Psalm 91:1–"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
The nature of this verse is a two part phrase: those who dwell will abide. While it may seem like this is an obvious connection, let us not let the density of it pass us by without consideration. The real question is this: what part do we play in dwelling in God's shelter?
From a Christian perspective, the shelter of the Most High is the crucified flesh of Christ. Therefore, dwelling in His shelter means, quite plainly, that we would live our lives within the body of Christ, washed by the blood of Christ, and founded solely under the canopy of God's grace in Christ. This demand an active participation on our part. But through this we are given a promise: we will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Consider that when we are asking ourselves whether living in Christ is worth it...
Showing posts with label Abiding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abiding. Show all posts
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
John 8:31-32–Abiding in His Word
John 8:31-32–"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and your will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John, one of the primary authors of the New Testament, has much to say about the importance of abiding. It is one of the major themes of all of his writings, that Christians would abide in Christ, abide in His Word, and abide in the Spirit. At the very least, we can recognize that to 'abide' means that we would be compelled and urged on my the leading of God.
Needless to say, there is more in this verse than just addressing the concept of abiding, but I will save all that for another time. For now, it will suffice to think about whether or not we are abiding in God, and to adjust ourselves in alignment into the appropriate direction of abiding.
John, one of the primary authors of the New Testament, has much to say about the importance of abiding. It is one of the major themes of all of his writings, that Christians would abide in Christ, abide in His Word, and abide in the Spirit. At the very least, we can recognize that to 'abide' means that we would be compelled and urged on my the leading of God.
Needless to say, there is more in this verse than just addressing the concept of abiding, but I will save all that for another time. For now, it will suffice to think about whether or not we are abiding in God, and to adjust ourselves in alignment into the appropriate direction of abiding.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
1 John 4:16–God's Love Abiding in Us
1 John 4:16–"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him."
In our evening service, we have been going through 1 John, one of my favorite books in all of Scripture. It, like many of the New Testament books, deals with who God is, who we are in Christ, and how Christians should live. This verse is one of those great verses that is oft mis-quoted. I mean, how many times have we heard that God is love without hearing the rest. Because of all this, I'm going to leave this blog fairly empty, save a repetition: read it again and meditate on its truth today.
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him."
In our evening service, we have been going through 1 John, one of my favorite books in all of Scripture. It, like many of the New Testament books, deals with who God is, who we are in Christ, and how Christians should live. This verse is one of those great verses that is oft mis-quoted. I mean, how many times have we heard that God is love without hearing the rest. Because of all this, I'm going to leave this blog fairly empty, save a repetition: read it again and meditate on its truth today.
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him."
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Importance of Elephant Role-Models
In 1999, the television program 60 Minutes aired an episode that was striking for its comments about the need for role models and mentors, particularly in the lives of young men.
The story was focused on a South African wildlife preserve that found 39 rare White Rhinos slaughtered, their carcasses left scattered around the park. Despite the fact that the Rhinos were left whole, though killed gruesomely, poachers were blamed for the Rhinos' deaths. The preserve's staff spent weeks setting up cameras and gathering information in order to pursue prosecution. What they found was simply astonishing.
After researching and gathering evidence, coupled with direct video footage, the preserve discovered that juvenile delinquents had killed the Rhinos. What was so disturbing about it though was that the delinquents to blame were elephants, teenage elephants. Teenage delinquent elephants had killed the Rhinos, seemingly for no other reason than because they wanted to.
Years before, the preserve could not financially sustain the growing elephant population, so they made the decision to euthanize the adults whose young were old enough to care for themselves. The effect was an entire herd that lacked adult males and a growing population of young male elephants to make their own way with little guidance.
Without dominant males, the young males became increasingly aggressive and violent. And as the males became sexually active and their testosterone rose, they grew in aggression and a gang formed that began to "bully" the other species of the preserve, particularly the Rhinos, eventually killing 39 on them. One elephant, Mafuto, had asserted himself as the leader and had to be killed.
The preserve brought in a large adult male from another preserve to solve the problem. The new male asserted his dominance and the young males fell into place behind his leadership. The young males began learning under the dominant bull and the killing stopped.
This is a remarkable story that highlights the necessity of active adult leadership both to guide the younglings in how to do things but also to lead and protect them from making irresponsible "mob" decisions. Especially to younger men, who are physiologically predisposed towards testosterone-fueled agression and shows of dominance, an older men are a necessity.
The point here is succinct for both young people and older people (especially if that age is coupled with growing wisdom in Christ). If you are young, seek out older and wiser people to mentor you. To be sure, this is not a passive endeavor. Often you need to seek them out and pursue them. The other side of this coin is for the older person who has spent years accruing wisdom in faith to Christ. For you, seek out young people to invest in and to share your wisdom and learning.
This is much of what Christianity is made of: receiving love from others and turning around and pouring into someone else. Let us then take this call to mentoring and discipleship seriously and in faith!
The story was focused on a South African wildlife preserve that found 39 rare White Rhinos slaughtered, their carcasses left scattered around the park. Despite the fact that the Rhinos were left whole, though killed gruesomely, poachers were blamed for the Rhinos' deaths. The preserve's staff spent weeks setting up cameras and gathering information in order to pursue prosecution. What they found was simply astonishing.
After researching and gathering evidence, coupled with direct video footage, the preserve discovered that juvenile delinquents had killed the Rhinos. What was so disturbing about it though was that the delinquents to blame were elephants, teenage elephants. Teenage delinquent elephants had killed the Rhinos, seemingly for no other reason than because they wanted to.
Years before, the preserve could not financially sustain the growing elephant population, so they made the decision to euthanize the adults whose young were old enough to care for themselves. The effect was an entire herd that lacked adult males and a growing population of young male elephants to make their own way with little guidance.
Without dominant males, the young males became increasingly aggressive and violent. And as the males became sexually active and their testosterone rose, they grew in aggression and a gang formed that began to "bully" the other species of the preserve, particularly the Rhinos, eventually killing 39 on them. One elephant, Mafuto, had asserted himself as the leader and had to be killed.
The preserve brought in a large adult male from another preserve to solve the problem. The new male asserted his dominance and the young males fell into place behind his leadership. The young males began learning under the dominant bull and the killing stopped.
This is a remarkable story that highlights the necessity of active adult leadership both to guide the younglings in how to do things but also to lead and protect them from making irresponsible "mob" decisions. Especially to younger men, who are physiologically predisposed towards testosterone-fueled agression and shows of dominance, an older men are a necessity.
The point here is succinct for both young people and older people (especially if that age is coupled with growing wisdom in Christ). If you are young, seek out older and wiser people to mentor you. To be sure, this is not a passive endeavor. Often you need to seek them out and pursue them. The other side of this coin is for the older person who has spent years accruing wisdom in faith to Christ. For you, seek out young people to invest in and to share your wisdom and learning.
This is much of what Christianity is made of: receiving love from others and turning around and pouring into someone else. Let us then take this call to mentoring and discipleship seriously and in faith!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The "Joy" of Aging
Day by day, I get older. In many ways this is a bittersweet ordeal. For I am pleased to grow in faith at the work of God; however, the aging process is one of added aches and persistent pains that were not present years ago. And, although I am not very old by the world's standards (a mere 29), I feel that the process of aging is one that is carried forward in a relatively the same fashion by all humans once they reach adulthood.
Truly, aging is a cold pill swallowed with a soothing cup of hot cocoa; the pill is the loss of youth but the relief comes with the addition of growth, both of knowledge and of wisdom. My weight and figure is far-less stable than it once was, meaning that for the first time in my life I have to be cautious of what I eat. And while this was devastating, the moment that the realities of aging hit me happened a couple years ago after casually brushing my hair and staring at the remnants left behind. That's when it hit me.
