March 13, 2013

Posted on March 14, 2013 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I feel sure that some who heard this at the time despaired, because the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were the “good guys” of the day when it came to obeying the Levitical Law. However, as came out again and again throughout Jesus’ ministry, they were hypocritical, trusting in their obedience to legal minutiae while ignoring the purpose behind the Law. Jesus Himself was often accused as a “Lawbreaker,” because of such things as ritual washing and working on the Sabbath. From that standpoint, He clearly isn’t talking about those things when He talks about the Law. However, that is an analysis that would not only be worthy of a doctoral dissertation, it could quite possibly spawn a new denomination! It would at the very least create enemies within the Body of Christ. I feel the biggest point of this verse is that our righteousness, our doing the right things, must come from within, rather than being slavish adherence to an external code. This is what Paul was talking about when he said that we are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14) From Abraham on, (Genesis 15:6) the Bible makes it clear that our motives are the determining factor in whether we are doing the right thing, that is, righteous. If we do what we do because of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who loved us, gave Himself for us, and rose on the third day, then we are doing the right thing.

This is, of course, the message that I preach, and hopefully live by. It’s not necessarily an easy message, because it eliminates any vestige of room for pride. (Ephesians 2:8-10) I am to live my life in gratitude for the grace of God and teach others to do the same. I am never to play fast and loose with Biblical regulations, which Jesus talked about in the verses ahead of this one, but the focus of my life and my teaching must be on Jesus Himself. It’s as John said: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

Father, thank You for this reminder. I have run into many legalistic Christians, as well as people who were essentially scofflaws. Help me walk in full submission and obedience to You, which includes rejoicing in Your grace, so that I may lead many out of the assorted traps of the enemy to walk in all that You intend for us, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

March 12, 2013

Posted on March 13, 2013 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Going back to yesterday’s definition of righteousness as doing what is right, this verse seems suddenly up to date. The recent story of a high school student who was suspended for three days for disarming another student who had a real, loaded gun comes to mind. The days are indeed evil, but that’s no excuse to “go with the flow,” or even despair. Evil has always ridiculed good, and that in itself is persecution. Peter’s declaration before the Sanhedrin comes to mind: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29) It doesn’t matter what is currently “politically correct,” we are called to be obedient to God. Whether that seems easy or difficult depends far more on our perspective than on our circumstances. If we are focused on this world, then any deviation from “societal norms” will seem difficult indeed. However, if our focus is on the kingdom of heaven, that is, eternity with Christ, then obedience to Him regardless of societal pressures will come almost automatically. Actually, that’s a good way to check on our perspective: how difficult is it to be obedient to God when society is urging you to do otherwise?

This is something I need to keep a watch on myself. I actually have something of an advantage, because as a “third culture kid” I have always been different from my peers, so that makes acting differently somewhat easier. However, I haven’t always made the right use of that, and there have been times when I have wanted to “fit in” so badly that I would have done almost anything. That’s certainly not the right perspective! That experience should give me empathy with those around me who are similarly torn, but it doesn’t mean I am to excuse disobedience to God. After all, He doesn’t excuse it either, but He forgives anything that is repented of and placed under the blood of Jesus. I don’t always do what is right and neither does anyone else, but we have a Savior who is the way, the truth, and the life, and by faith we are made to be the righteousness of God in Him. (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21) That is the message I am to proclaim, and to walk in myself.

Father, thank You for Your grace. Help me have Your perspective so that I may walk in Your righteousness by Your power. May I not be moved by the pressures of the world, but rather stand firmly on the Rock, Christ Jesus my Lord. In so doing, may I encourage others to do likewise, so that the devil’s schemes may be defeated by our obedience to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

March 11, 2013

Posted on March 13, 2013 by jgarrott

Matthew 3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

The baptism of Jesus is of course a very famous scene, but it bears more thought. In English it says, “fulfill all righteousness,” but that is rendered in Japanese as “actually do everything that is right.” Even thought “right” is the root of “righteousness” in English, we don’t necessarily connect the two. We tend to think of righteousness as an abstract good, when it is actually just getting everything right. That’s why we know that “our righteousness is as filthy rags,” (Isaiah 64:6) because we hardly ever get anything perfectly right. Jesus is the only one to ever get it all right, and that’s why we depend on Him. In every discussion of righteousness I keep coming back to 1 Corinthians 1:30: “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” By faith, we who don’t get it right are included in Christ, who got it all perfectly, That’s why it’s not our righteousness but His that is our breastplate. (Ephesians 6:14) However, that’s no excuse to slough off. We are to seek to do right at all times and in all circumstances, but that is possible only by His wisdom, grace, and power. (Philippians 4:13)

In some ways I tend toward perfectionism, toward myself and others, and that misses the whole point of grace. I am to strive to get it all right, but I must remember that we are all equally in need of God’s grace. At the same time, as a pastor I am to help people understand that righteousness isn’t some esoteric substance that is imparted with a wave of the hand, but rather the down and dirty business of doing what is right. God gives each of us a conscience, and He hones and grows that conscience by His Spirit so that it becomes more and more reliable over time, if we aren’t constantly shutting it down. I am to be thankful for the conscience He has given me and seek to help others do likewise, so that increasingly we may indeed do what is right, for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this very basic reminder. I was recently reading about some of the problems generated by “hyper grace” teaching. I want to teach people how wonderful Your grace is, but not get into that kind of mess. I ask for Your wisdom and guidance, because it’s for sure I can’t get it right/be righteous on my own. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

March 10, 2013

Posted on March 13, 2013 by jgarrott

Malachi 4:5-6 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

We often read Luke 1:17, where Gabriel references this passage in talking to Zechariah about the birth of his son John, in the period leading up to Christmas, but Gabriel doesn’t mention the last part of this, where God speaks of a curse if the hearts of the fathers aren’t turned to their children, and vice versa. Most Christians are familiar with the fact that Jesus said specifically that John was the fulfillment of this prophecy, (Matthew 11:13-14) but they don’t necessarily think about the consequences of generational alienation. The message that John preached – Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 3:2) – is still being preached, but there are many who refuse to accept it. Generational alienation is happening today to a degree that seems unprecedented, and we are certainly suffering the consequences. Many cities, and even far less urban areas, are terrorized by fatherless youths who have essentially no hope of a productive future. That is tragic! The answer, just as John preached, is repentance. Not only do fathers need to repent of abandoning their children, society needs to repent of attitudes and actions that have encouraged the breakdown of the family. That includes making it financially advantageous to not have a father in the home, but it also includes such seemingly innocuous things as portraying fathers as essentially useless, bumbling idiots in most popular entertainment. When people aren’t respected, they tend not to stick around! Psychologists have said that a man’s primary emotional need is to be acknowledged as competent, and society seems hell bent on destroying that in fathers.

This is a soap box I jump up on at the slightest provocation! I was personally blessed with a Godly father who did his best, though that was imperfect as we all are. However, as a pastor and counselor I am constantly dealing with people who are deeply wounded by generational alienation. This isn’t limited to absentee fathers, but they are in the vast majority. I am privileged to counsel couples before their weddings, and I do my best to impress on them the importance of this issue. Many have not had a good example of parenting in their own childhood, so they need all the help they can get! Issues of discipline and affection, of simply being present, cannot be covered fully in the brief time I have with them, but I can at least help them understand that it is an issue, so that hopefully they will pay attention and do their honest best. I believe God will honor that.

Father, thank You for the father I had in growing up, and for the privilege of being father to my daughters. Thank You also for the privilege of helping others understand this issue, so that more and more may indeed repent and change, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

March 9, 2013

Posted on March 10, 2013 by jgarrott

Malachi 3:6-7 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, `How are we to return?'”

There’s some important stuff here. Malachi 3 is generally used for the verses that follow this, that talk about tithing, and those are important, but we need these verses as a foundation for that passage. The first line here, where God reminds us that He doesn’t change, is especially important today, when revisionists are trying to change all sorts of foundational documents. Our understanding of God changes, and quite rightly so, because we can’t possibly know everything about Him, and we should continually be learning more. However, God Himself doesn’t change. Once again I’m back to my father’s pet phrase: “Give all you know of yourself to all you know of Christ.” Our understanding of ourselves and our understanding of God in Christ should continue to grow throughout our lives, until, as Paul said, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) The assurance that God doesn’t change should be a bedrock for our faith, because when we abide in the unchangeable, we will not be destroyed. However, God has a problem with us: we don’t keep His rules. I keep coming back to the point that His rules aren’t to be mean to us, but to protect us from harm, and as John pointed out, they aren’t a burden when they are properly understood. (1 John 5:3-5) Not keeping His rules makes us wander away from Him, but God assures us here that if we will come back to Him, He will come back to us. It is when people questioned how to do that, that God explained about the tithe. We wander from God out of childish selfishness, and nothing brings that out like money. That’s probably the biggest single reason for the tithe, to teach us to trust God with our finances, since He’s the one who created it all in the first place.

I was raised with tithing as a practically unquestioned principle of life, and I really haven’t had much trouble with that, because I have always had the assurance that God loves me. However, I have asked how I was to draw close to God, and right now He’s telling me very strongly to seek Him. I think the answer is in not being careless with what I know He has said to me. This passage focuses on tithing, but I have taken other things lightly, and doing that with anything pertaining to God causes unnecessary distance between Him and me, and I don’t want that. I need to let the Holy Spirit remind me of what He has told me to do and not do, and be faithful to follow through. The devil is a liar, and he tries to convince me that such faithfulness will cause me to “miss out,” somehow, on pleasures of the flesh or whatever. I’m to submit to God and resist the devil! (James 4:7)

Father, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness. Thank You for never giving up on us. Help me not only walk in Your grace myself, but extend that grace to others so that they too may walk in it, and You may have a healthy, growing family of children who know You, love You, and obey You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

March 8, 2013

Posted on March 10, 2013 by jgarrott

Malachi 3:2-3 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.

I am reminded of something several people have pointed out, and that I discussed with someone in Tohoku recently, and that is that true revival almost always starts with repentance. We say we want the Lord to pour out His Spirit, but we aren’t willing to get rid of the junk that would get in His way! The Church in America is certainly in need of revival, and many are praying for it, but it will start with those who are willing to repent, personally and for the nation. Daniel comes to mind, who repented for the nation of Israel, but he lived a personally righteous life. Frankly, few do that today. We have allowed the gradual degradation of morality in society around us to erode our own standards, and we accept without thinking things that are in clear violation of the Bible. The major point of contact is screens: TV, computer, and movie. We might be offended, but we keep watching, and pretty soon we aren’t offended any more. The devil is definitely crafty, as he has demonstrated ever since the Garden of Eden. We need to wake up and repent! As Peter said, judgment begins in the house/family of God. (1 Peter 4:17) If we will be willing to repent personally, which includes a genuine change in lifestyle, then there is hope for the nation. If we are unwilling to change, then there is no hope, and God will use another vessel.

As I have been writing, I have realized that I am certainly not exempt. I too have swallowed filth without blinking, and my priorities have been less than pure. For me, it comes back to what the Lord has been saying to me so strongly for the past week, and that is to seek Him. When I fail to seek Him, other things crowd in, and soon my eyes are elsewhere than on Christ. (Hebrews 12:2) Repentance means change, and I must not stop with recognizing the problem and talking about it. That’s a good start, but it’s no more than a start! It is too easy to deceive myself, (James 1:22) and I must not let that happen. I do want the Lord to pour out His Spirit, and I want to be a cleansed vessel for that purpose, for His glory.

Father, thank You for what You are doing, in, around, and through me. The changes are so far small, but they point in a direction I, and I believe You, have desired for a long time. Help me take nothing for granted, but press into You with all that I am, delighting in Your grace, so that You will may indeed be done through me for the salvation of many, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

March 7, 2013

Posted on March 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.

God is never surprised by what He does. That might seem to go without saying, but sometimes we manage to surprise ourselves by what we are able to do, or are unable to do, or even that we do. That’s because we don’t know everything about ourselves, much less our circumstances, but God is not so limited. God isn’t even limited by time itself, because as physics tells us, time depends on matter, and God created matter, but is Himself Spirit rather than matter. That’s why the Bible uses expressions like, “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8) We have a lot of trouble wrapping our heads around things like that! As a concrete example, one time when I was in seminary we faced a financial crisis of some sort, and my wife and I prayed earnestly for God’s supply. The next day there was a check in our mail that covered our need. However, the postmark on the envelope was before we had prayed! God wasn’t limited by time in answering our prayer. Our conception of God being too small is a perennial problem. In this verse God is gently chiding us to believe that He can indeed “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

This issue is very personal for me, because I will never forget one time when I was praying with another believer and the Lord started speaking through me. He said, “Do not be amazed at what amazes others, for I am God, and I will use you for my glory.” That’s just about exactly what this verse says! We endure all sorts of needless anxiety by failing to see God as He is, absolutely omnipotent and omniscient, yet at the same time love itself. We also draw back from things He wants us to do, because we don’t grasp the last part of Ephesians 3:20: “according to His power that is at work within us.” We don’t believe God could actually use us to accomplish His works. Essentially, we feel our weaknesses are greater than God’s power! That’s the opposite of what God told Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) I’ve got to remember that! That’s what faith is all about. I need to be so focused on God that my weakness doesn’t even enter the picture. God even now wants to do things through me that will amaze some, but I am not to be amazed, but rather give God the glory.

Father, thank You for what You are doing in and through me. The shift in my thinking from my time in Tohoku might seem small to some, but I think it was what You were waiting for. Help me indeed seek You totally and let You take care of everything else, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

March 6, 2013

Posted on March 7, 2013 by jgarrott

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD’s anger.

This sounds to me like a very pertinent word to the genuine Christians of America today! Whereas there is hope of repentance and revival, the nation as a whole looks to be headed in a very bad direction, to a degree that makes me quite concerned for my family members and loved ones who live there. This verse is applicable on the individual level whatever happens on the national level. Whereas in a democracy every individual has some influence, few have great influence. I am reminded of stories I heard this past week in Tohoku. When the tsunami hit, people thought first of their loved ones, but in no time they were focused on their personal survival. This verse gives the instructions for personal survival when immorality on all levels brings the judgment of God on a national scale. I believe we should pray for America as Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomor­rah in Genesis 18:20-32, but at the same time we need to seek the Lord personally, to see to it that we aren’t caught up in the devil’s lies that have so polluted the land.

I have been complacent myself, accepting “entertainment” that is polluted, and that is dangerous indeed. I need to be clear in my commitment and alert to the devil’s tricks, seeking the Lord for the wisdom to navigate the minefield that is modern society. At the same time, as a pastor I need to be teaching and encouraging others to do the same. It really comes down to seeking the Lord on every level all the time, which is what He has been saying to me strongly for the past several days, at least. Actually, that has been His call from my birth, but I am sensing a renewed focus and urgency. I am not to settle into “business as usual,” but be active in my pursuit of Him, so that His purposes for my life may be fulfilled.

Father, Psalm 27:8 comes to mind: “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” That verse first struck me well over 30 years ago, but I haven’t followed through well enough. Help me follow through fully, placing You truly above and before everything else, so that nothing will interfere with my fellowship with You or Your speaking and acting through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

March 5, 2013

Posted on March 6, 2013 by jgarrott

Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD replied:
“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.”

This verse, with the one after it, has been given to this church several times by various people, and so is dearly loved. However, reading it just now, I got a fresh take on it that I’ve never thought of before. In those days, a clay or even wax tablet was like a piece of paper to us today. That is, a writing surface. In the past, I’ve read this verse and thought of a sign board, but wax tablets were used specifically because they could be erased. The NIV says “make it plain,” but the Japanese says, “confirm it.” That would be appropriate if it were jotted on a memo pad. Only then would a herald take the message and run with it. What I get from this is simply, when you hear from the Lord, write it down, make sure you got it right, and then get the word out. Actually, that’s exactly what I do with this blog. Every morning I spend time with the Lord, seeking to listen to what He will say to me through His Word, and then I write what I feel He is saying. However, I don’t immediately upload it; my wife checks it, not only for typographical errors, but also for places where my choice of words makes the meaning unclear. Only then do I upload it. I had never thought of this blog applying to this verse, and vice versa!

That is all very well and good, but the question then becomes, how am I to apply what I have been shown in ways I’m not doing now? I believe the answer lies in writing more. I have written a fair number of tracts, but I am to do more. I have this blog, but I am to be open to other avenues as well. However, anything I write is to be confirmed, checked by reliable, spiritually mature people before it is “put out there.” I’ve been given a gift for words, but I’m not to rely on the gift, and I’m certainly not to get puffed up about it. In the past, I’ve not responded all that well to editing! I am to seek to hear and communicate what God is saying, but do it in all humility, so that I won’t get in the way of the message.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Help me be faithful in obeying it. In the past I have used all sorts of excuses for not writing; keep me from those! And also, certainly, keep me from writing things I’m not applying in my own life. May I trust and obey You on every level, so that all of Your purposes for me may be fulfilled, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

March 4, 2013

Posted on March 6, 2013 by jgarrott

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

This dearly loved verse is a beautiful expression of the simplicity of what God asks of us. We tend to complicate things in our minds and by our actions, but when we compare our lives against the complexity of the universe, our lives are pretty simple indeed! Just as yesterday’s passage distilled everything to “Seek God and live,” this verse likewise restores order in confusion. God has given every human being at least a taste of His character. Secular psychologists have a hard time explaining why small children express a sense of fairness, as well as a tendency to altruism. They would find the answer in this verse, if they would only look! We instinctively know what it is to “do justice,” because that’s how God made us. We tend to complicate it with greed and lusts of all sorts. The same goes for loving mercy. The way to uncomplicate things is to walk humbly with our God, but that’s where we hang up. Pride is at the root of so much of the junk that is in the world! The reason small children express a pure sense of justice and mercy is that they haven’t complicated life with pride. Micah has just gone through a list of things that man might think of to try to earn favor with God, with the clear message that none of those are appropriate. This verse is a call to let go of prideful striving and receive God’s grace.

As I’ve been discussing with several people this week, this is a major issue in the resistance of Japanese people to the Gospel. They so want to be able to say they had a hand in their salvation! Their level of commitment to tasks, of dogged effort to achieve goals, is admirable on some levels, but it gets in the way of their receiving God’s free gift of salvation. They think, “This is too good to be true; there must be a catch,” and so they don’t receive. I cannot get through that barrier by my own wisdom or persuasive abilities, but nothing is impossible for God. That’s why I need to seek God, walking humbly with Him, and leave the results to Him.

Father thank You for this further confirmation of what You were saying to me yesterday. It’s been quite a week: not at all what I expected, but beautifully blessed. Thank You that I go home today. This week too has a full, unusual schedule. Help me do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You each moment of it, so that all of Your purposes, for me and for this week, may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment