Family Disbelief and the Heavenly Scholar

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 7:1-24

 

John 7:23-24

“If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

(NKJV)

 

The holidays have passed, a time when some of us encountered family members who do not share our political beliefs or our faith, potentially leading to heated discussions at the dinner table. Jesus can relate to this for even his brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). Jesus did go to the Feast of Tabernacles but secretly, confronting Jewish scholars as the heavenly scholar sent from God (John 7:16). For revival to happen in our world, the Church must return to its calling from Jesus to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), knowing family members and religious leaders may not understand.

 

Due to threats in Judea from the Jews who sought to kill Him, Jesus walked in Galilee (John 7:1). The time of the Feast of Tabernacles was approaching and Jesus’ brothers asked Jesus to go with them to the feast so the disciples there could see His works (John 7:2-3). They tried to convince Jesus by telling Him that no one does anything in secret when he seeks to be known openly, a plea for Jesus to perform His works openly to the world (John 7:4). The truth was that even Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5).

 

Jesus responded to His brothers, telling them that His time had not yet come but that their time was always ready (John 7:6). Jesus continues by letting his brothers know that the world cannot hate them but that it hates Him because he says the works of this world are evil (John 7:7). Jesus tells them to go to the feast but that He is not going because His time had not fully come, and Jesus remained in Galilee (John 7:8-9)

 

However, after His brothers left, Jesus did go to the feast in secret (John 7:10). Due to much complaining about Him, the Jews at the feast sought Jesus. Some of the Jews thought Jesus was good with others believing He was a deceiver (John 7:11-12). However, no one spoke openly about Jesus out of fear of the Jews (John 7:13)

 

In the middle of the feast, Jesus went up to the Temple to teach with the Jews marveling at his knowledge without any formal training (John 7:14-15). Jesus explains, telling them that his doctrine is not His but comes from the one that sent Him, God the Father (John 7:16). Anyone seeking to do God’s will shall be able to discern if Jesus’ doctrine is from God or something of His authority (John 7:17). One speaking of his own will seeks to glorify himself, but one speaking God’s word seeks to glorify God who sent him (John 17:18). Jesus then reminds them that they do not keep the law given them by Moses and asks why they are seeking to kill Him (John 7:19).

 

The Jews accuse Jesus of having a demon asking who is seeking to kill Him (John 7:20). Jesus responds by telling them He did one work, and they marveled, and that Moses gave them circumcision and that they will circumcise a man on the Sabbath (John 7:21-22). Jesus then asks them why they are angry with Him for making a man completely whole on the Sabbath when they perform circumcision on the Sabbath to fulfill the law of Moses (John 7:23). Jesus concludes by telling them not to judge according to appearance, but to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Jesus as God knew the hearts of the Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles and that they sought to kill Him, and to protect his unbelieving brothers did not go to the feast with them. However, Jesus did not fear these Jews knowing it was not His time to die on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God because it was not the Feast of Passover (Exodus 12:21-28). The issue of contention with the Jews was the healing of a man on the Sabbath, perhaps the man healed at the pool of Bethesda which occurred on the Sabbath (John 5:1-15). Jesus points out the hypocrisy of the Jews at the feast for they condemn Jesus for making a man whole on the Sabbath while having no problem with circumcising a man on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that we are not to judge on appearance, appearing holy through circumcision, but to judge righteously, someone becoming whole on the Sabbath (John 7:24).

 

There is a time and place to confront unbelievers and those condemning the message of the Gospel. The calling of the Church is to spread the Gospel which transforms lives (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 12:2). Unfortunately, with some, the Church has a pharisaical reputation of striving to put on an appearance of holiness through good works without following Jesus’ example of helping people become whole. The Church should be a place where sinners go to receive healing for their sick souls dying in sin and not a social club of people trying to appear holy.

 

Many are praying for revival in our world. For revival to occur, it must begin in the Church returning to its mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples. The Gospel message is not one of works but of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, the appearance of holiness in the Church through good works, while not bad and something the Church should do, is not sufficient to bring revival. If the Church connects its good works to lifting up Jesus, people will be drawn unto Jesus and find salvation (John 12:32). The purpose of good works is not to bring glory to the Church but to bring glory to God by pointing people to Jesus.

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

A New Year of Revival

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Matthew 9:35-38

 

Matthew 9:37-38

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

(NKJV)

 

A new year has come. As with any new year, there is both hope and anxiety. Hope for happiness, joy, and peace but also anxiety something will go wrong that derails our hope. Those placing their hope in Jesus Christ will encounter problems (John 16:33) but can still have hope knowing Jesus is with them and able to take them through and silence the storms of life (Mark 4:35-41). The year 2025 can and should be a year of revival.

 

The year 2025 begins with much hope. There is hope,

 

·         Politically – The re-election of Donald Trump to a second term as President of the United States has brought much hope politically after four years of high inflation and weak leadership by the Biden administration. In fact, this hope is not just evident in the United States but has other countries in the world anticipating a stronger United States presence in the world, bringing fear to some and hope to others.

·         Economically – The energy policies of the Biden Administration caused energy prices to skyrocket causing prices of all goods to increase due to increasing shipping costs. Consumers, especially those on fixed incomes feel this pinch. This decrease in discretionary income is especially prevalent in the restaurant industry as people have less income to eat out leading to the closure of many restaurants. The hope is that President Trump will return to his energy policies and a reduction in energy costs leading to price reductions across the economy.

·         National security – During the four years of the Biden administration, the borders of the United States were wide open leading to an influx of illegal drugs, human trafficking, and dangerous criminals and even terrorists entering the country. Trump’s promise to close the border promises increased security for the country as these activities are curtailed due to a closed border.

·         For revival – During the Biden administration the woke culture in the United States was energized with the government condoning abortion on demand, the support of gay marriage, and transgenderism leading to men unfairly competing against women in collegiate sports. The hope is that a strong Trump administration will embolden the Church to speak out against these issues, pointing people to Christ and a personal relationship with Him.

 

While there is much hope, the Church must not fall into the trap of complacency because things are going okay, and learn from the cycle in the Book of Judges. The continual cycle of Judges was when the people turned to God, God blessed them, the people became complacent and turned from God, things went wrong, and the people returned to God. This is what I believe happened during the first term of President Trump with many Christians not turning out to vote, thinking voting was unnecessary since all was going okay. The Church must be diligent in repentance, prayer, spreading the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and continue to participate in the political process. The Church is the message of sanity and righteousness in a woke culture and must boldly speak out. The final words of the Book of Judges are “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6, 21:25). This must not be the final word for the Church in our time.

 

In 2025 it is vital for the Church to,

·         Not believe that fair winds politically are the answer. The Bible commands God’s people to pray for their leaders, leading to a quiet and peaceable life (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We should thank God for strong leadership that promotes the security and welfare of citizens but remain diligent in prayer for our leaders and nation.

·         Must thank God for good economic conditions but be wise stewards of what God has provided – Fair political conditions will lead to prosperity for many, including the Church. However, the Bible commands us to be good stewards, or managers, of what God has given us. In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the theme is serving for God’s glory, reminding the Church to use what God provides for His glory, including our economic prosperity. While God freely gives His grace, spreading the Gospel comes at a price, including a financial cost. Wise stewardship of God’s financial blessing will lead to the efficient spreading of the Gospel message and the lifting-up of Christ.

·         Must remain diligent on the wall of prayer and engaged in spiritual warfare – After defining the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17, Scripture tells believers to pray always in the Spirit with watchfulness, perseverance, and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). It is easy to pray when things are going wrong going back to the cycle of the Book of Judges with God’s people praying to return to God when things went wrong. The challenge is to remain diligent in prayer when things are going well. Our enemy, the devil does not rest but is diligent in seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This is why the Church must not become complacent in prayer.

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Silence is not Golden

 

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 33:21-33

 

Ezekiel 33:31

So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

(NKJV)

 

In James 1:19, Scripture teaches us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to wrath. However, this passage does not say to be silent but to be slow to speak. Judah and Jerusalem fell due to their abominations against God and His word. As we observe the abominations of a woke culture occurring in the world we live in, it is not a time for silence but a time to speak up against these abominations. However, we must be slow to speak and not lash out in judgement, but speak in love, pointing people to Jesus, the source of their salvation.

 

Jerusalem has fallen and a man who escaped the destruction has come to Ezekiel to let him know of Jerusalem’s destruction (Ezekiel 33:21). Ezekiel had been unable to speak at this time but had received a word from the Lord opening his mouth so he could speak with the survivor of Jerusalem’s destruction delivered his message (Ezekiel 33:22). The Lord came to Ezekiel, telling him of the pride and arrogance of the people of Judah, believing they were mightier than Abraham because of their numbers (Ezekiel 33:23-24). The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to point out their abominations against the Lord and their reliance on their sword or strength in numbers, asking them if people like this should possess the land given to Abraham by God (Ezekiel 33:25-26). The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to tell them that those living in the ruins will fall by the sword, beasts will devour those in the open field, and those in the strongholds will die of pestilence (Ezekiel 33:27). The Lord will make the land desolate with no one able to pass through it with the purpose of showing His people that He is Lord (Ezekiel 33:28-29).  

 

The Lord then lets Ezekiel know that the people are talking about him and telling each other to come to him and hear what the Lord has to say (Ezekiel 33:30). While this may seem like the people are returning to the Lord, the Lord lets Ezekiel know that while they come to hear the word, they have no intention in their hearts to do what it says (Ezekiel 33:31-32). Now that the destruction of Jerusalem has come to pass, the people of Jerusalem and Judah will know that a prophet is among them (Ezekiel 33:33).  

 

The people of Judah and Jerusalem had been warned many times of their destruction and now, with the fall of Jerusalem are beginning to see it happen (Jeremiah 14:12, 24:10, 29:17-18; Ezekiel 7:15). However, they still put on the appearance of obedience by gathering around Ezekiel to hear the word from the Lord but still do not intend to do what the Word tells them to do, repent (Ezekiel 33:31-32). The word of God is more than just pleasant words to hear but a pathway for living a godly life (Psalm 119:105). God’s people must repent of being hearers of the word of God who have much academic knowledge of the word and live in obedience to what the Word tells them to do. The people of Judah and Jerusalem were not ignorant of the word of God but unwilling to apply it in their lives.

 

Like the people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Church has been given the privilege of receiving salvation by the grace of God and a mission to share that message with the world (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20). However, instead of being an agent of change in a lost world, the Church remains silent about the abominations of a woke culture like abortion (Psalm 139:13-14), gay marriage (Matthew 19:4-6), and the mutilation of transgender reassignment surgery (Deuteronomy 23:1). The Church must repent of its silence and disobedience and speak out against the abominations occurring in the world. The church must not allow fear which is not from God and a trap to stop the declaration of God’s truth to a world desperately needing salvation (Proverbs 29:25; 2 Timothy 1:7).

 

Jesus, the Son of God endured the excruciating pain of crucifixion, taking our judgment for sin upon Himself even though he did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus then resurrected from the dead in mastery over sin and death and has given the Church the mission of sharing that truth to a sinful world (Romans 3:23, 8:2; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus told us that if the Church lifts Him up, He will draw all people unto him (John 12:32). Revival will come when the Church repents of its silence and returns to its mission of lifting up Jesus by spreading the Gospel.

 

If you have never prayed to repent of your sins, seeking forgiveness from God, and to make to receive eternal life through believing and confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10), I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God bless, challenge, and convict everyone reading this post.

God’s Breaks His Silence

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Luke 2:8-14

 

Luke 2:10-11

 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

(NKJV)

 

Four hundred years have passed since the prophecy of Malichi with no new revelations coming from God. However, the silence of God has ended with God speaking through His angels to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and a group of shepherds. One would think that God would have broken His silence by speaking to the religious leaders of the day but instead, we see Him breaking His silence by speaking to normal people going about their lives. However, this should not surprise us for the message of the Gospel is God came to sinful humanity to provide salvation from sin. The announcements after four hundred years of silence indicate something grand and glorious is about to happen.

 

1)                              Zacharias (Luke 1:5-25) – Zachariah was a priest of the division of Abijah. His division was on duty with Zachariah selected to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). While performing his priestly duties, an angel appears to him bringing great fear because of God’s silence for many years (Luke 1:10-12). The announcement of the angel tells Zachariah that he and his wife will have a child in the old age who will in the power of Elijah prepare the way for the coming of the Lord (Luke 1:13-17). Zachariah is unable to speak due to not believing what the angel told him (Luke 1:18-23). The word of the angel comes true, and Zachariah’s wife conceives a son.

2)                              Mary (Luke 1:26-38) – An angel then appears to a young virgin in Nazareth. Mary who was engaged to Joseph making the message given by the angel disturbing to a young woman raised in the Jewish culture. She is told she has found favor with God with the disturbing part of the announcement that she will have a child (Luke 1:30-31). I am sure she began to hear the rumors in her head but also must consider that the angel told her the child she would have would be great and called the son of the Highest (Luke 1:32). Mary tells the angel to let it be to her according to his word.

3)                              Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) – After hearing that his fiancé was with child, Joseph considers putting her away secretly for what appears to be her immorality (Matthew 1:18-19). However, Joseph too has an angelic visitation telling him that the child Mary is carrying is not due to her immoral behavior but a special child conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Like Mary, Joseph also agrees to do as the angel commanded (Matthew 1:24).

4)                              The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-21) – The final announcement comes to a group of shepherds tending their sheep. It should not surprise us that the announcement of the birth of Jesus, the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), would be given to a group of shepherds tending their sheep outside of Bethlehem. While initially afraid, the shepherds decide to go into Bethlehem to see what has happened (Luke 2:15). When they arrive in Bethlehem, they find things just as the angels said they would (Luke 2:20).

 

After four hundred years of silence, God speaks through four angelic visitations to a priest, a young girl, Joseph a carpenter, and a group of shepherds. The announcements by these angels are to announce a new covenant, not like the old covenant of the law but a new covenant of God’s love and provision of salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-17). Christmas is more than the celebration of a baby humbly born in a manger but of God coming to humanity in flesh and blood. Christmas is about when the word of God became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus mission for coming in the flesh was to bring salvation to the world by taking upon himself the judgment for humanity’s sin even though He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the greatest gift of love ever given (1 John 3:1).

 

Before departing earth to return to His Father in Heaven, Jesus gave the Church one simple mission, to take the message of salvation to all the world and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). When I speak of the Church, I am not speaking of a building or organization but people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal savior. As we begin a new year, my prayer is that each person placing their faith in Jesus as their savior would share the truth of the Gospel with others. Jesus is coming back to take his Church to be with Him for eternity, I pray many will be able to answer that call because of the many disciples the Church has made.

 

If you are reading this and have not unwrapped the greatest gift of love given to humanity, I urge you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May everyone reading this have a Merry Christmas and a New Year of blessing and revival in the Church. 

Many Turn Away

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 6:60-71

 

John 6:66-67

From that time many of His disciples went ^[d]back and walked with Him no more. ⁶⁷ Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

(NKJV)

 

Christmas is a time of great joy. It is a time when we spend time with those we love and exchange gifts in expression of our love. However, let us not get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas and take time to reflect on the greatest Christmas gift of all, the gift of God’s only Son (John 3:16) who while born humbly as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, would die for the sins of humanity providing reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). I pray knowing this will draw us closer to God and not offend us into falling away as those in this text did.

 

The disciples following Jesus found his teaching regarding eating His flesh and drinking His blood difficult to understand (John 6:60). This prompted  Jesus to ask them if what he said offended them (John 6:61). Jesus then asked them what if they should see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before, a reference to his coming ascension (Acts 1:9-11; John 6:62). Jesus then teaches that it is the Spirit of God that gives life and that the flesh profits nothing with the words Jesus speaks bringing life (John 6:63). Jesus then tells them that some do not believe because He knew some did not believe and would betray Him (John 6:64). This prompts Jesus to say no one can come to Him unless the Father grants him or her permission (John 6:65).

 

Many disciples left Jesus due to this with Jesus asking the Twelve if they too planned to leave (John 6:66-67). Peter responds by asking Jesus to whom they should go because Jesus has the words of eternal life with the disciples believing He is the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:68-69). Jesus replies by telling them that He chose them but that one of them was a devil, speaking of Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, who would betray him (John 6:70-71).  

 

Jesus had amassed a large following due to the miracles he performed (John 6:1-14). However, when Jesus begins to teach about his purpose for coming, to offer His body and shed His blood to forgive their sins, they find it hard to understand. Some may also have thought Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His was condoning cannibalism (John 6:53-58), something forbidden in Jewish law that does not include human flesh in what is permissible to eat (Deuteronomy 14:4-5). Interpreted as promoting cannibalism, one might have interpreted Jesus’ teaching as offensive. However, Jesus is not speaking of one consuming His flesh or drinking his blood but speaking as the Lamb of God who would through his sacrifice on the Cross provide the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity (John 1:29). Peter, when asked by Jesus provided a spiritual interpretation when he told Jesus He had the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

 

In the modern age of mass and social media, it is easy for pastors and Church leaders to amass large followings. While this helps spread the Gospel message, it also brings the temptation to avoid controversial or hard teaching that people may not understand or find offensive. However, controversial issues like sin and how it separates one from God are part of the Gospel for it is why Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth. Failing to teach on these issues cheats people of the knowledge of why Jesus came to us and how much Jesus loves us.

 

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-20), may we not forget that this baby would die for our sins and then resurrect from the dead in victory over sin which separates us from God (2 Corinthians 5:21). I want to encourage ministers of the Gospel not to shy away from speaking out against sin out of fear of offending some in the Church. Jesus experienced a falling away when He spoke of his purpose for coming but out of His deep love for humanity, fulfilled His purpose as the Lamb of God. A lost and dying world needs an encounter with the Lamb of God and forgiveness from sin.

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

God’s Fair Judgment: Balancing Legalism and Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 33:12-20

 

Ezekiel 33:17

“Yet the children of your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not ^[c]fair.’ But it is their way which is not fair!

(NKJV)

 

One of my favorite TV shows when I was growing up was Perry Mason. It was fun to try to figure out who the real murderer was knowing that it was not the person on trial. Most of the programs ended with the real murderer confessing to the crime at the end of the program. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case with the judge or jury deciding the verdict and if the defendant is innocent, with investigators having to start over to determine the actual criminal. Judges and juries in our courts are also human and susceptible to human error and bias resulting in an unfair judgment. However, God is a fair judge always judging fairly but maybe not as we would like. Such is the case with the people of Israel who thought God’s judgments were unfair.

 

This text presents some hypothetical situations and tells us how God judges each of these situations. It begins with God stating that one’s self-righteousness will not deliver someone when they have committed a transgression against God and the wicked will not fall when they turn from their wickedness (Ezekiel 33:12). The righteousness of a self-righteous person committing iniquity will not save them on the day the sin (Ezekiel 33:13). In contrast, when a wicket person turns from his or her sin and makes restitution for their sin, he or she shall live and not die, with God forgetting his or her iniquity (Ezekiel 33:14-16).

 

However, despite this fairness of judgment with each person declared righteous or wicked based on their own actions, the people of Israel claim the Lord’s way is not fair (Ezekiel 33:17). God’s fair judgment is the righteous person who sins dying for their sins and the wicked person who repents receiving forgiveness (Ezekiel 33:18-19). However, despite this fairness of judgment, the people of Israel claim God is unfair (Ezekiel 33:20).

 

God is the perfect balance between grace and judgment. God demonstrated His grace to humanity when he did not destroy Adam and Eve when they sinned but separated Himself from them with the promise of a messiah who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). The work of grace by God was finished on the cross when Jesus said it is finished and the veil separating God from humanity was torn from top to bottom (John 19:30; Matthew 27:51). However, God is also just and true (Revelation 15:3). Zechariah foretold of Jesus coming to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as the just one bringing salvation, riding on the colt of a donkey (John 12:14-16; Zechariah 9:9). Jesus is just for he did not sin and gracious because He took the judgment for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

The extremes in the Church are legalism and cheap grace. If the Church is to be an agent of transformation in the world it must avoid the extremes of legalism and cheap grace.

 

• Legalism – The belief that one must obey all of God’s commandments to achieve salvation. This is a selfish and work-based righteousness that ignores salvation by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). James 2:14-17 does state that faith without works is dead asking the question if someone says they have faith but do not have works, can faith save them (James 2:14). The answer lies in whether one’s faith is a confessing faith where one says the right words or faith in the heart that genuinely believes Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). All the legalism we may place on someone or ourselves cannot achieve this faith in one’s heart.
• Cheap Grace – In Romans 6:1, Paul asks if one should continue living a life of sin so Grace may abound. The question is rhetorical for Paul answers his question in Romans 6:2 where he says certainly not. If one genuinely believes they have died to sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and understand the price paid by God for our salvation. Grace is not cheap and came at a high price, the death of God’s son who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). However, Salvation does not require one performing good works but does require one making a confession of Jesus as their Lord and believing that confession with their heart (Romans 10:9-10). After this genuine confession, there should be a transformation away from conformity to the world and sin and renewal toward Godly living (Romans 12:2).

 

Jesus called the Church to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Discipleship does not mean placing the burden of adherence to a set of rules to achieve salvation because Jesus said his burden was light (Matthew 11:29-30). However, to become a disciple one must determine to abandon his or her life of sin and be transformed through the renewal of their mind by the word of God (Psalm 119:105; Romans 12:2). John 3:16 expresses the balance between legalism and grace with grace God giving the world his only Son who fulfilled the legal requirement of God’s justice on the cross.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.