Whos Christmas Spirit

Throughout the course of history Christmas in the West became a human event usurping its origin as a God event. Anyone visiting the West, perhaps even specifically the midwestern United States, and had no knowledge or experience with the season of Christmas would find it difficult to discover the origin of Christmas if all they had to base their judgment on was what they encountered in the market place. The exact analysis of their conclusions would be impossible to accurately state, but what can be accurately stated is that their conclusions would not depict that Christmas in the Midwest is a glorious celebration of a GREAT GOD who had generously given his ONLY AND HOLY SON in exchange for the peoples freedom from their bondage to sin and death. 

The truth of this claim comes not from deep historical analysis, but by a novice using simple deduction. How could a different conclusion be drawn, based on what Holy Scripture teaches verses how Christmas is generally celebrated today? If the Christmas event was conceived through the Word of God as recorded in the Old Testament, for example the prophet Nathan says to King David, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”” (2 Samuel 7:12–16, ESV). If the Christmas event was realized through the birth of the Living Word of God as recorded in the New Testament, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Luke 2:11; John 1:14, ESV) Then, the only conclusion possible is that God, the Author and depositor of Christmas, has had the glory of the original Christmas Spirit, indeed His very own glory, hijacked by mutinying Christmas beneficiaries having the audacity to replace the heavenly glory with their own dark and malignant glory!

According to sacred Scripture God’s purpose for the Christmas event began in a spirit of serving, was realized in the same spirit and continues unchanged! Christmas has, is and always will be, in its truest sense, a celebration of God’s service to us, and so our grateful response to Him, through our service to one another! “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:28, ESV) Because the character of God is one of absolute joy, gladness and holiness He finds pleasure in serving! Consider that His service is not even to those identified by their piety, but by their rebellion, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV) What a display of ungratefulness when one considers that God, in a spirit of infinite kindness and grace, rescued mankind from an all encompassing culture of despair, misery and death through the immeasurable gift of His Son is honored for HIS efforts with “black friday” promotions, Christ-less “Christmas” parties, divided and cantankerous family dinners, and an all-around spirit of greed and selfishness. 

All who claim the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior must celebrate Christmas like the “Whos” of “Whoville.” Though the greedy grinch had stolen all their toys and food the Whos continued to celebrate Christmas with hearts of thanksgiving and gratitude. The Whos understood that feasting and exchanging gifts is but a small symbol pointing to the greatest gift of all and to the ultimate feast that awaits all who have placed their hope in the Savior. Although, the symbols were temporarily taken the Spirit of Christmas remained as vibrant as ever and the Whos were able to continue the celebration with as much passion as ever. Indeed, their humble gratitude and peaceful celebration even managed to win the ole Grinch over. 

The season of Christmas is an opportunity for God’s people to demonstrate to the world the true spirit of Christmas; the spirit which has always been one of service to others. When this happens, not only does the original purpose of the Christmas event regain the throne, but perhaps many Grinches, who live around us, will be won over.

Food and Faith | Books and Culture

Read this book review on eating and found it very interesting, if not a bit challenging.

Food and Faith | Books and Culture

Who can stand before God?

Psalm 15 begins with a question that is perhaps the most fundamental question ever to be asked. This is how the New International Version translates it, “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?”

The question being asked seems to get to the heart of mankind’s relationship with his Creator. If one can imagine life in the Garden before the Fall, before man’s rebellion and ultimate estrangement from God, this question becomes meaningless, for this question asked in such a context would be entirely out of place. Imagine this question being asked to Adam and Eve prior to the temptation by the serpent, “Hey Adam, or Eve (a generous imagination will be required!) how can anyone live with God?

They might have responded with something like, “what in the world are you talking about?”

The first two humans, before the FALL, would have had no context for such a question. They had known nothing but a life lived in the very presence of God. For them, life apart from their loving Creator was unimaginable. Adam and Eve, being entirely naked, lived, played, worked, slept, ran, jumped, adventured,discovered and loved all before and in the presence of God. This was life for them. They were entirely innocent! No evil or ungodly thought had ever entered their minds. They knew nothing of fear. They knew nothing of judgment or wrath. Their life was lived in absolute innocent joy. 

But King David, credited with writing Psalm 15, knows nothing of this innocent joy. He, like all humans born after the fall, lives and perceives life through a lens of personal, as well as, corporate sinfulness, rebellion and guilt. The question David asks in such a setting is both terrifying and thrilling. Terrifying because the question reminds the reader that he is sinful and therefore fully unfit to live in the presence of God. On the other hand, the question is thrilling because it hints that perhaps his condition can change. 

In the remaining verses of this short Psalm David answers his own question. Again, using the NIV translation, a portion of the answer is as follows, “He whose walk is blameless...who does what is righteous, who speaks truth from his heart...has no slander on his tongue...does his neighbor no wrong...casts no slur on his fellowman..”

For all who would read David’s answer it must seem hopeless. Who can live in such a way without ever “slipping up” or without failing at some point or at every point? Of course the answer is no one! This is why the Psalm, any Psalm, must be read from the perspective of the cross. Only when one has clothed herself in the righteousness of Jesus Christ can she confidently make a claim to innocence. By grace and through faith, the Christian living in the power of the Holy Spirit is transformed into the kind of person that David describes in the Psalm. The Christian becomes the person who can live on the “Holy Hill” of God, without any threat of judgment or wrath, because the Christian has become like the ONE whom he has placed his faith in. 

There is hope of transformation; hope to become, in Christ, everything that God always desired his Creatures to be. Creatures who reflect his nature, his glory. May His Word transform each of us as we place our trust and faith in HIM!

Pastor Gibbs

Uncertain verses a Certain Hope

Hope! What is it, where does it come from and is it more than wishful thinking? Hope is defined as, “A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Fair enough! For someone to hope that the Kansas City Royals will return to glory one day is a reasonable expectation or desire. For any teenager, living in a middle income family, to hope for her parents to go in debt so that she can drive around in a shiny new car is also, (although, perhaps less reasonable) a hope, a desire or expectation. Adults might hope to win the lottery or land a fascinating job working few hours, while earning a large income.There are certainly an infinite number of “hopes” that humans might “expect” or “desire,” but is this what is properly meant when anyone says something like, “I hope one day to see grandma, who passed away several years go?” or “I hope that my child will one day know what it is like to live healthy, free from the burden of his disability?” or even more potent, “I hope to be delivered from my addiction to vanity and pride?” or “I hope to be welcomed by God into His Kingdom?”

So, hope is certainly an expectation and desire, but the difference from an “uncertain” hope and a “certain” hope is the authority undergirding the hope. Hoping for a favorite team to win, or to cash in after winning the lottery is uncertain, because the authority supporting these hopes is limp and ultimately powerless.  These “hopes” could certainly be realized, but if they are, it has much more to do with what might be called “luck” or “good fortune” than absolute certainty. One would be a fool to wager his most valued asset, say his soul, in hopes of seeing this  transient dream come true.

Ah, but there is such a hope that comes from a superior authority that rules over all other authorities, even that great fearful authority known as death. One passage from Scripture that shines a light on this truth comes from I Peter 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV)

The authority that Peter refers to, which undergirds a hope far superior to winning teams, or winning lotteries, is a hope that is defined as a new birth, which is “imperishable...undefiled...unfading...ready to be revealed in the last time.” Peter is convinced that the greatest hope imaginable, is the hope of a reality that has begun by faith, and will be fully realized, fully materialized, at the Second Coming of Christ. This is a hope that a life defined as everlasting, perfect, unfading, never degenerating, is available by faith for anyone who wants it. The authority that undergirds and supports this amazing hope is, “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” As Peter writes, “...he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” This blessed reality, namely, that Jesus Christ died because of the sins of the world, but was raised because of God’s power in Him being greater than death and because of God’s willingness to save the world through Christ, is the authority undergirding the hope of all who desire to live in holiness for ever and ever starting at the moment one places their faith, their hope, in Christ.

It was Peter’s intent to use the words of this great hope to stimulate believers in Christ toward an even greater intimacy with God resulting in an even greater devotion to God. May it be so for all who and and all who are hoping the beautiful name of Christ. This world is in the throws of death; death which has convinced so many that it is the final authority. What a tragedy that so many are still without hope, when so many claim to possess the hope of Christ. Come on, church! Are we demonstrating to our world the hope that we possess in Christ Jesus? 

