During my quiet time today I was reading in Romans... and the thing that I was being hammered with today is that humanity is so sinful. That is a vague and general statement but when you apply it on a personal level it begins to make sense; I am sinful. You are sinful.
Paul puts it like this in Romans 3 where he quotes the Psalmist, "there is no one righteous, not even one; no one seeks God... there is no fear of God before their eyes." There is not a person on the planet now or ever that can get the title righteous (except One). And when we look at the Law we are brought to the realization that we are sinful, I am sinful and God would be just in punishing me severely. So, what do we do? We look to our Savior. We look to Jesus to be our remedy.
But, that is not so easy. It is humbling for people to say to themselves that they are 'wicked' (quoting Paul again) and that they deserve punishment. It is so hard to submit to that truth and I would say even harder for 'religious' people that attend church and tithe and go to small group and what not. It is harder for them to see that they are sinful because after all they are good people.
Mark Driscoll puts it like this in his book Vintage Jesus, "religious people often read the bible looking for ways to be the hero of their own life rather than reading it to see themselves as the villain and Jesus their hero." And that is the truth that hit me this morning. I am a villain and Jesus is my hero. Jesus rescues me from my self. Jesus takes my punishment by faith and gives me His right standing with God by faith and justifies me before the Father by faith. But, I am a thief that doesn't deserve any of those things!?
What a humbling and liberating truth! Jesus is my hero. I'm a crook but Jesus is my hero.
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, June 30, 2008
Luke 23-Vehemently Accusing Him
Oh, that we would stop being the people in chapter 19 that sang praises to Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and then probably participated in the crowd that yelled to Pilate, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
We have that tendency in each of us. Remember how sweet the sound of a redeemer sounded when you first heard! We each so passionately sang, "blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38, Psalm 118:26)" But who cut in on you? Satan began to whisper only 4 chapters later, 'this man brings trouble, he stirs up the people.' So, the people cried out to crucify him. And, we fall prey to the same mentality... so quick to sing praises and then dishonor God only a little later when we realize his Kingdom is not what we anticipated. It is offensive. It isn't about me?! I want a different kind of Messiah that brings me prosperity and peace, now!
You might argue that I am making some major assumptions to think that the song singers in Chapter 19 were there in Chapter 23... but, if they were not participating in the mob, then where were they? They weren't standing up for Him. If nothing else we can assume that. They didn't defend their king. They were scared and withdrew. Maybe, that is a better picture of your Christianity. You sing loud at church when the people next to you are worshiping and the music is loud enough to drown out your voice, but what happens when things get tough? Do you stand up for your faith then?
This is my experience and it is breaking my heart lately... I am definitely a song singer from Luke 19. I definitely sing the praises of Jesus of Nazareth as he triumphantly enters... but then the people I can relate with the best in chapter 23 are the chief priests and the teachers of the law... I actually, by my life, spit curses on Jesus. Vehemently! I sin and offend my savior to his face condemning him on that cross. What a wretched man I am?!? Thanks be to Jesus that he was so gracious as to see my waywardness before time began and resolved to forgive me completely! Thanks be to Jesus that He is making it impossible for me to continue to sin against him without feeling complete heart ache and brokenness! Thanks be to Jesus that he uttered the words, "Father forgive him for he knows not what he does." Oh, how sweet those words are to me, the accuser that placed Him on the cross?!
If that doesn't move you then friend you are dead. The story of the cross is the sweetest and most glorious truth that has ever crushed me with its glory! I am forever in debt to the work that Jesus did on my behalf on that cross. Words will continue to fail me as I attempt to tell others about this magnificent truth. Maybe this ancient Hymn will help us to vent our adoration.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Wonderful Cross by Isaac Watts
We have that tendency in each of us. Remember how sweet the sound of a redeemer sounded when you first heard! We each so passionately sang, "blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38, Psalm 118:26)" But who cut in on you? Satan began to whisper only 4 chapters later, 'this man brings trouble, he stirs up the people.' So, the people cried out to crucify him. And, we fall prey to the same mentality... so quick to sing praises and then dishonor God only a little later when we realize his Kingdom is not what we anticipated. It is offensive. It isn't about me?! I want a different kind of Messiah that brings me prosperity and peace, now!
You might argue that I am making some major assumptions to think that the song singers in Chapter 19 were there in Chapter 23... but, if they were not participating in the mob, then where were they? They weren't standing up for Him. If nothing else we can assume that. They didn't defend their king. They were scared and withdrew. Maybe, that is a better picture of your Christianity. You sing loud at church when the people next to you are worshiping and the music is loud enough to drown out your voice, but what happens when things get tough? Do you stand up for your faith then?
This is my experience and it is breaking my heart lately... I am definitely a song singer from Luke 19. I definitely sing the praises of Jesus of Nazareth as he triumphantly enters... but then the people I can relate with the best in chapter 23 are the chief priests and the teachers of the law... I actually, by my life, spit curses on Jesus. Vehemently! I sin and offend my savior to his face condemning him on that cross. What a wretched man I am?!? Thanks be to Jesus that he was so gracious as to see my waywardness before time began and resolved to forgive me completely! Thanks be to Jesus that He is making it impossible for me to continue to sin against him without feeling complete heart ache and brokenness! Thanks be to Jesus that he uttered the words, "Father forgive him for he knows not what he does." Oh, how sweet those words are to me, the accuser that placed Him on the cross?!
If that doesn't move you then friend you are dead. The story of the cross is the sweetest and most glorious truth that has ever crushed me with its glory! I am forever in debt to the work that Jesus did on my behalf on that cross. Words will continue to fail me as I attempt to tell others about this magnificent truth. Maybe this ancient Hymn will help us to vent our adoration.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Wonderful Cross by Isaac Watts
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Luke 17 -Rebuke and Forgive
These are two disciplines that churches are horrible at. I don't even think we are a little good at them, we simply do not practice either of them. They are actually two elements that I think make Christianity appealing, yet we fail to implement them to our own detriment. Let us look to the text:
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him (verses 3-4)."
Jesus is telling us that when a friend (he uses 'brother' but this means more than biological) sins we should do our best to correct that person. To rebuke means 'to speak severely to someone because they have done wrong.'1 It is interesting that it says, 'severely.' I think this shows the nature of correction. It actually takes harsh words sometimes to bring us back from our sinful ways. If someone simply gently points out a fault it is rather easy to justify or dismiss your behavior. But, if someone comes to you and rebukes you, meaning they speak in a tone and demeanor that shows that if you continue in your sinful ways you will die, then we might actually take it seriously and repent. We need to make a habit of rebuking each other to make us more Christlike. It is a lost discipline that I wish was practised on me more often. I can think back on several follies that could have easily been avoided had a discerning Christian friend pointed out my fault. And, I think the lack of rebuking comes down to courage. We are actually a bunch of chickens. We don't want to say the hard stuff for fear of how it will go. But let me remind you of the Lord's words to Ezekiel in Chapter 3 of the book of Ezekiel, "If you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood." That should me a motivational trump card. For every time Satan convinces you not to have a hard conversation for the preservation of a friendship, or for your desire of comfort, or for the fact that you are not in a position to rebuke others, let the words of the Lord ring in your ear. That persons blood will be on your hands. You will be guilty for keeping your mouth shut. So, let us make a practise of correcting one another.
The second element of this text is forgiveness. I think we are better at this than rebuking. But, I still think we have a long ways to go. Think this morning of anyone that you are harboring bitterness towards. Is there any un-forgiveness in your heart today. Because Jesus says that even if a person is harmful seven times in ONE day that you should forgive them when they repent. Be careful reading too much into this text. In fact I can feel the workings of the Enemy justifying right now, "yeah but it says if they repent... I don't have to forgive if they don't repent." That is a dangerous place to be my friend. If you are justifying bitterness this morning than please take it to the cross. I am not going to be an arbiter between you and your enemy this morning by telling you that you have to forgive or that it is ok to be upset if they will not repent. Simply take it to the cross. Wrestle with God today. Don't allow your reasoning to justify your actions. Sit quietly at the foot of the cross and let Him speak. Let the one that was willing to forgive his captors, mockers, and torturers by saying, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," speak to your situation.
When we learn these two practices well the church flourishes. Sin is dealt with and grace abounds. Then unbelievers will look to the church and say, 'that is a beautiful thing. Oh, how I would love to be a part of that!'
1Modern Language Association (MLA):
"rebuke." Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary. K Dictionaries Ltd. 05 Jun. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rebuke
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him (verses 3-4)."
Jesus is telling us that when a friend (he uses 'brother' but this means more than biological) sins we should do our best to correct that person. To rebuke means 'to speak severely to someone because they have done wrong.'1 It is interesting that it says, 'severely.' I think this shows the nature of correction. It actually takes harsh words sometimes to bring us back from our sinful ways. If someone simply gently points out a fault it is rather easy to justify or dismiss your behavior. But, if someone comes to you and rebukes you, meaning they speak in a tone and demeanor that shows that if you continue in your sinful ways you will die, then we might actually take it seriously and repent. We need to make a habit of rebuking each other to make us more Christlike. It is a lost discipline that I wish was practised on me more often. I can think back on several follies that could have easily been avoided had a discerning Christian friend pointed out my fault. And, I think the lack of rebuking comes down to courage. We are actually a bunch of chickens. We don't want to say the hard stuff for fear of how it will go. But let me remind you of the Lord's words to Ezekiel in Chapter 3 of the book of Ezekiel, "If you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood." That should me a motivational trump card. For every time Satan convinces you not to have a hard conversation for the preservation of a friendship, or for your desire of comfort, or for the fact that you are not in a position to rebuke others, let the words of the Lord ring in your ear. That persons blood will be on your hands. You will be guilty for keeping your mouth shut. So, let us make a practise of correcting one another.
The second element of this text is forgiveness. I think we are better at this than rebuking. But, I still think we have a long ways to go. Think this morning of anyone that you are harboring bitterness towards. Is there any un-forgiveness in your heart today. Because Jesus says that even if a person is harmful seven times in ONE day that you should forgive them when they repent. Be careful reading too much into this text. In fact I can feel the workings of the Enemy justifying right now, "yeah but it says if they repent... I don't have to forgive if they don't repent." That is a dangerous place to be my friend. If you are justifying bitterness this morning than please take it to the cross. I am not going to be an arbiter between you and your enemy this morning by telling you that you have to forgive or that it is ok to be upset if they will not repent. Simply take it to the cross. Wrestle with God today. Don't allow your reasoning to justify your actions. Sit quietly at the foot of the cross and let Him speak. Let the one that was willing to forgive his captors, mockers, and torturers by saying, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," speak to your situation.
When we learn these two practices well the church flourishes. Sin is dealt with and grace abounds. Then unbelievers will look to the church and say, 'that is a beautiful thing. Oh, how I would love to be a part of that!'
1Modern Language Association (MLA):
"rebuke." Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary. K Dictionaries Ltd. 05 Jun. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rebuke
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