The Right Lenses

It was once believed that eyewitness testimony in a court of law was the most powerful form of testimony. But things have since been learned about the reliability of such testimony.

"When a person witnesses an alleged crime, ambient conditions may prevent them from accurately perceiving and remembering what occurred. For instance, if an eyewitness witnesses an incident in poor lighting or from a distance, their recollections are less likely to be reliable. A person’s biases can affect the accuracy of his or her memories, and so can stress factors, such as the presence of a gun during an assault or violent crime."

Just as poor conditions and bias can affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, so too can a wrong context lead to an assumed approach, affecting a believer's understanding of Scripture. For instance, Scripture speaks of a veil that interferes with one's ability to perceive clearly what God has done and is now doing.

2Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded. For, until this day, the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

This refers to those who are still under the Old Covenant Law. They are still sentimental and nostalgic about what Moses gave.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

It is true that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is profitable. However, if it is being viewed through a veil of Old Covenant thinking, its profitability is diminished because the takeaway on what it desires to teach us is skewed.

I recommend reading the Old Testament through the lens of the New Covenant, so that one might extract from it the prophetic revelation the Holy Spirit originally placed within it concerning Christ Jesus.

Wearing sunglasses in a poorly lit room at night and claiming it helps one to see more clearly is a delusional perspective. That is why reading the Old Testament and claiming that placing it in its original context to understand it better makes one an expert at interpreting it is akin to wearing sunglasses in a dark room at night. Examining the truth of Scripture through a veil obscures clarity and, consequently, hinders one's understanding. This is why the glasses of the New Covenant are so important; having the veil removed matters. The veil is only removed in Christ!

I seek to read all Scripture through the lens of Christ and His New Covenant. Those are the right lenses. Everything in Scripture points to Jesus once the veil is removed. The law and the prophets fade into the background of history, and we begin to see and hear only Jesus as the Father has desired. Read all of Scripture, but make sure you have the right lenses on when you do.

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Perfected Forever

The title is a terminology that is somewhat foreign to most in this modern throw-away age. When it comes to the reliability of manmade products, we live with the reality that nothing lasts forever, let alone the idea that it is perfect.

I mean, who wouldn't like the perfect car, or the perfect house, or the perfect...

When we think of something as being perfect, it is not only what we've been looking for and longing for with great desire, but it also has longevity, and in that longevity lies reliability and dependability.

The idea of perfection is that of being without mistakes. The idea of forever implies that it will last as long as necessary, or even extend beyond the required time. In other words, it will outlast the expectation it was given.

We find this way of thinking conveyed in the letter to the Hebrews, particularly in the context of the priestly ministries.

Hebrews 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Now we know that when all things come to an end and everything is brought to its completion by God, there will no longer be a need for a high priest, for all will be in heaven for all eternity, and there will be no sin or imperfections of the flesh. That is why the word forever used in this passage is a different Greek word than the one used in another passage speaking about being perfected forever. The Greek word used here with regard to the priesthood ministry would imply for as long as is needed—an Age. At the same time, when describing the Son's perfection in general, it means eternal. There are no flaws in the Son, and there will never be. Jesus is absolutely perfect and cannot be improved upon.

So what are we to make of the other passage I referred to?

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

This is speaking to the reach of the sacrifice Jesus made for sin. The word "forever" in this passage was a different Greek word, meaning eternally. Jesus has eternally perfected those who are being sanctified. The language here is very interesting, because on one hand we are complete and already perfected in Christ, and on the other hand we are being sanctified. In other words, we are being set apart in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions of life by God Himself. While in spirit we are perfect, in body, there are times when our representation is out of sync, as we are being trained to think and act differently as a result of becoming increasingly convinced of the truth in our minds.

Perhaps we should consider the passage's context more fully so we can better understand what is happening here.

Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Your sin and my sin, past, present, and future, have been paid for by Jesus, who is a better High Priest and Better sacrifice than anything that could be offered up here on this earth. It is why there will never be a need for another offering for sin again. Jesus did it! His work was perfect! It is why Scripture can testify to our perfection in Him. Renewing our minds to the truth of the New Covenant and all that it brings brings us in sync with the victory that is ours in Christ. Do you believe you've been perfected forever?

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Are You Certain?

When I was a child, I thought that "Naptime" was a punishment. I was certain of it. Now, as a grown-up, I think it feels like a small vacation. My, how perspectives can change.

