Zeal Stoker

The Christian knows what it means to commit to something (to Someone) greater than one’s self. We ought to be a people known for keeping our commitments—letting our “yes” be yes, and our “no”, no. Whether we like it or not, we make and leave an impression on others. If we say we are going to do something, we need to follow through.

Are you teachable? Correctable? Whether caught in, confronted with, captured by, or convicted of sin, our response is crucial! Are we sorry…like truly sorry enough to do something positive about it (repent, turn to God, choose life) after we’ve failed? Or are we sorry only to the point of hopelessness—circling the mental/emotional drain, buying the lie that we’ve gone too far this time? There are two sorrows—godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. The former will save your life; the latter may kill you. How we respond is crucial and largely dependent on our relationship to God in Christ (or lack thereof).

That moment you realize God’s talking to YOU! It’s natural for us to shift the blame for our sinfulness to others. The apostle Paul, however, wasn’t having it! He addressed the church’s worldliness head-on—no pulling punches. No sugar-coating. They were worldly! Being a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) means living like it! “Come out from among them and be separate”, he said. This call to repentance and realigning/prioritizing our affections is applicable to the 21st century church as well.

To be reconciled to God in Christ is to have participated in an exchange—“Christ who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.“ Not because of anything we have done, but based entirely upon the merits of Christ, His death in our stead allows the Father to see us in good favor. We now have a place at the table in God‘s Divine Council; as ambassadors for Christ we are called to make known to all the peace of God made possible by this great exchange!

Like a parent who instinctively knows their child’s cry (i.e., just “what kind” of cry it is), even so, some things are mysteriously yet clearly communicated in a series of hearty exhales—Sometimes a sigh says it all! Christian, the Father knows you’re exhausted. He hears you…He understands… He’s prepared you for this and more, for which reason you long to be present with Him. Don’t rush His extract-plan (immortality is coming!). In the meantime, whether in heaven or on earth, aim to be well pleasing to Him.

We have the treasure of God’s power and presence inside of us—jars of clay. While the world around us, and perhaps our own bodies might be falling apart, within the believer lies the incredible resurrection power of Jesus Christ. This episode dispels the myths of “the strong Christian” & “the perfect Christian”, while encouraging a relentless pursuit of the well-read & faithful Christian.

How has God’s mercy changed your life? What is it like to be free, and have you told somebody about it? What kinds of “veils“ have you noticed (i.e., things that might keep people from seeing Jesus) in the church or amongst some believers? When considering how God has shone in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, what are we are often afraid of by letting the Light out?

While Moses’ face was a little less shiny as time went on, the fact remains it once shined gloriously. Even so, if the written commandments (“the ministry of death” —Paul’s words) were accompanied by a fading glory, how much more glorious is the never-fading “ministry of the Spirit”? The old covenant (God’s word in stone) is trumped by the new covenant (the Word of God, made flesh, who tasted death for all, and was made alive in the Spirit)! Curiously, believers in Jesus are being transformed from one fading glory to another GLORY (brilliantly bright and lasting in Christ).

Where does your confidence come from? In whom, from what or where do you draw your strength? Is there room for self-confidence in the life of a Christian? How do we balance confidence and humility? What is keeping you from carrying out the Great Commission? In this episode the apostle Paul emphasizes his sufficiency as a minister of the new covenant comes not from man, but God. As far as he was concerned, his sufficiency (and ours) is from God in Christ.

Those close enough to Jesus in the garden, before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, on the way to Calvary, and when laying His body to rest, would very well have smelled the fragrant aroma of the oil poured upon His head by that thoughtful woman at Bethany. For some that aroma would provide a lasting memory of His loving sacrifice; for others it would trigger hatred or remorse. This same Jesus (our victorious General) leads us in triumph, and through us makes known what His “smell” was/is all about.