This event happened as our Lord was going on His last pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where He will die on the Cross. The Jews discriminated the Samaritans and do not pass thru Samaria. But Jesus does not care about these petty issues. As He entered a village, Jesus met ten men who were lepers. Nine were Jews and one was a Samaritan. Leprosy was a terrible incurable disease, a symbol of sin. The sick man does not feel pain. His voice is getting faint. There is a white patch growing on his body. Parts of his body like his fingers, toes, lips or the nose fall off, leaving the man disfigured for life. This was God’s Law: “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Lev 13:45, 46). The leprous must live outside the village.
These ten men stood afar off according to the Law. They were supposed to shout ‘Unclean, unclean!’ so that healthy people avoid them. But when Jesus passed by, they had faith for the healing of their bodies. Leprosy affects the vocal cords. We fainted voices, the ten of them shouted “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” They recognized the Lordship of Jesus. They asked Him for mercy. At the root of sickness is sin. They asked for mercy so that they could be healed. Jesus commanded them saying: “Go! Show yourselves to the priests”. The priests could not heal any sick person, but they could confirm the healing. They were like health inspectors. Jesus wanted them to exercise their faith. To walk as they were already healed. They did that! They obeyed instantly. Oh, the grace in this sentence: “so it was that as they went…”
Jesus did not touch them. He did not speak a word of healing to them. The command ‘go!’ meant healing. They needed to pass the test of faith. As they were going together towards the village priest, they found that they were healed. Imagine the joy! First one, then another, then another one, discovered that the sickness disappeared from their bodies. They were healed! Immediately, the nine Jews ran towards the house of the priest to confirm the healing. From now on, they could live a normal life. They never looked back!
Sickness brought these men together. Now, as they were healed, it is possible that the old discrimination manifested. They Jews went on their way together to the priest. But the Samaritan went back to Jesus, the Great High Priest! With the eyes of faith, He saw Jesus as His great High Priest! He did not need any other priest! He fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him with a loud voice. Leprosy has quenched his voice. Now that he is healed, he did want to waste his shout on empty things. He came to Jesus to shout His name! He obeyed God’s Word: “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises” (Ps 98:4). Praise is a sacrifice. This Samaritan offered the first fruits of his healthy body and recovered voice to Jesus. After years of silence and sadness, he gave Jesus the first feeling of joy. He did not want only healing of the body. He wanted healing of the soul. Jesus confirms the miracle. He says “Arise, go your way! Your faith has made you well!” He was healed not only in his body, but his soul was saved. Lesson: our response to God after we receive a blessing is extremely important.
These ten men were suffering and dying. For many years, people told them that there was no hope for them. When Jesus commanded them to ‘Go, to the priest..’ they gladly obeyed. This is the first time in many years that someone addressed them as living beings. The very command Go! Meant hope and healing! They passed the test of obedience. They got healed. Sickness and suffering kept these men together. God’s blessing separated them, physically and eternally. Men can join in prayer for needs. The same men can separate during worship. Many pray to God! Few Paise God! What is the reason why the nine did not come back? Possibly, it was fear. It was also pride. They were afraid that Jesus will make demands on them, telling them what to do. They wanted healing but they also wanted freedom from Jesus. They did not want a relationship with Jesus. Ingratitude is worse than leprosy! Selah!
Observe that the Samaritan humbled himself before Jesus. It was not the sickness that humbled him. It was the mercy of God revealed to him. He knew that he did not deserve to be healed, to be given a second chance in life. He knew that he was unworthy of such a gift. That is why he came back. The Samaritan truly appreciated the Mercy and Grace of God! There are four steps in the walk of grace towards salvation: Return to Jesus! Fall at the feet of Jesus! Glorify God! Thank God with a loud voice! Lesson: Gratitude to God is not enough! Passionate Gratitude is necessary! Everything we are and we have, is a gift from God. It belongs to God. We should always return to Jesus! At the feet of King Jesus the sick sinner becomes a saint! The healed sinner becomes holy! Once you have tested that God is good, do not go back to be an ordinary person again! Go to Jesus! Stay with Jesus!
We generally limit the act of thanksgiving to being grateful AFTER you receive a gift. From this story we see that thanksgiving is an act of faith. It is offered forward. It becomes an open door to salvation and other blessings.
There are steps on the way of healing. The first is forgiveness. A stronghold of unforgiveness always blocks prayer of healing. By forgiving others, and even yourself, you open the door to a miracle of healing. You must choose between the desire for revenge and your healing! The second step is thanksgiving. We must thank God always, for everything. Third, is to praise God with a loud voice like this Samarian. He still had problems. He has been leprous for a long time. He had no wife, children or friends. He had no job and no money. He could face rejection from people even as he was healed. But he decided to forget these problems and go to Jesus. He decided that praising Jesus is more important than solving his problems. With a loud voice he declared that God is greater than his problems.
Lessons: It is possible to have an encounter with Jesus, to be healed by Jesus and still not be saved. The nine were dreaming of being healed to go back to a normal life in the community. The tenth one was praying and hoping to be healed and know the Healer. Each received what they wanted. The sin of ingratitude is a terribly ugly dark sin. May God have mercy on us too! Learn to praise God in the midst of your problems. That is the key to find favor with God. That is the path that leads to salvation. Coming to church faithfully, is an act of gratitude. The nine were healed but only this one was made well. He got saved! Forgiveness is necessary for survival. But thanking God and praising God in the middle of unsolved problems releases the power of salvation and eternal life! Worship the Lord!
We shall study the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. To better understand the background of their discussion that night, we look at what happened in the days before. This is the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. He just did His first miracle by changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. We are told that thru this miracle, Jesus “manifested His glory and His disciples believed in Him” (Jn 2:11). Jesus then went to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual Passover feast. He drove away the money changers and those who did business in the temple, saying: “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (Jn 2:16). He did some miracles in Jerusalem, not recorded in the Bible. Many in Jerusalem believed in Him because of the signs (miracles) He did there. But we are told that: “Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (Jn 2:24, 25). Many men believed in Jesus because of His miracles. But Jesus did not trust or approve their faith in Him. It was a false faith He could not accept. They saw Jesus as a miracle worker. They did not really know Him as their Savior and the Son of God.
Why did Jesus not trust these men who ‘believed’ in Him? The answer is that not all who claim to believe in Jesus, really believe in Him. There is genuine Biblical faith which stands on God’s Word and there is false faith that stands on man’s wisdom. The Bible says that all men are sinners. Sin is deceiving. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings” (Jer 17:9,10). The heart of man is deceitful and wicked. We deceive ourselves thinking that we are saved, that we are better than we really are. We are wicked because we try to deceive others and make them fall. We pretend that we can help them in their times of need. We give them the impression that we know God and have all the resources to solve their problems. We make promises that we cannot keep, giving false hope to people. We love money but we pretend to love God. We are filled with pride, greed, sexual lusts, and selfish ambition pretending to love God and men. This deception is wicked and destroys many people’s souls. We deceive ourselves and others, but we cannot deceive God. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7). To mock someone means to laugh at him, so that he looks stupid. Don’t deceive yourself: no one laughs at the justice of God! Selah! Self-deception is one reason why we hate God, because He knows the truth we try to hide. “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7). Jesus looks at the hearts of men. He knows when a faith is genuine or not, when Love is true, or it is not. Selah!
Do you want to know the opinion of Jesus about men in general, and about you in particular? Then go to the Bible. God’s Word exposes the motives of our actions. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:12,13). “God knows the heart and searches the heart” (Ac 15:8; Rom 8:27). Men know that God exists, but they reject Him and His Christ. This rejection is man’s greatest sin. It ends in foolishness, emptiness and spiritual darkness, and eventually, death. “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom 1:21). When you listen to the TV, the radio, or you meet people on the street, how many times have you seen them thanking God for their lives? Most of them refuse to acknowledge God who gives them breath. Ingratitude is a sign of rejecting God, of unbelief, of not being saved. Men do not think of their souls, of death and life after death. Men spend more time watching a football match, and women spend more time dreaming about a new pair of shoes, than thinking about their souls, about God or His Word. The tendency to think only about our bodies, about our lives on earth and totally ignore our soul’s needs, is common to all sinners. Even when men become religious and start attending church, they still do not change. They only add a layer of religious paint, to look better from the outside. They become proud and self-righteous. This is the truth about men, about us. We are born sinners, wicked and selfish in our hearts. We deserve to die and go to hell!
How can man be saved then? Salvation is a gift of God. It comes by His Grace alone, thru our faith alone, in Christ alone. Practically, we need to study God’s Word and pray. An encounter with Christ, thru the pages of the Bible, is the greatest medicine to save our souls and to heal our bodies. The great Prophet Isaiah thought he was a righteous man. He wrote 5 chapters in His Book. But one day, he saw Christ seated on the throne (see Isaiah 6). As the light of God shone on him and angels cried “Holy, Holy, Holy”, he had the revelation of his terrible state, full of sins, wickedness and deceit. He fell before God and confessed his sins. By God’s mercy and grace he got saved. From that moment on, he was never the same. He wrote the remaining 61 chapters, revealing the mystery of Christ crucified and resurrected.
Jesus said: you must be born again to enter or even see the Kingdom of God! It is not enough to read or quote the scriptures. Salvation is a miracle produced only by the Holy Spirit. None can save himself. No religion or philosophy can save your soul. Humble yourself before God. See yourself as a sinner in need of help. Ask God for His mercy and grace. Press on with faith, in prayer and fasting. Join a living church where the pastor preaches the true Gospel. Fight for your soul! God will help you. God will save you. Becoming born-again is the greatest ‘achievement’ for anyone on earth. Salvation is personal. The sermon is preached to the crowd. But salvation is one soul at a time. Selah!
We are told that Jesus did not ‘entrust Himself to man, because He knew the truth about man’. Please note that He did not trust men, but He did not abandon them. As human beings, if we discover that someone does not believe in us, we usually reject that one. Not so with Jesus! God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners. Both the Father and the Son knew that men are sinners. Jesus did not die for us because we were good. He was never deceived. He knew the gravity of sin and the depth of our deception. He came and took our sins upon Himself. For God so loved the world… How big is this love? Look at the price that was paid for it. God knew that the world is in darkness, rebellion and wickedness. He loved us so much that He was ready to pay the highest sacrifice. He sent Jesus to earth knowing that we shall mock him, reject Him, and eventually crucify Him. Some people think that Jesus is more loving than God the Father. That is a lie. God the Father is the Author and the designer of the plan of salvation. Some people think that it was only after Jesus died that the Father started to love us. That is another lie. The source of Agape Love is God the Father who loves us eternally. Praise God!
We shall study the encounter of Nicodemus with Jesus. John calls him ‘a man of the Pharisees’. He could have said ‘a Pharisee’ but he added ‘a man’. This is to connect with what he said in chapter 2, that Jesus did not entrust Himself to man, because He knew what was in man. The Pharisees were the religious leaders in Isreal. They truly tried to obey God’s Laws. They were moral people. They were not caught stealing, lying, or committing adultery. They paid tithes even from their spices. Apostle Paul was a Pharisee before he got saved. Nicodemus was a Greek name. It means ‘The Victory of the People’. Some of the high social class Jews took Greek names to show that they were educated. Many trusted in the Greek philosophers, alongside their faith in Jehovah God. Nicodemus was a leader in Jerusalem, a moral man, a political ruler and a religious teacher. Even today, it is rare to find a man like him, combining good moral standards, political success and good religious behavior. He came to see Jesus by night, possibly to avoid embarrassment, being mocked by his colleagues. That shows hidden pride. But he speaks respectfully to Jesus. Though Jesus did not attend the religious schools in Isreal, he calls Jesus ‘Rabbi’ or Teacher. He must have heard Jesus preaching and he was impressed enough to call him a teacher from God. He was also impressed by the power Jesus had to do miracles. The Pharisees did not believe in miracles, but Nicodemus could not ignore the supernatural power manifested in Jesus. He saw in Jesus a Teacher from God and a Miracle worker. He too was a respected teacher in Isreal. Nicodemus was speaking to Jesus as teacher speaks to teacher. He possibly came to offer Jesus his support and guidance. Maybe in his mind he thought something like this: ‘Jesus, I see that You are spiritual Man, a good teacher of the Bible and God is with You to do these miracles. I am older than you. I lived all my life in Jerusalem. I know the political scene and the religious rulers. I can help You develop Your gifts, to establish Yourself as a teacher here. Jerusalem is not like that your village, Nazareth. Here, there are dangerous people. The Romans make things harder for all of us to serve Jehovah in peace. I offer my friendship to you as a senior colleague…’ Maybe this is what Nicodemus had in mind to say. But Jesus did not give him the chance to speak. Why? Because Jesus ‘knew what was in man’. He knew that Nicodemus, as great and famous as he was in Isreal, knows nothing about spiritual realities, about Jesus, the Savior of mankind. He was totally ignorant of the sin in his heart and the price needed to be paid for him to be saved.
Jesus totally ignored Nicodemus’ flatteries. If Jesus was only a man, hearing these good words of approval from Nicodemus, that could have been music to His ears. But Jesus was not only a Man. He was God in human flesh. Immediately, Jesus addressed the ignorance of Nicodemus and showed him the way to heaven. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3). This sentence alone cuts down Nicodemus’ pride as a Bible teacher. He knew nothing about being ‘born again’. That concept was not in his curriculum. He did not know of anyone in Jerusalem who was teaching that subject. With that revelation alone, speaking the truth in love, Jesus proved to be the teacher, leader and mentor to the old man. We see that Jesus always uses truth to direct our attention from empty religion to spiritual realities. He always points the way, from earth to heaven. When the rich young ruler came to Him, Jesus showed him the hindrance blocking him to go to heaven. For him, it was the love of money. When Jesus talked to the woman at the well, He showed her the difference between the water in Jacob’s well and Himself who is the Living Water. Lesson: like Jesus, we must point sinners to spiritual matters concerning their souls and not only encourage them about success in this world!
You must be born again! This is one of the greatest statements in the Bible. No man can understand it thru research or human wisdom. The need to be born again is revealed only by the Holy Spirit. Here we see that salvation is not by doing good works or obeying religious laws. Salvation is God’s work. It is always by Grace and thru faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation always gives glory to God. No man can boast of it. To be born again is always a miracle. In Greek, the word ‘again’ means ‘from above; it is ‘something new’. Therefore, to be born again it means to be born from above. It is a birth from God in heaven. It is not just a religious experience, some superficial change of character. It is literally heaven downloaded into your spirit. No man on earth can make you born-again. Only The Man who came down from heaven, Jesus Christ, can save you. Salvation is by the power of the Holy Spirit, thru faith in God’s eternal Word. God’s Word is preached. Sinners are drawn to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1Pet 1:23-25). Heaven invades earth. Acknowledge the power of preaching the Gospel! The authority of the Kingdom of God manifests as the sinner truly repents of his sin, and unconditionally, he surrenders to the King of kings, the Savior of men, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Nicodemus should have known something about this miracle of being born from above. Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. As a good teacher, Jesus asks Nicodemus “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” Nicodemus said: “How can these things be?” Jesus was referring to the Old Testament. The Jews in general and the Pharisees in particular, took great pride in their Biblical knowledge. This is what God said long ago thru the Prophet Ezekiel: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God” (Eze 36:25-28). The people of Isreal were always unfaithful to God. Three times a year, all Jews went to the temple in Jerusalem to serve Jehovah God. But they also served their local idols. Idolatry corrupts the soul and grieves the Holy Spirit. God promised to deliver them from their unfaithfulness by sprinkling clean water on them and by giving them a new heart with a new spirit. These promises describe the miracle of being born again in the Old Testament. Being born from above means to be born of water and the Spirit. The cleansing with water is by God’s Word. The power to change the heart is by the Holy Spirit. Jesus died so that “He might sanctify and cleanse her (the Church) with the washing of water by the word” (Eph 5:26).
The command to be born again is to be understood in these ways:
1-The New birth is absolutely necessary to go to heaven. There is no replacement for this. Salvation is justification by grace and through faith. It is God’s declaration to a sinner who has believed in the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, on his behalf. Salvation is connected with faith in God’s Word and always gives God all the glory! We are all born sinners. We are too proud to submit to a Gospel that gives glory to God alone. We want to boast about our achievements. That is why the natural man is not interested in the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. He sees the Bible and church services as totally boring. Some churches preach that you can go to heaven by doing good or by being faithful to your denomination. But that is a lie. None can be saved, and none can go to heaven by obeying religious laws or by doing good deeds. You must be approved by God in heaven to go to God’s heaven! You must be born again!
2-The New birth is totally a supernatural work of God. Salvation is a miracle. It is the first miracle a sinner experiences to truly know eternal life. Being born again is not a decision man makes. It must be an encounter between the sinner and God, his creator. As the sinner has faith in Christ who died for him, the Grace of God and Truth, will manifest in his spirit. It is the power of resurrection working, bringing life into death. It cannot be properly described by men. It must be experienced. It is real!
3- The New Birth cannot be seen but it produces fruits. It is manifested by its effects. Jesus said: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit”. The wind is powerful and mysterious. No one can control the wind! When the wind blows you can’t see the wind. But you can see the effects of the wind upon the trees. You can feel the movement of the air on your skin. The effects of a new life manifest itself as a changed character, a different heart. The things of the world, the sinful things you used to love, you now hate. The things of the Spirit, reading the Bible, prayer, attending church, that you once found boring, you now love and practice. The change is deep and permanent. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2Cor 5:17). Religious people may pretend to be born again, but with time, you see that they are deceived. There are no fruits! The natural man cannot receive spiritual revelation. “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). Worship the Lord!
GRACE ABOUNDS MUCH MORE (Rom 5:1,2; 17-21; 6:1-4).
The doctrine of Justification by faith alone is the heart of the Gospel. If you make mistakes here, the whole foundation of your Christian life is weak. To justify means to be declared righteous, to be right with God. Practically, being righteous means to be good and to do good, for Christ’s sake. Righteousness is one of the attributes of the Kingdom of God where Jesus Christ is The King of kings. What is this doctrine? Based on the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, when a sinner totally trusts in Jesus’ death on his behalf, God the Father declares that sinner justified before Him. This is the work of pure Grace, the unmerited favor of God towards sinners. The justified sinner is now regarded by God as righteous. The Bible calls him a saint. From this moment on, he is saved. He has eternal life. When he dies, his soul goes to heaven. Justification is God’s Declaration!!! This declaration, this holy event cannot be reversed. A true believer cannot lose his salvation. He may backslide for a time, but he will come back to God before he dies. God’s name and reputation is backing his salvation. Many Christians reject this type of assurance of salvation, but it is the truth as revealed in the Bible. Pray to receive the revelation from the Holy Spirit.
