The Marvel of the Unbound

Palm Sunday march through Kabale Uganda 

 In our home at this time of year we have a custom of reading through the accounts of the passion week in the Bible. The last week of Jesus's life before his crucifixion has many scenes that inspire us with awe. From his triumphant entry into the city to his last words on the cross our hearts are captured by His. We struggle to wrap our hearts and minds around all that is happening. At times we get glimpses of Jesus that show us both his humanity and deity. We see God in the flesh fulfilling his mission on the earth and Jesus bearing our sin and guilt on the cross. Along the way we see the emotional upheaval of both his disciples and Jesus himself. Peter is passing though some rough waters in these last days. They all were trying to make sense of what they were witnessing. Their Lord and master allowed himself to be arrested by the very authority they believed he would free them from. They witnessed the "trials" where Jesus was convicted out of jealously and deceit. Despite the fact that Pilate found no fault in him he was handed over to the will of the people who were clamoring for his death. They chose instead to free a criminal who became the first to have Jesus take his place on the cross. In the mind, will, and emotions of the disciples it was not suppose to end this way. Despite the fact that Jesus had told them repeatedly what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem they could not or would not hear it. By the time Peter got to the warming fire at the high priest's house he was wrung out and emotionally spent. His denial though tragic, was possibly due to shattered expectations. 

He thought he knew this Jesus, but now he wasn't sure. For the moment his hopes were gone. Jesus reassured him with a knowing glance. Peter's tears flowed in repentance !   I have no doubt all of us have experienced some shattered expectations or had some unfulfilled hopes. Some no doubt have endured great loss and heartache. It's part of our life here and is designed to keep us close to Jesus.

    Of all the many scenes we read about in this last week of Jesus's life on earth there is one that recaptures me every time I  read it. In Matthew and Mark when they record the interview Jesus had with Pilate. I am always struck with how Pilate marveled at Jesus. In John's account Pilate said," Are you not speaking to me? " -reminding Jesus that he had power to crucify or release him. In John 19:11  Jesus reminds Pilate where the real power is. The point here is that Pilate marveled at Jesus because he wouldn't defend himself. Jesus was not moved by any of the accusations of his accusers . He was calm, he was not retaliatory, and when reviled he did not revile in return. So much so that the Bible says Pilate marveled. Oh to be marveled at! I wonder why people don't marvel at us, his followers more. Too often we let things move us away from the peace we should have in him. Pilate was not the only one who marveled at Jesus. The Bible tells of others of the religious elite of his day that went away in wonder of what they had heard him say. When they tried to trip him up with a question he astonished them again and again with His answers. I believe so many marveled at Jesus and his life and words was because of the truth. The truth of who he was and what he knew set him free. He was unbound from everything and everyone who tried to make him fit their idea of who he should be. Those who are unbound by the truth of who they are in Christ are still marveled at today. So as we celebrate the passion week and the resurrection of Jesus let's find ourselves in the words of Psalm 71:7 "I have become as wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge." Amen !

Scripture ref,NKJV. 

Unbound One Revelation at a Time

      A few years ago one of the buzz words in the churches was vision. The question would be asked of pastors and church leaders "what is your vision?"What is your vision for the church, the city, the congregation? Maybe a better question would have been, "what are your goals?" for these areas. I am not suggesting that a vision is  bad or not desirable. To be sure the vision question is not without biblical backing. The verse that is sited for this vision question is Proverbs 29:18. "Where there is no vision the people perish vs. 18a KJV. The same verse in the NKJV vs. 18a "Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint. The ESV. 18a says " Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint. So what is the point? The point is that a goal expressed as a "vision" by a particular church or pastor is not the same thing as a "revelation" or a prophetic "vision". Again there is nothing wrong with a pastor or church leadership board setting goals. The issue, in my view is when these goals are said to be the leader's"vision" for the church. The term vision caster is often used by those in leadership and the people are encouraged to wholeheartedly buy in. Those who may disagree or question the "vision" may be seen as "baggage" or "dead weight ". Those who find themselves in that place may no longer be welcome. Unless that "vision"is centered on Jesus it may bind folks to something that is extra-biblical. 

