LOVING THE WEAK

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). God’s Love manifested openly when God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross to save the sinners. Salvation in Christ was revealed when “we were without strength”. This describes the state of humanity. Sin weakens and kills. God designed the plan of salvation even before He created Adam and Eve. God alone knows the future. God knew that they would fall into sin. The plan of salvation is not an afterthought. It was designed by God even before the devil tempted Adam to disobey God. God the Son, Jesus Christ, has agreed to become Man and to die for sinful men. Jesus is called “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). This plan of salvation is totally the product of Love.

What does it mean that Christ for those “without strength”? For about four thousand years, men lived in sin. God gave His Law thru Moses. The Law revealed what sin is, but the Law could not save men from sin because men were too weak to obey it. Men needed a Savior. God waited so long so that men will have enough time to try saving themselves. All the great philosophers tried their best to explain and defeat sin. The greatest were the Greek Philosophers. They knew that something is wrong with man. They described the sinful tendency of man to destroy himself. But they could find the cure for sin. At last, men declared defeat. They agreed that they could not save themselves. Men “were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). Men were spiritually dead. Their spirit was dead. Their minds were in darkness. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Cor 2:14). That is why they were powerless to help themselves.

What does it mean Christ died “in due time”? God the Father sent His Son into the world at a particular time. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). 6 and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:4-9). The coming of Jesus to earth is an act of pure Love, Mercy and Grace. God sent His Son into this world at the right time. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4,5). God’s work is still a mystery. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11). At the time when Jesus was born, the world was in relative peace. The Roman Empire had control over the world at that time. “Pax Romana” was the period of about 200 years (1st and 2nd centuries, AD) when there was minimal military expansion, prosperity and peace. The Romans saw peace not just as absence of war, but as the rare situation when all opponents had been beaten down and lost their ability to resist. Ceasar Augustus persuaded the Romans that the prosperity they could achieve in the absence of war was better for the Empire than the potential wealth and honor acquired when fighting a risky war. Jesus was born during that time. The early church grew, and the Gospel spread faster because of the peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. Lesson: God never makes mistakes! Trust His plan and the timing of events.

What does it mean that “Christ died for the ungodly”? This is the heart of the Gospel. If Jesus died for some good, religious people, that is easier to understand. But Jesus came to earth and died on the Cross to save the ungodly, the sinners, those who are wicked, who hate God, and are morally corrupt. This is the demonstration of Love at its best. No other religion or philosophy preaches Love as the source of salvation like the Bible. Just to compare: The word ‘love’ in the Quaran appears 93x. The word ‘love’ appears 759X in the Bible (NLT). The Gospel is the only hope for sinners, for the wicked and the lost. That is why it is the greatest good news to man.

Who are these ungodly people that Christ died for? The whole world was in sin. There was no one good, no one righteous, none seeking God. To be ungodly means to be the opposite of God. In the beginning God has made man after His image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Man is spirit, because God is Spirit. God honored man in a special way by creating him to resemble Him. Man was made the lord of creation. The glory of God was upon man. But when he sinned, that image was not lost, but it was badly damaged. Man lost the authority and dominion given to him by God. God’s glory on man faded away. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Here we see that sin is universal. No matter the status in life, all men are born sinners, and all need a Savior. Sin is disobedience to God’s Law. All men ‘fall short’ of God’s standard of holiness. In Greek, ‘to fall short’ means ‘missing the mark’. Like an archer who shuts an arrow but misses the target. Sin reveals a weakness, a lack. Because he is a sinner, man cannot please God by his works. Man needs a Savior. Man cannot bring back the glory on himself. Christ came with the glory of the Father. He alone is full of God’s glory. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). It is only in Christ that man can find his lost glory. Man must repent from sin and totally surrender to Christ. There is no other way to be saved and go to heaven. Sin has damaged not only the image of God on man, but sin has destroyed his capacity to love. No sinner can love God with agape Love!

When the Bible says that Christ died for the ungodly, it does not mean that automatically all ungodly will go to heaven. All sinners must repent of sin and surrender their lives to Christ before they can benefit from the power of the Cross. Repentance means to humbly acknowledge your sin against God and man. It means to turn away from sin and turn towards God. It is a total change of mind, heart and will. It involves painful regret of offending God and breaking His Law and a commitment to change, with fruits to prove repentance. Practically, how does godly repentance manifest? First, you must take responsibility for your sins. You must confess your sins as the Prodigal son did, saying: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Lk15:21).

