Created for Glory

"The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible,
and only possible by the work of Christ,
that some of us, that any of us who really chooses ...
shall find approval, shall please God."
~ C.S. Lewis

Created for Glory

"Who are these arrayed in white robes ...? These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
~ Revelation 7:13-14 (NKJV)

A great deal is said in Bible dictionaries about the Greek word doxa, translated "glory." Zodhiates* includes this striking description:

... The true glory of man ... is the ideal condition in which God created man. This condition was lost in the fall and is recovered through Christ and exists as a real fact in the divine mind. The believer waits for this complete restoration. The glory of God is what He is essentially; the glory of created things including man is what they are meant by God to be, though not yet perfectly attained ...

We bear the image of God. We were created for glory.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
~ Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

The Hebrew netsach has multiple nuances and translations. It is used once as a name of God. It sometimes refers to "glory." It also refers to strength and vitality, and to the glorious, vibrant red color of wine—or of blood.

Revelation depicts the saints—created in the image of divinity—clothed in robes which are made glorious white by the blood of the Lamb.

Whatever else we think we might do to attain "glory"—of appearance, of reputation, of renown—the glory of the saint is revealed through the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, we cannot begin to comprehend all You have done for us. Please let us glimpse Your glory and long to manifest it, both now and in eternity.

: : :

* From The Complete Word Study Dictionary, © 1992 By AMG International, Inc., General Editor: Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D.

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: iamthewordthecomforter.blogspot.com

Question of the Week: Who Killed Jesus?

Who killed Jesus? ~ Anonymous

I offer these questions in reply: Who didn't kill Jesus? Exactly what killed Jesus?

The scheme to kill Jesus was empowered by satan. (Luke 22:3-4)

The betrayer Judas arranged for Jesus to be seized and killed. (Matthew 26:14-15)

The leaders of the Jews orchestrated the execution of Jesus. (Matthew 27:1-2)

The people of Israel had gathered to Jerusalem for Passover, nearly rioted to demand Jesus' death, and declared that His blood should be upon them and their descendants. (Matthew 27:20-25)

Pilate clearly willed to release Jesus, affirmed Jesus as King, and washed His hands of Jesus' blood—yet gave the consent by which both the individual Roman soldiers under his command and the Roman government carried out the crucifixion of Jesus. (John 19:16-22)

Jesus Himself submitted to death despite His power to escape it (Matthew 26:53)—not because it was His will (Matthew 26:39-44), but because it was the will of His Father:

Yet it was the will of YHWH to crush Him with grief of suffering.
When You make His soul a sacrificial offering for sin,
He shall see His seed,
He shall prolong His days.
The will of YHWH will prosper [triumph] in Him.
Isaiah 53:10 (author; full context: Isaiah 53)

God set in motion all these events because there was no other way to remove the guilt of our sins and triumph over death:

... without shedding of blood there is no pardon for sin... [Christ] has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself... Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
Hebrews 9:22,26,28 (NKJV)

The "many" for whom Jesus died is all humanity. Thus we might see ourselves responsible for His death only as part of the collective human race—except that each of us has sinned as an individual and is therefore personally guilty.

Exactly what killed Jesus? The above verse of Isaiah 53:10 says Jesus was crushed with chalah, a Hebrew word for sickness of grief or extreme suffering. Medical science and Scripture indicate that Jesus likely died neither as a result of bleeding to death nor of the suffocation which accompanies crucifixion, but of extreme grief. For more details, see "Broken."

Please allow me to suggest that when we resist the touch of the Lord in our lives, we fail to show appreciation for Jesus' death and continue to cause Him grief.

© 2010 Anne Lang Bundy
Image from the movie "Passion of the Christ," © 2004 Icon Productions

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This post originally appeared at Bullets & Butterflies. To see additional comments click here.

Make the Love Between Us Flow

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
~ John 15:12 (NKJV)

Reconciliation was and is the work of God. In every way, the Lord Jesus worked to bring reconciliation between God and mankind, among people. The difficulties in our life which God allows draw us to His throne in prayer, and compel us to work together for resolution and unity.

True unity is of another, unseen world. We learn it from the things of this world which are seen. We see birth and death that we might understand a bigger circle which unifies.

We see colors, that we might better understand the God Who is all colors of light—Who visited the earth as Son of Man and allowed us to glimpse purest love.




The Coloring Song

Red is the color of the blood that flowed
down the face of Someone Who loved us so,
He's the perfect Man, He's the Lord's Own Son,
He's the Lamb of God, He's the only One,
that can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can make the Love between us flow

Blue is the color of a heart so cold
that will not bend when the story's told,
of the Love of God for a sinful race,
of the Blood that flowed down Jesus' face
that can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can keep our hearts from growing cold

Gold is the color of the morning sun
that shines so freely on everyone,
it's the sun above that keeps us warm,
it's the Son of Love that calms the storm
that can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can turn our mornings into gold

Brown is the color of the autumn leaves,
when the winter comes to the barren trees,
there is birth, there is death, there is a plan
and there's just one God and there's just one Man
that can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can make our sins as white as snow

That can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can turn our mornings into gold,

That can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can keep our hearts from growing cold,

That can give us life, that can make us grow,
that can make the Love between us flow


Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
"The Coloring Song" by Petra, from the album Never Say Die
©1981 Star Song Records

Lie of Hell #2: No More Worry About Sin

A recent "Question of the Week" at Bullets & Butterflies listed five of the devil’s lies which sound close enough to the truth to make them believable. This week addresses them in more detail:
• Monday – "You'll never be worthy of God's grace or love."
• Tuesday – "If you have faith, it doesn't matter if you sin."
• Wednesday – "Following Jesus solves your problems."
• Thursday – "Problems indicate God's condemnation."
• Friday – "If you love others then you're loving God."

: : : : :

"Sin and the child of God are incompatible.
They may occasionally meet;
they cannot live together in harmony."
~ John R.W. Scott

Lie of Hell #2: No More Worry About Sin

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment ... Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
~ Hebrews 10:26-29 (NKJV)

The devil desperately wants all humanity (saved and unsaved alike) to believe that grasping the faith of salvation means sin is no longer an issue to worry about.

Salvation is received by faith—but not all faith is saving faith. If faith is held in the mind as intellectual assent or in the mouth as verbal assent or in the hands as outward display of works, it is "first faith" rather than saving faith. Such "faith" produces the illusion of eternal security, evidenced by continued practice of sin. (See Luke 8:13; Matthew 24:12; Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22.)

Jesus speaks to His church with strong language, warning that failure to repent of sin will result in being vomited out of His mouth. (Revelation 3:16) He said He does not know and therefore rejects those who call Him "Lord" without obeying Him. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure ... for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
~ 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV)

Faith held outside the heart is not secure. It must take root in the heart to cover with Christ's blood the sin lying there which condemns us.

Once heart-faith takes root, it will begin to produce spiritual fruit and works of righteousness. We are neither saved nor made "more" righteous by works. We are saved by the faith which is evidenced with the Holy Spirit's works and fruit. (James 2:14-26; Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:12; Matthew 7:17-20; Luke 6:45)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
~ Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)

It was necessary for Jesus to die as He did only because sin is thoroughly intolerable to God. If we wear Jesus Christ on only the outside, we remain condemned sinners. If we are in Christ, we will walk in His Spirit—in freedom from condemnation.

If we are in Christ, we will seek to make not converts holding fleeting first faith but disciples holding saving faith.

Father in Heaven, thank You for the gift of Your Beloved Son. May our hearts hold unceasing gratitude for the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please help us cooperate with Your Spirit's work and yield to Your Spirit's fruit.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Lie of Hell #1: You’re Not Worthy of God’s Love

A recent "Question of the Week" at Bullets & Butterflies listed five of the devil’s lies which sound close enough to the truth to make them believable. This week addresses them in more detail:
• Monday – "You'll never be worthy of God's grace or love."
• Tuesday – "If you have faith, it doesn't matter if you sin."
• Wednesday – "Following Jesus solves your problems."
• Thursday – "Problems indicate God's condemnation."
• Friday – "If you love others then you're loving God."

: : : : :

"His love for me is utterly realistic,
based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me,
so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me."
~ J.I. Packer

Lie of Hell #1: You’re Not Worthy of God’s Love

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
~ James 2:10 (NKJV)

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
~ Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

Does the devil tell you your sin is so bad that you'll never be worthy of God's grace or love?

The truth is that we are not deserving of God's grace or love. We deserve something as a entitlement—perhaps because we earned it—when we are wronged by not receiving it.

The Lord's love and grace are not our right, but His gift to us. And like any true gift, they are freely given regardless of our lack of merit.

We are all undeserving sinners. The penalty for being a sinner is eternal death—end of discussion. The payment for all sin of all the world for all time has been paid by Jesus' blood. His sacrifice is greater than whatever could be called the greatest sin. The only unforgivable sin is to blaspheme, or deny, the testimony of Holy Spirit which speaks to us of salvation's power.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
~ Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

To be worthy is completely different than being deserving. God has made us in His image, desires fellowship with us, and delights in our love. He offers forgiveness from the sin which separates us from Him because He declares us worthy of forgiveness. No matter how horrific our sin is in our own eyes, the blood of Jesus is sufficient to cover it.

Father in Heaven, thank You for declaring us worthy of the cost of Your precious Son's blood. Please help us not to argue with You and say we are less. Please open our eyes to the truth of Your declaration that we are worthy of Your love, that we may resist the lies of satan.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Broken

Broken

And He began to be troubled and deeply distressed... [He] fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
~ Mark 14:33-36 (NKJV)

Jesus presented broken bread in token of fellowship and covenant, calling it His body. Hours later He showed what it is to allow oneself to be broken in submission to the Father’s will.

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
~ Luke 22:43-44 (NKJV)

History records exceptionally few instances of a person under the most extreme duress sweating blood—the result of broken blood vessels releasing blood through the sweat glands. In Jesus' case, He was strengthened by an angel to persevere to that point.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother ...
~ John 19:25 (NKJV)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
~ Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

Consider the agony of suffering any one of these: betrayal, ridicule, false accusation, denial, condemnation as vilest criminal, humiliation of public nudity, inconceivable torture, shame and guilt for overwhelming sin. Just one of these would devastate one of us. Jesus endures them all, takes on the weight of all sin for all time, then faces His mother in her moment of greatest agony while His Father's face is turned away. What excruciating pain of heart accompanied the physical torment?

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him... And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice ... [Then] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
~ Mark 15:25,34,37 (NKJV)

Joseph of Arimathea ... coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead.
~ Mark 15:43-44 (NKJV)

Crucifixion is not quick death by impalement, but death by slow suffocation taking days. Jesus' severely weakened condition is evidenced by the need to have Simon of Cyrene carry His cross. Yet Jesus' ability to twice cry out with a loud voice immediately before dying indicates He still had the ability to draw a strong breath. Pilate saw Jesus just hours earlier and obviously expected a protracted death. The testimony suggests cause of death was not suffocation.

One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
~ John 19:34 (NKJV)

There are records of strong emotions causing people to literally die of a broken heart. If one of the heart chambers or large blood vessels near the heart bursts from such psychosomatic stress, blood flooding into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can rapidly separate in to clotted blood cells and watery plasma.

Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
~ Psalms 69:20 (NKJV)

In this passage which prophesies of Jesus' bitter crucifixion, the Hebrew verb for "broken" is shabar. Its most literal meaning is "to burst." Scripture strongly suggests that while Jesus' demise was aggravated by multiple and severe physical injuries, His cause of death was a broken heart due to the most extreme emotional trauma ever known.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things ... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
~ Philippians 3:8-11 (NKJV)

Today is Good Friday, with its recollection of suffering and death.

Sunday is coming—and with it, the power of the resurrection.

Fellowship with Jesus means receiving only a taste of His suffering and death, yet sharing fully in His resurrection and life.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#TheCross
Image source: danacandler.com

Forgotten Not, Part II

"Tattoo: an expensive and painful way to guarantee

the police can make a positive identification."

~ @Daffynitions

Forgotten Not, Part II

A Psalm of David.
How long, O LORD?
Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
~ Psalms 13:1 (NKJV)

"Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."
~ Isaiah 49:15-16 (NKJV)

David's cry to the Lord is one readily understood. Which one of us has not been in a place of waiting on God with the thought, "How long, O Lord?" Though the mind knows God does not forget us, the heart sobs, "how long will You hide?"

