Unleashing the Lion- Chapter 3: The Fruit

Return to Chapter 2: The Parable

The Lion Stands

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37.5

We make our commitments, then our commitments make us. Once they are chosen, many other choices follow as a matter of course. (Douglas Rumford, SoulShaping)

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Ask most Christians today what kind of fruit God is looking for and you get a long list of don’ts.

Don’t lie.
Don’t steal.
Don’t covet.
Don’t commit adultery.
Etc, Etc...

The problem with this mindset is nothing ever gets sown. Just like can’t never could do anything, don’t never does anything. There is no action in don’t, just paralysis. It doesn’t take a dictionary to see that can’t and don’t are negative. Can and do on the other hand are positive. Can and do actually set out to accomplish something. There is a goal with can and do. There is purpose with can and do. Can and do also require commitment.

Nowhere in the Bible is the struggle between the cant's and can’s more apparent than in the book of Galatians. Paul had visited many cities in the Roman province of Galatia situated in south east Asia, now modern day Turkey. While visiting those cities Paul shared the good news of the gospel as it had been presented to him by God. After Paul had planted the seed others came in and instead of watering sought to pluck up the seed.


Law Keeping

Paul’s message of grace through faith in Christ alone did not sit well with many Jewish converts to Christianity. In addition to accepting Christ they wanted the Gentile (non Jewish) believers to submit themselves to the law of Moses. For ease of identification we’ll call this Jewish faction the Judaizers. These Judaizers taught that Paul was perverting the truth by watering down the true message of the Gospel to the Gentiles and teaching them to disregard the law of Moses. As such not only was Paul a traitor to the Jewish religion but he was public enemy number one!

This conflict grew so intense that it threatened to undo all that Paul had taught and God had done in Galatia. The disagreement grew so fierce and wide ranging that it threatened to topple the little movement of Christianity before it got established. Upon hearing about the battle raging Paul took pen to paper and wrote what many believe to be his most confrontational letter. His tone is uncompromising and direct. He challenges the Judaizers, exhorts the believers, and gives all glory to God.

Paul begins the letter by defending his ministry and calling. He lets them know how shocked he is that they have turned away from his message of love and grace to embrace a false gospel of bondage and a life characterized by don’t. He even goes so far as to pronounce a curse on those who have infiltrated the church and preach a different doctrine than the one he first proclaimed. Having also been accused of currying favor with the Gentiles Paul says unequivocally, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

In the space of just a few verses Paul speaks of being the slave of Christ (1.10) and our freedom in Christ (2.4). In regards to this seeming dichotomy Martin Luther has said, “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” He goes on to quote 1 Corinthians 9.10, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” (On Christian Liberty)

Unlike the Judaizers who sought favor by aligning themselves with well known teachers and rabbi’s, Paul next tells us that his message comes from Christ alone. Paul’s message is not some cleverly concocted plan deducted from mere human reasoning but a divine proclamation given by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. As such Paul did not rush to consult with any human beings for the first three years of his conversion but instead sought solitude with the Lord in Arabia. Only then did he set out to meet Peter and James and others within the faith.


Leashing the Lion

Paul then records, and Luke agrees, that his ministry was accepted and approved by the leaders of the faith in Jerusalem, not that he needed their approval, but Paul was compelled to meet with them by God and understood that agreement and harmony were important to further their message. Paul took with him Barnabas and Titus and while in Jerusalem some even rose up there and began to insist on Jewish law keeping. It’s important to note that Paul refers to these people as “false brethren.” The text hints at the possibility of a large plot by the Jews to infiltrate this tiny Christian sect and do it harm from the inside. Paul and many others stand firm however, “that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” (Gal 2.5)

The leaders in Jerusalem added nothing to what Paul was preaching, this was and is a big statement. Paul shared the totality of his message with Peter, James, and the other leaders of the Church and nothing was found to be wanting. In other words they approved of his message wholeheartedly and commissioned him to do the work given to him by God, namely to preach to the Gentiles.

The scene changes to Antioch sometime later, when Peter arrives he apparently ate and visited with the Gentiles with no problem at all. Sometime later however a group of Judaizers arrives announcing their affiliation with James (we later find out in Acts 15.24 that James didn’t send them at all!). As soon as they arrived Peter backed away from the Gentiles apparently refusing to eat with them any longer. Paul confronts Peter’s hypocrisy and lays out the context for the rest of the book of Galatians:

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 2:14-21

To live in the Lion is far superior to living by the Law! If you will ever unleash the Lion in your life you will first need to tear down that old system by which you have enslaved yourself needlessly. The don’ts constantly condemn you, they heap requirements upon you that will wear you down and dog you all the days of your life. The Lion has come that you may have life and have it abundantly. The yoke of the Lion is easy and His burden is light. (Mat 11.30) Come to the Lion, allow him to live in and through you. Come to the Lion and forever be made right with God. Come to the Lion and the Lion will transform you.

As Paul confronts Peter you could have heard a pin drop! Paul accused Peter, who some considered the leader of the early church, of hypocrisy. In essence Paul is saying that Peter is saying one thing and doing another. If you read verse 14 closely you will notice that Peter had discarded altogether the Jewish laws and had begun living like a Gentile. So why when these newcomers had come in was Peter now trying to force Jewish traditions upon the Gentiles?

I love Paul’s use of irony in verse 15, he basically says, “see, yes, even we who are Jews and not those sinning Gentiles, understand that a person can NOT be made right with God by following (obeying, adhering) the law but only by faith in Jesus Christ.” And he continues by saying not only are we made right by faith but also through faith in Jesus Christ. We are/were unable to follow the law perfectly but Christ was able, as a result we are made right with God by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ who followed the law perfectly. Then notice how Paul leaves no room to misunderstand, “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Gal 2.16)

It makes you wonder why so many today are so eager to enslave themselves to a system that Paul declared void of any redemptive power over 2,000 years ago. There is no saving grace in the ceremonial, civil, or moral laws of Moses and adherence to those laws gains you nothing! Their purpose having been fulfilled in Christ now they only serve to enslave the people and leash the Lion. Notice in verse eighteen that Paul calls it a sin if a person tries to rebuild the old system (testament, covenant) that was torn down. The law only brings condemnation which is useful for the sinner, but is suffocating to the Spirit.

So how did Paul die to the law in verse 19?

Paul died to the law the same way you and I die to the law, when we come to Christ we die to sin, the law, and even ourselves, and live in, by, and through Christ (the Lion!). When we come to Christ and die, the law dies for us. Sin dies in us. We die to ourselves and live again only in Christ. This is the picture Romans 6 paints for us:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:1-4

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:5-7

Freed from Sin! Yes, you read that right, once you have come to Christ you are free from the power of sin...if you want to be that is? Just as some Jews in the 1st century had a hard time breaking free of their traditions, so some today have a hard time letting go of their sin. Sin is a choice, it is not a guarantee. You do not have to sin, you choose to sin! Yet, thanks to Christ who died on your behalf, suffering the penalty you and I deserved for our sin, fulfilling the law by living a perfect life, you and I are freed from the power of sin, the law, and even death!

It reads like this, because we have been crucified with Christ, we have been raised with Him, because of this we have been reconciled with God, and now can grow in Christ’s likeness, and draw upon His power as we live in hope for the future. (Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5, 2 Cor 5:19, Rom 8.29, Eph 1:19-20, Col 1:27) 1

The life we now live we live by faith in Jesus Christ, NOT by faith in sin or the law. Many believe that once one comes to faith in Christ somehow the power of sin still has power over their lives, and they are destined to succumb to it again and again. I’ve even heard it taught that the power of sin is too hard for the Christian to overcome, and there are some addictions that are too strong to be resisted. This sounds defeatist to me and it also appears that person has more faith in the power of sin than the power of Christ! I would agree that a person cannot overcome sin or resist temptation in and of themselves, but with the power of Christ and the in-working of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 7.6

Paul continues in his letter to the Galatians reminding them that he had explained the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ clearly to them, and asked them how they had received the Holy Spirit? Did they receive the Spirit of God by obeying the Law of Moses? Or did they receive the Spirit because they believed the message they heard about Christ from Paul? They had of course received the Spirit because of what they believed. This is how faith has worked from the very beginning.


