2
Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
This is a familiar scripture to many of us.
The text states that Jesus gave Himself so utterly that Father was able to make Him, Who knew no sin, sin on our behalf.
This happened juridically… perhaps it happened when the Lord cried out. “My God, why have you forsaken Me?” or, “It is finished!” Maybe (my opinion) it was simply the culmination of all He experienced at Calvary.
We might ask - "What does it feel like to become sin, Lord?"
He might answer - "Like being crucified."
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Initiate, by David Harwood
What do you think about this?
John 5:30 … "I can do nothing on My own initiative. …
John 8:28-29 28 … I do nothing on My own initiative, ...
John 8:42 ... I have not even come on My own initiative, …
John 12:49-50 … I did not speak on My own initiative…
John 14:10-11 … I do not speak on My own initiative…
"No one has taken it away from Me,
but I lay it down on My own initiative.
I have authority to lay it down,
and I have authority to take it up again.
This commandment I received from My Father."
(John 10:18)
John 5:30 … "I can do nothing on My own initiative. …
John 8:28-29 28 … I do nothing on My own initiative, ...
John 8:42 ... I have not even come on My own initiative, …
John 12:49-50 … I did not speak on My own initiative…
John 14:10-11 … I do not speak on My own initiative…
"No one has taken it away from Me,
but I lay it down on My own initiative.
I have authority to lay it down,
and I have authority to take it up again.
This commandment I received from My Father."
(John 10:18)
Delight and Enduement, by David Harwood
Matthew 12:18
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love,
in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him ...
Know, by David Harwood
Eternal life is knowing God, not knowing about God, or believing in God.
We’ve been justified that we might know Him.
We have been crucified with Him that we might know Him.
We’ve been raised up to sit with Him that we might know Him.
We’ve been justified that we might know Him.
We have been crucified with Him that we might know Him.
We’ve been raised up to sit with Him that we might know Him.
No Honor, by David Harwood
When Jesus had finished these parables, He
departed from there. He came to His hometown and began teaching them
in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said,
But Jesus said to them,
(Matthew 13:53-58 )
We also find this story in Mark 6:3-5. That's not a big surprise, after all, the Synoptics share a lot of the same material.
However, this is one of the few sayings from the Synoptics that is brought into John's gospel.
"Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter's son?
Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
And His sisters, are they not all with us?
Where then did this man get all these things?"And they took offense at Him.
But Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household."And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
(Matthew 13:53-58 )
We also find this story in Mark 6:3-5. That's not a big surprise, after all, the Synoptics share a lot of the same material.
However, this is one of the few sayings from the Synoptics that is brought into John's gospel.
After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. (John 4:43-4)Legitimate ministry must know dishonor.
Question: What leads the list? by David Harwood
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self,
lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips,
without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
treacherous, reckless, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
holding to a form of godliness
(although they have denied its power);
Avoid such men as these.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
What leads the list?
Why?
Love and fear, by David Harwood
Sometimes knowing the love of God for every human being can produce a
certain healthy type of holy insecurity called "the fear of the LORD."
Why?
Why?
Love and War, by David Harwood
I was chatting with a young friend who asked me where our congregation stood on the issue of determinism and free will.
I explained, "We believe in the reality of Love and War."
What do you think?
I explained, "We believe in the reality of Love and War."
What do you think?
Nevertheless, by David Harwood
Matthew contains an extraordinary account of Gethsemane.
And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
... He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."
(Matthew 26:37-39,42)
Jesus determined to drink the cup because it was His Father’s will (vss. 39,42). He freely chose the Father’s will. This was a free offering of His own life.
Later that night, Jesus said, “Father would still deliver me if I but ask.” Father would have put at His disposal legions of angels to deliver Him. (vs. 53)
Jesus was not legalistically doing Father’s will. The Lord would have known His Father’s favor even if He asked to be delivered.
"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 )
Does your relationship with God look anything like this?
And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
... He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."
(Matthew 26:37-39,42)
Jesus determined to drink the cup because it was His Father’s will (vss. 39,42). He freely chose the Father’s will. This was a free offering of His own life.
Later that night, Jesus said, “Father would still deliver me if I but ask.” Father would have put at His disposal legions of angels to deliver Him. (vs. 53)
Jesus was not legalistically doing Father’s will. The Lord would have known His Father’s favor even if He asked to be delivered.
"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 )
Does your relationship with God look anything like this?
Invitation to review and edit and response, by David Harwood and Lynn Swaner
The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
A Formal Invitation To Review A Manuscript
By David Harwood
Are you prepared to slog
Through my writing on God
And changes to propose
Redundancies expose?
To help me, as I'd help you?
To rejoice - or say, "Ewwww...
“You call that good thought?
“I say it is not!"
To comment
And foment
With antagonism
To help me in writing
This prose syllogism?
Will you be ruthless
If it is truthless?
And see as to whether
There’s truth or there’s error?
If so, then read on
If not, say, “Be gone.”
Response to "A Formal Invitation to Review a Manuscript"
by Lynn Swaner
I am far from prepared
And yet I do dare
To take a quick look
Through your so-called book -
Though the font is quite daunting
And my projects are mounting
If it's by Wednesday you please
I shall give it a breeze,"
Said the editor with a sulfurous sneeze.
It was allergy season, you see.
After giving brief pause
To a dependent clause,
She sought to deliver
A response beyond thither --
Then recalled what was needed,
and finally conceded:
"This rhyme's a waste of time,
what with pages a-numbering 179!
"And said, in utter abandon of wit,
"In short, I'll do it."
A Formal Invitation To Review A Manuscript
By David Harwood
Are you prepared to slog
Through my writing on God
And changes to propose
Redundancies expose?
To help me, as I'd help you?
To rejoice - or say, "Ewwww...
“You call that good thought?
“I say it is not!"
To comment
And foment
With antagonism
To help me in writing
This prose syllogism?
Will you be ruthless
If it is truthless?
And see as to whether
There’s truth or there’s error?
If so, then read on
If not, say, “Be gone.”
Response to "A Formal Invitation to Review a Manuscript"
by Lynn Swaner
I am far from prepared
And yet I do dare
To take a quick look
Through your so-called book -
Though the font is quite daunting
And my projects are mounting
If it's by Wednesday you please
I shall give it a breeze,"
Said the editor with a sulfurous sneeze.
It was allergy season, you see.
After giving brief pause
To a dependent clause,
She sought to deliver
A response beyond thither --
Then recalled what was needed,
and finally conceded:
"This rhyme's a waste of time,
what with pages a-numbering 179!
"And said, in utter abandon of wit,
"In short, I'll do it."
The Prize, by David Harwood
In John 15:9 Jesus commanded His disciples to abide in His love. It
is not straining the text to clumsily paraphrase “Abide in My love” as:
“Remain in a conscious awareness and experience, an
awareness-experience… a faith-provoked, experiential awareness, of My
love for you.” Besides being a directive we must obey, this command
communicates several other things to us. First, this command contains
desire. Jesus was saying to His disciples “I WANT you to remain in My
love for you.” He commanded them to abide because it was important to
Him. Jesus really wants us to know His love!
The very fact that Jesus commanded this communicates that it can be done. Messiah does not demand the impossible. He’s saying, “Abide in My love”, not, “Reverse the law of gravity.” It is implicit within the command that we will be able to abide. We haven’t been asked to do something beyond our grasp. Abiding in His love can be done. In addition, this mandate tells us that God’s love is at hand; it is accessible. This is not the divine equivalent of ‘bait and switch.” Jesus is not teasing you. When we say, “Lord, I want to know your love,” He doesn’t reply, “Gotcha!” He will not say “Abide in My love” and then ignore you or treat you like He hates you.
We must look at this commandment within the context of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. This is not some foreign god, some cold, calloused indifferent being giving us a detached and arbitrary commandment. This command comes from Jesus, who gave His very life for us. If Jesus loved us enough to redeem us when we were in our worst state (Romans 5:10) then we can be confident that He wants us to know His love, that this can be done, and that His love is accessible to every one of us.
We must realize that knowing God’s love is not only a command, it is also a prize. It is worth fighting for. It is worth pursuing. We must see His love as something good which God has determined we should have. We must contend for this in our own lives. Yet many people experience obstacles that prevent them from pursuing this most wonderful prize.
One thing we must overcome is the natural tendency to ignore this love. The prophetic principle “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” (Psalm 118:22) is fulfilled as we in our own wisdom pursue apparently noble goals and ignore the point of redemption. Eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3). And in knowing Him, John 15:9 tells us He specifically wants us to know His love! The wisdom which puts the pursuit of God’s love on the shelf is actually earthly, soulish and demonic.
Another obstacle is “throwing the baby out with the bath water;” reacting against abuses and misuses rather than simply obeying scripture. There may be some who say, “I am abiding in God’s love,” but never hear God’s heart for anybody but themselves. This does not invalidate the call to abide. Some use the grace of God as a license to sin. Does that mean we shouldn’t receive God’s grace? Some use the Scriptures to hide from the Savior. Does that mean we shouldn’t study? Some want to “minister” so they may be admired by others. Does that mean we shouldn’t serve?
Some may use truths about God’s love as an excuse to stay in a perpetual state of spiritual infancy. However, I have seen the command to abide vindicated in the lives of sincere believers. If the thought of taking His invitation seriously and actually abiding in His love causes you to fear you’ll never accomplish anything, you’re wrong. Jesus stayed in an awareness of His Father’s love and effectively fulfilled His Father’s will. Jesus abided in His Father’s love and accomplished redemption. The end result of our relationship with Jesus’ love will also be redemptive labor.
Not only must we overcome our tendency to ignore God’s love, and overcome the propensity to overreact because of the failings of others, but we must also recognize that the cosmos and the spiritual forces behind creation are adverse to the knowledge of the love of God. In many ways the creation (in which death is active) is hostile towards the experience of knowing God’s love (eternal life). But Jesus shed His blood so that you may know this love and when we consider His resurrection we know that He has accomplished this victory.
Paul defiantly challenged creation, “Who shall separate us from this love?” The gauntlet thrown down, he enumerates our adversaries:
Romans 8:35-39 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Look at the vast array of forces potentially marshaled against this knowledge. Count them up. They are impressive. No wonder it took the Incarnation and Calvary to establish this victorious reconciled relationship over the hostile created order. How do we contend against these foes to maintain this relationship? We contend through abiding in the love of Jesus.
I have seen people that for all intents and purposes, are going through four levels of Gehenna and nothing can comfort them. They are inconsolable because the love of God for them has ceased to be, or never became, their prize. There is good news for the believer. When the prize and goal of life is to know the love of Jesus, then nothing can separate you from it. Indeed, nothing has the power to do it.
Jesus interacted with multitudes of religiously exhausted countrymen and said,
A good translation of the word that is translated “easy” (chrestos) is “kind.” Read the verse again: “My yoke is kind and My load is light.” Jesus said, “Come ... rest,” and many have gone to Jesus for the Sabbath of forgiveness and restored righteousness. Jesus is also inviting us “Come, abide in My love, rest in My love.”
Remember, the Person who has commanded us to live in His love is omnipotent. This Omnipotent One came to seek and save that which is lost because He loves us. The knowledge of this love is supposed to be a fundamental cornerstone of our awareness. This is the foundation of the Gospel: this glorious holy One loves us.
Every believer has a spiritual worldview. It is best to develop one deliberately rather than simply allowing it to happen. My suggestion is that you use God’s love (as expressed in the Bible) as your defining spiritual worldview – a means of interpreting life. I encourage you to actively pursue the knowledge of God’s love.
Consider this; most never actually take time to concentrate upon apprehending this love. Go for it and see what happens. Believe He exists and will reward you if you diligently seek Him about this matter. Engage your faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please Him. But he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.” In response to Hebrews 11:6, take a step towards God.
“Lord Jesus, I believe that You are there. I believe You want me to experience Your love. Please help me.”
He will say, “Yes I will help you.”
The very fact that Jesus commanded this communicates that it can be done. Messiah does not demand the impossible. He’s saying, “Abide in My love”, not, “Reverse the law of gravity.” It is implicit within the command that we will be able to abide. We haven’t been asked to do something beyond our grasp. Abiding in His love can be done. In addition, this mandate tells us that God’s love is at hand; it is accessible. This is not the divine equivalent of ‘bait and switch.” Jesus is not teasing you. When we say, “Lord, I want to know your love,” He doesn’t reply, “Gotcha!” He will not say “Abide in My love” and then ignore you or treat you like He hates you.
We must look at this commandment within the context of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. This is not some foreign god, some cold, calloused indifferent being giving us a detached and arbitrary commandment. This command comes from Jesus, who gave His very life for us. If Jesus loved us enough to redeem us when we were in our worst state (Romans 5:10) then we can be confident that He wants us to know His love, that this can be done, and that His love is accessible to every one of us.
We must realize that knowing God’s love is not only a command, it is also a prize. It is worth fighting for. It is worth pursuing. We must see His love as something good which God has determined we should have. We must contend for this in our own lives. Yet many people experience obstacles that prevent them from pursuing this most wonderful prize.
One thing we must overcome is the natural tendency to ignore this love. The prophetic principle “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” (Psalm 118:22) is fulfilled as we in our own wisdom pursue apparently noble goals and ignore the point of redemption. Eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3). And in knowing Him, John 15:9 tells us He specifically wants us to know His love! The wisdom which puts the pursuit of God’s love on the shelf is actually earthly, soulish and demonic.
Another obstacle is “throwing the baby out with the bath water;” reacting against abuses and misuses rather than simply obeying scripture. There may be some who say, “I am abiding in God’s love,” but never hear God’s heart for anybody but themselves. This does not invalidate the call to abide. Some use the grace of God as a license to sin. Does that mean we shouldn’t receive God’s grace? Some use the Scriptures to hide from the Savior. Does that mean we shouldn’t study? Some want to “minister” so they may be admired by others. Does that mean we shouldn’t serve?
Some may use truths about God’s love as an excuse to stay in a perpetual state of spiritual infancy. However, I have seen the command to abide vindicated in the lives of sincere believers. If the thought of taking His invitation seriously and actually abiding in His love causes you to fear you’ll never accomplish anything, you’re wrong. Jesus stayed in an awareness of His Father’s love and effectively fulfilled His Father’s will. Jesus abided in His Father’s love and accomplished redemption. The end result of our relationship with Jesus’ love will also be redemptive labor.
Not only must we overcome our tendency to ignore God’s love, and overcome the propensity to overreact because of the failings of others, but we must also recognize that the cosmos and the spiritual forces behind creation are adverse to the knowledge of the love of God. In many ways the creation (in which death is active) is hostile towards the experience of knowing God’s love (eternal life). But Jesus shed His blood so that you may know this love and when we consider His resurrection we know that He has accomplished this victory.
Paul defiantly challenged creation, “Who shall separate us from this love?” The gauntlet thrown down, he enumerates our adversaries:
Romans 8:35-39 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Look at the vast array of forces potentially marshaled against this knowledge. Count them up. They are impressive. No wonder it took the Incarnation and Calvary to establish this victorious reconciled relationship over the hostile created order. How do we contend against these foes to maintain this relationship? We contend through abiding in the love of Jesus.
I have seen people that for all intents and purposes, are going through four levels of Gehenna and nothing can comfort them. They are inconsolable because the love of God for them has ceased to be, or never became, their prize. There is good news for the believer. When the prize and goal of life is to know the love of Jesus, then nothing can separate you from it. Indeed, nothing has the power to do it.
Jesus interacted with multitudes of religiously exhausted countrymen and said,
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
A good translation of the word that is translated “easy” (chrestos) is “kind.” Read the verse again: “My yoke is kind and My load is light.” Jesus said, “Come ... rest,” and many have gone to Jesus for the Sabbath of forgiveness and restored righteousness. Jesus is also inviting us “Come, abide in My love, rest in My love.”
Remember, the Person who has commanded us to live in His love is omnipotent. This Omnipotent One came to seek and save that which is lost because He loves us. The knowledge of this love is supposed to be a fundamental cornerstone of our awareness. This is the foundation of the Gospel: this glorious holy One loves us.
Every believer has a spiritual worldview. It is best to develop one deliberately rather than simply allowing it to happen. My suggestion is that you use God’s love (as expressed in the Bible) as your defining spiritual worldview – a means of interpreting life. I encourage you to actively pursue the knowledge of God’s love.
Consider this; most never actually take time to concentrate upon apprehending this love. Go for it and see what happens. Believe He exists and will reward you if you diligently seek Him about this matter. Engage your faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please Him. But he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.” In response to Hebrews 11:6, take a step towards God.
“Lord Jesus, I believe that You are there. I believe You want me to experience Your love. Please help me.”
He will say, “Yes I will help you.”
An insight: Because... therefore, by David Harwood
"Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, (Deuteronomy 4:37)
Some say God chooses and then loves.
What is the foundational pattern?
The text says God loved and then chose.
Some say God chooses and then loves.
What is the foundational pattern?
The text says God loved and then chose.
We are your reason, you are ours. by David Harwood
Reasonable.
For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:13-14)
... to be proud - Greek - to boast
We have an opportunity to contribute towards others’ rewards.
These verses speak of our being proud of one another at the judgment.
I can understand the apostolic position: "I will be rewarded for establishing these believers." However, here the mutual support means that the church also receives a reward for the success of the apostolic mission.
We’re very connected.
We actually share in the eternal rewards one another receives.
Redemption and Relationship First, by David Harwood
In the same way Israel was already in covenant with God and had received deliverance
from bondage before the Torah was given at Sinai. So it is with us. Jesus’
commands are to keep us in His love, not get us into His love.
Word Peddlers, by David Harwood
And who is adequate for these things?
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God,
but as from sincerity, but as from God,
we speak in Messiah in the sight of God.
(2 Corinthians 2:16b-17)
How do these two phrases work together?
What is this saying?
Instant message:
friend: not sure how one peddles the gospel, it is free
me: well, - if you send me a $20 love offering, I'll explain it to you
Those who peddle present themselves as 'adequate.'
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God,
but as from sincerity, but as from God,
we speak in Messiah in the sight of God.
(2 Corinthians 2:16b-17)
How do these two phrases work together?
What is this saying?
Instant message:
friend: not sure how one peddles the gospel, it is free
me: well, - if you send me a $20 love offering, I'll explain it to you
Those who peddle present themselves as 'adequate.'
Question: What is it like to be a creation? by David Harwood
It seems that we need so much help in becoming what God intends that words providing direction and principles were not enough.
It is as if God said, "This is what it means to be a creature... let Me demonstrate."
It is as if God said, "This is what it means to be a creature... let Me demonstrate."
Question: Is Humility the Chief Virtue? by David Harwood
Is agape more excellent than humility?
1 Corinthians 12:31 ... I show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 ... I show you a still more excellent way.
A searching question. by David Harwood
Have you ever so abhorred a temptation that you utterly, decisively
determined, that even if you were never happy again, you would not yield
to that temptation and then found yourself set free?
Four us! by David Harwood
We’re supposed to put 2+2 together and conclude He is for us.
“For Messiah died for sin once for all the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18a)
This is God’s motivation.
God, rescuing us, has brought us to Himself.
“For Messiah died for sin once for all the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18a)
This is God’s motivation.
God, rescuing us, has brought us to Himself.
Seek favor! by David Harwood
Favor can be sought.
Favor must be sought.
I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. (Psalm 119:58)
you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:11)
Seek favor!
The favor of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Favor must be sought.
I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. (Psalm 119:58)
you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:11)
Seek favor!
The favor of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
No man safely goeth abroad, Thomas a Kempis
No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home.
No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace.
No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject.
No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey...
Thomas a Kempis, Of the Imitation of Christ [1418]
No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace.
No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject.
No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey...
Thomas a Kempis, Of the Imitation of Christ [1418]
A. T. Robertson on Ephesians 3:16
A. T. Robertson commented on Ephesians 3:16. He called this petition “… this
greatest of all Paul's prayers ... Nowhere does Paul sound such depths
of spiritual emotion or rise to such heights of spiritual passion as
here.”
Common Cleigh, by David Harwood
If you were different, you'd be different ---
that's true, I suppose - but all we are is clay
we can dress ourselves up to some degree
call ourselves Cleigh
but it's still clay
that's true, I suppose - but all we are is clay
we can dress ourselves up to some degree
call ourselves Cleigh
but it's still clay
Mercy, Lord, by David Harwood
A cry for mercy - what a reality!
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
(Psalm 143:2)
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
(Psalm 143:2)
Can "agape" differ in degrees of strength? by David Harwood
"When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love (agape) him more?"
Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."
And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
(Luke 7:42-43)
Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."
And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
(Luke 7:42-43)
How broad, now long, how high, how deep? by David Harwood
How broad, how long, how high, how deep?
Broad enough to include me, long enough to last me for the journey, high enough to overshadow, deep enough to find and under gird me – This love is mine!
Broad enough to include you, long enough to last you for the journey, high enough to overshadow, deep enough to find and under gird you – This love is yours!
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the Messiah's love which surpasses knowledge... (Ephesians 3:18-19a)
Broad enough to include me, long enough to last me for the journey, high enough to overshadow, deep enough to find and under gird me – This love is mine!
Broad enough to include you, long enough to last you for the journey, high enough to overshadow, deep enough to find and under gird you – This love is yours!
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the Messiah's love which surpasses knowledge... (Ephesians 3:18-19a)
"Phileo" and "Agape" as Synonyms, by David Harwood
Phileo is used in Matthew.
"They love (phileo) the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. (Matthew 23:6-7)
Agape is used in the parallel in Luke.
"Woe to you Pharisees! For you love (agape) the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places. (Luke 11:43)
We've been told that "agape" and "phileo" are two different types of loves. That isn't necessarily so, is it?
The Redemptive Community and 1 Corinthians 13, by David Harwood
A redemptive community is patient,
A redemptive community is kind
and a redemptive community is not jealous;
A redemptive community does not brag
and a redemptive community is not arrogant,
A redemptive community does not act unbecomingly;
A redemptive community does not seek its own,
A redemptive community is not provoked,
A redemptive community does not take into account a wrong suffered,
A redemptive community does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but a redemptive community rejoices with the truth;
A redemptive community bears all things,
A redemptive community believes all things,
A redemptive community hopes all things,
A redemptive community endures all things.
A redemptive community never "fails"
A redemptive community is kind
and a redemptive community is not jealous;
A redemptive community does not brag
and a redemptive community is not arrogant,
A redemptive community does not act unbecomingly;
A redemptive community does not seek its own,
A redemptive community is not provoked,
A redemptive community does not take into account a wrong suffered,
A redemptive community does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but a redemptive community rejoices with the truth;
A redemptive community bears all things,
A redemptive community believes all things,
A redemptive community hopes all things,
A redemptive community endures all things.
