After Jesus feeds the five thousand physical bread, he makes some extraordinary statements to the crowd which followed him. They clearly wanted more physical bread, but Jesus said:

‘”I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” 

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” 

At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”  “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”’ (John 6:32-51).

Why does Jesus call himself the bread of life? Jesus is teaching that if you trust in him it is like eating physical food, you will be able to keep on living. But in comparison to physical food, feeding on Jesus by faith gives eternal life. Jesus teaches this when he says those who have believed in him will be raised on the last day. It doesn’t matter what you die from, even a deadly virus, you will not truly die if you have fed on Christ.

But this bread of life will not always be available. We’ve seen shortages of certain foods in our stores of late. One day the bread of life will not be found. Not because too many have eaten of Christ by faith – Jesus is sufficient for all. But because one day God will remove the opportunity to feed on Christ by faith.

Have you said ‘Sir, from now on give us this bread’?                           Joel Radford

But the Holy Spirit is also called ‘an Advocate’ too (using the same Greek word as used for Christ). In John’s Gospel we read: ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [Advocate] to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you’ (John. 14:15-17).

So the Holy Spirit is also on our legal team as another lawyer. But if Jesus has reached a settlement with God the Father as our advocate/lawyer, what does the Holy Spirit do?

One thing the Holy Spirit does is give us legal advice. Jesus says this in the following verses of John’s Gospel: ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you’ (John 14:23-26).

If we love Jesus, we are called to obey his teaching. But Jesus taught a lot of laws and often the laws are rather broad and we need to know how to apply them to our modern situations. For example, Jesus said nothing about obeying road rules.

So what do we do? We get a lawyer to give us legal advice about the laws of Christ in order to live by them. Just as we might ask a human lawyer for legal advice before doing something, so we ask the Holy Spirit to be our legal counselor as we live our lives. Paul also teaches this role of the Holy Spirit: ‘”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: (1 Cor. 2:9-16)

So is the Holy Spirit your advocate too? Or are you still living your life without legal advice from God? Beware the consequences. Ask God for his Spirit now.                                       Joel Radford

John the Apostle writes to the church in one of his letters: ‘My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One’ (1 John 2:1) The older King James translation translates the Greek word as ‘Advocate’ instead of the ‘one who speaks in our defence’.

Who is this ‘Advocate’? John tells us: ‘Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.’

But what does it mean that God’s Son is our ‘Advocate’? An advocate is a mediator or intercessor between two warring parties. An obvious example is a lawyer in a court situation. The lawyer intercedes on behalf of a guilty man to the court and hopefully comes to a settlement that makes restitution to the injured party.

Why do we need Jesus as our advocate? The verses from 1 John 2 tell us. Verse 1 speaks of the need for help when we sin. Yes, Christians still sin. Only in glory will we cease from sinning. So what do we need when we have committed a crime against the Holy Judge, God the Father? We need an advocate.

How does Jesus make a settlement with the Father? The next verses tell us: ‘He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2) Jesus as our lawyer/advocate points to his payment for all our sin and satisfies the wrath of the father for our crimes.

Paul also teaches that Jesus intercedes on  our  behalf  to  God:  ‘Who  will  bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us’ (Romans 8:33-34).

How do we sign up Jesus to be our advocate, our lawyer? By faith in him. The Apostle Paul writes: ‘But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus’ (Romans 3:21-24). We are made righteous before God simply by faith, by believing in Jesus.

But how do we know that Jesus is our advocate? That Jesus has truly interceded before God and made a settlement for our sin? The Apostle John goes on to say: ‘We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did’ (1 John 2:3-6).

If we are walking according to God’s law, that is a sure sign we are believers in Christ and that he has interceded on our behalf before God for our sins.

Is Jesus your advocate?

Joel Radford

In John’s gospel, the Son of God calls himself the gate: ‘Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep”’ (John 10:7).

What does Jesus mean? Firstly, the sheep Jesus is referring to are those people who will be accepted into heaven when he returns. Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”’ (Matthew 25:31-34).

So when Jesus tells us that he is the gate for the sheep, he is telling us that he is the way to eternal life in heaven. He says this in the next verses of the same passage in John’s gospel: ‘All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:8-10).

But how do people enter through Jesus as the gate? By having faith in Christ’s death on the cross for their sins. The apostle Paul says: ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God’ (Romans 5:1-2).

Because of our sins, a fence has been placed around heaven and no one can pass through it. But by his death, Jesus has opened a way, a gate, into heaven.

Every time someone believes in Jesus, they are washed by his blood and cleansed from all unrighteousness and  pass freely into the eternal life that will one day be lived in heaven itself.

No wonder we call the message from God, ‘Good News’.

No wonder Christians live confident, joy-filled lives. They have heard the words of the author of Hebrews: ‘Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water’ (Hebrews 10:19-22).

So do you call Jesus, ‘The Gate’? Have you passed through Christ by faith into eternal life? Do you rejoice in the life that now courses through your soul as you await your resurrection in the new heavens and the new earth?

Joel Radford

Abba means Father in Aramaic. But haven’t we already covered the name ‘Father’ in this series of articles. Yes. But the name ‘Abba’ increases our understanding of God even further.

But, firstly, when is God called ‘Abba’? Jesus calls God ‘Abba’ in the Garden of Gethsemane: ‘Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will”’ (Mark 14:35-36).

But not only does Jesus cry ‘Abba’, Paul encourages us to cry ‘Abba, Father’ too. Paul writes to the church in Rome: ‘For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs– heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory’ (Romans 8:15-17). Paul also wrote to the churches in Galatia: ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir’ (Galatians 4:4-7).

So what does calling God ‘Abba, Father teach us about God. It teaches us the great privilege given to us by God. When Jesus called God ‘Father’, the Jews were outraged: ‘Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God’ (John 5:17-18).

When we call God, Abba, Father, it demonstrates the intimacy that we have with God and the benefits that flow from that intimate relationship. A child of a King has access to the Father’s ear, affection, and resources that a citizen of the King does not. And so we as Christians have access to God’s ear and his affection and resources that other people who live on God’s earth do not possess.

This understanding is heightened by the Aramaic word ‘Abba’ which was used by the Jews within the family circle but never used to address God. Some would suggest that ‘Daddy’ is an English equivalent to ‘Abba’. Most of us grow out calling our fathers, ‘Daddy’, because it sounds too babyish. But if we take ‘Daddy’ as an English equivalent to ‘Abba’, it shows our childlike trust in God and his relation to us. For example, when a small toddler calls ‘Daddy’, the father responds in a greater way than he probably would to an adult son. God hears our small cry and responds rapidly and powerfully.

So do you call, God, Abba, Father? You can have that relationship with God if you will only repent of your sins and trust in him. Why wouldn’t you want God as your ‘Dad’?

Joel Radford

The Son of God says about himself: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (John 15:1-8).

So what is Jesus teaching us about himself by calling himself the true vine? The people of Israel were often called a vine themselves. For example in Isaiah we read: ‘I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress’ (Isaiah 5:1-7).

But notice that the Israelites are not a healthy vine. Whereas Jesus is the ‘true’ vine. The prophet Isaiah says about him: ‘He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering…Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:2-5).

Thus, Jesus is the fruitful vine who always does God’s will, including producing peace. So if we are to experience his fruit, we need to be grafted into the true vine by trusting in him. Then we, too, will produce fruit. Is Jesus your true vine?

Joel Radford

So why did God become flesh? There are many reasons. But one reason Jesus tells us is to seek and save the lost.

Luke’s gospel tells us about Jesus’ encounter with a lost man called Zacchaeus:

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ” 

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”” (Luke 19:1-10).

How was Zacchaeus lost? He was a man who lived in a perpetual cycle of sin.

Tax collectors were employed by the Roman Conquerors to tax the Jewish people. The system was open to abuse with tax collectors taking far more money than was needed from the people – it was a form of theft in broad daylight. Zacchaeus acknowledges this sin when he speaks about those he has ‘cheated’. We also see the other Jews recognising him as a ‘sinner’ due to his occupation.

But Jesus doesn’t avoid Zacchaeus like many other Jews. He seeks him out in the branches of a sycamore fig tree. And as a result, Zacchaeus is saved from his life of sin by repentance.

And Zacchaeus is just one example. Jesus came into the world to seek and save many who are lost in all kinds of sin. Therefore, the message of Christmas is a message of hope to those in darkness. Jesus didn’t come for those who are ‘found’ but for those who are ‘lost’. And he didn’t just come to seek the lost and find them, he came to save them!

If you recognise your sinfulness and your need for salvation, Jesus is the only answer. Your fellow man will often disdain you in your sin. Whereas Jesus welcomes you in your sin. He finds you out and picks you up and carries you home to be with him. You can live in him even now by faith. And one day he will return from heaven and snatch you up to him in the air to dwell with him forever in heaven.

So do you admit your ‘lostness’? Have you called on Christ to seek you out and give you the salvation from sin that you desperately need?

Joel Radford

When the Son of God was hanging on the cross, the rulers mocked him, including calling him the ‘Chosen One’: ‘The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One”’ (Luke 23:35).

But God himself had referred to Jesus as the chosen one. In the account of the transfiguration we read: ‘About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters– one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him”’ (Luke 9:28-35).

So what does it mean that Jesus was chosen by God? When we choose someone we are usually choosing them for a particular task. So what was the task that God chose Jesus for? There are a number of answers to that question.

But Isaiah the prophet helps us with at least one of the reasons God calls his Son ‘The Chosen One’. Isaiah spoke a lot about God’s servant who would establish justice on the earth. He also called this servant God’s ‘Chosen One’: ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope’ (Isaiah 42:1-4).

Matthew’s gospel then applies this text to the Lord Jesus: ‘Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope”’ (Matthew 12:15-21).

So Jesus was chosen one in order to come and administer justice, including by his death on the cross for those who trust in him. Have you trusted in Jesus and so know he was chosen by God for your sake?                             Joel Radford

The author of Hebrews refers to the Son of God as ‘the apostle’: ‘Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess’ (Hebrews 3:1).

Now usually we associate the name ‘apostle’ with the twelve disciples who Jesus called to be his twelve apostles: ‘He appointed twelve– designating them apostles– that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons’ (Mark 3:14-15).

So what does it mean that Jesus is also an apostle? The English word ‘apostle’ is really just a transliteration of the Greek word which comes from the verb ‘to send’. Thus the word apostle in Greek usually refers to messengers.

So why would the Son of God be called ‘the sent one’? Just like the name ‘apostle’ for the twelve disciples tells us that they were ‘sent’ for a particular task, so too the name ‘apostle’ for Jesus tells us that he was sent for a particular task.

So what was Jesus sent to do? In the context of the book of Hebrews, one of the reasons Jesus was sent was to speak God’s word to humanity. The book of Hebrews opens with: ‘In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe’ (Hebrews 1:1-2). God has always sent always sent messengers with his word. But in these last days, Jesus is the ultimate messenger from God.

Also, Jesus was sent to atone for sin. The book of Hebrews makes much of the fact that God raised up priests in the family of Aaron. But none of them were able to make sacrifices that truly covered sin. Whereas Jesus was sent to offer the perfect sacrifice of his own body which truly does atone for sin. We read later in the book: ‘now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself’ (Hebrews 9:26).

The words of John’s gospel are in complete agreement: ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son’ (John 3:17-18).

Yet these are only two of the big reasons God sent his Son. Jesus himself says: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’ (Luke 4:18-19). Thus, we could easily talk endlessly about why Jesus is an apostle.

But, at least, do you believe Jesus was sent to reveal God to you? Was he sent by God to pay for your sins?

Joel Radford

The name ‘One and Only’ comes from one Greek word, monogenes which the old King James Version translated as ‘begotten’.

John’s gospel calls the Son of God the ‘One and Only’ a few times: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only (monogenes) Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only (monogenes) Son ‘ (John 3:16-18).

And earlier he said: ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only (monogenes), who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only (monogenes), who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.’ (John 1:14-18)

But what does ‘One and Only’ mean in reference to the Son of God? Firstly, we understand that the word monogenes is used to show someone is an only child. In Luke’s gospel, we read of Jesus meeting a woman grieving for her dead son: ‘As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out– the only (monogenes) son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry”’ (Luke 7:12-13). The situation is all the more moving when you learn that this woman who has lost her husband, now has lost her only (monogenes) son.

But the word monogenes is also used to refer to Isaac: ‘By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son (monogenes), even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”’ (Hebrews 11:17-18). And the word here can’t mean Isaac was an only child, as Ishmael was born to Abraham before Isaac. Rather, the word here is emphasising that Isaac is a unique son, different from all Abraham’s other children. Why? One reason is that he is heir of God’s covenant promises.

So what does it mean that the Son of God is called ‘One and Only’? At a minimum it is telling us that Jesus is utterly unique. Yes, God may have many sons in the human race, but Jesus is different by far. He is one of a kind. He is truly God’s ‘One and Only’. And it is really only through faith in the ‘One and Only’ that God the Father has any others who are called his children.

So do you recognise God’s Son as the ‘One and Only’? Have you trusted in the ‘One and Only’ so that you also are a child of God?                   Joel Radford

And rightly so. We can never consider this profound truth too much. The one who created this world came and lived as a human on it, even living under the very laws that he had given humanity.

Such an action would fly against the impulse of most of us. We like to keep our positions of authority and power, not make ourselves subject to others.

We even see this attitude in Christ’s own disciples. In Mark’s gospel we read that two of them, James and John, wanted to ensure they received positions of authority with Christ: ‘Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:35-44).

So why would Jesus lower himself and come as a human when the leaders of the world, including his own disciples, love positions of power? There are many answers to this question. But one answer is given by Jesus himself in the very next verse of that same passage: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45)

Jesus came as a human, born under the law, in order to serve humans. How? By giving his life as a ransom for those who believe in him.

All humans are in a dreadful state. They are enslaved to sin. And that life of sin will bring death and judgement. Thankfully, God’s Son knew better than humans do about their sorry condition. So he came to redeem his people by paying the ransom price required to set them free from slavery. And that ransom price was his very own life. On the cross, Jesus took the sins of his people upon himself and then felt the full weight of the punishment that those sins deserve.

But how do you know that Christ’s death was a sufficient ransom payment? By his resurrection. When Jesus came to life again, he showed that death had been conquered, the ransom price was met. As Paul says: ‘He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification’ (Romans 4:25).

So this Christmas, do you believe that the Son of God came to ransom you from sin so that you can live eternally?

Joel Radford

After Joseph discovered his fiancé Mary was pregnant, he wanted to divorce her. But the Bible tells us that ‘an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”- which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus’ (Matthew 1:20-25).

We see that the angel told Joseph that one of the names for God’s Son would be Immanuel. Which, when translated from Hebrew to English, means ‘God with us’. And this name, Immanuel, was to fulfil an old prophecy from Isaiah: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel’ (Isaiah 7:14).

But what does it mean that Jesus is called ‘God with us’. At a minimum, it means that the person Jesus Christ was truly God.

Jesus affirms this truth when he says ‘I and the Father are one’ (John 10:30) and ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9). The Apostle Paul also says about Jesus: ‘He is the image of the invisible God’ (Colossians 1:15) And the author of Hebrews says ‘The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word’ (Hebrews 1:3).

So the name Immanuel tells us that when people are in the presence of Christ, they are in the presence of God.

Knowing that Jesus is Immanuel is helpful for us when we consider that Jesus promises to live in those who believe in him. Paul says: ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20).

As believers, we live continually in the presence of God. Not just in his presence because he is omnipresent, but also in his special presence because he lives in us and with us.

So the truth that God is Immanuel should give us joy. Wherever we go, whatever we do, God is with us. God is right there sharing our labours, rejoicing in our joys, sorrowing in our sorrows.

The truth that God is Immanuel should also give us a holy fear when tempted to sin. We never sin in private, although we often live under the delusion that we can. If we are God’s people, he lives with us and is grieving in us as we fall into temptation. So knowledge that God is Immanuel should help us to resist the sin that damages our souls.

So do you believe in God and know and rejoice that he is Immanuel, God with us?                                        Joel Radford.

Jeremiah, the prophet, gave this prophecy from God to his people: ‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness’ (Jeremiah 23:1-6)

The name is clearly to be applied to Jesus, the Son of God, as he is the descendant of David who takes the royal throne.

But what does it mean that Jesus is ‘our righteousness’? The context of the name tells us. Jesus will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. The perfect fulfilment of this prophecy will be at the last judgement. The Apostle Paul warns everyone about that day of righteous judgement: ‘You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile’ (Romans 2:1-10).

That day will be a day of horror for those who have not sought God through Jesus. But for those who have trusted in Christ, it will be a day where we declare again that Jesus is ‘The LORD Our Righteousness’!

Is Jesus your righteousness?

Joel Radford

The Apostle John tells us that God calls himself the Alpha and the Omega:

‘”I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”’ (Revelation 1:8).

‘He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”’ (Revelation 21:5-7).

‘Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star’ (Revelation 22:12-16).

But what is an Alpha? What is an Omega? Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Omega is the last letter of   the   Greek   alphabet. The original readers would have known this as the Book of Revelation was written in Greek. The English equivalent would be like saying I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z’.

So what does God wish to tell us by calling himself the Alpha and the Omega? The context of the passages tell us that God also calls himself the Beginning and the End. Meaning God has always been and always will be. There is no one who was before him. And there is no one after him. Therefore, we can learn much about God from the name ‘The Alpha and the Omega.’ We can see his greatness. We can see his eternal nature. We can see his power. We can see his knowledge.

So the name ‘Alpha and Omega’ should be a great comfort to those who trust in God. In Revelation 21 it says that he will give the water of life to those who come to him and desire to live forever. This is only a comfort if we know that he will always be there to give us eternal life.

Imagine a local council said we’re installing a drinking fountain and everyone is free to drink from it if they will only come and drink. Fair enough. Sounds nice. But does the council know the future? Will the council always be there to make sure the water flows? Will they have the resources to keep it there? What if there’s a drought and the dam runs dry? Will the council even exist in a 100 years?

Whereas God’s promise is wonderfully supported by the fact that he is the beginning and the end. He will always exist and so can make sure those who turn to him can drink of his water of life.

Have you turned in repentance and drunk from the water of life of the Alpha and the Omega?

Joel Radford

The Apostle Paul refers to God’s Son as ‘The Last Adam’ in his letter to the church in Corinth: ‘So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven’ (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).

Why is Jesus, the only man from heaven, referred to as the Last Adam?

To understand the Last Adam, we must understand the First Adam. The First Adam was the first human created by God after he made the heavens and the earth and filled them with every living thing. Sadly this Adam, sinned against God and brought death to himself and the whole human race.

But Jesus, as the Last Adam, obeyed God perfectly and never sinned. Therefore, like the first Adam, he has brought something to all his children. Not death, but life. As Paul says in Romans: ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 6:23).

Thus, although the parallels between Adam and the Lord Jesus are many (e.g. they both were fully human, they both were tested by God, they both were tempted by Satan), it is this parallel between the gifts of life and death to their children that causes Paul to particularly call Christ the Last Adam. Paul also emphasises this parallel between death in the first Adam and life in the last Adam much attention in his letter to the Romans: ‘Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:12-17).

Now, although everyone fell into a state of sin and misery with Adam, not everyone enters into holiness and life with Christ. You must repent of your sins and believe in Christ’s death for your sins if you wish to benefit from him.

Do you rejoice in the Last Adam because he has brought grace and life to you?                               Joel Radford

Last week we looked at the name, ‘The Root of David’ which the Apostle John spoke of in his vision in Revelation. John also reported another name that the Lord Jesus called himself at the same time as referring to himself as the Root of David: ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star’ (Revelation 22:16).

So what is meant by the name ‘Bright Morning Star’? Again, our Old Testament helps us. When the pagan prophet Balaam was asked to curse Israel, God forced him to bless them. This was one of his oracles: ‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city’ (Numbers 24:15-19). Balaam prophesied that a royal star would come out of Israel with a scepter to crush God’s enemies. Thus the Jews associated the symbol of a star with the coming Messiah who would save them. So by referring to himself as the bright morning star Jesus is telling his people that he has risen to conquer all his enemies. But why is Jesus called a ‘bright’ star? Why a ‘morning’ star? The scholar Barnhouse explains that in the ancient world, the stars ‘were the heavenly time pieces by which the shepherds told the different seasons of the year, and the various watches of the night. It was the “morning star” which heralded the sunrise and the breaking of a new day.’ So Jesus is the sign that darkness is ending and light is coming to his people.

And Christ has already begun to rise as the bright morning star. At the beginning of his earthly ministry, Matthew told us: ‘Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali– to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”’ (Matthew 4:13-16).

And when Jesus returns on judgement day, he will be the bright morning star who appears in the heavens and ushers in a new age of never ending light. Jesus will rise in the lives of believers and take them to dwell with him in his brilliant heaven. Peter refers to this event: ‘And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts’ (2 Peter 1:19).

Is Jesus your bright morning star because you trust in him? Are you filled with joy as you know the darkness is almost over and a new day is dawning?

Joel Radford

Last week we looked at why God the Son is called the Lion of Judah in a vision in Revelation 5: ‘Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne’ (Revelation 5:1-7).

But notice that there is another name immediately after the name Lion of Judah. What is it? The Root of David.

So why is Jesus called the Root of David too? Firstly, it refers to the fact that Jesus is a direct descendant of King David, the second king of Israel. Paul says about Jesus: ‘who as to his human nature was a descendant of David’ (Romans 1:3). The genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 also make this clear.

Thus as  Jesus  is  part  of  David’s  family, he is acknowledged as a King over God’s people. Meaning he is worthy to open the scroll depicted in Revelation.

But what is meant by calling Jesus the ‘Root’. The plant analogy points us back to the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah, particularly that given in chapter 11 of Isaiah, which opens with: ‘A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit’ (Isaiah 11:1). Note, Jesse was David’s father. And it also says: ‘In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious’ (Isaiah 11:10). Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah says: ‘”The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness”’ (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

So not only is Jesus a descendant of David, he is also the one who started David and his throne. This is only possible because Jesus is both God and man. As to his human nature, he is a descendant of David. As to his divine nature, he brought David and his descendants into being. He is the root and the branch of the monarchy.

So the title, the Root of David, reminds us that Jesus is the Supreme King of Israel. He is literally the first and last King of Israel.

But is God the Son your king and protector for all eternity? He can be, if you will simply start trusting in him.

Joel Radford.

The Apostle John recounts many things that the Lord showed him in a vision. One of those visions is given in Revelation 5: ‘Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth’ (Revelation 5:1-10). Isaiah the prophet

Who is this Lion of the tribe of Judah who is able to open the scroll? It is the Lord Jesus.

But why is the Son of God called the Lion of Judah? Firstly, Jesus is a descendant from the tribe of Judah, which is the tribe from which the Kings of Israel were to come (Genesis 49:10). Thus calling him the Lion of ‘Judah’ is a hint at the Lord’s origin and kingship.

Secondly, Jesus is called a lion as another way of describing the power of the Son of God. The lion has a reputation for his strength. And here in Revelation we see the strength of Jesus in being able to open the scroll that no one else could, meaning Jesus is in control of all events on earth.

But how has Jesus triumphed as the Lion of Judah? John tells us that it is, paradoxically, by dying as the Lamb of God. Jesus died the death that his people deserve and so Jesus is able to show mercy and grace to his people and condemn those who reject his offer of salvation.

So it is not surprising that the living creatures and elders fall down before The Lion of Judah, who is also The Lamb of God, and give him honour. How about you? Have you trusted in Christ’s sacrificial work for your sins? Is Jesus your Lion of Judah? Or are you fighting against him only to be subdued one day at his feet? Won’t you pray: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth’.

Joel Radford.

Isaiah the prophet called God the Son a number of names: ‘Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this’ (Isaiah 9:5-7).

So why, among other names, is Jesus called ‘Prince of Peace’?

The ‘Prince’ component of the title is obvious. God the Son is of course a ruler, and therefore qualified to be a prince.

But why is God the Son called the Prince of ‘Peace’? Because he brings peace.

Firstly, God the Son brings peace between God and sinful man. Our sin made us enemies of God and made God our enemy too. God’s justice requires that he fight back against sinners like ourselves. But God the Son made the payment by his death for the sins of those who trust in him, thereby bringing peace between God and sinful man.

The Apostle Paul makes this abundantly clear: ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit’ (Ephesians 2:13-22).

But notice something else in this passage. Paul is also speaking about the peace between Jews and non-Jews that Jesus has brought too. By dying for believers from all nations, Jesus has joined hostile people together.

And Jesus will bring even further peace when he returns and a new age in heaven will begin. Isaiah’s prophecy will be fulfilled: ‘Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.’

Is Jesus your ‘Prince of Peace’? Do you know the peace that he has bought by his blood?                              Joel Radford

God is often called the ‘Creator’ in the Bible. For example, God’s priest Melchizedek said to Abram: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand’ (Genesis 14:19-20).

Why is God called the Creator? Because he is the one who created heaven and earth. All that has been made was made by him and so he alone is rightly called ‘The Creator’. The Apostle John makes this clear when he says of the Son of God: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men’ (John 1:1-4).

So it’s not surprising that Moses spoke of God as our Creator: the creator of all humans. In Deuteronomy Moses said to the Israelites: ‘I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. They have acted corruptly toward him; to their shame they are no longer his children, but a warped and crooked generation. Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?’ (Deuteronomy 32:3-6).

So what does God being our Creator mean we should do? We should follow the counsel of the teacher in Ecclesiastes: ‘Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them’’’ (Ecclesiastes 12:1). If God is our Creator then we should remember him and acknowledge him. But more than that, we should worship him! There is none higher than God and to ignore him would be a dangerous thing to do.

But sadly that is what all people are guilty of doing. The Apostle Paul says about all humanity: ‘They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator– who is forever praised. Amen’ (Romans 1:25). All humans are guilty of worshiping created things rather than the one who created those things.

Imagine giving praise for a delicious meal to the meal itself, rather than to the chef who made it. Not only that, imagine giving such praise in front of the chef. That is precisely what we do when we worship things and people instead of receiving them as gifts from our Creator and giving him praise. As a result, we rightly deserve punishment from our Creator for eternity in hell for our complete disrespect towards him.

But thankfully our Creator came into his created world and died on a cross in order to pay the penalty that his people deserve for their disrespect. And you too can have him die for your disrespect if you simply repent of your sin and trust in him.

Are you remembering your Creator and trusting in him?

Joel Radford.

Isaiah the prophet prophesied a number of names about God’s Son: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this’ (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Why, among other names, is Jesus called ‘Wonderful Counselor’?

It is because of the wonderful counsel he gives. God has all knowledge and wisdom. But he doesn’t keep it to himself. He passes it on to foolish and sinful humans.

There are innumerable examples of God’s counsel in the Bible. But I’ll give just one. When Jesus was confronted with difficult questions by his enemies he said: ‘Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away’ (Matthew 22:15-22).

That day even Christ’s enemies recognised the wonder of his counsel.

But Christ’s counsel is also wonderful because of the reward it brings. In the face of death, Jesus counseled his friend Martha: ‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26).

Is there no greater counsel than to believe in Christ in order to have eternal life?

So God is ‘The Wonderful Counselor’ who is above all the fallible counselors of this world. As Isaiah and Paul said: ‘Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”’ (Romans 11:33-34).

Is you God your ‘Wonderful Counselor’? Do you listen to his counsel? Do you believe his counsel? Do you put his counsel into practice so that you may have life and have it to the full? Or do you prefer your own counsel which brings only pain, death and eternal punishment?

Joel Radford

God is often called the ‘Redeemer’ of the Israelites, particularly in the Book of Isaiah.

So what does it mean that God is the Redeemer of Israel? To redeem something means to regain something in exchange for payment. An obvious example is to pay for the return of a friend who was captured by an enemy.

So does God redeem his people? Yes. Again and again, God redeemed the Israelites from their enemies. For example, he redeemed them from the Egyptians under Moses in the book of Exodus, he redeemed them from the Midianites under Gideon in the Book of Judges, he redeemed them from the Philistines under David in the Book of 1 Samuel, he redeemed them from the Babylonians under Ezra in the Book of Ezra.

But most importantly, God redeemed his people from slavery to sin, and all the consequences of sin, including death. The Apostle Paul says: ‘So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir’ (Galatians 4:3-7).

How did God redeem his people? Paul said it was by sending his Son. Earlier in Galatians he explained: ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit’ (Galatians 3:13-14). Christ also said about himself: ‘the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matthew 20:28).

The ransom price to set God’s people free from sin was death. And so Jesus died the death that his people deserve.

So how do God’s people receive the blessings of redemption? As Paul said, it is by faith in him that we receive the blessings of God.

What are the blessings of God’s redeemed people? Adoption into his family is one of the great blessings – Paul mentioned it in the quote above.

Another blessing of redemption by God is eternal life. Job said: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes– I, and not another’ (Job 19:25-27).

So is God your Redeemer? Has he redeemed you from sin and hell by his Son? Have you received the Lord Jesus as your Saviour by faith? Do you know that your Redeemer lives and even after your skin has been destroyed, you will in your flesh see God?

Joel Radford

When the Apostle Peter is preaching to the Jews in Jerusalem he says: ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this’ (Acts 3:13-15).

Along with other names, Peter calls the Son of God the ‘Author of Life’. But what does that mean?

The word translated ‘Author’ in the NIV can also be translated as ‘Leader’, Ruler’ or ‘Prince’ (as in the NAS and KJV). Or it can also mean ‘Source’ or ‘Founder’ or ‘Originator’ (as in the NET).

The word translated ‘life’ can refer to physical life or also heavenly eternal life.

So what does it mean that Jesus is the ‘Author of Life’.

Firstly, the title tells us that God is the one who created all life in this world. He authored life in this world as an author writes characters into being in a novel.

Secondly, the title tells us that God is the one who creates life that goes on within the heavenly realms and grants eternal life to humans in paradise.

Thirdly, the title tells us that he not only creates life in this world, he reigns over life in this world. He has not abandoned the life in this world. No, he is the Prince of Life as we know it.

Fourthly, the title tells us that Jesus not only reigns over earthly life but also heavenly life.

Fifthly, the title tells us that Jesus is the leader of life eternal by being the firstborn from the dead. The Apostle Paul says: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy’ (Colossians 1:15-18). Jesus is the first to receive a glorious resurrection body that lives eternally. He has led the way for all his people to follow into eternal life.

Now, bearing all those meanings in mind, recognise the foolishness of what the Jews tried to do to Jesus. Peter said that they tried to kill the ‘Author of Life’. They tried to kill the one who creates physical life and eternal life. They tried to kill the one who reigns over earthly life and heavenly life. And their foolishness was demonstrated by the fact of the resurrection of Christ. The Jews should have realised with the Apostle Paul: ‘it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him’ (Acts 2:24).

But sadly, many today still would rather do away with the Author of Life. Are you so foolish as to murder the Author of Life in your heart?           Joel Radford

When Moses approaches the burning bush in Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses and reveals who he is. We read: ‘“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God’ (Exodus 3:5-6).

Then Moses is instructed to speak to the Israelites about God. Moses is told to introduce God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: ‘Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers– the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob– has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers– the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob– appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt’ (Exodus 3:13-16).

Evidently God places great importance on the fact that his name is ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Why? Because God was worshipped by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob long before Moses encountered him at the bush. Also the Israelites, as descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, would no doubt have had some familiarity with their ancestors’ interaction with God. So they knew exactly which God Moses was talking about.

Moreover, by introducing himself in this way, God is communicating that he is the covenant making God who made specific promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their offspring. This is important to the Israelites in Egypt as the promises include them. Thus God is telling the Israelites that he is the God who made promises about them before they were born. He is the God who has an interest in them and who, therefore, they should have an interest in too.

Does this have any relevance to us today as Christians? Yes. We too call Abraham, Isaac and Jacob our fathers through their descendant, Jesus Christ. By faith in Christ, we enter into the Israelite family and inherit the promises with all true Israelites. Paul says ‘Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all’ (Romans 4:16).

Thus when we call upon The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ we remind ourselves of the covenants that he made with them and that we also share, filling our hearts with fearful joy.

So do you, by faith in Christ, joyfully call upon ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the promise keeping God?

Joel Radford

Before his death, Jesus is put on trial before the religious council. He is accused of blasphemy and questioned. We then read: ‘Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”’ (Mark 14:61).

Clearly, the high priest is referring to God as the ‘Blessed One’. He does it in order to avoid blaspheming God’s name himself.

But why call God the ‘Blessed One’. What does it mean ‘to be blessed’?

Firstly, the Greek word literally means ‘to speak well’. In other words, to bless someone is to honour or exalt the person.

Thus it makes sense that God is called the ‘Blessed One’. God is more than worthy of being honoured and we certainly should speak well of him.

We should cry with the elders in Revelation: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being’ (Revelation 4:11).

And with the angels: ‘Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped’ (Revelation 5:11-14).

But not only do we speak well of God, but God speaks well of us and is therefore rightly ‘The Blessed One’. We bless him. But he also blesses us and encourages us to call upon him for blessing. For example, God instructs his priests in the Old Testament with these words: ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them’ (Numbers 6:23-27).

And if God speaks well of you, many good things (blessings) always follow. Proverbs says: ‘The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it’ (Proverbs 10:22). Thus, to be blessed is often associated with being in a state of happiness.

And the supreme blessing of God is the gift of his Son and Holy Spirit. They bless us with forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. Once you’ve received those blessings, you have found the source of true happiness.

Do you believe in the Blessed One? Do you speak well of God? Does God speak well of you because you have trusted in his Son and have forgiveness of sins? Are you happy?      Joel Radford

The Israelites were the descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel), the grandson of Abraham. For a long time, the Israelites lived under the leadership of prophets and judges without a king. In the book of Judges we read a repeated refrain: ‘In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit’ (Judges 17:6).

But it turns out Israel did have a king. When the Israelites ask Samuel the prophet to give them a King, God says: ‘it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king’ (1 Samuel 8:7). God was always the true King of Israel. Even after the Israelites were given a human king, God was still the true King. The prophet Zephaniah affirmed: ‘The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm’ (Zephaniah 3:15).

Moreover, in the New Testament, the Son of God is proclaimed as the King of Israel. Nathanael declared: ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel’ (John 1:49). As Jesus entered Jerusalem people cried out: ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’ (John 12:13). Ironically, even the pagan governor, Pilate, hung this notice over Jesus at his death on the cross (much to the consternation of the religious leaders): ‘JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS’ (John 19:19).

But what does the title King of Israel teach us about God? Many things, but namely that he is the ultimate ruler of his people.

But who are God’s people? All true Israelites. Which is all those who trust in the Christ for the forgiveness of sins. The Apostle Paul wrote: ‘For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel’ (Romans 9:6-8). Rather, true Israelites are those who follow in the footsteps of Israel’s grandfather, Abraham; living by faith in God. Paul says about Abraham and believers: ‘He is the father of us all’ (Romans 4:16).

So the name, King of Israel, tells us that God is our King. And if God is our King then at least two obligations become apparent.

On the one hand, God, by his own free will, has taken on the responsibility of protecting his people. He has responsibility for protecting his people internationally from their enemies. He has responsibility of protecting his people nationally from one another. He has responsibility for prospering his people.

And thankfully he does all of those things. He protects us from our great enemies of sin and death and the evil one. He fosters love and affection between his people by his Spirit. He even pours out material blessings upon his people, both now and forevermore.

On the other hand, if God is our king, it means his people also have the responsibility to submit to his rule and be obedient to his laws.

And this is the expectation in the Scriptures. God’s people are meant to look into God’s holy law and be obedient to it. And when disobedient, submit to the King’s discipline.

Are you an Israelite? Is God your King by faith in Christ? Do you rejoice that he is? Do you keep his laws?

Joel Radford

When the Apostle John opens his account of the life of the Son of God, John starts with the tremendous statement: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made’ (John 1:1-3). Here, John calls Jesus ‘the Word’ and gives a similar title when he reports on a later vision of Christ: ‘He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God’ (Revelation 19:13).

What is John trying to teach us by referring to the Son of God as the Word? John is telling us that Jesus is God’s Word personified.

‘The Word of God’ is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and it always does wonderful things.

For example, the Psalmist tells us that it is by God’s word that God created all things: ‘By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth’ (Psalm 33:6). In fact, we see the truth of this in Genesis which opens with similar words to John’s Gospel: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light’ (Genesis 1:1,3). God spoke again and again and by his Word the universe came into being.

God also repeatedly reveals himself to humanity by his Word. For example, the Word of the Lord came to Abraham and to Moses and to Samuel and to David and to  Elijah  and  to  Isaiah  and  to  Jeremiah and to Ezekiel. And each of these prophets of God then shared the Word of the Lord with others.

Thus it is through the Word of the Lord that we know who God is. The Book of Samuel says about Samuel himself: ‘Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him’ (1 Samuel 3:7). It is only by the word of God that we know God is a spirit, infinite and unchangeable in his being wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

And it is by his word that God saves sinful man. The Psalmist says: ‘Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave’ (Psalms 107:17-20).

Additionally, it is by the Word of God that we know how to live rightly in this world. The Psalmist says: ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path’ (Psalm 119:105). Without God’s word, we will stumble and fall.

But does Jesus do these things as the Word of God? Did Jesus create the world? Did Jesus reveal God? Did Jesus save? Did Jesus teach us how to live? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes. He did all these things par excellence. Jesus is worthy of the title ‘The Word of God’.

But has the Word of God come to you? Have you been saved by the Word? Trust in the Word before it is too late.

Joel Radford

When the Son of God was on earth, his disciples often referred to him as ‘Rabbi’. But what does ‘Rabbi’ mean?

The Apostle John actually tells us what ‘Rabbi’ means. In his Gospel. When John is describing Christ’s early interactions with his disciples we read: ‘The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”’ (John 1:35-38). So, ‘rabbi’ means ‘teacher’.

‘Rabbi’ is originally a Hebrew word. John offers a translation because he wrote for a Greek speaking audience and knows that they may not have been familiar with Hebrew.

The Hebrew word ‘Rabbi’ literally means ‘my great one’ and so it is easy to see how it came to be used to refer to teachers. A student understands that their teacher is greater than them, particularly in knowledge and skills. If the teacher wasn’t greater than the student, then the student would no longer bother attending classes.

But is God a Rabbi? Is God a great one? Does God have great knowledge? Is God a teacher? Yes. Absolutely.

There is no one with more knowledge than God. David says: ‘O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You  know  when  I sit  and when  I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in– behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain’ (Psalm 139:1-6).

So God is more than qualified to be a teacher. As Isaiah says: ‘Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? (Isaiah 40:13-14).

But is God willing to teach us his knowledge? Yes. Jesus says: ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you’ (John 14:23-26). God the Father teaches us by his Son and the Holy Spirit.

So God is indeed a ‘Rabbi’.

But is he your Rabbi? Do you listen to God and do what he says? Or do you believe that you are greater than God and have no need for him to teach you anything?

Joel Radford

Jesus often refers to himself as ‘The Son of Man’. For example, in John’s gospel, Jesus refers to himself in this way when he speaks to the blind man whom he had healed: ‘Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him’ (John 9:35-38)

So what does Jesus want to tell us by calling himself ‘The Son of Man’.

By calling himself ‘The Son of Man’, Jesus is pointing to his fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel about a specific Son of Man who would be given all authority: ‘As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.) “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed’ (Daniel 7:9-14).

But that’s not all. The title also refers to Christ’s humanity. The prophet Ezekiel is regularly called ‘Son of Man’ as a reference to the fact that he is human. By claiming the title, ‘The Son of Man’, Jesus is showing his full humanity too.

And, not only that, but Jesus is referring to the fact that he is the perfect representative of humanity to God. Psalm 8 speaks of the way God relates to ‘The Son of Man’ and the author of Hebrews shows that this Psalm is fulfilled perfectly in the Son of God: ‘But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone’ (Hebrews 2:6-9).

So Jesus is truly ‘The Son of Man’.

The blind man worshipped ‘The Son of Man’. Will you?                      Joel Radford

The apostle Paul describes God as King of Kings: ‘In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time– God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen’ (1 Timothy 6:13-16).

The term ‘King’ we easily understand. It refers to someone who rules over a nation of people. The King of England means the man who reigns over the English people. The word ‘Lord’ shares a similar meaning: someone with authority over others.

So what does it mean that God is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It means he rules over all kings and lords. In fact, as the verse says, God is the ‘only ruler’. There is no higher king or lord.

What does such ruling over all kings and lords look like? The Apostle John received a revelation from God of what would happen when the King of Kings came to earth. We read: ‘I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him  that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh’ (Revelation 19:11-20:1).

What does the reign of the King of Kings look like? At a minimum it means the defeat of all kings and nations who oppose him. Are you foolish enough to oppose the King of Kings?                       Joel Radford

The elders would like to encourage Drummoyne Baptist to be prepared to support those going into missionary and ministry work.

The Apostle Paul is a good example of someone who encouraged others as they considered ministry work. He took many people along with him on his journeys. And his letters to Timothy and Titus are full of pastoral advice to fellow workers in the faith. Paul also advises Timothy himself to continue passing on the baton, so to speak. He writes: ‘You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others’ (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

The supreme example of supporting the training of missionaries is, of course, the Lord Jesus. Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus had his twelve apostles with him and was continually discipling them in order to send them out as his missionaries. In Mark’s Gospel we read: ‘Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve–designating them apostles– that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons’ (Mark 3:13-15). These twelve would have cost Jesus a lot of time and resources, but he bore the burden in order to bless other fellowships in the long-term future.

We should do the same. How? We should be following the instruction from Jesus to pray: ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’ (Matthew 9:37-38).

We should also be looking around for reliable men and women who can take the good news out from Drummoyne Baptist.

Then when we find them, we should encourage such members to consider the ministry. We should pray for them. We should even support them financially where possible. The women described in Luke’s gospel are a great example to us: ‘The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.’ (Luke 8:1-3). Clearly these women didn’t see putting the apostles through Christ’s Bible college as a waste of money.

So are you ready to support those considering being missionaries?

Joel Radford

The Apostle Paul refers to Jesus Christ as the Seed in his letter to the churches of Galatia: ‘The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator’ (Galatians 3:16-19).

Paul is referring to the promises given to Abraham in the Old Testament. For example, in Genesis we read: ‘The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you”’ (Genesis 13:14-17).

The Hebrew word ‘seed’ or ‘offspring’ can be used in a plural sense, but Paul wants to show that deep down it is only one person who truly inherits God’s promises: God’s Son. Jesus then shares the promises with the rest of his body, the church.

Not only is Jesus the ‘Seed of Abraham’ and a fulfilment of the promises made to Abraham, Jesus is also the ‘Seed of the Woman’ and fulfils the promise made to Satan in the Garden of Eden. After Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God said to him: ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel’ (Genesis 3:15).

God was promising that one day a descendant of Eve would deal a death blow to Satan (the same Hebrew word translated ‘offspring’ is used in Genesis 3:15 as in Genesis 13:15). Yet, the blow to Satan’s head would come at a cost: Eve’s seed would be injured in the conflict.

The words to Satan were fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross. Satan was dealt a fatal blow and the seed of the woman was struck as well. Yet, Jesus didn’t stay dead. He paid for sin and then rose again with new life.

So Jesus is like a plant seed that dies and then produces life as it grows up into a large fruit bearing plant. Jesus gives this farming illustration about himself in John’s Gospel: ‘I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds’ (John 12:24).

So have you trusted in Christ and inherited the promises of God through him? Or are you not a part of the ‘Seed’?                                  Joel Radford

Some missionaries have a lot of support from other churches and individual Christians. Therefore it would not be good stewardship for Drummoyne Baptist to give our resources where it is not needed. Jesus warns against unfaithful stewardship: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ” ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas…I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away’ (Luke 19:12-26).

Furthermore, if we are going to have strong relationships with our missionaries we should be particularly generous to them. Johnson says: ‘As you vet workers, keep in mind the balance of their time and your level of financial support. This may sound carnal, but you can’t give a missionary a few hundred dollars a year and expect him or her to spend a lot of time answering your personal inquiries. This brings us back to my earlier advice about focusing your support on a few relationships. If your congregation gives a significant portion of a missionary’s financial needs, that changes things, doesn’t it? Then it’s reasonable to expect the missionary to reciprocate the commitment your church has demonstrated by financial support. Since we all have limited money to pass around, we want to support missionaries who work with excellence in all things.’

So let’s give generously where our money is going to be used well for the advancement of the kingdom.

Joel Radford

Today I want to suggest that we should only support missionaries that are in theological agreement with us. Yes, they must be morally pure, but they should also have sound doctrine/teaching.

Paul says to Timothy: ‘Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers’ (1 Timothy 4:16). The importance of doctrine is right there with the importance of leading a holy life.

We need to check the doctrine of missionaries because there are many missionaries and parachurch organisations that call themselves ‘Christian’, but may not actually be Christian at all. And some may be Christian, yet hold to some very unsound doctrines that easily lead into serious sin.

Therefore, we should expect our missionaries to be in theological agreement with our understanding of the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

But what is it we believe at Drummoyne Baptist? Of course, that’s where our statement of faith is helpful. It clearly articulates what our members believe about the nature and unity of the godhead, the deity and humanity of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, sin, atonement, salvation, the church, baptism, the Lord’s supper, the return of Christ, the resurrection, heaven and hell.

Sadly churches and missionaries sometimes do not want to check for theological agreement. Johnson writes in his book: ‘Often churches and individuals seem hesitant to evaluate too deeply the theology and quality of the workers they might support. This seems entirely wrongheaded to me. If a worker is offended that you want to explore the contours of his or her theology, that should be a huge read flag….Initially, you might ask them to affirm the theological statement affirmed by your church…Specifically, you want to probe a missionary or missionary candidate on two things – the gospel and the church. I’ve met missionaries who, I trust, love the gospel but couldn’t clearly articulate it to save their life…More often, I’ve encountered persons sent out with the title of church planter who were stymied when asked, “What is a church and what does it do?” Some just didn’t know; others gave answers steeped in personal preference and devoid of Bible. But a few, with the loving tone of a man describing his wife, launched into a Bible-saturated description of the essential marks of a church and its biblical function. Support those missionaries.’

So let’s make sure that our mission dollars are supporting work that is in theological agreement with us. After all they (and we through them) will be propagating and encouraging their doctrines.                               Joel Radford

The word ‘church’ means literally a gathering or assembly. So when the word church is used in the New Testament it usually refers to the assembling of God’s people. A church is not a building as we often think, but Christians meeting together. On the other hand, ‘parachurch’ is an organisation that comes ‘alongside’ the church. It is not a church but a support for the local church.

There are many parachurch organisations that tell the good news of Jesus and meet social needs.  But God’s commands for such labours in the New Testament are mostly given to individual Christians within local churches, not parachurch organisations. In the New Testament we see assembled Christians following these commands. We see local churches teaching the saints, celebrating baptism and the Lord’s supper, proclaiming the gospel and providing material support to those in need.

It is the church that receive high praise from the Apostle Paul when he writes to Timothy: ‘Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how  people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth’ (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

What is Paul saying? Firstly, by calling the church ‘the church of the living God’, Paul is certainly teaching that God manifests himself as alive when his people gather together.

Secondly, by describing the church as ‘the pillar and foundation of the truth’, Paul is showing that the church is entrusted with proclaiming the gospel. The building images are helpful. Pillars and foundations are used to support something, like walls and a roof, and hold those things up before people. Similarly, God’s assembly is to hold up the gospel for all to see and believe.

Parachurch organisations are not described in these ways. The ESV Study Bible says about these verses: ‘This picture of the church is striking. The role of advancing the gospel is divinely given to the church, not (at least not in the same way) to any other body. Parachurch organizations have value, but they must support and not supplant the church.’

Thus the missionary giving of Drummoyne Baptist should have a priority for local churches. After all, it was Jesus who said: ‘I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’ (Matthew 16:18).

This doesn’t mean we cannot support parachurch organisations. But those that we do support should show that that they exist to support local churches, not that local churches exist to support them.

Joel Radford

The Bible has clear guidelines on who is allowed to minister in the church. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus’ (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

There are two offices in the church. Elders and deacons. The main difference between the two is that the elders must be able to teach, whereas a deacon serves in a non-teaching capacity, usually some form of church administration.

The clear instruction is that both sorts of leaders must be examples of Christian purity. There are many reasons for this.

One reason would be for the honour of God amongst outsiders. If leaders, including missionaries, are known for wicked behaviour, then God’s name will be mocked and the Christian witness hindered. Another reason is that leaders, including missionaries, may lead Christians astray. Christians seeing immoral missionaries may believe that they can be immoral too.

So if a missionary is to serve as a leader in some church or parachurch Christian organisation, then the elders of Drummoyne Baptist believe they should fit the requirements of God for church leaders. If they do not have integrity of life and lack the necessary gifts, then they will do much harm to the kingdom of God. Do you agree?

Joel Radford

There are many people and organisations that we could support in advancing the Kingdom of God. But the best ones to support would be those with whom we have a personal connection.

The Bible encourages such an attitude. Jesus spent a significant amount of time with his apostles before he sent them to preach the good news in Matthew 10. And when the church in Antioch commissioned Paul and Barnabas as missionaries, both of them were already a part of the church: ‘In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off’ (Acts 13:1-3). Moreover, when they returned from their trip, they went back to the church in Antioch to report about their work and stay with the church again: ‘From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples’ (Acts 14:26-28).

There are a few reasons why having personal relationships with missionaries makes sense. Firstly, it provides another layer of accountability for missionaries as they seek to be ambassadors of Christ. Not only should they be accountable to a local church body, they should give an account for their labour to their supporters.

Secondly, if we know the people we support, then we are more likely to support them, and support them well. We as humans are very good at giving to family and friends, but not to strangers. There is a place for improving on this natural tendency as our Lord commands. But the love and responsibility that we feel for those who are closest to us is God-given too. Paul says: ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers’ (Galatians 6:10).

So what would such a relationship look like? Like in Antioch, we should give first priority to those who have been members at our church. Second priority should go to those who are friends or family of church members. Third priority should go to missionaries who make a real effort to become friends with members of Drummoyne Baptist through regular visits when on home assignment, and regular contact when in the field, e.g. through newsletters.

Do you agree?                       Joel Radford

The apostles were Christ’s disciples while he was active in his earthly ministry. They were not necessarily the kind of people you might expect a Jewish Rabbi to choose. The most prominent ones were fishermen and tax collectors. They were also prone to doubts and ignorance. Peter, one of the most highly commended by Jesus, even lied at a crucial time about his relationship with Jesus.

For example, after Christ’s death, we find them quaking with fear in a locked room: ‘On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”’ (John 20:19). Also after Christ’s resurrection, we read of doubts amongst them: ‘Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16-17).

Yet, after Jesus has ascended in to heaven, we see the apostles boldly proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.

And it wasn’t as though, the culture in Jerusalem had changed and it was an easy thing to believe in Christ’s resurrection. The apostles are arrested and imprisoned for teaching about the risen Christ. But we see that the Jewish leaders were unable to persuade the apostles to recant: ‘Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go’ (Acts 4:18-21).

And the punishments didn’t stop. The apostles continued to be beaten, imprisoned and even executed for teaching about the resurrection of Jesus.

So what would lead some ordinary men, with ordinary doubts and fears, to affirm something even to the point of death? The answer is clear: They must have truly believed whatever they were teaching!

They certainly wouldn’t be ready to die for something they knew to be false – a lie they had collectively made up. One or two of them maybe, but a whole group ready to suffer and die is simply not probable.

Which means that these first witnesses to Christ’s resurrection had seen extraordinary proof that Jesus had not only died, but had come back to life again. They hadn’t just seen an empty tomb. They hadn’t just heard reports from others that Jesus was alive again. They had seen Jesus in bodily form alive and well. They had heard him speak. They had watched him eat. They had touched him.

We know that liars are not very good martyrs. So if the apostles were very good martyrs, then they were not liars.

So do you believe the testimony of the apostles that Jesus rose from the dead and so believe in Jesus for your own resurrection? Or do you foolishly accuse the apostles of lying?

Joel Radford

There are many answers to this question. But one answer would be to look at how the man Jesus fulfilled prophecies about the Christ’s death. If Jesus fulfilled those prophecies then he would clearly be the Christ, not an ordinary man at all!

There are actually many prophecies about the death of the Christ. Some of the clearest are given by David in Psalm 22.

While Jesus was dying on the cross, he referenced Psalm 22 itself as being fulfilled by his death. He quoted the opening words from Psalm 22: ‘About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”– which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”’ (Matthew 27:46).

But it is not only these words that apply to Jesus’ death, a number of verses in the Psalm explicitly prophesy how the Messiah would be killed.

For example, we read in Psalm 22 about the mocking of the Messiah by his enemies: ‘All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him”’ (Psalm 22:7-8).

Then in Matthew’s record of Jesus’ death we see a fulfilment of this prophesied mocking: ‘In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ “’ (Matthew 27:41-43).

Also in Psalm 22 we hear of the piercing of the Christ’s hands and feet, along with the dividing of his garments: ‘Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing’ (Psalm 22:16-18).

When we read Matthew, we see Jesus was pierced by crucifixion and his clothes gambled away: ‘When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots’ (Matthew 27:35).

And there are many other allusions to the man Jesus in the Psalm. Not only to his death but also to his life and his trust in the Lord in the midst of suffering.

So the man Jesus was also the Christ. He is Jesus Christ.

Which means that when Jesus cried out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’, it was true. God had in some way left him. Not just physically, but also spiritually. Jesus was experiencing the abandonment by God that all sinners should experience.

Therefore, wither we will be abandoned by God and confined in hell because of our sin or Jesus Christ was abandoned on our behalf because we trust in him.

So have you come to understand that Jesus is The Christ? Have you trusted that he was forsaken by God so that you will never be forsaken?

Joel Radford

To help us in this endeavor, we have all read a book by Andy Johnson called ‘Missions’ (available to borrow from the church library).

Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to share in a few bulletin articles some of the ideas that the elders are considering.

One of the things we think we should expect from a missionary is that they are a member of a local church.

Andy Johnson includes this suggestion when he looks at implications of a short passage from John’s Third Letter: ‘1 To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth’ (3 John. 1:1-8).

Andy Johnson writes: ‘Missionaries are not just self-styled free agents. They should be accountable to a specific local church. The missionaries mentioned in 3 John are probably accountable to John’s church in Ephesus. Did you notice the church connection in verse 6? John tells Gaius that these missionaries “testified to your love before the church.” After having been supported by Gaius they returned to the church that sent them and reported back. John’s letter, among other things, seems to be his church’s commendation of these missionaries as their own approved workers. Biblical missionaries are connected to a local church. It’s always been that way.’

Drummoyne Baptist elders agree that membership of a local church is important for all Christians. Many of the Biblical instructions to Christians can only be performed if one is a member of a local church. From the formal worship of God, to the discipline of members, to the submission to leaders, a local church is necessary for all Christians. For example, how would the Corinthian church follow these instructions of the Apostle Paul if they didn’t have a church membership roll? ‘But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”’ (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).

Thus if missionaries are supposed to be exemplary Christians, shouldn’t they be connected to a local church – whether at home or abroad?

Joel Radford

Jesus is often referred to as the ‘Son of David’. For example, we see the Jews questioning whether Jesus was the ‘Son of David’: ‘Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:22-23). Others were less uncertain, such as the blind men: ‘Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Matthew 20:30-31). The crowds as Jesus entered into Jerusalem were also convinced: ‘The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) .

But what does it mean that Jesus is the ‘Son of David’? Particularly when we know he is the son of God, the son of Mary and the son of Joseph by adoption.

The word ‘son’ can refer to an immediate ‘son’ but also can refer to men born from the family line of someone, e.g. grandsons and great grandsons.

So who is this David that Jesus is supposed to be the ‘son of’? David was the famous second king of Israel whose rise to the throne is recorded so carefully in the  Old  Testament. But was Jesus a descendant of King David? Yes. Both genealogies of Jesus given in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 are careful to show Jesus was literally ‘a son of David’.

But why is it important to find one who is ‘the Son of David’ as the Jews were trying to do? God had promised King David that one of his descendants would always have someone ruling over his people: ‘I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever’ (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

So the Jews were always looking for this Davidic ruler who would reign forever. They also expected that this ruler would also be the Christ, God’s promised Saviour. We see this when Jesus questions the religious leaders: ‘While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied’ (Matthew 22:41-42).

Thus by calling Jesus ‘The Son of David’ we learn that God’s Son, the second person of the trinity, is the promised King of Israel who reigns forever. And it is true. The loud voices in heaven proclaim: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever’ (Revelation 11:15).

So have you submitted to the everlasting King? He rules with an iron scepter and destroys rebels who sin against him. But if you turn to him and ask for mercy, the Son of David lovingly grants forgiveness.                Joel Radford

In the Bible, God is often called the Holy One. Job speaks of the ‘Holy One’ (Job 6:10) and the Book of Proverbs says ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding’ (Proverbs 9:10). And a quick computer search of the name in our English Bible’s translation of the book of Isaiah reveals that the name is used thirty times by that prophet to refer to God.

Each member of the trinity is also called ‘Holy’. God the Father is called ‘Holy Father’ by Jesus in John 17:11. Psalm 16 refers to the Christ, the second person of God, as the ‘Holy One’: ‘…you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay’ (Psalm 16:10). And the third person of the trinity is often referred to as the ‘Holy’ Spirit.

So what does it mean that God is the ‘Holy One’?

Holiness means that something is ‘other’ or ‘different’ and therefore set apart from everything else. Many things can be called ‘holy’ to distinguish them from other things. For example, in the temple there were many ‘holy’ objects that were normal everyday items, such as dishes and furnishings. But because they were in the temple they were considered vastly different from the dishes you’d eat from at home. They were ‘holy’ as they were set apart for a special use in a special place.

So when the Bible calls God ‘holy’ it means he is different from other things. What is God different from? Everything! There is no one like God. He is holy in his power. He is holy in his knowledge. He is holy in his love.

But it is his justice and purity that is often associated with God’s holiness. The Lord is set apart by his moral purity.

So what are we to do in light of God’s holiness?

Firstly, we should affirm it and say with Peter to Jesus: ‘We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God’ (John 6:69).

But simply affirming Jesus as the Holy One is not sufficient. Even demons said that to Jesus. In Luke’s gospel we read: ‘In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!”’ (Luke 4:33-34).

No, we need to be holy ourselves. The Apostle Peter said: ‘But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy”’ (1 Peter 1:15-16).

But isn’t that impossible? For us. Yes. But by the power of the Holy Spirit we can be made holy by God through faith in Christ. We can all be saints – set apart by God as his people. And God makes us live progressively holier and holier lives. And one day God will clearly set us apart from the world when he takes us to be with him in heaven.

So, have you asked God to make you holy as he is holy by the death of Jesus Christ? As you seeking to be holy as he is holy?                                 Joel Radford

At the time of Jesus’ ministry, the Jews were looking for ‘The Prophet’. They even asked John the Baptist if he was the one they were looking for: ‘They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”’ (John 1:21).

Who is ‘The Prophet’ who the Jews were expecting? God had promised a particular prophet through Moses many centuries before Jesus: ‘I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account’ (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

So who is ‘The Prophet’? The second person of the trinity: Jesus Christ.

Jesus was clearly a prophet. For example, many of the Jews declared that Jesus was a prophet. After Jesus raised a widow’s son to life, we read: ‘They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people”’ (Luke 7:16).

Jesus himself was conscious of his prophetic office: ‘There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say’ (John 12:48-50).

But is Jesus ‘The Prophet’? Yes. The Apostle Peter in one of his sermons in Acts applies the text from Moses to Jesus: ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you– even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.” Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days’ (Acts 3:19-24).

So what does it mean that Jesus is ‘The Prophet’. It tells us that we should listen to our God. Our God is the God who speaks – unlike the mute idols. God has spoken by his prophets and in ‘The Prophet’. The writer of Hebrews says: ‘In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe’ (Hebrews 1:1-2). The last word in the last days is from ‘The Prophet’.

Have you listened to ‘The Prophet’? Or do you cover your ears and refuse to trust him and his words?     Joel Radford

John the Baptist uses the title, ‘The Lamb of God’, to refer to Jesus. The Bible tells us John the Baptist’s comments about Jesus. In reply to the Jews he said: ‘”I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”’ (John 1:26-36).

The Apostle John also regularly refers to Jesus as ‘the Lamb’ in his book of Revelation.

But what does the name mean? The title ‘Lamb of God’, tells us many things, but most obviously it refers to the sacrifice that Jesus paid for sinners.

The God’s law in the Old Testament taught that lambs were to be sacrificed daily for sin: ‘This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight’ (Exodus 29:38-39). Also at the time of the Passover, Jews were required to eat part of a lamb sacrifice to commemorate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Lambs were thus associated with atonement for sin. Lambs were killed so that God wouldn’t kill humans for their rebellion.

Thus, Christ’s name, ‘The Lamb of God’, tells us that Jesus paid for his people’s rebellion by his death in their place. John the Baptist himself indicates this when he said: ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29). The Apostle Peter also says: ‘For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect’ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

So if you want to avoid being punished for your sins, Jesus must pay the penalty you deserve by his death. There is no other way. John didn’t say ‘Look, one of the lambs who takes away the sin of the world’. He said ‘The’ Lamb.

But how can you have Jesus pay for your sin? Turn from your sins and believe that he has died for you. If you do, ‘The Lamb of God’ has taken away your sin.                                 Joel Radford

The Old Testament book of Isaiah the prophet has repeated prophecies about someone who is God’s servant. These prophecies are then picked up in the New Testament gospels as references to Jesus: ‘Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope”’ (Matthew 12:15-21).

But what does it mean that Jesus is the servant of the Lord? It means he does the work of a servant. What sort of work? There are many ways that Jesus serves us but one of the greatest ways is by his death on the cross for sinners. Isaiah prophesied that the servant of the Lord would do just such a work: ‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open  his  mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors’ (Isaiah 53:5-12).

The apostle Paul also describes Jesus as a servant in his work at the cross: ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:5-8).

So the Son of God is the servant of the Lord. But has he served you by dying in your place? Or are you still going to have to die for your own sins for all eternity?

Joel Radfor

The name ‘Christ’ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’ which means ‘an anointed one’.

Anointed ones in the Old Testament were usually people who had oil poured on them in order to consecrate them for a particular divine office. For example, the prophet Samuel anointed David as King of Israel in 1 Samuel 16. And Moses gave instructions to anoint priests in Exodus 29. So there were actually many ‘Messiahs’ or ‘Christs’ in the Old Testament performing all kinds of work for God.

But over time there came to be an understanding that God would send ‘The Messiah’. He would be vastly different from the others and would deliver God’s people from all oppression for all eternity.

For example, in Psalm 2 we read: ‘Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron  scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him’ (Psalm 2:1-12).

Isaiah the prophet also prophesied about the Messiah: ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…’ (Isa. 61:1). In Luke 4, Jesus applied these words to himself.

So what does it mean that Jesus is ‘The Christ’? It means he is God’s promised deliverer with power to save his people. The apostle Peter said: ‘God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power’ (Acts 10:38). Thus Jesus was anointed and appointed to the offices of prophet, priest and king. This anointing was to save his people from sin and death and judgement and Satan and this corrupt world for all eternity.

But how do you have Jesus as your Christ, your Messiah, your anointed one? Simply by faith. The Apostle John says: ‘Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God’ (1 John 5:1). If you believe that Jesus is the Christ sent by God, you are delivered by him from all your enemies. He becomes your prophet, your priest and your king for all eternity.

So, is Jesus your Christ, your Messiah, your anointed one?

Joel Radford

The Old Testament book of Isaiah the prophet has repeated prophecies about someone who is God’s servant. These prophecies are then picked up in the New Testament gospels as references to Jesus: ‘Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope”’ (Matthew 12:15-21).

But what does it mean that Jesus is the servant of the Lord? It means he does the work of a servant. What sort of work? There are many ways that Jesus serves us but one of the greatest ways is by his death on the cross for sinners. Isaiah prophesied that the servant of the Lord would do just such a work: ‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and
judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors’ (Isaiah 53:5-12).

The apostle Paul also describes Jesus as a servant in his work at the cross: ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:5-8).

So the Son of God is the servant of the Lord. But has he served you by dying in your place? Or are you still going to have to die for your own sins for all eternity?

Joel Radford

We first hear that God’s Son would be called ‘Jesus’ when an angel announces it to Mary, the mother of Jesus: ‘In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end”’ (Luke 1:26-33).

An angel also appeared to Mary’s fiancé, Joseph, to give Joseph similar instructions about the boy’s name: ‘…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”’ (Matthew 1:20-21).

The name Jesus was not unusual. It is the Greek version of the Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ – the same name of Moses’ aide who fought the battle of Jericho. So why was this name singled out for the Son of God?

The name Jesus/Joshua means ‘The LORD saves’. Thus the name firstly reinforces that Jesus is the LORD incarnate. This is not the only reason we believe Jesus is God, otherwise all other Joshua’s would also be God. There are many other Scriptures that teach us Jesus is the LORD, in sharp contrast to all others named ‘Jesus’.

The second part of the name teaches us that Jesus came ‘to save’. But that is all the name tells us on its own. So we naturally ask the question, ‘To save whom from what?’

The explanation is given by the angel in the earlier quote from Matthew 1: ‘…you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins’.

Mankind has a problem with sin. They have rebelled against God and deserve to be punished. But who can save them from punishment if they are all sinners? The holy LORD can. But how? He saves sinful mankind by coming into the world and dying in their place as a substitute for their punishment.

But who does Jesus save? Sinners. Yes. All sinners? No. The angel said he only saves ‘his people’ from their sins. Who are Jesus’ people? Those who trust in him.

So have you trusted in Jesus’ work at the cross as payment for your sin? Do you now do as Owens’ hymn instructs you: ‘Sing above the battle’s strife, Jesus saves, Jesus saves; By His death and endless life, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.’

Joel Radford

We see this name when we read Genesis 21:33: ‘Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God’.

We previously examined the meanings of the words ‘LORD’ and ‘God’. So this time I want to concentrate on the word that Abraham used and is translated ‘eternal’.

When God is referred to as the ‘Eternal’ God it tells us something about his existence. The Hebrew word (olam) behind this English translation may refer to ‘a long time’, such as a human lifetime. For example, the Jewish law allowed a servant to become an ‘eternal’ servant: ‘But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life (olam)’ (Deuteronomy 15:16-17).

It may also refer to a long time in the past. For example in Genesis 6:4 it speaks of ‘heroes of old (olam), men of renown’.

The word may refer to the future too. For example, the name of the Lord is described as being put in the Jerusalem temple forever: ‘God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever (olam)”’ (2 Chronicles 33:7).

Thus when God is called eternal it refers to his existence from of old and into the future. We see this in the New Testament when Jesus calls himself by six other closely related names: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End’ (Revelation 22:13). As the Alpha (the first letter of the Greek alphabet), the First and the Beginning, Jesus is of the ancient past. As the Omega (the last letter of the Greek alphabet), the Last and the End, Jesus is of the distant future.

In fact, ‘eternal’ in reference to God refers to his perpetual, infinite existence. God is beyond time as we know it: past, present and future. Moses teaches us this in his prayer: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting (olam) to everlasting (olam) you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning–though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation’ (Psalm 90:1-7).

And like Moses, we should tremble at the knowledge that God is eternal. The eternal God will sweep us away in our sin all too easily. We are not eternal as he is. So what are we to do? Throw ourselves at the feet of the eternal God and beg for mercy. Thankfully, he is eternally gracious and welcomes us into eternal life if we trust in him. Do you have eternal life from the eternal God?

Joel Radford

Today I want to look at the name, ‘LORD Almighty’. This name is an English translation of two Hebrew words used to refer to God:

(i) ‘YHWH’ (the name of God usually translated as ‘LORD’ but sometimes translated as ‘Jehovah’ or ‘Yahweh’ – we’ve looked at this word previously);

(ii) ‘tsavaot’.

It’s this second word, ‘tsavaot’, that I want to focus on today. In Hebrew, the word can refer to ‘armies’, that is, military troops. For example: ‘The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies (tsavam)’ (Isaiah 34:2). It can also refer to the stars in the heavens as in Deuteronomy 4:19: ‘And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars– all the heavenly array (tsava)– do not be enticed into bowing down to them.’

So what does it mean when God is the LORD of ‘armies’?

The name can refer to the fact that God is over the armies of Israel. When David confronted Goliath he said: ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty (tsavaot), the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’ (1 Samuel 17:45).

But probably the most obvious reference is to the armies of angels that serve God. Micaiah the prophet says he saw this army with God: ‘I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host (tsava) of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left’ (1 Kings 22:19). The Psalmist also refers to the angels in this way: ‘Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts (tsavayw), you his servants who do his will’ (Psalm 103:20-21).

So what do we learn from this name for God? At a minimum, we learn that he is the leader of a powerful army of angels and therefore he is indeed ‘Almighty’.

This is why the NIV translation decided to translate the Hebrew word ‘tsavaot’ as ‘Almighty’. Older and modern translations, like the KJV and ESV, translate the word as ‘Hosts’. Thus the full name is ‘the LORD of Hosts’. This is because the English word ‘hosts’ can refer to a large number of people or things. In this case, ‘hosts’ gives the idea of the many angels of God.

But the NIV translators tell us they translated ‘tsavaot’ as Almighty because for most readers today the phrase ‘the LORD of hosts’ has ‘little meaning’. Whereas ‘Almighty’ conveys ‘the sense of the Hebrew, namely, “he who is sovereign over all the ‘hosts’ (powers) in heaven and on earth, especially over the ‘hosts’ (armies) of Israel.”’

We may not agree with the NIV translators, but at a minimum we must all understand that this name tells us that God is powerful and you wouldn’t want him as your enemy. And thankfully, despite our sin, if we trust in Christ we can have God as our ruler rather than our foe. Have you trusted in Christ and so the name the ‘God Almighty’ fills you with joy, not fear?                  Joel Radford

This week I want to consider what it means that God is often called by the Hebrew word ‘Adonai’ (its Greek equivalent in the New Testament is ‘Kurios’).

When the Jews stopped pronouncing the name YHWH, they used the word ‘Adonai’ in its place.

This name, ‘Adonai’, is also used in the Scriptures many times to refer to God. For example in Psalm 114 we read: ‘Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord (Adon), at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water’ (Psalm 114:7-8).

Moses himself uses the name ‘Adonai’ when speaking to God: ‘Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord (Adonai), I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue”’ (Exodus 4:10).

Now it gets a little confusing in English translations if both Hebrew names ‘YHWH’ and ‘Adonai’ are translated as ‘Lord’.

To help us distinguish the Hebrew behind our English translation, the New International Version says in its preface (it’s always worth reading the preface of your Bible at least once in your lifetime) that, ‘In regard to the divine name YHWH…the translators adopted the device used in most English versions of rendering that name as “LORD” in capital letters to distinguish it from Adonai, another Hebrew word rendered “Lord,” for which small letters are used. Wherever the two names stand together in the Old Testament as a compound name of God, they are rendered “Sovereign Lord.”’

So if you see ‘LORD’ in the English, it represents the Hebrew name ‘YHWH’. If you see ‘Lord’, it represents the Hebrew name ‘Adonai’.

But what do we learn from the name ‘Adonai’ about our God?

‘Adonai’ is the common Hebrew word for ‘Lord’ or ‘master’. It is often used to refer to humans who are in authority. For example, Joseph’s brothers use ‘Adonai’ to refer to Joseph in his role as king of Egypt (see Genesis 42:10). And Sarah uses ‘Adonai’ to refer to her husband (Genesis 18:12).

Thus, when ‘Adonai’ refers to God it demonstrates his authority. By referring to himself as ‘Adonai’, God demands that humanity respect him as the boss. We see this in Malachi’s prophecy: ‘”A son honors his father, and a servant his master (Adonai). If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master (Adon), where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty’ (Malachi 1:6).

So is God your master? If not, be assured that one day you will recognise that he is Lord over you and by then it will be too late to escape his punishment. Repent of your sin and acknowledge God as your Lord today.

Joel Radford

When Moses spoke with God at the burning bush, he asked for God’s name so he could tell his fellow Israelites who had sent him. We read this reply: ‘God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers– the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob– has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers-the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob– appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt”’ (Exodus 3:14-16).

God gives his name as ‘I AM’. This name is connected with the name that is transliterated into English as YHWH. It is given in the verses above right after God says he is ‘I AM’ and is translated in the NIV English translation as ‘LORD’. In other translations, it may be translated as Jehovah or Yahweh (the correct pronunciation is uncertain as the Jews stopped pronouncing the name out of respect for God).

The New Bible Dictionary says that strictly speaking YHWH is the only ‘name’ of God and Exodus 3:15 tells us it is his name forever. There are many gods, but there is only one YHWH.
So what does this name, YHWH, tell us about God?

Well, as I said earlier, you can see the connection between YHWH and the name ‘I AM’ in Exodus 3. There is also similarity between the spelling of YHWH and the Hebrew word ‘to be’. Therefore, this name for God tells us quite a number of things.

Firstly, if God is ‘I AM’, God exists. The Psalmist writes: ‘The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”’ (Psalm 14:1). But God says to the fool, ‘I AM’. Even his name declares that he exists!

Secondly, if God is ‘I AM’, God is self-sufficient (we call this God’s aseity). All things are dependent. I need oxygen every moment of the day. Our pet birds need seeds from plants. The plants need sunlight. The sun needs flammable gases. Everything is dependent. And the Bible tells us that ultimately all of creation is dependent upon God: ‘For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’ (Colossians 1:16-17). Everyone and everything is dependent. Except God. He is ‘I AM’.

Thirdly, if God is ‘I AM’, he will always exist. There is no time when he will not ‘be’. He cannot die. He exists. Always.

So do you rejoice in the fact that your God is ‘I AM’. He exists. He is independent. He always will be. What security and peace we have in knowing that such a God loves us and always will!
Joel Radford

This is not normal behaviour. If we lived in heaven and reigned with all power and authority, we wouldn’t take a step down. Nobody likes to take a demotion. But that is what the Son of God did. So why did he do it?

There are many answers to that question. Jesus himself gives us just one of them when he said publicly: ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost’ (Luke 19:10). Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man and he said that he came in order to seek out and save the lost.

What was lost that would make the Son of God come and live on this earth? Well the context of this verse is the transformation that had come about in the life of a tax collector called Zacchaeus. He had cheated many people out of a lot of money and had become quite wealthy as a result. The Jews knew Zacchaeus as a ‘sinner’. And indeed he was. And as a sinner Zacchaeus was lost to God. He would be forever cast out of his presence one day.

But when Zacchaeus met Jesus we witness this astonishing transformation: ‘But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount”’ (Luke 19:8).

Zacchaeus was no longer a servant of money. He had been found by Christ and saved from his life of sin. Zacchaeus wouldn’t be sent out of God’s presence for eternity. And Zacchaeus is not the only lost person that the Son of God came to save.

All of humanity are sinners as we’ve all broken God’s laws since the cradle. We all deserve to remain lost to God for all eternity. Yet Jesus came to find sinners like you and me and bring us back into relationship with God.

But how does Jesus seek and save us today? After all, in Zacchaeus’ case, Jesus literally came and found Zacchaeus as he was perched in a tree!

The Lord Jesus seeks us out by his Holy Spirit as we hear about Jesus through his word. While we hear his word read, his Spirit finds us out and opens our minds to listen to him.

And Jesus saves us by his blood shed for us at the cross. Christmas encourages us to remember the entrance of God into the world. But Jesus didn’t stay a baby in a manger. Jesus grew up and saved us by his death – his becoming human at the first Christmas was only the preliminary act! Another act was to come: his death. At Christ’s death, the sins of believers were put upon him and he then paid our death penalty in our place.

