"And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." -Genesis 3.22-24
Man is justly banished from Eden, receiving the consequences of his disobedience, he is driven out of the paradise of Eden, and must work the ground outside in the untamed world. Once man is out, God stations cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the path to the tree of life. Man will now die because of disobedience, but even in banishment and an armed guard, there is hope. God does not destroy the garden, and He does not cut down the tree of life.
Thousands of years later, Jesus would enter Jerusalem from the east. In another garden He would face the same temptation of Adam, and reject it choosing obedience to God. He would be nailed to a cross, becoming the tree of life, and in Him man can live forever. There are no cherubim guarding the cross, no flaming sword stands between man and the empty tomb.
God is a god of hope. He did not destroy the tree of life, just placed a guard before it until the price could be paid to access it again. Physical death is part of life, but in Christ, eternal life in paradise is freely given. We will struggle in this world, it has been damaged by sin, but the God of hope is bringing His creation to restoration. Man has access to the tree of life once again, and while he has the breath of life in his lungs, access will not be denied.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Peace be with you
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Sunday, August 17, 2014
One Way
"Any man from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters it outside the camp, and has not brought it to the doorway of the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguiltiness is to be reckoned to that man. He has shed blood and that man shall be cut off from among his people. The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the Lord, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord. The priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and offer up the fat in smoke as a soothing aroma to the Lord. They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations." -Leviticus 17.3-7
God is giving instructions on how the people are to kill and offer their sacrifices. It isn't be be done outside the camp, but brought before the Lord. The sacrifice is to be made to God at the tabernacle, not out in the field to a false God. Atonement comes from God alone, and He does not want His people to be led astray by the pagan nations they encounter. There was one way to find forgiveness, one way to make the sacrifice.
As we've said before, this sacrificial system has been made obsolete by the work of Jesus on the cross and at the empty tomb. But even with this there is still only one way to attain salvation. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that our sins can be forgiven (John 14.6). It is only by accepting the new life that He offers that we can live with power over sin (Romans 6). There is no other option, and if we would be saved we must call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2.21). We must confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead to be saved (Romans 10.9).
Men, the only way to find salvation is in Jesus Christ. The five pillars of Islam, though good practices to live by, will not bring you salvation. Salvation is not found in the Buddhist attainment of nirvana. We don't find forgiveness by making it through the five caste systems of Hinduism. The only way to be saved is faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us turn to Jesus, and look to Him for salvation. Apart from Christ there can be no real forgiveness, no real salvation, and no path to God. There is only one way, and it is found in Jesus.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God is giving instructions on how the people are to kill and offer their sacrifices. It isn't be be done outside the camp, but brought before the Lord. The sacrifice is to be made to God at the tabernacle, not out in the field to a false God. Atonement comes from God alone, and He does not want His people to be led astray by the pagan nations they encounter. There was one way to find forgiveness, one way to make the sacrifice.
As we've said before, this sacrificial system has been made obsolete by the work of Jesus on the cross and at the empty tomb. But even with this there is still only one way to attain salvation. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that our sins can be forgiven (John 14.6). It is only by accepting the new life that He offers that we can live with power over sin (Romans 6). There is no other option, and if we would be saved we must call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2.21). We must confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead to be saved (Romans 10.9).
Men, the only way to find salvation is in Jesus Christ. The five pillars of Islam, though good practices to live by, will not bring you salvation. Salvation is not found in the Buddhist attainment of nirvana. We don't find forgiveness by making it through the five caste systems of Hinduism. The only way to be saved is faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us turn to Jesus, and look to Him for salvation. Apart from Christ there can be no real forgiveness, no real salvation, and no path to God. There is only one way, and it is found in Jesus.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wild at Heart, Chapter 2: The Wild One Whose Image We Bear, part 1
"A man has to know where he comes from, and what he's made of." The Bible tells us in Genesis 1 that we are made in the image of God. But as John points out, "In a man's search for strength, telling him that he's made in the image of God may not sound like a whole lot of encouragement at first. To most men, God is either distant or he is weak."
He then asks a question, "what is your image of Jesus as a man?" Many picture the white guy with flowing hair staring slightly heavenward. Maybe you have the image of a scrawny, almost feminine looking, crucified Jesus in a loin cloth. Or maybe it's the one where He's standing with some sheep by a stream, a lamb across his shoulders. Gentle, meek, and kind of a wuss. But that wasn't Jesus.
We're told that Joseph, the man who stepped in as an earthly father to Jesus, was a carpenter. In Israel there aren't a ton of trees, but there is an excess of stone. Jesus would have learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph, which would have included, more than likely, stone masonry. You have a man who has worked daily for close to three decades. His hand would have been calloused and strong. His muscles would have been firm and powerful. You have a man who has worked, and his body would reflect that work.
Then factor in the events that take place on the road to Golgotha. First Jesus is stripped and beaten very brutally, to the point where He isn't even recognized, and yet He is still standing up. Then he is given a cross that weighed around 300 pounds to carry to the place where he will be executed. He struggles beneath it's weight as He walks the smooth stone streets, eventually a bystander is grabbed and forced to take the cross. As he continues on there are women mourning that He comforts, and once he has been nailed to the cross, He still puts coherent sentences together. Do any of the pictures of Jesus you've seen portray a man who could do that?
"I am not advocating a sort of 'macho man' image. I'm not suggesting we all head off to the gym and then to the beach to kick sand in the faces of wimpy Pharisees. I am attempting to rescue us from a very, very mistaken image we have of God - especially of Jesus - and therefore of men as his image-bearers."
Jesus was a man's man, plain and simple. He knew hard work, and was respected by other men who worked. He commands the elements of nature as well as the heavenly army. And when He returns it will be at the head of His army, sword at His side, mounted on a stallion, ready for battle. He didn't shy away from injustice or those in authority, but righteously dealt with problems as they arose. "No question about it - there is something fierce in the heart of God."
"The whole creation is unapologetically wild. God loves it that way." Think about creation, waterfalls, thunderstorms, lions, tigers, and bears. It is a world full of risk, and danger, the elements that are essential for adventure. "Yet this is the world God has made - a world that requires us to live with risk. Because God wants us to live by faith." A world that contains no risk, demands no faith. God created a world full of adventures to be had, and set us free to explore it Adventure is a gift from God's heart to ours, "there is definitely something wild in the heart of God."
"Ana all his wildness and all his fierceness are inseparable from his romantic heart... God is a romantic at heart, and he has his own bride to fight for. He is a jealous lover, and his jealousy is for the hearts of his people and for their freedom." The cross is really a love story. God wanting His creation back so badly that He enters into it and dies for it. The Bible tells us that the greatest love is to lay down your life (John 15.13). That is the love of God. And in that we see His heart.
He boldly goes to the cross, faces the hardships, endures the pain. He is fierce in battle. He takes great risk in the cross, knowing that in spite of all of this people that He died for will reject Him, reduce Him simply to a human martyr, and even deny His existence. But He still goes. And in the cross we see His love and compassion. He is willing to pay any price to rescue those He loves. This is the image we were created from as men. This is God, and we are created and called to be like Him.
"And this is our true Father, the stock from which the heart of a man is drawn. Strong, courageous love... Be fierce, be wild, be passionate."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
He then asks a question, "what is your image of Jesus as a man?" Many picture the white guy with flowing hair staring slightly heavenward. Maybe you have the image of a scrawny, almost feminine looking, crucified Jesus in a loin cloth. Or maybe it's the one where He's standing with some sheep by a stream, a lamb across his shoulders. Gentle, meek, and kind of a wuss. But that wasn't Jesus.
We're told that Joseph, the man who stepped in as an earthly father to Jesus, was a carpenter. In Israel there aren't a ton of trees, but there is an excess of stone. Jesus would have learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph, which would have included, more than likely, stone masonry. You have a man who has worked daily for close to three decades. His hand would have been calloused and strong. His muscles would have been firm and powerful. You have a man who has worked, and his body would reflect that work.
Then factor in the events that take place on the road to Golgotha. First Jesus is stripped and beaten very brutally, to the point where He isn't even recognized, and yet He is still standing up. Then he is given a cross that weighed around 300 pounds to carry to the place where he will be executed. He struggles beneath it's weight as He walks the smooth stone streets, eventually a bystander is grabbed and forced to take the cross. As he continues on there are women mourning that He comforts, and once he has been nailed to the cross, He still puts coherent sentences together. Do any of the pictures of Jesus you've seen portray a man who could do that?
"I am not advocating a sort of 'macho man' image. I'm not suggesting we all head off to the gym and then to the beach to kick sand in the faces of wimpy Pharisees. I am attempting to rescue us from a very, very mistaken image we have of God - especially of Jesus - and therefore of men as his image-bearers."
Jesus was a man's man, plain and simple. He knew hard work, and was respected by other men who worked. He commands the elements of nature as well as the heavenly army. And when He returns it will be at the head of His army, sword at His side, mounted on a stallion, ready for battle. He didn't shy away from injustice or those in authority, but righteously dealt with problems as they arose. "No question about it - there is something fierce in the heart of God."