      Those who are unbound by revelation are free from such entanglements. I have noticed that the Lord drops revelations on us one at a time, when He deems we are ready for them. How may times have we read over a passage of scripture ,and then one day we read it again and it JUMPS off the page! In a manner of speaking we "see" something we hadn't noticed before. The examples are too many to list, and they range from the very basic to the very deep and profound. I think most of us come to the gospel knowing that we by nature are sinners in need of salvation. When we take the step of faith and recognize Jesus as our savior we are reconciled back to God, by the finished work of Christ on the cross. Even at this elementary stage we have been given revelation or else we would still be lost. Not long after this it is common to begin to wonder how and when we will be changed. After all our our former life was not acceptable to God, now something has to change. It is not uncommon for the new believer to try to be a child of God ,by acting like he or she thinks Christians should act. Usually after struggling for a time they come to the realization that they can't do it. It's been said that the "I can't" admission is what the Lord has been waiting to hear. When we admit that we can't we discover that He can! This is often followed by the revelation that He never intended to change us. His desire is for us to discover that He has Ex-changed us, our old life for His new life in Christ. Once that revelation is in place in our heart and spirit then it is time to hold on there is more to come. 

      The path to more and deeper revelation is being in His word. As we learn more of Jesus, He delights in taking us to new heights, revealing and confirming who we are. We are His own. In a previous post I mentioned being One with Him from I Corinthians 6:17, a revelation that we are not dual spirited. According to John 5:24 we've passed from death to life even though we're still alive, and we do not come into judgment if we believe in Him who sent Jesus. We are secure in Christ in John 6:37. There is forgiveness for failure I John 1-8 & 9. Life in Christ (with Christ) is our present reality, not just a goal someday. In Philippians 1:22 Paul said "to live is Christ and to die is gain". Take a look at I Peter 3:18b, "being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit". With our spiritual eyes we see ourselves here. We've been put to death with Christ to the flesh and made alive with Him in the spirit! I'm sure you have many of your own revelations which are monumental to your spiritual life. Praise God for them and look for Him to continue blessing you. 

      Jesus gives us His character as we live in Him. Once we are in Him. He gives us His life One Revelation at a Time! 

Grace & Peace,  ( scripture reference ESV except where noted)

Unbound by Our Oneness with Jesus !

      I wonder how many of us have heard the two wolves story? I just ran across it again on social media not long ago. The story is told of a native american grandfather and  his grandson. I've heard it with a variety of tribes mentioned. The old man is telling his grandson about the inner battle that we all struggle with. He tells the youngster that there are two wolves inside us-one is evil and the other is good. Grandfather goes on to describe all the negative facets of the" evil "wolf. In short it is an ugly picture of self interest and ungodly activity. This is then followed by the description of the "good" wolf, which is in sharp contrast to the "evil" wolf. The "good" wolf is full of goodness, things like caring for others, joy, faith, respect and such. These attributes closely resemble the fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22,23. The grandson,after listening intently to the old man's wisdom asks the question, "which one wins? " His grandfather gives the familiar answer "whichever one you feed the most." 

      On the surface the old man's wisdom is spot on and thought to be life changing and a goal for the young man to strive for. If he would just feed the "good wolf" and starve the "evil wolf" all would be well. To be pursuing the "good" and avoiding the "evil" is the message left to us by the story. Unfortunately this story is nothing more that christian Taoism with it's symbol the yin and the yang. You have probably seen it, the circle with half white and half black. While pursing the good "white" the evil "black " is right behind us. My friend the late Dr. M. Wells told me once if you put a trunk on that circle what you have is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree that believers in Jesus should avoid, which our foreparents chose to partake from in the garden. Good and evil are from the same tree with the same root. 

      The implication in this story is that we have two natures. It may not be stated in so many words, but that is the subtle message. We are encouraged to strive for the good and avoid the evil and at the end of the day which ever one we fed the most wins the day. 

