But if we walk in the light

.... as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son keeps on cleansing us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Of the nineteen times the Greek word koinonea (translated here as fellowship) appears in the New Testament, four of them are here in this short chapter.  Koinonea is a deep hearted participation, connection and  sharing with another. At the birth of the church it expressed itself in converts selling property and possessions to give to anyone who had need (Acts 2:42). John, one of the inner three of the twelve disciples  uses the word to describe his relationship with Jesus (verse 3), and Paul could speak of the fellowship of his suffering with Him (Philippians 3:10).   John is writing these things to us, so that we may share (fellowship) in  the fellowship he has with the Father and the Son (and with each other), and that our joy may be full (verses 3, 4, 7).

The Kingdom is primarily about koinoinea relationships, it is about moving towards the openness, vulnerability and transparency of the relationship Adam and Eva had with each other before the fall. It is the reality of the agape love within such relationships,  that Jesus gives the World permission to judge whether or not,  we are His disciples (John 13:35).  The depth of this koinonea fellowship that we have with God and the depth that we have with each other, are directly related, they go hand in hand.  And both are related to our walking in the light. We could even speak of this as having fellowship (or not) with the light!

But what does it mean to walk in the light? David could say “the entrance of Your Word brings light (Psalm 119:130). And it was said of Daniel that the Spirit of the Holy God and light and understanding and wisdom were in him (Daniel 5:11). So to walk in the light is to daily discipline ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word,  and to walk in obedience to what He shows us. It is to refuse to compromise or rationalize away our behaviour,  or to be conformed to world,  or even to the poor behaviour of other Christians. To do these things is to lie to ourselves and to not practice truth (reality verse 6). We need to blood of Jesus Christ to keep on cleansing us (verse 7), because as we walk in the light, He  reveals our secret sins, sins hidden many times even from ourselves.  And then when they are brought to the light we confess them and forsake them, and they are then all covered by His blood. He even cleanses our consciences from the pollution of it all (verse 9).

Father, this kind of fellowship and joy go hand in hand (verse 4). John tells us “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). And if we are finding them burdensome, we have failed to understand what it is we should do.  Thank You Lord that You have already poured out Your love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). And it seems that walking in the light is about making sure that there is nothing hindering our experiencing it. So help us Lord to abide in that love (John 15:9),  and we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief.

On that day the heavens will disappear with a great roar, the elements will be destroyed by fervent fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be exposed (2 Peter 3:10). Then and now there are those who scoff that this has not happened since forever! Peter points out that a thousand years with the Lord is as a day, that is with Him it's been a mere couple of days. The reason for the delay is His not wanting any to perish, but rather that all should come to repentance (verses 3-9). His love suffers long and is kind, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is this goodness of God that leads men to repentance, or not (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6; Romans 2:4).

It's hard for us to hold together truths that seem to contradict. I'm thinking here of the goodness and the severity of God. His severity comes on those who fell, but toward us, goodness, if you continue in it. Otherwise we also will be cut off (Romans 11:22). Some stressing His goodness, presume on it, living unrepentant lives. They stress the Grace of God, but neglect the truth of God (John 1:14). Others stressing the severity of God live their lives out of fear, and in doing so, by their very lives, speak the unbalanced truth of severity without goodness, truth without Grace. The Scriptures teach both of course, but according to our tendency to imbalance, we stress one at the expense of the other, and either ignore the other truth, or rationalize away what we don't want to hear.

Imbalance is its own form of Scripture twisting, and whenever we twist Scripture, we do it to our own destruction, and of any others whom we lead astray (2 Peter 3:16). If we have eyes to see it, we can see evidence of this destruction in life. We see it in the wife of an alcoholic who “for love” covers for her husband by lying, or in the mother who makes excuses for her son, blaming others for not helping him enough. It's called enabling, and it robs the other of the need to take responsibility for their actions, and it softens the lessons from the school of hard knocks (Galatians 6:7). On the other side of the imbalance, we are likely judgemental like the Pharisees, falsely representing God as an unfeeling tyrant. In doing we cause many of His little ones to stumble (Mark 9:42). But on that day everything will be exposed, including the thoughts, intents and rationalizations of the heart. And we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to be rewarded or not, according to whether we have done good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13, 14).

Lord Jesus, this free will, this gift of choice is scary, but without it love is meaningless. In the end it is we choose heaven or hell, and it's not in the here and now, it's after death (Hebrews 9:27). You don't send anyone to hell Lord, we go to hell “over Your dead body,” by refusing the forgiveness promised in repentance. And though I am fatally flawed, I am unconditionally loved, and when I am found in Christ I am fully accepted in the Beloved, and qualified to be an inheritor with the saints in light. For this and many other things I give You thanks and praise in Your precious Name Amen

 

The Lord knows how to deliver the godly

.... out of trials and temptations,  and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). In context Peter is speaking of two things, firstly how He delivered righteous Noah and Lot “who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.” Secondly he is speaking of God's judgements at the flood, and at His turning Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, and how this is an example of what is coming on the ungodly (verses 5, 6). Nowhere does  Scripture suggest that the ungodly cannot repent and receive mercy.  Referring to the same behaviour Paul says to the Corinthians “and that is what some of you were. But you were washed,  sanctified and   justified” (1 Corinthians 6:11).  This passage however, gives a strong refutation to those who twist Scripture claiming that in the end everybody is saved (2 Peter 3:16)!  Though the Lord would rather no one  should perish but all come to repentance, not all do, for “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” (2 Peter 3:9; Genesis 6:3). There comes a point where like Pharaoh, after much resistance to Him God declares is fair game to use a man for His purposes (see Exodus 7:13, 22, 23; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:12; 4:21).

Peter warns “there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies ... bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2:1, 2). Indeed there are false teachers today who seek to twist scripture seeking to justify the very same behaviour exhibited in Sodom. And how can it not cause confusion among the unsaved,  when part of the church turns a clear “no” of Scripture into a “yes.” I have an article in my files entitled “betrayed by the affirming church.” At the very point of temptation,  instead of encouraging him to resist temptation,  that part of the church in fact encouraged him to give into it, 'it's who you are!'  “They promise liberty, but they themselves are slaves of corruption” (verse 19). This passage makes God's response to all this very clear,  such people are  reserved  “under punishment for the day of judgment.”

All this is very seductive  for the godly, for “they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error” (verse 18). But “the Lord  knows how to deliver the godly out of trials and temptations.”  Note that it is out of, not actually from! And some of us have in fact fallen! Indeed the “steps of a good man,” those who with His help are seeking to escape the corruption that is in the world, such a  man “though he fall,  will not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23, 24). And many times the fall is the very thing that motivates us to determine, with His help,  to resist as we fully surrender to His mercy and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Father, it's not easy to live the Christian life in this wicked and hurting world. Thank You for Your promised that no trial or temptation will overwhelm us, but that You  will, in the midst of it,  provide the way to escape and stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Help us to do our part Lord and to search for and find that way, and we'll give You the honour and  the praise in Jesus Name amen

I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients,    because I keep Your precepts. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path (Psalm 119:99, 100, 105). Three things  bring wisdom,  understanding and guidance,  They are meditation on Scripture,  obedience to the laws and precepts of the Bible, and the illumination of His Word. It seems to me, one of the reason the Jews, on a per capita basis,  are so far ahead of the rest of the world (for example as a start up nation, and in terms of Nobel prizes etc.), is because of  their heritage of daily Bible reading  (Deuteronomy 6:7). But it's not just reading that gives superior understanding, it's Biblical meditation. It's not like Eastern meditation where you empty your mind. Biblical meditation is chewing on the Word,  as a cow chews the cud, going over and over it in our minds. If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Worry is meditation on the wrong thing!

There's a strong connection between obedience and knowing,  and understanding truth. Negatively we suppress the truth by unrighteousness and disobedience (Romans 1:18). It's basically rationalization. Nobody wants to think of themselves as a rascal, so we twist our thinking to accommodate our behaviour. It screws us up! Positively Jesus told us that if we chooses to do the will of God,   we will know that His teaching is from the Father (John 7:17).  It's progressive, as we exercise our spiritual senses to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). And we exercise our senses by meditation and obedience! There are times we get it wrong of course, but when our hearts are set on these things, the Word will show us where we went wrong,  and how to get back on track (2 Timothy 3:16).  Wisdom and understanding are  primary,  “wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

For the Christian direct guidance (as opposed to godly council etc.) comes primarily through the written and spoken (rhama) Word of God. Again is it not independent of mediation and obedience, but in the end,  it's about relationship.  He tells us “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV).  We wont get direction about a job, or who to marry from the Bible.  So He directs our paths many times,  through our hearing His spoken word,  not usually audibly, but in our heart.  Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).  He is the light of the World,  and He lights our path step by step as we hear and  follow Him.  Note again, it is not independent of obedience!

Father, it is amazing to think we have access to You, the fount of all wisdom and understanding, and that You are far more willing to guide us,  than we are to come before You to ask for these things.  Forgive us Lord when we have neglected to do this,  and gone our own way. Thank You Lord that You always have our best interests at heart, and that You are worthy to be trusted. You have never let me down, and You wont start now. For these and many other things,  we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

.... that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Peter has been talking about being submissive to leaders, and about “clothing ourselves with humility.” The force of  “therefor” in  verse 6, is because “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (verse 5) .  So here's the question, 'do we want God to resist us?'  If not, you and I need to humble ourselves before Him. And part of how we do that, is to be in submission to our leaders,  and to exhibit humility in our dealings with each other (verse 5). Leaders are certainly included in this  exhortation, since they are not to lord it over the flock, but to be examples (including of humility) to us (verse 3).

This teaching is so necessary in the church, because this is one more way that we have been squeezed in the world's mold (Romans 12:2).  In particular for example, promotion is all selling yourself, and it's all about image.  I mean  if you don't look after number one who will?  Submission, respect and honour go hand in hand, and who honours or respect anybody today?  We are commanded to honour one another however (1 Peter 2:17), and the commandment to honour our father and mother is the first commandment with the promise that it may go well with you (Ephesians 6:2). Giving such honour to whom honour is due (Romans 13:7), is part of submission and of clothing ourselves with humility. Our cloths are a very visible part of our appearance,  and Peter is saying our humility needs to be that obvious!

It goes against the culture many times with its emphasis on “my rights, ” on I, me mine! There is the tendency to respond by saying  I'll honour,  respect and submit to those I feel are deserving of these things. But is not humbling ourselves under the might hand of God. But you might say that God doesn't expect me to submit to the undeserving! Well if that's you, I'm sorry to tell you, you're wrong! We are to be submissive with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh (1 Peter 2:18). You might say that's not fair, but who said it was going to be? And if we don't want to be resisting God,  we need to trust to Him that He will lift us up at the right time and give us,  the grace, the wherewithal no only to do His will (Philippians 2:13), but also to receive His favour (verse 5 NIV). Remember He cares for you (verse 7), and that He has our very best interests at heart in these things that He commands.  

Father, You tell us to let this mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, that though He is very God of very God, nevertheless He humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on the cross.   For this very reason You exalted Him Lord,  and gave Him the Name that is above every Name, to which every knee will bow (Philippians 2:5-10). Thank Your Lord that we have the opportunity and the choice to bow now when it means to much more to You,  than it will when those who refused to bow now,  will be forced to.  We choose to humble ourselves this morning Lord with all that that means,  and we give Your glory in Jesus Name Amen

But Daniel purposed in his heart

.... that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies (Daniel 1:8). Daniel had been selected as one of the cream of the captives of Israel, to be trained in all the culture of the Chaldeans. They had even changed his name, which in the Hebrew culture meant a fundamental change of character. The assimilation also required a change of diet “the kings delicacies and his wine” (verses 3-7). But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with these things. It's not immediately clear why they would defile him. The commentators suggest it was likely because they were part of what was offered to idols. Daniel's purpose was no small thing, for to defy the king could mean death (i.e. 3:6). As Christians we are not to be conformed to the culture (Romans 12:2), and this can be a costly thing for us too. We too need to determine in our hearts not to be so conformed.  And we can learn from Daniel, something of how to go about this.  

What Daniel does not do, is to come across as self righteous and judgemental. He's also aware that his stance could get his handler into trouble (verse 10).  So he makes a request for there to be an experiment to test the superiority of his suggested diet. It seems Daniel was going to do it anyway (see 6:10 and context).  But his way is prudent, and accomplishes the same goal, for the experiment is successful,  and the steward grants Daniel's request for vegetables (verse 16). Barnes' notes suggest that it's always better, even where there is decided principle, and a settled purpose, to obtain your goal  by a peaceful request, rather than to attempt to secure it by violence.

So there are two things here, firstly we too need to settle in our hearts not to be conformed to the culture. Secondly  and we need to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves in the way we take our stands. In some of these areas I am saying please don't do as I did, do as the Scriptures say. I have needed to repent in terms of how I conducted myself sexually, and I have gone through two divorces. But the Bible clearly tells us that sexual immorality is sin, and that God hates divorce (1 Corinthians 6:19;  Malachi 2:16). Again, there must be no self righteousness here, but we need to be clear that  abortion, euthanasia and infanticide are wrong.  I mean what really is the difference between this and the ancients sacrificing their children to Molech (Jeremiah 32:35)?  The good news, it that there is forgiveness with God (1 John 1:9). And it seems to me that we need to have abortion recovery sections in our twelve step,  and other recovery programs.

Father, I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, but I have glimpsed something of Your glory (Isaiah 6:5). Father “we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments” (Daniel 9:5). We repent Lord,  seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, and we ask You this morning Lord,  to come and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Thank You that with You there is mercy,  forgiveness and cleaning.  And for this, and many other things, we give Your praise  in Jesus Name Amen

He who covers his sins will not prosper,

.... but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).  There are multitudes of ways that we cover,  or try to hide our sin, and the wrong we have done. We can deny that it's sin, we can suppress the feelings of guilt and shame.  We can blame others, “You made me do it!”  One way that combines some of the above  is to blame others for the guilt we are feeling, or to accuse them of hate,  or fear,  or of laying guilt trips. I'm not saying that these things don't exist independently of right or wrong, for they do! The proverb declares however that the one who covers his sin will not prosper.

There is a recovery saying that goes along with this principle, and it is that “you are only as sick as your secrets.” The negative physical, mental and emotional effects of guilt and shame are well documented in modern research.  As with many of these things, the Bible got there first.  For example David cried out “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long”  (Psalm 32:3).  Though the research is not saying that guilt and shame are the only things that cause the following list, they  certainly play a role.  When I googled “health effects of guilt,” the list  included bipolar disorder, depression,  hopelessness, feelings of unworthiness and low self-esteem. I quote “when you have an inordinate feeling of guilt, your mind begins to sabotage itself with negative, unrealistic, and dark thoughts.” The phrase “will not prosper” certainly seems to fit the bill here! And this is not to even mention substance abuse,  and the many ways we  mitigate the pain of our guilt.

Every attempt of man to cover his sin is futile, fig leaves certainly don't cut it, neither do any of the things in the above mentioned list. There is  however, a cure for guilt. David cries out “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered (Psalm 32:1; Romans 4:7). In other words, the cure for guilt is to be forgiven by the only One who has the authority to forgive us and against whom  ultimately He and He alone we have sinned (Psalm 51:??). This forgiveness is costly, for a Holy God must punish sin.  And He did it by laying iniquity of us all on Him (Isaiah 53:??). It was  He Himself who “bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” He did it with  the expectation “that we, having died to sins, might live for  righteousness (1 Peter  2:24), and that we should live no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15).  And this is precisely what it means to “confesses and forsake” our sins, and this repentance is the precondition for mercy (see this morning's verse).

Father, part of this Biblical command to confess and forsake our sin is where appropriate to make restitution, to pay back when possible what we have taken. And it was always more than was taken (i.e. Numbers  5:7).  Restitution is not always possible of course, and though You take away the eternal penalty for sin, You often leave us with the here and now consequences!  Give us the grace to bear these things Lord,  and to never take Your mercy for granted. Help us to live day by day for You,  and we will give you the glory in Jesus name Amen

This is my comfort in my affliction,

.... For Your word has given me life (Psalm 119:50). Some of the translations have “Your promise has given me life.” Strictly speaking it is “word,” but the previous verse reads “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope,” and clearly the word given was a promise.  We should not suppose that living life to the best of our ability should be problem free, for “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).  The hope and promise of verse 49 then, is of deliverance.  Deliverance may,  or may not,  be in the here and now.  There were even some who where tortured but did refused deliverance in order that they might obtain a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). But in any case,  for the one who is kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5),  there is comfort, and there is life.

For the New Testament believer there is the comfort of the word (the Bible), and the comfort of the Word (Jesus John 1:1). For me the comfort I receive from the word is bound up in the promises. Through regular reading of His word, there are verses that stand out to me, and I have placed many of them in a file on my computer. And when I am discourage and in need of comfort,  I go to the file to remind myself of these promises. But I also find comfort in my relationship with the Lord. When I am burdened and heavy ladened it is to Him that I go to find comfort, rest and peace (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Most of humanity is either stuck in the past,  or fixated on the future. For the former, the past is either about the pain, or it is idealized and thought to be better than it was, “the good old days.” For those hoping to escape the present pain of affliction by being fixated on the future, the thought is that life will be better when ..... if .....!  For the believer who takes comfort in His Word and in His promises, affliction is a vehicle to life in all its fullness in the here and now (John 10:10b), and to the sure hope of eternal life when we die. For the believer it is more than possible to be present in the moment. The moment is all we have, it is the eternal now! Paul could say that he had learned in whatever state he was, to be content (Philippians 4:11). We need to do that too!

Father, learning to be content in the moment, is indeed something we need to learn. But we cannot learn this without affliction, trials and temptations.  It is in the storm that you truly learn to sail! We need with James to learn to rejoice when we encounter trials and tribulations (James 1:2). We cannot do this without the comfort of Your Word, and its life giving principles, at least I cannot Lord! We also need the comfort of Your Holy Spirit, the promised peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7),  and the healing presence of the love of Christ in which we need to be rooted and grounded (Ephesians 3:17). We pray for these things this morning Lord, in His holy and precious  Name Amen

who are kept by the power of God

..... through faith until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5).  The “who” are those of us  He has begotten again  to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (verse 3). There are three aspects of our salvation justification (saved from the penalty of sin Romans 5:1), sanctification (being saved from the Power and Pollution of sin Philippians 2:12, 13) and glorification (saved from the Presence of sin on the last day). Verse 5 then refers to glorification.  Note that it's   He who both saved us (justification), and who keeps us (guards our ongoing sanctification).  But it's also “through faith” that we are kept. There is a tendency in the West to present salvation to those who do not know Him, only in terms of dealing with the consequences of their own actions, or as a fire escape from hell. I am not saying this things not true,  only that we often fail to clearly present the need to count the cost.

The context of this morning's verse speaks of the fiery trials of  faith that so often tested first centenary Christians,  and tests many in other parts of our world today (verses 6, 7).   Even without the fiery trials, the unbeliever may well wonder if he or she is able to live up to the expectation of the changed life the gospel demands.  We are to present our bodies as ongoing living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Jesus clearly teaches us that if we are not willing to take up our cross daily and follow Him, we cannot be His disciple. He illustrates this by talking about counting the cost in terms of what you would need to do in terms of finance if you were thinking of building a tower. A permanently only half built tower would be the cause of you being mocked (Luke 14:27-30).

Let's be clear, if it were all up to you or me, we would fail. I mean  all of hell is arraigned against us.  But it's not all up to us, it's God who keeps us. Paul, though he was suffering on account of the gospel could say “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).  My part then, is to count the cost and make the commitment. I count the cost and in faith choose to believe that in my ongoing relationship with Him (“whom I have believed”), He will do His part to keep me moving in the right direction no matter what might befall me.  

Father, I want to thank You this morning, that it's not all up to me. As I look back on my years as a Christ follower,  I can say without a shade of doubt that the only way I have gotten through both the trials and the temptations,  is because of You. I would not have made it Lord,  and I mean that quite literally. I can't keep myself Lord, but You can keep me, and I am persuaded with Paul, that You who began a good work in me will keep right on working in this way, right up to the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). And I commit my life and my will over to You again this morning for safe keeping Lord, and I give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Confess your sins to one another,

...  and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16). The context (verse 15),  the way the word is used elsewhere (i.e. Matthew 13:15), and the verse itself shows that healing here,  is primarily about healing from the effects of sin. The confession is to one another, not church leaders,  as in the physical healing of verse 14. It should be noted though,  that neither the leaders not physical healing are excluded by this verse (see also verse 15).  The “that” of verse sixteen is really “in order that.”  The implication is that if the  openness and transparency of mutual accountability is absent,  we can expect the fellowship to remain unhealed from the effects of sin. In my opinion it is one of the major reasons the church is so weak and ineffective.  

People often tell me “I don't need to confess to others to be forgiven.” That is correct, we confess to God to be forgiven (1 John 1:9), however we confess to one another (as here) to be healed. So I can be forgiven, but remain unhealed! Ultimately all sickness is the result of sin, not necessarily our own. There was no sickness before sin entered the world at the fall (Genesis 3:6).   After the fall God cursed the earth “for our sake” (Genesis 3:17 NKJV). God tweaked reality,  so that bad choices have bad consequences (we reap what we sow Galatians 6:7). And He did this for our sake, knowing that the negative consequences of our's and other's sin, are likely the only thing that would bring us back to Himself.  The fall resulted in the alienation of man from God, man from man, and man from himself (Genesis 3:7, 8). Confession then, man to God and man to man, and man to himself (coming out of denial), is one of God's primary tools to reverse the effects of the fall and to bring in the Kingdom.

It's not generally safe of course! People like to judge you, it gives them some sort of temporary relief from their own guilt and shame! It's hypocrisy, and it's alive and well in the church! We need therefore to either find,  or create safe places,  where this Kingdom principle can be practiced. One such place is within the ministry of “Celebrate Recovery” (CR) a Christ centred twelve-step program, where I am a leader. It took me forty one of my forty eight years as a Christian to find such a place. But I also didn't know what I was looking for. The anonymity and confidentiality in CR and other twelve-step programs make them safe (safer) places. In CR,  having Christ as our higher power, also gives us access to all the Principles and Promises of the Word,  and to the healing and comforting  Presence of Holy Spirit.  

Father, I confess this morning my own soul–spirit sicknesses and the churches soul–spirit sickness – sickness of mind,  soul and body.  I confess that we have failed to tap into the resources that You have made available though Your Word, Your Spirit and the giftings of Your people.  Have mercy on us Lord, forgive us, and lead us into understanding and obedience, so that Your church may glorify You, and the World may see that You are real and to want what we have, or rather what we should have. Your intention Lord is that we be transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18),  and in this way glorify You in Jesus Name Amen

 

What causes disputes, strife and quarrels among you?

Do they not come from your desires that battle within you (James 4:1)? Chapter divisions in the Bible, though useful for finding our place,  and for cross references, can obscure the context. James has just been talking about the fruit of righteousness that is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18). He is talking about the wisdom that comes from above that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,  and is without partiality and without hypocrisy (3:17).  And this is the context of this morning's verse. It's the way it is supposed to be, the way that in our saner moments we desire. Bit  if it's the way it's supposed to be how come we find ourselves in wars, quarrels and strife?

Likely most of us, if we give it any thought at all,  would blame others.  We come by this honestly, for it started with Adam and Eve in the garden.  It was “the woman You gave” (Genesis 3:12). In other words it's the woman's fault, and actually it's God's fault too!  He was the one who gave her! James would have us look within, the very last thing most of us want to do! We need to ask ourselves if self examination our first response to finding ourselves in the midst of an argument? James wants us, you and yes me too, to stop and  listen to his question. It essentially asks “does any of this have to do with our inner desires, our inner lusts?” Do you and I want what we want, and do we want it now?  And are are desires even right?  God promises to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). But it's our needs not our wants!  And they may not be the same thing,  even if we tell ourselves they are (i.e. I need a new car every four years). James tells us we do not have because we do not ask, but also that when we ask our motives are often wrong (I need a new car to keep up with the Joneses). Wrong motives have to do with satisfying our ungodly passions and desired (4:2, 3).  


James listed some of these passions in chapter 3, they include envy and self-seeking, and these things produce confusion and every evil work (3:16). But how do we overcome these things, for they're not easy to change (Romans 7:19)?  Well “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:6-8).  James goes on to tell us to exhibit what Paul describes as a godly sorrow that leads to repentance that leave no regrets (verse 9; 2 Corinthians 7:10). James goes on to tell us to humble ourselves before the Lord. And that if we do this, He will lift us up (4:10).

Father, so many of us have tried lifting ourselves up,  and as a consequence found ourselves in very negative situations. Thank You Lord that You do not bring these things to our attention to condemn us, for there is now no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1). Thank You too, that when we confess,  You forgive us for our foolish self centred ways (1 John 1:9), and that when we ask with right motives You give us all that we need.  Thank You for Your love care and council in Jesus Name Amen

For We all stumble in many ways.

.... Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check (James 3:2). The Greek also means to err, make a mistake, to sin. Note it's not just some of us, but all of us, and of course the “we” includes James himself.  Note also that it is not in a few things.  The tense of the verb is present continuous, that is these things are ongoing! So much for the teaching of some that we can become a perfect man in this life! The  word “for” here,  relates to the previous verse “Not many of you should become teachers ... because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  Teachers then, are held to a higher standard.

So often when somebody gets saved and are on fire for the Lord,  the tendency is to assume they will become pastors. This is wrong on two accounts. Firstly there are many more giftings and places where the Lord would have us serve than as pastor. Secondly this is to not take this warning seriously.  I don't think we have a clue about the far reaching consequences of our words.  At the beginning of his ministry the apostle Paul could say he was the least of the apostles, but as he matured, he would say that he was the chief of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:15). My thought is that even for Paul,  it took time to realize that the greater the influence,  the greater the devastation of not only his words, but also of his sin. With greater influence the effects of even a small stumble go on, and on,  and on, like ripples on and infinite pond!


Though it is not just about the tongue, James emphasis here on our words. The point is that the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart. Jesus said “out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness (i.e. lies), slander. And these are the things that defile a person (Matthew 15:18, 19).  In particular, it we want to keep our whole body,  our whole person, our whole character in check, we need control of the tongue, which in turn is controlled by the heart. 


There is much to say about these things, but first and foremost we need to guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). This is part of James' emphasis too, for he warns if we have bitter envy and self-seeking in our hearts,  we are in essence telling ourselves lies,  and suppressing the truth. This wisdom,  he says,  is earthly, sensual and even demonic (verses 14, 15; Romans 1:18). In light of these things we do well to heed James admonitions to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,” and for not many of us to be teachers (1:19; 3:1).

Father, many times we don't see we are still stumbling in many things. Paul could say his conscience was clear but was not innocent for that (1 Corinthians 4:4).  After the disciples had been with Your face to face for three years,  You still held back what You would eventually need to say, because they were not ready to hear the truth (John 16:12). Thank You Lord that You wait to be gracious to us so that You might have mercy on us (Isaiah 30:18).  Thank You Lord  for Your patience, please give us hearts to obey in Jesus Name Amen

faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead

(James 2:17). Martin Luther was one of the great movers and shakers of the Protestant Reformation He was taught that unless he performed the mass perfectly,  it was ineffective. This,  and the teaching that we have to earn our salvation, scared him to death. He became convinced these were false doctrines when he read “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Romans  1:17). It lead to his conversion, and to regarding the book of James as “the epistle of straw.” It seemed to him that this morning's verse contradicted the gospel that “it is by faith that you are saved ... not of works” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  Accordingly he, and many others today,  if not explicitly then practically, want to either dismiss or ignore this apparent contradiction in James.

It should be noted, that the Ephesians reference is followed by “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus in order to do good works.” So we're not saved by good works, but part of His purpose in saving us,  is to do good works. Jesus puts it this way “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). James compares faith without works, as a body without a spirit  (2:26), and tells us that if we are not doers of the Word, then we are deceived (1:22). And I fear that many, who having said the sinners prayer and gone away unchanged,  are both deceived and remain unsaved!

On another point, in the Matthew passage some translations have “good deeds” emphasizing the distinction between the works of the Law and good deeds that glorify God. The former is Paul's emphasis for “By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified” (declared righteous - Romans 3:20). James however, is emphasizing good deeds, for “if someone is naked and destitute of daily food,  and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Even “the devils believe,” but they tremble (2:15,16, 19).  So on the one hand  “Faith without works,  o foolish man, is dead (2:20). But on the other “it is by faith that you are saved ... not of works ... it is the gift of God.” Gifts are gifts, not something you earn!

What I see happening with Martin Luther, and over and over in different issues in the church, is that when an error or over emphasis is seen, the balancing truth is thrown out in flavour of correcting the error. So many Scriptural truths need to be held together in tension (such as the humanity and deity of Christ). And this morning I am aware that I needed to not shun “to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

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Father, I really am concerned that there are those in the visible church who, having said the sinners prayer but remain unchanged,  think they are saved,  but they are not. We read in Hebrews true faith acts (Hebrews 11), and in James that good deeds are the evidence of faith. Peter warns us to  be diligent to make our call and election sure, for if we do the things he lists, we will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10). Let us examine ourselves this morning Lord to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). We bless You Lord  in Jesus Name Amen

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;

I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:26, 27).  Israel had sinned greatly by not following God's decrees or keeping His laws,  but rather had followed the abominations of the nations,  and God had lead them into captivity in Babylon (6:9; 17:12). The “you” in verse 26 is therefore Israel!  There is a theology in parts of the church that says that the church has replaced Israel as the only means of salvation. But several things, firstly Jesus told us that salvation is of the Jew (John 4:22).  Secondly, again speaking to Israel,  God says He will make with them an everlasting covenant (Isaiah 61:8). Thirdly, Paul asks “Did God reject his people”? He answers “By no means” (Romans 11:1).  

Of course Christ came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11). Paul speaks of this as blindness having come upon them, but he warns us not to be wise in our own conceit, because  “blindness in part has happened to Israel (only) until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25). He speaks of the gentiles as having been grafted into the olive tree which is a picture of true Israel. And again it is God's intention to make “one new man.”  God's is creating “in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross” (Ephesians 2:15, 16). It was always God's plan that the world would be saved through Israel, but they fell, and so God in His sovereignty chose to save us gentiles by their fall.

Paul declares “if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness” (Romans 11:12)!  How then are we to respond to Israel? Nobody is saying they are perfect, but we do need to realize that God prophesied that He would regather them from the four corners of the World,  and caused the nation of Israel to be “born in a day” (Ezekiel 20:34; Isaiah 66:8). This happened on May 15, 1948 (Goole it ).   We also need to heed the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). And He tells us He will bless those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3).  Of course we also need to pray too for the plight of the Palestinian people who are being used is pawns in a proxy war agains Israel, forces that are commuted to Israel's total destruction. No doubt there are injustices on both sides, but unfortunately this is the nature of war.  

Father, You have told us that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. So we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and we declare it, declaring things that are not as though they are (Romans 4:17).  Thank You for Your recent moves along these lines among the nations of the middle east. Thank You Lord for the New Covenant where You put Your Spirit in us moving us to follow Your decrees and Your Laws. And we give You praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen

Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp,

.... bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:13-16). In this final chapter of this difficult book, the author (some say Paul, others not) puts forth a mixture of admonitions, and doctrinal truths. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (verse 2).  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (verse 8). The exhortation in verse 13 follows a reference to the bodies animal sacrifices being burned outside the gate of Jerusalem (the camp), and that Jesus Himself was sacrificed there. Commentators interpret verse 13 to mean et's no longer seek salvation within Jewish ritual sacrifices, but rather in Christ, and to be untroubled by the reproach that that brings.

The reproach, disapproval and persecution of Christians is a common theme in Scripture. We are to take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Jesus is not asking us to do anything He Himself has not done,  only more so. We are strangers and pilgrims here on the earth (11:13),  and we have no continuing city here (i.e. Jerusalem verse 14).  The city we seek is the new Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12; 21:2).  It is there that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place (John 14:2).  In light of His sacrifice and His provision in eternity, it is surly a small thing that we should (the “therefore” of verse 15) “by Him  continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.”

The response of praise and thanksgiving in the light of reproach, or of joy in the midst of trials (James 1:2) is here regarded as sacrifice (verse 15).  Certainly such sacrifices are neither easy, nor natural. They are however, some of the things with which God is well pleased (verse 16).  Such a response is a testimony to the World of the realty of the substance of our faith (11:1).  Such testing, and it is testing,  is there to refines us.  Concerning this Job cries out “But He knows the way that I take.  And when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).  It is the process of being transformed into His image from glory to glory, as we allow the trials to draw us close to Him. It is part of the fellowship of His sufferings (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:10).  But this is not the only thing that pleases God. We can be so heavenly minded,  that we are no earthly good! Our faith needs to have a practical side which, is also regarded as sacrificial. This practical side includes to “not forget to do good and to share” (verse 16).

