Easter Holidays

To many people, Easter is just another holiday season.
In the Quick Crossword that I attempt most days, Easter is usually the answer to the clue "Holiday Season".

Supermarkets have been stocked with chocolate bunnies and eggs, hot cross buns, and the like, for some time, but no mention of why the buns have crosses on them.
It seems that the vast majority of the world's population knows nothing about the real reason for celebrating this "holiday" season.

Maybe those of us who do know could be sharing what we know with those who don't.

That sounds easy ... or does it?
But how do you start a conversation like that?
I like to gently ask leading questions.

When I see someone eating a hot cross bun or mentioning their purchase of hot cross buns, I often ask if they know why the buns have a cross on them.

When discussing the holiday season I always refer to the Friday as "Good Friday", as most calendars do. I then look for any opportunity God might give me to ask if they know why the Friday is called 'good'.

Only a simple explanation is necessary which could be based on the following facts:

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[Romans 5 : 8  NIV]
... by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.
[Colossians 1: 22  GNB]

If the holiday conversation continues, I refer to the Sunday as "Resurrection Sunday" and look for any opportunity ...

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
[Roman 6 : 5  NIV]

Even after Easter, I will ask people what they did over Easter.
Did you go away?
Did you travel on Good Friday?
Did you get some hot cross buns?
And then see if God is opening any doors from there.

Being led by the Holy Spirit is so important.
If he doesn't create the opening, we mustn't force one.
If he does, then we follow his leading by stepping in to it.

The Spirit lives within us for good reason, and has always gone ahead of us to open doors and prepare the way if that is his intention with that person on that occasion.

We need to trust his leading - "go" or "whoa" - and follow the nudges in our spirit.
Let's remember:

... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
[1 Peter 2 : 9  NIV]

Blessings, Barry

Who Deserves to be Saved?

The answer you give to this question probably depends on your upbringing.
Jews might believe it is them, because they belong to the nation God chose to head up his kingdom.
Others might believe it is those who live good, moral lives, because they follow the Ten Commandments
Still others might believe it is those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, because of the teaching of their church.

However, the Bible suggests that none of these deserves to be saved.

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
[Romans 3 : 22, 23  NIV]

This seems pretty hopeless doesn't it?
Although no one deserves to be saved, God's solution completes the sentence above.

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
[Romans 3 : 24  NIV]

Even though none of us deserves it, Jesus has provided all of us with the solution.
The Bible reveals this in many places and these occurrences have been discussed in many previous posts.

But today this post will focus on the word 'freely' from verse 24.

Other translations use 'as a gift' or 'without charge' or 'by the free gift' or 'gratuitously' for the word 'freely' in the NIV text.

The Greek word under-pinning 'freely' is 'dorean', and it pops up in a few other places. We'll use one of those places to get a fuller understanding of its meaning.

John 15 : 18 - 25 records a training session conducted by Jesus for his disciples.
In preparing his disciples for ministry without him, Jesus warned them that they would be hated as he was.
He finishes with:

"They hated me without reason."
[John 15 : 25  NIV]

Other translations use 'gratuitously' or 'without a cause' or 'undeservedly' for the phrase 'without reason' in this sentence.

This final statement could be paraphrased as:
"I've given them no cause for this."
or
"They've just decided to hate me in spite of what I taught or showed them."
or
"Nothing I did warranted me being hated."
or
"I certainly didn't deserve their hatred."

If we use these underlying thoughts, we would understand verse 24 to be saying that we are all undeservedly justified by his grace, even though we have given God no cause or reason for him doing so.

So, who deserves to be saved?
Clearly, no one.
We have given God no reason to befriend us, let alone save us.

But he's done it anyway!
The "contract" was signed 2000 years ago.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
[2 Corinthians 9 : 15  NIV]

Blessings, Barry

Comfort or Call to Action?

The last two posts have mentioned the comfort (and confidence) given to believers by the promises in verses like Romans 8 : 28.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
[ESV]

Interestingly, the sentence structure of this verse in the Greek is not really clear.
The above ESV translation, and many others, translate on the assumption that "all things" is the subject of the sentence, so that the "all things" are what work for good for those who love the Lord.

However, it is quite possible that "God" is the subject of this sentence, so that it is God who does the work.
The NIV nudges itself in that direction with:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[NIV]

It is also possible that it is God and those who love Him is the subject and therefore are those who are working together for good.
The NIV offers this alternative in a footnote:

that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who have been called according to his purpose.

The Good News Bible and the Revised Standard Version offer this construction in the body of their translations.

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
[GNB]
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
[RSV]

So although our comforting version (where God works all things for our good) is by far the most popular English translation, it is possible that this verse is also calling us to work with God to achieve the good He has planned.

Which fits nicely with:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
[Ephesians 2 : 10  NIV]

The question: Comfort or Call to Action?
I say: BOTH.

It's good to know that God has everything in hand for my good 

AND 

providing I am doing what God has called me to do, He will be working with me to see it achieved.

Blessings, Barry

Handling Life's Adversities

There are two verses I find helpful in handling the hardships and temptations of life. The first is:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8 : 28  NIV]

This verse is a great comfort and assurance for those who trust God in all areas of their lives.

We mentioned it in the previous post called "Go With the Flow - with Jesus".
So we'll look at the second verse.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  NIV]

The first part of this verse assures us that God doesn't try to break us down, but to build us up.
Consequently our temptations are custom-designed for us, God ensuring that they never push us too far in doing their job in making us stronger.

