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!
15 June 2015
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.
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