This We Know

Those who know Mister Bill well also know he has a few "Bill-isms" - personal beliefs cleverly stated in few words. For example, "sometimes you choose your own blessings" or one I hear [too] often "I know things." In Paul's familiar chapter on love, he writes: "for we know in part ... but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with" (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 NASB). The Greek word "perfect" means "end" or "complete" and [mostly interpreted] as the completion of all things - the second coming of Christ. Oh, how I would like to "have known" twenty years ago what I know today! While wisdom comes with age, even human wisdom can't compare with the All-Knowing and All-Wise God and Creator of all things! James writes that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask it of God Who gives it generously (James 1:5); he also writes, "the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17 ESV). We live in a day when information and knowledge is one click-or-scroll away, however, true wisdom is only a prayer away to those who will humble themselves before the Lord (James 4:10 ESV). I admit Mister Bill does know many things and is usually right about those things; lest any of us, however, forget the "perfect" has not yet come and we do indeed know only in-part. We are wise to remember it is The Lord Who knows all and is sovereign over all ... this we know.

Compelling Evidence

Do you find yourselves needing a conversion chart sometimes: centimetres to inches, litres to gallons, kilometres to miles, etc.? The Greek word "epistrepho" means to turn back or turn around. Paul describes it like this: tTo put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life" (Ephesians 4:22 ESV). When a person turns around, changes his-her mind about who Jesus is, and believes God raised Jesus from the dead, that person is "saved" or converted. To believe in Jesus is the profound simplicity of The Gospel! Subsequently, there is a conversion indicator to such a change: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). New patterns of thinking and behavior, new passions and longings are outward evidences of the inward change. Mister Bill is usually my source of conversion information, but it is Christ alone Who rules [or not] the Believer's heart and reveals the truest conversion. For those who love Jesus, it's s a good consideration - that is ... compelling evidence.

Consider That!

Most things we do involve preliminary considerations. Some considerations we make without little effort while others may require a gathering of information and a weighing of the pros and cons. We often too casually recall all that Jesus went through as the God-man but a more serious recall is good: manger, mental agony of Gethsemane, bloody sweat, bitter cup, betrayal-disbelief-abandonment of disciples and friends, mocking, crown of thorns, heavy cross, horrors of crucifixion and in the end ... giving up. Make no mistake Jesus know "the price of pardon was His blood" (Octavius Winslow). For sure, as mortals, we would long debated the cost and decided "no thanks." Yet ... "... Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV). Winslow says, "and yet He willingly rushed to the rescue of ruined man." Think about it - why would anyone do such a thing - knowing well and completely all considerations? I suggest there was no consideration at all - God loves us and that all the consideration that was needed ... consider that!

Love The Walk

Many people choose to walk for exercise but in the heat we are now experiencing, walking isn't so lovely. In days-gone-by when I walked five miles a day, I found it so much more pleasant to walk with a friend. Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB says, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Being imitators of God - living Christ-like - was never meant to be boring nor burdensome! Too many times obedience to Jesus' teachings is described as merely a list of do-this and don't-do-that. Well, I admit there are indeed things we do and don't do but it's not a checklist; obedience actually makes the journey joyful! As we mimic God and His righteous characteristics, we are walking in love as Jesus did, and there is an unspeakable joy. The psalmist described it like this: [God] You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11 ESV). That fullness of joy resonates deeply in the soul! Those who genuinely love Jesus will walk in love and they will ... love the walk!

It's Who I Am

Whenever the real-you has shown itself, perhaps you've offered this explanation: "well, it's just who I am." As honest as that may be, that's never a good excuse for bad behavior! God's Word says Jesus for a little while was made "lower than the angels" ... He took on a different nature, one of humility "so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9 NASB). Jesus willingly and on-purpose humbled Himself for me and for you. Octavius Winslow says "What a mighty stoop was this!" I suggest lack of humility is a widespread problem today!The putting-forth of me-myself-I seems to be the rule-of-the-day, the root cause of every conflict in the world. That my-way-or-the-highway mentality is far from the humility modeled by The Holy One, Jesus. By His humility and suffering Believers see the nature we ourselves are to possess as true disciples of Christ. To the world, of course, it will appear weak and feeble but in reality "it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me ... the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 ESV). When it's His nature that shows Itself, then it's perfectly fine to say ... it's who I am!