Ears to Hear

Saturday, January 30, 2016, 7:38 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Give God the Glory.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Mark 4:1-20 (ESV).

The Parable (vv. 1-9)

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Ears to Hear (vv. 10-12)

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that

“they may indeed see but not perceive,

    and may indeed hear but not understand,

lest they should turn and be forgiven.”

Jesus spoke in parables as a way of separating those whose hearts were receptive to his teaching from those who were intolerant of his words and who scorned his words. Those who desired to learn more from the Lord, and to understand the truths of God’s word, upon hearing the parables, would be drawn to inquire of the Lord and to seek him out for understanding. They would desire to learn from him that they might take to heart his word and apply its truths to their hearts and lives.

Nonetheless, for those folks who were not inclined to take to heart his words, to listen to them, and to obey them, the parables would mean nothing to them, or they would have no effect on their lives, for those people were dull of hearing, and their spiritual eyes were blinded to the truth of what Jesus was teaching.

Yet, for all who truly listen with ears receptive to God’s Word, with hearts willing to learn and to understand, and who desire to have spiritual sight, because the Father has drawn them to Christ, they will have their hearts turned from darkness (sin) to the light (the gospel of salvation), and from the power of Satan over their lives to God, to walk in his ways and in his holiness. They will receive forgiveness of their sins, and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives (See: Ac. 26:16-18; cf. Ro. 6:1-23; 8:1-14; Eph. 4:17-24).

The Word is Sown (vv. 13-20)

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

I believe there are four types of responses to the gospel of Jesus Christ which this passage of scripture depicts for us here. I also believe that all four of these responses to the gospel message exist within people who gather regularly together for what we call “church,” i.e. they meet weekly together for the purpose of worship of God, Bible study, prayer and fellowship. The first response is from people who hear the preaching of the gospel, but immediately Satan snatches the truth from their hearts, so they never do believe in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of their lives. They are what we call “unbelievers.”

The second heart response to the gospel of Jesus Christ is to initially receive it with joy and enthusiasm. The problem with this heart response, though, is that the gospel never takes root in their lives. This could be because what they heard was not the true gospel, but was a watered down version that told them they did not have to turn from their sins, and that they did not have to obey the Lord, and that salvation merely meant an escape from hell and the promise of heaven when they die. Or, it could be that they did hear the true gospel, but a true heart transformation never took place because they only accepted the parts that they liked, but they still continued to operate in the flesh. Either way, their profession of Christ was surface only, and so when things got tough, they fell away.

The third type of heart response, I believe, is from those who genuinely trust in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of their lives. Yet, over time, the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of worldly things begin to creep into their hearts and steal away their pure devotion to their Lord. Time spent in the Word and in prayer begins to dwindle, and more and more of the world begins to take priority in their lives, such as TV shows, movies, video games, the internet, social media, sports, careers, entertainment, and possessions, etc. So, they become unfruitful in their Christian lives, in their testimonies and witness for Jesus Christ, and in their spiritual service to their Lord, in walking in his ways, and in doing what he says to do. They are still Christians, but they are in great need of revival.

The fourth type of heart response to the gospel is also from those who genuinely trust in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of their lives, who have a spiritual transformation of the Spirit of God in their lives, and who have died with Christ to sin, and who have been resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). They walk in the Spirit and no longer according to the flesh. They desire what God desires, and they live to please him in all that they do and say. They are not perfect people, i.e. they do not live in sinless perfection (See: 1 Jn. 2:1), but they walk by the Light of truth and no longer in the darkness – all in the power and working of the Holy Spirit within them who empowers, strengthens, leads and guides them in the way they should go. They do not resist the Spirit, but they yield to the Spirit’s control. And, so the Spirit of God is able to produce within them much fruit for God’s eternal kingdom.

The Call

God is calling out to the people of this world and to those who make a profession only of the name of Jesus Christ to come to genuine faith in Jesus Christ, to die with Christ to sin, and to live with Christ to righteousness. This is the essence of the gospel, for Jesus Christ did not die just so we could escape hell and go to heaven when we die. He died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave himself up for us. He died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The Christian life is a crucified life; a life committed to Christ to walk in his ways and in his truth.

God is also calling out to those who are his children by faith in Jesus Christ, but who have strayed from their pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and who have allowed the world to creep back into their lives. He is calling them to repent of their sins, and to turn back to him to walk in his ways and in his truth (See: Rev. 2-3). He wants to revive your hearts, and to restore you to pure unadulterated fellowship with him. He does not want you to have divided hearts, but to give him your whole hearts and devotion, so that you might bear fruit for his kingdom and for his glory. So, will you hear him calling, and answer his call today?

Give God the Glory / An Original Work

Based off Psalm 19 / March 10, 2014

All of creation now proclaims:

“Give God the glory; honor His name!”

Each day the stars in heav’n above

Show forth His wisdom; tell of His love.

They do not speak. They have no voice.

Yet, they declare we have a choice:

“Worship the God of heav’n above;

Believe in Jesus; trust in His love.”

God’s word is perfect, just and good,

Refreshing souls who trust in the Lord;

Makes wise the simple; radiant -

Lighting our lives with God’s righteousness.

Joy to the heart His words now speak;

Pure and enduring, now we seek.

They are more precious than our gold;

Sweeter than honey; never grow old.

Keeping the word brings great reward.

By the word Jesus speaks and He warns,

Convicting hearts of all their sin;

Forgiving all who call upon Him.

Praying You keep me, Lord, from sins.

May they not rule my life again.

Then will I walk in all Your ways,

Following Jesus all of my days.

https://vimeo.com/88900305

Come to Jesus

Friday, January 29, 2016, 4:55 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Give Me Jesus.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Mark 1:35-2:17 (Select vv. NASB).

He Preached (Mk. 1:35-39)

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Jesus Christ, God the Son, the second person of our triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - left his throne in heaven, came to earth, took on human form, and walked this earth as fully God yet fully man. He suffered like we suffer, and was tempted in like manner as we are also tempted, yet without sin. When he began his earthly ministry, he preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God in heaven. He confronted sin in sinful human beings, warned of judgment to come, called people to repentance and to faith in him, and promised eternal life with God in heaven for all who repent and believe.

