Tag: Sanctification

Suffering as a Privilege

On By TimIn 1 Peter 04, Daily Walk, Sanctification, SufferingLeave a comment

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory.

1 Peter 4:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are some who would divide Scriptures up to say that Peter writes to Jewish tribulation saints. This could very well be. Given the assumption that people reading the text are already in a fiery ordeal would make it seem so. Yet, as written to first-century Christians, persecution would be a real and intense thing to those saints then. It seems to follow, we ought really to expect no different.

By and large, many of us live in western societies where Christianity still has some form of acceptance. For those paying attention, we do note the tolerance of Christianity is becoming less widespread. We do have brothers and sisters throughout the world who do suffer real and intense (read that fiery) persecution. Some suffer even unto death.

As it does, we know not to take it personally as though it were against us. It’s against Him. Yet in Him, you are counted worthy to participate in His sufferings. What Peter is saying is to think of persecution as a privilege. One that will bring happiness in the presence of Jesus Christ.

We might be tempted to gloss over and read these things lightly, but that is a mistake. These are written for our preparation. Just as we’ve seen before in this epistle, set the mindset beforehand. Persecution isn’t something that should be thought of as strange or foreign. That is, like it won’t happen to us. It will.

If you are reproached because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

1 Peter 4:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Your suffering for Jesus’ name is a privilege. Though they blaspheme Him and His name because you suffer because of His name… He is glorified.

But not all suffering we might endure is because of Jesus.

Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or even as a busybody

1 Peter 4:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes the ordeals we suffer are brought on by our own actions.

Some think that Christians are supposed to be unable to sin. It’s like they believe in some sort of magic that keeps a believer from doing heinous things. Peter is clearly hinting that believers are capable of doing these things. But such is rather unseemly and incompatible with Christianity.

Nevertheless… Though a believer can and may do these things, it doesn’t mean that salvation is lost (as if that could really happen.)

My little children, I am writing these things to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

1 John 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We do have an advocate, and the sin may be forgiven… But that doesn’t mean the real-time consequences of that sin won’t be removed. Peter emphatically commands each of us to not reap suffering as a result of sowing our own sins. This means we ought to think soberly all the time; knowing that there is no sin such as is common to man. We can fall into a ditch of our own making. We must be diligent to not haphazardly put ourselves in such positions.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This gets really hard. Peter says we ought to really judge ourselves. Not just ourselves personally, but ourselves as it pertains to a local body of believers! This kind of judgment means that it is not limited to just judging our own actions.

This is not about whether a person is forgiven or not. When sin is confessed to God it is He Who is ready, willing, and able to forgive. Yet, there may be real-time consequences. Real-time consequences that may bring suffering to the entire body. These are going to affect the entire body of fellowship. Our standards of behavior must be tightly knit with that body of believers. We share the blessings. When sin enters, we endure the reproach, too. This means, if one is in sin and continues in it, such may be put out as we’ve been taught.

Remember the previous idea which Peter wrote?

He said love covers a multitude of sins. That is not meant as a way to hide them or cover them up. As this context is expanded to a body of believers, we need to deal with the shared consequences of the sin, even after it is confessed and forgiven. The individual will suffer. And the body will suffer, too.

Each of us ought to comport ourselves in this understanding, knowing that any of our sin can adversely affect not just ourselves, but the brothers and sisters we dearly love.

And “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
So then, let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

1 Peter 4:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Yes, we may be saved. But we can still sin. If we continue unabashedly in sin, what incentive will we have to witness to others?

It’s not a question of who is better, as we are all in the same situation without God. That is, we are doomed to eternal perdition. Though a believer is saved from eternal perdition, temporal suffering for sin is really real. Take it as Peter once again encouraging us to not sin as part of a testimony to those who are not saved.

In any way… When we do suffer whether it be by trial or the reaping of our own sowing to sin, we still trust God. He is the faithful Promise Keeper. In the midst of that trust, let’s continue to do good.

Live as Servants of God

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, SanctificationLeave a comment

Dearly beloved, I implore you as aliens and refugees, abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

1 Peter 2:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Now comes the practical application again. This echoes Peter’s introduction to this epistle where he calls his audience pilgrims or refugees. We are taking temporary shelter in this world, its economies, and this fleshly body. Because we are made of the corrupt dust of this earth, and Adam ate of the fruit that corrupted our bodies, this body is only a temporary dwelling.

Therefore, in light of the sojourning, we ought to abstain from those things of the flesh. He outlined them at the beginning of this chapter; wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. These wage war against the soul, the immortal part of us. The fruit of such things leads to destruction and will not last.

If Peter is telling us to abstain from these, we are wholly capable. Though not in and of ourselves, but because of He Who lives in us. There are plenty of admonitions to put this stuff away from us. One of those is from Paul.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He gives us the opposite things to embrace and put on. Note how outwardly focused they are. These behaviors only exist when there is another person for whom we do them. Peter gives us an example, look at how Peter addresses those who He is speaking to as ‘dearly beloved.’

Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As royal priests, part of our service to God is praise. It is good to praise God. What better way is there to praise God by not doing the works of the flesh?

This is the idea Peter is addressing. The way we behave makes others take notice. The unbelievers are going to mock and scoff. That is for sure. But they will surely notice the way we comport ourselves.

There is a greater purpose in mind though, by acting rightly. It is to bring glory to God. It does it in real-time, yet there is a future time at the end of the age, where how you act will glorify God. It will be attested to by those who perish.

Response to Established Authority

Submit yourselves to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and to praise those who do right. For it is the will of God that by doing right you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

1 Peter 2:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Part of the abstention from the lusts of the flesh includes submission to every human authority. It’s not just some. We cannot pick and choose. I didn’t make that up, either.

Peter is going to give us many examples. Here, he begins with those who govern. We are to be law-abiding citizens. It’s not some legalistic idea, either. I think that thought enters the conversation as a coping mechanism. It is an escape from the cognitive dissonance that comes from the warring flesh with the soul. We need to be wary of using such things.

When we look for loopholes and escapes, it isn’t right. It is part of fleshly lusts. It certainly isn’t submission. And it doesn’t glorify God at all.

We do have freedom, but Peter is going to speak on that in a bit.

Peter is speaking of a particular authority here, government. He is saying that the governments are sent by God. That would include some we’d rather deny (for those of us in the US presidents Obama and Trump.) I know, it’s shocking. But we are told to submit to the authorities. It’s not just by Peter.

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey them, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but gentle, showing all humility toward everyone.

Titus 3:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Submission to authority is part of being ready for every good work. If we cannot submit, we cannot do good things. It’s a simple enough concept.

Humility and submission work together. There isn’t one without the other. It can clearly be said to vaunt oneself is not to be in submission. Contention isn’t submission nor humility either. (The idea of contention is more to think in terms of being discourteous.)

The one that gets most of us, though is that speaking evil of no one. How tempting is it to talk unseemly about folks in secret?

Doing the Right Thing has Rewards

First, it can silence accusers.

Jesus did that for us when He chose to submit to God and go to the cross. That is most important. Peter tells us that doing right silences the ignorance of foolish people. When we do right, there are none who can bring a bad report—even one founded in ignorance.

Live Free

As free people, do not use your liberty as a covering for evil, but live as servants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Peter 2:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We have awesome liberty in Jesus Christ. Paul said it this way.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things edify

1 Corinthians 10:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes in our freedom, we do choose to do something self-serving that is evil or causes evil. We might give an excuse, “God will forgive.” That is clearly wrong. Usually, evil comes as a result of serving self. Such things we do in our freedom cause irreparable harm to those around us. It ought not to be so.

Paul connects our liberty to circumspection. That is, we need to be concerned more so with those around us than our own selves. If we are serving others before ourselves, there is very little chance for those actions to be considered evil.

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

1 Corinthians 10:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is how we are to use our liberty, to serve others. By so doing we serve God. We honor all. We love our brothers and sisters. This brings honor to God and those who govern us.

We can seek our own desires, having that liberty. There is no honor in that. There is no reward. There is no glory to God.

Let us look first to fulfill the needs of those around us. That way, nothing bad can be said about us.

It’s Time to Take in Jesus and Put Away the Former Things

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Fruitfulness, Jesus, Love, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Therefore put away all wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.

1 Peter 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Because of all the things Peter addresses previously, we ought willfully live differently. That means putting away the former things we did by habit.

That different way of living would have us rid ourselves of wickedness in any form. We need to stop being deceptive in word and deed and live what we preach. It also means not measuring ourselves against any other coveting things we don’t have. One of the hardest to rid ourselves of is slander. We love to talk about others because we measure them against our own righteousness.

We need to live and act differently. Why?

for you have been born again, not from perishable seed, but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

1 Peter 1:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You’re a different person. Act like it!

As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow, if it is true that you have experienced that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter has introduced his epistle with the idea of a new birth given from imperishable seed, that is by the mercies of God. In like fashion, he uses the idea of how babies mature. Babies need nourishment to grow. A baby desires the satisfying nourishment from a mother’s milk, and because of our new birth, we ought to desire the same from the Word of God. In the same way that babies grow by the nutrients in the milk made purposefully just for them, so is the sure Word of God meant for our growth.

Jesus is that Word. And He is our example in all things. By taking that in, we learn to put away those former sins.

Yet this is not for all.

It is only for those who have experienced that the Lord is Good. And He is. He has given us a new birth by His blood.

That is my hope for you. It’s not good enough to just believe that Jesus is. That doesn’t save you. It is trusting in what He’s done. He took what is due to you for sin… All of it. He died your death and rose again conquering your death. Really!

It’s because He rose again that you, too, can be born again. Just by believing all of that is true, and the mercies He extends to you are yours.

Right now, wherever you are… You can say a few words to Him. Tell Him that you believe what He’s done and that He is indeed the Ransom for you. The only One Who can conquer death is God. Know that He is God. Ask Him to save you. And then confess your sins.

It’s ABC simple. Acknowledge, Believe, Confess.

Guard your Minds

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Fruitfulness, Jesus, Last Days, Redemption, Salvation, SanctificationLeave a comment

Therefore guard your minds, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not conduct yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the text leading to this, Peter talks about salvation and how it came to us. It was foretold by prophets who saw it dimly, not quite understanding. They wanted to know it better. We also know that angels want to look into it. The conclusion Peter arrives at is to be warily sober as we live. Knowing that redemption is ours now, even though it will be complete at Jesus’ coming.

Think about it. The prophets of old did as God obstructed. They knew God and feared Him. Not that they were afraid, it is a very real reverence. In that, they were careful to do the things He instructed.

Reading the Old Testament, these prophets did say and do some rather memorable things at the instruction of God. They, too, were sober and circumspect to do things orderly as He directed.

Some of the things these prophets are asked to do include cooking food over fires made with dung and marrying a harlot who would return to her harlotry only to take her back again. These ideas seem outlandish.

They were for our instruction.

As Peter said, it was revealed to these prophets that they weren’t serving themselves, but us. Peter is exhorting us to know that we are serving others presently and in the future. Someone is paying attention to how we live out our Christianity. In fact, I am going to say that someone’s salvation may hinge on it. Not because we saved them, but right conduct in daily living pointed them to Jesus.

Conduct ourselves righty.

This naturally follows guarding our minds. We live new lives and not in the former old way. Peter uses the word lusts. It doesn’t necessarily connote a sexual idea. It is better understood as seeking first to the satisfaction of our own needs before we do so for others.

Formerly, we did that because we knew no other way. Now, having been enlightened, we are called to live circumspectly. He reminds us of the words of our Master, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourning.

1 Peter 1:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If we are conducting ourselves in reverence to God, we live out holiness.

We must be careful to not do the works that have nothing lasting, that is caring primarily for just our own needs. These things will be confined under judgment. We must have an outward focus, directed toward others’ needs and meeting them. These are the things that will survive judgment.

For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain way of life inherited from your fathers with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Vanity is the old life of ignorance.

Before Jesus, the way to survive was to look out for numero uno. We did what was needed to survive and try to accumulate stuff. For some of us, that accumulation was enhanced by inheriting our parents’ things at their death. Either way, the practice was inherited for not knowing any better.

Our corruptible bodies would eventually expire. We all have an appointment with death. But what if we’ve worked hard to accumulate… If we couldn’t consume it all, it would be passed on to our progeny.

Without Jesus, most live this way, to accumulate and consume possessions. That is vanity.

All that energy is expended for things that perish and have no value in the next life. None of it redeems us. It cannot. It will perish. As would we without Jesus. Rich or poor, it’s the same way.

Without blemish or without spot.

He could only be perfect. He had to be God. It was only the blood of Christ that did redeem.

Remember that God took on this humanity. In that glorious union of the Divine with human, was a man with blood. Precious blood came from a perfect life. God is imperishable, and the blood price He paid is imperishable.

That is the better way. It is the better inheritance to share with our progeny, and everyone else.

Those Who are Sanctified are All of One

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Last Days, Return of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember how we discussed previously how our salvation will be revealed in the last time. This is a reference to a time yet future that will be the end of this temporal existence. But this salvation is not hidden from us or others but is continuously being received until its full revelation at the end.

The Old Testament prophets received from God the revelations of the Spirit of the Anointed One, Jesus. Though they didn’t clearly understand the mysteries hidden in the revelations they were given. That is, the grace extended to the gentile nations. Of which we benefit.

Paul also spoke of it. He called himself a steward of God over a commission given specifically to him for us gentiles.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was a truth hidden in the past.

Now, it’s almost fully revealed. What I mean is, those old-time Israeli prophets spoke of both a suffering Messiah and a triumphant Messiah. Though the prophets diligently sought to know what we know, His suffering has already been revealed to the world. It is recorded for us to read.

The glories to come are still for some future time when our salvation will be fully revealed. And that to the glory of Jesus!

We know the sufferings of the Messiah and in a similar fashion as they, we look forward to the glorious appearing and consummation of time when all is fulfilled. (The time when the New Jerusalem comes down from God.)

His triumphs and glories, though very real today and being revealed in us His saints… Are yet for a future time when He returns to Earth. When He defeats the evil that preys on humans and the world. He then takes the throne of David and rules Jerusalem and Earth. It will be as God had desired from the beginning, humanity having dominion over creation. After which Jesus will finally and gloriously put an end to the rebellion.

Those prophets knew they were serving a people yet future. Such things have resulted in your salvation. Those first-century Christians shared the testimony of the Jewish prophets who spoke of the sufferings of the Anointed One. They could show them this very same Jesus that was known among them and attested of long ago.

Why would angels want to look into these things?

Angels serve humanity. These are things also revealed by these messengers of God to men. These messengers desire to look in on. It’s salvation. The hope of glory that lives in each of us who are saints.

Considering that humans were made of the dust of the ground, with the breath of God breathed into us, we are not made in the same hierarchy as angels. We are made a little lower and intimately united with the physical reality we occupy. Humans are made of the very dust of which the earth is made.

We also have a spirit that connects to the reality that supersedes ours. Better said, it is the supernatural realm where spirits dwell. Because of sin, that reality has been veiled to us.

It’s these glorious heavenly angels who were assigned to serve the dirt creatures. It’s like that in God’s economy. The older serves the younger, the least is greatest.

That idea has been corrupted, though. When sin entered, the dirt creatures took upon themselves the desire to be like God. They fell away. And corrupted His order by serving their own selfishness. Not serving others, let alone the least.

What is this?

That the very Creator of these dusty men would humble Himself and add that very same dusty nature. He would step that low, placing Himself even under the angels.

I am thinking wholly of the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews and how eloquently it describes the suffering and then triumphant Messiah. This is how the author says it:

But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

Hebrews 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This speaks of how Jesus came to us as One of us, made lower than the angels. Yet at the same time, crowned with glory and honor. (Yet to be revealed in the last times and for which we patiently wait.)

It was that sin. Rebellion was taken on by creatures made of dust. That very thing would be used to defeat sin and death.

Sin earns wages paid in blood. The God of all paid His own blood to satisfy the wages of sin. Sin had no claim on Him, but death attempted to master Him.

The enemy, thinking this would be a perfect way to vanquish God, seized Him. He was crucified and died. Being perfect, death really had no claim on Him.

Yet His blood was shed.

His divine-human blood was the perfect payment for an infinite human debt. A debt He didn’t owe, but one that encumbered all of humanity was completely satisfied.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I can scarcely comprehend that. Even as I write this stuff. It’s above my pay-grade. Yet I know it is true.

There is more.

This Son of God is now (also) a Man. (I am writing it like that for lack of a better way to understand. The Son of God took on humanity. The divine and human United in One. I italicized the One to emphasize not only this but the Unity of Father-Son-Spirit.)

He has wrested the rights to dominion over the creation as God had intended at creation. Men will master it. In this case, One Perfect Man.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of One.

Hebrews 2:10–11a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look.

Now is the time to recall why One is emphasized earlier.

God becomes the Author of salvation by that suffering. The suffering that came by submission to His own creation.

It could only be done with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Blood that only exists in our temporal physical reality. Angels don’t have blood. Blood cannot be shed for them. That is why those fallen spirits tremble at the name of Jesus. Their destiny is sure and there is no hope for them.

Angels were made higher than humans. The Creator made Himself human. He placed Himself lower than them. He died, rose again. Setting humans higher than angels. (Do you not know you are going to judge angels?)

Just as Jesus partook of the nature of humanity, taking it wholly upon Himself… He invites us dirt-creatures to partake of the divine nature. It starts at our salvation when He comes to live in us.

Those who are sanctified are all of One.

We celebrate that every single time that we come to the Lord’s Table. As we hold in our hands the broken bread and the wine, these represent His human body broken for us and His human-yet-divine bloodshed from it. We are to take that inside of us. It’s a typification of what is yet to be revealed. We partake of the divine nature.

But to partake, one needs to be like Him. We all need to humble ourselves.

1. Acknowledge in our minds that the things written about Him are really real.

2. Believe that what He says is really real. That He rose again. That is for us. Trusting in it like you would trust a chair to hold you up by sitting in it.

3. Confess the truth out loud with our mouths. And the. Confess our sins to Him asking Him to remove them completely.

That’s the first step to partaking in the divine nature. You are then given new hope through the resurrection.

He Did it All

On By TimIn Atonement, Hebrews 01, Hebrews 09, JesusLeave a comment

When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Heb 1:3b — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When He had by Himself purged our sins.

This sentence has a significant meaning. Most times we might just pass by it. Continuing from the previous post, we find the writer of Hebrews is giving us a brief outline of what he is going to say. Much of this will be elaborated on later in the epistle (Chapters 9 and 10.) What is offered here, is the Son is performing a multi-faceted dual role.

The first portion of that role is as Priest.

In Leviticus 1 and on, we see the role of the priest is doing the work of making an offering for sin. This priest was the one who slaughtered the offerings after laying hands on its head. Those who laid hands on the offering were the ones responsible for the party who sinned. If an individual, it was the individual, if a congregation, it was the elders. This act of laying hands on the head was an imputation or transfer from one party to another. It is still practiced today in churches when people are ordained. This is patterned for us, in like manner the sacrifice became the substitute of the sinning party. The sin guilt was transferred to the sacrifice. I would also extend, that given the practice outlined in Leviticus 16, the sin was confessed while hands were laid.

Nevertheless, It was always the priest who was present. It was the priest that performed the ceremony. It was the priest who slaughtered the sacrifice. It was the priest who went before the presence of God with the blood as an intermediary between the one who sinned and God. It was the priest who prepared and burned the offering. It was the priest who lit the fire. It was the priest who arranged the wood on the altar. It was the priest who did the work as an intermediary in the atonement.

The second portion of that role is as High Priest.

The Day of Atonement was for the entire congregation. It was a day for making atonement of all the sin of the people. It is established in Leviticus 16.

There was an inner sanctum behind the veil. Entering the presence of God was a certain death sentence.

The LORD said to Moses: Speak to Aaron your brother so that he does not come at any time into the Holy Place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is on the ark, so that he will not die, for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.

