Giving and Getting
With few exceptions, most people are more interested in receiving than in giving. When some kind of deal is proposed, both parties are usually asking, “What will I get out of it?” To suggest that what you give is more important than what you get is to fly in the face of conventional wisdom in the eyes of most. “What’s in it for me?” is the motto of our material-minded society.
Then, along comes Jesus saying just the opposite. As quoted by Paul in his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Wow!
Their age was just as material as ours. I bet when Jesus said that, people stopped in their tracks and their jaws dropped. This sure wasn’t the way anyone they knew acted. It wasn’t the way they acted. But yet, Jesus said it, and everything He said was true.
How many people, do you think, of Jesus’ day, believed His statement? How many today believe it? Do you believe it? Do I believe it? That’s a hard question, if we face it honestly and candidly.
You know, in the Bible believing and doing go together. If we think of some ways we can give, and then begin to practice giving in the manners identified, I think we’ll see the beauty and practicality of what Jesus said – and we’ll begin to really believe it.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
How can I give? Let me count the ways.
I can give the gift of kind words, even when someone is unkind to me.
I can give the gift of encouraging words, when someone who has failed cries for reassurance.
I can give the gift of admonishment, when someone has opportunities they are failing to use.
I can give the gift of unconditional love, when it’s really, really needed and it’s really, really hard to give.
I can give the gift of silence, when someone is hurting and needs my presence more than my words.
I can give the gift of joy, when someone has won a great victory and wants to share it.
I can give the gift of wisdom, when someone has yet to know the struggles I wish I had not known.
I can give the gift of physical possessions, when someone has yet to be blessed on the level that I am blessed.
I can give the gift of forgiveness, when someone daily needs it, as I daily need it.
I can give the gift of Christ, when someone desperately needs to see Him - in me!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Jesus Teaches His Disciples
Jesus’ disciples were with Him for about three years before The Cross. They were personally trained by the Lord during this time. What they heard was something different. Jesus’ way was radically dissimilar to the human tradition and hypocrisy taught and practiced by the teachers to whom the people were accustomed, the scribes and Pharisees. I suppose in part because of the uniqueness of His teaching, Jesus often used small group settings to teach the twelve.
He taught them about the nature of His kingdom. Much of His teaching centered on the kind of moral life the members of His kingdom/church would live. As examples of this teaching, we are reminded of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and the kingdom parables of Matthew 13. These two events actually involved large groups, but Jesus certainly repeated these same themes over and over to the apostles as he taught them privately.
A member of Christ’s kingdom would be a Christian. What was the Christian to be like? We have what we might call a summary statement of the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount. Much of what Jesus says here is paradoxical: it is completely different from the prevailing wisdom of the world. He expected His disciples to understand that, and to buy it and sell it not. Jesus here talked about how the Christian would think and how the Christian would act. Obviously the two are related.
Jesus said His disciple would be humble. He spoke of the blessedness of those who are poor in spirit (realizing their need for God), those who mourn over sin (including their own sin), and those who are meek (they are always in control of their life, rather than letting the world control it for them). Jesus spoke of the generosity of the Christian. He would be merciful to others and he would try to promote peace among men (he would be a peacemaker). Jesus said the Christian would be pure in heart, and He explained the kind of life that a pure heart would produce. He said the Christian would be tough. He spoke of being persecuted for righteousness sake - and still being righteous.
When Jesus’ disciples actually lived like this, people would take notice. So Jesus said a Christian is salt and light.
A Christian would understand that bad deeds, such as murder and adultery, begin in the heart – and so he would guard his thoughts. The Christian would acknowledge God’s plan for marriage, that it was intended to be one man and one woman for life. The Christian would go beyond what was required. And that second mile would even go so far as to love one’s enemies. The Christian would give careful attention to prayer, following the model prayer and personal example of Jesus Himself. The Christian, of all people, would understand the nature of material things and be one hundred percent focused on the spiritual. The Christian would give his overwhelming attention to improving his own life instead of judging his brother. The Christian would persistently and consistently seek the will and blessing of God, knowing that it was God’s will for him so to do. The Christian would understand how crucial it was to make proper choices. He would not be led astray by those who were false, but would approach God by obedience. He would build his house on the rock.
If Christ’s kingdom was made up of people who actually lived this way, then it would be special indeed. Jesus often illustrated its uniqueness with parables. He told about the Sower and the different response the various soils made to his seed. He said the soils represented people’s hearts. Jesus said if the principles of His kingdom were properly practiced, Christianity would grow like a mustard seed: into something very large that began very small. He candidly said that His church would wind up having hypocrites in it, but that their day was coming; they would be pulled up like weeds (called tares in the parable) and cast into the fire. Jesus said His kingdom was the most valuable thing there ever was, and compared it to a pearl merchant who found the best pearl there ever was, and sold everything he had to buy it.
What would it have been like to sit in a quiet place, in a group of twelve or so, in the Galilean hills, possibly in view of the Sea of Galilee itself, and listen to Jesus teach? It would have been wonderful beyond description. I am not a particularly emotional person, but it almost makes me cry tears of gratitude and joy to contemplate a glorious event like that.
We can go to those Galilean hills with Jesus every day. All we’ve got to do is open a book and read from its pages. That book is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ – and we all own a copy.
Jesus’ disciples were with Him for about three years before The Cross. They were personally trained by the Lord during this time. What they heard was something different. Jesus’ way was radically dissimilar to the human tradition and hypocrisy taught and practiced by the teachers to whom the people were accustomed, the scribes and Pharisees. I suppose in part because of the uniqueness of His teaching, Jesus often used small group settings to teach the twelve.
He taught them about the nature of His kingdom. Much of His teaching centered on the kind of moral life the members of His kingdom/church would live. As examples of this teaching, we are reminded of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and the kingdom parables of Matthew 13. These two events actually involved large groups, but Jesus certainly repeated these same themes over and over to the apostles as he taught them privately.
A member of Christ’s kingdom would be a Christian. What was the Christian to be like? We have what we might call a summary statement of the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount. Much of what Jesus says here is paradoxical: it is completely different from the prevailing wisdom of the world. He expected His disciples to understand that, and to buy it and sell it not. Jesus here talked about how the Christian would think and how the Christian would act. Obviously the two are related.
