“by this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:10 NAS95)

We celebrated Passover this year at a Passover Seder. Passover was instituted by God for the Children of Israel to commemorate their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. This event that had taken place was to be remembered forever. So it was that Jesus took care to celebrate this important event.

It was not by chance that it was on the celebration of this event that God would fulfill His promise to Abraham and bless all the nations through Abraham’s seed, Jesus the Christ. So it was that on that day Jesus gathered with His disciples at the Passover Seder and revealed to them the plan of God to bring deliverance to all peoples through the blood of the Passover Lamb. The events that would follow this celebration would for a time leave the disciples bewildered and confused, but when they fully comprehended the events of this night they would remember the memorial that was established by our Lord Himself.

“and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “this is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” in the same way [he took] the cup also after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink [it,] in remembrance of me.” for as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the lord’s death until he comes.” (1Co 11:24-26 NAS95)

Passover would never again be the same. Jesus Christ has become our Passover Lamb. His blood was shed for the remission of our sins. We has been set free from the bondage of sin and death. Not only has Passover taken on a new depth of meaning, but so has freedom. So it is that we with joy celebrate this onetime event that forever changed everything. Our freedom has been bought. We have been redeemed. All that trust in Christ Jesus will live with Him forever. So let us celebrate.

“clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are [in fact] unleavened. for Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Co 5:7-8 NAS95)

The intention of my last post was to inspire you to begin to reflect on the season of Passover that we are now entering.  Passover was and is celebrated by the Jews to this day, but the event itself was not a pleasant joyous event.  It was a night of anticipation, fear, and wonder.  The Passover celebration is about the deliverance that resulted from their obedience to God’s Word.  Their deliverance set them free from slavery and the world, but also from sin and judgment.  This is what Passover celebration is all about.

Now if we follow the continuing story we will find that they were not freed from the ability to sin or the judgment to follow.  But they were free to live in obedience to God and follow Him.  The institution by God for His people to celebrate this event and the deliverance it brought was not only to keep it in remembrance, but it was also to point us ahead to what Christ would do for us on the Cross.

It was not God’s intention to bring His people out into the wilderness to die, but this is what happened to many of them.  It can happen to us today.  If we fail to remember who we are and where we came from we will die in the wilderness just like many of them did.  This is why the celebration of Passover can be so helpful, for it helps us focuses our attention on our Salvation, who is Christ the Lord.  It was not intended to just be a time to bring us back once a year to the truth, but was intended to be a reminder to keep us walking in the truth.  It is because of neglect that it is for most people a needed reminder of how far we as a people have strayed from God’s truth.

So if we are to take a reality check and examine Christianity today in America, and our personal relationship with God, then I think we will realize that this year’s Passover needs to be a time of bringing us back into proper relationship with God.  One of the reasons for this is because the most neglected part of Passover has been the preparation leading up to the celebration.  If we look at the pattern laid out for us in the Scripture we see the removal of leaven from their homes was crucial.  Those who did not cleanse their abodes of leaven were cut off from their people.  It is no secret that leaven typified sin in the Scripture.

As we consider our celebration of Passover on this side of the cross, the truth remains the same.  What was commanded to Moses was reiterated by the Apostle Paul.  “clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are [in fact] unleavened. for Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Co 5:7-8 NAS95)

Modern times have for the most part reduced the feast in the Church to that portion of the feast in which Christ took the bread and the cup, revealed its significance, and commanded that we do this in remembrance of Him until he comes again.  I do not think it is wrong that this has been the center of our focus as we remember His body that was broken for us and His blood that was shed for us.  But I have seen a disturbing trend as much of the Church has neglected to practice that time of preparation that is so essential for our salvation.

