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)
Monday 30 November 2009
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)
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