I saw a "Mythbusters" episode during which Adam and Jamie put to test the theory it is impossible for people to walk in a straight line blindfolded. It was comical to watch Adam and Jamie try walking, swimming, and even driving with their eyes covered. Try as they might, they never remotely were able to travel in a straight line. It wasn't long before they literally were walking in circles. When the blacked out glasses or goggles came off, they were amazed how far they had veered off course. Even when they constructed a device so they might work together to walk straight, they failed. The "myth" was confirmed: without the use of their eyes or ears, they were absolutely lost.
At the end of the program, Adam and Jamie walked through thick woods. Without survival training, Adam was able to walk a fairly straight line. Harnessing prior training and making use of the sun, Jamie stayed right on target. Even with bucket on his head to simulate "white-out" conditions, Jamie remained on course. The primary observation I made from watching these men trying to walk straight was how futile their attempts were when deprived of sight. The ability to see made all the difference. Spiritually the principle is true. When a man is spiritually dead, he is also blind. He remains without life and spiritual understanding. Man could never find the way to heaven on his own, even if he did his very best. We could not by accident hope to arrive at a heavenly destination. Only through the Gospel can a man be born again and made to see. Jesus is the One who came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead through repentance and faith in Him. God has given His Word as a compass, GPS, map, and survival manual all in one. Unless we familiarise ourselves with the scripture and consult it often, we might as well be walking in circles in the dark.
Just like the sun is a critical tool for orienteering, so Christ is for us. Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
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looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." When we look to Jesus, we are shown the Way. Considering Him in all we do, even in the midst of trials and struggles, keeps us from weariness and discouragement. We don't need to grope in the dark for God when He has clearly revealed Himself to us as the Light of the World. His "will" is not some ambiguous notion only confirmed with signs and wonders: we should not look to a fleece when we should look to Christ guided by the indwelling Spirit.
With eyes on the Son Jesus Christ, may we say with the psalmist in Psalm 143:8: "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You." When we look into those eyes of love, we find hope, strength, and direction for every step of our lives. Perfect knowledge of every step isn't as important as knowing the One who has ordered your steps. Look unto Jesus, trust in Him, and you will know the Way.
27 March 2013
25 March 2013
Can You Earn It?
"Saving Private Ryan" was an instant classic. It is a moving film which follows a group of Army Rangers during World War II and their mission to bring Private Ryan safely home. The plot follows Captain John H. Miller as he leads a team of men through dangerous territory to find Ryan. It was not an easy task. It ended up costing many men their lives, including Captain Miller. As he sat dying on the bridge valiantly held by the Allied forces, his final words to Ryan were, "James...earn this. Earn it."
Captain Miller and many others gave the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their orders and bring James Ryan safely home. Miller pointed to the enormous cost and sacrifice demonstrated by his fellows soldiers as the impetus for Ryan to live a life worthy of it. At the end of the film, an elderly Ryan stood at the grave of the deceased Captain, wondering if he had done enough. In my opinion, there is no possible way Ryan could have ever lived a good enough life to justify the cost. Yet that's not really the point. Ryan lived his life mindful of the price paid and was moved to do his best. What more could he possibly do? The lives lost on the field of battle for country and to save him no doubt spurned Ryan on to finish well.
As Easter draws near, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever. It was not on the field of battle, nor was it for country or a single man. Jesus Christ was without sin, and laid down His life on Calvary for the sins of the world. There is no possible way that we can live our lives worthy of earning such a sacrifice of love and grace, that God would put on human flesh and die for sinful men. Jesus never suggested for us to earn that sacrifice. It is too high a price. It is a gift which can only be received. But we would do well to live motivated by His sacrifice. Even as Private Ryan remembered the exhortation spoken to him by a dying Captain, so we ought to remember the sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice. We are not worthy of His sacrifice, but we can walk in a way that honours and glorifies God for all He has done. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 reads, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." The Greek word translated "worthy" here means, "appropriately, as becoming." What is the appropriate way for us to live, seeing that Christ gave all for us? Paul's conduct was appropriate: devout, just, and blameless, like Jesus before him.
The prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-15 well describes this calling for those who have received Christ: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." We can't live a good enough life to earn it, but let's walk worthy of Christ's sacrifice.
