Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Made to Cleave Unto the Lord

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
Concerning His people Israel and Judah, the Lord said, "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah," saith the Lord; "that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear." (Jeremiah 13:10-11)

Jeremiah was often used by God as an illustration for the people. In this case (Ch 13) he was told to take off his girdle (what we call a belt or sash) and hide it in a cleft of a rock near the Euphrates. This girdle was new and made of linen before he placed it in the rock but when he returned for it "behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing" (Jer 13:7). We were all this way - profitable for nothing. Praise God, we are this way no longer.

The Flesh Profits Nothing. Jesus said, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (Jn 3:6). No matter how many advantages, no matter how much provision is given to the flesh it will still profit nothing (Jn 6:63). The flesh of man, what he has naturally received from Adam, is good for nothing. In being accepted by God, nothing offered by man has any worth or merit. Israel is the premier example of this. Who had more provision from God? Who saw more miracles? To them was given "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom 9:4). Their's "are the fathers" and through them "as concerning the flesh Christ came" (Rom 9:5). What else could God have given them? He advantaged above all others yet it did not make them better than anyone else - they, like all the sheep, went astray.

Isaiah also illustrated how the flesh always falls short.
Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching His vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein; and He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes...What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:1-2,4)
The vine brought forth wild grapes because it was a fleshly vine. No matter how much provision and support was given, it still produced wild grapes. This vineyard, like the girdle, is the house of Israel and the house of Judah - advantaged above all others, yet fallen just like the rest. No matter what you do with flesh, it will still, only be flesh - and the flesh profits nothing. 

You Must Be Born Again. The Lord challenged the people to repent and the challenge still stands - if you can change yourselves and make yourselves righteous, then do it. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" saith the Lord, "then ye also do good, that are accustomed to evil" (Jer 13:23). Man cannot change himself to this degree. He may be able to stop bad behaviors and start good ones but he cannot come high enough so as to escape judgment. He cannot be spotless and unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God by the efforts of the flesh. He must be born again.

"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:1-2). The advantages of being a Jew are numerous but those advantages must be used. The Jews who loved the Lord and were looking for the Messiah quickly identified Him and received Him. They believed the preaching of the gospel and they turned to the Lord. Jesus said, "Come unto Me" and they came and they, like a girdle, cleaved unto the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). They joined themselves to Him (1 Cor 6:17).

It is as though the girdle which had become marred and profitable for nothing has now become new and profits much. As a result of sin being put away and Christ being exalted, God has also made His people new creatures with new hearts. He has delivered them from the bondage of sin so that they are no longer slaves to it. They were made to cleave unto Him and it is in their heart to do so. He has made them willing in the day of Christ's power (Ps 110:3). He has made the tree good, therefore, it's fruit is good also (Mt 12:33). He has made them to "be unto [Him] for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory." How? by changing them within.

Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
Not with gold or gem,
But with Thin own life-blood,
For Thy diadem;

With Thy blessing filling
Each who come to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing,
Thou hast made us free.

By Thy grand redemption,
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side -
Savior, we are Thine!
(Frances Havergal)


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Take Off Your Sandals

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5, NKJV)

There are some things that only God can do. When God was speaking with Moses it was not a time of negotiation. God told Moses that He had heard the cry of Israel and He was going to deliver them. He then said, "I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt" (Exod 3:10). 


God did not ask Moses about his views on the situation. He was not consulting Moses about his plans or availability. This was a directive; a revelation of the Divine purpose. And as such, this was not a time for Moses to speak or to act but a time to hear. 



When To Take Your Sandals Off. There are times and specific works that only God can do. There are times when it is man's task to simply observe. These are when the most precious things are being done and man cannot participate lest he corrupt the work. In other words, when it is time for God to speak man must listen. When it is time for God to work man must watch. When it is time for God to provide, man must rest in that provision. These are the times when man must take his sandals off.

Though God would use Moses to do His wonders and deliver His people Israel, when he was on that mount and God was speaking to him, it was not time for him to "do" but time for him to "hear." He had to hear first, before he could do anything. This was a time and place when he had to take his sandals off, for he was standing on holy ground.

