How does the Kingdom of GOD operate differently from the world?
One major way is: GOD never judges His people for their weakness and limitations...the Scriptures are absolutely clear on this. You will not find a single time when GOD has punished or even criticized anyone for not being clever enough, not being skillful enough, not being strong enough, not being eloquent enough, or not being beautiful enough. Likewise, GOD never shows favoritism towards anyone because they possess impressive talents or abilities. In fact, Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants....Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 11:25, 18:3)
See, man looks at the outside appearance, but GOD looks at the heart. (1 Sam 16:7) No matter how smart we are, we will find we could have been smarter. No matter how strong we are, there are still things we cannot do. It is not physically attainable for any created being to become infinite in ability like GOD, without limitation or weakness. But GOD does want us all to become completely clean. (Eph 5:27) Purity is much more important in the eyes of GOD than size. A single cup of pure water is more valuable than 100 gallons of contaminated water. (Selah) Is it any surprise then that GOD often chooses to use the "foolish" and the "simple" to confound the "wise"? (1 Cor 1:26-29)
Has anyone been cast out because they weren't beautiful enough in the world's eyes? Is anyone afraid that their best will not be good enough? Jesus said: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mat 11:28-30)
November 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
The Parable of the Axe Head (Grace in a Nutshell)
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live." So he said, "Go."
Then one said, "Please be willing to go with your servants." And he answered, "I shall go."
So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
Then the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, "Take it up for yourself." So he put out his hand and took it. (2Ki 6:1-7)
This unusual incident actually illustrates an important lesson about sin and grace. Can you see it?
A man was chopping down a tree and the iron axe head "flew off the handle" and landed deep into the Jordan river. Unfortunately, the axe head was borrowed and the man was unable to retrieve the axe head. Also iron was an expensive commodity in those days so an iron axe head was quite expensive.
So what is the point of this unusual story? Notice that the man's physical inability to do the right thing did not excuse him. The man was clearly still responsible for returning the iron axe to his lender even though it was beyond his ability. Judging by the man's reaction (Alas! It was borrowed!) he knew this too.
At some point, every person finds themselves in the same situation as this man. The righteousness we need can not be earned through our best efforts. Most of us can live up to our society's standards through our efforts. Some of us can quit smoking or lose weight through our own willpower. But it is impossible for us to reverse our basic nature and our addiction to ego, sin, and self through our own resources. We have become "addicted" to sin, so to speak. Because our various sins have become such a part of our nature, even our best efforts are often have mixed motives and unclean methods. (Isa 64:6, Rom 3:11-23) "Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good who are accustomed to doing evil." (Jer 13:23)
But righteousness is available to us, if we ask for it! We must ask because what is not possible with man is possible with GOD. (Luk 18:27) Our Loving Father would not withhold any good gift from us, His children. (Mat 7:11) But imagine if the man had reasoned thus: "Oops, the axe head seems to have fallen into the water! Well, it's ok. The guy who lent it to me will just have to understand... accidents do happen. He can certainly afford another one. Boy I'm glad I'm saved by the blood of Jesus and not by legalism!" Is that bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance? (Luk 3:8) What happened to the man at the wedding feast who did not dress himself in the clothes that were freely provided for him? (Mat 22:11-14, Rev 19:8-7)
Next, the man was told to "put out his hand" and "take it for himself." GOD put the axe-head within the man's reach, not in the man's lap. Notice that GOD did not take away the man's responsibility...instead He gave the man the tools he needed to fulfill his responsibility. Sometimes it will be easy. But sometimes the righteousness we ask for will require 100% of our focus, effort and resources to attain. (Mat 13:44, Mar 12:30, Luk 9:23-24, Rev 12:11) And it will be impossible to exert ourselves fully for GOD if our loyalties are divided with the cares of this world. (Luk 14:33, Mat 6:24, Mat 13:22, Jam 1:8) What did Jesus tell the rich young man was the "one thing he lacked?" (Mar 10:21)
What is being shown in this incident is grace. We are saved through both mercy and grace. Mercy forgives our sin and excuses our debt while grace gives us the ability to overcome our sin and pay our debt. They are different but both are needed! Mercy forgives us when we make a mistake, grace allows us to do better next time. The Grace of GOD does not mean we will never fall again. But it does mean we are given a new nature that is taking over our life completely. And when we do fall, the Mercy of GOD will forgive us, and the Grace of GOD will help us to stand again. For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. (Pro 24:16) Who is left among us who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength?
Then one said, "Please be willing to go with your servants." And he answered, "I shall go."
So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
Then the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, "Take it up for yourself." So he put out his hand and took it. (2Ki 6:1-7)
This unusual incident actually illustrates an important lesson about sin and grace. Can you see it?
A man was chopping down a tree and the iron axe head "flew off the handle" and landed deep into the Jordan river. Unfortunately, the axe head was borrowed and the man was unable to retrieve the axe head. Also iron was an expensive commodity in those days so an iron axe head was quite expensive.
So what is the point of this unusual story? Notice that the man's physical inability to do the right thing did not excuse him. The man was clearly still responsible for returning the iron axe to his lender even though it was beyond his ability. Judging by the man's reaction (Alas! It was borrowed!) he knew this too.
At some point, every person finds themselves in the same situation as this man. The righteousness we need can not be earned through our best efforts. Most of us can live up to our society's standards through our efforts. Some of us can quit smoking or lose weight through our own willpower. But it is impossible for us to reverse our basic nature and our addiction to ego, sin, and self through our own resources. We have become "addicted" to sin, so to speak. Because our various sins have become such a part of our nature, even our best efforts are often have mixed motives and unclean methods. (Isa 64:6, Rom 3:11-23) "Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good who are accustomed to doing evil." (Jer 13:23)
But righteousness is available to us, if we ask for it! We must ask because what is not possible with man is possible with GOD. (Luk 18:27) Our Loving Father would not withhold any good gift from us, His children. (Mat 7:11) But imagine if the man had reasoned thus: "Oops, the axe head seems to have fallen into the water! Well, it's ok. The guy who lent it to me will just have to understand... accidents do happen. He can certainly afford another one. Boy I'm glad I'm saved by the blood of Jesus and not by legalism!" Is that bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance? (Luk 3:8) What happened to the man at the wedding feast who did not dress himself in the clothes that were freely provided for him? (Mat 22:11-14, Rev 19:8-7)
Next, the man was told to "put out his hand" and "take it for himself." GOD put the axe-head within the man's reach, not in the man's lap. Notice that GOD did not take away the man's responsibility...instead He gave the man the tools he needed to fulfill his responsibility. Sometimes it will be easy. But sometimes the righteousness we ask for will require 100% of our focus, effort and resources to attain. (Mat 13:44, Mar 12:30, Luk 9:23-24, Rev 12:11) And it will be impossible to exert ourselves fully for GOD if our loyalties are divided with the cares of this world. (Luk 14:33, Mat 6:24, Mat 13:22, Jam 1:8) What did Jesus tell the rich young man was the "one thing he lacked?" (Mar 10:21)
What is being shown in this incident is grace. We are saved through both mercy and grace. Mercy forgives our sin and excuses our debt while grace gives us the ability to overcome our sin and pay our debt. They are different but both are needed! Mercy forgives us when we make a mistake, grace allows us to do better next time. The Grace of GOD does not mean we will never fall again. But it does mean we are given a new nature that is taking over our life completely. And when we do fall, the Mercy of GOD will forgive us, and the Grace of GOD will help us to stand again. For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. (Pro 24:16) Who is left among us who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength?
Licensed to Kill?
Does the Old Testament condone genocide? Didn't GOD command the Israelites to kill the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites? (Deu 20:17) Some say this is no different than terrorists and extremist groups today.
On the surface it may appear so, but there is a subtle and important difference. Jehovah never allowed the Israelites to decide for themselves who to go to war with. Joshua was ordered to fight against the Canaanites, but Ahab was ordered NOT to fight against the Syrians. GOD supported the Israelites against the Philistines, but then ordered the Israelites to surrender to the Babylonians.
Why does this matter? By way of analogy, consider the government. Most governments have been given the right to regularly confiscate a certain amount property from nearly every private citizen. This process is called taxation. If a citizen were to confiscate the property of another citizen, that process would be called stealing. But here's the key point: the government also has the right to hire a regular citizen as an agent to collect taxes on its behalf. What is the difference between a legitimate tax collector, and a thief? A duly appointed tax collector is working on behalf on the government and can only collect taxes from specific people, at the specified time, for the specified amount. This is the same difference between the Israelites and an extremist group.
Imagine if you were the owner of an apartment building. You have many tenants, and some of them aren't even paying rent. You alone have the right to evict any tenant, especially if they mistreat the other tenants. (Mat 21:33-42) However, tenants do not have the right to evict each other. But you may choose hire one of the tenants to be your representative, including serving eviction notices to other tenants.
With GOD, it is the same principle but on a higher scale. GOD is the landlord because He created the apartment building. In fact He created the tenants too. GOD has the sovereign right to give life and to take it away any time He wants, but He can also delegate this responsibility to His workmen. Sadly, many throughout history have falsely claimed to be GOD's workmen. Some of them used the name of GOD to legitimize their bid for power. Others really believed they were doing GOD's will. (Mat 7:21-23) Instead of working for GOD, they have falsely shed the blood of anyone they considered to be an enemy. But either way, these misguided activities do not change the reality of GOD and His actual appointed workmen one bit. And how can there can be peace if the people of GOD can not or will not distinguish between the two?
On the surface it may appear so, but there is a subtle and important difference. Jehovah never allowed the Israelites to decide for themselves who to go to war with. Joshua was ordered to fight against the Canaanites, but Ahab was ordered NOT to fight against the Syrians. GOD supported the Israelites against the Philistines, but then ordered the Israelites to surrender to the Babylonians.
Why does this matter? By way of analogy, consider the government. Most governments have been given the right to regularly confiscate a certain amount property from nearly every private citizen. This process is called taxation. If a citizen were to confiscate the property of another citizen, that process would be called stealing. But here's the key point: the government also has the right to hire a regular citizen as an agent to collect taxes on its behalf. What is the difference between a legitimate tax collector, and a thief? A duly appointed tax collector is working on behalf on the government and can only collect taxes from specific people, at the specified time, for the specified amount. This is the same difference between the Israelites and an extremist group.
Imagine if you were the owner of an apartment building. You have many tenants, and some of them aren't even paying rent. You alone have the right to evict any tenant, especially if they mistreat the other tenants. (Mat 21:33-42) However, tenants do not have the right to evict each other. But you may choose hire one of the tenants to be your representative, including serving eviction notices to other tenants.
With GOD, it is the same principle but on a higher scale. GOD is the landlord because He created the apartment building. In fact He created the tenants too. GOD has the sovereign right to give life and to take it away any time He wants, but He can also delegate this responsibility to His workmen. Sadly, many throughout history have falsely claimed to be GOD's workmen. Some of them used the name of GOD to legitimize their bid for power. Others really believed they were doing GOD's will. (Mat 7:21-23) Instead of working for GOD, they have falsely shed the blood of anyone they considered to be an enemy. But either way, these misguided activities do not change the reality of GOD and His actual appointed workmen one bit. And how can there can be peace if the people of GOD can not or will not distinguish between the two?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
