Satanic Suggestion

For a discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we have been reading through an out-of-print edition of Spiritual Leadership.  It is lamentable how the more recent versions have been stripped of original force and power, but thankfully there are plenty of copies for purchase available online.

I was struck with the perceptive wisdom of Sanders concerning the tactics the devil uses to stunt the growth, sap the power, and reduce the fruitfulness of Christians.  Paul was not ignorant of Satan's devices, and neither should any follower of Jesus Christ be.  Satan shamelessly appeals to the opinions of others and our flesh, and works tirelessly to distract and confuse.  Causing us to yield in our pursuit of Christ for even a moment lends him our ears and access to our hearts.  Sanders wrote this in his Christian classic:

The epic contest of Moses with Pharaoh affords a classic example of the progressive temptation to compromise.  When Pharaoh discerned Moses' inflexible purpose to take Israel out of Egypt to worship the Lord, he used all his wiles to frustrate him.  "Worship God if you will," was the first suggestion, "but there is no need to leave Egypt to do it.  Worship God where you are."  The modern counterpart would be "Don't neglect religion. But there is no need to be narrow and make a complete break with the world."

When that approach failed, Pharaoh's suggestion was:  "If you must go out of Egypt to worship, there is no need to go very far away.  Just go outside the borders."  "Religion is good and necessary, but you are not called on to be fanatical about it.  Stay as near to the world as you can."

His next proposal played upon natural affection.  "Let the men go and worship, but there is no need for the woman and children to accompany them."  "Break with the world yourself, if you must, but don't be so extreme as to interfere with the worldly advancement of your family by making them conform to your Victorian standards."

His final attempt was an appeal to their covetousness and love of material things:  "Go if you must, but let your flocks and herds remain in Egypt while you go to worship."  "Don't allow your legitimate religious convictions to conflict with your business interests and activities." (Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody, 1980. 159-160. Print.)

These all seem like reasonable requests from the world's perspective, but for a follower of Jesus none of them are acceptable.  Satan suggests, but God commands!  Moses was resolved not to leave a hoof behind in obeying God, and we should follow his resolute example!

Ten Fingers, Ten Commandments

Our lives have the potential to make a huge positive influence on others.  For those in church ministry, it may feel like you aren't making much of a difference.  As I think about those who invested time in me as a kid, I remember and appreciate their sacrifice of time and faithfulness to God and His Word.  God is able to use straight-laced folks and complete characters to impact others for His glory.

Ricardo Medina was a man I will not forget.  He was called by his friends the "crazy Cuban," and would wear a cowboy hat, boots and trench coat to church every week.  I heard stories about him going to local churches and being asked to leave because of his wardrobe.  All I know is the man loved the LORD, and he had the heart of a servant.  What I remember the most was the time he stood in as youth leader on a Sunday evening at church.  I was in grade 7 or 8, and though decades have passed I have always remembered the lesson: Ricardo taught us the 10 Commandments using our fingers.  His lesson I have taught to my own children, and many others besides.

I do not know if Ricardo still walks the earth today - seeing as that was about 30 years ago - but if he does I would thank him and tell him I appreciate the lesson he shared in that cramped, panelled trailer  of a classroom.  A man other churches refused entry God used to administer the practical truth of God's perfect Law.  Psalm 19:7-11 reads, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸ the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹ the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward."  God's Law reveals our sinfulness and desperate need for a Saviour and forgiveness.  We must see our filth before we seek cleansing, and we must recognise our grave illness before we desire a cure.

The 10 Commandments are listed in Exodus 20:1-17.  If you are interested in how to learn the 10 Commandments in order in less than 5 minutes and remember for a lifetime, here you go - compliments of Ricardo Medina!  Place your hands in front of you, palms facing up.  Starting from right thumb to left thumb:

1.  Picture a red "no smoking" type sign on your right thumb.  "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
2. See how your pointer finger has three segments like a totem pole?  That is an idol.  "Thou shalt not make for yourself any graven image."
3. Keeping your pointer extended, hold out your middle finger to make a "V."  This reminds us, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain."
4. Imagine your finger is full of holes, like Swiss cheese.  "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
5. Your right pinky is a small finger, and a locket is very small.  In your locket is a tiny picture of your dad and mum.  "Honour your father and your mother."
6. Make a fist and extend the pinky on your left hand.  It could stab like a knife!  "Thou shalt not murder."
7. The next finger is your "ring" finger, which reminds us of God's covenant of marriage.  "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
8. The middle finger is your longest finger, like a "steel" pipe.  "Thou shalt not steal."
9. This second finger is called the pointing finger, and we sin by false accusation.  "Thou shalt not bear false witness (lie)."
10. When you rub your forefinger and thumb together, it is a sign for money.  To lust after wealth is to covet!  "Thou shalt not covet."

There it is!  Now you too can remember and share the truth of God with others, a legacy which - like God's Word - will endure forever!

The Value of Suffering

Suffering is an intrinsic part of life on earth.  Paul wrote all of creation is currently in the bondage of corruption brought by man's sin.  Romans 8:22 explains the scope and the effects of this corruption that brings death:  "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now."  It is not all bad news, for as certain as suffering and pain is present on earth, so redemption and freedom for eternity is assured for those who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  Birth pangs are unbelievably painful, but necessary for the living miracle to be born.

Jesus suffered pain on the cross and drank of the bitter cup of judgment man deserved so those who trust in Him could be delivered from sin and death.  Though Jesus has taken our punishment, pain and suffering is a necessary part of life for we all who are alive and remain - especially for those who take a stand for Jesus Christ and godliness.  Jesus promised tribulation for those who willingly followed Him.  It is also written in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."  Even the desire to live for Christ comes at a cost.  If following Jesus brings an increase of persecution or suffering in this life, why bother?  Because it has been revealed life on earth is not all there is.  Like Abraham, with eyes of faith we look to an everlasting city in the heavens where Christ is.  We do not live for ourselves anymore, having been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, but for the God who loves us and gave Himself for us.

There are more reasons held forth in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  Because our God is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, we receive abundant consolation in our sufferings.  No matter what trouble we experience, God's comfort and grace is super abundant.  God's comfort does not eliminate our pain and anguish, but these intense feelings and drive us closer to God in desperation for relief.  Once we have received and choose to walk in God's comfort, we are granted the ability to help others to experience God's comfort as well.  Wouldn't you love to be able to comfort those who are in any trouble?  We do not need to have suffered the exact thing someone else has to lead them to the God who can comfort them too (though it sometimes helps).  The more we suffer, the more comfort is available to us by God, and the better we are able to help others.

If the lives of Christians were always easy and prosperous in a worldly sense, people would not be struck with the supernatural peace, joy, and contentment which is a stark contrast to others in the world in the midst of trials.  Even worse, people would see Christ as a means of financial gain and selfishly seek Him.  Paul had learned in whatever state he was to be content, and he rejoiced more in prison suffering for Christ than wealthy rulers who lived in palaces without Christ.  Suffering for a Christian has a redemptive aspect the world cannot know or experience.  Praise God for His abundant consolation in our sufferings, for we ourselves are comforted by the God of all comfort.  God can use suffering in our lives to receive His comfort and to lead others to take refuge in Him.  We all desire to be fruitful and used by God, and suffering refines and equips us through the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will.  Everyone suffers, but God wants all to be comforted.  And He wants to use you to do just that.

Praise God's Word

"In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word), ¹¹ in God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Psalm 56:10-11

Jesus is the name of above all names, having been exalted over all others by His heavenly Father.  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, and revealed God's love through sacrificial death and mighty power through the resurrection.  It is the scripture, the Word of God, by which we learn of the true nature of God in trinity:  one God revealed in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We ought to place a high value on the Bible in study and practice, and Jesus displayed total mastery of the holy scriptures.  The Pharisees thought the study of the scriptures would give life, but the scriptures spoke of Christ who alone has the words of life.  The life is in Jesus, and by faith we can know Jesus through the written Word.

One thing consistent in the book of Acts is the teaching of the Word - the Old Testament with a view to Christ as the fulfillment (Acts 8:4, 25; Acts 13:5; Acts 14:25, just a few examples).  Since then there has been many diversions in preaching emphasis, and some frown on those who cling to the scriptures in literal belief as a guide for practical living.  In a sermon titled "The Word a Sword" preached on 17 May, 1887, C.H. Spurgeon said, "Holy Scripture is full of power and energy. Oh, the majesty of the Word of God! They charge us with Bibliolatry. It is a crime of their own inventing, of which few are guilty. If there are such things as venial sins, surely an undue reverence of Holy Scripture is one of them. To me the Bible is not God, but it is God’s voice—and I do not hear it without awe. What an honor to have as one’s calling to study, to expound and to publish this sacred Word! I cannot help feeling that the man who preaches the Word of God is standing, not upon a mere platform, but upon a throne."

It is not idolatrous to honour the Word God has placed above His name, as David inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote in Psalm 138:2, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."  David praised God and His Word, for the accepted canon of scripture has been God-breathed and inspired with divine unction.  God is truth, and every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5).  The Bible is not the Godhead, but it will endure as long as God Himself.  1 Peter 1:22-25 reads, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ²⁴ because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, ²⁵ but the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you."

God does not change, and His Word also changes not.  It is sure foundation to build our lives upon, and wise are those who hear and obey it.  Jesus said in Luke 21:33:  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."  For all of eternity the Word of God will remain true, and the assurance of the promises contained therein is complete for those who heed them.  The fear of God and a love of His Word are indispensable requirements for all who will live righteously and spend eternity in the presence of the Father with exceeding joy.  May our lives praise His Word, for in God we have placed our trust.