To love you as I should, I must worship God as Creator.
When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.
- C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis
Links: First and Second Things (10 Dec 09), More on First and Second Things (15 Dec 09)
Thursday 31 December 2009
Wednesday 30 December 2009
The Key to All Doors
Obedience is the key to all doors; feelings come (or don't come) and go as God pleases. We can't produce them at will, and mustn't try.
- C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis
Obedience vs Expedience
The life of the Christian should be a process of becoming more and more like Christ. Our hearts should long for our lives to manifest His character. We should desire to act as He would in any given situation. We profess to love Him and follow Him, and it should be our deepest desire to be like Him.
Jesus did what was obedient, regardless of whether or not it was expedient. Above all else, Jesus' life was one of utter obedience, and it behooves us to examine the degree to which obedience is characteristic in us as Christians.
As we strive for obedience, we must be careful not to accept obedience grudgingly as the price of salvation and wind up with a life of cranky devotion, devoid of joy or gratitude. Obedience not only is the response of a heart grateful for salvation but also the way by which we enter into rest - true rest - God's rest.
Obedience is Foundational
When we are faced with not getting what we want - or not getting it when we want it - then we see whether the faith that we profess is built on rock or sand. When we are faced with giving up something out of obedience to God then we see how secure the foundation of our faith really is.
Obedience is basic. If we are calling Jesus "Lord" but are not acknowledging His Lordship in the choices that we make and in the actions that we take, we are hypocrites indeed.
Obedience is Volitional
Obedience must be more important to us than expedience; doing what is right must be more important than getting what we want; glorifying God must be more important than satisfying self.
The kind of obedience that we are to cultivate requires a continual choosing of that which is godly and a continual rejection of that which is not godly. The making of righteous choices is both a means by which God creates a Christlike character in us and a manifestation of that character as it develops.
Obedience is a choice. We must be continually choosing to obey no matter how impractical, inefficient, or ineffective it seems.
Obedience is Possible
If our lifestyle is to be one of obedience, obedience must penetrate every aspect of our lives. We cannot choose to be obedient only when it is easy or costs us nothing. Obedience must be a choice that we undertake in every aspect of our lives, recognising that God's grace makes it possible for us to obey.
Obedience is Costly
Making holy choices often means making hard choices. Sometimes obedience means giving up something greatly desired, perhaps without understanding why. Abraham must have felt this way, his knife poised to take Isaac's life. Why should God require me to give Him my son's life? he must have wondered.
But God did not want Isaac's life - He wanted Abraham's heart. He wants our hearts as well, and giving them to Him might require surrendering something or someone we don't want to live without.
Do we direct our own lives, or are they under God's direction? Do we insist upon self-sovereignty, or have we yielded sovereignty over our lives to the Lord?
Obedience is costly. But the price that God paid to establish a relationship with us - wherein it is even possible for us to be obedient - was costlier still.
Obedience is Distinctive
Consider Paul's words in his letter to the Philippians:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The way we ought to treat one another is simply expressed, if not always simply executed: we humble ourselves and place the interests of others above our own interests out of love, being obedient to the command of our God, even as our Lord "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
That is the kind of humility that we need to adopt in dealing with each other - humility that is expressed in obedience even unto the death of our own dreams, our own desires, and our own selfish ends. That is the love of Christ, and that is the love with which we are privileged to love one another as His followers.
By Obedience, We Enter into God's Rest
By obeying God, we enter into a rest that results from being utterly dependent on Him, relying on His activity and agenda rather than our own.
And perhaps it is time for us to recognise obedience as the quintessential expression of our faith - we obey, not because we hope to gain from it, but because it is the proper response of a heart that trusts in God. Instead, the world has programmed us for expedience. We desire to have what we want, when we want it. But we must supplant the desire for expedience with the desire for true obedience.
All other relationships grow out of this: that we love first and most fervently the One who has saved us and set us free. It begins with a choice - a choice to serve Him rather than to serve ourselves; a choice to do what is obedient, even if by doing so we forfeit what we desire; a choice to pursue righteousness, even when it is costly.
Are we willing to make that choice?
- William P. Risk, Dating & Waiting
Links: He keeps the key (12 Aug 10), Waiting on God (24 Dec 10)
- C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis
Obedience vs Expedience
The life of the Christian should be a process of becoming more and more like Christ. Our hearts should long for our lives to manifest His character. We should desire to act as He would in any given situation. We profess to love Him and follow Him, and it should be our deepest desire to be like Him.
Jesus did what was obedient, regardless of whether or not it was expedient. Above all else, Jesus' life was one of utter obedience, and it behooves us to examine the degree to which obedience is characteristic in us as Christians.
As we strive for obedience, we must be careful not to accept obedience grudgingly as the price of salvation and wind up with a life of cranky devotion, devoid of joy or gratitude. Obedience not only is the response of a heart grateful for salvation but also the way by which we enter into rest - true rest - God's rest.
Obedience is Foundational
When we are faced with not getting what we want - or not getting it when we want it - then we see whether the faith that we profess is built on rock or sand. When we are faced with giving up something out of obedience to God then we see how secure the foundation of our faith really is.
Obedience is basic. If we are calling Jesus "Lord" but are not acknowledging His Lordship in the choices that we make and in the actions that we take, we are hypocrites indeed.
Obedience is Volitional
Obedience must be more important to us than expedience; doing what is right must be more important than getting what we want; glorifying God must be more important than satisfying self.
The kind of obedience that we are to cultivate requires a continual choosing of that which is godly and a continual rejection of that which is not godly. The making of righteous choices is both a means by which God creates a Christlike character in us and a manifestation of that character as it develops.
Obedience is a choice. We must be continually choosing to obey no matter how impractical, inefficient, or ineffective it seems.
Obedience is Possible
If our lifestyle is to be one of obedience, obedience must penetrate every aspect of our lives. We cannot choose to be obedient only when it is easy or costs us nothing. Obedience must be a choice that we undertake in every aspect of our lives, recognising that God's grace makes it possible for us to obey.
Obedience is Costly
Making holy choices often means making hard choices. Sometimes obedience means giving up something greatly desired, perhaps without understanding why. Abraham must have felt this way, his knife poised to take Isaac's life. Why should God require me to give Him my son's life? he must have wondered.
But God did not want Isaac's life - He wanted Abraham's heart. He wants our hearts as well, and giving them to Him might require surrendering something or someone we don't want to live without.
Do we direct our own lives, or are they under God's direction? Do we insist upon self-sovereignty, or have we yielded sovereignty over our lives to the Lord?
Obedience is costly. But the price that God paid to establish a relationship with us - wherein it is even possible for us to be obedient - was costlier still.
Obedience is Distinctive
Consider Paul's words in his letter to the Philippians:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The way we ought to treat one another is simply expressed, if not always simply executed: we humble ourselves and place the interests of others above our own interests out of love, being obedient to the command of our God, even as our Lord "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
That is the kind of humility that we need to adopt in dealing with each other - humility that is expressed in obedience even unto the death of our own dreams, our own desires, and our own selfish ends. That is the love of Christ, and that is the love with which we are privileged to love one another as His followers.
By Obedience, We Enter into God's Rest
By obeying God, we enter into a rest that results from being utterly dependent on Him, relying on His activity and agenda rather than our own.
And perhaps it is time for us to recognise obedience as the quintessential expression of our faith - we obey, not because we hope to gain from it, but because it is the proper response of a heart that trusts in God. Instead, the world has programmed us for expedience. We desire to have what we want, when we want it. But we must supplant the desire for expedience with the desire for true obedience.
All other relationships grow out of this: that we love first and most fervently the One who has saved us and set us free. It begins with a choice - a choice to serve Him rather than to serve ourselves; a choice to do what is obedient, even if by doing so we forfeit what we desire; a choice to pursue righteousness, even when it is costly.
Are we willing to make that choice?
- William P. Risk, Dating & Waiting
Links: He keeps the key (12 Aug 10), Waiting on God (24 Dec 10)
Tuesday 29 December 2009
A Simple Way to Pray
We must be careful not to break the habit of true prayer and imagine other works to be necessary which, after all, are nothing of the kind. Thus at the end we become lax and lazy, cool and listless toward prayer. The devil who besets us is not lazy or careless, and our flesh is too ready and eager to sin and is disinclined to the spirit of prayer.
- Martin Luther, A Simple Way to Pray
Luther's calls to prayer come always alongside reminders of our need. Too often Christians feel strong and self-sufficient. We often forget that we are weak and that we have a mighty enemy. This sinful self-sufficiency has left many churches silent before the open doors of heaven. In so many parts of the church, we have forgotten that we are at war and therefore rarely call out desperately for help.
- Mark Rogers, "Deliver Us from the Evil One": Martin Luther on Prayer
- Martin Luther, A Simple Way to Pray
Luther's calls to prayer come always alongside reminders of our need. Too often Christians feel strong and self-sufficient. We often forget that we are weak and that we have a mighty enemy. This sinful self-sufficiency has left many churches silent before the open doors of heaven. In so many parts of the church, we have forgotten that we are at war and therefore rarely call out desperately for help.