A redemptive community never "fails"
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Three verses where "agape" is used four times - interesting, by David Harwood
Not profound, just studying along...
Luke 6:32 "If you agape those who agape you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners agape those who agape them.
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who agapes Me; and he who agapes Me will be agaped by My Father, and I will agape him and will disclose Myself to him."
1 John 4:7 Agaped one, let us agape one another, for agape is from God; and everyone who agapes is born of God and knows God.
Luke 6:32 "If you agape those who agape you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners agape those who agape them.
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who agapes Me; and he who agapes Me will be agaped by My Father, and I will agape him and will disclose Myself to him."
1 John 4:7 Agaped one, let us agape one another, for agape is from God; and everyone who agapes is born of God and knows God.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Jesus' Immersion: a pattern, by David Harwood
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)
At the Messiah's Immersion we find:
What a pattern.
At the Messiah's Immersion we find:
a. Transformative and Empowering experience
b. Intimate self disclosure of Father's heart
c. Theological content concerning God and His Son's identity and relationship
d. Revelatory experience in the heavens opening and the Spirit appearing like a dove
What a pattern.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
God's Love: Friendship, by David Harwood
One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is John 15:13: Greater agape (love) has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Nobody has greater agape than our God. His love is as powerful as He is. His love is as deeply felt as He is all-knowing. The greatness of God’s love compels Him to go the distance for those who are His friends. The amazing thing is that you and I are friends for whom Jesus died.
Let’s consider the topic of friendship generally. What is friendship like? How do friends act towards one another?
Friends often share common hopes; they confide in one another.
Friends enjoy one another’s company and look after one another’s interests.
Friendships are marked by open communication and trust.
Friends are not afraid to correct one another when necessary, or to differ in their opinions.
Friends often work together for a common goal.
Friends care about one another; they bear one another’s burdens.
These statements are descriptive of human friendships, and they are descriptive of the friendship God offers to us!
Friends enjoy one another’s company and look after one another’s interests.
Friendships are marked by open communication and trust.
Friends are not afraid to correct one another when necessary, or to differ in their opinions.
Friends often work together for a common goal.
Friends care about one another; they bear one another’s burdens.
These statements are descriptive of human friendships, and they are descriptive of the friendship God offers to us!
The Scriptures record God’s friendship with man. Let’s look at two extraordinary examples of men who are described as being God’s friends: Moses and Abraham. As we look at these verses together, it is helpful to know that the primary Greek word for friendship in the New Testament and in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) is philos. It comes from the word phileo, which, like agape, is a Greek word that means “love.”
First we’ll consider Moses. God pointed out the unique style of communication He had with Moses:
With him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD. (Numbers 12:8a)
Moses is described as having a face to face relationship with God. The LORD was free and open in His communication with Moses. This open communication, this drawing near to share, is an aspect of God’s friendship with man.
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend (phileo). (Exodus 33:11a)
Just as a man converses with a close friend, so God conversed with Moses. Moses experienced the love of God in a similar way to our interaction with our closest friends!
Abraham is also called God’s friend. This is noted three times in the Scriptures. In the Septuagint Abraham is referred to as God’s agaped one (friend), twice.
"Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend (agape) forever? (2 Chronicles 20:7)
"But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend (agape) ..., (Isaiah 41:8)
Relying upon this sacred inspired word, James called Abraham ‘God’s friend,’ using the normal word for ‘friendship’ which comes from the root word phileo. James would have been familiar with the Greek word used for this friendship in the Septuagint, yet he used a different word. Why? To James, these two words agape and phileo were interchangeable. This is because friendship is an aspect of God’s love.
… and (Abraham) was called the friend (philos) of God. (James 2:23b)
God’s relationship to Moses and Abraham was identified as friendship. God’s love for you also includes a call to friendship.
God's friendship in the Incarnation, by David Harwood
In the New Testament, the Most High God’s capacity for friendship is clearly seen in the Incarnation. Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus and his family is a wonderful demonstration of the friendship of God. He ate with this family. (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus enjoyed spending time with them. His friendship with Lazarus is encapsulated in the term philos. Philos is the same term for friendship which James used to describe God’s relationship with Abraham. Look at Jesus’ description of Lazarus:
"Our friend (philos) Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." (John 11:11b)
Those who witnessed Jesus’ affection toward Lazarus described it as a deep affectionate love, a love which showed itself through Jesus’ emotions.
Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved (phileo) him!" (John 11:35-36)
The inspired writer describes this relationship as a manifestation of agape:
Now Jesus loved (agaped) Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5)
This loving friendship is also seen in Jesus’ relationship with others. One of the most wonderful truths about the Messiah was first delivered as an accusation. His enemies said that He was a ‘friend of sinners.’ Well, He was. And He is. And He will be.
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend (philos) of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." (Matthew 11:19)
The friendship of God is an amazing thing. God agapes His friends. His agape notices and recognizes His friends; His agape responds to their friendship. God’s agape for us is affectionately devoted. God’s love can be sincerely expressed within the relationship we know as friendship. The Lord loves like a friend loves. He receives and responds to friendship. He is our Friend and loves us as a friend does. He is our devoted Friend.
Some of us feel unable to reciprocate His love. Perhaps we were on fire for Him at one time and now find ourselves to have nothing but ashes. How, then, can we qualify as His friends?
Remember, Lazarus was in no condition to reciprocate Jesus’ devoted affection. Lazarus was tomb-temperature, unresponsive, decaying and stinking. You may feel that describes your spiritual life. The death of condemnation comes and kills your hope. Look at Lazarus; Jesus came and raised him up. That’s what Jesus’ friendship can do for you.
The degree of agape Messiah has for us can be seen in the description Jesus gave of the uttermost limits of love: “Greater love (agape) has no man than this, than that he should give up his life for his friends (philon).” (John 15:13)
If this is so (and Jesus said it was), then what degree of agape has been demonstrated when Messiah gave up His life for His enemies?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, [Messiah] died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Considering these verses together, we see that Jesus demonstrated the greatest love for those who were His enemies—those He considered to be potential friends, those He desired to be His friends. Those who were enemies were still precious to God!
Friendship with God through Faith, by David Harwood
By faith we take hold of redemption. Through faith we declare we are no longer alienated, but are His friends. If He died for you while you were His enemy, doesn’t He care for you now that you are His friend? Once you were His adversary, now you reconciled. Place yourself by faith into this identity: a friend of Jesus, a friend for whom He died.
Now, let’s consider some questions. Will His death be in vain? Does He want you to know His friendship? Does He desire to communicate with you, to hear your heart, for you to hear His?
If you believe that you are His friend, and that Jesus is your Friend, then rely upon Him just like you would a trusted friend. As a friend, Jesus comes highly recommended.
Let’s pray: Living God, You are the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. You are concerned with me and my life, and call me to share Your concerns. I pray that I may be someone who knows Your Friendship and reciprocates. I pray that I may know You in the person of Your Son, Jesus, in the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and be conformed to His death, even the death of the cross, that I may share in the glories of the resurrection of the righteous.
"Mercy Triumphs" ... Why?, by David Harwood
God shows you mercy because He loves you.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with [Messiah] by grace you have been saved- (Ephesians 2:4-5 )
Monday, February 07, 2011
Brief revlection on Jesus' Affection, by David Harwood
The Messiah has great affection for you.
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of [Messiah] Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)
His affection for you is just like His Father's.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:6-9)
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of [Messiah] Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)
His affection for you is just like His Father's.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:6-9)
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