The Penalty and the Price

 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.  Genesis 3:21

When God created everything, it was perfect. Mankind’s purposes and priorities were perfect also. The Big Lie, Lucifer (Satan), used to deceive Adam and Eve out of their eternal inheritance was that God’s motives were questionable at best and His commandments were biased with suspicion and jealousy. 

In reality, in mankind being placed into a perfect and eternal setting, the Creator knew the suffering and destruction sin would bring to Creation and warned of its consequences. God was not withholding anything from our first parents; He was protecting them.

The penalty for sin was the price.  No one could pay it.  There was not enough righteousness outside of God, Himself, that could satisfy His wrath against it. Sin was something so heinous it would hurl mankind into a pit of wretchedness, death, and despair. 

A payment so terrible was demanded to cover it and that demand was the shedding of innocent blood.  The first blood shed was by the animals God sacrificed to clothe Adam and Eve. Scripture doesn’t say how it happened, but I believe God had Adam and Eve watch Him kill two of their beloved, (and innocent), animals, to bring home to them the ruin sin had brought and how horrible a price to Creation it would be. 

So why did God allow humanity to become slaves to sin?  Because He knew Adam and Eve would fail and His plan all along was to reveal His glorious Love and Nature by paying the debt Himself.  He gave the promise in Genesis 3:15, that was fulfilled through the shedding of the innocent blood of His own dear Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus would crush the head of the serpent (destroying slavery to sin) and the serpent would bruise His heel (death by crucifixion). The Perfect Sacrifice was made not with a temporary covering, but a once-for-all offering, meant to bring us into eternal redemption with God when we accept it (Hebrews 9:12).

Satan questioned God’s goodness when he said to Eve, “Did God really say that?” (Genesis 3:1).  While God did say it, the LORD immediately put His payment on the table to deal with it. In a generation yet to come, the world would watch as He allowed His Lamb to be crucified by the very race He came to save.  John the Baptist so rightly declared of Jesus Christ, “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29). And indeed, that Lamb clothed the world in robes of righteousness to His honor, glory and worship.

People will ask, “But at what price to us?”  The statement ought to be, “What an astounding price God paid with His own little Lamb, while we laughed and mocked Him!” It was truly amazing grace. That is a price that will never be matched.  It is a price that can never be repaid. Thanks be to God for the perfect lamb and the Robe of Righteousness He placed upon us. One Lamb was enough.

Ken   

Family Aflame

And he [Christ] has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.  1^st John 4:21

There are times when Christians will do things, unfortunately, to the detriment of a brother or sister in Christ. Most times it is a struggle of the wills and the offending brother or sister will be right. But it is said, “Doing the right thing is very different than always having to be right.”

I know a man whose wife was caught in an adulterous affair.  She refused his attempts to get her to go to Christian counseling. After months of refusal, she filed for divorce in spite of his pleas to work toward reconciliation.  When this man returned to his home church, because of his wife’s willful sin of adultery, his church body made him guilty by association and shunned him.

One parishioner who was a senior citizen (and ought to have known better), went at this man one night and castigated him because he had remarried.  My friend brought up Matthew 19:9 to his antagonist, where Jesus spoke of the sin of adultery being the only grounds for divorce, reminding him of what his wife had done to him.  This senior lost his temper and said, “I don’t care what it says!  You’re divorced!”  It is interesting this senior believed all the words of Jesus were inspired, except these, and allowed his biases and lack of love and grace, to attack a brother who was wounded and hurting.  It has been said, “The Christian Army is the only army in the world that shoots its own wounded.”  A saying so aptly demonstrated by far too many Christians.

Paul likens the character of walking in the Spirit to “fruits.”  Some of these fruits are Love, Forbearance, Kindness, and Gentleness.  There is no law against these (Galatians 5:22-23).  I don’t see anger, wrath, blame, judgment, or shunning there.

It is well we remember people tend to become angry when they talk about their beliefs, but seldom do when they speak of their convictions. If in reading this you are angry at what I share today, take a look at where those feelings are in your body.  Are they coming from your beliefs, or convictions? From sound Scriptural doctrine or a religion of legalism?  Jesus does call us to doctrinal purity, for sure, but in love, and not our biases. 

We will all have to give an account to Him for everything we’ve done in this body, both good and bad (2^nd Corinthians 5:10). He was our example of how to respond in righteousness (John 8:1-11).  It would do well to imitate His example when the anger tends to leave family members aflame.

Ken   

Timeless Truths Worth Retelling

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 (NIV)

The realities of God’s timeless truths come directly from His thoughts to remind us, and from His heart of pure love to protect and heal us.  This week I was again reminded of these things and thought it would be appropriate to share them:

People who die, young or old, don’t become angels.  Not everyone who dies goes to heaven. In Matthew 7:14 Jesus said there would be few.  Dad may pray for you, but Dad can’t put you in heaven.  You may join a church, but membership can’t get you into heaven. Being baptized won’t get you into  heaven. A minister, may speak at your funeral, but a minister can’t preach you into heaven. Doing a lot of good things is great but won’t gain you access. There’s only one way for your journey on earth to end well.  Jesus said to him [Thomas]: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.  Repent of your sin, believe on Jesus, follow HIM and leave this world clinging to HIM in faith, knowing HE has you in HIS hands. His grace is sufficient.

It's Christianity 101; Timeless Truths Worth the Retelling.  They always bear repeating.

Ken

Permanent Peace

 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

I recall hearing Pastor Chuck Smith recount a time he was asked to speak to a group of elite folks about Christianity.  He said it didn’t take him long to figure out they’d asked him there, not to hear what he had to say about the Christian faith, but to skewer him on their sticks of reason and Intellect.

As he listened to voices of argumentation and dissent among them over what various speakers had to say, somebody said, “Let’s hear what the preacher has to say!”  Immediately a cry went up from some that they didn’t want to hear about religion, and not allow him to speak.  As an argument ensued, he thought, “What have I gotten myself into?  Lord Jesus, please help me.”

The group finally gave their OK to let him speak.  As he walked to the lectern he was at a loss as to what to do, but continued to call upon Lord for help.  As he turned to face the hostile crowd, he paused.  Then said, “I have found the answer to perfect peace.”  There was a stunned silence, followed by rapt attention, as they waited to hear how he had come to a place of perfect peace.*  Everybody is looking for lasting inner peace.

I am aware that even many Christians are searching for it and are looking everywhere, except in the place that will lead them to it; the Word of God. For myself, where my search began was in 1^st Samuel 15:22; to be obedient and listen is better than any sacrifice I could ever make.  That was when the light came on for me.

“God made man in His image.  And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor,” goes the quote by Rousseau. I wasn’t trying to mold myself into His Character, but to mold God’s Infinite and unsearchable character into mine.  I realized throughout my life I had professed Christ as my Savior, but mostly had chosen to walk my own path.  I wanted to return to the simplicity of God’s plan for my life through obedience to Him, not return the favor.  I did a study of God’s character attributes and it was my first step to renewal and peace.

To know peace, you’ve got to make peace. Perhaps there’s something the Holy Spirit has been reminding you that it’s not what you ought to be doing?  To pay attention and do the commandments of Christ is better than sacrificing God’s image on an altar made by human hands.  Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and He will add everything else (Matthew 6:33).

I have found perfect peace, and it was when I began listening to what I’d been hearing, and set my mind to obey it. It was a peace that was beyond understanding. Peace that’s permanent. It’s a Peace that will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Ken

*Pastor Chuck related a few people approached him after he finished speaking, and asked to know more.  The following week several of them gave their hearts to Christ.

An excellent resource in learning who God really is, is the series Behold Your God with John Snyder.  It set my life in a new and better direction.  You can find it on YouTube.  I highly recommend it. Grace and peace to you, beloved.

Still Holding

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

My beginning was a hard and sad one.  It began by my running away from home.  When I turned 4, I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and it’s been an amazing 67-year run ever since. Yes, I’m 71 at this writing. And as you can see, my sense of humor has not dimmed.

Growing up I saw many of my peers’ lives pulled out of peril, and heard many amazing testimonies, and was witness to the dynamic and lifechanging power of Jesus Christ. 

Being reborn in Christ at a tender age (it’s so simple a child can get it), and raised in a home of reborn parents, after hearing all these incredible stories of God’s saving grace out of such vile circumstances, I became somewhat apprehensive when asked to tell of my conversion. I would look down and shift my feet.  My testimony was boring!

One Sunday morning my pastor, who had an edge-of-the-seat conversion experience himself, broached this subject.  He said, “Those of you raised in Christian homes might feel you only have a bland or boring testimony, but in reality, yours is far stronger than most.  It speaks of God’s holding and keeping power over you all these years, and that He still holds you!”  Wow.  What an “Aha” moment for me. My testimony wasn’t boring, it was unbelievably powerful!

David wrote, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread,” (Psalms 37:25) [Emphasis added]. In my 67 years of faith in Christ I find that adverb “Yet” still holding true, even to Him embracing me after running away from home. OK, to get the story straight, I didn’t really run away from home-I think you picked up on that. I was led to Christ by my godly Mother, but I was actually 4-years-old.

 I’ve had my share of troubles throughout the years. Christians aren't exempt, but Christ is faithful.  He never lost me, and He will never lose you, either (John 6:39-40).

Ken

Highly Valued!

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  1^st Samuel 16:7

How many of you reading this truly value yourself?  I’ll wager not many.  We begin twisting toys out of our siblings’ hands at age two, and tend toward tantrums or tears if we don’t get our way. Most of us are very aware of where we fall short.

From an early age, though, we’re taught that giving first consideration to ourselves is selfish. While it can be true, there is a time it is not, for we are made in the image of God Himself.

What does it mean to be made in the image of God?  Like God, we are interpersonal beings.  We are relational, intelligent, and with the moral capacity to discern and choose what is right. Animals do not have that ability.  Instinct doesn’t tell Simba on the Savannah to eat the poacher and spare the game warden.  There is no moral choice with either person. Both are fair game.

When God said, “Let us make man in our own image,” (Genesis1:26), He wasn’t speaking to the angels, for nowhere in Scripture does it say man was made in the image of angels, nor that they assisted in Creation, only that they sang together and shouted for joy when it was done (Job 38:7).

Let me speak of how God sees you personally.  He sees your heart, whether you love Him or not.  He sees the real you, and the real you is to die for (Romans 5:8). So, why should we reject God’s image?  The image you are made in?  When we do not love ourselves as God does, made in His image, nothing else can be truly loved.

In choosing a new king, Samuel checked out all seven of David’s older brothers. They impressed him with the outward appearances of strength and good looks. With each one he thought Surely this is the one the LORD has chosen. But God told him He did not judge by appearance, but the heart. Jesses had eight sons, and the youngest was in the pasture shepherding sheep. And it was David, the runt of the litter, He had chosen.  He called the one with the smell of the herd still on his clothing.

God was not demeaning Jesse’s sons for not being created in His image, for all men and women are.  He was only saying that the attitudes of their hearts were barriers to using them in that position.  David was the one found worthy to wear the crown, for he was a man after God’s own heart (1^st Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22).

God doesn’t underestimate your value, and neither should you. He sees that your worth is of the highest value. You may feel like you carry a slight smell of sheep, but He doesn’t smell it.  He looks inwardly and sees the heart of a monarch. Highly valued. Embrace that and live it this week!  Have a great one.

Ken

Immanuel!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

I can still recall a moment when I grieved with my friend, Joe, over the death of his dad, Joe Sr. After our phone call, I went outside and looked up at the same moon Jesus had looked at and was reminded that the cycle of life and death continues. The words of Solomon came to mind, “Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

The cycle of life does continue, only to be stopped in its tracks by Genesis 3:19. We grow, we learn, we work, we serve, we die.  To what purpose?  At first glance it does all seem meaningless.

I struggled with these thoughts as I grieved.  Christians who say “You shouldn’t doubt,” are really out of touch with the true human experience.  Come on, let’s be transparent.  If we are honest, all have doubted at one time or another, even to wonder Is God true? Is Jesus real? Is any of it real? 

But when Philip said to Christ, “Show us the Father,” the Lord replied, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:8-9). How can we deny He spoke of His being 100% Human, and also 100% fully God?  We can only agree with CS Lewis’s statement that with what Jesus said in regard to Himself we’re left with three choices:  He was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or He is Lord. 

Joe’s last words to me were, “I’ll see my Dad again.  When I do, I know he will be smiling the BIGGEST smile I’ve ever seen and it will be just for me.  It will be alright.” The greatest meaning of life is ever-present in the witness of Joe’s daily experiences with Christ.  When we see life through the eyes of the God/Man, Jesus Christ, we find meaning in our search for significance.

In His humanity Jesus grieved and wept, not for Lazarus, but for his two sisters’ pain and torment.  Yet His words still rang in Martha’s ears, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Meaningless or meaningful?  He was about to answer that question for all eternity when He cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” Who else holds that Power and Authority?  Who else has loved us like that? Jesus Christ alone is the Resurrection and the Life, and He, being called Immanuel-God With Us (Matthew 1:23), loved us enough to lead the way. I would call that Meaningful.

Ken