"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25, KJV). This profound declaration from the Apostle James introduces a concept that, at first glance, might seem paradoxical: one "perfect law" that brings "liberty." How can the very idea of 'law,' which often conjures images of restriction, rules, and bondage, be synonymous with 'perfect' and 'liberty'?
In the vast tapestry of divine revelation, one of the most comforting and profound truths is that God is our Healer. From the earliest covenants to the glorious finished work of Christ, the Lord consistently reveals Himself as the one who restores, makes whole, and delivers from sickness and infirmity. This isn't a peripheral aspect of His character, but a central declaration of His benevolent heart towards humanity. Understanding God as our Healer is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is an invitation for His beloved Ekklēsia—the called of God—to experience His boundless compassion and the complete provision made for us in Jesus Christ.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17). This profound declaration from the Apostle John stands as one of the boldest statements in the entire New Testament. It is not a hopeful wish or a distant aspiration; it is a radical, present-tense reality. But how can mere mortals, prone to struggle and imperfection, be genuinely likened to the glorified Son of God, even now and here, and what does this have to do with boldness in the face of judgment? The answer lies wholly within the majestic truth of
Jesus uses a phrase that often causes confusion, if not condemnation, in the hearts of believers. In Matthew 20:16 and Matthew 22:14, He says, "...for many be called, but few chosen."
This phrase follows two of His most powerful parables: the parable of the workers in the vineyard who are all paid the same wage regardless of when they started, and the parable of the wedding feast where one guest is cast out for not wearing the proper garment.
Is this phrase a warning of exclusion, a looming threat that implies our salvation is conditional upon our performance? Or is it a profound revelation of God's unchanging nature and His redemptive plan?
Legalistic preachers often use this text to condemn their audience, preaching, "Get right with God or get left behind!" or "Repent, or you won't be chosen!" This mindset forces people into a law-abiding, Pharisee-like way of thinking. In doing so, they miss the very heart of the Gospel and risk causing believers to fall from grace by returning to a works-based system (Galatians 5:4).
So, what is the true meaning behind Jesus's words?
Someone asks the question:
"Is this new 'hyper grace' movement OK?"
Mmmmm, well, firstly, let's establish that the concept of abundant grace is certainly not new; it's as ancient as the Gospel itself! The term "Hyper-Grace" is a modern label, often used to describe teachings that emphasize God's grace to such an extent that critics sometimes argue it neglects other biblical truths (denominational and religious dogma) like personal responsibility, repentance for believers, or the pursuit of holiness. However, when understood biblically, "hyper-grace" simply points to the immeasurable, overflowing, and radical nature of God's favour given to us in Christ. It is God’s Gift from which we cannot subtract, nor add to make our salvation and position in Christ even better.
So, let's see. We know that Grace is God's unmerited, unearned favour. It's the divine kindness extended to humanity, not because of what we do, but because of who God is and what He has done for us. In the New Testament, the primary Greek word for grace is χάρις (charis). This word signifies God's benevolent disposition and the divine enablement that empowers believers. It is in Jesus Christ that we see Grace personified and perfectly demonstrated!
Hyper? A Biblical Super-Abundance
One of my earliest memories when I became intimately aware of the love and presence of Christ was the ancient Hebrew blessing, Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai (בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה)? It's a phrase bursting with deep and intuitive meaning:
"Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of the LORD."
The original Hebrew text cuts right to the heart of it: "Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of Yahveh." This isn't just a greeting; it's a deep declaration of authority, identity, and divine purpose. It is a very personal statement, using the Personal Name of the Blesser Himself.
But who is it that comes in His Name?
There's a subtle, yet dangerous, distortion of a powerful biblical truth propagated in most Christian circles: the idea that the Body of Christ should embrace complacency because "the battle belongs to the Lord." This notion, often spread by well-meaning songwriters and leaders of religious institutions, can unfortunately lead believers to believe they have zero dominion, power, and authority. This is precisely what the enemy desires – for us to believe this lie so he can prance onto the battlefield with pride and joy, unhindered.
Let's unpack this crucial truth, not by dismissing "the battle belongs to the Lord," but by understanding it within the full context and counsel of God's Word, especially through the lens of the fully accomplished work of Christ.
It’s the same with us. If we are not taught (by the Holy Spirit), we are without understanding, like a horse or a mule running wild and without purpose.
The question is: How do we bridle ourselves?
Many believers live in a quiet state of paranoia—always second-guessing their standing with God, questioning whether they've done enough, or if their faith is strong enough. This mindset reflects an underlying fear, one that religion often feeds but Grace destroys.
God never intended us to live beside the mind (the literal meaning of paranoia) but to live from a transformed mind—the mind of Christ, rooted in the truth of His finished work. That transformation is called metanoia—a complete change of thinking.
