Concerning Questions

The good deeds of some men are plainly seen and other good works follow later.  May God see fit to greatly use the godly influence of His followers during their pilgrimage and beyond.  By virtue of age a book is not necessarily better, yet I appreciate when I read words written hundreds of years ago which are perfectly relevant to me and others today.  Time has changed but man remains the same, for man's nature and thirst for knowledge goes back to the beginning.  This drive to discover has many good points, but there can be a sinister side as well.  When it comes to searching out spiritual truth, much time and effort can be wasted straining gnats while swallowing camels.  The theoretical can be more attractive than the practical.  In a quest to search out obscure truths God in His wisdom has hidden, we can ignore the personal implications of what God has plainly said.  We all have to know what is in the locked chest, whether it is intended for our possession or not.

Consider what Henry Smith, the 16th century "silver-tongued preacher" had to say on this subject:

"It is not necessary to know that which God hath not revealed; and the well of God's secrets is so deep that no bucket of man can sound it; therefore we must row in shallow waters, because our boats are light, and small, and soon overturned...Let men desire knowledge of God as Solomon did; but not desire knowledge as Eve did.  For these aspiring wits fall again like Babel, and run into doubts, while they seek for resolutions...Curious questions and vain speculations are like a plume of feathers, which some will give anything for, and some will give nothing for.  Paul rebuked them which troubled their heads about genealogies; how would he reprove men and women of our days, if he did see how they busy their heads about vain questions, tracing upon the pinnacles, where they may fall, while they might walk upon the pavement without danger!  Some have a great deal more desire to learn where hell is, than to know any way how they may escape it; to hear what God did purpose before the world began, rather than to learn what he will do when the world is ended; to understand whether they shall know one another in heaven, than to know whether they belong to heaven.  This rock hath made many shipwrecks, that men search mysteries before they know principles; like the Bethshemites, which were not content to see the ark, but they must pry into it, and finger it.  Commonly the simplest men busy their heads about the highest matters; so that if they meet with a rough and crabbed question like a knob in the tree, and while they hack and hew at it with their own wits to make it plain, their saw sticks fast in the cleft, and cannot get out again; at last in wrath they become like malcontents with God, as though the Scripture were not perfect, and either fall into despair, or into contempt of all.  Therefore it is good to leave off learning where God hath left off teaching; for they which have an ear where God hath no tongue, hearken not unto God, but to the tempter, as Eve did to the serpent." (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's works as published in his monthly magazine The sword and the trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. Print. pages 202-203)

God be praised, for even when we ask the wrong questions God graciously answers with Himself.  God's aim is not to keep men ignorant, for Jesus is wisdom for us.  How can we know if the questions which puzzle us are "vain speculations" which have no practical use?  I answer with another question:  do you so value God's revelation of Himself and His commands that you labour to walk according to them?  When we put into practice what we already know, God will reveal Himself to you in ways you cannot imagine now.  He will open your eyes and transform your heart.  The first time when God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush Moses averted his eyes because he was afraid to look at God (Ex. 3:6).  After obeying God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, when Moses communed with God face to face as a man speaks to a friend he asked, "Please, show me your glory." (Ex. 33:18)  Moses was satisfied, even though God withheld him from seeing all.

Are you willing to accept there is much about God and the Bible we will never understand?  Some content themselves with saying, "We'll never know this side of heaven," inferring that in our glorified, eternal state all our questions will be answered.  I believe many burning questions we have today will not be remembered or be relevant in heaven and therefore not asked.  God will answer many honest questions we ask Him, and others are sealed up for another time.  Let us be content in knowing God, for He is the answer we truly seek.    

Stand in Awe

"Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ⁹  For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast."

Psalm 33:8-9

How good it is to stand in awe of God!  When God says something, it is done.  We are talking about the God who spoke the earth and universe into existence, who imagined life and created it in all its varied forms.  He spoke, and it was done.

There was a centurion who came to Jesus in Capernaum to ask Him to heal his beloved servant.  Jesus agreed immediately, and said He would be glad to go heal him.  The centurion then said something which caused Jesus to marvel in Matthew 8:8:  "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed."  This man perceived the incredible authority Jesus possessed, and with the power of His words alone - like when God said "Let there be light!" and there was light - Jesus could heal his servant.  According to the faith of the man it was done, and that very hour the servant was healed by Jesus.

Do you believe Jesus can just "say the word" and it will be done?  Our trouble comes when we think Jesus ought to speak what we desire this very hour and doubt His authority and power if He does not.  We must remember that our lives are in God's hands, and He will do with us as He sees fit.  God is utterly trustworthy, and we should stand in awe of Him.  As our King He has all authority over us, and as our Father He loves us with an everlasting love.  Let us be obedient to His voice, even as the water separated from the dry land at His word alone.  There was no debate, no discussion, no explanation:  only words coming forth from God.

We want God to speak a word on our behalf, but will we stand to obedience at His word?  Do we regard His word because He is worthy who speaks?

Goodness That Leads to Repentance

Today we sung a song in church which reminded me it is God's goodness which leads to repentance.  Paul held forth this truth in Romans 2:4:  "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"  God's lovingkindnesses are many, and it is due to His mercy which has stayed His hand from justly destroying men for their sin instantly.  Whilst it could be truly sin we should "Repent or else!" with knowledge of God's judgment, God does not threaten us with pain or torment should we refuse His righteous demands.  It is not the fear of God's wrath but the kindness and goodness of God which moves us to repent.

For many Christians, it may have been fear of death and hell which caused us to trust in Jesus - more than the goodness and kindness of God toward us.  Like Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison conveyed in the book Cat & Dog Theology, our posture towards God is important.  There are people who came to God because they were backing wide-eyed away from the abyss of hell, and those who have turned towards God because He is a glorious God and a worthy Saviour.  It is a awesome day when we learn to fix our eyes primarily upon Jesus rather than turn to Him as a last resort.  If we are in the habit of backing away from troubles and not looking where we are going, we will ultimately trip over and have no sense of direction.  It is the love and trust of Jesus - not the fear of hell - which should move us to repentance and do what is right.

Even faithful dogs can have curious moments, like when they wander out of the back yard.  Concerned for the safety of the animal, a caring owner will pursue their pet.  Many times I have witnessed dogs who know full well their owners who are trying to coax them to return to the yard, but the dog is more interested in sniffing everything in sight, happy to stay just out of reach.  God is like a loving Shepherd who pursues His sheep, not threatening us with hell to make us return.  It is His kindness and patient pursuit which leads to our repentance, and He is kind and gracious even when we have been stubborn and foolish.  If we are more moved by the fear of punishment than the love of God for us, it seems we need a change of perspective which aligns with Romans 2:4!

We have been greatly enriched by God's goodness, forbearance, and patience which suffers long.  Let us be patient with others as He has been patient with us.  May we also do good in God's sight, realising and walking in kindness and mercy God has freely bestowed upon us.  God, forgive me when I have repented to save my own skin and thought little of your goodness and grace!

Think On These Things

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

The Bible provides great insight and objective truth to all who believe.  Memorisation of scripture is good, but to understand and personally apply scripture is better still.  When I was a kid I went to Awana, a youth group which placed a high priority on scripture memorisation.  Admittedly I learned to repeat verbatim many scriptures I did not understand and could not explain.  If we will emphasise the importance and value of memorisation, let us not miss the crucial steps of understanding and obedience to the scripture.  At the end of Lesson 2 in the Self-Confrontation Manual developed by John C. Broger, after suggesting several plans to memorise scripture and to recite them to others it reads, "When you recite your verses to this person, also explain what the verse(s) mean and how they are to be applied to your life."  To this I say, amen!

The meaning of a verse of scripture has the depth and breadth of an ocean of God's wisdom, and most of the time we are content to splash around in the shallows.  We may understand what the verse says and means, even in context, yet there is more.  How good it is when we stop and think about each word or phrase carefully.  God has much for us to glean in the 12 words of Psalm 46:1.  Just for fun (because it truly is for a hungry soul!) let's break this verse down into parts to consider fully the truth presented here.

• "God is..." Here is objective, unchanging truth.  God not only is, but has always been and will always be.  His gracious love, infinite strength, wisdom, provision, protection and salvation are available to all who repent and seek Him in faith.
• "our..."  God has united all who fear Him, having accepted us in the beloved through faith in Jesus Christ.  We have continual access to our heavenly Father who has chosen and called us to trust Him.  He will never leave or forsake those redeemed with the blood of Christ.  We are never alone!
• "refuge and strength..." Just like we run to the shelter of our homes in a massive storm, Christians find refuge in God who protects and keeps us.  Unlike a house which can be flooded, burnt down, or rendered unsuitable for living because of a destroyed foundation, our God has all strength.  The foundation we have in Christ will endure forever.
• "a very present help..." Emergency services have standard response times, but the help God can provide is immediate.  God is more than nearby or "on-call" but He is very present - in fact, the Holy Spirit lives inside of born-again Christians and can help us and others simultaneously according to every need.  God knows what help we need and how to provide it for our good and His glory.
• "in trouble." If we have car trouble we go to a mechanic; when our bodies are ill we go to a doctor.  Whilst we require specialists for our troubles, God is able to be a very present help in any kind of trouble.  Our troubles do not trouble God.  He invites us to be casting our cares upon Him at all times because He cares for us.

Now wasn't that fun?  What verses have you memorised?  Have you applied the eternal truth of them to your situation?  Take time to think them over and how you might apply them to your own life.  Expect God to expand your understanding of what you think you know when you obey what He has said.  We haven't hardly scratched the surface of fully appreciating the wisdom of Psalm 46:1, and God delights to teach and reveal Himself to all who humbly seek Him in faith.  God has much to say to us when we will listen and obey!

The God Who Reveals

"Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. ¹¹  And Israel said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!"

Genesis 48:10-11

As Israel's days drew to a close, Joseph brought his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh to be blessed by their grandfather.  Israel's eyes had grown dim, yet God allowed him to see something beyond his wildest dreams.  Many years earlier Israel was deceived by his elder sons to believe Joseph had been torn by wild beasts when he had actually been sold by them to slave traders.  Israel was shocked when it was revealed Joseph still lived and was a ruler in Egypt.  In the twilight years of his pilgrimage, Israel rejoiced to spend time with his beloved Joseph again.

Whilst in Egypt, Israel's long-lost Joseph had two sons.  Genesis 48 conveys the touching scene when Israel kissed, embraced, and blessed Joseph's sons, adopting and blessing them as his very own.  Blind though his eyes were, I cannot imagine Israel speaking without a twinkle in his eyes when he said, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!"  This is how our amazing, awesome God works.  Israel was resigned to never seeing Joseph again with his eyes, yet God allowed him to see Joseph and his sons!

Our eyes are naturally dim like Israel's, for we see as in a mirror dimly.  Even when we have "perfect vision" according to optometrists our range of vision is limited in scope, and our ability to see images and colours is dependant on light.  The things God reveals to us are greater than we could ever ask or think, more astounding than our wildest dreams.  The things we cannot fathom God simply does, and He opens our dim eyes to see it.  The light God shines drives the darkness away.  God brings hope to the hopeless.  For decades Israel mourned the loss of his son Joseph, but he later received his two sons and treated them as his own.

Things which are improbable, even impossible, God does. The miraculous is common for our God, the great Revealer of secrets, the One who brings the dead back to life.  God is able to melt hearts of stone and restore souls.  He opens blind eyes and brings reason to corrupt minds devoid of understanding.  God has done amazing things for us, but He is not finished.  He has more in store for you in this earthly pilgrimage, things you would not dare verbalise for the sheer impossibility of the thing.  As we continue trusting the LORD, He will bring to pass things beyond our imagination.  Israel's heart longed for his son, but God gave him two grandsons which never came into his mind.

The truth of 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 seems an appropriate conclusion:  "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." ¹⁰  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."  What an impossibility, that finite man could know an infinite God!  Yet God has revealed Himself, and has opened our hearts and minds to know Him and appreciate all He has freely given us.  Hallelujah!

Dealing with the Dead

C.H. Spurgeon is known as the "prince of preachers," but it is not only his brilliant preaching and writing ministry which impresses me.  Like Dwight L. Moody, Spurgeon had an intense passion to bring children to faith in Jesus Christ.  He did not relish time in his lofty pulpit preaching to thousands more than dropping to a knee to speak face to face with one small child.  We cannot ask him today, but I imagine he would find greater delight in privately ministering to a little one in Christ's name than receive a public commendation from the Queen of England.  Today I read an address to the Sunday School teacher's union by Spurgeon in March 1867 at a prayer breakfast titled, "How to Raise the Dead."  Here is a link for you to read it yourself.

Spurgeon made it clear Sunday School teachers have a sober duty and calling to bring children to faith in Christ.  It is not a session of upstanding moral guidance or just to mind children whilst the "real" ministry is happening in the sanctuary:  Sunday School teachers lead the charge to win souls for the kingdom of God.  Using the case of Elisha bringing the dead son of the Shunammite woman back to life through the power of God, Spurgeon explained:

"The position of Elisha in this case is exactly your position, brethren, in relation to your work for Christ.  Elisha had to deal with a dead child.  It is true that, in his instance, it was natural death; but the death with which you have to come in contact is not the less real death because it is spiritual.  The boys and girls in your classes are as surely as grown-up people, "dead in trespasses and sins."  May none of you fail fully to realise the state in which all human beings are naturally found.  Unless you have a very clear sense of the utter ruin and spiritual death of your children, you will be incapable of being made a blessing to them.  Go to them, I pray you, not as to sleepers whom you can by your own power awaken from their slumber, but as to spiritual corpses who can only be quickened by a power divine.  Elisha's great object was not to cleanse the dead body, or embalm it with spices, or wrap it in fine linen, or place it in an appropriate posture, and then leave it still a corpse:  he aimed at nothing less than the restoration of the child to life.  Beloved teachers, may you never be content with aiming at secondary benefits, or even with realising them; may you strive for the grandest of all ends, the salvation of immortal souls.  Your business is not merely to teach the children in your classes to read the Bible, not barely to inculcate the duties of morality, nor even to instruct them in the mere letter of the gospel, but your high calling is to be the means, in the hands of God, of bringing life from heaven to dead souls." (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's works as published in his monthly magazine The Sword and the Trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. Print. pg. 100)

Spurgeon concluded the address with these searching thoughts:

"Ah!  My friend, may God in his mercy give you life, for how else can you expect to be the means of quickening others?  If Elisha had been a corpse himself it would have been a hopeless task to expect life to be communicated through placing one corpse upon another.  It is vain for that little class of dead souls to gather around another dead soul such as you are.  A dead mother frostbitten and cold cannot cherish her little one.  What warmth, what comfort can come to those who shiver before an empty grate?  And such are you.  May you have a work of grace in your own soul first, and then may the blessed and Eternal Spirit, who alone can quicken souls, make you to be the means of quickening many to the glory of his grace." (ibid. pg. 108)

Many people face teaching children with great trepidation often because of perceive personal weakness and insufficiency.  It would be atrocious to refuse to obey God's call to minister to children because of unbelief or sloth.  Are any sufficient for these things?  Aren't the things God has called us all to do utterly impossible for us, to bring a dead soul to life?  Yet what is impossible with men is easily accomplished by God in His time.  May God strip us of our self-confidence so we might seek Him earnestly and in weakness be made fruitful by the Holy Spirit.  Once we are quickened by the Holy Spirit who fills us in power, then we by His grace can bring His saving life to others.  Let us not be content to wax warm when we can be fanned into flame as a living sacrifice unto our LORD.

God's Friend

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. ¹⁴  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

John 15:13-15

It is a common lament for people to feel they have no real friends.  This despairing feeling may arise when people do not rise to our expectations of what friends should be.  This overwhelming sense of friendlessness should never mark the life of a Christian, for Jesus has chosen us to be His friends.  Jesus called His disciples friends and demonstrated the reality of this through revelation from God.  He demonstrated His love through laying down His life on Calvary.  The big question is not if God is friendly towards us but are we truly His friends?  He has offered us unfailing friendship, but have we demonstrated we are His friends by obedience?

Abraham was a man scripture describes as a "friend of God."  His obedience of God's commands - not a profession of faith or theological system of belief - revealed him to be a friend of God.  James 2:21-23 said, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²²  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God."  Abraham showed genuine faith by his obedience to God.  Humans are good at being friendly to people we hardly know.  God has extended friendship to all, but if we will be His friend we must obey Him.  Those who are friends of God will receive additional revelations of God, for He speaks to His friends freely - even face to face.

Obedience to God's commands is a critical part of following Jesus as His disciple.  Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Jesus did not merely command those He commissioned to teach others all things He said but to teach "them to observe all things that I have commanded you."  As disciples of Jesus we are to do more than aim at teaching information but to live obediently whilst exhorting people to live in obedience to Christ's commands.  Once we are born again through faith in Jesus, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to understand and live according to God's will, to love one another as He loves us.

People are happy with revelation without relationship.  They seek advice - even paying for it - to have insight into what is their best course of action.  God, on the other hand, reveals Himself so we might have a growing relationship with Him.  He puts Himself willingly in the vulnerable position of being rejected, though He will never reject one who comes to Him in faith.  The truth is, if we don't obey God, we won't grow.  The old song begins, "What a friend we have in Jesus..." and we will only begin to give this relationship the appreciation and attention it warrants when we are His friends through obedience.  Would God count you among His friends?

"Set It and Forget It!"

If you lived in the United States in the '90s and had a television, undoubtedly you were exposed to Ron Popeil selling his wares.  I remember how many times I saw him bustle through a kitchen in an apron demonstrating Ronco products.  Countless times during his pitches the famous inventor and pitchman repeated with an enthusiastic studio audience, "Set it and forget it!"  This memorable and simple phrase tapped into a desire which appeals to many people.  The selling point of the "Showtime Rotisserie" is how it produced consistent quality results with minimal effort.  People had better things to do than fiddle with timers and temperature controls, and the idea of setting and forgetting sounded great.  We all have enough to remember and worry about, right?  One issue Ron's clever catchphrase didn't address was how to remember to "set it" in the first place!

What is the typical human response when we can't forget about something?  We obsess over the thing.  We worry and lose sleep.  How we would love to just "Set it and forget it!" so our troubles would be over with minimal work and effort!  The truth may very well be the only thing you can "set and forget" is a rotisserie roast, chicken, or leg of lamb.  Something as simple as keeping the lawn green and weed-free can weigh upon a mind, and how much more do issues which arise from relationships or hurts from the past!  You cannot "set and forget" a marriage, parenting, home or car maintenance, or concerning following Jesus.  It is impossible for us to forget bad things which have happened or things people have said to us or about us.  At the same time we must progress through those things, for it we "set" on them our minds will be fixed on them.  Life is full of labour, and daily working out our salvation practically is what God has called us to do.  Jesus forbid His disciples to worry, something which comes as natural for humans as drawing breath.

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Paul did not forget his past, but it no longer defined him.  He did not continually grieve his failures or take pride in his apparent success.  Like a chef carefully monitors the temperature of an oven, wok, or range, so Paul kept his attention dialed in on Jesus Christ and his call to follow.  Similar to a rotisserie oven Paul basically did one thing:  he pressed on with his life committed to Jesus Christ.  An upward call involves climbing and hard work, but God would be faithful to enable Paul to run with endurance the race set before him.  Through the Holy Spirit we are able to keep casting our cares upon Jesus because He cares for us.

"Set it and forget it!" may work for rotisserie chicken, but not for followers of Jesus Christ.  We are called to remember and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ demonstrated on the cross until He comes back.  We are to forget the things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead, even if we do so with trepidation.  All the better for us if we do so with fear and trembling, for then we will be reminded to trust God with each step we take.  Praise the LORD, for He does not forget us!

For or Against You?

"And Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me."

Genesis 42:36

After prayer this morning God spoke to me through His Word.  Whilst praying over problems and trials people are facing, there was a temptation to despair.  But immediately I thought better of it, for what is a problem in light of God's goodness and power?  Even if the whole world was against me and the forces of demonic evil unleashed with only me in those satanic sights, God remains good and in control!  Like Paul boldly said from experience after facing death every day, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) The very things Satan would employ to bring us to despair are the very things God can use to bring joy and salvation.

Don't believe me?  Jacob's response to his sons is a perfect demonstration of the reality God uses all things for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are the called according to His purposes.  Jacob had been told and was convinced his beloved son Joseph had died at 17 years old whilst on an errand for his dad.  After a famine overspread the land, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food.  His sons returned without Simeon who had been arrested because the harsh ruler of Egypt suspected them to be spies.  To prove their innocence the ruler demanded their youngest brother be brought back to Egypt, and only then would Simeon be released.  Jacob was overwhelmed with the situation and felt like everything was against him.  It was a lose-lose situation for a father still grieving the death of Joseph to hear Simeon was in prison and to free him he must part with Benjamin!

What Jacob didn't know was Joseph was not actually dead but was the harsh Egyptian ruler!  Instead of killing Jacob years earlier, his jealous brothers sold Joseph to slave traders who were heading to Egypt.  God miraculously brought Joseph out of prison at the age of 30 and promoted him to second in command in Egypt.  The Spirit of God gave Joseph wisdom to interpret dreams which foretold of a great famine and provided guidance on how to survive the famine.  Jacob wasn't seeing the situation clearly at all.  He accused his sons of bereaving him, but the reality was God sovereignly sent Joseph in Egypt to save countless lives - even the life of Jacob himself and his family.  Joseph acknowledged this before his brothers in Genesis 45:7:  "And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance."  The children Jacob loved dearly would only survive because of the very thing Jacob would have carried grieving to his grave.  Think about this.  The things Jacob believed were against him actually all were God's providence working for him and the salvation of nations.  A day came when they would all be joyfully reunited.

Could it be the very things you lament as being "against you" are working for your own salvation?  Instead of blaming God, accusing others of wrong, or stacking up all which appears to be against us in a pile that reaches to heaven, how much better is it for us to turn our gaze heavenward to our great God who loves us and will indeed work all miraculously for good? (Romans 8:28) The world may indeed be against you, but isn't God greater than the world?  Though Christ we can conquer even that which kills us.  Romans 8:35-39 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶  As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." ³⁷  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Be Strong and Fear Not

I picked up C.H. Spurgeon's The Sword and the Trowel again, the first volume of a set of seven.  He cited Isaiah 35:4 which reads, "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you."  On this theme he wrote:

"Oh how precious is the Word of God!  For it contains a cordial for every sickness, a balm for every wound, and here at the close of the day let me console myself with it.  How often does a fearful heart weaken and vex the people of God!  How well it is that the Holy Spirit has given this word to cheer them in their distresses!  Sometimes GREAT TROUBLES cause the heir of heaven to be much cast down.  But why is it so?  Are not our fears groundless?  Do not our troubles work our lasting good? Why need we fear the issue when it is in Jehovah's hands?  Our fears grieve us more than our afflictions.  Our greatest pains spring from our unbelief, not from our trials, for if we had more faith our trials could not makes us afraid...GREAT DUTIES also have a tendency to alarm our poor timorous flesh and blood, but let us remember that the work is the Lord's, we do not go a warfare at our own charges.  Our Master will never set us upon a work which is too hard for us.  When we have his command we are sure to have his assistance.  BE STRONG, FEAR NOT." (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's Works as Published in His Monthly Magazine The Sword and The Trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. 244. Print.)

We need not take vengeance, for our God will come with vengeance.  He has provided us everything which pertains to life and godliness.  Not one thing He commands us can we do by our own strength, yet all things God commands us we are enabled to do through faith in Him.  The picture of the man going to war is a good one, for no soldier supplies his own tanks, food, transport, and battle plan.  Pilots in the Air Force do not supply or repair their own planes, nor do they buy the missiles loaded upon them or what is a strategic target!  Sailors in the Navy do not purchase the aircraft carrier they are stationed on or tend livestock for food when deployed.  Their training, gear, supplies, and orders come from others.  At the same time a soldier, airman, or sailor is required to apply himself in fitness, training, and skill development.  For armed forces to be effective in following orders they must be equipped, and God has done more than this for us.  As we labour to do His work, He will supply all our needs.

Let us be strong, and fear not!  Spurgeon is right:  if we had more faith in God "our trials could not make us afraid."  The old song laments, "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."  When God tells us in His Word to "be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might" (Eph. 6:10) through the Holy Spirit we can be strong.  It is acknowledging our weakness and trusting in God that we discover strength which transcends our own.  Praise the LORD:  the things which are impossible with men are possible with God!

Suffering and God's Will

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

1 Peter 4:12-13

It is Jesus Christ who brings meaning and eternal value out of suffering.  In every way He was tempted as us, but He has suffered far more than any other man.  One cannot say in every way we suffer He has suffered because His suffering is exponentially greater.  As omniscient God whose wisdom is infinite, one can only imagine the depth of Christ's sufferings as Ecclesiastes 1:18 explains, "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."  Because Jesus is for us Wisdom, we can identify with Him in all our suffering for His sake; through faith we can rejoice with exceeding joy even in the fiery trial.

Everyone on this planet will suffer, and sometimes as a result of our own sin.  Peter exhorted followers of Christ in 1 Peter 4:15-16, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. ¹⁶  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."  As a follower of Christ we have fellowship with Him through suffering.  Jesus opened His arms to people who rejected Him, and we can open our arms to people who refuse us.  We can be hated for loving others according to the example Jesus has provided for us.  The fact we do the right thing before God and suffer aligns us with the experience of Jesus during His earthly pilgrimage.  For this reason we are to glorify God, realising He is the One who will help, comfort, and empower us to persevere.

For me, 1 Peter 4:19 is the clincher:  "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."  Sometimes we question the fiery trial we feel thrown into, but it is supremely comforting to know when we suffer for Christ's sake we "suffer according to the will of God."  Jesus only did the will of the Father and was a "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief."  The divine paradox is He is also the source of fullness of joy which surpasses knowledge!  It is this knowledge which aids us to commit our souls to God in righteous conduct despite pain or opposition, knowing our God is faithful.  He will not forsake us, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus.

Everyone suffers, but for the Christian suffering is redemptive and brings transformation.  Suffering by itself leads to despair, but suffering according to God's will enables us to rejoice in our Saviour.  As real as your suffering is today for Christ's sake, your rejoicing will be infinitely more intense, continual, and eternal when Christ's glory is revealed.  How good is that?

Both To Will and To Do

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Philippians 2:12-13

I love these verses because they hold forth man's responsibility before God and God's sufficiency to accomplish all.  Followers of Jesus Christ are not saved by good works but we have been saved for them (Eph. 2:10).  We cannot rightly adopt a passive and careless view of our choices or conduct, assuming God will accomplish His will in our lives without our cooperation.  The work of God is not performed through mustering the strength of our flesh, but through faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit who works in us "both to will and to do for His good pleasure."  Our desire to obey God and the ability to do things which please God both arise from Him alone.

To "will" and to "do" are two distinct things.  We may desire to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, but completing the ascent is another matter altogether.  There are also things in life we do because we must, and we can approach and complete tasks devoid of all desire or affection.  A job can become a drudgery, a duty we actually despise.  Yet when it comes to pleasing God through good works, God works in us both to will and to do.  He brings these things together beautifully and makes pleasing our Maker possible and brings satisfaction to our souls.

On my son's cricket team, in batting it is a rare commodity to possess both the will and the ability to bat.  Virtually none of the boys are interested to open against the best bowlers.  Many forced into the role showed they were not able to score runs before losing their wicket!  But occasionally there will be a lad who has the will to be in and the ability to stay in.  When they succeed in a run chase or finish the day "not out," they are all smiles as they walk triumphantly off the pitch.  They had both the will and the ability to endure and succeed.  They are happy with their accomplishment, and I imagine their teammates and parents are glad too.  All men find satisfaction in a job well done, and those who hear "Well done!" from their heavenly Father are infinitely glad as well.

Praise the LORD when we work out our own salvation He works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  That God would partner with men for His glory!

The Worthy Ideal

Positive reform requires an intentional return to an old ideal.  Progress is not altering the original ideal but a renewed aim of obtaining it.  That is a philosophical strength of Christianity, for Jesus Christ is the One we are called to fix our eyes on and pursue.  We strive to obey Him, love like Him, and do all for His glory.  Just because we fail doesn't mean Christ is a failure or is unworthy of being pursued.  He provides a more solid foundation for us than the bedrock of earth, for Jesus was, is, and will ever be.  This world will have an end, but Jesus Christ and His words will endure forever.

When I see people protesting and rioting over political disagreements, I wonder if the rioters all agree.  I can tell you they do not.  Even if they all agree on anarchy and the means they employ to destroy the corrupt "system," I can assure you they do not agree on what form of government should rise in its place or who should make the decisions concerning it.  Without a fixed ideal men destroy and cannot build.  People united for change tear down what was built and then tear each other apart.  When God confounded the languages at Babel not only did the inhabitants cease working together but they couldn't imagine living together.  This is the world in which we live - among people who speak the same language but cannot agree on a governing, guiding principle.  Consider the observations of G.K. Chesterton in his masterpiece, Orthodoxy:

"As long as the vision of heaven is always changing, the vision of earth will be exactly the same.  No ideal will remain long enough to be realised, or even partly realised.  The modern young man will never change his environment; for he will always change his mind.  This, therefore, is our first requirement about the ideal towards which progress is directed; it must be fixed.  Whistler used to make many rapid studies of a sitter; it did not mater if he tore up twenty portraits.  But it would matter if he looked up twenty times, and each time saw a new person sitting placidly for his portrait.  So it does not matter (comparatively speaking) how often humanity fails to imitate its ideal; for then all its old failures are fruitful.  But it does frightfully matter how often humanity changes its ideal, for then all its old failures are fruitless." (Chesterton, G. K. Orthodoxy. 1st ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. pages 114 - 115, Print.)

As we follow Jesus Christ with our eyes fixed upon Him, all our failures can be made fruitful.  We have all made many blunders along the way, but Jesus remains the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  We have failed to live according to God's standards of righteousness, love, and forgiveness, yet God's sublime standard remains unchanged, untainted in a world soiled with deceit, hidden ulterior motives, and subjectivity.  Jesus stood and cried aloud to all who listened, and He stands today having risen from the dead.  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; His rule and reign is without end.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  It is easier for this universe to be completely dissolved than for a single word He has spoken to be stripped of power and significance.  Jesus is, and wise men seek Him, fix their eyes upon Him, and follow Him.

The Planting of the LORD

During Sunday's sermon I related a story to encourage all how God keeps His promises.  Though there aren't always signs or miracles continually to confirm the faithfulness of our God, He does provide His presence and amazing evidence in our earthly pilgrimage.  If we seek the LORD with our whole hearts we will find Him.  For well over a decade I have met weekly with various fellow Christians to pray.  For years before I knew of God's call upon my life to immigrate to Australia I met with a brother named Rudy to seek the LORD in prayer.  God brought great encouragement and strength through times of prayer, and even used a fallen tree to confirm His word to me.

I was on staff at the church when a tree in a large pot toppled over.  The tree was sizable and it lay flat on the ground for a day or two as the staff considered our options.  We certainly didn't want it to go to waste, so the assistant pastor and I dug a hole big enough for the root ball to fit in a sunny spot, dragged the tree over to the hole best we could, and transplanted it.  We lashed limbs to a nearby fence and watered the tree.  It was really a "sink or swim" approach to planting a tree with no special fertiliser, amended soil, or much knowledge or skill in growing trees at all.  If it lived it lived, and if it died it was firewood.

The tree went into shock and dropped most of the leaves.  Though it looked sad for a while there was still life in the tree, so I kept watering it.  One day Rudy said something like, "That tree is a picture of what God is doing with you.  He's going to transplant you."  That struck me.  It showed me the importance of my need to be established before there could be growth.  As a family we would need to be patient to have roots drinking in water to withstand strong winds and dry seasons.  It was almost a living parable of the church God connected us with as well.  God eventually opened a door for us to move to Australia, and the tree was almost forgotten.  It turned out I had not been forgotten by God or the many people who have continued to pray for us to this day six years later.

After about two years I returned to visit my home church.  One of the first things Rudy said to me with a grin upon my return was, "Have you seen your tree?"  I walked over and looked at it.  Gone were the restraints, it was full of green leaves, and well over twice the size than before!  It was such an encouragement to know God cares for people more than trees, and He is able to make both thrive in His time.  As I prepared to share this story as an illustration in the sermon, on a whim I decided to look up what kind of tree it was.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered the name of "my" tree was "ficus benjamina" - Benjamin being my first name!  That God could use a fallen tree as a support for my faith as I look to Jesus!

My home church has since sold the building to a school and over the years much has changed.  I used Google Earth to see if the tree is still there, and to this day it continues to flourish and grow.  God has promised all who meditate of His Word day and night will resemble a tree in Psalm 1:3:  "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  No tree will last forever, but God, His promises, and those whose lives are founded upon Jesus Christ will.  How awesome is our God!  He can use a single tree to impact a life, and He can use you too!  (the tree can be seen behind the school on the corner of Johnson and Main in El Cajon, circled below in white)

Lead On Softly

Today I read Genesis 33, the passage where Esau and Jacob are reunited after over 20 years apart.  When they parted Esau was scheming about the right time to kill Jacob for robbing him of his father's blessing.  Their reunion was marked by Jacob sending waves of gifts before bowing seven times to the ground before Esau.  The part which stood out to me was when Esau suggested Jacob, his family, and vast flocks and herds travel together with his 400 men.  Jacob graciously declined the offer.  He said in Genesis 33:14, "Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir."

For the sake of his family and flocks Jacob bid Esau to leave so they could both travel at an appropriate pace.  No doubt Esau and his 400 men had things to do and places to go, and Jacob did not want to be a hindrance.  He expressed his desire to "lead on softly" at a pace which was suitable for his children and animals.  This approach to shepherding is one shared by God.  Many people are destination driven, and the destination is important.  Yet God is not so keen to arrive at a destination quickly that He will drive the sheep to exhaustion and death.  A good shepherd pays attention to how the little ones are faring, ensuring there is good grazing, adequate water, and providing rest along the way.  God will lead on softly as much as we can endure because He will never trade a quicker arrival at a destination for the exchange of the life of a single lamb.

This loving way God leads and guides His people reminded me of a song my mum used to sing often.  It was one of the songs I requested the most when she played guitar and sang to us kids as we went to bed.  The song is taken from Isaiah 40:11, and the preceding verse is provided for context:  "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. ¹¹ He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."  God has a strong hand and is fit to rule all with a rod of iron.  At the same time He uses his hand gently to gather lambs and carry them.  He gently leads those that are pregnant with young, for He will ensure they do not come to the birth too soon.  God considers the health of His ewes and their little ones as more important than arriving at His intended destination, so He leads on softly - even carrying ones close to His heart who are without strength.  He will not abandon them in the way.

How good it is for us to take this to heart!  For those who are parents this is a good reminder for us to "lead on softly," not harshly driving our flock beyond capacity.  There is a big difference between leading and driving.  Driving is done from the rear with a loud crack of the whip and shouting, but leading is done from the front.  Let us be those who embrace the journey of godly child-rearing and be patient with others in Christian ministry, even if the road is long and the destination seems to always loom far in front of us.  A strong hand ought to be used to gently foster unity and patiently carry those who are without strength.  Hasn't God been gracious to lead us on softly?

Genuine Fellowship

"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:6-7

The word "fellowship" has been loosely used as a description of Christian gatherings as long as I can remember.  People say things like, "It would be great to get together for food and fellowship."  Fellowship (koinonia) as described by scripture is the ideal, but what passes for "fellowship" can be merely a friendly social interaction.  Personal fellowship with God is required before we can have fellowship with others.  Fellowship is not a gathering of people with similar beliefs, but those who are living righteously, loving others, and are being obedient to Jesus.  The Greek word "koinonia" as translated and defined by the Strong's Concordance can help aid us in recognising genuine fellowship from other impostors.

In the KJV, "koinonia" is translated "fellowship" 12 times, "communion" 4 times, and "communication," "distribution," "contribution," and "to communicate" once each.  Koinonia is much more than talking but a deep connection and intertwining of personal lives in the pursuit of Jesus Christ.  True fellowship is a freedom to contribute and distribute to others what He has freely given to us.  When Paul received a financial gift, he said they communicated with him concerning giving and receiving.  Paul had given them Bible teaching to supply their spiritual needs, and they communicated practical things to meet his physical needs.  Perhaps the meaning of "koinonia" is even more clear when we look at the Strong's definition:  "partnership, (literal) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction; to communicate, communion, (contri-) distribution."  Let's examine some of these facets in greater depth to help us appreciate what koinonia looks like:

• Partnership:  there is a big difference from working at the same job and being "partners."  One is a shared work space, but a partnership is a commitment to another person or people.  It is joining together as one for a cause for the benefit of all, choosing to trust God and others moving forward.
• Participation:  this means to be actively included.  It may be many people go to a dance and are content to sit and watch, but only those on the dance floor are actually participating in the festivities.  Not everyone will have the same skills or style, but anyone can have fun should they choose to lay aside self-consciousness and go for it.
• Social Intercourse:  this described a social interaction which goes deeper than surface level, as the word "intercourse" suggests.  Because other people are viewed as significant through God's love, there should be a genuine interest in others.  Christians who have been accepted by God must accept others, and have freedom to be transparent and share honestly without fear.
• Benefaction:  Christians are benefactors of the love, grace, and forgiveness of God.  We have received freely from God like beneficiaries noted in the will of a deceased person.  Our God is alive and gives according to His will.  We have each received some of the same things from God, but also unique gifts and talents we should rejoice in and use for the glory of God and the building up of other Christians.
• To Communicate:   communication is an exchange of ideas which requires a willingness to listen and contribute through conversation.  It suggests availability and the desire to pass on truths God has revealed and wisdom He has taught us through the scriptures.  Receiving is required for communication to occur, so we must be willing to both give and receive.
• Distribution:  Our time, money, and resources are all gifts from God we have received and ought to give to others as He leads.  When we recognise all good things we have are from God, we acknowledge His ownership through obediently giving according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  If you become aware of a need, it could be God desires to use resources He has given you to meet it.

My friends, this is a picture of genuine fellowship.  As you walk in the light of Jesus Christ through obedience to Him, genuine fellowship can only be expressed and enjoyed by faith in God as we abide in His love.  Koinonia is a way of life for Jesus, and He is life for us.  If this description of fellowship makes you uncomfortable, good!  It is a grace completely foreign to our natural selves, yet an imperative if we will grow and mature in following Jesus and lead others to Him.  To walk in fellowship with God and one another is a call for all Christians, and God help us to joyfully do our part.  True fellowship is only something God can give.  If you are looking for "fellowship" primarily from a church or people, you're looking in the wrong place.  Once you have fellowship with God then you can have fellowship with others, and God will supply genuine koinonia for the church through you.

Coffee and Church Snobs

Among Christians, "the church" can have a bad rap.  There are "coffee snobs," and there are church snobs.  Unlike coffee snobs who know where good coffee can be found, church snobs resembling connoisseurs seem unable to find a church where they fit.  Like the Pharisees these have an amazing ability to find fault where there is really no fault at all.  Local churches which comprise the universal body of Christ may not be attractive to a visitor, just like a unique nose on a man's face could not be called particularly handsome. But it is the nose he has been born with, and it suits him just fine for smelling.  Church snobs embrace a role similar to an eager plastic surgeon looking for clients, happy to offer opinions how appearances could be improved.  One difference between plastic surgeons and church snobs are church snobs typically do not have a list of churches who have offered glowing reviews and endorsements of their services.

The church is compared in scripture to a building comprised of living stones which are people built on the foundation of Jesus through faith in Him.  It is also compared to to a body in where Christ is the head,  and people make up the diverse members and functions of the body.  To view "the church" as an organisation yet forgetting it is fundamentally a living organism birthed and sustained by God is a grave mistake.  It is more than structure but filled with breath, life, and light by the living God.  Human beings are much more than skeletons but living, thinking, speaking flesh.  God has placed unique personalities within all people, and because of our own human peculiarity we may find some personalities refreshing but others taxing.  Perhaps this is how it is with individual churches as well.  It is more than meetings, schedules, doctrine, and decor.  Every person and every church has a history, style, appearance, and feel all its own.  Pastors and parishioners alike through the transforming love of Christ make a church what it is.

I have heard people apologetically or boastfully claim coffee snob status, but to date I have never heard a church snob admit they are one.  Coffee snobs are all about barista skills, quality coffee, and enjoying the atmosphere of their preferred cafe.  They are receivers, consumers, looking to soak up the ambience.  Church snobs are very much the same, viewing a church like a person looking critically and wincing at the sheer ugliness of a man's nose.  Now a man cannot help the nose he was given at birth, but at least he can keep it wiped clean.  So it should be with church.  A man is grateful for a loving person who quietly alerts him to his dripping nose so it can be washed and be presentable, but to criticise his nose is to criticise the One who made him.  That is the error of what I  call the church snob.  Instead of criticism a contribution of grace would be most conducive to Christian fellowship.

When we commit to following Jesus, our responsibility before God is to cultivate intimate, regular fellowship with other Christians.  Church snobs seem to forget this, preferring their own convictions and company.  A critical and divisive spirit may lead to scathingly amusing cafe reviews, but it is murder on the body of Christ - and for the graceless soul from which it springs.  Instead of looking to receive, a humble servant of God seeks to give and contribute to the health of all through obedience to Jesus.  Instead of pointing out deficiencies, we are called to meet needs through Christ's sufficiency.  There should be a commitment to love believers made from the same stuff as our commitment to follow Jesus before we rebuke or chastise others.  How about sharing the love, mercy, and grace of God with others as you have freely received from God?  Out of His mercy God has maintained a relationship with us though we are undeserving:  how about happily sticking it out with others who love Jesus, contributing grace and being patient in the process?  Choose to learn to love others in the church, even when it seems impossible.  Then you will know it is God's love in you and not your own.