Repentance - No Gamble

 (Note: This post pertains to believers) 

   Due to the significance of and the confusion in the church surrounding the word "repentance," I chose to include this chapter to help clarify some of the misunderstandings surrounding this topic.

I believe Jesus Himself offered one of the best definitions of the word "repentance" when He stated in Matthew 12:41 that the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. I grew up in a denomination that loosely taught that the prophet Jonah went in and told the people of Ninevah to repent. In this famous Bible story, a big fish swallows Jonah and later deposits him alive on the shore. Perhaps, as a young person, you heard the story explained this way, too. When Jesus said the men of Ninevah repented at the preaching of Jonah, we must ask ourselves, what exactly did the prophet Jonah preach to them and how did the people of Ninevah respond?

This story is revealed in the book of Jonah, found in the Old Testament. It's a short book, only four chapters in length, yet it has much to say concerning many topics. The book of Jonah describes the city of Ninevah as having more than one hundred and twenty thousand people who could not tell their right hand from their left (see Jonah 4:11). God had told the prophet Jonah to "go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:2 NIV)  The reluctancy of the prophet Jonah to heed God's request to go to the people of Ninevah is a fascinating study, but I wish to focus on what took place when he (Jonah) finally did obey God's request and how the people of Ninevah responded.

The Bible tells us, "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, 'Go to the great city of Ninevah and proclaim to it the message I give you.'" (Jonah 3:1-2 NIV)  The city of Ninevah was of such a size that it required three days for the prophet Jonah to traverse it. As he did, the message of God Jonah proclaimed to the people of Ninevah was simply this, "Forty more days and Ninevah will be overturned." (Jonah 3:4b NIV) When Jesus said that the men of Ninevah repented at the preaching of Jonah, this is what the people heard; "Forty more days and Ninevah will be overturned."  We are then told in the verse that follows, "The Ninevites believed God."  (Jonah 3:5a NIV) 

Trusting God to be Merciful

What this scripture is saying is that the people of Ninevah believed that what the prophet Jonah was speaking to them were, in fact, God's words. This belief on the part of the king of Ninevah moved the king to decree a time of fasting and a time of calling out to God for all of Ninevah's people. What was spoken by the king of Ninevah in the entirety of this decree reveals his uncertainty of God's character. The king went on to say, "Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from His fierce anger so that we will not perish." (Jonah 3:8b-9 NIV) 

The king, in doing and saying this, took a chance on God's mercy. Perhaps some fled the city. The word of God does not tell us if this was so, but the king could have chosen to flee if he had wanted to. In the king's uncertainty, he took a gamble on God's character, which ultimately revealed a merciful God. Repenting, for the king and the people of Ninevah, did not mean coming to God and confessing all their evil behavior, but relying on God's merciful character and nature. Relying on God, or looking to the faithfulness of God's character, is putting your hope and trust in God and believing in His inherent goodness. (see Heb. 3:12, Rom. 2:4) 

The prophet Jonah was an Old Testament prophet, which meant he was under the Old Covenant law; yet God's nature never changes. The difference for us now is that we are under the New Covenant, and the work of the cross has delivered us from the law and the penalty of breaking the law. God's mercy is extended toward all who rely on Him. This is the certainty we have in Christ. 

It's interesting to note that even God repented in the story of Jonah (remember, repentance means to change the direction of your thinking). Scripture tells us, "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He has threatened." (Jonah 3:10 NIV) God had relented as the king of Ninevah had hoped. He (God) changed the direction of His thinking, yet the whole time God was without sin. 

So it is for us who are born-again. We are the righteousness of God and God is no longer holding our sin against us. We've received an imputed righteousness or a right-standing with God that is apart from the works of the law or our own merit and human effort. As born-again saints, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law, and if we fail, we are free from the punishment of the law that the Old Testament Hebrews were under. Our consciences remain clean. This is the glorious liberty we have been delivered into. 

Hebrews 3:12 (KJV) says, "Take heed. brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." 

Romans 2:4 (NKJV) says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" 

*This is an excerpt from my book, Gates: Thanksgiving Papers, chapter 4. 

Excuse Me? Christian, What Are You Thinking?

