I was thinking this morning about my box of booklets, notebooks filled with notes from services and classes and taped messages many now converted to digital format. They are treasures and stepping stones and riches connections.
Some stranger would look at my box of booklets and see something worthless. They might find my watch and it might catch their eye or some piece of computer equipment and think, 'Finally something of value.' while quickly discarding the box as useless junk to be left out in the rain.
I like the term 'man of letters' because it refers to person that values ideas more than things. Perhaps we associate such a person with the letters coming after their name like PhD or D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) showing that they spent time inside of many books. I like to think or a 'man of letters' as a person who wrote and reads many correspondences... who shares ideas with other people that also value ideas.
The Apostle Paul knew a great deal about letters. Unlike Peter and the other Apostles he had spent most of his life with his head in one book or another. Scrolls back then but the same concept.
Look at what he says here..
"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?" - 2 Corinthians 3:1-8 ESV
There had been a great shift for Paul. He had moved from the philosophy and righteousness that could be found on paper and moved to the life that was found in the Spirit.
The letters of the law carved in stone had a ministry of death. God had communicated judgement by words carved on stone. People want earthly qualification written on paper as a means to evaluate the worth of someone and that is a different form of the same judgement. They are parallel ideas.
Paul wrote his letters to people and said, 'My love is my letter of recommendation.' Love reveals people as living epistles but that is only seen in the light of of the Spirit who reveals it. The letter of who they are on paper kills.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:1-17 ESV
Jesus is God's living letter. Not carvings in stone that removed something to make it's ideas known. Jesus was added to the world not carved out of it.
I love my Bible because it reveals Him. If I did not see Christ in it's pages it would kill me like it has been used to kill others through the centuries. It would carve me to pieces. But because I do see Him it adds something day by day... something nourishing and eternal.
I love my box of booklets also because they were written by living epistles and point me toward my Savior, not like the Bible does, that is a direct connection but in the way that Paul loved the Corinthians and many of the Corinthians loved Paul. The Spirit uses people and what they say and do to reveal God's life.
Sitting here writing this I think about what is of value. The person reading it is of value. It is not the transcript of the phone call that matters but the person on the other end and the relationship that call represents.
The booklet has value to me but there is a time to close it and put it down and interact with people by the Spirit. God will use what we know in those relationships... light interacting with light and dispelling darkness.
One day, like all of us, I'll be gone and will leave the booklets behind. They will likely be left out in the rain somewhere but my relationships that have Christ in the midst of them will last forever.
--
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Is It Too Late?
Is it too late?
King David had great losses and asked the same question.
"Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way... And David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?' He answered him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.' " - 1 Samuel 30:1-2, 8 ESV
It was not too late.
"David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all." - 1 Samuel 30:18-19 ESV
What about the people who could not go with him because of weariness.
"But David said, 'You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us... For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.' " - 1 Samuel 30:23 & 24b ESV
Then David spread the spoils and word of his victory.
"When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, 'Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD.' It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed." - 1 Samuel 30:26-31 ESV
David's God given victory blessed people he had met in his travels. In his victory he sent gifts to people who knew him.
I ask you again... Is it too late?
Why don't you ask God and read 1 Samuel 30 a few times and find out.
Oh, and don't worry if not everyone has the strength to go with you... just bless them with your victory when you return.
King David had great losses and asked the same question.
"Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way... And David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?' He answered him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.' " - 1 Samuel 30:1-2, 8 ESV
It was not too late.
"David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all." - 1 Samuel 30:18-19 ESV
What about the people who could not go with him because of weariness.
"But David said, 'You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us... For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.' " - 1 Samuel 30:23 & 24b ESV
Then David spread the spoils and word of his victory.
"When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, 'Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD.' It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed." - 1 Samuel 30:26-31 ESV
David's God given victory blessed people he had met in his travels. In his victory he sent gifts to people who knew him.
I ask you again... Is it too late?
Why don't you ask God and read 1 Samuel 30 a few times and find out.
Oh, and don't worry if not everyone has the strength to go with you... just bless them with your victory when you return.
--
Monday, September 8, 2014
A Faith To Follow
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." - Hebrews 13:7 ESV
The word translated 'imitate' here is Mimeomai (Strong's G3401). It is the same word that mime comes from.
It is the same word used here...
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 ESV
Really the faith we have, if we have it, is the faith of the Son of God. Many modern translations turn this into 'faith in the Son of God' but the Greek is very clear.
The faith we follow when we follow another person's faith is the faith of Jesus Himself. At first we don't realize that. We can't realize it. We give glory to people even if they deflect it because we see their faith as a personal ability that they possess.
If they are truly walking by faith then they know their faith is a gift.
When, if ever, do we stop miming the faith of other people?
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
Paul never indicated that those who heard him should ever stop. Even this verse about being crucified with Christ that we sing about was written by Paul explaining His process that he encouraged everyone who heard him to adopt.
"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra -- which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me." - 2 Timothy 3:8-11 ESV
Paul takes ownership of Christ's faith and makes the comparison to Moses and Pharaoh's sorcerers who opposed God's work by opposing God's man.
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." - Hebrews 13:17 KJV
Who has rule over us? The person who we submit to that's who. Not a person who just by circumstances is telling us what to do. That authority is illegitimate unless it is given by God.
There is point in time when we see a person, and it isn't often, who loves God and who cares for our soul. That person is walking by faith. That person personalizes their faith walk and lives crucified with Christ and loves by faith. That person is a teacher, though the may or may not have the gift of teaching, and a shepherd who feeds Jesus' sheep.
There is moment when we realize, 'That is my person. They are a gift from God for my life. I want to be the person I will become if I am associated with that person. They help me grow and will help me grow.' or even in some cases, 'That is my Pastor.' In those cases we come under the vision that God has given to those men. There will be places where we fit right in and have an important role in the success of the enterprise.
If God invests that kind of love in a person for us they will one day stand before Him and give an account of that stewardship. We may never have submitted to their leadership, such as it was, but still they will give an account and their account will be a direct reflection on our lives when it is time to hand out the rewards in the future.
God tells us to pray for those people whose faith we follow. It is a very good idea since our outcome is tied to their outcome in a real way.
I want to follow the faith of those that love Jesus and love me for the rest of my life and for the rest of theirs. I want to live with a sense of accountability to certain grace men and have a sense of lifelong loyalty even if God's plan has brings us in different directions. I want to watch closely (or from afar) where their faith brings them in this life and then trust in where they have gone after their eventual earthly death.
Grace men won't Lord over you in an intrusive way and if they are intrusive at times you can tell them and in humility they will back off or press forward as they see fit.
When do we stop following and honoring? Never. We just find the God who they follow, make Him our own and have a faith worthy of following that has no middle man. We grow and stop attributing what is coming from a man to the man. We honor God as God and men as men of God.
This is not a popular doctrine these days. I imagine it never has been. Fortunately my interest is not in being popular but it is in having the mind of Christ.
--
The word translated 'imitate' here is Mimeomai (Strong's G3401). It is the same word that mime comes from.
It is the same word used here...
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 ESV
Really the faith we have, if we have it, is the faith of the Son of God. Many modern translations turn this into 'faith in the Son of God' but the Greek is very clear.
The faith we follow when we follow another person's faith is the faith of Jesus Himself. At first we don't realize that. We can't realize it. We give glory to people even if they deflect it because we see their faith as a personal ability that they possess.
If they are truly walking by faith then they know their faith is a gift.
When, if ever, do we stop miming the faith of other people?
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
Paul never indicated that those who heard him should ever stop. Even this verse about being crucified with Christ that we sing about was written by Paul explaining His process that he encouraged everyone who heard him to adopt.
"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra -- which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me." - 2 Timothy 3:8-11 ESV
Paul takes ownership of Christ's faith and makes the comparison to Moses and Pharaoh's sorcerers who opposed God's work by opposing God's man.
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." - Hebrews 13:17 KJV
Who has rule over us? The person who we submit to that's who. Not a person who just by circumstances is telling us what to do. That authority is illegitimate unless it is given by God.
There is point in time when we see a person, and it isn't often, who loves God and who cares for our soul. That person is walking by faith. That person personalizes their faith walk and lives crucified with Christ and loves by faith. That person is a teacher, though the may or may not have the gift of teaching, and a shepherd who feeds Jesus' sheep.
There is moment when we realize, 'That is my person. They are a gift from God for my life. I want to be the person I will become if I am associated with that person. They help me grow and will help me grow.' or even in some cases, 'That is my Pastor.' In those cases we come under the vision that God has given to those men. There will be places where we fit right in and have an important role in the success of the enterprise.
If God invests that kind of love in a person for us they will one day stand before Him and give an account of that stewardship. We may never have submitted to their leadership, such as it was, but still they will give an account and their account will be a direct reflection on our lives when it is time to hand out the rewards in the future.
God tells us to pray for those people whose faith we follow. It is a very good idea since our outcome is tied to their outcome in a real way.
