A DIFFERENT KIND OF JUDGMENT

 

Friday, January 17, 2025

 

A DIFFERENT KIND OF JUDGMENT

 

Eph 2:14-15

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 

          It didn’t take man vary long to make a mess of things and lose for himself and for us the blessings of the Garden and God. He was thrust out of paradise and things only grew worse from there. Six chapters after creation, God was thoroughly disappointed with man and so He decided to start over. Noah and his family were spared but the rest of creation was drowned in a global flood. This was judgement.

 

          Lot settled in Sodom, and it was an uncomfortable settlement. Ultimately God rescued him from a rain of fire and sulfur. This was judgement.

 

          Years later man was once again deserving of judgement, but God had a plan to both destroy man and to save him. It would require a God-Man. In Jesus God could both curse sin and cure it. All of God’s wrath would be exhausted upon Jesus as man’s representative and provide the believing man a way of escape. This was grace.

 

Free from the law, oh, happy condition!

Jesus has bled, and there is remission;

Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,

Grace has redeemed us once for all.

(P.P. Bliss 1871)

 

Lord, you could not ignore your wrath and you could not ignore your mercy so Jesus received my judgement so that I might receive your grace. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

MERIT!

 

Thursday, January 16, 2025

 

MERIT!

 

Eph 2:4-10

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

          The word “merit” does not appear anywhere in the Bible. This English word, as a noun, means “laudable or blameworthy traits or actions; conduct deserving reward or honor.” As a verb, the word means “to earn or deserve.”

 

          The concepts of merit or demerit have been planted deeply into our psyche and have born abundant fruit. The concept of merit is contrary to the concept of grace. Three phrases stand out in our portion of Scripture which capture our attention and imagination. First, we were dead in our sins; totally unable to respond to Christ. Then we learn that salvation is not of ourselves and not of works. Finally, we are told that salvation is a product of His workmanship. Despite this three-fold reinforcement of the facts, we still fail to understand.

 

          The word “works,” in verse 9 is the Greek ergon and simply means toil. Salvation is not achieved through strenuous effort or even strong desire. The word “workmanship,” on the other hand, is poiema and literally means fabric! The white robe of our salvation was spun, woven, cut, sewn, and crafted by Christ Himself. We are His workmanship.

 

          The closest word we have to “merit” in Scripture is the word “worthy” and we see it at the end of Romans chapter one. After a long list of sins, verse 32 declares that those who sin are “worthy of death.” Chapter two begins with a conclusion by declaring man inexcusable.

 

Oh, Thou virtuous God! I have rightly earned only condemnation, death, and eternal separation from you. Yet, through no merit of my own, I am accepted, given eternal life and friendship with Thee, O majestic creator. Treat me today as one of Thy little birds who do not plant nor harvest nor gather into barns. Yet daily you provide them their meat. O God be thou to me not only my substance but my Savior and my friend. AMEN

 

OUR LAST ENEMY

 

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

 

OUR LAST ENEMY

 

1 Cor 15:22-26

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

Col 2:13-15

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 

          I envision a vast battlefield upon which is scattered the broken remains of vanquished foes. Yonder lies in a heap disappointment, bitterness, and despair. The dismembered remains of poverty, prejudice and ignorance lie next to them. Lust, greed, and evil ambition come running to the rescue only to be cut down in mid-stride by the Captain of our faith.

 

          I stand with my sword in hand, but it is my Captain who wields the gleaming two-edged sword. It glistens in the sunlight and clangs at the impact with first one enemy and then another. But I see the approach of another enemy. It is the last enemy, and he rides a black horse shiny with sweat, and with evil, purposeful eyes. It is death and he is coming for me.

 

          The Captain kicks his horse and sparks fly as his mount claws the earth. He lifts his sword and charges to intercept the last enemy remaining. Death spurs on his mount and, ignoring my Captain, seems determined to vanquish my soul. They clash in an indescribable clatter. Death thrusts his cruel sword into my Captain delivering a mortal blow but my Captain, with his last effort, cuts Death asunder. Christ took the blow meant for me then rose again the third day to make a display of the weakness of Death.

 

1 Cor 15:55-57

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Oh, my Captain, thank you for defeating death and giving me eternal life. AMEN