Allegiance Of The Heart

 

For it is not ours to wrestle with blood and flesh, but with sovereignties, with the authorities, with the world-mights of this darkness, with the spiritual forces of wickedness among the celestials. 

Ephesians 6: 12, Concordant New Testament 

I saw a Christian based video the other night where a teen age son was questioning his father's habit of taking away his cell phone at night.  In his mind, he was now old enough to make his own decisions and live his own life.  From his fathers perspective, he was simply protecting his child from the dangers of the internet universe.  Wherever you might stand on the issue of what freedoms to grant our young ones, you have to agree that this world is not hospitable to believers.  In fact, it's downright toxic.  Speaking as someone who has dabbled in the dark side of internet pornography at times, I can say that had I a child I would not want them walking around with free access to the internet.  Yet day after day well-meaning parents place full trust in their young children that they will make the good and righteous decision they want for them.  These are the same parents who will sit in a pew on Sunday morning and acknowledge the very same spiritual war we are engaged in.  So, knowing the spiritual battles which we face, would you trust your child alone in the world?  Would you trust yourself alone in the world?  Jesus cautioned us against such influences in Matthew.  Jesus proclaims that, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" {Matthew 6:21}.  This is true for whatever it is we hold near and dear to our hearts.  If we value money, then our hearts may well hold our finances close to us.  If we value popularity, then our hearts may well hold ourselves up above all else.  Either way, the allegiances of our heart may well not be to the Lord.  Jesus knows this to be true even today.  What is it that you hold close to you?  What is it that you clutch close to you each night so as not to lose it?  Your money?  Your Sunday football games?  Whatever it is, it could be drawing your attention away from the Lord.  After all, this IS the overall intent of Satan our accuser, to drive a wedge between ourselves and God.  And it is Satan who is at the forefront of the spiritual battles we all face.  Like a commanding general, the accuser orchestrates salvo after salvo of attacks in this battle.  This is the fight are up against.  However, if we know and understand our adversary, we are better able to withstand his tactics.  

You are of God, little children, and you have conquered them, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

1 John 4: 4, Concordant New Testament

A good friend once told me that whenever Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!  This is true.  This is real.  For it has already been determined by the Father that the accusers days are numbered.  He will not be with us forever.  On the other hand, we who are in Christ will be with Him forever.  God is for eternity.  When we look at Satan in this context, those spiritual battles we face daily don't seem so dangerous.  That doesn't mean that we can relax too much, however.  The apostle Peter also warns us of the advances of the accuser.  Peter calls on us to be vigilant and watchful for the enemy seeking to devour us {1 Peter 5:8}.  How do we do this?  By keeping our attention on the Lord.  In knowing that it is God who has created all that we see.  Yes, even Satan is a creation of the Lord.  It was Satan, however, who forsook God for his own pride {Issaiah 14:13}.  It was Satan, whom God created, who proclaimed that he would be like God Himself {Issaiah 14:14}.  It was also Satan who, in the garden, spoke the lie to Eve that should she partake of the forbidden fruit...that she would indeed be like God {Genesis 3:4-5}. Not only that, but the lie spoken by the accuser claims that we are separated from God.   Anyone see a pattern here?  Is there any doubt that Satan is referred to as the accuser?  Yet what even Satan cannot deny is the truth about Christ Jesus.  The truth that it is Jesus who lives in Gods children {Galatians 2:20}.  All of the tricks and ploys devised by the accuser will never change the fact that Christ Jesus is alive and well in us.  Keeping our hearts and minds upon Jesus is the ultimate defense against the plans of the accuser.  

And He protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected."  With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me.

2 Corinthians 12: 9, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

A Walk Through The Valley

 Yet not only so, but we may be glorifying also in afflictions, having perceived that affliction is producing endurance, yet endurance testedness, yet testedness expectation. 