If you stop and think about it, there are likely many things that at one time you felt certain about but have since learned differently and have changed your mind concerning them.

This is also true regarding our thoughts on specific ideas derived from Scripture. While it is fresh and new to us, we are all in and highly committed to our newfound view. The question is, have we thoroughly considered it in the light of the whole of New Covenant truth?

Sometimes we can tend to isolate a particular truth and treat it as a stand-alone idea separate from all other ideas conveyed in the Scriptures. When this happens, the idea can become embellished to the point that its original intended purpose and position in the light of the whole truth can become skewed.

This was Paul's reason for advising Timothy to study to show himself approved by God, a worker who did not need to be ashamed because he was rightly dividing the word of truth from error.

For instance, I have heard some in a particular movement that is popular today declare that there is no such thing as destruction and eternal punishment because Jesus came to save the world due to God's great love. I appreciate how they are zealous about the love of God. I share their enthusiasm about it. It is marvelous for certain. But should my dwelling on it apart from all other Scripture permit me to brashly claim that there will be no eternal punishment or destruction?

I must examine all that is spoken in the New Covenant Scriptures to see if my position on the matter was supported by the original apostles of the church who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I must subject my idea on the matter to what is represented by the Scriptures.

If I hold to an extreme position on the matter of God's love and then, by human reasoning, make deductions and conclusions about it apart from a more thorough examination of the Scriptures, I may be disappointed, troubled, and ashamed when I read passages such as:

2Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I do not wish to speak too quickly and authoritatively without having done my due diligence in making sure my conclusions on the matter are not potentially refuted in another portion of New Covenant Scripture. I am not claiming to be perfect in this area myself. But I am more mindful of it than ever before, and I trust that the Holy Spirit will use that to my advantage for the benefit of those who take an interest in the things I have to say. So I will ask you again, "Are you certain?"

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Your Source Of Trust

People put their trust in many different individuals and things without even realizing it. It just comes naturally to them.

For instance, some people will buy something from Facebook Marketplace based solely on the seller's word. They trust that the individual selling something is being truthful. They even drive out to meet that individual in person to purchase once they decide to buy. They have no way of knowing if they're talking to the real person in the ad or someone pretending to be a decent law-abiding seller of goods. So they have no way of knowing if they are about to be taken advantage of in some way, but they take the risk anyway.

How many see a doctor and put trust in his or her opinion concerning their state of health and what he or she feels they need to take or to do in order to improve it?

I gleaned this little funny from Greg Mohr's book A Merry Heart.

It sounds like a Facebook Marketplace ad, but was actually an ad appearing in a metropolitan newspaper.

"Nice parachute. Never opened. Used once."

That's funny. However, it can also describe the futility of putting one's trust in a poor source. For instance, a believer who comes to know Jesus but then turns back to the law for righteousness, rather than trusting in the righteousness they received by faith in Jesus.

Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

I am not promoting the idea of being as bad as one can be in order to prove God's love for them. That would be as equally absurd as trusting in one's flesh to be good enough to start with.

I am promoting the idea that putting one's trust in their flesh to be good enough is a bad bargain, as the flesh is not a good source to trust, especially as it pertains to the kind of righteousness God accepts.

Failing to settle this matter of source is what leads many down the path of sitting with a daisy, plucking the petals one by one, as they say, "He loves me, He loves me not." Their sense of God's love is akin to riding a roller coaster, and it is based on their performance rather than Christ's performance on their behalf—your source of trust matters.

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Announcment

Starting today (6/17) until next Tuesday (6/24)

I will be out of pocket and unable to send out my usual daily devotionals.

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Looking Unto

I hope the title captured your curiosity. I own and ride a 1997 Police Edition Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle. I truly enjoy it, but I have to employ safe practices to do so. It is a very large and heavy bike.  It is classified as a cruiser, and for some, cruisers can be tricky to handle in tight turns.

The top riding trainer offers the following advice for turning without a problem.  Look where you want to go.  If you want to make a tight right turn, look at where you want to go.  You will not make the turn looking straight ahead or to the left.  To make an effective turn, you need to look at where you want to go.

Another road rule often offered to all who operate motorized vehicles is not to drive distracted. Distracted driving is a serious and dangerous practice that has led to numerous accidents.  Everyone should be looking at where they are going if they wish to get there.  To reach the end of your journey, you must always look in the right direction. There’s a spiritual principle that we can extract from this.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We're being told not to get distracted by things for the sake of temporary pleasure, because it can occupy us in the wrong way and use up our energies on the wrong thing.  We have a destination, a destiny!  To achieve that destiny, we will need endurance and focus.

Jesus is our example of this. He pressed through the most difficult of circumstances and the most severe temptations for distraction, and He endured the cross.  The joy of the promise of destiny was of greater value to Him than the trials and temptations of temporary comfort and convenience. He accomplished His purpose!

We are meant to draw inspiration from Him by looking unto Him and allowing Him to empower and comfort us in our moments of trial and difficulty.  He sent us the Holy Spirit for this very reason.

Jesus made us new creations that the Holy Spirit can inhabit. We now live according to the Spirit, empowered by Him. When we look to Jesus, we see Him as a man relying on the Holy Spirit’s supernatural help, enduring and pressing through every situation. His victory has become our victory. But we will not live in the realization and revelation of this marvelous privilege if we aren't looking unto Jesus!

Looking at ourselves for what we can bring to the moment is not helpful. Looking at others and what they brought to a similar situation might encourage us a little, but it is not the source we need most. If we want to reach where God has called us, we must look to the right place and the right person. I encourage you today to always be mindful of where, what, and who you are “Looking Unto.”

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Fruit Of Righteousness

I recall when I worked for an engineering and testing company; I wore a uniform that represented the company I worked for. I had a hat and shirts with a logo and color scheme, and I drove a vehicle with the company name on it. They wanted everyone to know what company I represented. The company also had a code of ethics to follow on the job because those under their employ were representing the company.

For generations, branding in the form of uniforms and logos on hats and shirts, along with a code of ethics representing the culture of a company or ministry, has been used to clearly indicate that a person wearing and conducting themselves in a certain way was part of the company. No one who is thankful for having a job or position that benefits them with a company or ministry spends their time complaining about it or making it an issue of offense or conflict. It has seemed apparent that those who are grateful for what they have been given are happy to dress the part.

I still remember the commercial for UPS, "What can brown do for you?" To this day, if someone sees a brown work truck or a person wearing a brown uniform, they automatically know it is a UPS vehicle or employee.

We could say that such behavior is a form of bearing the fruit of the company or ministry.

Jesus said something very important and wise.

Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

We live our lives according to who we truly are. I am a child of God, and therefore, I tend to conduct myself as such in all situations. When I came to Jesus in response to the Father's drawing and the Holy Spirit's conviction of my need for Him, I became a new creation, and it changed me at the core of my being.

Righteousness moved into me and replaced the unrighteousness that once ruled my life entirely. I discovered new desires and ways of seeing life, and out of that change in motivations and desires, I made different choices than I would have made before I came to know Jesus. Paul was not praying for the Philippians in ignorance when he prayed,

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Jesus is not ineffective in the work of transformation in a believer's life. When we live thankful lives, aware of His goodness and grace, we cannot help but bear the fruits of righteousness. In other words, we live out what we are within. This is why knowing who we are and whose we are is so important. It is why it says in,

Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

We were created in Christ to bear the fruits of righteousness by means of the resurrection life and power He gives us.

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Put Off And Put On

In matters of grace, it is most important that our trust be in the finished work of Christ and our confidence in the righteousness He has provided. That cannot be challenged as though it is somehow fragile and must be bolstered by our own efforts. These truths are more than made clear in the New Testament letters. That is why I emphasize the power of grace and remind believers of the love and righteousness of God they have received in Christ.

Equally true is the fact that a changed life is, in fact, just that - a changed life. I no longer live as I did before, only in pursuit of what pleases me in my flesh. This was deeply understood by the great apostle of grace, named Paul. In speaking to the Ephesians, he stated the following.

(NLT) Ephesians 4:17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

As new creations in Christ, we have been given a spiritual DNA that is distinctly different from what we were before we came to know Jesus. Sometimes we need to be reminded of this supernatural dynamic that took place within us, so that we do not return to our old ways of living before we came to know Jesus. Coming to Jesus taught us things about who He is and what He is like, and exposed the folly and futility in the way we lived prior to coming to know Him. Our lives were empty before we came to know Him, and now they are filled with true life, love, and hope because of Him, making us brand new. He made us something we weren't before, something that never existed prior to coming to Him.

