GFB Christian Blog

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.  But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.  Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.” Acts 17:11-14

The Blessings Of Christ’s Kingdom

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace to His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.  Surely His salvation is near them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”  Psalm 85:8-10

“Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”  Col. 3:22-25

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.”  Rom. 3:21-25

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.  Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” Proverbs 24:30-34

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.  The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:12,13

“And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.  Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.’”  Matt. 28:4-7

Devotional Thought For The Day

The past twelve months have seemed full of change for me, most of it relatively small, but it has jolted me out of a fairly pleasant rut of habit and fulfilled expectations. Obviously, the arrest, conviction, execution, and death of Jesus effected a terribly traumatic change for the disciples of Jesus, including the women who at times accompanied the group and supported them financially.  However, there was no time for them to adjust to the death and burial of Jesus – even as they were beginning to look toward closure at the tomb of Jesus they were greeted by the awesome angel and the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection.  His resurrection was obviously a seismic change – and His disciples had to begin sorting out just how things had now changed for them.  Very little would be the same – although in regard to the most important and critical things nothing would change.

The angel reminded them of Jesus’ Word:  “He has risen as He said.”  The greatest proof of the resurrection was not the testimony of a glorious angel, nor empirical experience of the empty tomb where He had laid in death, but rather the very Word of Jesus.  This Word would remain with the disciples, and with all of Jesus’ disciples, until the end of time. This will never change; it will always be the same for us.  What God’s Word asserts, describes, promises, and commands is always the reality.  Second, the angel indicates Jesus’ ongoing and continuing concern for His disciples – though His ascension was coming soon, they were still His disciples and the mission He had trained them for was still on!  Third, the angel indicates Jesus’ interest in continuing His presence with His disciples – which Jesus would later confirm with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt. 28:20]

Things change for us as well, and sometimes these changes are quite dramatic and unnerving, throwing us off balance.  We have to adjust and come to grips with new circumstances.  But just as with the disciples, the most important things do not change.  Our salvation remains sure and certain, guaranteed by Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, and by His Word which describes the blessings He has secured for us.  We remain His dear children, His disciples, and His mission is still on – He wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [1 Tim. 2:4]  He is still with us always, as He promised. So our lives remain exciting and promising no matter how circumstances change for us.  He is risen – and we are still following Him and gathering with Him for worship and for communion with Him in His supper.  His Word remains among us, blessing us, strengthening us, informing us, and effecting the reality of His good and gracious will among us.

The message of the angel, and of the Lord Himself, is clear and consistent even in the face of dramatic changes:  “Do not be afraid.”  This remains His good and gracious Word to us as well – throughout Holy Scripture.  We are His children, we are blessed, now and forever!

Prayer For The Day

Dear Lord Jesus, keep us mindful of the things that are truly important and critical to us, things that will never change – Your Word, Your love, Your promises, and Your guidance of us through this life and on to eternal glory in Your heavenly kingdom.  Grant us peace and fearlessness as we transition through the various changes of life.  Amen.

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

“Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” Proverbs 24:28,29

Devotional Thought For The Day

We considered the first verse last week.  Its proximity to the warning against taking vengeance upon those who have “harmed us” calls to mind one of the easiest and most tempting ways in which we “pay back” the offenses others have committed against us [whether real or imagined], and that is through gossip, including exaggeration and lying about the “wickedness” of our neighbor.  Recently we read as our Epistle Lesson in worship the severe rant in the book of James regarding the wickedness of our tongues [James 4:1-10].  It is good to sit quietly and really meditate upon his observations and warnings – to consider not only the great harm our tongues can produce but also God’s promised response to such evil.

The desire for vengeance, and our resolve to exact it upon our neighbor, is expressed as just the opposite of the Golden Rule.  Instead of “doing unto others as we would have them do unto us” [Matt. 7;12], we desire and determine to “do to him as he has done to me.”  But if we have concluded that what he has “done to me” is quite wicked and evil and needs punishment, then we have ourselves determined to do and admitted doing great wickedness and evil against our neighbor – which we agree deserves punishment.  Hmmmmm.  This idea of paying back includes some assumptions:  first, that I am a proper judge of “justice” even when it includes my interests, second, that I have authority to impose such “justice” on others and am somehow “justified” in doing evil, and third, that mercy, forgiveness, and bearing with the offenses of others has no place [at least not in my heart and in my behavior].