The standard of the law is perfection (by your own merit or human effort) if you want to try and keep it apart from faith in Christ. Just look at the Ten Commandments and realize the only man or person who ever walked the earth and kept them all is Jesus. Jesus is fully man and fully God. So, all humanity would need a Savior. That's why in Galatians, it states, "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Gal. 4:4-6 KJV)

You might be saying, that's all fine, but I'm not an Old Testament Hebrew or Israelite, born under the law. Well, think about this, you have standards you live by and place on others and others place on you, that if not met, judgment comes. That's all a law system can do is judge and condemn. Now we do need societal laws and order (structure) in our households, etc. or society wouldn't function properly. But make no mistake about it, the world operates in large part under a law system which is conditional-opposite of the unconditional love of God.

Scripture tells us that through the law we become conscious of sin (see Rom. 3:20). The word "con-science" means: con [with]-science [knowledge], so people living under the law are knowledgeable about their sin. It could be said they're sin-conscious and along with that comes the fear of punishment. (See Hebrews 2:15, Rom. 4:15) This mentality affected the Hebrew people and it affects people today, if they allow themselves to be put under the law.

The Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the Romans, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Rom. 2:14-16 KJV)

When the Apostle John said in his epistle, "there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love," (1 John 4:18 NIV)  The fear that he is referring to is the penalty of wrath one fears from being under the law, but now (as born-again believers) we have been released from the law. (See Rom. 4:14-15, 7:4-6)  The devil has been stripped of his power. His power has been broken because he used the law to condemn us. He took advantage, and still tries to use the opportunity afforded him by the weakness of our flesh, to accuse us every time we fail, but we have been released from the law and the condemnation we suffered while under the law, for scripture refers to the Old Covenant law as the ministration [or ministry] of death, written and engraven on stones. Further on, it is referred to as the ministration of condemnation. (ref. 2 Cor. 3:6-12)

Scripture tells us satan is referred to as the 'accuser of the brethren'. (ref. Rev. 12:10) The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to Colosse how satan was disarmed by the work of the cross "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col. 2:14-15 KJV) This work of Jesus on the cross is where He fulfilled the law as God and Man and through faith in His finished work it is fulfilled in us as well. (ref. Rom.8:4 and 10:4)

The law does serve a purpose, and that is to reveal mankind's guilt and depravity and point them to the Savior as the Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the Galatians "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (ref.Gal.3:22-25)

Through faith in Jesus Christ we are found worthy and not guilty. There is no condemnation for the believer; this is not so for those who are not born again. (ref. Rom.8:1, 2:1-5; John 3:16-18, John 5:24)

Once again as stated in Paul's epistle to the Romans, "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Rom.2:15-16 KJV)

In John's gospel Jesus states "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom ye trust." (John 5;45 KJV) Jesus represents and is grace and truth, but Moses represents the law.

Once again, Jesus says don't even think it!  (ref. John 5:45)

With the Mind I Serve the Law of God

God used the Apostle Paul to write this which is found in the book of Romans, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7 KJV
Backing up to the previous chapter, Paul ends it by stating, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."  Rom. 7:25 KJV

By observing the two scriptures referenced above, we note that one mindset is not capable of serving the law of God and is in fact at enmity (hostile to God) with God and serves the law of sin. Paul refers to this as the carnal mind, while the other mindset serves the law of God and is at peace with God, but notice that either the law of God is served or the law of sin is served; both by the use of the mind. (also ref. Romans 8:6)

We see that earlier in the book of Romans, Paul says this about sin, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Rom. 6:14 KJV
Then he, (Paul) later states, "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" Rom. 7:1 KJV

How many Christians know that we have already died?  Perhaps not all Christians know this because the Apostle Paul asks, "Don't you know..?"  That means you may not know. "Or don't you know, that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Rom. 6:3 NIV
     
Paul writes, in the epistle to the Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20 NIV  To 'have been crucified' means you were killed. In this case, we died together with Christ. Knowing that we died with Christ, we are to also know what is found in Romans chapter 7, verse 4: "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

By dying to the law, we also died to the dominion of the law and the dominion of sin in our lives, as once again stated, "For sin shall not have dominion over you : for ye are not under the law but under grace." Romans 6:14 KJV

Found in the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Colosse, he writes, "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." Col. 2:11-12 KJV

The scripture above tells us we put off the body of the sins of the flesh when we were baptized with Christ. This is why the apostle Paul wrote in the book of Romans, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Romans 8:9a  KJV  Further stated in Paul's epistle to the Galatians, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."  5:24 KJV
Paul also states, "For as many of you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27 KJV  We've died to the law, sin, and the flesh, all at the moment of our conversion, the same time we received the Holy Spirit. (ref. Rom. 7:4 - dead to the law) (Rom.6:11 - dead to sin) (Rom. 7:5, 8:9, Gal. 5:24 - dead to the flesh) (Gal.3:3 - received the Spirit at conversion)

By dying to the law we also died to the penalty of the law or curse of the law, which Christ has redeemed us from. (ref. Gal. 3:13, 4:4) The law also brings wrath and with wrath is a fear of punishment. (ref. Romans 4:15, 1 John 4:17-18) This fear of punishment is what placed the enmity in our minds before we knew the truth of Christ. Because of the weakness of our flesh, we, at times, fail in areas. Once again, Romans 8:7 states, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Paul writes this to the church in Colosse, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.  Col. 1:21-23a  NIV

It's hard to trust a God who you fear is going to punish you every time you fail or come up short in an area, but Christ's sacrificial work of the cross has removed that fear. John writes this in his epistle, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment (punishment). He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:17-18 KJV  It was God's unconditional love that saved us, for He died while we were yet sinners. (ref. Romans 5:8)

All the major religions of the world have a system of works (human effort) which must be obtained or met in an attempt to be in 'right standing with God' (righteousness) in hope of somehow qualifying for heaven after one dies. This is why the writer of Hebrews tells us,  "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV  What separates Christianity from all major world religions is that a 'born again' Christian is in a relationship with Christ by grace through faith, whereby God's Spirit indwells us. The Apostle Paul writes about himself, shortly after stating that he has been crucified with Christ.  "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Gal. 2:21 NIV

Going back to two of our scripture references at the top, found in the book of Romans, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."  Romans 8:7 KJV  and  "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."  Romans 7:25 KJV  Once again, remember that the Apostle Paul writes " But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you."
Romans 8:9 KJV

That's an easy one to qualify for if you're born again!

In the Process of Time

It's commonly believed that in heaven there is no time, for God lives outside of time. It's a hard concept for us on earth to wrap our minds around because almost everything we do on earth is measured by time.

In the letter to the Hebrews, we are advised to be "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb. 6:12b KJV  Further on in Hebrews we read, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Heb. 10:36 KJV  Another translation for the previous verse reads, "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:" NKJV  The definition for the word endurance denotes perhaps a prolonged period of time, the ability to continue or carry on. Faith and patience work together.

Often, under a trial or challenging set of circumstances, our faith is tested over a period of time. (ref. James 1:3) Our faith is what must endure until we receive the promise. Our faith has a faith object and He is Jesus, but of course, the specific trial or circumstance may vary. Perhaps it's income and your need is a financial breakthrough, or it's an illness and your need is recovery or healing. For our faith to stay strong and endure until we receive the promise in reference to our specific need or circumstance, we must be trained to know the truth of our faith object, His character and nature, for after all, it is the nature of the One who made the promise which gives the promise its validity.

How are we to train ourselves to know the truth of our faith object (Jesus) and for that matter, the principles by which His kingdom operates? The Apostle Paul instructed his young disciple Timothy, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Tim. 3:14-16 KJV

The Apostle Peter instructs all young Christians to "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Pet. 2:2-3 NIV  It is perfectly fine and warranted for a young Christian to be growing on the pure milk of the word, but the writer of Hebrews gentle admonition to those of us who have been in the word of God for an extended period of time reads as follows, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Heb. 5:12-14 KJV

Now the above verses are a gentle admonition that God spoke through the writer of Hebrews to instruct us of a vital truth which reflects largely on His nature and our understanding of it. Ultimately, as Christians, we are to have our senses trained or exercised to discern both good and evil. In the book of Isaiah the prophecy of Jesus is given, saying, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." Isa. 7:14-15 KJV

When the Israelites came out of Egyptian bondage and came into the promised land after forty years of wilderness wanderings, the promised land was a land flowing with milk and honey, but what is butter but milk that through a [process of time] has been churned into butter? Once again, "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good."

We seem to be living in a world that has a hard time understanding what is truly good and what is truly evil, but we are not of this world. (ref. John 17:16) The only true and accurate definition of moral absolutes is found in the word of God and refutes the moral relativism which the world offers. Jesus's own words give us the biblical definition of good and evil as He taught in a synagogue on the sabbath. "Then said Jesus unto them, 'I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?" Luke 6:9 KJV  To do good is to save life, and to do evil is to destroy it.  He further states in John's gospel, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 KJV

The devil wants to destroy, steal and kill, but Jesus brings abundant life and heals the brokenhearted, restores that which is stolen and brings liberty and release from bondage. When two of Jesus' disciples wanted to call fire down from heaven, as did Elias, on a village of the Samaritans, scripture tells us what Jesus said, "But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:55-56a KJV  Scripture also tells us, "he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father;" John 14:9b

