20 June 2015

The Joy of Heaven

The life we live on earth is more than a springboard to eternity.  The abundant life provided through faith in Christ is to be lived in light of eternity.  Though eternity is forever, our lives during this temporary season on earth are important.  Our motives for living for God today and seeking the salvation of others matters.

Ask yourself:  why do I want to go to heaven?  Is it primarily for hell-avoidance, your own comfort, or so God will receive glory eternally from your life?  Why is it important for you to know loved ones or even total strangers go to heaven?  Would it be a relief for you to know they will be in God's presence forever because they will be safe, or is it because God deserves their praise and worship for eternity?  Is our view of heaven obscured by motives less pure than the everlasting glory of God?  It is ironic heaven is only heaven because God is there, and yet our picture of heaven can be clouded by who else will or won't be there, what activities we will enjoy, or how we will live.  Whether the thoughts of men are in the gutter or the clouds, the central figure considered by the natural man is universally self.

God loves and cares for all people, and therefore it is fitting we do too.  But since we as Christians will share eternity in the presence of the God who is holy, is our peace, and loves us without fail, we ought to care about serving, worshiping, and praising Him right now.  I ought to lament - not the fact someone might not spend eternity with Jesus Christ - but that they are robbing Him of praise and honour on earth today.  I ought to mourn over my own faithlessness, forgetfulness, and be determined not to allow an hour to pass when I have not been grateful to commune with my heavenly Father, humbly submitting myself before Him.  Basking in the grace and love of God, what a joy it is to meditate on His goodness towards all people!

Since God should be the central figure of our lives today, He also ought to be our focus concerning the eternal state.  His glory, praise-worthiness, and magnificence ought to consume my life.  His love and gracious gifts compel me to spend and be spent for His glory, and the transition to eternity will only increase my capacity for communion and worship.  God is hosting an eternal celebration for the ages, and to focus on any other aspect of heaven aside from Him misses the point.  Praise the LORD, for He is good.  Let us do all we can to glorify God in reaching people with the Gospel, so the Lamb of God will receive the reward of His suffering - not primarily for us or them, but for Him!

18 June 2015

Knowing Better Than God

From the very beginning of creation, God set before man a way of life and death.  Man was free to chose to obey God or go his own way.  Before each person to this day, God has freely given the choice of choosing to trust God or rebel against Him.  Those whose eyes are opened to see God in truth, the most reasonable choice is to trust and obey Him - not that we are not often foolish and stray from the path of righteousness.  To the world and even to some in the church today, the Laws of God appear arbitrary and odd.  Others try to explain why God's ways actually make practical sense, for instance concerning the dietary restrictions in the Law of Moses.  The truth is, even if I can explain rationale behind some of God's commands, their good and righteous qualities do not hinge on my understanding why they exist or agreeing with them.  My explanations cannot do them justice, for God's ways are higher than mine.  In trusting God is good and righteous I must also accept His Laws and commands as altogether good, even though I might not understand them.

Consider the command of God through the prophet in Jeremiah 21:8-9, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem faced severe food shortages as the Babylonians waited at the gates:  "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him."  By virtue of being God's chosen people, King Zedekiah and the Jews expected God to protect them and defeat their enemies.  But God said He would turn back the weapons of the Jews upon themselves, and the city would surely fall.  God set before His people the way of life and the way of death.  Those who hoped for refuge within the stronghold certainly die, but any who laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Gentile army who laid siege to their city would live.  That is not what the King nor his people wanted to hear.  Surrender to the Chaldeans?  Don't we serve a God who is mighty to save?  Isn't the temple King Solomon built where God placed His name still standing within our walls?  Surely God would never have us surrender!  The people chose to trust in their own wisdom than trust in God's Word.  What would you do:  trust in the walls of the citadel, defensive strategies, or weapons, or forsake it all in falling upon the mercy of God and your despised enemies?

The commands of God seem counter intuitive to us and therefore require faith.  Adam was told he was free to eat from any tree in the garden of Eden save one:  the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden he was commanded not to eat.  Was it forbidden because the fruit possessed some poisonous neurotoxin which wouldn't agree with him?  Nope.  The fruit looked delicious, no doubt smelled appetising, and tasted divine!  Why else would Eve (after eating herself) give of the fruit to Adam?  There is no evidence there was anything physically damaging in the fruit.  But God had commanded them not to eat of that fruit, even warning them the result would be death.  After eating Adam's body continued to live for hundreds of years, seemingly unaffected by the fruit.  His body would eventually die, but the day sin and rebellion was conceived in his heart his soul surely died.  Only God could save Adam, through faith in God accounted as righteousness.  Adam and all his seed after him was cursed - not because of the pulp he chewed and swallowed, but because of disobedience and rebellion before a holy God.  Sin is attractive and the taste is sweet to our flesh.  Something that feels or tastes so good can't be wrong!  But just like the Jews during the Babylonian siege and many people today, Adam chose his own way.  It is the way of death.

Men, governments, and nations again and again demonstrate they believe they know better than God.  They scoff at His commands and persist in following the dictates of their own wicked hearts.  Even professing Christians mock the Laws of God in the Old Testament.  "Shaving off the corners of my beard is a sin?  Eating yeast on a certain day is wrong?  Gathering sticks on the Sabbath is punishable by death?  You mean I can't eat bacon?"  It is true born again Christians are completely free from keeping the letter of the Law, but it does not limit the reach of the Law.  Christ has ordained a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6), and has given us the Holy Spirit who governs us from within.  But the Law remains good and righteous.  The world and unregenerate sinners are as condemned under God's Law as ever.  It is a mirror which shows us how sinful we are in God's sight, how far we are from keeping the Laws of God, and that we have done countless things deserving of punishment and death willfully and out of ignorance.  Not one person save Christ has perfectly performed with a pure heart all the Law demands and not once did what was forbidden.

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or prophets but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).  He came to finish and complete the Law.  The Law remains perfect and good, even if we can't understand why certain laws exist, when reading the Law makes us shake our heads, scoff, or laugh out loud.  These foolish responses reveal how shortsighted, wicked, and desperately sinful we actually are.  In our natural state we are enemies and opposed to God, and we think we know better.  God is not stupid, and His Laws are all forged in righteousness.  He has never uttered a foolish word, and He always means what He says.  God is the one who places before each one of us a narrow way which leads to life, and a broad way which leads to destruction:  the choice is ours.  Eternal salvation, forgiveness from sin, and a relationship with the Living God is found only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  Laugh all you want, but it is the truth.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).  No one comes to the Father except through Him.  Because of our own sin, every one of us is going to die.  Trusting in Christ is the only way to be saved.  Which road are you on?  Salvation is more than just securing an eternal destination, but a relationship with God and a new life to be experienced with Jesus today.

Do you think you know better than God?  Can a man stop time or keep himself from dying?  Who is the man powerful enough to challenge, oppose, and rebel against his Maker and live eternally to boast about it in paradise?  Naked we are born, and naked we die.  If we die in our sins, we go to hell.  Only those clothed in Christ's robes of righteousness will gain entry to heaven and find peace in the presence of God.  Revelation 21:5-8 records the words of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world for sinners:  "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  Sin brings death, but the gift of God is life through Jesus Christ.  Eating the fruit in the garden brought death, but partaking of the Son of God through faith brings eternal life!

17 June 2015

Praise God!

This morning I woke up with the essence of Psalm 106:1 in my heart:  "Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."  God is so praiseworthy!  Consider the favour He has bestowed upon the lowly, and hears all who cry unto Him.  All He does is good, and there has not failed one word of His promises.  He is beautiful in holiness, glorious in power, mighty to save, and actively loves all people.  He graciously opens His arms to the unwilling and speaks tenderly to outcasts.  God rebukes the foolish and corrects those whom He loves.  He gives wisdom to the wise, knowledge to the understanding, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him.  He is altogether lovely, just, righteous, and does not change. Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."  Praise the glorious, unchanging One, all ye redeemed!  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

16 June 2015

Sharpening Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

Honing metal to a fine edge is a skill which these days requires special equipment.  I do not own a single iron blade, but have many stainless and carbon-steel blades.  The use of grinders, files, and stones are all useful to sharpen tools for maximum effectiveness.  A sharp blade requires less strength and is often therefore safer and more efficient.  In the day when King Solomon penned this proverb, quality tools and weapons were fashioned of iron.  Rubbing iron blades against each other sharpened each at the same time.  In the same way, friends have a way of positively "rubbing off" on one another.  Insightful discussion, sharing thoughts, and working together sharpens the intellect and improves understanding.

This verse is applied easily to the benefit of fellowship in a church fellowship of Christian believers.  But do not mistake gathering together for meetings or activities as fellowship which sharpens.  If I were to drop a handful of iron knives into a drawer, open and close it for an hour, in addition to a sore arm my knives would be more dull than before!  Anyone who has sharpened or tried to sharpen a knife knows there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it.  The knife needs to be laid at a consistent angle.  Even pressure must be applied to remove the material to sharpen the edge.  One or two strokes is not sufficient to sharpen a factory edge:  be ready for a time-consuming process!

Sharpening does not occur accidentally, and so is the process of being sanctified.  We are sharpened when we are challenged, encouraged, and exhorted by brothers and sisters who are walking with Jesus.  It is not our physical proximity or shared activities, but when the truth of God's Word impacts our minds, hearts, and lives.  Most important is time intentionally spent at the feet of Jesus, meditating on His Word, and applying it faithfully to our lives through the Holy Spirit's power.  Listening to sermons or going to church doesn't sharpen you by virtue of the activity alone any more than sitting in the basket with the knives and forks in the dishwasher.  We must recognise our dullness before we can be sharpened, and God has provided the means through fellowship and service with others.  We need the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep us from rust which corrodes and dulls, for iron oxidises very quickly.  It's amazing, really.  As we are sharpened by God's grace, we will sharpen others.  Allow God to knock the rust off you first, and trust He will also see to it others are sharpened as well.

Sharpening is work, and every tool which requires sharpening has a specific use and designed purpose.  As you are sharpened by the LORD, be faithful to do according to God's calling upon your life.  As willing slaves of Jesus Christ, let us heed in our daily activities the exhortation of Colossians 3:22-25:  "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality."  The God who has called you out of darkness has called you into His marvelous light.  Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the LORD!  Simple obedience will make a greater impact on others than you can ever know.

15 June 2015

Guess Who?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Bible is personally applicable and powerful, being the Word of God.  All written in the scriptures is for our learning and edification:  that all people might know their Creator and experience an everlasting, loving relationship with Him.  There are numerous good and bad examples of people who trusted God, a realistic picture of humanity without any attempt to veil flaws.

Apart from the life of Jesus Christ, there are far more bad examples and failures observed in people who trust God than good ones.  It does not require the learning of a brilliant theologian to discern inconsistencies, errors, and major faults in God's people:  they are clear for all to see.  It seems when we are first born again we scratch our heads when we read of the disobedience, rebellion, and stiff-necked stubbornness seen in God's people.  How their stupidity annoys us!  How ridiculous is their poverty of faith!  Their failures are so blatantly foolish it even strikes us as humorous.  How could someone be so weak and shortsighted to make the same mistakes again and again and again?

Do you really want to know the answer?  It is not a hard question from God's perspective.  The answer is simply, me and you.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  The inconsistencies and hypocrisy we see in others are the same ones our hearts naturally embrace.  The biblical characters we view as most vile and disgusting are merely a mirror image of the sinful nature of our own hearts.  Without exception, all characteristics we disdain and condemn in others thrives in us.  "But I've never murdered anyone," you might protest.  From a biblical perspective, you don't need to physically shed blood to have murder lurking in the shadows of your heart.  God sees hatred (which is to love less) as murder (1 John 3:15).  The hatred which God sees as murder thrives naturally in all human hearts.  It is a humbling to see our sin enlightened by the Word of God.  In my flesh I perceive the disobedience of Adam, the envy of Cain and King Saul, the folly of Nabal, the violence of Agag, the hatred of Haman, the idolatry of Ahab and Jezebel, the greed of Judas, and the rebellion of Barabbas, the fearful denials of Christ by Peter - all rolled into one.

God be praised, for all who trust in Jesus are made new creations.  All who repent and place their faith in Jesus are born again and the Holy Spirit dwells within us.  We are then free from the shackles of sin and free to glorify God with a life which genuinely shines forth His righteousness, holiness, and purity.  Like Paul said, in our flesh dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18), but the glorious life and love of Jesus Christ can now be displayed by the grace of God.  The light of God's Word provides a clear view of ourselves in truth, and acknowledging our sins magnifies God's marvelous grace.  Instead of focusing on our faults, God looks upon faith exercised in Him with great delight - and counts it as righteousness.

So whenever we shake our heads and scoff the boneheaded decisions or inconsistency of people in scripture, guess who we are looking at?  Ourselves!

14 June 2015

Water to Swim In

Jesus came to provide all who will trust in Him an abundant life.  This does not translated into an excess of material goods or money, for it is Jesus who said, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." (Luke 12:15)  The abundant life Jesus offers is one only realised through faith in Him and being born again.  It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates and dwells inside a follower of Jesus, teaching, guiding, comforting, and helping us to live for God's glory.

It is an unfortunate reality the abundant life Jesus offers is misunderstood or goes unrealised - even by people who profess to be Christians.  People thirst for knowledge, spiritual experiences, longing for God's power, and in all their labours miss the sweetness of fellowship God has for those who simply love and obey Him.  It is easy to move from the simplicity of the Gospel and become learned Pharisees who polish a clean exterior but nurse a critical and judgmental spirit within.  We can neglect to continue to pursue a deepening relationship with our Creator, content with scant knowledge and a compartmentalized Christianity.  And the worst thing is, we can think in this sorry condition of calloused familiarity we are actually living the abundant life Jesus offers.  It is disgust with our unregenerate life which awakens our understanding and desperation for new life provided by the Gospel, and dissatisfaction over our spiritual poverty after being born again which God uses to open our eyes to draw closer to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:13-14:  "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."  Jesus provides the Holy Spirit, the spiritual Living Water who brings life, refreshment, and a pure, cleansing influence in and through us.  It is a life to be lived and experienced in fullness right now - not just only after our bodies go the way of the earth.  When Jesus sits enthroned in our hearts as King, LORD, and Saviour, the living water of the Spirit's presence flows through our lives.  The vivid, literal picture painted in Revelation 22:1 applies to Christians today figuratively:  "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."

A beautiful illustration and personal application of this abundant life all can have through Christ is seen in Ezekiel.  This is a literal description of a river which will flow during Christ's Millennial reign which will heal the waters of the now Dead Sea.  Ezekiel 47:1-5:  "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed."  Ezekiel was led along the water which flowed from the temple towards the east, towards the sun's rising.  A man measured the depth of the water which flowed from the throne.  For a thousand cubits (about 457 metres) the water came up to Ezekiel's ankles.  A thousand more cubits and the water came up to his knees.  A thousand cubits more and the waters had risen to Ezekiel's waist.  One thousand more metres and the water became too deep to walk, "water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed."  A small stream grew to be immeasurably deep and wide.

It is impossible for us to plumb the depths of God's love, wisdom, grace, and goodness.  The life God has offered us is an abundant, refreshing life, yet we can be content to splash around in ankle deep water.  The Living Water is in us, and we feel very good to be in the water when it suits us.  But how about going deeper?  What do you know of swimming around in the love and power of the Holy Spirit of God?  It is a stream of Living Water which cannot be crossed!  These waters are meant for swimming, "water in which one must swim!"  Jesus calls out to all who will listen today, "Come to me, all who thirst!"  The water is more than fine, dear friend, for it is good and glorious.  This life-giving, life-sustaining, refreshing flow continually directs us to the Risen Son, the King of Glory.  Go deeper!  Don't be content with water up to your knees when you could be immersed in the life God has provided for you!

11 June 2015

Jehovah Nakah: The God Who Strikes

Over coffee this morning a brother shared a wonderful truth out of the Bible.  God has revealed His righteous character through various names, like "Jehovah Jireh" ("the LORD will provide" in Genesis 22:14), "Jehovah Shalom" ("the LORD is peace" in Judges 6:24), "Jehovah Nissi" ("the LORD my banner" in Exodus 17:15), and "Jehovah Rapha" (the LORD who heals" in Exodus 15:26 ).  People named altars and even a city after attributes of God which provide glimpses into details of His awesome and magnificent ways.  My friend turned to Ezekiel 7:9 which reads, "My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will repay you according to your ways,and your abominations will be in your midst. Then you shall know that I am the LORD who strikes."  "Jehovah Nakah" - the LORD who strikes or kills - is probably not the first name of God people frame on the wall or include in lists on their bookmarks.

The point my mate made was the same word used for "strike" is used concerning the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah 53:4:  "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted."  God is the God who smites, yet He is also the God who was smitten and killed for the sins of the world.  God is not willing that any should perish, but God still sent Jesus Christ - His only Son - to die so those who repent and trust Him can be partakers of His everlasting life.  God said in Deuteronomy 32:39, "Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand."  Do you see the divine order?  God wounds our pride to heal with grace; He was willing to kill His own Son so we might share in His life.  It is through dying to self we are raised to newness of life with Christ.  Jesus Christ took the punishment sinners deserved upon Himself, so we might be made righteous through faith.

What comfort there is in knowing Jehovah Nakah!  He kills but makes alive.  He strikes with heavy blows, but provides restoration, wholeness, and eternal life for all who trust in Him.

10 June 2015

Deceitful and Desperately Wicked

"Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD."
Jeremiah 17:5

It is remarkable how deceitful our hearts of flesh can be.  We will cheat at solitaire!  If we will cheat whilst playing cards or a board game which is insignificant in eternity's light, what will we do or say under pressure?  Christians have been spiritual regenerated by faith in Christ and given a new heart, but deceit continues to lurk in our flesh.  Regeneration does not mean perfection.  This morning during an early round of golf, I wrote a 4 on my scorecard instead of a 5.  I was convicted by my sin and changed the score.  C'mon, really?  And I was playing all by myself!  God, deliver me from the folly and deceit of my own wicked heart!

Faithfulness in the little things matters.  How important it is to recognise our sin and repent immediately!  It is in yielding in little things which demonstrates a departure from trust in God.  As stupid as it is to cheat while playing golf by yourself, it is infinitely more foolish to depart from trusting God and placing our confidence in men.  Our hearts depart from the LORD before there is any tangible evidence.  That is why it is important we abide in Christ, being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.  He brings conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  He guides us into all truth and provides the comfort and help we desperately need.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 reads, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."  Only God knows the depths of the wickedness in our hearts.  Only He is able to cleanse and wash us of the filth of deceit.  On the golf course today God supplied me a test I failed and then passed through repentance, all by the grace of God.  God's tests are more humiliating than a four-putt, and far more beneficial.  Let us cry out in humility to God, asking Him to see if there be any wicked way in us.  Praise the LORD, for He restores our souls.

09 June 2015

The Secular Argument

The truth of the scripture has always been unpopular.  One of the results of this is the temptation for Christians to turn to or rely on secular reasoning to promote scriptural principles in the public arena.  While on the surface this may seem wise, it is folly.  Those who trust God and the scriptures know faith in God's Word is most reasonable, but to substitute human reason for the words of life is most unreasonable.  People believe what they want.  It is not difficult in our subjective age to find plenty of support for doubt and unbelief.  Minds blinded by the god of this world are unable to see the truth, no matter how logical and persuasive our best arguments can be.  Withholding the scriptures means we are not sowing seed, and therefore there can be no spiritual fruitfulness in such wranglings.

God is able to redeem even secular arguments for His purposes, but only God is able to change hearts or the way people think.  Jesus appealed to reason when He spoke, but He did not withhold the divine truths only received by faith.  He spoke with authority of Adam, the first man created by God from the dust of the ground.  He spoke of heaven and hell, conscious there were many who did not and would not agree with Him.  He spoke with objective certainty of right and wrong in a world where every man naturally does what is right in His own eyes.  Jesus did not address men's heads only, but He went straight to the heart.  God's Word has the power to accomplish what secular arguments cannot:  exposing sinful motives, affections, and poverty of the human soul apart from God (Hebrews 4:12).

Jesus did not debate or squabble with unbelievers, but rather He engaged the world with divine spiritual truth.  He did not merely hold forth principles derived from the Word, but in the face of temptation and attack said again and again:  "It is written..."  Even when beliefs of people have strayed from scripture, why not use the scripture rightly divided as the basis of your belief?  Appeals to human reason muzzle the true Word of God to breathe clarity through the subjective fog of current social issues.  Just because issues have been hijacked as "political" or "scientific" or "ethical" should not be justification to see the biblical view as irrelevant.  Are you more interested in having people believe or agree with you, or is your primary desire to turn people from darkness to God's marvelous light?  Should we cite statistics to prop up our arguments when God's Word is a sure foundation?  What does it profit a man to engage the world with reason and purposely avoid the means to provide salvation for souls?

Examine your motives in choosing to primarily hold forth secular arguments to challenge minds of others.  Be purposeful in hearing God's Word and obeying it first yourself, and without shame or embarrassment hold fast to the everlasting Word God has placed above His own name (Ps. 138:2).  If we desire to see spiritual fruit from our efforts, do not neglect sowing the seed of God's Word.  It is the scripture applied lovingly through the Holy Spirit - not our emotional appeals or rational arguments - which leads people to everlasting life.  A transformed nature through trust in Christ will change hearts, and this produces a new mind receptive to the things of God.  Should we lay down the sword in the midst of the battle in exchange for the feather duster of secular arguments?  If we choose to parry or defend ourselves from attack with the Word of God, who cares if the enemy shouts, "That's not fair?"  Let scoffers scoff, mockers mock, and unbelievers cling to deceit.  Tighten your grip on your sword, child of God!  To lay down the sword is to admit defeat, even if you manage to sway a few minds for a season.

06 June 2015

Spiritual Aikido

Satan is a created being by God who continually seeks to mimic his Creator, masquerading as an angel of light.  Jesus Christ is the Way, but the devil tries to thwart the advance of His kingdom by many counterfeit "ways."  Jesus is the Truth, and much of the world is deceived to believe truth is subjective and bows to the judgment of each individual.  Jesus is the Life, and no one goes the the Father or heaven except through Him (John 14:6).

One of the ways the world has substituted for a life of repentance and faith in Christ through the Gospel is attempted self-improvement.  One such "way" is through martial arts.  From the moment I was exposed to Aikido in particular, I have always had an appreciation and interest in the skills of the practitioners.  The irony of this martial art is the non-violent philosophy which governs it.  That is why Aikido does not have competitions, but demonstrations.  Whilst some believe martial arts and techniques can be practiced apart from the spiritual aspects connected to the development of them, the two in Aikido in the purest form are inseparable.  The philosophy and purpose behind Aikido offers a substitute for what can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.

Quoting from an Australian Aikido website, "Aikido is a modern, non-violent Japanese martial art that was developed early in the 20th century by the late master Professor Morihei Ueshiba, commonly called O Sensei...Aikido is effective as a martial art but its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflict. Based on a background of rigorous training in traditional Japanese jujitsu, Professor Ueshiba spent the latter half of his life developing the art as a means of refining and uplifting human spirit. He succeeded in creating what he then named 'Aikido', 'the Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature'. Aikido is a true 'budo', path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilised as a 'Way' to spiritual growth."  As a spiritual exercise Aikido is a "way," but Jesus is the "Way."  Only the righteous God who created man is able to lift up fallen men, and make a way through spiritual regeneration for eternal life.

One aspect of Aikido which interests me is how force applied by an attacker is turned against him.  The harder a person tries to punch or kick an Aikido master, the more their exerted power is redirected in disarming or throwing himself to the ground.  This mimics the way God causes the evil of the wicked to return upon their own heads.  As it is written in Proverbs 26:27, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him."  In the matter of judging others, this is also true:  with the judgment we judge we will be judged, according to the measure we use it will be measured to us (Matthew 7:1-2).  What we sow, we will also reap just like God designed from the beginning.  I was reminded of this when reading Jeremiah 14:15:  "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'--'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!"  False prophets in Jeremiah's day claimed sword or famine would not be in the land, and God ensured they fell by their own deceptions.  The things they claimed safety from would be the very thing which consumed them.  People who are enemies of God stir up God as an enemy against themselves.

When men fall prey to the lie they can spiritually improve themselves through self-discipline or worldly means, they labour for their own destruction.  Seeking enlightenment in any but the Light of the World Jesus ultimately ends in darkness.  Matthew 16:24-26 reads, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  The man who tries to better himself will only grow worse, and all who try to save their lives themselves will only succeed in losing them.  Praise God He has given us the true Way!

04 June 2015

Fitness for Service

I remember days when I could eat whatever and as much as I wanted without a clear negative correlation to my physical health.  When I was about twenty a friend a bit older than me warned as age increases the metabolism can slow down.  "You'll notice a change around thirty," he predicted.  "At least, that's when my metabolism started slowing down.  I had to make adjustments to my eating habits or I would really pack on the pounds!"  Yeah right, I thought to myself.  But to be honest, he wasn't too far off.  I have found it is important for me to eat less and exercise more to maintain my current body weight.

This year I will be celebrating my fortieth birthday, and needless to say a lot has changed since I was twenty.  The thing I find most challenging is the necessity to be constantly vigilant concerning my fitness.  The nature of my job is sedentary, and it is rarely convenient to make time to exercise.  I look at myself in the mirror and it seems no matter how much I reduce my intake of foods or sugary drinks, those stubborn pounds just hang around.  I have finally come to accept this simple fact:  the battle for staying fit is "on," and as long as I live in this failing body it will continue without intermission.  The only way the battle will be over is if I passively surrender to the advance of age and become careless towards my health.  If I want fitness I've never had at my age, I must be willing to sacrifice more and work harder than I ever have before.

The same is true concerning the spiritual health of a Christian.  Because we have been given the victory over sin by grace through faith, we might think we can be passive and still win the battle for our mind and affections.  Not so!  Jesus has defeated sin, Satan, and death, but I am often my own worst enemy.  I would like to think that sinful habits once overcome will remain perpetually beaten and powerless.  But you know what?  Enemies have a way of secretly growing stronger, launching secret attacks, and waiting for complacency to provide easy opportunity to regain control.  Enemies adapt and adopt new strategies to succeed where prior efforts failed.  Exterminators do not only spray their poisons one time and assume a pest infestation is handled.  They spray again and again, open and inspect dark places, and scour for any evidence of any remaining pests.  Even when the bugs are gone they will continue to spray, because if left unchecked the filthy freeloaders will be back.

Let's not be smug and think there are no negative correlations between sin and bondage, that being spiritually sedentary will not make us listless, dull, and easy prey for the enemy of our souls.  Instead of looking into the mirror to gauge your progress, look to Jesus in the clarity of His Word.  God created you to be a person through whom His glory shines in the world in holiness, purity, and power.  We ought to take seriously this responsibility and privilege, and be willing to sacrifice more and labour harder than ever to improve our fitness for service.  Are you willing?

A Tract Concerning Sin's Folly

For a long time I have kept my eyes open for volumes of The Sword and the Trowel, a compilation of articles and tracts from C.H. Spurgeon.  I am happy to say I discovered a couple of clean used copies (Volumes 1 & 2) from a bookseller (Christian Books Australia) and have been enjoying them as expected.  As I read a tract published over a hundred and fifty years ago, I was amazed at how little has changed concerning the human heart and Satan's tactics.  Here is the tract, as originally published  by Passmore & Alabaster:
Rowland Hill illustrated the folly of sinners by the story of a butcher who was followed by the swine right into the slaughterhouse.  As pigs are not usually in the mind to go where they are wanted, it seemed a mystery how these animals were so eager to follow their executioner; but when it was seen that he wisely carried a bag of pease and beans with which he enticed the creatures onward, the riddle was solved at once.  Unsuspicious of impending death the hogs cared only for the passing gratification of their appetites, and hastened to the slaughter - and in the same manner ungodly men follow the great enemy of souls down through the jaws of hell, merely because their depraved passions are pleased with the lusts of the flesh and the pleasures of sin which the devil gives them by handfuls on the road.  Alas, that there should be such likeness between men and swine!
The joys of sin are so short and so unsatisfactory, that they can never be thought of for a moment as a fitting inducement for a rational being to lose his immortal soul.  Will a few hours' foolery, gambling, drinking, or wantoning, compensate for eternal fire?  Is the momentary indulgence of a base passion worth this endurance of flames which never can be quenched?  To moan in vain for a drop of water!  To be tormented by the never dying worm!  To be shut out from hope for ever!  To be eternally cursed of God!  Is any sin worth all this?  Can any gain make up for this?  O ye who delight in the poisonous sweets of sin, remember that though pleasant in the mouth for the moment, sin will be as wormwood and gall in your bowels for ever.  Why will ye swallow the bait when you know that the hook is there?  Why will ye belured by the Satanic fowler?  Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird; but you are more foolish than the birds and fly into the snare when you know it to be there.  O that ye were wise, and would consider your latter end.  Let that one word Eternity ring in your ears and drive out the giddy laughter of worldings who prefer the present joys of sense.  "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life by Jesus Christ."  Jesus receiveth sinners.  Go to him and he will no wise cast you out.   (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's Works as Published in His Monthly Magazine The Sword and the Trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, Tex.: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. 35. Print.)

02 June 2015

God Does Not Threaten

The ideas people have of God's character or nature are commonly not based on the revelation of scripture but their own faulty assumptions or reasoning.  People imagine God to be a certain way based upon short quotes (without context) or observation of others who claim to know him.  Do you think you could possibly "know" a musician by learning the lyrics to their songs?  Can you become intimately acquainted with a politician based upon a short television interview, sound bites or an advertisement?  The truth is, a lot of people who enshrine misconceptions of God actually "know" musicians and politicians (they do not know!) far better than they know God.

God is not whoever man imagines him to be.  Many have constructed a "god" in their own minds which is not God, an imaginary being of whom they approve, blame or hate based upon blind ignorance.  Being God, He is not subject to our judgments or self-centred bias.  God has revealed Himself through the Bible, God's word, and God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ.  All of nature reveals and proclaims the undimmed glory of God, while man often worships creation over the creator.  Man in his folly sets up idols for himself which "will not totter" (Is. 40:20) and are well pleased to slide a little cardboard under the leg to prop up their misplaced affections--rather than repent, trust and obey the living God.

One thing consistent in God's character revealed in scripture is He does not threaten:  He tells man how it is.  Man often views a warning as a threat, but they could not be more different.  Let's say you are teaching someone to drive a car.  You warn him if he follows cars too closely, he runs the risk of rear-ending other vehicles and causing an accident.  Imagine if the student's head whipped around, and with narrowed eyes asked, "Is that a threat?"  How ridiculous!  It is not a threat to explain what is the eventual certainty of taking the risk of following another car too close.  What if you saw a young child (not your own) playing dangerously near a fire while camping and felt you should say something?  "Careful now," you call out as you see the flames reaching out to lick the clothing of the clueless lad.  "If you play near that fire, you could be burned!"  This is not a threat but a loving response in the face of danger.  Not being your child, the young one might cry or run away because they did not understand your motive.  Such is often the case when unbelievers hear God's Word, for they interpret warnings as threats.

The scriptures say with absolute authority:  "The soul that sins will surely die" (Eze. 18:20).  God never threatens a man with death for his disobedience.  The fact is, all human beings are sinners who will die because of our sin.  We are already doomed to destruction because of our disobedience, and our souls are headed to hell!  As certain as the law of gravity has an impact on life on earth, so the law of sin and death means we are already facing judgment and eternal damnation.  Punishment in hell is not a threat to manipulate those God wants to control:  God warns us because it is already a reality.  He is not willing that any should perish but that all would repent and receive eternal life by faith in Him, for the death of the wicked provides God no pleasure.  The reality of death and eternal separation from God is true concerning all people and even nations.  This morning I read in Jeremiah 12:17, "But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation," says the LORD."  This is not a threat but the effect of sin on a people that walk in disobedience and disregard of God.  It has been proved true again and again with all nations, including Israel. Still God shows compassion to those once disobedient, and graciously restores all who place their trust in Him.

Consider the example of Jesus Christ, supremely consistent with the character of the Father in 1 Peter 2:20-25:  "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."  Jesus had all power and authority in heaven and earth granted to Him, yet did not threaten (verse 23).  He did not threaten those who skewered Him with punishment nor threaten to withhold forgiveness or the Gospel.  Jesus committed Himself and all His pain and suffering to the Father in heaven who judges righteously.  Eventually all those who hate Jesus will receive their wages, and the wages of sin is death.

Do you feel threatened by the warnings of God?  Ezekiel 33:11 conveys the heart of the God who seeks to save the lost:  "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"

01 June 2015

Called to Serve

When I arrived home this afternoon, I turned the kettle on for a hot drink.  Over the sound of the electric kettle I heard an odd mechanical noise outside.  A quick glance out the window revealed evidence which confirmed my suspicion:  the pool pump!  With all the leaves falling of late, the pool filter basket fills quickly.  The large amount of leaves floating on the surface suggested strongly the basket was packed full and the pump was straining to draw water through.  I quickly went outside, turned off the pump, and discarded the leaves which had collected.

As I used the net to skim off the remaining leaves, my initial thought was:  "How is it no one else seems to notice the basket needed to be emptied?"  But then I caught myself.  What if one of my contributions to a smooth running household is my awareness of the pool's condition and doing something about it?  If I was called to be the pool cleaner, why should I be frustrated or annoyed at other people who aren't doing what I am supposed to do?  I am thankful to have a pool, and grateful for the tools and ability to clean it.

Then it struck me:  how many times in church ministry have I seen people bothered the "church" isn't doing what they think it should be doing?  Could it be those people who are acutely aware of a need are actually the ones who could do something about it?  How sad it would be for me to berate my wife and children for not doing the thing I am called to do myself!  Teaching, training, and delegation all have their place and value in life and ministry.  But too often we notice our "pool" is not clean, it bothers us those choking leaves seem to bother us more than others, and this leads to judgmental, grumbling, and sour believers.  It would seem a bit strange for me to pray God would call someone to clean up these leaves - when I am holding the skim net in my hands.  Huh.  It looks like God already has!

How good it is to know God is in control, and He gives us the ability to rejoice in any situation.  If God has called you to be a pool cleaner, rejoice!  If He has called you to do the washing, clean dishes, or mop floors for the glory of His name, so be it!  In all things may we be thankful, happy to be of service in the simple ways He graciously provides.  Instead of frustration the pool wasn't clean, I can rejoice God led me to notice the condition and clean it myself.  Ah, the bliss of doing what God calls us to do!