There is a time for every season
For nothing will happen without reason
So trust His plan
To guide you to the end
One day you'll understand
That God knows best
A time to harvest, a time to nurse
A time to be first, a time for patience
There's a perfect song
For every season
So trust His heart and trust His plan
For God knows best
Because He knows best
My heart can be at rest
Though it hurts when my faith is put to a test
I will follow God to the end
For to love and obey
Is my life's greatest quest
- Koh Li Ting, 22 Feb 10
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
The Righteousness of God
*This post was born out of a cell group discussion on one of the names of God, 'The LORD Our Righteousness'.*
"In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness." - Jeremiah 23:6 (NIV)
As the song Knowing You goes, Jesus is our all, our best, our joy and our righteousness. 'It is because of [God] that [we] are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption' (1 Corinthians 1:30, NIV). But what does this mean? How is Jesus our righteousness? In particular, was Jesus righteous because He fulfilled the law - or did Jesus fulfill the law because He was righteous?
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 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." - Romans 3:20-22 (NIV)
v20: To put it carefully, Jesus did not become righteous through fulfilling the law (and neither can we). Rather, Jesus fulfilled the law because He was righteous from all eternity, being one with the Father (who gave the law). It was impossible for Jesus not to fulfill the law, but this does not mean that Jesus became righteous through fulfilling the law.
v21: If Jesus did not become righteous through fulfilling the law, then what did His fulfilling the law accomplish? Jesus was declared righteous through fulfilling the law. Jesus could only be declared righteous (in the act of God raising Him from the dead) because He did fulfill the law. He could not be held liable for the wages of sin (ie. death) because He did not commit any sin.
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." - Acts 2:24 (NIV)
v22: What is the source of our righteousness? It is our union with Christ, with His eternal nature. What is the source of Christ's righteousness (in human terms)? It is not His fulfilling the law, but His dying to the law and being declared righteous in His resurrection from the dead. In other words, it is His justification - and we partake of this in our union with Him.
"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:4-6 (NIV)
How This Shapes Our Understanding of the Gospel
The gospel is not about us doing good works and trying to fulfill the law. Of course, understanding the gospel leads us 'to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law' (Romans 13:8, NIV).
It is not even about trusting in the fact that Jesus has fulfilled the law (which He has). Rather, it is confessing with our mouths, "Jesus is Lord," and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9, NIV).
"The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." - Romans 4:23-25 (NIV)
In conclusion, the righteousness of God is:
1. in His very nature, in the Father, Son and Spirit from all eternity
2. revealed/declared in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord
"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."" - Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
"In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness." - Jeremiah 23:6 (NIV)
As the song Knowing You goes, Jesus is our all, our best, our joy and our righteousness. 'It is because of [God] that [we] are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption' (1 Corinthians 1:30, NIV). But what does this mean? How is Jesus our righteousness? In particular, was Jesus righteous because He fulfilled the law - or did Jesus fulfill the law because He was righteous?
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 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." - Romans 3:20-22 (NIV)
v20: To put it carefully, Jesus did not become righteous through fulfilling the law (and neither can we). Rather, Jesus fulfilled the law because He was righteous from all eternity, being one with the Father (who gave the law). It was impossible for Jesus not to fulfill the law, but this does not mean that Jesus became righteous through fulfilling the law.
v21: If Jesus did not become righteous through fulfilling the law, then what did His fulfilling the law accomplish? Jesus was declared righteous through fulfilling the law. Jesus could only be declared righteous (in the act of God raising Him from the dead) because He did fulfill the law. He could not be held liable for the wages of sin (ie. death) because He did not commit any sin.
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." - Acts 2:24 (NIV)
v22: What is the source of our righteousness? It is our union with Christ, with His eternal nature. What is the source of Christ's righteousness (in human terms)? It is not His fulfilling the law, but His dying to the law and being declared righteous in His resurrection from the dead. In other words, it is His justification - and we partake of this in our union with Him.
"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:4-6 (NIV)
How This Shapes Our Understanding of the Gospel
The gospel is not about us doing good works and trying to fulfill the law. Of course, understanding the gospel leads us 'to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law' (Romans 13:8, NIV).
It is not even about trusting in the fact that Jesus has fulfilled the law (which He has). Rather, it is confessing with our mouths, "Jesus is Lord," and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9, NIV).
"The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." - Romans 4:23-25 (NIV)
In conclusion, the righteousness of God is:
1. in His very nature, in the Father, Son and Spirit from all eternity
2. revealed/declared in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord
"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."" - Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
The Problem of Evil and Why it is Sensible to Trust in God
The problem of evil goes something like this:
(1) Evil exists.
(2) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(4) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(5) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).
However, (1) need not necessarily lead to (2). Alternatively,
(1) Evil exists.
(2) Either God does or does not exist.
(3) If God does not exist, He is not responsible for evil (if there is such a thing as evil in the first place if God does not exist).
(4) If God exists, He is sovereign and good.
(5) If God exists, He is both able and willing to eliminate evil.
(6) If God exists and evil exists, He has good reason(s) for not eliminating evil yet.
(7) Therefore, the existence of evil does not disprove the existence of a sovereign and good God. In fact, the existence of evil proves the existence of a sovereign and good God.
In particular,
(1) Evil exists.
(2) The opposite of evil exists.
(3) Good exists.
(4) The supreme good exists.
(5) Therefore, a sovereign and good God exists.
Why it is Sensible to Trust in God
(1) God is sovereign and good.
(2) If God is sovereign, He is able to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is good, He is willing to eliminate evil.
(4) Therefore, God is both able and willing to eliminate evil - even though He has not eliminated evil yet.
(5) Therefore, God will eliminate evil one day.
[This is the exact reverse of the problem of evil.
(5) Evil exists.
(4) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(2) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(1) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).]
Of course, the question is why God does not eliminate evil yet. But that's another story.
"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)
(1) Evil exists.
(2) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(4) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(5) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).
However, (1) need not necessarily lead to (2). Alternatively,
(1) Evil exists.
(2) Either God does or does not exist.
(3) If God does not exist, He is not responsible for evil (if there is such a thing as evil in the first place if God does not exist).
(4) If God exists, He is sovereign and good.
(5) If God exists, He is both able and willing to eliminate evil.
(6) If God exists and evil exists, He has good reason(s) for not eliminating evil yet.
(7) Therefore, the existence of evil does not disprove the existence of a sovereign and good God. In fact, the existence of evil proves the existence of a sovereign and good God.
In particular,
(1) Evil exists.
(2) The opposite of evil exists.
(3) Good exists.
(4) The supreme good exists.
(5) Therefore, a sovereign and good God exists.
Why it is Sensible to Trust in God
(1) God is sovereign and good.
(2) If God is sovereign, He is able to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is good, He is willing to eliminate evil.
(4) Therefore, God is both able and willing to eliminate evil - even though He has not eliminated evil yet.
(5) Therefore, God will eliminate evil one day.
[This is the exact reverse of the problem of evil.
(5) Evil exists.
(4) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(2) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(1) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).]
Of course, the question is why God does not eliminate evil yet. But that's another story.
"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)
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Accepting Our Calling
"He chose our inheritance for us," said the psalmist (Psalm 47:4). This means He decided in advance where He wanted us to be in a given time. First of all, He chose the time and place of our birth - the place, parents, and circumstances (Acts 17:26). We had no control over our birth. We did not choose our parents; God did. We did not choose the time and place of our birth; God did.
Secondly, He gave us our bodies - even while we were in our mother's womb. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body" (Psalm 139:14-16). This means our brains were formed by Him. Our intelligence was determined by Him. We no doubt can improve on how well and clearly we think, but our basic ability is already set - like it or not. Wow. I love this. It takes the pressure off to perform! Why be jealous of the person who is cleverer than I when it is God who gave them their superior brain?
Third, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27). Those were John the Baptist's words. It was his reply to the observation that Jesus was gaining more disciples, getting bigger crowds, and upstaging John's popularity. How did John cope? His answer was that God in heaven is the one who bestows success, blessing, favour, and grace. It was easy, therefore, for John to say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (v30). Was John tempted to jealousy? Almost certainly. And this is how he coped.
So with our calling. The same God who gives and withholds mercy is the one who determines our calling. And talent. And promotion. He opens and closes doors. Either way it is in our interest. Be thankful for the closed door as much as you rejoice in the open door. He calls some to be doctors, some to be nurses, some to be preachers, some to be computer experts, some to be astronauts, some to be secretaries, some to be scientists, some to be lawyers, some to be firemen, some to be policemen, some to be politicians, some to be executives, and some to have little or no profile whatsoever.
- R. T. Kendall, Jealousy - The Sin No One Talks About
Secondly, He gave us our bodies - even while we were in our mother's womb. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body" (Psalm 139:14-16). This means our brains were formed by Him. Our intelligence was determined by Him. We no doubt can improve on how well and clearly we think, but our basic ability is already set - like it or not. Wow. I love this. It takes the pressure off to perform! Why be jealous of the person who is cleverer than I when it is God who gave them their superior brain?
Third, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27). Those were John the Baptist's words. It was his reply to the observation that Jesus was gaining more disciples, getting bigger crowds, and upstaging John's popularity. How did John cope? His answer was that God in heaven is the one who bestows success, blessing, favour, and grace. It was easy, therefore, for John to say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (v30). Was John tempted to jealousy? Almost certainly. And this is how he coped.
So with our calling. The same God who gives and withholds mercy is the one who determines our calling. And talent. And promotion. He opens and closes doors. Either way it is in our interest. Be thankful for the closed door as much as you rejoice in the open door. He calls some to be doctors, some to be nurses, some to be preachers, some to be computer experts, some to be astronauts, some to be secretaries, some to be scientists, some to be lawyers, some to be firemen, some to be policemen, some to be politicians, some to be executives, and some to have little or no profile whatsoever.
- R. T. Kendall, Jealousy - The Sin No One Talks About
Monday, 8 August 2011
Back to the Word
"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." - Isaiah 66:2 (NIV)
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Rekindle Heart Work
This is no unusual occurrence; it is the general rule of the moral universe that those men prosper who do their work with all their hearts, while those are almost certain to fail who go to their labour leaving half their hearts behind them. God does not give harvests to idle men, except harvests of thistles, nor is he pleased to send wealth to those who will not dig in the field to find its hid treasure.
It is universally confessed that if a man would prosper, he must be diligent in business. It is the same in religion as it is in other things. If you would prosper in your work for Jesus, let it be heart work, and let it be done with all your heart.
- Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
It is universally confessed that if a man would prosper, he must be diligent in business. It is the same in religion as it is in other things. If you would prosper in your work for Jesus, let it be heart work, and let it be done with all your heart.
- Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Patience and Perseverance
*From Nicky's blog*
We must not murmur, we must not complain - but patiently follow wherever the Lord leads, and quietly bear whatever the Lord lays on us. He will not lay on us more than we are able to bear; but with every temptation He will make a way for our escape, that we may be able to bear it.
Patience must calm the spirit, quiet the heart, and close the mouth. Then shall we say with the Psalmist, "I was silent, I opened not my mouth, because You are the One who has done this!" Had it been man - it might have been wrong. Had it been chance - it might have been injurious. But it was You - and, therefore, it must be wise, holy, and kind.
We are required quietly to persevere, to go on, though the way is rugged, though the thorns pierce our feet, though we cannot see one step before us. We must walk by faith, not by sight, believing that we are safe - in the midst of danger; that we are right - though everything is perplexing; and that all will end well - for "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28.
- James Smith, Perplexity
We must not murmur, we must not complain - but patiently follow wherever the Lord leads, and quietly bear whatever the Lord lays on us. He will not lay on us more than we are able to bear; but with every temptation He will make a way for our escape, that we may be able to bear it.
Patience must calm the spirit, quiet the heart, and close the mouth. Then shall we say with the Psalmist, "I was silent, I opened not my mouth, because You are the One who has done this!" Had it been man - it might have been wrong. Had it been chance - it might have been injurious. But it was You - and, therefore, it must be wise, holy, and kind.
We are required quietly to persevere, to go on, though the way is rugged, though the thorns pierce our feet, though we cannot see one step before us. We must walk by faith, not by sight, believing that we are safe - in the midst of danger; that we are right - though everything is perplexing; and that all will end well - for "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28.