For as long as you say: “God, I committed sin, but…” it means that you have not repented. Justifying or excusing your sin is not godly repentance. Secondly, you must accept the consequences of your actions and do what it takes to repair the damage done. Ask God and men to forgive you. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Repentance is necessary to heal hearts and relationships. Selah!

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Ac 2:38,39). True repentance brings forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Then the forgiven sinner can receive the Holy Spirit. God’s Love will be poured in his heart by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said: “Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt 3:8). Repentance must produce fruits. Repentance is not just a verbal declaration but must be accompanied by a change in behavior and actions that reflect a transformed heart. Repentance is not just a onetime event, but a lifestyle for all the children of God! Selah!

BLESSED IS HE WHO CARES FOR THE HELPLESS (PSALM 41)

“A Psalm of David. Blessed [by God’s grace and compassion] is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will save him in the day of trouble. The LORD will protect him and keep him alive; And he will be called blessed in the land; You do not hand him over to the desire of his enemies. The LORD will sustain and strengthen him on his sickbed; In his illness, You will restore him to health” (Ps 41:1-3; AMP).

Psalms were not written for times of peace, but for times of war, for times of troubles. This psalm is written by King David. It shows his deep relationship with God. David faces two formidable enemies: sickness and enemy attacks. From both revelation and experience, he knew not only God’s works, but God’s ways. To be blessed means to be happy and have God’s favor. God promises to protect, deliver and heal those who are compassionate towards the weak, helpless and needy. Sickness is evil. God’s presence is with us during sickness and all trials of life. The spiritual healing is first, before physical healing. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before He healed his body (Mk 2:1-12). Sickness is an opportunity for seeking God, repentance, humility, and going back to Jesus, our first Love! It always ends in praise!

We must care for the needy, the poor, vulnerable, weak and helpless. This is God’s Law. Mercy and Love is expected from us. It is our responsibility to be kind and generous. Caring for the weak is not just a duty but a source of blessings. God will save those who care for the needy. This protection is both spiritual and physical, temporal and eternal. These blessings manifest ‘in the land’. This reveals God’s desire to settle His children in the Promised Land and in the spiritual land of the Kingdom of God. God is sovereign. He will not allow us to be put to shame. The enemies may fashion weapons against us, but they can never succeed. God always leads us to victory in Christ! This is a reminder that God sees our hearts and our actions. Compassion reflects God’s character to people. God blesses those who are generous, compassionate, kind, and loving. God promises rewards on earth and in heaven. Amen!

BABY MOSES SAVED BY LOVE AND FAITH

“By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree” (Heb 11:23; AMP). “Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses” (Exo 6:20).

This story happened when God’s people were suffering terribly. After Joseph died, they became slaves in Egypt. Their masters forced them to work ruthlessly. The word means ‘without pity’. This oppression was designed to reduce their numbers and to kill their spirit, their hope. Many died. But God was still with them. The presence of God manifested as great fruitfulness. Their hope did not die. More children were born to them during that difficult time. “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel” (Exo 1:12). Because of their great numbers, the Egyptians became afraid of their slaves. Pharaoh decided to reduce their number. He ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every baby boy at birth but allow the girls to live. But the midwives disobeyed the king’s command. They feared God more than they feared man. God bless them for that. Disappointed with the midwives, Pharoah commanded that all the baby boys should be thrown into River Nile, to die. This law was an added sorrow for God’s people.

SLAVERY

Just imagine the life of a slave at that time. A slave is a human being who is owned by another human being. A slave lacks the most basic human rights. For example, a slave has no relatives. He belongs only to his master. If he is in trouble, no one can stand for him, to defend him. A slave is called ‘a socially dead person’. His owner takes all the fruit of his labor and controls his reproductive rights. A slave has no freedom of movement. Slaves were multiplied in different ways: they could be prisoners of war or kidnapped people. Poor people who owned money were sold as slaves. Some very poor parents sold their children as slaves. The number of slaves increased mostly by them having children. For slavery to exist, laws must be in place to protect it. Slavery exists when there is a shortage of labor, especially in the field of agriculture. Domestic slaves were also common. Most of the slaves were of a different race, religion or nationality than the owners. A slave was enslaved against his will. Slavery was practiced all over the world. Slaves were despised and regarded at the bottom of the social ladder. Throughout history slaves have been thought of as stupid, unteachable, lazy, liars, untrustworthy, prone to drunkenness, idle, licentious, and cowardly. Race was an important factor. For example, in Rome, where almost all the slaves and their owners were white, slaves were given freedom easier. In Africa, where both owners and slaves were black, freedom was also common. But in America, where the owners were white and the salves were black, the slaves suffered more. They were isolated and truly discriminated against. Slaves developed their own culture and religion as different from their masters. This culture helped the slaves to feel ‘free’ even during slavery.

Sin is a slave master. Sin is an addiction, a lifetime bondage. None can deliver from it except faith in Jesus! “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:34-36).

Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, were from the house of Levi. Both were slaves in Egypt. It must have been hard to work as slaves. They already had a daughter called Mariam and a son called Aaron. They now had a baby boy. They took a great risk to hide the baby for three months. This action proved great courage, faith and love. The parents refused to be intimidated by Pharoah. We see the hopelessness and oppression of slavery. But hope of freedom never died in the hearts of God’s people. For 400 years they dreamed that one day, a Savior would come to free them. He will take them away from Egypt and bring them into the Promised Land. When Moses was born, God answered their prayers. Everything was against Moses. The law was in force to kill every baby boy. All the Israelites were slaves. Moses was supposed to die. But he lived 120 years, becoming the Savior for God’s people. Jochebed prayed for a way out. We see here the natural love a mother has for her child. But in this case, it was more than a natural love. Jochebed saw that her baby boy was ‘beautiful’. This was not just a physical beauty. She saw the grace of God upon her child. She saw her baby as a destiny child. This sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of God’s Love in action. She became creative. She nursed her baby in hiding for 3 months. She then built a little basket from reeds found by the river. She covered the basked with pitch, just the way God told Noah to build the ark that saved his family. Jochebed surely explained everything to her little daughter, Mariam, how she wants to save her baby brother. Then Jochebed kissed her baby one last time, placed him in the ark, and laid it on the river. Miriam followed the basket to see what would happen. The basket was found by Pharoah’s daughter who heard the baby crying. When she saw the baby, his beautiful face touched her heart. She decided to adopt him. She called him Moses (from an Egyptian word meaning ‘drawn from the water’). Her compassion for this baby overcame the pride of her status or the fear of what her father would say. Miriam then asks the Egyptian princess if she can bring a Jewish mother to nurse the baby. She agreed. Moses’ mother comes to the palace and takes her baby back. This time, with the blessings of the royal family. She nursed Moses for about 3 years and brought him back to the palace. Moses grew in the palace as a prince of Egypt. The story just begins… At the right time, Moses becomes the Savior of Isreal. God’s plans can never fail! Praise the Lord!

LESSONS:

*God is the true hero of this story! All people in Genesis 2 are nameless. They each do God’s will. These wonderful people are anonymous. God’s Love shines like light in the darkness. He protects baby Moses until He is ready to use him. God is behind all actions. God never fails.

*God hears the prayers of the oppressed. In His time, he will deliver them!

*In case of conflict of interests, better obey God than man! Fear God! Do not fear man!

*True faith is bold, and love was creative. Jochebed made an ark like Noah’s ark to save her baby. She was not afraid of the king’s law. She loved the baby so much that she was willing to lay down her life to save her son. That is true Love!

*Faith surrenders to God. Once Jochebed fasted, and prayed for a miracle, she laid her baby in the ark and then let go of it. She trusted that God would take control. Her faith and hope were in God alone. She was not disappointed. God saved her baby and used him as a mighty man of God. Jochebed is like Hannah who gave Samuel to God. Lesson: There is a time to pray, a time to work, and there is a time to wait for God. This holy chain of pain-prayer-work-wait always ends in praise!

*Pray and prophesy over your children. Jochebed nursed her baby until he was about 3 years old. Moses grew knowing the love of his Jewish mother and the love of Jehovah God. This was the foundation for his success later in life. Teaching your child about God is the greatest gift you can give to him. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (PV22:6).

*Egypt is a type of the world. Pharoah is a type of the devil. Moses is a type of Jesus, the Savior. The exodus is a type of deliverance from the world when a sinner becomes saved. God alone knows the end from the beginning. He is sovereign overall. He revealed to Abraham that His people will be slaves and later landlords. “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Gen 15:12-16). Selah!

Why did God send His people to Egypt, to save them thru Joseph and later to allow them to become slaves?

First, God disciplined them for their sin. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal6:7).

Their fathers sold Joseph as a slave. God is a God of justice. He promised to punish the children for the sins of their fathers, up to the fourth generation. This is God’s Law: “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Deut 5:9,10). The way God visits the sins of the fathers upon the children is by allowing the sinful patterns of the parents to manifest in their children. For example, if parents are liars, the children imitate them and lie too.

Secondly, becoming slaves in Egypt humbled God’s people. God’s grace was now given to them. “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (Jam 4:6). God was preparing them to bless them, to become landlords in the Promised Land. Lesson: during hardships we discover our identity, responsibility and destiny in life. You must learn to pray and rejoice during times of trial and hardship. Do not seek the easy life. Seek God and the life He gives. Then other blessings shall be added to you!

The third reason why God’s people stayed in Egypt for 400 years was because the sin of the Amorites was not yet complete. Lesson: God observes our enemies too. Their sin must come to a maximum before God will intervene to save us and destroy them. God’s time is best!

*The Book of Exodus offers wonderful Hope to all generations. Every act of Love, faith and courage is important. Sacrifices made for love are rewarded by God! God shows His love thru others, even thru our enemies. God can use broken and weak people. God is faithful to all His promises. All people, even the slaves, have worth in God’s sight. In Exodus, we hear the sound of worship nobody can silence: Let My people go! In Christ alone there is hope, peace, joy, healing and deliverance from sin! Let your faith rise! The God that saved baby Moses is our God too! Nothing is impossible for our God! Have faith in God! Your pain is not forever! May your pain become prayer and praise! To the glory of God! Worship the Lord!

WE REJOICE IN HARDSHIPS, PERSEVERE, BUILD CHARACTER AND HOPE! (Rom 5:1-5; AMP)

The need to mature as Christians thru trials in life is the greatest practical theme in the Bible. Apostle Paul shows us how to apply the doctrine in daily living. He has told us that we are justified by faith, that we have peace, access to stand, and we should rejoice in the hope ahead. In other words, the true believer is sure of his place in heaven. He rejoices in his hope. Knowing and believing these doctrines produces joy. These are facts of the Christian foundation. This maturity comes thru this ‘knowing…’, which is the work of the Holy Spirit. Practically, the following are the effects of justification by grace and thru faith in the Lord Jesus Christ:

1-The first thing we see is that a Christian ‘rejoices in his hardships’. In Greek, the word rejoice means ‘to glory, to make noise, to joyfully boast about something’. This is not a quiet joy. It is vocal. This is a reminder that the Christian life is not easy. There are trials, sufferings, attacks, hardships, and tribulations. The world gets happy only when things go well. Unbelievers hate troubles. They see nothing good in them. But the believer rejoices in them. Why? Because he finds God even in times of troubles! The Christian does not pray for problems to come, but when they do come, he finds God’s purpose in them, and he rejoices. The word ‘hardships’ means ‘pressures’ of life. These are divided into two: The pressures of society and self-imposed pressures. In the first group, for example, teenagers, under peer pressure, want to go to university abroad; young women want to marry before they are thirty; the graduate wants a good job immediately; the married couple wants children immediately after the wedding. Self-imposed pressure is from within. None gives you stress. You give it yourself. You envy others and you want to be rich, famous and successful like them. You want the latest car like the rich… You want to be slim… But you are not realistic. You want things that may not be good for you. That pressure leads to frustration and depression. You need to humble yourself, pray to know God’s will for your life and stop comparing yourself with others. You are created unique by God. Forget others! Fulfill your own destiny. Do not add more stress to your life! Be free! Be yourself! Our Lord addressed this. He said: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). In Jesus’ name, rejoice and overcome your own world! Amen!

In His sermon on the mount, our Lord said that trials will come just because we belong to Him. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:11,12). We see that the Chistian will be criticized, persecuted and insulted just because he belongs to Christ. This persecution coming from the secular and the religious world is to be expected. It is ‘normal’. Why is the Christian persecuted? First, it is because He has the Spirit of Christ in Him. As men hated Jesus, they will hate the Christian. The believer is unique. The world hates anyone who is different, who is special. Men cannot control the Christian. Therefore, they will insult him. The Christian believes in the God of heaven. He knows that one day he will go there. His faith in God and heaven keeps him strong through all situations. Worldly men hate heaven because they hate death. That is why they buy expensive clothes, cars and live like there is no tomorrow. The unbeliever does everything so that he forgets about death. But the Christian is different. He has a hope of glory which is stronger than his fear of death. The world finds that thinking strange and abuses him. Selah!

The false prophets and the cult leaders promise a life free from all problems. They say something like this: “Accept Jesus and you will never have any problems in life!” They give false hopes to people. This promise is not Biblical. Problems do indeed come. Life is not easy. In fact, because they experience persecutions, the Christians have more problems than the unbelievers. But the interesting thing is that believers make progress by faith even through hardship. By experience, they learn that all trials and temptations cannot quench their hope of glory. They discover that God remains the same before, during and after the storm. God’s Love never changes! Trials only confirm that Love!

We are told that believers are ‘persecuted for Jesus’ sake’. What does that mean? Persecution means to oppress, harass or insult someone because of his race, or religion. This is a fact: all true believers are persecuted. Apostle Paul said: “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Tim 3:10-12). This persecution happens not because believers are troublemakers, difficult, or overzealous. They are not persecuted because they are kind or do noble deeds. Every religious unbeliever wants to do good deeds and to be praised by men. The Christians are persecuted just because they are different. They are holy like Jesus. By their words and deeds, believers remind people of Jesus. Their Love convict unbelievers. That is why they react. Who are the persecutors? The world is the main oppressor. Secondly, the religious unbelievers in the church also persecute the true believers. Selah!

How does a Christian react to provocation and persecution? First, he must always obey God’s Word! He must not pay back evil for evil. He must not retaliate. He must not seek vengeance. He must remain calm, loving, and ‘turn the other cheek’ (Matt 5:39). “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). He must pray for the strength to endure the attack, pray for divine wisdom on what to say. He must not react in anger. He must not become bitter or depressed because of the attacks. He must keep his peace. Amen!

The believer is able to rejoice that he is persecuted for Christ’s sake, being in the same category with the prophets of old. The apostles were imprisoned and beaten by the religious leaders because they preached in Jesus’ name. Yet, they rejoiced! “So, they left the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name” (Acts 5:41; AMP).

What does the Christian do when problems come? The first thing is to pray for more grace, strength, and divine wisdom. He knows that God is there for him always. This ‘knowing’ is deep and extremely strong. Faith in God is the power behind the Christian rejoicing and boasting of Jesus during the storm. The believer sees God in the center of all things, including the painful things. He sees trials as discipline coming from God the Father (Heb 12:5-11). He knows that God does not send trials to the unbelievers in the same way. God trains him as a son who must represent his Father. Trials are a training school for the Christian as an ambassador of Christ. The pain gives the Christian joy and adds proof that he is not an illegitimate son. The pain draws him closer to God and God reminds him how much He loves him. As he runs the Christian race, in the pain, he finds his gain. This positive effect of pain is to change the character. The believer discovers how deep God’s love is for him, especially during trials. The unbelievers behave differently. They do not draw closer to God. They become angry and bitter, blaming God during their pains. The trials expose them, by washing away their pretense of faith and peace. Lesson: this is a good test to know if you are a true believer or not. What is your reaction during the trials of life? When things are easy, anyone can claim to be a Christian going to heaven. But what do you do, or think, or say, during difficult times? Examine yourself! Selah!

Tribulations are many and different. These can be persecution, insults, attacks of sickness, poverty, or loneliness. It does not mean that the Christian is happy when troubles come to him. He is sad like any other human being. But he does not stay sad!!! He prays and asks God for strength, guidance and wisdom. Please observe that ‘we rejoice IN our hardships.’ We do not just wait for the pain to go. In the midst of it all, during the hardships of life, we can truly thank God! We feel God’s presence. We know that we are not alone! We rejoice because God has a purpose for everything. We rejoice in the pain because the pain has come to push us closer to God. The believer knows that nothing happens to him is by accident. He knows that God is sovereign over all. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). God’s promise never fails! Even now, give thanks to God!

Dear Christian, how can you rejoice during suffering? This is the answer: It is because you know your identity and purpose in Christ. You know who you are, to whom you belong. You know that Jesus died to save your soul, and He has promised to never leave you alone! This assurance of salvation and of heaven gives you courage to face any opposition. During attacks, you feel the presence of God with you. God’s Love covers you. You do not fear men or their wicked words. In life or death, you know that thru Christ you are always a winner.

Finally, what is the promised reward? The Bible does not describe it. But we know that in heaven we shall see Jesus, face to face. We shall have spiritual bodies like Jesus. We shall worship forever the Lamb upon the throne. We shall live in mansions in glory. Therefore, God’s presence is the greatest reward. That hope makes us exceedingly glad even when we suffer for the sake of Jesus! Hallelujah!

2-Secondly, we are told that “hardship produces patient endurance (perseverance)”. The word ‘produce’ means to manufacture. This is the spiritual production line of the Holy Spirit. The raw material becomes the expected product. The Christian rejoices in hardships because he has discovered the good effect pain has on him. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is Patience. In Greek, ‘Patience’ means to persevere during hardship, with cheerful endurance as you wait for God to help you. It means to be steadfast (fixed in one direction, firm in purpose, not shaking from faith, being faithful, and loyal). It means not giving up, standing and trusting God. The opposite of steadfast means to shake and abandon your position, to bend, or to betray your friend. During trials, the Holy Spirit tests, purifies and strengthens your faith. Every believer testifies that hardship made him stronger in faith. This strength manifests only in the true believers. This is the testimony of all believers: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience]” (Ps 119:67; AMP).

3-Thirdly, we are also told that “endurance proves character”. As the faith gets stronger, you learn to stand and persevere during the trial. You can see what God is doing thru the trial. The result is that you now rejoice even in the pain. This produces stability of character. This blessing can only happen as God does His great work in you in the fire. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam 1:2-4). The natural man is impatient and restless. Even the baby Christian is impatient. All he wants is that the pain should go away. Patience and wisdom are twins. Led by the Holy Spirit, the trials of life build up character that is tried in the fire and proven to be genuine. In the Bible, the word Character always means proven moral character. The mature Christian has the scars to prove that God’s fire has purified, approved and established him. Thru hardships, we learn to Love an invisible but Loving Jesus!

These are some of the characteristics of a Christian who has a mature godly moral character:

*First, this man is a Lover! He loves God with all his heart. Secondly, he loves people as he loves himself. Love is the greatest proof that this man has a proven moral character. If you want to know who is genuine, then look for agape Love in his words and actions. Love is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that true believers are known by Love and unbelievers are known by wickedness (Matt 7:17).  

*The godly man is humble, submissive and teachable. He submits to God, to Christ and to the human authority given to him by God! He loves to serve others, to help them with their needs. “Through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal 5:13,14).

*This man pays the price to grow spiritually. He is not stagnant. He loves God’s Word, prayer, and church activities. For example, Apostle Paul, who is considered the greatest Christian who has ever lived, continue to pay the price for spiritual maturity. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil 3:12).

*This godly man is responsible. He is hard working. He takes care of his household needs. He does not borrow except in emergency. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1Tim 5:8). This man is worthy of trust. He does what is right and the things expected of him. He accepts the blame if anything goes wrong.

*He is generous with his resources. “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (PV 11:25).

*He is kind, forgiving. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).

*He fears God. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (PV 31:30)

*He is strong and courageous (Josh 1:6,7,9). He is not a coward!

*He speaks Truth in Love (Eph 4:15). He is a good communicator. He does not gossip or slander. He is an encourager.

There are some people in the Bible who have great moral character. For example, Joseph, King David, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Mordecai, the wife in Proverbs 31, and others, were shining examples of godly behavior even in difficult or dangerous times. They were not born like that. They were all sinners saved by Grace. But they paid the price for spiritual maturity and godly character. Fame is what people see. It is who people think you are. But Character is who you really are, the things you do when no man is watching. Doing the right thing is never easy. But standing for what is right, doing good to people, is a test of our moral character. Iron is known for its strength. Nature is known for her beauty. In the same way, a godly man is known by his excellent character. It is built by constantly seeking God’s will in every decision in life. Children are 25% of the present population and 100% of the future. As parents, we must display and teach godly values to our children. Study a moral godly man! Look at the things he loves and at the things he hates. That will tell you the truth about that man!

4-Godly moral Character produces more hope! Hope is defined as the Joyful expectation of the future. It is only a man who loves God and people, who is humble, teachable and submissive, who pays the price to grow spiritually, who is hardworking, responsible, and generous that has hope for the future. After passing the fire of affliction, the Christian is now trustworthy, faithful, and emotionally stable. God can trust him with His resources. This maturity leads to greater hope. We started with hope, and we’ll end shall with hope. The Old Saints said that Hope is both the father and the child of spiritual maturity. The trials confirmed God’s Love in the believer and the hope of heaven. That is why the Christian, at the end of the period of hardship, is even stronger. This is the proven royal way of the Cross, the agape road!

Don’t forget the power of hope. When a doctor tells his patient that there is no hope, he means that death is his only option. Hopelessness is a terrible burden to carry. It is proven that even if you take everything from a man, if he still retains his hope, he will make it. These are some Feelings of hopelessness (despair): depression, anger, sleep disturbances, weight fluctuations, slow in thinking, in making decisions, feelings of guilt, inferiority complexes, thoughts of suicide and unexplained physical problems (weakness, body pains, stomach pains etc).

RUTH – A WOMAN OF NOBLE CHARACTER

“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman…. A woman of excellence… a woman of noble character” (Ru 3:11; NKJ; AMP; NIV).

Ruth is called a woman of noble character. These are just some of the reasons why: she was a true believer in Jehovah God. She was possibly Naomi’s convert to Judaism. Ruth was a pagan before she married Naomi’s son. After her husband’s death, she continued to serve Naomi. For her, Naomi was not just her mother-in-law, but her mentor in Judaism. Ruth obeyed God’s word: “The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support]” (Gal 6:6; AMP). Ruth was faithful to her mentor unto death. Love for God and for Naomi was the only explanation why Ruth left her country, her people, her family and her gods to follow and serve Naomi in Isreal. Love is the only reason why a person can go to this extreme of faithfulness and sacrifice.

Ruth was loving, humble, teachable, obedient, respectful, hard-working, and loyal. These are all evidence of a genuine moral character. But the greatest of her attributes is her dedication to Naomi, even to the point of death. This quality is rare to find. People betray one another. They find many reasons why they should divorce, or separate. Ruth did not perform miracles. She did not organize crusades. But in her own quiet life, she shines as light in darkness. Ruth teaches us that faith and hope in God is rewarded by God. Our past is not our final destination. Choosing and doing the right thing, loving with the extra mile passion is rewarded by God. All godly relationships are God’s gifts to mankind. Ruth did not know that a chapter in the Bible will be named after her and that million of people will read and be inspired by her faithfulness. God honored her. God uses the most unlikely people to do His will.  God cares for all people, no matter the nationality, skin color or level in society. Men and women are equal before God. None is unimportant before God. God uses little things and little people to achieve great things for His glory! Love and Faith make the difference. It pays to serve God and man. It pays to build up a godly testimony. God rewards that! “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11; AMP). The sun is a symbol of light and life. The shield is protection. God bestows Grace and Honor. God gives spiritual and natural blessings, earthly and heavenly rewards to those who are upright in character. God will not withdraw any good blessing from His children. This promise encourages believers to pay the price for spiritual maturity and godly character.

Ruth was declared to be kind by Naomi and Boaz. She loved Jehovah more than her natural family. She was determined to find and serve God. Not even Orpah’s going back or Naomi’s pleading changed her mind. Naomi failed the test of affliction. She blamed God for her troubles and became bitter. She was supposed to rejoice in her hardship, but she did not. Ruth passed the test of affliction. She did not become bitter. She served a backslider with a joyful heart. Ruth obeyed God’s promises that said: “God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity, Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land” (Ps 68:6; AMP). “And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3:AMP). Worship the Lord!

GRACE UPON GRACE

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]” (Jn 1:16; AMP). In Greek, the word ‘fullness’ means completeness and overflow. Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. The Christian is a man who has received and continues to receive something from God. He receives willingly and actively. God thru Christ gives the believer the best heaven has. The Christian receives the Holy Spirit by faith and at different levels. This pouring of the Holy Spirit is by God’s Grace. It is an intimate relationship of giving and receiving. Christ’ gift increases gradually. It is grace upon grace. Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God to the believer. It manifests as spiritual gift upon gift, and spiritual blessing upon blessing. This continuous increase in spiritual power and anointing never stops until the believer goes to heaven.

Grace is the generosity, the outpouring of Love. Grace is like a glass full of water. We drink and drink and it is still full. As children of God, we know and feel that we are loved, protected and blessed. Out of this overflow of Love, we love others. The Christians are different in their levels of revelation, authority, and power to testify for Jesus. All believers are citizens of God’s Kingdom, but not all are governors or judges with authority to open and shut doors. It is possible to be born-again and still not be baptized with the Holy Spirit. There is a price to pay to know and function in the realm of power, and love. May we be willing to mature!

LOVE IS STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (Deut 11:22-25; Joshua 1:1-9)

We are ready to crossover into a new year (2025). Let God’s Word guide us. Let the Holy Spirit direct us. We shall experience a higher level of fruitfulness and greater harvest. We re-visit the story of Joshua, taking the lead after God’s servant, Moses has died. This is a story of transition, from dreams to dreams come true. The people of God are ready to crossover. They’ve camped by River Jordan. God commands Joshua to arise and lead the people. God commands him to be strong and very courageous. He must devote Himself to study and apply God’s Word. God’s promises are ready to be fulfilled. Centuries ago, God promised that the Land of Canaan will be theirs. Because of disobedience, they’ve wasted many years. But they are now ready to enter the Promised Land. This is a destiny moment for Isreal.

Three times in this passage God commands Joshua to be ‘strong and very courageous’. This is not a suggestion. Obeying this command is rewarded with godly prosperity and success. Moses was a strong leader. Joshua also needs to be strong and very courageous as a leader because God’s people were not experienced warriors, and the Canaanites were strong enemies. To be ‘strong’ means emotionally firm and stable, but not totally hardened and not soft; he must not be easily moved emotionally, not yielding to manipulation or intimidation. The word ‘courageous’ means to be brave, fearless, having the mental and moral strength to deal with dangerous, unpleasant or difficult things without breaking down. God’s command was ‘to observe to do’ all God’s Law. This is an active, diligent and intentional obedience to God’s commands. According to God’s covenant, obedience to God’s Word brought blessings. Disobedience brought curses. Partial obedience is counted as disobedience. Joshua was not to turn to the right or to the left. It shows the need to go straight on God’s path of righteousness. Any deviation means failure or danger. Lesson: stay focused on the path God has prepared for us, and faithfully, to run the race to the end.

God has promised that obedience to His Word leads to prosperity. In Hebrew, the word ‘sakal’ means prosperity that comes from wisdom and understanding of God. It is not just wealth. It is the testimony of a mature believer who knows God and His Word. He hears from God. He applies God’s Word wisely in his life. This is how he becomes wealthy, spiritually and materially. This promise is not connected only with the Promised Land. Its blessings shall manifest in any place you go in this world. You become a source of prosperity in any place you live.

The Bible is the true and final authority in the life of the believer. We must study, meditate and proclaim God’s Word. This is the lifestyle of the believer. It affects his thinking, his emotions, his choices, his speech and his actions. The diligent study and application of God’s Word leads to prosperity. In Hebrew, it is the word ‘tsalach’. It means to advance, to make progress, or to have breakthrough. Good success means success connected with wisdom taken from the Word of God. This is a reminder that God’s Law is extremely important. It cannot be broken. Man cannot keep God’s Law perfectly. The only Man who ever obeyed God perfectly is Jesus Christ. He did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it through His perfect obedience. In Him, we are justified by Grace and through Faith. His obedience becomes ours. In Christ, all the promises are yes and amen. God’s Word decrees that as believers, we will have a successful and prosperous life.

As we enter this new year, we too stand at the river. We’ve known thirst in the desert. We’ve also tasted the refreshing water of salvation. Now it is time to crossover and enter the Promised Land. The Lion of Judah looks us in the eye and says, “Come here.” The Promised Land is the fullness of the presence of God. Entering there is never casual. It is frightening because in that Land we are to live a whole new life that we have never known before. In the desert, even though we were thirsty, at least we felt some sort of control. But now, we are afraid of heaven because the promises are so, so big and the glory so, so bright! It is hard to have faith that our lives will change so much!

How did Joshua have the power to let go of the past and crossover into the Promised Land? What are the lessons for us? Joshua heard the voice of God. In all transitions we must hear from God. God speaks thru His Word and by His Spirit. Trying to move on without God is dangerous. God’s Word must be heard and obeyed. God promised to be with Joshua always. God’s presence is safety. God promised to fight and defeat all Joshua’s enemies. God’s presence of victory. It is hope! Learn to let go by giving God your desire for comfort, security and control. Let Him replace it with the reality of His presence. Now you are ready to cross over into the Promised Land! Worship the Lord!