A Frank Discussion About Miracles

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. [Matthew 4.23-25] 

What do we know about our role as followers of Christ? We know we are to reach people. Matthew 4.23-25 gives us a synopsis of how Jesus reached people: 1) He taught the Good News about the Kingdom, 2) He healed the sick (all of them), and 3) people flocked to Him.

This is perfectly consistent with Jesus' call to Andrew, Peter, James and John found in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading.

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. [Matthew 4.18-22]

"Fishing for people" is often overlooked for what it really means. Anyone who has ever fished knows this one simple truth: "You don't just go to the water and pull fish out!" To catch fish in quantity, one must employ a method to capture them. That method is a net.

The net Jesus used to "capture people" was employed only after He went to them (where do you catch fish? In the water!). Jesus then effectively utilized miracles in effect to "capture" people. The "net effect" of miracles woks because people need and want them, so naturally they follow them. They did in Jesus' day and they still do today. 

The problem today is that even though very few of God's people even go so far as to offer miracles, even fewer actually provide them. In contrast however, man-made idols propose to meet people's needs by offering what might be called "pseudo miracles." The same "net effect" is employed by idols and, sadly, it works for them too. People believe the "miracles of finance, insurance, medicine or technology" and flock to them because they see them work every day (at least to some degree) while, in contrast, they do not believe the miracles of the Kingdom because, frankly, they do not see them work at all.

Teaching the Good News about the Kingdom is indeed a requirement for all who would follow Jesus. Performing miracles is also a requirement for all who would follow Jesus. Jesus made this point allegorically in His call to Andrew and Peter, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” But then, at another more intimate time with His disciples, Jesus used clear language to confirm this fact:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

To "fish for people" without employing miracles is not Christ-like. In this regard, the idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are more "Christ-like" by providing "miracles" (ultimately ineffective as they are) than are Jesus' own followers. Jesus' followers should shudder to consider the "Christ-likeness" attempted by these man-made, Satanically deceptive, idol-industries:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ [Isaiah 14.12-14 bold added]

Satan has always wanted to be like God. Jesus' most notable earthly work was His miracles. How can God's people today not see that the idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are doing the exact same thing? They are attempting to duplicate Jesus' miracles and people are flocking to them. All the while, God's people are "teaching the Word" in powerless miracle-less existence lamenting that they are ineffective in reaching people for the Kingdom.

The miracle-disconnect in God's people is the direct result of their own miracle-connect with the idol-industries of finance, insurance medicine and technology. There is but one solution: stop getting "miracles" from idols! God's people should be fully committed to get their miracles from God or not get them at all. The three Hebrews said it best to Nebuchadnezzar:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [Daniel 3.16-18]

The three Hebrews' commitment to deny idols, even unto death, is exactly what Jesus calls every follower of His to:

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]

Father, the more I understand the role of idolatry in the history of Your people, the more I see it in the history of Your people today. Your people are arguably more immersed in idolatry today than at any other time in history... evident in where our "miracles" come from... May those truly intent on pleasing You today, reserve their faith for You alone - even if it kills them. May we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

What Is A Miracle?

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” [John 3.1-2] 

Why did Nicodemus assume that miraculous signs were evidence that God was with Jesus? Well, for starters, because they ARE! Jesus Himself would later confirm this as fact in a conversation with Philip:

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.9-11]

There is a distinction between what is miraculous and what is natural - scientific - worldly - humanly possible. That distinction is what set Jesus apart. That distinction is what sets Jesus' followers apart.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Anything that requires human manipulation is NOT a miracle. Just because man utilizes materials created by a miracle (by God) to accomplish a certain function or task, does make that thing a miracle.

Finance, insurance, medicine and technology are NOT miracles. They are, in fact, the works of man. Yes, God created man and God created every material utilized to develop these industries, but God did not make these industries - they are man's manipulation of God's materials. Just like the gold calf Israel worshiped in the wilderness, they are not miracles and they are not from God regardless what we say.

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the LORD!” The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. [Exodus 32.1-6]

No matter how much Aaron tried to justify the man-made gold calf declaring a festival associating it with the LORD (specifically using God's name, "Jehovah"), it was an idol. So it is, that no matter how much God's people try to claim the industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are from God, they are still just idols. It is blasphemy to declare they are anything more than that - just like Aaron did - it is a blatant misuse of God's name (violation of 3rd Commandment).

According to what the Bible actually teaches us, it is just plain stupid, to defend the man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology as miracles (gifts) from God.

The fact that God's people don't really experience indisputable miracles today is another topic, but one that is Biblically traceable to what is discussed here. Suffice it to say, there is indeed a huge distinction between what is God and what is an idol. Jesus proved it. His followers are supposed to prove it.

Just because the Church is miracle-less today does not mean it is supposed to be that way. God's people have NO excuse ...but they have religion!

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.1-5 bold added]

The point of this article is NOT to encourage the pursuit of miracles. The point of this article is to encourage the pursuit of Jesus. The evidence of doing so WILL BE distinct, indisputable miracles. 

The implications of this are overwhelming. However, it does NOT change what God's Word (written and Living in Christ) says. It only makes Jesus' words in Matthew 16.24 even more poignant:

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]

Religion and religious people will line up to disagree with what is said here. They will defend their "experience" over what the Bible actually teaches. But, that very defense of their experience in contrast to what the Bible says, is in itself, idolatry.

Father, there is a certain people-pleasing part of me that wishes I couldn't see the truth of the Biblical facts here, and therefore wouldn't keep writing about it... May I instead, unapologetically give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Jesus regardless who joins in ... or fights it. So be it.

Idolatry Is Human Nature

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart. [John 2.23-25] 

The significance of Jesus not trusting people because he knew what was in each person’s heart is that His Father God also knows the human heart:

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” [Jeremiah 17.9-10]

As we consider the profundity of this revelation about Jesus, we should remain mindful that this knowledge was present at all times and in every interaction Jesus had with other human beings. Jesus knew what was in the hearts of everyone and He therefore knew what was going on in their lives. We cannot even imagine how disturbing that knowledge would be and yet, Jesus handled it with perfect control:

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” [John 1.48]

What was significant about Nathanael under the fig tree? We are not told. However, Nathanael's response gives every indication that whatever was going on there Jesus indeed knew about!

Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” [John 1.49]

So, as we get back to John 2.23-25, what was it about knowing what was in each person’s heart that we need to understand further? It is that Jesus comprehended not only what was in their heart, but why it was there. It was there because of human nature - that fallen nature inherited from Adam that is best described in the fuller context of the Jeremiah 17.9-10 passage quoted above:

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” [Jeremiah 17.5-10]

Human nature is to trust in human strength. In its fullest expression, it is human nature to trust human mental and physical ability instead of trusting God. In simplest, and most Biblical terms, human nature is idolatry. Idolatry was first seen when Adam and Eve proudly disregarded God's demand that they not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In their hearts, Satan-inspired, selfish human reasoning justified their disobedience to God - their idolatry.

So powerfully infectious was Adam's and Eve's idolatrous act (to trust their own reasoning above God's rule), that idolatry became human nature in all their descendants. Their arrogant denial of what God said is at the root of why God eventually gave the Ten Commandments. These Commandments begin with specific instruction about God (the 1st Commandment), and then, if what is said about God in the 1st Commandment is ignored, the natural digression of man necessitated God's prohibition of idolatry (the 2nd Commandment).

In the course of His time on earth, fully knowing man's human nature to trust any and everything instead of God, Jesus constantly challenged His followers to have faith in God. Nowhere was His demand for faith more intense than in Matthew 16.24. No miracle of turning water to wine, healing, walking on water, raising the dead, or even moving mountains could compare to the faith Jesus required of those who would follow Him.

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]

Knowing man's human nature to trust any and everything instead of God, Jesus repeatedly challenged that human convention by performing unexplainable miracles. Furthermore, Jesus unequivocally assigned this same task to all who would follow Him (John 14.12, John 20.21).

The man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are useless to a genuine Jesus-follower. I can imagine they all were on God's mind as He inscribed the 3rd Commandment into the stone tablet. As only He could know, God was fully aware that "His people" having violated His 1st and 2nd Commandments, would then shamelessly declare that 'God gave these industries' in attempt to justify their relying on (trusting in) these idol-industries instead of God thus misusing (blaspheming) His name.

