An Accuser Other than Satan?

S - John 5:37-47 (NIV): "And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures [Or Study diligently Greek mood is imperative] because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? "But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

O - How could Jesus tell the leaders of a society built on the Law of Moses that they did not believe Moses? Weren't they obsessed with Sabbath Law, Temple Worship and the study of the Scriptures? Didn't they tithe, believe in the promise of the Christ and in the coming Kingdom?  Yet Jesus clearly and consistently identifies their true condition: they do not believe. What kept these people from believing and in their own self-deception?  Jesus gives us two sources which feed and produce this tragic condition: 1. accepting praise from humans as their primary affirmation and, 2. the absence of the love of God in their hearts. This malady works in all religions (Christianity included) because all religions are culture and culture is all about the opinions of humans (praise of others) and its own continuance (the protection of the cultural norm more than anything else).   Jesus must shape, inspire and affirm the application of any religious/cultural expression. He is the message from God and the exact representation of his Person.

A - For the Jews it is Moses, for the Muslims it is Mohammed and for the Christians it is Paul.  What if I insert the name appropriate to my culture into the text?  Would these words read the same? I can quote the three, live out the current cultural norm produced by those who claim their authority and ... be missing Jesus, refusing God and bringing judgment upon myself.  In the end just as Moses will accuse the Jews so Mohammed the Muslims and Paul the Christians who claim them as their authority yet who refuse the love of God and live only for the praise of men. Today, my assignment is to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself; to do the work of believing and to refuse to allow cultural norms to be the measure of self-assessment or the inspiration for my activities, beliefs and worldview.  Jesus is the message and my hope is set only on/in him.

P - Jesus who does not accuse,

Today I'm looking out at my life and wanting your praise, affirmation and love to be in me and flowing through me.  I don't want to navigate my days by my culture but by your life and kingdom. Please protect me from my culture and myself.  Let me get and keep the beam out of my own eye that Moses, Mohammed and Paul would not need to accuse.  Jesus, cause your life to come into me and out of me.  Let me live in you; work with you; and only be holy to you, never for you.  Thank you for loving me and for letting me love you back. 

My hope is set on you,

Steve

Faith for Anything

S - “Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots. Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, “Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!” Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for. And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”” Mark 11:20-25

O - This exchange between Peter and Jesus reveals more than an odd occurrence involving a withered fig tree. It seems out of character for Jesus to curse a tree that is fruitless by the season it's in, i.e. by its design. What is the Lord's point? The faith heaven gives is comprised of three distinct and inseparable facets. 1. You really can ask for anything … even nonemergency things. 2. The faith (confidence) is in a person not an outcome. He says have faith in God not in withered fig trees. 3. The faith in God that can ask anything is a faith that forgives everyone and everything.

A - The result of this faith is more than getting what is wanted. It keeps the exchange relational; with God and with others. It brings more than a blessing … it brings the makings of reconciliation with others and with self. According to Jesus, faith to move mountains without forgiveness for others is no faith at all. I admit my need and fully welcome this faith to be given to me.

P - Lord God Almighty,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and your purposes. I accept and want to engage the faith you give to any and all. I will forgive all, ask big and hold my confidence/faith in you alone.

Believing,

Steve

With Liberty and Justice for All

S - "“The kingdom that God has given you will last forever and ever. You rule over your people with justice; you love what is right and hate what is evil. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has poured out more happiness on you than on any other king.” Psalm 45:6-7 GNT

O -  These lines in the Psalms are also recorded in the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:8-9).  They reference Jesus.  [He confirms such connections in one of his visits after he was raised from the dead. "Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Luke 24:44] The amazing part is not that he loves what is right and hates what is evil; not that he rules with justice or forever.  The absolutely amazing part is how he does all this. In the workings of earth justice confronts the guilty with accusation, condemnation and then punishment … "just desserts" for crimes committed. Conclusion from earth?  "Justice has been served."  Heaven on earth, and in all the ages to come, engages this very differently.  Jesus makes justice serve the guilty.  Justice in and through Jesus confirms the issue, forgives the offense and transforms the perpetrator. Adoption not amnesty is the order of the day.  Conclusion from heaven on earth? Justice serves us.  "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, …." 2 Corinthians 5:19 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

A - All of this amazing justice is because we are actually and perpetually loved by heaven.  God loves the world … all 7.4 billion. He loves all, not just the religious or the good guys.  All!  He loves us first and never stops. He loves us most, more than we'll ever know and more than we'll ever be able to love him back.  He refuses to change his mind even when we give him reasons to do so.  He has fulfilled all justice and now it serves us.  When I consider my own crimes (sins) and the crimes of others … I am to respond as Jesus does.  Start at love, lead with mercy and then, and only then, face the facts -- all of them.  The result will be more than amended behavior … a transformed life set at liberty according to love!  

P - Lord who is love, justice and life,
I accept you and your amazing justice to rule over me, in me and through me … unto all the liberty you intend for the whole world.  I will act in mercy as I've received it.  I will love others as you are loving me. I won't demand justice be served in the lives of others-- I'll let you show me/us how you are engaging justice to serve them/us.  I admit that you want me to hold every life in the hope of transformation -- especially my own.
I love you back,
Steve