Living A Transformed Life

Titus 2:11-14 

Today’s Scripture passage comes from the often overlooked book in the New Testament, St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus.  Titus was a Gentile convert of the Apostle Paul, possibly from the city of Antioch, and was with Paul during some of his missionary journeys.  Later Paul appointed Titus to be a leader of the church in the island of Crete.  The Book of Titus is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus, giving him some instructions on requirements and duties of elders and leaders of the church.  This Epistle also gives instructions to help believers grow in their faith in the Lord Jesus.  Let’s take a look at what the verses from our passage today can teach us.

One thing that the Apostle Paul taught new believers, after he had led them to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus, was that they no longer needed to live under the power of sin.  This is something that believers today also need to get a grasp of.  The death of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary, and His following resurrection from the dead, defeated the power of Satan and broke the power of sin to hold believers in captivity.  Paul wanted new believers to know this, and he instructed Titus to teach this to the church in Crete, as well.  We need to practice this in our life, and not continue to live as though we are still slaves to sin.

God’s plan of salvation saved us from the penalty of sin (vs. 11), the power of sin (vs. 12), and the presence of sin (vs. 13).  When we become saved, the power of sin is broken, and we are able to live a new and transformed life.  As believers, we are to renounce sin and its evil desires, and live actively for God.  When temptations come knocking on our door, we need to send the Holy Spirit, who dwells in each of us, to answer, saying “No!”.  Instead of following and courting sin, our lives should be lived in service to God.

In verse 14 Paul teaches us that we were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Greek word Paul used for “redeem”  is “lytroo” and it means to release or liberate by payment of a ransom.  We were being held captive by sin and Satan, but the Lord Jesus Christ purchased our release, our salvation, through His shed Blood (Mark 10:45).

Paul continues on, saying that we are God’s peculiar people.  That is an odd or uncommon way of saying that we are God’s special people, His own, belonging especially to Him.  Jesus purchased us with His Blood, so now we belong to Him.  Because of that, Paul tells us that we need to be zealous of good works.  Good works are the product, not the means, of salvation.  Good works do not save us, but if we are saved, they will be the by-product.  Christianity is not a social club, where we have no other responsibility other than to just believe in Jesus.  As believers, bought with the price of the Blood of Jesus, we are to be zealously pursuing good works, be committed to Jesus, and to serving others.

There are some who claim that verse 11 teaches Universalism, saying that all people have salvation and are saved.  This is a false interpretation of this verse.  The Scriptures correctly teach that Jesus Christ made a sufficient sacrifice to cover every sin of everyone who believes (John 3:16-18; John 3:36).  Only those who believe are saved.  Those who remain stubborn and refuse God’s grace will be excluded from salvation because they have chosen disobedience over obedience.

Looking back over our passage from God’s Word, we see a verse that declares that Jesus was not just a good and holy teacher, not just a good man like so many people today claim, but rather was God Himself, the second Person of the Trinity.  In verse 13 we read “the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.”   We see the use of the definite article “the” with the word God, plus the connecting conjunction “and” with Jesus Christ.  This shows that the first and second nouns are one and the same person.  The Lord Jesus Christ is, and always was God, which is a good declaration to make as we close out this year!

The Triumphant King

 Psalm 98

Generally, when a baby is born, there is rejoicing in the family and among friends of the family.  Everyone is happy, and there is a lot of oohing and aahing over the baby.  When the baby Jesus was born, His mother Mary and foster father Joseph rejoiced, along with all of the angels in heaven, the shepherds who were told, and later the magi who came to worship Him.  Today, believers all around the world celebrate Christmas and rejoice with the birth of Jesus, His first coming to earth.

Yes, Christmas festivities honor the first coming of the Lord Jesus to earth, and we celebrate and venerate that occasion.  The coming of Jesus to earth the first time brought salvation to all who accepted Him and welcomed Him into their hearts.  There is another time when there will be rejoicing among believers, and that is when Jesus returns to earth a second time.  The first time He came, though He was God, He came as a helpless baby, and His ministry focused on teaching and serving others, and dying as the Suffering Servant.  This second time when He comes, He will come as the victorious King that He is.

Our psalm for this week proclaims the excitement and joy over the rule of the Lord in His kingdom.  In the past, kings and emperors would frequently lead their armies in battle against the enemy.  In the last 100-200 years this hasn’t generally been the case, but prior to then it was quite often the case.  When they would return victoriously, there was generally great rejoicing among the people of their realm.  There would be victory parades, victory bands, and huge crowds of people shouting their cheers.

