Spiritual insight – Page 2 – Wisdom From the Word

Atonement Part 2

I last presented that I have long held to Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and presented a brief definition of other views. Here I begin by outlining from scripture the issue the various views are attempting to solve so that we can then see how they hold up as solutions to the problem. First a comment on the character of God. We have the following statements in Genesis and Psalms.

²⁵ Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Psalm 89:14 (NKJV)

Genesis 18:25 has long been a comfort to me when I struggle with something regarding Yahweh’s character as I believe the answer to Abraham’s rhetorical question is a resounding Yes! The Judge of all the earth shall do right precisely because His throne is built upon righteousness and justice. Thus, in light of that idea, we look at sin and atonement.

In scripture Adam and Eve were given dominion over all of material creation and assigned the responsibility to steward it and basically expand Eden to fill the whole the earth (Gen. 1:26-28). Their subsequent sin affected all of creation given the dominion they possessed, hence the following statements from Paul.

¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:19–22 (NKJV)

Sin affected all of creation and needed to be addressed, which beings us back to righteousness and justice being the foundation of Yahweh’s throne. Some have asked why Yahweh couldn’t simply forgive sin and start over. The answer is that to do so would be unjust, the sin had to be atoned for. This is where we find our more modern judicial phrase, ‘Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.’ Another aspect is that Were Yahweh to not deal with sin He would violate His own nature and cease to be just or good. As a result an animal was slain to create a ‘covering’ for Adam and Eve. Their sins were atoned for, covered, by blood being shed. This pattern continued from Genesis 3 right up to the time of Jesus. The blood of the innocent being shed to atone for the sins of the guilty. Paul addresses the history and the solution in Romans.

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, Romans 3:23–25 (NKJV)

Paul presents a few points in this passage. The first is that we are all sinners, no exceptions. Second, we are justified when we place our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Three that Jesus blood paid the price for our sins and that prior to His sacrifice they were passed over but never fully addressed. We see the necessity and reality of Christ’s sacrifice in the following passages.

⁴ Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4–6 (NKJV)

¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:13–19 (NKJV)

We see in the above passages that we all died and all need redemption and Isaiah prophesied Jesus ultimate sacrifice to redeem us, summed up in the phrase, ‘And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ This is PSA on display in scripture.

In my next post I will look at how the other atonement theories relate to scripture and PSA.

Authority and Abiding

Recently I was rereading one of Rick Joyner’s books and was struck by this quote, “Spiritual authority is not gained through knowledge but through our union with Him.”[1] In reflecting on it I see the importance. After all Jesus had some things to say on the subject. He referenced it as abiding.

⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 (NKJV)

The context here is Jesus talking about the importance of being connected to Him, like a branch is to a vine. It is obvious when we think about it. We don’t see apple or pear branches or grape vines bearing fruit independent of the tree or main vine. The reason is obvious. They need to draw nurture and sustenance from the main vine or branch because it is connected to the roots.

Let me dig a little deeper! Years ago, I kept a bonsai tree in my office at work. What I discovered through some research is that there were two reasons bonsai trees were grown in a shallow dish. One was to occasionally put it in a sink or bucket and soak the tray and roots in water. The other, and more important reason, was that when you prune the branches you need to take the bonsai tree out of the pan and prune the roots at the same time to prevent overgrowth. I prune my apple tree every year but each year the amount it grows more than replaces what I prune. The reason? I don’t pull it out of the ground and prune the roots each time I prune the branches! Every year the roots grow deeper and stronger and so the branches have more to draw on to both grow and produce fruit.

Now back to abiding. Jesus is the source of life for the fruit bearing branches, us. If we want to produce fruit, we need to do the two things Jesus said are necessary. First, we need to abide in Him, then we need to let His words abide in me. Doing this will lead to us walking in spiritual authority and answered prayer. Abiding is about a daily ongoing relationship. Letting His words abide in us is about choosing obedience and adherence to His word.

