Saved from…

But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you. For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait. They set a trap; they catch men. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and rich; they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?” An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes? Flee for safety, O people of Benjamin, from the midst of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise a signal on Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms out of the north, and great destruction. (Jeremiah 5:23–6:1)

A pastor says we can choose whatever we want, but we cannot choose the consequences. This remark was made to encourage listeners to choose faith in Jesus Christ because sitting on the fence is the same as saying NO to Him and the consequences for doing that are eternal condemnation.

The OT prophets wrote the same message to those with that same attitude and God said, “Shall I not punish them for these things?” He had every right to do so because His law says, “The soul that sins shall die” with death meaning separation from God forever. Very likely this is the consequence referred to by His statement, “But what will you do when the end comes?” Yet the above passage speaks of other consequences, such as withholding rain and other disasters in their lives.

Not all current affairs are the result of the sins of those who suffer in this life, but that final separation from God is certain for those who say NO to Jesus Christ. That is the bad news. The good news is:

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

And for those who take that seriously, the Word of God says: 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

And this is very good news!

Jesus, You don’t promise comfort and a perfect life here as a consequence, but You do promise an abundant life, and the peace that passes understanding, and the assurance of eternal life. You walk with me and hear my prayers. Death is no longer a dreaded separation but a changed life now and assurance of eternity with You. 

Free to choose — BUT…

Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” (2 Samuel 12:7–14)

Every choice I’ve made, including every sin, has consequences. Obedience to God generally results in good things, for that is His intention. He tells me what to do that will bless my life.

However, if my choice comes from “I know better” or “I want something different” the results can vary greatly. If I confess the sin, God forgives…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

But confession and forgiveness may not change the consequences of what I said or did. David’s confession did not bring Uriah back to life, nor did it keep the baby from dying. Yet unlike Saul, God did not removed David from the throne because of his disobedience.

The NT promises that those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have a guaranteed eternal hope. I may lose rewards but not the everlasting life. It is a gift of grace based on what Jesus has done, not on what I have done or failed to do.

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)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Why then the consequences? For me, they show me why obedience is important, wake me up to the importance of God's will, and teach me that I am not as wise as I thought I was. 

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5–11)

Jesus, consequences are seldom easy, but they are not a punishment as much as they are a classroom and a tool to teach me humility and lead me into deeper faith. In them I see Your great determination to transform my life but also they reveal Your awesome holiness.

Being Salty

The community where we live has a monthly dinner, each with a theme. Last night was “Pub Night” and I worried about salt because it affects my health. However, the food was amazing and not overly salty. By God’s design, today’s devotional reading gave me this:

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13–16)

I’m to be the “salt of the earth” and that is not garlic, paprika, or sugar. Jesus used salt to illustrate my role as one who preserves and fends off decay, who heals and soothes with medicinal value and who brings flavor and enhances other flavors. Yet salt only “works” when it’s out of the saltshaker. I cannot hide in my sewing room, or leave this to others by doing my own thing. 

These verses talk about losing saltiness, not just a word to me but the entire church family must guard against a loss of vision, passion and flavor. This happens when we do not deal with the sin remaining in us. Lest anyone think there is none, note what Paul wrote:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12)
But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:23)

Jesus even said we must pray asking God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) and John wrote: 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8–9)

Other NT passages tell me to put to death the deeds of the body meaning what is earthly or sinful in me. I will not be perfect (like Jesus) until I see Him face to face, but I cannot be complacent about this battle lest I lose whatever “salt” He has put in me.

This goes for the entire family of God. I pray for others who are in this battle, and also for those who have not yet received the righteousness that comes by faith. Some are continually paralyzed by guilt and constantly assaulted by “the accuser of the brethren” about real and imaginary failures. They need to remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Others are troubled by old wounds, pain and grief, abuse or other trauma. They need wisdom, love, patience and kindness, all fruit of God’s Spirit. 

Some struggle with obsessions and addictions such as pornography and other sexual entanglements, chemical and drug abuse, eating disorders, self-righteousness and legalism, greed, gossip, preoccupation with physical beauty, and so many other conditions for which the gospel alone provides sufficient power and grace to overcome.

Others are burdened by the demands of caregiving or other situations that deplete them emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically. Salty Christians must pray for those who have lost their zest for life by the struggles of life.

PRAY: Lord, I have much on my heart and much to pray about. Fill me with the hope of the gospel and the energy of faith that trusts You for all needs, mine and others. I sometimes ask God to make me be salt and light to the unsaved, but I realize that Your dear children also need salt and light, as well as support in prayer. We are in this together. Stir our heats, restoring all of us to full gospel sanity, full joy in You and in Your plan for us, for our church, and the world around us.

Am I being like Jesus?

How should I respond to a person who claims to know Jesus but continually talks and acts as if they don’t, yet when questioned immediately has all the biblical answers? I’ve not seen this person walk the talk, but only do a lot of talking. They are not new to faith, but claim a life-long experience of knowing Christ. Why then do they act most of the time as if they don’t? The temptation is to judge, even condemn, yet I do not have that freedom.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:33–34)

If this person is a child of God, they are protected from condemnation: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) If they are faking it or deceived in some way, then they are already condemned:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:18–21)

Last night, one person in our study group clarified the distinction this way. He said that 1 John clearly states that no matter what we claim, if we don’t love God and others, we are not Christians. Yet 1 John also says that if someone is not “of us” they will not stay with us, so that does not solve my puzzle. I’m reminded of the Liar’s activities:

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:10–11)

Satan is the one who condemns. If I do it, am I playing his game instead of doing what Jesus does in intercession for His people? My goal, even if there is evidence of sin, should be restoration regarding sin (evidence is confession and repentance) and humility rather than pride, faith rather than unbelief, and integrity rather than pretense. Restoration is not my skill set. Instead, I wonder about this from the Lord?

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10–12)

This seems God's answer to my question. This person is irritating me. In hoping for the best and not seeing it, I want a reason for the problem, which is something like Eve being tempted by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God wants me to deal with my problem, not ask Him to show me things only He knows. I now remember the Narnia story where the Lion scarred the back of the boy’s friend and the boy asked why. The Lion (representing Christ) told him, “That is her story” meaning ‘mind your own business and leave her to me.’

PRAY: Lord, You sometimes use unsolved issues to build my faith or to show me what I need to confess. I don’t like being around people who profess faith but their actions and attitude stinks, yet You are intimately acquainted with millions of us who tend to say one thing and do another, try to run our own lives, or fake it instead of being honest. By Your grace, may I grow up and become more like You instead of trying to play God as if I was already there.

Secured and kept by grace

 

When a person is drafted or enlisted into the army, at that moment he (or she) is a soldier. Then comes boot camp and many other experiences that teach that person how to be what they already are, living and acting as a soldier should act.

In Scripture, the gospel includes a similar idea. When Jesus took me into His forever family, I became a Christian, but I certainly didn’t know how to act like one apart from His enlightenment and training that came with this new identity. It is described here:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

The Bible calls this sanctification or consecration. When Christ saved me, I was set apart by Him and for Him, a new creation but one that had a lot of learning to do so I would live like that new person should live. Every Christian knows the fight to keep that old nature from ruining our efforts.

Today’s reading says this truth: “The thought of God in the deliverance of Israel was not that they should wander in the wilderness but that they should be brought into the Promised Land, which typifies the life of full consecration.”

However their refusal to enter, and their excuses about the giants in the land, and all their mistakes and disobedience did not mean these people were not His. They had a lot to learn after resisting His leading and teaching and they often went AWOL from bootcamp to do their own thing, but He eventually took them to the place He promised.

At the end of the reading, the writer of the devotion makes a statement that is not biblical: “Entire consecration, therefore, is binding on every Christian, and sooner or later each one must come to know it, for there is no entering heaven without it.”

This statement may be intended to provoke persistence in learning, but it fails to show that consecration is both a reality and a process. If misunderstood, it flies in the face of salvation by grace. The OT saints were not entirely set apart in their behavior even after getting in the promised land. The thief on the cross was told he would be in paradise with Jesus and he missed bootcamp entirely! When Jesus says, “You are mine,” then we move into training to act like it, and our lives change. Some change at different rates, or in varying ways, but Jesus saves — our efforts to behave come from the Holy Spirit who is with us and in us. We are not saved by faith and then kept saved by works as this writer seems to suggest.

The Galatian church had a problem with trying to perfect their Christian lives after they were saved, not realizing that this perfection is in Christ, not our fleshy efforts. Paul wrote this:

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Galatians 2:20–21)

Then he added a question that applies to this idea of being perfected before we can get into heaven. Instead, he affirms that growing in grace is part of our new life, not done in self-effort nor  does God turn away believers who fall short of full consecration.

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Galatians 3:2–6)

John agrees: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3) 

PRAY: Jesus, consecration happens because You saved me and set me apart. Faith in You is my entrance to heaven, not how pure I am before You will let me in. In You, I am no longer condemned. Romans 8:1. While some may be better soldiers in this life and others not so good at it, You will never kick anyone out of Your army for a lack in their level of commitment for it is grace that got us into this amazing relationship with You in the first place, and grace that keeps us here If my commitment could do it, I would not need You.

Salvation sets me free — from what?

 

Some define salvation as a ticket to heaven, nothing more. However, Jesus said the truth will set us free — free from what? Romans 8:1 says from condemnation, but the rest of Scripture is clear; salvation is freedom from the power of sin. Instead of sin, which is basically doing life my own way and ignoring God’s way, salvation frees me from it so that I can do life God’s way. This is freedom — being free to live as God created me to live, under the power of the Holy Spirit instead of under the power of sin.

Some will claim that salvation can be earned by doing good works. That is, doing life my way by selecting good things to do, and thinking God will accept me and give me a home in heaven. The problem with that teaching is an inaccurate understanding of sin. Sin is ‘my way’ no matter if that means selfish living, a life of crime and rebellion, or doing good things. The Scriptures say we are saved by faith, not by works.

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)

The confusion comes with the Scriptures also saying, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) and “a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24).

That seems to conflict with Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace through faith. Does that mean we have faith in God to save us if we add good works too? Even though some ‘Christian’ denominations teach that, it is just another false teaching. It makes salvation depend on good works, on what I choose to do. I’m not set free by the tyranny of sin (doing my own thing, running my own life) but still in bondage to it if I add works or virtuous deeds as a means of salvation.

Reading ALL of Scripture is important. James says I am “justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24) and Paul describes salvation as a new life, as a huge transformation of in who I am. He says: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Another passage says that Jesus “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5) making us new people who do not run our own lives but are spiritually reborn and living according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is a gift from God, a freedom of His grace . . .

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. (Titus 2:11–12)

This is why Jesus could say: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32) The freedom He promises is freedom to do good motivated by God’s Spirit rather than motivated by a human desire to earn God’s favor.

The faith described in the NT is not the same as mere assent to something. It is a faith that changes lives. Think of it: “Even the demons believe” that Jesus exists and died for sin, but they are not transformed. Saving faith is a life-changing gift, a gift that sets Christians free to choose obedience rather than yield to selfish, sinful thoughts and actions.

PRAY: Thinking each day of what the Gospel means and what it does describes true freedom. Sometimes I revert to my old way of thinking (“I can do this myself”) but it produces nothing and the outcome is not freedom but slavery. God, You continually forgive my foolishness, but You also direct me in the way of freedom. I do not have to sin. I can serve You and be a loving blessing to others. The gift of eternal life is a wonder, yet it is for this life also. The goals and desires of my heart are not the same as they once were, and I don’t think, talk or act as I once did. Your salvation has set me free! I’m no longer a slave to sin because You made me Your child!

PONDER: John 8:31–32 describes true faith. How does the Word of God affect those who genuinely believe what it says? How does that freedom affect my daily life?