- Mark Rogers, "Deliver Us from the Evil One": Martin Luther on Prayer
Monday 28 December 2009
The Virgin Birth
*I first heard of the following theory from Wikus Van Der Hoven, a friend from York Baptist Church. This post is an attempt to expand on the theory. Of course, any mistakes are my own.*
The virgin birth (more precisely, the virgin conception) is a miracle in itself. But there is more to it than that.
The House of David
"David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel." - 1 Chronicles 3:4b-5 (NIV)
"Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, Jehoram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, Amon his son, Josiah his son. The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second son, Zedekiah the third, Shallum the fourth. The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin his son, and Zedekiah." - 1 Chronicles 3:10-16 (NIV)
Joseph's Lineage (His Side of the Family)
According to 1 Chronicles 3 and Matthew 1, Joseph was the son of Jacob, the son of Matthan, the son of Eleazar... the son of Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin), the son of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah... the son of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, the son of David.
Mary's Lineage (Her Side of the Family)
According to 1 Chronicles 3 and Luke 3, Mary was the daughter of Heli (Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli), the son of Matthat, the son of Levi... the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David.
The Curse
"Therefore, this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I have pronounced against them, because they have not listened." - Jeremiah 36:30-31 (NIV)
Both Joseph and Mary were from the house of David. Joseph was from the line of Solomon son of David (and subsequently Jehoiakim) and Mary was from the line of Nathan son of David. However, Jesus could not come from the line of Jehoiakim because of the curse on Jehoiakim. Therefore, Jesus had to come in another way.
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
The Conception
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
- Luke 1:30-35 (NIV)
The Configuration
Joseph in the Old Testament
And suddenly you begin to see that this [Genesis 39] is not merely a morality play, again it's part of a deeply Christological reading of the whole Bible. It's bringing you to Jesus, how God in His own purposes, through the foibles and weaknesses and through the strengths and faithfulness of individual believers across redemptive history, has - in the fullness of time - brought forth His Son, the Redeemer, through Whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
And there is no text in Genesis 39 that says, "Now listen, pay attention folks, this is heading to the great Christological centre." It's not saying that. It's the narrative that conveys it, the narrative of Genesis 39 in the context of the book of Genesis, Genesis in the context of the Pentateuch, the Pentateuch in the context of the whole Bible, do you see?
- D. A. Carson, The Living Word 2008
In Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament), a certain Joseph son of Jacob resisted a certain kind of sexual temptation. This was part of God's sovereign plan to rescue the Israelites and ultimately save the world, by first humbling and then exalting Joseph to be in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
Joseph in the New Testament
"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." - Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
In Matthew (the first book of the New Testament), another Joseph son of Jacob resisted another kind of sexual temptation. Again, this was part of God's sovereign plan to rescue the Israelites and ultimately save the world, by ensuring that the curse on Jehoiakim would not fall on Jesus.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
The virgin birth (more precisely, the virgin conception) is a miracle in itself. But there is more to it than that.
The House of David
"David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel." - 1 Chronicles 3:4b-5 (NIV)
"Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, Jehoram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, Amon his son, Josiah his son. The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second son, Zedekiah the third, Shallum the fourth. The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin his son, and Zedekiah." - 1 Chronicles 3:10-16 (NIV)
Joseph's Lineage (His Side of the Family)
According to 1 Chronicles 3 and Matthew 1, Joseph was the son of Jacob, the son of Matthan, the son of Eleazar... the son of Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin), the son of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah... the son of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, the son of David.
Mary's Lineage (Her Side of the Family)
According to 1 Chronicles 3 and Luke 3, Mary was the daughter of Heli (Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli), the son of Matthat, the son of Levi... the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David.
The Curse
"Therefore, this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I have pronounced against them, because they have not listened." - Jeremiah 36:30-31 (NIV)
Both Joseph and Mary were from the house of David. Joseph was from the line of Solomon son of David (and subsequently Jehoiakim) and Mary was from the line of Nathan son of David. However, Jesus could not come from the line of Jehoiakim because of the curse on Jehoiakim. Therefore, Jesus had to come in another way.
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
The Conception
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
- Luke 1:30-35 (NIV)
The Configuration
Joseph in the Old Testament
And suddenly you begin to see that this [Genesis 39] is not merely a morality play, again it's part of a deeply Christological reading of the whole Bible. It's bringing you to Jesus, how God in His own purposes, through the foibles and weaknesses and through the strengths and faithfulness of individual believers across redemptive history, has - in the fullness of time - brought forth His Son, the Redeemer, through Whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
And there is no text in Genesis 39 that says, "Now listen, pay attention folks, this is heading to the great Christological centre." It's not saying that. It's the narrative that conveys it, the narrative of Genesis 39 in the context of the book of Genesis, Genesis in the context of the Pentateuch, the Pentateuch in the context of the whole Bible, do you see?
- D. A. Carson, The Living Word 2008
In Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament), a certain Joseph son of Jacob resisted a certain kind of sexual temptation. This was part of God's sovereign plan to rescue the Israelites and ultimately save the world, by first humbling and then exalting Joseph to be in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
Joseph in the New Testament
"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." - Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
In Matthew (the first book of the New Testament), another Joseph son of Jacob resisted another kind of sexual temptation. Again, this was part of God's sovereign plan to rescue the Israelites and ultimately save the world, by ensuring that the curse on Jehoiakim would not fall on Jesus.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Sunday 27 December 2009
Wait! Wait on! He is worth waiting for!
Wait in prayer. Call on God and spread the case before him. Express your unstaggering confidence in him.
Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is an insult to the Lord. Believe that if he shall keep you waiting even till midnight, yet he will come at the right time.
Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it...
God kept his Son waiting and he may very well keep you in like posture, for how long did you delay and cause the Lord of grace to wait on you?
"But I cannot see how I am to be delivered."
Wait.
"Ah, this is such a heavy burden."
Wait.
"But I am ready to die under this terrible load."
Wait! Wait on! He is worth waiting for! Wait is a short word, but it takes a deal of grace to spell out its full meaning, and still more grace to put it into practice. Wait, wait.
"Oh, but I have been unfortunate."
Wait.
"But I have believed a promise, and it has not been fulfilled."
Wait, for you wait in blessed company. You may hear Jesus saying, "I waited patiently" (Psalm 40:1). He is teaching us to do the same by his gracious Spirit.
- Tom Carter, Spurgeon at His Best
Wait for the LORD
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
A pregnant mother who is waiting for her child to be born is said to be expecting. Are we waiting for the LORD, and expecting Him to work in and through us?
Joseph Waited (His Side of the Story)
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
- Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
Mary Waited (Her Side of the Story)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
- Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Simeon Waited
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." - Luke 2:25 (NIV)
Anna Waited
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." - Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
Waiting in Eager Expectation
2000 years ago, Joseph, Mary, Simeon and Anna waited in eager expectation for the son of God to be revealed.
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." - Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Today, 'the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God' (Romans 8:19-21, NIV).
Now let us 'wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently' (Romans 8:23b-25, NIV).
Links: Wait for the LORD (19 Jun 10), Discovering God's Will in Waiting (28 Jun 10)
Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is an insult to the Lord. Believe that if he shall keep you waiting even till midnight, yet he will come at the right time.
Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it...
God kept his Son waiting and he may very well keep you in like posture, for how long did you delay and cause the Lord of grace to wait on you?
"But I cannot see how I am to be delivered."
Wait.
"Ah, this is such a heavy burden."
Wait.
"But I am ready to die under this terrible load."
Wait! Wait on! He is worth waiting for! Wait is a short word, but it takes a deal of grace to spell out its full meaning, and still more grace to put it into practice. Wait, wait.
"Oh, but I have been unfortunate."
Wait.
"But I have believed a promise, and it has not been fulfilled."
Wait, for you wait in blessed company. You may hear Jesus saying, "I waited patiently" (Psalm 40:1). He is teaching us to do the same by his gracious Spirit.
- Tom Carter, Spurgeon at His Best
Wait for the LORD
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
A pregnant mother who is waiting for her child to be born is said to be expecting. Are we waiting for the LORD, and expecting Him to work in and through us?
Joseph Waited (His Side of the Story)
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
- Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
Mary Waited (Her Side of the Story)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
- Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Simeon Waited
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." - Luke 2:25 (NIV)
Anna Waited
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." - Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
Waiting in Eager Expectation
2000 years ago, Joseph, Mary, Simeon and Anna waited in eager expectation for the son of God to be revealed.
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." - Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Today, 'the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God' (Romans 8:19-21, NIV).
Now let us 'wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently' (Romans 8:23b-25, NIV).
Links: Wait for the LORD (19 Jun 10), Discovering God's Will in Waiting (28 Jun 10)
Saturday 26 December 2009
Imitating Christ's Humility
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
Humility is a bit of a paradox. You can be proud about being proud, but can you be humble about being humble? It is only by God's grace that we can boast in the LORD.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together." - Psalm 34:1-3 (NIV)
"This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
A Broken and Contrite Heart
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
"For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." - Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." - Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)
Grace to the Humble
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:6-10 (NIV)
"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)
Interestingly, both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 quote Proverbs 3:34.
