Arms Outstretched

2Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

I was reading a devotion about morality this morning and how society has defined it in these current days. How society has changed moral values, even making laws regarding them, and continues to do so, as they see fit. Laws that need to be adhered to. The Bible is very clear on all issues, but I'm not so certain all our leaders understand this. Well, one thought led to another and as I started putting my thoughts on paper, even those thoughts evolved into something unexpected, yet related (I think).

What stood out in the article for me was Jesus' mission. He came to earth not to mingle with the so-called elite but with those of less standing. He came for you and me and to proclaim what is true. But, you might say, I'm a good person. I'm a good husband/wife/father/mother/employer/employee/provider, etc.  I know others who are not so good. Which law tells us this? We are not to compare ourselves with others...because none are righteous! All need Jesus. All.

Jesus was looked upon by the religious leaders as blasphemous. Can you imagine that? Jesus! They were pretty high and mighty in their thinking that their knowledge of the laws of God made them superior. So much so that they could not see Jesus for who He truly was. Who was HE to think He was better than they...and yet somehow they knew He spoke with authority and wisdom, which infuriated them and threatened them.

These leaders commanded everyone to adhere to their laws, though they, themselves kept having to create new laws to prevent the original law from being broken, or putting a fence around the law. They, too, struggled. If they had listened to Jesus they would have understood that even they were not capable of maintaining their so-called goodness/righteousness. No one is righteous...not one. Jesus was proclaiming even they needed a Savior, which fell on deaf ears, as happens today. And the laws of morality keep changing to suit the current demands of the day so as not to offend or cause anyone to feel guilty or "bad." Because, after all, we are all "good" people, aren't we?

No one is NOT in need of Jesus. No one. He spent His time with sinners and included religious leaders in this mix. And He gave of Himself for them...for us. He selflessly gave of Himself. He reached out to those in need. He did not turn anyone away, although He would rebuke those who thought they knew better. He's still doing that. 

Until we know Jesus in the depths of our souls, He will keep poking our spirits. I have been thinking these past few days for some reason about something I know I've written about before. The day before I received Christ I was still believing very adamantly that I didn't need what I didn't know then was called a relationship with Christ. I knew of Him, believe He lived, died and rose again. But the idea of getting any closer was not on my agenda. What for? 

I can mentally see my arms stretched as far outward as possible pushing Jesus, who was calling me, wanting me to become His, away. Pride, I know now, was the reason. I was doing fine on my own. What was all the hullabaloo about Jesus? I could manage my own problems, which just wasn't true. I didn't need to be any closer. I didn't need anyone prompting me to come to church, to just give it a try. I didn't need anybody telling me what to do. I just didn't! So I pushed away. 

But like Saul who became Paul, a change was to take place in an instant. In an instant. An instant. Like the Damascus Road experience. I remember the agitation I felt about (what I perceived as) the confrontation with my sister-in-law. She was gentle in her words, as she always is, but I viewed them as nagging. Stop bringing this church thing up to me, was probably what I was thinking.

Then the words that changed me from resisting to giving in happened, without warning and with great confusion, she said: I hear God's voice. In that instant, those outstretched, pushing arms became almost an inward collapse to my knees with tears and words I cannot believe I said: I want that! Where did that come from? Who could have ever guessed my resistance could have been broken in an instant. I was toast!! The next day despite how strong I thought I would be in that church service, I melted like wax. Jesus became my Lord, my light and my salvation. Replacing my outstretched arms were His outstretched arms welcoming me into His kingdom, to my kinship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This can happen to anyone at any time, and not even in church! Why some resist, or how, is beyond me. It just ain't their time, I guess! But that's okay. The Lord's timing is always perfect. He's always right on time. All the struggling, all the resistance, only brings a greater fall. Either we fall into Jesus' arms or to our own devices and failure. Which is it we want to do? Jesus is not the crutch so many believe He is. He is our strength, our wisdom, discernment, peace...and most of all our salvation.

I'm thankful He didn't give up on me. His timing IS perfect. It always will be.

Titus 1:1b-3 - ...according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at His appointed season He has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior...

Bread and Water

John 6:27 - Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.

I think it's ironic that awhile back people sent to prison were sometimes given only bread and water. Punishment for a crime committed. Certainly not the healthiest of meals; food that could lead to malnutrition, even death, among the other things one had to live in and through.

So isn't it ironic also that it is the Living Bread and Living Water, Jesus Christ, who today brings eternal life, who forgives all the sins of those who come to Him, who sets the captives free...sins past, present and future? And all we need do is call on Him, receive Him as our Lord and Savior.

Jesus used the miracle of the five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men (not including women and children) and to again show them Who He was, to get them to believe. Food. Aren't we a people enamored with food? Aren't church socials all about food? Don't we get together with friends and visit and there's always food available? Even Bible study and Sunday school classes involve snacks and beverages. We love to eat. Eating in any society or time is a social event...it's part of fellowship. 

Jesus departed their company and crossed over the sea of Galilee. When the people had realized He was gone, they did the same, to seek Him out. They were, however, interested in more food rather than hearing what He had to say, although they did listen.

He admonished them not to work for the food (and drink) which perishes, which is what they were hoping He would again provide to satisfy their stomachs. He wanted them to understand that He was what they should be seeking, that they would believe in Him for eternal life. It went over their heads. He was supplying a very physical need, but they were missing the spiritual need they had. They asked what they could do in order to do what God wanted them to do! His answer was simple: Believe in Me.

They wanted more miracles so they might believe, yet here was the Miracle right in front of their eyes. They knew about their ancestors in the desert being fed manna. He told them in verse John 6:32 - Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  In other words, I am that bread. They asked to be given that bread (just like the Samaritan woman asked for that living water) and again they missed the point that if they would just believe in Him...the true Living Bread...come to Him and receive...and He would not turn anyone away who would receive.

So simple, yet sometimes we over complicate it. No works, just receiving Christ. Just believing on/in Him. I mentioned awhile back that the word "believe" is what trips us up. On October 12 I wrote: Believe on means to receive by faith, not by works, with the heart...in vitality and depth in our innermost being. It is believing "on" Jesus Christ. He becomes our foundation. It is "in" Him we abide and He abides in us. Faith brings the transformation, not anything we think we can do.  It's more than just knowing in our heads...and living our lives in the way we always have.  A transformation must take place. It's knowing in our spirits and turning our lives in a different direction, to follow wholeheartedly after Jesus. It's delighting in His Word, obeying and not purposely going against it.

Jesus's words were easy to understand but they were considered harsh because they went against the will of the people. Same is true today. There is no middle ground. It's black or white, evil or good...no room for compromise...a narrow road...with few on it.

If we find those words difficult, hard to swallow, and narrow minded, Jesus tells us, and He does not lie, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. (John 6:47,51)

There will always be some who believe that their good works and being good people, will secure a place in heaven for them.  This is very similar to the response of the people above. We need to see beyond the physical works and look into the spiritual. Do not be deceived. The only works God accepts are those that He desires for us to do. It's done to glorify Him.

John 6:40 - 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 him up at the last day.