Jesus said His disciple would be humble. He spoke of the blessedness of those who are poor in spirit (realizing their need for God), those who mourn over sin (including their own sin), and those who are meek (they are always in control of their life, rather than letting the world control it for them). Jesus spoke of the generosity of the Christian. He would be merciful to others and he would try to promote peace among men (he would be a peacemaker). Jesus said the Christian would be pure in heart, and He explained the kind of life that a pure heart would produce. He said the Christian would be tough. He spoke of being persecuted for righteousness sake - and still being righteous.
When Jesus’ disciples actually lived like this, people would take notice. So Jesus said a Christian is salt and light.
A Christian would understand that bad deeds, such as murder and adultery, begin in the heart – and so he would guard his thoughts. The Christian would acknowledge God’s plan for marriage, that it was intended to be one man and one woman for life. The Christian would go beyond what was required. And that second mile would even go so far as to love one’s enemies. The Christian would give careful attention to prayer, following the model prayer and personal example of Jesus Himself. The Christian, of all people, would understand the nature of material things and be one hundred percent focused on the spiritual. The Christian would give his overwhelming attention to improving his own life instead of judging his brother. The Christian would persistently and consistently seek the will and blessing of God, knowing that it was God’s will for him so to do. The Christian would understand how crucial it was to make proper choices. He would not be led astray by those who were false, but would approach God by obedience. He would build his house on the rock.
If Christ’s kingdom was made up of people who actually lived this way, then it would be special indeed. Jesus often illustrated its uniqueness with parables. He told about the Sower and the different response the various soils made to his seed. He said the soils represented people’s hearts. Jesus said if the principles of His kingdom were properly practiced, Christianity would grow like a mustard seed: into something very large that began very small. He candidly said that His church would wind up having hypocrites in it, but that their day was coming; they would be pulled up like weeds (called tares in the parable) and cast into the fire. Jesus said His kingdom was the most valuable thing there ever was, and compared it to a pearl merchant who found the best pearl there ever was, and sold everything he had to buy it.
What would it have been like to sit in a quiet place, in a group of twelve or so, in the Galilean hills, possibly in view of the Sea of Galilee itself, and listen to Jesus teach? It would have been wonderful beyond description. I am not a particularly emotional person, but it almost makes me cry tears of gratitude and joy to contemplate a glorious event like that.
We can go to those Galilean hills with Jesus every day. All we’ve got to do is open a book and read from its pages. That book is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ – and we all own a copy.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Loving Us When We’re Bad
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).
Can you love someone that is unlovable?
Can you love someone that has been mean to you, who has said unkind things to or about you, and who has generally tried to hurt you? It’s hard isn’t it? Maybe you feel that you just can’t do it. You can’t bring yourself to love someone who doesn’t love you and shows no inclination to ever love you.
But wait a minute. That’s exactly what God does for us. He loves us when we don’t love Him. We live lives that are a thousand miles removed from the truth of His word – and yet He still loves us. Amazing isn’t it?
I can’t begin to understand or explain why God does that. It blows my mind. Of course He would love us if we were good. But why does He love us when we are bad?
Maybe it’s because that’s when we really need His love. Maybe it’s because He’s just good. Maybe it’s because He knows who He is and feels safe in loving us when we’re unworthy of His love. Maybe it’s a combination of the above. Maybe it’s something else entirely. I just don’t know.
But I’m mighty glad He loves us because I sure need His love.
Knowing that God loves me when I’m bad makes me want to be good. I’m suspicious that’s part of His plan. He wants me to love Him back.
“Tell me, Lord, how do I love you back?”
If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).
Can you love someone that is unlovable?
Can you love someone that has been mean to you, who has said unkind things to or about you, and who has generally tried to hurt you? It’s hard isn’t it? Maybe you feel that you just can’t do it. You can’t bring yourself to love someone who doesn’t love you and shows no inclination to ever love you.
But wait a minute. That’s exactly what God does for us. He loves us when we don’t love Him. We live lives that are a thousand miles removed from the truth of His word – and yet He still loves us. Amazing isn’t it?
I can’t begin to understand or explain why God does that. It blows my mind. Of course He would love us if we were good. But why does He love us when we are bad?
Maybe it’s because that’s when we really need His love. Maybe it’s because He’s just good. Maybe it’s because He knows who He is and feels safe in loving us when we’re unworthy of His love. Maybe it’s a combination of the above. Maybe it’s something else entirely. I just don’t know.
But I’m mighty glad He loves us because I sure need His love.
Knowing that God loves me when I’m bad makes me want to be good. I’m suspicious that’s part of His plan. He wants me to love Him back.
“Tell me, Lord, how do I love you back?”
If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).
Friday, April 21, 2006
Feel Good versus Do Good Religion
Clearly Jesus expects us to have fervor in our Christian worship and service. …true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23 NKJV). Clearly Jesus also expects us to have a good feeling about being a Christian. In the Bible that feeling is often referred to as “hope.” …be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23 KJV).
However, it seems that many have moved away from proper Christian fervor and hope to a feel good religion that bares scant resemblance to what we read in the gospel. The Christian Life is not emotionalism. It springs from an intellectual decision which one makes to believe and obey the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Emotionalism puts our feelings in control. Our feelings may be easily swayed by any so-called preacher telling death-bed stories or even by a sad song heard on the radio.
Feelings are a poor basis for living. Nashville is north of where I sit as I write these words. Birmingham is south of here. I may get on the road and head south toward Birmingham, while feeling the whole time that I am heading north toward Nashville. You know where I’ll wind up. If I’m heading south, that road goes to Birmingham – no matter what my feelings say. The course of prudence is to look at an accurate road map and make an intellectual decision to head north on the road to Nashville, if that’s where I wish to go.
An intellectual decision has my mind in control, not my feelings. My feelings are a poor guide because they may tell me just about anything; especially something I may want to hear which is not justified by the cold, hard evidence.
The Christian Life is not a feeling. It is a life of doing good; toward God, toward my fellowman, and toward myself. Being swayed by emotions can get you in trouble. Calm and deliberate faith in and obedience to the word of God will win every time.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32 NKJV).
