Love is patient

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, ESV

Many things are called 'love' today. Movies today churn out lots of tragic or lust-laden scenarios that supposedly depict true love. Complete with a heroic act of selflessness and a moving orchestral score, we come away feeling more in love than before with the significant other in our life, or we invent that longed for person in the image of what we have just seen. Real love is a pure substance because God is its source. In just the same way that a half truth is still a lie, and just like doing only some of what God has commanded is still disobedience, love cannot actually walk hand in hand with lust or selfishness and still be of God's love. At any given point in time, we are either walking after the flesh or walking after the Spirit. Nevertheless, love is an act of the will that a Christian is expected to cultivate, having been supernaturally endowed by God to walk in love. It will involve a process of consistently choosing and placing someone else above yourself.

It is also important for us to know that love has many counterfeits. An outward act of kindness, generosity, or affection, may be motivated by many things which have little to do with love. The insecure person who tries to 'buy' love with gifts may appear very generous. The emotionally scarred, codependent person may desperately cling to an abusive relationship because they cannot stand the thought of being alone - and not because they have hope of change and are patiently waiting for it. And the gushing compliments and accolades of one person to another may be based on flattery, deep-seated envy or many other ulterior motives.

Many good Christian books have been written on this inexhaustible topic, so my intent in a series of upcoming posts is simply to highlight, in each case, one or two passages of Scripture as reminders and guidelines for you to examine how much love you actually walk in. They will also allow you to assess any personal relationships in your life and the claims others have made of their love for you. Knowing what God says about what love looks like and does is very important. While we can surely continue to love someone who does not love us in return, we need to be wise about where to invest our hopes towards a future or enduring relationship, and to be careful not to undiscerningly subject ourselves to the abuse of evil or harmful people.

Love is patient

The patience of God is evident from the books of Genesis to Revelation. Indeed, it is because of His patience, His long suffering love, that He has prepared and been calling us to reconciliation for all the past millennia. To the descendants of Jacob, God says that it was because of His compassion for His people that he was often rising up early and sending His messengers to warn them and turn them back to Himself. If you would do a historical analysis of the books of the prophets, in many cases, they were prophesying judgment and disaster decades before the judgment would arrive and only after the persistent disobedience of the people. The reason is because God's love is patient. Similarly, to the modern day scoffers who laugh at preaching that 'Jesus is coming soon', Peter's warning that God is 'not slack concerning His promise...but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish' still stands.

Love that is patient will accomplish what is impossible to others or what others are unwilling to tolerate. In Genesis chapter 29, we have a real life love story. Jacob willingly worked for Rachel's father for seven years so that he could marry her at the end of those seven years. When the seven years ended, he was purposefully deceived by the woman's father and instead given her sister. When he discovered this, he willingly served another seven years for Rachel. In the second instance, he was finally allowed to marry Rachel at the end of the first week after his marriage to Rachel's sister, but because of his agreement to serve seven years for Rachel a second time, he had no freedom to leave her father, go out on his own and build up his own household by his labor as free men usually would. Jacob did all of this willingly. We have that real life awww factor when the Scripture says in verse 20, "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her."

This type of patient love is not common. Lust has blinded and marred relationships so that pressure to have sexual relationships is common, or there is pressure to get married under circumstances that are not to the benefit of at least one of the individuals at a given point in time. All the while, the 'love sick' individual claims this lack of self-control to be evidence of their love. We have been taught by our culture, movies, and music to embrace this selfishness and label it desirably as passion. It is indeed passion. It is the "passion of lust" which 1 Thessalonians 4:5 explicitly describes as part and parcel of the lives and nature of "those who do not know God." Furthermore, a word search for the word 'passion' in the Bible will reveal that every case specifically refers to something ungodly which proceeds from the carnal nature, which is opposed to God. The person who loves truly, sets the object of its affection above all its own desire so that everything necessary will be sacrificed willingly for the well-being of the other person. No wonder then that Jacob's love for Rachel stood the test of time. Despite having his other wife, concubines and children, Rachel and her sons, Joseph and Benjamin, were special to him. In Genesis 48:7, Jacob relates that Rachel died 'to his sorrow,' a touch of personal grief that is not often so communicated in Scripture. Love is patient.

