In the classic film "The Princess Bride" based on a novel by William Goldman, a young woman found true love in a servant who worked for her. When she made requests of him he would always answer, "As you wish." The Grandfather, played by Peter Falk, read this line from his book: "That day she was amazed to discover that when he was saying 'As you wish," what he meant was, 'I love you.'" True love is always displayed through action, and Westley showed he loved Buttercup by his faithful service.
Being a hired hand, it may be said Westley did not have a choice whether he obeyed Buttercup or not. But Westley certainly did have a choice. It could have cost him his position or had other negative consequences, but Westley had the freedom to choose. The same can be said for all people concerning belief, trust, and obedience. God has given every person the freedom to choose who we will serve. There are ultimately two final choices: I am free to live according to my will or God's will. Jesus held forth this truth as He bowed before His Father in heaven in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke 22:41-42 reads, "And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
42
saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
God does not tell us His wishes - wistful thoughts of a powerless being who is at the mercy of men who claim to serve Him - but He has revealed unto those who trust God His perfect will. God can accomplish all things without the aid of man, yet He has chosen to use people as His vessels infused with the Holy Spirit. Jesus laid down the will of His flesh that He might do the will of the Father, and it is the same for us. In all things we are either doing as we wish or submitting ourselves to do God's will. It is through obedience to God's will we demonstrate our love for God, even as Westley proclaimed his love for Buttercup through faithful service. As Jesus said 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."
Saying and doing as God wills is a way we display our love for God. May our lives everyday plainly say to Jesus Christ our LORD, "I love you."
20 July 2015
19 July 2015
God's Love for You and Me
We have embarked on a study of Song of Solomon during our Sunday morning messages at Calvary Chapel Sydney. The epic romance of the Shulamite and her beloved is like a rich tapestry, with multiple layers of meaning and insights into the love of God. It is amazing to think of royalty courting and marrying a common working woman, but even more phenomenal to consider the great love of God for people.
As I studied the beginning of chapter 2, it dawned on me how Solomon's love for the Shulamite was revealed in at least five ways. The love God has granted us by His grace ought to be love which marks our lives towards God and all we meet, especially those of the household of faith with whom we have been made one body through Christ. The way Solomon displayed love for his betrothed is a striking parallel to the way the love of Jesus has been given to me.
Solomon's love for his betrothed was personal. He affirmed his love through sincere compliments, and she was all fair in his eyes. He preferred the company of his beloved over all others. To him, it was as if she was the only woman around: if she was a lily, all others compared to her as thorns. He was a protector of his future mate, offering refuge like a shade tree from the sun's heat. He provided for his beloved with their future in mind, building a lovely house they would share together. Solomon also displayed his love publicly without embarrassment, and he rejoiced to claim his beloved as his own.
Isn't this strikingly similar to how Jesus has revealed His love for us? The love of Jesus is personal: He shed His blood for me. Romans 5:8 reminds us, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He prefers the company of those He calls friends, those who love Him and keep His commandments. Jesus Christ is my refuge in whom I find rest. He has provided for all my needs in this life, and is also preparing a place for me and all others who trust Him in heaven. He has displayed His love publicly, dying on the cross to atone for sins. As it is written of Christ in John 1:11-13, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Since God's love has been shed abroad in the hearts of Christ's followers through the Holy Spirit, so His love is to be dispensed through us to all. Loving God and others with the sacrificial, active love of God confirms that we are indeed His, adopted into His royal family. It is all of grace. Let us not be ashamed of Christ or His gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.
As I studied the beginning of chapter 2, it dawned on me how Solomon's love for the Shulamite was revealed in at least five ways. The love God has granted us by His grace ought to be love which marks our lives towards God and all we meet, especially those of the household of faith with whom we have been made one body through Christ. The way Solomon displayed love for his betrothed is a striking parallel to the way the love of Jesus has been given to me.
Solomon's love for his betrothed was personal. He affirmed his love through sincere compliments, and she was all fair in his eyes. He preferred the company of his beloved over all others. To him, it was as if she was the only woman around: if she was a lily, all others compared to her as thorns. He was a protector of his future mate, offering refuge like a shade tree from the sun's heat. He provided for his beloved with their future in mind, building a lovely house they would share together. Solomon also displayed his love publicly without embarrassment, and he rejoiced to claim his beloved as his own.
Isn't this strikingly similar to how Jesus has revealed His love for us? The love of Jesus is personal: He shed His blood for me. Romans 5:8 reminds us, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He prefers the company of those He calls friends, those who love Him and keep His commandments. Jesus Christ is my refuge in whom I find rest. He has provided for all my needs in this life, and is also preparing a place for me and all others who trust Him in heaven. He has displayed His love publicly, dying on the cross to atone for sins. As it is written of Christ in John 1:11-13, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Since God's love has been shed abroad in the hearts of Christ's followers through the Holy Spirit, so His love is to be dispensed through us to all. Loving God and others with the sacrificial, active love of God confirms that we are indeed His, adopted into His royal family. It is all of grace. Let us not be ashamed of Christ or His gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.
16 July 2015
Angry With God?
During a discussion recently, the topic of conversation turned to one not often addressed: being angry with God. My friend observed he had noticed an increasing number of students and interns in Bible schools who claim to be currently "angry with God" like it is a badge of honour and justifiable. For some time he noticed a growing trend - among professing Christians - who said they were angry with God. That brings up a question: is it OK to be angry with God?
The scripture says of anger in Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath..." Whilst it is possible to be angry without sin, this scripture reveals it is impossible for us to remain angry without sin. Solomon cautioned in Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools." Frequent anger is an indication of foolishness, and a fool is someone who lives without regard or fear of God. We would like to think we bristle with righteous indignation when we are angry, yet often the reality is anything but.
Scripture reveals times when God's anger was stirred up, and with the ridiculous caricatures of God often presented the occurrences are far more rare than one might think. David wrote in Psalm 7:11, "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day." When God perceives wickedness in His people, His righteous anger is aroused. In Deuteronomy 9:20, God was very angry with Aaron the High Priest for leading the nation into idolatry. God was angry with Moses for not sanctifying Him before the people (Deut. 1:37; 4:21). 1 Kings 11:9 reads, "So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice..." To whom much is given much is required, and God's anger is aroused by sinfulness - not just among those who know not God, but to those He has revealed Himself. Sin is the fuel and man supplies the fire through unbelief and sin which kindles the anger of God. God's anger is provoked as a result of sin.
Our common motives for being angry are primarily selfish, usually concern over how we have been negatively affected by circumstances. Since we are not in agreement or pleased with what God has seen fit to allow, we can become angry. When Abel's sacrifice was accepted and Cain's was rejected, Cain was angry. Whether he was specifically angry with God is not explicitly revealed in the text, but God warned Cain how sinful anger leads to more sin. Genesis 4:6-7 says, "So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." In the very next verse, Cain murdered his brother Abel. Whenever we are angry, we do well to answer the question: why am I angry? Anger is often inflamed with sinful motives, and unless we repent it will surely lead to greater sin.
Another case of anger in God's people was after Jonah the prophet was sent by God to warn the Ninevites of coming judgment. When they repented and mourned over their sin, God spared the people and the city. Jonah 4:1 tells us Jonah's surprising reaction: "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry." Was Jonah angry at God? Maybe. Jonah complained God was slow to anger and relented from doing harm. He felt so miserable it would be better for him to die than live. In Jonah 4:4 God responded with a probing question: "Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" As Jonah continued to sulk and watched to see what would become of the city, God caused a plant to grow which shaded his head from the sun. He was grateful for that! During the night God prepared a worm to eat the plant and it died. When the sun arose, God prepared a strong wind to blow on Jonah and he wished for death. Jonah 4:9 says, "Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" It was not right for Jonah to be angry, and that is why He provided the plant, the worm, and the strong wind. And when faced with his sinful anger over a plant, Jonah decided he would rather die than let it go. When we hold on to sinful anger, it will eventually kill us.
There is only one instance in the Gospels I am aware of the Bible explicitly says Jesus Christ, God made flesh, was angry. If you are thinking about when Jesus fashioned a whip and drove out the money-changers and animals, it was zeal the scripture tells us - not anger - prompted Him. Since the scriptures do not explicitly say Jesus was angry on those two occasions, to say He must have been angry is conjecture at best and false accusation at worst. It is also thought when Jesus "groaned" in His spirit before He raised Jesus from the dead, the Greek word suggests anger. It is likely Jesus was angry many times (and moved by righteousness), but Jesus once was angry in the Gospels out of grief for the hardness of people's hearts, that they cared more for their animals than for a fellow man who was suffering. We find the passage in Mark 3:1-5: "And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other."
When we are angry we do well to first admit we are angry, and then ask ourselves the questions God posed: 1) Why am I angry? 2) Is it right for me to be angry? We can also follow up with: 3) Am I choosing to remain angry? If we will judge ourselves according to God's standard of righteousness, we will see there is never a righteous justification to be angry at a righteous God. Because God's anger is only kindled by sin, and God is completely without sin, it is always a sin to be angry with God. But you do not know what I've suffered, you might protest. You're right. I have no idea. But I do know Job is a great example of a man who recognised God's goodness despite the grave trials he suffered, and there is no one save Christ who can claim such calamities befell them by the hand of God in a single day. After Job was stripped of all his wealth, ten children, and his health, Job 2:9-10 says, "Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Oh burdened heart, do not be angry at the only One who can deliver and save you! No man can be angry at God justly. Praise God His character is precisely as Jonah said: "You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." If you find yourself angry with God, I beg you to confess it as sin and cast your cares upon Jesus who cares for you. Is it right for you to be angry when Jesus willingly went to the cross, dying to deliver you from sinful anger? Our anger cannot add to His when it comes to sin. Remaining angry only kindles God's wrath, and repentance and faith in Christ provides our only escape.
The scripture says of anger in Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath..." Whilst it is possible to be angry without sin, this scripture reveals it is impossible for us to remain angry without sin. Solomon cautioned in Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools." Frequent anger is an indication of foolishness, and a fool is someone who lives without regard or fear of God. We would like to think we bristle with righteous indignation when we are angry, yet often the reality is anything but.
Scripture reveals times when God's anger was stirred up, and with the ridiculous caricatures of God often presented the occurrences are far more rare than one might think. David wrote in Psalm 7:11, "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day." When God perceives wickedness in His people, His righteous anger is aroused. In Deuteronomy 9:20, God was very angry with Aaron the High Priest for leading the nation into idolatry. God was angry with Moses for not sanctifying Him before the people (Deut. 1:37; 4:21). 1 Kings 11:9 reads, "So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice..." To whom much is given much is required, and God's anger is aroused by sinfulness - not just among those who know not God, but to those He has revealed Himself. Sin is the fuel and man supplies the fire through unbelief and sin which kindles the anger of God. God's anger is provoked as a result of sin.
Our common motives for being angry are primarily selfish, usually concern over how we have been negatively affected by circumstances. Since we are not in agreement or pleased with what God has seen fit to allow, we can become angry. When Abel's sacrifice was accepted and Cain's was rejected, Cain was angry. Whether he was specifically angry with God is not explicitly revealed in the text, but God warned Cain how sinful anger leads to more sin. Genesis 4:6-7 says, "So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." In the very next verse, Cain murdered his brother Abel. Whenever we are angry, we do well to answer the question: why am I angry? Anger is often inflamed with sinful motives, and unless we repent it will surely lead to greater sin.
Another case of anger in God's people was after Jonah the prophet was sent by God to warn the Ninevites of coming judgment. When they repented and mourned over their sin, God spared the people and the city. Jonah 4:1 tells us Jonah's surprising reaction: "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry." Was Jonah angry at God? Maybe. Jonah complained God was slow to anger and relented from doing harm. He felt so miserable it would be better for him to die than live. In Jonah 4:4 God responded with a probing question: "Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" As Jonah continued to sulk and watched to see what would become of the city, God caused a plant to grow which shaded his head from the sun. He was grateful for that! During the night God prepared a worm to eat the plant and it died. When the sun arose, God prepared a strong wind to blow on Jonah and he wished for death. Jonah 4:9 says, "Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" It was not right for Jonah to be angry, and that is why He provided the plant, the worm, and the strong wind. And when faced with his sinful anger over a plant, Jonah decided he would rather die than let it go. When we hold on to sinful anger, it will eventually kill us.
There is only one instance in the Gospels I am aware of the Bible explicitly says Jesus Christ, God made flesh, was angry. If you are thinking about when Jesus fashioned a whip and drove out the money-changers and animals, it was zeal the scripture tells us - not anger - prompted Him. Since the scriptures do not explicitly say Jesus was angry on those two occasions, to say He must have been angry is conjecture at best and false accusation at worst. It is also thought when Jesus "groaned" in His spirit before He raised Jesus from the dead, the Greek word suggests anger. It is likely Jesus was angry many times (and moved by righteousness), but Jesus once was angry in the Gospels out of grief for the hardness of people's hearts, that they cared more for their animals than for a fellow man who was suffering. We find the passage in Mark 3:1-5: "And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other."
When we are angry we do well to first admit we are angry, and then ask ourselves the questions God posed: 1) Why am I angry? 2) Is it right for me to be angry? We can also follow up with: 3) Am I choosing to remain angry? If we will judge ourselves according to God's standard of righteousness, we will see there is never a righteous justification to be angry at a righteous God. Because God's anger is only kindled by sin, and God is completely without sin, it is always a sin to be angry with God. But you do not know what I've suffered, you might protest. You're right. I have no idea. But I do know Job is a great example of a man who recognised God's goodness despite the grave trials he suffered, and there is no one save Christ who can claim such calamities befell them by the hand of God in a single day. After Job was stripped of all his wealth, ten children, and his health, Job 2:9-10 says, "Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Oh burdened heart, do not be angry at the only One who can deliver and save you! No man can be angry at God justly. Praise God His character is precisely as Jonah said: "You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." If you find yourself angry with God, I beg you to confess it as sin and cast your cares upon Jesus who cares for you. Is it right for you to be angry when Jesus willingly went to the cross, dying to deliver you from sinful anger? Our anger cannot add to His when it comes to sin. Remaining angry only kindles God's wrath, and repentance and faith in Christ provides our only escape.
14 July 2015
Crystals and Bucket Lists
The best stories are those straight from the Bible, but a close second
are those which affirm God's eternal truth. God has crammed life full of
situations the Holy Spirit transforms into meaningful parables for those
with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand. I am always on the lookout for good stories, and I came across one yesterday written by my sister-in-law, Jena. Enjoy the following guest post!
Several years ago, when Jack was a wee lad, no more than four, we would head over to Mission Trails and take a small hike to a little place called Crystal Cave. I don't even know if that's its actual name; it's just what I was told. My aunt and uncles grew up living on Mission Trails, and I grew up listening to the stories they had of adventure and conquest during their childhood. Crystal Cave was one of those places. Apparently it was once a cave used to mine crystals, but for whatever reason was abandoned and broken down. Around what used to be the entrance were tons of partially crystallized rocks, worthless for sure, but treasure to a four-year-old. And not just for any four-year-old, but a four-year-old pirate. That's right! Mom won major points for these little excursions.
During one of our trips to Crystal Cave, we brought Jack's buddy Josh along with us. He had never been before, and we were excited to share this with him. We collected our buckets and headed out. Josh had been prepped for the “treasures” that lay ahead, but was distracted on the way and started filling his bucket with rocks. Plain. Old. Rocks. Jack and I tried to tell him that he wouldn't even want the rocks once we got to the cave, but he wouldn't listen. Soon his bucket got heavy and he became tired. The whining started as he fell behind. "I need heeeeeelllllppppp." "You guys are going too fast." "My arms are hurting." The funny thing is, try as we might, that kid would not dump the rocks. He lugged them all the way up to Crystal Cave. But as soon as his little head peeked over the precipice and saw the crystals, he promptly dumped his bucket of rocks and started collecting treasure.
Such needless frustration. I don’t imagine a modern day Jesus with a bucket list, do you? Like, “Before I die, I have to go bungee jumping!” I don’t imagine Him trying to extract every earthly pleasure (sin-free, obviously) out of His tenure here. But we do. Jesus came from heaven, so what on earth is He ever going to do here that would ever compare to where He’s been? There obviously isn’t anything wrong with bungee jumping or other earthly gifts, but like rocks let’s pick them up, enjoy them, and then put them back down. Enjoy them for what they are, but then let them go. How caught up are you on decorating/remodeling your house? How much mental real estate does your body shape/health take up? Does your residence need to be in a beautiful place and your life full of “adventure” to be full of joy? I have one word for you. Rocks. Let’s not carry these things around like they actually matter. These things don’t matter and worse, they weigh us down. Let’s cut ties. Let’s pick up crystals. Do you hear me? God has crystals for us. Things like revelation and resurrection! Works that transcend the here and now. Let’s get in the dirt, give away our stuff, our time, our bodies and our energies to divine appointments and a life of charity. Then this little thing called life - and that more abundantly - will overflow our lives, eerrr buckets. (story by Jena Krych Grisez)
13 July 2015
Fasting for Yourself or God?
It is a tragedy the Christian life for many is an ever-increasing litany of "do's and don'ts." People focused on external works of doing good or avoiding sin forms their own identity and sets them at odds with fellow believers. Don't misunderstand: we ought to be obedient to the commands of our Saviour, and we also ought to put off sinful deeds, thoughts, and motives. What defines a Christian is not what he does or doesn't do, but Jesus Christ who has saved him! Being born again by grace through faith is an supernatural inner work by the Holy Spirit of God which will certainly be perceived outwardly.
The Jews set a very high standard of outward obedience to the Law. Amazingly complex and technical definitions of sin were established and observed according to oral tradition, and man taught as Law the traditions of the elders. In the book of Zechariah, God pointed out prolonged fasts the Jews observed even in captivity. Zechariah 7:4-6 reads, "Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me? 6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?" As always, God went straight to the heart of the matter. It was all fine and good for people to fast in the fifth and seventh months, yet God questioned their motives in doing so. What was His gauge for their sincerity? He did not judge them pious because they did not eat - but because when they did eat they ate for themselves. This is a earth-shattering truth. Their denial of food was viewed as self-serving and insincere because that is how they lived the other 10 months out of the year.
Now I am not saying it is wrong in itself to observe traditions like Lent or fasting from meat, the idea being to "give something up" in devotion to God. Some believe self-denial is a path to inner change, but this concept is not demonstrated anywhere in scripture. We need to be made new creations as Galatians 6:15 says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation." Fasting is good if done according to the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience. Whenever you eat - at any hour anytime - do you eat as unto the LORD? Whether we eat or do not eat, we are to do so unto the LORD (Romans 14:5-9). What a ridiculous sham it would be to diligently fast three days a week from all food and water, yet live for yourself the other four days. Such a life lived for self proves the fast was not for God at all! God is the God of those who fast as well as those who eat. Some think God is pleased with our willing self-denial of food, but God would rather us permanently fast from sin. God spoke through the prophet in Isaiah 58:5-7, "Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Let us keep the feast as well as the fast God spoke of. Our aim not to be "social justice" but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Should we walk in God's ways Isaiah 58:8-11 says, "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." So who are you fasting for: God or yourself? It is your life apart from fasting which demonstrates if you are fasting for God or yourself! Who do you suppose gives better rewards?
The Jews set a very high standard of outward obedience to the Law. Amazingly complex and technical definitions of sin were established and observed according to oral tradition, and man taught as Law the traditions of the elders. In the book of Zechariah, God pointed out prolonged fasts the Jews observed even in captivity. Zechariah 7:4-6 reads, "Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me? 6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?" As always, God went straight to the heart of the matter. It was all fine and good for people to fast in the fifth and seventh months, yet God questioned their motives in doing so. What was His gauge for their sincerity? He did not judge them pious because they did not eat - but because when they did eat they ate for themselves. This is a earth-shattering truth. Their denial of food was viewed as self-serving and insincere because that is how they lived the other 10 months out of the year.
Now I am not saying it is wrong in itself to observe traditions like Lent or fasting from meat, the idea being to "give something up" in devotion to God. Some believe self-denial is a path to inner change, but this concept is not demonstrated anywhere in scripture. We need to be made new creations as Galatians 6:15 says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation." Fasting is good if done according to the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience. Whenever you eat - at any hour anytime - do you eat as unto the LORD? Whether we eat or do not eat, we are to do so unto the LORD (Romans 14:5-9). What a ridiculous sham it would be to diligently fast three days a week from all food and water, yet live for yourself the other four days. Such a life lived for self proves the fast was not for God at all! God is the God of those who fast as well as those who eat. Some think God is pleased with our willing self-denial of food, but God would rather us permanently fast from sin. God spoke through the prophet in Isaiah 58:5-7, "Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Let us keep the feast as well as the fast God spoke of. Our aim not to be "social justice" but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Should we walk in God's ways Isaiah 58:8-11 says, "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." So who are you fasting for: God or yourself? It is your life apart from fasting which demonstrates if you are fasting for God or yourself! Who do you suppose gives better rewards?
12 July 2015
Good and Acceptable Prayers
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
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For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
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who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
1 Timothy 2:1-4
The rise of democracy has given common men a say in who holds positions of authority in government. In the days when kings ruled, men and women did not have such a luxury. One of the effects of this responsibility is to vocally support those whom you have voted for and approve of and to stand firmly opposed to all others. Kings had the power to imprison and execute any who spoke or acted against them, and the freedoms afforded by democratic process have eliminated such a threat. People who would have been branded traitors in the old days can speak their minds without fear of retribution. The freedom to speak is not a bad thing in itself, but gives rise to a lack of respect to people God has sovereignly allowed to rule.
Daniel, a Jew held captive in Babylon affirmed in Daniel 2:20-22, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him." Since God is the one who ultimately establishes rulers and sets them aside at His pleasure, we are to honour and respect those who are in authority. All rulers - regardless of our opinions of their performance - are an extension of God's authority on earth. Whether the Jews were ruled by King Saul, David, Nebuchadnezzar, or Caesar, it was good and acceptable in God's sight that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority. To what end? That we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. How often our prayers can be focused on other ends than these!
Whether or not we agree with the policies of politicians who represent us, we ought to make a strong effort in praying on their behalf. God desires that they too be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, even if it seems improbable they could ever change. A leopard cannot change its spots, and all men are incapable of changing for the better. As the only hope for a man born blind ever seeing is the power of Jesus Christ, so God provides the only hope for a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Leveraging political process may have the appearance of positive change, but only God can bring this to fruition. Christians ought to use their votes wisely, and when they have voted should continue to pray for those in authority whether you supported them or not. All those in authority should be upheld in prayerful supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men. God will hear and answer these prayers of faith.