Hoping in the One Hope worth Hoping in,

Pastor Gibbs

What does it all mean?

The month of May has been an extremely tough month when considering tragic events. The country has experienced multiple natural disasters that have had a devastating effect upon both large and small communities. Tornadoes have left a harrowing sense of despair in states like Missouri, Alabama, and Oklahoma to name only a few. Even Kansas has had to deal with sudden tragedy caused by severe weather. Flooding has ravaged homes along the Mississippi river, while other areas have had to face the burden of drought. Although the War on Terror does not receive as much media attention as it once did, the families of those serving in the military continue to feel the heavy burden of this long war’s demands. Then, of course, there are all those private personal battles that wreak havoc on so many souls while the world barely takes notice. What does it all mean? Can any sense be made of this world that seems intent to maintain a dominant theme of gloom and doom? The governing voices speak hollow messages of better days, while the world falls down around them. 

Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a context from which to adequately respond with hope to the question of suffering. Jesus’ own testimony to his disciples provide a significant clue, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Mt 16:21 ESV)

Although, to compare the suffering of Jesus with the suffering mentioned above is somewhat tenuous, for no human will ever suffer to the degree of Jesus, it does provide an important framework within which to try and make sense of tragedy. For Jesus is pointing out that He will be, as the HOLY SON OF GOD, enduring extreme misery, BUT after the suffering He will be raised! That is significant! 


Jesus does not necessarily give reasons for suffering, even while he accounts for its sobering reality. What he does give is a reason to endure suffering with hope! Jesus is establishing deep within the heart of any would-be disciples, the reason for hope. Because the Lord understood the essence of following Him in a broken and desperate world He not only spoke about the power of His life being greater than death, he demonstrated this reality by coming up out of the grave. This is critical if ever there is to be a sufficient response given to anyone lost in the grip of despair. Jesus says, there remains meaning in the midst of suffering, there remains meaning in the throws of death and that meaning is simply to discover the supreme power of life.

The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Rome gives this description, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:19-23 ESV)

Paul’s understanding is simply that suffering, (and sometimes suffering in incredible ways) is a consequence of living within a creation that was meant to flourish under the care of man-kind in his God-likeness, but instead has been grossly mis-managed under the influence of a rebellious care-taker. So, Jesus has come to redeem or rescue humanity from the consequence/curse of the man’s rebellion. Within this era of salvation, (between the Fall and the Second Coming) suffering will be a dominant thread woven within the fabric of human existence. However, Jesus has given the world the upmost reason to hope; hope in the power of Life over the power of death. Again, it is Saint Paul who powerfully makes this point to the believers in Thessalonica, “But we do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about those who are asleep (those who had died), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14 ESV)

Anytime or anywhere that death and devastation are dominating the scene, be it on a large scale, like what is seen in the wake of the Joplin tornado, or on a small scale, like is felt within the despairing heart of a person with a tortured soul, the message of life through Jesus Christ must come in conquering and to conquer. This message alone promises meaning, promises life, promises that all is well in the fairest and grandest of lands. It is this message alone the allows for grief to exist with hope!

 
Hoping in the GIVER OF LIFE

Pastor David Gibbs

Is life without death possible?

            Suppose that Jesus lived a life different from what has been recorded in Scripture. For example, suppose that Jesus lived out his life to a good old age and peacefully passed away in his sleep. Or, if this hypothetical is a struggle because it is assumed his body could not die because he was without sin, then what if he, like Elijah and Enoch of old, was merely caught up to heaven with God. Any number of other scenarios could be created that have Jesus pass from this earth peacefully; even naturally, rather than amidst a very bloody and cruel scene. What would such an alternative mean with respect to redemption or salvation?

            Is it as simple as this? At death, the deceased is ushered into the Kingdom of Heaven, even before God, to receive the news that there are no worries, God has loved them all along and there is nothing to fear. Although, one can understand a temporary aversion to this theory, in the end would it really matter, if…, all is well? In fact, a scenario can almost be imagined where Jesus does not even come to earth, but merely looks on from Heaven and when one dies He welcomes them with open arms and tells them that they are forgiven. If the crucifixion of Christ never happened, would it affect eternal life?

            Well, the answer is, OF COURSE IT WOULD MATTER!!!

            Matthew 27:42 reads in the English Standard Version, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. It is very telling that people are willing to believe a jesus who does not demand death before He gives life. People want a jesus who condones a person’s rebellious life and asks for nothing in exchange for his friendship. Even to the end the people were looking to see if Jesus would not do something to save himself. Yet, Jesus purpose was to show the Father’s judgment of sin through his death and the Father’s mercy through His resurrection.

            The truth is that the crucifixion is essential to salvation. For in the death of Christ, not only is Jesus identifying with humanity in her suffering, but the crucifixion also demonstrates the justice of God against sin. It would be impossible for a person identified as a sinner due to sins committed against God to stand before God without the overwhelming sense of condemnation. To stand before a perfectly holy God is something that no person is ready for, nor is anyone even slightly confident about what to expect. However, the testimony of Scripture is consistent; no one will stand before God in there sin and live. In truth, to stand in the presence of the holy God requires that the one standing be holy also. Through the death of Christ, that is, through believing that one has died with Christ and has also been raised with Christ, one becomes holy taking on the character of holiness. This transformation of identity from sinner to saint; the result of faith in Christ’s death and resurrection; leads to a confidence in the presence of God. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5, “We have peace with God…”

            For those who mocked Christ asserting that his failure to “save himself” from crucifixion somehow nullified not only his ministry, but even more, his testimony that He and the Father are one, only proved more succinctly there need for him to remain on the cross. Had he come down, and “saved himself” then no one could have been saved from condemnation and judgment. There would have been no way for anyone to die with Christ and consequently to have been raised up with him. Everyone would have been condemned to sin’s bondage and judgment rather than to the freedom of eternal life that is only received by faith in the risen Christ.

            Thank you Lord Jesus, for not saving yourself! Thank you that you were willing to suffer and die, so that our condemned lives could die with you and that we can be given new life, resurrected life, in you. May we live our life to your glory!!!

                 Serving Him
                 Pastor Gibbs

Fuel for the Journey

The parable of the Ten Virgins found at the beginning of Matthew 25 reveals how essential it is for us to recognize the importance of preparation. In the story there are 10 young women who are waiting for the groom to return to his home with his wife so that those who wait can begin the celebration of this new marriage. In the first century Middle Eastern culture, weddings were a very big deal and were celebrated accordingly. The groom would leave his home with a few selected friends and walk to the home of his new bride. Then this party would dance and sing all the way back to the grooms home often taking the long way back in order to extend the celebration and to let as many people in the village as possible know about the joyous event. This tradition resulted in long delays. [i]

The 10 Virgins, or young women, would have been waiting for the return of the groom with his bride along with everyone else. Essential to the story is the important fact that in this culture it was very important that women keep a lamp with them at all times if their activities would lead into the night. According to Kenneth Bailey, this lamp served not only to help them see, but more importantly was used to illuminate their face so that they would be identified in the dark. A woman without a lamp was opening herself up to unwanted speculation regarding her motives.[ii]

Now, in the story all 10 women are excited for the celebration and are waiting with great anticipation for the honored party to arrive. All have their lamps lit and seem prepared for the bride and groom to arrive. But, the night wares on and the arrival is delayed, so much so, that all 10 of these wary celebrants fall asleep. While they sleep the oil in their lamps runs out. Then, in the middle of sleep they are aroused with the shouts of the parties return. Five of the women have prepared for such a delay, for they immediately grab a small flask of oil and replenish their lamps. The other five, however, have not prepared and begin to demand that the oil of the others be shared with them. However, there is only enough oil in each flask to replenish one lamp. So, the five negligent Virgins are left to go and find some more oil. While they are away all who were prepared, go into the house to begin the celebration and the door is shut. Finally, the other five arrive, but it is too late, for the Lord of the house answers their plea to “open up for us” with, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”

