The Salvation That We Get (song)

It can never be overstated how much salvation is all the free gift of God. While I do believe there is a call upon humanity to respond to the offer He's made, it's important to note that even that response is something The Holy Spirit evokes as a result of The Father drawing us to The Son as He is lifted up. We contribute absolutely nothing to our salvation in the way of works. Sometimes this can become a mighty, mighty stumbling stone, boss- but it's something we must accept. And that is a very good thing indeed because none of us are good enough on our own strength to make it to Heaven. God says the requirement for entry is perfection (Matthew 5:48) and only Jesus has met that. He died and rose to pay for our sins. There's no need to scavenge about to scrape up good deeds to earn anything from God because we can't do enough. We never have to knock on wood because The Saviour got on wood for us- we just have to receive by faith the salvation that we get.

"The Salvation That We Get"
(Parody of "The Impression That I Get" by The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 5/7/2019)
(John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Psalms 14, Psalms 53, Psalms 130, Matthew 5:48, Leviticus 11:45, Romans 3 (particularly verse 23), Romans 6, Romans 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Peter 3, Isaiah 2:22, Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 53:6, Hebrews 12)

Have you ever friend zoned a (child) prodigy?
Wanda chose that fork- Doog's sad
Have you ever felt they're vain (and) infallible?
Hey, Vinnie- how do you match? Oh!
Well, they've never actually walked on water
But I know Someone who has
Which makes Him One above the rest
It means He's the One Direction
Everyone else- not so good
And I'm glad for Romans 5 and 6
Because though we're all nothing good
Justification is God's gift
Tall you may now stand but God's stacked up so high
Your puny strength won't pass the test
Or as Leviticus 11:45
You've got to be like our God- perfect! Yo!
Well, I measure up as not so good
And I know everyone is bad
It makes me wonder how we could
Put faith in blundering I-
There's the bad news- no one's good
And I'm sad some haven't read
Psalms- 53rd.- there is none good
With one Exception- God Jesus!
If God was counting our sins, no one would be standing
I'd like to thank The Lord Jesus He holds fast
Look at the text- 2 Peter 3- grow in grace of Christ
Might think you tower
Be afraid of that- you might fall down
(I've) never had to knock on wood
'Cause I know Romans 5 says
(By) His grace I stand here 'cause He's good
Amazing wonderful grace- (I'm) ever bad so God's my good
(In) resisting bad, I haven't bled
But rest assured He has withstood
The crucifixion I should get
Never sinned but our Saviour got on wood
'Cause you know Son of God Jesus
Replaced me on the cross of wood
He took my sin there and I'm reconciled through what the Saviour accomplished good
To restore us back to good
(He) took all bad and conquered death
That's the salvation that we get!

Undue Pressure (song)

(Note: I'm pulling a few more classics out of the archive. My last post referenced the lines I used in this parody so it only seemed fitting to post this next. I've included my original introduction from 2009 below. Since I had two others that seemed in a similar category of lyric-tweaking that already seemed to be such a good fit to talk about The Lord, I will post those other two soon too.)

   Okay, this one talks about the pressure people put on themselves in trying to live up to God's standards. This is what Martin Luther finally had to learn- no matter what penance we make or what we do trying to measure up- we never can. And we never have to for salvation- God has taken care of it already through Jesus' death and Resurrection. When we put our faith in Him, we are saved by grace and that's all there is to it! Nothing can ever change that! And nothing will ever change His love for us. So don't put undue pressure on yourself- Jesus has done the job. It is finished! :-)

"Undue Pressure" (parody of "Under Pressure" by David Bowie and Queen)
(parody copyright by Nathan Ludwick 9/13/2009)
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 6:2, Hebrews 10:1-18, Titus 3:4-9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 1:18, Deuteronomy 26:12-19, Deuteronomy 28-30, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 2:1-4, Romans 10:1-13, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 5:8, John 3:3-16, John 14:6, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 10:32-39, Matthew 25:29-30, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 29:13, 33:3)

Pressure- Deuteronomy
In the Pentateuch- Romans 10:4
And we're measured- that burns up kindling now
Splits a family in two
Means gnashing of teeth

(Well, OK)
It's real terror not knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends scream, "Help me out"
Take the wrong road- get the fire
Pressure on people in their own strength

(OK)
Sticking around, take my blame the Cross affords
This is the Way- I never change but ignore

People's own strength- gnashing of teeth

It's real terror not knowing if good works are enough
Watch as five virgins scream, "Open up!"
Faith in God though- just read Titus 3:5 to 9!
Pressure off people and their own strength

Turned away from God's law like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don't work
Keep coming up with God but He's so trashed and scorned
Why? Why? Why?
Love (x5)

Our vanity laughs- in 10 Hebrews- get cracking
Can't we give verse 12 one more glance?
We can't pull up by our bootstraps!
Why can't we
(let go, let God) (x4)?

