The One Sin I Thought was Unforgivable
TRACIE MILES
If You can still love them, despite their pasts, can You love me too?
TRACIE MILES
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NLT)
The event speaker spoke the one word I didn't want to hear. She said the one word that elicited painful memories, shame and regret. One word that left me weeping silently in the pew, hoping no one would notice my brokenness.
My eyes were closed, but I sensed God's eyes were wide open and focused directly on me. Part of me felt afraid and confused, but a bigger part of me felt peace in light of the gift God was offering.
Amid the flood of hot tears that burned in my swollen, tightly shut eyes, I pleaded with God for His forgiveness of the one sin - the one word - that I felt was unforgivable. I meekly, humbly and reluctantly dared to ask God, once again, the prayer I had uttered so many times, yet never believed could be answered.
Could You . would You . possibly . forgive me for that, Lord? Really?
If You could forgive others for their sins, could You maybe, just maybe, forgive me too?If You can still love them, despite their pasts, can You love me too?
Will You still love me, God?
I felt like a little girl sitting at her daddy's feet, asking forgiveness for not listening to his words of instruction, and longing for him to scoop her up and reassure her of his love. My heart was gaping wide, and I waited, anxious for God to fill me with all the things I never thought I deserved to ask for, much less receive.
I felt sure God was wondering if I were a broken record instead of a broken soul. I had asked for His forgiveness for 14 years, never feeling worthy of it and never expecting Him to actually grant it. But this time, in this place, I actually believed I was forgiven.
I felt the lightness and freedom of a prisoner set free. Joy caught in my throat, and I could hardly swallow. The unbearable, heavy burden of my shame, regret, sorrow and haunting memories were all lifted the moment I embraced God's promise that ALL sins are forgivable through Christ. Including mine.
Abortion. The one word that made my heart shudder - that was a tragic choice made by a scared 19-year-old. And unfortunately, statistics show that more than 56 million U.S. women may have shuddered at that one word as well, since abortion became legal in America.
Yet despite the reasons we made bad choices, God longs to offer forgiveness. The enemy doesn't want us to believe that truth. He wants to keep us in bondage to shame and secrecy . to prevent us from living as a testament of God's grace and power over sin. As our key verse notes, Scripture states quite the opposite: "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
The "one word" you dread might be very different from mine, but God can free you from whatever keeps you from embracing how much you are adored by Christ. Might today be the day you learn to fly in the freedom of His forgiveness and peace?
Father, You know the "one word" that makes me shudder. Forgive me and cleanse my heart. Fill me with overwhelming peace and acceptance of that gift. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The Value of Learning History: A Lesson from Jude
John Piper
The little letter of Jude teaches us something about the value of learning history. This is not the main point of the letter. But it is striking. In this next-to-last book of the Bible, Jude writes to encourage the saints to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (verse 3).
The letter is a call to vigilance in view of "certain persons [who] have crept in unnoticed... ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (verse 4). Jude describes these folks in vivid terms. They "revile the things which they do not understand" (verse 10). They "are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage" (verse 16). They "cause divisions, [and are] worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit" (verse 19).
This is a devastating assessment of people who are not outside the church but have "crept in unnoticed." Jude wants them be spotted for who they really are, so that the church is not deceived and ruined by their false teaching and immoral behavior.
One of his strategies is to compare them to other persons and events in history. For example, he says that "Sodom and Gomorrah . . . since they, in the same way as these, indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire" (verse 7). So Jude compares these people to Sodom and Gomorrah. His point in doing this is to say that Sodom and Gomorrah are "an example" of what will happen when people live like these intruders are living. So, in Jude's mind, knowing the history of Sodom and Gomorrah is very useful in helping detect such error and deflect it from the saints.
Similarly in verse 11, Jude piles up three other references to historical events as comparisons with what is happening in his day among Christians. He says "Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." This is remarkable. Why refer to three different historical incidents like this that happened thousands of years earlier - Genesis 19 (Sodom), Genesis 3 (Cain), Numbers 22-24 (Balaam), Numbers 16 (Korah)? What's the point?
