Old Westerns, Scattered Christians and Healing Lepers

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.[i]

Jesus’ Apostle, Peter, gives us three ways we are to love each other.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart[ii]

1.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Genuinely.

Do you remember the old western movies and television shows? We would see a whole town full of buildings. Usually there would be a Jail, Telegraph Office, Blacksmith Shop, Saloon, Hotel, Stable, Barber Shop, General Store, and maybe some other buildings. Most of the time, however, these were not real buildings. They were often just framed walls made to look like buildings from the front.

We must not wrongly put on just a show of love. Upon inspection, the façade will be easily recognized by others though we may not recognize it ourselves.

Our love for one another needs to be unpretentious. It must be real – sincere. The word “sincere” in the above scripture can literally be translated as unhypocritically.

Love can be faked, but not for very long. Pretty soon, something will penetrate the façade we’ve erected. Love, or a lack of love, will always be tested. We can feign adoration of others until a real trial comes along. Then our true mettle will be revealed. We must first possess love before we can practice love.

We do not well to continually declare the words “I love you,” unless we have done the deeds which say, “I love you.” “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” [iii]

2.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Pure-Heartedly.

Love must go deep down. These Christians of the dispersion[iv] had already been purified. Their souls were in right standing with God. Now it would be needed by them and us to be in a right frame of heart in order to love others well.

If we want to truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to have our hearts right with God or we will “burn out” quickly. We should not love others because they are so loveable but because Christ loved us when we were not so loveable.

3.     God Wants Us to Love One Another Fervently.

The word fervent is translated from a root that means “to stretch out”.  The root word is often said of Jesus who would stretch forth his hand to heal the afflicted. In one place, Jesus stretched forth his hand to heal a man with leprosy (Matthew 8.3). Leprosy was a terrible, dreaded and infectious disease. What would motivate Jesus to stretch out his hand to a contagious leper? Might not the leper contaminate him – not to mention cause him to become ceremonial unclean?

Jesus did not love others from the other side of the universe but deliberately came to this earth to love us with sacrificial love. When he got here, he didn’t love people from the other side of the street, but went to where they were and stretched forth himself. He didn’t just give them a “like” on facebook, but actually came to where they were. He didn’t just say “I love you,” but he stretched forth his hands on a horrible cross so you and I might be saved from our sins.

That is fervent love.

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[i]    1 John 4.7

[ii]   1 Peter 1.22

[iii]  1 John 3.18

[iv]   See Acts 8.1 and 11.19

God Sees You

Often, near where I live, I see a man standing on the corner of a busy intersection with a sign that reads, “God is Watching You.” I’m not sure of the motivation behind this but my suspicion is that he hopes passersby will be frightened by the thought. After all, when we’re tempted to sin and are thinking of giving in, are we ever comforted by the fact that God sees us?

No, I think almost 100% of us, knowing that God sees, would want to think it over before committing the sinful act.

This is not unlike being in the presence of a policeman. We might alter our behavior if we know that an officer is watching.

One example is when many of us are driving on a highway. We may feel content and unthreatened until we realize there is a highway patrolman just ahead. Most of us might let off of the gas pedal immediately whether we’re speeding or not.

But let’s change the scenario just a bit. If we or someone else has been in an accident, we’d probably welcome the patrolman. If we heard gunfire, we might even call the policeman – even the same one we tried to avoid while doing wrong.

Now, we return to our main thought:  that “God is Watching You.” Is it possible that this could be a comfort to some of us? Just as it would bring comfort and security to a child to know that his or her parents are watching; it can be that and more for us as children of God to know that God is looking.

We read in the Bible of a precious Egyptian woman by the name of Hagar.[1] Hagar had been the handmaiden of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.[2] Sarah was unable to have children and had gotten very old but God had promised Abraham that he would have a son – and many descendants.

Sarah’s plan, obviously without consulting God, was to let Abraham go in to Hagar so she might give birth. A common practice among the peoples of that day, this would help God fulfill his plan, she thought. I suppose she figured God had run out of ways to get this done and she had to come up with something for him. Abraham “hearkened to the voice” of Sarah. Sarah’s plan was to be a surrogate mother to the child – at least in name.

Quickly Hagar conceived. Very soon, she became prideful and instead of having respect, looked down upon her mistress.

Immediately, Sarah had second thoughts. “My bad! Rewind. Could I get off here?” She realized her error. When Abraham told Sarah to do as she thought fit, Sarah dealt harshly with Hagar.

Hagar felt compelled to flee away. It’s not clear where she was trying to go. Maybe she was trying to get back to Egypt. I think she just went wandering, a young pregnant woman, alone in the desert. I’m sure she experienced numerous negative emotions.

The bible tells us that “the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” He also said; “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands…  I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. The angel of the LORD even said that the child was a boy (and that before ultrasound) and gave her his name – Ishmael, which means “God shall hear.” He tells her that Ishmael would be a wild and hostile man.

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi (meaning: the well of him who lives and sees me).”

What impressed Hagar about God, Yahweh? It was the fact that this is the God who sees her. GOD IS WATCHING – those words would not be words of fear and intimidation for Hagar. They would become her comfort and encouragement to go back to her mistress and to the father of her son.

How good to know that God is watching! He is not just watching but is watching over us.

GOD IS WATCHING YOU:

If you’re running, that’s scary.

If you’re saved, that’s reassuring. 

Not only does he see – he hears.

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[1] Genesis 16.1-14

[2] At this time they were known as Sarai and Abram.

Have You Sinned?

Just because you faltered, doesn't mean you're finished.

Have you sinned? I don’t know what you’ve done, but God does, and he still loves you. Did you drink alcohol after staying free of it for weeks – maybe even years? Did you fall back into drugs, smoking, gambling, or pornography? Have you gotten out of church and quit praying? Has it been a while since you read the Bible, God’s word? Have you failed your spouse? Is your language reverting back to profanity? You must be truly ashamed.

I can't blame you for being upset, but let me share what the apostle Paul said; "I know that in me, (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells" (Romans 7.18). Never be surprised how wicked our human nature can be. But it is still disappointing.

One misstep should not define who we are. Whenever a quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, it is often the next play that really makes the difference. He can stay down and pout, or get up and dust himself off, more determined than ever to get the job done.

Even if a boxer goes down for a nine count, he might be able to come back in the next round to land a punch to win the match. It is not a single failing that determines who you are, it is your trust in God and his Son, which allows you to come back.

It is your direction that makes the difference. That direction was set heavenward when you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Even in the kid's game Mother may I, one may move two steps forward and then one step back. Sometimes it may be “One giant step back,” but the game’s not over. "A righteous man may fall seven times and rise up again" (Proverbs 24.16). God won’t give up on you, either. He has already invested too much into your life, that is, the blood of His Son and the earnest of His Spirit.

David is not just remembered for when he committed adultery and put the woman’s husband on the front lines of battle to die. As terrible as David's sin was, we remember him as a man after God's own heart. 

Noah drank wine unto drunkenness but we remember him as a man of faith who obeyed God and accomplished great things. 

Moses let his temper get the best of him. It kept him from entering God’s promised land, but it didn’t keep him from successfully serving God the rest of his life.

Three times Peter denied that he knew Jesus, even swearing an oath; however, Jesus didn’t chalk him off. Soon after, Peter preached when 3,000 people accepted Christ as Savior.

Although Abraham was guilty of telling half-truths at times in order to save his hide, we know him as the "Father of Faith."

All of these faltered, but they weren't finished.

We use none of these things as an excuse to sin, but as a celebration of God's glorious grace. The more you celebrate his grace, the greater change he brings about in your life. Don't let the devil defeat you. Stay the course! Jesus loves you and is on your side and “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8.31). Sure, you bobbled the ball! Sure, you’ve failed! Sure, you’ve sinned, but “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 8.31).

It would be nice to have gone all year without sinning but you didn’t. Hey, you can start again right now! You can be a victorious Christian with God's help, today, then for a full year, and then another, and another! Sadly, you are going to sin from time to time (1 John 1.8). God says you can confess your sins and be washed (1 John 1.9). Admit it and accept his forgiveness. You have Jesus Christ, the righteous one to defend you if you’ve sinned (1 John 2.1). If you believe in Jesus, he has justified you (Romans 3.24). In simplified terminology, that means "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." Since he sees you this way, go ahead and look at yourself this way as well – “just as if I'd never sinned”. If you’re saved, God doesn’t see you as a failure, he sees you as forgiven. When you look in the mirror, see yourself as God sees you. Then “go, and sin no more” John 8.11.

I’m sorry you have failed but at one time maybe you wouldn't even have cared. Now, just the fact that you do care is an indication that God is not through with you. 

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5.16). May God bless you as you seek his strength to live in purity for His glory!

How Much Faith Does it Take?

This article was written as a continuation on the subject of faith that we wrote about here. That article was based upon the words of Hebrews chapter eleven – the Old Testament hall of faith. Their faith seemed to be magnificent. A Christian brother wrote with several questions about that article. I hope this will help to answer some of those questions or any that you might have as well.

I don’t understand all God has said in his word. But what I don't understand, I still hope to be able to say that I believe it.

When we read about the results of faith in the lives in the saints of antiquity it might make us wonder how much faith we really have. Do I have the kind of faith those believers possessed?

The things written in Hebrews chapter eleven are really a compilation of many people's examples of faith. I'm not sure each of them had all of these qualities. It was never said that David built an ark as did Noah nor did it say that Rahab trusted God to have the strength to conceive and give birth to a son at the age of ninety as Sarah did. But one thing all these had in common was faith and that faith compelled them to do what God required of them in their unique circumstances.

God gives us grace for where we are right now, not necessarily for where we’ll be next week. He gives us grace as needed for ourselves – not for someone else’s needs.

I have often wondered if I would be able to have the boldness to serve Jesus if my job, my home, my family, or my life were being threatened. I don’t know, but I do know that God has grace for me right now and right here. I believe he would give me grace for any situation. And God has grace for you, for where you are right now.

How do people endure the devastation of a divorce? Grace. How does one deal with the pressure of having heard that they or a loved one has a terminal illness? Grace. How can someone navigate through days of continual loneliness? God’s grace.

How can I remain true to the Lord when dealing with extreme bombardments of temptation? Grace. How may I find cleansing if I have given in to temptation? By grace also. 

How do I handle having lost everything in this life I possessed? Grace.

What can keep me from becoming arrogant if I grow wealthy? How can I keep the Lord the first priority in my life during times of success and notoriety? The answer is the same – grace. So this means God can be trusted in every condition we may experience in life – good or bad.

How much faith does God require? It sounds like a whole lot. But no, Jesus said it only takes faith as a grain of mustard seed to move a mountain.[1]

So if that mountain moves, who or what did it? Was it I? Was it my faith? Was it the volume of my faith? The answer to all these is no.

If that mountain moves, it was God who did it. All we do is simply trust the God who can move mountains.

It is God that gives us that gift to believe, and yes, it is through faith that God supplies his grace for salvation.

The thief on the cross only had a short-lived faith and I'm sure he also lacked clear understanding about everything Jesus was. He knew Jesus was innocent. He called him Lord and he recognized him as King, saying; "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." He probably didn't know much about where Jesus was now headed, but he was justified as Jesus assured him; "Today you will be with me in paradise."[2]

One man said to Jesus; "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"[3] That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of faith!

Peter said contradictory things about Jesus in the same setting[4] but he was one of God's chosen.[5]

The man who had been born blind simply said; "Whether (Jesus) be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."[6] He was not very learned about Jesus yet profound at the same time. Later he was puzzled that the Pharisees did not recognize Jesus was from heaven. The man recognized Jesus was from God. After the Pharisees excommunicated him, Jesus came to him and revealed himself as the Son of God. There he worshiped him.[7] This worship seems to be a sign of the man's faith, though, oh, so limited. I believe he had now become a child of God.

Jesus also said we would have to become as a little child to enter the kingdom. So it is not necessarily doing more that exemplifies our faith, sometimes it is in doing nothing. A child is in so many ways completely helpless. He may not know his directions but he trusts in someone who does. He would not be able to make a living for himself but he confides in his parents to do that for him. He does not know the answer to great mysteries but he can trust in someone who does.

Jesus was saying I should recognize that I am like a little child. There is so much I don’t know but I know the one who knows. There is so much I cannot do but I know the one who can. I cannot save myself from my sins but I believe in Jesus Christ who redeemed me through his death on the cross and who rose again.

Philippians 3 says:

…that I may… be found in (Christ,) not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

It is not our faith that matters most here, because our faith will waver and vary greatly. It is the object of our faith that matters. It doesn’t matter how great our faith is. What matters is: How great is the one in whom we trust. It is not about a big faith, but it is about a big God.

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[1] Matthew 17.20

[2] Luke 23.43

[3] Mark 9.24

[4] as I may sometimes do

[5] Matthew 16.16-21

[6] John 9.25

[7] John 9.38

What is Faith, Anyway?

We know that "Without faith, it is impossible to please God," but, what is faith, anyway?

Faith is: taking the bible as the word of God and then taking God at his word. It is judging God to be faithful to his promises, being sure of God’s promises, and “being fully persuaded that what God has promised, he will be able to perform.”

Faith recognizes that if someone trustworthy gives you information, you can count on it to be true. You don’t have to know why or how or when or where. You just know it’s true because the source is true.

Faith is: believing in the being of God – his existence.

Faith is: believing in the bounty of God – his excellence.

Faith is the understanding that an unseen source created those things we see. Faith looks at creation and recognizes the reality of a Creator.

Faith is: not allowing what you can’t see to keep you from believing. Some things have not yet been observed by mankind. If we could observe all things, faith would not be needed. But since there are many things we can’t see, we must trust the one who can see them. It is: stepping out onto what we cannot see because we know that God can see.

Faith is the only thing that allows us to see God with our hearts though we cannot see him with our eyes.

Faith allows us to understand things we could not otherwise understand.

Faith is: taking God at his word when he warns us of impending judgment. It is making preparations for your family for this judgment.

Faith is: the firm foundation on which we can stand in order to have an impact on those around us. If we want our lives to affect others positively, we must place our trust in God.

Faith is: knowing that the hope for the future for which you’ve believed God, is no less real than what you’re experiencing now.  It is: speaking the truth about the future because God has spoken it – even though you’ve never been there.

In faith we embrace what has been shown to us down the road more than what we experience at this present time. It is declaring with our mouths and our lives that we’re not yet at home.

Faith is: accepting that if we die, God will raise us up just as he did the Lord Jesus.

Faith is: pronouncing the blessings of God upon our children based upon God’s promise.

Faith is: obeying God to go where he leads though we may know little or nothing about it.

Faith is: fearlessly doing what God commands even though those in authority may decree otherwise.

Faith is: refusing the affirmations, accolades, and advancement of those who oppose God. It is making the choice to identify with God’s people – even those who suffer for their faith. It values persecution for Christ’s sake to be greater than any earthly treasure.

Faith is: looking for a home built by God, desiring a better country that can only be found in heaven, confessing that the here and now is not the end result and acknowledging that this earth is not our final home.

Faith is: knowing that God has a heavenly reward that far exceeds the highest of all worldly gain.

Faith is: having the patience to allow God to do what he says he will do in his own time.

Faith is: being at peace when all others are afraid because you know God has all under his sovereign control.

Faith is: worshiping God in any circumstance. It is: trusting God to meet my needs and trusting him that I “will not lack any good thing.” But it also means still having confidence in God even “though he slay me.”

Faith is: believing in the blood of Christ, our Passover lamb, who was sacrificed for us.

Faith is: trusting God for his gift of righteousness on the merit of the blood of Jesus Christ apart from our own deeds. It is understanding that our Creator can and will be satisfied with us not because of our conduct but because of his kindness in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the conduit in which God’s saving grace can be applied to our undeserving souls.