Rest. The sabbath day was also a day when men were to take their sandals off. The essence of the sabbath day is rest. "Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death" (Exod 31:15). This day was a day to cease from work and trust in the provision of the Lord. This was a holy day and and a time to take off your sandals or, in the words of Isaiah, "turn away thy foot."

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasures on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa 58:13-14) 

When God reveals His purpose we are on holy ground. When He shows us His covenant we are on holy ground. When He opens our understanding we are on holy ground. And when we are on holy ground - we must take off our sandals, or in other words, "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). The strength which God supplies, that enables us to be a co-laborer with Him, is received during these times. Paul spent three years with the Lord before going to Jerusalem (Gal 1:18). Jesus would spent countless nights on the mountain in prayer (Mt 14:23; Mk 6:46; Lk 6:12). It was at these times that they were supplied with strength and comfort and revelation from God. They were holy times and times to take off their sandals. Praise God for such times. 

When To Put Your Sandals On.  It is after we have been given the instruction, after we have seen and heard what God would do, after we have been strengthened with might in the inner man, that we are to lace up our sandals and go to work. 

Sandals on the feet represent a man that is working, has ability (strength and speed), and is ready to move. The Passover meal was to be eaten "in haste," "with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand" (Exod 12:11), that is, the people were to be ready to move. Likewise, when Peter was miraculously loosed from prison the angel of the Lord said, "Arise quickly! Gird yourself and put on your sandals" (Acts 12:8). It was time to move. 

In the wilderness the "sandals" along with the clothes of the people, did not wear out for forty years. This shows us that God gave the people the ability to survive. If the "garments and sandals have become old because of the very long journey" (Josh 9:13) it would show a condition of weakness and vulnerability. Whereas, if the "sandals shall be iron and bronze" (Deut 33:25) the people have been given strength.

The magnitude of the work of Christ made it so that John the baptist was not even worthy to carry His sandals (Mt 3:11). That is, he was not worthy to participate in any of the work that Christ would do in accomplishing our redemption.

This is the stance of believers in Christ: ready to move, prepared to work, able to minister in the strength of the Lord. When it comes to ministry we have our "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph 6:15). But there are also times when we must take our sandals off. These are times when we must cease from work. These are times when we must be still and trust in the God of our salvation. These are holy times - when we are standing on holy ground. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Jesus Learned Obedience

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
The Spirit affirms, 
“Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). 

Jesus, who “always” does “those things that please” God (Jn 8:29) had to “learn obedience.” We are not to conclude from this that Jesus was somehow rebellious and needed to be taught to obey. He was without sin. He NEVER disobeyed God. The point is not that He did not know how to obey God, but that He had to learn obedience while in His flesh. 

Prior to becoming flesh and dwelling among us, Jesus had no competing influences to His will or doing the Father’s will. When “the Word was with God” (Jn 1:1) and the Father gave Him a task He would obey without any conflict. But it was different when He came into the world. 

When Jesus tabernacled among us He entered into a cursed realm. He entered into a “present evil world” (Gal 1:4). He entered into an arena in which the prince of darkness had dominated and overcome every man. He entered a place in which He could and would be tempted to disobey God. Never before had He endured such an affliction. Thus, the text declares “He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” 

Jesus learned to obey in the midst of adverse circumstances. He learned to obey in the midst of temptation. He learned to say “nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done” (Lk 22:42). He learned how to take “the way to escape” provided along with the temptation (1 Cor 10:13), and He took it every time. He learned to suffer through the affliction and temptation without giving in to it. He overcame the world.

Jesus graduated from the school of hard knocks without being corrupted, defiled or stained by it. Because of this He is qualified to be a merciful and faithful High Priest. He learned obedience by the things which He suffered and is therefore able to teach us how to obey as well. “For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour [come to the aid of] them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18).

Jesus: The Seed of the Woman

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
The gospel was preached to the devil. The location was the garden of Eden. Those in attendance included the serpent, Adam, Eve, and the rest of creation at that time. The occasion was the serpent beguiling Eve with his subtilty (2 Cor 11:3) and as a result sin had entered the world and death by sin (Rom 5:12). So, what was the message that the Lord preached? Hear it for yourself:

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:14-15)

The fall of man was the result of the devil deceiving man and man, in rebellion to the command of God, sinning. God, the Righteous Judge, declared judgment on all offending parties - man, woman and the serpent. The largest blow, however, would be dealt to the devil, and that by "the seed of the woman." 

The Seed of the Woman. To be sure, this is an interesting phrase. The point is that the one to bruise the serpent's head would be a man. The destruction of the devil would not be attributed to an angel, or a principality or power in heavenly place, or to God Himself but to a man. But not just any man..."the seed of the woman." 

Jesus most frequently referred to Himself as "the Son of Man." This emphasized His association with man. He is the One Mediator whom Job desired that could reach up into heaven and reach down to earth. His manhood was a requirement for salvation. We couldn't be saved by an angel, because we needed someone who could be touched with the feelilng of our infirmities and could be tempted in all points like as we are (Heb 4:15). This association with man qualified our Savior to be a merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb 2:17).

Not only this, but Jesus had to become a man so that He could die. He was "made a little lower than the angels FOR the suffering of death" (Heb 2:9). He couldn't, "by the grace of God taste death for every man" unless He became a man and dwelt among us. For this He humbled Himself and took upon Himself "the seed of Abraham" (Heb 2:16). He willingly submitted Himself to death, even the death of the cross. He became a curse for us and was forsaken by the Father so that He could, once for all, put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. It was then, in His weakest state (2 Cor 13:4) that He defeated the devil.

The Serpent. The serpent in the garden was none other than the devil himself. He took on the form of a "snake" yet his person was the same. He was cunning and crafty, subtle and deceitful. He took the words of God, "Thou shalt surely day" (Gen 2:17) and manipulated them to turn them into a lie, "ye shalt surely NOT die" (Gen 3:4). This is his manner of work. He knows and is able to "twist" the Scripture in order to corrupt the minds of man. His boldness can be seen in that he even tried to deceive Jesus this way (Mt 4:1-11). 

Determined Enmity. Enmity is hostility and opposition between two parties. Enmity between Jew and Gentile (Eph 2:15-16). Friendship with the world is enmity with God (Jas 4:4). The carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom 8:7). Herod and Pilate were at enmity with one another until they unity in their hostility against Christ (Lk 23:12). The one who murders another with enmity and hatred is to die according to the law (Num 35:20-25).

Satan is portrayed as "a great red dragon" who "stood before the woman which was ready [to deliver]" in order to "devour the child as soon as it was born" (Rev 12:4). You will recall that as soon as Jesus was born a decree of death was issued by Herod and he "slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under" (Mt 2:16). Joseph and Mary, having been warned of this in a dream, fled to Egypt for safety. Was this simply the work of a wicked king? or was this determined since before the foundations of the earth were laid? The fleeing to Egypt and the destruction in Bethlehem fulfilled at least two prophecies (Hos 11:1; Jer 31:15) showing us that men were not simply reacting to their circumstances. On the surface it may have looked like that but behind the scenes we know that this was the determined enmity between the serpent and the seed of the woman. This was "the great red dragon" seeking to "devour the child as soon as it was born." And what was happening when the pharisees and scribes sought to put Him to death? The serpent was seeking to devour the child.

Jesus Bruised the Serpent's Head. While the devil and his cohorts would constantly go about seeking to the devour the offspring of the woman, their attacks would be limited to the likes of a bruise on the heel. The seed of the woman, however, would deliver a much more severe and lasting blow on the head. Some versions interpret the text and rendered the devil's work as striking his heel and the seed of the woman's work as "crushing" the head. 

Jesus declared that no man would take His life but that He would lay it down on His own accord. When the serpent bruised His heel it was because (and ONLY because) he was given power to do so. Jesus said to his enemies and seemingly to all the forces of wickedness, "this is your hour and the power of darkness" (Lk 22:53). They had an hour and they did their worst. But it only amounted to a bruise on the heel of Jesus. And while the serpent drew near and struck the son of the woman, the son of the woman crushed his head. Thus, it is written, "forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14).

