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>Belief can be hard work!

January 21, 2010 by Fritz

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Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. – John 6:27-29 (KJV)

Most of us understand work (labor), we go to work every day and work most of the day; day in and day out. I make it my daily choice to go to work and I stay through sometimes difficult experiences – Why? Personally, I like the paycheck.

Jesus, using the metaphor of work, points out what we should do in our Faith saying, “Don’t work for perishable food, but for eternal food”.

The Natural question they asked: What is this work? Answer: Belief on Jesus and His word.

Jesus said the results (paycheck?) would be something that endured forever. That end result he is saying to “work” for doesn’t start at death it starts now and extends through death and beyond. It is the gift of God, that “living water” Jesus told the woman at the well (John 3), and that “living bread” Jesus tells these.

Could believing be hard work?

Sure it can! When tragedy strikes and the heavens seem like brass, you bet it’s work! The Bible tells us all things work together to the good of those who love God and called to His purposes(Romans 8:28). We have to choose to believe that like we have to choose to go to work when we don’t feel like it, or like we choose to not quit our jobs when things don’t go our way.

When prayers don’t see an immediate result, sure it’s work! Jesus says that God answers prayer (Mark 11:24) but it is hard “work” to believe that sometimes.

Paul uses the metaphor of sowing and reaping saying we reap if we don’t faint ahead of time (Galatians 6:9). As the old song says, Sowing with weeping, reaping with joy.

When events don’t go like it seems they should, or the way we just knew was right turns out to be wrong it’s work to hold steady and believe God is actively in control, is ultimately bringing this world to a wonderful conclusion, and shall personally guide our steps; ever notice what Jesus said to Pontious Pilot when death was staring him in the face?

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above… – John 19:11 (KJV)

Yes I know salvation is a gift and not by “works”, but Jesus is using the analogy here and so will I – We go to work every day for perishable food, let’s go to “work” each day for the imperishable food of wonderful and eternal life in Christ by choosing to believe his word, trust his promises, and lean on His grace. Periodically we get a spiritual paycheck along the way that reminds us it is all worthwhile.

– Fritz.

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>Faith Killer #1 – Not what you might think.

January 19, 2010 by Fritz

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I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? – John 5:41-44 (KJV)

One might naturally think the number one faith killer would be personal sin, or selfishness, anger, or some other shortcoming but not so. Some of the worst sinners have come to a saving faith in Christ.

Jesus, in our passage, tells his hearers what was preventing their belief in him was their own desire for honour from one another.

Coming to Christ requires an almost brutal honesty about who we are. If we could save ourselves we would not need a savior. One has to admit before God that one has not only done sinful acts but is, in fact, a sinner by nature at his or her very core. This is hard for “good” people to do.

Those trying ever so hard to be good so others will like them, trying to do what will make them feel like a good person in their own eyes and the eyes of those they respect find it the hardest to admit their shortcomings and experience the overwhelming joy, wonder, and excitement the Bible says God can bring.

One does not have to have a bad reputation or act stupid to come to Christ – Lady Hamilton, an evangelical believer among the English nobility early in this century, used to say she was saved by an “M,” because the bible says that “…not Many noble, are called” (1st Corinthians 1:26).

But those concerned about what others may think of them if they go all out for Christ, will have trouble even believing.

Perhaps that’s why some fairly seedy characters find it easier to throw it all down and go for what they really want – Life! Some might even say they had, all along, been just following other avenues of self gratitude looking for that something which, once found in Christ, satisfied their deepest need.

It has been said by many that once you “taste” what Christ really has to offer, nothing else will do.

Jesus laid aside his own reputation (Phil 2:7) for us, and we should seek honor that comes from God alone.

– Fritz

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>The St. Mary type of praying

January 18, 2010 by Fritz

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And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. – John 2:2-5 (KJV)

On the way home from work, today, I was experiencing comfort from Jesus and the incident of Jesus turning water into wine came back to mind.

I was thinking, again, why Jesus’ mother, during a wedding where Jesus was only a guest, would tell Jesus about the wedding’s lack of wine. I am not convinced she knew what Jesus would do, or even what she wanted him to do.

It seems her first response for any perceived need was to just tell Jesus; not tell him what to do about it, but just tell him. This could have been because Jesus, as the firstborn son and with Joseph gone, was the man of the house. It could, also have been a gentle nudge for him to begin his ministry, she certainly knew who he was destined to be and do.

But an additional thought struck me, today. It is comforting just to tell Jesus about the things we see and the need. Jesus was, after all, her savior too. This may be where our female equals in Christ (1st Peter 3:7 Message Bible) have some natural insight. It is sometimes comforting not to press for a solution but just to express the heart and mind. It is comforting to realize something Mary discovered about her son, our savior, and that is it is enough to tell him a problem without trying to figure out what he should do about it.

I have some issues that I don’t know what to do with, I don’t know what I want Jesus to do about it because the results, any way it goes, are far more reaching than I realize and I want what is best for all concerned.

That’s when I offer up a St. Mary type prayer: “Jesus, this has happened”, and leave it at that knowing Jesus is the same today as he was then – perhaps a little reluctant, but full of compassion, love and wisdom.

– Fritz.

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