"and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness' - and he was called a friend of God." - James 2:23 ESV
Have you 'ghosted' God or are you called His friend? Interesting. Last night we were talking about arguing with God and the craziness of it but how we can find ourselves in that place and how God is saying:
"Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David." - Isaiah 55:3 KJV
'Come unto Me'... that is our calling... I firmly believe that drawing near to Him because we respond to the clear need to do so is our 'calling'... it isn't what we do professionally or the ministry we feel drawn to... those are callings but this is 'the calling'... if we are angry at someone that isn't easy to do. It requires humility.
That action of moving towards God instead of away is the difference between spiritual life and death. Are our minds alive and moving in hope or are we spiraling into disappointment? Eternal life is linked to believing in Jesus as a 'one-time' thing but living life and living in life is all about drawing near... even when we are offended because we don't think God is being the right kind of friend in our relationship with Him.
---
Showing posts with label Conflict. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conflict. Show all posts
Friday, January 24, 2020
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Bonds Formed In The Eye Of The Storm
I have been thinking on and off about 'friendship formation'. We have many acquaintances but strong friendship bonds seem to form more rarely.
The Apostle Paul describes himself and others like him as 'helpers of your joy' (see 2 Corinthians 1:24) and the Greek there is very interesting. The word 'helper' (synergos - Strong's G4904) is the word we get synergy from. The phrase 'your joy' is hymōn (Strong's G5216) chara (Strong's G5479). This joy isn't a feeling. It is rejoicing that happens because there is a reason to rejoice. The word could be translated 'the cause or occasion of joy'.
Here is the context. There is conflict in Corinth and Paul is correcting them and looking to God to find a balance out of love...
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you." - 2 Corinthians 1:19 - 2:4 ESV
I am convinced that humor is intrinsically linked to pain and likewise friendship happens in shared conflict. People who survive something together have great friendship potential.
Grace Gospel preachers produce a 'field of friendship' around them because love is presented in the midst of the conflict that holiness produces in a fallen world.
People 'survived' encounters with Paul and His otherworldly message and became friends through that shared experience. They weren't necessarily friends with him. They became friends with God and each other.
Wartime produces the strongest bonds. That is why it is easier to make friends as children. Children are in the conflict of identity formation.
People want to avoid pain but the grapes need to be crushed in order for there to be wine. Likewise, love works in synergy with conflict to form friendships.
Grace is beautiful. It is God's unmerited favor expressed to mankind because of the work of Jesus Christ. A person who talks about it is going to stir things up but in the center of that storm there is an oasis that is 'an occasion of joy'. The lost are found and bonds are formed that can never be broken.
--
The Apostle Paul describes himself and others like him as 'helpers of your joy' (see 2 Corinthians 1:24) and the Greek there is very interesting. The word 'helper' (synergos - Strong's G4904) is the word we get synergy from. The phrase 'your joy' is hymōn (Strong's G5216) chara (Strong's G5479). This joy isn't a feeling. It is rejoicing that happens because there is a reason to rejoice. The word could be translated 'the cause or occasion of joy'.
Here is the context. There is conflict in Corinth and Paul is correcting them and looking to God to find a balance out of love...
"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you." - 2 Corinthians 1:19 - 2:4 ESV
I am convinced that humor is intrinsically linked to pain and likewise friendship happens in shared conflict. People who survive something together have great friendship potential.
Grace Gospel preachers produce a 'field of friendship' around them because love is presented in the midst of the conflict that holiness produces in a fallen world.
People 'survived' encounters with Paul and His otherworldly message and became friends through that shared experience. They weren't necessarily friends with him. They became friends with God and each other.
Wartime produces the strongest bonds. That is why it is easier to make friends as children. Children are in the conflict of identity formation.
People want to avoid pain but the grapes need to be crushed in order for there to be wine. Likewise, love works in synergy with conflict to form friendships.
Grace is beautiful. It is God's unmerited favor expressed to mankind because of the work of Jesus Christ. A person who talks about it is going to stir things up but in the center of that storm there is an oasis that is 'an occasion of joy'. The lost are found and bonds are formed that can never be broken.
--
Friday, January 12, 2018
The Wrath Of Man Worketh Not The Righteousness Of God
This morning I am remembering an incident I was involved in several years ago. I was newly ordained and one of my very good friends was being mistreated by another man. This friend was an older more experienced Pastor... a very kind and giving man. I was furious because this treatment was ongoing over several weeks.
One day I got fed up and when me and my Pastor friend were having coffee all my feelings came pouring out. I normally would never tell this person what to do because he was very wise in my eyes but this day I did. I implored him to retaliate or at least defend himself through the correct channels. Part of the abuse involved slander. I'll never forget the look he gave me. He put down his coffee and tears filled his eyes. With a broken voice, he said, 'Show me in the Bible where God says I can act that way. I have looked for a solution like that because I am weary of this but I can't find one. God called me to love people and that is all I can do.'
Wow. My fury dried up in a moment and I realized my long formed concepts of loyalty among friends needed to change. The stakes had gone up. I was now accountable to a higher person.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:19-21 KJV
"From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.' Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?' " - Matthew 16:21-26 ESV
I have to say that there are still times I feel like Peter.
My friend made it through that time. He didn't compromise his integrity. He is still serving and loving. Thank God he didn't take my advice.
The cross is God's solution for sinful, wicked and shortsighted man. The cross takes something. It interrupts. It is the gateway to burial and then resurrection and then session (sitting with Christ in Heavenly places). It will do it's work if we let it. It will work on us and on the ones we love. This cross isn't our suffering it is Christ's suffering but we get to fellowship with Him and it is a true honor. Painful but glorious at the same time. When emotions threaten to overwhelm we can go there and God will give us something special that can only be found in that difficult place. That is where Heaven meets Earth and transformation begins.
--
One day I got fed up and when me and my Pastor friend were having coffee all my feelings came pouring out. I normally would never tell this person what to do because he was very wise in my eyes but this day I did. I implored him to retaliate or at least defend himself through the correct channels. Part of the abuse involved slander. I'll never forget the look he gave me. He put down his coffee and tears filled his eyes. With a broken voice, he said, 'Show me in the Bible where God says I can act that way. I have looked for a solution like that because I am weary of this but I can't find one. God called me to love people and that is all I can do.'
Wow. My fury dried up in a moment and I realized my long formed concepts of loyalty among friends needed to change. The stakes had gone up. I was now accountable to a higher person.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:19-21 KJV
"From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.' Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?' " - Matthew 16:21-26 ESV
I have to say that there are still times I feel like Peter.
My friend made it through that time. He didn't compromise his integrity. He is still serving and loving. Thank God he didn't take my advice.
The cross is God's solution for sinful, wicked and shortsighted man. The cross takes something. It interrupts. It is the gateway to burial and then resurrection and then session (sitting with Christ in Heavenly places). It will do it's work if we let it. It will work on us and on the ones we love. This cross isn't our suffering it is Christ's suffering but we get to fellowship with Him and it is a true honor. Painful but glorious at the same time. When emotions threaten to overwhelm we can go there and God will give us something special that can only be found in that difficult place. That is where Heaven meets Earth and transformation begins.
--
Friday, March 10, 2017
The Pharisee's Invitation
As I was driving home yesterday night this passage came to mind...
"One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he answered, 'Say it, Teacher.' 'A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.' And he said to him, 'You have judged rightly.' Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.' " - Luke 7:36-50 ESV
It seems that this invitation is an exclusive one. This woman is inquiring about Jesus' whereabouts and is told He is at the Pharisee's house. Yet this woman finds her way into this exclusive meeting.
Her love is heartfelt but the Pharisee's love is shallow and likely non-existent. She would have never been invited to come.
Her love was the lesson.
People argue and debate but I would much rather have love be the lesson.
The Gospel is a theological crisis before it is received much in the way that Jesus' declaration of forgiveness was. This woman's love was a declaration of transformation. Oh that our lives would be that also. Not by effort but just simple love and gratitude.
