Category: Gospel

  • Beautiful Feet – The responsibility and blessing of gospel proclamation

    Mount Baker

    One of the things I enjoy about living in Abbotsford is that  we have mountains on three sides of us. From almost anywhere in the community, I can see mountains.

    Some people find mountains boring because “they never change,” but I think they need to open their eyes. I find them fascinating. The view of the mountains constantly changes with the season and even moment by moment. Differing weather patterns highlight or hide vistas, and the changing light of day changes their color.

    The dominant mountain view is Mount Baker, which is to the southeast of us in Washington State. Sometimes, when the weather is right, you can even see the steam coming from a vent on this glacier-covered volcano.

    When I looked at it yesterday, a familiar bible passage came to mind.

    Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness , who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  Isaiah 52:6-7 ESV

    The idea of beautiful feet might seem strange today, but it made a lot of sense in the days of watchmen in towers. The watchman could see a messenger running towards them from a great distance. I can imagine one racing towards the king’s palace, running full out, feet flying, eagerly looking forward to telling of victory on the battlefield or other good news. What an incredible sight indeed.

    Isaiah goes on to share the prophecy about the good news of the Messiah to come.

    The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:7-15 ESV

    There is no more powerful message, no greater news to those who would hear that Jesus has come to set us free. In Isaiah’s day, the Messiah had yet to appear but was promised by God, who cannot lie. Today we know that the Christ has been, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. We are saved and waiting for His return.

    What wonderful news, indeed.

    May you be the one with beautiful feet to tell someone about the Lord who will redeem them if they trust in Him by faith.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word
    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.

    Did you know that we have an email version? It offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

    Subscribe today 

    ___________________________________________ 

    You might also Like

    The unproductive vineyard

    The gospel. The best news you will ever hear.

    Right beliefs or right living. Which is it?

  • Bearing spiritual fruit

    bowl of green grapes next to watermelon slice

    Christianity is incredibly simple: we trust in Christ for His grace  and mercy, and the Spirit conforms us into His image now and forevermore. He works to bring us fruit of the Spirit.

    Yet, at the same time, it’s anything but easy. We know His grace will produce transformation and good works in us. That means we look to ourselves and others seeking to see those works and changes.

    In seeking to be like Him, we can quickly produce fruitless works and become judgmental. 

    The works/grace balance is a challenge. We can become so works-focused that we become legalistic or so “grace” focused that we become libertine.

    Last week, I wrote extensively about what Christians ought to do or be or how they should think. From that, you might think I was advocating some form of works-based righteousness or a scale of merit.

    Not at all; only the work of the Spirit can produce meaningful changes. We can never make God love us more than He does right now. He loves his children without measure. 

    We are made new, sealed by the Spirit, and being made into the image of Christ. We are adopted into the family of God and made coheirs with Christ. We are blood-bought, Spirit-filled people, chosen of God. Our future and salvation are secure in Him.

    We can relax and take comfort in living in the shadow of the resurrection. Yet, we must never become complacent. We must constantly review our lives and behaviors.

    His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellenceby which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11 ESV

    Examine the type of fruit you are producing. Is it small, sour grapes or large, juicy watermelons? Are you more like Christ than you were before?

    May you walk in His grace and discover a greater capacity for love, forgiveness, and abundant fruitfulness. May the fruit of the Spirit flourish abundantly within you.

    Kevin

    You might enjoy

    Big Bucks and the dangers of pride

    The good news of the gospel

    Right belief leads to right living

    What should a Christian lifestyle look like?

    Bears and the Bible