Steadfastness of Mind - May 27, 2012

Isaiah 26:3 - The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.

Recently, I was counseling and praying with an individual fraught with anxiety over a variety of things. Most of all, relationships within their respective family which they could not fix. I listened to this person for some time and then I asked, "Are you the oldest sibling in your family?" They replied, "Why yes ... how did you know?" I told them it doesn't take a "word of knowledge" to understand how the oldest child will often try to fix everyone in their family. It doesn't matter their age. They can carry this trait well into adulthood. Often, older generations, such as those who grew up pre- and post World War II came from larger families where the older children often did as much child rearing as the parents. Care giving life scripts such as these are often deeply ingrained in the mind and heart of oldest siblings. This can be a good thing if we know what to do with these concerns. However, these can be equally destructive if we do not know where to turn for help when relationships become uncontrollable.

From the Gospels, we know how Jesus taught we cannot control or fix anyone. These sort of things are well beyond our scope of power as mere mortals. However, Jesus does tell us to come to Him, giving Him our burdens and anxieties and He will give us rest. (Matthew 11:28) How hard it is to come to the Lord when we do not have our gaze fixed upon Him to do so! As long as we are fixed on fixing others without God's help, then we cannot be fixed on Jesus. Only as we look to the Lord is there hope -- first for ourselves and then for others. It only makes spiritual sense how we will be of most help to others when we ourselves are first transformed by Jesus Christ. As our lead verse states, steadfastness of mind is the guarantee of perfect peace. To the degree we can stay our minds upon the Lord, to that degree we will know peace. The mind, in this instance, is nothing less than our spiritual eyes and how we choose to align ourselves. If we seek to muddle through solutions in our mind's eye, then we will reinforce self to always seek a solution outside of God. However, if when we are presented with daily problems and we immediately say to ourselves, "Lord, I am not going to worry about this but surrender it to You," then we allow God to renew our minds and transform our hearts according to the "life script" He desires to write in our regard. (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24) To illustrate the difference regarding trying to solve problems on our own and surrendering them to God, we may say it is the difference between death and life. On one hand, we fail when we try to do things in our power. Failure is a type of death. However, when we look toward God, there is always success because God will always succeed. A good example of this is Jesus' reference in John chapter three when He compares His sacrifice to another symbolic act 1200 years earlier: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life." (John 3:14-15) Let us compare the similarities between these two accounts.

The bronze serpent which Jesus referred to was an early typology of the saving power of the cross and the resurrection. The children of Israel, because of their murmuring and complaining, were beset with fiery serpents who were killing many of the Israelites due to their unbelief. God instructed Moses to fashion a bronze serpent and to affix it to a pole normally used to lift up a flag or a banner. In doing so, when bitten, the Hebrews could look toward this symbol of salvation and be cured of their venomous bite. We read the following in the book of Numbers: "And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived." (Numbers 21:9) In the third chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus was telling Nicodemus (in context with His message on being born again) that in order to be saved we must look to God. The human condition which is beset with sin will keep a steadfast mind on things of self, thereby creating angst, worry, anxiety and dread. These, beloved, draw us into a place of spiritual death. However, as God was typifying in the book of Numbers and Jesus was comparing Himself to in the book of John, when we look toward Him then we live and we acquire His peace.

Steadfastness of mind does not occur easily. We must continue to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:5) However, when we learn not to reinforce our flesh by allowing it to keep our minds on ourselves and our problems, then surrender to Christ becomes a freeing experience that gives us great relief. Once we realize that coveting solutions born in our own minds is nothing less than idolatry, then we will more easily relinquish the power we once tried so desperately to use to give ourselves and others peace. True peace only comes through total surrender. It is not an abeyance to evil, but an alliance with the One who can vanquish the evil of self forever. May we all look to the Standard, Jesus Christ the Almighty. For only in Him is there salvation from self.