Faith and Hearing

In the Old Testament God told an elderly man and woman they would father a child and that ALL nations would be blessed through them. This man and woman were well past the age of child bearing and rearing. The woman was no longer capable of producing the egg that would be fertilized by the man. They heard this same promise 9 times spread over 25 years. And yet, they still believed! Galatians 3.6 quotes Genesis 15.6, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And what about the woman? Check out Hebrews 11.11 and the first woman mentioned in the “Hall of Faith,” “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”

So it has always been the faith, which comes from hearing and believing God’s promise, that has saved. The Law was superseded by faith and never had any power to save, it was always faith! The Law can not save any Jew, and certainly can’t save any Gentile (those who aren’t Jews). The law was never meant for the Gentile, therefore those Gentiles who place themselves under the law do so by choice and not by the Word of God, in the same manner as they choose to sin.

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 3:19; 21-22

Unleash the Lion by breaking free of the bondage of the law, and the enslavement of sin, and believe in the promise of God, that breaks these twin strongholds of condemnation.


Guardian, Bondwoman, and Slave

Continuing in Galatians, now in chapter 4, Paul compares the bondage of legalism to pagan worship! The rudimentary and basic principles Paul is referring to is the law. Some of the Gentiles in Galatia were trying to become Jewish and earn favor with God by observing certain Jewish days or festivals, Paul was shocked and was beginning to believe that his work there had been in vain. Then in verse 12 this “Hebrew of the Hebrews” officially breaks from the Jews:

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

Galatians 4:12

By declaring his independence from the laws Paul also breaks from the Jewish nation. Jews followed the Law of Moses, and for a Jew not to, was considered blasphemy. Paul’s declaration of independence put his life on the line in more ways than one. Paul could have been stoned by the Jewish leaders for heresy. And even if this method was not chosen, Paul was certainly an outcast, who it would have been impossible to do business with. Thus Paul would have been relegated to a life of poverty and loneliness had he chosen to stay and live in Jerusalem. Luckily for us that was not his fate. He continued evangelizing and taking his message across the globe.

Paul uses three comparisons in Galatians to show us what the law is really like.

1. a schoolmaster or tutor (3.24, 4.2)
2. a bondmaid (4.22)
3. yoke of bondage (5.1)

The law is like a schoolmaster or tutor. In this case Paul is equating the law as our tutor until Christ came, making available the way of faith. It protected us through its rigorous list of don’ts until we could be made right with God. And then note verse 25, “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

Paul then makes a startling statement, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say that all who have been baptized in Christ, have been united in Christ, and are now clothed with Christ. There is now no distinction between Jew or Gentile, slave or free, or even male or female, “for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Christ has united us all under one banner. Now that we are His, no more distinction need exist. We are identified as Christians, followers of Christ, and now the only distinction that exist are those that follow Christ, and those that do not. The Jews no longer have an advantage over Gentiles, the Jews do not have a different route to Heaven than the rest of us, the only way to the Father is through the Son, either you take the Son or you do not (John 14.6). There are not different rules to follow or laws to abide by, we are all now children of Abraham, heirs to God’s promises.

Let’s return again to John 15, a careful reading will confirm what Paul writes. There is one branch. God is the gardener who prunes. What does He prune? He prunes those branches that don’t bear fruit. How does He distinguish which branches to prune? He prunes those branches without regard to race or nationality (Jews or Gentiles), employment (slave or free), or gender (male or female), there is only one consideration: does one bear fruit or not. If one does not bear fruit, they are considered useless and thrown out! If one does bear fruit they are considered true disciples who bring much glory to the Father.

Next, Paul compares the law to a bondmaid, namely Hagar.

You probably remember the story well. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. After a few years, and a few promises, Sarah gave Abraham her slave, Hagar, to bear Him a son. Hagar did bear a son, Ishmael. But this was not God’s solution, God wanted to do the miraculous and give Abraham and Sarah their own son together. After more years and more promises Sarah got her miracle, a son named Isaac.

Paul takes this inspiring Old Covenant story and states that those who want to remain under the law are actually children of the slave, Hagar. Those that want to live according to the Spirit are children of the free woman, Sarah.

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Galatians 4:24-26

In Genesis 21.8-9 we read that Ishmael mocked Isaac at his weaning ceremony. Paul uses this to point out that those who follow the law have forever been persecuting those that live by the Spirit. What should be done? Paul answers with Sarah’s emphatic plea, “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” (Gal 4:30) In essence, throw out the law, for those that live by it and trust in it shall have no inheritance with those who live in, by, and trust the Spirit.

Finally, Paul compares the law to forced slavery. The covenant made with Abraham was a covenant of circumcision, the details of which are found in Genesis 17. This covenant was made with Abraham and all his descendants about a year before Isaac was born. Basically God promised countless descendants and a nation through Abram. To mark the occasion God not only changed Abram’s name to Abraham but also promised the land of Canaan for Abraham’s people to dwell...IF they kept their end of the bargain- each male born into or serving the family, whether from birth or not, must be circumcised (having the foreskin of the flesh cut off) as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.


Liberty or Legalism

Paul warns those in Galatia that if they still believe this Old Covenant requirement will save them after the sacrifice of Jesus Christ then they believe in vain! And then in verse 4, for no one will be made right with God through this observance or any other adherence to the law, and if they continue in it they shall be cut off from Christ. God the Gardener will prune them away! No longer will the grace of God protect them after they have counted the cost of Christ as nothing.

Just as man cannot serve two masters neither can he live by two natures! The purpose of the law has been fulfilled in the life, commandments, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead of a list of don’ts now we have do’s!

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27

In this are now all the requirements of the law summed up by Him whom we should abide in. Do this and we shall Unleash the Lion. Do this and we shall bear the fruit of the Spirit! A fruit that is thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold as was planted.

So what kind of fruit is God looking for in us?

It is certainly not a strict adherence to an old covenant. There is no life left in those old, dry bones. There is only life found in Jesus Christ bearing the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. If the Holy Spirit guides our lives we will be focused on these things. Paul states that the Spirit gives us desires that are the exact opposite of what our flesh desires. When we are directed by the Spirit we are under no obligation to fulfill the dictates of the flesh, or the law of Moses!

The Judaizers in Paul’s day warned that this new doctrine of grace replaced the law with a license to sin, believe it or not there are many who still believe this today, a closer look reveals something quite different. If one is concerned about sinning, which of the following is more likely to sin, the Christian free in liberty or the one bound in legalism?

The Christian who lives in liberty depends on God’s grace, yields to God’s Spirit, lives for others, and seeks to bring glory to God. The Christian who lives in accordance to the law lives in bondage, depends on the flesh to fulfill the requirements of the law, lives for self since adherence to the law brings self satisfaction and a sense of well being, and though they would deny it profusely, seeks the praise of others as further confirmation of their holiness.

In essence, legalism attempts to change the old nature and force it to obey the laws of God. (Wiersbe) Unfortunately, sometimes it works for awhile, bringing the unsuspecting adherent a sense of false security- then the flesh rebels! Consider the following and you can predict with 100% accuracy the outcome of each approach.

Liberty

• set free in Christ; no longer under bondage to the law (Gal 5:1-12)
• realizes need for the Holy Spirit to guide their life from within (Gal 5.13-26)
• through the Spirit’s love desires to live for others and not self (Gal 6.1-10)
• lives to the glory of God (Gal 6.11-18)

Legalism

• seeks to obey rules to become a more spiritual person
• believes they have the strength to obey and improve themselves, does what they are told and measures up to others standards
• measures progress by obedience to their standards, compares themselves to others and measures their closeness to God with others based on adherence to law
• wishes others were more like them, assures themselves that God is fortunate to have someone so spiritual, wants to share with others so they too can become as spiritual as them (Wiersbe)

As we mentioned earlier, Paul’s opponents were teaching a return to the law, specifically circumcision. Paul takes the next few verses and speaks directly to circumcision and gives his opponents some advice if they would like to keep teaching it.

