The Sanctifying Journey

In the Australian show Kath and Kim, on occasions Kim referred to her husband as a "pants man," which is Aussie slang to convey he was promiscuous.  She always said it as a matter of immutable fact, as if there is no possible way Brett could change--that his dalliances were indicative of a character trait so fundamental to his nature the only option was to accept it.  In regards to the show, Kim's husband was unable to change his ways, similar to how a leopard cannot change his spots.  As born again Christians, however, we have all experienced the transformation Jesus brings to our lives.  God fundamentally changes who we are by spiritual regeneration, and He frees us from bondage to sin.

There are aspects of our personality and character that are not in themselves sinful, and I believe God is able and desires to change these natural tendencies as well.  One trait I have observed in myself is I tend to be a "destination" person, focused on completing a task without any appreciation of the journey at all--especially if there are delays, obstacles or setbacks.  I have observed God in the Bible as being One who redeems long, time-consuming journeys of sanctification.  Jesus was not in a hurry like I can be; God does not expedite troubles or immediately bring resolution.  He allows the righteous to suffer for a long season, and He allows the wicked to prosper for decades.  While I look for the satisfaction of a job done, God is doing a job through the process that is greater and better than my efforts and aims.

Over time the LORD has opened my eyes to the benefits of relishing the journey as well as accomplishing a task.  I believe I appreciate my journeys more than I used to, but I confess I still tend to want to just reach the destination as quickly as I can to move on to what I would rather do.  Rather than being disappointed with my lack of progress, I am encouraged the LORD opened my eyes to realise the benefit of the journey and my desire and intention to appreciate the journey more.  Even in this journey patience from the LORD is required to keep from giving up when change does not come easy.  Knowing God has created me to be me is coupled with the knowledge He wants to transform me too--and He has the power to do in all aspects of my personality and character by His grace.

Because God is good, the sanctifying changes God desires to accomplish in our lives are also for our good.  Life is trying and change is hard, but Jesus promises His disciples His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  Let us be patient with the changes God is doing in others and humble ourselves to walk in His grace as He changes us.  Has it ever occurred to you God desires to change how you naturally are--even concerning personality traits that are not expressly sinful in themselves--to lead you to humble yourself, know Him, rely on Him and resemble Him more?  Do not lose heart when progress is painfully slow or when you suffer setbacks, for God is with us on this sanctifying journey He has masterfully designed.  Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"

New Spiritual Wardrobe

Deciding what clothes to wear can be a quick and easy for some people, and for others it resembles an arduous chore.  I suspect if we are looking for comfy clothes to wear around the house or clothes for work it is easier than finding suitable clothes for a fancy formal or party.  Such occasions can overwhelm us and suddenly we exclaim, "I have nothing to wear!" though our closet and chests of drawers are full of clothes, shoes and accessories.  We feel a twinge of horror to go to a luxurious event with a dress code without wearing something new.  Praise the LORD God provides His own righteousness to clothe us when we enter into His presence for eternity, for our best works are filthy rags by comparison.

David sang in Psalm 30:11-12, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, ¹² to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."  What an exchange God offered David, for his mourning was turned into dancing in the presence of the LORD.  David credited God for putting off his sackcloth and clothing him with gladness.  I suspect David did not rejoice in painful and sorrowful circumstances of his past, but by faith in God and His goodness he was enabled to rejoice in God presently moving forward.  Wearing sackcloth was a strong statement of grief and mourning, rough clothes worn to proclaim great depth of sorrow.  God was not cruel or unkind to remove David's sackcloth, for the LORD would not leave him naked and exposed:  God clothed David with gladness.

God gave David a choice and capacity he did not possess on his own in the midst of sorrow and mourning, for the LORD divinely, miraculously provided David a change of clothing.  Putting on clothes is merely an external exercise that cannot change the person, yet laying aside sackcloth and donning gladness was a result of an inner work by faith in God.  This prompts questions we ought to consider personally:  should we continue to mourn our past or what is lost when we can praise God for His presence today?  Should we perpetually mourn for ourselves over what we cannot change when God draws near to change us and make us more like Him?  Do we believe God is able to turn our loses and griefs into net gains we would not trade for the world through His love, grace and mercy?  David could have clung to his sackcloth, yet he welcomed the joyous change God ushered into His life.

Did you see God's purpose in turning David's mourning into dancing, putting off sackcloth and clothing him with gladness?  It was to the end that David's glory would sing praise to God and give thanks to the LORD forever.  The Messiah was anointed for this purpose in Isaiah 61:3:  "To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."  Hebrews 1:9 says Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness more than His fellows, and being born again by faith in Jesus means we are of God and have more than consolation--but oil of joy in exchange for mourning and the clothing of praise for the spirit of heaviness--so He might be glorified.  This is the new spiritual wardrobe God has provided us as His children, and it is our choice if we will gladly wear it.

God's Unexpected Ways

During a morning walk before dawn I prayed the LORD would speak to me, and He did in a most unexpected way.  It wasn't long after I saw a woman jogging towards me, and I moved to the edge of the footpath to make as much room as possible.  What happened next was in slow motion:  my toe clipped the edge of the slab of concrete (which had heaved from a mature tree) and after a couple of stumbling steps I sprawled onto the footpath in a heap.  I can't remember the last time diving onto concrete, but it was a good reminder to keep stumbles and falls to a minimum.

The jogger stopped and asked if I was ok, and I said I was fine as I popped up on my feet, relieved no bones were broken.  Apart from grazes on my hand and leg, I jogged away relatively unscathed.  What struck me is that even though I was able to stand up unassisted, it was kind of the woman to pause and ask if I was ok after seeing me fall.  I imagine me falling looked hilarious, but her instinctive inquiry about my wellbeing was a gesture I appreciated.  Then I considered how automatic my response was, that if it was at all possible to stand up without assistance, that was my preference.  My instinct would be to stand on a broken foot or leg if it was at all possible and "walk it off," not even calling for a ride.

What happened on the footpath today was insightful concerning when someone falls spiritually into sin or stumbles into depression.  As an observer we may not want to ask if others are ok lest we embarrass them or draw unwanted attention to the fact we noticed.  The one who falls may be incapable of rising and still wave the observer on, not willing for others to slow down or stop on their account.  The good Samaritan in the parable drew near to the man who was beaten and left for dead, and given the background between Jews and Samaritans perhaps the wounded man only received help because he was physically unable to refuse it.  Speaking for myself, have room to grow both expressing care for those who are down and also willingness to receive help after I have fallen down.

Another thought that came from today's incident was how God can use our embarrassing and painful experiences to teach us and others.  There are always good lessons to be learned from our fails, and the fact I am around to speak about it tells me it could have been much worse.  I can praise God for guarding my bones, and the fall prompts me to be seeking God earnestly who can keep me from stumbling--physically and spiritually.  What we learn from a fall can be more valuable for our character and spiritual growth than walking without ever stumbling.  See how God can redeem a painful, awkward situation for good?

Heart Like Sand

One detractors of going to the beach is no matter what we do, we seem to bring back much of the beach home with us!  Even after a thorough rinse and shaking off sand, sand ultimately will show up in the car, between toes, in wetsuits and on the tiles at home.  The fine and clinging nature of sand enables it to stick to skin and embed in fabrics, and thus it is difficult to shake off.  Some don't mind this at all, as it is a small trade-off for the sun, waves and fun of the beach.

