The spotless bride...

(The song of Solomon 4:7) “There is no spot in thee.”

For those who have a relationship with the Lord Jesus the way He chooses to view us in the light of whom we are in Him is often hard for us to accept. But for those who stand on the outside looking in, they will most certainly grapple to understand His undying love for His own; let us remember that God’s way are most certainly not our ways; “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (Corinthians 1:27-31)

My boast this morning is most certainly in Him…  

All are familiar with the concept of marriage; some are married, others divorced and some dream about marriage. The story of Cinderella and the like have weathered the test of time; the idea of romantically living “happily ever after” is a dream for many and let’s faces it who in their right mind wouldn’t want a happy life? Whether we fall into the category of those requiring tender affection or those that pretend it isn’t that important; when we strip away all our own complexities we should all arrive at the same conclusion, we wholly want to live “happily ever after”, a priority for all.

Why then are we surrounded by so much of the opposite? Heartache, conflict, divorce and sadness; The underlying answer is an obvious one, sin taking control and working itself out can only produce death. Just as the serpent deceived Eve in the garden, so too, does he and his band of reprobates, although unseen, look to fill our lives with misery. Satan wilfully looks for permission to do harm. (See the story of Job…) This I understand and have no problem comprehending his objectives and the mayhem I witness throughout the world because of sin; all are effect by it, but where does this leave the Christian?

We often stumbled and fall, when I look at my life, divorced has played its part in robbing me of obedience and peace. At the time of matrimony I thought I had an apparent understanding of the responsibility of marriage. No matter how I look to slice my very own cake with the “knife of justification” I always come to the same conclusion, FAILED! How then was it that I failed? Although there is an enemy that goes around like a “roaring lion seeking to devour” those in the faith, it does not now totally excuse me. Here are the facts, I did not love my spouse as I should have loved her; neither did I lay my life down for her; I was selfish and quick to highlight her blemishes while excusing my own. I did not heed God’s instruction in and through His Word, which is, “husbands love your wife like Christ loves the church”, in other words lay your life down for your spouse regardless of her actions. That instruction is not based on the merits of her commitment nor her submission. It starts with the husband and then ends with him…

An impossible task if one is always finding fault! This will not only rob us of marriage but in every walk of life when we look at the splinters in the eyes of others we more often than not overlook the log in ours.

However there is still very good news for all those who call upon the Lord Jesus…

This is what our Saviour has done and keeps on doing in the lives of all those that call upon Him…

Realistically we all have a lot more than spots and blemishes and yet the Lord Jesus sees none of them in the negative per say; let me explain… Even though His spouse often wanders from Him; grieves His Holy Spirit and the like, He never quarrels with her and He never lets her faults influence His love for her. He may even reprimand at times but always with tender affection and with the kindest of intentions. Amazingly even in our darkest times it is even then that He whispers, “my love”. There is no repeated remembrance in the future of our follies, which are many, innumerable for some (guilty as charged). He does not apprize ill thoughts of us, although He created the elephant; often referring to them and we quote, “he has a memory like an elephant”. He does not hold onto retentions that tarnish. He pardons us with His love after as well as before the transgression, an amazing husband with no comparison! Imagine if the Lord Jesus was as mindful of our offenses as we are with our partners, how could He ever commune with some of us? And yet even with my many felonies He still loves me. What a wonderful God I serve. NO! Rather, what a gracious, merciful, stupendous, loving and wonderful God I serve.

Because of our sin we often convince ourselves that we are unworthy, realistically on the face of it we most certainly are, with hypocrisy having its way in our lives, but even this does not hinder our husband, our Saviour, our God the Lord Jesus Christ from loving us with pureness and with no quarrel. Even our silly hearts are no match for His love. When He looks at His bride, even though we look at each other and see many spots, He sees neither spot nor blemish. He pronounces His Church full of beauty. Moles and beauty spots are often surgically removed to enhance ones beauty. What of the deadly ulcers and the cancerous sin that captivates so many of us? The Lord does not even venture there; He sees no spot or even the slightest blemish. Who then wouldn’t want a husband like that, praise His glorious name. This then will be where we find our “happy ever after”, looking no further, look to Jesus and peace with happiness will flood our lives. As we look to Jesus it will soon become apparent that we belong to Him.

