Just A Small Thing...

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the LORD and the wall around the city. [1 Kings 3.1] 

It is just a small thing, but for some reason, it was recorded in the Bible. Why?

In context, 1 Kings 3 does not specify whether Solomon's alliance with Pharaoh was good or evil, but such alliances are viewed as idolatrous offenses against God elsewhere in the Bible. God's demand for total trust in Him alone negates any need for such alliances - especially when they are with idolatrous nations like Egypt.

1 Kings 3.1 is easily overlooked because it is overshadowed by Solomon's most notable accomplishment before God in his request for wisdom. But, history cannot be changed... Even as the most wise man to ever live, Solomon did not stop establishing alliances and gaining foreign wives. It would appear that Solomon's wisdom, that would have justified every foreign alliance as practical, was his downfall. 1 Kings 3.1 is the opening statement of how that downfall started.

And, that is how idolatry works. It starts with a small indiscretion of not trusting God (often overshadowed by some great spiritual accomplishment) and grows from there. By the time Solomon had acquired hundreds of wives and concubines, many of them through foreign alliances, he had become so immersed in idolatry that he did not even recognize the difference.

This should sound familiar to the Church today because it is exactly what has happened to God's people. Trusting in the industries of man's own ideas (see Stern Warning From The Bible) has become so commonplace among "God's people" (with most defending this "way of man" by calling it "wisdom") that no one is decrying the gross idolatry it represents.

I am no one. But, it would appear I am in good company:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Father, Your Word could not be more clear on Your warnings against idolatry, the "way of man," as was Jesus. And yet, the Church today is unconcerned. Faith has been made so "abstract" that no one sees Jesus' demand to "give up your own way" (or, to deny himself) as anything more than a "nice suggestion" that requires man's practical wisdom to determine "what it means to him." May today's idols be identified and rejected by Your people. May those who are truly Yours see the literal interpretation of Your jealousy regarding idols. May Your people have this distinct testimony that "God is my source and supply in every area of my life!" May Your people reject every idol so they might trust ONLY in You! So be it.

Stern Warning From The Bible

“Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me! You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god. For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. “But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes! Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever. But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.” [Psalm 81.8-16] 

This is an edited re-post of an article written in 2023: Whose Idea?

How does God feel about all our knowledge, technology, and advancements today? These advancements are evident in the huge world-wide industries of finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals and technology.

Do we dare ask how God actually feels about these advanced, complicated industries of man's ingenuity? Does it matter if the Bible actually addresses this issue of people living according to their own ideas?  

Even though "living according to their own ideas" quite accurately sums up the industries of finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals and technology today, are we so confident in ourselves to declare that these ideas are not the foreign or false gods (idols) that Psalm 81.8-16 clearly declares them to be? Of course we are! And, the curses we experience every day confirm (in our minds, where ideas come from) our need for these idols! 

Our "own ideas," applied as a solution, are the cause of the very need they purportedly remedy.

The problem with the industries of our own ideas is in what we do with them. We trust them. The real problem then is that God is not too keen on us trusting anything besides Him. In fact, God is repeatedly on record of sternly warning us (as in Psalm 81.6-16 above) against trusting anything except Him. God wants us to trust Him and Him alone! This is precisely what the first three of the Ten Commandments are all about!

When we as a society have become so dependent upon the industries of our own ideas, the mandate to trust God alone must become an abstract "grey area" - at least in the minds of those steeped more in their society than in God's Word. God however has no confusion about it whatsoever. His Word is clear: He wants our trust to be in Him alone. It is man who necessitates the "grey area" to sooth his own conscious.

The simplicity with which Jesus describes this is profound:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. [Matthew 6.31-34]

But, don't we actually need the industries of our own ideas to survive in today's society?

You tell me... Is that God's idea or our own?

With the intent of improving our lives temporarily with the industries of our own ideas, we are instead condemning ourselves eternally. 