Father in heaven, thank You for the peace, the very shalom of God, which You desire for us all to live in everyday. May we keep our minds steadfastly on You, for there truly is salvation in no other. May we die to fixing ourselves and others, and continue to fix our gaze upon You and Your salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

Ears to Hear, Eyes to See - May 20, 2012

Matthew 11:15 - He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Most of us listen better, at times, better than others. Wives might comment and say that men have selective hearing where they become attentive when it is only something that interests them. There is probably some truth in this. Conversely, spiritual hearing and godly sight seem to be gifts that we can choose to accept or reject. Several times in the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus use the ear as a metaphor for understanding the word of the Lord. For instance, our lead verse is Jesus' final word to the crowd after telling them the Parable of the Sower. I believe it is important to note how Jesus uses this phrase (and others which are similar) when He is teaching those who have come to hear Him preach. The multitudes are admonished to choose to "hear" what Jesus is telling them. It is not a command or necessarily a demanding statement, but more of a plea. Jesus knew, both then and now, how the vast majority will not have ears to hear. Many in Jesus' day did not seek to understand, in the same way as many today refuse to look for the Lord's wisdom (Proverbs 2:3-5).

According to the Scriptures, Jesus does not seem to require spiritual sight before spiritual hearing. He understood then as well as now how mankind must first be able to hear the word. For in so doing, faith will come by hearing (Romans 10:17). Often, people want spiritual sight without first hearing what God is saying to us His word. They abort the process of true understanding by not allowing the word of God to do what it must in a man's ears, then in his heart. As aforementioned, faith and true understanding can only come once the word of God is allowed to fall into the fertile soil of which Jesus spoke (Mark 4:8). As the parable suggests, the word of God is a seed (Mark 4:14). Jesus tells us unless a grain of wheat (or a seed) falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. If, however, it dies it brings it brings forth much fruit (John 12:24). Within context of this passage in John, Jesus is speaking of His own death and His soon to come resurrection. However, He is also speaking for us today so we might understand that when we hear the word of God---and we can identify with Christ's death and resurrection within us---then we will also grow up in Christ to bear much fruit. At this stage begins the journey of spiritual sight.

Even as a plant is unseen while it is growing in the soil, it is nevertheless still a plant. However, when it breaks the ground's surface, then it becomes evident to all. It instinctively turns toward the sun to reap the benefit of its life giving power. In a real sense, it now has "eyes to see" which way to turn to most benefit from this solar energy. (It is quite remarkable to watch sunflowers do this during the course of the day as they follow the sun's course.) While a plant may not yet bring forth fruit, it is obvious to all when it buds and then blossoms, that fruit will one day appear. These are most demonstrable through sight (although smell might be involved regarding the blossom's fragrance). As already stated, the word of God can only come to life within us when we hear the word of God and then die to self and live to Jesus. It should be noted how Jesus only mentioned "eyes to see" in regard to those who were converted, such as the disciples. While the Scriptures show us how hearing the word of God is our choice, it is also our choice to have "eyes to see." Jesus reprimanded the disciples when He said, "Having eyes to see, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?" The Lord is telling the disciples they have been saved through the hearing of the word and the understanding of spiritual eyesight. Now, they must walk in it.

As believers, we no longer have a critical need for "ears to hear" as we did when we came to the Lord. We have heard the word of God and he has implanted it within us which is able to save our souls (James 1:21). What we need, if we are truly saved, is spiritual sight. Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened. He knows they have heard the word within their hearts. Now, they need to walk in it with faith and obedience. Jesus' words to those most in need of correction in Revelation 3 was to buy "eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see" (Revelation 3:18). Hearing the word of God is good. However, we must go beyond merely hearing and perfect our sight with eyes of faith. For if we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and understand with our hearts and return to our God, then He will make us mature sons and daughters of the King (Matthew 13:15). However, if we merely hear the word of God and do not allow the Lord to open our spiritual eyes, then we will bring forth no fruit and be ineffective for Christ's kingdom. How shall we respond? Shall we desire to not only hear, but to see ourselves as God sees us? If we will, He will grow us into the image of His Son as we continue to turn toward His glory and grace!

Holy Father, thank you for sending Your word. Thank you for implanting the seed of hope within our hearts. Now, let us see how we must continue to grow in faith and obedience. Give us eyes to see the glorious heritage You have given all whom You have redeemed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

Walking on Water - May 13, 2012

Matthew 14:30 - But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Anyone who has been in a boat in stormy conditions knows the peril which can often ensue. Mariners will tell you that even if a vessel capsizes, the safest thing is to stay with the the boat until help arrives. I have been in many boats and even small ships when the weather was contrary. I can remember when I worked on offshore supply boats in my early 20s out in the Gulf of Mexico. These were really supply haulers (180 foot in length) which carried drilling supplies out to the drilling platforms in the Gulf. Often, we would tie up to these oil behemoths for three to four days as we off-loaded supplies. It was common to be tethered to a rig twenty miles out in the Gulf when a storm would roll in. A usually placid sea would suddenly be rocking the vessel with 10 to 20 foot waves crashing over the wide loading deck. As deckhands, we were advised to always have a safety line attached to our life preserver required to be worn during rough seas. Without this precaution, one rogue wave could sweep you over the side and you would vanish in a heartbeat.

Having worked stormy gales in the open sea, I can appreciate the significance of when Jesus came to the disciples walking on water that fateful night. We are told in Matthew 14:24 how the small fishing vessel was "battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary." This means they were probably heading into the wind and therefore they were zigzagging back and forth to gain the wind's advantage. However, in doing so, they would not be hitting the waves with their prow (or the front of their boat). Instead, the waves would be battering the sides of the small vessel and the disciples would have felt the full force of the waves as they rocked them to and fro. Fortunately, these men were seasoned sailors and knew how to keep the boat from being swamped with water. Undoubtedly, it was still a rough journey. We are told in Matthew 14:25 how the Lord came to them, walking on the water in the fourth watch, or sometime between three and six a.m. The disciples first reaction was that they were beholding a ghost. However, Jesus soon calmed them, saying: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

We should all be thankful of what transpires next. It is a mixture of success and failure. We would not know mere mortals were capable of walking on water if Peter would not have dared to do so. It is a bittersweet lesson that continues to teach us the meaning of obedience and faith. For without the former, the latter is impossible. We are told in Matthew 14:29 how Peter stepped out of the boat and "came toward Jesus." How did Peter know which way to go? His gaze was still intent on looking at the Master. However, as soon as he took his eyes off the Lord, then he began to sink. We are told in our opening verse that three things quickly transpired with immediate consequences. The first was Peter's loss of SIGHT. Peter did not see the wind, for as we know, wind is invisible. However, he saw the result of the wind and the tempestuous waves the gales created. He had taken his eyes off the Master and put his eyes on the circumstances at hand. The second was Peter's FRIGHT. The disciple who moments before was full of faith found himself now paralyzed with fear. The obedience which moments before had created faith allowing him to participate in this miracle had suddenly turned to disobedience and fear. Lastly, Peter lost the MIGHT or the power connected to faith. His lack of faith had now become visible to all, including the Lord who rescued the frightened disciple after he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

So what can we learn from Peter other than the obvious? Most of us have heard sermons about Peter's loss of faith because he took his eyes off the Lord. Gazing toward Jesus when the storms of life besiege us is of paramount importance. However, I believe there is something more to learn than merely keeping our gaze upon the Lord. What if Peter would have made it to Jesus and they would have walked hand in hand to the boat or to the other side of the Sea of Galilee together? Gazing toward Jesus will not only get us to Jesus, but it will also allow us the opportunity to go wherever He is taking us. It is not enough to be part of the miracle, but to be part of the miraculous journey. Like Peter, we should throw caution to the wind and forsake any "safety equipment" and head doggedly toward Him. And, beyond that, we should be ready and willing to continue our miraculous walk on water with Him, no matter how high the seas of life might assail our faith. Jesus allowed this story not only to teach us about limited success, but about unlimited possibilities if we will first obey, then trust in faith, and then move in his might and power. The journey will always be unpredictable and the destination unsure. However, the company we keep will be outstanding and forever faithful to see us to our final goal!

