Peace with God Through Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 33:1-13

 

Jeremiah 33:8-9

 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. ⁹ And this city^[c] shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

(ESV)

 

Except for a few narcissistic leaders seeking power through force, most individuals seek a peaceful existence in their lives. Jesus promised kinship in the family of God to peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). The Word of God also encourages believers in Christ to pray for those in authority over them as a means of living a peaceful life (1 Timothy 2:1-4). However, every individual is born into sin and under the death penalty (Romans 3:23; 6:23), making peace with God through our efforts impossi9ble. However, The gift of God’s grace and the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins makes peace with God possible (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23). Jeremiah 33:1-13 is a word from the Lord to rebellious Israel and Judah, promising restoration through the grace of God.

 

Most of the book of Jeremiah occurring before Jeremiah 33 is God speaking to the people of Israel and Judah about their rebellion and God placing them in exile for this rebellion. However, even during their exile, God reminds the people of Judah and Israel that God has plans for them that do not include their destruction (Jeremiah 29:11). With this promise from God in mind, Jeremiah 33:1-13 Is a Word from the Lord bringing peace to those in exile at a time when peace might have seemed impossible. The passage begins by telling us that this is a second Word from the Lord given to Jeremiah with the first being God telling Jeremiah to purchase a plot of land (Jeremiah 32:1-15). The study of this passage revealed that the purchase of the plot of land by Jeremiah consisted of a step of faith based upon knowledge of God’s promise of a seventy-year exile.

 

This Word from the Lord begins with the Lord inviting the exiles to call upon the Lord so he can reveal great things to them that they did not previously know (Jeremiah 33:2-3). To defend the city of Jerusalem, the people had torn down their houses to make siege ramps from the invasion of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 33:4-5). Those hearing this word from the Lord might have caused them to recall Jeremiah’s purchase of land in the Promised Land as an example of a step of faith. This Word from the Lord continues and is directed at the exiles with a promise of health, healing, prosperity, and security (Jeremiah 33:6). In addition to the restoration of their fortunes, God promises to cleanse them of their guilt, sin, and rebellion and restore Jerusalem to a place of peace and joy (Jeremiah 33:7-9).

 

The Word continues with the Lord telling the people of Israel and Judah that the land that is now desolate without man or beast will become a place of mirth, gladness, and the voice of the bridegroom and bride (Jeremiah 33:10-11). The Lord goes on to promise the people that there will once again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks (Jeremiah 33:12). The passage concludes with the Lord specifically naming cities in which the shepherds will tend their flocks (Jeremiah 33:13).

 

God is the perfect balance of judgment and grace. For the people of Israel and Judah, judgment came upon Israel and Judah because of their rebellion against God by practicing duplicitous worship of God and foreign gods in violation of the Word of God (Exodus 20:1-3). The consequence of this rebellion was exile, spelled out in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. However, God is a gracious God, promising restoration to those who repent of their sins receiving restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1-3). To receive this gift of grace does require that one turn from their sin and rebellion and back to God, something God called His people to do (Jeremiah 33:3).

 

God is still a just and gracious God, something Jesus demonstrated during His ministry. Jesus demonstrated His love for humanity by becoming human and dwelling with us (John 1:14). Even though Jesus knew no sin, he took the death penalty for humanity’s sin upon himself in the greatest demonstration of love ever seen (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8). This means that everyone reading this has the opportunity to accept the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus in fulfillment of the law and experience salvation through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have not done so and need to experience salvation through the grace of God, 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.

 

For those reading this that already have a personal relationship with Jesus, I invite you to draw closer in your relationship with Christ during these chaotic times. Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus knocks at our heart’s door, not just to bring salvation from sin for the verse speaks of Jesus coming into our hearts to be with us. During these chaotic times, we need the presence of God in our lives more than ever, so I encourage everyone reading this to spend more time in the study of God’s Word. I also urge everyone reading this to spend time in prayer for the prayers of believers are effective (James 5:16). May God bless everyone reading this post. 

A Picture of Baptism

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 5:12-21

 

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

(ESV)

 

This past Easter weekend, we had baptisms at my Church. The Easter weekend begins with Good Friday a day of grieving the death of Jesus Christ, Saturday, a day of reflection over what occurred on Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday, a day of celebration. With baptism symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, Easter weekend is a great time to make a public declaration of faith in Jesus as one’s personal savior.

 

Romans 5:12-21 is passionate teaching providing a contrast between Adam whose trespass introduced sin into the world and the second Adam, Jesus Christ whose death on the cross brought justification and forgiveness from sin (Philippians 3:9-11). In Romans 5:12-21 we observe,

 

1)      Adam, the gateway for the entrance of sin (Romans 5:12-14) – Adam’s sin went beyond just death and eviction from the Garden of Eden for Adam and permeated the DNA of every person (Romans 3:23). Just like our own personal DNA code, one’s personal efforts cannot alter the DNA of sin. When evicting Adam and Eve from the garden, God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15), letting Adam know that it would take a special man with a different DNA to crush the serpent's head.

2)      Jesus, the savior crushed the serpent's head altering the DNA of sin (Romans 5:15-17) – This portion of the passage begins by differentiating the free gift of grace from the trespass of sin. Jesus knew no sin and therefore, did not have any of sins DNA in his body (2 Corinthians 5:21). However, Jesus chose to take sin’s DNA upon himself so that he could destroy sin through his resurrection. This makes it possible for each person to become the righteousness of God through Jesus the covering of sin with the pure blood of Jesus.

3)      Transformation through the bold of Christ (Romans 5:18-21) – The purpose of the law was to increase the trespass or make us aware of the DNA of sin in our lives (Romans 5:20). Obedience to the law can do nothing to alter sin’s DNA for that requires the purifying blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22). This is the power of the blood of Christ in bringing transformation in one’s life and eternal life.

 

The reason evangelical Christians believe in total emersion in baptism is its provision of a picture of one dying to sin (emersion in the water) and rising into newness of life (coming out of the water). Everyone is born into the corruption of sin as descendants of the first Adam (Romans 5:12) but have redemption from the second Adam, Jesus who died for the sins of humanity even though He did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Paul’s passion for this topic comes from him relating to the corruption of sin as he was once a persecutor and murderer of Christians and on the road to Damascus having an encounter with Christ and rising in newness of life and purpose (Acts 9:1-19). While most do not experience a dramatic conversion like the Apostle Paul, one's conversion from the death of sin to newness of life in Christ is dramatic as it represents the loss of conformity to the world and sin and the process of renewal of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). Paul’s purpose in writing Romans 5:12-21 is a call for its readers to join him in dying to sin and living in newness of life with the second Adam, Jesus.

 

All humanity has two choices. The default choice is to remain in sin and death due to being a descendant of Adam which requires nothing (Romans 3:23) but remaining in this state has the consequence of death (Romans 6:23). One could argue that they have lived in this condition for many years and are still alive but the death spoken of here is spiritual death or separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-13) and eventually physical death (Hebrews 9:27). The good news of the Gospel is there is a second choice, eternity with God through belief (John 3:16). This belief goes beyond simply believing in Jesus Christ for even the Devil believes and shudders (James 2:19) and is a public confession of one’s belief (Romans 10:9-10). Baptism is a wonderful means of making this public confession of faith and something every believer in Christ should do.

 

If you are reading this and have not made a public profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, I urge 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.

 

Congratulations to those that just prayed. Know that you are saved even though you have not followed through in baptism for baptism does not save us but is a public profession of faith in Jesus as Savior. However, Baptism is important in that it confirms the transformation that has occurred, so I urge those that just prayed to become part of a local Church teaching the Bible and ask them about baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Lingering Doubts

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 32:16-44

 

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

(ESV)

 

Today is Easter Sunday, a day set aside in the Christian faith for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, for there to be a resurrection from the dead, Jesus had to endure a brutal crucifixion. The weekend of Easter is a roller coaster of spiritual emotions from the grief of Good Friday to the reflection of Saturday when one considers why Jesus had to die, and Easter Sunday celebrating the conquest of death by Jesus. The resurrection means everyone can have eternal life (John 3:16). Please take a moment to watch these video clips from David Crowder and Don Francisco that remind us of the importance of this day in our faith.

 

Jeremiah has obediently purchased a plot of land in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:1-15). This purchase represents a step of faith for it is based on the word from the Lord that the exile would last seventy years. The question of this post is were the actions of Jeremiah doubts that his purchase of the land came from God or the seeking of understanding the significance of his actions. Jeremiah 32:16-44 teaches us the importance of,

 

1)      Counsel (Jeremiah 32:16-25) – It is wise to seek Godly counsel when doing something, especially something major like a major purchase. The purchase of a plot of land in an area about to come under siege by an enemy army seems crazy on the surface but Jeremiah has confidence in the word he previously received from the Lord and knows his descendants will need a place to live once the people return to the land (Jeremiah 25:1-14). However, he may have some lingering doubts and seeks understanding about why God has instructed him to make the purchase. Jeremiah may believe this understanding will eliminate any lingering doubts and strengthen his faith. It is also possible Jeremiah remembers the account of Israel’s defeat by Ai (Joshua 7:1-9) and wants to ensure he has heard from God.

2)      Context (Jeremiah 32:26-35) – God’s response to Jeremiah places the events about to happen in context with a reminder of why Israel and Judah are going into exile. The nations of Judah and Israel have been disobedient to the First Commandment and worshipped other gods. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 clearly states the consequences of such rebellion so the exiles have had warning and should be unsurprised at what is about to happen. However, God has also promised the duration of the exile will only be seventy years (Jeremiah 21:1-14) meaning it is not crazy to purchase a plot of land for the people will return to their land.

3)      Celebration (Jeremiah 32:36-44) – God then demonstrates His grace and provides hope promising the exiles will return home (Jeremiah 32:36-37). God goes on to remind us that even though they were rebellious, the people of Judah and Israel are still His people and He is still their God (Jeremiah 32:38). Like a parent of a disobedient child, God is displeased with the actions of His children but does not disown them as his children and instead disciplines them during seventy years of exile, bringing them to repentance and restoration.                           

 

A purchase of a plot of land in an area about to come under siege from an invading army seems illogical and perhaps why Jeremiah seeks an understanding of his purchase (Jeremiah 32:16-25). Jeremiah obediently did what the Lord commanded and now seeks an understanding of his actions after making the purchase (Jeremiah 32:16). In the previous post covering Jeremiah 32:1-15, the actions of Jeremiah in purchasing a plot of land constituted a step of faith and not a leap of faith because it has a Scriptural basis. This leads to the question of why Jeremiah who took a step of faith based on what the Lord had shown him would now seek understanding for his actions.

 

Since the passage is unclear as to why Jeremiah seeks understanding, we can only surmise why. Perhaps Jeremiah has self-doubts about his actions being from the Lord or done in his self-interests to ensure his descendants owned land upon returning to Israel. Jeremiah may have also sought confirmation for his actions because of persecution he had suffered from other prophecies he had spoken. The important thing to note here is Jeremiah took a step of faith upon hearing from the Lord and only sought understanding after his act of obedience.

 

After taking a step of faith, one may experience lingering doubts as to whether the path chosen by our step of faith is the right path. While we should not doubt God (James 1:6), James 1:6 also reminds us to ask in faith. Jeremiah is not doubting what God asked him to do when seeking understanding but is asking for understanding, perhaps to deal with some lingering doubts about his actions. This is not a weakness of faith but seeking understanding to strengthen faith. Since the truth, specifically the truth regarding God’s Word, sets one free (John 8:32), we should seek a greater understanding of God’s Word and specifically the steps of faith God directs us to take. However, we should take these Biblically supported steps of faith like Jeremiah did and seek understanding after taking the steps to strengthen our faith.

 

The first step of faith taken by anyone is a step of faith in accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal savior. Every person needs a savior for all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard for our lives (Romans 3:23). Sin is a serious issue for it carries a death penalty with God but God has provided the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Acceptance of the gift of salvation provided by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ comes through a public declaration of faith (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never taken this first step of faith, I encourage 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.

 

I encourage those that just prayed to make their declaration of faith public by either commenting on this post or calling someone to let them know about your declaration of faith. We need to grow in our faith by gaining an understanding of the Bible through finding a church or Bible study teaching the Bible and applying its teaching to our lives. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Peace by Grace, not Works

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 5:1-11

 

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith^[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we^[c] rejoice^[d] in hope of the glory of God. 

(ESV)

 

This Sunday is Easter or Resurrection Sunday, a day set aside in the Christian faith when Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord from the dead three days after the crucifixion. Most of us know people in our lives who do not know Jesus as their personal savior. I urge everyone reading this to be bold and invite their lost friends and family to Church this weekend so they can hear the gospel message and have an opportunity to accept God’s free gift of salvation.

 

The text of Romans 5:1-11 is a passionate teaching on peace with God through faith. The teaching begins with Paul teaching that we have peace with God because of our justification through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Not only do believers have peace with God, but justification also gives us access to God the father so believers can rejoice in their hope of future glory (Romans 5:2). However, Paul also teaches about rejoicing in suffering producing endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). The hope believers have in Christ does not put them to shame for it is based on God’s love that has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

 

The teaching continues with Paul reminding believers that Christ died for them when they were weak and ungodly (Romans 5:6). While people would scarcely die for a righteous person but perhaps die for a good person, Jesus died for sinners which includes all humanity (Romans 3:23; 5:7-8). Justification through the blood of Christ is good but salvation through the blood of Christ also saves believers from the wrath of God for there is no condemnation in Christ (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:9). Believers are reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, satisfying the legal requirement of blood to cover sins and saved by His resurrection (Hebrews 2:17; Romans 5:10). Paul experienced the joy of reconciliation with God and encourages all believers to rejoice in the reconciliation they have received through Christ (Romans 5:11).

 

The context of the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19) indicates that Paul was passionate about justification by faith through the grace of God because he dramatically experienced it himself. Saul, a Pharisee and man of the law was so passionate about adherence to the law that he broke the law by murdering innocent Christians (Acts 9:1-2). On the road to Damascus, Saul experienced the grace of God and converted from being a persecutor of Christians to a missionary taking the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. His passion for the grace of God came from experiencing it in his life.

 

Everyone reading this and the one writing the post have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Therefore, we all live under the death penalty for sin but also have a free gift of eternal life available because of what Jesus did on the cross (Romans 6:23). Even though eternal life is a free gift, the recipient must claim and open the gift to enjoy its benefits. Romans 10:9-10 instructs us on how to redeem the gift through a profession of belief in Jesus as Lord, and belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. If you are reading this and have never redeemed this gift of salvation, I encourage 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.

 

We should all thank God and be eternally grateful that we can experience His grace and escape His wrath. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Step of Faith Versus Leap of Faith

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 32:1-15

 

Jeremiah 32:15

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’

(ESV)

 

Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The faith referred to in this verse is faith in the existence of God with God pleased in our belief in our creator. In the same chapter, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Therefore, faith pleasing to God is faith in God our creator even though we have never seen him face-to-face with the hope of spending eternity with God. To exercise this God-pleasing step of faith, one must acknowledge their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10) or what Christians refer to as accepting Jesus as his or her savior. If you have never taken this step of faith, 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.

 

Jeremiah 32:1-15 is the account of Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Anathoth and happens at a time when the army of Nebuchadnezzar was besieging Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:2). The purchase of a plot of land in an area under siege seems crazy but may indicate Jeremiah believes something in faith that assures him that the people of Israel will once again buy houses, fields, and vineyards in the land of Israel (Jeremiah 32:15). Therefore, we must ask if this act of faith by Jeremiah was a step of faith or a leap of faith. To do this, we must define the difference between a step of faith and a leap of faith.

 

1)      Leap of faith (Joshua 7:1-9) – Joshua 7:1-9 occurs after the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27). The victory over Jericho occurred because Israel followed the instructions of the Lord with God causing the fall of Jericho and not because of the might of the army of Israel, but by God’s power. Joshua 7:1 states that Israel broke faith with God when Achan took some of the things devoted to other gods, causing the anger of the Lord to burn against His people. However, instead of seeking God before attacking Ai, where God would have revealed the sin of Achan before Israel entering into battle, Joshua takes a leap of faith and attacks Ai, suffering defeat (Joshua 7:2-5). Joshua might have seen the ease with which Israel defeated Jericho and believed the rest of the Canaanites would fall just as easily. This is an example of a leap of faith that is not based on seeking counsel from God. From this example, we can define a leap of faith as one stepping ahead of God in presumptive faith, believing God has our back based on past experiences.

2)      Step of faith (Joshua 7:10-8:29) – After their defeat at Ai, Joshua falls on his knees in repentance with God revealing the reason for Israel’s defeat, the sin of Achan (Joshua 7:10-12). God then instructs Joshua on how to deal with this sin so Israel can once again stand in victory against their enemies (Joshua 7:13-26). While the stoning of Achan and his family seems severe because Christians today live under the grace of God with Jesus taking the severe penalty of sin, it does indicate how much God hates sin. After dealing with the sin of Achan, Joshua takes a step of faith by seeking God as he did before attacking Jericho and receives a plan from God on how to defeat Ai (Joshua 8:1-29). From this example, we can define a step of faith as an act of stepping out in faith, based upon seeking God and having His direction in our lives.

 

Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Anathoth is not a leap of faith but a step of faith because he had received instruction from the Lord that the exile would last 70 years with Israel once again returning to the land (Jeremiah 25:1-14). Jeremiah steps out on his belief in a seventy-year exile by purchasing land for his family to live in after returning to Israel. With the benefit of hindsight, we know Israel did return to the land of Israel after the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1).  

 

People use the terms leap of faith and step of faith interchangeably but there is a difference in the terms. A step of faith is something one takes based upon Biblical truth. It resembles a running back in football moving the ball forward by staying behind his blockers who keep him safe by blocking those looking to tackle him. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that the Word of God is the light guiding our feet as we follow the path illuminated by God. A leap of faith is one forging out ahead in faith with no basis of Biblical truth like the false prophecy of Hananiah whose false prophecy predicted a two-year exile, a leap of faith with no biblical basis of truth (Jeremiah 28:1-3). Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Israel is not a leap of faith but a step of faith based on the Word of the Lord that the exile would last seventy years with the Israelites returning to the land (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). 

 

It Is important to take Scripture in context to truly interpret it before its application in our lives. An example would be John 10:10 which some have interpreted to mean that God promises every one of his children an abundance of wealth and riches. However, the context of the verse is Jesus as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). A better interpretation of this verse that we can take a step of faith on is the abundance promised in this scripture is eternal life provided by Jesus laying down his life for humanity’s sin.

 

Scripture also promises healing by the stripes Jesus took (Isaiah 53:5). Taken by itself, one could interpret this scripture to mean Jesus is our healer and there is no need for doctors or other health care professionals. However, the context of Isaiah 53:5 is Isaiah’s prophesy describing a crucifixion. Isaiah may have seen blood coming from the wounds Jesus suffered from His whipping and is stating that the shed blood from these wounds brings healing from the plague of sin in our lives. However, this does not mean that God does not provide healing from disease by doctors but broadens the definition of healing to also include healing from our sin.

 

As believers, it is crucial to have faith for that is how we please God (Hebrews 11:6). It does not take big faith (Matthew 17:20), but faith anchored to the Word of God with its application based on the correct contextual application of the scripture with consideration of the scripture’s broader application. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.