When our hearts are at rest in Him the desires and words that flow forth from us are carried by, and rooted in, His life. It isn’t just about reading and speaking scripture, it is about abiding and life so that we read and speak the right scriptures needed in the present moment. When we are speaking with someone and we receive a word of wisdom for their situation or a word of knowledge about their life that comes from the Spirit because in that moment we are abiding in the vine, Jesus. Another way of saying this was written by Solomon.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)

Thus, let’s abide in Jesus and walk in the spiritual authority He releases through us. After all, our spiritual authority is not simply grounded in knowledge about Jesus but through our relational union with Him.

NOTE in my next post, which may take a little longer to research and write, I will address Penal Substitutionary Atonement and some of the other historical theories to help ground us in what scripture teaches and defend us against error.

[1] Joyner, Rick. The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand (Kindle Locations 504-505). MorningStar Publications. Kindle Edition.

Seek First

I last wrote about the kingdom of God, the gospel of the kingdom, which is broader than the gospel of salvation, and the need to understand the church is not the kingdom, it is subsumed under the kingdom of God. In response a friend, Mark, shared his definition of the kingdom of God (he and his wife have been faithfully pastoring for decades), “The liberating invasion, the present manifestation and the future consummation of the rule and reign of God in Jesus Christ.” I like Mark’s definition and as we go a little deeper let’s, look at a verse that I am sure is familiar.

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Of note, Jesus didn’t tell us to seek the church, He told us to seek the kingdom of God. Now guess what, the Greek word translated seek means just that, to seek or search for something. Taking Mark’s definition, we should be looking for His kingdom to break into our lives and the lives of others. I don’t think we can make it happen, just as I don’t believe we can create revival. I believe revival is like a natural birth. It isn’t the labour (our effort) that brings on the baby, it is the baby beginning to move down the birth canal that brings on the labour.

Having said that, while I have never been in a revival movement. I have had times of personal revival when I responded to His leading in my life. I have had experiences and seen significant spiritual manifestations in small groups, church conferences and services, which leaves me wanting more! Yet while I know that I can’t create the breaking in of His kingdom I am also aware that I can position my heart to be ready by seeking and expecting it. After all that is the message of the wise and foolish virgins, the need to be prepared, to be ready. Solomon put it this way.

¹ The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 (NKJV)

To that end, let us seek and search for the breaking in of His kingdom in our lives and communities and be found faithful by living with prepared hearts.

Eyes to See

Let’s talk about and reflect on perspective in terms of what we see and how we see. Jesus exhorted us many times to see and hear. The choice to hear is consistent refrain in His messages to the seven churches in Revelation. One of the main passages is below and Jesus quotes Isaiah in His highlighting of the issue.

¹⁰ And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” ¹¹ He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³ Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ¹⁴ And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; ¹⁵ For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ ¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; ¹⁷ for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. ¹⁸ “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: Matthew 13:10–18 (NKJV)

In this passage Jesus tells his disciples that they can see and hear and on a later occasion rebukes them for failing to do so.

¹⁸ Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:18 (NKJV)

This should provoke humility in us and a recognition that just because we can see it doesn’t mean we do see! However, it also means we have the capacity to see and can develop it and if we miss the mark recover it.

Given the impact our perceptions have on our faith, it seems important to ‘look’ at how we can make changes. Here are a couple of examples of the need to ‘see’ accurately, salvation and spiritual gifts. I am sure you have heard someone share the example of how unfair it is for a murder, rapist (fill in the blank) or some other person considered terrible, to be able to repent and embrace Jesus and get into heaven while a ‘good person’ they know or know of, misses heaven and encounters hell because they never embraced Jesus.

In looking at this an illustration that came to mind is the idea of an old door with the brass casing and a hole in the centre for the key. One could push the key against the door jamb, the top of the door, or the bottom of the door and the key would not work. You could also push against the metal plate just next to the keyhole and encounter the same outcome. You would only be able to open the door if you actually put the key in the lock and turned it. In the same manner salvation is through Jesus, you can try other methods but only Jesus unlocks and opens the door to salvation. Therefore, we need eyes to see the source of salvation.