      The blessing of being Unbound by our oneness with Jesus is knowing  we are not dual spirited after conversion. The apostle Paul tells us plainly in I Corinthians 6: 17 "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes ONE spirit with him." This is a simple statement yet with life changing impact! The child of God is free to shift their focus from the tread mill of the wrong tree, which the enemy of our souls tries to keep us on. Jesus is inviting us to step off the tread mill of "good and evil"and into the fullness of the tree of Life. His desire is for us to recognize that we are united as one with the Father and Son. In order to live as Unbound servants, bound only by love and rejoicing in our Oneness with Him. 

      Look again at John 17 ground zero for our oneness with Jesus. The fact of oneness begins in v.11 b ''that they may be one even as we are one. It continues in v. 21 " that they may all be one,just as you Father,are in me ,and I in you,that they may also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The thought continues on through v.23 where Jesus says," I in them and you in me , that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and loved them even as you loved me". 

      To be sure there is a battle raging in our souls. It is the battle between the flesh and THE  spirit. It is not between the spirit and the other spirit. We know which one to yield to! 

Grace & Peace

(Scripture reference:  ESV.)

   

Unbound by Forgiveness

      

      To those of us who are blood-bought children of God there are many bedrock truths of our faith.  We have them and exercise in them by our faith and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I think all of us will admit that all of these truths are above our ability. In fact we cannot live them out in the power of the flesh. We must tap into the life of Christ within us for them to be evident to the world around us. Forgiveness is one of those bedrock truths that we struggle with. Because when someone has wronged us we want justice rather than mercy. Then the Holy Spirit reminds us that WE have received mercy rather than justice.Then we can move into forgiveness and see the results of true forgiveness and marvel and wonder why it has been so long in coming. The unbinding that accompanies a forgiving spirit is priceless. I happen to believe that the Lord Jesus wants us to be unbound in our walk with Him. By withholding forgiveness we continue to be bound by it. At times we let the negative thoughts and emotions ruin our day or week or even longer. If we stay there too long we might start listening to the voice of the accuser as he tries to drive a wedge between us and God and the one we  need to forgive. When we do chose to forgive the unbinding we feel is indescribable. Forgiveness doesn't make the news. When those who have been at odds or worse forgive one another the world barely notices. We don't often see pictures of people forgiving one another and getting on with life. 

      In the picture above that is exactly what we see. This photo was taken a couple of years ago in Rwanda. The man on the right is my friend Charles. The man in the center is Jean Paul, one of Charles neighbors from his village, holding the sticks he is using for crutches. Charles is a survivor  the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Jean Paul is one of the men who took part in the killing in those dark days. It is estimated that there were between 800,000 and a million people killed from April to July 1994. Charles lost around sixty of his family members including his father, sister, and, a brother. The day this photo was taken Charles and I had gone out to the village to check on a small plot of coffee we have growing there. As we where leaving Jean Paul and his wife,also pictured, came walking by. He had been hit by a pick up truck and had suffered several broken bones. He had surgery and had been in the hospital and was just now starting to get around. Charles heard that his neighbor had an outstanding balance for his medical expenses. So from the small profit from the coffee that year Charles cleared the balance for Jean Paul. You are looking a a picture of the Grace of God and the forgiveness that only comes from knowing Jesus and the Hesed (lovingkindness) that flows from Him. From the man who lost family and was nearly killed himself, forgiveness to the man who participated in the killing. All in an attempt to show his neighbor the love of Christ and the gospel of peace.   

      The apostle Paul said in his defense before Agrippa in Acts 26: 15-18 (please read after reading this) look at v.18. Jesus speaking, "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God,that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." If we have these things ,forgiveness of sins, and a Place among the sanctified by faith in Jesus, then we have no excuse for withholding forgiveness. He is our destination! ( Scripture reference E S V. )

The Unbound

      Last weekend we were in Mt. Hermon Ca. in a cabin enjoying the beauty of redwood and giant sequoia trees. On Saturday morning I got a call from a friend who asked us to pray for his daughter. She was in the hospital and declining rapidly he said. Four months earlier she had been in a tragic head on collision. She suffered a compound fracture of one of her legs,and an arm was basically crushed. She also broke her pelvis. It was a miracle she survived. By the time of my friend's phone call, all of her bones had healed and she was about to start rehab to hopefully begin walking again. However the night before the phone call she was taken to the E.R. with terrible pain. It appeared to be an undetected injury from the accident. She was septic and they tried valiantly to save her but early that Sunday morning she departed for her home in Heaven at the age of 27. After receiving that message from my friend on Sunday morning my wife and I were in shock and disbelief. This man had lost his father and his wife and now his daughter in the span of four years. A couple of years ago he was remarried and has a wonderful wife by his side to walk with him through this time of sorrow. 

      Later that day I sat on the deck of that cabin taking in the view of the forest below me. I began reading again from John's gospel chapter 11,  in particular the account of the raising of Lazarus. The old familiar passage began slowly to bring some comfort as I tried to come to grips with the passing of Amber. It was not in the familiar details or the drama of Jesus speaking the resurrection of Lazarus, where my soul began an upward climb. It was with the final words of verse 44 where Jesus said to them "Unbind him and let him go." The idea of being unbound in Christ and by Christ lifted my head and heart. There is no telling how many time I've read those words, but on that Sunday morning they impacted me afresh. While it is true Lazarus had to pass through death again, he would no longer fear it,or be bound by it. Amber was not going to be bound by death or anymore struggles here in this life. She is unbound in heaven and enjoying eternity with her mother and grandfather and yes Jesus himself face to face. 

      Then I began to think about how we are also "Unbound in Christ". I think at times we forget about the freedom we have in Jesus as His children. We allow ourselves to be bound up by certain things and circumstances that come our way. Some of these are possibly out of our control and others we may bring on ourselves. It could be that some of these things are well known to us. We have no problem identifying them. Others are more covert or subtle. Maybe we're bound by performance or trying to meet another's standard. Maybe some are still trying to impress the Lord who is no longer keeping score. We've either passed from death to life or we haven't according to John 5:24. If this truth is your truth, then let's begin today to realize that we are "The Unbound" in Christ and start enjoying His fullness right here right now! Begin to hear Him speaking these words to and of you "Unbind him or her, and let him go! 

Father's Day

My father and Grandfather William Wolfe and William Wolfe II .

      Another Father's Day has rolled up on us. The next thing you know it will be Christmas. The year is half gone and I'm remembering some of my dad's words. He once told me the older you get the faster time goes by. I didn't want to admit it at the time but I think he may have been right.  If your dad is still with us on this "dad's day"let him know what he means to you. Hopefully most of your dad memories are positive. All of us dads need grace and forgiveness. 

      I'm thinking today of our heavenly father and the relationship that we have with Him through His son Jesus. In the gospel of John the word father is used 109 times. Jesus himself uses the word extensively in John also. It's not  my intention to dig them all out here for you. The Father and Son and the Holy Spirit are one. To be sure it is difficult for us to understand fully the trinity.  As believers we must come to grips with the realization that there are some things we're not going to figure out this side of heaven. In the words of Arthur Burt, a brother from Wales who has since passed on, "We are not meant to know, we're meant to believe." We have to rely on our faith to move us on to the fullness available in Christ. 

      Let's look at a few examples of Jesus speaking about His father in John's gospel. In John 2:16 " Take these things away, do not make my Father's house a house of trade."In Matthew 21:13 He says it was to be a house of prayer. I'm struck with the image of Jesus defending His father's house and what was suppose to go on there. His father's house was intended for worship and prayer not profit taking from those coming to offer their sacrifices. Moving on to John 5 vs. 19-29 the word father occurs eight times and in v.30 the NKJV has it a ninth time. When we read this section of John 5 we notice what has been called "the passport to heaven," or "my passport to heaven." This includes the "life grant" that the father has given the son, which the son passes on to those who believe in him. Notice with me the words in v.25b" but has passed from death to life! " When you finish reading these verses in chapter 5 pop on over to chapter 6. Please read vs. 27-40 you will read the words "the father" or" my father" about four more times, with a couple of" the one who sent me" in there, too. 

      As I put a wrap on this post notice that up to this point every reference was either "the father" or "my father". However, after the resurrection the phrase changes. Look now at John 20: 17 b. "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God!" Because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, the Father is now our Father and Jesus is our elder brother and our savior for evermore. This is true on the basis of our faith in a crucified and now risen Lord Jesus Christ.

      Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! 
(all scripture reference E S V, except where noted.)

The True Vine ... The True Locale

       As the sun sets on another week, and as we prepare for the dawn of another, I'm thinking about how Jesus redirects our focus. I think it's an ongoing process. He redirects our focus and our thoughts so He can open us up the next revelation. As we go deeper with Him I think we can expect to sense His presence working on our thought, in order to prepare us for the next nugget of His life and love and mission. I am not talking about the individual mission He has for us, His children. I think we all have a fairly good handle on that. Simply put it is to reflect His glory to a lost and dying world and to witness to them  that there is a way back to God and a right and reconciled position they can have. It is all wrapped up and ready for them in the Nazarene! All of us will readily confess that we can't do it. Jesus tells us that without Him we can do nothing. It is only as we allow His life to become our life will His life flow to those around us. 

      On a trip to Israel/Palestine earlier this year, I began to get a fuller sense of Jesus' mission. His main purpose of course was to bring a saving gospel and to reveal to mankind the Father, the Creator, through His words and works. No need to rehearse all the features of the "good news" here. If you are reading this I assume you are aware of the basic facts of why Jesus came. From the incarnation to His death and resurrection,and the new birth in Him by faith. All of which I trust is settled in our hearts. So let me move on to this other mission that is not so obvious . I believe it has to do with shifting the focus of those Jesus was ministering to while he was here. I must give a nod here to our guide, David who planted a few seeds that have spawned some thoughts. Thank you, David. When Christ was here most of the people He ministered to were observant Jews. These people already had well defined beliefs, given by Moses, the prophets, the Torah, and the rabbis . Their whole life was focused on their religion. They gave full attention to Torah observance and fulfilling what was required of them. Jerusalem and the Temple was the focus of their spiritual lives. It is where they met with God through the priests, thereby  receiving forgiveness and blessing and hope for the future. Included was the promise of the coming Messiah,but when He came they were unable to abide the New Covenant in His blood. Part of His desire for the people was for them to shift their focus away from geography. That is away from Jerusalem, the Temple, and Judea as the place where God is met. He was trying to teach and show them that now that the Messiah was here, the place of worship and all things spiritual, and the meeting place with God was in himself - Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. 

      I think there are some clues to this desired focus change in the Bible. Israel is referred to in the O.T. as the "vine"for instance in Isaiah:5:1, 3-7and  Psalm: 80;1, 12-16. The imagery of Israel as the "vine " was well know to the Israelites . Jesus in John 15:1 tells the disciples the He is the True "vine". It's no longer about geography and place. True worship and fellowship with God is now found in Jesus, whose Father is the vine dresser! In John 10:9 Jesus tells them and us "I am the door. If any one enters by me ,he will be saved and go in and out and find pasture". Again in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, ans the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The temple, the meeting place with God is in Jesus . He is trying teach them that He is the true vine now, that Israel pictured for them till He came. He not only is the True Vine, He is also the True Locale. I was also able to go to Jacob's well in Samaria, In the present day city of Nablus . Which is between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal. While there the words of John 4 were present in my heart. The interview that Jesus had with the woman at the well shook me as I remembered His words. After she had said in John 4:2 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,( I could see her pointing up to Mt. Gerazim just over my shoulder) but you say Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. Jesus said to her in v.21"Woman believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.  v.23" But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him". I think we have trouble realizing the impact of those words. Here Jesus is trying to shift her ideas about locale. It is no longer about a place or a spot on a map. Christ is the sum of all things spiritual. He is where we meet God and receive His fullness! 

Jesus is our calling, our location, and our destination.( All scripture reference from the ESV)


Grace & Peace.