The Most Important Choice

According to the Bible the decision to save man was done long before we ever existed. Three passages come to mind on this topic: Ephesians 1:3,4; 2 Timothy 1:8,9; Titus 1:2. Let us read all three verses.

Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 1: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Timothy 1: 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Timothy 1: 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

These verses all say that the plan of salvation was in existence before the world began. In other words, before this planet existed as man’s home, Christ made a choice that He would die for anyone who would sin. Knowing how God works all the particulars of the plan had been designed and decided long before. It was a contingency plan that was put in effect once man sinned. Christ would come as a baby in the likeness of Sinful flesh. Not only would He have to suffer Satan’s persecution and punishment, Christ also had to endure God’s wrath against Sin. The wages of Sin is eternal death, which meant eternal separation from God; hence the prayer, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46.

Being that God is omniscient, Christ knew what He was getting into. However, in Gethsemane, we find Christ as if trying to find a way out. It is as if the sacrifice was unbearable. Mark describes it in these words,

Mark 14: 33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Mark 14: 34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Mark 14: 35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mark 14: 36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Christ, in fact, prayed this three times. The Father seemed to be silent. It seems that although He made the decision to die for fallen man as God, now he had to make it as a man, because to save man he had to endure the wrath of God against transgression as a man (Desire of Ages p. 686). Sister White adds later in the same chapter

Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world's Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the courts of heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by transgression. And He will not turn from His mission. He will become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His prayer now breathes only submission: "If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." Desire of Ages p. 692-3

This should not discourage us. Christ, as a man, made the choice to finish the work. Christ successfully and effectively paid the penalty for Sin. Also, no one can say Christ cannot sympathize with suffering and feeling tempted. This makes Him a better High Priest, intercessor and helper.

What kind of a high priest was Jesus? One who was made like the ones he intercedes for, He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He was One which was tempted in all things as we are, yet never Sinned. He was One who suffered as we suffer - and perhaps even more. Because of this, He can make reconciliation for the Sins of people and is able to succor those who are also tempted. Because of this He can sympathize with us, save us to the uttermost when we come to Him, and live to make intercession for us (Hebrews 2:17, 18; 4:15; 7:25).

Christ made His choice; because of this we are able to make our choice. The choice is very simple; accept His work of intercession and help for you or reject it. I pray that you make the right choice.

Meekness Is A Sign Of Godliness

If there is one thing we are invaded with in the USA is advertising and marketing. It is the preferred way of companies and businesses letting you know they exist. They want to let you know that their products and services are available to you. Anywhere you look and anywhere you listen someone is promoting themselves and what they offer. TV, printed and radio ads dominate the time and space of your favorite shows or publications. Ads are all over the internet. Billboards dominate the sky scene of our streets, roads and express ways.

As if this were not enough, much of the advertising is not so much about, “I am here,” but about, “I am the best.” Since companies and businesses compete for market share, they often advertise about how they are better than their competition and why. There is a lot of bragging and self-exaltation in advertising. Phrases such as - “We are the leading…,” “We are the first…,” “We are the fastest…” and “We are the biggest…” – are very common. Have we not heard these phrases elsewhere? If we stop to think about it these are the same phrases are commonly used by people like you and I. Companies and Businesses reflect the same identity of those who run them. When the people running these entities are proud, conceited and arrogant so are the entities they run. These attributes, however, are a lot more common than we think. Even people who do not run businesses use them to describe themselves. And, those who listen often cheer them on. “Flaunt it if you have it,” and “Toot your own horn” is what you hear them say. It is the nature of unconverted man.

But, pride, conceit and arrogance are the opposite of meekness. No wonder sinful men hate it. Men and women who are meek are considered weak, mocked, misjudged and misrepresented. True meekness stands against the principles of this world. True meekness is a gift given by the Holy Spirit to those who allow Him to dwell in them. As opposed to those who reject the Holy Spirit who are following their master, who said,

Isaiah 14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isaiah 14: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

In contrast, Christ calls Himself meek Matthew 11:29 and says that He favors the meek (Matthew 5: 5). In 2 Corinthians 10:1 Paul talks of meekness as an attribute of Christ. In fact, Paul advises us Philippians 2: 5-8,

Philippians 2: 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Humble yourself and submit to the Holy Spirit. Paul also describes agape as not being the opposite of meekness: “…love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” (1 Corinthians 13: 4). For his part, John says that meekness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:23).

The World hates God. The World hates meekness because it is one of the characteristics of the character of God. Therefore, anyone who is meek will be hated because they remind the World of Christ. In remembering Christ they realize how sinful they are. Which is not something that anyone likes to be reminded of; it shatters their pride, as it shows how vain and empty they truly are. The meek accept their vanity and emptiness, plus they let God fill them with His righteousness and glory. Will you do likewise?

Praising God Is Reflecting His Character

Many Christian churches have been incorporating in their worship service a style of singing that some call praise and worship. Some of the songs are based on scripture, many of these on Psalms. David as we know praised God in the psalms for God’s goodness and mercy toward him. David was grateful to God. However, many of the other songs are repetitive and limited to phrases, such as: “we worship you,” “we adore you,” and “you are worthy of my praise.” These songs are accompanied by shouts of “Hallelujah,” “Praise Him,” and “Glory to God.” The congregation stands to sing, while their eyes are closed, and their arms and hands are raised in the air. Caught up in the enthusiasm they seem to reach a stage of euphoria and ecstasy; as if they were in drugs. This practice gives them a rush or high, when they finish singing the ecstasy is gone, and they return to the sadness of their existence. The singing, it turns out is a mere form of escape from their empty realities; a life devoid of God. This is ironic; because the God they claim to sing to is the God they do not have in their hearts. It is nothing but lip service. (Careful when you judge the people doing this. Many are sincere brethren who do not know any better.)

We would all agree that Praising God is giving him glory. But, what glory can we give Him. It is sinful, at its best. The Worship He would accept from us is nothing more than us returning from He what gives to us. So, the glory we offer Him comes from the Glory that is His to begin with. What is His glory? Let us read from Exodus 33:18 – 23,

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Exodus 33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

Exodus 33:22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

Exodus 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

When Moses asked to see the great I Am, God replied that he would pass all His glory before Him. Then God proceeded to tell Moses what His glory is. As we read we realize that it was the attributes of God’s character. The Glory of God is His character. And, His name proclaims this glory or character.

In our sinful condition none of us have His character. This is something the Holy Spirit produces in us, as He converts our hearts from “hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.” He converts our hearts from selfish and sinful to righteous and Christ like. He purges our hearts from Sin and turns it into a heart that is Holy. So, only Humans with converted and grateful hearts can truly praise God; because, they reflect His character, which is His glory. A Godly character is true praise toward and to God.

For what are these converted men and women grateful? They are grateful for what God has done, is doing and will do: Salvation. They are grateful for the conversion that is taking place in their hearts. A person that is grateful rejoices. As God is always working, and in all things He works, they give thanks in all things and always. Because they are always grateful, they can always rejoice.

Imagine these people singing to God. There is a difference. It is not lip service. You can tell it comes from the heart – a converted heart. It moves you to know the God they serve. The difference in their singing is consistent with the difference in their life. It is this difference that makes their singing so inspiring and powerful.

Such was the case of Paul and Silas in the prison dungeon. Their singing - praises to God - influenced the jailer to give his heart to Christ. While in Philippi Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the truth. Then, “…at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts16:25). And, so it seems did the jailer. After an earthquake opened the cell gates the jailer presumed all the prisoners gone. He took his sword to commit suicide, but Paul detained him, by assuring that none had left the prison. The jailer and his family gave their life to Christ that night.

Was it the singing that made a difference? The Bible does not say so. But as Paul and Silas were men who reflected the character of Christ it must have. Despite the persecution, beating and imprisonment they seemed to be grateful God. They were full of the Holy Spirit, so they were rejoicing in the Lord. And, their singing must have reflected Jesus in them. Remember, Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ. He counted all for joy. His singing was no lip service. It projected what was in His heart already, a crucified and resurrected Christ. Is Paul’s experience ours.

When His Answer Is Imperceptible To Our Eyes

Similes are very effective ways of describing something in a visual way. When something is slow it means that it takes more time than what we expect to go from point A to point B. But, that definition does not mean much, unless you can visualize it. This is why simile’s are effective. A simile shows to us what slow means. With expressions like “as slow as a turtle or molasses,” give us an idea of how slow something is.

Some things are so slow they do not seem to move at all. It seems that nothing happens for a long time. We stop looking and when we look back we find it has moved along considerably. Take for example the leaves on trees in areas with cold winters. They start growing in the spring. We may see at first some flower buds on the tree. And, that is all we see for awhile. So we stop looking. Then a few weeks later we happen to look and we see that leaves are starting to grow. For a dew days that is all we see. A few weeks later we happen to look, and the tree is full of leaves. We ask ourselves when did this happen? It seems imperceptible to our eyes.

The moon is very similar. When we look at it every night we do not see much change in its size and shape. But, if we look at it every 8 to 10 days, we will find it is in a different phase altogether. Its movement is not perceptible to our eyes.

Expressions like, “it is so slow it is like watching paint dry, or “it is like watching water boil,” are very common. The more we look the longer it seems to take. Nothing seems to be happening so when we see the final result, we believe it was sudden. These processes are imperceptible to our eyes.

God’s answers to some prayers are similar. Nothing seems to happen; sometimes for days, and sometimes for years. But, God is always working. Sometimes God’s answer to prayer is obvious, as when Jesus calmed the sea. But, sometimes it is not obvious, even unnoticed, as when God’s power sustained Jesus in Gethsemane. The same power is used for both occasions, but in different ways. Just because something dramatic may not happen, it does not mean that God is not at work.

Creation was a dramatic event. God’s Word took a place that was “without form, and void” (Genesis 1:2) and in six days He converted it into a living paradise. It was so perfect that God “saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God spoke and the thing happened, immediately. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells the woman of ill reputation which anoints Him, “Thy sins are forgiven” Luke 7:48. Now, Jesus is God. Therefore, His word has power. We read in Colossians 1:16

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

When He spoke to the woman it was no exception. When He spoke the thing happened. Her sins were forgiven, immediately. Yes, she probably got up and looked around. To her and to everyone else in the house nothing seemed to change. It was imperceptible to their eyes. However, something changed in her heart. She believed the words of Jesus. She suddenly had a “Philippians 4:7” type of peace,

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Her faith, “…hath saved thee” Luke 7:50. Do we have that kind of faith? The kind of faith that believes that when God speaks the thing happens, even if we do not see it. The Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17. So we first must hear God’s Word then believe it. But, believe it how? Someone defined faith as “…the expecting the word of God to do what it says and the depending upon that word to do what it says” (Review and Herald, Dec. 27, 1898). This is how we must believe if we truly have faith. Even when His word seems not to accomplish anything, we believe that it has, it is and it will because God said so. We believe His word to be true, even when the results of His Word’s seem imperceptible to our eyes. You can only have this kind of faith when you receive it from God Himself.