Lord Jesus, thank You for this wonderful example of faith by Your beloved Peter. Help us to know we can do greater things in these last days if we will but trust in You to complete us in our journey of faith. Allow us to first walk to You on the water and then to walk with You wherever You might will. It will be a wonderful journey indeed as long as You lead! In Your holy Name, Jesus Christ the Almighty, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

Self-Prophecy - May 6, 2012

Psalm 43:5 - Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

I became reacquainted with a famous quote at the finish of a marathon I recently ran. While its author is unknown, it has been stated in various ways, but here is the synopsis: One who lacks courage to start has already finished. How true this is! I would further state that not only beginnings require courage, but often various stages of our respective journeys take fortitude and gumption to see something to its end. Often, things might start off well and then sour later. Look at the initial defense of the British against Hitler's invading blitzkrieg (lightening war). The Allies believed they could resist Germany and the Maginot Line that defended France's border would quell the invaders. However, Hitler merely invaded France through Belgium and bi-passed the multi-million dollar defense the French had installed. The Nazis conquered France with lightening speed and backed the English forces into the small port city of Dunkirk in Northern France. It looked like there was no way out. However, Operation Dynamo (or the Evacuation of Dunkirk) was the miracle they needed as thousands of British and Ally soldiers were evacuated to the British Isles. This setback was not a result of not having the courage to start, but the wisdom and understanding to retreat, regroup, and eventually deal Hitler a crippling blow five years later.

If they would have given up at that point and not tried to escape, Great Britain would have probably fallen into Nazi hands. Through the words of great men such as Winston Churchill, Ally leaders spoke words of confident withdrawal to those in this bleak situation. While we may not always have some one coming along side us in our dire situations, we as Christians have been given all the tools of self-prophecy to either speak success or failure to our souls. God, through His Holy Spirit, allows us the privilege to speak to ourselves when things seem hopeless or insurmountable. There are many examples of great leaders who did such in the Bible, but maybe none so demonstrative of this principle as David when he was estranged from Saul. For sixteen months, David and his renegade band lived in the small town of Ziklag given to him by the Philistine king, Achish. (I Samuel 27:5-7) Toward the end of their sojourn in Ziklag, David and his men returned to their lodgings to find the city still smoldering from its incineration by the Amalekites. Not only had they burned it to the ground, but they had kidnapped their families and taken all their possessions. (Some have suggested that David was out of the will of God, living in compromise with the Philistines.) David's men were so saddened and angered by these turn of events that they threatened their leader's life. However, something extraordinary occurs.

The scripture tells us how David does not allow the grimness of the situation to overwhelm him. In I Samuel 30:6 we become privy to David's dilemma and its solution. The writer states: "Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." The King James Version uses the word "encourage" rather than "strengthen" but both are appropriate. They both come from the Hebrew word chazaq which means to strengthen or to harden one's resolve. What a glorious picture of David speaking to himself what God was declaring about their situation! Rather than being defeated, he allowed God to prophesy truth through this tough situation by taking God's words and encouraging himself. He allowed the Maker to harden his resolve in order to stir up the courage to take back what was rightfully his own. We are told that David does not defend himself to these men who sought his life, but instead he sought God and his counsel. (I Samuel 30:7-8)

How often do we behave likewise when presented with a situation that seems overwhelming? Or, do we act like David's men, ready to accuse and blame without having a solution of our own? We all have the power to self-prophesy. We can either speak defeat or victory, depending on whether we believe God or not in our respective "dire" circumstances. No one likes to think they talk to themselves, at least not audibly. However, we all converse with ourselves throughout the day, whether in a negative or positive manner. We may pride ourselves that we pray to God in a continual manner, but how many of us speak to our souls regarding what He has shown us? As the psalmist reveals to us in our opening verse, we can literally speak to our inner person and direct the outcome when presented with a challenge. Just as Revelation 19:10 tells us the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, we must continue to testify of Jesus' power to our inner struggles. God will often answer our prayers with the power we need to overcome. However, He wants us to use the power He has given to speak to our problems and prophesy victory over them by the testimony of Jesus. Are we prophesying to our souls, beloved, the words of God which He has spoken over our problems? If not, we might be speaking calamity to ourselves rather than victory. We must continue to align ourselves with His words and give no occasion for the enemy to ensnare us in the defeating words of negativity. May we speak only His words as we self-prophesy His victory over our lives and those lives in which we care.

Heavenly Father, help us to strengthen ourselves through the words You speak to us. Help us to prophesy them to our souls and to be built up in our most glorious faith which You have bestowed upon all who love You. May we not allow the defeatist attitude of our flesh or the devil to make us impotent, but may we speak life to our souls through Your life-giving word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick



The Bare Soul Archives

The Guise of Familiarity - April 29, 2012

Proverbs 22:28 - Do not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set.

There is something to be said for tradition. While some practices may seem archaic and out-dated to younger generations, traditions often have more significance as a person ages. Possibly there is some fear of losing touch with the past and the uncertainty of the future. However, if we take a close look at many family and societal customs, many were born out of the Puritanical eras of the 17th and 18th centuries as well as the 19th century Victorian era. Rather than re-embracing these qualities later in life, previous generations often lived this way from cradle to grave. As stated, much of the younger generations have lost an appreciation with many of the manners these prior generations engendered. However, it would appear we have lost something in our age by the insistence to forsake these values. To understand how this has affected our society at large, it would help to look at one of the most intact cultures in the world---the Jews.

Of all the Middle Eastern cultures, the Jews, to the most part, have survived with their culture intact. Why is this so? One only has to look at what they value. First of all, they believe in the Torah (Pentateuch), the words handed down from Moses. Within these first five books of the Old Testament there is a respect for each other, the earth, and most of all, God Almighty. Secondly, their later development of the Talmud elaborates on the written law, defining life to finite detail. Through the centuries, the Jews have attempted to live up to the expectation of these prescribed laws and edicts, at times more successfully than others. However, they have done it well enough to keep their society intact. Conversely, one would be hard-pressed to find a contemporary Hittite or Phoenician. They did not survive because they, like countless cultures, compromised their lifestyles to "fit in" with others. Therefore, the blending became ubiquitous with no outstanding characteristic of any other Middle Eastern people. They simply disappeared because of their lack of identity.

As aforementioned, traditions often become more "valuable" to someone as they age. Then again, I have witnessed large families who seem to keep traditions alive because they refuse to give them up. Others have to reach a certain age to see their importance. We may look at the example of the Prodigal Son parable (see Luke 15:11-32) and understand when the wayward child "came to his senses" that he realized the importance of family and what his father had sought to create for his posterity. The "ancient boundary", as suggested in our lead verse, became of paramount importance as the son realized the stability of their family's heritage. Many today might seek to forsake family and to minimize the importance of cultural traditions. Personally, the older I get the more I yearn for the common respect I was taught as a child. I remember growing up and how most people would not dare call someone by their first name unless the other had given permission to do so. I am constantly taken back when customer service people on the telephone or otherwise believe they have the liberty to call me "Rick". They are often taken aback when I ask them for their last name. If it is Smith or Jones or whatever I often say, "Well, Mr. Jones, I don't know you well enough to call you by your first name and I would appreciate you calling me Mr. Roeber as I will refer to you as Mr. Jones. If we ever become better acquainted, we may feel the need at that time to go to a first name basis." This is shocking to many people in our society today, but it shows a common respect which does not take for granted a familiarity that must be earned over time. As the saying goes, "familiarity breeds contempt". The ancient Jews did not allow it to compromise their culture, and neither should we.

I believe that respect toward the authority of tradition in our culture is directly tied to how we either reject or embrace it. If we do not regard it as important, our children and grandchildren will likewise not show respect to cultural mores which have built society. A simple thing such as a child calling an adult by their surname is a small step toward the revival of cultural norms in our modern world. The absence of regard toward authority and the ancient boundaries will only result in further decay of long-term cultural norms. If, as adults, we do not show respect to each other, how will our children behave? They will grow up with an attitude of familiarity which says I have a right to treat people however I deem appropriate, without any consideration otherwise. It is time to step up as the church, as fathers and mothers, as grandparents, as uncles and aunts, and insist upon respect. Only then will others learn the importance of not moving the boundaries related to ancient and tested traditions. These are what helped the Jewish people survive for millennia and inevitably what will also allow us to survive in this crumbling modern society in which we live. We must stand up for the family and for common respect, otherwise we will be diminished to the point of no return.

Heavenly Father, may You give us the wisdom to see how traditions and their values are indispensable to our survival. May You open our eyes for our need to stand up against familiarity and not to allow us to be diminished as a church, a society, or as a culture any further. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick


The Bare Soul Archives

Coveting - April 22, 2012

Ephesians 5:5 - For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Most of us who have raised children or who have been around nieces and nephews know how children can get rather possessive of what they believe is theirs. I went through it with my children and now experience this with my grandson who is nearly four years old at the time of this writing. If it is something he doesn't care about that much, he generally has no problem giving it up if I ask. However, say I have given him a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie. "Can grandpa have a bite?" Usually, the answer is "No, it's mine!" In all fairness, however, sometimes he does decide to share even if it is something he really wants.

We learn so much about ourselves from children. They are honest looks at ourselves, both the good and the bad. The example of the cookie can be an exaggerated expression of how we react all day long to various situations. I once heard a good definition for lust which is I want it and I want it now! Likewise, covetousness can be defined as I want what YOU have and I want it now, or something I possess and I refuse to give up! Children are upfront and usually honest about their feelings in this regard. Sometimes as adults we dress up our wrong desires by other names. In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns his disciples and us stating: "Then He said to them, 'Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.'” The King James Version uses the word "covetousness" in the place of "greed." Either are appropriate, for the root of both are wanting something someone else has at their expense. The Lords warning to be on guard against "every form" should give one pause. Of course, we know we should not covet according to the Ten Commandments. Some of us may refer back to the Mosaic Law when we hear the rather archaic word "to covet." However, it is important for us to know what coveting is and to seek forgiveness for it if it is part of our lives. Paul tells us in our lead verse it is imperative if we seek entrance to God's kingdom. So, what does the commandment command? Exodus 20:17 states: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” At this point, it is important to determine what "belongs" to my neighbor.

First of all, the Scripture reveals the nature of coveting from another of Paul's writings in the book of Romans. We are told how Paul became so acutely aware of the law that it revealed in him coveting of all types. He confesses his plight in the following: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the law; for I would not have known about coveting if the law had not said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COVET.' But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the law sin is dead." (Romans 7:7-8) Like Paul, when we seek to please God in all we do, the law becomes alive in us and condemns us for falling so short. In addition, there is the desire within that proceeds from our old nature to actually WANT to sin. I call it the "wet paint principle." When we see a sign that tells us "wet paint" on a park bench, our desire is to touch the bench to see if it is really wet! It's the same thing with the law of God, which none of us can keep except for Jesus. When we become more and more aware of God's desire for us to walk by his commandments, we see how miserably we fall short concerning the ability to do so. The more we see of the excellence of God's law, the more we see we cannot keep it. We must cry out as Paul did in Romans 7:24-25: "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ..." Only then can we find true freedom from the law. The knowledge of our failure to keep it is our redemption if we run to Jesus!

We might say to ourselves, "I don't desire what my neighbor owns. I am free from coveting." I challenge you to pray to God that He would reveal to you the truth. How about in traffic? Do you covet your lane and refuse to give place to anyone else? Do you covet your place in a grocery store line, not giving place to someone with a crying child? Have you considered how we covet that last piece of pie? Or, how about how we covet our time when all someone needs is another person to listen? Remember, covetousness is something I have which I refuse to give up or something someone else has that I desire. In our lead verse, Paul equates it to idolatry, the act of worshipping and deferring to something or someone in our lives which is not God.

If you still believe yourself to be free from covetousness and idolatry, here is a test which will prove the legitimacy to your claim. Pray daily for a month, sincerely, that God would reveal His law to you and to help you love it. Then, see what He shows you regarding your desires. Beloved, I have been doing this for some time and the Lord continues to show me areas which I need to repent of and bring to the light. That is the point. If we refuse to own our covetous hearts and ask Him to reveal them, then we are no longer responsible for them once we repent. Just as Christ cleansed us positionally through His blood when we accepted Him into our hearts, now he is sanctifying us through our confession and turning us into the image of His Son while still mortals. The time has come for the Body of Christ, His Church, to rise up and call sin what it is. However, we need revelation to do it. May we all love His law and our inability to achieve it so He might empower us to walk as Christ both now and forever.

