www.max7.org

Thursday, May 31, 2012

the forgotten aspect of virtue love

Unconditional love in it's truest form is radical in nature. Jesus' teachings include loving our enemies, praying for our persecutors and blessing those people who curse us. There are no exemptions in not doing these things...for if we really love God, we will keep His commandments (John 14:24) But there is one aspect of God's command that we tend to forget and not include inside the sphere of unconditional love - FORGIVENESS.

Peter once asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21 the extent of forgiving someone...He even offered a traditional answer, thinking it was more than enough to forgive an offender seven times. But Jesus' answer was more than the number Peter had figured. Sometimes, we Christians put a running meter on grace thinking that only a certain definite percentage should only be given to a certain individual. How stupid can we get. Grace is unlimited...when Jesus died on the cross, it was for EVERYONE! "That whosoever believes..." say John 3:16...therefore, the love that the Father had shown us has no limit. God is eternal...no beginning and no end...He is from everlasting to everlasting as Psalm 90:2 had declared. God is also Love, he is virtue love as stated in I John 4:8 & 16. So...if God is eternal, no limits...and God is Love...you do the math!

Unconditional, virtue love is how Jesus operated in this world which we are also expected to operate from (John 15:9) But sometimes, we pick and chose the people we want to show virtue love...and we even chose the things we WANT to express when it is clearly stated in the scriptures the extent of this kind of love Jesus showed. Learn to forgive...don't wait for the other person to ask for it...give it...according to the integrity you've acquired from learning the Word.

Do not put off forgiveness...because in the same manner, God will deal with us. (Matthew 18:35)

Friday, May 25, 2012

true greatness

Moses: Palace raised, dessert trained, Anti-Pharaoh, Pro-God, insecure leader of two million whining, complaining, violent, God doubting Hebrew children who, out of his willingness to serve, endured 40 years of public service without even entering the promised land.

Whenever I am tempted to give up and start an endless streak of rants and raves, I try to remember Moses. Moses had a complicated childhood. He was born in a Hebrew home but ended up being raised in the palace of Pharaoh (the same guy who decreed the elimination of all non-Egyptian male babies during his time) and his nanny/tutor was his own mother...TALK ABOUT DIVINE INTERVENTION! Well...Moses grew up with the proper understanding of who he is, and the real identity of his heritage. But his strong ideologies about his own people pushed him to kill and murder one of the oppressor. This act of crime lead him to the backside of the desert...this is where his real training will start! Alone and depressed, he opted to work for his father-in-law (oh yeah, in the mix of things, he got married while he was in hiding) There...he was trained to be a master herder of sheep! A not so intelligent bunch of creatures who need constant care (not far from what he's about to do). Then in the appropriate time, God called him back to Egypt to free his people...at first he tried making excuses. But in the end, it was Moses' destiny to lead the people out of bondage.

To make the looooooooooong story short...Pharaoh released God's people, all 2 million of them not including animals, after a devastating last plague. Moses accomplished the task not because of him but because he allowed God to work through him.. Moses encountered the difficulties of serving, but in all of those things...he gained a deeper relationship with God. Exodus 33:11 brought me to tears when I read that "...the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend..." The level of relationship Moses had with God was unbelievable. Moses had integrity and humility that made him acquire true greatness.

When you finish reading the story of Moses, you will notice that God did not allow him to enter the promise land because of an incident where Moses and Aaron misinterpreted and misapplied the instruction of God. It may seem unfair for them to get such punishment for one incident of disobedience...but you will notice that God's intention was not to punish, but to give grace. Yes...it is the effect of an intended cause...but with God, the effect of things may have a different purpose. In the last part of Deuteronomy...specifically in chapters 32-34, you will notice that every event that transpired before the death of Moses was grace filled. Moses even composed a whole chapter of praise attributed to God. Then in Deuteronomy 33:1, Moses even found so much grace from God that he chose to BLESS the children of Israel before his death. The same people who chided and complained and even went close in to stoning him were blessed.

Life may be full of irritating people who despises the very truth of God's word...but we have no excuse in giving up on them. As long as we are alive, we have been commanded to preach the gospel...but more than that...we have to love the people we are reaching with the same love God is showing us. Let us remember Moses...he's still human...he still failed...but we cannot deny the fact that he acquired TRUE GREATNESS!

