Monthly Archives: August 2024

HUMILITY OR ADMISSION OF GUILT?

Christian Life, ,

Something has caught my attention in recent days as I have thought and written about pride and humility. Is there such a thing as false humility? Is it possible that, by drawing attention to our spiritual failures, we are admitting guilt rather than being humble about our weaknesses?

Confession of our faults to a trusted friend is one thing but airing our failures in public is something different.

Paul counsels his Corinthian readers not to receive God’s grace and then ignore it.

2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV
[1] “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.”

“God’s grace is God’s unmerited favor toward us. One of the greatest ways He shows us grace is through the forgiveness of our sins after our heartfelt repentance and submission to God’s laws. But this verse warns we can “receive the grace of God in vain.” This essentially means we can begin to live in such a way that nullifies the grace we have received. The Bible is clear that we must obey God in order to receive His grace (Romans 6:1-2, 14-15).”
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By harping on our failures as though they show how humble we are, we are exposing our disobedience to God’s word by not availing ourselves of his grace.

Let’s look at Paul’s life and witness to see how this worked out for him.

Paul both admitted his failure, on occasion calling himself the worst of sinners, (although he was referring to his pre-conversion life), and spoke of his spiritual growth as an overcomer.

He penned the story of his struggle with the flesh in Romans 7. However, this chapter is neither a show of humility nor an admission of guilt. It is a description of his progress from struggling to understand his old nature and its hold on him to the discovery of victory through the power of God’s grace in Christ.

Much of his understanding of God’s grace in salvation and sanctification came through his own experience. So, he could write more than once, “We know…” Paul neither denied his weakness nor used it as an excuse not to apply God’s grace in his own life through obeying God’s Word.

He unashamedly testified to those times when he advanced in knowledge and experience to overcome the power of his old nature and grow in God’s grace.

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
[12] “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

I love Paul’s attitude. “I’m not there yet but I’m sure doing everything I can to get there!”

At the end of his life, in anticipation of his reward, he said to Timothy, and to us who read his letter…

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6] “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Paul’s humility lay in his confession, “I’m not there yet…” and his testimony, “I’ve completed my assignment.” The two together make up the story of his life.

What about us? Are we telling the truth or drawing attention to a false humility when we speak of our failures? Do we accept our weaknesses and avail ourselves of God’s grace to overcome or do we hide behind our weaknesses as an excuse for our failures?

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT
[8] “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. [10] That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

As our quote reminds us, God provides all the grace we need when we obey His word.

YOKED WITH JESUS

Christian Life, ,

Matthew11:28-30 NLT
[28] “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

For us who live in the age of mechanisation, the idea of ploughing with oxen in a yoke is unfamiliar except, of course, to those who function in simpler cultures.

How does a young ox learn to accept a yoke? He is paired with an older, more experienced ox who patiently teaches him by example how to plough in harmony with his partner in the yoke.

If the young ox resists the discipline of the yoke, he will find that the yoke has chafed him and caused raw spots that hurt as he pulls the plough. Only when he learns to keep in step with his mentor will he find the yoke easy and comfortable. The ploughman does not adjust the yoke to suit the ox. The ox must surrender to the shape of the yoke.

After much patience, trial and error, the young ox eventually learns to buckle down to authority and to pull the plough in step with his partner. Once the yoke has done its work, the young ox is refashioned into a seasoned ox who knows and understands what the ploughman expects of him.

What a marvellous picture of our journey through life yoked to our great mentor, Jesus, the “OLD OX” in the yoke.

Jesus has fashioned a yoke for His followers that is both easy and light, a way of life God intended for us from the beginning. Obedience to His yoke, though contrary to the world’s ways, and difficult to do at times, brings peace of mind, heart, and conscience.

He gave His twelve apostles the authority, through the Holy Spirit, to understand and teach His yoke to all who come after them. God’s prophetic revelation of the nature and work of His Messiah in the Old Testament Scriptures, formed the foundation of those who wrote the New Testament. The apostles perfectly matched Jesus with the Old Testament blueprint. They recognised that He fitted the image and yoke of the one about whom God foretold.

It was specifically His yoke, His character and ways, that matched the God of the Old Testament, and that alerted the apostles to Jesus’ true identity. It was the Father’s love, vividly replicated in Jesus’ love for all people, that revealed the true nature of God, and set Jesus apart from all other people.

How best can we describe Jesus’ yoke? How can we know the nature of that yoke? We gaze at Him. Everything He said and did is a revelation of His yoke, best described in two words, mercy and grace.

The Hebrew word, “chesed”, untranslatable by one word in English, sums up Jesus’ yoke perfectly. The meaning of our English word, “love”, has been so corrupted by sin that it falls far short of its true meaning. However…

“Chesed” is God’s love, in all its dimensions, for His people in a covenant relationship, and expressed in His mercy and grace. Mercy rescued us from a well-deserved eternity in hell and grace provides everything we need to live godly lives in an ungodly world. Jesus lived this yoke in His dealings with all people and He requires that all who would follow Him, do the same.

