I'm With Him

The Word is first...

Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

When Christ ascended into Heaven, he was enthroned at the right-hand of God. Now my natural inclination is to consider him in a state of repose, looking out over the kingdom and commenting to God now and then about something interesting that piques his interest. But I know that nothing could be farther from the truth.

Recently, I had the good fortune to learn just a little bit about what it is Jesus is doing in Heaven right now. Now, there wasn't anything really new but it was presented to me as a list and being a list-maker myself, it seemed particularly real to me and I want to share it with you. So, here's Jesus's "to-do" list;

1. Be your Savior
2. Be your Intercessor
3. Be your High Priest
4. Be your Mediator
5. Be your Advocate (Lawyer)

I'm sure that I could extract a 12 week sermon series on this concept and on the verses underlying this little list but today, I am struck by the fact that God presented me with Hebrews 4:15 to study and therein we see a reference to the role of Jesus as my High Priest.

Many may not even realize they have a High Priest (by name) but indeed we do in Jesus Christ. He has fulfilled his chief obligation associated with this role in that he has made atonement for my sin according to God's laws. In the course of this great task, he has presented me with a path to God for it is 'through the Son' that I must go in order to be reconciled to God.

Now, as today's study verse reveals, our High Priest is no high-minded, elitist, out-of-touch functionary. The verse teaches that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses." This means that Jesus, our High Priest, is not detached from our suffering or our human condition.

Thank about the implications of that truth. In the hour of our need, we cannot rationalize bad behavior or decisions becauce "you don't know what it's like..." The fact of the matter is that Jesus does know what it's like; exactly what it's like. Consider the second half of the verse "but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."

In order to make the connection with us, Jesus was born just as you and I were born. He grew up enduring all the trials and tribulations of childhood and walked the Earth as a man, same as us. Along the way, he faced all the same temptations that we face. Do you think that Jesus was never hungry? angry? lonely? tired? His friends betrayed and abandoned him. The general population mobbed him. Religious leaders despised him and ultimately murdered him. Yet through it all, he did not sin.

I submit that Jesus knows far more about temptation than you and I ever will. Consider this thought... I have given into temptation. It's true. More than once. By giving in, I cut off the temptation because once you're in the middle of sin, the temptation is gone. That means that I never experienced the full force of the temptation. Somewhere between slightly tempted and overwhelmingly tempted, I would capitulate to stop the temptation. Jesus never did that. That means, to me, that the temptation he experienced was as intense as it could possibly be. In that he experienced more temptation than I have ever known.

To be sure, things are different for me now in that temptation no longer holds dominion over me. But it's not because of anything I've done. Rather, it is the power of The Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that cuts off the temptation before capitulation. So even today, it is Jesus that deals with the temptation that is more than I can bear.

As a result, Jesus can relate to me, to us. When he goes before the Father as our High Priest, he does so with a fervor that is rooted in his own visceral experience. He has sympathy for us as well as empathy and this adds to his motivation that is rooted in God's will that we be reconciled.

There is no other high priest with His qualifications. And I for one am ecstatic that I have Jesus preparing a way for me.

Shalom,
Carl

Sustaining Production

The Word is first...

John 15:4 (NIV)

⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

The concept of 'remaining' in Christ is a difficult thought for many people yet as this verse reveals, it is critical. I believe there are two challenges we face with respect to 'remaining' in Christ.

The first challenge is one of perception. Unless we perceive a connection, our weaknesses lead us to believe the connection is lost and that we have been detached from the tree of life. Yet we know that we will all go through various 'cycles' where we feel close and connected as well as when we feel distant and disconnected. These are nothing more than passing 'feelings' and we need only continue in the disciplines of the faith till such time as the 'feeling' passes.

The second challenge is one of reality. Isaiah 59:2 teaches us that "your iniquities have separated you from your God, your sin has hidden his face from you..." So the reality is that when we sin, we drive a wedge between the branch (us) and the vine (Christ). 1 John 1:9 teaches us that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness." In this manner, the wedge is removed, the wound is healed and the connection is restored. But if we harbor unconfessed sin in our life, the wedge remains, the wound festers and the connection is compromised. I don't mean to imply that salvation is lost but our ability to 'perceive' the connection is impaired and our ability to produce fruit in His name is sacrificed.

To remain in Christ means that we must continually confess our sins, continually receive His forgiveness and continually remain in a state of renewal or sanctification. This process is enabled by our studying, learning and applying his commands in our daily life. We remain in Christ by loving him. We love Christ by keeping his commandments. In this manner, the connection of the branch to the vine is made apparent in the spirit of John 14:21 which teaches "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." Our awareness of our connection to Christ is a function of His response to the love we have for Him.

If I were to walk through the orchard of your life, would I have to step carefully over all the fruit that has fallen to the ground? Would I have to duck repeatedly so as not to run into the abundant fruit hanging from the branches? Or would I have to look at the leaves of the tree to even know what type of tree it is since there is no fruit?

My challenge to you today then is to measure your harvest for Christ. If your bushel baskets overflow, sing praise. If your baskets are empty then examine the connection between the branch and the vine. Give attention to nurturing the grafting site so that the rich nutrients of Christ may flow into your branch and you may produce fruit in His name.

Peace,
Carl

From Whence We Came

The Word is first...

Psalm 107:10-16 (NIV)

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,

prisoners suffering in iron chains,

¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God

and despised the counsel of the Most High.

¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;

they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom

and broke away their chains.

¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze

and cuts through bars of iron.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

The body of believers is a great amalgamation of people. Long before the United States of America laid claim to the title 'melting pot' God defined that concept. The redemption offered by God through Jesus cuts across all boundaries, real or imagined and knows no geographical, political or physical boundaries. Neither the hue of skin nor the different melodies of speech offer any restriction. By the grace of God and the blood of Christ, all (that is ALL) may be adopted into the family of God. Praise Him!

Today's passage is an exploration of the circumstances in which some of the lost find themselves. In fact this Psalm (107) illustrates the variety of places and situations from which the lost may be redeemed and brought into the family and favor of God.

This particular section (v10-16) speaks of the situation in which those who have defied and ignored God find themselves. These few verses speak to me in a profound way for in them I see and understand myself a little bit better.

The essence of this section is that those who rebel against God, those that hear his counsel yet choose their own path will suffer. "Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains," is the description. In fact, anyone that does not walk in the light of God not only sits in darkness but walks, sleeps and works in it as well. Though they may stand in the center of the brightest lights known to man, the darkness of their sin and hopelessness prevails. In fact, within them, in their hearts and their minds may be found the 'deepest gloom' for such a person is without hope. Even if they walk the Earth as a 'free' man, still they are prisoners and suffer. To borrow a line from a popular song "we are all just prisoners here of our own device." And so it is.

This passage reveals to us that as a result of our rebellion and folly there are consequences. "So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help." Ack! The fool lives in darkness, is oppressed by the deepest gloom, suffers in iron chains AND leads a life of hard labor. What a sentence "life in hard labor." We're talking in terms of the 'chain-gang', a most unpleasant thought. Even beyond that, is the profound loneliness and vulnerability "they stumbled and there was no one to help." Ecclesiastes 4:10 speaks to this "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" What a terrible and terrifying situation in which to live!

And yet, this passage speaks of the hope in God as it continues "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress," Like me, there are many that must reach a deep, dark place before they 'come to their senses.' And what I see here is that great hope that whenever someone reaches the end of them self, when they have suffered enough to burn through the hardness of their own heart, then they cry out to God. And GOD IS LISTENING FOR THEIR CALL. Our merciful God grieves over their suffering and is mighty to save them. In this too we can see that our own works have no role in this exchange. All that is required is to call out to God.

Once we reach the end of our self and cry out to God, "He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains." To me this speaks to the fact that the delivery offered by God, the salvation and reconciliation to Him is total and complete. The darkness gives way to light, the gloom yields to hope and the chains are broken. There is nothing left to do, there is no aspect left undone.

Our response, as the redeemed is then portrayed "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." Our only right response to the thought of, the knowledge of, the arrival of, the presence of and the passing of the Lord is worship. Driven by a heart of thankfulness let our lips not be still and instead rejoice! Rejoice!

Closing this passage is a testimony to the power of God; "for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." Simply, He is the strongest of strong and there is nothing, not one thing, that He cannot overcome.

Whatever bondage you find yourself in, no matter what your chains are made of, no matter how deep you may be in the dungeons of sin, these are of no consequence to God. Cry out to Him! He will hear your cry and he will deliver you. He is the ONLY ONE that can and will do this.

In His Grip,
Carl

Only One To Reconcile Us

The Word is first...

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

A few decades ago there was this movie that I really liked and watched over and over. This movie had a really cool line in it that I've quoted hundreds of times; "There can be only one!" This of course was always in reference to myself and some aspect of victory or superiority that I would hold over someone. Wow, seeing that typed out reminds me of what a fool I was!

Nevertheless, that was then and this is now and though it's been a very, very long time since I've declared "There can be only one" I am happy to proclaim today that "THERE IS ONLY ONE!" Fortunately, this has nothing to do with my own prowess or ability and speaks only of the nature of Jesus Christ.

My study verse today states it plainly and without obfuscation; "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..." Within this passage there are two ONE'S which are of course still one.

In the first fragment of this passage, Paul declares that 'there is one God'. This is an important and life-changing truth; one that came as quite a shock to me. Before everything there was God and from the nothingness, God spoke and created everything. His action didn't stop there and he has persisted across the ages, persists today and will persist forever yet. But like many, I balked at the concept of 'one God' and moved from altar to altar worshiping may gods. All had one thing in common; they were false. So when finally, I came to understand the truth that 'there is one God' it was a real eye-opener for me.

The second fragment of this passage declares by implication that there is some need for men to be reconciled to God and that there is only one way person capable of that task. "and one mediator between God and men" is the song that this passage sings. Not only is there one God, we have been separated from him by our sin (Isaiah 59:2 / Romans 3:23) but there is only one road that we may travel that brings back into fellowship with God and that is revealed in the third fragment of this passage.

"the man Christ Jesus" is revealed to be the only ONE that is capable of reconciling us to God. It never occurred to me till just this moment that Jesus is the original mediator. Neither works nor piety nor service nor anything else will reconcile us to God. Only Jesus THE Christ has the power to reconcile us to God. And the lengths to which he went to accomplish the task simply boggle the mind.

For those of you who may be searching, ever searching and not finding, let me help you out. There is only one God and there is only one path to Him and that is by and through Jesus Christ. To know Jesus is to know God. There is only one to reconcile us.

Peace,

Carl

His Way or Death

The Word is first...

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

I get paid to help people find better ways to do things. Of course, the things they want help with all involve business; productivity, profits, procedures, projects and processes. My ability in these matters is a gift or perhaps more accurately the product of the gifts that God has given me. In many ways, when I analyze a particular project or process I can 'see' or 'sense' a way that is better or right. It makes perfect sense to me and it's difficult for me to see how it could have ever gotten into the state it is in that requires my help. In the grand scheme of things, they don't matter and by the metaphorical morrow they will all be gone.

My abilities in matters of true importance are not so good. I've discovered, painfully, that my heart is deceptive and will easily lead me in the wrong direction. In the matters of life that really count, my track record is pretty poor. At least, it was till I started consulting the instruction manual and relying on The Holy Spirit to show me the right way.

My study verse today speaks of this phenomena as it teaches "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." When you combine the temptations of this world in the light of our sinful and selfish desires we see a dangerous opportunity for deception. We often mistake 'the way' that fulfills our desires or feelings for the 'right way.' We allow our happiness and sense of fairness to govern our decisions which often leads to terrible results, even death.

Consider those who believe there are many paths to God. That whole concept "seems right", it "seems fair" and it plays into our selfish nature in that it gives us license to live a life according to our rules. It's an easy palliative to the bitter pill of doing what's right in the sight of God. No matter how it "seems" it is nevertheless a lie and in the end, the pain, agony and death that will be suffered as a result of such a choice will be eternal.

I challenge you to examine your life, your habits, your relationships and your walk with Christ today. Ask The Holy Spirit to reveal to you those 'ways' in your life that 'seem right' but in fact are not. Ask God to forgive you for those choices. Ask The Holy Spirit to lead you in the 'right way', the Way that is Jesus.

I know it 'seems right' to let this be a long and thorough process. But I want to urge you to do this immediately. Tomorrow may never come and after lunch may be too late. Get right with God starting right now.

Shalom,
Carl

The Sound of Silence

The Word is first...

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

² But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

There are times when God is tremendously silent, when our prayers seem to fall to the floor instead of rising towards Heaven and when we lift our voice in praise it is awkward and unnatural. These times or seasons seem to slip over us like a blanket, gently, quietly and without any pretense. There comes a moment when we are profoundly aware of a tomb-like quality of such silence. It is in those moments that we have choices to make whether to lie quietly in our coffin of self or to start kicking, screaming and clawing our way out of that box.

These times or seasons are very real and they come for numerous reasons. Today's study verse speaks of one such reason; sin. As a created being it was sin that separated us from God in the garden and sin separates us still.

Isaiah 59:2 teaches us "But your iniquities have separated you from your God." Iniquities are defined by Webster as "gross injustice" or "a wicked act or thing." When can think of them as those sins we commit knowingly and willfully. Consider James 4:17 which speaks "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." Whether by omission or commission, sin is sin and our God cannot tolerate sin in his presence. Whenever we choose to sin, knowing full well what God has said about our actions, we elevate the sin to a position ahead of God. We state that our will reigns in our lives not God's will. The isolation from God that we feel when we are in a state of sinfulness is real. It is because our sin, our iniquity, has separated us from our God. It is not as though God has left us, it is as though we have driven a wedge between us. In the same way that you use a wedge to split a piece of wood, the wedge of sin splits us apart from God.

The study verse continues; "your sins have hidden his face from you." You may recall that when "The Law" was all we had, we were separated from God by a great curtain in the temple. We were prevented from seeing God or coming into his presence by this veil. Though that particular veil has been torn asunder by the shed blood of Jesus, there is yet another veil that works in the same manner. This veil however, is not made of fabric but is constructed of our sin. God can be standing right in front of us, facing us and we are unable to see him if we are in a state of sinfulness. It's not because he is invisible or has 'left the building' but our sight is hampered by our sin; "your sins have hidden his face from you..." The same sin that has forcefully separated us from the presence of God covers our eyes like scales so that we are blind to Him.

The last fragment of this verse "so that he will not hear" reveals why we perceive that God is silent and brings us into the full realization of why we feel that we are alone. The wedge of sin acts as a stopper or plug in the 'ears' of God. I think it is important to note that the phrase is "will not hear" instead of "can not hear." This indicates that God is ignoring the prayers of the unrepentant sinner. Our iniquities isolate us from God, blind us to God and renders our prayers ineffective.

What a dire situation this is! Yet all is not lost! That wedge of sin can be easily removed, fellowship restored, sight returned and prayers rendered powerful and effective! All that is required is confession and repentance.

When we submit ourselves before The Lord and confess our sins He hears. 1 John 1:9 teaches us
^"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." The contrite heart gets God's attention above the noise and chaos of sin. And as he forgives us and cleanses us, we are returned to his fellowship and the veil that hid Him from us is once again dissolved.

Let us not forget though that confession is but one step in the process. Having a contrite heart, being in full realization of our sinfulness and our helplessness, we confess and fellowship is restored. But it is the repentance that secures us in that fellowship. Jesus said "go and sin no more" and that is the very basis of repentance. To turn away from sin and go in the opposite direction is the order of the day and in so doing, we leave the wedge of sin that would divide us, lying the mud forgotten.

So if you are in such a season of isolation and separation, examine yourself carefully to be certain that there is no unconfessed sin contributing to your situation. If during your examination you discover there to be sin, repent, confess and be restored. If you find no sin to explain your situation then praise God for His faithfulness and be resolved to finish the current test in a manner that glorifies God.

Peace,
Carl

How Do You Feel About Payday?

The Word is first...

Romans 6:23 (NIV)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^a Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Few of us would look forward to a payday where we received what we deserved. However, most would be ecstatic to have a payday where we received what we think we are worth. The reality is that in our jobs, our compensation is somewhere between what we deserve and what we think we are worth. Our compensation is most likely associated with what our boss thinks we are worth. That same principle is at work with respect to spiritual matters.

Today's focus verse speaks to what we deserve. "For the wages of sin is death..." Whether we like it or not, we have all toiled under the taskmaster of sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That's all as in well, all, everyone. This means that as 'sinners' our just compensation, our wages, is death. That's harsh but it's reality. God himself set the standard by which we are to be judged, he established the rules and made them known. Our ancestor, Adam, chose to be disobedient and brought all of mankind under the wrath of God. As sinners, we deserve death. To receive what we deserve is the very essence of justice.

But God, being exceedingly just, is not without mercy and He established that though we deserve death we could have this sentence served by someone on our behalf. God himself selected our proxy, appointed him to the task and empowered him to accomplish the feat; which he did to the uttermost. By his sacrifice, by Jesus' sacrifice, all mankind may slip the noose of justice (death) and fall into the embrace of God's mercy. To be spared what we deserve is the very essence of mercy.

Yet God, perfectly just and overflowing with mercy, was not satisfied with this act of mercy and decided to go much further and thereby defines grace. The second half of today's verse gives testimony to the extreme measure of God's grace. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Though we have done absolutely nothing to deserve this wondrous gift from God, nevertheless, he gives it to us. To receive that which we do not deserve is the very essence of grace.

So the only conclusion that I can draw from this thought is that we are not compensated according to our worth. We are gifted according to the worth of Jesus Christ but only to the extent to which we depend on and willingly choose to follow the Son of God. The absolute truth of this matter can be found in 1 John 5:12 where we are taught that "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

When payday rolls around and we all queue up with our palms open, you can have my place in the 'get what you think you are worth' line. I'm falling in behind Jesus in the 'get what Jesus is worth' line. I'm going to hold a spot for you though so that you can step out of the queue you're in and into the queue with Jesus. He's already done all the work, all that remains is your decision to accept him as your proxy, your Lord and Savior. It's your choice, life or death; choose wisely.

Loving Him,
Carl