The Grace that Keeps Us Holy

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus (Luke 23:50-52).

I like the way the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to introduce Joseph of Arimathea as simply “a man named Joseph”. This makes it easy for us to relate to this ordinary man that was chosen and empowered by God to be a part of His extraordinary plan. Today, the Spirit of Truth introduces us to three virtues that reveal the work of God’s grace in Joseph’s life, grace that prepared him for a holy work of service to our Lord Jesus. The Spirit inspired Paul to teach that God’s grace also works in us, to set us apart from our unholy world and to keep us prepared to engage wholeheartedly in His holy work… “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Joseph reminds us that as we mature in the faith, we can know and participate in the holy work of God because of the grace that keeps us holy.

God’s grace prompts and protects a holy heart in us. Joseph is described here as “a good and righteous man”, even though he was surrounded by evil and unrighteous enemies of Christ. One of the undeniable marks of a true disciple is a hunger for holiness, a growing desire to live above and beyond the lure and temptation of the unholy world around us… “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16). God’s grace is at work in every true believer, perfecting our heart in holiness as He prepares us for His Son’s return… “so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13). God’s grace keeps our heart holy until Jesus returns.

God’s grace produces and preserves a holy mind in us. It was not easy for Joseph, a “member of the council” to resist the peer pressure to go along with the false accusations and cruelty the Sanhedrin threw at Jesus. But God had placed Joseph in this position for a holy purpose and God’s grace kept his servant’s holy reason and critical thinking set apart from the crowd. The Spirit promises that this same grace is available to us to, to empower us to avoid conforming to the anti-Christian culture that seeks to overwhelm us and to distract us from knowing and pursuing God’s perfect will… “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). When we study and apply the truth of God’s Word, His grace is released in us to renew our mind and transform our reason so we can resist the world’s empty traditions and philosophies. God’s grace gives us a holy mind.

God’s grace provokes and propels a holy purpose in us. Joseph was… “looking for the kingdom of God”. Looking beyond the chaos and confusion of these present events, he remembered that Jesus had said… “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22). Either Joseph was sure, or He sincerely hoped that the tomb would be a temporary home for Jesus. In every trial that comes our way we too can experience the grace of God increasing our faith and empowering us to look beyond the physical circumstances and to see the spiritual realities of His kingdom at work… “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). God’s grace keeps our focus on His coming kingdom and helps us see His holy purpose in every person and circumstance.

As we grow up into Christ, we are being set apart and prepared for God’s sacred work by…

The Grace that Keeps Us Holy.

The Miracles of the Cross

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things (Luke 23:44-49).

The Spirit inspired Luke to record three supernatural events at Christ’s crucifixion. As maturing disciples, our testimony can be a growing reflection of the miracles of the cross.

The sun’s light was trounced. The true identity of the Son of God was affirmed by the literal defeat of daylight by the power of darkness. This was compelling confirmation of the sovereignty and divinity of Christ… “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). It is also an encouragement to true disciples in every age that Jesus Christ is willing and able to deliver us from all physical, emotional, and spiritual darkness… “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). As maturing disciples, we are called to walk in His light… “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). We are also exhorted to reflect His light to a dark world… “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Do we bring the light of Christ into the lives of those we touch each day?

The Temple’s curtain was torn. This curtain prevented access to the presence of God in the holiest place in the temple… “And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy” (Exodus 26:33). Only the High Priest could enter this Presence once a year, after some extensive purification rituals. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, provided once and for all atonement and purification for believers through His sacrifice at Calvary… “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22). Do we regularly take advantage of the new and living way provided by Christ, to build and nurture a growing intimacy with our Father?

The Centurion’s heart was transformed. The Spirit compelled Luke to record that the Centurion assigned to oversee the crucifixion of Christ declared… “Certainly this man was innocent!” The same Spirit inspired Matthew and Mark to write the centurion’s further exclamation… “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). There is clear evidence here of the amazing grace and infinite mercy of God. While so many others reviled Jesus, the chief Roman officer-in-charge of His execution was freed to see and believe that an innocent man was dying here for some other sin… “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). The centurion’s further declaration that Jesus was the Son of God provides evidence that the Spirit of God had taken up residence in his transformed heart… “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15). Does our daily profession confirm that our hearts have been transformed by the grace and mercy of Christ?

As we grow up into Christ, may our lives become a clearer reflection of…

The Miracles of the Cross.

The Faith that Leads to Paradise

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).

Many witnesses were confronted by Christ on the cross. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the gospel writers have provided a vivid picture of the crucifixion that still confronts us today. The Spirit moved Luke to record here the response of the two criminals that were executed along with Jesus. Both desperate men knew who Jesus was and believed He could deliver them from their common fate. But only one received forgiveness and the assurance of Paradise. What made the difference? There is a faith that saves… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). When we receive God’s grace, profound saving faith becomes as simple as ‘ABC’. While both men believed in Jesus, only one expressed the faith that leads to Paradise.

God’s grace convicts us to Admit the truth about ourselves. One criminal “railed at Him”. The word means to defame, revile, or speak evil. He demanded that Jesus show His alleged power by freeing them all from their crosses. There was no remorse or repentance, only rude railing, and there was no response from Jesus. The other man acknowledged his sin with a public confession… “we are receiving the due reward of our deeds”. God’s grace frees us to respond to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that we might be saved… “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). His grace continues to work in us after we are saved to compel us on toward holiness… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As we grow in the faith, we are ever more convicted of the truth that we are sinners saved by grace.

God’s grace compels us to Believe the truth about Jesus Christ. One criminal demanded evidence about the claims of Christ. He wanted action that would personally and immediately benefit him. The other, humble man recognized and publicly affirmed the innocence of Jesus despite His sentence… “this man has done nothing wrong”. God’s grace reveals the real truth about who Jesus is… “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9). As we grow in the faith, God’s grace works in us to see and reflect His glory and mercy more clearly.

God’s grace causes us to Confess the truth before God and others. One criminal accused Jesus of being the Christ. He challenged Jesus to prove His claim. The other, repentant criminal confessed the messianic claims of Christ… “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. The word confess means to assent, acknowledge, or covenant with someone. We are reminded here of the promise Christ made to those who will publicly confess Him… “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8). God’s grace makes the connection between faith and confession in our salvation… “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” (Romans 10:9-10). As we grow in the faith, God’s grace empowers our confession that Jesus is the Christ to grow with us.

As we grow up into Christ, God’s grace works in us to nurture and grow…

The Faith that Leads to Paradise.

The Humiliation that Confirmed Christ's Royalty

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:32-38).

Today we gaze upon a most precious and provoking sight, the humility and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here we see a clear example of a virtue worthy of imitation by true disciples. As we journey through this temporal and trying world on our way to our true home in heaven, we will encounter in various ways the same kind of rejection Christ endured for us. He took on himself all manner of reproach for our sake. He was reviled from the lowest to the highest. No one pitied him, no one had compassion on him, no one comforted him. Instead, egged on by the Jewish rulers, the crowd raged against him cruelly and without mercy. Yet his goodness was not overcome by their malice. Nothing could hold him back from the work of our salvation which he had begun. I fact, every mockery and taunting merely confirmed His rightful office. His humility in the face of the cruel words and evil attacks at Golgotha served to confirm that Jesus is the Christ of God… “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:8-11). As we journey through a hostile world and mature in the faith we are challenged to follow in His footsteps and imitate the humility that confirmed Christ’s Royalty.

He was settled as chief among criminals. The rulers sought to denigrate Christ as the leader of thieves and murderers, but it was God’s sovereignty that placed the Son of Man at the center of the collapsing worlds of two desperate sinners. True disciples are called to live among and love the desperate and lost souls of our generation so they might be prompted to ask us about the reason for the hope that marks us… “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:13-15). Trust Christ to be right there with you in those tough relationships with those who are not yet saved.

He was stripped of His earthly clothing. The soldiers sought to disgrace Christ by stripping Him naked, but God was preparing Him to be clothed with royal, heavenly raiment. What a beautiful picture of the transformation that awaits every enduring disciple… “For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:2-4). Learn to look past the infirmities and weaknesses of today and keep focused on the glory that approaches in eternity.

He was saluted as the King of the Jews. The rulers and soldiers sought to dishonor Christ with a sign that identified Him as the King of the Jews, but God incited them to proclaim the eternal truth that Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the King of all kings… “which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). Let the sign on the cross remind you that Jesus Christ is sovereign over whatever trial you are facing today.

As we grow up into Christ, we are encouraged and strengthened whenever we consider…

The Humility that Confirmed Christ’s Royalty.