Finally, let us consider that love is patient with the faults of others. Love, therefore, forgives. In Matthew 18:21-22, the disciples of Jesus learn that they are not to set a limit to the number of times that they must forgive a brother who sins against them. In Ephesians 4:1-3, we are commanded to walk in way that is worthy of the calling of Christ and what this looks like includes, "with patience, bearing with one another in love." The patient love that comes from God seeks reconciliation between those of the same faith in Christ and seeks peace even with those who are outside of the faith. Real love is patient.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Other posts in this series:
2nd - Love is kind
3rd - Love does not envy
4th - Love does not boast; it is not arrogant or rude
5th - Love does not insist on its own way
6th - Love is not irritable
7th - Love is not resentful
8th - Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth
9th - Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures, all things

Loving God again

God makes it clear that we love Him only because He first loved us. Some love Him more than others because they know they have been forgiven much. They were slaves of sin, made free from a debt they could not pay and now they willingly pour out their lives for the One who made atonement for them. We love God and continue to grow in love for Him because He rescues us when we call upon Him. We want to know the One who cares for us, who works deliverance, and who provides for us, so we pursue Him and are overwhelmed with gratitude. Because God will continue to be Who He is, as life unfolds we will always have opportunities to know Him and love Him increasingly. But far too often we grow satisfied, comfortable, and then forget Him. Loving God is an act of our will which will engage our affections and emotions as love grows. Loving God, as we should, requires our conscious attention and will produce wholehearted obedience - proof that we love Him.

It is possible to be caught up in acceptable service for His sake and cool from loving Him as we should, and as we did. God holds this against us and requires us to repent. He wants our first love. In returning to that place we must make the intentional choices that will nurture our love and affection for Him again: time, priority, attention, communication, obedience, thanksgiving. 

To love God with all our heart we must first of all will to do so. We should repent our lack of love and determine from this moment on to make God the object of our devotion. We shall soon find to our great delight that our feelings are beginning to move in the direction of the "willed tendency of the heart." Our emotions will become disciplined and directed. We shall begin to taste the "piercing sweetness" of the love of Christ. The whole life, like a delicate instrument, will be tuned to sing the praises of Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. But first of all we must will, for the will is master of the heart.
~ A. W. Tozer, Man: The Dwelling Place of God

[For recent related posts, check out From where you have fallen, The right way to love and God's broken heart]

Come back home to God

If you've left your God, forgotten Him, been unfaithful, or chosen sin again and again, today is the day to come home. Today, you can make a true and full repentance.

1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for your sins have brought you down.

You've done things you never dreamed you would. Still you're unsatisfied, lonely, stuck. Your life may or may not be in shambles, but your heart is, and you know it.

2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer You our praises.

You may have told someone along the way some of what you've done and where you've been. Most likely you were lying even then, but God knows it all and He loves you still. Pour out your true confession. Ask for His forgiveness. He said He would surely grant it. And you will praise Him for His glorious grace.

3 Assyria cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in You alone
do the orphans find mercy.”

Whatever person or thing or method you have tried has failed you. Its hire was costly. Its pleasure was temporary. It did not answer when you called in the day of trouble - and it never can. You have been used and you were deceived. But in God you will find mercy.

4 The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
My love will know no bounds,
for My anger will be gone forever.

Your backsliding has been a sickness, a malignant cancer in your spirit and soul. But He will heal you and give you a clean heart if you will ask and pursue Him. He will love you freely. He will pour out favor on you, undistinguishable from that which He pours out on the most faithful of His sons.

5 I will be to Israel
like a refreshing dew from heaven.
Israel will blossom like the lily;
it will send roots deep into the soil
like the cedars in Lebanon.

He will watch over the work of restoration in your life. He will be your life source and He will work from the inside out.

6 Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,
as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.

Yes, times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord.

7 My people will again live under my shade.
They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines.
They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.

God will keep and protect you. He will be your shepherd and your vinedresser. He will make you fruitful for His glory.

8 “O Israel, stay away from idols!
I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.
I am like a tree that is always green;
all your fruit comes from me.”

Cast away and destroy the idols you put before Him. Radically cut them out of your life. Don't go back there. Don't go back! He is the the One who loves you, the One who loved you even while you were in your sins and rebelling against Him. He is your glory.

9 Let those who are wise understand these things.
Let those with discernment listen carefully.
The paths of the Lord are true and right,
and righteous people live by walking in them.
But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

God is calling you back. Calling you back, today, now - while there is still time. Do you have ears to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to you? 

He is watching and He will come running to meet you with love and compassion.

[God's word to you is from Hosea 14:1-9, NLT]

From where you have fallen

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Revelation 2:1-5, ESV

If the LORD Jesus had not pointed out the flaw of the church at Ephesus, I daresay that you and I wouldn't have been able to find any thing wrong with it. We would have praised these people as members of the model church.

