Uncursed

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. (Revelation 22:3 ESV)

Uncursed

When I think about a curse, I remember an episode of an old television show, Round the Twist. In this whimsical show, a young boy was cursed by a pirate treasure to add, “without my pants” to every sentence he spoke.

“I’m heading to school, Mom! (without my pants…)”

“I’m going to mow the lawn! (without my pants…)”

“Here is your birthday present! (without my pants…)”

The show ended when the curse was lifted, and there was much rejoicing.

We are cursed, too. Adam caused all of creation to be cursed.  Death, ever since Adam’s fall, effects everything. Obviously, human beings, but all or life on earth is trapped in a cycle that leads to death.  Your favorite tree, your best cattle, your cute kitten, planetary orbits, as well as the paths of comets and asteroids all decay, wear out and die.  Everything is broken. Sunlight provides energy but also burns.  Rain nourishes crops but also comes in draughts or floods. Gravity not only holds things together, but it makes us stumble and fall.

But Jesus is removing the curse and its effects. Already, for Christians, death is not a terrible end, it is also a triumphant entry. And more curse-ending is coming!

We see it in scientific and technological improvements. We see it in better plants, animals, and travel methods. We see it when diseases are defeated, knowledge is increased, and society improves.

Those things are not just humans getting smarter.

Those things are the effects of Christ Jesus beginning to end the curse!

We are peculiar, we can see the end of the curse.

Finishing

There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (Joshua 18:2,3 ESV)

Finishing

I am still organizing my shop.  I am still path-building our woods.  I am still dewey-decimalizing my library.  I am still READING that library.

Some tasks never seem to be done.

And for the world, that is frustrating.  But God usually gives His people Joshua-type folk to finish the important tasks God gives us.  Joshua helped the seven remaining tribes gain their inheritance.  David helped the twelve tribes become one nation, under God.  Isaiah helped the separated kingdoms understand God’s hope.  John the Baptist helped the people of God be ready for the Messiah.

And Jesus… well, in Philippians 1:6, Paul says it this way: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

It seems like our work is never done.  When will we be like Christ?  When will we love as we are loved by Him?  When will we really enter His kingdom?

But Jesus does THE work for us.

We are peculiar, Jesus finishes for us.

Puffing

We know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. I Corinthians 8:1 ESV)

Puffing

I have had trouble breathing.  Asthma, effects of old age, smokey atmosphere, mountain air… these things have all given me difficulty inhaling and exhaling.  I wheeze, and snortle, and huff and puff.

And while that huffing and puffing SEEM to help, I am still out of breath.  I am still exhausted.  I am still short of air.  I am still weak.

I do not know if Paul was an asthmatic, but he seems to understand how useless puffing is. Puffing is empty.  Puffing is weak.  Puffing, while displaying the appearance of help, does nothing.

But Christians, because we have experienced the love of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are built up by God instead of puffed up with our own knowledge.  Or at least we can be.

We do not need to depend on the puffing of our own knowledge, ability, personality, or spirituality.  We get to be built up by God.

We are peculiar, we do not need to puff.

Clean

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7 ESV)

Clean

Recently I saw an old photograph of little Tommy in a brand-new Easter suit.  Bowtie, matching jacket and shorts, and a crisp white shirt.  I had not thought of that Easter morning in quite some time.  But the picture reminded me of the remainder of that day.  I sure looked sharp, if I do say so myself.  But by the time we got to church I was already messy.  My knees were gravelly.  My shirt was stained.  My jacket was grimy.  My mouth was crumby.  My hands were… well… you get the idea.  I did not stay clean for long.

My clothes do not stay clean.  My car does not stay clean.  My hands do not stay clean.  My mouth speaks unclean things.  My mind returns to selfishness. I do not stay clean in any way for long.

But I do.

Because Jesus makes Christians clean.

To be clear, we do still get dirty, very dirty.  Our sins add up quickly, compounding like interest.  But amazingly Jesus cleans us by paying for them, and by obeying God on our behalf.  So that in our just God’s eyes, we are clean.  Completely.  Permanently.  Joyfully.

“Whiter than snow,” does not refer to the tint or shade of white.  “Whiter than snow,” means foundationally.  “Whiter than snow,” means better.  “Whiter than snow,” means fully, in God’s eyes.  And only His eyes really matter.

This cleaning only happens because of Christ.  It only happens through Christ.  It only happens in Christ.  It only happens to Christians.

We are peculiar, we are clean.

Exclamation Points

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you!  (Zechariah 9:9 ESV)

Exclamation Points

We do not often speak with exclamation points.  We have learned, it seems, to hesitate before declaring enthusiasm.  Even when good things happen, we expect those things to end soon.  We would rather, sometimes, be doubters than enthusiasts who are proven wrong.

And the world is right to have that attitude.  They do not know the future.  They do not know true hope.  They do not believe God’s promises.  And if they did, the coming of the king would be bad news, not good.

But since God loves His people, since God blesses His people, since God has declared that the end of the story is better than the beginning, since God enthusiastically loves us… we can face the present and the future with excitement, anticipation, and joy.

We are peculiar, we can and should use exclamation points!

Knowledge

So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (I Corinthians 2:11 ESV)

Knowledge

I do not understand what people think.  I do not understand why people eat kale.  I do not understand why people do not like Star Trek.  I do not understand why people drive under the speed limit.  I do not understand why people have fish as pets.  I do not understand why people invade other countries, laugh at stupid jokes, enjoy bad television, or pay so much money for first class air-travel.

And even if you explain yourselves, I probably still will not understand.

Even though His thoughts are even more different than my thoughts, though, I can understand God.  Certainly not everything He thinks.  I do not understand His highest gracious thoughts, or His lower detailed thoughts.  But He, or His Spirit, explains the most important things to me. 

Things like salvation, sovereignty, joy, and love, all of which depend on Jesus.  His Spirit teaches me that “Jesus” is the answer to every problem. His Spirit teaches me that even those questions that I still do not yet understand have an answer, and that answer is, “Jesus.” 

We are peculiar, we have knowledge.

Relief

Then God spoke to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. Have all those who heard him place their hands on his head; then have the entire congregation stone him. Then tell the Israelites, “Anyone who curses God will be held accountable; anyone who blasphemes the Name of God must be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:13-16 The Message)

Relief

Cheating on your taxes is perilous.  The IRS is not known for kindness, understanding, or patience.  Be assured you will not get away with it. 

And God is even more severe.  For many, this passage should be terrifying.  Blaspheming, using God’s name as a curse, or expression of anger and pain, or casually brings a very severe punishment here.

God takes all sin seriously.  The justice of God demands punishment. 

But for Christians, this expectation, while serious, does not cause fear.

Because God was absolutely honest when He declares that blasphemy will be punished by death.

For Christians, though, Jesus was punished instead of us.  It is not that we get away with it… it is that Jesus was killed instead of us.  It is not that God nicely ignores our disobedience… it is that Jesus was already punished instead of us.  It is not that our sins are too small to notice… it is that God notices and Jesus pays the price.

So when we read of this stoning in Leviticus… we can feel relief.  A sad relief.  A serious relief.  But a peaceful relief.

We are peculiar, God gives us relief.

Soon

Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this. (Isaiah 56:1,2 ESV)

Soon

How soon is, “soon?”

Soon seems a long way off when waiting for ice cream.  Soon seems a lot nearer when waiting for dentist appointment day.  Soon seems distant when waiting for birthday parties.  Soon seems closer when waiting for the repair bill to arrive.

Soon seems very relative.

But when God promises that His salvation is soon, it is nothing but good.

Perhaps because it is so absolute.  Perhaps because it has already been paid for.  Perhaps because in most ways, it has already arrived.

The next Star Wars movie, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.  Spring weather, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.  Vacation, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.

But our salvation happened on the cross, and the resurrection, and the ascension.

We are peculiar, soon is easy.

Easy

 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29,30 ESV)

Easy

Many things are difficult for me.  Navigating the internet is tricky.  Driving on icy roads is complicated.  Reading books about nuclear physics is hard.  Translating Icelandic Sagas is intimidating.  Explaining the Electoral College to millennials is confusing.

But for Christians, following Jesus is easy.

For the world, following Jesus is impossible.  God’s law is self-sacrificing.  Obedience goes against human nature.  Worshiping the ‘completely other’ God is so very hard.

But for Christians, Jesus enables, empowers, instructs, and energizes our efforts.  More than that, when (not if) we fail, HE has obeyed, is obeying, and will obey on our behalf.

We are peculiar, His yoke is easy.

Ears

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15 ESV)

Ears

I once had the opportunity to tutor a group of deaf students in College Algebra.  I communicated with them through writing on scratch paper, gestures, and facial expressions.  Even though they were bright, motivated, and attentive, I rarely felt they were able to grasp the intricacies of the mathematical lessons.

Sometimes, at brilliant moments, I would blurt out a word, or phrase, or sentence that explained the algebraic concept, but of course, it didn’t help.  By the time I wrote, drew, or pointed, it was too late.  Algebra is difficult without hearing.

The people of the world are deaf, in a way, too.  God speaks in creation, in history, and most importantly in His Word.  But everyone can not hear it.

Everyone does not have spiritual ears.

But God’s people do.

We do not always pay attention, or respond well, or like what we hear.  Particularly when He reminds us of our sin.

But we do have ears to hear.

We are peculiar, we have ears.

Repeat

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22 ESV)

Repeat

In the last couple of years, I have built around a dozen plastic models.  Those models that teenagers put together of cars, plains, ships, and rockets.  I am not that good at it.  But I keep trying, because I value the experience, the process, and the finished product.

A while ago, I received a locksmith’s kit, and instructions on picking locks.  Not to begin a new nefarious career, but because it seemed potentially useful, helpful to improve my small muscle movement, and it is fun.  I’m not that good at it.  But I keep trying, because I enjoy it, I just might need the skill, and it occupies my hands while my mind does other things.

My grandfather loved his lawn more than I loved mowing it for him.  I was young, hurried, and bored.  My rows were probably not straight, and the edges unkempt.  But he kept asking me to do the chore for him.  He kept trying, because he was teaching me, he enjoyed my company, and he loved me.

Often the world does not let us repeat.  If we are not good at something, or it is not seen as profitable, or the watchers become impatient, we are not given repeated chances.

But God’s children are permitted to repeat.  Encouraged to repeat.  Welcomed to repeat.

It is not just forgiveness that happens seventy-seven times.  God does not grow impatient with our efforts, angry at our failures, or tired of us trying.

Perhaps because Christ has already acted obediently on our behalf, and that is what He sees.  Perhaps because His patience is born out of eternity.  Perhaps because He loves us.

We are peculiar, we get to repeat.

REST

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,  for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9,10 ESV)

Rest

I used to hate mowing the lawn.  But now I find it exhilarating. The same task can be tiresome or wonderful.  But for me, having the right mower, the right yard, the right amount of time to commit to the job, and a certain mysterious element have pushed my work into the joyful.

I am not sure what the mysterious element is in lawnmowing… but I know what it is in most of my life.  Unsurprisingly, it has to do with Jesus.

The work that we realize we are doing for God is actually done by, through, in, and for Jesus.  And that, according to the book of Hebrews, makes it not really work… but rest.

Maybe because He takes the effects of our work on His back.  Maybe because He cleans up the work, fixing Adam’s curse of sweaty toil.  Maybe because He empowers, guides, and supports our work.

But just like God has continued to ‘work’ after the 7th day of creation, but in a different way, we work differently when we are in Him.  Our work becomes a sort of rest.

We are peculiar, even our work is rest.

Condemnation

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1 ESV)

Condemnation

President Theodore Roosevelt (Teddy to his friends and supporters) did not like to be in trouble.  He was a mischievous teen, a rebellious young man, and a troublemaker in his early adult years.  And most of those years he tried to avoid trouble with an articulate and passionate denial.

“ ‘twasn’t I” was a common phrase from his mouth.

But eventually he understood the gospel.

Whatever we are guilty of (and there is a lot!) we are not guilty of. 

Because God punished Jesus for all of it, if we are Christians.

We do not need to deny, hide, or ignore our sins.  There is no condemnation for us in them.

We do not need to act pious, religious, or perfect.  There is no condemnation that needs to be covered up.

We do not need to perform like Academy Award Recipients.  There is no condemnation for who we really are.

We are peculiar, we are not condemned.

New Clothes

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” (Zechariah 3:4 ESV)

New Clothes

When in elementary school, my family got new clothes every August, just before school started.  Those clothes, even for an inept fashion gnat like me, were very symbolic.  The new clothes were not just shirts and pants, they were a fresh beginning.  The new shoes were not just better fitting than my old shoes, they caused me to walk lighter.  The new coat was not simply warmer, and the correct size, but were a statement about who I was going to BE this year in school.

Perhaps that is why God speaks of new clothing here… pure clothing instead of sin-soaked.  Clean clothing instead of dirty.  New clothing for the new man in the Messiah to come, instead of old clothing for the pre-redeemed, pre-believing, pre-fulfilled us.

Eventually I stopped getting new clothes each Autumn. 

But God keeps giving them to me.

He guarantees a change in me, a progression towards newness, a revival if I turn to Him.

We are peculiar, God gives us new clothes.

Seeing and Believing

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; (Job 42:5 ESV)

Seeing and Believing

Nearly everyone has heard about God.  His name is nearly everywhere.  Religious people spout about Him, struggling people abuse His name, curious people ask about Him, literature refers to Him, science searches for Him, the arts describe Him, relationships imitate Him, rulers reign under Him, and fathers love like Him.