As I considered the properties of sand at the beach, I remembered what God did for Solomon at his request in 1 Kings 4:29:  "And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore."  God gave Solomon divine wisdom, vast understanding and "largeness of heart" compared to sand on the seashore.  Solomon was given wisdom that was carried away by all who came in contact with him, for the Queen of Sheba in a distant land heard of the wisdom of Solomon.  She was so intrigued by the report she travels a long way to visit Solomon in person.

The heart today is often connected with love, affection and care.  Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing for the hearts of Christians to be massive like sand on the seashore, that whenever people came in contact with us they couldn't help but have the wisdom and love of Jesus stick to them?  Sand is gritty and abrasive, and wisdom can have this impact on the minds of others--like a rock in the shoe that gets the attention of the conscience.  To have a heart filled with love that generously offers it to everyone is even more pleasant  and impactful than the greatest beach holiday.  People may not agree with our convictions, outlook or beliefs, but may God's love through us be embedded in every conversation and interaction.

The beach has an endless supply of sand, and by God's grace Christians have an endless supply of love and grace.  As the beach is generous with sand to all who visit, so we ought to be with God's love towards strangers, friends and family.  It is a blessed thing to realise we truly love people who came to church for a season or even for one service, to genuinely care about a stranger on a bus or someone we conversed with on a pier.  No Christian is the source of this great love, as if we are naturally kind and gracious people:  it is not of us, for it is Christ in us.  May the LORD grant us wisdom and largeness of heart like sand on the beach so all will know Christ's glorious fame.

Growth in Grace

After being born again by faith in Jesus, Paul desired to know Jesus, the power of Christ's resurrection, and the fellowship of Christ's sufferings by being conformed to His death.  This was God's will for Paul and all believers, and Paul also acknowledged this sanctifying pursuit remained a work in progress in his life as he wrote in Philippians 3:12:  "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me."  As Paul pursued Christ by faith and obedience, the finish line remained ahead of him.  Paul did not speak as someone who had crossed the line and now had advice for fellow disciples:  he continued to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus by grace.

As a Pharisee, Paul had arrived:  he had achieved in obtaining a rare position of honour and influence among the most respected elders in Jewish society.  Legalism can offer this superficial status, yet a relationship with God leads us by His grace.  Grace is what makes Christianity distinct from religions and authoritarian cultures in the world.  I like Philip Yancy's comments concerning Leo Tolstoy in his book What's So Amazing About Grace?:

"Tolstoy drew a contrast between Jesus' approach and that of all other religions:

The test of observance of external religious teachings is whether or not our conduct conforms with their decrees [Observe the Sabbath.  Get circumcised.  Tithe.]  Such conformity is indeed possible.

 The test of observance of Christ's teachings is our consciousness of our failure to attain an ideal perfection.  The degree to which we draw near this perfection cannot be seen; all we can see is the extent of our deviation.

A man who professes an external law is like someone standing in the light of a lantern fixed to a post.  It is light all round him, but there is nowhere further for him to walk.  A man who professes the teaching of Christ is like a man carrying a lantern before him on a long, or not so long, pole:  the light is in front of him, always lighting up fresh ground and always encouraging him to walk further.

In other words, the proof of spiritual maturity is not how "pure" you are but awareness of your impurity.  That very awareness opens the door to grace." (Yancey, Philip. What’s so Amazing about Grace? Zondervan, 1997. pages 197-198)

The Light of the World Jesus Christ, coupled with the illumination of the Holy Spirit and God's word, continually guides us in our pursuit of Jesus in a relationship governed by His love and grace.  Because Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life we receive definite guidance for our lives and personal convictions we should hold to--without setting up an arbitrary standard before which others must submit to be acceptable.  Legalism leads to bondage, self-righteousness and condemnation of others, while Jesus provides a whole new way of living that makes us free indeed.  It is a harder way (because it requires faith in God), but an infinitely better and fulfilling way where genuine spiritual growth is possible by God's grace we all desperately need.

Blaming God?

"Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; ¹² for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision."

Galatians 2:11-12

When things are wrong, our natural inclination is to determine what was the cause or who was to blame.  This can be done with various motivations:  to pin blame on others and excuse ourselves, in the aim to identify the problem to avoid repeating it going forward, to confirm what we predicted indeed came to pass, and the list goes on.  Because we often have vested interest in where blame is placed and insistent to avoid being blamed, we may blame others wrongly.  Adam attempted to shift the blame of his disobedience to Eve, and Eve sidestepped the accusation to blame the serpent.  I included Paul's testimony of Peter's hypocrisy because it demonstrates there are occasions where a person (even apostles!) can be rightly blamed for doing wrong.

While people are sometimes worthy of blame, the righteous God and Creator of all things is never to be blamed--because He cannot do wrong and blame implies having a fault.  God can be blamed in the sense that people may disagree with Him, but based on the good, perfect character of God, all condemnation and censure of Him is without any sound basis.  Skeptics and unbelievers will not accept this and likely would accuse those any make this claim as biased, yet I would counter it is a view based on knowledge and experience.  In the Paul and Peter example, Jews who observed the Law of Moses believed Peter's behaviour was right and justifiable, but after Paul's eyes had been opened by faith in Christ and born again he was able to see the situation clearly.

I remember a chat with a teenage girl during a camp years ago when she confided her concern that troubles and difficulties were "pushing her away" from God.  In a sense, she was blamed God for painful circumstances in her life, for feeling rejected.  While I sympathised with the girl's struggles, God was not to be blamed for her response to trouble.  Her situation was revealing of a heart that was not trusting God or seeking Him.  She viewed trials and pains as attacks from God against her when He was using them to draw her to Himself.  The testimony of scripture shows God allows trials and troubles to prompt those who trust and fear Him to seek Him, for God never pushes people away:  it is people who turn from God.  For those who believe God heals and saves, trouble prompts us to seek Him earnestly rather than depart from Him.

The almighty God is a redeemer and saviour of all who cry out to Him.  David sang in Psalm 25:15-16, "My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. ¹⁶ Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted."  See the confidence David had God would deliver him from the net and would be merciful to him.  David admitted he felt desolate and was afflicted, yet he acknowledged God was his only possible source of hope and help.  When we are tempted to blame God or feel victimised, our eyes ought to look to the LORD who looks to show Himself strong on behalf of all those whose hearts are loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  For our sin we are to be blamed, and the glorious, gracious God is merciful to forgive even the trespass of wrongly blaming Him when we repent.

An Evil Generation

In his book Street Smarts on page 187, Gregory Koukl gives the advice to Christians, "Never read a Bible verse."  His point is not to say you or others should avoid reading the Bible, but to emphasise one verse often does not provide necessary context to accurately interpret and apply God's wisdom.  Solomon said in Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment."  One can also observe a tendency of what happens when a single verse is isolated, for it can easily be wrenched from the context to undermines the message of the whole Bible.  Following the flow of ideas helps us safely navigate around sharp rocks of supposed contradictions.

In the Bible study last night at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we discussed the latter half of Matthew 12 when Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Satan.  Jesus immediate refuted this falsehood logically, for a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.  Jesus continued His discourse against the unbelieving, evil generation who were eyewitnesses of countless signs and miracles Jesus did, and in response demanded He do another sign when they would only make more excuses not to believe He was the Christ.  It wasn't that these dishonest "seekers" lacked evidence necessary for belief, but the fact was they were unwilling to submit to Jesus as Saviour.  They loved themselves and their sin more than Him.

