His Gift to Us

Both general sins, the kind committed by people as a whole, and specific sins, the kind committed by an individual, can be overwhelming.

We're often plagued by one of two problems when dealing with our overwhelming sinful nature. We might refuse to acknowledge the sin because the thought is too much for us—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation. Or we might be overcome by guilt because the sin seems so awful that it cannot be forgiven—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation.

A psalmist looked at our dilemma differently. He wrote, If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. . . . (Ps. 130:3,4a NIV)

The psalmist was not downcast or dismayed when he reflected on his sinful state because he looked beyond himself and directed his attention to the One who can provide a solution. He affirmed the nature of God, because God, not people, holds the key. The psalmist recognized that, with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (v. 7b)

God clearly states in His Word—including the Old Testament—that salvation for forgiveness from sin is a gift that He provides. Our sinful nature is real and fearsome—but God’s solution is big enough to take care of it.

Originally published January 14, 1983.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Your Fallow Ground

Jesus used examples from everyday life when He told the parable of the four types of soil. Wayside soil is too hard for seed to take root. It represents hard people who do not hear the gospel even when it is clearly stated for them.

Stony ground lacks nourishing soil. Seed planted in it withers when conditions are dry. It represents people who are open to aspects of God's Word but who do not establish a vital connection with God because they do not receive spiritual nourishment. Their Christian life withers when they suffer adverse circumstances.

Thorny ground has weeds that rob the seed of moisture so the seed will not develop as it should. It represents people who receive the Word, but who struggle because so much of their effort is focused on other things. The life of God's Word is chocked by weeds of pride.

Finally, good ground provides ideal growing conditions for seed. It represents people who hear the word [seed], accept it, and bear fruit. (Mk. 4:20a NKJV)

The exciting thing about the four soils is that none of the conditions is permanent. If left to itself, the best soil becomes hard and cracked like a wayside, but it can be plowed and worked again. Farmers can bring stones to the surface of the stony ground so the stones can be removed. Farmers can also look for ways to control weeds. Good farmers change the nature of the soil, and when they have prepared the soil, they plant their seed.

The same is true for the soil of people’s hearts. God prepares our soil. We can resist His work in our life or we can invite Him to help us. God—the master farmer—has a message for the people who desire to receive Him in faith. He is the one who plants His seed, but people can open themselves up to receive the preparation of their hearts.

The prophet Hosea said, Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hos. 10:12b) If we are willing to acknowledge and confess our sin, we fulfill the one condition necessary to receive God's grace. When we see ourselves as we are, we value God as He is. Then we are ready to seek the Lord.

Originally published March 14, 1986.
Picture: from Karen's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

New Clothes

After the people returned from the Babylonian captivity, they were poor and they struggled. During this time Zechariah described a vision he received of the high priest named Joshua. Joshua stood before the angel of the Lord wearing ragged, dirty clothing. The angel said, Take off his filthy clothes. (Zech. 3:3b NIV)

The vision spoke of more than earthly clothing, however. It had symbolic meaning—because the filthy clothing represented sin. The angel continued, See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you. (v. 4b) Joshua also received a clean turban, and the angel stood nearby to watch while others wrapped it around Joshua’s head.

When Paul wrote to New Testament Christians, he often drew upon his Old Testament knowledge of Scripture. Perhaps he indirectly referred to the vision in Zechariah when he wrote to the Galatians: You are the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal. 3:26)

The new clothing is not physical but spiritual—and it illustrates the new life God's people receive when they accpet Christ’s death as payment for their sin.

Originally published December 30, 1983.

Broken Pottery

When faced by impending conspiracy in his old age, David and those who stood with him had to escape in haste while the nation experienced turmoil. And after it was over, David mourned the death of his son Absalom, the man who had conceived and led the conspiracy. Overcome with sorrow, David said, I have become like broken pottery. (Ps. 31:12b NIV)

Broken pottery. Have you ever tried to mend broken pottery? Or could you drink with confidence from a cracked cup—even if held together by the finest adherent?

David was a broken indeed, and he gave voice to both his anguish and his hope. He cried, Let your face shine . . . save me in your unvailing love. (v. 16)

We can judge the man harshly, but God can do the impossible. He mended the pieces that made up David. He brought them together and filled them with a song of praise. Today we satisfy our spiritual thirst as we drink precious promises from David’s mended cup: How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, he wrote. [y]ou keep them safe. . . . (v. 19a,20b)

Originally published June 10, 1988.

It Leaves a Mark

Few stories in the Bible are as difficult to deal with as the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba. To make matters worse, David arranged for the death of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, a detail many choose to ignore because the facts are just too gruesome.

We learn through this story that even if we repent—confess and forsake sin—and even if we receive God’s grace and forgiveness—the aftereffects of sin can remain. Sin can change the sinner’s life history—and the past impacts the present and future. It—sin—leaves a mark.

Although the Bible tells us about David’s pure heart—a heart that longed for fellowship with God—David could not escape the effect his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah would have on the future of his family and his nation.

The prophet Nathan confronted David’s sin indirectly by sharing a story that revealed the horror of his actions. David did not even recognize himself in the story until Nathan confronted him directly: Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? (II Sam 12:9a) Then Nathan prophesied events that would happen because David had sinned: Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. (v. 11)

When David broke down in full repentance, Nathan continued with a statement of forgiveness. But some things cannot be changed after they have been set in motion. The prophet adds, The Lord has taken away your sin . . . But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”(v. 13a.14)

David’s fellowship with God was restored, but the seeds of discord laid a foundation for spiritual and physical battles throughout his sphere of influence. Of course, that included his family. They would be impacted first. And because he was king, David's sin would affect the entire nation.

Originally published September 5, 1986.
Picture: Wild sunflowers, scenic overlook of Theodore Rosevelt National Park, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Who Needs God?

Who needs God?

All sorts of people need God.

Psalm 107 tells us about people who suffered from emotional distress or fainting hearts. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress. (v. 6 KJV)

Other people experienced calamities, financial troubles, and lost hopes. These also fell down . . . Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. (v. 13)

Still others were afflicted by physical disease. And so, they also, cry unto the Lord in their trouble. And He saved them out of their distresses. (v. 19)

And finally, some lived with physical danger, typified by those who go down to the sea in ships. . . . (v. 23) And they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. (v, 28)

All sorts of people can recognize God’s desire to save sinners. Yes, especially and specifically the people who know they are sinners. The people of the psalm lived with an understanding of judgment for their sin. But they also knew God could redeem them—could salvage their lives.

Only God can do the impossible.

Originally published December 6, 1991.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN 2009. Photo by Solveig.

He Understands

An omniscient God is an awesome Being—because He truly knows everything. The book of Hebrews tells us, all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:13 NKJV)

This would be overwhelming and frightening if God’s purpose was judgment. But He has another reason for searching people’s hearts. He desires to bring us to Himself. Furthermore, we’re told he will sympathize with our weaknesses. . . . (v. 15)

Jesus our High Priest died on the cross as a sacrifice for sin because He understood our dilemma. And He alone could pay the penalty for sin—because He alone is perfect or without sin. So although He knows all things—including our sin—He identified with our sinful human nature. His sacrifice is effective because He is one of us—but one of us without sin.

And so, the writer of Hebrews continues with an invitation from the awesome, omniscient God: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (v. 16)

Are you glad God knows us—knows you? That He understands every need? That He understands sin and sent Jesus to pay the price? Respond to His invitation today. Ask Him to reveal Himself. Enter into His goodness, His mercy, His grace.

Originally published March 23, 1990.

The Eroded Areas

Frances Fenelon, a Frenchman who lived during the Reformation, compared Christian leaders to plateaus with gullies. Their spiritual life was inspirational—but they all had large eroded areas of sin they could not hide. He concluded this must be God’s plan—because if we saw others as perfect, we might admire them or become dependent on them. Then we would lose sight of God. Instead, when we see others as imperfect people, our hearts turn toward God.

Sinful human nature is painfully obvious whenever we look at people, even when we look at Biblical character in either the Old and New Testament. If we study their lives, we see they were not perfect. Regarding himself and others, Paul said, So then let no one boast in men . . . whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas. . . . (I Cor. 3:21a,22a ASB)

Paul referred to the wonder of God’s reality in sinful people when he wrote, But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in a perishable container that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. (IICor. 4:7 LB)

People are sinners with eroded areas. Only God is worthy of our complete admiration.

Originally published January 29, 1982.

Search God's Word

It’s dangerous to build a belief system or doctrine on a single portion of Scripture. Unless we draw from the multi-faceted wisdom of our Bible, we become hard or narrow in our response to life.

For example, on one occasion Jesus supported an open confrontation. He said to His disciples, If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault. . . . (Mt. 18:15a NIV) His teaching was based on Leviticus 19:17, and it applied to settling disputes quietly and peacefully with another believer. Involving others was necessary only if agreement wasn’t reached.

Other Old Testament Scriptures seem to contradict that approach. For example, Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. (Prov. 9:7,8)

There are no pat answers to relationship problems; each circumstance requires individual attention and wisdom. We need to search God’s Word for direction—we need to search our hearts to determine our own error—and we need to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Originally published September 13, 1985.
Picture: Potted garden plants, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Power to Convict

Jesus said, “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (Jn. 16:8-11 NKJV)

This passage tells us the Holy Spirit uses His power to convict and to change people’s minds. First, He reveals sin by revealing the person of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we might try to justify our thoughts and actions; in the light of Jesus’ perfection, however, we recognize our nature as sinful.

Second, the Holy Spirit reveals righteousness and purity by revealing Jesus’ position in Heaven. Because Jesus is with the Father He intercedes for us, and His victory over sin becomes our victory over sin.

Finally, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of judgment by giving us understanding of Jesus as our victorious Lord and Savior and by exposing Satan as a defeated prince. When we see Jesus in heavenly splendor, we recognize Satan as a deceiver.

The Holy Spirit is God’s arm on earth today. Everything He does points to Jesus.

Originally published November 15, 1991.