Isaiah depicts a tender picture, of a woman and nursing babe. The Lord says even if a mother puts a baby from her mind—perhaps while he sleeps and she is about other things—we are forgotten not. He puts us where we are ever before Him, where He cannot forget us even momentarily, on His hands. We are not merely held there, we are permanently inscribed, as a tattoo might be.

Or as scars might be engraved with nails.

The wounds of Jesus were still evident in His resurrection body. Since our resurrection bodies are restored, they will be surely healed of the traumas inflicted. Martyrs burned and mutilated for their testimony will again be whole. Yet I think perhaps they may still bear scars of wounds willingly accepted in their love for God—just as Jesus kept upon His hands the graven reminder of His love for us, though they identified Him as a crucified criminal.

A tattoo is a means of permantent and positive identification for a person's cause on earth, considered beautiful by its owner. I cannot think that our scars would be anything less than beauty marks in Heaven.

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
~ Galatians 6:17 (NKJV)

Lord Jesus, we bear many kinds of wounds and scars for righteousness, if not upon our bodies then upon our hearts. Please keep us mindful of Your willful action to engrave us upon Your hands. Please make us willing to suffer without resentment.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#suffering
Image source: flickr.com

Exhibit E: Christ Crucified

Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with ... There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
~ Romans 6:6; 8:1 (NKJV)

But we preach Christ crucified.
~ 1 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV)

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin... If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen ...
~ John 15:22-24 (NKJV)

If I could choose only one chapter from the New Testament from which I could share, it would be Romans 8, arguably the most powerful passage of the entire Bible.

Having set the scene in his case for Christ, Paul now pulls out all the stops with three more exhibits. The greatest one is Christ Himself and His crucifixion.

Christ attested to Himself with His words and works. He spoke wisdom (and wit) greater than any man. He performed miracles utterly impossible for anyone else. His greatest work was accomplished in being crucified, and thereby overcoming the sin responsible for all injustice, all human suffering, all affliction and disease.

Once a person feels the weight of condemnation for sin, it is a burden too heavy to bear. Christ shouldered that crushing load at the last supper, evidenced its horror at Gethsemane, and did away with it at Calvary. The "body of sin" is an encumbrance we are no longer meant to know.

When we go to the cross with Jesus Christ, allow ourselves to be covered with His blood, and become identified as His, God stamps us "NO CONDEMNATION." We may not fully achieve God's perspective of such a thing in this life. We may continue to lay claim to sin which is no longer ours. We may cower under the oppression of knowing the harm our sin has wrought. Nonetheless:
We
are
not
condemned.

If this is not a case for Christ, what is?

Father God, we are frail children of dust. We hear the words which say we are not condemned, we perhaps believe them with our minds, but we cannot fathom how to make them real in our hearts. Please enable us to see ourselves as You see us—no better, no worse. Thank You for Your Son—Your beloved Lamb—and for His precious blood.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Super Grace

... death reigned from Adam until Moses ... Law entered alongside so that the offense should abound, but where sin abounded, grace super-abounded ...
~ Romans 5:14,20 (ALT)

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
~ Galatians 3:24 (NKJV)

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life... For he who has died has been freed from sin.
~ Romans 6:4,7 (NKJV)

We often think of grace as a New Testament principle which began with Jesus. Paul says death reigned from Adam to Moses. Through Moses the law is given, and grace came with it. With law comes revelation of Jesus Christ, for the law is a tutor to bring us to Christ and His grace.

Throughout the Old Covenant law is death of sacrificial animals for sin, so that grace might result. The cost must have seemed high to those who offered them. The cost of the New Covenant blood is likewise high. It not only cost Jesus His life, it is to cost us our lives—the right to live for ourselves. In return, we receive the abundant life of Jesus Christ.

Do you have sin which abounded? Is it buried with Christ? Guess how Paul describes the result? Here's the literal translation: "grace super-abounded." In Greek that's huperperisseuo. Huper means super, superior, over, exceeding. Perisseuo means superabound, be in excess, superfluous, to have more than enough.

"Where sin abounded, grace super-abounded." Remember it!

Lord Jesus, how can we begin to comprehend this super grace? Please show us each day how to live less of the life of Self, live more of the life of Jesus, and lay hold of the life of super grace.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Under His Wings

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD,
"He is my refuge ...
My God, in Him I will trust." ...
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge.
~ Psalms 91:1-2,4 (NKJV)

"I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
~ Ruth 3:9 (NKJV)

"I spread My wing over you ... Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord GOD.
~ Ezekiel 16:8 (NKJV)

Various accounts tell the story of a man who walks through the site of a recent fire and finds the remains of a charred bird, still fixed in a position with partially outstretched wings. The curious man prods the remains with his foot, and three live baby birds scamper out. The mother had instinctively gathered her own under her wings to protect them, even at the cost of her life.

The well-known image of a hen gathering chicks under her wing finds tender expression between man and wife, between God and His people. The psalmist knows that whatever threatens—danger, disease, death, despair—we have relationship with our God in which we find protection and provision when we abide close to Him, under His wings.

Never did a more clear picture exist of that protection and provision than when Jesus stretched out His arms upon a cross to shield us from the fire of hell, and to shield us from death by dying Himself.

Lord, thank You for including us in the people You call, "Mine." Thank You for the abundance and security we find in the bosom of Your Word and under the wings of Your Spirit. Thank You for the shelter of Your blood, under which death cannot touch us. Thank You for eternal life.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

The Shedding of Blood

"When the days of her purification are fulfilled ... she shall bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering ... Then he shall offer it before the LORD, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female."
~ Leviticus 12:6-7 (NKJV)

"And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting.... Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
~ Genesis 9:5-7 (NIV)

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
~ Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)

When God pronounced sin's consequences to Adam and Eve, woman's destiny became much toil in pregnancy and great pain in giving birth—and the desire for her husband that would ensure pregnancy. The process would involve bloodshed, both before and after pregnancy.

The Lord demands an accounting for the shedding of blood. His law required a woman (not her husband) to make atonement for the bloodshed of childbirth. God also commanded mankind to be fruitful and multiply, which requires childbirth. A catch-22 if ever there was one.

Before thinking "unfair," consider the process of being "born again." Before we receive spiritual life, our sins require an atonement [Hebrew kaphar, a covering which changes the nature of the thing covered]. For this God required the shedding of blood, and that blood was shed by His Son.

Most Holy God, You are good to make our lives and blood precious in Your sight. Please let us likewise see all human life as precious, valued no matter its circumstances. Please let us value most highly the blood of Your Son, by which we have forgiveness and eternal life.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

The Accuser

"It is not the custom ... to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him."
~ Acts 25:16 (NKJV)

"Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge ... "
~ Matthew 5:25 (NKJV)

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world "... the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night ... And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony ..."
~ Revelation 12:9-11 (NKJV)

Satan's name means "the accuser." David, Daniel and Jesus are prominent among righteous men wrongly charged by minions of the accuser. The voice from heaven in Revelation testifies that the accuser likewise slanders us "day and night."

Some charges contain some truth. If our adversary brings a charge of which we're guilty, the quickest relief comes in quickly confessing sin to God, who sees both our actions and hearts. The whole truth is that the blood of the Lamb cleanses our sin and leaves us without condemnation.

It's been said the devil speaks condemnation for sin and the Holy Spirit speaks conviction—conviction which leads to repentance and restoration. Once we've done these, the accuser has no grounds to charge us. If he tries, the word of our testimony overcomes his lies.

Father in heaven, many and great are our sins. The sacrifice of Your Son is infinitely greater. Thank you for the blood of Your Lamb. Thank You that no sin is too great for Your forgiveness. Please lead us by Your Spirit to bring every sin to You and to put it fully behind us.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

A Man of Sorrows

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:3-4 (NIV)

Then Ishbi-Benob ... who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel." ~ 2 Samuel 21:16-17 (NKJV)

A king is the man esteemed by his subjects above all men, who lives amid opulent comfort, whose blood is protected at any cost. But our divine King—the king above all Kings—lived as a Man despised and rejected by His subjects, suffered as no other man, and gave His blood to protect us from the consequences of sin.

The Father looks at a onetime wretch like me without condemnation because of His Son's blood. I cannot sing about the blood or think long about the blood without shedding tears for my beloved King. In that moment my heart is fully yielded to Him.

Before I know it, I yield to pride, lust, selfishness. I esteem Him not enough to cease from sin. I unmindfully hide my face from Him. And so the Man of Sorrows is once again despised, by me, who desperately wants to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

When I come to myself the tears flow again.

