Greater Joy Than Sorrow

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” (Joh 16:20 AV)

The joy of the world cannot be compared with the joy of the saints.  That to which Christ is referring is the joy which the world shared at the death of the Savior.  For those who do not believe, their joy continues.  Their joy is shallow, fleeting, and temporary.  The joy of the saints came three days later.  When Christ arose, there was no greater joy!  The world may not believe it and rejoice in a lie – that it – that Jesus is dead and never rose again.  But the joy of the saint is founded in absolute truth.  That being, Jesus is God and Christ rose victorious from the grave.  The LORD was reassuring His disciples He was going to die a death that would be humiliating for both Him and those who follow Him.  Yet, after three days, He would rise again and put His enemies to shame.

It is not easy living a life that attempts to live for Christ.  We fail way too often.  Heap upon this the joy which the world experiences while we struggle only compounds the experience.  When a baker in Colorado is forced to bake a cake against his will – they rejoice.  When a church makes the headlines because they inform a woman breast feeding is public it can become a distraction and a bit immodest – they rejoice.  When a church is shot up by a crazed man who was a former disgruntled member – they rejoice.   When a preacher falls into immorality and shame is brought to the name of Christ – they rejoice.  When churches close for lack of interest – they rejoice.  When laws are passed that frustrate the spreading of the gospel – they rejoice.  When the church can no longer counsel or sell books that counsel reparative therapy – they rejoice.  When selling the Bible in a Christian book store becomes illegal because it deals with same gender relationships as an abomination – they rejoice.  When a Christian clerk refuses to issue a marriage license and refers the case to a co-worker resulting in national embarrassment and expensive court cases – they rejoice.

Here is the good news.  The LORD is coming back and all of these things will be in the past.  No amount of rebellion on man’s part kept Jesus Christ in the grave.  No stone was heavy enough to keep the LORD in His tomb.  There never was enough strategy to keep the news of the resurrected Christ from spreading like wildfire.  The world could not keep Jesus in the grave literally or figuratively.  In the same sense, the world cannot pass enough laws to keep Jesus from coming again.  There isn’t enough weaponry to conquer the LORD at Armageddon.  There aren’t enough bonfires to burn all the Bibles in the world.  The devil is not strong enough from keeping the two witnesses from miraculously rising again.  The Savior will return.  He will set up His kingdom and rule it with a rod of iron.  We will rejoice.  We do rejoice.  Not for what it, but what will be!  Glory to God.

Ask For The Glory of God

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (Joh 14:13 AV)

Herein is a condition for answered prayer that I have never heard taught or preached.  It appears a condition for answered prayer is that it ultimately brings glory to the Father.  This makes total sense.  Why would the LORD give us the request of our heart if it accomplished just the opposite?  He wouldn’t.  This truth runs deeper than this though.  Almost all of our requests are asked in the pretext of what they mean to us.  What we would like to see happen.  What we wish the LORD would do.  Rarely do we ask our petitions because it would be in the LORD’s best interest to answer these requests in the manner in which we desire. One has to wonder how a prayer life would sound that put God’s glory first rather than our own wishes or anxieties.  It is almost unfathomable.

As we have written before, we do not struggle with the physical attributes of God.  We know that He knows all things.  We know that He can do all things.  We know that His power and wisdom are without limits.  The problem we have is we do not believe He will do what we ask of Him.  What we also fail to consider is why He may choose not to answer in a way we wish He would.  For instance, almost always, when we have a loved one who is suffering from poor health, we pray the LORD would heal such and individual.  We hope and pray it will turn out all right.  Yet, the word of God clearly teaches that death is the consequence of sin.  Death passed upon all men for all have sinned, says Paul in the fifth chapter of Romans.  This is a judgment of God.  If He answers that prayer for perfect health every time we ask it of Him, then is judgment is made of no effect.

Many of our requests are made without considering what it might mean to the sovereign plan of God or the perception mankind has of Him.  Little consideration is given to His moral attributes and what an answer might do to the veracity of such a request.  How does it effect the plan of God?  How does the answer further the glory of God?  Will mankind get the wrong idea of who and what God is if He grants me the desire of my heart?  Will the LORD and His plan of salvation be furthered or hindered if my request were granted?  How will it effect my walk with God and the effectiveness of my life for His purposes?  These questions should be entertained as we petition the LORD.

