Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song written by Robert Burns in 1788 and sung in the English speaking world each year since as the New Year dawns. Burns’ lyrics were inspired heavily by an earlier work composed by James Watson in 1711. Watson’s poem, in turn, has roots in an earlier old Scottish song from Scotland’s ancient past.

The words auld lang syne are indeed Scottish and the literal word-for-word translation means “old long since.” A better, more clearly understood English meaning, however, would be either “long, long ago,” “days gone by” or “old times.” So the opening line of the chorus for auld lang syne would be best understood as saying “for old time’s sake.” The words till dine in the fourth verse mean “dinner time.”

The song begins, then, by asking poetically, "Is it best for us to forget our loved ones, those who have gone before us?" The chorus, then, answers this question by saying, “No, it is better to remember our loved ones fondly and in memory of all the good times they gave us for old time’s sake."

It breaks our heart to lose our loved ones to death, but in reality for those of us in Christ we know this is really not true. They have not been lost at all to death, for death no longer holds sway over those who lived their lives faithfully in Christ due to His victory over the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Because of the great sacrifice He made on our behalf we are assured that our loved ones have been called home to life eternal with their Lord. So let’s all take a cup of kindness yet in their memory for auld lang syne, and rejoice in their blessed state they now are living!

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend and give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will of draught, for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

True Peace

John Lennon was a very talented and gifted musician, author and composer. Few have achieved the level of success that John Lennon did during his lifetime. But as is the case with most individuals thusly blessed, John Lennon was misguided in many ways. One of the most hauntingly melodic pieces ever written was the song called Imagine. As beautiful a tune as this is, it is simultaneously revealing of the fallacious notions that are brought forth in its lyrics. Within this song are found the following words:

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No Hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

Although desiring to live in a world full of peace is admirable, indeed, it will never be achieved simply through human means. True peace only comes through the only One Who is able to offer true peace to the world, and that comes from Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of the Almighty Living God. On the day of His glorious birth, an Angelic Host proclaimed to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night as they were abiding in the fields, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14 [NKJV]) Just before His death as Jesus entered triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem the people shouted, “Blessed is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38 [NKJV]) Yes, it is only through Jesus Christ that true peace can be achieved. Any attempt outside of Christ by men is doomed to failure. Jesus gives the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7 [NKJV]) because only in Him will one be found righteous because He is righteous and no longer will one be considered an enemy of God due to his or her sins (Romans 5:10). It is this peace with God that Jesus was referring to when He stated in John 14:27 [NKJV], “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Praise God He does exist, He loves and He gave us His Son (John 3:16)!

Abomination of Desolation

Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication, the Feast of Lights, or the Feast of Maccabees. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament as the events memorialized in this holiday festival took place when the Jewish people broke free from under the Syrian rule in 165 BC and the Temple worship was restored and rededicated. This time frame is referred to as the inter-testament period.

Although it is not mentioned in the Old Testament (it is mentioned in the apocryphal books of 1 and 2 Maccabees), it does make its way into the Gospel of John in chapter 10. 22. Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23. And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon's porch. 24. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:22-24 [NKJV])

The Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes, in fulfillment of prophecy, had defiled the Second Temple by offering as a sacrifice a swine on the altar in the Temple in mockery of God and the Jewish people and their faith in AD 169. Daniel foretold of this in Daniel 8:11-13 [NKJV], 11. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. 13. Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?'' Daniel later added, “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31 [NKJV]).

Jesus spoke that when His disciples see the "abomination of desolation...standing where it ought not," they should flee (Mark 13:14-18; Matthew 24:15). The abomination at the time of the Maccabees was the sacrifice of a swine on the altar in the Temple and in the First Century it also occurred at the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Under the New Covenant of Christ in which we live, the Temple is the tabernacle of men (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) who comprise the body of obedient believers in Christ (Ephesians 1:22). The "abomination of desolation" today is the negative thoughts and intents of man's mind that should no longer be there since we have been reborn in Christ with the first resurrection, which occurs at our immersion into Christ (Romans 6:1-4). We are no longer bound to rules and regulations as the people were under the Law of Moses, but are now under universal principles found within the Law of Liberty (James 1:25) in Christ Jesus. Violating these principles causes all kinds of psychological and spiritual fear, grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, etc. These negative attributes should not be in our heart if our mind has been rededicated and we are in communication with the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to cast away the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) from our consciousness or resurrect our minds to a state of peace (Galatians 5:22). We will then no longer be the enemies of God (Romans 5:10) we once were while we remained in rebellion against Him.

Good and Perfect Gifts

It is that time of year again when people are seen everywhere rushing around in search of the perfect gift to buy for their loved ones. As long as it is kept in its proper perspective, this is okay, but please remember that the gifts that are the best, the gifts that are the most valuable and the gifts that are most precious are not found in a store and neither do they come bundled up in bright wrapping paper bedecked with ribbons and bows. No, the best and perfect gifts come from our Lord above.

Our Founding Fathers seemed to grasp this concept of all gifts coming from God our Creator, Sustainer and Savior better than most people seem to do today. In 1781 Thomas Jefferson stated,

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot…sleep forever."

Yes, what Thomas Jefferson said centuries ago is absolutely true today. All of our liberties and all of our blessings come from God. James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 [NKJV]) We must never forget this as individuals, and we must never forget this as a people. I believe it is also very important, too, that our children taught and understand where our blessings and liberties derive, and that they understand the high price it has cost so many to ensure our liberties are protected. John Quincy Adams, our nation’s sixth President, commented for the benefit of future generations to come regarding the great payment the founding of our nation cost his own generation by saying,

“Posterity – you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”

God’s greatest gift of His boundless grace was His love for mankind in that He demonstrated this love by giving us His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It was freely bestowed upon us, but it was not without cost. This gift came with the ultimate price tag: The suffering, shed blood and death of Jesus on behalf of all of mankind. We must never forget this! Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 [NKJV]) What a great and perfect gift, indeed!

A Light For My Path

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

Ever since I was a small boy these have been some of my favorite passages of Scripture to be found anywhere in God’s Holy Writ. Although it is true that many things we hold and cherish most dearly in our youth often fade as the years flow downstream along the currents of time, my appreciation for these passages has increased, rather than diminished, through the subsequent intervening years. Even though these verses were written millennia ago, I believe they continue to hold significant lessons for us today.

One of the lessons to be gleaned from these verses is that the world around us is in utter spiritual darkness. The opportunity to achieve advanced education may be at all time record high levels, but true and abiding wisdom among men has plummeted reciprocally. Just as in the days of Paul in the first century when he was penning his epistle to the church in Corinth, mankind has exchanged the wisdom of God in favor of the foolishness that emanates from the darkness engulfing the world. The darkened world rejects the Light of the glory of God in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:31), Who is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and the Word of God incarnate in the flesh (John 1:8).

Secondly, we can discern that our pathway is distinct. Our Lord has marked out a plan of salvation from our sins and disobedience back into His fold, and that path is through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). As we walk with the Lord we need have no fear as to where He will direct us (Psalm 23:4). The way of the Lord leads to blessings and holiness, for the way of the Lord ultimately will bring the believer to the very throne of God!

Thirdly, we can see that as we tread each footfall of our journey, the Light of Jesus Christ illuminates our path ever greater, directing our steps towards our goal. We can almost hear Him whisper softly and gently in our ear, "I will teach you patiently, my child, to learn to walk by faith, and not by sight. But do not fear! For I will not suffer to leave you in the darkness and blind." The Lamp of the Word of God will not be extinguished, and it will not lead us astray, for it is none other than Christ Himself. Be encouraged that the way of salvation has not been hidden under a bushel but is manifest for the entire world to see. Jesus Christ is the way, He is the Word and He is the Light. Let the Light of life guide you as your pilgrimage takes you through this world of darkness today!

Praise God Jesus Died That We Might Sleep!

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 [NKJV], the Apostle Paul writes, 13. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. This hand-picked by the Lord Apostle to the Gentiles made a point throughout his letters of encouragement to the churches scattered throughout that first century world that Jesus Christ’s triumphant resurrection and victory over sin and Death had removed forever the fear that Death had so long held over mankind. Those who are in Christ need no longer cower in the face of Death. No longer would the curse that had afflicted the entire world throughout the ensuing millennia, ever since sin first entered the world in the Garden of Eden so very long ago, hold sway and power over man. Death had been utterly and completely defeated by the Savior of the world for all of time when He bore our sins at Calvary. You see, we can sleep because Jesus died.

Nowhere in God’s word do we see any reference to Jesus sleeping when He died. Jesus had to suffer completely in order to be the payment and sacrifice for our sins. Paul states, 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:8-10 [NKJV]). Jesus died. He did not sleep.

Our Lord has made it so very easy for all of us, but unfortunately, the world as a whole still chooses to remain in disobedient defiance of their Creator. God has designed that man still face death, but it is symbolic in that our death of our carnal nature occurs at baptism Paul explains this so very eloquently when he writes in Romans 6:3-11 [NKJV], 3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6. knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7. For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9. knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Praise God Jesus died that we might sleep!

In Whom Is All My Delight

In Psalm 16:2-3 (NKJV), David writes, 2. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3. And to the saints who are on the Earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all My delight.” We are not the Lord’s delight because we are the best at what we do, or the brightest person there is, or because of anything that we do upon this Earth. Nothing of ourselves makes us God’s delight. No, we are the Lord’s delight for nothing more than being His children, for no one other than His child is called a saint. It is because of His implanted righteousness brought about through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we can come to Him in obedient, saving faith and be adopted into His holy family.

As His child, sometimes we will face His discipline. The Hebrews writer states, 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6. for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” 7. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (Hebrews 12:5-7 [NKJV]) It is this loving discipline from God that will bring great reward to the faithful child of God. David later penned, 4. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5 [NKJV])

Ultimately, our greatest reward will come when the Lord calls us home. David writes again, saying in Psalm 116:15 [NKJV], “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” When we look at death from God’s perspective, we will understand that Death does not extinguish the lights of our lives, as many believe; but rather, it turns out the lamp because the Light of the new day has dawned!

Because Jesus died, we now can sleep. Jesus triumphed over death so that we no longer need to fear it. The Apostle Paul tells us, 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 [NKJV])

Seated in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul states God has “raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6 [RSV]). So what is meant by this statement?

When we are immersed into Christ we re-enact the gospel of Christ visually, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Our old, carnal man dies and is buried in the watery grave of baptism and we are “born anew” (John 3:3 [RSV]) to rise up and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 [RSV]). As new creations in Christ we are then clothed in His holy garments (Galatians 3:27). Those of us who have been immersed into Christ have undergone what John says in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is "the first resurrection" (Revelation 20:5) and this explains why "the second death has no power" (Revelation 20:6) over us. As members of His Kingdom we serve God as priests (Revelation 1:6) while He reigns as its "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Timothy 6:16). Not only is Jesus our Lord and Monarch, He also serves in His Kingdom as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 5:10). He alone acts as the singularly only “Mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5 [RSV]).

The Apostle Paul tells us where Jesus is now: He "is at the right hand of God" in Heaven (Romans 8:34). As Paul told the Ephesians earlier in this epistle, God "raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His right hand in the Heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:20 [RSV]). Because Jesus is serving as our Great High Priest in the Holy of Holies at the right hand of God in Heaven, those of us who have come to Him in obedient, saving faith have the right to "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16 [RSV]) as we cry "Abba! Father" (Romans 8:15 [RSV]) as His adopted sons (Galatians 4:5). Therefore, since we became part of His body, which is the church, when we obeyed the gospel (Ephesians 1:23), we are with Him now in a spiritual sense since God has "raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). This occurred when the Lord added us to His body (Acts 2:47) and we were saved. It is a spiritual blessing now, but as Paul says, what we have by faith will become reality "that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7 [RSV]). The coming ages of which Paul speaks is when Jesus returns "in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:52). It is then that we will be able to gaze upon His glorious face unafraid and live with Him forever. "Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).

Nothing New Under the Sun

The Preacher stated in Ecclesiastes 1:9 [RSV], “there is nothing new under the sun.” The older I get, the more I see firsthand how utterly true this is.

In the First Century the apostles warned us against those who would bring about the teaching of false knowledge that would be to the detriment of those who are followers of Christ. The Apostle Paul stated Romans 1:22-23 [RSV]), 22. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23. and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles. One needs not carve a statue and bow down to it to do as the Apostle Paul said. One needs only to elevate oneself above God in one’s own mind in order for one to be engaged in idolatrous worship. Take, for example, what a friend from my youth had to say this past week. He said,

“Science and reason alone are sufficient for the development of moral values and ethics. I do not need the threats or promises of any Supreme Being to define the moral law within me.”

I kindly pointed out to my friend that he was wrong for in his wisdom, what God calls foolishness, he has lifted himself above God. "Survival of the fittest," a key component of Darwinism and science, by definition leaves no room for compassion or love to others. The ability for humans to feel compassion and love towards others comes from somewhere outside of reason or science. According to the scientific method, compassion and love do not exist because they cannot be measured nor can they be tested empirically. And yet love and compassion DO exist and they ARE real. Without a Supreme Being Whose very definition is that He is love (1 John 4:8) there would be no love or compassion in mankind, there would be no moral values and no ethics. Without our God Who is love there is no moral authority. And without moral authority that originates from God then what results is utter chaos and, which is total negativity. The ONLY reason (pun intended) anyone has any morality within himself is not because it came from reason or science, but because we were created in the image of the Supreme Being, something we should never take for granted.

Even among those who profess to be followers of Christ Gnostic thought permeates. I have seen comments such as the following stated by those who believe they are following Christ, but in reality Gnostic thought has corrupted their doctrine.

“Is it reasonable to conclude that each of us has been born not by the will of the flesh but of God in similar fashion as Jesus? And that God has anointed each of us in similar fashion as God anointed Jesus? And that each of us has been begotten of God and become other children of God in similar fashion as Jesus?”

Now this may sound good and proper at first blush, but it really is not. At its heart and core the above message is stating that each and every one of us is just as much a god as is Jesus. And that, dear friends, is Gnosticism. As to our becoming children of God in similar fashion as Jesus, this is not the case. We are not begotten, for Jesus is the only begotten Son of God: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 [see also John 3:16) We need to be reborn, but Jesus did not need to be reborn for He lived His entire life “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus came into the world already spiritually alive and needing not to be born again from above as we all are. We who believe become not sons of God in our own right but in Jesus we become adopted sons of God when we come to Him in obedient, saving faith. Galatians 4:4-6 [RSV] says, 4. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5. to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

None of us has been anointed by God, as was Jesus. He is the singular Anointed One, and this is the meaning of His title, “Christ.” Yes, in a sense we are anointed with the Holy Spirit when we are immersed into Jesus Christ (1 John 2:27), but not to the extent as is Jesus. The Hebrews writer tells us, 8. But of the Son He says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of Thy Kingdom. 9. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee with the oil of gladness beyond Thy comrades.” (Hebrews 1:8-9 [RSV]) One cannot escape from the fact that God says here that Jesus His Son IS God, and that His anointing is beyond any anointing that we receive as His adopted siblings! I believe it is paramount that we heed the warnings given by John when he wrote, 2. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3. and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. (1 John 4:2-3 [RSV]) The significance of these verses is that Jesus is God Who literally took on flesh to become Son of Man Who can understand and empathize fully with each and every one of us. This is such an important tenet of our "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1) that John went further and stated in 2 John 7-11 [RSV], 7. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8. Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9. Anyone who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son. 10. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting; 11. for he who greets him shares his wicked work.

While writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John calls the doctrine which denies God came in the flesh evil. This doctrine is Gnosticism, and it is still prevalent today and just as evil as it ever was.

Our Citizenship Is in Heaven

In his Epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul stated in chapter 3 verses 20-21 [ESV], 20 But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

This is yet another wonderful passage from God’s word that gives us a brief glimpse into seeing what awaits those of us who have been immersed into Christ and donned with His glorious apparel (Galatians 3:27). When we are clothed in Christ by submitting to being baptized for the remission of our sins, we rise up from the water to be clothed in His holy garments, a new creature whose citizenship and home now lies in Heaven. Paul also told the church on Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 2:17 [ESV])

Paul explains this passing away of our old carnal nature in his letter to the congregation at Rome, saying, 3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. 6. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7. For he who has died is freed from sin. 8. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. (Romans 6:3-8 [ESV]) Just as Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 that the gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ is His death, burial and resurrection, when we undergo baptism we declare and proclaim visually to the world this wondrous gospel plan of salvation message of Christ.

When we are baptized into Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and as citizens of Heaven we are children of God and siblings of our elder Brother, Jesus. Paul writes, 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:14-17 [ESV]) But our suffering in this life will be worth it as our reward in Heaven will be great beyond measure: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 [ESV]) And this revelation will come fully when Jesus returns to gather us with Him and carry us home to live in Heaven forever: “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” (1 John 3:2 [ESV]).

The Great and Terrible Day

There is a great and terrible day coming. It will be great for those of us in Christ, but a terrible day for the multitudes who have chosen to reject the Lord and the salvation that only He can offer. Because salvation is available only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), then it is paramount that we prepare ourselves to be clothed in His holy garments when He returns.

This great and terrible day will occur when Jesus returns to gather His saints to take them home to be with Him forever and the last enemy, Death, is destroyed forever, cast into the Lake of Fire: 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the Archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17. then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [RSV])

A glorious reunion with the living awaits those who have already passed away to be with their Lord: 22. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is Death. (1 Corinthians 15:22-25 [RSV])

No one will be beyond the Lord’s reach: 13. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. 14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death, the Lake of Fire; 15. and if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:13-15 [RSV])

When this great day happens we shall be resurrected into a new body like our Lord’s: “Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2 [RSV]).

Yes, this a very frightening proposition to those who in their rebellion remain separated from their Creator, but not to those of us who are a part of His body: “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18 [RSV]).

It is my hope and prayer that if you have not made the decision to make the Lord your own you will do so today!

Soaring on the Wings of the Wind

I would like to share with you a few of my favorite Old Testament verses. Speaking of our great and powerful Almighty God, the psalmist declares,

9 He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under His feet. 10 He rode on a Cherub and flew; He came swiftly on the wings of the wind. (Psalm 18:9-10 [ESV])

“The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary” (Psalm 68:17 [ESV]).

32 O kingdoms of the Earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, 33 to Him Who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, Whose majesty is over Israel, and Whose power is in the skies. (Psalm 68:32-34 [ESV])

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 covering Yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. 3 He lays the beams of His chambers on the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He rides on the wings of the wind; 4 He makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire. (Psalm 104:1-4 [ESV])

I love the imagery these verses evoke. A Cherub is a powerful Angel. I like to believe the inspired Scriptures of God, the God-breathed words placed into the authors’ hearts, minds and hands by the Spirit of God as those men wrote His word, that His word says what it means. If they say God rides His chariot through the clouds or across the deserts then I prefer just to accept what His word says by faith and I, by faith, can picture Him enjoying all of His wondrous creation from His lofty position above.

Jesus said we are to come to Him as little children (Matthew 18:3). I only wish we really would do that. If a small and innocent child hears these verses from Psalms read aloud, his little eyes would widen in wonder as he pictured in his mind God flying on the back of an Angel, sweeping across the endless skies above! When we adults hear those words, however, too often we dismiss them out of hand as being too fanciful for us to believe! Maybe I am simply not sophisticated enough, but in my naïve mind I am perfectly fine with seeing these Scriptures as a little child understands them. If the Scriptures teach that God rides on the back of a Cherub to survey the Earth, then I love to believe it and I can see Him doing whatever He wants to do just because He can. My preference is to believe rather than simply explain away. I love the enjoyment and thrill it gives me to just think about my God Who rides His chariot on the wind, just as I long for the Day to arrive when I will see Him coming on the clouds, too! I hope He comes tonight while I am looking because He tells us in His word, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches” (Revelation 16:15 [NKJV]).

Exalted by God

Paul speaks of Jesus’ mighty power in Colossians 1:15-17 [RSV] when he says of Jesus, 15. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16. for in Him all things were created, in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. 17. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. The Holy Spirit also foretold of Jesus, the coming Messiah, being endowed with wisdom and knowledge and fear of the Lord: 9. He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and terrible is His name! 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:9-10 [RSV])

Although Jesus was literally God in the flesh, He spent His entire life in humble obedience and submission to His Father while continually serving others. James, the brother of our Lord, tells us in James 4:10 [RSV]), “Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.” Jesus Christ is the greatest example we have of self-humility, as well as being the greatest example we have of God elevating one to the highest of heights. David prophesied in Psalm 110:1 [RSV], “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” David was not speaking of himself, he was speaking of the Messiah to come when he uttered those words.

Because of the humility and complete obedience Jesus gave the Father, God exalted Jesus Christ to the zenith of all high places imaginable, Heaven itself: 20. …He raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His right hand in the Heavenly places, 21. far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22. and He has put all things under His feet and has made Him the Head over all things for the church, 23. which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20b-23 [RSV]) The coming age Paul speaks of occurs when Jesus returns to gather His saints with Him and take them to His Father above and the fulfillment of Psalm 110:1 transpires: 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27. “For God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under Him,” it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things under Him. 28. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be everything to everyone. (1 Corinthians 15:23-28 [RSV])

I Never Knew...

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes,

11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. 12. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15. and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16. besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17 [RSV])

For the longest time I thought all of what we just read above were original words from the pen of Paul. But then I ran across the following from the hand of Isaiah in my daily Bible reading:

16. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then His own arm brought Him victory, and His righteousness upheld Him. 17. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped Himself in fury as a mantle. (Isaiah 59:16-17 [RSV])

It really struck me what Paul is teaching us in his letter to the church of Ephesus when I saw the words of Isaiah. Paul is teaching us to be clothed in Christ entirely, for He is the One Who will do our battles for us. Isaiah is speaking of God, and only God is worthy to stand against evil and prevail for only God is completely righteous. Just as only God could intervene for justice in Isaiah, only Jesus was worthy to open the scroll in Revelation:

“Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5 [RSV]). You see, the God of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of the New Covenant. They are One and the same.

Paul refers to the whole armor, the panoply, of God. He then tells us what the armor is for: “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.” So the armor is for us to take a stand in our battle against Satan and his minions. It is not to be used against mankind for as Paul states, “we are not contending against flesh and blood.”

Next, Paul briefs us on just who our enemy is and against whom we are to stand:

“against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” “Principalities,” “powers,” “world rulers of this present darkness” and “spiritual hosts of wickedness” do not refer to human opponents, but to servants of Satan in the spiritual realm. Paul is laying out the hierarchy of the Devil and all his lower level Devils and Demons. From his perspective, Satan is, as Paul rightly points out, “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4 [RSV]), “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2 [RSV]). Remember, Paul wrote these words to established groups of Christians in the first century. The reality of the supernatural was beyond question in the mind of the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul. But we in the church today have allowed ourselves to be so influenced by rationalistic thought that we discard and mock any who propose that evil and supernatural beings are authentic and active. If we are not careful we will soon follow many in Christendom who deny anything miraculous, which means we will eventually have to deny the existence of God as well. But the Apostle Paul truly believed and taught that Satan is real and that he has a pecking order of intelligent princes and underlings to do his bidding to oppress those who are disciples of Jesus Christ: “And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated” (2 Corinthians 12:7 [RSV]. The word translated in this verse as “messenger” is also translated as “Angel” other times in the Gospels and the New Testament. Paul very likely may have been referring to a literal Fallen Angel here that was his “thorn…in the flesh.”

It is Satan’s servants who are the source of bad influence, chronic depression, oppression, obsession and possession that afflict so many in the body of Christ, for these are all opposed to what God wants for His children: joy and peace. It is long past time that we embraced this belief system espoused by the Apostle Paul, too.

Before the Foundation of the World

In his letter to the church at Ephesus the Apostle Paul writes, 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places, 4. even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. (Ephesians 1:3-4 [RSV])

These two verses penned by the Apostle Paul some 2000 years ago while writing through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit just may be the most remarkable words found in Scripture for they give us an extraordinary insight into the very heart and mind of God! Have you ever fathomed the depth of revelation contained within these verses? Let me see if I can help you to grasp its meaning a bit clearer.

Try, if you will, to imagine that God has transported you back to that moment and you were there at that precise instant Paul just described “before the foundation of the world.” You find yourself in a place and a time that exists without time. There never has been time in this place you find yourself, and there never will be time within its bounds, for all there is in this place is now. You are experiencing eternity! You are existing in a place outside the very physical fabric of what we know as space and time, outside of the outer limits of the massive extent of the universe itself, for even at this point in history there is no universe. There are no stars, there are no planets, and there are no comets composed of ice and rock trailing their lengthy, dusty tails behind them as they orbit about the sun in their long and lonely journey around the solar system. There is no cosmos brimming with the wonders of God’s glorious and magnificent creation, most of which are yet to be discovered. There are no trees with their brilliant autumn foliage on display, and no flowers sprinkled across a meadow in the springtime of the year. There are no cruel, blasting winds from the north bringing the snows of winter in their wake, and neither is there any burning and scorching heat of a summer’s day. There are no animals living within the forests, the savannas, or the vast, frozen tundra for they do not exist. There are no snowcapped mountain vistas climbing high above the clouds to caress the azure blue sky above, and no rivers flowing in the lush, green valleys below. There are no songbirds singing in the cool, morning breeze as they greet the dawn, nor are there any eagles soaring high upon the currents of air rising from the plains below, catching the rays of the afternoon sun as they seek their unsuspecting prey below. There are no myriads of sea creatures swimming in the boundless, unfathomable ocean depths, and neither are there any gulls crying mournfully upon its seemingly limitless miles of coastline. There are none of these fair and wondrous things for God has not yet created them.

Although there is no universe, please do not be mistaken into thinking that where you are there is nothing but a vast void, meaningless and empty. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Never before have you felt such utter joy, such tremendous fulfillment of happiness without measure, and such profound comfort and reassurance, for you are enveloped in the very presence of Almighty God. Love flowing from Him permeates your entire being beyond infinity itself, for the Being you are with is complete and pure love, for God is the embodiment of love itself (1 John 4:8).

Neither is there any shadow or darkness where you are, for you are bathed entirely in immaculate Light, for “God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 [RSV]). In His immeasurable energy you are encompassed and enclosed in Him Who is “the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17 [RSV]). Never before have you experienced such beauty as that which emanates from that Light, and you now undergo sensations you never could have imagined existed or were even remotely possible. Your senses in their entirety are immersed altogether completely and thoroughly into Him Who has no beginning and Who has no ending of days, the Alpha and the Omega, the Ancient of Days Himself! Never before have you felt so totally alive!

Even though God has not yet created the universe, you are there witnessing firsthand as a plan is being formulated in the limitless mind of the Creator and Sustainer of all the worlds. As you listen in, you find yourself in utter shock and disbelief, for you understand that the plan God is making is centered around and involves YOU and your salvation! Oh, what matchless love, and what unparalleled grace! God knew YOU long before the world was created, and He chose how YOU would be able to stand holy and blameless before Him. You are seeing how you can become clothed in His holy and righteous garments, casting off the filthy rags of sin which you wear, and unashamedly stand before His throne of grace!

And then, as unbelievable as it sounds to your ears, you see how this plan is to come about. You are privy to the formulation of the gospel plan of salvation as it is being brought to its fruition as now that pure Light of God in His unadulterated love, speaks.

“Son?”

“Yes, Father?”

“It is time.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You are My beloved Son, but I must ask that You willingly leave this place and become a lowly Servant to bear the sins of My children to come. Are You prepared to take this burden upon Yourself?”

“Father, this, too, I know I must do, just as I know that You love Me and that We love our children yet to be born. I choose to humble and empty Myself of the glory I share with You and I agree to fashion Myself to be born as a Baby, to grow, mature and submit to My Earthly parents as a Child and to live My life as a Man in complete subjection to You for Your glory.”

“Son, are You saying You are willing to do this for Me and for My children?”

“Yes, Father, for the love I have for You and for the love I hold for Our children so precious in Your sight I choose to be born of lowly birth to a virgin as Your only begotten Child conceived through Your Holy Spirit. In all things, Father, I choose to be Your faithful, obedient Servant.”

“You are choosing to be My obedient Servant, My Son?”

“Yes, Father, even if it means My own cruel death, I will give My life for You and for Your children. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from My Father.” (John 10:18 [RSV])

“Yes, Son, You have perceived correctly. That is My will. But Your very own death? Even the death on a cross You are willing to undergo of Your own free will?”

“Yes, Father, not My will, but Thine be done (Luke 22:42 [RSV]). In all things, Father, this is My prayer. For You and the love You have for Your children I am willing to bear any pain and any death at any cost to Me personally. I am willing to be hung upon My cross and have the nails driven into My hands and into My feet. I am willing to be scourged and beaten. I am willing to be mocked and scourged. I am willing to have a spear thrust into My side and pierce My heart. I will do it all, if that is Your will in order for You to redeem Your lost sheep. If it is through My stripes that the children will be healed, then so be it, Father! I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31 [RSV])

“My Son, You truly are My beloved Child! You are willing to do all of this, even knowing that in spite of Your great sacrifice the vast multitudes of Our children will still choose in their insolence and rebellion to reject You and Your salvation?”

“Yes, Father, I know this all too well, and it saddens Me deeply to know they will still choose to reject You. I know that in spite of the sacrifice You are making in sending Me to the Earth most of the world will mock Me and reject Me throughout the ensuing generations and centuries to come. It grieves Me, Father, but I realize that if only one precious soul You will create is saved to live eternally with Us in Our home in Heaven, then it will be worth it. In fact, I would be willing to do it again and again because I know just how much You surely love Your children, and it is not Your wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 [RSV])

“Yes, Son, I know that You, too, love My children, and that You long to have them share in Your riches as Your brothers and sisters throughout eternity. I also know You are willing to do this over and over again if need be, but I will not ask You to do this but once. Your blood shed upon that Cross of Calvary will be the satisfying atonement for the sins of all of mankind and for all of time. Only once will I ask that You die for mankind. In Your blood will the children be justified, and in Our Holy Spirit will the world be sanctified.”

“Oh, Father, how I love You dearly! I knew You would not leave them as orphans following My death, My resurrection and My glorious ascension to You above! How magnanimous it is for You to give to them of Your Holy Spirit!”

“My Son, I freely give to them Our Holy Spirit as a down payment for their life to come as it is spent in eternity with Us. They will be of Our family forever and ever!

“Come. Let Us now begin Our creation.”

That, brothers and sisters, is the story I see contained within those two verses written by the Apostle Paul some 2000 years ago. Even “before the foundation of the world” the gospel plan of salvation with YOU in mind was forged in the heart and mind of God. Jesus was there, and He knew just what a great sacrifice it would be for Him to make, but He was willing of His own free will to make that sacrifice because He loves the Father and because He loves YOU! So as you can see, your salvation in the body of Christ, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), was His plan even before the beginning.

Jesus Christ, Head and King

In his letter to the church at Ephesus the Apostle Paul writes, 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places, 4. even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. (Ephesians 1:3-4 [RSV])

There are some who mistakenly believe that when Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 [RSV], “I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it,” that this was but an afterthought. They believe He had failed in His mission to establish a Kingdom on Earth because the Jews rejected Him and killed him, and so God had to scramble and create a stopgap mechanism called the church. What they fail to realize is that the church is the Kingdom. It was always the vehicle God had in mind, as Paul says, even “before the foundation of the Earth.”

Jesus also said in Matthew 16:19 [RSV], “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” So we should be able to see here that the Kingdom of Heaven and the church are one and the same thing. There are several New Testament passages that teach this. Paul writes of Jesus currently reigning as a King: 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26 [RSV]) One who reigns is one who is King. Jesus is currently reigning over His Kingdom from Heaven. God … 20. raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His right hand in the Heavenly places, 21. far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:20-21 [RSV]). So once again, we will see how the church and Kingdom are interchangeable. Paul immediately continues by saying God the Father 22. …has put all things under His feet and has made Him the Head over all things for the church, 23. which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23 [RSV]) Just as Jesus is Sovereign King, so is He also described as the Head of the church, which is His body. Not only here, but elsewhere as well: “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior” (Ephesians 23 [RSV]) And because He is King of His Kingdom and Head of His church, we can have peace with God through His shed blood: 18. He is the Head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything He might be pre-eminent. 19. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20. and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on Earth or in Heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:18-20 [RSV])

Walking by Saving Faith

Those who walk by saving faith, which is motivated by love of God, are not only well pleasing unto the Lord, but they have a great reward as we see in Galatians 6:15-16 [RSV]. 15. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. God gives a reward of peace and mercy for faith when this faith is motivated by love. As the Apostle Paul also wrote, “if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2b [RSV]). The Lord is pleased with that faith, the new man, and the new heart filled with desires that come from the law of love. Only those whose faith is motivated by love are said to be blessed peacemakers who are sons of God (Matthew 5:9). To the believers at Philippi, Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 [RSV]). No longer are they enemies of God, but they are His children through adoption, and joint-heirs with His one and only begotten Son (Romans 8:15-17). They have had their sins washed away in the blood of the Lamb (Acts 22:16).

Speaking of Jesus Christ, Peter said in Acts 4:11-12 [RSV], 11. This is the Stone Which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the Head of the corner. 12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved. So many people have varying beliefs regarding what constitutes Biblical salvation. To be saved from oneself, an individual who is lost in sin and rebellion, is salvation. Salvation means to be saved from serving the prince of the power of the air, who is Satan. But ultimately, salvation is having peace with God. It is reconciliation between God and the individual who had formerly through transgression walked away from the Lord. That is salvation. So true, saving faith does have its rewards as the grace of God reaches across the mighty gulf created by our sins that separated us from our Father.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Faith has its eye on this reward. It is the object of its faith. The reward, as Paul stated, is having peace with God and being reconciled to Him. It is coming under the mercy of God through the blood of Christ. It is peace, true peace. Faith does have its eye on the reward, but the motivation comes from love, not in seeking to follow the letter of the law out of compulsion. This reward is not given to those who serve the Lord by the letter of the law out of compulsion, but it is awarded to those who serve God in the spirit of the law from a motive of love.

Sometimes, It's Okay to Say, "I Don't Know!"

Years ago while I was working as a reservations agent for the Frequent Flyer Department of Trans World Airlines, I received a call from a woman asking me a question about her accumulated miles. I do not remember exactly what the question was she had, but I do know I did not know the answer at the time, and so I told her, “I don’t know, ma’am. But I’ll be happy to find out for you. Please hold.” But before I placed her on hold the woman responded, “Wait a minute. Is this new policy or something?” I said, “What do you mean?” She said, “Every other time I’ve called and asked an agent a question he or she didn’t know, they ended up telling me something wrong, and I ended up making several more calls before I finally found out what was true. It was all very frustrating. So it was nice hearing someone actually say, “I don’t know” instead of lying to me. Thanks!” I said, “You’re very welcome! Let me see what I can find out for you. I’ll be right back, so please hold!”

God’s word tells us that “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 [RSV]). We also are told, 16. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17. that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:16-17 [RSV]) Additionally, the Apostle Peter admonishes us to “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15 [RSV]). I believe that many well-meaning Christian men and women read these passages and erroneously conclude that a disciple of Christ can never respond to a Biblical question from another by saying, “I don’t know.” That, however, is simply not true. Not only is it okay to say, “I don’t know,” sometimes that is the BEST thing to say to someone asking you a question. We must never let our own self-pride get in the way, for we may end up harming someone in the process, even ourselves. Take, for example, the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” and the eunuch responded with, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31) Had the eunuch said to Philip, “Yes, I know!” the eunuch may very well have lost out on his salvation in Christ. Or look at the example of Chloe and her people (1 Corinthians 1:11). What would have happened to the church at Corinth if they had not asked for help from the Apostle Paul concerning the many problems the church was facing? Most likely they would have kept going down a road of apostasy, and we would never have benefited from Paul’s writing First and Second Corinthians. Although it is okay to say, “I don’t know,” we should never let this become a crutch and continue to remain in willful ignorance. We are also told, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 [RSV]). This will only come through our prayerfully and diligently studying of God’s holy word.

Glory as of the Only Begotten Son from the Father

Throughout the ensuing centuries lighthouses have been used to guide and protect ships at sea from foundering upon the rocks. One of my favorite passages in all of Scripture comes from Psalm 119:105 [RSV], which says, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When Jesus was on the Earth during His ministry, He did not utter one single, solitary world by accident. He always had a purpose for all that He said and did. When He stated in John 14:6 [RSV], “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me,” He was fulfilling the prophetic message of this Psalm. When Jesus said He was “the way,” He was stating He was the one and only pathway to God. There are not many paths to God, as many falsely teach. There is only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God Who came to the Earth to dwell among men, which is exactly what John tells us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in John 1:1 [RSV] and John 1:14 [RSV]: 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

When John tells us “we have beheld His glory” he was referencing the time he was one of the three privileged individuals, one of the three closest friends of our Lord, who were there to witness the transfiguration of Jesus Christ before their stunned eyes in Matthew 17:1-2. When Jesus was transfigured these men saw Him as a shadow of how He truly is in all of His majestic, resplendent glory He so richly deserves, “glory as of the only Son from the Father.” Listen to how Matthew describes this wondrous event: “And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light” (Matthew 17:2 [RSV]). When Jesus came to this lowly plain of pain, sorrow and suffering to be the Living Word, the Apostle Paul tells us He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7 [RSV]). I believe this emptying of Himself of which Paul speaks is how God our Savior went from being of the invisible, pure eternal energy and Spirit to that of the visible world. And when Peter, James and John witnessed this wondrous transfiguration they caught a glimpse of how the Lord truly is. Yes, they had a glimpse that day of the “glory as of the only begotten Son from the Father,” but even John himself who was there that day knew that something even greater awaits those who remain “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10 [RSV]). It is they who will see Him in all of His glory. And years later John wrote, “Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2 [RSV]) And this will occur when Jesus returns to gather His saints to take them home to be with Him forever and the last enemy, Death, is destroyed forever, cast into the Lake of Fire: 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the Archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17. then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [RSV]) 22. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is Death. (1 Corinthians 15:22-25 [RSV]) 13. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. 14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death, the Lake of Fire; 15. and if any one's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:13-15 [RSV]) 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18 [RSV])

Our God of Comfort

Recently, a young man, still a boy, really, collapsed and died immediately following his throwing a touchdown pass in a high school football game. Whenever a young person dies it is extremely difficult to understand how this could happen. But the fact of the matter is that we do not get to choose when we will die or how we will die. But we can choose how we will live our lives. And how we live can make all the difference when we die and where we will live eternally. The Hebrews writer states, “And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 [RSV]).

We, as Christians who have been immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) and clothed with the garments of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27) need fear no man. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 [RSV], "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." Before He left His disciples Jesus promised that He would not leave them as orphans, but instead He would send them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort them: 16. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, 17. even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you. 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:16-17 [RSV]; John 14:26 [RSV])

So what awaits those who are in Christ when death calls or the Lord returns to gather His saints with Him? Indescribable joy! 15. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within His Temple; and He Who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 3. and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; 4. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 7:15-17 [RSV]; Revelation 21:3-4 [RSV])

Because our God is such a great God of comfort we, too, can join with David of old in declaring, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 [RSV]).

Adam's Culpability in the Fall and Expulsion from the Garden

I saw these questions posted on a Bible discussion group, “List, is this statement wrong? 'Sin entered the world via Satan and Eve's seduction?' I have often puzzled over Adam being charged with it as if she and the devil had nothing to do with it.”

This is a very good question that I imagine has puzzled many throughout the centuries.

This may help to explain your question as to why Adam is held responsible for what Eve and Satan did. In a nutshell, I believe it all goes back to how God always wanted men to be the spiritual leaders in the home.

It is clear from Scripture that Eve transgressed first. Paul wrote to Timothy, saying, 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:12-15 [ESV]) But it is equally clear from Scripture that it was because of Adam that sin and death entered the world, NOT Eve. 0 (Romans 5:12-14 [ESV]) 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22 [ESV])

I believe Adam is held responsible for sin and death entering the world because Adam failed in being the spiritual leader of his home. He failed to put God first. He knew fully well that it was wrong for him to eat that fruit, whereas Eve was deceived into eating it. Remember, it was not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). Adam had experienced loneliness already. He did not want to be lonely again. He also knew that God had said they would die if they ate of that fruit (Genesis 2:17). God had told Adam this BEFORE He had created Eve. We do not have record of God telling this directly to Eve, but we know she had learned of it somehow (Genesis 3:3). I have often wondered if this might be the first recorded case of people adding to God's word. Adam is told by God in Genesis 2:17 that to eat of the fruit will cause death, and when Eve is confronted by the Serpent we see the words added, "Neither shall you touch it" (Genesis 3:3 [ESV]) which are not found in the original command. This makes me believe that this is another reason why Eve is not held as culpable as Adam is. I see a scenario developing in which Adam told Eve what God had commanded. I could see her then responding innocently with, “You mean we really can't eat of THAT tree or we will die?” and Adam responding in his anxiety with, “NO, Woman! Absolutely not! Don't even touch it or you will die!” So now when Eve is approached by the Serpent to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and when she reaches out and touches it for the first time and nothing bad happened, it becomes even more understandable why she would then go ahead and take a bite. So far, what she had been told was NOT true. Maybe this Serpent creature was on to something. Maybe he was the one who was telling her the truth! Maybe she could be like a god after all if she ate it (Genesis 3:5)! So Eve, although deceived, took a bite out of that fruit. And as the saying goes, “All Hell broke loose,” although literally in this case.

We know what happens next. Eve takes some of the Forbidden Fruit back to her husband, Adam, and Adam eats of it (Genesis 3:6). It was not, however, until Adam ate of that fruit that the eyes of BOTH of them were opened (Genesis 3:7), once again demonstrating the culpability of Adam's actions, not Eve's, into bringing sin and death into the world.

There are some interesting points I would like to make here, and the first is that in Genesis chapter one we are not given the names of Adam and Eve. These names do not both appear together in the same verse until chapter four. What else is quite interesting is that the name “Eve” does not appear until Genesis 3:20. Up to this point she is only known as “Woman.” She does not become "Eve" until after the Fall. The Hebrew word translated “Eve” is very similar to the word for “alive” or “living.” After God’s pronouncements of punishment for their sins are made, Moses writes, “And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20 [KJV]). Considering that Adam believed they would die when they ate of the Forbidden Fruit since he was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14), it is almost as if he is making an exclamation of surprise that Woman was not only still alive, but that she would be the source for the One to come Who would be the Redeemer, the Seed, Who would be able to defeat the Serpent, and bring them back to life from their separation (death) from the Lord (Genesis 3:15). Therefore, although our tradition teaches that this means Eve was the mother of all those physically alive, it is not unreasonable to conclude that the “mother of all living” in this verse is in reference to those who are spiritually alive in Christ, her Seed Who would bruise the head of the Serpent. We must never forget that Jesus Christ is the central theme running throughout the entirety of Scripture. This interpretation places the focus on Jesus Christ where it rightfully belongs.

In a sense, this is the greatest and most tragic of all human love stories. Adam willingly sacrificed himself in order to be with Eve since he felt she was going to die. To me, the first sin committed by Adam was not in the eating of the Forbidden Fruit. No, the first sin he committed was in his not trusting in the lovingkindness and grace of God. Adam willingly sacrificed himself in order that he would not be alone, so there was selfishness about his sacrifice, too. Jesus, the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), willingly sacrificed Himself in order to become the most lonely person ever, even to the point of being separated from the Father (Matthew 27:46) as He bore the sins of mankind on the Cross of Calvary, and as He was separated from all of mankind, suspended on that cruel Cross. His was the ultimate act of selflessness ever performed throughout all of history.

So men please do not abscond in performing your God-given responsibilities to be the spiritual leaders of your homes. Your wife and children are depending on you. And even more importantly, your Father has commanded you!

So this is my explanation to the questions above as to why Adam is held accountable for what transpired with Eve and the Serpent. But I concede I could be wrong.

Falling Away When Persecuted

In His explanation for the meaning of His Parable of the Sower, Jesus said the following: 18. "Hear then the Parable of the Sower. 19. When any one hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21. yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (Matthew 13:18-23 [RSV])

There is much that could be said about this parable, but I would like to focus on one particular aspect of it, and that being the rocky ground individuals. It seems rather ironic that with these individuals it is the arising of tribulations and persecutions that causes these people to fall away. Why is that? It certainly was no secret that disciples of Jesus were going to suffer persecution because Jesus told them openly in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:10 [RSV]). This was so important for His followers to know that of all the Beatitudes spoken in this chapter, this final one is the only one in which Jesus offered further elaboration, saying in verses 11 and 12 [RSV], 11. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. 12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."

We know the Apostle took these words seriously because as we read in Acts 5:41 [RSV], the Apostles were found “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” after they were beaten by the religious leaders of the Jews for declaring Jesus to be the resurrected Savior. Later following his own conversion, the Apostle Paul wrote of his own persecutions, saying, “Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17 [RSV]). For a further disclosure of the suffering, tribulation and persecution Paul underwent for the cause of Christ please read 2 Corinthians 11.

“Blessed,” or happy, are those who will be persecuted for the sake of Jesus. So stated Jesus incontrovertibly. Why? Because as He tells us, their reward in Heaven will be great for all those who remain “faithful unto death.” It is they who will receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

The Gospel Message in the Gifts of the Magi

As virtually any young child in a Sunday school Bible class could tell you, when the Magi, the Wise Men from the East, followed the star to Bethlehem in order to worship the new King, they brought with them royal gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold to present to the Savior, the King of the Jews. Although these are kingly bequests, indeed, I believe there is a deeper meaning behind the presentation of these gifts to our Lord and Savior. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul informs us that the gospel message in a nutshell is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in these three gifts the gospel message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was portended and proclaimed.

Frankincense: Frankincense represents the death of Jesus. In Biblical times, incense was burned as it was believed that it carried prayers to Heaven, the sweet aroma that was pleasing to God (Leviticus 2:2). Frankincense was burned on the cakes during the meal or grain offering, once again as a sweet-smelling savor before God. Paul tells us that when Jesus died for us it was “an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:2 [NAS]), signifying the connection between the death of Jesus and frankincense. It was sometimes used as a substitute for sacrificial offerings burnt on an altar, which reminds us of Jesus being the vicarious sacrifice for our sins. When frankincense crystals are burned they glow with a bright, white flame, signifying the purity and light of Jesus Christ.

Myrrh: Myrrh represents the burial of Jesus. In a Messianic psalm, God’s word tells us, 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows. 8 All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia (Psalm 45:6-8 [NAS]). We see from the Gospel of John that the body of Jesus was anointed with myrrh for His burial, fulfilling this aspect of the aforementioned prophecy: 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:39-30 [NAS])

Finally, we have Gold: Gold represents the resurrection of Jesus as He stands risen and alive walking among the churches founded upon His shed blood. 12 Then I turned to see the Voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands One like a Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. (Revelation 1:12-13 [ESV]) Just as gold neither rusts nor does it show any signs of aging, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 [NAS]). Hence, gold represents His glorious resurrection, a resurrection in which we will share and partake on some great and resplendent day ourselves!

The True Peacemakers

In His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:9 (NAS), Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” As is the case with much of God’s word, this verse is sorely taken out of context to mean what it was never meant to be. Basically, and in essence, many twist it into teaching we are saved by good works. When we seek to vindicate ourselves by holding up our own good works, instead of acknowledging that our justification can only be achieved because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the One and only Son of the Living God, our righteousness appears as a filthy rag waving in front of the face of God:

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 64:6 [NAS])

Our righteousness will never and can never earn us salvation, for as the Apostle Paul states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 [NAS]). And when we sin, we become separated from God, and our reward is death: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 [NAS])

Take, for example, Mahatma Gandhi. He was a man who dedicated his life towards achieving peace. In fact, he pioneered satyagraha, which is the resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy which was founded upon ahimsa, or total non-violence. He was very successful and instrumental in achieving independence for India from the British Empire. By any definition of the word, Mahatma Gandhi was a peacemaker. One would be hard pressed to find an individual who was more of a peacemaker than was Gandhi. But unless he accepted the Lord’s invitation to come to Him in obedient, saving faith (and by all accounts he never did follow the gospel plan of salvation), then no amount of peaceful intentions by Gandhi made him a son of God. Only those who come to the Lord on His terms will be called His children. When we are baptized into Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” And it is only those who are led by His Spirit who are the sons of God: 14. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17. and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:14-17 [NAS]) So what Jesus meant is that those who make peace with God will be privileged and blessed to be called His children. And peace will only be achieved through Jesus: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6 [NAS]).

Rest From Our Labors

This past week I ran across an interesting tale regarding Aesop of Aesop’s Fables fame. According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens was a man one day who noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. This man who was observing Aesop began to laugh and jeer at Aesop, asking him why he was wasting his time in what the man considered to be such frivolous activity. Aesop did not get angry but instead chose to respond by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. He then looked at the critical Athenian and said to him, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bow implies.” Incredulously, the man looked at the unstrung bow lying on the ground for several moments, but try as he may, he had no idea what point the renowned fabler Aesop was trying to make. Finally, Aesop explained the message behind the unstrung bow. “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”

Just like the bow, people are also like that. That is why we all need to take time to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Tomorrow our nation will be honoring those men and women who labor in the work force by giving them an extra day off from their toils. Work is honorable and it is blessed by God, but our Heavenly Father also knows His people and His creation need rest in order to better serve Him as well as others. God told Moses in Exodus 31:15-17 [CEV], 15 Keep the Sabbath holy. You have six days to do your work, but the Sabbath is Mine, and it must remain a day of rest. If you work on the Sabbath, you will no longer be part of My people, and you will be put to death. 16 Every generation of Israelites must respect the Sabbath. 17 This day will always serve as a reminder, both to Me and to the Israelites, that I made the heavens and the Earth in six days, then on the seventh day I rested and relaxed. The Israelites were not the only ones God wanted to keep the Sabbath to rest from their labors. He also intended it for all those servants and animals living amongst the Israelites: “Work the first six days of the week, but rest and relax on the seventh day. This law is not only for you, but for your oxen, donkeys, and slaves, as well as for any foreigners among you.” (Exodus 23:12 [CEV]) As I stated earlier, God also wanted His creation to relax and renew itself from its toil: 10 Plant and harvest your crops for six years, 11 but let the land rest during the seventh year. The poor are to eat what they want from your fields, vineyards, and olive trees during that year, and when they have all they want from your fields, leave the rest for wild animals. (Exodus 23:10-11 [CEV])

So enjoy this day of rest the Lord has given you and your family!

Love One Another

It has been stated that the Bible is a love letter from God to His people. I believe that is an accurate depiction, for the theme of the Bible is how God loved us so much that He set up the gospel plan of salvation through the gift of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, in order to redeem a lost and dying world.

Jesus taught that it is the basis of love for God and love for each other on which the whole Law of Moses stood when He said in Matthew 22:37-40, “'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Doing for others out of love and concern for them had been part of the message Jesus delivered in the Sermon on the Mount when He said in Matthew 7:12, "Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

To make sure His disciples got the message, Jesus let them know that loving each other was a commandment, not because of compulsion, but because it would identify His followers as being His disciples when He said in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Jesus is so much about love that He wants His followers to extend love to their enemies because God the Father does the same: "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward in Heaven will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." (Luke 6:35)

Jesus taught that our love will be manifested in our service to others, and He used Himself as the greatest example of service there is in Mark 10:43-45 and John 13:14-15: "Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

In the great love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, Paul states that nothing we do has any worth if it is not motivated out of love. He sums up this chapter by saying, “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Let us all truly learn to love one another so that they will see the Lord living in us!