I want to follow the faith of those that love Jesus and love me for the rest of my life and for the rest of theirs. I want to live with a sense of accountability to certain grace men and have a sense of lifelong loyalty even if God's plan has brings us in different directions. I want to watch closely (or from afar) where their faith brings them in this life and then trust in where they have gone after their eventual earthly death.
Grace men won't Lord over you in an intrusive way and if they are intrusive at times you can tell them and in humility they will back off or press forward as they see fit.
When do we stop following and honoring? Never. We just find the God who they follow, make Him our own and have a faith worthy of following that has no middle man. We grow and stop attributing what is coming from a man to the man. We honor God as God and men as men of God.
This is not a popular doctrine these days. I imagine it never has been. Fortunately my interest is not in being popular but it is in having the mind of Christ.
--
Friday, September 5, 2014
Embrace Him At His Arrival
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7 NASB
I keep reading this passage again and again.
It is good to say, 'The Lord is near.' to ourselves.
His visitation is an amazing thing. When He walks in wisdom is unveiled... the invisible is made visible... light pierces darkness... love replaces indifference... healing comes to our home... salvation walks in the door lively, powerful and willing to meet the eyes of everyone in the room.
Get glad again. The Lord is near. Tell Him what has happened. He has healing hands and healing words.
He is close. Peace that goes beyond the present understanding of the situation is ours and will guard our hearts when that reality blankets us.
No One greater can be in the room with us when God Is there. Nothing is impossible for Him. No One loves us more.
I say it again... 'He is near. Get glad oh soul of mine. He isn't far away. He is near.'
It want to give Him a joyous homecoming and embrace Him at His arrival. Let there be music and food and laughter. Let's make a banner and drape it over our hearts that says. 'WELCOME HOME.' in colorful letters strung together by twine and expect Him with the expectation of a new year, a birthday or a graduation.
He Is near and when He arrives nothing will be the same. At His arrival the party truly begins.
"Then I said, 'Behold, I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me - To do Your will, O God.' " - Hebrews 10:7 NKJV
--
I keep reading this passage again and again.
It is good to say, 'The Lord is near.' to ourselves.
His visitation is an amazing thing. When He walks in wisdom is unveiled... the invisible is made visible... light pierces darkness... love replaces indifference... healing comes to our home... salvation walks in the door lively, powerful and willing to meet the eyes of everyone in the room.
Get glad again. The Lord is near. Tell Him what has happened. He has healing hands and healing words.
He is close. Peace that goes beyond the present understanding of the situation is ours and will guard our hearts when that reality blankets us.
No One greater can be in the room with us when God Is there. Nothing is impossible for Him. No One loves us more.
I say it again... 'He is near. Get glad oh soul of mine. He isn't far away. He is near.'
It want to give Him a joyous homecoming and embrace Him at His arrival. Let there be music and food and laughter. Let's make a banner and drape it over our hearts that says. 'WELCOME HOME.' in colorful letters strung together by twine and expect Him with the expectation of a new year, a birthday or a graduation.
He Is near and when He arrives nothing will be the same. At His arrival the party truly begins.
"Then I said, 'Behold, I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me - To do Your will, O God.' " - Hebrews 10:7 NKJV
--
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Cherish The Walls And Use The Gates
"Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?' Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.' " - John 14:22-24 ESV
It is very possible to live in a theological of philosophical bubble. If you are surrounded by people that all think the same way and function in similar ways. There is a sense in us that discerns the group dynamic and either wants to blend into it or break out of it.
Subcultures and countercultures are born from the desire to do something different and be free from social pressure to conform.
Life with God is a different life. You can be buried in the social workings of a Church and not have God's culture. The difference between a Church and other social structures is that God initiated it and God moves inside it's workings if God has liberty to do so.
The disciples thought that the group they were apart of was social group that formed around Jesus. But, Jesus revealed to them that it was formed by the Father.
What is a family? Is it a social group formed by people who just wanted to get together and think in similar ways and have babies? Evolutionary thinking would tell you that. No, A family is something God has made and He has a mind for it. So is a marriage. So is a Church.
God's thinking has gates and walls. Walls that preserve the sanctity of the structure and gates that allow entrances and exits to reach out of that structure. His thinking is large and broad in that is covers all of humanity and yet it is Holy and therefore specific in it's desires.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." - John 12:24-25 ESV
It is easy to love your life in a comfortable social structure and if you don't love your life to think that leaving your current structure will make it better.
