What God Did for Jesus, He Will Do for His People

“Now when they departed, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word. For Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him.’ When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called My Son’.”

(rf. Matt. 2:13-15 MEV)

 

            At the time of this occurrence Jesus was just a toddler or a “young Child” (vs. 14) as Matthew puts it. He was too small to understand what was going on around Him in His humanness, but His Deity knew all the well what was taking place. Jesus was endangered by Herod’s hurt pride and insecurities. King Herod had wanted to know from the Magi where Jesus was located so he could supposedly go and “worship Him” (rf. Matt. 2:8), knowing full well that he wanted to find out for the purpose of killing Jesus. When the Magi left without returning with the desired knowledge, King Herod made the horrendous decision to massacre all of the young children, two and under in age, to avenge his pride and to take out the perceived enemy to his throne.

            What Herod never suspected, even in his assessment that this child, this new “King of the Jews” (vs. 2), was actually God the Son in human form, the second Person of the Trinity. Herod was not just dealing with human beings who could easily be slain by his troops. He was “messing with” Almighty God who would take whatever precautions necessary to protect His Son. Thus, Herod had not reckoned on God’s intervention by His sending of Gabriel to warn Joseph to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt. Nor had Herod considered that God would also provide for His Son and the holy family by giving them the necessary provision for the journey through the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the hands of the Magi. God’s promise and accomplishment of His protection and provision for His Son was clearly evident to all involved, except, of course, King Herod.

            When circumstances turn negative for us as God’s people, we should be assured that the same promises that He made clear to Joseph and Mary on Jesus’ behalf are the same promises that we can hold close to our own hearts. God has given His Word to us as His people to protect us and to provide for “all (our) needs according to His riches in glory” (rf. Php. 4:19). He will not fail us even as He did not fail to do the above for His Son when Jesus was humanly vulnerable. 

            As we move into a new year of life and service, let us take these promises of God to heart and to manifest our trust in them by faith. He wants us to take Him at His Word. Will we do so regardless of the circumstances in which we may find ourselves and through which He will lead us? If we do, then we will watch the miraculous things He does for His own glory to make His promises a reality to us.

"Forget Not All His Benefits"

^“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Like a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field he flourishes. For the hot wind passes over it, and it is gone; the place where it was is not known. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember to do His commandments…” (rf. Ps. 103:1-2, 11-18 MEV)

 

            In the Psalm above, King David encourages the reader to join him as he praises the Lord in song (for remember, the psalms were originally songs written as works for worship). David’s heart rejoices at the thought of all that the Lord has done for him. He reminds himself not to “forget…all His benefits”, the many things through which God has blessed him personally. He outlines a great number of incidents in his own life where he has seen the hand of the Lord evident. In the passage given above, David recounts specifically how the Lord has forgiven his sin, how He has chosen purposefully not to remember them at all, casting them “as far as the east is from the west”. David sees himself as the beneficiary of God’s wonderful and amazing grace, enabling him to serve and fear the Lord and to fulfill His commandments. He also expresses how this is the same experience of all who follow the Lord; they know His “compassion” firsthand and rejoice in it.

            As we approach the season of giving thanks to the Lord, David’s reminder is most fitting. We should take his encouragement to heart, looking back at all of the blessings that the Lord has given to His people, not because they deserve or merit them, only that God desires to express His grace, love, mercy and “compassion” to us. Being the recipients of these blessings should elicit our praise of Him and a constant desire to worship Him and to be in His Presence.

            So, may it be an act of commitment on our part to diligently and thoughtfully take time to recall all of the ways God has shown His love to us. May we also give Him glory each day and look forward to being together as His people to share our joy with Him and with each other in worship.

 

"Come Out of Their Midst and Be Separate"

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (rf. II Corinthians 6:14-18 MEV)

 

 

            The Apostle Paul here is teaching a principle echoing the words of Jesus in John 15:19 which says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you.” For both Jesus and Paul the concept of Jesus’ followers being distinctly different is a very important one. In many respects, Jesus’ expectation of us as His people is a radical departure from the present perception among Western Christians, in particular, that we should be as “relevant” and connecting to society and culture as possible, that our commonalities should far outshine and outpace our differences. 

