How do guns shoot people?

Evidently, society has passed me up and left me among the ruins of history.  Here are a few things that I need to know.

How do guns shoot people?

How is transgenderism not living in a world of make-believe?

How does celebrity status qualify one to become a pundit or hero?

How is a religion of hate better than a religion of love?

How does spending trillions that we don’t have not bankrupt us?

How do politicians keep their jobs when they don’t do their jobs?

How does government stay out of the bedroom and then go into the bathroom?

How is it that the right to privacy includes abortion, but not what we eat or drink?

How is defending oneself seen as aggressive and warlike?

How does a lying media lead to a truthful society?

How does continually bashing our country make us better?

Why do we think the enemies of our country just want to help us be a better country?

How does burning the flag make citizens respect people that do the burning?

Exactly why is patriotism wrong?

Exactly who defines political correctness?

Why does this nation need to be like other nations when so many people from other nations want to come to this nation?

Why is diversity celebrated more than unity and harmony?

Why do we pass more laws when we don’t enforce the laws we have?

How can we fail to teach history and then expect citizens to understand this country?

How can we pass “F” students and expect them to get an “A” in life?

How can we exempt criminals from punishment and expect them to become model citizens?

How can writers trash Christianity in movies and TV shows and expect people to respect faith?

How can we glorify illicit sex in movies and TV shows and not understand why it happens in real life?

How does the right of free speech protect profanity but not the pulpit?

Somebody, please enlighten me.

One thing I don’t need to be enlightened on:  Unprotected freedom eventually leads to slavery.

The Framework of the Relationship

A born-again Christian is essentially a new person.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Specifically, two entities are different: the new believer is a “new creation” and “all things” are new.  A brand new set of dynamics are at work here.  A new framework for life needs to be learned, plus the relationship to the old framework has changed dramatically.  Learning this new universe is vital for one to function as God intended. 

A framework operates like a map.  On a road map, once you locate your position, you can find out where you are in relation to cities, villages, lakes, rivers, parks or any other points of interest. You can also see boundaries, jurisdictions and property lines.  This information allows you to plot your route by choosing the best way to arrive at your destination.  Without the map, you would wander around from place to place, not knowing where you are going, what road to take, or how far you would have to go to get there.  With no map, you may even end up in dangerous or forbidden territory.  This illustration has vital clues for the relationships you have in life, and especially, your relationship to and with God.  You have a new and unfamiliar relationship framework.  

A relationship framework tells you who you are with regard to the people and influences around you.  Who are the most important individuals in your life?  Where do you stand in the pecking order to those persons?  Do they have authority over you or are they dependent upon you?  Who do you consider to be your peers?  Who do you look to for companionship, alliances or teamwork?  Are some people closer to you than others? Are there forces or influences that you need to respect, or can you disregard them?  Are there forces that can overpower you if the opportunity arises?  These characteristics inform you about how you relate to the elements in your framework. 

Other factors, however, exert some unexpected effects on how things go within the framework.  For example, do you like the most important person in your life? How do people view you as a person?  Do they like you?  Are you in conflict with some people? Are you forced to deal with some people because of the formal structure even though you don’t care for their personality or character?  What are the criteria by which you judge and are judged by others?  Do you forge alliances with some people because they have talents or resources you need, but otherwise, you have nothing to do with them?  Do you have weaknesses that can be exploited?  Do you have fleshly proclivities for certain activities or pleasures that are illicit, or at least unwise?  These questions demonstrate how complicated relationships can be.  As we work through the theme of these pages, the most important relationship of all needs a thorough analysis.  How does this new framework articulate your relationship to God? 

Just like the points on a map are permanently placed, so also are there fixed personages and fixed forces in the relationship framework that are absolutes:  they cannot change.  They must be accepted for what they are and where they are.  The attributes of God, the new characteristics of the born-again believer, the new identities of everyone around the believer now operate in a new paradigm.  As we move through the framework, we will begin to understand these changes. 

The Sovereignty of God.  

In your old framework, you had no substantive, meaningful relationship with God.  He was a mystical, illusive character.  Sometimes you loved Him, sometimes you hated Him.  Sometimes you felt at peace with Him, sometimes you were afraid of Him.  Most of the time, however, you simply ignored Him.  You lived your life as you wished, with no thought of consulting with God about your decisions, unless you were thinking of Him as a good luck charm.  For all practical purposes, God didn’t exist.  You assumed yourself to be a believer, but you lived like you were an atheist. 

When you became a born-again believer, you embraced a full acknowledgement of God.  This new dynamic totally revolutionized your life.  Now, you understand that God not only created you, He sustains you in every respect in your present life, and He will determine the destiny of your soul.  He is the Sovereign God.  The Psalmist sets these sentiments to words that characterize this relationship and applies to us today.  O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:1-8.  

By definition, a sovereign possesses supreme or ultimate power.  Because God is sovereign, you cede to Him the control of your life.  His will, His purposes, His methods and His desires cease being mere suggestions or preferences; they become your marching orders.  The Apostle Paul expressed it this way:  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  Thus, God’s sovereignty is an absolute.  It forms the primary parameter in your framework of relationships. 

Much could be written about the theology of God’s sovereignty, but, from a practical standpoint, it has an expansive and direct impact on our daily life.  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2.  A closer look at this verse reveals the totality of God’s influence on us.  Our bodies, our service, our relationship to the world, our minds and our definition of the will of God are all governed by the sovereignty of God.  This factor alone constitutes a complete transformation of our former selves.  But, there is more. 

The Infallible Word.  

The second absolute in your new framework of relationships is the Word of God.  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. Hebrews 4:12. Whatever your situation is in life, the Word of God provides the answer and the direction you need.  It must be consumed, committed to memory and obeyed.  David said, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” Psalm 119:11. The Word of God becomes the ground plane of reference with regard to all spiritual or moral decisions.  Secular, conventional wisdom sayings, like “to thine own self be true,” “God helps those who help themselves,” “listen to your body,” “follow your instincts,” and similar mottos must be vacated and Bible truths must take their place. 

Jesus confirmed the authority of the Scriptures at several points in His ministry.  In his rabbinical inaugural appearance in the synagogue, recorded in Luke 4:14-21, he pointed to the writings of Isaiah to validate his ministry.  And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21. On four separate moments during His suffering on the cross, specific references were made to the Scriptures as prophecies which must be fulfilled.  In the Acts of the Apostles and both the Pauline and general epistles, this same pattern emerges.  In addition to the miracles and wonders that Jesus did, the appeal to the Scriptures form the greatest confirmation to His authenticity.  It is no exaggeration to say that the entire ministry of Christ was foretold by Scripture.  This fact alone attests to the supremacy of the Word of God.  

Another Scripture passage that demonstrates that the Word of God plays an active role in our lives is Acts 19:18-20.  And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.  It is more than a philosophy or a collection of ancient writings.  It manages and directs our choices in every venue of life. 

God has ordained that His Word be the medium of communication with us, because, as a Spirit, He would be incomprehensible.  The simplest way to state this truth is that if you want to know the mind of God, read His Word.  Two scriptures establish the importance of the Word of God in the way God deals with man.  First, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1; and, second, By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3. Thus, we can equate God with His Word which elevates the Word to the level of God’s person; and we understand that God uses His Word as the agent by which He accomplishes His will.  

These statements are more than meaningless semantics.  They exert profound influence over the way we order our lives.  Paul wrote to young Timothy, his protégé in the ministry, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.  In the framework of relationships, the Word of God establishes boundaries for behavior, forbids or restricts access to some areas of life, regulates interaction between you and other people, and controls the quality of your life.   These new realities are not coerced; rather, they are functions of the relationship with Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  The born-again believer understands that the new paradigm is best for him or her, and brings glory and honor to God.

The Holy Spirit. 

The sovereignty of God and the Word of God are activated in our lives by another great power granted to born-again believers: The Holy Spirit.   But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26. The Holy Spirit is not a sporadic, random force that has no permanent impact on us, but He is a resident power, an integral part of the relationship framework.  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11. 

One of the most critical relationships that every born-again believer must negotiate is how to become acclimated to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  Constant tension exists between the flesh and the Spirit of God, and it tends to interfere with the relationship.  Paul wrote to 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18.  

Those who resist the leadership of the Holy Spirit show obvious signs of a dysfunctional relationship because they allow their flesh to dominate their behavior.  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21.  This catalog of sins clearly defines the areas of life where the Spirit of God is denied influence.  If the Holy Spirit is not in control, then the sovereignty of God and the Word of God cannot be effective.  

But, when a believer surrenders to the leadership of the Spirit of God, a relationship is forged that gives birth to wonderful things.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25.  In fact, one of the great reasons why Jesus came in the form of man was to demonstrate the need for the Spirit to always gain the victory over the flesh.  It played out for us in His victory over Satan in the temptations.  It was voiced in its most profound way in the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39. He is our example.  We cannot have this victory without ceding the control of our lives to the Holy Spirit.  

As mentioned in the previous chapter, the birth of the Spirit is a vital part of our regeneration.  The resident Spirit makes it possible for man to live as God intended. Ezekiel’s prophecy spells it out for us.  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.

Haters of Christianity: Watch Out!

Many people do not know how deeply ingrained Judeo-Christian values and philosophies are in the American culture.  The richness and fiber of this influence does not get good billing in our colleges and universities.  As hostility to Christianity increases, citizen need to know that they may be throwing away the values we cherish.  These ideals did not just happen.  Whether secularists like it or not, the source of much of our way of life is the Bible. 

