Sin's Forgiveness...and Consequences

“Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house…The Lord has taken away your sin.  You are not going to die.  But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.” (2 Samuel 12:10, 13, 14.)

Sin’s wages are high. They are deadly. (Romans 6:23.)  “…when it is full-grown, (sin) gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15.)  Nor is there any bargaining with the price that sin extorts for its fleeting pleasures.  King David learned this painful reality in the aftermath of his taking another man’s wife to bed with him.

David was a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14.)  But Satan gained entrance into, and control over, David’s heart through lust, greed, and power.  Does this sound familiar?  As a result, Bathsheba’s purity was stained, her husband, Uriah, was murdered at David’s order, and the king’s heart was hardened in denial for a year – while his enemies held God’s holy name in contempt.  During this time David’s heart was in agony from the guilt he would not acknowledge, nor confess.  Such is painfully described in a number of his psalms “of penitence”.  (E.g. Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.)

After Bathsheba bears David’s “love child” (?), The Lord sends his prophet Nathan to confront David. (2 Samuel 12:1ff.)  Finally the king sees from God’s perspective, the evil he has done.  “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord’”. (v. 13.)  There is no more denial.  There is no blaming of others.  There is no equivocation.  “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I s said, ‘I will confess my transgression to the Lord’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5.)

God “forgave the guilt” of David’s sin.  Still, “the sword” of painful consequences never departed from David’s house.  His son dies.  A son rapes a daughter, and is killed by another son, who then seeks to assassinate David his father in an attempt to seize his throne.  That son dies, hanging from a tree, during battle. (2 Samuel 11-18.)

Sin’s guilt will destroy. Sin’s consequences will torture.  Only God, by the merit of his Son’s atoning death, can forgive the guilt, and add his mercy as we deal with the consequences.  This is a painful, but life-preserving, lesson.  David, having learned from his agonizing sins, offers God’s blessed assurance through the apostle Paul’s inspired commentary:

“Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.  However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:  ‘Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.’”(Romans 4:4-8.)

                And that is GOOD NEWS!

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

Sharing with Urgency

"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you would take them out of the world but that you would protect them from the evil one . . . As you have sent me into the world, so have I sent them into the world." 

--John 17.13-18

This verse is really simple to me. Often, we as Christians desire to hide ourselves away from the world, for fear of being "corrupted" or influenced to be like the world. Perhaps we're afraid of what we don't know. Some of us are afraid of what we do know. Some of us don't want to get off the couch. Some of us anticipate uncomfortable moments. Some of us deeply fear rejection. Well, Jesus said a prayer for us, specifically for disciples, about that. He clearly asked God not to take us out of the world. So why do we try to take ourselves out of it? 

Sure, there are places we probably shouldn't go and things we probably shouldn't see because there isn't a "space" for goodness to flourish there. However, we also aren't called to hide in our church buildings and homes and "pray" for all those faceless people out there who don't know Jesus and hope that maybe they'll happen to wander into the auditorium on a Sunday morning. That's called negligence. 

Admittedly, I also spend most of my time in places doing things that relate specifically to my needs or the needs of people who I already know and love. I really do get it; we're all busy, we have our own lives and people to take care of, and we have our own stresses and issues and problems to deal with. But part of our calling is in having the time to go out into the world, no matter how uncomfortable or scary that may be.

Going out into the world doesn't mean going about my daily business and praying that, in the midst of it, I'll bump into someone who needs to hear the gospel. I think it's easy to say "I'm praying about this" or "I'm praying for them" and then feel released from any actual responsibility in the process of evangelism. No, only "hoping" or "praying" to "be led" to those who need the gospel is irresponsible. I believe that prayer is an essential part of the process, but you could literally walk up to any person, anywhere, anytime, ask them their name and how their day is going, get to know them, and share the gospel. It's a choice that you get to make.