Beloved Jesus, I long for the day when You are no longer a Man of sorrows, when I and all Your people are faithful without fail, love You without restraint, and yield to You alone. Thank You for setting us free from the consequences of sin and the power of sin. Come Lord Jesus! Set Your creation free from the presence of sin.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

My Friend

"But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My friend...
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'
Fear not, you worm Jacob."
Isaiah 41:13,18-19 (NKJV)

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." ~ Romans 4:16-17 (NIV)

"You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I call you friends." ~ John 15:14-15 (NCV)

Who but God would call us both "My friend" and "you worm" in the same discourse? Though spoken through Isaiah to Abraham's descendants Israel, the words may readily be applied to the people of faith called "Abraham's offspring" by Paul and "friends" by Jesus.

Faith is the evidence which proves every Word spoken by unseen God, whether audibly to Abraham or as recorded by Scripture. Faith accepts Jesus as crucified Savior and Living Lord. Faith gratefully does whatever He asks.

Gratitude also remembers the heritage of being a worm—sinful, condemned wretches without hope except for our Creator's amazing grace and abundant mercy. We are royally clothed riff-raff, imposters before His throne until He recognizes the blood of His Son which covers us, extends His scepter, and declares, "My Friend."

My Lord and my God, how is it that You should want me as friend? How is it that You should cover me with Your Son's blood and see me without condemnation? Please let the same heart which hears you lovingly whisper "friend" also discern Your good will and leap to do it.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Behind the Veil

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him... Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour... And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:25,33,37-38 NKJV)

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV)

"I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore ... when I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand... Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.' " (Ezekiel 33:7-8,11 NKJV)

Most Christians have heard that the presence of God lay behind the veil of the Most Holy Place, bringing death to the high priest who entered if not purified by blood—and that when Jesus Christ shed His blood the torn veil represented the removal of that separation from God.

But danger still dwells behind the veil. To those who have not been covered by the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His blood, one day entering the presence of God will mean eternal death for their sin. They may not plead innocent by reason of ignorance.

Those of us covered by our Lord's blood are no longer separated from God and have access to His presence—but not for ourselves only. Ezekiel was sent to the house of Israel. To whomever we each may be sent, we have a most serious responsibility to both warn of the danger and invite access to life behind the veil, lest the blood of the wicked be upon our hands.

Almighty God, access to Your holy presence is a precious privilege. Thank You for restoring Yourself to us. Please take away the flesh from our ears so we may clearly hear when You would have us share the warning and the invitation to others of Your presence behind the veil.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Sinning Willfully

And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. (Mark 15:17-19 NKJV)

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins ... How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean [not holy, common] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26,29 NASB, amplified)

For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
(Psalms 55:12-13 ESV)

The Greek words for repentance occur some 60 times in the New Testament. Repentance is too directly tied to salvation to refute that the two are mutually dependent. Jesus goes so far as to say, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3 NKJV)

Salvation is a free gift because its cost is so high we have no ability to purchase it, with good works or otherwise. Repentance is not a work by which one earns salvation, but the fruit which proves salvation.

If we claim we have received salvation from sin and sin's death penalty, we cannot sin willfully without mocking salvation, and the blood with which it was purchased. Such mockery is no different than those who put upon Jesus a crown of thorns, struck Him, spit upon Him—then bowed the knee in feigned worship.

Sinning willfully is no option for those who claim to be Christ's.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your holy covenant blood of forgiveness from sin. The spirit repents of sin, but the flesh remains weak. Please give us the desire and strength to turn away from every thought, feeling, word, or action which is offensive to Your great Spirit of grace.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

The Bitter and the Sweet

And He said to them, This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Mark 14:24-25 MKJV)

So says your Lord Jehovah and your God,
He strives for His people.
Behold, I have taken the cup of reeling out of your hand,
the bowl of the cup of My fury;
you shall not yet again drink it.
(Isaiah 51:22 LITV)

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV)

In ancient Israel, a man and woman drank one cup of wine to seal their betrothal covenant, and another at their wedding. Wine symbolized covenant, prosperity, and joy—but also sorrow, and the reeling of wrath. The drink of the fermented blood of the grape was both bitter and sweet.

