Reject a Gift?!!!

Would, Have you ever rejected a gift? Have you ever said that the gift wasn’t wanted… needed… not ‘worth’ it? Goodness! Why would anyone reject a gift? 

Is it an issue of who’s in control? Maybe it’s an issue of values - the world’s or the Bible’s? However, many people do reject the gift and for a myriad of reasons. How about you? Have you rejected the gift of salvation, of eternal life with the Lord and all those who have accepted His gift? How many times have you said: 'not now', 'maybe later', 'why should I'? Basically you have to believe with every fiber of your being that you are right and I am wrong! Do you? What if you are wrong....

   "Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. For He says, 'At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.'

Behold, now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of salvation'—" [2 Corinthians 6:1-2]

But… you say you don’t need the gift? Are you certain? What if you’re wrong? What if I’m right?! What makes you so wise to disregard the Lord’s outstretched hands to you? Look at what you stand to lose - eternity with the Lord, your family, and friends who have chosen to accept His gift. And you have chosen the opposite because both exist - heaven and hell - and one or the other are our ultimate destination. 

The Lord will never force you to accept His gift, God doesn’t send you to Hell (and simply because you don’t believe in heaven and hell doesn’t make it less true). God has shown great restraint … and yes, for you 

   "The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." [2 Peter 3:9]. 

But there will come that moment and then it will be too late. The point is that when you reject Him you choose Hell. It’s YOU who determines your ultimate destination. And YES... it is this serious.

If you scoff and say that my source (Bible) for my belief is flawed. Really! Are you willing to place your trust in man's alternative? 

(actually 2 flawed reasons: one, that if there is a God, He would never consign His creation (presupposing He created us v. evolution) to Hell... if there is such a place or two - that all there is is now, when you die it's over)

Just suppose, for a moment, that you could be wrong and I could be right... what if?

What’s ‘personal’???

Prior to, at the point of acceptance, and continuing - ‘they’ are always talking about a personal relationship with the Lord. I really love that concept … BUT no one ever says what ‘personal’ means: what it looks like, how it feels, what the expectations are, HOW you do this, etc. Do you believe a relationship is really a real thing or that it's church-ese? It can become quite frustrating because if you don’t know what it is, how will you ever know if you’ve attained it?!!! OK... enuf drama. But - the point, the questions are still valid. Do YOU know what your personal relationship with the Lord is? Is it static? Is it continuing to grow? 

WHY do you think you have or don't have a relationship? And if you point to being worthy - forget that designation because none of us are. Worthiness isn't the point. I believe the Father has always wanted a relationship with His creation. 

   "Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” So God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that moves on the ground—to everything in which there is the breath of life—I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so [because He commanded it]. God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day." [Genesis 1: 26-31]

When you read further you'll read that God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Genesis 3). If all this doesn't speak of the Father's desire to be in relationship with His creation... what will? 

If you return to the argument that man isn't worthy... read 2 Corinthians 5

   "17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]."

Read verse 21 again: He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

When our Lord pronounced 'It is Finished' - our separation from God was bridged and now we have the opportunity [because it is always our decision] to accept this gift of reconciliation that Jesus provides. This provides the foundation for developing your personal definition of relationship with the Lord and talking with Him about it - it never is one-sided. Relationship is also never static... you're in for a wonderful adventure!

Happy… Pleased?

Let me ask you a question… are you ‘happy’ (your definition), pleased with you and who you are becoming? Is your becoming constantly (again, your definition) growing in understanding?

   "Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;

Love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. [Proverbs 4:6-8]

 

When you look at who you were 6 months ago in comparison to now, do you see a refining? Is this the you, you want to be? Are you taking time to:

   "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness,..."

[2 Timothy: 2:15-16]

The context is you as a Christian. I’m not judging you but you should judge you. Judging isn't a negative, actually it's the best friend to 'study' because it focuses on discovering what you know which leads to discovering what you need to know. How many times does it say in scripture - examine. Scripture doesn’t say that as an accusation, it is reminding us that we live in a fallen world and sin resides at our doorstep just waiting to trip us up.

   "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]   (1 Peter 5:6-9)

Did you notice how many times the word 'all' was used? I believe it's deliberate because we need to see the vastness of the Lord's 'all' - it's no little thing. These verses start with telling us what we need to do, then why, then what we receive when we do. It then points to our adversary and what he tries to do, then to what we can do and what is established when we do, and ends these verses with the commonality we who unite under the banner of Jesus have.

I started this little discussion with the title: Happy... Pleased? So ... are you? Minimally you should feel that you are not walking alone. We may get lonely occasionally but we are never alone. That fact alone should bring a sense of belonging. And the attribute of belonging goes a long way in describing 'happy' and 'pleased'.  

The Accuser

 As I was praying this morning and being quite irritated that the devil is still up to his tricks of saying to the Father, who knows ALL things, the things we do each day that are incriminating against us. Can you hear the glee in the devil's voice as he reiterates them? Stop for just a moment and begin to realize that this is precisely what the devil does to the Father, the Triune God... against Him to us! Isn't the doubt that springs uninvited the devil's voice accusing God to us? Of course it is! Had I realized this?... of course I didn't. For a smart person I don't always put 2 and 2 together to reach 4. Silly really.

Since the devil is not creative, all he can do is repeat what he sees, hears from us. And we are great at providing ways we go about spreading 'fake news', deceit, lies, gossip, etc. Plus, some of us have a master's degree in shooting ourselves in the foot! For just a moment look at how the devil uses his wiles. When he comes against us with doubt... what are we doubting? Is it a 'thing' or is it a person? or is it an interpretation of scripture? Is it another person? Or is it a combination of all of the above? Yep - all, and some I haven't indicated.

I've also noticed that he uses our former selves against us... especially when it comes to the Word that tells us:

   "He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve], Nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father loves his children, So the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]." [Psalm 103: 10-13]

We may longingly look at these verses, but do we accept them as the truth they are or do we listen to the voice that tells us... we really have committed the unpardonable sin... or do you think God cares so much for you that He would allow the travesty you committed to go unpunished... or do you really believe He has forgiven you - don't forget His words when He said that He was a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). And those are only some of the arguments the devil will use. Do you actually accept what the devil is saying? He does know scripture and how to use it against us or against the Lord.

I find myself totally irritated with myself when I discover I have bought into one of the devil's lies. Really, I should be more mature. I should do what scripture teaches:

   " Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world." [1 John 4:1-3] 

This gives us the what [test] and the answer. How much more do we need to defeat the accuser not only of ourselves but of the Lord?! And if you are accusing the accuser... to whom? God already knows. Why not defeat the devil the same way Jesus did - It Is Written! - and tell him NO! We really can resist the devil and not become ensnared with his attempts to defeat us, accuse us, or accuse the Lord. 

Closed?

 Closed... perhaps a definition wouldn’t go amiss. In this context (and yes, I know I haven’t provided a context - I will) - this is more of a: if you aren’t defining words, especially big words, how I learned and understood them and it's contrary to what you are saying -  then you’re wrong! Context: scripture and how we are and do Christianity. May I gently suggest that if your ‘teacher’ was a human then there’s every possibility they, you could be wrong... or if there's a 'not completely right' category, then that designation. Also… I really think scripture can easily defend itself - typically by providing other scriptures that confirm it.

A couple of things I've learned: never, as in ever, assume your definition is a one and done - there could be layers to understanding. Don't ever be arrogant about what you know (or think you know). Practice the attitude of an attentive student. Contemplate what you receive if you are 'closed' - when you don't allow questions or challenges or opportunities to expand your understandings. 

Obviously, there are aspects that should be a 'close' such as the fact that Jesus was fully human and fully God. 

   "Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world." [1 John 4:1-3]

That there aren't many paths to God. He has made it abundant clear that there's only one, [1] way to God and that is through His Son, Jesus. That the Bible is a love story from God to His creation, His people. That the Bible has everything that speaks to His creation (us) living, working, who we are, how we should go about being us, etc. That the Holy Spirit is the one who determines and gives us our gifting. I could on in this vein, but I think the context makes it especially blatant. There are certain obvious issues that are settled, that are closed. But closed doesn't mean you can't ask questions. When our motivation is understanding, I don't believe this angers God. 