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1Co 11:27-29 AV)

Often this part of the instruction is either not read or glossed over in an attempt to allow more people to partake of that which is holy.  If we neglect the time of preparation, of examination and cleansing, then participation becomes detrimental instead of advantageous.  If this is an area we have neglected then we may find there is a need for a real house cleaning.  When there is we should get to it and not neglect that which is so important.  It may also be a reminder that we should not have allowed sin to accumulate.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9 AV)

Let us not neglect this time of preparation as we anticipate the celebration of Passover.  Let us first examine ourselves and then let us eat that we may have our part with Him, our Savior, our Redeemer, Christ the Lord.  For this is Just the beginning as we anticipate the celebration of His Resurrection.  Because He lives we shall also live.  Our salvation, just like the salvation of the children of Israel, depends upon our obedience to our Lord.  Let us not forget the voice of preparation,  “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’”” (Mt 3:3 NAS95)

We are approaching the time of Passover and the celebration of the Lamb that was slain for us.  This celebration was instituted by God at the time He was bringing Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt to establish them as a nation unto God.  Little did they know at the time that this was the pattern in which he would provide salvation to all who under the bondage of slavery to sin.

Their deliverance and life depended upon their care and obedience to the instruction of their Savior.  A lamb was to be slain and the blood posted on their door posts.  Their bread was to be unleavened and they were to be prepared to leave in haste.

Their destination was unknown by this generation who had experienced only the oppression of slavery in the land of Egypt.  Their hasty departure and the facing of seemingly insurmountable circumstances in the following days and weeks ahead may have left them with little time for reflection.  But these events were to establish a nation and forever set the course of history toward the fulfillment of the promise of God to Abraham.  That promise was that through Abraham’s seed God would provide salvation to all of mankind, establishing an everlasting covenant in blood.

So monumental was this event and the pattern that it revealed, that God established a yearly celebration to commemorate this event forever.  Every year we are to take time to reflect and celebrate the Passover.  Of course all these things have become much more significant since Christ became our sacrificial Lamb.  As we begin to prepare for this celebration let us take the time to reflect and consider the profound and life giving significance of this great event.  As with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, our salvation is dependent upon our obedience to the instructions of God.  Our obedience is proof that we truly believe.

I was explaining to my Sunday school class what a carnal Christian was.  Basically a carnal Christian is one who is a babe in Christ and still has the tendency to walk and think after the flesh instead of walking in the spirit.  Now this is an important discussion because Paul tells us in Romans 8:6 that “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”.  So it makes sense that when Paul found the Christians at Corinth acting carnally, he immediately addressed it.

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1Co 3:3-6 AV)

I went on to explain to the class that I have witnessed Christians who idolized preachers or Christian musicians.  It is carnal, or fleshly minded to idolize people.  People of the world idolize movie stars, sports figures, and music stars, but Christians should not idolize anyone, as Paul so aptly points out.  We as Christians, walking after the Spirit, are followers of Christ.  We honor those men who are ministers of the gospel, but it is Christ we are following as we conform to the teachings of Christ.

I even went on to explain that there is a great difference between idolizing someone or following them.  For even after Paul scolds them for idolizing him he tells them to follow him.  Of course following a man comes with an important stipulation.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.” (1Co 11:1 AV)

If we idolize a person, we put them on a pedestal in our mind.  They are the performer, we are the spectators.  But if we are following a person then we are doing what we observe them doing.  This is what Christ wants us to do.  To observe what He does and then do it ourselves.  This is truly what it means to follow Christ, to be a participant, to live as He lived, to minister as He ministered, to pray as He prayed.

The lesson content had taken a unexpected turn this Sunday as I had not anticipated talking about following Jesus.  But I was pleased that we had been directed to this most fundamental aspect of Christianity.  Following Jesus is what it is all about.  Being Christian is about being Christ like.  The Great Commission is to declare the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ, but also includes making disciples of those who accept God provision.  Making disciples is simply teaching others how to follow Jesus.

As I left Church that day I was pondering the concept of following Jesus.  It struck me of how easy it is to say, follow Jesus, and how much harder it is to follow Jesus.  I thought again of the difference between idolizing someone and following them.  It is the difference between being a spectator or being a participant.  I thought of the sports heroes who lead their team to victory, or military leaders who lead their troops to victory.  I was reminded of a recent video I acquired; “The Yoni Netanyahu Story”, entitled;  “FOLLOW ME”.  Great leaders lead by example and inspire confidence and courage so that others follow.  There is no greater example than Jesus. The results seen through the disciples that followed Him has never been surpassed.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (Joh 10:27 AV)

As I have been pointing out, following Jesus in more than just rhetoric.  This is where we sometimes have problems, for literally following Jesus can seem to be an unattainable goal.  After all He was the sinless son of God.  And this is the response I usually get when I suggest that our behavior should reflect His.  Or if I suggest that we do or say some of the things that Jesus did and said, I am also confronted with this statement: But He was God and we are sinful humans, we can’t say and do those things.

