Separate

Our God wants to have a people for Himself; He wants to share His and Jesus' glory (Matthew 16:27; John 1:14) and to have a bride for His son Jesus, a bride holy and pure, without "spot or wrinkle" (Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:15). 

Elohim God began "in the beginning" when Adam and Eve were made in their "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26). We see something of God's glory here, in those early days. Adam and Eve will have known God as "Father", in the same intimate and loving way that Jesus does. They will have "known the Father's business" (John 15:15), and what was "good" and what was "evil" (Genesis 2:9); they worked with Father God during the day and "walked and talked together" in the beautiful and fruitful garden "in the cool of the evening" (Genesis 3:8).
 
Then came "the Fall" (Genesis 3:11), sin entered the world; "sin" is everything that does not please God. Sin causes separation between humankind and God, the opposite of God's loving desire.
 
Many generations after Adam and Eve, God chose Abraham and made covenant to form a people for Himself, the nation of Israel: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6).
 
God cares for "His treasured possession" to this day. We Christians are also "chosen" (Ephesians 1:14) to be "different", "holy" (1 Peter 1:16), set aside for our God who calls on His people to look only to him: "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).
 
Jesus calls to us: "'Come out from among them, and be separate', says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will welcome you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters', says the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4).
 
I still ponder all this in relation to my life and my worldview; Jesus is growing me into the John He always planned that I would be. Jesus' work continues: "He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:3).
 
In Old Testament times God saw that His people were being corrupted by their non-Jewish neighbours. Do we see something of today in these prophetic Bible words from centuries ago? "Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up" (Jeremiah 18:15-16). Do we give our time and money to what Father God would call "worthless idols", with what is popular or "trending"? I find myself avoiding more and more what our culture presents.
 
Jesus is front and centre of the whole Bible and is the "all" of God (Colossians 1:15-20). (Some say: "He is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New", I found this to be true at Bible College where we were assigned psalms to present as pre-class devotions, I always found Jesus in the psalms I was allocated). It is clear that Father God wants us to look to Jesus in "all things" (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

I have come to see that Jesus is now in a deep and eternal relationship with me, and through that He has brought me into His Father's family as a son, and into the constant care of His lovely Holy Spirit. My response is to love in return. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37).

I find that I do love our Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit, and also that Jesus is my focus; His humanity and the New Testament stories make Him so approachable. As I read my Bible I can see Him in my mind's eye (Luke 6:19). Now, through Holy Spirit's prophetic gifting, (1 Corinthians 14:1,3), I often see Him, feel His touch and hear His voice (2 Samuel 23:2). Jesus is my friend (John 15:15) and I know this to be true. Even as I write this I am singing "Jesus at the centre".. "Nothing in this world will do".. "Everything revolves around You", (Houghton, Massey, Ranney: 2014).
 
Jess Ray sings: "it may seem too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true" - we hear her joy as she testifies to her certain knowledge of her relationship with our Saviour and Lord.
 
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
 
I see Jesus as front and centre of everything, the "fullness" of God (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19), and that "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", (Ephesians 1:3), reveals Jesus endlessly (Hebrews 9:15), as does Holy Spirit (John 16:14).
 
Jesus mediates a New Covenant for us, a covenant which gives us spiritual closeness to Father, Son and Spirit, a spiritual confidence (2 Corinthians 3:3-6; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 1:6), an understanding that, although we live in "this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12), Jesus is with us, we have spiritual authority and can know shalom, God's peace (John 14:27).
 
It may seem that the "powers" in the world, (Ephesians 6:12), are gaining more and more control and influence over us, our societies and our cultures, but we can choose to "abide" in Jesus (John 15:4), and live a "full" and "abundant" life (John 10:10); only Jesus offers this, "by His Spirit" (John 7:39).
 
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3) - note "every", a big word.
 
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
 
When we think in terms of "Jesus", we recognise His desire for intimate relationship with us, each one, and that He has brought us into His "team", (more than simply His salvation and His protection). Jesus is risen; He rules and reigns from the throne room of God; He equips us and commands us to "do the works I have been doing" (John 14:12). This is "boots on the ground" living in faith; there is no guarantee of comfort or glory. We are His "friends" (John 15:15), and also His "servants" (Revelation 19:5): "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).
 
Paul reminds us: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, see also Romans 13:14). This verse is now on many hearts. 

How Then Should We Live
(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2023/06/how-then-should-we-live.html)
 
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
 
As a Christian I have found a sense of being "foreign" to my old life, but with no desire to "fit back in" with the worldly culture I consciously left behind. This was hard, and still is; we lose friends, some enjoyable activities are now "out of bounds". Happily it is rewarding too, richly satisfying.
 
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them" (1 John 2:15).
 
I have lived in four countries. The early days in each place were exciting and also difficult. Everything was so new, truly "foreign". I assimilated over time; I "fitted in" to the local way of things, and to their kind of "English"; (birth language to all of us but with different ways of speaking, a different idiom or vernacular). I am still "assimilating" into Jesus' "way" (Ephesians 4:13), praise the Lord.
 
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household" (Ephesians 2:19).
 
"And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
 
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
 
Testimony
I worked in an office where (I believe) I was the only Christian. I was blessed to be there, work was scarce and the money was good. Still, it was hard. Not only was I new, but I was "different"; I asked that people would stop using foul language in the office. Some became hostile; ridiculing or contemptuous. I was isolated and excluded from much of the comradery of the workplace.
 
Jesus found that work for me, it was not advertised. I was given some interesting and knotty problems to solve, one of which had defeated two programmers before me; my business users were overjoyed, they had been waiting more than a year.
 
By the time all my work there was finished I had found some welcome. I had opportunity to talk to some of my workmates who were experiencing deep personal troubles; they thanked me and said I was "wise and kind". This was Jesus work, He gave time for "divine encounters"; perhaps these ones saw something of Jesus' love and healing, and "Christ in me, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
The job was timely, and the money was welcome for our family. But perhaps I was there for those with deep personal troubles so that Jesus could touch them? I survived having to "be separate”; I know that I grew from it; this was, and still is, precious. I was aware that Jesus was "always" with me (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

 
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Thank you, my lovely Lord and friend.

Rick Joyner wrote about a study which showed that about 65 percent of all Americans considered themselves to be born-again Christians, but only 3 percent had a Christian or biblical worldview; viewing the world as Christ does, knowing and adhering to His teachings. [Similar numbers appear in other studies]. These results show how poorly the church is accomplishing Jesus' Great Commission; we are commanded to "make disciples", not just converts, and to "teach them everything [Jesus] commanded us".
 
