Month: July 2019

Our daily lives, our walk with God, our deepest and most encompassing of our thoughts and emotions dictates our progression. Life is a continuous, never ending ascension to what we seek; each decision is a step we take to reach the mountain top. Each of those steps is characterized by various challenges and experiences, as the path forward cannot always be seen. With fervor do we wish to complete our goal, uninhibited by the challenges we continue to reach the mountain top. However, in the walk of life, what awaits at the pinnacle?

What we seek is intimacy; it is the overarching principle in life and in the Word. It is the culmination of our sorrows, tears, trials, joy and happiness. We all have an innermost desire to be known, reflective of the creator’s desires, that in His image He made us. The drive for intimacy defines the basis for all relationships in life; it’s what we all seek, but seldom find.

For it is written:

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

“And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23)

As evident from the above passages, God’s desire to be known manifests also in his actions. As we are made in His image, we too have a desire to be known. Through relationships, the vehicle for developing intimacy, we make ourselves known. Genesis 2:18 portrays this beautifully:

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

The innate drive for intimacy is exceedingly strong and critical to our wellbeing that the first instance of “not good” in the Bible results from man being alone.

God knows us fully and desires to be in close relationship with us. Through the core principles of love, faith and hope we engage in closeness that creates intimacy between us and the creator. These same principles also create closeness with our neighbors. Perhaps all relationships exist, such that, through those relationships we come to a greater understanding of God. God’s love is the action that enables us to be in a relationship with Him; through the washing away of our sins. As we enter a relationship with Him, through trials and obedience, we learn to trust him (faith). Our faith in Him then leads to hope, for we know deliverance is nigh. We come to understand that all circumstances in life exists solely for our benefit, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) As we love, trust and hope in God, we enter a closeness with God that satisfies all of our needs. This same model for building closeness with God also applies to all of our relationship. In order to build closeness with anyone, it is important that we love the person, trust them and delight in the hope that they act in our best interest.

Each day, composed of unique challenges and difficulties, we must find the resolve to persevere in our conquest of life lest consumed by the drudgeries and frustrations. Our sorrows and troubles appear to be insurmountable, yet why do we patiently persist to see another morrow? After all, tomorrow could bring forth greater troubles and tribulation. Yet, the power of hope delivers us from the clutches of today’s circumstances and renews our strength for a brighter tomorrow.

The concept of hope is ingrained in The Word to such a great extent that it is evident in the greatest of Biblical ceremonies. The ceremony that I am referring to is the Marriage Celebration! Often considered as the greatest of the ceremonies and festivities, the Hebrew basis for wedding was established before the foundation of the world by our Heavenly Father, our redeemer Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach and the Holy Spirit. In fact, the marriage ceremony is found at the heart of the gospel, the redeeming work of Jesus the Messiah; yet it’s not simply a binding of two people.

As I mature in faith, I begin to recognize that even the smallest detail in the Jewish culture is emblematic of God’s plan for His people. In the Jewish culture during Biblical times marriages were often arranged. The father assumed the responsibility of finding a suitable bride for his son and once that was accomplished it was a formality for the son to meet his bride. A purchase price called dowry was paid by the bridegroom to the father of the bride, but occasionally gifts were given to the bride as a promise of his return. Then the bridegroom returns to his father’s house to make new room to accommodate his new family; which can take roughly a year to accomplish. The day which the bridegroom returns for his bride is unknown until that very hour and often happens late into the night.

In the same way, The Word states that the father chooses whom to entrust to His Son.

“No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (John 6:65).

Jesus’s visitation in the flesh is symbolic to the bridegroom visiting his bride prior to the marriage ceremony.

Jesus’s death on the cross is the dowry paid to free us from sin; the price paid to purchase us for Himself.

Just as the bridegroom returns to his father’s house to prepare a place, Jesus also returns to His Father’s house to make room for His own.

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3 (NIV)

As a promise of His return, Jesus gave and gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers, which is a free gift of God that cannot be earned. Additionally, no one knows the time of His return.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

We are told to wait faithfully and patiently in the hope of His return. The principles of hope in the gospel are ever present in life’s circumstances. Just as the bride waits faithfully for her bridegroom, our struggles in life should be approached similarly. As the arrival is unknown to the bride, we can imagine her growing doubts as to whether her bridegroom will truly come back for her, but she finds comfort in the promise of his return signified by the gifts upon his departure.