(NLT) Ephesians 4:20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

I appreciate how Paul doesn't shy away from discussing our conduct while on this earth. But I appreciate even more how he always places such discussion on the foundation of who we are in Christ and what we have received from Him. In our fallen state, prior to Jesus, we were unable to choose good things out of sheer joy; we had to either choose them out of fear of being cursed or fail to choose them altogether due to lust for pleasure. In Christ, we now have the power to choose things out of sheer joy and appreciation for Christ and them. We can now see the beauty in them. How is that possible? We have a new nature created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

If the behavior I am choosing is out of step with who my Father is and who Christ is, then it is out of step with who I am now that I am in Christ. It truly is that simple. If I am letting the Holy Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes, I will find myself desiring to set aside things that, before coming to Him, had deceived me into thinking they could bring me fulfillment, joy, and prosperity of soul. My heart and my eyes have been opened to the goodness of God revealed in His righteousness given to me and the new life I have received in Jesus. When I am in the light as He is in the light, I discover that I see things for what they truly are, and I begin to desire to put away the unprofitable things. I take off the old clothing that I once wore and put on the new garments He has given me.

I do not dress in what He has given me to earn His love, affections, attention, or to merit His promises. I dress in what He has given me because I am proud to be known as His, by looking like one who belongs to Him, and I appreciate the beauty of His wardrobe on me.

I have come to realize that His wardrobe for me is my best look, so I put off the old look and put on the new one, which is more accurate to who I am now in Christ Jesus, which is truly righteous and holy.

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A New Creation

In the Apostle Paul's strongest letter, written to defend the gospel he preached, he concluded it with the following statement.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Being doers of good is not being legalistic or works-motivated.  It is not anti-grace to do good toward others, especially the household of faith. After all, we are instructed in other places in the New Testament Scriptures as follows.

Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

James 4:17   Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

God forbid that we should ever think that doing good from a place of being new in Christ and confident of being made righteous through Him by faith is somehow an anti-grace or anti gospel behavior.

In verse 11, we find that if Paul were texting in modern times, the advice we see here in Galatians would likely be expressed in all caps and ended with an exclamation point.

The problem with the men who came to Galatia to insist that the believers be circumcised had to do with moving the Galatians to reposition their trust and confidence in the flesh according to the law, as opposed to having been made a new creation in Christ. Thus, Paul exposes their hypocrisy very clearly.

Paul says they stand for circumcision to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. He then goes on to say that those promoting such things don't themselves keep the law. Their reason for promoting obedience to the law and having a show in the flesh according to it is so they might feel better about themselves. There's an old saying, "misery loves company." It appears that this is the primary motivation of these mixture preachers that Paul is exposing.

This leads Paul to his strong conclusion on this matter.  He says, "God forbid" that he boast in anything other than the cross of Jesus. It is by means of the cross that Paul died to the world, and by the same means, we also die to this world. It is when we are swallowed up in the story of Jesus on our behalf that we find ourselves changed and truly set free. It is in this identity as a new creation that we find ourselves living a totally different life than the one we had before we came to know Christ. Thus, only being a new creation brings us true victory over sin and this world.

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A True Testimony

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

This testimony describes the condition we were in before Christ and the condition we are in after coming to Him.

We were once dead in our trespasses and sins. But Jesus made us alive. We've been born again and given eternal life in Jesus and abundant life at that.

While we were in our trespasses and sins, we walked according to the course (pattern) of this world. That simply means we lived life the same way others outside of Jesus did. We were no different than those who do not know God in how we made our plans and decisions, and what we took delight in.

We were influenced by the prince of the power of the air, just as those who are still lost and without Christ are before we were born again. Those without Christ are described here as sons of disobedience who have the wrong spirit at work in them. We were also once in company with them and given to many of the same motivations and practices in life. We fulfilled the desires of our flesh and answered to the lust of the flesh as they still do today.

When we were without Christ, we were as they are now, children of wrath. But we were rescued from that position. Why and how were we rescued?

God, who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, made us alive together with Christ. We did not go on the hunt for God and initiate this rescue we have experienced. God made Himself known to us; He drew us to Christ by the working of His mighty power, and then Christ gave us His life by grace through faith.

Now God is no longer angry with us; in fact, we are seated together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Why? So that in the ages to come, God can show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. God wants to demonstrate His grace by being kind to us through Christ.  That is why this amazing blessing is not of us; it is not based on anything we did to merit it.