I never knew that gray could be so discouraging. Yet there it was: gray hair from my head? I was stunned. I spent the next several minutes staring at the mirror in disbelief, and the next several days under a hat to conceal my new found, unwelcome aging. And though this could seem like a crisis of sorts for my early twenties self, God revealed Himself to me in His Word and comforted me in my struggle with my continually-growing age.
These two passages say all I need to hear whenever I feel depressed about aging:
"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life (Pro. 16:31)."
"The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair (Pro. 20:29)."
Scripture can speak for itself. Luckily, it speaks for us too! So, if you find that you feel down over the effects of aging, you can find comfort and peace in the fact that your aging is a beautiful thing that is happening for a reason. Just remember to always press on in faith!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Scripture: the Light for our Paths
It is a not an uncommon occurrence to need to search for something in the dark. Think of hunting along the wall for the seemingly hidden light switch. Or looking through the darkened garage when the light is out. Or even foraging through the junk drawer for a candle and match during the most tempestuous of storms. As anyone who has ever gone camping can attest, a light can be the most useful thing amidst darkness.
Life is full of darkness. The bleak blackness and dark gloom of this world falls like a pall over life. Fortunately, God has not left us without a bright and shining light to illuminate every step and to shimmer its godly glow to light out paths. This heavenly light is the Word of God, the Scriptures which is to protect us from harm (Psa. 119:105; Pro. 6:20-24).
While the aforementioned verses are often memorized and quoted for their beauty, it is more important that we would live by the truth therein then to simply acknowledge it as true whilst neglecting the application. If we are to apply the truth that God's Word is to light and guide our way, then there are some important things that must be pointed out.
First of all, if the Scriptures are to light the path of the Christian, then the Christian must be acquainted with them. A flashlight is useless if the person does not know how to turn it on or if they fail to put the necessary batteries in it. In other words, the Word will fail to be the light to our paths if we neglect learning how to wield it.
To be sure, this is all about Bible Study. Unless we are in the Word, studying the Word and memorizing it, our paths will forever remain dark and shadowy. But when we have sufficiently immersed ourselves in the Word and allowed it to permeate into the depths of our hearts, we will be sufficiently prepared and equipped for God's Word to light our life.
Additionally, letting the Word take its rightful place as the light to our paths is all about humility and submission. For the Scripture to guide our every step, we must submit ourselves to its authority in our lives. This is fundamental, foundational, and necessary. Unless we turn over our very volition to that of the Word of God, we will continue to struggle in the darkness for lack of a sufficient light to our paths. Let us then determine to depend on the Word and make it the very basis for our lives!
Life is full of darkness. The bleak blackness and dark gloom of this world falls like a pall over life. Fortunately, God has not left us without a bright and shining light to illuminate every step and to shimmer its godly glow to light out paths. This heavenly light is the Word of God, the Scriptures which is to protect us from harm (Psa. 119:105; Pro. 6:20-24).
While the aforementioned verses are often memorized and quoted for their beauty, it is more important that we would live by the truth therein then to simply acknowledge it as true whilst neglecting the application. If we are to apply the truth that God's Word is to light and guide our way, then there are some important things that must be pointed out.
First of all, if the Scriptures are to light the path of the Christian, then the Christian must be acquainted with them. A flashlight is useless if the person does not know how to turn it on or if they fail to put the necessary batteries in it. In other words, the Word will fail to be the light to our paths if we neglect learning how to wield it.
To be sure, this is all about Bible Study. Unless we are in the Word, studying the Word and memorizing it, our paths will forever remain dark and shadowy. But when we have sufficiently immersed ourselves in the Word and allowed it to permeate into the depths of our hearts, we will be sufficiently prepared and equipped for God's Word to light our life.
Additionally, letting the Word take its rightful place as the light to our paths is all about humility and submission. For the Scripture to guide our every step, we must submit ourselves to its authority in our lives. This is fundamental, foundational, and necessary. Unless we turn over our very volition to that of the Word of God, we will continue to struggle in the darkness for lack of a sufficient light to our paths. Let us then determine to depend on the Word and make it the very basis for our lives!
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Salt & Light Snowblower
Several years ago, Ned bought a new snow blower, which is a necessity for the snowy winters of Minnesota. Previously he had always shoveled his driveway and it took over an hour. But now, with that beautiful machine, he could get it done in less than five minutes. The ease of snow-blowing took away the all-too familiar dread of having to shovel. He even enjoyed doing the drive.
The second winter he had the blower, two elderly neighbors from California moved in across the street. The couple both had heart problems and Ned noticed them struggling to shovel the drive after the first snow fall. When he saw them wrestling with the snow, he simply started his blower, pushed it across the street, and did their's too. It just became a part of the routine; twelve minutes for both drives. Ned then also remembered that his other neighbor, Mike, left for work at 4:30 in the morning, so he bagan doing his too. Another four minutes.
A few years later, his next door neighbor, Larry, passed away. Because his widowed wife, Pearl, was also elderly, Ned just started doing hers too. Another five minutes. Later that same year, the neighbors down the block had a baby, so Ned added their's to his routine too. By the end of that year, Ned was snow blowing about a half hour and doing five driveways.
Ned was happy to be the neighborhood plowman, relishing in the joy of caring for and serving his community. One night, though, he fell deathly ill and had to be taken to the hospital. Over the course of a two day bed-ridden, hospital stay he recovered and was eventually released. As his wife was driving him home, he felt so bad because there had been a huge snowfall the night before.
However, as they arrived back in the neighborhood, he was astonished to see that all of the driveways were done. To his amazement, Ned's wife told him that in the morning she looked out the front window to see one of their other neighbors, whom they had never even met, doing the driveways. Ned nearly broke into tears. He never realized the affect that he had made over the past few years.
The point is example. If we are to be the salt and light of the world, the very hands and feet of Christ, then we need to look at the needs around us and step in to fill them. Jesus calls us to love as He loves us. Think of that: He gave His very life, dying upon the cross to serve and to love all humankind. Laying down our preference and our comfort in order to care for others is what being a Christian is all about. Therefore, let us seek out opportunities to serve and then seize them for Him!
Ned was happy to be the neighborhood plowman, relishing in the joy of caring for and serving his community. One night, though, he fell deathly ill and had to be taken to the hospital. Over the course of a two day bed-ridden, hospital stay he recovered and was eventually released. As his wife was driving him home, he felt so bad because there had been a huge snowfall the night before.
However, as they arrived back in the neighborhood, he was astonished to see that all of the driveways were done. To his amazement, Ned's wife told him that in the morning she looked out the front window to see one of their other neighbors, whom they had never even met, doing the driveways. Ned nearly broke into tears. He never realized the affect that he had made over the past few years.
The point is example. If we are to be the salt and light of the world, the very hands and feet of Christ, then we need to look at the needs around us and step in to fill them. Jesus calls us to love as He loves us. Think of that: He gave His very life, dying upon the cross to serve and to love all humankind. Laying down our preference and our comfort in order to care for others is what being a Christian is all about. Therefore, let us seek out opportunities to serve and then seize them for Him!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Stonecutter
Once upon a time there was a stonecutter who lived alone. He made his living by forming stone and cutting rocks into various forms and tools. For years he worked tirelessly in his workshop along the main road of the city. One day, as he was hammering granite he heard a crowd shouting cries of herald for the king. He felt such envy and discontent that he cried out: "Oh if I could only be a king with subjects that shouted joys and praise to my greatness."
Immediately, he was transformed into a powerful king with a whole kingdom full of adoring subjects. "This is power," he would often think to himself. For weeks, the man enjoyed his new life until one day he realized that the sun was much more powerful than he was, casting its powerful gaze and light upon the whole world. So, like before, he boldly asked, "If I could be the sun, then I would have all the power in the world and be content." Instantly, he was the sun.