While the first two assumptions are quite dangerous and damnable, it is the last assumption that is most telling and most terrible.  You remember what the Lord Jesus asserted: “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”  [Matt. 7:1,2]  So the person who chooses to “do to others what they have done to you” rejects God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy, and demands that God judge them according to what they have done – and by this form of “revenge” they have already admitted committing the same wickedness and evil that was done to them.  In view of all of our great sin this is a sure formula for personal disaster.  Worst, it is certainly a rejection of God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness, grace, and compassion – and reveals a hardness and darkness of heart that no decent person would ever desire.  So, such desire for vengeance, parading as a “good” desire for “justice,” is actually among the darkest evils within us.

There is a place for justice, and God has granted public offices in government to implement and impose justice.  It is a shame when this work is muddled, so that good is not rewarded and evil is not punished, but rather emboldened and encouraged.  However, God is clear in regard to personal vengeance:  “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” [Rom. 12:19] In contrast to vengeance, God’s Word encourages us to have soft hearts toward others, even those who offend and harm us: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” [Eph. 4:32]  When we consider our own sins, the harm that we have done to others, especially with our gossipy wagging tongues, surely this kindness and forgiveness is what we would have others do unto us.  Thankfully, this is precisely what God has done unto us in giving us His Son as our Savior, whose blood cleanses us from all sin.  We are truly blessed when His love enables us, from the inside out, from the heart, to “be imitators of God, as beloved children.” [Eph. 5:1]

Prayer For The Day

Dear Lord Jesus, You understand how indignation naturally arises in our hearts and minds from the pain inflicted upon us by the evil of others, and also our desire for vengeance. We should understand from this Your indignation over our own sins.  Help us to live in Your gracious forgiveness, mercy, and love by faith – that our hearts might also be softened.  Enable us to grow in love, Your love, that we also might be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving them, as imitators and practitioners of Your great love for us.  Amen.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." Rom. 1:16-18

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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What about the "Gospel"? It is the very power of God. It is not about man's power, abilities, choices, etc. - it is God's power. For what purpose? "For salvation to everyone who believes." It is not "salvation" for those who work, do, accomplish, succeed, make God's grading curve - but simply for those who believe! Why is this so? "For in it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed FROM FAITH FOR FAITH." This accords with Holy Scripture that "The righteous shall live by faith." Not by works, not by achievement, not by his own goodness or holiness, but by faith, specifically faith in the "righteousness of God." Everything depends on faith, and on faith alone - all righteousness and all salvation, by the power of God.

This Gospel, and the dynamics that God powerfully engenders through it, the good news of sins forgiven, of the gift of eternal life through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, has been understand and embraced by BELIEVERS from the earliest times. This was the faith of Abraham, of all true children of Israel, and of the early church. It was once again brought to light and prominence within the life of the church in the Reformation. It is the joy, comfort, strength, and empowerment of millions of Christians to this day - who truly "know and believe the love that God has for us," the gracious nature of His forgiveness and salvation.

From earliest times this Gospel of God has been repudiated, rejected, adjusted, corrupted, perverted, tweaked, and tampered with by people who refuse to simply BELIEVE it. Countless religions and cults have been established over the centuries, some even in these latter days, by those who DO NOT believe the true Gospel, but reject it. Worst of all, some even use the Name of Jesus Christ to perform and promote this dirty work. All of this is aptly described as "ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." It is the greatest wickedness mankind engages in - denying and suppressing the truth of God's Word, His glorious Gospel.

For those who "believe the Son," simply rejoicing that He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, God promises that they "have eternal life" and all the blessings of salvation. They live "by faith," for they have been accounted righteous in God's sight by faith, and they live forever. Those who do not "believe the Son," God's wrath abides on them, and this "wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." In spite of all their talk about "Jesus," all their pious posturing and "good" works, God's wrath is upon them. They have no life because they have no faith, and they "shall not see life" for God's wrath remains on them. Only faith, the real and true faith in God's gracious mercy in Christ Jesus gives eternal life and salvation.