In response to a request for a sign Matthew 12:39-40 says, "But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  Jesus pointed to the miraculous survival of Jonah in the belly of the great fish as a sign that pointed to His future resurrection from the dead three days after His crucifixion and death.  For 40 days Jesus continued to appear and speak with His disciples until His ascension.  The Ninevites would rise in judgment of the evil and adulterous generation because they repented at the word of Jonah.  Jesus was greater than Jonah but His hearers refused to admit wrong.  The queen of Sheba would also rise in judgment of the evil generation because she travelled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon.  Jesus was greater than Solomon and came to them all the way from heaven, but they refused to hear Him.

Matthew 12:43-45 concluded the remarks of Jesus concerning that generation, and He went back to the subject of casting out demons:  "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."  Jesus cast out many demons, sweeping clean hearts and lives from demonic influence.  Jesus came to Israel and "cleaned house" spiritually, even cleansing the temple from moneychangers on two occasions.  Notice the final statement of Jesus that connects the last state of the man to be worse than the first:  "So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

The generation that would not believe Jesus was the Son of David when He cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit, that refused to believe Jesus was the Christ after He rose from the dead following His crucifixion, the last state of that generation would be worst than the first.  We catch a glimpse of what Jesus meant when we observe the condition of the temple:  He cleansed it once at the beginning of His ministry, again before His crucifixion, and the next time the temple was cleansed around 40 years later the Romans swept it completely off the temple mount with fire.  The last state of an evil and adulterous generation--which can apply to the eternal state--points to eternal destruction due to willful unbelief.  The Jewish nation being occupied and subdued by the Romans was terribly oppressive but a very little thing compared to unbelieving souls who are slaves to sin and pride who will suffer the second death forever apart from Christ.

Praise the LORD there is hope for deliverance, forgiveness and salvation for all who turn to Jesus Christ today!  As Jesus proclaimed earlier in Matthew 12, Jesus is greater than the temple revered by the Jews; Jesus is also the LORD of the Sabbath the Jewish nation fastidiously observed and served.  Isn't Jesus more worthy to be revered, served and obeyed than a building or a day?  The penalty for breaking the Law of Moses at times was death, but the penalty for trampling the blood of Jesus underfoot and treating His sacrifice as an unholy thing is worthy of eternal punishment forever (Hebrews 10:26-29).  When we sinners receive the Gospel the curse of sin is lifted by Jesus Christ, and the natural order is overturned by faith in Jesus:  the last state of believers is infinitely better than the first.  This is the LORD's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

Washed By the Word

While on staff at a church years ago, I remember observing the way people vacuumed the carpet.  Most of the time people employed what I will call the "search and destroy" method, targeting bits of obvious rubbish that littered the floor--bits of paper or thread, food crumbs, or soils that dropped from shoes.  Since I was the one who emptied the vacuum bags, I knew the majority of the bag's contents were nothing that could be easily seen.  The full bags were predominantly filled with fine dust, sand and hair.  The purpose of the vacuum was not to make carpet appear clean, but to agitate the carpet fibers and remove soils one could not see beneath the surface.

Knowing this principle of vacuum operation, I believed (and still believe) it is best to vacuum all the carpet and not merely target obvious debris.  I also observed people using an upright vacuum with an internal roll brush like one would use a lawn mower, walking behind it using a continuous forward pass rather than back and forth with overlapping strokes.  It may be easier to quickly walk behind a heavy, upright vacuum as one would a lawn mower because the moving roll helps pull it forward.  By virtue of the design, upright vacuums can agitate fibers and clean more effectively with a slower pull.  If all one cares about is brush marks in the carpet, pushing it forward quickly achieves this result.  But if your purpose and intent is to rid the carpet of hidden soils, it will require more time and overlapping passes.

It occurred to me today that we can approach God's word like we are vacuuming, searching for quick wisdom we can easily gather on the surface.  We breeze through a chapter or pages like a person pushing a vacuum, focussed on speedily covering the carpet with brush marks to move on to the next task or activity--when God has given His word for other purposes altogether.  God's word is living and powerful, intended to reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts.  In light of God's law we see the inner filth of our hearts revealed and our need for God's cleansing and renewal; we are shocked by the unbelief, pride and selfishness that lies hidden within.  The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment, and God's word guides us to judge ourselves lest we be condemned.

God intends His word to have a cleansing effect upon our minds, hearts and conduct as Paul wrote in 

Ephesians 5:25-27:  "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."  We are called to embrace our sanctification Jesus Christ does through the "washing of water by the word" so the whole church might be presented to him "holy and without blemish."  Getting wet is not the same as washing.  Effective washing often involves clean water with pressure, detergent, friction, agitation and rinsing.  Whatever requires cleansing once will need washing again--like cars, clothes or bodies after exercise, working in the yard, or international travel.

There are likely people who wash their clothes, bodies and faces more often than being "washed in the water of the word" because it deals with spiritual matters of the heart that are not so easily seen--though the conditions of our hearts can be evidenced by what we think, say and do.  Let us not be as little children that cannot see the point of bathing because we recently washed, without comprehension of our need for cleansing.  Be in the word, Christian, knowing the way we approach the scripture makes a difference.  Let us read believing with a heart to obey, and submit ourselves to the cleansing flow of God's word in our inmost being.  Only the LORD can create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us, and His word is an indispensable part of the process.

Count It All Joy

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

James 1:2-3

Verses like these demonstrate how profound our need is for God's word, for God's ways are often a stark contrast to our expectations and reactions.  Even though Christians have been born again by faith in Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, when we face trials and tribulations we see them as foreign intruders rather than friendly visitors (1 Peter 4:12-13).  Various trials are not in themselves good, yet the child of God can rest knowing God is able to redeem and use them all for good.  He can take troubling, pressure-packed circumstances to exercise our faith and work to make us more like Him.

As the beloved family of God we can be joyful in the midst of various trials, and James explained one purpose of trials God allows:  the testing of our faith produces patience.  Blessed are those who endure  by faith in Jesus without losing heart.  Patience, we are told by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5, is a fruit of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  Experiencing trials, coupled with presence of the Holy Spirit, produces patience when we obey God to count it all joy.  I think it was Alan Redpath who connected our personal spiritual growth with our obedience to God in a sermon, and this is true.  Knowing what is right is not as important as doing what is right for the right reasons--in joyful obedience to God.

It is instructive that James says, "count it all joy" because our joy is not to be based on how we feel about things, something subjective.  We could call it Christian maths, a thought process as simple and straightforward as adding and subtracting whole numbers.  When we fall into various trials--tests that challenge us, difficulties that trouble us--we are to count it all joy.  Through the lens of God's word, we can view trials like when a corporate executive is pleased to receive a monetary bonus for meeting benchmarks that will boost his savings or allow him to afford travel.  Patience and wisdom for a Christian are not like a dream holiday that never eventuates, for trials are a vehicle God uses to help our lives produce these good, godly qualities.

