Here are a couple of quotes from a book that changed my life.
"The privilege of actually smoking cigarettes was reserved for the Capo, who had his assured quota of weekly coupons; or possibly for a prisoner who worked as a foreman in a warehouse or workshop and received a few cigarettes in exchange for doing dangerous jobs. The only exceptions to this were those who had lost the will to live and wanted to 'enjoy' their last days. Thus, when we saw a comrade smoking his own cigarettes, we knew he had given up faith in his strength to carry on, and, once lost, the will to live seldom returned." -Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
"One day, a few days after the liberation, I walked through the country past flowering meadows, for miles and miles, toward the market town near the camp. Larks rose to the sky and I could hear their joyous song. There was no one to be seen for miles around; there was nothing but the wide earth and sky and the larks' jubilation and the freedom of space. I stopped, looked around, and up to the sky - and then I went down on my knees. At that moment there was very little I knew of myself or of the world - I had but one sentence in mind - always the same: 'I called to the Lord from my narrow prison and He answered me in the freedom of space.' How long I knelt there and repeated this sentence memory can no longer recall. But I know that on that day, in that hour, my new life started. Step for step I progressed, until I again became a human being." -Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
As you can see it is not light reading. It is a book that helped me connect some of the dots between the roles of purpose and pleasure in my life. Here is the verse Frankl quotes in the verse above in context.
"Oh let the house of Aaron say, 'His lovingkindness is everlasting.' Oh let those who fear the LORD say, 'His lovingkindness is everlasting.' From my distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?" - Psalms 118:3-6 NASB
As free people opportunities for pleasure are all around us but what is the role of pleasure... the pursuit of pleasure... are we 'smoking our own cigarettes'... has pleasure ceased to be currency just because I am free? I don't think it has.
Don't get me wrong I'm not an ascetic who spurs pleasure in favor of discipline. I just see the link between pleasure for pleasures sake and hopelessness.
Grace is a wide open field filled with pleasure and freedom.
I think love is linked to this whole idea also. I think we can confuse love and lust very easily. We can enjoy the feeling of caring about someone but never bring God into the center of the relationship. Our love is really a 'smoking our own cigarettes' kind of love.
In grace we find a 'What can man do to me?' kind of love that is extremely pleasurable because it is based in a 'His lovingkindness is everlasting.' perspective. The great commandment and the great commission are based in this kind of love.
Towards the end of the book Frankl talks about the disillusionment of survivors. They may have survived the imprisonment only to find out that the thing that kept them going no longer existed. The town, the wife or the life they had was wiped away. He said that was harder on people then the suffering of imprisonment.
Grace never leaves us disillusioned.
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean... So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." - Romans 14:14, 16-18 ESV
Peace and joy are not situational. Man can not give them or take them away. They are conditions linked to a grace based righteousness that is spirit and communion oriented.
As a free person... How will I find my pleasure? How will I spend my pleasure? This coming weekend leaves open several options. God is not pleased by the asceticism of duty. He is pleased by faith.
God, Guide us into the wide open space. We want to spend the weekend in the wide open spaces.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
It Is Finished - Part 14
"And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so. ... And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds - livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so." Genesis 1:11, 24 ESV
If 'like begets like' what does the finished work produce?
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV
Why do we not regard Christ, a perfect person, after the flesh? I always thought this was an interesting idea. I think it is the same reason the Israelite's were not to make graven images of God. Any image would fall short of perfection. Jesus is not just the image he bore on the Earth. Men got glimpses of His glory before the cross. He dwells in that glory now. We are not to confine our imagination to the flesh. We see by faith with grace as our lens.
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:29-31 ESV
One bit of a fruit brought ruin to the human race. Things have been decaying ever since. One bite of 'It is Finished' brings a newness that will continue to spread through a person. It will overtake creation and one day death will be swallowed up in victory. The last inch of desert will bloom.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." Colossians 3:9-10 ESV
Natural plants and creatures replicate using seed or cells split imparting the nature to a new version of itself. God creatures using words. Words uncover reality. God's words create reality. His words are seeds and the light that every seed needs.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV
People are so different from each other. Every one carries their own history and unique fingerprint. Grace produces the same kind of newness in each person without destroying their uniqueness.
We speak finished work words by faith. When we do it our mouth is in agreement with Heaven's decree. We bind and loose in a powerful reproductive way. Living in grace and love sets the stage for a glimpse of Christ that will transform.