But Christians, unique in the world, know Him.

We have not yet seen Him with our physical eyes, but our spiritual eyes lift up towards Him whenever we worship.  We have seen and understood His actions.  We see Him in each other.  We see His Word, His people, and His love on display.

We are peculiar, we have seen God.

Words

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8 ESV)

Words

I like words, but words are not everything.

I use words, but words are not everything.

I need words, but words are not everything.

Many people try to talk to God.  But their words only mean something if they KNOW God, which means knowing Jesus. 

The thing about prayer is not to have eloquent language, but to have a real relationship.  The thing about prayer is not to have just the right phrases or magic words, but to have someone who knows you,listening.  The thing about prayer is to pray with trust, not list demands.

We are peculiar, we know the One listening to our words.

Obey

God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them, I am God, your God. Don’t live like the people of Egypt where you used to live, and don’t live like the people of Canaan where I’m bringing you. Don’t do what they do. Obey my laws and live by my decrees. I am your God. Keep my decrees and laws: The person who obeys them lives by them. I am God. (Leviticus 18:1-5 The Message)

Obey

I do not know how to solve a rubic’s cube.  I have tried.  I watch other folk twist and turn the box as if they are not even paying attention, and suddenly the puzzle is solved!

But not me. They are the peculiar ones, because they know how to solve.

But most days, I am the peculiar one, and so are you.

Because you know how to live!

Being peculiar is a choice.  Live God’s way instead of the way of the Egyptians, the Canaanites… and the Americans.

We are peculiar, we know how to live.

Ashes

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:13,14 ESV)

Ashes

To understand this verse, we have to remember that the Hebrew religion taught that God forgives sin through that sinner bringing a sacrifice to pay for sin.  Usually in the form of a beautiful and valuable domesticated animal being burnt up.  When the sacrifice was finished, all that was left was ashes.

It seemed like an economic and precise way to buy forgiveness.  But it was never enough.  Both because we sin too often, and too deeply.  But God graciously accepted those sacrifices.   But the world waited for something better, something more complete, something more absolute.

And then came Jesus.

If ashes were ‘good enough,’ how much better would be the living blood of Christ?

Christ’s crucifixion took the place of the inadequate ashes.

And the fullness of that work changes everything in our relationship with God!

When we try to fix our own sin, all we end up with is ashes.  When we try to balance our sin with better deeds, it might appear to work, but all we end up with is ashes.  When we try to ignore, ritualize, or pass off our sin onto someone else, all we end up with is ashes.

But we have Christ Jesus. 

We are peculiar, we have more than ashes.

Light

Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10 ESV)

Light

I was touring an ice cave, and it was dark.  As we began our exploration, the guide distributed helmets with bright LED lights attached.

“You will need these when it gets dark!” he declared.

When we descended into the depths, he was proven right.  We needed the lights… because it was dark.

But my light did not work.

If I had been alone, I might have been in trouble.  No light means darkness, and that is unnerving.

But people around me had a working light. And they used their light, even unwittingly, to help my feet find paths.

Things might seem dark in the world these days.  Confusion, dishonesty, rapid changes, broken hearts, hunger, pain, all bring darkness.

And the world doesn’t have a light.

But God’s people do!  Shine your light so that you can see, yes… but also for the sake of the others.

We are peculiar, we have light.

Home

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:18 ESV)

Home

We came home recently.  After a fantastical voyage of over 6,807 miles, we unlocked our front door and came home.  News from the world promised war, economic hardship, reasons for fear, and even bad weather.  But our homecoming was a thing of peace, of security, and of rest.

Because God promises His people those things.

I am not naïve.  There were ‘problems.’  We were exhausted (but not grumpy.) Our sleep schedule was way off.  Aches and pains were increasing. We still had to unpack.  It was fourth winter here in Kansas.  We had to rise too early the next morning.  Our bills would be following us through the door.  Work loomed.  Friends were hurting.  Prices are rising.  Sin crouched at the door.

But God has blessed our home.

Interestingly, a common adornment to many buildings in Iceland is the phrase, "Drottinn blessi heimilið.” It means, “God bless this house.”  It is interesting because on the whole, Iceland is not inhabited by Christians.  Yet they ask for God to bless their homes.

They want what God has given us.

Yes, Isaiah is obviously talking about our heavenly home.  But Isaiah was also talking about our physical, geographic, feet-on-the-ground homes.

We are His people.  Because of Christ’s difficult work, our homes are different.

We get to expect and experience peace, security, and rest.  It might not always look like it.  And our problems are real.  But God guarantees that we will understand.  He has blessed our homes.

We are peculiar, God blesses our homes.