The Problematic Lamb

“Behold the Lamb of God…”

SQUEAMISH SAINTS

I offer a warning to all those professing Christians who are shallow thinkers and light hearted in their knowledge of the scriptures. This article is not for you. It can be very upsetting and unnerving for such fickle followers of Christ.

THE LAMB THE WORLD AND RELIGION GENERALLY ACCEPT

The worldling and carnal Christian have no problem with Mary’s little Lamb in the manger. It is the Lamb on the Throne, with a heart of a Lion, who creates a complication for them. Not the child Jesus, but the Man Christ Jesus is the one who becomes problematic. This is why Satan attempted on every hand to destroy Him in His infancy. The devil knew, unlike the world, what He would grow into. A REAL PROBLEM!

THE HIGH COST OF DISOBEYING AND OBEYING GOD

It was a rejection of the lamb that brought about all the deaths of the firstborn in Egypt, including children. Hundreds of years later, it was God’s Lamb who caused Herod to kill all the male children, two and younger. But it the wise men, who obeyed God, that provoked the king to do this. Was Satan trying to get even for the Passover Lamb and the death of the pagans’ children in Exodus?

THE LAMB AND THE FAMILY

God’s Lamb told the people of His Day, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Then He proceeds to tell them He will be the cause of division in their families (Matt. 10:34-38). It was a lamb that caused hatred and death in the first family. You know, Cain and Abel. IT WAS ALL ABOUT A LAMB! (1 Jn. 3:12)

A NOTE FOR ALL WHO WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD’S LAMB

“And  [they]said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us (suffocation) , and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17)

I Know God

“Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.”

(Jn. 8:55)

Jesus professed His knowledge of God before the religious crowd of His day with the greatest certainty. He was not afraid or ashamed to do so. Three times in this one little verse He attests to the fact of His intimate relationship with God. To do otherwise, says He, would make Him a liar. As Matthew Henry brings out, “He not only knew God by His name, but by His very nature.”

The Bible teaches we can know God personally. Job, David, and Paul all unashamedly declared their personal knowledge of God. John, in his first little epistle declares we too can know God. In chapter two, verse three, he writes, “Hereby we know that we know Him.” He tells us we can know we know. And how did both He and Jesus tell us we can know that we know God? Our Lord says the proof is in keeping God’s sayings, and John states the same, by keeping His commandments.

God’s moral law was not negated at the Cross; Paul mentions the keeping of the Ten Commandments (the Sabbath excluded) in his letters, not to be saved, but proof that one is saved. I personally am a little sick and tired of those who break their backs trying to convince themselves and others that their loved ones, who continually break God’s Commandments, are saved! Again quoting Matthew Henry who spells it out in a plain fashion, “There are many who claim-kindred to God who yet have no acquaintance with Him.” These types, I think, “worship an unknown God.”

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

(Titus 1:16)

The Truth About the Truth

My dear mother often quoted the little quip, “Some people wouldn’t know the truth if it was staring them in the face.” Pilate was such a one. He asked Jesus, “What is truth?” and it was standing before him.

God’s truth can be found in one of two places: on paper, or in a Person. Jesus said, “I am the...truth.” And the Bible tells us, “Thy Word is truth.” And these two agree in one, the incarnate and the inscribed.

God’s truth is always raw, naked, and unvarnished. He doesn’t disguise it with cosmetic coating or in decorative dress. In the case of God’s truth, what you see is what you get. Spurgeon says, “Truth will only be desired by truthful men.”

The final authority in all matters pertaining to time and eternity is to be found only in the Christ of God and His Word! Truth tops everything! Even love. Nothing comes before it! It is the only means to test everything and everyone in life. Without it, as in the day of the Judges, “...every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.”

“One road leads home and a thousand roads lead into the wilderness.”

(C.S. Lewis)

Before Entering the Church-House Doors

The wise man says, “When thou goest to the house of God..., " then proceeds to tell us how to act when we enter in. But I believe there are some things we should take care of before our entrance into His sanctuary. I think C.S. Lewis says it best when he writes, “If we cannot lay down our [temperamental] tastes along with other carnal baggage, at the church door, surely we should at least bring them in to be humbled and, if necessary, modified, not to be indulged.”

The old-timers would leave their horses tied-up outside the church; they didn’t bring them into God’s house with them. Well, I think if we left some things outside the church before entering in, such things as a bad attitude, pharisaical spirit, worldly thoughts, etc., we would ride a fresh mount home, instead of the tired, old nag we rode in on.

God only makes things new after the old things are passed away. If you really want to get clean, leave your soiled garments outside the wash house door. After you have bathed and dried off, you’ll find a fresh set of clothes awaiting you. Also thrown in will be a nice bottle of cologne or perfume that will give you an odour of a sweet smell before both God and man. Then it can be said of us also, “…he (or she) went on their way rejoicing.”

The End of the Lord

"Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

A little leaguer playing third base was cheering his team on, in spite of the fact the score was twenty-one to nothing. An observer from the sidelines asked how he could be so positive in light of the dismal score. The little urchin replied, "Shucks, mister, we ain't even been up to bat yet!"

It is important when going through the trials of life to keep your attention, not on the present, but the end results. That piece of pottery in the furnace alone can feel abandoned at times. But then comes the end, when the potter takes it from the fires a vessel unto honor.

Job, like Abraham, had a strong faith ("Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him") but a weak flesh ("Why died I not from the womb?"). When going through a variety of miseries, it is not uncommon for God's people to teeter-totter between the flesh and faith. But you can be sure, faith will win out in the end.

The end will crown all! If we will but patiently wait, we'll see "that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." As Matthew Henry says, "His bounty is manifested afterwards!"  

A God Like Me

David tells us of those who make idols with their own hands. He says they make them with mouths, eyes, ears, noses, hands, and feet. Then he finishes his account by adding this interesting statement, “They that make them are like unto them.” In other words, their God is not only made by them, but is like them.

It is important to realize, we too can fashion our own God, but without sculpting a physical statue. We carve out an image of deity in the imagination of our minds, the only difference being in material substance. God’s indictment against His people in the Psalms proves one can create his or her own mental God, “Thou ‘thoughtest’ I was altogether such a one as thyself.”

The reason our God is lacking in compassion, mercy, holiness, love, tenderness, and a host of other precious attributes, is that we have crafted a God like unto ourselves. I’m sure you’re familiar with this scripture, “In the image of man made he God.” OOPS!

"Is your God like you or are you like your God?" rds

A Pastor's Priorities

“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The little quip says, “Jack of all trades; master of one.” But, in reality, I have found those who try to do everything end up being “masters of none.” The average pastor today dabbles in everything from being a PR man, janitor, administrator, construction consultant, and a host of other secondary things. But to leave the Word of God and prayer for the temporal needs of the church is to leave your people Spiritually deficient.

“Canned” sermons and delightful ditties cannot satisfy the hungry soul. The Bible knows nothing of sermons, as such. God’s men in the Holy Scriptures had a message they received from their Lord. When a pastor is a one-man show, being in every scene, and trying to play everyone else’s part, he is apt to forget the part he is to play on the stage of life. Don’t forget, there are other actors in the drama of life. They are called elders, deacons, and the elect of God. Don’t be guilty of trying to upstage them.

"Hireling ministers are not worth their hire." rds

The Uncertainties of Life

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” Prov.27:1….“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” Ja.4:13-16

The old worn out cliche, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” just ain’t so. I may not die, the Lord could come; and I don’t pay taxes, my income is too small. Apart from God’s Word, we can say with certainty, nothing is certain in this life. Thus, as to our plans for tomorrow, don’t bet on it. Nothing is nailed down! This is not being pessimistic, but realistic. Live today and let God take care of your tomorrows. As the saying goes, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.” The gospel song says it best, I think...

I don't know about tomorrow;

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from it's sunshine

For it's skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter,

Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye;

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

AMEN and AMEN!

Faith Without Frills

“...and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Heb.11:36-40)

TWO TYPES OF FAITH IN SCRIPTURES

In Hebrew eleven you find two types of faith: the kind that received (verses 32-35a), and the kind that received not (verses 35b-40). Many years ago, in devotions, God impressed me with those two little words, found twice in our text, “And Others.” Thus was born a sermon God has mightily used throughout these many years, “What About the Others?”

TWO TYPES OF BELIEVERS IN CHURCH HISTORY

We have such saints as George Muller and Hudson Taylor, who received mighty things from God. Then again we have Christian martyrs, such as Bishops Ridley and Latimer, burned at the stake for their faith. The latter of the two never saw the fruition of their faith, in this life. But did from glory! It could be said of this kind, “Having not seen...yet believing.”

