“Against you, you only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4) 

Oh, how it might be different if we saw sin the way David wrote about it in Psalm 51. Sometimes it took him a while to recognize his sin and who his sin offended, but David always got there. Unfortunately, many of us never get to that point. All sin first and foremost is against God. Seen or unseen, known or unknown, God sees it and knows it. However, for some reason we have this idea that our “hidden” sins—hidden in the sense that few if any know about them, or are sins that don’t necessarily affect anyone else—are somehow of less importance to God. You know the ones I’m talking about: the lie you told, that sexual indiscretion. How about that questionable tax deduction or that fake expense you submitted on your company expense report? How about that anger, even if only in your heart, toward your spouse, parent, or child? The list goes on and on. Continue reading →

“But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:16)  

It doesn’t matter the time in which we live; it just seems we often want to make Jesus out to be someone other than who He claimed to be. When Jesus asked His disciples who the people thought He was the answers varied; John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets. Though incorrect, these answers were not necessarily unpredictable given the Old Testament predictions of a great prophet to come. But think about it, these people lived in His time; many personally heard His claims and some even witnessed His miracles firsthand. Yet they still failed to believe and take Jesus at His word.  

            “But who do you say that I am?” Peter, representing the Twelve answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Recognition of who Jesus is always comes from God (Matthew 16:17). The Greek word for Christ means “Messiah”. In the first chapter alone, Matthew used this title for Jesus four times, an indication that He was the “Anointed One” for whom the Jewish people had waited. Jesus was the fulfillment of what the Old Testament promised. He was the king who would come and righteously rule His people. Peter’s reference to Jesus as the “Son of the living God” reflects the unique relationship Jesus has with the Father.

            We live in a time where it’s commonplace to want to make up a Jesus of our own choosing. The Jewish people were guilty of the same thing. Their idea of a Messiah was mostly that of a political leader who would liberate them from Roman rule. That their king would also be a suffering servant, bearing the sins of His people wasn’t exactly what they envisioned.

            In our day of political correctness, many would have us put Christ in a similar category as Moses, Muhammad, perhaps even some of the great philosophers or spiritual leaders. But Jesus was quite clear about who He was, why He came and how one could spend eternity with God. And in the more than two thousand years since, nothing has changed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Luke writes of Peter’s testimony about Jesus in the book of Acts, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And Paul tells us that because Jesus took our sin, we receive His righteousness  (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, Jesus doesn’t belong in a category with anyone else. Jesus belongs in a category all His own. He alone saves. All can come, but we come only one way. So, who do you say He is? 

Prayer

Lord, Peter’s confession didn’t mean he had nothing else to learn. We know after his confession he denied You three times, but graciously, You restored him. You restore us when we stumble as well. The great truth of Scripture is that as deep as we go in Your Word, You are still beyond us. But let us go deep, and by Your grace and through Your Spirit help us to grow in our day to day trust in You. Help us to proclaim You for who You are and not who we sometimes want You to be. And Lord, even when opposition comes, help us to be gentle as we tell others about Your grace. After all, our salvation is only because of it.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19) 

Oswald Chambers wrote that “when God allows suffering and trials in our lives, sometimes it’s for us to unlearn something and simplify our beliefs until our relationship with Him is like that of a child.” It’s not that we should desire to suffer or go through trials, but we do need to accept this truth because Scripture teaches it. As God’s people, we must be prepared to suffer, because suffering is certain.

            Consider several verses: Luke records the words of the apostle Paul who said; “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). He wrote to the Thessalonians saying “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3). Peter wrote in his letter, “For to this (suffering) you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you…” (1 Peter 2:21) and “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

            The truth of the reality of suffering however comes with a promise. King David knew of that promise writing “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” Equally certain to suffering, is not only God’s sustaining grace through it, but also His divine purpose in it. One of those purposes according to Chambers is that we simplify our beliefs. As children of God, we should never think we can outgrow our dependence on God, and often, trials are to ensure that we don’t.

            As Christians, one of the biggest mistakes we make when encountering an unbelieving world is not being prepared to answer the question as to why a loving God would allow His people to suffer. Let us seek God’s Word in that effort and rely on the Holy Spirit to do in the lives of people what only He can. Sometimes, the best answer comes when they see you, His child; display God’s grace in your deepest time of need. When afflictions arise, trust that God’s grace is always sufficient, His purposes always right, that He will be with you each step of the way, and that He will ultimately deliver you from it. You can, because God keeps all His promises.   

Prayer

Lord, thank You that we have Your Word. It tells us that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in our weakness. You also tell us of what flows from our suffering, that it produces endurance, character and hope. And of great comfort, You have let us know that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help me each day trust in Your promises. Thank You for always keeping them.

“That he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4) 

Our appreciation for something is often greatest when we consider the consequence of it never having been. There are people who don’t believe in the resurrection because they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. There are also those who have a misperception about why He came and who He claimed to be. This was also true in the Apostle Paul’s day. Paul was always concerned about the integrity of the gospel, emphasizing the gospel he preached was that which he received from Christ. Of all the teaching in Scripture on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 is the most comprehensive. In this passage, Paul mentions three elements of the gospel: Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day. All of these elements are critical to Christ’s redemptive work, but His resurrection is what we consider here. Think for a moment where we would be without it.         

            “ …that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us the consequences of there being no resurrection. He says that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then preaching is in vain, faith is in vain, God is misrepresented, sin is not dealt with, and all who have died “in Christ” have perished. He goes on to say that if it is only in this life that we hope in Christ then, “we (Christians) are the most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:12–19). Translation: If it is only in this life that we have hope in Christ, stay home on Sunday, throw away your Bible, and live as you please because we’re hoping in something that isn’t real. Our hope in eternity is built on the resurrection, and without it there is no reason for hope. But there is reason for our hope. There is reason because the Bible tells us that Jesus was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).

            In church today, the resurrection is the least alluded to aspect of Christ’s saving work. I’m not sure why that is. Maybe we just take it for granted? The resurrection is a necessary pillar of the Christian faith, and its affirmation has everything to do with not only salvation and justification but also biblical authority. It’s often said that Jesus conquered sin on the cross, and I know what people mean when they say that, but His death alone is incomplete without His resurrection, as this is how we are justified before God (Romans 4:25). The victory was completed when Jesus rolled away the stone and came out of the tomb.

            Though as a church we may only formally celebrate the resurrection once a year, as Christians we testify to it every Sunday and can live it each day. As you consider and celebrate all that Christ has done, make sure to thank Him for the resurrection, for because of it you will never suffer the consequence of it never having been. But even more, thank Him for the resurrection because it confirms God accomplishing His plan, and because of that, we have hope—hope in this life and for eternity. What a great God and Savior!

 Prayer

God, I thank You for all of Jesus’ work in His life and death to save me. My sin is that great. But God, today I thank especially for His resurrection, for if that didn’t happen, I would be pitied and left without hope. But I have hope, all because of You. Help me trust Your Word as I live my life and as I testify about all of Jesus’ redeeming work. You are a great God and Savior!

“It is finished” (John 19:30) 

I suppose in some ways it doesn’t seem right to elevate certain passages of Scripture above others, particularly when those words carry the special significance of being spoken by our Savior. A search through the gospels reveals seven statements Jesus made from the cross, each one having their own unique purpose. On the cross, Jesus made provisions for His mother, entrusting her care to the apostle John (John 19:26-27). On the cross, Jesus fulfilled His teaching to love one’s enemies by asking His Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). On the cross, Jesus demonstrated His saving grace to a thief who hung beside Him, expressed anguish at separation from His heavenly Father as He bore the wrath for the sins of His people, fulfilled Scripture saying, “I thirst”, and voluntarily gave up His human spirit that it might return to the presence of God (Luke 23:43; Matthew 27:46; John 19:28; Luke 23:46). All of these statements speak volumes as to who Christ is, and to what He has done for us. But of these seven statements, there is one that expresses a freedom like no other kind. So, the intent is not so much to elevate what Jesus said in John 19:30 relative to His other sayings on the cross as much as it is to emphasize the implication of His words, “It is finished.”

            It is easy in our Christian lives to think we can move beyond the cross. Too often we can be so much in search of the “abundant life” or that certain “experience” that we forget from which they flow, the cross. The cross is a symbol of Christ’ atoning work on our behalf; not only does it symbolize Jesus’ death for sin, but also His perfect life and victory over the grave by His resurrection. One of my favorite songs expresses the truth of John 19:30 with lyrics that say, “It is done will shout the cross, Christ has paid redemptions cost. While the empty tomb’s declaring Jesus saves.” The song is appropriately titled Jesus Saves.

            Jesus does save; He saves perfectly and completely, and because salvation is in Him alone, it is secure for all eternity. Now that’s real freedom, the kind that frees us from our past, present and future sins, the kind we find only in Christ. That’s the kind of freedom that leads to genuine worship. So, today and every day, walk in the freedom of the cross and Jesus’ three word declaration from it, “It is finished!” 

Prayer

Father, thank You for the freedom You provide in Christ. Though that freedom will be experienced in full when we see You face to face, by Your grace we can experience it even now. Lord, help me to understand that You didn’t atone for my sin for me to remain in it, but instead, so I would respond to Your love by living a life that honors Your sacrifice and brings You glory. You are worthy of nothing less!

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11) 

There are many things that bring joy to our lives, our relationships, maybe our successful careers, perhaps even our possessions. We should find joy in those things. James tells us that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Our possessions, our successful careers, and our good relationships are ultimately from God, so thank Him for them. But what about obedience, do you find joy in obeying someone else’s will? I think most of us, at least to some degree bristle at the thought of obeying the will of another. And the thought that doing so could actually bring us joy is even more unlikely. But finding joy in obedience is not only what Jesus taught, but also what He demonstrated by His life.

             “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus spoke these words to His disciples in the Upper Room. He loved them greatly. It was their last night together before He would be delivered up for crucifixion. The time for which Jesus had come was now upon Him. It was time to die. How could Jesus find joy knowing that, and how could He desire that same joy be found in His disciples willing obedience to the Father? Though He agonized over the cross and separation from His Father, Scripture is clear about Jesus’ desire to do the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39). As He lived and preached, Jesus always submitted perfectly to the Father’s will, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). He also submitted in death. Doing God’s will brought Jesus criticism from others. It brought Him even more than that. His mission, to “seek and save the lost” was not always a welcome one.

            Doing the will of God will bring criticism, opposition and consequence for you and me as well. Worldly standards don’t care much for what God desires and people who delight only in what they can see will often remain critical of your choices.

            For Jesus, joy was never situational. Nor was it for the apostle Paul. A prominent theme of his letter to the Philippians was joy. He wrote it from prison knowing his imprisonment would ultimately serve to advance the gospel. Paul valued knowing Christ, everything else he counted as loss (Philippians 3:8-9).

            Do you find joy in obeying God’s will?  It’s an important question because God’s grace doesn’t leave obedience as optional (1 John 5:3). In fact, true grace plants the desire to do God’s will in our hearts. Is it planted in yours? The thought that obedience could bring joy may be contrary to the thoughts of the natural man, but you are a child of God in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. As such, your standards concerning obedience should be different? Let the motivation of your obedience be what God has done for you in Christ. Jesus wants our obedience to bring joy, joy that is “full”. Remember, it is only completed in Him.      

Prayer

Father, You are so gracious when we seek to find joy in other things. The thought that obedience to Your will could be all-fulfilling is contrary to what our world teaches. Thank You for teaching us the truth. Thank You for Jesus, whose perfect obedience atoned for my sin. Thank You that He overcame the grave. Let me find my joy in obedience to Your will that my joy may be full. Amen!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

I love the drive from Alabama to the mountains of North Carolina. It takes about six hours, leaving plenty of time for reflection. This time always provides me with an opportunity to think, not only about things that are going well, but also areas of personal failure and regret. I’m not talking about regrets with respect to goals I set as it relates to my profession or any other matter. I’m talking about sin, those moments when I had the opportunity to glorify God but didn’t.  

            I imagine you have these sorts of opportunities to reflect as well. When you do, perhaps you also find failures and regrets. They may be of a different type, but the type we still call sin. It’s easy for us to get trapped in those moments and fail to live the joy salvation brings. It’s not to make light of sin. God has called us to be holy and through the practice of spiritual disciplines we should be growing in holiness. But we must also realize that there will always be those moments where we fail to glorify God, as every part of our being is touched by sin. So, as Christians, how do we reconcile what has happened behind us and look forward to what lies ahead?

            “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” To be in Christ or in union with Christ refers to the relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ. John Murray says that our union with Christ is “the central theme of the whole doctrine of salvation”. In Romans 6, the apostle Paul explains this union in the context of understanding the proper response to God’s grace as it relates to remaining in sin. The natural desire of a recipient of God’s grace is obedience to God’s will. God’s will is the desire of the believer’s heart.  

            As a minister of the New Covenant, Paul taught that it was only through Christ that one could be reconciled to God. The Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) was incapable of saving, but Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant could. A few verses later, Paul expressed how that reconciliation occurs, how we are justified before God. It is because of Jesus, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That’s the power of the cross. Paul’s focus in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is on the significance of the believers union with the Savior.

            I guess sin will always be somewhat of a companion in this life. But for those who believe; what Jesus accomplished on the cross has reconciled us to God and broken the power of sin in our lives. Be thankful for God’s mercies, they are new every morning. Be thankful for Christ because on the day He saved you, He didn’t just make you a better you, He made you brand new! 

Prayer

Father, on that cross You gave Your Son for my sins. Thank You! I know every part of who I am is touched by sin, but sin is not what my heart desires. The only appropriate response to Your grace is to live a life centered on Jesus Christ. By the power of Your Holy Spirit help me to look to Jesus each day and obey His will for my life; all for his glory and not for my own. Amen!

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17) 

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Where the rubber meets the road”. It’s used in many different contexts. It is used to describe the point in which after intense training, an athlete is tested in competition. It’s used in business where upon completion of all the planning, the time has come to act on that plan. And yes, this phrase is used in the Christian life as well as we are called to live out what we profess to believe. To use the phrase “where the rubber meets the road” simply indicates that the moment of truth or the point of when a plan or theory is put into action has been reached. I have a friend who refers to this as “reality”.

            One of the characteristics of the apostle Paul’s letters is they tend to flow from theological or doctrinal teaching to application. Through the first eleven chapters of Romans, Paul taught many wonderful theological truths to those in the church at Rome. From Romans 12 and throughout the remainder of the letter, he urged his brothers and sisters in Christ to live out those truths. In the first half of chapter twelve Paul expressed what was to govern their relationship with God, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2), that their spiritual gifts came by God’s grace and that they should not think too highly of themselves (Romans 12:3-8). And then, from Romans 12:9 to the end of the chapter Paul wrote of virtues that were to characterize those who called themselves Christian. Specifically in verses 17-21 he addressed the proper Christian response to one’s personal enemies. Paul set the tone for this section in verse 17, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all”. He then elaborated in verses 18-21, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…never avenge yourselves…if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

            There are no doubt area’s in our Christian lives where “reality” hits in such a way that it’s difficult to live what the Bible teaches and what we profess to believe. For the Christian, this is where the rubber meets the road. To not repay evil with evil is difficult, but it’s what God calls us to do and is a mark of genuine faith. If Christians are to be in the world, but not of it, then our lives have to be different and therefore, our responses to evil against us have to be different. “Getting even” cannot be our default response. Admittedly, this is difficult; in fact, it’s impossible without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. That’s why we must call on the Lord’s help daily. We must not be overcome by evil, but instead overcome evil with good.

            One commentary writer fittingly titles Romans 12:3-21 as Love Lived Out. After all, isn’t love where it all began? Not our love for God or for others, but God’s love for us. We were once His enemies, undeserving of His of His love, but He gave it anyway. It comes only by His grace and it comes in the person of Jesus Christ. Now that’s true love! Let us pray that the Lord would help us to show that same grace and love to others as undeserving of it as you and me. “So far as it depends on you…”  

 Prayer

Lord, way too often we take Your Word as if it is but a mere suggestion. It’s not! You call us to be different. Do I dare to be? In my own strength I know I will fail. That’s why I call on Yours. Help me live in a manner worthy of Your sacrifice. Help me to do what is unnatural in my humanity, but possible in Your power. Conform me more and more into the image of Christ that I may bring glory to His name. By all means, He is worthy!

As I was reading chapter four of Galatians, the apostle Paul’s words in verse sixteen just seemed to lift off the page, “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth”. My thoughts went in two directions. First, I thought about the apostle Paul, who no matter the cost, proclaimed the truth of God, correcting error when it was needed. Secondly, I thought about the response of those whose error Paul was correcting. 

            Paul founded the churches in Southern Galatia during his first missionary journey. Galatians, the first of his thirteen letters recorded in Scripture was circulated among those churches. Paul’s purpose for writing was to address the issue of legalism or adding to the gospel (in this particular case, circumcision). He had preached the sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation, but after leaving false teachers came in and distorted that truth. Paul said this “different gospel” taught by these false teachers, was no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7). His letter also addressed the freedom one had in Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers as they battled against their sinful natures.

            There had been a time when those to whom Paul was writing felt differently about him. Many had come to saving faith as a result of his preaching. There was great joy in the salvation they had in Christ alone. Unfortunately, when Paul left, the truth about that salvation became compromised. I’m sure Paul would have much rather been able to write to commend the Galatians for their faithfulness to the true gospel, but such was not the case. This letter was not only difficult for Paul to write, but also difficult for its readers to read.    

            There are two thoughts for consideration as it relates to this text. First, is the Holy Spirit working in your life such that you will proclaim God’s truth in spite of the consequences? It’s difficult to tell someone a truth they may not believe or want to hear, but it is always right and God honoring to do so. The Holy Spirit will also guide you in the manner in which it should be done, always “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). A second thought related to this text is the manner in which we receive correction. Are there areas of your life that are out of step with God’s will, wrong beliefs that need of correcting? Is the Holy Spirit at work in you such that you will receive that truth in a spirit of humility?

            As Christians, our spirits will always be at war with our flesh. We often love to have our own way, believe what we like and do what makes us feel better and more in control. And rarely do we like to be corrected. God’s truth may be a hard thing to both tell and to receive. But God’s truth is the best thing. We have a God who loves us and who always has our best interest at heart. So much so that He gave us His Son. Salvation is in Christ alone. So seek Him and His truth, tell it, receive it and live by it. He will bless you for it, but more importantly, you will bring glory and honor to the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  

Prayer

God, I want to seek Your face and seek Your will in Your Word each day. Thank You for Your revealed truth. Lord, I pray Your Spirit will be present in me so that in a direct, but gentle way I will express Your truth. But God, just as I ask for Your presence to express biblical truth, I also ask You give me a humble spirit to receive Your truth when I wander from it. Thank You for grace and forgiveness. And thank You for Your Son who paid for my sin. Help me to bring honor and glory to Him each day. Amen!

“It is finished” (John 19:30) 

I suppose in some ways it doesn’t seem right to elevate certain passages of Scripture above others, particularly when those words carry the special significance of being spoken by our Savior. A search through the gospels reveals seven statements Jesus made from the cross, each one having their own unique purpose. On the cross, Jesus made provisions for His mother, entrusting her care to the apostle John (John 19:26-27). On the cross, fulfilled His teaching to love one’s enemies by asking His Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). On the cross, Jesus demonstrated His saving grace to a thief who hung beside Him, expressed anguish at separation from His heavenly Father as He bore the wrath for the sins of His people, fulfilled Scripture saying, “I thirst”, and voluntarily gave up His human spirit that it might return to the presence of God (Luke 23:43; Matthew 27:46; John 19:28; Luke 23:46). All of these statements speak volumes as to who Christ is, and to what He has done for us. But of these seven statements, there is one that expresses a freedom like no other kind. So, the intent is not so much to elevate what Jesus said in John 19:30 relative to His other sayings on the cross as much as it is to emphasize the implication of His words, “It is finished.”

            It is easy in our Christian lives to think we can move beyond the cross. Too often we can be so much in search of the “abundant life” or that certain “experience” that we forget from which they flow, the cross. The cross is a symbol of Christ’ atoning work on our behalf; not only does it symbolize Jesus’ death for sin, but also His perfect life and victory over the grave by His resurrection. One of my favorite songs expresses the truth of John 19:30 with lyrics that say, “It is done will shout the cross, Christ has paid redemptions cost. While the empty tomb’s declaring Jesus saves.” The song is appropriately titled Jesus Saves.

            Jesus does save; He saves perfectly and completely, and because salvation is in Him alone, it is secure for all eternity. Now that’s real freedom, the kind that frees us from our past, present and future sins, and the kind we find only in Christ. That’s the kind of freedom leads to genuine worship. So, today and every day, walk in the freedom of the cross and Jesus’ three word declaration from it, “It is finished!” 

 Prayer

Father, thank You for the freedom You provide in Christ. Though that freedom will be experienced in full when we see You face to face, by Your grace we can experience it even now. Lord, help me to understand that You didn’t atone for my sin for me to remain in it, but instead, so I would respond to Your love by living a life that honors Your sacrifice and brings You glory. You are worthy of nothing less!