• Do not lie.
• Do not kill.
• Do not steal.
• Honor your parents.
• Do not be greedy.
• Kidnapping is illegal.
• Prostitution is wrong.
• Sexual exploitation is a crime.
• Do not perjure.
• Do not gossip.
• Drunkenness is wrong.
• Parents, do not provoke or abuse your children.
• Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
• Turn the other cheek.
• Go the second mile.
• Give a cup of water to the least important people.
• Be merciful.
• Take care of the poor.
• Take care of the injured and sick.
• Follow peace with all men.
• Always try for diplomatic solutions.
• Respect all men.
• Men should treat women with respect.
• Don’t be a hypocrite.
• Don’t be jealous.
• Be a law-abiding citizen.
• Don’t charge exorbitantly high prices or interest.
• No human sacrifices.
• Do not let the day end with anger in your heart.
• Love your enemies.
• Do good to them who mistreat you.
• Don’t be vain or proud.
• Don’t broadcast how good or religious you are for public acknowledgement.
• Forgive those who hurt you.
• Build your life on a firm foundation.
• Be generous with your money.
• The greatest of all attributes is love.
• Do not take your brother to law.
• Do not be addicted to any substance.
• Work out marital conflicts.
• Don’t make your brother stumble.
• Pay fair wages to those who work for you.
• Strive for unity.
• Make allowances for differences in abilities and giftings.
• Don’t be vulgar or gross.
• Share your blessings with others.
• Parents should provide for their children.
• Treat all men equally: don’t be biased in favor of the rich or powerful.
• Restore those who have fallen.
• Pursue a meek and lowly spirit.
• Be kind and tenderhearted one to another.
• Don’t be a flatterer.
• Don’t patronize.
• Don’t be lazy or a slacker.
• Work for your wages with your own hands.
• Do not be a burden on others.
• Give cheerfully to worthy causes.
• Think good and positive thoughts.
• Be content with what you have.
• Be patient.
• Be gentle and forbearing.
• Be truthful.
• Aspire to lead a quiet life.
• Mind your own business.
• Always be grateful for what you have.
• Pray for your leaders.
• Respect your elders.
• Don’t receive an accusation against someone without two or three witnesses.
• The love of money is the root of all evil. 

All of these ideals (and there are many more) have their basis in the Bible.  I do not say that they are judiciously followed as much as they should be, but, nonetheless, they certainly have a place in the thinking of our culture.  If the enemies of Christianity have their way, they will expunge as much of our faith as they can from the American way of life.  But, without the underpinnings of the faith, what guarantee do we have that these values will continue to be prevalent?  And, if Christianity becomes so weak that it can’t exist, what new set of ideals will rush into the vacuum?  If America is an exceptional country—and I believe that it is—then the Judeo-Christian value system has provided the framework for it to achieve that status.  Those who wish that source to be gone need to beware! 

A man and his wife owned a very special goose. Every day the goose would lay a golden egg, which made the couple very rich.

“Just think,” said the man’s wife, “If we could have all the golden eggs that are inside the goose, we could be richer much faster.”

“You’re right,” said her husband, “We wouldn’t have to wait for the goose to lay her egg every day.”

So, the couple killed the goose and cut her open, only to find that she was just like every other goose. She had no golden eggs inside of her at all, and they had no more golden eggs. 

Things You Can and Cannot Do

When you are having a rough day, you cannot forget who you are. 

You cannot live another person’s life for him or her.

You cannot suspend the law of sowing and reaping in the lives of others.

You cannot negate your life’s calling because of circumstances beyond your control.

You cannot abandon your personal duties and responsibilities.

If you fail in one area, you do not have to fail in all areas.

You must not judge yourself by someone else’s failure.

If you make one bad decision, you do not have to let it become a pattern.

Things always seem worse than they actually are.

If things can get worse, they probably will.  You have to adjust to the developments.

If things cannot get worse, then they will get better.  You cannot despair.

If you permit it, one heartache can overshadow a thousand joys.  Keep everything in proportion.

You cannot stop loving people even if they disappoint you.

You cannot stop loving all people because you have been crushed by one person.

People who love you will probably continue to love you.

People who stop loving you undoubtedly have other problems as well.

God’s love for you is constant and undiminished.

The more intense the problems become, the more you are driven into the arms of God.

The safest place for you is in the arms of God.

Easy Living Leads to a Hard Life

It may have always been this way, but I have a feeling that it’s getting worse.  Too many people today are opting for easy living.  Getting something now is easier than waiting until then.  Gratifying yourself now is easier than delaying until later.  Spending money that you don’t have is easier than waiting until you can earn the money to pay for it.  Credit is easier than debit.  Fun is easier than work.

So, I asked myself the question after I saw a report that the average American is $4,717 in credit card debt.  (www.time/money.com) Why?  Granted, much of it is because of emergency needs.  If the kids need clothes and you don’t have the money, you charge it.  If the electric or water bill has to be paid or else they’ll shut off your service, you put it on the card.  But that’s not the whole story.  Designer jeans, Oakley sunglasses, backyard pools, gas grills, HDTV’s and lots of other gadgets go the plastic route as well. 

But, there’s more.  The average household is $130,922 in debt! (www.nerdwallet.com) This includes home mortgages, student loans, automobiles, boats, motorcycles, cruise vacations, furniture, appliances and all the other big ticket items.  If we account for many of these debtors who are living within their means, there are still many others who have no business getting into so much debt.  Why do they do it?  Easy livin’, man!  Their friends from high school need to think that they are doing as well as everyone else.  They fall prey to the commercials they see on television and decide that they are going to live the good life too.  Their itch is screaming to be scratched, and they’re just not going to wait around until it happens. 

