21st Dec

2 Chronicles 25     Zechariah 8     Revelation 12     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly – 2 Chr 25:2

Do you sometimes wonder what the summary statement of your life might look like? I am sure most of us would like to fall into the category of having done what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but what might doing right wholeheartedly mean?

God never does anything half-heartedly, the entire Bible testifies to this. In Zech 8 the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion. I am burning with jealousy for her.” We then read about his plan to restore his relationship with Zion and about all the blessings he will bring to Jerusalem, which are in accordance with the covenant he made with Moses (Lev 26:3).

However, God’s wholehearted approach to us goes even further: in order to redeem his people he does what he would never ask of anyone else: he sacrifices his only son, Jesus Christ, whose blood seals a new covenant with us (Jer 31:31-34; Luke 22:20). Also, through Jesus’ death on the cross our enemy, Satan, is defeated. In Rev 12 we read what will happen next: he will be hurled to earth, where he will unleash a period of final hostility towards the people of God (Rev 12:12), before he is finally thrown in the lake of burning sulphur (Rev 20:10).

God is always interested in our hearts, not our outside appearance (Hos 6:6). Doing something wholeheartedly means willingly, not forced. In his letter to the Romans Paul writes that simply observing the law doesn’t make anyone righteous in God’s sight, it only makes us aware of sin (Ro 3:20). In contrast, there is a righteousness from God which doesn’t come from obeying the law, but which “comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (v22). Wholeheartedly obeying Christ’s teaching means we are set free from sin and become willing servants (‘slaves’) to righteousness (Ro 6:17-18).

Peter further tells us what we have to do, to receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pe1:3-11): “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love”.  As we learnt in the Freedom in Christ course: God’s goal for our life, which can never be blocked, is for our character to become like Christ’s.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of your Son (Ro 8:29). Help us to wholeheartedly pursue your goal for our lives. Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

20th Dec

2 Chronicles 22-23     Zechariah 7     Revelation 11     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

In your hearts do not think evil of each other – Zech 7:9

Who doesn’t love watching an exciting film with villains, secret plots, fight scenes, surprising twists and a triumphant hero in the end? It is possible to visualise the past historic events of 2 Chr 22-23 and the future events of Rev 11 like an action movie; however there is another type of very real drama constantly taking place, often invisible to others, but never to God: the attitudes and emotions inside our hearts.

In Zech 7 the people ask whether they should continue fasting in the fifth month, as they have done for the past seventy years in commemoration of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. God responds by pointing out that he is actually more interested in true justice, mercy, compassion and protection of the weak. He closes saying “In your hearts do not think evil of each other”. (Zech 7:9)

The apostle John wrote that we have been told from the beginning that we should love one another and goes on to explain: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 Jn 3:14).

It is difficult to hide a negative attitude towards another person. In Matt 15:18-19 Jesus tells us that the things coming out of the mouth come from the heart. Our words can be very powerful to the point of life or death (Prov 18:21). It doesn’t necessarily have to be open hostility, but even nuances in tone and expression can be equally devastating.

What is our attitude? Do we treat our fellow human beings with true justice? Is Christ Church a place where mercy and genuine compassion are shown to one another? Is there anyone we are thinking evil of in our hearts?

We all know that it is much easier to engage in religious activities such as the fasting in Zech 7, rather than to change attitudes in our heart. Luckily however, we don’t have to rely on ourselves to deal with this problem: through the blood of Jesus and with a sincere heart we are able to draw near to God and have our hearts cleansed (Heb 10:19-22).

Father God, we are sorry if darkness in our hearts has caused harm through careless words. Please cleanse our hearts from any evil thoughts. Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)