--
"One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he answered, 'Say it, Teacher.' 'A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.' And he said to him, 'You have judged rightly.' Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.' " - Luke 7:36-50 ESV
It seems that this invitation is an exclusive one. This woman is inquiring about Jesus' whereabouts and is told He is at the Pharisee's house. Yet this woman finds her way into this exclusive meeting.
Her love is heartfelt but the Pharisee's love is shallow and likely non-existent. She would have never been invited to come.
Her love was the lesson.
People argue and debate but I would much rather have love be the lesson.
The Gospel is a theological crisis before it is received much in the way that Jesus' declaration of forgiveness was. This woman's love was a declaration of transformation. Oh that our lives would be that also. Not by effort but just simple love and gratitude.
--
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The Dignified And The Efficient
What do you do when you just can't get along with someone?
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." - Philippians 4:2 ESV
Watchman Nee's take on the book of Philippians is that Paul has the conflict between these two women in his mind as he writes this whole book. The book isn't about them. It is written to everyone but this conflict is a primal human conflict. Two women who just can't agree... not because one is right and the other wrong... no... they are just people and people just don't get along sometimes.
They can't work it out with each other but the Spirit gives them different advice...
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." - Philippians 2:12-18 ESV
Walter Bagehot wrote a book in 1867 about the British Constitution and in it he breaks that document into two great ideals. He says that all great documents about governance can be broken into these two parts. The 'dignified' and the 'efficient.' The dignified represents glorious ideals and timeless truths. The English Monarchy should, in the Victorian mind, represent the dignified. Advising but only when ideals are involved. Ruling as examples of dignity. The efficient aspect represents the action of governance. The practical day to day work of completing tasks or making necessary changes. Both need each other and both must be in balance.
The British Constitution isn't scripture but we can see these two concepts in scripture can't we?
Jesus dying on a cross is the ultimate dignified act done by the ultimate person. He was and Is dignity incarnate and His dignity dignifies us if we let the Spirit work efficiently in us.
Paul points these two women, and all of mankind, that struggles in conflict to the dignity of the cross. If that dignity is the advising example then we can be governed by love efficiently because The Spirit of God works in us and is always in tune with the dignity of the Trinity.
We can rejoice in a crooked world that amplifies conflict and division if we behold the cross and 'work it out' with God.
"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13 ESV
If the cross is our point of reference we can find a way past every obstacle because God does it in us and through us.
One day we will be face to face with the dignified One. He Is full of grace and truth. Let's stand and rest with our eyes fixed on Him as we deal with what must be dealt with in our day to day lives. He makes all the difference in every situation. His finished work counsels us in amazing practical ways moment to moment.
--
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." - Philippians 4:2 ESV
Watchman Nee's take on the book of Philippians is that Paul has the conflict between these two women in his mind as he writes this whole book. The book isn't about them. It is written to everyone but this conflict is a primal human conflict. Two women who just can't agree... not because one is right and the other wrong... no... they are just people and people just don't get along sometimes.
They can't work it out with each other but the Spirit gives them different advice...
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." - Philippians 2:12-18 ESV
Walter Bagehot wrote a book in 1867 about the British Constitution and in it he breaks that document into two great ideals. He says that all great documents about governance can be broken into these two parts. The 'dignified' and the 'efficient.' The dignified represents glorious ideals and timeless truths. The English Monarchy should, in the Victorian mind, represent the dignified. Advising but only when ideals are involved. Ruling as examples of dignity. The efficient aspect represents the action of governance. The practical day to day work of completing tasks or making necessary changes. Both need each other and both must be in balance.
The British Constitution isn't scripture but we can see these two concepts in scripture can't we?
Jesus dying on a cross is the ultimate dignified act done by the ultimate person. He was and Is dignity incarnate and His dignity dignifies us if we let the Spirit work efficiently in us.
Paul points these two women, and all of mankind, that struggles in conflict to the dignity of the cross. If that dignity is the advising example then we can be governed by love efficiently because The Spirit of God works in us and is always in tune with the dignity of the Trinity.