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God (Romans 7:25 NKJV).
Clearly Jesus expects us to have fervor in our Christian worship and service. …true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23 NKJV). Clearly Jesus also expects us to have a good feeling about being a Christian. In the Bible that feeling is often referred to as “hope.” …be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23 KJV).
However, it seems that many have moved away from proper Christian fervor and hope to a feel good religion that bares scant resemblance to what we read in the gospel. The Christian Life is not emotionalism. It springs from an intellectual decision which one makes to believe and obey the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Emotionalism puts our feelings in control. Our feelings may be easily swayed by any so-called preacher telling death-bed stories or even by a sad song heard on the radio.
Feelings are a poor basis for living. Nashville is north of where I sit as I write these words. Birmingham is south of here. I may get on the road and head south toward Birmingham, while feeling the whole time that I am heading north toward Nashville. You know where I’ll wind up. If I’m heading south, that road goes to Birmingham – no matter what my feelings say. The course of prudence is to look at an accurate road map and make an intellectual decision to head north on the road to Nashville, if that’s where I wish to go.
An intellectual decision has my mind in control, not my feelings. My feelings are a poor guide because they may tell me just about anything; especially something I may want to hear which is not justified by the cold, hard evidence.
The Christian Life is not a feeling. It is a life of doing good; toward God, toward my fellowman, and toward myself. Being swayed by emotions can get you in trouble. Calm and deliberate faith in and obedience to the word of God will win every time.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32 NKJV).
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God (Romans 7:25 NKJV).
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Integrity, Discipline, Communication
God’s people must work effectively together as a group to accomplish God’s purposes here on earth. The wisdom of God is to be made known through the church, that is, through God’s people (Ephesians 3:10). For us to do what God wants us to do, we must function in sync with each other and in sync with God’s word. The two are obviously related. Here are three areas of Biblical truth which will help us have good group dynamics as disciples of Christ today.
Integrity. God’s people must be impeccably honest. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17 KJV). Even the slightest hint of impure morals, ethically questionable behavior, deceit, or a failure to be totally upfront and straightforward in all that we say and do will pretty much void the effectiveness of our message. People just won’t care about anything we say, much less listen to us, if we are not completely trustworthy. The power of a morally upright life has a tremendous effect on how others will respond to us and to what we say.
Discipline. God’s people must be hard workers. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23 NKJV). We must be actively using the time God has given us to do His will. We must make a conscious decision to do this. It will not take care of itself. It will not happen automatically. We must make it happen. We must work on asking ourselves each waking minute, “How am I using this time for God right now?” Christian good works are myriad. Bible study, prayer, personal moral behavior, words of encouragement, conversational teaching, and self-sacrificing actions are a few behaviors to get us started.
Communication. God’s people must be good communicators. Paul wrote to Philemon that he had heard of his love and faith which he had not only toward the Lord, but toward “all the saints.” Paul went on to say that his prayer was: that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother (Philemon 1:6-7 NKJV). Would someone say of you that you are one who refreshes the hearts of those around you? Part of the way we do this is by open, full, frequent, loving, and sincere communication.
I will work today on my integrity, my discipline, and my sharing with others!
* The idea for these thoughts came from my oldest son, Eric.
God’s people must work effectively together as a group to accomplish God’s purposes here on earth. The wisdom of God is to be made known through the church, that is, through God’s people (Ephesians 3:10). For us to do what God wants us to do, we must function in sync with each other and in sync with God’s word. The two are obviously related. Here are three areas of Biblical truth which will help us have good group dynamics as disciples of Christ today.
Integrity. God’s people must be impeccably honest. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17 KJV). Even the slightest hint of impure morals, ethically questionable behavior, deceit, or a failure to be totally upfront and straightforward in all that we say and do will pretty much void the effectiveness of our message. People just won’t care about anything we say, much less listen to us, if we are not completely trustworthy. The power of a morally upright life has a tremendous effect on how others will respond to us and to what we say.
Discipline. God’s people must be hard workers. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23 NKJV). We must be actively using the time God has given us to do His will. We must make a conscious decision to do this. It will not take care of itself. It will not happen automatically. We must make it happen. We must work on asking ourselves each waking minute, “How am I using this time for God right now?” Christian good works are myriad. Bible study, prayer, personal moral behavior, words of encouragement, conversational teaching, and self-sacrificing actions are a few behaviors to get us started.
Communication. God’s people must be good communicators. Paul wrote to Philemon that he had heard of his love and faith which he had not only toward the Lord, but toward “all the saints.” Paul went on to say that his prayer was: that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother (Philemon 1:6-7 NKJV). Would someone say of you that you are one who refreshes the hearts of those around you? Part of the way we do this is by open, full, frequent, loving, and sincere communication.
I will work today on my integrity, my discipline, and my sharing with others!
* The idea for these thoughts came from my oldest son, Eric.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
My Dog, Oaklee
You recall the best–selling book, My Dog, Skip, by Willie Morris. My dog’s name is Oaklee. He’s a fine Boxer dog. Yesterday he was two years old. “Happy birthday, Oaklee.”
You know, as I think of what a good friend Oaklee is, I think I see some things in my dog that we need in the church. So here goes…
My dog is always glad to see me. I wish we could be as glad to see the time for worship services coming as my dog is to see me coming. He’ll get so excited he can hardly control himself. He’ll wear a big ol’ smile and greet me aggressively (that’s an understatement). Why aren’t we that happy and excited about God and His people?
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalms 122:1 NKJV).
My dog rarely gets his feelings hurt. If he does, he gets over it real quick. If my dog were easily offended, I doubt that we would have much of a relationship. He would be pouting like a baby so much that we would never be able to interact. If we are in a group of people and wear our feelings on our sleeves, someone might brush against us. Then guess what gets hurt. A lot of wounded feelings have as their origin a misplaced emphasis: “It’s all about me!” instead of “How may I help you!”
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).
My dog defines loyalty. He sticks with me. He is asleep at my feet as I write this. If he thinks I may face a threat, he is very protective. I really think he would die for me to try and keep me from harm. Whoever called a dog “man’s best friend” obviously had a dog. I tend to like my dog. Wonder why? If we would be as loyally supportive of each other as my dog is of me, I think people would tend to like us. What do you think?
