Set Free
It was a full day of taking family to doctor’s appointments. Thank You Father for Your watchcare over us and for giving us a good day together – a day of blessings!
John 8:31-32 (<<click here to read the passage)
Interestingly enough this is one of the passages of Scripture in my July 4th sermon this coming Sunday. On this date here in the U.S., we celebrate Independence Day when we formally declared our separation from the rule of King George and England. In and of itself it’s an important date in our history, but a day that is of utmost importance to followers of Jesus is the day we believed in Him.
Freedom from things we as a collective body find oppressive is cause for celebration but freedom for something we could never overcome – not even with a collective effort – brings joy and celebration that cannot be measured!
In Romans 6:23 the Apostle Paul communicates the truth with which many are familiar. It begins, For the wages of sin is death…
There is not a single “maybe” in the phrase. It is not just a possibility. It is the absolute truth, though grave it may be. Any effort we may make as individuals or as a whole cannot overcome the fact that sin equals death. But I’m so glad that Paul’s proclamation contains a “but”!
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. NLT (emphasis mine)
It doesn’t have an exclamation point but I’d put one there if it were me!
And that is where today’s verses come in.
So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” AMP
That, my friends, gives us no wiggle room whatsoever! Jesus requires far more than part-time obedience. We are called to continually obey His teachings.
Accordance means agreement and that is a harmony of opinion, action, or character. We are to live in accordance with Jesus’ teachings. There is no room for picking and choosing. We cannot just abide by what we are comfortable with, and we cannot omit things we don’t agree with.
Note too that there is a point of division in who Jesus spoke to and to what they – and we! – must abide by. Jesus was talking to those who believed Him. The belief was already there but believing wasn’t enough…action was required, as well.
Let me close with the note for verse 32 in my Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation reads,
Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free (8:36). He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be.
Amen!
June 30th, 2021, Wed, 8:25 pm
Over the Head
O God…I have seen you in your sanctuary
….and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
….how I praise you! Psalm 63:1-3 NLT
John 8:28 (<<click here to read the passage)
When I was in college there was a common gesture amongst my friends. We’d hold our hand with all of our fingers extended straight out. We would then pass our hands over our heads. It meant that something said went over the head of someone listening. It insinuated that someone didn’t have their head in the game and were off in la-la land somewhere.
Here’s today’s verse,
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. John 8:28 NLT
Jesus’ statement of being “lifted up” was a nice way of referring to death on the cross. It was not something of which people spoke lightly. Crucifixion was one of the vilest, most brutal, and shameful ways to die.
Now maybe the religious leadership were distracted, but to me at least I think they deserved a hand over the head, for it definitely went over theirs!
In some ways being blind to the obvious doesn’t make sense but we see it in our world, too. We spoke recently with a friend whose grandmother had passed away (another one of those “nice” phrases referring to death). Only after her death did they realize how bad off her grandfather was. She had diligently covered his physical and mental health issues for years. The stress and pressure of it all were probably contributing factors to her untimely death.
But in this case, the spiritual leaders of Israel were so intent on preserving their image and the power they held that they refused to see what was right in front of them. They chose themselves over the long-awaited fulfillment of prophecy that was fleshed out in Jesus of Nazareth. He was the Messiah, the Chosen One. But they flat out rejected Him.
And that is the greatest tragedy of all. They weren’t in la-la land. Their response to Jesus had nothing to do with not having their heads in the game. They deliberately, defiantly denied the reality of who Jesus was. He didn’t fit their preset mindsets and they were not about to change their minds. In their heads, they held the power…not Him. And they were bound and determined to keep it that way.
Are the people of our world today any different? Nope. Too many things have polluted our minds about who Jesus is. Too often we see Him through the eyes of others who have distorted the reality of who He truly is. Ashamedly, the church has contributed to this distorted image, too.
Here is an “in our face” statement of Jesus from John 13:34-35. The Amplified Bible spells it out very clearly.
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:34-35
The note on verse 34 from the Amplified Bible should be taken to heart, as well.
The key to understanding this…statement about love is to know that this…is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern… and a willingness to seek the best for another.
Lord Jesus, help us to seek Your heart. May we be all about showing You for who You truly are, not for the contrived notions that we hold. Amen.
June 29th, 2021, Tues, 7:07 pm
Get It Together!
O God, you are my God;
….I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
….my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
….where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NLT
John 8:21-30 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the biggest struggles that I have as a pastor is trying to figure out if I should say something or not and if I do, when I should say it. For example, sometimes people are out of line in their way of handling things. I really feel that they are headed into dangerous territory, but I also realize that I am fallible myself and don’t want to give them bad advice.
I’ve also been burnt when trying to help steer people clear of potential problems. Several years ago, a young lady I knew was getting involved with a great guy that I also knew, but at the time his divorce was still in the works – not because of our mutual friend but because that’s the way it was headed. I just advised her to be careful. She shared it with him, and he basically said for me to mind my own business and for some time only spoke to me on a professional level. Our relationship in time healed but it’s made me gun shy.
It’s hard in the church, too. By nature, I am not a confrontational person. I abhor conflict and, in my attempts to avoid it have probably caused as many problems as if I’d just taken the bull by the horns.
But look at Jesus in today’s passage. Now I realize that He and the Father were one, but He was still fully man. He is just so sure of Himself and there is not one ounce of hesitation when He says,
“I have many things to say and judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I say to the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.” v26 AMP
I realize too that when Jesus was teaching His followers or working with the many who clamored for His attention and touch, He was spending time with His Father – late into the night and often way before the sun had begun to tint the horizon.
Jesus was able to pull it all together, just as He needed to. No wonder He was weary and worn…but that didn’t stop Him from doing all the necessary things that His Father had placed before Him. And obviously, Jesus knew just when and where to be to fulfill the Father’s will for every given day!
Lord Jesus, on this end of things I just don’t have it together! I need more focus…and that is totally on me. You are there to guide and direct. But many times, my head is just not in the game. My thoughts wander and I am far too easily distracted. All I can do is pray for Your strength and wisdom and that I will strive to be diligent in listening – really listening – to what You have to say to me. I give myself over to Your more than capable guidance. Amen.
June 28th, 2021, Mon, 9:31 pm
I’ve Got This!
A beautiful and meaningful time with family yesterday and a laid-back day today! Thank You, Father, for Your many blessings!
John 8:12-20 (<<click here to read the passage)
In many situations, there is nothing much worse than an ignorant individual telling experienced individuals what they are doing wrong. To multiply insults is to imply that they will talk with the experienced individual’s superiors about the incident because the ignorant individual has so much power and influence…at least in their own eyes. And more often than not, the superiors may be nodding their heads on the outside but rolling their eyes on the inside. Unfortunately, I’ve been in both positions and there’s not much one can do about it but grin and bear it…literally!
The audacity! The bloated self-worth and self-esteem! Windbags! And all that is really accomplished is a waste of time on everyone’s part!
Audacious and bloated fit the Pharisees to a “t”! They were in charge after all! The temple and all things of importance were in their more than capable hands. This young upstart most certainly did not know a lick about what He was talking about! And no matter what Jesus said, they weren’t about to listen or take to heart any of it! They knew better!
When the time comes for them to stand before God on that great day of judgment, they will see and fully understand the fools that they were. And at that point, there will be nothing they can say or do to get themselves out of the situation that they, and they alone, put themselves in! There will surely be Hell to pay for their audacity. Their only hope will be if they realized the error of their ways and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, confessing their sins, and asking for the forgiveness, that He so freely extends to each of us, regardless of our transgressions!
I don’t think I mentioned it recently but why is it that on more occasions than I care to admit, I am right there alongside those infamous Pharisees?
Jesus! This is my life, You know?! I know what I’m doing! Yeah, I know when I accepted You as my Savior, I said You were in charge but…I don’t like what You are suggesting. I’m the one in the situation and I think that I should make the call. Thanks for Your advice and all but, I’ve got this!
Audacious and bloating fit me to a “t” in those times! My Creator knows best. I may not be so audacious as to verbalize those things or even think them so clearly and blatantly but, that’s my attitude far too often. And when I crash and burn, when my life is a mess, only then does it come into fresh focus that I was wrong. If I had just listened and followed His guidance the mess wouldn’t exist!
Lord Jesus may that title – Lord – not just be a word I use, but may it be a mindset I set forth and lifestyle I live day in and day out! You know best! You know everything about me and my circumstances. Help me to deliberately put my trust in You! Amen.
June 27th, 2021, Sun, 7:30 pm
Lilies of the Field
A beautiful day to be out and about, Father! Thank You for the exceptional companionship and the opportunity to enjoy our time together. I am most certainly blessed!
********
Tuesday, I had the opportunity to mow the grounds around the one church I pastor. It’s a good workout but not too overwhelming to accomplish. After I finished and loaded up everything, I took the time to stop and take a picture of a cluster of beautiful lilies growing vivaciously along a lovely backdrop of low-growing pine.
I think this particular variety is an Enchantment Asiatic Lily.
From what I understand, horticulturist Jan de Graaff took lilies that were considered delicate and temperamental at the beginning of the 20th century, requiring special conditions and exotic planting methods, and through hybridization helped make them a favorite garden flower. Enchantment was the first hybrid lily that he produced back in 1941. It was also the first lily to bear its flowers upright, rather than on drooping stems or facing outward on stiff stems. (Interestingly enough, most of this information is from his obituary published in the New York times in November 1989 – Jan de Graaff, Tamer of the Wild Lily… The entire obituary is a very interesting read.)
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus speaks of the birds and flowers. Here is the portion where Jesus spoke of lilies and wildflowers.
And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying… ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” vs28-34 AMP
After a meeting this past Monday we spoke of those lilies and weren’t really sure who had planted them but there they are blooming in all their glory. They shine brightly, blooms held high for all to see in praise of their Creator!
May they point us to our Creator as well and help us to realize that God gives attention to something so fragile, so delicate, clothing something so simple as a flower that will share its beauty for a few short days and then will not be seen until after their rebirth the next year.
God cares so much more about us! So, heed Jesus’ command, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Amen!
June 24th, 2021, Thurs, 9:54 pm