God created us anew in Christ with a purpose! That, with new motivation and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we would walk in the good works He has prepared for us beforehand. This is the testimony of all true believers in Christ Jesus.

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His Last Letter

The great apostle Paul wrote many letters to churches and is credited with contributing most of the New Testament.

His final letter, written just prior to his death, probably around 64 or 65 AD, while in prison for the second time in Rome, comes to us in the form of 2 Timothy, where he clarifies Timothy's calling and the importance of defending the gospel and being loyal to the faith.

I want to highlight something Paul wrote that I find to be profound concerning his gospel.

2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

I am especially drawn to verse 9 of these passages.  "God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ before time began."

They say the most honest and revealing important words a man will ever speak are those he speaks prior to his death. He has lived his life, and as a result, he has been able to deduce what is most important to him. He is thus able to speak with gravity concerning the things most valuable to him.

It is worth noting that, in sharing his heart with Timothy just prior to his death, Paul remains focused on the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He continues to speak out against the "works-based" gospels, declaring them not to be the gospel.

He affirms his view of the gospel as authoritative on the basis of it being God's intention in Christ Jesus from before time. In other words, this gospel that Paul preached, which was not works-based but rather grace-based, was the original gospel from before the dawn of time.

This particular gospel was the reason for all of Paul's sufferings. Mosaic Law zealots went out of their way to follow him around and create problems for him, and eventually found a way to have him imprisoned due to the gospel Paul preached that did not promote the law of Moses. Paul remained loyal in his heart to his fellow countrymen, the Jews, and loved them despite being persecuted by some of them. He loved them to the point of being willing to be put away if it would bring them to faith in Christ Jesus. In his heart, he longed for their salvation by means of accepting Jesus Christ as their Messiah, so long spoken of by the prophets and through the law of Moses.

I am encouraged when I see the consistency of this beloved apostle of the faith and his unwavering commitment, all the way up to his death, regarding the purity and importance of the gospel. I hope that you, too, will be inspired by the importance and power of keeping the gospel pure and simple, as Paul did. I pray this powerful man of God's last words will land powerfully on your heart with regard to the privilege of the gospel we possess.

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Settle The Matter

When it comes to having clarity and being free from confusion, it is essential to ensure that no contradicting information, posing as the truth, corrupts the genuine gospel message.

I've been amazed at how easily many will fight hard for a pet doctrine and yet ignore it when the gospel itself comes under attack by the leaven of performance or legalistic law-based thinking.

At the core of the true gospel is the matter of righteousness. Knowing whose righteousness you possess and why that fact matters can be life-altering. Allowing righteousness to come under fire by the leaven of an alternative argument to what the true gospel teaches us concerning this very important matter can lead to deep insecurity, chasing down methods to find security, and being open to practices that can even have demonic motivations intended to bewitch you and lead you down a wrong path.

Righteousness is a much bigger issue than some think it is. Remember, one of the items of our spiritual armor is the breastplate of righteousness.  Why is righteousness the breastplate? Because a breastplate protects the heart. Paul, in writing to the Galatians and addressing this matter of a little leaven coming in to corrupt the thinking of the Galatians regarding the gospel, says the following.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Notice how he uses the terminology, "Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" He uses this in regard to this matter of the gospel and what it has to say regarding righteousness. Righteousness is at the heart of our relationship with God. Without it, there can be no intimacy, no closeness, no sense of acceptance, no awareness of presence. When we allow teachings to come in and question the kind of righteousness we have received in Christ and the authority of that righteousness based on whose it is, we cannot help but struggle in the are of our ability to sense His presence and be aware of how He is always with us no matter what.

You see, if we allow the source, quality, and stability of righteousness to be challenged by someone who thinks the law is still the means of obtaining or even maintaining righteousness, we inadvertently testify that Jesus died for no real reason. We may not intend to say such a thing, but in essence, it is what we are testifying to.

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Jesus died to give us a righteousness that is not our own, cannot be merited, and can only be received by faith. It is the highest form of righteousness there is. It is God's righteousness, and it is ours by grace through faith in Jesus. This righteousness is manifested and testified to by the very experience of new life.

2Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We became righteous when we came to Christ in faith. We are now possessors of the righteousness of God. We did not earn it; we do not work to keep it. It is a matter of fact that we are now it! If anyone fails to settle this matter, they will struggle intermittently with insecurities that lead them to be open to various methods and gimmicks for achieving freedom and feeling better about themselves. Do not let anyone bewitch you with the notion that you are less than righteous now that you are in Christ. Settle the matter.

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No Longer Cursed

It is amazing how easily some can be convinced they are under a curse of some sort. Some even believe in generational curses, which is not a biblical concept. That idea was declared no longer valid by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel, even though it was still under the Old Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:29 In those days they shall say no more: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 But everyone shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Ezekiel 18:1 The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2 “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.

Some believe in curses because they are likely unaware of what Scripture actually says concerning such things. There is still one curse many are under, though. Were you aware that the surest way to be under a curse is to be under the law?

Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The curse of the law was separation and death due to violation. The law was not of faith, and it relied on the strength of man's fleshly resolve, which proved ineffective. Paul clearly understood this.

Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

When we come to Christ in faith, we come under the law of the Spirit, not the law of Moses. The law of the Spirit affirms us, empowers us, and delivers us. We are now in Christ and accredited with His obedience as a result. We've been made righteous with God's own righteousness in Christ.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Condemnation, shame, and continual guilt are the fruit of being under the wrong law. The fear of being cursed is the fruit of being under the wrong law. The wrong law now to be under is the Law of Moses, with all its commands and ordinances. It has no power to save; it only brings death and separation.

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Romans 8:9 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.

The New Covenant is a blood and Spirit Covenant based on the finished work of Christ and our faith in Him alone. Coming to Him in faith removes us from being cursed by the law. In Him, you are no longer cursed. This is why true freedom is found only in Christ, and that is why the gospel is so important.

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God’s Love Demonstrated

The greatest expression of the love of God came to us at our most unworthy state of being.  It came to us when we stood in the place of being alienated from God, enemies to God, and sinners separated from God.

While we were without strength, devoid of life, living in darkness, and not even inclined to look for God, Christ died for us.

Jesus did not die because we were able to get our act together to a certain level, making it easier for God to love us, as though His love were so weak that it could not be offered apart from our effort to earn it.

God is love, and expressing that love is not a difficult thing for Him. Christ is the evidence of this truth.

Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

God did not just say that He loved us. God demonstrated His love for us by sending His beloved Son to the cross on our behalf.

Jesus' blood forever removed our sins. We are fully justified. We were not partially justified and put in a position of having to work to finalize it. The blood of Christ secured our justification.

We are saved from wrath through Jesus Christ. God is no longer angry with us now that we are in Christ. The wrath against sin cannot touch us now that we have been set free from sin by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We are hidden from wrath by being placed in Christ.

We were not and are not reconciled to God through anything that we do. We were reconciled to God through the death of Jesus, and now that we are reconciled, we will no doubt be saved by Jesus' life.

Only by believing and taking God at His word concerning this are we empowered to rightly rejoice over our being reconciled. Sadly, many professing believers live their lives feeling less than reconciled to God. This is why the right gospel must be preached in the churches.

I want the gospel preached to my heart and soul over and over so that the seed of that word is buried deep in the soil of my heart and springs forth bearing an abundance of fruit. I know that God loves me and that He is not angry with me. I know He cares for me and will be faithful to me even during times when I am faithless. This revelation has a keeping anointing on it. It is anointed to motivate, empower, encourage, and strengthen any believer who will venture into it.

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Why The Spirit Was On Jesus

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

In these verses of Isaiah's Messianic prophecy, we discover the motivation and outcome of Jesus' ministry. We discover why Jesus was so anointed and what that anointing came to establish.

His mission involved bringing into existence specific things,

1. Proclamation of Good News.

2. Binding up the brokenhearted.

3. Proclaim freedom to captives.

4. Release prisoners from darkness.

5. Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

6. Proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.

7. To comfort all who mourn.

8. Provide for those who grieve.

9. Bestow crowns of beauty instead of ashes

10. Give the oil of joy instead of despair.

The number 10 represents the Holy Spirit, so I think it is no coincidence that these ten specific goals describe the ministry purpose of Jesus.

What is the intended outcome of these ten objectives of His ministry?

That we might be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

I think it is no coincidence that number 6 involves the vengeance of our God, and the number six is the number of man.