Get Out and Stay Out

“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (Joh 12:31 AV)

The prince of this world is the devil.  What was cannot do is confuse two events.  In revelation chapter twelve, we are taught the devil is cast out from heaven forever and is cast upon the earth.  Peter tells us the devil is a roaring lion, wandering about this earth in search of those whom he may devour.  Paul tells us in Second Corinthians the devil actively steals the word of God from the hearts of those who do not wish to believe.  And we are further told the devil, after one thousand years of imprisonment, will be loosed to tempt the nations.  If the devil is still active and will be active the future, of what is the LORD referring?  How can the devil be cast out if he is not?  The context is the death and resurrection of Christ being the event that casts out the devil.  Yet, he is still here?  Of what is the Lord speaking?

If we look at the casting out of Satan as merely a one (or two – depending on how one looks at it) event, then this statement does not make sense.  However, if we look at it as a process a much as an event, then the statement not only becomes clearer; it becomes a source of great rejoicing.  What confuses the statement even more is the tense of the verbs.  ‘Now’ is in the present tense.  ‘Cast’ is in the future tense.  How can both be true?  One way is to look at the casting out as a process as much as an event.

When Christ died and rose again, the salvation of mankind was complete.  No more does the devil have hope that he can condemn the entire human race.  If Jesus does not die and rise, there is no salvation and the devil’s desire to destroy what God loves comes to pass.  The devil wins.  That is not what happened.  Praise God.  Jesus Christ suffered and died that He might take upon Himself the wrath of God for our sins.  He rose victorious over the curse of death.  This ended the stronghold to which the devil lay claim.  From that day forward, the process of removing the devil’s stronghold began.  There are two events wherein the devil is physically cast out.  But for now, one soul at a time, the devil is cast out!  Praise be to God we worship the Winner and watch the loser suffer!

Which Messiah?

“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” (Joh 8:21 AV)

The challenge with the book of John is the use of metaphorical speech by our Savior.  The words and ideas our LORD uses are not clearly black and white.  They are meant for meditation.  They require an extensive use of context.  In the above verse, it would appear there are those who desire to seek after Christ, yet to no avail.  All their seeking will result in damnation instead of salvation.  This seems paradoxical.  This is not the Savior that I know.  That is, if we assume they seek Him for forgiveness of sins and salvation of their souls.  This is not the Messiah they seek.  They seek a political one.  They seek a savior from Rome, not a Savior from sin, death, and hell.  The following verse affirms this understanding when Christ testifies they are of this world and mind worldly things.  They want a tailor-made savior.  They do not want the Savior they truly need.

Which brings us to our application for the day.  There are things we desire from the LORD.  There are certain attributes of the divine that are attractive.  There are others aspects of the LORD that we would rather not entertain.  In a generation that is self-centered and has a hard time seeing life outside of themselves, we tend to relate to the God that we want and not the God that we need.  The result is there is not real change in our lives.  We use God for our own perceived needs of affirmation, comfort, forgiveness, and encouragement.  We reject those attributes of God like authority, justice, judgment, owner and master.  Our worship is all about how it makes us feel rather than true worship which are acts of surrender, obedience, and obeisance.  The God we desire is the God who will save us from problems of this life.  What we reject is the God who also demands our complete and total surrender to His will.  We want forgiveness of sin because it makes us feel better.  We do not want forgiveness of sin because we have offended God.  We want just enough change in life so that we can enjoy life.  What we do not want is significant change that will make our lives significant to the Master.

We wonder why there is no real change in our churches.  Sin runs rampant through our pews.  We blame lack of discipline.  That is certainly a major factor.  What we do not consider is we worship a partial God.  We do not consider holiness which begins with surrender.  We do not stop to meditate upon the reality that God is Creator, Owner, and Master: therefore, His demands upon us are legitimate, just, and right.  Our worship teams are shallow.  Emotional manipulation at its best.  How do we know this?  Because fidelity, purity, holiness, righteousness, etc. are unchanged.  Our churches have lively services, but the lives involved have not significantly changed.  Sin still runs rampant through our ranks, making a mockery of the very God whom we say we love.  Which Messiah to you look for?

Turn The Lights Back On

“He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” (Joh 5:35 AV)

I wonder what changed?  I wonder why John the Baptist had a great response to his ministry, but the LORD did not.  A great multitude came to be baptized of John in the river Jordan.  They were willing to confess their sins.  There was great revival under this push for national repentance.  Thousands upon thousands came to John in the wilderness.  Yet, when Christ was at His peak, he only had 500.  What was the difference?  Why did they rejoice in the light for a season and not continue?  Perhaps the specific application of a general idea became too uncomfortable.

When John the Baptist performed his ministry, he was calling the nation to repentance in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.  When these converts were baptized, they didn’t know who the Messiah was.  They understood the general idea of the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and David.  What they didn’t know was in whom these promises would be realized.  Then, Jesus came to be baptized of John in the wilderness.  The Spirit descended from above.  The voice of God was heard.  The Messiah was revealed.  As a result, the converts declined.  In fact, this declination was noted by John and his disciples.  They noticed that John had more converts than Jesus did.  This was their struggle over the truth that Jesus was the Messiah.  Shouldn’t the Messiah make more converts than John?  So, what happened?

Perhaps the people were committed to the idea of a Messiah, but when He arrived, understood there were changes that had to come as a result of his coming.  They were committed to the general idea of a Savior.  What they were not committed to was what it personally meant to them.  Sort of like when a church votes to undertake a large project.  Everyone is for it until the work starts.  Then, all of a sudden, it is down to a few.  This is the challenge of a disciple.  What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?  What is the difference between a believer and a disciple?  What does it mean to be a child of God?  Does it mean we go to heaven when we die, or does it mean far more?  The length of our joy is the manifestation of our maturity.  The disciples counted it all joy they were able to suffer for the glory of God.  A far cry from the joy of a baptism.

Individualism Gains God's Trust

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” (Joh 2:24-25 AV)

I will have to admit; these verses have always bothered me.  It has to do with a misunderstanding of the word ‘…commit…’  I always took that to mean that Jesus would not make a commitment to the sinner to minister to him.  But that is not what it means at all.  It means to entrust.  The context of this event bears this out.  This happened in Jerusalem.  The book of John is primarily in the later part of the LORD’s ministry.  He was getting closer to His death on Calvary’s hill just outside of Jerusalem.  These verses are actually very simple in that Jesus Christ would not entrust himself to the people of Jerusalem because His time had not yet come.  There was a probability if He remained in Jerusalem and committed his safety to the people of that city, they would turn on Him.  The crucifixion would have been hastened out of the timetable of the Father.  Most commentators rightly mention that a group can be pretty fickle and predictable at times.  This is to what Jesus Christ was responding.  His effectiveness lay in the manageable numbers He had with His twelve apostles and the 500 disciples.  The commentators also make a point that managed information is a prudent practice when dealing with crowds.  But what of us?  How do we apply this to our own hearts?

What is common since the beginning of time is group manipulation.  The devil went after the entire human race in the garden of Eden.  He stirred up the nation against Moses, Samuel, David, etc.  Groups are made up of individuals.  When this happens, the individual is lost to the group.  That is, unless the individual remembers that he or she is an individual.  The greater the organization of individuals into groups, the greater the potential for error.  Remembering that first and foremost, we are an individual who will have to give account for our individual actions to an individual God will keep us from getting swept up in group think.  Knowing what the word of God says and how we are individually accountable for it goes a long way in keeping us from being influenced by the group.

What Jesus Christ says here is that He cannot trust this group.  He knows what happens when a group gets too large.  Individual accountability disappears.  People no longer think for themselves.  This is our nature.  This is our behavior.  When that happens, the LORD cannot trust us.  He cannot commit His plan to mankind when we lose our ability to think as individuals.  The application to us this morning is to meditate upon this trust that we are not a nameless and meaningless minute part of a huge whole.  We are an individual to whom God can speak and of whom God will hold accountable.  Just because the majority thinks one way does not mean we must as well.  We have individual soul liberty to find God’s truth and follow it.  Then, and only then, will Jesus commit His truth to us.

Behoove

“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” (Lu 24:46-48 AV)

There is so much in these three verses.  That to which the Spirit drew the attention this morning was two phrases.  “…behoved…” and “…ye are witnesses…”  The only way mankind was going to be redeemed towards their Creator was that Christ was to suffer and rise again.  The only way mankind was going to hear of it was the preaching of it.  This is what is behooved.  If this is true, then those who have witnessed these things have an unction from which there is not escape.  These are the things that are behooved. 

There is not other way around it.  Angels are not going to descend to preach the gospel.  Works will not save a man’s soul.  This sacrifice and the means to publish it were ordained before the world began.  That word ‘…behoove…’ is an astounding word.  In the Greek, it means absolutely necessary.  It means the whole plan will fall apart if not accomplished.  When Christ says it behooved him to die and rise, and that this news is published, He is saying that if one or both are not accomplished, there is no salvation brought to man.

As much as it was necessary for Christ to die and rise again, it is equally necessary for His gospel to be shared with a lost and dying world.  Silence is not an option.  Choice to share or not share in not on the menu.  If we have witnessed the power of the resurrected Christ in our hearts and on our souls, then it behooves us to share that news with others no matter the consequences.  Sure, it will probably not go well.  We will be rejected.  We will be mocked.  We will be persecuted.  But there is no other way.  It behooves us as much as it behooved Christ, to publish glad tidings of peace with God to a lost and dying world.

All For His Glory

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” (Lu 21:13 AV)

The context here is persecution in the last days.  The LORD is assuring his disciples that when put into circumstances that may end in their deaths, this will turn for an opportunity to testify for the LORD.  Many are not comforted by these words.  Our flesh would rather not be given that opportunity.  We would rather live out our days with minor discomfort, serving the LORD with minimal consequence.  But there is a great lesson here.  A lesson of priorities.  A lesson that is sadly lost, for the most part, in our present generation.

Just yesterday, I was contemplating the reality of failing Christian schools.  More and more, they are closing down.  They are closing down for only one reason.  Parents do not see the value in training their children in the word of God.  They do not see the value of producing a life for the glory of God.  And that, my dear readers in the crux of the matter.  It reveals the principle which we see above.  The priority of using one’s life for nothing more than the glory of God.  Of seeing our lives and our salvation as an opportunity to bring attention to the LORD Jesus Christ.  Shall we say, for a testimony of the love, grace, and power of our Savior?  That which we must meditate upon is the reality these disciples were not worried about the physical pain or trouble they would go through in the midst of persecution.  What they were troubled by is the purpose of it.  Would it turn for a testimony?  Would it matter?  Would there be eternal fruit from it?  Would the LORD Jesus Christ be magnified?

There is another application here.  No matter what we go through, good or bad, it is intended to turn for a testimony for the LORD Jesus Christ.  Whether comfortable or not, it needs to be seen as an opportunity for the LORD.  We are a mere tool in the grand plan for God’s glory.  The humble child of God who loves his Savior deeply desires his life to mean something for Him.  Our faith is not something to consume.  It is not a commodity to be selfishly used.  Our relationship with the LORD is one that is intended to reflect back on our Creator.  We desire that.  The Spirit has given us this hunger.  Why squelch it?  Why not embrace it?  Why not seek something bigger than ourselves?  Why not allow all events in our life to turn for a testimony?

The Law of Return

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” (Lu 18:29-30 AV)

This is a promise that every parent with children in the ministry counts on.  It is one that is claimed.  But it is one that also must be meditated upon.  The blessings in this life which replace what was sacrificed are not easily seen.  They have to be examined.  Once accepted by faith, the mind’s eye must anticipate and watch.  These blessings are there if one knows what to look for.