What are the thought processes that lead to these kinds of decision?  What causes the math that says “No way” turn into impracticable decisions that say, “I don’t care.  I’m going to do it!”?  Good question.  The answer is not “the economy, stupid.”  The answer is economics!  Economics is not a physical science.  It’s science based on human behavior.  And, anything based on human behavior is unpredictable, impulsive, volatile, irrational, outrageous, and yes, stupid!  It’s sooner rather than later, it’s here and now rather than there and then, it’s dessert first before the important stuff.  It’s me first, dopamine, testosterone, bi-polarism, pride, vanity, greed, lust, covetousness, competitiveness and all the other human foibles and sins. 

The good life turns into a hard life, however, and it happens sooner than the poor dupes who went that way expected.  Spending money you don’t have creates the illusion that you are rich, but the reality of creditors and repossession agents will burst that bubble.  Drinking drowns your troubles, but the undercurrent pulls you in.  Overdosing on drugs sends you into laa-laa land with few U-turn signs.  Binge eating is a way out of your depression, but obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other life-threatening conditions end up making you miserable.  Destructive behavior lets you vent, but your destroy your relationships along with yourself. 

It is only when one establishes proper goals in life and then carefully, with discipline, sets out to reach those goals that the dream can be attained. If easy living leads to a hard life, then it only makes sense that hard living leads to an easy life.  I’ve never known many people who got everything they wanted without working for it that didn’t end up making a mess out of their lives.  When you respect the process, the process will be good to you.  When you circumvent the process, the process will even the score. 

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11 (NKJV)

Initiating the Relationship

The beginning of relationships arouses curiosity.  How did you meet your spouse?  How did you get started in your career?  Why did you move to this neighborhood?  Journalists routinely ask these kinds of questions when interviewing their subjects.  Why?  Because the story of how someone began a relationship or turned over a new leaf, or entered into a new stage of life reveals important clues about his or her character.  Without even trying, people provide information about their likes and dislikes, their decision-making habits, their attitudes and what may be expected from them as time goes on.  In terms of relationships, these characteristics have huge implications for a person’s relationship with God.

It is vital that one’s relationship with God begins right.  There are definite doctrinal requirements set forth in Scripture with which a person must comply. It is a dangerous mistake to dismiss these requirements in the belief that God doesn’t pay any attention to obedience to specific commands of the Bible.  The Word of God must be taken literally whenever possible, and doubly so when the steps to salvation are involved.  

When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He emphasized the importance of beginning right. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. This analogy of natural birth casts the conversion experience as a radical, life-changing event. Jesus forced one to go all the way back, as it were, to the beginning of life.  By inference, it means that everything—identity, status, opinions, behaviors—must be erased and one must start all over as a newborn baby. The drastic nature of this conversion startled Nicodemus.  It seemed preposterous.  Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” John 3:4. Nicodemus’s response was either rooted in naiveté or sarcasm.  Either way, it is obvious that he thought it represented an impossible leap.  His reply, however, did not deter Jesus from expounding the truth. 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 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 3:5-8. The extreme terminology Jesus used in these passages indicate that the approach to a relationship with Jesus Christ must be done carefully and whole-heartedly.   

Although conversion must be seen holistically, it is still useful to isolate each element of the process to make sure it is right.  These elements are believing (faith), repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism.  

Faith  

The moment a person activates faith in Christ, healing virtue is released. A remarkable story in the ministry of Christ demonstrates this fact. “And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’ But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” Matthew 9:20-22 

While this was an instance of a physical healing, the power of faith itself is the same, whether it heals in a physical or a spiritual sense. Even the secular world has discovered this power, if only in a limited way. They speak of a “positive mental attitude,” autosuggestion, possibility thinking, visualization, the magic of believing, and so on. People can create powerful imagery through the exercise of faith. It can be so forceful that it leads to triumph over formidable odds and helps individuals achieve goals that had never before been possible. Any person who suffers from the pain of sin can experience immediate help when he or she starts believing in Christ. This is not to say that embryonic faith constitutes full salvation. Salvation is still a process. But faith in Christ starts the process in motion. 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 11:6. 

Faith fills the vacuum created by doubt. Faith counteracts the negative influences of fear. Faith reverses one’s sense of worthlessness and unimportance. Faith helps build back self-esteem. Faith dispels the clouds of depression. Faith connects the heart and soul with God. Faith pleases God. In whatever way faith is considered, it is wholesome, positive and good.  

Repentance  

Repentance has too often been cast in a negative light, probably because it involves pain and loss. It does represent the bloody sacrifices at the brazen altar, Christ’s death on the cross, humiliation, self-denial and a harsh change from a sinful life to holiness. Sometimes it appears so intimidating that many people become discouraged just thinking about it. No one likes pain or loss, and if people have the limited view that this is all repentance means, they will balk at it. 

We cannot deny that repentance means death to the flesh. Far more important, however, repentance delivers powerful therapeutic effects. As we emphasize these positive results, we inspire courage and confidence in people to follow through with repentance. 

Repentance aligns a person with the true gospel. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47. 

Repentance paves the way for the Holy Ghost baptism. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 

Repentance is a gift of God. “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18 

Repentance indicates God’s love and good intentions. “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” Romans 2:4 

Repentance leads to reconciliation with God. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10. 

