God Explains so We Can See

One book Charles Spurgeon wrote that I enjoyed is titled, The Bible and the Newspaper.  The basic premise of the book is God can provide object lessons everywhere--even in the articles found in the newspaper.  Jesus used illustrations in His teaching and parables from ordinary life, and thus it is feasible with His guidance we can employ these wisely as well.  Spurgeon wrote, "The things which we have seen and noted we now give our readers, not merely for their entertainment, but that we may encourage in them the habit of looking for emblems and analogies.  It is a mental exercise as profitable as it is pleasant." (Spurgeon, C. H. The Bible and the Newspaper. Pilgrim Publications, 1973. Page v.)  Being grounded on the unchanging truth of God's word with open eyes and ears, I have found this to be the case.

The things we see and hear can have a profound impact upon us in a positive or negative sense.  An example of this is shown in the oddly named song "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by the alternative rock band Crash Test Dummies.  The song tells a story of three kids:  one whose hair turned from black to white after a car accident, a girl who had birthmarks all over her body and a boy who went to a church where people "shook and lurched all over the church floor."  These characters all shared something in common, the fact they could not explain these occurrences that made them stand out among other people.  The boy couldn't explain how cars crashing hard changed his hair colour, nor could the girl explain how she was born with birthmarks that led to self-consciousness.

The song says these two were glad because one kid had it worse than them--the one with the strict parents who made him come directly after school, the one who went to a church where people shook on the church floor.  The lyrics say, "He couldn't quite explain it, they'd always just gone there."  Truly this is the saddest case, and I don't fault the boy.  Christians are called to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us as Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."  We are called not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together with fellow Christians having been made one Body by faith in Jesus.  It is also wise to have our corporate worship guided by God's word, understanding what we are doing and why.  There is freedom for diversity in the Body of Christ, and with Jesus as our Head we are all united by the same Holy Spirit.

There are many people like the last boy and his family, going to church, doing religious activities because they always have or feel obligated to.  The faith of a Christian ought to be according to knowledge of God as revealed in scripture, the God who does things beyond explanation because He is almighty.  While I cannot explain all that God has done and is doing, it is possible to know and rely upon all God has revealed of Himself.  He is not the author of confusion but of peace.  In relation to the exercising of spiritual gifts in the church assembly (what the song alludes to), all things ought to be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40).  It is by God's unchanging word we can know what is orderly and out of order, what is decent or unbecoming for believers.  Our practices ought to be brought in line with the sound teaching of God's word.  This is how "Mmm" can turn into "Ah, I see!"

Let Go of that Hobby Horse

One benefit of personally reading and teaching through the Bible verse by verse is gaining broad exposure to God's word and wisdom.  It is a good practice to observe points of emphasis and repetition in scripture that we might heed them.  It is true that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, yet it is possible in teaching and ordinary conversation we major on the minors and thus miss the mark.  Years ago I remember a man who was obsessed to discern the validity of a popular Christian book.  His troubled mental state would have been far more greatly helped to stop debating or fretting over that popular book and rely upon God's word that remains true and relevant forever.

A primary aim I have in teaching is to present an accurate depiction of God's word under His guidance.  The grand, overarching themes of scripture that God created all things, Jesus Christ is God with us, the Gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit and our duty to love God and others ought to be regularly emphasised.  I discipline myself to exercise caution to avoid reading into passages and taking liberty to claim the Bible says things it does not explicitly say.  As we read each chapter hungry for a revelation of God and His wisdom, He is faithful to provide all the timeless truth we need so we might glean and receive it, far more than Boaz left Ruth in his field.  Should we cling to a "hobby horse" instead of God's word this preoccupation can distract us from the truth, cause us to dismiss what is plainly said and lead to unbalanced extremes--and even error.

It is good when our favourite topics align with those in scripture, and when they do I would not view this as a hobby horse.  A hobby horse is a toy (a stick with a horse's head mounted on it) that is not necessary for the health, growth or development of a child, and thus a hobby horse in preaching is unnecessary to the exposition of a text.  It is as strange and foreign to scripture as it is to see literal hobby horses brought by congregants at a church gathering.  A hobby horse does not have legs or power of its own and must be carried around for fun.  It could be used as a walking stick or for beating other people over the head.  It could be a source of comfort for the one who parades it into conversations to demonstrate the benefits to others.  I am not immune from the tendency towards hobby horses of my own, yet I believe they are better suited for a nursery than a pulpit.  The Holy Spirit who knows the hearts and minds of men is able to reveal the hobby horses I have taken up, and He is also able to convince me and others to release our grip by faith in Christ our LORD.

It grieves me to say I have had a reputation for many things but not always Christ.  Would to God people would say of me, "There is someone who loves Jesus" and then talk about how wonderful Jesus is because His love, grace and goodness shone through me.  How easy it is to be caught up in troubles of the day or dramas in the lives of people and take that up as a hobby horse in our thoughts rather than looking to the LORD in prayer for salvation, hope and help.  Instead of crossing hobby horses like lightsabers with fellow Christians, let us raise our hands to the almighty God in praise and adoration.  Let us place our faith in God and read His word with hungry hearts, knowing we will be filled and sustained by His grace.  Proverbs 23:23 says, "Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding."  Jesus is the Truth, the One who has purchased us and is wisdom for us.  Unlike a hobby horse, we do not carry Him:  the One who was lifted up draws us and all to Himself.

Written by God

One thing I was always fascinated and impressed with as a kid was my dad's signature.  It was a scrawl of barely recognisable letters he could reproduce again and again without fail, his own mark.  Surely no forger would attempt that signature!  I enjoyed flipping through a book that contained carbon copies of cheques where page after page of the signature was written.  Occasionally I asked him to sign a blank piece of paper just to see him write it again in person.  Inspired by his signature I tried to develop a signature of my own, yet none could possibly eclipse the immaculate style and flourish of his pen.

Something I have grown to treasure even more than my dad's writing is God's word the Bible, spoken by God and penned for us so we might know Him and walk in His ways.  I felt quite proud to know the illegible words my dad's signature represented, but it is humbling to know God has chosen to speak forth His wisdom so it might be heard and heeded.  God has given to each a measure of faith, and faith when mixed with the hearing of God's word makes it most profitable for life and godliness.  The God who is unfathomable in majesty has graciously revealed Himself through His word, and the heavens and His redeemed proclaim His glory.  Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Over the span of our lives our signatures morph and change, yet God's word endures forever and remains unchanged and perfect as He is.  As Psalm 119:105 states, God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path.  Not only does it reveal the truth about God and us, but it ought to be used as a guide to walk wisely every day.  Consider the words of Jesus in Mark 4:21-22:  "Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light."  Treasuring God's word in our hearts keeps us from sinning against God.  The words of life revealed to us are beneficial to share with others as we heed them ourselves, not to brag of our knowledge, but to demonstrate love in leading others to Jesus as LORD.

My dad's signature was written by hand, and the heavens and earth--and all that is in them--are the work of God's hands.  Jesus pointed to the Roman coin that bore the image of Caesar to support the authority of Caesar to require taxes, and God created human beings in His own image.  Romans 13:7-8 says, "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. ⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  We only live, breathe and have our being because of God, and we ought to fear, honour and love God over all as He is worthy to be praised.  He does more than we could ever do, and He is greater than we could ever hope to be.  Glory to God for His gracious love and enduring word.

The Work of God

"Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

John 6:28-29

Belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah is not only the start of a relationship with God but the only way we grow as we exercise faith in submission to Him.  When the Jews asked Jesus about doing the works of God, likely thought about what they needed to do.  Jesus pointed to the work He desired to do inside them, that they would believe Jesus was the Christ and follow Him obediently.  It is much easier to attempt work for God rather than allow Him to work and continue working unhindered in us.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  The illustration Jesus used was an ox wearing a yoke, a device that allowed two oxen to walk along beside each other as a team.  Jesus extended an open invitation to whoever was weary to come to Him and find rest for their souls.  One might think the place of rest is not in a yoke but once the yoke is removed.  Jesus says when we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him we find rest for our souls.  Walking alongside Him we are greatly helped and our  crushing burdens lifted.

Yoked oxen walked together in cooperation according to verbal cues or a goad.  The farmer who directed the plough that cut through the soil behind them into furrows to prepare for planting.  As a trained ox recognises commands, Jesus always did the will of the Father.  Oxen could not see the "work" that was occurring behind them as they walked forward on hard-packed, fallow ground.  The relationship of a team to their trainer and owner was based on trust, and so is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  We might not realise the work ordained by God that taking place out of sight behind us.  The real work can begin when we humbly respond to the invitation to come to Him and take His yoke upon us by faith in Him.

A farmer might employ the strength of an ox to plough a field, to thresh grain or to pull a cart.  What was required of the oxen was fairly simple:  to obey the commands of the farmer.  How privileged we are to come alongside and to learn from Jesus who is gentle and lowly of heart, not condescending and arrogant.  No amount of working can earn God's acceptance or approval; no sacrifice is worthy of an audience with the almighty God.  The work of God is to believe in Jesus and that is the place where the weary labourer finds rest by God's grace.  It isn't the fields we clear or the furrows we cut that are evidence of the work of God in us but our position wearing Christ's yoke, a work that takes place in and then though us.