In verse one we read that the Lord has won the victory.  The psalmist proclaims that the victory was won by His power, not some other leader or military general, but through His right hand and holy arm.  It was through His power and His leadership, and it was a marvelous victory.  No wonder the people are rejoicing!  Who did He win the victory over?  Ultimately the victory is over Satan and his followers.  Since the Fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, Satan has held power over the earth and over so many people throughout history, and certainly today many have chosen to follow him.  When Jesus returns a second time He will destroy the power of Satan, along with his demons and his followers.

When Jesus came the first time, He made known His salvation and His righteousness to the whole world (vs. 2).  Over the succeeding centuries believers have been proclaiming His saving message to the ends of the earth (vs. 3).  When He came the first time the angels rejoiced, along with His immediate family, but certainly not the whole world.  When He returns the second time, though, it will be a different story.  We see the psalmist tell of a whole population breaking forth in song, rejoicing and singing, with instruments, a band, a whole orchestra ringing forth (vs. 4-6).   When a triumphant king returned, no one in the city kept silent!  Likewise, when our victorious Savior returns, His people will give a great cheer and erupt into praise and welcome!

The psalmist says that not only the people, but that all of nature will rejoice, as well (vs. 7-8).  Nature has been held under captivity by Satan since the Fall, and when Jesus comes they, too, will be set free.  Nature knows its Creator, and will sing forth in praise to Him when He returns as the triumphant King.

When Jesus returns He will judge the world (vs. 9).  Because God is victorious over evil, all those who follow Him will be victorious with Him when He judges the earth.  Unlike human rulers who often judge their conquered enemies with vindictiveness, Jesus will judge in perfect righteousness.  God is both perfectly loving and perfectly just. Those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus will have no need to fear.  Those who haven’t will face His wrath.  As we come to the close of another year, are we waiting with anticipation for the return of our victorious king?  It could be at any time!

His Name Will Be Called....

 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Many soon-to-be parents take great care when choosing a name for their coming baby.  Some wish to honor a dear relative or friend by naming the baby for them.  Others page through baby name books, searching for a name that signifies something meaningful to them, or they pick a name that is special to their culture or heritage.  Then there are those who just pick a name that is the latest fashion for boys and girls that year.  In our Scripture passage today from the Book of Isaiah, the prophet shares some names that the Messiah was given, in addition to His regular given Name.  Let’s take a look at what Isaiah has to share with us today.

First, before Isaiah introduces us to the special Names that the Messiah is called by, he tells us that the Messiah will be a great light to enlighten those who are in darkness (vs. 2).  Jesus is this great light that Isaiah prophesied about.  He is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).  We call the planet Venus the morning star.  Sometimes, when the season is right and the sun is just below the eastern horizon ready to rise and start a new day, it’s brilliant light will reflect off of the planet Venus, making it one of the brightest lights in the sky, ushering in the dawn from the night, just as Jesus did.  Jesus keeps us from falling into the darkness of false teachings and evil.

Jesus is the Light who shines on everyone living in the shadow of death.  He came to deliver all people from their slavery to sin (John 8:34-36).  The darkness of our souls is much more dangerous than a temporary power outage.  When power goes out in a home, we may stumble around in the dark, and perhaps knock into things, getting some bruises.  If one remains in spiritual darkness, they risk eternal damnation.  Spiritual darkness brings with it fear, hurt, and hopelessness.  It brings with it the sins of lies, gossip, backstabbing, cheating, violence, and hatred.  Jesus came into this darkness as the Light of the world (John 8:12), with knowledge, truth, righteousness, hope, and life.  His coming as the Messiah brings light to remove the darkness of the captivity to sin that Satan has us held by.

Isaiah continues on in our passage, and now shares several names and qualities that the Messiah had (vs. 6).  First, he relates how the Messiah would come and be born as a child.  He did not just appear as an adult, nor was the role or position of Messiah given to someone as an adult.  The first Name here that is given is that of Wonderful, someone who is filled with wonder and awe, a marvelous person.  People will often, when speaking of someone they love, say they are wonderful.  They think that person is the best.  That would certainly describe Jesus!  He is exceptional, distinguished, without peer.

Jesus is called our Counsellor, one who advises and gives counsel.  When we have a problem or an issue, we often go to someone we think is wise, and seek their advice about what to do.  Jesus is certainly the first and best one we should seek counsel from.  He gives wise and right counsel for every area in our life (John 14:16-17).  Isaiah next calls Him the Mighty God.  This is another verse that reaffirms the deity of Jesus.  He wasn’t just a man who came to fill the role of Messiah.  He was and is God incarnate, God who became man, born as a baby into this world that He, Himself had created.

