What's Good about Good Friday?

I stand amazed at the great lengths God would go to just to save us. You might say, "Why do I need to be saved? What am I being saved from?" It all goes back to the Garden of Eden. The story is found in the Book of Genesis. God created Adam and Eve and gave them simple instructions which ultimately they disobeyed. God had warned them that their disobedience would result in death. They chose to listen to the temptation of Satan rather than the clear command of God. The result was their banishment from the Garden, eventual physical death and separation from God. However God promised that he would provide a way of reconciliation for them. Since we all descended from Adam and Eve, the same curse is upon us, we're born, we die and without God's intervention we would be eternally separated from him in a place of torment...fire and brimstone.

God says we are all born as sinners. Some will readily admit to being sinners but others believe we are basically good. The problem is that we have the wrong standard. We think we're good because we're not as bad as others who may be drunks, murderers or thieves. God is the one who sets the standard and His standard is nothing short of perfection. "...For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood." Romans 3:23-25

I don't understand why God loves mankind but I'm just glad that He does. He loves us so much that He provided a way of escape from eternal punishment. If we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and allow Him to have control of our lives, we can become righteous in God's eyes. "...When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:6-8

I'm currently reading through the Gospels as we approach Resurrection Day. It's good to be reminded of the price that Jesus paid to redeem us from the penalty of our sin. The cross can be minimized to jewelry or clothing adornment but it was the most brutal form of execution ever known to man. But God decided this would be the method by which Jesus would willingly give up His life. "... Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face." "...So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull. There they nailed him to the cross." John 19:1-3,17

That's what makes Good Friday "good". Jesus suffered the ignominious death on the cross but it was "good" for us because He became the substitute on our behalf. God poured out His just and holy wrath on His own Son, whom He had made to be the very embodiment of sin. You just need to believe it and receive Christ by faith. Good Friday can be good for you too when you become a follower of Jesus Christ.  
"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Love

Love (noun) 

Here are 4 of the many definitions from dictionary.com...

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3. sexual passion or desire.

4. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

Love is one of those words that has lost its meaning in our culture. We say we love God. We love our spouse. We love our children. We love our country. But then we turn around and say... "I love my car" or "I love my house" or "I love cheeseburgers". The English language is not very descriptive when it comes to love.

When the Bible speaks about God's love, it's an agape love. Agape love seeks the others' highest good. God loves you with an everlasting agape love. His gift to you is available on Valentine's day and all year long.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Here's what Jesus had to say about His love for you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

That's exactly what Jesus did for you. He would rather die than to be without you.

Paul gave us a detailed list of what agape love looks like in practical terms.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13

God loves you and He pursues you. He desires to initiate a relationship with you. A relationship with God is not possible by doing good deeds but only through your acceptance of the sacrifice Jesus made on your behalf.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

The Cost of Discipleship

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-33

To follow Jesus Christ, we must consider the cost and make Him Lord.

Salvation is absolutely free and yet it costs you your very life. Sounds paradoxical. You receive it freely at no expense to you, but once you receive it, you have just committed everything you are to Jesus Christ. You may think, “That’s a contradiction! How can something be both free and costly at the same time?”

Suppose I had a desire to climb Mount Everest. But it costs about $100,000 to do it and I don’t have that kind of money. Suppose a wealthy businessman heard of my desire and offered to pay for the whole expedition. He would purchase all the expensive clothing and gear; he would pay for my transportation, the guides, and the training. It’s totally free for me. But if I accept his free offer, I have just committed myself to months of rigorous training. It could even cost me my life, because many good climbers die trying to climb Mount Everest. It’s free, yet very costly.

Or, suppose a pilot offers me a free ride in his airplane. He invites me to come along at his expense. When I accept his free offer, I’ve just committed my life to him. If he’s a good pilot and we have no weather or mechanical problems, then I’ll be safe. If he crashes, I die. But the moment I say yes to his free offer, I am totally committed to him. I have entrusted my life into his hands.

You receive salvation freely at no expense to you, but once you receive it, you have just committed everything you are and have to Jesus Christ.  Your life is no longer your own; you have been bought with a price, and that price was the precious shed blood of Jesus. You made Him Lord of your life. As a true disciple, follow the teachings of Jesus completely, and give Him first place in your life.

Christmas Lights

Christmas lights are everywhere in our little town. It looks like some sort of enchanted village. Many towns have Christmas lighting contests to see who can decorate their homes the best. People get in their cars and drive all around town to see the beautiful lighting displays. It’s really easy to get so caught up the beauty of the lights that you might think that is what Christmas is all about… but it’s not. You see, the lights are just a reminder of the One True Light that came to bring light into the world.

·        God is the source of Light

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

·        Light announced Jesus birth

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9-10

·        Jesus brought Light to the world

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:6-9

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:18-21

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Imagine walking through a room that you’ve never been in before. If you walk in the room when there are no lights on, you might be anxious and uneasy. You don’t know where the obstacles are, how the furniture is arrayed. You can’t tell what might be there in the dark that would cause you to stub your toe or get hurt. But if the light’s on – you walk with confidence and see exactly what you need to see. There are no more obstacles. No chance of getting hurt. That’s the kind of difference Jesus Christ brings to our lives. We no longer walk in darkness with uneasiness and anxiety. Now we walk with in His light… and life is completely different.

Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36

·        We are to be children of light

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

This Christmas, as you enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, let's remember they are reminders of the one true light – Jesus Christ. Let's also remember that you are the light of the world.

"There is not enough darkness in the entire world to put out the light of even one small candle."  --Robert Alden

Good God

George Barna writes in his book Maximum Faith that only one out of every ten Christians is truly sold out to God. Only 10% of all Christians ever get to the point of total transformation and experience God’s best.

People are afraid to sell out to God. What I mean is total surrender, total submission, wholehearted obedience to His will, His plans and His purpose. We fear total submission to God because we don’t know what God will require. We fail to realize that God is good. He has dreams and plans for you and His way is better than anything that you could ever imagine.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

God is good by nature. He is the highest and greatest good, and He is the source of everything good. It’s His nature to be loving, gracious, merciful, and generous. Because God is good, He’s promised to meet all our needs. 

 

He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies… Ephesians 1:3

God has given us everything we need for life and godliness… 2 Peter 1:3

Every good thing we enjoy comes from Him. Nothing good has ever existed that doesn't come from God.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows James 1:17

God's goodness is seen in His creation. Seven times in Genesis God said what He made was good. “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” Genesis 1:31. How can anyone observe the beauty of God’s creation and not say it is good? His goodness is reflected in majestic mountains, vast blue oceans, green grass, purple flowers, golden sunrises, orange sunsets and amber waves of grain.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 “The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD” Psalm 33:5. 

Then there is man, the pinnacle of God’s creation. God gave us eyes to behold the beauty of nature, ears to hear its delightful sounds, nostrils to enjoy its pleasant aromas, taste buds to savor its infinite variety of edible delights, a sense of touch to feel or communicate love, and a mind to comprehend it all. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

He gives us the bright warmth of sunlight, the joy of family and friends, the satisfaction of hard work, the refreshment of a good night’s sleep, provision for our daily needs, and so many others things that enrich our lives.

God's goodness is bestowed on everyone, not just believers.

The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45.

People today still challenge God’s goodness. How can a good God allow evil to exist in His world? How can He allow disease, pain, suffering, poverty, hunger, racism, crime, war, murder and natural disasters. They say, either He is not very good or He does not have the power to stop it.

Remember, God in His goodness created Adam with the ability to choose good or evil. He chose evil, and his sin affected all of creation. All of the pain and suffering in this world today are the direct result of Adam’s choice. These are the consequences of living in a world affected by sin.

We don't know why God in His goodness allows these things. Many times God uses crises to get our attention. He sees the big picture and we are myopic. We know that somehow it's going to work out for our good and His glory.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

God is good. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, your life is not your own. He asks you to surrender completely. He can be trusted with your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

 

You trust God with your past for salvation, you trust Him with your future for eternal life, so why not trust Him with the present? He wants to maximize your potential and conform you into the image of Christ. He wants to give you the best He has to offer.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1,2

Death is Inevitable

Today I performed another funeral and was reminded of the brevity of life. Death can catch us off guard, leaving us unprepared when a loved one dies. There is a time appointed unto every man to die and that's one appointment we cannot break. 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 

From this passage in the book of James we see that life is fragile. We don't know what's going to happen ten minutes from now, let alone tomorrow or next year. These people mentioned in this passage arrogantly assumed they would wake up tomorrow, travel safely to a city, spend a year there and make a profit. They were making presumptions about an unknown future, over which they had no control or guarantees.

Jon Blunk was a 26 year old Navy veteran who loved to help people. He served five years in the U.S. Navy, including three tours in the Middle East and had hoped to re-enlist and become a Navy SEAL.

On the night of July 20, 2012, Jon Blunk and his girlfriend decided to take in a movie. During the screening of "The Dark Knight Rises", James Holmes opened fire in that Century 16 movie theater, and Blunk instinctively threw himself on top of his girlfriend. He was killed by the gunfire, but his girlfriend survived. The Aurora, CO massacre left 12 people dead and 58 injured. Life is fragile.

These verses also remind us that life is short. It's just like a mist, one moment you see it and a few seconds later it's gone. Like the steam from your morning cup of coffee, you see it and just that quickly it disappears into thin air. Life is like that. The book of Job describes the frailty and fleetingness of life as a shadow, a breath or a cloud. The Psalms describe life as a wildflower or a vapor.

Moses compared life to the grass of the field that sprouts in the morning and by evening it has faded under the hot sun. He also wrote, "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away." Psalm 90:10  No wonder he prayed, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

We also know is that death is certain. George Bernard Shaw was exactly right when he said, "The statistics on death are quite impressive. One out of one people die." You would think that because death is certain, everybody would be desperate to get right with God. Just the opposite is true. We don't want to think about death and live as though we're immortal and invincible. We see footage of catastrophes, shake our heads in disbelief at the dead bodies and continue life with no thought of repentance. It is truly unwise not to prepare for something that is 100% certain. Death is certain.

Prepare yourself. "...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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:9-10