Last night I read and took to heart the exhortation found in Jeremiah 4:3: "For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: "Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns." I started thinking about the many references in scripture to thorns. Thorns are a consequence of Adam's transgression (Gen. 3:18). Thorns cling to clothing, fur, pierce skin, and cause pain. Instead of providing food, thorny weeds only make more of the same. When Jesus went to the cross bearing upon Himself the sins of the world, a crown of thorns was pressed into his scalp. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The results of sin, infamously destructive and deadly, are symbolised in the crown of thorns Jesus wore.
Jesus told a story often called "The Parable of the Sower." Matthew 13:3-9 reads, "Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.
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And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
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Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
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But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
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And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
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But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
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He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Later in chapter 13, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to His disciples. The good seed represents the Word of God (Luke 8:11), and each place the seed is sown symbolises various conditions of the heart. Some seed fell on stony ground while other seed fell on good soil. There was also seed which fell among thorns which choked the seed. Matthew 13:22 contains Christ's explanation: "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." It appeared to be good ground, but there were other seeds which produced thorns present in the soil. Thorns sprang up with the tender shoots from the good seed and made them unfruitful.
If you have done any amount of gardening, you will have been confronted with weeds and thorn-bearing plants. I have carefully cultivated a small garden plot, bought quality topsoil and amendments, only to have more prickly weeds than vegetables! While this may be a testimony to my poor gardening, we can easily understand the point Jeremiah makes. It would be a gross waste to sow seed upon dry, hardened, unprepared, fallow ground. It would also be foolish to sow good seed among thorns because they would demand the nutrients young plants require to grow and be fruitful. A distinction between Christ's teaching and Jeremiah's exhortation is that Jeremiah makes it deeply personal. God through the prophet Jeremiah says to the people, "Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns." This is an objective statement intended to drive home the point personally: "You have unprepared hearts. The consequences of sin marks your hearts: lack of repentance, fruitlessness, hardness, and barrenness. To think that God's Word will make the slightest impact upon your hearts in your current condition is utter folly. Don't bother wasting your time unless you first humble yourself before God and repent. Prepare yourself to meet with God."
As I read this, it struck me how we can fall into the same trap as the Jews to whom God spoke through the prophet. They were God's chosen people, had been given His ordinances, and were offered fellowship with God. But they had not first prepared their hearts to receive from Him. They were caught up with the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. The problem was not a lack of good seed or effort in scattering it, but a lack of brokenness and repentance. Their hearts were hard and the weeds - the consequences of pride, greed, unforgiveness, bitterness, and all manner of sin - grew unabated. The good will not overcome the evil if the evil is not systematically, thoroughly eradicated. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and is the divine "Round Up" that kills sin in the very root. But if we neglect to prepare our hearts to seek the LORD, becoming resistant to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can have a patch of thorns in our hearts which need uprooting before the good Word will have the desired effect.
Spiky weeds are an easy path to a green yard, but God wants more than green foliage: He desires fruit! When we are battling doubts, confused, or struggling with temptation, sometimes we think the answer lies in more Bible reading and listening to sermons. Unless we prepare our hearts first by breaking up our fallow ground and clearing our hearts and lives of all sin, it will profit us little if at all. Praise God that Christ is the Husbandman who gives us new hearts and renews our minds. Let us heed the good Word: plow up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns. May the good result described in Colossians 1:10 be manifest in God's people: "...that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
31 July 2012
29 July 2012
Expectation Without Disappointment
Sports fans all over the world are focused on London as the 2012 Olympics have commenced. With four years between chances to compete for mere moments to secure a gold medal, the unspeakable elation and disappointment of these athletes is also on display. Some have waited four years for redemption after a poor performance in the previous Games, and others have waited their whole lives just to have a chance at Olympic glory. The best athletes in the world train incredibly hard, sacrificing all else to perform at their best to win. There are those who win, and those who do not. I don't view anyone who makes it to the Olympics as a loser.
Flipping on the TV this morning in Sydney, the big news of the day was the expected victory that didn't happen. The buildup to the 4 X 100 men's freestyle relay has been enormous, and there was an expectation of our swimmers to win gold. Some speculated that the world record might fall based upon their times in the trials. But statistics and historical data are meaningless once the race begins. That is one of the exciting things about sport: things don't always happen how we may expect. It turned out that France edged out the USA for gold and Russians took home the bronze. The Australians were left stunned, not even winning a medal. Even today the disappointing reality seems like an surreal nightmare to those four young men. The next four years will crawl by until the men once again have the opportunity to be crowned Olympic champions in the relay. Good on ya, boys. You'll get 'em next time.