How might our own ideas be read into the following demand from Jesus?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Father, as I re-explore this passage from Psalm 81 in the year 2026, I am further convinced of our total immersion in idolatry today. And, I am only further convinced that organized religion supports the idolatry of the industries of our own ideas (finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals and technology) giving Your Word only secondary consideration (if at all). May our eyes and ears be open to Your Word. Send more workers into Your fields with the stern warning of Psalm 81.8-16 as it relates to the exclusive language of Jesus Christ in Matthew 16.24. Let us return to the influence of Your Word as it opposes our own ideas. So be it.

Psalm 78, Idols, And The Parable Of The Sower

They angered God by building shrines to other gods; they made him jealous with their idols. [Psalm 78.58] 

Psalm 78 summarizes that the entire story of Israel is about God's demand for their undivided trust in Him alone and Israel's idolatrous response to that demand. Psalm 78 is not only a no-holds-barred indictment upon Israel's repeated faithlessness to God, but it extends that indictment to the Church today even more so.

First, Psalm 78 assures the relevance of its message beyond Old Testament times by use of the word "parable." Psalm 78 alerts the student of the whole Bible to Jesus.

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. [Psalm 78.1-3]

Likewise, Jesus clearly alerts the student of the whole Bible to Psalm 78. The word "parable" extends the relevance of Psalm 78 AND Jesus to us today. To see this we must turn to the New Testament:

His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. [Matthew 13.10-13]

What was Jesus talking about? What were they "looking at" but not seeing? What were they "hearing" but not really listening to or understanding? Before answering this, we should understand the ramifications of not seeing and not hearing:

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ [Matthew 13.14-15]

The miraculous provision and power of God are not applicable to those who do not see or hear. 

So, again, what is it that they are not seeing and hearing (not understanding)?

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” [Matthew 13.18-23]

This is all well and good, but still, what is the message about the Kingdom? In the context of the passage above, the message about the Kingdom is clearly God's Word - all of it.

Jesus' use of a "parable" begs us to refer back to Psalm 78:

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. [Psalm 78.1-8]

Psalm 78 goes on to summarize the story of God's Word about all the supernatural miracles God performed for Israel that He accuses them of faithlessly "forgetting." Specifically, "forgetting their past" with God was refusal to "believe in their future with God." 

We should not be amazed then to comprehend that Jesus' parable of the farmer planting seeds (aka, "Parable of the Sower") was about this very topic of God's Word! The good soil is the heart of man intentionally remembering (cultivated with) God's Word, that is, God's history of unexplainable, miraculous provision for His people who trust Him alone. Not seeing and hearing that history is explained by Jesus in degrees: first, seeing and hearing not at all (uncultivated footpath), then, seeing and hearing only partially (cultivated but rocks not removed), followed by seeing and hearing without maintenance  (cultivated, rocks removed, but thorns allowed to grow).

For us to understand the significance of Jesus' explanation of the soil and the message of the Kingdom, remembering God's Word, the history of God and His people, we must then look back to Psalm 78:

They forgot what he had done—the great wonders he had shown them, the miracles he did for their ancestors on the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt. [Psalm 78.11-12]

They did not remember his power and how he rescued them from their enemies. [Psalm 78.42]

They turned back and were as faithless as their parents. They were as undependable as a crooked bow. They angered God by building shrines to other gods; they made him jealous with their idols. [Psalm 78.57-58]

And there it is. In Psalm 78.57-58 we see that by forgetting their past, God's people were as faithless as their ancestors in engaging in full-blown idolatry. Jesus' every use of a parable should always point us to Psalm 78. We will never fully understand Jesus' parables until we remember our history as God's people and the damning role of idolatry all through it - even today. Every reference of Jesus then to eyes that don't see and ears that don't hear should alert us to idolatry.

AND, it is here that the "Word of Faith" message is incomplete. Word of Faith teaching shortsightedly insists that powerlessness can be remedied by better confessions of faith (which is indeed Scriptural), but grossly ignores the Biblical fact that powerlessness will continue as long as that "faith" does not utterly reject idolatry. Good soil is soil intentionally and painstakingly cleared of idols (the hard ground of idolatry broken, the rocks of idolatry cleared, the thorns of idolatry constantly weeded). Good soil is "cultivated" not only with the memory that God provided miraculously for His "faithful" people in the past, distinguishing them as His, but also anticipating that He fully intends to do the same to distinguish those who are His in the future. Idols circumvent and prevent that distinction (if not immediately (hard footpath), then ultimately (thorns)).