Leviticus 16:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The priest could only go in once a year. It wasn’t just any priest, but the High Priest.

He couldn’t just go in, either. There was much preparation to the ceremony. Rituals of purification, washing and changing garments.

Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and he shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and shall be girded with a linen sash, and shall be wearing the linen turban. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water and then put them on. He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.
Aaron shall offer his bull for the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. Then he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Leviticus 16:3–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was the privilege of the High Priest to enter the presence of God on behalf of the entire congregation. He did it with blood, to purge sins.

The third portion of that role is as that Sin Offering.

In the case of the High Priest, his role is to select the offerings for the people. What is alluded to here is that the Son gave Himself as that offering. Blood is needed to purge sins.

Aaron shall bring the goat on which the lot of the LORD falls and offer him for a sin offering.

Leviticus 16:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sin offerings are treated a bit differently. The priest would not take a portion of the sin offering whose blood was sprinkled in the Holy Place, but it would be completely consumed in the fire on the altar.

Any sin offering where blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place shall not be eaten. It shall be burned up in the fire.

Leviticus 6:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As seen previously, the offerings for specific sin always involved a laying on of hands. There was an imputation from the sinning party to the sacrifice. But this one day, this one offering was different.

Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, and bring its blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it over and in front of the mercy seat. And he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins, and so he shall do for the tent of meeting that remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. There shall be no man in the tent of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out and has made atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

Leviticus 16:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This offering is for all the people and all their sins. It is comprehensive in scope, meaning that there isn’t a limit to it. I know folks may object, as it was for the congregation of Israel, and in that context it was comprehensive. There was nothing left out. In Israel’s calling, they were to be a light to the Gentiles, to show that salvation reaches everywhere.

He says, “It is a light thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make you a light to the nations so that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I do know that this verse of Scripture has a dual purpose and is fulfilled in the Son. It suffices to show the entire scope of the sin offering here as comprehensive, and for the benefit to the people of the whole world; Israel being a light to the nations.

This idea will also be elaborated upon in later portions of the epistle.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests would regularly go into the first part, conducting the services of God. But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was signifying through this that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet revealed, because the first part of the tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 9:6-8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We see that the roles are clearly established. Priests do the daily ministering; the High Priest has an established role to do once for the people into the very presence of God. And not without the blood of the sin offering.

The fourth portion of that role is as that Scapegoat.

It is in this offering that sin is confessed. It is also significant that the sin is transferred and taken away forever.

When he has made an end of atonement for the Holy Place, and the tent of meeting, and the altar, then he shall bring the live goat. And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away by the hand of a designated man into the wilderness. And the goat shall bear on it all their iniquities to a desolate land, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:20–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For the studious, in Leviticus, we see the ordinance of sacrifice for unintentional sin. But what of the intentional?

The writer of Hebrews shows the sin offering is for sin committed in ignorance. Here is where the High Priest would lean onto the head of that goat confessing all the iniquities and all transgression in their sins. These are transferred to that sacrifice, but it isn’t killed. It’s led away, into the wilderness… To never come back. Effectively carrying away all sin.

This is the exact thing being told to us in a small number of words. “When He Himself had purged our sins.” All of the work to purge sins is accomplished in Him alone.

He sat down.

This ought to be the thing that we rejoice over most!

All the work is done. He knew it when He selected and gave Himself. He cried “Tetellisti!” (It’s finished.)

The work in the tabernacle was never done. It was a perpetual thing. The fire had to be constant, it needed fuel. Ashes needed to be carted away. There was always a priest on duty never sitting down.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the law for the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. The priest shall put on his linen robe, and his linen undergarments on his body. Then he shall remove the ashes from the fire of the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments, and he shall bring the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it. It shall not go out. The priest shall feed it with wood every morning. He will arrange the burnt offering on it, and he shall burn the fat of the peace offerings on it. A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar. It shall never go out.

Leviticus 6:8–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He sat down. There is no more perpetual work.

At the right hand of the Majesty on high

This is the place of honor. The author of the epistle will go into greater detail

He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s not that Jesus is made or created. This is stating His position of honor. His is detailed in the portions immediately following.

In this introduction to the epistle, many things are established in such few words. My hope is that as you read further, you understand what is being said in the entire epistle. It is one of my favorite books in all of the Bible.

Deny Yourself

On By TimIn Matthew 16, SalvationLeave a comment

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love how Jesus speaks plainly to His followers. Consider this in light of what was given in yesterday’s post about Esther. We all have to come to a point where we must count the cost (Luke 14:28.)

Those who want to follow Jesus must first deny themselves. What does that mean?

A bit of context is necessary. There is much of what we consider ourselves that is learned behavior. We pick up mannerisms and behaviors as a result of those around us and perhaps the careers we have chosen. Sometimes those behaviors are profitable, other times they are detrimental.

When Jesus said to count the cost, we are to take inventory and weigh what is important. Is what we do going to have any real lasting value?

For some of us, the cost to follow Jesus is just too steep like the rich young ruler. Denying ourselves is awkward, and even scary. It seems as in doing so, we would become lost.

Listen… We are not what we do. That is what the culture I posed upon us from almost every angle. Our identity without Jesus is intricately intertwined with what we do and how we behave. The baggage that comes with that is what keeps us from God. It also keeps us from true freedom.

In denying self is how we love. We do it when we meet someone new and want to please them. We do it for newborns who cannot tend to themselves. We do it for significant others.

This is what Jesus is saying, love Him.

Deny yourself and take up your cross. In other words, stop taking your identity from what you do. Instead, take up your cross. Identify in what He did. Follow Him. That is where our identity changes to Him.

We sing that refrain, I am who You say I am.

If you want to know… He says that we’re forgiven, not forsaken, a child of God, a joint-heir with Jesus, His own people, among other things.

That’s the identity change, denying ourselves and taking on Him. There is salvation and freedom there. Freedom from the bondage of whatever you may have done.

Don’t believe me, believe Him…

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:25–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sin is Stored Up, Present Yourself at the Opening of the Womb

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Hosea 13, SalvationLeave a comment

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. The pains of childbirth come for him. He is an unwise son, for he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.

Hosea 13:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Like Israel, putting off repentance and redemption is unwise. One never knows what a day will bring, and already standing condemned in sin, swift judgment can come at any time.

Here, through the prophet Hosea, God is instructing Israel that He waits for them to repent from sin. He wants them to turn around, and come to Him while compassion can be found.

When we put off turning from our own sin, we are unwise. As sinners, each of us is condemned. The Bible calls it being dead. I don’t mean spiritually. We are dead. We are already part of the kingdom of this world where death reigns.

God wants to move us from that kingdom where death reigns to another.

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

Hosea 13:14a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In order to truly live, each of us needs to be birthed again. New birth brings new life. Yet here, Israel had put off that new birth. Their delay resulted in an abrupt judgment that came upon them.

God is waiting for someone to come to that point of redemption and He likens it to getting to the opening of the womb. It could be you.

The analogy is intentional. Perhaps your mind is being led like mine by Hosea’s point. It explains how Jesus expected Nicodemus to know “you must be born again.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nicodemus didn’t make that connection. Yet Jesus expected him to know.

Now that you know… Would you delay and be unwise in that moment of redemption into the new kingdom where life is?

The unwise thing to do is remain in a state of condemnation where the power is Sheol controls.

You can change things right now. You must be born again.

Taking Every Thought Captive

On By TimIn 2 Corinthians 10, Daily Walk, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We live in a time of great technology, reason, and medical advances. Our modern lives are overflowing with information and ideas. Yet many of us are caught up with the overload of life that we become isolated, physically and mentally. It can happen to anyone, and given what we see in the media, it is rampant.
In this age of advancement and reason, even we Christians may mildly scoff at what Scripture says. That verse above gives a glimpse of a truth of which we need a constant reminder. We walk in the flesh, but what wars against us is not flesh. Its principalities and powers are in heavenly places.
Many resorts to the technology and the modern tools available to alleviate fear, pain, and suffering. I am not advocating against this at all, but to be aware of the real problem that may linger untreated.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We war spiritually.
Sometimes the results of our own behavior bring this fear, pain, and suffering to us. It can then manifest in the flesh as a disease of one sort or another. Sometimes this disease may have other spiritual causes.
We can use the tools of the world that are available to us. But if some of the cause of our fear, pain, and suffering is spiritual in nature, these tools may not be enough.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

When we become isolated, we are in a prone position. We see that demonstrated in the wild, those isolated from the herd become easy prey.
One of our first needs is a like-minded close community. We Christians are sheep. We need a herd for protection and fellowship.
We can easily stray off our own accord. That is why we need this herd of like-minded brothers and sisters around us. We must be careful to not stray or become isolated. This is where we encourage and pray for others and are encouraged and prayed for by them.
There’s strength in numbers.

But mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love that we have that authority given to us by Jesus. This is the true power that we have in Him. Nothing can take away our salvation. That is where the real power is, there is no more shame or fear.
Our names are written in heaven. That is the one thing those serpents and scorpions (principalities and powers) don’t have. Every time we declare the name of Jesus Christ, those powers are reminded of their own eternal perdition. That is why the demons Jesus encountered in the Gadarene begged not to be put in the pit (Luke 8:31.)

Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God

Jesus made the shame of the principalities and powers public!

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we live our lives in this way, we boldly proclaim the power of Jesus. Since He alone has removed the guilt and shame of our sin, it no longer has any power over us. Those powers and authorities are really disarmed.
Of course, any of us can always place your own selves back in subjection to them by sin. Remember what Paul said? You are slaves to who you present yourselves to obey (Romans 6:16.)
Don’t place yourselves under their authority. There is no need to do that.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you have. Renounce it now, out loud. Confess it to Jesus, and it is removed (1 John 1:9.) The power in the fear of retribution, guilt, and shame is removed immediately upon confessing sin to Jesus (In addition, it even helps to confess it to trusted others, as the shame is removed.)

Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

The battle against isolation is not so much physical. It is a struggle in our minds. Our minds are our spiritual center. It is where we reason things. It is also where the enemy begins the attack. And there, we are bombarded with messages all the time. Some are good. Some are bad.
As Christians, we know the enemy uses a distance weapon, fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16.) Those fiery darts are these messages that come to us from the enemy. If we’re not careful to discern the difference in the messages… That is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ… We may end up embracing the bad ones that give the enemy an entrance.
Jesus teaches us to judge righteously. We need to do that in our own minds, toward the messages we embrace, too. How do we do that?
Since Jesus is the focus of all of this, and everything that we have that is good is from Him… Let’s test those messages in His name. Consider these messages:

  • Nobody likes me.
  • I’m ugly.
  • I’m a good person.
  • Nobody would miss me if I were gone.
  • I’m not loved at all.
  • I’m loved.

These are just some examples. The messages we receive come in all different varieties. Some of us are sometimes bothered by these. There may be even some who have embraced these and they think this is who they are.
It’s not true!
That shield of faith can quench those fiery darts before they even get to you.
There are some who’ve heard these messages for a long time. They may have even embraced them to the point they think that is who they are.
If that is you… Renounce all of them in Jesus’ name… out loud. Then we can begin to take these messages captive.
As those messages come to you about you, add the words ‘in Jesus’ name’ to the end of them. Those that don’t make sense or are not true are from the enemy and can be readily ignored.
I’m ugly in Jesus’ name. That doesn’t make sense. For messages like that… Throw ’em out! You have that authority.
I’m a good person in Jesus’ name. That is true only in His name. I can embrace that message, and think rightly of myself.
When we think rightly of ourselves, we can learn to easily avoid the traps of the enemy. We can also then help others in our herd as we’ve gained wisdom.
All of this has a promised end for us believers.

And being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things that pertain to this life?

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Get that! There will come a time when we Christians get to judge the very principalities and powers that bother us now.
When the attacks come. You can know how to identify them… And avoid them. Understand the end destined for the sources of those messages. They’ve been shamed by Jesus at the cross, where the handwriting of ordinances against us has been nailed to the cross.
It’s all in knowing your identity in Jesus.