Reflections

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”  Mark 10:17-22 NKJV

The Rich Young Ruler was so happy to see Jesus.  He came running to Jesus and knelt before Him.  This indicated the young man knew who Jesus was and that he knew the secrets of eternal life.  Majority of people even unbelievers long to know the secrets of eternal life.

The Rich Young Ruler asked Jesus what should he do to inherit eternal life?  There was excitement and anticipation.  So Jesus discusses the commandments.  To the young man’s delight he was able to answer Jesus with confidence that he kept all the commandments from his youth.  He was a good man.  Most likely had a good reputation considering that he was rich and a ruler.  He was a man that had authority.

Jesus looked a this young man with love and told him he lacked one thing. Jesus was talking about His destiny, His calling. Yes the young man was asking about eternity but Jesus had a plan for this young man. So Jesus asked him to sell whatever he had, give to the poor, but notice the reward – treasures in heaven. By giving up earthly treasures Jesus was telling him he would have treasures in heaven. That would be his reward. Then Jesus asked him to come back to Jesus, take up his cross and follow Jesus. That was the young man’s calling to come and follow Jesus. Unfortunately, the Rich young ruler was sad when he heard what Jesus was asking of him, because he could not give up what he possessed. He didn’t want to let go of all the good things he had. So he walked away in sorrow.

Jesus gave this Young Rich Ruler a command. This was his assignment. The young man chose to disobey Jesus in this aspect. Although he was someone who kept the law from his youth. This path he could not choose for the sake of Jesus. It would cost him all his possessions. He didn’t know or have faith in what Jesus was telling him. His trust was in his possessions. It was through his possessions and good works that he wanted to demonstrate that he had faith in God. Isn’t this true about so many of us today. We think we are demonstrating our faith in God by believing in what God can give us and what we can receive based on our asking and praying. But for the Rich Young Ruler true faith was following Jesus to see what Jesus had to offer. To take up his cross and follow Jesus. This is real faith. So what if he possessed all the riches. He could not take it with him into eternity. Jesus was telling him to let go so he could have the treasure of heaven. But that is not visible now or tangible. The Rich Young Ruler really did not have eternity in mind, but Jesus did because what Jesus was offering him would be for all eternity. Following Jesus is an eternal journey full of eternal promises but it comes at a cost in this life that we have today.

Many walk away from their calling. They do not want to take up their cross. They do not want to let go of the “good” things in life. It could be a career, a relationship, friendships, family, a place of comfort, even some find comfort in dysfunction. It costs us to follow Jesus. There is no promise of absolute perfect health, wealth and prosperity in following Jesus. It may cost you everything and in exchange you get trouble, suffering, oppression, tribulations in this life. You may fall out of favor with men. Some find the cost too high.

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

Job 19:25-27 NKJV

Have you ever thought what it will be like to see Jesus with your own eyes?  It is wondeful that we believe in Jesus even though we have not seen Him face to face.  Even Job longed for the day He would see Jesus.  This Hope is what should spur our faith.  We have only tasted what Jesus is like.  The day is coming when our eyes will behold Him, and we will see Him face to face.

This reminds me how over 20 years ago I met my husband on eHarmony.  We lived in different states, so we mostly talked on the phone.  There was no FaceTime or Skype at that time.  All we could exchange were photos.  Finally, two months after our first connection we were going to meet in person.  I remember the excitement and I wondered would he look like I imagined?  It was wonderful seeing him up close and in the flesh.  I truly enjoyed our time together.  When he left town, it made our phone conversations much more enjoyable since we finally met face to face.

I often reflect on what Jesus must look like in person. We have several images, but they will never capture the fullness of Jesus. I find it thrilling that one day we will be face to face with Jesus. It excites me that He knows me and knows my name. I am not a stranger to Jesus. This is what my Hope is rooted in – the return of Jesus Christ and the day we will see Him in the flesh. What a glorious day that will be.

“Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or deliver you; they are worthless.”

1 Samuel 12:21 HCSB

 

There are many demonic symbols associated with Halloween and the Day of the Dead.  Both of these events are celebrated by some Christians.  It is seen as harmless because no one is getting hurt and it is all for fun.  Some even try to create Christian activities to go along with the celebrations.  What is wrong with dressing up in costumes and having fun?

