​Shine!
 
    Do you shine like a light in darkness? Are we like a city on a hill, a shinning city that is so bright and desirable that others are drawn into the light? I often reflect on this, did I shine today, did I shine while I was talking to so and so? When I went shopping today, did I shine? This is important, we need to check ourselves against what is being asked of us. Am I asked to shine? Yes! We are asked to shine by Jesus, and the apostle Paul.
 
Matthew 5:14-16 NRSV
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
 
    Jesus, as he gives the sermon on the mount, does more than ask us to be lights, I believe Jesus is telling us, as a command, to shine. A city on a hill can not help but be seen at night as the collective light from each home and business are shinning as one. Flying at night was always fascinating to me because at 25,000 feet in the air it is dark. But as you look down and see some dark patches, mostly you will see were cities, towns, and villages are because the are very bright. If you fly over the ocean at night this is even more spectacular. In Jesus day it was even darker away from a city making the city even brighter. Jesus wants his hearers to shine. What is it like in the Kingdom of God? It is bright!
 
    There is something more to shinning. Jesus might have said shine so you can spread my message of repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. We might say Paul tells to shine as lights in the world to magnify Jesus, the savior of the world. Some might say we shine with good works, brining light to sin or immoral works of the world. All of these are correct but there is more.
 
John 1:3-5,9 NRSV
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 
    Jesus life was the light. His life is what was shining. When Peter, James, and John saw Jesus glorified, shining incredibly bright, they were seeing more than bright light, they were seeing his life as it was beyond the fleshly body. Remember when Paul says later that we do not remember Jesus in the flesh any longer? I believe that Paul is recalling his own encounter with Jesus as a light so bright that he was blinded. That was the Lord Jesus Christ! This is the true light that came into the world, so bright that darkness could not wrap it up. Jonathan Mitchell’s New Testament translation brings out a wonderful idea about what this light was.
 
“Furthermore, the Light progressively came to be the life known as "humanity," and was for human beings…” -JMNT
 
    In Genesis 2, a man was created. That man, Adam, should have stayed around the garden a little longer. If he had, eventually, I believe, he would have been able to show us what being a human was all about. Instead, Adam and Eve chose to try and skip ahead of God and missed the rest of their growth. The results were staggering. Jesus came as a light to the world. Jesus light did not become progressively brighter. What is progressively revealed is that Jesus life was true humanity. I say “is” rather than “was” because I believe this progressive revelation is on-going, even today. Jesus came to show what it meant to be human, all the way to the cross. All of us arrive to this conclusion at various times in our lives, and we show it, shining bright, in various ways.
 
    The life of the cross was the pinnacle of what human existence should look like, perfectly self-giving.   

Psalms 46:8-11 Brenton LXX 
(8) Come, and behold the works of the Lord, what wonders he has achieved on the earth.  (9)  Putting an end to wars as for the ends of the earth; he will crush the bow, and break in pieces the weapon, and burn the bucklers with fire.  (10)  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  (11)  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our helper.
 
    Be still and know. The Psalm is praising God for all that He is and has done. God is our fortress, a theme that recalls war and conquering armies of heaven. To the ancient Israelites God was called on for help in battling enemies and protecting their lands. This is what I find so amazing about this Psalm, it begins with God as a powerful protector against angry waves and shaking mountains, and nations in chaos. In most English translations God is said to have wrought great scenes of desolation and at his voice the earth melts. The scene is different in the Septuagint, the selection I chose. In this translation God has achieved wonders, miracles, things to look on and make the heart glad and still. Be still, have peace and comfort in who God is. God put an end to wars and broke the weapons used to sow chaos.
 
    God has taken the chaos surrounding Israel and brought peace to their hearts. This is a miracle. The word “miracle”, as used in the Septuagint, is found many other times, and was often used to describe the wonders that Moses and Aaron did before the Pharaoh in Egypt. God performed these miracles through two faithful men. Moses was in constant contact with God and expressed worry and self-doubt. Moses made it through with God’s mighty help, a refuge for Moses to get him through. Hebrews 11 tells us that Moses was faithful, he followed his Savior, he communicated with his Savior for strength and peace.
 
    When I read such passages I stop and wonder, at times, why I do not do the same? God is with me, always and yet I do not always call on Him for peace. Things around us are often chaotic and seem hopeless, strained, and impossible. It seems there is so much going on around us and it is too easy to forget that God is with us. The world takes over and we slip into the frenzy. God can do miracles. This is what Israel found out and what the Psalmist reflects on. Did the mountains literally shake? Was the water in an uproar and foaming? Did God cause them to cease their roaring and rumbling? No, this is all poetic prose. Israel had real enemies and fought very real battles. They suffered casualties and death, and lost land, and homes. But they sought help from their LORD, and according to Psalm 46, he brought them peace.
 
    Be still and know that God is with us. No matter what we are going through, God is our refuge. For us, the miracle might not be a dissolution of our situation, it might be as simple as finding a little peace and confidence. The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson offers a different take on verse 10; "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." This is perfect, “step out of the traffic”. Sometimes stepping out of the traffic is exactly what we need. Step out and pray, for anything, just talk with your savior, your refuge that is within you, the bringer of peace. There is some terribly busy traffic in the world today and rather than letting the traffic overwhelm us, we should take some time and shut it off, or shut it out. Rather than merging with the traffic or opening a new path for it to flow, stand against it and stand firmly, with the peace of God. This is what we are called to do as believers today. The Kingdom of God asks us to stand in peace against the tides of chaos. So, not only should we get out of the traffic and pray for our own sanity, we should do it because it is our responsibility, and the way God wants us to conduct ourselves in the world. A people who shine bright in the traffic, full of joy and peace. 

Do you ever wonder how to pray? Have you ever been discouraged after hearing a sermon on prayer, so you kind of stop praying? Not that you don't pray, but your prayers become short and meaningless. Maybe you have become so confused by the many different "biblical fact" based opinions on how to pray. These, and more, describe my "prayer life" over the past several years. It was up and down, how often, how long, what should I pray for, when should I pray? I stopped praying for anything physical and started praying only for spiritual growth and the strengthening of my my faith. So, what is the answer?

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on these questions. This year, 2020, has not been kind to any of us. We have COVID which has caused all kinds of chaos in our basic, daily lives. COVID has been the cause of many tragedies and loss of life. Here, in the U.S., we have had much civil unrest over the excessive use of force by police, and systemic racism. Wild fires in parts of the American west are disrupting peoples lives as they lose their homes and businesses, and food supplies across the country have been interrupted. I have also learned of some life altering personal health issues that I must face, these could cause disruption to my future by way of family and work. It seems that there is a lot for me to pray about. So, how do pray? Many would say I should pray for physical healing, others might say to pray for mental strength to get me through my physical problems. But what about the problems that are facing the nation or other people? If I pray for peace and stability will God grant it? Are not all Christians and other "people of faith" praying for all of these situations, all the time? Why then do such things constantly happen? Is God not at work in the world today (this is another topic). Can I pray for one who does not believe in God for anything other than their salvation? What are the rules? Are there any rules?

There are many scriptures that address prayer. How do we apply them to our lives and the lives of those around us? How can we be "effective" in our prayers? We hear of some people being "prayer warriors"; what does that mean? Is a "prayer warrior" someone who prays so effectively that God hears them and acts on their requests more than others? The most famous prayer I can think of is the one Jesus suggests in Matthew 6 which asks that the Fathers will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus also tells the disciples and others that they can ask for whatever they need and it will be given to them. The apostle Paul tells Timothy to pray for leaders so that believers, who lived in a very tough political environment, could have peaceable lives and that all men would be saved. In the book of John, Jesus prays for his followers before his Passion. If you take into account the parallels of the gospels and the mention of prayer, Paul, in his writings, mentions prayer more often than does Jesus in the gospels. Paul gives various admonishments regarding prayer that range from women covering their heads while praying to praying for his strength during his journeys and while imprisoned. Paul frequently tells the churches that he prays in thanking God for them. In the Old Testament, using the NRSV, the word occurs close to 400 times with prayers to God for deliverance, healing, and the removal of sins and the guilt associated with those sins.

It is easy to see that prayer is very important to God and to Jesus Christ. It is one way that we can communicate with them. It becomes obvious that prayer should be a major part of our relationship with God and his son. Thankfully, I have come to realize that I should not worry about how or when I pray any longer. I do not believe it really matters how I address God, what questions I ask or what requests I make. I can just talk to God or Jesus anytime I want, about anything, just as if they were standing, sitting or working right next to me, because they are with me, all of the time. I used to think that football players were out of place if they pointed skywards after scoring a touchdown as they might be thanking our praying to God. I would think, "God does not care about your touchdown", or "God did not give you that touchdown, as if God likes your team better than the other". Now I think, "good for them and good for God!".

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul says that we should pray for anything, and that God would give our minds and hearts peace in his son. I believe that the idea of prayer like this is to simply talk with God about what is bothering us, or what we are thankful for, no matter who, or what it is. It is to share our concerns with him, like we would with a friend. When we chose to share ourselves with someone, it can take some of the burden away and it might serve to ease or minds even when we know that the other person can not possibly change our situation. A friend, or even a counselor, is someone we lean on to ease pain, suffering, or anguish. The relief might be brief, but it is needed and very important to our health. God desires to be that friend who is there with us through anything. God wants to share in our pain, suffering, and anguish. God wants to share in our joy, happiness, and thankfulness. So, yes, God is happy with the football player's elation after he scores a touchdown. God is sorrowful with us after tragedy happens as well. God wants us to experience peace, not turmoil and chaos.

The apostle Paul gives the best explanation of prayer I can think of which applies to my life as one who believes that I have a meaningful relationship with both God, and Jesus Christ. In Romans 8, Paul writes,
"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." To me, this means that I can simply talk with God and that I do not need to worry how my prayer sounds, or what words I use, or what the topic is, or how long my prayer is, or when it is. I just can, like I am taking with a friend. God hears exactly what I need him to hear. My Lord Jesus Christ, who is my brother, hears exactly what I need him to hear. Just talk, scream, cry, whatever you need to, wherever you need to, as often as you need to.

Since coming to this understanding of prayer, I pray far more often, about far more things than ever before. I pray, or talk with God with no other expectation than that he hears, and that he is sharing in my conversation, and that I might have some peace in that moment. I have become much more thankful. Some might think this is a disrespectful way to approach God, but that does not bother me, to each their own, and maybe they are right, who knows. I now know it does not matter what opinions anyone has regarding prayer, because I now know that God makes sense of all my words.


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    “They just need Jesus”, a phrase, or one like it, is often said when everything goes wrong. When a person commits a terrible crime. When a person is experiencing deep sorrow. When the world is a mess, like in the United States right now. When someone is an addict. “If they only had Jesus”, what? If they “had Jesus” would things be so different? Maybe, it depends on so much, on so many people. Am I saying that Jesus does not make a difference? Not at all. Follow me here before you label me as a heretic.
​
    We must not think of Jesus as a miraculous answer to all our problems, to all the world’s problems. Jesus is the answer, but not how we generally think or wish. Knowing or having Jesus is only the first part of the equation albeit a particularly important part, because as Paul says, Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Jesus is the foundation, not the building. I, and you, are the buildings and how these buildings are constructed is important and will have direct and lasting effects on our lives, and the lives of those around us.
Jesus is a miracle, but just calling on his name will not suddenly solve our problems. Problem solving takes work, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and time, often a long and hard time. Jesus can help you through problems, but not by just making them disappear.

    Near my home, there is a city in turmoil. It is not pretty, people are angry, and when a mass of people act out in anger, or sorrow, things can look chaotic and not peaceful.  I will not turn this into a political discussion or talk about my feelings on the matter because my aim here is much different. I am quite sure that some, if not many, of the protesters are Christians, or believers in Jesus Christ. I am also sure that some police are also the same, as well as some on the city consul or government. Many criminals have Jesus. So, I must ask, has their belief in Jesus, their being Christians, changed anything?

    As I try to answer this question, please do not assume that I do not believe in protest, because I do. People have the right to make their voices heard. This goes much deeper than what is currently happening. The problem goes back much further than the birth of the United States. See, the world has had Christians in it ever since Jesus walked this earth, yet, the world always seems to be in chaos in some part, or in whole. So, if Jesus is in us, why are all the problems not fixed? Why don’t they just miraculously disappear? The answer is not that Jesus is not in all of us, that would be too easy.

    The answer is found in the writings of Paul where he says that we must endure with patience and grow in character. The character we grow into is that of Jesus our savior, and the savior of the world, it is of Jesus in action. Part of the problem is that most of Christianity believes that God is control of everything, and in that line of thinking nothing can be done, so why try? We do try, but our trying is usually limited and once it gets too hard, we stop and “put it in God’s hands”. That will not do if we want to live in peace and justice. We might say that we can change the world, but are we? Some are trying, without a doubt, and some are trying hard and giving it their all, but most of us are not. Most of us give a little, and sometimes only occasionally. We need to give more, much more.

    I will say that God is control because I believe God is at work in the world, drawing people to Jesus. God has a goal and in the book Isaiah it is said that those goals will be accomplished; this is echoed by the apostle Paul. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said that God desires, wants, wills, and will see the salvation of all. But what is happening now, while God is working? If God is truly working why do things often seem a mess? The initial answer is easy, God has us. God has placed his spirit in us, God is in us. We are God’s temple. So, what does God want us to do? Knock on doors and try to get people to be “saved”? Stand on the street corner screaming at people that they are “lost”? These are the means that Christianity have been trying, largely, to save the world, at least in the United States. We have massive churches with tens of thousands of members, TV preachers that reach audiences of millions, and fill football stadiums with thousands during “crusades” and tours. Yet the world continues with problem after problem. Worse, we place our trust in faith in the government and politicians thinking that they will set us right. No, we live in a kingdom, and this kingdom has one king, he is Jesus.

    So, do they just need Jesus, yes, and no. Why, no? Because many already have Jesus. The others do need Jesus but why would they want Jesus if those that have Jesus do not look like it? What does it look like to have Jesus? Read the Sermon on the Mount. Read the Gospels. Read Paul’s moral and spiritual edifications. Read the prophets and learn what God means by justice. Read Philippians chapter 2. The reason we have problems is not because we do not have Jesus. The reason we have problems is because we do not live like we have Jesus; we do not live like we are in his kingdom. Jesus said the kingdom was at hand, it was, and it showed up in full soon after his resurrection and ascension. The apostle Paul said we are transferred into the kingdom; we are in it; we are its citizens. We are not transferred to a kingdom in the sky or heaven, we are here, on earth, in his kingdom. The kingdom is right here on earth, as it is in heaven. The kingdom is here now, not coming. We need to stop longing for the future and focus on the present. The present focus is not trying to convert people; the present is to show who Jesus is by working with him in the world. “In the world” is the key; stop trying to pretend like at any moment you will be whisked away in the clouds and start acting like every moment we live matters. Paul also said it would be hard work, that we would suffer with Christ. People do need the gospel, but believers living the gospel rather than speaking it will lead to less problems in the world.

​    Live the gospel, this is the answer. Life is the answer. Life in Christ is the answer. Jesus is the answer, not only in word or prayer, but Jesus in action. Yes, people need Jesus, but having Jesus is not enough, they need to live like they have Jesus. We need to live like we have Jesus and it starts not on the state or national scene; it starts with you and those in your immediate reach as you interact with them not by clobbering them over the head with bible verses, but by living out those verses. Let them see and experience and they will someday be showing, and so it will spread, and then we will have less problems. 