Justification is a legal term, a forensic term. God, as the Judge of all, declares in the court of heaven, that any sinner who trusts in Christ alone for his salvation, is justified in His presence. He is free from the guilt and punishment of sin. Justification is a unique event. It happens once and for all. After Justification, the process of sanctification starts. The sinner saved by grace alone, and by faith alone, now starts to grow spiritually. Thru faith in the Word of God, the Christian dies to sin and lives a righteous life. The Holy Spirit empowers and leads him. But he must cooperate with the Holy Spirit and obey God’s Word. The process of sanctification lasts a lifetime. Some make faster progress than others. This is a fact: all true believers love God and His Word. They carry their cross daily, die to sin and walk in righteousness. They manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit; among them Love is the greatest slice. There is nothing like being justified and not sanctified. A Christian cannot be justified and desire to continue in sin! God Forbid! Salvation must be complete to the glory of God!
The doctrine of justification by faith is unique to Biblical Christianity. Every other religion, including some Christian denominations believe that you must obey religious laws to go to heaven. This is called justification ‘by works.’ They reject the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Martin Luther was a Catholic priest. He got saved and re-discovered the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone. The Roman Catholic Pope declared him a heretic. He said that Luther invented this new doctrine to justify his sexual lusts to marry a woman. But the Pope was wrong. The doctrine of justification by faith is Biblical. But you need the Holy Spirit’s revelation to understand it. This is never achieved by human wisdom alone. Justification comes only through faith (Rom 5:1; Gal 3:24). It is not earned through our own good works. We are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8; Tit 3:5). The Christian, being declared righteous, is thus freed from the guilt of sin. He now has peace with God!
As you can see, Justification is the act of God not only forgiving your sins but imputing to you the perfect righteousness of Christ. The word ‘imputation’ is an old Biblical concept. To impute means to pay something in another’s account. God “imputes” His righteousness to us through faith in Christ because of Christ’s obedience unto death. Imputation is different from ‘impartation’. During sanctification, God imparts gifts to us. But first, He must impute His righteousness to us, to be saved. Once justified, God regards us as we have never sinned. For the sake of Christ who died for us, God sees us as His Children. Remember, Christ is your righteousness!!! “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor 1:30). Your righteousness is a Person!!! He is in heaven, the same yesterday, today and forever. You are not more righteous when your faith is strong. You are not less righteous when your faith is weak. Your imputed Righteousness is perfect and eternal! It is Christ Himself! Lesson: Look away from yourself. Rest in Him. Lean on Him. Trust Him to take you to heaven! Faith 100%! Doubt 0%! Praise God!
Understanding the doctrine of justification by faith is extremely important. First, it is the very knowledge of Grace in justification that motivates us to good works and spiritual growth. Therefore, justification always leads to sanctification. Secondly, the fact that justification is God’s finished work means that Christians have the assurance of their salvation. In God’s eyes, we now have the righteousness necessary to gain eternal life. Once a person is justified, there is nothing else he needs to do to enter heaven. Since justification comes by faith in Christ, based on His finished work on the Cross, on our behalf, our own works are disqualified as a means of salvation (Rom 3:28). All who teach that you can be saved by obeying the law, or by doing good works, are teaching “a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all” (Gal 1:6–7). The truth is that none of us can obey the law completely, to enter heaven. Even with the help of grace we cannot be justified by obeying the law or earn our righteousness before God. If heaven can be gained by works, we will claim glory for our own salvation and God shares His glory with no man. This is the truth: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, thru the Word of God alone, and to the glory of God alone. Selah!
The most common attack against the Doctrine of justification by faith alone is that once a sinner is saved, he will see God’s grace as ‘cheap’ and he would like to continue in sin (Rom 6:1,2). The Christian who has this complaint does not understand the Power of the free gift of God’s Grace. This is the truth: Once a sinner becomes truly saved, he changes radically. It is like a dog becoming a man. Salvation is always a miracle. The man cannot become a dog again. The born-again believer is so grateful that God’s grace has revealed the Cross to him that he wants to do everything he can to please God. He does not desire to continue in his sinful habits. In fact, he now hates sin.
In the history of the Church, not all Christians believe this doctrine of justification by faith alone. They say that it is too simple. They go to extremes: legalism (saved by obeying laws) or license (ignore all laws). They say that if only faith in Christ saves us, and grace covers us, we can commit sin and still be saved. They insist that Christians should obey God’s Laws ‘to make heaven.’ They say that salvation by grace alone and by faith alone, leads to careless living and sinful behavior. Technically, this is called ‘antinomianism’, or lawlessness. It comes from two Greek words: anti, meaning ‘against’ and nomos, meaning ‘law’. ‘Christians’ in this group, believe that we should not obey any Law because Grace has made us free from the Law. They say that even if you commit sin, you are not guilty because God has covered you by His grace. They believe that freedom from the Law means freedom for license. That is an error. One of the greatest examples of antinomian behavior is Gregory Rasputin (1869-1916). He was a famous Russian mystic, false prophet and self-declared healer. He became very close to the Russian Royal family, by trying to heal the heir to the throne. He had many followers. He deceived many with his so called ‘powers to heal’. He claimed that anyone having sex with him becomes spiritually pure. He was eventually assassinated.
Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism always goes too far. Antinomianism is deceptive because it denies the power of Grace to radically change a sinner into a saint. Antinomianism is wrong also because it ignores the new Law of Christ. It is true that we do not obey the Laws of the Old Testament. But we are not lawless. There is a new Law that has come. It is the Law of Love. Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:36-40). Love is the New commandment for all Christians to obey. If you love God and your neighbor, then you will not kill, steal, commit adultery, deceive others or covet their things. In the Old Testament the Law applied to external actions. The Law of Christ, of Love, goes deeper, into the heart, into the motives of actions. It is only a child of God that can love and can obey this Law of Christ. He obeys not because he wants to go to heaven, but because he is saved already. Breaking this Law means breaking the heart of God. It is a sin against Love. Free Grace is not a ticket to a sinful life. Living in sin dishonors God. It is an insult against His Love and His Grace. May God forbid this!
Some Christians ask: why then did God give us His Laws in the Bible? The Law of God “is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Rom 7:12). In the Old Testament the Law had its own functions. God who gave the Law to Moses, to write it and teach it to God’s people. Please note this: from the beginning, the purpose of giving the Law was not to save the people. Because not one could obey God’s law perfectly. The reason why God gave the Ten Commandments and other laws, is so that the people may know who God is, what God likes and what God hates. It was also given so that they know what sin is. The Law “entered that the offense might abound” (Rom 5:20). But the Law was a not a Savior. The Law was a teacher, a tutor who directed God’s people to Christ (Gal 3:19-25). Any sinner who wants to obey God’s Law will be frustrated in the process. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, this frustration will eventually bring the student to the feet of Christ, who is his Savior. Christ alone fulfilled the Law perfectly by obeying God’s Law. First, Jesus obeyed the Law actively. He did everything God the Father told Him to do. Secondly, Jesus obeyed the Law passively. God’s Law says that the sinner must die (Rom 6:23). Christ died for sinners. The sinless One, became sin so that we, who trust in Him may live. “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]” (2Cor 5:21; AMP). “Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)” (Gal 3:13; AMP). Looking at the Crucified, who died for us, we can never love sin again! We will live to please Him forever!
The Gospel says that we were once united with Adam. We were under the reign of sin and death. We were born into the Kingdom of darkness. Sin was our king. We could not resist its lusts. All who live in that Kingdom, die an eternal death, and go to hell. Once a sinner trusts in Christ who died for him, God translates that one into the Kingdom of light, of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. As we were one with Adam, we are now one with Christ. This is the doctrine of the mystical union with Christ. What Christ did, we do it in Him. Christ suffered and died. In Him, we suffer and die to sin. Christ was buried. We too are buried with Him, separated from the world. Christ rose from the dead. By the same resurrection power, we have risen from the realm of sin and death to life and righteousness. Christ ascended back to heaven. We too are now seated in heavenly places in Christ. These are spiritual events that have happened already once we are justified by God’s Grace and by faith in Christ. Our spirit is saved already. Spiritually, we are in heaven already. Therefore, we cannot lose our salvation. At the second coming of Christ, our bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies. That is when the process of salvation will be complete. And we shall live together, forever, with Christ, on a New Earth. This mighty revelation can only be received and believed through the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why for every sinner who becomes saved, all glory goes to God! Amen!
“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20). In Greek, the word ‘abound’ means to increase or overflow. Thru Adam, sin has entered humanity as a foreign injection of poison, of rebellion against God. Sin always leads to destruction and death. We see it everywhere around us. There are many prisons, hospitals, mortuaries, and cemeteries. About 150,000 people die daily all over the world. The power of sin and death is easier to imagine and understand than the power of Grace, God’s invisible favor to save and to bless. For example, Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity. It is said that only 12 men were intelligent enough to understand it at the beginning. But when it was used to create the atomic bomb and dropped it on Hiroshima, Japan, 250,000 people died instantly. Instantly, everyone understood its power to destroy. This is another example: Alexander Fleming invented the first antibiotic, the Penicillin. It was a great breakthrough in medical science. Millions were saved because of this invention. You see how one man could bring destruction, and another man can bring healing. It is the same with the power of sin and of Grace. Thru Adam we know death. Thru Christ we live forever!
Jesus came full of Grace and Truth (Jn 1:14). Sin and death have been the king of sinners. There was no escape for anyone. Thru Jesus Christ, Grace was openly manifested to sinners. In Christ, Grace is the greater King. Learn to appreciate Grace! A Christian man dies. People mourn. But the angels rejoice in heaven for every sinner who repents (Lk 15:10). This invisible joy is of Grace. Two thieves are crucified next to Jesus. Both insult him at the beginning. That is the power of sin. But then, one of them repents and asks Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus says: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise!” (Lk 23:43). This is Grace speaking. With their hammers, the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus on the Cross. That is the sound of sin. But on the third day, Jesus came out from the grave, having nail scars on His hands. Jesus told Thomas: “Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving but believing” (Jn 20:27). This is Grace speaking! Out of pain, faith is born! Saul hated the Christians. He supervised the killing of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Then Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He became born-again. He is now known as Apostle Paul. He wrote three quarters of the New Testament. He said: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1Cor 15:10). This is the power of Grace! John Newton was a slave trader. He was saved by grace. He wrote the hymn: “Amazing Grace, how sweet Thy sound, that saved a wretch like me!” This is Grace speaking! This is Grace singing! Grace is always greater than sin and death! Halleluiah!
David was called ‘a man after God’s heart’ (Acts 13:22). He became famous when he killed Goliath. But he became great when he did not kill King Saul. Here we see a story we can call: the Cave, the Robe and the Character. Here, David rises to the height of his godly character.
We shall study two kings. King Saul was a man of hate. He represents the Kingdom of darkness. David is a man of love, peace and mercy. He represents the Kingdom of God. David could have easily killed Saul. But he did not. This story happens at an oasis in the desert called En Gedi. King Saul, with an army of 3000 soldiers, are looking for David to kill him. Saul left his army behind and went alone into this cave to relieve himself. David and his men of valor were resting at the back of a big cave. How safe the king must have felt not knowing that he was so close to death. David’s men urged him to take advantage of this situation and kill Saul. But David refused. He restrained his servants, telling them not to harm Saul. The only thing he did was to cut a piece from Saul’s robe. David’s men may have been disappointed at their leader, not understanding his love for his enemy. Later, David calls Saul and shows him the piece taken from his robe. Saul sees that David spared his life. He repents superficially. He withdraws from pursuing David but not long after this incident, he comes back. David spares his life the second time. Eventually, King Saul and his sons die in battle. David becomes King in his place. Lessons: God is merciful! God is sovereign! People will misunderstand your Love! Do what is right before God! He will reward you!
David could have killed Saul. But he only cut a piece from his robe. Even for doing this, David felt guilty about it. Why? Next to the crown and the scepter, the robe of the king signifies his authority. When King Saul disobeyed God’s command, as Samuel was leaving him, Saul tore the prophet’s robe (1Sam 15:26-29). Samuel interpreted the tearing of his robe as prophetic. He told Saul that he had lost his authority as king. The throne will be given to his neighbor, a better man than he. This man is David. By cutting a piece from King Saul’s robe, David saw it as a rebellion, claiming some part of Saul’s authority. It is true that God had already said that David will succeed Saul as king. But David did not want to claim the throne, through rebellion. He did not want to take what was promised to him, through illegal means. He wanted that God’s promotion and blessings should come to him in God’s way and in God’s time. He cherished his relationship with God more than any other gift. But Saul was the opposite. He rebelled against God who set him on the throne. Samuel fiercely condemned that rebellion: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (1Sam 15:23). David felt convicted of sin just by cutting the royal robe. His conscience was very sensitive to sin. Lessons: Authority and blessings relate to obedience to God’s Word. Keep your conscience pure!
It is true that King Saul was a wicked man. He killed all the priests at Nob. If he could get David, he would have no mercy. David was not deceived. He knew that Saul was lying even when he tried to repent. David did not ask Saul for assurance that he could come back to the palace. David extended mercy to Saul even when Saul did not extend mercy to him. How did he do that? He obeyed the Law of Agape Love. David loved his enemy. David did not respect Saul as a person. But David respected Saul’s office as the King of Isreal, anointed by God. It was the same Prophet Samuel and the same oil that was on David’s head. David knew the power of that anointing. He was afraid to kill Saul because even in his backsliding, Saul was God’s choice as king. David bowed to Saul and spoke respectfully. Love “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” (1Cor 13:5). David could have killed Saul in that cave and could have taken over the throne. But he did not. Lesson: Believers are good citizens. God tests us, our hearts and motives. God may open a door for us to claim a promise by our own power, in our own way. It is a test of self-control, patience and love. Like Joseph, David refused to be God! Not even a throne is worth the grieving of the Holy Spirit. Faith and Love must wait! Love never fails!
Saul disobeyed God’s Word and lost his throne. What power kept David from sinning against God? David obeyed God’s Word. He knew that vengeance belongs to God. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord” (Rom 12:19; AMP). The main reason why David did not kill King Saul was because he saw him as ‘The Lord’s anointed’. “David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” (1Sam 26:9). David knew God’s Word: “Do not touch My anointed ones and do My prophets no harm” (Ps 105:15). King Saul was a wicked man. But David saw him as God’s servant, God’s property. He refused to touch it!
Looking at this story: Who is the true King of Isreal? Is it Saul who is anointed, seated on the throne, or David who was waiting to be king? God gave the promise to David that he will be the next king. But God did not give David the power to fulfill the Promise. David speaks respectfully to the king. Even when he pleads his case, David does not rebuke the king directly. He rebukes his counsellors. David behaves as a peacemaker. “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (PV 15:1). Because of David’s humble attitude and kind, wise words, Saul is defeated in his wickedness, at least for now. He weeps in public. Saul acknowledges that God is good, that David is good, that himself is bad, and that David will be the next king. David learned to wait for God to do what only God can do! King Saul repents but not in humility. He still claims some ‘righteousness’ for himself. Touched by David’s love, Saul asks David to protect his descendants after his death. At the end, David calls God to judge this case between King Saul and himself. See in David the power of a clean conscience, a new maturity, wisdom and growth in grace. Lessons you learn only in the wilderness: There are no short cuts to godly success in life! There is always a temptation to rush ahead. God can use even your enemies to encourage you! Amen!
If you study the lives of Saul and David, in many ways, both men are the same. They both started well and were chosen by God to be kings in Isreal. Both were courageous soldiers and had victories in battle. Both had dedicated followers. What then is the difference between them? It concerns two areas: repentance and worship. When David sinned and he was made aware of his sin, he broke down and repented deeply. When Saul sinned, he blamed others. He did not humble himself. David had a godly sorrow that led to repentance and salvation. Saul had a worldly sorrow leading to death (2Cor 7:10). During his last night on earth, Saul went to see a witch for counsel. David repented deeply for his sin. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:17). In His Sermon of the Mount Jesus defines who is a citizen of God’s Kingdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). Lesson: True repentance attracts God’s grace on you! Sin can be dealt with only thru a relationship with Jesus Christ!
Now you see why David is called ‘a man after God’s heart’. David’s wise behavior points us to Jesus, our Savior and Lord. God the Father sent Jesus to live and die for sinners. By His death, Jesus is now the King of God’s Kingdom. The devil tempted Jesus to become the King of kings by offering Him the kingdoms of this world. He told Jesus that He can be king if he can fall at his feet (Matt 4:8-11). The devil offered Jesus a crown without a cross. But Jesus rejected the offer. He took God’s way: the Cross before the Crown. By His death and resurrection Jesus is now the King of kings, reigning supremely and forever. Question: if the devil offers you an easier way to become successful in business and ministry, will you take his offer? As we follow Jesus, we take our cross daily, we deny self from every selfish and rebellious desire. We suffer with Jesus, we die and are buried with Jesus, and we rise with Jesus to be seated in glory with Him. This is the Gospel that saves! There is no other Gospel! May we have the courage to Love and Obey God to the end. Worship the Lord!
“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. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Rom 8:28-30).
These are some of the most beloved scriptures in the Bible. God’s Word brings great comfort to all believers. It points to the assurance of salvation and to God’s constant presence in our lives. It reminds us that God alone knows the end from the beginning. This is a categorical statement. It is not a prayer. It is a doctrine. It must be believed without any doubt! Amen!
We are told that all things work together for good, not to all people, but to a special group called the lovers of God. There are only two groups of people in this world: those who love God and those who hate God. We are all born sinners; all hated God, needed forgiveness and a Savior. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Tit 3:3). A sinner is not just indifferent towards the God of the Bible. He hates God! He hates Jesus! These are some manifestations of hatred towards God: Like Peter, we deny that we know God. We ignore God or take Him for granted. We argue with God and His Word. We disobey His commands and feel no shame or regret. We insult God and take His name in vain by using the name of Jesus as a curse. When things do not go the way we want it, we blame God for our troubles. We think that God is unfair. We misuse God. We take His gifts, but we do not praise Him or thank Him. The Bible says that all sinners are under God’s wrath and judgment. There is no escape. The wrath of God is not hidden. It is revealed to man thru His Word. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them… 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom 1:18,19, 28-32). We don’t care about God’s feelings. We sympathize with sinners in their evil.
The great promise in Romans 8:28 does not apply to sinners, to those who hate God. It does not apply even to the religious unbelievers, people who attend church, but are not saved. All things do not work together for good to them. The religious unbelievers try to apply this scripture to their lives, but they get disappointed with God. Later, the devil uses them to discourage the true believers saying that God does not care, and God will not answer their prayers. Lesson: we should not be intimate with unbelievers. For example, if a believer marries an unbeliever, all things will work together for good for the believer but not for the spouse. That brings conflict in the marriage. Selah!
The next thing we can say about this scripture is that it applies to all things in life!!! It does not only apply to ‘the good things’, prosperity, peace or health. The promise includes ‘all things’, including trials, sicknesses, seasons of poverty, loneliness, spiritual evil attacks, mistakes and sins. Many believers get confused about this doctrine. They ask themselves: how can God use sickness or sins for our good? The truth is that God is not the author of sin. He does not tempt men. “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (Jam 1:13). But God can use everything, including the devil, for His own glory and for our good. “All power belongs to God” (Ps 62:11). He can over-rule our mistakes or the consequences of our sins, extending His grace and mercy to the worst offender. Note that these things are not good in themselves. They do not work together for our good by their own power. It is God who uses them in such a way that eventually they work for our good. This is the mystery of the sovereign omnipotent God!
How does God use painful things for our good? First, difficult things like sickness, disappointment, or poverty, humble us. When things are good, we tend to become spiritually passive. Suddenly, we got sick. We experience pain and remember our body’s weakness. The sickness is uncomfortable. It is a shock to us! We suddenly ‘wake up’ and feel the need to draw closer to God, fast and pray. We now discover that our good health and prosperity contributes to our drifting away from God. We become humble and grateful for everything, including the pain. We can now say with the Psalmist: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes” (Ps 119:71). But the unbelievers suffer in vain. They waste their pains. They even become angry at God for allowing them to suffer. We now remember that we need forgiveness for sins and strength in our weakness. We reject the spirit of pride that so easily entangles us. Humility leads to wisdom and safety. It is during this strange process of things working together for our good that we re-discover the depths of God’s Love, His mercy, patience and Grace towards us. We may have known these blessings as doctrines, but now, we experience them personally. It is a pity that God needs to use pains to train us in godliness. There is no other way. Because of our sinful past, we tend to get easily distracted and forget spiritual things. We either get infatuated with the pleasures of life, or we get too worried about the cares of this world. Either way, we become too busy with the things of this world. Our focus in life becomes too small. We only care about our bodies and material things. We forget heaven. We forget the glory promised in Christ! Trials wake us to the eternal realities of God’s Kingdom. Our prayers and worship become purer. We start to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18). This is the way to have an established testimony before men and that alone is a mighty gain! Praise the Lord!
God says: “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things” (Isa 45:7; KJ). In Hebrew, the word ‘darkness’ also means ignorance, wickedness, sorrow and death. The word ‘evil’ means calamity (a sudden violent event that brings great loss and sorrow). Here, Jehovah God takes responsibility in creating not only light and peace, but also darkness and evil, terrible disasters. Because we think of God as ‘a good man’, incapable to cause pain to us, this revelation is confusing. But this is the truth. God has created the devil and the demons as angels in heaven. But Satan rebelled against God. Some angels followed him in rebellion. God threw them away from heaven to earth. Working all things together for our good is not an encouragement to commit sin. God hates sin. Evil is always bad. Sin is never good. What God does is that He controls evil. The devil is not free to ‘kill, steal, and destroy’ as he wishes. God limits and redirects the amount of destruction coming from the devil. Jesus said that we pray like this: “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13). Why then God allows us sometimes to enter temptation and fall into sin? Why does God allow Christians to backslide sometimes? One reason is that we discover the truth about ourselves. He exposes the pride, deception, the foolishness of our hearts. We can easily become proud and get a false sense of confidence. We feel that we do not need God anymore. The truth is that we always need God, until our last breath. God allows us to fall to become humble and draw closer to Him. God is an excellent Father! He trains His children well. See how the Father of the Prodigal son used pains to achieve the necessary humility and godliness in his son!
God’s will is revealed in the Bible. It is described as sovereign, good and acceptable (or permissive) (Rom 12:2). God permits ‘bad things’ to happen to the believers thru His permissive will. God allows us to experience some things, even though these things do not bring pleasure to Him. God allows certain things to happen, even sinful things, that indirectly accomplish His sovereign will. God created the universe, and the natural world. He also created man. Man was deceived by Satan and chose to disobey God. Sin entered humanity and has negatively affected everything and everyone since then. God could have prevented Adam from falling. But He chose not to. God had a strategy to deal with sin and Satan. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the sins of men. As a Man in Heaven, and Lord over all, Jesus Christ has now received all the glory due to God alone. Because God knows everything and God is sovereign, for any evil to happen, God must allow it thru His permissive will. God never makes mistakes. God does not force man to do His perfect will. He allows man to decide between His perfect and permissive will. But once we choose a sinful path, there are consequences. We cannot avoid these consequences. Thru pain, we learn from our past mistakes and try to obey God’s perfect will in the future. We experience God’s permissive will every day. For better or for worse, God allows us to make decisions: what we eat, how we spend our time, where we work, whom we marry, and much more. Some of our choices have lifelong consequences, but some won’t. Other people’s choices may affect us negatively. Sometimes, unpleasant events come our way. But we should remember that whatever is happening to us is part of God’s permissive will. God is still on the throne. God has never given up on His total control over His creation! No matter what we experience in life, God is fully in charge!
In God’s permissive will, evil is allowed to function, but God’s perfect plan triumphs every time. For example, God allowed the kidnapping and enslavement of Joseph. Each time Joseph suffered, God had the power to intervene, but He sovereignly “permitted” the evil. Note that God’s permissive will never counteract His sovereign will or His overall plan for man. God allowed the sins of Joseph’s brothers to bring about a greater good. When Jesus was arrested, He told His enemies, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53). Evil had been granted a window of opportunity, and evil men were taking full advantage of it. That was indeed a dark night, but the final result was the salvation of mankind. God only permits that which will lead to His sovereign will being accomplished for His glory!
God may ignore the evil unbelievers do but He surely disciplines His children. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2). “For whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). There is a warning about taking the Holy Communion in a wrong manner. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [g]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1Cor 11:28-30). We are told that taking the Holy Communion in careless, disrespectful manner, can result in weakness of the body, sickness or even untimely death.
Another way that God makes all things to work together for our good, is by withholding some blessings. All believers have experienced seasons of spiritual dryness. They felt far from God, and their prayers did not rise to heaven. These seasons of spiritual wilderness are unpleasant. During these difficult times we humble ourselves and continue to pray to God. Sometimes, not always, The Holy Spirit reveals why we need to pass thru the valley of the shadow of death. This is necessary so that we cooperate and even appreciate the pain coming from the hand of our loving Father. Eventually, the darkness is over and ‘joy comes in the morning!’. The times of ‘reconciliation’ with God are sweeter than ever. We learn to appreciate God’s presence even more and our love for God increases! Hallelujah!
“And we know that all things work together for good…”. Apostle Paul takes it for granted that as believers we should “know” these things. I may not know the reason for the pain, or how long the trial will last, but I know that God is with me in the pain, and He will bring good to me at the end. I may not understand everything that happens to me in this life on earth, but I am sure that my salvation and place in heaven is guaranteed. We are not promised a life free from trials or pains. But we are promised victory in Christ and to have God’s Presence with us to the end of time. Jesus said: “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” (Heb 13:5; AMP). The hope of heavenly glory is found in Christ alone. This hope sustains me on earth during seasons of spiritual darkness. Because my soul is anchored in heaven, my hope is strong, and I know that I will make it to the other side. Unbelievers never see any good thing in the trials of life. But we see Christ, who suffered like us and now, He is glorified in heaven. Little by little we see that testing times are growing times and healing times. Look at all the people who suffered, Joseph, Job, David and others. They remained faithful in their suffering. They became better at the end and God was glorified in their lives. By God’s grace, this is our portion too!
The promise that “all things work together for good” applies only to a group of people: these are the ones who Love God and are the called according to His Purpose. Loving God and being called by God are other ways to describe the true believers in Christ. Why did Paul describe the Christians as those ‘who love God’ and not as those who have faith in God. Because to love God is more powerful in describing the believer than to say he trusts God. Love is greater than Faith and is a more sensitive test of being a child of God. Loving God is more than an emotion. To have faith, you need only your mind. But to love, you need your whole body, soul and spirit. This is the first Commandment: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30). The act of love involves 100% of your emotions, will, mind and the physical strength of the body. Demons believe in God, but they hate God. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jam 2:19). Unbelievers can’t love because their minds and hearts are darkened and blind to spiritual realities (Eph 7:17,18). They are God haters. They cannot love God!
What are some tests that you are saved, and that you love God? “We love Him because He first loved us” (1Jn 4:19). Loving God is our response to His own first Love. If you discover that you can love God, then you know that you are a believer in Christ, and all things will work together for good for you. The first test of love is your attitude during trials. He who loves God will endure the trial and pass the test successfully. The one who does not love God, during trials, he will be angry, blaming God. Watch the way Job and his wife react to the same trial, and to the same pains. After they lost their children, and their property, and Job got sick, his wife challenged him to curse and deny God. She said: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:9,10). One of the signs that you don’t love God is that during trials you want to curse God and die. That is the foolishness of unbelief and a sign of hating God. But Job loved God. In all things, he continued to worship God. For such a person, God will bring an expected end and bless him at last. “Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” (Job 42:12). Amen!
Believers are also described as “the called” of God. There is a general call and an effectual call of God. We tell all people everywhere about the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. People all over the world are commanded to repent of sins and turn to God (Ac17:30,31). But not all people who hear the Gospel will eventually believe. Those who truly believe, they will love God. Faith leads to Love! They respond to God’s call of grace. They become born-again by the Holy Spirit. These are “The Elect or the Called”. The rest continue living in sin until they die. Only God knows who are the called. How do you know that you are among “the called”? You testify that the Holy Spirit has convicted you of sin. You repented of sins. You are hungry and thirsty to know God more. You study God’s Word. You pray. You love God and you love the brethren. You love to go to church. These spiritual emotions are real. Because you know that you are a child of God, you also know that all things work together for your good because God is totally in charge of your life. That gives you the confidence to endure during trials. You know that you are called, therefore, you are justified and surely glorified! These are all in past tense! Heaven is sure!
The meaning of Joseph is ‘increase’. Joseph’s brothers hated him. They wanted him dead. Joseph suffered much because of them. Yet, he forgave them freely. How was he able to do that? What is the secret of Joseph in displaying such grace and mercy? His secret is found in his theology. Because he knew God intimately, he behaved like God. This is Joseph’s basic doctrine: “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20). Lesson: if we believe like Joseph, we can also forgive and love like Joseph and God will use us for His glory!
The Bible Story of Joseph is found the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 to 50. It is one of heroic redemption and forgiveness. Joseph was the most loved son of his father, Israel, who gave him a robe of many colors, a symbol of leadership. Lesson: parents, it is not good to have favorites! When Joseph reported having dreams of his brothers bowing before him, their jealousy grew into action. They sold him into slavery to a traveling caravan of Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. In Egypt, the Lord’s constant presence with Joseph enables him to find favor with Potiphar and later, with the keeper of the prison. With God’s help, Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of two prisoners, predicting that one of them will be reinstated but the other put to death. Joseph then interprets the dreams of Pharaoh, which anticipate seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh recognizes Joseph’s God-given ability and promotes him to be to the chief administrator of Egypt. Shortage of food in Canaan forces Jacob to send his sons to buy grains from the Egyptians. Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother, remains at home as Jacob fears losing him, as he did Joseph. When Joseph finally encounters his brothers again, he conceals his identity. He accuses them of being spies and tells them to return with Benjamin or he will not sell them grain. The ongoing famine forces Jacob to reluctantly send his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin, and they are unexpectedly invited to dine at Joseph’s house. Joseph tests the character of his brothers by placing a silver cup in the sack of Benjamin and falsely accusing him of theft. When Judah offers to stay in place of Benjamin, Joseph knows that his character has changed and reveals to them that he is their brother. Joseph says that they need not feel guilty for betraying him as it was God’s plan for him to be in Egypt to preserve their family. He told them to bring their father and his entire household into Egypt to live in the province of Goshen because there were five more years of famine left. Joseph supplied them with Egyptian transport wagons, new garments, silver, and more donkeys for the journey. Jacob is joyously reunited with his beloved son Joseph. This is an interesting note: Joseph became prime minister at 30. (David became king at 30. Jesus started His public ministry at 30). Joseph died when he was 110. For 80 years he was a great leader in Egypt. But with all his success, Joseph did not regarded Egypt as his own country. He told his family to carry his bones to the Promised Land. That was faith (Heb 11:22)! More than 400 years later, during the exodus, the Jews carried his bones and buried them in the Promised Land.
Joseph is about 40 years when Jacob came to Egypt. He was about 57 years old when his father died (Gen 47:28). He is now at the peak of his power and success in Egypt. After Jacob dies and is buried, Joseph’s brothers felt guilty and afraid. They knew that they planted evil. They must now harvest evil. Without their father, they assumed that Joseph would now seek revenge and punish them. But Jospeh’s words toward his brothers are words of mercy and love. Before he revealed himself to his brothers, they lived in torment, in unconfessed sin. This always makes men guilty and angry. They hate Christians who speak the truth. It affects their relationships with others. Joseph’s brothers’ sin affected their relationship with their father. Lesson: Sin must be confessed and repented of. The only solution is the mercy of Jesus!
This is a reminder of the power of love released when the Kingdom of God is active among men. “When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh” (PV 29:2; AMP). Here we see the reason why Joseph was a great man. Joseph was great not because of his dreams, his intelligence or his hard work. It is because of his godly character, the man he has become thru all the trials of life. His brothers wanted to kill him. Eventually they sold him. What effect do you think that action will have upon a 17-year-old boy? Potiphar’s wife lied that he wanted to rape her. Before Joseph was 30 many people betrayed him and tried to destroy his character. But thru it all, Joseph trusted and loved God. He gave his two sons Hebrew names: Manasah (God has helped me to forget the suffering in my father’s house) and Ephraim (God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction). Joseph had a relationship with God even before the trials came. Joseph knew that God would make him fruitful no matter what happens to him. God allowed him to suffer until he could be able to forgive and freely love his selfish brothers. He could not be promoted until Love won his heart. A proof that Joseph truly forgave them is that he encouraged them not to fear him. Joseph did not see himself in the place of God. He knew that vengeance belongs to God and not to man. Lesson: True forgiveness releases the victim from fear of punishment and comes from a humble and loving heart.
How to forgive others? Joseph saw his brothers as an instrument of God! Joseph does not even want his brothers to grieve over their sin. He encourages them because he loves them, and he has forgiven them. Lesson: if you have suffered and you still want others to suffer, you are bitter. You have not forgiven. I am not saying that the pain is not real. But like Joseph, look unto God and see everything as God sees. Joseph focused on the plan of God and left vengeance to God. He realized that God has a purpose for his life and trusted God to fulfill that. Joseph’s life is a proof of the sovereignty and grace of God for those who live faithfully and righteously. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph remained faithful to God and trusted God to deliver him from trials. His story shows how God’s plan may not be obvious to our limited perspective but indeed “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Lessons: Your God given dreams may disturb others. Nothing stops God’s plan for you. Prosperity is not just material wealth. It is being in God’s plan. God’s presence with you means prosperity. Joseph was called prosperous even as a slave (Gen 39:2-6). Obedience and Truth always defeat rebellion and lies. God will test and discipline you. Forgiveness and giving others a second chance is proof of love. It is worth it. Trust God during trials, knowing that God will deliver us! He will display His Justice, love, mercy and grace!
Finally, you look for a mentor, look for one who knows God, who is responsible, faithful, kind and one who fears God! Joseph is the only person in the Old Testament who has no record of guilt. He is a type of Christ! He was a man who knew God and was in touch with God. He has surely learned about God from his father, Jacob. Joseph’s relationship with God started when he was a child, long before his trials came. Joseph found favor with God and with man (with the community). He was faithful in his responsibilities. He had the fear for God. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he said that adultery is a sin against God and not only against man. He knew how to say no to sin. But his greatest moral quality manifested as love and forgiveness. He could have sold his brothers into slavery or kill them. But he forgave them and spoke kindly to them. He did not allow his suffering to make him bitter. He kept his heart pure. Joseph became Pharoah’s mentor. He did not corrupt Pharoah with bitterness. Joseph suffered a lot, but when he died at 110, he was the greatest man in the world at that time. This is truly amazing! This is true greatness! Worship the Lord!
THE FALL AND RISE OF SAMSON (Jdg 14:10-18; 16:1-31)
Samson was a judge in Isreal for 20 years. The judges were military leaders in times of crises empowered by the Holy Spirit. Samson is one of the most difficult men to understand. He is a strange man, physically strong but spiritually immature. His name means ‘Sun Child’. Samson was a miracle child, born to a woman who had been barren. God’s angel told his parents about the boy’s purpose in life. Their son would be a lifetime Nazirite, from his mother’s womb. In Hebrew, the word ‘Nazarite’ means ‘separated’ unto God. He had the greatest potential to be a Man of God, but he failed in many ways. He recovered his testimony at the end of his life. He is among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Praise the Lord!
In the Old Testament, any person who wanted to serve God better, even if he was not a Levite, he could do so, by taking a Nazarite vow. The vow is a decision, an action for those who desire to yield themselves to God completely. The Nazirite vow (Nu 6:1-21), has 5 features: It is voluntary, can be done by either men or women, has a specific time frame, has specific requirements and restrictions, and at the end, a sacrifice is offered. During the time of the vow the person does not drink alcoholic wine, does not cut his (her) hair and he doesn’t go close to a dead body, not even if his parents die. In the New Testament, there is a command that is similar with this vow. Apostle Paul says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:1,2). Selah!
Samson had godly parents. They thought him the Word of God and told him about the command of the angel that he is a life-time Nazirite. He cannot cut off his hair. When he became an adult, the Holy Spirit gave him supernatural strength. For example, he killed a lion with his bare hands. He killed 1000 Philistines only with a donkey jawbone. God gave this supernatural strength to him to fight the Philistines. The condition of keeping this strength was submission to God’s will. Willing and unrepentant sin could take the strength away. Samson knew that! But he was careless with his life. The great Physical strength of Samson hid a great weakness of character. He did not take seriously his calling as a Nazirite. For most of his life, he was not a spiritual man. That is the sad part of his story!
Samson was led by the lust of his eyes. He ‘saw a Philistine woman’ and told his parents that he wants to marry her. The parents were not happy. The Philistines were the oppressors, the enemies. At their wedding day, he gave ‘a feast’ that surely provided alcohol. This was against his vow as a Nazirite. Possibly drunk, he gave the Philistine guests a riddle. He said that if they can solve it, he will give each of them a new set of clothes. They went to his bride and asked her to find the answer from Samson. They said to her: “Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, or else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?” 16 Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, “You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so, should I explain it to you?” 17 Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people” (Judg 14:15-17). Samson told her the secret answer because she nagged him, wept, and made his life miserable. She then told her people, the Philistines, who mocked Samson for being so foolish. He got angry and left his own wedding feast! His father-in-law gave his wife to his best man at the wedding.
Sometime later, Samson goes to a prostitute who was living in the Philistines city of Gaza. This is also against the vow of the Nazirite. He was almost captured by the Philistines. He escaped by carrying the gate of the city. “Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver” (Jdg 16:4,5). He now loves another Philistine woman called Delilah. The lords of the Philistines offer her 1100 pieces of silver, to find the secret of his strength. The promised bribe was great. It about 100 days’ worth of wages. For example, Abraham paid only 400 shekels of silver to buy the cave at Machpelah, as a burial place for Sarah (Gen 23:16). It is possible that Delilah was infatuated with Samson, that is why they had to bribe her to betray him. She loved money more. Delilah started nagging him to find out the secret of his strength. “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued” (Jdg 16:6). Both his wife and Delilah used enticement and nagging. To entice is a form of manipulation. It is temptation. To entice it means to attract someone to a place or activity offering pleasure, something he likes, arousing hope or desire. Sexual lust weakens the victim against temptation. Selah!
