Orange Moon Thursday, October 10, 2024 "The Sequence of the Gospel"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"The Sequence of the Gospel"

   The sequence of the Gospel, Biblically understood and communicated, always begins with the Lord Jesus Christ… 

    "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8).

    We do not preach or witness to the lost, "You are a sinner.  God has provided a Savior."  We rather proclaim, "There is a Savior, the Lord Jesus, who 'able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him' " (Hebrews 7:25).  We then inform the hearer, "You are a sinner, and desperately need a Savior."  "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).  The sequence is vital, first, to be faithful to God and Scripture, and then to affirm in proper order God's saving grace in Christ.

   Like the Israelites of old, healed from snakebite by looking away to a brazen serpent forged in fire and hanging on a pole, sinners cannot be saved by primary focus on their sin, but rather by the hope of "when he looketh upon it, shall live" (Numbers 21:6-9).  Or, in New Testament terms, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  This does not preclude declaring and defining sin to the sinner in stark Biblical terms of death, deception, and destruction.  "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God… the soul that sinneth, it shall die" we say to the unbeliever, faithfully adding, "This includes you" (Romans 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4).  The Gospel sequence, however, does infuse our communication of the Gospel with the power of a salvation prepared before any sinner was even conceived.  

    The sequence rightly reflects the vital reality that in the heart, mind, and purpose of God, a Savior of eternity existed long before the sinners of Eden and their progeny.  Most importantly, it shines the brightest ray of light in our witness on the Lord Jesus.  No sinner ever received salvation by merely mourning his wrong, but rather by receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ.  Certainly, the mourning is necessary.  But it cannot be primary.  We declare "the Author… the Beginning… and the Alpha" as our blessed theme of witness.  Thereby, the truth of sin stands forth in contrast, causing the sinner to more clearly see his need for a Savior.  "In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).

    We must honestly and forthrightly "warn… to flee from the wrath to come" (Luke 3:7).  We best do so by first bearing witness to the wrath that fell on the Lamb of God.  "Christ died for our sins" (I Corinthians 15:3).  The Lord Jesus has always been the basis of salvation, whether of the promise that He would come, or the promise that He came.  In such blessed light, we go forth with a Gospel that ever begins with "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."  Thereby, the sinner sees his darkness in the bright illumination of the Savior.  In God's mind, Christ first, now and forevermore.  May the same glory fill our mind, and our proclaiming the Gospel in its glorious Savior, salvation, and sequence.

"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children."

(Psalm 103:17)

Memory Verse

   "We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."

 (Psalm 66:12)

       

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Orange Moon Wednesday, October 9, 2024 "Tender Mercies, Over All"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Tender Mercies, Over All"

   In a world of profound and ongoing need, born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have access to God's help for the hurting.

   "But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

    

   "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Corinthians 2:1).

   Humanity exists as a race composed of those who have been redeemed by God's grace in the Lord Jesus, and also by many who do not believe in God, many who reject Him with great animosity, and many who completely misperceive His character, nature, and way.  Our Father looks with compassion upon all, seeking to comfort His trusting children in Christ, and also administer help to the  lost because He cares, and because He seeks to turn their hearts to Him.  "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).

    Believers play a role in the administration of God's caring and comfort.  Certainly, we use our hands and feet whenever possible to bring hope and help to the hurting.  We also engage our hearts by approaching our Lord in prayer to ask Him to do that which so accords with His nature.  We pray for friend and foe at "the throne grace" so aptly named for ourselves, and for all (Hebrews 4:16).  The Lord Jesus died for His enemies at Calvary.  He also prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross (Romans 5:6-10; Luke 23:34).  Without minimizing or mitigating the realities of sin and rejection of God and His truth, we nevertheless approach our Heavenly Father in the love of Christ to seek His compassion "for all."  He will administer His grace wisely in answer to our prayers, and we will serve as "vessels of mercy" not only as undeserved recipients, but as intercessors seeking the same hope and help for others (Romans 9:23).

    I often wonder who prayed for Saul of Tarsus (best known as the Apostle Paul, quoted above), one of the most vile and violent enemies the Lord Jesus and His church ever encountered (Acts 8:3).  Did a brother or sister cast into prison through Saul's efforts ask for God to show His grace and mercy to the one responsible for his or her bondage?  We do not know.  Or perhaps we do.  The love of Christ in redeemed hearts leads to the Redeemer's compassion, and to prayers for enemies such as He prayed.  It will do the same in us as we trust and submit to God.  We do no injury to righteousness and holiness as we pray for those who reject the Savior.  In fact, we confirm that the King of righteousness and the Lord of holiness has found a place in our hearts, a place of compassion and "tender mercies over all His works"…

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

(Matthew 5:43-45)

Memory Verse

   "We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."

 (Psalm 66:12)

       

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Orange Moon Tuesday, October 8, 2024 "No Uh-ohs"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"No Uh-ohs"

    What does tomorrow hold?  We do not know, but as the old hymn assures, "We know who holds tomorrow."

    "His understanding is infinite… Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world" (Psalm 147:5; Acts 15:18).

   We actually do not know what even this day holds.  We have expectations, most which may be fulfilled as anticipated.  However, we know nothing of the future, whether immediate or longterm, with absolute certainty.  Life surprises us with blessing, difficulty, and the mundane.  Thus, it behooves us to trust the One never taken aback, One who never expresses with amazement, "Well, I'll be!"

   Nor does our Heavenly Father ever say, "Uh-oh!"   I thought of this several days ago when a problem - soon solved, thankfully - arrived unexpectedly upon our doorstep.  I experienced the normal fleshly reaction of displeasure and puzzlement as to what we would need to do to deal with the unwanted visitor.  Thankfully, the truth we presently consider came to mind.  

    "Well, Father, I know that You know what will need to be done.  And if I could hear You audibly, I am sure I would hear no "Uhoh!"  

    This brought peace to my heart, although I still wondered and felt a bit of consternation regarding the actions necessary to solve the problem.  Again, we quickly realized what needed to be done, and the matter resolved.  As the Psalmist declared of such happy occasions, "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34:6).

    Sometimes, of course, quick solutions, rescues, provisions, and protections do not immediately appear.  God did not remove the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh," despite Paul's earnest pleas (II Corinthians 12:7-9).  As with Job, of course, the "messenger of Satan" that buffeted Paul directly involved the Lord who had purpose in allowing the devil to challenge His son and servant.  God was not surprised by Paul's thorn, but rather administered grace along with the painful barb.  Thereby, the Apostle continued his life and ministry in humility, blessing multitudes by the light that would not have shined so brightly had the thorn been removed.  "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh" (II Corinthians 4:10-11).

    We live anticipated lives.  The God in whom born again believers have placed the well being of this life and forevermore sees every moment and matter of the future as if presently occurring.  He has known them "from everlasting." Moreover, He knows what to do about the moments and the matters, all of them.  No "Uhohs!" with God.  He knows Himself too well for that, and He knows how willing and able He is be and do everything we need regarding every contingency of our existence.  Yes, when the unexpected challenge arrives, we greet the visitor with, "He has been expecting you!"  And then we remember and affirm….

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

(Isaiah 43:2)

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."

(Psalm 41:10)

Memory Verse

   "We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."

 (Psalm 66:12)

       

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