So Jesus came to seek and save what was lost. If you haven’t trusted in Christ, do you recognise that you are lost? That you have wandered from God and are no longer part of his kingdom? Do you fear to die outside of God’s family? Turn to Christ now as he seeks you and trust in the salvation that he has brought.

Then celebrate at Christmas what looks like one of the craziest acts in history: God becoming man.

Joel Radford

We’ve begun looking at the names of God and how his names help us understand him better. We’ve seen that God is called ‘The Father’, ‘The Son’ and ‘The Holy Spirit’ and unpacked what those names teach us. This week I want to look at the name ‘God’.

The English word ‘God’ is usually used to translate the Hebrew word ‘El’ and ‘Elohim’ in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘Theos’ is usually translated ‘God’.

But what do these words mean? Basically they are used for ‘gods’, that is, supernatural beings.

In the ‘Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament’, Harris et al comment that the Hebrew word ‘El’ is a very ancient term. It is also the most widely distributed name among Semitic-speaking peoples for a deity, occurring in some form in every Semitic language except Ethiopic. They also comment that suggestions for an original meaning of ‘power’ or ‘fear’ are widely challenged and much disputed.

Thus we see the same Hebrew word for ‘God’ is used in the Old Testament to refer to ‘gods’ of other nations as well ‘God’ himself. For example, in his giving of the ten commandments, God calls himself ‘elohim’ and then speaks about other ‘elohim’: ‘I am the LORD your God (elohim), who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods (elohim) before me’ (Exodus 20:2-3).

Similarly, the Greek word ‘theos’ was used widely to refer to the many Greek gods without referring to one specific god. Thus the New Testament also uses the word ‘theos’ to refer to both God himself and also foreign gods. The English word ‘god’ is used in the same way. It may refer to the ‘God’ of Christianity, but also the ‘gods’ of Hinduism, Buddhism and whatever other false religions may arise.

Thus when the Bible uses the common words for gods, one of the main things we learn is that our God does indeed claim to be a transcendent being, similar to the claims of the gods of false religions. God is not a man like us nor any other created being, he is a supernatural being.

Yet, the Bible is careful to point out that in reality there is only one ‘God’; that is, only one supernatural being.

It was reported of Paul that he taught in Ephesus that ‘man-made gods are no gods at all’ (Acts 19:26).

And Paul did say in his letter to the church in Corinth: ‘We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live’ (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

So although there are many claims of different ‘gods’ in this world, there really is only one God – the God of Christianity revealed in Jesus Christ. And he alone is worthy of our trust and worship.

Do you worship the only God?

Joel Radford

For example Paul, quoting from Isaiah, says: ‘”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God’ (1 Corinthians 2:9-11).

Thus the Scriptures declare that there is one God yet three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

But what does the fact that one of the persons of God is called ‘Spirit’ teach us about God? There are many answers to that question. But one thing we can learn about God is his life giving work.

The word for Spirit in both the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament can also mean ‘breath’. And breath implies life. Humans know this all too well. If we don’t breathe, we die.

So if we understand that God is Spirit, it helps us to understand that he is the one who gives life.

In Genesis, when God creates the world and gives life to all creation, we see his Spirit (breath) is present: ‘Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters’ (Genesis 1:2). The same idea that God’s breath gives physical life is present when God makes Adam, the first man. We read: ‘…the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ (Genesis 2:7). Elihu in the book of Job also says: ‘The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life’ (Job 33:4).

Then in the New Testament, Jesus speaks about a different life-giving work of the Spirit. Nicodemus, one of the religious leaders, comes to Jesus and Jesus says to him: ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit’ (John 3:5-8).

Jesus is teaching that in order to have ‘spiritual’ life, you need the Holy Spirit to blow in your direction and give birth to you. Physical life is insufficient to inherit the kingdom of God. You need spiritual life. Only if you start breathing by the ‘Breath of God’ can you enter the kingdom of heaven.

So the fact that God is called the Spirit helps us to understand how we are completely dependent upon God. He is our oxygen. Without him, we cannot breathe on this earth. Without him, we cannot breathe for all eternity in paradise.

So do you trust in the Holy Spirit for your life here on earth? Do you trust him for life eternal?                            Joel Radford

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God. And it also clearly teaches that Jesus is the Son of God. For example at his baptism we read that ‘a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”’ (Matthew 3:17).

But what does it mean that Jesus is ‘the Son’? There are many answers to that question, but I’ll give just a few.

Firstly, it means that within the Godhead there are multiple persons and they relate to one another as different persons. Just as I know that I’m different from my son Joshua, so the heavenly Father is different from the heavenly Son.

Yet it also means that they share some things in common. My son and I share many of the same characteristics and, at a minimum, we’re both human. Likewise, the heavenly Father and Son share the same attributes and are both God. The Jews realised this when Jesus called God his Father: ‘For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God’ (John 5:18).

Thirdly, the fact that God is called Son, shows the special relationship that is shared between members of the Godhead. This is no mere acquaintance. The heavenly Father and Son love and care for one another deeply. Even the greatest affection between a human father and son, pales in comparison to their   relationship. Jesus speaks of this love between him and the heavenly Father in his high priestly prayer: ‘Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them’ (John 17:25-26).

The name Son also shows the desire to honour one another that is found between the two members of the trinity. An earthly father loves to see his son honoured, whether it be receiving a sticker on the shirt in kindergarten or a degree certificate at a university graduation. So it is not surprising that Jesus mentions the glory that the Father makes of him in the same high priestly prayer: ‘Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world’ (John 17:24). And naturally, a son loves people to pay respect to his father – he may even encourage such respect by a speech at a birthday for his dad. In Matthew we see the heavenly Son praising the heavenly Father in front of others. One example is when Jesus praises God for the revelation of the final judgement: ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure’ (Matthew 11:25-26).

Thus the fact that one member of the godhead is called the ‘Son’ should fill us with wonder and delight about the relationships within God himself. Do you marvel in the knowledge that God is ‘the Son’?                           Joel Radford

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in a place of animals and put in a feeding trough instead of a crib: ‘While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:6-7).

Everybody knows that is no place for a baby to be born, let alone a prince. So why was the King of Kings born in such a place? Because ‘there was no room for them in the inn.’

And sadly, this was not the only time there was no room for Jesus.

John tells us that the Messiah was not received by most of his own race, the Jews. Very few people had room in their hearts for Jesus: ‘He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’ (John 1:11-13).

The Jewish rejection of Christ was so great that they eventually crucified him. Yet, this rejection was not unsurprising to those who knew their Bibles well. The servant of the Lord was always going to be despised by his fellow man. Isaiah the prophet wrote:  “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:1-3).

Sadly the case remains today. You would think that if someone taught with great wisdom, did many incredible miracles, died a martyr’s death, was raised to life and ascended into heaven would be given special attention by humanity afterwards. But after Christ’s ascension into heaven, great persecution broke out against his followers. Just as Jesus predicted when he told his disciples: ‘On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles…Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!’ (Matthew 10:18-25).

And people today still reject Christ, to their detriment. But if you do make room in your heart for Jesus by believing in him, the Bible promises that you will receive eternal life. So has Jesus taken up residence in your life, or is there no room at the inn?

Joel Radford

One of the joys of being a Christian is learning more about the God who made us and saved us. And one of the ways we can learn more about him is by looking at his names.

Today we often name our children with names simply because we like their sound – not their meaning. My daughter is named Philippa which means ‘lover of horses’. But we didn’t name her that because we thought she would be a horse whisperer (although she has become a great fan of toy unicorns as she has grown up). We simply thought it was cute and could be shortened to the even cuter names, Pippa and Pip.

Even so, we recognise that some names carry much meaning. For example the names ‘mother’ and ‘father’ are used frequently and are most significant.

And, interestingly, that same name is used of God. The Bible describes God as the Father of his people in many places. One example is in Psalms: ‘As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust’ (Psalm 103:13-14). The book of Proverbs also describes God as a Father: ‘My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in’ (Provebs 3:11-12).

In the New Testament God is regularly named as ‘Father’, particularly by the Apostle Paul. Thus, we learn that the first member of the trinity is God the Father. Jesus also taught his disciples to address God as Father: ‘One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray….” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come”‘ (Luke 11:1-2).

But what does it mean to us if God is named ‘Father’? At a minimum, it means we have a very special relationship to God – a relationship not everyone shares. A child’s relationship to a father is a unique relationship. Sadly, earthly fathers or earthly children can taint this relationship and make it seem not so special. Fathers are often absent, physically or emotionally. Children are frequently rebellious. Sin terribly obscures fatherhood.

But the fatherhood of God is the perfect fatherhood to which even the best earthly fatherhoods are simply distant shadows. God is the Father who always cares for his children in everyway. Providing what they need to grow. Exhorting them with encouraging words. Giving advice on how to live. Protecting them from serious harm. Thus, knowing that God is a Father to his people gives great assurance and joy!

But how do you become a child of God? John’s gospel tells us that those who believe in Jesus can call God Father: ‘Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’ (John 1:12-13). Have you received Jesus and now have God as your Heavenly Father?                  Joel Radford

Last week we saw that it is sin to foolishly charge God with the pain he inflicts. This week we also see that it is sin to ascribe the praise of any good we have or do to fortune, idols, ourselves or any other creature.

The Bible teaches us that every good experience we enjoy is from God: ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows’ (James 1:17). Yet it’s all too easy to give praise to others for the good that is ultimately from God.

A good example of someone attributing blessing to idols is described in Daniel. King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his nobles and drank wine with them. The Bible then describes his actions: ‘While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way’ (Daniel 5:2-6). As Belshazzar ascribed praise to false gods, he got the fright of his life – a life that didn’t see the light of the next day!

But how is this a breaking of the first commandment? When you praise a person or an object for something God has done, you are elevating that person or thing over and above God. Which means you have put another god before God, contrary to the first commandment.

And it doesn’t have to be an idol or someone else. We can praise ourselves all too easily. I once heard someone say grace before our meal with dangerous words. She said ‘Thank you God for the food we prepared that we bought with the money that we worked hard for. Amen.’ There was no thanks given for the body that did the work or the oxygen that sustained the body to do the work that led to the food.

Yet before we point the finger, although we might not say it aloud, we naturally tend to think that the good things that have come our way are because of our own strength. Therefore, our hearts condemn us again and again for misdirected praise too.

Yet the God-man, Jesus Christ, always gave glory to God for all good things. And if we trust in him we can have his perfect praise attributed to our account. So instead of being condemned by God we are commended. Have you trusted in him?

Joel Radford

The first commandment also forbids discontent and impatience with God’s work in our lives, particularly foolishly charging him for the pains he inflicts.

A very good example of someone murmuring against God is in Psalm 73. The Psalmist bemoans the fact that the wicked appear to be blessed, while the righteous suffer. ‘But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like– always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you’ (Psalm 73:2-22).

If we murmur against God when suffer, even slightly, it is a murdering of God. We are placing ourselves and our wellbeing as a god over and above the true God.

Job is a much better example to follow when we suffer. After hearing that his children all died when the building they were in had collapsed, this was his response: ‘At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing’ (Job 1:20-22).

Yet we are too often more like the Psalmist than Job. When the smallest pain comes along, we question our Lord’s authority. Thankfully Jesus never grumbled against God, despite experiencing the worst sufferings known to man. And if we trust that Christ’s suffering was for us, we are forgiven for all our grumbling. Have you trusted him?                          Joel Radford

The first commandment also forbids resisting and grieving the Spirit of God.

Stephen, one of the early church leaders, warns about resisting the Holy Spirit. The Jewish leaders arrested him and put him on trial for his faith. At the end of the sermon he preached before the Sanhedrin, Stephen said: ‘You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him–you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it’ (Acts 7:51-53).

By rejecting Jesus Christ, the religious leaders had resisted the Holy Spirit. Why had they rejected Jesus? Matthew reminds us that ‘it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him’ (Matthew 27:18). The religious leaders had been envious of Jesus and broken the first commandment by choosing to worship themselves and their nation instead of Jesus. And as the Holy Spirit loves to bring people to worship Christ, they were guilty of resisting Him too.

Yet it’s not only non-Christians who upset the Holy Spirit. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul warns Christians against grieving the Holy Spirit: ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption’ (Ephesians 4:30).

What does it mean ‘’to grieve’ the Holy Spirit? The Greek word could also be translated as causing sadness or sorrow. Basically, when we prefer another god over the true God and thereby break the first commandment, this is upsetting to the Holy Spirit who lives in true Christians.

Imagine that you are married and your spouse one day prefers someone else to you. Your spouse thinks the other person is better looking, a nicer person and has more to offer. Your spouse not only prefers that person, but starts to listen to the other person instead of you. Would that not grieve you? Your spouse may only do it for a few hours or a day, but it would still be very upsetting.

That helps us understand just a little of the pain the Holy Spirit feels when you choose to ignore God and go after an idol in your heart. It maybe for a moment, but it’s enough to upset him. We’re supposed to be devoted to the Lord all the time and not cause the Spirit any pain.

The truth is, we’ve resisted and grieved the Holy Spirit many, many times. So what are we to do? We need to look again to the blood of Jesus Christ that purifies us from all unrighteousness, including the sins of resisting and grieving of the Spirit. And if we trust in Jesus he not only cleanses us of all the times we’ve grieved the Spirit but he gives us strength to cause the Spirit joy rather than pain.

Joel Radford

The first commandment also forbids despising God.

Sadly people do despise God and treat him with contempt by what they think of him and the way that they reject him.

For example, the King of Assyria blasphemed God in his speech to the Israelites: ‘This is what the king of Assyria says…”Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they rescued Samaria from my hand?  Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”’ (2 Kings 18:31-35).

A modern example may be seen in the tirade in a book by the atheist Richard Dawkins that I won’t even dare to quote.

Yet the people of God can be guilty of despising God too. Moses says of the Israelites after they had wandered through the desert: ‘Jeshurun [Israel] grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God-gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth’ (Deuteronomy 32:15-18).

The Psalmist also speaks of those who despise God’s words, which is to despise the speaker of the words: ‘Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High’ (Psalm 107:10-11).

The Psalmist then points out what happens to those who revile God: ‘So he [God] subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help’ (Ps. 107:12). It’s the same today. Many who despise God now will experience eternal suffering as a result of their rejection of God.

But the Psalmist offers hope for those who are guilty of spurning God. We read: ‘Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains’ (Psalm 107:13-14).

So, have you ever found yourself to be tempted to have evil thoughts of God? Have you ever considered him to be unkind or unloving? Have you ever grumbled at God for the circumstances he has brought into your life? Have you wandered away from him thinking he is not worthy of your attention?

Repent. Turn to him and ask for mercy. He will forgive all who love him, rather than despise him.                 Joel Radford

The first commandment also forbids letting other people be lords of our faith and consciences.

There is a perennial temptation to let other people decide matters of faith and conscience for us. Instead of following God’s commandments, we’d much rather follow the teachings and traditions of men.

But Jesus warned the Jews about allowing the Pharisees such control over them: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the  Christ.  The  greatest  among  you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to’ (Matthew 23:2-13).

The early Christians also fell into the same temptation. Paul rebukes the church in Corinth with these words: ‘My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?’ (1 Corinthians 1:11-13).

If we worship God, he is our final authority on matters of faith and conscience. Yes, God gives us teachers to help us understand his commandments. But at the end of the day, we are not disciples of our teachers. We’re disciples of Jesus Christ. If a teacher cannot show us from Scripture what they’re teaching, we have every right to ignore their instruction. Otherwise, we’re guilty of false worship as we have placed that person as god of our life, rather than our Creator.

Are you guilty of letting another person be lord of your life? Stop what you’re doing, confess it to the Lord Jesus and ask for forgiveness. And then begin to let Christ alone decide what you believe and do.

Joel Radford

The first commandment also forbids consultations with Satan.

Satan is real. And Satan is very dangerous. Because of Satan’s lies in the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, the whole human race fell into a state of sin and misery.

Yet people continue to consult Satan and his demons. Thus the Bible warns against such practices. We read in God’s law: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so’ (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).

Also, in the Scriptures King Saul is given as an example of what not to do when you are distressed. ‘When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”” (1 Samuel 28:5-8). God’s word says later about this incident: ‘Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse’ (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

Why would God forbid such consultations with Satan’s realm? Because Satan stands utterly opposed to God himself. The apostle Paul warns: ‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan’s great work is to assume worship for himself that rightfully belongs to God and God alone. To engage the help of Satan gives honour to a false god and leads to ongoing false worship.

Besides, there is no need to consult with Satan about anything. God’s word is sufficient for all our needs. Paul writes: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work’ (2 Timothy 3:16-4:1).

Joel Radford.

The first commandment also forbids worship of the created rather than the creator.

Thus the first commandment forbids the worship of heavenly bodies. The sun, moon and stars have all been worshipped by mankind. During the time of King Josiah, that Israelites were worshipping heavenly bodies: ‘He [Josiah] did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem– those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts’ (2 Kings 23:5). And it is not as though this is an outdated practice. Modern day astrology is an attempt to listen to a spiritual voice from the stars.

Moreover, humans have worshipped animals and plants and rocks in violation of the first commandment. From Hinduism to South American animism, even to Western crystal healing, people give such created beings a spiritual element that is reserved for God.

Finally, mention should be made of how people have worshipped humans. An example is given in the New Testament when Paul and Silas were in the city of Lystra: ‘When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language,”The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them’ (Acts 14:11-15). A modern form of this false worship exists in the common practice of ancestor worship.

But it is not hard to see how worship of created things is highly offensive. Imagine someone invents a new engine motor which they place in a car and then let you drive it. Imagine that you praise the engine motor itself as the means by which car powerfully overcomes even the steepest of inclines at the highest of speeds. Imagine that you give such praise in the presence of the engine builder as though there was no creator and builder of the engine. You wouldn’t be surprised if he kicked you out of the car!

So why are people surprised that God kicks them out of his creation by death when they persist in worshiping his creation instead of him, before his very eyes?

Have you worshipped the created rather than the creator? Repent and ask for his mercy before it is too late.

Joel Radford.

The first commandment also forbids estranging ourselves from God.

Many people try to keep the first commandment and have no other gods before God. But over time they backslide and distance themselves from God. Other interests and desires become more important in their lives than God.

But Ezekiel has these stern words from God for those who start well, but then return to idolatry: ‘”This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry. I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! ” ‘When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself. I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD”’ (Ezekiel 14:4-8). And Isaiah said to the Israelites who turned away from God: ‘”Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted”’ (Isaiah 1:4-5).

And the Apostle Peter speaks of such wanderers in this manner: ‘If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”’ (2 Peter 2:20-3:1).

Those metaphors from Peter are quite apt to describe those who estrange themselves from God. In going back to sin, they’re like dogs that go back and eat up the vomit that their bodies previously rejected. Or they’re like a freshly washed pig plunging back into the mud.

Have you estranged yourself from God? Have you gone back to rolling in the mud of sin? Repent. Our Lord Jesus is exceedingly patient with humanity and embraces all those who truly come back to worship him as their God.

Joel Radford.

Corrupt, blind and indiscreet zeal is also forbidden by the first commandment.

Zeal is a great enthusiasm for something. Now, zeal is not wrong in itself. It can even be commendable before God if it is for the right reasons. The Apostle Paul says “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good” (Galatians 4:18).

So as humans we like to see people who are zealous for things. Whether it be for their work or their hobbies, it’s nice to see a God given enthusiasm for something as opposed to a passive mediocrity towards everything.

But when our zeal is for something that is not in accordance with God’s word, we have broken the first commandment. We have begun to worship a false god.

In the passage already quoted. Paul warns against the zeal of men teaching a false gospel to the Galatians: “Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you” (Galatians 4:17-18).

Paul also warns about Jews who were zealous to establish their own righteousness: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:1-4).

So our zeal should always be in accordance with God’s will and for his glory. We should be zealous for things that please God. We shouldn’t be busy for the sake of being busy. We must always ask, ‘Is my zeal in accordance with God’s knowledge?’

And, wonderfully, God has given us great freedom in what we can be zealous about. We can be zealous for the work and relationship responsibilities he has given us. We can be zealous about the good hobbies and pleasures that he has granted. We can be zealous to learn more about him – whether it be for his attributes or his word. Some may be zealous about God’s mercy, some may be zealous for his holiness. Some may be zealous about the cross, some may be zealous about the resurrection. Some may be zealous for the Psalms, some may be zealous for the Gospel of John. These are all good ways to be zealous.

But if our zeal is ever misplaced we need to confess our blind zeal and turn back to our Lord Jesus. He will graciously forgive us and inform our zeal so that it is redirected into better paths.

Joel Radford.

The first commandment also forbids loving carnal/fleshly delights and joys more than God.

There are many pleasures that we enjoy with our bodies. We take delight in certain sights such as magnificent buildings and fine paintings. We relish the tastes of different foods and drinks. We listen to many kinds of beautiful music. We like to hug those we love. We enjoy the smell of sweet fragrances.

But these experiences of our flesh, our bodies, can quickly dominate our lives. We can start to love such pleasures over and above our God who graciously gives them. And as soon as we do that, we’ve broken the first commandment.

In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul warns against those who love pleasure rather than God: ‘But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth– men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone’ (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

Similarly, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul says: ‘For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:18-21).

Has your God been your stomach? What about your eyes? Or your ears? Do you prefer tickling your senses than listening to the one who made your senses? Sadly, we’re all guilty of worshipping the pleasures of this world at the expense of our worship for God. And so we all deserve the destruction Paul speaks about in his letters.

But thankfully, through Christ, God offers us forgiveness. If we repent of being lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, he draws us back into his arms. And there he shows us pleasures that we couldn’t even dream about before! Joel Radford.

Another sin the first commandment forbids is trusting in unlawful means–that is, using what God forbids for our benefit.

God uses many means to help us. When we are born, we are usually surrounded by people to help us and give us food for nourishment. These are lawful and helpful means from God for our benefit. But as we get older, we start to think that we can benefit if we break God’s law too. We think that if lying can save our skin, it’s certainly permitted. If murdering my Dad brings peace to the home, pass me the poison. If stealing from the rich benefits the poor, pass me the crowbar.

It may even be that we trust those we shouldn’t in order to help us in our times of trouble. Isaiah warns Israel of such misplaced trust. Assyria was threatening to annihilate Judah, and so the Jews were looking to Egypt to save them from the ensuing war. Isaiah rebuked them with these words: ‘“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace. Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace”’ (Isaiah 30:1-5). God redeemed Israel from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. But here Israel is seeking to put themselves back under the care of the Egyptians. And they primarily trust their old enemies as they no longer trust the Lord to save them – demonstrating disobedience to the first commandment. God is not their God.

Some even suggest that we give God more honour by breaking his commands, as when he forgives us, his grace is magnified. Paul says about such a thought: ‘But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved’ (Romans 3:5-8).

So, if we deliberately break God’s law for our own benefit, we show that we have abandoned worship of God. If God is truly our God, we would trust him for what we need. We would know that he is perfectly capable of looking after his children with lawful means.

Have you broken the first commandment by using unlawful means for your benefit? I encourage you to repent and start to live according to lawful means. Joel Radford.

Another sin the first commandment forbids is tempting or testing God.

We often like the idea of testing God so that we can confirm his will. Gideon in the book of Judges appears to encourage such a practice. Gideon wanted to know if he would be successful in battle and so he asked for a definite sign from God that he would be victorious. We read: ‘Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised– look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew– a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew’ (Judges 6:36-40).

Yet when Satan tempts Jesus to test God, what do we read? ‘Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”’ (Matthew 4:5-7). Jesus cites Moses’ command in Deuteronomy to show that we’re not to test God as the Jews did in the desert.

But how is testing God a violation of the first commandment? Does testing God really show that we have put a false god over the real God?

Yes. When we test God we are doubting who he is and beginning to view him as another god altogether. God is a faithful, good and reliable God. But when we test him, we show that we’re doubting his Word and therefore his very character. In effect, we’re saying ‘We don’t believe you are truthful, so give us a sign to show us that you are who you claim to be?’

God’s people do not need special confirmation from God of his faithfulness. God has given us all the signs we need. If we test God for further signs, we sin, violating the first commandment. We are like Gideon who doubted God and like those who were condemned by Jesus:: ‘Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign!”’ (Matthew 12:38-40).

So have you tested God and broken the first commandment? Confess your sin to God and ask for his forgiveness through Christ. Thankfully he grants mercy to all who repent.

Joel Radford.

One of the sins the first commandment forbids is carnal security. What is that? A reliance upon human strength leading to a disregard of God’s strength and word.

The prophet Jeremiah warns against such carnal security: ‘This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”’ (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

There are many instances in the Scriptures where people trust in their own strength rather than the Lord’s and are condemned. When Israel was in trouble and was thinking of getting help from the Egyptians, God prophesied through Isaiah: ‘Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked, against those who help evildoers. But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together’ (Isaiah 31:1-3).

So carnal security leads people to laugh at God’s warnings about judgement. Peter says: ‘…understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation”’ (2 Peter 3:3-4).

If we look at our lives closely, we easily see that we too struggle with carnal security. When we have a major work problem, who do we turn to first? Do we pray about it or roll up our sleeves and get to work solving it? When we have a serious illness, who do we turn to first? Our doctor or our God? Do we live as though there will be no judgement day?

If God is our God and there are no other gods before him, then God is our security, not human strength. We need to cry with the Psalmist: ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!’ (Psalm 20:7-9).

Have you repented of your trust in human strength and found forgiveness in Christ?

Joel Radford

One of the sins of the first commandment is pride. Whenever we are proud, we exalt ourselves against God and place ourselves in his place as god. We do not assess our position in this world as we ought, and start to forget that we are the created and God is the creator. Thus the sin of pride is a clear violation of the first commandment not to have other gods.

Pride is quite dangerous because it leads to other sins. The Book of Proverbs teaches us: ‘Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice’ (Proverbs 13:10).

But why is pride such an issue for us? God punishes the proud for their arrogance toward him. He does not share his position as God with anyone: ‘I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols’ (Isaiah 42:8). Proverbs warns: ‘Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall’ (Proverbs 16:18). Pride can lead to a fall, a fall into the bottomless pit of the abyss!

Thus the Bible gives many examples of people who were proud in their actions towards God and were punished accordingly. A classic example is found in Isaiah the prophet’s prophecy against the King of Assyria: ‘Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: “‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you. The Daughter of Jerusalem tosses her head as you flee. Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! By your messengers you have heaped insults on the Lord. And you have said, “With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines. I have reached its remotest parts, the finest of its forests. I have dug wells in foreign lands and drunk the water there. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.” ” ‘Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone. Their people, drained of power, are dismayed and put to shame. They are like plants in the field, like tender green shoots, like grass sprouting on the roof, scorched before it grows up. ” ‘But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came’”’ (2 Kings 19:20-28).

So, have you seen the sin of pride in your life? Humble yourself now before God and ask for forgiveness through Jesus. If you do so, he will cover your offense toward God and save you from certain downfall.                    Joel Radford.

Another sin that demonstrates rebellion against God is hardness of heart, even in the face of judgement.

The Apostle Paul warns Christians against the hardness of heart of those who don’t know God: ‘So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way’ (Ephesians 4:17-20).

In the Old Testament, Pharaoh of Egypt is an example of someone who regularly hardened his heart toward God and would not do what God commanded. For example we read: ‘Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the  people  go”’ (Exodus 7:13-14). And even when plague after plague of judgement was poured out on Egypt, Pharaoh continued to remain insensible under God’s wrath.

Jeremiah makes a similar observation about the Jews living in Jerusalem during his day: ‘You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent’ (Jeremiah 5:3).

Sadly we often see such a response to God’s judgement. When people experience intense pain, instead of their hearts becoming softer towards God, their hearts become even harder.  Trauma to human skin can sometimes soften and break it, but other times trauma only brings hardened callous. So it is with the human heart under God’s judgements.

Thus the book of Hebrews warns against the sin of hardening our hearts towards God. ‘See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”’ (Hebrews 3:12-15).

So, do you recognise your guilt in hardening your heart against God, even when he is judging you? Have you gone to Christ for forgiveness of your sin and asked for a heart that is soft towards God?

Joel Radford.

So how do we get through the pain and keep on serving the Lord?

One way is by remembering that it is our duty and privilege to serve the Lord in whatever sphere he places us.

Jesus told this parable to illustrate the mindset we should have of Christian service: ‘Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, “Come along now and sit down to eat”? Would he not rather say, “Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink”? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty”’ (Luke 17:7-10).

I’ve never plowed a field, but I’m sure its hard work. So what keeps a plowman at his work? Remembering that it is an honour to have the work.

We may grumble and complain about our jobs. We don’t like the work, we don’t like the clients, we don’t like the fellow workers, we don’t like the boss. But when someone is unemployed they begin to understand the privilege that it is to have a job, no matter how tough it is.

Similarly, serving the Lord can be tough and we often feel a temptation to grumble and opt out of the work. God often calls us to do work that drains our energy. He often calls us to work under harsh conditions with little encouragement. He even calls us to work with people we don’t like or persecute us.

But we must remember that we are unworthy servants. We do not deserve to be God’s workmen. We have rebelled against our master many times and continue to do so. But he continues to keep us on the payroll and uses us for his kingdom.

John the Baptist was a great figure in church history. Many people respected him and thought he was a wonderful man of God. But what did he say about his worthiness for his task? We read in Luke’s gospel: ‘The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them’ (Luke 3:15-18).

Untying someone’s shoes was a demeaning dirty job that few would do for others. Yet John knew that he was unqualified even to untie Christ’s shoes.

So when you suffer for doing God’s work, do you remember that it is a privilege to be in his service. That you are not worthy for the work, but he uses you anyway? Does this help you endure whatever work he gives you, no matter how painful?

Joel Radford

If we know something bad will be quick, then we put up with it much more easily. We assure the child who has to have an immunisation that the needle will be in and out in a moment. The prisoner counts down the days until his release to help him endure the confinement. The light at the end of a long tunnel helps the fatigued walker to press on to escape into the daylight.

So it’s not surprising that the Bible often encourages us to remember that our suffering in this world is for a short time.

The apostle Peter says: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire– may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed’ (1 Pet. 1:3-7). This is a magnificent series of verses that have much to tell us about suffering and so I’ve quoted them in this series of articles on suffering before. But notice that Peter says that the suffering of ‘grief in all kinds of trials’ is only for a ‘little while’. He knows it is helpful to remember that suffering is only for a ‘little while’.

As the Psalmist says, even if the Lord is frowning on his people, we know that it will end. He says: ‘For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning’ (Ps. 30:5).

But what about those who seem to spend a lifetime in suffering? What about those who suffer from chronic illness and pain? What about those whose limbs are paralysed all their lives? What about those who live under a heavy-handed dictator who constantly oppresses his people?

The Bible reminds us that even a lifetime of suffering is only ‘a little while’ in the grand scheme of things. Paul says: ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

In comparison to eternity, whatever we suffer in this world is short. We cannot get our heads around eternity, but we can certainly try. What is 70 odd years of bodily pain compared to a million years of living in a perfectly healthy body? What is 80 years of tyranny to a billion years of sweet peace under a righteous and loving King?

So when your life is dominated by a particular pain, do you consider that, in all likelihood, no one on earth will remember your pain in a hundred years’ time? That you will have long passed into glory. Does that remind you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as the light at the end of every dark tunnel we ever pass through?

Joel Radford

In Acts, we read that the Jewish priests arrested the apostles. Luke records the end of the matter with these words: ‘They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name’ (Acts 5:40-41).

Why would the apostles rejoice over their suffering and consider it an honour? Isn’t suffering always disgraceful? Jesus had taught the apostles that it was a privilege to suffer for God’s sake because when you suffer you are in good company. Jesus said: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you’ (Matthew 5:10-12).

And not only are you in the company of the prophets, you’re in the company of Christ who also suffered for God’s sake. Peter says ‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name’ (1 Peter 4:12-16). Both Jesus and Peter also encourage the reader to remember the great reward given to those who suffer for Christ. Such a reward can help even the most bitter of suffering appear sweet.

This teaching has led many Christians to endure great suffering. One example from Korean history is given by Milne in his commentary on Acts: ‘The Communists were vicious to the pastors. One pastor’s family were captured in Inchon, Korea, and the Communists put them on a “People’s Trial”…They dug a large hole, putting the pastor, his wife and several of his children in. The leader then spoke, “Mister, all these years you have misled the people with the superstition of the Bible. Now if you will publicly disclaim it before these people, and repent of this misdemeanour, then you, your wife, and your children will be freed. But if you persist in your superstitions, all of your family is going to be buried alive. Make a decision!” All of his children then blurted, “Oh Daddy! Daddy! Think of us! Daddy!”‘ The father was shaken. He lifted his hand and said, “Yes, yes, I’ll do it. I am going to denounce… my…” But before he could finish his sentence his wife nudged him, saying, “Daddy! Say NO!” “Hush children”, she said, “tonight we are going to have supper with the King of kings, the Lord of lords!” She led them in singing “In the Sweet By and By,” her husband and children following, while the Communists began to bury them. Soon the children were buried, but until the soil came up to their necks they sang, and all the people watched. God did not deliver them, but almost all the people who watched this execution became Christians, many now members of my church.’

So, if you were to suffer for Christ, would you rejoice?                Joel Radford

Many don’t believe that there is such a place as hell or Satan. This is reflected in an interview by New York Magazine with the Roman Catholic Antonin Scalia, who was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United states for thirty years (http://nymag.com/news/features/antonin-scalia-2013-10/index3.html). Part of the interview went like this:

Reporter: You believe in heaven and hell?

Scalia: Oh, of course I do. Don’t you believe in heaven and hell?

Reporter: No.

Scalia: Oh, my….[Leans in, stage-whispers.] I even believe in the Devil.

Reporter: You do?

Scalia: Of course! Yeah, he’s a real person. Hey, c’mon, that’s standard Catholic doctrine! Every Catholic believes that.

Reporter: Every Catholic believes this? There’s a wide variety of Catholics out there…

Scalia: If you are faithful to Catholic dogma, that is certainly a large part of it…

Reporter: Isn’t it terribly frightening to believe in the Devil?

Scalia: You’re looking at me as though I’m weird…Are you so out of touch with most of America, most of which believes in the Devil? I mean, Jesus Christ believed in the Devil! It’s in the Gospels! You travel in circles that are so, so removed from mainstream America that you are appalled that anybody would believe in the Devil! Most of mankind has believed in the Devil, for all of history. Many more intelligent people than you or me have believed in the Devil.

As the reporter shows, himself included, many don’t believe in hell or Satan. Yet the Bible unequivocally states their existence. Not only that, our suffering physically reminds us that they exist as we even now feel God’s judgement on the world.

If life was pleasant all the time, we wouldn’t be able to comprehend even a little of the awful suffering of hell and the pain inflicted by Satan.

But because we suffer, we know what it feels to be in pain. Therefore the terrible depictions of hell in the Scripture have impact on us. For example, we comprehend something of what John wrote: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars– their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death’ (Revelation 21:6-8).

As our bodies suffer bodily pain, we reflect that the lake of burning sulfur is something we don’t want to experience. We also don’t want to keep following Satan who hurts his followers. So by our knowledge of pain we flee to Jesus who welcomes us to drink from the water of life.

So when you suffer, does this help you to reflect on the suffering of hell? Has your suffering led you to trust in Jesus to escape that suffering? And if you have trusted him, when you suffer do you rejoice that your pain is nothing in comparison to what you deserve?

Joel Radford

Previously in this series of articles on the benefits of suffering, I’ve mentioned that our pain drives us to pray personally.

But it is important to remember that your suffering doesn’t just lead you to personally pray for deliverance, it also encourages others who care about you to pray.

The Bible regularly commands and gives example of God’s people praying for one another.

For example, the Apostle Paul speaks about his sufferings and how his pain led the Corinthian church to pray for him: ‘We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many’ (2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

Not only would the Corinthians pray for Paul’s deliverance from deadly peril, but Paul was confident that when he was delivered they would offer prayers of thanks as well.

Another example from the early church is when Peter was arrested by King Herod. We read: ‘It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.  When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him’ (Acts 12:1-5). When your dear friend is likely to die, you call a prayer meeting!

And it makes sense. When you’re at a loss to know how to help someone who is in trouble, we naturally turn to prayer.

Thus suffering gets the people of God to bend their knees in prayer – not only for themselves but for others.

We often pray at our church prayer meeting that more Christians would see the importance of prayer and come to the meeting. I fear that one of the only ways that God may bring about such an answer to our prayers is by increasing the collective suffering of Christians in Australia. Maybe one of the reasons God permits the increasing hostility of the secular culture towards Christians is to teach his people to pray more, privately and publicly.

So do you pray when someone you love is suffering? Do you need God to bring more suffering into the lives of those you love so you will pray more? Is that a scary thought?

Joel Radford

Many people claim to be Christian. But not everyone who professes faith in Christ is saved. Jesus gives a stern warning: ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

So how can you know whether you are saved? Jesus says we need to look at the fruit of our lives. I should ask myself, ’Am I obedient to the will of God?’

But we must also note that it is easier to do the will of God under certain circumstances. For example, it is easier to be faithful in church attendance when there is freedom of religion. Whereas, if your country has outlawed Christianity, it’s much harder to fulfil the command to gather together – fear of personal safety encourages you to stay away.

But if you persist in following Jesus despite difficult conditions, your faith is shown to be even more genuine.

The apostle Peter says: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire– may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed’ (1 Peter 1:3-7).

Peter clearly says that suffering is a trial that proves our faith is genuine. Just as gold is proven genuine when it passes through fire, so a Christian who keeps his faith as he passes through pain shows he really is a Christian.

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time you will have seen the way suffering has revealed false and true faith in people. You will know of people who have denied the Saviour once pain came into their life. They showed themselves to be the shallow soil Jesus spoke about in the parable of the sower: ‘Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away’ (Mark 4:16-17).

Yet we also know people who have gone through sharp affliction and instead of walking away from God have run towards God. Such people have demonstrated they have genuine faith and have gained assurance through their pain. They even learn to rejoice in their pain as Peter described.

So when you suffer, do you see it as a test of your faith? Are you anxious to make sure you’re not a ‘fair-weather’ Christian: you’re only friends with God when life is sunny?                Joel Radford

The apostle Paul says: ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us’ (Romans 5:1-5).

Notice the progression of thought. Suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character. Character produces hope. And our hope is not disappointed. Thus Paul rejoices in his sufferings.

Similarly, James says: ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything’ (James 1:2-4).

So the Bible is clear. When we suffer, we can become stronger.

We know this principle from the natural world. An old song sung by Jonny Cash says ‘…steel is strong because it knew the hammer and white heat’. Or consider the way a bicep muscle suffers through exercise, but is tougher because of the pain.

And  as we  look at others around us, we can see many examples of people growing as a result of pain. Some of my favourite stories are those that have a lot of character development. It is satisfying to see rough edges smoothed away through the person’s consistent perseverance in trouble.

And there are many such examples in the Bible. Jacob goes through many trials in Genesis and learns to hope in God more. Hannah prayed most fervently because of the difficult test of infertility in 1 Samuel chapter 1. David’s character develops through his struggles with King Saul.

The Apostle Paul also lived out this truth himself. He wrote to the church in Corinth: ‘To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

So next time you suffer, try and consider it ‘pure joy’ and ‘rejoice’. The gym junkie rejoices in his aching muscles because he knows he’s going to be stronger and look better as a result. So you too can rejoice that your suffering will lead you to hope more in God and you’ll be stronger as a result. You’ll even look better, at least to God.

Joel Radford

Humans generally love to be independent. From a young age, children like to do things for themselves. When a mother tries to help a child with his homework, he’ll say ‘I know, I know, I know’, when he doesn’t ‘know! As adults, many won’t accept other people’s ‘charity’, even if they desperately need it.

But it is dangerous to trust in oneself. Proverbs says: ‘He who trusts in himself is a fool’ (Proverbs 28:26).

Why is it foolish to trust yourself? Because as humans we are far weaker than we like to think. Our knowledge and power is actually rather pathetic. So it is not surprising that God graciously brings suffering into our lives to humble our pride. God said through the prophet Jeremiah that those who trust in themselves rather than God will suffer. But those who trust him will prosper. We read: ‘This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”’ (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

When we experience immense suffering, we realise there are some problems that are completely beyond our capabilities.

This then pushes us to trust in God more deeply than ever before.

The Apostle Paul spoke about how his suffering caused him to rely on God more. When he wrote to the church in Corinth he said: ‘We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many’ (2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Note that Paul says that his suffering happened that he might not rely on himself, but upon God.

So when we suffer, it is always worth asking, ‘What have I been trusting in lately?’ And ‘Who am I going to trust to deliver me from suffering?’ Is it God? Or is it myself? Or another human?

If it’s not God, we should be afraid.

So can you say the following with the Psalmist? ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call’ (Psalm 20:7-9)’

Joel Radford

The Book of Job shows us that God does allow Satan to hurt people deliberately. Job was very faithful to God. And Satan went after him. We read: ‘One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head’ (Job 1:6-20).

There are lots of interesting questions raised by this text. For example, ‘Why did God allow Satan to do this?’ But such questions don’t always have easy answers.

But one thing we can be sure of is that knowing something about Satan and his schemes can help us in times of trouble. If you are in a car accident and people are injured including yourself, you can have a greater peace of mind about the pain if you know that someone else is to blame. Similarly, if I know that my suffering is not because of my sin but because of Satan’s sin, then I can rest a little easier.

And thankfully our Lord places limits on Satan’s actions against his people. Jesus even said to Simon Peter: ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail’ (Luke 22:31-32).

So do you recognise Satan’s possible role in your suffering? Does that knowledge comfort you?     Joel Radford

Another word used to describe sin is the Hebrew word ‘shagah’. This word literally means ‘straying from a correct path’, but can also be translated as an ‘error’ or a ‘mistake’.

The word can describe sheep that have gone astray. In fact, God uses the word to describe the Israelites as sheep that have strayed because their shepherds have not looked after them. In Ezekiel’s prophecy we read: ‘The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered (shagah) over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them”’ (Ezekiel 34:1-6).

So the word ‘shagah’ gives us a good picture of sin. God has shown us the path of life but we wander off his path. What is God’s path? His law. His instructions. Proverbs says ‘Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray (shagah) from the words of knowledge’ (Proverbs 19:27).

Some sins clearly show a wandering from God’s laws. For example, Isaiah describes drunkenness as ‘shagah’: ‘And these also stagger (shagah) from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger (shagah) from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger (shagah) when seeing visions, they stumble  when rendering decisions. All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth’ (Isaiah 28:7-8). Drunks literally wander all over the place. But they also spiritually wander from God’s commands.

Also, Proverbs also describes the sin of adultery as ‘shagah’: ‘Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray (shagah) by his own great folly’ (Proverbs 5:20-23). If you commit adultery you literally wander away from your spouse. But also from God’s law.

Sadly we have all wandered from God’s paths. We have not kept God’s commands. Except for Jesus. The lamb of God never wandered from God’s path. And if we trust in him, God treats us according to Christ’s faithfulness, not according to our unfaithfulness. So do you trust in Jesus Christ for all the times you’ve strayed from God’s paths?

Joel Radford

Another word used to describe sin is the Hebrew word ‘avah’.  This word literally means ‘deliberate perversion’ or a ‘twisting’.

The word can be used to describe a ‘twisting’ action without reference to sin. For example we read of God twisting the earth in judgement: ‘Behold, the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist (avah) its surface and scatter its inhabitants’ (Isaiah 24:1). God also twists people: ‘The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness (avah); they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit’ (Isaiah 19:14). And the Psalmist describes his body as twisted: ‘I am bowed (avah) down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning’ (Psalm 38:6).

So it is not surprising that the word is used to describe the sinful actions of men. Nehemiah gives us an example when the Israelites are building the wall of Jerusalem and yet some foreigners seek to pervert their actions. We read from Nehemiah’s account: ‘When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,  and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble– burned as they are?” Tobiah the  Ammonite,  who  was  at  his  side, said, “What they are building– if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt (avah) or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders’ (Nehemiah 4:1-5).

So if we break God’s law, we are guilty of twisting it. Thus God can describe sinful humans with these words: ‘Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt (avah), a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him’ (Isaiah 1:4).

And it’s not just Israel. This can be taken as a terrible indictment on the whole human race. We have all twisted God’s word and are literally perverts.

But thankfully the Bible teaches us that God forgives perversions. The Psalmist reminds himself: ‘Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins (avah) and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit’ (Psalm 103:2-4). And God promises through Jeremiah: ‘I will cleanse them from all the sin (avah) they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me’ (Jeremiah 33:8). How is this possible? If we trust in him, at the cross Jesus became our perversions of God’s law in order to forgive us.

So have you recognised your perversions and asked God to forgive you?                                   Joel Radford.

Another word used to describe sin is the Hebrew word pasha.  This word sees sin as a broken relationship – a rebellion or a revolution.

The word pasha occurs in a non-theological sense in 1 Kings when Israel rebels against the King of Judah. We read: ‘King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion (pasha) against the house of David to this day’ (1 Kings 12:18-19).

Now the Bible is clear that God is the King over all the earth. The Apostle Paul describes God as ‘God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever’ (1 Timothy 6:15-16)’.

And if God is King of all the earth then all created human beings are naturally God’s subjects. Isaiah describes our relationship to God with these words: ‘For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king’ (Isaiah 33:22).

And if we are God’s subjects we are to obey him. We are to keep his laws and show him due reverence. Thus if we are not obedient to God, our disobedience is rightly called pasha, rebellion. We see this in prophecies like that given by Isaiah: ‘’Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: ‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled (pasha) against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion?’ (Isaiah 1:2-5)

And our rebellion is important to note because God is a king who punishes rebels, like any good king would. God said through Jeremiah: ‘From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, “Obey me.” But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep’ (Jeremiah 11:7-8).

We all should be obedient to God, but by breaking his laws we have rebelled against him and deserve to be punished. But how can we pacify our angry king? Thankfully, Jesus became our rebellion at the cross and was punished on our behalf, if we trust in him. God no longer sees us as rebels, but as model citizens because of the work of Christ. So do you trust in Christ? Or are you considered a rebel by God and will one day be rightly punished.

Joel Radfor

The Apostle Paul would beg to differ. In one of his tight summaries of the Christian gospel, he holds up the resurrection of Jesus as of first importance. We read in his letter to the church in Corinth: ‘For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born’ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Paul not only states that the resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred. But Paul gives proofs of it by recounting Christ’s appearances in a resurrected body to many different people on multiple occasions. Paul says that Jesus appeared to Peter, the twelve apostles, then to over five hundred other Christians. Jesus also showed himself to his own brother, James, and to the Apostle Paul.

Thus to deny the resurrection would be to deny a fundamental belief of the Christian faith. It would mean denying all Christ’s resurrection appearances to his many followers. Appearances that formed a core of the teachings of leaders of the early church.

Now, why is it so important to Paul that Christians believe in the resurrection? Because without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there will be no resurrection of Christ’s followers. In the same chapter of his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul warns of the foolishness of believing that there is no resurrection of the dead: ‘But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men’ (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

Paul is rather blunt. If Christ is not raised from the dead, then we’re to be pitied more than everyone else. Why? Because we’re following a man who claimed to have power over death but has been proven not to have such power. Faith in such an individual is the height of stupidity!

But thankfully Christ has been raised from the dead and so our faith is not foolish. It is well grounded in his resurrection and such faith will one day be rewarded with eternal life.

Do you have such faith in Christ?

Joel Radford..

From these verses, we see several things about Christ’s death. Firstly, we see the great motive for the death of Christ. In the words “who loved me,” Paul is describing the great love that Jesus has for His people. Jesus is not a cold, mechanical saviour who just did what He had to do. He was not just there to get the job done – though He certainly does all things well. It was love for His people that motivated the eternal Son of God to give Himself unto death. What a love indeed! “… Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Have you considered the love of Christ recently? It should always be our desire to know its height, depth, breadth and length – every dimension of that love. It was not because of our intrinsic greatness or worth that He came; it was not our love-ableness, or our righteous deeds. There was nothing in us that demanded that the Lord Jesus come down and die for us – but it was infinite, everlasting, steadfast love!

The next thing we see is that in dying on the cross, Jesus died FOR His people – in their place. A true swap occurred at the cross – the righteous for the unrighteous to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). It was not for the righteous that Christ died; it was for the ungodly, for sinners, for His enemies! Paul  says  this  in  his  letter  to Rome: ‘You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!’ (Romans 5:6-10).

As Paul said in Galatians 2, Christ “gave Himself for me.” For Paul! Who had hated Christ and His church with every breath. For us! Who were His enemies and who had no love for Him. We see the greatness of the cross when we see our utter unworthiness and sinfulness, and yet Christ singled us out and died for us! This is what we should all be saying: “Christ Jesus gave Himself for ME.” “Christ Jesus died for ME”. Jesus didn’t die for an ambiguous people – He laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:15).

If you are a Christian, do you realise that Jesus set His love on YOU, and died for YOU? That He gave Himself for YOU?

The infinite, eternal Son of God took upon Himself our flesh and died upon a cross, bearing our sins and the punishment for them. He died in our place and He did it out of His free, infinite love! May we never forget this to the day we die, and may we remember it this Easter.

Joshua Parker

The word chatta’h can also be used to describe missing a goal. An example of it being used in this way is In Proverbs: ‘It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way [sin]’ (Proverbs 19:2).

Thus the word chatta’h is used in a moral sense when someone fails to live up to the expectations of someone else. An example can be found in Genesis: ‘Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended [sinned against] their master, the king of Egypt’ (Genesis 40:1).

In the New Testament, the equivalent Greek word is hamartia, which also means to miss a target or take a wrong road.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the word regularly describes the failure to keep God’s law. God’s commandments are the mark that we are to hit, like the bullseye on a target. His rules are the goals we are to reach, like the objectives you’re meant to fulfil for your employer or customer.

Which means if you fail to keep God’s commands, you are a sinner. You haven’t hit what you’re supposed to hit. You haven’t met your goals. And when we examine God’s commands, it becomes quickly apparent that we are all sinners. We have all failed to live as we should. As the Apostle Paul writes: ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23).

But thankfully those verses do not stop there. The surrounding verses say: ‘But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished–he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus’ (Romans 3:21-26).

Through faith in Jesus, we can be justified. God can view us as ones who have aimed at achieving his law and done so every time. Christ always kept the law of God perfectly, and so all the time that he hit the bullseye of God’s law, it is attributed to you if you trust in him. It is as though you have received a gold medal in a shooting contest and never missed. Despite the fact that you actually did repeatedly miss. And this is good news because the gold medal is eternal life. So have you trusted in Christ and are viewed as one who never missed the mark?      Joel Radford

But often the link between pain and sin is not obvious and people wonder if there is a correlation. Did I have a car accident this morning because I didn’t go to church? Have I been diagnosed with cancer because I can’t bring myself to forgive my sister for what she did to me and have ignored all her attempts at reconciliation?

Alarmingly, for all us sinners, the Bible does present a correlation between sin and disasters that would normally be considered unrelated.

An example would include that of Miriam, the sister of Moses: In Numbers 12 we read: ‘Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?”…The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam– leprous, like snow.’ Miriam and Aaron were jealous of their brother Moses and their sin led to Miriam having leprosy. It is only by their confession of sin that Miriam is spared from great illness and death.

A New Testament example of suffering for serious sin comes from the church in Corinth and relates to the Lord’s Supper. Paul says ‘A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). People weren’t eating rightly and were getting sick, even dying.

Now, we cannot connect all health problems and suffering to a specific sin. Jesus clearly says that all tragedies do not mean that those who suffered were worse sinners than those who didn’t suffer. Luke records Jesus’ words for us: ‘Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish’ (Luke 13:1-5).

Thus we cannot look at someone who is suffering greatly and say, ‘He must be a great sinner’. Jesus encourages everyone to repent of their sin, whether they have pain or not.

But, if we suffer, we do have a good reason to ask ourselves, ‘Is there an unrepentant sin in my life that explains my suffering?’

And if you find something, confess it to the merciful Lord. He will forgive. And he may just release you from your burden as he did for Miriam.

Joel Radford.

But something often disrupts such plans: suffering.

Bodily pain can disrupt a career. Enemies can ruin your relationships. Mental anguish can prevent travel, even to the kitchen refrigerator.

So why would God allow such suffering? Surely his job is to fulfil our dreams and aspirations?

There are many reasons that God disrupts our plans with suffering. But one reason is to teach us patience.

Humanity is not a very patient race. We run from one thing to another. Rarely satisfied. Often discontented.

But the Christian is supposed to be patient. Paul lists what a Christian spirit-filled life looks like in Galatians, and he includes patience: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law’ (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul also says in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Now sometimes the Spirit graciously grants patience to people as they travel peacefully through life. But for others, he uses the rod of suffering to teach us.

The Bible often links suffering and patience together. For example, the Apostle Paul commands Christians in Romans to: ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12). And when the Apostle John describes some of the awful sufferings that will occur in the end times, he says that such suffering requires patience: ‘If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints’ (Revelation 13:10).

And it is easy to see the connection between pain and patience. If we’re honest, we know severe suffering is actually quite good at teaching us endurance.  When suffering first begins, we may fight and push back, trying to accomplish our plans in spite of the affliction. But if the suffering intensifies, there is little we can do besides give up altogether or learn some patience.

Thus, some of the most patient people in this world are those who have endured great distress. They have learnt to bend their will to the will of God and patiently wait on him.

So next time you suffer, it might be worth asking yourself, ‘Is God graciously teaching me patience?’

Then put into practice his command to be patient in affliction, while looking forward to displaying the fruit of the Spirit in your life more fully than ever before.

Joel Radford

But your suffering can actually be helpful to others.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that if you suffer and are comforted by God, you are especially equipped to be able to pass on that comfort to others.

Paul opened his letter to the church in Corinth with the following words: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (1 Corinthians 2:3-11).

Paul was very familiar with suffering. Later in the letter to the Corinthians Paul describes some of his ordeals: ”Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). 

So it is precisely because Paul has suffered in these ways, that he was able to sympathise and encourage others in their trials. No one could ever claim that Paul didn’t know what he was talking about when he encouraged people to find comfort in God.

It is the same for you. If you lean on God while going through the struggle of fighting cancer, for example, you have a unique qualification to minister to fellow cancer sufferers. You can urge them to trust in the Almighty God too.

So when you suffer, don’t ever think that it is a waste of time and energy. God may be preparing you to be of great benefit to someone else later on in life.

Joel Radford.

But if there is a ‘good’ reason for suffering, then God is all powerful and all good.

So what might be a good reason why God allows his children to suffer? To ween them off the things of this world and help them to hunger for heaven instead.

One of our problems, as Christians, is that we can love this world too much. Many things in this world are very nice. It might be a relationship with a family member or friend, a food you enjoy, a part of creation you delight in or a piece of technology. These are all precious gifts from God our Father. But sometimes we become overly attached to them and we don’t want to leave them behind. The Christian all too easily forgets that his citizenship is not in this world. We should be people who long to be with Christ, but instead we become like unbelievers whose focus in on themselves. Paul compares such people with Christians in his letter to the church in Philippi: ‘Their [unbelievers] destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:19-21).

So what does God use to help us to have a greater desire for heaven? Suffering.

Paul speaks about how suffering leads us to look forward to paradise in his letter to the church in Rome: ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently’ (Romans 8:18-25).

If we had heaven on earth, we would have no hope at all. As Paul said, ‘Who hopes for what he already has?’ If you had a world of no pain, no suffering, no tears, no physical hardships, how much would you want to go to heaven?

So when we experience suffering in this world, we lose interest in being here and long for the delights that are to come in paradise.

So do you trust in Christ and long for the glories to come? Do you accept suffering in this world so that you become more hopeful of what you are yet to receive?

Joel Radford

When we experience pain and suffering, many turn away from God. But the Christian should do the  opposite when in trouble: he should cling closer to God than ever before.

One of the ways that this increased intimacy with God is displayed is by the Christian becoming more prayerful.

Jesus is described as a man of prayer. In part, because of his suffering. The author of Hebrews says about Christ: ‘During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission’ (Hebrews 5:7). And naturally Christians have always followed in his footsteps. When distressed, they cry out to their Father too.

The book of Psalms also demonstrates the constant prayers of the suffering believer. For example, Psalm 55 says: ‘Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest– I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them. But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them–men who never change their ways and have no fear of God. My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.’

Did you see how often the Psalmist says he prays to God: Evening, morning and noon. His prayers are frequent because his anguish is frequent.

So when you suffer, do you realise the benefit of being driven to pray more. God is using suffering to draw you closer to him, and that’s always a good thing.

Joel Radford.

It is so easy for you to find joy in the things of this world and use those for your encouragement during times of suffering.

But God’s holiness, his moral perfection in particular, should be your chief joy.

The great theologian Jonathan Edwards says in his book on the ‘Religious Affections’ that:

‘A true love to God must begin with a delight in his holiness, and not with a delight in any other attribute; for no other attribute is truly lovely without this, and no otherwise than as (according to our way of conceiving God) it derives its loveliness from this.’

God has many attributes: power, love, mercy, grace. But none of them are beautiful attributes unless he is holy – if God is not just, then these attributes become unbalanced and dirty.

So do you delight in God’s holiness, particularly when you suffer?

Jonathan Edwards teaches us that what you delight in can help you discern whether you are a true Christian or not:

“And this is indeed the very main difference between the joy of the hypocrite, and the joy of the true saint. The former rejoices in himself; self is the first foundation of his joy: the latter rejoices in God. The hypocrite has his mind pleased and delighted, in the first place, with his own privilege, and happiness to which he supposes he has attained, or shall attain. True saints have their minds, in the first place, inexpressibly pleased and delighted with the sweet ideas of the glorious and amiable nature of the things of God. This is the spring of all their delights, and the cream of all their pleasures; it is the joy of their joy. This sweet and ravishing entertainment they have in viewing the beautiful and delightful nature of divine things, is the foundation of the joy they have afterward in the consideration of their being theirs. But the dependence of the affections of hypocrites is in a contrary order: they first rejoice and are elevated, that they are the favorites of God; and then, on that ground, he seems in a sort lovely to them.”

Edwards teaching is Biblical. The Psalms, in particular, give wonderful examples of those who delight in God, particularly his holiness in his Word: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).

Can you affirm the words of the Psalmist to God in prayer right now?

When you struggle with suffering, is it because you have delighted in things other than God’s holiness and they are now being stripped away? Are you depressed because your source of joy is gone?

I encourage you, find joy, even in your suffering, by examining God’s holiness.

Joel Radford.

Jesus himself tells us that one of the reasons he came into the world was to call sinners to repentance.

In the book of Luke, we read of an incident in Christ’s life when he called Levi, the tax collector, to be his disciple: “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”” (Luke 5:27-32).

Jesus is in trouble with the religious leaders for eating in the home of people that they consider to be notorious sinners. Yet Jesus is happy to eat with evildoers. Why? Because he came to help sinners, not those who are assured of their own righteousness.

Just as a doctor comes to help those who are sick, Jesus was born to help those sick with sin. Jesus knows that unless they are cured of their sin, they will be judged eternally for it.

So what does Jesus call sinners to do? When Jesus was questioned, he said that he came to call sinners to repentance. Thus, repentance is Christ’s cure for sin.

But what is repentance? Repentance is a change of one’s mind. The repentant person changes their mind about sin and grieves over it instead of enjoying it. The prophet Jeremiah described repentance in this way: “After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth” (Jeremiah 31:19).

And the repentant person is not only sorry for their sins but turns away from them to do right. The prophet Ezekiel calls people to repent with the following words: “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!” (Ezekiel 14:6). You can’t be repentant of your sins and continue in them. You must turn away from them.

But why would Jesus be born in order to call sinners to repentance? How does repentance help with sin?

The apostle Peter points out that repentance before God brings forgiveness of sins through Jesus. He said about Jesus: “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel” (Acts 5:31). Which means that you can inherit eternal life through Christ if you simply come to him in repentance.

So, do you love to celebrate Christmas? Is it because you know that through Christ’s coming and calling you to repentance, you have experienced the forgiveness of sins?            Joel Radford

In these bulletin articles, we have been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17th Century. We have been looking at God’s law as summarised in the ten commandments. We started by examining the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). We saw the duties of the first commandment and then began to examine the sins forbidden by the commandment, such as unbelief, atheism, self-seeking, loving the world, ignoring God, forgetting God and hating God. But what other sins are forbidden?

If you worship God above all other gods, then despair is forbidden by the first commandment.

Despair is the complete loss or absence of hope. So if the eternal God is your God, then there is always reason to hope – no matter what situation you face.

Cain is an example who broke the first commandment by despairing. Cain was Adam and Eve’s first son. But Cain also became the first murderer when he killed his brother Abel.  We read about God’s confrontation of Cain in Genesis: ‘Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be  hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” (Genesis 4:9-14).

Cain did not trust in the Lord and so he complained that his punishment was beyond him. All hope was gone.

Whereas if we trust in God, then we know that we can always bear up under any suffering we may experience. God will carry us through. The Apostle Paul says to his fellow Christians: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Thus, despair demonstrates that God is no longer god for you. When you despair, it is usually because something you hoped in instead of God has been taken away. You may not have realised it was your god, but its absence reveals its significance to you. For example, some people despair when their bank account is empty or overdrawn by a significant amount. Suicide is not uncommon at such times. The god of money is no longer present and taking one’s own life seems like a good idea.

But the Christian lives with a simple faith in God that everything will be ok. Even with an empty bank account, you know that life is still worth living because God is your god and in him you put your hope.

Do you regularly despair of life? Begin to trust in God and he will forgive you of your despair and will begin to give you a despair-free life.                 Joel Radford

In these bulletin articles, we’ve been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17th Century. We’ve been looking at God’s law as summarised in the ten commandments. We started by examining the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). We saw the duties of the first commandment and then began to examine the sins forbidden by the commandment, such as atheism, self-seeking, loving the world, ignoring God, forgetting God and hating God. But what other sins are forbidden?

Unbelief and distrust in God are also forbidden by the first commandment.

If you claim God as your god, then you have to believe/trust/have faith in him. Otherwise he isn’t your God. Whatever you are trusting in instead of God is your god.

Thus the Bible regularly commands trust in God. The Book of Proverbs says: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight’ (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In the New Testament, when the Philippian gaoler asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved, they replied: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved– you and your household’ (Acts 16:31).

The also Bible warns strongly against the sin of unbelief. The author of Hebrews says: ‘See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as  it  is  called  Today,  so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first’ (Hebrews 3:12-14).

Now, to believe in God, means accepting that his word is true and trusting him to take care of you. In the Scriptures, there are many examples where people failed to do so. The Psalmist reminds the Israelites of their unbelief of God’s care: ‘But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert? When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?” When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance’ (Psalm 78:17-22).

Before he was converted, the apostle Paul also misbelieved God and opposed the followers of God’s son. When on trial in the Roman courtroom, he said: ‘Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth”’ (Acts 26:8-9). Sadly, the court did not respond favourably.

But that is no excuse for you today. You are commanded by God to have no other gods before God. And that means accepting his word and trusting in it. So will you?

                                         Joel Radford

In these bulletin articles, we’ve been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17th Century. We’ve been looking at God’s law as summarised in the ten commandments. We started by examining the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). We saw the duties of the first commandment and then began to examine the sins forbidden by the commandment, such as atheism, self-seeking, ignoring God, forgetting God and hating God. But what other sins are forbidden?

If you have no other gods before God, then you must not love the things of this world over and above God.

The apostle John warns about the dangers of loving the world: ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world– the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does– comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever’ (1 John 2:15-17).

Paul also encourages setting your mind on things above, not on earthly things: ‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God’ (Colossians 3:1).

An example of people loving the world in opposition to God is given by the priest Eli’s sons in the Old Testament. We read of their behaviour in 1 Samuel 2: ‘Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD. Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would then answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.” This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt’ (1 Samuel 2:12-17). So God pronounces judgement upon the sons of Eli and Eli himself for valuing food more than God. God says to Eli: ‘Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’ (1 Samuel 2:29). Eli’s sons loved the taste of fat more than God.

So the question for you is, ‘What have you valued in this world over God?’ To our shame, we must answer that many things have caught our attention more than God. So we should be punished for violating the first commandment.

However, if you trust in Christ’s sacrifice for your sin, you can be forgiven of loving the world more than God. Put your faith in him now!           Joel Radford

In these bulletin articles, we’ve been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17th Century. We’ve been looking at God’s law as summarised in the ten commandments. We started by examining the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). We saw the duties of the first commandment and then began to examine the sins forbidden by the commandment, such as atheism, ignoring God, forgetting God and hating God. But what other sins are forbidden?

Self-love and self-seeking are also forbidden in the first commandment. If God is your God, then you must love him above everything. Including yourself.

Now there is a sense in which we are to love ourselves. The apostle encourages such behaviour in his instructions to husbands to love their wives: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church–for we are members of his body’ (Ephesians 5:25-30).

But Paul also warns Timothy of people who will only be interested in loving themselves: ‘But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Rather than being selfless, such people are selfish.

Similarly, Paul makes a terrible indictment upon the human race about self-seeking: ‘For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 2:21). And in his letter the church in Corinth he says: ‘Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others’ (1 Corinthians 10:24).

Notice what you’re meant to be seeking. The good of others. And according to Paul, Christ in particular!

This means that if you worship God, you must be prepared to lose everything in your love for God. Even your life, which you love, oh so much.

Yet we must admit that we have been lovers of self far more often than we have been lovers of God. Thus we’re all law breakers and deserve God’s wrath

But thankfully in Jesus Christ there is forgiveness for all the times you have loved yourself rather than God. His blood is more than sufficient to cleanse you of all those occasions where you have sought your own interests rather than the interests of God. But you must trust in him to have his forgiveness.

Have you trusted in Christ so you are forgiven for loving yourself rather than God?                                     Joel Radford

If you hate God, you break the first commandment.

Now some people are obvious God haters. The apostle Paul condemns such sin when he speaks of those who suppress the truth about God: ‘Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them’ (Romans 1:28-32). Such people are not ashamed to say truly horrid things against the Lord.

Now, you may claim that you have never hated God. But  Jesus says it is impossible to reject God for something else without despising him. Jesus shares this truth when he speaks about people who choose money over God: ‘No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money’ (Luke 16:13). So if you reject God for anything else, you have hated God in your heart. You cannot sit on the fence and think you’re neutral toward God.

In his teaching on the Lord’s Supper, Paul also warns of the foolishness of trying to worship both God and idols: ‘Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry…You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?’ (1 Corinthians 10:14, 21-22). If you worship demonic idols by taking part in their feasts, you cannot think that you also have a right to share in God’s table with his people. The demonic world lives in open hatred towards God. Thus, if you join in with them, you become a God-hater too.

So are you guilty of hating God because you have preferred something else to him? Unhappily, the answer is ‘Yes’ for all of us. We have all broken the first commandment by hating God. It sounds awful, but it’s true.

Yet if we trust in Christ, all our hatred of God over the years is wiped away in his blood. His death is sufficient to pay for it all.

So have you trusted in Christ and been forgiven of God-hating?

Joel Radford

You can also break the first commandment when you misapprehend God and have false opinions of him.

When you claim to have no other gods before God, you must be very careful to worship God as he really is – not how you would like him to be. If you have a false opinion of God, you are in effect constructing a false god in your mind who is really no god at all. Thus any worship you offer to such a figment of your imagination is a breaking of the first commandment.

The importance of thinking rightly about God is shown by the Apostle Paul when he visited Athens. Luke records Paul’s speech to the Greeks: ‘2 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.  24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’  29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone– an image made by man’s design and skill.  30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead”’ (Acts 17:22-31).

Paul clearly teaches that the Greeks must know the God who made them. It’s not good enough to have an altar to him and known nothing about him. God will not overlook such ignorance about him and commands people to repent.

Sadly, we have all misapprehended God and had false opinions about him. But thankfully, the blood of Christ cleanses us from such thoughts if we trust in him.

So I encourage you, learn about the true God by reading his Word. Then you will apprehend him rightly and have right opinions of him. And then you will worship him correctly.

Joel Radford.

If you are to have God as your god, then you must not be ignorant of him nor forget him.

In the book of Jeremiah God condemns the Israelites for ignoring him: ‘Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest’ (Jeremiah 5:21-24).

The apostle Paul also warns God’s people not to live in ignorance: ‘So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that  is in them due to the hardening of their hearts’ (Ephesians 4:17-18).

Similarly, Jeremiah also points out that people remember other important things in their lives, yet forget God: ‘Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number’ (Jeremiah 2:32). Even animals remember rightly, putting humans to shame: ‘Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD’ (Jeremiah 8:7).

And it’s not just the Israelites. Sadly, we must all admit that we as Christians have often ignored God and forgotten him. We have been far too preoccupied with the worship of false gods.

And such sin is serious. No one likes to be ignored or forgotten, particularly if you have been very good to the person who is ignoring you. So it is not surprising that, God punishes those who forget him: ‘”I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind. This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you,” declares the LORD, “because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods’’’ (Jeremiah 13:24-25).

Yet the Bible reminds us that Jesus never ignored his Father in heaven or forgot him. So if we repent of our ignorance and forgetfulness, Jesus grants us forgiveness through his perfect death.

Have you admitted to God that you are guilty of ignoring and forgetting him? Have you asked for pardon through Jesus Christ?                        Joel Radford

In these bulletin articles, we’ve been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17th Century. We’ve been looking at God’s law as summarised in the ten commandments. We started by examining the first commandment: ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). We looked at the duties of the first commandment, in other words, what we are expected to do. Now it is time to look at what is forbidden by the first commandment.

One of the most obvious things forbidden by the first commandment is atheism – denying God or not having a God at all.

Atheism has become increasingly prevalent in our culture. But to deny God’s existence is not a new notion. David speaks of the atheist when he says: ‘The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good’ (Psalm 14:1). And again: ‘2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.  3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.  4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.  5 His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.  6 He says to himself, “Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble” (Psalm 10:2-6).

The apostle Paul also reminds Gentile Christians that they were once atheists ‘11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves  “the circumcision (that done in the body by the hands of men)–12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world’ (Ephesians 2:11-12).

But you don’t have to deny God’s existence verbally (like the popular atheists such as Richard Dawkins) in order to break the first commandment. Even Christians can break the first commandment as practical atheists. When your actions do not match what you claim to believe, you show that your heart disbelieves the existence of God.

Thus practical atheism is shown in your life every time you sin – if you truly believed in God’s existence and that he exists as an all-knowing, all-powerful, just God, then you wouldn’t dare sin. But every time you sin you show that deep down there is a part of you that doubts God’s existence. This means that whenever you break one of the other commandments of God, you have also broken the first commandment.

Therefore, all humans are guilty of atheism. At the very least, practical atheism. So we all deserve to be punished by the God who really is there and whom we have not acknowledged as we should.

But, thankfully, Jesus Christ never denied the existence of God. He always lived with perfect faith in God. And his obedience to the first commandment can be attributed to you if you trust in him.

So have you trusted in Christ and are no longer guilty of atheism?

Joel Radford.

Humility is another act of worship. In fact, all acts of worship towards God must come from walking humbly with him. If you are proud, you will not humble yourself and submit to God and therefore you will not worship him as you ought. But if you remember that God is god and you are not, then you will humble yourself.

The prophet Micah makes a very clear statement about the humility that we need in worship of God. He says: ‘6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:6-8). God  doesn’t  want sacrifices of animals and oil or even your children. God wants you to walk humbly with him.

Similarly, the prophet Isaiah says: ‘This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word’ (Isaiah 66:1-2). Again, God doesn’t need anything material from us. What he wants is humility.

In the New Testament, Jesus says that humility is essential to enter God’s kingdom: ‘And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 18:3-4). Although children can be very proud, they have to be very humble at times as they are utterly unable to help themselves. Babies are particularly dependent upon those above them. And that childlike humility is the humility that we should show God.

Sadly, many people proudly offer worship to God. They think that their acts of worship give them high status before God. But our worship should never be tainted with pride. Our worship should always be offered with a deep humility, knowing that without the work of Christ at the cross, we could not possibly seek to worship God.

So have you humbled yourself before God in order to worship him?

Joel Radford.

If God is your god then you should be sorrowful if you offend him. When you really upset your mother so that she bursts into tears about your behaviour, you will generally get upset too. You should be mortified that you have caused such grief to your mother who has shown you so much love over the years. And if you don’t get upset, then that speaks volumes about your relationship.

So if you’re not sorrowful for offending your Heavenly Father, you have to ask, ‘Is the Lord is actually my God?’

David is a good example of someone whose guilt before God upset him: ‘1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. 3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6 I am bowed  down   and   brought   very  low;

all day long I go about mourning. 7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. 9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes’ (Psalm 38:1-10). David worships God in his sorrow over sin.

And not only should we be grieved when we don’t obey God’s word, it should upset us when we see others disobeying God. For example, the Psalmist says: ‘Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed’ (Psalm 119:136).

And the apostle Paul was also grieved by the sin of others: ‘For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things’ (Philippians 3:18-19).

Thankfully, our tears over offending God can turn to rejoicing because of what Jesus has done. If we trust in Jesus, God mercifully forgives our offences through Christ bearing our punishment at the cross. As David says, we won’t remain in God’s displeasure: ‘For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5)

So do you worship God by being sorrowful for your sin? Have you trusted in Christ so that you can stop crying and instead rejoice in God’s grace to you?                            Joel Radford.

It should go without saying that if God is your God than you should worship him by pleasing him. If someone is important to you, you wish to make them happy with you. And that should hold true for your Lord.

The apostle John mentions this essential part of worship of God: ‘Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him’ (1 John 3:21-22).

Ecclesiastes also reminds us of the importance of pleasing God: ‘To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God’ (Ecclesiastes 2:26),

Another strong encouragement to please God comes from the Apostle Paul: ‘Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now  we  ask  you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more’ (1 Thessalonica 4:1). And again, Paul writes that he prays that the church in Colosse would please God: ‘For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way’ (Colossians 1:9-12)

But yet again, as we consider this aspect of our worship of God, we realise that far too often we have been displeasing to God rather than pleasing to him. We rightly deserve his wrath.

So what are you to do? Thankfully, one person was always pleasing to God: Jesus Christ. In John’s gospel we read: ‘So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him’ (John 8:28-30).

The Bible teaches that if you put your faith in Jesus, as those people did so long ago, then God sees you with pleasure. God no longer sees your sin when he looks at you, instead he sees Christ’s righteousness. And that righteousness always pleases him!

So have you listened to the words of Jesus and put your faith in him? Or are you still displeasing to God because you remain in your sins?

Joel Radford

Another way we should worship God is by obeying him. If God is your god, then there must be a desire to worship him by doing what he says. Otherwise he is clearly not your god!

The LORD confirms this idea when he tells Moses to explain to the Israelites that they must obey him if they are to be his people: ‘Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites’ (Exodus 19:3-6).

The prophet Jeremiah also reminded the Israelites about the link between having God as your god and the obedience expected. He said ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says:…when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you’ (Jeremiah 7:21-23). And again Jeremiah says: ’This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem. Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant–the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.’ I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God’ (Jeremiah 11:1-4).

In the New Testament, the apostle John gives us another example of the teaching that if you belong to God you must obey his commands: ‘This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world’ (1 John 5:3-4).

So have you claimed to have God as your god? Is that reflected by your obedience to his commands?

Sadly, we must confess that we have not been as obedient as we should be in our worship of God. But thankfully, the Son of God was completely obedient and you can have his obedience put to your account if you trust in him. So do you?

Another way we should worship God is by giving him all praise. If God is your god, then it is natural that you should seek to worship him by praising him.

But how do you praise God? One way is by making much of God’s attributes in prayer and song. There are many examples of such praise in the Bible. For example, in Psalm 145, David begins by praising God for who he is: ‘I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom’ (Psalm 145:1-3).

But we can also praise God for his actions, not just his attributes. And David does that, when he praises God’s works in the next verses of Psalm 145: ‘One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome  works,  and  I  will  proclaim your great deeds’ (Psalm 145:4-6). This switching between praise God for who he is and then for his works continues throughout the Psalm – I encourage you to look it up and use it as a template to praise God yourself.

It is not only in the book of Psalms that you see such praise of God. Examples from the New Testament would have to include the praise given by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding’ (Ephesians 1:3-8).

And the praise of the Apostle Peter is another excellent example: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time’ (1 Peter 1:3-5).

So do you worship God by praising God for who he is and what he has done?

The Bible regularly encourages those who worship God to be zealous for him. For example, the apostle Paul writes: ‘Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord’ (Romans 12:11). A Greek lexicon says about the word used here by Paul and translated as ‘zeal’ in English means ‘to be stirred up emotionally, be enthusiastic/excited/on fire’.

Zealousness manifests itself in different ways. For examples, Jesus is described as being ‘zealous’ in his actions in clearing the temple. We read in John’s gospel: ‘His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me”’ (John 2:17).

Another example of commendable zeal for God is from Phineas in the Old Testament: We read: ‘While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor.”  Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them– through the Israelite and into the woman’s body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000. The LORD said to Moses, “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them. Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites”’ (Numbers 25:1-13).

Are you zealous for the LORD? Do you know what it is to feel fire for his glory? Sadly, we are not as zealous for God as we should be. Which is why we must repent and ask God to forgive our breaking of the first commandment and not worshiping him as we ought. Have you asked God to forgive your lack of zeal for him?                        

If God is your God, then you should trust him. After all, if you didn’t trust your God, there wouldn’t be much point in worshipping him. And much of the Bible encourages trust/belief/faith in God – the importance of faith in God cannot be overstated. For example, Isaiah commands: ‘Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal’ (Isaiah 26:4). And David exhorts ‘Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge’ (Psalm 62:8). Jesus regularly speaks of the need to believe, particularly as recorded in John’s gospel. And Peter encourages believing in God through Jesus Christ: ‘For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God’ (1 Peter 1:18-21).

Similarly, if you worship God, then you must hope in him. This should be obvious, for if you didn’t hope in God, then you wouldn’t bother worshipping him. Thus the Psalmist describes the hope we should have in God: ‘I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins’ (Psalm 130:5-8).

Moreover, the God of Christianity is one who wants his people to delight in him. David says: ‘Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart’ (Psalm 37:4).

And closely related to the command to delight in God, is the need to worship God by rejoicing in him. The Psalms are full of commands to rejoice: ‘Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!’ (Psalm 32:11-33:1). And: ‘But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds-his name is the LORD-and rejoice before him’ (Psalm 68:3-4).

So do you trust in, hope in, delight in and rejoice in God? Far too often our faith is weak, our hope is small, our delight is slight and our rejoicing is feeble. And so our fulfilment of the first commandment is lacking. But thankfully Jesus always trusted, hoped, delighted and rejoiced in God as we should. And his work is attributed to us if we trust in him, no matter how weakly. Do you trust in Christ?

If God is your God, then you should love him. After the ten commandments are given in Deuteronomy, Moses announces to the people: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength’ (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Thus Moses calls you to love God with your whole self. There is no place for dividing yourself up and withholding part of your life from him. You are to love God utterly and completely.

Similarly, the first commandment requires that you should desire God. There are many things in this world that compete for your affections, but God should reign supreme in your heart. You should say with the Psalmist: ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’ (Psalm 73:25-26).

The apostle Paul also shows the desire for God that should be reflected in the life of the Christian. When Paul writes to the church in Philippi, Paul speaks of his longing to die to be in God’s presence: ‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If  I am  to go  on  living  in  the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body’ (Philippians 1:21-24).

Also, if God is your God, then you should fear him. The prophet Isaiah says: ‘The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall’ (Isaiah 8:13-14).

Initially, you should fear God as a judge of your sin and ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. But even after you know you have God’s forgiveness, you should always have a reverential fear toward your God as your Heavenly Father. The author of Hebrews reminds his readers that even believers should have this fear: ‘Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire”’ (Hebrews 12:28-29).

So once again, as you consider the first commandment you should see how much you have failed to keep it. Which should drive you once more to Christ for his atoning sacrifice to cover your transgression of the commandment. And then you should call upon him for strength to love, desire and fear God as you should.

So have you trusted in Christ’s work for your failure to worship rightly? Have you asked for help in your worship of him?                                     

If God is your God, then you should esteem him in your mind. The Psalmists give good examples of how to esteem God by exalting him above everything. For example, Ethan the Ezrahite says: ‘The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them’ (Psalm 89:5-9).

Another example of God’s people esteeming God is in the song that Moses and the Israelites sang after their redemption from Egypt. They sang: ‘Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you– majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you   will   guide   them to your holy dwelling’ (Exodus 15:11-13).

Similarly, if you wish to worship and glorify God then you should honour him. God commands such honour through the prophet Malachi: ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty…If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me’ (Malachi 1:6, 2:2).

When it comes to honouring God, the creatures in heaven are great examples for us to follow: ‘Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being”’ (Revelation. 4:9-11).

So do you worship God by esteeming him above all else? Do you worship God by honouring him?

Sadly, all our efforts to worship God through esteeming him and honouring him are feeble at best. God is supremely greater than any honour we can give him. However, if we trust in Christ, he has honoured God perfectly for us. Have you trusted in Jesus?

The first commandment is ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ (Exodus 20:3). But what does that mean? What are the duties required in that commandment?

Firstly, the first commandment requires that you acknowledge God to be the only true God and your God. The LORD spoke through the prophet Isaiah about this acknowledgement that he expects of his people: ‘”You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed– I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God”’ (Isaiah 43:10-12).

And if God is your God, then the first commandment tells you to worship and glorify him accordingly. The Psalmist links acknowledgement of God with worship of him: ‘Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care’ (Psalm 95:6-7).

But how can you worship God? One way is by focusing your thoughts on him. For example, David says to God: ‘On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night’ (Psalm 63:6).

And that means that if you are following the first commandment, then you should be remembering your God, not ignoring and forgetting him. The teacher in Ecclesiastes says: ‘Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”– before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets’ (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5). His point is clear, it won’t be long until you go to your grave. So remember God throughout your life.

So do you acknowledge God to be the only true God and your God? Do you worship and glorify him accordingly? Do you think of God? Do you remember him throughout your days?

It’s all too easy to see how we have failed to keep the first commandment as we should. Thankfully, if we trust in Christ’s death for us, then he paid for all the times we have not kept the first commandment and gives us strength to keep it better than we have. So, have you trusted in Christ?

Commandments one to four are concerned with man’s duty towards God directly. They are:

1) You shall have no other gods before me. 

2) You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

3) You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

4) Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but   he   rested   on   the   seventh   day.

Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus. 20:3-11).

Meanwhile, commandments five to ten are concerned with man’s duty towards fellow humans. They are:

5) Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

6) You shall not murder.

7) You shall not commit adultery.

8) You shall not steal.

9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor (Exodus 20:12-17).

Similarly, when asked about God’s law, Jesus said: ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’’ (Matthew 22:37-40).

This means that if you claim to have been loving towards other humans, but not towards God, you’ve sinned. And vice versa. If you claim to love God yet hate other humans, you’ve sinned. Which, if we’re honest, means we’re all guilty of breaking God’s law and need his forgiveness through faith in Christ’s death as payment for our sin.

So have you admitted that you have broken both groups of God’s law? Have you asked God to forgive you through Jesus Christ?

Firstly, the preface to God’s law reminds the Israelites that God’s character was displayed when he brought them out of slavery. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, God showed his sovereignty and power over creation, particularly in the ten plagues. God also revealed his righteousness, love, grace and mercy towards in taking the Israelites safely away from Egypt. Moses himself speaks of this display of God’s love: ‘But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt’ (Deuteronomy 7:8)

Secondly, the preface reminds the Israelites that God is now their God and they should be subject to him. God broke the rule of Egypt over Israel at the Exodus. But God did not tell the people to go and serve someone else. God redeemed them for him! David spoke of this in his prayer to the Lord: ‘How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel– the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God’ (2 Samuel 7:22-24).

So the preface to the ten commandments is most fitting. It gives God’s people motivation to be obedient to the law that follows. The people now belong to God and so God now has the right to tell them what to do.

And this principle still applies to God’s people today. Although no human alive today has been enslaved by Pharaoh in Egypt, everyone has been enslaved to sin. Yet God has redeemed some people from sin by the death of Christ at the cross. Paul said ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us’ (Galatians. 3:13).

Thus Paul is quick to point out that Christians should live according to the commandments of the new master, Jesus Christ. He writes ‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope– the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good’ (Titus 2:11-14).

So do you keep God’s law because you have received grace through Jesus Christ? Or are you trying to keep the law for another reason?

When you study the God’s law you must understand that you are to avoid taking part with others in doing what is forbidden. Sometimes it is easier to keep laws on your own than when you’re with others. A person may not gossip and speak maliciously against others generally speaking. But when they’re with someone who starts gossiping, it is all too easy to engage in slander.

Thus it is not surprising that there are many encouragements from our Lord to be careful about the company we keep so that we don’t break his law. God says in Proverbs: ‘He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm’ (Proverbs 13:20). Similarly, Paul warns: ‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character”’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).

And Paul gives specific instructions to the church in Ephesus about avoiding evil doers: ‘5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person– such a man is an idolater– has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were   once   darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible’ (Ephesians 5:5-13).

The apostle Peter also warns: ‘For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do– living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead’ (1 Peter 4:3-5). So although unbelievers may think it strange that you don’t join in their sin, you mustn’t let peer pressure lead you astray.

Now, none of this is to suggest that you shouldn’t have any relationships with unbelievers. But there will be times when your understanding of the ten commandments means you may have to walk away from a friend who is engaged in sin that is either causing you to sin or tempting you to sin – Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s wife is an example (Genesis 39). And sometimes it may even mean the breaking of a relationship altogether.

So are you careful about the company you keep because of God’s law? Have you trusted in Christ for all the times you have engaged in sin with others?

When you study the ten commandments you must understand that you are to encourage others to keep God’s law too.

Some people are only concerned about the impact of the law upon themselves. They don’t care about helping others keep the law too. A child may not warn a sibling that writing on the walls is wrong – they’d far rather laugh at the sibling get in trouble when mum shows up.

When it comes to God’s law, we are not to be childish – rather we are encouraged to help others keep the law too. After the ten commandments are given by Moses in Deuteronomy, Moses says the following about God’s law: ‘1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.  4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD  is  one. 5 Love  the  LORD  your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up’ (Deuteronomy 6:1-7). Notice that twice the Israelites are told to impress the commands upon the next generation so that their children would be faithful to the Lord as well.

Following Moses, Joshua stands as an example of someone who encouraged the Israelite nation and his own household to keep the Lord’s commands. After the conquest of the promised land, Joshua says to the Israelites: ‘Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD’ (Joshua 24:14-15).

And of course this tradition is carried on by other leaders of Israel (particularly the prophets) all the way down through the centuries to Jesus himself, his apostles and the Christian church.

So do you carry on the tradition of encouraging others to keep God’s law? Or are you only interested in how it impacts you personally?

When you study the ten commandments you must understand that what God forbids includes all the same kinds of sin.

Humanity loves to ask how close can I get to a line before I cross it. We like laws to be as specific as possible so that we can be viewed as ‘technically’ not doing anything wrong. An example would be when a child asks mum for a biscuit, is told ‘No’, and then later found eating chocolate. The child then claims to be guilt free as mum never said anything about chocolate!

People do the same with God’s law. An example is given by Jesus when he speaks of the way that the Jewish leaders wriggled out of keeping the fifth commandment: honour your father and mother. Jesus said: ‘For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father ‘ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition’ (Matthew 15:4-6).

Another example is regarding oaths. The ninth commandment forbade giving false testimony, but the religious leaders encouraged   people  to  give  oaths  upon something so that their testimony wasn’t necessarily binding. It is the ancient equivalent of children in the playground keeping their fingers crossed behind their back which allows them to lie to a friend. Jesus speaks of this in the sermon on the mount: ‘”Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one”’ (Matthew 5:33-37). Your word should never be false, regardless of what you might swear on.

So instead of asking where the line is so we don’t cross it, we should be asking ‘How far can I go from the line so that I know I haven’t crossed it?’

If we’re on a really tall building, we like to back away from the edge – the higher we are, the further back we stand. So if we understand the damage that is done every time we fall into sin we should be eager to make sure we keep God’s law as fully as possible.

Of course the extent of God’s law once again illustrates how impossible it is for us to keep the ten commandments. Which is why we need to be accepted by God on the basis of faith in his Son’s death for our sin, not on our own efforts to keep God’s law.

So do you admit you have broken God’s law in countless ways? Have you come to Christ for forgiveness?

When you study the ten commandments you must understand that what God forbids is at no time to be done.

When it comes to ethical behaviour, people often propose difficult situations to prove that sometimes it is permissible to break God’s laws. They believe that under certain situations, God’s law should be broken to achieve certain outcomes. Often the situations involve lying or murdering in order to save life. In other words, the ends justify the means.

But the Bible never takes such a view of God’s law. For example, in his letter to the Roman church, Paul says that our sin demonstrates God’s truthfulness, but that is no reason to engage in deception: ‘Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say– as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say– “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved’ (Romans 3:7-8).

Similarly, later in Romans, Paul says God’s grace marvelously abounds where sin abounds. Therefore, some might claim we should sin so that God is all the more gracious. But Paul won’t have it: ‘What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?’ (Romans 6:1-2)

Job also asks whether we should speak deceitfully for God’s sake: ‘Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?’ (Job 13:7-8). Clearly, the answer is ‘No!’

Thus, if we shouldn’t sin in order to show God’s truthfulness and his grace, there is no good reason to ever sin. Preservation of human life included.

When it comes to the crunch, a Christian should choose to be holy and keep God’s law regardless of the consequences. And we have countless examples of people doing just that in Scripture. The author of Hebrews holds up Moses as one example: ‘By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time’ (Hebrews 11:24-25).

And of course, the supreme example is our Lord Jesus. He was tempted by Satan repeatedly, yet Jesus did not think that anything Satan had to offer him justified sinning. And in the Garden of Gethsemane we see the battle of Christ’s will and the Father’s will. In the end, Jesus chose to do what God wanted even though it would cost him much suffering, and even death itself.

So do you view God’s law as binding on you at all times? Or is there something you value more than keeping God’s commandments?     

In short, the passenger in the vehicle ahead of me prevented a disastrous outcome. In some ways, this is an analogy of what Christians are called to do. Specifically, we are called to reflect Christ by warning people of the inevitable consequence of their sins if they are not found in Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Paul calls this a ministry of reconciliation, and uses the strong descriptor of “ambassador” to describe the role that Christians are to play in people’s lives. We are to represent Christ in all that we say, do, and think – and more so, we are charged with an important message to tell to others: “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor 5:20).

Rightly, we are to share the glorious grace of the Gospel — that our sins can be forgiven through trusting on Jesus Christ — but we must also to tell why it is such good news to begin with. Otherwise, we make the Gospel anemic, and don’t reveal just how good it is. After all, we can only understand why it is so good, when we realise just how bad people are in the sight of God.

So as ambassadors of Christ, we are called to convey this message of reconciliation, and to implore individuals to receive it, so that they can be reconciled to God through Christ. But the only way we can effectively do this, is if we actually speak to people. This may sound straightforward, but in reality it can be a really hard thing to do.

But it’s also the most loving thing you can do. Just as that passenger got out of that the vehicle to fetch the ball before that child made a disastrous decision; likewise, we should speak to those in our lives who may be on a similar path. Not only intervening and imploring them to stop, but showing them how their current direction is harmful to their own well-being, and pointing them to the best situation they could ever be in: being reconciled to God.

An ambassador who doesn’t act and speak for his nation’s cause or interests is an ineffective ambassador. We should be insistent ambassadors – and if we truly believe in the eternal condemnation of those outside of Christ – then we can never take such responsibility lightly.

A quote which always reminds me of this importance is by Charles Spurgeon: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” Truly, let them leap over our dead bodies.

When you read the ten commandments you must understand that they are all connected to one another. Thus if you break one commandment, you have broken other commandments too. Paul demonstrates this when he says: ‘Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry’ (Colossians. 3:5). Notice how idolatry, which is forbidden by the second commandment, is particularly linked with greed/covetousness which is forbidden by the tenth commandment. So if you are greedy you are not just guilty of breaking the tenth commandment, you are also guilty of breaking the second commandment.

It is easy to see how the commandments connect with each other. Consider the sin of King David with Bathsheba recounted in 2 Samuel 11 (If you haven’t read it before, I encourage you to read it now before reading the rest of this article). Initially, it looks like David was only guilty of breaking the seventh commandment, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But in that action, David was also guilty of breaking the tenth commandment, ‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.’

Moreover, David was guilty of breaking the eighth commandment, ‘You shall not steal’ by stealing a sexual experience that rightfully belonged only to Uriah.

David broke the sixth commandment too: ‘You shall not murder’. While having sex with Bathsheba, in David’s mind Uriah was as good as dead to him – he did not care for Bathsheba’s husband at all (not to mention that David literally murdered Uriah later).

The whole incident was also a breaking of the ninth commandment ‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour’, as it involved deception and hiding the truth.

We could also say that David broke the fifth commandment, ‘Honour your father and your mother’ as David’s actions were dishonouring to his parents. No parent wants an adulterer for a son.

But most significantly, David broke the first and second commandments, ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ and ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol’. The only god David was following in that moment was himself and the girl he was with – those were his idols.

Finally, as a self-professed worshipper of God, David was breaking the third commandment. The same lips that were used to kiss another’s man’s wife vainly spoke the name of God

Thus, David stands as a warning to you of how easily you have broken multiple commandments in one sinful action.

So, once again, the law of God reminds you of your absolute need for Christ’s righteousness by faith. If you try to obtain righteousness by observing the law, you are doomed.

So, do you admit that you have broken all of God’s law, many, many times? Have you trusted in Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s law?

When we read the ten commandments, we must understand that to do the opposite of something you are commanded to do is sin. And when something is forbidden, you are to do the opposite of that.

In other words, there is no neutral position. There are sins of commission: actively doing what is wrong. There are also sins of omission: neglecting to do what you should.

A clear example of this is taken up by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. The apostle encourages the Christians not to break the eighth commandment, which is ‘You shall not steal’ (Deuteronomy 5:19). But Paul says that means you should do the opposite of stealing – work hard. He says: ‘He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need’ (Ephesians 4:28).

Paul gives another example in relation to lying which is prohibited by the ninth commandment: ‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor’ (Deuteronomy 5:20). Now one way people may seek to avoid the ninth commandment is by stopping talking altogether – hard for those who like to talk, maybe not so hard for others. But if you stop talking, you cannot do the opposite of lying: speak the truth. Paul says this when he writes: ‘Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body’ (Ephesians 4:25).

So as I unpack God’s laws in greater detail in subsequent articles, you must understand that the commandments are far more comprehensive for human behaviour than they first appear.

At the same time that certain behaviour are prohibited, the opposite behaviour is promoted. And at the same time that certain behaviour is promoted, the opposite behaviour is prohibited.

And all this once again reminds us of our need for God’s help. The law of God is far too difficult for sinful humanity to obey! Even if we were to lie motionless on the floor we still would be guilty of sinning because we would not be doing the things God has commanded us to actively do.

But thankfully God has sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for all your sins of commission and omission so that you don’t have to fear the punishments of hell. If you trust in Christ’s work at the cross, you are forgiven for all your sin!

And for those who have believed in Jesus, God has also thankfully sent his Holy Spirit to help you to live according to God’s law. Which means that if you try to live without the Spirit’s power you will simply fall flat on your face again.

So do you understand that the law both prohibits and promotes your behaviour? Have you trusted in Christ for all your transgressions of his law? Do you seek to live according to his law by the power of the Holy Spirit?

A good summary of God’s laws is given in the ten commandments. These laws were delivered by the voice of God upon Mount Sinai and were written by him on two tablets of stone. Just before the Israelites entered the promised land, Moses reminded them of this event:

‘5 (At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said: 6 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

7 “You shall have no other gods before me.

8 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

11 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

17 “You shall not murder.

18 “You shall not commit adultery.

19 “You shall not steal.

20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

22 These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me’ (Deuteronomy 5:5-22).

We’ll unpack these commandments in greater detail in future articles. But for now, notice what it is that God requires of you and how far you have fallen short of his law. Then come before him and ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Christians still have a use for God’s law because God saved his people in order that they would do good works. Paul wrote to Titus: ‘11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope– the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good’ (Titus 2:11-14). Notice that saving grace actually teaches Christians to be godly. And that Christ redeemed people so that they would be eager to do good.

Paul also wrote to the church in Ephesus: ‘1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  5 made  us  alive  with  Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Ephesians 2:1-10). Notice Verse 10 clearly says that God saved Christians to do good.

But how can Christians know what are good works and what are not? By using the law of God! If you want to know what God would have you do as a Christian, read his law and do what it says. Not to be saved, but because you are saved.

Thus the law of God is very helpful in diagnosing whether someone is a Christian or not. Jesus said: ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

Are you someone who professes faith in Christ but completely disregards the law of God? Do you realise that shows you are not saved?             

God’s law is useful in showing sinful people the perfection of Christ’s obedience.

The Bible teaches us repeatedly that Jesus was sinless. Jesus is often referred to as the ‘Holy One’ or ‘Righteous One’. This of course points to his sinlessness. For example, Peter says to the Jews ‘You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you’ (Acts 3:14). The early church asked God to ‘stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus’ (Acts 4:30). And Stephen says to the Jews ‘Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him’ (Acts 7:52).

But how righteous was Jesus? It is only when we understand how extensive the law of God is that we can understand the extent of Christ’s righteousness.

If you are only required to follow a few laws, it is not hard to be righteous. For example, when you were a baby, laws applied to you by your parents were very simple. You were not expected to do much other than eat and sleep. But as you grew, more and more was required of you. As the number of laws grew so did your holiness – if you kept them.

The same principle applies when you look at the height, width and breadth of God’s law and then marvel at how anyone who could possibly keep it all.

When you understand that God’s law requires man to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37), you are amazed that Jesus was able to do so. Similarly, when you read that the law requires man to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39), you are stunned that Jesus was able to do so.

Yet Jesus did keep God’s law completely. He said: ‘”Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished’ (Matthew 5:17-18).

Even the Roman governor Pilate admitted Christ’s innocence: ‘Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.  Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death’ (Luke 23:13-15).

So the law of God does have a use for sinful humans. It magnifies Christ in your eyes and causes you to run to him. So have you marveled at the perfection of Christ’s obedience to the law?

One of the main reasons we believe that the resurrection took place is because Christ’s disciples saw the risen Christ.

But how do you know that the disciples were eyewitnesses? Firstly, the gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, all record that Christ’s disciples saw the resurrected Jesus.

But not only do the authors of those gospels tell us that the disciples saw Jesus alive, the Apostle Paul also reported that the disciples saw the risen Christ.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about Christ’s encounters with the disciples after his death. We read: ‘3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve’ (1 Corinthians 15:3-5).

But did Paul know for certain that these disciples had met Jesus? After all, the Apostle Paul was not one of the twelve disciples that Jesus spent time with on earth before his death. Paul was converted after Christ’s resurrection, during the period of the early church.

Yet Paul did know the other apostles personally. Paul wrote about his relationship with the disciples in his letter to the church in Galatia we read: ‘15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles– only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie…Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles…they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews…James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do’ (Galatians 1:15-2:10)

Thus Paul can vouch for the truth of the testimony of the disciples concerning the resurrection. Paul knew these men weren’t lunatics. Rather, the disciples were men of sound mind who had witnessed an extraordinary miracle!

So, this Easter, do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do you realise that if you ignore the testimony of the disciples you will miss out on being resurrected too?

Firstly, the Bible teaches us that once Jesus was condemned to die by the Jewish and Roman authorities, he was mocked and beaten by the Roman soldiers. In Matthew’s gospel we read: ‘Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him’ (Matthew 27:27-31).

After the flogging, the Bible reports that the soldiers crucified Jesus publicly with two other criminals: ‘Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others– one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS’ (John 19:17-19).

And Christ’s humiliation didn’t end there. People continued to mock him while he hung on the cross. Mark wrote: ‘Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!”  In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Mark 15:29-32)

The Bible also tells us that Jesus went through great spiritual anguish on the cross as God’s wrath was poured out on him: ‘At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? “– which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)

Then when Jesus had come to the end of his spiritual torment, Jesus passed away. Luke records: ‘Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.’ (Luke 23:46).

So what happened on that day? The Bible is clear that many things happened to Jesus on that day. But what relevance does that day have to you this Good Friday?

The Bible teaches us that if you trust in Christ’s death, he was punished on that day for you. Paul says: ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).

So were you involved that day when Jesus died? Were your sins put upon him by faith so that you no longer fear God’s wrath for your rebellion?

The Bible teaches that although God has given us his law, we have all disobeyed it. Ever since Adam and Eve broke God’s law in the garden of Eden and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, humanity has fallen from their high estate of holiness. We are all sinners now.

So is there a use for the law for lawbreakers?

If we only seek to use the law in order to make ourselves right with God again, there is no use for the law in our lives. The Apostle Paul says: ‘We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law’ (Galatians 2:15-16).

In other words, you can never keep the law well enough to warrant God turning his wrath away from you. Isaiah the prophet says that even the good we do is stained: ‘All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6).

So if keeping God’s law can’t save you, what use is there in knowing God’s law?

The first thing the law of God does is helps you understand how sinful you really are. Paul says: ‘What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet’ (Romans 7:7).

But how is it helpful to know how sinful you are? Surely it’s just depressing?

The Bible tells us that as we become conscious of sin we are then pointed to Christ. Thus the law of God actually leads us to trust in Jesus who has kept the law on our behalf. Paul summarises the matter this way: ‘21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ’ (Galatians 3:21-27).

Just as you won’t go to a doctor unless you know you are sick, so you won’t go to Christ unless you know you are sinful. Thus the law shows you how sinful you and causes you to run to Christ and put your faith in him as the only way of salvation.

So has the law of God led you to Christ so that you trust in his observance of the law on your behalf?

Firstly, we must understand that the law of God applies to all humans. It is not as though obedience to God is only required of certain nations. Paul said that all nations need to obey God: ‘Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him’ (Romans 16:25-26).

Secondly, God’s law applies to everyone personally. If your parents are Christians that isn’t sufficient. God requires personal obedience to his law. Jesus dealt with this in his answer to the Jews who claimed that they were right with God because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus said: ‘If you were Abraham’s children…then you would do the things Abraham did’ (John 8:39).

Thirdly, the whole of God’s law applies to humans. It is not as though you get to pick and choose which laws you will obey. You must keep God’s law perfectly. James says: ‘For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it’ (James 2:10).

Fourthly, God’s law applies all the time. It is not as though certain days of the week you get a free pass. Or in old age you don’t have to worry about being obedient to  God.  Moses  said:  ‘Love  the  LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always’ (Deuteronomy 11:1). A literal translation of the Hebrew word at the end of that verse is ‘all the days’. In other words, every day of your life you are to keep God’s law.

Fifthly, God’s law applies to your whole self. It is not as though you can just obey God with your body, but in your heart break his laws. Jesus makes this clear when he speaks to a Jewish leader: ‘On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28).

So the Bible teaches that God’s law applies to all humans, it applies personally/individually, it applies wholly (all of it is to be obeyed), it applies all the time, and it applies to the whole of the person.

Now, you should be feeling pretty guilty right now. Due to the wide extent of God’s law, none of us can claim to have been obedient to God’s law. Therefore, none of us deserve to live. All of us deserve to be punished.

But thankfully Christ came and lived obediently under God’s law to its full extent. And by his grace, he allows us to be counted as law keepers if we trust in him.

So have you kept God’s law completely through faith in Christ?         

The Bible teaches us that God requires obedience to his revealed will. The prophet Micah says: ‘He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).

But what is God’s revealed will? What is acting justly? What has God revealed that he would have you do?

The first rule of obedience God gave to the first humans was the command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We read in Genesis: ‘And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die’ (Genesis 2:16-17).

Since the garden of Eden, God has continued to reveal how humans are to live. For example, God gave his law to Moses, and then Moses declared God’s law to Israel. In Deuteronomy we read: ‘Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them’ (Deuteronomy 5:1).

Moreover, Jesus affirms the law given to Moses and requires obedience to it: ‘25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you  read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28).

Even those who have never heard of Moses or Jesus are expected to obey God’s laws. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul speaks about the obligations towards God that are upon the Gentiles (non-Jews): ‘Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them’ (Romans 2:14-15).

So God requires humans to keep his revealed laws. It doesn’t matter if the law comes by direct revelation, through a mediator (such as a prophet) or through the conscience.

But sadly, humans have not done what God requires.  All of humanity has broken God’s laws repeatedly. Except for one human. Jesus Christ kept the law of God perfectly. And then Christ died as a perfect substitute for those who haven’t kept the law of God, but do trust in him.

So have you recognised that God has required you to keep his law? Have you recognised that you have failed to do what God has asked you to do? Have you fled to Christ as your law-abiding substitute so that God is no longer wrathful toward you?

Both James and Jaiden are affirming today that something very peculiar has happened inside them: they have died and come to life!

The Bible teaches that when you trust in Jesus Christ, you die with Christ and live in him. Speaking of Jesus, Paul says: ‘The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 6:10-11).

What Paul means is that Christians deserved death and eternal destruction as the penalty for their sin. But then Jesus came and sacrificially died the death that they deserve. The Christian then has this death of Christ applied to them by faith.

And not only that, but the Christian now has eternal life as Christ has eternal life. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and every Christian will be resurrected too. The Christian may die an earthly death, but that will simply be a transition from one existence to another – an earthly home to a heavenly home.

Jesus teaches this when he speaks to his friend Martha. ‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”’ (John 11:25-26).

But what does dying with Christ and being raised with Christ have to do with baptism?

The Christian’s physical baptism in water symbolises the inward death, burial and resurrection of the Christian. Just as the Christian has been spiritually baptised by faith, so he is physically baptised to proclaim that spiritual baptism. Paul taught this in his letter to the church in Rome: ‘2 We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection’ (Romans 6:2-5).

This is part of the reason Baptists fully immerse Christians. We want to declare to the watching world that we haven’t been sprinkled by Christ’s blood, we have been immersed in it! As we go down into the water we are buried in a watery grave. But we don’t stay there – we come up again in newness of life!

But remember that we are not baptised in water to be baptised spiritually. Rather, because we are already spiritually baptised into Christ’s death by faith, we are baptised physically.

That means if you want to be baptised into Christ’s death and have eternal life today, all you have to do is trust in him.

So do you trust in Jesus Christ and have eternal life?

At the day of judgement, the righteous will be taken to meet the Lord. Paul says: ‘For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Then, the righteous will be set at Christ’s right hand and invited into eternal life. Jesus taught: ‘He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world’ (Matthew 25:33-34).

There in heaven the righteous shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery. Paul taught that Christ will do this for his bride, the church: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless’ (Ephesians 5:25-27).

In heaven, the righteous will then gather with other believers and with the angels. The author of Hebrews says: ‘But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel’ (Hebrews 12:22-24).

But notice at the end of that quote, who else will be with the righteous: Jesus himself. The apostle John teaches this same truth: ‘Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is’ (1 John 3:2).

But how do you get to share in such a magnificent future?  Surely no one is righteous enough to warrant such blessing?

The Bible teaches us that you can be righteous by faith: ‘But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe’ (Romans 3:21-22).

So are you looking forward to the day of judgement because you trust in Christ and have his righteousness? Or have you rejected God’s mercy and only await condemnation?

However, getting the understanding of sin right is critical in fully comprehending and appreciating the gospel. So, how does the bible define sin?

The clearest explanation in scripture can be found in 1 John 3:4, where it states: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

Sin, therefore, is nothing less than the breaking of God’s law. However, to fully appreciate what this means, we must frame this in regards to both God’s relationship with humanity as well as His character.

You see, humanity was made by God to be in close communion with God. Yet, such intimate fellowship could only be achieved on God’s terms. As God is both righteous and holy, this meant that such intimate communion could only happen if humanity was both righteous and holy. This being only possible through man’s consistent obedience to God’s will as evidenced by His commands.

Yet, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit against the explicit commandment of God, obedience to the degree required was no longer possible. In fact, the sinful act committed by Adam and Eve brought forth an inclination to sin which was inherited by their descendants, and humans became sinners by nature. Subsequently, humanity could no longer be tolerated in the presence of God (Genesis 3; Isaiah 59:2). Ever since, man has been morally unable to uphold God’s standards. This best being reflected through the pages of the Old Testament, and the inability of the nation of Israel to consistently adhere to God’s law.

However, Israel is hardly alone. For as Romans 3:22-23 articulates it: “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. No one can uphold God’s law, but everybody can, and, in fact, does, infringe it. We are all law-breakers.

And, as with infractions of any law, there is both judgement and punishment awaiting those who have violated God’s decrees: Death resulting in the eternal separation from the holiness of God and the receiving of the full wrath of God’s righteous fury poured out upon them (Romans 6:23; Luke 13:28; Revelation 14:10).

Providentially, whilst man could not uphold God’s law to the degree required to be reconciled to God, there was one who did: Jesus Christ. He lived in perfect obedience, “becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). It is through this death on the cross that not only was sin crucified for all who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, but that Christ’s righteousness was imputed to believers (Romans 10:9).

So, what is sin? Sin is when we violate God’s law. It separates us from God, and leads us to damnation. Yet, through Christ “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Praise God!

Firstly, at the day of the judgement the wicked will be placed at Christ’s left hand. Jesus said: ‘All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left’ (Matthew 25:32-33).

Then the Bible tells us that evidence will be brought forward, which will be in accord even with the consciences of the wicked ones. Paul says ‘Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them…This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares’ (Romans 2:14-16).

After this, the wicked will be condemned and cast out of God’s presence into flaming fire. Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel: ‘Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Then they will go away to eternal punishment’ (Matthew 25:41-46).

Paul also speaks of this punishment in his letter to the church in Thessalonica. He writes: ‘He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed’ (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

These are sobering words. We do not like the thought of an eternal punishment and many seek to undermine such a truth.

But in one sense, the graciousness of God is shown when we hear about hell. God didn’t have to advise us about the destiny of the wicked. God could have left us to remain in our sins and face punishment without warning. Instead, God’s Word is like a smoke alarm, warning the world that they should flee from the burning building. God’s Word graciously tells them to turn from a life of wickedness and follow Jesus Christ, the only one who can quench the eternal flames.

And in another sense, the justice of God is shown when we hear about hell. God won’t let grievous sin go unpunished. And as all sin is against the almighty and holy God, all sin is grievous and worthy of eternal punishment.

So do you believe the warning that God has graciously given you about his justice? Have you turned from your sins and believed in Jesus? Or are you still living in your wicked ways?

Immediately following the resurrection of all people there will be a general and final judgement of angels and men.

Jude, the brother of Jesus, tells us that fallen angels will be judged on judgement day: ‘And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day’ (Jude 1:6).

But Jude doesn’t stop there. Later in his letter Jude explains that not only angels, but all men will be judged on that last day: ‘Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him’ (Jude 1:14-15).

So a judgement of both angels and men is coming. But when is the judgement going to take place?

Matthew records in his gospel that Jesus said the following about the timing of the judgement day: ‘36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him’ (Matthew 24:36-44).

So, ultimately, we do not know when Jesus will return. It could be tomorrow, it could be in a thousand years.

Now, although we don’t know when the last judgement will take place, we can be ready for it! What do you need to do to be ready for the last judgement? You need to repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ’s death as the ransom price for your sins. If you turn to God now, prior to the judgement, then you will be saved and rewarded eternally. But if you delay and are not ready and Jesus returns tonight, you will be condemned along with everyone else who has rejected Christ.

So, will you repent and believe in Christ today and so be ready for Christ when he returns like a thief in the night?

The Bible teaches us that one day there will be a general resurrection of the dead, of both believers and unbelievers. When this happens the intermediate state will conclude and people will be raised with resurrection bodies to be judged.

Whilst on trial, the apostle Paul affirmed this general resurrection to the court: ‘I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked’ (Acts 24:14-15).

The prophet Daniel also spoke about this general bodily resurrection of all mankind. He wrote: ‘Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever’ (Daniel 12:2-3).

And Jesus himself said: ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned’ (John 5:28-29). 

But notice the distinction that is made between believers and unbelievers at the resurrection of the dead.

The believers awake to everlasting life. Thus Paul says that Christians will be raised with perfect bodies: ‘Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.’ (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

We also learn that believers in God will go to be with Christ: ‘15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

Whereas the wicked will be raised to torment. In the quotes above, Daniel calls their lot ‘shame and everlasting contempt’. Jesus says that they will ‘rise to be condemned.’

So what are you looking forward to? Are you going to be raised to live with God for eternity? Or are you going to be raised to be punished for eternity? Trust in Christ and live with him forever.

The catechism gives this answer: ‘The souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgement of the great day.’

This terrible truth is plainly taught by Jesus when he speaks of the rich man and Lazarus:

‘19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember  that  in  your  lifetime  you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 ” ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead'”’ (Luke 16:19-31).

Jesus is quite clear. Those who live for themselves in this life are tormented from the moment of their death. Therefore, it is of vital importance that they heed this truth while there is still time.

So, friend, have you repented of your sins and trusted in God for eternal life? Do you live for his glory now?

And if you are a believer, do you tell people the truth about hell so that they may come to repentance? Or do you keep it from them, as though it were a dirty secret of your faith?

The Bible teaches us that when Christians leave this world they are made perfect in holiness.

In Hebrews, we learn that Christians are part of a kingdom that includes spirits of righteous men made perfect: ‘22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel’ (Hebrews 12:22-24)

Who are these righteous men made perfect? They are believers who have died and now live in the intermediate state. And what does it mean that they are perfect in holiness? These believers are now sin free. They no longer break God’s law. What a glorious state to be in!

Also, the glory Christians receive at death includes living in heavenly with Jesus.

Paul says that when Christ left this world he went into the highest heaven: ‘He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe’ (Ephesians 4:10).

Paul also says that when Christians leave this world believers go to be with Christ, which means they go to live with him in the highest heaven: ‘I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body’ (Philippians 1:23-24).

Thus, Paul looks forward to seeing Christ face to face: ‘9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known’ (1 Corinthians 13:9-12).

Christians have such limited knowledge of God in this world. But in the next world they will no longer see dimly. They will behold God in his light and glory.

The fact that Christians will dwell with Christ in the heavenly intermediate state should thrill all believers. And in one sense, all Christians should long for their death, to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.

So, have you repented of your sin and trusted in Christ so that you will be glorified when you die? Do you long to depart and be perfected? Do you long to dwell with Christ in the highest heaven?

There’s nothing wrong with making such resolutions. After all, we know that as Christians we are to live in a way which is purposeful, intentional, and determined. Yet, we also realise that Christians, having been purchased by the blood of Christ, “should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Evidently then, any resolution made by a Christian should reflect this desire to live not for oneself but for Christ; specifically, to live in a manner which seeks to bring glory to God. There can be no greater aim, no larger goal, and no better ambition in regards to wanting to positively improve our lives than this.

A young Jonathan Edwards, the great American revivalist, understood this better than most, and was determined to make life-long resolutions to give glory to God, but he also knew that such an improvement was contingent upon God’s grace.

Therefore, when he was only twenty, Edwards compiled a list of 70 resolutions, which he charged himself to commit to and read once a week.

Here are his resolutions one, four and five:

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

I encourage you to read the rest, which can easily be found online. However, in the meantime, what will your resolution(s) be in 2017?

But why did Jesus come into this world?

There are many answers to that question. But to understand one of the answers, we must go back to the beginning of the Bible and learn about the problem Jesus came to solve.

After God made the first humans, Adam and Eve, we learn that they were tempted by Satan and sinned against God:

‘1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,  3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”  4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.’ (Genesis 3:1-6).

As a result of this sin, God punished Eve and Adam:

16 To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”  17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife  and  ate  from  the  tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.  18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.  19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return”’ (Genesis 3:16-19).

Yet we also learn that God cursed Satan:

 ‘14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.  15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”’ (Genesis 3:14-15).

Thus we see that even way back in the garden of Eden, Christmas Day was predicted. One day, a child descended from Eve would come into this world and he would grow up and crush the head of Satan.

And that is precisely what Jesus did. Jesus became a man and then died on the cross in the place of all who believe in him. Thus, the power of Satan was crushed at the cross and many were set free from the Devil’s kingdom.

So this Christmas, ask yourself, has Satan been crushed for me? Or do I not trust in Jesus and am still bound to Satan and his kingdom?

When believers die, they do not go to purgatory or into some form of soul sleep (an unconscious existence that ends when Christ returns).

Rather, when Christians die, they enter into what is known as an intermediate state.  There they enjoy glory with Christ until judgement day when the new heavens and the new earth are created and they will receive new resurrection bodies.

Jesus promises such an intermediate state when he speaks to the thief on the cross who trusted him. Luke records: ‘39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ”  43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Also, the apostle Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian church that he would rather be die and be with God: ‘We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Moreover, Jesus also speaks of the glory experienced in the intermediate state when he tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus: ‘19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.  22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’  25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us’ (Luke 16:19-26).

Thus, Christians do not simply share in Christ’s glory now. When they pass from this world, they will immediately enjoy glory with Christ.

So do you believe in Christ and expectantly look forward to the glory you will shortly enjoy? Or do you continue in a state of unbelief, as the rich man did in Luke 16, and are awaiting torment?

If this is a question you have been considering, I think something I read last week from one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons may be helpful:

“We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas.

First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English; and secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority.

Superstition has fixed most positively the day of our Savior’s birth, although there is no possibility of discovering when it occurred. … It was not till the middle of the third century that any part of the church celebrated the nativity of our Lord; and it was not till very long after the Western church had set the example, that the Eastern adopted it.

Because the day is not known, therefore superstition has fixed it; while, since the day of the death of our Saviour might be determined with much certainty, therefore superstition shifts the date of its observance every year. Where is the method in the madness of the superstitious?

Probably the fact is that the “holy” days were arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals. We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the twenty-fifth of December.

Nevertheless since, the current of men’s thoughts is led this way just now, and I see no evil in the current itself, I shall launch the bark of our discourse upon that stream, and make use of the fact, which I shall neither justify nor condemn, by endeavoring to lead your thoughts in the same direction.

Since it is lawful, and even laudable, to meditate upon the incarnation of the Lord upon any day in the year, it cannot be in the power of other men’s superstitions to render such a meditation improper for to-day.

Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give God thanks for the gift of His dear Son.”

Spurgeon spoke these words 145 years ago on 24th December 1871 and they still have counsel for us today. We may know that there are many problems with the holiday known as Christmas. Yet, I don’t believe our Lord would hinder us from celebrating the birth of our Lord at this time of year as opposed to another time of year.

So with that in mind, I hope that you make the most of opportunities you may have to share the good news with others during this season.

And if you haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, why not do so this Christmas, and enjoy the greatest gift given to humans.

Firstly, Matthew tells us that some Magi followed a star to find the Messiah. We read: ‘After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”’ (Matthew 2:1-2).

Notice why the Magi were looking for Jesus. They recognised that he was the king and they desired to worship him.

But Matthew tells us that somebody else was looking for Jesus too. We read: ‘3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:  6 ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ”  7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”’ (Matthew 2:3-8).

King Herod appeared to be seeking Jesus for the same reasons as the Magi: he wanted to ‘worship’ the new king. But   Matthew records that Herod was speaking    deceitfully. Herod’s real intention was to kill Jesus. And when Herod realised that his secret plan had failed, he revealed his true colours. Matthew records: ‘When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi’ (Matthew 2:16).

It is helpful to consider these two groups as representing two of the responses to Jesus that people still have today.

The first group of people are like the Magi. They seek Jesus to worship him. They believe that Jesus is God and that Jesus came to die for their sins. So they submit to Christ’s kingly rule and continue to seek him in the pages of the Bible. One day God will reward them with eternal life in heaven.

The second group are like King Herod. They are hostile to Jesus. They do not recognise Christ’s kingship and refuse to bow to him. They are king of their life (thank you very much!). In fact, these people will do everything they can to suppress the truth about Jesus. They refuse to listen to their conscience which warns them about their sin, they refuse to listen to Christians talk about Jesus and they refuse to read God’s Word about Jesus. Sadly, God will one day punish them with eternal suffering in hell.

So which group do you think you belong to? Do you believe in Jesus as your king? Or are you your own King and you will stop at nothing to keep it that way?

The Bible teaches us that out of his love for his people, God brings their lives to an end and takes them to be with him.

Although being a Christian in this world brings immense joy and blessing, it is still a horrible place to live in comparison to heaven.

When the Christian lives in this world, he must endure the pain, the suffering and the sin that runs rampant throughout it.

So when the Christian is removed by death, it is a mercy from the Lord.

Isaiah says about the death of the righteous: ‘The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death’ (Isaiah 57:1-2).

The apostle John also says: ‘Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them”’ (Revelation 14:13).

So although death is an awful curse upon humans for their sin, the sting of death is removed for the Christian so that he welcomes death.

Paul says: ‘…”death has been swallowed up in victory.” “where, o death, is your victory? where, o death, is your sting?” the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law’ (1 Corinthians 15:54-56). Sin has been removed from the Christian because of the work of Christ, so he no longer fears death. To die is to pass through a doorway into the next stage of existence. And a much sweeter existence at that!

The apostle Paul knew this when he reflected upon his own life. He said: ‘21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body’ (Philippians 1:21-24).

The only reason Paul wanted to stay in this world was so that he could serve his Christian brothers and sisters. Paul knew that his heavenly home would be far greater than his earthly home.

So although it may sound appealing to be able to live to 969 years of age as Methusaleh (Genesis 5:27) did, it may not be as nice as you think. Imagine all the suffering you would see, not to mention all the sin that you would commit over such a lengthy lifespan!

So, do you welcome your death because you trust in Christ?

But will this life end? Yes. As we know from experience, everyone dies and any glory that they have in this life ends.

The Bible also affirms the existence of death. The book of Hebrews says: ‘man is destined to die once’ (Hebrews 9:27).

Every human has a date with death. As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’

But why do all humans die? The Bible explains that it is because all humans have sinned.

The apostle Paul says in his letter to the church in Rome: ‘Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned’ (Romans 5:12).

Paul is explaining that because our first father, Adam, sinned, we have all sinned too. Adam as our federal head brought sin upon the whole human race. And thus he brought death on the whole human race as punishment for sin.

Of course, all humans commit actual sin as well. Day by day, each human being sins against God in thought, word and deed. Paul, quoting from the Psalms, says: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one’ (Romans 3:10-12).

And so our own sin condemns us to death too, not simply Adam’s sin.

So is there any hope for life after death?

Yes. Paul says that there is a new federal head who brings life to the dead. Jesus Christ died in our place at the cross so that we could have life after death: ‘But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!…For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Romans 5:15, 19-21).

So how do you experience such life through Christ? If you trust that Jesus died in your place to take your everlasting punishment for sin, you can live forever with him.

So do you know that you will one day die because of your sin? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ so that you can share in his glory, not only now, but also in the life to come?

The Bible teaches us that God bestows glory on his people.

Paul says: ‘For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified’ (Romans 8:29-30).

The Bible also teaches us that Christians share in Christ’s glory at three different stages: in this life, immediately after death and also at the day of judgement. And it is the glory that we experience in this life that I want to unpack today.

The apostle Paul explains in his letter to the Ephesians that Christians share in Christ’s glory even now. He says: ‘All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:3-7).

But how do Christians show such glory in their lives? One of the ways that Christians show the glory they enjoy is by the peace that they have with God in this life.

Notice how Paul speaks about the life of the Christian prior to his conversion. The Christian is in a perpetual state of sin and therefore an object of God’s wrath.

But once the Christian is justified and glorified, the Christian now lives at peace with God. Paul writes in his letter to the church in Rome: ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God’ (Romans 5:1-2).

The Christian is no longer an enemy of God, he is a child of God. And that peace that the Christian has manifests itself in his life even now, by fruit like love and joy.

Whereas the unbeliever who continues to sin remains an object of God’s wrath and will have no peace. The author of Hebrews writes about such people: ‘If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,  but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God’ (Hebrews 10:26-27).

So do you believe in Christ and share in his glory even now? Do you have the peace that comes with such glory?

The Bible teaches us that Christians are never left without the support of the Spirit of God and so they are always kept from sinking into utter despair.

Psalm 73 speaks about Asaph’s struggles and pain, but Asaph also speaks of how God was always supporting him:

21 When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.’

(Psalm 73:21-26)

God also says through the prophet Isaiah that he always supports his people, even if he is angry with them for their sin:

‘7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger

I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,”

says the LORD your Redeemer.

9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,

when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.

So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,

never to rebuke you again.

10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

says the LORD, who has compassion on you’

(Isaiah 54:7-10)

Moses also reminded God’s people that God would not abandon them: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31:6).

 Therefore, even in times of distress and great pain, Christians have reason to hope.

As much as it might feel that God has left, he has not. The LORD still dwells in his people by his Spirit and will never abandon them.

The Christian can say with Job: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him’ (Job 13:15).

Do you trust in God? Do you trust that he will never leave you? Does that truth keep you from despair?

But can Christians lose the assurance that they enjoy and go back to doubting their salvation?

Yes. Christians may enjoy a period of assurance, but then find that their joy in the Lord is weakened.

The Bible has many examples of people who enjoyed the Lord’s presence only to find that he distanced himself from them for a time. The book of Job gives us a classic example in the man Job himself.

Psalm 77 also shares the cry of someone who has experienced the affection of God, yet no longer feels that God loves him:

‘1 I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands

and my soul refused to be comforted.

 3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;

I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah

 4 You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

 5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

 6 I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?

 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Selah

 10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

 12 I will meditate on all your works

and consider all your mighty deeds.’

 (Psalm 77:1-12)

The reason such a loss of God’s comfort can be for a number of reasons. It may be due to a change of emotions, an embracing of sinful behaviour, or struggles with different temptations. Sometimes God, in his wisdom, hides his face for a time and you just don’t know why.

But what are you to do in such a period of doubt and depression?

Do what the Psalmist did. Remember the Lord and meditate on his mighty deeds. Christians need to keep trusting in Christ even when they do not feel his abiding presence. They must remember that they are not saved by assurance that they belong to God. They are saved by faith in God.

Are you lacking assurance that you are saved? Do you remind yourself of God’s marvelous works and keep trusting in him regardless?

No. Christians may at times feel that they have no assurance that they are going to heaven, and yet be saved. This is because assurance of salvation is not required for salvation. It is faith that is required if you are to be saved: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith’ (Ephesians 2:8).

And so in the Bible we see people who trusted in God but had no assurance that they are safe in God’s hand.  The prayers of the authors of the Psalms often demonstrate that they lack assurance that God is going to save them, even though they trust in him.

For example, Psalm 88 has to be one of the most despairing cries in all of the Scriptures. We read:

‘1 O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.

2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.

4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with your waves. Selah

8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;

9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.

10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah

11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction?

12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.

16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend’

(Psalm 88:1-18)

This person is clearly someone who believes in God, or he wouldn’t cry out to God. But he feels rejected by God and under God’s wrath. His closest friend is darkness! But assurance is not a requirement for salvation, faith is. So if this man trusts in God, he is saved, even if he doesn’t ‘feel’ that he is.

So do you know that you are saved? If not, do you still cling onto Christ by faith?

The Bible teaches that those who truly believe in Christ and who endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him may be assured that they are saved.

The apostle John teaches about such assurance in one of his letters. He tells his readers that one of the purposes of his letter was so that they would know that they are saved. We read: ‘I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life’ (1 John 5:13).

But how do Christians know that they are saved? Do they need an extraordinary revelation from God? For example, Jesus audibly told the thief on the cross that he was saved. Do Christians need something similar to be assured of their salvation?

No. The Bible teaches us that there are a number of ways a Christian can be assured of their salvation, apart from extraordinary revelation from God.

Firstly the Holy Spirit can give assurance to our spirits that we are saved. The apostle Paul says: ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children’ (Romans 8:16).

Secondly, the Spirit helps Christians to see the grace of God in their lives. The apostle John writes: ‘14 We know that we  have  passed  from  death  to  life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us’ (1 John 3:14-24).

Notice what John strongly emphasises: Love for others assures Christians that they are saved. If you don’t love other people, you cannot be a child of God.

So do you trust in Christ and have assurance from the Holy Spirit that you are saved?   

Christians are safe in God’s hands because the Holy Spirit lives in them.

One of the great truths of Christianity is that the Spirit abides inside the believer. For example, on the day of Pentecost, there was a visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit coming upon Christians. The apostle Peter explained to the gathered people that this was a fulfilment of a prophecy from the prophet Joel in the Old Testament: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’ (Acts 2:17).

Thus, Peter explains, Jesus now sends his Spirit to his people: ‘God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear’ (Acts 2:32-33).

The apostle Paul also teaches the Spirit’s presence in believers: ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of  those who are God’s possession– to the praise of his glory’ (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Did you notice the reason Paul gives for why the Spirit lives inside the Christian? The Holy Spirit guarantees that God will give them an inheritance one day.

Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a ‘deposit’. This word is a legal and commercial term that could also be translated as ‘first installment, down payment or pledge’. We are all familiar with giving down payments when we buy something very expensive. For example, if you buy a house you put down a sizeable deposit to show you are very serious about the purchase and guarantee that you will come back with the rest of the money.

So in a similar way, the Holy Spirit functions as a deposit from God to say that he will one day take his disciple to live with him in heaven.

Therefore the Christian lives with a wonderful assurance that he will always be safe. Paul says this when he writes to the church in Corinth: ‘Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it’ (2 Corinthians 5:5-9).

So do you trust in Christ and have God’s Holy Spirit living in you so that you will never fall away?

Christians are safe in God’s hands because of Christ’s continual intercession for them.

The Scriptures regularly teach that Jesus pleads to God for his people. While Jesus was on earth, we see instances of Christ’s prayers for his disciples. For example, in Luke’s gospel, Jesus speaks of his intercession for the apostle Peter: ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers’ (Luke 22:31-32). Why will Peter continue to trust in God? Because Jesus prayed for him.

The apostle John also records one of Christ’s prayer for his disciples. Just before Jesus was arrested, Jesus prayed: ‘20 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with  me  where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world’ (John 17:20-24).

And Jesus didn’t stop praying for his people after he left earth. The author of Hebrews tells us that one of the reasons Jesus went into heaven is to intercede for Christians before God: ‘For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence’ (Hebrews 9:24). Similarly, the author of Hebrews says elsewhere: ‘…because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them’ (Hebrews 7:24-25). Notice what such intercession brings – ‘complete’ salvation. If Jesus is always living to intercede for Christians, then they will always have salvation.

Likewise, the apostle Paul reminds us that if Christ is interceding for Christians, no one can make accusations that would lead to Christians being removed from God’s presence. We read: ‘33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us’ (Romans 8:33-34).

So do you trust in Jesus? If you do, that means Christ intercedes for you and you can never fall away from him. Your salvation is secure.

One of the incredible truths of Christianity is that Christians are united with Christ.

For example, Jesus prays that Christians may be ‘in him’: ‘I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me’ (John 17:20-21).

The Bible also teaches that Christ is living in Christians. Paul says: ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20).

A powerful passage on the Christian’s union with Christ is found in Colossians. Paul writes: ‘24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness– 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me’ (Colossians 1:24-29). Notice what is said here about the union of Christ:

• Christ’s body is the church;
• The mystery of God is Christ in the Gentiles;
• Christians are taught so they may be perfect in Christ;
• Christ powerfully works in Paul.

Moreover, Christ himself makes some marvelous promises to his disciples. He says: ‘For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:20). And before Christ leaves this earth bodily, he says to his disciples: ‘18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”’ (Matthew 28:18-20).

So can Christians fall away and stop being Christians?

Of course not. They are in Christ, Christ is in them, and Christ promises to be with them – always!

So do you have fellowship with Christ through faith? Do you know that means you will persevere in him forever?

The Bible teaches us that the decrees of God guarantee that believers remain believers.

God has made promises with people again and again through history. We generally understand that God has made one covenant of grace with his people that is then shown with certain covenants at different times in the history of God’s people.

And one aspect of the covenants that God makes with his people is that he will make sure that they continue in the faith.

For example, the author of Hebrews writes: ’20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen’ (Hebrews 13:20-21). The author reminds the Christian readers that they serve a covenantal God who will equip them with everything good for their service of him, which would includes the gift of faith.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of the eternal covenant of God: ’39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then  go  well  for  them  and for  their  children  after  them. 40  I  will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me’ (Jeremiah 32:39-40). God has made a promise and therefore will never stop looking after his people.

Also, in the last words of David, we read: ‘3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” 5 “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”’ (2 Samuel 23:3-5). God made a covenant with David and his descendants. That covenant continues with Jesus who is one of David’s descendants. God’s people then become a part of that covenant by faith in Jesus Christ. Which means the covenant blessing of salvation applies to everyone who believes in Jesus.

And the covenants cannot be broken. The author of Hebrews reminds us that the foundation of God’s promise is himself: ‘When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” (Hebrews 6:13-14). If God promises perseverance for his people, they will persevere!

So will you persevere in the faith? If you trust in Jesus Christ, God’s covenant ensures you will.

The Bible teaches us that the unchangeable love of God guarantees that believers remain believers.

The Bible often speaks of the wonderful love of God towards his people. For example, the prophet Jeremiah says: ‘The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’ (Jeremiah 31:3).

The apostle Paul also reminds the church in Ephesus that it is the love of God that saved Christians from sin and raised them up with Christ: ‘3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:3-7). God has seated Christians with Christ and he has done so for the sake of his loving kindness. If Christians fall away, God’s love will be tarnished in the coming ages.

The love of God is also perfectly displayed in the death of Christ. John’s first epistle is all about the love of God and the love Christians should have for one another. Thus John writes: ‘8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins’ (1 John 4:8-10). This means that if God loves Christians enough to send his Son to die for them, he will always give his people exactly what they need to persevere. Paul says: ‘He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all– how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’ (Romans 8:32). If the love of God extends to giving his Son, then the love of God will continue to extend to keeping his people safe for all eternity.

And if that is not enough to convince you of the unending love of God, study the book of Hosea. The prophet Hosea and his relationship with his adulterous wife is used to show the never ending love of God for his people. God says through Hosea: ’19 I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD’ (Hosea 2:19-20).

So do you trust in God and know that his love has saved you? And if you have trusted in God, do you know that you can’t fall away because of his great love?

The Bible teaches us that the Christian can neither totally nor finally fall away from the true state of grace. In other words, once saved, you’re always saved.

For example, in the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah says about the people of God: ‘I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me’ (Jeremiah 32:39-40).

Also, one of the greatest promises concerning the perseverance of Christians comes from Jesus’ words when he was here on earth. John tells us that Jesus said: ‘27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one’ (John 10:27-30). Once you belong to God, you are kept safely in the Son’s hand and no one can take you out. Furthermore, you are also in the hand of the Father and no one can take you out of his hand either. The Christian is safe and sound.

Similarly, Jesus says in another place: ‘37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day’ (John 6:37-40).

The apostle Paul also gives the Christians great assurance that they will persevere for all eternity: ‘35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:35-39). Paul is clear, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

So if you truly believe in Jesus today, you will truly believe in Jesus forever. You will persevere to glory!

Do you believe in Jesus? Do you look forward to remaining in his grace forever?

The Bible teaches us that the remnants of sin continue to live in Christians while they are on earth. The Christian’s sinful nature struggles against the Holy Spirit, so that the Christian heeds temptations and falls into sin. The apostle Paul describes the battle with these words: ‘I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members’ (Romans 7:14-23).

This means that Christians are hindered by sin as they seek to serve the Lord. So the author of Hebrews encourages Christians to watch out for sin: ‘…let us throw off everything  that  hinders  and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’ (Hebrews 12:1).

The struggle with sin also means that the best works of the Christians are defiled in the sight of God. Isaiah says: ‘All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away’ (Isaiah 64:6).

Even the apostle Peter fell astray and had to be confronted by Paul for falling into serious sin, whilst a believer. We read in Galatians: ‘When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew’ (Galatians 2:11-14).

So what is the Christian to do in his imperfect state? Right after he says to throw off sin, the author of Hebrews says: ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:2). If you keep your eyes on Jesus, he will continue to cleanse you of your sin until you reach glory.

Do you recognise you are imperfect? Do you keep your eyes on Jesus?

You see, the text does not say “do spiritual things, or even church ministry, to the glory of God”. Instead, it stresses to do “ALL” things to God’s glory. It’s a statement, an exhortation, in which Paul is telling us that in every single thing we do, every single thing, we should be striving to give glory to God. That there is no compartmentalisation of our lives in which we have spiritual things on one side, and our own private matters and affairs on the other.

Rather, the aim of giving “glory to God” in everything characterises a life intent on following Christ. It is one which acknowledges that our lives are to be lived all for Him, because our lives are to be a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). We display his supreme worth and that he is significantly worthy “to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11) when we sacrifice to God all parts of our life, and orientate our priorities around glorifying Him. This is actually a restoration of what has always been the supreme purpose for all humanity, which was corrupted in the fall, and that is best summarised by the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

That is what living is all about, and this is why looking to glorify God as we follow Christ should be our chief aim in life. So, how should we live a life which seeks to glorify God?

Firstly, we need to live in a way in accordance to how he wants us to live our life. This is called obedience, and is something that we are exhorted to do as followers of Christ, in response to being saved and reconciled. Secondly, we should seek to evaluate what we do, and see whether we are doing it for the glory of God.

How do you know if something is going to bring glory to God? Any action which will cause you to love God more, brings Him glory. Any action which will help you to trust God more, brings Him glory. Likewise, any action that helps you to obey God, to serve God, any goal that causes you to want to tell unbelievers about the goodness and mercy of God – these all bring glory to God.

As Christians, we are called to live lives in response to the saving grace we have received through Christ. This means, living in a way and performing actions which are reflective of this truth. In John 15:8, Jesus states, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit.” This is because when we live lives which are obedient to the Father, and are marked by a love of Christ and a desire to bring glory to God, the world will “see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

So how can you bring glory to God? “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work.” (Colossians 1:10)

Are you doing everything for the glory of God?

Repentance also involves a turning from sin to God. The Greek word in the New Testament that we translate as ‘repentance’ literally means ‘change of mind’. So repentance means to turn from something to something else.

Thus, for the Christian, repentance means you make up your mind to stop doing wrong. But it also means you make up your mind to start doing right. It is not as though you stop sinning and therefore you have repented. That would be a 90 degree turn to some sort of neutral territory. True repentance is a 180 degree turn from sin to serving God. Before the Christian repents, he is always walking toward sin. Once he is converted, he walks toward God.

Jesus himself teaches this fundamental understanding of repentance when he speaks to Saul on the Damascus road. Paul recounts this when he testifies to King Agrippa. Paul says: ’14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ” ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have

Appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.  17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’ (Acts 26:14-18). Paul is sent to the Gentiles to turn them. But not just to turn from darkness. The Gentiles must also turn to the light.

And this is what the church in Thessalonica did. Paul says that everyone knew about the repentance of the Thessalonians: ‘7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,  9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead–Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath’ (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10). The Thessalonians turned from idols. Yes. But they also turned to serve the living and true God.

So repentance is a 180 degree turn. And then you stop. What you don’t want is to turn 360 degrees and return to sin!

So have you repented by turning your mind from sin to God?

Repentance includes a hatred of sin.

The Old Testament regularly tells God’s people to hate sin. The prophet Amos says: ‘Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts’ (Amos 5:14-15).

The Psalmist also says ‘Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked’ (Psalm 97:10).

Paul, in the New Testament also speaks about the repentance shown by the church in Corinth. The believers had allowed great sin in their church, but because of Paul’s words they were brought to repentance, a repentance that was eager to hate sin (as implied in v11): ‘8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it– I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while– 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were  not  harmed  in  any  way  by  us.

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter’ (2 Corinthians 7:8-11).

Paul is even clearer in his words to the church in Rome: ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good’ (Romans 12:9). The Greek word translated in this verse as ‘hate’ means ‘to have a vehement dislike for something’ or ‘to strongly abhor it’.

And a hatred for sin makes sense to the repentant. If you realise the danger of your sin and its filthiness, there should be a disgust and hatred of it.

Thus, Peter warns that the unrepentant are like animals returning to their filth: ‘It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud’ (2 Peter 2:21-22). If a person does not hate sin and continues going back to it, they are behaving like a dog or a pig.

So, have you repented with a hatred toward your sin? Or do you still love your sinful ways?

Repentance includes a grieving over sin.

We are all acquainted with the subject of grief, some more than others. Grief is an intense sorrow that is usually associated with the death of a loved one.

But should the sinner grieve about his sin? Yes! After all, his sin means certain death and judgement for a loved one – himself!

The Bible speaks plainly about the death the sinner deserves for sin. The apostle Paul tells the church in Rome about his death through sin: ‘Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death’ (Romans 7:9-11).

The Bible also speaks about the second death the sinner deserves. The apostle John writes: ‘But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars– they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the the second death’ (Revelation 21:8).

So it is not surprising that the repentant sinner grieves. He understands the deathly consequences of his sin and begins to mourn for his own sinful soul.

And throughout history, repentant sinners have grieved. God himself describes the grieving repentance of the Israelites: ‘I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ (Jeremiah 31:18-19).

Ezra also shows grief over sin: ‘When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice. Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens’ (Ezra 9:3-6).

So, have you grieved in repentance over your sin and the death it brings? Have you trusted in Christ so that you have eternal life?

Whilst it may seem at first glance that these two verses are at odds with one another, there is a perfectly straight forward way in tackling this question. That is by asking what is faith and what does it do? To answer this question, we should look back to the Ephesians verse. This informs us that faith is a gift from God through which we are saved. Looking at the verse which follows, Ephesians 2:10, it continues: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Paul didn’t see faith and works as opposing each other, but rather he saw works as being a visible outflow of faith, and given to us to do by God. What this means is that whilst works do not and cannot merit salvation, they are fruit of a genuine faith. If you are in Christ, then you are predestined to do good works.

This is true because God-given faith radically transforms the person in whom it operates. It instils a love of God and Christ, and a love for things which they love. It establishes a disdain for things that they hate. It brings forth a sorrowfulness for the acts that we committed which were contrary to God and a desire to never return to that way. This faith evidences that we have been given new hearts, and are now able to follow God. It means we have been rescued from the yoke of slavery to sin, and are now slaves to God and his purposes (Romans 6:16-18).

It is this living faith which drives Christians to do the things of God. It drives us to be obedient to him, not out of obligation or duty but out of love and gratitude. This is why Christians seek to carry out the commands of Christ, acknowledging that while such actions do not earn our salvation, it is something which we should strive to do because following Christ is the best thing for us to do. It is simply a love of Christ which should be our motive in anything and everything we do, which is why Christ said in John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.”

John Calvin, the great reformer, once said “’It  is  therefore  faith  alone  which  justifies,  and  yet  the  faith  which  justifies  is  not  alone”. This is effectively what James meant in James 2:17, faith saves – but such a faith should have proof of its existence, or to put it in a regular biblical illustration, a tree should produce fruit in accordance to its conditions. A good tree should produce good, not bad, fruit. This is why a man who confesses Christ and yet continues to live a life at complete odds with God’s commandments is unlikely to have real faith, as his life is inconsistent with his claim. So where do faith and works intersect? We are saved by faith alone, no good work we do would ever be enough to merit salvation. However, good works testify to active, God-given, faith.

Repentance also involves an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ.

Repentance is not simply seeing the awfulness of sin, repentance involves a turning toward that which is right. And who better to turn to than the holy God himself.

But in order for one to turn to God, there must be an understanding that God is merciful to those who are repentant.

This is because we naturally only go to those who we believe will be merciful. If a child has committed wrong against his parents, he may flee to both of them in repentance and ask for mercy. But if he does not believe that his father will show mercy, he may only flee to his mother!

It is the same with God. If you understand that you are a sinner but do not believe that God is merciful, you would seek refuge elsewhere (if such a place or person could be found that would protect you from an all-knowing, all-powerful, completely just God!).

Thankfully, the Bible tells us that God is merciful to those who are repentant and so you can run to him. For example, the prophet Joel advises the Israelites to turn to God because he is merciful:

‘12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.  14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing– grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.  15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.  16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.  17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”  18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people’ (Joel 2:12-18).

Thus, the repentant person follows the example of the tax collector in Christ’s parable. Jesus said of him: ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. Hes would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”’ (Luke 18:13).

Have you recognised the odiousness of your sin? Have you then apprehended that God is merciful and worth coming to in repentance?

The Bible teaches us that sinners repent because they see not only the danger of sin, but the filthiness and odiousness of their sin.

The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel describes the repentant in these terms: ‘Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel! “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins”’ (Ezekiel 36:31-33).

Isaiah also writes: ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”’ (Isaiah 30:21-22).

Jesus also rebukes a church for not seeing their sinfulness and repenting: ‘You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you    do   not   realize   that    you   are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent’ (Revelation 3:17-19). The church of Laodicea, thought they were rich. But if they could see their sin, they would have understood their awful state.

The apostle Paul also talks about his disgust with his sin: ‘For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?’ (Romans 7:22-24).

So sin is exceedingly sinful. When God opens your eyes to your sin, you see its true colours – it is disgusting and vile.  As the Puritans used to say, sin is exceedingly sinful. And if you take such a view of sin, you are compelled to turn in repentance to God.

And thankfully God forgives the repentant. The next verses from the apostle Paul are: ‘Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ (Romans 7:25)’. If we come to God in repentance, he delivers us and cleanses us from all our sins (as Ezekiel puts it).

So have you seen the filthiness of your sin? Have you turned away in disgust and repentance to worship God instead?

Firstly, the Bible teaches us that a sinner repents because they see and sense the danger of sin. One of the places the Bible demonstrates this clearly, is in the parable that Jesus told of the prodigal son. We read:

‘11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men. 20 So he got up and went to his father’ (Luke 15:11-20).

The son sees the consequences of his sin and this brings him to admit his atrocious sin against his father and against God. And, if you read the rest of the parable in your Bible, you see that the father forgives his penitent son.

And the same happens to Christians today. As the Christian sees the danger that sin brings, he is brought to his senses and turns back to his Heavenly Father.

But what are some of the dangers that the repentant Christian sees? The destruction of sinners in hell. The apostle John writes: ‘9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:9-11).

So what is repentance? It is a turning to God by someone who sees the dangers of their sin and begs for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Have you seen the danger and repented of your sin?

But is there anything else that the Spirit does to make Christians holy? Another act of the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work is the strengthening of God’s people.

Christians are not strong in themselves. In fact, Christians should be the first people in the world to point out their weaknesses. Christians know how completely helpless they are in their sin. They can’t save themselves, so they trust in Jesus to save them.

But despite their weaknesses as Christians, the Holy Spirit is there to strengthen them. In light of the suffering of the church, Paul says: ‘18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our  adoption  as  sons,  the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.’ (Romans 8:18-27).

Also, in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus we read his prayer for the Holy Spirit to strengthen the church: ‘13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God’ (Ephesians 3:13-19).

So, do you wish to be strengthened? You must come to God and ask for him to sanctify you through Christ by his Holy Spirit.

But is there anything else that the Spirit does to make us holy? Another act of the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work is to give repentance to God’s people.

Repentance is essential to salvation. When Jesus preached the gospel on earth, Mark recorded the following: ‘The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”’ (Mark 1:15). Repentance and faith always go together.

But how do you repent and believe? It is only by the Spirit sanctifying the Christian’s heart and granting him repentance.

In Acts, we learn that the apostle Peter preached to some Gentiles and many of them became Christians. When Peter is questioned about this by other Jews, Peter says: ‘”As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” (Acts 11:15-17).

Luke also records the response of the other Jewish Christians to this news, ‘When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life”’ (Acts 11:18).

The last sentence clearly states that repentance is granted by God. It is a gift. And such repentance is accompanied by the Holy Spirit, as indicated by the earlier verses.

Similarly, when Peter is hauled before the Jewish Sanhedrin to account for his preaching about Christ, Peter affirms that Jesus gives repentance to his people. Peter says: ‘The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead– whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.  God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”’ (Acts 5:30-32).

Once again we see that it is God who brings repentance to his people and the Holy Spirit is involved in that work.

Sadly, the Sanhedrin doesn’t react well to the teaching. We read: ‘When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death’ (Acts 5:33).

How are you going to react to God’s teaching on repentance? If you have never done so, ask God for his Holy Spirit, that he would sanctify you and grant you repentance. Then you can be forgiven of your sins and enjoy God’s salvation.

But is there anything else that the Spirit does to make us holy? Another act of the Holy Spirit is to apply the resurrection of Christ to God’s people.

If you are a Christian, you have died with Christ. When Christ suffered on the cross, your sin was there upon his shoulders. Which means the penalty for your sin has been paid. But if you are sanctified, then the Spirit has also applied the resurrection of Christ to you. Christ didn’t remain dead and nor do you. The apostle Paul says: ‘3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–  7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  9 For  we  know  that  since  Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.  10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 6:3-11).

If you’ve died with Christ, you also have come alive with Christ. You share in his resurrection as well as his death. The wrath you deserve for your sin has been removed and you are now alive in Christ, forever.

Thus, in one sense, the Christian has eternal life, even in this world. Jesus says in the gospel of John: ‘I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live’ (John 5:24-25).

Yes, Christians still die. But it is not an eternal death. Rather it is a passing from this world to the next. That’s why the Christian can face death with joy – it is merely leaving the body behind. Paul makes this claim when he says”: ‘We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:8).

So how can you make sure you are sanctified? Trust that you have died with Christ and have been raised with him. If you do that, it demonstrates that you have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

But what does the Spirit do to make us holy? One act of the Holy Spirit is to apply the death of Christ to God’s people.

Why does the Christian not live in sin any longer? Why does the Christian seek to be holy to the Lord instead? Because he is now dead to sin.

Paul in his letter to the church in Rome says: ’What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–because anyone who has died has been freed from sin’ (Romans 6:1-7).

Paul  teaches  us  that  the  Christian  has been set free from sin – he is now holy to the Lord. And it is all because of the death of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, Christians died too. By an act of God’s free grace, the Holy Spirit applied Christ’s death to all Christians so that they are washed from sin.

Paul uses an illustration in the next chapter of Romans to make the point clear: ‘Do you not know, brothers–for I am speaking to men who know the law–that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God’ (Romans 7:1-4).

The law of God demands that sinners be punished with death: ‘For the wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23). But if the death that the law demands has taken place, then the person is free to go. The person is now sanctified – pure in the eyes of God. And that is what the Spirit has brought about using the death of Christ.

So how can you make sure you are sanctified? Trust that Jesus died for you and that you died with him. If you do that, it demonstrates that you have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In fact, from the very onset, John establishes the divine nature of Christ. In verse 1, he states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Alluding that the Word was Jesus, John continues in verse 14 to state: “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” It is without doubt that the apostle John thought that Jesus was very much God. Yet, why was this? Did Jesus ever make this claim? Whilst, Jesus never says plainly “I am God”, we need to examine what he did say and understand the implications of his comments.

For example, when certain Jews accused Jesus of being demon-possessed and a charlatan after he said he had seen Abraham, an impossibility for a mere human, he responded with “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). This  claim would’ve  been  blasphemous to the Jews, for by Jesus claiming ‘I am’ – he was claiming God’s title for himself. As in Exodus 3:14 we see that “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’””. The Jews understood what Jesus meant by this claim and attempted to stone him as a result. Likewise, when Jesus was brought a paralytic, he said to the man “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” To which the Jewish leaders replied “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:20-21). They understood what Jesus had implied and were unwilling to believe the ramifications. Perhaps, the closest example that we have of Jesus claiming to be God is John 10:30-33, wherein he states “I and the Father are one.” As his Jewish opponents got ready to stone him, Jesus said: “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” The Jewish leaders got the point, Jesus was claiming to be God through both his speech and actions. And it wasn’t just those who opposed Jesus who thought that he was claiming to be God either. Peter, when asked as to who he thought Jesus was, responded that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Likewise, Thomas, after seeing the resurrected Jesus, exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

So there can be no doubt that Jesus definitely considered himself to be God, and others did too. What about you? Do you think Jesus is God?

Sanctification is the act of being made holy. And holiness is usually associated with moral purity. If you are holy, you are set apart as clean.

But how does sanctification/holiness come to Christ’s church? The Bible teaches us that sanctification is a work of God’s grace, where God chooses to make his people holy. Paul says: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight’ (Ephesians 1:4).

When did God choose who was going to be made holy? Before the creation of the world. Which means God chose who was going to be holy before anyone ever existed. Thus, his choice was purely dependent upon his grace.

Paul repeats this idea in his letter to Timothy: ‘So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life– not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel’ (2 Timothy 1:8-10).

But who makes God’s people holy? The Bible teaches us that sanctification is done by the powerful operation of God’s Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: ‘Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God’ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Similarly, in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that sanctifies God’s church: ‘But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth’ (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

So sanctification is the work of God’s grace where his people, who he chose before the foundation of the world, are made holy by the powerful operation of his Spirit.

But how can you make sure you are sanctified? Repent of your sins and believe that Christ died for you. If you do that, it demonstrates that you have begun to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

One of the privileges of adoption is that you become an heir within the family. You are entitled to an inheritance!

And it is no different in God’s family. If you become one of his children, you receive an inheritance from God.

The apostle Paul teaches us this truth. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul reminds the Christians of their adoption and then their inheritance: ‘For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:15-18).

What is the inheritance that we receive as God’s adopted children? Eternal life in heaven itself. In Paul’s letter to Titus, we read: ‘But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life’ (Titus 3:4-7).

And we don’t just inherit an eternal existence. The Bible also says that we will be richly rewarded in paradise. The apostle Peter wrote: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time’ (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Sadly we don’t know all the specifics of what our inheritance will look like. But if you want to see some of the marvellous details we do have, you should read the final chapters of Revelation and Isaiah in the Bible. For now, we trust that our good God is preparing a delightful inheritance for his children, that will continue for all eternity.

But how do you get to be adopted by God and receive an eternal inheritance? The Bible is clear – if we repent of our sins and trust that Jesus Christ died for us, we belong to God and are co-heirs with Christ.

So have you repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ? Are you looking forward to an eternal inheritance from God?

Adoption into God’s family means we are under God’s fatherly care.

Firstly we see that the Old Testament is full of passages that speak of God’s fatherly care. In the Psalms we read: ‘As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.’ (Psalm 103:13-14).

The prophet Malachi also writes: ‘On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him’ (Malachi 3:17).

Then in the New Testament, Jesus says: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to  those  who  ask  him!  (Matthew  7:7-11).

Jesus contrasts our heavenly Father with our earthly fathers. If we know that our earthly fathers give good things in response to our requests, of course our heavenly father will give us good things when we ask him. What does Jesus tell us to prove his case? Jesus says, our earthly fathers are evil yet they know how to treat us well. So if the heavenly father is not evil but good in every way, we can always expect his good fatherly care.

The author of Hebrews also reminds us that along with God’s care for us as children, comes his hand of discipline: ‘Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined– and everyone undergoes discipline– then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it’ (Hebrews 12:7-11).

What a privilege it is to have God as your caring father! But how do you achieve adoption and so receive God’s care? You must repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. If you do that, then you can rest assured you are under God’s fatherly care.

The apostle Paul teaches us that, if we are children of God, God has given us the Holy Spirit. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we read ‘So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father”’ (Galatians 4:3-6).

What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in you? One thing it means is that you are able to draw close to your new Father and speak to him with a real intimacy.

Notice what Paul says, it is by the Spirit that we can now cry out ‘Abba, Father’. The word ‘Abba’ is Aramaic for ‘Father’. But originally this was a term of endearment that was rarely used in reference to God – it was considered too intimate. A modern English equivalent might be ‘Daddy’.

You just don’t call God ‘Daddy’. It sounds disrespectful. To call God the Father ‘Abba’ is even more outrageous when you consider who you are and who God is. He is a holy God, you are a rebellious sinner. How could you approach God with such a term of affection?

We would be happy to make an exception for Jesus to call God ‘Abba’. He is the sinless one. So we read, with approval, in Mark’s gospel: ‘“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you”’ (Mark 14:36)

Yet we would also agree that the Holy Spirit is close enough to God the Father that he can call God, ‘Abba’. After, all they have been in a perfect loving relationship with one another for all eternity. The Spirit and the Father know a loving intimacy that is beyond our imagination.

So if we are adopted into God’s family and receive the Spirit of Christ, it is reasonable that we can join both Jesus and the Spirit in calling God ‘Abba’. Through both the Son and the Spirit we can enjoy an intimacy with God that few could have dreamed of enjoying.

Why is such an intimacy enjoyable? We no longer fear God because of our sin. This is what Paul teaches the church in Rome: ‘For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father”’ (Romans 8:15). Our adoption drives out fear by the Spirit of Christ.

How can you enjoy such an intimacy with God by the Holy Spirit? Turn to God by repentance and faith. If you truly turn from your sins and trust in Jesus for your salvation, then you can enjoy adoption into God’s family. And if you are adopted into God’s family, then you can cry ‘Abba, Father’ by the Holy Spirit and no longer fear God’s wrath for sin.

Mark, one of the gospel writers, records that Jesus taught about his resurrection on three different occasions: ‘He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again’ (Mark 8:31); ‘He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise”’ (Mark 9:31); ‘“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise’ (Mark 10:33-34). Matthew, Luke and John also record that Jesus taught that he would be raised from the dead.

But how can you believe that these predictions actually took place? Couldn’t the disciples have just made the predictions up? The odds of the disciples making up the resurrection predictions are very slim. To do so, would have been very embarrassing because they are also recorded as not initially believing the predictions.

After Jesus teaches about his resurrection, the disciples clearly do not understand what he was talking about. Peter even rebukes Christ for such predictions: ‘He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men”’ (Mark 8:33). On another occasion, the disciples had this response to Christ’s prophecy: ‘But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it’ (Mark 9:32). And when Jesus does come back to life, the disciples doubt the claim. After the women return from the empty tomb, we read that the disciples ‘did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense’ (Luke 24:11).

Now, if the disciples were making up the accounts about Jesus, wouldn’t it be too embarrassing to fabricate their disbelief in Christ’s resurrection? Let alone make up Christ’s prophecies about his resurrection and their disbelief in the predictions! The fact that the disciples repeatedly look bad demonstrates that they are telling the truth. Not only did Jesus come back to life, but he also predicted that it was going to happen.

Thus Jesus is the most monumental figure in history. He knows the future and is able to cheat the grave. Such a man is worthy of our attention. Particularly when you learn that he taught that you can be saved from death too, if you will only trust in him for your sins. The apostle Paul says: ‘That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved’ (Romans 10:9-10). So won’t you believe in Jesus and have eternal life?

But not everyone does. Some believe that Jesus never existed. So it makes sense that they also believe that Jesus didn’t die. How can someone die if they didn’t exist?

Others believed Jesus lived, but didn’t die by crucifixion. One of the most famous teachers of such a theory is Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. The Koran says: ‘That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them’ (Ali translation).

So why do so many people believe Jesus did die and that Jesus died by crucifixion? Many people have examined the eye-witness accounts of Christ’s death and concluded that they are a true and accurate record of what took place more than two thousand years ago.

What are the eye-witness accounts? Each of the gospel writers in the Bible gives a detailed account of Christ’s death. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe Christ’s crucifixion, his final breath and the burial of his dead body. I encourage you to read them for yourselves, it won’t take long and would be a good use of the public holidays our government has granted you over the next few days.

But why would people be so anxious to deny the death of Christ? Well, if Christ didn’t die, then his death didn’t pay for your sins and so you don’t need to look to Christ.

Paul teaches us about the implications of Christ’s death: ‘You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!’ (Romans 5:6-9). If Jesus died, then those who believe in him are justified before God. They no longer stand in their sins, but stand on Christ’s righteousness.

Whereas if Christ didn’t die, then there is no need to follow him. Instead you should follow someone else if you wish to escape God’s wrath. And there are many religions that are happy to point you to someone other than Christ.

But there is very good evidence that Christ did die and that, if you trust in him, you can have forgiveness of sins.

So what do you say? Did Jesus die? Did Jesus die by crucifixion? Did Jesus die in the place of sinners as a sacrifice for sin? Do you trust in Christ’s death so that your sins are forgiven?

If we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, then we are also adopted into God’s family. The apostle John says: ‘Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’ (John 1:12-13). The Apostle Paul also says: ‘As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty”’ (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

Now, when you are adopted by an earthly family, you usually take on their name as you are recognised as belonging to it. So it is with adoption into God’s family. If you are part of God’s family he legally writes his name upon you to demonstrate that you now belong to him. You take on his name and are a part of his family. ‘Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name’ (Revelation 3:10-12).

But how does such an adoption into God’s family take place? Adoption is an act of God’s free grace.

If you’re adopted into another family, you usually have very little say in the matter, particularly if you’re an infant.

When God adopted sinners into his family, it was not because of anything they had done, but purely by his grace. Paul says: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love e predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves’ (Ephesians 1:4-6). If you were predestined for adoption, then you had no say in the matter. Thus, the only reason any sinner is a part of God’s family is because God has lovingly and graciously adopted him.

So how can you be adopted into God’s family? Turn from your sin and trust in Christ – beg God for mercy. If you truly repent and believe then know that you have been adopted into his family.

Have you been adopted into God’s family? Is God’s name written upon you?

Those who are justified before God are people who believe that Christ’s righteousness pardons their sin.

To be justified, it is not enough to admit to God that you are a sinner and are helpless. Imagine you were to commit a crime in our country and be brought before an earthly court. You could not plead guilty to the judge and then expect to go free. Pleading guilty may reduce your sentence, but it won’t mean you’re forgiven.

It is the same in God’s high court. If you are guilty, then you must be punished – no matter how sorry you may be. This revelation is all the more terrifying when you realise that the punishment for sin is eternal damnation: The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: ‘Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God’ (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul also wrote to the churches in Galatia: ‘The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God’ (Galatians 5:19-21). Have you committed any of the sins in these lists? Then you will be punished by God and excluded from his kingdom.

Unless, someone pays the punishment for you. And thankfully God has made you an offer. His Son, Jesus Christ, will pay the punishment for you. His death on the cross can be a ransom so that you can go free – you can be justified before God. Jesus himself spoke of the ransom he would pay: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).

How do you accept this free offer from God the Father and God the Son? The Bible repeatedly tells us that the payment for sin is to be received by faith. The apostle John writes: ‘Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’ (John 1:12-13).

If you simply trust that Jesus Christ died for you, then you are justified before God. Christ’s righteous work becomes your righteous work and you are pardoned from your sin.

So won’t you believe in Christ’s ransom for your sin and be justified today?

This counter-point may seem convincing at first, but it fails to take into consideration one crucial thing. Notably, the very nature of evangelism itself. You see, instead of being a separate action that we perform, evangelism is actually caught up with the totality of who we are as Christians.

What do I mean by this? Well, let us reflect on our very nature as Christians. Once, as we know, we were dead in sin due to our transgressions. Yet through the transformative grace bestowed unto us from God, this state has been dramatically changed. We are, as Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “a new creature. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV)

Our old lives, filled with selfishness and immorality, are removed – our new lives become centered on one person – Jesus Christ. Our hearts and minds – and subsequently our actions and speech — change to reflect this. It is as Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:3-4: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”  

As ‘new creatures’ then, we now go to Church, hear about Christ, and talk about Christ. Jesus becomes the focus of our words. We share discussions with other believers about Jesus and our mutual love of Him as our Lord and Saviour. It’s a foundation of what it means to be a Christian. In fact, speaking about Jesus is at very heart of our conversion — we are told in Romans 10:9 that: “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Through our experiences in Church, we can see that speaking about Jesus is part of our very fabric as Christians. Yet, nowhere does it say in scripture that this speech should be restricted to believers. Rather, quite the opposite. Just as our actions should reflect Christ in all parts of our life, so too should our speech remain consistent. Yes, this may slightly change depending on the circumstances of the time. However, we need to let our speech constantly be speech which has been transformed, like our lives, by Christ, to point people to Christ.

Thus, we’re not necessarily called to “evangelise” as much as we are called to live consistent lives for Christ, of which speaking about Christ — whether in a church or secular context — is a core aspect of that. If we are living lives for Christ, this would undoubtedly permeate and affect all aspects of our lives, and both our speech and actions should consequently be reflective of that. Evangelising, therefore, is not an independent action that a Christian does, but is, rather, a function of who we are.

So go ahead and speak Christ to all of those in your life!

Those who are justified are people who are convinced of their own inability to recover themselves from their lost condition.

When people learn of their sin, they can react a number of ways. They can refuse to acknowledge their sin. They can shrug it off as not a big deal. They can seek to do good as compensation for their sin.

Meanwhile the person who is justified, looks for help. Again and again in the Bible, we see those who are convicted of sin crying out for deliverance. For example in Acts 2 we read Peter’s sermon and the response of the people: ‘”Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”’ (Acts 2:36-37. Similarly, the Philippian gaoler says to Paul and Silas: ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ (Acts 16:30).

The apostle Paul also teaches that sinners are powerless to save themselves. Paul says to the Roman church: ‘You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly’ (Romans 5:6). Even the way Paul describes humans as ‘dead’ in their sins, demonstrates the helplessness of sinners: ‘When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ’ (Colossians 2:13). Dead people don’t do anything. That’s part of what it means to be dead!

Finally, if salvation only comes through Christ, that demonstrates our complete inability to recover from our sinful state. We can’t help ourselves and no other creature can either. Peter teaches the uniqueness of Christ’s saving power in his sermon to the Jews: ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’ (Acts 4:12). Jesus himself says: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).

So if there is nothing that we can do to bring ourselves to life we must join in with people all through the ages and cry out ‘What must I do to be saved?’ Only then can we be justified before God.

If you continue in your arrogance toward the Lord, thinking that your sin is a light matter and you can take care of it yourself, there is no place for you in Christ’s kingdom.

Do you want to be justified? Have you recognised your sinfulness? Have you recognised your inability to save yourself? Have you cried out to God for help? Do it now, so that you can be made right before God.

Joel Radford

Firstly, those who are justified are people who are convinced of their own sin. The Bible testifies that all humans are sinners: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one’ (Romans 3:10).

And the Christian will admit this truth. For example the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to Titus: ‘At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another’ (Titus 3:3).

Another example is his letter to the church in Ephesus: ‘As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath’ (Ephesians 2:1-3).

And it’s not just Paul who admits his sinfulness. Again and again in the New Testament we see people being convinced of their sin and their hopelessness, before they are justified before God. An example is in Acts 2 as Peter preaches to the Jews. Peter tells the people that they have sinned against God by crucifying the Messiah: ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ’ (Acts 2:36).

The people then respond with conviction about their sin: ‘When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”’ (Acts 2:37).

Peter answers with an exhortation that they turn from sin: ‘Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”’ (Acts 2:38-40).

And following Peter’s encouragements, we read that some Jews respond with acceptance of their sin: ‘Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day’ (Act 2:41).

So if you wish to be justified (right with God), you must recognise that you’re not justified (not right with God). Once you do that, you’re on a sure path to salvation.

Do you recognise your sinfulness and need of a saviour?

Joel Radford

The faith that justifies is brought about in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit of God. Paul explains in his letter to the church in Corinth:

‘4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 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– 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 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. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:4-16).

Paul clearly teaches that understanding the message of God requires the Spirit of God. If you only have the Word of God, but not the Spirit of God, you will not be able to discern God’s message. In fact you will consider it foolishness. We see this regularly in the lives of unbelievers. They may have the Word of God and know much about it. But they reject it because they do not have the Holy Spirit.

So we need both the Word of God and the Spirit of God if we are to be justified before God. And thankfully God does give both to his people.

But do you have the Spirit of God working in you so that you comprehend the Word of God? If you think the answer is no, ask God to give you his Holy Spirit so you can understand the word of God and be justified.

Joel Radford.

However, the fact that Jesus became human is as equally important as the fact that he was God. For if Christ was not incarnate, having not taken on human flesh, then he would not have been able to rescue humanity from its sins nor, consequently, been able to reconcile humanity with God. Yet, this is exactly what he was called to do. The apostle Paul states “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Christ came to rescue a humanity which was under indictment by the law of God because of sin. Sin which, having been inherited from one man – our father Adam – marred all with a sinful nature, so that all are guilty of transgressing against God (Roman 5:12). Yet, since sin was brought into this world by a man, it had to be removed by a man and only a perfect man born under the law could perfectly keep and fulfill the law, thereby redeeming us from the guilt. Thus Christ came in the flesh and under the law, in order to fulfill the requirements of the law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17).

This leads us to another reason as to why Jesus had to be fully human. It was necessary for the Saviour to shed His blood for the remission of sins, as Hebrews 9:22b reminds us “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” A blood sacrifice, of course, requires a body of flesh and blood. If Christ had solely been a spiritual being—and not fully man—He would not have had any blood to spill, and thus we could not have been truly cleansed from our sins as there would be nothing to satisfy the requirements. However, Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed His human life and shed His human blood to cover the sins of all who would ever believe in Him.

Furthermore, because Christ was fully human, we are reminded that we can relate with Him and He with us. In His humanity, Jesus was subjected to all the same kinds of trials that we face. He was tempted; He was persecuted; He was deprived; He was despised; and He suffered great physical pain. Subsequently, He is able to sympathise with us. As Hebrews 4:15 puts it “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin”. Only a human could sympathise with our weaknesses and temptations, as only a human can experience these things.

Believing that Christ was fully human is a foundation of the Christian faith. The apostle John states in 1 John 4:2-3 and 2 John 7 that to reject this is to reject Christianity in its entirety. Denying the incarnation of Christ is to effectively undermine the ability to Christ to redeem humanity. If Christ was not human, it means he could not really die, and this would mean that that cross is worthless.

Because the Son of God became human, and if we have our faith in Him, we are now redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). Jesus became fully man so that we may be fully saved. Now that is something worth celebrating!

Brett Lee-Price

It starts with the acknowledgment of God’s existence, and the understanding that He is a holy and just God. Worthy of absolute worship, and entitled to it. This God has made humanity in His image to know and worship Him. However, though originally created as good, humanity became rebellious and instead sought to seek its own ways instead of God’s, and having sinned against this holy God, alienated themselves from Him. Consequently, sin has become permeated throughout human nature, and from birth, all people are hostile to God, and subject to His wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). The Gospel thus informs us of the reality of our situation, that all of us are dead in our sins, unable to please God in whom we have rebelled against, and will suffer damnation through eternal separation from God (2 Thess. 1:9). The Gospel tells us that we will stand before God and face judgment (Rev. 20:13).

Fortunately, the Gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses this serious problem that faces us all. While presenting us with the reality of our unrighteousness and our inability to change the situation, it also informs us that there is someone who did have the righteousness and bore the wrath that we were destined to bear. Jesus.

Jesus, who was fully man and fully God, lived a life of both perfect righteousness and perfect obedience to God. Jesus who choose to lay down his life and bear our sins, so that the law, justice, and righteousness of God would be satisfied. Jesus who from rising from the dead, showed that his sacrifice was acceptable to God, and that God’s wrath against us has been exhausted. Jesus who has reconciled us to God, so that we may be with Him for eternity. Jesus has done for us what we in our helpless states could never do. The Gospel therefore is the message of who Jesus is and what He did on our behalf. Jesus provided the way for man to be freed from the penalty of sin (Jn. 14:6).

But this is not effectual for all people; only those who place their faith in Him. The Bible makes it crystal clear that God has not simply waved, as RC Sproul puts it, “a wand of forgiveness over everybody” nor was the atoning death of Jesus intended so that humanity would resume its old ways. Rather, we are to repent of our old ways and place our trust and faith in Jesus (Ac. 16:31). Subsequently, the only way we can receive efficaciously benefit from the actions of Christ’s life and death is by putting our trust in Him.

This is the “good news” of Jesus. That by placing our faith and trust in Jesus and what he has accomplished, we who were dead in sin and alienated to God, were brought alive and reconciled to Him. We who were destined for eternal damnation have given eternal life. We who deserve the full wrath and punishment of God were spared. The Gospel is the understanding and acknowledgment of all this. It is the free gift given to unworthy sinners by a merciful and loving God. It is the removal of the obstacles stopping us from the all-satisfying source of Joy: eternity with God.

As Jesus proclaims at the beginning of Mark, will you “Repent and believe the good news“?

The Bible teaches that those who have never heard the gospel about Jesus cannot be saved. Although people may know something of God, they suppress that truth and live in rebellion against God. The apostle Paul says: ‘The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served  created  things  rather  than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them’ (Romans 1:18-32).

Apologies for the lengthy quote. But again and again in this passage, Paul teaches us that people turn their backs on God despite knowing much about him. Which means no one has saving knowledge of God through the general revelation in nature. The only way to be saved is through special revelation about God’s son, Jesus Christ.

So do you believe in Christ for your salvation? Or are you seeking  salvation in another futile way?

Joel Radford

There are many religions in the world and many of them claim to know a way to an eternal life in a heavenly paradise. But are they all valid ways? Some believe all ways are valid. For example, there is a teaching called universalism that accepts every way of salvation as equally true. Universalism is often held by Unitarian churches. For example, a Sydney Unitarian church  says about themselves on their website: ‘Unitarianism is a liberal non-creedal faith that welcomes you with all your uncertainties, questions and doubts. With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion. That is; a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a “non-creedal” religion we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.’ (http://www.sydneyunitarians.org/)

But are they right? Do all religions and all spiritual beliefs have a secure way to heaven? Is Christianity just one true religion among many true religions? Are all creeds equally valid?

No. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way of salvation. Jesus himself says to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6). If you want to go to the Father, you must go through Jesus.

Another example of this teaching occurs after Jesus ascends into heaven. Peter and John are brought before the rulers, elders and teachers of the law because they have caused quite a commotion in healing a crippled man. When the leaders ask Peter and John about the miracle, we read: ‘Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”‘  (Acts 4:8-12).

The apostle Paul also says: ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time’ (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

So Universalism is heresy. There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. If you wish to have eternal life, you must put your trust in Christ’s work at the cross and have your sins washed away by his blood.

So have you trusted in Christ who is the only way of salvation?

Joel Radford.

So, firstly, what are the benefits that Jesus has obtained for humans? When Jesus Christ died he was obtaining eternal redemption for sinners. The author of Hebrews says about Christ: ‘He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption’ (Hebrews 9:12). So although we deserve eternal punishment for our sin, Jesus redeems us from the death that we deserve and gives us eternal life.  Jesus himself makes this point when he says: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).

But how do we come to be made participants in the redemption that Christ has obtained? The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit makes us participants in the redemption of Christ. Paul says: ‘But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life’ (Titus 3:4-7). No one is redeemed without the Holy Spirit applying the work of redemption to them.

So then, how do you know who the Holy Spirit has applied redemption to  so that they have been redeemed from sin by Christ? Once the Holy Spirit has applied the work of Christ to someone, he enables them to believe in Christ. Paul teaches us: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast’ (Ephesians 2:8-9). God gives the gift of faith to those who have been saved through Christ. So when someone believes, they demonstrate that they have had the work of Christ applied to them by the Holy Spirit. Paul makes this point when he writes to the church in Corinth. He says: ‘It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence’ (2 Corinthians 4:13-14).

So how can you enjoy the benefit of redemption that Christ has obtained through the cross? Believe that Jesus Christ has died for you at the cross. If you truly believe, then you are revealed as one who Christ has ransomed and who has had the Holy Spirit apply that work to you.

So believe, in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Joel Radford.

When important people arrive somewhere, they often make a grand entrance. They may arrive in a very expensive vehicle (possibly by a helicopter) and have a nice red carpet to walk on. They know that the style of their entrance exalts them.

So in which ways will Christ’s second coming be an exalted entrance? Firstly, Jesus will come with great power as he arrives from the skies (and not simply using a helicopter!). Jesus himself tells us about that day:  ‘At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory’ (Matthew 24:30).

How else will Christ’s second coming be an exalted entrance? Jesus will come with all his holy angels. When important people go somewhere, they very rarely go alone. They at least have bodyguards with them, if not members of the police force or military. When Jesus comes he will come with a heavenly army: ‘If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (Luke 9:26). And: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all  the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory’ (Matthew 25:31).

How else will Christ’s second coming be an exalted entrance? Jesus will come with loud exclamation. When celebrities arrive somewhere, loud announcements are often made by microphone; music may be played;  fireworks may explode. When Jesus comes it will be with a loud shout and the noise of the trumpet of God. Paul says: ‘For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Jesus himself also says in Matthew’s gospel: ‘And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other’ (Matthew 24:31).

So the return of Christ will be an exalted entrance indeed. A descent with power, with a heavenly army and with lots of loud acclamation! There has been no entrance like it in all of human history, even by the most powerful of people. No one will miss the entrance of Jesus!

So what should you do in light of this prophecy about the second coming of Christ? If you wish to be able to run toward Christ in love on that day and not run away from him in fear, you need to turn from your sins and trust that he died for you. Don’t delay. And then look forward to that day when your saviour will be exalted as he deserves to be.

Joel Radford.

If you are able to sit in the presence of someone important you should

be exalted. But how much more should you be exalted if you take that

time to intercede on behalf of others. For example, imagine you had been

given time with the Prime Minister of Australia and he was willing to

listen to you and maybe grant some of your requests. Now you could speak

about your own needs and hopefully get some help with them. Or you could

choose to talk about some of the needs of people who have much greater

problems than you do. If you did the former, that would be fine. But if

you did the latter and spoke about the needs of others, quite a few

people would want to honour you – particularly those you tried to help!

Now that is what Jesus has done. Jesus has been exalted to God's right

hand which means he has complete access to God the Father. And the Bible

tells us that,while he is there, Jesus makes requests for us: 'Christ

Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right

hand of God and is also interceding for us' (Romans 8:34).

What is Jesus interceding about? The verse before tells us that Jesus is

answering charges against us. See the verses together: 'Who will bring

any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was

raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for

us' (Romans 8:33-34). Satan is the great accuser but whenever he brings

a charge against us it is dismissed because God is the one who justifies

and God has Christ right there ready to intercede on our behalf.

What does this mean? Paul tells us in the next verses that we have

nothing to fear: 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any

powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus

our Lord' (Romans 8:38-39). If Christ is at God's right hand interceding

for you, then you will never be separated from God's love – what

marvelous news!

Thus Jesus deserves our exaltation. Not only is he at God's right hand,

but Jesus is interceding for us while he is there!

But how do you have Jesus intercede to God on your behalf? If you trust

that Jesus died for you then he intercedes to God for you by presenting

his life as a sacrifice for your sins. You are allowed to go free.

So have you trusted that Jesus died for your sins and now lives at God's

right hand to intercede for you? Do you exalt him accordingly?

Joel Radford.

An online dictionary defines a right hand man as a person’s most valuable assistant or supporter. For example, I would consider my wife, Jill, to be my ‘right hand man’ as she certainly is my most valuable assistant and supporter. And I’m sure she would say that I am her ‘right hand man’.

Now if someone is your most valuable assistant, then you must have granted that person specific powers. If my wife is my ‘right hand man’ yet I don’t allow her any power to make any decisions and take any actions, then she isn’t my right hand man!

So if Jesus is God’s right hand man, then God must have granted great power to Jesus so that Jesus can be of assistance.

And that is exactly what the Bible tells us. Peter describes Jesus as one ‘who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand–with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him’ (1 Peter 3:22). Peter is clear that Christ’s session in heaven is one that grants him power over all created beings.

Moreover, the apostle Paul also describes Christ as having complete dominion whilst he sits at God’s right hand. Speaking of God’s power, Paul says: ‘That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way’ (Ephesians 1:19-23).

And the fact that the Christ is sitting at God’s right hand with all power is not a new idea. It is known as far back as Psalm 110 where we read: ‘The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth’ (Psalm 110:1-3). Christ’s dominion over his enemies fulfils this great prophecy.

And if Christ is sitting with all dominion, then he is exalted indeed.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God and now sits there with power over all things? The Bible encourages you to exalt Christ by submitting to his rule with repentance and faith. And if you do, then one day you will be resurrected to live forever with him.

Joel Radford.

If you are allowed into the presence of someone important, you are exalted. But your exaltation also depends on what you are allowed to do in their presence. If you are invited to take a seat, it signifies further favour. If you are allowed to sit near them it means you have been shown even more favour. So what is Jesus allowed to do in God’s presence? Jesus is allowed to sit at God’s right hand. But what does that mean? It shows that Christ is in the greatest of all positions of favour.

Throughout the Bible, the right hand of someone is often seen as their instrument for conveying favour. For example, when Joseph’s sons are blessed by Israel (their grandfather), we read: ‘Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward  Israel’s  right  hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm–may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth.” When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations”‘ (Genesis 48:10-19).

This text illustrates the significance of Christ’s exaltation to the right hand of God – the Bible could not describe Jesus in any greater place. Jesus has been given the highest of all favour by God the Father.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God? If God has shown him all favour then, you should too. And such favour begins by repenting of your sins and trusting that he died for you. So will you?

Joel Radford.

People often exalt those who prepare a place for them to live. Architects who design beautiful houses and builders who build them are given great honour.

Thus Jesus also naturally deserves our praise once we understand that part of the reason for his ascension into heaven was to prepare a place for us. Jesus says: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am’ (John 14:1-3).

The apostle Paul also describes this heavenly home built by God: ‘Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked’ (2 Corinthians 5:1-3).

Sometimes we  might  be  tempted  to think that it would have been better for Jesus to stay here on earth with us. But he tells us in that passage in John’s gospel that we should not be troubled in his absence. Why? Because his ascension means he has gone to prepare our new home in heaven.

The burning question then is, how do I make sure Jesus prepares some real estate in heaven for me? Jesus goes on in the same passage in John’s gospel to answer this question. He tells his disciples they know the way and then clears up some confusion: ‘You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”‘ (John 14:4-6).

So Jesus is the way to heaven. But how do we walk in Christ to heaven? By faith. Jesus says earlier in John’s gospel: ‘For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day’ (John 6:40). If you believe in Jesus’ death for you, you are on the path that leads to a heavenly home built by God.

So how is Christ exalted in his ascension? By going to heaven to prepare a place for you to live in for eternity.

So do you praise Christ for his ascension? Do you exalt him because you believe in him which means he has gone to prepare a place for you in heaven?                        Joel Radford.

If someone is able to focus your attention onto what is good and true, you usually will praise them for it. This principle may be seen by the way children praise school teachers who were able to help them greatly in understanding the world. Or how people will exalt artists who have heightened their joy about beauty.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he went with the purpose of raising our thoughts toward heaven. The apostle Paul says: ‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived’ (Colossians 3:1-7).

Thinking about Christ should make us think about things above because that is where Christ is. It is kind of like if someone you love goes away on holidays. You will think of them from time to time and you will inevitably think about where they currently are. And so if we think about Christ, we will think about heaven – an excellent place for our minds to get lost in meditation. Paul then goes on to say that such thinking will also lead to putting to death the behaviours of the sinful nature as your mind will be focused on good things, not evil things. For example, if you’re thinking about Christ and heaven you won’t be thinking about  sexual immorality and greed.

Paul says something similar in his letter to the church in Philippi: ‘For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:18-21).

So how is Christ exalted in his ascension? Well, one way is by focusing our attention on where it should be, his reign in heaven.

So do you praise Christ for his ascension? Do you exalt him because he encourages your thoughts to rise heavenward?

Joel Radford.

When you ascend higher than others there is a feeling of exaltation. An example of this is kids in playgrounds shouting ‘I’m the king of the world’ from the tip of the play equipment.

Now when Christ ascended to heaven, he certainly was exalted by being physically higher than us. But ascending to higher levels often serves a purpose, it is not simply a demonstration of status. For example, I don’t like climbing the stairs in our home unless it serves a purpose. I go upstairs when I need to get something that belongs in our upstairs bedroom, like a jacket. Otherwise, it’s too much effort.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he went with a purpose. One of those purposes was to give gifts to his church. Paul says: ‘But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some  to  be  apostles,  some to  be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ’ (Ephesians 4:7-15).

This passage teaches us that Christ’s ascension led to Christ giving grace to his church in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The allusion is to the triumphal entry of Roman conquerors into their cities with captives in chains and free gifts for the cheering crowds.

So Christ gave much more in his ascension than I achieve by going upstairs to get a jacket. He gave people to his church who would help it mature and grow. Thus Christ is greatly exalted by his ascension. Yes, it was quite an achievement for him to go up to heaven in the first place, and for that, he is worthy of praise. But he is all the more praiseworthy for the gifts that he has blessed the church with as he ascended.

So do you praise Christ for his ascension? Do you praise Christ for the gifts that he has given to his church as part of his ascension?

Joel Radford

After Jesus was raised from the dead he often and appeared to his

apostles and spoke with them. Luke tells us this in Acts: 'After his

suffering, he [Jesus] showed himself to these men and gave many

convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period

of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God' (Acts 1:3).

But what happened after that? Jesus ascended into the heavens. Luke

tells us: 'On one occasion [after his resurrection], while he was eating

with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait

for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized

with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord,

are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to

them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set

by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he

was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their

sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going,

when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of

Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This

same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in

the same way you have seen him go into heaven"' (Acts 1:4-11). Luke's

other account of the ascension reads: 'While he [Jesus] was blessing

them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him

and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at

the temple, praising God' (Luke 24:51-53). It is clear that Jesus

ascended into heaven, and he did it visibly.

Why does such an act exalt Christ? Most people would agree that going

into heaven is a praiseworthy act. Most of humanity is trying to get

into some form of paradise and would praise anyone who makes it there.

But why is it important to note that Christ's ascension was visible?

Lots of people claim to have gone to heaven. Many Christian bookstores

will happily sell you books written by people who make such a claim

(although one popular one was pulled from publication this year as its

author, Alex Malarkey, recanted his testimony). But to my knowledge,

none of those who claim to have been to heaven also claim to have

ascended visibly into heaven while others watched. Jesus' visible

ascension to heaven is unique and as a result he has received exaltation

through history.

So do you praise Christ for his visible ascension like the apostles did

many years ago?

Joel Radford

If you do something powerful, people will exalt you easily enough. But if you are able to demonstrate excellent reasons for such a powerful action,  then people will exalt you even more.

For example, if I can leap buildings in a single bound like Superman claims, that is marvellous. But it is even more marvellous if I leap buildings in a single bound not simply to help myself, but to  help others.

As we’ve seen in previous weeks, Christ’s resurrection is marvellous for many reasons. But Christ’s resurrection is even more marvellous if we consider that he was raised from the dead for the benefit of his people.

How does Christ’s resurrection benefit his people. Firstly, Paul says that Christ’s resurrection was for our justification: ‘He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification’ (Romans   4:25).   What does this mean? At his death, Christ became our sin and paid the penalty for sin. Christ’s resurrection then demonstrated that payment for sin had been made – if something more was owing because of our sins, then Jesus would have stayed dead. But because he was raised, we know we are justified (right with God).

Secondly Christ was raised from the dead to raise us from the dead too. As Christians, Paul says that we have been ‘raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead’ (Col 2:12). We have new life in Christ.

Thirdly, Christ was raised from the dead to give us assurance of our own resurrection. In 1 Corinthians Paul states that if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. But then Paul says that Christ has been raised and many will follow him: ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Corinthians 15:20). Because of Christ’s resurrection we can know that those who have ‘fallen asleep’ will one day be raised too. And that includes us when we eventually ‘fall asleep’.

So Christ’s resurrection exalts him in many ways, particularly when we consider that his resurrection benefits those who believe in him: Christ’s resurrection justifies Christians, makes Christians alive and gives assurance of our own resurrection.

So do you exalt Christ because of his resurrection? Do you take comfort in the fact that his resurrection was for your justification, to make you live and give you assurance?

Joel Radford.

If you want to do something to exalt yourself then you need to do it publicly. You’re not going to get much praise if you are able to walk on fire in the privacy of your bedroom. If you wish to be exalted as the greatest fire walker ever, eventually you’re going to have to go public.

As we’ve seen previously, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead certainly exalts him. It is the most stupendous event of history. Pretty much everyone is interested in a way to defeat death. That’s why a billionaire like Peter Thiele  has dedicated millions to extending life through anti-aging research.

But if Jesus did come back from the dead, it is not going to get him much credit if it was a private event that no one knows about. Yet, the Bible tells us repeatedly that Jesus’ resurrection was a public event. The apostle Paul gives a summary of Christ’s resurrection appearances in his letter to the Corinthians: ‘Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the  gospel  I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,  and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born’ (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).

Jesus’ resurrection was not a small affair. It was witnessed by many and the news spread like wildfire. Paul is able to claim the public knowledge of the resurrection to King Agrippa. He said: ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner’ (Acts 26:25-26).

And as a result of the public nature of his resurrection people have exalted Christ ever since. They’ve also seen fit to trust in his death for them so that they will be raised from the dead too.

So do you exalt Christ because he was raised from the dead, publicly? Do you trust him so that you will be publicly raised too?

Joel Radford.

In one sense, Jesus is Lord of all as he is God himself and the creator of all things. Speaking of Jesus, Paul says: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus is clearly Lord of all by his status as God and his work as creator.

But when Jesus was raised from the dead he was exalted over all mankind in a particular way. After his resurrection, Jesus meets with his disciples: ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”‘ (Matthew 28:18). Now that Jesus has been raised from the dead, he has a new God-given authority in heaven and earth.

But how far does Christ’s dominion extend? Paul says  that every knee will one day show subjection to the rule of Christ: ‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:8-11).

So Jesus was exalted by his resurrection as it placed him in a position of authority over everything. In fact, this was one of the purposes behind Jesus coming into the world, dying and rising again. Paul says: ‘For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living’ (Romans 14:9).

So whether you are dead or alive, Jesus has now been exalted over you and is your Lord. What does that mean? You had better treat him as Lord! The Psalmist says: ‘Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him’ (Psalm 2:12).

How do you kiss the Son lest he be angry? Trust in him for the forgiveness of sins and you will be one of those who take refuge in him.

So have you bowed the knee to the Lord of all and found safety in him? Do you seek to continue exalting him as Lord of all?

Joel Radford.

Satan has been an enemy of mankind from the beginning. He approached Adam and Eve in the garden and encouraged them to disobey God. We read: ‘Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”‘ (Genesis 3:1-5).

Satan lied. Adam and Eve did die because they ate the fruit. And mankind has died ever since as they have believed the lies of Satan too.

Yet Jesus has shown by his resurrection  from  the  dead  that  he has defeated Satan. Satan continues to triumph over mankind by bringing about their deaths, just like he did with Adam and Eve. But by his resurrection, Christ has shown that death can no longer keep people in the grave, which means Satan can no longer keep people in the grave either. The author of Hebrews says precisely this: ‘Since the children have flesh and blood, he [Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil–  and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death’ (Hebrews 2:14-15).

When Jesus spoke to the Jews, he described Satan as a murderer: ‘You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44).

Yes, Satan is a murderer. But Jesus is far greater. Jesus is described by Peter as ‘the author of life’ (Acts 3:15). Why? Because Christ now gives life after death to all who trust in him. This means we should no longer fear death and we should no longer fear Satan. Both of our old enemies are defeated by Christ’s resurrection.

Thus Christ is exalted by his resurrection as it demonstrates his destruction of Satan.

So do you believe in Christ and so you have defeated Satan through him? Do you exalt Christ as a result?

Joel Radford.

Death is the great enemy of man. Death first entered this world with the actions of Adam and Eve. Adam was warned by God that if he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil he would die: ‘And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die”‘ (Genesis 2:16-17).

And that’s precisely what has happened since. Adam died. Eve died. Their children died. And everyone else has died because everyone else has sinned. Paul says: ‘Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned’ (Romans 5:12).

Yet, this old enemy death has been defeated by Christ. How is that possible? The Son of God himself became human, took our sin upon his shoulders and then died the death we deserve. And in doing so defeated death for us. Hebrews says: ‘Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil–and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death’ (Hebrews 2:14-15).

But how do you know that Jesus has defeated death. By the fact that he came back from the dead! If Jesus had not defeated death, he would still be dead. But instead his resurrection exalts him as the one who is victorious over death.

What does that mean for you? It means you no longer have to fear death. Hebrews tells you that in the passage above. But how do you get rid of fear of death? By trusting in Christ. As soon as you trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins you have eternal life. When you die, that is not the end, you will be raised one day. John says: ‘everyone who believes in him [Jesus] may have eternal life’ (John 3:15).

Death may have come through Adam, but now life comes through Christ. Paul says: ‘For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!’ (Romans 5:15).

So by his resurrection Christ was greatly exalted. His resurrection proclaimed him the conqueror of death – a victor like no other!

Do you believe in Christ and have defeated death through him? Do you exalt Christ as a result?

Joel Radford.

We all recognise that if justice is to be done then punishment must be given to those who have broken the law. If a judge allows the guilty to go free, they are not a just judge.

The same stands for God. After our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, God’s justice was at stake. If he let them have eternal life in spite of their rebellion he is an unjust judge.

The same applies to us today. We have all sinned and deserve to be punished for our sin. If God gives us entry to heaven instead of punishment, he is unjust.

But if we’re all sinners and God is just, is there any way we can go to heaven? We can go to heaven if somebody else takes the punishment for us. If you get a speeding fine and someone else pays it for you, you can go free in the eyes of the law. There is nothing left to pay.

The same applies to God and the punishment he has for us. Somebody else can take the place for us. But who is able to meet the payment that would satisfy divine wrath for sin? Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says: ‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5).

But how do you know that the punishment that brought us peace was upon Christ and that he has fully satisfied God’s wrath? By his resurrection from the dead. Christ’s resurrection proves he has paid for our sins. The apostle Paul writes: ‘He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification’ (Romans 4:25). Christ’s resurrection shows we are justified before God, despite our sin. If there was more punishment to pay, Jesus could not have been raised from the dead – he would have had to stay dead.

Thus, by his resurrection Jesus is exalted. His resurrection shows that he has satisfied God’s wrath for those who believe in him. Christ is exalted as the one who justifies the wicked, while preserving the justice of God.

But how can you have Christ satisfy God’s wrath for you? It is by faith. Paul writes: ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1-2).

Do you have faith in Christ and know that Christ has justified you by his resurrection from the dead? Do you exalt Christ because of his resurrection from the dead?

Joel Radford.

Throughout his life Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. The angel who came to Mary promised that her son Jesus would be the Son of God: ‘The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God'” (Luke 1:35).

Demons regularly declared Jesus to be the Son of God: ‘Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”‘ (Mark 3:11).

Satan also acknowledges Christ’s claim to be the Son of God. When he tempted Christ we read: ‘The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread”‘ (Matthew 4:3) and ‘”If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone'” (Matthew 4:6).

Christ’s disciples declared that Jesus was the Son of God. After Jesus walked  on  water  we  read:  ‘Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God'” (Matthew 14:33).

The soldier after he saw Jesus die declared that Jesus was the Son of God: ‘And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”‘ (Mark 15:39).

Jesus himself declared he was the Son God. At his trial, we read: ‘They [the Jewish leaders] all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am”‘ (Luke 22:70).

But how do you know that the words of Jesus, his disciples and even demons are true? How do you know that Jesus is the Son of God? It is by his resurrection. Christ’s resurrection exalts him and demonstrates that he really is the Son of God. When Paul tells us about Jesus in Romans 1, Paul says: ‘…who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Romans 1:4).

The resurrection of a dead person doesn’t happen every day, it is a very, very, very unusual occurrence. So when a resurrection does take place, it says something phenomenal about the person. And in the case of Jesus, it exalts him and confirms his claim to be the Son of God. And if he is the Son of God then we should believe in him and so we too can be raised.

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God because of his resurrection from the dead?

Joel Radford.

Not according to the Bible. The apostle Paul deals with this very matter in his letter to the church in Corinth. Some people in that church were teaching that the dead are not raised, which Paul says must mean that Christ is not raised too (evidently  denial of Christ’s resurrection is not a recent development – there is nothing new under the sun).

Firstly, Paul demonstrates that if Christ was not raised, then Christian preaching is worthless and so is the Christian faith: ‘If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’ (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).

Secondly, Paul shows that if Christ was not raised, then the apostles are liars: ‘More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised’ (1 Corinthians 15:15).

Thirdly, Paul teaches that if Christ was not raised then there is no forgiveness of sin: ‘And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins’ (1 Corinthians 15:17). Christ’s resurrection demonstrates a victory over sin – Christ was not able to be raised from the dead if sin still hung on his shoulders. But his resurrection  
demonstrates that the penalty for sin has been paid. But if he is not raised, there is no forgiveness for sin.

Fourthly, Paul tells us that if Christ was not raised, then those who have died are in hell: ‘And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost ‘(1 Corinthians 15:17-18). No forgiveness of sins means no eternal reward.

Fifthly, Paul explains that if Christ was not raised, then Christians are fools: ‘If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men’ (1 Corinthians 15:19). Being a Christian is tough at times in this world. If there is no resurrection, only a senseless person would bother going through such persecution.

So to deny the resurrection of Christ has major ramifications. Christian preaching is worthless, the apostles are liars (and anything they say should not be trusted), there is no forgiveness of sins, dead Christians are in hell and Christians are fools.

But the truth is Christ has been raised from the dead. Paul says: ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Corinthians 15:20). So Christian preaching is worthwhile, the apostles can be trusted, there is forgiveness of sins, dead Christians are in heaven and Christians are wise.

So do you deny the resurrection of Christ? Do you realise what you are doing if you deny this crucial truth

Joel Radford

Over the centuries many people have sought to deny the death and resurrection of Christ. One theory is that Christ didn’t actually die on the cross. So when Jesus appeared to his disciples a few days after his crucifixion, it was because he had  remained alive. This is usually called the ‘swoon theory’. The theory suggests that Jesus ‘swooned’ or ‘passed out’ on the cross and then was mistakenly buried. Once he was placed in the cool tomb, he revived and appeared to his disciples.

Yet this theory is absurd when you consider it. Firstly, even if Jesus hadn’t died on the cross, how does a person who has gone through immense physical suffering then wake up in a tomb, push back a heavy stone, and journey into the city to appear to his followers?

Secondly, when the disciples see Jesus after his crucifixion, they give no hint of seeing a man who had received a close shave with death. If a bloodied, injured man came into a room, you wouldn’t jump for joy. Someone would go for a doctor.  Others would seek to do some sort of first aid. But the disciples don’t do that. In John’s gospel we read: ‘On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord’ (John 20:19-20). No one cries out, ‘Is there a doctor in the house?’ Instead the disciples cry out with joy.

Thirdly, the Roman soldiers were very good at killing people. There were harsh penalties if a soldier allowed a prisoner to escape. And that is what the ‘swoon theory’ suggests; that Jesus escaped the Romans. The gospels record the opposite. We read   ‘The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water’ (John 19:32-34). The soldiers made sure Jesus was truly dead.

A medical examination of Christ’s death was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1986. It concluded: ‘[Jesus’] death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus’ death was ensured by the thrust of a soldier’s spear into his side. Modern medical interpretation of the historical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead when taken down from the cross.’

Those who deny Christ’s death because of the ‘swoon theory’ are grasping at straws. Maybe the reason such theories are still floating around is because  people don’t want to acknowledge that someone came back from the dead. If they did, they know that their lives would need to be very different.               

Joel Radford.

It is important to know who exalts you. If you are given a certificate by your Kindergarten Teacher, your exaltation is not a big deal. Sorry kids. But if you are given a certificate by the Queen, it is a big deal. Why? Because of the identity of the person exalting you.

If Jesus was exalted by his resurrection from the dead, who raised him? God. But there are three persons in the Godhead: God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit. So who raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him?

The Bible says that God the Father exalted Jesus. When he introduces himself in one of his letters Paul says: ‘Paul, an apostle–sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead…’ (Galatians 1:1).

So God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Such an action by God the Father certainly exalts Jesus to us. If God the Father deemed him worthy of resurrection, Jesus must be exalted.

Yet the Bible also says the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. Paul says in Romans ‘And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you’ (Romans 8:11).

So the Holy Spirit also raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit’s involvement in the resurrection further exalts Christ. If two members of the trinity deemed Jesus worthy of resurrection, he is exalted indeed.

Yet the Bible also says that Jesus raised himself from the dead. Jesus says in John’s gospel: ‘The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father’ (John 10:17-18).

Jesus had power to raise himself from the dead. This was only possible as he is both God and man. No dead human is able to do anything other than lie there and rot. But Jesus had power to raise himself from the dead.

So who raised Jesus from the dead? All three members of the trinity! Thus Jesus is highly exalted.

Why is this important for you to understand? So that you too may be raised by God when you die. Jesus says: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26).

I ask you too, do you believe this?

Joel Radford.

In previous weeks we’ve been looking at how Christ was humbled in order to bring us eternal life. Although Jesus was heavily humiliated in his time on earth, he did not remain in such a state. The Bible teaches us that Jesus has been exalted and will be exalted in the future. Christ’s exaltation is seen in four ways: his resurrection, his ascension, his sitting at the right hand of the Father and his coming again to judge the world. In coming weeks I will unpack these four ways. Today I will start with Christ’s resurrection.

So how was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

Firstly, we must understand that Jesus was truly dead. The gospel accounts are careful to note his real physical death.

For example, Mark records Christ’s actual death: ‘With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last’ (Mark 15:37).

John also records the measures taken to ensure Christ was dead: ‘Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe’ (John 19:31-35).

Secondly, we must understand that Jesus was physically raised. After his resurrection, Jesus gives evidence to his disciples to prove that he has a real human body: ‘Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence’ (Luke 24:39-43).

So Jesus truly died which, as we’ve seen in previous weeks, is a sign of his immense humiliation. And Jesus was truly raised to life. Such a transition from death to life is certainly an exaltation of Christ. Clearly when Christ was raised from real physical death to real physical life, Jesus was exalted from a low state to a high state. As he says in Revelation: ‘I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!’ (Revelation 1:18).

Do you recognise Christ’s exaltation at his resurrection? Do you trust in him so that you will be exalted from death too?                    

Joel Radford.

Part of the humiliation of death is the state of your body after death. Once you die, you cease to have any kind of control over your body. People have taken great advantage of this fact throughout history and have mutilated the bodies of their enemies. I’ve just been reading about the life of Richard III, the King of England. Many hated Richard and so when he was killed in battle, his body was treated with contempt. Churchill writes in his historical account: ‘Richard’s corpse, naked, and torn by wounds, was bound across a horse, with his head and long hair hanging down, bloody and hideous, and in this condition borne into Leicester for all men to see.’

Now Christ’s body was not humiliated to the extent that the body of Richard III was, yet the fact that his dead body remained on earth after death was humiliating in itself.

After his death, we see that the body of Jesus was given to two of his followers, who prepared it and then buried it: ‘Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus…With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.  Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there’ (John 19:38-42).

The body of Jesus then remained three days in the state of death. Paul says ‘For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures’ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Although we see the body of Christ treated with great respect, nonetheless it is a humiliating fact that the body of the Son of God remained three days buried in the earth.

So why would Jesus, who never needed to experience such humiliation, humble himself and endure such treatment of his body? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, including the humiliation of his dead body.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?                    

Joel Radford.

Bible reading is something we are certainly encouraged to do.

We are told by God that our very lives depend upon feeding upon his word. Jesus makes this point clear to Satan by quoting the words of Deuteronomy: ‘Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘ (Matthew 4:4).

In what ways does the Bible help you to live?

Firstly the word of God gives you eternal life. We are all destined to die and then be judged for our sins. Paul tells us ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’ (2 Corinthians 5:10). But if you read the Scriptures and accept their command to trust in Christ you can be saved from such judgement. Paul writes to Timothy: ‘But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.’ (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Why read the Bible? You will be wise for salvation.

Secondly the Scriptures help you to serve God as one of his saved ones. Paul follows those verses to Timothy with these words: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Why read the Bible? To be equipped for good works.

So it is not surprising then that God’s people in the past have taken great delight in God’s word. A whole Psalm was written to extol the word of God, with statements like ‘The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.’ (Psalm 119:72). Could you say that?

And no wonder the King of Israel was commanded to read the Bible daily: ‘When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left.’ (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). Yes, you’re not the king of Israel. But you should want to be wise for salvation and equipped for every good work. And if you do want that, then you need to read the Bible, daily.

In the end we must recognise that the Bible is a book like no other. It is written by God and worthy of our utmost attention in 2015.

So are you going to read the Bible more in 2015?                Joel Radford.

But did people know Jesus was coming into the world? Or did the first Christmas catch them by surprise?

There were many notices from God that Jesus was coming into the world. For example, thousands of years before the birth of Jesus, God predicted the crushing of Satan by a descendant from the first woman Eve. God said to Satan: ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.’ (Genesis 3:15).

Also hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah the prophet wrote: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’ (Isaiah 7:14).

Then months before the birth of Jesus, an angel told Mary she was going to give birth to Christ. We read in Luke’s gospel: ‘But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”‘ (Luke 1:30-33).  These are just a few examples of God’s repeated notices that he was sending his Son into the world to pay for our sins.

But did anyone prepare themselves for Christ’s arrival, like you get ready when someone lets you know they’re coming to visit your house?

Yes, in Luke 2 we read that people like Simeon and Anna were ready. They welcomed Jesus into the world and praised God for his arrival.

But God didn’t just predict Christ’s first arrival as a child in this world. God has also warned us that Christ is going to come again, this time to judge the world. God says: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ (Jude 1:14-15).

So what do you need to do to prepare for Christ’s arrival? Believe in his death for you. The Bible says ‘everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.’ (John 3:15). If we do that, when Jesus returns we will ‘meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

So are you ready for Christ’s second coming? Some were ready for his first coming, but many weren’t. Listen to God’s notices that Christ is coming a second time and trust in him so you are prepared for his arrival. Then you will one day be taken to be with him for eternity in heaven.

Joel Radford.

Prayer is something the Bible encourages us to do. Many times Jesus showed his disciples the importance of prayer. Firstly Jesus showed the priority of prayer by his own prayer life. For example in Mark 1:35 we read ‘Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.’ This happened frequently. Jesus also told his disciples a parable ‘to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’ (Luke 18:1).

Moreover Jesus gave explicit instructions about prayer: ‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ (Matthew 6:5-13).

The apostle Paul also encouraged prayer. In one place he said: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Does that describe you? Are you someone who prays ‘continually’ giving thanks in ‘all circumstances’? If not, why not?

Do you not pray more because you don’t think prayer works? Study the Scriptures and see how the prayers of the faithful were answered again and again. Speak to other Christians about whether they have witnessed the power of prayer. Prayer does work.

Do you not pray more because you don’t think you can pray to God? If you are an unbeliever this is a right way to feel. You cannot simply waltz up to God in your sins and think he will respond to you. But if you trust in Christ your sins are washed away and you can approach God in prayer. Jesus says: ‘I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.’ (John 16:23).

Or do you not pray more because you don’t know what to pray for? Consider your life and the lives of those around you and you will soon see great needs for prayer. Start a list of such needs and pray through them in 2015 and see what happens.

Are you going to pray more in 2015?

Joel Radford.

If someone curses you, they usually desire supernatural forces to bring bad things upon you. Indeed, people can often be viewed as cursed when one horrible thing after another occurs in their lives. And if you are cursed it is certainly a humbling experience.

The Bible teaches us that ultimately it is God who curses people. Why? God warns that those who break his law are cursed: ‘However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:   You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him’ (Deuteronomy 28:20).

Moreover the law warned that those who were hung on trees were in danger of being cursed: ‘If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse’ (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).

So was Jesus cursed? Yes. As we have seen in previous weeks, Jesus experienced a painful humiliating life and death – an accursed death. Also, we can see that this cursing of God would be with good reason, as Jesus became sin for us. God rightfully cursed Jesus as he poured out his wrath on Jesus for our transgression of the law. We also have seen Jesus was hung on a tree and thus experienced the curse of God. Paul makes this clear: ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”‘ (Galatians 3:13).

So why would the Son of God, who never needed to experience such cursing, humble himself and endure such an accursed death? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, including being cursed for you.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

Shameful punishment is an experience we have all known. Shame has been felt when we were punished by our parents for disobedience as children.  Shame has been felt when our foolish actions as adults have been held up for others to see. We would all agree that shame is a humbling experience.

Dying on the cross was also a shameful experience. The person was publicly suspended in a painful state for all to see. This public death heightened the shame of their crime and served as a warning to others who were thinking of breaking Roman laws. There was no denying that those who were held up in such a way were being shamed and humiliated for their crimes. There was no place for pride when you were crucified.

This shameful death is the death that Jesus experienced. Matthew records the actions of the soldiers who crucified Jesus: ‘They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).  There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS’ (Matthew 27:33-37).

The Bible also records that this crucifixion of Jesus took place near the city, a location of maximum public exposure: ‘Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek’ (John 19:20). Note also the comment that the charge against Christ was translated into multiple languages so as many people as possible could scorn Christ as he died. Person after person would have looked at Christ, read the charge against him and then shaken their heads in disgust. And all Christ could do in response was hang his head in shame. What a humiliating experience.

So why would the Son of God, who never needed to experience such shame, humble himself and endure such a shameful death? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, including his death of great shame.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?                    

Joel Radford

Pain is a humbling experience. It is a stark reminder that we are not as invincible as we might like to think. Pain is the body’s alarm system that all is not well in our lives. And if we have any power to alleviate pain, we will seek to do so. If we don’t have the resources to do so, we must experience the humility of having our lifestyles adjusted accordingly, possibly even ended by death itself.

Jesus also endured excruciating pain in his death. The Bible records that Jesus was crucified: ‘Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle’ (John 19:16-18).

But what does it mean to be crucified? Wilkins, a commentator on the Book of Matthew in the ESV Study Bible, writes about crucifixions:    ‘Crucifixion was widely practiced by the Romans, and the early Jewish historian Josephus mentions thousands of people crucified in first-century Palestine (mostly during rebellions against Rome). There are stories of Roman soldiers cruelly playing with different postures for crucified victims…though the use of nails and a crossbar appear to have been common. Modern medical explanations for the cause of death on a cross have focused on either asphyxiation or shock. Crucifixion was widely believed to be the worst form of execution, due to the excruciating pain and public shame. Hanging suspended by one’s arms eventually caused great difficulty in breathing, which could be alleviated only by pushing up with one’s feet to take the weight off the arms. But that motion itself would cause severe pain in the feet, arms, legs, and back, causing the exhausted victim to slump down again, only to be nearly unable to breathe once more. Eventually, the victim would succumb to suffocation, if he had not already died as a result of the cumulative effect of the physical trauma inflicted on him.’

So why would the Son of God, who never needed to experience pain, humble himself and endure great pain? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, including his experience of excruciating pain.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven

Joel Radford.

Whenever we realise have sinned, we are humbled. If we have broken the law we have to face the reality that we are not as perfect as we would like to think we are.

Jesus also experienced the humility of having sin being counted against him.

Now, we must be careful here. Jesus never sinned himself. The Bible says that Jesus was ‘a lamb without blemish or defect’ (1 Peter 1:19). This is a clear statement about the personal sinlessness of Christ.

Jesus chose to become a sin offering for those who believe in him, which means he had their sin put over to his account.

How was sin put to someone else? In the Old Testament, sacrifices for sin involved placing your hand on the head of the animal that was to be sacrificed on your behalf – thus demonstrating the transfer of sin over to the sacrifice. For example, the law says the person :is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the LORD’ (Levitcus 4:4).

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would have sin transferred to him  in a similar fashion when he said that he would become a ‘guilt offering’: ‘Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand’ (Isaiah 53:10).

Thus the sinless one felt the contagion of sin as it was placed on him. In fact the Bible says that Jesus became sin: ‘God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

What a humbling experience. Someone who had never sinned now felt sin come upon him, and not just a little sin, but the sin of all those who have become Christians. Numerous sins of thought, word and deed. Numerous major sins. Numerous minor sins. All placed upon Christ and bearing down with all their associated shamefulness.

So why would Jesus humble himself and allow himself to become a sin offering? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you by becoming a sin offering for your sin.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

We do not enjoy someone being wrathful toward us. Firstly there is the emotional and even physical pain that is inflicted upon us by the person. And few people actually enjoy pain. Then there is also the humiliation that comes as someone bears down upon you in all their anger and makes you suffer as a result. Let’s be honest, if we were more powerful, we would avoid such wrath altogether for the rest of our lives – we’d hide behind powerful safeguards to prevent people from hurting us in such a way.

Yet Jesus also experienced the humility of someone being angry with him and punishing him. And that person was God the Father.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus was crucified, he became sin for us: ‘God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

God cannot allow sin to go unpunished and therefore when Jesus became our sin he also became the object of God’s wrath and was punished accordingly.

Paul tells us that Jesus experienced the wrath of God. He says that Jesus is the one who ‘rescues us from the coming wrath’ (1 Thessalonians 1:10). If we have been rescued from God’s wrath, then someone must have experienced that wrath. And that person was Christ, the rescuer.

Moreover, we see God’s wrath is experienced by Jesus at the cross. Firstly, when Jesus is crucified darkness (which is often associated with sin, anger and punishment) comes on the earth: ‘From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land’ (Matthew 27:45). Also, at this time, Jesus is shown to be experiencing the wrath of God by what he himself says: ‘About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”‘ (Matthew 27:46). Clearly, Jesus is not experiencing the love of God here, but the anger of God.

So why would Jesus humble himself by allowing this to happen? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you by experiencing the wrath of God in all its fullness.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

To beg someone not to punish you is a humbling experience. It is saying that you are completely vulnerable and unable to help yourself. You need the other person to raise you or you will remain in a low position.

Jesus also experienced what it feels like to beg someone not to punish him. As the lamb of God, Jesus was called to bear the punishment of others. Jesus knew that this is what he was to do and it troubled him. So much so that before his death, Jesus begged that he would not have to experience the cup of God’s wrath.

Matthew records: ‘Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping…He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing’ (Matthew 26:36-44). Luke also records the experience of Christ at this time: ‘And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground’ (Luke 22:44). With details like these, you could never say that this was an insignificant event for Christ.

Clearly Jesus is accepting a humbling at this time. Instead of his will being done, he is having to admit that the will of God will be done. Such an admission is always a humiliating experience as you must bow the knee to God and admit his sovereignty.

So why would Jesus humble himself by allowing this to happen? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by the need to beg for God’s wrath to be removed.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?
Joel Radford.

To be condemned by a court is something we would all find to be a humbling experience. But to be tormented before being executed is yet another level of degradation that none of us would want to experience. Yet that is what happened to Jesus Christ.

After his trial before Pilate, he was handed over to the soldiers for torment and then execution: ‘…he [Pilate] had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him’ (Matthew 27:26-31).  What a humiliating time for Jesus. Flogged, stripped, dressed in mockery, spat on and struck on the head. All for no good reason.

Then even while Jesus was dying on the cross, the torment from his enemies continued. Whilst people passed the cross, they insulted him.  We read: ‘Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him’ (Matthew 27:39-44). As you can see, they even quoted his teachings and ridiculed them to his dying face.

So why would Jesus humble himself by allowing this to happen? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by the torment of his persecutors.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

When a ruler judges you worthy of punishment, it is a humiliating experience. To be called up before a judge is terrible in itself, even if you are not condemned at the end of the trial. To go before a judge means you have to bear an intense scrutiny of your life and often endure terrible accusations being made against you. And it is all usually done in a very public way for everyone to see.

Jesus experienced such humiliation while on earth. After his trial before the chief priests, Jesus was taken to the local governor, named Pilate, for execution. Mark records: ‘Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate’ (Mark 15:1). Then after some deliberation, Pilate hands Jesus over for execution: ‘Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.’ (Mark 15:15).

Although such a judgement by a leader is naturally humiliating, it is even more humiliating when we consider the particular case of Christ.

Firstly, Jesus’ condemnation to death was particularly humiliating as he was innocent of any crime. Pilate himself even repeatedly declared Jesus’ innocence: ‘I find no basis for a charge against him’ (John 18:38); ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him’ (John 19:4); ‘You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him’ (John 19:6).

Secondly, Jesus’ condemnation to death was particularly humiliating considering who Jesus was. For example, Jesus was the creator who made Pilate – the created presumed to judge his creator! Jesus was the Son of God who deserved the utmost respect from Pilate. Jesus was the judge of the world who was then judged worthy of death. So can you imagine how humiliating it was for Jesus Christ, the Creator, the Son of God, the judge of the earth to be publicly declared worthy of death by one of his creations?

So why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by Pilate’s ill-founded judgement that he was worthy of death.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

It is humiliating when people reject us and want nothing to do with us. We naturally want people to like us and accept us.

Jesus also was humbled by the rejection of the world toward him.

Firstly we see that Isaiah prophesied that the Christ would be rejected. He said of God’s servant: ‘He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not’ (Isaiah 53:2-3). So Isaiah prophesies a total rejection of the Messiah.

And the prophecy of Isaiah did indeed come true. The apostle John sums up the rejection of Jesus with these words: ‘The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him’ (John 1:9-11). John notes that not only did the world not recognise Jesus, but even his own Jewish race rejected him.

It also doesn’t take much reading of the Biblical gospels to see instances of the world’s rejection of the Messiah. For example, in John 6 Jesus teaches the importance of accepting his flesh and blood for eternal life. We then read the response of his disciples:  ‘On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him’ (Joh 6:60-66).

So why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by the world’s rejection of him.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

If we stand up for what is right, it is good to have others rally around us. If no one supports us it can be a humiliating experience to stand alone. Particularly if we have many supporters and friends when times are good, yet as soon as trouble comes along they are nowhere to be found.

Jesus had many friends while on earth, but no friends greater than his disciples. They lived with him, travelled with him, experiencing his love and greatness first hand.

Yet when Jesus was arrested, all of his disciples ran away.  Mark records:

‘The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind’ (Mark 1:46-52).

Admittedly Peter did try to stand with Jesus by drawing his sword, but once he realised this was not what Jesus wanted, Peter fled along with the rest:

‘Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (Joh 18:10-11)’

How humiliating for Jesus to be alone when arrested. Particularly when only a few hours earlier the disciples had said they would not do such a thing: ‘But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same’ (Mark 14:31).

So why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by the desertion of his disciples.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

Judas Iscariot was one of Christ’s disciples from the beginning. Judas was called along with the other apostles: ‘He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him’ (Matthew 10:1-4).

And not only did Judas have the privilege of being one of Christ’s apostles, he was also given great power. In the quote above we see Judas received ‘authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness’.

Judas must also have appeared in every way to be a friend of Jesus. On the night he was betrayed Jesus predicted: ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me’ (John 13:21). Yet the disciples did not    instantly think of Judas. Instead we read: ‘His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant’ (John 13:22).

Thus the subsequent betrayal of Jesus by Judas for money is a horrible event. Such a betrayal was not without effect on Jesus. We read that, before Jesus predicted his betrayal, he ‘was troubled in spirit’ (John 13:21). It grieved Jesus to have someone turn on him, particularly someone he had shown nothing but love and kindness.

Thus Christ was humiliated greatly by Judas on that dreadful night. Judas even gave the pretence of friendship right to the end by kissing Jesus at his arrest: ‘While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”‘ (Luke 22:47-48). Here we see Jesus asks a question of Judas that points out the sheer audacity of such an action.

So why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by his betrayal by Judas.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.
In our current series we’ve been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In previous weeks we’ve been looking at how Christ was humbled in order to bring us salvation. We’ve seen that Christ was humiliated by his conception, birth, subjection to the law and the temptations of Satan. This week I want to begin looking at how Christ was humiliated by his death, starting with his betrayal by Judas.

Judas Iscariot was one of Christ’s disciples from the beginning. Judas was called along with the other apostles: ‘He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him’ (Matthew 10:1-4).

And not only did Judas have the privilege of being one of Christ’s apostles, he was also given great power. In the quote above we see Judas received ‘authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness’.

Judas must also have appeared in every way to be a friend of Jesus. On the night he was betrayed Jesus predicted: ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me’ (John 13:21). Yet the disciples did not instantly think of Judas. Instead we read: ‘His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant’ (John 13:22).

Thus the subsequent betrayal of Jesus by Judas for money is a horrible event. Such a betrayal was not without effect on Jesus. We read that, before Jesus predicted his betrayal, he ‘was troubled in spirit’ (John 13:21). It grieved Jesus to have someone turn on him, particularly someone he had shown nothing but love and kindness.

Thus Christ was humiliated greatly by Judas on that dreadful night. Judas even gave the pretense of friendship right to the end by kissing Jesus at his arrest: ‘While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”‘ (Luke 22:47-48). Here we see Jesus asks a question of Judas that points out the sheer audacity of such an action.

So why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by his betrayal by Judas.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

Firstly we can see that Jesus was humiliated by having a human body that hungered. After Jesus fasted, Matthew tells us he was hungry: ‘After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry’ (Matthew 4:2). Being hungry may not seem humiliating to you, but if you’re the Son of God who has never been dependent on anything for all of eternity, to suddenly require food is a big step down.

Similarly, Jesus was humiliated by having a human body that grew thirsty. John reports that Jesus was thirsty on the cross: ‘Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ (John 19:28-30). Once again, to be thirsty is not a big deal if you’ve always been human. It’s just part of life. But for the eternal Son of God to require water is a humiliating experience.

Moreover, Jesus was humiliated by having a body that grew weary and tired. John tells us that, after walking a long distance, Jesus was tired: ‘So he came to a town in Samaria…Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour’ (John 4:3-6). A terrible experience for the son of God, who is included when Isaiah says: ‘The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom’ (Isa 40:28). Yet now Jesus experiences the humiliation of weariness.

In a similar way, we learn that Jesus slept. Matthew tells us that whilst in a boat ‘Jesus was sleeping’ (Matthew 8:24). Sleep is a humiliating need of humanity. We cannot last much more than a day before all of us need to be incapacitated for a few hours. Yet the Psalmist says about God: ‘he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep’ (Psalm 121:4). So Christ was humiliated by his human body requiring sleep.

Why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by his subjection to the weaknesses of a human body

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford.

Satan is the great tempter in Scripture, starting with the temptation of Adam and Eve and then on throughout Biblical history. So it is not surprising that Satan would seek to tempt the second Adam, Jesus Christ.

After Jesus was baptised we learn that Jesus was tempted by Satan. Matthew tells us ‘Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  
 
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”  
 
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”  
 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  
 
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him’ (Matthew 4:1-11).

Luke also notes, at the end of his account of this temptation, that Satan was not through with tempting Jesus: ‘When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time’ (Luke 4:13)’

What a humiliating ordeal for the son of God to go through. The creator had to listen to a created being pressure him to sin. And not only once was Jesus subjected to such humiliating treatment, but he had to listen repeatedly to Satan’s evil words.

Why would Jesus humble himself in this way? To save us from our sin. Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal life instead. This eternal life comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal life in heaven?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.

When Christ was born, he became subject to the laws of God. The apostle Paul says: ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons’ (Galatians 4:4-5).

Now it might seem like a small matter that Jesus was born under the law, but it is a pretty big deal. We get annoyed with leaders of our nations who make laws, but who then exempt themselves from keeping such laws. Why does it annoy us? Because they are humans just like us and should be subject to the law too. What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander.

But if Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he is not ‘just like us’. Before Jesus entered this world, he was not subject to many of the laws of God, particularly the ceremonial laws that require a physical human body in order to comply.

So when Jesus came into this world as a human being, he placed himself under the same laws which he had given to Moses back at Mount Sinai. Which now meant Jesus had to keep his very own laws.

And amazingly, Jesus kept every single one of those laws. Jesus himself says in the sermon on the mount: ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them’ (Matthew 5:17).  In contrast to Adam, Paul also says that Christ was perfectly obedient: ‘For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous’ (Romans 5:19). Thus the author of Hebrews also says: ‘Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered’ (Hebrews 5:8).

So we can see that the humiliation of Jesus began long before his shameful death on the cross. His incarnation as a human being was the beginning of a life of humiliation as the great law-giver stooped down and became the great law-adherer.

Why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you, even by his subjection to the law which he had made himself.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.

Firstly to understand how humiliating it was for Jesus to be conceived and born as a human, we must understand who Jesus was prior to his conception and birth.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus has existed from all eternity as the Son of God. For all eternity he has been in perfect love with God the Father.  Speaking of Jesus as the ‘Word’, the apostle John says: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth’ (John 1:1-2, 14).

So to be conceived and born as a human meant Jesus had to leave the Father’s side in heaven and enter into this world with all its sin and suffering – a humiliating experience. It would be like making the Prime Minister of Australia live under a rock in an Australian desert rather than in ‘The Lodge’ in Canberra and in ‘Kirribilli House’ in Sydney. In fact, living under a rock in the desert would be a humbling experience for any of us. Yet this is what Christ did by  entering into our world, he was humiliated in ways we cannot imagine.  Furthermore, Jesus was not only born in this sinful world, but he was born in impoverished conditions. Jesus was not born the son of a Queen in a royal palace. Instead the Scriptures teach us that Jesus born of a poor young girl who could not even afford proper housing when the time came for his birth.  Luke tells us the circumstances of Jesus’ birth: ‘So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:4-7). Jesus was born in a way that we would not wish any of our children to experience. Yet this is the way the Son of God entered into the world.

Thus we can see that the humiliation of Jesus began long before his shameful death on the cross. His incarnation as a human being was the beginning of a life of humiliation.

Why would Jesus humble himself in this way? Because of our sin we deserve to be humiliated for eternity in hell. But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. This eternal glory comes by trusting that Jesus was humiliated for you.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you will have eternal glory in heaven?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.

The catechism answers this question with the following: ‘Christ’s humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.’

In future weeks, I will unpack these states of humility a little further. But for now I want to demonstrate Christ’s humility from key passages of Scripture. One of the most powerful statements on the humbling of Christ is found in Philippians. The apostle Paul writes: ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:5-8).

Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians the reason for Christ’ humility: ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2Corinthians 8:9).

What good news! Christ’s humbling wasn’t some sort of pleasure in pain. But it was for a purpose. Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. His life and death had a purpose – to make us rich. It may be news to you that you need Christ to make you rich, but the truth is we all live in great spiritual poverty because we have sinned against God. This means that one day we will be punished for our sin with eternal suffering in hell. Jesus says: ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned’ (John 5:28-29).

But thankfully Jesus takes the eternal humility we deserve so we can have eternal glory instead. Such riches come not through trying to do good works, but simply through faith in Christ’s humiliation for you.

Do you trust in Christ’s humiliation for you so that you become rich?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.

Earthly rulers show themselves as leaders by taking vengeance on those who oppose them. For example, you cannot attack the Australian prime-minister without any repercussions.

Jesus also demonstrates his kingship by taking vengeance on those who attack him.

Those who refuse to know God and obey him are being hostile toward God. And Jesus does not take such attacks lightly. The apostle Paul says: ‘God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you’ (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).

Such action by the Christ was proclaimed in the Old Testament as well. For example in Psalm 2 we read: ‘You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’ (Psalm 2:9).

We also see a fulfilment of this prophecy in John’s Revelation. John described Jesus with these words: ‘Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty’ (Revelation 19:15).

So will you be struck down by the vengeance of the king? Or are you one who knows God and has obeyed the call to believe in God for the forgiveness of your sin?

Joel Radford, Preaching Elder.

Although it is true that our earthly leaders usually work for their own glory, only a terrible leader would not also work for the good of their people.