I may not have my sons close by my side, but what I do have are the words of other preachers whom I don’t even know giving God the glory for what He has done through our family.  I may not have my daughters-in-law nearby, but what I do have is three amazing ladies who know the meaning of words like sacrifice, patience, devotion, love, character, and godliness.  I many not have my grandchildren just around the corner, but what I do have is four young lives who will live a life that most will never have the privilege nor appreciate as much as they do.  They will grow up in a home with parents who love the LORD with their whole heart. 

They will grow up in a home with parents who live for a God and His plan that is much bigger than life itself.  They will learn that life is not about them.  It is about the LORD and the purpose He has for them.  A greater purpose than a mere paycheck.  A greater purpose than attaining things.  They will witness a home that is happy, content, humble, and possess a sense of gratitude that comes with service to our King.  I may not have all that others have.  And from time to time it hurts.  I would be lying if I said there are never tears shed.  They come often.  But the truth of the verse above is one upon which we can rely.  Even if there were no such things as heavenly rewards, when God blesses with a family that knows what sacrifice and separation are, it is blessing enough.

I pity the parents that do everything in their power to keep their family close by.  They are insecure without their children and grandchildren within arm’s reach.  They do not understand that life, although at times will be painful, can be far richer than they could ever dream.  The world encourages us the heap to ourselves temporary blessings of this life.  Ball games and birthday parties.  Picnics and family outings.  Those things are precious, but will be forgotten in eternity.  Planting a church in a village, preaching a teen camp where lives are changed, or bringing the word of God to a weary church seeking for revival will have lasting and eternal blessings associated with it!  Praise be to God.

The Ring of the LORD

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:” (Lu 15:22 AV)

Every time the transfer of a ring is mentioned in the word of God, it is meant as a symbol of transferring authority from the one wearing the ring to the one receiving the ring.  The only difference here, and it could be significant, is the ring which the son receives did not come from the finger of the father.  Rather, it was a ring which the father possessed for the purpose of giving it to his son.  Now, let us remember the ring which this younger son possessed was sold.  He went away from the father with his entire earthly wealth on his being.  He wasted it in riotous living.  When he returned he has spent all.  Which included the first ring he possessed.  Yet, his father had a back-up.  Another ring to which he granted again without any act on the part of the wayward son.  In this ring, we see a wonderful truth of God’s grace.  One that is a comfort to every child of God who wanders for the grace of God.  A truth that no matter how far one wanders, if he is child of God, he will always be a child of God.

The ring meant something.  Men do not normally wear rings with no meaning.  We normally do not wear rings simply because we like the look of the rings.  This is very rare.  When we wear rings, they have a deep meaning associated with it.  Our wedding ring tells all those who see that we are devoted to the love of our life.  It is our association with an individual.  It is also common for a man to wear his college ring.  Or, a high school graduation ring.  This associates us with a group of people or an organization along with an accomplishment.  My father-in-law has a ring that was handed down to him by his father. A ring that says he is the son of his father.  This is the idea of the ring which this father gave to his son.  A ring that stated the nature of their relationship had not changed.  A family ring.  A ring that was proof their relationship, although strained from time to time, was never severed.  A ring that states a father will never disown his son!

We can take comfort that no matter how far we may stray, our heavenly Father will always be our heavenly Father.  Even if we stray so far as to attempt to sell our birthright, it doesn’t change the fact there is still a ring that fits on our finger that says we are our Father’s child.  We are cautious to teach a doctrine from allegory, but the Bible clearly teaches eternal security.  This happens to be a wonderful picture of what it looks like.  The ring, although it may not always be visible, in the hand of God, it still exists.  Praise be to God!

Laser Focused

“The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” (Lu 11:34 AV)

Our LORD here defines the difference between an evil eye and a godly eye.  The eye, of course, being that organ of the body, which has the greatest influence over the mind and will.  What our eye is attracted to is that which the mind will entertain and that after which the body will seek.  The eye, in other words, is for all intents and purposes, the mind.  Specifically speaking here, it is what the mind is focused on, or focused at all.

