November 2 Esight, 2008

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” -Hebrews 9:14I would like you to consider things differently for a moment.

1. Sin, through the presence of God, produces an intrinsic shame and guilt that, if we were left to bear alone, would crush out our life.

2. Forgiveness, from a biblical perspective, is not preoccupied with the appeasement of any ill feelings harbored against us by the Divine.

3. Forgiveness is occupied with cleansing the conscience of the sinner from the intrinsic, life crushing shame and guilt set in motion by our sin, thus enabling us to enter into God’s presence once again.

4. Forgiveness always comes at a price to the one who has been violated.

With these thoughts in place, consider the above verse taken from the epistle to the Hebrews. The author here states one of the purposes for the shedding of Christ’s blood. Now I want to reassure you that I do believe the primary purpose of Calvary was to reveal the character of the Father. But its secondary purpose, and thus the medium through which we see God’s character, is His Divine act of forgiveness for the purpose of cleansing our consciences through the gift of repentance in response to His shed blood.

With this in mind, consider a text that has troubled far too many.

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” -Hebrews 9:22

The Greek word for “remission of sins” is aphesis. It is the feminine singular nominative form of the Greek noun aphiemi. Aphiemi refers specifically to the release of a prisoner or someone who is indebted. Many have read the above verse and assumed that Calvary was purposed for the assuaging of some ill feelings being harbored toward us by the Divine. By the phrase “remission of sins” we have assumed a reference to some Divine “letting us off the hook,” so to speak. This paints a very relationally destructive picture of God, to say the least. With this picture we will, at best, be thankful for Jesus while subconsciously harboring fear, wondering what God would have done to us had Jesus not stepped forward.

This is not at all what Hebrews 9:22 is saying. The “remission of sins” is not referring to appeasing some thirst for blood harbored in an angered God. Aphiemi is talking about releasing us, and cleansing us on the level of our consciences from the life crushing guilt and shame that will cause God’s presence to us to be destructive rather than life giving. It was to “cleanse our conscience” (Hebrews 9:14) for which Christ’s blood was shed. It was in order to send sin’s intrinsic shame and guilt into “remission” that Christ died. Calvary was for the purpose of “releasing” us so we can enter into God’s divine, other-centered presence once again. Otherwise, the same glory that is life to the angels, will be death to us!

Understand, Calvary was to save you “from your sins,” (Matthew 1:21) not God. God is not the enemy, sin is! God is not the one we should fear, sin is! Yes, God loves you no matter what you do, but Sin doesn’t! Sin is intrinsically life destructive. Everything in nature functions according to God’s principle of other-centered love. Only when something turns inward does it begin to die. This is no different for us.*

The amplified version of Hebrews 9:22 is quite amazing. It recognizes these two opposing perspectives held by many in the interpretation of the verse:

“[In fact] under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.” -Hebrews 9:22

Notice that this version defines “remission” two ways: a release or cleansing from sin’s intrinsically destructive guilt and the Divinely imposed punishment merited by our sins. But could the punishment for our sins be more intrinsic? Could sin’s life crushing guilt and sin’s punishment be truly one and the same?

God is not saying to this world, “Serve me or I’ll kill you!” He is crying out, “You’re dying! Let me save you!”

Thoughts to ponder.

I wish you God’s best this week.

*This is not to imply that God never has nor never will take a human life. But simply looking at what these specific texts in Hebrews are communicating to us.

October 26 Esight, 2008

“Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat?’ But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink?’ He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” -Luke 17:7-10Is there a difference between the relationship between mutual friends and the relationship between a slave and their master? Go one step further! Is there a difference between the closest of friends, between spouses, and that which exists between a slave and their master? There should be!

I was reminded, once again, while reading through the gospel of Luke, of this distinction. I believe it would be well for many to keep this distinction in mind as they go about what they feel is their religious duty.

You see, a slave behaves out of fear of the master’s punishment or in hopes that a job well done will be rewarded. This is where many are today in their relationship with the Great Lover of this universe. They are working hard in hopes to either escape hell or earn a rich reward. Regardless, both are lethal to the relationship for which God created them. Additionally, it lacks logic.

Watch carefully.

