913AFC032709
Not long ago in the AFC topic, “Where is He?” references were given that spoke of answers to that question, and I mentioned perhaps taking up the corollary of that question, “Where are you?” That is today’s topic. I think the first time that question comes up is in Genesis. The LORD stops in at Eden for a visit, and Adam and Eve are hiding. You remember the scene:
“Where are you?” (Gen. 3:8-9) 8. When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9. The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” Looking back we know they were at the end of an era and the beginning of a new relationship with their Creator. They hid. They knew the difference between good and evil. They must choose between those opposites. They have to choose to move toward the LORD or away from Him. What they lost that day was more than just Heaven on Earth. Their legacy is that now every living soul has the same choice to make – to move toward the spiritual reunion with the LORD or to move toward the spiritual separation we inherited from original sin.
Answer – Away from God (Isa. 53:6) We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
Answer – Guilty before God (Rom. 3:10-19) There is no one just, not one, 11 there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, (there is not) even one. 13 Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips; 14 their mouths are full of bitter cursing. 15 Their feet are quick to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery are in their ways, 17 and the way of peace they know not. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that what the law says is addressed to those under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world stand accountable to God, 20 since no human being will be justified in his sight by observing the law; for through the law comes consciousness of sin.
Answer – Lost to God (Luke 15:24, 31-32) Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 31 He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’
Answer – Found in Christ (Romans 6:4-6) 4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 5 For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
Answer – Restored through Grace (Ephesians 2:4-8) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.
Answer – In the protection of His Hand (Psalm 139:5-6) 5 Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.
If we decide to return to the LORD, we must exercise our gift of choice, and decide on moving away from darkness into Light. It is the essence of repentance – making the decision to be found is as simple as turning around, of chasing Jesus until He catches you.
In a recent conversation about repentance I said that the good thing about repentance is that there is no limit to how often you can repent. That’s a good thing, yes? I know for me it is good and reassuring to know that repentance is just grace-in-action. I don’t earn it. It’s everywhere God is, so it is never far from me. It sounds too easy, too good to be true.
But it is true.
When I thought about repentance later, I thought about a character in a television program a few years ago that about a law firm. One of the characters was always saying, “Bygones.” Another phrase we hear that is similar is “Oops. My bad.” How about “Whatever!!”? All are expressions that attempt to give the impression of acknowledgement of guilt and a semblance of apology or contrition. This TV character was feigning reconciliation. I do that sometimes. How about you? How can we tell if “Bygones” really means something?
When I admit that I am wrong but do nothing to make it right, I am convicted by the Law, and my conscience prompts me to act on that. It is through the Law that we feel the conviction for conversion. It is through Grace and Grace alone that the conviction becomes conversion. If I say, “I repent” but do not change, have no intention of changing, and don’t even believe change is necessary – have I repented? Of course not. So there is no limit to the number of times I can repent as long as what I do is repent. Then and only then can I say, “Bygones.”
One week left before Good Friday. I have The 7 R’s scheduled for next week, but that may change.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever — at your service, Beloved. Pray for one another and for all others.
Many requests this week for members’ families and friends suffering illness, economic tsunamis, poverty, shaken faith, and also many praise reports. Offer these intentions as intercessions from your own hearts. He will know about whom you’re praying.
913AFC032709
Not long ago in the AFC topic, “Where is He?” references were given that spoke of answers to that question, and I mentioned perhaps taking up the corollary of that question, “Where are you?” That is today’s topic. I think the first time that question comes up is in Genesis. The LORD stops in at Eden for a visit, and Adam and Eve are hiding. You remember the scene:
“Where are you?” (Gen. 3:8-9) 8. When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9. The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” Looking back we know they were at the end of an era and the beginning of a new relationship with their Creator. They hid. They knew the difference between good and evil. They must choose between those opposites. They have to choose to move toward the LORD or away from Him. What they lost that day was more than just Heaven on Earth. Their legacy is that now every living soul has the same choice to make – to move toward the spiritual reunion with the LORD or to move toward the spiritual separation we inherited from original sin.
Answer – Away from God (Isa. 53:6) We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
Answer – Guilty before God (Rom. 3:10-19) There is no one just, not one, 11 there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, (there is not) even one. 13 Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips; 14 their mouths are full of bitter cursing. 15 Their feet are quick to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery are in their ways, 17 and the way of peace they know not. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that what the law says is addressed to those under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world stand accountable to God, 20 since no human being will be justified in his sight by observing the law; for through the law comes consciousness of sin.
Answer – Lost to God (Luke 15:24, 31-32) Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 31 He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’
Answer – Found in Christ (Romans 6:4-6) 4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 5 For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
Answer – Restored through Grace (Ephesians 2:4-8) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.
Answer – In the protection of His Hand (Psalm 139:5-6) 5 Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.
If we decide to return to the LORD, we must exercise our gift of choice, and decide on moving away from darkness into Light. It is the essence of repentance – making the decision to be found is as simple as turning around, of chasing Jesus until He catches you.
In a recent conversation about repentance I said that the good thing about repentance is that there is no limit to how often you can repent. That’s a good thing, yes? I know for me it is good and reassuring to know that repentance is just grace-in-action. I don’t earn it. It’s everywhere God is, so it is never far from me. It sounds too easy, too good to be true.
But it is true.
When I thought about repentance later, I thought about a character in a television program a few years ago that about a law firm. One of the characters was always saying, “Bygones.” Another phrase we hear that is similar is “Oops. My bad.” How about “Whatever!!”? All are expressions that attempt to give the impression of acknowledgement of guilt and a semblance of apology or contrition. This TV character was feigning reconciliation. I do that sometimes. How about you? How can we tell if “Bygones” really means something?
When I admit that I am wrong but do nothing to make it right, I am convicted by the Law, and my conscience prompts me to act on that. It is through the Law that we feel the conviction for conversion. It is through Grace and Grace alone that the conviction becomes conversion. If I say, “I repent” but do not change, have no intention of changing, and don’t even believe change is necessary – have I repented? Of course not. So there is no limit to the number of times I can repent as long as what I do is repent. Then and only then can I say, “Bygones.”
One week left before Good Friday. I have The 7 R’s scheduled for next week, but that may change.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever — at your service, Beloved. Pray for one another and for all others.
Many requests this week for members’ families and friends suffering illness, economic tsunamis, poverty, shaken faith, and also many praise reports. Offer these intentions as intercessions from your own hearts. He will know about whom you’re praying.
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