Today. The serpent is still at work today, but "we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor 2:11). The enmity between the serpent and the seed of the woman has spilled over into enmity toward the woman and the rest of her seed. "When the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child" (Rev 12:13). In other words, though the devil was overcome by Jesus, he still makes war against those whom Jesus was sent to save - man. People seem to imagine that if they join "the devil's side" that he will in some way do good to them. This is just another one of his deceptions. In the end, he is even making war against his worshippers in order to afflict the "Man child" by some means. The devil's attention, however, is with the followers of Christ. They are the focus of his warfare, as it is written: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev 12:17). They are the focal point of his persecution because they have joined themselves to the Seed of the woman. 

Being the subject of persecution does not cause us to shrink back or cower. Rather, we joy in our tribulations and willingly fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col 1:24). We count it a blessing to be considered worthy to suffer for His sake and we know that it will turn out for our good. It is still true, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" We find comfort in knowing that greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. 

Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). We reason thus, if Christ overcame the world, He is also able to make us overcome through Him. With His power that is at work in us, we "resist the devil" and he flees from us (Jas 4:7). In the consummation of his demise the final blow will come upon the devil and that also by the hand of men. For, "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under YOUR feet, shortly" (Rom 16:20).

Jesus Died for All. Now All Should Live For Him

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)


A Constraining Love. Knowing “the love of Christ” is paramount in the believer's life God-ward. Without this knowledge, that Jesus loved them, they cannot serve God acceptably and they will not be compelled to forsake all things in order to gain Christ. This is an effectual knowledge. The more a person knows the love of Christ, the more they will immediately through off every encumbrance and the sin which so easily besets them. Paul knew this and asked the Father that the saints in Ephesus would “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph 3:18-19).

Why do people forsake houses, lands and families in order to follow after Jesus? Why do people quit well paying jobs and reject prosperous opportunities in order to walk in the light? Why do people neglect their own well-being in order to please God and minister to the saints? Because they know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge and this love constrains them to live for God.

The "love of Christ," here, is referring to His sacrifice of Himself - "one died for all." Jesus laid down His life for us. He said, “No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself” (Jn 10:18). He demonstrated in His cross that the greatest love that man has is to “lay down His life for His friends” (Jn 15:13). And what He did for His friends was bare their sins “in His own body on the tree,” that they “being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness” (1 Pet 2:24). When this truth dawns upon a person's heart they stop living for themselves and start living for Him who died for them, namely, Jesus.

Sound Reasoning. By considering His death and His love toward us, we are able to make sound judgments concerning our lives. Here is one such judgment: “We judge thus, that if One died for all, then were all dead.” In other words, the reason that Jesus died for all men is because all men were dead in trespasses and sins. The death of Christ is like a cornerstone for sound reasoning.

“The wages of sin is death,” (Rom 6:23) says the apostle, and those wages must be paid in order for the Righteous God to be just. In the infinite wisdom of God, He laid all the sin of the world on the only One who “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice; the only “spotless lamb.” His sinless life qualified Him to be a worthy sin-bearer. And when the sin of the world was laid upon Him, the Father cursed Him, forsook Him and killed Him, thus making an end of sin.

Jesus died for all, therefore all died.

But...the One who was given power to lay down His life was also given power to take it up again. So, while all are dead because of sin, so all shall be made alive because of righteousness. While by one man sin came into the world and death by sin and "it is appointed for all men to die once and afterward the judgment" know this: provision has been made by Christ, in the putting away of sin once for all, that those who believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). We are to live for Him who died, "AND ROSE AGAIN."

There is a requirement for all to die but if that death is a death to self, then it is the beginning of life for evermore. When a person is constrained by the love of Christ, they henceforth – from that point forward – no longer live for themselves but for Christ. This is the appropriate response to the love of Christ toward man. It is actually not an option but a requirement of man because of Christ's death. While men may think that they are free to live for themselves, they are actually not. When they sinned the wrath of God was placed upon them and every day after that was a display of God's mercy and patience. They will stand before God and He will say, “I showed you mercy and gave you space to repent. You should have lived no longer for yourself but the One who died and rose again.” Men will give account for “the things done in the body” (2 Cor 5:10). Why? Because Jesus died and purchased their bodies. This is the doctrine of redemption.

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Jesus died for all. All are dead. But since we live, it is appropriate for us to live not for ourselves, but for Jesus who died for us and rose again.