The devil always disguises rejection of the Gospel and the presentation of "another" gospel under the guise of superior goodness, piety, fairness, justice, and good works. He quite often uses the same words as Holy Scripture, and even the very Name of Almighty God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to spread his darkness and unbelief and suppression of the truth. But always it remains what it is - the worst rebellion against God; and always it yields what God has pronounced against it - wrath and eternal damnation. Because this is all around us these days, we must have great discernment - and never allow such ungodliness and unrighteousness to fool us and capture us.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for all that You have done for us and for our salvation - Your forgiveness, and accounting us to be righteous in Your sight through simple faith in You alone. Thank You for the clear assertion of this Your love, in Your Word, Holy Scripture, the Bible, so that we might be firm in faith and firm in identifying and rejecting all the gross godlessness which suppresses the truth of Your Word. Preserve us ever from such darkness. Amen.

"Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth." Proverbs 24:7

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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It may be that this proverb is related to the next two - that the pursuit of evil is all that such a fool can turn to. However, this proverb is interesting enough on its own and we can consider the connection next week.

The "wise" people sat at the gate and exchanged wisdom, resolved problems, and settled any community issues. Ordinarily, the religious leaders were preeminent in this, those who were experts in the Book, the Scriptures, the written Word of God. While most people have the capacity for gaining wisdom - and wisdom is found in some rather remarkable circumstances, within some unlikely people, there are many who do not possess it. Some may be incapable, or at least less capable naturally. For others it is a matter of time and energy - they are too busy and worn out to seek wisdom, although this would have to be considered a foolish prioritization. Others don't want to work hard to gain wisdom, and be assured that mental work and learning spiritual discernment is very hard work. Still others lack the spiritual capacity and refuse to humble themselves beneath God's Word. Others are committed to evil and despise real wisdom, that which comes from God through His written Word, the Bible.

The proverb isn't speaking of those who are foolish but don't know it - we have to suffer their speaking. Their vain pride and ignorance combines in a remarkable show of foolishness, as they dribble on and on, constantly interrupting conversations with absurd and off-topic comments, completely unaware of their lack of wisdom. Rather, the proverb references those who are aware that they lack real wisdom but consider it too difficult, expensive, or trying to gain. They have made a conscious decision not to pursue it - and so have nothing to contribute "at the gate," nothing to offer for the common good of the community. So their minds turn to other things, and their energy is spent in selfish pursuits. Such "foolishness" is self-chosen.

The ultimate foolishness is refusal to know and believe the love that God has for us in His Son Jesus Christ - as clearly revealed in His written Word, the Bible. Those who reject the free and gracious gift of God's salvation and eternal life, and insist upon commending themselves to God on the basis of their own good works are most to be pitied. These are usually among the fools who can't keep their mouths shut - but insist upon "counseling" others, interrupting the Holy Spirit of God and the mission of the Gospel with their own "missions" and nonsense. When this is done consciously, by choice, by rejection of the wisdom of God, there is no greater foolishness and wickedness.

So the fool who knows he is foolish, and refuses to gain true wisdom, but keeps his mouth shut at the gate is actually better than those who "darken counsel by words without knowledge" [Job 38:2] - even if they do end up turning to evil. The ultimate evil and foolishness is obscuring the knowledge of God's great love in Christ Jesus, and the true wisdom of His Word. Lord, have mercy!

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we are by nature foolish and naive, selfish, prideful, lazy, and sinful. Your Word alone, by the power of Your Spirit, is able to break this foolishness in us, bringing us to repentance and to faith in Your gracious forgiveness, love, and salvation. Grant us continued growth in wisdom, that we may be able to serve others with Your Word and truth, and keep us safe and far distant from all foolishness. Amen.

"They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of Your face! But let Your hand be on the man of your right hand, the Son of Man Whom You have made strong for Yourself! Then we shall not turn back from You; give us life, and we will call upon Your Name! Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let Your face shine, that we may be saved!" Psalm 80:16-19

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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Again the psalmist calls upon God to recompense those who have devastated the nation of Israel, presumably the Babylonians. Though God's establishment of the nation was purely gracious and promissory, He had no choice but to call such destruction upon them in view of their stubborn, absolute rebellion against Him. The "confusing" of God's Name, teaching and speaking falsely about Him, is far worse than the various immoralities common to mankind. While discipline may come upon those engaging in such violence toward others, those who chose to pervert and corrupt the true knowledge of God are courting utter destruction.

Ultimately, God did send "the Son of Man," His own Divine Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him He has given us life and light and all spiritual blessings. In Him we receive restoration and renewal. All who look to Him in faith see the face of God shining upon us, for "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them." [2 Cor. 5:19] Jesus promised: "I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"
[Matt. 16:18], and so people have been calling upon God's Name for many centuries now. Where people and nations have repented and turned to God's written Word for salvation, restoration, and guidance, God has richly blessed them. Where nations have turned away from God's Word, repudiated His gracious mercy and forgiveness, and rejected His counsel, they have declined, crumbled, and met destruction.

In our own time, the powers of darkness have been able to infiltrate much of the church, using the institutions to confuse, corrupt, and pervert the Name of God, darkening true knowledge of Him. These same dark spiritual forces of evil have been able to raise up numerous virulent cults, all of which reject the true Son of Man, Whom God has made strong for His own purposes. Now many of our political leaders are confused - some taken utterly captive by the darkness of cults, others taking their counsel from demons within the church, using Christ's holy Name to promote corruption and filth. Lord, have mercy! All of Scripture bears witness as to what comes next in such circumstances - unless there is genuine repentance, as with Nineveh in the days of Jonah.

Still the Son of Man has come - as the psalmist prayed. Still He builds His own church, and nothing can prevail against Him or His church. Though it is within the institutions identified as "Christianity" the two are not the same. Frequently the institutions actually obscure and obfuscate the Name of God, corrupting and perverting a true knowledge of Him and genuine faith in Him. So we must have discernment, and take care to know Him, the Son of Man, our dear Savior and Lord, and not trust in man. He has given us God's Word, the Bible, that we may know the truth and remain free, never turning back from Him, but always calling upon His Name.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, so many around us have deserted You and rejected You, and many even within the church are corrupting and perverting Your Name. Evil cults have arisen which mimic but mock Your true church. Our leaders are clueless, using this moral chaos for their own selfish purposes. Still Your dear people call upon Your Name, and put full trust and confidence in You. Preserve us and strengthen us even as Your hand of judgment falls upon those who pervert Your Name. Amen

"You are those who have stayed with Me in My trials, and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:28-32

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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The whole issue of the power and influence of Satan is somewhat of a mystery. We know that he has quite a bit of power - as evidenced in the Egyptian magicians who emulated the first plagues in Exodus, or in what he was able, by God's allowance, to do to Job. Scripture warns us that he "prowls around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." [1 Pet. 5:8] He is especially desirous to plague and afflict children of God, disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is allowed to bring us into temptations and to cause our fall into sin - as he did with Peter when he denied three times even knowing Jesus.

It is interesting, the advice Jesus gives to Peter. First, He speaks of the coming kingdom which He has "assigned" to His disciples, His followers, including Peter. Note that this is by His grace, His gift, His choosing and determining. This is not a separate kingdom from His own, for He immediately speaks of them eating and drinking with Him at His table. He is the King, the only King, so the kingdom assigned to us is His own. Yet within this kingdom we too are afforded royal privileges and prestige. Then He warns Peter of impending Satanic influence, advises Peter that he is going to fall into grievous sin, but then speaks of his repentance, restoration, and service to the other disciples. There is mystery here, why God allows this, why Peter fell anyway even after Jesus' warning, the limitations God places upon Satan, and the final outcome which is the rout of Satan - Peter's repentance and faith.

We should remember these things as we go out into the world each day - that we have spiritual enemies who are capable of inflicting great harm on us, leading us into temptations. However, the Lord is fully aware of all of Satan's plans for us - and He is in full control, limiting what Satan can do to us. Though the Lord knows when we will fall, and the full nature of all of our sins, still He calls us to repentance - to turn back to Him and receive forgiveness, healing, and restoration from Him. Such falls into sin do not disqualify us from continuing to serve the Lord Jesus and His people, or excuse us from this responsibility - it was Peter who was charged with strengthening the others. In all of this - especially when we turn away from sin in repentance and remain firm in our faith in Jesus, Satan is routed and thoroughly defeated. This is why God allows him continuing influence - the evidence of the futility of evil and rebellion against God is piling up.

It is not that God wants us to fall into sin - He has given us ample warnings. He does will that we face temptations - in the sense of His permissive will; not that we should fall or be destroyed, and especially not that we should fall into despair and unbelief. There is mystery in this, but we are privileged to participate in the overwhelming victory of His gracious love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation - and all of this is in the face of that one who seeks to devour us.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus Christ, remind us in all our times of temptation that You are with us, and that You know all things. Help us to overcome all temptations, and deliver us when Satan sifts us like wheat. Restore us to Yourself through godly repentance and faith in Your gracious love. Forbid that we fall into despair, unbelief, or misbelief. Thank You for assigning us the kingdom, and all of its blessings. Help us to strengthen our brothers and sisters in faith. Amen.

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'" Mark 4:37-41

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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We have troubles too, storms in our lives, places where it appears that the water is breaking into the boat. We know what that means, especially if we can't bail the water out faster than it is coming in. We can also get quite tired with all of the bailing, and fearful of what will happen when we become too exhausted and have to take a break. We suspect that if the boat sinks all will be lost; there will be no hope left. We can see new storms on the horizon, and wonder what will happen if worse storms come our way. All of this worry and fear, some based in what is present and real, other based in what "could" happen, can overwhelm us and put us into despair.

The disciples were realists - they understood that they had no power over wind or wave; they were at the mercy of nature. I'm certain that they had already exercised the full measure of that innate human characteristic of self-determination. Who wouldn't have under their circumstances? They did right in coming to Jesus and "burdening" Him with their problems and concerns. When all else fails, ask God. However, as is typical of human beings, their view of Jesus and His power was far too small. Apparently they only hoped that He could help with the sails, the rowing, or perhaps a strategy to get away from the worst of the storm. Perhaps they only awakened Him so that He would be prepared for a swim, and probably a futile one at that.

They were surprised, shocked and in awe, when He simply shut down the storm with a word, His command. In fact, they were filled with great fear to be in His presence, and we should have greater respect and fear of God than we have for nature or anything else in life. For Him to be sitting calmly in their boat was a bit disconcerting, to say the least. It took a while for them to get it, that God is love, and His awesome power, while fearful and awe-inspiring, is utilized for our great good and blessedness. He rebuked the storm, but to His disciples He only said, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"

I doubt that the resolutions to any of our troubles are more complex or difficult than causing an immediate cessation of a violent wind and the churning waves in a large body of water. We too need to be aware of the Lord Christ's presence in our lives - He has promised to be with us always. We also need to be aware of His awesome and incredible power over all things. We should remember His love, and that His power is always working for our good. So His Word to us, regardless of the nature of our storms or of fearful things looming in the future, is a kindly encouragement to greater faith and trust in Him. He also orders our hearts: "Peace! Be still!" In view of all of this, the question is quite pertinent: "Why are you so afraid?"

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, like the disciples we forget Who You are, Your power and might over all things, and also the greatness of Your love for us. We are often gripped by fear and worry over our many pressing concerns. Help us to grow in faith and to overcome our fearfulness. Restore peace and calm to our hearts by Your powerful Word. Amen.

"And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once more He bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" John 8:7-11

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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This is the account usually referred to as that of "the woman caught in adultery." It is not contained in the earlier manuscripts; so many Bibles no longer include it, eliding it from the text in favor of a footnote. However, Christians for centuries have recognized in this account what appears to be the authentic Jesus - and have considered it truthful in describing a real occurrence, despite certain difficulties that may have caused some scribe to exclude it from the text he was copying. There is no question that this text has been used to justify a wide variety of evils - and to recruit "Jesus" to the side of allowing and encouraging such evil behaviors.

There is no problem with the account, however, if we take it in context. The woman was not condemned because she had repented and turned to God for forgiveness. This is not explicitly stated in the text, but it is certain, for the principle is clearly described by John in his first epistle: "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:8,9] So, even if she never verbally confessed her sin [which we don't know, since her confession may not have been recorded by John], the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, certainly knew her heart, and was fully capable of properly applying forgiveness to her. Likewise, Jesus also knew the guilt and culpability of those doing the accusing, and their impenitence, and so how to send them away with but a simple sentence.

The worst use of this account comes from those who argue: "See, even Jesus does not condemn adultery, but rather condemns those who accuse others." This is hardly truthful. He tells the woman, "Go, and SIN no more." So, He clearly calls her behavior SIN and expressly instructs her not to do it again! He asserts NOT permission for this and similar sorts of sexual sin, but rather forgiveness in not condemning her. As for the sin, He clearly condemns it and forbids it.

His disgust with and rejection of the accusers is for their impenitent and hypocritical posturing, and their attempt to harshly judge this woman for sins they were guilty of. It is true, that Jesus always condemned such hypocritical and self-righteous "judging." Yet, in calling the woman's behavior "sin," He clearly judged the behavior. The accusers were not wrong in doing the same; they were wrong in their own impenitence and hypocrisy.

Fast forward 2000 years and people are still doing the same - impenitently and hypocritically judging others, without regard to repentance and God's gracious mercy and forgiveness. And sadly, people are corrupting what actually happened in this account to justify their own sinful behavior and to say that Jesus would also approve of their sinful behavior. Quite the contrary, if they are impenitent - committed to continuing in their sin; for then Jesus has no gracious words for them, but condemns their sinful behavior and their impenitence. His statement, "Go and sin no more" still stands, for each and every one of us - whether our sins are heterosexual, homosexual, or other sins of greed, envy, pride, misbelief, malice, or arrogance.

It never ceases to amaze me how our sinful nature uses the best things, especially God's Word, corrupting, twisting, and perverting them to support us in our sinful deeds and especially in impenitence. When this is done within the "church" [or other religious groups], a new level of wickedness and darkness is displayed. The words and actions of Jesus in this account are perfectly consonant with truth, and easily understood in the context of His preaching: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" [the good news, which in the face of repentance can only be God's gracious mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus - Mark 1:16]. It is as John, by the Holy Spirit, assures us: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And in the face of this gracious forgiveness and mercy, the word of Jesus still stands: "Go and sin no more," regardless of what that forgiven sin might be.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, forbid that we fall into the trap of using Your own Word to justify any kind of sin and wickedness, especially impenitence, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. Keep us mindful of the continuing judgment of Your Word upon all human sin, and of the assurance of Your full and complete forgiveness of our sins when we turn to You in repentance and faith. Help us to judge properly - the sin and impenitence; and to avoid all missteps into hypocrisy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

"A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." Proverbs 24:5,6

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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As a young child full of energy and athleticism I was often frustrated by the clever strategizing of others around me. I quickly recognized that wisdom and knowledge trump sheer brute strength and physical abilities. I thought of this as a complexity that didn't need to be, a dynamic that leveled the playing field. It took a while, but eventually I learned that technique and strategy more often overcome mere strength - although this is not always the case. I guess I should have paid more attention to the account of David and Goliath, and taken it to heart.

In that the wisdom and knowledge referred to above come from God, it becomes apparent what dependence upon our own strength and resources really is - an effort to live and succeed independently from God. There are many people stuck in this, and some who end up using strategy and technique for purely selfish and evil purposes. The world is full of such people - and in that our sinful nature is always active and pervasive, even Christians must constantly check on their motives and what it is that they are really trying to accomplish. It is very hard to be "as wise as serpents" - it is even more challenging to be "as harmless as doves." [Matt. 10:16]

Scope is also required to judge the wisdom of this proverb. There are many people who appear to be highly successful, well educated and intelligent, wealthy and powerful, whose demise is just around the corner. Think the recent Yahoo leadership. Remember also the little adage: "life is short." The godless who seem to have lived a charmed life in this world have a rude awakening waiting for them when they die. Likewise, the clever who have used cult dynamics to personally prosper - hiding their selfish, godless hearts beneath a veneer of religiosity.

The "wise" man full of strength is often not viewed as such by those who are temporarily powerful and wealthy. Remember the rich man and Lazarus [Luke 16:20ff]. This account immediately followed Jesus' discussion of those who are wealthy and powerful enough to divorce and remarry [Luke 16:18]. Better yet, remember the Lord Jesus Christ, His unpopular time of ministry, His suffering and death. Again, scope is required to fully ingest the wisdom of this proverb.

True knowledge and wisdom pertains to understanding the gracious mercy, forgiveness, and love of God in Christ Jesus. He that believes the Son has everlasting life, and the promise that though "it does not yet appear what we shall be, we know that when He appears we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is." [1 John 3:2] It is such strength, derived entirely from God through faith, that gains the victory [Rev. 2:10].

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Scripture Cited
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Rev. 2:10 "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, true Wisdom from God, grant us grace to abide in Your Word and wisdom that we too may have that strength which ultimately prevails. Keep us in faith and faithful unto death. Amen.

"Why then have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that Your right hand planted, and for the Son Whom You made strong for Yourself." Psalm 80"12-15

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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After detailing the tender care God had exercised toward His people, those chosen to keep alive the knowledge that God is love, and that He had promised a "Seed" of the woman Who would undo the devil's work of bringing sin and rebellion against God into the world, redeeming us from all sin and guilt, the psalmist goes on to describe the desecration that the wicked were perpetrating against His people. All who passed by plucked its fruit, and the vicious around them "ravaged" what was left of the nation. The psalmist references the Messianic nature of the nation's purpose; the coming Son Who would do this great redemptive work with strength and power. What would become of the transforming power of His redemptive work if there was no longer a nation left to keep this knowledge alive?

The background, of course, needs to be kept in mind. I read an article this morning in the national press regarding the watershed issue of "gay marriage," detailing how divided the churches are on this issue. This was the chief problem in Israel prior to its destruction - the "church" was divided on the First Commandment versus idolatrous regard for the false "gods," and all of the moral ramifications. Where the First Commandment is discarded and falls, all the other moral imperatives follow and an immoral morass ensues within the culture. Where the church is "divided" on such simple and basic issues the politics and culture are likely to be just as confused, if not more so. So there should be some understanding of how we have gotten to the point where those holding high offices make public pronouncements favoring such rabid immorality, and legislatures consider legitimizing it with legal status. We have not made clear enough that those espousing homosexuality have departed from the First Commandment, the church, and Christianity.

How did the church get to such a condition where moral compass is lost? It did not begin with homosexual immorality but "red-blooded" American heterosexual immorality! Prostitution, pornography, the "sexual revolution," the degradation of marriage through divorce and extra-marital heterosexual promiscuity, rampant divorce, lurid clothing styles mainstreamed, lowering entertainment standards - and no one seemed to understand or care that this also was a rejection of the First Commandment and Christianity, even when the population of the churches began to decline dramatically. We were children at the time, then young adults - but the distinction was not made clearly enough, and so these things "osmosed" into our consciousness as "acceptable" and somehow compatible with faithfulness to God. We have not made clear enough that those espousing heterosexual immorality have departed from the First Commandment, the church, and Christianity.

So now "the boar is in the vineyard" and we cry out because we appear to be ruled and governed by boars. And God is to be blamed because the invigorating and transforming power of the knowledge of His love in the beloved Son is dwindling in our midst? And God is to be held accountable for the destruction that ensues? The truth is painful and it hurts to acknowledge our own complicity in the problems we are now at pains to distance ourselves from. But healing begins with repentance, true repentance that turns one's heart back to God. And we will find in such repentance abundant mercy and forgiveness from God, in the Son Whom He made strong for Himself, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His blood still cleanses us from all sin - and perhaps, with genuine repentance, humility, and true reverence among His people, this gracious mercy and kindness might once again be received by others around us. Pray that God grant it all, beginning with us.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, strong Son of the Father, our dear Savior, help us to see clearly what we have allowed to infiltrate our hearts, and the decadence of so much of our own "values," priorities, thinking, and behaving. Help us to understand that without the church as a strong and clear moral compass, the culture has no chance to retain decency. Forgive us, and empower us once again with Your gracious and merciful love, that humbly and winsomely we may once again reach out to others with the power of Your love. Amen.

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." 2 Tim. 2:22-26

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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This "posture" and "protocol" insisted upon by the apostle Paul for those who are "servants" of the Lord does not sit well with most of us. We would rather project the power and might of God, His prerogatives, and pound on those who are opposed to what is good and right, what God's Word teaches, and remind them of the coming wrath of God. We feel that representatives of God should project His ascendency, power, and glory. However, those seeking to truly serve the Lord should look again at this instruction, and understand more clearly what our Master's will is in all of this.