We can rejoice in a crooked world that amplifies conflict and division if we behold the cross and 'work it out' with God.
"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13 ESV
If the cross is our point of reference we can find a way past every obstacle because God does it in us and through us.
One day we will be face to face with the dignified One. He Is full of grace and truth. Let's stand and rest with our eyes fixed on Him as we deal with what must be dealt with in our day to day lives. He makes all the difference in every situation. His finished work counsels us in amazing practical ways moment to moment.
--
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Beware Lest You Be Consumed By One Another
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " - Galatians 5:13-14 ESV
I think of the man who didn't have a father or had a broken father/son relationship that is now faced with the reality of being a father himself. This passage gives us hope that we can transcend what we have experienced.
"But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." - Galatians 5:15-18 ESV
I always found this biting and devouring portion interesting. What is this caution about consumption? See that you don't... what?
It basically is saying that we should recognize potential toxic relationships and avoid the pitfalls of these relationship triggers. Notice how it doesn't say avoid toxic people or to surround yourself with people who support you and get rid of anyone else. It says, 'Walk by the Spirit.' if we do then when the button is pushed that would have set us off it doesn't because we have a liberty that transcends the law.
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4 ESV
He really is. Otherwise we set rules and hold others to those rules trying to live treating others along the lines we deem important and end up chewing other people up. No one wins when this happens.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2 ESV
Oh. What a great passage this is. I love it so much. The birds start singing in my heart.
We are free now! We are free to treat others as we wish to be treated. We are able to be the friend we would like to have. The fatherless man has liberty to be a fine father. We can serving by love with attention to the fact that the needs we sense in ourselves are a mirror of all human need.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." - John 14:12-13 ESV
Wow. This is because we are free to walk by the Spirit. These great things happen in light happy places and in dark frozen ones also. We have liberty and walking in it glorifies the Son.
--
I think of the man who didn't have a father or had a broken father/son relationship that is now faced with the reality of being a father himself. This passage gives us hope that we can transcend what we have experienced.
"But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." - Galatians 5:15-18 ESV
I always found this biting and devouring portion interesting. What is this caution about consumption? See that you don't... what?
It basically is saying that we should recognize potential toxic relationships and avoid the pitfalls of these relationship triggers. Notice how it doesn't say avoid toxic people or to surround yourself with people who support you and get rid of anyone else. It says, 'Walk by the Spirit.' if we do then when the button is pushed that would have set us off it doesn't because we have a liberty that transcends the law.
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4 ESV
He really is. Otherwise we set rules and hold others to those rules trying to live treating others along the lines we deem important and end up chewing other people up. No one wins when this happens.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2 ESV
Oh. What a great passage this is. I love it so much. The birds start singing in my heart.
We are free now! We are free to treat others as we wish to be treated. We are able to be the friend we would like to have. The fatherless man has liberty to be a fine father. We can serving by love with attention to the fact that the needs we sense in ourselves are a mirror of all human need.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." - John 14:12-13 ESV
Wow. This is because we are free to walk by the Spirit. These great things happen in light happy places and in dark frozen ones also. We have liberty and walking in it glorifies the Son.
--
Monday, October 6, 2014
Born For Adversity
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17 ESV
What a great verse.
The second statement is an amplification of the first.
We choose to be friend but your brother is someone who is linked to you by blood. You share the same heritage because you have the same parent or parents. I don't like when a stranger calls me brother. It is popular in Christian circles to do that but that implies a commitment that I'm sure in most cases people are not prepared to live in.
Jesus loves at all times. He never joins in an attack against us. The Holy Spirit is an advocate for us.
It is in adversity that you find out who your brothers are.
Few things get me more riled up than someone attacking another person, either physically or verbally, in front of me. The big brother in me is born for that battle.
Christ, the harmless lamb, was born for battle. He took our bullet. When Peter cut a man's ear off in Christ's defense Jesus healed the man. He defended us by being our victim. He loved Peter and He loved His enemy.
That is so convicting isn't it?
Fill us with Your Spirit today God. Fill us and give us a love that loves at all times.