Scripture further clarifies Jesus' nature by the words of Luke written in the book of Acts, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Acts 10:38 KJV  Jesus is the Healer, while the devil and his cohorts try to oppress with sickness, both physically and mentally. Don't let anyone tell you that God put sickness on you to teach you a lesson. God is a good God! Going back to the words found in Hebrews, "For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." Heb. 5:13 KJV  Righteousness simply means "right-standing with God." You are in right-standing with God if you are born again and have accepted Christ. (ref.2 Cor. 5:21) His atoning sacrifice qualifies us and it's a righteousness from God, apart from our works or performance. (ref. Rom. 3:19-24)  The Apostle Paul said this in the book of Romans, "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."  4:13 KJV  Further in Romans, he also states, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Rom. 10:17 NIV  This is why the Apostle Paul starts out the book to the Romans stating, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." Rom. 1:16-17 KJV Also as stated in chapter seven of Romans;  "But now we are delivered from the law." (vs. 6a)  "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." Rom. 10:4 KJV

Under the Old Covenant of law, their righteousness wasn't based on their belief, but on their performance, for as found in the book of Deuteronomy, "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us." 6:25 KJV  We are to recognize that as born again New Covenant believers, we have received an imputed righteousness (right-standing with God) the moment we became born again. Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness. (ref. Rom. 4:11, 24-25, 2 Cor. 5:21) The Old Covenant Israelites agreement to keep the law, and their relationship with God, was a conditional covenant.

Scripture tells us, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law;" Romans 3:20a, but the scripture references below from the book of Nehemiah written at a time when God's people we're under the law, teach us an important principal about understanding and 'the sense' of the word being obtained.

Understanding of the word of God trains our senses and gives us joy, as expressed in the words of Nehemiah. "So they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra, the priest, the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." Neh. 8:8-12 KJV

Understanding and discernment are gained by spending quality time in God's word and sitting under sound teaching. Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63 KJV  The Spirit and the word work together to bring life to a situation. If you are born again, you have the Spirit of God inside of you. Continued growth and a clearer understanding of God's word through study over a "process of time" allows it to anchor deep in our hearts. ( ref. Col. 2:2 ) We are told in Paul's second letter to Timothy to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15 KJV  We don't study to earn favor with God; we study to affirm that as believers we are already approved of God, delivered from all sin and shame, fully ready for the Master's use.

Once again, as written in the book of Nehemiah, "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (vs. 8)  "And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." (vs. 12)  "...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh. 8:10b

We gain 'the sense' when the word is taught distinctly and caused to be understood. The correct posture towards the word is given, and then can be applied to a situation or circumstance. Consider the definition of the word 'Posture.'

          From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

    2: state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular              circumstances

    3: a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude

Christian, keep churning the milk, in the 'process of time' it will turn to butter. God's word is always faithful, as He is faithful.

       

Jesus is in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed

                                                                                                                                                    "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? " Proverbs 30:4 KJV 
                                                                                                                                                   "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;  Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."  Isaiah 7:14 KJV                                                                                                                                                                                   "And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name  JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:21-23 KJV

Jesus Heals the Man with the Withered Hand

Luke 6:6-10 King James Version (KJV)

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

In the church, we are often healing only part of the man; one of his hands remains withered, so to speak, but God wants it to be restored whole as the other. There are two hands, if you want to phrase it that way, in the church; in the explanation concerning the full gospel. Both of these hands are representative of the truth of God, His nature, His will and His desire. These two hands are in reference to how we received Christ (one hand) and how we continue to walk in Him while on earth (the other hand). Scripture tells us " As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:" Colossians 2:6 KJV  To receive Christ Jesus and to walk in Him are both a total act of dependence on His grace and not our merit.

In a sense, it's a two-handed issue, because the first issue was and is mankind or humanity's problem, caused by the fall in the garden with Adam and Eve, [original sin]. The problem for mankind was solved by Father God who sent His Son to die in our place, for us and as us, so that all who put faith in His finished work would receive the full payment made for their sin and also receive spiritual life, which is to be born-again. ref. 1 Cor. 15:3, Mat. 1:21, Eph. 2:1, John 3:3

Our sin debt has been paid! We now have spiritual life; eternal life. ref. John 3:16  We once were spiritually dead in the water, with no way in our own merit or human effort to save ourselves. Scripture tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8 NIV This is unconditional love. But a transfer had also taken place upon our belief in His finished work. We find in the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21 KJV  

Righteousness simply means right-standing with God. I am in right-standing with God - apart from my works or performance (the law). ref. Rom. 3:21 As God's children this is how God sees us 24/7. This is my and your standing in Christ, if you are a believer. But what if born-again, spirit-filled, righteous believers, saints or holy ones, don't know that they are? The Apostle Paul writes, "Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God:" 1 Cor. 15:34a  Now God is no longer holding our sin against us, as believers, and we have received an imputed righteousness. ref. Rom. 4:5-11, 2 Cor. 5:17-21  

But if a Christian, in their thinking, doesn't realize this, they are endeavoring, by their own performance (or merit), to make themselves something they already are.  In the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Romans, we are told to, "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:11 KJV  As it states in the Apostle Peter's first epistle, "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Pet. 2:24 KJV  

You have to know you died to sin (past tense) to live unto righteousness. Once again, this is a righteousness apart from the law.  ref. Rom. 3:21-22  The first hand is complete for the believer. He or she has gone from sinner to saint, from spiritually dead to spiritually alive, and from unrighteous to righteous; this person is now born-again.  ref. Col. 2:10, Eph. 2:1 Note: Once we are born-again into the kingdom of God-we have eternal salvation and we are assured of heaven, but many of the blessings here on earth are activated by continuing to walk in His unconditional love. This is what I am referring to as the two-handed explanation concerning the gospel.  Now, in the account of Jesus and the man with the withered hand [ref. Luke 6:6-11], the religious leadership of the synagogue, the scribes and the Pharisees were a hindrance to Jesus healing on the Sabbath day. Their effort to keep the law (in this case, they wanted no healing on the Sabbath) caused them to be hardhearted toward the man with the withered hand. 

The epistle to the Hebrews says this of Jesus, "when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high;" Heb. 1:3b  We read in Peter's second epistle, "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." 2 Pet. 1:9 KJV  We also find in James epistle, "But if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgeteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:23-25 KJV

The perfect law of liberty echoes Paul's words in Galatians, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal. 5:1 KJV  The yoke of bondage spoken of here is the law that we have been delivered from.  ref. Rom. 7:6  We've been delivered from the law and the penalty of the law. An earlier verse found in Galatians states, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law." Gal. 3:13a  Along with that, we have been delivered from God's wrath, because the law brings wrath.  ref. Rom. 4:15, John 3:18, 1 Thes. 1:10  The word of God tells us, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." Rom. 10:4 KJV, ref. 8:4a  

Now the second hand has to do with being healed and our definitions of good and evil. Jesus, in the account of the man with the withered hand, asked the question, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" Luke 6:9b KJV  Notice in Jesus' question, he also gives the biblical definition of good, which is to save life, and of evil, which is to destroy it. If we, as believers, are under the false assumption that God puts sickness on someone to teach them something, then we would have to stop and realize that this is an indictment against God's nature and His character. 

Jesus tells us in John's gospel, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 KJV, ref. Luke 9:55-56 We find in the book of Acts, it states: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Acts 10:38 KJV  In the gospels, Jesus healed everyone who came to Him in faith; He never put sickness on anyone, and He said if you've seen me, you've seen the Father.  ref. John 14:9  God is a good God!

The Apostle John pens God's heart and words, as he writes, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2  This is the proper representation of His (God's) nature, His character and His will toward us, also properly recognizing who the thief is and who the life-giver is, as well as who and what is good and who and what is evil.  We find in the book of Romans, "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32 KJV  This way, when we pray, we know we are in agreement with God's will. I believe most Christians know God can heal them, but they wonder if it's God's will to heal them. 

We can rest assured it is God's will and desire for us to be healed; after all, it has already been provided for us in the atonement.  ref. Isa. 53:5, 1 Pet. 2:24  God does not want us to suffer sickness and disease. The Apostle Paul spoke of suffering persecution as he fulfilled his ministry call from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  ref. Acts. 20:24  It (scripture) also speaks of suffering for righteousness sake. This is speaking of the persecution we may receive for a message that is counter culture and states that we cannot earn it, but must receive it by grace.  ref. Mat. 5:10   Jesus said, "in this world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33b KJV  Often God tries to warn us of impending trouble, if we will recognize and hear His voice.  ref. John 10:4, 27 

My (and your) body, as a believer, is the temple of God; indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and our thought life must line up with the truth of God revealed in scripture. To know our sin issue has been purged [expunged-to eliminate from one's consciousness/Merriam-Webster.com]; we are to be righteousness-conscious; not sin-conscious. Along with this, to discern good from evil is a sign of maturity.  As found in Hebrews, "For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."  Heb. 5:13-14 KJV  We must be patient and gentle as we teach; and to know we are told from scripture, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Pet. 2:2 KJV  There is no shame in learning something from scripture you may not have known before, even if you've sat in the church for many years, but are unfamiliar to this teaching; growth is always the objective. 

The account of Jesus and the man with the withered hand speaks to the body of Christ today. When we as believers and church leadership know our sin problem has been dealt with and our righteousness in Christ is our identity, that God is a good God-who desires us healed, the hindrances are removed and faith is activated.  ref. Dan. 11:32 As stated earlier, in Paul's epistle to the saints in Colosse, Paul instructs, " As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:" Col. 2:6 KJV  The two-handed explanation concerning the gospel is to recognize we've received Christ's unconditional love to become born-again, (you couldn't clean yourself up) and that after we are born-again, we continue to walk in His unconditional love. Note: Once we are born-again into the kingdom of God-we have eternal salvation and we are assured of heaven, but many of the blessings here on earth are activated by continuing to walk in His unconditional love. 

To understand how God's unconditional love works in the life of a believer, perhaps you can relate to a time you've had a domineering, fault-finding, tyrant of a boss who demanded perfection from you and never praised you, even when you performed well. Contrast that with having another boss who really had your best interests at heart, who cared for you and truly wanted you to succeed. If you are like me, you probably found it a whole lot easier to go the extra mile for the latter employer; the employer who extended grace. The word of God tells us that it's grace that teaches us, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" Titus 2:11-12 KJV  

The word of God tells us that by observing the law, no one is made righteous. ref. Rom. 3:20a  Later in Romans we read, "the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death."  ref. Rom. 7:5b  

I'll end this teaching by going back to Jesus and the man with the withered hand. Once again, the scribes and the Pharisees were a hindrance to Jesus' healing the man. Their obsession with the law left no room or thought in their hearts for the healing love Jesus was about to extend, as he healed the man who stretched forth his hand and it was restored as whole as the other. In John's epistle, it says, "And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment." 1 John 3:23 KJV  It also states in John's epistle, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1John 4:16 KJV This is an unconditional love. We have the fruit of the Spirit in us, because we received the Holy Spirit when we became born-again.  ref. Gal. 5:22  But I believe sometimes this is brought forth better as we understand our righteousness in Christ and the fruits of righteousness.  ref. Amos 6:12, 2 Cor. 9:10, Phil. 1:11, Heb. 12:11, James 3:18  Jesus is the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  When the man with the withered hand came into the synagogue that day, that's who he met. Jesus restored his hand as whole as the other. As the church applies this truth, I believe we will better understand this scripture, "By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,"  ref. John 1:14b, 2 Cor. 6:7

Christian, are you available?

I knew a man who told a story of having lived in the same town as a youth, from the fourth grade through part of his junior year. He moved midway through his 11th grade year with his parents, over one hundred miles from his previous town, and finished high school in his new location.

Well over a decade later, at this man's place of employment, he met another employee there and through casual conversation, he found out that she, too, had attended his first high school, only she arrived there shortly after he had left. They would both have been in the same grade and she graduated from that school.

She brought in a yearbook from her senior year to show this man, and as he flipped through the pages and saw all the familiar faces of fellow students he had known from the fourth grade. He was amazed to see the athletes on the high school football team of what would have been his senior year. Most of these team members he could have run circles around, but in this yearbook they were pictured as prominent athletes.

Upon reflection, he thought, it's only right; no doubt those athletes had improved and deserved a spot on their team. But, this man knew he had been unavailable to be on that team, because of his move. The team from his previous high school was only made up of those who could make themselves available. And although some of them may not have been the best athletes, they filled vital spots on the team.

God wants us, as Christians, to make ourselves available. We, in the natural, may not seem to have the best abilities and may look around and see others we think might be better suited, but God looks at our heart. Make yourself available and trust God to use you to complete His team. As God's team members, we each have our special giftings and God desires that we make them available as members of the body of Christ.

God's standard is met, because we are in Christ (in His Son) and He qualifies us. God has instilled  giftings and desires in us to be vital team members in the church body in which He places us.

1 Cor. 1:26 NIV - "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth."

Col. 1:12 NIV - "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

2 Tim. 4:5 NIV - "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."