But what about the second part of the verse?
Is it your experience that God always makes a way for you to escape your hardships?
That's not mine.

Nor does this part sound logical.
How can an 'escape' or a 'way out' enable us to endure something?

So I wonder if there is a better English translation of the Greek that is usually translated 'an escape' or 'a way out' so that it more closely matches our experience - and is more logical?

The Greek word involved is 'ékbasis' which means 'moving out from and to an outcome'.
It is used only once more in the Bible - in Hebrews 13 : 7.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [NIV]

'ékbasis' is here translated as 'outcome' - not a way out or moving out, but an outcome.

So let's use this translation, and tidy up the structure of the sentence a bit, in the second part of our Corinthians verse.

But when you are tempted, he will a provide an outcome also, so that you can endure it.

If we can trust that God has provided a custom-designed outcome for our circumstances, then we can endure it, even eagerly submit to it, as we look forward to seeing that outcome come to pass.

That's peace in adversity.
Blessings, Barry

Go With the Flow - with Jesus

Many of you know that I'm a bit of a Bible junkie.
I just love Bible study and exploring God's purposes and the plans He has chosen to achieve them.

However, for much of this year I have been diverted to a study of us - in particular, the heart, spirit and soul of us.
What are they, how do they interact with each other, how are they impacted when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us?
It's been a fascinating exploration.

But more recently I have returned to focus on God's plans and have commenced my fifth (?) study of the The Revelation, the last book in the Bible.
And loving it - learning and understanding a bit more on each time through.

Even so, when I take a step back and ask myself what value there is in such studies, I have to admit they are of little eternal worth.
Knowing the Bible inside out or being a scholarly theologian will mean nothing without a relationship with Jesus.

Last week I was discussing the current state of affairs in the world with one of my adult grandsons.
Eventually the topic of prophecy came up and the possibility that our current situation could be seen in the yet-to-be fulfilled prophecies of the Old and New Testaments.

But we finished the discussion agreeing that ...
If you're connected to Jesus then it won't matter what or how events and situations happen, because you'll travel through them in good company.

Our concluding slogan became, "Just stay connected to Jesus and go with the flow."

For believers, this is really good advice.
Also for believers ...
Be ready to share the good news about Jesus with not-yet believers as and when the Holy Spirit leads, so that the others God brings across our path whom He has chosen to become believers in this age will become connected to Jesus too.

"And this is life in the Age; that they may know you, the sole true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus the Anointed."
[John 17 : 3  DBH]

Blessings, Barry

God's Unconditional Love - a bit more

The previous post discussed the character and eventual result of God's unconditional love for us.
Although the unconditional nature of God's love was mentioned and illustrated by verses like -

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

- it probably didn't get the attention it deserved. Hence this "a bit more".

Unconditional means with no conditions or no strings attached.
So it is safe to say that God loves His entire creation without imposing any limits or requiring anything in return. It is a choice He has made.

Jesus, in His famous Sermon on the Mount, was teaching His disciples they should treat their enemies as God treats His.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
[Matthew 5 : 44, 45  NIV]

Similarly, St Paul reminds us of Christ's focus in His sacrifice on the cross.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
[Romans 5 : 6 - 8  NIV]

So it was the sin of the ungodly and sinners that Jesus paid for - that's mine and everyone else's that I know.

And, of course, the entire world is also in focus when God's love is mentioned in the most famous verse in the Bible, although you might not easily recognise it from this literal translation.

For God so loved the cosmos as to give the Son, the only one, so that everyone having faith in him might not perish, but have the life of the Age.
For God sent the Son into the cosmos not that he might pass judgement on the cosmos, but that the cosmos might be saved through him.
[John 3 : 16, 17  DBH]

Let's finish with a reminder from St Paul about just how extensive and universal God's love is.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 8 : 38, 39  NIV]

Appreciating God's unconditional love for His creation is the backbone of my understanding of the achievement of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Blessings, Barry

God's Unconditional Love

Yesterday I attended a baby dedication service for the son of a lovely young couple who are Youth Ministers in Melbourne.
It was the first time we have been to a gathering of so many people (suitably spaced and wearing masks) for many months.

The minister leading the service offered some excellent thoughts and prayers.
The first line of his opening prayer thanked God for His unconditional love.
What a great affirmation to start the afternoon!

God's unconditional love is the key to God's involvement with His creation.
God's unconditional love describes who He is. God is fundamentally and essentially love.

God is love.
[1 John 4 : 8b  NIV]

God's unconditional love is described this way:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
[1 Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8  NIV]

God's unconditional love compels Him to be the Saviour of all.

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

God's unconditional love sent Jesus to earth to take the death penalty for the sins of the world.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
[1 John 4 : 10  NIV]
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
[Hebrews 2 : 9  NIV]

God's unconditional love requires Him to keep no record of our wrongs.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19a  NIV]

God's unconditional love has a plan involving the whole creation.

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  NIV]

God's unconditional love, expressed by Jesus, will ensure all people are in this final gathering.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Although the phrase "God's unconditional love" just rolls off the tongue of institutionally-trained ministers, I wonder how many really believe it.
Indeed, so many in the Christian religion, and their ministers, not only miss all of these wonderful promises, but are hostile to them.

I just don't understand how people who acknowledge God as having unconditional love can then describe their god as one who will willingly oversee the eternal torture of the majority of His creation.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is really good news for all - because of God's unconditional love which "never fails".

(It is clearly not just for believers, although believers do have a special calling as the advance party.)

Blessings, Barry