solve a God sized problem.
When New Covenant believers receive Christ and are born again of the Spirit of God they exchange their former identity as slaves to sin for that of God’s own Son. We become sons of God, joint heirs with Christ and partakers of the divine nature. The Galatians had a problem that still exists today. They turned back from trusting in the work of Christ alone and began to integrate some of their former religious requirements. In effect they tried to pour new wine into old wineskins and burst them. They sewed as it were, new cloth into a worn out garment which made matters worse. The Galatians were trying to mix religious works of old with the finished work of Christ. They were in effect saying Christ had not completed or satisfied God’s requirements for righteousness and his work on the cross was inadequate. Paul was trying his best to wake them up to what they had cut themselves off from. They, like Abraham resorted to human effort and reasoning to bring about a promise only God Himself could fulfill.
So the question I would like to examine is how do we apply these things to our lives in this modern twenty first century? Are Paul’s words here even relevant to us today? Is it possible some believers are living like slaves? Who is the bondwoman and her son today, and how would we cast them out? In the following paragraphs I would like to shed some light on these questions.
Hagar is a type of the Old Covenant law which was given to Moses on Mt Sinai. The law was intended for those who had a slave mentality and nature. Slaves had no land therefore had to work for those who did. As a result they had nothing to pass on to their children except a slave’s heritage.
Paul tells the Corinthian church in chapter 1 that he had begotten them through the Gospel. The Gospel, or the New Covenant is like a mother, and Paul speaks on behalf of Christ. So God is our Father and the Gospel or New Covenant is the mother of all who believe. Sarah is a type of the New Covenant mother which speaks of freedom from legal requirements. The Galatians were being confused by those promoting the Jewish religion and the law as a requirement for salvation and righteousness. Paul explained; if righteousness were the result of observing laws then Christ died in vain. (See Gal. 2:21)
In today’s church world, though we are begotten through the Gospel and are of the free woman, there are many who promote a gospel mixed with the law. We who have been exposed to this mixture of law and grace could be like Ishmael with a slave mentality and void of the understanding of who we really are and the inheritance we have. Imagine if Isaac had been raised by Hagar and led to believe he was her son. He most likely would have developed a slavery mentality without any concept of his true identity. He could have wasted much of his life working as if to earn something that he already had coming to him by birthright.
Imagine a believer today who is born again through the gospel then is raised or trained up under those who instill the rules and regulations of the law as the approved method of being acceptable to enter God’s presence. Many believers have received mixed messages informing them of who they truly are and the great inheritance they have in Christ, but find hurdles placed before them in the form of religious duties. They are tripped up in their attempt to press into their inheritance. Possibly the most common hindrance for believers is their own mentality. We need to retrain our thoughts and recognize the patterns we learned as former slaves to sin. On top of that we have an enemy who comes as an angel of light promoting religious practices that are intended to keep us bound. He doesn’t want us to know our true identity lest we also discover his in the process.
In my own experience I think the latter was most prevalent. I had a slavery mentality like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, and I had a hard time receiving the truth that I was no longer a slave. I had developed a comfort zone based in a slavery mentality and I naturally gravitated to those who nurtured that mentality in me. Looking back from where I am now I see that I can not blame anyone as if they were purposely trying to keep me from all God had, it was just a matter of sowing and reaping. Those who went on before me were doing the best they knew based on what they received.
The signs of a slavery mentality are many but I want to mention just a few. A slave is an outsider, not part of the family so they feel like they do not belong. They want to be included so they strive for acceptance. They are used to doing what they are told and they make few decisions on their own. They may have guilt because of their condition and position. They feel underprivileged and taken advantage of by others. They often develop a perception which causes them to misinterpret the intentions of their leaders. A slave often lives with a sense of shame which makes him susceptible to being motivated by guilt, but yielding to that motivation gives only temporary relief. Slaves have no family connection with their master but are committed to performing required duties.
I would say that casting out the bond woman and her son is compared to ridding ourselves of a slavery mentality and no longer receiving from those who nurture or reproduce that mentality. Flee from anyone who habitually uses guilt or shame as motivation to do something for Christ. A true Shepard will put their own life on the line to protect their sheep from the bondage of slavery. The hireling will sell his sheep into slavery to further propagate their dependence on Him. He is most interested in job security as opposed to true shepherds who will lead his flock into maturity and dependence upon God. Good shepherds will work themselves out of a job and empower others to take his place.