Jesus had to leave the Earth for us to get it.
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." - John 16:7-11 ESV
He had to die so we would not have to die. He had to go so we do not have to. We can experience the thoughts of the Father when we no longer see Jesus as just a man and His Church as a place were people live in natural social circles.
There are plenty of dead Churches that bear the name but have no life. It is sad. But, There are also living ones where the people have been like a corn of wheat that has fallen into the ground and died in order to live in the multiplication of God's life.
"A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!" - Psalms 133:1-2 ESV
I want to use the gates God has provided.
"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." - John 10:9 ESV
I don't want to be stagnant. Missions is the way we break out of our culture and into another one. Missions abroad and missions at home. The live of faith is not natural. Going shows us that again and again.
--
It is very possible to live in a theological of philosophical bubble. If you are surrounded by people that all think the same way and function in similar ways. There is a sense in us that discerns the group dynamic and either wants to blend into it or break out of it.
Subcultures and countercultures are born from the desire to do something different and be free from social pressure to conform.
Life with God is a different life. You can be buried in the social workings of a Church and not have God's culture. The difference between a Church and other social structures is that God initiated it and God moves inside it's workings if God has liberty to do so.
The disciples thought that the group they were apart of was social group that formed around Jesus. But, Jesus revealed to them that it was formed by the Father.
What is a family? Is it a social group formed by people who just wanted to get together and think in similar ways and have babies? Evolutionary thinking would tell you that. No, A family is something God has made and He has a mind for it. So is a marriage. So is a Church.
God's thinking has gates and walls. Walls that preserve the sanctity of the structure and gates that allow entrances and exits to reach out of that structure. His thinking is large and broad in that is covers all of humanity and yet it is Holy and therefore specific in it's desires.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." - John 12:24-25 ESV
It is easy to love your life in a comfortable social structure and if you don't love your life to think that leaving your current structure will make it better.
Jesus had to leave the Earth for us to get it.
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." - John 16:7-11 ESV
He had to die so we would not have to die. He had to go so we do not have to. We can experience the thoughts of the Father when we no longer see Jesus as just a man and His Church as a place were people live in natural social circles.
There are plenty of dead Churches that bear the name but have no life. It is sad. But, There are also living ones where the people have been like a corn of wheat that has fallen into the ground and died in order to live in the multiplication of God's life.
"A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!" - Psalms 133:1-2 ESV
I want to use the gates God has provided.
"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." - John 10:9 ESV
I don't want to be stagnant. Missions is the way we break out of our culture and into another one. Missions abroad and missions at home. The live of faith is not natural. Going shows us that again and again.
--
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Irresistible Sharpness
"Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands," - Psalms 149:6 ESV
Would you use a two edged knife in your kitchen? I likely wouldn't. Why?
If both sides of a knife are sharp you must exert all of the pressure to cut anything from from the handle. Most kitchen knifes have a sharp side and a blunt side so that you can use your palm on the blunt side and exert pressure when needed or rock the blade quickly up and down to dice tough vegetables. Even heavy cleavers weighed to make cutting easier have a blunt back.
Two-edged swords must be extremely sharp and can only be controlled from the hilt. They can not be used to block because in order to block there must be a blunt back resting on some body part to absorb the blow.
"In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:16-18 ESV
Jesus' words are like a two-edged sword. He does not leverage them. He just speaks them and they have cutting power. His person is irresistible. The writer fell down at his feet like any man would. No one will stand against him.
"Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!" - Psalms 149:1-9 ESV
Our life of praise as we walk in grace is a two-edged sword. It speaks for itself. We don't have to leverage it with the palm of our hands. It is dangerous to try because we will cut ourselves. Grace is not a cleaver or a saw. Nor is it a defensive weapon. We block with our shield of faith. Faith can rest upon our body and absorb the forceful blows of the enemy. Our sword will only get dull if we block with it.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Notice that the verse doesn't say that the Bible is a two-edged sword... It says it is sharper than one and a two-edged sword must be very sharp indeed in order to be effective.
What words do we hold in our hands and what words proceed from our mouths? Are they grace words? Because grace needs no leverage from us. Those words go forth and do what they were meant to do.
We don't want words that hack and saw at issues wearing us down with all the effort we have to put forth. We want words that reveal the irresistible Christ. Words that have supernatural sharpness. Words that cut through cleanly and decisively. Words that cut away what needs to be discarded and dices up the rest for easy consumption.
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Would you use a two edged knife in your kitchen? I likely wouldn't. Why?