In our modern celebration of communion, most of us use juice rather than wine, consuming only the sweetness of the grape and exempting ourselves from any bite. Little wonder that we expect only sweetness in the Christian life, rather than to share Jesus' cup of suffering.

We look forward to sharing the Bridegroom's cup in the kingdom of God, when it is new and sweet, the best wine saved until the last, when it shall have no bite, but contain only joy. In the meantime, each commUnion cup is a reminder of both the bitter and the sweet.

Lord Jesus, what a high bride price You paid to betroth us to Yourself, Your life poured out in very human blood. Thank You for sharing Your life with us. Please give us grace and strength to share Your suffering. Please unite our hearts to Yours and to one another in true communion.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

The Cup

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near...
But God is the Judge: He puts down one,
And exalts another.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,
And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
Drain and drink down.
But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
(Psalms 75:1,7-9 NKJV)

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:41-44 NKJV)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Learned scholars debate the nature of "forsaken" when Jesus declared it of Himself, arguing Trinity unity prohibits separation. Indeed, it could mean no full, final separation when the Son was by the Father forsaken.

Yet in marriage—God's picture of being united in heart, soul, mind and body—there are painful moments of separation. Not the finality of divorce, but agonizing rejection when one spouse embodies a concept the other finds abhorrent, and unity is impossible until a change occurs.

The wicked must not sip but drain a cup filled by sin with separation from God. It was not merely crucifixion's suffering, but the separation from which Jesus drew back when the Father presented that cup in Gethsemane. To embody our sin meant Jesus became abhorrent to the Father just long enough to accept our death penalty.

For whatever else we give thanks, let it often be that God is near, and we need not drink of the cup from which the very Son of God three times begged His Abba to be delivered.

Lord Jesus, thank You for drinking from the cup that belonged to us. Thank You for receiving the agony we will never know. Thank You for taking upon Yourself the sin so utterly abhorrent to both You and the Father. Please enable us to accept from Your hand whatever You offer us.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

So Great a Salvation

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
"Let God be magnified!"
(Psalms 70:4 NKJV)

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away... How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation ... ? (Hebrews 2:1-3 NKJV)

Then [Jesus] turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." (Luke 7:44-47 NKJV)

Many Christians grew up attending a church where God's Word was esteemed, decided at a young age to walk with Jesus, and have never strayed far from the straight and narrow. A good many others waded miserably in the mire of sin before gratefully receiving so great a salvation.

The second group knows the shame of many sins. But no Christian has been forgiven little. The manifestations may have been different, but all have fallen into anger, lust, and especially pride.

All must earnestly heed the Bible, lest we neglect so great a salvation. All must remain vigilant that Self does not dethrone the Lord, even momentarily. All those who seek God out are compelled to love much.

If we love so great a salvation, let us say continually, "Let God be magnified!" in our lives. He will show us how to do so and enable us.

Lord, You paid the highest possible price for our salvation, because You love much. Please let each of us understand how great a salvation we have received. Please let us value so great a salvation not upon a limited perception of sin, but upon its great cost to You. Please enable each of us to love You much and to show it.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
~ Robert Robinson, 1735-1790, Come Thou Fount

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Sons and Daughters

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.... Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ... Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ... Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord.... "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters." (2 Corinthians 6:12,14-15,17-18 NKJV)

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
(1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV)

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'Set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'A man's enemies will be those of his own household.' " (Matthew 10:34-36 NKJV)

We do not choose our family members. And relationships with siblings are unique. With whom else do we share as much of work and play, food and clothes, house and even bed? Who else knows us like a sibling? In whom else does the same heritage, DNA and blood run?

Those born again in Christ’s blood enter a new family. Among the most difficult Scriptures to apply are directions to distinguish between believing brother and sister in the Lord and unbelieving neighbor—who may be a natural relative, and who Christ may make an enemy.

Yet the blood of Christ unites God’s children in common experience and fellowship unknown to an unbeliever. We certainly continue to associate with unbelievers (1 Cor. 5:9-10). But the close communion which makes us part of one another is reserved for family.

Father in heaven, surely one of the greatest agonies of this world is to be separated by Your blood from a member of natural family. Surely one of the greatest joys is the communion of the saints. Thank You for replacing our losses not thirty nor sixty but hundredfold. Thank You for the blood of Your Lamb.

Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy