All true Christians have the same relationship with God, but not the same knowledge of Him or fruitfulness for Him.
Why?
In one word, fellowship.
Some believers will draw near to fellowship with their Lord regularly, while others do so irregularly.
Or rarely.
Or never.
Why is intimate relationship with Jesus important?
Our closeness to the Lord determines our knowledge of Him and the determines our fruitfulness for His kingdom.
When we walk closely with Jesus daily, the Holy Spirit blesses our study of Gods Word by giving us an exceptionally deep knowledge of Jesus, His ways and His plan.
It is from a deeply rooted tree of knowledge that the exceptional fruit of Jesus Spirit and works spring.
But if our fellowship with Him withers, so does our knowledge of Him and fruitfulness for Him. So some Christians have a superficial, incomplete, and unsatisfying knowledge of Jesus, while others enjoy an accurate, rich and growing understanding of Him. And some are very fruitful, while others bear Him little or no fruit.
During Jesus earthly ministry there were various circles of fellowship with Him, from the outer fringe to the “inner circle.”
The outer fringe of believers were made up of the local crowds. They saw Jesus when He visited their village or region to teach, heal, and deliver, but only for a few hours. So they knew Him, but in a very limited way. Many believers in the Church have chosen to exist in this fringe as the only knowledge they want of Him, can be garnered in an hour or two on Sunday Morning or Wednesday Night.
Moving closer there was a larger body of followers.
This consisted of believers who, like the twelve, followed Jesus on His ministry tours. The many women who supported Jesus ministry were among these (Luke 8:1-3), as were many other men, of whom Judas replacement was later selected (Acts 1:21-22) These experienced not one but many of Jesus meetings, teachings, and miracles. So they knew Him better than the local crowds.
Drawing nearer still, there were the twelve.
Jesus handpicked these future church leaders, calling them from the larger body of disciples. They, too, experienced many of Jesus messages and miracles. But, unlike the other disciples, they had special access to Jesus.
The were privileges that allowed them to lodge, lunch, and linger with Him daily, they frequently asked for and received special insights from Him: “When they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples” (Mark 4:34).
So they knew not only the public, but also the private Jesus, the miracle worker and the man as well.
They closely observed His reaction to prosperity and adversity, fame and shame, and His private habits of prayer, worship, and meditation. So they knew Him better than the other disciples.
But even they were not Jesus most intimate followers.
That distinction was reserved for His “inner circle”---Peter, James and John.
These three apostles enjoyed several intimacies denied the other nine.
They alone witnessed the raising of Jairus` daughter.
They alone witnessed the unspeakable wonder of His transfiguration.
They alone observed the intense agony of Jesus pleading with God during that final night in Gethsemane.
Why were these extraordinary privileges granted to the three of these?
From Jesus perspective, He was preparing the “inner circle” for the top level of church leadership. Jesus knew well that extraordinary intimacy with Him would lead to extraordinary knowledge of Him and extraordinary fruitfulness for Him.
And He was right.
Consider the exceptional fruit born in spirit and in works.
The three were the first to be transformed in character as He had been in appearance.
They were the first to work miracles like His miracles.
And they were the first to suffer as He suffered.
From our viewpoint, there is another key fact here. The “inner circle” drew near and fellowshipped with Jesus more than the other nine.
Why?
They loved Him more: “Simon, lovest thou me more than these others do?” (John 21:15).
They loved His words more.
They loved His presence more.
They loved His approval more.
And they loved His people more.
How can we prove these statements?
Simply by seeing that, they labored more for His gospel, and for His kingdoms sake---and suffered more!
“We have left all and followed thee” (Mark 10:28)
Let their example probe you.
Do you love Jesus more than others do, or less?
Enough to seek Him daily?
To work hard to accomplish His will?
To suffer for His sake?
Then let their example also prompt you.
Don’t be satisfied with the outer fringe.
Rise up and seek the “inner circle.”
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
WHATS YOUR EXCUSE
LORD, I have come for a pardon.
And who are you?
Me! Don’t you know me Lord? I am the best man in all of my hometown. I’ve been as honest and upright with all of my neighbors as is humanly possible.
And your name?
My, name Lord, is Mr. Morality.
Hmm, Mr. Morality, let me see. Most of these pardons read, “I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinner. (Matthew 9:13)
I don’t see a pardon made out for any Mr. Morality.
But, are you a sinner?
A common sinner! I should say not! There is not a single person who knows me who can charge me with a single wrong. Why, I would dare say that I am the most respected citizen in my town.
Well then, Mr. Morality perhaps this pardon will do.