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16 NKJV).
My dog knows how to love. Oh does he! Talk about affectionate…. He can’t get close enough (I have long since stopped worrying about little brown hairs on my clothing). I don’t have to sit by my lonesome self in a chair, even if I have my morning cup of coffee. I’ll have a seventy pound visitor. He shows me that he loves me. Now, we wouldn’t want to be physically affectionate with each other like my dog is with me, but we can show our love in appropriate ways – if we just would. Do you love your brethren? How do they know that?
… through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13 NKJV).
You recall the best–selling book, My Dog, Skip, by Willie Morris. My dog’s name is Oaklee. He’s a fine Boxer dog. Yesterday he was two years old. “Happy birthday, Oaklee.”
You know, as I think of what a good friend Oaklee is, I think I see some things in my dog that we need in the church. So here goes…
My dog is always glad to see me. I wish we could be as glad to see the time for worship services coming as my dog is to see me coming. He’ll get so excited he can hardly control himself. He’ll wear a big ol’ smile and greet me aggressively (that’s an understatement). Why aren’t we that happy and excited about God and His people?
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalms 122:1 NKJV).
My dog rarely gets his feelings hurt. If he does, he gets over it real quick. If my dog were easily offended, I doubt that we would have much of a relationship. He would be pouting like a baby so much that we would never be able to interact. If we are in a group of people and wear our feelings on our sleeves, someone might brush against us. Then guess what gets hurt. A lot of wounded feelings have as their origin a misplaced emphasis: “It’s all about me!” instead of “How may I help you!”
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).
My dog defines loyalty. He sticks with me. He is asleep at my feet as I write this. If he thinks I may face a threat, he is very protective. I really think he would die for me to try and keep me from harm. Whoever called a dog “man’s best friend” obviously had a dog. I tend to like my dog. Wonder why? If we would be as loyally supportive of each other as my dog is of me, I think people would tend to like us. What do you think?
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16 NKJV).
My dog knows how to love. Oh does he! Talk about affectionate…. He can’t get close enough (I have long since stopped worrying about little brown hairs on my clothing). I don’t have to sit by my lonesome self in a chair, even if I have my morning cup of coffee. I’ll have a seventy pound visitor. He shows me that he loves me. Now, we wouldn’t want to be physically affectionate with each other like my dog is with me, but we can show our love in appropriate ways – if we just would. Do you love your brethren? How do they know that?
… through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13 NKJV).
Monday, April 17, 2006
Peacemaking 2006
I think we all remember Jesus’ beatitude about the peacemakers. Peacemaking is a good thing, therefore, I assume that its opposite is a bad thing.
If I am a peacemaker, then I am (at least in that area) like Jesus.
In what sense was Jesus a peacemaker?
Well, while some might like to think otherwise, I don’t read anything in my Bible about Jesus being a political activist. The extremist Zealot party of the Jews was there waiting for Him, Jesus even had a Zealot as one of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:15). However, Jesus never participated with that party to try to cause political change with Rome. What, then, did Jesus do?
Jesus made peace by example. Though His personal ministry was primarily to the Jews, Jesus included Gentiles in His interactions. He even included the hated (by the Jews) Samaritans. He went to everybody and made it clear that His gospel was for everyone (Mark 16:15).
Jesus made peace by helping. Jesus served. He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Those He helped became His friends and disciples. He founded a community whose faithful members get along with each other. Disagreements are caused because of departures from His teaching. When the Lord’s words are adhered to, unity is the result.
Jesus made peace by teaching. He taught the highest standards of compassion, mercy, forbearance, and forgiveness. He taught us to forget petty grievances as we turn the other cheek. He taught and exemplified second mile service.
Jesus made peace by sacrifice. He gave Himself for our sins. There could be no peace between man and his Maker without what Jesus did on the cross. When we receive the benefits of His sacrifice by faith and obedience, and when we live His principles in our lives: there is peace with God and there is peace with each other.
What contribution am I making to peace? Look at the four areas of Jesus’ life above. Where can I be more like Him?
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9 KJV).
I think we all remember Jesus’ beatitude about the peacemakers. Peacemaking is a good thing, therefore, I assume that its opposite is a bad thing.
If I am a peacemaker, then I am (at least in that area) like Jesus.
In what sense was Jesus a peacemaker?
Well, while some might like to think otherwise, I don’t read anything in my Bible about Jesus being a political activist. The extremist Zealot party of the Jews was there waiting for Him, Jesus even had a Zealot as one of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:15). However, Jesus never participated with that party to try to cause political change with Rome. What, then, did Jesus do?
Jesus made peace by example. Though His personal ministry was primarily to the Jews, Jesus included Gentiles in His interactions. He even included the hated (by the Jews) Samaritans. He went to everybody and made it clear that His gospel was for everyone (Mark 16:15).
Jesus made peace by helping. Jesus served. He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Those He helped became His friends and disciples. He founded a community whose faithful members get along with each other. Disagreements are caused because of departures from His teaching. When the Lord’s words are adhered to, unity is the result.
Jesus made peace by teaching. He taught the highest standards of compassion, mercy, forbearance, and forgiveness. He taught us to forget petty grievances as we turn the other cheek. He taught and exemplified second mile service.
Jesus made peace by sacrifice. He gave Himself for our sins. There could be no peace between man and his Maker without what Jesus did on the cross. When we receive the benefits of His sacrifice by faith and obedience, and when we live His principles in our lives: there is peace with God and there is peace with each other.
What contribution am I making to peace? Look at the four areas of Jesus’ life above. Where can I be more like Him?
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9 KJV).
Friday, April 14, 2006
A Prayer of Gratitude
Dear Father,
I praise Thee for Thy perfection,
I thank Thee for Thy love.
I thank Thee that though I am sinful,
Thou doest still love me.
I thank Thee for Thy mercy in sending Thy Son for my sins.
I thank Thee for Jesus’ perfection,
For His perfect example,
For His teaching, that my life may be properly directed.
I thank Thee for His sacrifice on the cross, in my place,
That I might be spared the fires of a deserved hell.
