Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [Romans 5.1-5]
There is a LOT to digest from today's OYCB reading. Paul delves into depths of faith that only the committed will pick up on.
I want to focus however on the very first portion of today's reading above. I want to explore the fullness of what it says in order to make correct assessment of my own condition and adjust accordingly!
Let me note the passage above again, but this time underline to some important words or phrases:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [Romans 5.1-5]
Although I could have underlined the whole passage, I want to at least focus on the underlined parts and what they reveal.
Peace with God: I cannot count all the "believers" I know (myself included) who struggle with peace with God. The Word of God here says those who have been made right with God because of what Jesus Christ did for them HAVE PEACE WITH GOD. What does that mean then for those who do not have peace with God? It glaringly means they have not been made right with God because of what Jesus Christ did for them. It's not rocket science!
Undeserved privilege: I talk to "believers" all the time who feel they experience no undeserved privilege. Now, they will concede that, of course, Jesus died for them while they didn't deserve it, but they are void of the benefits of God's power declared available to those who believe. Paul said this undeserved privilege is the result of faith. Again, rocket science is not required to understand that if undeserved privilege is not experienced, then faith has not been applied!
Confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory: The same people mentioned above don't have confidence and joy which is in the same sentence as results of faith. No confidence and joy can only mean one thing: no faith.
We can rejoice: The poor "believers" mentioned above are experiencing the problems and trials Paul mentioned, but they are not rejoicing. Why? Why? Why? The answer is 'because of your lack of faith" (as Jesus scolded his disciples for over and over again). And yet, "Foul! is called if we draw this conclusion!
Disappointment: Here is the big deal for the "believers" mentioned here; they all share in huge disappointment. They grow tired and weary in it. They "confess" their faith, but with no results. Many give up altogether.
The Church has done a monumental injustice to humanity in making faith so abstract. Jesus said even the tiniest portion of faith could move a mountain and yet we wish to be comforted that faith has depths that we will never understand, accounting for the mountain not moving. Jesus NEVER taught anything of the sort! The ONLY caveat Jesus ever pointed out that might hinder faith is unforgiveness. EITHER WAY, SOMETHING IS WRONG THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED! If we think we have believed sufficiently and still the mountain did not move, then Jesus was very clear that unforgiveness is the problem.
In Jesus' time on earth, with as big a deal as faith is, wouldn't you think Jesus would have told us if there were other problems to check for when the mountain didn't move? HE DIDN'T though! Faith works by love and love is 100% forgiving. Love to God is 100% submitted to His will and not our own. Paul defined love:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. [1 Corinthians 13.4-7]
Do you realize everything love is and does, forgiveness is and does as well? Let's talk about the real problem, shall we? Jesus said the problem for faith is unforgiveness. Do we dare contradict God Almighty by saying otherwise? Go ahead, think about your answer!
When Jesus taught His followers to pray (Matthew 6), the fact that the only part of that prayer He explained further was the part about forgiveness should give us all the revelation we need to know where to look when our prayers aren't answered!
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6 14-15]
And then, in Jesus' parting words recorded by Mark:
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” [Mark 11.24-25]
Sooooooo.................................
People, we have two very clear options when our faith doesn't work. 1) We do not know the Lord in His saving grace and power of His Holy Spirit, or 2) We are harboring unforgiveness (whether we think so or not).
What does REAL faith in Christ look like? JESUS.
What does REAL forgiveness look like? JESUS!
Anything in us that does not look like Jesus is useless (and I will add, counterproductive) for accomplishing God's work. Having "no peace" does not look like Jesus. Experiencing "no undeserved privilege" does not look like Jesus. Having "no confidence and joy" (including "no rejoicing") does not look like Jesus. And certainly, "disappointment" does not look like Jesus (be sure that Jesus was indeed in pain on the Cross when He cried out "It is finished!" but He was not disappointed)!
Followers of Christ, be encouraged that in these last days, when truth has been grossly obscured by the world and its ways, there will be a revival of truth! Painful or embarrassing as it may be, we must get back to Jesus and the truth that He is. Be absolutely certain of this: that truth will set us and others free, and that truth will look like, and be none other than, JESUS CHRIST!
Father, I am thoroughly dissatisfied with my life and representation of Jesus. Forgive me. May I be found truly believing in Jesus and may I be found truly forgiving (loving) like Jesus. May I be found IN JESUS, sold out, committed and submitted in every way.
No comments:
Post a Comment