Repentance may cause discomfort, but the first steps toward the cure of a disease or the healing of an injury involve discomfort, even pain. Dead tissue must be cut away, toxins must be drained from a wound, infections must be attacked by strong antidotes, broken bones must be reset, tourniquets must be applied, and shock therapy may even be administered to restart vital signs. Whatever it takes to bring a diseased or injured person back to safe medical grounds must be done, often without regard to the pain that the procedure inflicts. 

But the pain caused by the cure differs from that caused by the disease or injury. It is a pain filled with hope. It is meaningful pain. It says, “Smile through the hurt, because you’re going to feel better after it’s over!” The repentant soul must say, “I give control to the process of healing. I submit to the physician’s plan.” Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” If repentance symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ, it is good to remember that it is only a symbol. Christ absorbed the full impact of the cross, the penalty for our sins, so that we could be spared from eternal death. Without that supreme act of love, we would have to bear our own penalty. How much better it is to repent than to be crucified! Repentance may precede other important spiritual steps, but it is itself bringing about vital changes that must not be lightly dismissed. Repentance needs to go deep. 

Water Baptism  

Water baptism plays a monumental role in our relationship with God.  Mysteriously, it has acquired a stigma among some groups in their effort to stress salvation by faith alone. This unbalanced view amounts to a denial of baptism in some cases. We must not place water baptism over against faith to determine which one is responsible for salvation. Rather, let us unravel the purpose of water baptism and search out the relationship value that God intended through it. 

Baptism conveys a cleansing experience. The practice of baptism was in use long before Christ or even John the Baptist. Since baptism is a Greek word, we don’t readily recognize it in the Old Testament. Usually, when we see references to “washings” they mean the same thing we understand as baptism in the New Testament. Old covenant believers viewed baptism as signifying spiritual change. Whenever repentance swept across the people, baptism meant a revived relationship towards God. Washings also symbolized ceremonial purification.  New Testament believers should enter into baptism with strong overtones of cleansing and absolution. Corruption and impurity abandon the soul as a person enters the baptismal waters. Afterwards, the baptized believer should glow from the experience. Baptism is intended to be a powerful healing agent for the soul. 

Baptism is for the remission of sins. The scriptures teach that baptism is intrinsic to the remission of sins. Two verses, in particular, highlight this fact: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38; and, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16. 

Baptism directly addresses sin in each deleterious aspect. First, it applies healing virtue to damaged emotions. Second, it erases the standing record of sin against the believer. Third, it absolves the soul of guilt. Fourth, it provides an eternal asylum from sin’s destructive nature. Fifth, it breaks the connection between the sinner and the past.  We must be careful to mention that the water itself does not cleanse. Neither is there sin remitting power contained in the ceremony itself. Yet, when water baptism is administered in faith, it conveys something spiritual to the candidate. 

Baptism joins the believer to Christ. Paul writes to the Galatians, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. Getting into Christ happens through more than an exercise of faith. This scripture points out the role of baptism as the bonding agent. When a believer is baptized, he/she enters into Christ. This provides access to every victory Jesus won for us. His death, burial and resurrection belong to the church. His victory over Satan, the flesh and the world belong to the church. His triumph over sin belongs to the church. Baptism positions us in an unbeatable place. 

One of the most important relationship principles as well as psychological principles for mental and emotional health is the sense of belonging. Baptism places the believer into the family of God, into the body of Christ on earth (the church). We understand that Christ belongs to the church: more significantly, the church belongs to Christ! His victories are ours, our defeats are His. To those who have experienced rejection, hatred or discrimination, this truth heals deep wounds. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. 

Baptism also imparts healing to us through the principle of identification. We become identified with Christ in the waters of baptism. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4. Baptism swallows up our marred, corrupt identity. We then become one with Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Baptism invokes the saving name of Jesus Christ over the believer. A careful reading of the New Testament reveals that the name of Jesus Christ was used exclusively in baptism. Several of these instances have been quoted previously. Here are two more. “Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 8:15-16. “And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:3-5. The use of the name of Jesus is highly significant, especially in terms of the healing of the soul. God always manifested His power on earth through the use of His name. 

The name of Jesus confers salvation. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 

The name of Jesus puts devils to flight. “And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18. 

The name of Jesus holds power over physical ailments. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. “ Acts 3:6-8. 

Baptism places within our grasp the use of the name of Jesus. The very name which wielded so much power in the early church belongs to baptized believers. The therapeutic effects of such power are immeasurable. 

Spirit Baptism  

According to I Corinthians 15:1-4, the gospel consists of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we align these elements with the message of Acts 2:38, we discover that repentance answers to death, baptism answers to burial, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit answers to the resurrection. Since the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead embodies the ultimate healing over death, then the entrance of the Spirit of God in the believer’s life activates the true dynamic of spiritual healing. Power, life, light, revelation, spiritual motivation and many other attributes proceed from the Spirit of God as He indwells the believer. The gift of the Holy Ghost reverses every negative movement and consequence that characterizes sin. For weakness, He gives strength; for darkness, He gives light; for death, He gives life; and for sorrow, He gives joy. 