"The whole creation is unapologetically wild. God loves it that way." Think about creation, waterfalls, thunderstorms, lions, tigers, and bears. It is a world full of risk, and danger, the elements that are essential for adventure. "Yet this is the world God has made - a world that requires us to live with risk. Because God wants us to live by faith." A world that contains no risk, demands no faith. God created a world full of adventures to be had, and set us free to explore it Adventure is a gift from God's heart to ours, "there is definitely something wild in the heart of God."
"Ana all his wildness and all his fierceness are inseparable from his romantic heart... God is a romantic at heart, and he has his own bride to fight for. He is a jealous lover, and his jealousy is for the hearts of his people and for their freedom." The cross is really a love story. God wanting His creation back so badly that He enters into it and dies for it. The Bible tells us that the greatest love is to lay down your life (John 15.13). That is the love of God. And in that we see His heart.
He boldly goes to the cross, faces the hardships, endures the pain. He is fierce in battle. He takes great risk in the cross, knowing that in spite of all of this people that He died for will reject Him, reduce Him simply to a human martyr, and even deny His existence. But He still goes. And in the cross we see His love and compassion. He is willing to pay any price to rescue those He loves. This is the image we were created from as men. This is God, and we are created and called to be like Him.
"And this is our true Father, the stock from which the heart of a man is drawn. Strong, courageous love... Be fierce, be wild, be passionate."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Honor
The second thing that all men want. All men want to be respected and admired, at least to an extent. All men want to be thought of as men of honor, even if its just a front to hide what they are doing behind the scenes. Honor is something men will spend their lives for, but it's something we cannot keep, nor are we worthy to receive.
Let's look at the example of Jesus in Philippians 2.9-11, "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Jesus is exalted and it is for the purpose of glorifying God the Father. After everything Jesus endured He is exalted to the place of honor and glory, and He immediately returns the honor and glory given to Him to the Father. Jesus Himself gives glory to God the Father. And we are to become like Christ.
Honor comes from living for something greater than yourself. A solider receives honor for serving his country. As a man of God our honor comes from serving the King. God must be honored and glorified. He must be worshiped. His holiness demands worship, not in as a dictator demands loyalty, but simply because of how great His holiness is, He must be worship. 1 Chronicles 29.11-13 declares, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."
Philippians 2 tells us that one day every tongue will give praise to God one day. Every knee will bow in respect and worship to Him. But the Bible tells of the honor God gives to those who choose to worship Him now. 2 Timothy 4.7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." God bestows on the faithful a crown of honor. In Romans 8 we are told that we will be glorified with Christ.
But Proverbs 15.33 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." To receive real honor that no one can tarnish or take away, we must first humble ourselves before God in worship to Him. And as we worship the King we receive life, and with life comes honor and glory. And with these comes the privilege to be able to serve and honor God for all eternity. Honor comes in living for something, in serving something greater than yourself.
Honor is not found in success or the praise of man, but in the humble worship offered to the Father.
Psalm 62.5-8, "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
Philippians 4.8, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Let's look at the example of Jesus in Philippians 2.9-11, "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Jesus is exalted and it is for the purpose of glorifying God the Father. After everything Jesus endured He is exalted to the place of honor and glory, and He immediately returns the honor and glory given to Him to the Father. Jesus Himself gives glory to God the Father. And we are to become like Christ.
Honor comes from living for something greater than yourself. A solider receives honor for serving his country. As a man of God our honor comes from serving the King. God must be honored and glorified. He must be worshiped. His holiness demands worship, not in as a dictator demands loyalty, but simply because of how great His holiness is, He must be worship. 1 Chronicles 29.11-13 declares, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."
Philippians 2 tells us that one day every tongue will give praise to God one day. Every knee will bow in respect and worship to Him. But the Bible tells of the honor God gives to those who choose to worship Him now. 2 Timothy 4.7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." God bestows on the faithful a crown of honor. In Romans 8 we are told that we will be glorified with Christ.
But Proverbs 15.33 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." To receive real honor that no one can tarnish or take away, we must first humble ourselves before God in worship to Him. And as we worship the King we receive life, and with life comes honor and glory. And with these comes the privilege to be able to serve and honor God for all eternity. Honor comes in living for something, in serving something greater than yourself.
Honor is not found in success or the praise of man, but in the humble worship offered to the Father.
Psalm 62.5-8, "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
Philippians 4.8, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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