Jesus came to Reveal (God to man) and Redeem (man to God).
After
receiving the news that all his livestock was stolen or killed, his servants
and his sons and daughters had been killed… Job responded…
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he
fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came
from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the
LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not
sin nor charge God with wrong (Job 1:20-22)
The scripture records…
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your
integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the
foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not
accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:9-10)
Because Your lovingkindness is
better than life, My lips shall praise You (Psalm 63:3).
I’m a fan of the TV series 24 and have enjoyed watching Jack Bauer and friends for the last few seasons. Monday night was this year’s series finale, 2 hour special. It was full of action, suspense and drama.
Jack had been exposed to a very deadly toxic gas for which there was only one long-shot cure, which he refused. As Jack lay on his death bed, a friend came by to see him and pray with him. Jack, at what seemed to be his last hours of life, was wanting to ‘make things right’, thinking about all the bad he had done during his lifetime. His friend suggested that they pray. I thought this was a great idea, then it took a little twist. The friend said that they should pray and forgive themselves for what they had done. That’s it. The message was that if you want to get things right before you die, forgive yourself.
I was disappointed, as a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ and student of the Bible, that God was not included in the touching moments of ‘getting things right.’ The Bible clearly teaches that true forgiveness of our sins comes from God and Him alone. Most are familiar with the Lord’s Prayer, which includes the words… Our Father in heaven… forgive us our sins as we forgive others. 1John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 1:7 says, In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
I have a pretty good idea that Jack Bauer will be back next season and that the life-threatening toxic gas poisoning will be dealt with and he will continue fighting terrorists, and should have another chance to get things right… hopefully next time with the only One who can really make things right, God.
Peggy and I are spending a few days on Kauai... it is called the 'Garden Island' and is well named.
In my devotional reading this week I was drawn to verses in Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians.
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing (1Thes 4:9-12)
Paul encourages the Thessalonians in their love for one another. He said be didn’t have to write to them about the issue because ‘God was teaching them to love one another.’ But even thought this seems to be a point of effectiveness, he ‘urges’ them to ‘increase more and more.’ Obviously there is always room for growth and increase in the area of loving one another.
My prayer after reading these scriptures was: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are constantly teaching me and giving me more and more opportunities to love others… help me increase more and more as I walk with You.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death (1John 3:14)
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart… (1Pet 1:22)
Following Christ is a journey.
The destination has nothing to do with us.
Jesus secured it.
I'm once again reading Job.
And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:21-22)
Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (2:10)