The Holy Spirit generates power for spiritual healing. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8. The world has created and developed many sciences and therapies to help people. Often, health care professionals in physical or psychological fields can pinpoint disorders with great accuracy. They can trace the problems back to their beginnings, identify contributing factors along the way, and project new courses of action to solve them. Unfortunately, it is at this point of implementation and sustained treatment that these programs falter. They cannot make anything happen. They have power to analyze, but no power to energize. They can offer suggestions and support, but the real results are left to the will power of the individual. Also, life cannot exist without energy. Food becomes energy through the process known as metabolism. Our spiritual food (the Word of God) becomes energy through the power of the Holy Spirit. Neither food nor metabolism are worth anything without the other. “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:5. Because of this, the gift of the Holy Ghost was conferred upon believers by God to empower them to do spiritual feats. He takes up where religion and reformation fail. He supplies the power to actually implement the changes that must take place in a person’s life, plus He gives them power to perform the will of God throughout their lives. 

Jesus knew that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was critical to the success of the infant church, both as a corporate body and in the lives of individual disciples. His command to them to return to Jerusalem until they were endued with “power from on high” emphasizes this. He knew that even after training his disciples for over three years, they needed something more. Without the indwelling Spirit they would have a form of religion, but would lack the power to make it work. 

The Holy Spirit produces life. Without God’s Spirit in a person’s heart, spiritual death has the upper hand. The Apostle Paul reasons this out in his epistle to the Romans. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Romans 8:5-7. 

Physically, when tissue dies, it loses all healing power. As we have seen, dead tissue must be cut away. If it is allowed to remain, it will rot and produce toxic chemicals that will kill the living cells surrounding it. Living cells, however, retain an active blood supply, and can work to bring about healing. Spiritually, unregenerated man is contaminated with sin. Death, then, is present in the soul. Eventually, the entire person will suffer decline and death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Life—irrepressible, vibrant, and eternal—holds the greatest healing agent within itself. When a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he/she is indeed endued with eternal life. Jesus told the woman at the well, “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. 

Eternal life guarantees eternal victory over death. It is healing raised to the infinite power. And, since the Spirit is God’s abiding presence, He works unceasingly in a person’s heart and life to bring about positive change. Every day, the Spirit-filled person triumphs in ways both big and small. Death gets over-matched on every front; sin has no place to establish a foothold. As one person has said, “Some people expect to go to heaven at last; I go day by day!” Eternal life does not begin when the last natural breath is drawn. It begins the moment the Spirit of God enters, by faith, into a believer’s heart. The Spirit becomes a spring of living water that springs into eternal life.

The Holy Spirit connects the believer to the body of Christ. The scriptures clearly teach that the work of the Holy Spirit is to join a person to the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives birth to our relationship with the Heavenly Father. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17. Also, the Holy Ghost baptism establishes common ground for the body of Christ, and puts the divine features of Christ into us.“ For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. Connectivity to the body carries with it all the benefits of the body. Paul elaborates on the functions of the body throughout the twelfth chapter of I Corinthians. Membership in the body facilitates the healing process. 

The Holy Spirit reveals truth to believers. Physically, healing depends upon an accurate examination of the disease or injury. If the attending physician overlooks a problem, or diagnoses it improperly, then any prescription for treatment will be off the mark. When the Holy Spirit fills our hearts, He also floods our minds and our consciences with light and truth. Spiritually, He metabolizes truth in our souls. He provides this gift to us because, in our humanity, we are subject to error. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 Sometimes our mistakes result from ignorance. Sometimes they stem from willful disobedience. In other words, our flesh may rebel against the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In this regard, the Spirit provokes not only our awareness of the substantive problem, He also provokes our conscience to do the right thing. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 

The Holy Spirit defends us against the enemy. One of the marvels of the Holy Spirit is His role as our Paraclete, or our advocate. In this aspect, He takes over our defense against Satan the same as a defense attorney takes over the defense of a client against a plaintiff or a prosecutor. Indeed, Satan is called the accuser of the brethren, the devil, the tempter, the deceiver, the father of all liars, the Serpent and the Dragon. We need the Holy Ghost to continually fire back answers to the endless attacks the devil launches against us. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18. Our counselor never rests His case. He never tires of our defense. He never gets stumped or outflanked by the enemy. He provides a flawless defense forever. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:25-26. In terms of spiritual healing, the Holy Spirit supplies the antidote to every invasion of our lives by enemy cells. God’s Spirit immunizes us against spiritual antibodies that seek to re-introduce sin and death back into our hearts. 

The Holy Spirit refreshes our spirituality. “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7. 

All Your Heart 

Finally, it is important to understand the conversion experience in terms of the emotional mechanics.  When one sees Jesus as the source of strength, peace, happiness and positive change, it has broad implications for a rich and sustained relationship.  This remains true even when the demands that Jesus may make on a believer’s live seem difficult, even offensive.  

