HE DOESN’T RAISE THE BAR! HE IS THE BAR!

Romans 3:21-29 & Romans 6:23

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A21-29%2CRomans%206%3A23&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

There’s a series of recent Ford F150 commercials that sells the popular pickup truck in very clever and creative ways.

         One talks about how the F150 re-writes the “Truck Laws” for pickup trucks because of how many different ways you can use it.

         Another speaks metaphorically. As the screen flashes back and forth between NFL football and your F150, it suggests that you’re the quarterback and your truck is your offensive line.

         The third one praises the F150 for being “Brainiac Smart” because of all the protective sensors it has.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2018+Ford+F150+commercials
 

Each one of these commercials finishes with the narrator powerfully saying, “THIS IS THE NEW 2018 FORD F150! IT DOESN’T JUST RAISE THE BAR PAL! IT IS THE BAR!” In 30 seconds you have been convinced that Ford F150 “Is the bar” for other trucks to reach.

 

Paul was trying to sell something to his peers by setting the bar. The Jewish culture of his day, set the bar of righteousness by focusing on the Law. Even Paul, before his conversion, had bought into this belief. However, he changed dramatically.

 

²¹ But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping

the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. ²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.                   NLT

 

This statement must have rankled the Jewish religious establishment who firmly believed in living by the Law to attain righteousness. The idea that all you had to do was believe in Jesus must have been heretical.

 

In fact, it was more than that. It was a statement of freedom. Freedom from the rules of man born out of pride. Pride that said, “Look at what I did”. Pride that believed in self-righteousness, not God-righteousness. With pride, we don’t need God.

 

²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (The bar.) ²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.           NLT

 

In other words…

JESUS DOESN’T JUST RAISE THE BAR PAL! HE IS THE BAR!

 

 

 

 

 

Fight the Good Fight of the Faith

1 Timothy 6

 

In February of 1990, Buster Douglas shocked the sports world by defeating the undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. It was like the movie Rocky come to life. Buster Douglas came out of nowhere to beat the most feared boxer of his day.

 

Paul knew what it meant to be in a fight, and wrote to Timothy about it. “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

 

Obviously, following Christ is not for the weak of heart. Like a boxer, there is work, sacrifice and discipline. Like a boxer, there are some things that you need to flee. And like a boxer, there are other things that you need to take hold of.

 

However, unlike a boxer, you aren’t alone in the fight. When you “made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses”, you gained the love, support and accountability of your brothers and sisters in Christ. But there is even more involved in the fight than this.

 

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

 

As followers of Christ, our fight is everywhere. At work, at home, at church, in our mind – it follows us wherever we go. A battle can happen literally at any time. We must be ready. We must prepare through reading the Word, meditating, accountability with fellow believers and prayer.

 

Buster Douglas had one good fight. After that, he never fought the same again. We don’t have that option. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  That someone is you and me.

 

Take to heart what Peter wrote to the scattered believers in Asia: “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.” 

 

We must be ready to “fight the good fight of the faith”.

 

Passion

Acts 21:27-36

 

 

Braveheart is one of my favorite movies. William Wallace was passionate about gaining freedom for Scotland. In fact, he was so passionate that he was willing to die for what he believed in. Paul had that same kind of passion.

 

In today’s passage, Paul has returned to Jerusalem after completing his third missionary trip. During those trips, he has seen many people come to faith in Christ. He has witnessed miracles. He has preached to thousands. But he has also been beaten, arrested and run out of town. The Jerusalem elders are proactive and try to avoid any problems, but their efforts fail.

 

As a result, Paul is falsely accused of “teaching everyone everywhere against our people our law and this place”. He is dragged out of the temple and the gates are closed behind him blocking any possible retreat. It is only when the Roman troops arrive that the frenzied crowd stops their attempt to kill Paul. Then, as if he was the offender rather than the victim, he is hand cuffed and dragged off while the crowd continues in its violent rage.

 

Most likely, neither you nor I will ever face a situation like this. Most likely, we will never be beaten, arrested or driven out of town for our faith. But think about how Paul could have felt during those times when he was persecuted. He may have gone through periods of feeling lonely, afraid, anger and self-pity.

 

These are feelings that we can relate to; feelings that can result from the struggles of daily living. Maybe it is stress at work, problems at home, frustrations at church; or possibly a devastating illness or unexpected death of a loved one, a child or spouse who is in the throes of an addiction or a divorce. Any of these life experiences could cause us to stumble in our faith.

 

Following today’s passage, we read that Paul is resilient in his faith in Jesus. He asks, and is granted, to speak to the very people who had just tried to kill him. Like William Wallace in the scene where he is on the rack and cries out “freedom” with his last breath, Paul is passionate about sharing the hope that is within him.

 

People can be passionate about many things. What are you passionate about? Does your faith in Christ carry you through the hard times?