Heavenly Father, we desire to love in all respects. Show us how we often covet our own ways above Yours in our daily lives. However, with that knowledge, help us to lean upon Jesus who already fulfilled the law for us and set us free from coveting. Help us to draw from His strength, for that is our only hope to conformed to Your Son's image while in our mortal flesh. We ask all this in Christ's Name and for His glory, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick


The Bare Soul Archives

Children of the King - April 15, 2012

John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

In our present culture of westernized Christianity, there is much buzz regarding the "signs of the times" and the rapture of the church. While biblical prophecy certainly points to Christ's imminent return, we could conceivably still be years from witnessing His reappearing. Regardless of when the King does return to earth to restore His Lordship over planet earth, we are told to be vigilant in our waiting as those in Jesus' story about the ten virgins (Matthew 25:13). As these were instructed to have oil in their lamps, so we are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and to quench not the Holy Spirit---a metaphor regarding the spiritual oil that comes down from heaven (I Thessalonians 5:19). He is truly our Helper in the absence of the Son. However, where is His evidence in our waiting for the Lord's return? While some are crying out for revival and for God to do a great ingathering in these last days, there is a mindset in many churches today to simply wait for His return rather than waiting on God. Many of us would rather fellowship at the local buffet than seek God in a church basement on our knees for souls. While we claim to be children of the King, we more closely resemble those whom we should be asking God to save. We are counting on that sinners prayer we prayed long ago to ensure us entrance into Christ's kingdom. However, little we have done in the meantime would make someone say to us, "You must be a Christian, for you resemble Jesus!" These may be in for a shock someday as they are standing at eternity's door, realizing they have no oil whatsoever in their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13).

Jesus' discourse to His disciples in John chapters 13 through 16 gives us a clear understanding of what it means to enter into relationship with Christ and His Father. Throughout these chapters and verses, the Lord tells us we must obey, love, and abide in Him. This is simplified, of course, as there are other themes in Christ's Johannine Discourse. However, love through obedience and Christ's promise of His presence through the Holy Spirit is a major thrust of these scriptures. (Just as John 17 is Christ's intercession to the Father to make our unity with Him possible.) Some will use the text in the middle of this discourse in an attempt to merely sit back and wait on Christ's appearing. These have no intention of living like Christ, but they want and desire the eternal security these verses offer. For instance, many like to use our lead verse as validation of their soon anticipated escape from this earth by the rapture of the church. However, this is not what Jesus was saying in context. The Lord is talking about the Helper or the Holy Spirit in the two previous verses (John 14:16-17). What many fail to see is Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit, but few embrace Him as they should while many grieve Him. These are expecting Jesus, but they don't want to be bothered by this "Holy Ghost" that wants to meddle in their day to day living. This is the reason why so many of us still look like pitiful orphans "wandering through this world of woe."

We cannot say we love Jesus and not love the Holy Spirit whom He has sent to do Christ's bidding until He returns. Their natures are exact representations of the Father's whom we may claim to love in word, yet often deny when it comes to how we obey. Without accepting both the Son and the Spirit, we have not the Father (II John 1:9). How do we embrace the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit? By obeying Christ's commandments. We sing "O, how I love Jesus" but do we obey Him? This is the reality of loving Him according to John 14:15: "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." This means looking toward heaven with an expectation of Christ's return, but also to busy ourselves with the work He has left us to do through the Holy Spirit. This means no compromise, beloved. If we are counting on Christ to save us someday in the "sweet by and by," we best understand that the Holy Spirit is here to perfect us in salvation. For without sanctification, no man will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

It is our decision: Will we sit on the sidelines and wait for Christ and His return? If so, we may be eternally disappointed. However, if we decide we want to be "in the game," suited up by the Holy Spirit for whatever God has for us, then we are wise like the virgins in our aforementioned example. The more we obey accordingly, the more we prove to be Christ's disciples. Then, beloved, He can say to the Father, "They love Me, Daddy, because they listen and do what I say through the Helper We have left them!" If we resemble spiritual orphans, it is our fault because we have resisted the Holy Spirit. However, if we will but trust in Christ and embrace the loving hand of the Helper, then we will become one with the Triune God and will forever resemble children of the King.

Heavenly Father, help us to look to the clouds, yet at the same time allow us to look within our hearts to ensure we are obeying Your Son through the Holy Spirit. May we anticipate Your return, yet be at peace with whatever You desire us to do until You return. We submit to Your love. Change us into Your image as sons and daughters of the Most High. In Your perfect Son's Name, Yeshua, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick


The Bare Soul Archives