I thank Thee for Thy church,
And pray for its spread.
I thank Thee for my family.
I pray that we may all serve Thee acceptably,
And show the world how a Christian lives.
Help us as we experience triumphs,
Help us as we deal with trials:
That others may see in us salt and light.
I pray for the sick and suffering the world over.
I pray that their pain may be eased,
That they may look to Thee for strength and direction.
I pray for peace,
And that Thou wilt help me to be a peacemaker.
I pray for the forgiveness of my sins.
Help me to be forgiving of others,
That I might better prepare myself to receive Thy forgiveness.
I pray for wisdom to know Thy will.
I pray for courage to do Thy will.
I beg for Thy mercy.
Holy Father,
Thou art worthy of all praise and glory.
Thy Name is above all names.
Thy mercy and generosity
Are beyond description or comprehension.
May I remain ever in the shelter of Thy loving hand.
May I live in heaven with Thee eternally.
Praise be to Thy Name.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
Dear Father,
I praise Thee for Thy perfection,
I thank Thee for Thy love.
I thank Thee that though I am sinful,
Thou doest still love me.
I thank Thee for Thy mercy in sending Thy Son for my sins.
I thank Thee for Jesus’ perfection,
For His perfect example,
For His teaching, that my life may be properly directed.
I thank Thee for His sacrifice on the cross, in my place,
That I might be spared the fires of a deserved hell.
I thank Thee for Thy church,
And pray for its spread.
I thank Thee for my family.
I pray that we may all serve Thee acceptably,
And show the world how a Christian lives.
Help us as we experience triumphs,
Help us as we deal with trials:
That others may see in us salt and light.
I pray for the sick and suffering the world over.
I pray that their pain may be eased,
That they may look to Thee for strength and direction.
I pray for peace,
And that Thou wilt help me to be a peacemaker.
I pray for the forgiveness of my sins.
Help me to be forgiving of others,
That I might better prepare myself to receive Thy forgiveness.
I pray for wisdom to know Thy will.
I pray for courage to do Thy will.
I beg for Thy mercy.
Holy Father,
Thou art worthy of all praise and glory.
Thy Name is above all names.
Thy mercy and generosity
Are beyond description or comprehension.
May I remain ever in the shelter of Thy loving hand.
May I live in heaven with Thee eternally.
Praise be to Thy Name.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Faith, Baptism, and the Blood of Christ
Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:9 NKJV).
I don’t know how it could be stated any plainer. The means by which God is consistent with His perfect justice, and yet forgives sinful people like you and me, is the precious blood of Christ.
Mankind will not be saved by works of human merit (“I’ve earned heaven, now let me in!”), but by the grace of God, as this text plainly teaches: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV).
The Bible also says that we are saved by the gospel of Christ: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16 NKJV). If God says that it is through the gospel that He saves people, surely common sense would enable us to see that we must believe and obey the gospel if we are to be saved by it.
Of course it does! God even spells it out for us. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1 NKJV). And continuing: And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9 NKJV).
The Bible even says we are saved by baptism: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21 KJV). However, as the 1 Peter text just cited makes clear in the parenthesis, obeying the Bible command of baptism does not mean that we earn our salvation. It is still by the grace of God, through the blood of Christ, appropriated into our lives by faith in Jesus.
Is there a conflict between faith in Jesus, the blood of Christ, and baptism? Are we “saved by the waters of baptism instead of the blood of Christ”? Of course not. That is, not in the sense in which the statement in quotation marks is usually taken.
A complete and objective reading of the gospel of our Lord will show that all of the matters discussed above are involved in our salvation. We are saved by the blood of Christ which has been offered as a result of the grace of God. We actually receive the benefits of the justifying blood of Jesus when our faith in Him leads us to be baptized into Christ.
Here’s the text that puts faith and baptism together: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27 KJV).
Man has been known to cause trouble by adding his own opinion to God’s word before (see Matthew 15:8-9). Let’s not read what we wish the Bible said, or what we have been told the Bible said into its pages. Let’s take it for what it says, interpret the Bible by the Bible (primarily by looking at all its texts on any given subject), believe it, obey it, and then receive the blessed benefits of The Christian Life.
Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:9 NKJV).
I don’t know how it could be stated any plainer. The means by which God is consistent with His perfect justice, and yet forgives sinful people like you and me, is the precious blood of Christ.
Mankind will not be saved by works of human merit (“I’ve earned heaven, now let me in!”), but by the grace of God, as this text plainly teaches: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV).
The Bible also says that we are saved by the gospel of Christ: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16 NKJV). If God says that it is through the gospel that He saves people, surely common sense would enable us to see that we must believe and obey the gospel if we are to be saved by it.
Of course it does! God even spells it out for us. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1 NKJV). And continuing: And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9 NKJV).
The Bible even says we are saved by baptism: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21 KJV). However, as the 1 Peter text just cited makes clear in the parenthesis, obeying the Bible command of baptism does not mean that we earn our salvation. It is still by the grace of God, through the blood of Christ, appropriated into our lives by faith in Jesus.
Is there a conflict between faith in Jesus, the blood of Christ, and baptism? Are we “saved by the waters of baptism instead of the blood of Christ”? Of course not. That is, not in the sense in which the statement in quotation marks is usually taken.
A complete and objective reading of the gospel of our Lord will show that all of the matters discussed above are involved in our salvation. We are saved by the blood of Christ which has been offered as a result of the grace of God. We actually receive the benefits of the justifying blood of Jesus when our faith in Him leads us to be baptized into Christ.
Here’s the text that puts faith and baptism together: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27 KJV).
Man has been known to cause trouble by adding his own opinion to God’s word before (see Matthew 15:8-9). Let’s not read what we wish the Bible said, or what we have been told the Bible said into its pages. Let’s take it for what it says, interpret the Bible by the Bible (primarily by looking at all its texts on any given subject), believe it, obey it, and then receive the blessed benefits of The Christian Life.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
A Hundred Years From Now
None of This Will Matter
What are you thinking about right now?
What do you hope to accomplish today? If something is bothering you, what is it? Does it matter to you now? Of course it does. Will it matter to you in a hundred years? Now that’s another question.
It’s all a matter of valuation.
What things will I value the most, and therefore emphasize the most, in my life? That’s where my time will go. There I’ll spend my sweat and my money. There people will form their opinions of me. “There’s ole John. He’s a good golfer, He’s a poor gardener, he’s easy to get along with, he’s selfish, I like to be around him, he’s boring”…or whatever someone might think. There’s a good chance their opinions are highly influenced by what’s important to me.
The trick is to value the most that which will retain its worth and have a preserving effect, not only on me, but on those I interact with. Remember, as a Christian, I’m supposed to be the salt of the earth.
What matters now and what will matter in a hundred years? They’ve got to be the same. Here’s what Jesus said: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you (John 6:27 KJV).
Jesus is using a figure, which He frequently does, to indicate what must take priority in our lives. Of course we must work for our physical bread, but we mustn’t let the physical bread become more important than our spiritual life. It can’t even be close.
What is the focus of my life? Is it all about me? Each of my actions today, each of my words today, each of my thoughts today…are they about now, or a few months from now or even a few years from now?
A hundred years from now, will what I have done today make any difference? Will it matter?
None of This Will Matter
What are you thinking about right now?
What do you hope to accomplish today? If something is bothering you, what is it? Does it matter to you now? Of course it does. Will it matter to you in a hundred years? Now that’s another question.
It’s all a matter of valuation.
What things will I value the most, and therefore emphasize the most, in my life? That’s where my time will go. There I’ll spend my sweat and my money. There people will form their opinions of me. “There’s ole John. He’s a good golfer, He’s a poor gardener, he’s easy to get along with, he’s selfish, I like to be around him, he’s boring”…or whatever someone might think. There’s a good chance their opinions are highly influenced by what’s important to me.
The trick is to value the most that which will retain its worth and have a preserving effect, not only on me, but on those I interact with. Remember, as a Christian, I’m supposed to be the salt of the earth.
What matters now and what will matter in a hundred years? They’ve got to be the same. Here’s what Jesus said: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you (John 6:27 KJV).
Jesus is using a figure, which He frequently does, to indicate what must take priority in our lives. Of course we must work for our physical bread, but we mustn’t let the physical bread become more important than our spiritual life. It can’t even be close.
What is the focus of my life? Is it all about me? Each of my actions today, each of my words today, each of my thoughts today…are they about now, or a few months from now or even a few years from now?
A hundred years from now, will what I have done today make any difference? Will it matter?
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Only the Forgiving are Forgiven
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV).
Think about it. Which is easier, to get even, or to grant forgiveness?
It’s obviously easier to grant forgiveness – you just do it!
Getting even may require considerable planning, investment of time and resources, the repercussions of failure (you will likely just make things worse in your attempt at revenge), and the continual watching of your back as your opponent plots one-up-man-ship.
But alas, that old human nature pines for revenge. We need some incentive to forgive.
Try these on; I think you’ll like the fit:
To forgive is to be like God.
To fail to forgive is to shut the door on the promises of God.
To forgive is to lift the anvil of resentment off your chest.
To fail to forgive is to be inwardly consumed by hate.
To forgive is to grant a gracious blessing to someone else.
To fail to forgive is to allow someone else control over your life.
To forgive is to realize that you have a lot to give.
To fail to forgive is to be preoccupied with insatiable and selfish getting.
To forgive is to live.
To fail to forgive is to die (read the Bible text again).
Anyone can bear a grudge; it requires no effort. A cross-bearing Christian forgives!
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Bread and Water
No one lives long without bread and water. These two represent physical nutrients and you will die sooner rather than later if you are bereft of physical nutrition. This is old news. Everyone knows it and functions accordingly.
Let me share with you some more old news that most people ought to know, and if they would function accordingly with this knowledge they would be good to go – through the rest of their life, to the cemetery, to the judgment, and to eternity beyond.
As you may have surmised, this news has to do with Jesus Christ. He is bread and He is water.
He refers to Himself as such in John 4 and John 6.
Actually what He says in John 4 is that He will give us living water (v 10). He is the source of living water. If we will drink in the teaching of Jesus, which we do by faith and obedience, then this water will make us alive spiritually.
In John 6, Jesus specifically says, “I am the bread of life” (v 35). Everything I need for spiritual life is found in Jesus. He is both bread and water. When I go to Him, I have distilled down life to these essentials, bread and water, and through submission to His will, live life at its purest.
Now, here’s the point I’m coming to. In physical life, when and how do bread and water benefit us? It is only when we eat and drink them. We receive the benefits when our bodies assimilate them. So, in spiritual life, Jesus benefits us only when we assimilate Him completely into our lives. So completely that we figuratively eat and drink Him.
True, pure, full, powerful Christianity is found only when we eat and drink Jesus. He must so abide our life that His person brilliantly shines through everything we do and say.
We fill ourselves with Jesus when we fill ourselves with His words. When I read my Bible and take the words off the page and put them into my behavior, I’m living Jesus, the bread and water are working.
A passing interest, Christianity when it’s convenient, faking religion because it may be good for business or help me impress a certain group of people – won’t cut it. I must consume Christ. He must be my world, my life, my very existence – my bread and water.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63 NKJV).
No one lives long without bread and water. These two represent physical nutrients and you will die sooner rather than later if you are bereft of physical nutrition. This is old news. Everyone knows it and functions accordingly.
Let me share with you some more old news that most people ought to know, and if they would function accordingly with this knowledge they would be good to go – through the rest of their life, to the cemetery, to the judgment, and to eternity beyond.
As you may have surmised, this news has to do with Jesus Christ. He is bread and He is water.
He refers to Himself as such in John 4 and John 6.
Actually what He says in John 4 is that He will give us living water (v 10). He is the source of living water. If we will drink in the teaching of Jesus, which we do by faith and obedience, then this water will make us alive spiritually.
In John 6, Jesus specifically says, “I am the bread of life” (v 35). Everything I need for spiritual life is found in Jesus. He is both bread and water. When I go to Him, I have distilled down life to these essentials, bread and water, and through submission to His will, live life at its purest.
Now, here’s the point I’m coming to. In physical life, when and how do bread and water benefit us? It is only when we eat and drink them. We receive the benefits when our bodies assimilate them. So, in spiritual life, Jesus benefits us only when we assimilate Him completely into our lives. So completely that we figuratively eat and drink Him.
True, pure, full, powerful Christianity is found only when we eat and drink Jesus. He must so abide our life that His person brilliantly shines through everything we do and say.
We fill ourselves with Jesus when we fill ourselves with His words. When I read my Bible and take the words off the page and put them into my behavior, I’m living Jesus, the bread and water are working.
A passing interest, Christianity when it’s convenient, faking religion because it may be good for business or help me impress a certain group of people – won’t cut it. I must consume Christ. He must be my world, my life, my very existence – my bread and water.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63 NKJV).
Friday, April 07, 2006
Severe Weather
As I sit at my desk in north Alabama at 1:03 in the afternoon on Friday, April 7, we are being told by the powers that be that we are in store for some pretty bad weather. Actually we enjoy the unenviable position of being smack dab in the middle of the high risk zone on a day that is supposed to be quite interesting from a severe weather standpoint. I better write this quick.
God has a way of reminding us of His power in a manner guaranteed to get our attention.
Interestingly, I don’t recall anything in Genesis before Adam and Eve’s sin about the prospect of severe weather. Everything was perfect in the Garden of Eden. The Bible refers to a mist watering it, but no flood drowning it or windstorm destroying it. Seems those things came to pass after man’s sin messed up what God had created perfect. It was pure, pristine, beautiful, and utterly utilitarian – then man blew it.
Sin is a terrible thing. It would seem especially so when God was so good to the original couple and then they turned on him. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Now if tragedy happens this evening (and I naturally hope it doesn’t), it will be because of sin. Not because of our personal sin, just the general sin of mankind.
Listen to this: there is suffering in the world because there is and has been sin in the world. We do not inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin, but we do have physical trouble, physical consequences because of his (and sometimes our own) sin.
When bad things happen don’t blame God, blame the source of sin and therefore the source of trouble: Satan.
Allow the power of God’s creation to direct you to the all-powerful God. Allow any reminders that this physical life is not permanent to direct you to thoughts of and plans for heaven. See the wisdom of God in every detail of His world. Be reminded that God wants us to realize that this world is not our home and that He has opened the door of heaven to us through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ. Understand that everything God does or allows is because He loves us and wants us with Him eternally.
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well (Psalms 139:14 NKJV).
As I sit at my desk in north Alabama at 1:03 in the afternoon on Friday, April 7, we are being told by the powers that be that we are in store for some pretty bad weather. Actually we enjoy the unenviable position of being smack dab in the middle of the high risk zone on a day that is supposed to be quite interesting from a severe weather standpoint. I better write this quick.
God has a way of reminding us of His power in a manner guaranteed to get our attention.
Interestingly, I don’t recall anything in Genesis before Adam and Eve’s sin about the prospect of severe weather. Everything was perfect in the Garden of Eden. The Bible refers to a mist watering it, but no flood drowning it or windstorm destroying it. Seems those things came to pass after man’s sin messed up what God had created perfect. It was pure, pristine, beautiful, and utterly utilitarian – then man blew it.
Sin is a terrible thing. It would seem especially so when God was so good to the original couple and then they turned on him. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Now if tragedy happens this evening (and I naturally hope it doesn’t), it will be because of sin. Not because of our personal sin, just the general sin of mankind.
Listen to this: there is suffering in the world because there is and has been sin in the world. We do not inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin, but we do have physical trouble, physical consequences because of his (and sometimes our own) sin.
When bad things happen don’t blame God, blame the source of sin and therefore the source of trouble: Satan.
Allow the power of God’s creation to direct you to the all-powerful God. Allow any reminders that this physical life is not permanent to direct you to thoughts of and plans for heaven. See the wisdom of God in every detail of His world. Be reminded that God wants us to realize that this world is not our home and that He has opened the door of heaven to us through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ. Understand that everything God does or allows is because He loves us and wants us with Him eternally.
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well (Psalms 139:14 NKJV).
Thursday, April 06, 2006
It’ll Be Hard To Argue With Me
Would you like a guaranteed cure for stopping arguments in your family?
I bet you would.
Well, I’ll tell you what works for me. We don’t have many arguments, and I think I know why. I believe what works for me will work for you. But, it takes strength, confidence, courage, and humility to try it.
It’s really pretty simple. Every time an argument starts, before it heats up, but when you can tell it’s likely about to – just shut up! That’s not physically hard to do. Actually it requires no effort at all to say nothing. It may require a lot of emotional effort: strength of will. That’s why you’ve got to be strong, have a good self image so you can have confidence in yourself, be brave enough to take a risk, and humble enough to just keep quiet.
I dare you to try it! When a conversation with your spouse or kids begins to change gears into a disagreement and then starts to escalate into a full-blown argument, don’t let it. The guaranteed way for two people not to argue is for one of them to withdraw from the field…to say nothing.
Now I’m not talking about pouting. That’s something else entirely. Announce to your partner in conversation that you feel your relationship is too important to allow an argument to weaken it. Tell your loved one that you are going to be quiet now because they are important to you and you just won’t do anything to harm the relationship that you treasure. They will have to stop arguing too, because they now have no one to argue with. You are not interested in winning (an argument); you are interested in saving (a relationship). Tell them you will listen, but you will not argue, even if it means keeping completely quiet.
This behavior (more appropriately, “lack of” behavior) will be hard the first time you try it. The old impulse to get your “two cents worth in” will be hard to resist. But the higher value you place on the relationship, the easier it will be for you to keep your mouth shut.
What you have just read is not an original idea with me. Guess where I got it.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20 NKJV).
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
A Soldier’s Faith
The man was a Roman centurion. Though he was a Gentile, he was a believer in Jehovah. His faith in God was so strong that he had built the Jews of his town a synagogue. He was respected by the Jews, but they didn’t yet understand the true greatness of his faith. This Gentile’s faith was about to be compared to the faith of these Israelites by Jesus Christ Himself.