Jesus said this was the reason he came, to preach. So, what did he preach? He preached that we are blessed if we are humble, repentant, merciful and pure in heart; when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; and when we hunger and thirst for righteousness. He preached against such sins as murder, adultery, divorce (except for marital unfaithfulness), revenge and hate. He encouraged compassion, forgiveness, mercy and generosity. He taught his followers how to pray, and he warned against religious hypocrisy. As well, he taught that we should not worry, but that we should trust in him to supply all we need. He counseled his followers against hypocritical judging, and encouraged praying in faith. And, he continually preached the gospel of our salvation and so much more (See: Matt. 5-7).

So, what was the gospel he taught? He said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. He said that the path which leads to life (in him) is narrow and few find it. As well, he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And, he taught that not only must we hear his words, but we must put them into practice, for then we are like a wise man who built his house on a rock, and when the storm came, his house did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock (See: Matt. 7; Lu. 9).

In other words, the gospel Jesus taught was one of death to sin and self, following him in obedience and full surrender, and putting into practice what the Word says, doing God’s will. The NT apostles preached the same message for salvation. Peter said that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. This is the essence of the gospel.

He Has Compassion (Mk. 1:40-42)

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Not only did Jesus preach the gospel of our salvation from sin, but he healed the sick and afflicted, raised the dead, delivered from demons, comforted the sorrowful, and he encouraged the weak and the timid. Jesus Christ is God, full of compassion, mercy, tenderness, and kindness. He cares about our needs and our hurts. He is our healer and our comforter, if we call on him in faith. He encourages us when we are down, or when we are lacking in strength or courage. He then lifts us up by speaking truth into our hearts. He calms our fears, fills us with his peace, and he heals our hurts. He is the one who made us, so he knows all about us. Nothing that goes on in our lives escapes his notice. We are not forgotten by God, no matter what we are going through. He loves and he cares about us.

He Forgives Sins (Mk. 2:9-12)

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Jesus Christ, when he died on the cross for our sins, took upon himself the sins of the entire world. When he died, our sins died with him and were buried with him, and when he was resurrected from the dead, he rose victorious over sin, hell, Satan and death. By his grace, through faith in him, we can be forgiven our sins, delivered both from the penalty of sin (eternal damnation) and from slavery to sin, and be set free to now come under the control of his righteousness, and to have the promise of eternal life with God. God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Co. 5:21). By his stripes we are healed.

Jesus Christ cleanses our hearts from sin when we respond to the gospel in faith, and in the power of the Spirit working within us in spiritual transformation we die with Christ to sin, and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Coming to faith in Jesus Christ is not an intellectual assent to what he did for us in dying for our sins. It is not an emotional decision we make at an altar to invite Christ into our hearts. Jesus said we must be “born again,” or “born from above.” In other words, becoming a Christian is like going from a caterpillar to a butterfly. It is a metamorphosis. We no longer walk according to our sinful flesh, but we now walk (conduct our lives) according to the Spirit. If we walk according to the flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live.

He Calls Sinners (Mk. 2:15-17)

And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus does not accept us because of our own righteousness. We can do nothing to earn or to deserve our own salvation. No amount of good works we might do can get us into heaven. Our good will never outweigh our bad. When we are born into this world, we are born with sin natures, destined for hell, without God and without hope. We do not have the ability to affect our own salvation. Only by God’s grace, because of Jesus’ blood sacrifice for our sins, can we be forgiven our sin, be set free from slavery to sin, and be given new lives in Christ to be lived in the Spirit in Christ’s righteousness and holiness.

Yet, we must believe in him in order to be saved. Only those who acknowledge that they are sinners and that they need a Savior are in the right frame of mind and heart to receive God’s free gift of salvation. If we are filled with self-righteousness, we will never see our need of Christ and of his salvation. We must humble ourselves before God, repent of our sins, believe in what he did for us on the cross in dying for our sin, and turn to follow him with our lives in obedience to his Word and to his will for our lives. This is why Jesus died, not just to deliver us out of hell and to promise us heaven when we die, but to set us free from our slavery to sin and the control of Satan over our lives, and to put within us the life of himself that we might now come under the control of his righteousness and walk in his Spirit the rest of our days, not in absolute sinless perfection, but daily walking in his grace and mercy, putting off the “old man,” and daily putting on Christ and his holiness.

Give Me Jesus

Oh, What Gladness!

An Original Work / December 2, 2013

Give me Jesus. He’s my Savior.

I’ll walk with Him in His favor.

I’ll abide in His love always;

Follow His ways to the end.

Jesus is the Son of God.

He died upon a cruel cross.

He’s forgiven all my failures

By His mercy and His love.

Give me Jesus – His compassion,

And His mercy; loving kindness.

Let Him teach me how to love Him,

And to please Him. He’s my friend.

Jesus died for all our sin

So we could have eternal life.

He will free you from your bondage

If you trust Him with your life.

Give me Jesus. Let me trust Him.

May I listen to His teachings.

May I follow where He leads me

In His service. He’s my Lord.

Jesus Christ will come again

To take His bride to be with Him.

Oh, what gladness; free from sadness

When I meet Him in the air.

https://vimeo.com/113054381

Preaching the Gospel

Thursday, January 28, 2016, 5:13 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “What the Lord Says.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Mark 1:14-20 (NASB).

Repent and Believe (vv. 14-15)

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

There are many people these days who purportedly are preaching the gospel of God (of Jesus Christ). And, yet, their messages are not all the same. In other words, there are many different teachings out there which fall under the name of “Gospel of Jesus Christ,” but not all of them are truly teaching the “Gospel of God.” So, how do we know which ones are teaching the true gospel, and which ones are not? How can we discern truth from error?

Paul said that he did not shrink from declaring “the whole counsel of God.” So, what does that mean? It means he did not, out of fear of consequences, withhold any truth with regard to God’s will and purpose for us in salvation. He did not disguise the gospel or withhold any imperative truth contained therein in order to appease people, or to not offend, or to make people feel good about themselves. He did not twist the words of scripture in order to make them more culturally relevant, either. He also did not concern himself with being “seeker sensitive,” i.e. with trying to present the gospel in a way which would be friendlier and not so hard for the listeners to receive. He taught what Jesus taught about our salvation.

When Jesus called Paul to preach the gospel he told him that he was sending him to open the eyes of the (spiritually) blind, to turn them from darkness (sin) to the light (Jesus, the truth, righteousness), and from the power of Satan (away from his control over our lives) to God (to come under his control), “that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (See: Ac. 26:16-18).

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. He said if we hold on to our old lives (of living for sin and self), we will lose them for eternity, but if we lose our lives (die with him to sin), we will gain eternal life (See: Lu. 9:23-25). And, Paul said that Jesus died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but who conduct our lives according to the Spirit, for if we walk according to our sinful flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live (See: Ro. 8:1-14).

So, here in Mark’s gospel it is stated that Jesus, in preaching the gospel, said that we must repent and believe in the gospel. Many preachers today are telling people they don’t have to repent, or else they are saying that “repent” merely means to have a change of mind, and that change of mind takes place when someone decides to believe in Jesus. True, that is a change of mind, but when Scripture uses the term “repent,” in most all cases, in context, it is speaking of a change of mind about sin, i.e. it is in reference to forsaking our former way of living for sin and self, and it is about dying with Christ to sin so that we can be resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (See: Eph. 4:17-24).

Peter said that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (See: 1 Pet. 2:24). This is the essence of the gospel, not that he died merely to give us an escape from hell and the promise of heaven when we die, but that he died that our sinful flesh would be crucified with him, and that we might now live to God’s righteousness in the power and working of the Spirit of God within us, and not in our own flesh. The message of the gospel is death to sin, alive with Christ, living to righteousness.

Follow Him (vv. 16-20)

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

I love this depiction of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. It means we leave our former way of living behind us and we follow him in obedience and go the way he goes, wherever he goes. Yet, there were people in Jesus’ day who said they wanted to follow him, but they had not yet counted the cost of what it would mean to follow him, and/or they said they had other things they needed to do first. So, Jesus let them know the cost of following him, and he reprimanded at least one of them by telling him that anyone who looks back, i.e. who is still engaged in the things of this world, is not fit for the kingdom of God. He let them all know that following Christ does not mean we have security in the things of this world, but now our security is in heaven and in what is of God’s eternal kingdom. He told them that following him was to be an immediate response of leaving all behind (See: Lu. 9:57-62).

Although it is true that the Christian life is a growth process, and that daily, by the Spirit, we are to be putting to death the deeds of the flesh - and that we are being conformed into the likeness of Christ, and that we are being made holy - we cannot enter into a true relationship with Jesus Christ thinking we can still hold on to our old lives and that we can just gradually let go of things when we decide. We can’t say, “I will follow you Jesus, but first let me continue to live my life the way I want, and then later, when it is convenient for me, I will follow you.” Jesus demands total surrender, but not sinless perfection (See: 1 Jn. 2:1). Yet, the Word teaches us that if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue to walk (conduct our lives) in darkness (sin), that we are liars, and the truth is not in us (See: 1 Jn. 1:6). If we continue to walk according to the flesh, we will die, and we won’t have an inheritance with God in heaven. We can’t serve two masters – the flesh and Christ. One will cancel out the other, i.e. we can’t serve Christ and the flesh, too.

Yet, not only does following Christ mean we cease going the direction we were headed with our lives, and now we go the opposite direction in following Christ with our lives, but it means a life of service to our Lord, to do his will, his way. When Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, we were bought with a price, so our lives are no longer our own to be lived the way we choose (See: 1 Co. 6:20). We were crucified with Christ so that we no longer live, but Christ now lives within us, and the life we now live, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and who gave himself up for us (See: Gal. 2:20). Jesus died that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life for us (See: 2 Co. 5:15). A saved life is a crucified life. A saved life is a surrendered life. Jesus said that his sheep (followers) know his voice, they listen to him, and they follow (obey) him (Jn. 10:27-30).

So, if we want to follow Jesus Christ with our lives, we must leave our old lives of living for sin and self behind us, and daily we must die to sin and self and follow our Lord in surrender and obedience to his will for our lives – all in the power and working of the Spirit of God within us, as we yield our lives to the Spirit. We must listen to him, and do what he says. And, we must live our lives as though they are not our own, but as though we belong to Jesus, and he is the one now in control, and as though he is the one calling all the shots.

A saved life is a life of service to our God. It is a life that is called of God for a very specific purpose, which is to live holy lives, pleasing to God. To believe in the gospel means we live like we believe that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. Our walk matches our talk. So, when the temptations or trials of this life weigh in on us, we commit our way to the Lord. And, we keep following him, trusting him with the results.

What the Lord Says / An Original Work

February 24, 2014 / Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5

This is what the Lord says to you:

Fear not, for I have chosen you.

I have summoned you by your name.

You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,

I will be with you; you will not sink.

You are so precious always to me.

Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who gave salvation to you;

Who delivered you from your sin;

Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.

Give of your heart not now up to strife.

See all the new things I have for you.

Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who made you; who will help you:

Do not fear what humans may do.

Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.

Trust in my mercy, for I love you.

I have a plan for all of your life.

Follow my ways. Do what is right.

https://vimeo.com/87634334

Going Against Fear

Monday, January 25, 2016, 7:17 p.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Weary of Heart.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Matthew 28 (NASB).

Go and Tell (vv. 1-10)

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Jesus Christ was betrayed by one of his closest companions, disowned three times by another and abandoned by all twelve of his closest disciples. He was falsely arrested, given a mock trial, spat upon, beaten, mocked, and scourged beyond recognition. He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, and men hid their faces from him. Then, they hung him on a cross to die, although he had done no wrong. Yet, he did not remain dead. He was resurrected from the dead on the third day, just as he had said he would.

These women, who were followers of Christ, came to the tomb where Jesus had been buried, fully expecting to see that their Lord was in the tomb, but he had risen. The angel told them not to be afraid, but to “go quickly” and tell his disciples. While they were on their way to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them. He also told them not to be afraid, but to go and take his word to his brethren.

Jesus is still giving his followers today this same message: “Do not fear. Go quickly. Take my word and tell it to those to whom I have sent you.” He may send us to those who have never heard the gospel of salvation. And/or he may send us to those who profess the name of Jesus but who need a word of encouragement, urging, comfort, edification or counsel. Yet, there may be many reasons why we may feel fear and have to go against our fears in order to do what our Lord has instructed.

For one, these women had just witnessed the brutality with which Jesus had been treated by his opponents. If they went and told others, and word got out that this is what they were doing, they risked being treated in like manner as was Jesus, because they were following him and they were taking his message to others. They were also saddened by the loss of their Lord to death, and most certainly confused and bewildered by the appearance of this angel telling them Christ had risen. Sometimes we might be tempted to withdraw in fear because we don’t understand what is happening to us or to those we love, and we may fear moving out into the unknown, not knowing what awaits us. Yet, we must not be afraid!

As well, these were women, and women were not often given the value and esteem a woman of today, in particular in America, might receive. So, most certainly when they chose to obey their Lord and take his message to men whom may reject them and even scoff at them, they had to go against their fears and accept whatever response they may receive from the men in order to obey Jesus. Yet, times haven’t changed all that much. Although women are not to have authority over men, and they are not to be elders within the church, they are gifted equally with men of the Spirit of God and have been called of God, too, to prophesy, i.e. to take God’s word to whomever the Spirit directs, and to proclaim the word of God in all practicality in application to our lives today. And, because they are women, they, as well, may meet with opposition from men (and women, too).

Make Disciples (vv. 11-20)

Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Another possible cause for fear is that there are those who not only may oppose us in one way or another for speaking out the word of God to people, but who are working against the message of the gospel itself by spreading lies about what Jesus and his NT apostles taught. They make up their own version of the story of the gospel for the sole purpose to deceive and to try to discredit the true story so that it will not be believed by people. And, they try to convince others that those who are giving out the true (full) gospel message are teaching works-based salvation, are liars, are false teachers, are legalists, and/or are intolerant, bigoted, hateful and fear mongers. Yet, they do this through the twisting of truth and a diluted gospel message which ignores the bulk of scriptures on salvation and centers around a few select passages of scripture, often taken out of context. So, when we face such strong opposition, we may be tempted to fear their rebukes and to retreat. Yet, we should not!

Another possible cause for fear is our own doubts. Sometimes when things don’t go the way we expect, or when God operates outside the box we have put him inside, or when his actions don’t fit with the theology we were taught from early on, we may doubt what we see, and find it difficult to trust and to believe. A lot of people are afraid of the Holy Spirit, for instance, because they can’t control him, and they don’t understand how he works, and so rather than learn from the word, and grow in their understanding, they quench and grieve the Holy Spirit by shutting him out and trying to control things with man’s logic and reasoning. Certainly we must be diligent about testing the spirits to see if they are of God, but we must guard against putting out the Spirit’s fire by our own doubts and fears.

Yet, we must not be afraid. We must have courage and speak the words God gives us to speak from his word to whomever he sends us no matter what kind of reception we may encounter. We must be students of the Word ourselves so that we know the Word of which we speak, and so we can discern error from truth. And, we must not fear what humans might do to us, for God is with us. He will not leave us or forsake us, but he will give us strength, courage, and empowerment from on high to speak the Word of God with boldness, and to persevere in giving testimony for Jesus Christ and for his gospel of grace.

The Word of God teaches us that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave himself up for us (See: 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15). It teaches us that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be a blood sacrifice for our sins so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who no longer conduct our lives according to the sinful flesh, but who now walk (live) in accordance with the Spirit of God. If we walk according to our sinful flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live (See: Ro. 8:1-14). It teaches us that God’s grace is not a free license to continue in sin once we profess to have received Christ as Savior of our lives, but God’s grace, which brings salvation, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s return (See: Tit. 2:11-14).

The Word of God also teaches us that it is by grace we are saved, through faith. It is the gift of God and not of ourselves; not of works lest we should boast that we somehow earned or deserved our own salvation (See: Eph. 2:8-9). Yet, the Word also says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). And, James said that faith, if not accompanied by works (action) is dead (See: Jas. 2:14-26). As well, John said that if we say we have fellowship with God, and yet we walk (conduct our lives) in darkness (sin), we are liars (1 Jn. 1:6). Paul said that coming to faith in Jesus Christ means death to our old lives of living for sin and self, being transformed in heart and mind away from sin to God, and being given new lives in Christ Jesus, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (See: Eph. 4:17-24; cf. Ro. 6; Ro. 8; Gal. 2:20; Ac. 26:16-18; Lu. 9:23-25).

So, if we are going to make disciples (followers) of Christ of people of all nations, we must teach them to obey what Christ commanded his followers when he walked this earth, unless the instructions were obviously intended for a particular group of people for a specific period of time. If the NT apostles taught the same things Jesus taught, and they taught them to the church for them to follow, then we know these are instructions we must follow, too, unless they are obviously cultural or intended only for a specific period of time. The fact that the NT apostles taught we must die to sin and live to righteousness, and that continuing in a lifestyle of sin after we say we “believe” means death, whereas following Christ in obedience and in lifestyle according the Spirit means life, which is what Jesus taught, it means we should believe this, and we must follow this.

Paul’s commission was to open blinded eyes, so they may turn from darkness (sin) to the light (Jesus, purity, righteousness, truth), and from the dominion of Satan (the power he had over our lives) to God (to come under his control - the control of his righteousness), so we might receive forgiveness of sins, and have a place (inheritance) among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (Ac. 26:16-18). So, although we can do nothing to earn or to deserve our own salvation, but it is only by the blood of Christ shed on the cross for our sins that we have been given such a great salvation, coming to faith in Jesus Christ means death to sin and living to righteousness; no longer conducting our lives after our sinful flesh, but now walking in the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit, and not in the power of our flesh.

Weary of Heart

An Original Work / January 23, 2016

Based off Isaiah 40

You who bring the Good News,

Lift up your voice.

Do not fear. Shout it out:

“Here is your God!”

The sovereign Lord comes

With power and strength.

He gathers His tender lambs

In His arms.

Lift up your eyes and look:

“Who made all things?”

God, our creator knows

All about you.

Your cause is not

Disregarded by God.

He will not leave;

He’ll not abandon you.

When you are troubled

And weary of heart,

Trust the Lord with your life.

Do not despair.

He will empower you;

Strengthen within.

Soar on wings like eagles,

Walk and not faint.

https://vimeo.com/152846553  

For Righteousness' Sake

Sunday, January 24, 2016, 12:08 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “All Through the Night.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Matthew 26:47-27:54 (Select vv. NASB).

Betrayed with a Kiss (Matt. 26:47-50)

Jesus had just celebrated the Passover with his disciples. He foretold both Judas’ betrayal of him and Peter’s disowning of him, as well as how all his disciples would fall away on account of him that very night. Then, he went with his disciples to Gethsemane where he prayed to the Father, “If it is not possible for this cup to be taken away from me unless I drink it, may your will be done.” He asked some of his disciples to keep watch with him, but they fell asleep. Then, Jesus told his disciples he had been betrayed into the hands of sinners.

While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

During the years Jesus’ disciples followed him in ministry, he told them that, as his followers, they should expect to be treated as he was treated. If he was hated, they would be too. If he was referred to as being of Satan, they would be, as well. So, just as he was betrayed by a close companion, was disowned three times by another, was abandoned by all, was falsely arrested, and was sent to his death, they should expect, as well, that they would be treated in like manner, which they were. And, we will be, too.

False Testimony (Matt. 26:59-68)

Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Satan hates Jesus’ followers. When we were still in slavery to our sin, Satan had power over us. When Jesus Christ delivered us out of slavery to sin, Satan lost his power over us. Ever since then he has been in hot pursuit of us who hold to the testimony of Jesus, who remain faithful to Christ, and who obey the commandments of God (See: Rev. 12:17; 14:12).

If Satan cannot get us back, i.e. if he can’t get us to return to a lifestyle of sin and rebellion against Almighty God, and/or if he can’t get us to become spiritually apathetic and adulterous, he will go on the offensive and will attack our character, making up lies against us, and even producing false evidence against us. He will also twist our words or accuse us of saying what we did not say by putting words in our mouths, figuratively speaking. He will make what is good and holy appear wrong (bad, evil), while making what is wrong (against God) appear holy, good and right. He will cause humans to turn the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ into a hate crime against humanity, and he will promote the blending of all religions into one false religion, completely void of God and his holiness and righteousness.

They Crucified Him (Matt. 27:27-31)

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

When we follow Jesus Christ with our lives, and we walk in the Spirit and no longer according to our sinful flesh, and we are no longer conformed to the ways of this sinful world, but we have come out and have become separate from (different, unlike) the world of sin, because we are becoming like Jesus, we will be hated. We will be mocked, made fun of, laughed at, ignored, falsely accused, rejected, abandoned, mistreated, persecuted and even killed for our testimonies for Jesus Christ and for his full gospel message of salvation.

Yet, scripture teaches us that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matt. 5:10-12), and that we are to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus Christ (Ac. 5:41). We are to count it all joy when we encounter various trials (Jas. 1:2-4), and we are to rejoice in our sufferings because they produce endurance, character and hope (Ro. 5:3-5). In suffering, we also learn to not rely on ourselves, but on God, and we are able to comfort others who are going through similar suffering with the encouragement we received from God (2 Co. 1:3-11).

So, don’t lose heart! Trust in the Lord and in his sovereignty over your life. Submit to his will and purposes, and believe him to work it all out for the good of those who love God, and who have been called according to his purpose (See: Ro. 8:28). Keep persevering and trusting in the Lord to give you all that you need to endure and to keep serving and trusting your Lord on this earth until the day he takes you home to be with him forever.

All Through the Night / An Original Work / December 7, 2013

Based off Various Scriptures

Blessed are you when you’re persecuted

Because of your faith in Jesus Christ.

Blessed are you when people insult you,

And falsely say what leads folks to doubt.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is

Great in the heavens. You’re not alone.

When you are persecuted in one place,

Flee to another. God will be there.

You will be hated by all the nations

Because you testify of God’s grace.

Many will seize you and persecute you,

And put to death the foll’wers of Christ.

Yet, do not fear what humans may do to you,

For I’m with you all through the night.

I tell you, love your enemies with my love,

And forgive as I forgave you.

Pray for those who do evil against you.

Rest in my love and grace from above.

https://vimeo.com/112899981

Weary of Heart

"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem." Isaiah 66:13

Our God is not weak. He is strong and powerful. And, yet, he is also gentle and tender like a mother hen is to her chicks. He comforts his children like a mother comforts her young. He gathers us in His arms like a shepherd gathers his sheep, if we are willing.

So, when we, his followers and servants, grow weak and tired; when we are sad or feeling lonely or forgotten; or when we lack the physical or emotional strength to keep going because of hardship, persecution and trouble in our lives, he brings us comfort. He quiets our anxious hearts and fills us with his peace when we call on him in truth, trusting in his love and mercy. He will never leave us or forsake us. He knows what we are going through. He has not forgotten us. He will empower us and give us strength to endure if we trust him.

Weary of Heart

An Original Work / January 23, 2016

Based off Isaiah 40

You who bring the Good News,

Lift up your voice.

Do not fear. Shout it out:

“Here is your God!”

The sovereign Lord comes

With power and strength.

He gathers His tender lambs

In His arms.

Lift up your eyes and look:

“Who made all things?”

God, our creator knows

All about you.

Your cause is not

Disregarded by God.

He will not leave;

He’ll not abandon you.

When you are troubled

And weary of heart,

Trust the Lord with your life.

Do not despair.

He will empower you;

Strengthen within.

Soar on wings like eagles,

Walk and not faint.

https://vimeo.com/152846553  

He Will Set You Free

Friday, January 22, 2016, 10:00 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Listen! Listen!” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Matthew 26:1-30 (NASB).

Jesus told his disciples that the Passover was two days away and that the “Son of Man” (a reference to himself) would be handed over to be crucified. Then the chief priests and the elders of the Jewish temple plotted to arrest Jesus and kill him. After this, Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, agreed to betray Jesus and to hand him over to be killed. Then, Jesus met together with his disciples to celebrate the Passover at a certain man’s house.

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” ~ Matt. 26:26-28

The Passover

The meal Jesus had with his disciples here, although commonly referred to as “The Last Supper,” or “The Lord’s Supper,” was in celebration of the Passover. So, what was the Passover, and why was it celebrated? And why, in celebration of the Passover, did Jesus speak these words to his disciples about eating his body and drinking his blood?

The children of Israel had been enslaved in Egypt for many years. So, God sent Moses to deliver his people out of slavery to Egypt. He sent him to Pharaoh to tell him to let God’s people go. Pharaoh refused, so God sent several plagues to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go. Still he refused. So, God sent the “plague of the firstborn.” God was going to strike at midnight and kill every firstborn son in Egypt, including Pharaoh’s firstborn son, and the firstborn of all the cattle, too. Yet, the Israelites were to kill a lamb, one for each household, and take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses. When God passed through Egypt and killed the firstborn males, when he saw the blood on their doorframes, he would pass over them, and their males would be spared. Then, God commanded them to commemorate this day for the generations to come.

The reason why Jesus made reference to his death, and to his disciples eating his flesh and drinking his blood, in connection with the celebration of the Passover, was that the Passover was a prefiguring of Jesus’ death on a cross to deliver us, the people of this sinful world, out of slavery to sin. In this case, Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb, and it is his blood applied to our individual lives that insures that God passes over us in judgment, that our lives are spared, and that we are set free, as the Israelites were subsequently freed from their slavery. Yet, we must obey God, and apply his blood sacrifice to our lives if we want to be spared eternal damnation and have the promise of eternal life with God. We do this through faith in Jesus Christ, in death to sin, and in being born of the Spirit of God in living to righteousness. Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24).

Flesh and Blood

Jesus said similar words as these here in Matthew 26 to his disciples at an earlier time, as is recorded for us in John, chapter six. So, this Passover meal with his followers was not the first time he made such a reference to eating his body (his flesh) and drinking his blood.

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 yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” ~ John 6:53-56

So, why did Jesus tell his followers this, and what does this symbolize? Well, for one, to eat means to ingest (take in), chew (ponder) and swallow (believe, accept). To eat also means to partake – “to take part in or experience something; to have a share or part of something; and to have some of the qualities of something” (M-W Dictionary). Jesus’ body was given for us in death on a cross for our sins so that we might be forgiven our sins and have life eternal with God, as well as so we might be delivered out of slavery to sin and become servants of Christ’s righteousness while we still live on this earth. So, for us to eat of his body means to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, but it also means that we have a part in his death, and that we share some of the qualities of his death in our death to sin, and in our being resurrected to new lives in Christ Jesus, our Lord – “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24; cf. Romans 6 & Romans 8).

In addition, when the mother of James and John requested of Jesus that her sons sit on Jesus’ right and left in his kingdom (See: Matt. 20:20-23), he responded by saying that it was the Father’s decision. Yet, he also answered with a question: “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They thought they were. Jesus replied, “My cup you shall drink.” What was the cup Jesus was about to drink? The cup of suffering, i.e. of his arrest, false accusations, mock trial, mockery of him, his scourging and his death on a cross. When he died, he took upon himself the sins of the entire world. He put our sins to death on the cross so we might go free. So, for us to drink of this same cup, we must, by the Spirit of God, die to sin so that we might live to righteousness. By his stripes we are healed! We must also suffer the injustices Jesus suffered for us in that we will be hated, persecuted and even put to death for our faith in Christ and our testimonies for him and for his gospel.

So, is what I just said here supported scripturally in the teachings of the apostles with regard to our salvation from sin and our faith in Jesus Christ? Yes! Paul’s testimony of his conversion and the calling of Jesus on his life tells us that Jesus called him to open blinded eyes, “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Ac. 26:16-18). In conversion, by the power and working of the Spirit of God in our lives, we turn from sin and from the power of Satan over our lives to faith in Jesus Christ and to obedience to God and to his will for our lives, so we may receive forgiveness of sins, and become part of the family of God, the body of Christ, his church. This is what scripture refers to as being “born again,” or being “born from above” (of the Spirit).

As well, Paul said that the way we learned Christ; that we were taught in him was to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (See: Eph. 4:17-24). He said that Jesus died that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ who gave his life for us (2 Co. 5: 15). He taught, as well, that Jesus died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but who conduct our lives (our lifestyles) according to the Spirit. If we walk according to the flesh, he pointed out, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live (See: Ro. 8:1-14; cf. Lu. 9:23-25; Gal. 2:20). He said, too, that our conversion means we died to sin. “Our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin” (See: Ro. 6:1-23).

Life Application

So, this goes back to the Passover. The ultimate goal of this “plague of the firstborn” was to get Pharaoh to let God’s people go so they would be free from their slavery. If the Israelites wanted to be spared the death of the firstborn, though, it required the blood of a sacrificial lamb applied to the doorframe of their houses, which they had to do. When God saw the blood of the sacrificial lamb, he passed over them, but then he also delivered them out of their slavery and set them free, and he put them on the path to the Promised Land.

This prefigures our own salvation from sin. We were all born into sin, without God and without hope. We were destined to hell and to eternal punishment. We were under the power of Satan, and free from the control of righteousness. Jesus became our sacrificial lamb by dying on the cross for our sins. When we apply to our lives what he did for us in giving his life up for us so we could be set free from slavery to sin and the punishment of sin, and what he did so he could free us to now become servants of his righteousness, we are no longer under the judgment of eternal damnation, but we have eternal life with God. Amen! To apply what he did to our own lives we believe in him, and by faith in Jesus, and in the power and working of the Spirit of God, we die with him to sin, and we are resurrected with him to new lives which we now live to his righteousness in the Spirit of God.

So, if you have not yet believed in Jesus Christ in the putting to death your sinful lifestyle, and in being resurrected with Christ to a new life in Christ, lived in the Spirit in his righteousness, then I pray you would do so today. You may not have tomorrow!

Listen! Listen! / An Original Work / December 20, 2011

Weep and wail o’er your sins, children.

God is calling out to you:

Be ye honest; tell the truth,

And it will set you free.

Harken to Him calling you to

Bow on bended knee today.

Don’t delay to let Him in,

And He’ll cleanse your hearts;

Pure within.

Sinners, won’t you listen to Him

Calling out to you today?

He died so that you would be free

Of your sins always.

Turn from your sin. Turn to Jesus.

Obey Him in ev’ry way.

He wants to set you free of

All your guilt,

For which He did pay.

Listen! Listen!

Don’t close your hearts

To His voice speaking to you.

He will give you all of His peace,

If your hearts be true.

He longs for you to come to Him

Humbly now and repentant.

Obey all of His commandments.

Live with Him eternally.

https://vimeo.com/125862580

Oil in My Lamp

Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 6:11 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “To Be Like Him.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB).

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

The Bridegroom

The bridegroom in this parable is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Messiah. He is our God and creator, the second person of our triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He left his throne in heaven, took on human form, and entered this world as a baby through the womb of a woman. Yet, the woman became pregnant of the Holy Spirit, not of man, and she remained a virgin until after she gave birth. So, when Jesus walked the face of this earth, he was fully God yet fully man. He suffered as we suffer, and he was tempted in like manner as we are also tempted, yet without sin. He healed the sick and afflicted, raised the dead, delivered people from demons, performed many miracles, comforted the sorrowful and encouraged the timid. As well, he preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God in heaven. He said that if we want to come after him, we must deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in obedience to his will for our lives (Lu. 9:23-25).

But, he was hated by the religious leaders of his day, because he told them the truth about their sin and their eternal destiny, because he didn’t follow their religious customs and human traditions, because he healed on the Sabbath, and because he claimed to be who he is – God. So, they had him arrested on false charges, mocked, beaten, and crucified on a cross, although he had done no wrong. When he died, our sins died with him, they were buried with him, and when he was resurrected, he rose victorious over sin, hell, Satan and death. After he rose from the dead, he appeared to many people, I think maybe as many as 500, including his eleven disciples (Judas had killed himself by this point). Sometime after Jesus was resurrected, he went back to heaven to live with the Father. He told his followers that he was going to prepare a place for them, and that one day he would come back to get them.

This is a lot like how marriages were conducted in Jewish households. Engagements were as binding as a marriage, yet without consummation of the relationship. After the engagement, the man prepared a place for his bride, and when the home was ready, he came to get her and they consummated their marriage and lived together thereafter. The Bible often describes our relationship with Jesus Christ in like manner. Right now he is in heaven making a home for us. We are in an engagement period with our Lord. We have been saved, we are in the process of being saved, and one day, when he returns, our salvation will be complete, and our relationship consummated. And, we will be forever with our Lord.

The Virgins

So, who are these virgins? Well, if Jesus Christ is the bridegroom, and they are the ones waiting for him, i.e. it is their Lord they are awaiting (See: Matt. 24:42), it would appear that they somehow represent the church, the body of Christ.

Let’s look at some of the symbols here. They were virgins. Not one of us is born a spiritual virgin. We are all born into sin, without God, and without hope. All of us have sinned, and we come up short of attaining the glory of God in our own flesh. Not one of us deserves or can do anything to earn our own salvation. We are all destined to spend eternity in hell, in eternal punishment. The only way we can become pure is through faith in Jesus Christ, via his blood shed on the cross for our sins. When we believe in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives, by the Spirit we die with Christ to sin, and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). When we believe in Jesus Christ, his righteousness is, thus, credited to our accounts so that we are no longer destined for hell, but we have the promise of eternal life with God.

All of the virgins had lamps to light their way. In the Psalms we read that God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105). In the Gospels we read that we are the light of the world, and that we should not hide our lights, but to let them shine before all mankind for all to see, so that they can see our good works, of the Spirit of God, and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:14-16). Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (Jn. 8:12). So, the light is Jesus, the truth, the Word of God, the righteousness of God, his gospel, and it is his living word living within us and out through us, i.e. it is our witness and testimony for Jesus Christ. It is the opposite of darkness, which is Satan, lies, unrighteousness, and wickedness (sin).

So, what or who provides the oil for the light in our lamps? What does the oil represent? Well, first of all God the Father sent his Son Jesus Christ to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world, i.e. to take the punishment for our sin so that we could be set free from slavery to sin and have the hope of eternal life with God. So, he is the provider of the oil. When we believe in Jesus Christ, and we die with him to sin, and we are resurrected with him to newness of life, which is the working of the Holy Spirit in regenerating us, we are indwelt and empowered with the Holy Spirit, who is the one who keeps our lights burning. So, the oil in our lamps is the Holy Spirit, who counsels, teaches, instructs, comforts, encourages, urges, strengthens and empowers us to keep our lights - Christ and his word; his righteousness, purity, love, grace, salvation, and witness - burning for Jesus Christ.

Wise and Foolish

Yet, only half the virgins had enough oil to last them until the day the bridegroom arrived. When the cry at midnight rang out, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”, the virgins lacking in enough oil tried to get some of the wise virgins’ oil, because their lamps were going out, but the wise virgins knew that this was not something they could share, i.e. the foolish virgins needed to buy their own oil, but it was too late. While they were on the way to buy the oil, the bridegroom returned. The virgins who were ready went with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. The foolish virgins begged the bridegroom to let them inside, but he told them, “I don’t know you.” And, then we have a warning here to keep watch, because we don’t know the day or the hour our Lord will come.

So, how is this to be applied to our lives? If you read commentaries on the Bible, you will find that there are many different interpretations of this passage. So, I will share what I believe the Lord is teaching me, based upon the Word of God and what it teaches us.

I believe this can be interpreted two different ways. One way is to see the foolish virgins as those who have a profession only of faith in Jesus Christ, but they never did receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. They may have the appearance of righteousness, but it is dead works, based in the flesh, and not in the Spirit. Or, they may profess Christ with their lips, but never show any evidence of change of heart toward God and away from sin. This would be why their oil didn’t last, because it was superficial only, i.e. their faith never really took root, so the “Spirit” (oil) was not the Holy Spirit in their lives, but was all emotion and/or intellect. And, that is why it burned out. It didn’t last. This reminds me of the parable of the sower and the person who accepted the gospel with joy and enthusiasm, at first, but he has no root (Jesus, the Spirit), so he lasts only a short time. When trouble and persecution comes, because of the word, he quickly falls away (Matt. 13:1-23).

The other way of looking at this passage is in light of the parallels between the Jewish marriage and wedding and our relationships with Jesus Christ. We are presently in an engagement period with our Lord. We are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved when he returns, when our marriage with him will be consummated and we will celebrate the wedding feast. While we wait for our Lord’s return, his grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives (See: Tit. 2:11-14). All throughout the New Testament we are warned against falling away, and we are encouraged over and over again to live up to the profession we make, i.e. to live for our Lord like we say we believe. And, we are taught how to live for God and how to walk in his holiness and righteousness, in the power and working of his Spirit within us, as we yield control of our lives over to the Spirit, and surrender our lives to God for his service.

Jesus said that if we continue in his word, we are truly his disciples (Jn. 8:31-32). We learn that God’s grace is extended to us, provided we continue in his kindness. Otherwise, we can be cut off from the vine, just as the Jews were cut off from the kingdom of heaven due to unbelief (Ro. 11:17-24). Paul taught that we are saved by the gospel, if we hold firmly to the word which he preached (1 Co. 15:2). Paul taught that God has “reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (Col. 1:21-23). We read in Hebrews that “We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (chap. 3). And, John said this: “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life” (I John 2:24-25).

Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (Jn 8:51). “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me” (Jn. 14:23-24). John said: “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6). “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us” (1 John 3:24).

In whatever way you may choose to interpret this passage, though, one thing is perfectly clear. Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24). He died that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us (2 Co. 5:15). He died 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 if we walk according to the flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live (Ro. 8:1-14). If we claim to have fellowship with God, yet we walk in darkness (sin), we are liars, and the truth is not in us (1 Jn. 1:6). God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “Believes” is present tense, not past tense. We can’t get to heaven on a past profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith needs to be current. We need to be abiding in Christ.

To Be Like Him / An Original Work

March 16, 2014 / Based off Scripture

Crucified you are with Jesus.

To be like Him, oh, you’ll be,

Because He died at Calv’ry,

So from sin you’d be free.

Oh, what joy He brings into your life,

Giving life with Him endlessly.

Oh, what plans He has for your life.

Share the gospel faithfully.

Show the people He loves them.

Now His witness you’ll be.

Tell the world of sin about Jesus,

How He died for them on a tree.

Purifying hearts, He saves them,

Who believe on Christ, God’s Son.

Turning now from their idols,

New lives they have begun.

Jesus saves from sin; we’re forgiven.

Over sin, the vict’ry He won!

When He comes again to take us

To be with Him evermore,

There will be no more crying.

Gladness will be in store.

Heavens joys will now overtake us:

We’ll be with our Lord evermore.

https://vimeo.com/89237609

Until the Day

Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 6:15 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Search Me, O God.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Matthew 24 (NASB).

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” ~ vv. 36-41

At the Door

Jesus’ disciples had just asked Jesus a question concerning the sign of his (second) coming and of the end of the age, and the timing of God’s judgments, i.e. concerning when they would take place (v.3). Jesus answered them. He told them that false christs will appear to deceive many, they will hear of wars and rumors of war, nation will rise against nation, and that there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. These will be the beginning of “birth pains.”

Then, they will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and they will be hated by all nations because of Jesus. He said that many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear to deceive many, and because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (vv. 13-14). Amen!

Jesus said there will be great distress, “unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (vv. 21-22). False christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles “to deceive even the elect – if that were possible” (v. 24). The elect are definitely being deceived by the thousands in our day and age, and by these false shepherds of the people; these wolves in sheep’s clothing. All these things will culminate in Jesus Christ’s return when he will gather his elect and take us to be with him for eternity. Our suffering will cease. Jesus will wipe the tears from our eyes. There will be no more sorrow, sickness, suffering, sin or death. Amen!

Jesus told them, as well, that when they see these things take place, i.e. all these signs of the end of the age, of the judgments of God, and of the Lord’s soon return for his elect, that they should be able to read the signs and realize that the time is near, that it is at the door, and/or that Jesus is at the door. But, then he went on to say that no one, except the Father, knows the exact day or hour when all these things will take place, but not knowing the exact day or hour does not mean we should not know the season, i.e. we should be aware that we are living in the last days, and we should be able to see the signs of the end of all things, and of his soon return, in what is taking place all around us.

We must keep watch, be awake, alert and vigilant (aware), so as to avoid being taken captive by the wiles of the devil, and thus falling prey to his deceptions. And, we must be ready (standing by, prepared) for when he comes. It will be good for us to be serving our Lord, walking in his ways, and doing what he says when he returns (See: vv. 42-47).

Until the Day

Jesus said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (v. 37 NIV84). Jesus referred to himself frequently as “the Son of Man,” so he was speaking about his own second coming. So, how was it in the days of Noah before the flood?

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. ~ Gen. 6:5-8

Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. ~ Gen. 6:11-13

So God commissioned Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark. It took him a long time to build it, though. Perhaps it took up to 100 years. And, then God had him and his family and all the animals God had designated to go on the ark, and anything else God had instructed Noah to put on the ark, to enter the ark. The doors were closed and then the rains and floods came, but no one could enter the ark once the doors were closed. Only those who were on the ark were saved. Everyone else perished in the flood.

So, this is not only a description of the spiritual condition of human beings on the earth, both of the righteous and of the unrighteous, before our Lord returns in judgment and in taking his elect (his bride) to be with him forever, but it is also a picture of God’s judgments at the end of the age. When God shuts the door, there will be no more chances. Those who choose to live their lives according to the flesh, to gratify the cravings of their sinful flesh, and who refuse to repent of their sins and to believe in Jesus Christ, and who refuse to walk in the ways of the Lord, will be cast into utter darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (See: Matt. 24:51).

Look with me at how God contrasts the people who died in the flood with Noah, a righteous man, who was saved along with his family. The wicked who died in the flood are described as man whose every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. He described man as having corrupted (polluted, perverted) his way (his lifestyle), and as having filled the earth with violence. In the Matthew passage we have a picture of these people as being busy with life as usual - eating, drinking, marrying, and without obvious concern for their future, their eternal destiny, or the fact that they were living evil, immoral, perverted lives without regard for God and without concern for his ways whatsoever. They were completely void of God by how they thought and by how they lived their lives.

Then, in Genesis 6, we have a picture of Noah as a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and as one who walked with God (v. 9). Noah found favor in the eyes of God (v. 8). God confided in Noah concerning how he viewed man, and concerning his plans to bring an end to man on the earth (v. 13). Then, God gave Noah a commission to build an ark, which would be used to save a remnant of people and animals, etc. from the flood waters (vv. 14-21). “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (v. 22). Notice with me here that wicked man (flesh) had corrupted their way (lifestyle), but that Noah was one who walked with God, in his ways, in the way of righteousness, according to God’s will.

God makes this same distinction today between those who are the wicked and who will not enter his heaven, and those who are righteous in God’s sight, and who are the saved of God, who will enter his heaven and eternal life with God.

He said that if we walk (conduct our lives) according to the flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live, “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Ro. 8:14). He said that those who are controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. He said that the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. But, if the Spirit of God lives us, by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer controlled by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit. Amen! Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not live (in lifestyle) according to the sinful nature, but who conduct our lives (in lifestyle) according to the Spirit (See: Ro. 8:1-14). Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24). So, either we walk in the flesh, and we die, or we walk in the Spirit (by the Spirit) and live. The choice is up to us.

Search Me, O God / An Original Work / July 12, 2012

Based off Psalm 139

O Lord, You search and know me.

You know all that I do.

O Lord, You discern my ways.

I put my trust in You.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

Where’er I am, You are with me,

Guiding me in love.

O Lord, You made and formed me

In my own mother’s womb.

Your hands beautif’ly made me.

I give my praise to You.

My frame was not hidden from You

When I was made in the dark place.

All the days ordained for me

Were written in Your book.

O Lord, how precious to me

Are Your thoughts, O my God.

When I wake in the morning,

You are still here with me.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offense.

Lead me in Your truth.

https://vimeo.com/125488883