Sound Familiar?

     One of my favorite portions of Scripture comes in the ninth chapter of John.  This is the story of the man born blind who was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath.  More than anything it reveals how the sin nature (which everyone has from birth) distorts the truth of events, and unless God changes the heart by regenerating it, people will continue in their delusion.

     From Scripture, we know that Jesus saw the man sitting and begging.  He made mud from

his saliva and put it on the man's eyes.  He told this man to wash in the pool of Siloam, and when he did, he received his sight.  The people who lived around him were surprised and tried to determine if he was really the blind beggar.  So the people brought him to the Pharisees because he was healed on the Sabbath (work was forbidden on the Sabbath), and to determine how this man was able to see.  (This encounter with the Pharisees goes from verses 13-34.) 

     Upon inquiry, the Pharisees learned from the beggar that Jesus had made mud, put it on his eyes, and when he washed in the pool, he could see again.  It was a straightforward explanation.  However, some of the religious leaders said that Jesus was certainly a sinner for not keeping the Sabbath.  Others said He must be a sinner; yet, the beggar said "He is a prophet".  Of course the Pharisees didn't believe the man so they called his parents to be certain he had been blind from birth.

     When his parents came forward and identified him as their son who had been blind from birth, they avoided being put out of the Synagogue by saying they did not know how he had been healed.  They said that he could speak for himself on this matter.  Once again, the Pharisees interrogated the man.  His answers were quick witted and stung the leaders for their unbelief as he told them that a sinner could never do such a miracle.  Indeed, the Pharisees were offended by his answers and cast him out of the Synagogue.  There are several things we can learn about unbelief from this portion of the Bible.

    First, an unbelieving heart will reject the facts in a case.  No matter how much evidence is presented to confirm the events, a person who decides its not according to their understanding will reject it.  The Pharisees couldn't believe that this man was healed initially.  Then, they rejected the fact that Jesus was sinless.  In their minds, Jesus had violated the Sabbath.

     Secondly, no one can give enough evidence to change their thinking when they choose to willfully walk in unbelief.  The parents came forward and agreed that this was their son who had been born blind.  Even when the former blind man came and described what had been done to him, the religious leaders still refused to believe that Jesus was the Christ sent from God.  Today, people jokingly say that if they had been there when the Lord walked on the earth, they would have believed it all.  However, no one can say that unless God changes their heart and certainly, the Pharisees had hearts of stone.

     Unbelief also sets up false standards which must be met.  In the mind of the Pharisees, someone should not be healed on the Sabbath because it violated the "no work" rules they had set up for that day.  Therefore, according to their narrative, the man that helped the beggar had to be a sinner.  To put it another way, Jesus could not have come from God.  In addition, the Pharisees also researched the whole matter in a biased fashion to support their subjective position on who Jesus was or was not.  They weren't looking for the truth or the light.  They loved their position, their authority and their power.

     Finally, unbelief is very self-centered.  If these leaders admitted that this was a miracle, then, they would have to acknowledge that Jesus was who He said He was.  This would upset their whole religious system and their position in the Synagogue.  We learn by reading the dialogue that they had their minds made up and nothing would change it.  Isn't this true even today?

     How often do we meet people that will not consider any other position but their own?  I don't think we have to look far.  This is the sin nature in action.  Unless God regenerates the heart and opens our eyes, we are blind to the truth in front of us.  Jesus said this on His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:6:  "“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."  This does not mean we cannot state our case for believing in Christ.  However, when we meet up with those who refuse to engage in reasoned discussion, we need to walk away and allow God to work in their hearts knowing we have shared to the best of our ability.  Pray for them that the Lord will open their eyes.

     As a believer walking in this fallen world, we cannot expect those outside of Christ to understand the truth of God.  We cannot change anyone.  Only the Lord can do that.  Therefore, let us continue to tell others the Good News of salvation in Christ and leave the results up to the Holy Spirit to convict and open their hearts.  Selah!

      

When We Need an Encouraging Word

     My father enjoyed watching many of the western shows on T.V. when I was growing up.  I don't think he ever missed an episode of "Gunsmoke" or "Maverick" among the many he watched.  He also liked to sing "Home, Home on the Range" as he prepared for work in the morning....especially the part that goes "for never was heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day."  Most of us wish we lived in a world where there is more encouragement rather than discouragement on a daily basis, but if we are like most homes, we have such a resource.  It's called the Bible.

     A friend and I finished a Bible study this week which pointed to God's Word as a place of encouragement for all believers.  Not only does it lay down our moral law to live by, but it

also reveals God's character to us.  We find manifold promises, stories of faith, and the truth for how to live in a fallen world.  Perhaps one of my most favorite books of the Bible is the Psalms.  This book was made dear to me by my mother who encouraged me to read this whenever I needed a lift  or to vent my emotions.  Clearly, David, who authored many of the Psalms, released his deepest needs and greatest longings in song to God.  I find I not only love to sing the Psalms but I also love to use them as words in prayer before the Lord.

     One Psalm in particular (Psalm 119) points out to us why God's Word offers us so much encouragement.  Looking at verses 1-2, we see that we can find blessing/happiness in His Word:  "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!  Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart...."  Then, taking a look at verse 6, we can see that staying in the Bible is a way to avoid shame as we walk in His commandments.  Verse 9 answers the question of how we may keep safe:  "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your Word."  Further down in this Psalm (Verse 24), we discover that the Bible offers us good counsel and who doesn't need that on a daily basis?  If we need strength, we can also find that in God's Word (verse 28):  "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your Word."  Do we need hope?  Verse 43 says:  "And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in Your rules."  In verse 98-100, 130, we see that wisdom comes from looking into God's Word.  We all can use more of that!  Finally, in verse 105, we see that the Bible will guide us in the way we should go:  "Your Word if a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

     Of course, Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the book but it is filled with treasures we can mine all day long if we take the time to read and meditate on it.  Actually, this is just one small sample of what God's Word can provide for us  in terms of the encouragement we need each day.  Yet, so many fail to make use of this book that can radically change our thinking and outlook.  We would not think of neglecting to take a shower, get dressed and brush our teeth before stepping out the door to go to work.  Why?  Because we know it is important for our health to take care of our bodies, but the same is true for our soul as well.  We can better withstand the darts of Satan if we go out the door prepared with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

     My dad enjoyed starting his day with an upbeat song, but we can improve on that by taking time to wash in the water of God's Word before stepping out the door.  His Word is a powerful weapon for tearing down the strongholds, lies and discouraging words of this world.  Lets use the truth and be light and salt in this world!  Selah!

The Hardest Thing to Do

     Most of us can remember at least one road trip with our parents that seemed to take forever.  We often asked, "When will we get there?"  In my era, we did not have movies in the car, Kindles or electronic devices to keep us occupied either.  So when we took a long trip, my mother would devise games for us to play that kept us busy.  For example, she would ask us to count how many billboards we saw that advertised a tourist spot.  That kept us out of trouble for a while until we passed that location.  Then, we once again became persistent in asking when we would arrive.  This is not unlike Christians today who are anxiously looking for the Lord's return.

     Jesus Christ clearly told His disciples that He would return for them.  In John 14:2-3, He

said, "In my Father's house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also."  This is a promise we wait for in our confused upside down world in which we live, and it is one on which we can count.

     No one knows the hour or the time when the Lord will return but the Apostle James gives us wise advice on how to make the trip through this fallen world more productive.  His letter to the Jews that had been dispersed after the death of Stephen was meant to reassure them and give them guidance to be obedient to the Word of God.  In chapter 5:7-11, James encourages these believers to be patient during persecution and the hard times they faced.  He writes:  "Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  Do not grumble brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.  As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.  You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."

      As I read this portion of Scripture, I couldn't help but think of my father who was a farmer.  He had to be patient waiting for his crops to come in each year.  No amount of worry or concern could make them grow any faster than they did on their own.  He had to trust the Lord.  He faithfully worked the soil, fertilized the ground, planted the seeds, cultivated the soil and depended on God to do the rest.  He did NOT go out each day and dig up the seeds to see how they were developing.  That is a crazy thought isn't it?  Yet, he waited and watched.  James is telling us to do the same in this passage.  Instead of being caught up with all the news each day and worrying about circumstances here, we need to be looking for the Lord's return and be ready every day for His appearing.  Like my father, we have much to keep us busy.

     We can tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ, pray for friends and family, participate regularly in our church worship, help others in need and most importantly, study God's Word.  There is much we can do to pass the time until the return of our King.  By living for Christ instead of being anxious, we will have our lamps trimmed and ready like the ten wise bridesmaids in the parable of the Bridegroom and the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Then, when the Lord comes, our joy will be fulfilled.  We will not grieve that we have wasted our time in worry or grumbling.

     James reminds us that Job suffered as did the prophets of old, but they never wavered in their steadfast devotion.  In the end, we saw God's great compassion and mercy in Job's life.  All that he had lost was restored.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has said that He will come back for us.  This trip around the sun that we are on day after day may seem like an unending journey, but we know we will arrive if we are patient and prepared.  May we spend more time looking up to God and around at those we can share Christ with and less time grumbling about circumstances we may not be able to change.  Not only will it encourage us, but we will be ready when the Bridegroom calls for us to come.  Selah!