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.

 

A trap to avoid

This week there was another expose on television about a cult that does not report or punish law-breakers within their membership in relation to child abuse. I’m familiar with this cult and their attitude toward rules, which does not jibe with the expose. Everyone is supposed to do what they say, but not themselves?

“For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:13–16)

In New Testament times, a group of religious people determined that a person had to keep the laws of God to be a Christian. They focused on one ‘rule’ that in their minds was a definite must.

Rule-keeping is contrary to the Gospel but didn’t stop them from confusing seekers and believers, including the church in Galatia. Paul wrote to them about this matter, strongly warning them of ‘falling from grace’ and denying the power of God and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The passage above strikes at their motives. They wanted people to follow their “rules” so they could boast about them. As for the cult mentioned, they also boast about their numbers, about all the people who do their best to be good ‘witnesses’ for their organization. However, no one can keep all their rules. As the expose showed, that is not reported, even some of the most gross misconduct.

At the same time, this cult wants no drop in their numbers. They want to appear successful so use ‘shunning’ to keep people tied to them. While some have gone to court over the losses due to shunning, the supreme court in Canada has just passed a new law that allows them to shun whoever they wish without being sued.

The biblical answer to this complicated issue strikes at the root of the problem. Faith in Jesus Christ means new life, a new way of thinking, a change in motivation. Those who love and follow Jesus are not bound to the laws of God, but we are bound to love one another.

We are also to not base our relationship with God on rule-keeping. We are saved by grace. Not only that, there are grave results for those who get tangled in law-keeping.

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Galatians 3:10–11)

Paul is quoting the Old Testament to show that salvation has always been by faith. He goes on to explain the purpose of the law (to reveal sin and to show people they need grace). For these reasons, being circumcised or having any sort of focus on OT “rules” will take them away from grace:

“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:2–6)

So why do cults and various other isms become so focused on rules? They obviously do not realize that by refusing God’s gracious gift of salvation by faith, they are also missing out on the gift of the Holy Spirit who changes lives and gives them a deep love for one another.

If I choose to walk in the flesh rather than obey God, I put myself in bondage, not to a cult but to the tyranny of always wanting my own way. This is always against the way of the Lord and produces no peace and joy in this life and no eternal results. How sad.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16–18)

^^^^^^^^^^

Oh Lord Jesus, I’m not sure why cult members or anyone else rejects the Gospel and says, ‘No thanks, I will do it my way’ other than our sin runs deep. Truly all need You to get us out of our unyielding pride.

Being a saint

At least one denomination has a lofty definition for ‘saint’ and who is eligible to be one. However, the Bible uses ‘saint’ to describe every person who belongs to God. The Greek word is defined and used that way. Its definition also includes ‘holy’ which means ‘set apart for God.’ This word is used in the New Testament to describe all those who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul began many of his epistles or letters to the churches using this word in his greeting to all the people in that congregation . . .

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2–3)

In these few words, the apostle tells us what God has and wants for His people. While his message eventually confronts the immaturity in this church, right from the beginning he clarifies that even immature Christians are not like others. We have a special place in Christ and in history.

Saints are sanctified. This is a great word. My Greek dictionary says this is about being dedicated to God. This word could be translated as, ‘those who have given themselves to God’ or ‘those who serve God with a whole heart.’ However, lest I start thinking that this is a choice that I did all by myself, the next line says . . .

Saints are called. This is about being “summoned or commissioned” and describes the calling of God on a person’s life. He calls sinners to Himself, to be set apart by Him and for Him. The more I know myself, the more I realize the marvel that God should call me. His grace enables me to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from His grace, I am fully aware of what and where I would be.

Saints are saved by grace. Grace is simply God’s favor. It is not deserved (all people sin and fall short) nor is it earned. No one can meet the standard. No matter how good I might think I am, or how anyone else thinks I am, my goodness falls short of God’s glory.

Saints are at peace. While most of us think this means absence of war or turmoil, God’s peace goes beyond that. It is first about peace with Him. Instead of being antagonistic toward God, church, religion, rules or whatever is associated with yielding to Him as Lord of my life, the gift of peace with Him makes an amazing difference in my life; I’m not anywhere near as feisty as I used to be and the desire of my heart is to be totally submitted to the will of God. I have peace with Him.

Added to that is the peace of God. This is peace that truly passes understanding. The world around can be falling apart but this peace from God is based on knowing He is God. He puts my heart at rest. This is not ignoring troublesome things, nor is it a nonchalant I-don’t-care attitude. It is a heart at rest, trusting the Lord. God gives this peace to His people.

All of these things are the blessings of being a saint. With them, I do not care if anyone puts me up on the top of a list (or on the bottom). Human recognition is okay, but it pales beside knowing that I am God’s child, called by grace to be His. I am blessed in a peace-filled relationship — all because of the One called Jesus who lived and died and lives again for His people, His saints.

God’s wisdom covers our mistakes

2 Kings 18:13–19:37, Ephesians 2:1–3:21, Proverbs 8:19–26

Hezekiah was a godly king but when Sennacherib king of Assyria threatened, he “gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord and from the doorposts that Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.” (2 Kings 18:15–16)

The Assyrians came back to the people and said, “Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us . . . .” but Isaiah the prophet told them, “Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land. ” (2 Kings 19:6–7)

Hezekiah also prayed, “. . . O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.” (2 Kings 19:17–19)

The Lord responded, “He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city . . . . for I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

That night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib went home and as he was worshiping in the house of his god, his sons killed him. (2 Kings 19:31–37)

God in His wisdom covered Hezekiah’s mistake of attempting to buy his safety with gold instead of trusting his God. He knows His people are frail and faulty and need His wisdom and grace.

Solomon says that the wisdom of God produces fruit better than fine gold or choice silver. Wisdom “walks in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love it, and filling their treasuries.” (Proverbs 8:19–21) Whether it is gold, silver, or my own ideas about life, God’s wisdom is superior. I cannot live without His wisdom or His grace.

In the NT, the Gospel is a grand display of how God’s wisdom covers my errors. As Paul says, I was once dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, living in the passions of my flesh, carrying out the desires of my body and the mind. I was by nature a child of wrath. Ugh!

But God, rich in mercy and because of His great love, made me alive in Christ! By grace I have been saved through faith. This was not my own doing. It is the gift of God, not my works, so I cannot boast. I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that I should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4–10) This too is the wisdom of God; He covers sin with the blood of His Son.

Even more amazing, particularly for the OT saints, is that God would unite Jew and Gentile by faith in Jesus. He says to the Gentiles, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility . . . . you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God . . . .” (Ephesians 2:11-19)

That means that had both Hezekiah and the king of Assyria known and believed the Gospel, they would not have been enemies but brothers in Christ, united in His grace. 

As Paul says, God is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” through the power of Jesus Christ whose grace and wisdom work amazing changes in His people!

God gives light and rewards those who walk in it

1 Kings 5:1–6:38, Mark 4:1–24, Proverbs 1:20–27

Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk with a dear friend who I’ve not seen for several months. Before he went away because of a personal issue, he explained why he was going: “I have to do this right.”

Now that he is back, (not a perfect person as he so easily admits), his desire to obey God has not changed. This delights me and is an answer to my prayers for him. When we chatted, I affirmed and reminded him that God honors us when we do what is right.

Most of us learn this that the hard way. However, today’s devotional readings reinforce how God honors obedience. He also knows when obedience is from the heart. This does not mean I ‘earn’ His favor, yet obedience results in blessing. This is a spiritual reality just like oiling a squeaky hinge makes it stop squeaking!

To illustrate, blessings on a positive response to God, Solomon wrote, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.” (Proverbs 1:22–27)

Solomon realized that the grace of God is extended to needy yet sometimes disobedient people, but not to those who mock God and refuse to respond to His counsel. He had learned this through his lifetime, beginning with a promise God made to him early in his rule over Israel:

“Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.’” (1 Kings 6:11–13)

Solomon was not a perfect person, nor a perfect king. He made many mistakes and disobeyed God. Yet God blessed him and blessed his obedience. Solomon built an incredible place of worship. He also recorded the God’s Word concerning wisdom and life. His proverbs and other writings have blessed many generations of God’s people. Why did God use this imperfect king to do that?

It seems to me that Solomon had some of his father’s heart for God, but at the same time he not earn this grace; it is a free gift. However, Solomon responded to grace and did not scoff at God or hate His reproof.

Obedience results in blessing. Jesus took the same attitude toward those around Him. The religious leaders of His day seemed to be concerned with obeying God, but Jesus knew their hearts. He would not bless them with any deeper knowledge because they did not believe or obey what they already had:

“And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” (Mark 4:10–12)

God isn’t interested in a mere intellectual response. If someone hears the gospel and ‘signs up’ like they were buying fire insurance, this is only lip-service. Their hearts are not in it. It seems to me that this is a huge reason why the gospel makes no sense at all to anyone unless the Holy Spirit opens their understanding. God knows we would mock and scoff unless He changes our attitude.

How can grace be free and obedience be blessed? Even with my efforts to try to sort out the difference between undeserved grace and blessings for obedience, I really cannot make full sense of it. I’m just glad that He works in human hearts so that I can respond to mercy and grace instead of being left in the dark.