Not Guilty!

     Typically, I don't comment on political things since this is a spiritual blog, not a political one.  I will let you draw your own conclusions regarding the recent Zimmerman trial.  I have watched very little of it since I am working full time and doing an internship and don't have much extra time.  I did watch as many of you did when the jury came back yesterday and aquitted Zimmerman of all charges.  I also thought about what it must feel like for him to hear the words "not guilty".

     My thoughts turn to the spiritual and how now God calls us also "not guilty".  In Colossians 2:13-14 it says, "And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumsion of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

       Unlike Mr.Zimmerman, I don't have the luxury of standing before God and declaring self-defense.  My old nature of the flesh is entirely guilty as charged.  The Bible does not declare the old nature to be not guilty.  In Romans 3:10-11 it says that there are none that are righteous.  To declare ourselves not guilty by our own efforts or as it relates to the law is a mockery of what Christ did for us.  The fact is, that we were unable to save ourselves.

      Colossians 2:13 says that we are "dead in your transgression. . ."  Dead people do not save themselves.  In fact, the dead are incapable of doing anything.  I think this is important to remember.  It is important to remember how much Christ has done for us.  If we do not we start to become self-righteous or think of ourselves as better than others.  Until you realize how dark Friday was you don't understand how bright Sunday is.  You need to realize your lost before you can be found.  Pharisees don't think they are lost and remain lost. 

       The emphasis in the Colossians 2:13-14 passage is not in my actions but in Christ.  We stand condemned and then it says Christ cancels out the certificate of debt having nailed it to the cross.  In Romans 5:1 it says it this way, "therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ."  Now, this one who was condemned is set free.   Set free because of what the Lord Jesus did.  Where before we were condemned and guilty, now it says on those who are believers, "Not guilty".   Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

       The devil is our accuser and he constantly brings to mind things in the past that we have done.  He reminds us of all of our fault and sometimes captivates people with shame and guilty.  We may feel the condemnation in our flesh of what we have said and done.  We may feel that we are not worthy of going to heaven or praying or having a relationship with God.  And there is some truth to that.  We are not worthy of what Jesus did for us.  If it was because of our worthy then it would not be called "grace".   While I may not feel worthy, God has shown us an amazing grace and love that he has for us.  

      I can imagine around the Zimmerman breakfast table this morning there is a sense of relief that he was not condemned to years in prison.  I can't imagine sitting at that table of the defense for weeks and wondering if your going to jail for the next 10-15 years.  I am more amazed though that now in God's eyes I stand before him as not guilty.  As a child of God, forgiven, cleansed, freed and greatly loved.  That is something worthy rejoicing over.

Sowing and Reaping

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" 2 Corinthians 9:6

    In my Bible reading this morning,this verse jumped out at me. Earlier in this book, Paul had mentioned the judgment seat of Christ.  This is a time and place where God would test the quality of every believer's work. Each person gives an account of their lives and they are given a reward in relationship to what they did.  This is a separate event for believers.  For non-believers, they experience the great white throne judgment which is not about rewards.

    Paul was talking to the Corinthians about giving.  It appears that at an earlier time Paul had begun making arrangements with Titus for the churches to give, possibly to the church of Jerusalem.  Paul commends the churches in Macedonia as first giving of themselves and then also to the will of God.  Paul talks a lot about the spirit in which we should give.  He isn't just talking about money here, for he commends the Macedonians for giving of themselves.

     You see people sometimes who think that this world is just about accumulation of stuff.  They work very hard for their own personal goals and attain things.  But, how much are they really investing in the kingdom.  How much am I really investing in the kingdom.  What are you doing that is going to stand the test before that judgment seat of Christ?  Some people live as though this is the end and they won't have to one day stand before God.  But, the word of God tells us differently.

     The question is really about whether or not I am willing to give to Christ whatever he requires of me without reservation.  Does he already have my heart and my will or am I firmly on the throne of my own life.  Is his goals and will for my life important or just my own will?  Am I sowingly sparingly?  I think this passage really calls us to examine our own attitudes about giving to others with a spirit of generosity and grace.  God treats us with grace and expects us to treat others that way also.  So much of the time, that is lacking in the church today.

     By investing in eternity, I am primarily talking about investing in people.  For the things of this world and stuff will wear away, but people are eternal.  God cares about people.  He sent his son to die for people.  What am I doing to help other people and to reflect in my life that I know the risen Lord?  Are you using your talents and gifts to enlarge the kingdom?  The good news is that to do so, doesn't mean you need to change vocations or go somewhere overseas.  Grow where God has already planted you.  Your mission field is around you.

    Some people don't think they have gifts because they can't sing well or preach or do other things.  The fact though is that all of us have the ability to be kind, to share, to give, to love, to show compassion.  This world can be a very dark place.  Many people that we come into contact with on a weekly basis have experienced heartache and abuse in a variety of ways.  You would really be surprised if you truly knew how much a kind word, an act of compassion or a handshake means to some people who are hurting.