The Cross

With the release of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ", the whole world is taking a second look at the crucifixion scene. It is said a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Billy Graham said that one film is worth a lifetime of sermons. There is no doubt that the world is now getting its first graphic, heart wrenching, understanding of the price Jesus paid to free people from their sins. Only perfect, agape love, (unconditional) could enable Jesus to bear such brutal torture for us. We need to remember that He did it for His enemies, as well as for His friends. His last words were, "Father, forgive them!" The cross was probably the cruelest execution ever devised. God purposely allowed it because it was peculiarly suited to fit the crimes that Jesus was dying for. More on that later. But God wants us to fully understand the enormity of sin. The world jokes about sin, but God hates it with such a passion that He was willing to give His beloved son, first, to show us the horrendous consequences of sin, and second, to stamp it out. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked three times if there was another way, but God let him know unless He took our sins and our death penalty, we would be destroyed. When Jesus considered this, He began to sweat blood. This was just a glimpse of the agony He was going through. Most people think the cup Jesus was to drink was His fear of death. This could not be. It had to be His revulsion, His horror of actually becoming the sin that He hated, as well as having His Father forsake Him. Just think of Jesus becoming the worst monster like Hitler, Stalin, or Saddam Hussein. This is what caused His blood vessels to rupture. See 2 Cor. 5:21. In recent days, whole herds of cattle and thousands of chickens had to be destroyed for having a disease. Everybody understands this. Without immediate action, thousands, maybe millions of people would be at risk. This is the situation with sin. It is a deadly disease. It has spread all over the world and there is no cure. The penalty of death must be carried out. This is a spiritual law as irrevocable and unchanging as the law of gravity. Jesus knew He was the only one who could save mankind. His perfect life qualified Him to take our place and pay our penalty. He then could be raised to life again, since Satan had no claim on Him. We should thank God every day, that Jesus was able to say, "Not my will but thine be done." As mentioned earlier, the cross is peculiarly suited to express the wrath of God upon each part of the body that was involved in sin and rebellion. It is a huge object lesson to the world that, sadly, is too little understood. You must keep in mind as you read on, that the punishment inflicted on Jesus was designed for sinners (you and me). It is a very graphic and terrible picture of the consequences of rebelling against God Notice that the feet are singled out for punishment. There was much concern in Bible days about having clean feet. Think of the King of the Universe stooping so low as to wash the disciples' feet. The feet were supposed to do good. Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful are the feet of him that brings good tidings." But then, Proverbs 1:16 says, "Their feet run to do evil." Romans 3:15 says, "Their feet are swift to shed blood." Isaiah 53:6 says, "We all have turned to walk in our own way." It was a fit punishment for feet to be nailed. The hands are such an indispensable part of the body, having the ability to do much good, not just for ourselves, but for others. They are used also in showing friendship and in the worship of God. Jesus touched people and they were healed. But, Micah 7:3 says, "They do evil with both hands earnestly." In John 19:3, they smote Jesus with their hands. Revelation 9:20 says, "They repented not of the work of their hands." It was fitting that the hands should be nailed. > Notice the case against the mind, once the most wonderful part of the body. But, the part that distinguishes us from animals became the part that made us worse than animals. It totally rejects God. "God is not in all their thoughts." (Ps. 10:4). "It is the enemy of God." (Rom. 8:7). In many verses, it is described as corrupt, blinded, reprobate and totally depraved. Every imagination of the thoughts of men is only evil, continually. (Gen. 6:5). What an indictment! Of course, our eyes and ears we have closed, lest we see and hear and understand God's call to us: It is well deserved that the head should be pierced with many thorns. The face is the visible expression of the heart. It is supposed to show the glory of God as did Moses coming down from the mountain. But, instead we read, "They have made their faces harder than a rock." (Jer. 5:3) They hid their faces from Him (Jesus). They spit in His face (Jesus). (Mt. 26:67). It is a well deserved punishment that the soldiers should spit in the face. (Is. 50:6). The beard is supposed to be a sign of maturity, but man, long ago, forfeited any claim to maturity. Jesus focused on it when he said, "You're just like children. John came neither eating or drinking and you said he was a devil. I came eating and drinking and you say I'm a drunkard." It was well deserved that the beard should be plucked out. (Is. 50:6). The back is a symbol of strength. A man is praised for having a backbone. In the beginning God made man upright. The upright are His delight. (Prov. 11:20) But man chose to turn away. (Eccles. 7:29) Micah 7:2 tells us, "There is not one upright among men." Psalm 44:25 says, "Our soul is bowed down to the dust." Isaiah 2:9 and 46:2 say, "They stoop, they bow down to idols." It was a righteous thing that the back should be scourged with many stripes. The heart keeps us alive physically and spiritually. Out of the heart are the issues of life: our emotions, conscience, affections and desires. "Guard your heart - set your affections on things above," says the Bible. But man rejected this advice and let the heart run wild and become vain, darkened, vile, proud, sensuous, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. It was fitting that a spear should be thrust through the heart. Isaiah 53 is called the Calvary of The Old Testament. Here we read of Jesus being wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, chastised for our peace and beaten for our healing. Is. 52:14 tells us that Jesus was marred (beaten) more than any man People who saw Him were appalled. But God looked upon the suffering of His Son and was satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11). How could God be satisfied? Because God's people, whom He loved, were saved from destruction. To use the vernacular, Jesus got us off the hook. He took what we deserved - paid our debt in full. Everyone who desires to be in God's family is now welcomed simply by receiving Jesus as Savior. "When you make His soul an offering for sin, He will see His children." (Isaiah 53:10) The human race was saved (all who respond to His offer). Friend, I responded to His offer. I'll be the first to admit that my feet went astray; they ran to do evil. My hands became fists more than once; they took things belonging to somebody else. My face leered at the goody-goodies. My heart ran wild for too many years. I let the "evil birds" build a nest in my mind. Even now, as a Christian, my backbone is more like a wet noodle. But, because of the cross, all that is behind me. I say with Paul, "I am crucified with Christ." (Gal. 2:20) The parts of my body that served Satan died on the cross. They have been resurrected to serve God. (Rom. 6:19) Now, here is the crucial point. If you accept God's offer but continue in sin, you're wasting your time. You're either a new creation or you're still in sin. (2 Cor. 5:17) If you still feel the pull of the world, you need to realize that the carnal mind is death. Only the mind controlled by the Spirit leads to eternal life. (Rom. 8:6) Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things. (2 Tim 2:7). * Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.