Those who promote rule keeping above relationship are reproducing a slave mentality. Relationship leads to inheritance. We receive from our Father because we are related to Him by birth not just because we work hard to earn it. Isaac had and inheritance unlike Ishmael though they both had the same father. Ishmael was not the son of promise but Isaac was. The promise was given to Abraham and Sarah not to the woman in bondage. We become partakers in the inheritance with Christ as the promised seed of Abraham. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it, it is entirely a gift based on the goodness of God. We receive through believing the promise of God. By faith we enter into His family and become heir of all that He has.
The key or hinging point is what we believe and how we think. Our actions, attitudes, and speech are indicators of what we believe. Do we believe we are of the free woman or do our attitudes and actions reveal us to be more like slaves without an inheritance? Jesus spoke a parable that reveals how He tests His servants and makes a distinction between slaves from owners. In the book of Matthew, He spoke of three servants and their responses to being entrusted with a portion of their master’s wealth. To one servant he gave ten talents, to the second he gave five, and to the third he gave one talent. The amounts varied according to their abilities. The master told them to do business or make investments until he returned. The first two servants went right to work and increased the wealth, but the third hid his in a safe place. When their master returned he asked each to give a report of their stewardship. The first and second both reported they had doubled the money but the third just returned the exact amount that was given him. He explained that he feared loosing it through a bad investment and was also suspicious of his master’s motives. The third servant displayed a slave mentality. He thought His master would take advantage of his efforts without reward, so as it turned out he received exactly what he expected. The master took the one talent from that slave minded servant and gave it to the one with the ten.
Jesus said; “Those who have, shall be given more, and those who have not, even that which they have will be taken away.” The other two servants did what they believed their master would have done and treated the wealth as if it were their own. As a result they actually realized ownership and were promoted. They received their inheritance and were trusted to rule over cities. The one with the slave mentality proved himself to be unworthy of promotion and even lost that which he had.
The first two servants mentioned obviously knew their master well enough to believe he was good. They trusted him to do what was right. The third did not truly know and trust his master. He totally misread his motive and as a result lost out on the inheritance. The test was not for the master to know who to promote but for the servants to understand the basis of receiving an inheritance. Though it appears to be based on performance and works I believe it was to expose true motives. Owners will outwork slaves any day of the week. Slaves don’t see the advantage of doing anything they do not have to do because it will not seemingly benefit them. Servants that think like owners do not measure their service according to legal requirements. Their ownership mentality caused them to treat another’s wealth as if it was their own. Jesus said those who are faithful with that which belongs to another will be given their own. Jesus intends to make owners out of slaves but we must believe those are His true intentions. He is not like many earthly masters but wants to share His Kingdom with His servants. God is our Father and wants His sons and daughters to share the wealth of the family inheritance
Unfaithful servants are also called unprofitable. If a servant does only that which is required of him he is unprofitable. In other words if a servant restricts what he will do for his master to the legal agreement or the law, he is revealed to be a slave not a son with an inheritance. The third servant in the parable restricted what he would do to the legal binding agreement between slave and master. Slaves agreed to work off a debt to their master by committing to a certain amount of work each day. If the master comes up with something extra not in their agreement he doesn’t have to do it. In this case the servant totally misread his master’s intentions. He expected to be taken advantage of not rewarded. His lack of truly knowing his master is the real issue here.
This parable reveals there are some who serve God but see him through the eyes of a slave in bondage. They think He is just like all the other masters and only bought them from the slave market to see how much work he can get out of them. They totally miss that His true intentions are to turn slaves into owners, orphans into sons, and joint heirs with His Son Jesus.
Some have a difficult time with the idea of work in the context of the New Covenant. For sure it is based upon the finished work of Christ and not dependant upon anything we can do to earn our position in the family. We receive everything from God by faith and not by works, but faith without works is dead. To understand the difference between the works of the law and the works of faith we need only look at the motivation. From the outer appearance both types of servants may appear identical. The one who works by the law is attempting to fulfill an obligation and gain his master’s approval through his work. He is mindful of duty and requirements. His goal line is to meet his obligation. But the one who works by faith is doing so to express his gratitude and love for his Master. His focus is not on the finish line or on meeting a certain obligation. The one under the law strives for approval by meeting his obligations while the other is joyfully expressing gratitude because he is already accepted.
The goal of faith is not meeting obligations. As we enter into Christ we join in His work, and co-labor with Him. He has already met all the requirements and obligations of the law. His very nature surpasses obligations. Anyone who is dutifully striving to meet obligations is not yoked to Christ because striving for approval is contrary to His very nature. So duty or requirements are a beginning point for us who have received the divine nature and are yoked with Him. The New Covenant has its beginning where the legal requirement ended. A fulfilled law becomes the foundation for inheritance and ownership. Love is the fulfilling of the law so love is the foundational motivation for the servants of Christ.
Hagar and her son Ishmael were born slaves and unable to inherit the promises of God to Abrahams seed through Sarah. We were also born as slaves and unable to inherit those same promises. But thanks be to God who made a way through His Son Jesus Christ that whoever believes and receives Him as Lord and Savior will be adopted into His family and included in the inheritance.
Again, it all boils down to what we believe. We may know and even confess that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ but if we think and act like slaves we will not realize those blessings in this life. We can not afford to be satisfied with an Old Covenant relationship with God. We are no longer slaves but free. Though we all believe that and can confess it, if our every day attitudes, speech and actions are slave-like we will not realize our full inheritance and purpose in this life.
Is bondage an issue in the church today?
Are some Christians spiritually like the descendants of Hagar?
If so, how do we recognize it and deal with it?
Paul writing to the Galatians explains how the two sons of Abraham are typical products of two different covenants. Ishmael was born of the slave woman Hagar while Isaac was born of Sarah the free woman. The Old Covenant law, like Hagar, carried a gene so to speak that reproduced bondage and slavery. Sarah as a type of the New Covenant on the other hand was born free. Therefore her offspring carried a spiritual DNA that would reproduce freedom. Those born of Hagar were of the flesh and the earth while the descendants of Abraham through Sarah were the result of a promise from above. (See Galatians 4: 25-26)
Abraham and Sarah resorted to earthly human reasoning to produce a child through the slave woman Hagar. Human reasoning will always conflict with the ways of God. Therefore the descendants of Hagar and Ishmael will reproduce the same conflict against the wisdom and promises of God. The son that God promised Abraham through Sarah required that He make a way where there was no way. She was not only barren but advanced in years well past the age of child bearing. Isaac was called the son of promise because it was not humanly possible for Sarah to give birth.
Paul is amazed that the Galatians would choose slavery in place of freedom in Christ. Paul reminded them slaves do not receive an inheritance. He repeats the words of Sarah recorded in Genesis 21:10 “Cast out this bondwoman and her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” The Galatians had fallen from grace and had gone back to using the law as their standard for righteousness. In doing so they unwittingly forfeited their inheritance as free children of God through Christ. Interjecting legal requirements into the New Covenant is like expecting human reasoning to fulfill God’s promise, or like trusting in human effort to solve a God sized problem.
When New Covenant believers receive Christ and are born again of the Spirit of God they exchange their former identity as slaves to sin for that of God’s own Son. We become sons of God, joint heirs with Christ and partakers of the divine nature. The Galatians had a problem that still exists today. They turned back from trusting in the work of Christ alone and began to integrate some of their former religious requirements. In effect they tried to pour new wine into old wineskins and burst them. They sewed as it were, new cloth into a worn out garment which made matters worse. The Galatians were trying to mix religious works of old with the finished work of Christ. They were in effect saying Christ had not completed or satisfied God’s requirements for righteousness and his work on the cross was inadequate. Paul was trying his best to wake them up to what they had cut themselves off from. They, like Abraham resorted to human effort and reasoning to bring about a promise only God Himself could fulfill.
So the question I would like to examine is how do we apply these things to our lives in this modern twenty first century? Are Paul’s words here even relevant to us today? Is it possible some believers are living like slaves? Who is the bondwoman and her son today, and how would we cast them out? In the following paragraphs I would like to shed some light on these questions.
Hagar is a type of the Old Covenant law which was given to Moses on Mt Sinai. The law was intended for those who had a slave mentality and nature. Slaves had no land therefore had to work for those who did. As a result they had nothing to pass on to their children except a slave’s heritage.