This is a sobering end to the parable. The interpretations of this passage vary. Some try and make every element of the story represent something in reality. In truth this parable, while certainly possessing enough content for numerous applications, has one essential point, namely, that if anyone intends to be a follower of Christ, then they best prepare for a lengthy, and often times, arduous journey. It has been referred to as “easy believism” or as Bonhoeffer said, “Cheap Grace” this idea that being a disciple of Christ amounts to some shallow acknowledgement of Jesus without any real personal cost. But, true discipleship is revealed over time, as one travels along in life and is given many opportunities to put their faith in Jesus. Each time we exercise our faith we replenish our lamps. Even while we sleep and our lamps go out, we have walked with Jesus enough to trust that He knows us and that we know Him and that this truth illuminates us for his arrival.

It is my conviction that all within the church culture could be placed in this parable, either on the side of the five prudent or five negligent virgins. All 10 appeared excited and ready, but as time wore on and the groom delayed, it was discovered that five virgins were in reality pretenders. One might even conclude that their presence at the celebration was to benefit themselves, rather than to celebrate this beautiful marriage. Let each of us examine ourselves to make sure that our faith in Christ does not wane as the long night overcomes us and we sleep. Let us know for sure, that when the Lord arrives, our faith and confidence is not in ourselves, but in his generous mercy and infinite grace.

                                                Waiting with oil for His Return

                                                Pastor Gibbs

---

[i] Kenneth E. Bailey, “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes,” IVP Academic, 2008, p260ff.

[ii] Ibid.,

What are we looking for?

            I know what I am looking for as it relates to the weather, I am looking for signs that this cold winter has finished her work and conceded to springs advance. It seems that human nature has an insatiable appetite for signs, for information, that will disclose clues, if not about the meaning of life, at least about what might be expected in the very near future. My desire to see any “signs” of spring would encourage my hope that the cold weather has moved on and that warmer, sunnier, days are in store.   Just recently, I received a sign that my favorite basketball team from Manhattan might be back on track to make a run in the NCAA tournament after defeating two ranked teams in the past two weeks, one of those teams being ranked number one. This is exciting for all the fans excited for a season whose early signs suggested a great year was in store. However, those “signs” faded quickly as K-State suffered through several losses. I regret to admit that I had little hope remaining that “my” team might turn things around. But, yet again, the signs are indicating that this season might turn out to be special after all. (EMAW!)

            Still, what is our fascination with signs? Signs give us clues about TRUTH! There is an interesting account in Matthew’s Gospel found at the beginning of chapter 16, where it is written that the, “Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.”
            Now, the problem with signs is that they cannot be manipulated; they are simply indicators of what is true. Take the signs related to K-State’s mid-season woes, for example. Those signs indicated that K-State was not as good as their fans had hoped. The response of the fans was to accept those signs or not, but to change the signs was not an option. Alternatively, a KU fan might want to reject the current signs suggesting that their in-State rival is worthy of respect. Reject the signs they are free to do, but they are not free to change the signs.
            So, the Pharisees and Sadducees were asking to see a sign from Jesus. I can only guess at their motive but the passage indicates that they were testing Jesus. My conviction is that they were refusing to believe the innumerable signs surrounding the person and ministry of Jesus. These signs were establishing the fact that this Rabbi from Nazareth, was a man, but much more than a man, in fact, the signs were indicating that He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, God in the flesh.  The signs were then pointing to the reality that Christ loved people, that He desired to heal people, that he wanted to save people, and not only people from His cultural background, but all kinds of people, from every walk of life. These signs could not be altered or manipulated by anyone because they were simply reflecting the TRUTH! This is one reason why I feel the Pharisees and the Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign, they wanted the TRUTH to be something else. I believe that they refused to accept that God was so merciful to all people, because that would mean that their own attitude and conduct would need to change and that they would need to love people who were at present their enemies.
            I believe one of the sad, but actual truths about people is that they will look for “other” signs from God, perhaps to distract them from what the current signs are indicating. However, God has already given the greatest of all SIGNS, indeed the realty to whom all signs point, His beloved SON! In His Son, Jesus, God has shown the world the truth about Himself, namely that He is a God who is Holy, Just, Merciful and full of Grace. He is a God who desires for all people to receive forgiveness, to know Him and to be in relationship with Him. All the signs point to this truth. How people respond to the signs will determine whether or not they are a follower of Christ, or a follower of self!

