There is work to be done!

Leviticus 14; Psalm 17; Proverbs 28; 2 Thessalonians 2

It is not too difficult these days to imagine missing a great event — all of them have been postponed or cancelled! The media tries to fill airtime with reruns but sports fans are not fooled into thinking they missed the playoffs or anything like that. These events are not going to happen in real time.

The church at Thessalonica thought they missed the Second Coming of Christ. That is far more difficult to imagine. They had been taught the signs to look for and that they would see Jesus. I have difficulty imagining what made them think they missed this event, far greater than final games, playoffs, or anything else on the calendar. Maybe part of it was that they didn’t know when it would happen (no one knows) and someone or something gave them the idea that they had missed it. At the same time, they were being persecuted. I can imagine the stress of that could confuse this and other issues. They were not thinking straight.

Paul told them not to be anxious. Three things needed to happen first: a general apostasy, the man of lawlessness would be revealed, and the restraint against lawlessness would be removed. This is not necessarily in chronological order but none of the three had happened so they need not be upset. Instead, they needed to focus on living out their faith.

In past years, some have had firm convictions that Jesus is coming soon. Professing Christians have been known to sell their possessions, quit their jobs, and ‘sit on the roof’ waiting for Him to show up. While that makes me laugh, I’m now beginning to understand how the pressures of life can lead to rash decisions.

Covid-19 has terrified many people. Perhaps that reaction is too extreme, particularly for Christians. We are told that God is not the author of fear and the words “Fear not” appear many times in Scripture. God holds our lives in His hands. It is up to Him when and how He takes us home.

On the other hand, many people have taken this virus and the warnings from the medical world too lightly. In many cases, this attitude has contributed to the rapid spread because it is unwittingly carried by the “no worries” people to those more vulnerable.

There is a correlation between the return of Christ and this pandemic. The pandemic may or may not be signaling the return of Jesus, but it is telling the world to prepare for death. A small percent will die of this virus, but all will eventually die. I might not get sick, but whether I do or don’t, eventually I will see Jesus face to face, whether it is at His visible return to earth, or at that day when He ushers me into eternity. Either way, I need to live with all those options in mind.

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:13–17)

APPLY: Jesus could come today but if not, I’m thankful to be His child . I need to stand firm in what He has taught me, seeking His comfort and good hope given through grace. I’m also to be alert to do good and speak well, glorifying Jesus with all my heart. God is not giving me anything more than this advice — to be ready and stay off the roof because there is work to be done!

 Today is Good Friday. Churches are shut down but we didn't miss it. Our congregation and many others were able to tune in to a live-stream time of worship. It was wonderful. Even though we could not see the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ, His presence was very real with us as we thought about His sacrifice to save us from our sin. In His presence is fullness of joy. Thank You, Jesus.

Why Easter Friday is good . . .

Deuteronomy 21:1–22:30; 2 Corinthians 5:11–21; Psalm 38:1–22

Good Friday is still fresh in my heart. The OT reading points to what happened that dark day: “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 21:22–23)

Being hung on a tree was a sign of being cursed, cursed for sin and for crimes punishable by death. The NT says that the “wages of sin is death” and as a sinner I deserve that curse. But Christ was cursed for me. He was hung on a tree (the cross), and because of what He did, my debt is paid and I no longer live under a curse. That is why I call that horrid day a ‘good’ Friday.

As I work through this devotional book called Connect the Testaments, I cannot always see the connection, particularly  between the laws and my life today. I know that those laws have truths and principles behind them, even though not all of them are for today, for this era of grace. However, there is a simple and plain relationship between my actions and what Christ has done for me. I am free from the OT laws and the curse I deserve, but that freedom is meant to prompt me to live for Christ — not for myself. I am called to live as a free person should live, called to live for God’s kingdom and for His glory.

However, the NT reading for today does connect with that thought. It says, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died . . . . Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 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 5:14, 17–21)

Sometimes I fail to follow God’s calling. When that happens, “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty . . . . Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.”

The last part of these words describes the spiritual battle that occurs when I’m determined to obey God with all my heart and soul. Jesus defeated sin and death and Satan at the cross and in rising from the dead, but the war is not ended. This victory is something like the difference between D-Day and V-Day in WWII. The battle was won long before the final victory was declared.

To put it another way, the enemy attacks are something like a bell that keeps on ringing after the rope is no longer being pulled. The bell’s power is gone, but it moves anyway, like a chicken with its head cut off. He is defeated but taking his time dropping out of the skirmish. (Pardon the mixed metaphors!)

The last part of that psalm is my prayer for today’s battles: “Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” (Psalm 38:18–22) Yet this is a prayer I know is already answered, for Jesus promises to never leave me. He is my Savior yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. Because He was willing to die for me on that Good Friday, I can count on Him to never be far away.

From promise to reality

Deuteronomy 4:1–49; 2 Corinthians 1:17–24; Psalm 32:1–11

This Good Friday reading takes me to a great point in the history of God’s people. They have been delivered from Egypt, but refused to enter the Promised Land because they were afraid. Now, after many years of wandering, they are ready to go in. Moses is giving them final instructions. It is a solemn day.

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children . . . . And (God) declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess . . . . For I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan. But you shall go over and take possession of that good land. Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you . . . . know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, 13-14, 22-23, 39–40)

Moses warned them about their biggest danger —idolatry. They could not see God, and like every human being, found it difficult to trust something they could not see. Moses also reminded them of the commandments. He didn’t say it, but the first one is the greatest . . .  to love God above all else. If that one is not obeyed, then none of the others can be obeyed.

Loving God above all else means also loving His Son, Jesus Christ. How do I love Jesus? By trusting Him, by believing all that He says and knowing that he is true and reliable. He means what He says, and when He said He would save me, I believe Him.

“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:19–22)

Just to help me out, because I believe in Jesus, I am sealed. A seal signifies identity. In those days, and even now, a physical seal can be a blob of wax imprinted with a metal stamp that belongs to only one person or institution. Using that seal puts a mark on a document to verify its contents. To be sealed by God means that He puts His stamp on my life. I belong to Him and to guarantee that ownership, and my destiny, He gives me his Holy Spirit.

This is not all that happens. Good Friday is a memorial to the death of Christ for sin. The psalmist looked forward in faith to the One who would deliver him from sin’s guilt and bondage. Now that Christ has died and rose again, I look back in faith to that event. He died for my sin. It is forgiven, not automatically for He requires confession, but it is forgiven.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit . . . . I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah . . . . You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah (Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7)

Forgiveness is an amazing blessing indeed. God took the burden of guilt from my life and gives me Himself. I can depend on Him to take care of me.

All of this is made possible because He was willing to take my guilt and die for it. Yes, this Friday is a very solemn day too, but Sunday is just ahead!

Worshiping the Prince of Peace

While salvation is of God, and deliverance from sin is from God, and while I cannot save myself, the Lord graciously explains how His people can be more cooperative with His grace. These verses give direction to me today . . .

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:1–9)

Notice these words being with “stand firm” which is exactly what I want. I want my faith, resistance to sin, and obedience to God to be strong and consistent, not wavering between on and off.

The first thing suggested here toward standing firm is unity with other Christians. If I am at odds with others, then I must do whatever I can to get along, to “agree in the Lord” and work together with others. Also, like Paul, I must appreciate their work in the gospel.

The second thing toward standing firm is rejoicing in the Lord. If accomplishments, praise from people, making money, winning, or any other thing is my source of joy, I will not stand firm because those things will let me down. Jesus never disappoints, and He never will. He is my joy.

The third thing is to be reasonable toward all. That word can mean to show gentleness, to be fair, patient and mild mannered. This is a quality exhibited by those who trust the Lord even when life seems unfair and others are harsh. Faith in Christ makes reasonableness possible.

The fourth thing is remembering that He is at hand, very near. He reminds me of that in many ways, one being that He inhabits the praises of His people. When I praise Him, and when we praise Him together, He gives a deeper sense of His presence. This also enables us to stand firm.

The fifth thing concerns this study on prayer; God bids me to not worry but take all my requests and concerns to Him, with thanksgiving. Prayer is a vital part of mental health as well as enabling me to stand firm. Notice it says that when I pray, He gives a peace of mind that is beyond the ordinary. It guards my heart and sets my mind at rest.

For a person with easily scattered thoughts, this is a precious promise. Many times, God brings my to-do list into line by prayer, or He vanquishes my worries, or makes quiet my anxieties. I also notice today how the last part of this section (after “Finally . . .”) is impossible without the prayer that goes before it. God tells me to “think about these things” but unless I’ve given my worries and concerns to Him, I cannot do it. He is the One who makes godly thoughts possible.

I cannot stand firm without Jesus. If I am not cooperating with the grace and peace He offers, it will not happen. I cannot hash through all of my problems and issues by myself. I cannot rely on my own resources instead of depending on God because He is the only source of faith, holiness and obedience.

Today is “Good Friday” (and our city is oddly blanketed with snow). We are going to church to focus on all that Jesus has done in dying for our sin. But it is a “good” day because it marks the beginning of our redemption. Jesus broke the power of sin and self. He brought to us the offer of peace with God and the possibility to have peace in our hearts.

Jesus died, but He also rose again and lives forever. He is my peace, joy, and also my ability to stand with others in unity and faith, for I know that He reigns both in heaven and in my heart.

Why this Friday is Good

Good Friday is a sad day when I think about my sin that put Jesus on the cross. It is sad when I think about how much He suffered and the pain of bearing the guilt of the world, of every sin ever committed by everyone who ever lived. It is sad also to think that much of the world curses His name, the One who bought their freedom from sin and their opportunity to have eternal life. I’m sad too that many more have never even heard of Jesus.

However, today is “good” Friday, not just because Jesus did made an incredible sacrifice so many years ago, but because of the place He has now and the victory He has won over sin and death.

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5:30–32)

Jesus died, but He did not stay dead. Jesus was and is demeaned and cursed here on earth, but God has exalted Him to the highest place. He was rejected by His own, but thousands, even millions of people have accepted, believed and received Him. We know forgiveness of sins and repentance and this is why Friday is good.

********************

Lord, I’m also touched by the last few words in those verses. The early believers saw all of this with their own eyes, but so did the Holy Spirit. And You gave the Holy Spirit to me — so, because He lives in me, I too am a witness to these things. I didn’t see the events with my eyes, but the presence of Your Spirit in my heart affirms the reality of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know it is true.

Today we go to a church service that remembers the sad things, but that will also remind us of the greatness of what happened at Calvary and beyond. Because of Your great power and love for sinners, today is a good day!

Photo source

Good Friday

The days we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are not the same each year. That means my devotional reading today is not about Easter. It didn’t give any Scripture either, so I turned to My Utmost for His Highest. The reading for today is about crucifixion—Jesus’ and mine.

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Oswald Chambers says, “The imperative need spiritually is to sign the death-warrant of the disposition of sin, to turn all emotional impressions and intellectual beliefs into a moral verdict against the disposition of sin.”

He points out that this verse does not say ‘I have determined to imitate Jesus Christ,’ or, ‘I will endeavor to follow Him,’ but, ‘I have been identified with Him in His death.’

As I’ve been thinking for the past few weeks, this reality is seldom taught in today’s church. Part of the reason is the power of the almighty I. Our sin nature is so determined to be involved, to have a part, to claim its right to itself. However, this free committal of self to God by death gives the Holy Spirit the chance to impart in me the life of Jesus Christ.

The verse also says, “ . . . nevertheless I live. . . .” I’m still here, but as Chambers says, “the mainspring, the ruling disposition, is radically altered. The same human body remains, but the old satanic right to myself is destroyed.”

This is why Christians call this day “good” Friday. When Jesus died, it was for our sin. In taking that upon Himself, He also took sin’s awful penalty and the wrath of God killed Him. By Jesus’ great act of obedience, I am set free from the penalty of sin.

When Jesus died, we also died. God placed me in Him and what happened to Jesus also happened to me. By that great act, I am set free from the power of sin—not by imitating Him, not by following Him, but by dying with Him.

The verse ends with, “And the life which I now live in the flesh . . . .” As Chambers says, this is not the life that I long to live, or pray that I will live, but the life I now live. At this life is “by the faith of the Son of God.”

This faith is not my faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith that the Son of God has imparted to me—“the faith of the Son of God.” This distinction is as important to victory as is my death. This faith is not faith in faith, or me struggling to believe. It is a faith that comes out of the inner core of my being, a faith that supercedes my efforts because it is not my faith but His.

At the cross, I was put “in Christ” and He died. When I believed, Christ was put in me—Christ and all that He is and does. Now I live—all because He said, “Not my will but thine be done” and was obedient even unto death.

This Friday, and every other Friday, and every other day, can carry the label “good”—all because of Jesus.