Captain Miller and many others gave the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their orders and bring James Ryan safely home. Miller pointed to the enormous cost and sacrifice demonstrated by his fellows soldiers as the impetus for Ryan to live a life worthy of it. At the end of the film, an elderly Ryan stood at the grave of the deceased Captain, wondering if he had done enough. In my opinion, there is no possible way Ryan could have ever lived a good enough life to justify the cost. Yet that's not really the point. Ryan lived his life mindful of the price paid and was moved to do his best. What more could he possibly do? The lives lost on the field of battle for country and to save him no doubt spurned Ryan on to finish well.
As Easter draws near, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever. It was not on the field of battle, nor was it for country or a single man. Jesus Christ was without sin, and laid down His life on Calvary for the sins of the world. There is no possible way that we can live our lives worthy of earning such a sacrifice of love and grace, that God would put on human flesh and die for sinful men. Jesus never suggested for us to earn that sacrifice. It is too high a price. It is a gift which can only be received. But we would do well to live motivated by His sacrifice. Even as Private Ryan remembered the exhortation spoken to him by a dying Captain, so we ought to remember the sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice. We are not worthy of His sacrifice, but we can walk in a way that honours and glorifies God for all He has done. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 reads, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." The Greek word translated "worthy" here means, "appropriately, as becoming." What is the appropriate way for us to live, seeing that Christ gave all for us? Paul's conduct was appropriate: devout, just, and blameless, like Jesus before him.
The prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-15 well describes this calling for those who have received Christ: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." We can't live a good enough life to earn it, but let's walk worthy of Christ's sacrifice.
24 March 2013
Are You Committed?
Looking for a snapshot of genuine faith? We need look no other place but to Christ. 1 Peter 2:19-24 provides a clear view of this high calling: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
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For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
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"Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
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who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
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who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed."
We are not saved by our good works, but saved for them. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." It is our reasonable service to be living sacrifices unto God, wholly submitted to His will and purposes. Doing good is one aspect of the Christian life that ought to be a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit within us, not a source of pride. Our flesh is sometimes willing and able to go this far. There are many people in the world who do "good" things who have no knowledge of God. Faith enters the picture when we do good and suffer for it patiently with a heart focused on Christ. Jesus went about only doing good, perfectly performing the will of the Father. Yet He suffered much during His life on earth, culminating with His crucifixion on Calvary. Even then He did not become bitter, angry, or threaten, "...but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." Three days after His death on the cross, He rose from the grave proving His power over it. It is in the power of the resurrection that Christians live today.
The life of a Christian is one of commitment. It is far more than an ideal or a mental assent to doctrine: it is a life of faith in the living God. It is an undying loyalty and belief that no matter what trials or difficulties we may face for doing good and standing for righteousness, we are God's and He is ours. It is a denial of self and a belief in God according to knowledge revealed through the scriptures. It is not just ignoring the hurtful comments, violent assaults, slander, mockery, and scorn directed at us, but in willingly committing ourselves to God's hands, knowing that Jesus suffered for us. Jesus committed Himself to God the Father, knowing He is a righteous judge. The Father would never allow Jesus to see corruption in the grave because He had committed no sin. Jesus never even told a lie. He was always casting His cares upon the Father, because His Father loved Him.
A day will come when all the wrongs in this world will be made right. A day will come when all the lies of Satan will be swept away. A day will come when Jesus Christ sits on His throne, having destroyed the power of the devil. A day of reckoning will come where all people will be judged according to God's righteousness. Knowing this, we ought to take Christ's example to heart. Am I embracing my calling? It is not a question of "Am I doing good?" but when I do good and suffer do I take it patiently with rejoicing? May the righteous acts recorded in Acts 5:41-42 mark our lives as well: "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
Have you committed yourself to Him who judges righteously? Rejoice when you do good and suffer, for this is your calling. Peace and joy is not found in the absence of conflict, but through a right standing with Jesus Christ. He says to us in John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
We are not saved by our good works, but saved for them. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." It is our reasonable service to be living sacrifices unto God, wholly submitted to His will and purposes. Doing good is one aspect of the Christian life that ought to be a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit within us, not a source of pride. Our flesh is sometimes willing and able to go this far. There are many people in the world who do "good" things who have no knowledge of God. Faith enters the picture when we do good and suffer for it patiently with a heart focused on Christ. Jesus went about only doing good, perfectly performing the will of the Father. Yet He suffered much during His life on earth, culminating with His crucifixion on Calvary. Even then He did not become bitter, angry, or threaten, "...but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." Three days after His death on the cross, He rose from the grave proving His power over it. It is in the power of the resurrection that Christians live today.