                                                                        Trusting the signs,

                                                                        Pastor Gibbs

Prioritize Priorities: Things I wish I knew when I signed up to plant a church but am glad that I am now beginning to learn. « Ordinary Pastor

Helpful tips for the pastor/church planter

Prioritize Priorities: Things I wish I knew when I signed up to plant a church but am glad that I am now beginning to learn. « Ordinary Pastor

What We Need

            In Matthew 9 there is an account of a paralyzed man who is brought to Jesus by some people. “…when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Mt. 9:2 ESV)

            Strange response by Jesus! This man is in obvious need, and Jesus has the power to restore his ability to walk. Why would Jesus respond the way he did? Should Jesus not have gone ahead, healed the man, and then talked with him about forgiveness. Seems like Jesus has his priorities misplaced, right? Or is Jesus simply revealing what mankind’s greatest need really is?

            What is it that the paralytic really needs? Of course those who brought him to Jesus understood that his greatest need was to walk. But Jesus is not toying with him or with those who brought him when he responds with “…your sins are forgiven.” What this man really needed, above all else, even above his need to walk, was to know that his sins are forgiven. This is the greatest of all mankind's needs, to know he is forgiven. When a man, woman, boy or girl has complete confidence that they are forgiven, and the cause of their guilt and shame has been removed, then they are free to enter into the eternal bliss of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

            Ironically, there were some in the crowd who considered what Jesus said to be blasphemy. Amazing! How can God's will to forgive be associated with blasphemy? Jesus says it is because we think evil in our hearts. Imagine for a moment! These religious scribes are thinking that forgiveness, far from being something to rejoice in, is actually something that is evil.

            Why do we find it so hard to imagine that God forgives so quickly and completely? The answer is simply that we don't know God! Also, why isn't the healing of the paralytic considered evil? Jesus seems to suggest that it is more difficult to heal this man's legs, than to forgive him, yet Jesus, in an effort to demonstrate his authority to forgive shows his power to heal. People can accept the physical healing of someone as a miracle, as something wonderful, but to say that this man is forgiven is evil.

            This passage presents us with a dichotomy. In one sense, people are often willing and even excited about the potential for someone being physically, psychologically, or emotionally healed. But, when the point of one’s spiritual healing surfaces, then there is a much more negative response. People seem to think that the offer by God of complete forgiveness to anyone willing to accept it is too extreme, even for God. Two reasons for this: First, it is difficult for people to accept that God, by His free grace, is willing to forgive us entirely. The presence of pride in us forces us to resists any notion suggesting that we can do nothing to please God, but must simply rely entirely on God’s grace and mercy. Second, as a result of the first point, people find it impossible to imagine that God can forgive someone who has done evil, either against them, or against society. “Go ahead and heal their body, if you must, heal their psyche, I guess, but don’t think about releasing them from the prison house of their own guilt and shame. That is the punishment they deserve.”

            What Jesus shows us in this passage is that Mankind’s greatest need is to be forgiven; to know the grace of God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals to all who will accept it that God offers complete and total forgiveness of sin. What an awesome God we serve! What an amazing message of good news we are privilege to know and to share.

            Do you know that you are forgiven…completely forgiven? Jesus says that you are. Do you know that God has also completely forgiven the person the thought of whom may stir up hatred in your heart? Everyone needs to know that their sins, which are many and often very evil, are forgiven. Live in the freedom that the truth of God reveals!

                                                Living free in Christ,

                                                Pastor Gibbs

Partnering to Remember: The 2011 Philippians Memory Moleskine « Provocations & Pantings

Great resource for memorizing the book of Philippians, as well as helping to get this important Christian discipline established.

Partnering to Remember: The 2011 Philippians Memory Moleskine « Provocations & Pantings

P2R.indd - Powered by Google Docs

Anyone interested in memorizing scripture, here is a great tool for memorizing the book of Philippians

P2R.indd - Powered by Google Docs