CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

by: Pastor Jose Velasco

Read: Romans 6:5-10

   In Romans 6:6 Paul points out an important basic experience of the Christian. He is one who has been crucified with Christ. We wonder if this is what those few Filipinos in the Philippines who want to be literally crucified on Good Fridays have in mind. But Paul has never been physically crucified. He meant a spiritual crucifixion that leads to a new life. Paul mentions this in Galatians in a more specific way by saying, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). This is the crucifying of the old self that Paul refers to in Romans 6:6.

 

Photo courtesy of  christianitymalaysia.com

   Specifically what are these things to be crucified? They are the sinful passions and desires. All inner desires, thoughts and attitudes that are contrary to God’s will. Jesus mentions some of them in Mark 7:21-22: theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, envy, slander, arrogance. Paul lists some of them in his letters. To mention a few are sexual immorality, greed, anger, slander, filthy language, and lying (Colossians 3:5-9). These inner sinful dispositions determine our outward behavior and life-style. These comprise the old self that must be crucified, according to Paul. But what does it mean to crucify these? How are they crucified?

   These are two questions we must consider regarding this crucifixion. First is what does it mean to crucify these sinful dispositions? Paul explains it thus, “For we know that our old self was crucified so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—“ (Rom. 6:6). It means to let go of sin, to abandon it. This liberates us from the powerful grip of sin. Sin no longer controls us. So this crucifixion experience produces a radical change in us. Paul says that as the old sinful life is crucified, the new life in Christ takes over (Galatians 2:20). Hence, there is a notable renewal (2 Cor. 5:17). Both our inward sinful thoughts and desires, and the outward sinful life-style they produce are gradually going away. The second question is how does this crucifixion happen? It is not literal and physical. And not done with our own personal efforts. We are too powerless to do that. Jesus Himself did that for us when He died on the cross (2 Cor. 5:14). So what should we do? We must believe in Him and accept that He died in our place for our sins. This believing does not merely mean accepting Jesus’ existence and the story of His death and resurrection. Even the devil believes that way too (James 2:19). But to believe in Him means to commit and entrust completely our lives to Him. And we receive Him as our Lord and Savior in our lives. We love, obey and serve Him with all our hearts. We personally relate to Him. Have you done this? Then He takes all our sins and includes them in His crucifixion and death. Thus our sins are all forgiven and gone.

   Yet, this does not mean that we are to be complacent in life. As long as we are in this earthly life temptations attack us. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, - - ” (1 Peter 5:8). Because we are weak human beings we have our shortcomings and frequently stumble. There is still a small residue of the force of sin in us. So Paul says, “- -I beat my body and make it my slave” (1 Cor. 9:27). He means he rigorously disciplines and controls himself so he will not yield to sin. When we fall let us ask God to forgive and to empower us that we may cease sinning and continue to walk uprightly with Him in faith again (1 Jn. 1:9). This is a life-long struggle. Yet, through the strength that God provides we will triumph (Phil. 4:13).

   Prayer: Lord God, thank you that you took all my sins and crucified them in the death of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Help and empower us to completely overcome all remaining sins in us. In the name of Jesus Christ who died for us we pray.  Amen.

Reflecting on the Cross

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco

Read John 19:17-22

Last February 18, 2015 most Christians observed Ash Wednesday, which is the start of the Lenten Season.  Lenten Season is a time when Christians remember the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Jesus Christ died on a cross. So the cross became a prominent symbol of Christ’s sufferings and death. To Paul the cross was so paramount that he said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). Unlike the religious Jews during Paul’s day who boasted in their meticulous following of the rules and laws of their religion, what mattered alone to Paul was the cross of Jesus Christ.

Actually, in the cross, on the one hand, we see wicked people heaping their sins upon the sinless Christ. On the other hand, we see a holy and merciful God reconciling sinful humanity to Himself through the death of His Son Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:19-22). What were the sins that propelled the Jews and the Romans to crucify Him? Rejection of the Messiah, hatred, unbelief, disobedience, fear of losing political power by Pilate, pride, envy, hardened hearts, etc. Isaiah says “He was despised and rejected by men, - - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:3, 5). In other words it was human sin that crucified Jesus on the cross.

In a sense the sins of those who actually crucified Jesus embodied the sins of all people in the world, even those long before and after Jesus Christ, including you and me. Peter says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Isaiah also says, “He bore the sins of many” (Isa. 53:12). Hebrews 6:6 speaks of people who sin today, “if they fall away - - -they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” So, even today every time you and I sin, we all crucify Christ anew. But the sins of people before Christ were also included in the sins of those who crucified Him. Since the time Adam and Eve sinned the Lamb of God has already been suffering spiritually. Christ is “the Lamb that was slain from the time of creation” (Revelation 13:8). His sufferings on the cross was just the historical tangible manifestation of that incessant divine suffering since the Fall. Spiritually speaking, we sinful human beings all participated in crucifying Jesus Christ.

In the cross a gracious and forgiving God confronts a sinful humanity offering forgiveness and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19). Sin separates us from God. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:2). And “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). This means lost from God eternally. But God does not want that to happen. “God our Savior, -- wants all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4). During the arrest and crucifixion Jesus had all the powers to fight back and annihilate all His enemies if He wanted to, but He did not do that (Mt. 26:53). In love He allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified.  And on the cross Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34). We are all sinners but on the cross God offers love and forgiveness. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). You can escape eternal death or separation from God in hell by repenting of your sins, believing in Christ as your Lord and Savior, and striving to live to please and glorify Him. And you will be with Him now and forever in heaven.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I humbly acknowledge that I am a sinner, and am sorry that many times in my sinning I crucify you again. Forgive and cleanse me of my sins that I may be free to live to please and glorify you.  In your blessed name I pray.  Amen.

Law of Love (Part 2): God’s Agape Our Model

Pastor Jose V. Velasco   

Read: Matthew 5:43-48

   This is a continuation of the preceding reflection. From the context of our Bible reading we can understand that what Jesus meant when He enjoined “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”, was to be perfect like God in love. To Jesus the model of our loving must be that of God. But how can we have an idea of that love? We can know it in Jesus Christ because He is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). He reflects all the nature of God (Col. 1:19, 2:9), including His Love. Hence, He could say, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12).

Photo by: Destiny East Gate Ministries

   How would we characterize God’s love as revealed in Jesus and His words? If we are to love like God does, it is important that we know this.

   First, it is unconditional. It is free. Many think they will earn God’s favor by their good deeds and character. If this is true no one would ever obtain God’s love because even the best of us is an unworthy sinner. The prodigal son planned to offer his services to his father to earn his father’s welcome back into the home. But before the son could do this, the father has already welcomed him (Lk. 15:17-20). God loves the sinner without any strings attached (Rom. 5:8) God also wants us to love unconditionally. Unlike a politician who may be very outgoing to get votes. And it is so hard to love a person who is proud, belligerent, selfish and uncaring. We think they do not deserve to be loved. But Jesus commands, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). We love even the undeserving because they, too, are God’s children and He loves them also.

   Second, God’s love gives generously. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son” (Jn. 3:16). Jesus was God’s greatest and best gift to us. But He also gives us all our other material and spiritual needs. He gave even our lives. If we are to love like God we must also be generous in giving. But giving does not only include money and other material things. The Good Samaritan who rescued the helpless victim of robbery gave his time, his first-aid skill and his money (Lk. 10:33-37). He even sacrificed his business agenda for the day. And God gave the greatest sacrifice, His Son, to save us. In like manner we must also sacrificially serve the needy. Serving the needs of the destitute and suffering is a tangible expression of our love for them. Jesus summed up His mission by saying, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28). And yet Jesus said that when we serve the poor and needy we serve God also (Mt.25:40, 45).

   Third, God’s love is forgiving. God is like the father of the prodigal son who forgave his son unconditionally. Jesus also forgave the adulterous woman (Jn. 8:11). Then when Jesus was hanging on the cross He prayed for the forgiveness of His torturers. We must also forgive people who offend and do wrong to us (Mt. 6:14-15). 

   You may be saying agape love is too idealistic and impossible for us. You are right. Humanly speaking we can never fulfill it. But with God it is possible. First, God pours “out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5). Second, He enables us to practice it. He does this when we are truly connected to Him in faith. Of course, our love is still imperfect because of our human frailty. But God is slowly working in us to perfect it unto eternity.

Prayer: Lord, fill me with your love that I may be able to love others as you would love them. In the name of your Son Jesus Christ whom you sent to the world because of your love.  Amen.

Law Of Love (Part 1)

Jesus & Mary: Scene from the movie Passion of Christ

by:  Pastor Jose V. Velasco

Read: Matthew 22:34-40

   We commonly think of February as the month of love. So we will reflect on love this month. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment readily He answered, “love the Lord your God...” And second, “love your neighbor...” (Mt. 22:37-39). Jesus says that all of God’s laws are based on these two commandments (40). In the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) the first four commandments relate to loving God, and the last six relate to loving fellow human beings. In general all God’s teachings in the Old and New Testaments relate to loving God and people.

   The Greeks had several categories of love. There is eros which is marital love. Filia is also the general love for people like family, friends, and neighbors. Karitas is the love of humans to God. Agape is God’s love to human beings. Agape is the highest and purest form of love. It is totally unselfish, unconditional and undeserved. The closest common example of Jesus for agape was the love of a parent to his/her child (Mt. 7:9-11). A parent provides generously what is best for his/her child because of love.  I knew of a couple who had a 7-year old son who was just like a 2-month old infant. The boy could not get up and communicate. The parents did their very best to care for him very lovingly and tenderly. They knew that the child will never be able to reciprocate their love and sacrifices for him, but they still did their best to love and care for him. Here is a human example of agape, - unconditional and undeserved love. Of course, the parent’s love, though in way the closest model so far for agape, is still imperfect. No human being can equal God in loving.

   Yet, Jesus enjoins that agape should be our model in loving. Jesus modified the second Great Commandment which enjoins us to love others like we love ourselves (Mt. 22:39). He said, “Love each other as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12), not as you love yourself. Agape, which is God’s love, should be the model. Thus Jesus made new the old command based on self-love.  He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Jn. 13:34).

   With this new command of Jesus making agape (God’s love) as the model of love what will happen to the other categories of love? Are they eliminated? No. There is still marital love, family love, love of all other people, and love of God. But all these other kinds of love must be characterized by the spirit and quality of agape: unselfish, unconditional and sacrificial.  So we must love as God loves. In the next mid-month reflection

we shall discuss more about the nature of agape love and how we may possess and practice it.

Prayer: Lord God, imbue us with your love that we may love like you love. In the name of your Son who has demonstrated that love in His earthly life and death on the cross we pray. Amen. 

Come, Follow Me

Painted by: Christ Calling the First Disciples
Philip Richard Morris

By: Pastor Jose V. Velasco

Read: Matthew 4:18-22

   “Come, follow me.” These were Jesus’ words when He called Simon Peter and Andrew to become His disciples (Mt. 4:19). We presume He also called James and his brother John with these same words (Mt. 4:21). Again, when Jesus called Matthew He said, “Follow me” (Mt. 9:9). And in a sense Jesus still calls us today to follow Him. It is well for us to contemplate on this as we enter this new year.  And if you are not yet following Him you may decide to do so.

   What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ? First, it is to be in intimate company with Him. This happens when we say to Him, “Yes, I want to follow and be with you forever.” Then we pledge to Him our love, trust, obedience and service. In this relationship we accept completely His lordship. We resolve to do nothing but His will and desires. This is complete submission to Him. But this submission is never servile and demeaning. In fact, just the reverse. It is dignifying and uplifting. It is not servile because Jesus considers us as His friends (Jn. 15:14-15). The submission is not humiliating, but like the prodigal son when he came home, the loving and forgiving embrace of his father, the ring, the best robe, comfortable shoes, and lavish banquette restored dignity and honor to the lost beloved son (Lk. 15:22-24). This is what you would become if you come to Jesus Christ. Second, to follow Jesus is to live like He lived. In 1 John 2:6 we read, “- - whoever says that he remains in union with God should live just as Jesus Christ did” (Good News Version). In the Reflection, Renewal and Change, this was  mentioned as the goal of renewal. Third, to follow Him is to hear and obey His words and teachings. This is an affirmation of our love to Him. If we love Him we obey His words (Jn. 14:15, 21, 23). Definitely following Jesus in these ways is what it means to be a real Christian.

