Blessed To Become
Turn to God before it is too late. Trust in Jesus. Let Him transform your heart that your transformed life would truly honor God and you would transition into a life that loves like He does.
“Saul had expelled the mediums…When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him…Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her…Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “Bring up Samuel,” he said…Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” Samuel said, “Why do you consult me…Because you did not obey the Lord…the Lord has done this to you today. Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone” 1 Samuel 28:3-21
Saul learned a very difficult lesson. You can either count the cost serving God with fear and trembling by being obedient to His commands or you can experience the fear and terror knowing you were disobedient as you stand on the day of judgment. Either way there is a cost.
Samuel asked the critical question, why do you ask me now? The time in which respond matters. The implication is that Saul waited too long. Saul could have inquired at any time and listened to him, but Saul waited until it was too late. Judgment had come. The army was overtaking him. The one fascinating part of the story is that Saul never repents. He never apologizes and acknowledges his sinful ways. It simply says he fell down with no strength knowing he was done. Even in that moment, so I did not understand the grace of God.
How does this story relate to us? Is it possible that like Saul we have lived lives that focus on comfort with complacency about the call to pick up our cross daily? Are we waiting to inquire God or be obedient to his commands? Where have you been putting off putting into practice the words and ways of Jesus?
“When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob…The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.”
Psalms 114:1-8
Consider the question of why. Why would the sea part or flea when the people had left Egypt. The simple answer is because God commanded it to. Every plan and purpose of God will come to pass. All of creation is under His authority. When he speaks seas part and mountains move. When he speaks dry bones become armies and graves turn into gardens. What seems impossible for mankind is common practice for the Creator.
What is our response when we weigh the wonders and ways of the Almighty? David sang that we bow down with fear and trembling. Have you humbled yourself before the Lord today? Will you put aside the desires of your heart and daily routines to honor God before the day of judgment?
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
Proverbs 9:6, 9-10, 12
Solomon says wisdom calls out to us. Wisdom knows that we live in a world with competing voices and complacent Christians. What does the life of following Christ look like? The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead spoke through Solomon in proverbs. Wisdom says you should always be learning. How have you been learning and growing? Are you teachable?
Solomon says the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the holy one understanding. The truth of these words might not sell any T-shirts or make for many tremendously popular bumper stickers, but they echo the words of a Jesus. The life of following Jesus begins with humility. Saul chose to be prideful and not listen to God. He did not bow his knee nor be obedient to God’s commands.
It is easy to judge Saul, but how often do we fall into the same trap or temptations to live without the fear of the Lord? How often do we follow the ways of the world seeking our own desires or elevated status rather than elevating the name of the Lord and doing what He calls us to do? People may not want to hear it but the Bible says we are sinners in need of a savior. Apart from the work of Christ on the cross, like Saul, we are dead in our sin.
There is a daily call to repentance and renewing a right spirit as righteous before our Righteous God. Where do you need to repent? Where do you need to change the way you have been thinking or living? Jesus always is challenging us to change.
“I have commanded those I prepared for battle;those who rejoice in my triumph. Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The Lord Almighty is mustering an army…Wail, for the day of the Lord is near…all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day…to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Her time is at hand” Isaiah 13:3-11
There is a real contrast between those who listen to the call to prepare and serve God rejoicing in his triumph and those who will melt with fear because of what is coming. What keeps people from listening?
It has been said that without relationship truth can come across like judgment. It can be hard to hear if you do not know someone’s heart. The truth is God’s heart is for restoration and redemption for all people. He does not warn us because He wants us to worry more. He warns us because He wants us to turn to Him because He loves each of us.
One of the most loving words a parent can speak to a child are words of warning that could protect their children from harmful situations. Can you see the heart of the father in this warning? Can you hear the call to follow Christ closely and completely?
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven…whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell…you have heard…Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:1-48
The sermon on the mountain is one of the most radical revolutionary speeches in the history of the world. And it’s hard to sum it up in a short message and one could spend an entire life seeking understanding. Let us do what we can and start with four simple words. Blessed, shine, love, and perfect.
Jesus invites us to a blessed life. He says the beginning of the blessed life is bowing your knees and being humble. It is the same beginning that’s Solomon says in proverbs when he says the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the holy one understanding. Do you want to experience the blessed life? Are you willing to change?
What does blessed mean? Does it mean happy? No. It carries the idea of deep flourishing, peace, and wholeness. The blessed in God’s kingdom are not like the world which celebrates the powerful, wealthy, impressive, or self-sufficient. Jesus describes people we would never think of as the blessed. He celebrates the humble, merciful, peaceful, poor, and powerless. This should cause some head scratching.
The blessing Jesus offers the people was not merely a future reward; it is a present reality of a life where God’s presence changes everything. Jesus said the time is now not later to reflect God and experience the reward of living faithfully. What a contrast when considering Saul.
Shine. Jesus said, let your light shine that others would glorify God. What does it mean for you to shine? Shining the light of Christ is the natural response of a transformed heart. Light in the Bible often refers to the presence of God. Jesus said I am the light of the world and the remarkable moment comes when we realize He is inviting us to become the light of the world like Him. Our outward actions can reflect our inward transformation. We can radiate the love we have received to the world around us and point to Jesus.
Jesus said do not only love your friends, but love your enemies. He says Agape. Agape love is cross-shaped love and it has a cost. It is the kind of love Jesus demonstrates while praying for the very people who killed Him. When others harm you, are you someone who curses others or do you bless them like Jesus did on the cross?
Jesus says be perfect. What an interesting command where we know we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. Is he simply setting us up for failure? Or is he inviting us to consider that life in the kingdom is made whole in Christ. Jesus came to make us a whole again. He came to give us peace with God and peace within our hearts. Do you have peace in your heart?
Jesus is speaking to you today. He is calling you by name and inviting you to carry your cross. He wants to change the way you thinking by changing your heart. He wants to so fill your heart with the light of His love that you cannot help but let your light shine.
In a world of darkness and despair, be a light. In a world of division, be a peace maker. In a world of pride and people focused on possessions, be a generous steward and lend a helping hand. Be perfect and at peace knowing that perfect love casts out all fear but the beginning of life in the kingdom is the fear of the Lord. Put God first and let Him perfect your love while there is still time.