Free Gift, not earned or deserved…

But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15:5–11)

Some who claimed faith in Jesus Christ also thought that no one could be saved unless they were keeping the OT law. This idea easily creeps into the mind of those filled with pride along with the idea that “I have to do something” to be saved. This is in direct conflict with the gospel that says otherwise. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Circumcision was a physical reminder of the OT covenant made to Abraham and his descendants. If it was important to salvation, then why was it necessary for men only? God did not leave out 50% of the population when He provided salvation by faith.

This NT situation concerned believing Jews who were offended. They were told to not consume blood before the Law of Moses was given, because life is in the blood (think of the blood of Christ shed to redeem us) and this law about blood was far more significant than circumcision being a symbol of being saved. With this in mind, the apostles had to make a decision.

Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (Acts 15:14–20)

Why then did these restrictions be given to the Gentile believers? In those days, these sins were hugely offensive to the Jews. The apostles would rather them say, “If you do these things, how then can you be saved?” Then, “You need to be circumcised like us before you can be saved.” Salvation is about a Holy Spirit changed life, not about  a symbol like circumcision.

Today, some think that to be a Christian, you must go to church, or give money, etc. but non-Christians attend church too. That means nothing unless the Holy Spirit has changed their life and prompted new behavior. Jesus illustrated these attitudes:

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:10–14)

No one is ever saved by law-keeping, mainly because if we break one, we break all. We are saved by faith, not our own doing — and when salvation happens, the doing changes, not by my prideful self-effort, but by the Holy Spirit who changes my heart.

Jesus, humility is only uncomfortable if I want to have control over my life rather than letting You have Your way. I cannot be what You want me to be without You doing the work in my heart that makes sin give way to living in humility. Such a wonder that You grant salvation freely and even the faith to believe is by Your grace. I could not trust You at all without You granting me the faith to do so. Such a wonder.

 

Realizing helplessness

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

I’ll say it again . . . I want the kingdom of heaven with no more sin, sorrow or pain; I just don’t like the ‘poor in spirit’ part.

Actually, it isn’t that bad, something like being a child without much knowledge or skill and willing to hold mom’s hand in strange places. It is something like walking into an art gallery and realizing that my efforts to paint are nowhere like those of the masters. It is like being lost and having to ask where I am and how to get to where I want to be. It is like talking to a physicist and realizing how little I know. It is also like all these things don’t bother me for pride is gone and I’m free to be childlike, helpless and humble, realizing that my Lord Jesus will supply all I need when I need it and I don’t have to whine or wish I wasn’t so destitute. It is realizing the power of God is here for me.

This is why today’s devotional can say “Poverty of spirit is a prerequisite to salvation and to victorious Christian living.” Jesus illustrates with this:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10–14)

To most, being ‘poor’ means something like the Greek definition: a person cowering in dark corners of city streets begging for handouts, without personal resources and totally dependent on the gifts of others. Yet Jesus says those who are spiritually helpless and utterly destitute of human resources are blessed. We rely totally on God’s grace for salvation and daily life, and are happy with this state of being. We taste heaven’s delights now and will experience its full glory later. Of course we are blessed!

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

For those who want heaven and its glory, the price to pay is not being ‘good enough’ but by recognizing I can never be good enough, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that is not nor ever will be the entrance requirement. Instead, it is being like the tax collector, like the child, like the beggar and the cripple, those broken in spirit and contrite of heart. Then God hears my prayers and comes to my aid . . . and then I am blessed with a taste of heaven and the certainty that I’m headed there for eternity.

Jesus, the enemy to such blessing is pride. Whenever I sense competitiveness or a desire to be the best, or even to do better, I need to remember that being weak is not a bad thing. It is evidence that I’m where I ought to be and assurance that You are hearing my pleas for grace, strength, and the ability to obey You. When I’m weak, I am strong as You say: “’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Not only Your power, but Your great joy! Just keep reminding me not to let this poverty become a focus that keeps me from obeying You, for “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

REMEMBER how God’s Word speaks of pride: Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:5, 18–19 and be thankful when I cannot — rather than when I can.

 

 

No unconfessed sin, no doubt

 

Faith not only believes God exists, but also that He rewards those who seek Him. This means faith is a huge part of answered prayer. This means that when I pray, I’m asking God to do what I cannot do without doubt that He can and will help me.

Take the reverse of that. If my prayers go unanswered, it could be that I am praying without faith and could even be trusting myself (or someone else) to do what I want done. This is a problem because “going my own way” is the essence of sin, and God does not listen to the prayers of those who harbor sin. I might think I’m praying because this is something I cannot do, but I also might be praying because I think my goodness is worthy of an answer. Note the contrasts in these prayers:

I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. (Daniel 9:4–5)

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:10–14)

Daniel and the tax collector both saw themselves as woeful sinners and God heard them. The ‘good’ guy lost out. His faith was in himself. This ‘faith in me’ can lurk behind any claim to these promises:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

Jesus said,  “. . . truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

I’m thinking of what could happen if I had no unbelief in my life and no trust in my own resources. What if I relied on God one hundred percent. Would I go to doctors or borrow money? Would He change lives all over the world because I prayed in faith?

Charles Allen, in All Things Are Possible Through Prayer, writes, “We believe in prayer. Then why don’t we pray? The real reason is, we have nothing to pray for. We have everything we want without praying. The supreme tragedy of most people is that they want so little, and they are satisfied with almost nothing.”

Abraham is called the founder of faith. God told him,  “I have made you the father of many nations” and Paul referred to him when speaking of faith in God “who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17) What could that mean in my prayer life? Or if I were not so blessed as to be satisfied. I often call myself, ‘God’s spoiled brat.’ What if all my blessings were gone? Would I panic? Or pray?

Doubt shows up in wavering. James wrote about asking for wisdom: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6) Doubt is recognized by thoughts like, ‘God cannot . . . .’ or ‘I’m not worthy’ as if that had anything to do with it.

Instead, both Daniel and the tax-collector approached God with an attitude of confession and self-denial. Daniel’s years of faithful service in Babylon didn’t enter his mind. He thought only for mercy for himself and his people. It follows that prayer is “drawing near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience . . . .” (Hebrews 10:22)

Jesus, the privilege of talking with You, and asking You to hear and respond to my requests is rooted in grace and Your sacrifice. Prayers are not answered when offered in presumption or self-righteousness or even doubt because they do not honor You and You alone. Besides, You have already given Your life for me. Everything I can ask for is nothing compared to that. May I honor You when I pray. May I always be aware of my sinfulness and Your forgiveness. May I also pray with confidence that You hear and answer every prayer that conforms to Your will without any hint of doubt or selfishness.

MORE: Memorize Psalm 117 and put my focus on His faithfulness as I pray.