“The Power of Forgiveness: Lessons from the Bible”

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

Forgiveness is a fundamental concept that resonates throughout the Scriptures, teaching us valuable lessons about compassion, healing, and the grace of God. It has played a key role in my life, especially pointing me to the goodness of God and seeing that goodness in His children. Below are several lessons about forgiveness that have been shown to me through the years and I hope they will mean something to you as well.

Forgiveness is a Divine Act. One of the most powerful examples of forgiveness in the Bible can be found in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). This story beautifully illustrates the Father’s unconditional love and forgiveness, welcoming back his wayward son with open arms. We learn that God’s forgiveness is boundless and available to all who repent. Therefore my forgiveness should be boundless.

The Lord’s Prayer is a model of forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness as we forgive others. This passage reminds us of the reciprocity of forgiveness – the extent to which we forgive others directly influences the forgiveness we receive from our Heavenly Father. It underscores the importance of extending grace to one another. Jesus says, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:14-15). This verse reinforces the concept that we must be willing to forgive others just as we expect God to forgive our sins. Forgiveness is not just a one-way street but a continuous cycle of grace and mercy.

Joseph’s Forgiveness is a Testament of Strength. The story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37, 39-45) offers an inspiring example of forgiveness. Despite being betrayed and sold into slavery by his own siblings, Joseph forgives them when they come to him in need. His journey from betrayal to forgiveness reminds us that forgiveness can bring about healing and restoration. I find myself needing to forgive others for much less. Shame on me if I find it hard to offer the grace that has been offered me.

Forgiveness leads to peace. In Colossians 3:13, we are instructed to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness not only mends relationships but also leads to inner peace and harmony within the community of believers.

The Sacrifice of Jesus: The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness. The pinnacle of forgiveness in the Bible is seen in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins demonstrates the magnitude of God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus, even in his agony, cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This profound act of forgiveness serves as the foundation of our faith and redemption, underscoring the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

Forgiveness brings healing. In James 5:16, we are told to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. Forgiveness is not only a spiritual act but also a source of emotional and physical healing. Holding onto bitterness and resentment can be detrimental to our health, and forgiveness brings about freedom and restoration.

Forgiving Seventy Times Seven. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus responds, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” This statement is a call to limitless forgiveness. It highlights that forgiveness should be a continual practice in our lives, not a limited resource.

The Blessings of Forgiveness. In Psalm 32:1-2, King David beautifully expresses the blessings of forgiveness: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them.” Forgiveness brings relief from guilt and the assurance of God’s love.

In our journey of faith, let us remember that forgiveness is a divine act that brings healing, reconciliation, and blessings. Through Christ’s sacrifice and the biblical teachings on forgiveness, we are called to extend grace to others as we have received it from our Heavenly Father. By doing so, we live out the gospel, becoming instruments of God’s love and reconciliation in the world. Forgiveness is a central theme in the story God has been telling. that reflects His boundless love and grace. Because of that, we are called to live from a place of compassion and mercy to one another.

May you experience the peace that comes with living in His forgiveness.

The Power of Jonathan’s Story

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Jonathan and his armor bearer

Jonathan, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated people of the Biblical story. I want to focus on how he exemplifies incredible qualities

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV

Courage– Jonathan was famed for his courage. He didn’t let numbers deter him. Because of his deep trust in God he wasn’t afraid to go up against enormous opposition. We hear a lot about David’s bravery, and certainly he was, but it’s interesting how Jonathan’s stories don’t get more attention. In chapter 13, he had already defeated the Philistines at Geba by leading a garrison of a thousand. Afterwards, a huge force of Philistines came against Saul and had them pinned down. Let’s pick up there. (1 Sam 14:6-15).

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV

The phrase to fear not appears more commonly than any other command of God. Some variation of verses on fear appear over 300 times. God Himself speaks on it a little over 100 times. This drives home the point that we need to take this seriously. God wants us all, men and women, to live a courageous life. And when God says it, He doesn’t make and empty command. It’s not one of those “because I said so” type of statements. He always bases the command off of the fact that He is with us or that He is the one acting. To live a life of fear is to live a life absent of faith. Remember how Jesus rebuked His disciples in the boat when they were freaking out?

“And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Matthew 8:26 ESV

Unselfish love- The next time we learn from Jonathan‘s life is after he meets David four chapters later. In the chapters between Jonathan‘s great heroism and him meeting David so much had happened. His father had been rejected by the Lord as king, Samuel had anointed David as the next king, and David had defeated Goliath and his victory was now overshadowing Jonathan‘s accomplishments. (1 Sam 18:1-4) Jonathan truly kept the command to “love thy neighbor” as yourself. Most people would have considered David to be Jonathan’s enemy. Jonathan was heir to the throne, but God appointed David instead. Saul fought against this with all his might, but Jonathan was willing to forget his own self-interest out of his love for David. Jonathan and David represent a picture of true friendship. Not only did Jonathan not bear animosity towards David, but he made a lasting covenant with him! He went so far as to protect his future rival for the throne.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We all need to have a higher regard for others and seek ways to serve in the small as well as the big things. Just like Jonathan, we should be willing to set aside our expectations and embrace what God is doing. Jesus is the ultimate reflection of that. He set aside heaven to walk among us. He put on humanity so He could give up His very life. He showed what it was like to live a life of service and to make time for those around us.

Submission to the will of God (1 Samuel 20:31) Jonathan, being confronted with the reality that he would never be king, was given a choice, to stand against David or to submit to God’s plan for his life. (Verse 42) Amazingly he humbly submitted himself to the will of God, even when it meant giving up his future kingdom. He didn’t pursue his own interests or push for his own way. When he realized that God wanted to establish David and not himself, he humbly bowed out of the picture and submitted to God’s hand. How many of us would do that? Again in 1 Sam 23:17 Jonathan chooses to be steadfast when the opportunity to step outside of God’s will is presented. At the very least he could have done nothing. Many of us won’t choose to stand in the way of God but our inaction can be much the same.

Matthew 6:10 shows the heart of the Lord’s prayer is to pursue God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. In Matthew 12:50 Jesus himself says doing God’s will is what defines a Christian. James 4:13-15 calla us to put more focus on His will when setting our schedule. Just how much are we willing to lay aside our own plans when the godly interruption occur?

Loyal love – Jonathan was extremely loyal. He saved David’s life on more than one occasion and was a loyal friend. However, he was also a loyal son and didn’t reject his own father. They remained “undivided even in death” (2 Sam 1:23). Jonathan even said that Saul did nothing without discussing it with him (1 Sam 20:2). It reminds me of Ruth and her devotion to Naomi. Proverbs 17:17 says we need to love at all time. The “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13, says loyal love endures all things and hopes all things. It’s powerful and it’s not circumstantial. Jesus says in John 15:13 laying down our lives for another is the greatest act of love. And as amazing as all these stories are, it’s the story of Christ that demonstrates amazing love.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Seeking

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

What are you looking for in life? How about today? When you woke and started your journey, where did your thoughts drift?

For me, a lot of the time, I immediately go to my to-do list for the day. Whether it be my teaching subjects, preparedness, window cleaning lineup, or any of the many other obligations and responsibilities that life has for me. But God has been speaking. Even today, as I sat down to write this, God is reminding me of where my thoughts need to be. I feel Him asking me the question, “what exactly are you searching for?” The majority of my thoughts tell the story of a man who wants to be useful, productive, and provide for his family’s needs. And that is where my heart is. But am I searching for it in the right ways and the right places?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”‬‬

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV

Literally everything we could ever need in a day, in our life, is experienced in the presence and pursuit of God. I couldn’t be more useful than by sharing Jesus’s goodness and love with others. I couldn’t be more productive than by making disciples. I couldn’t provide anything greater for my family than a godly example or sacrificial love and a life of serving others. All of that comes in seeking God’s kingdom. That will make me the best teacher, the best parent, the best spouse, and the best version of everything I could possibly be. But is that what I am searching for in my day? Is it what you’re seeking out?

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God promises us that if we really search for Him, that He will be found. That begs the question, are we truly seeking Him out? What does that even look like? How would we begin our days and end our days and live out everything in between if that’s what our mission was? Jesus said to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. So, in simple terms, to seek God is to live in a right way before Him and before others. That’s what righteousness is. And also to want to see God’s kingdom here in this world. To do that, we live as He did. It’s to act as that city on a hill and a light to the world. We seek God when we seek to reflect God. Because we need to abide in Him, as John 15 says, in order to bear the kinds of fruit that Jesus did. To abide in Him means we live in such a symbiotic relationship that His spirit dictates our thoughts, actions, and words.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.”‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV

One way we can know if we’re searching for God is if we’re experiencing freedom. Things like anxiety, depression, anger, bitterness, and the like, are all clear indication that we aren’t seeking God or the things of God. Precepts are by definition a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. God has given us ways of living that will enable us to live the fullest life possible. In Micah chapter six, we are told that God calls us to seek justice, love mercy, and to walk in humility. Those should be markers of our lives if we’re search for God.

It certainly takes intentional living. It takes a lot of prayer, time alone with God, looking for Him in the mundane and the miracles. It takes persistence to serve and give, especially when it’s hard to do so. It takes surrender of our selfishness. To seek God is to be consumed with Him. And we can’t be consumed with Him and ourselves at the same time. If you’re like me, then you probably need to let go of the incessant planning and live more in God’s embrace because that’s where peace and purpose are really found.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Sanctuary

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When you hear the word sanctuary, what comes to mind? Some may have thought of a part of the church..but why do we call it that? Many may think of a safe place or place of peace. The dictionary definition of a sanctuary is a place of refuge or safety, and also use in terms of a nature preserve. I’m sure it’s not surprising to hear but the concept of a sanctuary is intertwined throughout the Biblical story. In fact, I would offer up that it is one of the key themes being told by God. What I want to do in today is trace that theme throughout the Biblical narrative. So where better to begin than at the beginning?

Sanctuary in Genesis

“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.”

Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God creates this separate place called Eden and places man there. It’s safe to say that man was not created in Eden, but was brought by God to join with Him there in mission. If a Sanctuary is a meeting place with God, the Garden of Eden would have to qualify. This event sets the tone and stage for what God intended for humanity. That is, to be with Him.

But humanity screws it up as we know. They are exiled and not allowed to enter. But God doesn’t close the book on His plan. Instead, He goes out of the Garden to meet with them. We see that with Cain and Abel. Again with Noah. Proving that God’s desire to meeting with humanity is still very much His plan.

Sanctuary in Exodus

“Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV

This may seem like much smaller scale than the Garden, but look at how God describes the meeting place…holy ground, denoting that it was in fact His presence there before Moses. This moment sets up God establishing a more physical representation of His presence. Lets fast forward to the post plague and Red Sea.

“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.”‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV

This is pretty clear evidence that God is wanting to be in our midst. We actually see the word sanctuary used here. It is the Hebrew word: mik-dawsh’ meaning sacred, holy place where God’s presence is. And this holy place would go wherever Israel went. It would serve as a constant reminder of God be among His people. And from then on to the time of David, the children of God would seek Him there.

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,”

Psalm‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

This tabernacle would later become the temple. And for Generations, that is where people would seek to meet with God and His presence would reside. Take a look at Solomon’s dedication of the new temple.

“As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.””‬‬

2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV

This would all point to a new and greater sanctuary to come. Isaiah prophesied of it. Isaiah 7:14 calls Him Immanuel, meaning God with us. And again in Isaiah 9:6-7 where He is labeled as Mighty God. Luke 1:35, again showing Jesus to be Holy (hagios in greek meaning most holy thing). Who is the most holy thing but God? It is with Jesus that God has demonstrated the concept of Sanctuary the most.