Jesus is also described as the Everlasting Father, the Father of Eternity.  He, alone, is the source of eternal life.  He is timeless and He will care for His people.  He is a ruler whom His people will look to in very personal terms, a “father”.  Jesus is no mere earthly ruler.  His reign is everlasting.  Any ruler, whether king or president, does not have to treat his subjects as though he were their father, but a ruler who truly cares for his subjects will show that love.  Jesus’ reign will be both protecting and providing, like a father.  Jesus is the Everlasting Father - a powerful protector and perfect provider.

Lastly, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace.  The word “peace” or shalom in Hebrew means well-being, flourishing, and wholeness.  Sin made us enemies with God.  Jesus made peace possible with God (Romans 5:1).  Sin has broken human relationships.  Jesus has made peace possible with others.  Those who trust in Jesus for salvation have God’s favor.  On our own, peace is unattainable.  That is why Jesus came.  He is the Mighty God who will be a benevolent ruler, bringing eternal peace on earth.  His government is one of justice and peace (John 14:27).

A Mystery Revealed

Romans 16:25-27 

Have you ever had something that was puzzling you for a long time, something that was difficult to understand or difficult to do, and then finally you understood it, the meaning became clear?  Perhaps you were pondering something over and over, and then finally it was as if a light went on in your brain.  Ah Ha!, now suddenly the meaning becomes clear, and the puzzle can be solved.  In our very brief Scripture passage for today, the Apostle Paul describes such an event, where now we understand what God is doing.

Our Scripture passage for today is the closing verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans, which we will take a very brief look into this day after Christmas.  Here Paul gives a benediction, which comes from the Latin word meaning to bless.  In many churches the priest or pastor will give a benediction, a prayer or words spoken to bless the congregation before they leave.  Paul also gives a doxology, praising God for His work through the Lord Jesus Christ.

In these closing verses Paul makes mention of a mystery that had been hidden or secret from time past, but is now made clear or plain.  The word “mystery”, when used in the New Testament, does not have its modern connotation.  It is not like an Agatha Christie mystery, or something on an episode of  Murder, She Wrote.  Instead, it refers to something hid in former times, but now is made known.  The New Testament’s most common mystery is that God would provide the same access to salvation for Gentiles as well as for Jews, without the Gentiles going through the Jewish faith.

Throughout their history the nation of Israel was not only called to righteousness, but was also appointed to be a light of God’s message to all nations.  Light is one symbol that is emphasized throughout the Christmas season.  Jesus came to be a Light in this dark world of sin (John 8:12).  God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him (I John 1:5).  God called us out of the darkness of sin and Satan, and into His Light (I Peter 2:9).  All around the neighborhood we see the twinkling Christmas lights that many put up on their homes and yards.  Just as those shine out a cheery message, God calls us to be His light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

Paul wrote this epistle to the church in Rome.  Ancient Rome was essentially the capital of the world.  The early church there had great potential to be a beacon of light, spreading the Gospel to many.  Today, with modern technology, we have the entire world open to us.  We have the potential to be a widespread influence for the Gospel.  The mystery is no longer hidden.  Both Jews and Gentiles have the Gospel message of salvation open to them.  Jesus came into the world to make that possible.  Let’s be that beacon of His light and shine God’s message to everyone we can!

The Friendly Beasts

Luke 2:4-7 

Many of you will be reading this on Christmas Eve, and in honor of the Christmas holiday I thought I would take a look at an old Christmas song that comes from an even older Christmas fable, entitled The Friendly Beasts.  I remember the song quite well from my childhood, and it was always a favorite of mine.  The song and the fable, besides being endearing, I believe also have a lesson to teach us.

The fable tells the story of how the animals that were in the manger the night that Jesus was born, were briefly given the ability to speak.  Each animal there spoke of the gift that they had given Jesus, the Son of God and their Creator, that evening.

The first animal to speak is the donkey.  The gift that he gave the Lord Jesus was to carry His mother, the Virgin Mary, many miles from her home in Nazareth to the town of Bethlehem.  That journey, taken on foot by Joseph, and Mary on the donkey, would have taken several days, quite probably even over a week.  Also, it would have been a difficult one for Mary, as she was nine months pregnant.  Knowing how I felt shortly before the birth of both of my two now adult children, I can say it would not have been too comfortable a journey!  The donkey, though, says he did his best to bring her safely to Bethlehem.  That was his gift to the Lord Jesus.