            Paul lived in a time when his surrounding culture was profoundly pagan and wicked by Scriptural standards. The church at Corinth to whom the text above was written was enveloped and oppressed by spiritual darkness. Temples to various Greek and Roman gods dotted the landscape along with the drunken and sexual orgies that accompanied their worship. Cults and other religious sects thrived as did the veneration of the Emperor and the Empire. It was, indeed, a dark backdrop to the work of Christ in that cosmopolitan city.

            Notice that Paul did not encourage making the Gospel “relevant” or to disclose faith in Christ as just another color in the religious “rainbow” of the Gentiles. Rather, Paul is clear that followers of Christ should be distinct from the world around them. As he puts it, “what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial (the Devil), or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” Instead of playing along with the culture, Paul’s encouragement to his fellow Christians is to “come out from their midst and be separate”. Why the need for distinction? Only as light is separated from darkness is the difference between the two clearly seen. Those who are spiritually alive must not be acting like corpses; otherwise, how will the spiritually dead know that they are dead if not by the comparison with those who are truly alive in Christ.

            Even today, Western culture is quickly returning to the paganism of old; gods in the past have been exchanged for a plethora of gods in the present. Around us, especially during this time of year, we see clear expressions of spiritual darkness. Evil acts and representations abound with the air of fun and the promise of excitement. It is as if someone truly opened Pandora’s Box and all manner of wickedness now flourishes and is socially acceptable.

            Since the present is becoming more reflective of Paul’s context, it is incumbent upon us as believers in Christ to follow closely Paul’s admonition above. Only when we shine the light of Christ in our lives by being separate, different and distinct from the world around will those trapped in its evil grip know and see that there is a better way of living. We must renew the call to “come out…and be separate”, shining our light brightly for all to see while being committed to not being a part with or supportive of the world around us that relishes in darkness. Only when we do so are we truly fulfilling His call to be His disciples and reflective of His reality in us.

 

The Church's Role in the Future of the Nation

“For I will send pestilence to her and blood to her streets, and the wounded will fall in her midst by the sword upon her on every side; then they will know that I am the Lord. And there will be no more for the house of Israel a prickling brier or a painful thorn from any round about them who scorned them; then they will know that I am the Lord God.” (rf. Ezek. 28:23-24 NASB)

 

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” (II Chron. 7:13-16 NASB)

 

            One of the concepts with which followers of Christ have difficulty is the truth that God allows and even uses suffering, hard circumstances, sickness and death to accomplish His righteous purposes. Admittedly, it is never fun when this allowance by God becomes a reality in our own lives; indeed, when we hurt or are in pain, it’s hard for us to conceive that God in His infinite wisdom is working out something better and more extensive for us and those around us than we could ever imagine. On an individual level, this is the reason it is good for us to remember the promises in Rom. 8:28-39.

            If this truth is hard for us to swallow as children of God, how much more so when these truths are applied to one’s nation. In each of the passages above, God is specifically addressing His people as a whole in reference to their own country. When God’s people strayed away from the Lord and His Word to them (as did the Israelites of the Old Testament), to get their attention, God would bring calamity into the life of the nation. These negative experiences would include war, crime, violence, disease and pestilence, famine, weather disasters, etc. in order to help them recognize their own sinful condition, the need to repent and repudiate those sins, and to drive them back into His waiting arms of love and acceptance. 

            We tend to view our sin as unfortunate mistakes or simply “being human”, imperfect in our going and doings. God views our sin as an affront and offense to His holy character and nature, provoking a dangerous and wrathful response. When His people continue in their sin without suitable repentance, it can be guaranteed that their nation will undoubtedly have a very negative experience as a result. 

            Our problem today is that we are blaming everything around us for the issues that presently face our nation. We hold politicians of the opposing side especially accountable for the violence and wars our country faces abroad while crime runs rampant on our city streets. We charge “man-made climate change” for the acceleration in number and intensity of weather disasters while conveniently forgetting or choosing not to remember who exactly controls the forces of nature (i.e. the Lord—see Matt. 8:27). We deplore the ongoing degradation of social norms and morals while allowing sexual and relational sins of all sorts within the Church. We are simply sinning ourselves into oblivion as His people, specifically, knowing full well what will be the ramifications of such for our country.

            In the above texts, God has given His people sufficient warning of what is coming when we sin without repentance and cleansing. He has also provided the remedy for these things. We must first recognize that our sin is repugnant to Him, turning away from that sin completely. We must then ask His forgiveness for ourselves and for our nation in a most sincere fashion. There is also clear indication above that the Lord desires such prayers to flow from “His house”, His place of worship. He, therefore, expects His people to be in attendance to offer these prayers for forgiveness personally. Finally, we must commit ourselves not to get on this path of sin again; instead, we will submit ourselves totally to Him and to the fulfillment of His Word so that the Church can be restored to power in His Spirit and our nation to the peace with God that He desires. 

            The question is: are we willing to face the reality of our own sin and repent of it? Are we willing to seek Him for this forgiveness and watch as He brings healing “to our land”? It all begins with us as His people. We must take the first step if there is to be widespread positive change that pleases and glorifies Him.

Getting Our Nation Right With God

 

“For I will send pestilence to her and blood to her streets, and the wounded will fall in her midst by the sword upon her on every side; then they will know that I am the Lord. And there will be no more for the house of Israel a prickling brier or a painful thorn from any round about them who scorned them; then they will know that I am the Lord God.” (rf. Ezek. 28:23-24 NASB)

 

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” (II Chron. 7:13-16 NASB)

 

            One of the concepts with which followers of Christ have difficulty is the truth that God allows and even uses suffering, hard circumstances, sickness and death to accomplish His righteous purposes. Admittedly, it is never fun when this allowance by God becomes a reality in our own lives; indeed, when we hurt or are in pain, it’s hard for us to conceive that God in His infinite wisdom is working out something better and more extensive for us and those around us than we could ever imagine. On an individual level, this is the reason it is good for us to remember the promises in Rom. 8:28-39.

            If this truth is hard for us to swallow as children of God, how much more so when these truths are applied to one’s nation. In each of the passages above, God is specifically addressing His people as a whole in reference to their own country. When God’s people strayed away from the Lord and His Word to them (as did the Israelites of the Old Testament), to get their attention, God would bring calamity into the life of the nation. These negative experiences would include war, crime, violence, disease and pestilence, famine, weather disasters, etc. in order to help them recognize their own sinful condition, the need to repent and repudiate those sins, and to drive them back into His waiting arms of love and acceptance. 

            We tend to view our sin as unfortunate mistakes or simply “being human”, imperfect in our going and doings. God views our sin as an affront and offense to His holy character and nature, provoking a dangerous and wrathful response. When His people continue in their sin without suitable repentance, it can be guaranteed that their nation will undoubtedly have a very negative experience as a result. 

            Our problem today is that we are blaming everything around us for the issues that presently face our nation. We hold politicians of the opposing side especially accountable for the violence and wars our country faces abroad while crime runs rampant on our city streets. We charge “man-made climate change” for the acceleration in number and intensity of weather disasters while conveniently forgetting or choosing not to remember who exactly controls the forces of nature (i.e. the Lord—see Matt. 8:27). We deplore the ongoing degradation of social norms and morals while allowing sexual and relational sins of all sorts within the Church. We are simply sinning ourselves into oblivion as His people, specifically, knowing full well what will be the ramifications of such for our country.

            In the above texts, God has given His people sufficient warning of what is coming when we sin without repentance and cleansing. He has also provided the remedy for these things. We must first recognize that our sin is repugnant to Him, turning away from that sin completely. We must then ask His forgiveness for ourselves and for our nation in a most sincere fashion. There is also clear indication above that the Lord desires such prayers to flow from “His house”, His place of worship. He, therefore, expects His people to be in attendance to offer these prayers for forgiveness personally. Finally, we must commit ourselves not to get on this path of sin again; instead, we will submit ourselves totally to Him and to the fulfillment of His Word so that the Church can be restored to power in His Spirit and our nation to the peace with God that He desires. 

            The question is: are we willing to face the reality of our own sin and repent of it? Are we willing to seek Him for this forgiveness and watch as He brings healing “to our land”? It all begins with us as His people. We must take the first step if there is to be widespread positive change that pleases and glorifies Him.

  

Our Language as a Reflection of Our Hearts

“…the tongue is a little part of the body and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles. The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. The tongue is among the parts of the body, defiling the whole body, and setting the course of nature on fire, and it is set on fire by hell.

…With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (rf. James 3:5–6, 9-10 MEV)

 

            We live in a day when all manner of profanity and the use of it has become popular. It used to be in the bygone years of my youth when certain words were taboo, definitely not socially acceptable, words you assuredly would not use in the presence of the fairer sex. Now all such perceived boundaries have disappeared as any conceivable “bad word” is bandied about in every form of media. 

            What amazes me even more is the use of these profane words by professed Christians. There seems to be, especially among those of the younger generations, virtually no inhibitions about dropping the “f-bomb” in casual conversation. Such terminology in days past would have not only been offensive to those within hearing, but also would have been perceived as a terrible tribute to low levels of understanding and the general lack of education in formal social graces  relating to the speaker.

            It is easy to recognize the overall downward slide of our culture and society. Such a plunge into the polluted language abyss is expected. However, for the Christian community to follow suit is unimaginable, especially with so many passages in Scripture that speak to how Christians are to address and to act toward others. Here are but a few to consider:

 

“You shall not defile My holy name (as in using God’s Name wrongly, profanely and in ways that dishonor Him), but I will be sanctified among the children of Israel: I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (rf. Lev. 22:32).

 

“And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity (which is not only action but language as well), or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, (giving examples of what “impurity” in language is like, using profane words, jokes, etc.) which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks. For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (rf. Eph. 5:3-5).

 

            Our use of words is powerful as the initial text from James specifies. We can either build up or tear down with our words. If we are “in Christ” as the Apostle Paul terms being saved, we should be using our mouths to cultivate the good of others and God’s glory as a testimony of His reality in our lives. It is by our use of language that shows that we are different from the rest of the world. If we use words and attitudes that please the Lord, exhibiting His love to others, then we will by nature be “separate” as Paul admonishes us to be:

 

“As God has said: ‘I will live in them and walk in them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate’, says the Lord  (rf. II Corinthians 6:16-17a).

            My encouragement to us all as followers of Jesus is to watch closely what we say and how we say it. Let us not fall prey to using the language of the world and society just because it is popular. It is a much more powerful witness to be different than to endeavor to “fit in”. Nothing good can come from compromising our values and the truth of God’s Word. Let our words be a fitting compliment to the faith that we hold so dearly.

Come Out and Be Separate

 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (rf. Gal. 3:28 MEV)

 

            Much ink has been spilled and words used in news coverage over the past few years to spotlight the perceived and real divisions within our nation. Where we used to view ourselves as “One nation under God, indivisible”, we now are told that we are nothing but a collection of individuals, each with our own cause to raise, our own interests to protect. We can magnify the differences if they will enhance our own respectability and capacity to influence others to take the same path. It is now an “us vs. them”, “they are the enemy”, an angry people bent on mutual destruction. We have become a land of extremes with no real place for moderation and civil discourse.

            For far too long, American Christians have looked to the government to solve these issues, a perspective which, in fact, has resulted in our presently strained election process and policies that bringing us no closer to resolution. Rather, the situation has only been made worse by the rabid politicizing of every issue and action. The question then is begged: Is there any hope for our future?

            As believers in Christ, we have become too easily distracted by the actions and interests of our culture, government and society. We have failed to realize that we have an important responsibility to fulfill for God and for our country. We have been called by Christ Himself to be “the salt of the earth…the light of the world” (rf. Matt. 5:13-14). We have been appointed His ambassadors (rf. II Cor. 5) to show by our lives, actions and words the example of Jesus to a world that needs to hear and see that message.

            Now, having covered that overall responsibility, let’s look at it in further detail through the words of the Apostle Paul in the above passage. Specifically, Paul is telling his fellow Christians in Galatia that the former social and racial distinctions no longer apply now that Jesus has brought us all together into His one Body, the Church. Implicitly, Paul is sharing with believers in all time periods that these distinctions are part of our past lives; these differences in race, gender, origin, etc. have no bearing as to our being a part of His kingdom. 

            The Bible does teach the value of differences between us because God has made us with these dissimilarities according to His purposes for His glory. Scripture only recognizes Jew and Gentile in terms of race and male and female in terms of gender. The laundry list of designations as proposed by our present society have absolutely no basis in God’s Word. None! 

            Rather, what God wants His people to do is to exhibit in His Church what it means to be of one mind and heart, regardless of the differences. He desires for us to mirror the unity that He has within the Persons of the Trinity (rf. Jn. 17:11b). It is our responsibility to show the world that we can worship, serve and minister in His name as one Body. We can relish in the value of our dissimilarities while working side-by-side and walking hand-in-hand to accomplish His will. 

            As Jesus-followers, we need to search our hearts and make sure that we are not allowing ourselves to be negatively influenced by the present society of division. Instead, let us commit ourselves to seeing past our distinctive traits in being “Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female” to fulfill Christ’s own prayer that His people be “one as(He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit) are one”. As with light to darkness so may we be the counterpoint to the divisiveness that is so prevalent now; may we be His agents of love, mercy and unity.

Change is Inevitable...And is a Matter of Obedience

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

(rf. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 MEV)

 

            When we initially read this text, we tend to view it in terms of a “reality check”, that things we don’t like (such as death, destruction, sadness, losing, hatred and war) are as much a part of the fabric of life as the good things, like the birth of a child, joy, dancing and love. This is very true and a reminder we all need from time to time. However, as with much of Scripture, there is more here in this text than meets the eye.

            There is an equally valid reality that we often need to recall and, yet, when we do, it makes us feel quite uncomfortable, especially for those temperaments that greatly enjoy the status quo. This reality as expressed by Solomon is the endless actuality of change. We know that change will undoubtedly come in our earthy experience. How we welcome it and adjust ourselves to it is at the heart of what Solomon is trying to convey. He is sharing with us that not only is change a part of life, it is also to be expected and, when it comes, whether it represents blessing or pain, it should viewed as God’s hand at work within us to bring about His will in our lives.

            For historical churches, such as St. John’s, this can be a very difficult pill for us to swallow. Parishioners in historical churches tend to relish and live in the past, make decisions as based on past experiences, and desire to chart a path that leads the church “back to the good ole days”. Churches that do this are failing to recognize that Christ’s Church was never designed to live in the glory of experiences of old. Rather, we as His people are to hold on to the truths of the past that are timeless while moving forward, always seeking the Lord as to His direction. 

In reference to this, all we have to do is review how the Israelites responded to the Lord as Moses lead them through the Wilderness into the Promised Land. For more times than we would care to count, the Israelites wanted to return to bondage in Egypt whenever they were faced with difficulty or change. Not wanting to remember that God was leading them on to a place of freedom in their own land, they chose over and over again a return to the past, believing it would be better “back there” instead of gaining God’s best for them. Moses even lost his privilege to enter into the Promised Land himself because he was so angry with this backward-looking crowd (rf. Num. 20:1-13). This desire for the past in the face of God’s moving us toward the future has been around for a very long time. If we choose wrongly, we face serious consequences for disobeying the Lord.

Because of the recent pandemic, His Church has been forced to reckon with a new, exciting, and, yet, challenging future. Things that were taken for granted are now relics of the past and, in fact, should stay there. God has placed His people in the unique position of being able to repackage the timeless message of His Word and His Gospel, using technology as a viable means in much better and more efficient ways that we have before. He wants to use His Church to reach generations who are now living in a purely secular, humanistic world with the eternal truths of His Holy Word. He wants His people to create a new future on the foundations of our history and to go upward and onward in our quest to build His Church so that “all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (rf. Matt. 16:18 NLT).

In order to fulfill God’s will for His Church, we, especially as fellowships with a long and appreciated history, must move our perspective from the past to the future if we are to continue and be fruitful for the Lord. We need to view our facilities as means to reach others while making sure the sanctity of God’s house remains. We must view technology as a friend to accomplish these efforts and not with fear because it can be so easily abused. We must desist from viewing ourselves as a long-standing social club where few are allowed into the group. Rather, we must be welcoming to all who are in our immediate community and to those who enter our doors, sharing with them the same love of Christ that we ourselves have experienced. We must be proactive and creative in our formation of new and exciting ministries to reach these very people who need desperately to hear Christ’s promise of salvation. We need to see others through eyes of Jesus whose own heart is “moved with compassion for them, because they…(are) scattered, like sheep without a shepherd” (rf. Matt. 9:36 MEV). He desires for His people to be “(His) laborers (sent to gather)…His harvest” (rf. Matt. 9:38 MEV).

The choice then for us as historical churches will be one of the following: (1) Will we live in the past and hold to our treasured perspectives and actions that seemingly worked to build our church then, but will only result in an assured death now? (2) Or will we view our past as a secure foundation and look to other avenues in which to build bridges of understanding and communication with present generations so that they can know Jesus and His Word, thus ensuring that our church will continue for many years to come? As Solomon stated, there is a “time to break down and a time to build up” (3:3). God wants His people to grow, build and prosper, leading us to new lands and opportunities. Will we choose to follow Him or to remain as we are presently, longing for our past? 

Who Truly is in Control?

“Look among the nations, and watch—wonder and be amazed! For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe, though it were told you.” (rf. Hab. 1:5 MEV)

 

“This is what the Lord has done; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (rf. Ps. 118:23-24 MEV)

 

 

            It is hard to fathom that we have now endured for over a year a worldwide pandemic. For many that reality has still yet to sink in fully. There are those who from the start denied the existence, extent and devastation caused by the Covid-19 virus. A great number joined with various leaders of different persuasions to deny the evidence and led others into conspiracy-laden scenarios. 

            I am not here to argue or debate the nature or extent of this pandemic. I honestly believe that part of our unwillingness to accept this new reality is because it has challenged us on very deep, personal levels by revealing a long-known truth—that we are not in control of anything and that our lives and destinies lie in someone else’s hands. This is shocking to many. However, I dare say that those who have died or have been seriously affected by this new and ever-adapting disease would readily declare that this virus changes all whom it touches. It has also made us all adapt in ways that we never dreamed possible.

            Though, I admit, that the two Scripture passages above in each of their individual contexts have to do primarily with things not connected with Covid, the truths expressed, however, are very valid for our consideration. 

            If we look at our present reality through spiritual glasses, we will see an all-powerful, merciful yet just God, operating behind the scenes of this pandemic. We will see that He has purpose in the pain this virus is causing. He has allowed this contagion to wreak havoc on our lives, economies, future plans, normalcy, etc. We also realize that He has a very good reason for making it so. He is truly doing a “new thing”, especially within His Church, bringing us closer to Him than we may have been before.

            As a result, He wants us to “wonder and be amazed”, to declare His work as “marvelous in our eyes”. He asks us to trust Him completely, knowing that He will accomplish truly astounding things if we will only keep our eyes focused on Him, watching Him work.

            We do not know how this pandemic will eventually play out. We do know, however, that He is very much in control of the whole situation and simply desires for His people to follow, love and obey Him. When the pandemic is in our past and far behind us, we will join with the prophet and psalmist in declaring the wonders of His work and His will. 

 

  

The Necessity of Resurrection

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 

(rf. I Cor. 15:12-19 ESV) 

 

The Apostle Paul lived in a time when belief in the resurrection from the dead was not something generally accepted by the population. For many, such a concept would surely have been a nice hope and a very outside possibility, but one not likely personally experienced. It would have been viewed as more of a “pipe dream”, nice but not apt to happen. Whereas those in Paul’s day would have at least affirmed the belief in a deity or deities who had the power to raise people from the dead if they chose to do so but such would be out of their purview only because the gods were largely silent, indifferent or non-caring about the experiences of human life. 

Our society takes a more natural, rather than supernatural tact. Resurrection by a validly dead individual, especially after a three-day interval, would be a thoroughgoing impossibility. If someone does come back to life after being declared dead, it is because there were still vestiges of life within their organs, enabling outside forces to restore them successfully. In an all-natural, all scientific belief system, such miracles are not even on the radar. 

As Paul shared with the Corinthian Church, the entirety of our Christian faith rests upon the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead. The fact that He was crucified (a most painful and excruciating form of execution) and that He was in the grave for days following (being raised to life “on the third day”) just provides a more supernatural and awe-inspiring backdrop to this amazing event. The raising of Christ from the dead was designed to glorify the Father by declaring the Son completely innocent of the charges brought against Him by His accusers as well as to fully accept His life, ministry and death on the cross as payment and substitute on behalf of God’s chosen people.

If any of these Scriptural truths were a sham, then all believers, but especially those who lead, teach and evangelize, would in Paul’s words be “most to be pitied” (vs. 19). However, we are confident in the veracity of God’s Word to us as well as the testimony of history, that Jesus was victorious over the grave and was seen personally by many others, not just His disciples. We are likewise encouraged because the very same resurrection power as shown by Jesus is experienced and exhibited every time a person is called “out of darkness into His light” (rf. I Pet. 2:9), gaining the wondrous gift of salvation and becoming one of God’s children.

So, as Christians, we have great reason to celebrate the season of Easter. He has given us new life in Him, abundant and free, as a result of His blessed resurrection. Let us make sure that all of our family, friends, coworkers, etc. know about the good news, the Gospel, of the Son of God in conquering death itself that we might have His life in this life. 

The Reality of Suffering

 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry…Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”(rf. Mt. 4:1–2, 11 NJKV)

 

 

            Having entered into Lent, it is helpful to be reminded of what this particular season of the Church year means to us as believers in Jesus. Indeed, the observance of Lent assists us in preparing our hearts to return again to the cross and empty tomb of Christ and to do so with a better perspective of worship and gratitude for what exactly was accomplished in those locations.

            First of all, as the old saying goes, “It is always darkest before the dawn”, so in this season as in the temptation of Jesus by Satan, we are confronted with the uncomfortable reality that in service to Him we are not called to lives of luxury and ease. As Jesus was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness”, we will likewise be led by God’s Spirit to places that are barren with little evidence of life. It is here we will face the harsh winds of adversity, change and pain. It is here we will quickly discover that we are not as self-sufficient as we thought or hoped to be. It is on this Hill of Difficulty, afterwards passing through the Valley of Humiliation (both important places of spiritual growth in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress) that we find out just how hungry we are for God’s Word and Presence in our lives. Indeed, we will see that only He can provide all that we need to successfully navigate this dark time in our lives.

            Notice also that the purpose of Jesus being in the “wilderness” was “to be tempted by the devil” (vs. 1). There was a testing of Jesus that must take place in the will of the Father before Jesus could proceed with His foretold ministry. The Apostle Matthew relates how Jesus valiantly parried every thrust of Satan, countering all of the Enemy’s moves with an accurate rendering of God’s Word and meaning. When Satan saw that he was clearly beaten in this effort, He withdrew from the field of battle. Only then did Jesus get His needs met along with the encouragement He required (vs. 11). 

            It is obvious that Jesus as the Son of God, God Incarnate, was more than Satan’s equal. We look on at the foolishness of the Enemy to even think he could offer to Christ more than God Himself to get Jesus to switch allegiances. However, we also realize that we too are often confronted with offers to change sides by the Enemy and his cohorts. These invitations usually come at our lowest times, when we are struggling physically, emotionally, psychologically and, especially, spiritually. If we are to win the field as Jesus did, we must learn to wield the same weapon, God’s Holy Word, using it wisely and defensively. When we are successful in appropriating God’s Word rightly, we will find that our time in the “wilderness” will soon be past as will be the “temptation” that came with it.

            So, as we celebrate Lent, let us draw close to the Lord and His Word. Let us keep the suffering and successes of Christ before us as we view Him as our example of how to overcome our difficulties and trials. Let us look forward to His ultimate sacrifice and the victory He gained over death and the grave, forever taking away our sins, and ushering us into the family of God through faith and trust in Him alone, enabling us to receive the salvation that He came to accomplish. The Lenten season for us will then be a most beneficial and spiritually constructive time in our lives.

A Few Words about True Love

 “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.” (rf. I Cor. 13:4-8a ESV)

 

 

            Our culture wants to describe the word “love” in purely emotional or romantic terms. Phrases like “I fell in love with you” and those exhibiting the same overwhelming drive of passion seem only to solidify that view, especially when portrayed in books and films. Yet, unfortunately, that portrait of “love” shows it to be fleeting, solely based on how one feels at the time, fully dependent on the heightened sense of amour at that moment.

            True “love”, at least in the Biblical use of the term, is not in any way connected with the fluctuations of human emotions and feelings. It is rather a conscious, willful decision to “love” the another person in a relational, self-sacrificing fashion. Scriptural “love” always operates contrary to normal human behavior (though we like to think otherwise about ourselves). 

            Notice the Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthian Christians shares the following qualities about true “love”. These attributes of “love” are not things that we readily nor easily exhibit but are actions that are supernaturally energized and originated.

 

1.     Love exhibits itself in being “patient” and shows itself in kindness.

2.     Love allows no place for pride, self-centeredness, selfishness or ambition; it discloses itself in humility (i.e. “does not envy or boast…is not arrogant or rude…does not insist on its own way”).

3.     Love always treats others with respect and generosity (i.e. “it is not irritable or resentful”).

4.     Love does not vaunt itself over the misdoings or mistakes of those around, building up itself at the expense of others, but instead upholds, supports and “rejoices with the truth”.

5.     Love purposefully chooses to remain secured despite the circumstances in which it is placed, holding on long after whatever it faces (i.e. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…”).

 

If we are to “love” as the Bible teaches, then we must tap into the very Source of “love”, God Himself (rf. I Jn. 4:16). He alone provides us the wherewithal to be able to “love” as He loves. True “love” is beyond both our own comprehension and natural ability to accomplish.

            Thus, if we have a relationship with God (Who is love) through Jesus Christ, His Son, then we are capable of engaging in Biblical “love” with others. If that relationship with God is not in place, there is no possible way we can “love” others as the term is meant to be used. Our best efforts will always fall short of His high standard.

A Hope and a Future

 

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”

(rf. Ps. 149:1–4 NASB)

 

 

 

            Of all years that we have probably experienced, 2020 has to rank as one of the most challenging on record. We have endured an historic number of hurricanes, wildfires, the COVID pandemic and an election cycle that has seemed to endure long after the votes have been counted. To say that we are looking forward to a New Year is a great understatement. We long for a fresh start and the dawn in hopes of a new and less stressful day (or year, for that matter).

            This change of years does remind us of the importance of hope and newness, no doubt. The opening of a new calendar gives an opportunity to make plans, to put down reminders of special occasions that still arrive, and the possibility to do something much different from that which we are normally accustomed. We can start again with a “fresh slate” and begin to carve out a novel path for the future, making needed changes and updates so that we do not repeat unnecessary actions or attitudes.

            That which is beneficial for us as individuals is also a blessing for church fellowships. New years provide that much-needed respite to do an authentic overview of the past year or years and determine what things, actions, programs and such require a facelift. Because we are His ambassadors in Christ (rf. II Cor. 5), we should always be on the lookout for ways to make our approach to ministry and worship more engaging, God-centered and Biblical. 

            I know that we will have changes coming in the makeup of our Church Council. We have moved our worship service to the format that more closely reflects that of the Evangelical and Reformed Church order of worship that was the standard of St. John’s at its inception. We are in the process of enhancing our video capabilities to film the regular services for the benefit of our shut-ins and for those who are following our ministry here in the US and around the world. As we are able to make more grant applications this year, we will be able to complete the outstanding projects as part of our overall Capital Improvement initiative. And, so far, we are able to do all of this within the restrictions and guidelines put into place because of the ongoing nature of the pandemic.

            We have much to be thankful to God for as 2020 goes rightfully into the history books and 2021 presents us “a breath of fresh air”, the joy of beginning things anew. May we use this gift of a New Year to make even more progress in our own spiritual journeys with the Lord even as we seek to do the same as a church. May the Lord continue to richly bless us and all His people in the unfolding of His plan going forward.