Christ, Helper of Our Souls

                                                         Christ, Helper of Our Souls
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.      The watchful eye of our Savior is ever upon us.  His heart is always towards us, and His hands never fail us.  His fountain of love is never ending, and all the while He sits fittingly on creation's throne so to aid us in our time of need.  Descending from Heaven, Christ took hold of His Divinity in one hand and through the portal of Mary's womb laid hold of Humanity with the other.  This He deemed necessary, for the ability to represent man before the Father would require more than an academic knowledge but rather an experiential one.  As God veiled in flesh, He condescended to our level to know suffering as we would.  Was He tempted? Yes, but He was the victor of it.  Was He scorned?  Yes, but even so He overcame.  Had He physical torment?  Yes, unto death, but rose again.  If all the demons of hell assault your soul take comfort in this, Jesus suffered the same, and is able to succour them that are tempted.  To succour one is to come to the rescue and benefit of another.  Suppose you find yourself suddenly in dire physical straights.  It is expected that hospital staff come to your aid upon arrival.  Those with the finest medical pedigree wrap your wounds and restore you to your former health.  They were able to succour you in time of need. They come to your aid.  Christ is the spiritual healer for your soul.  Because He has suffered, He understands.  His heart reaches out with experience and pity to bind your wounds.  How often we take our burdens to so many others, and neglect to lay them at the feet of the One who truly knows us.  Only Christ can truly heal the deepest hurts.  The sorrows that run exceedingly deep may only be cleansed by Him.  He awaits this day beckoning you into the fellowship of this truth and to follow the commandment of scripture: cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.  Never a commandment could be more sweet.

Understanding the Scriptures Romans

Romans 1:1
   Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

     Paul the apostle, a servant (doulos - slave) of Jesus Christ.  We are given servant in our text, as to signify the light yoke of Christ.  How gently are we handled here by Christ.  We are His and should respond with the obedience of a slave as according to the commandant, yet as a servant from the heart now that we are under grace.  Those who serve because they must are surely missing the joys of redemption.  Those who serve because they "can do no other" (quoting Martin Luther) serve as constrained by love that reciprocates from God's love to them, and thus that love is directed back towards God.  God's love is manifested in them by the Spirit. Then God's love is reflected to others. Through this, their hearts are taught to love by God, and they love Him because He first loved them.  We are merely vessels which bear the fruit of love produced by God.
     Paul is called (klētos - to be called or appointed) to his position of apostleship.  Let us be careful that we do not self-appoint ourselves to ministry, but serve as He has called us.  We should keep our minds fixed on the thought that God invites His people to serve: 1. Generally through His word (duties for all Christians) 2. Specifically through leading of the Spirit (the "where & when" of service - found through prayer, counsel, etc.) and 3.Through appointment of His sovereignty (calling out ministers by the Holy Spirit into His full-time work - they that preach the Gospel must live of the Gospel [be supported by it] 1 Cor 9:14).
     Paul is separated unto the Gospel.  We need not set ourselves on separating from things to gain holiness. If we separate unto Jesus, we have left all that is unholy.  Holiness is not the way to Jesus; Jesus is the way to holiness (God who justifies the unrighteous).  Let us not be known by what we have separated from, but by Who we have separated unto.  Discipline bears not saving fruit, but if we are separated unto Christ, then the fruit of the Spirit abounds, and in that fruit is the seed that the world needs.  The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that you are yielded and allowing Jesus to live His life through you.  Our scruples are no such evidence, only the Spirit's fruit is. 
      I remember a while back visiting a church out of town that was recommended to me while I was away traveling on vacation.  I entered in and sat down preparing myself for the service and looking forward to great preaching from God's Word.  As the service started I was somewhat shocked at the format.  The music was a little different, the presentation was not the same thing that I was familiar with, and I began to feel like a duck out of water.  I became uncomfortable and decided that this was displeasing to God.  As I remained in the service for a while it became obvious that the presence of God was in this place.  It became even more obvious that the fruit of the Spirit was in the people.  Love, joy, peace, and truth  without compromise doctrinally was the theme.  I then decided that if God was not displeased with them why should I be?  They were separated unto Christ, like Paul; and therefore, God was pleased with them.