 

We should ask ourselves is it edifying to the Body of Christ and the communities we serve?  Why would we want to promote things rooted in witchcraft and death?  Many times, we will just point to our culture and say it is acceptable.  It is not acceptable in God’s eye.  Just as Samuel the prophet admonished Israel don’t follow worthless things.  We should be going after the things of God that would deliver us from evil and bring about life.  God does not represent death.  Satan does and so does sin.  Yet we follow things that celebrate death.

 

How can we as Christians that are supposed to represent light associate with such darkness?  Our society is consumed with symbols that represent the demonic and death. Just look at what is popular in the entertainment arena.  There is an obsession with death and horror.

 

We may think it in big deal to indulge in these things, but it does hamper our walk with God.  How many things do we neglect concerning our walk with God. Where do we spend our time?  We have been set apart for God.  Remember our life does not belong to us, we were purchased by Jesus’s blood.  Our lives belong to Jesus Christ.  Let us stop pursuing worthless things.  Especially those things that only lead to death and destruction.

 

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.”  Hosea4:6HCSB

 

Halloween is here and as Christians we continue to debate whether it is a holiday that we should or should not participate.  There are varying views, but many of us really lack knowledge in what this holiday is rooted in.  Halloween has become so commercialized and embedded in our society that most people see it as just a day to dress up in costumes, have parties and getting lots of candy.  We do not really think about its origin or what it signifies.

 

There is enough information for us to now learn what this celebration actually represents.  As Christians, we must ask ourselves are we honoring God.  It may not seem like a big deal but does our participation further our message of the cross?  Does everything we do have to represent the message of Jesus?  We must examine our hearts and ask how much effort we put into things that are holy versus unholy.  What knowledge are we acquiring?  Are we growing in the knowledge of God?  Are we understanding the things that please God or that please man?

 

We really should take time to learn about the things we give our time to. If you are celebrating Halloween this year, take some time to get to know about its origin. It’s role in witchcraft and satanic worship. Discover the truth behind the symbols that are used on Halloween. Once you do this then ask yourself if what you are doing brings life to your witness as a Christian or death? We have a responsibility as Christians to understand the events we participate in and how it compares to the time and effort we spend with God.

“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

Ezekiel22:26NKJV

 

As Christians we are called a Royal Priesthood.  Of course, Jesus is our High Priest.  Also, our bodies are the temple of God.  God no longer resides in the ark of the covenant but those of us that are in Christ.  It is imperative that we understand this.  Our bodies are the temple of God.  We are set apart to be Holy.  We are in the world, but we are not of this world.

 

When we allow ourselves to conform to the ways of the world, we actually end up mixing the holy and unholy. As the above scriptures state we do not distinguish the holy from the unholy and the clean from the unclean. A perfect example is what is coming this week – Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Both these days are celebrated by Christians with really no regard to how it impacts the laws of God. Many do not see it as a big deal to take time out and participate in these two activities. However, God is clear when we do not distinguish between the Holy and unholy, we profane God’s name.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Contrast between good and bad, we see different seasons of life even the troubles and evil.

Ecclesiastes 3: 9-15. Here we see God is the master of time.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Verse 11 tells us God has made everything beautiful in its time. The balance of the above lists shows that everything is beautiful.

It is important for us to understand the time and season we are in. Often times our prayers are not answered because we are asking for the right thing at the wrong time. For example, we want to see a harvest in a time of sowing.

Also, we can experience delays in our life because we do not do what God has told us to do in the time and season to do it in. For example, if we do not sow when it is time to sow then we will not reap a harvest. There will be a delay in our harvest. Certain things must be done during their appointed time. Even on the earth we see this.

It is so important for us to do things in God’s timing. God has also set eternity in the hearts of men.

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Matthew 19:16–22 NKJV

 

Today we define good as doing acts of kindness, showing compassion, helping others. But is that really how we define good? What standard are we using to judge goodness. For example, In the US we think it is good to take care of dogs and make them our companion. Any kind of mistreatment of dogs is considered animal cruelty. However, in some countries dogs are seen as good for food and they eat them. How good or how evil? Which is it?

GOD IS OUR STANDARD OF GOOD

In Matthew 19:16-22, Jesus tells us that God is the only one that is good. Jesus was not saying the young man was not good, but the standard of goodness is God. God determines what is good and evil.

MAN’S STANDARD OF WHAT IS GOOD IS CONTRARY TO GOD

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

Adam and Eve were told they could eat of any tree in the garden except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God told them that the day they ate from that tree they would die. Satan comes along and speaks to Eve and tempts her to eat from the tree of knowledge.

“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? ” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.” Genesis 3:1-7 HCSB

Here we see that when Eve looked at the fruit and saw that it was good for food and delightful to look at. There are so many things in the world that look good to us but are not, instead they lead to death. This was the case in the garden.

After the fall of man, people began to do evil things in the sight of God. Mankind became so evil that God even regretted creating man. So, God sent a flood and the only person that found favor in God’s eyes was Noah. God did a reset with mankind through Noah but still generation after generation man continued to do evil.

Actually, when God created Adam and Eve, He did not want them to know about evil. He just wanted them to experience his goodness. His creation was good, and they were good because they had been made in the image of God.

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”” Genesis 3:5 NKJV

God knew that once man’s eyes were open knowing good and evil, they would choose evil.

NO ONE IS GOOD

We have this misconception that humans are inherently good, we are not. Part of the curse of the fall is that we have in our nature to rebel against God. Remember good is God’s standard not man’s. Since mankind seeks to follow our own way, we reject God.

“The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.” Psalms 14:1-3 HCSB

Paul repeats this in Romans chapter 3. In Romans Chapter one he talks about how God gave mankind over to their lusts, their sin. They refused to acknowledge God.

“There is certainly no righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 HCSB

WE CAN ONLY OBTAIN GOODNESS THROUGH GOD

We cannot become good on our own. Only God is good so we must first be reconciled to God, repent of our sins, call upon Jesus and be saved. Jesus enables us to do what is right. God sent His Holy Spirit so that we will do what is good and right. As Christians we are called to do what is good and right. We are expected to do good works. We will be judged not for our sin (Jesus paid for our sins) but our works will be judged. God is our measure of good. We must discern what is good.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul tells Timothy that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, it tells us what is good and right, it brings reproof and correction, it instructs us so that we may be complete and equipped for every good work.

The Bible is our standard of goodness. If we want to live a good and obedient life then we must read, learn and memorize scriptures. When the law was given, it could not save man, but it did give an insight on what was right, what was good and that which is evil. It is God’s standard, and we cannot ignore God’s word. That is what Adam and Eve did and it led to death.

We know that we are children of God by our good works.

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” III John 1:11 NKJV

“Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken.” Amos 5:14 NKJV

“For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.” Romans 16:19 NKJV

 

 

 

 

 

 

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross — whether things on earth or things in heaven. Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him — if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.”

Colossians 1:15–23 HCSB

 

Let us break down what Paul is saying here:

Jesus is divine and Human. He is the image of God. Jesus told his disciples if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. He is part of the triune God. He sits at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus is our creator. For everything was created by Him. We exist because He exist. He was in the beginning. He is the word just as the word was in the beginning. He is the word that became flesh. So when God spoke “Let there be…” Jesus created. As Paul states all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Jesus is the Head of the Church. He is our High Priest. The church is His bride, the church is the body of Christ made up of many parts.

“for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:23-27 HCSB

Jesus is the firstborn of the dead. He was the first to be resurrected from the dead. He was dead for three days. He conquered death which is the penalty of sin. He died for our sins and died in our place. His resurrection sets up for those that are in Christ will be resurrected on the day He returns.

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6 NKJV

“He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens — far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.”Ephesians 1:20-23 HCSB

Jesus has reconciled us to the Father.  Peace has come from the cross.  One day Jesus will return to reign on the earth and bring peace to all nations.  Through Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins He has made us blameless before the Father.  Just as sin came into the world through one man Adam.  Salvation has come through one man Jesus Christ.