  Note that when these men followed Jesus they gave up their livelihood (Mt. 4:20, 22; 9:9). I know of teachers who gave up teaching when they became pastors. But this is not a requirement for all. I know of a lawyer, a dentist and a physician in the Philippines who became pastors but did not entirely give up their professional livelihood. What they did was to incorporate their careers in their ministry. And this also helped them financially because they could do ministry even with low pay. Paul continued his tent making after becoming a missionary. We have to seek God’s guidance regarding this as He impresses it upon us. But I am also thinking of things that we must give up totally if we follow Christ. We must give up the old sinful life. We must get rid of anything that displeases our new Lord and Friend. (Colossians 3:5-9).

   We said above that Christ still calls people to follow Him today. How? Through the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Through the influence of your families, friends, neighbors, other Christians, reading the Bible and other Christian literature, and all other ways in which the gospel is proclaimed. The call may have already come to you, but have you responded positively?

   If you are now a follower of Christ the challenge is to be faithful. Many temptations to backslide come. But Jesus says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Will you be a faithful follower until the end?

Prayer: Lord, let me hear your call and answer positively. Let me be your faithful and loyal follower until the end. In your blessed name. Amen.

Some Reflections on Sin

 By Pastor Jose V. Velasco

Read James 1:12-15

This reflection logically follows our reflection on temptation because the two are related. Sin happens when one yields to temptation.

When discussing temptation and sin we do not mean to emphasize the negative. But to tackle the enemy you must know his strength, strategies and intentions. So we must know what sin is, its nature and how it works.

Temptation is not sin. And you cannot avoid nor prevent it from coming. Satan is always around tempting people (1 Peter 5:8). He even tempted Jesus. He is busy recruiting followers. His main goal is to pull people away from God. He is also actively preventing people from believing in God. He does this in so many ways: through the influence of others, by trials and sufferings, putting bad thoughts and intentions into our minds, bad literatures, etc. The saying goes, you may not be able to prevent a bird from hovering over your head. But you can prevent it from building a nest on your head. Satan may want to control you, but through the power and wisdom of God you can defeat him (Philippians 4:13). It is when you surrender to Satan that you sin.

 What is sin? John says, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (1 Jn. 3:4). This is what Adam and Eve did (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6). So they sinned. But sin is not just the transgression of an impersonal law. It is sinning against the personal God, the very giver of the law. When King David committed the sin of adultery and repented he prayed to God, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight- -“ (Psalm 51:4). Of course, we also sin against the victim of our sinning. We sin against his right and dignity as a person. Sinning is rebelling against God because we are rejecting and disobeying His will as defined in His laws. 

 Sin is not just the outward acts of breaking God’s laws like murder, adultery, stealing, coveting, etc. It is the evil thoughts and attitudes that we have in our minds and hearts. This is how Jesus characterized sin (Mt. 5:21, 28). He said that these are the things that make us truly unclean and sinful (Mk 7:20-23). Our evil acts are only the symptoms or outward manifestations of our inward sins.  

 What does sin do? First, it alienates us from God. Hence, Adam and Eve, after they sinned, ran away from God (Gen. 3:8). They did not feel comfortable in His presence. The stow-away son left his father (Lk. 15:13). This is not a physical separation but a spiritual one. It is being far from God in the mind and the heart. Second, in sin we forfeit God’s blessings. Adam and Eve lost paradise including its peace, joy and specially God. The stow-away son lost the abundance, and comfort of his home, and specially the loving, secure company of his father. In sin we lose God’s peace, joy, power, comfort, guidance and power. Third, sin separates people. It creates disharmony, misunderstanding and fights. Fourth, sin has also affected God’s creation. This is hinted by Paul in Romans 8:19-21. Not because the inanimate creation can sin. It is sinful human beings who are destroying creation by abusing and misusing it. 

