1 Corinthians 13:1-8 describes God's love in this manner: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,4 Love suffers long and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away."
God's love is so contrary to anything in this world. We cannot quantify it, sum it up in a sentence, or even explain it fully. It is infinite in abundance yet a single selfless deed can portray it clearly. It is a power more earth-shattering than a million atomic bombs, yet is peaceable and gentle. Countless books have been written about God's love and all the sermons ever preached have scarcely explored its depths. A man might as well try to free-dive the Mariana trench or jump to Jupiter: those physical feats would be simple in comparison to discovering the furthest reaches of God's love. Real love is something every person deeply longs for, but only those who have been born again from above can begin to digest, process, or comprehend it.
People are fed up with hearing about the love of God. Love is not something to be talked about but continually lived out. As Christians we should not merely ask, "Who can I tell of God's love today?" but rather, "How shall I display the love of Jesus to people today?" To put it simply, the love that God gives is displayed through a genuine, gracious interest in others even to my own detriment. I should not serve others to receive anything in return, and do not speak to people simply for the opportunity to give them a sales pitch.
There is nothing more practical, generous, and gracious than love. Love meets real needs. The wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Because all have sinned, all are condemned to die and remained separated from God in hell for eternity. Then the love of God sprung into action as Romans 5:7-8 proclaims: "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 ." Love is a not a demonstration like a salesman with his knives at a fair, but is practical, tangible, and undeniable display of regard for others.
Christ is the only true source of this love. The world has substituted lust for love, and worshiped the creation over the Creator. It is up to those in whom God has placed the Holy Spirit to be ambassadors of the love of Christ, not only to be talked about, but to be practically displayed. As Jesus says in John 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." And what are the greatest commandments? Love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, Jesus trumps the second command by saying, "Love one another as I have loved you." And how did Jesus love? Compassionately, continually, and completely. May God be free to pour out His love through us!
23 January 2011
20 January 2011
Official Crazy Time
It's been a good experience to have the family with me in Australia. It has demanded many changes from my normal routine of writing, exercise, and visitation. Because Laura is not driving yet, it has also meant that all errands have become a family adventure! We've also been sharing the same computer, so the time that I could spend preparing sermons, communicating with people, and blogging has been adjusted to accommodate us both.
Yesterday we were able to spend an afternoon at Featherdale Wildlife Park. A collection of animals hailing almost exclusively from Australia, this park provides a wonderful opportunity to see, touch, and experience these beautiful creatures up close. We were able to pet koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabys, blue-tongued lizards, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths (both birds, two of my favorites!). We watched as the penguins were fed (yes, I'm told Sydney is home to penguins which can be seen in the harbour), as well as the dingos and Tasmanian devils eat dinner. While we were near the penguin exhibit we had a unique experience: I heard a loud thump or crash, and suddenly I saw ten people scamper in every direction. A goanna (an Australian monitor lizard) nearly two meters long had jumped from his sign to the top of the wall of his enclosure. He nimbly dropped to the ground, ignoring the amazed people who kept their distance, and waddled over to some bushes where he was promptly hauled out by a park employee. He told us that one of the handlers years ago needed 300 stitches to close a wound on his arm inflicted when he tried to stop two of them from fighting! Glad to say no one was injured, and I love Featherdale more than ever!
Today is a day we've long been anticipating as a family, the day when we pick up the keys for our rental house. It is a very exciting accomplishment, having spent over three months actively searching for a property with an owner willing to rent to us. We have not rented for over twelve years, and certainly have no Australian renting history! In Sydney (I have no experience dealing with real estate in other territories or cities), if you desire to submit an application for a property you MUST physically go to the open house to be considered - which is a grand total of 15 minutes in duration! These 15 minute open houses can be far apart or a struggle to make on time because of traffic or other obstacles. Needless to say, this involves a LOT of driving around! Many thanks to Ross and Peter and all of those who have labored with us in this endeavor. The funny thing is, after all the applications we submitted without success, the day our first application is finally accepted, we were accepted to rent two properties! The property we finally did choose has a year rental agreement, and is one of the best houses we've seen during the last three months. Praise the LORD!
I suppose I'm not sure how often I will be able to blog in the coming week or two because of church meetings, moving house, buying appliances, driving all over town...it's officially crazy time! We are blessed to be loved and supported by people all over the world, and our fellowship in Sydney is very precious to us. Our family is experiencing that same gracious, miraculous provision that our Savior is faithful to grant those who trust in Him. He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground or when a goanna scuttles out of his enclosure: how much more shall He provide for all our needs?
Today is a day we've long been anticipating as a family, the day when we pick up the keys for our rental house. It is a very exciting accomplishment, having spent over three months actively searching for a property with an owner willing to rent to us. We have not rented for over twelve years, and certainly have no Australian renting history! In Sydney (I have no experience dealing with real estate in other territories or cities), if you desire to submit an application for a property you MUST physically go to the open house to be considered - which is a grand total of 15 minutes in duration! These 15 minute open houses can be far apart or a struggle to make on time because of traffic or other obstacles. Needless to say, this involves a LOT of driving around! Many thanks to Ross and Peter and all of those who have labored with us in this endeavor. The funny thing is, after all the applications we submitted without success, the day our first application is finally accepted, we were accepted to rent two properties! The property we finally did choose has a year rental agreement, and is one of the best houses we've seen during the last three months. Praise the LORD!
I suppose I'm not sure how often I will be able to blog in the coming week or two because of church meetings, moving house, buying appliances, driving all over town...it's officially crazy time! We are blessed to be loved and supported by people all over the world, and our fellowship in Sydney is very precious to us. Our family is experiencing that same gracious, miraculous provision that our Savior is faithful to grant those who trust in Him. He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground or when a goanna scuttles out of his enclosure: how much more shall He provide for all our needs?
17 January 2011
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.'
14 January 2011
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?
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?
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