The “Just One”

Perhaps, because I’ve been studying Biblical justice with my Pastor,  Chandler Cleveland, a passage of scripture I read many times before leaped off the page this week.  But, I think it happened because the Lord wants me/us to start calling upon, talking about, declaring, and praising Him with one of His Names rarely mentioned in church services, or most prayer groups. 

We call Him: Jesus, Emmanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Alpha and Omega, Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Bright Morning Star, Captain of Angel Armies, and so many more. While reading Acts Chapter 7:52 the name we hardly ever use regarding Him grabbed me. It says: “Just One.” Later, when I read Acts 22:14-15, the passage affirmed the name and made evident Apostle Paul’s first encounter with Jesus was as the Just  One. (Then  he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just  One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.)

I  found it so amazing and encouraging that Jesus, the Just One’s, response to Saul’s persecution of members of the Way (as Christians were first called) was salvation. Sure He confronted Saul, but it wasn’t to harm him or kill him.  His response to the prayers of the Jerusalem believers was merciful and a blessing to us all. He knocked Saul off his donkey, saved his soul, and transformed him into the Apostle Paul.  

Justice in our culture has morphed. Sometimes it’s true justice, but more and more it’s another word for revenge.  When there is a massive cry for justice that includes violent and criminal actions, it is really a selfish self-serving heart’s desire for revenge. Folks aren’t looking for God’s justice at all when they think death and destruction are the way to go.  If we will look at Saul’s experience with the Just One, and cry out for His Biblical Justice, we are going to see much better results. A lot of “Sauls” will get knocked off their high horse and become transformed into disciples of Christ Jesus. What is truly unjust will be rectified in the Lord’s God’s merciful and gracious ways. However, HE must be the center of it all.

My resolve during this period of turmoil and change is to know the will of, to see the Just One for who He really is, and to hear the voice of His mouth. Of course, as you do, I have always striven to hear Him, but this desire is for a new holy filter that will give me perspective I did not have before.  To become acquainted with Jesus as the Just One is EPIC! It’s a 180 degree turnaround. As such, it felt paramount that I share this with you, because knowledge transforms everything in our lives. The promise is that knowledge of Jesus as the Just One will help me/us to witness to all the people He sends my/our way. And, it will help us to intercede more pointedly and powerfully on behalf of those people in our world who are like Saul or worse. 

Understanding Biblical Justice, studying it,  learning that the foundation of God’s throne is righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:4, 97:2) will change the way you intercede. Knowing that He loves both righteousness and justice will transform how you think about the world circumstances, and how you treat or speak about the people in your life. To add the component of nurturing close intimate relationship with Jesus, seeking Him as the Just One, is transfiguring. 

The message Holy Spirit impressed upon me is to approach Jesus in a new way both in worship and personal prayer. Sing about Him as Wonderful Counselor and as the Just One. Praise Him with His names, and add Just One. Talk to Him daily as the Lover of our Souls, our Savior, and also as the Just One. Call upon Him with our faith placed in the Just One. Intercede on behalf of others, not only crying out to the Righteous One, Merciful One, or Gracious One, but also to the Just One. 

It’s easy to say: We love you Jesus, our Deliverer, or our Healer. Now, we must learn to say: We love you, Jesus, our Just One. Plus, do so with the same fervor as we declare His other names. The addition will make our worship of Him and our bond with Him so much richer. Rich with treasures of His heart we have never encountered. Mind boggled is how I feel when I try to envision the wondrous changes. Our lives, families, and ministries are about to become fresh and new as we develop this aspect of divine connection and learn to live, breathe, and walk in Biblical justice.

May you all see the Just One and walk in His perfect will, and may you hear the voice of His mouth!

With JOY, Rev. Cheryl

Copyright 2020 Cheryl S Birch – This post may be shared in whole with copyright notice intact.

Who’s Your Daddy?

“Lay down your spiritual warfare weapons,” said the voice of the Lord I have come to know, love and obey. My response: HUH?

The apparent warfare around me and around the body of Christ screamed out in demand of increasing every spiritual warfare technique I had ever learned.  To lay down all of that felt contrary to everything I had learned from my mentors, teachers, and pastors. In six words the Voice I loved had negated every spiritual warfare seminar and conference I had attended as well as every book I read and video series I had watched. Even closer to home, it wiped out what I had taught hundreds of others. Thus, it was hard for me to receive those 6 words.

Then started the conversation with Holy Spirit.  Not sure why I persist with this habit, none-the-less, it always starts out: But, Lord….

I had a lot of “But, Lords” to state and “How can it be” questions to ask. Seemed that He already knew that and He spoke to me in His loving, soft, gentle, yet firm way, “You’re doing it all wrong.”  My answer: HUH?

No doubt, we His kids, can be quite comical to Him at times I am sure.  In this case, I am certain my astonishment must have been amusing because I heard His wonderful laughter wash over me. All I could feel was joy and peace followed by love and acceptance. What could I say to that except, “Yes, Lord”? And, because He apparently knew I was ready to hear Him on this topic, I yielded, albeit a bit begrudgingly, and turned my inner ear toward Him.

It wasn’t what I heard, but what I saw next that impacted me.  I saw a small child (couldn’t tell boy or girl) chased by the enemy (demonic beings) running toward flowing purple fabric. The child ran into the fabric and disappeared. While watching this vision, I realized the child was hiding behind the leg of a man wearing leather sandals. In moments, the child, comforted and strengthened by the encounter with the man, peeked out. The enemy was a great distance away.  The enemy could not approach the man or the child.  The man spoke over the child lovingly and kindly. After awhile the child lifted their hand and repeated the words of the man. As the words were released, power flowed and the enemy disappeared completely.

Hiding in the robe of the Father

A lesson in an intense way of intercession began that day.  Holy Spirit pointed out the child was not dressed in armor as I had pictured it. The child was not holding a sword or a shield.  The child was not shouting or yelling at the devils. The child was standing strong, at peace, full of joy and lovingly protected in the purple skirts. The child listened, learned and repeated what the man said.  And the man? ….