Are You Guilty of a Little R&R?

Almost everyone is familiar with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah. The story tells of Jonah’s call from God to go to Ninevah to announce God’s judgment to the heathen, godless, and hostile city. Jonah inwardly refused God’s commission and hopped on a ship headed in the opposite direction; however, the hold God had on Jonah’s life was too strong. God sent a tempest upon the sea which caused the mariners to toss Jonah out of the boat. God then prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, causing him to spend three days in the belly of the fish until the fish vomited him out on dry land. After all of this, the half-hearted prophet repented, headed for Ninevah, and upon arrival held a revival to preach God’s message to them. Jonah’s revival crusade brought in more converts than he had expected.

We would have expected Jonah to break out in praise with the results of his preaching in Ninevah, but Jonah responded just the opposite. The magnitude of God’s mercy proved displeasing to the prophet and the story says Jonah became angry with God. Can you imagine that? What is the most fascinating is the attitude of Jonah. It is an attitude that is not foreign to any of us. Jonah would have perceived the people of Ninevah as his enemies. And what we want for our enemies is certainly not to be blessed with God’s mercy and grace. Instead of seeing our enemies redeemed, we would rather see them go to turmoil and ruin.

Almost everyone is also familiar with Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. Jesus told about a young man who approached his father, requested his inheritance, and then made a complete mess of his life in a strange country. After making such a mess of his life and falling on hard times he finally came to his senses. He began to think of his home and his father. He headed for home and while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. His father ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. We are reminded that in the story this young renegade who returned home with egg on his face, had an older, more stable, more responsible brother. This older brother came home after a hard day of work and handling his father’s business, only to find dancing and music. He became angry finding out that good ole’ dad was throwing a party for his wayward son and refused to go into the house. That sounds like the same attitude Jonah had.

It is a kind of jealousy that wants nothing less than to set very strict limits to God’s love. We often assume this position every time we expect the Lord to be more severe in judging the sins of others than we anticipate for ourselves. Sadly, we often find it difficult to delight in the repentance and redemption of those we define as “gross sinners”. We would rather see them burned than blessed.

It feels so right to retaliate when we’ve been wounded. Nothing seems more bittersweet as to get even. We willingly trade blow for blow with those we perceive to have broken trust with us. We quickly look for ways to pay off old scores whenever former friendships turn sour. Do you remember ever feeling that way? I am sure we all do at times. It is painful to have these feelings! These feelings are also the source of many problems. Some of these problems which are obvious within us are: bitterness, mean-spirited, and even maliciousness. Over time these feelings of bitterness and being mean-spirited, begin to harden the heart. The heart becomes callous and indifferent, and overshadows our character. Sooner than we realize we can become the type of callous and mean-spirited person others try to avoid.

We may reach a point we realize where we are and try to patch things up. But between ourselves and the other person things are never again quite the same. Time after time the hope of genuine reconciliation breaks up on the rocks of an abiding resentment. Some breaches of friendship widen until, it would appear, no bridge will ever be built to close the gap.

That we all realize and understand the consequences of these feelings, is at least one reason we should be grateful for the gospel. We should be grateful for one particular portion of the gospel, in which Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you….Do to others as you would have them do to you…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!” For many, if not most of us, this command of Christ is beyond our reach. Perhaps we should begin with the recognition that these words of Christ are “gospel”. That is to say, they are “good news”. This recognition should confirm that we are capable of accomplishing this command. We can accomplish this command because Christ makes us capable in the power of his Holy Spirit. Christians living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ are empowered to act, and not just simply react. We cannot afford to allow our affections and attitudes to be shaped and determined by the hatred that is unleashed upon us. What we can do is commit our wounds to Christ and then release our resentment, bitterness, and desire for retaliation into His hands.

As God’s people, we seldom argue with Him about the measure of mercy he gives us. But isn’t it surely the case that we cringe at the mere suggestion that God might display a similar mercy to those we detest? It seems as though the issue is this: that God’s grace and forgiving treatment of others leaves the work of judging unattended. We then falsely assume we must take up the slack and do the judging for Him. We are not at all that comfortable in a kingdom where parties are given for wasteful prodigals. We are not at ease with a God whose graciousness exceeds all reasonable limits. So if we want our world to be different, we need to release our bitterness and resentment into the hands of our Redeemer.