As the sun, the man enjoyed bringing warmth and light to all the world. He relished in the fact that everything depended on his presence. Until one day, a cloud broke his gaze and hindered him from shining his light upon the world. He could not accept being stripped of his power, so he exclaimed, "If I could become a cloud, then I would be more powerful than the sun and be able to be content." In a moment, he became a cloud.
As a cloud, he pooled all of his power to form a gigantic rain cloud. Wherever he went he would pour down rain with such torrential force that the most powerful of men would hide from his presence. Rivers were cut and grain was watered by him. Everything was in awe at his power. Only the massive rocks were unaffected by his power. So, like the times before, he cried out in a loud voice, "I would like to be a huge rock and then I would be powerful and content."
As a rock, he was massive and powerful. The sun and the rain did nothing to him at all. He felt free and strong until one day, a man walked up to him with a chisel and hammer, and began to chip away at the rock. The rock cried out, "I want to be a stonecutter!" And he was transformed back into a stonecutter, living out the rest of his life content with making a living by forming stone and cutting rocks.
Sometimes it is easy to be discontent with our life or with our station. But no matter where we go, there we are. We should not try to leave the vocational stations that God has called us to but be joyous that God has made us for a specific reason. As Paul writes, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Cor. 7:17)." Let us then be content in whatever God has called us to and to do it with absolute excellence!
Immediately, he was transformed into a powerful king with a whole kingdom full of adoring subjects. "This is power," he would often think to himself. For weeks, the man enjoyed his new life until one day he realized that the sun was much more powerful than he was, casting its powerful gaze and light upon the whole world. So, like before, he boldly asked, "If I could be the sun, then I would have all the power in the world and be content." Instantly, he was the sun.
As the sun, the man enjoyed bringing warmth and light to all the world. He relished in the fact that everything depended on his presence. Until one day, a cloud broke his gaze and hindered him from shining his light upon the world. He could not accept being stripped of his power, so he exclaimed, "If I could become a cloud, then I would be more powerful than the sun and be able to be content." In a moment, he became a cloud.
As a cloud, he pooled all of his power to form a gigantic rain cloud. Wherever he went he would pour down rain with such torrential force that the most powerful of men would hide from his presence. Rivers were cut and grain was watered by him. Everything was in awe at his power. Only the massive rocks were unaffected by his power. So, like the times before, he cried out in a loud voice, "I would like to be a huge rock and then I would be powerful and content."
As a rock, he was massive and powerful. The sun and the rain did nothing to him at all. He felt free and strong until one day, a man walked up to him with a chisel and hammer, and began to chip away at the rock. The rock cried out, "I want to be a stonecutter!" And he was transformed back into a stonecutter, living out the rest of his life content with making a living by forming stone and cutting rocks.
Sometimes it is easy to be discontent with our life or with our station. But no matter where we go, there we are. We should not try to leave the vocational stations that God has called us to but be joyous that God has made us for a specific reason. As Paul writes, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Cor. 7:17)." Let us then be content in whatever God has called us to and to do it with absolute excellence!
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Defense of Faith
There is no neutral ground in the battlefield of salvation. In the war that wages in the mind, the heart, and the soul, there is no demilitarized zone. In truth, no supposed neutrality exists in the battle over the eternal state of a person and it is a dangerous myth to assume that there is a neutral zone in spiritual matters, particularly when it comes to discussing these affairs. Ultimately, because all of existence is made by, through, and for Him, the ground marked "neutral" belongs to God.
When believers engage, then, in any sort of dialogue with unbelievers, they need to do so from the standpoint that recognizes the reality: all common ground is God's ground. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord, He peers into every crevice of humanity and all creation (2 Chro. 16:9; Job 34:21; Psa. 33:13-15; Pro. 20:27; Eze. 28:3; Heb. 4:13).
This is far from irrelevant. We should, nay, need to engage the world with this understanding, not giving ground to so-called neutrality because we know that neutrality is but a ploy of the evil one to divert us form the truth and to lead us away from God. Remember that all wisdom is dependent upon a foundation of fear and reverence of God. This means that repentance is the gateway to all wisdom and knowledge.
Truly, as Paul indicates in Colossians, every shelf in the storehouses of knowledge are filled in. through, by, and for Christ (Col. 1:16-17, 2:3). Therefore, there can be no hidden nor neutral ground in the battle over our souls. It should, however, come as no surprise that the world would continually appeal to the need for "common ground" in the dialogues over faith. Because in acquiescing to neutrality, Christians have all-too-quickly given valuable ground in the battle to unbelief. But, as there is no such common ground that does not belong to God, any attempt to say otherwise is only veiled unbelief.
Instead, Christians should always commit the Scriptures that call for unequivocal obedience in every aspect of life, body, mind, heart, and soul (Matt. 22:37; Rom. 12:1). Christians need to hold to their guns in this regard. Although we may be labeled absolutist or dogmatic, we need to hold tightly to the truth of the Gospel and its particulars because it is true and the power of God. Because of this, we should praise God who has revealed Himself to mankind through His Word!
When believers engage, then, in any sort of dialogue with unbelievers, they need to do so from the standpoint that recognizes the reality: all common ground is God's ground. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord, He peers into every crevice of humanity and all creation (2 Chro. 16:9; Job 34:21; Psa. 33:13-15; Pro. 20:27; Eze. 28:3; Heb. 4:13).
This is far from irrelevant. We should, nay, need to engage the world with this understanding, not giving ground to so-called neutrality because we know that neutrality is but a ploy of the evil one to divert us form the truth and to lead us away from God. Remember that all wisdom is dependent upon a foundation of fear and reverence of God. This means that repentance is the gateway to all wisdom and knowledge.
Truly, as Paul indicates in Colossians, every shelf in the storehouses of knowledge are filled in. through, by, and for Christ (Col. 1:16-17, 2:3). Therefore, there can be no hidden nor neutral ground in the battle over our souls. It should, however, come as no surprise that the world would continually appeal to the need for "common ground" in the dialogues over faith. Because in acquiescing to neutrality, Christians have all-too-quickly given valuable ground in the battle to unbelief. But, as there is no such common ground that does not belong to God, any attempt to say otherwise is only veiled unbelief.
Instead, Christians should always commit the Scriptures that call for unequivocal obedience in every aspect of life, body, mind, heart, and soul (Matt. 22:37; Rom. 12:1). Christians need to hold to their guns in this regard. Although we may be labeled absolutist or dogmatic, we need to hold tightly to the truth of the Gospel and its particulars because it is true and the power of God. Because of this, we should praise God who has revealed Himself to mankind through His Word!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Overcoming Temptations with the Word
There was nothing odd about this particular evening in the Davidson household. Dad had worked a hard day at his job while Mommy had been home with their three children all day, doing the various things that three kids, ages 10 months to 5 years, demand. It was dinner time and the couples' eldest, Jenna, was being naughty, throwing food across the table and hitting her little brother. Finally, Mommy had had enough and sent Jenna to her room for the rest of the night, minus dessert.
A few hours later, well-after the dishes were done and the other children had been put to bed, Mommy went to tuck little Jenna in and kiss her goodnight. Mommy walked into her five-year-old's room to see her daughter sobbing on her bed, looking sad and defeated. Jenna looked up at Mommy and, with swollen eyes, asked: "Why do we do bad things, Mommy?"
Mommy, in as comforting tone as she could, answered, "Honey, the devil sometimes tells us to do the wrong things. We need to listen to God to do the right things." To which a sobbing Jenna replied in tears, "But He just doesn't talk loud enough!"
Could we not all empathize with Jenna? Often we know that what we are doing is wrong but the voice of the tempter, Satan, can seem so much louder than the voice of truth. Temptations are something that is common to every human. In fact, even our Lord and Savior, Jesus, faced severe temptations (Heb. 2:18, 4:15), as chronicled in Matt. 4:1-11, and Luke 4:1-13.
Jesus, following His baptism, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. After forty days of fasting and prayer, He is hungry but spiritually ready. At this moment, Satan comes to Jesus and tempts Him thrice. In each of Satan's ploys, he supports his temptations with Scripture, giving them the appearance of truth. However, Jesus is not detoured, He overcomes everyone of Satan's temptations with Scripture that is applied expertly. Two things stand out in this account that are instantly applicable to us.
The first is the need for recognition of interpretive heresy. Satan supported his temptations with hermeneutical finesse that made each of his temptations seem not only acceptable but even condoned by the Word of God. Notice, then, that Satan's voice sounds like truth though it is actually spurious lies. Understanding and acknowledging the way that a counterfeit of Satan attempts to appear as a truth of the Lord is the first step to overcoming the temptations.
The second thing in this regard deals with Jesus' response to Satan's seductions. Jesus counters with Scripture. The difference between Jesus' usage and Satan's can be summarized as interpretive methodology. While Satan pulled verses out of context to support his position, Jesus took the passages in context and applied from that context. In this way, it can be easily concluded that Satan's application was wrong and Jesus' right, thus indicating that not every hermeneutic has the same worth. In fact, some interpretations may even be, dare we say, wrong.
Getting back to the sincere concern of Jenna, who fell to her temptations because, as she claimed, God doesn't speak loudly enough. Jesus shows that hearing God's voice and responding to temptations in reliance upon His voice is directly related to how dependent we are on the Word and how committed we are to proper interpretive methodologies. Needless to say, this requires disciplined and diligent study that is guided by a dedication to acceptable interpretations. We should then work hard to interpret the Word the way it is intended to be, so that we can overcome every temptations of the enemy!
A few hours later, well-after the dishes were done and the other children had been put to bed, Mommy went to tuck little Jenna in and kiss her goodnight. Mommy walked into her five-year-old's room to see her daughter sobbing on her bed, looking sad and defeated. Jenna looked up at Mommy and, with swollen eyes, asked: "Why do we do bad things, Mommy?"
Mommy, in as comforting tone as she could, answered, "Honey, the devil sometimes tells us to do the wrong things. We need to listen to God to do the right things." To which a sobbing Jenna replied in tears, "But He just doesn't talk loud enough!"
Could we not all empathize with Jenna? Often we know that what we are doing is wrong but the voice of the tempter, Satan, can seem so much louder than the voice of truth. Temptations are something that is common to every human. In fact, even our Lord and Savior, Jesus, faced severe temptations (Heb. 2:18, 4:15), as chronicled in Matt. 4:1-11, and Luke 4:1-13.
Jesus, following His baptism, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. After forty days of fasting and prayer, He is hungry but spiritually ready. At this moment, Satan comes to Jesus and tempts Him thrice. In each of Satan's ploys, he supports his temptations with Scripture, giving them the appearance of truth. However, Jesus is not detoured, He overcomes everyone of Satan's temptations with Scripture that is applied expertly. Two things stand out in this account that are instantly applicable to us.
The first is the need for recognition of interpretive heresy. Satan supported his temptations with hermeneutical finesse that made each of his temptations seem not only acceptable but even condoned by the Word of God. Notice, then, that Satan's voice sounds like truth though it is actually spurious lies. Understanding and acknowledging the way that a counterfeit of Satan attempts to appear as a truth of the Lord is the first step to overcoming the temptations.
The second thing in this regard deals with Jesus' response to Satan's seductions. Jesus counters with Scripture. The difference between Jesus' usage and Satan's can be summarized as interpretive methodology. While Satan pulled verses out of context to support his position, Jesus took the passages in context and applied from that context. In this way, it can be easily concluded that Satan's application was wrong and Jesus' right, thus indicating that not every hermeneutic has the same worth. In fact, some interpretations may even be, dare we say, wrong.
Getting back to the sincere concern of Jenna, who fell to her temptations because, as she claimed, God doesn't speak loudly enough. Jesus shows that hearing God's voice and responding to temptations in reliance upon His voice is directly related to how dependent we are on the Word and how committed we are to proper interpretive methodologies. Needless to say, this requires disciplined and diligent study that is guided by a dedication to acceptable interpretations. We should then work hard to interpret the Word the way it is intended to be, so that we can overcome every temptations of the enemy!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Contentment Over Coveting
When Jeffrey was a child, Billy, his neighbor and best-friend, got a brand-new bike for his birthday. Jeffrey was so jealous for Billy's bike that he spent the whole summer mowing lawns and pulling weeds to make enough money to by a new bike himself. It was late fall before he had enough to buy the bike. When he finally purchased it, he could only ride it once before he had to put it away for the winter.
When spring came and Jeffrey took out his new bike to ride, Billy whizzed down the street with a new go-kart. The mere sight of that glistening red machine sent Jeffrey's heart a flutter and he vowed to get one for himself. He spent the whole summer mowing lawns, picking weeds, walking dogs, and babysitting in order to buy a go-kart for himself. He worked so hard that he barely rode his bike at all.
But, by the time the first snow began to fall, Jeffrey had his go-kart, that he parked next to his bike all winter long. When spring came Jeffrey proudly pulled his go-kart out into the street. But when he got it started, he saw Billy pull into the driveway with a new car. And again, Jeffrey looked with envy upon what his friend possessed to the neglect of what he himself already had.
Consider this classic story: a reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men ever, "How much money is enough?" Rockefeller looked at the reporter with a coy look and quickly answered, "Just one more dollar."
The theme is coveting, the desiring of what another possesses to the disregard of contentment and cultivation of what one already has. Quite simply, covetousness is sin. To desire the goods and gifts of another while neglecting how God has personally blessed us leaves us perniciously perched for sin. The pertinent perspective to combat our proclivities towards covetousness is a matter of Christian contentment.
Jesus warns quites plainly, that we should "be on guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15)." Christian contentment is based on our relationship with the Holy Lord Almighty. If we feel malcontent, it is either because we do not know God personally, or we have not received the fullness of grace that He so freely gives to those who come to Him in faith.
To be sure, the world, which is in the power of the evil one, will always have new flashy objects and spectacles of fancy to garner our attention and energy. These are but hollow distractions to take us away from His presence while we scramble for the newest gadget or next remodel. This is not to say that to have new things is inherently evil, but to keep us on guard lest we fall prey to our own exaltations of accumulation.
Instead, let us remember the words of Paul, that with nothing we came into this world and with nothing will we leave, but let us be content with having enough food and clothing (1 Tim. 6:6-8). The point that Paul is teaching Timothy (and us) is that contentment should not be dependent on how much or how many, but only on our status as adopted sons and daughter of the Holy Lord through the work of Christ.
The issue at heart is satisfaction. For this we should take on the mind of Solomon, who writes in Ecclesiastes 6:9, "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite," loosely paraphrased, enjoying what you have in front of you is far better than fretting over what you do not. Let us then be satisfied in Him who provides!
When spring came and Jeffrey took out his new bike to ride, Billy whizzed down the street with a new go-kart. The mere sight of that glistening red machine sent Jeffrey's heart a flutter and he vowed to get one for himself. He spent the whole summer mowing lawns, picking weeds, walking dogs, and babysitting in order to buy a go-kart for himself. He worked so hard that he barely rode his bike at all.
But, by the time the first snow began to fall, Jeffrey had his go-kart, that he parked next to his bike all winter long. When spring came Jeffrey proudly pulled his go-kart out into the street. But when he got it started, he saw Billy pull into the driveway with a new car. And again, Jeffrey looked with envy upon what his friend possessed to the neglect of what he himself already had.