It seems that our Gentile centurion had a dear servant who had fallen ill. He was sick to the point of death. The centurion heard that Jesus was in town and, likely being familiar with some of the miracles of Christ, led a delegation of Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant. Feeling unworthy to approach, as a Gentile, the actual presence of Jesus, he sent his friends the last few steps of the way. Jesus consented to his request and began the journey to the centurion’s house where the servant lay dying.
As Jesus approached the residence, the centurion made a statement that amazed even Jesus. He said he was not worthy for Jesus to enter his house. If the Lord would just say the word from a distance, he knew that his servant would be healed.
The Bible says that Jesus “marveled” at this statement. He called special attention to the centurion’s great faith by saying that He had not found faith like this, not even in Israel.
The servant lived. Jesus healed him from afar.
What contributed to this Gentile’s extraordinary faith? If I can learn what made his faith so strong, I can use that knowledge to make my faith stronger.
Certainly, he had some prior knowledge of Jesus’ works. These events are post-sermon on the mount. Jesus had performed various miracles and taught for over a year when this event occurred. The works and words of Jesus had produced faith in the centurion.
As a part of that faith, the works and words of Jesus had taught this centurion how great Jesus was and how small he was in comparison. He had learned the quality of being poor in spirit. As his thoughts of himself diminished, his thoughts of Jesus grew. So it must be with you and me. J. W. McGarvey stated it this way:
The less faith we have, the less we esteem Jesus, and the more faith we have, the less we esteem ourselves.
Sounds like “Blessed are the poor in spirit” to me. When I finally understand how much I need Jesus, I am prepared to grow my faith. Maybe even I can approach the faith of the centurion.
These thoughts have come from Matthew 8 and Luke 7.
The man was a Roman centurion. Though he was a Gentile, he was a believer in Jehovah. His faith in God was so strong that he had built the Jews of his town a synagogue. He was respected by the Jews, but they didn’t yet understand the true greatness of his faith. This Gentile’s faith was about to be compared to the faith of these Israelites by Jesus Christ Himself.
It seems that our Gentile centurion had a dear servant who had fallen ill. He was sick to the point of death. The centurion heard that Jesus was in town and, likely being familiar with some of the miracles of Christ, led a delegation of Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant. Feeling unworthy to approach, as a Gentile, the actual presence of Jesus, he sent his friends the last few steps of the way. Jesus consented to his request and began the journey to the centurion’s house where the servant lay dying.
As Jesus approached the residence, the centurion made a statement that amazed even Jesus. He said he was not worthy for Jesus to enter his house. If the Lord would just say the word from a distance, he knew that his servant would be healed.
The Bible says that Jesus “marveled” at this statement. He called special attention to the centurion’s great faith by saying that He had not found faith like this, not even in Israel.
The servant lived. Jesus healed him from afar.
What contributed to this Gentile’s extraordinary faith? If I can learn what made his faith so strong, I can use that knowledge to make my faith stronger.
Certainly, he had some prior knowledge of Jesus’ works. These events are post-sermon on the mount. Jesus had performed various miracles and taught for over a year when this event occurred. The works and words of Jesus had produced faith in the centurion.
As a part of that faith, the works and words of Jesus had taught this centurion how great Jesus was and how small he was in comparison. He had learned the quality of being poor in spirit. As his thoughts of himself diminished, his thoughts of Jesus grew. So it must be with you and me. J. W. McGarvey stated it this way:
The less faith we have, the less we esteem Jesus, and the more faith we have, the less we esteem ourselves.
Sounds like “Blessed are the poor in spirit” to me. When I finally understand how much I need Jesus, I am prepared to grow my faith. Maybe even I can approach the faith of the centurion.
These thoughts have come from Matthew 8 and Luke 7.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
A Father's Mercy
Let me tell you about a game I play.
Sometimes I am in a situation where I feel someone is being rude to me or not giving me proper service. It may be the checkout line at the grocery. It may be a fast food drive thru. It could be the doctor's office. It could be someone I am around on a daily basis. It might be anyone, anywhere. If I think they're being unkind to me, I try real hard to be kind to them. I try to be their opposite. I'm serious. I have actually played this game. I play it, not for fun, but to try and make myself grow.
I'm trying to develop mercy. When I feel that I would be justified in standing up and demanding my rights, I try to develop mercy. Maybe it will help the other person, or, maybe not. They might not notice, or they may just think I'm weird. My actions may not help them at all. But, it helps me every time.
When I show mercy, I am reminded of God's mercy. I'm reminded of how much I need God's mercy. I'm reminded that God's mercy and forgiveness are related to my mercy and forgiveness. If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15). When I show mercy to my neighbor I become more like God. My little game helps me do that.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:36).
Monday, April 03, 2006
Trials, Trivia, and Knowing the Difference
Know any whiners?
Whining is usually caused by selfishness. The more time I spend thinking about me, the more likely I am to see (or think I see) situations in life that I feel have treated me poorly. If I could just get out of myself and focus on other people and their needs, I would probably whine less.
Jesus was certainly no whiner. But, what if He had been? He came to lead people to God. But the religious leaders and His own people often opposed Him. What if He had gotten His feelings hurt, gotten mad, began pouting and left the earth in a huff with His mission unaccomplished? You know what would have happened. We would be without a shred of hope today, had Jesus been a whiner.
Now, lest I appear cold and calloused, we all sometimes suffer real trials of life. When we do, God is always there for us. He allows, expects, even encourages us to come to Him (in faith and obedience) with whatever ails us.
My point is simply this: we humans are awful good at imagining ailments when what we face is really trivia. Say someone treats you poorly. You could get depressed and mope around complaining. Or...you could realize that what you are facing is nothing in comparision to what Jesus faced, dealt with, and overcame on a daily basis. Often, we just need to move on. Remember the old expression, "Don't sweat the small stuff"? The more bad things that happen to me that I will ignore, the more time I'll have to think about my family, my neighbors, and my God.
I guess most trivia starts out as a trial. The stronger I have become, the easier it is for me to move the trial over into the trivia column. I'm going to work on my spreadsheet today. Here's some help:
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Thats my goal, that's where I intend to be. God goes on in that chapter to tell me how to do it. He talks about truth, faith, prayer, and righteousness. If I spend my time working on putting those four in my life, I betcha a lot of my trials will start easing over into that trivia column.
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