A personal testimony is a powerful tool which can bring much glory to God. Whilst it is true making our past lifestyle or sins the focus is an improper emphasis, it would be wrong to ignore them. After his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite, David wrote in Psalm 51:3, "For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me." David's acknowledgement of his sin produced a humility in him before God and men. Our story ought to always point to God's deliverance, grace, and faithfulness despite our faults.
There is a flavour people can give to their testimony of God saving them which suggests they had a license to sin in their "BC" days - before Christ. The implication is they were far worse sinners in those days than now. There's no way they could ever sin like that again! This is not necessarily true. To think we will never sin after Christ to the degree we sinned before is inconsistent in the life of David and likely our own. In the matter of David's sin, he transgressed decades after he committed to trust, obey, and worship God alone. In Christian circles, people can be very free to share with others how they used to live before Christ. On the other hand, to admit they have struggled or stumbled into sin since is quietly kept under wraps. This produces a false front, a facade of spiritual strength to hide faults we know all too well a "good Christian" could or should have overcome.
And the result? Christians are reluctant to admit they are struggling, and this lack of transparency leads other believers to do the same. Openness concerning personal matters and frank honesty concerning sin promotes the same. Why is it that when we choose to follow Christ we assume we ought to be perfect and refuse to admit our hurts and struggles? Perhaps people are afraid their "salvation" will be doubted as genuine. No one wants to be judged by others or seen as weak failures. Pride has a lot to do with concealment of our faults, and God requires us to walk humbly with Him. When we were purchased with the blood of Christ by grace through faith, He purchased us as His own. Ours is a story of God's redemption and grace - not only before our conversion, but after as well. Our lives are a tapestry woven through with threads of God's deliverance, forgiveness, acceptance, and love. If we are His and He is ours, when we choose to keep our struggles and God's deliverance private after our conversion, we hold out on God. In doing so we refuse God glory to save face before men.
When we share the testimony of God's salvation and deliverance of our souls, let's not keep referring back to our days before we came to Christ in faith. It is fitting to talk about how God initially opened your eyes to your sin and need for salvation and forgiveness, but speak freely and frankly about how He has delivered you since. Like David, we too can testify God is a living God who has delivered us out of all distress, affliction, and sin. Transparency with others in the Body of Christ leads to true accountability. Our story is God's story, and we ought not keep the light of His deliverance hidden from those who have also tasted and seen God is good. Instead of painting ourselves in a soft, fuzzy light to improve our image, how much better to accurately describe the wondrous things God has done in delivering us from sin and ourselves. To God be the glory, both now and forever!
08 February 2015
07 February 2015
The Holy War
I read an interesting article written by Thomas Madden reprinted in "Christianity Today" in 2005 concerning the Crusades. One of his main points is how the Crusades were a response to the stop the spread of Islam in the world about one thousand years ago. I have not studied the history of the Crusades to know how accurate the article is, or what bias has affected the conclusions. But the last sentence caught my attention. Quoting professor Madden, "Whether we admire the Crusaders or not, it is a fact that the world we
know today would not exist without their efforts. The ancient faith of
Christianity, with its respect for women and antipathy toward slavery,
not only survived but flourished. Without the Crusades, it might well
have followed Zoroastrianism, another of Islam's rivals, into
extinction."
Perhaps I am a sleepy reader, but the last sentence shocked me awake in disbelief. What? Is this guy serious? Could he really say or believe such a thing? Without the Crusades Christianity might well have been made extinct? Never! To say Christianity could possibly ever be extinct is to suggest Jesus is not alive or has never existed. As a follower of Jesus, I am absolutely convinced Jesus Christ is alive. The scripture says He is at the right hand of the Father, making intercession on behalf of people loyal to God. He has gone to prepare a place for those who believe and follow Him. Someday He will return, establish His kingdom, and rule with a rod of iron. Christianity is the genuine, true, exclusive way to God. This claim has made it wildly unpopular, even offensive. But there it is. I do not apologise for the words spoken by my Saviour Jesus Christ in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Everyone has placed before them the choice to believe Jesus and entrust Him with your everlasting soul, and I have without regret.