11 July 2015
God Can Do Everything
After God revealed Himself to Job, I was blessed by his observation in Job 42:2: "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You." Job said, "I know that You can do everything." This is very different from Job saying, "I know you can do anything." "Anything" and "everything" are both inclusive words, but there is a huge difference between the two.
Let's say I invite you into a shop and say, "You are welcome to take anything you want." Though you are welcome to anything, it remains limited to a single thing. It is quite another meaning entirely if I said, "You are welcome to take everything you want." Not only can you have anything, but you can have everything you desire. This is an offer without limitation. Which is a greater claim: to say you can do anything you want or you can do everything you want? Everything, of course!
We say, "God can do anything!" But it would be better to say like Job, "God can do everything!" No purpose of God can be withheld from Him, and a God of such glorious power and goodness is worthy of all worship and praise!
Let's say I invite you into a shop and say, "You are welcome to take anything you want." Though you are welcome to anything, it remains limited to a single thing. It is quite another meaning entirely if I said, "You are welcome to take everything you want." Not only can you have anything, but you can have everything you desire. This is an offer without limitation. Which is a greater claim: to say you can do anything you want or you can do everything you want? Everything, of course!
We say, "God can do anything!" But it would be better to say like Job, "God can do everything!" No purpose of God can be withheld from Him, and a God of such glorious power and goodness is worthy of all worship and praise!
09 July 2015
Me and My House
According to the God-ordained structure of marriage and family, the husband submitted to Jesus Christ is given authority and responsibility to teach his wife and children to fear and honour God. When this calling is mixed with pride of the flesh, only disaster can result. In every way possible, I am called as a husband and dad to love and obey God first, and then to lead the rest of my family to do the same - like a shepherd who leads the flock. Men can make the mistake of leaving this responsibility of their ministry to others or treat little lambs roughly as men do cattle: goading and driving oxen into confinement in pens with shouts and loud cracks of a whip. A bruised reed Jesus did not break, and smoking flax He did not quench. Love permeated all His speech and deeds.
It was Joshua who uttered the famous statement in Joshua 24:14-15, "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." For forty years after leaving Egypt, many Israelites carried the dumb idols of their fathers who perished in the wilderness with them. Though many refused to give up their idolatry (Eze. 20:7-9), Joshua made a decision to put away all idolatry from his life, and he was going to fear and serve the LORD only. Recognise he decided to serve God himself first and foremost. He was not going to force on his family what he considered best for them without walking in that upright way himself. As Joshua established his steps in God's honour, he took the initiative to lead the rest of the family to follow his God. It's a fair question: where do I put more emphasis concerning holiness - on "me" or "my house?"
Kids are not stupid. They can sense hypocrisy with the best, their minds discerning right and wrong with legalistic perfection. They know when you have had too much to drink and how that makes you act. They know when you stay up late watching programs you would never allow them to watch. They observe continuously how you spend your time. They know what a priority prayer, Bible reading, and serving at church is to you. Like it or not, we are either leading our families to Jesus through our examples or leading them away from Him. To drive our children to do things for the sake of "because I say so" supplies nothing more than vain tradition. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This greatest of commands is for all individuals and parents regardless of sex. Parents have the responsibility not just to talk about God, but to live a life where God is our all in all. Children will ultimately go their own way, and when parents follow Jesus faithfully it opens that straight narrow path which leads to eternal life for them to follow.
A life lived for God's glory has far greater weight than mere words. This is where we can go wrong. In our own strength we can lay heavy words on others, and assure ourselves we have done our duty. But our neglect to destroy our own idols and follow Jesus alone gives our hypocritical words a negative effect. "Do as I say, not as I do" is the worst way a man can live I dare say it would better to be an alcoholic, fiercely controlling, verbally abusive, hateful man who curses God and openly denies Him than to claim you fear God whilst refusing to submit to Him fully. Many "churched" children are disillusioned by the hypocrisy of their "Christian" parents who go through the motions of service and devotion but whose hearts and lives are far from God. If you desire to say, "As for me and my house we will serve the LORD," such a claim begins with you alone. If you do not fear, trust, and honour God, you are incapable of rightly leading others to do so. God can use a donkey to speak good sense, but that is no encouragement to act like one.
Follow Christ yourself, and take the initiative to lead others to do the same. Lead as you have been led. Be casting your cares on the LORD because He cares for you. We are called as much as depends on us to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), and this goes for our family members as well. Empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables us to live like our Prince of Peace who always did the will of the Father. Even Jesus had a Judas, and the only way Simon became Peter was by the grace and goodness of God.
It was Joshua who uttered the famous statement in Joshua 24:14-15, "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." For forty years after leaving Egypt, many Israelites carried the dumb idols of their fathers who perished in the wilderness with them. Though many refused to give up their idolatry (Eze. 20:7-9), Joshua made a decision to put away all idolatry from his life, and he was going to fear and serve the LORD only. Recognise he decided to serve God himself first and foremost. He was not going to force on his family what he considered best for them without walking in that upright way himself. As Joshua established his steps in God's honour, he took the initiative to lead the rest of the family to follow his God. It's a fair question: where do I put more emphasis concerning holiness - on "me" or "my house?"
Kids are not stupid. They can sense hypocrisy with the best, their minds discerning right and wrong with legalistic perfection. They know when you have had too much to drink and how that makes you act. They know when you stay up late watching programs you would never allow them to watch. They observe continuously how you spend your time. They know what a priority prayer, Bible reading, and serving at church is to you. Like it or not, we are either leading our families to Jesus through our examples or leading them away from Him. To drive our children to do things for the sake of "because I say so" supplies nothing more than vain tradition. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This greatest of commands is for all individuals and parents regardless of sex. Parents have the responsibility not just to talk about God, but to live a life where God is our all in all. Children will ultimately go their own way, and when parents follow Jesus faithfully it opens that straight narrow path which leads to eternal life for them to follow.
A life lived for God's glory has far greater weight than mere words. This is where we can go wrong. In our own strength we can lay heavy words on others, and assure ourselves we have done our duty. But our neglect to destroy our own idols and follow Jesus alone gives our hypocritical words a negative effect. "Do as I say, not as I do" is the worst way a man can live I dare say it would better to be an alcoholic, fiercely controlling, verbally abusive, hateful man who curses God and openly denies Him than to claim you fear God whilst refusing to submit to Him fully. Many "churched" children are disillusioned by the hypocrisy of their "Christian" parents who go through the motions of service and devotion but whose hearts and lives are far from God. If you desire to say, "As for me and my house we will serve the LORD," such a claim begins with you alone. If you do not fear, trust, and honour God, you are incapable of rightly leading others to do so. God can use a donkey to speak good sense, but that is no encouragement to act like one.
Follow Christ yourself, and take the initiative to lead others to do the same. Lead as you have been led. Be casting your cares on the LORD because He cares for you. We are called as much as depends on us to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), and this goes for our family members as well. Empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables us to live like our Prince of Peace who always did the will of the Father. Even Jesus had a Judas, and the only way Simon became Peter was by the grace and goodness of God.
07 July 2015
Taken As You Follow
The Bible is rich with practical examples people who trust in God can identify with. As I read through the book of Amos the other day, I truly identified with the prophet. My call to ministry echoed his own, and God's clear involvement helped Amos stay the course despite hardship. Becoming a pastor and teaching the Bible was never my intended plan for my future, and being a prophet was not the idea of Amos. He said in Amos 7:14-15, "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.
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Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'" The fact neither Amos nor his father had a background in prophetic ministry was strong evidence of the authenticity of God's call upon his life. He didn't start prophesying because he had received professional training, but God singled Amos out for His service.
As a pastor, I am comforted by the fact I never once imagined being a pastor as a child or youth. It was only when I sought an open door to teach apprentices my trade of mechanical insulation I sensed God shutting that door and opening a door to teach His people: "You will preach, and you will be sent." I had already been teaching a Bible study, but a pastor? It seemed incredible and challenging to believe. Now I find myself a minister in Australia, and I know it is God who took me, called me, and will faithfully enable me to do His will. I am not a passive pawn in some divine game, but a beloved son and servant of the Most High. Like a soldier I have enlisted to serve God through faith in Christ, and it is required among stewards they be found faithful. As Joseph said I say humbly, "It is not in me: God will give an answer of peace." God does not need man, yet God freely chooses to use men and women who trust and obey Him.
The call of God is not answered by looking for it or guessing what it could be, but by simply following the flock. I did not draft a "wish list" of what role I would like in the Body of Christ or what gifts I wish to operate in. This is the role of the Holy Spirit, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." Even as God formed the first man from the dust of the ground, He knits each person together in the womb. After being born again God places all people who trust in Christ in the Body of Christ according to His flawless design. You will discover exactly where you fit in the Body as you follow Jesus Christ in the flock of God. Amos was a devout man of God, and his trades were breeding sheep and farming sycamore fruit. As he followed the flock, God took him and called him out of his profession. He put words in the mouth of Amos and placed a burden on his heart to speak, and God used Amos as a prophet - even though he hadn't been trained as a prophet. Walking with God provides the best training, and being filled with the Holy Spirit trumps training by itself.
Too many people sense a call of God upon their life and make a grave error: they leave following the flock of God before God takes them and establishes them in their new role. They know God has called them, and impatiently seek to bring their call to fruition. They want others to recognise their calling too. Many of these people - likely anointed and called of God to minister - eventually leave ministering and return to breeding sheep, farming, working in sales, and back to the tools. There is nothing wrong with being a lay-minister like Paul who supported his ministry through manual labour. But even in prison Paul didn't stop ministering. Ministry ramped up! David was called and anointed as king over a decade before he actually became king. As the oil dripped down his face and soaked his clothes from the prophet Samuel's horn, he knew what it meant. What David didn't know at the time was for years God would permit the mad king Saul to pursue him with only a step between him and death. The LORD took that humble shepherd as he followed the flock, like Amos, and established him as king over all Israel. It will be the same for you and me as well.
Does this mean we all will be given an opportunity to rule? No: today Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS is the rightful ruler. We are called to take the lowest place, for Jesus provided His followers the example of being the servant of all. Those given authority in ministry must remain under God's authority. Our lives are lived in the confines of time, and one of the great lessons we must learn is God is not in a hurry. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die and be buried instead of rushing to His immediate aid. For forty years Moses lived in Egypt, and then forty more years tended his father-in-law's herds before God took him and used him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Joseph spent years in an Egyptian prison after being wrongfully accused before he was made second to Pharaoh and save the nation from famine. God allowed David to sleep in caves for years before he lived in a palace. Amos was trained for the ministry while he followed the flock. God called me as a pastor when I had been trained to insulate pipes and worked in the industry for over a decade! Looking back I can say with complete contentment: God knew what He was doing all along. God uses the daily grind to refine our faith.
Leave your role and the timing for your ministry to the LORD. It is all God's ministry, and He redeems the time. He will take you as you follow Jesus Christ, faithfully serving in obedience right where you are. Do you seek great things for yourself? The LORD forbids this (Jer. 45:5). Instead of despising the days of small things in your estimation, today seek to better serve and magnify our great and glorious God! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
As a pastor, I am comforted by the fact I never once imagined being a pastor as a child or youth. It was only when I sought an open door to teach apprentices my trade of mechanical insulation I sensed God shutting that door and opening a door to teach His people: "You will preach, and you will be sent." I had already been teaching a Bible study, but a pastor? It seemed incredible and challenging to believe. Now I find myself a minister in Australia, and I know it is God who took me, called me, and will faithfully enable me to do His will. I am not a passive pawn in some divine game, but a beloved son and servant of the Most High. Like a soldier I have enlisted to serve God through faith in Christ, and it is required among stewards they be found faithful. As Joseph said I say humbly, "It is not in me: God will give an answer of peace." God does not need man, yet God freely chooses to use men and women who trust and obey Him.
The call of God is not answered by looking for it or guessing what it could be, but by simply following the flock. I did not draft a "wish list" of what role I would like in the Body of Christ or what gifts I wish to operate in. This is the role of the Holy Spirit, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." Even as God formed the first man from the dust of the ground, He knits each person together in the womb. After being born again God places all people who trust in Christ in the Body of Christ according to His flawless design. You will discover exactly where you fit in the Body as you follow Jesus Christ in the flock of God. Amos was a devout man of God, and his trades were breeding sheep and farming sycamore fruit. As he followed the flock, God took him and called him out of his profession. He put words in the mouth of Amos and placed a burden on his heart to speak, and God used Amos as a prophet - even though he hadn't been trained as a prophet. Walking with God provides the best training, and being filled with the Holy Spirit trumps training by itself.
Too many people sense a call of God upon their life and make a grave error: they leave following the flock of God before God takes them and establishes them in their new role. They know God has called them, and impatiently seek to bring their call to fruition. They want others to recognise their calling too. Many of these people - likely anointed and called of God to minister - eventually leave ministering and return to breeding sheep, farming, working in sales, and back to the tools. There is nothing wrong with being a lay-minister like Paul who supported his ministry through manual labour. But even in prison Paul didn't stop ministering. Ministry ramped up! David was called and anointed as king over a decade before he actually became king. As the oil dripped down his face and soaked his clothes from the prophet Samuel's horn, he knew what it meant. What David didn't know at the time was for years God would permit the mad king Saul to pursue him with only a step between him and death. The LORD took that humble shepherd as he followed the flock, like Amos, and established him as king over all Israel. It will be the same for you and me as well.
Does this mean we all will be given an opportunity to rule? No: today Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS is the rightful ruler. We are called to take the lowest place, for Jesus provided His followers the example of being the servant of all. Those given authority in ministry must remain under God's authority. Our lives are lived in the confines of time, and one of the great lessons we must learn is God is not in a hurry. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die and be buried instead of rushing to His immediate aid. For forty years Moses lived in Egypt, and then forty more years tended his father-in-law's herds before God took him and used him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Joseph spent years in an Egyptian prison after being wrongfully accused before he was made second to Pharaoh and save the nation from famine. God allowed David to sleep in caves for years before he lived in a palace. Amos was trained for the ministry while he followed the flock. God called me as a pastor when I had been trained to insulate pipes and worked in the industry for over a decade! Looking back I can say with complete contentment: God knew what He was doing all along. God uses the daily grind to refine our faith.
Leave your role and the timing for your ministry to the LORD. It is all God's ministry, and He redeems the time. He will take you as you follow Jesus Christ, faithfully serving in obedience right where you are. Do you seek great things for yourself? The LORD forbids this (Jer. 45:5). Instead of despising the days of small things in your estimation, today seek to better serve and magnify our great and glorious God! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
05 July 2015
A Divided Heart
During my recent trip to Cambodia, there was no shortage of images and idolatry. Temples, shrines, and monks were commonplace. The smell of burning incense was strong in shops, hotel lobbies, and restaurants. The worship of anything other than the Living God from a biblical perspective is idolatry, and it is endemic to all people. Idols in Cambodia can be pasted on the walls or be given an offering of food, but idols in western societies can be a woman who can sing, a man who is in our favourite band, or scores touchdowns on Sunday. Idolatry is rife even in the hearts of those who profess to trust and love God. A prime example is seen in God's chosen people.
It was unlawful for the Jews under the Law of Moses to represent God with engravings or with a moulded representation of a human body, of mammals, fish, birds, or creeping thing, for it would provide a temptation to worship the works of men's hands (Deut. 4:16-18). God is a Spirit, and must not be represented by anything created by Him or fashioned by men. Even with the Law and sacrifice, the days of the judges was marked by a recurring phrase: "Every man did what was right in his own eyes." This too is idolatry: the love of self. Self-seeking, self-esteem, and self-focus can be blights even in Christians. That is why we must repent and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, being faithful disciples and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
What makes idolatry so sinister is it can be most subtle. It is perfectly natural for us to consider ourselves in making common decisions. Israel was blessed and fruitful, yet their abundance led to increased idolatry. They more God gave them, the less they trusted Him. The LORD spoke through the prophet in Hosea 10:1-2: "Israel empties his vine; he brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; according to the bounty of his land they have embellished his sacred pillars. 2 Their heart is divided; now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars." Israel did not bring fruit unto the LORD, but for himself. God was robbed of tithes and offerings. Sacrifices continued to be offered to God and also to the hosts of heaven. But this was only evidence of a deeper issue: one of a divided heart. Idolatry produces a divided heart! Part of the heart is loyal towards God, yet the affections and desires of the heart seek after other things. Those guilty of a divided heart may have the appearance of outward piety, but are guilty of idolatry before God.
Do you have a divided heart? Make the profession of Psalm 86:6-11 your prayer: "Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." May God's people have a united heart to fear and worship Him in truth always.
It was unlawful for the Jews under the Law of Moses to represent God with engravings or with a moulded representation of a human body, of mammals, fish, birds, or creeping thing, for it would provide a temptation to worship the works of men's hands (Deut. 4:16-18). God is a Spirit, and must not be represented by anything created by Him or fashioned by men. Even with the Law and sacrifice, the days of the judges was marked by a recurring phrase: "Every man did what was right in his own eyes." This too is idolatry: the love of self. Self-seeking, self-esteem, and self-focus can be blights even in Christians. That is why we must repent and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, being faithful disciples and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
What makes idolatry so sinister is it can be most subtle. It is perfectly natural for us to consider ourselves in making common decisions. Israel was blessed and fruitful, yet their abundance led to increased idolatry. They more God gave them, the less they trusted Him. The LORD spoke through the prophet in Hosea 10:1-2: "Israel empties his vine; he brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; according to the bounty of his land they have embellished his sacred pillars. 2 Their heart is divided; now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars." Israel did not bring fruit unto the LORD, but for himself. God was robbed of tithes and offerings. Sacrifices continued to be offered to God and also to the hosts of heaven. But this was only evidence of a deeper issue: one of a divided heart. Idolatry produces a divided heart! Part of the heart is loyal towards God, yet the affections and desires of the heart seek after other things. Those guilty of a divided heart may have the appearance of outward piety, but are guilty of idolatry before God.
Do you have a divided heart? Make the profession of Psalm 86:6-11 your prayer: "Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." May God's people have a united heart to fear and worship Him in truth always.
03 July 2015
Salvation By Shipwreck
Faith in God is demonstrated through trust and obedience. Even when the circumstances of life seem to dictate more sensible courses of action than faith in God, trusting and obeying God no matter what are keys to comfort, rest, and salvation. God never works in the way we might predict, for the ways of God are infinitely higher than those of men. We might have an idea of what God is doing or what we might want Him to do, but God's judgments are not based on our shortsighted, often selfish perspectives. For God's people all situations are worked out for our good.
The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people. God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold. The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation. Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew. It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete. Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest. The crew and men did everything possible to survive.
Acts 27:16-20 reads, "And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." The men did everything possible to save themselves. They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard. All hope of being saved was finally given up. Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.
During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island." Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship. When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid." Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said: the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.
Not everyone was keen to take God at His word. They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth. As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands. Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise. Can't we do the exact same thing? While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side. Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions: stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved. Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.
The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44: "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land." What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation: all escaped safely to land. God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship. When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.
The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross. All hope seemed lost. Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said. It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life. It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy. Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others. When all hope is lost, do not lose heart. Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.
The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people. God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold. The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation. Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew. It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete. Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest. The crew and men did everything possible to survive.
Acts 27:16-20 reads, "And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." The men did everything possible to save themselves. They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard. All hope of being saved was finally given up. Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.
During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island." Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship. When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid." Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said: the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.
Not everyone was keen to take God at His word. They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth. As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands. Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise. Can't we do the exact same thing? While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side. Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions: stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved. Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.
The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44: "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land." What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation: all escaped safely to land. God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship. When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.
The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross. All hope seemed lost. Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said. It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life. It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy. Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others. When all hope is lost, do not lose heart. Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.
02 July 2015
Our Hope for Healing
"For thus says the LORD: 'Your affliction is incurable, your wound is severe.
13
There is no one to plead your cause, that you may be bound up; you have no healing medicines.'"
Jeremiah 30:12-13
There is no cure in this world for the ills which plague men. The "self-help" section of shops and libraries has not diminished because of the success of previous editions. New books are written to build upon the faulty foundation that man is able through effort to better himself. The detestable nature of our hearts and afflictions of mind and body cannot be addressed by human means. We have all sinned, and sin ultimately brings death. Surgery does not cure, nor does therapy heal. Our lives are one of physical decline, and all society with us. Our affliction is incurable, and our wound is severe.
Those who believe lasting positive change in the world can by implemented through government programs, laws, taxes, religion, or tradition chase a mirage. Only the LORD who accurately diagnoses the condition of men is able to do anything to cure it. If a doctor treats a man for a common cold who has AIDS, his treatment will be ineffective and pointless without addressing the source. The problem is not a runny nose or sore throat, but a systemic problem which weakens the body's defenses. Treating symptoms without dealing with the cause only temporarily masks the problem.
If we were to ask "the man on the street" what is the biggest problem in the world today, he would no doubt supply an answer. There are a plethora of potential responses. The follow-up question is the more difficult one: "What would you do or how could you fix the problem?" Our affliction is incurable, our wound severe. There is no one to help plead our cause, no one to bind our wounds we have suffered, and no balm to promote healing. There is only one hope for this world: Jesus Christ. He is the One who raises the dead to life, gives those who trust in Him new hearts, supplies the Holy Spirit who comforts, convicts, helps, and instructs, and makes us new. Naaman was cured from his leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan River at the word of Elisha the prophet, and all are washed clean from sin through the application of Christ's shed blood by faith. A relationship with Jesus Christ transforms our perspective and provides unshakable hope in a hopeless world.
Luke 4:17-21 speaks of when Jesus went into a synogogue in Nazareth: "And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." For all who hear and trust in Jesus, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. There is no earthy cure for what ails you, no medicine to heal your broken heart. But if Jesus is able to cause the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to live again, He can restore you to wholeness! With a word He cast out demons from a distance, and by His Word the world was created. He rose from the dead, proving His power over sin and death. Because Jesus lives, He can be your life.
20 June 2015
The Joy of Heaven
The life we live on earth is more than a springboard to eternity. The abundant life provided through faith in Christ is to be lived in light of eternity. Though eternity is forever, our lives during this temporary season on earth are important. Our motives for living for God today and seeking the salvation of others matters.
Ask yourself: why do I want to go to heaven? Is it primarily for hell-avoidance, your own comfort, or so God will receive glory eternally from your life? Why is it important for you to know loved ones or even total strangers go to heaven? Would it be a relief for you to know they will be in God's presence forever because they will be safe, or is it because God deserves their praise and worship for eternity? Is our view of heaven obscured by motives less pure than the everlasting glory of God? It is ironic heaven is only heaven because God is there, and yet our picture of heaven can be clouded by who else will or won't be there, what activities we will enjoy, or how we will live. Whether the thoughts of men are in the gutter or the clouds, the central figure considered by the natural man is universally self.
God loves and cares for all people, and therefore it is fitting we do too. But since we as Christians will share eternity in the presence of the God who is holy, is our peace, and loves us without fail, we ought to care about serving, worshiping, and praising Him right now. I ought to lament - not the fact someone might not spend eternity with Jesus Christ - but that they are robbing Him of praise and honour on earth today. I ought to mourn over my own faithlessness, forgetfulness, and be determined not to allow an hour to pass when I have not been grateful to commune with my heavenly Father, humbly submitting myself before Him. Basking in the grace and love of God, what a joy it is to meditate on His goodness towards all people!
Since God should be the central figure of our lives today, He also ought to be our focus concerning the eternal state. His glory, praise-worthiness, and magnificence ought to consume my life. His love and gracious gifts compel me to spend and be spent for His glory, and the transition to eternity will only increase my capacity for communion and worship. God is hosting an eternal celebration for the ages, and to focus on any other aspect of heaven aside from Him misses the point. Praise the LORD, for He is good. Let us do all we can to glorify God in reaching people with the Gospel, so the Lamb of God will receive the reward of His suffering - not primarily for us or them, but for Him!
Ask yourself: why do I want to go to heaven? Is it primarily for hell-avoidance, your own comfort, or so God will receive glory eternally from your life? Why is it important for you to know loved ones or even total strangers go to heaven? Would it be a relief for you to know they will be in God's presence forever because they will be safe, or is it because God deserves their praise and worship for eternity? Is our view of heaven obscured by motives less pure than the everlasting glory of God? It is ironic heaven is only heaven because God is there, and yet our picture of heaven can be clouded by who else will or won't be there, what activities we will enjoy, or how we will live. Whether the thoughts of men are in the gutter or the clouds, the central figure considered by the natural man is universally self.
God loves and cares for all people, and therefore it is fitting we do too. But since we as Christians will share eternity in the presence of the God who is holy, is our peace, and loves us without fail, we ought to care about serving, worshiping, and praising Him right now. I ought to lament - not the fact someone might not spend eternity with Jesus Christ - but that they are robbing Him of praise and honour on earth today. I ought to mourn over my own faithlessness, forgetfulness, and be determined not to allow an hour to pass when I have not been grateful to commune with my heavenly Father, humbly submitting myself before Him. Basking in the grace and love of God, what a joy it is to meditate on His goodness towards all people!
Since God should be the central figure of our lives today, He also ought to be our focus concerning the eternal state. His glory, praise-worthiness, and magnificence ought to consume my life. His love and gracious gifts compel me to spend and be spent for His glory, and the transition to eternity will only increase my capacity for communion and worship. God is hosting an eternal celebration for the ages, and to focus on any other aspect of heaven aside from Him misses the point. Praise the LORD, for He is good. Let us do all we can to glorify God in reaching people with the Gospel, so the Lamb of God will receive the reward of His suffering - not primarily for us or them, but for Him!
18 June 2015
Knowing Better Than God
From the very beginning of creation, God set before man a way of life and death. Man was free to chose to obey God or go his own way. Before each person to this day, God has freely given the choice of choosing to trust God or rebel against Him. Those whose eyes are opened to see God in truth, the most reasonable choice is to trust and obey Him - not that we are not often foolish and stray from the path of righteousness. To the world and even to some in the church today, the Laws of God appear arbitrary and odd. Others try to explain why God's ways actually make practical sense, for instance concerning the dietary restrictions in the Law of Moses. The truth is, even if I can explain rationale behind some of God's commands, their good and righteous qualities do not hinge on my understanding why they exist or agreeing with them. My explanations cannot do them justice, for God's ways are higher than mine. In trusting God is good and righteous I must also accept His Laws and commands as altogether good, even though I might not understand them.
Consider the command of God through the prophet in Jeremiah 21:8-9, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem faced severe food shortages as the Babylonians waited at the gates: "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him." By virtue of being God's chosen people, King Zedekiah and the Jews expected God to protect them and defeat their enemies. But God said He would turn back the weapons of the Jews upon themselves, and the city would surely fall. God set before His people the way of life and the way of death. Those who hoped for refuge within the stronghold certainly die, but any who laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Gentile army who laid siege to their city would live. That is not what the King nor his people wanted to hear. Surrender to the Chaldeans? Don't we serve a God who is mighty to save? Isn't the temple King Solomon built where God placed His name still standing within our walls? Surely God would never have us surrender! The people chose to trust in their own wisdom than trust in God's Word. What would you do: trust in the walls of the citadel, defensive strategies, or weapons, or forsake it all in falling upon the mercy of God and your despised enemies?
The commands of God seem counter intuitive to us and therefore require faith. Adam was told he was free to eat from any tree in the garden of Eden save one: the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden he was commanded not to eat. Was it forbidden because the fruit possessed some poisonous neurotoxin which wouldn't agree with him? Nope. The fruit looked delicious, no doubt smelled appetising, and tasted divine! Why else would Eve (after eating herself) give of the fruit to Adam? There is no evidence there was anything physically damaging in the fruit. But God had commanded them not to eat of that fruit, even warning them the result would be death. After eating Adam's body continued to live for hundreds of years, seemingly unaffected by the fruit. His body would eventually die, but the day sin and rebellion was conceived in his heart his soul surely died. Only God could save Adam, through faith in God accounted as righteousness. Adam and all his seed after him was cursed - not because of the pulp he chewed and swallowed, but because of disobedience and rebellion before a holy God. Sin is attractive and the taste is sweet to our flesh. Something that feels or tastes so good can't be wrong! But just like the Jews during the Babylonian siege and many people today, Adam chose his own way. It is the way of death.
Men, governments, and nations again and again demonstrate they believe they know better than God. They scoff at His commands and persist in following the dictates of their own wicked hearts. Even professing Christians mock the Laws of God in the Old Testament. "Shaving off the corners of my beard is a sin? Eating yeast on a certain day is wrong? Gathering sticks on the Sabbath is punishable by death? You mean I can't eat bacon?" It is true born again Christians are completely free from keeping the letter of the Law, but it does not limit the reach of the Law. Christ has ordained a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6), and has given us the Holy Spirit who governs us from within. But the Law remains good and righteous. The world and unregenerate sinners are as condemned under God's Law as ever. It is a mirror which shows us how sinful we are in God's sight, how far we are from keeping the Laws of God, and that we have done countless things deserving of punishment and death willfully and out of ignorance. Not one person save Christ has perfectly performed with a pure heart all the Law demands and not once did what was forbidden.
Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or prophets but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17). He came to finish and complete the Law. The Law remains perfect and good, even if we can't understand why certain laws exist, when reading the Law makes us shake our heads, scoff, or laugh out loud. These foolish responses reveal how shortsighted, wicked, and desperately sinful we actually are. In our natural state we are enemies and opposed to God, and we think we know better. God is not stupid, and His Laws are all forged in righteousness. He has never uttered a foolish word, and He always means what He says. God is the one who places before each one of us a narrow way which leads to life, and a broad way which leads to destruction: the choice is ours. Eternal salvation, forgiveness from sin, and a relationship with the Living God is found only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Laugh all you want, but it is the truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). No one comes to the Father except through Him. Because of our own sin, every one of us is going to die. Trusting in Christ is the only way to be saved. Which road are you on? Salvation is more than just securing an eternal destination, but a relationship with God and a new life to be experienced with Jesus today.
Do you think you know better than God? Can a man stop time or keep himself from dying? Who is the man powerful enough to challenge, oppose, and rebel against his Maker and live eternally to boast about it in paradise? Naked we are born, and naked we die. If we die in our sins, we go to hell. Only those clothed in Christ's robes of righteousness will gain entry to heaven and find peace in the presence of God. Revelation 21:5-8 records the words of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world for sinners: "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Sin brings death, but the gift of God is life through Jesus Christ. Eating the fruit in the garden brought death, but partaking of the Son of God through faith brings eternal life!
Consider the command of God through the prophet in Jeremiah 21:8-9, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem faced severe food shortages as the Babylonians waited at the gates: "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him." By virtue of being God's chosen people, King Zedekiah and the Jews expected God to protect them and defeat their enemies. But God said He would turn back the weapons of the Jews upon themselves, and the city would surely fall. God set before His people the way of life and the way of death. Those who hoped for refuge within the stronghold certainly die, but any who laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Gentile army who laid siege to their city would live. That is not what the King nor his people wanted to hear. Surrender to the Chaldeans? Don't we serve a God who is mighty to save? Isn't the temple King Solomon built where God placed His name still standing within our walls? Surely God would never have us surrender! The people chose to trust in their own wisdom than trust in God's Word. What would you do: trust in the walls of the citadel, defensive strategies, or weapons, or forsake it all in falling upon the mercy of God and your despised enemies?
The commands of God seem counter intuitive to us and therefore require faith. Adam was told he was free to eat from any tree in the garden of Eden save one: the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden he was commanded not to eat. Was it forbidden because the fruit possessed some poisonous neurotoxin which wouldn't agree with him? Nope. The fruit looked delicious, no doubt smelled appetising, and tasted divine! Why else would Eve (after eating herself) give of the fruit to Adam? There is no evidence there was anything physically damaging in the fruit. But God had commanded them not to eat of that fruit, even warning them the result would be death. After eating Adam's body continued to live for hundreds of years, seemingly unaffected by the fruit. His body would eventually die, but the day sin and rebellion was conceived in his heart his soul surely died. Only God could save Adam, through faith in God accounted as righteousness. Adam and all his seed after him was cursed - not because of the pulp he chewed and swallowed, but because of disobedience and rebellion before a holy God. Sin is attractive and the taste is sweet to our flesh. Something that feels or tastes so good can't be wrong! But just like the Jews during the Babylonian siege and many people today, Adam chose his own way. It is the way of death.
Men, governments, and nations again and again demonstrate they believe they know better than God. They scoff at His commands and persist in following the dictates of their own wicked hearts. Even professing Christians mock the Laws of God in the Old Testament. "Shaving off the corners of my beard is a sin? Eating yeast on a certain day is wrong? Gathering sticks on the Sabbath is punishable by death? You mean I can't eat bacon?" It is true born again Christians are completely free from keeping the letter of the Law, but it does not limit the reach of the Law. Christ has ordained a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6), and has given us the Holy Spirit who governs us from within. But the Law remains good and righteous. The world and unregenerate sinners are as condemned under God's Law as ever. It is a mirror which shows us how sinful we are in God's sight, how far we are from keeping the Laws of God, and that we have done countless things deserving of punishment and death willfully and out of ignorance. Not one person save Christ has perfectly performed with a pure heart all the Law demands and not once did what was forbidden.
Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or prophets but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17). He came to finish and complete the Law. The Law remains perfect and good, even if we can't understand why certain laws exist, when reading the Law makes us shake our heads, scoff, or laugh out loud. These foolish responses reveal how shortsighted, wicked, and desperately sinful we actually are. In our natural state we are enemies and opposed to God, and we think we know better. God is not stupid, and His Laws are all forged in righteousness. He has never uttered a foolish word, and He always means what He says. God is the one who places before each one of us a narrow way which leads to life, and a broad way which leads to destruction: the choice is ours. Eternal salvation, forgiveness from sin, and a relationship with the Living God is found only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Laugh all you want, but it is the truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). No one comes to the Father except through Him. Because of our own sin, every one of us is going to die. Trusting in Christ is the only way to be saved. Which road are you on? Salvation is more than just securing an eternal destination, but a relationship with God and a new life to be experienced with Jesus today.