Sometimes we forget all that is said about Jesus in the Scripture.  It tells us that He emptied himself and became a man.  The term Jesus most used in reference to himself was; the son of man.  Why?  Because that is what He was.  He had to eat, sleep, pray, and weep, just like ourselves.  And the Scriptures tell us that he was tempted in all points just like us.

But wasn’t He God?  Yes He was, but He had emptied himself.  He was reliant upon the Holy Spirit for power and insight just like we are.  And He was filled with the spirit.  But he lived as a man experiencing pain and grief just like we do, and yet he was without sin.

How do we follow that?  I was born a sinner.  How can I follow Him and who He is?  It seems more impossible than it would be to following Russell Wilson onto the football field, or following Yoni Netanyahu onto the battlefield.  If we look at things in this light then we will be more discouraged than encouraged when we are told to follow Jesus.  I am afraid many people are left right here, they feel that they can’t, so they don’t, and they are comforted by those who tell them not to worry about it because we are covered by grace.

As I was driving home this Sunday after church and all these thoughts were going through my mind, many of the things that I had been teaching on recently seemed to be coming together.  I thought what we really need is a better perspective of what God expects of us when He says, “follow me”.  We have come to Christ and seen his crucifixion and resurrection.  But we don’t start by emulating Christ at this point in His life, we can’t.

I remember when I was seven years old and we were hit with a snow storm.  Our power was out and without a water pump we had no running water.  I remember the next morning as my dad took a bucket and went down to the river to fetch some water to flush the toilet.  I went outside and started to follow him through the deep snow.  I followed for a while by stepping into his footprints, but his steps were too long and the snow kept falling down the tops of my boots, so I turned around and went back.  You know I wasn’t expected at seven years old to go to the river to get water, nor could I have done so.  But I did observe the path my father took and how he provided for us.  From a spiritual perspective I am still not sure if I can walk in my father’s footsteps, but I followed his path and it leads me to follow Jesus.

I give this homey illustration to bring us back to what Jesus intends when he asks us to follow Him.  There is a proper starting place, and it is the same for every one of us.  You must be born again.  This concept astounded Nicodemus.  Without a new birth we cannot follow Jesus.  If we are to look at the path that He laid out for us to follow we find that He, in a very physical way, illustrated it with His life here on earth.  He entered this world as a baby.  I know that the Christmas Carol says, “No crying He makes”,  but I don’t believe it.  Crying is how babies communicate and even Jesus as a baby had to communicate: I am hungry, I am wet, or I am cold.  Spiritually it is much the same for us we enter the kingdom of God as a baby, and then we grow, develop, and learn from those who have gone on before us.

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Lu 2:40 AV)

Are you beginning to see what I am getting at?  To follow Jesus we must follow the path He took.  Having been born into the family of God we are blessed and we grow in the grace and wisdom of God.  Following Jesus from this perspective becomes doable.  We take it one step at a time, one day at a time, with that goal in mind that if we continue on the path that he laid out for us we will attain to the mature image of Christ in due time.  Doesn’t this make much more sense than sending a seven year old out on the field to play football with Russell Wilson?, or following Yoni Netanyahu into battle?

I think we would be amazed at the results if we would do Christianity correctly (following Jesus).  We are given a glimpse into the progress of Jesus when He was but twelve years old.

“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” (Lu 2:46-47 AV)

This is the pattern that should be followed by those who have been born again.  If we have been following Jesus for twelve years in submission to his teaching, I believe that people would also be astonished at the understanding and answers we would have gained from the word of God.  But don’t forget to notice that Jesus at this point was still listening and asking questions, and so should we be doing, for we have not yet attained that which we are destined to.  An when questioned by his  parents, who had search for Him for three days, He answered them:

How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Lu 2:49 AV)

Or in other words; You should have known where to look for me.  You were told my destiny.  Where else would I have been?  This is my path.  We must also be about our fathers business. We have been told our destiny.  For us personally our path entails learning His business and practicing what we are learning.  That would be following Jesus.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Lu 2:52 AV)

Many who call themselves Christians seem to have given up on the concept of living a holy Christ like life.  I wonder how much of this is due to the fact that they try to envision themselves immediately trying to emulate the mature Christ, rather than attaining that by following the path that Christ took?  Faith has to start by believing what God said is true.  We must start with a new birth.  That experience in which we are made clean and pure before God, that encounter with God should inspire us to cry for more.  We need more teachers who understand the process, that will help babies out of the cribs and inspire and help them to begin to walk and talk.  It is not a painless process, but an extremely rewarding process that inspires faith, build faith and propels us toward maturity.

There is much more that could be said for we have not touched on the many ways in which He helps us as we follow.  Such as how He has promised to be with us, guide us, empower us, etc.  All this will be experienced if we will just simply follow.

Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the increase.  Jesus call his disciples to be fishermen of men.  But they did not start out that way.

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt 4:19 AV)

• We’ve considered high and noble things
• That become those who do declare
• Their allegiance to God’s Holy Son
• And His pleasure their highest care.
•  
• But now our task has just begun
• For knowing is just part.
• It’s action, doing, living, now,
• That must spring forth from our heart.
•  
• For if we His disciples be
• And would follow as He said,
• We’ll not just cast these things aside
• But take heed to what we’ve read.
•  
• For unless these words He gave abide
• And shine forth in word and deed.
• There’s no way to grow or go from here
• No matter how much we read.
•  
• Don’t work on the blossom, the bud must come first;
• And before the bud comes the stem;
• Just live by the words that proceed from God’s mouth
• And leave the miracle of life up to Him.
•  
• Follow me, He commanded His disciples that day,
• And fishers of men, I’ll make you to be
• So they followed obediently just as He said
• And make them, He did, don’t you see?

 Joel G. Gunderson

Bob Gunderson

We are already one month into the new year.  I have much on my heart concerning holiness and our sanctification as believers in Christ.  But to tell you the truth I am struggling to put my thoughts in writing.  I can’t help but notice the freefall of our society as we are plunging toward destruction, seemingly unchecked.  It is not as if there are not voices out there warning people of the demise of this once great country, but it seems like those intent on our destruction have been given free rein and can’t be stopped.  It would be much more pleasant if I focused on the good things that God is continuing to do in the world around us, for God is still working and doing mighty works in people’s lives.  But occasionally I think it is prudent for us to pause and acknowledge the unpleasant realities all around us also, lest we succumb to the deceitfulness of Satan’s rhetoric that is so prevalent in the world today.

We have just heard the voice of our leader declaring the state of our union.  I won’t go into details here, but in essence we were told that we are making progress toward resolving our difficulties.  We are going to be all right if we continue and accelerate the direction that we are going.  And what is the direction that we are going?  And what will we look like when we get there?  We are given a rosy picture that in no way matches reality.  It is no secret that a vast number of people are deceived by these lies.  The question is; How can they be so blind?  How is it that they cannot put two and two together and see the facts that are staring them straight in the face?  It is bad enough that the country is being bankrupted financially.  But more importantly it is becoming morally bankrupt.  All this is taking place in plain sight, and yet the masses don’t seem to be that upset.  Why?

It is hard to believe that there isn’t some willful ignorance going on.  People either have chosen to believe the lie or they have chosen to live like they believe the lie.  They simply don’t want to believe that they are going to have to pay for what they are receiving, that there is a cost associated with benefits received.  And I am not talking just about material things.  The unrepentant immoral behaviors taking place in our society also have a cost.  Some of these costs are already being realized through disease, corruption, thefts, murders, molestations, divisions, dissention, hatred, etc. , but the final cost is eternal separation from God.  Our nation is going under like a sinking ship.  The moral depravity of culture is creating holes in our hull and the flood is beginning to sink us.  Unfortunately the strategy of government fixes today is to drill a larger holes in the bottom of the ship to let the water out.  No wonder we are going into a death spiral.

As Christians we need to stay focused on Jesus and the mission that he has given us.  The above reality that we are living with presently can be quite a distraction.  It is far past the point of bandages and stitches, only a revival can save America from certain destruction.  But our focus has to remain the same.  We are called to be the light of the world.  We can only be an efficient light as long as we ourselves remain holy, living in the fear of God, dedicated as ambassadors for Christ.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mt 5:16 AV)

We can only accomplish this by trusting and relying on the power of God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Our sanctification will result in eternal life for us.  But more than this it is the power of God to provide a witness to the world around us, a witness of help and healing and hope for an otherwise dying world.  May the Apostle Paul’s prayer for those at Thessalonica be also our pray for ourselves and the Church of God.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:23 AV)

How was your Christmas?

I have observed through the years the tremendous effort many people put into making Christmas day a success. Obviously when we consider all that is associated with Christmas and our celebrations and traditions around this time of year, there is a lot more going on here than can be contained with in a day. Christmas day is the culmination of this season of celebration. For many of us the day is spent with family and friends with gifts, fellowship, and a lot of good food.

The downside is that after our efforts to make this time special and meaningful, we often end up exhausted.  If we are not careful physical fatigue can lead to discouragement or even depression.  I believe the key to maintaining the joy of the season and riding it into the new year rests in our focus.  This exhortation from  the Apostle Paul guides our focus to those things that we need to focus on.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Php 4:8-9 AV)

The following poem I wrote several years ago after observing the effects of holiday stress.

Expectations

Christmas day was almost nigh.
Our expectations were riding high.
Children’s hopes for presents and toys.
Fulfilled wishes would bring forth joys.
Hurried parent scurrying here and yon.
A few more shopping days until Christmas dawn.
Cleaning and baking, morning till night.
It’ll all be worth it when all is just right.

Then comes the dawn of that glorious day.
Merry Christmas we then hear everyone say.
We open the presents with everyone round.
Feasting, with all kinds of food, does abound.
Talking and laughter with family does ring.
Music fills the air as together we sing.
Is there anything that we have not done,
To some how make this day most fun?

The day after Christmas, the house is a mess.
Am I getting sick, or is it just stress.
Exhausted and worn from running too long.
We reflect on all the things that went wrong.
The toy that is broken, a sweater won’t fit.
Brother and sister will together not sit.
Expectations that had once run so high.
Seem dashed into pieces, left with a sigh.

Has anything ever met up to our expectation?
Has anything ever added up to our computation?
Things we get, things we do, and people we know,
Nothing ever happens exactly the way it should go.
Since the fall of mankind, this world’s never been good.
Do we really expect it to respond as it should?
If we expect it to be perfect, our expectations aren’t real.
Should we run with our ego and the things that we feel?

Then let us review things, and begin to think as we should.
For God is still with us, and we know that he is good.
Now all of the good thing that for us God gave,
And all that we’ve done, we’re not able to save.
Unless we look only for good and seek what is right.
Overcoming evil with good, and reflecting only God’s light.
Thanking God for each blessing to us he did bestow.
Enjoying life’s pleasures, that through him we now know.

Its not necessarily bad to have expectations of good.
But it won’t always come like we think that it should.
How many times have we missed blessings untold.
Because we were expecting OUR plan to unfold.
We didn’t enjoy Sam because Ted didn’t show.
Didn’t taste the Ham, it wasn’t a turkey you know.
Missed all the smiles, because one person frowned.
Saw only a flaw, when many glorious blessings abound.

Put God, His purpose, His will at the top of the slate
Our expectation were selfish, at best second rate.
If we love Him and trust Him with all of our heart
He’ll make all things work together, for good on our part.
Thank Him and praise Him as we know that we should.
God’s blessings surround us, if we’ll just look for His Good.
Don’t be robbed of the life, love, and joy Jesus brought .
By selfish expectation and the things we have not.

Jesus Christ, Emanuel, God with us, blessings from above.
God sent his Son to save our souls showing us His love.
Peace on earth, blessed truth, to those that would believe.
Love and life, peace and joy to those that would receive.
Trees, presents, bells and bows, pretty things are all around.
Serve yet to remind us that many good things do abound.
Precious things, holy things, goodly things, and godly things.
Gentle words, fill the air, with songs that families sing.
It’s not our work, or expectations that make Christmas a success.
A humble heart, a thankful spirit, it’s God who then can bless.

 Bob Gunderson

Historically we as Americans look back to the Puritans as the originators of our traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration.  Of course the roots of it go back much further that this.  For the inspiration for this feast day goes back to the institution of the Feast of Tabernacles at Mount Sinai.  It is a day of remembrance that causes us to stop and reflect upon our blessing that all originate from a loving and merciful God.

Christians of course should acknowledge their thanksgiving to God every day.  Many years ago I came to the realization of how easy it is to accumulate bad feelings and attitudes when confronted with our daily challenges and struggles.  I came to the conclusion that there were at least these two things that I must maintain in my life on a daily basis.  One is a forgiving spirit, and the other is a heart of thanksgiving.

It is because we as humans have a tendency to get busy and neglect time to reflect on the goodness of God, that a day set aside for Thanksgiving is so very important.  I can think of no greater illustration of this than the record in the book of Nehemiah.  It happened after the walls of Jerusalem had been restored that the people gather together and the Word of God was read.  The result was that the people began to weep as the recognized how far they had drifted from following the holy Law of God.

“then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest [and] scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “this day is holy to the LORD your god; do not mourn or weep.” for all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. then he said to them, “go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our lord. do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” so the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them.” (Ne 8:9-12 NAS95)

And this was just the beginning, for the next day they came together for the reading of the Scripture.  The results was a revival of the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and a return of a nation to following the Law of God.  Oh, that our nation would return to its roots and give thanks to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  But it must start first with our individual families.  Let this day truly be a day of celebration and thanksgiving to a most gracious Heavenly Father.

Read Nehemiah chapters 8 and 9.

With thanksgiving,

Bob Gunderson

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Mt 19:16-21 AV)

Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: …  This statement by Jesus has perplexed some people because Jesus was good.  He was also was God.  This question is left unanswered.  Was Jesus asking: Do you really know who I am?  Do you recognize that I am the Son of God?

If we recognize who is answering the questioning of this man then the answer to us becomes very significant.  What do I have to do to have eternal life?  Jesus answer is; “keep the commandments”.  Interestingly enough the man is not satisfied with so simple of an answer.  “Which ones?”  Jesus quotes the commandments dealing with our relationships to others.  Can it be that easy?  “I have done these things from the time I was a child: what am I still lacking?”  Have I been good enough?

As I was pondering this passage of Scripture the recent DVDs put out by Ray Comfort came to mind.  In his street ministry Ray occasionally asks people the question: “Are you a good person?”  Most of the people he asks this question answer: “Yes I am a good person.”  Of course their answer is given before he confronts them with the commandments.  When he asks if the ever lied, stole, taken the Lord’s name in vain, or committed adultery, their answers reveal that they are not such good people.  This man that Jesus was speaking to had followed the righteousness of the law, yet he still questioned what it was that he lacked.  Maybe that was because he was confronted with one who truly was good.  It is at this point that Jesus probes to the heart of the matter, and gets very personal.  Sell all you have, give to the poor, and follow me.

I believe that this man’s assessment of loving God and loving his neighbor as himself was brought to bear as he was confronted with those things he was not willing to part with.  The man went away sorrowful.

What must we do to obtain eternal life?  This question is still pertinent today.  The answer has not changed.  Keep the commandments, forsake all, and follow Jesus.  I know that there are those that will tell you that you can’t do this, and don’t have to because Jesus did it all for us and we don’t have to do anything.  But that is not what Jesus said.  The Scripture tells us that if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.  A study of the Scripture shows us that that means we keep the commandments, forsake all, and follow Jesus.  I know that we cannot do this without help from the Holy Spirit, but that is what believing in Jesus is all about.  Discipleship is all about following Jesus.

“as obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the holy one who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”” (1Pe 1:14-16 NAS95)

 Bob Gunderson

Is it just me?  Or is there really a widening gap between what Christians should do and what they do?  When I recently used the word “should”,  I said as Christian’s we should … , I received the following response.  “Should? Ha Ha Ha, Like people always  do as they should.”

Why don’t Christians do as they should?  Why is this presented as such a ridiculous proposal that we as Christians live according to the code that is intended to identify who we are?  Am I the only one who is troubled when I frequently hear the statement, “Christians sin”?  Or when I hear Christians telling non-believers that they sin too, as if this will help draw people into accepting our way of life?  Am I out of step with reality, or is the American Church becoming irrelevant?  I see a widening gap between how Christians live and how they should live.  I think we are way past due for a revival in the Church.