Sanctuary and Jesus

We’ve established how a sanctuary is a holy place, where God’s glory is and where we meet with Him. What better way to demonstrate that than in the person of Jesus? Several passages in the New Testament build on this idea of Jesus being the sanctuary of God.

  • Fullness of God (Col 1:19)
  • the Word made Flesh (Jn 1:1-14)
  • He and God are one (Jn 10:30)
  • Fullness of deity dwells and all authority (Col 2:9-10)
  • Jesus is the way to God (Jn 14:6)

It is safe to say that where is Jesus, God is. He is the ultimate Sanctuary. And much of Jesus ministry demonstrates that. Matthew 11:28-30, He says in Him we find rest and we learn what it means to live in God’s light. If we are burdened and bogged down, if we aren’t growing more in our understanding of God’s call on our lives, then maybe we aren’t listening to the call from the Sanctuary.

In John 15:4-6 it explains how taking Sanctuary in Jesus establishes a relationship that produces changes and goodness in us. If our life isn’t growing and maturing spiritually, if we aren’t producing a harvest of godliness and love, then perhaps we have neglected the holy place.

Jesus also set a pattern of what it looks like to enter the sanctuary. Often, Jesus entered into long periods of prayer and solitude. In Mark 6:31, Jesus invited His disciples to come away to a desolate place and rest and pray and rejuvenate. If we are not taking time to be alone with Him, then we need to reshuffle some priorities.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Not only is Jesus the Sanctuary of God, His life, death, and resurrection has granted us permanent access into God’s presence. Which means, wherever we are, we can meet with Him. We are without excuse. No job, no hobby, no relationship, nothing should ever prevent us from entering in with God. And by no means should we ever forget the price it cost to grant us such access

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

To enter the sanctuary of Jesus is to lay aside any and all selfishness. It is to trade in our life for His. It is to live sacrificially and outwardly. Throughout scripture, to enter the sanctuary first required sacrifice. That has not changed. The atonement has been taken care of. But our pride and sinful wills must be laid on the alter.

As Christ begins to live in us, everything about us begins to change. Our minds change. Our desires change. Our wills change. Our relationships change. Ultimately, our reason for living changes. Possessions and position are no longer our priorities. Comfort and security are no longer our concerns. Safety is no longer our goal, because self is no longer our god. We now want God’s glory more than we want our own lives.

David Platt

Doesn’t that seem to be in line with God’s whole purpose from all the way back in Genesis? God wants us. He wants you. He has made a way for me and you to enjoy His presence. To receive His healing from the brokenness. To be transformed and made new. To win the war against sin. To live out our purpose here on Earth as stewards, sharing His love, truth, and goodness. To know our place and identity and His children. Now we must want that more than our own lives. Because in laying down our lives and the feet of Jesus, the entrance of the Sanctuary, there we find true life.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Misconceptions on God’s design for husbands and wives

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Other than humanity’s standing with God, what relationship was first rocked by their sin? The union between Adam and Eve. And what has resulted for millennia, is a faulty approach to the marriage relationship ever since. Not to say that some haven’t gotten it right. But I believe that the world, and even many in the church, have been getting it wrong for centuries. That stems from a wrong reading of the text. If you trace our history back you will see sermons telling the women to stay in their place and to follow their men. Even in America, women faced oppression for nearly all of our existence, much of which was justified using faulty interpretations of God’s design. The Bible itself is full of examples of how men and women screw things up. Let’s read over the wives and husbands commissions found in Ephesians five in light of the garden events from Genesis 2 and 3.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV

Some misconceptions can be traced back to Genesis 3 where God is pronouncing the consequences of sin. We can view Ephesians 5 as a call back to a pre-fall relationship. The first big misconception is in the terms of the “wives submit” terminology. The word submit used here is idios in greek. This means to treat as one’s self. Literally unite with. This is never once used to denote an inferior position. In fact let’s look at the origins of Eve. She is described as a “help meet” ( Gen 2:18&20). The word ezer, (Strong’s concordance #5828) means a shield, a form a saving. God is described often as an ezer. So that’s the pre-fall purpose for wives. That’s the intent of God. For wives to be united with husbands, to be one with them, to walk along side them (not under or behind them) to help shield them and be an essential role in the mission of God.

The post fall narrative, on the other hand, is much different (Genesis 3:16-17). We see the words ruling and desire used in this portion of Genesis. Both are prescribed in the midst of negative consequences from Adam and Eves actions. Nowhere does it alude to this being God’s plan or ideal. To say that, would be like saying God wanted brokenness and screwed ip relationships. If anything, the context of these verses makes it apparent that it is opposite of how God designed things. The next time this word for desire is used its to describe sin’s desire for Cain.

Can you think of examples when women and men from the Bible showed this fallen narrative? Times women subverted and disrespected or preyed on men. How about Rebecca and Sarah? Times men ruled as jerks and treated woman like animals? Maybe Isaac and Abraham? These relationships, while containing some good elements, were not models to follow, but illustrations of the brokenness of the fall. If anything, God was heartbroken over this.

Ephesians 5 is a picture of the reality of God’s design, opposite of that of the Genesis 3 fall motif. Wives are designed as an ezer, or defense, shield, life-giver, unified with her husband. Not a submissive, second-rate counterpart to do her husband’s bidding.

Now let’s address husbands.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭29‬ ‭ESV

Husbands, also, are meant to lead, not as Genesis 3 states, but as Christ does. As a servant, in humility. Ephesians 5 uses the comparison of washing the bride with the word. Looking back at Genesis, Adam should have intervened when the serpent was twisting God’s words. Adam, by all accounts, was there, being passive, and not leading. He was also flattered and deceived by the serpent. He was meant to be a guardian, a shepherd, in pursuit of God’s mission. And so are men today.

Ephesians five uses some powerful words to define husband’s role. It says for husbands to love, give themselves up for, to cherish, and to nourish. If Adam had done that, the serpent would have lost his head that day. The leadership of men is a selfless leadership. It is wholehearted leadership. The leadership of a husband seeks Christ first and the heart of his wife second. The husband must lead from his knees not from a pedestal. My how world history would be different if men actually did that. -Men, we must be committed to seeing our wives thrive just as Christ seeks that for His bride. If Christ’s love and commitment to His bride is our example for loving our brides, then we have to step it up. And we do that by surrendering more of ourselves to Christ and His leadership in our personal lives.

God obviously doesn’t want us living in the Genesis three story. And we will be opposed. The serpent isn’t gone. The next chapter of Ephesians addresses the spiritual war that still rages on and how we are to fight. Enter Jesus. He is our shield of faith, our breastplate of righteousness, our belt of truth, our helmet of salvation. He came to be our example. He came to crush the serpent. He came to restore right relationships. He came to heal our broken approach to life and to love. He came to impart God’s wisdom. For Jesus is, ““He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power…” Hebrews 1:3 ESV and, ““And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV and, ““whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 ESV

Whether we are single, married, wives, or husbands, our call is to be like Jesus…abiding in Him…unified with Him…and then we will see God’s kingdom come in our homes and in our relationships.

Rewriting the Fall

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When sin entered the world, everything changed, and not for the better. But that has not prevented God from reaching out in the brokenness to provide healing and restoration. In Genesis, chapters two and three, we see what is often referred to as “the fall”. In those moments, God’s creation is submitted to death and an unraveling of sorts. The serpent deceives Adam (meaning humanity) and Eve (meaning life), and rifts and negative alterations begin immediately. God then meets with them and lays out the most unfortunate consequences of their choices. Consequences that have been rippling through the world ever since. If you haven’t read about these events before, or in a while, then it would be helpful for what I’m going to be writing about. I’m going to break down Ephesians chapter five over the next two posts and draw them back to the events of Genesis. Let’s get started.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

Right off the bat we see one major contrast. The words, be imitators of God from Ephesians 5 verses you will be like God from Genesis. What was eating from the tree but an attempt to be like God? He wants us to be like Him. But not in the way the serpent did. Not in the way of worldly wisdom. Not in the way of self promotion or self help programs. He wants us to be like Him through His Holy Spirit, through surrendering ourselves, through promoting Him to the world.

The words Covetous and idolater both appear in Ephesians five and are contrasted with having gratitude. This can be compared to the root of why Adam and Eve took from the wrong tree. To covet means to wrongly desire something. Idolatry means to wrongly worship something or someone other than God. They had the entire garden, and yet they wanted more. They had God, but they wanted to become as gods. They elevated themselves and their desires above God. Genesis 3:6 says they desired the tree and what came from it. They could have been thankful, but instead they felt they were missing out and they wanted to be as god themselves. How often could we be more thankful rather than seeking more, which often leads us into doing the wrong things, with the wrong motives, and/or with the wrong attitude? The antidote is to surrender our will to God’s will. To pursue God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all things.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Don’t be deceived with empty words, but understand what is pleasing to the lord. That’s the snake. Deceiving them (and us) with empty words, slanting God’s words, and Adam and Eve participated in it. The world is still participating in it. The serpent spoke the line, did God not say and you won’t surely die. We can’t possibly imitate God when our faith is derived from false pretenses. When truth is mixed with any amount of lies, we live from lies. And a dishonest faith will never embody God or His mission for you and me.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV

Be wise therefore for the days are evil…they took the wrong wisdom and did what was evil. God. Clearly spoke His will to both Adam and Eve, yet they did what was right in their own eyes. When we elevate our desires above God’s will, bad things happen. What was God’s will for them? Eat and enjoy ALL of the garden but one tree.

In the book of James, wisdom from below and wisdom from above are contrasted (James 3:13-18). Where did Adam and Eve made that fateful decision they got their wisdom from the serpent and from the tree not the spiritual wisdom from God. In James chapter three it highlights how the wrong source of wisdom equals jealousy, selfish ambition, and is false. However, the right source is pure, peaceable, open to reason, merciful. That is brings about a harvest of righteousness. Hence the garden imagery.

God’s mission in the world has be to rewrite the fall. To bring His kingdom to Earth, in our hearts and lives. We are invited to be participants in that mission, by imitating Him. But that can only be done by knowing Him. He has been revealing Himself to the world since the beginning. And the serpent has been deceiving the world through the ages. Which voice will you choose?

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

The First Son

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“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32 ESV

It matters far less where we’ve come from, or even where we find ourselves than where we are headed. God is in the business of reconciling lives. He rescues and redeems. He takes broken and imperfect people and restores them and uses them in the story He’s writing. I believe that this parable of Jesus illustrates that. The two sons described are then related to sinful people and religious people, but not in the way they would have expected. Jesus confronts the religious leaders of the day who refused to see the Kingdom of Heaven standing before them in the person of Jesus and continued in their spiritual blindness to operate contrary to the call of God. Then there were the tax collectors (one of the most hated in society) and prostitutes (one of the most dejected in society). They were the broken and lost who saw the Kingdom of Heaven in the person of Jesus and believed and surrendered their lives to Him.

Obviously, we have a stark contrast between these two groups of people. But I believe the point Jesus is making, is that He is the source of life and salvation, and even those of us who started off life with the worst possible choices, can still find redemption through Him. Even today, if you find yourself in a lifestyle contrary to the God’s calling on your life, you can choose Jesus and find life and restoration. No one is beyond His love. No one is beyond His grace. No one is beyond His reach.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 ESV

The whoever means whoever. I was once living a life apart from God. Self-seeking. Pleasure-seeking. Honor-seeking. But not God-seeking. But just as the first son did, I changed my mind. I have gone to work in the vineyard where the True Vine is and where I hope to be for the rest of my days. And the grace I have been shown I hope to never take for granted. Do you know someone who is living the way I once did? Walk with them. Listen to them. Speak life to them. Pray for them. Live a life that reflects Jesus to them. They aren’t ever beyond hope. None of us are. Let’s choose life and finish strong!

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Jesus and the Garden: Part II

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Courtesty Bible Project

In the first part of this series, I focused on how Jesus is a reflection of the living water that first appears in the Garden of Eden. Today’s post looks at another image that shows up in the Garden: The Tree of Life. You can see it introduced in Genesis 2:9. Both the river of living water and the Tree of Life also show up at the end of the text in Revelation chapter 22, specifically verses 1-14. If you’d like a little more context, check out my previous post.

The Bible uses tree imagery repeatedly. Look at Proverbs three. “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV This is contrasted with the idea of seeking wisdom on our own. Essentially, that’s the choice that Adam and Eve had in the beginning. There were two trees in the middle of the Garden. One of them represented man reaching for understanding on their own, apart from God. The other led to life, and that life comes in the form of godly wisdom. Later in Proverbs eleven, we see another reference to the tree. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 ESV. Righteousness, in simple terms, means to live rightly. How do we do that? Through godly wisdom. By not determining right and wrong on our own. By eating from the right tree.

So what does that mean for Jesus and for us? What other tree do we know of in scripture that holds great significance? How about the cross? The cross is also referred to as a tree…a tree that carried great significance. That significance is portrayed all the way back in Isaiah 53:3-6. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 ESV. Because we continue to eat from the wrong tree, just as the first humans did, God came down and planted yet another tree that would heal our brokenness and provide the life that the original Tree of Life was meant to do.

Let’s look at this in another way. In Psalm 1:1-3 people are compared to a planted tree. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 ESV. Perhaps this is a great description of the one who has first experienced the gift of the Tree of Life and now reflects that through their very own life.

So what’s the main idea that both of these objects, the water and the tree, are putting forward? We have the tree of LIFE and the water of LIFE. And Jesus is our source of LIFE. Remember back to Colossians chapter one?

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16-17 ESV

Or back to John chapter one?

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

John 1:3-4 ESV

Jesus is the source of the Water. Jesus is the Tree. Jesus is the one who both authored and offers life. Jesus, Himself, made so many statements about this subject.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 ESV

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

John 10:10 ESV

In John chapter six Jesus makes several comparisons between Himself and the bread from heaven that gave life to Israel in the wilderness.

“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…“I am the bread of life.”

John 6:33 & 48 ESV

We are left with the same option as the first humans. We can choose one tree or the other. We can drink from the water of life or dig our own cisterns. The results of our choice will be revealed throughout our lives. Being connected to the vine will result in bearing good fruit. Drinking from the water of life will cause life to spring forth from us. The question that the Lord is asking all of us is, “Will you take the life I offer you? Will you drink from the waters and eat from the tree that I give to you? Or will you try and find your own way? A way that doesn’t lead to life, but away from it.” Choose Him. Choose life.

Peace and Life in Christ brothers and sisters.

Jesus and the Garden: Part I

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In John chapter five, Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.” Later in that same chapter, He says, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” In Luke chapter 24, after His resurrection, it says, “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” He explained, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” The Bible, from front to back, is a story that leads to Jesus. This is according to what Jesus testified to Himself.

In this series, we are going to look at a few themes from the Book of Genesis, the Garden of Eden specifically, and what they tell us about the character and mission of Jesus. Let’s start by seeing how these two passages, separated by 64 books, overlap.

“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers.”

Genesis 2:7-10 ESV

Now look at this passage at the end of scripture.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”‬‬

Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

What are some things that these two passages have in common? For starters we are going to look at the Water (or River) mentioned and a Tree of life. This first post will just break down significance of the waters and trace that theme through the Bible and how it relates to Jesus and us.

One of the early examples of living water in the Bible comes from Jeremiah 2:13 where God says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Later in Jeremiah 17:13, Jeremiah says of God, “Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.”

Isaiah also speaks on the topic. “”Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:2-3.

Here in these passages we see that something about the water equals salvation and the source of those waters is God Himself. So what does this mean for Jesus and for us?

In John, we see Jesus at the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles). On the last day of the feast there was a tradition to pour out water as symbolism of the springs of life provided by God. Enter Jesus…

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'””‬‬

John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭ESV

Jesus, here, asserts Himself as the source of living water. In an earlier passage of John, He said something similar during His conversation with the woman at the well.

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””

John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV

When mankind sinned, they were exiled from the Garden. They were separated from the living water. God continued to offer it throughout the story of Israel. But over and over again they filled to drink from the waters. They built their own cisterns. They went their own way. So God came to them, in the person of Jesus. And Jesus, being the Word of God made flesh (John 1), through whom all things were made snd hold together (Colossians 1), can offer that living to every heart surrendered to Him. Jesus brings the river to you and me and says come and drink. The water of life brings life. Jesus brings life since He is the source of that water. In Revelation it says that the waters flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb. That leaves us with the invitation. Will you come and drink? Will you take the invitation to life?

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

A Walk Through Ephesians Two: Reflections on the Gospel

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The Gospel is intertwined throughout the pages of the Bible, from the Book of Genesis to the last page of Revelation. The Bible is a story of God’s heart towards an imperfect humanity. It is ultimately His story, revealing His perfections. In comparison, humanity has proven itself totally far from the mark in every way. In light of that, God has proclaimed the good news of His love, pursuit, and salvation for a world in need. The Apostle Paul was excellent at reminding his readers of this good news. In one of his letters, in particular, Paul walks through the gospel in 10 concise verses. This passage is a go-to for myself. I also like to take youth groups through the reflection of Ephesians Chapter two. I would invite you to set aside some time, grab a cup of tea, remove distractions, and sit with this passage and these questions.

MY PAST

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2:1-3

There is no doubt that without God…before God intervened in our lives…we were in a desperate situation. We were in BIG trouble! It’s powerful to remember who we are apart from God and the person He’s rescued us from. When we made the choice to follow Jesus, it came with a cost. We made the choice to lay things down, live for a different purpose, and make different choices. We chose to let Him in.

Reflection: Take some time to contemplate who you once were before God and who you may struggle to be now without keeping your focus on God. In what ways were you dead? What else do you need to be rescued from?

MY PRESENT

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:4-7

The greatest invasion in world history was Christ’s invasion into the world of darkness. His victory over death has not only set the world free but has set you and me free. He breathed life into creation back in the early pages of Genesis, and He did it again when Christ rose from the dead. Death no longer has the final word. As if that wasn’t enough, God never stops at the cross with His children. He continues to love, nurture, guide, protect, prosper, and bless us. He does this so that we will know along with the world, that He has immeasurable kindness and goodness.

Reflection: Take time to thank God for His amazing grace in your life…for His unfailing love and mercy. It always helps to write them down. If you don’t already have one, maybe create a gratitude journal. Take some time to pray, sing praises, and maybe even take Communion.

MY FUTURE

…For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Ephesians 2:8-10

God has a future for all of us. He has prepared one for you. The cross opens up a new door for us. Jesus, Himself said that He came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). God promised that He has plans for us that are good and hopeful (Jeremiah 29:11). There is a plan and a life ready for us to embrace.

Reflection: What is your future hope? What is your purpose? What makes you come alive and how can God use that? How can you be used by your Savior to make a difference? What are your talents and how can they be used to point others to Jesus?

Always remember, you are loved more than you could ever know. Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.