The worst thing that has ever happened in God’s world is the coming of sin. And yet thanks to God that that is not the end of the story. God sent Jesus Christ to the world that if we believe in Him and obey His words we may be saved from sin.

 Prayer: Our Father God, thank you that you sent your Son to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Help us that by faith we may be empowered to overcome and be delivered from sin. Amen.

 

 

 

The Tragic Deception

By: Rev. Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

(Study of The Book of Genesis 3:1-10)

   
       The Bible text begins with a mention of the serpent who is the villain in the story. We think of him as practically the source of all our personal troubles as well as troubles in the whole world. His name is Satan. Where did Satan come from? Did God create a bad guy like him? No, God did not create anyone bad. The Bible says that all God created was good. A refrain in the story of creation in Genesis 1 is “And God saw that it was good.” Traditionally he was known to have been created good by God. He was an angel. A usual reference used for him is Isaiah 14:12-14. Bible commentators surmise that the morning star in verse 12 may not be exclusively for Satan. It could mean king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, too. But whoever he may be the morning star could also symbolize Satan. So he was an angel, but out of pride he rebelled against God. And what he does now is to seduce people to turn against God. Out text is the Bible’s story of how Adam and Eve were seduced and deceived to disobey God.

       Satan is busy tempting people to disobey and turn against God (1 Peter 5:8). In order to be able to defeat him it helps to know some of his strategies.

       From our Scripture text we see some steps that temptation takes.

   1. Sowing of doubt that leads to unbelief. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (1). Did God really mean what He said in these words? In our case we know some Christian duties we must fulfill. For example, worshiping God in church on Sundays. Satan will ask us, “Will it matter if you miss church half of the time because you have to do extra job to make more money?” A lady deliberately took an item in a dollar store without paying for it. Someone near to her noticed it and asked “why?” She said, “Do you think this is a serious sin?  This is just a dollar store anyway.” If you yield to these doubts then you are hooked.

   2. Giving a direct lie. “You shall not surely die” (4). Just the reverse of what God said (Gen. 2:17). As soon as Satan wins in the first step he intensifies his effort and gives a direct lie. Here, it is God who becomes a liar. So people transgress God’s commands because they think He was not really serious about them. And so we do not take those commands seriously also.

       What are some consequences of sin?

   1. Godly values are reversed. God said that the forbidden fruit was poisonous (Gen 2:17). But the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom--“ (6). How often do we say this is good when we know from God’s words that it is bad? And vice versa?

   2. Guilt. At this point Adam and Eve realized they were naked (7). That means nothing can be hidden from God. God knew what they did. That created guilt and fear so they tried to cover up. Guilt can be a big trouble in our personalities.

   3. Separation from God.  After Adam and Eve violated God’s command they fled from God. Their feeling of guilt spiritually distanced them from God. They were no longer intimate with God as His children. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah (59:2).

   How to defeat temptations:

      1. Have deep and rich knowledge of God’s words. In the wilderness Jesus countered Satan’s lies by “It is written” (Mt. 4:4, 6, 7). God’s word is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:7). Knowing God’s truth will keep us on the right tract.

   2. Stay away from temptations. This is the meaning of the “Lead us not into temptation.” When you deliberately go where the temptation is you are giving the devil a chance. Paul says, “Don’t give the Devil a chance” (Eph. 4:27).

   3, Resist the temptation (1 Peter 5:9). Firmly say no.  

   4. Pray for strength and wisdom (Phil. 4:13).

   5. Keep company with strong Christians. They will encourage, support and inspire you. 

Prayer: Lord, grant us the wisdom to know your words and will that we may not sin against you. Strengthen and empower us that we may defeat temptations when they come to us. In the name of your Son, we pray. Amen.