Have A Little Faith!

“Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them.” (Leviticus 18:5)

This pretty well sums up God's first covenant with Israel. It depended on their faithfulness to obey the law. That did not work out very well for Israel. But God knew it wouldn’t and so through Jesus their Messiah, God replaced the old promises with better ones.

"He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)

This new covenant depends solely on the faithfulness of Jesus their Messiah. It will be firmly established by the "God of all Grace" in a future age. After Israel suffers for awhile in this age, they will be perfected in the next!

“Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the LORD, for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the LORD, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”  (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

That will happen for them in the next age, but for now, Israel must suffer for rejecting their Messiah...

"...after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you...” (1 Peter 5:10)

What does the "Law" of that covenant with Israel have to do with us, the Gentile body of Christ (the "uncircumcision")? 

"...the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:24-25

We learn that no one is saved by the works of the "Law", so we have "faith" in the power of "the blood of Christ" and the "God of all grace".

 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast...remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” ...were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Galatians 3:24-25; Ephesians 2:8, 11-13)

So, have a little faith!

The Sequel

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

All of us have an outer shell that is decaying. In other words, it is dying. And as we grow older our "outer man" will suffer all kinds of aches and pain. But it will only seem a "light affliction" when we receive what has been promised in the next.  The promise of this "sequel" enables us not to lose heart as we see loved ones suffer, or experience affliction ourselves.

"No trial has taken you except what is human. Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leaving you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will be making the sequel also, to enable you to undergo it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 CLNT)

So we just have to suck it up and trust that it is necessary to suffer now in order to appreciate our future Glory in God's grand Sequel!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

From Bondage to Freedom

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)

 When people pray the “sinner’s prayer” or "accept Christ as their personal savior", or “invite Jesus into their heart” or “repent of their sins” as a prerequisite to being saved they are attempting to do something to please God and satisfy what they feel and have been told is His just demands. But they do so because they do not “accept” the fact that Christ is the "Savior of ALL" mankind. I believe that Christ is the Savior of ALL just like the Word of God clearly says. Coming to that knowledge was the life changing event that turned by sorrow into joy and transported me from the bondage of religion to the “freedom of the glory of the children of God”.

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved…” (Romans 8:16-24)

Mega Church Pastors

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore.” (Galatians 1:3-5)

I wonder sometimes at the pastors of the many mega churches who draw thousands upon thousands to their services. They are charismatic and I can see why people are drawn to their books and speaking engagements. Personally I can’t help but like most of them and I think they really eat from the same menu they are dishing out. People want to hear that all our troubles can be overcome and that all is going to be alright…and IT IS…but not NOW! The error in those messages is that God is obligated to bless us now IF we would only LET HIM or ASK HIM or be more FAITHFUL. No, the truth from Jesus, the Son of God is as follows:

“…in the world YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION…but take courage I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33)

Our hope should not be on getting blessed from the omnipotent bounty of God in this present age, although we are often blessed more than we deserve and he never leaves us or forsakes us. Our blessed hope is what follows this “present evil age” as Paul calls this time in which we live…we are to set our minds and hope on what follows this age. It is hidden, yet waiting for us in the coming ages…

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the THINGS ABOVE, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God…” (Colossians 3:1-3)

So if we or others cannot pray blessings upon ourselves and since we cannot even be sure that we have another day to live…how do we find peace in this “present evil age”?

“…live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Titus 2:12-13; Philippians 4:5-7)

Power To The People!

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength...those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Use common sense when you read verses like the above. Look around and observe your personal experience with life. It is our experience to grow old, get weaker, suffer from that condition, and then die. None of what Isaiah says becomes permanent in this life. Some suffer more than others, and often it is the very best and most faithful to God that suffer the most like Paul…

“…in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, and I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

He suffered all this for sharing the good news that Jesus is the Savior of All, and will reconcile all creation to God, and that God will become All in All (1Timothy 4:10; Colossians 1:20; and 1 Corinthians 15:28). And when Paul prayed to God for deliverance from his suffering God told him…

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)

So WHEN will the weak get power and gain strength? When will the young who become old and weak have their failing strength renewed? And when will Paul’s weakness become perfect strength?

NOT IN THIS LIFE, common sense tells us that aging, weakness, and death is the plan of God for us all in this Age, and the Hope of all is the "resurrection of the dead"…

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-15)

Dark Times End - Glory Follows Suffering!

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Peter was speaking to dispersed Jews who were undergoing severe persecution. But the truth about suffering applies to all mankind in this age. However, GLORY follows the suffering. That is the good news of the Bible. I have become tired of religious doctrine which ignores the good news of the Bible in favor of the bad news of Greek mythology. All have sinned, it is true, and suffer death because of it, and that is by the design of God himself. But what follows the suffering is Glory for all creation.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…for the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope…for we were saved in this hope…if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:18-25)

Throughout history mankind has shown its inability to live in peace, and therefore suffers. Our dark times will end.

“…for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all…weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning” (2 Corinthians 4:17: Psalm 30:5)

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:18-19)

There is much suffering in this world. From the homeless in our country to the poor and starving in other parts of the world. Tender hearts are broken and their tears fall when they see such suffering. It all seems so futile and pointless. Why are those suffering...suffering?

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now." (Romans 8:20-22)

The Greek word translated “hope” above is “helpidi” and does NOT mean hope as we understand the word 2000 years later. We say we hope our team wins, knowing that it might not. But the word “helpidi” has the idea of an assured outcome, therefore a confident expectation or the assurance that what is hoped for will come to pass.

In the above verses we are told that it is God who subjected His creation to futility and bondage to corruption....but in the "hope" (assurance) that our bondage to corruption is temporary, and that all creation is to be freed.  It is upon this ASSURANCE that my salvation resides and allows me to love this God who “created evil”.

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)

Some of our translations refuse to translate the Hebrew word above as “evil” and instead insert calamity, disaster. Etc. But the Hebrew word is “ra” and is the same word translated evil in Genesis 2:17…

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eat thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

Why do theologians try to hide this fact from people by changing the meaning of the word evil when translating Isaiah 45:7?

To me it is because these same men also believed that hell was a real place God created to punish and torture evil men for all eternity. And if God created this evil knowing that most of humanity would suffer endlessly because of it, then what does that say about their GOD? But God is GOOD, and has a purpose for everything, and all will eventuate in good for all his creation. Paul tells us plainly that God “subjected it, in hope (assurance) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Now consider what Paul considered "light"...

“…five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep…many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” (2 Corinthians 4:24-27)

They were light when compared to the weight of the glory that awaits us at the close of this life and our resurrection to immortality.

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)

”However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived -- the things God has prepared for those who love him”. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

And all will eventually love Him…their sins are forgiven and forgotten…and God will be All in All. At least that is how I interpret the plan God has revealed it in His Word.

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

When people experience tough times, the best remedy is a strong dose of faith in the TRUTH of God relating to life after death. When we get a glimpse at what comes next, for all mankind, the battles we have to endure in this life become bearable.

For you who are struggling with tough times now and are uncertain why or what will happen next, take comfort in this.  Christ Jesus suffered also, even death on a cruel Roman cross.  He was rejected and abandoned even by the very disciples who had been following him for three and a half years.  But he forgave them.

Later, in the midst of the suffering of his fellow Jews, Peter said to them...

"Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13)

And Paul could say to all men in the midst of his terrible suffering... 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

Life after death.  That is our hope, and it is the promise of God for ALL. But many people can't grasp onto this hope in times of trouble because they do not trust the very institution that should be a source of comfort in times of trouble - the church.  Why? It is simple.  The doctrinal error of eternal conscious torment, or Hell, that permeates these institutions.

The idea that an otherwise loving God would condemn even one person to endless and conscious torment PREVENTS people from trusting both Christ and the institutions that bear his name. Some may give Him lip service out of fear, but they do not love Him.  They fear Him. Many attend, sing, pray, confess, and profess out of the fear of what might happen if they do not - rather than out of love for the One who loves and saves sinners.

 Well, God WON'T eternally torment anyone.  It is a lie, and those who promote such are destined to be "ashamed" when they appear before Him to give an account for their life and beliefs. Personally, I would rather be a pigmy from the deepest and darkest part of Central Africa on that day than to be one of those who promoted such a heretical and God dishonoring doctrine.  The doctrine that robs sinful people of the hope and truth of the Gospel which would enable them to bear the burdens of this life.

“But the God of all grace, Who has called us to His age-lasting glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

More Than We Can Bear

"For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life..." (2 Corinthians 1:8)

Occasionally God puts more on us than we can bear.  It is popular among Christians to say the opposite and I suppose Christians think so because of the following verse. 

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There is a big difference between temptation to sin and suffering persecution. Paul says he and those with him were burdened "beyond measure". They were not being tempted to sin, but were having "trouble" so intense that they "despaired even of life."  

Sometimes we suffer for doing good. If we survive those times, there is much joy when it is over.  And even if we don't survive, God still "raises the dead".  

"Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)