Thus far Paul has used two figures to compare the law, a guardian and a bondwoman, now he uses the yoke of slavery! Peter did the same in Acts 15.10:

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Warren Wiersbe put it this way, “the unsaved person wears a yoke of sin, the legalist wears a yoke of bondage, but the grace filled Christian wears the yoke of Christ.”

Next, Paul warns against circumcision and this leads to a sober warning- if you become circumcised- “Christ shall profit you nothing!” If you become circumcised- you become “debtor to do the whole law!” If you seek to become justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace.”

Paul clearly states that you cannot serve the law and Christ, to follow one is not to follow the other. If you want to unleash the lion in your life, throw out the law and embrace Christ.

Paul finishes up this passage with an exhortation and a proclamation. In Jesus Christ, whether one is circumcised or uncircumcised carries no weight whatsoever, what does matter is that “faith which worketh by love.”

In verse 12 of Galatians 5 Paul makes a startling statement that should give even the most ardent of legalists pause. He wishes that those who taught circumcision, the mutilation of the flesh, would just castrate themselves! The imagery is clear and intentional. Those who taught such things were already cut off from Christ, so Paul wished they would remove themselves from the community of believers in like fashion.

Paul now turns from argument to application. It is one thing to know what God is looking for in us and quite another to know how to carry it out. Paul breaks it down in the verses to follow. He now spends the rest of this great book answering the question, “if we don’t keep the law then what will guide our conduct?” Until now the law was the leash that kept God’s people in line, Paul is about to reveal that Jesus cut the leash, and set His people free!

Continue to Chapter 4: The Freedom

Unleashing the Lion- Chapter 4: The Freedom

Return to Chapter 3: The Fruit

“if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

John 8.36

In the Old Covenant there were three types of laws and the Jews they were given to were expected to obey them all:

1. Ceremonial Law
2. Civil Law
3. Moral Law

Ceremonial laws primarily dictated how God’s people were to worship Him. Civil laws, much like today, guided the daily living of the Jews. Just as there are civil laws today to guide and protect the public trust, there were similar laws for the Jews to follow and obey.

The ceremonial and civil laws would be pretty tough to follow to the letter in this day and age. Chances are great if you showed up at church on Sunday morning to slaughter an animal in front of the congregation you’d be thrown out and charges filed. Additionally, since the society and culture of the ancient Jews are so radically different from today, even following the civil laws of the Jews would become burdensome at best. Most of us are thankful to be set free from these types of laws, but hang on, there is another type of law that Jesus came and upended as well.

The moral law was summed up in the 10 commandments.

And God spake all these words, saying,

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Exodus 20:1-17

Jehovah, or Yahweh, had given the laws as a blessing to His people to do them in the land that He was giving them. In Deuteronomy 6 God spells out those blessings:

• that thy days may be prolonged (Deu 6:2)
• that it may be well with thee (Deu 6:3)
• that ye may increase mightily (Deu 6:3)
• the land that floweth with milk and honey (Deu 6:3)
• to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not (Deu 6:10)
• houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not (Deu 6:11)
• wells digged, which thou diggedst not (Deu 6:11)
• vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not (Deu 6:11)
• thou shalt have eaten and be full (Deu 6:11)

The Jewish leadership, by the time of Jesus had forgotten the spirit of the Law. In essence they had made what was given in love, spirit and truth, and stripped it of compassion and mercy. The laws were never meant to be divorced from the love in which they were given. The laws were meant to protect and serve the people as a means of keeping them from evil. The Pharisees had turned them into a club with which to beat their fellow Jews into submission.

The Pharisees were quick to judgment, they had either forgotten or disregarded the mercy built into the Law.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18

Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Proverbs 24:28-29

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

Proverbs 25:21-22

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Lamentations 3:30-32  

The problem was not with the law itself, the law was good, IF it was followed lawfully! Furthermore, we know why the law was given, its purpose was to reveal sin and bring us back to God. Finally, we know that only one person in all of history was able to perfectly follow the law, fulfill its purpose, and bring an end to it in the believer- Jesus Christ!


The New Covenant

In Hebrews 8.6-10 the author announces a new covenant based on better promises!

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.

Notice the comparison made in verse six between the old covenant and the new covenant. This places the text in its proper context. The author makes clear that the new covenant brought in by Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant.

In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:13

I think the following makes it clear.

Old Covenant

• The old covenant mediators (between man and God) were Priests
• The offering for sin was animals
• The blood was that of bulls and goats
• The sin offering merely covered the sin
• The annual offering for sin reminded the people of their sinfulness
• Only the Priests could enter into the presence of God
• Not ideal for a relationship with God by men and women
• Prepared men and women for the coming of Jesus Christ

New Covenant

• The new covenant mediator is Jesus Christ
• The offering for sin was Jesus Christ
• The blood was that of Jesus Christ
• The sin offering by Jesus Christ put them away forever
• Jesus Christ gives people a clean and clear conscience
• Through Jesus Christ we can all enter into the presence of God
• Perfect for a relationship with God by men and women through Jesus Christ
• The final covenant between man and God mediated by Jesus Christ forever

“The covenant is “better” because it is absolute not conditional, spiritual not carnal, universal not local, eternal not temporal, individual not national, internal not external.” (Believers Bible Commentary)

The Old Covenant was not complete because it was never meant to be the last word, or the final testament from God. The Old Covenant itself looked forward to its final fulfillment in Jesus Christ! The Old Covenant was a type and a shadow of what was to come. The New Covenant is that reality! This ministry of Jesus Christ ushered in a new and better covenant by which men and women might have a relationship with God.

The Old Covenant told us how to live but stopped there. The New Covenant teaches us how to live righteously and empowers us to do so. The Old Covenant exposes sin, Jesus defeats it!

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 1:4

In His death, Christ paid the penalty of the law which men had broken. When a sinner receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the law has nothing more to say to him. Through the death of his Substitute, he has died to the law. He is through with the law and with the futile attempt to achieve righteousness through it. (Believers Bible Commentary)

The Old Covenant law was good, the New Covenant is better. The Old Covenant was incomplete, the New Covenant is made complete in Jesus Christ. God found fault with us in the Old Covenant, but sees none in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

Love is the Standard

Standing in the temple, the center of Jewish culture, religion, and government, an expert in the law steps forward to ask Jesus an honest question, “Which is the first commandment of all?” It was a basic question, essentially asking what should they focus on above all the other laws and commandments. There were literally hundreds of them to pick from. Jesus could have given any number of answers to this question. The politically correct answer would have been that all the laws were important, none more so than the other. That is not how He answered...

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:29-31

Essentially God told the expert, love is the standard. If you love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength you take care of the first four commandments. If you love your neighbor, you take care of the remainder of the ten commandments. What does this look like? Paul gives a very detailed description in 1 Corinthians 13.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13

A love like that for God and others will more than take care of the 10 Commandments, and all of the other don’ts. Love is focused on what we can do, the law is focused on what we can’t do. The law has been fulfilled and has served its purpose for a people and a time. Now a new covenant has been established for everyone, a covenant based on love of God and love for others. The old covenant was for the Jew alone, the new covenant is for everyone.

If you love God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul you will always keep Him first in your life. There will be nothing that comes before Him or even approaches the love you have for Him. There will be no time for idols because you won’t seek them. Being satisfied you will seek to know Him more and put into practice all of the disciplines He has given you to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. Each day will be holy, and seen as another day to accomplish the Lord’s work. You will find ways to serve and share Him whatever you find your hands doing.

The love for others Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 will automatically apply to your parents. You will obey and honor them, not as another command to adhere to, but because you love them and you understand that a fruit of that love is obedience.

With the love of Christ in your heart you will love and pray for even your enemies, to murder them would be inconceivable.

You won’t dishonor your spouse, even in difficult and trying times, but you will love and honor them, keeping your vows as a testimony to God and fulfilling your promise.

Because love protects and trusts, stealing and lying will no longer have a place in your life. You will, as love does, rejoice in truth.

Since love is not self seeking and doesn’t envy, you will rejoice with your neighbor over their good fortune rather than crave what they have.

Paul in his letter to Rome puts it another way:

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

In other words, owe no one anything except to love one another. Make sure all your other debts are paid off, but leave one outstanding. There is one debt I want you to wake up to every morning for the remainder of your life: love one another. And if you do this, you will have fulfilled the law and all of its requirements. Love is that powerful!

God is love. Love is powerful because it’s source is the Father. Love topples strongholds, conquers sin, fulfills the law, bewilders the enemy, and unleashes the Lion! Love has a purpose, and properly focused, has no equal. Love is simply unconquerable.


Compelled to Love

If you were dying, or going to a place where death was a real possibility, you might want to leave behind one prevailing thought for those who would survive you. You may want to drive home a point that you had alluded to several times in conversation, but this one thing is so important you are compelled to repeat it one last time. Such was the case with Jesus. Reclining with His disciples at the Last Supper He had just sent out Judas and turning to the rest of the disciples says this;

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

John 13:33-35

There is one thing Lion followers must do above all other things if the world is to know we are His disciples: Love one another. But Jesus didn’t just stop there, He quantified even more, we are not to love one another as the world loves or as others have loved us. That isn’t good enough. We are to love one another as He loves us. In order for everyone to know we are His, we are to love one another with the same profound, passionate, and radical love He showed us.

The question is not, “what does the law require,” rather it is, “what does love compel me to do?” Love will inspire and propel you in ways that the law could not. Love will drive you to do things that the law never could. And how did Jesus show His love for us? He stretched out His arms on an old rugged cross and whispered, “I love you this much.”

What will love compel you to do today? Perhaps you will pick up the phone and call an estranged daughter or son. Maybe you will forgive someone not because they deserve it, but because God loves you so much He has forgiven you. You might even look for ways to serve others without looking for anything in return. As we read in the book of Acts we catch a glimpse of the first Christians and we see how they turned the world to Christ:

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:44-47

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 2:32-35

Called to Freedom

When the gospel was making its way through Gentile nations in the 1st century the apostles called a special meeting because it presented a special problem. Gentiles were being saved by the thousands. The meeting was to determine what the Gentiles should be required to do. Some of the believers wanted them to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. At one point Peter stands up and says the following:

Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 15:7-11

A verdict was reached and the following letter dispatched after much debate and prayer.

The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Acts 15:23-29

It was decided that the Gentile brothers and sisters should not bear a burden the Jews had been unable to bear themselves. The apostles and elders recognized that the law had been for a time, a place, and a people- but not for the Gentiles. They would spend the rest of the New Testament expounding on this initial list, but never placing the burden of the old covenant on new believers!

To truly unleash the Lion in your life and yield massive fruit, let go of the bondage of sin and salvation by works, and embrace the freedom that only comes by Christ growing in you.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Galatians 5:13-14

Contrary to what many believe today, the Christian life should be a life of freedom. A life free from from the bondage of sin and the law, let loose to love and serve the Lion and each other.

A life yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit will not seek to sin but will display the fruits of that indwelling, namely love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. There is no condemnation found in these fruits. Sin has lost its stranglehold on your life if you have been crucified with Christ. You are free!

Another way to list the fruits of the Spirit is like this (and it may be more in keeping with 1 Corinthians 13): “but the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” The idea being that love is defined by the eight characteristics which follow. (NET Bible) Again, it is the Lion who best exhibits each one of the fruits.

Love

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Joy

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Luke 10:21

Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27

Long-suffering

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Gentleness

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:1-3

Goodness

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Faithfulness

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 3:6

Meekness

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Matthew 12:20

Temperance

" Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Luke 22:42

Displaying the fruits by living in the Spirit even changes how we discipline a wayward brother or sister. The law called for judgement. The Spirit calls for restoration!

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

Sowing and Reaping

Returning at last to the soil, Paul reminds us of an age old principle:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:7-9

We are always sowing and reaping. Someone is always watching. Our actions will reveal whose disciples we truly are. Jesus did not promise us an easy life on earth. There will be times we will grow so weary and tired we may think about giving up. Don’t give up! There is a promise here, “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” These verses speak of effort, timing, and perseverance. We will look more closely at all three in the chapters to come.

Continue to Chapter 5: The Rebirth

Unleashing the Lion- Chapter 5: The Rebirth

Return to Chapter 4: The Freedom

It wasn’t long after my wife and I decided to plant our first garden that the principles of commitment soon arose again. What I discovered is that no matter what we decide to pursue in life, there will be obstacles. You will have to prioritize in order to make those things in your life happen that are worth pursuing. There will be a million and one reasons not to do that thing, whatever it is.

Some obstacles will be out of your control. Other times you will prioritize something else as more important, but what I have found is that anything worth doing is worth sacrificing to obtain.


Getting Dirty

We decided it was time to lay other things aside and get to work on getting that garden growing in the backyard. Some planning was necessary:

Where did we want to plant?

What part of the yard received enough sun to sustain a garden?

What did we want to plant?

How much?

Once these decisions were made the work began. We needed to clear part of the yard for gardening. If you have ever turned part of a yard into a garden you know how much work is needed to put in and it can be back breaking!

• The grass must be pulled up and disposed of
• The ground must be turned over
• and turned over again
• and turned over again
• Rock, weeds, grass, etc... must be pulled out and disposed of
• A fence put up to keep out dogs, etc...
• Rows raked out for the planting
• Seeds sown in the ground
• Water, Water, Water

All of this takes care and commitment. Time, money, and effort are put in before the first fruit begins to grow. If you do your work carefully and intentionally, with the end in mind, tending the garden thereafter will be easier. Notice, I didn’t say easy, just easier!

It was hard, sweaty, and dirty work, but so worth it. Once the seeds were in the ground I felt relief. I had done my part, the soil was well prepared, the garden protected, and the seeds carefully chosen. All they would need now is water and the Lord’s blessing, shortly I expected to see seedlings sprouting from the ground.

I certainly did, but that’s not all I saw...

Weeds and grass also made their way through the soil looking for the sun. My work wasn’t done!

About once or twice a week I headed out to the garden with a hoe in hand to break up the soil some more, pull weeds, and give the plants the best possible chance of unleashing their fruit. I also inspected the plants for bugs or any other outside influence that might limit their capacity to produce abundantly or affect the quality of the fruit. Instead of being irritated and bothered by this work I found it energizing and rewarding!

As I tended the garden so many Biblical concepts became crystal clear in my mind. I found the time refreshing and invigorating. Was it easy? No, but understanding what principles were at work and taking the time in the garden to think and focus on the Lord made the time fly by. There is a reason so many principles are taught in the Bible using gardening illustrations. It is how God illustrated His works in the hearts and minds of men and women.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Letting Go

The ground my garden was going in had remained untended for so long that a lot of work had to be done if this ground was going to yield anything. I could not have simply gone out into the yard, put some seed on the ground without preparing the soil, and expect anything to grow. The same is true of our lives. In order to be fruitful, we have to let go of the past, tend to the present, and prepare for the future.

Let’s face it, we have all done things in life that we are ashamed of. Some of the Bibles greatest heroes used their failures in the past as a stepping stone to greater things. Instead of allowing their circumstances to dictate their future, they simply accepted their past and moved on in their quest with God. Acceptance is very simply acknowledging that what’s done is done. It cannot be redone. It cannot be changed. In order to move on we must own it, accept it, and then move forward. It is not Christ who would keep you in your chains of the past, it is Christ who would set you free.

It must have been a horrific scene. Stephen, “full of faith and power,” who just hours before had been going about his appointed job of distributing food for the fledgling Christian community, was now being dragged out of the city. Encircling him, the mob now began to pick up rocks and hurl them at him. Stephen was being punished for the sin of blasphemy and the penalty for that sin was death by stoning. Stephen had dared say Jesus was the Son of Man, standing at God’s right hand. Collecting coats as more people dropped in to hurl rocks at Stephen, Saul (later Paul) is recorded as being completely in agreement with the murder. Later, we find out that the killing of Stephen just whetted Saul’s appetite for such acts, “he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” Saul was zealous in his persecution, we learn that he was “yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” So consumed with blood lust against this tiny sect a penitent Paul would later confess that he persecuted the church of God and sought to destroy it. His hatred for Christians was so well known that after being instructed by the Lord to go and get him, Ananias reminded the Lord that it was this Saul who was doing “much evil” to the church.

So it is with that context you can understand Paul’s encouragement to a small church:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phillippians 3:13-14

If God can forgive a man like Paul, and then use Paul the way He did, God can most certainly forgive and use you! Lay down the past, put it behind you, cover it with the grace of Jesus Christ, and move forward to claim the prize for which God has called you. Acceptance is taking a look at where you are at this point in your life, realizing that you are a sum total of everything you have done and what has happened to you, and accepting it. You don’t have to like it, Paul didn’t like his past, but he accepted it. He could not change it. Once you’ve accepted things are as they are, then you can move on. Acceptance is the 1st step to rebirthing your life.

Make A Decision

Once you’ve accepted the past, it’s decision time. What will you do different in the future? How will you change the direction of your life? What will you focus your time, effort, and money on moving forward? You will need someone big enough to conquer your demons, cover your offenses, and bring victory into your life. There is only one Person big enough for the job, the Lion of Judah!

Jesus entered into the life of just such a person. Jesus used her to loosen the soil so His seed could take hold.

Jesus had been teaching in a heavily Jewish part of town and the Pharisees could see that His message was taking root. As a result many were being baptized, even more than John the Baptist. As a result the Pharisees began to try and divide those that were there and arouse opposition to the message of Jesus.

Jesus leaves Judea for the time being and takes His message to Galilee. Galilee was heavily populated with Gentiles, on the way sat Samaria. This region was so despised by Jews that they often took another route to Galilee. Jesus, perhaps sensing that His message was already being rejected among the Jewish religious establishment, took the direct route through Samaria.

You probably remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. The story has such impact because it tells the story of how a despised Samaritan man stops to help a Jewish man whose life hung in the balance. In the story a couple of Jewish religious types walked on by as their brother lay half dead, bleeding and naked by the side of the road. It was only a Samaritan, whom the Jews hated and called “dogs,” that stopped and helped the man.

Once Jesus reaches Samaria, he stops at a well that Jacob had left to his son Joseph. Jesus, hot and tired from a long day’s journey sits down by the well. Here, a woman enters the scene, but not just any woman. This woman has lived a rough, and by all appearances, an unrighteous life. She has been married five times, and is currently living with a man that is not her husband.

In one of the most memorable conversations of all time Jesus reveals to the woman that He is "living water." (John 4) He goes on to offer her, a Gentile, eternal life if she would accept the gift before her. Jesus goes on to say that a time will come when where you worship does not matter, only how you worship- “in spirit and in truth!” The woman still not fully comprehending who is before her, acknowledges that one day the Messiah will come and explain everything. It is then Jesus fully reveals Himself to her as the long awaited Messiah (appointed one).

The woman at the well became so excited that she forgot the reason she was there in the first place, she left her water jar at the well, and immediately went into town spreading the Word! The people began coming out to meet Jesus, and on that day many of the despised, oppressed, and sin laden met their Savior, and believed in Him. Many places that Jesus visited, taught, and performed miracles could not wait to be rid of Him, but not this place. Where the need was great, Jesus was greater! They wanted more. They asked Him to stay, and He did.

Never let anyone tell you that you are not good enough for Jesus to save. Never let anyone tell you that your life is too sinful to be wiped clean by the blood of Jesus. Never let anyone tell you that Jesus can’t use you. It is a lie and the Bible exposes the lie. This woman stands as a testament for all time that Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The Samaritan woman at the well had to make a decision on that day. She chose wisely and the rest is His-story! What will your decision be today? Will you put behind the sins of the past and walk in newness of life towards Jesus Christ? Will you drink in the living water? Accept your past, own it, but don’t dwell in it. What’s done is done. It is what it is. It cannot be changed, but it no longer has the power over your future. Accept Jesus, He can cover the vilest of pasts, and purify you as you walk into a new and glorious future! Deciding is the 2nd step to rebirth.


Forgiveness and Restitution

I’m sure you know the words...

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Savior passed that way
He looked up in that tree
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today
For I’m going to your house to stay”

...but seriously, what a sight it must have been. Jesus is coming through Jericho on his third and final trip to Jerusalem. He had been through twice before and so far not a word from the local tax collector. Tax collectors were a notorious bunch. They were known for extracting far more than was demanded and living in excess on the rest. The people didn’t like them and as far as honor goes, they had none!

This particular tax collector is identified as an evil one indeed, “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” His name was Zacchaeus.

As Jesus neared Jerusalem and passed by Jericho He would need a place to stay. The crowds were enormous. Emotions were riding high and expectation was reaching a fever pitch. The people wanted an earthly kingdom with Jesus as King, Jesus reminded them, using Zacchaeus, why He came.

Zacchaeus, being short, was unable to see Jesus over the crowd. Apparently, looking around, he saw a sycamore tree and being industrious, climbed on up. As Jesus walked by, He called for Zacchaeus to come on down, and as the song goes, He needed a place to stay. Needless to say, this turn of events made no one happy. They could not believe that Jesus would stay at such a man’s house! This man epitomized everything that was wrong- he was greedy, selfish, prideful, and hurt others.

What I find incredible in this story is that Zacchaeus wasted no time feeling sorry for himself, or making excuses for why he had done certain things. In addition, he didn’t try and defend himself, I think this is critical. Many times we will make excuses for our actions or things we have done. What we must realize is that attitude actually slows down the process. In the presence of Jesus there were, and are, no excuses. Feeling sorry for yourself only adds to the hurt. Zacchaeus owned his past, let it go, and allowed himself the forgiveness that only Jesus could bring.

The conversion of Zacchaeus is swift, complete, and inspiring. No doubt while people are still reminding him of his past by shouting what a sinner he was, Zacchaeus immediately began setting things right!

"Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."

Luke 19:8

Zacchaeus didn’t stop with saying, “I’m sorry,” right on the spot he started making amends. He gave half of everything he owned to the poor, and he restored fraudulent earnings with an abundant amount of interest over and above what was owed. According to Mosaic law he was only required to pay double, instead taking a que from the lavish grace of Jesus Christ, he restored fourfold what was stolen! This man truly had been forgiven, and his actions mirrored the inward transformation that was taking place.

When looking in the face of love, Zacchaeus wasn’t concerned with what the law required, Zacchaeus was compelled by love! The acts of forgiveness and restitution are themselves driven by a desire to love as Christ loves us.

Forgiveness is liberating, breath-taking, and life changing. Restitution makes right what was done wrong, and points to the risen Savior who alone has the power to grant forgiveness of sins. Jesus cleans the slate so you can start brand new. You show the Lion your past and He will respond by proclaiming your future! Forgiveness and Restitution are the 3rd and 4th steps to re-birthing your life.


Success Re-defined

There have been many sermons, books, and songs written about Jesus Christ. Sadly, many of them have missed the point entirely. Instead of seeing the suffering Servant of God on mission, they see someone who can grant them power, wealth, notoriety, or whatever else they might aspire too. Many have come to Jesus under the wrong terms and wonder why they seem to miss His power in their life. Seeking greatness, James, John, and their mother, receive a martyrs answer.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 5:20-28

To their credit they didn’t ask for the throne and they wanted to be near Jesus, but that’s about all the positives I see in this passage. It is quite disheartening that after Jesus tells the disciples a third time what He must suffer, they still seek glory and honor for themselves. Perhaps this has been the case in your life? You may have been told that Jesus is the key ingredient to worldly success and the accumulation of things? You might have been told that if you ask for anything with the right amount of faith and trust, Jesus will give it to you? The sad truth is that you have been deceived. A verse was taken out of context, and then a message was woven around the out of context verse, and delivered within your hearing as a secret or a nugget of truth. This is how all lies get their start.

Jesus begins by reminding them what He had just shared about how He will be sentenced to die; “to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him.” Jesus then shares with them that they too will suffer a martyr’s life and death.

