One Lord, Jesus Christ (2)

Posted on by korgrocker

“So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many Lords. But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.”
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 NLT

We pilgrims know that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is our Lord and someone special to us, because our faith is founded on His sacrificial death at Calvary, a hill just outside Jerusalem. A death experienced by the Son of God as He took on the punishment deserved by sinful men and women so that they could stand cloaked with righteousness before Father God. And so we refer to Jesus as Lord.

But what does it mean to say that Jesus is Lord? In those days when Jesus walked around the Palestinian countryside, the title “lord” was commonplace because it was a recognition of a leader or a person with some importance. It was not initially a reference to Jesus’ deity because that came later. In fact, we recall the incident with Thomas after Jesus’ resurrection, when Jesus suddenly appeared through a locked door and stood among His disciples. We pick up the account in John 20:24-25, “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side””. At this stage, “We have seen the Lord” was a respectful reference to Jesus, and something He referred to in John 13:13, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am“. But this all changed when Thomas encountered the risen Jesus. Back to John 20:26-28, where we read, “Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed“. Thomas added the divine to the word “Lord”, transforming the meaning to something that equates to “Jesus is God”. 

As an aside, in the UK today, we have a “House of Lords”, an unelected body of politicians who have many similar functions to the House of Commons, the elected part of our government. It scrutinises legislation, holds the government to account, and considers and reports upon public policy. This “House” of “Lords” (and “Ladies” as well) consists of religious leaders (bishops and the like), hereditary peers and political appointees. But there is nothing anywhere near “divine” about them. They are merely a hangover from Britain’s feudal history, and of no relevance to the “Lord” we are referring to, but worth mentioning to avoid confusion.

Generally speaking, a lord is someone with authority, control, or power over others; to say that someone is “lord” is to consider that person a master or ruler of some kind. However, when we apply this definition divinely to Jesus, we discover something awe-inspiring and special. By saying “Jesus is Lord,” we are acknowledging that we must live our lives in complete obedience to Him. In Luke 6:46, Jesus said, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”, and that is the issue. We sing the song “Jesus is Lord” with great enthusiasm, but do we really know the implications of what we are singing? If we are not in complete obedience to Him, would it not be more honest to sit this particular song out and not sing it at all? A person who says, “Jesus is Lord,” with a complete understanding of what that means (Jesus is God and has supreme authority over all things) has been divinely enlightened, as we read in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit“. We need that Holy Spirit revelation about Jesus being Lord to really understand what it means.

And so we come to Matthew 28:18-19, the Great Commission, “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Because Jesus is Lord, He is God, and He has the authority to command us to do something. I have met some Christians who say that they are unsure of their role as believers, but if nothing else, the fact that they acknowledge Jesus as Lord means that they are commissioned and authorised to share the Good News of God’s plan of salvation with those people around them. But that is only part of it. As we read through the Bible, we find other ways in which the Lordship of Jesus needs to be recognised and applied in our societies, workplaces, schools, universities, neighbourhoods, and families. In our relationships with one another. In fact, our lives are the very medium in which God has chosen to make Himself known to the world around us. Are we shining like a beacon for God, or are we unrecognisable as a Christian? 

We must, of course, remember that one day the Lordship of Jesus will have to be recognised by everyone, believer or not. Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. 

And so back to where we started today. Jesus is Lord. If He isn’t, then He’s not Lord at all. There is no halfway house. We can’t allow Jesus to be Lord of only a part of our lives, while we retain ownership of the rest. A sobering thought, because our sinful nature, our “old man”, wants to hang onto the bits of our lives that we enjoy. But thankfully, God is gracious and patient. The Holy Spirit will gently lead us through the process of sanctification, bringing more and more of ourselves under the Lordship of Jesus. It is a lifetime process, and one that won’t be complete until we stand before God in Heaven. 

Dear Lord Jesus. Please forgive us for our sins and our rebellion against Your Lordship. Amen.

Lurking Sins

Posted on by korgrocker

“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.“
Psalm 19:12-13 NLT

David had a thought that worried him. He wanted to be pure and sinless before God but was concerned about sins “lurking in [his] heart” that were hidden. But were they sins that only he knew about or were they sins that he was unaware of? I think it was the former. Regarding the latter, there are sins that we may be unaware of, but we can be assured that the Holy Spirit and God’s Word will bring these to our consciousness sooner or later. And in the end all sin will be exposed. Jesus said, “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all” (Luke 8:17). 

Believers may be conscious of their hidden sins but rationalise hiding them because they think that they are just personal and no one else is involved or hurt by them. But sin is sin and will emerge eventually. God gives us time to deal with our sins, through repentance and forgiveness, but if left too long, then in love He will engineer circumstances that cause us to face the gravity of the sins and force us to deal with them. We should note that dealing with sin involves repentance, where we don’t just confess our sins, but we turn away from them, never to commit them again. The confessing of sins without repentance is not really dealing with them. Being remorseful usually happens when someone is caught red handed in their sin. But there is some sinful behaviour that will take a lifetime to sort out because it involves character traits that need to be controlled. James highlighted the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue. “And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. …  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:6, 10). Perhaps repentance for a tongue “set on fire by hell itself” will take time as Holy Spirit refines and guides.

Paul struggled with sin, as we read in Romans 7, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. … I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (Romans 7:18, 21-23). But Paul continued, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 7:25-8:2). That must be worth a “Hallelujah!” or two this morning.

David asked God to cleanse him from the sins lurking in his heart, because he said he will then be “free of guilt and innocent of great sin.” Through the blood of Jesus we too are cleansed from all our sins. 1 John 1:7, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” Andraé Crouch wrote a song, “The blood that Jesus shed for me … will never lose its power“. And a hymn written by William Cowper many years ago reads, There is a fountain filled with blood , Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;  And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains:” David didn’t know the redeeming power of Jesus’ shed blood but his relationship with God was such that he knew where he could go to be cleansed from his sins. We are indeed a blessed people today, living as we do in this season of God’s grace.

Father God. We thank You for Your grace and love. We confess our sins to You today, confident in the redeeming power of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. We worship You today. Amen.

Cruel Times

Posted on by korgrocker

“Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.”
John 19:1-3 NLT

Those days were indeed cruel and vicious. That a human being was put through so much pain and distress at the whim of another human being is incomprehensible to us in these “enlightened” 21st Century days. But Jesus, the Son of God, was painfully abused, both emotionally and physically. What were His thoughts as he took the punishment, feeling the acute pain in His back as the whip did its worst. The thorns digging into His head. The mocking tones and jeers of the rough and violent soldiers. This was a situation far beyond what anyone in the West would experience today. But before we head for the moral high ground we should reflect that our thoughts can sometimes be directed at causing another person harm. We get angry with other people and, although nothing physical results, the damage is done. Today, we don’t have to go far before we can find all sorts of abuse published on on-line platforms, abuse that contains nasty and damaging comments directed at another person. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21-22,“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell”. 

But we have to remember that it was our sins that put Jesus in that position. Without any sin there was no need for God’s plan for the sacrifice of His Son. The Prophet Isaiah could see this day coming and he wrote, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus knew from the beginning what he was facing, but it wouldn’t have made the event any easier. Rather, it is remarkable that Jesus was prepared to do all that he did, just for you and me. He never flinched from His mission. He never called for backup when in physical danger, even though there were many angels ready and waiting for His call. 

We pilgrims look back and marvel. It is impossible to fully appreciate all that Jesus did for us. How could the Creator of the Universe care so much about human beings that He put into place a plan for their salvation, so that they could be with Him forever? Sounds too good to be true? It’s too good not to be.

Dear Lord Jesus. Once again we thank You that You went to the cross for our sins, that You were whipped that we would be healed, that You suffered punishment through to death and traded Your righteousness for our sins. We are so grateful. Amen.

The Questioning

Posted on by korgrocker

“Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.” Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.”
John 18:19-22 NLT

A clash of two kingdoms emerged that night, as the Jewish world based on a strict but skewed interpretation of the Law of Moses came up against God’s Son and His world of grace and love. Annas, the high priest’s father-in-law, would have been hoping to trap Jesus, forcing Him to say something that could be construed, to his warped perspective, as blasphemy, thus facilitating a death sentence. But Jesus was not going to play any of his games, and received a slap across His face in the process. But the arrogance of a mere man questioning the God who created him is incongruous, to say the least. But we know that one day that same high priest will stand before Jesus, as He sits on the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). What will he say, I wonder? Will he gibber and splutter and continue in his arrogance? Even when the guilty verdict is passed down? Will he even try to point out the error of God’s ways to His face? Or will he stay silent, as the enormity and realisation of what he had done penetrated his dark soul? But even for a died-in-the-wool Jew determined to eliminate Jesus from the face of the earth, his ultimate fate doesn’t bear thinking about.

Jesus correctly pointed out that nothing that He had said was said in secret. It was all public, in the Temple and synagogues, and as He walked the highways and byways of Palestine and Judea. As He fed the crowds of men, women and children. As He taught from a boat just off the sea shore. Jesus had a very public ministry and one that founded the faith that drives us pilgrims forward in our journeys towards the Land of Glory. Jesus asked Annas why he asked Him the questions about His teaching and about His followers. Of course, Annas knew all about Jesus’ ministry and teaching because otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have been standing before him. The potential for entrapment has always been a possibility in the courts of history. 

Before we pilgrims climb up onto the moral high ground, we should pause. We look at Annas and recoil from any thoughts about doing what he did. But didn’t we too point a finger of disbelief and antagonism to the Son of God through the sins that beset us before the wonderful day when we discovered the truth? Was it not a possibility that Annas, and any malignant leader before or since, had a light bulb moment before they died, thus ensuring their salvation, plucking them from a fate worse than death? The thief on the cross, in his dying moments, was promised a life in Paradise after reaching out to God’s Son. Our God is in the recycling business – He takes rubbish, because that is what we were, and produces from it something beautiful and fit for a life with Him one day. 

We should also pause before we point fingers at anyone around us who behaves in a way that is sinful and that violates our cosy Christian ways. We mustn’t and cannot judge others, because in the same way that they behave, we are also guilty. In John 8:7, we read about Jesus’ response to demands that a woman caught in adultery was stoned, in accordance with the Law of Moses. “They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”” We might never have been in such a situation, or so we think, but whatever the cause, we are not entitled to throw stones. In the John 8 account, everything went quiet, as the executing committee, with stones already in their hands, stopped to think. We then read in John 8:9, “When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.” With the sound of rocks and stones hitting the ground still in our ears, we pilgrims too must also “slip away” leaving our judgements behind, because we are sinners, albeit saved by grace, but sinners nevertheless. And the story ends with Jesus’ loving and gracious response, “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more” (John 8:10-11). That message is a personal one to each of us, pilgrim or not. And on our knees this morning we come to our wonderful Saviour, confessing our sins in repentance, and asking for His grace and love, His forgiveness, to once again flood over us.

Dear Lord Jesus. There are always sins lurking in our human lives, waiting to emerge into the light of day. Please forgive us and help us to focus on You rather than those around us. And we pray for forgiveness today, once again, because only You have the power to forgive sins. In Your precious name. Amen. 

A Multitude of Sins

Posted on by korgrocker

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”
1 Peter 4:8-9 NLT

Peter exhorts his readers to “show deep love for each other”. This wasn’t a sentimental love, but a love based on actions rather than thoughts and emotions. And Peter writes that this love “covers a multitude of sins”. One thing that this world lacks is the agape love, the deep love, that characterises Christians everywhere. The ways of the world are focused on the “what’s in it for me” syndrome, with little loving thoughts for others, but Peter explained that this “deep love” is most important, and indeed it is because without it our fellowships would disintegrate. 

Peter envisages his readers are in fellowship groups where this love brings forgiveness, covering over any sin that is present. Sins perhaps committed against each other, like angry outbursts, or petty theft. Gossip or the like. And the “deep love” present between the believers will motivate them to reach out to each other, and not reply in kind in a worldly way. However, we notice that before there can be forgiveness there has to be repentance. The words of Jesus from Luke 17:3-4, “So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive””. Peter probably remembered the time when he asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone. Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” We should remember that God has forgiven us many times over for our sins. The least we can do is to extend that grace to those who sin against us.

Peter continue to encourage his readers with the exhortation to be hospitable. In Hebrews 13:2 we read, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it!” In my own experience, there have been times when my wife and I have invited a visitor to our church back for Sunday lunch, but during the drive home we have fretted over whether or not the roast joint would be big enough. And amazingly, prayer during the carving worked wonders! Why do we worry with such a loving Heavenly Father who knows just what we need? But do we know anyone who needs a meal? Or who needs a bed for the night? In Peter’s society that might have been a common occurrence, but is less so today. Nevertheless, we always need to be prepared. 

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends“. This is a verse often used in an evangelistic way, but in the context of Revelation 3, Jesus was speaking to Christians. Perhaps one day there will be a knock at our door, with Jesus waiting to come in. We may not recognise Him (remember the disciples on the Emmaus Road?) but we always need to be ready to be hospitable to strangers.

Dear Lord. You do indeed knock at the doors of our hearts, when we neglect Your and Your ways. Please forgive us, we pray. Amen.

The Slaughtered Lamb

Posted on by korgrocker

“Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.”
Revelation‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭NLT

A slaughtered lamb. A gruesome thought for us more squeamish Westerners but something of great spiritual significance. The sacrifice of lambs was a special event in the life of the Jews. When the Israelite nation was enslaved in Egypt, the time came for them, under Moses’ leadership, to leave for their promised land. And we read in Exodus 12:21, “Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.” The blood of the lamb was then to be brushed onto the door posts of their homes to protect them from the “death angel” (Exodus 12:23) who was about to execute judgement on Pharaoh and his countrymen. The Passover event was so significant that it has been celebrated by the Jews ever since. 

What was so significant about the shedding of animal blood? The book of Hebrews offers much explanation about the whys’ and wherefores’ of animal sacrifice and we read in Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Animal sacrifice was a symbolic act necessary to seal the old covenant between God and man.

In John 1:29, John the Baptist declared prophetically that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb. We read, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The old covenant was about to be replaced by the new covenant; Jesus was soon to become the sacrificial lamb. His blood, three years later, would be shed for the redemption of mankind’s sins. A once for all time sacrifice through which we can find forgiveness for our sins and be made righteous before God.

But back to our verse in Revelation. John saw the culmination of the sacrifice at Calvary. He saw the Lamb of God, once sacrificed but now alive. Once reviled and despised, but now the only One who was found to be worthy enough to take the scroll, open it, and read what it said. And He was standing before the throne of God, at the centre of the scene in Heaven. This was, and is, an awesome event, probably one of the most significant that will ever take place.

Dear Lord. Once again, as pilgrims with feet firmly established on Planet Earth, we remember that one day we will be with You in Heaven. We thank You for Your sacrifice and Calvary, because without it we wouldn’t be who we are, sons and daughters of the living God. Our gratitude knows no bounds. Amen.

God Knows Us

Posted on by korgrocker

“O Lord, You have examined my heart 
and know everything about me.”
‭Psalms‬ ‭139:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The thought that God knows everything about us, good and bad, is both comforting and scary at the same time. In the next few verses, the Psalmist, David, goes on to say that God is intimately acquainted with not just what we are doing but even what is about to come out of our mouths. Distance and time are no problem to God. And there is nothing that we can do to escape His presence; should we want to, of course. So if we know all that, why do we get so caught up in doing things that we know would cause God pain? The sins that blight our lives. Actions that are just plain wrong. The Apostle Paul felt that frustration. He wrote in Romans 7, “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” Thankfully God forgives us of our sins when we repent. And we allow His life-giving Spirit to lead and guide us, and live within us (Romans 8). 

But back to our Psalm. It gets better and better. The wonder in David’s heart comes out in verse 5, as he remarks that God goes before him and follows him. Can you imagine that? God is there right in front of us, leading the way. Pointing out the pot-holes in life to help us to avoid them. But in case we still stumble and fall, there He is behind us, picking us up and dusting us off. And there’s more – if we look up, there’s His hand of blessing about to touch our heads. It is no wonder that David can’t cope with what it all means, as we read in verse 6. And he continues to meditate on God’s omnipresence, which extends all the way from Heaven to the place the Jews called Sheol (verse 8). And the lovely word picture emerges of David riding “the wings of the morning” and “dwelling by the farthest oceans” (verse 9). And he finishes this section with the thought that God is always there in the dark, because it is light to Him. Perhaps there’s a comforting thought there for people who do have a fear of the dark.

There is an amazing truth in this Psalm. No matter how we view God. No matter if we reject Him and try and run away from Him, He is still there with us. Embracing us. Encouraging us. Blessing us. All because He loves us. So if we’re feeling neglected and unloved today, we are believing a lie. Our enemy, the devil, would want to deprive us of God’s presence and His blessings. But he can’t. We reach out, switching on our God-receptors; switching off our devil-receptors. And because God knows our very thoughts, He will complete the circuit. Connecting us to His throne room. Giving us a glimpse of His wonder. Helping us in our life-pilgrimage, every step of the way.

The Spirit-filled Life

Posted on by korgrocker

“Oh, that my actions would consistently 
reflect Your decrees! 
Then I will not be ashamed 
when I compare my life with Your commands.”
Psalms‬ ‭119:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our pilgrimage through life why is that we inevitably do things that we shouldn’t? Intuitively we have a good idea of what we should be doing. Much of the time we know what the Bible says about the way we should or shouldn’t live. At other times we receive a disturbing nudge from our consciences. But come what may, we still end up frustrated with ourselves because we did wrong. The Bible calls this dilemma sin. I’m sure we’ve all been in this place, and we will come up against it again in tomorrow’s part of our journey, but that is of small comfort. As I said earlier – we inevitably do things we shouldn’t. The Psalmist in today’s verses was equally frustrated. We don’t know what he’d done to cause his cry of exasperation, but it was something that didn’t line up with God’s ways. And it was something he was ashamed of, so perhaps there was a public element about his actions.

The Apostle Paul expressed a similar degree of annoyance with himself. He said in Romans 7:21, “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” Sound familiar? He goes on to say, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

Thankfully Paul’s journey didn’t end in verse 24 of Romans 7. We read in the next chapter, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

At this time of year we remember the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Son of God was born into this world, where He experienced all the problems and temptations that we do. And because of that He understands our issues of life. He understands our constant battles with sin. He was here Himself, but he didn’t sin. In fact, at Calvary He took on all our sins Himself to free us to live in line with the Holy Spirit life to which we have been called.

The Psalmist felt and expressed that heart cry – how can I live God’s way without polluting it with my sin? And in answer he tried to line his life with God’s decrees. A form of legalism? But sadly, it’s a trap we too can fall into. We try and live by our own efforts to avoid having to come as a repentant sinner into God’s presence. By setting ourselves rules and regulations that we can keep, and that makes us feel holy and righteous. But there is no alternative to living under God’s grace, living the Spirit-filled life. So instead of living by rules, we live our lives infused with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to lead and guide us, allowing Him to bring to the surface all our sins and allowing us to repent of them. Living a life walking close to God, not through our efforts trying to live by His rules. Jesus said, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). That’s the only way to live.

Covenants

Posted on by korgrocker

He always stands by his covenant—
    the commitment he made to a thousand generations.
Psalm 105:8 NLT

This verse describes God’s faithfulness in the covenant He made to His people, the Jews. It’s a covenant He is going to keep. What was it? A covenant is a binding agreement made between two parties. And in Genesis 17 we read, “.. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you“. He will not try and wriggle His way out of it, when the going gets tough, as humans might do. But the covenantal agreement between God and His people was in two parts. God promised for His part to be always with them. And for their part they had to be obedient to Him and His laws, with a regime of sacrifices to atone for their sins. And as far as God was concerned His promise was eternal. Sadly, we see from the Old Testament the constant struggle the Jewish nation had in keeping their part of the agreement. 

Through Jesus, God brought about a New Covenant. This New Covenant was mentioned by Jeremiah – he could see, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a time coming when God would initiate a New Covenant. We read in Jeremiah 31:33, “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” In Hebrews 7:22, we read, “…Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God“. In the New Covenant, God offered the free gift of forgiveness for our sins through Jesus’ sacrificial death at Calvary, and our responsibility is to have faith in what He did for us, in the process enjoying an eternal relationship with God.

But will God’s commitment come to an end? In today’s verse the Psalmist points out that God has limited His covenant to a thousand generations. It doesn’t seem so much until we realise that the genealogies in the Bible add up to around one hundred generations from Adam until today. So a thousand generations is as good as eternity.
But the important point of the Covenant is that God is a real, loving, Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus died to redeem us from the consequences of our sins, and we have an invitation to spend eternity with Him. Seems a good deal to me.

Eternal and Infinite

Posted on by korgrocker

For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to His children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
For He knows how weak we are;
    He remembers we are only dust.
Psalm 103:11-14 NLT

David is back writing at the Psalmist’s desk. Scratching away with his God-thoughts, recording eternal words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And once again his thoughts turn to how much God loves His children. In describing the relationship we have with God, he uses the word “fear” but that can have negative connotations. In our world and culture, perhaps a better word would be “respect”, though with a depth far beyond a man-limited meaning. In the Lord’s Prayer, we “hallow” His name. Another good word. And David points out that God’s love for His hallowers is so great that it is unmeasurable. The heavens extend a distance above us, a distance measured in eternal units, with a hint of infinity creeping in. In other words, God’s love is so great that it is unlimited and eternal, unmeasurable and unquantifiable. We must never think that there is insufficient to go around. 

And David then moves his thoughts away from God’s love to our sins. The reality is that once we have confessed and repented of our sins, God removes them. In fact, He puts them a place that is as far away from us as the East is from the West. A wonderful analogy, because we don’t know the start and finish of either place. No sooner then we define a place as being “East” then we know there is another place further “East”. The circular nature of our world, rather than the flat representation on a school room wall, drives the compass points. But what is the implication of all that? God forgets our confessed and repented of sins. They don’t exist anymore. That have been erased from the Heavenly record books. Have we ever been in a situation where we have repented of a past sin again, perhaps from many years ago, just in case we forgot? Well, God takes out His record books and can’t find any mention of it. So He comes back to us and tells us so. He is the perfect Father, divinely tender and compassionate. 

In all the world religions there is only one, Christianity, in which the worshipped god came down to earth as a human being. Jesus, God’s Son, therefore knows what it is like to be human, and he shared our weaknesses when He walked around the Palestinian countryside. He got tired and hungry as we do. He was tempted as we are. And when He returned to Heaven, we read in Romans 8 that He is sitting at God’s right hand, interceding for us. Our loving Lord is the only “god” who knows “how weak we are”.

Today, we have been granted another opportunity from our allotted time span on earth to come before our tender and compassionate Heavenly Father, resting in His presence, feeling His heartbeat of forgiveness, and assured of His love. Let’s not waste the moment.