Ol' John Owen

I'll be the first to admit that I have a soft spot for Puritain writers.  Very few modern writers or readers, for that matter, can explore the depths or soar to the heights where these men dwelt spiritually.  They are masters of the basic Gospel truths, and explain things with such detail and sound Biblical analysis that it is a breath of fresh air.  A entire book which passes for spiritual meat these days is almost like baby food in a jar compared to the side of beef these divines slap down on a single page.  The book I am enjoying right now has been re-titled Indwelling Sin in Believers by John Own and it very compelling.  He clearly explains the law of sin which works in our members which Paul spoke about in Romans 7:21.  Although I am not finished with the book, I already recommend it.  The wisdom, practical advice, and insights into the dangers of sin which so easily besets us is quite thrilling.  My heart and spirit bear witness that although this book was first written in 1667, it is completely relevant for today.  I leave you with paragraphs from page 33:

I believe that most apostasy from a profession of any length begins either with some great and shameful sin which wounds the conscience and takes away all delight in having to do with God, or with a course of neglect in private duties, arising from weariness in fighting against a powerful aversion to these duties.  And, through the craft of Satan, some develop the foolish and sensual opinion that one can live to God without the need for communion with Him.  So we find that after men have choked and blinded their consciences for a while with this pretense, they crown their folly with cursed wickedness or sensuality.  And the reasons for all this is that giving way to the law of sin gives strength to it.  Leaving it alone lets it grow; not to conquer it is to be conquered by it.

What is true of private duties is also true of public duties which have anything extraordinary in them.  How the heart struggles against them, especially against the spirituality of them!  If we give indwelling sin the least liberty, or if we do not guard against it constantly, it will bring about result we do not expect.  It begins with reluctance and indisposition, goes on to entangle the mind and affects with other things, and ends, if not prevented, in weariness of God, which He complains of in His people (Is. 43:22).  They ceased to call upon Him because they were 'weary of Him.'

Identity Crisis?

So much of our lives is caught up in framing our identity in relation to others.  Who we truly are reaches far beyond our actions, careers, hobbies, ethnicity, family traditions, and relationships because man was created by God as a spiritual being.  Yet most people are unaware of this spiritual dynamic of their lives and seek to define themselves by why they do or don't do, common interests, or natural abilities and tendencies.  Birds of like feather stick together, the saying goes, and people are much the same.  As long as there are people there will be cliques, clubs, fraternities, and groups where people can relish their identity together.

Today I came across a offbeat story which captured my attention.  According to an article on cnn.com, people suffered from an identity crisis when they heard that the dates affixed to astrological signs shift over time.  A quote from the article states, "Our identities are precious.  If someone challenges our belief system, it's very threatening. You want to hold on to the fact 'at least I'm a Libra.'"  This is both sad and absurd at the same time.  It would be one thing to live with a tattoo of the "wrong sign" on your body, just like the tattoo of an ex-girlfriend.  But for your identity to be connected to the planets and stars, or to have your choices in life governed by a sentence in your local fish-wrap is appalling!

As a Christian, my identity is found in the person of Jesus Christ, the One who does not change.  The wisdom of the world, governments, hobbies, and lifestyles come and go.  This is the slippery sand which the world is built upon.  What appeared to be great beach-front property 50 years ago has eroded into the surf!  My identity is built upon God as Creator, and I am a being created by Him.  As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am..."  I do not have to join any social groups, or conform to the opinions of others.  I am free to be myself, and do not need to worry that my belief system will be challenged and fail.  Truth can bear scrutiny, examination, fierce persecution, mockery, and violence.  Nothing will change the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, fulfilled the promises of scripture, was crucified for my sins, rose from the dead the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, makes intercession for me and all His church continually, and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower me for His glory.  Jesus is also my Savior, and my life is bound up in His.

Hear the unshakable wisdom and truth of Christ from His own lips:  Matthew 7:24-27 reads, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."  Jesus is not of this world, and this is also true of those who follow Him.  Planets move in their circuits, stars are born and die.  To seek to construct my identity upon these temporary things is futile and meaningless.  What is more stable:  the swirling tides of the sea or the everlasting Chief Cornerstone, who existed before He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them?

