We played on Rosa Parks Blvd. in Paterson NJ this past Saturday. Apparently it’s a pretty gnarly place… It was for an outreach Block Party to the community in that area of Paterson. Above is a picture of us playing one of our original songs “Come Away”. The song is based on the text of Hebrews 11:1, where the writer of Hebrews explains that “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see…”.

We’re praying that the people of Paterson were blessed, and that those who were listening on the streets would know that they’ve been forgiven because of Jesus sacrifice for us on the cross. We’re also praying they’ll give up on trying “make it” on their own and come away from the drug-slingin’, prostitution and  violence that is plaguing that area and walk into an eternity of real life with Christ. So yea, be praying for the people of Paterson. God bless.

Genesis 20:7

Again we see the introduction of a word to the Bible, here is the first time the word “prophet” is used in the Bible.  Although normally this word implies the ability of speaking for God, the word here also implies more the holding of a relationship with God.  Abraham would later be the only one to hold the official title “friend of God”.  It’s pretty amazing if you think about it.  Who would blame God for making a little space between Himself and Abe.  After all, it might put some spots on the ol’ reputation if God was caught hanging with “sinners” right?  The truth is that’s the way we look at each other most of the time, but that isn’t the way the Lord see’s us.  That’s the radical God we serve. 

You better believe He doesn’t turn a blind eye to sin, that’s why Jesus paid such a massive penalty on the cross.  No, God didn’t dismiss our sin; He disarmed its ability to kill us.  Through faith in Jesus Christ we can be justified of our sin.  What does Justified mean?  Just-as-if sin didn’t happen.  That is the Great God we serve!  He graciously looks past our foolishness and sees us through the blood of Christ, calling us friend. 

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.  Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-19

So the next time you’re in Abimelech’s position and you’ve been wronged by someone who has a relationship with God, remember God has forgiven that person…and so should you. 

Why?

Because you have been graciously forgiven just like them. 

Just like Abimilech, we too are in danger of death.  You see, if Abimilech held onto his rights and said, “I didn’t do anything wrong!”,  “Why should I be the one to make things right?” then he surely would have died.  And when we don’t restore forgiveness to others when they’ve wronged us then we hold their love captive.  When love is held captive it dies and so will you and your realtionships.  Death will claim your relationship with others, your relationship with God, and your relationship with yourself.  When wronged it’s always best to be the one to initiate restoration.

Jon Courson gives an awesome insight into those of us who have blown it like Abraham.  He says:

“Romans 11:29 tells us that “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”  This means when God gives a spiritual gift, a calling, a ministry to a man, woman, or church, He doesn’t change His mind.  He doesn’t take it back.  If God has given you a gift, be it ministry, music, prophecy, teaching, or evangelism-if He’s given you a skill, be it carpentry, mechanic ability, athletic ability, it’s yours to keep.

Perhaps you’ve seen people stumble, fall, drop the ball, and you wonder how God could still use him, her, or them.  The answer is that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  Sin will always bring about its own sadness, depression, defeat, and despair, for the way of the transgressor is hard (Proverbs 13:15).  The fact remains, however, that because the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, God will still use sinners.

I say this because I have found that the thing which hobbles so many people in their service for the Lord is thinking, “God can’t use me.  God wouldn’t use me.  God won’t use me because I’ve failed so miserably; I’ve botched it so badly.”  That’s the voice of the enemy, for the voice of the Lord says, “Because you didn’t earn the gifts I gave you or the calling I sovereignly placed upon you, there’s no way you can lose them either.”  If you’ve been on the sidelines because you think you’ve messed up once too often, remember this story and the mercy of our Master, the grace of our God, the kindness of our King.  Truly, there’s no one like Him.”

Jon Courson {pg.84 Commentary on Genesis 20:7(a)}

Like Jon said, God never takes back the gifts and callings on our lives; however, Jon also mentioned the effects of sin in our lives.  Make no mistake sin does have consequences.  Notice God told Abimelech that Abraham would “pray” for him.  God didn’t say Abraham would “point some stuff out to him” or “preach to him”, or even “partake with him”.  Why?  Because sin affects our hearts, minds, and lives in such a way that after we’ve sinned and hurt people the opportunities to minister in those relationships are never the same.  The damage was done between Abraham and Abimelech, the trust was lost, and rarely in such situations is a relationship fully restored to what it could have been.  God in His wonderful grace and love knows the way we tick, and blesses us with a chance to take part in ministering to those that we’ve perhaps blown our witness to. 

We might not be able to preach to them, or partake with them, but we can pray for them.  God still blesses us with the most powerful of all connections in any relationship, even with those relationships that seem hopelessly lost. 

Genesis 18:22-23

Here we see the heart of Abraham in a wonderful way, not only committed to loving God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength, but also loving His neighbor as Himself.  His nephew Lot is again in a compromised situation and Abraham is talking to God on His behalf.  It’s important to note that this time the action done on behalf of Lot isn’t Intervention but Intercession.  And thus we have our example, for all of us have a “Lot” or two in our lives.  Guys and gals who have chosen their own city to dwell in, their own crew to hang with, and their own culture and lifestyle to enjoy in spite of knowing the “Way, Truth, and Life” that satisfies.  Sadly we understand the truth just as Abraham did, that these choices only lead to destruction.

So what can we do when we see friends or family members choosing the wrong path and desiring to dwell in a place that is doomed to disappoint, depress, and destroy?

We talk to God about it… We pray for them.

In the past Abraham got involved and saved Lot from being taken hostage (Genesis 14:16), only to see Lot return to the old hang-outs, old friends, and old habits.  Unfortunately when we get involved and help friends or family members to get redirected on the right path they don’t always listen, and sometimes our best efforts aren’t enough.  Here we see an awesome example of the power of prayer versus the power of a person. 

Notice instead of judging the place himself and telling God to “send em’ all to hell” that Abraham left the final judgment up to God and at the same time prayed for those who were in danger of damage.  We too need to spend more time in prayer…when tempted to put in the final say and judge others we should take Abe’s example and Intercede for those people. 

What happened when Abraham prayed?

God got personally involved and rescued Lot from destruction.   Of course there were still consequences to pay, and some of the results were rough as they always are when we make decisions apart from God’s will, but we see that Lot is saved. 

We too will see as we commit to pray for that brother, friend, neighbor, or prodigal parent, that we won’t need to rely on our capabilities, we can rest as Abraham did, knowing that God is personally seeing into the situation and “working it together for His good purpose”. (Romans 8:28)