Jesus however, at the onset of His time on earth, would have recognized the abovementioned violation of the 1st, 2nd, and also the 3rd Commandments not so much for the presence of finance, insurance, medicine and technology (as they were all but non-existent at that time), but for the presence of religion. Jesus faced off with religious leaders dead-set on defending their man-made rules and traditions passing them off as "from God" in a blasphemous misuse of God's name thus blatantly violating the 3rd Commandment. 

It should be understood that the religious leaders (mentioned above) all erroneously assumed that because their man-made rules and traditions were based on God's actual law, they were therefore reasonably "from God." This same human reasoning is employed today in erroneously assuming that because man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are based on God-given knowledge, they are also reasonably "from God." Sadly, this erroneous assumption is almost unanimously held by religious leaders and followers alike today.

The understanding that Jesus knew the human nature of idolatry in every human heart opens up the meaning of what Jesus said to the religious leaders He encountered in Matthew 15:

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” [Matthew 15.13-14]

Surely, Jesus had the words of the Psalms in His mind...

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18]  

I challenge every reader to verify for himself or herself whether or not the Bible actually says what I have represented here. I challenge every reader to read the Bible for what it, in it's full context, says instead of what they want it to say or what religion interprets it to say. 

The sin-problem of mankind is and has always been idolatry. The Bible is not vague about this fact. Idolatry is what must be turned away from in order to turn to Jesus - to get to God. Unless we understand our idolatry problem, we can never understand the give up your own way, take up your cross exclusivity Jesus demands for us to follow Him.

Faith is the intentional act of trusting God instead of man (and his man-made idols). It is indeed the grace of God that calls us to this faith from our fallen condition, but only those who respond in intentional faith are the chosen.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]

Father, Your Word is clear. Idolatry must first be recognized and then intentionally forsaken if we are to be followers of Jesus as He exclusively leads us to You. Help us see renewed significance that Jesus and Your Word are synonymous. Help us see renewed significance that idolatry is blinding and promotes blindness to keep us from You - from following Jesus. Help us see renewed desire for Your Word more than the food we eat. May we be found in genuine faith of giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. May we not just be the called, but the chosen. So be it.

Prepare The Way For Jesus!

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” [Matthew 3.1-3] 

John's message prepared people for the message of Jesus.

We should understand that John's message prepares people for the message of Jesus even today.

The main reason for the "cheap grace" message so popular in the Church today is that people are trying to get to Paul's message of grace without first going through John the Baptist's message of repentance. The message of Jesus requires preparation! That preparation is repentance.

Jesus confirmed this at the onset of, and throughout, His ministry:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

Never has grace come without repentance. There is a lot of "name-it-claim-it" grace out there, but it simply does not pass the "Jesus test." The Jesus test is Jesus' example. What did Jesus do?

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. [Matthew 3.13-15]

Here we must remember that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Yes, what John said in Matthew 3.13-15 was actually correct, but Jesus stayed true His mission to show us the Way. We must carry out all that God requires! It was only after this time that Jesus began to do many powerful miracles (keep that in mind...).

Get a deep breath... we're diving in here...

If we are required to repent, shouldn't we be absolutely sure what we are repenting of? Yes, we should!

Most of us spend our time repenting (if we even get that far) for manward sins. Those manward sins are defined in the last six of the Ten Commandments:

“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 20.12-17]

What most of us don't spend time repenting for is our violation of the first three of 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. [Exodus 20.2-7] 

The reason most don't really spend time repenting for the first three Commandments is because we don't really think we have violated any of them. Oh, but are we wrong! We may think we are good on the subject of idols, but are we? Idols are identified much the same as ducks: if it walks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck... it's a duck!

Idols are man-made. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols are costly. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols allege to meet a need God said He would provide for. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols allow all manner of sin (usually involving illicit sex). If it walks and quacks like a duck...

This author is and has been for some time, undeniably pointing out that man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology all walk and quack like a duck when it comes to matching the descriptions of idols.

The very meaning of the word repent is to "turn away." Over and again, the Bible speaks of repentance and turning away when it comes to idols - things that replace God.

Let's just argue for a minute that God uses finance, insurance, medicine and technology, shall we?

Are these industries not all man-made?

Are these industries not all costly?

Are these industries not all attempting to do for man what God said He would do?

Are these industries not all utilizing sexual attraction, self attention, and godless lifestyles to attract their "customers?"