What the Spirit has illumined today is very simple.  A scatter-brained mindset leads to darkness.  No focus towards a goal leads to no point in what is accomplished.  Or, if anything is accomplished at all.  There is no light.  There is no growth.  There is no direction.  The only pursuit is that which is immediately in front of one’s mind.  There is no end game.  There is no end of a race.  It is like working through a maze with no exit.  Going from one interest to another without connection, reason, or progress.  That upon which we need to meditate is the more we are focused on our divine purpose, the more light we are given.  The more we remain singly focused on the will of God, the more growth is achieved.

A few weeks ago, we attended the Wisconsin State Fair.  It is the epitome of distraction.  I don’t care much for things like this.  There seems to be no purpose.  The one even that we enjoyed the most was the Clydesdale horse judging.  I learned some things.  The experience was truly focused.  The first-place winner was a magnificent animal and we had the privilege of visiting with the owners.  But then back out among all the other attractions we went.  For what purpose?  All the horrible junk food to tempt the body.  The games of chance which only rob one of hard-earned money.  I found myself learned the layout of the land so that I knew how to exit.  Too much input.  Too much distraction.

We are distracted from our focus on the LORD by any and all means the world and the devil can conjure up.  We are drawn away from that which is important.  We compartmentalize our walk with God as a part of our lives but not the sole purpose of our lives.  It is something, among many other things, that require our attention.  But our walk with God is not the sole object to which we are focused.  And we wonder why we are spiritually stunted.

The Non-committal Commitment

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lu 9:62 AV)

There were three requests made of Jesus before those who desire to follow would do so.  The first was a guarantee of minimal provision.  The second was permission to bury a loved one.  The third was to bid farewell to those living who were close to the disciple.  None of these, in and of themselves, is an unreasonable desire.  Who wouldn’t be concerned regarding their next meal or where they were going to sleep that night?  Who would be so hard as to not mourn over the loss of a loved one?  Who wouldn’t want to say good bye to those closest to him knowing he may never see them again?  The LORD is not being calloused here.  The LORD did not require of them to leave all and follow him.  What the LORD is saying is if one is going to make a commitment, it cannot be a conditional one.  Not when surrendering to follow the LORD.

Many are willing to follow the LORD as long as the LORD affords them a few conditional liberties.  We will follow as long as we are not asked to do this or that.  We will follow as long as something which we deem more important doesn’t interrupt our following.  Let me be clear.  This is not easy.  When a loved one lay dying of a horrible disease and you cannot be there because of the calling of God on your life, it will rip you heart apart.  Those mentioned in the passage above offered to follow.  Christ did not demand they do so.  They surrendered.  Even in our passage, it is the man that puts his hand to the plough.  It is not the master that forces him to do so.  This is a free-will choice to undertake responsibility for the LORD’s sake.

If we are to commit, we must be all in.  This doesn’t mean the LORD will automatically decline the request to go bury a loved one.  This doesn’t mean the LORD will automatically decline the liberty to visit with loved ones left behind.  This doesn’t mean God will not provide for one’s needs.  All Jesus is saying here is that commitment must be unconditional, leaving all those desires with the LORD.  No conditions placed upon our commitment.  We are either in or out.

Mercy Mercy

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Lu 6:36 AV)

The other day, I was checking on some friends via Facebook and read a compliment one saint had of my College and Career pastor. Or, should I say, a profound observation.  The comment remarked how this faithful man of God was, and always will be, soul conscious.  I have never known someone who walks through life with his eyes on the souls of others like this man.  He doesn’t quit.  When he enters a place, he doesn’t see what we see.  He doesn’t see the menu, the atmosphere, the lighting, or the smells.  He sees the people.  He does not compartmentalize ministry.  Ministry is not just on Sundays and Wednesdays, Thursday night soul-winning or Saturday street preaching.  Ministry, to him, is from the time he wakes to the time he retires.  The LORD has not blessed him with a large church.  But He has blessed him with a hard-working faithful church.  So, what is his secret?  How is he so laser focused on people?  Perhaps the above verse gives us a clue.

The Greek word here for merciful means to take pity on, or to have compassion on.  This is not mere emotion.  It suggests taking some sort of action for the sake of another.  This also suggests one defines his life outside of himself.  To take pity on another means that person no becomes the center of all that you do.  It means he or she requires your attention and resources in order to help them to the place where God desires them to be.  This is not mere sacrifice.  It is more than that.  Sacrifice can be accomplished without any emotional commitment on our part.  Writing a check or dropping off canned goods doesn’t require a whole lot of emotional commitment.  But to have pity on someone; to show compassion for the condition of another; takes emotional capital.

Perhaps that is what separates my friend from the rest of us.  He has always been humble enough to care.  He is not above condescending to men of low estate.  He doesn’t know what it means to be embarrassed.  He is not ashamed to call anyone his friend.  He has more rewards in heaven than anyone I will ever know because he has had mercy and God has had mercy.  My only prayer for today is: what he has may rub off on those whom He has cared so much for.  May we all have mercy as God has had mercy on us!

Looking For That Blessed Hope

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” (Lu 2:25 AV)

Simeon was a devout man who walked with God and had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The later was a privilege not afforded to many in the dispensation of the Old Testament.  This was only reserved for priests, kings, and prophets.  For Simeon to have the Holy Ghost upon him meant that he was either one of the three, or he was a special case.  What we want to notice today is his waiting.  He was waiting for the coming of the Messiah and prayed that if it be possible, he would not die until he saw this glorious event.  Something told him he may be able to see such a thing in his lifetime.  To his spiritual situation before the LORD, it wouldn’t have changed a thing.  He walked with God whether he saw the Messiah or not.  What it did mean was the satisfaction in seeing the plan of God come to pass.  This is why we look to the heavens, hoping to see the rapture.  The same desire in the heart of Simeon is the desire all those who wish for the glory of God share.

One wonders what it was that led Simeon to believe he might experience the pleasure of meeting the Christ.  My first guess would be a thorough knowledge of the word of God.  If he was a student of the book of Daniel, he had to notice the majority of it came to pass.  There were still some pieces missing, but the vast majority of it was fulfilled.  If he knew the promises of Isaiah and the minor prophets, the star rising in the east over the town of Bethlehem did not pass his notice.  If he understood the prophecies of men since long past, he could not help but hear of, and rejoice at, the declaration of the angles to the shepherds in the fields.  Too many things were coming to pass that suggest the coming of the Messiah was still hundreds, if not thousands, of years away.  It may not have been in his lifetime, but it may have been as well.

The thing is, no man knows the day or hour. So, it could be today.  But it could be a thousand years from now.  Both are equally able to happen.  The saint with a heart for the glory of God desires to see God glorified in His coming.  We don’t look for the coming of Christ as an escape first and foremost.  We look for the coming of Christ so that He will set up His kingdom and all men will honor and worship Him!  Glory!  We look for His appearing so that He is the center of creation.  So He is honored! So He is worshipped! So His enemies are defeated!  Amen and Amen!

Weeping From Love

“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” (Mr 14:72 AV)

This begs a question.  How many weep over their failures to stand for Christ in this generation?  Every time we neglect to share the love of Christ, leading to a testimony of salvation in Him, we have done the same as Peter.  I am reminded of this every day.  Every day there are several different people walking up and down our street.  Perhaps close to 100 every day.  Many are not repeat walkers.  Few are, but many are not.  Yet, how many times have I taken the time to share a simple greeting, hoping to hand them a tract?  Not nearly as many as there should be.

What struck me was that first, Peter decided to think on what he had just done (or failed to do) and the warning Christ gave him.  Peter had all the sincerity in the world.  He really meant what he said when he promised to stand by Jesus.  He wasn’t being braggadocios.  He truly felt that if Jesus was threatened, he would stand by him even until death.  Peter did not lie.  What Peter didn’t think of was all the circumstances upon which this declaration might be tested.  He didn’t have a problem drawing his sword.  He did have a problem speaking the truth in love.  He had enough faith to fight.  But not enough faith to associate.  The point being, he wept.  This weeping was his testimony.  He failed to affirm his association with Christ by speaking a word to the maiden. But, he affirmed it loud and clear by weeping.  One wonders if we weep when we fail to associate ourselves with the Savior.  Peter’s weeping was not solely motivated by guilt.  I truly believe he felt shame because he knew he disappointed someone whom he loved and appreciated deeply. Therein lies the reason we do not weep.  We do not weep because we do not love.