Paul tells the Corinthian church in chapter 1 that he had begotten them through the Gospel. The Gospel, or the New Covenant is like a mother, and Paul speaks on behalf of Christ. So God is our Father and the Gospel or New Covenant is the mother of all who believe. Sarah is a type of the New Covenant mother which speaks of freedom from legal requirements. The Galatians were being confused by those promoting the Jewish religion and the law as a requirement for salvation and righteousness. Paul explained; if righteousness were the result of observing laws then Christ died in vain. (See Gal. 2:21)
In today’s church world, though we are begotten through the Gospel and are of the free woman, there are many who promote a gospel mixed with the law. We who have been exposed to this mixture of law and grace could be like Ishmael with a slave mentality and void of the understanding of who we really are and the inheritance we have. Imagine if Isaac had been raised by Hagar and led to believe he was her son. He most likely would have developed a slavery mentality without any concept of his true identity. He could have wasted much of his life working as if to earn something that he already had coming to him by birthright.
Imagine a believer today who is born again through the gospel then is raised or trained up under those who instill the rules and regulations of the law as the approved method of being acceptable to enter God’s presence. Many believers have received mixed messages informing them of who they truly are and the great inheritance they have in Christ, but find hurdles placed before them in the form of religious duties. They are tripped up in their attempt to press into their inheritance. Possibly the most common hindrance for believers is their own mentality. We need to retrain our thoughts and recognize the patterns we learned as former slaves to sin. On top of that we have an enemy who comes as an angel of light promoting religious practices that are intended to keep us bound. He doesn’t want us to know our true identity lest we also discover his in the process.
In my own experience I think the latter was most prevalent. I had a slavery mentality like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, and I had a hard time receiving the truth that I was no longer a slave. I had developed a comfort zone based in a slavery mentality and I naturally gravitated to those who nurtured that mentality in me. Looking back from where I am now I see that I can not blame anyone as if they were purposely trying to keep me from all God had, it was just a matter of sowing and reaping. Those who went on before me were doing the best they knew based on what they received.
The signs of a slavery mentality are many but I want to mention just a few. A slave is an outsider, not part of the family so they feel like they do not belong. They want to be included so they strive for acceptance. They are used to doing what they are told and they make few decisions on their own. They may have guilt because of their condition and position. They feel underprivileged and taken advantage of by others. They often develop a perception which causes them to misinterpret the intentions of their leaders. A slave often lives with a sense of shame which makes him susceptible to being motivated by guilt, but yielding to that motivation gives only temporary relief. Slaves have no family connection with their master but are committed to performing required duties.
I would say that casting out the bond woman and her son is compared to ridding ourselves of a slavery mentality and no longer receiving from those who nurture or reproduce that mentality. Flee from anyone who habitually uses guilt or shame as motivation to do something for Christ. A true Shepard will put their own life on the line to protect their sheep from the bondage of slavery. The hireling will sell his sheep into slavery to further propagate their dependence on Him. He is most interested in job security as opposed to true shepherds who will lead his flock into maturity and dependence upon God. Good shepherds will work themselves out of a job and empower others to take his place.
Those who promote rule keeping above relationship are reproducing a slave mentality. Relationship leads to inheritance. We receive from our Father because we are related to Him by birth not just because we work hard to earn it. Isaac had and inheritance unlike Ishmael though they both had the same father. Ishmael was not the son of promise but Isaac was. The promise was given to Abraham and Sarah not to the woman in bondage. We become partakers in the inheritance with Christ as the promised seed of Abraham. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it, it is entirely a gift based on the goodness of God. We receive through believing the promise of God. By faith we enter into His family and become heir of all that He has.
The key or hinging point is what we believe and how we think. Our actions, attitudes, and speech are indicators of what we believe. Do we believe we are of the free woman or do our attitudes and actions reveal us to be more like slaves without an inheritance? Jesus spoke a parable that reveals how He tests His servants and makes a distinction between slaves from owners. In the book of Matthew, He spoke of three servants and their responses to being entrusted with a portion of their master’s wealth. To one servant he gave ten talents, to the second he gave five, and to the third he gave one talent. The amounts varied according to their abilities. The master told them to do business or make investments until he returned. The first two servants went right to work and increased the wealth, but the third hid his in a safe place. When their master returned he asked each to give a report of their stewardship. The first and second both reported they had doubled the money but the third just returned the exact amount that was given him. He explained that he feared loosing it through a bad investment and was also suspicious of his master’s motives. The third servant displayed a slave mentality. He thought His master would take advantage of his efforts without reward, so as it turned out he received exactly what he expected. The master took the one talent from that slave minded servant and gave it to the one with the ten.
