Renewal Series – 2 Corinthians 5:12 – New Creation

Renewal Series – 2 Corinthians 5:12 – New Creation

“Therefore, is anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

When read with the preceding verses there is a connection to the what Jesus said to Peter and his disciples outside of Caesarea Philipi.

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Before Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, he explained something to his disciples they did not understand nor were they convinced – at first.

“… Jesus began to explain to his disciples that … he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” – Matthew 16:21. Simon Peter objected because as Jesus rebuke him, he “did not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (v. 23). Peter’s concerns were for his friend, Jesus. He did not want to see his friend die. His mind was so focused on human concerns that he overlooked the fact that Jesus said, “on the third day be raised to life.” It is also conceivable that Peter had similar aspirations for who Jesus was – as many of Jesus’ followers had. That is, they thought he’d overthrow Rome as a political leader – an earthly king. (The world and its kingdoms are temporary.)

But Peter grew in his faith as it was tested over time, as did the disciples of Jesus and most certainly many of his followers throughout the region. Later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to encourage them to do the same. He reminded them that Jesus died for all. He was raised for all “that those who live should no longer live for themselves.” In Matthew 16, Jesus stated, “‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it…’” (v 25a). Peter did not understand this at first, but over time he came to a full realization of what it meant to “… regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16. There is no room for self when a person becomes a new creation in Jesus. There is no room for pride as Peter later wrote, “… All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because…” (1 Peter 5:5b), and then he quotes a Proverb, “… God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” This is how a follower of Christ should view Jesus for who he is, and how we should view others for who they are – creations of God who is eternal.

“Therefore, is anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. Pride is dead. Humility lives. 

Renewal Series – 2 Corinthians 4:16 – The Temporary Versus the Eternal

Renewal Series – 2 Corinthians 4:16 – The Temporary Versus the Eternal

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Death of the human body is inevitable. The aging process and the pains that accompany it, is unavoidable. But as God, Jesus is alive – for eternity (Matt. 28:6). This should give the believer hope. The human body is temporary. The spirit of Jesus within the believer is eternal. Therefore, it is by his spirit that we are “renewed day by day.” The Apostle Paul went on to write:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Not only are there troubles with the human body but also many other kinds of troubles in life – from human conflict on a micro and macro scale to the persecution of his church, and those who endure it, to many other forms of temporary trouble. But again, the believer has hope. Hope in Jesus to renew us each day. Hope in that we will be with him for eternity. The human body is seen. Therefore, it is the unseen that matters because Jesus is eternal.  And one day, we will be able to see him in person! What a glorious day that will be!

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Renewal Series – Romans 12:2 – God’s Will

Renewal Series – Romans 12:2 – God’s Will

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

Have you ever wanted to know what the will of God is? According to the Apostle Paul, we can know his will more clearly when we are in the process of renewing our minds. That is, to transform our worldview in a manner that abides with God. Paul starts with a warning, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world,…”  The pattern of this world is contrary to the will of God. As discussed previously, King David allowed himself to follow a path which led to adultery with Bathsheba. In Psalm 51:12, David writes in his confession, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” David realized the only way to remain in the will of God was for his Creator to repair his spirit. Other words for “restore” include: “rebuild” or to “reinstate.” David asked God to rebuild what he had destroyed through his sexual impropriety. In the midst of his misconduct, David made other poor choices; one included the murder of his good friend, and Bathsheba’s husband. It was only after David pleaded with God to restore him was he then able to determine the will of God.

On a macro scale, the prophet Ezekiel wrote to the nation of Israel, “I [God] will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26.

The prophet replayed the words of God to a nation that had rebelled in ways which included idolatry and sexual sin – they performed acts of misconduct similar to the foreign nations who did not consider God as their king and lord. But God promised that if his nation returned to him then he would restore them. Only in this restoration could his chosen nation know the will of God. Only if a nation returns to the words of God can it know correct decisions and actions to take. The pattern of this world leads to destruction (Matthew 23:1-12 and Luke 18:9-14). But God has the words of life (John 6:68). Life within the will of God.

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Renewal Series – Ephesians 4:22-24 - Old Person, New Person

Renewal Series – Ephesians 4:22-24

Old Person, New Person

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus:

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

In the context of this passage Paul urged his readers to abandon old ways, that of greed, idolatry and sexual perversion (see verse 19). When he penned these words he was using the imagery of clothing – to remove an old, worn out garment and to put the new garment which the Spirit of God had given. The first of all the scriptures references righteousness as clothing:

“I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe …” – Job 29:14

 The prophet Isaiah wrote to the nation of Israel at a time when foreign nations had destroyed their cities and many of its own people were filled with greed and deceived by the unlawful practices of other nations:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me … to proclaim good news to the poor … to proclaim freedom … a garment of praise instead of s spirit of despair. … I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, …” – Isaiah 61: 1-3 and 10.

And the psalmist wrote as he referred to a person who lived a life of self:

“He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.” – Psalm 109:18

The readers of Paul’s letter at the time would have been reminded of the Old Testament scriptures as a reminder of what to avoid, what to put off and what to discard. Instead of wearing the garment of a curse, Paul stressed “… to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” No longer is a Christ-follower to live a life of self and impurity.

Jesus told Nicodemus that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3). This implies a renewal of the old self into the new self. A Christ-follower is to literally discard the old person and to be born again as the new person. 

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Renewal Series - Psalm 51:10

No one on planet Earth is perfect. All of mankind has missed the mark of perfection. Whether in thought, attitude or action, we continue to miss that bullseye on the target of perfection. Nearly three thousand years ago, Kind David not only missed the mark, he aimed his bow in the opposite direction (Read 2 Samuel 11). After the prophet Nathan rebuked the king, David turned around, in his heart -- which is the definition of repentance (Read 2 Samuel 12). David wrote a psalm which reflected his repentant heart. In that psalm, he wrote of renewal.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10

And God restored the heart of David. Of course, David's actions of missing the mark had repercussions for generations. David was still not perfect. But God renewed his soul. God can do the same for any person no matter how far off a person has missed the mark. He is the healer and the Wonderful Counselor. 

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Mary's Song - A Christmas Devotional

Mary’s Song
 
God spoke to the priest Zechariah and told him his wife of mature years would have a child. In doubt, he questioned God. Zechariah was stricken from speech until his son was born – at which time he obeyed God with haste and named him John.
-      Luke 1:5-25
 
An angel of the Lord declared to Mary that she will “conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus … he will be called the Son of the Most High, … and his kingdom will never end.” Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you … for no word from God will never fail.”
Without question, Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
-      Luke 1:26-38 ESV – Paraphrase
 
After some troubling conversations with her family and her betrothed, Joseph, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also with child. Upon their greeting, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb – the was John the Baptist. She said to her young cousin, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
-      Luke 1:39-45 ESV – Paraphrase
 
Then Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he had been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One had done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their in most thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but had lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.
-      Luke 1:46-55 ESV
 
Questions:
 
1) When God asks us to accomplish a task, how do we respond?
2) Zechariah questioned God and was disciplined. Mary questioned the angel and was not disciplined. Why?
a) What was the difference between the two? (*)
b) Do we simply agree as did Mary, or do we, in doubt or even in tempted disobedience, question God as did her cousin’s husband, Zechariah?
 
There is a Messianic and prophetic parallel written by Joseph’s ancestor, King David. The psalmist writes in chapter 98:
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord as made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst in jubilant song with music; make music with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn. Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity.”
 
Both Mary and David praise God. Both speak of coming judgment. Mary speaks of mercy and David of salvation – of saving grace.
 
Questions:
 
3) David was known by God as “a man after God’s own heart.” (*)
a) What is God’s heart like? I John tells us that “God is love,” and Jesus showed love, as he instructed his disciples, to “the least of these.”
b) Could God say the same about your heart? How is that evident in your actions?
4) The Holy Spirit came upon Mary in order for her to conceive the Son of God. As Christ-followers, we are filled with the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill his purposes. Do we quench that same Spirit, or do we obey?
5) When asked of God to accomplish his purposes, do we rejoice? Do we praise his name? Are we amazed that he would desire to use us? Provide past examples.
 
Now read the two passages but intertwined: Mary’s Song and David’s Psalm

New Covenant - Prophecy Series

"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.'"

- Jeremiah 31:31

"This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." [Jesus]

- Matthew 26:28

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Look Upon Jesus and Live! - Prophesy Series

 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked up at the bronze snake, they lived.
- Numbers 21:9

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16

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No More Sin - Prophecy Series

 Seventy "sevens" are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place."

- Daniel 9:24

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will God and Father, to whom be the glory for ever and ever."

- Galatians 1:3-5

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Messiah Will Need to Travel to Egypt - Prophecy Series

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."

- Hosea 11:1

So he [Joseph] got up, took the child [Jesus] and his mother [Mary] during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the LORD had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

- Matthew 2:14-15

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God's Land, God's Earth, God's Universe

 When [Jacob] reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
-- Genesis 28:11-15

Commentary: When first reading, possibly the second or third, I see an historical account and also a spiritual connection between Jacob and GOD, as GOD makes two promises to Jacob. He gives him land and He promises to never forsake him and his descendants. Usually, I would be satisfied with the aforementioned revelations; but after meditating on this passage for a couple of weeks, I see three of the most important words in this passage: "I will give ...". (Read it again.) "I will give ...". GOD owns the land. The planet is GOD's planet. The universe is GOD's universe. And GOD, in all his sovereignty gives a portion of land to Jacob and his descendants.
 Whatever I think I may own, it was GOD's in the first place. He gives me what I need: land, a house, clothing, food, clean water, cars, jobs, ... and the list continues. May I thank Him everyday for giving me these things. And that's just the stuff.  More glorious are the spiritual gifts and the Kingdom-related blessings He gives!

Do Not Fret, Do Not Worry (About the Darkness of the World)

Do Not Fret, Do Not Worry (About the Darkness of the World)

In mainstream Christian circles there seems to be a preoccupation with how the world has strayed away from its Creator – the LORD God Almighty who is the Light for those who follow him. But the world continues to fall further into darkness. And those in darkness don’t even know they are in the wrong. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” (NIV, New International Version). Many of those in the light seem overly concerned about how the world is deceived into a path that is contrary to God’s plan. The wrongful ways of the world are seen on various news sources, in social media, universities and public schools. It is seen in the political arena and in the film and television industry, and even in many churches.

But as followers of the LORD God, of Jesus the Christ, we are not to fret or worry. The Psalmist wrote, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself of the one who prospers in his way, over the [one] who carries out evil devices.” (NLT, New Living Translation uses the word “worry.”) The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV)

There are those living a life in opposition of God who accuse the Christ-follower of being a hater just for disagreeing with their opinion or lifestyle. Jesus warned his followers this would happen. “If the world hate you, keep in my mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NIV)

Waiting on the LORD God and presenting our requests to him is good – it is how we abide with him and his love. But some Christians may believe that’s all we are to do – wait and pray. There are many injustices in the world. Jesus was a champion for those who suffered injustice. He healed those who were sick – both physically and spiritually (Matthew 8). He stood up for the woman who was accused of adultery (John 8) [Keep in mind, he did not condone adultery; he stood against those who were also in the wrong, the woman’s accusers.] There are ways in today’s world the Christ-follower can stand up against injustice. As Jesus demonstrated one-on-one, we too can interact with one person at a time or even as a group – a homeless person or persons, in the courts, with the pen, or with corporate prayer (to name a few). The latter was seen quite effective during the waning years of the Cold War in late 1980s when Pastor Christian Fuhrer led the Peace Prayers in Leipzig Germany¹. They prayed for a unified Germany, and for peace. After the prayer meetings, crowds filled the streets in peaceful demonstration – not one bottle or rock was thrown, the demonstrators did not instigate violence. How many times do people, including the Christian, feel the need to act against injustice by the use of violence? Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), those who were trapped in a dark place. And he did it in a manner of peace – for he is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

In the heart of the Christ-follower – in my own heart – may we not be preoccupied with the darkness of the world, especially to the point of feeling hopeless or violent. May we seek the LORD God, Jesus the Savior of the world, in prayer and patiently wait for his justice. May we seek out ways to be a light to a world of injustice in a manner of peace.

 ~

Footnote

1.       “A Time to Speak Out – The Leipzig Citizen Protest and the Fall of East Germany” Wayne C. Bartee, Praeger Publishers, 2000