Their flaw was very real though. It mattered to Jesus how much desire they had for knowing Him intimately. Moreover, take heed to the fact that this cooling love, despite the works and character they exhibited in all else, could cost them their place in Him.

Today these realities have not changed. It's more serious a problem than we are usually taught and told.

• Confront yourself if necessary.
• Repent.
• Pursue Him again.

We know how to do it, for the most part.

We have great ideas of how to show, tell, and rekindle our affection to imperfect men and women who love us far less than He always will. Valentine's Day ideas, brainstorming for date-night activity, and all the good advice we give to friends for their relationships are proof that we know how to pursue the knowledge of someone, to give our time and attention to communication, to be diligent to please that other person. Consider that Christ did not merely save us from hell - He saved us for Himself, that we may know Him as we are known by Him. Are you growing in a knowledge of Him that is marked by love and manifested by diligent obedience?

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

Mark 12:30

The throne of iniquity

Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; the Lord our God shall cut them off.
Psalm 94:20-23, NKJV

I wonder how many law-makers, congressmen, parliamentarians, and judges know that God is watching while they 'devise evil by law.'

Heaven is making records of its own as those given power in governments of the nations lobby and vote and pass bills to legalize abortion, homosexual marriage, and to ban the full-preaching of the truths of God's word while protecting the rights of those who engage in any other idolatry or immorality. Preachers of truth can be arrested and fined, praying to God is considered an 'offense' but citing texts and wearing symbols of witchcraft and any other religion are not. Gambling, pornography and 'adult entertainment' have long been legally acceptable options in various states and countries because some people have used their power to make them laws in the land. Any government so represented, is a throne of iniquity.

The country and people who espouse and defend evil by passing such bills in houses of government, will have their own iniquity come upon them, and sometimes, be openly exposed to the nations. Look and see, it's happening already as they struggle to contain crime; to counsel and control rebellious and violent youngsters; as they secretly suffer from messed up family-lives within the walls of their palatial homes, and are being enslaved by shameful addictions. It's coming upon them as the Scripture above says, and without a true repentance towards God, it's foretold that it's nothing but downhill from here.

God will protect His people who will be persecuted by means of these wicked laws that are being devised and defended by governments. Nevertheless, some suffering for the sake of Jesus and the word of God is assured. For the faithful, their endurance will turn out to be for their eternal advantage.

Take heed to yourselves

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13, ESV

This verse is startling. The warning is given with an illustration from Israel's history. A nation that had been redeemed from slavery, invited into an intimate covenant relationship with God, and given a promised land to occupy failed to receive it because they did not believe God, and continually disobeyed and grumbled against Him (with the exception of two men of their generation who feared and obeyed God). The "falling away" referred to is not just some temporary cold moment in their relationship with God. It is a total cutting off of these once liberated people from God, by their own continual and willful disobedience - a mark of unbelief. The entire record of events in the Old Testament, as well as the record in Hebrews 3:7-19 through Hebrews 4:1-6 makes this clear. The words of warning used throughout these passages are strong.

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
Hebrews 4:1, ESV

Our New Covenant redemption mirrors the salvation of the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. We have been redeemed from the slavery of sin and satan, are now partaking of a New Covenant sealed with Jesus' Blood, and are promised eternal life with God. The fearful record of this falling away is highlighted for us because it too may describe our own condition - if we do not give heed to ourselves. The danger is nearer than we may think, precisely because of the "deceitfulness of sin." It is so near that we are told to exhort one another, every single day. This means that our daily conversation with fellow disciples of Christ ought to contain sincere communication to keep one another accountable, provide encouragement and if necessary, admonition. It seems like such a small thing to do when you consider what's at stake, but there really is power in keeping these fearful realities, and the truth of Scripture, in the forefront of our mind on a daily basis.

Jesus Christ Himself exhorts us:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly."

Luke 21:34

"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Matthew 24:13, ESV

You do not have because you do not ask

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover."
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Isaiah 38:1-5, ESV

Doesn't this record from Hezekiah's life make you wonder about just how much help, provision and favor we forfeit or never obtain, simply because we do not humble ourselves and ask of the LORD? God does answer prayer - even about matters that already seem 'determined' somehow.

You lust and do not have. 

You murder and covet and cannot obtain. 

You fight and war. 

Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:2 

God is enough when life seems to be falling apart

I have been pondering how God seldom answers our 'Why?' questions when life seems to be going wrong all around us. He didn't do it for Moses or for Job. He has not done it for me, or anyone else that I know of. Although He lets us pour out our complaints before Him, He rarely, if ever, responds with 'answers' as we hoped. Nevertheless, when He shows up, His response silences our questions. The same humbling and comforting effect of God's perspective is observed again in the book of the prophet Habakkuk.

