Getting our marching orders

In my last post I wrote about the intimacy that Christ longs to share with us. He is not interested in performance; He is interested in a relationship with you, Sergeant. His love for you knows no bounds. If you have children, you may have a little idea of how deeply Christ loves you, although I don't think we will ever know this side of heaven the full extent of it.

After Jesus told the crowd that prayer is about having an intimate relationship with God and not about saying a lot of words to impress the people around you, He offered an example:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

This is undoubtedly the most famous prayer in Christendom. In my youth, everyone I knew, including me, who went to church only three or four times a year with the neighbors, knew "The Lord's Prayer."

Notice that this prayer opens with the address "Our Father." Jesus was addressing Jews here. They were not accustomed to thinking of God as their father. "Abraham is our father" (John 8:39). Paul wrote to the church at Rome, saying, "...you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15) Abba is the Aramaic for father. Aramaic was the vernacular of the society into which Jesus came to minister.

This is a new level of intimacy with God for the Jews, who were loath even to mention the name of God, for fear of offending Him. Jesus (and Paul after Him) was obviously encouraging His audience to throw away any pretense, and get real with God.

The prayer continues, "Hallowed be Your name." That is "May your name be honored, revered, sacred." Obviously, this business of getting intimate with God is not about bringing Him down to our level, but rather, as Paul said, we are adopted sons of God, and as such may speak to Him as our Father, albeit with deep respect and reverence, even as I was taught to address my earthly father. Our culture has lost that respect for authority, I fear. I am troubled when I hear preachers say that God is our "pal" or our "buddy." There is even a bumper sticker that says, "God is my co-pilot." If that is the case, you are sitting in the wrong seat.

"Your kingdom come...." In Matthew chapter 3, John the Baptist, referring to Jesus, tells the people to "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus embodies the kingdom of heaven, and He was already come. I believe this is a plea for the Jews to welcome their Messiah. In other words, He was telling them to acknowledge to the Father that the Messiah was indeed come, and they had accepted Him.

"Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." By way of demonstrating our reverence for our Creator, we promise to accede to His will in all things, just as those who already dwell with Him in heaven do.

These five short lines of prayer have accomplished several things. First, they have established Who is the Father. They have established who we are, His children. They have acknowledged that, in spite of our entering into an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe, nevertheless we do so only with the deepest respect and reverence. They have established that we are willing to accept the Messiah, Whom He sent, and that we relinquish our own agendas in favor of His. Thus the prayer has so far set the stage for us to be able to take the concerns of our hearts to the Source of all blessings.

"Give us this day, our daily bread." Notice that this line does not ask for a year's supply of food, or a new car. This is a humble supplication for the Lord to supply our immediate need for sustenance. The Jews had not forgotten by this time in history that God had supplied them daily with manna from heaven to sustain them in the wilderness. So, Jesus tells them here that it is not unreasonable to ask God to provide for their daily need for sustenance.

"And forgive us our debts," that is, forgive us for failing to treat our fellow men with respect and dignity and generosity. "As we forgive our debtors." Jesus picks up this theme in verses 14 and 15, when He tells them, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

If we fast forward to Matthew chapter 7, we are reminded that we are not to judge others, if we do not want to be judged by the same measure. In the same spirit, we are to extend grace to others to the same extent that we would have grace extended to ourselves. Here, Jesus instructs us to ask forgiveness of the Father and extend forgiveness to our fellow man, with the caveat, that the Father will follow our lead in extending forgiveness.

In Matthew chapter 20 (vs 37-40), Jesus said to a lawyer, who was testing Him by asking what is the greatest commandment, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” As he was teaching his followers to pray, Jesus reminded them to acknowledge these two commandments before God.

"And do not lead us into temptation." This line is interesting, because God does not tempt us (James 1:13). I believe what Jesus was telling His followers here is to ask God to intercede and limit Satan's ability to tempt us. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth with a promise of God: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) Jesus here instructs us to invoke this promise in prayer to the Father.

"But deliver us from the evil one." God certainly has the power to deliver us from Satan. We need only ask. James 4:2: "You have not because you ask not."

"For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." Jesus tells us to end our prayers with another acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, His power, and His glory. Prayer is for our benefit. God already knows what is in our hearts, but by speaking to Him in prayer, we cement it in our minds.

Paul taught the church at Ephesus "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) These verses contain the formula for biblical change that Paul reiterates elsewhere.

When we pray, we are, in essence, renewing the spirit of our minds. If we put off (stop doing) the things that we did in our sin nature, renew our minds (pray for guidance and holiness), and put on (start doing) the things that are of the Spirit, we will be changed by the Spirit of God. This is a package deal. We are to repent (change or renew our minds; agree with God), confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that God raised Him from the dead, (Romans 10:9-10) and we become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then we are empowered to put off the old (sin controlled) man, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new (Spirit filled) man, created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.

If I read this all correctly, it means that we MUST be continually in prayer, because it renews our minds. As I wrote in an earlier post, the battleground between good and evil is in our minds. Constantly renewing our minds through prayer will ensure that we are living in the Spirit. Just as the Word of God is "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105), so speaking to the Lord in prayer will "[Restore] my soul" and "[lead] me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)

"Amen." So be it, soldier.

Reporting to the Commander in Chief

In my last post, I wrote about the importance of staying connected to (abiding in) Jesus. The two primary ways we do so are prayer and scripture. In that previous post, I discussed the use of scripture in some detail, but now, Christian soldier, let's turn our attention to prayer.

What is the best source of information about prayer? Let's ask our Commander-in-Chief for marching orders. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus addresses prayer:

"⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

This treatise on prayer is, of course, part of the Sermon on the Mount, the most eloquent sermon on how to live to the glory of God ever given. Jesus tells us, "When you pray." He doesn't say, "If you pray," or, "You might consider praying." It is clear that we are expected to pray. How can we have a relationship with the Living God, if we don't talk to Him?

The word translated "pray" in this passage comes from the Greek " προς with, and ευχη a vow, because to pray right, a man binds himself to God, as by a vow, to live to his glory, if he will grant him his grace, signifies to pour out prayers or vows, from ευ well, and χεω, I pour out; probably alluding to the offerings or libations which were poured out before, or on the altar. A proper idea of prayer is, a pouring out of the soul unto God, as a free-will offering, solemnly and eternally dedicated to him, accompanied with the most earnest desire that it may know, love, and serve him alone." (Source)

In human relationships, we call this kind of "pouring out" intimacy; we open ourselves and are transparent and vulnerable before another human being. I believe the description of prayer in the paragraph above captures the essence of the intimacy that Christ intends for us to have with Him. He wants us to pour out our souls to Him, in the expectation that He will hear us and be moved to compassion for our desires.

Jesus goes on to tell us that the prayers of "the hypocrites" (Pharisees) are all a lot of show before men. The Jewish phylacterical prayers were long and to be delivered at the canonical hours no matter where one might be. The Pharisees "contrived to be overtaken in the streets by the canonical hour, that they might be seen by the people, and applauded for their great and conscientious piety." (Source) Jesus tells us that prayer is not about reciting liturgy (performance), but about having the most intimate intercourse with God (relationship). He tells us to go into our closet (seek solitude) and pray to the Father in secret, the only way that intimacy can be fully realized. The Father will reward this focused intimacy openly.

In addition to secrecy and intimacy, God desires for our prayers to be sincere. In other words, we art to talk to God as we would to a trusted human confidante. Flowery words and long drawn out or rehearsed prayers are not what God wants. He wants to hear from us, in the vernacular, the desires of our hearts. The fact is that God already knows what we need, but as a dear uncle of mine used to tell me, "Anything worth having is worth asking for."

I will develop this discussion further, but for now, Christian soldier, remember that your Commander-in-Chief wants you to report in to Him, frequently. Paul tells us to "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Go to the CIC's office (your prayer closet, physical or figurative) regularly throughout the day, and give Him an update on what is on your heart and mind. Let Him know how the battle is going; whether you need reinforcements; report on casualties (physical, emotional or spiritual); request supplies. Oh, yes! And don't forget to praise Him for who He is and what He does. For His is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen!

Keeping in shape for the battle

Christian soldier, it's time for some spiritual calisthenics. A good soldier has to keep himself physically fit at all times, and a good Christian soldier has to keep himself spiritually fit, too. The battle continues for the souls of our brothers and sisters. It never ceases. Satan never rests; in fact "the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8). Thanks be to God that our Commander-in-Chief will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); He is with us even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). As we walk daily with Jesus, He will teach us all things and "then [we] shall know the truth, and the truth shall make [us] free." (John 8:32)

But Jesus also told us, "take up [your] cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23, emphasis mine) Why did He tell us to follow Him daily? Why didn't He tell us to check in, say, once a week, or on alternate Thursdays? Remember the story of the golden calf? (Exodus 32) Moses left the children of Israel and went to intercede for them with God, after God had delivered them from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. In fewer than forty days, the Hebrews had forgotten the God who delivered them and had Aaron make them a Gold Calf, of which they then said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:24). How soon we forget!

You see, Captain, Jesus knows that we can't be out of His sight for even an hour without our turning our attention elsewhere. Think of the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane; they couldn't even watch for an hour, while Jesus prayed. He told them, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26:40-41, emphasis mine) Jesus told the disciples "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, emphasis mine) It seems Jesus has your number

So, Christian soldier, remain in Jesus. How? Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) I believe the exhortation here is to be constantly aware that you are in God's presence, and constant prayer keeps you aware. Read the Word of God; and not only read it but hear it (Romans 10:17); read it (1 Timothy 4:13, Revelation 1:3); meditate on it (Joshua 1:8); share (teach/preach) it (2 Timothy 2:15); memorize it (Psalm 119:11); do it (James 1:22); and obey it (John 14:15, 23-24; 1 John 5:3).

(I humbly suggest you click on the document The Word of God: A Bible Study, under Document Links in the right hand column of this blog, and take a few minutes to complete the study. )

Another part of your spiritual workout is to learn to be aware of things to avoid. The psalmist tells us in Psalm 1:

¹ Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

What does it mean to walk in the counsel of the ungodly? We have been talking about walking in the counsel of Jesus. That is to study His teachings and act upon them and to remain in constant communication with Him. The psalmist warns us NOT to study the teachings of the wicked and act upon them, nor to remain in constant communication with the ungodly. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) clearly tells us to take the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are lost (the ungodly) but the Psalm makes it equally clear that we are NOT to be influenced by them.

Similarly we are not to "stand in the path of sinners." Upon first reading this line seems to be saying we should not get in the way of sinners committing their sins but let them proceed. A study of the original Hebrew, however, makes it clear that this is an admonition not to "take our stand" with the sinners. That is, we are to take a stand for God.

Neither are we to sit in the seat of the scornful. That is to say, we are not to take any part with those who scorn the precepts of God or mock those who are true believers. Instead, we are to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it night and day. The result will be our spiritual prosperity, as we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), watered by the rivers of living water (John 4:14).

Soldier, you are called to go into the battle, but be wary lest you defect to the enemy!! You must be in top spiritual condition to withstand the onslaught of the enemy. Your brothers and sisters are out there waiting to be rescued. Study the Word and meditate in it night and day, and pray without ceasing.

Now, drop and give me twenty. Whooo Ahhhhh!!