TRANSFORMING LOVE
Jesus becomes your Lord, Part 3
“...For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…”(2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV).
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Making Jesus LORD reveals the heart of those claiming to be God’s people, especially during challenging times. When trials and tribulations come, if Jesus is not LORD, the rebellion will proceed out of the hearts, of his people, and into their thoughts and actions. “...For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies...” (Matthew 15:19 KJV).
If Jesus, God’s WORD does not RULE the hearts of God’s people gave your heart, they won’t keep all his commandments. God’s people have a biblical history of being obedient. “…I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way...” (Exodus 33:3 NLT). “…“You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you…” (Exodus 33:5 NLT)
“…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“...But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways...” (Judges 2:19 NLT). “...Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God...” (PSALM 78:8 NLT)
“...For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze...” (ISAIAH 48:4 NLT). “...Instead, they have stubbornly followed their own desires and worshiped the images of Baal, as their ancestors taught them...” (JERMIAH 9:14 NLT).
“...And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me...” (JEREMIAH 16:12 NLT). “...But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires...” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
God’s people are to “count it all joy…” when they go through challenges, because when Jesus is Lord they know the “… trying of [their]… faith worketh patience. [So]...let patience have her perfect (maturing) work, that [God’s people] may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing...” (James 1:2-6 KJV).
When Jesus is Lord, “…he knoweth the way that [his people]... take; when he hath tried [them], [They]... shall come forth as gold...” (Job 23:10 KJV). “….the proof of [God’s people’s] faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth...[to God, the Holy Spirit]... though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 ASV).
“…In the world [God’s people have tribulation: but be [they are to be]... of good cheer; [because Jesus, God’s WORD has]... overcome the world...” (John 16:33 ASV).
Even when the situation SEEMS as bad as Job’s, God’s people continue to TRUST HIM. Job said, “...though he slay me (his flesh, his self), yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV). “... I ...[choose to] ... die daily...” (1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV).
No matter how BAD, PAINFUL, DIFFICULT, UNFAIR, or HEARTBREAKING God’s people circumstances and situations get. God said, “..[His people].. have overcome [through Jesus, his WORD]...…” (John 6:33 KJV). They WIN!!!
Going through the process of trials and tribulations will MAKE a child of God question or wonder about HIS ways “...O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV). “...yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit “IS” Spirit and does things from a SPIRITUAL perspective and not a human one. The only reason God’s people discern his ways are RIGHT, whether they understand them or not, is because of his indwelling Holy Spirit.“…The person WITHOUT the Spirit DOES NOT accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. …” (2 Corinthians 2:12-15 KJV).
Many things God does makes no sense to his people, or others. In the story of Lazarus and the little girl in John 11 and Mark 5, respectively, it seems Jesus didn’t come to the situation “on time Yet, “… BY FAITH we understand ... that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
Some of his people may ask: “What is the point of standing upon faith or trusting Jesus if the situation or circumstance ends badly or gets worst ANYWAY?”
These two biblical stories of Lazarus and the little girl, boggles the mind that Jesus did not come visually to these situations until death had occurred.
It’s over and the situation is a bust, so why is Jesus showing up now? Jesus did this for a reason. Nonetheless, this is the place many “give up” or accuse Jesus of not working things out the way they wanted them to work out.
One of Lazarus’ sisters said, “… as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died… ” (John 11:20-22 KJV).
Don’t GIVE UP. Martha accused Jesus of not being there and implied it was TOO LATE, so she told him “… Lord, by this time, he stinketh: for he hath been dead for four days …” (John 11:39 KJV).
In the other story they thought he was TOO LATE too and “…they laughed him to scorn… “(Mark 5:40 KJV).
Jesus, who is both, Lord and Savior.
The same Jesus in these two stories showed up on the scene, in his timing, with the purpose of giving them a GREATER outcome!!!
While Martha and Mary were being comforted about Lazarus and weeping and wailing was going on over the little girl Jesus had something better in mind. (John 11:17-22, Mark 5:38-39).
Even when the situation looks dead, “…only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). Jesus is not limited by ANYTHING!! “...And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go...” (John 11:43-44 KJV). And in the other story, “...And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise...” (Mark 5:41 KJV).
God’s people, ALONE are limited by their circumstances, but with God, the Holy Spirit, NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE or TOO HARD! and trust in God’s unlimited abilities. “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus goes BEYOND what God’s people can see, comprehend, ask, or think. “…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…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
The bible tells his people to, “...Trust in the Lord with all [their]... heart; and lean not unto [their]... own understanding. In all [their] ways [they are to]... acknowledge him, and he shall direct [their]... paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
When God, the Holy Spirit, makes no “human” sense, Jesus, the WORD says, “….. be not afraid, only believe...” (Mark 5:36 KJV).
REGARDLESS, of what you have faced or are facing, God who is able “… to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). “…Only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). And accept “…his ways [are]… past finding out…” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).
God’s people may NOT always understand his WAYS, but they become more and more STRENGTHENED to TRUST his HOLY, IMMUTABLE character to do GREAT things of their BEHALF! “...But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him....” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).
Let’s end this chapter with the story about King Hezekiah and how God tested his heart. “… God left him, to try him that he might know all that was in his heart…” (2 Chronicles 32:31 KJV).
At first glance it appears Hezekiah did a lot of good, religious things, especially when he restored the temple and its worship practices.
However, hisheart was not right before God and God knew it. “..In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem...” (2 Chronicles 32:24-25 NIV).
He has succeeded at fooling man, but he didn’t fool God; God is all-knowing. “…What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world (through good deeds), and lose his own soul?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV).
Hezekiah had a rebellious, selfish, and prideful side that God knew was hidden in his heart. “But Hezekiah’s heart was proud…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV).
God allowed Hezekiah to be put into a situation where he had to look at what was truly in his own desperately wicked heart. It was THEN he learned about his many sins. “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
Hezekiah SAW, with his OWN insight, the darkness that was hidden within his heart as well as his many weaknesses. All that God had done for Hezekiah. Not only was his prideful, but he had shown blatant ingratitude. “...But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV).
Hezekiah’s attitude and behaviors did not give God the glory for the great things he had done. “...Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world...” (Isaiah 12:4-5 NIV).
Eventually Hezekiah “… repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them… (1 Chronicles 32:26 NIV).
God wants his people to be righteous, in their hearts, and live a genuine and authentic upright life. right.“…There is …no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1 NIV). “…mercy triumphs over judgement…” (James 2:13 NASB). “...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
The Lordship of Jesus is sustained through every trial and every tribulation. In the stories of Lazarus and the little girl; Jesus showed up as Lord in the RIGHT time!!! Things happen for “…the glory God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby…” (John 11:4 KJV).
Hezekiah’s trials and tribulations bought about repentance and humility to enabled him to walk in God’s sovereign rule.
God allows certain trials and tribulations to intervene in the lives of his people to genuinely empower to become righteous within their hearts.
God, the Holy Spirit choses you, draws you, gives you a “measure of faith”, loves you, changes your identity, speaks to you, and becomes Lord.
Lordship means his people have given Jesus the rightful sovereignty over their lives as God intended. God, “….hath made …Jesus, whom [was] …crucified, both Lord and Christ…. (Acts 2:36 KJV). Is Jesus your Lord, yet?
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