The book starts with Habakkuk's complaint that although he has been crying out for a long time, God has not been hearing and none of the dire circumstances around him is changing. He and the LORD have a discourse in the next two chapters, until the book ends in the third chapter with the prophet's amazing prayer. In this third chapter, while nothing external has changed, Habakkuk's questions and complaints are silenced and his own heart and perspective have been altered dramatically. He is overwhelmed with the greatness of His God and praise flows out of him.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, 

Nor fruit be on the vines; 

Though the labor of the olive may fail, 

And the fields yield no food; 

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, 

And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 

I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength; 

He will make my feet like deer’s feet, 

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

During the time of our unexplained trial and pain we must humble ourselves and determine to hold on to the knowledge of God's greatness, goodness, compassion and mercy. We don't need to wait for things to change - if we are indeed convinced that He does not change. This is part of walking by faith - faith in God and His word. This is the faith that pleases Him and changes us.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:6

Where does my help come from?

Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 149:6-9

One need not be in the midst of spiritual warfare to praise and worship God acceptably. But I daresay there is no victorious spiritual warfare without acceptable praise and worship. Victory in battle is dependent on Him. If we understand where our help comes from, then we lift up our eyes through praise and worship. When our eyes are on Him His peace guards our heart and mind. Our trust in Him will always be rewarded.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.       
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.   
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.         
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121

If you can believe

"And often he (the deaf and dumb spirit) has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 9:22-23, NKJV

This is an excerpt from the record of what was perhaps the most difficult case of demonization which the disciples encountered during their time with Jesus, before His death and resurrection. Of course, this particular unclean spirit posed no difficulty for Jesus, but even He acknowledged to His disciples that there was something additional needed in casting out "this kind," which "can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting" (verse 29). This could lead to an intriguing study on the reality of demons, their wicked work and - praise God - our authority in Jesus' name to break their power, but what I want to focus on today are the two little highlighted phrases.

You see, the father of the child tormented by this demon spirit came to Jesus' disciples and since it proved no ordinary case, they were not able to cast the demon out at that time. When Jesus comes along and interrupts the fracas (the scribes are now disputing with the disciples), the anxious and desperate father asks Him, "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."

There is a direct link between his question and Jesus' response:
"If you can believe, all things are possible..."

It is the same with us today in every situation. We sometimes go to God with an attitude of "God if You can..." or "God if You care about me enough..." or "God if I earned enough worthy points..." We either question His ability or His willingness based on some condition, but God wants us to know that there is no limit to what He is able to do. It really is up to us. He will work in accordance with what we believe He is able to do. This sheer force of faith in God makes all things possible for a BELIEVER.

It's no wonder that we are reminded in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." There we see it again. There is no ability deficit in Him. But He works according to the power that works in us.

Is there the power of faith, in God's ability and in His word (will), working in you?

Make sure of this and with God, nothing, no request in agreement with His will, shall be impossible for you.

That father of the demonized child recognized his need for faith and cried out to the Lord Jesus, and he took a perfectly healthy, hearing and speaking child home with him that day.

Let Him be your fear and your dread

The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear, 

And let Him be your dread.
He will be as a sanctuary...

Isaiah 8:13-14a, NKJV

The verse above follows a command to the people of God not to be afraid of the things that others fear and not to be troubled by the threats of others. Instead, we are to have our eyes fixed on God. If we would make Him the only One we honor as holy, fully recognizing and respecting the authority and power that He wields, we will have no reason to fear our enemies. He will Himself be a sanctuary for us.

Of course, taking our eyes off an enemy, or a very difficult situation, does not come naturally to us. It takes an act of our will and requires continual effort to keep tight reins on our thoughts. God gives the grace that we need. But it means we will need to spend extra time reading, believing, and reciting in faith the promises of God to deliver those who wait for Him. The fruit of this, however, is an active peace that no one will be able to make sense of. This confident expectation in God's promise to 'show up' terrifies the enemy because he knows - from thousands of years' experience - that yes, for those who fully trust and wait on Him, God will indeed be faithful to deliver.

... Standing firm in one spirit...and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:27b-28, ESV

Prepared beforehand

For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand,

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10, ESV

In the motivational speaking and preaching that is popular nowadays we are commonly encouraged to fulfill our potential. To try something new. To do this, that, and the other. And then, to offer it up to the glory of God. This verse of Scripture should really get us thinking and keep us grounded every time some new idea comes to us about how to get ahead, to make ourselves more qualified in the world of business, entertainment or formal church ministry. And it's certainly not a good idea to attempt to just 'enjoy life' by designing our own adventures. We need to let this verse make us pause for prayer and instruction even when we earnestly want to do something good for God because we are told that there are... 

specific works,  
specifically prepared by God beforehand,  
specifically intended for us to accomplish.