Exodus 17:1-7 NRSV
 
(1)  From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (2) The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
(3)  But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" (4) So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." (5) The LORD said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. (6) I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. (7) He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
 
        Israel has been traveling for some time now. They are tired, hungry, and thirsty. They left a place where, though they were slaves and oppressed, it was all most of them ever knew. At least they had some access to food and water, the necessities. Now they find themselves wandering the wilderness, to them not much different than being in Egypt, a sophisticated nation and ordered society. They still felt oppressed but instead of man it was nature, the wilderness they traveled through was unforgiving, hot, arid, and dusty. It is easy to read this and say we would feel different, the thousands of years removed quarterbacks! I spent a short time in Saudi Arabia while in the Air Force and I can tell you that is extremely hot, in September and October. It is sand and rocks, lizards, spiders, and scorpions. I had regular access to all the modern amenities of food, water, and shelter with air conditioning. It is still hard for me to imagine such a large group of people, an entire nation, traveling as they were, with everything they owned. How many times would we have reached our ‘last straw’? The outcome seems natural, tempers grew hot, distrust became the norm, and they wanted answers.
 
        Moses is becoming the scapegoat. They vilified Moses. I imagine Moses was intensely afraid. Again, he is being questioned as to the purpose of this journey. Why are we here? Where are you taking us? They accuse him of having no plan, no idea to why they were in such an inhospitable land and position. Death is all that awaits us! They have no peace, no security, no hope. Have you ever wondered how much of God they even knew or understood? Obviously, there was something, but after years of slavery in a pagan nation there is no doubt that many did not know much about their God, Yahweh. They cried out from Egypt and were heard; Moses appears on the scene and great wonders and works were seen and heard of. Then finally they were free, and though they had God to follow, when something went wrong, it was Moses who they came to.
 
Trust Issues
 
        That was the error. They were relying on a man, a human being who existed in a broken human nature. A man who was still learning about their savior. Moses lost his composure with the people and in anger struck out against God. A defining moment in his relationship with Israel as a leader. A defining moment in his relationship with God. It is times like these a leader can lose leadership. Can you hear Moses in leaders that today begin to try and make sense of what is going on? They say things without thinking, they make themselves sound guilty and the more they talk the worse it gets. Moses, and Israel, are lost in the moment and there is not much that will ease the situation.  Can you hear them chanting against Moses? I am not sure how many they were, but it was in the high six figure range. Scary! Moses is truly frightened! He begins to try and appeal to their fear of Yahweh, it does not work.
 
        This is an important lesson we believer’s need to listen to. The mob mentality that seeks for someone to blame, at all costs. The threatening attitudes united in anger and hatred. Placing our trust and hope in another human being can lead to trouble, extreme trouble. Such situations lead us away from our Lord and into the state of the broken human nature (called the “flesh” by the apostle Paul) which readily takes over. Reason flies out the window and dangerous emotions take over. All of this can happen in varying degrees, whether the outcome is emotion or psychological pain, or physical harm and damaged property and communities, even death. On all levels, it is violence and chaotic, it is the opposite of the Spirit of God. We need to really on or savior and the Spirit given us for guidance and direction; this will always lead to peace and contentment, and any changes that need to take place will happen with trust.
 
They do not know God  
 
        After all the fledgling nation has seen of God, the miracles and wonders, the defeat of Egypt’s army, they still do not know who their real leader is. They still believe their leader is a man and not Yahweh. Moses was a great man, chosen by God to represent and lead them to their eventual home. Moses is similar the future judges, someone who calls out to the LORD for intervention and the people wellbeing. They lash out at Moses, and though they ask him where the LORD is, why isn’t the LORD here with us and taking care of us, Moses is the one in immediate view and the one who is about to take the brunt of Israel’s anger. If they knew their God, they would have approached Moses in a different way, with faithfulness and trust that God would provide. Instead it was in anger, and anger that transferred to Moses in his response.
 
The Response
 
        God responds, notwithstanding the anger and mistrust of His people, and provides them with water. The rock God used was a massive chunk of stone, it was no small boulder. Some believe today that a rock in the Sinai Peninsula, the rock at Horeb, found in the same wilderness that Israel was traveling through, is the rock that God made water to flow from. This might be possible, but I would not say for certain. The rock in question stands at 12 feet tall, 15 feet long, and 10 feet think. Moses struck it as instructed, and it split, pouring out water in quantities enough to water every person and animal.
 
        This situation should serve as a picture of Jesus and the future cross he was to bear. God told Moses that He would be standing before the rock. Just as God stood with His son on the cross. From that cross flowed streams of living water, just as would happen from the throne described in the book of Revelation. Jesus called to the festival goers in John 7.37, “all who are thirsty, come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink…”. At this point Israel had little belief, yet God showed grace and gave them living water.
 
The Cross
 
        Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10.1-4, that God feed them, guided them, and watered them. Paul says the rock followed them as they went and that the rock was Jesus. This was the second view of the cross in providing water, the first being at Marah, the bitter lake which Moses threw in a dead tree, and the water became sweet. This is how our Lord works, from the beginning of creation, with grace, mercy, and love. The book of John gives a few references of Jesus as the living water that humanity longs for and need. It is Jesus that we need. To the woman at the well Jesus said the water he gives
“will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." Water that we need not search for, it is always there, gushing in us.
 
        We need to search for Jesus throughout the entire bible. This is what Jesus told the two walking on the road in Luke 24, all the scriptures spoke of him. Jesus started with Moses and I have no doubt that this story was in their conversation.
 
God is with Us
 
​        God is with us, always. Jesus is with us, always. When do we quarrel with them? When we decide to join the mob (a mob of one, or a mob of many, the mentality is the same) and leave the water of life in the background. The way of the cross is the better way, always. This is what Israel never understood, even when the living-water stood in their midst, in physical form, as a man. They felt alone and abandoned, full of anger and resentment that was aimed at Moses. But God responded with grace, not anger. This was a missed sign; Moses would strike another rock, twice, in anger, for the same reason, in Israel’s near future. How could you do that Moses? The question should be how can we do that? Live in remembrance, drink from the gushing spring of Jesus, let him pour out of you to strengthen and draw others. Let us be who we are meant to be

Our Inheritance
           We, the believers, regardless of religious backgrounds, race, creeds, sex, nationality, sin, or sins committed, or otherwise, are all God’s people through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There are no distinctions! In fact, I believe that all of us, that is humanity, are God's inheritance, it is only that some of God's inheritance is yet not received! God inherits the living that are in Christ Jesus and he in them. God will not inherit the spiritually dead, as we saw in Israel, a nation, a people, that was as good as dead spiritually in the world. Any who make the life altering choice to enter the Kingdom through the arms of the savior are part of God’s people, God’s inheritance; and even more, we also gain an inheritance.
 
            What do we inherit? Mansions? Precious metals or stones? Crowns? Streets of gold? I believe that God’s inheritance gives us a clue into these questions. As I said earlier, much of Christianity has some idea that we will inherit objects, a city, a mansion, and crowns. It is what we have been singing about in some traditional hymns for many decades. There are probably countless sermons, books, and papers on this subject, our eternal inheritance.
 
Ephesians 1:13-14 NRSV
(13)  “In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.”
 
        Paul says the moment you believe the gospel of your salvation- the death, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ- you are marked or sealed with promised Holy Spirit. The mark is a sign of your guaranteed inheritance.
 
The Mark
           Eugene Peterson’s book, Reversed Thunder, on page 126, describes a custom of the people of Israel regarding a “mark” of sorts.  Israel, at least some of them I imagine, wore a small box on their forearm or forehead. This box is called a phylactery and in it was placed on whatever type of paper was used at the time Deuteronomy 6:4 and 5. Verses 6 through 9 gives instruction on what to do with these words.
 
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NRSV 
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  (5)  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  (6)  Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.  (7)  Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  (8)  Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, (9) and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
 
            Jesus mentions these boxes, still being worn, at least by the religious leaders of his day, in Matthew 23:5. We also can find note of this idea in Proverbs chapters 3 and 6. Jesus was using these phylacteries to say the Pharisees made the very fancy, to show off. Leave it to this crowd to take something meant to be a humble reminder of who they were to God and use it to puff up their pride. In Moses’ day, the boxes were to be used as a reminder of their separation from the other nations, who also may have used markings of various types. Being marked for God was and is important, at least to God. We are not any different though we do not wear boxes with bible verses written in them. We are also marked as God’s people, marked with God’s Spirit and the Spirit of Christ.  We are marked regardless of religious background, sex, creed, or anything else that we use to separate ourselves from others. We are marked and we are one in God’s eyes. This mark guarantees or inheritance, our identity. We do not need any other marks, nothing for others to see, only the fruits of God’s Spirit working in us. Of course you can chose to wear jewelry such as cross necklace, or wear apparel that shows your beliefs, some even tattoo themselves, and I see nothing wrong with any of these, but only one mark matters and that mark dwells within us!
 
Our Part or Growth INTO inheritance.
             This idea of being marked, and having an inheritance, takes some work on our part. Not work in any sense of making it happen, Jesus Christ made sure this was possible for us. The work we need to do involves understanding the ramifications of being marked. We can believe and then, over time, after the newness wears off, go about life as usual, and we are still marked. But is that God’s desire for us? I do not think so. I am sure you do not think so either.
 
Ephesians 1:17-18 NRSV
(17)  “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, (18)  so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,…”
 
            Paul is praying we would grow into this inheritance! Therefore, we need a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to, over time, know him. We know that nothing happens instantly regarding growth, it takes time, experience, study, reading, living in the Spirit, to eventually come to understanding. We need prayer for each other to get this going which is what Paul is doing. Prayer is for encouragement; it is also for communication with our savior and the Father. Prayer lets God know that we desire revelation and understanding, living life in the Spirit lets God know that we are active in searching for understanding. If we seek, God will show, and this is what Paul is praying for; not a sudden flash of light that opens our minds and we instantly know everything! Paul is praying that we live and search, actively, and that God would bless us with knowledge as we mature in Him.
 
            The other interesting piece of this passage is that we can not know exactly what the riches of our inheritance is, among the saints, without experience, living, and seeking. We cannot know it without the revelation of God. It is a process and we must not be discouraged but have faith in this process. Faith here is not a simple belief, faith is actual working and doing; more accurately it is letting the Spirit work through us. This faith is powerful and this power that is working in us, is the same power as the resurrection. Do you believe it? Let it work. Paul continues in verse 19 by describing this power which is needed for us to receive revelation and growth into our rich inheritance.
 
            It is apparent through this passage that our inheritance is complete. The inheritance is ours, nothing we can do will make the inheritance better or fuller. There is nothing I can do that would give me future bragging rights in heaven, or on this earth, over any other believer. The only difference is that one works to live and seek, and so might understand more fully than the next. But the work of the inheritance has been completed by God and Jesus Christ. It is universal.  
  
Ephesians 1:19-23 NRSV
(19) “…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. (20)  God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (21)  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. (22)  And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,
(23)  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
 
            Can we know fully what the inheritance is, or fully appreciate its riches in our earthly life? I think Paul indicates that it is probably very unlikely. We still reside in fleshly bodies, fought over by the old nature, and therefore we still see through this vision. The learning, revelation, and understanding, is on going but will one day be made complete. How can we know that we are gaining revelation and understanding?
 
Colossians 1:3-6 NRSV
(3)  In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
(4)  for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, (5) because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel (6) that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.
 
            In verse twelve of the same passage, Paul says it is God who enables us to share. In this passage, Paul is saying that the evidence of the understanding and revelation is seen in these believers because of how they live and speak. It is showing in their continued experience as believers. This is how we know. It shows in our character, it can be seen by you, others, and God.
 
           We are in a kingdom, that of Christ Jesus, in whom the fullness of God dwells, to me thereby putting us in God's overarching kingdom, but ONLY through God's son, who is currently in resurrected flesh, seated next to God, and us in him. It is the same Kingdom that we are to seek first. Meaning to live and operate within. Paul and Jesus, in his earthly ministry, both spend a lot of time teaching us how live after the Kingdom; and it is life within this Kingdom that will bring us further revelation and understanding.
 
            In Philippians, Paul tells us to ‘work out our own salvation’. Working out is an important key towards this understanding of our inheritance. Paul also says in chapter three of the same letter that we should be seeking out the things of heaven, the things of the Kingdom. If we are seeking for the above, the above will manifest in us for the world around us to see. I believe our inheritance is tied up with what others see and how God, through us, is pulling the unbeliever to Him! We become each other’s inheritance along the way, as more enter God’s Kingdom, so God’s inheritance and our inheritance grow. It is a rich inheritance! It will someday be full.
 
            I also believe our inheritance that Israel’s inheritance was to be. We say that their inheritance was earthly, and this was true in a sense, but only as it was necessary that hey had a land through which to grow in the LORD and through which other nations would see this growth and so desire to obtain the same. We have no “land” because our land is God’s heavenly Kingdom which fully came to us through Jesus Christ. We have the same purpose as Israel, to manifest the purposes and love of God! How do we manifest? We do not, God does it through the work of His son in us. This happens in our everyday lives, through what we often call the mundane chores and work of life. But, it is anything but mundane to God, it is so important as Paul tells is in Colossians 3.
 
Colossians 3:23-24 NRSV
(23)  Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, (24)  since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
 
            Unlike an inheritance you might receive from a family member our close friend here on earth, this heavenly inheritance requires effort and work in its very nature. What kind of inheritance is that you ask? The best possible kind of inheritance; the kind that allows us to be part of God’s plan to restore creation. This inheritance is all about a relationship with God, and in relationships we develop with our heavenly family which is continuously growing in Christ. There remains another aspect of our inheritance to explore and we will do this next time.
 

         We are God's inheritance, just as Israel was during the old covenant. We are God's allotment, by the casting of lots, not by chance, but by and with purpose. God does not do anything without purpose, God is ordered ands does not wander aimlessly, everything has purpose. Everything is destined for purpose and reason, even when we yet might not understand what these might be. I believe the goal revolves around God being all and in all. Since humanity largely chose, and still chooses to live outside of God’s purposes, much of this goal is wrapped up in restoration. Restoration has been occurring in a slow and long transition since the first man and woman chose themselves over God.
 
            Paul says there were some where “the first to set our hope on Christ”. Who were these folks? I used to think we, the “church”, were the first. However, I now understand that we are a long way off from these people, and that their hope was to have immediate results and influence on those around them. Christ’s return was eminent!
 
Ephesians 1:11-14 NRSV
 (11)  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)  so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;  (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
              How were we made God's inheritance?  According to verse 11, we are made so “in Christ”. We could also say it is through Christ and his cross. We enter a union with Jesus, the anointed one. We enter a sphere of influence, so to speak, and this being permanent. This sphere of Christ allows us to enter union with the Father. The Father encompasses all, but we need to be in union with the Anointed one, Jesus, to effectually live and operate within the Fathers embrace. This how we are made, and receive an inheritance, now. But it was not always this way because before the cross, in the old ways or old realm of humanity, Christ had not yet come and accomplished this most important work.
 
            I believe it is important to understand the difference between the old covenant inheritance and that of the new. The reason of importance is the purpose of God behind the inheritance. God chose a man to begin God’s inheritance among humanity, for the specific purpose of brining the rest into God’s embrace. God embraced one man who eventually bore many, bore a great nation to be God’s inheritance. This nation, Israel, gained only part of their inheritance, land. They failed to reach goal and thus they missed out on their ultimate inheritance. But some, by faith, as Hebrews 11 proclaims, did reach more fully despite the absence of the cross, and as Hebrews says, they did not see the purpose fulfilled.
 
Peace with God
 
Romans 5:1-2 NRSV
(1) Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2)  through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
 
                   We have peace with God due to the faith of Jesus Christ! Due to his work! Due to his suffering, his endurance, his character, and his hope! So, we can follow in his example of suffering, endurance, character, and hope- God's work in us, through Christ. This is our hope. So, there were some faithful in Israel, and they mattered. The question is this, did Israel have peace with God?
 
            If we read through the Old Testament, we find God’s inheritance was rarely at peace. God’s inheritance was continually fighting against their purpose and working hard to be just like everyone else. God was incredibly patient, seemingly forgetting about them at times. Searching for the word “peace” in the Old Testament, it is found primarily within the books of prophecy. Most occurrences are as a vision of the future, others warn of false peace. A few of those speaking of future peace, in Isaiah, tell of the coming Messiah. Unfortunately, Israel not only failed to understand these prophecies, they also murdered the Messiah as Peter proclaimed in the book of Acts. The unfortunate events of A.D. 70 were the result of their failure.
 
            It is no wonder that Israel could never find peace with God. They were given a law which they could rarely keep. I believe the law they were given was not difficult but that they added to this law. The additions became so complicated that they were destined for failure. The reason was that Israel was never satisfied with the system of heaven that God offered. Israel’s system was filled with contingencies that required their own doing, doing, doing. Our own times are not always vastly different. Despite the peace with God that is ours, we still devise our own systems because we can not just accept that the cross has done it all. Life in God is meant to be full of life and enjoyment of God and others, but it becomes competition and pits us against each other and God.
 
            Jesus was the manifestation of the very character of God on this earth. God is love and this is what Jesus ultimately displayed and characterized, love. Anything that is outside of love is not of God. Some will say that we cannot comprehend God's love. While agree to an extent, I also do not agree to a larger extent. If there is no possible comprehension, then how can I possibly have any idea of how to live a life that if after God? How did David become a man after God's own heart? We want, or should want, to be a people after God’s own heart. The story of the relationship between God and Israel is an example of what not to do if one wants to be after God’s own heart. Paul, in Romans chapter 9, warns us that we should take this example to heart and understand that we are as capable of failure as Israel was. There is however a shinning difference, we are in Christ! We are in the anointed and as a result are anointed.
 
The Law
 
Matthew 5:17-20 NRSV
 (17)  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (18)  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (19)  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20)  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
 
            What 'law' did he come to fulfill? The law of God- love. The law on which every other law God gave hangs. The perfect law. The law that exceeds that of men. Any law that falls outside of the cross Philippians 2:5-11. I do not believe that Jesus came to fulfill the entire Mosaic law because it was not needed. The Mosaic law was never intended to be the absolute means of man reaching God. In fact, I believe much of this law may have been born in the hearts and minds of men rather than God. We have an example of this idea in the sermon on the mount.
 
 Matthew 5:43-48 NRSV
 (43)  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44)  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45)  so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. (46)  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47)  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (48)  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
 
            Who was saying this? God was saying this as we know Jesus said everything he said and did came from the Father. I believe that here we have an example of God saying what God has always said, love others completely and wholly. There is one God, the same in the New Testament as in the Old. There are no contradictions in the heart of God. Was Jesus then contradicting his Father? No! Humanity has contradicted God at every possible turn. Israel could not fulfill the purpose of their inheritance because they relied on man written defilements of God’s law. They lacked faith in God and instead placed faith in themselves and the rest of humanity.
 
Romans 9:30-33 NRSV
 (30)  What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; (31)  but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. (32)  Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, (33)  as it is written, "See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
 
            I believe that we see the wrath of God at work in verse 33 of Romans 9. Israel’s need to follow their own desires, including laws that could never bring them to peace with God. God simply let them experience the outcome of their own actions and desires. Enter Christ Jesus and his cross, the end of the old ways, the ways of man. The beginning of the ways of God and Christ within us!
 
Romans 10:1-4 NRSV
 (1)  Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (2)  I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. (3)  For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. (4)  For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
 
            Humanity is not capable on our own. Humanity without God is not enlightened. There is no "peace with God" from our end. Enter Christ- Romans 5 (one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture), enter peace! Peace is now not only possible, it is a reality, for all.
 
Setting Their Hope
 
            The nation of Israel, corporately, did not set their hope on Christ. But some of them did, those that finally understood through the apostles and disciples who taught them through the scriptures that Jesus was their true King and that the Kingdom was present. They understood that they had peace, both Israelites and gentiles. The idea of a corporate Israel being an inheritance to fulfil the purpose of God ceased. A transitional period had come, the exiting of the old covenant had come. These who were the first to place their hope on the Messiah had an important place in the fulfilment of prophecy to gain as many as possible out of corporate Israel and draw them into the arms of the Father before the eminent return of Christ. They lived for the praise of his glory! A new day was dawning. As Paul proclaimed, there was now one new man, no longer was there Jew or gentile. God’s purposes would be fulfilled in this new glory. The final destruction of the old occurred and now we to can have this hope in inheritance.
 
