Jesus can remove alienation from God

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Life is full of changes for most people – some pleasant, while others are not. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, it’s important to reflect on our lives before and after we received Him.

In Colossians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul provides an impressive summary of who Jesus Christ is in verses 15-20. Following that, in verses 21-23, Paul highlights the greatest change in our lives: our reconciliation with God through Jesus. Paul writes, Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel… (Colossians 1:21-23a).

Paul states the greatest change brought about through the gospel of Jesus, and he explains it from God’s perspective. God understood that we were not simply separated from Him, we were alienated from God, thinking of ourselves as autonomous from Him. For the most part, this played out in our minds through self-centered thinking that we thought entitled us to behave in ways that God says is evil. The chasm between us and God was enormous, even unbreachable, and we were happy with that, not caring that we were powerless to change it.

However, the God we were comfortable ignoring and denying, was not satisfied with the status quo. So, He acted, sending His Son Jesus to create a way for us to become united with Him. It was not Jesus’ good living, nor was it His miracles and charitable acts that achieved this. No, it was Jesus’ death on the cross. Paul helps us understand God’s perspective and purpose in sending His only Son to be crucified. He explains that it was to present YOU holy in His (God’s) sight, without blemish and free from accusation before God.

Jesus’ physical crucifixion was the necessary coming together of mankind’s ultimate rejection of God, and God’s ultimate judgement of mankind’s sin against Him. As Peter states, Jesus personally carried our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24a) as our substitute. In fact, God unleased the entirety of His wrath for all of our sins upon Jesus, concluding with Jesus’ death. But then Jesus was resurrected on the third day. He’s alive, He’s conquered death, and He’s victorious over the death penalty against our sin.

Now, you and I are called to trustingly believe that God and Jesus did all that for us! If we believe that we have been united with Jesus in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with Jesus in a resurrection like his (Romans 6:5). In response to our belief in Jesus’ taking God’s wrath for our sin, and Jesus resurrection, we are gifted by God with forgiveness, cleansing, and new spiritual life. Plus, we receive God’s promise of a new resurrected body when Jesus returns for His church, should our bodies die before that great event (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

This is Paul’s point in Colossians, God has reconciled you. Jesus has already done everything to make it possible for us to be reconciled, joined with God, both now and forever. Through trusting belief in Jesus as our substitute on the cross, we enter fulfilment of God’s purpose which is to present YOU holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. God transfers us from being alienated to being an adopted child, a true friend, gifted with His acceptance of us. This is the ultimate gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ!

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James the Wise

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

While the New Testament speaks of two men by the name of James, I want to briefly consider James the son of Mary and Joseph, and half-brother to Jesus (Matthew 13:55). Throughout James’ early life, he was not a believer in Jesus being the Christ, the Son of God (John 7:5). However, all that changed when resurrected Jesus appeared alive to James and the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:14). Confronted by his living brother, who days earlier was confirmed dead through brutal  crucifixion, James abandoned personal ideology and believed in living Jesus.

James lived his Christian life from Jerusalem, where he served as a leader in the church, an apostle, and probably chairman of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:13, 19; Galatians 1:19; 2:9). Of particular interest, is that James wrote the New Testament letter called “James,” where he humbly identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1). If anyone had claim to special treatment from God, you would think it would have been James, but No! Selfless humility was the identifying mark of his faith.

While the letter from James deals with many practical subjects and truths, the overarching theme is that Christians give evidence of authenticity through the outworking of faith. Transformed from being a skeptic, James became one of the church’s strongmen, continuously promoting and exemplifying  legitimacy of belief in Jesus as Lord, through right and wise Christian living. Simply believing a truth was of no value if it did not impact behaviour and attitudes. James 1:22 reads, be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Today, as it was 2000 years ago, Genuine faith in God is seen and experienced by others through the Christian’s living. Which is why James pointedly asks in chapter 3:13, Who is wise and understanding among you? While the world would attempt to answer the question by justifying thinking that puts a person at the centre of their own universe, and as god of their own lives, James says No! Instead of popular worldly persuasion away from God, James calls his readers back to God. Unafraid of skeptical challengers, James declares; the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

This refreshing explanation of God-centred understanding, stood in distinct contrast to the world’s idea of wisdom which he detailed in verses 14-16. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts… This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James knew the harsh realities of life, yet he was not seduced by its wrong thinking of God and unrighteous behaviour.

While some prefer to give up, giving into worldly ideology, James reminds us that God gives more grace. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:6-8). With self, Satan, and worldly ideals pushed aside, there is room for God to be God. The God James speaks of, is the heavenly Father of Jesus Christ. He is a good God! A God of higher purposes and reasoning. A God who offers forgiveness, cleansing, eternal life, belonging, and direction. However, these qualities are only experienced by those who humble themselves under His care through Jesus Christ. May this wise humility be true in each of our lives today, for His glory and our blessing.

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Barnabas the Encourager

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

In Acts 4:36 we are introduced to another biblical Joseph. However, the apostles called this man Barnabas, which means son of encouragement, or son of exhortation. We don’t know how this Jewish Levite came to faith in Jesus, but we do see repeatedly that he lived up to his name as an encourager.

The first generous act we read of Barnabas is in Acts 4:37, where he sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. This selfless act of surrendering money that was rightfully his, to the Lord’s work was and remains, a sizable act of generosity.

Next, we read of Barnabas in Acts 9:27, where he searched out and advocated for the new Christian named Saul. Barnabas took him (Saul) and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. He was the sort of friend we all need, and we should all aspire to be like.

Barnabas cared nothing of Saul’s past life or bad reputation. Rather, he was so convinced of the transforming work of Jesus Christ within Saul, that he assisted him. Undeterred by inconvenience, personal cost, and possible criticism, Barnabas took Saul and introduced him to the apostles. He knew the apostles were able to discern the best path forward for Saul, just as they had done for him.

With a record of being a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24), a few years later the apostles sent Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch to evaluate the Lord’s work amongst the growing Greek church. Upon arrival, he saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose (Acts 11:23). Content with this, Acts 11:25-26 tells us that Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Barnabas, who was observant and forward-thinking, played a critical role in relocating Saul, soon to be called Paul. Moving to Antioch, Paul, assisted by Barnabas, served within the young church as a teacher of Christ for the next year. In many practical ways, Barnabas discipled Paul, while theologically, Paul discipled Barnabas. What a great team they made!

In fact, Barnabas, along with John Mark, travelled with Paul on their first missionary journey. In spite of a disagreement which later caused John Mark to drop out of the mission, Barnabas remained faithful (Acts 13:13). Serving with Paul, they saw many come to faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile (Acts 13:42-52).

We read of only two disagreeable times in the life of Barnabas. The first happened sometime later, Barnabas was caught in Peter’s short lived hypocrisy of segregating from Gentiles at dinner time (Galatians 2:13-14). And it was Paul who corrected Peter, and by extension Barnabas, on this matter of racial segregation. The second was a disagreement over including John Mark in their second missionary journey, which caused Barnabas and Paul to go their separate ways, with Barnabas continuing to disciple John Mark (Acts 15:36-41).

But, in the grace of God, it appears that Paul was later reconciled to John Mark, and we hope to Barnabas also (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). May we also be known for our encouragement of others, and for faithfulness in giving of self for the betterment of others in Christ.

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Grace in unforgotten fellowship with God

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

In Psalm 89, Ethan writes from the raw thoughts of his heart during what must have been agonising personal and national circumstances. From our modern way of thinking, Ethan has a peculiar order of writing in this Psalm. He begins by declaring his commitment to speak well of God, to declare God’s good character, and His promises for Israel. Then Ethan asks God in verse 46, How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? Ethan lived in our earthbound reality, and it was not pleasant.

From his earthly perspective, he then asks Godto remember how short my time is (Psalm 89:47). Isn’t this the truth of it! As Christians, we are also aware of the shortness of our lives, of the limitations that constrain us, and the inner struggles that result. It is this awareness that can lead us to feel that God has hidden Himself and is ignoring us. But in heavenly reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Therefore, we need to speak to our hearts, reminding ourselves of God’s perspective, God’s reality.

When we placed our faith in Jesus Christ, God the Spirit adopted us, entering us into fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 8:15; 1 John 1:3-4). In our new adopted family, Jesus Christ operates as our highest ranking Priest in heaven. His ministry, which serves on our behalf, is both unseen and unheard by us, yet is very real and effective. We read of this clearly in Hebrews 4:14-16. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Like Ethan, setting our belief in God, and ordering our priorities correctly in our minds, helps direct our hearts to trust God, and to accept His presence within the circumstances of life when all seems dark.

Now, acceptance is by no means passive or idol. Rather, acceptance actively thinks through, and prayerfully surrenders to the heavenly realities spoken of in Hebrews 4:14-16 in the context of our lives. Christ is presently your heavenly High Priest and Advocate. We believe this because God’s Word says so, and we choose to hold fast to this confession of faith in Christ. We acknowledge that Christ is sinlessly sympathetic to our circumstances, our weaknesses, our failings, our inabilities, and our frequent wrong responses to life and temptation. Therefore, we tell ourselves that Christ is worthy of our confidence in Him, regardless of what others, or our emotions may say. Through this, we look to Christ to flesh out in our lives His grace, especially in our times of greatest need.

As always, throughout this unnatural walk of faith, we should continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2). Talk with the Lord with a grateful attitude, explain your struggles, including if you don’t understand how He’s responding to you. Talk to the Lord of your life from His perspective. Just as God said to Israel, I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:15-16). So it is in Christ, God has not forgotten you or me. Belief it, trust Him, and live in the acceptance of these truths.

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The best in fellowship

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Faithful friendships are a wonderful part of life, but even great friendships fall short of the blessedness of quality fellowship. Friendships often carry the vulnerabilities of human selfishness and desires, whereas Spirit filled fellowship exists within a relationship motivated by other mindedness.

While friendships are common, the sweetness of fellowship is less familiar to many of us. Worldly thinking attempts to mimic fellowship through friendships, but inevitably they damage and divide due to the fleshly desires of one or both parties. That’s because earthly minded friendships love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God (John 12:43). At some point friendships are typically willing to put self first, then live with the cost of me-centric attitudes.

The potential for fellowship amongst believers grows from recognising that God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9). It is this intertwining of souls within Christ that creates oneness that survives the rigors of life by removal of selfish desires in preference of imitating God’s faithfulness in the relationship (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:1).

The apostle John wrote of this in 1 John 1:3-4, …you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. Fellowship is built upon, and grows from the beautifully bonded relationship between God the Father and Son, then implemented within believers by the Holy Spirit. It is this “koinōnia partnership” that produces earthly togetherness and joy within Christ. Here, self has no authority and is easily forgotten in preference of Christ within the other.

Although Paul does not use either the words “fellowship or love,” in Romans 1:11-12, he does write of the specific qualities of both. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. This single sentence expresses the heartbeat of authentic Christlike love that manifests best through fellowship. It longs to be in the presence of the other person, but not for selfish reasons only. No, this desire wishes to give, to take something of self, and of Christ, for the purpose of giving to the other party for their strengthening. And in doing so, both parties will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

You see, it is in the giving of fellowship that faith is strengthened. Taking depletes the relationship, whereas giving builds up. This is the personal yet united sweetness of fellowship. When both parties possess and exercise this Christlike attitude in action, both parties benefit, and often in far greater measure than ever imagined.

God is a giver by nature, and this is seen no clearer than when He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all… (Romans 8:32). When believers in Jesus Christ embrace God’s generous and selfless nature, they will also become generous and selfless in fellowship. This shared giving among Christians transforms ordinary friendships into deep and fulfilling fellowship relationships which more accurately display God’s nature (John 13:34). By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35), and Christlike love must be experienced through fellowship in order to be seen as real. May the grace of God grow us in the best that fellowship offers, for His glory and our blessing.

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