John's Grumpy Babtisms

"He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?' " - Luke 3:7 ESV

This kind of makes me giggle. This was John the Baptist's opening line. He didn't preach the forgiveness of sins. No. He preached that the Messiah was going to come and save people. That was his 'good news'. His baptism was a 'you all are filthy from playing in the mud. Get in this water and wash off your filth.'

Here is his advice to three groups of people. I thought of a parent trying to navigate a car and yelling at his squabbling children in the back seat.

"And the crowds asked him, 'What then shall we do?' And he answered them, 'Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.' Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?' And he said to them, 'Collect no more than you are authorized to do.' Soldiers also asked him, 'And we, what shall we do?' And he said to them, 'Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.' As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, 'I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.' So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison." - Luke 3:10-20 ESV

John's message was simple, 'Stop being jerks to one another until Messiah gets here to save you!' but people hand out the same advice today as if it has saving qualities. It doesn't. John's 'you all stink' message got him locked up in prison. He is the last prophet under the law of Moses. The law can't save anyone... even it's messenger. John died preaching his 'take a bath already' message.

I don't believe anyone in this age has a ministry like John the Baptist. We don't tell people to clean up their act because salvation is on it's way. We tell them that salvation has already come. We say that Jesus died and is risen from the grave. We preach the forgiveness of sins.

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' But Jesus answered him, 'Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he consented." - Matthew 3:13-15 ESV

I think this is the heart of why John was unwilling to baptize Jesus. Jesus didn't stink. He was the only one that didn't stink. John was well aware all that time as he was dunking others that he needed a bath also but there was no one to wash his soul on the scene yet.

Jesus is the only one who can cleanse our soul. His red blood meets our blackened heart and makes it white as snow. Moral water isn't enough. It never has been.

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The Way Of An Injured Man

I listened to a radio program (NPR - Around The Nation - An Anti-Violence Activist Shares Her Reason For Buying A Gun) yesterday and my heart broke for this woman. A good woman trying to do the right thing and have a positive impact on the world but overwhelmed by the effects her past has on her present.

It made me think of this passage.

"I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not, and on the peoples that call not on your name, for they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation." - Jeremiah 10:23-25 ESV

We see the right thing to do but often it is just past our grasp. Things have happened to us and even though we don't live in them the residue of them remains in our lives.

"A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good." - Proverbs 16:29 ESV

They say that most violence in areas with gang activity is retaliatory. Social media has amplified that cycle. People used to be able to 'talk smack' behind closed doors but now it is out there for every ego to see.

"As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"" - Luke 24:36 ESV

"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.' " - John 20:21 ESV

The way He sends us is the way of peace but that way isn't in us. It is in Him and He gives it to us.

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." - Romans 16:20 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," - Galatians 1:3 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 1:2 ESV

"Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 6:23 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:2 ESV

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 ESV

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace." - 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV

"To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." - 1 Timothy 1:2 ESV

"To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." - 2 Timothy 1:2 ESV

"To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior." - Titus 1:4 ESV

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philemon 1:3 ESV

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

"...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." - 1 Peter 1:2 ESV

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." - 2 Peter 1:2 ESV

"Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love." - 2 John 1:3 ESV

Do you see a theme here? I do. Peace comes from God through His Son. Maybe you are one of the few who have lived an injury free life and never have felt the need to lash out but this peace comes from the God-man who was mistreated more than any of us. It is a tested and proven peace that will not be overwhelmed.

"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." - John 6:53 ESV

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." - 1 John 5:12 ESV

Believe in the Son and the life of the Son will be in You. Trust in His way and study and meditate on His words and His way will become your way.

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." - Daniel 12:2-3 ESV

Choose the shining way of grace and peace. Choose the Son as Your Savior. Do it once and then let Him turn you day after day to a path you would not find yourself.

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Stumbling Blocks

Offenses. Stumbling blocks. What happens when you or i are caught off balance? There is that momentary jolt isn't there? If we catch ourselves mid fall and recover it is one thing but if we fall hard there is often injury of some kind which takes time to heal.

