BRIGHTEN UP

 

Sunday, March 27, 2022

 

BRIGHTEN UP

 

Ps 122:1

122 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

KJV

 

          It is Sunday again, and my wife and I could not be more excited! Today we install and welcome our new pastor. Oh, we had more-than-adequate support staff and two wonderful interims but today we celebrate God’s gift to our church. Ephesians 4:11 is clear when it confirms that shepherd-teachers are gifts.

 

          The meaning of the word GLAD, in our text, is “to brighten up; to be blithe [happy or joyous] or gleesome.” Is that what church does to your mood? I am energized by my church fellowship.

 

          In 1914, Rufus H. McDaniel wrote a happy hymn that has, unfortunately, faded into church history. Perhaps we should dust it off and sing it with a smile.

 

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

 

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

Since Jesus came into my heart;

I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

 

Refrain:

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

 

Dear Lord, make your praise glorious in your house today. AMEN

 

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

 

Saturday, March 26, 2022

 

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

 

2 Tim 3:1-5

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, [without self-control] fierce, [savage] despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

KJV

 

          Those who think the Christian life will usher in a utopian kingdom are just not paying attention. Yes, indeed, living the Christian life is far better than the alternative, but Paul wrote his words from prison. He had been beaten, stoned with real stones, and left for dead, shipwrecked and otherwise abused simply for suggesting that Jesus was God-in-the-flesh and that He died and rose again on the third day!

 

          We are now experiencing the culture which is a product of rejecting the values of Christianity. We have traversed from Father-knows-best to “I can’t discern the identity of a woman because I am not a biologist.” The disregard for human life begins with abortion, continues with abuse, and finally ends with the idea of euthanasia. “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God!”  

 

          Yes, I know, these are not the preferred thoughts of a sleepy Saturday morning, but if we are careening headlong toward an uncomfortable meeting with God, perhaps it might be beneficial to prepare for that meeting.

 

          The Ten Commandments, broadly viewed, addresses two relationships. One is our relationship with God and the second is our relationship with all others. This might be a good place to start the renovation of our culture. All sorts of questions find their answer in these ten guide stones.

 

1 Tim 6:11-12

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, [ seize it eagerly] whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

 

Dear Lord, give those who seek you a lighted path for we have found ourselves in a dark place indeed. AMEN

NO CONDEMNATION!

 

Friday, March 25, 2022

 

NO CONDEMNATION!

 

Rom 8:1-4

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

          The words “righteous” and “righteousness” seem to refer to the conformity to some generally acceptable standard of being and doing. Thayer says that righteousness is “the state of him who is such as he ought to be.” Prior to the giving of the law, cultural custom established what was right and the general population either conformed or not. Non-conformists were “unrighteous.”

 

          The Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, specifically spelled out God’s standard of acceptable behavior. Within the list are both dos and don’ts. “To be sure, in the days of the Pharisees, righteousness came to be so much a matter of externals that the inner intent was often lost sight of altogether (Matt 23:23); but, on the whole and in the main, Christian thought in all ages has recognized as the central element in righteousness the intention to be and do right.” (From International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia.)

 

          Jesus came to change the paradigm of righteousness. Because man had failed in doing, Jesus came to introduce righteousness by being. Now the righteousness without the law is introduced (Romans 3:21). Yet Jesus explained that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20). The Law promoted conformity to deeds and creeds while Jesus introduced righteousness through relationship. We who are unrighteous are declared to be righteous through relationship with Christ.

 

          Conformity to God’s standards, obligation to obey and accountability for disobedience has not been removed but Jesus has introduced a new means of reckoning (Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is by grace without conformity to the law, but that relationship does not remove responsibility. We are His workmanship unto (epi) good works. So, while good works do not produce salvation, salvation should produce good works. I am unrighteous but I have been infused with the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This new relationship empowers me and enables me to progressively conform to the image of Christ.

 

Dear Jesus, once again I have failed to explain the incomprehensible. This is as it should be. The grace of God that brings salvation is contrary to every standard of man. Because you suffered, I am released. Because you obeyed, my disobedience is forgiven. Thank you for your wonderful salvation. AMEN