November 30, 2005

When God promised to send us “Elijah the prophet” just before the second coming of Christ (“the great and dreadful day of the Lord”), his message is not to be a thunder and lightning denunciation of mankind reminiscent of his slaying the 450 prophets of Baal at the Kishon River (1 Kings 18:40). Rather, “Elijah’s” message will perform the most effective reconciliation of alienated peoples the world has ever known: “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:6). That is the last message of much more abounding grace this world will hear—that of the fourth great “angel” in Revelation 18 that “lightens the earth with glory” (vss. 1-4).

Only one Bible message can close the great gospel commission with such glorious success—the lifting up of Christ on His cross as He predicted: “‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Me.’ (In saying this He indicated the kind of death He was gong to suffer)” (John 12:32, 33, TEV). The message of the three great angels of Revelation 14 appears superficially to be the most terrorizing ever proclaimed, the scariest fear possible for human hearts (whoever takes the “mark of the beast” “shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God,.... poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.... tormented with fire and brimstone.... in the presence of the Lamb.... for ever and ever:.... no rest day nor night,” etc. (vss. 9-11). Could any message be more blood-curdling? But wait a moment: it’s introduced as “the everlasting gospel” of Good News (vss. 6, 7). Look more closely! It’s the last effective call: “Be reconciled to God”! (2 Cor. 5:19, 20). How? By His love at last fully revealed at His cross (vss. 14, 15)!

November 29, 2005

It happened one Sabbath evening when the quiet, holy calm of the Lord’s Day should fill one’s soul, but it wasn’t there. I was embroiled in a silly unholy spat with my dear wife that left me crushed with shame. I hadn’t realized there was a demon still lurking deep in my soul; I felt honestly like Paul’s “chief of sinners,” “less than the least of all saints,” the one “born out of due season” (1 Tim..1:15; Eph. 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:8); Christ’s “unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10). What made it most painful was that not only was I a husband who now felt most undeserving of the wife the dear Lord had given me—horrors, I was also a pastor! The senior pastor of this big Nairobi Central Church, and I was to be the speaker tomorrow morning! I felt polluted because of this quarrel; “self” had gotten the mastery in me. For me to enter that pulpit would be utter hypocrisy. I got on my knees, and for sure it was “out of the depths [that] I cried unto thee, O Lord” (Psalm 130:1). I felt as “lost” as anyone on earth, polluted with the ugly sin of self-love. I was at the bottom, “I said, ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips’” (Isa. 6:5).

But I couldn’t cut and run; I was in prison. I had to keep that appointment! No one else could take my place in that pulpit; I couldn’t stay in bed and mope. I had to enter that “most holy” spot totally “undone,” the most unworthy penitent in the “great congregation” (Psalm 40:9). “If I perish, I perish” had to be my resolve (cf. Esther 4:16). What kind of lightning bolt of hot wrath would the Lord send on a hypocrite in His pulpit? If you want to know, read Psalm 130 all the way through. It became my psalm.

November 27, 2005

All during the time that Judas Iscariot was one of the Twelve, he was constantly spreading among them subtle opposition to Jesus. He was a great man as to personality; the Eleven thought he was just the one qualified to become Prime Minister of the new kingdom Jesus would establish.

An example of his resistance of the Holy Spirit was his condemnation of Mary Magdalene for her offering when she washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Judas despised her for that, and the Eleven knew no better than to follow his lead and despise her also (Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-7; an illustration of how the final “shaking” can take place in the remnant church of the last days—many following some great apostate personality).

Judas sincerely thought that in betraying Jesus he could force Him to follow his lead in setting up His kingdom. He was so wise! But when he realized that he had betrayed the Messiah to His death, he was “remorseful and brought back the 30 pieces of silver,.... saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’” Then he committed suicide.

In the day of final judgment when the resurrected lost (Rev. 20:5) gather before the Great White Throne and the book of record is opened for all to see what they have done with the life that God gave them, they too will be “remorseful.” Jesus never said one word of reproach to Judas; he condemned himself. So at last the lost will condemn themselves, “will welcome destruction,” and will choose to jump into the Lake of Fire (20:11-15).

November 26, 2005

We get a most precious little glimpse into the heart of Jesus during the moments that He was arrested in the Garden. His “loyal” disciple Peter has drawn his sword and slashed away wildly (like we do sometimes when we try to ”defend” the truth thoughtlessly), and he has chopped off the high priest’s slave’s ear. Ludicrous accomplishment, Peter! You thought you’re protecting the King of the new kingdom, didn’t you; you said so proudly that you will never deny Him. This is a sorry performance to begin with.

Well, Peter meant to do the right thing. Jesus patiently endured him, this time once again; he had often done foolish things. But Jesus now told him to stop fighting and let things happen. The Father, after all, was leading.

Then our Lord uttered a brief soliloquy that tells us something profound: “How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” In other words, Jesus didn’t know what was going to happen except for what He read in the Old Testament! Moments later He told His enemies, “‘I sat daily with you, teaching in the Temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled’” (Matt. 26:52-56). Jesus held in His hands the same Book you hold in your hands, and the same Holy Spirit who taught Him the word is teaching you. Study!

Jesus was the divine Son of God, but He had laid aside the prerogatives of divinity (not the divinity itself!), that He might take upon Himself our humanity and live life as we must live it, “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). He learned what He learned as we must learn—from His study of the written word. He risked everything on what that written word said. We are daily tested: will we also trust our all to it?

November 22, 2005

There is a precious little book called Steps to Christ which presents the gospel of Christ very clearly. Some publishers printed a special edition in which they printed on the back cover these words: “Jesus Wants to Be Your Best Friend.” They sincerely thought they were doing the right thing, but they were vitiating the message of the book and transforming its Good News into Bad News.

The implication was clear: Jesus is not your Best Friend and He will not be your Best Friend until you do something right first which will change Him into becoming your Best Friend. And thus the book becomes a subtle statement of our old-fashioned legalism.

Question: Did the repentant, believing thief crucified with Jesus make Him become his Best Friend? Or was He so already? Had God already loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us? Or did we do something first to induce Him to love us?

Was Jesus already the Best Friend of the cruel men who nailed Him to the cross? He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”(Luke 23:34). One of them did repent and we trust he will be saved eternally—the centurion (vs. 47). He came to know Him as his already-Best-Friend Savior!

Caiphas never in his life had such a Best Friend as the Jesus of Nazareth whom he condemned to be crucified. All these deliberately unbelieving people will realize in the final day of judgment how evil and stupid they were not to realize that the Jesus whom they rejected was the only true Friend they had ever had. May the Holy Spirit enable us to present Him thus to every person whom we shall meet! Including children and youth!

November 21, 2005

Ex-president Jimmy Carter has just published his first “political” book in which he very frankly criticizes the way this nation is going in supporting pre-emptive war and torture—both of very un-American character.

It’s difficult not to believe that God has blessed this man in his ex-presidency. (He confesses that he is a better ex-president than he was a president! But with that smile.)

All three of the prominent presidential figures (Bush, Carter, Clinton) need to be informed about what the Bible calls “the everlasting gospel.” Granted, they are all extremely busy, occupied men; who can get them to sit down and patiently listen to what Romans and Revelation say? And who has the wisdom to tell it in a way that they can understand its relationship to the Constitution and the history, past and future, of this Republic?

The Lord Jesus made it plain that the time will come when unworthy “we” will “be brought before governors and kings.... for a testimony” (Matt. 10:18). Voices we have always thought will never be more than a pipsqueak “in the wilderness” will be heard from the housetops when “governors and kings” hear the echo of the voice of Christ in ours.

Are we ready to be the agents? The answer is no, never—UNLESS self is crucified with Christ. And that experience can be ours only if we “comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.... [of] the love [agape] of Christ”(Eph. 3:18). All this means that the one greatest need of the “remnant church” is to humble our hearts and understand what is the gospel of the message of Christ’s righteousness. There will be great humbling of hearts on the part of all who remain faithful and true to the end.

November 20, 2005

Some Europeans who came looking for Jesus found Him in a pensive mood a few days before Calvary. Their invitation to Him to come to Europe and escape the horror before Him in Jerusalem was a severe temptation, and drew from Him a sober statement of the kind of death He knew He was to die: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.” If I accept your invitation to escape My cross, I will be the grain of wheat laid up on a shelf “alone” and useless, side by side with your Greek philosophers. “But if it dies, it produces much grain.” If I go through with what My Father has appointed Me to do—die the second death on a cross—then I will fulfill My mission and the hopes of the Sychar Samaritans as “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42; any death on a cross involved the irredeemable “curse” of God—Gal. 3:13; Deut. 21:23). “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for life eternal..... What shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’” His answer to that question: No!

Then His mind went forward to our day when our world is locked in the futility of self-seeking. “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:20-33). Thus He described the light that will “lighten the earth with glory” in the work of that “other angel” whose final message will call out of Babylon all God’s people scattered around the world (Rev. 18:1-4).

His being “lifted up” for all to see, to “comprehend” (cf. Eph. 3:18, 19), will be the full revelation of the significance of “what death He would die”—all men’s “second death” (cf. Rev. 2:11; 5:18). The world will then be terror-stricken, but His final message will not be terror-driven. It will not be a me-first, but Christ-first, message—an at-last full revelation of the love (agape) intrinsic in His much more abounding grace. It will “constrain” every honest heart to self-less devotion to the One who died for us (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

November 18, 2005

Unhappy France figures large in Bible prophecy. The Revelator John saw “the seven angels who stand before God [to whom] were given seven trumpets” (Rev. 8:2). The successive blowing of those seven trumpets marks seven great epochs in world history since the time of Christ. Thoughtful students of the Bible and history recognize today that we are living in the time of the blowing of the seventh trumpet (11:15-18).

For hundreds of years Protestant scholars have seen that the 5th and 6th trumpets (9:1-12, 12-21) depict the rise and progress of Islam as a divinely permitted scourge of the apostasy, backsliding, and worldliness of professed Christianity (“Babylon is fallen,” 14:8). Under the blowing of the sixth trumpet John traced the blessed work of devoted messengers of God who “prophesied.... clothed in sackcloth” during the 1260 years of the Dark Ages and preserved for our day the truths of the Old and New Testaments (the Bible)—people such as the Waldenses (11:3-6).

As the end of those 1260 years approached, John saw the Reign of Terror that engulfed France which precipitated the rise of militant atheism and Communism. It was the French Revolution which tried to destroy the Bible (vss. 7-10). Even the time for the duration of the Reign of Terror is specified (vs. 11), and the subsequent rise of the British and Foreign, and American, Bible Societies is seen and the resultant age of enlightenment (vss. 11, 12).

When “the seventh trumpet [is] sounded,” all Heaven rejoices (vss. 15-18). Now Daniel is “open” after being sealed for millennia (Dan. 12:4) and the glorious truths of “the everlasting gospel” proclaimed worldwide will prepare a people to “follow the crucified Christ [the Lamb] wherever He goes” and meet Jesus happily when He returns (14:1-15).

November 16, 2005

Abraham is “the father of all those who believe” (Rom. 4:11), which means: no one will enter the gates of the New Jerusalem except as a child of Abraham. That means in turn that his being justified by faith is the model or pattern of conversion for all who believe in Jesus.

Abraham was a Gentile like everybody else in the world until “the Scripture.... preached the gospel to Abraham” and he believed (Gal. 3:8). When was he “accounted” righteous, or “declared” to be righteous? Not until he believed and his heart was reconciled to God, for we read that his faith “was accounted to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6).

But like every other member of the fallen human race, while Abraham was a Gentile in heart, his “carnal heart” still in a state of “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7), he was not “accounted” or “declared” to be righteous. But Christ’s sacrifice on His cross enabled the Father to treat Abraham as though he were righteous! Christ being the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8), He was slain for Abraham while he was in his unbelieving state. Because Christ died for Abraham while he was “still a sinner” (Rom. 5:8), the Father was enabled to “make His sun rise” and “send [His] rain” on “still”-unbelieving Abram (Matt. 5:45).

There is a world of difference, yes an eternity of difference, between the Father treating “every man” as though he were righteous and the Father declaring or accounting an individual person to be righteous. The Father can never tell a lie; therefore He cannot declare one to be righteous until that person has chosen to “believe,” “to be reconciled,” to be “crucified with Christ.” But then at that point He “counts” his faith for righteousness even though the faith may be very immature. He knows that genuine faith always “works by love and purifies the soul.” He therefore accepts the faint beginning of personal faith as evidence it will be “complete“ in Christ.”

November 14, 2005

“The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). And “the carnal mind” is what every human has who has not subjected his “mind” to the “faith of Jesus.” Disturbing thought: we are all at war with God and with His holy law or we are by choice “crucified with Christ” with “the world.... crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 2:20; 6:14). It’s either/or; no fence to sit on.

And “enmity” has murder automatically wrapped up within it, for “whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). The ancient Jewish leaders were possessed of that same carnal mind that was “enmity” against Jesus Christ. And indeed, the “nor-indeed-can-be” applied to them. They felt they just had to yield to an ongoing rush of evil emotion that drove them to crucify Him. Their hatred of Him just had to blossom out in His murder!

In the last days (which are just upon us!) that same “enmity against God” will reveal itself in “all who dwell on the earth.... whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). But this time the Son of God is not present physically in person as He was two millennia ago; therefore that pent-up “rage against God” will burst forth against those who are loyal to Christ in the closing scenes of the great controversy between  Christ and Satan. Jesus told us, “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake..... A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master..... Do not fear them” (Matt. 10:22, 24).

Some wonderful people are tempted to wish they could “sleep” before the coming of “the time of trouble,” and get to heaven escaping this trauma. Be careful! Do you wish yourself “above [your] Teacher,.... above [your] Master”? Happiness is staying close to Him!

November 13, 2005

What is the grand climax of the book of Revelation? Not Bad News, but Good News!

True, the terrible fall of “Babylon” and the unthinkable “seven last plagues” figure largely. But they are eclipsed by the glorious triumph of that Lamb of God. He is “Lord of lords and King of kings,” who rides on that “white horse,” and who has “eyes as a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns; and a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself,” whose “vesture is dipped in blood,.... and the armies in heaven follow.... Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”

He wins the great war of eternity in His final battle with the “dragon,” the Enemy who invented sin in heaven when his name was Lucifer, son of the morning, who made himself become “that serpent of old,.... the devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (12:9).

And how does Christ win this final battle?

Revelation 19 discloses His triumph: He wins the heart and the hand of a difficult-to-win “woman.” She finally surrenders her repentant soul to become His Bride. “The marriage of the Lamb” is the occasion for the rejoicing of the inhabitants of heaven, as Heaven has never rejoiced in past eternity. John hears “as it were the voice of a great multitude,.... the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.” Christ is now triumphant! “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give Him glory,” is the lyrics of four grand Hallelujah Choruses that ring through the reaches of infinitude, “for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last!], and His wife has made herself ready”(vss. 6-9). Invitations to the wedding banquet are right now being accepted, and.... [sadly some] rejected. The celebration is on! Come!

No novel ever written is as thrilling as this love story finally played out to its climax.

November 11, 2005

What is probably the finest English translation of the Song of Songs (Solomon’s Song in the OT) is by Ariel and Chana Bloch (Random House, 1995). When it came into my hands, I eagerly turned to see what they do with 4:7 which Paul quotes in Ephesians 5:27 (“there is no spot in thee,” KJV, the church when she “makes herself ready” for “the marriage of the Lamb,” Rev. 19:7, 8). Yes, this translation makes it clear: “literally, ‘and there is no flaw in you.’”

Then I checked vs. 15 (“a well of living waters,” KJV): yes, “‘a well of water, fresh and gushing from Lebanon.’” This is what Jesus quoted when “on the last day, that great day of the feast [of tabernacles] Jesus stood and cried out,.... ‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37, 38). That’s where Jesus confirms that the Song of Songs belongs in the Bible! Perhaps Rabbi Akiba was right when he said that it “is the Holy of Holies” of biblical literature. (Can you find anywhere a more thrilling definition of what it means to “believe” in Jesus? The “he who believes” is you! Is that “river of living water” flowing out of your heart to everyone you meet? Do you have a word of Good News truth for everyone? Does it “live” in you?)

The Blochs fell short when they came to SS 5:1-8; they studied only the Hebrew text. Jesus quotes the Greek version (Septuagint) in Rev. 3:20: “I stand at the door and knock.” The girl, His Bride-to-be, comfy in bed, resents His coming at that hour, and initially refuses Him entrance (that’s the true church, the “one” whom He loves as a Bridegroom loves a bride). His disappointment is beyond description. Finally, she stops thinking of her own comfort and thinks of His need and rises to let Him in—but by then He is gone. Only repentance (“I am lovesick!”) will enable her to find Him again. Read the story as it is!

November 9, 2005

Why did the apostle Paul urge us to pray with “supplications” for “kings and all that are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:1, 2)? The “all” must mean of whatever political party our sympathies are enlisted; and yes, of whatever nation, too. It must also include the embattled police who are trying desperately to “hold” the tornado-winds of wild human passion that are blowing in France. If you own a modest-sized French car and you don’t have a fortress-like garage to park it at night, the gangs of demented youth will torch it, as they have thousands.

The “all in authority” means that we should pray for Jacques Chirac, president of France, as well as for the president of the United States. These men are human beings of flesh, blood, and nerves like us all. No matter what political giants they may have been, they are weak protoplasm. Leaders of both political parties in the U. S. believed the falsehoods that led the nation to war in Iraq; they were finite men and women subject to deception. As those who reverence the Bible and its Author, we have a holy duty we must not sinfully neglect—to put ourselves in their place as we pray. To bear the responsibilities of state just now could drive any “rulers” unglued, especially if they are immature. “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child” (Eccl. 10:16, KJV). The Savior has told us that in these last times today leaders’ “hearts [will be] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth” because “powers” that have always been a solid foundation beneath us “will be shaken” (Luke 21:26).

Now Iran wants to wipe Israel off the earth: this recalls Abraham’s pre-New Covenant conflict between Ishmael and Isaac. We are still enmeshed in that issue! God has promised to send us “Elijah the prophet” (Mal. 4:4, 5) who will proclaim powerful New Covenant gospel truth to the world (cf. Rev. 18:1-4)—a final message of grace and mercy.

November 8, 2005

This young man came running up to Jesus almost out of breath: “What good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” A wonderful new-convert-to-be! Jesus caught his word “do,” and proceeded to give him a thoroughly legalist answer: “Keep the commandments,” and He cited the Ten. On the surface, His answer thrills legalists today.

The young man was fishing for more: he told Jesus he had done everything specified since he was a child. “What do I still lack?” What he meant was, he wanted to achieve perfection—the goal of every legalist.

Then Jesus zeroes in on the real thing: “If you want to be perfect, sell what you have and give to the poor.” Don’t think He wanted to discourage the youth: “you will have treasure in heaven.” That should satisfy any acquisitive nature cultivated “from.... youth.” But Jesus couldn’t do any “evangelism” without telling about the cross: “And come, follow Me” (Matt. 19:16-22). The youth could have had first chance at becoming an Apostle Paul!

But the poor fellow had a terrific problem. It was worse than leprosy or being blind. He was rich, “he had great possessions.” So he walked away. Jesus later conceded to the disciples: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Then He repeated it with a slight difference—“who trust in riches.... !” (Mark 10:23-25). He appears to contradict what He said in Matthew 11 about His yoke being “easy” and His burden “light” (28-30; again legalists may be delighted for they don’t like that “easy” or “light” idea). If you are rich (and everybody who gets this message is, in some way), you can solve your problem by confessing that you don’t deserve a whit of the “wealth” you possess: what is your right is that second death that Jesus died in your place, and for you.

November 6, 2005

The word “gospel” means “good news.” Paul says he is not ashamed of it, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). We don’t want to confuse it with contention and petty arguing!

The Samaritans of the village of Sychar had it straight even before the Twelve understood it clearly, for they grasped the truth that Jesus is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42), not just of those who believe. The disciples didn’t fully grasp that truth until after the resurrection of Jesus, not until Pentecost. But it’s still a truth that’s beyond the understanding of many, and therefore their ability to win souls to Christ is curtailed. There are empty pews in many churches for this reason. The return of Jesus is delayed because we still haven’t caught up with the Samaritans.

Paul understood, for he said that Christ is “the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:10). Thus there are two aspects of salvation: one applies to “all men,” and the other applies only to those “who believe.” After Adam lost out as the head of the human race, Christ took over as the “last” or second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), and He died for the world, not just for “the elect.” He “tasted death for every man,” not just for those who are baptized (cf. Heb. 2:9). The Father has planned for “all men” to be saved eternally (1 Tim. 2:3, 4). He has not “predestined” anyone to be lost, but all to be saved (Eph. 1:3, 4). Therefore it was before “the foundation of the world” that He has chosen “all men” to be “in Christ” just as surely as He gave “the birthright” to Esau. That gift was in no sense “provisional,” dependent on any good works that Esau might do; it was his by “right.” But he “despised” and “sold” it (Gen. 25:32-34). Now don’t despise and sell what has been given you as your birthright “in Christ.”

November 4, 2005

Is it ever possible to follow Jesus Christ faithfully and not meet with opposition and even persecution? The Wise Man said that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov. 16:7); that sounds like if you suffer opposition and persecution your ways don’t “please the Lord.” But Paul said that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). And Jesus said that He sends us all out as “sheep in the midst of wolves,.... and you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matt. 10:16, 22).

That can be a lonesome life, especially if you are enduring by yourself. Therefore Jesus hastens to assure you that in your lonely pain you have His companionship: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master..... Not one [sparrow] falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will..... He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Matt. 10:16-40). Yes! As you kneel in prayer asking for strength to endure, you will have the assurance that the Lord Jesus is enduring with you. The Holy Spirit will prod you to “endure all things” and to be “faithful unto death” (1 Cor. 13:7; Rev. 2:10).

Just beg the Lord to save you from inviting censure on yourself by cranky ways, by what gives reasonable people the idea that you are extreme or fanatical. A true follower of Jesus Christ will always “love [his] enemies, bless them who curse [him], do good to those who hate [him], and pray for those who spitefully use.... and persecute [him]” (Matt. 5:44). Never think that you are alone; not only is Christ with you through the Holy Spirit. In every struggle where truth contends with error, there are people watching who are honest in heart. Good will come. Gain encouragement from Rosa Parks.

November 3, 2005

When God commands us to do something He always supplies the power or ability to do it. If that were not true, He would not deserve John’s sublime definition, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He gives the command; our response should immediately be, “Yes, Father in heaven; I choose to do and to be what You command! ‘Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day’” (Psalm 119:97). When the Gospel is understood, the “should” immediately becomes the active form of the verb: to do what He commands becomes now our own free-will, our delight. Miracle of miracles—we are “reconciled to God”! (2 Cor. 5:20). That’s what the “atonement” is—at-one-with God, who is Himself “love.”

One of those commands is, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). That word for “love” is the verb for agape, and agape is the love of God—so now we come face to face with a stupendous revelation: sexual love is a gift of the love of God—something pure and holy, in holy marriage. “Husbands” are always married men! That means: fornication and adultery are not “love” that is agape; illicit sex is self-love, which has murder wrapped within it.

Is agape a happy kind of love? If husband believes the Gospel, the answer has to be yes. There is a wisdom in agape that is wiser than all the cleverness of Satan and his evil angels; it’s a love that wins. TIME magazine once published an article by Jacques Levy that openly admitted that fornication is “rebellion against God.” True; it’s “the carnal mind,” “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7). We all have it; it’s through our sinful nature inherited from the fallen Adam. And John defines “enmity” as murder (1 John 3:15); therefore illicit sex is always the re-crucifixion of Christ. It’s Hebrews 6:6—“crucifying again the Son of God and putting Him to an open shame.” It will all come out in the open in the final judgment, when it will be sadly too late for multitudes. But rejoice that the Holy Spirit can reveal that full truth to us today! There is blessed atonement in it.

November 1, 2005

More and more the principle of corporate guilt and corporate responsibility is being recognized by large institutions. Honest-hearted people in the tobacco industry are realizing their corporate responsibility for hastening the suffering and early deaths of large numbers of addicts.

McDonalds and other fast-food industries are feeling the same pinch of conscience. This leader of the industry is planning to be more aggressive in telling their customers the truth about the lethal fat content of their foods.

The Roman Catholic church hierarchy is forced to accept corporate responsibility for priests who molest children sexually. All alert, conscientious Roman Catholics are pained by their own corporate responsibility, however distant, in these crimes. Now the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church wants the church to repent for its 19th century support of slavery.

The leadership of a very prominent Protestant church in Germany and Austria have just published worldwide their confession of corporate guilt in their parents’ lauding of Adolph Hitler and their enthusiastic support of the Nazi regime which took place in a previous generation while the current generation were not involved. All this is the outworking of the divinely rooted principle of corporate guilt that we humans cannot escape (cf Lev. 26:40).

The ultimate involvement in corporate guilt is the rejection and murder of the Son of God when “we” humans in a corporate sense tortured and crucified Him. Resistance of the conviction of guilt which the Holy Spirit brings is seen by Heaven as an “insult” to Him. The ultimate, inevitable end: utter condemnation. Thank God, repentance is still possible!