True love will always win the victory; come what may…

Signing off

Tyrone

Gospel of peace 2

(Ephesians 6:15) “And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

When I initially think about a battle, my thoughts instinctively go to what weapons do I have at my disposal? But give it some thought and one will quickly realise how important shoes are! Today normally worn as an outer covering for the foot, usually made of leather, fabric, or plastic but back then “shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the military armour (1Sa_17:6): the use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were wont to be laid privily in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those who fell upon them being unfit to march. The preparation of the gospel of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers that may be in it. It is styled the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another. It may also be meant of that which prepares for the entertainment of the gospel, namely, repentance. With this our feet must be shod: for by living a life of repentance we are armed against temptations to sin, and the designs of our great enemy. Dr. Whitby thinks this may be the sense of the words: “That you may be ready for the combat, be shod with the gospel of peace, endeavour after that peaceable and quiet mind which the gospel calls for. Be not easily provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass the soldiers from those galltraps,” etc.” (Matthew Henry)

Once we declare to others that we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and that we have been bought by a very costly price, the death of God’s own son! We then put it out there and we will be watched by the enemy waiting for us to trip up. Sadly most along the way will stumble and fall, there will be accusation thrown at the believer and often forlornly with just cause. We all have our own particular path we need to travel! “For we all stumble in many ways...” (James 3:2) Nevertheless when we share the gospel with others it not only enlightens them to the truth but it also has the potential to free someone that is lost; and it most certainly equips us, it reminds us that we are in God’s army and that we are surely at war. It prompts us of the task at hand, our ultimate goal, heaven and all its glory!

As Christians we often find ourselves so self-absorbed with our faults that we often tend to overlook Christ’s wonderful achievement; - life to all who would believe!

  

Think on this infallible fact; - the victory has already been won; whilst the Lord Jesus hung upon the cross of Calvary, with a thorn crowned brow, a gaping hole in His side while He gasped for air with death looming, He cried “it is finished!” Even though we struggle with the issues of life, the truth has already been establish regardless of our short comings; here is a verse that once we make it our own it will be like a vitamin B injection; “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:30-31)

Whilst sharing this wonderful Gospel message, a life-line to the lost, all those who are dead in their trespasses and sins; we must however learn to be gentle and yet firm with what God has given us. On the one hand it is far too easy to excuse ourselves while judging others and on the other hand extremely too easy to excuse our sin as if it isn’t a serious concern. It is because of sin, this the sole reason why our Saviour had to die on Calvary’s hill! His message is a message of hope and while we have breath we must proclaim this wonderful message…“If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (John 12:47)

Shoes then are an imperative part of God’s amour! Let us dress for battle, let us seek out God’s graces readily in season, sharing this wonderful message of hope to all who would lend an ear.

Signing off

Tyrone

Man makes plans...

Man makes plans and yet it is God who determines the outcome of all things...

What really amazes me is how we believe that we are within ourselves very powerful and that we determine the outcome of so many things. A good word to describe our characters is “delusional”; how often have you heard someone accuse someone else for the outcome of a sports game being played thousands of miles away; “you see if you had kept quiet they would not have lost”, really! As if the powers some possess will determine the outcome of an event by what they say or what shirt they wear. Are we really that simple? We most certainly can be at times! This then would be a simple illustration most could relate too.

We then may have other ideas as we hold onto the notion that we determine our very own outcome. This is where it becomes somewhat more difficult to differentiate from the ease of superstition. Every action has a reaction, this is a fact, science teaches us that; throw a ball in the air and it will lose its kinetic energy induced by the arms action and gravity will cause it to drop to the ground. Put two fingers in a plug socket with the power on and “zap” you will be shocked!

We are emphatically taught through scripture that prior to salvation we are “dead in our trespasses and sins”. How can we be dead and yet we breathe, eat and conserve with others that seem to live? We do in fact live as carnal beings but we are people enslaved to sin and its strongholds, this is something totally different to being alive in the spirit! True life only takes place once we have been quickened by God the Holy Spirit; “This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:2-6)

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

- Jon_2:9

“Salvation is the work of God. It is he alone who quickens the soul “dead in trespasses and sins,” and it is he also who maintains the soul in its spiritual life. He is both “Alpha and Omega.” “Salvation is of the Lord.” If I am prayerful, God makes me prayerful; if I have graces, they are God’s gifts to me; if I hold on in a consistent life, it is because he upholds me with his hand. I do nothing whatever towards my own preservation, except what God himself first does in me. Whatever I have, all my goodness is of the Lord alone. Wherein I sin, that is my own; but wherein I act rightly, that is of God, wholly and completely. If I have repulsed a spiritual enemy, the Lord’s strength nerved my arm. Do I live before men a consecrated life? It is not I, but Christ who liveth in me. Am I sanctified? I did not cleanse myself: God’s Holy Spirit sanctifies me. Am I weaned from the world? I am weaned by God’s chastisements sanctified to my good. Do I grow in knowledge? The great Instructor teaches me. All my jewels were fashioned by heavenly art. I find in God all that I want; but I find in myself nothing but sin and misery. “He only is my rock and my salvation.” Do I feed on the Word? That Word would be no food for me unless the Lord made it food for my soul, and helped me to feed upon it. Do I live on the manna which comes down from heaven? What is that manna but Jesus Christ himself incarnate, whose body and whose blood I eat and drink? Am I continually receiving fresh increase of strength? Where do I gather my might? My help cometh from heaven’s hills: without Jesus I can do nothing. As a branch cannot bring forth fruit except it abide in the vine, no more can I, except I abide in him. What Jonah learned in the great deep, let me learn this morning in my closet: “Salvation is of the Lord.”” (C.H.Spurgeon)

It is one thing to promise but another thing altogether to preform! Therefore let us be slow to promise and eager to peform, let us all seek out God’s graces to live out our lives in holiness!

Signing off

Tyrone

God's Armour continued... The Gospel of Peace

(Ephesians 6:15) “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”

To have ones feet protected in battle was imperative and the cladding used was always suited to the terrain. Imagine the types of snares the enemy would lay, gall traps and the like, sharp sticks hidden in camouflage waiting to impale the victim they were intended for! But if the marching enemy had their feet cladded correctly the entrapments would have little effect and therefore be of very little concern. How then are we to have our “feet shod for the preparation of the gospel”?

There can be no greater teacher than God the Holy Ghost; but I surmise it is life itself with our own journeys and God’s Word as our guideline that teaches us so many lessons, as we so often blunder with this precious gift God has given us, the Lord Jesus Christ; I have often worn the wrong foot attire to battle. How do I and so many others make this mistake? We get caught up with the cares of life, which in turn forces us to remain silent. This is not the instruction the Apostle Paul gives us in this portion of scripture.

“The preparation of the gospel of peace” implies a prepared and resolved frame of mind, a condition of our hearts that adheres to the gospel and abides by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of Christianity, regardless of the dangers alone the way. This however has not been the consistent banner that I can confidently claim my life has flown. With that as the truth does this now mean I now throw in the towel and cry, “woe is me”!  On the contrary, it is the grace of God that has reminded me of the error of my ways; “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) 

Even through my own folly, if God in His goodness still chooses to show me the error of my ways, I shall be obliged to fall on my knees as I cry out unto Him with immense gratitude for once again having the opportunity to call out on the name of the Lord seeking out His forgiveness driving me to seek out His grace as He leads me into repentance wherever needed. Without repentance coupled with obedience we will always be found wanting regarding the footwear we wear! This will then cripple us as we encounter the snares of life leaving us mute. Silenced by the snares of life!

The Apostle Paul has this to teach; “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1Corinthians 9:27)

How many of us have had trouble with authority throughout life’s journey? It is deep rooted by that which taints; sin with all its power and yet God has freed us from sin through the sacrifice of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! This tragically is often forgotten as we take our eyes of the ball, BUT God who is rich in mercy reminds us of our error, praise His glorious name!

How many have been disqualified? I have often stumbled and been rightly accused of being a hypocrite. Nevertheless if we truly repent God then mercifully allows us once again to fly His banner in our lives. If we are then sensitive to His leading we will once again find His strength in our lives to clad our feet with the right cladding for the right terrain as peace once again floods our soul and we find our lips beginning to loosen as we point those who are lost in the way, the truth and the life; which is styled “the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another”. Leading all in the way of repentance, leaving our feet shod as we live our lives constantly repenting which others will also observe causing them to ask questions and with our feet now shod with the gospel of peace we will not be easily provoked as we gently share the hope that is in us with others nor shall we be prone to constant quarrelling…

With this in mind our feet will be protected just as they were back then from the gall traps being no match for those soldiers who wore brass cladding on their feet.

Signing off

Tyrone

WHY?

(James 1:3) “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Why is it that this truth which I will explore plays such havoc with our commitment to Christ? At times we find ourselves asking, “How and why?” I most certainly have wrestled with this for a long time in my Christian life and I still find it looking to rob me in so many different ways regarding my “standing” in Christ Jesus my Lord! Nevertheless regardless of us, it is impossible to take away from the Lord Jesus’ accomplishments. Irrespective of our hypocrisy, denial, unbelief or even disobedience; His accomplishments have been recorded, what Christ achieved here on earth shall stand the test of time and beyond the curtains of eternity His works will be chronicled throughout the ages to come, praise His glorious name!

Men may one day praise the name of Jesus and sadly the next freely curse, or find themselves unashamedly standing on a street corner calling sinners to repentance and soon after eating and drinking with the drunkard; no differently to “a dog returning to his vomit!” I would confess the above analogies most certainly, sadly, have played a part in my life, guilty as charged! This proves but one thing, my volatility… however it has no actual bearing per say to what Christ achieved here on earth. It certainly gives opportunity for the gainsayer to point his finger. Yet does this in any way undermine what the Lord Jesus achieved? Most certainly NOT! He alone died on Calvary and He alone paid the price to set sinners free. No matter what anyone else does or does not do, it can’t nor ever will take away from the majestic victory Christ consummated whilst on earth. Galaxy after galaxy and throughout the ages Christians will be telling others about Christ’s effectuated victories and how He was able though His own sacrifice to find and free those who were once lost, those clueless with regard to who God is and yet to give them a hope, to open their eyes, correctly resetting their compass, heaven now their destination with hell fading in the backburner, where it once welcomed them with open arms; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) 

    

With this in mind, my question then, “why has God left us with the ability as His children to still so easily make so many wrong choices”? If we have received his Spirit, if we have truly been born again this should not happen, or should it? It certainly shouldn’t! However we have not been taken out of this sinful world and this is by design. God has so willed it! Our own hearts need to be tested along life’s journey…

Once we are alive in Christ, the age varying for all those whom are called, depending on when we respond to the wonderful message of the gospel. Some earlier on in life while others close to their death beds; regardless of age, we all have a road in front of us that will teach us to become dependent upon the finished work of Calvary. Just as the Lord had to be tried and tested so too shall we be tried and tested. No believer will escape this truth! But many shall be found wanting when tested. Even our failure (disobedience) will work together for our good, so long as we love God and have been called in accordance with His purpose.

God’s goodness is most certainly beyond measurement, for those whom he loves, it is too wonderful to describe. He is able to change ones perception about so many things. He alone is wise, kind, merciful and patient. Many may have given up on you, but not God! “Whilst you have breath you have hope”! Callout and you shall be heard! Why? Because the Lord Jesus Christ has opened the door and paved the way! But be watchful of the thieves along the way, those who come with another message, those who speak of an easier way, they are liars! By Christ alone, through grace alone, shall we only ever be able to enter heaven. Find Him and find life!

Now back to my question, why do we make so many wrong decisions? Or rather why have we been left with the ability to make so many wrong choices? It’s simply the way God the Father has chosen to equip His children for the ages to come. The Lord Jesus was constantly bombarded with having to make choices; thankfully He never made a wrong one. Life in Christ is here to teach us to find grace to make the right choices regardless of how many times we may have failed in a particular area. However we cannot accept failure as permission to carry on as we once did, this is deception luring us into error, and we are to have no part with anything that is false.

If we remain within the boundaries of grace we shall have peace with God, move outside of those boundaries and we will soon be no different to dogs returning to their vomit or like pigs having been washed returning to the mire and rolling in it.

God help us to understand “that we will be happiest when we remain within the bounds of his grace”.

Signing off

Tyrone