"Being a committed Christian, being baptized in the Spirit, involves a reorientation of life that is significantly different from the way the ordinary modern person thinks - it is a revolution in outlook on the world [our worldview]. We are able to explain the gospel message in a way that allows people to see how great the salvation is that is being offered, and how great a difference there is between living under the rule of Christ – life 'in the Spirit', and the rule of the world - life not 'in the Spirit'". (Discerning the Times, Part 53, 2009).
 
We are saved from sin and death by Jesus' great and sacrificial work; our salvation brought our "justification" (Romans 8:30), we have been given Jesus' "righteousness" (Romans 3:22), henceforth we are being "sanctified" (present tense continuous), being set apart, separated, for our Lord, (John 17:19). Our salvation is forever. (See Note 1).
 
Go
Jesus said: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
 
Later, Paul declared: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
 

Our God of all the Creation has plans for each one of us, His people, plans which will require our commitment and dedication. Let us ponder the words of the songs we sing to Him, and our heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and our life (John 14:6).

 
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
 
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you" (John 14:26 Amplified).
 
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
 
Jesus said "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28).
 
My prayer, for all of us, Jesus’ people: "O Lord, you have brought so much to our lives (1 Corinthians 2:12). Go before us please, guide us into a greater commitment to you, your way (Acts 2:42-47), and your work (Philippians 2:13). Let it be clear, both in our selves and in our lives, that we are yours. Amen". 

Jesus' words, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Note 1. Our Salvation Is Irrevocable
Even now we can be diverted, as we were before Jesus got a-hold of us: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?" (James 4:4). These are strong words, but they do not mean that we will lose our salvation if we slip and briefly befriend the world.
 
Once we are in our Father's heavenly family we are there forever. Sometimes we see people "fall away" who appeared to be fully part of Jesus "body"; this is a mystery and only Jesus knows. Jesus is "our redeemer" (Ephesians 1:7).

 

Our Bible is clear; once we are "saved" and "in" Jesus' Kingdom, vital aspects of who we are, are changed, renewed:

• Ezekiel 36:26 - He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit in us; He will remove from us our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.
• Romans 8:30 - Jesus' plans include our glorification.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our bodies are now temples of Jesus' Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - We are a "new creation", the old has gone.

• 1 Peter 1:23 - We are made new, "born again".
• 1 Peter 2:5 - We are "living stones", a part of God's house.
• Titus 3:5 - He "saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit".

(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2011/02/lukewarm.html) 

 
Bless us all. Amen.

  

P.S. The photos for this post were taken on Trish and my winter-school-break holiday in the bush a couple of hours South from our house. Lovely, cold but beautiful. A true holiday, Jesus was with us :-)

Permalink: https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2025/07/separate.html

Witnesses

"O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!" (Psalm 105:1 - David's words). 

We are Jesus' witnesses; we walk in His footsteps. 

Whilst here on Earth, Jesus ministered, He suffered, died, rose and ascended to Heaven - He witnessed about our Father, about love, and about the Kingdom of God. He taught, He loved, He performed miracles. He said: "follow me".
 
At the end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus gave us "The Great Commission", which is well known among Christians.
 
commission: (noun) the act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a task or duty; the authority so granted; the matter or task so authorized. (American Heritage Dictionary).
 
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20 - Jesus words).
 
Today we are Jesus followers, this commission is for us, each one, and for all Christians everywhere. I find this to be daunting but am encouraged by Paul’s words: "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The broad scope of the Commission does not mean that I must be an evangelist and a missionary. Rather, I discern (after all my years following Jesus), that my rôle is to help to disciple Christians (of all spiritual ages), sharing and teaching something of the beauty, love and strength of the Lord which He has shown to me.
 
(Though sometimes Jesus does enable me as an evangelist, He prompts me for a particular person; we call this a "divine encounter").
 
I am a "what? why? where? when? how?" kind of person, a seeker after truth. It is natural for me to want to share what I have learned, and to help others to grow where I have struggled.
 
Testimony was, and is, a big help and a significant feature of my Christian walk. (Testimony is the active witness of what people have seen and heard). It was the testimony of excited Christians that carried me beyond simply knowing that "God is". Here He was, alive and vibrant, this Jesus, who I did not know, vitally active in lives near me.
 
In time, Trish and I also became "excited Christians". We too came to know Jesus and to know His love and His power (1 Corinthians 2:4). Now I find that, even in my small world, there are times where my telling about Jesus' miraculous, compassionate and loving work in me, or someone near me, has had a profound effect on others. 

Witnesses of His Majesty
 
While our children were still at school I had a long time unemployed and looking for work. It was a desperate time; I learned that a man who could not support his family lost something of his "man-ness", his sense of worth and of hope. We struggled financially. We learned what it is to be poor in an affluent society. All my training, skills and great work experiences seemed worthless. A desperate time.
 
(We now know that Jesus was always with us, He brought blessings as He invariably does. We never missed a meal or had a bill reach the "debt collector" stage. But during that season our family learned to stick together and to manage, even thrive, with what we had. We are still very close and know how to love and care for one another, a great blessing).
 
Then one morning, while Trish and I were having our quiet time with Jesus, I heard "Bible college" very clearly. I looked at Trish, she had not heard these words, maybe I was mistaken. "Father", I whispered, "I want a good job, what would I do at Bible college?" In my heart I was hoping He had made a mistake, why send me when so many people I knew would really make something of the opportunity? When I shared God's words with Trish she immediately became enthusiastic: "please don't be excited Trish", I said, "I have no desire to go, what I want is a job".
 
We agreed that we would research and see where that led. We reached a short-list of three colleges and went for interviews. One school stood out. Their motto was from 2 Peter 1:16: "Witnesses of His Majesty".
 
It was clear that I was not suited for "Ministry", "Mission", "Counseling", "Youth Ministry" or "Music". That left "Theology", (the study and understanding of God). I had done some teaching as a computer person, theology people tend to teach, so this sounded "possibly ok" to me.
 
Once I was enrolled, it became my desire that "the glorious Father, may give [me] the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that [I] may know him better" (Ephesians 1:17).
 
I now have a B.A. degree in Theology. Absolutely the correct choice, thank you Father! I discovered Jesus afresh, got to know my Abba Father and, like Jesus, my sonship (Matthew 17:5; John 17:22). I learned about God's faithfulness, (Church History 1), and something of how we humans function (Counseling 1 & 2), the whole-ness of the Scriptures (Old Testament, Exegesis, New Testament, Ministry of Holy Spirit). We learned to lead "Devotions", and so much more. I began to lose my anger and my fear. But mostly I grew in Jesus. My theology teacher and I became dear friends and deeply respect one another. Hallelujah!
 
