Justice (Afrikaans)

 Vir baie ons is dit moeilik om 'n God van oordeel, 'n God van geregtigheid en regverdigheid en wraak, met die God wat liefde is, die hemelse Vade wat Jesus openbaar het, te versoen. En dit maak dit moeilik vir baie hedendaagse mense om die evangelie te verstaan en te aanvaar as waarheid. Vir baie jongmense en ateïste vandag is die vraag nie meer "Is dit regtig waar?" nie, maar "Is God regtig goed?". Al meer word die God van die Bybel, en selfs Jesus, wat van die komende oordeel gewaarsku het, as 'n morele monster uitgebeeld... want "'n God van liefde sou nooit toegelaat het wat Hy toegelaat het nie", "'n God van liefde sou bloot vergeef het en nooit enige-iemand gestraf het nie.". Uit so 'n wêreldsbeeld, waar ons as mense basies goed is met hier en daar 'n effense vrot kolletjie, is die Regter die Een wat in die beskuldigdebank hoort. Jesus se dood aan die kruis maak geen sin nie en oorbodig, want "'n God van liefde sou vergewe het sonder om enige betaling of offer te vereis." Sonde kan bloot afgeskryf word sonder dat versoening nodig is. Nie net kan nie, maar behoort afgeskryf en verskoon te word, as God 'n God van liefde is. 

Die probleem met hierdie wêreldaanskouïng, is eerstens dat dit skynheilig is: God word blameer dat Hy niks aan die sonde in die wêreld, die morele boosheid wat mense aangedoen is en aangedoen word, doen nie. Maar dan ter selfder tyd, dat Hy geen reg het om diegene wat verkeerd doen, te oordeel of te straf nie. Hier is inderwaarheid net een van drie opsies moontlik: God keer alle sonde deur mense met mag en krag te verhoed om ooit iets teen sy volmaakte wil te doen. Dit is 'n wêreld sonder vry wil, waar mense, soos diere bloot instinktief sou optree (en natuurlik net goeie instinkte sou hê) of soos robotte niks anders sou kon doen as wat die Meester wou hê nie. Dit is ook 'n wêreld sonder liefde, aangesien geen ware liefde moontlik is sonder vrye keuse nie. Die tweede opsie sou wees om soos die Deïstiese God nooit in te meng met wat mense doen op aarde nie. Algehele vryheid, sonder enige gevolge (konsekwensies) vir die een wat verkeerd doen en teen God se wil optree. Geen oordeel nie. Maar ook geen veroordeling van die boosheid in die wêreld nie. Geen verwagting dat die boosheid in die mens ooit oorwin sal word of beperk sal word nie (want die mens is basies goed en kan self besluit wat is reg en verkeerd). Hierdie is hoe baie mense (Christene ingesluit) die wêreld sien. Die ander opsie is dat God regverdig is en dat elke mens verantwoording sal doen teenoor God vir elke woord en elke daad op hierdie aardie gedoen. Dít is nader aan die Bybelse boodskap. Dit is net met hierdie agtergrond dat die liefde en genade van God in Jesus sin maak. Want God het ons nie gestraf met die straf wat ons regtens verdien nie, maar ons sonde vergewe omdat Jesus die sonde en die straf daarvoor op Homself geneem het. Nie net spring ons die straf wat ons verdien vry as ons ons vertroue in Jesus stel nie, ons word in die posisie van Jesus self, kind van God, geplaas, sonder dat ons dit verdien het. Die straf wat ons verdien, kry ons nie en die goeie wat ons nie verdien nie, dit gee God aan ons, gratis. Dit is genade.

Maar genade maak nie sin sonder reg, regverdigheid en geregtigheid nie. As ek nie enige straf verdien nie, dan is daar niks vir God om te vergewe nie. As ek in elk geval goed genoeg is om myself van geboorte af as God se kind te beskou, dan was Jesus se posisie en die gawe van kindskap en die hemelse prys niks minder as wat ek verdien nie. Dan is die dood wat ons tans op aarde beleef, enige dood, onregverdig en wreed. En dit is waarom die Bybel met die Wet (Torah) begin. Want die Wet is daar om vir ons te wys hoe ver ons tekort skiet by God se standaard. Hoe skuldig ons onderdaad is en wat die straf is wat ons inderdaad verdien. Jesus kom en o.a. in die bergpredikasie kom wys Hy vir ons wat God se standaard in die Torah inderwaarheid behels. As jy vir jou broer sonder rede kwaad is, het jy in jou hart moord gepleeg. As jy na 'n vrou kyk met begeerte in jou hart, het jy egbreuk gepleeg. Sondes wat in die Torah met die dood strafbaar is. Dit is God se perspektief.