Have you ever found yourself in a state of internal tug-of-war? One moment, you're confidently declaring God's promises and appropriating your inherited dominion in Christ, the next, a whisper of doubt or fear creeps in. One day, you're walking in victory, the next, old habits or worries resurface. This isn't just common; it’s what the Bible calls double-mindedness. In the world of Psychology, this inner turmoil is known as cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance is the mental distress or psychological angst someone feels when battling contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.
The Bible records two distinct occasions when Jesus marvelled (θαυμάζω, thaumazō, meaning to wonder, to be amazed, to be astonished). These two instances stand in stark contrast, revealing what truly caught the attention of the Son of God.
To understand our own positions, it may be a good idea to take note of this.
Within the vast tapestry of Christian faith, few practices evoke as much discussion and varied interpretation as baptism. From the earliest days of the so-called church to our modern era, believers have grappled with its meaning, its mode, and its proper recipients. At its heart, however, all forms of Christian baptism should point to a foundational truth: the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This post aims to explore the origins and practices of both infant and adult baptism, comparing them through the lens of biblical covenants and, most importantly, the finished work of Christ, while investigating the diverse theological understandings that underpinned religious doctrine and tradition.
Before we go into all of this, I thought it well to provide some wider perspective from an anthropological point of view.
I love how Jesus just cuts to the point.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them (Matthew 18:1-2).
Just that?
This riddle, given by Samson, isn't just a clever puzzle; like many ancient parables and prophetic utterances (e.g., in Proverbs 1:6 or Psalm 78:2), it carries a deeper, veiled truth. From a New Covenant, grace perspective, it becomes a powerful metaphor for the triumph of Christ and the lavish blessings that flow from His completed victory.
Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees … or the trees for the forest being bogged down in minutiae and losing sight of what's truly important or how everything fits together. On the other hand our over-generalization may cause us to lose touch with the practical realities because we get too absorbed in our doctrines, our theology and church traditions (Mark 7:13).
Kingdom dominion!
What?!
Do we even have dominion?
Yesterday, I was reading Matthew 28 (the very last verses of the last chapter of Matthew) where Jesus commissions us to go out and do the unthinkable. I re-read a note there that I scribbled way back: "Jesus has all the power (authority) and He gave us delegated authority and jurisdiction to overcome our obstacles in this world."
But that is not true!
Recently, I tuned into an online podcast teaching about "How to know the will of God." A great question indeed! But to my surprise, the podcast teacher, despite being part of a grace-focused ministry (which I highly recommend, and whose founder I consider a mentor), seemed to miss the truly Greater Answer. It was a whisper to my spirit, a revelation that brought exceeding peace and comfort, even as the teacher continued his lengthy explanation.
Should I explain? Let's dive in.
In one of my last posts I touched upon a profound shift in New Testament prayer—a radically different approach compared to the old covenant prayers some of us, perhaps unknowingly, still offer. There’s a crucial distinction, and honestly, if this seems revolutionary, don’t blame me!
Blame Paul! Or rather, credit the transformative revelation given to Paul concerning the finished work of Christ.
The truth is, there’s a monumental difference between the Old Covenant (which, unless you were an Israelite, you were never truly part of) and the New Testament. And this difference reveals a total and fundamentally new way to pray.
You are an heir in the Kingdom of God. Now, pray like you are!
What do we then understand as Prayer?
Ho shi Yah na - Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai!
Blessed Fulfillment: Yah'shua, He is Yahveh!
We recently explored the profound meaning of "Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai – blessed be He who comes in the Name of the Lord." The original Hebrew reveals an even deeper truth: "Blessed be He who comes in the name of Yahveh." And who is "He"? None other than Yah'shua! He is Yahveh!
Sometimes a call is in a name. Sometimes a call is in another Name.
I have written much about the importance of names, words and meanings as well as what it means to be called on this blog (see here, here and here). Recently I felt a new hunger to understand what it means for the beloved to be called by name.
So, I had to balance it out with the truth.
“It Is Finished": The Grace-Powered Outworking of Our Salvation
Philippians 2:12, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," often stands as a stark challenge. Yet, when we view it through the liberating lens of Jesus's triumphant declaration on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), a profound shift in understanding occurs. Suddenly, the daunting task becomes a grace-filled journey.
When it is finished, it is finished!
In the IT world we define “logic” as a system of reasoning used to design, develop, understand and maintain a system of intelligence and operations. It's the foundation for processing information and making decisions based on underlying principles.
I asked AI for some English language expressions where the word "logic" is used to get some sort of understanding of how we humans see "logic". Here is the result:
A sound mind in a sound body.
Logic is the gatekeeper of reason.
Logic is the foundation of truth.
Logic is the bridge between the known and the unknown.
Logic is the tool that allows us to understand the world around us.
Logic is the key to solving problems and making sound decisions.
Logic is the antidote to irrationality and prejudice.
Logic is the light that guides us through the darkness of uncertainty.
Logic is the compass that points us in the right direction.
Logic is the foundation of all human progression.