As I prepared a study in the book of Proverbs, a thought crossed my mind. How many times in the past I have read those sayings of divine wisdom almost as I would read quotes from famous people? Job 12:11 says, "Does not the ear test words and the mouth taste its food?" What tastes lovely to one person may not appeal to someone else. There is a range of subjectivity to personal preferences when it comes to food. When we hear or read a quote, a process similar to tasting food is begun. As we chew the food, no hands are forcing us to do so. At any moment, we can decide that bite is simply too much to handle and spit it out. As we read a statement or hear words spoken, we weigh the words against our beliefs. We can choose to reject what is said or file it away for future use because we agree.
The absolute worst way to read the Bible is to weigh the proverbs or sayings against our own experience or opinions. The Bible is not true by virtue of my agreeing with it, but on the basis that it is actually what it claims to be in its entirety: the Spirit-breathed Word of God. What a mistake we make when we read a proverb and say, "Hmm, does my experience agree with this statement? Do my prior opinions line up with the implications of what is being said? Because I can think of an example from my own life to support it or I already happen to agree, I believe it is true." This is a grave error and one to be avoided at all cost. The Bible is not like a book of quotes where we are free to pick and choose what is true based upon our feelings, experience, or implications we agree with already. It must be viewed as absolutely authoritative and true, trumping all my opinions, even my own experience viewed through the skewed perspective of the passage of time and my human frame.
There is a right way to read scripture if we are convinced it is the Word of God from a position of belief. It is true on the basis of the righteousness of the Author, who through the Holy Spirit moved men to pen these immortal passages. It's true that we can draw many examples to illustrate the truth of scripture from the pages of the Bible, our own lives, the world in which we live, confirmed through history. Confirmation is everywhere for those who read with personal knowledge of the God who wrote those words. They are indeed the words of life and that without controversy.
21 February 2014
18 February 2014
Increasing and Abounding in Love
I love it when God opens my eyes to a particular verse and then continues to bring it to my attention day after day. Through His Word God speaks. The repetition provides confirmation of the particular area God is directing me to pray, and reveals how intentional God is to speak into my life. It also prompts a response from me, for in His wisdom God knows exactly what I need even if I am unaware or clueless. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 says, "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
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so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." What the LORD continue to impress upon me is my need to increase and abound in love to one another and to all. God points out my faults and insufficiency so I will admit my need and seek Him as my sufficiency.
I am aware of my need to grow in love for God and others in a theoretical sense, but God wants me to accept this as His will for me right now. The Bible confirms this is a process all believers should embrace according to His will. God does not simply desire my love increase but to abound. Instead of measuring out active love to a select few, I am called as a follower of Christ to seek Him that I might increase and abound in love to all! Only through Christ can our love increase and abound. Jesus said in John 10:10-11, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Though Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead almost two thousand years ago, His demonstration of love remains in the present tense. Our love for one another must also perpetually remain in the present tense through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul did not "attain" in this life. His life after being born again was marked by his increasing and abundant love for God, fellow believers, and all people. But while he remained in a body of flesh, the road of sanctification stretched out far before him. If Paul needed this growth, how much more do I need to increase in love as well! I do not want to be content only with a measurable increase of love demonstrated through my life, but a super-abundance of Christ's supernatural love. This is not something I can do by my best efforts, but God delights to cause my love to increase and abound towards all. He is able! This is not a work He will do until I admit my great lack, confess my sin in repentance, and walk in obedience to Him by faith. It is the LORD who will make me increase and abound in love, and I'm thankful He will do this so He might "establish my heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
I am aware of my need to grow in love for God and others in a theoretical sense, but God wants me to accept this as His will for me right now. The Bible confirms this is a process all believers should embrace according to His will. God does not simply desire my love increase but to abound. Instead of measuring out active love to a select few, I am called as a follower of Christ to seek Him that I might increase and abound in love to all! Only through Christ can our love increase and abound. Jesus said in John 10:10-11, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Though Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead almost two thousand years ago, His demonstration of love remains in the present tense. Our love for one another must also perpetually remain in the present tense through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul did not "attain" in this life. His life after being born again was marked by his increasing and abundant love for God, fellow believers, and all people. But while he remained in a body of flesh, the road of sanctification stretched out far before him. If Paul needed this growth, how much more do I need to increase in love as well! I do not want to be content only with a measurable increase of love demonstrated through my life, but a super-abundance of Christ's supernatural love. This is not something I can do by my best efforts, but God delights to cause my love to increase and abound towards all. He is able! This is not a work He will do until I admit my great lack, confess my sin in repentance, and walk in obedience to Him by faith. It is the LORD who will make me increase and abound in love, and I'm thankful He will do this so He might "establish my heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
17 February 2014
Scripture Teaching
How spiritually healthy and rewarding it is when our steps require faith in God! The flesh hates feeling out of control, but what a blessing it is to walk in the truth that God is in control. I experienced one such moment today. Earlier today God brought to pass the culmination of a desire that has grown since I first visited Phil and Linda White in Brisbane, Australia in 2009: teaching scripture to students in a public school. During one of our chats, Linda told me that in public schools in Australia scripture is taught by qualified volunteers from local churches. I could hardly believe it! Hailing from the United States of America, a nation hamstrung by political correctness and supposed implications of "separation of Church and State" with corresponding restrictions, this seemed too good to be true.
An open door to teach scripture in public schools stands open in Australia, and God opened a door to teach scripture in my own suburb. One week after moving house, I received a call from a coordinator of the scripture classes to inquire concerning a character reference. It turned out there was a vacancy that had just opened up. It is a remarkable opportunity to expose kids to the truth of scripture and introduce them to God. The fact is, scripture teaching works! Students are free to opt out of scripture teaching, and those who do are taught "ethics." I would be curious to know the origin and foundation of those ethics!
When going through the modules to be qualified to teach scripture, I was amazed at the objectives according to the Rawlinson Report and the current NSW Education Act. Taken from a Youthworks Training booklet, the five reasons scripture teaching exists are:
Have you recently taken new steps of faith? If you are a Christian, this is what God has called us to. By receiving the Gospel by grace through faith we have signed up to take more steps of faith! If our lives do not require a walk of faith -going into situations outside our comfort zone where God is our only peace and help - then we must wonder if we are trusting Christ at all! What joy comes from this walk of faith, though our days be filled with unknowns and growing challenges. When we walk in faith in God, we walk closer to Christ. He will always lead us in the right way!
An open door to teach scripture in public schools stands open in Australia, and God opened a door to teach scripture in my own suburb. One week after moving house, I received a call from a coordinator of the scripture classes to inquire concerning a character reference. It turned out there was a vacancy that had just opened up. It is a remarkable opportunity to expose kids to the truth of scripture and introduce them to God. The fact is, scripture teaching works! Students are free to opt out of scripture teaching, and those who do are taught "ethics." I would be curious to know the origin and foundation of those ethics!
When going through the modules to be qualified to teach scripture, I was amazed at the objectives according to the Rawlinson Report and the current NSW Education Act. Taken from a Youthworks Training booklet, the five reasons scripture teaching exists are:
- to develop an ability to interpret religious data within the traditions of their particular faith
- to gain an appreciation of specific religious interpretations of issues and problems in which committed people apply their faith to life
- to translate their learning about their faith into active expression in a worshipping community
- to encounter, in a peer group-learning context, religious teaching given from a position of faith and committment by a person explicitly associated with the religious community
- to be aware of the availability of personal and group counselling in the area of religious need
Have you recently taken new steps of faith? If you are a Christian, this is what God has called us to. By receiving the Gospel by grace through faith we have signed up to take more steps of faith! If our lives do not require a walk of faith -going into situations outside our comfort zone where God is our only peace and help - then we must wonder if we are trusting Christ at all! What joy comes from this walk of faith, though our days be filled with unknowns and growing challenges. When we walk in faith in God, we walk closer to Christ. He will always lead us in the right way!
14 February 2014
Walking Wisely
My family and I have been hosts this week to a couple which have long been a positive, godly influence in our lives. It was a pleasure showing them the sights of Sydney and we greatly enjoyed their insights as we chatted about ministry and family. There is great encouragement when the global body of Christ unites together under His banner of love. The support of gracious brothers and sisters in Christ is a gift God has provided we do well to embrace.
Last night as a small group of us gathered at Calvary Chapel Sydney for a Bible study, we considered practical ways to walk in wisdom. Many things were discussed: being born again, humility, heeding God's Word, fellowship with God through prayer, discipline, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. There was one aspect in particular that God impressed upon me to emphasise, not that it is more important than the rest. I do believe, however, it is an aspect which can be quite foreign in our individualistic, self-centered societies: we have a deep need to be in regular fellowship with Christians. I do not simply mean attending a local church. I am talking about forging close friendships centered upon Christ where we are unashamed and transparent, cultivating relationships where all have the freedom to encourage, exhort, rebuke, confess sin and struggles, and strengthen one another by pointing to Christ.
If as born again Christians we are each part of Christ's Body the church, then we must be united in worship of God and fellowship with one another with love and grace, bearing one another's burdens. We cannot do this alone. I believe there are many who think they can live for Christ alone and continue to grow. With the power of the Holy Spirit within them, the Bible to guide them, books and podcasts to encourage them, they do not need to cultivate relationships with other Christians. That is like a leg saying it does not need the ankle or foot to remain upright! We are not to view church as a support system for our benefit (though we do greatly benefit from unity in Christ), but to consider how we might practically provide strength for the Body. We do this by reaching individual lives and ministering to each according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Those who are born again are called to provide edification of the Body through love. The gifts and resources God has given you are not intended for your sole benefit, but for the good and strengthening of others. The early church laid hold of this calling with both hands, and by His grace we can do the same.
Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Some make the mistake of focusing on service and neglect to fix their eyes and hearts on Christ. Others think the church exists for their benefit instead of considering how they might contribute to the strengthening and edifying the Body through love. We must move beyond maintaining a relationship with God and press on in faith in Christ so we might grow and encourage others to do the same. God's intention was not that we labour to protect ourselves from the world but that we would overcome it through Him. Christianity is not defined by what we don't do, but is established upon the fact God knows us and we know Him through the Gospel. Too many times we focus on "not sinning" instead of walking in the Spirit through abiding in Christ. God places individuals in our lives to sharpen us, not to make us miserable or hopeless. Jesus is our hope and peace!
Rejoice believer, for you are not alone! Jesus has promised to never leave or forsake us. He has also united us to fellow Christians that we might run with endurance the race set before each of us. We may not agree on every point of doctrine or emphasis, but love covers a multitude of my sins. We walk wisely when we forge relationships where God remains the centre, chief joy, and our all in all.
Last night as a small group of us gathered at Calvary Chapel Sydney for a Bible study, we considered practical ways to walk in wisdom. Many things were discussed: being born again, humility, heeding God's Word, fellowship with God through prayer, discipline, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. There was one aspect in particular that God impressed upon me to emphasise, not that it is more important than the rest. I do believe, however, it is an aspect which can be quite foreign in our individualistic, self-centered societies: we have a deep need to be in regular fellowship with Christians. I do not simply mean attending a local church. I am talking about forging close friendships centered upon Christ where we are unashamed and transparent, cultivating relationships where all have the freedom to encourage, exhort, rebuke, confess sin and struggles, and strengthen one another by pointing to Christ.
If as born again Christians we are each part of Christ's Body the church, then we must be united in worship of God and fellowship with one another with love and grace, bearing one another's burdens. We cannot do this alone. I believe there are many who think they can live for Christ alone and continue to grow. With the power of the Holy Spirit within them, the Bible to guide them, books and podcasts to encourage them, they do not need to cultivate relationships with other Christians. That is like a leg saying it does not need the ankle or foot to remain upright! We are not to view church as a support system for our benefit (though we do greatly benefit from unity in Christ), but to consider how we might practically provide strength for the Body. We do this by reaching individual lives and ministering to each according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Those who are born again are called to provide edification of the Body through love. The gifts and resources God has given you are not intended for your sole benefit, but for the good and strengthening of others. The early church laid hold of this calling with both hands, and by His grace we can do the same.
Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Some make the mistake of focusing on service and neglect to fix their eyes and hearts on Christ. Others think the church exists for their benefit instead of considering how they might contribute to the strengthening and edifying the Body through love. We must move beyond maintaining a relationship with God and press on in faith in Christ so we might grow and encourage others to do the same. God's intention was not that we labour to protect ourselves from the world but that we would overcome it through Him. Christianity is not defined by what we don't do, but is established upon the fact God knows us and we know Him through the Gospel. Too many times we focus on "not sinning" instead of walking in the Spirit through abiding in Christ. God places individuals in our lives to sharpen us, not to make us miserable or hopeless. Jesus is our hope and peace!
Rejoice believer, for you are not alone! Jesus has promised to never leave or forsake us. He has also united us to fellow Christians that we might run with endurance the race set before each of us. We may not agree on every point of doctrine or emphasis, but love covers a multitude of my sins. We walk wisely when we forge relationships where God remains the centre, chief joy, and our all in all.
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