Forgiveness Granted, Not Gained….

Christianity is different from all other religions. Authenticity is measured by what comes out of the heart. Christianity is only real to those who’s hearts are receptive to God’s calling. It’s not an intellectual faith, even though there are religious sects that exist based on that premise. It’s a relational faith. One that substitutes forgiveness granted, not gained. It’s a faith and understanding that only grows from being “born again”. If you are not worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth, you will not see, you will not learn, you will not understand, and thus you will not be forgiven. Spiritual sight comes from God alone. If your heart isn’t right with God, you’ll never be able to grow spiritually. If Jesus isn’t part of your daily life, you’re only pretending to be “Christian”. There is no room in Heaven for pretenders. You either give God the right to rule in your heart, or you don’t. It’s an all or nothing transaction. It doesn’t cost money, just your life. Which soil are you planting your seeds in?

1 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around Him, so He got into a boat. Then He sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. 2 He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain.8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”9 Then He said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked Him what the parables meant.11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do,they will learn nothing.When they hear what I say,they will not understand.Otherwise, they will turn to Meand be forgiven.’” 13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Mark 4:1-20

On His Behalf….

When you read this Psalm it’s easy to get confused about what it says. It’s very easy to adopt a legalistic attitude. Jesus was put on trial. He was cross-examined. There was no evidence of Him being guilty. However, He was still crucified. That means an innocent man suffered and died. It’s His sacrificial death that gives us the ability to be forgiven. Once forgiven, we can declare our innocence for it is substituted upon us by Jesus. It’s like Jesus stands before God innocent. We stand before God guilty. Jesus steps in front of us, and God declares us innocent because He paid the fine for our trespass. God sees Jesus in front of us, and thus declares us righteous on His behalf. Some how David knew this, and wrote about it in this very Psalm. His attitude was that of Jesus’ attitude. He didn’t think lying was right. He hated hypocrisy. He didn’t join in with evil behavior. And he didn’t hang out with wicked people. And most importantly, he did all of this with the mindset of Jesus, humility with gratitude. It’s the only way it can work. Without Jesus, legalism results. We don’t live by rules, we live by faith. And faith in Jesus sets us above the law. David knew this and wrote about it often. Do you have this kind of faith? Ask God to infuse you with the confidence David had in God. David trusted God with his own life. Do you?

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,for I have acted with integrity;I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.Test my motives and my heart.3 For I am always aware of Your unfailing love,and I have lived according to Your truth.4 I do not spend time with liarsor go along with hypocrites.5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,and I refuse to join in with the wicked. Psalms 26:1-5

When We Practice Honesty…

When we trust God, and walk in His ways, He protects us from disgrace in ways we may never fully grasp. When we practice honesty, and walk with integrity, our reputation may be attacked, but it will be preserved while the opposition retreats in shame.

20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!Do not let me be disgraced, for in You I take refuge.21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in You. Psalms 25:20-21

Grace To The Humble, Law To The Proud…

Being a Christian can be confusing at times. It can also be disheartening as well. Take for instance witnessing, speaking truth. When we speak truth there will be several reactions to it. First, people will oppose it, laugh at you, and try to make you feel stupid for believing it. Second, people will question it, either wanting to know more, or combating it with worldly logic. Lastly, there will be those who think they know it all, every answer, and think you don’t know what you’re talking about. These reactions can take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. What we have to remember is this: people who realize they are sick need to be pointed towards the path that leads to a physician, where healing is possible. Those that think they are healthy (spiritually speaking) don’t need directions. The way you tell the difference, and helps determine your approach, is how they react when you present the truth. If they respond with pride and legalism, you present the law to them (to show them their sinful dilemma). If they react with humility, you extend grace to them, explaining the purpose of the gospel. Grace to the humble, law to the proud. It’s how Jesus did it. And it’s very effective. When people aren’t receptive, quote John 3:16, thank them for their time, and walk away. If they are receptive, preach the gospel, and extend God’s grace to them with an opportunity to pray and receive Jesus. Keep this practice in your mind and heart, and you’ll be less confused, irritated, and frustrated the next time you encounter an opportunity to be God’s hands and feet to a lost and dying world.

17 When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor–sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17

Being Deceived Is Not An Excuse…

Washington DC and all politicians everywhere, listen up. Everyone else examine your own motives. Tainted wealth will not last. No matter how many under-the-table deals you make, it won’t be worth it. God will not satisfy your craving for wickedness, lack of discretion, or sins of omission. Think before you vote. Examine your motives before you pass a bill. Think of your constituents before you open your mouth to speak. Examine your own heart before you support a cause. Your actions are accountable, not just to people, but to God Himself. You swore an oath, and God takes oaths very seriously. Your only hope is Jesus. You have a choice to make, choose wisely. Being deceived is not an excuse.

2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. 3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but He refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. Proverbs 10:2-3

Are You Trying To Keep The Unkeepable?

The irony in life. Those that care about “saving face”, but deceive others, receive disgrace. And those that choose humility, trusting God in all things, might still receive disgrace from the world, but God removes the “dis” (in disgrace), leaving you with grace. Popularity is a strange creature; you must keep feeding it in order for it to grow. Yet one false move, one deceptive selfish ploy, one slack in good judgement, and it all disappears in the blink of an eye. I guess Jim Elliot summarized it best when He said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” The problem (and irony of it) is when someone tries to keep what he can’t keep and loses what he could’ve kept forever. Where are your priorities? Are you trying to keep the unkeepable, and missing out on the eternal?

3 No one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Psalms 25:3

If You Scorn Wisdom….

Wisdom comes from God. Embrace it, you benefit. Scorn it, you suffer. There’s no better explanation of the way some people think, trying to understand their lunatic logic, rather than applying this truth to their situation. Only wisdom can explain evil thoughts and behaviors. And only wisdom, knowledge of God, brings good judgement. It’s exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free”. Wisdoms comes from experience. And experience changes our outlook when God is incorporated into our life. Aligning with God (through Jesus) is the foundation in which true life is built upon. It all begins with respecting (having a healthy fear of) our Maker.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Proverbs 9:10-12