This explains then why Jesus (God in the flesh) made the distinct demand:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

As "God in the flesh," it can be no other way but for Jesus to demand absolute exclusive faith of His followers just as God demanded absolute exclusive faith in His people for all history. If Jesus' followers (God's people) today do not fully remember (see, hear, and understand) and keep remembering the history of God's people (the Word of God as summarized in Psalm 78), they are destined to be hard footpath soil, rocky soil, or thorny soil - none of which bears increase - the distinct Kingdom power of God over worldly circumstances.

The Parable of the Sower is Jesus' distinct warning against idolatry.

Father, Your Word continues to challenge and amaze me. May Your Word gain increasing priority in my life as I see, hear, and understand that Your miraculous power is extended only to those who intentionally rid themselves of and avoid idols. May I understand that Jesus' life and Your power will never manifest in me if I do not cultivate Your Word in me, remove the rocks, and constantly battle the weeds that will surely appear. Help me to understand that none of this happens unless I "give up my own way" (deny myself the benefits of idols), "take up my cross" (make "my" faith about others), and follow Jesus in every way He demonstrated while here on earth as is recorded in the Gospels. So be it.

The Difference Between An Unbeliever And A Believer In God Alone

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. [Psalm 73.25-26] 

Two things are stated above: 1) God alone rules, and 2) nothing on earth is more important than God.

If we can see it, Psalm 73.25-26 defines the life of an unadulterated, non-idolatrous person. However, in defining the life of the true believer in God alone, Psalm 73.25-26 inadvertently uncovers what an unbeliever in God alone, an idolater, looks like.

Psalm 73.25-26 reveals the dividing factor between the unbeliever and the believer in God alone. 

The idols of this world all claim, in some way or another, to improve people's lives - to mitigate their fear of poverty, loss, sickness and discomfort. They all portray a 'strength of spirit' (if we will see it) for those who partake of their benefits. The idols of this world offer this strength (at a cost) in the areas of money, loss mitigation, health and comfort through the industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology. The benefits provided by these worldly idols however are only temporal, worldly benefits that have no eternal ("heart," - heavenly) value whatsoever.

In contrast, the believer in God alone decidedly rejects the world's idols. Believers in God alone are firmly convinced that although their "spirit may grow weak" by not partaking of the benefits that the world's idols offer, they would rather suffer in those areas of "benefit" rather than forsake their trust in God alone. The believer in God alone uses his or her own life to prove they would rather die in faith than live in fear because only God can strengthen the "heart" of man.

An unbeliever cannot, in pure conscience, quote Psalm 73.25-26. He can try to "fake it 'till you make it" but as long as the idols of this world are his temporal "Plan B," he will never enjoy God alone as the eternal strength of his heart. In fact, man's idolatrous "Plan B" scripturally and effectively disqualifies him from every promise of God, including health and strength in every area of life.

Father in heaven, Your Word is true and does not lie. May You find those who trust in You alone rejecting any worldly thing that panders to the temporal health and strength of man, so that they might enjoy You alone as the strength of their heart. So be it.

The Bummer Psalm (Oh, This Is A Good One!)

Psalm 88, found in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, seems to not fit in with the rest of the Psalms. In fact, I don't recall ever hearing any teaching or sermon on it. It is indeed a "Bummer Psalm."

Could it be that this "Bummer Psalm" could be the basis for an unprecedented revival among God's people today? I believe it very possibly could be... if we will receive it.

Psalm 88 can be rightfully called the "Bummer Psalm" because it speaks of all manner of trouble. All the troubles of Psalm 88 are encapsulated into one conclusion found in verse 14:

O LORD, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? [Psalm 88.14]

Why indeed.

Here are some important facts associated with Psalm 88. Psalm 88 is noted to be "a Psalm of the descendants of Korah." This name should ring a bell in our memory because it is associated with a terrible rebellion in the time of Moses (Numbers 16). Rebellion brings suffering (Deuteronomy 28.15-68). The song therefore of the descendants of Korah (Psalm 88) would indeed be one of suffering and trouble.

Moses represented the authority of God's Word in his day. The authority of God's Word in Moses' day could be summed up in the Ten Commandments. Korah's rebellion, as pointed out by Moses, was an offense against God Himself (Numbers 16.11). Korah's offense was against God, and therefore His Word. 

The pride evident in Korah and his co-conspirators against God and His Word is one and the same as the pride incited by Satan from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ("Did God really say...?" [Genesis 3.1]). This pride is the very foundation of idolatry so naturally it elicits a severe, even generational, response from God Who will not tolerate idolatry:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

It is highly significant then that Jesus quoted Psalm 88.14 on the Cross:

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [Matthew 27.46]

Jesus, just like His Father God, never asked a question He did not already know the answer to - not even on the Cross. Amidst all the pain of crucifixion, Jesus purposefully and intentionally cited Psalm 88.14 to forever associate pride and its idolatry as the reason for His being hung on the Cross, so that all who heard Him with their ears and all who would hear Him for generations to come through the written record of His words, might understand that He suffered once and for all the penalty for the sin of pride and its idolatry against God. Quoting Psalm 88.14 confirmed it.

However, in the three years of ministry leading up to His Cross event, Jesus was adamant that His followers must "follow Him" in word and deed. There are many New Testament references to confirm this, but none so clearly articulated as this:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

To "give up your own way" is to reject pride and its idolatry. It is, in fact, to defer only to God's Word particularly as is demanded by the first three "Godward" Commandments. Unironically, to "take up your cross" is to defer to others as is demanded by the last six "manward" Commandments.

In conclusion, if Psalm 88 strikes a chord with us, it is for a reason. That reason, like for the Psalmist who wrote it, is for us to question, O LORD, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? This question, in all Biblical accuracy, will always lead us to the answer of pride and its idolatry. It will always lead us to the fact that we must give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

Father, my Psalm 88 troubles tell of my pride and idolatry... and worse, of rejecting Jesus. May I give up the pride and idolatry of my own way - the way of the world - and throw myself upon my cross - the way of putting others first - and follow Jesus. So be it.

Destiny On Day One - Life At Conception

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [Psalm 139.13-16] 

Contrary to what many have been led to believe, the Bible clearly attests that human life begins when identity is established at conception. Psalm 139.13-16 addresses this as fact.

Even in the womb, the soul formed at conception speaks of "my body," "me," and "I." These personal identity references are acknowledged before the body is physically "made," "knit together," "woven together," or "formed" and even more tellingly so, "before I was born."

And then, something only God could do is recorded: Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. On Day One, an entire life is planned out by God's miraculous handiwork - not after some developmental milestone and certainly not after birth - but on the very day of conception.

Regardless of the circumstance that brings a male and a female human into the realm of "knowing one another" (in the Biblical sense), and, understanding that the circumstance may be beautiful or it may be tragic, the life formed at the moment of conception is no longer just a biological combination of egg and sperm, but a new individual - a miracle - a soul with an identity and a future - a living being with a destiny and the will to live. The potential of this new life is without limit.

How incredibly special is this wonderfully complex conceived life if God is the first to see and acknowledge it (You saw me before I was born)?

This is what the Bible says... 

Father, Your Word is clear on the topic of life at conception. Amazingly, Your Word does not mention it as merely a passing biological fact, but as the beginning of a new identity with personal awareness (the will to live) from the moment of conception. May this information not be used to condemn the actions of the parents, but to conserve the future and the destiny of the life miraculously formed. So be it.

Looking At Psalm 103 In Bewilderment?

But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! [Psalm 103.17-18] 

As is common throughout the Bible, there exists a distinct grammatical pattern in its pages to make a statement, then restate it in different words, thus emphasizing its significance. Such grammatical practice is found throughout Psalm 103. In particular, "But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him," is restated in Psalm 103 as "His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!"

The "love of the LORD" is the same as "His salvation," and "those who fear him" is the same as "those who are faithful to his covenant, and those who obey his commandments."

So, what we find in Psalm 103.17-18 is a clear description of the love of God is and what it means to fear God.

No Bible verse better confirms that the love of God is His salvation better than John 3.16:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John3.16]

Then, all God's covenant and commandments are portrayed nowhere better than in Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments):

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” [Exodus 20.2-17] 

There is little (if any) contestation of God's love that is evident in His offered salvation. However, there exists today no uncertain confusion about the fear of God. This should come as no surprise to a genuine Bible student because love, in all its provision from God, is useless to the soul who refuses to submit to God in obedience. God's love has no effect on the unrepentant soul - the soul that refuses to believe.

To "believe" is to "repent." Likewise, to "repent" is to "believe." Both are words of action (not feeling). Jesus used these words as follows:

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” [Mark 1.15]

To "repent" and to "believe" is to "obey" (remember, they are action words). To "obey His commandments" then, as established in Psalm 103.17-18, is to fear God. 

While this "obedience" may seem very "Old Testament" to some, it should be understood that Jesus requires nothing less than one hundred percent obedience:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

The sloppy "grace" message presented by too many today is substantiated in no way by the Bible. In fact, the apostle Paul was quite clear in the relationship between "obedience" and "love":

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. [Ephesians 5.22-29]

Somehow, the Church has failed to communicate that just because Jesus fulfilled the Law, does not mean that obedience (submission) to Him is not required to enjoy the love of God. Obedience is exactly what Jesus demanded in Matthew 16.24 above. In fact, as Jesus "fulfilled" the Law (Matthew 5.17), our being "in Christ" not only fulfills obedience to the Law, but also fulfills obedience to Him in loving others (Romans 13.8).

The singular faith and trust in Christ alone (demanded by Him in Matthew 16.24) is one and the same as the singular faith and trust in God alone found in the Ten Commandments. It is, in fact, what "give up your own way" means. This fulfills the first three "Godward" Commandments that have everything to do with singular, undivided faith in God alone and rejection of all idols. The last six Commandments are fulfilled in Jesus' demand to "take up your cross," the cross being where others' needs are placed before our own as Jesus so aptly demonstrated.

As the "Ten Commandments" go, the first three are "Godward" and the last six are "manward." It should come as no surprise that the Fourth Commandment, which stands between the Godward and manward commandments, demands observance of the Sabbath, over which Jesus claims Lordship (Matthew 12.8). 

As we are "in Christ" then, every single one of the Ten Commandments are fulfilled in us. In Christ, we are empowered to be faithful to the covenant - we are empowered to obey the commandments - as is the condition of those who fear God! In Christ, we are not the same as the world, but distinctly different. If not, then we have no claim to Christ because He Himself demanded the obedience of submission (give up your own way) and the exercise of love (take up your cross) which constitutes "following Him." All His love and grace mean nothing to one who does not fear Him in submissive obedience.

This message is as heavy as it is serious. The Church's lackadaisical approach to "grace" without the proper fear of God is to blame for its prevailing condition of powerlessness. God never intended for His people to blend in with the world! 

While the "sloppy grace" message wins converts to a church, it does not win souls for the Kingdom - it does not demonstrate God's power over every natural circumstance. And that is where we find ourselves looking at Psalm 103 in bewilderment. All the blessings described there are all but foreign to the "Church" today if we are honest with ourselves. Ironically, the world sees the powerlessness of the Church, but the Church is blind to its own condition - the condition of not fearing God - the condition of idolatry - the condition of trust in a plethora of other gods - the condition of not having given up our own way - the condition of not having taken up our cross - the condition of not having followed Jesus...

Father, Your Word has warned of the present condition of the Church for as long as it has been written. May we return to Your Word with a passion for its Truth (and not our self-serving, religious, idolatrous, interpretation of it). May we understand the gravity of giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it - sooner than later!