Romans 5: 3, Concordant New Testament 

There is a saying popular in Christian circles that we learn more in the valleys of our life experiences than we do on those mountain tops of good times.  I can honestly say from experience that this is indeed true.  My latest experience came this past week when I was faced with a troublesome situation once again.  Now, usually I would have followed the tried and true church model of contacting some friends in the church to have them lift me in immediate prayer.  This has been how those in the church have dealt with life's afflictions for many years.  We encounter a pothole on the road of life and we immediately pray to God for His deliverance.  I know that this is a rhetorical question, but don't you think that the Lord already knows our situation long before we encounter it.  So, we encounter a tough situation and immediately set out in prayer as if it is something new to God?  Remember that it is Christ Jesus who tells us that in this world we will indeed have difficulties {John 16:33}.  Jesus indeed knows that we will live a life filled with various afflictions.  He Himself lived a life of various afflictions as we do.  Life is not a smooth highway, but a bumpy road.  We might not learn where all those bumps in the road are, but we can definitely learn how to handle them better.  I believe that we can learn a lot from those troubling times in our lives.  Now, I'm not downplaying prayer by any means, and if we feel troubled we should indeed come to the Father in prayer.  However, what if we somehow shift our focus from how God can help us to what we can learn from what God is doing in our life?  What if, when afflictions come, our conversation with the Father begins with "What are You doing through me, Lord?"  At the end of the day, the Lord will use us for His own purpose.  Just a thought.  

For I am reckoning that the sufferings of the current era do not deserve the glory about to be revealed for us.  For the premonition of the creation is awaiting the unveiling of the sons of God.

Romans 8: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

One thing I like about the writings of the apostle Paul is that many of them came through his own life experiences in the faith.  Regarding troubles in life, Paul had more than a few observations.  He proclaimed that our current sufferings were nothing compared to what our future in Christ holds for us {Romans 8:18}.  If anyone knew the sufferings of life, it was Paul.  However, he was also well aware of what his final destination was.  It is Paul who proclaims that we should be glorifying in our afflictions {Romans 5:3}.  Remember the old saying, that we learn more from the valleys in our lives than we do from the mountain tops.  So, as Paul tells us, glorify in those valleys of life and we will indeed develop the endurance we need to deal with them in the future.  If we know one thing, it's that the pitfalls of life will continue to plague us until the end.  How awesome is it to have such endurance of faith that when these times come that we can confidently face them as Christ who is in us?  I speak of the endurance of Paul, but Paul also prayed that the Lord would remove those afflictions that plagued him {2 Corinthians 12:7-9}.  The Lords response to Paul?  "My grace is sufficient for you" {2 Corinthians 12:9}.  This is why Paul spoke that "I will rather boast in my infirmities" {2 Corinthians 12:9}.  Paul knew that Jesus did indeed have the power to take those afflictions from him, but he chose to rejoice in the fact that through his moments of weakness, the strength of Christ was made perfect in him.  

It wasn't long into my recent affliction where I found myself thinking of the trials of Paul this past week.  A man of God, striving through his own troubles of life.  I prayed that I would not lose focus of what was most important to me.  Christ Jesus in me.  

And He has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected."  With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me. 

2 Corinthians 12: 9, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Freedoms Reach

 

If ever, then, the Son should be making you free, you will be really free. 

John 8: 36, Concordant New Testament 

There is a common desire among humans.  The desire to be free.  Due to this desire for freedom, men have given their lives and sacrificed more than they normally would.  All to be free.  Dictators have been toppled and men set free.  In our own country, the desire for freedom nearly tore our nation apart.  It seems that freedoms reach definitely has no limits.  Ask anyone and they may tell a story of their own struggle for freedom.  But what does freedom have to do with Christianity?  What does freedom have to do with knowing Jesus?  Well, in the grand scheme of things, it is Jesus who has set us free.  Think back to that Sunday sermon you once heard on the evils of sin.  How sin was an addiction to all who engaged in it.  All of this is true.  Left to our sin, we would definitely not be free.  For sin is like slavery in that it holds all engaged in it in bondage.  But God has more in mind for His children than to suffer in the bondage of sin.  This is why it is through Christ Jesus that we are set free from sin.  Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became sin that it would be put to death with Him {2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:6}.  Most well meaning Christians seem to be unaware of this gift which has rid them of the sin they continue to struggle with day by day.  I counted myself as one of those people for some time.  I was told that I would continue to struggle with my sin until I lived my life right and adhered to the rules of the church.  Of course, my freedom in Christ had nothing to do with church theology and everything to do with realizing who I really was inside.  All of the scriptures I have listed on our freedom in Jesus were available to me, yet somehow I missed them.  I believe that many Christians find themselves in the same situation today.  Longing for freedom but unsure where to find it.  

Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin.  Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, being roused from among the dead, is no longer dying.  Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God.  Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament 

One of the biggest hurdles I faced in my own realization of Christ in me was that I had already died.  That's right, the apostle Paul proclaims that I am now dead to that man I once was.  Another life given in the fight for freedom.  Yet in my own desire to be free, I failed to recognize that through Christ Jesus I already was.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for my freedom.  So, if I died, who am I?  Well, Paul speaks to this as well in Galatians.  We did not perish only to be reborn as we once were.  As Paul claims, "If we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him as well" {Romans 6:8}.  It is Christ Jesus who lives in me today {Galatians 2:20}.  

