Remission

Remission

Throughout my life, I have met several individuals who have had cancer. Some of them had surgery, chemo and radiation, while others utilized natural methods or treatments to get rid of the cancerous tissue. On more than one occasion, the cocktailing of treatments was successful. Despite this however, the physician never stated that the patient was cured. Instead, the pronouncement was that the patient was in remission. Upon hearing this medical phrase, I was initially quite puzzled, and wondered what it meant. What I later discovered was that this idea of remission from disease could give us a window into how God deals with Sin. Let us talk briefly about cancer and remission in its medical context, and afterward, we will make the parallels between Sin, cancer, being in remission and its spiritual application.

Cancer refers to a class of diseases. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will ever be a single "cure for cancer" any more than there will be a single treatment for all infectious diseases. Treatments for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy. There are also natural homeopathic methods as well. The choice of treatment depends upon the location and grade of the tumor, the stage of the disease, as well as the general state of the patient (performance status). There are challenges inherent in some of the treatments that can limit their effectiveness. For example, the effectiveness of chemotherapy is often limited by toxicity to other tissues in the body. Radiation can also damage healthy tissue which can cause other medical issues. Simply stated, complete removal of the cancer without damage to the rest of the body is the goal of treatment. Sometimes this can be accomplished by surgery, but the propensity of tumors to invade adjacent tissues or to spread to distant sites by microscopic metastasis often limits its effectiveness.

This is why physicians say that cancer is in remission and not that a patient no longer has cancer. Remission is a temporary end to the medical signs in all tests, scans, physical exams, and symptoms of an incurable disease. It is the state of absence of disease activity although cancer still may be in the body and may manifest again in the future.

Sin, this side of eternity, is like cancer in that it can be treated, but it does not disappear. As long as we live on this earth, those who live by faith can stop committing Sin; however, their sinful nature is still alive. As long as we live on this Earth, Sin is always a threat. Just as cancer can show its ugly face when and where you least expect it, so can Sin when not held in check. It is always present and always fighting for the mastery. However, as long as we subject ourselves to the treatment of Jesus by His Holy Spirit, Sin will be in remission. This 'remission' is what Peter spoke of in Acts 10:43,

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of Sins."

 There is a similar expression in John 3:16, "…that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The tense of the verb 'believeth' in the Greek is in the continual present tense. Consequently, the passage should read as such, "whosoever continually believes in Him.…" The Greek word here for 'believe' is the same as 'faith'. Thus, the meaning is rendered, "whosoever continually has faith – believes, trusts, and has confidence in…" Therefore, we can see that the remission of Sin comes through believing as does righteousness. Genesis 15:6 has this to say of righteousness and faith in regards to Abraham,

"And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness."

Furthermore, the Spirit of Prophecy says that "The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain righteousness is through faith" (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 367). So, now we see that there is a relationship between remission of Sin, "not perishing, having everlasting life," and being righteous. Believing causes all three. This simply means that those who are righteous by continually believing, experience remission of Sin, and eventually receive incorrupt and immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53).

In addition, the word righteous is a synonym for just. Therefore, the expression justification by faith means made righteous by continually believing. Paul reminded the Galatians,

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Galatians 2:16).

Genuine justification by faith always produces law keeping Christians. Since the law is summed up by, and (fulfilled) in Agape-Love (Romans 10:13), justification by faith always produces people that love God above all things and their neighbor as themselves (Galatians 5:14).

The Lord longs to have a people who completely reflect His character. He has been waiting so long for us. Let's not prolong His agony. Now is the time, today is the day to allow His treatment for Sin to be effective in each of us and let Sin be declared 'in remission'. This will prove our Lord to be good, merciful, just, and victorious.

~Raul Diaz

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

A Lesson Learned From A Foreigner

A Lesson Learned From A Foreigner

In Matthew 15:21 - 28 a story is told of a Syro-Phoenician woman who pleads to Jesus for a miracle. The story reads as follows,

Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Matthew 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

When we look at this account closely, this is what we see. Jesus initial silent treatment to this Canaanite woman was intentional. It was not to mistreat the woman, but, to teach the disciples and us a few lessons. It seemed the Disciples response was one of disdain. It was pretty much like, "get rid of her." After the disciples speak out to Christ, Jesus speaks to the woman. His answer to the woman can seem very rude. However, it was in line with His intention of teaching the lesson to His disciples. What things did this event show us all?

1. Jesus' love crossed gender lines. The disciples needed to learn that God did not see females as inferior to males. God created them and in Jesus God was redeeming them also. He listened to the woman and answered her prayer.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

2. Jesus' love crossed ethnic/racial/national lines. Again, the disciples needed to learn that God does not favor one group over the other. If the disciples were to go out into the world with the gospel, they had to leave their bigotry, nationalism, prejudices and discriminative attitudes behind. Only Jesus can do this. Tolerating is not enough, you must agape others.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

3. Faith can be found in anyone who believes regardless of their background. 

Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4. God will test your Faith. It will seem to you that He is ignoring you. He will seem to pay no heed to your petition. However, those who have faith will keep asking, until God replies. That is what Paul did about his infirmity.

2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

5. The Canaanite woman admitted to submitting herself to Christ as a puppy to its master. Dogs have two distinct qualities about them that most owners like. They are loyal to and dependent on their master. Are we loyal to God and dependent on Him? Puppies follow their master everywhere, as sheep follow their shepherd. 

John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

This passage perhaps gives us the perfect image of discipleship. A disciple is as a puppy sitting at his Master's feet and feeding off the crumbs that fall from the Master's table.

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

"THE CONVERSION OF PAUL"

"THE CONVERSION OF PAUL"

 

 

Paul Means the Little One

 

Luke 9:48 "…for he who is least among you all -- he shall be great."

 

The verse quoted above seems contradictory. However, such are things in the Kingdom of God.  A pearl is highly valued and desired. However, its origins are very humble. Something insignificantly small – and undesirable to the clam - causes a lesion within it. The clam, to self-protect, creates a substance with which it covers and isolates the irritant. The final result of this process is a precious pearl. It is in this light that we look at Paul's conversion.

 

What do we know of Paul before His conversion? We know that he was an old covenant believer of God, filled with religious bigotry, status and pride. Paul says of himself in Acts 22:3, "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." He proceeds in Philippians 3:5, I was, "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee." He was born a Roman citizen according to Acts 22:25 – 28. According to Galatians 1:14, He "…profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." He was present at Stephen's death and consenting of it according to Acts 7:58 and 8:1. After this, He persecuted the church as we read in Acts 8:3 and 22:4, 5:

 

Act 8:3 "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."

 

Act 22:4, 5 "And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished."

 

Paul's original name was Saul (Acts 13:9). His parents gave him this name because they hoped he would be as great as King Saul (Saul means desired). It seemed Saul did not disappoint his parents. That was until his conversion, when he became a New Covenant believer. After Paul's conversion (Acts 9) Saul changed his name to Paul, which means little one; this was to contrast his name in his life without Christ. After conversion, he no longer pursued greatness but was content to consider Christ as the great and desirable One and he, Paul, was a small one. Indeed, he called himself the least of the Apostles and all saints (1Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8), the chief of sinners (1Timothy 1:15), and a wretched man (Romans 7:24).

 

Paul's view of himself is very paradoxical, as the things of God often are. From our human perspective, we consider the little one and least of all of the Apostles as the greatest apostle of all. He was the preeminent evangelist, highly successful at church planting, and the most prolific letter writer. Paul agreed that it looked as though he was great, but then he clarified in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11. Let us read in I Corinthians 15:9, 10 (ESV),

 

"For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."

 

How did Paul do it?  We could argue that it was Paul's energetic personality, along with his educational attainments and excellent training that produced such a worker for Christ. But these things merely enhanced the tool that he was. Sister White has said it is not the abilities which the man possesses or will ever possess that give him success in the work, it is the mighty outworking of the Holy Spirit on the heart through the one who is surrendered. But naturally a man who is well prepared and pays attention to the little things can have a wider sphere of work, than one whose energies and talents are divided, undisciplined or untrained. (See COL, Chapter 25 on Talents). It was the Holy Spirit through Paul that accomplished all these things. Paul completely gave himself to the Holy Spirit's control, and trusted in God's promises and provisions. He was a man of prayer. There are approximately 32 references on prayer in Paul's epistles. These indicate that not only was he a man of prayer, but that he was filled with, and followed the directions of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:9; Acts 16:6). Paul, who said he was the least of all the apostles, did not disappoint the Lord. Could the same be said of us?

 

~Raul Diaz

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

To Whose Voice Are You Listening

To Whose Voice Are You Listening?

Remember the story of Peter Rabbit? You know, the one where Mother
Rabbit encourages Peter and his siblings to go out, but cautions
against two things: losing or destroying their clothes, and entering
into Mr. McGregor's garden. Mother Rabbit had her reasons for warning
against entering Mr. McGregor's garden, as Mr. McGregor had killed
Father Rabbit in that very garden years before. (Father Rabbit had
gone there to eat some of Mr. McGregor's vegetables). So, off Peter
Rabbit and siblings went with Mother's warning ringing in their ears.
Most of Peter's siblings were determined to follow Mother's warning,
but, Peter didn't. He decided to go into the garden anyway. And at
first, all was well as he feasted on all sorts of fresh produce such
as carrots, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, and the like. Munching
happily away, Peter sniffed the cucumbers, and boy did they smell
good. Allured, he hopped over to the cucumber patch, when suddenly he
and Mr. McGregor came face to face. Surprised and irritated, Mr.
McGregor immediately picked up his rake and pursued Peter round and
round through the cucumbers, the tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and the
carrots. What mayhem they caused in the process. But try as he might,
Peter could not find the entrance into the garden, nor a place to hide
from Mr. McGregor. Frantic now, Peter kept looking, when up ahead he
saw a light. At last, Peter found the garden entrance. Hopping as fast
as he could, Peter squeezed through the small opening and at last was
free. Momentarily relieved, Peter sat down to catch his breath, and
that's when he noticed that he had lost his clothes hopping madly
through the garden. "Now, I'm in big trouble," he thought, "mother is
going to be so mad at me." "Why didn't I listen?" he asked himself.

In this version of the story, isn't it interesting that Peter Rabbit
asked himself, "why didn't I listen?" and not "why didn't I obey?" To
young children, the Peter Rabbit tale is just a fun story, but older
children and adults perceive that the story is really about obedience.
In the English language (and in many others), the word obey means "to
do what you're told." Therefore by our definition, Peter Rabbit was
disobedient the moment he did not do what his mother told him to do.
But is this getting at the heart of obedience? At its core, obedience
is about hearing the right thing to do, whether it be an inward,
silent, persistent thought, or an audible external voice, and then
choosing it. A wise man has said, " First there is the mental
creation, then the action is taken." So obedience involves not only
our outward actions, but our motives and attitudes before the doing. A
literal translation of the word "obey" in the Hebrew, is to listen
willingly, eagerly, attentively (sitting or standing on the edge,
straining to catch the slightest nuance) of the one who is speaking.
Its opposite meaning would be, hearing while preoccupied, resisting
the one who is talking, reluctantly paying attention, and finally,
listening to find the disagreeable.

In most biblical passages where the author (through Christ) is
encouraging the reader to hear, he is saying: ponder these words,
consider their meaning and importance deeply, then choose to give your
will to the Master on this matter, that He may DO it in and through
you. Christ Himself has said, that of Himself He could do nothing, and
that without abiding in Him (the Word) we can do nothing. To more
effectively illustrate the concept of obedience as listening and
hearing willingly and attentively, let's review the story of Saul of
Tarsus / Paul. In Acts chapter 6 verses 1, through Acts chapter 8
verses 1-3, the text records Stephen's sermon and his stoning in which
Saul consented. Of this, Sister White says:

"The Saviour had spoken to Saul through Stephen, whose clear reasoning
could not be refuted. The learned Jew had seen the face of the martyr
reflecting the light of Christ's glory--appearing as if "it had been
the face of an angel." Acts 6:15. He had witnessed Stephen's
forbearance toward his enemies and his forgiveness of them. He had
also seen the fortitude and cheerful resignation of many whom he had
caused to be tormented and afflicted. He had seen some yield up even
their lives with rejoicing for the sake of their faith. All these
things had appealed loudly to Saul and at times had thrust upon his
mind an almost overwhelming conviction that Jesus was the promised
Messiah. At such times he had struggled for entire nights against this
conviction, and always he had ended the matter by avowing his belief
that Jesus was not the Messiah and that His followers were deluded
fanatics" (Acts of the Apostles, 116).

Sister White further states (on page 113), Saul's mind had been deeply
disturbed by striking evidence of God's presence with Stephen. And,
this led him to doubt the righteousness of the cause he espoused with
the followers of Jesus. Perplexed, he appealed to those in whose
wisdom, and judgment he had full confidence. The priests' and rulers'
arguments finally convinced him that Stephen and Christ's followers
were blasphemers and Christ, an imposter. But not without severe trial
did Saul come to this conclusion.

The reason Saul was able to stifle the conviction of the Holy Spirit's
voice to him, was because a voice louder, and more insistent filled
his thoughts. He chose to heed and believe that voice of prejudice,
pride and Pharisaical teaching. Therefore whenever the Holy Spirit
spoke, Saul hardened his heart, and refused to pay attention for he
did not want to hear. As we can see from Acts 9:3-6, it was not until
Christ halted Saul with the revelation and words of Christ Himself,
that he let go of his stubbornness. In relenting, he became willing --
to listen attentively, for there was no competing voice, and eager to
hear, for the words of his Lord and Saviour brought light.

How many of us are walking around in the dark, frustrated with life?
We're pursuing what we think is right, but we're uneasy, as if
something is not quite, well -- right. Perhaps its that in our
choosing, we've listened to the wrong voices and are merely reaping
the consequences of uneasiness to call us to repentance. Its possible
to repent you know, just as Saul did. We don't have to continue
running round and round in the proverbial garden of temptation, as did
our little Peter Rabbit. Yes, there are so many voices which compete
for our attention and resources, and sometimes we don't know which one
to listen to -- yet, "in the stillness of the soul, the voice of the
Saviour is heard speaking."

So the question comes to us today while we are multitasking, "who are
you listening to?" In the case of Peter Rabbit, he chose to listen to
the clamor of his appetite. In the case of Saul before conversion, he
chose to listen to the various members of the Sanhedrin, as well as
his education and pride. Mark 4:24 states: "Take heed how (what) you
hear ... and unto you that hear shall more be given." So, how will
answer the question, "which voice are you listening to?"