Maybe what you and I have had planned is a time-waster in light of eternity, a detour from what He has been expecting to have us accomplish from 'eternity past.' It doesn't seem to be so much a matter of planning how to serve and please God, but to seek out what He has already planned and please Him by giving ourselves to accomplish them.

Could we expect to stand boldly before Him at the judgment of believers and declare something like,
'Lord, I didn't bother to seek Your plans out or follow through with Your plans (for whatever reason), but here's what good stuff I accomplished instead. It's just as good, though it's not what You wanted from me.' I don't think so. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 

And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He shall direct your paths. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Cry out all the more

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Mark 10:46-50, ESV

I really love this Scriptural account. As I read it I try to recreate the events in my mind. I see the scorn with which the blind man was treated - after all, the most popular Rabbi was passing through town and he was just the town's blind beggar, with so few reasons to hope for change (we later learn that he was born blind). The town's people probably wanted to make a good impression, or probably wanted silence so they could hang on every word Jesus may speak. Maybe they just wanted to be able to hear in case he would call one of them forward to perform a great miracle for them. In any case, they tried to shut up this desperate blind man.

I was floored the first time I really saw this phrase: "But he cried out all the more."
And then the result: Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."


Jesus stopped. Jesus gave the command to bring him near. Wow.

God graciously appoints comforters and helpers to cross our path when we most need them, but very often we must feel, experience and navigate our trial alone. After all, not even the best friend can be our deliverer. Do you remember Job in his severe trial? God is the Savior and there isn't salvation in any other.

It's also a sad reality that many people who seem to care about our situation, don't really care, don't really pray, and don't really want to get involved - they just want to know what's going on. Let us, therefore, throw off the fear of man - what people will think or say - and go after God desperately. He is able to save, deliver and heal. He binds up the brokenhearted, heals the lame and revives the faint. Jehovah Shalom knows how to make us whole and give us peace. Your confession, and your expression of your need for Him, in bold and desperate faith will make Jesus stop and turn towards you.

 Take heart...

Cry out all the more!

 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;
My adversaries are all before You.
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, 
Psalm 69:19-20, 29-30

He waits to be gracious to you

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9

For he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:33

Both of the Scriptures above referred to a time when the people of Israel had been handed over to their enemies by God because they refused to repent of many, many years of grievous sins. Many prophets had been sent to correct them in the hope that they would turn back to God. They refused to listen. By the time described in the record of Lamentations God had finally punished them severely. But even then, He was waiting to be gracious to them. Waiting to bring them back.

Being assured of the love, care and presence of God during suffering is not often easy - especially when it all seems to come quickly, one thing after another.
Whether your trial is ...

• to prove and refine your faith 
• as a consequence of your sin
• the chastening of the Lord for sin
• any other thing

... the verses above highlight an amazing truth: God's heart really is for you and not against you.

Indeed it was for my own peace
That I had great bitterness;
But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,
For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

Isaiah 38:17

Does it mean He no longer loves us?

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39 (NLT)

Many of us have such little real understanding of God's love for us, that when times of severe trouble come we are plunged into despair or rebellion against God. I've certainly been there: 'If You really love me, why did You let this happen?'

There are reasons why bad things happen to God's people at times. Some of these reasons may be unknown or never satisfactorily resolved on this side of life. However, as I meditate upon this portion of Scripture, and as I examine the biblical record of the often tumultuous lives of the Saints, questions melt away. It becomes exceedingly obvious that the love of God for His adopted sons and daughters must not be defined by worldly notions of 'happily ever after' while we are in this age.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

The right way to love

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37, ESV

Is there anything or anyone that you love more than Jesus?

Loving Him first is right. He's the only person worthy of that first love spot in your heart. However, loving Him first also protects all else that it is right for you to love. Loving Him first enables you to love others correctly, purely, and deeply. And loving Him first, with a loyal heart, enables you to endure the race of faith to its finish without selling out.

We will never be overcomers in His kingdom as long as the priorities of our heart and life are not in the right order. Whatever else may be negotiated, the 'right' order means that He is always first, and the second thing is in a comparatively distant second place.

Reality of sin. Practicality of grace.

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'
Mark 9:43-48, ESV

Jesus was not advocating bodily self-mutilation or self-righteous mortification of the flesh when He gave these warnings. I always knew that much but it took me many more years to better understand what this statement is supposed to mean to a Christian who is required to be holy, as God is holy.