There is not much difference between the 1st century view of success and power to that of the 21st century. Our leaders tend to flaunt their authority and lord it over us as well. In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus paints a vivid picture of what this looks like.

• Those in authority love to sit in the places of honor
• Those in authority often do not practice what they preach
• Those in authority love telling others what to do, but often won’t lift a finger to do it themselves
• Those in authority love for others to see them
• Those in authority love to dress well
• Those in authority demand to be treated with respect
• Those in authority love their lofty titles
• Those in authority hate to serve anyone else

While the world chases after money, titles, popularity, and respect, Jesus reminds Disciples that it is different for those following Him. If you want to be a leader, lead in serving! If you want to be first, first become a slave! Jesus goes on to say that the life He lived was a life of servant hood, and the life He gave, was for all! He goes on to say in Matthew 23, that those who seek to exalt (lift up) themselves will be humbled (brought low), but those who humble themselves will be exalted.

I think one of the main points here is stop keeping score and don’t concern yourself with the things this world admires and aspires to. Many people come to faith with a new friend in Jesus without realizing that Jesus’ definition of success is radically different than the one they hold. When you come to Jesus, your definition of success has to change too! The very act of aspiring to a certain position in life, a coveted title, or financial gain is in itself contrary to Jesus Christ.

Consider:

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

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phillippians 2:5-11

Jesus did not come seeking the things of this world, but came to serve, this should be the heart of the success you seek as well. A heart totally in the will of God, will seek the things of God, and this will necessitate a radical change in thinking. Consider the sequence of events that led up to Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple:

• Matthew 18.1-5- When asked who will be the greatest in heaven Jesus called a little child over to Him and explained that a child has no interest in such things, we must be humble as a child.
• Matthew 18.8-9- Value the things of God over your own body.
• Matthew 18.10-20- God doesn’t neglect those that go astray, all are important to Him, and He will go great lengths to bring them back into a right relationship with Him.
• Matthew 18.22-35- Jesus tells us to forgive repeatedly, just as we have been forgiven, no matter how much they have sinned against you, forgive them.
• Matthew 19.1-12- The reasons for a man to divorce his wife in the time of Jesus had grown since the time of Moses, Jesus reasserts the definition and reason for marriage.
• Matthew 19.13-15- Even those the world considers insignificant have great worth to God. Make sure you don’t look down on anyone.
• Matthew 19.16-26- A life yielded to the Lord gives God reign over everything in their life, even those things that are valued greatly. There is nothing you can sacrifice that is unreasonable, Jesus called us to lose our life in order to find it.
• Matthew 19.27- 20.1-16- God will reward our service to Him, but it is not our place to keep score. God rewards and pays generously. As His disciples let us rejoice that we work for such a gracious Owner. Beware though, God does not bless as the world blesses, a heart in tune with God will recognize and receive the blessing with thanksgiving, and not disappointment, that we didn’t get what we wanted.
• Matthew 20.20-34- As we discussed earlier, success as the world defines it, i.e. a lofty title, big money, or lots of power, are not how God defines success. A humble disposition, a willingness to serve, putting others first, and a loving heart are what God seeks in us.
• Matthew 20.1-11- Jesus didn’t ride into Jerusalem on a chariot with a team of horses, He rode in “meek, and sitting upon an ass.” (KJV)
• Matthew 21.12-16- The temple barons had forgotten the reason for the temple, and had turned it into a money making enterprise. Instead of a house of prayer, they had denigrated the temple into a house of thieves.

Success in the Christian’s life is defined by serving, not by how much we are served! Realignment of our definition of success is the 5th step to your rebirth.


Risk and Commitment

Before many people will make a commitment they will ask an important question, how much will it cost? Jesus leaves no one in the dark about the costs of following Him, He wants you to know that this is not a commitment to be made lightly.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:34-38

The decision before you is between living and life. Everyone who has ever been born lives, few have life. Living is getting by, life is abundant. Living is temporary, we all must die, life is eternal. The Bible teaches us that in order to have life, we must die to living. In Romans 6.4, we are told how to quit living and embrace life.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

There is only one source of life- the Lion, Jesus Christ! If you would have life, you must die to living and allow Jesus Christ to breathe life into you. The risk is that it will cost you everything, however there is also risk in not following Jesus Christ, eventually you will lose everything anyway! When you die, you can’t take anything with you. You will leave the world just as you entered, with absolutely nothing.

The choice then becomes clear, will you be content with the world, which you will one day have to leave behind, and enter eternity apart from everything that is right and good because you are separated from God? Or will you die to living here, take the Lion, pick up your cross and your life, and follow Him? You might say, “do I have to choose, can I not have both?” That has been answered as well.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

James 4:4

A choice must be made between what the world has to offer you, which is fleeting, and what Jesus offers you, which is never ending. We are not promised tomorrow, so it is important that the decision not be delayed. Jesus loved you so much that He came and lived, suffered, and died for you. Yes, following Him will cost you everything, and in exchange He offers you a life with him. It is an abundant, eternal, and satisfying life. It is living water! Whatever satisfies you here on earth will soon wear off and in order to be satisfied again, you will need to get more, and probably in greater quantity. Jesus offers satisfaction that never wears or fades away, it satisfies time and time again!

The Lion also demands commitment from His followers. The passage didn’t stop with someone picking up the cross, we also have to carry it. It is a picture of absolute submission to the Father’s will. Jesus not only died for you, He lived for you as well. He spent 30+ years on this earth teaching, working, and providing an example for us.

There is a story recorded in the Bible about three people who want to follow Jesus. Before accepting them Jesus wants them to have a complete understanding of what following Him means. In His replies to them, Jesus reveals to us what Biblical commitment is all about.

1. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

2. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

3. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. Jesus said to him, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:57-62

His reply to the first man illustrates the regard for which Jesus held comfort. A commitment to Jesus will often take you to people and places that are not very comfortable. For some this means a different country, for others it means a part of the city they normally would not visit. Jesus did not consider comfort a priority, as a matter of fact, it appears He did not consider it at all! The priority of Jesus is “to seek and to save that which was lost,” this is our priority as well. Commitment to Jesus means leaving comfort behind.

Jesus calls the second man to follow Him, but the man’s reply reveals his first concern. Jesus demands to be the priority of our life. Jesus teaches us to honor our father and our mother, but not above Him. Our commitment to Jesus must be total and absolute, nothing should interfere with it. A commitment to Jesus is an obligation to keep Him first. This doesn’t mean that He won’t allow us to care for our loved ones, it does mean that we are called to advance the kingdom of God above all else.

The last man is willing to follow, but his cares reveal where his heart is. As a Lion follower our main focus is on Jesus, everything else follows. To put another way, our primary care is Jesus, everyone and everything else is secondary. This level of commitment is a necessary requirement for a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Also note that in the metaphor Jesus uses, the plow man is looking forward. In order to guide the plow and the ox in the right direction the farmer’s focus had to be on where he was heading, not where he had come from. As long as he was looking where he wanted to go everything stayed on track, however one look back steered everything off course. A steady and focused commitment on Jesus will keep your life headed in the right direction. Commitment is the sixth step to rebirthing your life.


Perseverance

Fred Smith once said, “the energy needed to retreat might have been just the right amount needed to succeed.”

To persevere is to continue despite opposition and discouragement. When we look back into the first century church we see a people clinging to a belief despite every reason to let it go. They were cussed, beaten, whipped, crucified, stoned, and thrown off buildings, and yet they persevered. How?

Writing from a jail cell in Rome to a tiny church started on his 2nd missionary journey, Paul encourages the believers first by thanking them, then by praying for them, and lastly by reminding them that what God starts, God always finishes!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

Phillippians 1:6

The work that has been done on your behalf did not begin on the day you were born, the day your parents met, or your grandparents decided to get married. God had you in mind from the very beginning, He set you apart, adopted you into the family, sent His Son into the world to live and die for you, and continues to shower His kindness upon you, until the day He returns for you! (Eph 1:4-8)

The ultimate goal is that as you persevere and continue in faith, you become more and more like Jesus Christ. As you read, study, pray, and work the Holy Spirit is there every step of the way encouraging, exhorting, and giving you the desire to please and obey Him. Growing in faith is a lot like learning to run, the more you exercise those muscles, the stronger they become.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

When you first begin training no one expects you to go out and run a marathon, and if you did you would likely faint after the first couple of miles. The same holds true of your faith. A little time spent in the word, a few moments spent in prayer, a few Sundays spent among other believers, and some work done in the name of the Lord will begin to build up your endurance. Before long you will be reciting scripture by memory, praying out loud, and sharing with others the faith that comes from a heart that has been nourished by “living water!”

It doesn’t happen overnight, but patient endurance will produce the miracle of perseverance.

In Acts 5 we read about some apostles who were healing and doing many good works in the name of Jesus. For their effort they were put on trial, flogged, and told never to teach in the name of Jesus again. Their response illustrates what perseverance is all about.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Acts 5:41-42

They responded to persecution with even more perseverance! Sure, it would have been easier to water down the message, perhaps use God in their sermons instead of Jesus, it may have even saved their lives down the road, but at what cost? These men had seen, heard, and touched Jesus Christ. They had seen Him risen from the grave, and rise again to Heaven. These men knew who they were teaching about and no amount of persecution could ever discourage them.

Try to imagine the scene. After having been whipped they were bloody, bruised, and in excruciating pain, and yet they rejoiced. They had been disgraced by a public punishment, and they were full of cheer. They did not hang their heads in shame, instead they were happy to have suffered affliction “for his name.” After the punishment and public disgrace they persevered by continuing to teach and preach in His name! What a mighty example of perseverance!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations

James 1:2

The same principle at work in these men of God can be at work in you and I as well. They were just men made of the same stuff. They had the same needs, faults, and frailties. There was nothing special about them that gave them the ability to persevere under a severe trial. They simply loved the Lord with heart, soul, and mind. They had given themselves totally to the Lion and He worked out His good will in and through them. What an exciting opportunity that awaits all who seek to know Him!

Before you give yourself this wholly to someone you would probably have some questions about them. The great news is that Jesus doesn’t leave you in the dark about who He is!

Continue to Chapter 6: The Lion

Unleashing the Lion- Chapter 6: The Lion

Return to Chapter 5: The Rebirth

The Lion

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1. 4-5

"These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!”

1st Century Opponents of Christianity, Acts 17.6

The book of Acts tells us in detail how a first century church worked in a world that was hostile to its message. It’s important to note that in the fist century followers of Jesus had no allies and no place of refuge. They were utterly alone. The Jewish leadership sought to kill them for blasphemy. The Romans wanted to kill them for not bowing to Caesar. They had no homeland. There was no place for them to run. There was no place they could feel completely safe.

Against all odds they prospered. They changed the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus had warned them this would be so, and yet, as we read earlier, they persevered!

I think as we look at the world around us we see that it is growing more hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are experiencing many of the same afflictions that plagued the first century church. Our leaders do not regard the Bible as the infallible Word of God. Laws are passed that are in direct opposition to Scripture. Schools no longer teach the principles laid down by God in His Word. Even the pursuit of life has been terminated as we kill millions of tiny, defenseless babies every year on the altar of selfishness and convenience.

How does a church remain the salt and light in a world that rejects its message? The glorious news is that we have a blueprint to guide us. We need not sit around and wonder what is to become of things. We have an example of what to do, and how to do it, in the book of Acts!

In the first century even opponents of Christianity had this to say about the tiny movement that was having such a huge impact, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!” What do opponents of Christianity say about us? In the first century Christianity was a force to be reckoned with. They tried everything at their disposal to wipe the message of Christ off the face of the earth and failed. They found out you could take their life but never their spirit. They could kill one hundred Christians, and two hundred more would stand up to take their place. They could not shame them into silence or force them to bow to another, Christians seemed invincible, and they were.

As you read and study the book of Acts there are several key ingredients to their success, but one primary Driver. There is one understanding above all others that gave them the power to change the world. The Christians of the first century understood who Jesus is. They understood what Jesus says. They trusted it. They lived it. So let’s start in the same place, with a correct understanding of who Jesus Christ is.


The Lion Creates

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5

Through the formless, empty darkness God speaks, “Let there be light,” and the Word He speaks is Jesus Christ. Many search, and still seek for that uncaused, first cause that unleashed the universe, the answer is the Lion. Jesus is in the beginning, Jesus is with the Father, He was not created, He has always been. Verse one goes on to say that Jesus is God!

Just as God the Father was not created, neither was Jesus. He has always been and always will be. He is eternal. He cannot cease to be. Psalm 90.2 tells us that “from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Only God has this attribute.

As God the Father continued creating, He created through Jesus the Son:

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

Colossians 1:16

Paul is telling us that nothing was created that wasn’t created through Jesus. Everything you see and don’t see exist through His creative will. Also note, and don’t miss, that “all things were created by him and for him.” We were created with a purpose, that purpose is Jesus Christ. There is no joy or happiness outside of a relationship with Jesus, without Him there will always be a hole in our life. Fulfillment only comes once we know Jesus, He created us that way. It points us to Him in the darkest of our sorrows and the hour of our pain.

John continues in verse 4 telling us that “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” There is only one source of life. Everyone lives, but as we discussed earlier, the only ones that have life, have Jesus. In Jesus radiates the light which guides the light of men. When the Psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” he is speaking of the Word. Jesus has perfectly revealed God’s Word to us.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” The world needed light, required its beacon of hope, and groaned for its deliverer. Jesus came forth bringing light to a world lost in the darkness of sin and “the darkness did not comprehend it.” Comprehend has several meanings here in the Greek, seize, possess, apprehend, and overcome. My personal favorite is overcome. The light shines forth in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. We worship a victorious Jesus!

The Holiness of the Lion

Next, let’s see what a real encounter with God does to a person.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 6:1-5

There are quite a few things to see from this passage in order for the whole scene to come together.

Three times in these verses a name of God is used:

1. v.1- Adonai is translated as Lord
2. v.2- Jehovah or Yahweh is translated as LORD
3. v.5- Jehovah or Yahweh is translated as LORD

Adonai makes clear our relationship to God. Adonai means Master or Lord, hence we are His slaves, not hired servants.

Jehovah is the most frequently used name of God the Father in Scripture. It occurs 6,823 times. Jehovah describes God as absolutely self existent, Jehovah literally means “one who is what He is.” Jehovah is the name that reveals to us that God is holy above all else. The Seraphim circle His throne and cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Jehovah of Hosts.” Jehovah’s very essence is holiness.

As we look closer at the passage we see that it is taking place in heaven, the very throne room of heaven. To call young Isaiah into ministry God peeled back the heavens and allowed Isaiah to peer into the very Holy of Holies!

The outlook for Isaiah was bleak, his King had just died and his nation was in peril. Yet, the glory from this majestic being was so great that it eclipsed Isaiah’s grim outlook with the stunning splendor of God Almighty.

God is being worshiped in heaven. As the Seraphim circled him and cried out, “the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”

Upon seeing the Holiness of God Isaiah was filled with conviction of sin and immediately confessed, “Woe is me! for I am undone.” Ruined here has several meanings- God’s holiness silenced Isaiah, God’s holiness broke Isaiah, and God’s holiness utterly destroyed Isaiah!

After beholding the glory of God Isaiah confesses, “for My eyes have seen the King, Jehovah Almighty!”

I think we would all agree that this is God Isaiah is seeing. I don’t think there is any doubt that God is being worshiped. Now, consider who John 12.41 says this is, “These things said Esaias (Isaiah), when he saw his (Jesus) glory, and spake of him.”

• It was Jesus Christ Isaiah saw!
• It was Jesus Isaiah wrote about!
• It was Jesus the Seraphim circled!
• It was Jesus to whom they cried, “Holy, Holy, Holy!”
• It was the holiness of Jesus that “ruined Isaiah!”
• It was Jesus who was referred to as Adonai and Jehovah!

Yes, Jesus Christ is God Almighty! Jesus is Jehovah!

After conviction, confession, and adoration Isaiah couldn’t help but want to get to work. After seeing the Awesomeness and Glory of God, Isaiah said, “Here I am; send me!” Are you ready to get to work?


Jesus, God With Us

After beholding the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesies His coming to us as Man.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

And in the following chapter, Isaiah reveals the meaning of the name.

Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

Isaiah 8:10

An angel announces the fulfillment of this prophecy when he appears to Joseph in a dream and Matthew records it.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:23

Matthew did not want their to be any misunderstanding about Who was among us. He used the Greek word theos which is translated God over 1,200 times in the New Testament. Its meaning is “the supreme divinity.”

In the book of Zechariah God foretells His piercing.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10

Note that God says, "upon me," the One whom they pierced was the Lord Jesus, who is Jehovah. The Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, God was “pierced” on the cross, and they did mourn for Him.

There’s more, a lot more...

There are 7 titles applied to Jesus in the 1st chapter of John alone!

• the Word
• the Light
• the Lamb of God
• the Son of God
• the Christ or Messiah
• the King of Israel
• the Son of Man

John continues to tell us who Jesus is, consider:

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:16-18

The Son has fully revealed to men what God is like. When men saw Jesus, they saw God. They heard God speak. They felt God's love and tenderness. God's thoughts and attitudes toward mankind have been fully declared by Christ.

In Hebrews 1, Jesus is contrasted with prophets and angels with the following result- Jesus is:

• the “heir of all things,” but not only the heir,
• He “made the worlds,” but not only the creator,
• He is “the brightness of his glory,” but not only His glory,
• He is “the express image of his person,” but not only His exact image,
• He upholds “all things by the word of his power,” but not only the sustainer,
• He is the Savior of man, the purger of sins, the sin bearer.

Let’s consider something together. To create the universe Jesus only had to speak, to hold together the universe Jesus only has to speak, but in order to put away our sin forever, Jesus had to die on the cross at Calvary!

And not only the “sacrificial lamb,” let’s not leave Jesus on the cross:

He is the enthroned Lord who “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb 1:3)

Is Jesus the Lord of your life?


Jesus: Savior and King

The book of Acts tells us where salvation can be found and what Jesus rules over.

• Acts 4.12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
• Acts 10.36: The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

We call on the name of Jesus for salvation!

In John 5 we learn that Jesus is equal to the Father.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

In the verses that follow (John 5:19-27), Jesus affirms equality with God the Father:

• (v.19) Equal in working: “what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
• (v.20) Equal in knowing: “the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”
• (v.21) Equal in resurrecting: “as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”
• (v.22) Equal in judging: “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
• (v.23) Equal in honor: “all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.”
• (v.24) Equal in regenerating: “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,”
• (v.26) Equal in self-existence: “as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

In John 8 the Pharisees were grilling Jesus about who He was, and yet Jesus did not back down. If He had wanted to this was the place to do it. Let’s follow the conversation.

Jesus: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Pharisees: "Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true." (John 8:13)

Jesus: “I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” (John 8:18)

Pharisees: "Where is thy Father?" (John 8:19)

Jesus: “Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." (John 8:19) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24)

Pharisees: "Who art thou?” (John 8:25)

Jesus: “Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.” (John 8:25) When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he...(John 8:28)

In the original Greek, there is no ‘he’ in verses 24 and 28, so verse 24 literally reads, “If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” By giving Himself the divine name, “I AM,” Jesus is affirming His deity. The conversation as a whole is a solemn warning to the Pharisees, refuse the Lion and/or His deity and forsake life. Deny the Son and die in your sin!

Who raised Jesus from the dead? Many would quote scripture that seems to indicate Jesus was able to raise Himself from the dead, others would quote verses that demonstrate God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Who is right?

John 10.17-18: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 2.19-21: Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.

-Now, if you don’t believe the Son is God, you have a problem-

Acts 2.32: This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Galatians 1.1: Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

So, who raised Jesus from the dead, Himself or God the Father? The answer is Yes! The only people that have a contradiction on their hands are those that deny the deity of Jesus Christ.

I AM

Many people have wished that Jesus had just told us plainly who He was, forget all the double talk and reasoning, just come right out and say it already. Well, He did!

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

John 10:24-30

In this passage of scripture we see several things:

• Jesus says the works/signs/miracles He has done tell us who He is.
• Who are His sheep? Those who listen to His voice, and He knows them, and they follow Him.
• Follow the imagery- whose hand are the sheep in? The Father’s or the Son’s?
• Did the Father give them to the Son, if He did, how can they still be in the Father’s hand?

What does that mean? Let’s read the next verse together.

• Say John 10.30 with me- “I and my Father are one!”

Do we understand that plainly? Yes, and they did too- the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

After a few years of living on this earth I have come to realize that some of us are just harder to convince than others. Next, Jesus finds Himself in a conversation with two, “show me,” individuals.

Jesus: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you...And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:1,2;4
Thomas: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (John 14:5)
Jesus: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:6-7)
Philip: Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (John 14:8)
Jesus: Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:9)

Even after such a bold proclamation, there was one that still doubted, for now...

If ever there was an opportunity for Jesus to back down and state unequivocally that He is not God, it would have been at his trial before the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of Israel). All He needed to do is say that He was just a man, to some a good friend, and to others a special teacher, but certainly not God, and He could possibly save His life. He probably could have gotten away with stating that He was a prophet come to deliver a message from the Lord. There was, carnally speaking, everything to gain and nothing to lose. He certainly knew what He could not say, and yet He said it anyway. It was impossible for Him to lie about who He is.

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I AM: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:60-62

Standing before the burning bush that was not consumed, Moses asked the name of the One speaking to him, do you remember what God answered?

God said, “I AM,” Jesus says, “I am the door” (John 10:9)
God said, “I AM,” Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
God said, “I AM,” Jesus says, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
God said, “I AM,” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
God said, “I AM,” Jesus said, “before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)

I think a careful review of everything we have just laid out is enough to convince even the hardest of skeptics that Jesus not only claimed to be God, but also proved He was God among us! God walked with us and among us. We serve a God who can sympathize with us and aide us in our walk.


Jesus, Reigns as God

In Acts 7, the first Christian martyr gazes into the heavens and sees the majesty of Jesus reigning from the Father’s right hand.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Acts 7:55-56

Even the Father calls Jesus God!

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 1:8-12

Here in the span of five verses we find:

• The Father calls Jesus God
• The Son’s throne is forever
• The Son is just
• The Son is perfectly righteous
• Jesus is supreme above all others
• Jesus is the divine creator
• Jesus is eternal
• Jesus never changes

The jury is out, the decision is obvious, the conclusion unavoidable: the Jesus of the New Covenant is the Jehovah of the Old Covenant.

Revelation reveals the Glory of God in Jesus the Messiah.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22.13

From before creation to Revelation and beyond the testimony is clear, Jesus is Jehovah!

The obvious question becomes, “what do we do with this information?” It is the right question. How should you respond when God shows Himself to you? For starters I would say something very similar to what Thomas does next!

my Lord, and my God

It was a tense scene; the disciples were gathered in a house, with the door locked against the world...

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, we have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

John 20:24-25

What was Thomas asking for? Did he want to behold a spirit or ghost? It appears to me that he wanted to probe and examine the resurrected body of Jesus Christ. Let’s see if he got what he wanted...

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

John 20:26-27

the question here is what is Jesus asking Thomas to believe? Is Jesus asking Thomas to believe that Jesus is his friend? his teacher? his prophet? I don’t think so, but Thomas did believe something this day, and what he believed made all the difference!

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 20:28

Do you know who Jesus is? I know this may seem hard to believe, but Jesus went through all this trouble just for you! Don’t believe me? Check out the next verses.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 20:29-31

Reclaim the Lion and Rebirth your Life!

Before He ascended into heaven Jesus left a gift that He intended for you to open and embrace. This priceless gift is a difference maker for all who grasp it. The power of the Lion lives in you!

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My God’s not dead,

He’s surely alive,

and He’s living on the inside,

roaring like a Lion.

Kristian Stanfill

Continue to Chapter 7: The Lion in You