Un-deferred Hope

 

Through the ages the human heart has been intimately acquainted with the heavy ache of waiting. Throughout history, we have struggled under the crushing weight of unmet expectations, striving to achieve righteousness, peace, and security through performance and rule-keeping, all amplified by teachings and doctrine of the institutional church. This agonizing cycle is perfectly captured in the first half of Proverbs 13:12:

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick..." (KJV)

When hope is constantly postponed, it drains the life out of our spirit.

Witness and Witnessing and the Reason

The beauty of the New Testament is not found in what we can do for God, but in the overwhelming revelation of what Yah’shua (Jesus) has already done for His beloved. In the religious world, a "witness" is often portrayed as someone striving to prove their own devotion through works, rules, and "doing." Yet, the ultimate Witness, the Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of the goodness, love, and truth of Christ. So, it becomes clear that a true witness is simply one who disregards himself and points toward the Truth, the Light of the World.

When we look at the opening chapter of John, we are introduced to a man sent from God whose entire existence was defined by this singular purpose.

Response-map, Not Rules!

In a world constantly demanding performance, rules, and self-improvement—a world often stuck in the rut of "do more to be more"—the New Testament offers a strikingly different, counter-cultural message.

The concluding section of 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 provides a beautiful and practical guide for Christian living. Yet, to truly grasp its profound depth and liberating power, we must understand these verses not as a rigid rulebook, but as powerful encouragements for those already set free and eternally secured by the finished and fully accomplished work of Jesus Christ.

The exhortations are not performance-based, law-driven demands aimed at earning or maintaining God's favour; rather,

Unmixable Truth

Have you ever encountered a truth so profound, so liberating, that it utterly transforms your understanding? Yet, often, our age-old drawback comes from religion – the man-made traditions, rules, and needless works we bind ourselves to without even considering their true origin. Just like the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day, we can inadvertently "make the word of God of none effect through your tradition" (Mark 7:13, KJV).

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, often taught through parables, simple stories designed to cut through this religious fog and reveal layers of divine wisdom. Today, we're diving into one such profound parable from Luke 5:36-39 (KJV), a passage that brilliantly illustrates the radical, unmixable difference between the Old Covenant of Law and the New Testament of Grace.

All things pertaining to Life and Godliness

Have you ever considered the sheer magnitude of what Christ accomplished for us? It's not merely a "get out of hell free" card, but an invitation into a life of profound partnership with the Divine, marked by dominion and infused with divine virtue. Peter's opening words in his second epistle are a stunning declaration of this reality, anchored firmly in the finished work of Jesus.

The End of Formlessness

Have you ever been told that sin is a non-issue and there is no need for a saviour because? It's a common challenge in the secular world, and it highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Bible teaches about sin and salvation. To truly grasp the Gospel message, we may need to delve into the most profound declaration ever made by the greatest prophet that ever lived, John the Baptist (Luke 7:28). And perhaps it's time to accept that our part is all about receiving (lambano), that comes with the afforded righteousness and gloriousness of the absolute Grace extended onto us, shed abroad from before the foundation of the earth.

So, imagine the scene on the dusty banks of the Jordan River, a crowd gathered around John the Baptist, a wild-looking prophet whose life's mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah. People from all walks of life came to him, confessing their sins and seeking a cleansing baptism. John's ministry was powerful, yet he consistently pointed beyond himself to the One who was to come.

Perfect Liberty

"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'?

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

 

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.

Teacher - YAH-rah and bridling - Revisited

Unbridled horses are just strong, elegant, and beautiful animals that serve no purpose except to satisfy their own needs. Yet, once bridled, they can fulfill a multitude of useful purposes with all their inherent power and might.

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?

Two Minds, One King

Two Minds, One King: Overcoming Double-Mindedness in the Fullness of Grace

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.

When Jesus marvelled

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.

Food out of the Eater, Sweetness out of the Devourer

The Riddle: "Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." (Judges 14:14)

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).

Say and send away

The Royal Mandate: Exercising Inherited Dominion Through Christ's Finished Work

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!

What is the will of God?

The Echo of His Voice: Discovering the Will of God Through Christ's Finished Work

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.

Beyond and above - ask

The Echo of His Voice: A New Covenant Prayer – From Begging to Demanding in Our Inheritance in Christ

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?

Dead Bones and Life

Listening to the song “Rattle” by Brandon lake, I was reminded of our powerful 2020 hindsight following the cross and the finished work of Jesus that makes the dead come alive … just by touching …

The Story of the dead bones

The account in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is a curious one, often overlooked in the grand narrative of the Bible. It tells of a dead man, hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb, who, upon contact with the prophet's bones, is miraculously revived. “So Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they saw a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV).

At first glance, this story might seem like a strange, almost macabre miracle, a testament to the lingering power of a prophet even in death.

Tongues and truths

Sometimes I sit and I think … sometimes I just sit …

I will be the first to admit that sometimes I am clueless when it comes to prayer and the words I need to pray (and declare, mostly). But, there is a way out when we do not know what to pray and what to say.

1 Corinthians 14:2 reads, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." This verse is part of a larger discussion about spiritual gifts bestowed on the ekklēsia (see this post), particularly focusing on the gift of tongues. In this post, we'll delve into the meaning of this verse from a grace perspective, exploring the relevant Greek words and their implications for our understanding of this gift.

Favourite permissible?

A Symphony of Grace: Romans 8:14-17

If I were permitted to have a favorite book in the Bible, it would most definitely be the book of Romans. And if a favorite chapter were permissible, mine would undoubtedly be Romans chapter 8.

But if you were to ask me about my favorite verse, I'd be hard-pressed to choose just one! Every verse in this chapter is a masterpiece, painting a breathtaking portrait of God's grace and love.

However,

Law of first mention or first mention of law?

Imagine Perfection.

Imagine having more than you could ever need, living in a world without danger. Picture a life filled with beauty, tranquility, peace, love, health, and boundless contentment. Imagine a perfect love relationship with someone who couldn't love you more. Imagine the cool of a summer evening, simply being. This is paradise, this is Eden!

Would I stay in such a place? Would I give it up?

Truth remains Truth

I was recently criticized.

I was politely reprimanded to convey the truth with caution.

In communicating the truth, I needed to be sensitive, thoughtful and diplomatic. I must take care not to offend those who are deceived, ignorant or even indifferent to the truth.

Communicating the truth must all be done in love …

Why am I ranting on about this?