Do you think you know better than God? Can a man stop time or keep himself from dying? Who is the man powerful enough to challenge, oppose, and rebel against his Maker and live eternally to boast about it in paradise? Naked we are born, and naked we die. If we die in our sins, we go to hell. Only those clothed in Christ's robes of righteousness will gain entry to heaven and find peace in the presence of God. Revelation 21:5-8 records the words of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world for sinners: "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Sin brings death, but the gift of God is life through Jesus Christ. Eating the fruit in the garden brought death, but partaking of the Son of God through faith brings eternal life!
17 June 2015
Praise God!
This morning I woke up with the essence of Psalm 106:1 in my heart: "Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." God is so praiseworthy! Consider the favour He has bestowed upon the lowly, and hears all who cry unto Him. All He does is good, and there has not failed one word of His promises. He is beautiful in holiness, glorious in power, mighty to save, and actively loves all people. He graciously opens His arms to the unwilling and speaks tenderly to outcasts. God rebukes the foolish and corrects those whom He loves. He gives wisdom to the wise, knowledge to the understanding, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him. He is altogether lovely, just, righteous, and does not change. Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." Praise the glorious, unchanging One, all ye redeemed! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
16 June 2015
Sharpening Iron
"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17
Honing metal to a fine edge is a skill which these days requires special equipment. I do not own a single iron blade, but have many stainless and carbon-steel blades. The use of grinders, files, and stones are all useful to sharpen tools for maximum effectiveness. A sharp blade requires less strength and is often therefore safer and more efficient. In the day when King Solomon penned this proverb, quality tools and weapons were fashioned of iron. Rubbing iron blades against each other sharpened each at the same time. In the same way, friends have a way of positively "rubbing off" on one another. Insightful discussion, sharing thoughts, and working together sharpens the intellect and improves understanding.
This verse is applied easily to the benefit of fellowship in a church fellowship of Christian believers. But do not mistake gathering together for meetings or activities as fellowship which sharpens. If I were to drop a handful of iron knives into a drawer, open and close it for an hour, in addition to a sore arm my knives would be more dull than before! Anyone who has sharpened or tried to sharpen a knife knows there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. The knife needs to be laid at a consistent angle. Even pressure must be applied to remove the material to sharpen the edge. One or two strokes is not sufficient to sharpen a factory edge: be ready for a time-consuming process!
Sharpening does not occur accidentally, and so is the process of being sanctified. We are sharpened when we are challenged, encouraged, and exhorted by brothers and sisters who are walking with Jesus. It is not our physical proximity or shared activities, but when the truth of God's Word impacts our minds, hearts, and lives. Most important is time intentionally spent at the feet of Jesus, meditating on His Word, and applying it faithfully to our lives through the Holy Spirit's power. Listening to sermons or going to church doesn't sharpen you by virtue of the activity alone any more than sitting in the basket with the knives and forks in the dishwasher. We must recognise our dullness before we can be sharpened, and God has provided the means through fellowship and service with others. We need the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep us from rust which corrodes and dulls, for iron oxidises very quickly. It's amazing, really. As we are sharpened by God's grace, we will sharpen others. Allow God to knock the rust off you first, and trust He will also see to it others are sharpened as well.
Sharpening is work, and every tool which requires sharpening has a specific use and designed purpose. As you are sharpened by the LORD, be faithful to do according to God's calling upon your life. As willing slaves of Jesus Christ, let us heed in our daily activities the exhortation of Colossians 3:22-25: "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." The God who has called you out of darkness has called you into His marvelous light. Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the LORD! Simple obedience will make a greater impact on others than you can ever know.
15 June 2015
Guess Who?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
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that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The Bible is personally applicable and powerful, being the Word of God. All written in the scriptures is for our learning and edification: that all people might know their Creator and experience an everlasting, loving relationship with Him. There are numerous good and bad examples of people who trusted God, a realistic picture of humanity without any attempt to veil flaws.
Apart from the life of Jesus Christ, there are far more bad examples and failures observed in people who trust God than good ones. It does not require the learning of a brilliant theologian to discern inconsistencies, errors, and major faults in God's people: they are clear for all to see. It seems when we are first born again we scratch our heads when we read of the disobedience, rebellion, and stiff-necked stubbornness seen in God's people. How their stupidity annoys us! How ridiculous is their poverty of faith! Their failures are so blatantly foolish it even strikes us as humorous. How could someone be so weak and shortsighted to make the same mistakes again and again and again?
Do you really want to know the answer? It is not a hard question from God's perspective. The answer is simply, me and you. Yes, you heard me correctly. The inconsistencies and hypocrisy we see in others are the same ones our hearts naturally embrace. The biblical characters we view as most vile and disgusting are merely a mirror image of the sinful nature of our own hearts. Without exception, all characteristics we disdain and condemn in others thrives in us. "But I've never murdered anyone," you might protest. From a biblical perspective, you don't need to physically shed blood to have murder lurking in the shadows of your heart. God sees hatred (which is to love less) as murder (1 John 3:15). The hatred which God sees as murder thrives naturally in all human hearts. It is a humbling to see our sin enlightened by the Word of God. In my flesh I perceive the disobedience of Adam, the envy of Cain and King Saul, the folly of Nabal, the violence of Agag, the hatred of Haman, the idolatry of Ahab and Jezebel, the greed of Judas, and the rebellion of Barabbas, the fearful denials of Christ by Peter - all rolled into one.
God be praised, for all who trust in Jesus are made new creations. All who repent and place their faith in Jesus are born again and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are then free from the shackles of sin and free to glorify God with a life which genuinely shines forth His righteousness, holiness, and purity. Like Paul said, in our flesh dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18), but the glorious life and love of Jesus Christ can now be displayed by the grace of God. The light of God's Word provides a clear view of ourselves in truth, and acknowledging our sins magnifies God's marvelous grace. Instead of focusing on our faults, God looks upon faith exercised in Him with great delight - and counts it as righteousness.
So whenever we shake our heads and scoff the boneheaded decisions or inconsistency of people in scripture, guess who we are looking at? Ourselves!
Apart from the life of Jesus Christ, there are far more bad examples and failures observed in people who trust God than good ones. It does not require the learning of a brilliant theologian to discern inconsistencies, errors, and major faults in God's people: they are clear for all to see. It seems when we are first born again we scratch our heads when we read of the disobedience, rebellion, and stiff-necked stubbornness seen in God's people. How their stupidity annoys us! How ridiculous is their poverty of faith! Their failures are so blatantly foolish it even strikes us as humorous. How could someone be so weak and shortsighted to make the same mistakes again and again and again?
Do you really want to know the answer? It is not a hard question from God's perspective. The answer is simply, me and you. Yes, you heard me correctly. The inconsistencies and hypocrisy we see in others are the same ones our hearts naturally embrace. The biblical characters we view as most vile and disgusting are merely a mirror image of the sinful nature of our own hearts. Without exception, all characteristics we disdain and condemn in others thrives in us. "But I've never murdered anyone," you might protest. From a biblical perspective, you don't need to physically shed blood to have murder lurking in the shadows of your heart. God sees hatred (which is to love less) as murder (1 John 3:15). The hatred which God sees as murder thrives naturally in all human hearts. It is a humbling to see our sin enlightened by the Word of God. In my flesh I perceive the disobedience of Adam, the envy of Cain and King Saul, the folly of Nabal, the violence of Agag, the hatred of Haman, the idolatry of Ahab and Jezebel, the greed of Judas, and the rebellion of Barabbas, the fearful denials of Christ by Peter - all rolled into one.
God be praised, for all who trust in Jesus are made new creations. All who repent and place their faith in Jesus are born again and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are then free from the shackles of sin and free to glorify God with a life which genuinely shines forth His righteousness, holiness, and purity. Like Paul said, in our flesh dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18), but the glorious life and love of Jesus Christ can now be displayed by the grace of God. The light of God's Word provides a clear view of ourselves in truth, and acknowledging our sins magnifies God's marvelous grace. Instead of focusing on our faults, God looks upon faith exercised in Him with great delight - and counts it as righteousness.
So whenever we shake our heads and scoff the boneheaded decisions or inconsistency of people in scripture, guess who we are looking at? Ourselves!
14 June 2015
Water to Swim In
Jesus came to provide all who will trust in Him an abundant life. This does not translated into an excess of material goods or money, for it is Jesus who said, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." (Luke 12:15) The abundant life Jesus offers is one only realised through faith in Him and being born again. It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates and dwells inside a follower of Jesus, teaching, guiding, comforting, and helping us to live for God's glory.
It is an unfortunate reality the abundant life Jesus offers is misunderstood or goes unrealised - even by people who profess to be Christians. People thirst for knowledge, spiritual experiences, longing for God's power, and in all their labours miss the sweetness of fellowship God has for those who simply love and obey Him. It is easy to move from the simplicity of the Gospel and become learned Pharisees who polish a clean exterior but nurse a critical and judgmental spirit within. We can neglect to continue to pursue a deepening relationship with our Creator, content with scant knowledge and a compartmentalized Christianity. And the worst thing is, we can think in this sorry condition of calloused familiarity we are actually living the abundant life Jesus offers. It is disgust with our unregenerate life which awakens our understanding and desperation for new life provided by the Gospel, and dissatisfaction over our spiritual poverty after being born again which God uses to open our eyes to draw closer to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:13-14: "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." Jesus provides the Holy Spirit, the spiritual Living Water who brings life, refreshment, and a pure, cleansing influence in and through us. It is a life to be lived and experienced in fullness right now - not just only after our bodies go the way of the earth. When Jesus sits enthroned in our hearts as King, LORD, and Saviour, the living water of the Spirit's presence flows through our lives. The vivid, literal picture painted in Revelation 22:1 applies to Christians today figuratively: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
A beautiful illustration and personal application of this abundant life all can have through Christ is seen in Ezekiel. This is a literal description of a river which will flow during Christ's Millennial reign which will heal the waters of the now Dead Sea. Ezekiel 47:1-5: "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed." Ezekiel was led along the water which flowed from the temple towards the east, towards the sun's rising. A man measured the depth of the water which flowed from the throne. For a thousand cubits (about 457 metres) the water came up to Ezekiel's ankles. A thousand more cubits and the water came up to his knees. A thousand cubits more and the waters had risen to Ezekiel's waist. One thousand more metres and the water became too deep to walk, "water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed." A small stream grew to be immeasurably deep and wide.
It is impossible for us to plumb the depths of God's love, wisdom, grace, and goodness. The life God has offered us is an abundant, refreshing life, yet we can be content to splash around in ankle deep water. The Living Water is in us, and we feel very good to be in the water when it suits us. But how about going deeper? What do you know of swimming around in the love and power of the Holy Spirit of God? It is a stream of Living Water which cannot be crossed! These waters are meant for swimming, "water in which one must swim!" Jesus calls out to all who will listen today, "Come to me, all who thirst!" The water is more than fine, dear friend, for it is good and glorious. This life-giving, life-sustaining, refreshing flow continually directs us to the Risen Son, the King of Glory. Go deeper! Don't be content with water up to your knees when you could be immersed in the life God has provided for you!
It is an unfortunate reality the abundant life Jesus offers is misunderstood or goes unrealised - even by people who profess to be Christians. People thirst for knowledge, spiritual experiences, longing for God's power, and in all their labours miss the sweetness of fellowship God has for those who simply love and obey Him. It is easy to move from the simplicity of the Gospel and become learned Pharisees who polish a clean exterior but nurse a critical and judgmental spirit within. We can neglect to continue to pursue a deepening relationship with our Creator, content with scant knowledge and a compartmentalized Christianity. And the worst thing is, we can think in this sorry condition of calloused familiarity we are actually living the abundant life Jesus offers. It is disgust with our unregenerate life which awakens our understanding and desperation for new life provided by the Gospel, and dissatisfaction over our spiritual poverty after being born again which God uses to open our eyes to draw closer to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:13-14: "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." Jesus provides the Holy Spirit, the spiritual Living Water who brings life, refreshment, and a pure, cleansing influence in and through us. It is a life to be lived and experienced in fullness right now - not just only after our bodies go the way of the earth. When Jesus sits enthroned in our hearts as King, LORD, and Saviour, the living water of the Spirit's presence flows through our lives. The vivid, literal picture painted in Revelation 22:1 applies to Christians today figuratively: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
A beautiful illustration and personal application of this abundant life all can have through Christ is seen in Ezekiel. This is a literal description of a river which will flow during Christ's Millennial reign which will heal the waters of the now Dead Sea. Ezekiel 47:1-5: "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed." Ezekiel was led along the water which flowed from the temple towards the east, towards the sun's rising. A man measured the depth of the water which flowed from the throne. For a thousand cubits (about 457 metres) the water came up to Ezekiel's ankles. A thousand more cubits and the water came up to his knees. A thousand cubits more and the waters had risen to Ezekiel's waist. One thousand more metres and the water became too deep to walk, "water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed." A small stream grew to be immeasurably deep and wide.
It is impossible for us to plumb the depths of God's love, wisdom, grace, and goodness. The life God has offered us is an abundant, refreshing life, yet we can be content to splash around in ankle deep water. The Living Water is in us, and we feel very good to be in the water when it suits us. But how about going deeper? What do you know of swimming around in the love and power of the Holy Spirit of God? It is a stream of Living Water which cannot be crossed! These waters are meant for swimming, "water in which one must swim!" Jesus calls out to all who will listen today, "Come to me, all who thirst!" The water is more than fine, dear friend, for it is good and glorious. This life-giving, life-sustaining, refreshing flow continually directs us to the Risen Son, the King of Glory. Go deeper! Don't be content with water up to your knees when you could be immersed in the life God has provided for you!
11 June 2015
Jehovah Nakah: The God Who Strikes
Over coffee this morning a brother shared a wonderful truth out of the Bible. God has revealed His righteous character through various names, like "Jehovah Jireh" ("the LORD will provide" in Genesis 22:14), "Jehovah Shalom" ("the LORD is peace" in Judges 6:24), "Jehovah Nissi" ("the LORD my banner" in Exodus 17:15), and "Jehovah Rapha" (the LORD who heals" in Exodus 15:26 ). People named altars and even a city after attributes of God which provide glimpses into details of His awesome and magnificent ways. My friend turned to Ezekiel 7:9 which reads, "My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will repay you according to your ways,and your abominations will be in your midst. Then you shall know that I am the LORD who strikes." "Jehovah Nakah" - the LORD who strikes or kills - is probably not the first name of God people frame on the wall or include in lists on their bookmarks.
The point my mate made was the same word used for "strike" is used concerning the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah 53:4: "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." God is the God who smites, yet He is also the God who was smitten and killed for the sins of the world. God is not willing that any should perish, but God still sent Jesus Christ - His only Son - to die so those who repent and trust Him can be partakers of His everlasting life. God said in Deuteronomy 32:39, "Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand." Do you see the divine order? God wounds our pride to heal with grace; He was willing to kill His own Son so we might share in His life. It is through dying to self we are raised to newness of life with Christ. Jesus Christ took the punishment sinners deserved upon Himself, so we might be made righteous through faith.
What comfort there is in knowing Jehovah Nakah! He kills but makes alive. He strikes with heavy blows, but provides restoration, wholeness, and eternal life for all who trust in Him.
The point my mate made was the same word used for "strike" is used concerning the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah 53:4: "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." God is the God who smites, yet He is also the God who was smitten and killed for the sins of the world. God is not willing that any should perish, but God still sent Jesus Christ - His only Son - to die so those who repent and trust Him can be partakers of His everlasting life. God said in Deuteronomy 32:39, "Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand." Do you see the divine order? God wounds our pride to heal with grace; He was willing to kill His own Son so we might share in His life. It is through dying to self we are raised to newness of life with Christ. Jesus Christ took the punishment sinners deserved upon Himself, so we might be made righteous through faith.
What comfort there is in knowing Jehovah Nakah! He kills but makes alive. He strikes with heavy blows, but provides restoration, wholeness, and eternal life for all who trust in Him.
10 June 2015
Deceitful and Desperately Wicked
"Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD."
Jeremiah 17:5
It is remarkable how deceitful our hearts of flesh can be. We will cheat at solitaire! If we will cheat whilst playing cards or a board game which is insignificant in eternity's light, what will we do or say under pressure? Christians have been spiritual regenerated by faith in Christ and given a new heart, but deceit continues to lurk in our flesh. Regeneration does not mean perfection. This morning during an early round of golf, I wrote a 4 on my scorecard instead of a 5. I was convicted by my sin and changed the score. C'mon, really? And I was playing all by myself! God, deliver me from the folly and deceit of my own wicked heart!
Faithfulness in the little things matters. How important it is to recognise our sin and repent immediately! It is in yielding in little things which demonstrates a departure from trust in God. As stupid as it is to cheat while playing golf by yourself, it is infinitely more foolish to depart from trusting God and placing our confidence in men. Our hearts depart from the LORD before there is any tangible evidence. That is why it is important we abide in Christ, being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. He brings conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He guides us into all truth and provides the comfort and help we desperately need.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 reads, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?
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I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Only God knows the depths of the wickedness in our hearts. Only He is able to cleanse and wash us of the filth of deceit. On the golf course today God supplied me a test I failed and then passed through repentance, all by the grace of God. God's tests are more humiliating than a four-putt, and far more beneficial. Let us cry out in humility to God, asking Him to see if there be any wicked way in us. Praise the LORD, for He restores our souls.
09 June 2015
The Secular Argument
The truth of the scripture has always been unpopular. One of the results of this is the temptation for Christians to turn to or rely on secular reasoning to promote scriptural principles in the public arena. While on the surface this may seem wise, it is folly. Those who trust God and the scriptures know faith in God's Word is most reasonable, but to substitute human reason for the words of life is most unreasonable. People believe what they want. It is not difficult in our subjective age to find plenty of support for doubt and unbelief. Minds blinded by the god of this world are unable to see the truth, no matter how logical and persuasive our best arguments can be. Withholding the scriptures means we are not sowing seed, and therefore there can be no spiritual fruitfulness in such wranglings.
God is able to redeem even secular arguments for His purposes, but only God is able to change hearts or the way people think. Jesus appealed to reason when He spoke, but He did not withhold the divine truths only received by faith. He spoke with authority of Adam, the first man created by God from the dust of the ground. He spoke of heaven and hell, conscious there were many who did not and would not agree with Him. He spoke with objective certainty of right and wrong in a world where every man naturally does what is right in His own eyes. Jesus did not address men's heads only, but He went straight to the heart. God's Word has the power to accomplish what secular arguments cannot: exposing sinful motives, affections, and poverty of the human soul apart from God (Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus did not debate or squabble with unbelievers, but rather He engaged the world with divine spiritual truth. He did not merely hold forth principles derived from the Word, but in the face of temptation and attack said again and again: "It is written..." Even when beliefs of people have strayed from scripture, why not use the scripture rightly divided as the basis of your belief? Appeals to human reason muzzle the true Word of God to breathe clarity through the subjective fog of current social issues. Just because issues have been hijacked as "political" or "scientific" or "ethical" should not be justification to see the biblical view as irrelevant. Are you more interested in having people believe or agree with you, or is your primary desire to turn people from darkness to God's marvelous light? Should we cite statistics to prop up our arguments when God's Word is a sure foundation? What does it profit a man to engage the world with reason and purposely avoid the means to provide salvation for souls?
Examine your motives in choosing to primarily hold forth secular arguments to challenge minds of others. Be purposeful in hearing God's Word and obeying it first yourself, and without shame or embarrassment hold fast to the everlasting Word God has placed above His own name (Ps. 138:2). If we desire to see spiritual fruit from our efforts, do not neglect sowing the seed of God's Word. It is the scripture applied lovingly through the Holy Spirit - not our emotional appeals or rational arguments - which leads people to everlasting life. A transformed nature through trust in Christ will change hearts, and this produces a new mind receptive to the things of God. Should we lay down the sword in the midst of the battle in exchange for the feather duster of secular arguments? If we choose to parry or defend ourselves from attack with the Word of God, who cares if the enemy shouts, "That's not fair?" Let scoffers scoff, mockers mock, and unbelievers cling to deceit. Tighten your grip on your sword, child of God! To lay down the sword is to admit defeat, even if you manage to sway a few minds for a season.
God is able to redeem even secular arguments for His purposes, but only God is able to change hearts or the way people think. Jesus appealed to reason when He spoke, but He did not withhold the divine truths only received by faith. He spoke with authority of Adam, the first man created by God from the dust of the ground. He spoke of heaven and hell, conscious there were many who did not and would not agree with Him. He spoke with objective certainty of right and wrong in a world where every man naturally does what is right in His own eyes. Jesus did not address men's heads only, but He went straight to the heart. God's Word has the power to accomplish what secular arguments cannot: exposing sinful motives, affections, and poverty of the human soul apart from God (Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus did not debate or squabble with unbelievers, but rather He engaged the world with divine spiritual truth. He did not merely hold forth principles derived from the Word, but in the face of temptation and attack said again and again: "It is written..." Even when beliefs of people have strayed from scripture, why not use the scripture rightly divided as the basis of your belief? Appeals to human reason muzzle the true Word of God to breathe clarity through the subjective fog of current social issues. Just because issues have been hijacked as "political" or "scientific" or "ethical" should not be justification to see the biblical view as irrelevant. Are you more interested in having people believe or agree with you, or is your primary desire to turn people from darkness to God's marvelous light? Should we cite statistics to prop up our arguments when God's Word is a sure foundation? What does it profit a man to engage the world with reason and purposely avoid the means to provide salvation for souls?
Examine your motives in choosing to primarily hold forth secular arguments to challenge minds of others. Be purposeful in hearing God's Word and obeying it first yourself, and without shame or embarrassment hold fast to the everlasting Word God has placed above His own name (Ps. 138:2). If we desire to see spiritual fruit from our efforts, do not neglect sowing the seed of God's Word. It is the scripture applied lovingly through the Holy Spirit - not our emotional appeals or rational arguments - which leads people to everlasting life. A transformed nature through trust in Christ will change hearts, and this produces a new mind receptive to the things of God. Should we lay down the sword in the midst of the battle in exchange for the feather duster of secular arguments? If we choose to parry or defend ourselves from attack with the Word of God, who cares if the enemy shouts, "That's not fair?" Let scoffers scoff, mockers mock, and unbelievers cling to deceit. Tighten your grip on your sword, child of God! To lay down the sword is to admit defeat, even if you manage to sway a few minds for a season.
06 June 2015
Spiritual Aikido
Satan is a created being by God who continually seeks to mimic his Creator, masquerading as an angel of light. Jesus Christ is the Way, but the devil tries to thwart the advance of His kingdom by many counterfeit "ways." Jesus is the Truth, and much of the world is deceived to believe truth is subjective and bows to the judgment of each individual. Jesus is the Life, and no one goes the the Father or heaven except through Him (John 14:6).
One of the ways the world has substituted for a life of repentance and faith in Christ through the Gospel is attempted self-improvement. One such "way" is through martial arts. From the moment I was exposed to Aikido in particular, I have always had an appreciation and interest in the skills of the practitioners. The irony of this martial art is the non-violent philosophy which governs it. That is why Aikido does not have competitions, but demonstrations. Whilst some believe martial arts and techniques can be practiced apart from the spiritual aspects connected to the development of them, the two in Aikido in the purest form are inseparable. The philosophy and purpose behind Aikido offers a substitute for what can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.
Quoting from an Australian Aikido website, "Aikido is a modern, non-violent Japanese martial art that was developed early in the 20th century by the late master Professor Morihei Ueshiba, commonly called O Sensei...Aikido is effective as a martial art but its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflict. Based on a background of rigorous training in traditional Japanese jujitsu, Professor Ueshiba spent the latter half of his life developing the art as a means of refining and uplifting human spirit. He succeeded in creating what he then named 'Aikido', 'the Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature'. Aikido is a true 'budo', path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilised as a 'Way' to spiritual growth." As a spiritual exercise Aikido is a "way," but Jesus is the "Way." Only the righteous God who created man is able to lift up fallen men, and make a way through spiritual regeneration for eternal life.
One aspect of Aikido which interests me is how force applied by an attacker is turned against him. The harder a person tries to punch or kick an Aikido master, the more their exerted power is redirected in disarming or throwing himself to the ground. This mimics the way God causes the evil of the wicked to return upon their own heads. As it is written in Proverbs 26:27, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him." In the matter of judging others, this is also true: with the judgment we judge we will be judged, according to the measure we use it will be measured to us (Matthew 7:1-2). What we sow, we will also reap just like God designed from the beginning. I was reminded of this when reading Jeremiah 14:15: "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'--'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!" False prophets in Jeremiah's day claimed sword or famine would not be in the land, and God ensured they fell by their own deceptions. The things they claimed safety from would be the very thing which consumed them. People who are enemies of God stir up God as an enemy against themselves.
When men fall prey to the lie they can spiritually improve themselves through self-discipline or worldly means, they labour for their own destruction. Seeking enlightenment in any but the Light of the World Jesus ultimately ends in darkness. Matthew 16:24-26 reads, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" The man who tries to better himself will only grow worse, and all who try to save their lives themselves will only succeed in losing them. Praise God He has given us the true Way!
One of the ways the world has substituted for a life of repentance and faith in Christ through the Gospel is attempted self-improvement. One such "way" is through martial arts. From the moment I was exposed to Aikido in particular, I have always had an appreciation and interest in the skills of the practitioners. The irony of this martial art is the non-violent philosophy which governs it. That is why Aikido does not have competitions, but demonstrations. Whilst some believe martial arts and techniques can be practiced apart from the spiritual aspects connected to the development of them, the two in Aikido in the purest form are inseparable. The philosophy and purpose behind Aikido offers a substitute for what can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.
Quoting from an Australian Aikido website, "Aikido is a modern, non-violent Japanese martial art that was developed early in the 20th century by the late master Professor Morihei Ueshiba, commonly called O Sensei...Aikido is effective as a martial art but its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflict. Based on a background of rigorous training in traditional Japanese jujitsu, Professor Ueshiba spent the latter half of his life developing the art as a means of refining and uplifting human spirit. He succeeded in creating what he then named 'Aikido', 'the Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature'. Aikido is a true 'budo', path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilised as a 'Way' to spiritual growth." As a spiritual exercise Aikido is a "way," but Jesus is the "Way." Only the righteous God who created man is able to lift up fallen men, and make a way through spiritual regeneration for eternal life.
One aspect of Aikido which interests me is how force applied by an attacker is turned against him. The harder a person tries to punch or kick an Aikido master, the more their exerted power is redirected in disarming or throwing himself to the ground. This mimics the way God causes the evil of the wicked to return upon their own heads. As it is written in Proverbs 26:27, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him." In the matter of judging others, this is also true: with the judgment we judge we will be judged, according to the measure we use it will be measured to us (Matthew 7:1-2). What we sow, we will also reap just like God designed from the beginning. I was reminded of this when reading Jeremiah 14:15: "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'--'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed!" False prophets in Jeremiah's day claimed sword or famine would not be in the land, and God ensured they fell by their own deceptions. The things they claimed safety from would be the very thing which consumed them. People who are enemies of God stir up God as an enemy against themselves.
When men fall prey to the lie they can spiritually improve themselves through self-discipline or worldly means, they labour for their own destruction. Seeking enlightenment in any but the Light of the World Jesus ultimately ends in darkness. Matthew 16:24-26 reads, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" The man who tries to better himself will only grow worse, and all who try to save their lives themselves will only succeed in losing them. Praise God He has given us the true Way!
04 June 2015
Fitness for Service
I remember days when I could eat whatever and as much as I wanted without a clear negative correlation to my physical health. When I was about twenty a friend a bit older than me warned as age increases the metabolism can slow down. "You'll notice a change around thirty," he predicted. "At least, that's when my metabolism started slowing down. I had to make adjustments to my eating habits or I would really pack on the pounds!" Yeah right, I thought to myself. But to be honest, he wasn't too far off. I have found it is important for me to eat less and exercise more to maintain my current body weight.
This year I will be celebrating my fortieth birthday, and needless to say a lot has changed since I was twenty. The thing I find most challenging is the necessity to be constantly vigilant concerning my fitness. The nature of my job is sedentary, and it is rarely convenient to make time to exercise. I look at myself in the mirror and it seems no matter how much I reduce my intake of foods or sugary drinks, those stubborn pounds just hang around. I have finally come to accept this simple fact: the battle for staying fit is "on," and as long as I live in this failing body it will continue without intermission. The only way the battle will be over is if I passively surrender to the advance of age and become careless towards my health. If I want fitness I've never had at my age, I must be willing to sacrifice more and work harder than I ever have before.
The same is true concerning the spiritual health of a Christian. Because we have been given the victory over sin by grace through faith, we might think we can be passive and still win the battle for our mind and affections. Not so! Jesus has defeated sin, Satan, and death, but I am often my own worst enemy. I would like to think that sinful habits once overcome will remain perpetually beaten and powerless. But you know what? Enemies have a way of secretly growing stronger, launching secret attacks, and waiting for complacency to provide easy opportunity to regain control. Enemies adapt and adopt new strategies to succeed where prior efforts failed. Exterminators do not only spray their poisons one time and assume a pest infestation is handled. They spray again and again, open and inspect dark places, and scour for any evidence of any remaining pests. Even when the bugs are gone they will continue to spray, because if left unchecked the filthy freeloaders will be back.
Let's not be smug and think there are no negative correlations between sin and bondage, that being spiritually sedentary will not make us listless, dull, and easy prey for the enemy of our souls. Instead of looking into the mirror to gauge your progress, look to Jesus in the clarity of His Word. God created you to be a person through whom His glory shines in the world in holiness, purity, and power. We ought to take seriously this responsibility and privilege, and be willing to sacrifice more and labour harder than ever to improve our fitness for service. Are you willing?
This year I will be celebrating my fortieth birthday, and needless to say a lot has changed since I was twenty. The thing I find most challenging is the necessity to be constantly vigilant concerning my fitness. The nature of my job is sedentary, and it is rarely convenient to make time to exercise. I look at myself in the mirror and it seems no matter how much I reduce my intake of foods or sugary drinks, those stubborn pounds just hang around. I have finally come to accept this simple fact: the battle for staying fit is "on," and as long as I live in this failing body it will continue without intermission. The only way the battle will be over is if I passively surrender to the advance of age and become careless towards my health. If I want fitness I've never had at my age, I must be willing to sacrifice more and work harder than I ever have before.
The same is true concerning the spiritual health of a Christian. Because we have been given the victory over sin by grace through faith, we might think we can be passive and still win the battle for our mind and affections. Not so! Jesus has defeated sin, Satan, and death, but I am often my own worst enemy. I would like to think that sinful habits once overcome will remain perpetually beaten and powerless. But you know what? Enemies have a way of secretly growing stronger, launching secret attacks, and waiting for complacency to provide easy opportunity to regain control. Enemies adapt and adopt new strategies to succeed where prior efforts failed. Exterminators do not only spray their poisons one time and assume a pest infestation is handled. They spray again and again, open and inspect dark places, and scour for any evidence of any remaining pests. Even when the bugs are gone they will continue to spray, because if left unchecked the filthy freeloaders will be back.
Let's not be smug and think there are no negative correlations between sin and bondage, that being spiritually sedentary will not make us listless, dull, and easy prey for the enemy of our souls. Instead of looking into the mirror to gauge your progress, look to Jesus in the clarity of His Word. God created you to be a person through whom His glory shines in the world in holiness, purity, and power. We ought to take seriously this responsibility and privilege, and be willing to sacrifice more and labour harder than ever to improve our fitness for service. Are you willing?
A Tract Concerning Sin's Folly
For a long time I have kept my eyes open for volumes of The Sword and the Trowel, a compilation of articles and tracts from C.H. Spurgeon. I am happy to say I discovered a couple of clean used copies (Volumes 1 & 2) from a bookseller (Christian Books Australia) and have been enjoying them as expected. As I read a tract published over a hundred and fifty years ago, I was amazed at how little has changed concerning the human heart and Satan's tactics. Here is the tract, as originally published by Passmore & Alabaster:
Rowland Hill illustrated the folly of sinners by the story of a butcher who was followed by the swine right into the slaughterhouse. As pigs are not usually in the mind to go where they are wanted, it seemed a mystery how these animals were so eager to follow their executioner; but when it was seen that he wisely carried a bag of pease and beans with which he enticed the creatures onward, the riddle was solved at once. Unsuspicious of impending death the hogs cared only for the passing gratification of their appetites, and hastened to the slaughter - and in the same manner ungodly men follow the great enemy of souls down through the jaws of hell, merely because their depraved passions are pleased with the lusts of the flesh and the pleasures of sin which the devil gives them by handfuls on the road. Alas, that there should be such likeness between men and swine!
The joys of sin are so short and so unsatisfactory, that they can never be thought of for a moment as a fitting inducement for a rational being to lose his immortal soul. Will a few hours' foolery, gambling, drinking, or wantoning, compensate for eternal fire? Is the momentary indulgence of a base passion worth this endurance of flames which never can be quenched? To moan in vain for a drop of water! To be tormented by the never dying worm! To be shut out from hope for ever! To be eternally cursed of God! Is any sin worth all this? Can any gain make up for this? O ye who delight in the poisonous sweets of sin, remember that though pleasant in the mouth for the moment, sin will be as wormwood and gall in your bowels for ever. Why will ye swallow the bait when you know that the hook is there? Why will ye belured by the Satanic fowler? Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird; but you are more foolish than the birds and fly into the snare when you know it to be there. O that ye were wise, and would consider your latter end. Let that one word Eternity ring in your ears and drive out the giddy laughter of worldings who prefer the present joys of sense. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life by Jesus Christ." Jesus receiveth sinners. Go to him and he will no wise cast you out. (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's Works as Published in His Monthly Magazine The Sword and the Trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, Tex.: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. 35. Print.)
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