Joy Through Affliction

     And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1 Thessalonians 1:6
     This day dear believer, it may be, that you may find yourself in unexpected affliction. But what is  the light weight of affliction compared to the manifold grace of God?  It is in affliction that we see our greatest need: the need to stay connected to the Savior. In our troubles we turn unto the Lord. It is in need that we become submissive to spiritual authority and to God. The Psalms say it is good that we have been afflicted, for now we will keep thy word.  Even our great Savior has enlightened us that sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.  There is just enough trouble to keep you close to God. Why is that dear believer?  It is imperative that you abide in Christ!  If we could stray from God and succeed we assurely would. God has loftier plans for His children than to allow them to run in their own strength. His desire is that through you would flow all the spiritual blessings of heaven, and that be your lot, while you are abiding in Christ.  The branch must be connected to the vine to receive life, and so you must be connected to Christ to receive joy.  Affliction is the plow that turns the hardened soil of the heart to receive the seed of the word with readiness of mind. When that word is received with the power of the Holy Spirit from abiding in Christ, the fruit of joy blooms and that is our reward.  Joy does not eradicate troubles, but it certainly gives strength beyond measure to go through them. Happy are all they that are afflicted and turn to Christ, for in Him dwells all the fullness of God bodily.

Performance Anxiety

Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

     In all of our life, let there be One who we seek to please the most, our Lord Jesus Christ. When He is first, others can have our best; and we can give a more excellent effort to Him who is worthy. Commit is our key word, only, be careful how you provision it in our text. It is not our deciding what God gets, but rather our surrendering to what God wants. Commitment is the action every saint is lovingly beckoned to take, so let us do so with joy.
     Now we look at the phrase "unto the Lord." Is there a realization in you that there is One greater than commitment itself?  There is the Person to whom we commit, and knowing Him is more vital than the act of commitment itself.  The place of trust and commitment is the Lord Jesus Christ. He sits waiting with an open heart to receive with joyfulness every saint who comes to Him with a surrendered heart.  

     Now what are we to commit unto Him?  Our works of love.   With this mindset your kingdom work becomes a blessing to you and not a curse.  While Christ has commanded us to serve until He comes, He has never asked us to produce things in which we have no control.  Sowing and watering is our job; increase is His.  To the toiling saint I say, keep your fellowship fresh and Christ will break spiritual manna and serve it in fellowship.  To the Bible teacher I say, study with diligence, pray yourself alive, and commit the works unto God.  Work with a surrendered heart the doing of a task, and commit the fruit of it to Him who judges righteously.  Press towards external results only because you are trusting they come because the Spirit has first molded the internal results.  

     Now with this blessed practice our thoughts shall become established. No longer do we toil for what we can see, but for Him in who we do not yet see.  A peace and tranquility fills the anxious mind of the one who commits all they do to God and places faith in His ability.  "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Abiding Influence

1 John 2:17
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

     The source of every river is a fountain head which disperses its waters to places it shall never see.  So is the Spirit-filled life for the believer.  It pays to serve Jesus, and we can be sure that the total sum of our influence shall never be seen or measured this side of Heaven.  All that is placed on the altar of the temporal is soon vanquished, yet he who lives for Christ has a continual influence.  Spiritual influence rolls forth like the mighty engrossing river which spans many lands.  Those who stumble upon it do so in gladness and dip down to drink from its reviving stream.  Long after the laboring saint has released his influence, teaching, love, or prayer, we may find the effect shall linger for a great duration.  We find one who is mentored becomes one who mentors, and so on down the generations serving Christ pays.  Now regard this law, and let this wonderful truth supremely resonate among your thoughts: service for Christ pays, then follows us to eternity and there it continues to pay forever.  Do not think it a small thing to cast aside worldly cares to serve Christ, but rather think it an eternal thing.  It pays to serve Jesus; it pays dear believer, every step, every day.

The Assembly

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

     Oh what grand importance lies in the ministry of the church.  The bride to whom Christ has espoused Himself is ever adorned with the affection of His love.   Many seek God's favor without assembly, yet it is as a member of the body that saints best hear from the head whom is Christ.  Would we count it tragic if a man's fingers were severed?   Would it not invite pain and sorrow if his limbs were separated from his torso?  What a great tragedy it should be. If this is so, how then do we count it acceptable to forsake the assembling of the body to Christ the head?  Should this spiritual severing do any less damage to the spirit as the physical severing would do to the body?  Ask this question of yourself and answer with excessive honesty.  Where does my church rank in importance?  Do you see the answer?  Is this reality self-indicting?   Forsaking the assembling is as removing an ember from the hot coals.  How much quicker it burns out without the heat of others to drive it on!  It would seem sensible that the lone ember should do well in isolation.  It no longer fights to share oxygen, which is a substance necessary to fire.  However, I encourage you to study this thought: the lone coal grows weary and cold.  The vibrance lump which once heated and served a purpose is now an ash, ready to be blown about by any wind of doctrine.  Do not join number that forsake the church as many professing Christians do.  Choose rather to assemble in its glory.  Exhort others to join with you.  All the while we do this awaiting the the return of our King.  Let this singular thought take our minds to a place of much reflection: Christ died for the church; therefore, we should honor it by assembly.

Why standest thou afar off, O Lord?

Left In Crete

Titus 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

     Should we despair in the will of God?  Not for any presumable reason.  That which falls short of faith is sin, and such an action brings slander against the very nature of Christ. What was Crete?  To the natural eye it should be thought of as an insufferable place.  Yet to the spiritual eye it was glorious; a divine quarter set forth in radiance by the splendor of Heaven itself. The eye of carnality sees only a lowly island off of Greece, separated from the importance of society.  The eye of spirituality sees hope, need, and contentment.  Such a clear contrast of two viewpoints is laid before us with glowing difference. One sees the uneducated, while the other sees a blank slate to carve the Gospel.  Note this thought today Christian friend, "For this cause left I thee in Crete...".  What then was the cause?  None other than Crete longed for that which Titus had.  Within the very soul of this young preacher lay all the imparted gifts of God that were needed to set in order the things that were lacking.  Though a region ravaged by sin, and with the reputation to support it, God had sent forth a deliverer in Christ, and a messenger in Titus.  Let us see our Crete now.  Though filled with difficulty, if God brought us to it, He will bring us through it. What glory divine that God's will is a place of resplendence and satisfaction.  Therefore choose satisfaction, and choose to rejoice. His will is always good, and His purpose always needful.

Thy Commandments, Which I Have Loved

Psalm 119:47
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 

     How wonderful are the commandments of God. His Words are like water to the thirsty soul. To the longing saint it drops as honey to the tongue; to the hurting believer it is comfort in affliction.  Yea, it is a medicine to the sick and life to the weary.  Its cooling salve can relinquish the burn of any trial. When applied it is more precious than gold.  Let us take heed that we meet with His Word and apply it.  As a wick cannot be lit unless it meets the flame, so our heart can never be healed if it does not touch the Word. Your delight in its teachings are not natural, but supernatural; therefore we love it. Does not thy own heart leap for joy at its sound?  Though many men may use the Word as unskillful teachers, fear not; we have the best Teacher of its contents, The Lord Himself.  Allow Christ to be the Great Physician of your soul. He shall open the balm of healing or cut tenderly as a surgeon removing death from the body. His Word is the minister of joy and the producer of faith.  You may say today believer, "My appetite has faded, and my thirst is gone."  Then force feed yourself the milk of the Word, knowing that when we "taste and see that the Lord is good" He disappoints not. Fill thyself on His honey and the sugar of the world will be despised.  Cling to His Word now!  It cannot help you if you do not feed upon its graces. 

Love as Christ

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV)
2a And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us

     God is love. The banner Christ has hung over His bride is that of beloved.  It has been well said that we are never more like the devil than when we lie, and if that be so, then we are surely never more like Christ than when we love. The presence of hate is the absence of love. His charity, when shed abroad in the hearts of the saints, shall dispel any ill will directed towards others.  Christ has loved us; let us love others. This love is a spiritual love, and it is manifested only by the Spirit of life.  It draws from the never-ending stream of Gods eternal supply, and shall never fail as long as we stay seated at the table of God's grace. It is a refined love, perfected by the Saviour and distributed to the hearts of men.   This love is an essential love, for it casts out all fear by its very presence. If we love we know Jesus is very near. If we hate we have not known Him. Now think today of every present distress.  Has life presented you with the unwelcomed gift of malice towards others?  As surely as the earth rotates, moving parts cause friction and where two people are, friction may abound.   Perhaps today your liberty to love has been quenched by the fiery darts of the wicked one, and the coldness of a godless world has stamped asunder the warm flames of charity that were once present in every chamber of the heart.  Could it be that one of these are stirring again the slumbering chords of hate?  If it be so, then run to the Saviour even now!  Beg forgiveness for such unholy piety and discord. He shall restore all thy former love and more!  It is His to give, and freely will He cast it upon all who ask!  We know His light shines full and bright when we love even those who love us not. Such a marvelous grace to love the unloveable can be found in Christ. Obtain this grace, guard it, keep it, and embrace it, for love shall delight your soul.