Samson did not see the danger coming. Sexual attraction can make a man blind to reality. She persisted in her nagging. His soul is vexed to death. He tells her his secret as a Nazirite. Delilah puts him to sleep on her knees and cuts off his hair. The Philistines captured him and removed his eyes. They bind Samson with chains, and he became a grinder in prison. He repents. God used Samson to bring down the Philistine temple killing 3000 Philistine rulers because they were mocking God. They gave glory to Dagon for helping them arrest Samson. His family people carry his body. He is buried in his father’s tomb. Samson made many mistakes in life, but he died in faith! Thank God!
Delilah is never called a Philistine. Her name is Hebrew, meaning Weak or Poor. Compared to Samson, she was weak and poor. It is possible that she was a Philistine woman because 1) Samson was attracted to their women, 2), She had dealings with the Philistine rulers, and they would probably not come seeking out an Israelite girl for help, 3). She betrayed the Israelite hero to his enemies. The best way to describe Delilah is that she was charming, seductive, and a woman who led the man of God to his downfall.
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF SAMSON
*God is sovereign! His will must be done! He uses even sinful people for His own purposes. Samson’s life is a combination of God’s sovereign will and human weakness. With all his sins, God used Samson to defeat the Philistines.
*This is a story of Grace. “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20). Samson finished the race well. He is called a man of Faith being in the same group with King David! (Heb 11:32). Grace has the last word!
*The doctrine of election is manifested in Samson’s life. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. Samson said that without God’s anointing he will be ‘like any other man’. Backsliders lose power and become like ‘ordinary men’. But like the prodigal son, a backslider will always come back to God before he dies. God can never lose any of His children.
*Character is greater than gifts. Samson had many weaknesses: He did not listen to his parents’ advice. He had a hot temper. He had a desire for vengeance. He did not submit God’s gift of supernatural strength to the authority and leading of the Holy Spirit. No one can deceive God! Sin is something that we all struggle with. Sinful acts can leave our lives in ruins. These are great warnings for us all!
*Avoid ungodly people. “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor 15:33).
*Examine yourself! Samson had great potential to be a spiritual hero. But he wasted most of his strength thru sin, especially sexual sin. Sin makes a man spiritually weak. Sin blinds us! Sin binds us! Sin grinds us! Confront your sins before the devil takes advantage of them!
*Walk worthy of the calling of God! (Eph 4:1).
*We should not become over-familiar with the unbelievers. “Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2Cor 6:14; AMP). Do not become emotionally and physically intimate with fornicators. “I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate with [sexually] immoral people” (1Cor 5:9; AMP). Seducing spirits will tempt you to submit to them. They attack as sexual sins, or as love for money. Be careful! “Flee fornication!” (1Cor 6:18). Flee the Love for money! Be content! Run, Samson, run!
*Compromise is dangerous. A compromise is a situation when you accept something slightly different from what you really want, because of circumstances or because you want to please men. If believers compromise their beliefs, they damage their reputation and testimony. Never allow anyone to manipulate you to wound your conscience. This is considered the most painful scripture in the Bible. “And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So, he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him” (Jdg 16:20). The Lord has turned aside, has gone away from him. The supernatural strength of Samson was not in his hair. It was in his dedication of his life to God. His hair was only a symbol of it.
*Beware of the danger of doubt! Samson did not believe that if he disobeys, God will punish him. He finally had faith just before he died.
*Our wisdom, beauty and strength come from communion with God. Moses didn’t know that his face was shining from his encounter with God. Samson did not know that God’s anointing has left him. The strong man was ignorant that he has become weak. Samson did all the mighty acts only because God’s anointing was on him. People who carry the anointing of the Holy Spirit are fearless and do great exploits! But they can be ignorant of their spiritual status!
*Samson prayed before he died! He was a man of faith and prayer!
*Beware of the danger of pride and false security. Because God is patient, men commit sin and think all is well. Be careful! When we sleep, the enemy is not sleeping. Samson stopped fearing God. His eyes were the gates for his sin. After the enemies have removed his eyes, he repented of his sin. Jesus said: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matt 5:28,29). The best way to keep your eyes is to look away from sinful things!
*How much do we open to people? Question: Are there some things the husband should not tell his wife? The answer is both yes and no. It depends. When two believers get married, they keep the unity of the Spirit by telling one another everything. They have no secrets. But if a believer is married to an unbeliever, the believer needs wisdom. The unbeliever is a slave to the devil who can use him (her) to attack the believer. Both Samson’s wife and Delilah betrayed him. Adultery and betrayal for money are the greatest sins against marriage and love! The wife should be on her husband’s side. The husband should be on his wife’s side. God calls both husbands and wives to Loyalty!
*Samson is a type of Christ. By his death, he killed more enemies than when he was alive. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb 2:14,15). Samson prayed with total faith that he would end his race in victory! With all his failures and sins, without eyes, Samson finally used his strength for God’s purpose. His name outlives Delilah’s name. She got the money, but Samson got his name among the heroes of faith! Glory!
*Finally, stay faithful to God and to His Word. Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. For as long as you live, it is never too late to repent and go back to your first love. You have no excuse to stay in sin! You must finish well! Worship the Lord!!!
Nagging means to always find fault, to criticize, or to complain. It is to irritate another by constant urging him to do something. Nagging is persistent persuasion, more repetitive than aggressive. It is emotional harassment! It is a very common sin manifested in families. Nagging is an effective weapon the devil uses to tempt the Christians to backslide. Beware of its existence and power. How can you tell you might be nagging? If you’ve said the same thing 100 times, 100 different ways, and yet it doesn’t seem to be enough, that is nagging. Often those who nag are stubborn. They fight hard and strong, quick to voice their opinions. They have a strong need to be heard. They sincerely believe that their words are somehow benefiting the other person. Most people who nag don’t even realize they’re doing it. They think they are just trying to help others.
Nagging is a negative and controlling behavior and is a common sin in many marriages. For example, a nagging wife feels helpless; she wants her husband to stop smoking. She has a strong desire to control him. She behaves as if she is his mother. She is over-concerned with her husband’s behavior. She forgets that only God can change a man. Constant nagging can make the husband withdraw emotionally from her. The truth is that most women don’t like to nag unless they feel overwhelmed, unheard, overworked or being taken for granted. Nagging is not only a weakness of the women. Research has found that an equal number of men and women nag. For example, the nagging wife falsely assumes that she can change her husband’s behavior. She can say to him: ‘you don’t give me enough attention, or money. You don’t care about the children…’ The husband may say: ‘the house is always dirty. You always look unkept …’ They both forget that only God can truly change another’s heart. Most of the time, the wives nag because they feel ignored and not appreciated. Men nag because they are frustrated with their finances and businesses. They come home tired, become impatient with their wives and nag them.
“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife” (PV 21:19; NIV). How does a wife become a nagging woman? During the period of dating, the wife seems nice and helpful. But something happened to her. Little by little, she becomes angry and starts losing her temper. She may apologize later but the episode repeats itself. She is trying to get his attention to solve a problem. If she is ignored, it becomes worse. The best thing a husband can do is to talk to her and give her his attention. Help her solve her problem. The earlier the better. Never disrespect her! Try to solve her problem with patience, love, and wisdom. “A quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof” (PV 19:13; NIV). The wife says: ‘you don’t love me’. This nagging plus tears is an effective weapon with men. Men do not like to see crying women around them. (For example, Samson’s wife and his lover, Delilah, both conquered him with nagging and tears!) “A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; 16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand” (PV 27:15,16). The weapon of nagging is a worldly weapon. Don’t use it! A mature marriage is free from nagging. Selah!
Nagging may also be a product of ungratefulness. A wife may never be satisfied with what the husband provides for her. Even if he helps with the house chores, washes her car, takes the family on vacations, she is never happy with him. She continues to nag him. A husband is never satisfied with his wife. No matter how much she takes care of the children, cleans the house, tries to keep herself fashionable, helps with the finances, he is never happy. He continues to nag her. This nagging may work in some offices. The boss nags his employees so that they work better. But nagging never helps families. Often, these homes are wrecked by the shameful sin of nagging! Nagging is unpleasant for both the wife and the husband! It tends to wear them down instead of building them up. It is spiritual poison to marriages and families. It’s a sin against love and indicates trouble in the relationship. It is more common than adultery as a reason for divorce. Selah!
Many parents struggle greatly with nagging their kids. Nagging can develop an inferiority complex in the child, and they may carry that into their adult lives. Nagging focuses on what a person is NOT DOING! It has a negative focus. It overlooks the positive. Nagging points out all the things that are wrong with the child and implies that he (or she) is not worthy because he has not done certain tasks. The child may feel angry towards the parent for nagging, which may result in drawing back emotionally. After some time, the child simply stops listening. The more you nag, the less he will hear you. Also, children are naturally born naggers. They too nag their parents to have their way!
The primary effect of nagging is resentment on both sides of the relationship. Resentment is a buildup of negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and disappointment. Resentment is a chronic, strong and painful feeling of bitterness when one has offended you. Resentment lasts for years. It is like the strong roots of a tree, very hard to uproot. It doesn’t have actual physical weight, but it feels very heavy on your soul. The nagger feels resentment for “always having to” nag the other person to “get everything done.” The person being nagged feels resentment for never being left alone to do as he sees fit. The person who nags never feels that the other person takes responsibility, but he never gives him responsibility. Meanwhile the person being nagged never feels truly independent, because he is never being given the chance to act independently and responsibly. It is a vicious circle. Forgiveness for Christ’ sake is the only way to be free from resentment.
Nagging is twin to grumbling. It affects prayers. Jesus said: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matt 6:7). A religious unbeliever thinks that God needs persuasion to answer. He tells himself: ‘if I pray 5 prayers, God may ignore me. But if I pray 100 prayers, God will answer me’. For them, prayer is manipulation. They think that God does not understand. Therefore, they need to mechanically repeat the prayer, nagging God! They clearly do not know God!
How to stop nagging? Nagging is sin. It destroys the peace, love and romance in a marriage. Repent! Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Learn to listen to yourself. Control your emotions and your tongue. Pray before you talk. Choose the right words, the right tone, the right time, and the right attitude. Do not repeat a complaint more than 2 times. This is wisdom: accept things that you cannot change. Be an encourager!
“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Heb 2:1-4).
This is a reminder that we have an enemy who hates us. The devil wants you to be ignorant of God’s love for you! The real danger is that if we neglect so great a salvation, we will drift away from our first love. To Give heed it means to pay closer attention, to be cautious about, to be on guard, to beware of danger ahead, careful not to take unnecessary risks. It also means to listen and to follow!!! The command applies to the ears and to the feet. If we do not listen to God’s Word and ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become spiritually lazy, or passive. From that position of weakness, the strong currents of the powers of darkness will carry us away from Christ’s love. It is like falling asleep in a boat that is not tied down to the shore. The river will eventually carry the boat away by its gentle currents. By the time we wake up, we see that we are in a different area we never planned to go before. The gentle river has now become fast and rough, and we wake up in a strange place of danger. To neglect it means to be careless, to fail to give attention or to respect the things that are your responsibility to keep and protect. Neglect is worse than ignoring. You can ignore to clean your house. That is not sinful. But child neglect is sinful. For a doctor to neglect his patients, that is criminal. To neglect God’s Word is like holding a treasure in your hand, but your fingers are not tight on it. The gold falls from your hand, and you are not aware that you have lost it. It means that you failed to value the revelation of God’s Word that you have received in the past! Because of your negligence, you are now becoming poorer. Neglecting the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit is a sign of drifting from your first love! Selah!
These are some of the common situations that can lead to the sin of neglect of God’s Word. These are like strong currents of a river:
*The anxiety of life, the cares of this world. They prevent God’s Word from taking roots and producing fruits in your spirit. “The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mk 4:19). These produce weakness of the mind and of the body. You become spiritually weak and discouraged. As our Lord was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, drops of blood falling from His brow. But the disciples became so grieved that they fell asleep. “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:40,41). Medical science has proven that the brain shuts down during times of great stress. To watch and to pray takes a lot of energy. This spiritual warfare is done only by the power of the Holy Spirit. But if you ignore watching and praying, you will fall asleep spiritually and you will drift away from the safety of truth. Selah!
*Pleasures of life. It’s easy to forget God and His Love when you seek only for pleasures. To always look for fun is the world’s mentality. “The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure” (Ecc 7:4; AMP). Seeking the pleasures of life can become an idol. “Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (1Cor 10:7). Seek God and His Kingdom! Let God chose what pleasures and the level of pleasures you may have in this life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33).
*Overfamiliarity with God and the Bible. To be overfamiliar with someone means to be extremely close, or intimate. You feel that you know that person too well. You have seen him and heard him so many times that the person now becomes boring to you. Other similar words with overfamiliarity are ‘being bold, forward, presumptuous, or disrespectful’. To be overfamiliar with God is always a sin. Its root is pride and Presumption. Presumption means to take someone for granted, to jump to conclusions without knowing the whole truth. It means to disrespect. God punishes it. “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die” (Deut 18:20). It is true that we are one with Christ. But we must still fear God! No one knows God totally. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable” (Ps 145:3). Whatever we know about God is what God has revealed to us, in Christ, by the Holy Spirit. That is all! Love always honors the Lover!
*Getting older. As we grow older, we change. The body gets weaker. The mind starts forgetting things. People close to us die. We become lonely. The strength we had as young people is replaced by a gradual weakness of body and mind. The zeal to study God’s Word, to pray or to serve God is less. We feel we know everything, and we don’t need to learn new things. To love others requires too much sacrifice. We give up on ourselves. Reading the Bible, praying, attending church services becomes routine and boring. “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore” (Ecc 12:1;NLT). Old men may experience apathy, a lack of mental energy, emotion, passion, or excitement. To some old people, Love becomes burdensome. This apathy may lead to depression and to drifting away from the truth. The cure is to come back to your First Love!!!
“From Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death); and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 1:5, 6; AMP).
This is an amazing praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. John recognizes the greatness of our Lord. He “always loves us”. That verb is in the present tense, not past tense. It is true that 2000 years ago, because Jesus loved us, He died for us. But here we are told that Jesus loves us right now! He loves us now, and forever! His love is relentless. This Agape Love is relentless (strong, persistent, and without interruptions). It is pouring continually like rain from heaven. It never stops. It is the engine of our strength to love Jesus and other people. Everything in the life of believers ought to be based upon the Faith in the Love of Jesus. It is the most wonderful thing, to know in our hearts that though we were born sinners, and we still sin even today, yet He loves us! What a difference it makes when you experience the eternal love of God in your very soul right now! Do you feel His amazing Love right now?
John dedicates the book of Revelation to Him who loves us and, in addition, has freed us from our sins with His blood. In Greek, the word ‘freed’ means to loosen, to release and wash a prisoner. By His Blood, King Jesus breaks the chains of evil habits in our lives. He sets us free from sinful addictions that we have allowed to bind us. Those who have struggled with alcoholism know its terrible grip. We are all sinfully dependent people, shackled by sin one way or another: greed, selfishness, anger, quarrelling, lustful passions, cowardice and pride. Fear of man is an addictive strong bondage. “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (PV29:25). Cowardice is more than weakness of character. It is a sin! Cowards are in the same company with unbelievers, adulterers, liars, idol worshippers and the witches. If it is not confessed and repented of, cowardice blocks the way to heaven (Rev 21:8). God’s Word commands us to stand and always confess the truth. “If anyone sins after he hears a public adjuration (solemn command to testify) when he is a witness, whether he has seen or [otherwise] known [something]—if he fails to report it, then he will bear his guilt and be held responsible” (Lev 5:1; AMP). Because you fear offending a criminal, even after you heard the Judge placing a curse upon his sin, and you keep quiet in the court, that is sinful cowardice. Perjury means willfully lying under oath in the court. Perjury is an attack against truth and justice. (In Nigeria, it is punished with up to 14 years imprisonment). Spiritually, giving false witness or keeping quiet about another’s sin, grieves the Holy Spirit and wounds your conscience. These are bondages only the Blood of Jesus can break. Repent! Be free!
Here we see that Jesus is the One who has freed us from these bad habits by the sacrifice of His own life. But more than that, Jesus has made us a Kingdom of priests to serve our God. We are free to worship! A priest stands before God on behalf of men. Sinners feel separated from God. By their evil thoughts, they cut themselves off from a holy God. They need to repent. They are to be brought near God by the priests. That is the work of believers today. We are to exercise the ministry of reconciliation in the name of Jesus. We are to help lost people realize that God is longing to draw them to Himself. For this work Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests. Do you ever think of yourself as a priest? Or as a king? Or as a citizen of God’s Kingdom? This is your destiny and ministry, to serve God forever!
NO QUARRELS IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia, and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life” (Phil 4:1-3).
Apostle Paul addresses the Christians in Philippi as ‘beloved and longed-for’. He truly loves them. He tells them to stand fast in the Lord. The word means to stand firm, to persevere against opposition. He is calling the brethren to behave as citizens of heaven. There is no quarrel in heaven! They must settle their differences. Euodia and Syntyche, two Christian women in the church, were quarreling. Euodia means ‘Sweet Fragrance’ and Syntyche means ‘Fortunate’. They were possibly part of the first group of women that started the church (Acts 16:13). Each woman worked hard in the church. There were once sisters in Christ and ‘fellow workers’ with Paul. But now, they separated themselves and each tried to gather followers, dividing the Church. Paul reminds everyone that the Church belongs to Christ who died so that our names are in the Book of Life. Study the way Paul is talking. He has a pastor’s heart, a father’s loving heart. He loves the Lord, and he loves the brethren. Note that he does not command the two women to settle for his sake, to protect his reputation as a pastor. He does not tell the women to settle even for their own sakes. No! He ‘implores’ them, he begs them, to stop the quarrel for Christ’ sake!!! Apostle Paul is truly a humble man who honors God! To settle people who quarrel in the Church is difficult to do, as delicate as doing brain surgery. Paul applies Love, divine wisdom, humility, and great discernment. The unity of the Spirit is essential for the growth of God’s Kingdom thru the Church.
We see the ideal relationship between a pastor who displays agape love and his congregation. This is a reminder that the Body of Christ is One! If one member suffers, all suffer. We all must be peacemakers. The unity in the Church is not based on social status, age, level of education, race or tribe affiliation. The Spirit is one! The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is One! We are together as co-laborers with God and with one another. We labor in the Gospel. The power of the Church depends on two major factors: The preaching of the Gospel and the agape Love between the brethren. The pastor preaches the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. Preaching false doctrines weakens the Church. Quarreling grieves the Holy Spirit. It is not only the pastor who preaches. All believers must do their part to preach the Gospel to others. The Church expands as each believer tells others about Jesus, shares his testimony and lives a successful Christian life. Preaching the Gospel is done not only by mouth, but by actions. Our attending church services encourages the pastor and encourages others. Praying, helping your pastor in any way you can, is also a way to preach the Gospel. May we stand strong and honor God always!