“He took the bronze altar that was before the Lord in front of the temple between his altar and the Lord’s temple, and put it on the north side of his altar. Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering. Also offer the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of sacrifice. The bronze altar will be for me to seek guidance.” Uriah the priest did everything King Ahaz commanded.” 2 Kings 16:14-16HCSB

In the Old Testament the Lord’s Temple and the King’s palace where separate from each other. God did not want the king to take the place of the priest in the temple. It was the priest that was to go before the Lord in the temple and the people would bring their offerings to the temple. It was the priest that would take the offerings and present them before God.

King Ahaz, Judah’s King, had traveled to Damascus and met with the King of Assyria. King Ahaz saw the model of the altar in Damascus that was offered to their gods. So King Ahaz sent the model of the altar to the priest Uriah. Uriah build the altar to the King’s specifications. By the time King Ahaz returned the altar was completed. Then King Ahaz approached the altar and ascended it. He also offered sacrifices on the altar. Then King Ahaz removed the bronze altar that was before the Lord, and put his altar in front of the temple, and moved the bronze altar to the north side of his altar. King Ahaz then instructed the priest Uriah to make offerings of the king and the people on the altar he built and sprinkle the blood of the offerings on that altar. The bronze altar would be used for King Ahaz to seek guidance from the Lord. Uriah the priest did everything the king commanded. (2 Kings 16: 10-16)

As you read this story you know all of this was an abomination to the Lord (Yahweh).  The Lord our God is to be worshiped only and no other gods or idols are to be in our midst.  Israel including Judah consistently would worship both God and Baal.   They would go in the temple to worship God but outside the temple would erect high places and worship other gods like Baal.

King Ahaz had brought a strange form of worship to the temple and to the people and still wanted to consult God for guidance.  He wanted God’s guidance in defeating his enemies but refused to bring his offerings and the people’s offerings to God.  He wanted the benefit of knowing God but did not want to worship or honor God according to God’s standards and law.

We see this today in politics.  Many of our leaders want the benefit of what religion offers but do not want to make Jesus their Lord.  This is why Christian Nationalism is dangerous.  People want to mix Christianity and politics together but it does not work.  Often what happens under Christian nationalism is the ideals and beliefs are shaped through politics and not the teachings of Jesus.  Many are designing an altar that has some of the attributes of the Christian faith but lack the reverence and glory of Jesus Christ.  So that platform may have some attributes of the Christian faith but it is not rooted in the person of Jesus Christ.  Instead if we look closely man is being elevated.  As a result we have witnessed the worship of man instead of the worship of God.  The people may seek God’s guidance on how to win, take power and defeat their enemies but they are not seeking to worship and honor God.    They have exchanged what is holy for that which is corrupt.

As Christians we are a royal priesthood.  So politicians and political groups will try and use us to get what they want to obtain power.  We must remember that Jesus is the Kings of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  All authority belongs to Jesus.  Any leader will have to give an account to Jesus.  As Christians and as the church we are supposed to care for the people and demonstrate the love of Jesus.  We are to be advancing the gospel and making disciples.  It is through our good works in Jesus that will allow Jesus to be exalted and this nation to also be exalted.  God intention for the government is to bring justice to the people.  It was the priests that directed to the people toward God and taught them to worship and honor God, including the King.  We now have a King (Jesus) that we are to honor with our lives and offer ourselves as living sacrifices.  We are to offer ourselves to Jesus and Jesus alone.

There is nothing wrong with us getting involved in government if we serve as we serve the Lord.  We must be obedient to what Jesus tells us and be led by the Spirit and not our flesh.  Too often in politics people are led by their flesh and the patterns of this world.  The evidence of this is in the fruit.  When you look closely at the fruit of Christian nationalism you will understand its roots.  So as Christian Nationalism is on the rise take a look at its fruit.  On the surface through rallies, speeches and the media we will only see a small portion of what is going on.  The fruit will tell us what is at its core.  The Bible is clear about the fruit we are to exhibit.  The Bible is also clear about the fruit of the wicked.  We do not have to be deceived because Jesus said we would know them by their fruit.

“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance — as I told you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:19-22, 24 HCSB