I believe that Jesus understands that many of us still...

• don't really understand what hell is
• don't really understand what the wages of sin is
• don't really understand that the Christian life is a fight of faith requiring constant diligence

Jesus' strong warning tells us that some of will have to do radical or exorbitant things to escape the sin that "so easily ensnares us." The grace of God which teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts has a very practical side. Our cooperation in the sanctification process involves adding things to our life: times of sincere prayer, quality time in God's word, Christian fellowship and all other obedient responses to His word. God gives grace for all this. Our submission to sanctification also involves removing things from our life. God's grace enables us to do this also.

There are no two ways about it. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Without holiness there is no entrance to the eternal city where the King is holy and where all the citizens are holy. We ought not to cuddle nor 'test' sin, nor let it reign in our mortal bodies. Don't let it reign, means that as regenerated believers we have the ability to allow or disallow, resist or yield. We have no excuse because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ sets us free from the law of sin and death. The temporary pleasures of sin are not worth the awful consequences of eternal separation and torment. The punishment is determined by the righteous judgment of a holy God.

Some well meaning 'Christians' may say we are crazy or use that over-used 'L' word, legalistic. I mean, giving up a longstanding ungodly 'friend'; getting rid of the TV, internet, or social networking; a strict non-alcoholic policy; fleeing the presence or the flattery of the 'hot' guy or girl at the workplace or church even - these may all seem a bit excessive, right? And after all, lots of other people seem to have no difficulties with them. But if you and I know our own history of vulnerabilties and sinfulness, and if we correctly esteem ourselves, these 'crazy' measures may just be the things that keep us from taking a turn for hell. Yes, hell. Sin has 'now' consequences too, but the Son of God did not find it necessary to discuss those in the light of the exceedingly terrible and just judgment of hell's eternal torment.

So, is there a cost for this commitment to avoid sin? Absolutely. Jesus said so. We may end up not having some stuff other people have. No hands, no feet, one eye. And we may lose some 'friends' too. We just might not be the 'well-rounded' or spontaneous-go-getter-daring friend that some people want for a lifetime of wild, worldly thrills. Let's face it, with one eye, no hands and no feet, we may not look 'right'. Holiness is not very popular nowadays. But there is no one holy in hell, and nothing sinful in heaven. Jesus was pretty straightforward about that, even at the risk of sounding like a lunatic. I imagine there is a very good reason why He needed to make that point so very clear. We need to be aware of the practicality of grace against the reality of sin.

God's 'main thing'

For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’
Jeremiah 7:22-23

This is an excerpt from a sobering indictment laid against the people of Israel in Jeremiah 7.  God is addressing a problem in which the backslidden nation continued to observe the temple ordinances and the sacrifices He had commanded through Moses, while also actively participating in idol worship, and just about every immoral act there is (see verses 8-11). They were doing some of the 'right' things so they believed they were okay no matter what else they did. Actually, they were flagrantly neglecting the main thing that God requires of His people: wholehearted obedience.

God did not commend them for continuing to make sacrifices and serve in the temple 'despite the other stuff' they had made a habit of doing. He charged them, that they had not obeyed Him nor walked in His ways. Partial obedience is disobedience. Because they had long chosen to "follow the counsel and dictates of their evil hearts"(vs. 24), when confronted, these deceived, self-deceived, and hard-hearted people, actually had no conviction of their sins. In fact, even before the indictment was laid against them through the prophet's message, God told Jeremiah that the people were not going to obey or answer. That's how 'far gone' their hearts were turned against God.

A Christian's lifestyle is not a matter of merely upholding some level of Christian observances and traditions, 'bible talk', or fond feelings towards Christ. For those who are His own, it is a matter of obeying Him wholeheartedly. Just as with these Israelites, many times there is an ongoing and telling mixture of profane things in the lifestyle and habits of those who profess faith in Jesus. Many times our 'sacrifices' are empty because in our hearts we lack the main things: obedience and the fear of the Lord. God's commands call us to a relationship with Him based on wholehearted obedience. This is the only proof of our love for Him. We cannot have God and love the world or the things of the world. No amount of 'sacrifices' of Christian ordinances will make up for what we lack. He knows those who are His.

Obedience is a choice, but His commands are not burdensome! Consider that the rewards of obedience are eternal. He promises our security, our peace, eternal life and above all, the surpassing pleasure of knowing Him - not just knowing about Him. Let's not allow our hearts to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Obedience is better than sacrifice. As someone has said, the main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing. Obedience is God's main thing.

