Matters of Faith
A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.
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By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Romans 5:1-5, 8 (NKJV)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
One of the most well-knowns scriptures in the New Testament, if not the entire Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It is even more significant during this season of Advent, the time leading up to the universal celebration of the birth of “His only begotten Son.”
Advent (coming) is officially observed over the four Sundays leading up to the perfect gift of love given on Christmas day, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One candle is lit on each of those four Sundays.
1. Hope – To remind us that God keeps His promises. He promised a Savior, and He sent one.
2. Preparation – Reminds us to be prepared to receive the Lord.
3. Joy – Reminds us to remember the multitudes of angels that joyfully announced the birth of Christ.
4. Love – Reminds us that it was out of His incredible love that God sent His only begotten Son.
There is one more candle, the Christ Candle, traditionally lit on Christmas Eve to remind us that “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). All who believe are its recipients.
This perfect gift from God assures believers that the pressures and problems of life do not have the final word, because God intended this gift for us. Advent reminds us of the birth of His only begotten Son—a gift given to secure eternal life for all who believe. It is God’s bold announcement to the world that in Christ we receive the perseverance that molds our character and strengthens our hope. And this is our confidence: the perfect gift of God’s love conquers hatred, overturns unjust powers, heals our brokenness, and stands victorious over every human crisis.
As we enter this season of giving, let us also be generous in offering what God has given to us. Someone’s eternal life may hang in the balance.
Be Blessed!
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Reverend J. Loren Russell
John 11:38-45 (NKJV)
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
Sometimes it’s necessary to get over the stench to help someone. The story of Lazarus challenges the reader in many ways, particularly when it comes to obeying the command of Christ to remove the stone and then loose him by taking off his grave clothes.The embalming methods used in those days did little to reduce the decomposition of the body. After four days of warm and humid Mediterranean weather, the stench and decay of a dead body would have been overwhelming. Martha’s response to Jesus, “Lord, by this time there is a stench” –is understandable. The smell of a dead body can be overpowering, and touching the dead defiled the Jew, making them ceremonially unclean and unable to enter the temple. Sometimes, our senses and our traditions can paralyze us and prevent us from participating in the transformational miracles of the Lord.
But this was no ordinary day, and these were transformational commands. Jesus invites those who were present to go beyond their human senses and Jewish traditions.
When we see people who need our help, we are often challenged-just like those at the grave site-to get over the stench. When Jesus commanded them to remove the stone, he was saying, “There is a man who needs your help. Get over the stench!” When He commands them to “Loose him, and let him go,” He was saying get over the stench of death and the fear of uncleanness. People need compassion and a human touch. If we are unwilling because of their smell, their appearance, their behavior, or concerned about the way we may look to society, the blessing the Lord has for them will be delayed. Let me be clear, it won’t be stopped- just delayed until the Lord finds someone who is willing to get over the stench.
Jesus miraculously called Lazarus from the grave, but it was left to the people to remove the stone and the grave clothes. If we can get over the stench, we too can participate in the miracle of helping others become like many of the Jews who had come to Mary and, having seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
Get over the stench!
Be Blessed!
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Reverend J. Loren Russell
Acts 3:1-6 (KJV)
“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
In the same way you can’t give what you never had, you cannot come back from where you have never been. These idioms are not just wise sayings; they are truths that will never change. So is the statement made by Peter when he told the lame man, “such as I have!”
Recognizing our limitations does not limit our abilities, it improves it. Neither Peter nor John had any money to give to the lame man begging for charity. That was their limitation. At one time, they may have had an abundance of resources that they could have shared with this poor beggar, but they had given up their businesses, discarded their material possessions, and committed themselves to following Jesus. They had nothing material to give this man. But what they did have they were willing to share.
As they were entering the temple at the hour of prayer, Peter and John are confronted by someone whose only hope of survival was the generosity of those who were committed to God. Having no medical benefits, no social security, no pension benefits, he was daily laid at the temple gate called beautiful to beg – this man with a heart-felt plea for help. Peter and John recognized their limitations but were more than willing to share what they did have with this man. The lame man was begging for charity, what he got was a miracle. “Look on us…, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
What the lame man thought he would receive turned into a change in his life that would take him places he never thought he would go, and to do things he never thought he would do. Immediately after Peter shared what he had, the scripture says, “he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”
What has God gifted you with? What are you willing to share with someone seeking alms that will transform their lives forever? Are you willing to say, “Such as I have, give I thee…”
Be Blessed!
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Reverend J. Loren Russell
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”The goal was, is, and always will be the same: for everyone who is part of the royal priesthood and that holy nation to tell the world about the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Every genuine believer and sincere follower of Christ is charged to share the story of God’s goodness—what He has done for them—and to declare that He can do the same for others.
Peter wrote this epistle to converted Gentiles who lacked the theological foundation of those born into Jewish tradition. Scattered throughout various parts of Asia Minor, these new believers were suffering and being rejected by their own communities because of their obedience to Christ. Peter reminds them that they are now followers of Jesus—chosen, royal, and holy.
He knew their pasts were marked by lewdness, drunkenness, and idolatries. But now they were heirs of the kingdom of God. Peter had witnessed their faithfulness firsthand, and he offered the encouragement they needed to boldly claim their inheritance as members of the royal priesthood. They had come from nowhere and were considered nobody, but now they were on their way somewhere—and in Christ, they had become somebody.
Believers then, and believers now, are called to point others to God through godly living, encouraging words, and unconditional love. That is the assignment of all who have been chosen by God and made part of His royal priesthood and holy nation.
We have been chosen for a specific purpose.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and ssociate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
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