To illustrate this, consider the hard words Jesus spoke to His disciples concerning eating His flesh and drinking His blood.  Jesus was speaking metaphorically, but His reference was still offensive to many in His audience, most of whom were Jews.  Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”  When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?   It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.   But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”  From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away John 6:60-67.  Despite the fact that the analogy Jesus used was touchy to the Jewish temperament, the disciples nevertheless recognized that the relationship they had with Jesus was not to be destroyed by a misunderstood reference.  

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:68.  Peter would not jeopardize his relationship with Jesus for a simple misunderstanding. The reason for this was that Jesus had already locked in place his role as the giver and sustainer of life.  The emotional ties the disciples had with Jesus was stronger than any possible threat to their relationship.  The doctrinal aspect of conversion was only part of the change.  Their heart was in it as well.  Thus, we see the wisdom of this verse:  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Luke 10:27. 

The Glory of God’s Purpose

In our more introspective moments, we ask ourselves the question, “Why?”  What lies at the core of this relationship between God and us?  Is it love?  Perhaps, but even love has to have a reason, a compelling stimulus to spur it into action or, at least, to coax it to life.  God loved us in our original form, before we were contaminated by sin.  He conceived the blueprint and created us to His specifications.  But sin sabotaged His perfect work.  If mankind was now ruined, ugly, vile and repulsive, God’s love must have been turned off, right?  Wrong.  It was when we were still sinners that Christ died for us.  (Roman 5:8).  Yet, human reasoning counters that we were unlovable, crude, even grotesque caricatures of our prototypes in the Garden.  In fact, the very word sin, is translated from the Greek word, hamartia, which means “missing the mark,” or “to err.”  How could our perfect God love imperfect people who had missed the mark by miles?  The key to the conundrum is that God did not love us for what we were, but what we could become!  This routes our relationship with Him into a limitless future!  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.  John 1:12. The word right comes from the Greek exousia, from which we also get the word authority.  God has enabled us to get back something that Satan stole from us: a son or daughter’s relationship with God!  And it gets better.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. We were not merely restored to our former status; God made our relationship with Him far stronger than before our fall!

The depth of God’s love and the strength of His commitment make the human/divine relationship secure, but when we understand the glory of God’s purpose we are overwhelmed with the quality of the relationship.  An old hymn of the church states it well, “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”  It is a dynamic, living relationship on an ever rising trajectory.  Regardless of how one views it, it exceeds itself every day!

The glory of God’s purpose is seen in our discipleship.  Someone has said that God may have loved us as he found us, but He loves us too much to let us stay that way.  Out of the starting gates of the new birth, we are spiritual newborns, but a baby that doesn’t grow has problems.  As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.  1 Peter 2:2. If a baby does not grow, something is wrong.   Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Failure to Thrive, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Turner Syndrome, Blount Disease, and a host of other reasons prevent many babies from growing as they should.  We were created for unrestrained growth.  Ancient Chinese women were subjected to a horrifying tradition of foot binding.  They believed that small feet on women were beautiful and big feet were ugly.  And so, someone came up with the not-so-brilliant idea to wrap the feet of small girls in order to restrict growth.  The binding was so tight and inflexible that it crushed or deformed the bones in the feet, making too painful for them to walk.  Consequently, these women were generally useless and could not take care of themselves.  All they could do was sit around and look pretty (depending, of course, on the definition of beauty.)  The practice was outlawed over a hundred years ago.  Its spiritual version needs to be outlawed in the church!

Continual growth in faith, in character and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ is each Christian’s expected metamorphosis.  Further, the Apostle Peter says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7. Paul sums it up with this magnificent verse, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The glory of God’s purpose is seen in our partnership.  Our partnership with God was placed front and center in the book of Ephesians.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 2:4-6. Sitting together with Jesus is an outstanding image of the relationship that we inherited in Christ.  But God was not appealing to our vanity or pride.  He was positioning us for assignment. 

Perhaps the most astounding aspect of our relationship with God is that He would partner with us. It’s one thing for God to love us and care for us, but to bring us on board to work with Him staggers the mind.  And yet, that’s precisely His plan.  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:20. The phrase, “working with them” is translated from the Greek word, sunergos, or synergy.  We will visit this partnership concept later, but the seed idea needs to resonate with us.  This unique relationship into which we have entered with God eclipses conversion, friendship or association.  Church membership falls short of defining God’s purpose for belonging to His church. It goes to the heart of our identity and reason for living.  We may even say that the works of God are enfolded into the works of man. 

A classic example of man partnering with God involves prayer.  The incident occurred when Peter cast into prison.  Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5. It is an exciting account of angels, prison bars and sleeping guards, but it is clear that God delivered Peter from prison as a result of the prayers of the church.  God will not complete His work unilaterally.  He has empowered the church to wage spiritual warfare in prayer.  E. M. Bounds says, “Without God, man cannot.  Without man, God will not!”  Every time you hear of an answer to prayer, you should be reminded that someone took his or her prayer time seriously.  The greatest incentive to engage in prevailing prayer is that we have been conscripted by God to partner with Him to do exploits for his namesake.