The life of a Christian is one of commitment. It is far more than an ideal or a mental assent to doctrine: it is a life of faith in the living God. It is an undying loyalty and belief that no matter what trials or difficulties we may face for doing good and standing for righteousness, we are God's and He is ours. It is a denial of self and a belief in God according to knowledge revealed through the scriptures. It is not just ignoring the hurtful comments, violent assaults, slander, mockery, and scorn directed at us, but in willingly committing ourselves to God's hands, knowing that Jesus suffered for us. Jesus committed Himself to God the Father, knowing He is a righteous judge. The Father would never allow Jesus to see corruption in the grave because He had committed no sin. Jesus never even told a lie. He was always casting His cares upon the Father, because His Father loved Him.
A day will come when all the wrongs in this world will be made right. A day will come when all the lies of Satan will be swept away. A day will come when Jesus Christ sits on His throne, having destroyed the power of the devil. A day of reckoning will come where all people will be judged according to God's righteousness. Knowing this, we ought to take Christ's example to heart. Am I embracing my calling? It is not a question of "Am I doing good?" but when I do good and suffer do I take it patiently with rejoicing? May the righteous acts recorded in Acts 5:41-42 mark our lives as well: "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
Have you committed yourself to Him who judges righteously? Rejoice when you do good and suffer, for this is your calling. Peace and joy is not found in the absence of conflict, but through a right standing with Jesus Christ. He says to us in John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
21 March 2013
Changing the Way We Think
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having
a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away."
Timothy 3:1-5
Paul warned Timothy of a grave danger in the church. It was not that this peril did not yet exist in Paul’s day, but would become more and more evident. The times we are facing today are as perilous as they have ever been. There is hardly anything more perilous than delusion. The Greek word for “lovers of themselves” is “philautos,” which means “selfish, self-centred, narcissistic.” After all these sinful attributes are mentioned, the last part should grab our attention: "having a form of godliness but denying its power.” This should be a grave warning to us. This scripture reveals there are people who think they have a relationship with God but they are deceived. They have a form of godliness on the outside but it is merely a work of the flesh. The source of power for every Christian is only obtained through repentance, regeneration through the Gospel, and walking in the Spirit. Are we willing to put ourselves under the microscope of this text alone? It is only after we are willing to own our sins and repent that we can be free from them.
God has provided His Word so He might change the way we think. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” God uses many instruments to perform His will, but ultimately it takes exposure to God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to convince man of his sin, need for repentance, and salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is true for conversion is also true for sanctification. We bring all sorts of notions, assumptions, and ideas we pick up from the world or our delusions into our Christian walk. School and the world are not only ethical battlegrounds but spiritual ones. If Satan can over time influence your mind through his many tools – music, movies, media, people, even trials - he can distort the way you see God, yourself, and others, negatively affecting your effectiveness for Christ. The only way we can know if we are a “lover of self” rather than a lover of God is when God’s Word is brought to bear directly upon our own lives.
Let’s be honest: if we can read this passage without a prick in our hearts or consciences, either we are completely without sin, or the scripture is not impacting us as it should! Something is preventing the Word of God from penetrating our hearts. Has there been a time recently you were offended when you read Christ’s words? Have you been shocked by things God has said or done in scripture? As you read the Bible, has your view of God’s character changed? When is the last time you were emotionally touched or involved as you read? If we haven’t been shocked, offended, or confused when we read something in God's perfect Word, we have blunted the message! The Bible is more than a doctrinal handbook or a platform for debate: it contains the Words of life. The Bible exists to tear down our misconceptions of God, love, and grace and build them new upon the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ. God wants to change the way we think, and may God use His Word to accomplish this necessary work.
May the scriptures engage us, mind, body and soul. God has given us the scripture to reveal Himself to us. Being infinite, how much more is there to discover about Him! He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us so we might understand the things He intends to teach us. He has given us the Bible to correct our misunderstandings and assumptions. He has given us the Word to instruct us in righteousness. I thank God for the way He gently leads and teaches those who seek Him. Before we can adequately lead, we must submit to be led by Him. We must be under authority before we can rightly wield it. Praise God He has granted us the mind of Christ through the indwelling Spirit!
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