Evangelism is not a game of chance or a mystic maze where you wait for just the right moment in which the Holy Spirit "leads" or "guides" or "directs" you to just the right person who needs to hear the gospel right at that perfect moment. That's actually an easy way out of mustering up the courage and making the choice to walk up to someone you don't know at all, getting to know them, and sharing the joy that you know and have with them. 

Jesus wanted us to be in the world. Being of the world is a choice. And sharing the gospel is a responsibility that we can't shirk. 

Father,
Give us the courage to share the gospel freely, kindly, lovingly, without passing judgment, and with urgency.
In the name of Jesus, who calls us to these purposes, amen. 

Erin Daugherty, Abilene, TX

Remember

In our journey as believers our greatest challenge each day is to remember that God is with us. He wants so much for us to follow, trust, and cling to Him.   His promise runs throughout the Bible with a simple message.  Trust me and I will take care of you and protect you.  Yet every day I forget this incredible, miraculous gift.  So I must remember.  I must trust.  My life depends on it.  David knew this, and so he would remember he repeated it over and over again through the Psalms.   I am sure there are more but this list is to remind me.  The list is long.  Slow down for few moments, stay with it to the end and hear the promise of God. 

I go to bed and sleep in peace, because, Lord, only You keep me safe.  4:8

Lord my God, I trust in You for protection. 7:1

Those who know the Lord trust Him.  9:10

I trust in the Lord for protection.  11:1

Protect me God because I trust in You.  16:1

I love you Lord.  You are my strength.  18:1

The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior.  My God is my rock.  I can run to Him for safety.  He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender.  18:2

God is my protection, He makes my way free from fault.  18:32

Lord, You are my Rock, the one who saves me. 19:14

Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust the Lord our God. 20:7

Lord, I give myself to You; my God I trust You. 25:1

The Lord is my light and the One who saves me.  I fear no one. The Lord protects my life. I am afraid of no one.  27:1

Lord I trust You.  31: 1

The Lord protects those who truly believe… 31:23

You protect me from my troubles and fill me with songs of salvation.  32: 7

The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear God, and He saves them. 34: 7

The Lord hears good people when they cry out to Him, and He saves them from all their troubles. 34: 17

Trust the Lord and do good.  37:3

Depend on the Lord; trust Him, and He will take care of you.  37: 5

Happy is the person who trusts the Lord. 40:4

God you are my strength. 43:2

God is our protection and strength.  46:1

When I am afraid I will trust You.  56:3

Be merciful to me, God; be merciful to me because I come to You for protection. 57:1

You are my defender, my place of safety in times of trouble.  59:16

God, my strength, I will sing praises to You.  God my defender, You are the God who loves me. 59:17

I find rest in God; only He can save me.  He is my rock and my salvation.  He is my defender; I will not be defeated.  62: 1-2

In You, Lord, is my protection.  71:1

My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength.  He is mine forever.  73: 26

The Lord God is my protection.  73: 28

Lord you are powerful and completely trustworthy.  89: 8

Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty.  91: 1

I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.  You are my God and I trust You.” 91:2

He saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy.  103: 4

….their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.  112: 7

You who respect the Lord should trust Him; He is your helper and your protection.  115: 11

I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me.  118: 6

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word.  119: 114

When I was in trouble, I called to the Lord, and He answered me.  120:1

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  121: 2

The Lord is the shade that protects you from the sun.  121: 5

The Lord will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life.  121: 7

Lord God, my mighty Savior, You protect me in battle.  140:7

Lord I cry out to You.  I say, “You are my protection.  You are all I want in this life.” 142:5

He is my defender and my Savior, my shield and my protection.  144:2

The Lord protects everyone who loves Him.  145:20

Father, bring me to greater maturity that I might rely on You in all that I do, all that I say, and all that I am.  