There is a consistent spiritual principle held forth in 1 Corinthians 15:46 which is foundational to what I am going to say. It reads, "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." The natural comes first and then the spiritual. Hearkening back in Jewish history, God chose the Jews to be His special people. He gave them a land flowing with milk and honey, and they with His aid were to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Though they did not do this fully, God established them in the land of Israel. They set up a tabernacle according to God's specifications to worship God, and ultimately Solomon built a temple for this purpose. God gave all the tribes an inheritance of land. To the tribe of Levi God gave no inheritance of land, for He was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20).
Fast forward to Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah sent by God to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel, but having been rejected by them, a Way through faith in Christ was opened for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) to be born again and be adopted as sons into God's kingdom. The physical temple has not remained standing to this day, and even if it is rebuilt there will be no need for the blood of animal sacrifices to atone for sins because Jesus has already done so with His own blood. The physical temple has preceded the spiritual temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 affirms every Christian is now the temple of the Holy Spirit because He lives within us! The fight was a physical one when the Hebrews drove out the inhabitants of the land, but now for Christians it is a spiritual one. The promises God made to the Jews concerning their land remain true. Yet for believers our battle is not against flesh and blood over physical regions, but is waged against spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual realms (Eph. 6:12). The weapons of our warfare are not carnal - guns, knives, fists, or political influence - but mighty in God for pulling down spiritual strongholds and everything which vaunts itself against Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4), bringing every thought into captivity to obedience to Christ. The battle is largely an internal one, dealing with my own heart first.
In the New Testament, not once did Jesus encourage His disciples to physically fight against the oppressive Romans, Muslims, or self-righteous Pharisees. He did not fight like any man before Him fought. He did not leverage political power, manipulate by threats, or gather an army to crush dissidents. He demonstrated the love of God through self-sacrifice according to the leading of His heavenly Father. Religious and militaristic groups may use physical force to accomplish their ends through intimidation and murder, but Christians should never be numbered among them. Do you know how Jesus gained the victory and spread His Gospel throughout the world for eternity? By dying at the hands of His enemies without resisting evil according to His command during the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:39). This approach is repulsive to conventional wisdom because it is a revelation of God's true wisdom. Jesus committed Himself completely into the hands of the Father, knowing He would be raised from the dead. He committed Himself fully to God, knowing He would be vindicated for His righteousness and death would be overcome. He prayed. Oh, how He prayed! Jesus loved, prayed, and obeyed God, and every single professing Christian in the world ought follow His example.
It was through dying on the cross and rising from the dead which shattered the chains of bondage and sin which held men captive in darkness and death. To the world it appeared He lost the battle as His lifeless body was removed from the cross, but it was His physical death which ushered in new spiritual life for countless souls. The example and pattern established by Jesus was followed by the Christians in the early church. They faced great persecution, incarceration, torture, and execution. Instead of picking up the sword to smite unbelievers or even to defend their own lives, they fled to the safety of other regions. Some like Paul went willingly where the Spirit revealed he would be arrested in chains. The Word of God and the Gospel was taken into marketplaces, prisons, palaces, and remote villages. Yet somewhere down the line, the church or government decided they would abandon the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - and use the carnal weapons of men or political policies to accomplish God's purposes. It reverted to a physical battle over land and people using military might rather than seeking God in prayer to fight our battles. Perhaps people were deceived to think prayer was not enough to triumph in conflicts concerning God. Instead of dying to self to save souls, men waged war to kill those who opposed them. And this approach has continued by some to this day.
May Christians be those who have reclaimed all the territory of their own hearts and minds to the obedience of Jesus Christ, choosing to follow the example of Jesus by always doing what pleases the Father and walking in love. The spectre of conquesting jihadists or controlling governments should not cause us to deviate from Christ's ways. Instead of stockpiling weapons, we need to draw the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - and heed it ourselves! Even if obedience to God means my head will be sawed from my shoulders, I pledge to love those who draw my blood. Whether I live or die I entrust my eternal soul to the hands of my Father who loves me and gave His only Son to physically die for me so I might spiritually live through Him. One day (should God tarry) I will go the way of the earth, and my family name may be wiped from the planet, but there is no one in the universe or beyond who can destroy my Saviour, for He has overcome! We will not need to fight, for Jesus is already Victor! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all men!
Perhaps I am a sleepy reader, but the last sentence shocked me awake in disbelief. What? Is this guy serious? Could he really say or believe such a thing? Without the Crusades Christianity might well have been made extinct? Never! To say Christianity could possibly ever be extinct is to suggest Jesus is not alive or has never existed. As a follower of Jesus, I am absolutely convinced Jesus Christ is alive. The scripture says He is at the right hand of the Father, making intercession on behalf of people loyal to God. He has gone to prepare a place for those who believe and follow Him. Someday He will return, establish His kingdom, and rule with a rod of iron. Christianity is the genuine, true, exclusive way to God. This claim has made it wildly unpopular, even offensive. But there it is. I do not apologise for the words spoken by my Saviour Jesus Christ in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Everyone has placed before them the choice to believe Jesus and entrust Him with your everlasting soul, and I have without regret.
There is a consistent spiritual principle held forth in 1 Corinthians 15:46 which is foundational to what I am going to say. It reads, "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." The natural comes first and then the spiritual. Hearkening back in Jewish history, God chose the Jews to be His special people. He gave them a land flowing with milk and honey, and they with His aid were to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Though they did not do this fully, God established them in the land of Israel. They set up a tabernacle according to God's specifications to worship God, and ultimately Solomon built a temple for this purpose. God gave all the tribes an inheritance of land. To the tribe of Levi God gave no inheritance of land, for He was their inheritance (Numbers 18:20).
Fast forward to Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah sent by God to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel, but having been rejected by them, a Way through faith in Christ was opened for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) to be born again and be adopted as sons into God's kingdom. The physical temple has not remained standing to this day, and even if it is rebuilt there will be no need for the blood of animal sacrifices to atone for sins because Jesus has already done so with His own blood. The physical temple has preceded the spiritual temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 affirms every Christian is now the temple of the Holy Spirit because He lives within us! The fight was a physical one when the Hebrews drove out the inhabitants of the land, but now for Christians it is a spiritual one. The promises God made to the Jews concerning their land remain true. Yet for believers our battle is not against flesh and blood over physical regions, but is waged against spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual realms (Eph. 6:12). The weapons of our warfare are not carnal - guns, knives, fists, or political influence - but mighty in God for pulling down spiritual strongholds and everything which vaunts itself against Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4), bringing every thought into captivity to obedience to Christ. The battle is largely an internal one, dealing with my own heart first.
In the New Testament, not once did Jesus encourage His disciples to physically fight against the oppressive Romans, Muslims, or self-righteous Pharisees. He did not fight like any man before Him fought. He did not leverage political power, manipulate by threats, or gather an army to crush dissidents. He demonstrated the love of God through self-sacrifice according to the leading of His heavenly Father. Religious and militaristic groups may use physical force to accomplish their ends through intimidation and murder, but Christians should never be numbered among them. Do you know how Jesus gained the victory and spread His Gospel throughout the world for eternity? By dying at the hands of His enemies without resisting evil according to His command during the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:39). This approach is repulsive to conventional wisdom because it is a revelation of God's true wisdom. Jesus committed Himself completely into the hands of the Father, knowing He would be raised from the dead. He committed Himself fully to God, knowing He would be vindicated for His righteousness and death would be overcome. He prayed. Oh, how He prayed! Jesus loved, prayed, and obeyed God, and every single professing Christian in the world ought follow His example.
It was through dying on the cross and rising from the dead which shattered the chains of bondage and sin which held men captive in darkness and death. To the world it appeared He lost the battle as His lifeless body was removed from the cross, but it was His physical death which ushered in new spiritual life for countless souls. The example and pattern established by Jesus was followed by the Christians in the early church. They faced great persecution, incarceration, torture, and execution. Instead of picking up the sword to smite unbelievers or even to defend their own lives, they fled to the safety of other regions. Some like Paul went willingly where the Spirit revealed he would be arrested in chains. The Word of God and the Gospel was taken into marketplaces, prisons, palaces, and remote villages. Yet somewhere down the line, the church or government decided they would abandon the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - and use the carnal weapons of men or political policies to accomplish God's purposes. It reverted to a physical battle over land and people using military might rather than seeking God in prayer to fight our battles. Perhaps people were deceived to think prayer was not enough to triumph in conflicts concerning God. Instead of dying to self to save souls, men waged war to kill those who opposed them. And this approach has continued by some to this day.
May Christians be those who have reclaimed all the territory of their own hearts and minds to the obedience of Jesus Christ, choosing to follow the example of Jesus by always doing what pleases the Father and walking in love. The spectre of conquesting jihadists or controlling governments should not cause us to deviate from Christ's ways. Instead of stockpiling weapons, we need to draw the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - and heed it ourselves! Even if obedience to God means my head will be sawed from my shoulders, I pledge to love those who draw my blood. Whether I live or die I entrust my eternal soul to the hands of my Father who loves me and gave His only Son to physically die for me so I might spiritually live through Him. One day (should God tarry) I will go the way of the earth, and my family name may be wiped from the planet, but there is no one in the universe or beyond who can destroy my Saviour, for He has overcome! We will not need to fight, for Jesus is already Victor! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all men!
04 February 2015
Time to Work!
"He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
6
In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
It is natural for man to trust his limited senses rather than walking in faith. The flesh contrives countless reasons why it is not a convenient or opportune time to trust God now. We are always seeking better conditions where obvious fruitfulness of our efforts is instantly apparent. Solomon held forth the picture of the man filled with excuses. There are seasons to plant and harvest, yet the man described in verse 4 is focused on the weather. In the season for sowing he says, "Ah! Too windy today. I want more control over where the seed lands." So the seed remains unused in the shed. When it is the time to harvest, he turns his furrowed brow towards the heavens: "Threatening clouds overhead. Better wait until the risk of a downpour is over."
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted..." It is the season - not wind or clouds - which indicate the right time for labour. Farming is a practical act of faith. In Bible times, people planted seeds trusting God would bring the rain, cause the plants to grow and be fruitful, and He would cause the fruit to remain and ripen. Solomon confronted those who made excuses to justify their inaction by pointing out the severe limitations of their senses and understanding. "You don't know the way of the wind," Solomon said. "You don't know how bones grown in the womb of a mother with child. If you don't know where the wind is coming from or where it is going, it's clear you do not know the works of God who makes everything."
His conclusion? "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good." We can never know the impact of our labours in God's field or vineyard for the glory of God and His kingdom. The words of Solomon are deeper than mere advice on farming. He offers us sage spiritual advice concerning our efforts to scatter the good seed of God's Word and reap a harvest of souls and good fruit. Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." As long as we draw breath, as children of the light it is high time to labour for the LORD. The movement of the Holy Spirit is compared to wind by Jesus in John 3, and no man can predict what He will do. Who knows how far He will carry the seed and cause it to be fruitful? For years the seed may remain dormant in the hearts and minds of others, and then suddenly by God's grace it will spring to life!
If we are looking to social trends to find a strategy, if we decided it is an inconvenient time because of modern culture or social pressure, when will the work God has ordained us to do be done? Instead of observing the wind or the clouds, let us look to the example of Jesus Christ and follow Him as led by the Holy Spirit. Let us be diligent to put our hands to the plow without looking back, scoffing at our pathetic flesh which pleads to quit and leave work undone. It is a season for diligence and labour, for humility and doing the hard yards. Isn't it amazing God has ordained a single seed to bring forth new life? Whether we move rocks, plow, sow, or reap, it is God who brings the increase. Psalm 126:5-6 assures us, "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Instant results will likely not occur, but we can trust God He will bring the increase in His time.
02 February 2015
Confession and Healing
Every Christian has a personal story of redemption and deliverance. Not only have we been saved from death and eternal damnation by God's grace, but God has saved us from troubles and addictions after we were born again. These are stories which should not be kept to ourselves, but shared freely with others. Our story should be one which points to God's faithfulness despite our faithlessness. Transparency and vulnerability are sorely lacking in the lives of many because they are afraid they might be judged or condemned by others.
Recognition of past failure lays a foundation for humility and graciousness within us. We should not to be proud of our wickedness or how we were more "lost" than most because of our debauchery. Who we used to be and what we used to do is the minor key: the grace, love, and salvation of God is to be the major emphasis. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Paul gives us a good example in specifically referencing the sins and folly of his former life, but does not go into vivid detail. His unworthiness allowed him to magnify God's grace towards him. This same grace God offers to all who repent and trust in Him.
There are few things worse than a group of Christians who act like they have no problems or struggles with sin whatsoever. Our identity as Christians is a public proclamation we are sinners who had no hope in this world apart from Christ. After coming to Christ, do all our problems disappear? Not hardly. We live in a fallen world, are targeted by the enemy of our souls, and live in a body of corruptible flesh. It is true Christ has overcome the world and through Him we are assured of ultimate victory. But to suggest we do not struggle in this fight not against flesh and blood is to deny the truth of scripture. Christians must band together as one, revealing our pains and difficulties freely - not for sympathy or pity - but so we might strengthen and encourage one another, praying for one another continually.
In nearly every John Wayne western I can remember, he is injured at some point. Many times after a gunfight, someone will point out "Hey, you've been shot." "Aw, this?" the tough man says, as if he didn't know. "I'm fine." The most common John Wayne treatment is to wrap a bandana around the bloody wound and ignore it. In the movies no one needs to worry about lead poisoning, but in real life we do. God has provided churches comprised of believers to minister to the needs and tend to the wounds of those in the Body itself. If Christians do the spiritual equivalent of limping around with bandanas tied on our arms and legs, trying to conceal our wounds, how will they ever be healed? When the fiery darts of the enemy find a gap in our armour, we need to seek the aid of our brothers who are fighting with us in the trenches. Let us not be ashamed to admit our need for accountability and help when we are hurting. How silly it would be for you to walk into church with the sharp teeth of a bear trap sunk to the bone on the ankle, smile, and say you are doing well. Do this long enough and you might actually start believing yourself.
James 5:13-16 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." God has made Christians as members of Christ's Body and ordained us as ministers for one another. Instead of glorying in what God has saved us from, let us rejoice that we know God and have been delivered by His grace. Our deliverance from sin does not mean we do not struggle. Let us join as one, united in the grace, love, and mercy of Christ. By the grace of God we are who we are, and together let us bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Recognition of past failure lays a foundation for humility and graciousness within us. We should not to be proud of our wickedness or how we were more "lost" than most because of our debauchery. Who we used to be and what we used to do is the minor key: the grace, love, and salvation of God is to be the major emphasis. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Paul gives us a good example in specifically referencing the sins and folly of his former life, but does not go into vivid detail. His unworthiness allowed him to magnify God's grace towards him. This same grace God offers to all who repent and trust in Him.
There are few things worse than a group of Christians who act like they have no problems or struggles with sin whatsoever. Our identity as Christians is a public proclamation we are sinners who had no hope in this world apart from Christ. After coming to Christ, do all our problems disappear? Not hardly. We live in a fallen world, are targeted by the enemy of our souls, and live in a body of corruptible flesh. It is true Christ has overcome the world and through Him we are assured of ultimate victory. But to suggest we do not struggle in this fight not against flesh and blood is to deny the truth of scripture. Christians must band together as one, revealing our pains and difficulties freely - not for sympathy or pity - but so we might strengthen and encourage one another, praying for one another continually.
In nearly every John Wayne western I can remember, he is injured at some point. Many times after a gunfight, someone will point out "Hey, you've been shot." "Aw, this?" the tough man says, as if he didn't know. "I'm fine." The most common John Wayne treatment is to wrap a bandana around the bloody wound and ignore it. In the movies no one needs to worry about lead poisoning, but in real life we do. God has provided churches comprised of believers to minister to the needs and tend to the wounds of those in the Body itself. If Christians do the spiritual equivalent of limping around with bandanas tied on our arms and legs, trying to conceal our wounds, how will they ever be healed? When the fiery darts of the enemy find a gap in our armour, we need to seek the aid of our brothers who are fighting with us in the trenches. Let us not be ashamed to admit our need for accountability and help when we are hurting. How silly it would be for you to walk into church with the sharp teeth of a bear trap sunk to the bone on the ankle, smile, and say you are doing well. Do this long enough and you might actually start believing yourself.
James 5:13-16 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." God has made Christians as members of Christ's Body and ordained us as ministers for one another. Instead of glorying in what God has saved us from, let us rejoice that we know God and have been delivered by His grace. Our deliverance from sin does not mean we do not struggle. Let us join as one, united in the grace, love, and mercy of Christ. By the grace of God we are who we are, and together let us bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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