A New Commandment!

(John 13:34) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Wherever there is smoke there must be fire or at least the potential of a flame. Smoke may be useful when retrieving honey from a bee hide; the military whilst under attack may use it as a form of cover. Actually the more I think about it the more I realize the benefit smoke can play at times. It could be used as a signal to save the lost; we cook with it to change the natural savour of food. Yet we resent it so! All have stood around a braai (barbeque) and had the smoke follow them as if it had a personal vendetta. Once it has locked on it is very unpleasant resulting in red and stinging eyes and at times it is so unbearable that one is force to find somewhere else to sit, no matter how entertaining the conversation around the fire may be.

Smoke that irritates drives us away or we look to extinguish it, but it is not so with our God and King; He is patient, kind and we could never ask for a better High Priest, our Saviour is truly magnificent. No matter how full of smoke your life seems to be at times, everyone may look to desert you and where many once stood with you, you now seem to stand alone, take courage in this one fact; “…and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;” (Matthew 12:20)

Salvation will never be left to the abilities and the tolerances of men; yes we all have our part to play as we are clearly taught that we are particular members of the body of Christ (the church) and we will be judged on how we have functioned as member in particular. However we will often run from the smoke, instead of running to it, helping to fan at it until the flame once again burns bright and clear. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6): - If then there has been a time in your life where peace seemed to be the order of the day but now there is very little of it, remember who is at the reigns, it is our Lord and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only remember to call out unto Him as everything is in His hands, He has the keys to heaven and hell. Do not let the trial of this life extinguish the smoking flax.   

Do you know what I love about the character of God? His ways are so far above our ways that when we just get a glimmer of His hand at work it is glorious to witness. When others have written you off, remember He hasn’t! It all began with the Lord Jesus, the Apostle John in his gospel is very clear on this and it will also end with our great King. As Christians we must run to our wounded and not from them, why is it that so many Christians have such resentment at times. Why is it that the Lord is willing to leave the ninety-nine to find the lost sheep but we are not? We see so many Christians making so many bad mistakes and we tend to write them off, but Jesus never!

Remember this story…

“Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.” (Luke 15:13-15): - How many are able to relate to this story on a personal level? Thankfully not many! Yet to some degree all have tasted some form of desertion; betrayal even played a part in Peter’s life; did he not deny the Lord three times? However the more we realise how much we have been forgiven and this would include all the bad choice we have made even after salvation, the more we will love; “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47)   

Why do I now mention this? Well the time is coming when the love of many will wax cold and judgment must begin at the household of God. We must guard our hearts against the hate that will take at will the hearts and minds of so many. We must continue to wrestle with God, striving like Jacob to find a blessing, even if it costs us personally. We must remember what price the Lord paid to set us free, it cost Him His life!

There is a real danger that we will begin to run from each other instead of toward one another. May God hear my cry! Please Father God, guard your children’s hearts in this matter.

It’s the end of the account that is glorious and heaven will be magnificent; "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:17-24)

Now there is one of two ways we could react to similar accounts with others in the church of today. We could take on the mind of Christ or we could let envy have its way; "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:25-32)

I love the way God deals with His faithful son, such compassion.

Our God is truly great and there is no comparison to Him, let us learn to embrace His character, glorifying His name, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone