Humility

"The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour." - Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)

"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." - Isaiah 66:2 (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." - James 3:13 (NIV)

*****

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)

God disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed

God disturbs the comfortable

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)

If you think you have everything worked out, do not boast about tomorrow.

God comforts the disturbed

"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)

If you think you have nothing worked out, do not worry about tomorrow either.

The One Thing Needful

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

That is all.

Renew

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." - Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Rehab. Renew. Restart.

When He renews the land and sky
All heaven will sing and earth reply
With one resplendent theme
The glory of our God and King

Hallelujah!
Let all creation stand and sing
Hallelujah!
Fill the earth with songs of worship
Tell the wonders of creation's King

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

God is both sovereign and good

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done." - Psalm 62:11-12 (NIV)

1. God is strong.
2. God is loving.
3. Evil exists.

The logical problem of evil states that it is a contradiction for God to be all-powerful and all-loving, and for evil to exist. Given that evil exists, God is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil completely. Therefore, God is either not all-powerful or not all-loving (or both).

However, this assumes that 'a good omnipotent thing eliminates evil completely' (Mackie, 1955), which is not necessarily the case. Just because God is good and omnipotent does not mean that He immediately eliminates evil completely. Equally, just because God has not eliminated evil completely (yet) does not mean that He is not all-powerful or not all-loving (or both).

God has good reasons for actualising (but not authoring) evil, for creating the world in Genesis 1 instead of Revelation 21. Just because we do not fully know the reasons (yet) does not mean that there are no reasons. For one, God could have done so in order to provide the opportunity for Him to 'demonstrate his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8, NIV).

God is both sovereign and good, and in His sovereignty He does not allow anything to happen unless it is for His glory and our good. Indeed, He not only allows but ordains everything that happens (and does not happen) - 'to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves' (Ephesians 1:6, NIV).

In fact, man is the author of evil and God is the author of good out of evil.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

"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)

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:13-15 (NIV)

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.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

Discovering the Secret of Contentment

Trust is the key to contentment. We must realise that God is always in control and that He is good. If this were not true, He could never give His children the promise of Romans 8:28.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

He 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

Links: To the Praise of His Glorious Grace (24 Sep 10), Don't Worry, Be Happy (26 Sep 10)

Don't Worry, Be Happy

This is the outline of this morning's sermon in church.

1. We need not worry because God is our provider.

2. We need not worry because it is futile and we cannot change anything.

3. We need not worry because God knows what we need.

4. We need not worry because our future is in God's hands.

"Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God." - John MacArthur

Do Not Worry

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

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 6:25-34 (NIV)

Resolved, that I would 'not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present [my] requests to God' (Philippians 4:6, NIV).

Links: To the Praise of His Glorious Grace (24 Sep 10), God is both sovereign and good (27 Sep 10)

Proverbs 24:27

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Wisdom reading for Oct 11 is Proverbs 24:23-34.

"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ kept the priorities of this proverb gloriously. The Son of God prepared His work, performed it perfectly, and finished it. Then He began to build His house - the church (Matthew 16:18). And He began preparing a permanent dwelling place for His bride (John 14:2-3). Glory!

- letgodbetrue.com, Proverbs 24:27

First things first. One step at a time.

"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)

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." - Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Links: Final Reflections (16 Jul 10), There is a time for everything (11 Aug 10), Rehab, Renew, Restart (13 Sep 10)

To the Praise of His Glorious Grace

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." - Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

*****

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" - Job 2:10 (NIV)

God is both sovereign and good, and in His sovereignty He does not allow anything to happen unless it is for His glory and our good. Indeed, He not only allows but ordains everything that happens (and does not happen) - 'to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves' (Ephesians 1:6, NIV).

"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)

"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)

*****

"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)

"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)

"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)

Links: Don't Worry, Be Happy (26 Sep 10), God is both sovereign and good (27 Sep 10)

Trust in the LORD

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him." - Psalm 37:3-7a (NIV)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

Give Them All to Jesus

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
Are you tired of spinning round and round?
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life
At the feet of Jesus lay them down

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

He never said you'd only see sunshine
He never said there'd be no rain
He only promised a heart full of singing
At the very things that once brought pain

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

Link: Give them all to Jesus (10 Jun 10)

Sep 15 to 21

Sep 15: "Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God." - Isaiah 37:20 (NIV)

Sep 16: "Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back." - Isaiah 38:17 (NIV)

Sep 17: "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Sep 18: "I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." - Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)

Sep 19: "Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." - Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

Sep 20: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Sep 21: "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." - Isaiah 50:10 (NIV)

The Promises of God

Of course we believe that God speaks truthfully. But do we really believe it? Does our belief shape our lives? Is that belief something we tell ourselves or is it something others can see in us? Are our lives characterised by the joy that must naturally flow from entering into the fullness of the grace of God?

- R. C. Sproul Jr., Believing God: 12 Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept

"Some people are just sitting on the premises instead of standing on the promises." - Anonymous

"Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." - Joshua 21:45 (NIV)

"Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses." - 1 Kings 8:56 (NIV)

"But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." - 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 (NIV)

"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)

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

Knowing Jesus, Knowing God

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for Oct 2 is Philippians 3:1-4:1.

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Oh to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all, You're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love You Lord

Press on Toward the Goal

Incidentally, yesterday's message in church was on Philippians 3:7-14. Here is the sermon outline - five ways we can press on toward the goal (italics mine):

1. Prove His Promises (in Hope)

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." - Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)

2. Practice His Presence (through Contentment)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"" - Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

3. Promote His Purpose (as Ambassadors)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV)

4. Proclaim His Praises (out of Love)

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." - Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV)

5. Possess His Power (by Faith)

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Philippians was the first book I studied as a small group leader at York (almost more than 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".

Indeed, contentment does not come from feeling bitter about what we don't have; it comes from finding joy in what we do have!

Discovering the Secret of Contentment

Trust is the key to contentment. We must realise that God is always in control and that He is good. If this were not true, He could never give His children the promise of Romans 8:28.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

He 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)

*****

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)

Oh to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all, You're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love You Lord

Links: On Contentment (13 Dec 09), More On Contentment (14 May 10)

Contending for the faith without being contentious about the faith

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

- 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (NIV)

As Don Carson puts it, we should be contending for the faith without being contentious about the faith.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Justification by Faith in the Faith(fulness) of Christ

In one sense, we are already justified by the faith(fulness) of Christ before we come to faith in Him. The defeat of death and the gift of eternal life depends on the faith(fulness) of Christ (to death - even death on a cross!), not on our faith in Him.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (NIV)

"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." - 2 Timothy 1:8-10 (NIV)

"John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." - Revelation 1:4-5 (NIV)

In another sense, we are not yet justified by the faith(fulness) of Christ until we are united with Him - by faith in the present and in reality in the future (faith being the sole means by which we are united with Christ).

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." - Romans 3:21-24 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." - Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." - Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV)

Who is Jesus?

This question came up for discussion at a discipleship course in church last night. Here are my thoughts on the question of who Jesus is.

The Perfect Sacrifice

Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, the true and only sacrifice of God.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"" - John 1:29 (NIV)

"Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast - as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." - 1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

"Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." - 1 Peter 1:17-19 (NIV)

The Perfect Priest

*Without a perfect priest to offer the perfect sacrifice to God, the perfect sacrifice is useless.*

Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice, but also the perfect priest.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

"Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

"Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever." - Hebrews 7:23-28 (NIV)

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." - 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)

The perfect priest who speaks to the Father in our defence is also the perfect sacrifice for our sins!

The Perfect Temple

*Without a perfect temple for the perfect priest to offer the perfect sacrifice to God in, the perfect sacrifice is still useless.*

Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice and the perfect priest, but also the perfect temple.

"Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"

"Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

"The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken."" - John 2:18-22 (NIV)

Temporal vs Eternal

Under the Old Covenant, the people of God were reconciled to Him by a temporal sacrifice offered by a temporal priest in a temporal temple.

Under the New Covenant, the people of God are reconciled to Him by an eternal sacrifice (Jesus) offered by an eternal priest (Jesus) in an eternal temple (Jesus).

The Perfect Temple

"It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." - Hebrews 9:23-24 (NIV)

The Perfect Priest

"Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." - Hebrews 9:25-26 (NIV)

The Perfect Sacrifice

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." - Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

The perfect temple, the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice - Jesus is all three (in one)!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is written on His hands
My name is hidden in His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No power can force me to depart
No power can force me to depart

Link: Who is God (to you)? (12 Sep 10)

Trust and Obey

This was the closing hymn at my church's prayer meeting last night. The fourth verse in particular was a timely reminder that God is sovereign and works all things for His glory and our good - if only we would trust and obey Him!

But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay

For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 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. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." - Psalm 84:10-12 (NIV)

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest
And have peace and sweet rest
As you yield Him your body and soul

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Abraham's Dilemma

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."" - Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV)

"Much would depend on whether we could see the author of the command as the supreme Good. If we could, then perhaps trusting obedience might seem the right course." - Robert Merrihew Adams, Finite and Infinite Goods

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)

"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." - James 2:20-24 (NIV)

YOU ARE NOT ACTING IN FAITH IF YOU ARE NOT COMMITTING YOUR FEELINGS TO GOD!

Trust and obey. Trusting obedience. Faith and works. Faith works.

By the way, "justification by faith alone" means "justification by faith alone [as the sole means by which we are united with Christ]", not "justification by faith alone [apart from works]". After all, 'a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone' (James 2:24, NIV).

*****

I just noticed the link between Genesis 22:2 and John 3:16, the biblical theology of Abraham's Dilemma.

"Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."" - Genesis 22:2 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)

Amazing!

Links: Abraham's Dilemma and Believing God for His Best (12 May 10), Abraham's Great Reward (16 May 10)

Sep 8 to 14

Sep 8: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Sep 9: "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him." - 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NIV)

Sep 10: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Sep 11: "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." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Sep 12: "For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." - Psalm 107:9 (NIV)

Sep 13: "But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands." - Isaiah 32:8 (NIV)

Sep 14: "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure." - Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)

Jesus Prayed

The wonderful wisdom of God is seen in the fact that He has not given us one composite record of the life and teachings of Jesus, but four separate records that present Him in four distinct aspects.

Matthew presents the King, Mark the Servant, Luke the Man, and John the Son of God. How significant that the gospel that presents Jesus as the Man has most to say about His prayer life, and His teaching on prayer. It also contains parables on prayer found nowhere else. Why?

Man is dependent on God. It was as man that Jesus expressed His utter dependence upon God in prayer. It was as man He drew down the resources of His Father through prayer.

- Arthur Wallis, Jesus Prayed

Rehab, Renew, Restart

After 3 amazing years in York and a few weeks to settle back in Singapore, I start work with the Singapore Prison Service today and thus begin a new chapter in my life story.

Captains of Lives

The notion of Captains of Lives is built on three basic principles:

REHAB is a commitment to our programmes and counsellors within the system to support inmates who have proven that they want and are able to change.

RENEW is a commitment an inmate makes to change his/her life for the better. Looking beyond their imprisonment, they demonstrate a willingness and desire to renew their lives.

RESTART is a commitment to garner the support of the community. Through the CARE Network, our offenders are given the opportunity to restart their lives.

- Singapore Prison Service, Welcome Kit for New Officers

Incidentally, my church's memory verse(s) of the month for Sep is Ephesians 6:7-8.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." - Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)

Time to Work

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

In His time
In His time
He makes all things beautiful in His time

Lord, please show me everyday
As You're teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say
In Your time

"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)

Links: Final Reflections (16 Jul 10), There is a time for everything (11 Aug 10), Proverbs 24:27 (25 Sep 10)

Who is God (to you)?

This question came up for discussion twice over the past few days - once during a discipleship course in church on Thu and again during a cell group meeting on Fri.

Of course, God is who He is, whether we acknowledge Him or not. And we should not speak of God's love apart from His wrath, God's mercy apart from His justice, God's grace apart from His judgment etc. But if we had to sum up who God is in one sentence, what would we say?

What I would say is that God is the giver of (eternal) life.

Firstly, this means that God is the creator of life.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

"The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

Secondly, this means that God is the redeemer of life.

"Jesus said to [Martha], "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"" - John 11:25-26 (NIV)

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)

Finally, this means that God is the renewer of life.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You're the giver of life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You're the giver of life

You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

Link: Who is Jesus? (17 Sep 10)

Genuine Faith

The nature of genuine faith fits with Jesus' condemnation of any request for "fire from heaven" to compel people to follow him. The underlying reason is that true faith in God must be voluntary. If faith is to be genuine, it can never be compelled by force. This provides another reason why governments should never try to compel adherence to any particular religion.

A clear respect for people's individual will and voluntary decisions is seen throughout the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. They always taught people and reasoned with them and then appealed to them to make a personal decision to follow Jesus as the true Messiah (see Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 28:23; Romans 10:9-10; Revelation 22:17).

Genuine religious belief cannot be compelled by force, whether by fire from heaven or by the force of civil government, and Christians should have no part in any attempt to use government power to compel people to support or follow Christianity or any other religion.

But what about the laws God gave to Israel in the Old Testament, especially in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy? Those laws required people to give tithe money to support the Jewish priesthood and temple services, and they required people to make certain specified sacrifices to the Lord every year (see Leviticus 23). They even ordered severe punishments for anyone who tried to teach another religion (see Deuteronomy 13:6-11).

But these laws were only for the nation of Israel for that particular time. They were never imposed on any of the surrounding nations. They were part of the Old Testament system that came to an end when Jesus established a "new covenant" for God's people in the New Testament. Such a system was ended by Jesus' teaching that some areas of life were "things that belong to Caesar" and some areas of life were "things that belong to God". Such Old Testament laws enforcing religion were never intended for people after Jesus established his "new covenant", or for any time after that.

- Wayne Grudem, Politics - According to the Bible

Amen! I would just add that if God does not ordain governments to compel faith, how much more does God Himself not compel faith (by means of irresistible grace)!

(Incidentally, Calvin believed that God does ordain governments to compel faith. But that's a different story.)

To be sure, Christ's love compels us to believe. However, Christ's love does not compel our belief. Grace is compelling but resistible.

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

Moreover, Christ's love compels all to believe precisely because Christ died for all, not only for some. (The alternative is to say that Christ only died for some, and therefore only compels some to believe.) The atonement is unlimited in extent and limited in effect.

Again, the question is not whether the atonement is limited in effect. (It is.) Rather, the question is why the atonement is limited in effect. Is the atonement limited in effect because it is not given to all, or is the atonement limited in effect because it is not received by all? In other words, is the atonement limited in effect because God does not want all to be saved, or is the atonement limited in effect because not all want to be saved?

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." - Acts 17:30-31 (NIV)

The Real Question

"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)

As Robert J. Morgan puts it, the primary requirement and condition necessary for claiming the optimism of Romans 8:28 is loving God.

But I've also come to realise that the real question is not whether we love God. The real question is whether we love God more than anyone/anything else in the world.

Do you love God more than anyone/anything else in the world? Is He your greatest treasure?

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." - Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Links: Romans 8:28 (27 Aug 10), Hebrews 11:17-19 (27 Aug 10)

Tetelestai

Finally, to me personally, the most convincing of all arguments against the traditionalist viewpoint [of hell] relates to what Jesus Himself suffered on the Cross. Our sins were placed upon Him. He took the punishment we deserve.

And what was that punishment? It was extreme suffering followed by death. If Jesus did not suffer the full penalty for our sins, then our debt has not been paid. But the Scriptures say that He paid the full debt, and it was not eternal torment, but death.

- David R. Reagan, The Nature of Hell: An Eternal Punishment or Eternal Torment?

If "death" really means "living eternally separated" from God (and it does not), then death really will exist forever. However, in Revelation 21:4 - John specifically states that there will be "no more death". Think about that for a moment or two.

- jewishnotgreek.com, A Biblical Defence of Conditional Immortality

Links: The Philosophy and Theology of Eternal Punishment (12 Mar 10), The Case for Annihilationism (31 Aug 10), Life, Death and Destiny (22 Jan 11)

The Psalm 112 Man

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Wisdom reading for Sep 26 is Psalm 112.

Psalm 112

Praise the LORD.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honour.

The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

- Psalm 112 (NIV)

This is the first time I've meditated on Psalm 112 and the relationship between Psalm 112 and Proverbs 31 just blows my mind! Like Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 112 is an acrostic poem, the lines of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet - signifying completion.

The Book of Psalms and the Blessed Man

The book of Psalms begins with the account of the blessed man - who delights in the law of the LORD.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

And as we have seen above, Psalm 112 echoes the account of the blessed man in Psalm 1 - who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands." - Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

The Book of Proverbs and the Blessed Woman

Meanwhile, the book of Proverbs begins with exhortations to embrace wisdom - by fearing the LORD.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." - Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

Metaphorically speaking, in the book of Proverbs wisdom *is* a woman - the wife of noble character.

"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.

"Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding."" - Proverbs 9:1-6 (NIV)

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:26-27 (NIV)

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars... She watches over the affairs of her household.

"Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment... She speaks with wisdom.

Of course, the book of Proverbs ends with the account of the blessed woman - who fears the LORD.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." - Proverbs 31:28-31 (NIV)

Application: Fear the LORD

Psalms and Proverbs. The Psalm 112 man and the Proverbs 31 woman. The blessed man who fears the LORD and the blessed woman who fears the LORD.

Instead of focusing on finding a wife of noble character, why not focus on being a man of noble character?

Instead of focusing on finding a Proverbs 31 woman (who cannot be found anyway except by God's grace), why not focus on being a Psalm 112 man?

Links: The Proverbs 31 Woman (14 Feb 09), The Wife of Noble Character (14 Feb 10), A wife of noble character who can find? (5 May 10), The Man of Noble Character (6 Sep 10)

Sep 1 to 7

Sep 1: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Sep 2: ""Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."" - Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

Sep 3: "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Sep 4: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." - 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Sep 5: "I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him." - Isaiah 8:17 (NIV)

Sep 6: "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." - 2 Corinthians 8:21 (NIV)

Sep 7: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

When Trials Come

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Old Testament reading for Sep 16 is Isaiah 38:1-40:31.

But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.

Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

The living, the living - they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.

- Isaiah 38:15-19 (NIV)

God knows what we need and when we need it. His will is exactly what we would desire if we knew all the facts.

"The will of God will never place us where the grace of God cannot keep us." - Anonymous

When trials come, He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

"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)

God will not withhold anything from us unless it is for His glory and our good. In the first place, He has not spared His own Son, but has given Him up for us all.

"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 8:32 (NIV)

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish!

Listen to Joseph.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

And Job.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." - Job 1:21 (NIV)

And Paul.

"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)

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

The Man of Noble Character

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Old Testament reading for Sep 13 is Isaiah 30:19-32:20.

"For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practises ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water. The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands." - Isaiah 32:8 (NIV)

Instead of focusing on finding a wife of noble character, why not focus on being a man of noble character?

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." - Proverbs 31:10, 30-31 (NIV)

Of course, the point of Proverbs 31:10 is not that a wife of noble character cannot be found. Rather, the point of Proverbs 31:10 is that a wife of noble character is a gift from God, to be received with thanksgiving.

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." - Proverbs 12:4 (NIV)

A wife of noble character who can find? The Bible tells us that 'he who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the LORD' (Proverbs 18:22, NIV). However, finding a wife of noble character is not so much about searching for "the one", as it is about trusting God to work things out.

Commenting on Proverbs 18:22, Bill Thrasher in Believing God for His Best writes that 'the Hebrew word for "find" does not denote a diligent search but rather finding something along one's normal and natural path of life'. Indeed, 'houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD' (Proverbs 19:14, NIV).

Again, instead of focusing on finding a wife of noble character, why not focus on being a man of noble character?

"But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands." - Isaiah 32:8 (NIV)

Links: The Proverbs 31 Woman (14 Feb 09), The Wife of Noble Character (14 Feb 10), A wife of noble character who can find? (5 May 10), The Psalm 112 Man (9 Sep 10)

More on Waiting for the LORD in Isaiah

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Old Testament reading for Sep 5 is Isaiah 8:11-10:19.

"I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him." - Isaiah 8:17 (NIV)

Waiting for the LORD means putting our trust in Him. It is not a passive resignation to "fate", but an active reliance on God's sovereignty and goodness!

Discovering God's Will in Waiting

All impatience can be traced back to a disbelief in God's ultimate goodness. That is why, if we are to appreciate the wisdom of God's guidance, it is important for us to understand not only the nature of his guidance, but the character of the Guide himself. Trust him for his goodness, and we will trust him for his guidance!

- Sinclair B. Ferguson, Discovering God's Will

Faith is not a blind, frenzied belief that God will do exactly what I'm insisting He do. It isn't asking for things I badly want, then expecting God to grant them regardless of His own wisdom and judgment.

Faith is trusting God even when He doesn't answer our prayers as we'd hoped. It rests in the confidence that His plan for us is best even if, at the time, we can't see how it could be so. As we grow in Christ, we also come to understand that faith is seeking God's will through His Word and prayer, then waiting before Him with sanctified insistence until our needs are granted.

- Robert J. Morgan, The Promise: God Works All Things Together for Your Good

Link: Waiting for the LORD in Isaiah (23 Aug 10)

Scripture and the Interpretation of Scripture

I had dinner with a dear brother-in-Christ and we happened to discuss a number of secondary issues.

When choosing between different interpretations of Scripture on secondary issues, we are not questioning the authority of Scripture over reason (on one hand) or choosing between Scripture and reason (on the other hand). Rather, we are choosing between one reasoned interpretation of Scripture and another reasoned interpretation of Scripture, one of which is (closer to being) correct.

To say that an interpretation of Scripture must be reasoned (and reasonable!) is not to say that reason trumps Scripture. (Reason does not trump Scripture.) On the contrary, reason is founded on Scripture. Reason is the scriptural means by which we interpret Scripture, even as we live in a fallen world and 'see through a glass, darkly' (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV).

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." - Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

"At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable."" - Acts 26:24-25 (NIV)

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." - 2 Timothy 2:7 (NIV)

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

"There are two kinds of presuppositionalists: those who admit it and those who don't." - D. A. Carson quoting Carl F. H. Henry

The question is not whether we interpret Scripture. (We all interpret Scripture.) The question is how we interpret Scripture.

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

Links: Philosophy and Theology (3 Jan 10), Why Theology Matters (11 Apr 10), I think, therefore I am (10 Aug 10)

Beginning with Moses

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." - Luke 24:27 (NIV)

The Bible has a storyline and this big picture must by necessity affect the way we approach individual biblical texts - because the texts of the Bible themselves are born out of what has gone before and what is still anticipated in the future. The texts themselves demand that we interpret the part in the light of the whole and vice-versa.

In practice, then, this means that to preach on OT texts about sacrifice or the covenant, say, without explicitly preaching the direction that the Bible develops those trajectories is to preach incomplete sermons. To preach on NT texts that rely for their meaning on OT backgrounds without explicitly making the connections that the text wants us to make is to distort the text.

Luke 24:27 is just one of many NT axioms that underpin evangelical biblical theology and it provides part of the rationale for recognising that the whole Bible resonates with Christological significance and that all our preaching must aim to preach Christ in a way that reflects, and that is shaped by, the overarching biblical plotline.

- beginningwithmoses.org, What is Biblical Theology?

Link: His Story (13 Aug 10)

The Butterfly Effect

One day a man found the cocoon of a butterfly. Soon a small opening appeared on the surface. He sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shrivelled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shrivelled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly.

- Marlinda Ireland, What is God Waiting For?

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 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 8:18-21 (NIV)

Link: If I Were a Butterfly (2 Aug 09)

The Family of God

Then [Jesus] said to [His disciples], "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

- Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

Jesus had at least four younger brothers and two younger sisters, which meant he grew up in a house of many children. His was not a wealthy home, and he no doubt knew the inconvenience of an entire family sleeping in one room. This is the setting for one of his parables. A family had just gone to bed when a friend knocked at the door to ask food for an unexpected visitor. The owner of the house was annoyed at having to get up at such an inconvenient hour, but because of the friend's persistence he gave the man what he wanted.

The point of the parable is that if even a tired and unwilling householder could be persuaded by a friend's persistence, how much more would a loving Father respond to the requests of his children. God's children do not have to beg from an unwilling Father.

To reassure people of this, Jesus gave another family illustration. The heavenly Father will not give his children anything less than what is best for them. If they ask for a fish he will not give them a snake; if they ask for an egg, he will not give them a scorpion. They may not always receive exactly what they want (for a wise parent does not give children everything they ask for), but they can be sure he will never give them anything that is inferior or harmful.

- Don Fleming, Parables and Pictures

Link: The Fatherhood of God (21 Jun 10)

Aug 22 to 31

Aug 22: "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." - 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

Aug 23: "He told them, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."" - 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 (NIV)

Aug 24: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Aug 25: "Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

Aug 26: "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." - 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Aug 27: "Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly." - 2 Chronicles 29:36 (NIV)

Aug 28: "In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered." - 2 Chronicles 31:21 (NIV)

Aug 29: "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." - 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

Aug 30: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Aug 31: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)