The Weird Thing about Submission

“He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.” Philippians 2:8 

Submission is weird because it is the pathway to power.  The centurion who sought healing for his servant had power due to his submission to a greater power.  He operated out of a chain of authority. “‘For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’” Matthew 8:9. This leader identified his position with that of Jesus because both were part of progressive authority. He knew what it was like to be under authority to his superiors, and to have authority to those below him. When he gave an order, he knew it would be obeyed, because he spoke with the authority of those above him. His words were upheld by the weight of the entire Roman Empire. 

God is the supreme head of all authority (exousia), and power (dunamis). Beneath Him exists many different levels of delegated spiritual authority, which, when joined together in descending order, make up what is called “progressive authority.” Submission is the key to progressive authority. Obedience throughout the chain upholds the authority of all the links. Break one link and the chain no longer works. The authority of Christ was always upheld because He was always one with the Father, and He was perfectly obedient to His will. Therefore, Jesus said to Philip, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” John 14:10. Jesus referred to the subjection of the flesh to the Spirit. Likewise, if we use the authority of the name of Jesus as He directs us, He will respond by performing the appropriate works. 

Adam and Eve’s disobedience unwittingly allowed Satan to contest God’s authority over humanity. Satan did entice her, but Eve had a clear choice. She could obey God, or she could obey Satan. She chose the latter, and Adam joined her in disobedience. Do not minimize this as a matter of taste, looks, procedure and process. This was, is, and always will be about God’s authority over our lives.  This was a crucial episode that decided the fate of mankind. Adam and Eve represented the entire race. Man could consent to obey God his Creator, or rebel and submit to Satan.  Because authority hinges on obedience, when man obeyed Satan, he gave him a legal right to impose his evil influence on human life. 

Today, we are not just dealing with Satan as a deceiver, a liar or an evil spirit. He is the one who has usurped authority in this present world. The only way an individual can be delivered from the authority of Satan is to submit to an authority that is higher than Satan! “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” Colossians 1:12-13.  Now, here’s the mistake that people make who try to mix a little obedience with their disobedience. They do a lot of right things, like praying, attending services, reading the Bible and doing good deeds.  The problem, however, is that their works lack true obedience. They attempt to manipulate God into doling out his blessing in return for partial obedience. Finally, as Jesus hung on the cross, “Knowing that all things were now accomplished … He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28,30). His task of redeeming mankind was complete - a perfect work done in perfect obedience. By accomplishing His perfect work, Christ has laid the foundation for re-establishing God’s authority on earth.

Choose to Believe

An age-old question hanging over the heads of too many people—people who live their spiritual lives in the margin, on the fringe, in the vestibule, as it were, of the church—is what do you really believe about Jesus?  It’s time to answer.  Do you believe that Jesus is God? This question spawns other questions: Is He personal to you? Is He the only way to eternal life? Many say NO, emphatically.  Others remain undecided.  Still others won’t answer.  Ironically, some remain silent for lack of evidence.  God, so they say, needs to do more to win them over. 

In a court of law, admissible evidence consists of relevant, non-prejudicial facts based on actual findings. Such evidence existed. The Jews, however, wanted more evidence, as we read in the gospel of John, 10:22 “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” “How long do you make us to doubt?” they asked.” Others believed. Why not the Jews? Today, the real question for us is, why do people refuse to believe? Is Jesus responsible for making anyone to doubt? Are people responsible for choices they did not make? No, this was not a sin of genetics, but a sin of the attitude. They had the power to believe any time they chose to execute it.  The Bible says otherwise. “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-22.  The real truth is that Jesus is alive, active, working in our lives, living in our hearts and involved in an authentic, personal relationship with us!  His entire ministry aimed to make people believe, not doubt. His words were spoken with power and authority. His miracles proved that He was not subservient to laws of physics and mathematics. His healings demonstrated that he was divine. In His week of passion, He exchanged his crown of gold for a crown plaited with thorns. The scourging, the beating, the spikes and spear were God’s appeal to our belief. 

Will you choose to believe? Admissible evidence abounds. Jesus turned water to wine. Healed the nobleman’s son. Caused the draught of fishes. Healed the demoniac. Healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Cleansed the leper. Healed the paralytic. Healed the palsied. Healed a withered hand. Healed the crowd near Galilee. Healed the Centurion’s servant. Raised the son of the widow of Nain. Healed another demoniac. Stilled the wind and waves. Healed a demoniac. Healed the woman with the issue of blood. Raised the daughter of Jairus. Healed a blind man. Healed a deaf mute. Fed the five thousand. Walked on the water. Healed a Gentile woman’s daughter. Fed four thousand. Healed the blind man at Bethsaida. Healed the demoniac son. Healed ten lepers. Healed another blind man. Raised Lazarus from the dead. Healed a woman of her infirmity. Healed a man with dropsy. Healed two blind men. What a display of supernatural power! And he did it so that all men through him might believe. 

You’re not going to get any more evidence than you have now to make you believe!  You have His word. You have His works. You may get more from Him AFTER you believe—joy, peace, love, hope, a clean mind, a clear conscience, freedom—but most importantly, you will get Jesus!

You will get the peace-speaker, the water-to-wine changer, the leper-cleanser, the blind-healer, the soul-saver, the mind-healer, the alcoholic-deliverer, the addiction-breaker, the Great-l-Am! Put your faith into motion today! 

When all is said and done, believing is your choice.  With no evidence, you can choose to believe; with all the evidence in the world, you may choose not to believe.  External circumstances, whatever they may be, do not impinge on the sacred right of choice.  It’s up to you.

Is God Driving You Crazy?

“Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning has made you mad.” Acts 26:24 

Festus thought Paul was crazy.  Yes, Paul just saw a light brighter than the sun.  He just heard voices. He had conversations with a dead man. He believed God talked directly to him. He made a radical break with the Jewish religion and became a disciple of a man who had just been crucified for his crimes. But, there’s something familiar about the charge of being mad. 

Jesus was thought mad. “And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad.” John 10:20. Rhoda. “And they said unto her, You are mad.” Acts 12:15. The first Pentecostals.  “And they were all amazed, and doubted, and said, ‘What does this mean?’  Others mockingly said, ‘These men are drunk on new wine.’” Acts 2:12-13.  Anything or anyone that the world sees as not normal is branded as crazy. Festus was really saying: “Settle down.  Go home.  Relax.  Go have a drink.  You’re too wrought up over this.  Just be normal.  Go back to being a normal human being.”  

So, was Festus the standard for what is normal and natural? Actually, our world is so sub-normal that whenever someone becomes normal, everyone thinks they are abnormal. Anyone who begins to get it right about God incurs the wrath and scorn of their peers. (1 Peter 4:1-4).  It seems that the inmates are running the institution. Somebody has switched all the price tags, changed all the rules; turned the world upside down. Things that used to be right are now wrong, and vice versa. Things that used to be good are now bad, and vice versa. In fact, when someone says, “That’s bad,” they mean “that’s good.” When I walk out of the house in the morning, my hair is combed, shirt tucked in, face shaved, wearing a coat and tie.  How weird is that?  Moreover, I believe marriage is for keeps; a person’s word ought to be as good as gold; everyone ought to tell the truth; people should give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wages; and, you ought to be able to understand the words to songs. In our world, the worst people are the best people. When the degenerates and immoral people from Hollywood speak, everybody listens. When arrogant and rebellious athletes do some outrageous act, it’s too cool. When rappers slam cops, talk up rape and malign authorities, it’s harmless fun. You have to wonder who’s really crazy in our world? 

The best, wisest, sanest, most sensible path you’ll ever take is to believe in God with all your heart.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. The dirty little secret is that the devil’s crowd is crazy. It all started in the Garden of Eden. “And the serpent said unto the woman, ‘You will not die.’”  Genesis 3:4. So, man is God?  That’s crazy! So, mankind’s eyes are opened?  That’s crazy! “But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost, those whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.  So, people know the difference between good and evil?  That’s crazy! 

No. you are not crazy. You are not crazy for believing in prayer, or for having an experience with God, or for hearing the voice of God, or to live your life according to scriptural principles. Throw your life with reckless abandon into the arms of the everlasting God.  It’s the sane choice!

Build an Altar

“And Abraham built an altar there.” Genesis 22:6-9

Altars.  Built from stones, blocks and wood, they may be piled together roughly.  They may be measured carefully and laid out in precision. Sometimes they are left in the raw state.  Some builders cover them with bronze, silver or even gold.  Twenty-five hundred years ago, they were built out in the open air, in valleys, beside river beds or on mountain tops.  Today, they are elaborate works of art or architecture crafted to be center showpieces in ornate cathedrals.  Nominal Christians see the altar as a place where mysterious religious rituals take place.  Communion wine and wafers are served there.  Prayers are intoned at the altar.  It seems far above and beyond the reach of the common layperson. 

Others of us know that the altar is the place where our relationship with God achieves its reality.  The altar is where I knelt to find the Lord.  The altar is where I found repentance and forgiveness.  The altar is where I received spiritual blessings.  The altar is where I consecrated myself to God.  The altar is where my heavenly vision was made clear.  The altar is where my soul was galvanized into action.  The altar is where the best things in life happened to me.  In the Bible, every patriarch built an altar.  Noah, having been spared along with his wife, his three sons and their wives from the global devastation of the flood, the flood that wiped out all the known civilization of the world, emerged from the ark.  What was the first thing Noah did?  He built an altar.  From that humble construction, he blessed the God who saved him from the fate of the world. Both Abraham and Elijah built altars.  

Altars symbolize sacrifice.  Salvation must cost you something.  You are not saved by works, but you must forsake your own inventions, will and preferences to embrace the Gospel.  David rejected an offer by Araunah to sacrifice to the Lord free of charge.  David said, “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”  2 Samuel, 24:24. You will never be greatly used of God without an altar.  If you want the approval and blessing of God in your life, sacrifice those things that have great meaning to your flesh, your ego, your pleasure, your power in this world.  The altar is where you establish an entirely new set of priorities. 

Something happens when you build your altar.  When you take the elements of your life, your body, your soul and spirit, your mind and strength and build an altar to God, you testify to all who see you.  This is what the Apostle Paul did.  Paul said, “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. Moreover, you, your body, mind and soul becomes a witness to the world of the power of God.  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. Something else happens at the altar.  This is where you honor and glorify God.  I worship by my tongue.  I worship by physical motions.  I worship through my tithes and offerings.  I worship by my commitments to God.  I worship by living a holy, consecrated life for God.  All these things are not incidentals.  They are not meaningless, liturgical rituals.  They are real-life components of my sincere worship to my God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The fire does not fall on a barren altar, a selfish life, the pursuit of personal pleasure or a monument built to our own greatness.  The fire falls on the sacrifice. 

What You Say Determines What You Think!

The potential power underlying our relationship with God, a power that is probably the most under-utilized and neglected source of strength in the known universe, may be best illustrated in the way we refer to Him in our ordinary speech. We usually speak of God as “Thee, Thou, He, Him or You.” In grammatical terms, we see God as second or third person singular. How Great Thou Art is written in second person singular. Our God Is an Awesome God is third person singular. These references lead us to think of God as “that Being over there” or “that Power up there.” Thus, we limit the God who comes to live inside us as the God who lives outside us; we view the resident Spirit as our next-door neighbor, or even our absent landlord; we accept His indwelling theologically, but we deny His indwelling as a practical reality. 

What would happen if we were to speak of God as “we”, meaning He and us together? A simple, yet fundamental change in the way we talk would make and incredible difference in the way we think. Linguists tell us that language provides strong delimiters to our thinking, and that we unwittingly confine our concepts to the language we use to communicate with each other. In fact, today’s cutting-edge innovators have a bold saying, “Change the language to change the culture.” 

The concept of referring to God as “we” and “us” has not received much face time before the church, but it holds a solid place in scripture. Jesus explained this to the woman at the well in John 4:14. “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” The very foundation of our redemptive relationship with God rests on the premise of God’s indwelling presence. “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” John 14:20. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” Romans 8:9. Note, this is not God down the street or across town, but God in us! 

Paul wrote, “For we are laborers together with God.” I Corinthians 3:9. Also, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” II Corinthians 6:1. When you think of “working together,” no picture comes closer to depicting the concept than the old-fashioned Amish barn raising.  One man cannot do what fifty can do, when they work in harmony with each other.  Clearly, God envisioned a close relationship with His church. He wants us to think of Him as a friend, a fellow-worker and even a husband.

The force of this concept becomes even greater when we look at the last verse of the gospel of Mark. “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20 . The phrase “working with them” comes from a single Greek word. Translated, it means synergy.  Divine synergy occurs when the church exercises its true partnership with God to fulfill its earthly mission. The church is a joint venture with God, a combined effort to advance the church’s frontiers around the world. 

No doubt, some discourage speaking of God as “we” in an attempt at humility, as though only an arrogant person would say such a thing. But failure to speak of God as “we’ or “us,” rather than “Him, Thee or Thou” fosters spiritual anemia. We work in tandem with God with His full blessing. He is not remote, indifferent or reluctant to work with us. It is time to let “Him” become “we.” This is the essence of His plan. “In whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

Fresh Start

THE JANUARY OF NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS runs into the brick wall of February’s brutal realities.  The excitement of beginning something new—a new year, a new week, a new job, a new relationship—loses its charm for many people when they think of past failures.  They have so cocooned themselves within the wrappings of past defeats that they no longer even dream of things being different.  It is time to break free from the slavery of defeat.  You are not pre-programed to fail. You are not meant to be a loser. You must set your sights on a fresh start. 

The Scripture’s cup runs over with second chance people—Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Naomi, David and many more.  The defector, Simon Peter, stands out as the classic example of starting over. He ran out on Jesus, denied that he ever knew Him, cursed when accused of complicity, but finally met up with Jesus in an awkward, face-to-face encounter.  Jesus did not berate him.  Instead, the Master only asked if the big, crude fisherman still loved Him.  Peter then became the chief spokesman for the church on its inauguration day.  So, what about you?  What would it take for you to begin again?  Psalm 51 serves as a sure blueprint for moving forward.  

Enter a plea for mercy.  This is one time when you don’t need justice.  You need mercy.  “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1. 

Receive forgiveness from God.  He has given it.  It’s up to you to receive it. “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.”  Psalm 51:2. 

Acknowledge your sin.  Forget playing the games of plausible deniability, rationalization or humorous distraction.  Don’t deny it.  God knows! “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.” Psalm 51:3-4.

Recognize your need.  False pride sabotages faith.  You have nothing to be proud of. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5.

Change your mind.  Identify and denounce fallacious ideas and mindsets. “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:6-7.

Change your environment.  Vacate the old neighborhood of bad influences and toxic relationships.  Escape into the pristine setting of God’s Word where faith rules. “Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.” Psalm 51:8.

Let God change your heart.  In the end, nothing happens by fleshly efforts and self-will alone.  You need a heavenly invasion of supernatural power.  Stop trying to start fresh on your own.  Appeal to God for your ultimate help.  “Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:9-10.

What Happens in Vegas

Here’s a myth that too many people believe: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” One would think that it is some sort of law. Bumper stickers even say, “WHiVSiV.” (It’s a line of clothing.) And then, I came across these Phil Vassar lyrics, “What happens in Vegas is just between us; Ain’t nobody’s business what anyone does; You can let down your hair, be as wild as you dare; Go crazy, do something outrageous; But what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” In fact, this phrase has been dubbed the most powerful advertising slogan of all time.  The insidious intent behind this phrase is that there are vacuums in which sin is free. It posits that “safe zones” actually exist in which a person can sin with no accountability. But the Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23. So, can you smoke in Vegas and have no cancer risk anywhere else? Can you murder without penalty back home? Can you lie, cheat, steal, drink, or be unfaithful with impunity? Nope. Life is interconnected. Your sin in one area of life affects all other areas. What happens in Vegas follows people home. But, there are other sinister lies that the world believes as well. 

My sin affects only me. No. Sin affects other people. Exodus 32:21. “And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people do to you, that you brought so great a sin upon them?” The sin in the heart of Aaron did not exist in a vacuum. It impacted Israel. Our actions form within the confines of the heart. Tarnished hearts, misguided spirits and corrupted souls shape the message spoken from mouths into destructive plans for others. Jesus said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” Matthew 15:18. 

I can stop whenever I want to stop. No. Sin entraps. “They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” Exodus 23:33. Like the ancient Chinese finger trap, one easily enters into the act of sin, but soon finds it impossible to back out of it. Just as every coin has an obverse and reverse, every individual act of sin has two sides: Commit the sin; Cover the sin. The instant a sin is committed the flip side comes into play. 

I can manage my weakness. No. Sin opens the door to other sins. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” 1 Samuel 15:23. How can rebellion be related to witchcraft? Because all branches of sin grow from the same trunk. That’s why John the Baptist said, “The ax is laid to the root of the trees.” Matthew 3:10. The root of offense gives rise to many sinful branches. David’s lust led to adultery; his adultery led to deceit; his deceit led to murder. When sin enters one’s life, it brings with it the seeds of further transgressions. 

God will forgive me. Yes, if you repent and forsake your sin. Sin cannot go unpunished. When we sweep sin under the rug, when we treat it differently from person to person or when we simply let it go unpunished, the sinning person gets a false view of God’s justice. We cannot afford to be dismissive, tolerant or defensive of sin. Without consequences, sin loses its dread.  A diminished view of sin means a diminished view of Calvary. Ambivalence toward sin casts doubt on the efficacious blood of Jesus. 

No, what happens in Vegas never stays in Vegas.  It’s a myth.  Operate your life out of truth, not mythology. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Help! I’m A Recovering Sinner!

It’s all about recovery today.  Substance abuse, alcohol, anger, eating, not eating, social media—you name it, people get caught up in compulsive behaviors and find themselves in the throat of a monster.  Fortunately (I think), some group, some agency or some social engineer has developed a strategy of regimented steps to rescue victims of addiction and steer them back to main street.  All it takes is extreme self-discipline, several thousand dollars, and possibly a court order. 

For the record, treatments differ widely.  There is inpatient treatment, residential treatment, detox centers and out-patient rehab programs.  Statistics tell the tale.  “Inpatient treatment costs $3,200 on average. 73% of addicts complete treatment and 21% remain sober after five years. Residential treatment costs $3,100 on average. 51% of addicts complete treatment and 21% remain sober after five years. Detox costs $2,200 on average. 33% of addicts complete treatment and 17% remain sober after five years. Outpatient drug-free treatments cost $1,200 on average. 43% of addicts complete treatment and 18% remain sober after five years.” www.therecovervillage.com.  With the success rate hovering between a miserable seventeen to twenty-one percent, one can reasonably question the effectiveness of any of the programs. 

What’s the problem?  Simply that there is poison in the water that all addictions swim in.  It’s called sin. No matter what the compulsion, it originated in the moral corruption of our first parents.  “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:14-15.  Sin operates like any other addiction.  No one can escape its power until he or she surrenders to a greater power!  “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:16. 

The single, vital solution to successful recovery from sin centers around something called control.  You cannot trust yourself to control your appetite; you must turn your life over to someone else.  This is the beauty of the new birth.  God promised, “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. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27. Jesus told Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8.  

Just remember, you never graduate from the need for the Spirit of God to control you.  The human frame was created to function in relationship mode, not unilaterally.  No one can do this alone.  The minute an arrogant, independent attitude takes over, you slip from the control of the spirit to serve the desires of a despotic flesh in cahoots with an evil spirit.  Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.”  Paul warned the Galatians, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17.  When temptation calls, send the Word of God to answer the door.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. Recovery is not an endgame; it is a state of mind and heart.  “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.” Psalm 23:4.