The next animal to speak was the cow.  She says that her gift to Jesus was her manger and hay.  The Gospel account of Luke in Scripture says that Mary and Joseph laid the newborn child in a manger.  The Greek word used is one that describes a feeding trough used by farmers for their cattle, one they would use to place the hay.  Joseph would have cleared it out, placing nice, fresh, sweet-smelling hay in it, and laid the wrapped infant down to sleep.   The cow gave up use of her feeding manger and the fresh hay that night for her Creator God.

The sheep was the next animal to speak.  The gift he spoke of giving was from the wool, which would have been used to wrap and clothe the Baby Jesus.  The sheep who would have been in the stable that night when Jesus was born most likely did not give the wool that would have been used to wrap Baby Jesus, as it is a process to shear sheep and then take the wool and make fabric to be used as swaddling clothes.  However, this sheep spoke on behalf of all sheep which gave their wool to clothe Jesus, their Creator.

The last animal to speak was a dove from the rafters of the stable.  The dove and her mate gave the gift of comforting coos to help the Baby Jesus relax and go to sleep.  I occasionally hear mourning doves in my neighborhood, and their cooing can be a soothing sound.  The calming coos were her gift to the Lord Jesus.

So what gifts can we give the Lord Jesus this Christmas?  It is the day in which we celebrate His birth, and yet most people are more concerned with what they are getting, not with what they can give to Jesus. There is another Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy, that also tells of a young boy who gave what he could, that of playing his little drum for the Baby Jesus.  Can we help others carry their burdens, like the donkey did?  How about doing what we can to help others have a place to rest, something to eat or wear, like the cow and sheep.  Or maybe we can bring some comforting joy to others, like the dove did.  Jesus told us that what we do for others, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40).  What gift will you bring to Jesus this Christmas?

His Mercy Endures Forever

 Psalm 136

All of us at one time or another, have probably had to memorize something.  One of the best ways to memorize something is to repeat it over and over again, so that it gets stuck in our brain.  That is how little children learn their ABC’s, 1-2-3’s, etc.  Repetition, over and over again.  That is the best way to memorize Scripture verses and chapters.  We read the verse over and over again until it is finally in our memory.  When someone wants to get their message across to where it finally sinks in, it often has to be repeated over and over again.  Parents know that, when they have to tell their children something repeatedly.  God knows that about people, as well, that the best way for them to really know and believe a truth is to repeat it over and over again.  This is what we find in our psalm today, a truth about the Lord God repeated in every verse, so that there is no escaping it.

There are many parts of the Bible that are repeated several times.  God repeats the Ten Commandments twice in Scripture.  Many of the parables are repeated several times in the different Gospels, along with portions of the Sermon on the Mount.  When God repeats something, it must be important for us to know.  Many of His commands and instructions for living a faithful Christian life are repeated over and over throughout the Epistles.  Here in Psalm 136, God repeats the phrase “for His mercy endures forever” over and over again, in each and everyone of the 26 verses.  This must obviously be something important that He wants us to know, learn, and get firmly into our minds.

Mercy is God withholding or holding back the punishment that we are due and deserving of.  It is His forgiveness, and the love and compassion He has upon us as weak and helpless humans.  The anonymous writer of this psalm was so grateful of God’s mercy to him and to all of us, that he wanted everyone to be fully aware of this, as well.  If we got what we deserved, where would we be?  We would be condemned, of course.  If God did not have mercy upon us, His righteous judgment would call for instant death and damnation to the pits of hell.  However, God does have mercy upon us.  He has deep love and compassion for us, so much so that He sent His Son Jesus for our salvation, whose birth we celebrate later this week.  He didn’t have to do that, but because He has love and mercy on us, He did.

God doesn’t just show His mercy to us one time, and then that’s it.  If we mess up and sin again, He doesn't come down on us like a ton of bricks.  No, as we read here over and over again, His mercy endures forever!  God’s mercy, love, kindness, and faithfulness will always continue.  It flows from a well that will never run dry.  God’s love is loyal and faithful, even when His people sin against Him.  He is faithful in loving us.  Steadfast love is an integral part of the character of God (Exodus 34:6).

This psalm, like so many of the psalms, was probably originally set to music, and was sung antiphonally, sung or recited back and forth with two groups.  One group would sing or recite the first half of each verse, and the second group would continually respond with “for His mercy endures forever”.  Setting something to music is one way that makes memorizing a bit easier.  In the first three verses we see the character and person of God.  He is not just any old deity, like the myriads of deities the pagans worshipped.  He is the God of gods, the Lord of lords.  The pagan gods were false, fake, the constructions of the people’s minds.  However, Yahweh is the one, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, everlasting God.

In verses 4-9 the writer focuses on God, the Creator.  The same God who made everything, promises to love His children forever.  When we think of all of creation, all of the wonders on our planet, let alone the vastness of space, why would God even bother with us (Psalm 8:3-4)?  Yet He does.  He loves us and His mercy towards us endures forever.  Verses 10-24 focus on the history of God’s relationship with His people.  The psalmist recounts countless times that Yahweh showed His mercy and love for His people.  We could, and really should, go through our own lives, and that of our families, and recount the many times God showed us His love and mercy, especially as we come to the close of this year.  The final two verses close out the psalm by showing God’s mercy through His provisions.  He doesn’t forget us, but provides for and nourishes us.

As we look forward to Christmas in a few days, we can be thankful for that greatest act of love and mercy God showed to all mankind, that of providing us a Savior, who came to take the sins of the world upon Himself, and providing us a way to be reconciled to God.  As our psalm repeatedly says, “For His mercy endures forever”!

When God Says No

 II Samuel 7:4, 8-16

We’ve made our plans to do something really nice, something special, something we believe would be good, and then we’re told “No!”, it can’t happen, it won’t be allowed.  Whether this is some good project we wanted to do at work, something good we wanted to do with or for our children at home, or something else, it is a big disappointment.  Is my boss angry at me or out to get me?  Are the people who tell me no just trying to be mean?  Maybe, or maybe not.  How about when it is God who tells us “No”?  There are times when we pray for something, something that we believe is a good prayer, not anything selfish, maybe even something that could be a blessing to others. Then the answer we receive is, “No, the Lord doesn’t want that.”  In our Scripture passage today, we read of something that King David wished to do, and the “No” response that God brought to him.  Let’s take a look and see why, and what the Lord had planned instead.

As we know from reading our Bible, King David loved the Lord God, and had a strong personal relationship with Him.  After he became king of Israel, David built himself a grand palace, as any king naturally would do.  However, after David built his own home, as he looked around at how wonderful it was, he then thought about the Tabernacle, and how the Ark of the Covenant was residing in tents. Here he was in a luxurious palace while the Ark of the Covenant, where the Mercy Seat was, was just in a tent.  It just didn’t seem right to him.  David wanted to build a house or Temple for God.  That would seem to be a good desire, wouldn’t it?  David felt so, and he started to make plans, to draw up the blueprints, and start purchasing the materials.

However, God had different plans, and He sent His prophet Nathan to tell David that He said “No”.  Was it because David had done something wrong, or that God was angry at him for making these plans?  No, that was not the case here.  When God says no, it is not necessarily done for discipline or rejection.  That was not the case here with David.  With only a few exceptions, David pursued God’s will in his life, and wanted to do His will.  However, God told David no, he was not to build God the Temple, and David was to accept that answer.

God had something better, something greater in mind for David.  As His prophet Nathan spoke His words to the king, he found out what that was.  God was going to build David a great house, not a physical dwelling place, which he already had, but a dynasty, a lineage, which would rule over God’s people forever.  This was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22-36), who was David’s descendant, and who is greater than any Temple, which would later be built by David’s son Solomon.

God reminded David that He had abundantly blessed him, raising him to success from being a lowly shepherd to becoming a king (vs. 8), and had protected him wherever he went (vs. 9).  Now God promised David that He would continue to bless him even further.  The Lord gave David a special promise that his lineage, his house, his descendants would last forever, and his throne would last forever (vs. 12-16).  Again, this was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is a physical descendant of David.  We know that God keeps His promises.  Since we do not see any descendants of David reigning today, and they haven’t for about 2,500 years now, either God failed in this promise, or we see and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, God’s Chosen One, and know that He is the fulfillment of this promise.  Jesus is greater than the Temple, which was destroyed in 70 AD, and has never been rebuilt. Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection, and He is seated at the right hand of God, reigning forever, which is a fulfillment of that promise.

Whenever we find God saying “No” to a prayer or desire of ours, we should look to see why.  It might be that our desire may be harmful to us or others.  Or perhaps, as we saw with David, God has something even greater for us than what our plan was.  He is always looking out for us, and we can trust that He always keeps His promises, as well.