A couple of passages I was looking at as I considered this subject.

"SHIN. Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You." - Psalm 119:161-168 NKJV

The KJV translates verse 165 this way...

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." - Psalm 119:165 KJV

Each section of this Psalm is distinct. There is one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet and has a theme. This one is 'SHIN' (the first letter in the Hebrew word for 'Princes' (Sar - Strong's H8269)

Jesus said this next passage to John's disciples. John's life was difficult. He was in jail and would later be executed for speaking truth to power.

"And he answered them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' " - Luke 7:22-23 ESV

Has a 'prince', a person with power or influence, offended you? Has God's plan offended you?

You or i can only be offended if we stumble.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105 ESV

The lamp shows us our next steps. The light shows us a strategy for the journey.

We may have already stumbled. Maybe it is a loved one that has fallen. The pain of wound recovery is real. Instead of being bitter we can keep God's precepts (spiritual principles and dynamics) and testimonies (stories about past deliverances) in front of our faces. Grace can teach us how to walk in love and forgiveness.

Jesus is doing miracles today. I want that to be my testimony.

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Distances

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:11-12 ESV

Great promises.

'Those who fear Him' and 'us'.

We know the path of the moon and its distance but how far is the east from the west?

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Mercy For The Faulty Father

If you are a father who has messed everything up with his children... God's mercies are new every morning.

If you are a child who has been hurt by a parent... God will adopt you as His own child and be the Heavenly parent that you need.

Jesus died for deadbeat dads. Jesus was raised for children of every age.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18 ESV

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Maybe your faithfulness has been lacking. Join the club. It has millions of members.

If in humility you and i will receive mercy and forgiveness then we can have the strength to make the hard choices. If you are breathing it isn't too late to initiate a relationship or a reconciliation. Pray and show love expecting nothing in return. Pray and do it at the right time. Stay built up in God's love. It isn't too late to stop hiding.

You may get rejected but at least you can stop living like a coward and face your fear. Once the fear is faced down the power it has just drains away.

Thank God for all the wonderful fathers out there that did so much for their children. God loves them and He loves you also. If His love was based on our merit we would all be in big trouble. We are loved because of Jesus. We are reconciling because of Christ.

There is new mercy today and it is powerful. It can cleanse away the deepest stain. We have a new day with fresh opportunities.

I want that mercy. Nothing can hold me for very long because of it. Thank You God for that fresh mercy!

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Loving People Who Don't Receive Us

Reading a booklet by Dr Stevens (the Pastor who founded the ministry I am apart of) and thinking about life.

This passage comes to mind.

"Now John answered and said, 'Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.' But Jesus said to him, 'Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.' Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?' But He turned and rebuked them, and said, 'You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 'For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.' And they went to another village." - Luke 9:49-56 NKJV

Jesus is on a mission of redemption but the disciples are conditioned to label people as 'us' and 'them'.

They didn't know what kind of life source they were drawing from (spirit they were of) they had fellowship and conditioning that came from a fallen spiritual source. Anger brought them into a spiritual mob mentality.

Then we look at Jesus who is the picture of a lamb. He loved the Samaritans but if they had other plans that didn't change Jesus' mind about them nor did it change His direction. He would still go to Jerusalem but He just made a grace adjustment and moved on to a different village.

I think we have all gotten hurt because people didn't receive us for one reason or another. We have all been excluded from things but we can move on to the next thing without accusation and still love people.

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," - Philippians 2:4-5 NKJV

We can have the mind of Christ and that mind loves in maturity seeking restoration and reconciliation. Let have spiritual life from above. Let's travel with Christ and go where He goes. He went to a cross and we go to His cross and pick it up as our own. That is the place where our past died and a future was made possible. That is the place where the sins of the world were paid for and justice was satisfied. Let's go there and then we will have a capacity to love people.