Now we look at spiritual gifts. There are two basic camps, those who claim that spiritual gifts, as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 ceased when scripture was complete, or when the last of the twelve original apostles died or something similar. Then there are continuationists. Those who hold that these gifts are still in operation today. I am in the latter camp. I am aware that theological arguments can be made for either position, though frankly I think key points made in scripture need to be ignored and misrepresented to hold to a cessationist view. I am a continuationist for two primary reasons, well maybe three. Scripture exhorts us to seek these gifts, I have seen them in experience for decades in my life and the lives of others, and lastly, because I think we need them to accomplish what Jesus has called us to do. Given that millions of Christians around the world function in spiritual gifts I ask of cessationists what Jesus said in Mark 8:18, “Having eyes, do you not see?”

Now is there a point somewhere here? Yes, Jesus has given each of us eyes to see and I am confident that we all miss things. I know I have learned a great deal over time and adjusted my theology more than a few times. Which requires a willingness to look at things in a new way, to reconsider my position. Jesus always has more for us if we are willing to look and ask Him to open our eyes to see.

No One Knows

In speaking to His disciples in Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus focuses on signs of the end of the age then makes a seemingly confusing statement.

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

On the surface this implies constant vigilance because the time is unknown, which can lead to anxiety. However, elsewhere Jesus instructs us to not be anxious or worry about anything but to rest our hearts in trust in Him (Matt. 6:25-34). So, let’s take a closer look at what Jesus is getting at in Matthew 25:13.

The idea of watching is that of being alert and paying attention, being aware of the times and seasons. Now, I confess, I do not believe that Jesus can or will return at any moment. My reasoning is twofold. First, Jesus gave us signs to watch for, which means we need to pay attention to the signs and we will know the season of His return. Second, Jesus was clear in more than one scripture that He is returning to Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:9-12) and that when He returns every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7). His return will be a very public and visible event. Scripture also tells us that Jesus is not returning until the leadership in Israel welcomes Him back. The verses below took place after Jesus had already been welcomed by the crowds shouting this phrase, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ in His triumphal entry (Matt. 21:9). We celebrate this on Palm Sunday. Yet after this had already taken place Jesus said the following.

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37–39 (NKJV)

When Israel as a people group and nation recognize Him as Messiah Jesus will return.

Now back to the ‘day and hour.’ While the phrase may not be clear to us, it was very easily understood by Jesus disciples as it came directly from the Feast of Trumpets. “No one knows the day or hour” was a Hebrew idiom referring to the timing of the feast. The feast started when two witnesses saw the first sliver of the new moon and reported their observance to the Sanhedrin, who confirmed the start of the feast and shouts were raised and trumpets sounded!

What is important is that this was the beginning of the new year and the fall harvest. I like many believe we will see a great harvest of souls at the end of the age, meaning we will know we are in the season even though we don’t know the exact day or hour. We should always need to be watching and aware, but from a place of trust and expectation, not worry. Think of the parable of the ten virgins. Watching for the arrival of the bridegroom was an exciting event, not an anxious one. Our watching should intensify in this season as we anticipate His return as the writer of Hebrews exhorts us.

²⁸ so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)

Thus, as we wait, let us wait in expectation, looking for the signs of harvest and listening for shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets.

NOTE – I may do these posts less frequently for a season. I have a book that I have had ‘sitting on the shelf’ the past two years that I need to finish writing. I think from the Lord’s perspective it is ‘past due’ and I need to finish writing it. I covet your prayers for wisdom and discernment as I write. I began my weekly blog in January of 2014 and to date there are about 800 pages of searchable teaching material sitting on it.

Born Under the Law

I suspect that at some point you have likely read the passage below.

⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4–5 (NKJV)

What I don’t know is whether you have considered the theological implications or weighed whether the ‘born under the law’ phrase was significant. It is. We will explore the significance but first we will take a bit of a journey through scripture by examining the background, which is rooted in a cosmic conflict.

We see the roots of this cosmic conflict in three key passages Genesis 3:1-24, 6:1-4, 11:1-9 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9. The cosmic conflict outlined here carries on throughout church history, is addressed by Paul in Ephesians and Colossians, and enables us to make sense of Yahweh calling Abraham out of Ur to initiate a redemptive restorative process that will ultimately lead to a new heaven and a new earth. The Genesis passages outline three failures, the sin in Eden that led to expulsion, the fallen sons of God taking on flesh and mingling with human wives in Genesis to corrupt humanity and the rebellion at Babel with humanity seeking to build a ziggurat to heaven to connect the natural and spiritual realms. Deuteronomy 32 shows that Yahweh disinherited the other nations and chose Israel for Himself as a vessel for the restoration of the earth.

This is clearer in two linked passages of scripture. Yahweh had disinherited the nations and chose Abraham to renew His process of restoring the earth and the original mandate given to Adam and Eve to make all of the earth like Eden, Look at the verses below.

¹⁸ “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18 (NKJV)

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)

First Yahweh promised Abraham that through him all of the nations of the earth would be blessed. Then Jesus addressed the how, the gospel, the good news of the kingdom, would be preached to all nations, all ethnos (ethnicities) or people groups. All will have the opportunity to be part of Yahweh’s program to restore the earth.

This came about because Yahweh invited Abraham into a relationship and Abraham said yes. We then had Isaac as the child of promise who became the father of Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons who became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. After the nation went into slavery in Egypt a deliverer was raised up by Yahweh, Moses. At Yahweh’s direction Moses led the nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness. You likely know about the Mosaic Law given by Yahweh through Moses in the wilderness. What you may not know is that the terms in the 10 Commandments were a marriage covenant between Yahweh and Israel. A number of times in the Old Testament Israel is referred to as married to Yahweh.

We now go back to Yahweh’s promise to Abraham; to bless all nations through his seed, the seed was Jesus. Paul makes this clear in Galatians.

¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. Galatians 3:16 (NKJV)

This gets us to the reason Jesus was ‘born under the law.’ He was the chosen seed through the chosen line of Abraham that would first bless Abraham’s seed then all nations through His crucifixion and resurrection. He needed to fulfill the law to fulfill His mission and purchase your salvation and mine. I don’t know about you but I am deeply grateful that Jesus was ‘born under the law’ and secured my salvation!

The Cloud Rider

Here we will look at the cloud rider in the Old Testament, look at the polemic Baal connection and the identity of the cloud rider in the New Testament. We start with three descriptive passages. Over thirty years ago the Lord gave me a simple song based on the first passage. It is brief and I will share it later.

¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, ² Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. ³ He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Psalm 104:1–3 (NKJV)

⁴ Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. Psalm 68:4 (NKJV)

¹ The burden against Egypt. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst. Isaiah 19:1 (NKJV)

There are other references but these suffice to establish the point. As to why Yahweh is referred to as riding on the clouds, it is a polemic against Baal, who was viewed in the surrounding cultures as the cloud rider and god of storms. The Spirit inspired text is saying that Yahweh is the true cloud rider. Think of the significance in Elijah’s pronouncement of drought and battle with the prophets of Baal. Yahweh pronounced the drought and Yahweh brought the rain, not Baal. The storm god Baal was impotent in the face of Yahweh’s power.

Now we turn to the cloud rider in the New Testament. We have a couple of passages to consider. The first is the one that led to Jesus’ condemnation and crucifixion. At His trial Jesus refuses to speak until the high priest compels Him under an oath.

⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63–64 (NKJV)

Do you see it now? The high priest responded to Jesus statement by tearing his robes and accusing Jesus of blasphemy because Jesus was claiming to be the cloud rider, Yahweh. Not just that, look at Daniel. In this scene the heavenly court and council has been seated then this happens.

¹³ “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13–14 (NKJV)

The phrase ‘coming with the clouds of heaven’ refers back to the Son of Man in Daniel who is given an everlasting dominion. Jesus was saying He was this cloud rider. In fact, you can now make sense of Acts 1:9-11. Jesus ascends into heaven on a cloud and an angel says He will return the same way. The audience was all Jewish and knew the significance – Jesus was Yahweh, the cloud rider! It isn’t the image of a fluffy white cloud; it is the picture of one in authority presiding over the elements.

My point in all of this is to help see some aspects of the Old Testament with fresh eyes. I didn’t understand about the cloud rider and Daniel 7 when He gave me this simple song from Psalm 104:3 over thirty years ago. I now understand the words better because we are called to walk with Him and soar in the Spirit with Him, or as Paul put it, that I may “be found in Him (Philippians 3:9) wherever He is. It is a simple song about following Him into freedom in worship and being led by the Spirit.

Wings of The Wind

I ride upon the wings of the wind

Exulting in the light of Your presence

My heart has been captured by You now

Exulting in the light of Your presence

I’m moved by Your moving within

Exulting in the light of Your presence

Who is Behind You?

There is an important injunction in scripture regarding our spiritual heritage. While it was given to Israel, it is a sound principle to apply to our lives.

¹⁸ “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ²⁰ And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18–21 (NKJV)

In an ideal world we would all have an investment like this in our lives in whatever environment we were raised in. Yet for many of us that is not the case.

I don’t know a lot about my natural spiritual lineage. My father was an illegitimate child born in a home for unwed mothers in Edmonton, at the site of the current Royal Glenora Club. I don’t know what if any Christian heritage there was on either side of my father’s family. I know my paternal grandmother had a family bible but I know of no active church attendance. On my mother’s side I know there was some Baptist background with her father’s family and someone in that lineage was a Jehovah’s witness. I know nothing of my maternal grandmother’s family in terms of spiritual heritage. She died of cancer before I was born. I know my mother became a believer at some point prior to my birth. I am one of six children, my sister then five boys. I am the middle boy.

Does this mean I lack any real spiritual heritage? Naturally it appears there isn’t much. Yet that is not the primary determinant. For each of us, at some point we or someone else began a spiritual lineage and heritage, and however great or limited our natural spiritual heritage is, we have the option of spiritually receiving from the heritage that others have provided. There are wells of living water that are available.

Our broader spiritual heritage speaks to the individuals and groups who have spoken into and invested in our lives. In the early years of my Christian journey, I was mentored personally by more than one saint and also by many great saints of old because I read voraciously. Each one imparted something. Two key early influences were Tozer and Finney.

The significance of the impact of previous generations of saints was brought home to me in the summer of 2007. We were on vacation in London England. One of the places we visited was St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the basement there were a number of tombs, one of which was John Donne’s. I knew of him from his poetry and his famous line, “No man is an island.” What I didn’t know was that he had preached regularly at St. Paul’s. While standing in front of his tomb the Holy Spirit surprised me by speaking very clearly to me, “Receive the heritage of many generations.”

All these years later I don’t claim to fully understand that. What I do understand is that I need to continue to open my spirit to receive from those who have gone before. That requires knowing the scriptures and discerning. For example, George Whitfield and John Wesley were famous preachers and friends. Yet they held very differing theological positions. Whitfield holding to Calvinism while Wesley was very much an Arminian. They were both key players in the first Great Awakening. Charles Finney was a key figure in the second Great Awakening after their deaths. He held what were some controversial theological positions. If I am to receive from these generations my focus can’t be primarily on the differences in their theological stances. That is important and I have sorted out and modified my own views over the years. Yet given that they held a number of conflicting views what I need to focus on is their passion for, and commitment to, Jesus. That made them so effective in their ministries along with their solid commitment to the need for conversion. They each held fast to the need to be born again, which we need to as well.

Now back to my question. Who is behind you? In each of our lives there are those who have influenced us that were simply part of our lives or background, those we didn’t necessarily choose. The others are those whose heritage we have chosen or can choose to receive from because we recognize the importance of those who have gone before. So, who is behind you or who would you like to be behind you?

Presence and Purpose

I was visiting with a friend and he asked a question. I honestly don’t remember the question, what struck me was my answer. I responded, “Out of presence comes purpose.” While that may not have any deep meaning for you, it had a significant impact on me. I have had that happen a number of times over the years, saying something and realizing the significance of it as I hear it. Which from my perspective is His wisdom. In essence I am learning something as I say it!

In the moment I saw the scriptural significance of the phrase, “Out of presence comes purpose.” Here is one example. In Ephesians Paul informs us of both the how of our salvation and the reason for it.

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10 (NKJV)

Any good evangelical can quote Ephesians 2:8-9. While it is great to understand our salvation and know that it is by grace and not works, what most leave out is verse 10. It informs us that our new birth is His workmanship, and that we were reborn through Jesus to walk in good works, works that He previously prepared for us to walk in. In essence our purpose.

Now, in spite of what this passage tells us, my experience and that of other is that when asked, beyond generalities, most Christians cannot articulate the specific purpose for their lives. What specifically have they been called to walk in? Which takes us to my comment, “out of presence comes purpose.” I don’t know about you but my experience is that when I spend time sitting in His presence and meditating on His word, I receive greater clarity of purpose. There is a clarifying of the good works He previously prepared for me to walk in.

Now, we all miss things, it was one of the Greek philosophers, Heraclitus, who said, “You can’t step in the same river twice.” We can’t and some of the things He has prepared for us to walk in have passed us by. Yet when we draw near to His heart, He doesn’t focus on what we missed, He focuses on the opportunities still before us! I am confident that I have missed many opportunities but I choose to focus on His presence to walk in my present purpose.

Let’s practically apply this to our lives. Think of Jesus ministry. He had a habit of getting into the Father’s presence each morning to receive instructions for the day. As a result, He knew when He would encounter Zacchaeus gazing at Him from up a tree, invite him down and Himself to Zacchaeus house for a celebratory meal. He knew He had an appointment with a woman at a well in Samaria. Other times He received information from the Father in the moment, such as knowing what His detractors were thinking when He healed the paralytic who had been lowered through the roof.

In a similar manner, as we seek presence we find purpose. We may have a sense to call someone and encourage them or call and check in on them. Those are good works He prepared for us that day. We may pause to pray at a coffee break at work and have a sense to pray for a specific individual or speak with a colleague later that day – out of presence comes purpose. This is a simple but profound and exciting walk. We get to have an audience with Jesus to receive direction during our day. If we don’t receive specific instructions we simply walk faithfully before Him each day and await further instructions as we seek His face and heart. As we are faithful in this a broader sense of our purpose emerges.

Thus, if we want clarity of purpose, we need to value and seek presence.

Entering into Rest

Rest, a comforting word, yet at times we may question how attainable it is in our hectic culture. To understand how to attain rest it is important to understand the scriptural concept. If we go back to Yahweh’s original purpose in creation it says that He rested on the seventh day after completing creation (Genesis 2:2-3). This later became an established pattern in the ten commandments (Exodus 20:4) where the Israelites were commanded to honour and keep the sabbath day. One day of rest out of seven. However, we see a shift with the writer of Hebrews. In his long sermon, he contrasts historical understandings with a new covenant. The writer of Hebrews shows how the new covenant is better than the old, how the law is now written on our hearts rather than stone tablets, how Jesus’ priesthood is far superior to the Levitical priesthood and he addresses sabbath. He takes the concept of a sabbath day, a day of rest, and shifts it to the concept of rest as a state of being. Something we will now look at.

Initially the writer of Hebrews tells us two seemingly contradictory things. He tells us that rest is available and that as believers we have already entered it. Yet is that our experience? Here are the scriptures.

¹ Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” ⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. ¹¹ Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:1-11 (NKJV)

Contextually the passage tells us in verse 1 that rest is available to us and in verse 3 that we who have believed, that is those who have been born again, have entered into rest. Then verse 11 exhorts us to enter rest. Thus, we need to make sense of these seemingly contradictory messages. The answer lies in understanding the ‘already not yet’ nature of the kingdom. George Eldon Ladd was a famous American theologian and Baptist Minister (though he was born in Alberta). One of the concepts he popularized in the 20^th Century was the ‘already not yet’ nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom at His first coming, He will fully consummate it at His return. In this present state we can by faith lay hold of that which is not fully ‘yet.’ That is what Hebrews is getting at.

At the new birth we transferred kingdoms.

¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

By faith we lay hold of this reality when we recognize where we are seated and set our minds there.

²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:20–22 (NKJV)

¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1–2 (NKJV)

Thus, when we recognize that spiritually we are already living in a place of rest (seated with Christ) we can taste of it and experience it now. If we desire rest then our next step is to by faith step into that which we already possess, to meditate on this reality so we tangibly experience it in our lives.