The goal is that "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth," that "they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil." We all want them to quit doing the devil's will - but God is also concerned about them, their heart, their eternal soul, their being. Harshness, projecting superiority and power and sanctimony, wont' get this job done. Rather, to do so is entering into the "ignorant controversies" and exacerbating the quarrels. In contradistinction, the servant of the Lord "must" be "kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." Those of us trained in competition of all kinds can hardly look at this as "winning." But now you see how "ego" figures into this and we're reminded that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." [James 1:20]

So, are we simply to sit around looking like a bunch of wimps? Absolutely not - we are to be "correcting" our opponents, but with "gentleness," being kind to everyone. Will we look like wimps to others, and will we be subjected to abuse? Certainly, but we must be prepared to "patiently endure evil" without striking back and engaging in evil ourselves. Is this difficult, and are there times that we fail and fall into temptation? Again, this is certainly so. But each time we return to the Lord for His gracious mercy, forgiveness, and redeeming love, we are reminded that this is how we are to be toward others - even those who oppose God and themselves, having been "captured" by the devil "to do his will."

When we think of this as "fighting with one hand tied behind our back," we have lost sight of the bigger picture, the larger purpose of God's love - His focus on bringing each individual to repentance and knowledge of the truth of His love. We must faithfully persevere in this battle, never taking a step backwards: correcting, teaching, and instructing in righteousness on the basis of God's Word, the Scripture, the Bible. However, we are to do so gently, in keeping with God's ultimate goals, and consonant with His love for us. This is quite a bit more difficult than simply grasping the truth, and whacking away with it. May God grant us the wisdom, patience, and submission to do His will, and to do it His way.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, there is so much that is wrong and evil in the world, and even within the church. We are tempted to fly into the work of cleaning up the mess with rage and the level of pressure and power needed to cause our opponents to flee. Help us to understand Your patience, and that this is not Your will. Enable us to understand and to carry out the difficult task of remaining faithful, in gentleness, kindness, and compassion for others. Grant them repentance and faith, and free them from the devil's grasp. Amen.

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble." Philippians 4:12-14

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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Everyone faces troubles and difficulties at times - some more than others. Knowing the gracious mercy and love of God, His forgiveness and His gift of salvation and eternal life, helps us to learn faith and confidence in God so that we too are able to endure all things, to survive and even thrive "through Him Who strengthens" us. Knowing His eternal good will for us, that He has chosen us for salvation and has brought us to faith in Jesus Christ, provides a base of confidence that cannot be broken. Knowing His promise to work all things together for our good gives us joyful optimism even in the worst of circumstances - for we are continuously waiting expectantly for the good promised to come, and we know it will.

Still, it is important to remember the great power of human kindness when we share in the troubles of others. Most of us can remember times when we were struggling and another person made a tremendous difference, a fellow Christian who stood with us, affirmed us, and gave us assurance that God was still with us to bless us. This is a Christian "kindness" that can have tremendous power even in the lives of those who are strong Christians, strong believers in God.

It is a privilege to be able to provide this kindness toward others, not some meritorious "badge." We are not always provided with these opportunities, but they do come along from time to time - and the potential for good is tremendous. Often the person in need looks to be down and out, pathetic and miserable, the off-scouring of the world. Yet God sees them quite differently, as His dear child, one whom He wills to be saved, one for whom He died, one whose sins He has washed completely away in the blood of Christ, one for whom He has good plans. He places us in their path, in their life at that moment, to turn the tide with nothing more than the assurance of His goodness and love.

We should not be so "strong" and "capable" in our faith that we refuse and despise this uplifting kindness from others. We are denying them this privilege, those whom God has sent to provide us with succor and encouragement. Though capable of doing "all things through Him who strengthens me," Paul acknowledged with gratitude those who were kind enough to share in his trouble. He was willing to receive the goodness of God through others, and allow them this blessedness of exercising love toward him. So in our times of need and trouble we too are a blessing to others as they participate in God's kindness, love, and mercy. So we "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." [Gal. 6:2]

I'm reminded of a little stitch-work wall hanging we had until it finally deteriorated from old age: "A trouble shared is but half the trouble; a joy that is shared is a joy made double." God grant us this blessed kindness, both to give and to receive.

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus, You not only share in all of our trials and troubles, but You also received kindness and love from others during Your life on earth. Help us to receive Your kind and gentle love from those around us, and to provide this same kindness to those in need. Remind us that what we do unto others we are doing unto You. Amen.