Jesus said that division destroys relationships and families. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is coming to an end” (Mk 3:24-26). Love is a glue. It binds people together (Col 3:12-15). The Body of Christ is made of many, but it is one. The Holy Spirit is one! The evil spirits are many. One of the works of the flesh is contention, a hot argument that divides people (Gal 5:20). Apostle Paul says that we should avoid people who quarrel and divide the Body of Christ: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Rom 16:17). They invent and ‘manufacture’ stumbling blocks to make others fall. We should avoid them! It means that these are religious unbelievers, false brethren who crept into the church to divide the Body. Selah!
LEAH – THE UNLOVED WIFE (Genesis 29) Leah was the first wife of Jacob, later called Israel. She lived almost 4000 years ago. Her name means ‘weak eyes’, possibly means poor vision. She stands for weakness of flesh and strength of the Spirit. Leah was the mother of six of Jacob’s sons and the ancestor of these tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Judah was the ancestor of King David and, in the lineage of Jesus (Matt 1:1-16).
This is the story: After Jacob had deceived his father, Isaac, and deprived his brother, Esau, of his birthright and blessing, he fled from the wrath of Esau and took refuge in the household of his uncle Laban. There he immediately fell in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel and worked for Laban seven years to win her hand in marriage. On the night of the wedding feast, Laban deceived him by sending Leah to his tent. According to the Eastern’s tradition, the bride was veiled, and Jacob was surely drunk. In the morning, Jacob discovered that he slept with Leah and not with Rachel. Laban compelled Jacob to work another seven years for Rachel. Here you see that Love is not cheap. For many years, Jacob did not love Leah. But God consoled her by giving her the gift of motherhood. God gave her six sons and a daughter, Dinah, before allowing Rachel to become pregnant. Rachel had two sons, Jospeh and Benjamin. She died young. She was buried along the road. Leah lived until her old age. She died before the family went to Egypt. She was buried in the cave of family grave at Machpelah in Hebron. This was great honor. Before his death in Egypt, Jacob told Joseph to carry his corpse to the Promised Land and bury him alongside Leah, in Hebron. Jacob said: “There I buried Leah” (Gen 49:31). He was buried next to Leah, alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebeccah. Leah was a godly woman, much more suitable for him as a wife than the worldly-minded Rachel. Though not loved, she was faithful to her husband until the end!
It took many years before finally Jacob learned to love and respect Leah, who remained faithful and loving to him. This speaks of true endurance as a woman of God. For example, when coming back to the Promised Land, Jacob was told that his older brother Esau was coming towards him with 400 men. Jacob was afraid. He divided his children and his people. He put the two maidservants and their children in front. That was the most dangerous place in case of an attack. Then he put Leah and her children next to the maidservants. Finally, he placed his beloved wife Rachel and her son Joseph, at the rear, which was the safest place (Gen 33:1,2). These arrangements prove that even at this time, Leah was treated just a little better than the servants.
God always protects the weak, the victims of human’s oppression. In the Old Testament, God’s word commands that in case of polygamy, men should not discriminate the children of the unloved wife. “If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the unloved, and if the firstborn son is of her who is unloved, 16 then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn. 17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his” (Deut 21:15-17). All children should be treated well!
Jacob obeyed God’s command. Just before his death, Jacob blessed his sons. In particular, his son Judah, meaning “Praise”, which is the fourth son of Leah, receives the highest blessing. He becomes the leader of his brothers. This is prophetic. Judah is the direct ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. This is according to what Jacob prophesied: “Judah, you are the one whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9 “Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, And like a lion—who dares rouse him? 10 “The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Gen 49:8-10; AMP). Hallelujah!
LESSONS FROM LEAH: *This is a story of Grace! God truly cares for those unloved and rejected by men. God comforts and compensate the lowly, in His way, His own time. Through their troubles and afflictions, they learn to look to Him for happiness, help and success. Leah was emotionally rejected by her father, her sister and her husband. Like David, Leah could have said: “Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]” (Ps 27:10; AMP). When Jesus came to the earth, He was rejected by men! He died on the Cross! But God raised Him from the dead and gave Him a name above every other name! Jesus knows how it feels to be rejected! Trust Him to vindicate you! God often chooses to work thru those who are rejected, unloved and marginalized. Rachel captured Jacob’s heart. But Leah captured God’s heart! Leah’s life is a story of endurance, strength, perseverance and faith!
*God is sovereign in every matter. He demotes and He promotes as He wishes. Nobody stops God from doing His own will. “The Lord puts to death and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol (the grave) and raises up [from the grave]. 7 “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low, and He lifts up. 8 “He raises up the poor from the dust, He lifts up the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor and glory; For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He set the land on them” (1Sam 2:6-8; AMP). Amen!
*To be a parent is a blessing from God. God rewards obedience, faithfulness and labor of love. Children are God’s reward. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Ps 127:3-5). Leah suffered in her marriage. For many years, she was lonely and unloved by her husband. But God blessed Leah with the gift of motherhood. Her son Levi is the ancestor of Aaron, the head of priests to serve God in the temple and of Moses, the greatest leader of Isreal. “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren” (Gen 29:31). At last, Leah’s descendants became greater than the descendants of Rachel (Joseph and Benjamin). Her son Judah is the ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Lord!
*Leah learned contentment. That makes her a mature woman of God. To be content it means to be satisfied with God and with yourself. It is the knowledge that things are OK exactly as they are, right now. It is a spiritual secret that few people learn about. Some call it ‘the deep knowledge of enough’. It is one of the highest achievements of human well-being. Contentment is more powerful than happiness. Seeking happiness in this life leads to anxiety and depression. Contentment is peace, joy, and the courage to live well. Apostle Paul credited the secret of contentment as one of his greatest achievements. “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Phil 4:11-13; AMP). May God grant us the grace to experience contentment in life! Amen!
*Only God changes a man. An unloved wife is so grieved that only God can help her. Leah was ignorant about how men think. She thought that just by sleeping with him, her husband will love her. She was wrong. A man can be sexually attracted to a woman even if he does not love her. Later, Leah tried to win her husband’s love by having children. But even after having many sons, Jacob still did not love her. Marriage certificate, sex, or having children does not make a man love his wife. “Under three things the earth is disquieted and quakes, And under four it cannot bear up: 22 Under a servant when he reigns, Under a [spiritually blind] fool when he is filled with food, 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets married, And under a maidservant when she supplants her mistress” (PV30:21-23; AMP).
*Praising God changes lives! Leah’s hopes to find love thru her children are dashed at the beginning. But once she has Judah (Praise), she changed her focus, from hoping in her husband, to looking unto God. She now decided to praise God! From this moment on, she is free. She is a different woman. She can now thank God for what she already has and not for what she misses. Her words change from a piteous “woe is me” tone to “what good fortune!” and “how happy and blessed I am!” (Gen 30:11-12; NIV). While Jacob may have “settled for” Leah, Leah herself doesn’t settle. She grows spiritually. She let go of her idols of marriage, children, and family, and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. She chooses to praise God! It is then that God demonstrates how He faithfully loves her and blesses her! Stop looking for validation from men. Go to God. He will be enough for you. Jacob’s infatuation with Rachel was “love at first sight”. It is more of liking than loving. But Jacob’s willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. Deep down, most women long to captivate a lover this way, to be pursued and cherished by a committed heart. We’re made to yearn for belonging and completion. The best place is standing before God. You are safe there! God has a special place for the rejected. God has big plans for little people. Leah is a symbol of what God can do with the rejected, who chose to praise Him, no matter the circumstances!
*We don’t know Leah’s feelings when her father told her to go into the tent deceiving Jacob that she is Rachel. Jacob deceived his father Isaac and now he will have a taste of his own medicine. At that time, women had little to say about any matter. The men were the total rulers of their homes. We can imagine that it was not easy for Leah to surrender her body as a young virgin woman, to a man who was possibly drunk, and calling her Rachel. In her mind she may have thought: Will this marriage work? Can a marriage with a foundation of sin, of deceit ever be happy? What will her sister say about this? Will Jacob ever love her? Will God give her children? Will people ever respect her? Will God bless her? She did not know at that time that God allowed this deception so that He will take the glory at last.
*Ignorantly, because of her broken heart, she loads the children with her emotional burden. The first three sons knew that their mother was looking for love thru them. It is not good to use children to find love in marriage. Only God can do that!
*God does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart (1Sam 16:7). God does not appreciate physical beauty. He rewards faith, humility and submission to His will. Leah tried to compare herself with her sister beautiful Rachel. Comparison leads to disappointment, jealousy, anger, bitterness, and depression. Be grateful for who God made you to be! We all hunger for significance in this world. Significance means to be seen as important, worthy of attention and respect, to be loved and appreciated by others. Sometimes, there is a delay in significance. That delay is painful. God gives you dreams of greatness. For a long time, the dreams seem dead. Initially, the beautiful Rachel was the star. Her husband loved her openly. Leah became jealous of her sister. But later, after Leah became a mother, and Rachel was still barren, the tables turned. It was Rachel that became jealous on Leah. The tables have been turned! “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!” 2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” (Gen 30:1, 2). It was then that Leah discovered that her significance is in God. This is what God wanted Leah to discover. That God is enough for her! Jesus said: “My grace is enough!” (2Cor 12:9). For now, you may be sad. God’s dreams for you are not yet fulfilled. You may even have to wait until you go to heaven before you can see the majesty of God’s Love for you. Remember this. God’s promises are worth waiting for!!!
*Leah tried to please her husband, to win his heart. But no man will accept and love you unconditionally. Only God can do that. Apostle Paul was a servant of God and not a man pleaser. “You can see that I am not trying to please you by sweet talk and flattery; no, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please men, I could not be Christ’s servant” (Gal 1:10; AMP).
*Jesus understands women. Even if the husband or the father does not understand you, Jesus understands you. This Jesus redeems sinners like Mary Magdalene, who was once possessed by demons. Jesus saved and honored the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears. Jesus saved and honored the woman with the issue of Blood and the woman accused of adultery. Jesus loves women! Jesus loves sinners. He died for them. He saved them. He loved them. Like Leah, after having Judah, she declared: From now on, this time, I will praise the Lord! Say it: This time, and forever, I will praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
*Leah was a woman of God. She left behind a great legacy. People did not forget her. Her memory was not forgotten by future generation. When Boaz married Ruth, the witnesses prayed for his bride: “The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel… ” (Ru 4:11). Leah had Levi: Aaron and the priesthood came from Levi. The greatest leader in the Old Testament, Moses, came from Levi. The Law, the Ten commandments, the worship at the temple, all came from Leah. Also, from her son Judah, King David was born and later, Jesus Christ! God cares for the lonely, the rejected. Leah did not know how great a legacy she leaves behind. It is only in heaven that she discovered how special she was to God, and even to her husband, to the nation of Isreal and to the Church of Christ. She finally saw that God has honored her. Try to imagine how Leah felt in heaven when she heard the name of her son, Judah, connected with Jesus, the King of kings, seated on His throne. “But one of the twenty-four Elders said to me, “Stop crying, for look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and proved himself worthy to open the scroll and to break its seven seals” (Rev 5:5; AMP). To God be all the glory! FROM NOW ON I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!! Worship the Lord!!!
This is the sad story of a mother’s agape love. We see a mother’s response to tragedy. Let us meet a woman of God. Her name is Rizpah! She is a hero of faith! She lived about 3000 years ago. Her life is like a star shining bright in the dark sky. She lost both of her sons because of men’s politics. During her pain, she finds the strength to go to God to receive mercy and justice in her time of need. She is an inspiration for all, especially for the mothers (2 Samuel 21:1-14).
Who is Rizpah? She was a Canaanite woman, maybe an Amorite. She must have worshipped idols. Like Ruth in Bethlehem, she was a foreigner in the land of Isreal who became a worshipper of Jehovah. The name Rizpah means ‘hot stone or burning coal’. From her name we see that she was a woman of passion, love and courage. She was ‘the concubine’ of King Saul, the first king of Isreal. She had two sons for him, Armoni and Mephibosheth (not to be confused with the son of Jonathan who had the same name). After King Saul was killed in the battle with the Philisties, she became a widow. After the death of Saul, Abner, who was the commander of the army of Isreal, installed Ishbosheth, the surviving son of Saul, as king in Isreal. Then Abner had an affair with Rizpah. Some said that he raped her. This is a reminder of the insecure status of women in general and widows in particular in ancient times. King Ishbosheth got angry and rebuked Abner. He saw that through this connection, Abner wanted to become king himself. It was a practice in the ancient kingdoms to lay claim to the throne by having sexual relations with the former king’s wives or concubines. When rebuked for his affair with Rizpah, Abner gets angry and betrays Ishbosheth. He crosses over to David and promises to surrender the army of Isreal to him. David receives him well and sends him away in peace. But Joab, the commander of the armies in Judah, and uncle to King David, deceitfully kills Abner on his way back. David mourns Abner and places a curse upon Joab for killing a man whom he has sent away in peace (2Sam 3:1-39). Soon, King Ishbosheth is killed (2Sam 4:6).
This quarrel between Abner and Ishbosheth indirectly benefits King David. The incident led to the downfall of the house of Saul and the rise of David as king of a united Kingdom of Israel. The death of Abner makes Rizpah ‘a widow’ for the second time. Rizpah is caught in a net of political intrigues in the palace. At that time, women had no rights. They were victims of powerful men. Rizpah is called a concubine to King Saul. A concubine is a woman who lives and has sex with a man she is not married to and has a lower social rank than his wife or wives. (In Nigeria a concubine is a woman who lives with a married man who has not paid her traditional ‘bride price’).
After King David becomes the King of united Isreal, for three years, there was a drought and a great famine in the land. “David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites” (2Sam 21:1). The Gibeonites were not Jews. They were Canaanites, Amorites. They deceived Joshua when he tried to conquer the land saying that they were living far away. Joshua made a covenant of peace with them. He promised to protect them against their enemies. Later, Joshua discovered that the Gibeonites deceived him, but he could not kill them because of the covenant already made with them (Joshua 9). God is the Witness of all covenants done in His name and punishes the breaking of covenants because He is the Primary Covenant Keeper! Selah!
God reveals to King David that King Saul, in his foolish zeal for Isreal, has killed many Gibeonites. Therefore, he broke the covenant of peace made with them. To punish the breaking of the covenant, God has sent the famine in the land by withdrawing the rain for three years. David asked the Gibeonites what satisfaction they demanded. They answered that nothing would compensate for the wrong Saul had done to them but the death of seven of Saul’s descendants. They applied God’s Law: “Life for life” (Deut 19:21). They showed no mercy. David does not pray about this request for human sacrifice. He simply agrees to their demand. He arrests the two sons of Rizpah and the five of the sons of Merab, Saul’s eldest daughter. He surrenders them to the Gibeonites who execute them and hang their bodies before the Lord at the sanctuary at Gibeah. This was a human sacrifice to atone for the bloodshed in the past. But even with all this tragedy, the famine continued. It means that God did not accept the sacrifice. Just imagine Rizpah’s pain, to know that her sons died for nothing. She could not fight the political powers. She could not fight David, who was God’s appointed king in the land. She could not fight the Gibeonites who were Amorites like her. She could not fight the Law of God who said: Life for life. All she could do is to be a mother who pleads for mercy from Jehovah, the God of Isreal, under whose wings she has taken refuge.
As the men are hanging there, two mothers grieve the loss of their sons. Merab was King Saul’s oldest daughter. Long ago, Saul promised her to David as a wife. But Saul deceived David and gave her as a wife to Ariel. Merab has now lost her five sons. She weeps but she stays in her house. But Rizpah, comes to the place her sons died. She took a sackcloth and spread it for herself on a rock. She stays there from the beginning of harvest until the late rains. For five months, from April to October, she kept vigil, not allowing the birds to eat them by day nor the wild beasts to devour them by night. Rizpah watched the exposed suspended bodies of her two sons. What she could have done as a mother when her sons were alive, to protect and care for them, she is now doing it to them in their death. This is Love!
King David was informed about Rizpah’s act of devotion. He was touched by the love of this mother who even after her sons died, she continued to take care of them. David was reminded that human life is precious and must be honored. He suddenly remembered that the bones of King Saul and his covenant friend Jonathan were buried in an unknown grave. After Isreal lost the battle, the Philisties displayed the bodies of Saul and Jonathan on their streets as trophies to Chemosh their idol. The people of Jabesh-Gilead stole the bodies from the Philisties and buried them in their land, under a tree and fasted for seven days (1 Chr10:11, 12). Inspired by Rizpah’s example of honoring the memory of the dead, King David brings the bones of Saul and Jonathan and buries them properly in Saul’s family tomb in Zelah, his hometown. King David then brings down the seven bodies of the men who were hanging for five months at Gibeah and buries them honorably in Saul’s tomb also. After doing all these things, God sends the rains and the famine is over. “After that, God was moved by prayer for the land” (2Sam 21:14; AMP). God was not moved by killing men, but He was moved by the living sacrifice of Rizpah, bu her intercession. She prayed silently for mercy and justice from God. Her love for her children inspired King David to seek peace with God without shedding more blood.
WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FOR US?
*Rizpah never spoke a word in the Bible. But her actions speak louder than words. She was a loving mother. Men in power all failed her. But she prayed to Jehovah, the God of judgment and mercy. God heard her cry and vindicated her. Rizpah fought for the vindication of her sons’ memories. She was an intercessor. She laid down her life for her children. The truth is that her sons were not guilty of murder. They died innocently. They were killed for the sins of their father, King Saul. By ordering their death, King David broke God’s Law that says: “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deut 24:16). Her sons were left hanging as a curse. “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God” (Deut 21:22,23). David decided that Rizpah’s sons were criminals. That is why they were hanged. But even if they were criminals, their bodies should not have been left exposed for five months. That alone defiled the land and brought more curses on the people. Rizpah was not afraid or ashamed of the curse placed upon her sons. She could not prevent the death of her sons. But she chooses to identify with them even after they died. The curse from her sons’ memory was removed. King David gave them a proper burial. And God answered the prayers of the people for the land. The rains came and the famine ended. Rizpah teaches us true love for family, faith in God, courage and faithfulness.
*Rizpah knew that abandoning a corpse, not being buried in the ground, was God’s curse on the rebellious, on the wicked. God said: “Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away” (Deut 28:26). She decided to stand in the gap and turn the curse into a blessing. Because of her sacrificial love, even Merab’s five sons benefitted from her intercession. At the conclusion of this Bible account of Rizpah’s sad experience, God brings rain to dry land. The larger purpose of this human sacrifice was Israel’s survival as a nation. The kingdom of Israel moves on with Rizpah as one of its survivors and heroes of faith.
*We must respect human life. Man was created in the image of God. Even in death, we must honor that image. We must bury the dead with peace and love. It is not a matter of expensive ceremonies. But a burial ceremony must be conducted in God’s presence with prayer, praise, and preaching God’s Word. (In Nigeria, most Christian families observe a ceremony called ‘service of songs’ and they also conduct a funeral service during the burial proper. That is good!). Also, this is a reminder that abortion is a sin. Ask for mercy in case you have committed it!
*God cares for the broken hearted. “The LORD is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin)” (Ps 34:18; AMP). There is a rainbow after the flood. By God’s grace we can survive even after huge losses and major failures in life. Vengeance belongs to God! “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). Selah!
*Rizpah’s love is a symbol of the Cross of Christ. When Jesus was crucified, the disciples ran away because of fear. It was only John and the women who stayed with Jesus as He was dying on the Cross. Mary, the mother of Jesus, heard her Son saying to her from the cross: “Mother, behold your son” (Jn 19:26). The awful sight of Jesus on the cross was Mary’s final vision of the son of God she bore by the Holy Spirit. Rizpah also had a painful view of her sons’ defiled bodies, exposed to the elements. The Cross was a tragedy humanly speaking. But the death of Jesus on the Cross paid for the sins of sinners. Jesus became a curse that we be blessed. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) (Gal 3:13). “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2Cor 5:21). The death of Christ was necessary to pay for the sins of many sinners. The curse of sin was cancelled and in Christ, we are now the righteousness of God. This is the mystery of the Gospel, Christ crucified and resurrected. There is always hope in Christ! Hallelujah!
*Rizpah is a woman of God who can take her place among the great heroes of faith in the Bible. We are told that by faith, people gained victory in impossible situations. “Through faith (they) subdued kingdoms… 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Heb 11:33-35). Rizpah wanted to reverse the curse upon her children. Only God could do that. For five months she patiently and faithfully waited by her dead sons’ bodies, knocking at God’s door of mercy. Humanly speaking, this was an impossible task. No human being could have encouraged her to continue in this desperate search for mercy. Like the woman with the issue of blood, she held on God’s garment, and did not give up until God moved on her behalf. By faith, she ‘received her dead sons raised to life again’. She could not save them from death, but by her action, she redeemed their memory. They were killed as sinners in Israel. Because of their mother’s holy love, they gained honor in death. By her faith and love, she left a legacy of godliness connected to the memory of her children and to all who shall be inspired by the love of a mother. By her faith and love, by her powerful silence, she calls to account all rulers of the world, who have the power to kill or keep alive! She proved that “Love is as strong as death… Its flames or fire a most vehement flame… Many waters cannot quench Love, not can floods of sin drown it” (SS 8:6,7). In the social ranks of Israel, Rizpah, a foreigner, was only a concubine to a wicked king. But by faith in Jehovah God, her adopted God, trusting in His mercy, she rose to the heights of being a mother in Israel, on the same level with Deborah, Hannah, Esther and Ruth. Amazing Grace!!! Worship the Lord!
Jesus commands the believers to love even the enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:43-48).
These are the eternal words of our King. Jesus makes a clear difference between the way the Pharisees understood the law and the way the Law of God must be interpreted. The religious leaders said: “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy”. First, we must say that there is no place in the Old Testament where you find these exact words. The Pharisees invented that law. Possibly, they were inspired to say this because in the Old Testament, God commanded His people to kill the Canaanites and take over the Promised Land (Deut 20:16-18). Why did God say that? God is the owner of the whole world. He gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent of their sins. He told Abraham that the sins of the Amorites are not yet complete; their cup of wickedness is not yet full (Gen 15:13-16). God could have killed them with a plague. But God chose Isreal to kill the Canaanites and to take over their land.
Some of the Psalms have strong words to curse Isreal’s enemies. These are called ‘imprecatory’ Psalms. For example, read what David prayed to God about his enemies: “Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually. 24 Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents” (Ps 69:22-25). Reading these words, you can imagine why the Pharisees said that they should hate their enemies. But if you read these psalms, David prayed to God not because he was wicked, or because of selfish ambition, but he asked God to vindicate him when his enemies wanted to kill him. David refused to kill King Saul even when Saul was in his power. This psalm is not an invitation to personal hatred against human enemies. It is the appeal of an oppressed person that God should help him. David trusts God for justice and vindication. He wants the glory of God to be revealed in his life! Amen!
In the Book of Matthew, chapter 23, our Lord speaks curses upon the religious leaders, the hypocrites. Reading those lines is painful. The word ‘woe’ is a curse word, mixed with grief and sadness. The religious leaders did not know God. They mispresented God. They were proud and wicked. They led the people astray. Here we clearly see that God (Jesus) cares for the people, that they should know God. There is a greater condemnation upon the religious leaders and teachers of God’s Word who are considered shepherds to God’s flock! These are the very people who plotted the arrest and the death of the Son of God! Selah!
The Pharisees said that a Jew should love and help only another Jew. Every other person should be considered an enemy to be hated and even killed. The Jews hated all the Gentiles and called them ‘dogs’. The problem with their interpretation is that they did not understand the purpose of God’s Law. God commanded that the Canaanites should be killed as an act of divine justice. It was not because of personal hatred against them as individuals. But the Pharisees used God’s divine justice to apply it to their personal relationships with people. Any man they did not like, even if that man was a neighbor, they hated him. They justified their hatred, lack of love and wickedness by saying that it is God’s Law. Hatred of people is always wrong. You can hate the devil, sin and evil in evil men. But you should not hate people!!!
How can a Christian replace the sinful selfish hatred in his heart with the Love of God? Jesus commanded us to do three things: Bless, do good and pray for others! He commanded us to “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”. You replace hatred with loving words. Love has a language. You bless people with your words. Saying to someone: “God bless you!” even when you don’t feel like it, is a powerful manifestation of Agape Love. Love is never rude. Love never curses a human being. Another way to show Love to others is by doing good to them. Righteousness means ‘be good and do good’ for Christ’ sake. You do good by greeting, shaking hands, hugging, helping others, and by giving gifts without waiting for appreciation from men. Doing good is a great form of evangelism. Many sinners came to Christ because Christians chose to help them especially in their time of need. Doing good never fails. Please examine your motives: You don’t do good because you want to convert the person. You don’t do good because you are religious, but because love is your nature as a child of God and a citizen of God’s Kingdom. You trust God to bless your ministry and life. No matter what people say to you, God blesses righteous deeds. Finally, choose to pray for people, even for those you dislike and persecute you. Prayer is a responsibility and a mighty blessing. The greatest example of prayer for the wicked was heard on the Cross. Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Lk 23:34). When Steven was dying as a martyr, he prayed for the men who were stoning him. “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Ac 7:60). This is Agape Love praying! May prayer and worship never cease from our lips! Amen!
There is a great difference between loving and liking a person. To like someone is more natural. There are attitudes you observe in a person that connects with you. Love is different. Love is spiritual. You love because God loves you. You extend Love to others, even to the unlovely, because God loves you and He has saved your soul. Like is instant. It is effortless. Love is deep. It takes time and effort to develop. You may have to go to battle to win and protect love. When you like someone, you must agree with that one. His negative ideas may provoke you. But you can love someone unconditionally, even when you don’t totally agree with him. To like someone, you must stay close to that one. Love endures even if the person is far away. The closer you get to someone, the less you may like the person. But love, increases as you get closer to that person. You like only friends. You love both friends and enemies!
Please note: Only Agape love can love even the enemies. Why? This is because if you love someone, you see him thru the eyes of Christ. You see him the way God sees him. You know that he is a victim of the devil, and he is blind to God’s way of salvation. If Agape Love is in your heart, you can help another even if you dislike him. How do you do that? Treat another person like you like him, even if you don’t. Don’t complain again about your enemies. If you don’t have enemies, how can you love your enemies? The Law of Love is stronger than the law of sin, hatred and death. There is always grace available to treat others with kindness and love. They may not deserve kindness, but kindness is your attitude to all. You don’t pay evil with evil. You don’t react with evil when you are provoked. That is the way of the world. You don’t react. You chose to act. With wisdom, peace, love and respect.
Why do we need to behave well, to show love and kindness to all? It’s a visible proof that God is your father, and that you are a citizen of His Kingdom. God sends rain and sunshine to all men. It is not only the Christian farmer that enjoys rain on his field. That rain goes to the wicked too. We must treat others with respect, kindness and love because we are God’s children, Christ’ ambassadors and citizens of His Kingdom. Love is the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God. As God never fails, as love never fails, so the Christians who walk in love will never fail to fulfill God’s purposes for their lives. This love is the engine of revival in the church and outside the church! May God help us!
The story of Ruth is a story of Love, Grace, Loss and Redemption. It is a story of tragedy and triumph, pointing to Christ, crucified and resurrected. As we all know, life is not easy. We may find ourselves at a place of crossroads in life. There are times when painful things happen to us. This pain changes us for life. We need to make choices. For better or for worse, our choices will lead us on. We can choose a path, but we cannot choose the consequences of that decision. In the story of Naomi and her daughters-in-Law, we see the power of choices. They became widows, not by their own will. But after the pain of loss came, their choices determined their paths in life and their eternal destinies. Ruth is a true friend to Naomi. She married Boaz and had a son who is the grandfather of King David. Orpah chose to forsake her first Love for God and for Naomi. These are decisions made by their free will. Amid this family drama, we see the invisible but ever-present God, His sovereignty, Love, Power, and Grace, which are the determining factors in every believer’s life. Worship the Lord!
This story happened during the time of the Judges. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jdg 21:25). This is a revelation of the authority of a king who maintains order in his domain. It is a reminder of the total power and the authority of King Jesus in His Kingdom. The citizens of God’s Kingdom do not do ‘what is right in their own eyes’, but they obey God’s Law.
This is the story: Elimelech and his wife were residents of Bethlehem, also called Ephrath. The name Elimelech means ‘My God is King’. There was famine in the land. The meaning of Bethlehem is ‘house of bread’. But now, there was no bread in the house. God has promised to punish His people with famine when they rebel against Him. This famine was a form of chastisement. Elimelech was supposed to stay in Bethlehem and repent for his sins. But he too decided to do “what is right in his own eyes”. He chose to exile himself and his family to Moab, the neighboring pagan country. The distance between Bethlehem and Moab is about 60 miles. On foot, it can be covered in about 10 days. Elimelech left his country with the intention to return. But it was not for him to decide his future. His life was never the same again. Elimelech, My God is King, lived like he had no King. Elimelech and Naomi took their two grown sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and settled in Moab. Mahlon means weakly and Chilion means wasting. God commanded His people not to live among pagans because they will be tempted to forsake Him and worship other gods. The Moabites were ancient enemies to Isreal. It was the King of Moab who hired the false prophet Balaam to curse God’s people. It was the Moabite women who drew the Israelite men into sexual immorality and the worship of idols (Nu 22-25). Elimelech took great risk taking his family to Moab. He went on a road that led to nowhere. Like the prodigal son, things looked good at the beginning, but then, tragedy strikes! Elimelech dies and is buried there. Naomi was left with her two sons. They marry Moabite women. After ten years, Naomi’s two sons died too. Double tragedy! Lesson: many Christians chose to live in places of prosperity, ignoring the effects that culture will have upon their godly values. Do you choose prosperity and comfort over God’s will?
In Moab, Elimelech and his family kept their religion. They still worshipped Jehovah God. They did not worship Chemosh, one of the gods of the Moabites. That is good. But Elimelech knew that his two sons will eventually marry pagan Moabite women. He disobeyed God’s clear command that God’s people should not marry pagans (Deut 7:2-4). After Elimelech dies, his sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. They live with Naomi. The five of them live together in Moab for ten years. I think it was a happy home. Naomi and her sons preached thru words and actions about Jehovah God. For ten years both Orpah and Ruth had many opportunities to experience God’s love in action. The only sad part of the story is that both Orpah and Ruth did not have children. Then, their husbands died. Naomi is now left without a husband, and without sons. These are three childless poor widows. At that time, widows were among the lowest in society. Without husbands or sons to take care of them, just to survive, widows had to become beggars or prostitutes. This is a triple tragedy. Suddenly, Naomi hears that God’s grace and mercy has been revealed in Judah. There is prosperity in Bethlehem! She could have stayed in Moab, but she decided to come back home, to partake from God’s blessings. This is a walk of faith. Her two daughters-in-law decided to follow her to Bethlehem. Lesson: God is a God of both Judgement and Mercy. God disciplines His children, to humble and to bless them!
Along the way, Naomi discourages the two women from following her. Naomi knows that these Moabite women will suffer discrimination in Bethlehem. That was her home, but it was never their home. Naomi’s only hope is to live by the pity of her male relatives. She could glean in the fields, if she had the strength. That option was not available in Moab. But to carry two Moabite women was a burden too heavy for her. These two women were a reminder of her backsliding. Naomi was like a young Christian woman who had a baby outside marriage. Her baby is a reminder of her sin. No wonder Naomi wanted them to go back. Her life in Bethlehem will be hard. These foreign women will make it harder for her. That is what she thought… Until Ruth chose to trust Jehovah God whose grace is greater than any sin!
Naomi tells them that she is too old to have more sons to marry them. They should go back to their parents, to their people (and to their gods). “Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her” (Ru 1:14). In Hebrew, the word ‘clung’ also means to join, to cling, to have and to hold. It is the same word used for the relationship between husband and wife. “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen 2:24). Just as the friendship between David and Jonathan, the relationship between Naomi and Ruth is a platonic and covenantal relationship. It is spiritual, deep, pure, without any sexual component. God blessed it. Both women gained from it. And God took all the glory!
The name Ruth means ‘Friend’. She is more than a daughter-in-law to Naomi. She is her only friend and her only hope. Ruth is a symbol of Christ. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (PV 18:24). This is the covenant of friendship Ruth made with Naomi: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me” (Ru 1:16, 17). By saying these words, Ruth committed her life, body and soul, to Naomi and Naomi’s God. She calls God ‘The Lord’ (Jehovah). She promises to serve Naomi unto death. She will be buried in Naomi’s land, Bethlehem. Ruth invokes a curse upon herself. If she will break this pledge, may Jehovah God punish her. In the ancient world, this was the greatest form of love and sacrifice. What is Naomi’s reaction to this mighty proof or agape Love? Nothing! Naomi said nothing! She did not immediately appreciate Ruth’s sacrificial love. She did not encourage her in her chosen path. “When she (Naomi) saw that she (Ruth) was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her” (Ru 1:18). Lesson: Bitter people do not encourage Love. Agape Love doesn’t need men’s encouragement. It is sustained purely by the Grace of God!
Ruth stays with Naomi. Despite Naomi’s counsel, she chooses to follow her to Bethlehem. Naomi did not promise to give Ruth money or another husband. The only reason why Ruth followed her is because she fell in love with Naomi’s God. Ruth had faith that Jehovah, her new God, will take care of her in a foreign land. God rewards her faith. She will marry a wealthy man in Bethlehem called Boaz, who was from the family of Elimelech. In this way, she keeps her status as Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She became the mother of Obed, the grandfather of King David. Thus Ruth, a Gentile, is among the maternal progenitors of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Glory to God!
Unlike Ruth, Orpah choses to return to her own people. Her name is derived from the Hebrew word ‘neck’. She is ‘stiff-necked’ because of her turning-back from following her mother-in-law. She weeps and lovingly kisses Naomi goodbye. Why did Orpah go back? Jesus said that the Word of God is a good seed. The ground where the seed is planted makes the difference. Orpah’s heart was a stony heart. She was a temporary fleshly believer. She heard the Word of God, she felt the love of God, but she did not radically change in character. The change she experienced was superficial. It did not pass the test of time. She was a hearer and not a doer of God’s Word. She accepted God’s Word with joy. But the Word did not penetrate her hearts. It did not produce roots and fruits. When the trials came, the Word ‘withered away’ (Matt 13:5,6,20, 21). Orpah went back to Moab because she had no faith like Ruth that God can grant her a miracle marriage. Ruth was faithful to her first love for God! Orpah chose the forsake her first love for God! The choices they made separated them eternally. Selah!
Study Orpah and Ruth, side by side. One will be forgotten, and the other one will fulfill destiny. Why, do these women make different choices? Both had grown up in Moab and turned from paganism to their husbands’ faith. Both lived with an adoring mother-in-law. Both knew of the love of Yahweh, the one True God. Both enjoyed material wealth and prosperous marriages out of the abundance of God’s blessings and love. Both had husbands who taught them well, and who showed them God’s love in marriage. Both had husbands who stayed with them despite the lack of children. Both were aware of the power and authority of Jehovah God who gave them free will. Everyone has a choice to receive God’s free gift of saving grace or to turn back. Orpah’s faith in God depended on things, on prosperity. Ruth’s faith in God depended on God Himself. One faith will fail in times of trial! Ruth’s faith in God stood the test of time! Selah!
Jesus said that He must be our first Love, above all others. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). To be a disciple of Jesus, we must die to self, to our own plans for life and adopt God’s plan. This holy transaction is necessary to be truly saved. Fleshly life must die for eternal life to germinate and become fruitful in your soul. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).
LESSONS FOR US:
*This is a story of Grace! Grace is the unmerited, free, spontaneous, God generated favor and love towards men. The source of Love and Grace is found in Christ alone. All dealings between God and men are the result of His Love and Grace! God alone takes all glory!
*The fulness of God’s Grace is manifested in His Son, our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2Cor 8:9). The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ manifests as reversal of situations: the weak become strong, the sick ones are healed and the poor become rich. Glory to God!
*God’s Grace and His sovereign will shine thru this story. God’s eyes have been on Ruth before the foundation of the world. God’s elective Grace calls and redeems the most unlikely people, calling them from any land. He lifts the humble and sits them with princes!
*Sin makes people weak and sick. God’s grace and strength is revealed in man’s weakness. Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more!
*God cares about all people, men, women, and children, and all nationalities. There is no unimportant person in God’s sight.
*God uses little things to accomplish great things, according to His plan and purpose. God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purpose.
*God has a positioned helpers to help us at the right time, the right place.
*For as long as we breathe, even in the worst circumstances, there is hope!
*The past should not hold you back. God can change things in a second. Trust Him for that miracle!
*Obeying God, doing the right things, is not easy. It is a sacrifice. But God rewards obedience and righteousness.
*Character is who you are even when nobody is watching. When Ruth pledged her life to Naomi, she did not know that millions would read her words and be inspired by them.
*This is the story of the Cross. Jesus was crucified in weakness and rose thru God’s Grace and Power!
*Covenantal relationships are possible in Christ alone. Like precious stones, they are special, but rare to find. Agape love is a gift from God. It is greater than all natural limitations and differences. A true friend helps you fulfill your destiny. This relationship must be protected from enemies, especially the religious backsliders.
*Trust God to make your dreams come true. Trust God for miracles, to bring water in the desert. Trust God to grant you the revelation and the manifestation of everlasting unfailing agape Love. Trust God to change water into wine in your marriages!
*This is similar story with the friendship between David and Jonathan. God is the Original Covenant Maker and Keeper. God blesses covenantal relationships and marriages. Faithfulness to the covenant brings blessings not only to the parents, but to their descendants.
*Leave a legacy! Leave a good name behind as inheritance to your descendants.
*Orpah left and disappeared from the Bible. Ruth gained a name and a status among the great women of faith. A chapter in the Bible is named after her. Out of her seed the Lord Jesus Christ came as Man on earth. Lesson: Grace has the last Word! Worship the Lord!
“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil 3:17-21).
There are only two realms or two destinations: the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Therefore, there are two types of people: the citizens of heaven (who belong to the Kingdom of God) and the enemies of the Cross of Christ (the unrepentant unbelievers who go to hell). The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the Kingdom of God. The devil, also called ‘the god of the belly’ is the king of this world. His followers go with him to hell. Salvation is by Grace, thru faith in Christ crucified and resurrected. Once the sinner truly repents and surrenders his life to Christ, the miracle of conversion happens. He becomes a child of God, born again by the Holy Spirit. He immediately becomes a citizen of heaven!!!
For example, naturally, if you want to become a citizen of a great country like America, you must fulfill some conditions before you apply. They may approve your application or not. Most people get residency first, before getting citizenship. A resident is someone who has established a residence in a country. Residence is usually for a limited time, to work or to study in that country. A resident is no longer a tourist, but a legal alien. A resident can freely travel in and out of that country, but he can be denied re-entry if he has not fulfilled some conditions, like living a certain amount of time there, working and having an accommodation in that country. A citizen is different. He belongs to that state. Unlike residents, the citizens have full rights, privileges and responsibilities defined by that country’s laws. For example, the citizens have the right to vote, to participate in politics, receive education, health, legal assistance and protection. The citizens can pass their citizenship to their children. They can receive a passport. Citizenship is a for lifetime. The citizens do not have to fulfill any conditions to retain their citizenship like living or working in that country.
But the citizenship of heaven is different. It’s a birth-right gift, given to all those who are saved. Once their eyes open to the new reality of eternal life, they immediately recognize they now have a new King and totally submit to Him. Rebellion against the King is punished. This citizenship is right now, at this present moment: “our citizenship IS in heaven”. It is not ‘it will be in heaven’. Spiritually, we are now sited as kings in the heavenly places. “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” (Eph 2:4-6). We are right now raised and seated together with Christ in the heavenly places. When King Jesus comes again, He will change our humble weak bodies with spiritual bodies, like His own. He has the power to change everything to be the way He wants it to be. Even now, King Jesus has the power ‘to subdue all things to Himself’. To subdue it means to totally defeat an enemy, to bring him under His control by the power of His will. By faith, we believe that our bodies must submit to the will of Christ. Lessons: All sickness must leave, at the name of Jesus! As a citizen of heaven, you have the right to claim all God’s Promises in Christ. No more anxiety about your standing before God in prayer. You have the assurance of salvation manifesting as confidence in prayer! Amen!
This is a glimpse of what is and what is not in heaven: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away… 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:4,8). We must live to please Jesus Christ, our God and King. We must worship God in Spirit and in Truth. As citizens we have rights and privileges. The greatest privilege is having direct access to His presence, before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. In His name, we exercise authority in prayer. We are His ambassadors and Key-Holders in His Kingdom. When we were sinners, we lived under the Law. Now, we live under a greater Law. It is the Law of Love and Liberty manifested under King Grace. Praise the Lord!
“I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]… But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love Me or each other as you did at first!” (Rev 2:4; AMP; NLT).
The Resurrected Christ tells John that the Church in Ephesus has abandoned her first love she had for Him. Jesus speaks intimately, as a Bridegroom speaks to His future Bride. This letter was written about 95AD. Just a generation after the Cross, the Church behaves like an adulterous wife!!! The believers were still attending church, but they also serve idols. It is the same old story of unfaithfulness that we see in the Old Testament. “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown… 12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. 13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jer 2:2;12, 13). Have you ever felt the pain of Christ?
Jesus sees three commendable things about the church at Ephesus. First, they were committed workers. They witnessed; they labored; they ministered to human needs. Second, their doctrine was right, and their faith was well defined and defended. They did not run after every theological wind of doctrine. Third, they persevered in their work despite much discouragement. They refused to quit. They were determined disciples, faithfully working and not deviating from the truth. They got a grade of A+ in religious studies. But despite all these good things, there is something seriously wrong with them. Jesus warns them that if they don’t repent, He will remove their lampstand (their light). What is the meaning of that? It doesn’t mean that the individuals in the church will go to hell. But it means that the church at Ephesus would lose its ability to shine the light of truth. They would become a church with no spiritual influence on the community around them. Love shines like the stars in the night. Without Love, the light of truth will quench. Agape Love is the only power that can sustain Truth! Sadly, many churches are in this situation. The Christians still meet every Sunday, doing religious things, but they have no spiritual impact. They don’t see any change in people’s lives. This warning does not apply to the Church at large. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Living Church. But the light of truth can quench in a local assembly because they don’t walk in the revelation of agape love!!!
What causes this condition? Our Lord puts it in one brief phrase: “You have left the love you had for Me at first…” First Love is the love you felt for Jesus when you became born again. It is that wonderful sense of discovery that He loves you and has freed you from your sins. Your heart worshiped Him with thanksgiving. Watch a couple who are in love. They have eyes and ears only for each other. Talk to them, and they do not even listen to you. It is the same with a Christian when he first comes to Christ. The baby Christian is filled with gratitude. He is amazed that God forgave all his sins. He can hardly believe it. The love of Christ seems almost too much to him. He is drunk with love…
But there is a danger… The devil will tempt you! Apostle Paul warned the believers against the devil’s corruption of the first Love: “But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent” (2Cor 11:3; NLT). With time, that sweet Love can be left behind, can be forsaken. To forsake it means to abandon someone who is helpless and in need, having no desire to go back to him. To forsake Love is to betray Love. The Lover becomes the enemy. After being in love with Jesus, gradually, there comes a shift of focus. Your vision changes. You get busy with other things. What you do for Christ alone begins to be less important. You become selfish. Gradually, your position in the church, your social status, the longing for man’s approval, and the lust for fame and wealth, begin to take priority. You go on doing the same things in the church but not with the same motive. Little by little, you drift away from the pure passion of your first love for Jesus. Every institution can drift and change for the worse! Selah!
We live in what the Bible calls ‘the last days.’ Christians forsake their Love for God and for one another. They grieve the Holy Spirit. They choose religious entertainment (2Tim 3:1-5). The comedians replace the worshippers in the churches. This ungodly attitude is like a virus that spreads its poison, corrupting churches and families. We are commanded to go forsake those who forsake Jesus, the First Love. These are some symptoms of backsliding: you lose your joy and your zeal for God! The Christian life becomes a boring routine. You begin to feel that you know everything. Church activities become mechanical. When you lose the wonder of Jesus’ love, you also find your love for others fading. You become bitter, critical, complaining, rude. You become proud in your thinking. You only think about yourself now. Losing your first Love is the beginning of your downfall. It leads to spiritual blindness, to the loss of vision and spiritual impact. People do not listen to you anymore. You now waste your life. The solution? Remember, Repent and Recover all! Go back to Jesus! Humble yourself! Ask for mercy! Pay the price for spiritual intimacy with Jesus!
These are facts from the history of the church: Ephesus was once a great city. God invested much in the church at Ephesus. Apostle Paul was a pastor in Ephesus and introduced the brethren to the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ac 19:1-7). The letter to the Ephesians was written to them. Apostle John was once the Bishop of that Church. It is interesting to know that the church in Ephesus is now dead. It means that the brethren ignored the warning of Jesus. They refused to repent. The light of that church went off. Ephesus is in present-day Turkey which is 99% Muslim now. It is an archeological site. People go to see the ruins of a once great Christian center in the Early church. Selah!
Facts about Agape First Love:
*Love is patient (1 Cor 13:4). Trials and hardship do not quench Love. “So, Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her” (Gen 29:20). Lesson: Be patient when waiting for God to lovingly answer your prayer!
*Agape Love sees God everywhere. David worshipped God always. He saw God in all things. For David, the sun is like a bridegroom happily going to his wedding day. “He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices like a strong man to run its race” (Ps 19:4, 5). Lesson: Humble yourself! Guard your love for Jesus and for others!
*Love is grateful to God. The sinful woman who was forgiven by King Grace showed her gratitude by worshipping Jesus at His feet. Jesus said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Lk 7:44-47). Lesson: Love forgives!
*Agape Love is generous. Mary of Bethany gave God the most expensive gift she had. “A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table” (Matt 26:7). Lesson: be generous towards God and man!
*Agape Love obeys God’s Word. Love makes us to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen to His Word. This is how Mary of Bethany showed her love to Jesus. “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Lk 10:39). Lesson: Love God’s Word!
*Agape Love is faithful beyond death! David and Jonathan; Ruth and Naomi’s relationships, are covenant relationships before God! Worship the Lord!!!
Today, we shall study a very special love story. The relationship between David and Jonathan is a beautiful picture of agape love. Rubies are rare to find; so true friends manifesting agape love are not common. We are commanded to seek perfection, to desire spiritual maturity. Listen to the great Apostle Paul: “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Cor 13:11; NLT). The relationship between David and Jonathan is a wonderful case study of mature spiritual love between two sinners saved by grace. It is a platonic and covenantal relationship of Agape Love.
PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP
A platonic relationship is one in which two people share a close bond of love and friendship but do not have a sexual relationship. This concept originates in the ideas of the ancient philosopher Plato, from whose name the term is derived. This term applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex friendships. Both Platonic love and Romantic love are deep friendships. The difference is that platonic love does not have physical or sexual intimacy. In a platonic relationship two people are close friends, honest with one another, accept, encourage, respect and understand each other. They sincerely care for one another. They help in good times and bad times. They do not manipulate one another. They generally have the same interests. This type of friendship is rare but very special. The relationship is purely spiritual and not physical. A mentorship bond can be a profound platonic relationship. The mentor provides guidance, advice, and support, while the mentee learns and grows. This relationship is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared goals without romantic undertones. Activities are not the only area you can connect with someone. Having deep spiritual discussions is an excellent way to build a platonic relationship.
COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP
The word ‘covenant’ comes from the Latin word ‘con venire’ meaning ‘coming together’. It is defined as a formal, solemn, binding promise and agreement between countries or people. It is a pledge to remain lifelong friends. Marriage is a covenantal relationship for life. For example, Abimelech and Isaac, Joshua and the Gibeonites, made covenants to live in peace with each other (Gen 26:28-31; Josh 9:15). God is the Witness of the covenant. The covenant could not be broken. If broken, there shall be consequences. God Himself is the Covenant Maker and Keeper. If God has said it, He will do it! Period!!! “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Nu 23:19). Covenants between people are bilateral. The covenant God makes with men is unilateral. God initiated, determined the elements, and confirmed His covenant with humanity. People are recipients, not contributors; they are called to accept it as offered, keep it as demanded, and receive the results that God, by oath, assures will not be withheld. Lesson: For Christ’ sake, we must keep our promises and pledges!
Jonathan, son of King Saul, and David, a shepherd who would become king, formed a deep bond of friendship unto death. They pledged to help each other’s descendants. Despite his father’s hatred for David, Jonathan stood by his friend, even risking his own life to save him. Their friendship was marked by mutual respect, loyalty, understanding, sacrifice and selflessness, all key aspects of true love. Jonathan’s willingness to give up his right to the throne for David shows a selfless love that puts the other person’s needs above one’s own. In the covenant agreement between these two men, Jonathan will be second in command in David’s future reign, and David will protect Jonathan’s family when he will be king. This story reminds us that true love is not limited to romantic relationships. A Christian marriage is a covenant relationship unto death, for Christ’ sake. Lesson: Ideally, the husband and wife should be not only lovers, but true friends to one another. May God help us!
Some said that the relationship between David and Jonathan was homosexual. This interpretation is wrong for at least three reasons:
1-The word ‘love’ here is not connected with romance or sexual attraction. It is the same word that is used to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. ”The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1Sam 18:1).
2-When Jonathan died, David lamented and said: “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women” (2Sam 1:26). It seems that David was talking about Jonathan’s sisters. King Saul promised to give David his daughter in marriage if he killed Goliath. But he deceived David. He promised his daughter Merab, but he suddenly gave her to another man. David married Saul’s younger daughter, Michal, but she was not a spiritual woman. But David’s relationship with Jonathan was true, pure, and unconditional from beginning to the end.
3-The Bible clearly denounces homosexuality as sin. “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Lev 20:13). David was a man after God’s heart. He could not have lived in a homosexual relationship for so many years and God will keep silent!
A friend is one you love, trust, who knows you well, who helps you, guides you, prays for you, but is not a member of your family. David and Jonathan were good friends to the end of their lives. This is an example of true Biblical friendship. It involves spirituality, sacrifice, submission, loyalty, respect, and emotional attachment. Jonathan was spiritually sensitive. He saw that David shall be the next king. He was not jealous like his father. He submitted to God’s will. Jonathan gave David his robe, sword and armor as a gift. This is a sign of submission to the anointing he recognized on David. We do not know if at that time Jonathan knew that David was anointed as the new king of Israel. But we assume that he knew that God has rejected his father as king. Here we see that jealousy and selfishness have no place in a true friendship. By giving David his robe Jonathan gave David his position. By giving David his sword, he gave up his protection. He recognizes David as his protector, his king. In other words, he said: ‘If David did not come to save me, Goliath could have killed me. I owe my very life to David. He is my savior…’ David and Jonathan wept together when they had to part ways. They were honest with their emotions. They were real men, real friends. Do you have such a friend?
LESSONS:
*True agape love is greater than the natural limitations. Jonathan was older than David in age. David was a shepherd; Jonathan was a prince. Jonathan had his own armor; David had a harp and a slingshot. Jonathan grew up in the palace and was trained in the art of war; David grew up in the “little town of Bethlehem” and was trained to tend sheep. Jonathan was the oldest son and in line to inherit the throne; David was the youngest of eight boys and anointed the next king in place of Jonathan. Jonathan was of the tribe of Benjamin, David of the tribe of Judah. Despite their differences, Jonathan and David were the best friends the world has ever known.
*True agape love blooms when people have common interests. Both David and Jonathan were men of faith, and brave soldiers protecting God’s people. David killed Goliath. But Jonathan was a war hero too. Before this famous battle with Goliath, Jonathan, alone and his armor bearer, killed 20 Philistines causing confusion and panic in the enemy camp, allowing Saul’s soldiers to defeat them (1 Sam 14:1-23).
*Agape love friendship is a gift from God. As God helps a man to find a wife, so also God helps us to find good spiritual friends. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (PV 17:17). “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (PV 18:24). Apostle Paul was a friend to Timothy and others. He invested his life in them. “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (1Thess 2:7,8). Jonathan stayed faithful to David until he died. David stayed faithful to Jonathan even after Joathan died. He took care of his son. Mephibosheth was like his son.
*A true friend helps you to find strength in God. “Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that” (1 Sam 23:16, 17). Look for that spiritual quality in friends. “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray” (PV12:26). Choose friends who help you find strength in God. The value of a friend is beyond rubies. ‘Be slow in choosing a friend. Be slower in changing a friend’ (Benjamin Franklin). A true friend will tell you the truth in times of prosperity and help you with his heart and hand when you face difficulties. True friends will push you closer to God!
*Friendship and agape love must be jealously protected. It is possible to forsake your first love (Rev 2:4). That is a danger you must be aware of. The devil will try to damage your friendship or your marriage. The only sad spot in this beautiful story is when Jonathan chooses to leave David in the wilderness, and goes back to the palace, to his father, King Saul. When you read about David’s mighty men of valor, you read of Eleazer, Shammah, Benaiah… but you do not read of Jonathan, the son of Saul. He should have stayed with David. But Jonathan went back to the palace. He joined his father in the battle against the Philistines. He was in the wrong battle, following the wrong king. He died there… he is the prince who never became king. David wept and said: “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” (2Sam 1:19). And David took the fallen crown and became the new king, according to God’s will. Selah!
*In the Bible, a friend is one who knows your soul! A friend is not just a person who you share hobbies with. A friend is someone who knows the real you, who understands what goes on inside you. The Hebrew word for Friend (‘sod’) is similar with the word translated ‘secrets’. A friend is someone who knows your secrets. Lesson: You need to learn how to open your heart to God, to your spouse and to godly friends. “I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!” (2Cor 6:13). That means to be vulnerable, honest, transparent. This lifestyle is not easy. But you cannot become successful as a Christian without being a friend to God, to Jesus, and to others. Even in a marriage, sex is not what makes husband and wife best friends. Revelation of God’s Word is!!!
*The greatest Lover and Friend is Jesus! A true friend loves his neighbor as himself. Jonathan and David loved one another. Their story is inspiring. But the greatest Love of all is the Love of Jesus. Jesus is that faithful Friend not only unto death, but unto eternity. Agape Love is a command. Love manifests as obedience to God’s commands. Before He went to the Cross, Jesus said to His disciples: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another” (Jn 15:9-17). Jesus died to make us friends with God! Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!
Today, most people do not know what true friendship is. They are friends only on social media. They talk to one another on Facebook, but they do not know each other personally. Also, most people tend to put all their hopes only in romantic relationships, like marriage. The story of David and Jonathan expands our vision of what agape love can be. David loved Jonathan so much that he openly wept when Jonathan died. It was more than a relationship of convenience. Love was involved. This is strange for us today but in that culture, it was common. May we desire to love more, to love better! Great friendship requires commitment and involves risk. Commitment will be tested. As a friend you need to make sacrifices. Can you go out of your comfort zone and help your friend when he is in need? In all great friendships you need God. Great friendships reflect the great agape love of God! Worship the Lord!
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Phil 2:12-16).
This is an excellent description of a child of God. A saint is one who is not complaining or disputing. He is blameless, harmless, and without moral fault. Immediately after declaring the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ, His death on behalf of sinners and His exaltation above all as King of kings, Apostle Paul presents to us the application of the doctrine. He calls the Christians “my beloved”. He is talking to the believers, whom he loves in Christ. He commands them to start “working out their salvation with fear and trembling”. This is the doctrine: salvation is by Grace alone, thru faith alone, by God’s Word alone, in Christ alone and to the glory of God alone. We don’t do religious works to go to heaven. Good deeds can’t save our souls. We don’t ‘WORK FOR’ eternal life, but we ‘WORK OUT’ this spiritual invisible reality of salvation. In other words, we must produce visible fruits of the Holy Spirit. We must behave as Christians. To be a child of God is the greatest privilege known to man. But privilege has responsibility. As Christians, we must behave responsibly. Agape Love demands that from us!
Another word for “working out our salvation” is “sanctification”. Salvation itself, the act of Justification is free. It is invisible. Jesus paid for it with His Blood. But immediately the sinner is justified by faith, he starts the process of sanctification. This process is done by obeying the truth and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Christian must humble himself and cooperate with the God’s Word and with the Holy Spirit. Some Christians are faster than others. That is why some manifests fruits of the Holy Spirit earlier than others. This process is done with ‘fear and trembling’. What is the meaning of that? First, we must fear God. It is true that this fear is not the fear of a slave. But even as a believer, we must fear and tremble before the majesty of the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. This fear of God manifests as wisdom, which is defined as practical application of the knowledge of God’s Word. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (PV 9:10). The second meaning is that we must fear sin, the world and the devil. This fear is not the fear of a coward. But we must be realistic and keep in mind that our present enemy is our former master. He has succeeded in making our perfect ancestor, Adam, fall into sin. He is a champion of seduction, deception, manipulation, intimidation, and flattery. As doctors fear viruses and take precautions not to be infected when treating their patients, we need to have a healthy respect and fear of falling into sin. We reject pride, the point of entry of many sins that make the Christians fall.
God works inside our souls, ‘to will and to do’ for His good pleasure. The Holy Spirit energizes the mind, the emotions and the will so that we cooperate with God’s greater Will in the process of sanctification. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification… “(1Thess 4:3). The Bible reveals that the first two sins that manifest in a Christian are complaining and disputing. Complaining is also translated as grumbling or murmuring. To complain means to be angry and tell someone that something is wrong, that you are not satisfied with it. It is a sin against Agape Love. When you complain, you query God’s Love to you, you grieve the Holy Spirit, and you start backsliding. If you love God and your neighbor, you will never complain about anything. The second sin is ‘disputing’. To dispute it also means to be angry. You disagree with others; you argue, you quarrel with yourself or with others. This is a sin against faith. It produces a double-minded attitude which is called doubt. In the history of God’s people, they never stopped complaining and arguing. Both these sins are the beginning of rebellion against God, which is wickedness, or witchcraft. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1Sam 15:23). God’s people complained about many things: hunger, thirst, Manna (food given by God), God’s ways and strategy as He led them thru the desert. God punished them for the sin of complaining. Many died in the desert because of their stubbornness and rebellion.
Even today, the story repeats itself. There is a strong tendency to complain against God’s ways and His leading in our lives. We forget that God’s primary motive to save us is to be like Jesus, to build in us strong spiritual character. God is not directly interested to make us happy or wealthy on earth. God wants us to become like Jesus. We do not know the way to the eternal Promised Land, which is heaven itself. Jesus is the Way. We must love Him and trust Him even when we do not understand the process. Love makes us ‘blameless and harmless’, children of light in this dark and wicked world. The word blameless means to be innocent of wrongdoing. It means that none can criticize you in your speech or actions. To be harmless means to be pure in your secret heart, to be innocent in your motives. Jesus said that sinful thoughts are equal with sinful actions. For example, if a man looks with sexual lust towards a woman, he has committed adultery with her in his heart. A covetous man is a thief. A child of God is pure, clean, innocent not only in his actions but in his very soul.
As light is totally different from darkness, and stars are completely different from the night sky, so Christians are different from the worldly people. The world is defined as the humanity that lives like there is no God. All worldly people are crooked and perverse. To be crooked it means to be bent, not straight; dishonest and deceptive. A crooked politician or businessman takes bribes and cheats his naïve clients. But child of God is loving, loving, faithful, blameless, free from bitterness, wickedness and deception. This is our pattern and lifestyle! Amen!
Finally, to be a believer ‘without fault’ means to combine all these attributes into one. A mature Christian is free from complaining and disputing spirits, and he is blameless and harmless, in all he does. This is the ideal testimony based on fruitful Love and mature Faith. It means to be like Jesus! Love produces a blameless character. Faith produces a harmless attitude. This is how the believer becomes a light to the world. The light of God shining thru the words and deeds of believers exposes and convicts the world of sin. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and forever. Amen!” (Jude1:24,25). Praise the Lord!
“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Standstill and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” 15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea” (Exo 14:13-16)
Lessons at the Red Sea: God’s people did not doubt God’s existence or His power, but they doubted God’s goodness!!! Often, they said: “God will not help me today”. They also doubted Moses. They rebelled against God’s appointed leader. At the Red Sea, the truth is that Israel had good reasons to fear the Egyptians. They were former slaves, not trained as soldiers and without weapons to fight. The Egyptians were soldiers. They were now very angry because many had lost their first-born sons, and they blamed the God of Moses. They wanted to kill Moses and the leaders of the Israelites and bring back the rest of the slaves. The Israelites were not mature believers. They were all trembling with fear wishing to go back to Egypt. Question: Have you believed the lie that God will abandon you when you are in trouble?
Moses was the leader because he knew God better. His faith was stronger. He did not know how they would cross over the sea, but he that God would make a way where there seems to be no way. Why was Moses so confident? He knew God’s character. God is a good Father. God will not abandon His child. Think of your father when you were a child. If you are lost, you said: My Father will not abandon me here. Moses knew God’s promises and His faithfulness over the years. He knew that God fights for those He loves!!! We often allow fear to trample our faith! We think that God loves us more when things are good. When we pass thru trials, we think that God loves us less. That is not true! God’s Love is perfect and does not change! Often, God allows darkness to come before He wants to do something great! We say… If Pharoah stayed at home… if Goliath was not so tall… if Daniel was not thrown into the lions’ den… our lives would be better. But without trials, we could not have witnessed the great victories and testimonies from God. To make you afraid, Satan will show you the Red Sea, the mighty Goliath, or the Lions in the den! But God will show you His Son, Jesus Christ, the Author of our faith! According to the Bible, Moses, his faith and his rod are greater than any army! He split the Red Sea, making a way to Freedom! Trust God!
What are the lessons we learn from the Red Sea story?
The people are afraid. They want to go back to slavery in Egypt. They don’t want to pay the price for freedom. Fear leads to murmuring against God and Moses, and it blinds the eyes to the breakthrough. Moses ignores their murmuring and gives three commands:
*Don’t be afraid! When you look around, you will be afraid. When you look to God, you will not be afraid.
*Stand Still (Stand strong) and expect to see the Salvation of God!
*Go forward! God gives power and miracles only when we trust and obey. You need to stand still before you can go forward.
“The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (Ps 110:1).
This is a prophetic Messianic Psalm, written by David. In it we find the revelation of Christ, God the Son, King and Priest in His Kingdom. God opened the ears of David to hear words spoken in heaven. God the Father (Jehovah) tells God the Son (Adonai): Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies Your footstool. Adonai is one of God’s names in Hebrew. It means Sovereign Lord, Master of slaves and Controller of the Universe. Jehovah is God’s main name. It means “I am that I am”. Adonai reveals God as the Leader and Master of all. He demands total submission. Think of the high privilege for a mortal man to hear a conversation between the members of the Trinity. Jesus was called ‘The Son of David’ but here David calls Him ‘Adonai, Lord’. Apostle Paul too heard ‘inexpressible’ things spoken in heaven (2Cor 12:4).
Jesus has suffered rejection on earth. He died on the Cross that we might live. On the third day Jesus resurrected from the grave. After 40 days He ascended to heaven. Here, we have a glimpse of The Lord Jesus Christ in His glory in heaven. The wickedness of men cannot touch Him now. God the Father tells Jesus to sit on His throne. That is the position of a King in well-deserved rest and total victory. God tells Jesus not only to sit, but to sit at His right hand. That position is the greatest honor. God tells Jesus to sit while Himself will punish all the sinners on earth. God the Father vows to totally defeat all the rebellious sinners who rejected His Son as King. On earth, they shamed Jesus, killing Him naked on the Cross. Now, the story has changed. They are defeated and disgraced, under the feet of the King of kings. By divine decree, Jesus is seated in a position of glory, power and dominion, while the Father fights all the nations to bring honor to His Son. As for now, all His enemies are not yet under the feet of Jesus, but the victory is sure. All enemies of Jesus will bow or will be broken. The Battle is the Lord’s. No matter how loud the nations rage, God can never lose! The victory is sure! Lesson: In Christ, our victory over sin and enemies is sure! We do spiritual warfare from a position of royal rest, and not from fear! Amen!
“The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” (Ps 110:2)
The rod of strength of King Jesus goes out of Zion towards all His enemies. Zion is a symbol of the Kingdom of God and the Living Church. King Jesus stretches out His rod or His royal scepter towards the Church. His rod works in two ways: it gathers the elect to the Church so that they worship Him. The same rod goes out of the Church to defeat all its enemies. No matter how high these enemies are, they shall go low and become His footstool. The gates of hell cannot prevail against His Church! Moses used his Shepherd rod to punish and defeat the Egyptians. With his rod, Moses divided the Red Sea. God’s people passed to safety while their enemies drowned in it. Moses used his rod to bring water out of a rock. This is a picture of grace out of hard places. Aaron’s rod bloomed by the power of resurrection (Nu 17:11). Even as the Father fights and defeats the enemies of His Son, the Son Himself is not passive. He fights with the rod of power in the mouth of His servants who preach His Gospel. Lesson: We preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified with courage, authority, freedom, and joy! Amen!
“Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth” (Ps 110:3). We have here a vision of the believers in the Church, the citizens of the Kingdom of heaven. As the rod of preaching of the Gospel goes forth from their mouth, grace is released. The elect gather in the church. These believers are servants and ambassadors of Christ. Like sparkling diamantes, like dew comes on the ground every morning, holiness is mysterious, fresh and beautiful. The preaching of God’s Word has miraculous power, romantic holiness and beauty. The womb of the morning is the resurrection power of the Gospel. Sinners come to Jesus like flies come to the light. This flood of conversions is like a river making glad the city of God. The church is forever young, strong, and eternally beautiful. Resurrection power releases the grace of willingness to volunteer for King Jesus! Many know the doctrine of resurrection. Few apply that power in daily life. Lesson: as servants of God, we walk in victory and supernatural strength.
“The Lord has sworn and will not relent: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110:4).
This is the most important verse in this Psalm. It reveals Our Lord Jesus Christ as King and Priest. In the Old Testament, there was no King who could be Priest at the same time. King David officiated sometimes as a priest, but he feared God too much to take over that holy office. He was anointed King and not as Priest. Some kings became proud and claimed the priesthood. King Saul tried to offer sacrifices as a priest. He was rebuked by Samuel. This sin was one of the reasons why he lost his crown (1Sam 13). King Uzziah started well. But when he became strong and wealthy, he also became proud. That led to his downfall. He wanted to take over the office of the priest. Azariah the priest led eighty priests to rebuke the king. The King became angry and wanted to punish the priests. Suddenly, God sent leprosy on his forehead. He lived isolated as a leprous until he died (2 Chr 26). The reason why God punished these kings for trying to combine the royal position with the priesthood it is because only Christ is ordained to be King and Priest!
Zechariah had a vision about a man called Joshua who will be king, priest and peacemaker at the same time. This prophetic picture clearly applies to the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Great High Priest. “Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on His throne; So, He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zech 6:13).
The King and the Priest have different functions. The King rules over people in the fear of God. The Priest offers sacrifices, and he is an intercessor between God and men. David heard God the Father declaring that God the Son is ‘A Priest Forever, according to the order of Melchizedek’. This divine oath is final. God “will not relent”. God will not change His mind and will not break His Promise. This prophetic declaration does not apply to King David. He was from the tribe of Judah. All the priests in Israel were descendants of Aaron, who was from the tribe of Levi. The words King David heard were prophetic and they clearly apply to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our eternal King, Priest, and Prince of Peace! On earth, priests died and were replaced. But the resurrected Christ can never die. He is our High Priest, Mediator and Intercessor forever. “So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:5,6).
The best pattern of combined offices as King and Priest was revealed in a Man called Melchizedek. His name means King of Righteousness. His reign was unique. His office was exceptional and spiritual. This combined office as King and Priest is the simplest, the most glorious, free from pompous religious rituals and ceremonies. Melchizedek sat on the throne, holding both the scepter and the holy censer in his hands. He was a King and a Father to his people. He ruled them and thought them. Abraham and his army defeated the enemies of the King of Sodom to free his nephew, Lot. God granted him a mighty victory. Coming home, a mysterious figure met him. It was Melchizedek, the King of Salem (Peace), the future city of Jerusalem. He was a priest of Jehovah God, living among pagans. Abraham recognized Him as the Lord Jesus. As a sign of total submission and honor, Abraham gave Him a tithe of all his possessions. Melchizedek accepted the tithe and blessed Abraham in the name of Elyon, the God Most High. The King of Sodom met Abraham first. But King Melchizedek intercepted Abraham. He brought bread and wine to Abraham. This is a type of sharing Holy Communion, being one in the Spirit. But Abraham did not have a spiritual relationship with the King of Sodom. He refused to take money from him saying that he has vowed to God not to take any goods that may be considered a bribe, so that God takes all the glory for all his victories (Gen 14:18-24). Lesson: In Christ it is our greatest privilege to be a royal priesthood! We pay tithes and offerings as a sign of submission and honor to Jesus, our King and Priest. Amen!
“The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore, He shall lift up the head” (Ps 110:5-7). The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal King and Priest, shall, eventually enter the fight and finish it. He will destroy what He has defeated. At this stage, the battle against the rebellious is without mercy. Presidents, rulers and kings shall die. They have rejected Christ as Savior. Therefore, He cannot intercede for them. He is now the Judge of all. All the kingdoms on this earth shall be defeated. “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev 11:15). All nations, democratic, secular, or Islamic shall feel His sovereign power. Pope and priest must fall. “The LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh…” (Gen 6:3).
The death of proud King Herod is just a sample of how King Jesus will judge sinners. His royal robe, the golden throne, the worship of the people and all the pompous ceremony in the open air could not save Herod from the punishment of heaven. The angel did not have to strike twice. One blow was enough. Nobody could stop the worms who ate Herod while he was still breathing, At the same time, the Word of God’s Kingdom grew in power and influence (Ac 12:21-24).Lesson: Give your life to Christ while there is time! You either bow or break!
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:11-16).
By the decree of God the Father, Christ is the eternal King and Priest. He is greater than all. He deserves and demands total submission. His title as King and Priest is eternal. It is uninterrupted. It is not transferable to others. Jesus has no associate, and no rival. All God’s children respect His Person and worship Him. At the end of it all, the victory is clear! For now, King Jesus has no time to go to His palace in heaven to entertain His guests. As a soldier in the field, He will drink from a brook by the wayside. This water of life will refresh Him. His head shall be lifted in glory. This is a picture of total victory over his enemies that should encourage every believer. The battle is the Lord’s. The victory is also the Lord’s! Lesson: In Christ, we are more than overcomers. Amen!
To love others, to help them carry their burdens is to be like Jesus, who was never sick and yet, He carried our sins and sicknesses on His Body on the Cross. “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matt 8:16,17). It is never easy to love or pray for others. The price for Love is greater than you think.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:1-5).
This is a Psalm of David. It is a command to bless God, to praise the Lord Jesus, for our salvation (forgives sins and iniquities) and for the other benefits: healing of the body, acts of loving kindness and mercy to you, good things, and supernatural strength like a young man. For any sinner, salvation is the primary miracle. To have your sins forgiven is the greatest need of all. This is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again for me. Salvation is by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone, by God’s Word alone, and to the glory of God alone. By faith, you are saved and have eternal life. Here we are commanded ‘not to forget all God’s benefits’ that accompany salvation. Trusting God only for your salvation and not trusting God for your daily bread, healing and wellbeing, is called ‘little faith’. You must repent of your ‘little faith’ before you can be granted ‘great faith’. To have great faith it means that you trust God for salvation, healing, and provision.
Read Mark 2:1-12. Here we see Jesus granting a double miracle to a young man who was paralyzed. His four friends carried him on a bed (stretcher) to see Jesus. Because of the crowd, they could not enter the house through the door. They went to the roof and made a space to lower their friend in front of Jesus. They had faith that if Jesus sees the sick man, He will heal him. Jesus “saw their faith”. He first spoke the word of forgiveness of sins. This is the invisible miracle of salvation. Sin was the root of his sickness. Therefore, the man’s soul must be healed before the body can be healed. The Pharisees who were there, spying on everything Jesus was doing, complained openly. They said that only God has the right to forgive sins. They totally rejected the claim of Jesus that He is God’s Son and the King of kings. Despite the opposition of the religious rulers, Jesus confirms His authority as God and King by declaring that the sick man’s sins are forgiven. Then to prove even more that He is God, Jesus heals the man with just a word. The paralyzed man stood on his feet, carried the mat he has been lying on, and in the presence of all people, he walks out thru the door. The door was blocked when he came to this house. The miracle has opened the door for him to have a new life. It seems that the sick man did not have faith to be healed. It was his four friends who had faith in his behalf. But once he was forgiven and healed, his faith in Jesus manifested. To prove his faith, he obeyed the Master’s Word and walked away.
This man received more than he expected. Jesus granted him a double miracle. He forgave his sins, healed his soul and healed his body. The miracle was instant and free of charge. It was done for the glory of God and for the good of man. This miracle of healing shows the Love and the Power of King Jesus towards sinners. Sin paralyzes and kills. Jesus died to give life to the lifeless soul. “While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6; AMP). Glory!
The religious rulers were angry and disappointed. The evil religious spirit active in many churches opposes the supernatural. Reject the religious spirits to make space for the Holy Spirit to take control. Always please God and not men! God rewards faith! Study God’s Word concerning salvation and healing. You need to know God’s promises to have faith to be healed. When a man says: ‘I have faith to be healed’, but he does not know the Word about healing, he is deceiving himself. He is like a farmer who says he trusts God for harvest, but he has not planted any seed in the ground. The Word of God is a seed (Lk 8:11). It must be planted in the heart to produce faith.
The four friends who brought the sick man to Jesus had great faith. King Jesus rewards faith in Him. When the door was blocked by the people, they did not give up. They went to the roof and found an original way to enter. Jesus was pleased by their bold creative faith. They displayed Agape Love towards their sick friend. They carried the burdens of another and fulfilled the Law of Christ (Gal 6:2).
These are some lessons: Jesus Christ is God, the Lord of all and King of kings. Jesus forgives and heals. He rewards faith and obedience. Spiritually, the four friends stand for Love, Faith, Holy Boldness and Intercession. This dynamite combination never fails to produce results. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8). The faith that approaches Jesus: determined and desperate faith! The four men are determined to have a miracle of healing. You must know that there is no hope outside Jesus. We are helpless to forgive and heal others. Sin is the cause of all pains and sicknesses. Faith is also corporate. The Bible knows nothing about individualistic Christians. People help people in the Church. Do you have people who can carry you to Jesus? Please note that Jesus surprises us! He always goes deeper than the circumstances. He healed this man’s soul before He healed his body. For Jesus to heal the body and not heal the soul, that is hatred and not love! It is easier to say “your sins are forgiven” because there is no text or Xray to prove that. Jesus heals the body to prove that He has healed the soul. Get that man to Jesus! Parents, pray for your children! Things happen when God’s people truly care! Here we see the Mercy and Power of King Jesus! Forgiveness of sins and miracles always lead people to praise God! “All were amazed and glorified God, saying: We never saw anything like this!” (Mk 2:12). God does miracles even today. He forgives our sins and heals our bodies. Faith 100%! Doubt 0%! Worship the Lord!!!
Green Pastures 