Month: April 2021

The Reward of Remaining Righteous

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If we were to look at this world with nothing but our natural eyes, what we see may make us wonder where is the fairness of it all? To some, it may seem the good boys don’t always win. To some, it may seem evil advances while those who work to do right get pushed down, ridiculed, made fun of, and overlooked.

But, the Bible reassures us time and again that what we see is not always the truth of the matter. Although what we see may upset and discourage us, we must maintain our course to live lives that are pleasing to our Lord. We must continue to remain faithful and righteous regardless.

Though we may not know the whole story. And although we may not see things favorably and begin to question “why?”, our comfort is in this one unchanging truth: God sees everything. God knows everything, and He knows how to carry things forward in the best possible way.

Isaiah encourages us, that regardless of what it may look like to us, God will faithfully reward:

     “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

     Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isaiah 3:10-11

God knows how to perfectly balance what we see and feel against what is true. The psalmist wrote:

    “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

     For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

     They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

     Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

     Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

     They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

     They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

     Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

     And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

     Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

     Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

     For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

     If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

     When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

     Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:3-17

What people saw and how they lived were far from the true ending of their story. God will faithfully reward both sides of the scale, good or bad: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” (Galatians 6:7).

Continue in obedience. Continue to remain faithful, and let God handle the outcome. Trust me, He can judge every heart and every circumstance far better than we ever could.

Put those in prayer who seem to be straying.  Lift those before the Lord who seem to be struggling.  After all, as Christians we want to see everyone possible make it to heaven even if we don’t agree with them right now (remember Job had to pray for the very friends that ridiculed him, Job 42:10).

Don’t get prideful in your own stance, for our righteousness is nothing we obtained on our own (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9). We, too, need the Lord’s mercy and grace every day of our lives just like everyone else.

Just remain righteous. Keep His will before your eyes and your feet will walk the path He chooses.

Of course, our ultimate reward will be we get to dwell in heaven for all eternity with our Savior.  For this, there is no greater cause for remaining righteous.

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He is Risen!

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Death could not hold Him.

HE IS RISEN!

The grave was commanded to open for Him.

HE IS RISEN!

There is victory for your life and mine today if you believe,

HE IS RISEN!

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6

Text Free Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

“Handle the Body of Jesus with Care!”

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Image by Bronisław Dróżka from Pixabay

“Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock…” Matthew 27:57-60a, NKJV

If at no other time of the year, it is during this season when we are drawn closer to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  As well we should be.  In just one day we will be celebrating Easter (Resurrection Sunday) when we are starkly reminded of the cost of our sins and the victory that Jesus gained over it all.

The cost was heavy but the price had to be paid.  It was unavoidable.  But, that’s not the end of the story.  To get to the end let’s back it up some first.

Sitting at what we now call the Lord’s Supper or the Last Supper, the Bible tells us, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’  Then He took the cup, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,’” (Matthew 26:26-28, NKJV).

Through all of the hints and teachings, if the disciples never really understood Jesus’ mission, He clearly lays it out here.  Through the bread, He showed the brokenness His body would endure.  Isaiah’s prophecy would soon be fulfilled.  “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).

With that fulfillment, a new covenant would begin.  God’s plan for salvation would once and for all be sealed by His shed blood.

Knowing that, after we arrive back to the point after His death, how must it have felt for Joseph of Arimathea to handle the lifeless body of the Savior, whom he has come to identify with, for he himself became a disciple also (Matthew 27:57)?

After His body was given to Joseph, the Bible says, “he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb.”  This is such a beautiful picture of the care and love for a Savior who gave it all up for him.

How are we handling the body of Jesus?

Joseph made sure it was wrapped in “clean linen.”  Through the brokenness of His body, we have been healed.  Through His shed blood, we have been washed.  We carry the Savior and His new covenant on the inside of us.  Have we wrapped Him in “clean” vessels?

David said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:10, KJV).  The spiritual house on the inside of each of us has to be clean.  Dust particles of any works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) have to be removed.  “Such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” (Galatians 5:21, NKJV).  “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV).

When God blessed us with the Holy Spirit, it’s as if we are taking on a part of Christ.  We can’t wrap Him in just anything.  We have to meticulously make sure what we wrap Him in is clean, using the same care that Joseph of Arimathea did.

Then, “he laid him in his new tomb.”  His refers to Joseph’s.  It was Joseph’s new tomb that Jesus was being laid in.  The vessel that Jesus was laid in was new.

When we have Christ on the inside of us we are not the same as we used to be.  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV).

In handling the body of Jesus on the inside of us, we have to act like He is in something new.  Renewed!  Not to continue in all that old, used stuff before we knew and received Christ.  But, brand new!

We’re not talking about refurbished or recycled to appear new.  The vessel that Joseph had to offer Jesus was new!  Remember, as Christians, we are that which has been made new.  Are we keeping it that way?  Are we handling the body of Jesus with great care?  Is He wrapped in cleanness and laid in the new?

How did Joseph feel?  Maybe a little in awe but mostly I feel (and it’s just my opinion) that he felt honored to be able to lovingly care for the body of the Lord.  To be able to hold that brokenness with the knowledge that He went to the cross and died for him and all humanity – priceless!

“This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me,” (Luke 22:19, KJV).  Don’t wrap Him in just anything.

Let’s take special care today for how we handle the body of Jesus in our clean and new vessels.  It was given for us, therefore, let us take care of it.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

“Rabbi, is it I?”

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“Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?'” Matthew 26:25, NKJV

Love betrayed. The betrayed and the betrayer locked in questioning gaze. A tension of certainty and doubt filling the air of what was to be a beautiful last dinner spent with His disciples.

On the one hand, is Christ. He has done nothing but show love, concern, and compassion toward all who met Him. From the miracles to the teachings, He has treasured each life that came across His path enough to compel Him to know that the cross was the only way to save them all. Love was His motto.

Then, there is Judas Iscariot. The betrayer. The sell-out. The one who was close to Christ but now has become an enemy of Christ. Selfishness is what compelled him to give it all up for thirty pieces of silver. Gain and greed were his mottoes. Love didn’t matter anymore.

The two together at dinner with the question in the air:

“Rabbi, is it I?”

Have you ever felt the sting of betrayal by someone to whom you have poured out love? It doesn’t feel good. Our Lord amazes me! He knew all things and yet subjected Himself to all things. He carried it all to the cross with the burgeoning of love in His very being. He suffered affliction, ridicule, and torment. Yet, those He loved and walked with these three and half years of His earthly ministry are nowhere to be found. One sold Him out and the others fled or denied Him altogether.

“Rabbi, is it I?”

Love causes us to do some crazy things. Love makes us suffer long with people who have worked our last nerve. Love keeps us from giving up and giving in. Love centers us back to the real mission at hand: which is to love some more.

Love caused Christ to look into the face of His betrayer and say, “You have said it.” Love put the plan in motion that will pay the price for it all. Love gave the okay for the process to start, redeeming man from themselves and the sin that had them bound.

Have you ever wished you could save someone you love from the mistakes they are making? Has the love you shown over the years not reaped the rewards you were hoping for? Has the one you loved turned their back on you?

Feelings that come from these questions don’t feel good. No more for us than they did for Christ. But, when we view His life and all that He dealt with in light of our questions, it breathes a new life of appreciation in all that He has done for us.

“Rabbi, is it I?”

We have not always been our best. We have not always crossed every T or dotted every I, yet, He continues to love. We have not always followed every command or taken every stand that we ought to, yet, He continues to love.

The next time when the love we shed for another seems to be all for naught, remember Christ. Remember how His love was betrayed. Remember how His love was afflicted. Remember how His love compelled Him to continue.

Remember all He did for every one of us despite us not being at our best. Let the knowledge of His love cover us today. Yup, it hurts sometimes but let that knowing what He did for us compel us to act as He did – with Love!

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Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.