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Grafted For Beauty

Grafting, a technique used extensively in ancient Rome and often referenced by Paul, has long been employed by both amateurs and professionals to cultivate plants that are not only healthy and vibrant but also creatively tailored for propagation. This method significantly prolongs the life of aging plants by integrating them with newer ones, thereby rejuvenating them and enhancing their vitality. Additionally, grafting boosts fruit production, even in plants that previously had limited output. It introduces diversity into plant life, engendering new varieties that offer unique flavors, improved yields, and increased resistance to diseases and pests. By drawing on this agricultural practice, Paul effectively illustrated how the Gospel integrates the Gentiles into the Kingdom of God, a theme that Jesus frequently highlighted through agricultural metaphors and similes, portraying it as a dynamic and life-giving process.

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[c] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Romans 11:11-24 (ESV)

Sin is depicted as a pervasive disease that had severely infected the tree, leading to the unfortunate necessity of discarding some branches. This metaphor reflects how the Israelite nation had misused God’s Law for personal gain at the expense of others, as noted by Paul. Recognizing the dangerous and tempting nature of sin, from which no one is immune, it becomes crucial for us to continually seek God’s deliverance from evil. The pruning of diseased branches by God is a process that applies not just to the Jewish branches, but to all believers; any of us can be pruned if we let sin take root in our lives as it did with the Jewish leaders. It is by grace alone that we are grafted into the divine fold, underscoring the necessity to both proclaim and embody this message of grace, and to earnestly seek God’s healing from the sin that begins to infect our hearts.

Following the theme of spiritual vigilance and connection, it’s critical to understand that our strength originates not from the branches but from the root of the tree—our Lord and Savior. This foundational belief underscores the necessity of relying solely on the roots for nourishment, as they alone have the capacity to sustain and strengthen us. Although the flowers and fruit on the branches may appear appealing and seem to offer sustenance, they provide at most a transient refreshment like a drop of dew. Instead, we must consistently seek to draw our nourishment from the roots, which offer a more profound and enduring source of strength.

Continuing with this growth, when we anchor ourselves in the power of the Almighty, our lives naturally begin to bear flowers and fruit. These blessings are not merely for our enjoyment but serve a greater purpose: attracting others who seek nourishment. As others come to us, we have the unique opportunity to lead them to God, demonstrating how, through grace, we were grafted into the tree. This process is not a testament to our own qualities but a vivid illustration of divine grace that accepts and transforms the “wild” into an integral part of the kingdom. Thus, our journey from being outsiders to becoming nourishing presences within the community highlights the transformative power of connecting deeply with the roots of our faith.

It’s evident that the tree no longer resembles its original form, having been enriched with a variety of “wild” branches. This new diversity is precisely what God’s grace intended, showcasing His power to bring beauty and vitality to a world otherwise marred by sin. The tree, though vastly different from its original appearance, blooms profusely, its flowers and fruits serving as vivid demonstrations of God’s ability to redeem and beautify. Pruning is a critical aspect of maintaining this divine tree, a process that often involves painful cuts to remove sin, which cannot coexist near the healthy, sustaining roots. In this sacrificial act, reminiscent of Jesus’ own suffering, pruning is not merely a survival tactic for the tree but a renewal process that allows it to thrive. Although our “wild” nature might initially set us apart from other branches, when we draw from God’s strength, we too can produce delightful and appealing fruits, different yet enriching.

Moreover, God’s grace enables these previously pruned and wild branches to not only reintegrate but also to innovate within the tree. The new fruit we bear, infused with divine influence, fills the hearts, minds, and souls of those around us with wonder and admiration. This ongoing cycle of grafting, pruning, and flourishing under God’s careful watch creates a dynamic, ever-evolving tapestry that captures the essence of spiritual growth and community enrichment.

God revitalizes His Kingdom by pruning away dead and infected branches, replacing them with new, “wild” branches that infuse the tree with fresh vitality and beauty. This transformative process is a model that the Church must embrace; we cannot cling to past forms of being the church but must instead be open to letting go of the old and welcoming the new life that God introduces. This transition can be uncomfortable, especially when it involves pruning elements that once inspired or empowered us. However, God reminds us that our true strength stems not from these branches but from our roots in Christ Jesus.

The divine plan for the Church extends far beyond our understanding, and resisting this evolution could mean missing out on our intended role within God’s magnificent design. We are each unique, endowed with distinct gifts and potential to bear fruit, and God grafts us into His tree specifically to showcase the splendor of His creativity through the grace of Jesus. Thus, embracing the changes God enacts in the Church is not only about personal growth but also about contributing to the broader display of divine beauty and innovation within the community.

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Breaking Barriers

Most job interviews begin with the interviewer asking you to tell them about yourself. With such an open-ended question, our minds immediately move toward the right words to present ourselves in the best light. The task in such a setting immediately implies competition with everyone else, and as such, we need to elevate ourselves above others, highlighting that our differences make us superior. This attitude often spills out beyond the specific setting of a job interview, and we start looking at how each of us may claim some superior point of view or characteristic and begin to build up barriers between each other. Since the time of Christ, this attitude has infiltrated the Church, and walls have been built to exclude people because they don’t pass our “job interview,” the church inherits this posture of exclusion instead of the mind of Christ that calls us to invite the masses. Paul reminds us that the Church is not a place for barriers, but it is a place where distinctions melt away.

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 10:5–13.

Early on, as the Hebrew people began adapting to the law, they realized that God had called them to holiness. The law instructed the people of God to refrain from looking like, eating sacred foods, and assimilating with their neighbors to become a beacon for the goodness of God in the Near East. They would learn to become fully reliant on God by setting themselves apart from the surrounding nations. However, instead of relying on God to help keep them holy, they became reliant fully upon the law. They used it as a bludgeoning device to maintain the religious status quo. The gift became contorted into a weapon that used distinctions to become barriers instead of reasons to praise God. The Pharisees then took the law to further extents and created walls to surround the law, which became an impenetrable barrier for anyone to come close to worship, even Jesus. We must ensure that our worship rules don’t keep Jesus out in its attempt to remain different.

The differences we have can lead us to places that are filled with beauty and understanding of the great diversity that God creates with. However, when we would rather spend all our time in the pools of sameness, for the sake of maintaining our purity, it becomes wholly something other than what the Almighty had planned for us in the world. The barriers highlight otherness as a negative, while Jesus went to the grave and was resurrected to knock down the barriers so that our otherness might blend into the full tapestry of God’s people. Thus we need to confess our brokenness and through it we access the power of God to bring renewal in our lives and in our communities, tearing down the walls that separate us, leading us to relationship and Gospel sharing. When we join together through communion, our differences do mean separateness, but rather through God’s power of reconciling, we are brought closer to God, and as we grow closer to God we grow closer to one another. Thus the Church needs to be called closer to God, and through that motion we are closer to one another, and break through any division.

With this nearness we have with God, we find that the barriers are evaporated, and there are no longer distinctions between one group and another, but rather we are all created and saved through the power of God. Just as Christ was resurrected, all of humanity is granted access to the Gospel, no longer is the message of God’s reconciliation only for a select few, but the entire world is given a key. All previous exclusions are eliminated, and because of Christ’s saving act the world is given access to Shalom. Now because we have access, we are called to share this message of peace with everyone, so that all know that Jesus did the work of reconciliation for them. This becomes imperative that we share this with everyone as followers of Christ. Instead of highlighting the gates and barriers to the law, which far too many churches exemplify, we are called to knock down the walls keeping the world away from the Gospel, and offer the peace that surpasses all understanding to everyone in our communities. We must do this because Christ loves us without distinction.

When we give our lives to Christ, we humbly learn to love people without distinction as Jesus demonstrated. Although there are forces in this world seeking to create bigger barriers and walls, the Christian must be different and holy, breaking down those barriers and those walls inviting everyone to the Gospel. No matter our backgrounds or identities, our identity in Christ implores each of us to work toward understanding that all of us are created in God’s image, and although we sinned and fell short of the ideal standard, Jesus redeemed us on the cross. Therefore, as members of Christ’s Church we must share the Gospel without concern for the person on the other side, and sharing the Gospel means that we humbly come alongside people, in the same way Jesus humbly came to the world and died for our sins. 

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Stop Straining

Among some of the most challenging adventures and races I have ever competed in would have to be the Mammoth Trailfest 50K. Right in the middle of this race is the grueling Dragon’s Back Ascent up Mammoth Mountain, where you spend about two horizontal miles climbing over 2000 feet vertically. The climb required equal amounts of physical push with mental fortitude to keep moving forward. This adventure is a metaphor for many things in life because the journey up the mountain requires hard work and perseverance. At some point in life, dedication and an industrious attitude become necessary to find ourselves in the dream job or complete the degree. However, there are also times when our lives are plagued with the loss of a loved one, or we are plagued by illness and disease, and the work takes on a different nature but remains something we strive to push through.

Far too often, however, we set aside following the example of Christ during these moments to push through, to say I will come back after I have achieved the goal. Paul sets out in the passage below from Romans 9, the understanding that God alone has the ability to bless. Although we may find success in other avenues, without following God in our hearts and deeds, those successes ring hollow. Sometimes, we will work hard and strain after fortune, and it simply will not work out for us, and we want to throw our hands in the air and claim it isn’t fair. Many times, it may not be fair, but God strives to walk with us on the journey, whether good or bad, and we cannot simply cast aside that relationship to pursue something of our selfish and carnal desires. God’s justice and blessing are ultimately of divine providence, and God calls us to listen closely and follow even closer.

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 9:14–18.

Despite our struggles, the Gospel and the Bible are meant to draw us nearer to God in relationship and never to be used as a weapon to attack our opponents. The Word of God serves as the trekking poles to help propel us over our obstacles instead of the dynamite to knock the mountain down. For the same God that made us and sent Jesus to die for us also created those opposing us and desires for their lives to be transformed by the Gospel. If we were to presume that God was on our side just because things went our way, we may surmise that the Bible was full of magic spells and we could force God to our will, but Paul urgently reminds us that God’s will override any human effort. Therefore, we must humbly devote ourselves to God no matter what and cannot use scripture to prop ourselves up. The scriptures are a tool for life; the Gospel leads to hope and not despair.

From an early age, we are taught that success results from pushing and straining to get yourself to the top of the heap. From the perspective of competition, there can only be one winner, and you must vanquish your opponents. These people are mere obstacles in our path that we must overcome. However, this type of success is the most fleeting since it is often short-lived without constant straining to stay on top. However, God implores us to unclench our fists and look to the life of Jesus, as He did not reach the mountaintop by putting others down, but rather, He turned this pattern upside down because we have all been lifted up, through Jesus allowing himself to get knocked down. God did this to help us value our relationship with God over victories, and by aligning ourselves with God, we also value sharing the Gospel over dominating others.

Apologetics often ends with an intellectual defense of the Gospel against the world’s philosophies. Followers of Christ take up the mantle of apologetics to defend God against the world. Still, as we hear Paul in Romans, God doesn’t need us to come to the aid of the Creator in this manner when God would rather we show off the transformed life within our hearts so that the world may know God through the behavior and actions of Christians. The Sword of the Spirit penetrates the hardness of hearts, bringing life out of darkness. The Holy Spirit ultimately accomplishes the work of transformation, and we are merely invited to share God’s hope and love with our community. Rather than spending the bulk of our time convincing people they are wrong, God calls us to devote our lives to living Gospel lives and loving one another.

Mountains teach God’s people to make themselves vulnerable to the movement of God. While climbing the mountain will undoubtedly exhaust us, the mountain will guide us into beautiful scenery and places where God wants to lead us to experience God’s joy from a fresh and new perspective. To achieve these experiences, we will encounter difficulties, and amid those difficulties, we will not have guaranteed success, so we have to strive after God and not strain to succeed. In our actions, we seek to bring God’s glory. As we remember that God made the mountain and the person climbing, we learn to thank God for the mountain and lean into God’s understanding to strive after the Lord’s purpose for our lives.

JRMITCH85 Character, Decisions, Faith, Hope

What Do You Want?

When my family doesn’t have a lunch or dinner planned out, we find ourselves asking the dreaded question, “What do you want?” The question is dreaded because we approached this time of eating knowing full and well that we would have to make a decision, but no one stepped up and gave a preemptive answer to the question. However, the reasons for not giving a proper answer come from diverse reasons. The youngest child doesn’t answer because they have found their responses rejected every time and don’t want to be rejected again. Another child doesn’t answer because they don’t want to offend anyone with their selection. One parent doesn’t want to answer because they feel as if they must make all the decisions, and they have decision fatigue. There are myriad reasons why any of us refuse to answer that question. Still, no one answering the question often results in the family going to a place that is comfortable to everyone but not desirable to anyone.

Going to church on Easter Sunday is rarely a choice made by asking, “What do you want?” However, on most other Sundays of the year, we might question why we should go to church or why we should go to a specific church. The answers don’t come as easy for many, but if we dig into the rationale for attending a church or a service, we would also find many different responses. Some would say this is the closest church to them, while some say they love the worship band, others the traditions, and some say the pastor or even the programs at a particular church. Many of these are the things that brought us to the doors of a local church, but what we really want is Jesus.

Jesus brought the women to the tomb on the first Resurrection Sunday. It was customary to mourn at the tomb, and the Gospels tell us of the women who came to carry out the ritual and to help find closure on the death of their loved one. However, they got a surprise that forced them to reframe how they asked the question, “What do you want?”

Let us look at how the Gospel of John frames this encounter:

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 20:1–18.

The text above focuses on four individuals and how they would answer the question, “What do you want?” Mary Magdalene, John and Peter, and Jesus all instruct and guide us as we walk through our own queries. Whether we find ourselves identifying with Mary Magdalene or John and Peter, Jesus encounters us as we seek something in this world.

Mary Magdalene wanted answers. Outcast from much of society she found something in Jesus that gave her purpose and life. Jesus treated her with mercy, providing hope in the midst of the brokenness that showed her that she was not simply confined to the type of life that the world sought to entrap her, as she came from a certain place she would only be capable of a lower status in society. Some of us can certainly identify with Mary Magdalene, as we feel trapped by certain walls that have come up around us, and we do not feel as if we can break free from that confinement. We want free from the trappings of this world that have only brought us pain and frustration. We come to church looking for this freedom, just like Mary Magdalene.

Even when we find it, the world takes it away. Just as Jesus was crucified, it left the women, and particularly Mary Magdalene saddened and grieving. At the tomb, she sought to express grief, and find closure in hopes to find joy again. However, as she found the tomb empty, she initially felt robbed of the opportunity to grieve and sought the help of Peter and John to understand what was going on. We often want to understand what’s going on around us, and seek answers from others that we perceive to be more wise, or those that we think may have access to answers that elude us. However, oftentimes the answers that those around us provide only leave us with more questions, as Peter nor John gave Mary Magdalene any comfort.

Maybe we are Peter and John. Followers from the beginning, thinking we have it all figured out until the rug is pulled out from underneath us when our teacher, our hope, and our Lord left us on the cross. We thought Jesus was the answer, but what do we do now that Jesus is gone. Now we that the tomb is empty, and what are supposed to make of that? Peter ran all the way in, and John waited at the door, but neither got an answer. Many a Christian approaches striving for answers to questions, but when the answers aren’t readily available we go away to our comfort, but Jesus isn’t done with us.

Coming back to the tomb we find Mary Magdalene, staying there in her tears, where she encounters Jesus, and all she wants to do is cling to Him, because she does not want to let go. The last she saw Him he was lifeless, and now He is full of life. As she was not satisfied with the lack of answers, in her tears Jesus revealed Himself to her, and Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us here. What is troubling you? What do you want? Jesus reveals that there is peace for our sadness, and hope for our pain, which is precisely why He went to the cross. Jesus wants there to be peace in our world and hears the tears of those caught in the stress and disorder of our world. What does Jesus want? He wants us, in our brokenness, with our tears, and immersed in the ugliness of the world, Jesus wants us to come to the foot of the cross and be washed in His blood. He will turn our tears to joy, our pain into peace, and our hurts into hope. Through the love of the Almighty we are all welcome.

Now I ask you, “What do you want?” Right here, and right now, Jesus is present and asks us that question as we approach the places of death and darkness. On a Sunday nearly 2000 years ago Jesus transformed the symbols of death and destruction into beacons of hope for a world striving and seeking answers, freedom, and joy. In the light of Christ’s resurrection on the third day, no matter what we want, Jesus is the answer.

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The Conquering Spirit

The word conquer evokes images of heroes made from the history book, characters larger than life that we could barely estimate whether they were real or pieces of pure fiction. Many of our world’s greatest legends have been turned into images fit for the stage or big screen. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonapart have all had stories told about the worlds they subdued to their will. These are the typical characters that our imaginations conjure up when we consider the word conquer. We imagine great empires seen throughout history. Whether it be the British Empire that spanned the globe, or the Roman Empire that sought to bring peace to the world through subduing it with the overwhelming size of its military might.

Within the Empire of Rome we find the people of Jerusalem clamoring for a savior to bring upon a conquering spirit, and lead the people against the might of Rome. As they laid their cloaks and palm branches on the ground they ushered Jesus into the city as a conquering hero. Jesus did come to conquer, but it was something much bigger than Rome, but the people were not ready for it. They expected their version of Alexander and Julius, but they got the Son of God instead. Thus as we look at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit enables us to conquer sin and death because of Jesus’ humility and strength to overcome.

37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)

In this text, Paul leads toward an understanding that because of God’s great love for us, we are imbued with the Holy Spirit that conquered sin and death, and continues to conquer evil all around us. It was in accord with the Holy Spirit that Jesus entered Jerusalem to provide a perfect example for us to conquer in a manner that brings glory to God. Jesus leads by example, by the fact that even though the people ushered Him into the city with chants and cheers, Jesus remains humble at His core. We too are called toward humility, and instead of relying on our understanding, we must listen to what God wants from us and block out the cheers from the mobs and crowds leading in a myriad of directions. The Spirit works to inspire us toward working for the glory of God and setting aside any personal gain or glory. When we connect to the Holy Spirit, we can conquer hardship, find salvation, and have an unbreakable connection to God. 

With this connection, the Holy Spirit protects us from harm while empowering us to overcome and conquer the forces of death and destruction. Through the Spirit, we are protected from the seemingly unbearable attacks of the enemy. Through our connection with the Spirit, we are given the Word of God for protection and encouragement. Even when we cannot come up with the words to say, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. As Jesus knows, we cannot avoid trials of many sorts in the world, but the Spirit fills us and guides us to overcome these trials. Just like standing in the ocean, we cannot avoid the waves crashing down on us; we cannot avoid trials, but the Spirit sustains us in our needs. Further, the Spirit then takes the strength built in our character during these trials. It allows us to conquer and rededicate ourselves to a brand new understanding of what it means to be victorious and embrace the blessings that arrive despite our circumstances. The Spirit ultimately conquers our hearts.

Through transforming our hearts through the Holy Spirit, we understand that God truly conquers the world through the love of the Almighty God. Once God’s love penetrates our hearts, nothing can pull us beyond the grasp of God’s embrace. It doesn’t mean we won’t get pulled from time to time to distance ourselves because we will constantly be tempted with power and riches, and calamities will rise, attempting to break our will. Still, the Holy Spirit is present to help us respond to it all by conquering them through the love of God found inside us. Even Jesus relied on the Spirit as He approached the crucifixion and asked for the cup to pass; therefore, when negative thoughts and actions tempt us, we can call on the Holy Spirit to help us out of the darkness and guide us toward the light.

The world is hungry for a conquering savior, which is nothing new, as shown in the Palm Sunday narrative. People always seek a strong voice to guide and lead them out of any perceived trouble or inconvenience. The people offer themselves to chant and adorn themselves just as the first-century Jerusalemites waved their palm branches and hailed Jesus as their conquering hero. Similarly, people have welcomed famous despots into power because they spoke the right words. However, people are finicky; whenever the actions or words stray from the original intent, the devotion can turn into darkness in the blink of an eye. On Sunday, they hailed Jesus as their leader, and on Friday, they called for His crucifixion. However, even when darkness seeks to squelch the hope we have in Jesus, the Spirit rises and conquers the darkness and brings light through the love of our neighbor. The Spirit reminds us that loud and bombastic speech might be popular, but we must set it aside and show humility in demonstrating God’s perfect love. The Spirit leads us to follow Jesus’ example by leading with humility and showing compassion to everyone; we show that our hearts have been transformed from dark into light. Through the conquering Spirit found in us, as we ask God into our hearts, we can truly change the world to reflect more of God’s perfect kingdom.

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The Empowering Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the primary empowering force in our lives, enabling us to achieve remarkable feats and guide our paths. Despite its significance, churches often overlook or misinterpret its role. However, theologian John Calvin, despite his reservations regarding musical instruments in Presbyterian traditions, underscored the importance of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity. He recognized its pivotal role in empowering and guiding believers to accomplish extraordinary deeds. Yet, our inherent weakness frequently distorts our understanding of divine laws, leading to their misuse. While the law is a divine gift intended to draw us nearer to God, our frailties often hinder its righteous application. Through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and the guidance of divine law, we are called to navigate our journey toward spiritual fulfillment and growth.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 

Romans 8:1-11 (ESV)

In our churches today, there’s a tendency to rely heavily on programs and books as guiding lights, often overshadowing our faith in the Holy Spirit. Instead of relying solely on written resources, we must focus on devoting ourselves to the Holy Spirit. We should seek guidance directly from God as we immerse ourselves in scripture study. By doing so, we align ourselves with the freedom from the law of sin and death that comes through Christ. Following the Spirit brings forth life and peace, a truth underscored by Jesus’ sacrificial death and Resurrection, which shattered the chains of death. While the law initially was a guiding principle, our human nature often led us astray. However, God invites us to embrace a new path where His Spirit leads us toward genuine fulfillment and purpose.

Jesus, in taking on the fleshly body, undertook the monumental task of destroying sin’s grip on humanity. Through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, we are granted the ability to live in alignment with the Spirit, thereby breaking the chains of sin that once bound us. We must introspectively examine our actions, discerning whether they foster unity and peace or sow seeds of division and chaos. By consciously striving to empower others and walking in the paths of peace and unity, we amplify the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Embracing this divine power enables us to extend peace and hope to a world torn by division as we humbly relinquish our pride and yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becoming beacons of unity and agents of positive change.

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of empowerment, enabling us to transcend barriers and cultivate unity, love, hope, and peace in a world fractured by division. This transformative power was exemplified in the life of St. Patrick, who was imbued with the strength of the Holy Spirit, extended forgiveness, and shared the gospel with his captors, birthing a profound faith tradition. Similarly, the Holy Spirit empowers us to become instruments of peace, love, and hope within our communities. By aligning ourselves with its guidance, we are equipped to spread the gospel’s message, fostering unity and healing amidst societal discord. As vessels of the Holy Spirit’s divine grace, we are called to participate actively in restoring harmony and disseminating God’s love, thereby fulfilling our purpose of bringing peace and hope to a world in need.

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith, Hope

Seize Life

In his letter to the Romans, Paul meticulously disassembles humanity’s reliance on the Law, revealing its limitations in offering salvation. However, amidst this deconstruction, he pauses to underscore the divine origin of the Law, emphasizing its initial purpose as a benevolent gift from God. Yet, sin’s insidious nature seeks to pervert the Law, twisting it from a source of life to a harbinger of death. Much like the internet, initially conceived to facilitate the exchange of ideas and unite people across vast distances, only to be corrupted into a platform rife with divisiveness, spreading hatred, lies, and discord. God, through his guidance, leads us to acknowledge the inherent goodness of the Law. Yet, its manipulation by sin steers humanity away from its intended path of righteousness and life towards disobedience and spiritual death.

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Romans 7:7-12 (ESV)

Embedded within the fabric of divine guidance, the Law was not crafted for sin but as a framework for righteous living. However, in our inherent disobedience, sin opportunistically distorts the intentions of the Law, using its precepts to justify rebellious behavior. This inclination towards rebellion traces back to humanity’s inception; from Adam and Eve’s ruinous actions, sin insidiously seized upon the purity of God’s creation, ushering in death. Despite God’s unwavering desire for our well-being, He furnished us with the Law and commandments as protective boundaries to illuminate the path towards a relationship with Him. Yet, through deceitful manipulation, sin perverted these divine guidelines, leading humanity astray into disobedience and severing the once unbroken communion with God, settling us into the depths of spiritual death. Thus, what was initially ordained for our benefit became a conduit for animosity.

Much like oxygen, the Law is an essential element for spiritual survival. Just as oxygen fills our lungs and courses through our veins, granting vitality to our bodies, the Law imparts guidance and structure to our spiritual journey, offering insights into righteous living and fostering a flourishing relationship with God. However, akin to oxygen’s dual nature—vital for life yet capable of fueling destruction through wildfires—the Law, too, can be manipulated by sin to spread death and chaos. Recent devastating wildfires across California, Canada, Colorado, and Texas vividly illustrate this duality, showcasing the potential for destruction when elements meant for good are exploited. Without the Law, sin would lack the framework necessary for its proliferation. Yet, conversely, the absence of the Law would deprive humanity of the vital knowledge and direction needed to navigate life in alignment with God’s will. Thus, while the Law serves as both a safeguard against sin’s encroachment and a beacon guiding us toward righteous living, its absence would leave humanity adrift, devoid of the essential guidance needed for spiritual flourishing.

Hope emerges between the Law and humanity’s struggle with sin—a promise of divine redemption. Through the boundless goodness of God, hope springs forth from the very essence of the Law. In a profound act of love and sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the embodiment of divine grace, reclaimed life from the clutches of death upon the cross. Through His ultimate sacrifice, our fractured relationship with God finds restoration, paving the way for liberation from the shackles of sin. United in Christ’s victory over death, humanity is granted the freedom to choose obedience and embark on a path of righteousness. Thus, through the redeeming power of Christ’s sacrifice, we are offered a renewed existence and empowered to walk in steadfast obedience, basking in the light of God’s eternal love and grace.

As we embrace the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection, a profound calling beckons upon God’s people—to not merely exist but actively participate in restoring our world through the proclamation of the Gospel. This calling transcends mere verbal declaration; it encompasses a holistic embodiment of Christ’s love and compassion toward our fellow human beings. Wherever there is hunger, poverty, or despair, we are summoned to extend a hand of solidarity and support, offering sustenance, hope, and comfort to those in need. In a world marred by the ravages of war, hunger, and suffering—manifestations of death’s relentless grip—Christ’s sacrificial act on the cross provides us with the impetus to seize life amidst the darkness. Thus, as bearers of Christ’s redeeming love, we are entrusted with the sacred duty of illuminating the world with the radiant light of hope, peace, and eternal life.

JRMITCH85 Character, Decisions, Faith, Hope

No Room For Sin

Our world has innumerable things vying for our attention. God beckons us to prioritize Him above all else in the cacophony of distractions clamoring for our attention. Yet, sin subtly creeps in, luring us away with its enticing choices. Though the offerings on sin’s buffet may seem appealing, they ultimately leave us unsatisfied and longing for more. When we align our lives with God, the Holy Spirit fills us with goodness and righteous thoughts, offering us both satisfying and tasteful nourishment. However, sin seeks to divert us from this path, leading us back into confusion and offering us a buffet filled with cheap and empty sustenance. It is in recognizing the true fulfillment found in God’s presence that we can resist the allure of sin’s deceptive offerings and feast upon the richness of His grace.

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Romans 6:6-12 (ESV)

Sin is the manifestation of humanity’s inability to adhere to the divine principles set forth by God. It beckons us with its allure, enticing us with promises of fulfillment and satisfaction. Much like succumbing to the temptation of junk food when we falter in our diet goals, sin presents itself as a quick fix for our spiritual hunger. Yet, just as indulging in unhealthy snacks only leaves us feeling unsatisfied and remorseful, sin ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and separation from God’s goodness. It is a constant struggle, as we are drawn to sin when we fall short of God’s standards, seeking solace in temporary pleasures rather than seeking true fulfillment in His grace and guidance.

Even in the grip of temptation, the sacrificial act of Christ’s death on the cross serves as our ultimate liberation. His selfless sacrifice breaks the chains of sin that entangle us, granting us freedom from its seductive grasp. It is akin to being transported from a realm of empty calorie treats to the exquisite ambiance of the finest restaurant, where the most delectable and nourishing cuisine awaits. No longer are we enslaved to the fleeting pleasures of sin; instead, we are invited to partake in the abundant and fulfilling feast of God’s grace. Through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, sin’s power over us is nullified, and we are empowered to walk in righteousness guided by His love and mercy.

As beneficiaries of His boundless grace, we are called to forsake the allure of sin and embrace the abundant joy found in Christ. There is no justification for returning to the shackles of sin when our souls are filled with the overflowing joy of His presence. Once we have tasted the richness of God’s hope and love, there is no room left for the empty indulgences that sin offers. God’s nourishing sustenance strengthens and uplifts us, while sin leaves us perpetually hungry, chasing after fleeting pleasures that never truly satisfy. In the banquet of God’s grace, we find lasting fulfillment, leaving behind the hollow cravings of sin and death.

Let us forsake the cheap buffet of sin and instead embrace the endless gourmet meals in God’s abundant grace. Through Christ’s sin-conquering death, we are included in His sacrifice and His life-saving resurrection. Therefore, we are called to live as people of the resurrection, constantly turning away from sin at every opportunity. Just as Christ triumphed over sin and death, we are empowered to walk in the newness of life, liberated from the bondage of sin’s empty promises. Let us embrace the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection, living each day in the light of His victory and boldly rejecting the enticements of sin that seek to ensnare us.

JRMITCH85 Uncategorized

It All Leads To Peace  

The moment you give your life to God doesn’t change the fact that the world is full of problems. While surrendering to the Almighty may yield peace and purpose, it’s not protection from life’s inevitable hardship. The artist turns problems and struggles into a product that engages the viewer or consumer and brings light out of darkness; our challenges further refine our faith and character. Mountains may still rise in our paths, but following God as our guide, we navigate the trails with strength, resilience, and a deeper understanding of our capacity for growth. The friction doesn’t disappear but becomes an opportunity for transformation, reminding us that we are not alone even amid struggles, and the journey of faith brings us tremendous value and, ultimately, peace. Paul pontificates on the result of suffering on our faith and the peace available through the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)

Peace begins as we start walking in faith. Stepping out in faith isn’t a promise of an effortless journey but a passageway leading to a profound peace, as Paul explains in Romans 5. It delves deeper, echoing the Hebrew concept of “shalom,” a wholeness encompassing every aspect of being. Faith works to root out the sin that creates fissures in our relationship with God as peace heals and brings us back to whole. With each step, we find ourselves inching closer to the transformative peace that transcends circumstance and settles deep within the core of our being. This peace, however, transcends the mere absence of conflict as conflict becomes an agent, leading us to grow deeper in faith and more fully into peace.

Faith’s path may appear riddled with impediments; these hazards are not necessarily reasons to give up but roots of growth. At the beginning of any task, if we attempt to brute force our way to completion, we will get frustrated when encountering a speed bump. However, when we hit those crises, they teach us and grow within us a patience that acts as a superpower divinely endowed. Each tribulation endured grows our patience, forging a character of faithfulness and perseverance. This power transforms into hope, a confident expectation for the future with a foundation on God’s unwavering love. Planted firmly in faith, even though troubles may strain our determination, they open doors to stronger faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preparing the saints of God for the journey ahead.

Patience empowers our journey with God, not just as a passive virtue but as a powerful preparation. Each moment we endure each challenge we navigate with grace prepares us for the Holy Spirit’s magnificent work. Patience opens us to the superpowers of faith, hope, and love, not as fleeting wishes but as concrete tools to navigate God’s purpose for our lives. Patience allows us to discern the whispers of His guidance amidst the world’s noise, preparing us to step confidently into His action when the time comes. It’s not just the waiting that matters, but the transformation that occurs within the waiting, making us vessels ready to receive the blessings and fulfill the purpose He has designed for us. Therefore, we patiently embrace the landmines and allow the struggle to become a propellant, leading us into God’s extraordinary work.

Through God’s work to build our lives with peace through patient endurance, we acquire a greater understanding of God’s desire that we continue the work of peace in the world.  The Cross and the Holy Spirit empower the Church to be a beacon of hope. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, God’s love poured onto the world, offering forgiveness, redemption, and peace. God then gifted the Holy Spirit within you, giving you a superpower to share God’s love with others. This love speaks loudest through quiet acts of kindness, the gentle words that radiate God’s presence, smiles offered, and helping hands extended. Compassion becomes a testament to the hope found in Christ. The Holy Spirit guides and strengthens you, reminding you that God’s love is the ultimate source of your strength and purpose. As we shine our light on the world, we must ensure that the peace given is shared, and through that, the Holy Spirit will manifest hope for the world through our actions and words. 

JRMITCH85 Character, Decisions, Faith, Hope

The Promise

As kids, our promises begin with promising to do more chores in exchange for a bigger allowance or promising your dessert in exchange for a baseball card. The older we get, we start promising more in exchange for more, for example, promising to do a job in exchange for payment. Even further, we promise banks to repay our loans in exchange for large sums of money to purchase vehicles and homes. These promises are only made between parties that trust each other, and businesses and individuals are given scores to determine trustworthiness. Our behavior amid these contractual promises will determine the direction in which those scores move. In personal relationships, we don’t quite have the same type of scoring system, but especially in a marriage, we must have faith that the person will honor their promise. In all of our human relationships, faith in another may ebb and flow, but Paul reminds us of the faith of Abraham, and how with God we are called to have the utmost faith.

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 

Romans 4:13-25 (ESV)

Abraham’s faith in God predates the Law given to Moses on Sinai. Therefore, the promise God made to Abraham wasn’t because of adherence to a set of rules but was given as an act of God’s providential grace. As we consider how we prioritize our lives, we should understand that God promised Abraham would be the father of many at the age of 100 and that God would never leave him because Abraham had faith. When we prioritize faith over pride in a law that we could never be perfect enough on our own, we stop pushing God’s promise away and begin to embrace and be embraced by God’s promises. Thus, our work must focus on building faith over strict adherence to the law because righteousness flows out of faith, while legalism is birthed out of the law.

Through legalistic behavior, the law that was provided as a gift to the people to maintain their connection to God, people were blocked from a connection with the Almighty due to people building walls keeping the outsiders out. While the law was always intended to outline how we could keep ourselves within the righteousness of God, it was never intended to be used to curse people and push them away. The community was the intended audience for the law, and not the individual; individually we have always missed the mark and sinned, and the law was intended to be used collectively to lift up the community avoiding individual shortcomings. Therefore, we were called to place our faith in God, and the community God established with the promise, which leads to our future hope.

With a mindset focused on hope, Abraham received the promise of God. Abraham had confidence in God, and because of his faith he was assured that God would not be deterred by his limitations. Even though he was an older man and had an older barren wife, the hope elevated the promise to providence, and grew the faith of Abraham, which increased the righteousness surrounding the situation. This faith serves as an example to each of those in the community of faith to sow hope in our community as we bring people to God’s goodness and share with them the righteous promise found in God.

God’s promise frees the people from the strictures pronounced by the law, and provides hope of a new life in faith that produces righteousness that the law failed to bring forward. The individual’s quest to fulfill the law keeps falling short of the purpose and promise, and descends quickly into a legalism that ultimately binds us to our sin. However, the hope found at the cross, breaks the chains of legalism, and encourages living in faith that produces righteousness. Through righteous living, we hear God’s call to bring our community to the throne of grace, where they can rest in hope and grow in faith, which in turn produces righteousness.