Father, a lot of doing good and sharing seems like a sacrifice at first, but they bring joy when we do them with the right heart.  And part of maturing as Christians Lord,  is our being conformed to the image of Jesus who “for the joy that was set before Him pushed through the pain, despising the reproach and shame of the cross (12:2). We are called to endure suffering joyfully,  and I thank You this morning Lord that with these and other such sacrifices you are well pleased. In Jesus Name Amen

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God

.... and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). The world tells us “Don't get mad, get even!” And I reply tongue in cheek “Don't get mad get even, and poison yourself and everyone you love!” Bitterness is indeed poison. Years ago I encountered a man who, concerning his ex-wife, poured forth venom to me, a complete stranger. Bitterness here, is compared to a root “springing up,” taking over a person, choking life out of them. As the world's saying implies, bitterness is accompanied by malice, strife, and contention. Bitterness in a marriage causes trouble, particularly with the children. And knowingly or unknowingly, puts pressure on them to take sides. It's like tearing them in two! I utterly failed in this area, but God forgives and redeems out mistakes.

Bitterness in others leaves a sour taste in your mouth. All I wanted to do with the man, was to get away. And “defiled” says well what I was feeling. This morning's verse is part of the admonition to “pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (verse 14). This gives us part of the secret of getting rid of bitterness. In particular, it's no use saying “I won't be bitter, I won't be bitter.” What this does, is to continue to focus on the negative aspects of person with whom we are bitter. What I am saying, is that we need to come against the spirit of bitterness, in the opposite spirit. And bitterness is a spirit! Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for them (Matthew 5:44), and this too is part of putting bitterness to death.

But how on earth do you do that when the feelings threaten to overwhelm you? In the incident above, I determined that I would never allow myself to become bitter. I wasn't a Christ follower at the time, and I didn't know that, even as a Christian, I would need His principles (i.e the opposite spirit), and His enabling grace, to fulfill that determination. This aspect of God's grace is the ability He gives to accomplish His will. Not falling short of obtaining it requires complete and total surrender. It's part of working out our holiness with fear and trembling. When we do this, He not only gives us the grace we need, but He actually changes our desires, in this case for revenge (Philippians 2:12, 13). And it needs to be fear and trembling, lest we fall short of the Grace He so feely offers. It starts with choice, I choose with His help to do His will. The emotions will follow. Emotions are intended to be the caboose of the train of our lives, not the engine that drives it. When with His help we obey, the emotions will follow!

Lord Jesus, it's so easy to be driven by emotions, but it causes trouble! And we can't change our emotions by an act of the will. Lord as a Spirit filled man, You showed us an example of how to do this. As they drove cruel spikes though Your hands and feet, You prayed “Father forgive them.” I'm not there yet Lord, but I want to be. Thank You for forgiveness, and the promise that You who have begun a good work in me will keep right on doing it until I see You face to face (Philippians 1:6), in Your precious and lovely Name Amen

As iron sharpens iron,

so a friend sharpens the countenance friend (Proverbs 27:17).  The idea of it being iron sharpening iron rather than the whetstone, has to do with it being one to another. The countenance of course is about  the expression of the face,  in this case as expressed friend to friend. The assumption here, is that friends do not mask their true feelings,  as when a person says one thing but means another. We can of course,  lie with our facial expressions. We do than many times when asked how we are doing. And we answer “fine,” even when we're dying inside. Well,  it might not be safe! The assumption is that friends are safe,  and don't need to do that! It may not be true,  but then the other person might not be a true friend. Another proverb suggests  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6).  Sometimes the truth hurts!

The idea of the proverb is that sharpening is a good thing.  A sharp axe is better than a dull one. Obviously some sort of friction is involved in the process, and the proverb is saying it's a good thing too.  In many Christian circles conflict avoidance is rampant. Of course conflict can be bad, but conflict avoidance between friends sabotages the friendship. Sometimes it is necessary in tough love to speak to a friend something that they will need time to process, as when setting healthy boundaries. Paul and Barnabas had a strong disagreement over whether to invite Mark on a missionary journey. Mark had failed Paul earlier, and the “contention became so sharp that they parted from one another” (Acts 15:37, 39). Paul and Mark later reconciled (2 Timothy 4:11). Solomon speaks of there being a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (Ecclesiastes 3:5). But God's heart is always for eventual reconciliation. 

 

The Lord
intends those seemingly pesky “irreconcilable differences” to produce harmony through the iron sharpening iron process. Harmony is a pleasing arrangement of differences,  as with a chord in music being pleasant to the ear.  Covenant and commitment are important here. Jordon Peterson speaks of the necessity of covenant in marriage. He tells “You're trouble and so am I.”  Absent abuse,  we need to commit to not leaving, for this will bring us our of conflict avoidance and into the iron sharpening iron process. It's on my heart to say here that God has a purpose in forbidding sex before marriage, since sex (eros or erotic love) before commitment inevitably stunts the (philoe) friendship  love. Then when the passions fade though conflict or conflict avoidance,  there is no friendship love to fall back on.  Resolution of our differences into harmony does not need to be contentious.  It needs to be two people against a problem, rather thank two people against each other. We may need help! In this regard the church has largely abdicated its role as peace makers!

Father, I confess that I at times,  and Your church at most times,  have largely abdicated our God given role as peacemakers.  For me part of the problem is that when I have tried this,  I have been sat on by both sides. The mediator's role is not aways a happy one.  We ask  for courage Lord and  wisdom to know what and when and how. Thank You for the guidance in Your Word,  and for Your willingness to answer prayers like this. We give Your praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested,

.... offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son (Hebrews 11:17). God told Abraham to  offer up the son he loved, as a bunt offering.  But at the last minute had provided a lamb as a substitute (Genesis 22:2, 8, 13). God had  promised to make Abraham a great nation through Isaac (21:12).  Here in Hebrews we learn that he “reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” (verse 19). There is much to say about the horror of this story. Some say it's about God showing He does not require child sacrifice (Jeremiah 32:35). For sure it's a picture of God offering up His only begotten Son Jesus, as the Lamb of God for the sins of the World (John 3:16; 1:29). God did not spare His Son (Romans 8:32). We also need to know that God never asks us to do something He himself has not already done in spades. It is important to note too,  that this was before the Commandment “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). It would have been murder and God will not command you or I to murder. He will not command something He has now forbidden in His Word!

But this morning's verse is not about any this, of this,  it's about the obedience of faith. In terms of application in my own life, it is about holding onto something too tightly. There are many things in life, including our children, that can become more important to us than God. In my opinion,  this is very likely to happen at some time in our lives.  At such times, these thing have become idols!  But we are not our own,  we are purchased from the slave market of sin by the precious blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).  And this being the case, God has every right to test us to see what is in our heart (Deuteronomy 8:2). Of course God already knows, but we might not, or we may be in denial about it, such as is the case with our addictions. And there are many hidden addictions.

I remember years ago a pastor leading us in an exercise to stretch out our hands in front of us,  and to offer up to God what was most precious to us.  It is scary to do that, for we might not receive it back.  When I did that,  I received a promise that in His time I would receive it back, and I am still waiting for the fulfillment of this promise. I heard an illustration one time that we need to hold onto things as you would a little yellow bird. If we hold too tight we will crush it, if we hold too lightly we will loose it. I had to let go fully, it was very difficult, but I am holding on to the promise. After all God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).  

Father, You are a jealous God and we must have no other gods, no idols before You (Exodus 20:3).  When You test us, it's for our good, but it can be hard Lord. But holding onto anything too tightly is destructive and You are all about our provision and protection. Thank You that You work all things for our good (Romans 8:28) in Jesus Name Amen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

.... the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.... But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:1, 6). Faith is not, as the little boy would have it, believing what you know is not true! True faith has substance, something you can have confidence in. This faith in the God of the Bible  touches us body,  soul and spirit. It touches the intellect, for  “By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God” (verse 3). The atheist also has a kind of faith (faith in “not God”). But there's no substance to it, for in the end he believes that in the beginning nothing created everything that is out of nothing!

Pleasing God (verse 6) is the aim of all religion. In Christianity faith  accomplishes this. This faith (as opposed to other faiths) has substance not only in believing His existence,  but also having believed (the basis of salvation), it seeks to please Him  (verse 6 again).  This faith is not passive, it acts. It prepares an ark (verse 7),  it obeys when called to leave everything previously known (verse 8). This faith believes the promises, and lives life accord to them. In particular, it lives in the perspective that we are strangers and pilgrims here on earth, desiring, and looking for, a better world (verses 13, 14, 16).  The author is using the example of Abraham leaving his country and saying, that he could have gone back (verse 15).  Jesus gives us eternal life and no one can  snatch us  out of His hand  (John 10:38). But as the writer to the Hebrews keeps saying we can neglect our salvation, drift away, fall away,  draw back  etc., etc.  (2:1-3; 6:6; 10;39).  For Paul, part of  the fruit of faith is confidence that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” But it is also his motivation to make it his “aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:8, 9).

One of the evidences of maturity, is the ability to put off our powerful desires for instant gratification. It is about learning self control, part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). With regard to rewards, some of the promises of God are for the here and now. For example, if we continue in His Word the Son will set you free (John 8:31, 32, 36). This is here and now for sure! But ultimate freedom comes in eternity when we are taken out of the very presence of sin,  and when we will no longer even want to do it.  So then our rewords will also only find their true fulfillment in eternity, when the God of the person of faith will fulfill the rewards of His promises to those who diligently seek Him.

Father, even Your here and now promises are not usually instant.  And I sense Lord that part of this is Your desire that we diligently seek You.  Being the extravagant lover that You are, You desire that we be passionate lovers of Yourself. Indeed we only find You in the first place when we seek You with all of our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).  Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness, grant us grace to be faithful diligent seekers of those who desire to please You in Jesus Name Amen

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope

.... without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25). The author is relentless in his warnings about the eternal consequences of drifting away, neglecting our salvation,  drawing back etc., etc.  (2:1-3; 6:6; 10;39). The next verse  gives one of his sterner warnings.  If we  continuing to sin wilfully after we have received a knowledge of the truth,  there remains no more sacrifice for sin, only fearful looking for of  judgement (verses 26, 27). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (verse 31).   On the other hand,  he's all about the assurance of those who hold fast to the confession of our hope. It's an anchor for the soul (10:23; 6:19).

I hasten to ad, he nowhere suggest this is about earning our salvation, rather it's about  assurance! True assurance, as opposed to the false assurance of presumption, is based on holding fast to hope without wavering. Jesus puts it this way “the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12, 13).  This  morning's chapter is largely about the importance of fellowship to continuing and to assurance. I am reminded of the story of the young man who asked the pastor why he needed fellowship. At the time they were in the living room and a fire of coals was burning in the fireplace. The pastor told the young man to use the tongs lying there and take a coal out of the fire and lay it on the hearth. Presently when to coal had grown cold the pastor asked him why the coal had died. The point is,  that in the fire the coals kept each other burning. In the same way,  that those who are on fire for the Lord stir one another up to love and good works. Otherwise our love too easily grows cold.

I run a small midweek fellowship, and it has always been small.  But I would rather have two people who are on fire for the Lord, than thirty two who are not.  Just being in their presence is encouraging, and exhortation and admonition comes easily in it, and without offence.  It's not just one way, it's to one another.  This kind of fellowship is about giving each other permission to hold each other accountable. It's about confessing our faults one to another (James 5:16).  It's about being open and vulnerable and praying for one another.  It's about family under the blood of Jesus. And this family is “thicker than water.”  

Father, the final part of this morning's exhortation speaks about the soon coming of the Lord Jesus. Scoffers, who walk according to their own lusts often taunt us saying, “Where is the promise of His  coming?”  But they are willing ignorant of the fact that with You a thousand years is as a day. And that You are not slack concerning Your promise, but are longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish,  but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3). Give us grace Lord to continue without wavering, and so  not be among those who draw back to perdition, but rather believe to the saving of the soul (verse 39) in Jesus Name Amen

Through God we will do valiantly,

.... For it is He who shall tread down our enemies (Psalm 108:13). The previous verse reads “Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless.”  In particular, scripture admonishes us not to put our trust in princes (Psalm 146:3). In an election therefore, it is wise to vote for those who, however imperfectly,  represent your values, rather than personalities, all of whom are imperfect. This morning in the midst of the current chaos, I am reminded that our struggle is not against people, against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12a). Certainly the enemy takes people captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26), but the real enemy are the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12b). The enemy is always against Biblical values, but he has never moved in power here in the West as blatantly as he is today.

The Lord never does anything without without revealing His plans to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). And there are multiple mutually confirming Words coming from established prophets  that God is about to do something spectacular (Google election prophecies). There is an interesting juxtaposition in this morning's verse. It is God who will tread down our enemies, but it is we who will do valiant. I am reminded of the story of the mouse riding on the back of the elephant, and together the cross a bridge. Afterwards the mouse says “we sure shook that bridge, didn't we!”   

Compared with the power of the Lord our part may seem small, but it is significant. I am talking about prayer. I was struck recently while reading in Daniel 9:2 that Daniel understood what the Lord was about to do. Immediately Daniel “set his face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (verse 3). And I suddenly realized that here was the validation of principle I had been taught in a prophetic school. The principle is that when God speaks though His prophets, the outcome is not automatic, it requires the fervent prayers of His people, pressing into His Word. We are to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). We need to pray in faith, of course.  And when we get a prophetic word from those we trust,  we can pray in faith believing, because the prophetic word is revealing His will, what He wants to do. And He has told us if we ask anything according  to He will He hears us, and so we know that we (already) have what we ask of him (1 John 5:14, 15).

Father, I am not sure if I am remembering the mouse and the elephant story correctly, but I think it's about partnership. It seems Lord that without You we cannot, and without us You will not. So Lord help us to stand firm on Your word through the prophets, neither looking at the circumstances, nor the hype, but looking to You. And I declare that we will indeed do valiantly in Jesus Name Amen


I gave them my decrees

.... and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live (Ezekiel 20:11). If all else fails, read the instructions.  How many times have I brought something home that needed to be assembled and I didn't think I needed to read the instructions and it finished up taking me twice as long as it needed to?  There is something about we humans that cause us to think we know best, and to want to do it “my way.”  Part of it is pride, part of it is ignorance, and part of it is that we are in a war to the death with the enemy of our souls.  

In a materialistic world that believes the physical is all there is, the idea of Satan and daemons are ridiculed.  My African brothers know well that the devil is real, for they experience him in lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Satan seems to have two strategies. The first is largely to persuade us he does not exist.  In the second, in places like Africa, he fascinate with his powers, which are very real, and dominates by fear. In either case, his agenda to kill, steal and destroy remains the same (John 10:10a). And he does it many times through lies, for he is the father of lies (John 8:44).   One of the major ways that he has deceived the West, is with regard to our sexuality. God's design for this is one man with one woman in committed life long magnanimous relationship (Genesis 2:24). The Greek word for any sexual relationship outside of this is porneia, and it is strictly prohibited by His decrees, laws and statutes (i.e Ephesians 5:3). It is God's will that we abstain from porneia (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

In stricter moral times than our, those who committed porneia  were judged,  shunned,  even physically abused. This was and is wrong, and needed to be addressed. What tends to happen though is that when the oppressed gain power, they become the oppressors,  enter the tyranny of political correctness. It's not just sexuality of course. There were many injustices, in terms of race and women's issues for example. But it far too easily becomes imbalanced, and what is does is to overthrow the values which, though many times were and are administered imperfectly are, nevertheless God's values, statutes and decrees.  In other words the baby is thrown out with the bathwater! But moving past the balance of restoration of justice into becoming oppressors,  is every bit as destructive as that which is seeks to address. And this is the case not only for those who are now being oppressed, but also for the oppressors themselves. We should not forget that we will all have to give an account of what we have done to Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13).

Father, Your Word tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12). Forgive us Lord for those times that we have judged or simply dismissed Your Word,  and in doing so become dupes of the evil one.  Your Word describes this generation perfectly Lord, lawless haters of authority, lovers of money etc. (2 Timothy 3:1ff). Please help us not to get sucked into these things Lord, for they do not lead to life. And so I declare this morning, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We chose life,  not death, in Jesus Name Amen

The fathers have eaten sour grapes,

.... And the children’s teeth are set on edge. What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel? .... The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:2, 3d). In God's dealing with ancient Israel, rewards and punishments often came in the here and now. The Babylonian exile (1:2; 12:13) was punishment for Israel embracing the abominations of the nations (7:8). The proverb was about blaming the fathers for the exile, that and accusing God of being unjust.  “We are innocent, and yet we are being punished along with the guilty.” Verse 3d above essentially summarizes God's answer “No I am just, each one will bear his own punishment.” He goes on to tell of His mercy when we repent (verse 21ff).