If both sides of a knife are sharp you must exert all of the pressure to cut anything from from the handle. Most kitchen knifes have a sharp side and a blunt side so that you can use your palm on the blunt side and exert pressure when needed or rock the blade quickly up and down to dice tough vegetables. Even heavy cleavers weighed to make cutting easier have a blunt back.
Two-edged swords must be extremely sharp and can only be controlled from the hilt. They can not be used to block because in order to block there must be a blunt back resting on some body part to absorb the blow.
"In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:16-18 ESV
Jesus' words are like a two-edged sword. He does not leverage them. He just speaks them and they have cutting power. His person is irresistible. The writer fell down at his feet like any man would. No one will stand against him.
"Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!" - Psalms 149:1-9 ESV
Our life of praise as we walk in grace is a two-edged sword. It speaks for itself. We don't have to leverage it with the palm of our hands. It is dangerous to try because we will cut ourselves. Grace is not a cleaver or a saw. Nor is it a defensive weapon. We block with our shield of faith. Faith can rest upon our body and absorb the forceful blows of the enemy. Our sword will only get dull if we block with it.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Notice that the verse doesn't say that the Bible is a two-edged sword... It says it is sharper than one and a two-edged sword must be very sharp indeed in order to be effective.
What words do we hold in our hands and what words proceed from our mouths? Are they grace words? Because grace needs no leverage from us. Those words go forth and do what they were meant to do.
We don't want words that hack and saw at issues wearing us down with all the effort we have to put forth. We want words that reveal the irresistible Christ. Words that have supernatural sharpness. Words that cut through cleanly and decisively. Words that cut away what needs to be discarded and dices up the rest for easy consumption.
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Tuesday, September 2, 2014
He Is Not Going To Forsake Us
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?' " - Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
This is such a beautiful thought. The phrase 'leave me nor forsake me' or slight variations of it are used again and again in the Hebrew scriptures.
Azab (Strong's H5800) Natash (H5203)
Azab is an interesting word because even though the emphasis is on the breaking of a connection, to forsake, it also implies the forming of one in the first place. In other words a taste is given or something good and then it is taken away. Promises are made and then broken
Where Natash talks about the cutting of ties, tossing something aside or being spread abroad.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
This promise given in Moses' time is reiterated to us today. God isn't making an empty promise of some grand outcome. He isn't promising us the moon and the stars (in this verse at least).. He is negating certain possible outcomes. His commitment is to tell us it won't be a certain way.
He isn't going to cut us loose or cast us aside. He isn't going to cut us off. He is in it for better or for worse.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have... So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?' " - Hebrews 13:5a & 6b ESV
Since we have this security we are not looking for it somewhere else. A God who isn't leaving also isn't going to stand by and let us drown without helping. The thing here that people will do is the thing that God says He will never do. They will cut ties and cast away relationships.
People look for security in things because they can't find it with people or fear it won't be enough and they will one day have to fend for themselves.
God was around before the world was born and endures all of the length of time into forever. He is sparkling in His eternal newness and wholeness and He isn't going anywhere. Once you know Him through the gift of His Son the ties are never cut and His memory is undimmed. He has no lapses
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV
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This is such a beautiful thought. The phrase 'leave me nor forsake me' or slight variations of it are used again and again in the Hebrew scriptures.
Azab (Strong's H5800) Natash (H5203)
Azab is an interesting word because even though the emphasis is on the breaking of a connection, to forsake, it also implies the forming of one in the first place. In other words a taste is given or something good and then it is taken away. Promises are made and then broken
Where Natash talks about the cutting of ties, tossing something aside or being spread abroad.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
This promise given in Moses' time is reiterated to us today. God isn't making an empty promise of some grand outcome. He isn't promising us the moon and the stars (in this verse at least).. He is negating certain possible outcomes. His commitment is to tell us it won't be a certain way.
He isn't going to cut us loose or cast us aside. He isn't going to cut us off. He is in it for better or for worse.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have... So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?' " - Hebrews 13:5a & 6b ESV
Since we have this security we are not looking for it somewhere else. A God who isn't leaving also isn't going to stand by and let us drown without helping. The thing here that people will do is the thing that God says He will never do. They will cut ties and cast away relationships.
People look for security in things because they can't find it with people or fear it won't be enough and they will one day have to fend for themselves.
God was around before the world was born and endures all of the length of time into forever. He is sparkling in His eternal newness and wholeness and He isn't going anywhere. Once you know Him through the gift of His Son the ties are never cut and His memory is undimmed. He has no lapses
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV
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