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Fined But Not Condemned

"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." - Psalm 51:4 ESV

"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalm 130:3-5 ESV

King David wrote Psalm 51 and he had a confidence about God. As the king he was accountable to no human being. No one could force accountability from him but he recognized God's authority.

'Against You and You only...'

We say this also. We are accountable to people but not like this. Not on the 'sin' level. Sin is a God thing. It is a divine evaluation that God has a right to make.

Psalm 130 is a song they sang on the way to Jerusalem for the feasts and in this inspired song they say something about God's value system towards them. He values redemption highly and He isn't numbering iniquities.

We know the reason for that. Jesus is the reason. God Is holy and Jesus has already made an account for every single sin.

God has the right to call us out but because of Jesus He doesn't. We are hidden in Christ and when God looks at His Son He just isn't thinking about sin.

If a person says to us, 'You dented my car and you need to pay for it.' that is one thing. But if they start listing our sins that is another thing entirely. No one but God has that right and He doesn't do that.

As far as this goes... we are kings and queens. No one can force us to make an account or demand worship. We can be fined and even imprisoned but we can't be condemned.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28 ESV

Yes. We respect the One who can and does do this. We worship the One who has mercy on many because His Son has paid the price. We trust the One who has better things to do than to count all our failures.

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I Sat Where They Sat

"And I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were dwelling by the Chebar canal, and I sat where they were dwelling. And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days. And at the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me: 'Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.' " - Ezekiel 3:15-17 ESV

Seven often speaks of completion in the scriptures. It is full cycle of days. It was the same time that took to create the world which is amazing to think about. I know people see creation as really being an extended time frame in that order.

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." - 2 Peter 3:8 ESV

Then the evolutionist rationalizes further and stretches the thousand into millions.

The bottom line to me is that the language in Genesis is literal. The bible uses figurative language elsewhere but if we translate literal language literally the scripture often turns from a two dimensional understanding into a three dimensional one.

'Sitting seven days' speaks of full identification because the writer has seen the process of life there in Chebar. He is no tourist. He has seen people work and rest. He has seen them for a week and let's face it... most weeks look like every other week for most people.

Notice God calls Ezekiel 'Son of Man' in these passages. Jesus took that title also.

"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins - he then said to the paralytic - 'Rise, pick up your bed and go home.' And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." - Matthew 9:6-8 ESV

Ezekiel sat by a river 7 days and God made him into watchman. Jesus stayed with us as a person for 30 years. Ezekiel sat for a full cycle with a people group and God gave him a commission to warn them. Jesus was with us for a lifetime and this singular fully divine man had the authority to forgive us. Part of His forgiveness was His full identification.

I think we are limited in our ability to forgive if we have not fully identified with a person. In our wrong perceptions we forgive imaginary crimes. Until we have walked in a person's shoes how can we possibly know how they live?

We spoke to a man on outreach this weekend. He had a large half empty bottle of vodka in his front pocket. At first glance you might think that the booze was his problem but we have spoken to him before and this week he really opened up to us. He told us his wife and daughter were driving in from Virginia that Saturday night. She wanted the 'to be family again'. We said, 'That is amazing. Why don't we pray and pour the rest of that bottle out in the gutter right here. This is a wonderful chance at restoration.' But he took a few steps back and tapped the bottle saying, 'I won't lie. I'm gonna drink the rest of this. Two of my friends died this week and I'm going to a wake this afternoon.' we said, 'One of our friends died also.'

We prayed with Him and the conversation ending with him wandering away and getting involved with a young strung out girl on the street who knew him and asked him for 2 dollars to buy a hair net for a job. He wasn't ready to give that bottle up yet. He wasn't ready to be a family again. Pouring that bottle out and driving back with them was to much for him to think about. My heart breaks for him and his wife and daughter. He isn't some drunk stumbling down the street to me anymore. He has a story and I learned just a bit of it when I sat with him for a few minutes one sunny day on Eastern Avenue in Baltimore.

Jesus came to forgive sins. The Son of Man has that power. We have been commissioned also. It is a commission that brings healing for those that will receive the gift. God sent His Son to identify and pay for sin. He send us to tell people that they are forgiven. We won't know the depths of that forgiveness unless we identify also.

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When Forgiveness Is In The Past Tense

Kindness. Isn't it beautiful when people are kind to one another in difficult situations?

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV

I like that it says, 'Let no... Let all... Be kind... '

Animals can get mean when they are in pain. Why? They are protecting something.

I think as believers we talk about forgiveness a lot. I remember back when my concept of evangelical Christianity centered around televangelists shown on late night channels. It was before I was a believer. I thought all this talk of forgiveness was so overemphasized.

'These people must be very guilty if they talk about this so much.'

I don't think I was wrong either. Religion makes people feel guilty. It misses something so important in it's standards and programs.

"...as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32b ESV

Forgave is in the past tense.

Kindness is simple when forgiveness is in the past tense. What if the annoying thing is instantly past tense? What if judgement about the pain we feel is in the past tense and covered in forgiveness?

When judgement is out of the way we can live grateful to God and in fullness instead of mean and protective.

I'm not always kind. I often forget how much pain I have caused God that He has forgotten because of His Son. In my self orientation convenience becomes king and I feel entitled to lash out. But today I decide to let kindness flow through me. I decide to let God's kindness fill me until there is no room for bitterness. I decide to remember the value of people.

People need kindness. Oh, Yes they do. They need it more than they need correction. Life is going to beat people down. Our help is not needed in that area. People need the ministry of the Spirit of God. The hungry get fed when Christ is revealed. The sick get healed. The blind see. The deaf hear.

Fill us God. Open our eyes. Let judgement be in the past tense for us. We want people to see Your kindness through us. Only you can make that happen. We pray you would do that today. Surprise us today with what You can do. Give us words that feed the hungry. We ask this in the precious name of Your Son who has made forgiveness possible for us. Thank You God.

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No Familiarity With Forgiveness

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" - Hebrews 10:28-29 KJV

What an interesting passage this is to study in the Greek. I used the KJV because the language is much closer to what is being said in the Greek. One notable difference a should point out is that 'died without mercy' should be 'dies without mercy' because it is a present active indicative (the ESV translation gets this right).

What caught my eye this morning was 'despises Moses law' atheteo (Strong's G114) in the aorist tense and 'done despite unto the Spirit of Grace' enybrizo (Strong's G1796) as also in the aorist tense.

This culture knew exactly what it was to despise the law of Moses. People were aware of the law and their culture reflected it. You had to habitually ignore or rebel against it until there were two or three witnesses who saw you and were willing to testify against you to have the penalties applied to you.

This idea is brought into the idea of having reverence for the blood of Jesus Christ. If a person has a lifestyle that discounts the work of the cross and lives in the culture and enjoys the benefits of the culture but habitually ignores forgiveness then they 'insult' (aorist tense) the Spirit of Grace. If this were past tense then it would be something that happened and is over but it is aorist so it happening in time but has lasting results into the future until there are inevitable consequences. How can you insult someone who gives unmerited favor and is not performance oriented? This is the way you do it. Familiarity with the blood of Christ by acting outside forgiveness until it is apparent and witnessed by people who are so fed up that they are willing to testify against you. Wow.

Jesus is Holy. His blood is holy. We can forgive based on His blood alone. It is in truth the only basis for true forgiveness. If we base forgiveness or unforgiveness on sorrow or apology as a practice then we are careless believers. We are like an Israelite who keeps the Sabbath if it suits him but works if he feels like working. Moses law is flimsy to this man. It is just a guideline and not a boundary that must not be crossed.

I behold the cross and the now empty tomb this morning and it reinforces my resolve. Jesus' blood is holy and I can't be familiar or conditional. I don't want the Trinity to see my life and say, 'Look He doesn't care what we have done. He walks on it like dirt.'

God forbid.

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." - Hebrews 12:22-24 ESV

If the eternal blood of God was shed for people's sins then I want to hear what it is saying. It says 'forgive because I have forgiven'. Don't insult the giver. Take the gift and reverence it because it is a precious gift.

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Justified By Faith

"Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness," - Romans 4:4-5 ESV

This is a cornerstone principle. Trust is the foundation of any relationship. God is basically saying, 'Trust in Me and I will justify you.'

If our relationship with God is based on us and what we bring to the table there is no justification but if it is about who Jesus Is and what He has brought to the table then we are justified. The cross has that power like nothing else does.

If I found out a friend cheated me or betrayed my trust in some way it might damage my relationship with them but if instead I learned that a friend was speaking kindly of me to others and was helping me in ways I was not even aware of it would affect me in a much different way. God has been loving us behind our backs all along and the moment we trust Him we become connected to Him by that love.

Grace must have this element.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 ESV

The world is a hard place sometimes but is God good? Yes.

Does God care about us? Yes. He sent His Son as proof that He cares and His Son healed the rift between divinity and humanity.

Unconditional favor is not possible without this understanding. God Is holy. He does not compromise with sin. God has a method that applies favor apart from sin because the transgressions have been blotted out by Christ's blood.

Now I can look at another person and say, 'They are justified because of what Jesus has done.' Their actions are not justified but they are. It isn't what they bring to the table. It is what Jesus brought to the table.

If we think this way we can give grace because this is how the God of all grace is thinking about us.

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Jesus, Grace And The Full Reward

"And now I ask you, dear lady - not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning - that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." - 2 John 1:5-9 ESV

Notice how John warns against losing what we have worked for and not what Christ has done. All of this is said in the context of teachers and teaching. We can't lose what Christ has done but we can lose a very precious possession.

I am convinced that the full reward is a grace understanding centered on the the deity and incarnation of Christ. Anyone who undermines the incarnation is seeking to undermine the authority of grace. The word full (used in verse 8) is the Greek word Pleres (Strong's G4134). It speaks of a container that is full to the brim. That fullness displaces everything else.

Grace must displace everything else or it is not grace. God has either given it or we have earned it. There is no middle ground. If God has given it then we can't lose it. It isn't based on us in the first place.

The incarnation makes the gift possible.

Sleeping beauty stays asleep with no Messiah to wake her up. People find that fairy tale to be dated and sexist because it makes one person reliant on another but it is a perfect parallel for us. We need Messiah and if we forget Him, dilute His work or push him to the side God ceases to be 'in' what we are participating in.

I saw a couple of 'so called' christian movies this Christmas season. They mentioned god and spoke about compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption but guess who was missing? All those things are wonderful things but they are just not possible without Messiah. True forgiveness without Jesus is a fairy tale because true forgiveness needs the cross.

"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 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 4:11-12 ESV

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." - Jude 1:20-23 ESV

Yes. Don't let anyone mess with the grace framework centered on Christ Himself. Guard it. It is what will build up and reach those who doubt. It is our doorway into rest.

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The Power To Create A Name

I was thinking of those toys that make farm animal sounds. Little children learn about animals by looking at pictures and making the distinctive sound. It's a fun game and everybody gets to make silly noises while helping a child grow.

Ducks say, 'Quack. Quack.' and they are yellow. The cow says, 'Moo' and it is big and brown and white.

What about God and people and angels? What do they say and do?

The Bible tells us what God and angels do. People are funny aren't they? Barks, growls and squeaks just don't cover it do they?

"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalm 130:3-5 ESV

If God named us by our squeaks and growls we would be done and if we name each other that way we also will fall short of see a person for who they are. Sentences like, 'You always do that.' or 'Why can't you ever do this.' kill relationships one inch at a time because they tell someone a standard that they do not live up to. God is not marking those things. He couldn't have a relationship with us if He did. He Is a holy God.

Grace gives us a name that God knows. Grace makes us an object of love. We name the animals but only God can name us.

Jesus gives us a good name. If we are found to be under His covering we are called blessed. We are called righteous. He names us beloved.

People will just name what they see or don't see. Fallen angels will lie and call us something purposely wrong because they hate, fear and twist. It is their nature.

We can spend the day calling things as we see them or using the labels others have made but there is a third option. We call things as God sees them. He looks at each one as forgiven and wants cleansing to come in to wash away an old identity and replace it with one that is under the covering of His Son.

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Turning Aside

God will never be our accomplice. He won't be anyone's accomplice.

"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." - Exodus 2:11-12 ESV

"And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.' When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' " - Exodus 3:2-4 ESV

We must turn aside to meet God. Repentance is the act of turning to God and in our turn to examine the mystery of holiness we are also turning away from everything else.

It makes me think of this exchange...

"Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " - John 2:2-5 ESV

Jesus would not be Mary's accomplice and she seemed to know better then to impose her will on Him. She turned aside expressing the need she saw and God did things His way.

What a wonderful picture of what prayer can be like.

Then there is the picture of Peter denying Christ on the night of His crucifixion...

"And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, 'Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.' But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.' " - Luke 22:59-61 ESV

Jesus was in agony gazing at Peter from afar, loving Peter, but loving Him far away from Peter's sin. Jesus walked the road that would end in Him paying for all transgression. Not a sinner Himself. No never. But He became sin.

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

People may blame God for the sins of men because He forgives what no one else could forgive but His hands are clean hands.

Sin cycles can break when we turn aside.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10 ESV

We are not our sins. God does not know us after our sins. It is when we turn aside that we discover who we are. Mouthing words will not accomplish that. Only seeing Jesus makes that happen. He is the bush that burns and Is not consumed. I want people to see those flames reflected in my eyes.

This is important for us also. We need God to show us the line between advocate and accomplice so that we can remain advocates.

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Experiencing The Relationship

How easy it is for us to be isolated from the present reality of a relationship through a lack of communication.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:7-9 ESV

"For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." - Hebrews 9:13-14 ESV

Yesterday at the service by the river P Veader made a great statement when he spoke about the work of the blood of Christ cleansing us. He said in effect (I'm not quoting him directly) that we need confession because we need to experience forgiveness and forgiveness is not real to us unless we experience it.

That is so true.

" 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?"

And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.'

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching," - Matthew 7:21-28 ESV

People will know of Jesus but not know Him. We 'know of' people but don't know them but when there is communication then we can know them and have a relationship. As we live in transparency before people we extend a hand to them and relationships are possible. Sure, people can speak many words and hide their true selves. Folks do that all the time but eventually the masks fall away in the light of truth. Grace makes them obsolete. The blood of Christ nullifies the need for those defense mechanisms. The cross kills that old identity. People are raised with Christ in their experience when they participate in true fellowship.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20 ESV

I think the people were astonished because Jesus was offering them an intimacy with God that they didn't think was possible to have. There are very few people who are open enough to talk to us this way in life. They didn't expect God would be a person like that.

We can get isolated and isolation is the enemy. When things start to build up in our minds it can distort our perception of how God sees us. As far as God is concerned the blood of Christ has cleansed us from all sin. Our agreement just puts us on the same page with God in His thinking and two can't walk together unless they agree (see Amos 3:3).

As a friend we can refuse to impute sin to people. Or to put it another way we just don't put error or falling short on another person's account as a mark against them. Then in our communication we function that way. Our faith in God is on display because we trust that God has covered their sin as well as ours. We don't do this as naive people. If some one has a problem or a weakness we don't ignore it. We just don't treat them like they are their problem or focus on it as if it is associated with their identity. As we walk in the light we can have fellowship together.

I plan to walk with God today and if I fail I will confess to God that that failure is paid for. If and when others fail I will make a mental calculation that their sin is paid for also and treat them as justified people.

No isolation has to happen or be reinforced. We can be reconciled ones who have a ministry of reconciliation if we communicate in grace.

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Identifying The People

Ok. Who are the people involved in the following passage?

"Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" - 2 Corinthians 2:10-16 ESV

Paul is the writer. Then we have the people of Troas and Macedonia. Titus is mentioned. We also have Jesus (spoken of using His title as anointed Messiah) and we also have Satan.

We can visualize the groups and make sketch in our minds then draw arrows linking these people and places. We can visualize Paul (who has been given an open door) in Troas. He is preaching but he is missing Titus. He understands the dynamic of fellowship in ministry. He longs for Spirit filled comradery.

'I wish I had fellowship here.' He says, 'Wouldn't it be great if Titus was here.'

So Paul leaves Troas and goes to Macedonia and the aroma of Christ follows Paul to the next place. Fellowship has this unique smell. The message has a certain sound. Jesus is traveling with Paul. Jesus is also with Titus in a different place at the same time.

People is these place are smelling the procession. It is one smell but some get a whiff and say deep inside themselves, 'Death. That smells like my death.' and others smell life. It is like a song that they remember from long ago awakening memories and feelings that register on a barely conscious level.

Paul knows that Satan has techniques designed to hinder and destroy. Unforgiveness is one. Isolation. Doing for doing's sake is another. He is aware that there is an invisible warfare going on around him and the people he visits.

Now back to us.

Who are the people we will face today? There are ones we know about and ones we hope will show up. Satan has devices and without magnifying them we live in awareness of them.

Jesus Is here. Hallelujah! (Wow. I want to take a moment to savor that reality.)

.. Hallelujah!

... We worship You. Jesus. Our Jesus. King Jesus. The Alpha and Omega. Our Jesus.

He is here as we read. He here here as we get ready. He Is with us all day long and won't leave us. Because of that our life has a unique smell that others will respond to on an unconscious level and we are aware of that also.

Forgiveness is a big part of today's plan. Being lead and taught by God is going to happen.

We can have a prayerful preparation before we go into the day. Then we can roll with the surprises as they come. {smile}

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Blame Must Go Somewhere

God is not against us because of something we did. No matter how many times I explain this to someone it never gets old to me.

"the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:3 ESV

"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. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." - Romans 8:1-10 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation. Someone who is trusting in self can't say that. A program can't buy anyone this assurance. Only trust in Jesus gets us to the place of no condemnation. Jesus is the One who has paid for what you, I and everyone else has done.

How many people are out there feeling guilty today? How many think God is against them or has forgotten them because they couldn't measure up? The number must be staggering.

If we have not transferred blame to Jesus and 'condemned sin in the flesh' then we blame ourselves. If not our self then some one else. If we can't muster up blame for others because we see ourselves reflected in them then we blame God who we can't see.

Blame must go somewhere.

Humanism tries to move past blame through identification. It identifies with the humanity of the individual and tries to bring out the best man has to offer. It sounds noble but is fatally flawed because blame must land some where eventually and it ends up landing on those who seem to be less enlightened. Ignorance becomes the enemy.

A believer can get past blame because they bear with them the thing that has taken it away. They pick up a cross. That cross becomes a bridge over troubled waters. It becomes a door opening into everlasting acceptance. God ended our condemnation on the cross. Now we have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of.

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Thoughts From 2 Timothy Chapter Four

This morning I'm reading 2 Timothy chapter 4 again and again. It appears this is the Apostle Paul's last book and chapter 4 is the last chapter of the book. Paul is wrapping things up. For a man who 'forgets those things that are behind' he recounts a great deal of pain and love.

"For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message." - 2 Timothy 4:10-15 ESV

Even in this last chapter of his life Paul is suffering because of mistreatment and separation.

The last few days my mind has been flooded with faces and names of people. I have struggled with giving myself grace for not being able to put a name to a face I am praying for.

At times like this I am very aware of secret pain. People have it. I have had it and I'm sure there is more coming. I was crippled emotionally by pain before I believed in God. Then after God converted me and began the healing process I was hurt again and many times since. I have been hurt in His house and out if it. Patches of my hair has temporarily turned white with grief to the point where even though I believed in God there have been times when I could not imagine ever being truly whole and happy again.

I am happy now and I have no bitterness. Memory... Yes. Blame... No. That in itself is miraculous. At the same time I understand why people are bitter and marvel at the depth of what different people go through.

Over time God has given me ways to process pain. I never hurt alone nor do I desire to push away other people's pain the way I used to. God has become my burden bearer. My arms tire from handing Him things but I am learning not to carry them myself for very long. I identify very strongly with Paul. He is not claiming mastery over these very human issues. He is expressing a believable hope as a little person with real needs.

Paul says...

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV

Anyone who has ever 'loved His appearing' will one day be satisfied. There will be a grand reunion.

I think of Timothy learning of Paul's death and then at some point pulling this letter out of a drawer and realizing that it was the last one. No more new guidance was coming to him from that man he loved so dearly. Pain mingled with love. Memory. How many times did Timothy read this letter? How many times have believers reread it?

Paul walked with God and finished his course well. He didn't spend his life safely insulating himself from potentially painful situations. He walked with God and knew he had a crown waiting. Timothy remembered Paul and continued in his call having had an example of endurance in his life.

God, Help us to be mindful of each other. We can't wait to see you. Until then we want to live our lives fully casting down anything that would cause us to be bitter. There are many chapters left to be written. We want them to be filled with faith and freshness. Today we are not as naive as we have been before. Today we ask you fill us with hope and childlike faith for what can be if as believers we will only believe.

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Power Present To Heal

When Jesus came into a room the power was present to heal.

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them." - Luke 5:15-17 KJV

Here is a great quote (I added the Strong's numbers):

'A tremendous process of healing is available to us, expressed by the various Greek words used for 'power' in Ephesians 1:19-21: God gives us His dunamis (Strong's G1411) - that is, His inherent ability because of who He is. Energeia (G1753) is the operation of God’s power in its proper place. Ischus (G2479) and kratos (G2904) work together to manifest that ability toward us. Then, in faith, believing, we choose to operate through His power in our frame of reference. Thus, we experience divine deliverance based on kuriotes (G2963) - Christ’s dominion over all things.' - P Carl Stevens

There is one more word for power not mentioned here, exousia (G1849), and it is the power of authority.

Dunamis is the word used in Luke 5:17. Jesus healed because of His nature. Virtue flowed out of Him. The verses that follow are amazing.

"And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day." - Luke 5:18-26 KJV

In a way what the Pharisees said was true. Who can forgive sins? Who has that ability? Who has that right? Jesus did because of what He was about to do. He was going to go to the cross. His victory was present in His life before the event even happened in time.

Which is easier? Both are impossible for a fallen person. When we come under His covering we have the power to think with God. The Holy Spirit that has made our human spirit alive brings us into a divine dynamic.

Healing is waiting right there behind forgiveness. Jesus used healing to showcase God's forgiveness.

Healing is a sovereign thing. God's has a time and place in His plan for such things. But when we walk into a room forgiveness walks in with us and people may well see some 'strange things' when that forgiveness is showcased.

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Where God Walks

God's forgiveness has all the qualities of 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV

"He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." - Micah 7:19 ESV

I like that the verse in Micah treats sin as if it is an object outside of us. It is something God handles and moves around. It is something heavy that sinks when He casts it into the sea.

Our sin is so heavy and God removes it from us but His love is so light.

"Let us go out early to the vineyards and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love." - Song of Songs 7:12 ESV

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." - 1 John 3:1 ESV

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." - Proverbs 10:12 ESV

His love is like a crisp warm bed sheet that settles down over someone and covers them.

"Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness." - Genesis 9:23 ESV

This is how God is loving us. I am amazed by that.

God is so honorable. He will never mention our sins. As far as He is concerned they are gone. He came in backwards and took them away from us because He loves us.

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." - Colossians 3:3 ESV

We live a life of favor because we are hidden in the life of His Son. He didn't sink into the sea... He walked on it.

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