"The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honour, but fools he holds up to shame." - Proverbs 3:33-35 (NIV)
Hope in the LORD
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
- Psalm 131 (NIV)
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
Humility is a bit of a paradox. You can be proud about being proud, but can you be humble about being humble? It is only by God's grace that we can boast in the LORD.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together." - Psalm 34:1-3 (NIV)
"This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
A Broken and Contrite Heart
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
"For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." - Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." - Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)
Grace to the Humble
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:6-10 (NIV)
"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)
Interestingly, both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 quote Proverbs 3:34.
"The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honour, but fools he holds up to shame." - Proverbs 3:33-35 (NIV)
Hope in the LORD
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
- Psalm 131 (NIV)
Monday 21 December 2009
The Freedom of the Will (Revised)
In a previous post, The Freedom of the Will (14 Nov 09), I wrote that 'compatibilism holds that both determinism and libertarianism are true'. However, I realise that this is not how compatibilism is philosophically defined.
To this end, I provide the philosophical definition of compatibilism and Carson's definition of compatibilism, followed by an evaluation of philosophical compatibilism and Carson's compatibilism.
The Philosophical Definition of Determinism (also known as Hard Determinism)
Determinism holds that we do not have free will.
The Philosophical Definition of Libertarianism
Libertarianism holds that we have free will with respect to a particular choice only if we are able to choose otherwise from how we actually choose.
The Philosophical Definition of Compatibilism (also known as Soft Determinism)
Compatibilism holds that we have free will with respect to a particular choice even if we are unable to choose otherwise from how we actually choose.
Carson's Definition of Compatibilism
The Bible as a whole, and sometimes in specific texts, presupposes or teaches that both of the following propositions are true:
1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimised, or mitigated.
2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures - they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.
In what follows, I shall argue that the Bible upholds the truth of both of these propositions simultaneously. The view that both of these propositions are true I shall call compatibilism. We could call this view anything we like, but for various historical reasons this seems like a good term to use. All I mean by it is that, so far as the Bible is concerned, the two propositions are taught and are mutually compatible.
- D. A. Carson, How Long, O Lord?
An Evaluation of Philosophical Compatibilism and Carson's Compatibilism
I wholeheartedly affirm both of the following propositions:
1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimised, or mitigated.
2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures - they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.
However, I also believe that Carson's compatibilism need not entail philosophical compatibilism.
That God is absolutely sovereign does not mean that we are unable to choose otherwise from how we actually choose. In fact, we are always able to choose otherwise from how we actually choose. By God's grace, we are always able to overcome temptation.
Whenever we fall to temptation, it is not because God has not given us the grace to overcome temptation. Rather, it is because we resist the grace which God has given us to overcome temptation.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
That God is absolutely sovereign means that He knows how we would actually choose in every possible situation in every possible world, and takes this into account in creating the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
In this way, we are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world, and God is responsible for working all things (ie. what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world) 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV) in this particular world - the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
Links: The Freedom of the Will (14 Nov 09), First and Second Causes (10 Jan 10), The Sufficiency of Christ (12 Feb 10)
To this end, I provide the philosophical definition of compatibilism and Carson's definition of compatibilism, followed by an evaluation of philosophical compatibilism and Carson's compatibilism.
The Philosophical Definition of Determinism (also known as Hard Determinism)
Determinism holds that we do not have free will.
The Philosophical Definition of Libertarianism
Libertarianism holds that we have free will with respect to a particular choice only if we are able to choose otherwise from how we actually choose.
The Philosophical Definition of Compatibilism (also known as Soft Determinism)
Compatibilism holds that we have free will with respect to a particular choice even if we are unable to choose otherwise from how we actually choose.
Carson's Definition of Compatibilism
The Bible as a whole, and sometimes in specific texts, presupposes or teaches that both of the following propositions are true:
1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimised, or mitigated.
2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures - they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.
In what follows, I shall argue that the Bible upholds the truth of both of these propositions simultaneously. The view that both of these propositions are true I shall call compatibilism. We could call this view anything we like, but for various historical reasons this seems like a good term to use. All I mean by it is that, so far as the Bible is concerned, the two propositions are taught and are mutually compatible.
- D. A. Carson, How Long, O Lord?
An Evaluation of Philosophical Compatibilism and Carson's Compatibilism
I wholeheartedly affirm both of the following propositions:
1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimised, or mitigated.
2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures - they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.
However, I also believe that Carson's compatibilism need not entail philosophical compatibilism.
That God is absolutely sovereign does not mean that we are unable to choose otherwise from how we actually choose. In fact, we are always able to choose otherwise from how we actually choose. By God's grace, we are always able to overcome temptation.
Whenever we fall to temptation, it is not because God has not given us the grace to overcome temptation. Rather, it is because we resist the grace which God has given us to overcome temptation.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
That God is absolutely sovereign means that He knows how we would actually choose in every possible situation in every possible world, and takes this into account in creating the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
In this way, we are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world, and God is responsible for working all things (ie. what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world) 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV) in this particular world - the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
Links: The Freedom of the Will (14 Nov 09), First and Second Causes (10 Jan 10), The Sufficiency of Christ (12 Feb 10)
Sunday 20 December 2009
I am weak but He is strong
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
Though my faith is weak, yet the object of my faith is strong. And that is all that matters.
Link: The Nature of Faith (28 Mar 10)
Though my faith is weak, yet the object of my faith is strong. And that is all that matters.
Link: The Nature of Faith (28 Mar 10)
Saturday 19 December 2009
The Covenant of Marriage
Sarah and Stephen's Wedding at York Baptist Church, 12 Dec 09At the first wedding God in His sovereignty brought the woman to the man, gave her away as her father, and officiated the ceremony as their pastor. Upon seeing his bride for the first time Adam responded to her beauty by singing her a beautiful song.
Poetically, the words of Adam singing to his bride on their wedding day are the first recorded words of any human being, and have caused some theologians to speculate that perhaps we all sang until sin entered the world and we descended from poetry to prose.
- Mark Driscoll, Genesis: Meditations on Moses' Mosaic
Link: The King and the Maiden (14 Dec 09)
Friday 18 December 2009
The Mystery of God
I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for December 18 is Revelation 9:13-10:11.
Our union with Christ - in Whom 'we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) - is a profound mystery. But Revelation 10:7 may shed some light on it.
"Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." - Revelation 10:5-7 (NIV)
The mystery of our union with Christ is the mystery of God, which is also the mystery of the coming together of the Jews and the Gentiles.
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)
"For the Lord himself with come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)
"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."" - Romans 11:25-27 (NIV)
"In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 3:4-6 (NIV)
Our union with Christ - in Whom 'we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) - is a profound mystery. But Revelation 10:7 may shed some light on it.
"Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." - Revelation 10:5-7 (NIV)
The mystery of our union with Christ is the mystery of God, which is also the mystery of the coming together of the Jews and the Gentiles.
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)
"For the Lord himself with come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)
"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."" - Romans 11:25-27 (NIV)
"In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 3:4-6 (NIV)
Thursday 17 December 2009
Knowing God's Will vs Knowing God
The pursuit of God's will is first and foremost a pursuit of God Himself. To seek God's will and not God will result in confusion. All our efforts at seeking God are only a response to His working in our life.
God saved Augustine of Hippo, a great church leader of the fourth century, out of a life of great shame. He also placed in him a passion for Himself that led to a life of great usefulness.
May Augustine's prayer be your own: "O Lord, grant that I may desire Thee, and desiring Thee, seek Thee, and seeking Thee, find Thee, and finding Thee, be satisfied with Thee forever."
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
God saved Augustine of Hippo, a great church leader of the fourth century, out of a life of great shame. He also placed in him a passion for Himself that led to a life of great usefulness.
May Augustine's prayer be your own: "O Lord, grant that I may desire Thee, and desiring Thee, seek Thee, and seeking Thee, find Thee, and finding Thee, be satisfied with Thee forever."
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Six Steps to Knowing God's Will
One key aspect of the will of God is genuine submission to God.
George Mueller stated that 90 percent of the problems in regard to the will of God are related to not being truly submissive to God. Let us heed the wise counsel of the German reformer Martin Luther, who stated, "I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hand, that I still possess."
Look at the six points that Mueller outlined in regard to his own pursuit of God's will.
1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3. I see the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge; and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Link: Enquiring of the LORD (9 Apr 10)
George Mueller stated that 90 percent of the problems in regard to the will of God are related to not being truly submissive to God. Let us heed the wise counsel of the German reformer Martin Luther, who stated, "I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hand, that I still possess."
Look at the six points that Mueller outlined in regard to his own pursuit of God's will.
1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3. I see the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge; and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Link: Enquiring of the LORD (9 Apr 10)
Tuesday 15 December 2009
More on First and Second Things
Last Thursday, I wrote about first and second things. Before going to sleep that night, what should I read but Living the Life God has Planned by Bill Thrasher. The similarities are uncanny...
God is Good
The basic strategy of Satan is to distort our understanding of God. He seeks to attack God's goodness in order to make a person feel that obeying God will shortchange his or her life.
God is good and His ways are always good. He says that if we seek the primary thing we will get the secondary things. Look at these verses that amplify this message.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to seek His rule, and His responsibility is to provide for our needs.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to walk uprightly, and His responsibility is to give us the good things.
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to delight in God, and His responsibility is to give us the desires of our hearts.
John Wesley is often quoted with the words, "Don't seek for a ministry, but anticipate the fruit of a disciplined life." As we respond to the character of God, the experience of God's will is the overflow of this relationship. Knowing God's will is a result of knowing God.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Knowing God's Will vs Knowing God
At the same time, it is important to bear in mind that while we cannot know God without knowing God's will, we can know God's will without knowing God.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." - James 2:19 (NIV)
The Acid Test
In our pursuit of God's will we must also be alert to what we are really pursuing. God has put certain thirsts in our hearts that are a part of our very being. The thirst to feel significant, to have meaning and purpose, and to experience contentment and security are part of all of us. It is very human to attempt to find these needs met in another person, position, or possession. In other words, our pursuit of God's will is always vulnerable to pursuing an idol...
As you continue to consider the decisions of your life, use them as an opportunity to get to know God...
God is a loving God who delights in working on the matters of our life that concern us (Psalm 138:8). I recall a time a friend told me about taking a homeless man to get a meal. He graciously bought him a nice meal and wanted to talk to him and get to know him. However, after the man ate the meal, he immediately got up and left the restaurant.
As my friend reflected on the occasion, he communicated sadly how this reminded him of his own relationship with God. We all too often come to God for our immediate needs, but after they are met, we pursue our independent lives and fail to receive the greater treasure - intimacy with God Himself.
The great church leader A. B. Simpson stated his own experience with these words: "Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own; Once I sought for blessing, now Himself alone!"
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Links: First and Second Things (10 Dec 09), Even More on First and Second Things (31 Dec 09)
God is Good
The basic strategy of Satan is to distort our understanding of God. He seeks to attack God's goodness in order to make a person feel that obeying God will shortchange his or her life.
God is good and His ways are always good. He says that if we seek the primary thing we will get the secondary things. Look at these verses that amplify this message.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to seek His rule, and His responsibility is to provide for our needs.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to walk uprightly, and His responsibility is to give us the good things.
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Our responsibility is to delight in God, and His responsibility is to give us the desires of our hearts.
John Wesley is often quoted with the words, "Don't seek for a ministry, but anticipate the fruit of a disciplined life." As we respond to the character of God, the experience of God's will is the overflow of this relationship. Knowing God's will is a result of knowing God.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Knowing God's Will vs Knowing God
At the same time, it is important to bear in mind that while we cannot know God without knowing God's will, we can know God's will without knowing God.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." - James 2:19 (NIV)
The Acid Test
In our pursuit of God's will we must also be alert to what we are really pursuing. God has put certain thirsts in our hearts that are a part of our very being. The thirst to feel significant, to have meaning and purpose, and to experience contentment and security are part of all of us. It is very human to attempt to find these needs met in another person, position, or possession. In other words, our pursuit of God's will is always vulnerable to pursuing an idol...
As you continue to consider the decisions of your life, use them as an opportunity to get to know God...
God is a loving God who delights in working on the matters of our life that concern us (Psalm 138:8). I recall a time a friend told me about taking a homeless man to get a meal. He graciously bought him a nice meal and wanted to talk to him and get to know him. However, after the man ate the meal, he immediately got up and left the restaurant.
As my friend reflected on the occasion, he communicated sadly how this reminded him of his own relationship with God. We all too often come to God for our immediate needs, but after they are met, we pursue our independent lives and fail to receive the greater treasure - intimacy with God Himself.
The great church leader A. B. Simpson stated his own experience with these words: "Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own; Once I sought for blessing, now Himself alone!"
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Links: First and Second Things (10 Dec 09), Even More on First and Second Things (31 Dec 09)
Monday 14 December 2009
The King and the Maiden
Suppose then a king who loved a humble maiden. The heart of the king was not polluted by the wisdom that is loudly enough proclaimed; he knew nothing of the difficulties that the understanding discovers in order to ensnare the heart, which keep the poets so busy, and make their magic formulas necessary.
It was easy to realise his purpose. Every statesman feared his wrath and dared not breathe a word of displeasure; every foreign state trembled before his power, and dared not omit sending ambassadors with congratulations for the nuptials; no courtier grovelling in the dust dared wound him, lest his own head be crushed.
Then let the harp be tuned, let the songs of the poets begin to sound, and let all be festive while love celebrates its triumph. For love is exultant when it unites equals, but it is triumphant when it makes that which was unequal equal in love.
Then there awoke in the heart of the king an anxious thought; who but a king who thinks kingly thoughts would have dreamed of it! He spoke to no one about his anxiety; for if he had, each courtier would doubtless have said: "Your majesty is about to confer a favour upon the maiden, for which she can never be sufficiently grateful her whole life long."
This speech would have moved the king to wrath, so that he would have commanded the execution of the courtier for high treason against the beloved, and thus he would in still another way have found his grief increased.
So he wrestled with his troubled thoughts alone. Would she be happy in the life at his side? Would she be able to summon confidence enough never to remember what the king wished only to forget, that he was king and she had been a humble maiden?
For if this memory were to waken in her soul, and like a favoured lover sometimes steal her thoughts away from the king, luring her reflections into the seclusion of a secret grief; or if this memory sometimes passed through her soul like the shadow of death over the grave: where would then be the glory of their love?
- Søren Kierkegaard, Parables of Kierkegaard
Wrestling with God
The king wanted true love, but how could he be sure that her love for him would be real?
He could bring her to the palace, covering her with silk and jewels in an effort to coax her affection. But this would be a purchased heart.
He could come to her cottage, casting a shadow of glory and power over its humble surroundings, driving her to her knees in awe and wonder. But that would be an overpowered heart.
No, neither elevation of her or himself would achieve the desired end - only his own descent. The king became a humble servant and sought to win her heart.
- James Emery White, Wrestling with God
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 (NIV)
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." - Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
Incidentally, I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Wisdom reading for December 14 is Proverbs 30:11-23.
"There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden." - Proverbs 30:18-19 (NIV)
Interestingly, the author groups 'the way of a man with a maiden' together with 'the way of an eagle in the sky', 'the way of a snake on a rock' and 'the way of a ship on the high seas'. What do they have in common?
In the air, an eagle has no right to defy gravity and avoid falling. But by God's grace, it does! On the land, a snake (having no legs) has no right to make its way on a rock. But by God's grace, it does! On the sea, a ship has no right to defy gravity and avoid sinking. But by God's grace, it does!
Above all, a man has no right to win the heart of a maiden. But by God's grace, he does! In the first place, it is God who says, 'it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him' (Genesis 2:18, NIV).
If we cannot fully comprehend the way of a man with a maiden, how much more can we not fully comprehend the way of Christ with the church!
"In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:28-32 (NIV)
Indeed, our union with Christ - in Whom 'we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) - is a profound mystery. But it is also a profound reality!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing!
Glory to the newborn king!
Link: The Covenant of Marriage (19 Dec 09)
It was easy to realise his purpose. Every statesman feared his wrath and dared not breathe a word of displeasure; every foreign state trembled before his power, and dared not omit sending ambassadors with congratulations for the nuptials; no courtier grovelling in the dust dared wound him, lest his own head be crushed.
Then let the harp be tuned, let the songs of the poets begin to sound, and let all be festive while love celebrates its triumph. For love is exultant when it unites equals, but it is triumphant when it makes that which was unequal equal in love.
Then there awoke in the heart of the king an anxious thought; who but a king who thinks kingly thoughts would have dreamed of it! He spoke to no one about his anxiety; for if he had, each courtier would doubtless have said: "Your majesty is about to confer a favour upon the maiden, for which she can never be sufficiently grateful her whole life long."
This speech would have moved the king to wrath, so that he would have commanded the execution of the courtier for high treason against the beloved, and thus he would in still another way have found his grief increased.
So he wrestled with his troubled thoughts alone. Would she be happy in the life at his side? Would she be able to summon confidence enough never to remember what the king wished only to forget, that he was king and she had been a humble maiden?
For if this memory were to waken in her soul, and like a favoured lover sometimes steal her thoughts away from the king, luring her reflections into the seclusion of a secret grief; or if this memory sometimes passed through her soul like the shadow of death over the grave: where would then be the glory of their love?
- Søren Kierkegaard, Parables of Kierkegaard
Wrestling with God
The king wanted true love, but how could he be sure that her love for him would be real?
He could bring her to the palace, covering her with silk and jewels in an effort to coax her affection. But this would be a purchased heart.
He could come to her cottage, casting a shadow of glory and power over its humble surroundings, driving her to her knees in awe and wonder. But that would be an overpowered heart.
No, neither elevation of her or himself would achieve the desired end - only his own descent. The king became a humble servant and sought to win her heart.
- James Emery White, Wrestling with God
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 (NIV)
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." - Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
Incidentally, I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Wisdom reading for December 14 is Proverbs 30:11-23.
"There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden." - Proverbs 30:18-19 (NIV)
Interestingly, the author groups 'the way of a man with a maiden' together with 'the way of an eagle in the sky', 'the way of a snake on a rock' and 'the way of a ship on the high seas'. What do they have in common?
In the air, an eagle has no right to defy gravity and avoid falling. But by God's grace, it does! On the land, a snake (having no legs) has no right to make its way on a rock. But by God's grace, it does! On the sea, a ship has no right to defy gravity and avoid sinking. But by God's grace, it does!
Above all, a man has no right to win the heart of a maiden. But by God's grace, he does! In the first place, it is God who says, 'it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him' (Genesis 2:18, NIV).
If we cannot fully comprehend the way of a man with a maiden, how much more can we not fully comprehend the way of Christ with the church!
"In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:28-32 (NIV)
Indeed, our union with Christ - in Whom 'we might become the righteousness of God' (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) - is a profound mystery. But it is also a profound reality!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing!
Glory to the newborn king!
Link: The Covenant of Marriage (19 Dec 09)
Sunday 13 December 2009
On Contentment
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." - Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Philippians was the first book I studied as a small group leader at York (almost two years ago) and it remains a special book to me. If I had to sum up Philippians in one word, I would say "contentment".
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It is hard enough to be content when we are in need, for we will always want to have our needs met. But it is even harder to be content when we have plenty, for we will always want to have more than what we already have.
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7:24-25a (NIV)
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
Incidentally, this evening's service at York Baptist Church was on Philippians 4:11-13. It was a timely reminder that we should be content with 'every good and perfect gift' (James 1:17, NIV) of God. Indeed, contentment itself is a gift of God.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" - Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
"O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." - Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" - Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV)
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." - Ecclesiastes 3:12-14 (NIV)
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NIV)
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
Links: More on Contentment (14 May 10), Knowing Jesus, Knowing God (20 Sep 10)
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." - Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Philippians was the first book I studied as a small group leader at York (almost two years ago) and it remains a special book to me. If I had to sum up Philippians in one word, I would say "contentment".
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It is hard enough to be content when we are in need, for we will always want to have our needs met. But it is even harder to be content when we have plenty, for we will always want to have more than what we already have.
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7:24-25a (NIV)
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
Incidentally, this evening's service at York Baptist Church was on Philippians 4:11-13. It was a timely reminder that we should be content with 'every good and perfect gift' (James 1:17, NIV) of God. Indeed, contentment itself is a gift of God.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" - Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
"O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." - Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" - Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV)
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." - Ecclesiastes 3:12-14 (NIV)
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NIV)
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
Links: More on Contentment (14 May 10), Knowing Jesus, Knowing God (20 Sep 10)
Saturday 12 December 2009
Open and Shut
I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for December 12 is Revelation 3:7-22.
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no-one can shut, and what he shuts no-one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:7-8 (NIV)
To be sure, Revelation 3:7-8 (in context) primarily refers to the sovereignty of God in salvation. However, it also applies to other areas of our lives. If God is sovereign in our eternal lives, how much more is He sovereign in our temporal lives!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)
Incidentally, I'm also reading Living the Life God has Planned by Bill Thrasher at the moment.
God Speaks Through Circumstances
God can open doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8)...
In some cases we need to "wait on the Lord". In fact when we are not willing to wait, our hearts are probably not in a position of faith. In some cases God allows long delays before He does special things. Such was the case of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah as well as the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and Elizabeth (Romans 4:17-22; Luke 1:5-25, 57-80). A time of waiting can be a vulnerable time but also a rich time for God to do special things in your life.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
God is in control, and He will move heaven and earth to fulfill His will, His 'good, pleasing and perfect will' (Romans 12:2, NIV).
Do you trust that if it is God's will, God will make a way?
Link: The Will of God and the Ways of Man (9 Dec 09)
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no-one can shut, and what he shuts no-one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:7-8 (NIV)
To be sure, Revelation 3:7-8 (in context) primarily refers to the sovereignty of God in salvation. However, it also applies to other areas of our lives. If God is sovereign in our eternal lives, how much more is He sovereign in our temporal lives!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)
Incidentally, I'm also reading Living the Life God has Planned by Bill Thrasher at the moment.
God Speaks Through Circumstances
God can open doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8)...
In some cases we need to "wait on the Lord". In fact when we are not willing to wait, our hearts are probably not in a position of faith. In some cases God allows long delays before He does special things. Such was the case of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah as well as the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and Elizabeth (Romans 4:17-22; Luke 1:5-25, 57-80). A time of waiting can be a vulnerable time but also a rich time for God to do special things in your life.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
God is in control, and He will move heaven and earth to fulfill His will, His 'good, pleasing and perfect will' (Romans 12:2, NIV).
Do you trust that if it is God's will, God will make a way?
Link: The Will of God and the Ways of Man (9 Dec 09)
Friday 11 December 2009
The Heart of Worship
"Worship is that time when we bring the gods we have made before the God who has made us." - Paul Scherer
Thursday 10 December 2009
First and Second Things
That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
- 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (NIV)
First and Second Things
Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things.
To sacrifice the greater good for the less and then not to get the lesser good after all - that is the surprising folly.
The woman who makes a dog the centre of her life loses, in the end, not only her human usefulness and dignity but even the proper pleasure of dog-keeping. The man who makes alcohol his chief good loses not only his job but his palate and all power of enjoying the earlier (and only pleasurable) levels of intoxication.
It is a glorious thing to feel for a moment or two that the whole meaning of the universe is summed up in one woman - glorious so long as other duties and pleasures keep tearing you away from her. But clear the decks and so arrange your life (it is sometimes feasible) that you will have nothing to do but contemplate her, and what happens?
Every preference of a small good to a great, or a partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice was made.
You can't get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first. From which it would follow that the question, "What things are first?" is of concern not only to philosophers but to everyone.
- C. S. Lewis, First and Second Things
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." - Proverbs 2:6-8 (NIV)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Links: More on First and Second Things (15 Dec 09), Even More on First and Second Things (31 Dec 09)
Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
- 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (NIV)
First and Second Things
Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things.
To sacrifice the greater good for the less and then not to get the lesser good after all - that is the surprising folly.
The woman who makes a dog the centre of her life loses, in the end, not only her human usefulness and dignity but even the proper pleasure of dog-keeping. The man who makes alcohol his chief good loses not only his job but his palate and all power of enjoying the earlier (and only pleasurable) levels of intoxication.
It is a glorious thing to feel for a moment or two that the whole meaning of the universe is summed up in one woman - glorious so long as other duties and pleasures keep tearing you away from her. But clear the decks and so arrange your life (it is sometimes feasible) that you will have nothing to do but contemplate her, and what happens?
Every preference of a small good to a great, or a partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice was made.
You can't get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first. From which it would follow that the question, "What things are first?" is of concern not only to philosophers but to everyone.
- C. S. Lewis, First and Second Things
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." - Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." - Proverbs 2:6-8 (NIV)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Links: More on First and Second Things (15 Dec 09), Even More on First and Second Things (31 Dec 09)
Wednesday 9 December 2009
The Will of God and the Ways of Man
Either it is God's will or it is not God's will.
If it is God's will, God will make a way.
If it is not God's will, why do you want to make your own way?
Link: Open and Shut (12 Dec 09)
If it is God's will, God will make a way.
If it is not God's will, why do you want to make your own way?
Link: Open and Shut (12 Dec 09)
Tuesday 8 December 2009
All My Days
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain... All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:1-6, 16 (NIV)
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." - Acts 17:26 (NIV)
God is All-Knowing
As you seek God's will, you can worship a God who knows all the possibilities. He knows what could happen as well as what would happen if any given possibility did happen. He knows all about your past, present, and future. Let such knowledge lead you to a greater awe of Him. We should never lose sight of the forgiveness of One who knows every thought, word, and deed of our life! Let the truth of His omniscience, His perfect knowledge, challenge you to live openly before Him, and seek to live in agreement with Him as you pursue His will...
God knows all the needs of the world, and He also knows your talents and strengths. He knows every possibility of where to place you and with whom to place you. When God's people were in bondage in Egypt, they cried to God to deliver them. God heard this cry and had in fact been preparing a deliverer for forty years. In God's time, their cry for help was answered through Moses. God is preparing you. He knows all the needs of the world, and He knows how and where to place you to meet some of those needs.
Since God's will is exactly what we would desire if we knew all the facts, we need to remember that God is the only one who knows all the facts.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Pride is thinking you deserve what you don't have.
Ingratitude is thinking you deserve what you have.
Discontentment is not wanting what you have.
Envy is wanting what you don't have.
Jealousy is not wanting others to have what you don't have.
Selfishness is not wanting others to have what you have.
Rather, want what you have and you will have what you want!
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
God knows what I have, what I want and most importantly, what I need to fulfill His will, His 'good, pleasing and perfect will' (Romans 12:2, NIV).
"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:12-14 (NIV)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." - Acts 17:26 (NIV)
God is All-Knowing
As you seek God's will, you can worship a God who knows all the possibilities. He knows what could happen as well as what would happen if any given possibility did happen. He knows all about your past, present, and future. Let such knowledge lead you to a greater awe of Him. We should never lose sight of the forgiveness of One who knows every thought, word, and deed of our life! Let the truth of His omniscience, His perfect knowledge, challenge you to live openly before Him, and seek to live in agreement with Him as you pursue His will...
God knows all the needs of the world, and He also knows your talents and strengths. He knows every possibility of where to place you and with whom to place you. When God's people were in bondage in Egypt, they cried to God to deliver them. God heard this cry and had in fact been preparing a deliverer for forty years. In God's time, their cry for help was answered through Moses. God is preparing you. He knows all the needs of the world, and He knows how and where to place you to meet some of those needs.
Since God's will is exactly what we would desire if we knew all the facts, we need to remember that God is the only one who knows all the facts.
- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned
Pride is thinking you deserve what you don't have.
Ingratitude is thinking you deserve what you have.
Discontentment is not wanting what you have.
Envy is wanting what you don't have.
Jealousy is not wanting others to have what you don't have.
Selfishness is not wanting others to have what you have.
Rather, want what you have and you will have what you want!
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
God knows what I have, what I want and most importantly, what I need to fulfill His will, His 'good, pleasing and perfect will' (Romans 12:2, NIV).
"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:12-14 (NIV)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Monday 7 December 2009
Idols of the Heart
Talking to myself I inquired, "Why are you so down?" I discovered that it was because of ___. Pondering why ___ had such an impact upon me, I came to the realisation that ___ had become an idol in my life. An idol is someone or something that one looks to meet the thirsts of the heart. There was nothing wrong with ___, but I needed to get my heart right with God.
The Lord drew my attention to 1 Corinthians 10:14, which contains the command to "flee from idolatry".
- Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
"And God spoke all these words: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."" - Exodus 20:1-4 (NIV)
"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Saviour. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." - Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)
"Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry.'" - Ezekiel 14:1-4 (NIV)
The Lord drew my attention to 1 Corinthians 10:14, which contains the command to "flee from idolatry".
- Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
"And God spoke all these words: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."" - Exodus 20:1-4 (NIV)
"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Saviour. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." - Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)
"Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry.'" - Ezekiel 14:1-4 (NIV)
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Do Not Worry
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
Discovering the Secret of Contentment
God is absolutely faithful to provide all we need to fulfill His will, which is exactly what we would desire if we knew all the facts.
- Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
Discovering the Secret of Contentment
God is absolutely faithful to provide all we need to fulfill His will, which is exactly what we would desire if we knew all the facts.
- Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Monday 30 November 2009
Even More Perspectives on Prisons
The Law
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
The Gospel
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." - Romans 8:33-34 (NIV)
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Rehab, Renew and Restart
God purposes to rehab, renew and restart creation to reflect His glory. He does this in and through Christ - 'the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep' (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV), 'the firstborn from among the dead' (Colossians 1:18, NIV) - who 'was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification' (Romans 4:25, NIV).
Just as the cross is meaningless without the resurrection, convictions are meaningless without rehabilitation. Rehabilitation vindicates inmates' penal convictions, just as the resurrection vindicates Christ's penal substitution for us on the cross.
And Can It Be
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me
His blood availed for me
His blood, His blood availed for me
To God be the Glory
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done
Links: Perspectives on Prisons (24 Nov 09), More Perspectives on Prisons (27 Nov 09)
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
The Gospel
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." - Romans 8:33-34 (NIV)
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Rehab, Renew and Restart
God purposes to rehab, renew and restart creation to reflect His glory. He does this in and through Christ - 'the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep' (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV), 'the firstborn from among the dead' (Colossians 1:18, NIV) - who 'was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification' (Romans 4:25, NIV).
Just as the cross is meaningless without the resurrection, convictions are meaningless without rehabilitation. Rehabilitation vindicates inmates' penal convictions, just as the resurrection vindicates Christ's penal substitution for us on the cross.
And Can It Be
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me
His blood availed for me
His blood, His blood availed for me
To God be the Glory
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done
Links: Perspectives on Prisons (24 Nov 09), More Perspectives on Prisons (27 Nov 09)
Friday 27 November 2009
More Perspectives on Prisons
The Sheep and the Goats
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
- Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
It is significant that the story of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) comes right after the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The sheep are those who 'use whatever gift [they have] received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms' (1 Peter 4:10, NIV), while the goats are those who do not.
"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." - Matthew 25:29 (NIV)
The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevksy once remarked that 'the degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons'. Indeed, we will be judged on how we treat those who are in prison - along with how we treat those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are strangers, those who need clothes and those who are sick.
Of course, there is a difference between not using a talent and not having a talent. We will be judged on what we do with what we have, not on what we do not do with what we do not have.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Luke 12:48b (NIV)
"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." - 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)
Links: Perspectives on Prisons (24 Nov 09), Even More Perspectives on Prisons (30 Nov 09)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
- Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
It is significant that the story of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) comes right after the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The sheep are those who 'use whatever gift [they have] received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms' (1 Peter 4:10, NIV), while the goats are those who do not.
"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." - Matthew 25:29 (NIV)
The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevksy once remarked that 'the degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons'. Indeed, we will be judged on how we treat those who are in prison - along with how we treat those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are strangers, those who need clothes and those who are sick.
Of course, there is a difference between not using a talent and not having a talent. We will be judged on what we do with what we have, not on what we do not do with what we do not have.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Luke 12:48b (NIV)
"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." - 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)
Links: Perspectives on Prisons (24 Nov 09), Even More Perspectives on Prisons (30 Nov 09)
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Perspectives on Prisons
Last week (Mon 15 Nov to Sat 21 Nov) was Prisons Week in the UK. I took the opportunity to head down to London for the HTB Prison Ministry Conference on Fri, which I attended at my own expense. As a Christian who will be returning to Singapore to work for the Singapore Prison Service after I graduate, it was a timely reminder of the importance of prison work, both professionally and personally.
Incidentally, OCF London were having their annual retreat over the weekend. Since I was already in London and knew some friends who were going for the retreat, I decided to join them. It was great to have fellowship with some of the overseas Christians in London, many of whom are Singaporean. This is not coincidence, but providence!
The theme of the retreat was Faith Expressing Itself Through Love, taken from Galatians 5:6. There were 3 messages on Galatians 4, 5 and 6 - all of which, of course, follow from Galatians 3:21-25:
"Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law." - Galatians 3:21-25 (NIV)
On another note, John Piper recently blogged about his visit to Angola Prison in Angola, Louisiana (the largest state maximum security prison in the US) last Thu.
Links: More Perspectives on Prisons (27 Nov 09), Even More Perspectives on Prisons (30 Nov 09)
Incidentally, OCF London were having their annual retreat over the weekend. Since I was already in London and knew some friends who were going for the retreat, I decided to join them. It was great to have fellowship with some of the overseas Christians in London, many of whom are Singaporean. This is not coincidence, but providence!
The theme of the retreat was Faith Expressing Itself Through Love, taken from Galatians 5:6. There were 3 messages on Galatians 4, 5 and 6 - all of which, of course, follow from Galatians 3:21-25:
"Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law." - Galatians 3:21-25 (NIV)
On another note, John Piper recently blogged about his visit to Angola Prison in Angola, Louisiana (the largest state maximum security prison in the US) last Thu.
Links: More Perspectives on Prisons (27 Nov 09), Even More Perspectives on Prisons (30 Nov 09)
Saturday 14 November 2009
The Freedom of the Will
The Definition of Determinism
Determinism holds that our actions are determined by external causes. In other words, our actions are not determined by ourselves.
The Definition of Libertarianism
Libertarianism holds that our actions are not determined by external causes. In other words, our actions are determined by ourselves.
The Definition of Compatibilism
Compatibilism holds that both determinism and libertarianism are true.
[Compatibilism does not hold that libertarianism is false. Indeed, compatibilism is called compatibilism precisely because it holds that determinism and libertarianism are compatible with each other.
To say that someone is compatibilistically free is not to deny that he or she is libertarianly free. It is precisely to affirm that he or she is libertarianly free.
The difference between libertarianism and compatibilism is not that libertarianism affirms libertarian freedom and compatibilism denies libertarian freedom. It is that libertarianism affirms libertarian freedom and denies determinism, while compatibilism affirms both libertarian freedom and determinism.]
Of course, determinism and libertarianism cannot both be true in the same sense. Otherwise, our actions would be both determined and not determined by external causes at the same time. Rather, determinism is true in one sense and libertarianism is true in another sense.
The Truth of Determinism
Determinism is true in the sense that in this particular world (ie. the world we live in), God sovereignly decrees/destines/determines everything which will come to pass. There is nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing which God has not sovereignly decreed/destined/determined beforehand.
The Truth of Libertarianism
Libertarianism is true in the sense that in every possible world, we would freely do what we want to do. We are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world.
The Truth of Compatibilism
Determinism and libertarianism are compatible with each other in the sense that
we determine what would happen in every possible world (by being responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world)
and
God determines what will happen in this particular world (by taking into account what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world and creating the best possible world out of all possible worlds).
Therefore, we are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world, and God is responsible for working all things (ie. what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world) 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV) in this particular world - the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
*****
The way I see it, determinism without libertarianism leads to hyper-Calvinism, libertarianism without determinism leads to open theism, and compatibilism leads to moderate "middle knowledge" Calvinism.
Links: The Freedom of the Will (Revised) (21 Dec 09), First and Second Causes (10 Jan 10), The Sufficiency of Christ (12 Feb 10)
Determinism holds that our actions are determined by external causes. In other words, our actions are not determined by ourselves.
The Definition of Libertarianism
Libertarianism holds that our actions are not determined by external causes. In other words, our actions are determined by ourselves.
The Definition of Compatibilism
Compatibilism holds that both determinism and libertarianism are true.
[Compatibilism does not hold that libertarianism is false. Indeed, compatibilism is called compatibilism precisely because it holds that determinism and libertarianism are compatible with each other.
To say that someone is compatibilistically free is not to deny that he or she is libertarianly free. It is precisely to affirm that he or she is libertarianly free.
The difference between libertarianism and compatibilism is not that libertarianism affirms libertarian freedom and compatibilism denies libertarian freedom. It is that libertarianism affirms libertarian freedom and denies determinism, while compatibilism affirms both libertarian freedom and determinism.]
Of course, determinism and libertarianism cannot both be true in the same sense. Otherwise, our actions would be both determined and not determined by external causes at the same time. Rather, determinism is true in one sense and libertarianism is true in another sense.
The Truth of Determinism
Determinism is true in the sense that in this particular world (ie. the world we live in), God sovereignly decrees/destines/determines everything which will come to pass. There is nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing which God has not sovereignly decreed/destined/determined beforehand.
The Truth of Libertarianism
Libertarianism is true in the sense that in every possible world, we would freely do what we want to do. We are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world.
The Truth of Compatibilism
Determinism and libertarianism are compatible with each other in the sense that
we determine what would happen in every possible world (by being responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world)
and
God determines what will happen in this particular world (by taking into account what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world and creating the best possible world out of all possible worlds).
Therefore, we are responsible for what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world, and God is responsible for working all things (ie. what we would freely do in every possible situation in every possible world) 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV) in this particular world - the best possible world out of all possible worlds.
*****
The way I see it, determinism without libertarianism leads to hyper-Calvinism, libertarianism without determinism leads to open theism, and compatibilism leads to moderate "middle knowledge" Calvinism.
Links: The Freedom of the Will (Revised) (21 Dec 09), First and Second Causes (10 Jan 10), The Sufficiency of Christ (12 Feb 10)
Thursday 12 November 2009
In Context
"A text without a context is a con." - Andrew Sach
"A text without a context is a pretext for a prooftext." - D. A. Carson
Contextuality
Contextuality is the notion of the effect on meaning of the relative position of a biblical book within a prescribed order of reading. What is the semantic effect of a book's relative position within the Old Testament Canon? The book of Ruth, for example, follows the book of Judges in the English Bible, whereas in the Hebrew Bible it follows the book of Proverbs. How does its changing canonical position affect its overall meaning?
As is well known, the book of Proverbs closes with an acrostic on the theme of a "virtuous woman". The acrostic opens with the statement, "a virtuous woman, who can find?" (Proverbs 31:10); and closes with the statement, "her deeds will praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:31).
In the Hebrew Bible, following directly on these last words of Proverbs, we find the book of Ruth. Climactically within the plot structure (inner-textuality) of the book of Ruth, the defining moment of the book is cast in Boaz's words to Ruth, "All those in the gate of my people know that you are a virtuous woman" (Ruth 3:11).
If read within the context of the acrostic at the close of Proverbs, Boaz's words do more than simply acknowledge and thematise what every reader already understands about Ruth from the narrative itself. Viewed contextually, when Boaz calls Ruth a "virtuous woman", he also links her, as a narrative character, to the wisdom idea in the book of Proverbs. Such a linkage can play a major role in integrating the theme of the book of Ruth with those of the wisdom literature in general.
- John H. Sailhamer, Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach
Link: Eshet Chayil (5 Jun 10)
"A text without a context is a pretext for a prooftext." - D. A. Carson
Contextuality
Contextuality is the notion of the effect on meaning of the relative position of a biblical book within a prescribed order of reading. What is the semantic effect of a book's relative position within the Old Testament Canon? The book of Ruth, for example, follows the book of Judges in the English Bible, whereas in the Hebrew Bible it follows the book of Proverbs. How does its changing canonical position affect its overall meaning?
As is well known, the book of Proverbs closes with an acrostic on the theme of a "virtuous woman". The acrostic opens with the statement, "a virtuous woman, who can find?" (Proverbs 31:10); and closes with the statement, "her deeds will praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:31).
In the Hebrew Bible, following directly on these last words of Proverbs, we find the book of Ruth. Climactically within the plot structure (inner-textuality) of the book of Ruth, the defining moment of the book is cast in Boaz's words to Ruth, "All those in the gate of my people know that you are a virtuous woman" (Ruth 3:11).
If read within the context of the acrostic at the close of Proverbs, Boaz's words do more than simply acknowledge and thematise what every reader already understands about Ruth from the narrative itself. Viewed contextually, when Boaz calls Ruth a "virtuous woman", he also links her, as a narrative character, to the wisdom idea in the book of Proverbs. Such a linkage can play a major role in integrating the theme of the book of Ruth with those of the wisdom literature in general.
- John H. Sailhamer, Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach
Link: Eshet Chayil (5 Jun 10)
Monday 9 November 2009
The Discipline of Grace
It is hard enough to praise God when you are down. It is even harder to praise God when you are happy.
Idols of the Heart
Talking to myself I inquired, "Why are you sodown happy?" I discovered that it was because of ___. Pondering why ___ had such an impact upon me, I came to the realisation that ___ had become an idol in my life. An idol is someone or something that one looks to meet the thirsts of the heart. There was nothing wrong with ___, but I needed to get my heart right with God.
The Lord drew my attention to 1 Corinthians 10:14, which contains the command to "flee from idolatry".
- Adapted from Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
God does not love us more on our good days. And God does not love us less on our bad days.
The Discipline of Grace
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.
- Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace
As Hugh Palmer pointed out at All Souls Church two Sundays ago, God's love is neither deserved nor earned. We have not done anything to deserve God's love. And we cannot do anything to earn God's love.
Not If
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
God does not love us more if we love Him more. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love if we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more if we love Him more.
Likewise, God does not love us less if we love Him less. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive less of God's infinite and unconditional love if we love Him less, making it seem that God loves us less if we love Him less.
Not Because
"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" - Luke 17:7-10 (NIV)
Again, God does not love us more because we love Him more. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love when we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more because we love Him more.
Finally, God does not love us less because we love Him less. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love when we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more because we love Him more.
Praise to Thee, O Lord, for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of Thee
Idols of the Heart
Talking to myself I inquired, "Why are you so
The Lord drew my attention to 1 Corinthians 10:14, which contains the command to "flee from idolatry".
- Adapted from Bill Thrasher, Believing God for His Best
God does not love us more on our good days. And God does not love us less on our bad days.
The Discipline of Grace
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.
- Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace
As Hugh Palmer pointed out at All Souls Church two Sundays ago, God's love is neither deserved nor earned. We have not done anything to deserve God's love. And we cannot do anything to earn God's love.
Not If
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
God does not love us more if we love Him more. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love if we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more if we love Him more.
Likewise, God does not love us less if we love Him less. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive less of God's infinite and unconditional love if we love Him less, making it seem that God loves us less if we love Him less.
Not Because
"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" - Luke 17:7-10 (NIV)
Again, God does not love us more because we love Him more. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love when we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more because we love Him more.
Finally, God does not love us less because we love Him less. (God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, even as we love Him finitely and conditionally.) Rather, we choose to receive more of God's infinite and unconditional love when we love Him more, making it seem that God loves us more because we love Him more.
Praise to Thee, O Lord, for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of Thee
Friday 6 November 2009
Union in Christ
To Form a More Perfect Union
Christian marriage is about spiritual growth - becoming more like Christ.
God will not bring you together with someone just to answer your prayers or meet your needs. He brings people together in marriage to edify one another, to give them opportunity to lay down their lives for one another, to build a union designed primarily to bring glory to God.
Anything that falls short of union falls short of God's plan.
- Andrew Farmer, The Rich Single Life
Christian marriage is about spiritual growth - becoming more like Christ.
God will not bring you together with someone just to answer your prayers or meet your needs. He brings people together in marriage to edify one another, to give them opportunity to lay down their lives for one another, to build a union designed primarily to bring glory to God.
Anything that falls short of union falls short of God's plan.
- Andrew Farmer, The Rich Single Life
Thursday 5 November 2009
Mouthing Wisdom
The Mouth of Animals
"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." - James 3:3-8 (NIV)
The Mouth of Man
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." - James 3:9-12 (NIV)
The Mouth of the LORD
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." - Proverbs 2:6-8 (NIV)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." - James 3:13-18 (NIV)
"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." - James 3:3-8 (NIV)
The Mouth of Man
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." - James 3:9-12 (NIV)
The Mouth of the LORD
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." - Proverbs 2:6-8 (NIV)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." - James 3:13-18 (NIV)
Friday 30 October 2009
Same Same but Different
The Wisdom of Jesus Son of God
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
The Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
Draw near to me, you who are uneducated, and lodge in the house of instruction. Why do you say you are lacking in these things, and why do you endure such great thirst? I opened my mouth and said, Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.
Put your neck under her yoke, and let your souls receive instruction; it is to be found close by.
See with your own eyes that I have laboured but little and found for myself such serenity. Hear but a little of my instruction, and through me you will acquire silver and gold.
May your soul rejoice in God's mercy, and may you never be ashamed to praise him. Do your work in good time, and in his own time God will give you your reward.
- Sirach 51:23-30 (NRSV Apocrypha)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
The Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
Draw near to me, you who are uneducated, and lodge in the house of instruction. Why do you say you are lacking in these things, and why do you endure such great thirst? I opened my mouth and said, Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.
Put your neck under her yoke, and let your souls receive instruction; it is to be found close by.
See with your own eyes that I have laboured but little and found for myself such serenity. Hear but a little of my instruction, and through me you will acquire silver and gold.
May your soul rejoice in God's mercy, and may you never be ashamed to praise him. Do your work in good time, and in his own time God will give you your reward.
- Sirach 51:23-30 (NRSV Apocrypha)
Thursday 29 October 2009
Great is Thy Faithfulness
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." - Job 13:15a (NIV)
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." - Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
Dee Jepsen Life Story
It's exciting to know that once God has from us what He desires, that willingness to walk out His plan for our lives, that He is sovereign, master over the circumstances in our lives. He can bring things together to work out precisely the way He desires, if He has from us that willing heart.
- Dee Jepsen, Dee Jepsen Life Story
Women in Society: The Challenge and the Call
As I worked with a wide variety of women, I began to notice something. It was clear that many of the women I talked to had been seriously mistreated. Some of them had faced great injustice in their lives. It was hardly surprising that they felt angry and bitter. Certainly, it was important to seek justice for them. Yet I noticed that these women had a problem whose roots went far deeper than discrimination. Even if they were given justice, they would still be left with the problem of their own anger and resentment, with their dissatisfaction with life.
- Dee Jepsen, Women in Society: The Challenge and the Call in John Piper and Wayne Grudem (eds.), Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
As I was reading Proverbs 14 before going to sleep last night, I was reminded that bitterness is an attitude, not a state of affairs. It is a choice, not a circumstance. It is a sentiment, not a situation.
"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." - Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." - Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
After reading Proverbs 14 last night, what should today's Bible in One Year Old Testament reading be but Lamentations 2:7 to 3:39...
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
- Lamentations 3:19-27 (NIV)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." - Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
Dee Jepsen Life Story
It's exciting to know that once God has from us what He desires, that willingness to walk out His plan for our lives, that He is sovereign, master over the circumstances in our lives. He can bring things together to work out precisely the way He desires, if He has from us that willing heart.
- Dee Jepsen, Dee Jepsen Life Story
Women in Society: The Challenge and the Call
As I worked with a wide variety of women, I began to notice something. It was clear that many of the women I talked to had been seriously mistreated. Some of them had faced great injustice in their lives. It was hardly surprising that they felt angry and bitter. Certainly, it was important to seek justice for them. Yet I noticed that these women had a problem whose roots went far deeper than discrimination. Even if they were given justice, they would still be left with the problem of their own anger and resentment, with their dissatisfaction with life.
- Dee Jepsen, Women in Society: The Challenge and the Call in John Piper and Wayne Grudem (eds.), Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
As I was reading Proverbs 14 before going to sleep last night, I was reminded that bitterness is an attitude, not a state of affairs. It is a choice, not a circumstance. It is a sentiment, not a situation.
"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." - Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." - Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
After reading Proverbs 14 last night, what should today's Bible in One Year Old Testament reading be but Lamentations 2:7 to 3:39...
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
- Lamentations 3:19-27 (NIV)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Monday 26 October 2009
Preparing for the Kingdom
The clocks went back an hour yesterday, officially marking the end of British summer time. Meanwhile, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. It now starts to get dark before 5pm. In a few weeks, it will start to get dark before 4pm. This reminds me of John 9:4-5:
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." - John 9:4-5 (NIV)
Of course, this verse is not about working in the day as opposed to working at night, but about preparing for the kingdom while there is still time. Like Noah, we only have a certain amount of time to prepare for the kingdom before '[our] work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each [of our] work' (1 Corinthians 3:13, NIV).
[Noah's work was revealed with water. Our work will be revealed with fire.]
Incidentally, yesterday evening's message at York Baptist Church was on the rich ruler (Luke 18:18-25) and preparing for the kingdom.
The Rich Ruler
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good - except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
- Luke 18:18-25 (NIV)
To be sure, recognising the need to do good works is not the path of salvation. However, it is the precondition of salvation in the sense that accepting common grace (general revelation) is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for accepting saving grace (special revelation).
It is possible to recognise the need to do good works without being saved, but it is not possible to be saved without recognising the need to do good works. In other words, recognising the need to do good works is a form of common grace. It is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for saving grace.
[Recognising the need to do good works is not the same as doing good works. We can be saved - in fact, we are saved - without doing good works. However, we cannot be saved without recognising the need to do good works. More precisely, we cannot be saved without recognising the need to do good works - but that we are unable to do them apart from Christ.]
Indeed, the Law is a form of common grace.
Firstly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law makes us conscious of our sin.
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." - Romans 3:19-20 (NIV)
Secondly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law restrains our sin.
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." - Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)
Thirdly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law (the Old Covenant) points towards and is ultimately fulfilled in the saving grace of Christ (the New Covenant).
"He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."" - Luke 24:44-49 (NIV)
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." - John 9:4-5 (NIV)
Of course, this verse is not about working in the day as opposed to working at night, but about preparing for the kingdom while there is still time. Like Noah, we only have a certain amount of time to prepare for the kingdom before '[our] work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each [of our] work' (1 Corinthians 3:13, NIV).
[Noah's work was revealed with water. Our work will be revealed with fire.]
Incidentally, yesterday evening's message at York Baptist Church was on the rich ruler (Luke 18:18-25) and preparing for the kingdom.
The Rich Ruler
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good - except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
- Luke 18:18-25 (NIV)
To be sure, recognising the need to do good works is not the path of salvation. However, it is the precondition of salvation in the sense that accepting common grace (general revelation) is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for accepting saving grace (special revelation).
It is possible to recognise the need to do good works without being saved, but it is not possible to be saved without recognising the need to do good works. In other words, recognising the need to do good works is a form of common grace. It is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for saving grace.
[Recognising the need to do good works is not the same as doing good works. We can be saved - in fact, we are saved - without doing good works. However, we cannot be saved without recognising the need to do good works. More precisely, we cannot be saved without recognising the need to do good works - but that we are unable to do them apart from Christ.]
Indeed, the Law is a form of common grace.
Firstly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law makes us conscious of our sin.
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." - Romans 3:19-20 (NIV)
Secondly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law restrains our sin.
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." - Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)
Thirdly, the Law is a form of common grace in the sense that the Law (the Old Covenant) points towards and is ultimately fulfilled in the saving grace of Christ (the New Covenant).
"He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."" - Luke 24:44-49 (NIV)
Wednesday 21 October 2009
A Hunger for God
"Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living." - Jim Elliot
The Weight of Glory
If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
- C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
The Weight of Glory
If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
- C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Wait Patiently
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
- Psalm 131 (NIV)
Links: Houseparty 2010 (2 Feb 10), Waiting Quietly (10 Jul 10)
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
- Psalm 131 (NIV)
Links: Houseparty 2010 (2 Feb 10), Waiting Quietly (10 Jul 10)
Monday 19 October 2009
Further Reflections
I have received many words (and verses!) of encouragement in response to my Masters Update and I thank God for each of them. Together, they have helped to shape these further reflections.
Firstly, God is sovereign.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Secondly, God has planned something better.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
- Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Thirdly, it is God's timing for me to return to Singapore.
During my national service from Jan 05 to Nov 06, I spent most of my time hoping that I could disrupt from national service and come to York in Oct 05, or at least Oct 06. But looking back, Oct 07 was exactly the right time for me to come to York. Going mysteriously forward, I trust that Jul 10 will be exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore.
The best is yet to be!
All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just can't see Him
Remember you're never alone
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Links: Masters Update (8 Oct 09), Father, although I cannot see the future You have planned (11 Oct 09)
Firstly, God is sovereign.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Secondly, God has planned something better.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
- Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Thirdly, it is God's timing for me to return to Singapore.
During my national service from Jan 05 to Nov 06, I spent most of my time hoping that I could disrupt from national service and come to York in Oct 05, or at least Oct 06. But looking back, Oct 07 was exactly the right time for me to come to York. Going mysteriously forward, I trust that Jul 10 will be exactly the right time for me to return to Singapore.
The best is yet to be!
All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just can't see Him
Remember you're never alone
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Links: Masters Update (8 Oct 09), Father, although I cannot see the future You have planned (11 Oct 09)
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