The glory of God’s purpose is seen in our mission.  What is the mission of the church?  That simple question explodes into a plethora of meanings and divergent views, and with varying degrees of passion.  Let’s stick with the words of Jesus.  “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost, ” Luke 19:10, and, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Acts 1:8. Evangelization remains the primary mission, although there are many arms of support that make it effective.  The most important thing for us to remember is that evangelism is not just a corporate initiative for the church, but a very personal mission for each member of the church.  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. We are ambassadors, or representatives of Christ to the world.  “An ambassador is a minister of the highest rank, employed by one prince or state at the court of another, to manage the concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the dignity and power of his sovereign.”  Webster, quoted in Barnes’ Notes.)

The most powerful tool of evangelism is giving witness to Jesus.  Witnesses, or martyrs in the Greek, eventually referred to those who laid down their lives for Christ.  It’s earlier usage in Acts 1:8, however, does not mean to die, but it does mean to become intimate enough with Jesus to testify of Him through preaching the gospel, but more importantly, by being an example of Jesus Christ.  Our mission, therefore, consists of more than what we do, but of how we live!  Again, this goes to the central praxis in mission which is relationship.  Without the relationship, the mission miscarries.  With the relationship, we are complete.  And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10.

The glory of God’s purpose is seen in our destiny.  Where is all of this headed?  We cannot know for sure, but we can know enough to be assured of an eternal future with Christ.  That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27. This is the beauty of relationship.  Being in a relationship with the Creator of the universe effervesces into possibilities that cannot be imagined.  Read through the next passage and insert yourself, by faith, into the picture.

After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:1-10.

John, the Revelator, continues to describe awesome scenes that are ahead for the church.  He tells about a glorious city, triumph over Satan, a state of perpetual bliss, and a partnership with our Lord that stretches out forever.  All of this glory is our destiny, and it unfolds to us as a co-efficient of a holy relationship with Jesus Christ.  The relationship under the New Covenant is a trajectory that literally has no endpoint.  “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:12-14.

The Strength of God’s Commitment

There is much more to God’s love than rhetoric or even sacrificial acts.  While we take comfort in God expressing his deep love for us at Calvary, we become even more secure in our relationship with him by understanding the strength of His commitment.  The emotion of love may fuel a relationship, but it is commitment that validates the emotion.  Some observers see the widespread lack of commitment to real relationships as our society’s most egregious failure.  We witness it played out countless times, even in our personal circle of friends and family.  Spouses say they love their marriage partner, then cheat on them or reject the bonds of their wedding vows.  Parents say they love their children, but abandon them or subject them to emotional, psychological or sexual abuse.  Adult children say they love their aging parents, but then fail to take care of them or even communicate with them.  We seem to be obsessed with the emotion of love, but we invalidate that feeling by refusing to act it out.  We act like God by promising our love, but we act like the devil in reneging on our promises.

Charles Spurgeon said, “You never hear Jesus say in Pilate’s judgment hall one word that would let you imagine that He was sorry that He had undertaken so costly a sacrifice for us. When His hands are pierced, when He is parched with fever, His tongue dried up like a shard of pottery, when His whole body is dissolved into the dust of death, you never hear a groan or a shriek that looks like Jesus is going back on His commitment.”

One of the most intriguing features of the incarnation was God’s ability to feel what His created humans feel.  For 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. Hebrews 4:15. But following this verse out to its logical end, we understand the reciprocal conclusion.  If God can feel what we feel, that means we can feel what God feels, at least as far as his humanity is concerned.  Thus, when it dawned on Him (speaking as a human) that He was about to be beaten until He looked like a piece of meat in a butcher shop, or that He was about to be unceremoniously crowned with a headband of three inch thorns, or that He was going to be pierced with spikes and gored with a spear, He must have thought about capitulation, or at least flight as an option.  This is where we measure the strength of His commitment.  Nothing—no pain, no suffering, no humiliation, no scorn, no loss—would make Him reconsider His decision to save lost mankind.  His feelings were human, but His commitment was divine!

Your relationship with Jesus Christ has a solid foundation, impenetrable walls, an indestructible roof overhead and has eternity for an expiration date.  The warranty automatically renews every morning!  (Lamentations 3:23) That’s a relationship you can count on!  His commitment was pushed to the limit and did not break.  His patience with us never runs out, despite our faults and foibles, not to mention our sins.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

The security of this relationship was severely tested when Jesus called to His disciples from the shore of Galilee. The crucifixion was past and He had just risen from the dead.   It was an awkward encounter.  They knew who He was, but didn’t acknowledge that they knew Him.  The tension was greatest with Simon Peter because there had been no contact between the disciple and the Master since that fateful night when Peter denied Jesus.  No doubt Peter braced himself for a scathing rebuke, and a possible condemnation to pay him back for his cowardly act.  Imagine his confusion when Jesus spoke these words to him.

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. John 21:15-17.

Not only did Jesus continue His relationship with Simon as though it had never been interrupted, he affirmed that the seemingly feckless disciple was going to have a major role to play in the days following.  A greater illustration of the commitment of Jesus to a relationship with His disciples doesn’t exist.  This promise of security needs to resonate with us in this latter end of the church age.  If there are any conditions on eternal security, they are not the product of a vengeful God.  He has entered into a relationship with his people without equivocation.  It is a relationship predicated on an unchanging commitment.