Here are three points: 1) Jude assumes that the readers know these stories! Is that not amazing! This was the first century! No books in anyone's homes. No Bibles available. No story tapes. Just oral instruction. And he assumed that they would know: What is "the way of Cain" and "the error of Balaam" and "the rebellion of Korah"? Do you know? Isn't this astonishing! He expects them to know. It makes me think that our standards of Bible knowledge in the church today are too low.
2) Jude assumes that knowing this history will illumine the present situation. The Christians will handle the error better today, if they know similar situations from yesterday. In other words, history is valuable for Christian living. To know that Cain was jealous and hated his brother and resented his true spiritual communion with God will alert you to watch for such things even among brothers.
To know that Balaam finally caved in and made the Word of God a means of worldly gain makes you better able to spot that sort of thing. To know that Korah despised legitimate authority and resented Moses' leadership will protect you from factious folk who dislike anyone being seen as their leader.
3) Is it not clear, then, that God ordains that events happen and that they get recorded as history so that we will learn them and become wiser and more insightful about the present for the sake of Christ and his church. Never stop learning history. Gain some knowledge every day. And let us give our children one of the best protections against the folly of the future, namely, a knowledge of the past.
Learning with you, for Christ and his kingdom,
Pastor John
It's Time to Tell Someone
SUZIE ELLER
When someone applies for a job, a common question is: "What does the benefit package include?" Since the world's advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God's wisdom: What arethe benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?
First of all, in seeking God's wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He'll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life's situations and challenges.
Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).
Godly understanding and protection don't become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.
Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally-or automatically? It's so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God's involvement in our lives. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day.
Those who are aware of the Lord's presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day's experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more.
When we learn to see God's footprints in our days, we will become aware of the scope of His involvement in our lives. Maybe He strengthened you for a task or opened a door of opportunity. Perhaps He guided your decisions or helped you respond in a godly way to a difficult person.
If our ears are open to the Lord's warnings and instructions, we won't repeat the same mistakes again and again. But those who are deaf to His voice will continue in unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, and foolish responses.
Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day's activities. The Lord is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
In our culture, sin is no longer considered an issue. Although some people might admit to making mistakes or being wrong, few will actually say, "I have sinned." The Lord, however, takes sin very seriously. Until we learn to see transgression as He does, we will never understand what happened at Christ's crucifixion.
The cross was God's perfect answer to a terrible dilemma. Because the Lord is holy and just, He hates sin and must respond to it with punishment and wrath. Yet He also loves sinners and wants to be reconciled with them. The cross of Christ was the place where God's wrath and love collided.
The only way to rescue fallen mankind from eternal punishment was to devise a plan whereby the Lord could forgive sins without compromising His holiness. There was no way to overlook transgressions; His wrath had to be poured out--either on us or a substitute. But there was only one possible substitute: the perfect Son of God.
So Jesus came to earth as a man and suffered the Lord's wrath for us as He hung on the cross. Sin was punished, divine justice was satisfied, and now God could forgive mankind without compromising His character. His wrath was poured out on His Son so that His love and forgiveness could be lavished upon us.
Because of human limitations, we'll never grasp all that happened while Jesus hung on the cross. We can begin to comprehend only the physical suffering He endured, but in the spiritual realm, Christ bore so much more--the very wrath of God. This costly redemption plan proves God's great love.
What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured-the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers.
But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
1. Redemption.Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin.
2. Forgiveness. God could now release us from the punishment we deserved.
3. Propitiation. Christ's payment satisfied
the Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us.
4. Justification.On the basis of Jesus' sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty. Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed.
5. Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ's death on our behalf. We're now God's children-we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a grotesque display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.
Knowing this, we naturally wonder, What kind of body will I have? The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal, physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition.
Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because God has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here.
A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin living for God is now.
SUZIE ELLER
"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NLT)
They showed up at my door when I was 14.
Because they went to my school, my mom let them in. They stumbled into my room, standing awkwardly with their youth pastor behind them. One invited me to come to church. Another teen shuffled from foot to foot and asked if she could tell me about Jesus.
I didn't want to hear it. I was angry at God, if there even was one.
I didn't grow up in church, so I didn't know a lot about the Bible. All I knew is that life was hard, and I didn't want anyone to fix me.
Thank you very much, now here's the door.