The testing of our faith is more than an one-off exam we pass or fail but are tests designed by God that put our faith under stress to strengthen it through exercise.  No one can avoid the trials God allows, but we can count it all joy facing them knowing the testing of our faith produces patience.  If we do not count it all joy, it may be we are content with our current low-level of patience rather than trusting God has better plans in mind so we might grow.  If I could only grasp that the way I go through a trial impacts the lasting end result of a trial, that the redemptive aspects are bettered by my exercise of faith by obedience or hindered by my refusal to trust God to count it all joy knowing God is determined to produce patience in my life.

I have heard people quip (in jest) that praying for patience is an invitation to fall into various trials, and thus one ought to think carefully in praying that.  This is a foolish notion and a bad joke.  Consider what the next verse says in James 1:4:  "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  Those who shrink from trials that produce patience in our lives will continue to lack what God promises to supply by His grace.  God's plan is for us to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  Isn't that what we want for our lives--what God wants?  Since that is the case, let us learn to count it all joy to fall into various trials, for the testing of our faith produces patience which labours within us perfectly to make us perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  Isn't it amazing God uses various trials we hate and would rather avoid at any cost to provide us patience beyond price? 

Kept from My Iniquity

"I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity."

Psalm 18:23

In Psalm 18, David affirmed the rewards God gives those who are righteous before Him, and Christians are accounted as righteous by faith in Jesus Christ.  No Christian is a perfect person.  By virtue of being a Christian, it is an public acknowledgment of being a sinner and needing a Saviour.  David said he was blameless before God, and he kept himself from his iniquity.  This dynamic is very insightful for God's people to understand--how we are drawn away by our own lust, and when we are enticed to satisfy lust it conceives and brings forth sin which results in death (James 1:13-15).

Jesus has cleansed Christians by providing atonement by shedding His own blood, and though believers are completely forgiven of sin we continue to live in physical bodies that have been corrupted by sin.  We have been born again and given new hearts, yet living in a body of flesh in a fallen world with ever-scheming Satan prowling around means temptation persists.  Having our sins forgiven does not mean our minds are wiped from memories or that our bodies suddenly lose all fleshly appetites.  As drips of water over time can wear away stone, so sinful suggestions and temptations can wear down the believer's resolve:  our minds remember what we would rather forget, and our flesh hungers for selfish satisfaction of its senses.  Joseph was pestered by Potiphar's wife, and youthful lusts can seductively beckon the most august saint.

David said he kept himself from his sin, sin that was harboured in his heart and members, sin that lies dormant and keen to awaken like weeds that spring up when conditions are hospitable.  To avoid the stirring of our desire coupled with opportunistic action, we might prefer to live in a perpetual spiritual winter where snow blankets the ground and weeds cannot possibly grow.  Yet the frozen earth of winter means there can be no cultivation of crops and no fruitfulness.  God has wisely employed a cycle of seasons with a time for every purpose under heaven.  A season of cultivation, growth and bountiful harvest does allow for unwelcome weeds that shoot up and propagate unless they are quickly uprooted.  Similar to what we observe in nature, prime times of spiritual growth can also include opportunity for sin to spout and spread.

The child of God must remain vigilant to keep God's ways, remember His judgments, keep ourselves from iniquity, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to be faithful witness of Jesus.  Having been forgiven, cleansed of guilt and born again, we are to guard our hearts and labour to remain pure from our defilements that corrupt us from within.  David did not only keep himself from iniquity, but his iniquity.  It was not "sin" in a general sense but specific and personal iniquity that arose in his own heart and mind, the natural tendency of his human frame to lead him away from obedience to God and feed the flesh.  Knowing we are kept by God who loves us and who demonstrated this by giving us His only begotten Son Jesus, we ought to keep ourselves from our iniquity.  By God's strength and grace, we can.

Triggers Aren't the Problem

A word that has increased in popularity and use lately is "triggered."  It suggests something heard, seen or experienced has stirred a strong response within a person, an arousal of memories or feelings from past trauma.  In keeping with mankind's tendencies that go back to the Garden of Eden, it places blame on what others do rather than taking personal responsibility for our responses.  It puts on the onus on others to avoid a minefield of our potential "triggers" because of the volatile reactions that will certainly result--and justify by blaming anyone but ourselves.  The idea is others are guilty of "triggering us," and we ought not be responsible for our reaction.

Those who embrace the term "triggered" to justify violent outbursts do well to consider how triggers in firearms work.  When a live round is chambered, the safety is taken off and the trigger of a gun is pulled, an incredibly fast chain reaction begins:  the hammer strikes the primer in the casing which ignites powder that propels the projectile from the muzzle of the firearm at great speed.  In a semi-automatic firearm, the spent casing is ejected and another round automatically loaded.  Another pull of the trigger is required to fire the next shot, and this process can be completed until the magazine is empty.  Pulls of the trigger at that stage results in no further rounds being fired.

When people find themselves "triggered," rather than trying to eliminate potential triggers a person is better served to ensure they are not like a loaded gun with the safety off.  When there are no bullets in a gun, it cannot fire and poses no risk to the shooter or others:  only a quiet "click" results when the trigger is pulled.  Nothing happens.  Should we find ourselves triggered, it says something about the condition of our hearts.  Keeping the ammunition separate from the gun, installing a trigger lock, ensuring the safety is on and the firearm placed in a gun safe prevents accidental shootings, injuries and deaths.  The trouble is, there is no safety on human hearts, minds and mouths.  We can be like loaded firearms with a hair-trigger, almost wanting to go off on everything that bothers and annoys us.

The wonderful thing is those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ are no longer at the mercy of how we feel, past trauma or experiences.  Jesus is our Saviour who makes us new creations in Him and gives rest, healing and perfect peace to those who trust Him.  His love, protection and mercy has a disarming effect upon the violence, hate and murder that festers in our hearts.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, our new inclination is to humble ourselves before God than to lash out at others.  1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."  A firearm without live ammunition can shoot no bullets, and God is able to put a safety on all triggers.  As recipients of His mercy, we are no longer at the mercy of what is out of our control.

From a biblical viewpoint, avoiding triggers does nothing to solve our problems:  we ought to keep live ammunition out of the chamber by casting our cares on God in faith.  As we ought to keep firearms in a locked safe or holstered with the safety on, we ought to refuse to take shots at others when we must address the proud, violent and hateful tendencies that reside in our own hearts.  Being reminded is not the same as being triggered, and being mindful of God's love for us we are comforted and find rest--not agitation and trouble without end.

Our Stubborn Way

"And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way."

Judges 2:19

A student of the Bible ought to be a careful observer of words and their meaning.  Since God has chosen to communicate with people through His written word, it remains a primary way of effectively communicating with others.  Confusion and consternation is caused when the definition of a word used does not agree with how others define it.  Over time the meaning of words can change and some of the intrinsic implications can erode, and it is beneficial to retain the original definition of words when they have been hijacked by modern sensibilities or through ignorance.  And I am not speaking about Hebrew or Greek, for the working knowledge of our own language lays a solid foundation of understanding that can be built upon.

Even as muscles atrophy from lack of use, the definition of words can become flabby and weak.  Meaning once clearly conveyed can be slowly lost over time.  While studying Judges recently, I happened upon the word "stubborn" several times, and I looked into how it is defined and the way it is used in the Bible.  I have heard people call others stubborn as a negative trait, and the same person can use the same term to refer to themselves in a positive sense.  As is typical with words, there is a range of definitions to filter through.  The Cambridge Dictionary defines "stubborn" without passing judgment:  "A stubborn person is determined to do what he or she wants and refuses to do anything else."  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary is a bit stronger:  "Unreasonably obstinate; inflexibly fixed in opinion; not to be moved or persuaded by reasons."  The word is described as "refractory" which means, "Sullen or perverse in opposition or disobedience; obstinate in non-compliance."