If 'like begets like' what does the finished work produce?
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV
Why do we not regard Christ, a perfect person, after the flesh? I always thought this was an interesting idea. I think it is the same reason the Israelite's were not to make graven images of God. Any image would fall short of perfection. Jesus is not just the image he bore on the Earth. Men got glimpses of His glory before the cross. He dwells in that glory now. We are not to confine our imagination to the flesh. We see by faith with grace as our lens.
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:29-31 ESV
One bit of a fruit brought ruin to the human race. Things have been decaying ever since. One bite of 'It is Finished' brings a newness that will continue to spread through a person. It will overtake creation and one day death will be swallowed up in victory. The last inch of desert will bloom.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." Colossians 3:9-10 ESV
Natural plants and creatures replicate using seed or cells split imparting the nature to a new version of itself. God creatures using words. Words uncover reality. God's words create reality. His words are seeds and the light that every seed needs.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV
People are so different from each other. Every one carries their own history and unique fingerprint. Grace produces the same kind of newness in each person without destroying their uniqueness.
We speak finished work words by faith. When we do it our mouth is in agreement with Heaven's decree. We bind and loose in a powerful reproductive way. Living in grace and love sets the stage for a glimpse of Christ that will transform.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
It Is Finished - Part 13
Can a man lay his hands on another man and bless that man as was done in the Hebrew scriptures? It seems that Christ's finished work includes a wrapping up of blessings and the power to bless into Christ.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff... And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Hebrews 11:20-21, 39-40 NKJV
Can a father or mother bless their children. Yes. If a father says to his son, 'I am proud of you. You will be a fine strong man someday.' that is a blessing. Not a blessing like the Hebrew scriptures speaks of but a blessing for sure. Fathers have that power.
Jacob however put his hands on each of Joseph's son and said words that had spiritual power. They had that power because of Christ and what Christ would soon do.
"For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." Hebrews 6:7-8 ESV
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness." Acts 3:26 ESV
God sent Christ to rain grace upon you and water the Gospel of Grace like rain waters a seed. Is there ground that receives that seed? Is so it grows and the blessing that is in Christ is manifested.
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:15-16 KJV
Oh yes He did! He still does every day. He has that power. Our words and our hands bring people to Him and He swoops them up into His arms. He puts His hands on their heads. He blesses them.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3 KJV
God has blessed us. He has blessed us in Christ.
Here are two great sets of verses:
"but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?" James 3:8-11 ESV
"So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:21-24 ESV
I used to think the verse in James meant that blessing was the right thing and cursing was the wrong thing. I should bless instead. Likewise I used to think the verse in Romans talked about being good and the hindrances that we have that need to be overcome.
One uses words and the other actions. If I try to bless I fail. If I try to be good I fail. That whole system needs to be junked. A finished work economy wraps it all up in Jesus. My words and actions must all point to Him and be sourced in Him. Everything else is corrupt communication.
Jesus sent His disciples and we are sent ones also.
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'
I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town." Luke 10:1-12 ESV
It is finished. All blessing sits at the right hand of the father. The power to send is the power to bless. The power to speak about grace that brings a blessing is our power. We don't need to be blessed. If we have received the message and the messenger then we are blessed.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff... And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Hebrews 11:20-21, 39-40 NKJV
Can a father or mother bless their children. Yes. If a father says to his son, 'I am proud of you. You will be a fine strong man someday.' that is a blessing. Not a blessing like the Hebrew scriptures speaks of but a blessing for sure. Fathers have that power.
Jacob however put his hands on each of Joseph's son and said words that had spiritual power. They had that power because of Christ and what Christ would soon do.
"For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." Hebrews 6:7-8 ESV
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness." Acts 3:26 ESV
God sent Christ to rain grace upon you and water the Gospel of Grace like rain waters a seed. Is there ground that receives that seed? Is so it grows and the blessing that is in Christ is manifested.
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:15-16 KJV
Oh yes He did! He still does every day. He has that power. Our words and our hands bring people to Him and He swoops them up into His arms. He puts His hands on their heads. He blesses them.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3 KJV
God has blessed us. He has blessed us in Christ.
Here are two great sets of verses:
"but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?" James 3:8-11 ESV
"So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:21-24 ESV
I used to think the verse in James meant that blessing was the right thing and cursing was the wrong thing. I should bless instead. Likewise I used to think the verse in Romans talked about being good and the hindrances that we have that need to be overcome.
One uses words and the other actions. If I try to bless I fail. If I try to be good I fail. That whole system needs to be junked. A finished work economy wraps it all up in Jesus. My words and actions must all point to Him and be sourced in Him. Everything else is corrupt communication.
Jesus sent His disciples and we are sent ones also.
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'
I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town." Luke 10:1-12 ESV
It is finished. All blessing sits at the right hand of the father. The power to send is the power to bless. The power to speak about grace that brings a blessing is our power. We don't need to be blessed. If we have received the message and the messenger then we are blessed.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
It Is Finished - Part 12
When Jesus finished the work He set in motion a permanent change in spiritual leadership.
Whenever leadership switches hands there are changes of some kind. Authority flows from the top down and the tone and philosophy of the leader will trickle down and affect every part of what is submitted under that leadership in some way or another. If that leadership is good then reform happens with resistance. If bad then erosion happens with resistance.
"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Psalms 2:7-8 KJV
If we look carefully at this passage (quoted in part in Hebrew 1:5) we see that this is not talking about the incarnation (Jesus' Earthly birth) but His session (Jesus' ascension to the throne).
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV
The first Adam, a creation, was passed by and a second man was given a place on the throne. This man was not created. We see the blessing of the first born being given to the second son again and again in the Hebrew scriptures (Jacob is blessed instead of Esau).
The moment Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father new policies were put in place for everyone under that new leadership. Grace was always God's policy but it was not Adam's policy. Adam was alienated from God. It is Jesus' policy. Now God and man are of the same mind and a man sits on a throne in Heaven.
"David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.' ' " Mark 12:36 ESV
The policy maker is in place. Now His policy is reaching into all the places were He has been given authority and there is resistance.
"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 ESV
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues' " Mark 16:15-17 ESV
Leadership has changed hands. Adam is no longer in charge. He was given dominion but like Ahab he was a fallen man with evil influences. He is overruled now by a higher authority. Adam never sat on the throne that Jesus sits on. No one else ever has.
No matter what Earthly administration we may fall under. Over the last 2,000 years believers have found themselves in every variety and strange combination. If we are in reform or decline... friendly or hostile... God is our King and we are His ambassadors on the Earth.
An ambassador has the power of delegated authority. That is the power we use in warfare and what makes us salt and light in any place we are assigned to.
Whenever leadership switches hands there are changes of some kind. Authority flows from the top down and the tone and philosophy of the leader will trickle down and affect every part of what is submitted under that leadership in some way or another. If that leadership is good then reform happens with resistance. If bad then erosion happens with resistance.
"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Psalms 2:7-8 KJV
If we look carefully at this passage (quoted in part in Hebrew 1:5) we see that this is not talking about the incarnation (Jesus' Earthly birth) but His session (Jesus' ascension to the throne).
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV
The first Adam, a creation, was passed by and a second man was given a place on the throne. This man was not created. We see the blessing of the first born being given to the second son again and again in the Hebrew scriptures (Jacob is blessed instead of Esau).
The moment Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father new policies were put in place for everyone under that new leadership. Grace was always God's policy but it was not Adam's policy. Adam was alienated from God. It is Jesus' policy. Now God and man are of the same mind and a man sits on a throne in Heaven.
"David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.' ' " Mark 12:36 ESV
The policy maker is in place. Now His policy is reaching into all the places were He has been given authority and there is resistance.
"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 ESV
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues' " Mark 16:15-17 ESV
Leadership has changed hands. Adam is no longer in charge. He was given dominion but like Ahab he was a fallen man with evil influences. He is overruled now by a higher authority. Adam never sat on the throne that Jesus sits on. No one else ever has.
No matter what Earthly administration we may fall under. Over the last 2,000 years believers have found themselves in every variety and strange combination. If we are in reform or decline... friendly or hostile... God is our King and we are His ambassadors on the Earth.
An ambassador has the power of delegated authority. That is the power we use in warfare and what makes us salt and light in any place we are assigned to.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
It Is Finished - Part 11
Spiritual warfare and the finished work of Christ is a great subject.
'Get thee behind me Satan.' is a phrase an individual may utter all the time or one that they never utter at all. Perhaps that depends on what teachers they have had or books they have read. Is there a devil under every rock and misfortune or is it all people and events? Where is the battle and who are we resisting?
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." Colossians 2:13-15 ESV
I love this verse. The invisible enemy becomes visible right here. A decisive victory is won. The decisive one. When they nailed Jesus' hands and feet to that tree they also nailed the kingdom of darkness' principle weapon there also... condemnation... Christ came off the tree and lives... condemnation never did... those papers are pierced and blood stained... ruined forever.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV
Yes. Every thought that is raised up to obscure or contradict the knowledge of God is a thought that must be cast down. Every thought that contradicts what Christ has accomplished should have a boot firmly planted on it's neck pinning it to the ground where it belongs. Simple really... if we see what needs to be done.
The first step in warfare is to discern that an attack it is happening.
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.' " Revelation 12:10-11 NKJV
The war is over. We see the future victory here in the book of Revelation. A mighty dark tree falls and crashes to the ground. Hell will be the final destination for these false rulers and authorities. They have been spoiled completely at the cross.
That victory is not seen in time yet but these invisible foes leave foot prints that can be seen... condemnation. The finished work gives us night vision. Grace opens our eyes. We see those glowing foot steps a mile away. Those dirty birds need never make a nest near us or in our thinking.
How did those Revelation Saints overcome?... 'by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death'... that is our victory as well.
Sandwiched between the blood of Christ, a physical gift of grace, and selfless abandon, a result of grace, are words backed by thoughts... words that tell a victorious personal story of grace... those words have power in the context of the finished work of Christ. Those words are filled with light that dispels darkness.
'Get thee behind me Satan.' is a phrase an individual may utter all the time or one that they never utter at all. Perhaps that depends on what teachers they have had or books they have read. Is there a devil under every rock and misfortune or is it all people and events? Where is the battle and who are we resisting?
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." Colossians 2:13-15 ESV
I love this verse. The invisible enemy becomes visible right here. A decisive victory is won. The decisive one. When they nailed Jesus' hands and feet to that tree they also nailed the kingdom of darkness' principle weapon there also... condemnation... Christ came off the tree and lives... condemnation never did... those papers are pierced and blood stained... ruined forever.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV
Yes. Every thought that is raised up to obscure or contradict the knowledge of God is a thought that must be cast down. Every thought that contradicts what Christ has accomplished should have a boot firmly planted on it's neck pinning it to the ground where it belongs. Simple really... if we see what needs to be done.
The first step in warfare is to discern that an attack it is happening.
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.' " Revelation 12:10-11 NKJV
The war is over. We see the future victory here in the book of Revelation. A mighty dark tree falls and crashes to the ground. Hell will be the final destination for these false rulers and authorities. They have been spoiled completely at the cross.
That victory is not seen in time yet but these invisible foes leave foot prints that can be seen... condemnation. The finished work gives us night vision. Grace opens our eyes. We see those glowing foot steps a mile away. Those dirty birds need never make a nest near us or in our thinking.
How did those Revelation Saints overcome?... 'by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death'... that is our victory as well.
Sandwiched between the blood of Christ, a physical gift of grace, and selfless abandon, a result of grace, are words backed by thoughts... words that tell a victorious personal story of grace... those words have power in the context of the finished work of Christ. Those words are filled with light that dispels darkness.
Monday, December 2, 2013
It Is Finished - Part 10
The cross exposes the natural man. Jesus finished that work also on the cross. He proved that independence apart from God not only makes men dangerous to themselves but dangerous to all things that are holy.
"'You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.'
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'
But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him." Acts 7:51-57 ESV
People have wrongly used the cross as a weapon against the Jewish people to justify antisemitism. God used it as a tool to expose the the whole human race.
"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." Romans 8:6-7 ESV
The law exposed the results of the fall but the cross was the ultimate exposing act. Fallen man not only would murder God if he could... he did murder God when given the chance.
"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:12-17 ESV
We are reborn as heirs. We are no longer debtors. Now we are heirs. The Spirit bears witness to that fact.
"Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.' " Psalms 40:7-8 ESV
The Spirit bears witness to our relationship but we will always need objective truth to guide us. Jesus came in the book but the book was in Him also.
"For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth." Psalms 44:25 KJV
You may have noticed that many born again people believe some very strange things. Lineage does not automatically create wisdom. We need objective truth that the Spirit gives a witness to and uses to teach us. The letter can be dead with out the Spirit but the Word of God made alive by the Spirit of God produces miraculous results.
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:7-14 NKJV
The cross has taught me that I can not be trusted to function on my own. I still can not understand my own errors. I need light and the Bible serves that purpose.
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:33 KJV
Jacob was a deceiver. God reigns over a household of deceivers. He has remade the whole human race as a potter remakes a broken pot. Humanity was condemned but God has remade a remnant for Himself.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 KJV
This Monday morning I need grace and truth and by God's grace I have both things. I have a bible in my hands that is being hidden line by line in my heart and I have a Savior. They seem separate but they are one. I will never outgrow either of them.
"'You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.'
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'
But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him." Acts 7:51-57 ESV
People have wrongly used the cross as a weapon against the Jewish people to justify antisemitism. God used it as a tool to expose the the whole human race.
"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." Romans 8:6-7 ESV
The law exposed the results of the fall but the cross was the ultimate exposing act. Fallen man not only would murder God if he could... he did murder God when given the chance.
"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:12-17 ESV
We are reborn as heirs. We are no longer debtors. Now we are heirs. The Spirit bears witness to that fact.
"Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.' " Psalms 40:7-8 ESV
The Spirit bears witness to our relationship but we will always need objective truth to guide us. Jesus came in the book but the book was in Him also.
"For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth." Psalms 44:25 KJV
You may have noticed that many born again people believe some very strange things. Lineage does not automatically create wisdom. We need objective truth that the Spirit gives a witness to and uses to teach us. The letter can be dead with out the Spirit but the Word of God made alive by the Spirit of God produces miraculous results.
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:7-14 NKJV
The cross has taught me that I can not be trusted to function on my own. I still can not understand my own errors. I need light and the Bible serves that purpose.
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:33 KJV
Jacob was a deceiver. God reigns over a household of deceivers. He has remade the whole human race as a potter remakes a broken pot. Humanity was condemned but God has remade a remnant for Himself.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 KJV
This Monday morning I need grace and truth and by God's grace I have both things. I have a bible in my hands that is being hidden line by line in my heart and I have a Savior. They seem separate but they are one. I will never outgrow either of them.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Spiraling Through Circumstances
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" 1 Peter 5:6 ESV
Humility spirals us through circumstances. When we come under God's might by faith as an overcomer then God shows us Christ's eternal victory in time and space.
Receiving grace is the victory. We come under then God catapults us above the situation where our minds are fixed on the 'above things' that are Heavenly.
As the stones were hitting Steven God was spiraling him into the Heavens (see Acts 7:59f). Steven saw Jesus standing up and forgave those that were hurting him. Steven had great grace for what was happening.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 ESV
Am I small and light enough to come under and be spiraled upward? Perhaps eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has made me high minded and heavy. All that judgement makes me a big, important but Earth bound man (or woman).
"But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Corinthians 15:46-50 ESV
If justice is not already satisfied then my mind is weighed down by that dilemma. Natural evaluation is going to anchor us in the dust. Jesus is the second man. When we are born of the Spirit and walk in the Spirit we live in the realm of Grace and Truth.
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." - Psalms 85:10-11 KJV
The Cross is where all justice is satisfied. It has removed what was tethering us to the Earth. When justice is satisfied Grace can lighten our load. We are buoyant and not tied down by the dust. God's Love received puts us in a place where God can exalt us if He chooses to.
Humility spirals us through circumstances. When we come under God's might by faith as an overcomer then God shows us Christ's eternal victory in time and space.
Receiving grace is the victory. We come under then God catapults us above the situation where our minds are fixed on the 'above things' that are Heavenly.
As the stones were hitting Steven God was spiraling him into the Heavens (see Acts 7:59f). Steven saw Jesus standing up and forgave those that were hurting him. Steven had great grace for what was happening.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 ESV
Am I small and light enough to come under and be spiraled upward? Perhaps eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has made me high minded and heavy. All that judgement makes me a big, important but Earth bound man (or woman).
"But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Corinthians 15:46-50 ESV
If justice is not already satisfied then my mind is weighed down by that dilemma. Natural evaluation is going to anchor us in the dust. Jesus is the second man. When we are born of the Spirit and walk in the Spirit we live in the realm of Grace and Truth.
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." - Psalms 85:10-11 KJV
The Cross is where all justice is satisfied. It has removed what was tethering us to the Earth. When justice is satisfied Grace can lighten our load. We are buoyant and not tied down by the dust. God's Love received puts us in a place where God can exalt us if He chooses to.
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