Something new

I recently discovered Godtube and there is some really neat stuff there. I came across the video i have posted below. It is an awesome piece that, when I watch it, moves me because it tells my story, in a way. To be honest with you, when I watch it, it makes this tough guy cry rivers of tears. The gratitude towards my Lord and savior overwhelms me.

The Body II

"God gave Jesus to be the head to the church, which is His body." (Ephesians 1:22-23) "We are to grow up into Him, which is the head, from whom the whole body fitly joined together, each part helping the other parts so that the whole body is healthy and growing in love." (Ephesians 4:16) The body is a huge object lesson. The body is under the control of the head. When the head says run, swim, wrestle, walk, or throw, etc., the parts obey. If any part doesn't function, it is considered paralyzed, and must be examined and given proper treatment. In some cases, limbs have to be amputated, so the rest of the body isn't affected. It's the same way with the Spiritual body. When a Christian doesn't hear the Lord's voice and doesn't obey, it's a very serious matter that must be taken care of, lest the rest of the body is affected. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 5, had to deal with this problem. One of the members got into serious sin. Paul used another object lesson to explain the situation. He said, "Don't you know a little leaven leavens the whole loaf?" In other words, the whole church will be affected. "Purge out the leaven - remove the wicked person so that you will stay healthy." Another example is found in Galatians 4:19, "My little children, of whom I trevail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you." Here it sounds like Paul isn't sure these people are part of the body yet. In verse 20, he says, "I stand in doubt of you." In verse 16 he says, "Obey the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do." In other words, to be a part of the functioning body of Christ, you must be yielded to the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep (my body) hear my voice - and they follow me (obey)." It's quite plain. You are either hearing His voice (reading the Bible) and obeying it, and are therefore, in the body, or you are not hearing His voice, (not reading the Bible) and not obeying, and are therefore, not in the body. If you are in the body of Christ,. Then you have a special job to do. "God has set the members, every one of them, in the body as it pleases Him." (1 Corinthians 12:18) Paul mentions the physical parts, such as eye, ear, hand feet, etc., each having their part to play. So in the Spiritual body, each member should know where they fit in. (1 Corinthians 12:15 & 17) Members should have the same care, one for another. "When one suffers, all the members suffer with it." (Verses 25 & 26) "All of us who are His body, are connected to Christ, the head, by His strong sinews and we grow as we get our nourishment and strength from God." (Colossians2:19)

The Body

Genesis 1:26 tells us God created us in His own image and likeness. Psalm 139:14 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It's important to see how God put many complex systems together that work in perfect harmony. Everybody needs to take a few minutes from time to time to think about this miraculous body and to show appreciation of God's handiwork. We will look at ten or eleven systems. The first is the skeleton. One of its purposes is to give us shape so that we're not like jelly fish. It also makes it possible for us to move. In addition, it provides vital protection to our organs, i.e., ribs and skull. There are over 200 bones, like the framework of a house, in all shapes and sizes, but every one is precision fit. I used to be in building and know how difficult it is to get a precise fit. The skeleton is also the factory where bone marrow makes blood cells. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Have you ever said, "Thank you God for bones?" The second system is the muscles, which are like cables on a crane. The two purposes are to actually move the frame, as well as fill it out for appearance sake. Muscles are made of long, thin fibers that can stretch out or bunch up. When they bunch up, as in your biceps, your arm moves. Body builders know that the more you use your muscles, the stronger they get, which is very important for people who do hard physical work. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. How many say 'Thank you God for muscles?" Third is the Digestive system. We have a skeleton and muscles to move the body, but without energy, we're not going anywhere. So, the purpose of the digestive system is to provide energy. The food we eat begins to digest as soon as we chew it. Then it goes to the stomach where a chemical process takes place, using enzymes and acids, etc., to break up the food into tiny molecules that can be absorbed into the cells. The molecules are like tiny logs, which burn slowly (not with a flame - ho! ho!), giving off heat and energy. Can you say, 'Thank God for the digestive system?" and especially for the delicious food that we must eat to keep it going. Fourth is the respiratory system. The little molecules of fuel cannot bum without oxygen, so we have a pair of lungs and a windpipe which enable us to breathe in the air. The lungs are like millions of micro balloons, which expand and contract, holding on to the oxygen and letting the carbon dioxide escape. Did you thank God today for lungs? The fifth system makes everything work. It's called the circulatory system. A big, all-muscle pump called the heart, moves the blood throughout the body. It pumps it at the rate of about sixty times a minute. The blood flows through arteries, which are like one way major highways, getting smaller and smaller until they become microscopic and are called capillaries. The blood then returns through the veins to the heart, where it is pumped out again. Every blood cell is like a truck that goes to the lungs for oxygen, to the small intestine for fuel, and then off to all the cells of the body. Not only does it drop off the fuel and oxygen, but it picks up the waste gas and expels it through the lungs. The Bible says the life of the flesh is in the blood. It is easy to see why. Any cell that isn't taken care of dies. This is why we have heart attacks and strokes. Let's all say hooray for the blood. Incidentally, what a spiritual lesson this is on the blood of Jesus! Sixth is the immune system which is to control and check disease. Since the blood goes everywhere, God put defenders, the white cells, in the blood, where they are able to protect the whole body. Thank the Lord for such protection. Seventh is the glandular system, which is the special effects department to control growth or energy output, or prepare you for an emergency. Thank God for glands. Eighth is the communication or nervous system. It is like the bridge of a ship, or the board room of a company, which controls everything. Even a pinch on the little toe is recorded and an adjustment is ordered. Information that would fill a library is stored in the brain, ready to be retrieved at a moment's notice, try to imagine the chaos we would have if all communication systems in the world were to shut down. Paralysis would set in immediately. Thank God for our central nervous system. Ninth is our sensory system. God gave us five senses so that we'd be aware of our surroundings. They are sight (eyes), sound (ears), taste (taste buds), smell (nose), and feel (touch cells). It is only in the last few years that motion sensors, etc., have been invented. God was way ahead of us. Where would we be without them! Thank God for each one. The last system for this article is the reproductive system. God really made us in His image and likeness when He gave us reproduction powers. This is so fantastic and miraculous that the mind can't absorb it. But - (a big but), seen too often, familiar with the story, first we joke about it, then we endure it. Then we debauch it. God have mercy on us. These facts about our body should overwhelm us and, of course, this article is just a drop in the bucket. David expressed his wonder and amazement in Psalm 139:13. Everyone should express their wonder, if not verbally, then in writing, and include thanks and praise to God. Now that you are suitably impressed with the wonders of the body, I hasten to remind you that our bodies, sadly, are going back to dust. They are only a tent to house the soul. The soul, the real you, is what is really important and the only part that will last forever. So, you ask, what is the purpose of the body? The body is a temporary arrangement to house your soul and see if you are willing to allow God to dwell in you. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" (I Corinthians 6:19) God's purpose is staled in Genesis 1:26. "Let us make man in our image and likeness." The only way this can be done is for His Spirit to dwell in us. The problem is, He won't dwell in anybody unless He's invited. "He stands at the door and knocks." (Revelation 3:20) II is up to us to invite Him in. If we do, we will be part of the glorious Kingdom of God that is soon to be established on earth. The Lord's prayer will be answered, 'Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth is it is in heaven."

Credentials

One of the strangest telephone conversations I ever had was with a preacher. I had heard a fantastic testimony by a man who, against all odds, had come to know the Lord. I thought he should be telling this everywhere. So I did what I could, calling pastors I knew. But then I made a mistake. I called a pastor I didn't know, although I knew the church, and knew they would be glad to hear a good testimony. The pastor killed that idea, you might say, with gusto. Before I could explain anything, he asked, "What are his credentials?" When I tried to explain a little more, he butted in and asked, '"What are your credentials?" I could tell he had a fixation on that word, so I gave up. I had to wonder after that. Did this credentialed preacher ever hear of Jesus, the nobody, the outsider, the non-credentialed man? Did he realize he was acting just like the Pharisees? Why was he so afraid of a testimony? He could have talked to the man two or three minutes and discerned his spirit. Some will say it's his job to protect his flock. Whoa! Whose flock? He should have been familiar with Nicodemus' words, "Does our law judge any man before it hears him and knows what he's doing?" (John 7:51) In the verses preceding this, the Pharisees sent police to arrest Jesus. They came back without Him and the Pharisees were enraged saying, "Why didn't you arrest him?" The officers answered, "Never man spake like this man." Then the Pharisees showed their true allegiance. "Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed on him?" There it is. Their inner circle, their credentialed ones, were the only ones that could call the shots. Not even God could get a word in with this crowd. Look what the Pharisees said in John 11:48, This man, (Jesus) does many miracles. What should we do? If we leave him alone, all men will believe in Him, and we'll lose our place (position, prestige, salary). From that time on, they plotted His death." Remember these were the credentialed men!! I think I can say without hesitation that God hates credentials. Man puts a lot of store in preachers being ordained, but it's by them — a direct contradiction of the words of Jesus. John 15:16 says, "I have ordained you." Of course, the denominations, etc., claim they are acting in His place, but they have a pretty dismal track record. Who is it that tries and often succeeds in killing the church? It is the credentialed crowd. They don't listen for God's voice. They listen to each other. They don't mind dividing God's people into an "in" crowd and an "out" crowd. This is another direct contradiction of scripture. "Ye are a royal priesthood." (1 Peter 2:9) This is spoken to all God's people. In Acts 2, we read that all were filled with the Holy Spirit, which was a fulfillment of Joel 2:28 that "all flesh shall prophecy (preach)." There was no special class, wearing special clothes, taking special titles (Reverend, Senior Pastor!). Splitting people like that has effectively shut the mouths of everybody but the special ones. Try to talk to someone about the Lord and they'll say, '"What are you, some kind of a preacher?" So, people clam up and say nothing. The clincher in this discussion is the great Apostle Paul. He wasn't credentialed. After the Lord appeared to him, he "Conferred not with flesh and blood, neither went to Jerusalem —. After three years, I saw Peter —. After 14 years, I went to Jerusalem —. Those who seemed to be somewhat (leaders) added nothing to me." (Galatians 1:16- 2:6) This should convince anybody that Paul had no use for credentials. I'd say, Lord, help us to get rid of them, but it won't happen until He comes back and sets up His Kingdom. Let's pray that He will come soon!