A Place Prepared by Grace

Jesus says in John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  It's a wonderful thought for consideration, that Jesus is preparing a home of eternal rest for us with Him in the heavens.  It is built not according to our works or worthiness, but out of the riches of God's grace and love toward us.  No human being save Jesus Christ is worthy to dwell in the presence of the Father.  But He has promised us in Revelation 3:21:  "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

A good portion of these past three months have been spent working to secure a rental property for my family and me to live in while we serve God and Calvary Chapel Sydney.  I'm amazed when I consider the amount of effort and time expended on the process with frankly little to show for it.  The rental market in Sydney at the moment feels like an impenetrable clique!  Our search has been thorough, extensive, and time-consuming.  It has given us the opportunity to throw ourselves upon the mercy of God and enjoy the generous hospitality of church family.  Yet it is disheartening to be continually rejected without the opportunity to prove yourself.

But this is familiar feeling experienced by people all over the world on a spiritual level.  No matter how hard people work to ensure themselves salvation by their own goodness, they fall short of perfection and are without hope.  Even if people are able to claw to the top of their denominational ladder, do and say all the right things, the peace of God only received through faith in Christ eludes them.  Well-meaning people go on missions to obtain eldership, others pay thousands of dollars to take the next spiritual course to learn privileged secrets.  People literally crucify themselves, crawl through broken glass, and travel thousands of miles in a vain attempt to earn favor from God.  What they do not understand is God's grace and eternal life is not for sale.  Their proud works and efforts prevent them from receiving what God only gives freely.

Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches us of God's wondrous grace:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  There are flats in Sydney that cost over $1,200 a week to rent!  Some people feel proud they could afford such a place to live.  God will not allow a shred of pride in heaven!  The only currency God accepts for heavenly entry is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  No amount of money, good works, or effort can help us gain entry into the presence of God.  God saves us by grace through faith, and having received such a gift we are moved to labor freely for God's glory and honor.  God has created us to do good, but we can only do so if He first indwells and empowers us.

How happy I am that God has prepared a place for me in heaven, as well as providing abundantly for our family in Australia.  Though it has been a trying process to secure a rental property, it is good to know that our eternal destination is secure in Christ.  He even has provided us a place to stay here, though it isn't what we thought it would be three months ago!  It is not by our goodness that we have a place in heaven or in Australia, but all of grace!  How great is our God and His unsearchable wisdom!

Sympathy or Prayer?

All of Australia it seems is looking with great interest and horror as the flooding continues to increase in Queensland.  During the news telecasts last night, it was repeated over and over that last week it was believed the worst had passed with the flooding of Rockhampton.  A huge flash flood suddenly went through Toowoomba, and the water which surged through the town is now on its way to Brisbane which is expected to flood severely, possibly greater than the massive floods of 1974.  As we watched the continuing coverage last night, Prime Minister Julia Gillard addressed those directly impacted by the floods:  "Our thoughts and sympathies are with you."  As I watched the footage shown again and again, I heard similar statements by journalists and politicians:  "You have our thoughts and best wishes."

Coming from the United States, I sensed a cultural difference.  Even non-Christians in America would say, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those affected."  It sometimes may be hypocrisy, but that is a common emphasis in times of tragedy in America:  prayers.  And by saying "prayers" it is an encouragement to appeal to God, clearly announcing His existence.  It is commonly known that PM Julia Gillard is an atheist, so one would not expect her to pray.  My question is, what is the power of "sympathy" compared to the power of God through the prayers of His people?  Has sympathy caused fire to fall from heaven to consume an offering, or has sympathy made water flow from a rock?  Has sympathy cured one person of disease or caused someone to rise from the grave?  Has sympathy brought victory in a single battle or caused a person to receive comfort through Christ which cannot be taken away?  No.

Our continual need is to seek and entreat the One True God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, who alone is able to save.  It is good and right that we sympathize and empathize with people, feeling their pain and doing what is in our power to assist.  If we were to see someone swept away with a torrent of water, we ought to extend a hand to catch them, not fall to our knees and ask God to send someone to help!  There are times when we can offer practical, physical assistance.  But there is no assistance more practical and needed than the power of prayer!  It is both the least we can do and the most we can do.  Our God is able to cause the storms to cease and be still with a word, and all power and authority in heaven and on earth is the LORD's.  Should we not faithfully petition such a God for help, that His name with be glorified through lives being saved and souls eternally preserved?

Please keep those who are suffering and displaced in these floods in your prayers, as well as all others throughout the world who have no power to save themselves.  Pray for our Prime Minister, that she might be exposed to the powerful saving hand of God and one day say of Christ, "My LORD and my God."  When faced with trials, is it your tendency to pray?  Sympathy is not enough when prayer is required!