Consider this classic story: a reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men ever, "How much money is enough?" Rockefeller looked at the reporter with a coy look and quickly answered, "Just one more dollar."
The theme is coveting, the desiring of what another possesses to the disregard of contentment and cultivation of what one already has. Quite simply, covetousness is sin. To desire the goods and gifts of another while neglecting how God has personally blessed us leaves us perniciously perched for sin. The pertinent perspective to combat our proclivities towards covetousness is a matter of Christian contentment.
Jesus warns quites plainly, that we should "be on guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15)." Christian contentment is based on our relationship with the Holy Lord Almighty. If we feel malcontent, it is either because we do not know God personally, or we have not received the fullness of grace that He so freely gives to those who come to Him in faith.
To be sure, the world, which is in the power of the evil one, will always have new flashy objects and spectacles of fancy to garner our attention and energy. These are but hollow distractions to take us away from His presence while we scramble for the newest gadget or next remodel. This is not to say that to have new things is inherently evil, but to keep us on guard lest we fall prey to our own exaltations of accumulation.
Instead, let us remember the words of Paul, that with nothing we came into this world and with nothing will we leave, but let us be content with having enough food and clothing (1 Tim. 6:6-8). The point that Paul is teaching Timothy (and us) is that contentment should not be dependent on how much or how many, but only on our status as adopted sons and daughter of the Holy Lord through the work of Christ.
The issue at heart is satisfaction. For this we should take on the mind of Solomon, who writes in Ecclesiastes 6:9, "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite," loosely paraphrased, enjoying what you have in front of you is far better than fretting over what you do not. Let us then be satisfied in Him who provides!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sanctification Described
God loves. More directly, God loves us. He loves us so much that He condescended to the form of a man who lived a perfect, sinless life and took on the sin of mankind by dying a horrific, sacrificial atoning death upon a cross to be raised again on the third day. Now, by confession and belief in the work of Christ Jesus, we may enter into relationship with the Holy Lord Almighty through faith, known simply as conversion. While this is the entrance into the Christian life, there is much more.
While there are many post-conversion components to the Christian life, the most important is continual sanctification. Sanctification refers to the lifelong process of growth and repentance by which believers grow to be more in the image of Christ. At the onset, it must be asserted that sanctification is an endeavor that requires both the prompting of God and the intentionality worship of the believer.
As for the God part in sanctification, He provides believers with every good and necessary thing for us to grow in maturity to all godliness and faith (2 Pet. 1:3-4). This is called equipping. God equips us with every item needed to grow in righteousness. This means that believers have, already in their possession, all of the necessary elements required for sanctification. The challenge is that many believers either do not accept what they have or they simply do not know how to wield the tools of sanctification.
In the first sense, believers not accepting or believing that they already possess the tools for sanctification is a matter of faith. When we have faith that God has truly saved us and we have faith that He provides with everything needed to grow in maturity, we will overcome our doubt and grow in sanctification beyond our plateaued stagnation.
The second sense, not knowing how to wield the tools of sanctification, is a different deal altogether and is what sanctification is all about. The tools of sanctification can be summarized into four basic components: prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and service. Each of these things need to be done with intentionality by the Spirit in truth, love, and faith but they are all necessary for true and continued growth in sanctification. Many people become very good at doing one or two of these things and, because of that, they reach plateaus in growth. Therefore, in order for us to continue growing, once we become adept at wielding one element of sanctification we should strive in pursuit of the others.
To be sure, sanctification is process that is both difficult and lifelong. It is not without joy, the joy of growing in and to the Holy Lord is a beautiful proposition and a worthy pursuit. Therefore, we should all seek Him first and pursue, in faith, to become more like Him in Him. Luckily, God has already provided us with everything we need to pursue Him. Let us then run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us!
While there are many post-conversion components to the Christian life, the most important is continual sanctification. Sanctification refers to the lifelong process of growth and repentance by which believers grow to be more in the image of Christ. At the onset, it must be asserted that sanctification is an endeavor that requires both the prompting of God and the intentionality worship of the believer.
As for the God part in sanctification, He provides believers with every good and necessary thing for us to grow in maturity to all godliness and faith (2 Pet. 1:3-4). This is called equipping. God equips us with every item needed to grow in righteousness. This means that believers have, already in their possession, all of the necessary elements required for sanctification. The challenge is that many believers either do not accept what they have or they simply do not know how to wield the tools of sanctification.
In the first sense, believers not accepting or believing that they already possess the tools for sanctification is a matter of faith. When we have faith that God has truly saved us and we have faith that He provides with everything needed to grow in maturity, we will overcome our doubt and grow in sanctification beyond our plateaued stagnation.
The second sense, not knowing how to wield the tools of sanctification, is a different deal altogether and is what sanctification is all about. The tools of sanctification can be summarized into four basic components: prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and service. Each of these things need to be done with intentionality by the Spirit in truth, love, and faith but they are all necessary for true and continued growth in sanctification. Many people become very good at doing one or two of these things and, because of that, they reach plateaus in growth. Therefore, in order for us to continue growing, once we become adept at wielding one element of sanctification we should strive in pursuit of the others.
To be sure, sanctification is process that is both difficult and lifelong. It is not without joy, the joy of growing in and to the Holy Lord is a beautiful proposition and a worthy pursuit. Therefore, we should all seek Him first and pursue, in faith, to become more like Him in Him. Luckily, God has already provided us with everything we need to pursue Him. Let us then run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Making Decisions in Light of the Lord
Decision making is a necessary part of life. One can scarcely go a single day without having to make significant if not life-altering decisions. Because choices abound and overwhelm, having a system in place for making godly and wise decisions is of great importance. Luckily, we are not without guidance in this regard as the Bible offers clear teaching to help us.
At the onset, the pertinent word in reference to decision making is dependence. For our decision making to be godly, we must depend on God. Decision making dependence happens before the decisions are made when we are sorting through possibilities and choices. At this point, the pre-decision stage, we need to rely on the Lord to help us to discern the way that we should go.
The Lord, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, has this to say, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls (Jer. 6:16)." The Lord says more, speaking through the prophet Haggai, "Give careful thought to your ways (Hag. 1:5)." God wants us to be prudent and wise when facing decisions. Evenmore, He helps us out by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, who acts as our Counselor (John 14:16-17).
Because the Holy Spirit is to be our inner source of compulsion when facing choices, there is a devotional element to decision making. In essence, our dependence on God at the front end of decision making comes down to relying on the Holy Spirit to guide our way and the faith that He will protect and keep us before and after our decisions have been made.
In the end, it is God who establishes our paths and keeps the sure (Pro. 16:9), which should cause us to trust in Him and commit to Him to secure our way (Pro. 3:5-6; Psa. 37:5). The biblical account is unified and clear in this regard: before we make decisions we should depend on God for guidance and clarity to make wise and godly decisions while after we make decisions we should be faithful in depending upon the Lord to keep, straighten, and secure our paths. Let us then seek the Lord for direction and depend on Him in faith to establish and secure every step we take!
At the onset, the pertinent word in reference to decision making is dependence. For our decision making to be godly, we must depend on God. Decision making dependence happens before the decisions are made when we are sorting through possibilities and choices. At this point, the pre-decision stage, we need to rely on the Lord to help us to discern the way that we should go.
The Lord, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, has this to say, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls (Jer. 6:16)." The Lord says more, speaking through the prophet Haggai, "Give careful thought to your ways (Hag. 1:5)." God wants us to be prudent and wise when facing decisions. Evenmore, He helps us out by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, who acts as our Counselor (John 14:16-17).
Because the Holy Spirit is to be our inner source of compulsion when facing choices, there is a devotional element to decision making. In essence, our dependence on God at the front end of decision making comes down to relying on the Holy Spirit to guide our way and the faith that He will protect and keep us before and after our decisions have been made.
In the end, it is God who establishes our paths and keeps the sure (Pro. 16:9), which should cause us to trust in Him and commit to Him to secure our way (Pro. 3:5-6; Psa. 37:5). The biblical account is unified and clear in this regard: before we make decisions we should depend on God for guidance and clarity to make wise and godly decisions while after we make decisions we should be faithful in depending upon the Lord to keep, straighten, and secure our paths. Let us then seek the Lord for direction and depend on Him in faith to establish and secure every step we take!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Love of Christ
Christianity is founded on the perfect life, sinless death, and bodily resurrection of Christ. These are irreducible in that upon these basic assertions all of Christianity stands. It is therefore paramount that they be considered and protected both for their merit and for their truth. But acknowledging doctrines with an intellectual ascent akin to accepting the weatherman's forecast is wholly different from letting the weight and matter of the truths sink into the depths of our beings.
In essence, knowing about Jesus is insufficient to affect transformation and guarantee salvation. A mere knowledge about Him is completely different from a sincere knowledge of Him. This second step, to know Him in a transformationally intimate way, requires that we address the content of His teaching. Luckily, the New Testament is a literary environment solely focused on the factual and historical Christ Jesus, His life, death, resurrection, and continuing work in the Church by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Because God has provided us such a valuable resource as is the New Testament, it would be unwise for us to ignore it. A good introductory step in the pursuit of Jesus would be to engage His teaching, to be summarized in a single word: love.
Needless to say, Jesus' teaching encompasses vastly more than love; however, it is His presentation of the worth and merit of love, true love, that seems to run as a theme like a river throughout the New Testament. Although it could be said that all of the New Testament serves as evidence for Jesus' high esteem for the value of love, a few passages succinctly reveal Jesus' feelings about love (Matt. 5-7; 22:37-39; John 3:13-17, 14:21-23; James 2:8; 1 John 4:7-21--this is not exhaustive, just a cursory list to whet the whistle).
Love is important and it should be our very lifestyle. Think of it theologically: God is love, having performed the greatest act of love in all of history by taking on the sins of mankind and condemning His Son (John 3:16; Rom. 5:7-9; 1 John 4:7-8). And, because believers are sanctified by putting themselves to death as to be raised with Christ, Christians should be lighthouses and salt shakers that while they receive the love of God they reflect it to others. Therefore, as we love God we will love others. Loving others is the natural expression of loving God, for in loving God in our pursuit of Him, we will inevitably take to loving those whom He loves, i.e. everyone.
The picture becomes un-blurred as we begin to lift the veil and see Christ as He is and see His teaching properly. Essentially, we are to love God and, coming out of that first love, we will love others. The "others" refers to neighbors, friends, family members, enemies, anyone. It is important not to put the cart before the proverbial horse, as in, if we are not truly pursuing and loving the Lord than not only will we be unable to really love others but, more importantly, the love we do show others is nothing more than vanity. There is a definite hierarchy to love, first God then others. The latter arises out of the former for if severed from the former the latter is worthless. Let us then love God and in doing so with all our hearts, minds, spirits, and strengths, to love others as we would ourselves!
In essence, knowing about Jesus is insufficient to affect transformation and guarantee salvation. A mere knowledge about Him is completely different from a sincere knowledge of Him. This second step, to know Him in a transformationally intimate way, requires that we address the content of His teaching. Luckily, the New Testament is a literary environment solely focused on the factual and historical Christ Jesus, His life, death, resurrection, and continuing work in the Church by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Because God has provided us such a valuable resource as is the New Testament, it would be unwise for us to ignore it. A good introductory step in the pursuit of Jesus would be to engage His teaching, to be summarized in a single word: love.
Needless to say, Jesus' teaching encompasses vastly more than love; however, it is His presentation of the worth and merit of love, true love, that seems to run as a theme like a river throughout the New Testament. Although it could be said that all of the New Testament serves as evidence for Jesus' high esteem for the value of love, a few passages succinctly reveal Jesus' feelings about love (Matt. 5-7; 22:37-39; John 3:13-17, 14:21-23; James 2:8; 1 John 4:7-21--this is not exhaustive, just a cursory list to whet the whistle).
Love is important and it should be our very lifestyle. Think of it theologically: God is love, having performed the greatest act of love in all of history by taking on the sins of mankind and condemning His Son (John 3:16; Rom. 5:7-9; 1 John 4:7-8). And, because believers are sanctified by putting themselves to death as to be raised with Christ, Christians should be lighthouses and salt shakers that while they receive the love of God they reflect it to others. Therefore, as we love God we will love others. Loving others is the natural expression of loving God, for in loving God in our pursuit of Him, we will inevitably take to loving those whom He loves, i.e. everyone.
The picture becomes un-blurred as we begin to lift the veil and see Christ as He is and see His teaching properly. Essentially, we are to love God and, coming out of that first love, we will love others. The "others" refers to neighbors, friends, family members, enemies, anyone. It is important not to put the cart before the proverbial horse, as in, if we are not truly pursuing and loving the Lord than not only will we be unable to really love others but, more importantly, the love we do show others is nothing more than vanity. There is a definite hierarchy to love, first God then others. The latter arises out of the former for if severed from the former the latter is worthless. Let us then love God and in doing so with all our hearts, minds, spirits, and strengths, to love others as we would ourselves!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Giving up the Throne for Guidance
At many times throughout this life we will be forced to make decisions. Some decisions such as what to eat, or what clothes to wear can seem trivial. While others like who to marry, where to go to school, or what career to pursue can be monumentally important for their obvious and resounding longterm ramifications.
The method we employ to determine the decisions we will make can speak volumes of who we rely upon most when the rubber hits the road. Many people would say that they trust the Lord to guide them while they still sit firmly in the driver's seat steering the car. This is like talking out of both sides of the mouth. Instead, we should determine who will be the master of our lives and stick to it. If God is truly to sit upon the throne of our lives then the first step is to clear the seat by getting up and out of the way.
In truth, recognizing that the Lord desires to guide man's steps is a great starting point in seeking guidance from Him. Not only does God want to guide us but when we rely on Him to lead us, He will (Psa. 23:2-3, 37:23-24, 139:9-10; Pro. 3:5-6). The Lord will watch over us and will direct our every step, we just need to follow His leading (Isa. 42:16, 58:11).
Jesus spoke clearly, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)." This is the point: we need to pursue God and His will. When we seek after Him, we will align our will with His, we will be focused on spiritual matters over fleshly vapors, and we will take every step with discernment and faith.
God has given us every resource needed to depend on Him for guidance. We have the wealth of the Bible, imparted through reflection and study. We have mentors and fellowship, which helps to encourage growth and challenges blind spots. We also have the inestimable power of the Holy Spirit who, by His indwelling, both guides and empowers us to make the right and sound decisions. All we need to do is make it our posture to rely on God for our decision making ability.
Making decisions, sometimes life altering ones, is a part of life. To be sure, the most significant decision anyone ever makes is to confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Christ Jesus is the Lord of all creation. The step of faith is to be the gait for every decision we make. We are to walk by the Spirit, living by the Word, and loving as He has loved us. Let us take this seriously and cast our decision making upon Him!
The method we employ to determine the decisions we will make can speak volumes of who we rely upon most when the rubber hits the road. Many people would say that they trust the Lord to guide them while they still sit firmly in the driver's seat steering the car. This is like talking out of both sides of the mouth. Instead, we should determine who will be the master of our lives and stick to it. If God is truly to sit upon the throne of our lives then the first step is to clear the seat by getting up and out of the way.
In truth, recognizing that the Lord desires to guide man's steps is a great starting point in seeking guidance from Him. Not only does God want to guide us but when we rely on Him to lead us, He will (Psa. 23:2-3, 37:23-24, 139:9-10; Pro. 3:5-6). The Lord will watch over us and will direct our every step, we just need to follow His leading (Isa. 42:16, 58:11).
Jesus spoke clearly, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)." This is the point: we need to pursue God and His will. When we seek after Him, we will align our will with His, we will be focused on spiritual matters over fleshly vapors, and we will take every step with discernment and faith.
God has given us every resource needed to depend on Him for guidance. We have the wealth of the Bible, imparted through reflection and study. We have mentors and fellowship, which helps to encourage growth and challenges blind spots. We also have the inestimable power of the Holy Spirit who, by His indwelling, both guides and empowers us to make the right and sound decisions. All we need to do is make it our posture to rely on God for our decision making ability.
Making decisions, sometimes life altering ones, is a part of life. To be sure, the most significant decision anyone ever makes is to confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Christ Jesus is the Lord of all creation. The step of faith is to be the gait for every decision we make. We are to walk by the Spirit, living by the Word, and loving as He has loved us. Let us take this seriously and cast our decision making upon Him!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Put Your Self to Death
Putting your self to death is a significant and challenging doctrine of Christianity. Paul speaks of it most directly, particularly in his epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Colossians (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 2:19-20; Col. 3). The difficulty with this concept is due to the intensely metaphoric language as well as the personal accountability the doctrine places on believers.
At the onset, parameters of dying to self should be laid out to guide this discourse. The death of self can be reduced to the intentional separation from our fleshly self, in which we previously lived, for the expressed purpose of drawing closer to our renewed and reconciled spiritual self in Christ. This should be the framework that guides our understanding of dying to self.
There are two basic parts of ourselves that we are putting to death. The first part of self to be put to death is our previous self. When we become Christians, through confession and belief in Jesus, we put to death our previous self in repentance and faith in order to turn to God. This is so fundamental to the Christian life that if we have not taken this first step of putting our selves to death we should seriously examine the state of our salvation. This part of the self that we put to death includes every previous bit and iota that had previously filled and dominated our life.
The second part of our self that needs to be put to death is our future self. When we give ourselves to Christ, we are to place our plans, our dreams, and our desires into His hands. This can be a very challenging proposition, particularly in a society that so values goal orientation but it is so utterly necessary for us to grow to be the people that God desires us to be. We need to place everything in His sovereign, loving, and omnipotent hands, knowing that He is the God of all creation and the Lord of our lives.
Once we have accepted the reality and necessity of putting our old self to death, then we will be prepared to take the next steps of growth: putting on our new self. Paul speaks of this concept very directly in Colossians 3, indicating that we are taking off our old, fleshly self and putting it to death and putting on the new self. The new self is found and defined only in Christ. It is in Christ, by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ that the new self is all about. A correct term for the new self is "God-obsessed." After we die to self and are risen anew to the Spirit, we should strive to live God-obsessed in every manner, word, and deed. Let us then press forward to put our selves to death to be made new in Him!
At the onset, parameters of dying to self should be laid out to guide this discourse. The death of self can be reduced to the intentional separation from our fleshly self, in which we previously lived, for the expressed purpose of drawing closer to our renewed and reconciled spiritual self in Christ. This should be the framework that guides our understanding of dying to self.
There are two basic parts of ourselves that we are putting to death. The first part of self to be put to death is our previous self. When we become Christians, through confession and belief in Jesus, we put to death our previous self in repentance and faith in order to turn to God. This is so fundamental to the Christian life that if we have not taken this first step of putting our selves to death we should seriously examine the state of our salvation. This part of the self that we put to death includes every previous bit and iota that had previously filled and dominated our life.
The second part of our self that needs to be put to death is our future self. When we give ourselves to Christ, we are to place our plans, our dreams, and our desires into His hands. This can be a very challenging proposition, particularly in a society that so values goal orientation but it is so utterly necessary for us to grow to be the people that God desires us to be. We need to place everything in His sovereign, loving, and omnipotent hands, knowing that He is the God of all creation and the Lord of our lives.
Once we have accepted the reality and necessity of putting our old self to death, then we will be prepared to take the next steps of growth: putting on our new self. Paul speaks of this concept very directly in Colossians 3, indicating that we are taking off our old, fleshly self and putting it to death and putting on the new self. The new self is found and defined only in Christ. It is in Christ, by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ that the new self is all about. A correct term for the new self is "God-obsessed." After we die to self and are risen anew to the Spirit, we should strive to live God-obsessed in every manner, word, and deed. Let us then press forward to put our selves to death to be made new in Him!
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Sure Confidence
Confidence is usually defined as a firm trust and assurance, found either in an internal or an external source. Using this definition, confidence is then a fount of conviction and faith, whether in self or in another. For Christians, confidence finds a sure and definite root, which is Christ. Any other genesis of confidence apart from that which is found in the Lord is thus a lesser confidence that will prove itself wanting and scant in the end.
Rooting confidence in the Lord is a matter of supreme importance. Drawing our confidence from the well of the Lord offers more than mere surety. In reality, when we find the basis for our assurance and security in the Lord, we will be most expertly equipped to handle any of life's scenarios and situations. David writes, in one of the most well-known passages in all of Scripture, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psa. 23:4)."
This is the essence of confidence: no matter what the overwhelming circumstances of any situation may be, we will be sure and assured in that God is keeping us. Our ability to press into the Lord and to claim His character as our confidence is reliant on our ability to set aside our own confidence in favor of the Lord. Simply put, in order for us to secure our confidence in the Lord, we must relinquish the value of our own confidence. We must let go of self-confidence that has no lasting merit and will fail, in order to grasp confidence in the Lord, which is infinitely sure because it is based on an infinite God.
Scripture supports the value of placing our confidence in the Lord (Pro. 3:26; Psa. 3:6, 27:1-3, 56:4-11, 118:6; Heb. 13:6; 1 John 2:28, 5:14). The infinitude and omnipotence of the Lord is what makes Him secure and the sole perfect source of confidence. He is the solid rock on which we stand and the place that we place the whole of our trust. When we do this, we will be made perfectly secure, not because of anything within ourselves, but because of who He is, which is the infinite and holy Lord.
At the final analysis, confidence is one of the most powerful driving forces and sustaining strengths that God has blessed humanity with. Moreover, confidence is dependent on a source. Because God is who He is, being omnipotent and infinite, He is the surest and truest source of confidence for all who desire to be truly confident. If our confidence is not rooted in the Lord, who is imperishable and infinite, but is found in ourselves or others, being perishable and finite, then our confidence will inevitably fail due to the inadequate source of our confidence. Let us then press in to the Lord as the sole and sure source of our confidence that we might be made secure in any circumstance!
Rooting confidence in the Lord is a matter of supreme importance. Drawing our confidence from the well of the Lord offers more than mere surety. In reality, when we find the basis for our assurance and security in the Lord, we will be most expertly equipped to handle any of life's scenarios and situations. David writes, in one of the most well-known passages in all of Scripture, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psa. 23:4)."
This is the essence of confidence: no matter what the overwhelming circumstances of any situation may be, we will be sure and assured in that God is keeping us. Our ability to press into the Lord and to claim His character as our confidence is reliant on our ability to set aside our own confidence in favor of the Lord. Simply put, in order for us to secure our confidence in the Lord, we must relinquish the value of our own confidence. We must let go of self-confidence that has no lasting merit and will fail, in order to grasp confidence in the Lord, which is infinitely sure because it is based on an infinite God.
Scripture supports the value of placing our confidence in the Lord (Pro. 3:26; Psa. 3:6, 27:1-3, 56:4-11, 118:6; Heb. 13:6; 1 John 2:28, 5:14). The infinitude and omnipotence of the Lord is what makes Him secure and the sole perfect source of confidence. He is the solid rock on which we stand and the place that we place the whole of our trust. When we do this, we will be made perfectly secure, not because of anything within ourselves, but because of who He is, which is the infinite and holy Lord.
At the final analysis, confidence is one of the most powerful driving forces and sustaining strengths that God has blessed humanity with. Moreover, confidence is dependent on a source. Because God is who He is, being omnipotent and infinite, He is the surest and truest source of confidence for all who desire to be truly confident. If our confidence is not rooted in the Lord, who is imperishable and infinite, but is found in ourselves or others, being perishable and finite, then our confidence will inevitably fail due to the inadequate source of our confidence. Let us then press in to the Lord as the sole and sure source of our confidence that we might be made secure in any circumstance!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Prospect of Pleasure
God is a God of enjoyment. He created the world and took pleasure in it, defining it all as good (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). The Lord delights and enjoys and, as we were created in His image, we do too. The pertinent question is what does God then say about pleasure? Surprisingly, the Bible has much to say about indulgence, both positive and negative. The purpose of this discourse is to address the biblical understanding of pleasure.
Many Christians have a distorted understanding of pleasure that is neither scripturally founded nor healthy. If we do not understand our pleasure and what constitutes as healthy pleasure, then we open ourselves to spiritual attack and the potential for sinfulness. Instead, understanding pleasure is essential to living the full life that God has gifted us with and called us to.
There is such a variety of pleasures to choose from that one could be spend the whole of a lifetime simply studying pleasure. Pleasure in and of itself is not fulfilling apart from the the Fulfiller, which is the Lord. Unfortunately, the endless search to fill pleasures seems to be the modus operani for much of the world. As a result, the world is inundated with hurt and unfulfilled people, longing for the pleasure that lasts. Think of Solomon, the ultimate measure of wealth and worldly pleasure could not find contentment in the world (See Ecclesiastes 1-12--that's right, the whole book).
A modern concept that is biblically supported in this regard is the law of diminishing returns, or as Solomon writes: "If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it (Pro. 25:15)." The word that covers this is temperance, also referred to as self-restraint. This is one of the keys to pleasure, that our pleasures refresh us but if not kept in check, they may become a burden or stumbling block for ourselves or anyone else.
Think of David, in the midst of a battle, calling out for the simple refreshment (pleasure) of a drink from his well at Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men thus risk their lives to bring him such a pleasure only to see David to refuse the pleasure for its cost (2 Sam. 23:15-17). We should take this mind among us, that pleasure should be weighed for its merits as much for its true cost.
Pleasure is a distinct gift from God. We should enjoy this life. However, enjoyment and pleasure should never come in the way of our ultimate mission, which is to love the Lord and to preach His gospel to the world. If our pleasure(s) are hindering our effectiveness or pulls us from our primary mission, then we need to rethink our priorities and where we are placing our pleasure.
The Lord is the source of life and the giver of pleasure. We should then seek our pleasure in Him. He desires for us to delight in Him. This is an amazing proposition. Instead of looking to the fleeting whimsy of this world, let us look to the eternal Lord as the source of our enjoyment and pleasure.
Many Christians have a distorted understanding of pleasure that is neither scripturally founded nor healthy. If we do not understand our pleasure and what constitutes as healthy pleasure, then we open ourselves to spiritual attack and the potential for sinfulness. Instead, understanding pleasure is essential to living the full life that God has gifted us with and called us to.
There is such a variety of pleasures to choose from that one could be spend the whole of a lifetime simply studying pleasure. Pleasure in and of itself is not fulfilling apart from the the Fulfiller, which is the Lord. Unfortunately, the endless search to fill pleasures seems to be the modus operani for much of the world. As a result, the world is inundated with hurt and unfulfilled people, longing for the pleasure that lasts. Think of Solomon, the ultimate measure of wealth and worldly pleasure could not find contentment in the world (See Ecclesiastes 1-12--that's right, the whole book).
A modern concept that is biblically supported in this regard is the law of diminishing returns, or as Solomon writes: "If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it (Pro. 25:15)." The word that covers this is temperance, also referred to as self-restraint. This is one of the keys to pleasure, that our pleasures refresh us but if not kept in check, they may become a burden or stumbling block for ourselves or anyone else.
Think of David, in the midst of a battle, calling out for the simple refreshment (pleasure) of a drink from his well at Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men thus risk their lives to bring him such a pleasure only to see David to refuse the pleasure for its cost (2 Sam. 23:15-17). We should take this mind among us, that pleasure should be weighed for its merits as much for its true cost.
Pleasure is a distinct gift from God. We should enjoy this life. However, enjoyment and pleasure should never come in the way of our ultimate mission, which is to love the Lord and to preach His gospel to the world. If our pleasure(s) are hindering our effectiveness or pulls us from our primary mission, then we need to rethink our priorities and where we are placing our pleasure.
The Lord is the source of life and the giver of pleasure. We should then seek our pleasure in Him. He desires for us to delight in Him. This is an amazing proposition. Instead of looking to the fleeting whimsy of this world, let us look to the eternal Lord as the source of our enjoyment and pleasure.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Powerful Consistency
Chapter 15 of John's Gospel is focused on one motif: abiding. Jesus declares that He is the true vine, and that only if a branch (person) abides in Him will it be able to bear fruit (John 15:1, 4). Additionally, apart from abiding in Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But this abiding is defined in active terms. In order to abide, not only must we abide in His love (v. 9), we must keep the Father's commandments, chiefly loving each other as He has loved us (vv. 10-11).
To "abide" is the key term throughout this chapter and is a theme throughout John's Gospel. There is much theological weight and density in this concept. Abiding should be understood in two simultaneous senses. In the first sense, abiding means that we are aligned with the will of the Father. By this, abiding is a matter of acting and living in accordance with the Father, transmitted through the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Abiding, in the second sense, deals with consistency in continuing to abide in the first sense. In reality, the first, aligning with the will of God, is easier than the second because the achievement of the second sense only occurs over time. A person who makes a sincere confession of belief but then does not continue aligning their life to the will of God over time is not abiding. Thus they will not bear fruit and will be cut off and tossed into the eternal fire of hell.
When a believer abides, it is best defined as the continual act of consistent submission to the perfect will of the Lord. This is what abiding is all about. It is certainly not a one-time-only event, but to truly abide requires a lifelong commitment to aligning with the Lord and His Word. This is no easy task, but the Holy Spirit helps us in this process, for apart from His indwelling prompting us to abide we would be wholly destitute and unable to abide. Thanks be to God who desires and helps us to live in His love!
To "abide" is the key term throughout this chapter and is a theme throughout John's Gospel. There is much theological weight and density in this concept. Abiding should be understood in two simultaneous senses. In the first sense, abiding means that we are aligned with the will of the Father. By this, abiding is a matter of acting and living in accordance with the Father, transmitted through the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Abiding, in the second sense, deals with consistency in continuing to abide in the first sense. In reality, the first, aligning with the will of God, is easier than the second because the achievement of the second sense only occurs over time. A person who makes a sincere confession of belief but then does not continue aligning their life to the will of God over time is not abiding. Thus they will not bear fruit and will be cut off and tossed into the eternal fire of hell.
When a believer abides, it is best defined as the continual act of consistent submission to the perfect will of the Lord. This is what abiding is all about. It is certainly not a one-time-only event, but to truly abide requires a lifelong commitment to aligning with the Lord and His Word. This is no easy task, but the Holy Spirit helps us in this process, for apart from His indwelling prompting us to abide we would be wholly destitute and unable to abide. Thanks be to God who desires and helps us to live in His love!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Doing good with ...
-
Psalm 150:1-2–"Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise ...