I can only imagine the scene afterwards. A bunch of teenagers clustered on the sidewalk outside our home on Latimer Street, wondering what in the world just happened.
I'm sorry. I really am.
Wherever you are, I want to thank you for trying. I don't know why you picked me, but I love the fact that you wanted to tell me about Jesus.
That day you didn't find fertile soil, but a small seed was planted. Jesus eventually rooted His love in my heart and changed not only me, but also generations after me. I wish you knew that the angry girl in the bedroom became a woman of faith who loves nothing more than telling others about Jesus.
In today's passage, Paul and Apollos had faithfully planted seeds of teaching in a new church body. We see the newness of the church as members debate about who is the most important, Paul or Apollos.
Paul diverted the attention away from himself to remind them of a simple truth: Telling others about Jesus is not about one person or another. It's not about recognition. It's not even about success or failure.
It's about faithfully planting seeds, watering them and allowing God to grow them.
If someone were to look at those teens standing in my room, they might think that their words had little effect. One day in Heaven I plan to thank them. For every person, including them, who bravely shared the truth with me planted a seed of faith in my heart.
Like Apollos and Paul, one planted. Another watered.
And then, at just the right time, a seed sprouted and broke the crusty soil of my angry heart.
Why am I telling you this?
Maybe you've sensed for a long time that you're to talk to someone about Jesus. You've hesitated because you don't know how or you don't want to fail. Perhaps you even experienced someone like I once was, and it made you think twice about trying again.
But I want you to know something.
When you move beyond your fears to tell someone that Jesus loves them, it may be exactly what they need to hear that day even if they don't know it yet.
I want a front seat one day in Heaven when those teens discover that their bravery wasn't in vain. I want to hug their necks and thank them. In fact, there will be a lot of seed sowers I want to thank, because all of them together made a difference.
They sowed. Some watered. God grew me.
If God is leading you to tell someone about Jesus, don't miss that moment. There might be someone in your path - a woman, a girl, a friend, a loved one - who doesn't know Jesus loves them and His love changes you forever.
Lord, thank You for allowing me to plant a seed, or water a seed or perhaps to even watch a seed come to fruition in the life of another. Lead me. Guide me. Show me what to say and when to say it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:2 (NIV)
After several cold rainy days in October, the clouds parted and the sun came out. Tired of being cooped up, we seized the moment and met up with a few friends at a small petting zoo. The sunny morning was exactly what my son Jackson and I needed.
When his naptime approached, we were having such a good time that I decided to linger a little longer. Then the rain reappeared and poured on our playdate.
I said my goodbyes and marched across the now freshly soggy farm to where Jackson was playing. "It's time to go, buddy," I said, reaching out for his hand.
"I don't waaaaaant to goooooo!" he whined, walking backwards out of my reach.
"I know," I empathized. "It's hard to leave fun places."
"Nooooooo! I STAYYY!" my now overly tired toddler yelled, turning to run from me. I quickly scooped him up and carried him across the petting zoo as he screamed and kicked his muddy shoes all over me.
"Stand right there," I firmly ordered, setting him next to the car and reaching inside for the baby wipes. When I turned around to clean him off, he was running like an escaped convict through the parking lot.
My sharp-eyed, fast-footed 2-year-old was running toward a back entrance to the zoo. In hot pursuit, I followed. But by the time I made it through the gate, he'd positioned himself on the opposite side of an empty, muddy horse pen.
Across the rusty red bars, he was staring me down with the iron will of a . well, of a defiant, exhausted toddler.
I darted to the right to grab him. He matched my steps. I slowly paced to the left. Across the pen, keeping steady eye contact with me, and like a cowboy ready for a draw, he paced with me. After a few rounds of this, I realized: checkmate. He had me. I could not get to him. Unless .
I could make him fall.
I walked to the left, and he followed my lead straight into a muddy patch. His pace slowed as his boots sunk down into the muck. I quickly moved to the right. He did too, but his boots didn't follow, and he fell right into my muddy trap. His strong-willed defiance quickly turned to a whimpering plea for his mommy.
I wonder how often God feels like this with us. He simply wants to get us on the road to a safe place for nourishment and rest, while we jet off in our own direction, sure of something better.