In our struggle for freedom, I would point out what I call a false image of freedom.  This is the illusion of freedom we get from believing in the lie of the enemy that it is we ourselves who have achieved our freedom.  Not only does this remove God from the picture, but gives us a false assurance that we have control over our own lives.  Through Jesus we have been set free, yet we take the lie of the accuser and run with it.  The accuser will tell us that we can be free apart from God.  Yet it is only because of Gods love and grace that we are free.  Freedom does not mean that we are now individuals living a life apart from God.  True freedom tells us that we are free because of God.  

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except the One who calls Himself the I AM {Ex 3:14} and says, "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside Me" {Isa 45:5}.

Norman Grubb, No Independent Self 

~Scott~ 

The Court Of Religious Law

 

And be not judging, and under no circumstances may you be convicting, and under no circumstances may you be convicted, be releasing, and you shall be released.

Luke 6: 37, Concordant New Testament 

I recall it being mentioned by one radio pastor or another that we should fear the unforgiveness of God.  This brought me to the question, when does God not forgive His children?  We see throughout New Testament scripture that forgiveness is a genuine part of Gods plan for us.  However, we also see in the Oldest of Testaments those instances where it appears that the Lord did not forgive.  Did God forgive the sins of those lost in the flood?  We know from scripture that the behavior of man grieved the Lord {Genesis 6:6}.  I feel that little has changed in this regard.  In spite of the fact that Christ Jesus has put sin to death, I do believe that there are times when our behaviors grieve the Lord.  It grieves Him because He has so much better for us.  Instead of a life dwelling in the suffering of perceived sin (Remember, Jesus defeated sin at the cross), God desires for His children to live one with He and His Son.  It would appear, then, that forgiveness is in Gods very nature.  So why is it that we should ever be in fear of the unforgiveness of God?  Does unforgiveness even exist in Gods reality?  Let's ask that very same question of Christ Jesus.  When Jesus died on that cross, did He somehow cherry pick who would be forgiven and who wouldn't?  If He somehow did, would that show the love and mercy of the Father?  Can anyone see where this discussion is going?  If God has graced His children with His forgiveness, why is it that we need to fear the unforgiveness of God?  I have a better question, why in the world would a pastor ever proclaim that God would not forgive His child?  Is this simply something we have overlooked about God, or a claim we ourselves have made against Him in our courts of religious law?  

In whom we are having the deliverance through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses in accord with the riches of His grace. 

Ephesians 1: 7, Concordant New Testament

Some time ago I was introduced to the scripture which, in my opinion, describes our heavenly Fathers nature perfectly.  We find this passage in 1 John 4: 8.  It is here where the apostle John describes our Lords nature as...love.  That's it, God is love.  If we learn anything about the Father, let it be this.  God is not a watchful overseer simply waiting for you to screw up that He can take away His forgiveness which He gifted to you from the beginning.  This would make God a Indian giver, and He is nothing like that at all.  We know that the Lords desire is to see all of His children one with Him and Jesus {John 3:16-17, John 17:21}.  So, why is it that we need to fear the unforgiveness of One whose very nature is to forgive?  I fear we have created for ourselves a negative narrative when it comes to God.  I don't believe that it is God who has spoken that we are to fear His unforgiveness.  Rather, it is Jesus who invites us to find rest in Him {Matthew 11:29-30}.   Who wants to find rest in One who MIGHT save them?  Yet, in our courts of religious law we continue to speak the narrative that the love, forgiveness and grace of our heavenly Father is strictly performance based.  If we are good enough.  If we tithe enough.  If we behave.  Then we can be assured that forgiveness is ours.  Unless, of course, we do something to lose it.  The truth is that the gift of our Lord is simply that, a gift.  His love and grace have never been based on what we can do for Him {Ephesians 2:8-9}.  Imagine the pride of the man who somehow pleased God enough to earn his own salvation.  It is through one man whom we have our forgiveness.  The man Christ Jesus.  

~Scott~ 

The Divided Church

 

And He is the head of the body, the ecclesia, who is sovereign, firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first. 

Colossians 1: 18, Concordant New Testament 

I listened to a local pastor earlier this week as he told of the virtues of the various positions we have in our local churches.  We're talking pastors, assistant pastors, elders and the like.  This pulpit pounder also laid out what seemed to be biblical qualifications for each of the positions in the church which he mentioned.  Indeed, someone would need to be a morally astute person in order to even be considered for such a spot.  What was interesting was how the elders were selected at this particular church.  For the pastor would seek input from the congregation as to whom the next elder would be.  In my thinking, this was more of a popularity contest than something biblical meant to serve the church.  But I make the suggestion, is this the church which the Lord intended?  A church of multiple layers of leadership, modern rock praise and worship sessions and a church dependent on the weekly tithe for its very survival?  I would say no to that question.  I commented to a good friend of mine some time ago that one of the best examples of church that we can find is the description of the early church of the followers of Jesus which we find in Acts 2: 44-47.  In this passage, we see the early church meeting in the homes of friends sharing and worshipping Christ Jesus.  We've all seen or been part of different home groups in our local churches, but this was something completely different.  This was what I refer to as authentic fellowship.  The Greeks had a word describing this, which the modern church has also adopted...koinonia.  Loosely translated from the Greek, koinonia is described as Christian fellowship or communion with God.  I can see why the modern church seeks to hijack this term in order to put a positive spin on what we've made of Gods church.  But let's define the word church for the purpose of this moment.  I refer to the church as its body of believers, of which Christ Jesus is the head {Colossians 1:18}.  I don't refer to the church as the ornate buildings which we all too often see as the focal points of the modern church.  I've known those who base their decisions of which church to attend simply by how nice the building looks.  I'm not that vain.  I want to know about the body.  Better yet, I want to know about what they're teaching the body of believers.  

Now all those who believe also were in the same place and had all things in common.  And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, forasmuch as some would have had need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added those being saved day by day in the same place.

Acts 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament 

One thing I have noticed from the passage of the lives of the early church we find in Acts is that there is no mention a pastor.  There is no mention of an assistant pastor.  Nor do I find any mention of a praise and worship orchestra or a church offering.  How did this body of believers, with Jesus at the head, manage to pull off doing church without all of the leadership positions we're so accustomed to seeing?  I believe that the answer is that the focus of the early church was not one of appearances, but on the teachings of Christ Jesus.  We see this in the spirit of community which we see in the early believers.  Koinonia, fellowship and communion with the Lord.  As they praised God, they developed favor with those around them {Acts 2:47}.  It seems that these early believers didn't need the guidance or leadership of various people in their ranks in order to praise and worship the Lord.  So, the question I am left posing is this...why is this something we require?  Can we not praise the Lord without guidance and leadership?  Can we not gather with our neighbors and worship the Lord without the aid of someone telling us how to do so?  Now, I'm not downplaying the importance of a devoted pastor in the role of speaking the gospel to the body of believers.  However, I am casting doubt as to the importance of a leadership structure within that body.  As we have seen all too often, that many positions of leadership all too often lead to popularity contests within the church.  Doesn't that sound funny when the main focus of the body is always Jesus?  Who would Jesus vote for?  

~Scott~ 

Gods Not So Toxic Creation

 

So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them. 

Genesis 1: 27, Concordant Old Testament 

I've gone through the creation scriptures many times and have yet to come across anything which tells us that God created the female better than the male of humanity.  That somehow man is violent, sadistic and the cause of many of the problems here on earth.  I have not seen that so far in the scriptures.  What I have read is that the Lord created humanity, His beloved children, to be a compliment to one another.  We all recognize that God first created Adam, the male.  However, God was also one to recognize that Adam could not do it all by himself {Genesis 2:18}.  It important to note that God did not form woman from the dust of the ground as He had Adam.  For this "Helper" comparable to Adam, the Lord created Eve from Adam.  That is, from a bone from within Adam as he slept.  We're also told that the word woman refers to her creation {Genesis 2:23}.  The creation history is one which is well known to most believers.  therefore, when someone comes along with a different narrative which goes contrary to the Lords intent, it's pretty easy to spot.  When I say that I have not come across scripture which tells us of the evils of the male of the species, I'm speaking honestly.  One place we will see such claptrap is in our modern culture.  It seems that modern culture has a hatred for most things male.  Hunting, military service and overall strength to name a few.  These days it seems that the narrative is that women can do anything a man can do, perhaps better.  Does this sound like the helper comparable to Adam which God intended?  Keep in mind that this has never been the Lords intent, but mans desire.  We should not get it confused that God somehow has disdain for the children He loves.  It is easy to see why some in society have taken aim at the men of our nation.  Adam was created first.  Men are generally stronger.  Men are generally seen as the leaders in our society.  It wasn't long before women wanted a piece of the action as well.  

In Whom there is no Jew nor Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3: 28, Concordant New Testament

I could see more than a few well meaning believers asking the question.  How does God see the man versus woman issue?  Where does He stand?  Predictably, Gods desires are far off the beaten path of where most of humanity thinks they are.  God does not play favorites.  We are all His loved creation.  But I'll take this one step further.  The apostle Paul dealt with this issue as well.  Paul proclaims in Galatians that there is NO male and female.  What?  That's just it, whatever divisions man has created among the Lords creation, this is not how God sees it.  Man is big on racial injustices, but Paul proclaims that in Gods eyes there is no Jew nor Greek {Galatians 3:28}.  So, if there is no male nor female, where do we stand?  I'll tell you where, we are one in Christ Jesus.  All of the differences among us which man has chosen to exploit are not important.  What matters most, and what God sees, is that His children are united with Jesus.  God does not view humanity in racial or gender terms.  This is left for the CNN newsroom.  Our own view of ourselves places us within the confines of race and gender.  However, when our Father looks upon us, He sees only His beloved Son {Galatians 2:20}.  

~Scott~ 

Footsteps

 

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living: no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me and gives Himself for me.

Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

If I mentioned the name Marry Stevenson to you, you more than likely would not know who it was I was talking about.  However, if I mentioned the poem "Footprints in the sand," many people would instantly recognize the classic inspirational poem.  Indeed, many Christians and no believers alike have turned to this poem in moments when life seemed insurmountable, or thoughts of their own mortality made them question their beliefs.  The wording has not changed much over the years.  The writer finds herself walking along a beach contemplating her life while conversing with Jesus.  As she looks back on her life, she notices a few of her most troubling times and is confused to discover that in those times only one set of footprints is visible.  When she asks Jesus why He would abandon her when she needed Him most, the Lord smiles and says, "My child, in those times when you see only one set of footprints, it is then that I carried you,"  Tell me, who wouldn't be uplifted by this assurance?  That Jesus Himself, in our weakest moments, would personally carry us through it all.  Knowing this, you'd think that more believers would rest in the assurance of the indwelling Christ, right?  Sadly, that's not the case.  Many Christians continue to cling to the church theology narrative that seems to separate God from His children which He lovingly created.  Church teaching proclaims that Jesus ascended into heaven where He is seated by the Fathers side.  This automatically tells us that God and Jesus are in heaven...and we are here on earth waiting our opportunity to be with them.  Is it any wonder that believers would be drawn to a poem where Jesus proclaims that He carries us in our troubled times?  Who wouldn't want that?  Well, what Mary Stevenson wrote back in 1936 wasn't simply a fictional poem.  The apostle Paul assures us that Christ Himself lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.   Yet we do not hear these assurances coming from the pulpits of the church.  If you were to ask me, the trail of footprints would lead straight out of the church and not down a beach.  

One night a man had a dream

He dreamed he was walking along a beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes of his life.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:

One belonging to him, the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, 

He looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,

There is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied,

"my son, my precious child, I love you and I would

Never leave you.  During your times of trial and

suffering, when you see only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Mary Stevenson, 1936 

I will say, that I do not blame the author of the poem for assuming that Jesus fled the scene during his most trying times.  I've felt that way myself too many times.  Again, this all goes back to the separation theology of the mainstream church.  God is in heaven with Jesus by His side and we are here struggling on earth.  It is not the Fathers assurance that He will leave us on our own, but mans message.  Through Paul, we have a better understanding of who Jesus is.  Jesus is not the far off overseer we're told that He is.  No, Jesus is our Lord and Savior who lives in us.  I will never be onboard with the teaching that Gods desire is to be removed from His own creation.  As they say, that is fake news.  If I were to update  the Footprints poem I would be sure that the man walking along that beach ALWAYS saw but one set of footprints as he walked through his life moments.  This proclaims Jesus as we are now One with Him.  There is nowhere I go that I do not go as Christ who lives in me.  Easy to proclaim, but not so to put into practice.  As I tell a good friend of mine all the time, we're battling over two thousand years of church teaching and preaching when it comes to the truth of Christ in us.  The revelation of the Father assures us that Christ is in us.  His footprints in the sand are our own. 

~Scott~