I still remember the College motto: "Witnesses of His Majesty" and believe that this is the essence of what I learned (grew in?) there; to be so centred on Jesus that He has become a key part of me, and all my thinking and life and work. I love testimony, both hearing of others' experience of God's grace and miracle power, and being able to share my own testimonies. "Witnesses of His Majesty". Those years saw me "mushroom" in understanding, after years with seemingly little fruit.
 
I learned to see Jesus as the centre of everything (Colossians 1:16); this is how Father God sees Him; (so I am in good company). God became more personal to me, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; intimately, rather than as an idea I agreed with (so, not simply propositional). The truth of "in Jesus, in Father, in me" became rooted and still fills my life and my worldview, (see Note 1).
 
These truths are the essence of the New covenant. Under the Old Covenant, God chose Israel as His own special possession (Deuteronomy 7:6) but was still over-arching. People visited God at alters, and in His Temple at specially appointed times; only the priests got anywhere near Him. The written Law was rigid and overseen by the priests, scholars and other "special" people. The priests would deal with people's sins once a year, but they had to come to the temple and make the correct sacrifice.
 
Now, under the New Covenant, our sins are permanently covered, God "takes our sins away" (John 1:29) and will "remember them no more" (Hebrews 8:12, 10:16-17). The only sacrifice needed has been made, we need only to repent from our heart; Jesus shed His blood and gave His life to pay for our meanness, wrongdoing and sins, and fully redeem us (Luke 1:68; John 3:16).
 
Now we Christians are "the temple of the living God" (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). This is spiritual; our spirit and God's Holy Spirit are bonded together inside of us, every Christian; a mystery and a miracle. This can only be possible because Jesus has given us "His righteousness" (Micah 7:9; Romans 5:17), we are now "clothed with Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
 
God takes our history, no matter how broken or messy this may seem to us. He loves us and finds each one of us so beautiful that our Father in Heaven is preparing us to be His Son's bride, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27).
 
Jesus' "Great Commission" is often a subject in our prayer meetings. We intercessors know that our availability and obedience to Jesus' calling is an important part of our "new life" in Him (Acts 5:20). But I am shy, not a mixer or networker, and am slow to make friends. Talking to strangers is scary for me, I often stumble over my words.
 
But I do love to disciple and to share about Jesus. I am so blessed with the Christian teaching, training and ministry I have received; many lovely, and loving, people have been patient with me, longsuffering even (Exodus 34:6). Their work has been rewarded in my spiritual growth (Colossians 1:9-10).
 
As I was reading my Bible, I saw many "witness" and "witnesses" verses. "Ah", I thought, "this word is my link, my connection, to Jesus' "Great Commission", I am truly a witness of Him, from my heart".
 
"Witness" is a word with an exact meaning: a witness tells what he or she has seen or heard, neither more nor less. Being a witness is serious. In a court of law, witnesses are sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" so that justice may be served, to lie is a crime.
 
I love truth (John 1:14). I love to find out how things work, how they "are" in their essence. Perhaps this is why I love Christian testimony, people are so clear as they share what they have seen, heard or experienced as the Kingdom of God has come near to them (Matthew 4:17; Luke 10:9). I love too how the hearers are affected; they recognise that the testimony is true, for some this is the beginning of their "knowing" Jesus, His "salvation" (Luke 8:10), and his "life" (John 10:10). They can see that blessing and life can come to anyone through Jesus, the source and giver of life (1 Corinthians 8:6) and "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

Bible Witness Heroes
 
Throughout history our God has treasured His witnesses. Here are some of my heroes:
 
Abram/Abraham - I first met this great man of God when I was a new Christian, a friend gave me a book about him and he quickly became a hero to me. Abraham heard God speak to him and obeyed. He left his home and headed out to "a place I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). This would have been extraordinary, at that time, for a man in his social "landed" position.
 
Abraham's obedience was not perfect, his journey was long and his reward difficult to see, but his faith was steadfast. I find this so very encouraging, I well know that my obedience has not been perfect and my walk halting and slow. I too find our lovely God faithful in the progress of my life and in my troubles, and this causes my faith to grow.
 
God "appeared" to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2); we learn from Scripture that he encountered the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ (John 8:56). Abraham rejoiced at his understanding that God's Saviour would come to all humankind. (We see the same eternal Jesus in John 1:1).
 
Abraham’s story witnesses to us today as it has throughout history: Jesus is real, He is the God of Heaven and Earth (Colossians 2:9) "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form .. He is the head over every power and authority". Jesus was and is and eternally will be.
 
Moses is another hero. He lived a small life and had simple communication skills, then God spoke to him: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12). Moses obeyed, he did speak, he helped our God change the world. Through the Bible and so many Bible stories Moses witnesses to us still.
 
Mary was unwavering in her love and devotion to both our Father in Heaven and to her Son, Jesus. Mary's prayer, known as "The Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55), speaks to this and is known far beyond Christian circles. She endured humiliation by being unmarried while expecting her baby, and then knew devastation at Jesus' unjust condemnation and crucifixion. Another heroic witness.
 
New Testament - We also remember Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then Paul, James, Peter, Jude and the author of Hebrews, whose witness fills the New Testament. 

And the hundreds of millions of Christians, not so different from you and me, who have shared about our lovely Lord Jesus, our faith, the Kingdom of God, and hope, love, forgiveness, healing, peace, and belonging, and who share the glory of our Father and His Saviour Son, Jesus Christ.
 
Heroes, yet simply servants; witnesses of His Majesty.
 
Praise Jesus for his ceaseless work among us all. Amen.
 
Note 1 - "In Jesus", "In Father" and "In Me" Bible References:

"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you" (John 14:20).

See also: John 10:38, 14:17, 15:4, 17:21, 17:23-26; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:39, 12:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:6,10, 2:22; Colossians 1:27, 3:3, 3:16-19 and more ..

Also see post "In" (Permalink https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/05/in.html)

Favourite Bible Verses
 
"I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses' declares the Lord, 'that I am God'" (Isaiah 43:12).
 
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
 
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms" (Peter 4:10)
 
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)
 
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
 
Amen.
 
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Forgiveness

Everyone knows trouble. For some, our trouble was brought by another person and the anguish and pain is with us still. It may seem impossible to forgive that person - don't they deserve a full punishment for what they have done? 

Jesus is here to help; He always wants the best for us (Matthew 7:11); He is the great reconciler and restorer (Colossians 1:19-20). I pray that my experience and testimony will help you, I bring understanding from my own healings, and from much study. Praise Jesus that the effects of unforgiveness are today being recognised among God's people.

 For many years Galatians 5:1 has been a favourite Bible verse - I sought freedom and have found freedom, and peace, in Jesus, "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
When Jesus died and rose from the grave He defeated death and sin, humanity's two biggest problems since The Fall (Genesis 3). "For our sake [God] made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
Jesus is our shepherd and will guide us and care for us all the days of our life (John 10:11, 14:6). He has given us tools to help us. The Lord's Prayer is one such, a beloved and perhaps the most spoken prayer on Earth. (On Easter Sunday 2007, it is estimated that two billion people spoke this prayer).
 
"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen".
(Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13, in words I learned as a child).
 
We see that Jesus links our being freed from our sins to our forgiving others and setting them free from their sins against us. This is a theme throughout the Bible.
 
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25).
 
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
 
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).
 
Healing Our Heart
 
To forgive someone who has hurt us may seem unfair and unreasonable, but with prayer and perseverance Jesus will bring us through, we will be released from our anger and pain. O, the relief, the healing of our heart!
 
Along the way we see the truth of what our friend Bev P. says: "Unforgiveness is like us drinking poison and hoping the other person will get sick". Often the person who hurt us is unaware of our pain, they carry on with life with no burden from their wrongdoing. 
 

Our emotions of resentment, anger and our desire for revenge produce a bitterness in our heart, (medical people know this as a "toxic thought pattern"). Our Bible warns us about this: "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, by it many are defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). Those emotions are "bad fruit" in our life, the opposite of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) which Jesus grows in us (Luke 11:13).
 
This is a spiritual problem which cripples us and has profound impact on our ability to help others (Ephesians 2:10).
 
Another thing. God is in charge of justice. "Do not seek revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord'" (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).
 
It may be that the offending person is already remorseful; we humans learn to wear masks to cover our negative feelings. I have been amazed at the number of seemingly successful, outgoing, "comfortable" people who have confided in me their deep insecurities and profound feelings of guilt and shame. The repentance we hope to see may already be present. Our worry will not help us or them.
 
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2). How many times did I read these words before they came alive in my heart? Prayer is needed before we can release everything to our Lord Jesus.
 
Christians remind one another: "Let go and let God"; our children love to recite a favourite memory verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). I find these thoughts uplifting in times of difficulty. Paul calls on us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16), this is a conscious process which bears precious fruit.
 
Here is a song which brings joy to my heart, especially when I am troubled:
 
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Eight great verses! Joseph Scriven, 1855.
 
My Testimony
 
Twice I have had major healings through forgiveness, (and a thousand other healings too).
 
Arthritis: I was at work and reached out to answer the phone. A searing pain shot through my right shoulder, I was frozen, totally surprised. My boss sent me to see a doctor who said: "John, this is arthritis; often it will strike out of the blue like this. There have been big advances in treatment, and we will begin by trying this medication which helps many people like you". I was upset. "We will try?", I responded, "you are not sure what to prescribe?" The doctor explained that there was no way to determine the best medication for any arthritis patient, and no guarantee at all of success. Some people suffer terribly for life. Not encouraging news.
 
At the pharmacy I waited in line behind two women and could not help overhearing their conversation, (I totally believe that this scene was set by our mighty Lord Jesus). One woman said: "O, that Sonja, she still complains all the time. She has seen every doctor and they can't help her. I keep telling her: arthritis is a disease caused by unforgiveness. She just refuses to forgive that ex-husband of hers".
 
I had about 20 minutes to wait for my tablets and nothing to do but ponder those words. Unforgiveness? Arthritis? "Jesus, were those words for me?" The medication I was prescribed did no good at all, neither did the doctor's second "try".
 
My morning quiet times took on a whole new shape. I looked at my life: Who has hurt me? Who do I resent or hold in unforgiveness? Also, how do I forgive? Just saying the words will not be enough, God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
 
This was a battle. When I thought I was done, Jesus would soon bring to mind another person or event to be forgiven: from my childhood, my teens, my 20s, from friends, family, even from myself. From betrayals, from mistakes and misunderstandings. Three times I thought I had completed this task.
 
Then the pain went away and I had full use of my shoulder once again, and still do to this day. Hallelujah. Thank you Jesus. This was big. I was still young, with a wife and six growing children. Jesus has faithfully kept me mobile all these years since.

Every Day: We Christians progress towards "unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God; until we become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). But we still seem able to hurt one another and be hurt ourselves: in marriage, in family, and with others. We can cause or feel offence or pain. Trish and I have learned to repent often and forgive each other quickly (Luke 6:37). "Short accounts" are good. I often think of our marriage as a lovely long conversation.
 
Cancer: More recently I had a big fight with prostrate cancer. By the time they found the tumors they were well established. My doctors decided that radiation was the best treatment for me. I was told that there was hope for success but the risks were high; our prostrate is near several major body parts and the cancer can easily spread.
 
A prayer friend sent me some links from a Christian doctor who studied medical advances in the light of what God's Word says about health and healing. I watched the talks, downloaded the big PDF book and had it printed. Jesus made it plain that I was to clear the "toxic thought patterns" from my life; these included anger at the declining state of our culture and the world, and once again, unforgiveness, of myself and of others. A weeks-long prayer battle followed.
 
I re-learned to: ".. take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I pondered what "every" means!
 
Once again I prayed and sought forgiveness for my own sins, prayed and forgave others, and myself. Once again this process needed to be repeated. It is very hard work. My knowledge of my dependence on Jesus became radiant. I sought to ensure that nothing would impede the flow of His grace to me.
 
I went through my treatment as one of a cohort, we were together every weekday for months. I was at peace and made a remarkable recovery. Most of the other men appeared to suffer more, in every way, as the radiation affected us; they seemed to feel a great weight as their days slowly passed. My days were filled with life and prayer, Jesus was manifestly with me, He kept my spirit, my soul and my body for me. At the same time I was able to do less around the house and apologised to Trish. "O John", she replied, "you are fine, you could be all grumpy and demanding but you are not, we can manage, it is ok". Bless her! Jesus was with us in every way.
 
Jesus Helps
 
Jesus is complete love, its source and its essence: "So we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them" (1 John 4:16). We know that Jesus is "always" here with us (Matthew 28:20).
 
My prayer for you: Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that, by your Spirit, you encourage and help this person who is reading what we have written together, to let go of all those they hold in unforgiveness, even them self, and that he or she may find the peace and the freedom only you can bring". Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses 
 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
 
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Thank you Jesus my beloved friend (John 15:15).
 
Bless us all, come Lord Jesus.
 
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Amen.

Ascended and Glorified

I think that I am getting a deeper understanding of faith.

As Christians we know faith, it is fundamental to our view of life and the world since Jesus became a vital part of everything for us. Our understanding grows - faith grows as we grow in our "knowing" God, the God of all Creation, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and precious Holy Spirit who guides, teaches, counsels, and comforts us daily.
 
This present time of my growing in faith is through my seeing more of the "bigness" of God. Some guys were talking about God's bigness and how He created all the stars on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14); He simply stretched out His hand and put them in place, even a thousand light years away, because He chose to, and it was in His design.
 
"It is I who made the earth and created humankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshalled their starry hosts" (Isaiah 45:12).
 
"He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south" (Job 9:9). 
 
The Bear and Orion are about 800 light years distant from Earth (at approximately 9.5 trillion kilometres or 5.9 trillion miles for one light year). The Pleiades are about 444 light years. These distances are beyond comprehension, nevertheless our God created, (Genesis 1 and 2), and will do so again (Revelation 21:1). He is omnipotent, all powerful, (Matthew 19:26); when His Word says He did these things, we can totally believe that He did. God is also omnipresent, this means that He is present everywhere, all the time (Psalm 139; Matthew 28:20). Awesome.
 
Over the years I have heard many people teach about "faith"; mostly they talked as though faith is like a muscle and if we "huff and puff" enough it will grow stronger. I believe that faith comes from knowing Jesus and growing in Him, more and more.
 
Through Jesus we can know God personally and relationally in our spirit (Matthew 6:9; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:17). We know Jesus as our Saviour and Shepherd (Luke 1:47; John 10:11) and even historically, and by learning more and more about Him from the Bible and the many resources available to us, and too, by hearing His voice in our own heart, and experiencing His touch in our life. All this will grow our faith. 

While I was reading the words "ascended" and "glorified", many Scripture verses and earlier understandings came together for me. Suddenly I saw Jesus as endless, and also His Kingdom, and His presence in the world and in us. Bigger, present, working, effective, without limit.
 
Sometimes I (briefly) think God is not doing enough, even though I know this is an untrue and disloyal thought. Things are getting worse - beyond our earlier troubles, we are now watched by more cameras everywhere and live with high inflation right around the world. It seems that every aspect of our worldly life is being corrupted or controlled, and we can do nothing about any of this.
 
Happily we are assured that God knows and cares (1 Peter 5:7), therefore He must be allowing all this terrible sin in the world, just as He did for ancient Israel: "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people .." (2 Chronicles 7:13).
 
In the Old Testament we see that God wanted to change people's hearts: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). But the people wanted material prosperity and prestige and worldly power. 1st Samuel 16:7 reminds us: ".. the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart". Jesus' apostles asked: "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6): material prosperity and prestige and worldly power!
 
Is our God, even today, still waiting for His people to change their hearts towards Him and away from the world, our comforts and our flesh?
 
Jesus assured the Jewish leaders that He and Father God were always at work (John 5:17). Happily the evidence of the "ascended and glorified" Jesus doing "greater things" (John 14:12) is all around us. We need eyes to see.
 
Jesus is the centre of everything. "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16). I smile as I remember this favourite verse. In Bible college we learned: "Jesus is always the answer!" Even now He sits on His throne sharing His Father’s "Lord(ship) of all creation" (Acts 10:36), and "His principal activity is intercessory prayer" (John Yates, 2024); Jesus prays for us, His people, without ceasing (Hebrews 7:25). There are so many testimonies to the timeliness and power of His prayers.
 
When we are saved, Jesus becomes central to us, each one. We Christians call this our "first love"; that time when our "new life" (Acts 5:20) is truly new, and such a delight after how life was before Jesus came and took us to himself. We got to know the "ascended and glorified" Jesus. He is God in fullness, having completed our Father's work on Earth; He was crucified on a cross, and gave His life blood to pay the full price for our wrongdoing, our sins, for all sin, for all time. Jesus died and was buried; yet, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, He triumphed over sin and death (Romans 6:4, Ephesians 1:18-20) and rose again to life (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Jesus brings us into His family, we become children of God (1 John 3:1).
  

Even more, through baptism in Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to live inside each one of us. This is part of the promise of salvation under the New Covenant (Acts 1:8). We become God's "dwelling place" (Revelation 21:3), His "temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16). This is spiritual. Every Christian is a "living stone" (1 Peter 2:5), a part of the very fabric of God in the world.
 
"God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). When Jesus "ascended" and was "glorified" in Heaven, things became new. His work on Earth was complete, our work just beginning. We are to be His "ambassadors" (2 Corinthians 5:20) and His workers here (Matthew 10:8; 1 Corinthians 3:9). By His Spirit Jesus gives us the grace, strength and power to live for Him, (Galatians 5:16-26). But we have to choose and act, develop new habits and make effort.
 
We can only do any of this with God's strength, in Jesus Christ by His lovely Holy Spirit, our teacher, counselor, comforter and guide (John 14:26). And for this we need faith, God's kind of faith (Mark 11:22), the "certain" kind of faith that our Father has (Hebrews 11:1).
 
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you" (Romans 8:11).
 
Praise Jesus, despite how things appear, we have His constant help. Even now He intercedes for us from the throne room of God. He will guide us to act in our world today, just as He led those early Christians in the New Testament of our Bibles. Let us press on in prayer and keep seeking Him (Matthew 21:22; John 16:24). Let us cling to the faith given to us by our lovely "ascended and glorified" Jesus. Amen.
 
How many heroes of the faith do we know? We have read the Bible and books and biographies about people called to evangelise or minister healing, start an orphanage or a refuge, or to give scones to strangers in city streets.
 
Right now, many people are starting home churches or another ministry. This may seem counter-cultural in these days of mega churches and magnificent sound systems, TV and Internet broadcasts, well resourced programs and huge mailing lists, but it is totally in line with the Bible's teaching. We are all called to minister (Ephesians 2:10).
 
It is also a big change for the person; they will (even more) give their life to Jesus. Christian work is not just Sundays, it involves being ready at any time to help people, sometimes with urgent needs, or perhaps to open one's home, week after week. It will often mean keeping one's job, like Paul (a maker of tents), to provide income (Acts 18:3) because any giving received may be needed for ministry to others (Acts 20:35).
 
What we do may affect only a few people, but these few will receive the greatest blessing known to humankind; they will encounter Jesus! (Matthew 5:8; Revelation 3:20).
 
Even more, there will be a need to pray for all those who participate in the work, just as Jesus prays for us. These are not "our" people, they belong to Jesus, We simply share with Him in His "ascended and glorified" work of interceding for His church and the world.
 
Jesus calls on each one of us to disciple others. Discipling is not much seen in the church today; our call to this essential task is largely being bypassed. My reading of Scripture tells me that we all have a duty to teach and encourage others and help them to grow; and also that we never outgrow our own need to be discipled too. 

In the early church, Jesus' people would gather to share together and encourage one-another (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 14:26). They mostly met in homes (1 Corinthians 16:19; Philemon 1:1-2). The Bible says they also met in Synagogues and I can see how this would be. In our newlywed days when Trish and I were new believers, we thought of ourselves as charismatic Christians. We would attend church as was "normal" for our denomination, and afterwards, at cup-of-tea time, we would "gather"; then we would encourage one another, share thoughts, Scripture, songs, prophetic words and prayers. These times, and our prayer meetings and times of ministry, were profoundly rich and satisfying. We were "being church" together.
 
We were aware that we had been "baptised in the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:8; Revelation 22:17), just like the first Christians in the "upper room" at Pentecost (Acts 2:4). We had been given "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) and were learning to minister in these gifts. We would "one another" one another (Acts 2:42-47). We knew we had been "set free" (Galatians 5:1), we were "alive in Christ" (Colossians 2:13), and living "life in the Spirit" (Matthew 10:8; Acts 19:6). We called this "every member ministry". Our Bibles assured us that all this was normative Christianity.
 
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, Jesus' words).

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8, Jesus' words).

 
The early church did not have dedicated "church" buildings, professional pastors and "leaders", nor "worship" teams. Neither did they have "services" where a lay congregation were served structured deliveries from-the-front. There were no professionals, no "lay" people, no pre-arranged content, no "front", and certainly no stage. Be assured though, the people would have come prepared; early on I was taught to ask: "Lord Jesus, what would you like me to bring to the prayer meeting, (or group, or Bible study)?" He would always give me something, a Bible verse, a thought, a prayer, a teaching, a song. Then I would find that others would also bring something towards that same "Holy Spirit theme" that day; Jesus prepared us and equipped us for what He wanted us to discuss.
 
(We did not copy what the "church" or other people or groups were doing, we sought Jesus’ guidance as to what He wanted us to do).
 
The "ascended" Jesus was "glorified" among us, simply, without fuss and from love.
 
Amen. 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:8-11).
 
Yes. Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses -
 
"For in Him we live and move and have our being .. For we also are His children" (Acts 17:28).
 
"These whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified" (Romans 8:30).
 
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Take It By Force

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12, Jesus' words). 
 

When I was a new Christian I learned that my "force" was not enough. I knew that I was saved, that Jesus had forgiven my sins and brought me into His fold. But I was not in relationship with Him, neither did I know His Father as my father, not intimately as "Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). I had a long time of big struggle.
 
I tried as hard as I could but I did not obtain "conviction" or "power" (1 Thessalonians 1:5), and this bothered me enormously. Parts of my life were going well, but the rest was emptiness and uncertainty. I knew people who had "got it" - they had some spiritual maturity, they were growing in Jesus, they were moving into the reality of their "adoption as children of the living God" (Ephesians 1:5) - they were "alive in Christ" (Romans 6:11) and had begun the lifelong process of "renewing their minds" (Romans 12:2).
 
I would read my Bible. I went to all the prayer meetings and conferences and learned from some truly great teachers. I loved Communion, the Lord's Supper. I was sincere. Sometimes I cried tears of joy. When people asked my denomination I would say that I was "a committed Christian", meaning that I belonged to Jesus more than to a local church or any group, and that Christianity was a main focus in my life - I wanted to be the man Jesus wanted me to be.
 
Already I knew that Christian life is a struggle. The Bible says we will receive gifts which help us; that our force alone will never win the day. (Paul, who contributed so much to the early church and to our Bibles, struggled mightily and often, he knew that he had little "force", see Acts 9:23-25, 13:50, 14:5-6, 21:11, 21:31-34).
 
John Baptist was Jesus' cousin. Even before he was born, John was filled by Holy Spirit (Luke 1:44), he "leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb". John committed all his life to God even though he did not know when he would be called upon to do what is recorded in the Bible; he was to announce the coming of Israel's promised Messiah.
 
John lived in the desert. No supermarkets and work-wear stores for him, he ate rough and wore rough clothes. He went out there and meditated on God's word and prayed. He was committed, he became stalwart.
 
Remember, John was born 400 years after God had last spoken to Israel, His "treasured possession" (Exodus 19:5). The people followed their Jewish traditions, and "the law and the prophets" (Acts 28:23), but had received no new word from their God until John. Four hundred years - about sixteen generations. No word.
 
John must have been sure; sure and strong and courageous. He began his ministry of announcing Israel's Messiah (John 1:15). He would have had nothing but faith, truly believing that he had heard God say "go, speak now".
 
John did not know who he was to announce as Messiah until Father God had the dove come and rest on Jesus and spoke aloud from Heaven, "this is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). John and Jesus were just a few months different in age. Jesus lived simply as a carpenter, I am sure that John was surprised; Jesus was so ordinary, He was his cousin, a part of his extended family. But John obeyed and baptised Jesus. Jesus was, and is, the Saviour of all humankind. John had "eyes to see and ears to hear" (Acts 28:27), and was "obedient" (1 Peter 1:2). 
 

The world desperately wants all the blessings of "the Kingdom of God"; people will say "yes, I will go to Heaven when I die, I am a good person". Their desire is so strong that they will use great force to justify their claim.
 
At the same time, the human desire for security and respect is universal; I now believe that being in Jesus' (spiritual) arms is the most secure and safe place in the world. Jesus is with us "always" (Matthew 28:20), and we can always know we have value and are loved (1 John 3:1).
 
I have worked in big businesses and in government departments, almost always they are managed by those with political skills and for many managers appearances mattered more than substance, personal ambition was more important than the true mission. These ones understand "force". My response to all this is to remember that "small is beautiful", I simply seek to follow Jesus’ leading, and to keep a low profile.
 
God’s Way
 
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). When we come to Him we are given the assurance that we are forgiven our sins and set free from their burden. We are loved and can be at rest. We do not need "force". We are brought into God's family and have an eternal Saviour caring for us and providing strength when we have none (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus is always the same (James 1:17). 
 
All our life we have been encouraged to dream dreams and to set goals, then to work very hard to reach them. It is no wonder then that the people of the world are forceful towards God's Kingdom and His people, they are trying to achieve a great and worthy goal in the world’s way. But God is gracious: 
 

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:2-5).
 
The great, ever repeating, tragedy of the Fall, as I see it, is that Satan offered those first two humans a lesser version of what they already had. Adam and Eve were in intimate relationship with God, they worked with Him during the day, caring for the "vast array" of the Creation, and in the evening they would "walk and talk together", the three of them, "in the garden". They would have known what pleased God, thus they knew fully what was "good" and what was "evil", (that is, everything that does not please God).
 
God offers us Adam’s and Eve’s original potential today, not as Satan offered, by separating our self from God, but by joining with Jesus. In Him our conscience can discern right and wrong and be at peace. In Jesus we are being made whole (Colossians 2:9-11), as only Jesus can bring healing, and the world cannot even counterfeit (1 John 2:27).
 
We can see this same thought expressed when Jesus was asked about His ministry, He gave a Kingdom answer about the people blessed by His mission: "'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor" (Luke 7:22). A message of hope for all. Good news. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ! Here we see love, compassion and power; but not "force".
 
"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:6,8). We Christians are to participate in Jesus’ works (Ephesians 2:10).
 
None of this is available to those who seek to "take it by force" (Matthew 11:12), their heart is wrong, their motive is wrong, their objective is wrong, and they will depend on them-self. We know that the way for us to "run the race" (1 Corinthians 9:24), is to "abide in the vine" (John 15:5), fully depending on Jesus as "shepherd" and "Lord" (John 10:11), and to use the "spiritual gifts" He has given us by His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7).
 
No other faith group has these assurances, (least of all the humanists, possibly the most popular "faith" in the West in our time). Some gods say "maybe; if you follow all my rules and practices and sacrifices, I may help you if it pleases me". Such faith is based on works, which is simply religion and is uncertain. Only Jesus’ followers are ever sure of their salvation and their God.
 
Jesus was offended by religion and religious practice. Our God seeks relationship with His people, Spirit to spirit, such close relationship that we are brought into His family. Jesus' Father becomes our Father, we are made sons, in fullness, "sons and daughters of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:18). (In Bible language, we are all "sons" because we are brought fully into Jesus' inheritance, just like a first born son in Bible times).
 
At the Creation, Elohim God created a glorious place full of truly wondrous and beautiful things; today we call this "the Universe", or "our ecosystem". Then God created humankind, "man" and "woman", in His own image and likeness, and commanded that they, (now we), should rule over the world and care for it in all its complexity (Genesis 1:26-28). Surely an awesome undertaking and responsibility, worthy of our Lord Jesus.
 
Nevertheless, we seem able to get ourselves into trouble. We do wrong and feel guilt and shame. We are hurt and feel betrayal or pain. All our "force" cannot overcome these feelings. We need God's "benefits", His "free gift"; for those who belong to Jesus, who have faith in the one who died and rose for all of humanity (Romans 5:15-16, 6:23; John 8:36).
 

Hallelujah! Jesus brought the New Covenant and has now included us in it; "the Kingdom of God has come near" (Luke 10:9). We are to be God's "ambassadors" (2 Corinthians 5:20) and "instruments" (2 Timothy 2:21) on the earth. We are given spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and more), so that, in our human frailty, and in the authority Jesus has given us, we can exercise the same kinds of ministry we see from Jesus in all four of the Gospels, and throughout the New Testament in our Bible (Matthew 10:8). God's power, in Jesus, by Holy Spirit; not our "force".

We Are Forgiven Our Sins
 
Forgiveness is a major theme of both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible, and is a key element in the gospel of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is Himself God and at the same time, the human Son of God (a mystery). He gave His sinless and perfect life to pay the price so that we can be forgiven and set free, He empowers us to forgive.
 
The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2-4; Matthew 6:9-15) includes us asking our Father to "forgive us our sins" followed by God's desire for us that "we also forgive everyone who sins against us"; our forgiveness is bound together with our forgiving.
 
All sin is wrongdoing against God, it all hurts Him, so it is costly for Him to forgive, He paid with the life of His only Son (John 3:16). Yet our Father God is always ready to forgive us when we repent and acknowledge Jesus as our Saviour. This is God's grace towards us at its most profound (Ephesians 2:8).
 
We are free to live the life He planned for us from the beginning. (See Galatians 5:1, John 10:10, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We can see why God wants to forgive us, so that there will be no barrier between us, no impediment to the flow of love from Him to us, each one, and from us to Him. Such a blessing. 
 

When we remember past hurts from other people they can be as sharply painful as when they were new. (Often, physical pain is not so long remembered). Our desire to not forgive the one who hurt us is understandable, but, truth is, unforgiveness hurts us more and more as time passes. Unforgiveness becomes bitterness, and bitterness is a slow poison. (Hebrews 12:15) "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many".
 
We are then able to see, hear and obey: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
 
We are told "Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7), Jesus wants us to "wait on Him" (Psalm 27:14). We are not alone, His strength will be there for us when we need it, our "force" will never be enough.
 
The world may be a scary and dangerous place, but I can have peace and hope, because I am a forgiven child of the living God, and His Son Jesus is my big brother! Hallelujah.
 
Praise Jesus. Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63).
 
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
 
"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'" (John 11:40).
 
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
 
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,  and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ" (Colossians 2:9-11).

Thank you Jesus my Saviour, Teacher, Lord and friend. Amen.
 
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Free Gift

People all over the world are celebrating Christmas. We Christians know that the "Christ" of "Christmas" is Jesus, who came as a baby to a world mired in sin so that He could save us and set us free. He is alive and working still. Hallelujah!

On Christmas eve Trish and I and others were singing "O Holy Night" - I was struck by the words: "Til He appear'd and the soul felt it's worth".

Until we meet Jesus we do not know our value, or even why we are here - now we can know our very great "worth", we are precious because of what our Father God has given us through His Son Jesus.
 
On the last page of the Bible Jesus invites every person to "Come!" and "take the 'free gift' of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17).
 
In Romans 5:15-17 and 6:23 the apostle Paul writes about a "free gift" from God.
 
What is God's "free gift"?
Since it is free, is it valuable?
Why is it free?
Why is it given?
Was this all planned?
What has God's "free gift" to do with every person? With you? With me? With our purpose, our life and our destiny?
 
Big questions.
 
When we believe in Jesus and repent of our sins, we receive forgiveness (Acts 10:43); Jesus shed His blood and died to "redeem us" (Titus 2:14), that is, He paid the price of the twin curses of "death and sin" (Romans 6:23; 8:2). Jesus atoning death sets us free. This is the essence of the gospel we Christians love and share.

 
"We are justified through our faith and find peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Jesus paid the price; for us it is a "free gift".

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

 
Our justification leads to our being righteous. We our-self may be soiled by sin, but Jesus' righteousness covers us, we too become righteous. We have received our salvation (Romans 5:10; 5:15-16). This sets us free; we become "free to be free" (Galatians 5:1). 

There is another "free gift", the "promised gift of the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13). Perhaps the Bible uses the same "free gift" words because our Lord wants us to regard all His gifts to us as being one complete package, a fullness of Him who "fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:23). Holy Spirit is the "free gift" in Revelation 22:17, "the water of life".
 
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).
 
Holy Spirit becomes our "teacher" (1 Corinthians 2:13), our "counselor" and "comforter" (John 14:26 Amplified). He is the power who raised Jesus from the dead. "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11).
 
In Acts 1:4-5 Jesus explains that Holy Spirit would come soon after He was crucified, rose from death and ascended to Heaven. Acts tells of Holy Spirit coming and filling Jesus' people, those who would be the first Christians (Acts 2:17,19).
 
The "working" of Holy Spirit can be seen in Matthew's gospel, Jesus tells His twelve disciples to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8). The promise from Jesus is in all four Gospels and the Book of Acts, and on the last page of the Bible (where its presence shows its great importance). Holy Spirit baptism is a "free gift" for every Christian.
 
Jesus tells us that He came so that we may have "life to the full" (John 10:10). It is my testimony that the "free gift" of God, and the "full life" Jesus offers are linked and truly are what completes us as humans. We were designed to be relational and intimately connected to the God of all Creation who gave every person life. He sustains us, and the entire Universe, by His mighty foresight and power. God's relational design is also seen in our universal desire to be close with family members and with others, we make friends, many friendships last a lifetime. This is another strong theme throughout the Bible.
 

Trouble
We live in a world with much trouble. Our own wrongdoing (what our Bible calls "sin") is part of this. We know we have hurt others, broken laws and rules of our society, however careful we are.
 
Often we develop strategies to avoid or minimize the pain and injury done to us, and also from our conscience. These strategies diminish both our self and our life. "But", we say, "this is better than trying to deal with my past, my pain, my sin, my troubles".
 
Sin has affected every person in the world since Adam and Eve.
 
"But you know that Jesus appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5).
 
When Jesus' "hour" had come for Him to go to the Cross (John 17:1), He told His disciples that they would always face trouble, and assured them "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). He is the only one who can do this. Jesus is ready to give us a share in this overcoming. All this is beyond our natural strength; God's power comes to us through His "free gift".
 
The "free gift" of God is given to people one at a time. The giving is not random, but planned.  The plan began before "the beginning" of the Creation (Genesis 1) and continues to this day (Revelation 22:20-21). 

My testimony, and that of hundreds of people I have heard, tells me that God's "free gift" is immensely precious as it makes us complete as a person.
 
In 1670, Blaise Pascal, a brilliant mathematician and physicist, said that there is a "God sized hole in the heart of every person", an emptiness which cannot be satisfied by any created thing.
 
By the time I met Trish, (now my wife of many years and the mother and grandmother of our big lovely family), I had learned that the world was not enough to satisfy me; I often felt "empty". Jesus came to us, Trish first and then me, and "fills our life with good things" (Psalm 103:5), and "our youth is renewed like the eagle's". I became aware that the "filling" was of something essential in me; Pascal's words rang true the minute I heard them. I thought: "So true, thank you Pascal for drawing such a clear word picture".
 
At the same time, the world is altogether too big. Do you remember your first airline flight? Hours go by and you are still over land and more land, or over ocean with no features, yet every minute you travel about 15 kilometres, (10 miles), half a day's walk, but just a spec on Earth's surface. No matter how we try, how we succeed, we become important to a tiny part of the world population, and most things will still be beyond our reach.
 
Happily, the God I have come to know and love is truly big, He fills my world and my worldview; He has my past, my present and my future securely in his hands (John 3:35).
 
And too, our "success" does not take us beyond trouble and strife: "mankind is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
 
Being Filled
The bible says we are "filled" by Jesus Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 1:23). This "free gift" of filling brings with it spiritual gifts which empower us to live and minister as Jesus did, (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
 
Spiritual gifts enable us to help others and include:
• Words of wisdom
• Words of knowledge
• Acts of faith
• Gifts of healing
• Miraculous powers
• Gifts of prophecy, (the ability to hear God's voice)
• Speaking and interpreting of different kinds of tongues, (spiritual languages)
• Discerning of spirits, (having an understanding of spiritual activity, of which spirit is which, and which spirits are of our God of all Creation, and which are not).
 
Other spiritual gifts are:
• Gifts of service
• Helps, (simply being helpful)
• Generosity (in all things)
• Love, (a "doing" word, intensely personal, beyond our own strength, skills or wisdom)
• Abilities to teach, evangelise, minister and lead. 

All this is "to equip [Jesus'] people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). 
 
Spiritual gifts are practical, they enable us to help others beyond our natural abilities or strength. We do not bring just words, but God manifests His wisdom and power to the world in us through Jesus by Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5).
 
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" (John 7:38).
 
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
So much of our life is spiritual; this can be experienced but is difficult to explain. People may say that there is no scientific evidence that anything spiritual exists, it cannot be weighed on a scale, or measured for length and breadth, or classified for texture or colour. This is true. But neither can love, or fear, greed or compassion, pride or arrogance, these are all intangible (not having physical presence). What motivates us? Encourages us? What produces loyalty or trust in us? (The "scientific method" expressly excludes the possibility of anything spiritual existing yet, worldwide, most people know that it is real. I do not know the "scientific" position regarding love, desire, joy or grief).
 
Testimony
I have come to love Christian testimony. When our children were still at school our local church would travel 1600 kilometres (1000 miles) inland into the desert to mind the children in an Australian Aboriginal Community while the grown-ups had their annual Christian convention. People would come from all over South, Central, North and West Australia to share this time together. A great many people gave testimony of the good things Jesus had been doing in their lives over the past year; this was a feature of the weekend. God's people would share His glory with one another, testifying of His presence in the world, and of tangible blessings received.
 
In Perth city an oil company executive was asked by Jesus to establish a mid-week prayer meeting for city workers; the focus would be singing praises to our God, sharing testimony of Jesus' work in our day, and prayer. Wesley Church is in the centre of our CBD; the man asked: "Could the meetings be held there?" The answer: "Yes". Years later we still meet, sing and praise our Lord Jesus, hear testimony of Him coming to people and changing lives. And we pray, including prayer for the people who work in the city and those who have influence throughout the city, our state and the nation. We've rejoiced in years of testimonies of the (intangible and "non-scientific") wondrous works of our Jesus in people's lives, people from a hundred countries around the world. Glorious. Our God reigns (Revelation 19:6).
 
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
 
"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:53).
 
Thank you Jesus, for myself who was lost, and for the many who know you, and have been blessed and saved and filled by your grace. Thank you for your love and your "free gift".
 
Amen.
 
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