There would be ample evidence to doubt God's justice if the here and now was all there is!  The Psalmist had almost stumbled when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. It was too painful for him, that is until he understood their end (Psalm 73:2, 17). And it is certainly true that in the here and now we often suffer for the sins of the fathers.   But this is not punishment, it is “sins visited” on us (Exodus 20:5 NKJV). Some translations of this verse have “I punish the children for the father's sins,” but while the Hebrew would allow for this translation, it would contradict Ezekiel 18:20, and the NKJV is therefore to be preferred.  What “sins visited” means, is that the father's sins have consequences for the children. If a man is sent to prison, his children will likely have a hard time at school. There will also be much shame. In addition,  the children are more likely to follow in the footsteps of the fathers,  than in the general population. Many children of alcoholics become alcoholics for example. Not all of them certainly, but it does tend to be the default!

But the main application of this morning's verses is that we need to take responsibility for the things we have done. We need to stop blaming God and others for our sins. Sins and poor choices have negative consequences, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). We might not like it, but this is the nature of reality since the fall (Genesis 3:17).  Of course we will be forgiven if we repent (1 John 1:9), though it is worth pointing out,  that the Lord will not automatically remove the consequences of our sin (Galatians 6:7 again).  If we stole, we may have to go to jail! So we suffer as a result of our own poor choices, and we need to take responsibility for that. But there is also some responsibility that we need to take when we are suffering when the fault is not ours.  Certainly we are not responsible for other people's choices, but we are responsible for our response to those choices. When Jesus was reviled He did not retaliate (1 Peter 2:23), and He is our example to follow!

Father, Peter tells us not to be surprised at the fiery ordeals that  come on us to test us. But to rejoice inasmuch as we participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12, 13). Give us grace Father to respond to life's suffering Your way,  and to take responsibility for our side of the street. We need Your help Lord,  and we are asking for it in Jesus Name Amen

I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel ...

.... I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts;  I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Hebrews 8:8b, 10b). The writer to the Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah 31:31-33, which, in the midst of the old covenant, is talking about a future new covenant that was to come. It would be a “better covenant,  established on better promises” (6b). So this is our covenant, and it is written not on tablets of stone (Exodus 24:12), but on the mind and the heart. This enables us, from the least to the greatest, to know Him (11b). In other words, it's all about relationship. Relationship was God's desire and intention from the beginning. In our natural sinful state we hide from Him, choosing rules over relationship (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 20:19). It's not that much different today, with many a church emphasizing lists of do's and don't's!

But we don't even live up to our own standards, let alone God's, the just requirements of the Law. But if we choose rules over relationship it's His rules, not ours (I mean He is God right). The problem is God is holy, and nobody can keep His rules (Romans 3:23). We might want to, but we can't (Romans 7:18). In fact the old covenant then was given to show us that we can't, and also in seeing that, that it be our teacher to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Here is a deep truth, the new covenant is a covenant! And for a covenant to be valid, both parties have to agree! We have a part to play! As I keep saying, the book of Hebrews gives a stern warnings to those who have no intention of cooperating with God in the transformation of heart and mind (i.e 6:4-6). God promised Abraham a blessing, but it was only after “he had patiently endured, that he obtained the promise” (6:15). And it is to those who are of the faith of Abraham who are heirs of the promise (6:17; Romans 4:6). The fruit and the evidence of Abram's faith and ours, is that it acts, it obeys (6:15; James 2:18).

Under the new covenant God put His law in hearts and minds as seeds.  Seeds can either be stolen, or chocked, or bear fruit (Mark 4:14-20).  There is a strong connection between our knowing and understanding truth, and obedience. We suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), and though disobedience our hearts become dull and hardened. There is no fence, no middle ground.  “To him who has,  more will be given, but to him who has not even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 13:12). His sheep (those who follow) can hear His voice (John 10:27). And “today if you  hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” and failed to enter His rest. And it was also because they did not obey (3:15, 18).

Father, please let us not be deceived through the deceitfulness of sin  (3:13). We want to enter into Your rest Lord,  both in the here and now,  and in eternity.  At conversion You took the stony heart out of our flesh, and gave us a heart of flesh. And You did to enable us to  walk in Your statutes and keep Your judgments, and in this way we be Your people, and You our God (Ezekiel 11:19, 20). So Lord please give us a hearts to obey in Jesus Name Amen

Therefore He is also able to save completely

... those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them  (Hebrews 7:25).  Every coin has two sides, and to know the truth,  we need to know both sides. In particular, there are many precepts in Scripture that need to be held together in tension. Christ, for example, was both fully God, and  fully man. As man He is able to sympathize with our weakness as He was tempted at all points as we are,  yet without sin (4:15). As   God, He has all power,  and is able to save completely.  And  He keeps right on working in us until the day of our glorification (Philippians 1:6).  On another point, the book of Hebrews is full of warnings about our part in not falling away,  and about continuance (i.e. 2:3; 8:9). But again in this morning's verse,  we have the assurance that He saves completely those who have fled to Jesus for refuge (6:18). He does this through Christ's intercession in His role as a priest “after the order of  Melchizedek” (5:6).


Many of the things we read about in the Old Testament are described as “shadows of things to come,”  the substance however, is Christ (Colossians 2:17). The shadows help us to understand the deep things of God.  The Old Testament priesthood, and the sacrificial system are likewise shadows.  The abomination of child sacrifice practiced in Old Testament times by many heathen nations,  has a certain perverse logic, “the fruit of my body,  for the sin of my soul” (Micah 6:7). No doubt  this was inspired by daemons, but the Lord declares that He neither commanded it, nor was it in His heart (Jeremiah 7:31).  What I am saying, is that there is a sort of innate understanding that the only way for sin to be forgiven,  is through substitutionary sacrifice.  We are given shadows of it then, in the Jewish sacrificial system. However “it is impossible that the blood of (innocent) bulls and goats should take away sins” (10:4).  And the substance of these shadows then,  is the sacrifice of the perfect and innocent lamb of God Jesus,  who takes away the sin of the world  (John 1:29; Genesis 22:8).

Likewise the Old Testament priesthood was a shadow of the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus.  He is both priest and sacrifice. He is eternal (7:3), and therefore “ever lives,”  and He ever lives to make intercession for us. My understanding is that this is not independent of our involvement.  Our part at times is groanings which cannot be uttered, speaking in tongues (Romans 8:26), and our own petitions.  Coming back to our complete salvation, the Scripture asks “Who then condemns us?” And answers “No one. It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:1, 34).

Father, what shall we say then, if Christ be for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31).  There is purpose Father in our understanding the deep things of God, and it is that we should more fully know,  and be secure in Your extravagant healing love. You are always there ready to receive and forgive, and to encourage us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). Thank You Lord for Your tender mercies.  We give You the praise and glory again this morning in His magnificent Name Amen.

These men have set up idols in their hearts,

.... and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them (Ezekiel 14:3)?  The Lord is slow to anger and full of mercy, but as with Israel, there comes a time when He gives us over to our idols, to our stubborn and rebellious hearts, even reinforcing our rebellion at times (2:3,4). The Lord had sent Moses with signs and wonders telling Pharaoh to “Let my people go.” Pharaoh hardened his heart on three separate occasions, and then God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 8:1, 15, 32; 9:34; 10:20). Interestingly, Pharaoh's people also hardened their hearts (9:34). Then and now we allow our leaders to lead us astray!! Then and now we want our cake and eat it too. In particular we draw near with our lips, but many times our hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).  And once again this ancient book is surprisingly modern and up to date!

God's diagnosis is that we have set up idols in our hearts. An idol is anything in our lives that we allow to be more important than God and/or our obedience to Him and His ways. And the fact of the matter, whether we want to admit it or not, such idols cause us to stumble into sin and iniquity. All such stumbling has consequences, some eternal if we do not repent.  In an age where “my rights” seem to trump every other consideration, the Church of God has been largely conformed to the World. We have embraced the worlds standards in terms of our sexuality, greed and rebellion, to name just a few aspects of this.  “Nobody, not even God, is going to tell me what to do, or what not to do!”

And yet many of us still want the outward appearance of faith. We allow our hearts to deceive us, rationalizing our own immorality and rebellion,  and at least outwardly wanting God's will in our lives.  We might  even fool ourselves into thinking we do,  and ask Him about it.  But when we have an idol in our heart what we hear,  will not be the truth. In fact the Lord himself might just answer you “according to the multitude of your idols” (14:4). What that means is that He gives us the desires hearts, but brings leanness souls (Psalm 106:15). He does this that He might seize our hearts (14:5),  recapturing them for Himself. The leanness is part of the consequences of our rebellion. I read a meme recently that thanked God for some of the times He answered “No.” It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance,  and the realization, in our moments of clarity, that He has our best interest at heart.  So that when He say “no,” it is for our provision and our protection.

Father, as it says in 14:6 Your desire in all of this is that we repent turn away from our idols, and  our faces away from all our abominations. The word “abominations” is a strong word Lord, but it is clearly how You see them and so it is what they are. Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on me. Wipe away our sins, take away our hardened hearts and give us hearts of flesh (11:19). Grant us repentance Lord that we may love Your with all our heart, mind, soul and strength in Jesus Name Amen

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

.... both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil (Hebrews 6:19). “This hope,” is the hope of those who who have fled for refuge (to Christ) in order to lay hold of it (verse 18).  As the verse says, this hope is a sure hope. The Christian's hope is both a strong "desire" for something, as well as  a corresponding "expectation" of its fulfillment (Barn's notes). The particular expectation of the hope being referred to in this passage, is of our eternal rest. And the author tells “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end” (verse 11). The diligence in question concerns the work and labor of love which the Hebrews have shown toward His name, in that they have ministered to the saints, and do minister (verse 10).

The letter to the Hebrews provides a strong caution to those who would presume on the grace of God, feeling that they can live their same self-centred pre-conversion life. The full assurance mentioned above has to do with continuance  “to the end.” It is this continuance that is the anchor to the soul,  and which gives the settled expectation and assurance of eternity. It is sure because God is not unjust to forget the labour of love (verse 10a). This is both an oath and a promise,  and both are immutable (cannot be changed or modified), for it is impossible for God to lie (verse 18).  The writer then is doing two things here, he is showing us the ground and basis for the sure and steadfast hope that is found in continuance, but he is also giving a strong warning to those who would presume on God's goodness and grace and fall away (verses 4-6).

The anchor of our hope then is found in continuance, and it behoves us to recall from where we have come. From the Amplified Bible “[Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God” (Ephesians 2:12).  So then what does it mean that we have this hope as an anchor for the soul? Hope does for the soul what an anchor does for a ship, it holds it steady in the midst of the storm, in our case, the storms of life.  But there is more in the verse, because the cable of this anchor passes behind the veil into the very presence of the God who will never let us go! Let us therefore “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (10:23).

Father, I want to thank You this morning that I am born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for me, and that I am kept by Your power through faith for salvation which is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5). This sure hope is indeed an anchor for my soul, and I give You glory for this and many other things in Jesus Name Amen

though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience

... by the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). There is  a famous illustration by John Stott in which in accusation,  the question is asked what right God has to judge us, for the accusation continues,  what does He know about suffering?  The huge crowd gets together and pronounces sentence on God.  “Let him be born a Jew. Let the legitimacy of his birth be doubted. Let his close friends betray him. Let him face false charges. Let a prejudiced jury try him and a cowardly judge convict him. Let him be tortured. Let him be utterly alone. Then, bloody and forsaken, let him die.” Satisfied with their sentence,  the room grew silent. No one moved, but then a weight fell on every face. For suddenly, they all knew that God had already served his sentence. Indeed  “it was fitting for Him, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (2:10).

And lest you think Jesus could do the things He did while here on earth because He was God,  know first of all that “He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness” (5:2). And know too that this is wrong, because it's a denial that He came in the flesh (2 John 7).  Know also that our God not only suffered for us, He suffers with us. Indeed the Scriptures talk about the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). The picture I have of this, is two buddies in a war who go through hell together,  and it bonds them like no other experience could. You see “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15).

Having said that He is able to sympathize with our weakness, the passage goes on to tell us “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16).  You see though He was left to suffer alone, He does not leave us to suffer alone. He has told us “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (13:5).  We were never meant to suffer alone, unfortunately some of us,  some of the time,  allow ourselves to be offended in our suffering by what God allows. And when we are offended especially at God, He will not force Himself on us. In my own case, I am far too weak to bear my burdens alone. And He has promised that if I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me (James 4:8).

Father, I have always wondered how I would react if I lost a child. I know what I would want to do, but Lord sometimes the hurt is so deep it feels like we are being crushed. Thank You Lord that You understand. Thank You that there is no pit so deep that You are not deeper still, and thank You for Your witnesses who have gone through hell on earth and can assure us of the truths of these things. Thank You that You always provide the way to stand up under the trials and temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). And please give us grace in the midst of them to choose the offered escape route in Jesus Name Amen

For the word of God is living and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12, 13). The “For” of verse 12 connects it with the previous verse which tells us to be diligent to enter His rest “so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience” (as Israel did in the wilderness). Now the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8).  Nevertheless we are responsible for our thoughts,  motives (verse 12),  and our actions. And we  must give an account (verse 13) both in the here and now (Hebrews 12:6), and at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).  In particular the book of Hebrews knows nothing of a post conversion life that remains unchanged.  

I have experienced the piercing, penetrating nature of the Word of God (verse 12). During the breakup of my first marriage I was so convinced of her wickedness and my innocence, that  I had murder in my heart.  To this day I am not at all sure I would not have gone through with it , if I thought I could have gotten away with it. Then I read “the heart is deceitful above all and desperately wicked”  (Jeremiah 17:9). The Holy Spirit was illuminating the word, discerning my rationalization and exposing it, and showing me my denial and excuses for what they were. He was convicting me of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8),  and bringing me to repentance and salvation.

Here is a profound statement (not) we don't know what we don't know. And if it is true that our hearts are deceitful, it is likely that we are (present tense) all deceived at some level.  Most of us can see that everyone else and his dog are deceived, and if we think we are not, it might be wise to ask if I (you) are the only one in the entire universe that is not. The Bible tells us that we suppress the truth in unrighteousness, you know the inconvenient truths of life. But it is true now that  no creature hidden from His sight, and that  all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  And I don't know about you, but I would rather allow Him to expose them in the here and now, in the day of His mercy, than for them to be exposed on the day of His wrath.

Lord Jesus, just before You went away, You told the disciples there were many things that You  needed to tell them but they were not ready to hear them (John 16:12).  Thank You Lord that You wait to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18), give us grace Lord that will allow us to be diligent to allow You to do the necessary heart surgery, and we will give You thanks and praise in Your precious and lovely Name Amen

So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest.”

.... Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:11, 12). In context, the writer to the Hebrews is talking about the rebellious ways of Israel (verses 8-10). They and we fail to enter rest, through unbelief which is equated with departing from the living God in this mornings verses and with disobedience in verses 18 and 19. Because of these things, the writer can speak of an evil heart of unbelief. The “rest” spoken of is both here and now, and of course in eternity in heaven. We read “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). Evil flows out of the heart, for “They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways” (verse 10; Matthew 15:19).

In terms of the here and now, as the Isaiah reference makes clear, there is strength in quietness and confidence. Confidence springs out of a settled faith. If we truly knew and truly believed that God is actively at work for good in all things, then we could relax (rest) and enjoy the journey. But the man or woman of faith does know this (Romans 8:28). To say it another way, the person of faith needs to learn to operate from a position of rest. We do not need to strive for victory in the battle, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), and Christ always leads us in triumphant procession (2 Corinthians 2:14). What we are being told, is that we do not need to strive for victory, it is already won. We may have to wait patiently for it of course. And waiting is hard, at least I have found it to be so. We need to learn to wait in quietness and confidence, and when we do, we will effortlessly soar on wings like the eagle (Isaiah 40:31).

 So why do we struggle so? In the end it's unbelief, it's not knowing His ways. “If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all (necessary) things” (Romans 8:31, 32)? Paradoxically we are to strive to enter rest (4:11 ESV). Other versions have “be diligent,” and “make every effort.” The same verse makes it clear that such diligence has to do with obedience, “so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” What is being emphasized here is that unbelief and disobedience lead to falling away, all of which is departing from the living God. And I am reminded this morning that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). And for me being diligent to enter into rest is about stopping fighting people and circumstances that God has allowed in my life to refine me (Romans 8:29).

 Father, nobody is saying this is easy, but learning to enter Your rest in the here and now is part of fighting the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). Thank You Lord that You have not left us unequipped in this struggle, but by Your divine power You have already given us everything we need to live a godly life through our relationship with Jesus, Your Word and our exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:3, 4). In Jesus Name Amen