Who is the 'Serpent in Genesis 3?

Critics of the Bible enjoy ridiculing the book of Genesis. Zeroing in on the explanation of why there is suffering, sickness and social unrest, they try and dismiss the Bible’s message, history and prophesy. The ‘Serpent’ of Genesis three is a case in point. The image invoked is either of a talking dinosaur or slimy snake. The word used is ‘nahash’ and means shinning, upright creature. Why early translators called this as yet unrevealed creature ‘the serpent’ must have been determined by the curse imposed. That is, crawling on its stomach, therefore a snake.

Language has many ways of using words. From the literal to allegorical, from fact to fiction, parable to synonyms and so many other ways. This is compounded when translating from one language into another, especially ancient texts. In understanding the Bible, the same difficulties arise. Whilst I understand the Bible from an historical and literal framework it doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the poetical, symbolic or other descriptive terms. ‘A figure of speech is never used, except for the purpose of calling attention to, emphasising and intensifying, the reality of the literal sense, and the truth of the historical facts.’ (Bullinger in ‘The Common Bible’)

Therefore, in grasping the full meaning of the ‘Serpent, the tree and Eve’ we need to read it with the whole of Scriptures open. Like any good mystery story, the true identity of the evil genius is often not known until much later. In fact, you meet him many times within the Bible’s pages under different names. It is in the final book, Revelation, the Serpent is unmasked, he is the dragon, the old serpent, the devil and Satan, (Revelation 12). Another term is Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1) I have a blogspot about him and the Worm (9/16/2018). The apostle Paul refers to him and his angels as having the power to make themselves appear as ‘angels of light, (2 Corinthians 11:14).

 Genesis 3 paves the foundation for appreciating the mystery of evil and the spiritual force using mankind to oppose the Creator. He is called ‘the God of this world’ I John 5:19. His ambition is to usurp that which the Lord reserved for Himself, i.e. Mount Zion (Psalm 48.) and destroy the nation of the Messiah. The Serpent has endeavoured to do this through various nations such as Ancient Egypt, Babylon Nazi Germany and the current Arab countries of the Middle East. All have or will fail. You gain an insight into his unseen presence in the account of Ezekiel 28.

The Serpent in any of his disguises is unmasked as a deceiver, hater, destroyer, murderer, one who twists the Word of God. The Bible tells us that his hold over us has been broken at the cross. Colossians 2:11-15 says Jesus paid the price and cancelled the charges against us. We cannot be blackmailed over sins confessed, removed and buried. Revelation 20 outlines the ultimate destruction of the serpent and his kingdoms.

Take Genesis seriously, literal and relevant and you will find your faith is stronger, your understanding of the cross and salvation exciting, your love of Jesus deeper, your gratitude to The Father growing and the commitment to being the temple of the Holy Spirit more willing.

©Ray Hawkins 

The  Majestic Mystery of Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

Isaiah records some wonderful and precious teaching and insights surrounding the Messiah. We have been given a brief and simple study of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant. To me, this passage has captivated me with its majestic concept of the Suffering Servant. It has also made me aware of a mystery of grace which will never be plumbed or exhausted in the telling.

By placing the description of the affliction suffered by the person in Isaiah 53 with Roman torture (Matthew 27.) we have an insight to the suffering endured. What astounds me is the statement that He opened not His mouth. Why did the soldiers inflict such brutality before crucifying Him? I think this arose from various factors. They would have been feeling embarrassed by retreating and falling before Him in Gethsemane. There could possibly a sense of Jesus being innocent of the charges and to cover this they smashed Him the more. Being soldiers they had their orders which they must carry out.

They did their work thoroughly and professionally. I tend to think Satan was there exciting them and stirring their blood lust. Another reason could be that He had to pay the full price of sin covering all time and the worst of sinners. Isaiah 53:14 says His visage was marred more than any man. On the cross, when the sin of the world was on Him, Jesus became the vilest of the vile. This was too much for the Father. He turned His eyes away and cast darkness over the scene. What this means is that no one is beyond the power of forgiveness obtained by the substitutionary death of Christ. Remember Paul’s words. He was the worst of sinners, but not beyond the reach of grace.

When Jesus became the fulfilment of Isaiah 53 He incorporated ever so much more than paying the redemption price of your salvation. To limit the sacrifice of the suffering Servant to our personal redemption is to rob Him of His glory and power. 

1.      As Creator he redeemed creation from its bondage. Romans 8:20

2.     As the Son of God, He stood in the death sentence imposed on Israel, also called the Son.

3.     As the husband of Israel Jesus paid the penalty for her spiritual adultery.

4.     As the land owner of Israel, the country, His death cleansed it from iniquity.

5.     As the Servant He redeemed those He served, the nation of Israel.

6.     As the 2^nd Adam He ransomed the 1^st Adam and his progeny.

7.     As Eternal Life, He clothed Himself in mortality to destroy Death.

8.     As the Commander of Israel’s Army He paid for their insubordination.

All of this is verified by His resurrection from the tomb.  We endorse it by faith and allegiance. One day it will be proclaimed by sight when He, the risen Lord, returns in glory to rule. This underscores why He hasn't cast off the Nation ofIsrael. Yes, it s sidelined for the present, but in the day of His choosing, they will be re-instated.  

There can be no mystery to the reason we declare Jesus to be King of kings, Lord of lords, with a Name above very name in heaven, on earth or under the earth. What a privilege will be ours when we see Him and worship Him to the honour and glory of the Father! That's the culmination of  the magnificent mystery of the Messiah in Isaiah 53.

God: getting to know Him

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4.

Chance has no capacity for introducing itself. On the other hand the Lord God of the Bible reveals Himself, what He has done, and how. This is the exciting discovery you make from the opening verse of Genesis. In our English translation of the names for God we have been robbed of their meaning and the significance of when and why used. This is a shame.

‘God’ in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim. This is the plural form of El, God. Straight away we are introduced to another mystery embracing God. For whenever the term is used it is with a verb in the singular. So? So!  We are confronted with an understanding of the Eternal God which stretches our heart and mind without fully comprehending its significance! Genesis 1:26: ‘Then God said, “Let us make man I. our image, in our likeness…”’ (Emphasis added). In Isaiah 6 a similar thing takes place. “Then I (Isaiah) heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”’ Other verses could be searched out. However the most defining one is from Jesus in Matthew 28:19: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Emphasis added.)

Deuteronomy 6:4 is termed by the Jewish people, ‘the Shema.’ It comes from the word, ‘hear!’ In this declaration are two names for God. There is ‘Elohim’ referring to His work in creation and there is ‘Jehovah (also translated Yahweh). We will consider Jehovah’s name later. It is His personal name. We could quite correctly translate the verse, “The Jehovah, our Elohim, the Jehovah is one.’ The mystery of the Godhead will never be explained. Christians do not worship three gods but one. Part of the reason for the coming of our Lord and Saviour to earth was so that we might focus on Him and His work. When we do that we honour the Father and the Spirit. He is Heaven's focal point, majoring in His work on the cross and his resurrection. Claiming Jesus as  our Saviour and  brings us into a wonderful yet hard to define relationship. The Eternal God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. abides within. 1 John 2:23b.3:24. This is why the apostle Paul defines Christians as being the ‘temple of God'

When we try to understand what God looks like we are often befuddled by artistic impressions from caricatures to master painters. I think this is one reason why Jesus never allowed any likeness of Himself to be created. In John 4:24 Jesus tells us that God is Spirit. John 10:30: ‘I and the Father are one.’ This is not referring to purpose but to essence. Again the description of Genesis 1:1 comes to the fore. The apostle Philip couldn’t get his mind around the saying of Jesus in John 14:6: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me.’ Philip said, show us the Father. Jesus reply? You see me and you have an understanding of the Father. This cannot be a physical likeness. Rather it pushed Philip and so too us, to understand God in the character and actions of the One with the title, ‘Emmanuel,’ God with us.

 

The significance of the number '3' arises from its use throughout the Bible in unique but expressive expressions of God. Check it out through the following scriptures: Isaiah 6:3. Numbers 6:24-26 Daniel 9:19. Matthew 28:19 [and others]..

God is the greatest of mysteries. But He wants to make Himself known to us. This is the purpose of the Bible.  He is indescribable, yet He is 'touchable'  because of Christmas, the gospel accounts, the cross and resurrection and by your conviction born of research and faith, He is Lord and Saviour. 

 

 

 

 

 

This I know...

It is time for me to finish my blog postings. I have appreciated the opportunity of sharing my heart, mind and faith with you these past few years. But with the unknown length of time I have ahead of me (I’m not sick, just ageing) I want to pursue some other things.

This, my final sharing with you will be done in two parts. I am using a verse from Paul’s letter to Timothy as the basis of the blog. What Paul wrote expresses my heartfelt gratitude to Jesus Christ and my confidence in Him. The verse is… I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12.)

I know: There was a time when I didn’t know Jesus in a personal way. I knew about Him. I was impressed by the stories written but Jesus was a stranger, aloof and distant. That changed one day on the footpath outside the Rockdale church of Christ (New South Wales, Australia). It was after the Sunday church service and I knew in my inner being the Lord was dealing with me.

He wanted to know me. This meant I had to know Him! It was a relationship founded upon His invitation and my faith response.  That was sixty years ago.

In whom: Could I have been imagining what I heard within? That was possible but as they say ‘the proof is in the eating.’ The reality of that moment has been proven countless times, and tested more times than I care to remember. Jesus invited me to know Him, not merely to hear about Him or see Him as a noble stranger, but to know Him. This meant He must be my Saviour, Lord, Master, and friend. How was I to grow this relationship? Through knowing His word, being involved in worship of and fellowship with Him. That means sharing with His people. Something strange began to take shape. A new ‘me’ emerged. Hypocrisy slid away. Ignorance was replaced by His word. Faith grew as it confronted the doubts and insinuations which developed.

I have believed. Some will wonder how I, or anyone, can have a personal relationship with Christ. For He is unseen and dwells in the spiritual realm. That is similar to saying a blind person cannot enjoy the warmth of the sun or the freshness of the wind. At first it is hard to define but once experienced, built upon, tested and even neglected for a period (which has its own sense of sorrow), you know the relationship is real.

What do I believe about Jesus?
 Time and space are too limited for an adequate reply. Suffice to write that across sixty years and a church based ministry spanning over fifty years I have found Him faithful. Jesus is faithful to His Word. He is faithful to His name and titles. He is faithful to His personal promises to people such as you and I. Jesus promised never to leave or forsake those who trust in Him. But, what is His reaction to the times I have smeared my calling, broken His trust, played on the edge of the darkness, grieved His Spirit or doubted His

grace? Discipline falls, but not divorce. Pruning is applied, not removal from His presence. Silence falls, but not separation. His intentions are to bring me to repentance, to an awareness of my stupidity that generates a heartfelt cry for His mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. The unseen scars on my soul are evidences before the angels, the demons and my conscience, Jesus is my Lord, Saviour and healer! He is faithful and His power liberating.

And am persuaded: Certain memorials were erected by Israel as a testimony to some act of God on His people’s behalf. They expressed the nation or the individual’s intention of wanting to honour the Lord. What observers thought of those cairns is not the issue. I have certain unshakeable events in my life which makes me bow in adoration and gratitude before Him.

Without explanation I list: being accepted into Bible College; meeting my future wife,

Mary. Having the Lord confirm to us separately and indelibly His will to marry. Guiding and providing for us in our self-supporting church planting ventures. Mission trips to Africa. Purchase of a house. The gift of writing books.

Atheists may laugh, philosophers may scratch their heads and readers may put it down to luck. But ‘I know!’

That He is able: After walking with Him hand in hand with Mary we have emerged with a confidence in our Lord’s strength. That word ‘able’ is the word for power, ‘dunamis’. This power is evident in the Gospel for it lifts a person out of eternal death into eternal life. The cross displays Christ’s power to anyone who believes in the crucified and risen Lord. It is His power (1 Peter1:5) which alone can keep us safe and secure. We are unable to save ourselves, nor keep ourselves saved. Christ alone has that ‘dunamis’. He alone is our boast. 

To be concluded next week

©Ray Hawkins February 18^th 2018.

 

Scandals in the Bible.

Scandals fill our news network constantly. Disgrace and shame follow in their discovery. Reputations suffer and the family name is sullied. There isn’t any honour in being associated with scandals ‒ or is there?

The Greek word ‘skandalon’ which gives us our English ‘scandal’ actually means ‘stumbling block.’ The New Testament uses it to tell the effect the Bible story has in the minds of society when it thinks of Christians. The following brief scandals of faith which cause the non‒ Christian world to stumble Christ’s followers wear with honour. Sure, the cost is high and reputations, ambition and income suffer. However, disciples weigh that in the light of the cross and eternal truth and count the price as nothing.

The scandals begin from the very first words of the Bible, ‘In the beginning, God created … ‘ and it was done in six days. This offends evolutionists with their billions of years and they throw verbal ‘stones’ and unsubstantiated theories to smear Creationists, who often have superior scientific degrees.

This is followed by the opposition to the Biblical basis for marriage in Genesis 2. This has been discussed on previous blogs. Opponents to marriage as being between a man and a woman stumble and crash in disarray on this foundation for the most intimate of relationships.

Staying in Genesis is another frustrating rock of offense that won’t go away. The verifiable and worldwide flood of Noah and the Ark fame. Fossils from all around the world and from the depths to the mountain heights tell of this cataclysmic event. Once again it undermines their uncountable years of death and decay as a series of gradual events. Believers in the Biblical account are vilified and often overlooked in their professions.

Perhaps the greatest and most offensive sense of offense centres upon the One who is the reason for the Bible, the Judeo‒Christian faith, Jesus the Christ. It isn’t about His Sermon on the Mount, or His good deeds. No! It is because of who He is, why He came, what He did and promise.

Jesus claims to be the One promised in the 39 books of the Old Testament. He is the descendant of King David. He is the Son of Man, the Messiah promised. He is the Son of God, Emmanuel through the virgin birth. Pointers from the Old Testament are verified in the Gospel accounts as taking place in this Man of Galilee. That’s too much for some to handle.

Most offensive however is the Calvary event. The cross arouses such anger, disgust or denial that people have rampaged to silence or destroy those who believe the crucifixion. The cross says that no one is good enough for God. It says there is no other way to be acceptable to the Holy Creator. The cross vindicates the words of Jesus and cancels out the blasphemy charges against Him. For the resurrection declares Him righteous and He is able redeem all those who put their trust in Him.

For Israel the cross is a stumbling block and for Gentiles it is foolishness. For believers the

cross is the Almighty’s wisdom which discredits Human efforts to deal with sin. It is also the power of God by which He transforms the spiritually dead into new life. By Christ’s risen life He can take a person out of the spiritual realm of Darkness and into Christ’s kingdom of light. In accepting the crucified and risen Lord guarantees forgiveness, cleansing and reconciliation with God. Jesus is an offense because He offends our pride, our goodness and our deeds as not able to impress the Heavenly Father.

The final scandal of the Christian Faith is Christ’s insistence that He will return to complete His mission. His first coming was for our salvation. His second coming will be to reign and to judge which scares those who live without Him. Is it any wonder that those who are offended, scandalized by and stumble at the Gospel try and reduce it to myth, carve up its historical integrity or penalise the disciple.

The Bible is a scandalous book which transforms the believer into being a citizen of Heaven. It is a scandal which can never be silenced. It is a scandal over which unbelief causes people to stumble, yet it is a rock on which believers rise to greater heights. As Romans 9:33 says: ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’

IsJesus a moron?

The season of the Chocolate Bunny draws near. It is on a takeover endeavour to supplant the Christian celebration we call Easter, in reality ‘The Passover.’ Strange how the human heart thinks it is wise and yet promotes a rabbit to satisfy the heart. But the story of Passover/Easter confronts the rabbit with a story that challenges and arouses either animosity or devotion.

‘The logos of the cross is foolishness to…’ is Marshall’s translation of 1 Corinthians 1:18. Logos is the Greek for ‘word’ and Paul uses it in a two edged way. For logos is a term to describe Jesus in John 1:1. The word for foolishness stems from the Greek meaning ‘moron.’

When you link those two words together you could quite rightly say that some people see Jesus as a moron. That is, He is a fool for going to the cross. The piece of wood which lifted Him up and took His life is the reason for many a person’s estimation of Him. It is easy to admire Jesus for His teaching. There would be agreement as to His worthy actions in healing and feeding people, but the cross! Now that is an entirely different matter.

As you read further into the Corinthian chapter you get an understanding for their reasoning. To the non-Jewish mind, influenced by Greek philosophy, the highest ideal was to obtain wisdom. We still celebrate such men as Socrates, Seneca and Epicetus today. I find it interesting that in the Roman world influenced by Greek philosophy they pursued the mental and debased the moral. Their treatment of slaves, the poor and their acceptance of sexual relationships outside of marriage reveal the limits of wisdom. This is also seen in their views of the gods on Mount Olympus. Romans 1:18-32 is an interesting insight into a Jewish Christian’s view of their society.

Why do people still consider Jesus a moron for being crucified? Why is the preaching and sharing of the story of the cross so offensive? Why does it stir up so much hostility? Is it due to the fact that it offends our view of our own personal worth and right to heaven? Especially when those who are low on the social order are treated the same as those from the more noble, the more sophisticated, the more successful!

Perhaps, just perhaps, this reveals the wisdom of God. How?

God in His wisdom by-passed Humanity’s wisdom as the means of securing salvation. Imagine the philosophical arguments as to which philosophy was the most important and worthy of being the ‘gate’ to glory. How few of us would have passed the entrance exam, especially as any philosophy is subject to change, alteration and challenge. If it was by human wisdom people entered heaven, think about how loud the founders would boast before God. Such thing cannot and will not happen. When those who believe in and accept the foolishness of the cross enter His presence it will be with the gratitude of worship and praise. They know their unworthiness and the Lord Jesus’ amazing grace.

The Logos of the cross requires faith, not wisdom. Why? Because faith is possible for the wisest to the most ignorant person to exercise. Faith stems from hearing the message, assessing its truth, realising personal need for forgiveness and mercy, accepting Christ’s offer of grace and surrendering to His Lordship. Then, a most amazing reality takes hold. Christ Jesus takes you out of sin’s dominance into righteousness. The believer is removed from the kingdom of Darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light! The person is no longer a slum of self-righteousness or depravity but the temple of the risen Lord. No amount of human wisdom can ever achieve such a transformation!

How glad I am for the Logos of the cross and our Heavenly Father’s foolishness! Are you?

Next week: The Weakness of God.

©Ray Hawkins April 9^th 2017.

Where the Shepherd lives

 Psalm 23 is a sheep’s travel diary. He is being lead through green pastures and by still

waters. Along a right path he walks even though it goes through a foreboding valley. What is the ‘sheep’s’ expectation? To settle down with the Shepherd. How long was the journey likely to be? Unstated.

When we read the word dwell it is so easy to imagine it as meaning what Jesus said about ‘mansions’ in John 14. The two are entirely different. David’s imagery focuses on the tabernacle which is called ‘The House of the Lord.’ He knew however, that as a ‘sheep’ from a different tribe he wasn’t permitted to move in the Shepherd’s precincts. The tabernacle and later the Temple’s courts were segregated. The outer courts for non-Israelites, next the court of the women which butted onto the court of the men. Then it was the exclusive domain of the descendant of Levi who had their restricted areas. Then finally there was the area only accessible to sons of Aaron, the priests. There hidden from view was the Holy of Holies, the place of the presence of Yahweh.

It was this Sanctuary in which the Lord was able to dwell with His creation. He was ‘Immanuel’ for His people. Although it was strictly segregated the people saw it as a wonderful place. David wrote in Psalm 26:8, ‘O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.’ Would the reference to God’s abiding Glory indicate that something like the Shekinah Glory radiated from the Holy of holies? There was certainly some heart drawing power for many, many people as epitomised by David and others. It would seem that although knowing the various restrictions the flock still wanted to be somewhere near where his Shepherd dwelt.

For us, because of the cross and resurrection of Jesus, we look on this part of the psalm differently. Belonging to the ‘other sheep’ Jesus talked about in John 10, He has made us into one fold. We, it must be admitted, would have been seen by the angels as wild, unclean, ‘morally and spiritually moth-eaten sheep.’ Here again is the wonder of Christ’s putting His brand upon us. We have been accepted into the fold by the Father. On top of that, the Holy Spirit has been pleased to make His presence at home within us, as promised by our Saviour. When we look back over our lives and our conversion encounter with Jesus it dawns upon us what an awesome make-over He has done on us and in us. But, there is still more work being done to us, as you would undoubtedly agree!

More than that, Jesus has done a cleansing of the heavenly house. In Hebrews 9:23-24 we read of Him purifying the Heavenly dwelling. Satan’s rebellion certainly made a mess throughout the universe. Our Lord told His disciples in John 14 that He was going to build new lodgings for His ‘sheep.’ I wonder how close it will be to the Heavenly Sanctuary. How is this possible? Because Jesus has been granted by the Father, the order of the High Priesthood of Melchizedek. The old Aaronic order still exists and according to Ezekiel 4o-45 has a future role to play. The new order has come into operation due to the cross and resurrection of Christ. His ministry realm is in Glory. It is there our Shepherd watches over us and prayers for us (Hebrews 7:25).  Hebrews beautifully and graciously outlines the superiority of Christ Jesus’ rule as Shepherd over His people. By faith we are walking with him. By faith we keep our focus on Him according to Hebrews 12:1-3. By faith we experience the spiritual reality behind what David wrote in very physical terms in psalm 23.

David’s longing was that his relationship would last forever, meaning while he had breath. For us our longing is open ended. We live under the conviction of His pastoral oversight in this life. We live with hope’s unshakeable certainty that when death embraces us we are released into the presence of our Saviour. For us the word forever is like the eternal ‘Now’ for it is the realm of the Good Shepherd. It is where He takes His flock. Sure, David and the original ‘flock’ will be there although it would be uncertain how many would have understood ‘forever’ in that way?

As we conclude our short ramble through psalm 23 I hope you have had a deepening appreciation of it. Familiarity can rob us of its richness and meaning for our own journey with our Good Shepherd. We, similar to David, will have our detours, stumbles, ‘head-butts’ and spiritual or moral parasites. But our Lord restores our soul and pours His oil over us and goes searching for us when we meander of the track. How eternally grateful we will be that He keeps His sheep who wear His brand for ‘His Name’s Sake!’

©Ray Hawkins March 2016.

When 'Clay-pots' offend

To offend – or not to offend isn’t really the question. It is impossible not to offend as we live in a diverse and often perverse society. Christmas offends some and others are upset by the Islamic Ramadan or Hindu festivals. Atheists get agitated by' God speak' and evolutionists become frantic when a person believes the Bible’s account of Creation. There are those who cannot abide people from other nations and find it impossible to be courteous to them.

From the Christian perspective in trying not to offend those who disagree with us is actually offensive. We denigrate our faith and thereby our Lord. The issue isn’t about what is in the Christian faith that riles others, but our response when people react. It has been apparent over the Christmas season that some, wanting to be nice, sold out their faith or heritage. Appeasement never solves the problem, it simply pushes it into another issue when the offended person is upset again.

Jesus on earth was the great offender! He upset people’s belief system, elitism, taboos regarding eating with the socially unaccepted. (Check Him out with the Tax collector, Matthew – The Samaritan woman and others such as Luke 7:36-50 – Roman soldiers Etc). Jesus unmasked hypocrisy with strong words (Matthew 23), yet at the same time with grace. The Lord felt sorrow, not glee for those whom He had to rebuke. His example is a tough one to follow, yet by His grace and presence, that is what we must do.

The great offence Jesus caused was not what He said, but what happened to Him! It causes people to be upset ever today because it speaks against their ‘goodness.’ It challenges their religious views of god, salvation and worship. What happened to Jesus? He was crucified! Politics and hatred were the human factors for this event. However, God used it to make His Son the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him. This faith isn’t in a dead corpse but in the risen Lord. Jesus took our deserved judgement so that He might bestow upon us undeserved righteousness and eternal life. Read about it in the New Testament.

The cross offends. When you read the history of the Church the message of the crucified and risen Lord stirs up self-righteous indignation. This is still happening even though Christians return good for evil, feed the hungry and care for the sick. How does the Lord want us to respond? To pray for those who are offended and become aggressive. To turn the other cheek (if that is hit what then?) But not back away and thus deny the Lord. To be gracious in response and caring by helping those who oppose the cross is not weakness but Christlikeness. Jesus did tell His followers that they would be similar to sheep amongst the wolves. The fact was the wolves would be afraid of the sheep (and their message).

We offend without even saying a word. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says Christians are similar to clay pots filled with a precious perfume. It seeps out. That fragrance is the saving, transforming, forgiving, rejoicing and eternal presence of Christ. When we move amongst people they will be affected by this spiritual aroma. Some will appreciate it. Some will wonder what it is. Others will be offended and want to get rid of it. Over the years many, many, many ‘clay-pot disciples’ have paid a high price for simply being fragranced by Christ and His word.

Therefore, if you are a Christian don’t be surprised that you are offensive to some one. However, let it draw you closer to Christ and His word so that His grace in you might be the way you respond.

Ray Hawkins 28/12/2015.

tale of two runners.



The battle was won. The usurper slain. The victory must now be told to the king. The message had to be taken by a runner. There was two from whom to choose. One was keen but not chosen this time. The other man was commissioned and sent. However the first man wanted to run but had no message and pleaded to run also. It was granted but he had no news. The account is in 2 Samuel 18:19-32.

A similar situation exists today within the Church scene. There are many, apparently, in a race as far as the un-churched can see. Sad to say many of the runners have no message, no commission, no good-news to tell. They look good, have strong egos and get the attention of those looking for a messenger with a word from the Lord. What is delivered is vague and without authority. Those who wait for the Truth are disappointed. Fortunately, in the above account the man with the message arrived. I wonder if that is always true today. Counterfeits have also infiltrated the Christian Faith and are determined to confuse the people. It is also the aim of the false runners to put stumbling block in the path of the commissioned runners.

There are a number of strong and specific words used to describe the Christian life and ministry. Watchman Nee gave good insight into three of these in his book on Ephesians ‘Sit, Walk, Stand.’ These are our constant faith requirement for a fulfilled Christian lifestyle and relationships.  One he didn’t include, because Ephesians doesn’t highlight it so much, is ‘to run.’ As you look at the various contexts where ‘to run’ is used it has specific purposes and outcomes. Zacchaeus ran and climbed a tree, Philip ran up to the Ethiopian’s carriage, the women ran to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. Paul used the concept ‘to run’ in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 in reference to ministry.

God has at least one race (and more than likely more) in mind for each and everyone who claim Jesus as Lord and Saviour. What is the difference between our ‘walk and our call to run?’ A race has an end in sight. Whether it is a short sharp dash or a long distant marathon a finishing line is crossed. Paul urged those commissioned to run in a worthy manner before the gaze of onlookers so that when the message was delivered the runner would also be crowned. Runners, when that contest is over, remain in training for when the next race is to be run.

Lest some imagine that age, infirmity, family and other circumstances preclude them from being commissioned to run, think again. In fact your circumstances may well be the circuit or terrain the Lord needs covered. Was Paul out of the race when he was in prison? His record in Philippians and other prison letters reveal he was still ‘running.’ The testimony of many is how the Holy Spirit used their life’s situations to ‘run into the life’ of others with a message of hope, peace or warning.

When we receive our call-up to the starting line we may or may not know how long the race will be. To begin is easy but the energy levels can ebb as circumstances or opposition makes the going hard. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to ‘look away to Jesus’ as weariness and impatience nags us. To look away requires a conscious effort for we are easily hypnotised by what confronts us. How do we ‘look away to Jesus?’ By knowing His word, talking to Him as we run, and being supported by the encouragement of others. It is this ‘looking away to Jesus’ which enables us to ‘hit the proverbial wall’ and breakthrough to keep going even though the body, soul and spirit is weary. It is here we discover the truth of Isaiah 40:31: ‘they shall run and not be weary…’

As we mature in our Christian life and discipleship it becomes apparent it has many facets. Each of us face the unchanging and universal call of Ephesians to ‘Sit, Walk, Stand.’ This is the way to appreciate the fulfilment of our calling in our everyday experiences. Then there are our battles to fight and wrestling matches with issues and values and spiritual forces. Victory is ours as we contest them in the grace and wisdom of our Lord. God’s calling on our lives is also an entrance to the starting line of at least one race. That means we are to run with the message of the cross and its testimony within our life’s scene. Various are the crowns God has in mind for His people as revealed in the Scriptures. Runners have the promise of receiving at least one and maybe more, from fulfilling the race or races in which the Lord put them. How do we know if we are on the right track and carrying the good-news? By running according to the Lord’s coaching manual and faithful to His voice. The only other factor is, don’t faint or get distracted.

 

The Worm of God.

Pilgrim cross, Glendalough
Ireland

Worms play an important role in the story of the Judeo-Christian faith. The blood of the coccus worm gave its purple colour to various items, such as linen, in the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is a portrait of the person, ministry and sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Therefore, the worm and its blood must have some prophetic and symbolic link with Jesus.

The first Biblical mention of the coccus worm in Job 25:5-6 is foundational for our understanding. ‘If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his (God’s) sight, how much less a mortal, who is a maggot, and a human being, who is a worm!’ This comment from Bildad might seem over the top and uncomplimentary to our self-esteem. I believe it is very insightful, if not prophetic.

Centuries later King David of Israel penned Psalm 22. The background to this awesome psalm is not clear. What is undeniable is its portrayal of a future event featuring Jesus. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is the cry from the cross. (Read the whole passage and behold the crucifixion of Christ foretold a thousand years before the event).

What has that to do with ‘the worm’? Everything! ‘I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people’ (Psalm 22:6). The events of the Passover crucifixion major on Jesus being the Lamb of God whose life and death provided our place of safety from God’s judgement. The symbolism of Jesus being ‘the worm of God’ seems a little bit tasteless. Yet, it actually deals with Bildad’s problem, and often, our unasked but perceived assessment, if not of ourselves, of others.

It is hard to imagine a creature weaker than a worm. Also, by inference, its dwelling place is in earth’s dirt. That is a fit Biblical description of the human condition morally and spiritually. When we come to grips with the symbolic and prophetic magnitude of the cross of Christ, we cannot but be stunned. Writers of the New Testament say many things about the cross.  One of the most revealing, for me, is Paul’s: ‘We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles … For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength’ (1 Corinthians 1:23-25).

Why do you think Jesus became ‘the worm of God?’ I understand it this way. He became the weakest of the weak so that no one has an excuse by saying Christ’s offer of saving grace wouldn’t reach down to his/her depth. The Bible insists that there isn’t anyone beneath what Christ became. We are also informed that as ‘the worm’ Jesus lived in the midst of Humanity’s filth but was uncontaminated. However, He absorbed all the rottenest of this world and was crushed under its weight and judgement by God the Father. Was the weakness of ‘the worm of God’ strong enough to die so as to rise again? Was His uncontaminated life verified?  Was Bildad’s description able to be reversed? That was answered on the third day of entombment. The angel sounded the victory song ‘He is risen!’ God the Father had accepted the identity with, the substitution for, and the victory over the wrath accrued on behalf of ‘Earth’s worms.’

What does this mean for we who believe in and commit ourselves to Jesus as the risen Lord and Saviour? Many things. However, to conclude the theme of ‘the Worm of God’, recall the fact that the coccus worm gave its blood to colour the Tabernacle. When Jesus poured out His life in the shedding of his blood, it made something eternally wonderful for you and me.  It includes being redeemed, purchased, justified, sanctified, washed and at peace with God. The blood of the coccus worm stained the Tabernacle linen purple. The blood of the Lord Jesus did what Isaiah wrote about as a promise of God: ‘Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool’ (Isaiah 1:18).

There are many titles given to Jesus Christ such as The Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, Bridegroom, Prince of Peace and Alpha and Omega. For me there is something awesome, special and precious knowing He is also the Worm of God on my behalf.

Peace: Islam's verses Christ's

“Islam is a religion of peace” is almost a mantra when their representatives are interviewed. Usually it is a defensive smoke screen after some Islamic terror has been perpetrated somewhere around the world. What riles me however, is the failure of the reporter to ask a simple question: “What do you mean by ‘peace?”’

Islam's idea of peace is submission to Mohammed and the Koran as interpreted by their Imams. Trouble is, Islam’s various sects kill each other as they try to impose their style of peace. The religion of Allah will never bring peace simply because his adherents do not know how to be at peace with him. Muslims have no certainty of paradise because they can never determine if they have impressed Allah enough to merit an entrance ticket. Martyrdom is promoted as the sure fire way to get there. What a travesty and waste of a life. Also, from what is seen and promoted, Islam is a religion of externals. To become a Muslim is to repeat a set formula. There is no change of heart, no repentance, no acceptance of forgiveness and no change of lifestyle.

Christianity's promise of peace is commitment to Jesus Christ. Peace is a heart

matter dictated by a relationship of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. If there can be no peace between an individual and God it is virtually impossible for peace between people. How does the Christian faith define peace with God, especially as it reveals Him as holy and us as the exact opposite? How can the unholy have fellowship with the Holy Eternal God? Unless there is an answer a person will live in terror of fronting Him on judgement day.

Peace with our Creator requires some common ground. Can you or I construct such a meeting place by good works, promises and outward ritual? Impossible! Everything we would touch or endeavour would be smeared and tainted by un-holiness. If such a ground was to exist, only God could bring it into reality. Has He done it? YES! How? Where?

The ‘how’ was accomplished by sending His Son, Jesus. His mission, to deal with all that offended the Father within our heart, mind and behaviour. Jesus took our offences and judgement upon Himself and carried them into the tomb. They were left there when He rose again.

The ‘where’ is the cross of Christ at Calvary! Here is the common ground created by God the Father. We stand upon it when we hear the story of Jesus, believe it is real, recognise our desperate need and ask the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. Such a conviction about Jesus Christ providing the common ground allows Him to deal with our heart ‘disease’, our perverted mind and our vain behaviour. Jesus has the power and authority of His risen life and who He is to forgive, cleanse and recreate. He makes us acceptable to His Father. Then, and only then, will you and I or anyone else have peace with God. For He meets us at the cross. In a sense, the risen Lord Jesus takes our hand and the Father’s hand and joins us together. (Read Ephesians chapters one and two plus Colossians chapters one and two.) This is why we affirm the fact that Jesus is our peace.

What has taken place in the life of a convinced and committed believer is internal. He (or she) is at peace with God. That means he (or she) can be at peace with himself (herself). There will be adjustments. There will be new insights to life. There will be the sense of relief at being forgiven and having the conscience cleansed and liberated. There will be a new outlook on life, on eternity, and on relationships. Peace is the gift of God to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

There are many wonderful and powerful acts of God’s grace to us who give our lives by faith to His Son, Jesus. One at the top, to my mind, as we live in uncertain days and experience unsettling circumstance, is peace. It is a promise He gave to the disciples on His way to Calvary. It is also the greeting He gave to them after the resurrection. It is also what Jesus offers to us. “Peace I leave; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

©Ray Hawkins 9:3.2015.

Next week. Living out the peace of God which dwells with.

God collects stones and pebbles.

One of my grandsons collects rocks. The other night his father took him to a lapidary meeting. Clint loved it. He purchased a piece of fossilized wood and had it cut in half and polished. It revealed a wonderful pattern and texture. Then he had a small stone which he was able to polish, at least some of it. That persistent polishing removed the dirt, ugliness, dross and ruggedness to reveal a beautiful colour and a most attractive structure.

Later, it occurred to me, in God’s sight we are stones and pebbles, not outwardly attractive or appealing. However, beneath the outward appearance, our all seeing God beholds our uniqueness, our beauty and our latent power to honour Him. Our Lord went to a lot of time and effort to ‘collect us’ from the quarries of this world Galatians 1:4. 1 John 5:19). It cost Him a pierced side, nailed hands, feet and dagger like thorns biting into His brow. The owners of the ‘quarry’ must have thought Jesus mad to pay such a price for such common, rather grubby and rugged stones. Especially when those stones ultimately cost Jesus His life to secure them. How the world and the Devil with his demons must have laughed.

Their smile was wiped from their faces when Christ Jesus rose from the furnace of sin’s judgement and the icy cold grip of death. Then, He began collecting His stones, pebbles and rocks, that is, you and me! The ‘quarry owners’ tried to stop Jesus, through His servants, preaching the Gospel of grace to the ‘quarries and salvaging their rubble.’ When you and I were collected by Christ through such servants I wonder how many who enjoyed the ‘quarry’ questioned the Lord’s wisdom.

I’ve had the privilege over fifty years of ministry seeing the delightful things God does with those He reclaims. He is the God who loves lapidary. As Ephesians 2:10 says, we are His workmanship. This means He takes you and me as encrusted stones and through the moral and spiritual equivalents, cuts, polishes and engraves our lives. The purpose is to release the treasure He saw within so that it will glorify Him and bless us eternally. The word best used to describe such a process is discipline. ‘Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.’ (Hebrews 12:11

We often use the term ‘he’s a rough diamond God is polishing’ as though we are all such a gem. We are not all diamonds. We are all gems of some type or other, each with our own unique pattern, texture, beauty. I visited a mining museum at Zeehan in Tasmania and stood astounded at their rock collection. There, before my eyes, were ordinary stones with the most amazing patterns and colours. Lights were strategically placed so as to draw out what would otherwise never be seen.

Christ Jesus, expresses His role of lapidary in our lives, so that others might see His treasure unlocked. He is the Light of our life and as He cuts and polishes (sanctifies and ministers to us by His word and Spirit) we become His stone of glory. Paul writing to Titus used the term ‘ornament to the doctrine of God our Saviour.’ We become, or should become, men and women who attract people to what the Lord has done in and revealed though us. This isn’t for us to boast but to testify to the redeeming, liberating wonder of Christ’s power in redeeming us. It is imperative for us to ensure that His light within isn’t dimmed by self – obsession, disobedience or switched off by Satan’s cunning.

What about the engraving feature of lapidary? In the Old Testament the High Priest wore a breastplate with 12 precious stones. On each one was a name of one of the twelve tribes. He always bore them on his heart when he approached God. When our Lord claimed us for His own treasure He also became our High Priest. By implication we are also borne into the presence of the Father on the heart of our Lord.

May we be encouraged through the Scriptures to handle the rough and tumble of life with a positive outlook! For God isn’t mindless in His treatment of us. He is endeavouring to reveal His glory in you and me. He is using you and me to attract people to the power of the cross. He is drawing out of us the hidden beauty when the Light of Jesus Christ glows though us. Therefore, from a grateful heart let us, as God’s collection of ‘stones and pebbles’, praise Him for His spiritual and moral lapidary in polishing our lives!

 Copyright. Ray Hawkins February 23^rd 2015.

Death's Shroud is Shredded

The following blog ‘thought’ was written some time ago and ‘filed.’ It was written in a conversational style between me and the Lord. This world in which we live is covered by a shroud of death. We are all affected and one day it will envelop us. The Bible calls it an enemy. We see its impact everywhere. In Psalm 23 the writer believes that there is a way through this ‘Shroud’  which he calls a valley. His point is that the Lord will walk with us and that His rod and staff will comfort us. Could we say they are His word and promises?  I invite you to ‘listen in’ to my talk with the Lord.

 

Into the Valley of the Shadow.

            “The phone call has left me with mixed emotions Lord. The family friend called to say her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. How long he will be in the valley of the shadow of death isn’t certain, but it isn’t a long walk. I found it difficult to put words together without soundly glib, pious or hard hearted. In such times as this I would rather be there and simply give her and her man a hug.

            As she talked she expressed her appreciation of the Christian Fellowship both of them enjoyed. Their church is very supportive in practical ways such as meals, being drivers, mowing the lawn amongst other things. Individuals as well as the church family undergird them with prayer and pastoral care.

            My friend is dying Lord and we are a long way away. The comforting thing is that they both know you as their Lord and Saviour. He isn’t afraid of dying, but he isn’t really enjoying the pain. Please be to him peace and strength as you walk with him in this valley. We are so fortunate to have a faith grounded in the historical reality of your coming; your blameless life; your substitutionary death, resurrection and ascension. The words of Revelation as so explosive to the believer’s heart, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18. Knowing also you promised nothing could separate you from your people is a real source of comfort.

            One of the most beautiful passages surrounding the death experiences of your disciples is found in John 17:24. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” Because of your Risen Life, men and women have the opportunity to be born again. This makes them fit to stand in your holy presence.  By faith we know you now. Then we will see you face to face! How the hearts of your people long for that glorious day.

            It’s such a relief to be able to talk openly with a dying man or woman about death and beyond. Faith in you is so liberating, humbling and at the same time exhilarating. I’m guessing here but I suspect you are saddened by those who reject your offer of pardon for offensive behaviour and attitude towards you and Your Heavenly Father. They travel the valley’s one way track alone to face you the Lord who is their judge, not their saviour.

            In times such as this an old song surges to the mind, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. Heaven’s laid up somewhere beyond the blue…” We are pilgrims with a destiny. We take John 14:1-3 on the strength of your promise and your resurrection, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

            In upholding my friends to you in their journey of mixed emotions the unshakeable hope we have because of you Jesus is our consolation. The valley of the shadow of Death has been robbed of its terror for your disciples. It isn’t always a pleasant experience but in the light of your word it is short. “Death has been swallowed up in victory…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

            Hallelujah!”

Personal soliloquy. Read and dwell awhile in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.

Postcard from God.  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23