Word power

Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,"Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."Jeremiah 1:9-11

The young man Jeremiah had just been ordained by God into the ministry of a prophet. God put His words in Jeremiah's mouth and then made an astonishing proclamation: Jeremiah had received from God authority and power to effect change, and he had been given authority and power over nations and over kingdoms!

Reading the chapters which follow, we will see that he was opposed, he was even imprisoned and at one point left to die in a dungeon. As we follow Jeremiah's ministry, it is clear that the Lord wasn't telling him that he had been promoted to a place of political power. As a matter of fact, it was only God's words in this young man's mouth that amounted to the great authority and power he possessed. God's invisible words would most surely go to work "to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." The spiritual authority and power of God's invisible words would bring about God's will according to the prophecies Jeremiah would be given to proclaim.

In our hearts and lives, there are things that we all need to have plucked up, broken down, destroyed, overthrown, as well as things that need to be built and planted. These will only be accomplished by the word of God. We should speak the word of God to encourage ourselves, proclaim the word of God about our circumstances, and pray using the language of the Scriptures. Above all, the word of God must be stored up in our hearts and diligently obeyed. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Godliness: Form versus Power

I was thinking about what God told us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 about the end-time social state of the world:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

I found myself pondering this...what is the power of godliness? It seemed to occur to me in an instant that the power of godliness is holiness. Looking at Romans 1: 3-4, I became more convinced that this contained specific truth:

...concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

To be godly refers to taking on the nature of God. Sons of God have His nature. Jesus Christ the Son of God, coming into the earth as a man, was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness. 

There are 'good' people, striving to be caring, decent, socially contributing and helpful to humanity. But there is no one holy apart from God. Holiness is more than an intention or penchant for doing 'good' things. It is the set apart, separated, consecrated manner of righteous inner and outer life that no one can possibly attain to without an ever-deepening relationship with God, who Himself sanctifies people unto Himself. It is marked by new, pure desires and the fear of God. It makes a person obedient, from the heart, to God's word. A holy man is a new man created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. A holy man will do what a 'good' man will not, and cannot.

So, in today's world, we do see just what God spoke of through the Apostle Paul. There are lots of people professing Christianity and goodness, and even Jesus' name, yet, the Spirit of holiness does not inhabit their lives. They are not sons of God. To the discerning, some of these people will be recognized by their fruit in this world. I believe there are others who will slip by unnoticed and be exposed, even to themselves, at the judgment seat of Christ.

Knowing Him affects everything

2 Samuel 24: 10-14, NKJV
10 And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
11 Now when David arose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
12 “Go and tell David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.”’”
13 So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land? Now consider and see what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”
14 And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

This incredible account from the life of David reminds me of two major things:

~ what made him, a fallible man, so highly favored by God

~ how critical it is to our own lives that we make knowing God intimately the preeminent aim of our 'religion'

David had already done wrong, but it was his knowledge of the ways of God that greatly mitigated the consequences of his sin. God could actually trust David to give him choices, even regarding his own punishment. That says a lot. The 'wrong' choice could have brought far greater suffering, but because of the time he had taken to cultivate his relationship with Him over the years, David knew some things about the God he served. I wonder how many of us would have weighed our options using the same criteria that David used - not to mention, when having to make the decision in a mere moment.

What we know about God - really know - is going to affect every single thing that flows out of our life. How we enjoy His blessings, endure His chastening, bear up under trials and grief, whether we press on in faith...all are determined by how much we know Him as He really is. And this knowing Him determines how much we can please God.

I want to please God, therefore, I must know Him.

When satan asks for you

(1) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
(2) And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?"
(3) Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.
(4) And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments."
(5) And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.
(6) And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua,
(7) "Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.

Zechariah 3:1-7

This is an amazing scripture that gives a wonderful picture of what happens when Jesus imputes (attributes, assigns, ascribes, credits) His own righteousness to us.
The account here is fascinating and make no mistake about it, this is no figurative language. The prophet was witnessing and participating in something which was actually occurring in the spiritual realm.

Let me just point out a few things:
(1) This was Joshua, a Jewish high priest of that day needing to be cleansed
(2) Satan was standing by to accuse - and he had grounds to do it
(3) The Lord Himself sanctifies us and tells the enemy off
(4) After being cleansed by the Lord, we are charged by the Lord to diligently obey His word, with awesome benefits attached

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 

Luke 22:31, 32

When satan asks for you, you have a Great High Priest, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

Read those Scriptures again and see yourself standing in Joshua's place. This great salvation and deliverance was obtained at Christ's expense. How then will you choose to live?