Jesus said; “Those who have, shall be given more, and those who have not, even that which they have will be taken away.” The other two servants did what they believed their master would have done and treated the wealth as if it were their own. As a result they actually realized ownership and were promoted. They received their inheritance and were trusted to rule over cities. The one with the slave mentality proved himself to be unworthy of promotion and even lost that which he had.
The first two servants mentioned obviously knew their master well enough to believe he was good. They trusted him to do what was right. The third did not truly know and trust his master. He totally misread his motive and as a result lost out on the inheritance. The test was not for the master to know who to promote but for the servants to understand the basis of receiving an inheritance. Though it appears to be based on performance and works I believe it was to expose true motives. Owners will outwork slaves any day of the week. Slaves don’t see the advantage of doing anything they do not have to do because it will not seemingly benefit them. Servants that think like owners do not measure their service according to legal requirements. Their ownership mentality caused them to treat another’s wealth as if it was their own. Jesus said those who are faithful with that which belongs to another will be given their own. Jesus intends to make owners out of slaves but we must believe those are His true intentions. He is not like many earthly masters but wants to share His Kingdom with His servants. God is our Father and wants His sons and daughters to share the wealth of the family inheritance
Unfaithful servants are also called unprofitable. If a servant does only that which is required of him he is unprofitable. In other words if a servant restricts what he will do for his master to the legal agreement or the law, he is revealed to be a slave not a son with an inheritance. The third servant in the parable restricted what he would do to the legal binding agreement between slave and master. Slaves agreed to work off a debt to their master by committing to a certain amount of work each day. If the master comes up with something extra not in their agreement he doesn’t have to do it. In this case the servant totally misread his master’s intentions. He expected to be taken advantage of not rewarded. His lack of truly knowing his master is the real issue here.
This parable reveals there are some who serve God but see him through the eyes of a slave in bondage. They think He is just like all the other masters and only bought them from the slave market to see how much work he can get out of them. They totally miss that His true intentions are to turn slaves into owners, orphans into sons, and joint heirs with His Son Jesus.
Some have a difficult time with the idea of work in the context of the New Covenant. For sure it is based upon the finished work of Christ and not dependant upon anything we can do to earn our position in the family. We receive everything from God by faith and not by works, but faith without works is dead. To understand the difference between the works of the law and the works of faith we need only look at the motivation. From the outer appearance both types of servants may appear identical. The one who works by the law is attempting to fulfill an obligation and gain his master’s approval through his work. He is mindful of duty and requirements. His goal line is to meet his obligation. But the one who works by faith is doing so to express his gratitude and love for his Master. His focus is not on the finish line or on meeting a certain obligation. The one under the law strives for approval by meeting his obligations while the other is joyfully expressing gratitude because he is already accepted.
The goal of faith is not meeting obligations. As we enter into Christ we join in His work, and co-labor with Him. He has already met all the requirements and obligations of the law. His very nature surpasses obligations. Anyone who is dutifully striving to meet obligations is not yoked to Christ because striving for approval is contrary to His very nature. So duty or requirements are a beginning point for us who have received the divine nature and are yoked with Him. The New Covenant has its beginning where the legal requirement ended. A fulfilled law becomes the foundation for inheritance and ownership. Love is the fulfilling of the law so love is the foundational motivation for the servants of Christ.
Hagar and her son Ishmael were born slaves and unable to inherit the promises of God to Abrahams seed through Sarah. We were also born as slaves and unable to inherit those same promises. But thanks be to God who made a way through His Son Jesus Christ that whoever believes and receives Him as Lord and Savior will be adopted into His family and included in the inheritance.
Again, it all boils down to what we believe. We may know and even confess that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ but if we think and act like slaves we will not realize those blessings in this life. We can not afford to be satisfied with an Old Covenant relationship with God. We are no longer slaves but free. Though we all believe that and can confess it, if our every day attitudes, speech and actions are slave-like we will not realize our full inheritance and purpose in this life.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Understanding Jesus
Jesus spoke to the multitudes using parables, but explained things in detail to His closest followers. In Mark 4:13 after He had spoken the parable of the sower, He asked them, “Do you not know this parable? How then will you know all parables?” The comment I want to focus on is Jesus’ indication that a proper interpretation of the parable of the sower somehow would open the understanding to the rest of His teachings.
I set out to find some hidden message in that parable looking for the key that unlocked the rest of the parables. After much digging I realized it really was not hidden at all, it was the most obvious lesson in the parable. Having good soil in the heart is necessary to properly receive and understand His words. But just knowing the importance of having good soil does not unlocked anything. It is actually having the good soil that makes the difference. Until I get rid of the thistles and thorns, remove the rocks and plow up the ground that has been trodden down by the treadmill of life, I will not be able to bring the seed of His word to fruitfulness in my life. Hearing and agreeing with His word and even receiving it with joy is not enough. It must reproduce Christ in me because He being formed in me is my hope of glory. The seed of God’s word is intended to produce fruit not just to be consumed by itching ears. I can not be a good hearer only, I must become a fruitful doer of the word.
I understand that most of our hearts have some good soil along with all the other conditions mentioned. That indicates parts of our hearts may be overtaken with other things than the purposes of God. Thorns and thistles refer to the cares of life choking out the growth that should come from receiving the word. The seed that falls by the wayside refers to a trodden down path where the seed is stolen away by the wicked one due to lack of understanding. Stony ground does not produce fruit because of persecution or offence that arises because of the word. We should not be satisfied to have 25% good soil but recognize these conditions and deal with them.
So the bottom line is, the true understanding of Jesus’ teaching requires a change of heart condition. In Mark 8:17-18 Jesus Asked His disciples why they did not understand what He was talking about. He asked if their ears were dull of hearing and if their hearts were still hardened. It was evident that they could not understand Him because of a heart condition. Understanding God and His word depends more upon the condition of the heart than having good disciplines or habits. So when Jesus said knowing the meaning of the parable of the sower is a prerequisite to knowing all parables, that means we must not only be able to explain it but to actually experience it in our own life. Just knowing about something is much different than actually experiencing it personally.
Let us take a quick look at these four soil conditions mentioned and do a self exam. What actually would cause soil to be compacted like a frequently used pathway? It could refer to a hardness of heart caused by the deceitfulness of sin. (See Hebrews 3:13) Sin is very deceitful because it presents itself as the solution to human desire but in reality is a counterfeit. Our heart can become increasingly hardened if we refuse to turn from sin after we have been convinced of the truth.
Ground that has been overtaken with weeds and other unproductive growth may actually be good soil but filled with the wrong crop. Unattended soil is like a garden that has not been cared for. Seeds that are carried about by the wind are allowed to take root and grow in it. Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life”. Imagine our heart to be like a plot of ground that was given to us by God to steward or care for. Like the garden that was entrusted to Adam and Eve we are to prevent ungodly seeds from drifting in and taking root.
Jesus said we are not defiled by what goes into our mouth but by what comes out of it. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So what comes from our mouth reveals what is growing in our hearts.
Ground that is rocky describes a heart that is offended by opposition or ridicule. Sometimes we can carry an offence due to former wounds and hurts. It becomes a huge stone in our heart that prevents the seed of God’s word from taking root. The Pharisees and religious people of Jesus day were repeatedly offended and stumbled at the words of Jesus. They were likely offended because they were the religious authority of that day yet Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. They used a religious facade to hide their true heart condition but it (the facade) only increased the blindness that prevented them from seeing, hearing and understanding the truth of Jesus.
Good soil in the heart is maintained by forgiving others their trespasses and guarding against further offence. It is remaining humble and transparent not allowing the seeds that blow in the wind to take root and not be tossed to and fro in our belief structure by the changing winds of man’s doctrines. Good soil is not overgrown with thorns and thistles, the cares of this natural life. It is reserved for the seed of God’s word. It will produce and increase in Kingdom proportions.
I set out to find some hidden message in that parable looking for the key that unlocked the rest of the parables. After much digging I realized it really was not hidden at all, it was the most obvious lesson in the parable. Having good soil in the heart is necessary to properly receive and understand His words. But just knowing the importance of having good soil does not unlocked anything. It is actually having the good soil that makes the difference. Until I get rid of the thistles and thorns, remove the rocks and plow up the ground that has been trodden down by the treadmill of life, I will not be able to bring the seed of His word to fruitfulness in my life. Hearing and agreeing with His word and even receiving it with joy is not enough. It must reproduce Christ in me because He being formed in me is my hope of glory. The seed of God’s word is intended to produce fruit not just to be consumed by itching ears. I can not be a good hearer only, I must become a fruitful doer of the word.
I understand that most of our hearts have some good soil along with all the other conditions mentioned. That indicates parts of our hearts may be overtaken with other things than the purposes of God. Thorns and thistles refer to the cares of life choking out the growth that should come from receiving the word. The seed that falls by the wayside refers to a trodden down path where the seed is stolen away by the wicked one due to lack of understanding. Stony ground does not produce fruit because of persecution or offence that arises because of the word. We should not be satisfied to have 25% good soil but recognize these conditions and deal with them.
So the bottom line is, the true understanding of Jesus’ teaching requires a change of heart condition. In Mark 8:17-18 Jesus Asked His disciples why they did not understand what He was talking about. He asked if their ears were dull of hearing and if their hearts were still hardened. It was evident that they could not understand Him because of a heart condition. Understanding God and His word depends more upon the condition of the heart than having good disciplines or habits. So when Jesus said knowing the meaning of the parable of the sower is a prerequisite to knowing all parables, that means we must not only be able to explain it but to actually experience it in our own life. Just knowing about something is much different than actually experiencing it personally.
Let us take a quick look at these four soil conditions mentioned and do a self exam. What actually would cause soil to be compacted like a frequently used pathway? It could refer to a hardness of heart caused by the deceitfulness of sin. (See Hebrews 3:13) Sin is very deceitful because it presents itself as the solution to human desire but in reality is a counterfeit. Our heart can become increasingly hardened if we refuse to turn from sin after we have been convinced of the truth.
Ground that has been overtaken with weeds and other unproductive growth may actually be good soil but filled with the wrong crop. Unattended soil is like a garden that has not been cared for. Seeds that are carried about by the wind are allowed to take root and grow in it. Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life”. Imagine our heart to be like a plot of ground that was given to us by God to steward or care for. Like the garden that was entrusted to Adam and Eve we are to prevent ungodly seeds from drifting in and taking root.
Jesus said we are not defiled by what goes into our mouth but by what comes out of it. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So what comes from our mouth reveals what is growing in our hearts.
Ground that is rocky describes a heart that is offended by opposition or ridicule. Sometimes we can carry an offence due to former wounds and hurts. It becomes a huge stone in our heart that prevents the seed of God’s word from taking root. The Pharisees and religious people of Jesus day were repeatedly offended and stumbled at the words of Jesus. They were likely offended because they were the religious authority of that day yet Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. They used a religious facade to hide their true heart condition but it (the facade) only increased the blindness that prevented them from seeing, hearing and understanding the truth of Jesus.
Good soil in the heart is maintained by forgiving others their trespasses and guarding against further offence. It is remaining humble and transparent not allowing the seeds that blow in the wind to take root and not be tossed to and fro in our belief structure by the changing winds of man’s doctrines. Good soil is not overgrown with thorns and thistles, the cares of this natural life. It is reserved for the seed of God’s word. It will produce and increase in Kingdom proportions.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Spirit and the Word
John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV
In John 6, Jesus had gathered quite a large following, but many only followed because He miraculously fed them by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He told them not to labor for food that perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life. Then Jesus spoke of His body as bread and His blood as drink. He was speaking of a spiritual food that the flesh would not profit from but was for their eternal souls.
John 6:53-55
53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. NKJV
Jesus is the living word. The Word was made flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His glory. He is the bread that came down from heaven. He is spiritual food for our souls. Man is different than every other living creature in that we need not only a steady supply of oxygen to live but God-breathed words for our soul. We need not only the vital signs of natural life but the very breath and heartbeat of God within our breast.
Matt 4:4
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" NKJV
Physical life is sustained by natural food from the earth but the spiritual life of mankind must be sustained by the words that proceed out of the mouth of God, or God-breathed words.
1 Corinthians 15:45
45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJV
God created everything by the word of His mouth. He spoke into being all things, both visible and invisible. There is just one exception to that pattern and that is His creation of man. He formed man from earth’s soil, breathed life into his nostrils and he became a living soul. See Gen. 2:7
It stands to reason that, if the breath of God was needed to give life to man in the beginning, we surely need God’s breath to continue in us.
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV
The context of these verses, in 2 Timothy, speaks of the manner in which men wrote the scripture through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not automatic that every time scripture is quoted that it will give life to the hearer. Even the devil quotes scripture for the purpose of mocking, condemning or misleading someone. The letter of the law alone is dead but the Spirit gives life to God’s word.
Evangelism involves speaking God-breathed words that give life to the hearer. Just as the breath of God gave man life at creation, His breath is required in the process of becoming a new creation. Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, explained the process of being born again.
John 3:7-8
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NKJV
Just as the wind comes and goes at its own will, and we hear the sound of it, so is the process of being born again of the Spirit. The God-breathed word comes, at His will, to give life to those who hear the sound and agree with it. Then those who are born again will be led by the Spirit in the same way, going here, or there, speaking God-breathed words to others.
It was Adam’s choice to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that brought spiritual death through separation from God. Adam and Eve were banished from the garden so they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sin. Sin has now been punished and its power destroyed by Jesus on the cross. The way has been opened for us to come to the tree of life again. We can come to Jesus and partake of Him: He is the bread of life and the living water that we need.
Though we were not given the choice to be born into this world, God does give us the choice to be born again of the Spirit. We can now choose to forsake sin, eat from the tree of life and live forever in God’s eternal Kingdom.
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV
In John 6, Jesus had gathered quite a large following, but many only followed because He miraculously fed them by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He told them not to labor for food that perishes but for the food that endures to everlasting life. Then Jesus spoke of His body as bread and His blood as drink. He was speaking of a spiritual food that the flesh would not profit from but was for their eternal souls.
John 6:53-55
53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. NKJV
Jesus is the living word. The Word was made flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His glory. He is the bread that came down from heaven. He is spiritual food for our souls. Man is different than every other living creature in that we need not only a steady supply of oxygen to live but God-breathed words for our soul. We need not only the vital signs of natural life but the very breath and heartbeat of God within our breast.
Matt 4:4
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" NKJV
Physical life is sustained by natural food from the earth but the spiritual life of mankind must be sustained by the words that proceed out of the mouth of God, or God-breathed words.
1 Corinthians 15:45
45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJV
God created everything by the word of His mouth. He spoke into being all things, both visible and invisible. There is just one exception to that pattern and that is His creation of man. He formed man from earth’s soil, breathed life into his nostrils and he became a living soul. See Gen. 2:7
It stands to reason that, if the breath of God was needed to give life to man in the beginning, we surely need God’s breath to continue in us.
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV
The context of these verses, in 2 Timothy, speaks of the manner in which men wrote the scripture through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not automatic that every time scripture is quoted that it will give life to the hearer. Even the devil quotes scripture for the purpose of mocking, condemning or misleading someone. The letter of the law alone is dead but the Spirit gives life to God’s word.
Evangelism involves speaking God-breathed words that give life to the hearer. Just as the breath of God gave man life at creation, His breath is required in the process of becoming a new creation. Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, explained the process of being born again.
John 3:7-8
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NKJV
Just as the wind comes and goes at its own will, and we hear the sound of it, so is the process of being born again of the Spirit. The God-breathed word comes, at His will, to give life to those who hear the sound and agree with it. Then those who are born again will be led by the Spirit in the same way, going here, or there, speaking God-breathed words to others.
It was Adam’s choice to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that brought spiritual death through separation from God. Adam and Eve were banished from the garden so they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sin. Sin has now been punished and its power destroyed by Jesus on the cross. The way has been opened for us to come to the tree of life again. We can come to Jesus and partake of Him: He is the bread of life and the living water that we need.
Though we were not given the choice to be born into this world, God does give us the choice to be born again of the Spirit. We can now choose to forsake sin, eat from the tree of life and live forever in God’s eternal Kingdom.
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