'Cause trust's such an old-fashioned word
And God dares you to call forth and He will send (some) greatness in reply
And God dares you to change today from scarlet to snow- think now
Jesus, our slain Lamb
Death is now past tense
Jesus beat Hell- He's our Savior! - unearned favor- treasure!

...............................................................................................

Yes, Jesus Loves Me

      I had a great time at Level Ground at Brushy Creek Baptist Church tonight. (The one in Taylors, not Easley. ;-) We had a bit of mix-up with that but it worked out. Lol) One line in one of the songs hit me- "O Lord, You know the hearts of men. And still You let them live.") (from "Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts)" by Shane & Shane) 
      This brought to mind two Bible verses immediately- John 2:23-25 and Matthew 5:43-48. In the first one from John, it explains that Jesus knows what's in the hearts of men. And the heart is full of deceit and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9) Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow of The Almighty knows! And He knows it for everyone. And yet, knowing all of our thoughts and intentions of the heart and deeds- despite all our evil- Jesus loves us anyway. He proved it by dying for us while we were yet sinners- and He rose again. (See Romans 5:1-8 and 10:8-13)
       As the Matthew 5 passage notes, God makes His sun rise (I like how the verse reminds us that the sun belongs to God- that's His basketball to slam dunk through Saturn's hoops any time He wants to do so! :-))- and He makes it rise on the evil and the good. He sends His rain on the just and the unjust. He is incredibly unfair to all of humanity! I say this because if He were truly fair in one sense, we'd all be in Hell now. God had every legal right to do that at our first infraction. The problem is deeper than just our evil deeds though. We're born into it because of the curse of sin that Great Great Great Great (etc. etc. etc.) Grandpa and Grandma Adam and Eve unleashed on the world through their sin. 
       Thankfully, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to take the punishment for sin for us so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God didn't His Son to condemn the world (as I said before- if He had we'd all be in Hell now) but rather to save the world! In that sense, God is totally unfair, but so incredibly good, loving and gracious because in the midst of His righteous justice and judgment, He remembers His mercy and knows that we are but dust. And His salvation is so undeserved but so wonderful and freeing because we find all our needs met in Him!
       That's the incredibly good news of The Gospel! By faith in Jesus, when we ask Him to save us and we follow Him, He does just that and cleanses us from sin and declares us righteous instead. This isn't because of anything we've done- it's all because of what He's done.
Even for those who don't believe Him, He still lets them keep breathing and enjoy some of His blessings in this life. The fact that unbelievers haven't dropped dead yet- the fact that God sends sun and rain on them too and even allows them to prosper for a time on earth- that is a grace in itself. (See Psalms 73 for a reminder of their final fate though.)
        Knowing the utter depravity I still struggle with in my own heart though- the filthy thoughts and images that I allow to run around at times, the mean words I say at times, the shirking of duty that comes at times, the jealousy, the unrighteous anger, the worries, fears and doubts that run counter to the Truth I know and believe that crop up at times, the selfishness that surfaces, the lies that come out at times, the idols that crowd God out at times and so many other things that displeased God- it's amazing to think that He still loves me with an eternal love! (Jeremiah 31:3)
I may be an abomination, but I'm still God's pride and joy. (Borrowed that line from Phillip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?")
      A dear friend recently reminded me of this truth, I heard it and sang it again at church on Sunday (along with a great reminder in the sermon!) and I heard it again tonight in song- and it's still sometimes one of the hardest and most profound truths to allow to seep in, even for Christians. Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me- for The Bible tells me so. :-)
       He doesn't love me because of what I have done or haven't done. He loves me for who I am- His creation. Even though I've been His aberrant creation, He still loves me. And He loves so much He died and rose to pay for my sins so that I would never have to be separated from Him in Hell. Instead, I have an eternal love relationship with my Father and I will one day join Him in Heaven forever! I've been sealed by the Holy Spirit and I know He has saved me, is saving me and will save me- no matter what my feelings say. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world and even when my heart condemns me, the One who is greater than my heart and knows everything tells me that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (1 John 3:16-24 and Romans 8:1)
      Thank You for loving me, God. I love You because You first loved me. (1 John 4:7-21) Help me to love You with all I have and love my neighbours as myself.
I am drenched in Your love and I praise You for it. Help others to know Your love too.
Thank You also for those You have used and continue to use to help me be free from legalistic efforts and keep resting in Your arms through Your finished work. Help me to be more like You and less like myself.

Satisfaction

        "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief." (Proverbs 14:13) Sometimes we mask our need for God with so many things- and we can even seem happy and joyous, but the ache for more in our hearts is always there. I see this sometimes especially as a fan of books and comics...it's fine to enjoy a hobby, but I never want to be so sucked into fantasy for escape that I forget the true life which is only in Christ. Lord Jesus, forgive me for ever trying to find satisfaction in anything but You. It's all such a futile effort. "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14)
         I feel so saddened and sorry for those who look to fill a void that can only be filled with The Divine and try to fit anything else in there. God has placed "eternity in our hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were made for eternity. The perishable must put on the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:49-58) We're like Marty McFly trapped in 1955 and needing God to send a bolt of lightning to help get us back to our real life in 1985. "For as lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:27) That day will come in God's time. Until then and until the day we die (whichever comes first), we have the offer of real life from Jesus. He's come to give us life abundant. (John 10:10) He paid for all our sins in the supreme act of love. 
        Just as we cheer brave soldiers who die for their countries so that others might live, how much more should we cheer and praise God, Who has died for His creation so that we might live? I owed a debt I couldn't pay and He paid a debt He didn't owe. I owe Him a life debt infinitely more than Chewbacca owes Han Solo. Christ died not for the righteous, but wretched sinners like me and everyone else. And He rose again. (Romans 5:8) And because of my faith in Him, I know I will rise with Him too. 
         "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4) Holy Spirit, guide me to do just that. Better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalms 84:10) May my tongue stick like peanut butter to the roof of my mouth if I don't make New Jerusalem and its Lord my highest joy! (Psalms 137:6) Father God, please make this true in my life and use me to show others the Way to the Highest Joy- You alone. Let us not chase after the wind, but after the One who moves like the wind. May we always remember our Creator and fear Him and keep His commandments- which can only be done through relationship with Jesus. (Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 11-14) As Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, neither are the eyes of man. (Proverbs 27:20) We never rest satisfied until we rest in You. (Proverbs 19:23)

A Covering for Nakedness

Note: You can say this is my reflection paper on the book "Counterfeit gods" by Timothy Keller, largely inspired by it, of course.  The "cosmic nakedness" term was straight out of Keller's book. The idea about looking to idols instead of Jesus for fulfillment as our common diagnosis is largely what the book is about, but this is an idea I'd already been thinking on. Other than the cosmic nakedness term, nothing else is copied out of the book. I highly recommend reading the book- and of course, The Book! :-)    


          Right after Eve and Adam sin in Genesis 3, The Bible records this event- "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths." (Genesis 3:7)
          Notice that God confronts Adam about this and asks him who told him he was naked. (Genesis 3:8-13) The tree of the knowledge of good and evil had opened Adam's and Eve's eyes and their first realization was one of shame at their nakedness. After God doles out the judgment for sin to the serpent, woman and man- including one of the earliest Messianic prophecies (Genesis 3:15- the Seed of the woman will be bruised on the heel by the serpent's offspring and He will crush the serpent's head.)- God does an interesting thing. He makes garments of skin and clothes Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:21) This is interesting for at least two reasons- one, if they were animal skins, then presumably an animal had to die. This is significant because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22) Even here, we have an early picture of the One who bears an animal's name, The Lamb of God, who would be slain for the forgiveness of our sins. 
         And because He rose again, we who have trusted in Him and followed Him know we will rise again too. The other significant thing to note is that God Himself clothes His creation. Why did Adam and Eve want to be clothed? Because of shame. And they tried to substitute what God alone could provide. In the same way, we in our "cosmic nakedness", spiritually speaking, desire to be clothed because we feel something missing. "For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life." (2 Corinthians 5:4)
        We cover ourselves up with counterfeit gods in an effort to hide that nakedness, but in the end they all fall apart and we are laid bare before Him to Whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)
Yet Galatians 3:27 says that in that moment, there is a clothing God sees rather than our naked sinfulness..."For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Christ is our righteousness and as Colossians 3:1-4 tells us, He is our life. As the Rolling Stones lamented, though I try and I try and I try- I can't get no satisfaction. There is no lasting ultimate satisfaction to be had in life outside of Christ. Money, sex, power, love, religiosity, philosophy, ideology, materialism, family and friends, etc.- none of them will do. When we reflect on the amazing magnitude of God's love for us-a Love that would rather go through Hell for us so that we would never have to go through it- He who clothed Himself with humanity and all sins (Philippians 2:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21) and bore the shame of our nakedness while pinned naked to the cross- and then rose again to prove His Lordship- this is the place where our idols can be replaced by the loving embrace of grace that is The Lord Jesus Christ and we can worship Him alone as God. This is a continual process on earth, ridding ourselves of the idol weights that bind us throughout life (Hebrews 12:1-4), but God is always working to do just that in us. (Philippians 1:6, Ezekiel 36:26)
       And because of our faith in the grace of Christ extended to us (through no works of our own), we can say with Isaiah (literally one day in Heaven :-)), "I will rejoice greatly in The Lord, my soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)
       That is the unspeakable joy The Gospel brings and the message of Easter. Doff thy rags and don His riches. Take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise. Jesus alone is worthy of all praise. Lord, forgive me for any idols in Your way- cast them out and let me always look to You alone for my joy and satisfaction. Thank You for Your amazing love and grace that still saves wretches like me.

Patient God/Love That Won't Let Go (song)

This song should be a soft sell to everyone on the love that won't let go from the patient God Who lavishes grace upon us. Even though I so often bring such tainted love to Christ, He always loves me and forgives me and never lets go of me. Praise God for His love!

"Patient God/Love That Won't Let Go"
(parody of "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go" by Soft Cell [extended single version]; copyright Nathan Ludwick 6/25/2014)
(Hebrews 13:5, Numbers 14:13-20, Genesis 6:5-8, Jeremiah 31:3, Psalms 139, Habakkuk 2:4, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Philippians 3:7-20, Matthew 11:28-30, Hosea 2, Hosea 11, 1 John 1:9, Psalms 28, Psalms 32, Psalms 38, Psalms 40, Psalms 42, Psalms 51, Psalms 66:16, Psalms 80:1-7, Psalms 103, Psalms 136, Psalms 138, Hebrews 4:14-16, Jude 1:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Matthew 14:22-33, 2 Peter 3:8-9, John 6:35-40, Romans 6:14-18, Romans 7:14-25)

Sometimes I feel You're going to
Run away- You've got to
Get away
From the pain I drive into the heart of You
Your love and care
Clings and goes nowhere
I'm not lost- (just) defiant
Need to stop and turn- help me, Jesus Christ!

Once I ran to You (I ran)
Now I run from You
This tainted love I've given
You gave me all- Oh, Lord- forgive me
Take my tears and cast my sins all...out!
...Tainted love
Patient God

Now I know I've got to
Just obey- I've got to
Walk by faith

You don't really want sacrifice from me
To make things right
A heart broken- You won't despise
When I read Psalms 138 [one three eight]
Lord, I'm sorry and I pray verse 8

Once I ran from You (I ran)
Now I come to You
Sustaining Love's forgiven
I gave You all my wrongs- You tell me,
"Take My yoke and find rest for your soul!"
Oh....Trust My Love
...Patient God

Just trust Me please
I will not hand you over- see?
I love you though you hurt Me so
I won't come in wrath- My heart recoils
...Thank You, God- Patient God (x2)

Touch me, Savior- Tame my lusts!
Touch me, Savior- Teach me trust!

Teach me Love
Thank You, God
Patient God! (Patient God!)

....................

Baby, baby
Where did your trust go?
Oh, just believe Me
Won't ever leave you alone
Lord God, Your Word encourages, spurs me- (but) feelings entwine me
They mystify me
Then I doubt my Dad

You came into my life
So tenderly
With eternal love
Jer. 31:3
And now Lord, I surrender
I'm helpless, but
You know I believe
Your blood has saved me

Oh, baby, baby
Where did your trust go?
Oh, just believe me
Won't ever leave you alone
Oh, baby, baby
Where did your trust go?
Oh, just believe Me
Won't ever leave you alone

I gave to You my life
Wholeheartedly
(And) like 1:9 1st. John
My sins since that day
I know when I'm surrendered
And confessing
I know You hear me
You then forgive me

Savior, Savior
Why'd I take control?
Oh, Savior, Savior
Won't You lead me once more?
I had this burning, churning, turning feeling inside me
Deep inside me
And it hurt so bad

Savior, Savior, (Savior)
There's where Your love flowed
You forgave me
And You lead me once more
I know Your love's forever- so help me see
In Hebrews 13, You won't ever leave me

Oh, Savior, Savior
There's where Your love flowed
You never let go
Here, there, everywhere-
It's forever!
So help us see
In Hebrews 13, You won't ever leave me

Oh, Savior, Savior
There's where Your love flowed
Here, there, everywhere

Oh, Savior, Savior
You never let go
Oh, Savior- I know You won't leave me
Your love's eternal, eternal, eternal- I feel it inside me
Oh, deep inside me
And it makes me glad
Oh, Savior, Savior...