Only One Race

Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬  - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

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There is only one race...the human race. This is a bit off my normal blog. I was listening to a very old sermon, probably recorded in the 50’s. But the message was ever as relevant today as then. The message doesn’t change, though the messenger might! The preacher was A.Z. Tozer. I was riveted as I took notes. So this is his paraphrased sermon with my added comments, in italics where I remembered! 

This is also a sober reminder to myself!

There coexists only two kingdoms: the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God. They touch at least, living side by side. We are born into the kingdom of man. This is the rebellious, fallen kingdom, exiled from God. By nature we are a fallen race. For the most part this human race disagrees on many things. There is division among races and division politically, division on ways of life...”local” things. But we do agree on one thing. The basic principle of human self-sufficiency...instinctive wisdom of the race. 

However, God talks about the folly of the human race. We don’t know our spiritual home nor the hand that feeds us and are not sufficient unto ourselves. The human race believes in moral judgment with a mistake being made here and there. We “basically” know what is right and allow for a few flaws but we are basically good! We do have institutions and people who do good things for others. But there still is a basic evil of the human race. 

We can be distressed over the world conditions. Don’t we realize that this is proof of the depravity of the human race? The human race is nothing unless God is involved in lives. Until then goodness is man-centered. Man’s kingdom is filled with organized evil from satan. It is implemented by science, history and personal success...all of the flesh for the desires of the flesh. All part of the human race. 

Then there’s the Kingdom of God! It’s a totally different Kingdom. This is made up of people who have been re-created, born again into His Kingdom. Persons who have given their lives to Christ. Persons who have no confidence in man’s successes and goodness because man can so easily fail without God. 

I added these:

Without Christ I can do no good thing.

God is my strength and my shield, my help in times of weakness. 

Only God knows just what we really need. Only He knows what is truly the best for us. The world has nothing to offer compared to what He has for those who seek Him. 

These two kingdoms will touch, maybe even seep into one another. Sadly, there will always be a little world that spills into the church because man does that. And there are churches totally given over to man’s kingdom because they don’t really know God; their belief is that man can do good apart from God. Motivational speakers and businessmen are brought in to bring success or tell people the best life is now, here on earth, be the best you can be...without the help of God. 

**I can do nothing apart from God.**

Mankind cannot be made good on their own but only through Divine help. The Church cannot succeed without God’s intervention. Only God in us can do a good thing. 

So if we cannot do anything on our own, apart from God, we must seek Him daily, in prayer and supplication to help us make the right decisions. I know someone who (used to) ask God what she should wear every day. That might be a little overboard but we should at least seek Him about guiding our days, our thoughts, our words. We can so often fail here... So we need a Savior, One who will guide.

Examples of how to do this!!

The world says, "in everything by money"...if you have enough you’ll have what you want. Money talks and opens doors. More money, more success. If we, according to God’s Word, offer up first to the Kingdom of God, He will bless us (not necessarily with more money but spiritual blessings...what we truly need). However, money without prayer behind it, can become a curse.  Even money given to a church without prayer behind it! If a church only wants a person’s money, they do not care about God. And likewise, giving because it’s an obligation, it’s not for God. So, how about everything by prayer and supplication...

The world says "it’s about social prestige," climbing the ladder, success. It’s not what, but who you know. Winning friends and influencing people. What we need is the power of God! We shouldn’t care what the world says; it’s what God thinks of us that matters. He has the power over life and death. 

Let this sink in...Christ was born in a manger. Peter and John were fishermen and Matthew a despised tax collector. The early church rose up out of people with very little, not those in power or wealth. Paul was learned and he persecuted the early church. But he was humbled! He was brought to his knees before God. And converted! Peter was not very learned, but when God got hold of him it was the power of God in him that led 3,000 to Christ! They were a praying bunch! They sought Him. 

When we come to Christ it’s usually when we realize a need, our awfulness, our miserableness, our poor spirits. We are humbled. When all else fails, Christ is there. It is through our testimony that others see Christ. Everything by prayer ... and it doesn't need to be in a mega church; a small, modest one will do too.

With the power of God, all things can be settled...better than any man or group of men committed to doing it their way. Pray more, talk less! 

When a church begins to backslide it tends to try to educate itself through man’s ways. Get books on this, study this...as opposed to being directed into the Word of God. What does He say? 

The world says everything by compromise. Could that be like being politically correct? Trying to be in harmony? All at a level playing field? The Word doesn’t suggest any such thing. There is only one right way. As much as people will balk at this, it is the truth. There is only one way! Through the power of God because His ways are perfect, His ways just.

Compromising in the Kingdom of God has deadly consequences. Yet some churches choose to compromise by seeking what the world wants over what God wants. Letting the church get along with the world, not standing alone with God. Like the "coexist" movement, regarding religion. Not taught in the Bible. 

People have a problem with believers who won’t budge when it comes to the truth of the Bible...the world says, “Did God really say that? If He did He’s a tyrant; He’s supposed to be a loving God.” The Church is not to be used by man but by God. God does not compromise because...He IS God. He IS Creator of all things. He IS all powerful, all knowing, always present. What He commands will happen with or without man. He doesn’t need us but we certainly need Him. I'm thankful for a pastor who is diligent to seek God in all things.

But if we call ourselves to prayer and seeking (and trusting) God in all things, He will deliver. Prayer is what gives power to all the necessary things of life. We’ll find out some day whether the good that we did came to anything. That’s a scary thought. How much of my life will have been stubble which will be burned up, useless? 

This is all truth and yet it is something that needs to be brought into our minds through the Holy Spirit. We will always fail at some things. It’s this fallen human nature we have as a human race. When we fail we rise up and start over.

Must be why Tozer titled the sermon Everything in Prayer! 

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Lord, Is It I?

Matthew 26:21-22 - Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"

I listened to a moving sermon about Judas, yet what the pastor said might seem odd.

Jesus chose the twelve who would become His apostles, whom He would train, whom He would be with to see Him work miracles, hear Him preach. And Judas was one of these men. These men came from various backgrounds, all had flaws. Peter was impetuous, Thomas doubted, Matthew was a tax collector whom people generally frowned upon. Others were mere fishermen without training. All were chosen by Jesus. He did not choose those of importance, but these men, for the most part, became great. We are never told what Judas did prior to being chosen to become an Apostle. It is assumed he was a thief and that money was important to him.

Did Judas have a motive for following Jesus? Did he believe Jesus could not see through him? Did Judas not get Jesus' preaching? Was he not affected by the miracles and the fellowship with the others? So many questions.

A known truth was pointed out: no one is perfect. And not any of the disciples/apostles were. We are only perfect through Jesus Christ when we receive Him into our lives and our hearts are transformed. This world has a wrong view of what God supposes. He does not look at the good things we do, whether we consider ourselves good persons because we donate money to or back worthy causes. Have we given ourselves to Christ? That’s what He’s looking for. 

There is a painting of Jesus knocking on a door. I’ve brought this up before. It has been said that the artist missed something. Take a look at this picture........

What is missing is a door knob. When asked by someone how he missed it, the artist said he didn't. Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts, but we are the ones who will open it. He is not going to barge right in. It's our choice to receive Him. And so it was with Judas. He lived, walked, watched and listened to Jesus. But he never allowed Jesus entrance into his own life. Even though people attend church, do good things, doesn't make them followers of Christ, the pastor said. 

We think we can hide ourselves and our lives and lifestyles from God, but He knows. He knows. And one day we will be standing face to face with God, accountable for every action, every word, every thought. We will see the truth of who we have been. We will even see how wrong we were about how good we thought we were! This is something we should be concerned about today. 

Judas spent much time with Jesus but he would not allow himself to be changed. He lived a lie all the while he was in Jesus' presence. I'm certain none of the other disciples knew it; they just thought he was one of them, believing as they did. And it's the same way in our churches. The outward appearance may be spot on, but Jesus knows the heart. 

At the Passover meal Jesus told the disciples what would happen. He told them He would be arrested, He would have to die, that one in particular would betray him. All His followers were worried. They each exclaimed, "Lord, is it I?"  My, how Judas exemplified what we do when we make the choice not to follow Him seriously. I might have asked the same question. Might we sometimes feel like this also? That's why Jesus came, to put that doubt behind us. Each of these men made a choice; eleven were the right choice and one was not. How many times are we confronted with this choice only to put Jesus aside? I’m so thankful that the Bible is filled with stories of failed individuals. We can learn from them, based on what happens to them. Judas died...Peter became great, some were humbled for a good outcome. 

Judas eventually was sorry for what he had done; he chucked the 30 pieces of silver back at the captors basically saying he didn't want "the blood money." He did not repent of what he had done; he did not go to Jesus. He was only sorry about what he had done. No change took place even before he hung himself. No doubt in anyone's mind where he has ended up.

I think about the two thieves on either side of Jesus at His crucifixion. One’s end was not good, like Judas; the other realized his sinful condition and repented. Jesus pardoned the repentant thief. I love this story.

We cannot pretend about our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It doesn't work. Saying a prayer one time to receive Jesus isn't the only answer. It's living it out. It's being determined to listen to God speak and be in communication with Him. It's dying to self. It's enduring till the end.

Like Judas, there will be many who will reject that knock on the door of a heart. I don't need Him. He's only a myth. I'm a good person on my own. I don't like having to bow to a higher authority or Authority. I'm all the authority I need. I don't want to change; people will notice, I will lose friends. 

There's more to this story, though. One that puts things into perspective. God knows the beginning from the end and He knows who will choose His Son and who will not. Jesus knew Judas was to betray Him, but He chose him just the same. Maybe He thought Judas would change; but probably not. Some just do not. It had to happen to fulfill the prophecy of His death. This is sad...knowing some just will not make the choice. The account is one more example we are to learn from. 

Isaiah 55:6-7 - Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

More Precious Than Gold

1Peter‬ ‭1:6-9 - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 

Oh, that testing of our faith!! Praise the Lord. Yes, praise Him!

We all do go through trials. Knowing, loving and serving our God doesn’t come easy. We have highs and lows. Those highs are amazing. There’s a richness in those times when we feel His presence. Praise comes easier. Reading the Bible and hearing Him speak is glorious. New truths are revealed. We learn new things or old things are given even deeper meaning. Our faith needs little testing!

Then there are the valleys in our walk. Days are long, maybe darker. His voice is not very clear or not heard at all. We can feel alone, separated even in the midst of other believers, especially when they are on their mountain top. (Ouch) We can begin to, or once again experience, doubt. It’s painful. It can be fearful. That joy is gone. We could be experiencing that testing of our faith. It might feel like we’re being tested by fire! 

I’ve gone through this. More than once. When I get to the breaking point and I’m not hearing God, I might seek a solid Christian friend, if for no other reason but to share my feelings. Depending on who it is, I might receive just enough encouragement! And sometimes they just happen to be reaching out to me with something to share without my saying a word...but what they share is just what I needed to hear. It confirms thoughts I’ve had in the time of pondering my faith...and it’s good! 

Yes, we will be tested. The end result is what we look forward to if we don’t throw in the towel. What has God done in us during this difficult time? Has He purged some things? Maybe He has shown another side to Himself. Maybe we’ve gained even more trust in Him to know that He is who He says He is and does what He wills. Speaking of will, perhaps He has broken a bit of ours, to conform us more and transform us to be more in His image. 

The truth I’ve known over the years is this verse: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm‬ ‭34:8) It can be hard to go back to our lives before Christ, if we have received Him, tasted His Words that are like honey to our mouths. The truth is also in this verse: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Even in times of trials one truth remains: ...the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1‭‭Peter‬ ‭1:25‬) 

Jesus is still the same yesterday, today and forever. He never lies; He never changes. The truth is always IN Him. If we remain in Him, He remains hidden within us. His truth is hidden in our hearts. When we have His Word hidden in our hearts, He has spoken to us; and when it comes to mind, He is speaking to us, in this truth, either through admonition or encouragement. We have been set free from the entanglements of the world. How many of us know this and can say this? 

Testing. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again. When students are taking a test in school, the teacher remains silent! Thank You, Lord!!

Philippians‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭- But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...