Dr H Reflections

What can you expect from dirt? ∙∙

What can you expect from dirt? ∙∙

For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. – Genesis 3:19

All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. – Job 34:15

Psalms 103:13-22

13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone – as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children.

19 The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

22 Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.

The term “Teflon President” was coined by Rep. Pat Schroeder, a Colorado Democrat, in 1983 to describe President Ronald Reagan. The idea for the phrase struck Schroeder as she was cooking eggs on a Teflon non-stick pan. Regardless of the controversies that plagued his administration, nothing stuck to him personally. Reagan appeared to possess an uncanny knack for avoiding blame, much like a Teflon-coated frying pan prevents foods from sticking to it. His affable, ever-smiling demeanor and persona projected a “grandpa” image.

Even when faced with significant controversies such as the Iran-Contra scandal, Reagan’s popularity with the public did not waver. They continued to forgive and adore him.

This mirrors our relationship with our Heavenly Father. No matter our shortcomings, the Father’s love and forgiveness for the children of the King are unwavering. It’s as if we’re enveloped in a Teflon coating; our sins, trespasses, and wrongdoings don’t stick to us. They simply slide off and are gone. We are washed clean, whiter than snow.

Psalm 103 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. It celebrates the Father’s overflowing goodness and love of the Father towards His children. It invites thanksgiving. It celebrates the Father’s overflowing goodness and love (Psalms 103:1-2).

REFLECT & PRAY

How does a father show compassion towards his children? He compassionately takes into account their immaturity, weakness, and limited knowledge. He does not require of them more than they can handle. Our Heavenly Father does the same with us (1 Corinthians 10:13) (Stanley).

Dear Father, thank You for adopting me into Your Forever Family just as I am. You are great and magnificent, while I am nothing more than living dirt. I stand in awe and am truly amazed.

INSIGHT

Before you get down on yourself, what can you possibly expect from dirt? We are made out of the dust, the dirt of the Earth. Dust is tiny fragments of other things that have disintegrated and become worthless.

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

The Hebrew word for dust or dirt is ‘aphar. ‘Aphar is dirt, plain old dirt, that is, dry, loose earth. The Scriptures are clear: we are simply repurposed dirt.

The only thing that separates us from all the other plain, ordinary dirt on planet Earth is that we are alive. Dirt minus God is inert, inanimate, and lifeless. As living dirt, we tend to get rather dirty. That is precisely what the Father expects. He is not disappointed when we act like dirt because He knows we are dirt. The most significant distinction between us and all other dirt is that we are His dirt. And He loves us just the way we are.

Psalms 103:14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

A father is aware of the vulnerability and dependence of his children, and thus, he shows them compassion, particularly when it’s most required. When we demonstrate how pitiful we are, He graciously has pity on us. The Father, as creator, formed us and knows we are merely dust (Psalms 78:39). Despite how insignificant humanity must appear to God, how trivial. Yet he crowns us with love and mercy (Psalms 103:4b)! (Tesh and Zorn).

Psalms 103:15

15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone – as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children

Psalms 78:39 He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

Not only are people seemingly as trivial as dirt, but our time on earth is short and transitory. There is no permanence to our existence here. We are as grass or the flower that dries up in the sun’s heat and vanishes before nightfall.

In contrast, the Father is eternal and remains forever. His love envelops the children of the King forever.

David focuses on four excellent characteristics of the Father. He is compassionate. He does not constantly accuse, criticize, or antagonize us even though we sin repeatedly. He is slow to anger, and His anger soon dissipates. He is merciful and gracious. He does not punish us for our sins immediately. He does not chastise us as we deserve. He does not seek revenge and get even. His lovingkindness is limitless. The guilt of our sins is separated from us completely and permanently (Constable).

Psalms 103:17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting.

The Hebrew term hesed is often translated as lovingkindness or steadfast love. Hesed is a complex word with layered nuances of meaning that are not easily captured into a single English term. It encapsulates kindness, mercy, loyalty, lovingkindness, reliability, faithfulness, and steadfast love. A fitting translation that fully embodies its essence is loyal love.

Hesed is a profoundly compelling term from the Old Testament used to depict the Father’s love for the children of the King. Characteristic of the Father’s affection, hesed denotes a promise, a love steeped in a relationship, a profound love that knows no bounds, a love that remains constant irrespective of circumstances or reciprocation (Waltner).

Compared to our paltry existence and sinful behavior, rather than wallowing in self-pity, we should focus on the superior excellence and splendor of the Father who loves and forgives us. David encourages every child of the King to adopt this perspective. Our extraordinary heavenly Father deserves our praise and should be served with honor and reverence.

How could we do less?

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Do you feel bad about yourself? ∙∙

Do you feel bad about yourself? ∙∙

No one does good, not a single one. – Romans 3:12

Romans 3:23-25

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark” (Michelangelo).

We often find ourselves wondering what other people think about us. We are naturally afraid that we will not measure up to some real or imagined standards of others.

Do you feel bad about yourself? The Father has a simple solution for this. Instead of comparing ourselves to the standards set by others, or even our own, we should align ourselves with His. When we recognize how far short we fall, we feel far worse with an even more profound sense of inadequacy!

There’s a significant difference between feeling somewhat bad about oneself and feeling absolutely bad about oneself. When you feel relatively bad, there’s room for self-improvement and enhancement of your condition. But when you feel terrible about yourself, then there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. This lays the foundation for a triumphal resolution.

Paul pushes the boundary and logically takes us to a grim conclusion. Paul does not say that we were merely sinful, depraved, or sick before we became children of the King. Instead, he says that we were dead.

Ephesians 2:1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins.

When we evaluate ourselves against the Father’s standards, we fall short. We are inadequate. There’s no ambiguity about where we stand. We see reality for what it is. We accept and confess that we are dismal failures. We stand condemned. There is nothing we can do to improve our condition.

As condemned individuals, we desperately need the Father’s love, mercy, and grace. Paul reminds us we were not on a friendly basis and making vast improvements when the Father intervened. Instead, we were the Father’s enemies and thoroughly alienated from Him. In response to our dismal condition, He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die for us. He intervened to resolve the worst part of our darkened and human condition. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ brought about reconciliation. He removed the barriers between us and the Father.

Romans 5:10 While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

The Father provided a significant paradigm shift for all of His children. We stood helpless, completely, and totally in the wrong and condemned. He unilaterally declared us to be righteous. And so we are! We are now enveloped in the righteousness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 for God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Romans 3:24 God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

REFLECT & PRAY

You don’t drown by falling into water. You only drown if you stay there (Zig Ziglar).

Father thank You for lifting me out of the miry pit and placing me on solid ground.

INSIGHT

Imagine you are walking in rather swampy woods. Suddenly, you find yourself a couple of steps into quicksand and rapidly sink up to your neck. First, you must find a way out of the terrifying and deadly mess you find yourself in. Second, you have to get cleaned up. All the muck and mire covering you from the neck down has to be removed.

That is precisely what the Father has done! He has freed us from the miry pit, the ugly mess we made of our lives. Then He made us thoroughly clean as if it had never happened. We are no longer sullied. All the stains and blemishes have been wiped away.

In a way, we faced trial and were declared guilty. We stood condemned. But the Father did something extraordinary. We have been given a brand-new legal standing. Through faith in Christ, we have been justified and declared righteous by the Father, once and for all. The result is that the children of the King no longer live under the fear of judgment or the wrath of God. Remarkably, we have peace with God. This peace is not merely a subjective feeling but an objective reality (ESV notes).

While the enemy focuses on the old mess we used to be and rubs our noses in it, the Father concentrates on our redemption and cleansed lives. He provides affirmation and encouragement to every child of the King.

This provides us with an unexpected yet delightful opportunity. We can either continue to dwell on and remember the dark failures of our past, or we can focus on the pure, righteous redemption He has wrought.

Darkness or light, death or life, condemnation or acceptance – the choice is ours.

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Does God need our help? ∙

Does God need our help? ∙

I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” – Psalms 16:2

Job 22:2-3

2 Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?

“Cars 2,” a 2011 American animated film, was created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. This movie is the sequel to the 2006 computer-animated sports comedy, “Cars.” It raked in $562 million globally at the box office, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2011.

The film beautifully captures the imagination and actions of children when they play, with sounds like vroom-vroom, boom, screech, crash, and so on. In this story, race car Lightning McQueen and tow truck Mater are pit buddies racing in the World Grand Prix across Japan, Italy, and other European countries.

However, due to Mater’s mistake, Lightning McQueen loses a big race. When McQueen returns to his pit, he is furious with Mater. Mater is very apologetic. Mater wants to help McQueen make it right. McQueen rejects his help, exclaiming, “I don’t need your help! I don’t want your help!”

Is that the way that the Father thinks about us? Contrary to McQueen’s reaction, God never rejects our attempts to aid Him. Yet, it begs the question: Do we believe we can assist God? Do we think our plans are superior to His? Do we genuinely believe that the all-knowing, eternal God makes mistakes?

Take Job’s story, for instance.

Job’s friend Eliphaz accuses him of indulging in sinful, self-righteous pride. For Eliphaz, the only logical reason for Job’s suffering is his alleged sinful behavior. Eliphaz rebukes Job, stating, “Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you? No, it’s because of your wickedness! There’s no limit to your sins” (Job 22:4-5).

Based on his assumptions, Eliphaz randomly selects sins to accuse Job of committing. It highlights how easy it is to jump to totally false conclusions when we start with inaccurate assumptions.

However, God sets the record straight. He affirms Job’s character.

Job 1:8 “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man on the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

Does Job believe that his righteousness benefits God in any way or needs his help? Eliphaz accuses Job of such beliefs.

In Job 22:2-3, Eliphaz asks,

2 Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous?

Recall that at this point in the story. Job has no idea why terrible things are occurring. He hasn’t read the first chapter of his book yet, which provides a backstory explaining the reasons behind his trials.

Satan challenges the Father God. He asserts that people are loyal and devoted to Him only because the Father treats them so well. Satan suggests that if God were to stop His blessings, people would abandon Him.

Job 1:11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!

It wasn’t Job’s sin that set these events in motion. It was a false accusation of Satan. The Father knew the fiber of His servant Job. The Father was confident that Job could withstand and overcome anything Satan might throw at him within the limits God had set. The book of Job ultimately serves to vindicate Job’s character and demonstrate God’s unwavering faith and trust in him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Many people have an unfortunate, warped view of God. Rather than seeing the Father as a gentle, caring protector and shepherd, they see Him as a harsh, vindictive, villainous tormentor. So sad!

Father, thank You for being neither petty nor vindictive. Thank You for taking pleasure in those who walk with You.

INSIGHT

Eliphaz has a warped understanding of the Father God. He does not conceive of Him as being kind, gracious, and tenderhearted. Instead, his concept of God is one of a severe, rigid, and punitive judge. He believes that God is constantly on the lookout for errant human beings to judge and punish. “These verses reveal Eliphaz’s very deficient concept of God. To him, God did not delight in fellowship with man or in blessing man. His only reason for intervening in life was to punish people when they misbehaved” (Constable).

Job 22:3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?

Eliphaz asks pointed, rhetorical questions, the answer to which is none.

The Hebrew term translated as pleasure, advantage, delight, or special benefit is chephets. Chephets connotes a strong emotional connection. The basic meaning is to feel great favor, happiness, joy, or delight with someone or something. The Hebrew term translated gain or profit is betsa’. Betsa’ means to receive personal advantage from something or someone.

Eliphaz postulates that no one can aid or benefit God through their actions. His perception of God is distant, indifferent, and impersonal. He believes God is apathetic towards people, their tribulations, and their righteousness.

It’s not hard to imagine Eliphaz scoffing as he delivers his scathing sarcasm. Perhaps snarling a bit, he questions Job, “Do you genuinely believe that God inflicts calamity on innocent, righteous individuals? Spare me!”

Job 22:4 Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you?

His logic appears transparent and uncomplicated. As Wiersbe puts it, “Courts don’t try people for their righteousness but for their lawlessness! Therefore, God has sent terrible judgments upon Job, so he must be guilty of sin.” However, Eliphaz’s reasoning is entirely misguided, stemming from a flawed premise.

While it’s true that God doesn’t need people, He takes immense pleasure in them. God enjoys people.

Zephaniah 3:17 He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

The Father gets so excited about the children of the King that He takes great delight and celebrates with joyful singing. Visualize the Father excitedly loving on you.

The opening chapters of the Book of Job provide insight and understanding. Recall that God was so taken with Job’s character and integrity that He was confident Job would prevail over the adversities about to befall him.

“Job’s character and conduct were important to God, for God was using Job to silence the devil. Neither Job nor his three friends knew God’s hidden plan, but Job had faith to believe that God was achieving some purpose in his life and would one day vindicate him. Furthermore, the character and behavior of God’s people are important to the Lord because His people bring Him either joy or sorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 6:5-6). He is not a passive, distant God who does not identify with His people but the God who delights in them as they delight in Him (Psalms 18:19; Hebrews 4:14-16)” (Wiersbe).

The omnipotent God doesn’t need assistance from His children. However, we do bring Him immense joy. Shouldn’t we aspire to emulate the example set by Lord Jesus Christ?

John 8:29 For I always do what pleases Him.

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The Lord alone opens hearts ∙

The Lord alone opens hearts ∙

Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. – Acts 16:14

Luke 24:27-45

27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Recent advancements in the field of ophthalmology have ignited hope for curing blindness. An article was published in the AARP bulletin titled “An End to Blindness?” Millions of mostly older Americans may soon have new approaches for treating blindness, particularly for those suffering from macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases. The pace of progress is such that some researchers are already envisioning an end to many forms of vision loss. Stephen Rose, chief research officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, maintains, “It’s not a question of if we’ll end blindness. It’s really just a question of when.”

One example of these groundbreaking advancements is the case of Lisa Kulik, who had been blind for over two decades due to retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited eye disease. Thanks to a sophisticated microchip implanted in one of her eyes, the Argus II, she could see again, distinguishing between the sidewalk and grassy edge while strolling around the University of Southern California’s Eye Institute.

While the 21st century may bring about cures for many forms of physical blindness, spiritual blindness poses a different kind of challenge. However, there is indeed a cure. The cure for spiritual blindness lies not within the realms of human wisdom or persuasiveness but in the Father’s intervention. He opens people’s hearts, eyes, and minds, allowing them to see and understand the Truth. He ultimately draws people to the Lord Jesus Christ, not human wisdom or persuasiveness. Why is this so?

REFLECT & PRAY

Satan does not want the glorious light of salvation to shine into people’s hearts. As the god of this age and the prince of this world, Satan is at work to keep lost sinners in the dark (Wiersbe).

Father thank You for opening my eyes to see the Truth. Thank You for transferring me from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your dear Son.

INSIGHT

Understanding the root of spiritual blindness is critical. During the present age, there is a spiritual battle being waged. Unseen powers are at work, which are greater than any person. Our adversary, the god of this world, is the culprit behind this conflict. He uses all his resources to prevent people from learning and accepting the Truth of the Word of God. He is in active opposition to the Father’s work on planet Earth.

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

How sad it is to be in this condition. The enemy rules over a domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13).

The adversary is a deceptive master manipulator. Those who fall prey to his deception are often oblivious to their situation. They do not know that they are deceived. Further, they delude themselves. “‘Delusion’ is stronger than deception. Deception means that a person can be fooled about something. Delusion is a way of life in which one is perpetually deceived.” (Richardson).

2 Corinthians 3:14-16

14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day, whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

16 But the veil is taken away whenever someone turns to the Lord.

To be freed from a life of delusion requires an intervention by the Father. We have to be rescued. A rescue party of One was dispatched to make this possible. But the cost of the rescue effort was the life of the Rescuer.

Colossians 1:13-14

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Satan rules only this age, and his power is restrained. His time is limited, and eventually comes to nothing. His defeat is certain. He will be crushed.

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

Each child of the King was born in darkness. But we have been rescued. We were blind, and now we see. We need to act like it.

Ephesians 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

As children of the King, we are to live as people of the light. We are to pray for those who are in darkness that they may see the light. The Father will put people on our hearts to pray for.

Could it be that another child of the King prayed for each of those who are now children of the King?

Act 26:18 Open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.

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The dark side ∙∙

The dark side ∙∙

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. – Colossians 1:13

George Lucas introduced the concept of the Force as a major component of Star Wars (1977). According to Lucas, the concept of the Force hopefully would “awaken a certain kind of spirituality” in young audiences, suggesting a belief in God without endorsing any specific religion. He developed the Force as a nondenominational religious concept premised on the existence of God and distinct ideas of good and evil.

The Force of Star Wars has nothing to do with the Father God, as revealed in the Scriptures.

The Force of Star Wars is an impersonal supernatural reality analogous to the Hindu deity Brahman. Rather than a personal god, Brahman is an impersonal spiritual force. Brahman is present in all living things. The Force also reflects the dualistic nature of Zoroastrianism. In Zoroastrianism, the divine force is a duality of two supreme opposing powers: good and evil.

Obi-Wan Kenobi describes the Force as “an energy field created by all living things.” Yoda warns, “But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression…the dark side of the Force are they, easily they flow… If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will . . ..”

2 Corinthians 11:14 Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

REFLECT & PRAY

Sometimes, our greatest strength can be our greatest weakness. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Father I know too well how great the darkness is. Indeed, I was seduced by darkness and walked in it for years. Thank You for freeing me from the domain of darkness and the dark one himself. Enable me to walk in the light as You always intended.

INSIGHT

The God of the Bible is a person. The Father is righteous, holy, perfect, good, and loving. He is the sole creator of all that exists. All that He created was good. Evil is not part of His creation. He has no evil or dark side.

Genesis 1:31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.

Where did evil come from? Evil is not an addition. Evil is a subtraction. Evil is the byproduct of the loss of goodness.

Evil emerges from conscious acts of rebellion against the Father, His authority, and will. Creatures that rebel lose their goodness and innocence. They cease to be good in the ultimate sense of the term. In place of light, there is darkness. In place of good, there is evil. The Scriptures refer to this among humans as sin.

The allure of greater power, control, and enlightenment, to become more like the Father Himself, is highly seductive.

Even the enemy himself was created good and blameless. He was the highest and most beautiful of all of the Father’s created beings. But his greatness and splendor became the source of his downfall.

Ezekiel 28:15-17

15 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you.”

17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.”

Isaiah 14:13-14

13 For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north.”

14 “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

All of the Father’s sentiment creations were creatures of light and existed in the domain of light. The fall of Satan and Adam and Eve changed all that. They became residents of the domain of darkness.

Satan, the highest of all created beings, was corrupted by the enchantment and faux scintillation of power. The enemy’s corruption and failure became the source of all evil. Eve was seduced by the desire for greater enlightenment. She was deceived by the lie that she would become like God if she disobeyed the Father’s command.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to reverse this. He has delivered the children of the King from the domain of darkness, that is, from the realm of Satan and the powers of evil. Any child of the King is a child of the light. As such, we are no longer doomed to walk in darkness.

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light of life.”

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

The Greek word used for transfer or bring over is methistēmi. Methistēmi literally means to remove from one place to another, transfer; figuratively, it is causing someone to change sides mentally or spiritually and bring to a different view.

Methistēmi had a particular use. In the ancient world, when one empire triumphed over another, it was the norm to relocate the entire population of the vanquished nation to the victor’s territory. Thus, the people of the northern kingdom were relocated to Assyria, and those of the southern kingdom were relocated to Babylon.

When we became children of the King, the Father relocated us from Satan’s kingdom, the kingdom of darkness, to His own kingdom.

But there’s more. We were not only transferred, we were rescued.

We were transferred from darkness to light. “Without God, people hesitate and stumble as if walking in the dark. They do not know what to do; they do not know where they are going. Life is lived in the shadows of doubt and in the darkness of ignorance” (Barclay).

We experience redemption, a term often used for the release of a slave or the repurchase of something under someone else’s control. Without God, we were captives of our anxieties, transgressions, and our own helplessness. In Christ, we are set free (Barclay).

It signified a shift from condemnation to forgiveness. Because of our sins, we deserve nothing but God’s condemnation. But because of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are no longer condemned criminals but rather sons and daughters of the King. We are rescued from the power of Satan. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we are freed from Satan’s dreadful icy grip and become members of the Father’s kingdom and Forever Family. “We do not have the power to escape our slavery in the eternally dark kingdom of Satan, but God does, and He exercised that power to bring us into the light and into the life of freedom provided by Jesus” (Stanley).

How should we then live?

When individuals practice playing a musical instrument or participating in a sport, the goal is to improve one’s performance. The same is true of sin. It is one thing to sin; it is another thing to practice sin.

1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.

It is time to give up our dark practices and walk as children of the light.

Ephesians 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

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