First, “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.” (Romans 4:4) Under this mentality, whatever you get is simply what was owed to you. But it goes a step further. Notice the implication this makes of the Master! The Master only rewards the servant because he desires certain behavior. He really doesn’t care about the servant outside of what that servant can do for him. In this paradigm, the Master is truly more egocentric than the slave! And if God is the Master, then these words begin to sting. Under this line of reasoning, our “reward” would be to “feed the Master,” so to speak, once we get there. Once we do “all that’s been commanded” we are not to expect any reward, but rather just to still be unworthy slaves having done what we should have! Is this really the type of relationship you want with the God of this universe?

Me neither! I’m thankful that God is interested in more, as well. Take note of the following passages.

“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” —John 15:15

“At that time”—this is GOD’S Message still—”you’ll address me, ‘Dear husband!’ Never again will you address me,‘ My slave-master!’” —Hosea 2:16

And finally:

” Whoever seeks to keep his life [acting as a slave with only self-centered concern] will lose it, and whoever loses his life [the way one spouse does for another, out of love, not hope of reward or fear of loss] will preserve it.” —Luke 17:33

God is interested in much more than simply being your “Lord and Savior.” He wants to be your friend, dear reader. No, He wants to be your Husband! Will you allow Him to change the way you see Him? The way you’ve been relating to Him? He made you for so much more than what you’re presently experiencing. He made you for something much more intimate between Himself and you. Will you let Him take you within the veil?

I wish you God’s best this week.

October 19 Esight, 2008

“I am free and own no master; but I have made myself everyone’s servant, to win over as many as possible. To Jews I behaved like a Jew, to win Jews; that is, to win those under the law I behaved as if under the law, though not myself subject to the law. To win those outside that law, I behaved as if outside the law, though not myself outside God’s law, but subject to the law of Christ. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. To them all I have become everything in turn, so that in one way or another I may save some.” —1Corinthians 9:19-22This is quite a difficult verse for many to swallow. It sounds too much like Paul is being a politician. “Shaking babies and kissin’ hands,” so to speak. Is this really what Paul is saying? It sure sounds like it at first.

To the Jews I behaved like a Jew . . .

To win those under the law, I behaved as if under the law . . .

To win those outside the law, I behaved as if outside the law . . .

To the weak . . . weak . . .

Paul became, “All things to all people, so that by all means, he might save some.”

At first glance, this flies in the face of all the pulpit discourses throughout the centuries that have admonished the church to not be “like the world.” That’s exactly what Paul was doing, being like the world, in hopes that they might listen to what he has to say. But this sounds so scary. Well, it does take spiritual insight and maturity to know in which ways we are to be like those we are trying to reach, yet remain true to what or whom we are trying to lead them. First, you must decide what you are really about. What are you not willing to change? How are you going to be different? How much will you remain the same?

There are quite a few areas in which we must remain unique. We have a core message to give to the world, but there are a lot of peripheral, cultural, and traditional things that could stand a little adjustment. Knowing which things are which is where the rub lies. I’m going to focus on the one thing we are to be truly unique in.

“I give you a new commandment: love one another; as I have loved you, so you are to love one another.” —John 13:34

Disinterested benevolence. Other-centeredness. Concern for the welfare of others with no thought of what we might get in return. A no-strings-attached kind of giving. This is where we are to be unique. And we will be. Everyone in this world is looking out for number 1. “I’m ok, you’re ok . . . well, it doesn’t really matter if you’re ok, just as long as I am.” When others see you caring, giving, and doing things for them without wanting anything in return, they will take note! They will want to know why. This, alone, will separate you enough without adding anything else. Whomever you are trying to reach will want to listen, when they know you genuinely love them.

Consider what this means. There are some Christians who believe that the way we are to be different is in our externals. Many believe that we are to look different from the world. No! We are to be different from the world. Act differently. But in which way? Specifically, in how we relate to others. This will be our mark of distinction and it will not go unnoticed.

Pay close attention to the difference. What does it mean to look like the world, but live in accordance with the benevolence of heaven? The best example is Jesus. Jesus was accused of being a wine-bibber and a glutton. Not because he acted that way, but because he appeared that way. He looked like He was because He was socializing with prostitutes and the IRS, not to mention a few crooked lawyers. Consider John the Baptist. They would have never accused John of being a wine-bibber and a glutton. John was known for what he ate and what he wore. The externals. But notice the approach that Jesus took. Get as close as you can, even if those looking on lose sight of the difference between you and them. Those whom you’re trying to reach will see the difference. They see how you treat them in contrast to how others do and they will gravitate toward you and the love of our great God who is so passionately fond of them too.

Disinterested benevolence!

The disciples were instructed in it:

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘ . . . And as you go proclaim the message: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is upon you.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. You received without cost; give without charge.’” —Matthew 10:5-8 (emphasis added)

Paul also applied it:

“Then what is my pay? It is the satisfaction of preaching the gospel without expense to anyone; in other words, of waiving the rights my preaching gives me.” —1Corinthians 9:18 (emphasis added)

This may very well be the reason why North American, post-modern, secular, materialistic capitalists are unknowingly not listening. What our culture today needs is a church that looks like them, but treats them as God does.

Something to consider.

I wish you God’s best this week.

October 12 Esight, 2008

He has told you, O man, O woman, what is good and right, and what is the most important thing to Him:

Always do what you believe is right! Love showing mercy and kindness to those around you who may not always do what you think is right! And then, be humble about it, walking through this life with Him who loves you. —Micah 6:8 (Personal Paraphrase)

This week I would like you to consider the following story:

“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, ‘Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.’ But He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.’” —Matthew 12:1-7

Recently, I received a well-timed reminder about what is most important to God. What shocked me is that God used this reminder to show me, once again, how many “Wrong-God-Picture” roots were truly still left in me.

God did this for me through an insight into Mt. Sinai, which I had never before considered. Here, God was getting the million plus people’s attention with a display of shock and awe. Lightning, thunder, smoke, fire, an earthquake. No wonder He told everyone to “back up.” He wanted to get their attention but didn’t want anyone to get hurt. The point is that after all this display of fire-works (no pun intended) He proceeded to personally, with His own voice, declare what is the most important thing to Him! Out of all the things He could have said at that very moment, what He chose to say was . . . relationships.

He proceeded to teach them how to love: how to love Him and each other. I have to admit that at first I recoiled at this thought. I was used to seeing Sinai as a list of rules. Things God required of me . . . sacrifices to be made to keep God happy. Now I was sensing what Jesus shared with the mislead religious leaders of His day, “What I want is Compassion in how you relate to each other, not greater sacrifice and religious duty! No more lists of rules. Learn to love!”

They had made this mistake with the Sabbath especially. They had made the Sabbath, of all things, about religion instead of relationship.

“Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. They questioned Jesus, asking, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ – so that they might accuse Him. He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’ Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand!’ He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.” —Matthew 12:9

Over and over Jesus tried to explain that people are most important.

“Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom” — Matthew 5:20, The Message

Our religious conditioning has left us incapable of truly seeing God as He really is, but Grace is sufficient. He came to give sight to the blind.

Thoughtfully ponder the “picture of God” that Jesus reveals.

“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”

“He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings, won’t push you into a corner. Before you know it, His justice will triumph; the mere sound of His name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.”

—Matthew 12:20-21 NASB and The Message

I wish you God’s best this week.

October 5 Esight, 2008

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” -Romans 1.17Confidence inspires confidence. Courage rouses courage. Love awakens love. Respect begets respect. Faith enables faith!

You can learn a lot from watching people. I’ve noted that there are two types of people in this world: Those driven by fear and those driven by confidence. The contradiction of these two can be easily seen in how each plays out in their relationships with others. Those whose driving motive is fear usually resort to tactics of control, manipulation, sometimes guilt, but always a gnawing sense that they must ensure certain outcomes or suffer loss. Those who are governed by confidence realize the possibility of loss, but they are ever at peace. They trust in the eternal principles of how things work. They understand that confidence can’t be demanded, love cannot be forced, and respect will never be awakened in others by it being required of them. Their relations with others are uniquely characterized by a strange sense of freedom . . . leaving others free to live as they so choose.

In the wake of these thoughts, I would like you take note of a small statement made by Paul in the beginning of his letter to the believers in Rome. A small statement with huge implications, nonetheless.

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.’” -Romans 1.17 (emphasis added)

Did you catch it? Not only is love only awakened by love, but it appears that faith is only enabled by faith! Now consider the implications. God is not afraid or threatened. God is confident. But notice what He is confident in! He is confident that His love is powerful enough to win our hearts! He does not need to demand or require love. He truly believes this and thus is not interested in forced obedience, as the religious masses would have us believe.

This point is repeated over and over in the New Testament. The object of faith is always love. Love is that which faith is believing in, and although we all agree that God is endeavoring to awaken our faith in His love, do not miss the numerous times in the New Testament that our faith is not the focus, but rather HIS.

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” -Romans 3.22

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” -Galatians 2.16

“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” – Galatians 3.22

Faith (Pisteos) in each of these verses is in the genitive (possessive) case, which means that it’s not necessarily faith in Jesus but rather the faith of Jesus. As we allow our gaze to trace the path of cause and effect, as we follow with line of sight to that which inspires His faith, we find a love beyond description that inspires Faith within each of us, as well. It is from faith to faith.

God is confident. He truly believes that love will accomplish far more than fear, control and manipulation. Thus, He continually gives us freedom. God trusts that when He lovingly whispers to us and tells us that He genuinely only wants to give to us, that He truly wants nothing from us, His generous, other-centered love alone will inspire in us a deep, unquenchable desire to give Him everything.

Take time this week to meditate, not just on the faith He wants to inspire in us, but the faith that is preveniently in His heart. As you dwell on this, may you find faith in Him as well as the Faith of Him who did not count heaven itself a place to be desired while you and I were outside it’s gates.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” -Revelation 14.12 (emphasis supplied)

I wish you God’s best this week.

September 29 Esight, 2008

“He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in his own heart, but he who does not believe God makes him out to be a liar by refusing to accept God’s testimony of his Son. This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son.” -1 John 5:10,11Recently, I have been curiously pondering the belief that many hold of the natural and inherent immortality of the soul. What strikes me is it’s subtle, but effective ability to circumvent the work that God, through the revealing of His love, is seeking to accomplish in our hearts.

First, there is one point that must be clearly understood from the beginning or nothing after this will make sense. God is ever seeking, through the bright rays of Calvary, to convert us from our self-centered bent to His other-centered love.

“And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves,

but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf”. (2 Corinthians 5.15)

Now consider what happens when you interject the thought that the soul is naturally and inherently immortal.

Everything you do becomes tainted by the desire to convince God to let you spend eternity in heaven rather than hell. Therefore everything in your religious experience will be colored by the desire to be saved! That’s not conversion, that’s self-preservation and we will be destined to always live, ultimately, out of our own self concern for our eternal well being. And as Jesus stated, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it . . .”(Luke 9.24)

But back up! What if the soul is not naturally immortal? The options left are immortality or death (I know . . . still very egocentric at first but keep watching).

” . . .that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” -John 3.16 [emphasis added]

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life . . .”-Romans 6.23

Without immortality of the soul, things begin at a different starting point. Pay close attention. In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created with immortality. Yet this immortality was forfeited when they sinned. “Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever'” -Genesis 3.22

Mankind lost their immortality! Adam and Eve could not pass on to us what they themselves no longer possessed. “In Adam all die.” -1Corinthians 15.22

So now we are faced with two options: Live forever or perish. We still begin the journey very egocentrically, but notice the hearts transformation as the truth of the Gospel begins to dawn upon us.

We begin to realize that we should be dead right now! We are not immortal! We have sinned! God warned us that “in the day” that we sin we are to die. (Genesis 2:17) Wait! I’ve sinned but I’m still breathing. Modern Christianity would tell us that the reason is because the soul is naturally and inherently immortal and can’t die, but the Gospel cries out a much different explanation! Look carefully at the verse we started with today. Before we exercise any faith on our part, before we respond to the “testimony” given of God’s son in belief or unbelief, that “testimony” is delivered to our hearing! The Gospel comes to us with news of what God has done first, before we have believed or disbelieved it yet! Why is this important? Because look what the news is!!!!! “That God has already given us eternal life!” -1 John 5:11

Before we ever believe or disbelieve, God has already given us eternal life!!! We should be dead! Yet we are alive, not because we are naturally immortal, but because Jesus died for us and rose again . . . all of us! Which means, if the options were eternal life or perish, God has already made a decision for every person that they will live forever! He has accomplished all that was necessary to make this happen for each of us! This is a gift! I know, I know . . . not everyone will be saved in the end, but listen carefully. If anyone is lost at last, it will not be because they did not do enough to convince God to save them! It will be because they threw away the salvation God had already so freely and generously given to all!

Watch what this does to our hearts. No longer is all of our religious duty colored by a desire to convince God to let us live forever rather than perish! Instead, our life becomes a poetic expression of gratitude, appreciation, and love for the One who so generously gave to us. Our entire life becomes centered in the desire to thank Him, to live for Him! Love’s goal accomplished! We “no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and rose again.” Will you believe the gospel, dear reader? God has given you life when you should not be living today! His intension in the gift is that this life will never end, but He has left it up to you. Will you let the life He’s given you be eternal . . . or will you make it temporary?

“Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” Do you believe this?

-John 11.26

“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”

– 1Timothy 4.10

I wish you God’s best this week!

September 21 Esight, 2008

PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Psalms 106.1, AMP)This week, I would like you to consider the context of the above declaration of God’s eternal, ever abounding love. In this chapter there is an emphasis and focus that is foreign to much of today’s religious conditioning.

First, the Psalmist sums up our condition:

“We’ve sinned a lot, both we and our parents; We’ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people.” (Psalms 106.6 The Message)

Not only had they hurt a lot of people, but they did not understand or appreciate God’s mercy toward them.

“Our fathers in Egypt understood not nor appreciated Your miracles; they did not [earnestly] remember the multitude of Your mercies nor imprint Your loving-kindness [on their hearts], but they were rebellious and provoked the Lord at the sea, even at the Red Sea.” (Psalms 106.7 AMP)

Did you catch that? Because they did not understand or appreciate God’s mercy and grace, they failed to remember His love! They failed to have His love imprinted on their hearts! This is what led to their rebellion!

Today, due to a failure on our part to understand how central an understanding of God’s love is, and because of our short-sightedness in perceiving that simple doctrinal accuracy is not enough, I see the same thing that existed among Israel existing in our hearts! Leanness in our souls. (Psalms 106:15, AMP)

Don’t misunderstand. The doctrines paint a correct picture of God’s love. The correct standards reveal to us the great principles of God’s other-centered love. But many times we fall into the trap of focusing on the doctrines and standards to the exclusion of allowing these very things to illuminate our hearts to that very other-centered Love that so radically changes our lives.

Notice how God continually responded back then. I believe He responds the same way today.

“Still, when God saw the trouble they were in and heard their cries for help, He remembered his Covenant with them, and, immense with love, took them by the hand. He poured out his mercy on them . . .” (Psalms 106.44 The Message)

“Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.” (Romans 5:20) How did God respond? Yes there was discipline, but even in the context of that discipline He continually poured out His love and grace until they would get it. The reality, however, is that only a few understood. The majority never did.

“Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned.” (Psalms 106.43 The Message)

It is my prayer that Israel’s history will not be repeated by God’s people today. Yet, the only way for that to be circumvented is for us, personally, to make it our emphasis, our focus, our quest to understand and appreciate His grace, His compassion, His great other-centeredness. Only this emphasis will enable us so that we can have that imprint or seal of His love upon our hearts and lives. God’s great self-abandoning love! This is to be our message, our banner, our emphasis, our cry to this pain-racked world. Only this will answer, finally, the “controversy” that began so long ago in regards to His character of love.

“The Whole Spiritual Life is molded by our conception of Him, and if we cherish erroneous views of His character, our souls will sustain injury!” (White, Review and Herald, January 14, 1890)

I wish you God’s best this week.

September 15 Esight, 2008

The great ladies of Persia and Media, who have heard what the queen has said, will quote this day to all the king’s officers, and there will be no end to the disrespect and discord! If it please your majesty, let a royal decree be issued by you . . . never to be revoked, that Vashti shall not again appear before King Ahasuerus; and let your majesty give her place as queen to another who is more worthy of it than she. When the edict made by the king is proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom, all women, high and low alike, will give honour to their husbands . . . Dispatches were sent to all the king’s provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in their own language, in order that each man, whatever language he spoke, should be master in his own house. (Esther 1:17-22)The Gospel of Esther. For quite some time now I have believed that Mathew, Mark, Luke and John are not the only Gospels in the Bible. In fact, every book of the Bible is a “Gospel” in its own right. The purpose of every book is to illuminate the darkness in each of our hearts in regards to our picture of God. Yet, what does the book of Esther contribute to our concept of God and His other-centered love? Though there are many gospel lessons in this book, there is one that stands out above the rest. Two great principles are contrasted.

First, we find women being kept “in line” by decree, control, and fear. Women kept “in line?” That phrase brings a crooked smile to my face. You see, I was raised by a single mom and I can already hear how she would be ranting at the thought of it. But outside of gender issues, notice the principles used by one to control another. Law, control and fear.

Next, we are introduced to Modecai and Haman’s scuffle. Modecai refuses to “bow” to show Haman the respect and honor he feels he deserves. So how does Haman respond? “Kill ‘em all!”

What is alarming to me is that many people picture God to be exactly like King Ahasuerus and his servant Haman. God is “keeping us in line” through the methods of Law, through control and fear. We had better do as He says or we’ll end up “like Vashti.” But stop for a minute! Isn’t this exactly why Lucifer was given time and did not immediately meet the fate of death that sprang from his rebellion? If Lucifer would have been destroyed, the angelic hosts would not have understood how or why it came about! But secondly, assuming God had wiped Lucifer out for his rebellion, they would have either rebelled themselves or buckled down under a much more shallow version of “service.” They themselves would have remained loyal, placing their necks under the yoke of the “master of the house.” Their obedience would have been driven by the fear that what was “done” to Lucifer would be “done” to them if they did not submit.

And Haman? Many today feel as if God’s final act on this planet will be to, with blood dripping from His fangs, wipe out all who have refused to “bow,” so to speak.

Are these really the principles God uses to win our hearts? Absolutely not! God forbid! For these principles can only ever win outward conformity, but never accomplish inward transformity. (I know that’s not a real word, but it rhymes, give me some grace.) It will win outward obedience but these principles can never truly win our hearts. At best, they will cement us in our own self concern and self preservation, but never transform us into the likeness of God’s self-abandoning love.

Then where do we see God in the book of Esther? Where are the principles of the King and Haman contrasted? It’s in the decision made by Esther herself. (My mom would be beaming that it was through a woman!)

When faced with the proposition of death, Esther’s mind was set. She would risk all to save the lives of her people.

‘Go and assemble all the Jews that are in Susa, and fast on my behalf; for three days, night and day, take neither food nor drink, and I also will fast with my maids. After that, in defiance of the law, I shall go to the king; if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

Ponder this well, dear reader. In this statement we see self-sacrifice. We see self-abandonment. We see other-centeredness. In short, we see love! Love for her people caused Esther to risk her well-being for the good of others. To put them first rather than herself. Is this where we find God in the book of Esther?

Consider the cross. John wrote these words in response to God’s own “risk” that He took to save us:

Having loved his own, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1)

Or as the Amplified version states it:

And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree. (John 13:1, AMP)

And why? Control, manipulation, guilt, fear and legislation? No, NEVER! You were made for love from a willing heart, not forced devotion! God isn’t interested in getting anything from you, but in continually giving to you. When faced with the prospect of staying on the cross and never seeing His Father’s reconciling face again, the God of this universe encountered love for You beyond description. His final thoughts were, “I will save YOU at any cost to Myself, and ‘if I perish, I perish!”

Dear friend, will you allow this selfless love to become your picture of the God of this universe? If you will, you will truly never be the same.

“For the love of Christ controls us once we have reached the conclusion that one man died for all and therefore all mankind has died. He died for all so that those who live should cease to live for themselves . . .” ( 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 REB)

I wish you God’s best this week!

September 8 Esight, 2008

When Jacob had worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like a few days because he loved her.—Genesis 29:20First let me apologize for being absent the last two weeks. We have received many emails from those who missed getting their e-sight last week. I am so sorry. I am in Loma Linda as I write this, about to speak. I have also just finished a week in northern California where I was privileged to watch God do what He does best with the students at Rio Lindo Academy. I’ll fill you in on all the miraculous details in next month’s newsletter.

This week, I would like you to muse over the above words considering Jacob and his love for Rachel. Time became “relative” for Jacob. Years seemed like days! Why? Because “he loved her.”

This brings Peter’s words to mind, “Here is something, dear friends, which you must not forget: in the Lord’s sight one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. It is not that the Lord is slow in keeping His promise, as some suppose, but that He is patient with you. It is not His will that any should be lost, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8, 9)

Did you catch that? God is not slow about fulfilling the promise of return, yet He is dragging His feet! Why? Because He, in His inmost heart, is not “willing” for any to perish. He cannot bring Himself to return yet. His heart will not permit Him. Yet, though He must wait, the years seem as only days to Him. Why? “. . . because He loves her.” He loves YOU! He is preparing a place for YOU. (John 14:2,3) It takes time. This will be a place where there will no longer be any more “mourning and crying and pain, for the old order has passed away!” (Revelation 21:4) No matter how long it takes, He cares so much for YOU that every sacrifice is a delight, every gift a pleasure. Though it may take thousands of years, and it has, these seem as only days to Him.

Stop and listen. He loves you! Do you realize that, dear reader? Do you know what that means? Ponder it well, for those three simple words are the most disbelieved words in the English language. But He does! He is especially fond of you. He doesn’t care how long it takes. He will be patient. For you, He has risked all. You are the apple of His eye, and He will do whatever it takes to restore and save you into His perfect love.

Do you want that, dear friend? I do. I don’t want to be one who makes Him wait any longer. If that is your hope as well, tell Him about that. Give Him your all, right now. Hold nothing back. You are already in His heart, won’t you let Him be in yours? Be one who will not only “look” for His return, but “hasten” it! (2 Peter 3:12)

I wish you God’s best this week.

August 24 Esight, 2008

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet without your Father’s knowledge not one of them can fall to the ground.” (Matthew 10:29 REB)I would like to contrast the above words of Jesus with the words of demonically inspired counsel of Job’s friend Eliphaz. Remember, this is one of the friends Job was admonished to make atonement for in the end of his experience, and for good reason. Eliphaz’s words are dangerous and dead wrong! Born from the enemy himself which, if you pay close enough attention, apparently visited Eliphaz personally with such loathsome counsel.

“A word came to me in secret—

a mere whisper of a word, but I heard it clearly.

It came in a scary dream one night,

after I had fallen into a deep, deep sleep.

Dread stared me in the face, and Terror.

I was scared to death—I shook from head to foot.

A spirit glided right in front of me—

the hair on my head stood on end.

I couldn’t tell what it was that appeared there—

a blur . . . and then I heard a muffled voice:

‘How can mere mortals be more righteous than God?

How can humans be purer than their Creator?

Why, God doesn’t even trust his own servants,

doesn’t even cheer his angels,

So how much less these bodies composed of mud,

fragile as moths?

These bodies of ours are here today and gone tomorrow,

and no one even notices—gone without a trace.

When the tent stakes are ripped up, the tent collapses—

we die and are never the wiser for having lived.’

Call for help, Job, if you think anyone will answer!

To which of the holy angels will you turn?” (JOB 4:12-5:1, The Message)

It was this same Eliphaz who said:

“Don’t blame fate when things go wrong—trouble doesn’t come from nowhere.” (Job 5:6, The Message)

Yet Solomon, in his wisdom, did say that fate, or chance is to blame.

“I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither is bread to the wise nor riches to men of intelligence and understanding nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, AMP)

Why? Because chance is the fruit of granting free choice. There’s a chance now that things will not go the way we or God desire it! Yet, loving and fulfilling relationships require irrevocable freedom. God is not interested in meticulously controlling all we do or experience! But, in the same breath, let me quickly say that He is meticulously involved in each of our lives. And that, dear reader, is a comforting thought.

He is involved with every detail of your life. Nothing touches you that doesn’t also touch Him! You are not alone! He is ever with you, loving you, drawing you more intimately closer into the embrace of His perfect love. Regardless of what the “chance” of all the infinitely free moral decisions being made every day may throw our way . . . you are being kept watch over by the greatest Lover time and chance have ever witnessed—The great Lover of the Universe, and you are the apple of His eye.

Does that mean that nothing will ever cause you pain? How foolish. He is a God of freedom, not control. What it does mean is that you are never, ever alone! And one day all tears, all pain, and all evil will be seen for what it is and reality will be changed for eternity!

“It is Satan’s work to fill men’s hearts with doubt. He leads them to look upon God as a stern judge. He tempts them to sin, and then to regard themselves as too vile to approach their heavenly Father or to excite His pity. The Lord understands all this. Jesus assures His disciples of God’s sympathy for them in their needs and weaknesses. Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father’s heart. The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy intelligences, all waiting to do His will. Through channels which we cannot discern He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. But it is in this speck of a world, in the souls that He gave His only-begotten Son to save, that His interest and the interest of all heaven is centered. God is bending from His throne to hear the cry of the oppressed. To every sincere prayer He answers, “Here I am.” He uplifts the distressed and downtrodden. In all our afflictions He is afflicted. In every temptation and every trial the angel of His presence is near to deliver.” (White, The Desire of Ages, p. 356)

I wish you God’s best this week.