One of the swimmers was interviewed this morning on channel 9 and was trying to convey his deep disappointment in the result. He talked about all the hours and effort they had put in to perform well. He spoke of many sacrifices, how he hadn't eaten a slice of bread or had a drink all year. The loss seemed to make him wonder aloud if all the hard work and sacrifice was really worthy it. Had he been interviewed with Olympic gold gracing his neck, there would have been no doubt: it would have all been worth it! It's painful and awkward to feel like you have lost something you never had in the first place.
Perhaps this is how some people feel as they go through life. People make sacrifices for all sorts of reasons: they work a second job to put their children through school; some wake at 4am every morning to begin their training regimen; others eat and drink less than they'd like to improve their fitness. The life of a Christian is one of great sacrifice. Before the end of our days it is a good question to have settled: is my sacrifice worth it? For a Christian we only need answer this question: was Christ's sacrifice worth it? It was certainly worth it! Christ died on a cross as the Lamb of God and rose three days later defeating death. He has purchased with His precious blood all who repent and trust in Him for salvation. Because He deemed it a worthy sacrifice to die for man, man ought to view Christ as worthy of all sacrifice. Any sacrifice I make for His glory is small indeed compared to that of Christ, being God made flesh.
Though we will experience tribulation in this life, we are told to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. We have granted us by grace a hope that cannot disappoint. Romans 5:1-5 reads, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." While Olympians work, train, and sacrifice all for a chance at momentary glory that fades away, the hope we have in Christ today is sure and exceeds any expectation we could possible have. I am sure there are some Olympians who win gold and experience the great euphoria of victory. It only may be a short time later when they open that box and look at their medal and think, "So that's it? Now that the moment is gone, what is left for me?" Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." One would think someone like Michael Phelps with his many medals would be satisfied, but he still wants more gold.
The trip to the Olympics for some might be disappointing, but no one will be disappointed who is given a glorious entrance to heaven by grace through Christ. Born again Christians enter, not because of our worthiness, but due to the goodness and victory of our King Jesus. The streets of New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. There will be no sun because God Himself will be the light. There will be no time restraint, for we will dwell with God in His presence for all eternity. There will be no sin, sickness, disease, crying, or death. The happy euphoria we experience on earth is but a fleeting hint of the profound joy, satisfaction, and awe we will experience forever. This world is filled with disappointments, but we know that God is worth every sacrifice. He is worthy, faithful, and true. He has already won, and the day is coming when the celebration will be unhindered. God gives us hope that cannot disappoint!
Flipping on the TV this morning in Sydney, the big news of the day was the expected victory that didn't happen. The buildup to the 4 X 100 men's freestyle relay has been enormous, and there was an expectation of our swimmers to win gold. Some speculated that the world record might fall based upon their times in the trials. But statistics and historical data are meaningless once the race begins. That is one of the exciting things about sport: things don't always happen how we may expect. It turned out that France edged out the USA for gold and Russians took home the bronze. The Australians were left stunned, not even winning a medal. Even today the disappointing reality seems like an surreal nightmare to those four young men. The next four years will crawl by until the men once again have the opportunity to be crowned Olympic champions in the relay. Good on ya, boys. You'll get 'em next time.
One of the swimmers was interviewed this morning on channel 9 and was trying to convey his deep disappointment in the result. He talked about all the hours and effort they had put in to perform well. He spoke of many sacrifices, how he hadn't eaten a slice of bread or had a drink all year. The loss seemed to make him wonder aloud if all the hard work and sacrifice was really worthy it. Had he been interviewed with Olympic gold gracing his neck, there would have been no doubt: it would have all been worth it! It's painful and awkward to feel like you have lost something you never had in the first place.
Perhaps this is how some people feel as they go through life. People make sacrifices for all sorts of reasons: they work a second job to put their children through school; some wake at 4am every morning to begin their training regimen; others eat and drink less than they'd like to improve their fitness. The life of a Christian is one of great sacrifice. Before the end of our days it is a good question to have settled: is my sacrifice worth it? For a Christian we only need answer this question: was Christ's sacrifice worth it? It was certainly worth it! Christ died on a cross as the Lamb of God and rose three days later defeating death. He has purchased with His precious blood all who repent and trust in Him for salvation. Because He deemed it a worthy sacrifice to die for man, man ought to view Christ as worthy of all sacrifice. Any sacrifice I make for His glory is small indeed compared to that of Christ, being God made flesh.
Though we will experience tribulation in this life, we are told to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. We have granted us by grace a hope that cannot disappoint. Romans 5:1-5 reads, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." While Olympians work, train, and sacrifice all for a chance at momentary glory that fades away, the hope we have in Christ today is sure and exceeds any expectation we could possible have. I am sure there are some Olympians who win gold and experience the great euphoria of victory. It only may be a short time later when they open that box and look at their medal and think, "So that's it? Now that the moment is gone, what is left for me?" Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." One would think someone like Michael Phelps with his many medals would be satisfied, but he still wants more gold.
The trip to the Olympics for some might be disappointing, but no one will be disappointed who is given a glorious entrance to heaven by grace through Christ. Born again Christians enter, not because of our worthiness, but due to the goodness and victory of our King Jesus. The streets of New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. There will be no sun because God Himself will be the light. There will be no time restraint, for we will dwell with God in His presence for all eternity. There will be no sin, sickness, disease, crying, or death. The happy euphoria we experience on earth is but a fleeting hint of the profound joy, satisfaction, and awe we will experience forever. This world is filled with disappointments, but we know that God is worth every sacrifice. He is worthy, faithful, and true. He has already won, and the day is coming when the celebration will be unhindered. God gives us hope that cannot disappoint!
26 July 2012
Share Christ's Life
We don't need to look to hard to find object lessons of scriptural truth all around us. I found one right in my yard! From the time we moved into our house about a year and a half ago, the tree in our front yard looked a bit sad. It was absolutely infested with ants and it wasn't long before bark beetles set upon the gnarled trunk. After a valiant battle against erosion and pests, I have concluded it has finally died.
My initial hope was that it was a deciduous tree that is dormant during the winter, but when I examined the branches carefully they all appeared to be dry and dead. Sulfur-crested Cockatoos over the course of several afternoons chewed off most of the tips of the branches when the tree was still alive, and that didn't help matters. But the other day a small bush caught my eye across the street! Could it be? Yes! It wasn't a bush but a healthy sapling seeded by this dead tree!
When I saw this I considered how that the now dead tree had given life to this young sapling. I thought of the words Jesus said in John 12:24: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." As a planting of the LORD, we must do all we can to sow the good seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while we are still alive. The day will come when we will leave this earth and be unable to move rocks, plow, plant, water, or harvest a bountiful crop.
The thought of evangelism can be a daunting one for many Christians. Perhaps to put it into perspective, ask yourself: what is the worst thing that could happen if you shared your faith? How do you answer? I will tell you how I have answered this question: I could be rejected, scorned, ostracised, slandered, maybe even physically assaulted. If I boldly shared the Gospel in a country where it is illegal to share your faith, I could be imprisoned, put in a work camp, or solitary confinement. I could be be subjected to torture and even death. Even should this be the outcome it is a small loss because I would be instantly ushered into eternal glory in the presence of the LORD and receive great reward.
But you know what God has shown me? That's a selfish way to answer the question. I ought to rather consider, "What is the worst possible outcome - not for me - but for those lost people with whom I do not share my faith?" The answer is simple: the soul that sins shall surely die. The wages of sin is death, and those who die in their sins face certain judgment according to God's law and an eternity of torment in hell. Whose outcome is worse: my worst case scenario or theirs?
If we desire that others receive life through Christ, our lives will provide the proof. In God's strength may we do His work while it is day because night is coming when no one can work. Jesus is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him!
The thought of evangelism can be a daunting one for many Christians. Perhaps to put it into perspective, ask yourself: what is the worst thing that could happen if you shared your faith? How do you answer? I will tell you how I have answered this question: I could be rejected, scorned, ostracised, slandered, maybe even physically assaulted. If I boldly shared the Gospel in a country where it is illegal to share your faith, I could be imprisoned, put in a work camp, or solitary confinement. I could be be subjected to torture and even death. Even should this be the outcome it is a small loss because I would be instantly ushered into eternal glory in the presence of the LORD and receive great reward.
But you know what God has shown me? That's a selfish way to answer the question. I ought to rather consider, "What is the worst possible outcome - not for me - but for those lost people with whom I do not share my faith?" The answer is simple: the soul that sins shall surely die. The wages of sin is death, and those who die in their sins face certain judgment according to God's law and an eternity of torment in hell. Whose outcome is worse: my worst case scenario or theirs?
If we desire that others receive life through Christ, our lives will provide the proof. In God's strength may we do His work while it is day because night is coming when no one can work. Jesus is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him!
24 July 2012
Where Was God?
Even though I reside in Australia, the news of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado has recently been much on my mind. I am heartbroken by that senseless violence and tragic loss of life. When I viewed cnn.com today, I saw a post titled, "Where was God in Aurora?" As we face the difficulties in life, people tend to either run to God or run from Him. Instead of evil in the world being proof of God's non-existence or unworthiness to be worshiped, I believe the exact opposite. Evil in the world proves God exists because it stands in stark contrast to His righteousness. You cannot have darkness without light. God's love and holiness shows how worthy He is of worship. The question posed on CNN's website is most commonly asked after a great tragedy, not after perceived blessings. It is safe to reason the motivation to even suggest God was "missing in action" when people most needed Him is one of doubt, not of faith. It is folly for a man to rage against a God he doesn't even believe in.
To best answer this question, we must travel back in time to a scene which unfolded just outside Jerusalem. Jesus, believed by many to be the Christ, the Anointed Messiah, had been condemned to death by crucifixion. Delivered by the Jewish priests and religious leaders because of envy, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Upon examination, no fault could be found in Jesus. Because of the mob which demanded the death of Christ, Pilate conceded to His death. He was beaten, scourged, mocked, and nailed to a wooden cross. He was lifted into the air at 9am, and total darkness covered the land from noon to 3pm - an unprecedented natural event. Mark 15:34 reads, "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Though Jesus was Immanuel - God with us - the sins of the world which were laid upon Him separated Him from fellowship with His Heavenly Father. He felt alone and forsaken. But had Christ been forsaken? No! Three days later Jesus was raised from death to life.
Does death and destruction give God delight? Absolutely not. The first part of Ezekiel 33:11 reads, "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!" God tells us in scripture that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Instead of revealing God as a cruel sadist who rejoices in violence, the picture of God's only Son dying on the cross was a demonstration of love for all people. Jesus lay down His life so we might obtain eternal life through repentance and faith in Him. Romans 5:7-8 states, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus did the heroic act of taking the killing blow for all people, even His enemies. If we praise courageous people who throw themselves in front of loved ones to take a bullet, then we should praise Jesus for what He has done. Love is willing to pay a high price. It pleased God to bruise Christ because through Him all might be saved from an eternity in hell and He provided a glorious entrance into heaven.
God was in Aurora before the shooting and remains in Aurora even now, for He is acutely aware of all that takes place in the world. Just because a devil shows up guns blazing to steal, kill, and destroy, it does not challenge God's existence or ability to save. We need God both in times of peace and in tragedy. God has given all people a choice to believe or to doubt, to honour Him or dishonour Him, to obey Him or rebel against Him. These trying times of grief, sadness, anger, pain, and bitterness serve as a test: will we denounce God once and for all or run to His arms of love for comfort and healing? Bitterness and despair have never healed the grief of any man. Trust in God will.
We'll never have all the answers people are looking for. But I know that Jesus IS the answer. He will never leave or forsake His people, and there is salvation and healing in Him.
To best answer this question, we must travel back in time to a scene which unfolded just outside Jerusalem. Jesus, believed by many to be the Christ, the Anointed Messiah, had been condemned to death by crucifixion. Delivered by the Jewish priests and religious leaders because of envy, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Upon examination, no fault could be found in Jesus. Because of the mob which demanded the death of Christ, Pilate conceded to His death. He was beaten, scourged, mocked, and nailed to a wooden cross. He was lifted into the air at 9am, and total darkness covered the land from noon to 3pm - an unprecedented natural event. Mark 15:34 reads, "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Though Jesus was Immanuel - God with us - the sins of the world which were laid upon Him separated Him from fellowship with His Heavenly Father. He felt alone and forsaken. But had Christ been forsaken? No! Three days later Jesus was raised from death to life.
Does death and destruction give God delight? Absolutely not. The first part of Ezekiel 33:11 reads, "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!" God tells us in scripture that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Instead of revealing God as a cruel sadist who rejoices in violence, the picture of God's only Son dying on the cross was a demonstration of love for all people. Jesus lay down His life so we might obtain eternal life through repentance and faith in Him. Romans 5:7-8 states, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus did the heroic act of taking the killing blow for all people, even His enemies. If we praise courageous people who throw themselves in front of loved ones to take a bullet, then we should praise Jesus for what He has done. Love is willing to pay a high price. It pleased God to bruise Christ because through Him all might be saved from an eternity in hell and He provided a glorious entrance into heaven.
God was in Aurora before the shooting and remains in Aurora even now, for He is acutely aware of all that takes place in the world. Just because a devil shows up guns blazing to steal, kill, and destroy, it does not challenge God's existence or ability to save. We need God both in times of peace and in tragedy. God has given all people a choice to believe or to doubt, to honour Him or dishonour Him, to obey Him or rebel against Him. These trying times of grief, sadness, anger, pain, and bitterness serve as a test: will we denounce God once and for all or run to His arms of love for comfort and healing? Bitterness and despair have never healed the grief of any man. Trust in God will.
We'll never have all the answers people are looking for. But I know that Jesus IS the answer. He will never leave or forsake His people, and there is salvation and healing in Him.
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