"If I Ruled The World"-- But You Don't

"On the second day present twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs in their first year without blemish."  (Numbers 29:17)

The wars, the stonings, the blood sacrifices, all seem so primitive, even barbaric to "modern man."  Indeed, you may know people who say they could never believe in such a God, especially revealed in the Old Testament, vengeful, ordering the slaughter of whole cities. The scene is really quite simple: They believe they have the "moral high ground," yes, even above God.  They are the compassionate ones, the loving ones, the superior beings.  But they know not, or rather, refuse to accept, "The Word of God," that, "he who believes not is condemned already."  They are quite literally, "The Walking Dead."

What they will not accept is that the Creator, Sustainer of the Universe has His purposes.  All the blood shed by sacrifices which had to be, "without blemish," foreshadowed, "The Coming One," Jesus the Christ, "the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world."  1 Peter says that we are, "redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."  Mankind has a choice:  Believe the song, "If I Ruled The World," or believe, "The Word of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for Jesus, my Passover, "Lamb without blemish and without spot."  Amen.

"Mutually Encouraged"

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."  (Romans 1:11, 12--NIV))

Note the humility of Paul here.  He was saying, in effect, that, "make you strong," and encouragement is a two-way street.  He revealed his heart, that just as he desired to strengthen and encourage the the Roman Church, he knew and desired that those Followers of Jesus in Rome would make him strong and encourage him.  Also, just notice the next time you read in the Gospels how our Lord Jesus revealed this same attitude with His disciples. 

I would be leery of any leader who gives the impression that blessings, strength impartation, etc., is a one way street, always in an instruction mode, never in a receiving mode.  I shared quite a while ago the words of a saint who was in her 80s at the time.  "I listen to everything every child of God says."  Don't close your mind to any saint.  Don't just take your encouragement from "The Elijah List" and "Generals."  That person who rarely speaks, who has no "position" in your local church, never wrote a book, never gets asked to speak anywhere just may have a key which could open manifold strength and encouragement to you.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray this attitude be preeminent in Your Church.  Amen.   

"The Grace of God [Is] Teaching Us..."

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that...we should live...righteously...."  (Titus 2)

Notice that the, "the grace of God...teach[es] us...," something.

Many believe that the grace of God is just God's mercy, goodness, etc., or the classic, and too often clicheish, "unmerited favor."  True enough, but as with so much which is to many just something they heard and something which seems to be a dominant shibboleth in the religious community, they do not stay open for the Holy Spirit's continual teaching.

The grace of  God is not some nebulous concept, just hanging out there to be talked about. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, "....teach[es] us..," necessary principles to walk victoriously in Jesus Christ.  And if you read on in the chapter, you discover some of what, "....the grace of God...teach[es] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special People, zealous for good works."

"The grace of God," is not just about what we receive.  "The grace of God," is most fully manifested in how we respond to His Grace.   If you and I appreciate and are thankful for the grace of God, then we will obey what His grace is, "....teaching us...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You constantly for breaking through any "completed" theology.  Amen.