“For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of
sin and death” (Romans 8:2)
What is it about jobs that
often tend to OFFEND those who have them? Why is it that so many struggle in marriage?
Or you’re finally alone and at peace, but still unhappy! You get the car or home you wanted,
but it becomes tiresome and can be difficult to maintain.
“I
want to do things MY way” was not only the song of Frank Sinatra, a
singer of a few decades ago, but it is the call of mankind to be FREE! People
often resent HAVING to do something or following some person. God’s response to
us is that He has offered Someone, Jesus Christ, who is actually worth following! Our Lord is
worthy of our trust.
This is Someone who doesn’t
take away your creativity, but actually ADDS to who and what you are. Someone
who sets you free, and yet offers real Leadership at the same time. Our Lord
makes us MORE, because of His love. Why do people resist Him who loves us?
For much of the Western
World, this is the end of an old year and the start of a new one. But instead of merely making some kind of New Year's resolutions that nobody
keeps, it’s time to understand what God longs for you to have. He gives New LIFE
to you through faith in Jesus Christ, who was sent to die in your place so you might live. He
offers freedom, peace and joy, to those who simply breathe “yes” to the Son of
God.
There are plenty of
instances in history where we can see that one person died in the place of
another. A classic for those who have not yet heard about it is the discovery that northern industrialists,
bankers and other somewhat wealthy individuals could buy substitutes for their
sons during the U.S. Civil War. You could advertise in the newspaper and
legally hire someone to go and fight in the place of your loved one. Your “boy”
would live and not suffer the horrors of war. The one sent would suffer those horrors and many died as a substitute for somebody's son.
Actually, one way to
interpret many of the wars of history is this: Some members of the group would battle
to the death in order to defend others. Younger men were sent into the face of
an invading army to protect those who couldn’t go. They left women, children
and the elderly behind, armed themselves as much as possible and flung
themselves at the enemy who was crossing the borders toward their homes, their loved ones.
Sometimes the defenders were successful; sometimes not. If not, then the
country and its citizens would be overrun.
Jesus Christ fought the key
battle of history for you and me, and He was SUCCESSFUL in His defense to the
death. The enemy (and there really is an enemy) took us captive after humanity gave up without much of a
fight. Jesus was sent as our Champion, though we did not seek Him, ask for His
help, or even want Him. We are unhappy about what has befallen us throughout history, but people do not naturally have
faith in the Lord and tend to not believe He would or will intervene on our behalf.
He did intervene in an amazing and wonderful way.
Our problem in receiving Him is that His intervention
does not fit our preconceptions. His style is not the method we would have
chosen. We would have asked for a Warrior King to ride into our lives, rescuing
us by power and might! But He instead chose to die a lowly death for our sins because He
recognized our real need – we must be changed inside. We wanted to be rescued
from OUTWARD trouble. He had something better in mind. He came to us right in
the middle of this world’s troubles and let us remain here in this place of suffering so that, changed through faith in Him and what He has done, we
might reflect Him to others. They need Him, too, and we are to reveal His love.
On a certain December 15th, just before a recent New Year, Dennis Stinson, our quadriplegic friend and FSM Board Member, was
baptized during an event of Friday Study Ministries. His
baptismal service may be found at
www.fridaystudy.org – turn to the “Weekly Bulletin” and then click into
“Baptism.” It's all about Dennis (who has since gone to be with the Lord), but his baptism is really a message for everyone of us.
Dennis had been a person who intensely followed what HE
wanted to do, as much as anyone you are likely to meet. Baptism reflects a
different attitude, telling the world that I am not going to live for me anymore
– I receive God's Gift and will now live in and for Jesus Christ! I’m going to do life HIS
way. Dennis repented of his sins and was forgiven. He was set free and became able to follow the Holy Spirit of God. That’s Dennis’ message to the world,
which was transmitted to others through his public baptism. Dennis was changed when he became a quadriplegic but was changed far more when he trusted in the Lord.
Have you noticed that people always set rules and laws for one
another? Children become offended by those who don’t follow society's “rules” and so
do adults. Our culture is constantly “telling” us how we are to dress, what words
to say, where we should go, and what we should think. And to avoid embarrassment, we
FOLLOW those around us, even when they lead us into places and patterns of
thought where we really should not go. Here’s a minor but interesting example of how we follow the law:
Dr. Layne Longfellow, a philosopher and lecturer, told us “How
to Behave in an Elevator” – He said we must “1) Face forward,
2) Fold hands in front, 3) Do not make eye contact, 4) Watch the numbers, 5)
Don’t talk to anyone you don’t know, 6) Stop talking with anyone you do know
when anyone you don’t know enters the elevator, 7) Avoid brushing bodies.”
We subtly learn such "laws" in all areas of life when we are still very young and follow the "rules" all our lives,
even though it is unnecessary and tiresome to always do so.
The Lord entered humanity, and He is the One who “made (you and) me FREE from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). That's the grace of God. To this news
we reasonably should REJOICE for the rest of our lives and for all eternity, but
yet, the response of most is, “ho-hum, let’s watch a television show,” or whatever you
might do for entertainment within your cultural setting.
True “Freedom” is to receive your Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, to know His love,
receive His Spirit, and utterly be in concert with Him – forever. As you read His
written Word, you learn through the Lord’s enabling that the Son of God was
sent to die in your place. We are offered New Life in Him and are given His Holy Spirit,
Who leads us into wholesomeness and love. It's time to accept the true freedom He offers.
Dear Lord, I receive You now. I repent of my selfishness and
receive the New Life You offer. Fill me with Your Holy
Spirit. Open Your Word, the Bible, to my understanding that I may know You more, and let me have the peace, joy and love of God.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries www.FridayStudy.org
E-mail:
Ron@FridayStudy.org
Tel: (562) 688-5559
PO Box 92131
Long Beach, CA 90809-2131 "While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8)