Salvation is a gift. Faithful endurance is your part. All is of His grace.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.  

Hebrews 6:4-6

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Hebrews 10:26-31

It is precisely because the warning of these Scriptures are so terrifying that many would like to limit it to a particular historical context or ethnic group, namely the Jews (Hebrews) who had come to God by faith in Christ. But the Scriptures are timeless and they are for everyone. Certainly the LORD carefully chose what would be recorded for those who would enter into the New Covenant across the passage of time. As for every other letter recorded in the Scriptures, apart from it's immediate audience and recipients, I am convinced this was written for you and me. Compare these warnings to the Hebrews with a very similar warning giving to the non-Jewish Corinthian believers:

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-11

In this warning to the gentile Corinthians, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that the lives of the Hebrews who were led out of Egypt by Moses was for an example to them and written for their admonition. These Hebrews in the Old Covenant record (Old Testament) came out of Egypt by God's hand and had experienced Christ before their rebellion, and finally their destruction. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb of the generation who had known the bondage of Egypt, entered the promised land of Canaan because they were steadfast in their faith and obedience to God.

If we were to apply the same argument that some use to disregard the warning given in the letter to the Hebrews, then we must apply the same reasoning here and disregard the warning given to the Corinthians, unless of course we are modern day Corinthians by birth. Continuing in this way, we would pretty much find that none of the Scriptures apply to us today and we would be totally deceived and lost.

Therefore:

• I am to cherish my salvation that was obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ [Eph 2:1-9]. 
• I am to work it out with fear and trembling [Php 2:12]. 
• I am to press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me [Php 3:12]. 

Because:

• To him who overcomes will He grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God [Rev 2:7].
• Those who are with Christ and in His army are those who are called, chosen and faithful [Rev 17:14]
• This race of faith requires laying aside weights and sin, and running with endurance. [Heb 12:1]

This is a very condensed presentation that has come out of my own study through the Bible. I have concluded, on the evidence of many more Scriptures and examples than you find here that, Salvation is a gift. Faithful endurance is your part. That is not to say that God sits back and lets us exert our own strength. Not at all. We could never endure without Him. But we do have the responsibility to feed diligently on His word, to obey His word, to pursue and cultivate the relationship with Himself that He has called us into. We have been given His word and His Holy Spirit to empower, teach and help us in every way necessary until we see Him face to face. This is how we work out our salvation and this is how we stand in the true grace of God.

Be 'spiritual' OR know the One true God

I was surfing blogs randomly over a year ago when I came across a neat-looking one with a saddening post. The blogger happily related that she had agreed to go to church with a friend as that was requested upon the person's birthday. She then went on to share, in what came across as a measured and relaxed 'tone', that:

"I am a spiritual person and once was religious. I was filled with the spirit in my 36th year and publically accepted Christ as my savior. It was a profound year for me. But now... I have been on an amazing journey through life thus far, and while I find truth in the teachings of Christ I am no longer a Christian. I have moved past that onto other deeper truths."

I have comes across various blogs, websites and the like in the past where persons make a similar statement, yet on many occasions I can't help but feel there's a somewhat angry or bitter tone and I would think to myself that perhaps something has happened, specifically, that influenced the individual to make the choice to reject the faith and make that decision to walk out of God's hand. What was therefore most heartbreaking about this dear lady's statment is that she didn't exude any of that in phrases such as,

"While I don't adhere to most Christian ritual and belief it is beautiful to watch the sincerity of others in worship. I have realized that I must build a spiritual foundation for my daughter, to not leave her floundering... So she and I discussed what I personally believe. "

It almost came across like deception had just crept in. Of course, there's really no way for me to know.

So, what does she believe now? This:

"I believe earth is a boarding school for the soul. We all are here to do, and go through it all with each other. We must, like the Bonnie Raitt song, "get on into it, down where its tangled and dark"."

Where it is 'tangled and dark'? Is this deeper truth? It leaves lots of questions from where I sit.
A great number of thoughts went through my mind, but mostly a sense of sadness, that here I had found what seems to be a perfect illustration of the much-debated Hebrews 6:4-6:

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

The scripture does tell us why persons reject and turn from God and from His appointed way to knowing Him, His Son Jesus. Ultimately it's summed up in one thing:

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 3:19-20 (emphasis mine)

We also have the same choice to make as that blog author. We can be spiritual, even of a Christian 'shade', OR we can pursue the only Living God. There is only one Way that He can be known. But this Way is the only way that leads to eternal life.

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you had known me, you would have known my Father also."
John 14:6-7a