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

Don't Be Afraid

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore.  Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.  Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:1-11

A fishing trip is typically a pleasure outing, whether it is bonding time with a friend, shared memories with a relative, quiet “alone” time in nature, or restocking the freezer.  Catching few or many fish doesn’t matter.  It’s all good; just enjoy the adventure.

By contrast, a professional fisherman doesn’t have the luxury to consider a fishing trip a leisure outing.  If he doesn’t catch his quota of fish, his family isn’t able to pay the bills.  Simon Peter, as a professional fisherman in Luke 5, is working on no sleep, physical exhaustion, and embarrassing frustration.  Jesus rubs salt in Peter’s wounds when he gives instructions to cast the nets again.  How will fishing advice from a traveling carpenter/teacher bring better results than their tried-and-true fisherman’s methods?

What happened next was unexplainable.  Peter and his partners witnessed an unprecedented haul of fish… more fish than two boats could carry.  The men were surprised with the results.  Peter responded to Jesus with amazement and newfound respect, but also fears.  In the unexpected moment of this miracle, Peter realized he was in the presence of God.  He bowed down, painfully aware of his sinfulness and unworthiness.

Jesus calmed their fears saying, “Don’t be afraid.”  He did not humiliate them, alienate them, or crush their spirits.  In another unexpected move, Jesus redirected their purpose and priorities.  He said, “From now on you will catch men.”  This is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Peter and the other fishermen left everything and followed Jesus.  This was a turning-point in their lives, taking a great amount of faith and courage to leave the known for the unknown.

Simon Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ miracle is an example for us to follow.  Jesus can calm our fears.  He offers us mercy and forgiveness and strength.  When we respond with trusting faith, Jesus gives our life new purpose.  We can join him in fishing for the Kingdom.  Don’t be afraid.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

Living in the Spirit

An upfront disclaimer: I am no saint, I am no spiritual giant, and I really don't know what I'm talking about, but as a seeking, learning, follower of Christ I want more: to become more engaged in my relationship with Christ, becoming more spiritually mature, and knowing in greater depth my Heavenly Father.  A favorite place of mine in the Bible is Jesus telling us "Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened".   My journey continues to come back to these words framed as "Ask for what, look for what, what door will be opened"?   We are offered something difficult to grasp and even harder to realize.  This "it" that Jesus tells us to ask for and look for goes beyond and in spite of our physical existence and transcends this world.   So what does it take, what do we do to find this treasure?

Acts 2:38 is a well-known and often cited scripture with a mysterious promise at the end.  "And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit".   1 Corinthians 2:12 clarifies by saying "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."

The gift of the Holy Spirit given us the moment we accepted Christ is His built-in guide.  The Spirit of God is our companion, confidant, and mentor placed within us by God to help us in our life-long journey of asking, seeking, and knocking.  It is His gift to us providing a never-ending box of chocolates to be discovered, opened and enjoyed one at a time.

However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  I Corinthians 2: 9-10

A step on this journey of greater maturity and relationship is recognizing the Spirit of God is with us and available to us.   It is understanding our job is to follow the Spirit, allow the Spirit to control our thinking, and to lead us (Romans 8).   Placing ourselves in the position of belief to hear with spiritual ears and see with spiritual eyes is the work God calls us to.   That work, and it is hard work, is to make ourselves available, carving out time, tuning in, being open to what the Spirit of God has for us.    It is realizing He speaks for us, steps in for us, does what we cannot do in our relationship with our Father.  It takes effort, intentional planning, discipline, and a commitment born from faith that He will show up.

Living in a world that glorifies and rewards the physical makes being Spirit led difficult.  More than difficult it is a spiritual war.  Our enemy has the stratgey of subtle sabotage and at times direct attacks to keep us from finding this path and for sure from continuing on it.    Recognizing we are in a war is a crucial part of winning the daily battles that allow us to continue following where the Spirit of God leads us. Choosing His will over our own is part of the spiritual warfare we fight each moment and though God chose each of us long ago He leaves the option to choose Him or choose our own desires.   Being Spirit led is over-riding rational actions, taking steps we woudn't normally take, acting on His prompting, not questioning, not over-analyzing and not trying to figure out the end results.  It is throwing out what I thought I knew and beginning anew.  Following His leading is the point.  Steps of faith and trust.  Living in this way leads to an obedience founded not in duty but in desire and a daily anticipation of the spiritual versus physical rewards.   Living in this way connects us with the Spirit of God with great power.     It transforms us to know what we are asking for, what we are seeking, and what door we long to enter through.

Father, you have done everything to make my relationship with you perfect.  All I have to do is follow your lead.  Thank you for your Spirit.

Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Texas

Independence Day

Reflecting on the significance of July 4 in U.S. History, I wonder what we celebrate today, in 2014.  It is a day off work for most, there are flags and fireworks, food and drink, travel, etceteras.  How much time and thought do we spend on the true meaning of sacrifice, commitment and independence?  Do we appreciate the individuals who were willing to give up everything - possessions, even life itself, for something they believed was greater than themselves?  Has July 4 become an 'event' rather than an 'experience'?  An event being something outside of ourselves, external to our emotions and thoughts, while an experience is something internal, involving our minds and hearts; we feel it.  It has been 238 years since our official "Declaration of Independence" and the true significance may have lost out to so many distractions.

I think about other celebrations such as communion/the Lord's Supper.  How can such sacrifice, commitment, independence and grace become a thoughtless and emotionless event, even when celebrated every Sunday?  What about worship and community?  Have these become events as well?  Our very lives can become events, recorded in 'texts', 'selfies', e-mails, even photo albums.  I recall a song lyric stating "it's not how many breaths we take but how we breathe."

I hope we can experience this day and every day as a celebration of freedom from oppression, both as a citizen of the United States and a citizen of heaven.

Pray that we will slow down and contemplate the significance of each day...and don't allow prayer to become an event.

Doug Burns

Stephenville, Texas

Not On My Watch

“…consider this:  You do not support the root, but the root supports you.  You will say, ‘Branches were broken off so I could be grafted in.’ Granted.  But they were broken off because of unbelief and you stand by faith.  Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”  (Romans 11:18-21)

Change has been happening in Christendom since Antioch.  When change stops, organisms die.  Systems die.  Churches die.  I’m not talking about change due to boredom or the need for excitement.  I’m talking about the fluid change that happens naturally when fellowships aren’t afraid to study God’s word within cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts.  Fearless study brings new truths to light, and affirms ancient ones.

God is all-knowing, yet He changed his mind many times.  As individuals and as a community of believers we must remain teachable so the Spirit can guide us toward a deeper understanding of God’s thoughts and desires for the 21st Century church.  

“Organized religion” isn’t faring well as you know, and this includes the Churches of Christ.  Yesterday’s traditions may mimic truth to such an extent that changing anything would seem disloyal to our ancestors if not downright heretical. 

Or maybe we’re so entrenched in old battles that we prefer them over the temporary skirmishes of change.  “Holding the hill” for God is not our job, nor is it within our power.

Some Christians say, in response to change, “Not on my watch!”  Whose watch? God doesn’t depend on humanity for survival, but we act like He does.  Righteous arrogance means well, but it’s still arrogance.  It’s not about you or me.  “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.”

 Missional expediency (my descriptive term) seems be in order, where the prayerful, biblically-informed, flexible body of Christ is inspired to take God’s eternal message to the lost in ways more appropriate (expedient) for this specific time in history.

Richard Rohr articulates it well in, Falling Upward – Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (2011): 

“If change and growth are not programmed into your spirituality, if there are not serious warnings about the blinding nature of fear and fanaticism, your religion will always end up worshiping the status quo and protecting your present ego position and personal advantage—as if it were God!”

Dear God, relieve us of the bondage of self; take away everything about us that hinders our ability to do your will.  Through your Son we pray, Amen.

Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas