Nick’s Walk

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20 I love a good murder mystery or thriller. The bad guy has to be really bad. My wife prefers her bad guys more real. She follows politics and watches Fox News. Even as kids we love the Big Bad Wolf. I suspect that one of  the reason for our love of bad guys is our belief that God grades on the curve. It is comforting to know that there are men more evil than us out there. Of course we know that God doesn’t grade on the curve.  Maybe not all that comes from our mouths are “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” but there is plenty enough bad stuff in us to make us unacceptable to a Holy God. His Word penetrates and shows us for what we are: sinners in need of a Savior. f I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence […]

Blessed are . . . —Matthew 5:3-11 We wish to “be blessed.” We wish blessings on others.  But what does it really mean to “be blessed.” In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes many who are blessed; but the pronouncements  seems simplistic yet contradictory. The poor will have kingdoms; the mourning will be comforted, meek obtain power, etc. Many have tried to create a world where the Beatitudes are tghe norm. Others look at them as describing what heaven will be like. I believe Jesus is describing the incredible work of the Holy Spirit in the life of he believer. The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations— it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us. To  be  blessed is to live the Spirit controlled life and nothing […]

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom . . . —1 Corinthians 2:4 As a trial lawyer, I am aware that the common perception is that the smoothest talking lawyer is likely to win his case. But my experience does not support that. Most juries have enough sense to determine the truth and where justice lies if the facts are presented to them. Some are, not doubt, influenced by persuasive talk, but not most. Paul was a scholar. His knowledge of the scriptures was unequaled. He was also an orator of the highest degree. The gospel is powerful and simple truth. Not only does it not need a smooth presentation, but when we attempt to persuade with our human wisdom, we detract from its power. Many of the most effective preachers have been poor orators. Some read their sermons in a dry monotone; but the spirit fell and souls were saved, because they spoke the word. As we learned this week at VBS, the bible is true. Whether we preach from pulpits or, as layman, preach with our lives, our goal is to lift up Jesus. “And I, if I am lifted up. […]

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us . . . sanctification . . . —1 Corinthians 1:30 The mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He “became for [me] . . . sanctification . . . .”  What OC has to say today is so significant that I have reproduced it exactly. Please note the one point in particular that I struggled with. I believe he is saying that although the perfection of Christ is completely and instantly available to us. It is not completely exhibited at once, but rather becomes evident in our lives gradually as He changes us and we grow under His guidance.   Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life. The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is “Christ in you . . .” ( Colossians 1:27 ). It is His wonderful life that is […]

This is the will of God, your sanctification. . . —1 Thessalonians 4:3 God wants us sanctified. If it’s not happening, it’s not God.  Sanctification means to be made holy. Holy means separated for God’s purpose. Before God will use any part of us, separate it for His purpose, we have to release it. As long as we hold on to any part of us, any part of our lives, it can’t be used by Him. It can’t be made holy. It can’t be sanctified.  In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me down until there is nothing left but myself,. But its a voluntary process. I must release each part. Am I willing to be myself and nothing more? What of my relationships? Am I willing to have no friends, no father, no brother, and no self-interest? Every part that is released becomes holy. It is sanctified. It becomes His. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me— it is Himself in me (see 1 Corinthians 1:30  ).   Release it and be blessed. Nick  

Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . —Matthew 5:3   We do an awful job of conveying the essence of Christianity. The world has the idea that Christianity is about forgiveness and being good and maybe love. It is viewed as a system of great, but unattainable, standards of behavior. Most see it as great, but mystical, teaching. And much of this is part of it. BUT Jesus Christ did not come only to teach— He came to make me what He teaches I should be. The redemption means that Jesus Christ can place within anyone the same nature that ruled His own life, and all the standards God gives us are based on that nature. The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount produces a sense of despair in the natural man— exactly what Jesus means for it to do. As long as we have some self-righteous idea that we can carry out our Lord’s teaching, God will allow us to continue until we expose our own ignorance by stumbling over some obstacle in our way. Only then are we willing to come to Him as paupers and receive from Him. “Blessed are the poor in […]

Those who wait on the Lord . . . shall walk and not faint —Isaiah 40:31   I call this blog “Nick’s Walk” because it really is all about walking.  Once we have come to Jesus, once we have decided to follow Him, it’s all about walking. Walking is the tough part. The daily putting of one foot in front of the other, not just in front of the other, but in the direction He leads, is Christianity. It’s not what we do on Sunday or what we put in a blank on a form. It’s every step we take.  Sometimes we think we have to take the next step because it’s time to move on. This verse reminds us that the key is waiting on the Lord, not making a move, not taking a step until He says to do so. Our walk is a demonstration of our character. There is nothing abstract or obscure in the Bible; everything is vivid and real. God does not say, “Be spiritual,” but He says, “Walk before Me. . .” ( Genesis 17:1  ). In order to walk successfully, we need to keep the Lord before us continually. We learn to know […]

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am —John 13:13 Obedience is only possible between people who are equals in their relationship to each other; like the relationship between father and son, not that between master and servant. Jesus showed this relationship by saying, “I and My Father are one” ( John 10:30 ). The Son was obedient as our Redeemer, because He was the Son, not in order to become God’s Son.   He came that we might have the same relationship. 26 He told the religious leadership: But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”   We are like sheep. We follow the shepherd because of our relationship with Him. We know Him. We know His […]