Pay Day
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NASB
Wages – opsonion. “What is appointed for purchase.” H. W. Heidland provides the following insight: “the use of the word brings out three important points: a. that sin is a deceiver, promising subsistence but delivering death; b. that as wages are not a single payment, so death already casts its active shadow on life in an ongoing process; and c. that in contrast to the gift of life we have here a right, but a right that carries only judgment with it.”[1] Each of these points is critically important, but the last is formidable. We have a right to choice, but the choice of sin leads only to destruction.
My way is the way of death. I lack that perspective in the midst of sin. Addictive escape removes all those insights. I forget that I am dying by conscious choice. But this is the one thing, the only thing, that I can do. I can remember that this way is the way of death. There I must paint a very big sign, “This is death;” otherwise I will overlook it. I know that the yetzer ha’ra intends for me to die. That is victory—extermination. But I must remember, “We do not serve a God of the dead but a God of the living.” So where is life? Everything in Torah tells me that life is found in obedience. Surprisingly, I know this is true. But I have trained myself to ignore the signs and convinced myself that I am incapable of real obedience. I hear David weeping, “Create in me a clean heart.” “Yes, Lord, without a clean heart I am unable to follow. Without a clean heart the pollution inevitably returns. All that I lack in order to find life again is a clean heart, and You are the only One who can provide it.”
Today, Lord, I am confessing my sin. More than my sin, my rebellion, my bent way of life. Today regret surrounds me, but I know that regret is not enough to put me on the path. Regret will fade. I must acknowledge my true denial of Your way, of Your love for me. I must say, out loud, “Against You I have sinned.” Repentance must be my watchword. I cannot repair, but You can heal. Should my eyes be streaming with tears before You are convinced or is it enough for me to take one step in Your direction? Now, on my knees, prostrate, I have only this left. “Lord, do not turn Your face from me forever.”
[prostrate] “Lord, I just can’t go on this way. You have provided in so many ways for me in spite of my twisted actions. Why do I place all this at risk? I realize that I am on a death spiral. I don’t want this way, Lord. I want to be a good man. I want a good heart. I am desperate for You. All I have now is Your faithfulness. I know there is no good thing in me. Lord, I am weeping before You. I want to go home. I am sick, Lord, tired and so alone. Please take me back. I just want to go home.”
Topical Index: wages, opsonion, death, sin, Romans 6:23
[1] H. W. Heidland, opsonion, in Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (752). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, Vol. V, pp. 591-592.
Oh, Skip, you know, everyone who posts on here and expresses their gratitude for finally having a place in this Body segment, a place that is committed to functioning AS that Body, speaks for me, too. I have gradually been becoming aware of something, and that is, like a real body, there are certain characteristics, certain perks, if you will, that are accruing to Us. One of them, in particular, is starting to stand out for me.
First, it hurts to be a part of disfunction. The reason being that being a part of disfunction brings that disfunction to ME, in other words, I become more disfunctional in response to it. When the Body is messing up, it makes me want to scream for a reason: I NEED to be a part of function, else I die! It hurts ME!
Conversely, and, I guess I should have deduced this, (but deduction is a different ‘knowing’ than experience, apparently), I have felt my pain start to ease, here. I know I need certain things from my body. I need to be able to use it functionally, to be useful, to actively participate and to know that that participation is effective. For that to take place, a body has to have a functional organization of its parts: it also has to be set up correctly for those parts to do what I find in Ephesians 4 to be effectual in edifying each other, and ministering to each other, in love. The way I read this chapter, the ‘hierarchy’, if you will, in the Body, is set in place, like a correctly constructed company hierarchy should, to TEACH, ASSIST, RESOURCE, and MAKE EFFECTIVE the Body in Its real business of ministering to EACH OTHER. In fact, I find this most important function (ministering) delegated to no one else BUT the ‘common’ lay folks. We are supposed to be doing this for each other. Hmmmm In fact, I find myself cringing when I hear a hierarchy member being referred to as a ‘minister’, as the way I read it, this function is reserved for the laity to do for EACH OTHER. This is only one way in that I have found that the pagan, worldly way of going about ‘business’ is backwards to actually getting the job done: the most important part of the Body is – US! The rest is just supposed to be secondary support structure! Who knew! (I can also see that, especially here, At God’s Table, left to ourselves and the Spirit, we just ‘naturally’ set about doing correct function as soon as we get left alone by that worldly standard!) but, I digress.
What I REALLY wanted to say, is, up and above thanking everyone who is here, both vocally, financially, spiritually and physically, (all equally importantly), is that we seem to be sharing a journey together, collectively, that is parallel, but somewhat different from, our personal journeys, whatever they may be. In other words, we are travailing and triumphing together on certain paths. We hurt together, too. We figure things out, too, I have noticed, that we wouldn’t be figuring out quite that way if we were each in our little corners alone, thinking and experiencing away.
Skip, I want to thank you for being willing to hunker down and go through some pain; some slogging through a certain piece of the swamp that must be gone through, apparently, for the Body to move forward. So often I think we can forget that sometimes we go through trials for OTHERS around us, as well as for the edifying of the rest of the universe, too (if I read my scriptures correctly), and not just for ourselves. Some of the pain in my life, I know, was pain I went through for others around me. Some of it, yes, because they were ducking it, but also some of it because people sometimes have to see another because they cannot see themselves. And sometimes, because it takes someone willing, just willing, to bear the cross. Period. Love, above all, is willing to take responsibility. Sin, I know, is all about ducking it.
So, I wanted to thank you, today, for being willing to hurt. For yourself, for your Master, for us, and for me, too. I am sorry, and I am thankful, too. And, I am hurting with you. Thank you for that privilege, too, brother.
Boker Tov. Skip & family, I have been a silent partner for a couple of months and finally decided to jump in.
I stumbled on the this site because I have been reading the Complete Jewish Bible and was doing a word search. Now I visit many times each day and tell many friends.
I am so blessed by your transparency Skip, especially this morning. As someone with an artistic temerpent (AT), my struggles and triumps are deep and high. Rory Noland (The Heart of the Artist) wrote that the AT is a gift and a curse. A gift because artists, be it musicians, painters, writers, see beyond the surface. They see things on a deeper level and seek to make them known to others and to understand things themselves – the result is music, art and poetry.
The curse is that seeing things on a deeper level also makes us more sensitive. The sensitive love with great passion, pursue everything with great passion and focus, but that works against us too. We plumb the depths of despare.
Of course knowing those depths is a rich source of inspiration too. Another author, Zach Neese used a qoute in his book “How to Worship a King” reagarding choosing a good “leader” ‘Never trust a man that doesn’t limp’.
I am a man of many flaws. I was saved from death on Good Friday, 1986 in a way remarkably similar to the Apostle Paul. I was delivered from my sinful habits of drugs, alcohol and sex, but the longer I walk this faith journey the less “qualified” I feel at times of His love. I am seeing more clearly all the time the ineffable greatness of YHWH and my propensity to rebel. The song “Come Thou Fount” contains this, “…Prone to wander Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.”
So, it makes our praise and gratitude that much more passionate when we see our desperate need for a merciful Savior.
Paraphrasing Sach Neese again he asked the question, ‘Then why does the Lord allow us to remain on earth where we can choose death and at times bring shame to His name? It is because this side of heven we have a natural bent towards a self directed life. There will always be a part of us that is drawn to sin, and makes that choice at times, but when we muster the self discipline to choose life it is an act of worship to God and a middle finger to our enemy. With all that pulls us in the direction of death, choosing life is a way to say I love You Lord more than anything else.”
May the Shalom of YHWH be on all of you today.
Not sure what to say other than as you hurt, my brother, I hurt with you. Thus, you are not alone.
Dear Prodigal,
– The Way of the Cross leads home.
Forgiveness? available. Renewal? available Repentance? available
The prayer of the Chosen One? ~ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do ~
Ask, and you (too) will receive.. “Create in me a clean heart- and renew a right spirit within me”
Is this necessary? More than we know. Would you (yourself) fill or drink from a vessel that was not clean? No. We must first be clean in order to be filled.
The wages of sin? Payday someday (today is someday!!) Sin separates.
Whether between man and God or between man and man, -sin always separates. This is what death (in it’s simplest form) is: separation. A (very) final good-bye.
But
Someone (as I recall) has paid a price. Someone (as I recall) has (at the cost of His own blood) paid to redeem me. Someone (as I recall) has defeated Death. Someone has (physically-bodily- amazingly) has walked out of a borrowed tomb. Someone lives today and is (right now) praying/interceding for you and for me. Hasatan (himself- a created being) has been stripped. Sin will no longer have dominion (authority) over us.
Fellow sheep, the LORD (Himself) is (now) our (always Good) Shepherd.
This are His words, and this is His promise:
~ If we confess our sins, He is Faithful (that is His Name) and Just (that is who He is) to (not only) to forgive our sins, but (also) to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness! ~
Who is our Deliverer? Whose (very) Name is “Salvation?” What was the mission of the Messiah? Who is the Son of God? Who is the Son of Man?
Who is our Advocate? Who is our Near-Kinsman Redeemer?
~ and the blood of Jesus Christ (the Son, the Lamb from God) cleanses from ALL (all) sin ~
What can wash away MY sin? Nothing! Nothing!! Nothing BUT the blood of Jesus!!
Have You Seen This Man?
~ Of David. A maskil. Blessed (not only “happy,” but “how happy!”) is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered ~ (Psalm 32.1)
And Now (Today) ?
Not only forgiven.. but free!! ~ Loose him and let him go!! ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQhHN_Ed4sk
“I want to go home”..my eyes are overflowing with tears and my heart aches…for I too am so, so very, very tired. I have nothing left, nothing of value, nothing worth offering. My desire to even do good is gone…my desire to be involved, to help, to offer, to speak …. evaporated with the seemingly uselessness of it all.
Evil seems to circle around me as I try to walk in obedience…it is so very tiring trying to stand up – trying to fight the darkness that overwhelms me at every corner….and now even trying to fight leads to those who would tie my arms behind my back. Where is the break-through? Where is the freedom? Where is the LIGHT?
It does send you to your knees…..prostate before the King…sobbing uncontrollably, waiting for the reprieve, waiting to hear the sword sheathed. And then……a hand touches your shoulder, miraculously lifts you up and gathers you to His bosom….strokes your hair and kisses your forehead…..gathering up all your tears…and healing your soul. The LIGHT has surrounded you, invaded you and given you new life. And so it goes…………
I understand the weight of regret; I have plumbed the depths of despair and cried out to Abba: “Don’t let me go, please!” These moments are always profitable and give a precious expression to a hard reality of the human frame – when they are waning.
This is not a destination; Abba is impressing us with the image of His son; There is a new man under the tender eye and hand of the master potter. So when I emerge from the dark glance, I am grateful, this is not an enduring reality. It is a useful framework to see through at times.
A little tremble in the human frame is mostly good, but eventually, the clouds clear; the tears cease and I feel an enormous gratitude and I remember that the surprise is mine; the honest reality is that Father is not remodeling my old man; His solution to it is to kill it. Ah, but the new day dawns, the new man becomes more practiced; my son-ship I remember and I realize that it was my expectations of myself that was disappointed. I am sure that Abba is not surprised. I think that He is fully aware of my frailty and my infirmity. Isaiah 61 comes to mind.
Thank you; Bless you Abba; your leadership is perfect; Your ways are beyond understanding; Did you really mean it when you said the You would make your abode in us? Yeshua, did you really mean it when you said the you would never leave nor forsake us? Does that mean that you are here now?
Please open the eyes of our heart; please illuminate the eyes of our seeing.
If I may borrow Paul’s NKJV words to the Philippians:
-Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
and;
-Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
May His perfect process engage us completely; May He comfort us that are afflicted; May He afflict us that are comfortable. We are in process; if we view forward, we should be disappointed for we are not yet completed; there is yet more to do.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
shalom
dave
As I read this, I saw in my mind Saul on the road to Damascus, and Yeshua standing in the way, interrupting Saul and changing the course of his mission.
I felt driven to pray that He will likewise interrupt you, and me, and each of us when we are hellbent on our road of rebellion. Let him blind us, wound us, whatever he must do to change our course. He chastises those he loves.
Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy 8:5 ESV)
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:16-18 NLT)
Skip, you were created in loving detail by a Father Who is far superior to any we know on earth…He knows all of you..the places you hurt, the places you hide, and the places where your enemies work against you….give Him all those places because not one of them can make Him stop loving you but they will continue to bring destruction to you. You were created for much more then scholarly pursuits – you were created to be a conduit of God’s Life on earth. The enemy goes hard after anyone that is a serious threat with lying confusion, emptiness and dark swirling emotions. Nothing can separate you from your true Father’s Love….nothing. I am praying for you what I have found to be real for myself and in my personal experience – my once abusive father found for himself, and several drug addicted, abused teens enmeshed in satan found to be true. Jesus told His cowering disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit” – and Paul later wrote, “God’s Love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Put that word to the test! God – can Your Spirit wash every dark thing out of me and leave me awash with Your Love and Life? Then please do it – I have no other hope. As Jeremiah wrote to some other captives once, “The Lord says, “I will keep My promise to you…I know the plans that I have for you…plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you look for Me…when you seek Me with your whole heart, I will let you find Me..and I will bring you back from captivity.” Nothing is worth more then the freeing release and rest that comes from His Heart to your heart when once you are free. (It’s about the heart-not the brain.)
I know we can feel hungry when we really need hydration. Your recent posts have caused me to wonder if there might not also be something physical going on with you. The loss of your friend and your travel schedule could have weakened you. If it’s all spiritual, it’s hard to know what to say to you except that I’m sorry you’re hurting. I’m sorry we live in such a sin sick place. The Master was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. He’s the One that would be your Advocate. Maybe you could borrow a puppy for a short time, or take a walk in nature. I probably don’t realize how high the cost is to be able to teach the way you do. “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” I never understood that saying, but I have a feeling that you just might.
Skip,
WOW, it was only yesterday – Sunday that I finally got to catch up on your recent blogs on your personal “thorn in the flesh”, I hope it is OK to describe it as Paul might have done!
The responses that you have elicited from the readers are wonderful too. Like Roy Ludlow, above, I feel inadequate to say too much except to say as Roy put it: that “your hurt is my hurt too!”
Skip, your cry of feelings of wanting to die reminded me of the great Elijah and his burdens. His burdens are not as yours but just the same they are revealing in Elijah’s expression as he feared for his life and fled:
“It is enough, now, O YHVH, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers”. (1Kings 19:4)
Well, God had other plans for Elijah, dying was not on the cards! – and I have reason to believe God has other plans for you too in your TW ministry. ( As more and more people are dragged by God into the Messianic Way, I only see TW exploding exponentially in readership!)
But let’s notice in the next few verses in 1Kings where we see that the angel of God provided food for Elijah and after another day of food and water Elijah went on to spend the next 40 days / nights fasting as he travelled to Mount Horeb. I think we see the pattern of Moses here, as well as that of Messiah as we see Him also do a 40 day fast.
Now I do not know if your are doing any fasting to address what ails you but I see much precedence for it in Scripture especially in times of difficulty and turmoil. In the church of God community that I fellowshipped with previously, we sometimes used fasting together while bringing someone before God to great effect. We all know that It used to be that intercessory prayer and fasting were used in many churches. But we have gotten soft and wordly! When we humble ourselves in a fast before the Father with a humble and contrite and sincere heart, we show Him that we are serious! In this instance I want us to be serious about asking Him to remove now and forever this thorn or burden that is tearing Skip Moen apart.
So, starting this week, I am going to set aside one 24 hour period every week to do a water only fast until God lifts this burden from Skip. I am asking anyone who is reading this and feels so inspired to join me. I would also like to have us set a specific time every day (I like sunset?) when we all take a moment to pray to God specifically about Skip’s trial. When things get tough, the Scripture shows God’s people used the tool of fasting in going before God.What say you all? Let’s discuss?
Skip, from all the posts over the last few days I get the impression that this burden has been interfering with your spiritual walk with the Father for a long time. I do not want to put time limits on God but I want to tell Him that we want Him to heal you before Passover so we can all rejoice with a special time of thanksgiving this year at Passover season. Wouldn’t that be great?
You also mentioned that you also feel so alone! Let’s put an end to that asap. Skip, why not go get help outside our TW community, even outside your own family where you can empty yourself with a counselor, one of your skilled rabbi friends, a small group – whatever you feel comfortable with. It hurts me heart you tell us that you feel “alone”. It seems to me that this kind of “help” can do wonders as groups such as AA have demonstrated time and again.
We all want a spiritually and physically healthy and happy Skip Moen doing the TW blog till He Comes!
Shalom
These are the times we are in. We are being purified. And those of us who have poured out for a number of years now, sewing seed, and many not YET seeing the fruit ARE tired and are weary. And yet, just this evening as I confessed my sin to Him, He led me to Lamentations 3. The tears flowed as a mixture of both my sadness and my joy. To know that our Father loves us so much that He hears and answers our cry is overwhelming! His chesed is new every morning!
I am so thankful for your work,Skip, and now recently of a few others!
I am thankful for those who share in this community. There is much to relearn. Above ALL else we must remember that love is our goal. Knowledge is not. Why do you think Yahuwshua tells us to come to Him as little children? They get it! I teach children. They always come back and love me no matter what
Skip,
In an earlier season of my walk, I thought that my constant chatter with God was prayer. In the last few years, I’ve found that no longer do I chatter, and rarely do I have words for conversation with Him. I am, however, aware — oh, so very aware — that I am listening as never before. I could not, would not presume to tell you that God said, such and such in my listening time, because it doesn’t work that way. I can only describe what I hear as a silent song. Everything around me is either in tune with this song or discordant; and all I can do is listen, groan in anguish as my heart is revealed, then listen again. Such is prayer now. I don’t presume, but wonder if perhaps your season is similar.
Shalom
Skip,
In reading today’s (Jan. 13) Oswald Chambers message, I thought of you
especially during the last sentence.
He writes: “Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our
intellectual questions and get alone with Him.”
Truer words were never spoken.