- James Smith, Perplexity
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Household of Faith
So a local congregation, then, is a community of people who trust God like this. It's not even that we understand everything He does. In all of our lives there are mysterious providences. And brother and sister, if you are here today at this meeting, in one of those times when you feel you're under a mysterious frown of God, oh I beg you as a brother-in-Christ, trust Him. He is a faithful God.
There are times in the past when you saw that clearly. There will be a time in the future where you see that again. And you will bring Him glory by continuing to put one foot in front of another and following Him even through the hardest of times. Trusting - gambling as it may even feel to you - on His faithfulness, because He will prove good and true to His Word.
We are a community of people who do that. We don't always understand everything He's doing but we trust His character. You realise, don't you, that our fears about the future are rooted in those places where our will differs from God's will.
- Mark Dever, The Church is the Gospel Made Visible (on Caleb's recommendation)
There are times in the past when you saw that clearly. There will be a time in the future where you see that again. And you will bring Him glory by continuing to put one foot in front of another and following Him even through the hardest of times. Trusting - gambling as it may even feel to you - on His faithfulness, because He will prove good and true to His Word.
We are a community of people who do that. We don't always understand everything He's doing but we trust His character. You realise, don't you, that our fears about the future are rooted in those places where our will differs from God's will.
- Mark Dever, The Church is the Gospel Made Visible (on Caleb's recommendation)
Monday, 25 July 2011
O Church Arise
"...one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." - John 19:34 (NIV)
The piercing of Jesus confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead (and hence that the Mosaic covenant was broken) as He hung on the cross. Jesus became a curse for us by hanging on the cross and broke the curse of the law by dying (and being raised to life).
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."" - Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God." - Romans 7:4 (NIV)
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NIV)
More than that, the piercing of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
"These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."" - John 19:36-37 (NIV)
One might even say that Jesus' death (and resurrection) gave birth to the church.
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." - John 12:24 (NIV)
The piercing of Jesus, which confirmed His death, brings us new and eternal life.
"...one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." - John 19:34 (NIV)
"This is the one who came by water and blood - Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." - 1 John 5:6-8 (NIV)
"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." - Leviticus 17:11 (NIV)
First and Last Adam
Eve was born out of Adam's flesh and became one flesh with Adam in the first Eden.
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
- Genesis 2:21-24 (NIV)
Likewise, the church was born out of Christ's death (and resurrection) and will become one flesh with Christ in the new Eden.
""For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:31-32 (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)
When Adam awoke from his deep sleep (a kind of death), he was united with his wife.
"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 8:4 (NIV)
When Christ was raised from the dead, He established a new covenant with His bride and (like a Jewish groom) returned to His Father's house to prepare a place for her.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." - John 14:1-4 (NIV)
"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." - Acts 1:11 (NIV)
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." - Romans 6:4-7 (NIV)
When we are raised from the dead, we will be united with Christtill death us do part for eternity.
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."" - 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NIV)
The piercing of Jesus confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead (and hence that the Mosaic covenant was broken) as He hung on the cross. Jesus became a curse for us by hanging on the cross and broke the curse of the law by dying (and being raised to life).
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."" - Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God." - Romans 7:4 (NIV)
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NIV)
More than that, the piercing of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
"These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."" - John 19:36-37 (NIV)
One might even say that Jesus' death (and resurrection) gave birth to the church.
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." - John 12:24 (NIV)
The piercing of Jesus, which confirmed His death, brings us new and eternal life.
"...one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." - John 19:34 (NIV)
"This is the one who came by water and blood - Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." - 1 John 5:6-8 (NIV)
"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." - Leviticus 17:11 (NIV)
First and Last Adam
Eve was born out of Adam's flesh and became one flesh with Adam in the first Eden.
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
- Genesis 2:21-24 (NIV)
Likewise, the church was born out of Christ's death (and resurrection) and will become one flesh with Christ in the new Eden.
""For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:31-32 (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)
When Adam awoke from his deep sleep (a kind of death), he was united with his wife.
"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 8:4 (NIV)
When Christ was raised from the dead, He established a new covenant with His bride and (like a Jewish groom) returned to His Father's house to prepare a place for her.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." - John 14:1-4 (NIV)
"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." - Acts 1:11 (NIV)
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." - Romans 6:4-7 (NIV)
When we are raised from the dead, we will be united with Christ
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."" - 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NIV)
Sunday, 24 July 2011
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