 Ephesians 1:13-14 NRSV
 (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
            God chose a nation as His own inheritance with the goal of making everyone, all of creation, His inheritance. Has that goal changed? Israel was to be His people, but as Paul said not all Israel was of Israel. See, Israel was more of an idea than a nation. Today there is still a people of God with no divisions between them. That is us, and we are God’s inheritance with a purpose! All who believe are grafted onto the root, Jesus Christ. The result is a tree of incredible fruit which is ever growing and spreading over the entire world. God’s inheritance becomes ours, and the seal of the Holy Spirit is our pledge. 

I would like to look at the word "inheritance" as Paul uses it in his letter to the believers in Ephesus. This series of articles will be based on a series of sermons that I gave recently. Though the series had an end, it led to other questions which I hope to also turn into article form shortly.
 
        If we understand exactly what is being referred to, or what the desire of the writer is, we will gain a greater understanding of the work that God has accomplished, and is accomplishing, for us. As we will see, there can be differing thoughts on some passages of scripture. At times, it is the best we, as English-speaking people, can hope for. I believe this is o.k.! I also believe that as we are told, God will eventually give us understanding in all things, key word, 'eventually'. Differing thoughts can result in different translations of words and phrases which can help us gain a better understanding of what God is trying to tell us. We should not be afraid of this; we should embrace it. The lay person, like me, has access to an incredible amount of information to be used. This does not make us scholars, experts, or theologians, but it does help us to try and understand and to communicate, with God. What if someone comes up with a different thought than what we believe? Pray about it, search it out, and remain open, and do not rush to judgement. As believers, we have a uniting factor that outweighs everything else, that is the cross of Christ, the great unifier.
 
        Having said all that, I believe it is important to understand inheritance as Paul uses it as it involves thoughts of future or present glory regarding believers in Christ. Paul, as he said in Galatians, is a Hebrew. Paul was an apostle to the nations, but he always was addressing other Hebrews as well, some believers, others not. Often, examples Paul uses were found in the scriptures which were of course, the Old Testament and related to Hebrew folks. So, we will lean on the biblical understanding of inheritance as we progress.
 
        It is important that we ask, “what exactly are we inheriting?”. In Christianity we find many different responses to this question. I wonder if I took a poll, what would the answers be and what would be the diversity of opinions? If we are going to use this word inheritance, and make claims for ourselves, we should know. Are we inheriting crowns, gold, silver, precious stones and streets of gold? Is it a mansion just over the hilltop? Human minds in the physical realm will have predictable answers, seeking something we can touch and hold, things like riches. Will the better Christian inherit more than the one who lives less ‘perfectly’? These are valid responses and questions.
​
        Let us turn to the text in mind from Ephesians.
 
Ephesians 1:11-14 (NRSV)
 
(11)  In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)  so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)  In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)  this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
 
            This is from the NRSV. If you have access to multiple translations (which you should!), you will find the most popular English translations agree, in various ways, with the NRSV. But, some do not. So, we must ask the question, why? Why, is important to ask!
 
            Let us start off with the word itself, "inheritance". G2820.
 
From Strong’s:
From G2819; to allot, that is, (figuratively) to assign (a privilege): - obtain an inheritance.
 
From Thayer’s:
1) to cast lots, determine by lot
2) to choose by lot
3) to allot, assign by lot
3a) on to another as a possession
4) in NT: to make a lot, i.e. a heritage, private possession
Part of Speech: verb
 
            Thayer’s refers use to the TDNT. You can find this set for very reasonable prices these days though it used to be awfully expensive. This dictionary set seeks to expose biblical words in the most extreme way by finding as many uses of the word in written history as possible, in addition to the biblical text. So, Aristotle uses it as "to appoint someone by lot". To Philo the word relates to orderly apportionment in the natural and moral world. In the scriptures, in the New Testament, it is only found once, in our text. We can also use the LXX to find related uses in the Old Testament, for a better understanding. The Greek word “inheritance” found in Eph. 1:11 is the only mention found in the New Testament, but it is also found 6 times in the Greek LXX which is extremely helpful. I will reference just three of these since the other three are redundant in meaning and use.
 
Joshua 21:4 (NET)
 
(4)  The first lot belonged to the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
 
            The first use of the word "lot" refers to the actual item used in "casting lots". Usually a piece of wood, with a name written on it. Several pieces would be used to represent all involved in the casting. Names would be written on or inside the lot which would be drawn in order to obtain the current assigned lot or portion. Sometimes stones were used and shaken in a container, the first to roll out was the winner of the assigned lot- for good or bad! Casting lots could also be used to assign a lot, or lots- not by chance, but given to a person or party, in this case, a tribe. The NET correctly states that the cities were "allotted", not by chance, but by assignment. Different uses today include: "it is my lot in life", meaning it was not chosen, it just is or that it was given for one to suffer or to work. Or property obtained, a lot of land. A parking lot is a property set aside for cars to park in. In England, or the U.K., as I learned from a gardening show, people can obtain an allotment to use for planting flowers or vegetables.
 
            So, the first lot was assigned to the Kohathite clans. The lot itself was given to the representative on hand as a means of the claim to the land which was tied to that lot. In this case, as the Levites did not directly inherit any land, their lot were thirteen cities found in the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. You can continue reading this passage for other occurrences of our word inheritance and find they are of the same usage.
 
            I will end here for now. The next article will move to Isaiah 17 for a further look into inheritance. This occurrence will expand the idea of inheritance and we will see how it is vital to our understanding of the idea being brought forth in Ephesians.