Does He, in His love, let us fall into a muddy puddle so we can feel the discomfort of life without Him?
Isn't it true that when we find ourselves stuck in the muck of life, we long more deeply for God's loving arms to come and take our hands and lead us out? We cry out, "Daddy, I need You. Please pull me out of this mess!"
I imagine He gives the same knowing smile I did when my son, laying face up in the mud, finally cried out for me. He kneels down and as we see in Psalm 40:2, lifts us out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire - our muddy boots dangling from our safe perch in His arms - and whispers, "I'm here love, been here all along. I've just been waiting for you to ask. Now let's get you cleaned up." Then He sets us on solid ground, giving us a firm place to stand.
Heavenly Father, I pray that I would trust and obey Your lead in the good times and in the times when I feel like I'm sinking into the mud and mire of life. I truly believe God, that Your way is better, Your way leads to a fuller, deeper, more nourishing life. Help me to stop running from You and instead run toward Your loving embrace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"Then Jesus became explicit, 'Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him.'" John 11:14-15 (MSG)
The poor teacher couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. One minute, my daughter's face had been decorated with her signature smile; the next, her cheeks were streaked with silent tears.
My third-born is sensitive. As a baby, she cried around the clock. As a preschooler, she cried when her big brother pulled her ponytail.
And in first grade, she cried in Sunday school when she heard the tale of Lazarus bursting forth from the tomb.
Befuddled, the teacher pulled me aside after church that day and apologized for "whatever upset Hannah during story time." I'd assured her we knew about our little girl's tender heart.
However, later I asked Hannah about the unexplained tears. Like her teacher, I had no idea what might have prompted her sadness. After all, the resurrection recorded in the eleventh chapter of John seems more like a celebration-sparker than a tear-jerker.
"I wasn't planning to cry, Mommy," Hannah explained. "But that story just made me feel so sad."
I squatted low to look my daughter in the eye. "Honey, the story of Lazarus is one of Jesus' greatest miracles."
"I know," Hannah conceded. "I just felt so bad for those sisters. I kept thinking about how I'd feel if Jesus had let me down like that."
"But, Hannah" I said, "You already know the ending to the story. Jesus shows up and makes everything right. Those sisters get their brother back, and they all have a graveside party!"
My girl exhaled an exasperated sigh, whispering, "Even if you know the ending, the middle can still hurt."
My stomach lurched at the huge truth that hung between us, and suddenly, I understood the tears.
My little girl had gotten stuck in "the middle."
She'd stood at the edge of the tomb where a beloved brother lay lifeless, crying right alongside those sisters.
I've been there. And if you've been traveling this world's broken road for a while, you probably have, too.
The middle is where we call on God and wonder if He hears our cries.
The middle is where doubts rage loud, and our Savior grows quiet.
The middle is where life doesn't make sense, faith seems foolish and hope seems lost.
When sickness strikes, when a friend betrays, when a spouse disappoints or a child rebels, we can find ourselves hoping for a better ending to our story.
Maybe you're there now, feet planted shakily at the edge of the tomb where your hopes and dreams are buried. If you are, I'm sorry.
But listen to what Jesus told the disciples before raising Lazarus from the dead: "You're about to be given new grounds for believing" (John 11:15).
You see, the middle isn't just a place of pain. It's a place of possibility. That middle ground is fertile soil for flourishing faith.
The middle is where we decide what we believe about Jesus - regardless of our circumstances. Before Jesus performed a miracle, Martha made her decision: "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God" (John 11:27b, NLT).
And Jesus replied with a promise we can claim for ourselves: "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40b, MSG)
Do you see it now? We don't survive the middle by rewriting the story; we survive it by anchoring our hope to the One who has already scripted the perfect ending.
There will come a day when no one will be stuck in the middle, with no more tears and no more pain (Revelation 21:3-5).
So, plant your feet firmly on the promises of Christ, dear friend. Because life on this side of Heaven is just the scene before the miracle. And if we believe in Jesus, we already know there's a happy ending.
Dear Jesus, I'm stuck in the middle and it hurts. But I believe You are the resurrection and the life. Help me choose faith instead of fear. Renew my hope in Your glorious ending. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wisdom's Benefit Package
Proverbs 2When someone applies for a job, a common question is: "What does the benefit package include?" Since the world's advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God's wisdom: What arethe benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?
First of all, in seeking God's wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He'll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life's situations and challenges.
Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).
Godly understanding and protection don't become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.
Thoughtful Living
Psalms 25:8-15Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally-or automatically? It's so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God's involvement in our lives. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day.
Those who are aware of the Lord's presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day's experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more.
When we learn to see God's footprints in our days, we will become aware of the scope of His involvement in our lives. Maybe He strengthened you for a task or opened a door of opportunity. Perhaps He guided your decisions or helped you respond in a godly way to a difficult person.
If our ears are open to the Lord's warnings and instructions, we won't repeat the same mistakes again and again. But those who are deaf to His voice will continue in unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, and foolish responses.
Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day's activities. The Lord is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
Where the Wrath and Love of God Meet
Romans 3:23-26In our culture, sin is no longer considered an issue. Although some people might admit to making mistakes or being wrong, few will actually say, "I have sinned." The Lord, however, takes sin very seriously. Until we learn to see transgression as He does, we will never understand what happened at Christ's crucifixion.
The cross was God's perfect answer to a terrible dilemma. Because the Lord is holy and just, He hates sin and must respond to it with punishment and wrath. Yet He also loves sinners and wants to be reconciled with them. The cross of Christ was the place where God's wrath and love collided.
The only way to rescue fallen mankind from eternal punishment was to devise a plan whereby the Lord could forgive sins without compromising His holiness. There was no way to overlook transgressions; His wrath had to be poured out--either on us or a substitute. But there was only one possible substitute: the perfect Son of God.
So Jesus came to earth as a man and suffered the Lord's wrath for us as He hung on the cross. Sin was punished, divine justice was satisfied, and now God could forgive mankind without compromising His character. His wrath was poured out on His Son so that His love and forgiveness could be lavished upon us.
Because of human limitations, we'll never grasp all that happened while Jesus hung on the cross. We can begin to comprehend only the physical suffering He endured, but in the spiritual realm, Christ bore so much more--the very wrath of God. This costly redemption plan proves God's great love.
Power of Forgiveness
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins." (Acts 26:18)
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins." (Acts 26:18)
All too often we consider forgiveness a mysterious and spiritual transaction that, once accomplished, is a past event that has little to do with our subsequent lives.
It is certainly true that there is a historical point in our earthly lives where the forgiveness of Christ was granted-even though He was "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8).
Christ has subdued, cleansed, and forgotten our sins: "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity?. . . he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18-19). "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins" (Isaiah 43:25). "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins" (Isaiah 44:22).
Christ has replaced our sins with His holiness: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. . . . For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21).
Christ has given us victory over sin: Since all of the above (and more) is true and active in the lives of all believers, there should be an obvious exhilaration that enables us to confidently stand against whatever "fiery darts" the enemy may throw at us. We are clearly told that "sin shall not have dominion over [us]" (Romans 6:14). And since Jesus already dealt with the "offence" of sin on the cross, we can "reign in life" by Him (Romans 5:17). HMM III
In this day of Madison Avenue sales pressures and an ever-increasing array of technological gadgets and creature comforts, the Christian virtue of contentment is a rare commodity. There is even a widespread error among born-again Christians that material prosperity is a token of spirituality and divine approval on an affluent lifestyle.
Instead of a blessing, however, such affluence (if it comes) should be regarded as a testing, for Jesus said: "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48).
Paul was perhaps the most faithful and fruitful Christian who ever lived, yet he died penniless in a Roman dungeon. His own testimony concerning material possessions and standards of living was this: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Philippians 4:11-12).
In the context of our key verse above, the apostle Paul has actually been warning young pastor Timothy against the influence of those who suppose, among other things, "that gain is godliness," and who think that their material prosperity is proof of their spiritual prosperity. "From such" says Paul, "withdraw thyself" (1 Timothy 6:5). Material gain in no way either produces or denotes godliness; rather, godliness itself is the gain, if accompanied by contentment in Christ (otherwise, of course, it is not true godliness)! Even the most impoverished believer can acquire riches in heaven, where it really counts. In the meantime: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). HMM
The Stars Also
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." (Genesis 1:16)
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." (Genesis 1:16)
On the fourth day of the creation week, God made the two lights for day and night, and then-almost like an afterthought-"he made the stars also." Nothing, of course, is an afterthought with God, but this emphasizes the relative importance of these parts of His creation. Whether or not the earth is the geographical center of the universe, Earth is the center of God's interest in the universe. This is where He created man and woman in His own image, and where He will reign over His creation in the ages to come.
The primary purpose of the stars, as well as the sun and moon, was "to divide the day from the night; and . . . be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And . . . to give light upon the earth" (Genesis 1:14-15). They could not fulfill these functions, of course, if their light could not be seen on the earth, so we can be sure that these heavenly bodies and their light rays were created-like Adam and Eve-"full-grown," in a state of functioning maturity.
All that can be known scientifically about the stars must be determined from their light intensity and spectra. (Their distances can be measured geometrically only to about 300 light-years.) Any other information-any greater distances, size, temperature, etc.-must be derived by inference, based on some theory of stellar evolution.
Although the stars all look alike (even through a telescope, they all appear as mere points of light), these calculations have shown that each one is unique, as revealed long ago in Scripture: "One star differeth from another star in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:41). Those who believe can learn more about them in the ages to come, for "they that be wise shall shine . . . as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). HMM
I Will Ever Be True
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
The concluding verse of our song, "The Old Rugged Cross," contains a commitment to follow Christ in this life and looks forward to life with Him in eternity.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
When coupled with the preceding scriptural verse, our text mirrors these thoughts: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (v. 1). In this life, we have both the victorious examples of many that have gone before (Hebrews 11), and Christ Himself. Both He and they have suffered joyfully, and so can we: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, . . . But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye" (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Once Christ fully "endured the cross," He rose from the dead in victory over death to take His rightful place "at the right hand of the throne of God." He now calls us to be "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20), "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7). He'll call us some day to Himself, where we shall "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6), "and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Click here for the sheet music for this hymn.
Stained with Blood So Divine
"But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, . . . one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water." (John 19:33-34)
"But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, . . . one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water." (John 19:33-34)
As with many of the great hymns, the verses of "The Old Rugged Cross" tell a story when considered in sequence. The first verse states the general doctrine of the cross; the second speaks of the necessity of the incarnation to accomplish the cross' purpose; the third, quoted below, gives details of the crucifixion and what it accomplished, and the last verse rehearses the results, both now and in the future.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t'was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t'was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
That old rugged cross was stained with blood, as is obvious from our text. But this blood was special, for "ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Peter 1:18-20).
The divine Lamb of God suffered and died on the cross, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14), "that he might sanctify the people with his own blood" (Hebrews 13:12).
But the old rugged cross was not the only thing stained that day, for "the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). The saints in heaven are portrayed as having "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14). "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Dark Calvary
"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." (Matthew 27:45)
"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." (Matthew 27:45)
The second verse of the grand old hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" contains much truth, rich and deep.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
The world despises the cross, and the One on the cross. "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3). But yet, even in His bloodied and broken form, there is a wondrous attraction, for "surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: . . . he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (vv. 4-5).
His death substituted for ours. He was the sacrificial "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). This Lamb is none other than God the Son, who willingly "took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: . . . and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:7-8). Remarkably, even God the Father "despised" Him as He hung on the cross, for God is holy, and for our sakes had "made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The apex of Christ's suffering came, as we see in our text, when God the Father separated Himself from His beloved Son, "forsaking" (v. 46) Christ to suffer for three hours the awful pangs of hell which we deserved. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Click here for the sheet music for this hymn.
On a Hill Far Away
"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha." (John 19:17)
The Hebrew word golgotha and the Latin word calvarie actually mean "skull." The Romans had selected a place of execution outside Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12) but near the city (John 19:20), near a public highway (Matthew 27:39), and easily visible from some distance away (Mark 15:40). This has led many to speculate that it was on a hill, as in the first verse of the well-loved hymn "The Old Rugged Cross."
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Truly His cross involved great suffering: "Christ also suffered for us. . . . Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:21, 24). Likewise, it involved great shame: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13). But this suffering and shame was not in vain, for as we see in both passages above, it was on our behalf. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
However, God's dearest and best, indeed God's "only begotten Son" (John 3:16), was slain, not so much for "friends," but for enemies! A world of lost sinners put Him on the cross. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us . . . when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Romans 5:8, 10). So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha." (John 19:17)
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all." Philippians 4:5a (NIV)
We all have them. Weak places. Places inside us that make us wonder if we'll ever get it together like the together people. Places that make us feel "less than" the next girl.
One of those weak places for me has always been my tendency to let my emotions boss me around, especially in conflict.
My deepest desire is to let my "gentleness be evident to all" like our key verse says . but the truth is my reactions haven't always reflected my desire for gentleness. I really think I was born with firecrackers in my blood.
But when my relationships began to suffer due to my emotionally driven tirades, I found myself crying out to the Lord for help. He prompted my heart to pause and let the Holy Spirit intervene on my behalf when my emotions rallied to be right.
Honestly, I wasn't totally convinced that this whole "giving it over to God" thing really worked. Until one day I saw the beginnings of my imperfect progress.
A few years ago, my husband Art and I hit a rough place financially. Some investments we'd made went bad and we lost nearly our entire life savings. I was knee deep in caring for three small children at the time and hadn't a clue that financial danger was looming on the horizon.
That is, until Art came home and the look on his face spoke of utter defeat. How could we have lost so much? He'd been wise with our finances. He'd done his research. He was a faithful saver. I stood stunned in our foyer that day, as Art told me the news.
There were many different directions my reaction could have gone in the minutes that followed. I was upset. When Art first talked of making these particular investments, I shared with him that I didn't have a good feeling about it. But, in the end, I let him make the final decision.
So many times in my marriage, I've chosen the wrong words - words that were tainted with bitterness, words that were emotionally toxic. But I'm so thankful the Lord had been working on preparing my heart for this moment, and instead of reacting immediately with what would have been a disastrous response, I paused. I allowed the Holy Spirit a few seconds to interrupt my natural flesh feelings.
Then, because of God's Spirit working in me, I was able to wrap my arms around my husband and speak life-giving words into his weary heart: "I love you, Art. I loved you yesterday when we had everything. I love you today when we have nothing. I love you for who you are, not what you have."
Now please understand . I was only able to have this response by God's grace working in me. I still did quite a bit of wrestling to let my feelings catch up to the gentle words I felt led to speak out loud.
But a few years later, I saw incredible fruit from this one good reaction. Art and I were interviewed on a radio program. On the show Art was asked, "I know you and Lysa had a rough start to your marriage. But what happened that made you know you'd stick by her forever, no matter what?"
Without hesitation, Art recounted my reaction over the lost investments.
I cried. I couldn't help but think this could have been the moment that saved my marriage.
Had I been left to my own flesh reaction that day, it could have set us on the road to marital disaster. But, because of God's response being stored up in me, this situation wound up bringing us closer together than we'd ever been.
And I realized how crucial it is to always be aware of God's preparation in our lives.
One way to be more discerning of this is to commit to exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world every day. Before you check your cell phone or scroll through social media, spend time with Him. Listen for Him. And then go look for rich evidence of Him at work in your life.
Because God stands in our yesterday, today and tomorrow, He sees all. And He knows the perfect way to prepare our hearts for every situation.
When we embrace His preparations, even a girl with firecrackers in her blood like me can have reactions that honor God and breathe life into relationships.
Dear Lord, I'm choosing to let You take control of my reactions. Help me to always exchange whispers with You before shouts with the world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The Greatest Act of Love
Romans 5:6-11What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured-the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers.
But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
1. Redemption.Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin.
2. Forgiveness. God could now release us from the punishment we deserved.
3. Propitiation. Christ's payment satisfied
the Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us.
4. Justification.On the basis of Jesus' sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty. Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed.
5. Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ's death on our behalf. We're now God's children-we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a grotesque display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
The First Empty Tomb
1 Corinthians 15:35-58Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.
Knowing this, we naturally wonder, What kind of body will I have? The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal, physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition.
Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because God has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here.
A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin living for God is now.
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