It reads “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6) Are you ungodly, my friend?
No sir Lord, I have never been looked upon as being an ungodly man.
Possibly then, this is the one for you, Mr. Morality. It reads; “There is none righteous, no, not one!
Are you unrighteous?
I unrighteous, Lord! How could I ever be unrighteous, when the very essence of my name is Mr. Morality!
Well, then Mr. Morality, I’m sorry, very sorry, but I’m afraid that there is not a single pardon available for you.
Another steps forward and asks for a pardon.
Who are you friend?
Mr. Religionist, Lord.
And what claim have you to present for a pardon, Mr. Religionist?
“Lord, have I not been the most faithful worker of all in my home church?
Was I not a deacon and then an elder, not to mention the founder of the church.
Lord, I labored for the uplift of the people of my community, and gave thousands of dollars to the church.
Surely, for all of this, I deserve a pardon, Lord.”
“But are you a sinner, friend?”
“A sinner! Indeed I am not! I have been religious all my life. I never strayed from the fold. In fact I was brought up in church.”
“Well, Mr. Religionist, your claim of being religious I do not for a moment dispute.
You are certainly well named. But I am compelled to tell you that all these pardons are made out to sinners. I have none for you .”
“None for me! Me, the most faithful church member in the whole city! None for me! Don’t I deserve one?”
“Not on the grounds of being religious, my friend. But hold on, wait a minute. Here is one that reads; The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Do you realize Mr. Religionist that you are lost?”
“Lost, Lord! Why what do you mean? I have never been lost, never in my life. In fact, I’ve always been a Christian, Lord.”
“Perhaps so, friend, but I cannot recognize such claims as you present. My pardons are not for you.”
“Not for me, Lord! Not for me! But wait, I see one that might be for me. Please read what it says.”
“This one? Oh, yes, I see it. Well, here it is listen: “All are guilty before God!” Do you plead guilty? If so, this pardon is for you.”
“Not for one moment do I plead guilty, Lord. Mr. Religionist is proud to say that he has never been guilty, never!”
“Obviously, then, my friend it is not for you.”
Then walks up another.
He bows low as he approaches and humbly requests a pardon.
“And who are you my friend?”
“Me. Oh, I’m nobody at all, Lord. I’m just a poor sinful man.”
“Well upon what grounds do you expect to get a pardon?”
“Only on the ground of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have never done anything to merit or deserve it. I’m just a sinner. Lord. Is there a pardon for a sinner like me?”
“Indeed there is, friend, and an abundant one, at that. Here, take this one. It reads, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. I have plenty for sinners. You are pardoned.”
In the book of Ephesians chapter 2 we read “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)
and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” vs. 4-9
We receive our pardon only by means of redeeming faith, not in who we are nor in who someone else says that we are, but only through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone.
And who are you?
Me! Don’t you know me Lord? I am the best man in all of my hometown. I’ve been as honest and upright with all of my neighbors as is humanly possible.
And your name?
My, name Lord, is Mr. Morality.
Hmm, Mr. Morality, let me see. Most of these pardons read, “I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinner. (Matthew 9:13)
I don’t see a pardon made out for any Mr. Morality.
But, are you a sinner?
A common sinner! I should say not! There is not a single person who knows me who can charge me with a single wrong. Why, I would dare say that I am the most respected citizen in my town.
Well then, Mr. Morality perhaps this pardon will do.
It reads “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6) Are you ungodly, my friend?
No sir Lord, I have never been looked upon as being an ungodly man.
Possibly then, this is the one for you, Mr. Morality. It reads; “There is none righteous, no, not one!
Are you unrighteous?
I unrighteous, Lord! How could I ever be unrighteous, when the very essence of my name is Mr. Morality!
Well, then Mr. Morality, I’m sorry, very sorry, but I’m afraid that there is not a single pardon available for you.
Another steps forward and asks for a pardon.
Who are you friend?
Mr. Religionist, Lord.
And what claim have you to present for a pardon, Mr. Religionist?
“Lord, have I not been the most faithful worker of all in my home church?
Was I not a deacon and then an elder, not to mention the founder of the church.
Lord, I labored for the uplift of the people of my community, and gave thousands of dollars to the church.
Surely, for all of this, I deserve a pardon, Lord.”
“But are you a sinner, friend?”
“A sinner! Indeed I am not! I have been religious all my life. I never strayed from the fold. In fact I was brought up in church.”
“Well, Mr. Religionist, your claim of being religious I do not for a moment dispute.
You are certainly well named. But I am compelled to tell you that all these pardons are made out to sinners. I have none for you .”
“None for me! Me, the most faithful church member in the whole city! None for me! Don’t I deserve one?”
“Not on the grounds of being religious, my friend. But hold on, wait a minute. Here is one that reads; The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Do you realize Mr. Religionist that you are lost?”
“Lost, Lord! Why what do you mean? I have never been lost, never in my life. In fact, I’ve always been a Christian, Lord.”
“Perhaps so, friend, but I cannot recognize such claims as you present. My pardons are not for you.”
“Not for me, Lord! Not for me! But wait, I see one that might be for me. Please read what it says.”
“This one? Oh, yes, I see it. Well, here it is listen: “All are guilty before God!” Do you plead guilty? If so, this pardon is for you.”
“Not for one moment do I plead guilty, Lord. Mr. Religionist is proud to say that he has never been guilty, never!”
“Obviously, then, my friend it is not for you.”
Then walks up another.
He bows low as he approaches and humbly requests a pardon.
“And who are you my friend?”
“Me. Oh, I’m nobody at all, Lord. I’m just a poor sinful man.”
“Well upon what grounds do you expect to get a pardon?”
“Only on the ground of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have never done anything to merit or deserve it. I’m just a sinner. Lord. Is there a pardon for a sinner like me?”
“Indeed there is, friend, and an abundant one, at that. Here, take this one. It reads, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. I have plenty for sinners. You are pardoned.”
In the book of Ephesians chapter 2 we read “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)
and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” vs. 4-9
We receive our pardon only by means of redeeming faith, not in who we are nor in who someone else says that we are, but only through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
In the book of Matthew we read about a turbulent storm that befell the disciples second Galilee crossing coming “straightway” or immediately after Jesus fed 5000 and just before He healed in Gennesaret “that they might only touch the hem of his garment…….as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matthew 14:22,35,36).
No accident , this storm was not only a divine assessment but also a diabolical assault.
That is, God not only sent the storm to test His apostles but the enemy also hoped, however futilely, that it would stop Jesus` growing ministry.
He was storming mad because Jesus was busily blessing God’s people.
Jesus walked about three and one half miles across a rough, vicious body of water before meeting up with His disciples, landing and ministering in Gennesaret.
Of His subsequent ministry there, a question could be posed, “Did these people of Gennesaret, know that Jesus had come through a storm to meet their needs?”
Likely they did not, but we can be sure that His disciples knew it.
They went through the storm and experienced His presence in a marvelous way, both seeing Him walking on the water, and controlling the storm, at its epicenter, understanding that what He did, was done so that He might come to the people across the stormy sea.
Later , after the apostles` healing and preaching ministry resulted in the salvation of 3000 in Jerusalem, another storm beset them.
This however was not a meteorological event, but a religious disturbance, as the Jewish clerics rose to persecute them.
Thus they walked in the masters footsteps, enduring Satan’s stormy opposition because their ministry--rather Christ’s ministry through them--was also blessing many.
The Apostle Paul also walked this way.
He famously encountered and endured many storms of persecution, on land and at sea, in order to disseminate many powerful life-giving, faith nourishing, soul-saving spiritual truths to the early churches.
When Paul arrived in cities to minister, he often did so freshly released from some turbid trouble.
He was harried for two weeks in a life-threatening hurricane, and then shipwrecked, before arriving on the island of Malta where he--or Christ in him--healed many.
Do we realize what Jesus, the apostles, and Paul knew and lived in?
That is, do we understand that if we undertake to prolifically feed God’s people the bread of the Word or minister comfort and healing to their souls and bodies by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will have to walk through great storms at times to do so?
Are we willing to endure those long, dark, dangerous, and wearisome gales of testing to make it through to the “other side” where God’s confused, famished, sick, misled, and despairing children are waiting eagerly to be helped by the ministry of the Son of God through us?
If we are willing to pay the price, God will see to it that they get the blessing.
No accident , this storm was not only a divine assessment but also a diabolical assault.
That is, God not only sent the storm to test His apostles but the enemy also hoped, however futilely, that it would stop Jesus` growing ministry.
He was storming mad because Jesus was busily blessing God’s people.
Jesus walked about three and one half miles across a rough, vicious body of water before meeting up with His disciples, landing and ministering in Gennesaret.
Of His subsequent ministry there, a question could be posed, “Did these people of Gennesaret, know that Jesus had come through a storm to meet their needs?”
Likely they did not, but we can be sure that His disciples knew it.
They went through the storm and experienced His presence in a marvelous way, both seeing Him walking on the water, and controlling the storm, at its epicenter, understanding that what He did, was done so that He might come to the people across the stormy sea.
Later , after the apostles` healing and preaching ministry resulted in the salvation of 3000 in Jerusalem, another storm beset them.
This however was not a meteorological event, but a religious disturbance, as the Jewish clerics rose to persecute them.
Thus they walked in the masters footsteps, enduring Satan’s stormy opposition because their ministry--rather Christ’s ministry through them--was also blessing many.
The Apostle Paul also walked this way.
He famously encountered and endured many storms of persecution, on land and at sea, in order to disseminate many powerful life-giving, faith nourishing, soul-saving spiritual truths to the early churches.
When Paul arrived in cities to minister, he often did so freshly released from some turbid trouble.
He was harried for two weeks in a life-threatening hurricane, and then shipwrecked, before arriving on the island of Malta where he--or Christ in him--healed many.
Do we realize what Jesus, the apostles, and Paul knew and lived in?
That is, do we understand that if we undertake to prolifically feed God’s people the bread of the Word or minister comfort and healing to their souls and bodies by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will have to walk through great storms at times to do so?
Are we willing to endure those long, dark, dangerous, and wearisome gales of testing to make it through to the “other side” where God’s confused, famished, sick, misled, and despairing children are waiting eagerly to be helped by the ministry of the Son of God through us?
If we are willing to pay the price, God will see to it that they get the blessing.
Monday, February 8, 2010
I have never been one to make resolutions for the New Year, having learned long ago that I would likely break them at the first opportunity.
However I do evaluate my life and the ministry that I have been given, annually.
During a time of evaluation in the latter part of 2009, the idea came upon me that based on some experiences during the year that perhaps I should take a more tolerant view of how I feel the gift that has been bestowed upon me should be presented.
I will share a few of those experiences, hoping that they minister to you somehow.
In the past year I have heard several prophets and pastors, declare to the church that we have entered a time to rest, and re-focus our ministry.
The truth is that the Church is not called to rest, rather we are encouraged to press on, unyielding and doing the Masters work until He returns.
I was witness to the blessing of communion (the Lords Supper) being presented at times with no mention of the sacrifice of Christ and His finished work. They did however mention, the works of men, Buddha, and puppy dogs.
In so doing, these people partook of the table of demons, bringing curses to all who approved.
I was shocked at a pastor that I love when I witnessed him bestow a blessing upon a couple who were cohabitating and had just announced to the world that they were pregnant with their first child.
When I refused to bestow a similar blessing upon them, I was scolded as being intolerant and uncharitable, and told that the truth of the message that I preach , would run people like that particular couple away from the church.
In defense of the Word of God, the pastor was told that people like that and many who fill pews in churches on a weekly basis, need to be ran away from the church and to the Cross of Christ.
I stand by my statement.
There is a great hue and cry throughout the world today on behalf of tolerance and much of it comes from a rising spirit of godlessness in the nations.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe at all in Christian tolerance.
The person who hates the name of Jesus, who believes that He was not the Son of God but an imposter, deserves charity on our part.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe in the weak tolerance that we hear preached so often now--the idea that Jesus must tolerate everyone and that the Christian must tolerate every kind of doctrine.
I do not believe it for one minute, for there are no dozen “rights”.
There is only one “right”.
There is but one true Bible, one true God and only one Savior of the world, Jesus!
Jesus Christ demonstrated the vast difference between being charitable and being tolerant, Jesus Christ was so charitable that in His great heart He took in all the people in the world and was willing to die, even for those who hated Him.
But even with that kind of love and charity crowning His being, Jesus was so intolerant that He taught; “ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
I believe in Christian charity, but not to the end that the road of Universalism would take you down, that every road leads to God.
However I do evaluate my life and the ministry that I have been given, annually.
During a time of evaluation in the latter part of 2009, the idea came upon me that based on some experiences during the year that perhaps I should take a more tolerant view of how I feel the gift that has been bestowed upon me should be presented.
I will share a few of those experiences, hoping that they minister to you somehow.
In the past year I have heard several prophets and pastors, declare to the church that we have entered a time to rest, and re-focus our ministry.
The truth is that the Church is not called to rest, rather we are encouraged to press on, unyielding and doing the Masters work until He returns.
I was witness to the blessing of communion (the Lords Supper) being presented at times with no mention of the sacrifice of Christ and His finished work. They did however mention, the works of men, Buddha, and puppy dogs.
In so doing, these people partook of the table of demons, bringing curses to all who approved.
I was shocked at a pastor that I love when I witnessed him bestow a blessing upon a couple who were cohabitating and had just announced to the world that they were pregnant with their first child.
When I refused to bestow a similar blessing upon them, I was scolded as being intolerant and uncharitable, and told that the truth of the message that I preach , would run people like that particular couple away from the church.
In defense of the Word of God, the pastor was told that people like that and many who fill pews in churches on a weekly basis, need to be ran away from the church and to the Cross of Christ.
I stand by my statement.
There is a great hue and cry throughout the world today on behalf of tolerance and much of it comes from a rising spirit of godlessness in the nations.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe at all in Christian tolerance.
The person who hates the name of Jesus, who believes that He was not the Son of God but an imposter, deserves charity on our part.
I believe in Christian charity, but I do not believe in the weak tolerance that we hear preached so often now--the idea that Jesus must tolerate everyone and that the Christian must tolerate every kind of doctrine.
I do not believe it for one minute, for there are no dozen “rights”.
There is only one “right”.
There is but one true Bible, one true God and only one Savior of the world, Jesus!
Jesus Christ demonstrated the vast difference between being charitable and being tolerant, Jesus Christ was so charitable that in His great heart He took in all the people in the world and was willing to die, even for those who hated Him.
But even with that kind of love and charity crowning His being, Jesus was so intolerant that He taught; “ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
I believe in Christian charity, but not to the end that the road of Universalism would take you down, that every road leads to God.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Manger Calls Again
Each year at Christmas, we return to the manger.
The simple image of the Messiah surrounded by livestock and shepherds is for many an archetype of the Incarnation and a recurring theme in our hymns and traditions.
We are right to put Christ’s infancy at the forefront of our celebrations because God chose to put it at the forefront of the symbolism surrounding His coming.
As if the Creator of the universe taking human form wasn’t mind blowing enough, He chose to arrive on the scene naked and helpless, completely dependent upon his parents for nourishment and protection.
In divine paradox, He was both Father and child to them.
In spite of His authority and ability to do so, Christ did not depart from these humble beginnings.
Isaiah 53:2 says “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.”
He never aspired to “greatness” in the human sense, content to quietly work the will of the Father and withdrawing from the praise of the masses, God become man demonstrated His identity precisely by not trumpeting it (Philippians 2:6); those who met Him at the manger were awed at the very ordinariness of His human form.
Equally significant is the location of His birth.
While there is confusion as to the exact placement of the manger (whether in a stable, on the lower floor of a house, or in a cave), it is a place not befitting human residence, let alone Gods. But it was there in a dishonorable, unsanitary space that Christ entered His world.
British author and philosopher G.K. Chesterton capitalizes on this in The Everlasting Man.
Seizing on the image of the cave, he writes, “It was here that a homeless couple had crept underground with the cattle when the doors……..had been shut in their faces; and it was here beneath the very feet of the passersby, in a cellar under the floor of the world, that Jesus Christ was born.”
Indeed, His birth as an outcast foreshadowed the life of extreme poverty that He and His disciples led (Matthew 8:20).
The lowly birth of Christ, as Chesterton goes on to state, is the central event of all history, the end of mythology’s dreams and philosophy’s search, and the trumpet call of victory over Satan.
He says, “It is nothing less than the loud assertion that this mysterious Maker of the world has visited this world in person. It declares that really…..right in the middle of historic times, there did walk into this world this original invisible being about whom the thinkers make theories and the mythologists hand down myths; the Man Who Made the World.”
The manger turns the world on its ear.
Gods entry into the world serves a larger purpose than simply flying in the face of human conventions, however.
His arrival was the ultimate demonstration both of His authority over creation (in being born of a virgin) and His love and concern for man. Because He “showed up” in the person of Christ, His character has been demonstrated for all to see.
He cannot be ignorant of poverty, for He was poor.
He has ultimate sympathy for the suffering because He was tortured and gave His life.
No man can accuse Him of being distant or uncaring because He is “God with us.”
By healing the sick and rebuking the proud, He reminds us that He has entered the world to “set it to rights”, He will bring His justice.
He came as a man to redeem the world.
He had to take part in birth and death to defeat the power of Satan over men (Hebrews 2:14).
As Athanasius of Alexandria put it, He came “to renew men according to His image.” Because of the manger, birth and life are honored with the presence of the King.
In lowering Himself, he gave significance to the daily tasks and struggles of life.
He came to set a standard by which we should also live.
This then is the mystery of the Incarnation--through all these things, He commands us to follow Him.
From the manger, he bids us to follow into a life of lowliness, wandering, sacrifice, and submission to the Father.
The irony of Gods destruction of earths status quo is that it simultaneously frees us from slavery under the law and calls us to a higher road.
The very Word of God, by whom all things were made and are held together, has shown us the way, and we are called to be imitators of Him.
Such is the gift of Christmas.
Justin Lonas
The simple image of the Messiah surrounded by livestock and shepherds is for many an archetype of the Incarnation and a recurring theme in our hymns and traditions.
We are right to put Christ’s infancy at the forefront of our celebrations because God chose to put it at the forefront of the symbolism surrounding His coming.
As if the Creator of the universe taking human form wasn’t mind blowing enough, He chose to arrive on the scene naked and helpless, completely dependent upon his parents for nourishment and protection.
In divine paradox, He was both Father and child to them.
In spite of His authority and ability to do so, Christ did not depart from these humble beginnings.
Isaiah 53:2 says “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.”
He never aspired to “greatness” in the human sense, content to quietly work the will of the Father and withdrawing from the praise of the masses, God become man demonstrated His identity precisely by not trumpeting it (Philippians 2:6); those who met Him at the manger were awed at the very ordinariness of His human form.
Equally significant is the location of His birth.
While there is confusion as to the exact placement of the manger (whether in a stable, on the lower floor of a house, or in a cave), it is a place not befitting human residence, let alone Gods. But it was there in a dishonorable, unsanitary space that Christ entered His world.
British author and philosopher G.K. Chesterton capitalizes on this in The Everlasting Man.
Seizing on the image of the cave, he writes, “It was here that a homeless couple had crept underground with the cattle when the doors……..had been shut in their faces; and it was here beneath the very feet of the passersby, in a cellar under the floor of the world, that Jesus Christ was born.”
Indeed, His birth as an outcast foreshadowed the life of extreme poverty that He and His disciples led (Matthew 8:20).
The lowly birth of Christ, as Chesterton goes on to state, is the central event of all history, the end of mythology’s dreams and philosophy’s search, and the trumpet call of victory over Satan.
He says, “It is nothing less than the loud assertion that this mysterious Maker of the world has visited this world in person. It declares that really…..right in the middle of historic times, there did walk into this world this original invisible being about whom the thinkers make theories and the mythologists hand down myths; the Man Who Made the World.”
The manger turns the world on its ear.
Gods entry into the world serves a larger purpose than simply flying in the face of human conventions, however.
His arrival was the ultimate demonstration both of His authority over creation (in being born of a virgin) and His love and concern for man. Because He “showed up” in the person of Christ, His character has been demonstrated for all to see.
He cannot be ignorant of poverty, for He was poor.
He has ultimate sympathy for the suffering because He was tortured and gave His life.
No man can accuse Him of being distant or uncaring because He is “God with us.”
By healing the sick and rebuking the proud, He reminds us that He has entered the world to “set it to rights”, He will bring His justice.
He came as a man to redeem the world.
He had to take part in birth and death to defeat the power of Satan over men (Hebrews 2:14).
As Athanasius of Alexandria put it, He came “to renew men according to His image.” Because of the manger, birth and life are honored with the presence of the King.
In lowering Himself, he gave significance to the daily tasks and struggles of life.
He came to set a standard by which we should also live.
This then is the mystery of the Incarnation--through all these things, He commands us to follow Him.
From the manger, he bids us to follow into a life of lowliness, wandering, sacrifice, and submission to the Father.
The irony of Gods destruction of earths status quo is that it simultaneously frees us from slavery under the law and calls us to a higher road.
The very Word of God, by whom all things were made and are held together, has shown us the way, and we are called to be imitators of Him.
Such is the gift of Christmas.
Justin Lonas
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
GOD IS FAITHFULL AT ALL TIMES
“And He said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities….therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
Great is Thy faithfulness O God My Father / There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not / As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness / Morning by Morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy Hand hath provided / Great is thy Faithfulness, Lord unto Me.
Summer and Winter, springtime and harvest / Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifest witness / To Thy great Faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth / Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow / Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness /Morning by Morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided /Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.
The author of the hymn, Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky in July of 1866.
At the age of 16 he began teaching school despite the paucity of his own education, when at the age of 27 under the ministry of Evangelist H.C. Morrison he came to know the Lord.
It was the persuasion of Morrison that Chisholm moved to Louisville and became editor of the Pentecostal Herald. He was ordained a Methodist minister in 1903 and served a brief pastorate at Scottsville, Kentucky.
However because of poor health, Thomas alternated between bouts of illness and gainful employment in which he did everything from journalism to insurance to evangelistic work. Through all the ups and downs though he discovered new blessings from God every morning.
The third chapter of Lamentations became precious to him--”His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.”
Thomas spent his retirement years in a Methodist Home for the Aged in Ocean Park, New Jersey, where he was frequently seen walking by the ocean and along town streets.
He passed away on February 29 1960.
How many of us find that we discover new blessings from God every morning-even when circumstances dare to differ.
I read a analogy about resting in our God, and basically it read, “All of us by nature are murmurers and complainers. We question every act of God and man. In our arrogance and self-will, we secretly think that we could do much better if things were in OUR CONTROL."
I’m sure you have asked yourself as to why there are Christians that seem to be living that peaceful life.
They have simply conquered the pain and the bitterness that comes into each of their lives, by simply keeping STILL.
They are so sure of His love and wisdom, that they are pained by no doubt, no fear, no uncertainty. Peace is their pillow, because they have learned to just BE STILL.
Their quietness robs trials of its sharpness, sorrow of its bitterness, death of its sting, and the grave of its victory.”
I think this is one issue that we as Christians struggle with every day.
And that is “How are we to be at peace and rejoicing in the Lord every day, especially when trials come our way.”
Does Christianity mean that we are NEVER to question, NEVER to be discouraged, NEVER to cry out when disease is raging throughout our body. We are only human and these are basic human instincts that we all feel at times.
When death of a loved one comes our way or when we have just been diagnosed with a terminal disease, when one has lost their job, our first inclination is to ask WHY?
Didn’t our Lord cry out to His Father when He was on the Cross, by saying “Why hast thou forsaken Me?”
Yes, I truly think that we might go through some anger, we might even get down, we might ask Why, for these are our human emotions screaming out at us, but when we get past the Whys, what do we have left.
We have our FAITH to lean on!
We can only believe, and only rest in the Knowledge that our lord WILL never forsake us and that HE WILL see us through no matter what is before us.
Gods GRACE is SUFFICIENT!
May we all rest in the compassionate and tender hands of our Lord.
today and every day after let us all declare that Great is Thy Faithfulness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpRCClg8pEY
Great is Thy faithfulness O God My Father / There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not / As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness / Morning by Morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy Hand hath provided / Great is thy Faithfulness, Lord unto Me.
Summer and Winter, springtime and harvest / Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifest witness / To Thy great Faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth / Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow / Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness /Morning by Morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided /Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.
The author of the hymn, Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky in July of 1866.
At the age of 16 he began teaching school despite the paucity of his own education, when at the age of 27 under the ministry of Evangelist H.C. Morrison he came to know the Lord.
It was the persuasion of Morrison that Chisholm moved to Louisville and became editor of the Pentecostal Herald. He was ordained a Methodist minister in 1903 and served a brief pastorate at Scottsville, Kentucky.
However because of poor health, Thomas alternated between bouts of illness and gainful employment in which he did everything from journalism to insurance to evangelistic work. Through all the ups and downs though he discovered new blessings from God every morning.
The third chapter of Lamentations became precious to him--”His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.”
Thomas spent his retirement years in a Methodist Home for the Aged in Ocean Park, New Jersey, where he was frequently seen walking by the ocean and along town streets.
He passed away on February 29 1960.
How many of us find that we discover new blessings from God every morning-even when circumstances dare to differ.
I read a analogy about resting in our God, and basically it read, “All of us by nature are murmurers and complainers. We question every act of God and man. In our arrogance and self-will, we secretly think that we could do much better if things were in OUR CONTROL."
I’m sure you have asked yourself as to why there are Christians that seem to be living that peaceful life.
They have simply conquered the pain and the bitterness that comes into each of their lives, by simply keeping STILL.
They are so sure of His love and wisdom, that they are pained by no doubt, no fear, no uncertainty. Peace is their pillow, because they have learned to just BE STILL.
Their quietness robs trials of its sharpness, sorrow of its bitterness, death of its sting, and the grave of its victory.”
I think this is one issue that we as Christians struggle with every day.
And that is “How are we to be at peace and rejoicing in the Lord every day, especially when trials come our way.”
Does Christianity mean that we are NEVER to question, NEVER to be discouraged, NEVER to cry out when disease is raging throughout our body. We are only human and these are basic human instincts that we all feel at times.
When death of a loved one comes our way or when we have just been diagnosed with a terminal disease, when one has lost their job, our first inclination is to ask WHY?
Didn’t our Lord cry out to His Father when He was on the Cross, by saying “Why hast thou forsaken Me?”
Yes, I truly think that we might go through some anger, we might even get down, we might ask Why, for these are our human emotions screaming out at us, but when we get past the Whys, what do we have left.
We have our FAITH to lean on!
We can only believe, and only rest in the Knowledge that our lord WILL never forsake us and that HE WILL see us through no matter what is before us.
Gods GRACE is SUFFICIENT!
May we all rest in the compassionate and tender hands of our Lord.
today and every day after let us all declare that Great is Thy Faithfulness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpRCClg8pEY
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Throughout the Church Age, confessing Christ has been a vital issue.
The Apostle Paul deemed it as essential to release full salvation in the soul who by grace alone has received saving faith: “If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Jesus stated the full expectation that those who have placed their faith in Him would then confess Him to others: “Whosoever..shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father” (Matthew 10:32).
The message is quite simple.
Jesus wants us to say publicly that we believe in Him and in His work to save us---He is Gods Son, He died for our sins, He rose for our justification--and that, to put it in in modern terms, He is our personal Lord and Savior.
That is the act of confessing Christ by mouth.
While this is enough to confirm our salvation, there are other ways we may confess Christ. Every time we do the following, our actions declare that Jesus is living and having His way in us.
And it is deeply pleasing to Him.
We confess Christ whenever we leave or voluntarily abandon the places, associations, and relationships in which we formerly practiced sin.
We confess Him by lifestyle, by not conforming to the worlds values and ways of living but by transforming our life-goals and living habits to live humble, holy, spiritually (not materialistically) driven, Christ-centered, Word -loving, Spirit-led lives.
We confess Him whenever we cultivate a loving affection for Jesus by spending time alone with Him daily in devotional Bible reading, unpretentious prayer, and adoring worship, and by loving and comforting others as He has commanded us.
We confess Him by hating sin (first in our self) while maintaining mercy for sinners, “Ye who love the Lord, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10)----knowing fully well that apathy toward sin is apathy toward Him.
We confess Him by our labor, or by working whole heartedly and steadily “as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23), without regard to honor from people.
We confess Him by lending, or by reliving His life mission, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give” (Matthew 20:28), as we strive to first give, share, or lend, rather than to receive, take or hold.
We confess Him by promoting Him above all purported deities or great men as being the only God, the only Savior, and the only hope.
We confess Him by lingering, or waiting patiently for the Fathers appointed time to fulfill His plans, bless our efforts, answer our prayers, or release us from difficulties, hindrances or enemies.
We confess Him when we desire above all else to know Him more deeply, fellowship with Him more closely, do His will more consistently and fervently strive to see “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10)
Practice daily to confess Him, by mouth and by life style.
The Apostle Paul deemed it as essential to release full salvation in the soul who by grace alone has received saving faith: “If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Jesus stated the full expectation that those who have placed their faith in Him would then confess Him to others: “Whosoever..shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father” (Matthew 10:32).
The message is quite simple.
Jesus wants us to say publicly that we believe in Him and in His work to save us---He is Gods Son, He died for our sins, He rose for our justification--and that, to put it in in modern terms, He is our personal Lord and Savior.
That is the act of confessing Christ by mouth.
While this is enough to confirm our salvation, there are other ways we may confess Christ. Every time we do the following, our actions declare that Jesus is living and having His way in us.
And it is deeply pleasing to Him.
We confess Christ whenever we leave or voluntarily abandon the places, associations, and relationships in which we formerly practiced sin.
We confess Him by lifestyle, by not conforming to the worlds values and ways of living but by transforming our life-goals and living habits to live humble, holy, spiritually (not materialistically) driven, Christ-centered, Word -loving, Spirit-led lives.
We confess Him whenever we cultivate a loving affection for Jesus by spending time alone with Him daily in devotional Bible reading, unpretentious prayer, and adoring worship, and by loving and comforting others as He has commanded us.
We confess Him by hating sin (first in our self) while maintaining mercy for sinners, “Ye who love the Lord, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10)----knowing fully well that apathy toward sin is apathy toward Him.
We confess Him by our labor, or by working whole heartedly and steadily “as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23), without regard to honor from people.
We confess Him by lending, or by reliving His life mission, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give” (Matthew 20:28), as we strive to first give, share, or lend, rather than to receive, take or hold.
We confess Him by promoting Him above all purported deities or great men as being the only God, the only Savior, and the only hope.
We confess Him by lingering, or waiting patiently for the Fathers appointed time to fulfill His plans, bless our efforts, answer our prayers, or release us from difficulties, hindrances or enemies.
We confess Him when we desire above all else to know Him more deeply, fellowship with Him more closely, do His will more consistently and fervently strive to see “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10)
Practice daily to confess Him, by mouth and by life style.
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