A New Testament Teaching

"And His commands are not burdensome."  (1 John 5:3, NIV, from today's reading)

Then why do so many think they are?

The Garden reveals that Satan effectively deceived man concerning obedience.  He basically said that if we obey the Lord God, we will miss out on a really great life.  What mankind has discovered, however, is that what is really "burdensome" is you and I running our own lives.

Now, in our minds at least, we know better than the lie of Genesis 3, don't we?  But when people say such things as, "O, that's Old Testament," what they are really saying is, "Forget the laws of God.  I'm free now to do what I like," all the while harboring some erroneous theology that one can just confess and ask for forgiveness if they have a moment of conscience attack.

We are told in Scripture that the commands/laws/ordinances of God are, "....for our good always."  We are also told that to live a life in disobedience to God's Law brings severe consequences, which includes making terrible choices in life.  Jesus said that He came to fulfill, "the Law and the Prophets," not destroy them.  I wonder if their ever was a book with a title something like, How To Walk In The Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus, "The Word of God," told Jeremiah that the day was coming when, "....I will put My Law IN their minds (literally, 'inward parts') and IN their hearts."  This, "is not burdensome."  When the world looks at you and me, they should be seeing a "revelation" of the, "Law and the Prophets."  This is exactly what the world beheld "when Christ was born in Bethlehem."  And as Jesus walked the shores of the Galilee, taught in the synagogues, healed the sick, raised the dead, died on the Cross and rose again, humanity saw just what that "bad" Old Testament was/is talking about.  Perhaps when the Book of Hebrews talks of a, "Better Covenant," one of the meanings is that the New Covenant explains the Old Covenant, a "revelation" of that Covenant.  For sure, the New Covenant is fulfillment of the Old.  May our lives so manifest.

Father, in Jesus' Name, if I have ever harbored a wrong attitude about Your Law, I ask forgiveness and a renewed mind in the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Let Nothing You Dismay"

"And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'" (Luke 16:23, 24)

There has been debate over this passage for generations.  What I noticed again this quarter as I read it is that while the "modern" translations use the word, "Hades," we need to also remember that traditionally, "Hades," has been described only as "the abode of the dead," not Hell as we understand it, e.g., "the Lake of Fire."  So if all the myriad of interpretations are correct, why does our text say of, "Hades," that the rich man said, "for I am tormented in this flame"?  Personally, I take no chances. 

Regardless, for me, the great words of the Christmas Carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," declares the "good" in the Good News of the Gospel, "to save us all from Satan's power," whatever Hades and Hell may be.  It is "Satan's power" which seduces mankind from our Lord Jesus Christ.  Everything Satan does is meant to destroy you and me; he is one who hates everything which Jesus creates, everyone whom Jesus loves and gave Himself for, which means everyone on the planet, now and always.  This whole scenario sounds Medieval to many, "....but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."

So, "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.  Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray.  O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.  O, tidings of comfort and joy."

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are my "comfort and joy."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Away With, "Anxious Toil"

"It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives His beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2, ESV)

The key phrase here is, "anxious toil."  We know that, "toil," is not the problem; "anxious," is.  It is the cause of many sleepless nights.

Work, even very "hard work," is no problem.  What ruins a person is, "anxious work."  If one looks back over the years of his/her life, we soon realize that much of what caused anxiety had no justification.  We have all heard, "Well, that's easy to say now."  Yes, "after" is always easier than before.  But as I once entitled a sermon, "The God of the before and after," this is indeed our Living Triune God in Jesus Christ.  Consider the Faithfulness of Jesus in the past.  Jesus' Faithfulness will be the same in the "future."

Looking back and giving thanks takes little "faith."  Looking forward and giving thanks requires, "looking unto Jesus," faith.  Let's look back today and consider just how foolish was, "anxious toil."  Look forward today with the same consideration. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I do thank You for all You have done and been to me in the past.  I thank You today for all You will do and "be" to me in the future.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2