Maar ek het onlangs vir die eerste keer besef wat God se regverdigheid (en heiligheid) eintlik behels... waarom 'n God van liefde, wat beveel het, "Doen aan ander soos jy wil hê hulle aan jou moet doen." (die goue reël), juis 'n God van oordeel, wraak en geregtigheid is (Ps.92). Want die regverdige oordeel van God is juis hierdie liefdesgebod (die goue reël) toegepas op diegene wat dit nie gehoorsaam nie en nie daarvolgens leef nie. "Soos jy aan ander gedoen het, so sal aan jou gedoen word." Dít is die grondbeginsel agter die straf van die Torah. Dít is regverdigheid en reg. In die woorde van Jesus as Hy kom om te oordeel (Matt.25:31-46): "Amen, Ek sê vir julle: Wat julle ook al vir een van die geringstes broers van My gedoen het, het julle vir My gedoen. ... Amen, Ek sê ver julle: Wat julle vir een van hierdie geringstes nie gedoen het nie, het julle ook vir My nie gedoen nie." Dit is hierdie selfde Jesus wat gaan kom om te oordeel, die Een wat aan die kruis gesterf het vir ons. Die God van oordeel en regverdige wraak, is dieselfde as die God van passievolle liefde... en die beginsel van die oordeel bloot as die goue reël van liefde toegepas op sondaars: Alles wat jy aan ander gedoen het (en nagelaat het om te doen), só sal aan jou gedoen word. En onder hierdie reël sal almal van ons skuldig staan, as ons nie die geregtigheid en liefde en goedheid van Jesus aanneem as ons enigste geregtigheid voor God nie. Solank ons op onsself en ons eie goedheid vertrou, sal ons daarvolgens geoordeel word. Maar as ons besef dat ons skuldig staan en nooit in die teenwoordigheid van 'n heilge God durf staan nie, dan is Jesus die Een wat al ons skuld op Homself geneem het en aan ons Sy geregtigheid gee; wat self deur sy Gees binne ons kom woon en ons verander na sy beeld, sodat waneer ons eendag voor God sal staan, ons nie met ons vuil vodde van eiegeregtigheid en "bes probeer" hoef te staan nie, maar met sy volmaakte en volkome heiligheid en geregtigheid, omdat Hy Self in ons leef, ons sonde bedek met sy lewensbloed wat vir ons gestort is.

On Racism

Why should racism concern Christians? 

"I am not a racist!" This is what I would always tell myself. Although I grew up in Namibia in the time when it was still under apartheid South African rule, my family was always relatively liberal and taught us to respect people of all races. Later, when preaching the gospel to Zulu's as a young follower of Jesus, I learned about the importance of cultural differences and about our Lord humbling Himself to become one of us (Phil.2)... and that we should follow in his footsteps when bringing the gospel to others.

So imagine my surprise when the Holy Spirit revealed how much racism there was still in my heart. This happened many years ago when I was working as a volunteer at a youth hostel in Haifa, Israel. We were a group of young men who often played basketball together, all believers in Jesus as Messiah. One of the group was the son of an Arab mother and an African father, really a nice guy with a Christ-like character -- to me he looked almost like a tall Cape Coloured, to give a South African context. He was married to a very fair-skinned, red-haired Jewish girl, also a believer in Messiah Jesus and they made a beautiful couple. Then I found out that her parents (also believers) were not in favour of the marriage originally. And I was surprised and a little indignant -- How could they have anything against this friend of mine who was such a nice guy and exemplified what a believer in Jesus should be? This was when the Holy Spirit asked me this question: How would you feel if one of your sisters got in a relationship with a black or coloured person? Would you approve? And I had to honestly confess that I would not approve. Oh, I had all kinds of good reasons for why such a relationship would not be a good idea in South Africa of the time, but at the bottom of it all was actually racism, racism that I had never even realized still existed in my heart. As a Christian, I should beware of my own sin (Ps.18:23) and sinful inclinations.

So why is it important to talk about racism again? Racism needs to be defined clearly, because we are currently living in a society where almost anything that could possibly give offence to some group is called "racism". The main problem with this is the boy who cried "Wolf!"... we become so numb to everything being called racism, that we become unable to recognize actual racism when we see it. Additionally, as shown by my own experience, it becomes easy not to see our own racist and sinful attitudes ("There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." - Prov.14:12). 

What is racism?

Although there are all kinds of new definitions of racism to try and make it as wide as possible (but also to exclude some racial groups from being guilty of racism), at its heart racism is simply a specific form of prejudice. Prejudice implies that I judge somebody and his/her abilities according to the colour of their skin (or some other irrelevant initial observation) before knowing anything more about the person (and also subsequently viewing everything the person do or say through the lens of this initial judgement).   

Given this definition, what racism is not:

• Racism is not simply another term for racial hatred. All racial hatred flows from racism, but not all racism results in hatred. This misunderstanding of racism was one of the reasons why I was unable to recognize my own racism until the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. Because I did not hate people of other races, I am not or cannot be a racist? I was wrong.
• Racism is also not simply generalization. To generalize from an observation and say that black people are good in some sports (or not generally good in other sports, like rugby or swimming), is not racism. Such a generalization could be true and based on reliable statistical facts. However it can become racism, when such a generalization (which could possibly be true) is applied to every single person of that skin colour (i.e. pre-judging a specific individual by a common and also possibly false perception).
• Simply pointing out typical differences based on facts between different groups is not racism. However, to make assumptions about people of a specific skin colour based on stereotypes. is racism. Because such assumptions are based on prejudice, rather than actual facts. Even when there are real differences between groups, most of the time the reason for the differences have nothing to do with skin colour, but could be because of cultural differences or the quality of their diet when growing up. In truth, genetic studies have shown that there are typically greater genetic variety within groups of the "same" skin colour than between the groups. However, it is not racist in the medical field, for example, to know or state that certain people groups have higher risks of certain diseases due to genetic differences, especially where skin colour does make a difference (e.g. that dark-skinned people are prone to Vitamin D deficiency in far Northern climes, or that light-skinned people are prone to skin cancer when working outdoors in Africa). Again, the reason why it is not racist, is because it is not based on prejudice.
• Similarly, to honestly state differences between cultures that often correspond to skin colour, is not racism. It becomes racism when we generalize to to point of saying, "All of them are like this", or to start thinking that a specific people group or skin colour is simply better than all others. Pride and haughtiness is one of the things most hated by God (Prov.6:16-17). But worse, racist pride is not even based on my own accomplishments or abilities, but pride based only on my skin colour! Therefore this is also a kind of prejudice, where I judge myself (positively), but not based on my character or actual deeds. In truth, just as is true for individuals, all cultures and people groups have positive aspects in their culture, but also negative aspects. Just because the typical sins of my people group is not the same as that of others, does not make me or my culture any less sinful.
• Pride, in the sense of having an appreciation for the history and accomplishments of my own people or to openly identify as a member of a specific people group, is not racism. Not apologizing because I am a member of a certain people group or skin colour, is not racism. It only becomes racism when I start to see myself as superior to others because of my skin colour. 

From the above negative definition of racism, it should be clear that people of any race can be racist. Racism is an attitude of the heart and has nothing to do with power or the ability to force my racism on others. A white South African who experiences discrimination in the work place, can be just as racist as he used to be under old apartheid South Africa. The loss of power is irrelevant. There is something like institutional (also called structural or systemic) racism, where racism is built into the system and people are judged and dealt with according to their skin colour, rather than their character, skills or abilities. The most obvious example is Apartheid. However, it includes Affirmative Action and racial quotas. This kind of racism may be justified on the grounds of giving "previously disadvantaged groups" a fair opportunity to rectify the injustices of previous racial discrimination, but inherently it still has an approach to people that judges them according to skin colour.

It should therefore be clear that racism can easily be hidden, even under a mask of "good intentions". A policy like affirmative action implies that the black (previously disadvantaged) person would never make it without help; that a person, just because of a dark skin colour, is inherently not able to do certain things without (white) help. The worst aspect of this kind of racism is that it places certain people in a permanent position of dependence (and another race permanently in the position of help-givers). Moreover, it creates the perception that any black person or person from a "previously disadvantaged" group who accomplishes anything in society, only did so because of help from outside and would never have been able to do so without (affirmative action) help, even for those who reached their goals through hard work and by their own merits without outside help -- it creates a lasting perception of inferiority, both for outsiders and for those within the group. This also demonstrates why racism is not only (or even primarily) racial hatred.

Because racism focuses on skin colour, it never addresses the actual reasons for differences (and the growing gap) in wealth and status within society. Things like lack of skills, which could be learned (e.g. many, if not most, Afrikaner farmers learn from childhood from their dad how to farm... formal Agricultural training often just provide the theoretical background for what they already know -- only when a new generation of black farmers start teaching their children how to farm, will there truly be equal skill levels and opportunities). Differences in average IQ between racial groups could be based on something as simple as dietary differences (e.g. lack of proteins) causing slower brain development. Or simply inferior schooling due to unmotivated or insufficiently trained teachers. Or simply cultural differences... e.g. as long as the majority of black boys prefer to play soccer rather than rugby, rugby is likely to be predominated by players from racial groups who have played and watched almost exclusively rugby since boyhood. It is important not to put any stumbling blocks in the way of anybody who is truly interested and has talent for a specific sport that is not popular in his or her own culture. But also not to look primarily at skin colour. In this light, is it then justifiable to have quotas or to dictate a certain percentage "representation" in companies, organizations or sport teams? Is it not exactly (and still) racism (prejudice based on skin colour)? And can we as Christians support this, if we acknowledge that racism is sin and evil in the eyes of God? 

Just as the Lord had to confront me as a follower of Jesus with my own racism many years ago, I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict everyone who reads and needs this, of their sin. "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." (James 2) -- This includes partiality based on skin colour.

The story of the Kingdom of God

The history of the Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God was not a new concept suddenly introduced by Jesus in his preaching (even though it was the major aspect of his preaching and parables: The gospel of the Kingdom of God). It has a long history in the Bible… here is a short overview of the concept as it is revealed over time in the Bible. The Kingdom of God was not an afterthought, but it will become clear that this was the ultimate purpose of God right from the start of creation.

The whole universe, heavens and earth, was created by the LORD God for Himself (described in Gen.1-2). And He created mankind to rule over the earth as his representatives. This is our ultimate creation purpose, right from the start. Obviously, to rule as the representative of somebody else, you have to be in constant communication with who-ever you are representing. The image that you reflect, needs to be the image of the Person you represent (otherwise you are representing yourself or somebody else). And this is the relationship described in Gen.2-3 between mankind and the LORD God.

But then came the fall into sin and rebellion against God (described in Gen.3-4). Mankind gave their allegiance and obedience to the serpent, turning their backs on their Creator and King and on their whole reason for being; their creation purpose (to rule as his representatives). Satan became the de facto ruler of this earth as we (the rightful stewards of this earth) gave him our allegiance. Even during this time, a handful of people “walked with God” and were considered faithful to Him (e.g. Enoch and Noah).

But then, when the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind became too great, God disinhereted the nations. They were given over to worshipping “other gods”, lesser spiritual beings… who often followed the devil in his rebellion against God and became part of his “the kingdom of this world” – the nations at larger no longer served or worshipped the one true God directly, but served false gods of their own making and imagination, or even worshipped demons (this process is also referred to in some of the Psalms and in parts of Gen.6-11).

And then the Lord God intervened. He started again with a single person to whom He gave the promise that he would become the father of many nations and with a single country that would become his very own… although all of the earth belongs to Him as the Creator, He was not going to take it back with violence and judgement. He would start with a single nation through whom the world would see what He looks like and what it looks like if people followed Him and lived for Him. He would become their King and rule them through his righteous and holy teaching (Law/Torah). They would be separated to Him from among all the nations and be a Kingdom of priests to Him (Ex.19:5-6). Priests represent the people to God and Kings rule as his representatives over the earth (their land, which He would give to them as an eternal inheritence). But this position was also conditional; they had to keep his covenant, commands and Torah (Law) that showed them the way to live this holy lives as his representatives on earth. Deut.32:8-9 – “ When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.” It is among these “sons of God” that He will arise to judge them and ultimately inherit all the nations of earth again as described in Ps.82.

And herein lies one of the most basic aspects of the Kingdom of God… It is through our sin (disobedience to God and obeying the voice of the satan instead) that we have lost our position as his representatives and given rule over the earth to the enemy (satan, called the prince/ruler/god of this world in the New Testament). And even Israel, the chosen nation, disobeyed his Torah. The Good News of the Kingdom, is that God is going to take back the rulership that belongs to Him alone. And He is going to use people to do that. More specifically, He was going to use a very specific Person (the Son of man) to do it, as the representative of all mankind, the Anointed. Jesus of Nazareth came, proclaiming the Good News that the promised Kingdom of God has arrived (because the King has arrived). There were many promises through the ages given through the prophets about this promised King. And one of the main things He did, was to live 100% according to the Torah of God, even challenging his opponents, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46) after having just convicted them all of their own sin (John 8:1-12). Thus He was the one righteous Man who could give a righteous offering of Himself to atone for all our sins (Is.53), according to the prophecies. Taking our sins and forever dealing with it as the Representative of mankind, He forever removed any claim that the tempter had on earth. Thus, through his death and resurrection, He freed us from sin, the law, fear of death, our flesh and this present world system (ruled by the “prince of this world”), into his new Kingdom as the true Representative of God the Father on earth – He showed us the face of God, his true character.

One of the promises about the coming Messiah, the Son of David according to the flesh, was that He would rule over all the nations (Is.9,11:10, Dan.7:14). However, He would also break every weapon of war and nations will no longer learn to make war (Is.2:4, Hos.1:17, 2:17,Mic.4:3). How then would He win the whole earth, all nations, as his Kingdom? “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech.4:6). This was the Kingdom demonstrated and established by Jesus on earth… like a mustard seed, smallest of all (cultivated) seeds, growing into a tree (Matt.13:31-32). And this was the method through which God chose to re-establish his reign on earth – not by a mighty display of his power as during the Exodus, but through the Spirit of his Son, changing us into the image of his Son when we enter into and become part of his Kingdom, through his Spirit (Rom.8:29,12:1-2, John 3:3,5).

Yes, there is also a future fulfillment, when the power and authority of the Lord (and our sonship) finally becomes visible in its glory (2 Thess.1:7-10). Then, He will recreate a new heaven and earth, uncorruptable and where it will literally and vissibly be heaven on earth (Rev.21-22). The Kingdom that He planned when creating mankind originally, where we rule as his representatives, will finally become a reality, but even more glorious than the first creation (just compare Gen.1-2 with Rev.21-22). But in the meantime, for now He is establishing his Kingdom in and through all those who willingly join themselves to Him and give themselves fully to Him, through repentance and faith (trust) in Him. We are being prepared in this world for our future with Him – by learning how to live in communion with Him (and each other). We are completing the mission with which the Father sent Jesus (John 20:21), establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, not in our own strength or through our own power, but through our unity with Him (John 15:1-16:11).

The gospel of the Kingdom of God

The gospel of the Kingdom

Jesus started his public ministry with these words: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1:15) Right from the start it is all about the Kingdom of God. The single object of most of the parables and teachings of Jesus is about the Kingdom of God (just read the gospels).

Jesus starts his ministry with the Good News of the Kingdom of God, “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matt.4:23); He ends his time on earth teaching about the Kingdom, “To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3); the early disciples continue to preach the Kingdom of God, “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12), “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”; and the book of Acts ends with Paul preaching the Kingdom of God, “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of Godand teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30)

In What is a disciple? The true Good News, we read a little bit about the true gospel in contrast to various false gospels. But the word “gospel” (Besorah in Hebrew / Euangellion in Greek) means something like “Good News”, “Happy Message”, “Joyful Proclamation”, “glad tidings”. It is used in the Old Testament already (e.g. after victory over enemies - ) and in New Testament times it was often used for the glad tidings that a new king or emperor has been crowned and the uncertainty of deciding who will reign has been settled. One of the clearest passages in the Old Testament is part of the introduction to Isaiah 53, “How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Is.52:7) What is the content of the message of peace, happiness and salvation? “Your God reigns” (He is King!). This Kingdom of God has been promised in connection with the Messiah, the Son of Man, in multiple Messianic prophecies, e.g., “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as King and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ … But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.” (Jer.23:5-6, 30:9) 
“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. … And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.” (Ezek.34:15-16,23)
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.” (Dan.7:13-14)

These are the promises to which Jesus was referring when He said “the time is fulfilled”. This is a whole different viewpoint of the Good News – it is not primarily about us being saved from our sins and eternal death, but about the righteous King coming to take his rightful place. More about this story of the Kingdom in the next piece. But here I want to mention some practical implications to the fact that the gospel is all about the Kingdom of God:

1. We enter the Kingdom by repentence and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed King, High Priest and Prophet of the New Covenant. “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”” (John 3:3)
2. We are saved into something. From the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light. We are not simply saved for ourselves and our own “eternal life in heaven” (pie in the sky someday when we die).
3. The whole purpose of the Kingdom of God is to re-establish the Kingdom of God (his reign) on earth as it is in heaven. Mankind, who was put in charge of the earth, has rebelled against Him, serving the “prince of this world” and He has overlooked this rebellion for some time. But now He is re-establishing his reign over the earth, through a Man, Jesus the promised Messiah King.
4. The Kingdom is all about the King. It is all about Messiah Jesus. All of our previous posts about the church and revival comes back to this principle… it is all about Jesus.
5. He, Jesus, the Messiah, is the King. We follow Him. We obey Him. We serve Him… when we enter his Kingdom. This is a voluntary decision. He never forces anybody to enter the Kingdom. But if we do it, we belong fully to Him. He created us, and He bought us back from sin, in order that we may belong to Him. He has a double claim on our lives.
6. The Kingdom is built on foundations of righteousness and the love and mercy of God, not on military power or earthly authority. There is only one King, and He rules in our hearts when we enter his Kingdom. He makes us new people that are able to keep his cmmands of love, by coming to live inside us (How to follow Him).
7. The Kingdom starts small (like a mustard seed) and grows slowly to become big (like a large tree). It involves individuals entering in, not nations “converted” by the sword. It grows through discipleship, becoming like Jesus, and disciple-making, helping others to become like Jesus. All living born-again Christians are part of the physical representation of Messiah on earth, his body. While the Kingdom of God is already here on earth where-ever Messiah reigns in the hearts of his disciples, this is just the beginning. The future involves the Kingdom being established in its full power, when Messiah returns in glory and power, and all those who have died in Him are resurrected to eternal life (1 Cor. 15). Then the original creation purpose of God, why He created mankind in the first place, will be fulfilled.

How to follow Him

WWJD?

We have already established that a Christian, accoring to the Bible is a disciple, a follower, an apprentice of the Messiah (Christ) (Acts 11:26) in What is a disicple? The true Good News. But what does this actually mean? According to many people it is to look at the example of Jesus, and do the same. This is typical of the “what would Jesus do (WWJD)” understanding of being a Christian. Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor.11:1) and Peter said, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Pet.2:21). There can be no denying that there is some truth in this understanding of being a Christian and following Jesus.

There is one important point that is missed by the WWJD viewpoint of following the Messiah, however – Jesus is not dead! He died on the cross yes, but He was raised from the dead and is alive today! “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Messiah (Christ) died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.” (1 Cor.15:3-8). What does this mean for our following of Jesus? It implies that we (should) hear and follow the voice of the living Messiah today (see On hearing the voice of the good Shepherd)! It is not only about following the example of Jesus from 2000 years ago, but also of hearing his voice and following Him here and now.

We already talked about hearing his voice and living all of our lives in his presence. Here I want to focus on how we obey Him. In his last command, Jesus told his disciples to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey all that He has commanded them (Matt.28:18-20). But He precedes and closes off the command with two great promises:

1. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” – in this very important sense, the Kingdom of heaven has now come – and
2. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – we are not left alone to do what He command us on our own or in our own strength.

These promises are an inherent part of the command to make (and be) disciples of Messiah Jesus. But even more, even from the perspective of following the example of Jesus, He has taught us how we are to follow Him:

1. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.’” (John 5:19) – If even the Son of God can do nothing of his own accord, can we?
2. “I can do nothing on my own.” (John 5:30) – Isn’t this the promise of Jesus in Matt.28 that He would not leave us on our own?
3. “…I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” (John 8:28)… “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the One who sent me has himself given me a commandment–what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49) – Is this not what He promised elsewhere, “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mar.13:11? And then Jesus extends the example He showed to us: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (Joh.15:4), “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ ” (Joh.20:21) – Just as He remained in and lived out of his Father, we are to remain and live out of Him. This is the secret of discipleship. To live and remain in Jesus. Nothing more, nothing less.

“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life..” 1 John 5:11-12).

Walking with Him

Living in His presence

Walking humbly with your God

“‘With what shall I come before the Lord, 
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic.6:6-8)
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” (Deut.10:12)
Since the beginning (see e.g. Enoch and Noah) this was the one thing that God wanted – that we would walk (live) mindful of his presence. It is important to realise that it is not about the actual presence of the God who fills heaven and earth (Jer.23:24), but about our awareness of his holy presence.

And this has become reality in the New Covenant when we not only livebefore Him, but He lives in us and we in Him. From Romans to 2 Peter the words “in Christ” are found 89 times! Jesus Himself expresses this clearly in John 14:17-18, 20, 15:1-14, 17:21-23, 26. The Scripture in 1 Thess.5:17 says, “pray without ceasing,”. How is this possible? Don’t we have jobs and work to do?

The secret is to live a life in the presence of God, a life of dependence on Him and his power working in us.

• I have very early on in my walk with the Lord learned that I cannot do any “spiritual” work in my own strength… Because of my natural personality as an introvert, I simply could not talk to people about Jesus and what God has done for us through Him. That was why I prayed so desperately for God to fill me with his Holy Spirit, because I knew from experience that I could never be a witness to Him by myself (not that I didn’t try at first). But He could (and did!) use me as an instrument in his hand after filling me with his Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
• However, until very recently, my secular work, my studies, etc. I simply did in my own strength. Yes, I did my best because I did it “for Him”, but I relied on my own wisdom and intelligence to do it. Being healthy and loving to learn, I thought that I could do this well enough on my own. But I recently learned that as a follower of Jesus, I cannot. A little book by brother Lawrence, “the practice of the presence of God”, as well as a number of personal circumstances, suddenly brought it home to me… walking in the presence of the Lord includes a life of total dependence on Him, a life of faith (trust) in Him. In our secular jobs we are serving Him(this I knew), and therefore, just like we need his Spirit for serving Him in “spiritual matters”, we need Him to serve Him in our daily work (this I learned).
• Even more so, I learned that even when we relax, rest, or go on holiday (which we all need), we should do it in dependence on Him. Jesus rested (e.g. sleeping in the boat on the Sea of Gallilee), but even his time of rest, was a time of teaching and of being useful to God (Matt.8:23-27, Matt.14:13). I realised that we can trust the Father to lead us to rest as we need it (Matt.11:28-30, Mark 6:31). He will not allow us to burn out serving Him… burn-out is all too often the evidence that we have been serving Him in our own strength. But similarly, considering my “down time” as my own, opens me to all kinds of temptations. It was while David was relaxing in Jerusalem with his army fighting in Rabba, that he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Sam.11). I also found that I was most vulnerable to sin when relaxing, “doing my own thing”. Even our “off” time we are to spend in his presence.

All good and well, but how do we live (walk) in the presence of God? A few practical things I have learned:

• Make sure there are no unconfessed sins that can break your intimacy with the Holy God. Go to Him in prayer and ask Him to show you any and all sin that is in your life that may separate you from Him (Isa.59:1-2). Then know that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin when we acknowledge and confess them to Him one-by-one by name (1 John 1:5-10) – He even forgets about them (think about that! – Isa.43:25).
• During the day, talk to God about what you are doing. Ask his help and ask Him to lead you to do it to his glory, out of love for Him because of his great love for you. Thank Him for his help and praise Him for all that He has done for us continually (Eph.5:18-20).
• If you sin against your brother (or even a non-believer), immediately go to him or her and make peace (reconcile) if possible – Matt.5:24– then you can continue to walk in His presence with a clear conscience.
• Quiet prayer, also about your daily chores, is how you come into the presence of God. However, after that you remain in his presence simply by an inner awareness that He is there… and as soon as you loose this awareness, you return to Him in quiet prayer.

This all is part of how we follow the promised good Shepherd in his coming Kingdom.

On revival - index

On revival

Links to what I am learning about revival and planning to prayerfully investigate further in this time…
1. What is revival and what it is not
2. Where I get spiritual food
3. New wine in new wineskins: on church structure 
4. What is a disciple? The true Good News
5. On hearing the voice of the good Shepherd
6. Living in his presence (walking humbly with your God)
7. How to follow Him
8. The gospel of the Kingdom of God
9. The story of the Kingdom of God
10. The power of the Holy Spirit
11. The problem of sin
12. The answer to the problem of sin