Looking at the word "stubborn" from a biblical perspective, it is always spoken of in a negative sense and is often coupled with rebellion.  While people may use the word stubborn to indicate a person who is resolute, steadfast, perseverant and persistent--all good traits when applied to doing what is right--the Bible does not use it in this sense.  "Stubborn" is a good description of people determined to go their own way; it is one who is unreasonable and will not be persuaded by any evidence.   Biblically speaking, someone who is stubborn will not submit to God or His correction and remains unwilling to listen to or be moved by Him.  Psalm 78:8 says it indicates one whose heart is not right, disloyal to God and unfaithful to Him.  Deuteronomy 21:18-21 shows under Mosaic Law a stubborn and rebellious son who persisted in disobedience, who refused to be corrected of gluttony and drunkenness despite discipline, was to be brought to the elders and face the death penalty "...to put away the evil from you, and all Israel shall hear and fear."

So the next time you refer to someone else or yourself as stubborn, consider the biblical implications of this word.  It may be a badge of honour among some to be stubborn, but to me it conveys foolishness and rebellion against God I want no part of.  Knowing how the Bible speaks of stubbornness also makes me careful not to flippantly brand others of being stubborn.  In using this word I will yield to the perspective of Scripture, lest God show me to be stubborn myself--full of my own thoughts and ways with no consideration of Him.  Blessed are those who are persuaded by God's word and yield to Him, for He is truth and wisdom.

God's Pure Word

The Bible has richness and depth as the living word of God that speaks to our hearts.  Psalm 12:6-7 says, "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ⁷ You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation forever."  When people slanderously claim the Bible has been corrupted, it is a direct attack upon God, His truth and His ability to do what all He promises.  Jesus said the heavens and earth will pass away, yet God's word will never pass away.  Even as God is holy and preserves His redeemed people forever, so he will preserve His word from those who try in vain to attack, dismiss or undermine it.

In Amos 3, the LORD through the prophet asked a series of rhetorical questions that generally all would be answered "no."  For instance, Amos 3:5 reads:  "Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?"  How could a bird fall into a net if the trap was not prepared or there was no bait?  Hunters are confident snares do not trip themselves, and if the trap was sprung he would be confident either a person or animal was responsible.  After asking seven of these questions, Amos 3:7 provides the point God was making with complete confidence:  "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets."

God's faithful character to communicate with His people is seen throughout the Bible.  Genesis 18:17-18 provides an example:  "And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, ¹⁸ since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"  The problem is not that God has remained silent but people seldom believe or heed what He has said.  He told Adam before temptation came the day he ate of the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden he would surely die, yet Adam chose to listen to his wife and the serpent who claimed eating the fruit imparted divine status.  Had Adam believed and listened to God, he would not have considered a single bite.  While God has not told us all things (for we are not able to receive all due to our limited understanding) God has communicated everything we need to know through the Bible, and in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2).

Before His crucifixion Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:15, "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."  God's word has been carefully preserved from corruption by God, and He remains faithful to speak to His people who will hear and obey Him.  The angel wisely said to John in Revelation 19:10, "...worship God:  for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  How blessed we are to have the pure word of God in our possession, and no lies, slander or scoffing can pollute it.  As God's people by faith in Jesus, let us be those who treasure God's word by keeping it.  He has preserved it pure, and may our lives reflect the purity of our Saviour Jesus.

God Said So

There is no book like the Bible, a book read, studied and discussed more than any other.  The profound revelations of God's word has provoked deep thoughts, careful consideration and personal introspection.  Over the storied history of thousands years of existence, I can hardly appreciate the immeasurable, positive impact the Scriptures have had on the lives of people and nations.  Because God's thoughts are not our thoughts nor His ways our ways, there are difficult passages which are hard to understand.  By faith in God who has revealed Himself, when faced with verses beyond our understanding, our thirst for knowledge is satiated by returning to what we can know about God beyond doubt.

In Yancey's What's So Amazing about Grace?, he mentioned a persistent question many people have had over the years and ways people tried to answer it:  how God decided which foods were clean and unclean under Mosaic Law.

"God's brief explanation allows much room for interpretation, and scholars have long debated the reasons behind the reason.  Some have pointed out the health benefits of the Levitical laws.  The ban against pork removed the threat of trichinosis, and a ban against shellfish kept the Israelites safe from the viruses sometimes found in oysters and mussels.  Others note that many of the forbidden animals are scavengers, feeding on carrion.  Still others observe that specific laws seem directed against the customs of the Israelites' pagan neighbors...Anthropologist Mary Douglas goes further, noting that in each case God forbids animals that show an anomaly." (Yancey, Philip. What’s so Amazing about Grace? Zondervan, 1997. page 149)

While these interpretations may have their merits, it is important to acknowledge what other Bible passages have to say on the subject.  Paul, a man raised observing the dietary requirements of the Law of Moses, after coming to Christ in faith said in 1 Timothy 4:4-5:  "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵ for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."  Paul says on God's authority every creature of God is good, having been created by Him.  Even food offered to idols did not physically or contaminate the eater who ate by thanksgiving to God.  The uncleanness exposed by the Law was not particular animals, but took aim to expose the uncleanness of the human heart, our tendency to lean on our own understanding rather than walking by faith and obedience to God.  God did not provide the reasons He deemed some animals clean and others unclean--which can seem arbitrary to us.

Yet we know God does not do anything arbitrarily; He has purposes and plans in what He chooses to do and not do.  If we as parents are justified to tell our children right from wrong because we say so, shouldn't we allow God this latitude without us questioning Him or making our submission contingent on our agreement with His reasons given for why?  If God wanted to tell us why He certainly could have, and perhaps the distinction of clean and unclean animals was merely His means showing the uncleanness in humans who question, doubt and disobey Him rather than simply believing and obeying Him.  The New Testament shows this is the primary purpose of Law, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  It was never the pork or shellfish that were the problems in themselves:  the problem God's Law exposed was the unbelief, pride and selfishness in the human heart.

When I consider the Law of Moses and any passage that seems arbitrary, Proverbs 3:5-6 holds forth a principle that was relevant for Jews under Law and relevant for all today who are in Christ by faith:  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  In God's wisdom He did not explain everything or the reasons behind all His commands, and in doing so mankind was given a choice to trust God or lean on our own understanding.  Those who know and trust God are blessed beyond measure, for He is with us and shall direct our paths.

Stint on the Sideline

When my dad lived in Michigan as a teen, he suffered a broken femur during a game of "king of the hill" in the snow.  The object of the game was to stand on a heap of snow and fend off everyone else who wrestled their way to the top.  People teamed up to overthrow the present "king," and when my dad fell in a tumble of bodies his leg snapped near his hip.  Because of the location of the break, he was hospitalised and in traction for nearly two months as his bone mended.

Though an injury sidelined my dad, he came out of hospital much stronger than he went in.  There wasn't much to do with his whole leg in a plaster cast suspended in the air, but he discovered he could do pull-ups on the traction equipment.  He missed out on playing and working for months because of the leg break, yet his focus was not on what happened or that he wasn't able to be where he wanted to be:  he put in hard work through exercise because of where he was heading.  When he walked back into class the following year, he looked like a different person and ready to take on anyone.

This is a good illustration for those who feel like they have been sidelined from what was enjoyable, and it wasn't your choice.  It could be through an injury, condition, having a baby, moving house, being let go from a job, or breakdown of a close personal relationship.  It is easy when things happen that were never our choice to lose heart, to focus on who broke our leg or ruined our lives, to fixate on what has happened rather than where we are and where we are heading.  For Christians, we realise God is with is and He is able to even redeem for good what others intended for evil.  So you have been sidelined from where you want to be:  how about exerting yourself to gain strength, endurance and joy as you seek the LORD and do what you can to be ready for the next season?  When God opens the door, He will be faithful to help us walk through it--and walking means work.

Christians can learn from the diligence and dedication of athletes who suffer a serious injury, miss an entire season and work their way back to the field; we can glean wisdom from those who toil for years in lower levels of professional sport who never make it to the big leagues.  Some of these go on to coach, manage, to work in scouting and the front office.  They were waiting for their "big break" that never came the way they expected, but the LORD used their time in dusty dugouts to be part of a team in another way.  Joseph did not go to Egypt to seek fame, wealth and power:  he was sold as a slave and taken there.  He was made to serve in a rich man's house, and after he was thrown into prison he took the lead in looking after other prisoners.  In suffering his relationship with God deepened, and the LORD orchestrated an opportunity for Joseph to exercise God-given wisdom to interpret dreams.  In time he was brought before Pharaoh, was promoted to second in command, saved nations from starvation and was reunited with his family where there was food to spare.

How different Joseph's story would be if he brooded over the wrongs done him, shirked his responsibilities as a slave and rebelled against God!  Joseph did not set his sights on where he was or even where he wanted to be but looked to the LORD.  He never aspired to govern or rule in Egypt.  The one thing he wanted was to be released from prison, and in time by God's grace he was.  As a slave and in the prison Joseph continued to develop godly character, and he was useful wherever God opened a door.  So you're in traction or on the sidelines; you've been sacked and feel like your feet have been taken out from under you.  I encourage you to look to the LORD and exert yourself to seek, serve and praise Him right where you are.  Maybe pull-ups are the only thing you can do in your hospital bed, or perhaps all you can do is spiritually exercise in prayer.  But know that there is a season God has for you beyond that hospital bed, and God often provides opportunity in that bed to prepare for it.

Return and Rest

I am often amazed when I hear about pets that have been separated by their owners and manage to find their way back home.  I needed help from others as a kid finding my way to my parents when separated in a store!  Of all the dogs our family owned in my youth, I don't believe one of them ever escaped and voluntarily came back of their own free will.  We had to go after them, find them and bring them back to the safety of our spacious back yard.  Though they lived outside and were fed, watered and washed with care, they seemed to enjoy exploring outside the confines of our property.  It was always a chore to bring them back--especially when picked up by animal control and taken to the pound.

In the book of Judges, at Calvary Chapel Sydney we have read how the children of Israel forsook the LORD God of their fathers and worshipped other gods--dumb idols fashioned by the hands of men.  By God's grace, He allowed their sinful, calamitous decisions to prompt their return to God by terrible consequences.  While we assume a good God will prevent all calamity or bail His people out of difficulty, God let the consequences of sin run its course.  Sin would utterly ruin them without God's intervention, and God was powerful to redeem them from sin and the oppression of their enemies when they repented and returned to Him.

This fact God saves did not mean God's people were always willing to submit to God.  Centuries later the word of the LORD well-described the historic tendency of God's people in Isaiah 30:15-16:  "For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not, ¹⁶ and you said, "No, for we will flee on horses"--therefore you shall flee! And, "We will ride on swift horses"--therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!"  Those who forsook God and tried to flee from the consequences of sin would be pursued and caught by their enemies.  Rather than returning to God, repenting of sin and finding rest by faith in God, God's people resembled our pets that tried to run away from safety and salvation!  See the grace of God to ensure His people could not flee from sin's consequences that would hound them.

When people wished their oppression would cease, God's desire was to do an inner work in the hearts of His people to return to Him and freely cast their stubborn rebellion away from them.  Isaiah 30:18-19 says, "Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. ¹⁹ For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you."  What awesome promises God gives to those who face tests, trials and tribulations--even when they are self-inflicted wounds!  God is patient, gracious and merciful, and blessed are all those who wait for Him.  Rather than casting us away from Himself as an unclean thing (for who among us is without sin!), He draws us to Himself by His grace to redeem and save us.

The question is, in the midst of calamity will we return to the LORD and wait patiently for Him?  Or will we try to run from Him?  In returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be our strength for God, our God, is glorious and good forever.  Come to Jesus in faith, for in Him alone we find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Sin and Spiritual Growth

The Pharisees were very concerned about maintaining their religious image, and they viewed themselves as learned experts and teachers.  They were very wary when Jesus appeared on the scene and seemed to undermine their legalistic norms they followed and imposed upon others.  Yet Jesus was not like other men, for He taught with authority and did miraculous signs that led even some Pharisees to conclude Jesus was sent from God.  When Nicodemus met with Jesus by night, he divulged this to Jesus personally.

What impresses me about Nicodemus is his willingness to be vulnerable and ask Jesus genuine questions to His face while others in his circle gathered behind closed doors to plot His murder.  They were weary of Jesus showing them up and dodging their accusations with wise answers, exposing their hypocrisy, calling them a brood of vipers, and comparing them to whitewashed tombs that appeared clean on the outside but were full of uncleanness within.  As the Light of the World, Jesus Christ directed the light of God's word they knew upon their own hearts and motives, and conviction gnawed at them.  They would not admit defeat or that they were even sinners:  they saw Jesus as the real problem to be eliminated, and their wicked hearts were hardened without repentance.

We had a pine tree removed from our backyard a couple months back, and it was not long after it was cut down before little pine shoots began sprouting throughout the turf.  At first I assumed these shoots were sprouting from seeds, but investigation revealed the pine tree had sent thick roots throughout the topsoil.  When this came to light, there were two options:  I could run the lawn mower over the grass and pine sprouts at once and preserve the lawn, or I needed to use a mattock to remove the roots which would pose an ongoing problem.  This would damage the lawn in places, but removing these roots was the key to a healthier lawn moving forward.  The envy, hatred and murder of the Pharisees was evidence of sin in their proud hearts, and they were like one who would rather mow the pine shoots in an attempt to preserve the appearance of a healthy lawn rather than remove the roots by repentance.

When evidence of our stubborn sinfulness reveals itself, we ought to be like Nicodemus who was vulnerable before the LORD Jesus concerning his ignorance by admitting and repenting of our sin.  Rather than merely apologising over the appearance of sin, we ought to dig down and examine our hearts so we might deal with the root problems that hide under an image of religious piety and maturity.  Leaders, teachers and people who have taken a clear stand for the truth can be uncomfortable to admit having ongoing sins and problems the LORD brings to light, but it would be better to rip up sin by the roots than to keep cutting the grass and pine shoots as if we are beyond the reach of sin.  Attempts to keep up appearances undermines maturity, and genuine repentance causes us to grow spiritually to be more like Jesus.

Esteem God Highly

Since I can remember, in western society doing all we can to increase self-esteem in people has seemingly been universally accepted and viewed as good without controversy.  The tendrils of this worldly wisdom have wormed their way into education, workplaces, government, media, parenting and culture.  There is a scene in The Matrix when Morpheus says of Neo, "He's beginning to believe."  The quote referred to Neo's self-belief, that he could do things he once imagined impossible because he was "The One," the prophesied saviour.  The themes of self-belief and self-esteem has been emphasised ad nauseam, that the greatest inspiration is found within ourselves.  If we believe it we can achieve it, that we can be whatever and whoever we want, that the power to shape our destiny has been laying dormant inside us all along--and our self-esteem was the key to unlock it.

The tenor and teachings of the Bible take a completely different approach, for it makes a strong case for low self-esteem--not that we ought to think little of ourselves but by esteeming God more we think of ourselves less.  It is important to understand the natural posture of human beings is to esteem self more than everyone else.  Ephesians 5:29 says, "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church."  Those who hate their bodies or their lives do not hate themselves, for people merely inhabit a body for awhile on earth.  Even people in the world can see how pride, arrogance and selfishness are sinful snares that lead to great harm for self and others.  "Pride comes before a fall," the Bible says, and the once humble King Saul was rejected by God when he became great in his own eyes, sought his own glory, and refused to submit to God.  Satan esteemed himself highly, believing he could be as the Most High--and it led to his catastrophic fall from grace.

Haman is a prime example of a man who esteemed himself highly, and this man was a deceiver with murderous intentions.  Through his friendship with the king he managed to enact a law that commanded the annihilation of the Jewish people, and he was often enraged when people did not give him the respect and honour he craved--despite his privileged position, perks and great wealth.  He esteemed himself so highly it coloured the way he saw the world, and Esther 6:6 illustrates this:  "So Haman came in, and the king asked him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought in his heart, "Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?"  These are not the words of a man plagued by low self-esteem!  Haman had just literally constructed a gallows to hang the Jew Mordecai because he felt slighted by him, and all he could think about was seeking honour for himself because he esteemed himself over all others.  Literally before the day was over, Haman would be hung on those gallows for his foolish pride.

As a contrast, consider those who esteemed God highly and saw themselves in the light of His glorious goodness, wisdom and power.  After God revealed Himself to Job in a series of questions Job 42:1-2, 6 reads:  "Then Job answered the LORD and said: ² "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You...⁶ Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."  When Isaiah saw a vision of the LORD lifted up, Isaiah 6:5 states, "So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."  David expressed a desire to build a temple for God, yet God forbade him from doing so as the task would be completed by his son.  Rather than being sullen or upset like a petulant child who demands his way, David was overwhelmed by gratitude for God's kindness, promises and he blessed the LORD of hosts gladly (2 Samuel 7:25-29).  Each of these men were comforted, strengthened, and blessed by God who knew and loved them.

These godly men are just a few examples in Scripture of those who feared the LORD and esteemed Him rather than themselves.  It was not positive thoughts about self that lifted them from depression, brought healing or filled them with joy in the midst of trials but esteeming highly the good God they worshiped and submitted to in humility.  Jesus Christ taught His disciples that rather than embracing the pursuit of high self-esteem they were to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Him.  He spoke to His disciples in Matthew 6:25-26:  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"  Rather than esteeming themselves, their own needs and desires, Jesus taught His followers to look to God to supply all that was needed for life, knowing He valued them.  What is more important:  to esteem ourselves or highly esteem God who esteems us with love?

The higher we esteem God as worthy, the less we will esteem ourselves.  Knowing we are loved, chosen and accepted by God's grace, He causes us to increase in love for one another--not so others will esteem us, but because we are loved and valued by God.  Trying to build our own self-esteem or the self-esteem of others from a biblical viewpoint is futile, for the more we succeed in doing so the further our focus drifts from God, His word, wisdom and ways.  While high self-esteem seems reasonable and desirable according to worldly wisdom, it ultimately leaves all who invest in it totally bankrupt and bereft of enduring hope.  One might as well do as Baron Munchausen did by lifting himself and his horse out of the water by his own hair.  The benefits of a high self-esteem are shown by the Bible to be fantasy that defy spiritual physics like the Baron lifting himself to safety.  James 4:10 flips the script on self-esteem:  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  Those who esteem God He will exalt. 

(“Aventures du baron de Münchhausen.” Traduction nouvelle par Théophile Gautier fils; illustrées par Gustave Doré. Paris: Furne, Jouvet et cie, [ca. 1862])

Faith and Feelings

I leafed through an old book yesterday titled Arrows and Anecdotes, a compilation of stories and sayings from the life and ministry of D.L. Moody.  I came upon one anecdote I especially liked titled "Faith and Feelings," and hopefully it will be useful for all who read it.

"One night, when preaching in Philadelphia, right down by the side of the pulpit there was a young lady, whose eyes were riveted on me, as if she were drinking in every word.  It is precious to preach to people like that; they generally get good, even if the sermon be poor.  I got interested in her, and after I had done talking I went and spoke to her.  "Are you a Christian?"  "No; I wish I was; I have been seeking Jesus for three years."  I said, "There must be some mistake."  She looked strangely at me, and said, "Don't you believe me?"  "Well, no doubt you thought you were seeking Jesus; but it don't take an anxious sinner three years to meet a willing Saviour."  "What am I to do, then?"  "The matter is, you are trying to do something; you must just believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."  "Oh, I am sick and tired of the word 'Believe, believe, believe!'  I don't know what it is."  "Well," I said, "we'll change the word; take 'trust.'"  "If I say, 'I'll trust him,' will he save me?"  "No; I don't say that; you may say a thousand things, but he will if you do trust him."  "Well," she said, "I do trust him; but," she added in the same breath, "I don't feel any better."  "Ah, I've got it now!  You've been looking for feelings for three years instead of for Jesus.  Faith is up above, not down here."  People are always looking for feelings.  They are getting up a new translation of the Bible here, and if the men who are translating it would only put in feelings, instead of faith, what a rush there would be for that Bible.  But if you look from Genesis to Revelation you cannot find feelings attached to salvation.  We must rise above feelings.  So I said to this lady, "You cannot control your feelings; if you could what a time you'd have!  I know I would never have the toothache or the headache." (Lobb, John, and D. L. Moody. Arrows and Anecdotes. Henry Gurley, 1877. pages 149-150)

From my observations, as this seeker was frustrated for seeking an arbitrary feeling, Christians can seek particular experiences--especially ones other Christians have spoken about.  I cannot tell you how many believers have been sidetracked and cast down over the lack of an experience.  Such can be like a diner in a restaurant who is overwhelmed by the menu and sees a plate of food set down before a fellow diner and exclaims, "I want what they are having."  We can also be like people who make their menu choice based on a picture, and when the food is plated and served it looks nothing like the picture and we lament not going with our usual order.  If we make the spiritual experiences of others or the satisfaction of our expectations our pursuit, God is gracious to prevent us from the satisfaction only possible by faith in Jesus and submission to Him.  This profound joy and rest is more than a feeling or experience--though our relationship with Christ involves both on the basis of God's word.  Let us be those who trust Christ and exercise faith by obedience in Him, and He will help sort out our feelings as well.

For God's Sake

I remember a book title concerning children which compared them to wet cement because they are very impressionable.  They are incredibly observant learners, and many times a parent has been appalled by their own foul language echoing from the mouths of their children!  Words have flowed from our lips with great ease that grated upon our ears when repeated by our little ones.  Without going to school or preparing for an exam, children can be greatly influenced by those closest to them for good and ill.

God's design for parents is they would be responsible to teach their children of God and His ways.  This relevant principle for today was communicated by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-7:  "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."  Parents are called to be diligent to teach their children by example, to instruct them concerning God and His righteous character, and to illuminate the way of salvation by faith in Jesus.  There are some who think it improper to impose a Christian worldview upon a child, but to shrink from this God-given responsibility is great folly when we know in Jesus alone is truth, love and life.  C.H. Spurgeon is quoted as saying, "Whether we teach young Christians truth or not, the devil will be sure to teach them error.”

When God led His people into the land of Canaan He promised to give them as an inheritance, He commanded they obey God to destroy the inhabitants "...lest they teach you to do according to all their abominations which they have done for their gods, and you sin against the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 20:18)  Should the heathen remain in the land of their inheritance, those under God's judgment would have a corrupting influence upon God's people and future generations who would adopt their sinful ways.  Sin always leads to more sin, and successive generations tend to drift further from the fear of God.  As I considered this, it led me to believe there is a person who sees the risk of sinful influences for themselves, and others who would be more apt to take action for the sake their children.  They don't believe they will fall prey to idolatrous practices (or could be corrupted even by indulging in them), but they take seriously the protection of their own children and keeping up appearances.

I have observed occasions where a husband and wife remain in a marriage relationship "for the children."  Though their bonds of love have been broken and their relationship seems unsalvageable, it is agreed enduring the paper-thin veneer of marriage would provide the best environment for the sake of their children.  When it comes to putting away sinful conduct or labouring to restore a loving marriage, shouldn't we do this--not for the children--but primarily for God's sake because we love Him?  We should obey God first because we fear, trust and love Him; we should repent of our sins and protect our children from harm so God would be glorified.  I wonder how many things we do for others, our children or ourselves which would be best done with God in mind for His sake.  Colossians 3:23-24 rings in my ears on this topic:  "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."

The Blessing Cycle

"Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. ⁶ Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. ⁷ God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him."

Psalm 67:5-7

In our Bible study last night at church, we discussed how the psalmist illustrated how God's blessing of the earth leads to the praise and worship of God who will bless His people.  It is what I termed the "blessing cycle" of God that is continuous.  God blesses all people because He is good, and when His people praise Him God's blessing is multiplied so people shall fear Him to the ends of the earth.

After God created the heavens and earth and established His divine order in the world, the water cycle has been a means of God watering the earth and providing for the needs of all living things.  Water on the earth evaporates by the heat of the sun, condenses in clouds, falls to the earth in precipitation, and gathers in streams, lakes and the ocean.  At all times this cycle is at work throughout the globe without beginning or end.  As the earth speeds along on its tireless circuit around the sun as it moves through our galaxy, so the water cycle perpetuates like clockwork by God's power continuously.

The basic concept of the water cycle parallels the words of the psalmist who began the song by confidently asking God for mercy and blessing even as farmers pray for rain to fall on parched fields.  When rain does fall, consider all the drops of rain that fall upon lawns, gardens, and are gathered in gutters and are funnelled into rainwater tanks for future use.  There are many more raindrops that fall in the streets, footpaths and carparks that sweep away down storm drains to the sea.  Sometimes the downpour can be so great our rainwater tanks and dams fill and water spills over.  But none of those drops are lost, for they are gathered and in time evaporate to drop down again.

So it is with blessings from God:  He showers them liberally upon all people, and those who fear Him praise Him for great and glorious things He has done.  David said because of God his "cup runs over" and this is true concerning God's blessings which exceed our capacity to receive or acknowledge fully.  Having been thus blessed by God, the result is the praise of God who is blessed beyond measure.  God then rains more blessing upon us than we can contain day after day.  Our lives are sustained by the water cycle God upholds to provide water, and being blessed by God moves us to praise Him continuously.  Because we are blessed by God we can have confidence like the psalmist we will be blessed now and forever.

May our hearts sing forth as David's did in Psalm 103:1-5:  "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."  Hasn't God been good to us?  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Consider God's Creation

When we are awe-inspired by seeing something beautiful, majestic and breathtaking, in that moment we have no complaints or criticisms.  I have been on walks with windswept trees, waterfalls and amazing rock formations which cannot be adequately captured with panoramic photos.  The cry of birds prompted me to stop walking to observe them soaring high overhead.  The wonders of God's creation reveal themselves in the bush as well as near home.  In the latter weeks of summer, every day I awakened to find several fresh cicada exoskeletons perched on the bricks of our house and garage.  It is fascinating how these insects remain silent underground for years, crawl to a vertical surface, emerge from their exoskeleton, fly away and make their noisy summer music in the trees.  One can only marvel over the design and behaviour of living things--and God who created them.

Today I read part of God's words to Job which involved a string of questions that immediately went beyond Job's understanding.  The implication is God not only knew what Job did not and could not know, but God can do everything Job could never do and imagine doing.  There are innumerable creatures God has made which are capable of doing thing humans cannot do, and thus we marvel over them.  We are amazed by their beauty, behaviour, instincts and will to survive.  Documentaries are made to reveal unique traits of plants and animals we never dreamed possible because they are foreign to our experience.  We are captivated by the power of an ox, the speed of a cheetah, and fear the venom of asps.  Observing living things in this world survive, grow, communicate, seek a mate and care for their young inspires and impresses us.  We marvel how creatures could be so perfectly and wonderfully made without criticism of them.

God asked Job, "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?...¹⁹ Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?...²⁶ Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?"  (Job 39:13, 19, 26 KJV)  God mentioned animals to Job children can identify, and as a child it would be thrilling to see a peacock in person.  To find a peacock's feather would be special treasure for a kid because of its bright colour, large size and lightness.  Many a valiant man has fled from galloping horses that charged him due to their size and strength.  During my last visit to the States I was impressed by the size of a hawk perched on a power pole which was much larger than doves or pigeons commonly seen in the area.  No child criticises a peacock for not being orange; no one scoffs that thoroughbreds are slow or pathetic and claims we can see better or fly higher than a hawk--that we could somehow improve of God's designs.  These are creatures that far excel us in plumage, size and speed, and we praise them without complaint.

Man who does not fault birds for bright plumage or mocks horses for being heavily muscled ironically finds it easy to fault, criticise and mock God who made them.  Job had seen peacocks, horses and hawks, but it was God who gave peacocks wings, horses strength and hawks wisdom to soar in the heaves.  The logic is unescapable:  since Job could never do what God does wonderfully and perfectly, who was he to think God was ignorant of anything or incapable of doing everything?  The wisdom and glory of God seen in nature and the animal kingdom is plainly seen by mankind, and even tiny ants can instruct us in how to live well.  All that we love and marvel over in nature and take pleasure in, all of creation that stuns us with beauty that leaves us speechless without complaint or critique ought to be ascribed to God who is perfect in all His ways.  Who is man to question God or accuse Him of wrong when He has given us life, is wisdom for us and does all well?