Are We in Debt?

Romans Chapter 13 

Scripture: 

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:8-10) 

Observation: 

I've heard verse 8 used for many people as a mandate for Christians to not borrow money, under any circumstances.  The late George Mueller held fast to this teaching and no one can doubt the effectiveness of his ministry.  (His story is too long for me to go into here, but please take the time to read up on this powerful man of prayer!).  But I ask you, is this a case of interpretation for some for personal conviction, or is it one for all of us?  Just what is this verse actually saying? 

Well, before I start a debate about it, lets look at verse 7 for the clue for the context.  It says: "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."   It uses the word "owe" not as a financial choice to borrow or not to borrow (that is a given) rather, within the context it's not talking about collecting debt, but focusing instead on paying it, on time.  In fact, verse 8 goes on to tell us not to leave any debt outstanding except to love one another. 

Loving one another, should be viewed as a debt owed, as one that can never be fully paid off.  Radical thinking?  Yes!  But that's kinda the way God rolls.  Jesus tells us to go the extra mile, turn the cheek, to forgive seventy times seven, and to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's; using the every day functions of life to illustrate the kingdom of God to the unbelievers around us.   

Application: 

The lesson that I find for myself in these set of verses is echoed a few chapters earlier in Romans 12:17 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”  Even though love keeps no record of wrongs, the rest of the world really does.  And THAT is the reason we are commanded to owe no one anything but the continuing debt of love.  This radical way of living marks us as being different.  That willingness to love (and forgive) opens doors with people that might have otherwise stayed shut.   

Prayer: 

Lord, it is easy to make these connections here on paper, but so much harder to remember them in the heat of the moment when my temper is flaring and I am feeling taken advantage of.  Remind me ever that I was bought at a price, that I have laid down my rights and my service to you is through the people you've placed around me.  Amen. 

Things That Cannot Be Taken Away

Romans Chapter 8 

Scripture: 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39) 

Observation: 

I recently went to the memorial service of a man who had been a teacher.  One of the men who spoke for him (being a teacher as well) gave a pop quiz to the congregation.  "What is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you?" He asked.  His answer was "Education".  Other's might have answered with "Experiences"  "Things you've already given away"  or "Memories".  My first gut-reaction answer when I responded to the quiz was "Love".  You might have come up with something else if you'd been sitting in the pew with me.  But it got me thinking about what sorts of things CAN be taken from me.  My family, my comfort, my health, even my memories can be taken by Alzheimer's...  

Our text today is from Romans and Paul has just had a discourse on the struggle inside of us between our desire to do good, and the sinful nature that we must always battle while we live in the body.  He ends Chapter 8 with this promise - that nothing can separate us from the love of God.   

The Holy Spirit is so twined within me that even if I lose my family, my stuff, my mind, or my life, I am safely held in his hands.   

Can you not see the wonder in this?  The amazing tenacity of a God who created us and clutches us through all other losses we may suffer, so that we are never left abandoned and alone?  In a world where everything dies or is corrupted, he's created a way to hold on to us when we can no longer do any of the holding ourselves.  I've "been his" for over 30 years now and this single, powerful, truth has me in tears of thankfulness as I write these words.   

Application / Prayer: 

Father, I pray that you train me to see the world and it's value through your eyes instead of my own.  Help me to build faith in my children over any other good thing that can be taken way.  I praise you for you tenacious, stubborn love that will not let me go.  Amen.

Conscious of Sin

Romans Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.(Rom. 3:19-24 NIV) 

Observation: 

There is so much here in just the five verses I pulled from the chapter to talk about, that it's difficult to choose the right size bite for the time and space that we have.  Usually I use the "observation" section to give you an overview and orient you to the train of thought I'm on.  I've type and erased several paragraphs that all take on more than I can digest for you in the space we have.  So, instead of doing that I'm trying something new: I want to ponder three words from this section, put them in context, and leave you with somethings to chew on. 

The three words are "Conscious of Sin" 

The bible says that we can't be saved through the law, but it was given to us so that we would recognize sin when we saw it.  The King James Version says: " for by the law is the knowledge of sin".  The Amplified Bible unwraps the intent behind the knowledge of sin " For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]." 

Application: 

As promised here are some verses for you to chew on.  I urge you to read them and put them in context - test me!   

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; (John 16:7-9) 

I see a growing trend in our nation and in our churches to excuse, redefine, or otherwise minimize sin.  The problem is that when we purposely ignore our sin, we are in danger of being "given over to it" and the Holy Spirit no longer strives to convict us. The Message paraphrases it this way only  a few chapters back: 

"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!"  (Rom. 1:28-32) 

Now go one chapter forward to Romans 2:14-16 (The Message version) 

When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences. 

There is something important that happens inside of us when we acknowledge our sin for what it is.  When we take ownership of our actions and their consequences, then throw ourselves on God's mercy, it restores us and makes us clean.    Here is a list of verses to chew on while you think about it. 

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (Psalm 51:2-3) 

Prayer: 

Lord, I cling to your promise found in 1st John 1:9 that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  I pray that you give courage to those reading today and myself.  We need to look hard at the sins we have been hiding, justifying, or redefining.  I pray that you draw us into a closer relationship where we can trust you to care for and heal us. Amen 

The Crucible and The Temptation

Matthew Chapter 26

Scripture:

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?  ”he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.  Rise!  Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”  (Matthew 26:36-46)

Observation:

There are some interesting parallels here of redemption.  The fall of man happened in the Garden of Eden, by falling to temptation.  Here we see Jesus tempted to escape his fate, but yielding instead to God’s will over his own.

Jesus knew the end was near.  His response to the fight or flight instinct that his adrenal glands triggered was to do neither.  He didn’t run away from the crucible that was to come, nor did he fight it (or allow Peter to fight in his behalf).  Instead, he went down on his face in prayer.  Yes, asking to be spared, but submitting to God’s will every time and going back to prayer when he didn’t get the answer he wanted.  In fact, he prayed three times for the same thing; persistently pursuing God until he found peace.  He never pretended that it was an easy thing for him to do – no false platitudes or doubt.  Luke records that angels came to strengthen him in response to his prayer.  (Luke 22:43) 

I also find it interesting, that he took his best friends to stand watch with him, and to pray while he wrestled his will to the ground.  The temptation to sleep overcame them though.  And that’s where we get the immortal words “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  The implication of course, because of the example lived out by Jesus, is that our bodies need to be trained and disciplined along with our spirits in order to pass the test of the crucible.

Application:

A crucible is a container that can withstand very high temperatures, temperatures high enough to melt or otherwise alter it’s contents… I can’t help but think of our bodies as crucibles, the container that houses our spirits. 

A scripture is often misquoted.  People say “God won’t let you have more than you can handle” and I don’t think that’s true.  The scripture in question comes from 1st Corinthians 10:13 and it says: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  The scripture is talking about withstanding temptation (the temptation to run away or to fight back on our own power).  He provides a way of escape through the transmuting, the submission, of our will to his, as it is so clearly shown in this passage. 

It is in our human nature to seek comfort, safety, and security.  We are like children who equate God’s love for us by how “blessed” we are.  We pray earnestly for one another when any of those things are threatened, but what do we pray for?  Do we pray that they are able to conquer themselves and their base instincts to fight or run away; so that they are able to endure the crucible?  Or do we pray for their comfort, healing from pain, or release from their circumstances? 

Jesus didn’t escape the cross.  He escaped his fear, and endured.  Luke says that he sweated drops of blood – he was terrified in body for the ordeal to come.  He modeled for us, how to pick up our cross – die to ourselves – and follow his example.

So I ask you.  What are the things in your life that tempt you into fighting back or running away?

Prayer:

Father, I feel as though I may have poked tender spots with a sharp stick.  I don’t know what place the reader is in.  Maybe they’re  tempted by the heat of their circumstances to do whatever it takes to end the pain or fear.  I pray for them, that you would send your angels to comfort, to aid them in conquering themselves. 

Maybe the reader is close to someone going through a trial, and the only thing to do is sit beside them while they endure.  For them, Lord I pray that they resist the temptation to sleep, and actively engage in prayer, watching and waiting with them; witnessing the battle and providing the comfort of friendship.  Amen

Two Sons and One Question

Matthew Chapter 21

Scripture:

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’  29   “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  30   “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.  31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?  “The first,” they answered.  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.  (Mat. 21:28-31)

Observation:

The chief priests had stopped in at the court of the gentiles where he was preaching - in their fine garb and symbols of their authority- to challenge Jesus and to take some of his power away. They weren’t looking for honest answers to their question; they were trying to discredit him with the crowd by making it clear that he DIDN’T preach from their authority.  So Jesus brings up John, who the crowd they were all standing in revered as a prophet. He used the threat of rousing the crowd to riot in order to harness them.

THEN he tells this parable.

It's an appeal to them both, each brother are represented in the crowd after all. I believe that he doesn't want anyone to slip from the opportunity to repent.  So out of love he holds up the mirror to say “don’t you see what you are doing?”

He reminds them through the story - that they have a decision to make.  Will they cling to an outward form of godliness, telling God “yes” with their mouths but “no” with their life... or will they repent and do the work that the Father has given them to do? 

James says it eloquently in 2:18.  But to be clear, so that there is no confusion about being saved by faith and not by works, James was talking TO believers when he said “show me your faith by what you say and I’ll show you my faith by what I do” That discussion is not about salvation, but about the effectiveness of your ministry and testimony once you are saved; a kick in the pants to the scattered church of the day to get out into the vineyard and do the work. 

Our passage today should not be confused with a debate about faith and deeds.  It’s not about that at all.  He was chastising the chief priests for playing dress-up, in the robes of God’s office, without first having repented and been saved.  They craved, not the goodwill of the Father, but the respect and authority over men.

Application:

Which brother are you?  Have you repented and need the reminder to get to work in the Vineyard?  Or have you been playing at church without true repentance?

Prayer:

Lord, I am so grateful for your Holy Spirit which can separate truth from lies, even the lies we tell ourselves for comfort.  I pray that you divine our intentions and spur us into action.  Amen.