The virtues of faithfulness, patience and hope are beneficial and have rewards in almost all areas of life. Since God is the author of this world, His principles ultimately prevail in this world by His design. Whether is it our work or something else entirely, the promise of something greater is worth hoping and striving for with exuberance. Furthermore, the fruits of hope and patience once the promise is fulfilled or when a task is completed bring exceedingly great fulfillment and joy. Through the practice of virtues such as these, character is built, which is worth far more than all the imaginable riches of this world.

As we continue our lives, we must remain hopeful in Christ for He will bring a renewal of all things upon his return. “For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given” Isaiah 9:6-7. A son not only given as an offering for sin, but as a bridegroom in his sacrifice on the cross, a hope given for this world in an eternal marriage.

In a world enshrouded by darkness, persuaded by its deceit and malignance, there is a ray of hope. That single ray of light is enough to penetrate the uttermost darkness; the darkest of the valleys and the trenches of the deep. That single ray of light and hope is love. Just as a mustard seed of faith can move a mountain, a single ray of love can touch hearts, form everlasting bonds and manifest God’s glory on earth.

The nature of love always appeared as an eternal mystery as I ventured to discover its meaning. As I discovered, there was more to be discovered and as I learned there was even more to learn. Yet, what are love and its nature? Is it sacrifice as according to John 3:16?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Or is it kindness and helping the needy?

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17-18)

Yet, is love forgiveness?

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

The characteristics portrayed above are actions resulting from love, specifically sacrifice, helping the needy and forgiveness. Thus, it is important to realize that love is not simply speech or words of affirmation, but action resulting from a greater spiritual realization. It results in a personal inconvenience purely for the benefit of the other and in its purity lacking in ulterior motives. Love is seen as unconditional from the above verses. Yet, it does not fully describe love.

The Word expounds further into this matter by stating that God is love (1 John 4:8). As The Word is attributed to having the nature of God in His being, in the same way love is an unconditional state of being. Only by obtaining this state of being by the sacrifice of Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, Jesus the Messiah, can we truly express our love for others. Only in the state of being of love can we forgive our enemies, help the needy and sacrificially serve the way Christ commands because our acts are unconditional and independent of external circumstances; we act according to our nature – which is love.

The desires of the flesh are so strong that it is opposed to love and causes an altered state of mind that only by the redeeming work of the Holy One in Israel is it possible to renew our minds and conform to the character of Christ. It further clarifies why we must become like children before we can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Little children rarely think of themselves when deciding to act; in their innocence they act without considering the consequence to themselves. As we age, we allow the wiles of the world to dictate our actions, forget our dreams of our youth and our perseverance to pursue our passions.

Let’s not forget 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to remind us the beauty and purity of love:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

I was always fascinated by the nature of faith. Through faith our ancestors were saved and it is also by this means we are to please God. Throughout the journey of life the complexity of the divine nature of faith seemed to have eluded me. As I traveled the furthest reaches of the east and the deepest valleys of the west, the mystery of faith far exceeded these reaches and the depths. Yet this divine mystery defines the basis by which the Christian communes with his El Shaddai, the God Almighty of our ancestors.

It dawned upon me one day that amongst this complexity, however, the mystery of faith is evident in its divine simplicity. Hebrews 11:5 states, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” The above passage is conclusive in illustrating that faith results in a lifestyle that is pleasing to God; however, the lifestyle is the fruits of faith – it does not adequately describe faith. One can be considered righteous, yet it is the works of the righteous through faith that God distinguishes as His own. As a righteous lifestyle results from our faith, so does faith results from knowing God intimately. The intimacy, which was only possible by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, paves the road through trials by which our faith matures. By trials do we recognize God’s strength; His faithfulness becomes evident and God’s innermost desires and character are revealed, through which we are molded to become like His Son.

Only through faith is it possible to lead a lifestyle that is pleasing to God. By not only understanding God’s character, but knowing it personally and intimately can we make choices that are reflective of his character. Faith is not receiving direct instruction from God concerning the course of action one must make, yet it is the beliefs and choices which are in alignment to God’s will resulting from an intimate relationship with our creator. Just as an obedient child pleases their father and mother, in the same way we are to please our Heavenly Father through faith.

Living by faith certainly has its challenges. As we mature in faith, the prevalence of sin becomes more evident and our choices are often at enmity with the popular belief. It often creates isolation and can result in loneliness and persecution. However, God is faithful, even when we are not, and promises to be by our side during trials and tribulations. Why do we succumb to the wiles of our imagination? Did Yeshua Ha-Mashiach not say “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29. Being in a relationship with the Lord is more fulfilling and gratifying than the greatest splendor and temptations of this world. The richness that persists in close communion with God is the greatest joy one can experience and is the only way to lead a truly fulfilling life.