I remember a few years ago when I was busy and it was getting late.  I wandered down stairs to find out that my daughter had not gone to bed yet.  I said, “It is late you should go to bed”, and then I went back to my task at hand.  Sometime later I went back down stairs to find that she had not gone to bed.   “I told you to go to bed, why are you not there?”  She replied, “You didn’t tell me to go to bed, you just said that I should go to bed”.  I was taken back.  “Go to bed”, I said.

I recognize that in time language changes, but principles remain the same.  To many people “should” has come to mean that action is not imperative, but optional.  As time goes on it seems like people’s response to doing the things that they should do is increasingly choosing the option to not do the things that we should.  This is having a devastating effect on how Christians behave.  It is affecting how Christians respond to the commands of God, they know what they should do, but they don’t.

The dictionary definition of the word “should”, is past of “shall”.  As Christians if we should do something, then it is something that we ought to do, and if you ought to do it, then DO IT.  How can we define ourselves as believers if we don’t respond in a positive way to the Word of the Lord?  There needs to be an adjustment in our thinking, if there is something that we should be doing, then let us be doing it.

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Ps 37:3 AV)

Bob Gunderson

Prejudice can and often does affect our opinions.  The problem is that sometimes we develop our convictions based upon opinions instead of founding our conviction on truth.  Now we would like to think that OUR opinions are based on truth, but a close examination my prove differently.  It is easy to allow our desires, feelings, experiences, and the opinions of others, to affect OUR opinions.  In other words OUR opinions and other people’s opinions can be all over the board.  They may or may not reflect truth and reality.  If we are not careful this can result in prejudices or biases that can damage or harm others.  Worse yet these prejudices can bring reproach on us, the Church and ultimately on Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prejudice or pre-judging can cause harm to people.  It can also can either cause us to have experiences that are harmful or miss experiences that would be good for us.  In Dr. Suess’s charming story, “Green Eggs and Ham”, Sam I am breaks through an obvious prejudice through sheer perseverance.  While this story may be a great tool to reveal the oftentimes silly roots of our prejudices, it does not give us the tools to rightly judge what is good and right.  Dr. Suess (Theodor Seuss Geisel) certainly was gifted with the ability to illustrate ideas in a charming and entertaining way.  “Horton Hears a Who” is a good example of a story that powerfully promotes the value of a person.  It is summed up with the statement; “A person is a person, no matter how small.”  Yet when this statement was used by the pro-life movement Geisel vehemently protested, revealing one of his own prejudices.  If you ever wondered how people could be so supportive of killing innocent unborn children, it is because of their prejudices or pre-judgments.

So how can we as Christians avoid prejudices that can be so damaging to people and our cause?  The answer is simple, but not necessarily easy.  Know the truth.  The retort from those who rationalize is, “What is truth?”  The source of truth is God’s Word.  The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.  If we begin with what God has said, accept it as truth, then our thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be revealed in proper perspective for us to adequately understand what is good, righteous, and true.  A lot of times our prejudices are merely a symptom of our failure to seek for the truth in a matter.  As the writer of the Gospel of Luke begins he forwards with this statement:

“inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” (Lu 1:1-4 NAS95)

Luke was not just telling us a story, but presenting us with the truth in its purity.  We would be wise to do likewise.  If we base our opinions on established truth we will be able to develop convictions that are worth dying for.  What I am talking about goes way deeper than our mere intellect.  Jesus taught us to ask and we would receive, seek and we would find, knock and it would be opened up to us.  He also promised us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

“”but when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative, but whatever he hears, he will speak; and he will disclose to you what is to come. “he will glorify me, for he will take of mine and will disclose it to you.” (Joh 16:13-14 NAS95)

By avoiding prejudices we establish convictions based on truth.  Truth is defendable, both by the Word of God and the test of time.  Wisdom will vindicate her children.  We will still be accused of being prejudiced, but only by those unwilling to research the truth.

Question opinions, try the spirits, put not your trust in your own abilities or logic, trust God.

“but examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” (1Th 5:21 NAS95)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1Th 5:21 AV)

Bob Gunderson