RETURNS AND EXCHANGES
Thousands of folk will, after the holidays, be returning and exchanging
unwanted or unsuitable gifts for things entirely different that will better
meet their needs.
That is the physical activity now let us discuss the spiritual. By spiritual
is meant men's relationship to the eternally righteous and all-
powerful Creator God in Heaven.
God is a Spirit and He has placed a God-Consciousness in every member
of humanity (Proverbs 20:27 KJV, "The spirit of man is the candle of
the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly").
God has also given us the gift of His Son who, in turn, gave
His life a ransom for many. Most are familiar with the wording of the
Bible book of John, chapter three and verse 16 (John 3:16).
Why was this gift necessary?
The gift was necessary because long ago and
far away some things went askew in God's perfect Heaven where another
gift had been given to one heavenly being named Lucifer. Lucifer is a
God-created being. "Angel," which will suffice for this particular discussion.
The Bible in Isaiah 14:12 tells that he was a being of high rank in the
heavenly realm.
Lucifer, means “shining one” and is rendered “day-star” in some
translations of the Holy Bible. This in the only time in the Bible this
being is called Lucifer. Another name ascribed to him is Satan.
Lucifer became prideful and covetous, wanting to be above or higher
than his Creator. The eternal, everlasting God in Heaven did not and
will not tolerate such attitudes; therefore, Lucifer was deposed
(Isaiah 14: 12-19 KJV).
Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV) God created a perfect man and a perfect
"help-meet" for the man. Adam and his wife Eve were placed in a
perfect earthly environ-ment to keep or maintain what was called the
Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-17 KJV).
All was well until Satan, in a disguise, entered the garden and tempted Eve
and Adam to disobey the commands of their Creator (Genesis 3:1-8 KJV). They succumbed to that original prevaricator and sin entered the Earth.
John 8:44 (NLT), "...the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does.
He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his
character; for he is a liar and the father of lies..."
The death penalty was the punishment for having transgressed the Law
that had been given by their Creator. They had missed the mark of
total trust and obedience to their Maker.
The effects of what is called "original sin" was passed
on to Adam and Eve's posterity--us. The penalty would also apply to
all of human-kind. Even the earth would groan in anticipation of
redemption. Paul the Apostle states in Romans 8:22 that creation itself is
eagerly awaiting the full redemption; because it was subjected
to futility (ineffectiveness) when the first Adam sinned, and will benefit
from ultimate redemption (an element of salvation to express deliverance
from sin).
Satan loves to mingle just enough truth with error to make things appear
as being correct, but it is for the purpose of bringing about our fall.
We see this example in Genesis, Chapter three. Please read it.
Satan and man had exchanged the gift of eternal life for a moment's
fleeting forbidden act of so-called pleasure and accomplishment ("you
shall be as gods," Genesis 3:5).
God, in what is termed His "agape" love, provided an atonement for sin
via the death, burial, and resurrection on His only begotten Son Jesus
the Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) says, "For he hath made him to be
sin for us , who knew no sin ; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him."
The lovely Son of God who knew no sin became sin for us that we might
have everlasting life (please see Romans 10:13).
This gift was necessary so that we might be able to return to our holy
Creator.
Now, after this synopsis, we will consider the thoughts mentioned
early on: returns and exchanges.
Let us consider the spiritual applications of the terms return and exchange.
I. Return/Returning
A. definitions and dynamics of the term return
1. come back--one had to be "there" before they would desire to "come back."
If one once had a vital and lively relationship with Jesus, i.e., having experienced
salvation--that crisis experience that came via dying to the world and living unto
Christ and His precepts found in Holy Scripture and implemented by the Holy
Ghost.
2. rejoin--Once you were very enthused about "working" for the Lord.
If today finds that zeal diminished and the once fiery motivation for service
only smoldering embers then, it is time to return and rejoin the ranks. "You
can do it!" "God can help!" Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble."
3. restore--to "return something to previous condition:
to bring something back to an earlier and better condition, i.e., 'techniques
used to restore old oil paintings' 13th century. Via French < Latin restaurare
"'set upright again'"___Encarta® World English Dictionary
[North American Edition].
Most are familiar with the Bible narrative of one King David who sinned, was
reprimanded by a prophet, and repented and returned to the good graces
of the LORD. Part of his returning to fellowship with God is recorded in
Psalm 51:7-12 (NLT), "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have
broken me— now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you."
4. reinstate--to bring something back into use or force again after it has been out
of use.
If the prayer-life, the diligent working in the Kingdom of God has waned,
now is the time to renew with a Holy Spirit directed energy those things
that you were doing and being for the Lord. Do not let a dormancy of
power continue. Repent and be reinstated.
5. gain--a synonym for return, i.e., returns on an investment, gain from an investment;
The Heavenly Father invested in you with the death and resurrection of His
only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Renew your investment in Jesus by adopting
the attitude "Take this whole world, but give me Jesus." Mark 8:36, "For what
shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
One of the many Injunctions to backslidden Israel (circa 713 B. C.) was Isaiah 10:21(KJV),
"The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Injunction is defined as an instance of enjoining: an order or admonition. Several are
listed here:
1. Jeremiah 3:14 (KJV), "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD;
for I am married unto you:
and I will take you one of a city,
and two of a family,
and I will bring you to Zion: (circa 612 B. C. -- some
100 years later than Isaiah 10:21)"
2. Jereremiah 3:22a (KJV), "Return, ye backsliding children,
and I will heal your backslidings."
3. Zephaniah 2:3 (NLT), "Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands.
Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even
yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger
on that day of destruction."
C. Illustation: Return of the Prodigal Son--Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
1. v. 17, He came to himself.
2. v. 21, He confessed.
3. vv. 22-24, Resotred and accepted by his father
D. Application
1. Turn and return from:
a. apathetic, impassive, disinterested commitment and worship to Almighty God.
He will have all or none of our allegiance.
b. casual praying and serving. Lip service and insecerity toward the Lord of Hosts
is counter-productive and an affront to our Lord.
c. negative attitudes and actions by replacing them with joy unspeakable and full
of glory. The peace God gives passes all understanding.
d. self-centeredness
e. delusions and illusions
f. self-reliance ( Isa. 10:12-21: illustrated in 2 Ki. 19:35 -185,000 of Sennacherib's
army)
2. Turn or return to:
a. The Heavenly Father who already know where you are.
b. active, dynamic worship and service
c. a walk/lifestyle of faith in God and His Word
d. total trust and reliance in the Almighty God
e. Holy Spirit empowered, fruitful productivity
II.Exchanges
A. Defined--
1. to give up one thing for another (trade) with an expectation of gain
2. change
3. substitute
4. swap
5. switch
B. Mt. 16:26 (KJV), For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
C. Exchange the beggarly and sinful life for new life in Christ.
D. Exchange the contemptible for the glorious:
1. home
2. inheritance
3. rewards
4. judgement of the believer -- 1 Corinthians 32 (KJV), "But when we are judged,
we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."
5. future
6. covenant
E. Exchange the cheap and tawdry (gaudy; showy and cheap) for the truly valuable.
1. Mt 16:26 (KJV), "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
2. or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
F. Exchange the pitiful for the Perfect (One).
G. Exchange the despicable for the respectable.
H. Exchange the shabby for the shiny.
I. Exchange the dull for the Bright (and Morning Star, Rev. 22:16)
J. Exchange ignorance for true wisdom.
1. Job 28:12-20 (NLT), "12 But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the
living.
14 ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean. ‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea.
15 It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with
silver.
16 It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir,
greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli
(a rare stone of intense blue color).
17 Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal.
It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.
18 Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it.
The price of wisdom is far above rubies.
19 Precious peridot (A gemstone of vivid green with just a
slight hint of gold.) cannot be exchanged for it.
It’s worth more than the purest gold.
20 But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?"
2. Job 28:28, "And this is what he says to all humanity:
‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
to forsake evil is real understanding."
Concluding this meager treatise, let it be said that God directed returning and exchanging
as outlined above will bring about in the life His peace, hope, joy, satisfaction, eternity, and
a glorious future.
"We too often blame the church for sin, corruption, laziness, prayerlessness, lack of
spiritual power, or whatever - and we forget that we are the church. Pray for personal
revival and diligently search yourself:
Check your conduct - does your walk glorify the Lord as it should?
How about your private conduct, which only the Lord sees?
Check your conversation - is your speech profane or impure?
Do you talk about Jesus with others?
Check your communion - are you living a growing, abiding life with Jesus?
It is good to praise God like this, and God’s people need to do more of it.
It is good to praise God . . .
Because it gives appropriate honor and glory to God
Because declares God’s specific works
Because it teaches and reminds us of who God is and what He has done
Because it places man in proper perspective under God
Because it builds confidence in the power and works of God"___Guzik, David.