Recently, I said my goodbyes to many people whom I love.  My dear mother passed away in March.  I moved from one congregation to another, leaving behind people whom I loved deeply.  I said goodbye to my son, his wife, and my grandchildren as they left for the foreign mission field.  In each case, I wept.  I wept because I loved.  If we do not weep, then we do not love.

Following is a Choice

“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mr 10:52 AV)

How many of us would do the same?  When given the opportunity to go or follow, how many of us would follow?  This blind man had much to see.  He has not seen his family.  Ever.  Never gazed into his mother’s eyes.  Never seen his father’s approval.  Never beheld the faces of his siblings who loved him dearly.  Never seen a sunrise or sunset.  He had never seen the beauty of the birds who sang melodies sweetly in his ears.  He had never seen children play, lovers court, or joy at a feast.  He had heard them all.  But never had he witnessed it with his eyes.  He had suffered all his life from the malady of experiencing life at half-speed.  Now, his sight is restored.  He can not enjoy life as he has never been able to do.  The Savior gave him permission to do so by telling him to go his way.  Rather, this convert by sight decides a life of following Jesus with his sight is better than being made whole yet without Him.

The vast majority of us chose the former.  We go our own way.  We are grateful for salvation.  We truly are.  We are not presumptuous with it.  We rejoice that we are forgiven.  We may even tell others of His wondrous grace.  But that doesn’t necessarily mean we are following.  When we lived in the country, every now and again we would enjoy the company of a stray animal.  Usually a dog.  The warnings of our parents would ring in the ears. “Don’t feed it.  It will never go away.”  It is interesting.  Even the animal kingdom understands that if mercy is shown, following should be the natural response.  We had this German Shepherd pup collapse on our front yard.  It was hot and this dog was obviously in distress.  We gave it some water and food.  As long as we took care of it, it stayed on our front yard.  As soon as it was nursed back to health, we ceased the water and food and it sought somewhere else. 

Even the animal kingdom understands loyalty.  If a human being is benevolent, then that animal will show loyalty.  If the animal kingdom can follow, why cannot we?  All the LORD is asking is that we continue to trust Him in life as we have for death, living in obedience to His word.  What we must see here is that God will not force us.  He will give us the option of going our way, or following.  He will not give us the option of escaping the consequences of one choice over the other.  But He does afford us that choice.  By the way, seeing a miracle of the Savior is far more impressive than seeing the normal things of life.  Perhaps the man knew this.

No Shame Any Time

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mr 8:38 AV)

Being ashamed of Christ in a righteous generation is not an issue.  When surrounded by wickedness, we tend to struggle with declaring our faith.  But it is in this type of generation that the contrast must be sharper.  It is precisely in these times that we cannot be ashamed because it is in these times the world must see Christ and His words.

Something that struck me while living in the Bible belt was how common place one’s faith became.  There was a down side to that, by the way.  Too many claimed to be a Christian but were so in word and tradition only.  There was no separation.  There was little holiness.  The distinction between the lost and saved became blurred.  I digress.  The positive of living in the Bible belt was how common it was to see people bow their heads and pray.  Whether over a meal at a restaurant, at the opening of a public meeting, or at a religious service.  It really didn’t matter.  Prayer is common.  It wasn’t hard to be religious in the Bible belt.  It was more difficult being separated because the religious crowd didn’t take it well.  But it wasn’t hard being labeled as a Christian.

Now, the LORD has us serving in a culture that is definitely antagonistic towards the name of Christ.  What is interesting is that lack of shame can become a lifestyle.  It can become habitual.  When living in the Bible belt, one was not self-conscience about one’s faith.  It was who we were.  The same is true here.  But it took years of living as a believer without thinking about it to make it a pattern of life.  Once one accepts what he is – born again – then there is no shame associated with it.  There is no need to be ashamed of Christ.  What does it matter what the haters think?  Christ created all!  I really don’t think He cares at all.  So, why should we?