Living in light of eternity

  In his book, “The Teaching Techniques of Jesus” Herman Harrell Horne, an expert in educational theory, states that Luke 15 is the most perfect parable ever constructed.    That’s not surprising.    It was given by the most perfect person.    You are probably familiar with The Prodigal Son. That’s the final section of three parts- the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The religious leaders of the day had a serious problem.    They could not understand Jesus.    They continually asked Him,  “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” They could not comprehend why He would fellowship with unbelievers.    They probably were concerned that the attitudes and actions of the sinner would rub off on them.    This was not an issue for the Lord Jesus.    He was impervious to their negative influence.    He brought light into the darkness, not the other way around. ...

  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls . “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30) “Come to me.” Jesus beckons all who are weary to come to Him.  What a comforting thought.  Those of us who are weary and heavy-laden- and that includes us all.  Life can certainly be wearisome.  The burdens we often carry are too much for us.  Jesus understood the plight of the human condition.  He has a solution.  He promises rest for those who are weary.  What a wonderful promise.  What burdens do we carry?  Certainly, the burden of sin and guilt is a huge one.  Who among us does not recognize our sin and moral failure?  The burden of sin is the universal experience of the human heart. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God , (Ro 3:23) Certainly, Jesus ...

  Remember those days as a teenager?  When most people existed in cliques- students who hung out together and did most things in the context of their group?  This was our social world, so to speak.  Some of us existed in only one clique, others had the capacity to jump from one clique to another.  I always admired those who were versatile like that, and I wondered how they did it. Did they stay true to who they are or were? Or were they like the chameleon who could change his color to match his surroundings?  Did they sacrifice something in order to fit in?  If you are familiar with 1 Corinthians chapter 9 you may wonder if the Apostle Paul was a chameleon when he said, " I have become all things to all men”  A careful reading of the text proves otherwise. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as unde...

  …while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (2 Cor 4:18) Paul begins 2 Corinthians chapter four by saying that he doesn’t lose heart in his ministry.   Much of the chapter goes on to show hardships he faced in ministry, yet with an optimistic tone.   Later in the chapter he repeats, “we do not lose heart.”   This beautiful passage concludes with an important reminder, “the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal”. I suppose he might have said it a variety of ways.   He could have said the things that are seen are less important, or insignificant, or any number of things.   Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul said none of these.   He said the things visible are TEMPORAL.   I suppose this means temporary.   It indicates the things visible are transit...

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does .” (James 1:22-25) James has a special way of cutting to the heart of a matter.  He paints the portrait of two vastly different types of people.  They have but one thing in common.  They are both hearers of the Word.  But this is where they differ.  One hears but takes no action.  He is described as a person seeing his image in the mirror one morning, needing some adjustments.  Maybe there is a hair out of place or a smudge on his face.  He sees that correction...

  But He gives a greater grace . Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James makes a curious statement in this passage, “But He gives a greater grace.”   When I saw this phrase, I wondered what he meant by “a greater grace”.   I’m pretty sure James is not thinking of “saving grace” (Eph 2:8-9) but something else.   What could “a greater grace” be referring to? It appears there is a special kind of grace reserved for the humble.   That is why he goes on to say, “ God is opposed to the proud , but gives grace to the humble .”   This sentiment is reminiscent o...

    “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. (Lk 6:43-45)   So, which are you?   Good or bad?   Do not be too quick to answer.   Many would say, “I’ve been a basically good person.   The emphasis is on basically .   Jesus calls us to a higher standard, a much higher standard. “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘ You shall not commit murder ’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; (Mt 5:21) “You have heard that it wa...