IF IT WALKS AND TALKS LIKE A DUCK...!

So, once we realize that idols are actually idols, we should immediately understand what the 3rd Commandment is all about:

“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 20.7]

If we are defending man-made idols by saying they are from God, we are blatantly misusing God's name just to defend our idolatry. So, there.

Now, we are getting to the core of what we need to repent for! But, if repent means to "turn away" that means we have to effectively "give up" our idols - man's way of doing for himself what God said He would do. Jesus, Who also specifically said we must repent (Matthew 4.17), also said:

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]

Reader, the indictment made here is serious. It's not serious because I say it's serious, but because the Word of God says it's serious. Repenting for the last six Commandments without repenting for the first three Commandments is akin to picking apples off a tree expecting the tree to die. Every manward sin is the result of selfishness. Selfishness is the root of every idol. Selfishness trusts itself over God in direct violation of the first two Commandments and is, in fact, the original sin committed in the Garden of Eden.

One might argue, "What your are saying is just too hard! That can't be right!"

First off, "I" didn't say it - I am merely pointing out what the Bible says. And, secondly, where do we get off thinking it should be "easy?" Jesus Himself said:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Furthermore, it must be understood that I have only mentioned heretofore nine of the Ten Commandments. What I have not yet discussed in the 4th Commandment:

“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. [Exodus 20.8-11] 

Tucked neatly between the first three Godward Commandments and the last six manward Commandments is the 4th Commandment - the one about the Sabbath - the one that somehow connects the two... As much as religious people want the Sabbath to strictly be about a day, it actually serves a much higher purpose: Jesus addressed it:

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Matthew 12.3-8]

Jesus clearly indicated that the Sabbath is for man's benefit. What benefits man more than Jesus? (Answer: nothing!)

Giving up our own way then (as Jesus commanded in Matthew 16.24) is resting entirely in Jesus, the Sabbath to be kept holy (untouched and unadulterated by human influence) - not our idol industries of finance for our provision, not our idol industries of insurance for our protection, not our idol industries of medicine for our healing, and not our idol industries of technology for our knowledge.

To clear the road for Jesus (as John the Baptist quoted Isaiah in Matthew 3.1-3 above) is to turn away from idols and clear them from our lives so that the power of the Holy Spirit imparted by Jesus might have room to work in and through us. It won't be easy, and "cheap grace" won't make a bit of difference.

Grace is indeed God's undeserved call to man...

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]

...But the chosen are distinguished from the called as those who respond in faith - not abstract faith, but Jesus-like faith.

“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. [John 3.16]

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [John 15.16] 

As Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christians, we can see there is an undeserved call of grace to be lived up to in faith:

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1.11-12] 

The call to be lived up to is the call of grace to powerful faith that accomplishes good things thus honoring the Sabbath Rest Who is Jesus, living in His way (miracles) and not our own (idolatry). No, it's not easy, but we have His promise to be with us and we testify to that promise by taking up our own cross and following Him. Death be-damned!

Whew! There much to digest here, but it is all in God's Word. What will we do with it?

Father, Your Word amazes me more every day. But, I must say, Your Word shows me myself more every day and every day I see more my need for Jesus - only Jesus - and, by faith in Him to come to You. It really does come down to me giving up my own way (which is hard), taking up my cross (which is hard), and following Jesus (which really is easy once I genuinely commit). May Your truth only become more clear! So be it.

God Knows My Heart

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” [Luke 2.25-35] 

Is there significance that resultant to Jesus' Advent the deepest thoughts of many hearts would be revealed?

Yes, in fact, there is. The prophet Jeremiah spoke about the human heart:

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]

If the human heart is the most deceitful thing there is, and Jesus revealed that deceit, what was it about Jesus that accomplished that? What did Jesus say that revealed the human hearts' deceit?

It is my belief that Jesus said many things that revealed deceit in the human heart. But first, we should understand what that deceit actually is. To do so, we need only to understand the context of Jeremiah's exposé of the human heart in Jeremiah 17.9. The undeniable context of Jeremiah's prophecies was God's dealings with His people regarding their idolatry.

Now, if we consider references to the heart found in Matthew's Gospel alone, much can be learned. Take a moment to see those references here. While every "heart" reference found in Matthew's Gospel has eternal significance, one of those references clearly identifies the idolatry problem:

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 13.15]

How does Matthew 13.15 identify idolatry? Because Matthew 13.15 is almost verbatim idolatry terminology!

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

Idolatry, at its basest, is a sin of the heart. It is in fact the original sin committed by Adam and Eve when they doubted God's intent in forbidding that they eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Instead of trusting God for what He actually said, they, at Satan's lying suggestion, put their self interests above God's Word. And, from then up to this very day, man has, from the heart, made self-centric decisions believing lies and effectively doubting God. 

In pure self interest, man has made for himself idols to do for himself what God promised He would do for those who obey Him (blessings). Man's idols offer remedies that require no repentance from man for his curse-causing disobedience to God (see Deuteronomy 28). Every financial problem, tragedy, sickness and difficulty in life is the result of sin. Every effort (way) of man to remedy these problems instead of repenting is idolatry. God's attitude about idolatry is no secret: He strictly forbids it in any way, shape, form, or fashion.

“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]

And here is where Jesus' directive to His followers becomes even more demanding:

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]

What "way" should we suppose Jesus was talking about? Our clue is the fact that Jesus said "your own way." "Your own" way cannot be God's way. If it's not God's way, then it is self-centered - it is idolatry. For the record, Jesus did not say "dial it back a little" but instead, "give it up."

The human heart's deceit is its self-centeredness. Man's self-centeredness is what Jesus' entire life and ministry shed light on. That self-centeredness is addressed head-on in Matthew 16.24. Indeed Jesus revealed (and reveals) the deepest thoughts of many hearts.

Father in heaven, in just my 2nd day reading in the New Testament this year in the One Year Chronological Bible, there is no break in Your Bible-long focus on overcoming idolatry in man so that Your might redeem him. May this truth no longer be cloaked by powerless Word-less religion (an idol unto itself) but instead be revealed as the power of Your Holy Spirit displaces it in those who are truly students of Your Word - those who actually give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

The Great Disconnect - Today's Cheap Grace

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. [John 1.1] 

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. [Psalm 119.105]

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [John 1.14] 

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. [John 1.16-18] 

He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. [Psalm 103.7] 

If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” [John 14.7] 

Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.11] 

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] 

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12] 

Jesus was identified by the Father's works done through Him.

Who are we identified by?

There is a great disconnect when, instead of giving up our way of idolatry, we hold onto it.

There is a great disconnect when instead of taking up our cross we do everything in our power to "live" ...the self-centric essence of all idolatry.

There is a great disconnect when instead of following Jesus... we don't. 

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [Matthew 7.21-23]

God's laws??? Can we please narrow that down just a bit?

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. [Matthew 22.37-38]

Jesus effectively narrowed down the first three Commandments in Matthew 22.37-38. It is not ironic what the first three Commandments deal with:

“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] 

I am not so concerned with making my theology match the popular and powerless - and therefore faithless - "grace" religion of today. But what I am concerned with is making my theology match God's Word - and, in particular, Jesus Christ, Who said I must abide by the greatest commandment. I do not deny the grace of God. However, there is no grace where there is no faith no matter how much we "claim" otherwise, because faith without works is dead (James 2.17).

No one holding onto worldly idols will enter the Kingdom of God. Too harsh??? Well then, do we suppose Jesus was too harsh?

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Yes, the will of the Father is found in performing all manner of miraculous works, but, the will of the Father is not complete in performing all manner of miraculous works... There is the matter of keeping God's laws that Jesus narrowed down in Matthew 22.37-38 above - which, in plain language is to trust/love only God and not a single idol. One cannot love God and trust man-made idols.

We should stop trying to make God's Word fit our theology and spend more time making our theology fit God's Word - Jesus Christ!

Today's popular (but cheap) grace is greatly disconnected from Jesus and attached instead to all manner of idols, the absolute worst of which is the idol of religion. Religion is the greatest offender because religion "allows" God's people to adulterously trust a plethora of man-made idols named under the broad categories of finance, insurance, medicine and technology.

The Bible is clear. Religion is clouded. We must trust the Bible. We must trust the Word of God. We must trust Jesus.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]

Father, I have a Bible-inspired desire to give up my own way - the way of idolatry - I have a Bible-inspired desire to take up my cross - the way of total God-centeredness - and, I have a Bible-inspired desire to follow Jesus... Help me take the first real faith-step (and every subsequent faith-step) to genuinely connect with You as I genuinely and realistically follow Jesus. So be it.

To Misinterpret Curses Is To Miss God

“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ [Malachi 3.6-7] 

Is not the question in the passage above not what the "Church" today stands on?

As Malachi 1 reveals, God has ALWAYS made a distinction between those who are His and those who are not:

“I have always loved you,” says the LORD. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the LORD replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.” [Malachi 1.2-3]

When there is no distinction between those who are God's and those who are not, God is not the problem.

The things Malachi points out among God's people in his day, are, in fact evident as problems in God's people today. There is no significant distinction between God's people and the world. Let's look at the main points Malachi makes:

1. A total disregard for holiness. Malachi 1.6-14 points to the giving of blind, crippled and diseased animals for sacrifice making no distinction between what is cursed and blessed.

2. A lackadaisical attitude toward idolatry. Malachi 2.10-12 points to idolatry: idols tolerated and even welcomed through marriage to foreign (idolatrous) women.

3. A disregard for marriage. Malachi 2.13-16 points to adultery and divorce.

4. A denial of evil. Malachi 2.17 points to the blurring of lines between good and evil to the extent of calling evil good.

5. A refusal to acknowledge God as Provider. Malachi 3.8-12 points out the error of not giving back to God the tithe that signifies that all comes from God.

6. A false estimation of God. Malachi 3.13-15 points out the futility that results from living the world's way.

In fact, God's people today fail to see the call to repentance found in blindness, incapacitation and disease (representative of all the curses found in Deuteronomy 28.15-68 - see Why Blind, Incapacitated, Diseased Animals Were Unacceptable). Instead, God's people, like the world, attribute all these conditions to "random occurrences." In that attribution, these curses are not seen as a call to repentance, but instead serve only to confirm the need for man-made solutions - idols...

In fact, God's people today fail to see idolatry in all our man-made solutions to remedy 'randomly occurring conditions' (the Bible calls curses).

In fact, God's people today fail to see that we, like the world, suffer all the same damage to marriage in our own ranks as does the world.

In fact, God's people today fail to see evil for what it is, just like the world, even calling it good.

In fact, God's people today fail to see that more of our people don't tithe than do, just like the world.

In fact, God's people today fail to see the numbers of "believers" among ourselves that are unsure of their standing with God.

There is an unmistakable digression obvious in Malachi's prophecy that cannot be denied: God's people, rife with worldly knowledge and ignorant of God's Word, 1) misinterpret curses, 2) remedy those curses with idols, 3) fall into all manner of domestic and sexual pitfalls promoted by those idols, 4) lose the ability to distinguish between good and evil, 5) lose connection with God as Provider, and ultimately, 6) struggle to see the point in serving God at all.

The digression above all starts with not understanding curses. If God's people don't understand curses, we have missed the most clear indicator God provided for us to understand Him and the significance of His Son, Jesus Christ. In our misinterpretation of curses, we miss God. In our misinterpretation of curses, we have no understanding of blessings - no distinction in our lives about what is "God" (good) and what is not.

The condition above should be expected of the world without God, but completely different among those who know God and His Word... but therein lies the problem:

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. [Hosea 4.6]

People who do not know God, even though they exist among "God's people" today, still proudly and defensively ask ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’  just like the people of Malachi's day. And, if they do not understand that they have gone away and are cursed, they have no basis whatsoever to understand Jesus:

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” [Galatians 3.13]

The "Church" largely avoids this topic today because it is just too overwhelming. The implications are simply too much. And so, instead of taking Jesus' words in Matthew 16.24 seriously, we console themselves with abstractness not realizing that in so doing we exhaustively disqualify ourselves as followers of 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]

As God would have it, Malachi's prophecy is among the last prophecies written some 400 years before Jesus' Advent. Was that a coincidence?

Father, I know the implications of what is suggested here are overwhelming. But, that is as it should be if we really want to know what Your Word teaches us... Help us to see the plethora of idols we currently trust to remediate curses instead of repenting and trusting You for Your blessings. Help us to see how we have blurred the lines between what is good and evil in our embrace of idols. Help us see our need to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.