Jesus intends for us to wear His yoke by believing who He is, submitting to His absolute authority, and treating others as He treats us. Through us, our words and actions, He replaces the yokes of bondage to which people are subject by what they believe, and how they behave, with His yoke of freedom….from every thought and action that produce guilt, fear, and shame.

Belief systems and their practices take many forms. Religious yokes tie their devotees to legalistic bondage by observing rules and rituals of do’s and don’ts in order to please their god or gods. Denominational yokes impose the restrictions of specific interpretations of Scripture on their followers. Then there are cultural yokes, political yokes, and even family tradition yokes which all result in bondage of some kind or another. People are born into or forced under these restrictions that eventually shape conscience and character.

Jesus swept all these false yokes aside by offering a way of life that frees us from the inward bondage these yokes, or failure to observe the requirements of these yokes, incurs.

I think that the yokes humans have invented are many ways to deal with sin, or what we consider to be “sin” in the eyes of whatever authority under which we fall. So, we must observe all the provisions and restrictions of our particular yoke to have inward peace. However, it doesn’t work that way. Whatever we do in the form of behaviour can never change our hearts.

Jesus insisted that sin – everything we are, say, and do contrary to God – comes from the heart and affects our behaviour, not the other way around. Before we can enjoy the inward peace (rest) His yoke provides, we must first embrace His teaching, i.e., exchange whatever we believe for the truth.

John 8:31-32 NLT
[31] “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. [32] And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Now, that’s a revolutionary statement if it is true! Jesus declared that, if we ditch every other yoke, and believe and live by His teaching, we will enjoy an inward rest no other yoke promises or provides. No guilt, shame, or fear!

Is this true? Ask the millions, down the generations, who have believed and done what Jesus instructed. There is no other “freedom” better than the freedom Jesus offers to those who believe in Him. This freedom includes freedom from worry and anxiety, freedom from the fear of punishment, of the future, and even of death, and the freedom from the tyranny of conscience when we invade other people’s lives with our intrusions.

The reality is that those who choose to wear Jesus’ yoke without altering it in any way, enjoy a life of inward rest despite the chaos of outward circumstances. This yoke includes absolute confidence in the unconditional love of a perfect Father, and a life of unselfish service to others out of love for Jesus. He set the standard by His earthly life and we watch and follow Him through the influence of His Spirit in us.

The New Testament fleshes out His yoke so that we have every provision for living under His authority and enjoying the rest He promised.

It’s up to us to receive by faith and live by grace under the yoke that frees us from all other yokes.

Galatians 5:1 NIV
[1] “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

LIFE – A TAPESTRY OF LIGHT AND DARK

Christian Life, ,

THE TAPESTRY

Life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colours
He weaveth steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And shuttles cease to fly
Will God unrol the canvas,
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim:
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
(Attributed to Corrie Ten Boom)

Life is full of questions and few answers. Stuff happens and we try to ease our pain by finding reasons but, like Job, we hear nothing and are left floundering in the darkness of our own confusion.

I guess Corrie Ten Boom must have lived through much pain and God’s deafening silence during the years of her suffering in a concentration camp. Her testimony is to a good God who knows what He is doing.

The saying, “Life is lived forward but understood backwards” comes alive when we reflect on our times of hardship and suffering.

Imagine a painting or tapestry done only with light and bright colours. How pale and insipid it would be! Dark colours bring out the design, highlighting the artist’s skill with colour and contrast.

The late Thomas Kinkade became known as the”Painter of Light”. His quaint paintings emphasised the beauty of light against the background of dark streets, dark gardens, and dark houses.

Imagine the picture of our lives painted only in pastels, no dark colours, no hard times, no problems to solve, no obstacles to overcome, no weaknesses needing strength from above, no sorrow to comfort, no pain or suffering to endure to make our faith muscles strong. Our character would be as colourless as our picture.

Suffering is a contentious issue for those who have no faith in a good God. Suffering seems to confirm their mistrust. However, we who trust the God who said that He works IN ALL THINGS for the good of those who love Him, learn that hardships, trials, tests, and suffering are the very experiences He uses to strengthen our faith in Him, and hone our character. How can we ever know the greatness of His mercy and grace without the need to call on His name when life throws us a curveball?

Truly, God is weaving our life’s tapestry to reveal His skill and wisdom. Only He can produce the inner beauty of lives that endure, grow, and blossom out of an environment as dark as lilies growing in the dirt.

So, let’s not question His wisdom or His love. Let’s submit to His discipline and wait patiently for the day when He unrols the canvas to reveal His exquisite masterpiece.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
[10] “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

BE A GOOD FINISHER

Christian Life, ,

Today, on the 28th day of August, 84 years ago, I transitioned from my mother’s womb into the world. I have lived through 84 years of ups and downs, sunshine and storms, building my understanding of life by looking back on experience after experience.

I am nearing the end of my journey. What can I say about my past and my anticipation of the future? How much longer do I have in time before I transition again into the realm of eternity?

I think often about these things since I have no idea whether my end will be abrupt or drawn out. Jesus urged us to be ready. We must not allow our final day to take us by surprise, leaving us no time to prepare for our eternal future.

There is a place and a designation for the elderly. Starting the journey well with Jesus is good but finishing well is better. God wants His oldies to be good finishers. This is the greatest testimony to His grace.

Paul had a triumphant declaration of his life and impending death as a good finisher.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6] “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

He confidently asserted his qualifications for the prize he would earn for his life of faithful service to his Master.

He had a calling which he fulfilled, to take the gospel to the Gentile world. He viewed his mission as a drink offering poured out to God in worship. This calling involved blood, sweat, and tears, but he did it out of love for Jesus.

He had a treasure to guard and to pass on to succeeding generations. The gospel message was not his. Jesus entrusted it to him to deliver, unchanged and intact, to those who heard him and to those who came after them until the end of time.

His source was the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, foretold by the prophets, fulfilled in history, and interpreted by the Holy Spirit in and through him and his fellow apostles. He was not only faithful to his calling but he also urged those who came after him to stick with the truth.

2 Timothy 1:14 NLT
[14] “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”

He anticipated his death with joy. There was no “sword of Damocles” hanging over his head. Not even the possibility of martyrdom frightened him. He was on his way to glory and the way it would happen was simply the transition from time to eternity.

For those who anticipate Jesus’ return with joy, the interim is the time to prepare, to put right what needs attention and to endure with patience the trials and tests of the journey.

Peter joined Paul in his joyful anticipation of the future for good finishers.

1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT
[6] “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [8] You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. [9] The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

What of those who ignore or brush aside with contempt the process by which good finishers will enjoy their reward? Some live by the foolish notion that everyone will go to heaven no matter how they finished life on this earth. Others push the notion of death aside and live as though there is no tomorrow.

What a fool’s dream. How can God welcome His enemies into His eternal home?

Romans 5:10 NIV
[10] “For if, while we were God’s ENEMIES…

How can He invite the dead to live with Him forever?

Ephesians 2:1 NIV
[1] “As for you, you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins…”

How can He tolerate sin in His holy presence?

Habakkuk 1:13 NIV
[13] “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?…”

He warns…

Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
[7]”Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [8] Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.“

The only way to ensure that you will finish well is, first, to start the journey with the right company. Keeping company with the world will aid you on your way to destruction. Jesus is the only way to the Father.

Second, staying on course will keep you moving in the right direction towards your desired destiny. Guard and stay in the truth. Those who endure to the end will be saved.

Third, do the work you were assigned to do. Jesus requires only one way to please Him. Love one another. There are many expressions of love. Follow the directive you have received from the Spirit to express Jesus’ love to one another.

Fourth, anticipate the Lord’s return with joy for there is a great reward for good finishers.

My journey has not yet ended but my heart is moving me towards my destination with the anticipation of a grand welcome into His eternal. Kingdom.

2 Peter 1:10-11 NLT
[10] “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. [11] Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

MOLLY AND ME – A TENDER LOVE

Christian Life, ,

Molly is just a dog. She isn’t a puppy any more but I still call her my “baby girl” because she is small, vulnerable, and dependent. I treat her like a dog. I don’t dress her up like a child, I try not to feed her human food, (although I once did), I try to fall in line with her “dog-ness”.

She has limited understanding so I don’t expect her to understand what she can’t because she is a dog. Instead, even though she is naughty at times, stubborn, disobedient, fussy, and even independent, I still treat her like a dog. I crank up what she does understand, tenderness! Soft, kind tones…togetherness…
companionship…closeness…
exercise… praise…treats… and even routine which makes her feel secure.

My efforts pay off when I receive the kind of unconditional love and loyalty only a dog can give. My greatest reward is that moment when Molly lies on my lap, comfortable and warm under our “red blankie”, and gazes adoringly into my eyes.

I’ve learnt to be a good dog owner by the way my Father treats me. He knows my capacities and limits. Someone once wrote a song (which I can’t find on YouTube), “I’m only a child in His eyes…” The Father knows my child-ness just as I recognise Molly’s dog-ness and He treats me accordingly.

His tenderness is unmatched. His compassion is limitless. His mercy is as high as the heavens are above us. He us the Father of all fathers, the one we need more than anyone else. How precious is He to those who call Him “Abba!”.

Psalms 103:13-16 NLT
[13] “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.”

There is no one like the Lord who accommodates Himself to who were are, who knows our weakness and failures and forgives. He covers our sin with the blood of His own Son and removes the pollution of our rebellious acts as far as the east is from the west. He changes our stubborn hearts from rebels to adoring children. Thank you, Father, for such tender love!