The vengeance this speaks of is not judgment on mankind. It is the judgment of God against the enemy, death, and the grave, and the source that gives them their power, which is sin. Christ overcame all of it for our sakes that we might enter into His story as redeemed, reconciled, fully righteous children of God. I know this issue of vengeance is of that sort because of the promised comfort that follows. It is a comfort to know that the power of the enemy has been stripped from Him and the source of His power has been judged because we have been declared righteous with the very righteousness of God in Christ.  It is why the next portion of Isaiah should light a fire of rejoicing and praise in us.

Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Everything about the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus was positive towards us. Everything He came to offer is glorious, beneficial, and uplifting. His ministry purpose was not to point out our faults and failures. He came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He is the reason we are a blessed people on this earth!

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Fraudulent Righteousness

Anyone who seeks righteousness apart from Christ alone is in rebellion against the righteousness of God. They have failed to submit to God's righteousness.

Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Trying to use the law to determine what to do regarding right or wrong, in the hope of getting it together enough to be acceptable to God, is the very thing that makes one unacceptable.

The Jews whom Paul was writing about were doing just that. They were ignorant of God's righteousness made available in Christ. Therefore, they sought to obtain their own righteousness by adhering to the law.

In Romans 10:2-4, it is clearly shown how such an action results in not being submitted to God's righteousness. It is a fraudulent righteousness!

No one can start, nor maintain a relationship with God by any other means of righteousness than that of God's own righteousness, which is only available by grace through faith in Christ.

There is no such thing as a genuine relationship with God apart from Jesus Christ. No matter how strongly a person may feel, or imagine it to be true that they have somehow drawn closer to God by some other means, they are deceived in thinking so because God has established the only way to know Him and to belong to Him and have a relationship with Him is through Jesus Christ.

John 10:1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus is the only way!

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It Is Abolished

I still remember when Ronald Reagan was president of the United States of America and Gorbechov was the leader os the Soviet Union.  I remember how Reagan declared at the Berlin Wall, a wall that separated West Germany from East Germany at the time.  Reagan declared, "Mr. Gorbechov, tear down this wall!" When the wall came down, the people from each side came through the opening and embraced and celebrated, because they were no longer separated.

The word abolished is a strong English word that was used to interpret the Greek word katargeo, meaning to abolish, cease, destroy, do away, put away, make void.

The English dictionary definition of 'abolish' as a verb means to formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).

So, what is the "It" that was abolished?

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

The "It" was the law of commandments contained in ordinances.

How did Jesus abolish the law of commandments contained in ordinances? By the offering of His flesh as a sacrifice on the cross.

Why did He do such a thing? To create one new man from both Jews and Gentiles. To make the process of reconciliation equal for all, regardless of natural heritage. Thus making peace a reality.

This peace was brought through the cross, the instrument of peace that all men and women are to look to for their inclusion. By doing this, He removed special privilege due to race or heritage.

Christ upon that cross was the end of the law for righteousness.

Just as Paul taught the church at Rome.

Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The middle wall of separation was the Law of Moses, which was exclusive to the Jewish people. It set them apart from all other peoples referred to as the Gentiles. It was the method of relating to God during its time, but its time came to a close once Christ died and established His new Covenant by His own blood. The law is abolished as being in any way used to make anyone right with God or to maintain being right once made so by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Have you concluded it is abolished?

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A Pastor’s Heart

Of all the fivefold ministry gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-16, I find that it is the pastor who is most in the trenches with the local expression of the body of Christ.

Pastors spend their lives with a local expression of the body of Christ, loving and getting to know the individuals who make up the fellowship of the saints as they walk with them through various life situations. They are more personally vested in the individuals who make up the body.

Pastors not only experience the various realities of life here on earth like everyone else, but they also share in the burdens of others, having received a call from Jesus to tend and care for them.

While an apostle might have concern for many churches in a more general sense, the pastor will be concerned for the church they have been commissioned to serve. Their focused attention to the local church they serve is vital to the health and well-being of that fellowship of believers. I think of the pastoral ministry as being in the trenches of everyday life with the saints.

Pastors are the ones with a commitment to aid the local expression of the body of Christ with walking in what is theirs according to His grace and life at work in them. They should be just as committed to getting the gospel right as the apostle, prophet, evangelist, or teacher should be. They do this while nurturing the saints with care on a level that differs from the other fivefold gifts.

Pastors are not priests; they do not act as mediators between the saints and God. They are not a go-between of sorts; they are called to come alongside and encourage and instruct believers in the truth of the gospel, equipping them to stand on their own in faith towards Jesus.

Pastors are the ones who walk with believers through the trials of life at the very raw and real levels in which they occur. They are those who are very closely vested in the lives of the ones they are called to serve. They feel, along with the saints, the successes, gains, losses, and failures that occur in daily life, all while having the same types of experiences themselves.

While pastors can be gentle in nature, they are also like sheepdogs protecting the flock from predators who would bring harm to the body. They will not sacrifice the whole for a single person out to harm themselves and others. They know how to be firm and draw a line that cannot be crossed for the safety of the fellowship of the saints. They embody the counsel given by the Holy Spirit through Paul when he spoke to the elders of Ephesus on the island of Miletus.

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Just as a father can be gentle towards his children and yet terrifying to an enemy out to hurt them, so are genuinely called pastors whose ministry is to nurture, care for, and protect the saints. If you have the benefit of being cared for by a true New Covenant-based pastor or pastors, give thanks to Jesus.

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An Apostle’s Resume

In the Bible, we find that Jesus called a former Pharisee of Pharisees to follow Him. That man's name was once Saul, but it was later changed to Paul.

Paul, as an Apostle of Jesus, was sent to the Gentiles to preach the gospel and establish the church in the nations.

Paul's heart ached for the churches due to the great desire the Holy Spirit had placed within his heart for their strengthening, stability, growth, and maturity in the gospel.

There were times when Paul had to contend with the rise of what he referred to as super-apostles. These so-called super-apostles appeared to be good on the outside, but they lacked the purity and sincerity they should have possessed. They would come in behind Paul and seek to captivate and draw the churches he had labored to establish in the gospel to themselves.

It was really at work in Corinth as the church was being mesmerized by these others who came to them. It led to Paul's concern for them regarding the simplicity that is in Christ and his concern that they would give their ears to another gospel.

As a result, it led Paul to speak of the traits of a true apostle and the things he had suffered as one who not only cared for them, but also for all the churches. I call it an apostle's resume.

2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my weakness. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

The situations Paul endured were no match for the daily concerns he carried with him for all the churches. This language compares to that of a parent regarding their children.

Paul was not in the ministry for popularity. He did not show up on the scene like a superhero. He was able to identify with the ones he ministered to. He was in it because he was called, and that calling led him to suffer in order to bring the good news to the nations. Paul was fellowshipping in the sufferings of Christ so that others might discover the love of Christ and the sacrifice Jesus made to bring them into a relationship with the Father.

A five-fold calling is not meant to be cold and calloused about the churches, merely caring about a message and the possibility of an offering. It will, at its own expense, seek to bless and care for the churches it is called to minister to. After all, these ministry expressions are expressions of the heart of Jesus for His bride. That type of heart does not come without deep affection and a desire to be a true blessing. It is important to know the heart of those who seek to minister the seed of the word and the heart of Christ to you.

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Avoid The Yoke

Here in the United States of America, we just recently observed Memorial Day, which is meant to remind us of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom as a nation. It is meant to cause us to reflect on the cost of the freedom we enjoy.

Freedom from the tyranny of any kind is important to all people. Freedom was also important for the church.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

In Scripture, we discover that there were law zealots who wished to bring believers back under the law as a means of proving their devotion to God and a genuine salvation. They demanded that Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses if they were truly sincere about following God. They caused problems in Antioch and then later in Galatia and other places.

The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to settle the matter once and for all time. It caused no small stir among the church when they came.

Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

According to the Dictionary, the word "yoke" is used to describe something that is regarded as oppressive or burdensome.

In Greek, this English word was used to interpret the word Zugos, meaning to join, a coupling, servitude, or an obligation.

Pay attention to what others wish to bind you to. To enjoy your freedom in Christ, you must understand that Christ set us free for freedom, not to be put under a yoke of traditions or that of the law of Moses or any other manmade ordinance claiming to be a means of obtaining or maintaining righteousness and peace with God. The only way to experience true peace with God and a vibrant relationship is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. No believer should be subjected to the law as a means of gaining righteousness initially or to maintain afterward.

Acts 15:23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment

Avoid the yoke of bondage that being brought back under the law is. We are to be yoked with Christ, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and we find peace for our souls in Him.

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