--
What a great verse.
The second statement is an amplification of the first.
We choose to be friend but your brother is someone who is linked to you by blood. You share the same heritage because you have the same parent or parents. I don't like when a stranger calls me brother. It is popular in Christian circles to do that but that implies a commitment that I'm sure in most cases people are not prepared to live in.
Jesus loves at all times. He never joins in an attack against us. The Holy Spirit is an advocate for us.
It is in adversity that you find out who your brothers are.
Few things get me more riled up than someone attacking another person, either physically or verbally, in front of me. The big brother in me is born for that battle.
Christ, the harmless lamb, was born for battle. He took our bullet. When Peter cut a man's ear off in Christ's defense Jesus healed the man. He defended us by being our victim. He loved Peter and He loved His enemy.
That is so convicting isn't it?
Fill us with Your Spirit today God. Fill us and give us a love that loves at all times.
--
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
A Lamb's Answer
Since the garden of Eden man has had a disagreement with God. Impersonal moral linear thought finds a problem with God. No. It eventually finds a problem with everything. The following verse shows God's solution to the argument.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." - Hebrews 12:1-4 ESV
The word for hostility here (contradiction in the KJV) is Antilogia (Strong's G485) and it could well be translated violent disagreement. Christ's struggle against this disagreement was to shed His own blood. He gave a lamb's answer.
In the past I have seen verse 4 as my struggle not to enter into personal sin but in context that is not what the verse is saying. This is a cultural struggle. An age old struggle of righteousness against a fallen nature that embraces twisted fallen thinking that values good over evil instead of God over everything else.
Jesus is sufficient. Only He Is. Can we agree on that? If we can then we agree with God and have agreement with each other that is supernatural. Above and of a different nature than what is natural.
Grace is sufficient. Nothing added to it. Can we agree on that? Even though by sight transformation seems slow to us. Justice cries out for an answer but only gets one at the cross. It is there that mercy rejoices against judgement. Jesus settled the argument by shedding His blood. Is it settled in our hearts? Good. Then we agree with God and there is no hindrance in the flow of life and mercy can swoop in to deal with situations without partiality.
Do we always agree just because we have agreed before. No we don't. But, If we allow God to bring our mind into agreement again and again we can run with endurance the race that is filled with contradictory obstacles in front of us.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them." - Hebrews 13:8-9 NKJV
Jesus has won the argument. There will be a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess it to be true. Let us have tongues filled with that same agreement today... no matter how we feel... no matter what others say. Even standing alone we are 'a majority' when we agree with the God of all grace.
--
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." - Hebrews 12:1-4 ESV
The word for hostility here (contradiction in the KJV) is Antilogia (Strong's G485) and it could well be translated violent disagreement. Christ's struggle against this disagreement was to shed His own blood. He gave a lamb's answer.
In the past I have seen verse 4 as my struggle not to enter into personal sin but in context that is not what the verse is saying. This is a cultural struggle. An age old struggle of righteousness against a fallen nature that embraces twisted fallen thinking that values good over evil instead of God over everything else.
Jesus is sufficient. Only He Is. Can we agree on that? If we can then we agree with God and have agreement with each other that is supernatural. Above and of a different nature than what is natural.
Grace is sufficient. Nothing added to it. Can we agree on that? Even though by sight transformation seems slow to us. Justice cries out for an answer but only gets one at the cross. It is there that mercy rejoices against judgement. Jesus settled the argument by shedding His blood. Is it settled in our hearts? Good. Then we agree with God and there is no hindrance in the flow of life and mercy can swoop in to deal with situations without partiality.
Do we always agree just because we have agreed before. No we don't. But, If we allow God to bring our mind into agreement again and again we can run with endurance the race that is filled with contradictory obstacles in front of us.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them." - Hebrews 13:8-9 NKJV
Jesus has won the argument. There will be a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess it to be true. Let us have tongues filled with that same agreement today... no matter how we feel... no matter what others say. Even standing alone we are 'a majority' when we agree with the God of all grace.
--
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)