Passover For All

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites, 
'When any of you or your descendants are unclean 

because of a dead body or are away on a journey, 

they are still to celebrate the Lord's Passover. . .

A foreigner residing among you

is also to celebrate the Lord's Passover

in accordance with it's rules and regulations.

You must have the same regulations

for both the foreigner 

and the native born."

Numbers 9:10,14

In Upper New York Harbor stands a lady who welcomes all who dream of a better life in America.  If I were to visit Liberty Island and stand at her base, I would read the following:

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"*

America has always been known as the land of opportunity, a country open to refugees and legal immigrants no matter their race, color or creed.  While this open-door policy can bring with it a host of problems and makes us vulnerable in many ways, there is always a sense of compassion for those who are suffering that drives us toward such a belief.

In an even greater way, the Body of Christ welcomes all who have no family, regardless of background, family lineage or reputation.  The Lord is a God of standards, but He makes a way for all to enter into relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  

In the same way that God allowed all to celebrate the Passover in Old Testament times as a way for His people to remember His mighty salvation from the hand of the Egyptians, so He has made a way for all to receive salvation from condemnation for our sins through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:17-18).  Therefore, I could say that the cross of Christ is the great equalizer, making the ground level for any who profess a faith in Him.

Unclean

She couldn't seem to break away from the destructive habit of linking herself with dangerous men.

For him, alcohol was his savior; serving to numb him against the disappointment that his life had turned out to be.

This couple lived a risky life out on the street, making their home in a patch of woods behind a couple of warehouses.  Their's was a life of sleeping with one eye open, fighting to survive and constantly searching for the means to buy their next case of beer.  They both longed for more, but lacked the power to break free from their addictions.

Meanwhile, an abundant life is at their fingertips, waiting to be tasted through faith in Jesus Christ (John 10:10, Psalm 34:8).  While the world may say their's is a hopeless case, tossing them aside as so much refuse, God says they are His precious children (1 John 3:1).

I often feel unworthy of such extravagant, abundant love!  Through faith in Jesus Christ, however, the miracle lies in the fact that the extraordinary gift of salvation comes with a steep price which has already been paid by blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary(1 Corinthians 7:23). There is nothing I can do to deserve this gift, which means I must learn to accept my admittance into His kingdom by faith.  Since I didn't earn it, neither can I lose it through my own failures and weaknesses.  My position as His child is secure (Romans 8:38-39).

Therefore, I can live joyfully, despite my own wretched heart.  I can boldly approach His throne of grace to receive the mercy I need to get through each moment, not based on what I've accomplished or deserve, but solely on what Jesus has already done (Hebrews 4:16).

Even though God expects perfection, my unclean heart can still find refuge in His kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ.

Foreigner

She grew up in the church and was familiar with all the Christian ways.  As a girl, she thought her place in heaven was secure because she was born into a family of faith.  Her dad, a devout believer in Jesus Christ and long-time pastor of a country church, sensed his daughter's mistaken belief.  He told her, "You must come to Christ on your own.  You can't rely on me to get you into God's kingdom.  I will not always be here to remind you of this truth."

The teenage girls confidently replied, "Daddy, I'm just gonna stand by your grave and when you are called up into heaven, I'll grab onto your coattails and go with you!"

While this may sound ridiculous, it is easy to think I'm right with God based on my familial affiliation.  Either I was born into a family who trusts in Jesus as their Savior, or I am a part of a vibrant congregation who worships the one true God.  In the words of Billy Sunday, early 20th century evangelist, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes you an automobile."

No matter what family I am born into, or what nationality with which I am identified, or where I go to church, I have the same chance as anyone else to become part of the family of God.  All it takes is simple faith in the message of the cross (Romans 1:16).

Even though God only saves His own, I can become His child firmly rooted in His kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ, no matter my heritage.

Late Bloomer

I was puzzled at the sight of an azalea blooming in late summer.  It had been my experience that these colorful blooms helped usher in the new life of spring, but never before had I seen them blossom in the heat of the summer.  

In the same way that these azaleas could be called late bloomers, I often think of myself as the same.  I can be stubborn when it comes to following God's ways and slow to accept the place God has positioned me.  It is easy to waste precious time as I fight God as He performs the transformation process in my life, opting instead to obstinately prefer my own comfortable ways (Romans 12:2). 

Still, God loves me.  He may not be able to use me until I bend to His will, but my place in His family is not dependent upon my compliance.  It may take me awhile to come around, but God is patient with me, leading me forward one step at a time until I fully place myself in His hands.

If God gave me what I deserved, I would be on death row, marching toward an eternity separated from His goodness (Psalm 103:10, Romans 6:23).  Instead, He gives me eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.  Not only that, I need not fear bowing to His authority in my life because He is a loving Master.

Even though God expects His people to live holy lives, my security in His kingdom is not dependent upon my performance but solely upon Christ's obedience.

I worship a God who has high standards.  It is easy, then, to assume my own unclean state, my inferior lineage or heritage, or my stubborn heart would leave me out in the cold.  Thankfully, however, this is not the case.  Instead, I find safe harbor in His kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ no matter my performance, station in life or difficulty in bending my will to His.  The Lord is a God who has provided a way for all to have the opportunity to live for Him.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can realize the grace of God that places my feet firmly upon His rock of salvation.

When do I hold back from truly trusting God wholeheartedly because of my own feelings of unworthiness?

How do I assume I don't belong to God's family since I have no heritage of faith?   

*From "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus http://www.libertystatepark.com/emma.htm 


Originally published on January 7, 2014

Photo credit:    

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Live Good Lives

"Dear friends, I urge you,

as foreigners and exiles,

to abstain from sinful desires,

which wage war against your soul.

Live such good lives among the pagans that,

though they accuse you of doing wrong,

they may see your good deeds

and glorify God on the day he visits us."

1 Peter 2:9-10

My husband served 24 years in the U.S. Army.  As a result, our family lived in many different places around the world.  One of the most enjoyable locations was Frankfurt, Germany.  When we first arrived in country, we went through some training that taught us how to be good guests while living there.  We were encouraged to set a good example in our behavior by following the local laws, reflecting well upon our beloved country by respectfully interacting with the locals, and to take on humble attitudes so as not to come across as ugly Americans.  We were ambassadors of a sort in a foreign land.

In the same way, I, as a follower of Christ, am a foreigner living in a land that is not my own.  It is therefore important how I live.  It is not enough simply to accept Christ as my Savior, but to make Him Lord of my life as well, so that He will influence every part of my life.  In this way, I will look different than those in my host country and will somehow make an impression on those who are watching.

Enter the Battle

Many great men have been taken down by sin, even if it was just for a time: Abraham, Moses, David and his son Solomon, Elijah, Hezekiah and Jonah to name a few.  Each were carried away by their own desires, giving in to fear, anger, lust or pride. (James 1:14) Whatever the source of temptation, each experienced some kind of devastation as their sin took them away from God and His plan for their lives.

There is no doubt that there is a battle between what I want to do in pleasing God and where my heart is leading me.  (Romans 7:14, Jeremiah 17:9)  My natural tendency runs counter to the teachings of God and the leading of His Spirit.  (Galatians 5:16-17)  If I want to please God in the way I live my life, I must enter into the battle against sin, not simply give into my fleshly desires.

In order to be victorious, however, I must surrender control of my life.  Instead of fighting to get what I want, I must let go of any right, sense of entitlement, or desire that rears up within me, and instead humble myself before Him.  As I make Him the most important thing in my life, He will change the desires of my heart so that they align more closely with His.  (Psalm 37:4-5)  In this way, He will be happy to grant my wishes because they will be the same as His.

Instead of doing what comes naturally and looking like the rest of the world, I will please God when I take a stand against my sinful ways, resisting the urge to give in to what feels good.  Then, no matter how much dirt people try to find, they will only discover that which honors God.  

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I enter into the battle against my sinful nature and find victory in the blood of Jesus.

Represent Christ

It is hard to find a man in this day and age who is in the limelight yet has never fallen to scandal. One that comes to mind is Billy Graham.  As an evangelist who has dedicated his life to the spreading of the gospel, he has never, to my knowledge, fallen victim to malicious attacks.  I'm sure some have dried to dig up something negative about the man, but never a nugget could be unearthed.  Mr. Graham has lived as one who understands how much his life reflects upon Christ.  

As one who also has dedicated her life to Jesus, I must be equally as aware of how my legacy reflects upon my Lord and Savior.  Many times, though, I am more focused on getting my way, defending my rights, or looking to fill my needs.  If I am the only witness to Jesus some will see, what kind of message am I sending?

It is my desire to choose good things, even when the bad things feel better.  It is my desire to choose right things even when it's easier to do wrong.  It is my desire to choose that which glorifies God even when it makes me look stupid.

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I become a representative of Christ wherever I go.

Live as a Servant

She anticipated my needs; offering a towel before I knew I needed one, refilling my drink before I ran dry, and making the waffles just the way I like them.  My niece is a good example of one who possesses a servant's heart.

While I might not be as hospitable of a host as this bride, I can seek to possess the heart of a servant in my daily life.  Instead of picking and choosing who I respect according to how they treat me, I can honor each person as one who has been created in the image of God.

While I find it easy to love those who are good to me, I can instead seek to show mercy and compassion to everyone, even those who seem to hate me.  Sometimes I let God fall to a place in my life that is less than honorable, putting people or stuff in His place.  As a substitute, I can seek to keep Him in the highest position as I revere Him as Lord.

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I become less and He becomes more.

Accepting Jesus as my Savior results in eternal life, but there is more.  If I really want to grow closer to Him and please Him fully, I must make Him Lord of everything.  I can do this by entering into the battle against sin instead of letting it rule my life, by keeping in mind that I represent Christ to a fallen world wherever I go, and by living as a servant who wants nothing more than to please her master.  In this way I will be living a good life that will bring glory to God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see how much I hurt God when I continue to give into my sinful ways.

When do I forget others are watching me and simply do things as I always have?

How am I expecting to be served instead of being the servant?