Job 9:2-3 reads, "Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God? [3] If one wished to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand." When we read this verse tonight during our family Bible reading, my mind instantly thought of the game show "Jeopardy!". I haven't watched the show in years, but during my teen years I enjoyed trying to answer the questions before the contestants. Occasionally I would know the correct answer, and rarely I would give the right answer twice in a row! I can't say that I have ever correctly answered a final Jeopardy! question, and I certainly never could have qualified to appear on the show.
In 2004, Ken Jennings appeared on 75 consecutive shows, winning 74 times in a row. He amassed over 2.5 million dollars during these games. Even though he was absolutely dominant, even he did not answer every question correctly. It's amazing to consider that even someone as smart as Jennings concerning trivia could not answer God one time of a thousand concerning his righteousness. No man or woman who walks the earth can justify themselves before God either by their works, intentions, possessions, or by any means. No one has the power or ability to contend with God or "shut Him down." God will not "talk to the hand:" He created the hand, and has the power and right to incinerate every one of them with the fires of hell.
Romans 3:19 says, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." All mankind is condemned under God's perfect law, and He has offered atonement and salvation through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is how God's great love for us has been manifested: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! If our salvation from sin could be obtained through knowledge alone, Ken Jennings and many Pharisees would have fared quite well. But the fact remains that repentance and faith in Jesus is the narrow gate through we must stoop to enter eternal rest in Heaven. We are qualified not through information but the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the remission of sins and His imputed righteousness toward us. 1 Cor. 1:30-31 affirms: "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Young men boast in their strength, and the learned might glory in their knowledge, but may we live to glorify Christ alone.
24 July 2010
21 July 2010
Reading Aright
I read a tremendous passage ( on pages 187-188) in a book called "Between Two Worlds" by John R. W. Stott too good not to share:
"...We have to open our minds wide enough to risk hearing what we do not want to hear. For we have been taught to come to the Bible for solace. Does not Paul himself write of 'the encouragement of the Scriptures' (Rom. 15:4)? So naturally we cherish the hope that through our Bible reading we shall be comforted; we have no wish to be disturbed. Hence we tend to come to it with our minds made up, anxious to hear only the reassuring echoes of our own prejudice. Moreover, it is not difficult to insulate ourselves against the challenges of God's Word, or to barricade ourselves against his unwelcome incursions. The very two cultures we have been thinking about - of Bible authors and Bible readers - can act like two layers of thick cushioning to protect us against the impact, sometimes the shock, of the Word he wants to speak to us. The first step towards opening ourselves up to his Word, is to be aware of the protective padding which has to be removed. We have to be willing for God himself to lay down the ground rules, and to decide what he wants to say to us, however uncongenial we may find it. We have no liberty to circumscribe him, or to suggest lines of demarcation within which we are prepared to negotiate. No, we have to break down the cultural barriers and struggle to open our hearts and minds to listen to whatever he has to say.
...If we read through the whole Bible annually, then after a few years we feel we know it fairly well. The temptation is to become blase' and to come to our daily reading with no very lively expectation the God is going to speak to us through it. Instead, we should be confident, in the famous words of John Robinson, pastor of the separatists' church in Holland from which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in the Mayflower of 1620, that God has 'more truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word'. We need therefore to 'present ourselves before the Lord' each day like the angels (Job 1:6; 2:1), to ask for an 'awakened ear' like the servant (Isa. 50:4), and to request him as Samuel did to speak, because his servant is listening (1 Sam. 3:10). We need to 'cry out for insight and raise our voice for understanding, to 'seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures', for then we shall understand and 'find the knowledge of God' (Prov. 2:3-5). Such seeking perseveres even in the face of an apparent rebuff. It lays hold of God like Jacob and refuses to let him go until and unless he blesses us (Gen. 32:26). It is this spirit of eager and determined expectation which God honours. He promises to fill the hungry with good things; it is only the complacent whom he sends away empty-handed (Luke 1:53). Sow we must not give in to spiritual staleness as if it were normal or even tolerable, but must pray for the refreshment of the Holy Spirit so that, if our appetite is blunt he will sharpen it, and if our heart is cold he will rekindle within us the fires of expectancy."
17 July 2010
Build your way to greatness?
I've been working out of town lately and with all the extra drive time I haven't been able to set aside much time to contribute to the blog. When I normally would be working on the blog I'm either spending time with the family or trying to catch up on sleep! Thankfully no one needs to rely on a person to receive from God. He's willing to use anything to speak to our hearts: animals, nature, signs, or even things sent in the mail.
Case in point: Zed hasn't played baseball for a year and is about to turn 11. Because of this it was strange to receive a brochure in the mail seeking serious baseball players aged 13 to 18 for a national tryout to be discovered by college scouts! It was a catch-phrase at the bottom of the page which caught my attention which read, "Build your way to greatness." I rarely can take things at face value even when reading a brochure! It is almost a natural habit for me to look at things from a biblical, spiritual perspective. Can a man spiritually build himself to greatness? Is that even desirable?