To change our world and release our fleshly bitterness and resentment will be hard, and it will be painful, but it will be worth it. It will be redemptive because Christ has the scars to prove it.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Jesus Goes To The Office Everyday

I’m glad people are grateful for Calvary, but there is more to Jesus’ contributions than that. Jesus did a lot of things to insure our salvation before He went to Calvary and His job doesn’t stop there by any means. Let me tell you about Jesus’ offices.

Jesus i.e. God with us.

The Son of God - God in the flesh. He is God manifested and man perfected. The benefit is that by looking at him we can see what God is like and what perfected man looks like.

The Prince of Peace - He teaches us by words example how to be a peacemaker. He has provided peace between us and God and peace of mind for us, knowing that our sins are forgiven, we are children of God again and we have the Good Shepherd. World peace will only come through obedience to him.

The Good Shepherd - will lead you to green pastures, by still waters, and in the paths of righteousness. He will restore your soul. Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will not need to fear harm because He will be with you. His word and his Spirit will comfort you. He’ll prepare a table before you in the very presence of your enemies. And ensure that goodness and mercy follow you always. If you follow him.

The Christ - the Anointed One his anointing is for the purpose of meeting the needs of the people.

The Messiah, the Savior - Being the only sinless One, He is the only One who could bear the sins of the world. He died for our sins. He had no death coming because he had never sinned. He acted out the crucifixion of the carnal nature. Salvation comes through being crucified with him (identifying with his death) and at the same time receiving new life (spiritual life) in Christ.

The Living Word - His life portrays true obedience to the teachings of the Bible. His teachings and life manifest the true meaning of Bible teaching.

The Light of the world - His life and words give the needed light to all the rest of the Bible. His life and words shed light on who God is and what he wants. His Spirit is light.

The Bread of life - He said his words are Spirit and they are life. We are to feed on his life and teachings in order to be energized to live spiritual life.

The Door - No man can enter the kingdom any other way and no one in the kingdom may venture out into the world without Jesus.

The Wedding garment - We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ to be properly clothed.

The Way, the Truth and the Life - His ways are the ways of life. His teachings and life magnify the truth, his life is “The life“.

The Resurrection and the Life - That’s why you must receive Jesus into your heart to be saved. Without welcoming him into your heart, you can’t have resurrection from the dead nor new, eternal life. Note: You can’t be resurrected until you die first.

The Author and Finisher of our faith - Our faith starts with his work and is perfected by heeding his words. Faith is born when you receive him and abiding in him assures the maturity of your faith.

Our Forerunner, Captain and Example - He went before us and did that which we are required to do. The present advantage is that we can look to him to see the way. He is the perfect example and as our leader.

The Mighty Conqueror - He conquered sin, death and the power of Satan, the devil. The devil held no power over him because he refused to listen to the devil, ever. (devil - liar, traducer - one who falsely accuses another. He falsely accused God in the garden and he’s still doing it.) He (Jesus) always obeyed God thereby conquering sin. He rose from the dead thereby conquering death. He conquered Satan (the accuser of the brethren) by qualifying us for grace. Because he lives, we live also. Because he overcame, we can overcome.

Our Wisdom - If we obey him, we will walk wisely.

The Faithful One - Because he was ever faithful, we can count on him always. We can rejoice that he will reign for he alone is worthy.

The Second Adam - He came and restored or made right everything that the first Adam messed up. Now we have a choice. We can choose to follow the first Adam and die or we can choose to follow the second Adam and live.

The True Vine - As we abide in Him we are kept alive and made productive.

Our Big Brother - Let’s look up to and follow him. In Biblical Judaism, the oldest brother handled the father’s business. The other siblings went to him with their problems and disputes. Jesus is God’s oldest Son and he holds this office, also.

Jesus is Lord - In order to receive God’s salvation of your soul from sin and death, you must make Jesus Lord in your life.

Jesus in us is our hope of glory.

The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

The Bridegroom - Those who are found without spot or wrinkle (no holding out) will be one with him and sit on the throne with him.

The Bright and Morning Star - Let the Morning Star rise in your heart. He alone can enable you to rise and shine.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Offspring of David - All the promises pertaining to these are his.

King of kings and Lord of lords - He took the kingdom back from Satan and He will reign forever.

Our High Priest and Advocate - Without this office, forget it. He is ever living to make intercession for us.

The living Word

The Faithful One

So you see, it’s not just what he did that saves us, but what he is doing now!

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"