drcheeks, maybe just a little behind: The Lion the Tin Man and the Scarecrow

Once upon time, there was a journey of four friends and a little dog named Toto. In this fairytale journey, one of the friends was far from home, wishing with all her heart to return. The second was made of straw with no brain; the third made of tin, with no heart and the fourth a lion without courage. The journey was a quest in search of what they thought they did not have. At the end of their quest it turns out home was just a click away. The tin man had big heart, the scarecrow brains, and the lion had courage all along.

In our Christian journey, God’s word says

that we are more than conquerors[1]. It tells of great love Jesus had for us. He had the power not to go to the cross[2], yet chose to do so to pay a price for sin we could not pay. Because He[3] did this, we received a gift and with it became more than conquerors. More than a conqueror is someone who possesses something and is able to defend against anyone trying to take it. No one can take from us what we have received. Jesus is our ally and benefactor. His power and courage to give his life secured this immovable treasure within us.[4] We not only possess this great treasure, we are able to defend and keep it. We choose to trust Him for salvation. The same Bible that speaks of this salvation also says this great truth about us. A great gift we received by grace[5].

For many reasons, like the travelers in the Wizard of Oz we have come to see this treasure as something far off in the distance. Something some wise man, preacher, self-help book or wizard will one day give. However, like these travelers, the scriptures say what we seek we too already possess. We lack nothing because of Him. He has declared us already complete and immovable. Like all other promises of God they are turned into substance by trusting Him. We do this by taking His word and choosing to trust by doing what He instead of what we think, feel or see. In other words, we behave accordingly. In doing this, our actions may be the only evidence what the Father says about us is true[6]. By this faith we then become immoveable and brother to Jesus, the one who did the same to the end.

Jesus is not ashamed to be called our brother because we have also chosen to trust God.[7] The Bible calls Jesus our Captain[8], or literally the “First runner”. He was one who did it first so that we many follow. He, above everyone else trusted the Father the most and laying down His divinity at the Fathers request by became a man. He chose to gamble that the Father was faithful to all he had promised. Jesus’ chose to give His life as a ransom[9] for many. His action showed He chose to trust God the He would gain back the life willingly laid down. Jesus had no proof of His resurrection any more than we have evidence we are more than conquerors, or that the Father accepts us. We, like the one that went before us have the Father’s promise to us, and on that, like Jesus we have this hope and choose to hang our actions of everyday life on Him.

The greatness within us is a gift. This gift sets us free bringing peace, adventure and much more[10]. For this reason, it is not wise to take too much time in judgment of ourselves. God is greater than our hearts that may condemn us. Justification comes from Jesus not our behavior. If our hearts do condemn[11] us for something wrong, God is greater than our hearts and is well able to restore us as a kind loving Father who cares for His child. With our kind Father[12] and Jesus on our side who can be against us[13]? Even our own self-esteem, opinion of ourselves[14] and what we clearly lack, like the four travelers, must bow to Him who says we already possess what we’re looking for. We too, though we don’t see it will act as if we do, not because we are false[15] or have exaggerated opinions of ourselves, but because we trust in the one who promised. We can and so act accordingly, because we trust Him. He is our strength to do[16] and our hope in all things.

[1] Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A37&version=NKJV

[2] John 18:2 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials(N) arrested Jesus.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18&version=NIV

[3] Romans 5:15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5&version=NLT

[4] 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

[5] Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4&version=KJV

[6] Romans 4: 16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”[d] This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[e] 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

[7] 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3&version=KJV

[8] Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A10&version=NKJV

[9] Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A27-28&version=KJV

[10] Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3&version=KJV

[11] 1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A19-21&version=NIV

[12] Romans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[a] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A15-39&version=NLT

[13] Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8&version=NIV

[14] 1 Corinthians 4:4 My conscience(A) is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+4:4&version=NIV

[15] Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3:19&version=NIV

[16] Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=NKJV

drcheeks, maybe just a little behind

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Lion the Tin Man and the Scarecrow

[1] Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

[5] Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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