Jesus said that if a man wants to be great in the kingdom of God, he must be the servant of all. In baseball or sports, natural talent goes a long way. Some do not have the natural dexterity, skills, or body-style to be great at baseball. No amount of training can overcome some of the obstacles many face to become a professional athlete. But it is true that very few if any become great in their field without dedication, hard work, and good training. A man cannot become a good Christian by trying hard because all men are wicked by nature. We must first "build" upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and take heed how we build. Whatever materials we choose will have a great impact on the strength and integrity of the structure. A man cannot possibly build his way to greatness. We don't have the tools or materials to build anything of eternal value. Those who humble themselves who will be exalted by God. It is He who cleanses us of sin, makes us righteous, fills us with His Spirit, empowers us to perform His will, and will usher us into eternal glory.
It is God who makes a man great. The way the world gauges greatness is completely opposed to God's view. A man might be well-known and famous on earth but Jesus might say to such a man, "Depart from me! I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness!" There may be a man or woman hardly anyone knew in life or remembered in death to whom Christ says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of the LORD." Nothing is as rewarding as serving the great God and Creator of heaven and earth. He is great, and He makes great all who follow Him.
Case in point: Zed hasn't played baseball for a year and is about to turn 11. Because of this it was strange to receive a brochure in the mail seeking serious baseball players aged 13 to 18 for a national tryout to be discovered by college scouts! It was a catch-phrase at the bottom of the page which caught my attention which read, "Build your way to greatness." I rarely can take things at face value even when reading a brochure! It is almost a natural habit for me to look at things from a biblical, spiritual perspective. Can a man spiritually build himself to greatness? Is that even desirable?
Jesus said that if a man wants to be great in the kingdom of God, he must be the servant of all. In baseball or sports, natural talent goes a long way. Some do not have the natural dexterity, skills, or body-style to be great at baseball. No amount of training can overcome some of the obstacles many face to become a professional athlete. But it is true that very few if any become great in their field without dedication, hard work, and good training. A man cannot become a good Christian by trying hard because all men are wicked by nature. We must first "build" upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and take heed how we build. Whatever materials we choose will have a great impact on the strength and integrity of the structure. A man cannot possibly build his way to greatness. We don't have the tools or materials to build anything of eternal value. Those who humble themselves who will be exalted by God. It is He who cleanses us of sin, makes us righteous, fills us with His Spirit, empowers us to perform His will, and will usher us into eternal glory.
It is God who makes a man great. The way the world gauges greatness is completely opposed to God's view. A man might be well-known and famous on earth but Jesus might say to such a man, "Depart from me! I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness!" There may be a man or woman hardly anyone knew in life or remembered in death to whom Christ says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of the LORD." Nothing is as rewarding as serving the great God and Creator of heaven and earth. He is great, and He makes great all who follow Him.
13 July 2010
Park Outreach
This Saturday past our church put on a "Children's Festival" at a neighborhood park for a couple of hours. It was wonderful to see many people from our church fellowship ministering Christ's love to the community. There were crafts, balloon animals, interactive games, face painting, Gospel bracelets, caricatures, and snacks. Opportunities abounded for handing out Gospel tracts or simply having a talk.
It was a beautiful reminder of how the Body of Christ is intended to work. All of us have different gifts, talents, and passions, and the Holy Spirit brings them to life through unique personalities. God has given us various abilities for a single purpose: the glory of God. By the grace of God we are who we are. Not all are evangelists, teachers, administrators, or able to physically carry trash cans full of water balloons. But every Christian is filled with the love of Jesus and an ability to share that love with others.
As neat as it was to see the Body of Christ in overt operation, it was amazing to see kids and families from different ethnic backgrounds join in the fun. There is a world of people right down the street who may not have ever experienced the love of Jesus through an Otter Pop, a balloon sword, or turtle.
It will take more than one afternoon to prove our intentions were greater than just a humanitarian exercise. People are motivated by all kinds of reasons to help others. Even in the church people have various purposes in their service. Our prime focus is not in simply helping people but saving them through the power of the Gospel. Feeding a man's stomach will only prolong his eventual death: if his soul feasts upon the Bread of Life Jesus Christ he will live forever in heavenly glory!
I want to be the kind of Christian who is in it for the long haul. The Christian walk is a 24-7 lifestyle, not just for a couple of hours on Saturdays or Sundays. I remember a missionary talking about what the locals call "hallelujah Christians." They show up with things to give away, songs to sing, and a message to give, say "Hallelujah!" and never come back! God, help me never to forget that I am a representative of my Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Even when you are my only witness, may I stay true to you!
As neat as it was to see the Body of Christ in overt operation, it was amazing to see kids and families from different ethnic backgrounds join in the fun. There is a world of people right down the street who may not have ever experienced the love of Jesus through an Otter Pop, a balloon sword, or turtle.
It will take more than one afternoon to prove our intentions were greater than just a humanitarian exercise. People are motivated by all kinds of reasons to help others. Even in the church people have various purposes in their service. Our prime focus is not in simply helping people but saving them through the power of the Gospel. Feeding a man's stomach will only prolong his eventual death: if his soul feasts upon the Bread of Life Jesus Christ he will live forever in heavenly glory!
I want to be the kind of Christian who is in it for the long haul. The Christian walk is a 24-7 lifestyle, not just for a couple of hours on Saturdays or Sundays. I remember a missionary talking about what the locals call "hallelujah Christians." They show up with things to give away, songs to sing, and a message to give, say "Hallelujah!" and never come back! God, help me never to forget that I am a representative of my Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Even when you are my only witness, may I stay true to you!
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