A FAITH THAT DOESN’T FLINCH

There is a faith that doesn’t “draw back,” in adversity. I call it by such names as: faith without frills, raw faith, naked faith, unpretentious faith, a faith without cosmetics. It is a faith that limps along through life, always with an eye set on the goal, in spite of any and all hardships. It is a faith that cries out in the blackness of night, with all its pain and suffering, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

Jesus saith...because thou hast seen...thou hast believed...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

A Fragment of the Whole

“[Jesus] asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that [Jesus] put [his] hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”

Our Lord would have us see men and women as they actually are. We are prone to be overly impressed with only a fragment or portion of an individual’s life; thereby thinking more highly of them than we ought, and less of ourselves. A part of anything does not necessarily represent the whole.

It is important to realize, when seeing one fulfilling their office in life or when on display before the public, that it is only a small portion of the sum total of his or her life. Few there are who do not put their best foot forward when before others.

It is well to remember that our “iconic” models are of “like passions as we are.” Heroes who can call fire down from heaven can also be given to deep depression. And women of great devotion can question Christ’s goodness. Think about it, maybe you’re not as bad as you thought.

If we knew what others have to contend with in their lives, we would be more content with our own.

If It's Not Cemented Down

Most things in life can be changed around, they’re not cemented down. True it may take some effort, but they can be positioned to your advantage with a bit of ingenuity. It’s amazing what a little inspiration, with some perspiration, can accomplish. On life’s pathway, one need not stumble at the same stone habitually; it can be placed to the side.

There are people who spend their whole lives living under the circumstances, rather than above them. It’s possible to turn the tables, so to speak. You can make many unpleasantries work for you, if you so desire. Stumbling stones can be made stepping stones. Someone may have defrauded you by selling you a piece of property that was all rocks, but you can build your house with them.

Handicaps need not hinder; they can be made to help. The oyster makes its disease into a pearl. If you’re shipwrecked and can’t swim, you can get safe to shore by using a broken piece of the boat (Acts 27). Zacchaeus didn’t let his small stature stop him from seeing Jesus in that towering crowd, he climbed a tree.

Your outlook determines the outcome. You can major on the problem, or see the potential. Some only see the obstacle, others the opportunity. Out of the twelve who went in to spy out Canaan, ten saw giants, Joshua and Caleb saw God.

God will do for you what you can’t, He’ll not do what you yourself can! (rds)

Don't Catch That Ball

Several years ago, my older son, Andrew, presented me with a small paperback book entitled, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff. It is packed full of a variety of thoughts intended to help folk in their daily life. Although it is not Christian, it has many Biblical principles. One chapter, in particular, that has helped me tremendously is entitled, “If Someone Throws You The Ball, You Don’t Have To Catch It.”

One does not have to be a sports enthusiast to understand this quaint little saying, for whom among us, from youth to the aged, does not realize that once you catch the ball, you’re responsible to do something with it; and all eyes are upon you, whether they be participants in the same game, or those observing from the stands, to see what you will do with the ball.

How easy it is to be dragged into other people’s problems. I have a little saying, “When someone else’s problem becomes mine, then there are two with the same problem.” I have found in my own life, to my deep sorrow and regret, that getting involved in situations that do not concern me has taken the joy out of life. What an inward peace of soul I have experienced these last few years, when I’ve been tempted to be drawn into business not belonging to me, to say to myself, “I ain’t catchin that ball.” O, dear friend, let us learn not to catch that ball, if we’re not prepared to take the responsibility that goes with catching it!

You may be thinking, the above sounds good, but it came from a worldly philosophy. True, but I remind you of our Lord’s words, “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”

A Suggestion for Preachers

Many years ago I was in a meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. The church was packed, and the people were wall to wall. They were even sitting on the platform stairs. There was a trucker there, who, whenever I hit on a good point, would shout out, “Park her there, preacher, and preach awhile!” And believe me, I did! Nevertheless, I think now one of the marks of a really great preacher is seen in him not having to finish his sermon.

The Bible knows nothing of sermons anyway; it is a message God’s man is to deliver. If a preacher is sensitive to the Holy Ghost, he will allow for Divine Intervention. As Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household we are told, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

An associate was asked about what he thought his greatly blessed and used pastor’s secret was in his preaching. His simple answer was, “He can close it out on his first or second point, he doesn’t have to finish.” I have seen preachers (including myself) take God’s people into the heavenlies, only to bring them back down to earth by their stubborn insistence in finishing their sermon. My advice to preachers, for what it is worth, is when you have God’s people in His presence, close it out and leave them there! Yes, even if it is only fifteen minutes into your message.

“God’s people do not enjoy hearing us half as much as we enjoy hearing ourselves.”

(Warren W. Wiersbe)

Inspecting "The Lamb"

In Old Testament times, when an Israelite brought his sacrifice to the High Priest for inspection, the priest did not examine the offerer, but the offered. He checked the Lamb to see if it had any spots or blemishes, not the one who presented it. This, no doubt, is what Paul is referring to in Ephesians, where he pens, “He hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Do you remember when Jacob was about to meet his brother Esau, who had promised wrath upon this one who had wronged him years previous? How Jacob, knowing he would soon face his elder brother, sent a gift ahead of him, hoping to satisfy Esau. For, said Jacob, “I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.” The book of Hebrews tells us, Jesus is our “forerunner,” that is, He went on ahead to present Himself to God on our behalf. Therefore, we never have to fear facing God’s.

In the New Testament, when the High Priest inspected Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, before He was placed upon the altar of sacrifice, the High Priest, unknowingly, but officially, declared Him approved for sacrifice. Or as Pilate said of this unblemished Lamb, “I find in Him no fault  at all .” And no one else has or ever will, in time or eternity.

GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!

Blinded Believers

“And when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand...And he was three days without sight..." (Acts 9:8-9).

Why would God allow a new convert, a babe in Christ, to be blind at his spiritual birth? It was not a punitive blindness, as Samson’s. What then, was the purpose? It was instructional. It was not permanent, as in Samson’s case, but temporary. God evidently wanted Paul to learn some important lessons early in his Christian life. Here is a short list of reasons, I believe, for his brief time of blindness:

He would lose sight of this world and the things in it. It no longer could impress him.

He now must walk by faith. No longer could he walk by sight.

He lost his independent spirit from others. He could no longer say, “I have no need of thee.”

His hearing would become more sensitive. He heard and understood the voice of Jesus, while those around him didn’t understand.

His handicap did not keep him from prayer: “Behold he prayeth.”

He could no longer judge people by the seeing of the eye. He must now judge, as His Lord, with equity (Isa.11:13-14)

He got a clear picture of Jesus. “Last of all, he was seen of me.”

May God in His mercy grant that each of us pass through this school of blindness, if we have not already. This school’s graduates are the ones who leave God’s mark on this world permanently. Paul’s has lasted over 2000 years now.

Raw Materials

“Ye judge after the flesh...my judgment is true.” When we judge one’s progress in the Lord, we invariably judge how far they have come by comparing them to the front runner. But comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise, says the apostle. When God considers how far we have advanced in our Christian lives, He does it from the perspective of how far we have come from where we started. For example, it would be unfair to judge Peter’s progress using Paul as a standard. For Paul started way ahead of Simon. C.S. Lewis says, “You can’t judge simply by comparing the product in two people; you would need to know what kind of raw material Christ was working with in both cases.”

Many of us make the mistake Joshua made concerning the Gibeonites. Because he judged after the flesh, he thought they had come a long way, “From a far country.” Yet, in reality, they had not come far at all but were “neighbors,” who had actually come a very short distance. I wonder, when comparing the less fortunate believer with that one that never experienced his or her painful past, if they would even do as well as the wretched one? Pet patterns may not fair in the end as well as the pitiful.        

You who think you’re lagging behind, take heart. If you do your best, and those in the lead do not, you may find yourself out front in the end. For, “…many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” You need not catch up to the rest, only do your best. You know, like the tortoise.  

“It is wise for that man or woman who walks in “holy” shoes not to be too tough on those who have “holes” in theirs. At least, till you’ve walked in them awhile yourself!” (rds)

On Being Human

Jesus Christ was not only “The Son Son of God,” but “The Son of Man.” He was not only “God manifest in the flesh,” He was “the Man Christ Jesus.” The necessity for both is obvious. Had He not been God He could not have saved us; had He not been man He could not have sympathized with us. For this reason, we must not divorce His humanity from His Deity. His manhood links Him with the whole human race.