I ask you what you believe is 'closed'. It's important to know the foundation for what we believe, why we believe, and what we do about our belief. Closed can mean a way of sharing eternal truths are are immutable because that identifies our foundation. Closed is only an unfortunate choice when the subject is one that doesn't have universal definition based in scripture. I believe that Closed mean a security of finality.

Seed

 Should I have written an 's' at the end? 

   "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:22]

   [Jesus parable teaching] "... a sower went out to sow [seed in his field]; and as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road [between the fields], and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and thorns came up and choked them out. Other seed fell on good soil and yielded grain, some a hundred times as much [as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.” " [Matthew 13:3b-9] 

HOWEVER, for understanding read verses 10-14.

   "but God [all the while] was causing the growth. So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building." 

[1 Corinthians 3: 6b-9]

There are other scriptures that discuss seed(s), roles, etc. Actually my question is - if you are seed scattering... what are you scattering? Most of the time we seem to focus on having seeds, being in the role based on where the person you are talking with seems to be, but what about how we speak depending on where that person is? Do we know what we can/should share? Or do you think I'm overthinking? 

Another way of looking at this is ... how do You do evangelism? If your response is that being an evangelist is not your calling. Not the question. Isn't every Christian called to be a spokesman, an Ambassador for Jesus, to share the Good News? At least my Bible says we all are. You may not be called to the office of an evangelist, but everyone is called to share the saving news.

   "But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words]. For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong." [1 Peter 3:15-17]

Typically all we hear is the second sentence in 1 Peter 3: 15. But these 2 verses are so much more. Verse 15 gives us our grounding, our confidence to speak. At the end of the verse is the manner in which we should share. Verse 16 is an 'examination' verse - we need to know what our relationship is how it's supposed to be because this also affects how and what we share. Verse 17 may seem to be a hard pill to swallow but we aren't alone in this - look at all the people who have gone before us that thought Jesus was far more important than our 'justice'.

Never forget that your words, your behavior, how you go about being and doing you are all visible seeds. They may also be a comfort for fellow Christians who need confidence. Did you ever consider that you are a seed?

THE Name

JESUS

Some call Him Master... so do I. Some call Him Savior... so do I. Some call Him Lord... so do I. His name is - JESUS.

As the song says… ‘There’s just something about that name… Master, Savior…. Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain.” Is that what you think when you hear - Jesus? Do you follow the descriptions scripture provides? 

One interpretation [karengirlfriday.com] says:

   "We describe Jesus as: love, mercy, peace, hope, grace, truth, freedom, kindness, joy, victory."

She also uses scripture to 'flesh out' the descriptions. I have no problem with her delineation... it begins our understanding. But the Bible is rich from Genesis through Revelation in it's descriptions. The Bible is really all about Jesus, all about who He is, what He does, how He does it, what it represents for us. I'm not going to indicate all of the descriptions, but I do want to highlight a few of them to show us the FULLNESS of Jesus.

1. Savior - Acts 4:10-12

   "Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body. This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."

There may be many paths to get to Jesus, but once there - there is no other path! He is The Way... The Truth... and The Light. John 14:6 says:

   "Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."

This puts a period. These verses give us the foundation for Jesus and relationships.

2. High Priest - Hebrews 4:14-16

   "Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Jesus is still interceding on our behalf. He is still involved when we come to Him for mercy and grace.

3. Purpose for Coming. lay down divinity, purpose in John 3:16+. 

I don't know about you, but I definitely have difficulty getting my head around the fact of knowing that I would be tortured and killed. Yet that is exactly what our Lord knew and did.

   "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life." [John 3:16]

I doubt that there's anyone that doesn't know this verse - believer and non-believer alike. But this verse is only the beginning. Too often we aren't even aware of the verses that come next.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].” [v.17-21]

The NAME of Jesus is powerful and provides us with truth... because HE is the way and the life.