Listening to God

The wonderful honour of speaking for God, is only for those who listen to God.

Keep yourselves

Keep  yourselves in the Love of God

        In the context of conflict, we must needs “Keep ourselves in the love of God” . Satan’s chief aim is to detract from Jesus Christ and is very smart at dislodging us from nearness of fellowship with our Lord and Saviour.

     

      As we “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” , let us not be distracted from the focus of the Holy Spirit- Christ. This is so well put – Jude 26 “to the only God our Saviour,  through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Let the refrain of heaven be our heart song today – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”.

       Jude certainly exposes the self-centred , truth denying, unreasonable, money driven, loud-mouthed boasters. How shall we stand against evil and contend for the faith? We must recognize error, maybe expose it, but try to rescue those caught in the snare of the evil one. But above all that verse 20 is so important – “ Building up yourselves in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

     Turn your eyes upon Jesus

        Look full in His wonderful face

          And the things of earth shall strangely dim

            In the light of His glory and grace

John McKee

The Love of God

The Love of God

       The New Testament describes the love of God as the active motive arranging salvation and sanctification for lost people.( Ephesians 1, Romans 5) It also presents the love of God as the spiritual substance of Christian maturity ( Peter 1). Likewise Paul’s longing in his prayer for the believers at Ephesus was that they might be grounded in the love of God and filled with the love of God  - “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,  that you might be filled with all the fullness of God ( Ephesians 3:19).

        This is not cheap love, not indiscriminate love, not crazy love, not bland or blind love. This is relational love from an all knowing , intelligent God, who in spite of the unworthiness of the one loved, HE cared enough to give His own Son as a sacrifice. He connects with the individual, as a father is connected to a child. He reconciles to Himself and His ways those who believe in His son.

         Ephesians 6.24 speaks of “sincere love”. In contrast to the many perversions of love mentioned in Ephesians, God’s love is in keeping with His character – not only personal and intelligent, but also pure and wise(all the time). It is not mixed with sinister motive nor dark objectives. God’s love is not corrupted by time or age. Best of all it is not corrupted by the object loved.

         This love divine is not like the pension – it is there if one applies for it and then comes from some bottomless government bucket to be used or abused without gratitude to the giver. NO. I fear that the dumbing down of God and His love, has corrupted the true reality of ‘Agape’ love. Unquenchable love from a holy , personal God is much more meaningful and precious than the abstract love of a smothering god who does not bother with holiness or judgement.

             “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us               while we were yet sinners.” (Romans 5.8)

Didn’t God love us as we were born? Didn’t He love us as wandering prodigals? Why then this “Christ dying for us”? Was there a problem? This letter to the Romans describes the real problem of rebellious humanity (chapters 1,2,3) and God’s method of triumphing over it in Christ.  This active love of God reaches a lofty climax in chapter 8.39  “ nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. 

How different to fickle human love. This is not blind love that cannot see evil. Rather this is God’s active love that rescues, redeems, reconciles and finally glorifies all who believe in God’ beloved Son. And so it is that we can love, because He first loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God’s love can be perfected in us.( and John would add, let us love not in word but in deed)

Psalm 2 , written so long ago, captures in poetic language, the call of God to  “kiss the Son...............blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” and the psalms then speak so much about the loving kindness of God.

One could fill many pages , referring to many, many Bible references, but I encourage you the reader to look up the many references to ‘love’ in God’s word and gain a balanced, fuller understanding of God’s love. One of the most important questions to settle in our day of corrupted meanings is – ‘what is love?’  is it a feeling, a motive or what?      Maybe you could email to me your definition!

johnmckee@internode.on.net

The Gospel of John

The Gospel according to John the Apostle

         John gathers together timeless truth needed by all people for all times. In contrast to the passing religious fads that claim superior knowledge, (Gnostics) the truth of John 1 has and will endure through time into eternity.

   

      John’s focus is immediate – upon the one who came down from heaven. The contrast between His heavenly, intrinsic glory and His earthy obscurity is set forth right to the end of the book.

He is the Word, the final, full communication from God (Hebrews 1:1) , yet He is unknown  among His people (the Jews). In the end they crucify Him because He ‘made Himself the Son of God’ ( John 19.7).

        As we read John’s account of the evidence (signs), he has no hesitation in declaring that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God.  The first sign seems to demonstrate His control over nature by the word of His mouth. The discourse with Nicodemus leads to the conclusion that all, the Jews and the world at large , need a new start, a new spiritual connection with God. It is interesting that the promise of life eternal is linked to the Lord being lifted up (on the cross). The last verse of John 3 is somewhat of a summary of God’s grace revealed -  life eternal is for all those who  believe in God’s Son, or wrath from God to those who choose not to believe in Him. Although God’s love has moved to the whole world (cosmos), God remains true to His character in giving human beings the free choice, along with accountability for the choice.

      Chapter 4 sees the grace of God (John 1:17) reaching out to the world beginning  with the unlikely Samaritans. This chapter concludes with the second sign identified by John the writer – that Jesus could heal a person without being present with that person. Time and space were no obstacle to Him. The official believed this and was blessed as a result.

I trust that we likewise have that simple yet intelligent faith in HIM. To receive HIM, believing in HIS name ( i.e accepting His claims as Son of God), trusting HIS word, and submitting to HIM as the true Word of God.

      John in his 1^st letter concludes

“Whoever  has the Son ,has life. whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12)

     Knowing God is possible, not through the systems or imaginative theories of men, but rather through faith in the Son of God. (John 17.3).  He is the way, the truth and the life, and thus we can know the truth, as we know HIM. His word is sure, His promises are trustworthy.

     How blessed we are to have the Bible as our compass pointing us to Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, HE is revealed in His majestic glory.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Comfort in the death of Christ Jesus our Lord

             My weekly articles have been delayed because my Mother passed away recently. In the midst of sorrow is there any consolation from the cross?  Yes, much indeed.
            My Mother looked ahead into the great hereafter with calm assurance that all was well for eternity. This assurance came not from her own goodness, but a simple faith in the promises of God which were verified as reliable by the knowledge that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures". With real meaning one could say "The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me"
              As I read the story of the crucifixion, I look a little beyond the great truths of atonement and hear the Saviour say to the repentant thief crucified next to Him - "Today you will be with Me in paradise"   This can only mean one thing - that beyond death there was a place of blessedness, being with Christ which is far better!

             Once again for those facing impending death, or mourning the loss, let us turn again our eyes upon Jesus, once crucified, now risen and living forever more.

John McKee

An offering and a sacrifice

In our investigation into the death of Christ, I would like to draw a little from the teachings of the Apostles, who were commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to convey the deep truths  of Himself to the believers by the Holy Spirit. (John 16)

       In this article I will begin with Ephesians 5:1 “ Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”

This gives special light as to the spiritual aspect of Christ dying on the cross.

1^st   It was motivated by love

2^nd   He voluntarily gave Himself

3^rd   It was on behalf of others

4^th   Beyond the shame of crucifixion, there was somehow a fragrance

5^th   It was an offering, a present to God

6^th   It was a sacrifice achieving atonement

7^th   It was to God

       This dispels the notion that His death was only an example for us, or that it was a mistake, or a failed mission. It implies that His death is better understood from the types and symbols of the Old Testament linked to the Temple services. This changes the cross to an alter, from something of shame to that of a sweet smelling fragrance . This aspect of the death of Christ provides the basis for God to invite the unworthy, the offender, the transgressor to return and be forgiven. (see Leviticus 1-7)

   Why would God give His Son – because of love (the highest motive)

   Why would the Lord Jesus Christ suffer so – because of love (the highest motive) . And so very much was accomplished for God and mankind by that death.

e.g. The much longed for fragrance of a holy human life presented to God both in the babe presented to God in the temple (Luke 3) and the unspoiled man offering Himself without spot to God on the cross.(Hebrews 9:14).

Then beyond this , the sacrifice as a substitute on behalf of guilty sinners. He, in virtue of His infinite worth, bearing the guilt of those who would draw near to God. In the Old Testament this demanded confession of the sin and the death of an animal as a sacrifice.

“So also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people”  - ( Hebrews 9:28 )

“Christ also suffered when He died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned , but He died for sinners that He might bring us to God” ( 1 Peter 3:16 )

Does the teaching of the Lord Jesus support this deeper meaning ? ‘YES.’

He used the following references (and more) to indicate the spiritual character of His sufferings:

“a ransom for many”  Mark 10:45

“Moses and Elijah.... speaking of how He was about to fulfil God’s plan by dying in Jerusalem “ Luke 9:31

“If I be lifted up, I will draw every one to myself” John 12:32

“I lay down my life for the sheep” John 10:15

“This bread is my flesh, offered so the world may live” John 6:51

“Yes it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again, that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name among all nations. “ Luke 24:46,47

I trust my readers will be inspired to search out  these deep and meaningful truths.

John McKee

Why did Jesus suffer so?

One might well ask – why did the death of the Lord Jesus Christ involve so many people including both Jews and Gentiles?? Why not a private sacrifice like Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah? My one line answer is – to demonstrate the depravity of humanity without God, and to vindicate the just judgement of God.

      Let me outline a few items.

 The betrayal and Sanhedrin judgements exposed the real condition of the Jewish nation – by stealth they took Him and instead of giving Him a fair trial, they faked a trial and condemned Him to death because He claimed to be the Son of God.

 The trial by Pilate , as the representative of the Gentiles also showed up that these ‘principalities and powers’ were more interested in pleasing men than delivering  justice. 

       As Ephesians 2 explains, the cross abolishes the law of commandments as unworkable in human hands, and also shows the distance of Gentiles having no hope and without God. Now at the foot of the cross, both Jew and Gentile can be reconciled to God by the blood of Christ.

   Why the torture, mocking, insulting?  One answer is that the Old Testament scripture had prophesied that it would happen. But why? One clue is found in the word’s of the Lord in the garden when the guards came to arrest Him (Luke 22) “This is your hour and the power of darkness” .  Somehow this seemed to be the hour when God withdrew His restraining hand and let these proud humans expose their true character.

   To some extent He became an example for us in suffering (1Peter 2) Also as our intercessor now in heaven, He is well acquainted with the suffering of His people, having Himself suffered in the flesh.

     Why a cross? – one reason is explained in Galatians 3:13 “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”. The Lord Jesus by thus dying became “a curse  for us”, thus setting us free from the curse of a broken law. Another quote from the Lord in John 12 “ I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me”. He who humbled Himself to the deepest shame, has been exalted to the highest glory. (Philippians 2 ) and will one day see the travail of His soul  and be satisfied as the believers are gathered home.

    On the black background of human failure, shines the all glorious character of God’s spotless, sensitive, selfless Son. As a lamb led to the slaughter, He quietly blesses His persecutors with “Father forgive them”.

Well might the Centurion say “This man was the Son of God” (Matthew 27)

Let us worship Him who was ‘wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities.......’ (Isaiah 53)

johnmckee@internode.on.net