He was like us in every respect, but without sin. Paul puts it this way; He was made “in the likeness of sinful flesh.” By the virgin birth He bypassed the sinful nature, but not human nature. Being born of a woman, He had a body of flesh and bone, and a human ancestry. He possessed all of our frailties in the flesh (except sin). He got tired, hungry, thirsty, and needed sleep. He did not renounce His divine powers, but neither did He His human limitations. For example, while on earth He did not know the time of His second coming.  

Our blessed Lord was born into humanity and was not ashamed of it. Some, consciously or unconsciously, try to deny theirs, by pretending to have a superior spirituality, thus being a notch above us other poor human beings. To deny a fact doesn’t delete it! Paul taught that because of our humanness we cannot always do that which we would like. This is not an excuse; it is a fact. Both Peter and Paul acknowledged their humanity, telling others that they were just men like they, still capable of losing their temper and using a slang word at times.

O child of God, you do not have to convince Him of what you would do, if you could do it, but for the weakness of your flesh. “He knoweth our frame.” Like the gospel song says, “I’m only human, I’m just a man.” Yes, be ashamed of your sins, but never apologize for being human.

“How thankful I am that when God became man, He did not choose to become   a man of iron nerves; that would not have helped weaklings like you and me nearly so much.” - C.S. Lewis

A Claustrophobic Christian

I tend to be claustrophobic, that is, I have a fear of being confined in an enclosed area. But not only do I have trouble in the psychological and physical realm, but also in the Spiritual sphere. One would be correct in saying that I suffer from acute Spiritual claustrophobia. I panic when I am restricted to one small cramped area of Christianity. I need elbow room; I need space to breathe. And I can’t do these within the bounds of legalism, denominationalism, and a restricted elitism. The body of Christ is bigger than these.

There was a very popular song in the 40’s entitled, “Don’t Fence Me In.” In the closing verse it says, “I can’t look at hovels and I can’t stand fences/Don’t fence me in.” That is my sentiment exactly! As the old-time evangelist, Gypsy Smith used to say, “I was born in a field; don’t try to put me in a flowerpot.” Well, I was born into the vast expanse of the Kingdom of God, don’t try and keep me within four walls. Israel was “boxed in” on all four sides, but God opened a way out. And he will for anyone who is willing to go it alone by faith.

“The only time I am not claustrophobic in confinement is when I am shut in with Jesus.” (rds)

All Your Ducks in a Row

The Bible speaks of, “…line upon line.” Repetition is necessary to learn truth. Therefore I repeat certain crucial truths from time to time. Things we need to be reminded of if we are to get through this life with any semblance of being sane.

One area that can lead a person to lose his or her marbles is when they attempt to get all their ducks in a row, so to speak. I have tried to achieve this impossible feat most of my life. Is it any wonder then that I spent much of my waking hours in frustration?

A thought came to me some years ago that has been a tremendous help to my persnickety personality. It goes like this, “There is nothing perfect; there is nothing lasting; and I will never get it altogether”. I like things just right. I want them to last. And I like all the loose ends tied up.

But that is not true to life. It’s a fantasy I created in my own mind. I’m to always work toward perfection, but realize it’s not attainable in this life. Everything is ultimately headed for the junk yard; I can’t keep it indefinitely. And there will always be a loose end I haven’t tied up.

Because of this we need to take everything in its stride, if not, we’ll always be out of step with life.

A Big Mistake

“And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them...And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up....And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein.” (Judges 16:26,29,30)

One of the greatest mistakes one can make about a man is in equating his weakness with being a weakling. There is a vast difference between the two. The former has to do with some infirmity of the flesh, the latter with those void of any and all character. Samson was a weak man, but not a weakling. Ask those few thousand Philistines, men and women,  who made light of him.

Hebrews eleven tells of Samson’s faith. It is here we find the blessed truth that though a man has a weak flesh he can possess a great faith. The entire list of men and women in this hall of faith chapter had his or her weaknesses, but none were weaklings. Everyone in this world has their own weaknesses, but not everyone of them are weaklings.

It is a wise individual that admits their weaknesses and majors on God’s strength. This type of person does what they can do; they do not attempt to do what they know they can’t do. When the weak man, Paul,  said, “I can do all things through Christ,” he didn’t mean he could remove mountains. But this man, with little or no strength of his own, did what God enabled him to do.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me...for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  (2 Cor. 12:9-10)