Friday, May 18, 2012

freedom should be ruled by love

I'm not the type who super imposes ideologies on people. My personality is the quiet yet stubborn type who never pushes and can never be pushed. I totally abide by the principle LIVE AND LET LIVE. I have realized early on in life that people will abide to their own set of priorities...priorities that are based on importance and convenience. People are innately selfish...so I do not expect people to adjust for my own convenience and importance. But as I continue studying God's word and make divinely concrete conclusions...I see a different application!

Everybody loves freedom. We enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom to join any advocacy we want. But our liberty to do things should be governed by love. The law of the land is a good guideline to which our freedom can follow...but once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, the law of the land is now secondary to impersonal and unconditional love. The level of living our lives and handling our freedom went up! Following the law is still important, but the reason we follow is because of love.

So what am I driving at?

Well...recently, there has been a lot of talks about freedom of speech and freedom of this and freedom of that. A lot of people have been appearing in media imposing their rights and what they believe and openly stating the flaw of the other party and so on and so forth. The activist part of us are being wooed into empathizing with their cause. It makes me sick to my stomach to even hear fellow believers taking part in this sick cycle. In all of these...I say this - LIVE AND LET LIVE!

God will never interfere in our decision making...He will give us the opportunity to be wrong...and He will allow us to get hurt. It's not because He is a sadistic God, but because He knows what it takes to get our attention. He knows what is needed to work out everything for good. He waits patiently for us to respond to Him positively. That's how God works. Of course, God will still provide divine discipline...but it is still up to us if we are willing to respond or not.

Same thing in our case. Let us respect the opinion of people. Their lifestyle is their problem. If you have the appropriate relationship to state your opinion...then do so! But don't stick your nose in other people's business. Everything outside of your control should be dealt with faith and not Christian activism. Being world changers starts from within and radiates naturally in God's perfect timing.

Accept the fact that people are 100% selfish...including you! Don't try to change society...but try and influence individuals without trampling on their freedom.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

owning up

When you're exactly where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, and having that confidence that is spiritually enlightening...be ready to face some giants! It is through this opportunity of claiming and accepting your individual purpose for life where your faith will be tested...and you are forced to either give up or own up!

II Corinthians 4:1-10 clearly states that God has given us a specific ministry out of His merciful attribute...and If He placed you where you are right now, He can surely protect you! There's going to be a lot of attacks towards you and your character...but never let it get to you! The Bible warned us of the fiery darts of Satan...surely the devil came prepared for this...so should we!

So I urge you fellow believers...now is the time to load up with Doctrine! Now is the time to store up treasures within this earthen vessels that will give glory to God! People...it's time that we start owning up!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

insensitivity breeds a spirit of offence

the cause and effect of these two things can mess up years of friendship. Trust issues escalate to broken hearts once the trend of insensitivity and offence are not addressed. We sometimes think that situations can mend themselves together and people tend to forget...but that's not what happens. Most of the time, it grows into an uncontrollable monster that eats the offended ones from the inside out then leaves them bitter and unforgiving for the rest of their lives while the other party would grow more apathetic till they themselves start questioning their own trustworthiness.

This world will always be full of insensitivity and offence...it's the evil that comes with the fallen status. I hate to say this but it's inevitable...people will get offended at some point in their lives. It's part of our selfish arrogant nature. We think that we are worth a bit of respect, a bit of praise, a bit of this and a bit of that...when in contrast the Bible tells us that our righteousness are nothing but filthy rags. I hate to burst your bubble, but no one is worth even an ounce of anything...we are fallen, unworthy and doomed to experience death in every aspect of the word. But then Jesus still came to save us...now that's something you should consider.

If you are prone to be apathetic and insensitive and do not give a rat's ass about how people feel...then I pity you. You may only be deceiving yourself as you portray a confident "i-don't-care" attitude...but in reality, you are as insecure as the person you offended. An attitude of apathy is arrogance in a much higher level than you think. Not thinking about what you say is like firing a gun over a crowded area. Don't be caught up by children's rants about sticks and stones breaking bones and words never hurting...cause words do hurt...and can even kill! Think about the people of God shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!" during the illegal trials of Jesus...they're just words...but these words pushed Pilate to send Jesus to the cross. Not just words but your actions also...think about everything you do! You're not alone in this world...learn to adjust...It's the right thing to do.

If, on the other hand, you are on the other end of the pendulum...then stop being a cry baby. Don't be surprised with the capacity of a person to say stuff that hurts...everyone has an old sin nature...even you! If you get offended, muster enough integrity to tell the person...sometimes, the person who offended you is not fully aware that you got hurt. And once you do, and they apologize, drop it and move on. The problem with people who are easily offended is that they list the offences and store them in the deepest and darkest part of their soul...so that when the same person offends them again, they'll make sure it's brought up. I'm guilty of this...and every time I look back and remember my bitter self, my stomach churns...I can't take my childish self. It irritates me to death to hear or even see myself in someone. Once offended...confront with love...forgive with grace...and forget with an ultimate attitude of mercy.

Remember that the stronger person adjusts. If you are a believer and you are committed in growing spiritually, you will start building within you a sensor of awareness that discerns and takes into consideration the history, patterns of aggression and feelings of people...it's called SENSITIVITY. Even if you posses an out going, pushy and controlling type of personality...the sensitivity within you built through consistent study of Bible doctrine will balance you out.(read Tim LaHaye's Spirit Controlled Temperament) This sensitivity will also allow you to discern if people who are prone to say rubbish are worth taking into consideration...hence, avoiding offence. A violent reaction is therefore turned into a loving response

So people...watch your actions...watch your words...and confront in love once offended! Never give the evil of insensitivity the opportunity to breed a spirit of offence within each and everyone of you!

Monday, May 7, 2012

a new breed of heroes

the 2012 Avengers movie has been on its 3rd week in the movie scene here in the Philippines...and a lot of people are still lining up to see this unique team up of super heroes. Just this week, I've decided to see what the big deal was all about...and let me tell you this...IT'S A MUST SEE! The movie is basically fast paced from beginning to end...you won't notice time going by. It's even more enjoyable to see in 3D! 

The movie showcases a lot of special effects and witty humor...but what got me is the teamwork that is seen between these self-centered super heroes. They have their own agenda...they have their own hang-ups...but when push turns to shove, they have to work out their differences some other time and do their unspoken duty to mankind. I remember what my sister told me after the movie...she commented on the fact that there's a nice feeling when you see a group of strong guys team up for greater good...and I agree with her.

From the moment Adam and Eve bought in to what Satan was marketing, this world began dying...and the curse of death was passed on to generations after them. Death was the ultimate end of everything...even our soul...but while we are living, corruption is taking place. But then God the Father, sent His only begotten Son, not to just oppose death and corruption but conquer it...by offering Jesus...the only qualified sacrifice...as payment for the wages of our sins. And after Jesus was beaten, crucified, buried then risen after the third day...the Holy Spirit gave everyone who believed in Jesus - POWER! I'm not making this up...read the book of Acts in the new testament and see for yourselves...they were given POWER! This is what Apostle Paul was talking about in Romans 8:11 as the same power that raised Jesus! So...in essence...from the moment we have believed in Jesus Christ, we are now a new creature...all things are of the past (2 Cor 5:17) We are a new breed of heroes. We are not invincible, but God did promise in the Bible that if He is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:28-31) We don't have super powers but we do have the power of the fruits of the Holy Spirit! (Gal 5:22-23)

As believers, we have a different set of standards than what the world offers...Romans 12:2 even stated that we should no longer conform to this world...but renew our former thinking and start renovating our minds so that we might have discernment. We are considerably weak...our convictions will waiver at times and that is given because of our fallen state. I believe that God purposely installed I John 1:9 as one of His grace gifts to man because of our tendency to fail and sin. But as Apostle Paul did argue...should we continue in sin so that grace may abound? of course not! (Rom 6:1) Why go back to being a villain when we are given the chance to be heroes!

Let Christ rule your hearts and don't let your old sin nature get the best of you. One of the scene that got me thinking in the Avengers movie was when Loki (the villain) surrounded a bunch of people in a public square and demanded all of them to kneel. Because of his sheer strength that was demonstrated at a previous ordeal, the people obeyed in fear...then he said the most honest analogy of mankind...WE ARE MADE TO OBEY...our freedom gives us the illusion that we are free but in reality, we crave for someone to rule over us...now, the villain was obviously hinting that he should be ruling over mankind. But when you stop and think about it...we were actually made for God's glory, but then God still provided us with free will to exercise faith...because in reality...faith without freedom is not faith at all. I don't believe freedom is an illusion...it's more of an opportunity for us to truly build a system of belief without external factors...and freedom gives us that privilege. 

Well...the scene did not end there...while the villain was talking, an old guy stood up...and openly defied the order and even stated that he is not obeying men like the villain. Now that's a statement! Because of freedom to choose, the old guy exercised his conviction based on a belief system that was constructed in his soul! Now that's what we should do as believers. Build a spiritual system of belief in our soul founded on absolute truth...then believe on them as realities of life.

Being a spiritual hero in a carnal world is not that easy...Jesus even said that this world hated Him first...so if you're a believer of Christ, don't expect a red carpet. Even fellow heroes will challenge your belief system...as long as we are in Satan's battlefield...it won't be a stroll in the park. So always wear the armor of God...and be ready to defend your faith for the greater good!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

atmos-fear

fear is a natural response to uncertainties in life...but as believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we were never meant to live in fear. Fear of rejection, humiliation, poverty, death, or even the unknown should never get the best of us. Fear, if left unchecked, will consume our belief system that can cripple the very norms and standards of our soul. This will eventually lead to a miserable life...and that's not how God designed it for us.

Just a while ago, during our midweek service, God gave me the privilege to tackle the importance of understanding God's integrity. We saw the significance of understanding who God is and what He is capable of doing in a believer's life. The Christian life is an ongoing process of growing in grace and understanding God. Without a clear understanding of God's character and essence, we will always live in fear. Because once we understand that as believers, God in His immutable and faithful essence would always give us another chance, then the notion of fear, worry and anxiety won't have a chance to creep into our mentalities! Life would be a lot less stressful with the clarity of who God is.

Fear will always be present and worry is its bestfriend...life will always be unfair and would always remain unfair. But through life's inconsistencies, we are given the chance to grow, mature and live in hope rather than fear. Hope is a stronger emotion than fear...because it gives you something to look forward to based on an absolute truth. So seek God, know His essence, grow in grace and get out of your self fabricated atmosFEAR!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

settled to be second

The challenge in life is not found in struggling to be first...it's having the right mentality to settle for second.

I have been a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ for 16 years. I have studied under the leadership of my Dad, my Pastor and other dedicated Pastor-Teacher. In those 16 years, I tried to be the best Christian that God would someday look upon with favor. I took control of my own Christian life and steered it the way I thought would be best for me and God. I volunteered to be part of our Church's praise and worship team and even mustered the guts to take a leadership position. I took interest in teaching God's word and even surrendered my life for future mission endeavors. I was doing everything according to plan...yet something was definitely wrong.

I immersed myself to deeper doctrinal concepts so that I won't venture into doubt and dismay. I even went on a mission trip to the most remote place i know here in the Philippines. I preached God's word there and even left an impact...but when I came back...nothing felt right.

Then it hit me...God was not in it. When I prayed to God about something, it was more of informing Him rather than asking for leading. I was taking the lead and not letting God work through me. I was enjoying the moment, but not gaining anything from it. I was living like a boss in a life that was graciously granted to me by God Himself. My perspective in life was messed up...I was struggling to be first.

I needed a total mentality makeover. As Max Lucado's book did say, it's not about me...it's all about God! I was living independently from God. I was king of my life...making poor decisions but was never ready for the consequence. It needed a lot of heart aches before I realized the stupid situation I was getting myself into.

Now...I learned to let go and let God. I'm not saying I don't do anything...I still do what I can, but now, I leave the results to God with a mentality that whatever God decides, it's always for the best! So let me encourage you...live a life that is second to God. It's worth it!

Hi...I'm TJ Ermitaño...and I am second.