“It is the Lord!”- Part 1

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” – John 21:7a

Ever feel discouraged, forgotten by the Lord? Ever get fed up with waiting for His plan to develop or pan out and just want to chuck it? Ever feel like putting a sign on the door that says, “Gone fishing”? Those are all feelings we at one point or another have been tempted by. The apostle Peter and the disciples experienced those same types of feelings.

In the beginning of the gospels Jesus called the disciples to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). Jesus had fulfilled His redemptive mission of dying on the cross for the sins of the world (John 19). His redemptive work was accepted by God and its efficacy evidenced by the resurrection (John 20). In John 21 we have the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus with His disciples (John 21:14).

But there was a lull in the contact between Jesus and the disciples. In John 21 we find Peter and six other disciples on the shores of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-2). The Sea of Tiberias is another name for the Sea of Galilee (John 6:1). There is a third name for this body of water. The locals call it  Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5:1) which is derived from the harp shape of this body of water (“Gennesaret” means a harp). It’s interesting that John was moved by the Spirit to use “Sea of Tiberias” as the designation for the Sea of Galilee here. This name is a very secular worldly name. It contains the name of one of the Caesars. “Tiberias” means literally from the Tiber and refers to a river god. Sea of Tiberias fits well with what might have been going through Peter’s and the disciples’ mind.

Peter, James and John were fishermen by trade. The passage allows us to picture them on the shores of Tiberias waiting on the Lord. I can see Peter sitting on the shore, pondering his recent past, wondering about the future. He had boasted loyalty to death toward Jesus (John 13:36-38). But he ended up sleeping when he should have been supporting Jesus in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46). Peter denied Jesus not once, but three times (John 18:15-27). Peter had utterly failed the Lord; his Lord! He had “wept bitterly” over that (Matthew 26:75). No doubt this was embedded in his mind and heart like a tragic nightmare. How would the Lord respond to him in light of his failure? Would He respond to him? Was this silence an indication Peter would be put on the shelf by Jesus? Would Jesus still love him? Would he, could he still have a part in serving his Lord? These thoughts were all racing through his mind like a cat chasing its tail. Like a harbinger of doom there was a gloom over him. Perhaps Satan was sifting him like wheat (Luke 22:31). Finally, when he could stand it no more, he said, “I’m going fishing” (John 21:3a).

There’s no exclamation point on the end of the words, “I’m going fishing.” Peter simply said it, got up, and went to work. Peter was a man of action. We see that in the gospels. He was the one who had taken a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus when Jesus was taken into custody in Gethsemane (John 18:10). Peter was a man of impulse. Now he just had to do something. He reverted to what he knew best, fishing. And the others followed Peter (John 21:3b).

It’s never a good thing to impatiently act on impulse. If waiting is required by the Lord it is for good reason. Perhaps He’s putting things in place to carry out His plan. Perhaps He is waiting to teach us something about ourselves as well as the way He works. It states, “That night they caught nothing” (John 21:3c). When you act impatiently, impulsively, in frustration, in your own strength, just to do something, anything, your net will be empty. And going back to old ways even if they are the ways you feel the most familiar with, is not the answer when it comes to the Lord. This was an indispensable lesson Jesus wanted His disciples to learn. Waiting on the Lord was something they would have to do regularly as they fulfilled His call on their life. They had to learn to trust Him; even if it meant waiting in silence. We need to learn this lesson too.

It says, “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (John 21:4). Jesus was there all the time. He always is. He waited and watched patiently as these disciples learned the futility and frustration of acting in their own strength. In their own strength all they got was emptiness. Now Jesus would show them a better way; the best way. Jesus is always watching. He knows what we’re going through. He knows how hard it is to wait on Him. But He also knows how important it is that we do wait on Him, trust Him, follow Him, and not lunge ahead of Him.  

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’” (John 21:5). Jesus knew they had no food. He wanted to emphasize that reality to them. Maybe they were aggravated by the inquiry. That they had no food to eat was clear to anyone with eyes. He who has eyes let him see. More importantly, no food meant they had no instrument to facilitate fellowship. He addressed them as “children,” because they were acting like spiritually immature children. He wanted them to grow up, be spiritual men, spiritual giants in His Kingdom living in His fullness. 

What’s the alternative to all of this? “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” (John 21:6). Years before these same fishermen had again, “toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Doesn’t say too much about their ability to fish does it?) A “Master” told them to, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter thought the Master’s request useless and said as much. But to be polite he complied with the request and to their surprise hauled in a catch that nearly broke their nets! This was Peter’s and the other’s introduction to their Master Jesus (Luke 5:1-11). Three years of ministry training taught Peter and the others to be open to suggestions about where to cast their nets. You never know, the One telling you to cast might be Jesus. Just like before, when they cast their net at Jesus’ instruction they hauled in a net stretching catch.

Then cerebral John, “that disciple whom Jesus loved,” said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7a). John put the pieces together of what was happening. Any huge catch like that, “It is the Lord!” Any fruitfulness, any full net in our life, “It is the Lord!” Remember that. That’s true in our relationships. We can try all night with all kinds of self-reliant ingenious ways of trying to change our spouse to our liking but without the Lord, it will be empty efforts. That’s true in parenting, family, our jobs, careers, education, ministry, and everything. “It,” must be, “the Lord!” to succeed. If the Lord is not in it, empty. If the Lord is in it, full.

It was Peter who instantly, “put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea” and made a bee-line to Jesus (John 21:7b). I hope we are just as quick to run to Jesus when we realize our catch is from the Lord. Fullness comes from Him. It took the six other disciples to drag the full net toward the shore (John 21:8). But when Jesus invited them to bring some of the fish for a fellowship meal it was big burly Peter who had the adrenaline rush to singlehandedly drag the large fish on shore (John 21:9-11). Peter couldn’t wait to be with Jesus. Are you like that? Or do you let your depression or distractions of life keep you casting an empty net?

“Come and eat breakfast” Jesus invited (John 21:12-13). The disciples were a bit hesitant, but they couldn’t turn down such an invitation; especially Peter. It wasn’t until after Peter had himself been fed that Jesus entered into a conversation about him feeding others. That’s important. We need to feed on God’s word first, before we are able to feed others. We need to practice the priority and discipline of feeding ourselves spiritually on God’s word. Man doesn’t live on physical bread alone but on every word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). We need the solid food meat and potatoes of God’s word. Not the cotton candy junk food of worldly philosophy and human tradition. Not even commentaries or good Christian books can substitute for God’s word. We need the undiluted balanced spiritual body fuel of God’s word (e.g. Colossians 2:8-10). We need to grow up from spiritual children’s formula feeding to the solid food of an adult diet of God’s word (Hebrew 5:12-14).

“Jesus then came and took the bread and give it to them, and likewise the fish” (John 21:13). Jesus wants to spend time with us. He wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to realize “It is the Lord!” It’s all about Him and our relationship with Him. To the latter day lukewarm church of Laodicea Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). That’s an invitation to the church! for me and for you. “It is the Lord!” But there’s a problem. We don’t always realize “It is the Lord!” Why? What was Peter’s issue, the problem, that Jesus was calling him to sit down and discuss? What did Peter and the others have to learn before their nets could be filled? That is what we will see in part two of It is the Lord!

Watch Israel!

“’You are My witnesses,’ says the LORD” – Isaiah 43:10

The Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ primary teaching on the End Times, focuses primarily on Israel (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21). In the Discourse Jesus mentions the Abomination of Desolation, fleeing on the Sabbath, and the budding of the fig tree all of which find there prophetic meaning in relation to Israel. Israel is an integral part of God’s prophetic plan.  This is true for a number of reasons. 

First, Israel is God’s tool to make Himself known to the world. In the book of Isaiah it states, “"You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen,” (Isaiah 43:10a; See also Isaiah 43:12; 44:8). God has chosen to use the nation of Israel to prove His existence and reveal Himself to the world. One way He has done this is through the preservation of Israel and especially the reestablishment of Israel as a nation in 1948.

Second, Israel is God’s tool to glorify Himself to the world. God refers to Israel as, “Israel My glory” (Isaiah 46:13). He says of Israel, “. . . ‘You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified’” (Isaiah 49:3). In describing the events of the great End Times battle of Ezekiel 38-39 God states, “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ (Ezekiel 38:23).

Third, Israel is God’s tool to reveal Himself via prophecy. One of the proofs of God’s existence is prophecy. In Isaiah it states, “ Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’” (Isaiah 46:9-10). God proves He is real and true by speaking prophetically through prophets. God has used the nation of Israel in particular to reveal Himself prophetically. 

God promised a Land to Israel through their patriarch Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:15; 15:7; 26:3-5; 28:13; Leviticus 25:46; Joshua 14:9). God brought Israel as a “chosen people” into this Promised Land (Exodus 6:7-8; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2). He warned Israel if they practiced idolatry and immorality He would evict them from the Land (Deuteronomy 9:4; 28:63; 1 Kings 9:7; 2 Chronicles 7:19-20). They persisted in sinning against God so He did indeed allow them to be taken captive from the Land. God declared Israel would be scattered throughout the earth and they were as a result of their sinfulness (Deuteronomy 28:64; 1 Kings 9:7; Nehemiah 1:8; Jeremiah 9:13-16; 44:2-17; Amos 9:9; Zechariah 7:14). God warned that when Israel was scattered they would be a curse and byword (Deuteronomy 28:37; 2 Chronicles 7:20; Jeremiah 29:18; 44:8). This has come to pass as Jews have been persistently persecuted throughout history. 

Despite their being targeted by merciless persecution, God promised that His chosen people would not be utterly destroyed and would continue as an identifiable ethnic and national group (Jeremiah 30:11; 31:35-37). History has also proven this to be true.

God promised to bring Israel back to the Promised Land in the Last Days and He did this on May 14^th, 1948 when Israel was reestablished as a nation  (Isaiah 11:11-12; Jeremiah 30:10; 31:8-12; Ezekiel 36:8-10, 22, 24, 33-38). He promised that in the Last Days, Jerusalem, the capitol of Israel, would become a “cup of trembling” (KJV) and a burden to the people’s of the world (Zechariah 12:2-3, 6-8). Jerusalem and Israel, a nation the size of Rhode Island are the center of the International controversy and tension proving God’s word of prophecy to be true.

There is presently a revival of those who theologically and prophetically try to cast Israel aside and replace her with “the Church” (e.g. Preterists; Replacement Theology). But God’s inspired words clearly state, “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! . . .” (Romans 11:1a). In the Bible God refers to Himself as the “God of Israel” over two hundred times and the “Holy One of Israel” thirty times. God associates Himself with Israel throughout the Bible. An entire book is devoted to God as Israel’s Husband (i.e. Hosea). God says He blesses and curses in relation to how people treat the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:3). Those are sobering words to those who oppose Israel.

In Romans 11 God reveals His plan for Israel. This plan includes, “that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25b). The word, “until” points to a future purpose of God for Israel. God isn’t finished with Israel. But some persist and protest, “Israel rejects Jesus as Messiah! How can she still be included in God’s plans?” The answer is found in the inspired prophecy of Ezekiel. He spoke of a day when Israel would be reborn as a nation. The vision God gave him was one of a gradual coming together of dead bones (Ezekiel 37:3-6). First the sinews, flesh and skin of the nation, then the breath of life! The nation comes together physically first, then spiritually later. Eternal life is coming to Israel!

 

When Jesus returns at His Second Coming He will touch down in the City of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4-5). The Second Coming of Jesus will occur at the culmination of the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-16; 19:11-21). This is when He delivers Israel from a siege of overwhelming enemies. And it is at this point that Israel will receive Jesus as her Messiah (Zechariah 12:4-10).

Before this time of Tribulation that climaxes in the Second Coming, Jesus will return in the clouds  and rapture all true believers to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We are saved from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9). The events happening to Israel indicate we are in the End Times. The rapture could take place at any time. It’s time to get right with God! (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:10, 13; 12:1-2). Only God knows when the final parts of His prophetic plan will be put in motion. A lot of God’s unfolding plan centers on Israel. God has His eye on Israel (Deuteronomy 32:10; Zechariah 2:8). We should too. Watch Israel and give your heart to the Lord!

 

Is it of God?

“If there arises among you a prophet . . . .”

 

How do we determine if something is of God or not? This is an important question because we are in a spiritual war in which our adversary the devil is a master liar, deceiver and destroyer. The Last Days will be characterized by “deceiving spirits,” “doctrines of demons,” and lies spoken by psychopathic hypocrites (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Satan’s aim is to murder you spiritually and physically (John 8:44). His main tactic is appearing as something good and luring people into evil. Therefore, if we ignore or take this question lightly we risk being victimized by the enemy or worse, being manipulated into a position where we give the enemies of the Lord reason to blaspheme God (2 Samuel 12:14). Because of this God has given us clear precautions in His word to help us discern what is of Him and what is not of Him.

There are many scriptures in the Bible which help us discern whether or not something is of the Lord. Below we list these scriptures with questions we ought to be asking when we are seeking to discern whether or not something is of the Lord.

Is it scriptural? Just because someone uses scriptures does not mean they are of the Lord? Satan used scriptures (out of context) against Jesus in the wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). Cults use scriptures, as do false teachers. How can we know if scripture is being used in the right way?

We need to see if the interpretation is correct based on the context, or the way it was used in the letter or book in which it is found. Usually you can determine this by reading before and after the scripture to see the proper interpretation of the verses. You may have to read the entire letter or book in which the verses are found. You should also ask whether or not the interpretation in question contradicts other parts of the Bible. God’s word does not contradict itself. We need to determine God’s truth based on the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

Does it bring me closer to God? You should ask if this use of scripture or thing in question is drawing you closer to or pushing you further away from God. The Bible tells us to draw near to God and move away from the devil (James 4:7-8). This is a question that can be tricky because our hearts are deceitful and we can’t know them on our own (Jeremiah 17:9-10). We need to ask God to search our hearts and see the truth in us (Psalm 139:23-24). And the way we do this is to bring our hearts and thoughts prayerfully to the altar of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12).

There is an interesting scripture in this regard and it states the following:

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 -  “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, ² and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ ³ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. ⁵ But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.

Notice it is not the sign or wonder or impressiveness of something that determines whether or not it is of God. It is whether or not something draws us closer to God and moves us to love Him more and more that determines whether or not something is of God. Jesus said eternal life is to know the One true God and Him (John 17:3). That in a nutshell is the prime reason Jesus came to be with us (John 17:4). We should be asking, “Is what I’m doing bringing me closer to the Lord? Is it making me more spiritually sensitive to His voice? Is it helping me to know Him better? Can I see Jesus involved with what I’m doing?”

Is it causing me to worship the Lord? God is looking for true worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and truth. Those who are trying to determine if the music they listen to is of God should be asking themselves, “Is this causing me to love God more? Is it causing me to worship the Lord in spirit and truth?”(John 4:23-24). Does the music put me in awe of the Lord and cause me to fall at His feet in worship?

Does it bring pleasure to God? Contrary to the popular philosophy of the day, we do not exist for our own pleasure. Humanity was created for the Lord and His pleasure! (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11 KJV). Christians have been purchased by God and redeemed from their sin by the precious blood of Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians should especially be asking questions like, “Is what I’m doing pleasing to God? Is it selfish? Does it risk displeasing God in some way?”

Is it really worth it? Is what I’m doing really worth the time? If I’m being tempted to do something that is questionable, is it worth risking my walk with the Lord in any way? Nothing is worth risking a single drop of closeness to the Lord.  Greg Laurie once shared some questions we could ask to help us make good sound spiritual decisions. When you come to something that is questionable or really in any situation you should ask yourself five evaluative questions: 1. Will it build me up spiritually? (1 Corinthians 10:23; Hebrews 12:1-2). 2. Will it bring me under its power? (1 Corinthians 6:12;  Romans 6:14). 3. Do I have an uneasy feeling about it? (Romans 14:23). 4. Will it cause someone else to stumble? (Romans 14:15). 5. Will it bring glory to God? (1 Corinthians 10:31;  Colossians 3:17, 23).

Satan is a brilliant enemy who is the master of deception. He disguises himself as something good when he is really the worst of the worst. Those he uses practice the same deception (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Satan does not usually try to sidetrack or victimize people with what is blatantly bad. No. His tactic is to rob people of God’s best by tempting them with what is second best. Unfortunately too many Christians have passed up God’s best because they were impatient and settled for something good, but not God’s best. The choice is not necessarily between good and bad as much as it is between God’s best and an alternative.  That tactic is as old as the Garden of Eden, but it is no less effective today (Genesis 3).  So beware, pray to the Lord and ask Him for help to discern. Go to God’s word and let His peace be your guide (Colossians 3:15-16). But above all, care whether or not something is or is not of God.

 

Lost Opportunity

“If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” – 1 Kings 12:7

 Decisions based on pride and insensitivity lead to division. When King Solomon died he was succeeded by his son Rehoboam. His inauguration was to take place at Shechem. But right out of the box young Rehoboam was faced with a critical decision. Jeroboam, (an enemy of his father - 1 Kings 11:26-40), led the assembly of Israel to challenge Rehoboam. They said, “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you” (1 Kings 12:1-4).  Solomon had expanded the kingdom of Israel to its greatest boundaries. He had built the magnificent Temple, his own house, the Milo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo and many other building projects (cf. 1 Kings 9:15-28). While he didn’t utilize forced labor to do this work (1 Kings 9:22), he did lay heavy tax burdens on the people.  Wisely, Rehoboam asked for three days to think about it his response (12:5).

Rehoboam first consulted “the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lives” (12:6). He first went to those who knew his father and had served with him. Their counsel was, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever” (12:7). In other words they counseled Rehoboam to be a servant leader. Jesus said the key to greatness is being a servant (Mat. 23:11). The counsel of the elders was spot and prudent. They also advised Rehoboam to answer the people and speak “good words to them.” “Good” (טוֹב - ṭôwb, tobe ) here means pleasant, bountiful, cheerful, proper types of words. Rehoboam shouldn’t respond haughtily but humbly. He was being advised to empathize and be sensitive to the needs of the people; to be gracious and willing to listen. The elders told Rehoboam if he would just respond in a good way with good words to the people, “then they will be your servants forever.” If he responded as a servant of the people and not a tyrant, the people’s hearts would melt before him and he would win them forever. Not only that, but we know that God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). If Rehoboam responded in humility, God would be on his side. This was good wise counsel from his father’s elders.

What the elders were really advising Rehoboam was to love the people. David loved the people. He was heartbroken when his poor decisions adversely impacted the people (cf. 2 Sam. 24:14). Solomon started with a concern and love for the people he ruled (1 Kings 3:9). Loveless decisions are always poor decisions. In the New Testament John wrote, “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). Rehoboam had it in his power to relieve the burden of the people. In refusing to do so he exhibited loveless leadership. A good leader has compassion. A godly leader leads in the love of the Lord.

Unfortunately Rehoboam “rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.” (12:8). The advice of his young friends was to answer the people, “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!” (12:9-10). In other words, “You think my father laid a heavy burden on you? Wait until you see what I do; you haven’t seen nothin’ yet!” This was a purely prideful response. Rehoboam and his young friends probably reasoned that to show compassion and sensitivity was to expose weakness. Perhaps they thought if I give in to them with this then it will only lead to more requests. They saw leadership as rule, authority, power, and control. They were more concerned with keeping power and lordship over the people than they were serving God by serving the people. They were so wrong.  

It’s not surprising that Jeroboam and the people didn’t respond well to the rough answer of Rehoboam. Not only did they completely reject his decision, but when they saw that he was unwilling to listen to their request and be fair, they said, “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now see to your own house, O David!” (12:16). When King Rehoboam sent Adoram to collect the taxes, the people stoned him and   it began a civil war that resulted in the ten northern tribes separating from Judah and Benjamin in the south.  

What a lost opportunity! The unity of the nation was at stake. And the loyalty of a people to their king and king to the people hung in the balance. Even more importantly, the relationship of Israel to their God was about to be adversely impacted. And all was lost because of pride and a lack of love. Tragic! Humility and love are indispensable to leaders and decision making. Nothing good comes from pride. Nothing is gained by a lack of love.

Decisions based on pride and insensitivity lead to division. “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well advised is wisdom” (Prov. 13:10). “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Rehoboam’s proud harsh response to the people led to a foolish decision. A fool is someone who fails to factor God into their life equation (Ps. 14). Rehoboam consulted the elders of his father and his young friends, but he never consulted God! If he had maybe the Lord would have brought to mind the inspired proverb of his father that states, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). But God spoke to him and told him not to fight against those who had separated themselves from him (12:22-24). The consequence of the decision must take its course. This situation was linked in part to Solomon’s forsaking of God (1 Kings 11).

The division caused by pride was like a cancer. Jeroboam, concerned that he would lose people if they went to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship, erected an alternative altar in the northern area of the tribe of Dan and at Bethel. Two golden calves were made and outright apostasy and false worship was encouraged (12:25-35). Pride led to division. Division led to apostasy. Human relationships were severed by pride and insensitivity. And relationships with God were and added ultimate consequence. Nothing good ever comes from pride.

Is your life characterized by broken relationships and division? If so, it doesn’t mean you are necessarily the culprit or cause. Sometimes we are victimized by pride and lovelessness. But just in case, ask yourself a few questions. Are you more concerned with maintaining control than being compassionate? Are you looking to serve or be served? Are you proud or humble? “He who has a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered” (Prov. 28:25). Remember, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever” (12:7). Those are wise words. Pray about it. Servant or lord, what’s your choice?

 

 

In His Image – Grace, Faith, and Love

“So God created man in His own image” – Genesis 1:27

 We are created in the image of God. What does that mean? In part it means we are a reflection of God and who He is. We get a picture of who God is and what He is like when we look at the human makeup. Of course, that image has been marred by sin. Adam went from being created in the image of God to having offspring “in his own likeness,” that is, in his own fallen sinful nature likeness (Gen. 5:3). But there is still a lot we can learn about God and His ways by looking at His image in us.  

We see; God sees. We hear; God hears. We touch; God touches. “So do animals,” you say. Some would argue that primates are very human-like. They would go so far as to say they are simply less evolved than humans. That is a discussion for another day. Suffice it to say that humanity is so far beyond primates in intellect, creativity, and volition as to make comparison gross. Humanity is uniquely created by God in His image. What really sets humanity apart?

I like the comment of Pastor Chuck Smith in the Word for Today Bible for Genesis 1:26. He states, “What does it mean to be made after God’s likeness? The chief governing characteristic of God is His self-determination – His will and His ability to choose and to determine His own destiny. So man was created a self-determinant being. The chief emotional attribute of God is love. God made man in His image with a beautiful capacity to love – both to give it and receive it.” [1] The image of God in us is most clearly seen in our will and capacity to love.

Understanding the image of God in humanity is important because it sheds light on our accountability before God. Because we are created by God with the capacity to make decisions and to love others, we are accountable before Him for those decisions and our love or lack thereof.

Our existence is completely due to the sovereign determination of God. We exist because He chose to bring us into existence. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16b, 17). “You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11). That is grace. We don’t deserve to be created. But God created us by grace; undeserved favor. Grace is God acting according to His own nature of love. God created us graciously; according to His own nature of love. He created us in His image.

Created by His grace and in His image we have the capacity to make decisions. God’s image in us manifests itself in our capacity to choose right from wrong. We trust this or that. We exert the faith He has built into our being. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). “’How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21).

The greatest decision we make is to love. “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mat. 22:37-40). The love God speaks of is not cheap love. It isn’t a love that is in word only. Love is not mere lip-service. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21a). “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18).

Human choice and love are inextricably connected. If humanity does not have the capacity to choose, it cannot love. Love forced is an oxymoron. That’s important because some theology discounts the human will. It removes the image of God in humanity that provides the capacity to choose and make decisions. There are some who would remove human decision from the equation of salvation. And yet Christ’s call to repentance screams for decision (e.g. Mark 1:15). I understand the motive of those who discount human free will and the capacity for decision. I understand the desire to exalt God and make salvation completely and totally of Him, of His grace. But even if the salvation plan of God is viewed as incorporating a decision from human beings, salvation is still totally of God. God created us in the first place. He created us in His image with the capacity to choose. He reasons with us and draws us to Himself (Is. 1:18; John 6:44). He persuades us and convicts us of our sin (John 16:8-11). It’s all by His grace. We wouldn’t know we fall short of His glorious requirements unless by grace he revealed and exposed our depravity (Rom. 3).

Removing the decision required of humanity by God from the salvation equation serves to desecrate the image of God He has placed in the human creation. It makes God’s creation less than He created it to be. It diminishes God’s creativity. It doesn’t exalt God’s sovereignty, it lessons it. Is God only able to rule those He has programmed a certain way to be ruled? Or is God so great and glorious that He can field humanities’ questions and even their accusations and then respond, “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me” (Job 38:2-3).

To say humanity must respond to the gospel with faith or trust should not be viewed as incorporating a human “work” in salvation. Faith is not a work. When a person repents and puts their faith in Jesus they have nothing to boast about. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). Faith is part of God’s image in humanity. It is there by grace. But humanity is responsible for using that capability.

Some say salvation circumvents a willful decision by people. Some say people cannot make a decision one way or the other. They affirm the only people who are saved are those who have been predestined to salvation by God beforehand. They say salvation is separate from any decision on the part of humanity. Such a view removes the image of God from humanity. Such a view reduces humanity to automatons; robots. Unable to choose, we are unable to love. Thank God this is not the truth! For God has given us a will and capacity to choose. Praise God we can choose to receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord! Praise God we can love! By His grace we can choose. By His grace we can love. Choose wisely.

 

 

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[1] Pastor Chuck Smith,  Word for Today Bible. (Costa Mesa CA: Word for Today Pub. 2012)  note on page 3 for Genesis 1:26.  

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7). We must be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:6, 8). Does that cause you to marvel? Are you amazed that in this age of eclecticism, unbridled tolerance, and relativism someone would be so bold as to claim there is a single solitary essential of salvation? Is that bigoted?

The context of those words was one Rabbi talking to another. Nicodemus was a religious man. As a rabbi he was beneficiary of a high quality of education relative to the day. He was probably well to do. He was outwardly clean and polished. He was religiously well dressed. He was in a position of prestige. He had all the advantages of being a prominent person in his society and culture. And yet when in the presence of Jesus this religious man of note was told, “You must be born again.”

What about people in the church who don’t believe a person has to be born again to enter God’s kingdom? What about people of other faiths: Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews? What about good atheists and agnostics?  What about the millions who admit they simply don’t know? Or what about the millions who say you can’t know? Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). That narrow but saving way is, “You must be born again.”

Why is it so important to be born again? Because without being born again humans are spiritually dead. We are dead in sin. Physically we will die. But there is much more than that. Because of sin we are dead to God. We are out of relationship with Him. Our sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:1-2). He is Holy and requires we be holy (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16). People forget about that. People concoct or create an image of “God” that doesn’t exist. Their “God” condones sin and immorality. They disregard God’s definition of sin in scripture and call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). That is unacceptable and repulsive to God. If we cherish sin in our hearts God will not hear us (Psalm 66:18). God is of purer eyes than to look upon evil and “cannot look on wickedness” (Habakkuk 1:13). And we are evil!

God in His word states, “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21). In Psalms David states, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). Solomon was inspired to write, “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). All this sin works death in us. In Ephesians Paul contrasts believers with what they once were by stating, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (Eph. 2:1-3). Evil, iniquitous, unjust, dead in trespasses and sins, walking worldly, under Satan’s influence, disobedient, and fleshly, that’s our human condition. Would you want to stand before a Holy God in that state? We better be born again.

 

We must all be transformed from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, in order to receive forgiveness of our sins and God’s inheritance of eternal life (Acts 26:18). We must be saved from our sin. We must receive “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). We must be born again!

Paul said, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he is not His” (Romans 8:9b). It takes the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to have a saving relationship with God. Only by the Holy Spirit can someone experience, “. . . the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15). It is “The Spirit Himself” who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). That should make us want to be born again.

Our world is confused. They foolishly think themselves wiser than God. They “marvel” at the supposed stupidity and narrowness of Christianity. But really they are cowards. They run from any conflict or integrity like it was the plague. They have grown weak as a wet noodle. They are unwilling to stomach what it takes to confront sin and stand in the gap for those running toward hell. They would rather allow people to fornicate while their house burns down around them. Some hide from personal accountability by claiming eternity is esoteric; unknowable. Therefore they claim every road leads to the same place; a nirvana of some kind. They think this philosophically prudent in terms of avoiding conflict. “Can’t we all just get along?” “Give peace a chance.”

But if all roads are right and all beliefs true it raises a lot of logical reasonable questions about the many contradictions such a worldview creates. Is there one God or many gods? Is He personal or impersonal? Has “God” communicated with us? Can we communicate with Him; or Her? Is there a heaven? What’s it like? How do we get there? Do we work our way to heaven? What “work” is sufficient? How much work is enough? Can we be sure? Is getting to heaven a religious or spiritual journey? Are those two things in agreement or conflict? Is there a right, a wrong?  There’s a myriad questions and humanity is seeking answers while in a dark dead state. All the while there is this ache within pondering  there must be more than this. There is. We must be born again.

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7). In love as a free gift of His grace God in Christ came into this world of sin. He reached down into the toilet of this world and made a way for us to be cleaned from the filth of sin. He has shined His light into our darkness. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7, 9). The kindness and love of God has appeared. It does not speak of working your way out of this sinful mess. It speaks of mercy; not getting what we deserve. It speaks of salvation to those lost in sin. It speaks of thorough heart cleansing. It speaks of renewal; transformation by the Holy Spirit. It speaks of abundance. It speaks of the possibility to be justified before God or have a standing that is just as if I’d never sinned. And it speaks of all of this through Jesus Christ. His blood shed for us. The penalty for sin is death. He paid our penalty. He died for us. (Romans 6:23). He is faithful. He is just. He will forgive our sins. We can be born again!

If this salvation, this washing of regeneration, this spiritual birth, this second birth or being born again is not of works, then how can we experience it? “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Receive Him. Take hold of Him, grasp Him. Just take hold of the gift He is offering. Believe in His name. Have faith in Him and all He stands for and has revealed. Be convinced. Trust Him. Rely on Him. Have confidence in Him as your Savior. All of this implies repentance. God’s offer entails turning from alternatives to Jesus. He doesn’t say “receive Him and . . . .” He doesn’t say, “believe in His name and . . . .” By nature we are walking from God. He gets our attention with grace, love, mercy, sacrifice. He who knew no sin has become sin for us. He offers us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). It’s not our blood. It’s not our human willful religious asceticism. It’s God. “You must be born again.” It’s the only way. It’s the truth. It’s life (John 14:6). Marvelous? In light of our sin, yes indeed. In light of our self-righteousness, definitely not! “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” Be born again!

 

 

 

The Prime Essential of Salvation

". . .  if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” - Romans 8:9

There is one prime essential of salvation. A person can be religious, relatively good, and even believe there is a God and that Jesus is the Christ, and still be lost! The Pharisees were amongst the most religious people that ever lived and yet Jesus denounced them for their hypocrisy (Mat. 23). The Rich Young Ruler had apparently kept the commandments of God and yet “one thing” (Mark 10:21). Demons believe there is a God and that Jesus is the Christ, “the Holy One of God!” and are still destined for hell (Mat. 8:29; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; James 2:19). What is the one prime essential which separates these examples from eternal life and a place in God’s Kingdom? It is the Holy Spirit within.

Jesus told Nicodemus the religious Pharisee, “You must be born again” and explained that to be a spiritual birth (John 3:1-21). Just as a person is physical born, they need a second birth, a spiritual birth. They need to be born again. Until that happens a person is spiritually dead. Until the Holy Spirit comes to reside or indwell a person they are incomplete. God created humanity to have fellowship with Him. We are dependent on fellowship with God. We are created with an inherent design for fellowship with God. No matter what success or partial fulfillment we acquire in this life without God there will remain emptiness in us.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he is not His” (Rom. 8:9). The context is speaking of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the genuinely saved Christian. There are people who frequent churches, wear Christian paraphernalia, who do “good” deeds but still do not belong to God. Why is this so? Because they lack the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus referred to such people as “tares.” A tare is husk of wheat with no kernel inside. On the outside it looks like any other full husk of wheat. But on the inside it is empty. Jesus said there are tares among the healthy wheat (Mat. 13:24-30).  This raises two questions.

First, how can I be born again and indwelled by the Holy Spirit? This spiritual second birth takes place when a person responds to the gracious reasoning and call of God (Is. 1:18). No one can come to God unless He draws them (John 6:44). Sin separates humanity from God (Ps. 66:18; Is. 59:2; Rom. 3:9-23), who is Holy (Ps. 5:4; Hab. 1:13). God will not simply dismiss or turn a blind eye to our sin; that would go against the foundations of who He is (Ps. 89:14). The Holy Spirit convicts the sinner of their sinfulness, that in their own strength they cannot attain God’s required level of righteousness for salvation, and that they are therefore destined for God’s just and righteous judgment (John 16:8-11). The consequence of sin is death; not annihilation but eternal separation from God in a place called hell (Ps. 9:17; Mat. 25:46; Rom. 6:23).

But God who is Love made a way for humanity to be justified, redeemed and forgiven their sin through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Rom. 5:1f.; 8:1f.). Jesus the just paid the death penalty on the cross for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18). He “was made sin for us” that we might receive His righteousness put to our account (2 Cor. 5:21). That transaction takes place when a person puts their faith in Jesus as Savior (Eph. 2:8-9). This is not mere assent like demons.  Saving faith by nature is repentant; a person turns from their sin to God. It also means they ask God’s forgiveness based on the atoning work of Jesus on the cross not their own efforts to be right with God.

When a person receives this salvation offered by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ God forgives their sin and gives them spiritual life (i.e. regeneration) by indwelling them with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). The work of the Holy Spirit is described as, “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). He washes away our sins and gives us spiritual life.

Second, how do I know if I have been born again and indwelled by the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity (one God; Three distinct Persons); He is God (Acts 5:3-4). Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “another Helper” which literally means, another just like Me (“another” = ἄλλος - allŏs, al´-los – another of the same of the same sort - John 14:16). Peter conveys this by using the words, “the Spirit of Christ” in reference to the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:11). When we see references to Christ being in us it is referring to the indwelling Holy Spirit who is making the presence of Jesus known (e.g. Rom. 8:10; Col. 1:27). Therefore, when the Holy Spirit indwells a person there will be evidence of His holy work in that person and that holy work is conforming the indwelled person to Christlikeness (Rom. 8:29).

There are ten evidences of the indwelling Holy Spirit. These are the things associated with the regenerated life of the Spirit in scripture. They may be in degrees. They should be ongoing and growing. These evidence are:

1.      A desire to be led by the Spirit of God not the flesh (i.e. self-will; self-reliance; self-promotion) – Rom. 8:1-14; Gal. 5:16, 25; 1 Pet. 1:22.

2.      A personal relationship with Jesus via the indwelling Spirit – Rom. 8:10; John 15:26

3.      A warm familial rather than harsh slave/Master relationship with God – Rom. 8:15

4.      An assurance of salvation – Rom. 8:16; 1 John 3:24

5.      A power of the Spirit to help overcome weaknesses – Rom. 8:26a; Acts 1:8; Zech. 4:6

6.      A Spirit led prayer life – Rom. 8:26b-27; Eph. 6:18

7.      A Spirit led insight – John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:9-14; 1 Tim. 4:1f.; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.

8.      A hunger for and submission to the God-breathed/inspired word of God which is the language of the Spirit - 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 6:17.

9.      A holy love for God and people – Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22-24;  2 Cor. 5:14

10.  A unity with other Spirit filled believers – Eph. 4:3

Do you see these evidences in your life? Paul was inspired to question his readers with the words, “. . . if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Rom. 8:9). Have you been born again? Does the Spirit indwell you? Is there evidence of the Spirit’s indwelling in your life? The indwelling Holy Spirit is the prime essential of salvation. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Cor. 13:5). Do you not know . . . ?