Jesus' Last Days VII – Excuse

Today, in joining with people across the globe to observe Good Friday and remember our Savior's last day, I am reminded that my kind and gentle sister Mary once pointed out to me that an explanation is not necessarily an excuse.

Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
~ Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

It seems to me that in asking for mercy on behalf of sinners He loved, Jesus offered His Father an explanation with making excuse.

We tend to confuse the two and too easily offer explanation for how we come to commit sin. We may take a measure of solace in knowing that "to err is human." When placing blame, it lands comfortably upon the provocation of someone else, whether mortal or demon.

Whatever explanation we might offer, God's Word says we "are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-21).

Perhaps worse, none of us even begins to comprehend the severity of our sin or the extent of its effects.

It's been said that the surest proof of the existence of Hell (and therefore how very bad sin is) may be found in the fact that Jesus died horrifically to save us from God's wrath against sin.

It stands to reason that the death of Jesus, extreme as it was, is of greater magnitude than even such immense sin. And it follows that the love of God outweighs them both.

"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' "
~ Luke 18:13 (NKJV)

Putting faith in Christ is to be excused for inexcusable sin and discover a chasm of gratitude. Growing in Christ is both learning how to sin less and seeing our sin all the more.

Dear Father, thank You for Your great love and mercy and perfect justice. Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing this to us.

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Copyright 2013, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Not Appointed to Wrath

Not Appointed to Wrath

By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed ... The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
~ Revelation 9:18,20-21 (NIV)

Fast-forward from 2010 AD to Earth's Great Tribulation. A fourth of the population was killed at Revelation 6:8. A third are killed here at 9:18. If one guesses that a third of the original population was Christians (who were raptured and are now absent), the planet has lost perhaps three fourths of its people, perhaps more.

Those remaining are a stubborn group. They have some clue that God is making war upon them (see Revelation 6:16). Yet like the Pharaoh of Moses’ time, they refuse to bow to His will. As the plagues of God’s wrath intensify, so does the pride which despises the goodness of God and refuses repentance Romans 2:4-5.

Rewind back to 2010.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV)

The whole creation now groans because of sin (Romans 8:19-22). World governments are crumbling under waste and ineptitude. We who are Christ's face tribulation, trials, temptations.

But we are not appointed to wrath.

We are appointed to live together with Him (to abide in Jesus through His Word and Spirit), to comfort each other (one-on-one is implied), and to edify one another (build up the whole body).

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
~ Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)

Rich comfort and peace and strength to each of you in such words.

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.
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You Have Loved Righteousness

"God is the same Person yesterday, today, and forever;
but in the drama of the ages, He plays many parts."
~ Bob Jones, Sr.

You Have Loved Righteousness

"These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God ..."
~ Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)

But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness."
~ Hebrews 1:8-9 (NKJV)

The God of the Old Testament Who demands justice and the God made flesh in the Jesus Who heals are the the same faithful and true God, unchanged and unchanging since the Beginning of creation. He has always hated sin and loved sinners.

There is no more contradiction in the Word of God between Old and New Testaments than in the directions of a daddy to prohibit or prompt using the stove for the toddler and teenager. Different ages, different directions, same loving Father.

If the OT God seems harsh, consider if it is truly harsh is it to spank precious little fingers to prevent them being burned. If He seems judgmental, consider that justice would not be served to set a convicted murderer free to kill again.

Thus the person who makes claim to the payment of Jesus blood for his or her sin must repent of sin and love righteousness, or else one day face the same God Whose justice demanded Jesus' death—without the benefit of being clothed in Christ's righteousness at that meeting.

Those who read these words may not be the ones who need to apply them. But it's a sure bet that we know someone who has yet to have them lovingly explained.

Lord Almighty, our Shepherd and Savior and Sacrifice, please allow us to trust Your justice and rely upon Your mercy as we seek to know You fully as unchanging God.

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.
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Two-edged Sword, Part II

"Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture that they cannot understand; but as for me, I always noticed that the passages in Scripture that trouble me most are those that I do understand."
~ Mark Twain


Two-edged Sword, Part II

"These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: '... Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth... To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat...' "
~ Revelation 2:12,16-17 (NKJV)

The Word of God is sword of the Spirit and Jesus Himself. The gentle King on a donkey's foal is five times in Revelation depicted with a sword—the warrior King on a horse. Among those to feel His sword are those in the church who dare use His Gospel for personal gain (yesterday's Part I).

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

His two-edged sword cuts both ways. For those who love Him named Word of God, the sword which pierces to division of godly spirit from soul of flesh also brings peace and comfort; the sword which cuts away shackles of bondage brings both freedom and liberty; the sword which shall condemn to death God's enemies is life to His children.

Reading the Bible may first trouble a person as it reveals sin. But to then turn away from the Word allows sin to fester as an unattended infection. Staying in the Word and allowing it to complete its full work brings light and strength and treasure.

To stay in the Word is to find hidden manna to nourish the soul.

Lord Jesus—Word of God, Word of Life, Word of Hope—please give Your people a desire for all the gifts in You. Please let us never fear Your sword.

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.
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El Gadol Gibbor / Great and Mighty God

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

El Gadol Gibbor / Great and Mighty God
(prounounced: "ale gah-DOLE ghib-BORE")
El Gadol Yare / Great and Terrifying God

"Ah, Lord YHWH!
Behold, You have created the heavens and the earth
By Your great power and outstretched arm.
There is nothing too wonderful or miraculous for You to do! ...
Great and Mighty God, whose name is YHWH of Hosts,
You are great in counsel and mighty in deed."
~ Jeremiah 32:17-19 (author, amplified)

"You shall not be terrified of them, for YHWH your God, the Great and Terrifying God, is among you."
~ Deuteronomy 7:21 (author)

Jeremiah speaks to the Great and Mighty God as the Lord asks Jeremiah to do what seems ludicrously impossible. To paraphrase Jeremiah's response might sound like, "Ah Lord YHWH! I know You can do anything, and You've proven it with things like those plagues in Egypt and the whole Red Sea incident and making Israel a nation. I know Your great counsel and wisdom are not to be questioned. Lord, I really am having a hard time understanding how or why You're going to pull off this one. But I'll heed what You tell me to do."

The Lord replies that He needs Jeremiah to testify to the people with not only the prophet's words but His actions, exactly because the Lord is going to do what seems impossible. And then the Great and Mighty God says some of the most precious words in the Old Testament: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Jeremiah has been granted a high privilege. When he calls out to the Great and Mighty God he will receive an answer and miracles which Jeremiah cannot even think of.

The context of the story is one when God will also show Himself the Terrifying God. Or, as the King James renders it, "Terrible God." God is about to pour out destruction on Jerusalem worse than even the Holocaust. He gives more than adequate warning and protection for the faithful who heed Him. Those who scoff at the Lord will indeed experience what a Terrifying God He is to anyone who flagrantly and persistently opposes Him.

We approach the days when all inhabitants of the earth will again face the Lord, as either the Terrifying God Who unleashes the wrath He's patiently held back against defiance, or as the Great and Mighty God for Whom no miracle is impossible—for Whom no matter is too small to make it wonderful.

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