Christ Is All Power for Great Patience and Endurance (Colossians 1:9-14)

What in the world is going on these days? One newspaper titles an article, “Fear as terrorism becomes ‘Our new normal.’” Another opinion’s titled, “Congratulations, Trump. Welcome to hell.” Yet another is titled, “Europe’s grim future could be terrorism as a fact of life.” Killings, suicide bombings, opioids, violence, injustice, unrighteousness, brutality are visibly and widely manifested more often ever. It’s just happening as Apostle Paul tells in the Epistle to Timothy. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Our society is ever deeply divided and separated in wealth, social status, race and culture. It’s just like savage jungles where the stronger animals devours the weaker ones. Millions of refugees are struggling to find the right passages to a free and better place, fleeing from the hellish homes in agony and desperation. What’s happening in the world have long before been foretold to our ears by the Prophets of God. As Jesus our Lord told his disciples that there will be great distress and tribulation, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—never to be equaled again (Matthew 24:21). The human history is heading toward to the Day of the Lord in full speed and force. There won’t be any mistakes or failures in God’s calendar. It’s on its due course set even before the world was made. That’s the enough motivation to endure and be patient in the hope of the coming of the Lord. That’s the assurance of our faith that the Lord will return in glory and honor with the great sound of trumpet and great hosts of angels. Until then, in this troubled and challenging world, how can Christians live, maintaining serenity, calmness, peace, joy in the midst? How can it be possible? What’s the strength for the saints to endure patiently till his appearing? What’s the source of power for Christians to bear the sufferings and difficulties of lives and rejoice in the midst? What’s the secret of life? Apostle Paul reveals the mighty truth on the power of God, mystery of life.

Human beings know what is right and what is wrong. Stealing is not right but wrong, even babies know. Lying is not right but wrong, even children know. Hurting others is not right but wrong, even youngsters know. Adultery is not right but wrong, man knows. Any parent teaches their children not to steal, not to lie, not to hurt others, but not the other way around. Nor does any teacher their students. What we are told to do over and over again is to do good, helping the needy and being kind to others. All is focused on what to do. But the question is how to do all that. In Christ, we have been given urges and desires to serve God just as he commands us to do. God’s grace and mercy is so enormously and convincingly being poured out upon the ones whom God has delivered through the blood of the Son Jesus Christ. We’ve been united with him, so now in Christ we always want to do good and do not want to do evil. Our will is strongly wanting but our body is weak. Jesus told three disciples in the mount of Gethsemane when they were sleeping while he was praying. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38) Apostle Paul reveals the truth on what we really need to do what we are told to do. The truth is that we’ve been given all power to obey God and his commandments.  

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:9-14)

This is the Apostle Paul’s mighty prayer for the saints in Colossae where he had never visited. The man named Epaphras planted a church there and brought the news and told the apostle who was chained in the hired house guarded day and night in Rome. Paul is saying that he has not stopped prayer for them, asking God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. In Christ, we’ve been made alive and died to sin, so now we live to God. We no longer live by the flesh and its desires, but by the Spirit. “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9) The Spirit of truth knows the mind of God in his all wisdom and understanding and teaches and inspires us to be filled with the knowledge of his will. So that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. That’s what we’ve been called and justified and glorified even before the creation of the universe. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3) That’s the will of God for the elect.

Apostle Paul continues to pray for the saints in Christ that they may bear fruit in every good work, grow in the knowledge of God, be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience, and give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. That’s a life worthy of the Lord. Being fruitful in bearing the Spirit’s fruits—love, joy, and peace. This is the one of the most significant measuring lines that helps every Christian to examine themselves on whether to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Bearing the fruits of the Spirit is the mark of obedience by giving our body as the living sacrifice to God who opens the door of opportunity for us to exercise our faith. I believe God opens the door of opportunity through the sufferings and challenges of lives. That’s why the Scriptures repeatedly say to rejoice in the sufferings of lives, not to grumble or murmur. It is really the time of challenges and troubles for all of us to live in this sex-saturated society and material-driven and competitive world. But the sufferings and troubles are not random and unfortunate to humanity but full of meaning and purpose in them though they are not pleasant at all. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Next, growing in the knowledge of God is our prayerful life. This is related to bearing the fruits of the Spirit because God gradually reveals himself who he is and what he is to those who obey him by faith as Abraham went to a country although he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). Jesus teaches his disciples the importance of knowing and understanding the truth through obedience. “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 13:11-12) When we obey a God’s open door and take it by faith, submitting ourselves to Christ, we are given and revealed the knowledge of him and he will open another and another. This way, God is molding and shaping up his children to grow in knowing the Eternal Person.

Apostle Paul’s prayer for the saints, the most significant one, is to be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have good endurance and patience. This is the secret how to do what we are told to do. Since we’ve been rescued from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light, we have come to have desires and urges to obey God and his commandments. The desire to serve him is coming from heaven above, not from the earth. It’s his graceful gift for his children in the kingdom of light. That’s our confidence and motivation in the Lord who paid and bought us with a price. But we need power to exercise the desire and will of wanting good in the eyes of God. Wanting good is one thing and doing good is quite another. So, the apostle prays for the saints to be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. This power is the power of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. The power of resurrection has been gloriously and faithfully demonstrated in the cold tomb of death. This power has no rivals in heaven and on earth and under the earth because it surpasses all power and rule and authority. Humanity is utterly powerless before death and no matter what they try to overcome death it is no avail. The resurrection power not only breaks down even the death barrier but also makes it available to those who are in Christ.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:18-21)

This is the gospel of God that the saints in Christ have access to the throne of grace and be filled with all power according to his glorious might, so that we may have great endurance and patience. Why do we need of great endurance and patience? What we’ve been given as the greatest gift is the hope stored up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5). The works of faith and the labors of love spring from that hope. The hope stored up in heaven is described as the inheritance which never perish, spoil or fade by Apostle Peter. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by Godʼs power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) The hope in heaven is the assurance and reward of our faith. The Lord’s second coming is at hand and we’re eagarly awaiting for the victorious day appearing. But no one knows the time and the seasons, but we do know it could be tonight, tomorrow, or anytime. We don’t want to be found ashamed when he appears all of sudden. “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28) With the sure hope stored up for us in heaven, we wait in great endurance and patience in the midst. What’s the hindrance and obstacle not to be patient and enduring? Sufferings and difficulties in our daily lives are. Where do they come from? Life itself is full of troubles and challenges, one after another till the last breath of life like waking up in the morning, having breakfast, going to work, driving back home from work, fixing dinner, doing some chores, and going to bed. A long years of schooling, getting a job, maintaining the relationships at work, church, and community, getting married, raising kids, vacation travels are all challenges and struggles in our lives. This is the fate of all man even to the redeemed just as God has pronounced to the man Adam.

“To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, “You must not eat from it,”

‘Cursed is the ground because of you;

through painful toil you will eat food from it

all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,

and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow

you will eat your food

until you return to the ground,

since from it you were taken;

for dust you are

and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)

Well, some might say there is a strong human will they can endure patiently. But this is not true and easily can be proven by simply putting to the test yourself that you try to love someone who bothers you. The will to do good will soon be drained and instead be filled with hatred and anger and bitterness and the like. To be enduring and patient in our daily living, we need all power according to his glorious might, the resurrection power. With all power in Christ, we endure and be patient to the end until the Lord appears in glory and honor and power. We need all power whatever we do from waking up in the morning, going to work, working all day, coming home, watching TV, to going to bed. We need all power in helping others and studying and understanding the Scriptures. We need all power in doing the chores like washing dishes and cleaning the house. We need all power in loving our neighbors as our Lord Jesus loved us first. That’s what we’re made to live even before the time began. God never intended man to live by himself without him. We don’t have what it takes in the flesh because the desire of the flesh is hostile to the desire of the Spirit (Romans 8:7). No matter how strong the will is in the flesh, it doesn’t work ever. But we have what it takes in the Spirit. That’s the reason all power is given through the faith in Christ and available at every moment of situation and circumstance in our midst.

And the prayer of Paul is obviously to give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Giving thanks to the Father is what we ought to do in all circumstance. Because he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14). The redemption, the forgiveness of sins has come not cheaply but with a price, the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says in the Epistle to the Romans the powerful statement, saying “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) While we were still sinners Christ died in our place. While we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-8). This is how God has demonstrated his unfailing love for us. How much will he not give us graciously all things? It indicates the Holy Spirit, the promised gift of God for Abraham and his descendants in the faith. “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:14)

So, we now live a life worthy of the Lord and forever because all power is always available wherever and whenever in all circumstance, being completely humble and gentle; being patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. The most important command of the Lord is to love one another as he first loved us. “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:3-4)

December 25, 2016

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

The Righteous Person Will Live by His Faithfulness (Habakkuk 2:2-20)

Prophet Habakkuk was told an amazing voice of God that is shaking the humanity, saying “The righteous shall live by faith!” This is the whole truth of the Scriptures. This is how man God intended man to live even before the foundation of the world. The world says exactly the opposite that men shall live by sight. But the remnants of God shall not live by sight, being blinded and near-sighted by the shallowing and glittering things of the world, but live by faith in the invisible and mighty God who made all things by his words of power and might. The world says that is nonsense, unreal, unreasonable, unpractical, and whatever they call it. But it is the most real, reasonable, sensible, practical life. That’s what Prophet Habakkuk was told in ancient days. His prophecy is unique in the sense that it is the personal dialogue between God and the prophet. Like most of humans do, Habakkuk (meaning embrace) was perplexed and bewildered by that even though injustice was reigning and prevailing it seemed God was completely silent and not doing anything. It is one of the most frequently asked questions in all human history why injustice and unfairness are seemingly dominant in almost every corner of the globe. Why are murderers and kidnappers not punished immediately or even before they commit any evils? That’s Habakkuk’s cry and hungering and thirsty prayer.

“How long, Lord, must I call for help,

but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’

but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice?

Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and conflict abounds.

Therefore the law is paralyzed,

and justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous,

so that justice is perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

When the Lord answers the prophet, he hears not what he wanted to hear. Instead, God tells him something unspeakable things would happen to the nation and its people. The Lord says the prophet to be utterly amazed because he is going to do something in his days that he would not believe even if he was told. “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.” (Habakkuk 1:5-6) God is telling him that he would raise the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people who would fly like an eagle swooping to devour and come intent on violence. They would laugh at all fortified cities and by building earthen ramps they would capture the fortified city of Jerusalem. This makes the prophet more perplexed and stunned, thinking that how could God allow the heathens to overpower the people of the Lord. The prophet cannot reason any longer on how could the mighty God not defend the holy city. This is the same question many people raise, which is, why did not God punish Hitler before he committed such a heinous crime against the humanity. Now, the prophet does the wisest thing man can do. He withdraws himself and goes back as far as he can, all the way to the beginning of the universe God made. He remembers God as an everlasting one, his Holy One, his Rock. He also remembers God is so pure that he cannot tolerate any evil and wrongdoing.

“Lord, are you not from everlasting?

My God, my Holy One, you will never die.

You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment;

you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish.

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;

you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.

Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?

Why are you silent while the wicked

swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

You have made people like the fish in the sea,

like the sea creatures that have no ruler.

The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks,

he catches them in his net,

he gathers them up in his dragnet;

and so he rejoices and is glad.

Therefore he sacrifices to his net

and burns incense to his dragnet,

for by his net he lives in luxury

and enjoys the choicest food.

Is he to keep on emptying his net,

destroying nations without mercy?” (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

Habakkuk remembers the mightiness and purity of God and yet he is not still answered on why God is silent while the wicked foe is devouring the people, destroying the nations without mercy, and enjoying the choicest food and luxury. However, the prophet have decided to wait what God will say. “will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.” (Habakkuk 2:1) This is the most significant action for the prophet to take. There is something he knows about God and his character and at the same time he admits that there is something that he cannot fathom about the Lord. It’s truly true. Man cannot know and understand man himself. Then, how much farther away man is from knowing the Creator. So, Apostle Paul says so pertinently about the impotence of man and the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. These days many Americans are puzzled by the result of the recent presidential election and many South Koreans are stunned and bewildered by the president’s incredible and inconceivable scandals. It shows how much is man blind and unseeing. So, the prophet has made a decision to wait for God’s answer. That’s a wise thing for man to do.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?’

‘Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?’

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-26)

Now the Lord answers man and reveals the most significant truth, “The righteous will live by his faithfulness.” Why shall man live by faith? How man can live by faith, not by sight, says the world. Further, the world says that man shall live by the material possessions like property deeds, bank accounts, insurances, and stocks and bonds. In fact, no one can deny that the whole world is driving in full speed and force to earn and horde materialistic fortunes. It’s like a savages’ jungle where the strong deprives and devours the weak. This strong illusion and delusion drive people to kill each other. Man cannot live by sight alone. Just think about how the human body functions and operates. For example, heart is pumping the blood every second non-stop from the womb to death. No one knows all how and why the human body with its immeasurably complicated and complex structure is running in the perfect harmony and balance. How fragile it is and yet how resilient it is! How easily broken it is and yet how sturdy it is! It is a great mystery. Having said that and knowing little about it, how can man not live by faith? Man cannot breathe without air, invisible but there is, so we breathe. Wind blows with its force and yet no knowledge where it comes and where it goes, but we feel the mighty force of wind. Winter has come in the northern hemisphere, so we prepare for it. These are a few examples of exercising faith in nature. Man is made to live by faith from the womb to death, even beyond death through the eternity.

The study of physics has found out a strange force. An object travelling in a circle behaves as if it is experiencing an outward force. This force is known as the centrifugal force. The microscopic particle like atom is rotating in a circle, so it is experiencing the centrifugal force which drives the object to flying out. But there is another force which holds back and eventually prevent an object to fling away in the universe. This force is called the centripetal force which holds back in order. No one knows where is such a tremendous force coming from. But the Scripture gives the answer. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus Christ is the One who hold everything together. He is the authority and power to command all things which submit and obey in fear and trembling. For example, when the Lord commanded the waters in the Red Sea to separate and stand still, it saw God and writhed, the very depths were convulsed (Psalm 77:16). So, there will no excuse for those who have stubbornly and consistently refused to live by faith because God made what may be known about him is plain to them (Romans 1:19). Our God is not pleased and cannot be so with anything that has been done by anyone without faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

“Write down the revelation

and make it plain on tablets

so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

it speaks of the end

and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come

and will not delay.

‘See, the enemy is puffed up;

his desires are not upright—

but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

indeed, wine betrays him;

he is arrogant and never at rest.

Because he is as greedy as the grave

and like death is never satisfied,

he gathers to himself all the nations

and takes captive all the peoples.” (Habakkuk 2:2-5)

The prophet was told to write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets. What is the revelation written on the tablets? It is the vengeance of God without delay and the everlasting proclamation of life, “The Righteous shall live by faith.” There will be the end of all things and everything that has been done under the sun will be accounted in the marvelous light of God which reveals all things in nakedness and conspicuousness. Yes, it linger though, wait for it, for it will certainly come and will not delay. God’s judgment is swiftly and suddenly and unexpectedly coming and irrevocable like the woman’s labor pain. “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Why does it linger and we shall wait for it? It is for our salvation through his long patience and suffering. God does not want to judge anyone but to save all mankind. He prolongs and lingers to impose the immediate and righteous judgment upon the nations in order to save the elect. It does not opt out the righteous judgment, but confirms the coming of the Lord who will vindicate all things. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that Godʼs kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) Our God is restraining the evil force until an appointed time in order to save the humanity. The Lord says the prophet that the enemy is puffed up and arrogant while he is patiently and long-sufferingly lingering for the Day of the Lord appearing. The mark of being puffed up is to be boast and proud of all the human achievements in literature, science, and technology, saying “We can do it,” though the things happening alarmingly indicate the other direction. What’s happening in reality and truth? Apostle Paul warns the saints who are living in the latter days not to be deceived by the powerful lie that there will be no judgment but peace and safety in the Epistle to the Thessalonians.

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in Godʼs temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Donʼt you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12)

Throughout the history, the secret power of lawlessness is at work but the Lord is holding back the man of lawlessness appearing in full force. The powerful untruth and delusion will be stubbornly and increasingly influencing and domineering the world where the people will continue to drive hording money and things in an attempt to fill their unsatisfied and hollow hearts and minds. God made what may be known about him plain to them, so that no one can excuse. The obvious mark of the work of invisible God is the unfulfilling and unsatisfying heart, always lacking and wanting. It’s not coming out of the lack of money and things but from God. The Scripture says man is made in God’s image and his likeness. Man’s existence is possible only within the relationship of God. Man can be fully filled and satisfied only with the things of God. That’s the enough reason for man to live by faith. Prophet Habakkuk was finally answered and understood why God was seemingly silent in the midst and prayed with praise. He made a decision before the Lord to live by faith.

“I heard and my heart pounded,

my lips quivered at the sound;

decay crept into my bones,

and my legs trembled.

Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity

to come on the nation invading us.

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:16-19)  

God has sent his Son Jesus Christ in his righteousness and faithfulness and let him die on a cross, shedding the blood for the redemption of the elect. This is the hope of mankind. God created a new man in the Son Jesus Christ because once they were lost but now has been found through the cleansing blood of Christ. No contributions could be made by man, so God made his Son who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Is it not the good news of Christmas? We are now able to live his life in the Spirit without lacking anything, if we accept the Son of Man and follow him in fear and trembling.

2016. 12. 18.

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Joshua’s Last Words– You Are NOT Able to Serve God (Joshua 24:1-28)

Joshua has been leading the conquest of Canaan since Moses died in the East of Jordan. He has led his people to cross the River and conquered the bulwark city of Jericho, Ai, and other towns and villages. The mighty hand of God has been heavy on the people of Canaan since their sins had reached its full measure (Genesis 15:16). However, it is the time for Joshua to be with the Lord, leaving his people behind. So, he has assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and summons the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel and they present themselves before God. Joshua has something significant to say to his people, warnings and admonishments, and exhortations. Most of all, Joshua reveals the deep secret of human problems and what is the remedy for it. It is sin deeply embedded in the human nature since the fall of man, Adam. Joshua is bluntly and honestly telling the people of Israel that they are not able to serve God. However, the people do not pay attention to him, nor try to listen to him what he means that they are not able to serve God. They say that they are able to serve God and will do. It’s like saying, “Don’t worry about us. You rest in peace, Joshua!” Joshua has been with this people before and after Moses had brought them out of Egypt. He has witnessed all the rebellious and wicked things they have been doing against the Lord in the wilderness and the land of Canaan. He has also seen and witnessed God’s kindness, patience, forgiveness, justice, and faithfulness in their midst.

“Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt. ‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. But they cried to the Lord for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. ‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand. ‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’” (Joshua 24:1-13)

This is the history of about one thousand years that Joshua is addressing to the leaders of the nation. There is nothing he says that his forefathers did something meaningful and historical. What he says is that everything was planned and done by the Lord God over the course of one thousand years to his people and the world. God brought Abraham into the unknown land for him and his sons, Isaac and Jacob. God sent Moses and rescued the people out of the iron bondage of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. God demonstrated his mighty power and wonder for the world to see that there were no other gods like him. When the Egyptians pursued after the people of Israel, God separated the Egyptians from the people of his own by the cloud of glory, thrusting the army of the world into darkness. Then they lived in the wilderness for forty years. God gave the land of promise to their hands, driving out the Amorites and the Canaanites. God twisted the tongue of the false prophet, Balaam, so he blessed them again and again, and he delivered them out the hand of false and greedy prophet. The people of Israel crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho and all the tribes of Canaan fought against them, but God gave them into their hands. God sent the hornet ahead of them, which drove them out before Israel. Israel did not drive them out with their own sword and bow. So, God gave them a land on which they did not toil and cities they did not build and they live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that they did not plant. God faithfully kept the promise given to the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Who would dare to believe that the four-century long slavery ever be lifted up? Who would believe that King of Egypt let the slaves go, forfeiting the considerable labor force? Who would believe that the Red Sea stopped flowing against nature and opened its way for the numerous people of Israel and just resumed flowing and closed the way for the army of Egypt? Who would believe that the people who spent in the wilderness for forty years ever crossed the Jordan River and destroyed the cities and towns of Canaan? It is impossible to please God without faith, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who earnestly seek him, says the Scripture (Hebrews 11:6). God is just and faithful in keeping his promises and pouring out his love over generations and generations even though the people never deserve to be cared and cherished at all. Why does God continue to show his relentless mercy and grace upon the people of no accountability? Why has God been patient over his people so long, even a thousand years and more? Our God is shining the light of the world in order that his people may trust in him and be saved from all the delusions and illusions of the world. So, Joshua commands the people of God to continue to trust in the Lord and serve him only, having the fear of the Lord in mind and heart in the land where they have been brought into in his unconditional mercy and grace and his faithfulness.

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

The Scripture solemnly declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverb 1:7) Why must the people of Israel serve the Lord only with all faithfulness? Why must they throw away the gods their ancestors worshiped and the gods of the Amorites? It’s because the idols of the world are all going to pass away with no trace. Apostle John commands the saints to obey the will of God, which lasts forever. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) This is what our God is doing over and over again, demonstrating that there is nothing to depend on in the world. So, man shall fear the Lord and obey him. The Teacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes has one last word which concludes after all the experiments and adventures and searches of life. “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB) Apostle Paul exhorts and beseeches the people of God born and made righteous in Christ Jesus to bring their bodies as living sacrifices in daily lives. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1) That’s the thing all men in Christ ought to do. That’s the reasonable and logical service man in Christ ought to offer. That’s what Joshua desires to do by faith. What’s the people’s response?

“Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.’” (Joshua 24:16-18)

What’s their problem? What they are saying is all correct based on the facts. But they do not understand that they are overly confident on their flesh. Despite of the experience of the mighty hand of God over and over again, the human flesh never be subdued and controlled by the will of man. This is exactly what almost all young Christians experience. Once they have been born again in Christ, they think and feel like that they will never sin or fail again as they used to do in the past. But soon or later, they miserably and unbelievably fail and commit the same sins of mistake and trespass. Why do they fail and sin? It’s two fold. It’s God’s way of teaching for them to know and understand what they are in Christ. It also indicates that they are in the process of growth in Christ. Apostle Paul nails down the impotence of humanity even after the redemption that no one can do good though they mean to do good and cannot but doing evil though they do not mean to do evil (Romans 7:15-25). Until the time for the bodily redemption comes, we’re carrying the sinful nature, the flesh within. This is the most difficult lesson for Christians to learn. Our confidence is not coming from us, but solely from God. “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5) No, we cannot keep the commandments of God with our own flesh no matter how determined and committed we are. What’s the commandment of God? It’s to love one another as Christ loved us. Test yourself whether you can practice the love of Christ! Ah, to love the lovable is easy and even pagans can do that. Try to love someone who is irritating and criticizing you without cause! Thanks be to God who delights to drive us to the point of total bankruptcy in spirit where we truly admit that we cannot love anyone with our own flesh. So, Joshua answers them honestly and truthfully.

“Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.’ But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the Lord.’ Then Joshua said, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.’ ‘Yes, we are witnesses,’ they replied.” (Joshua 24:19-22)

Joshua is not playing or trying to embarrass them but telling the truth in love. They are truly NOT able to serve the Lord no matter how they are determined to serve him. History records that soon after Joshua died they fell into the idol worship which was detestable to the Lord. They cannot cheat God who is holy and jealous and punishes anyone who rebels against the Lord (Romans 1:18). If they forsake the Lord and serve foreign idols, God will turn and bring disaster upon them and make an end of them, even after he has been so good to them. Why are they NOT able to serve the Lord? It’s because the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God, and it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so (Romans 8:7). Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). These people think that they are confident in serving the Lord. Their reasons are based on the facts that God rescued them by his power and wonder. That’s true. They have been delivered by the might hand of God. However, what they do not understand is that they did not contribute anything when God delivered them out of the bondage of sin and death. If they could not do anything when they were first delivered, how much more they are impotent to do anything to save themselves from all temptations and trials. No matter how honestly good their intention to serve the Lord is, they are not able to do that. Apostle Paul gives the answer why they cannot. “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Galatians 5:17)

But the people say to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.” They do not understand what they are saying but are overly confident of themselves. They should have said, “Yes! We are NOT able to serve the Lord, so have mercy on us!” Then Joshua tells them they are the witnesses against them that they have chosen to serve the Lord. And they answer so naively that they are witnesses against themselves. That’s the flesh which can easily deceive themselves. God did not give them the laws and the decrees to keep and obey them with their own might and strength. It’s exactly the opposite. God gave them the laws and the decrees to teach them that they were not able to keep them. Apostle Paul was raised in a well established family religiously and acquainted with the laws and decrees since his early childhood. He thought that he was keeping all the commandments of God just as a young rich ruler answered Jesus (Mark 10:20). He never knew of himself as one who was capable of violating any command of God until the law got hold of him in reality. “What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’” (Romans 7:7) Although he might have memorized the tenth commandment well, he did not understand it until it came to him with a formidable force. When he realized that God commanded not to covet his neighbor’s house, either wife, servant, animal, or anything belongs to his neighbor, he was deadly compelled to covet all the more, being driven by the law and deceived by sin within. “For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.” (Romans 7:11) That’s what we are. Precisely.

“’Now then,’ said Joshua, ‘throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.’ And the people said to Joshua, ‘We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.’ On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord. ‘See!’ he said to all the people. ‘This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.’ Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance.” (Joshua 24:23-28)

It is the most significant point in serving the Lord. First throw away the foreign gods and yield their hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel. It is called repentance. This step is absolutely necessary to serve the Lord God, because no one can serve two masters. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24) Jesus says to disciples exactly the same principle to keep if they want to follow him. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35) No one can serve God who is holy and jealous without being clothed with his righteousness. Since we’ve been made righteous and holy and blameless in the sight of God, we now can oppose and reject the evils and serve him. This is called putting off our old self that has died with Christ and putting on the new self in Christ. It is seriously and relentlessly significant to repent and say “no” to the evils and wrongs. That is why our Lord Jesus says to reconcile to our brothers before coming to serve the Lord.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

How do we live now in Christ? Since we’ve been made righteous through the blood of Christ, we can say “no” to the evils and “yes” to the Spirit. This we will do continually because we’ve been called as the ministers of the new covenant. That’s what we’ve learned and ought to do now and forevermore. “That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24) We no longer live our own old lives for we’ve been purchased with a price. We’re not our own any more but his possessions and captives forever (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). That’s what we’ve been made for in Christ Jesus. We live in him and he in us because apart from the Lord Christ we can do nothing.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

December 1, 2016

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.