Titus 2:11-14: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce all ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself up for to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works."
This passage is, admittedly, more than a mere mouthful. But beyond its density is an acute truth worth contemplating. Paul is saying that God's grace actually trains us. It is the grace of God that sanctifies and purifies. This flies in the face of our human propensity towards meritorious Christianity, i.e. the harder one tries at devotion the more grace they will receive applied to his/her life.
The aforementioned passage warrants some meditative contemplation. It would serve us well to spend some time with it, chew it, and, when we feel we can see its depth, we should read the whole chapter again for the richness of context. This simple practice is the path for the Word of God taking root in our hearts so that it becomes the very core of our very lives. It would behoove us all to take heed.
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Thursday, January 3, 2013
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!
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Olympics of Life
Every couple of years, the Olympics take place and sets the whole world in a stir of competition as the world's greatest athletes compete for their respective countries and for the chance to be deemed the very best at their sport. To win the gold medal at the Olympics is the crowning achievement for these athletes who have spent, in some cases, their whole lives preparing for a chance, usually only a single in their lifetimes, to win.
Think of the years of preparation for an event that can sometimes take mere moments to complete. The 100m freestyle swimming event, for instance, is over within seconds, and a lifetime's worth of training comes to fruition. But, as the pool settles and the water returns to its rest, the times come in to determine whether one is a winner or not.
It is at this season when two particular verses of Scripture continually come to mind: 1 Cor. 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-2. Both of these passages deal with the theme of perseverance and endurance for the purposes of godliness and sanctification. There is a sense, for both Paul and the writer of Hebrews, that the Christian is to train for godliness so as to be prepared to run the long race that is the Christian life.
Paramount to this is to understand that while each one of us is running our own race, we each run it together; we are not running individually. This may seem paradoxical, because we are competing both in an individual event as well as a team event. However, our individual race is done with the power fo the Holy Spirit, who empowers us with the strength and stamina to fight the good fight and to stay true. Additionally, the team event is the Church, both the global Church and the local church. Both are important, as we, as individuals, need to rely on each other continuously for strength and for encouragement. Let us then heed the words of Hebrews and begin to take our training much more seriously, because our competitive event is life itself:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every sin and weight which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is marked out for us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2)."
Think of the years of preparation for an event that can sometimes take mere moments to complete. The 100m freestyle swimming event, for instance, is over within seconds, and a lifetime's worth of training comes to fruition. But, as the pool settles and the water returns to its rest, the times come in to determine whether one is a winner or not.
It is at this season when two particular verses of Scripture continually come to mind: 1 Cor. 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-2. Both of these passages deal with the theme of perseverance and endurance for the purposes of godliness and sanctification. There is a sense, for both Paul and the writer of Hebrews, that the Christian is to train for godliness so as to be prepared to run the long race that is the Christian life.
Paramount to this is to understand that while each one of us is running our own race, we each run it together; we are not running individually. This may seem paradoxical, because we are competing both in an individual event as well as a team event. However, our individual race is done with the power fo the Holy Spirit, who empowers us with the strength and stamina to fight the good fight and to stay true. Additionally, the team event is the Church, both the global Church and the local church. Both are important, as we, as individuals, need to rely on each other continuously for strength and for encouragement. Let us then heed the words of Hebrews and begin to take our training much more seriously, because our competitive event is life itself:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every sin and weight which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is marked out for us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2)."
Monday, July 9, 2012
Using Time to the Fullest
Much of Holy Writ is dedicated to the task of understanding wisdom. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the book of Job are all explicitly devoted to the quest for wisdom. The particulars of wisdom are examined by pitting wisdom against folly. The onset of the search for wisdom is the fear of God (Pro. 9:10). Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom, and should guide every decision in every situation we may face.
Some of the most constant and challenging decisions we face is that of time usage. Time is limited; there is only so much of it to do all of the things that need to be done. Everyday, several times a day, we face decisions in how we will choose to devote our time. As a result, a true test of wisdom is in how well we make use of the time we have been given because our time is so limited. We should, then, strive to prioritize with wisdom so as to not let the time go along in uselessness.
Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to live wisely by making the most use of the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16). Truly, this is the case. For time passes whether we are aware of it or not. And if we are not paying attention, it will be too late before we realize. Paul echoes his exhortation in his letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:5), indicating that this is an important teaching and should not be quickly neglected.
Ultimately, godly time management and prioritization is a practice that takes effort, diligence, and discipline. Often the trappings of the world have such a hook-like pull that distract us from the tasks we have been called to complete. Think of all the time we've so easily spent online, in front of the television, or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, this should not be so. Let us then press on in faith and obedience to make the best use of the blessed time that God has given us!
Some of the most constant and challenging decisions we face is that of time usage. Time is limited; there is only so much of it to do all of the things that need to be done. Everyday, several times a day, we face decisions in how we will choose to devote our time. As a result, a true test of wisdom is in how well we make use of the time we have been given because our time is so limited. We should, then, strive to prioritize with wisdom so as to not let the time go along in uselessness.
Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to live wisely by making the most use of the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16). Truly, this is the case. For time passes whether we are aware of it or not. And if we are not paying attention, it will be too late before we realize. Paul echoes his exhortation in his letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:5), indicating that this is an important teaching and should not be quickly neglected.
Ultimately, godly time management and prioritization is a practice that takes effort, diligence, and discipline. Often the trappings of the world have such a hook-like pull that distract us from the tasks we have been called to complete. Think of all the time we've so easily spent online, in front of the television, or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, this should not be so. Let us then press on in faith and obedience to make the best use of the blessed time that God has given us!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Understanding the Holy Spirit
Throughout the Church, there seems to be much teaching and doctrine about the Father, and certainly the Son, but the work of the Holy Spirit is oddly neglected. To be sure, it is challenging. For however many and eloquent words we might employ to depict and discuss the Holy Spirit, we are inevitably left using material and human words to describe an altogether un-human being. This leaves us inclined either to dig deeper into the Scriptures for clarification or simply to ignore teaching about the Holy Spirit entirely for fear of doing Him injustice. Needless to say, the latter is unacceptable. Instead, we should look at the opportunity to learn about God, His Holy Spirit, with joy and energy.
At the onset, the Holy Spirit is unique to Christianity. Only Christianity teaches that God Himself, in His Holy Spirit, will actually descend upon and indwell believers. This should excite us to know that God desires to indwell us with His very person so as to guide, to teach, and to grow us from the inside-out. Because we are discussing a Spirit, we should be sure to consider a couple of points of clarification: we are referring to the Spirit not a material substance; we are talking about One who indwells within believers not everyone; and there is an emphasis in the New Testament, particularly Acts, for a baptism of or being filled by the Holy Spirit. These three basic assertions form a trifecta of foundations supported and supplemented by the Word, specifically the New Testament.
While the Holy Spirit plays a major role in nearly all of the New Testament works, none more so than that of the Gospel of John and Acts. More than any other writing does John chronicle Jesus specific teaching about the Holy Spirit. For starters, people are to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33), which equates to be born of the Spirit (John 3:5). This can seem both odd and confusing, and has sparked much debate over what amounts to this baptism. Luckily, Jesus does not leave us without reference about this, as chronicled by Luke throughout Acts.
In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, "He said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'" Jesus, quite clearly, tells the disciples that, though they had already been baptized with water and were believers, they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Moreover, just before Jesus ascends, in His final words to His disciples, He says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8)." The event Jesus prophesied is Pentecost (Acts 2:4), accompanied by the physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit, namely speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Much destructive and unbiblical teaching has been done on this subject, to the effect that the Church seems polarized. In an effort to keep true to the Scripture and reserved, we can point out a couple of clear things about this. For one, believers are to be baptized in water and the Holy Spirit. These being two things, they do not necessarily mean two separate occasions; they could be simultaneous. Secondly, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the power of God. If we do not have the Holy Spirit, we could believe all the right orthodoxy but never bear fruit. In this far-too-normal scenario, we need to earnestly pray to receive the Holy Spirit who guides, counsels, teaches, helps us grow spiritual fruit and is the medium of worship (John 4:23; 14:15-18, 25-26; 16:4-15).
The other, and most controversial, aspect of the Holy Spirit that should not be neglected for fear of disrupting our denominational doctrines or sensibilities is in reference to the "sign" gifts: healing, miracles, prophecy, visions, and tongues. In an effort to let the Word determine theology as opposed to the dire case of the reverse, it must be said unambiguously that these gifts are still in effect today. We still live in the age of grace, and God still empowers believers who have been baptized by the Holy Spirit with these gifts and He still works in these ways today.
In the end, understanding who the Holy Spirit is, how He is received, and what He does within believers is essential teaching. Certainly, it is challenging teaching that can convict and push us in unforeseen ways but this should not allow us to neglect it. In closing, Paul indicates that the Holy Spirit "seals" our inheritance in the Father, and is a "guarantor" of our eternity (2 Cor.21-22; Eph. 1:13-14). The purpose of this article has not been an exhaustive or comprehensive teaching on the Holy Spirit, but just a taste of the more important things that Christians need to be aware of. Let us then pray to be baptized by the Holy Spirit so as to be empowered by God Himself!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Praise & Psalm 145
The Psalms are one of the ever-present soul-salves of Scripture. Truly, in any state can one come to them for nourishment and edification, as well as exhortation and challenge. It is the longest book of the Bible, at 150 chapters, and is a full-service anthology of prayers, songs, hymns, prophecies, laments, and liturgies, useful for nearly every possible occasion.
Among the many different types of psalms, the theme of praise rings clearly throughout. In fact, many of the psalms either begin with or end with an expression of praise or the like. And while it is difficult to point out single psalms to define a whole worship ideal of praise, chapter 145 offers a beautiful teaching on the nature of praise. Disclaimer: the purpose of this discussion is to encourage an interpretive focus when dealing with the Psalter as well as to foster a love for the wealth within. Psalm 145 will be interpreted verse-by-verse to accomplish this task and to point out the awesome profundity of the psalms.
For starters, believers praise the Lord for His name (145:2) and for His greatness (v. 3). This is the starting point of praise, the lens by which praise is filtered through. Once praise is asserted as an attitude of worshiping God for who He is, it is then to be taught and trained to each generation so that they will praise His glory, goodness, and righteousness (vv. 4-7).
The psalmist then praises the Lord for His grace, His mercy, His patience, and His love (vv. 8-9). The psalmist decrees that all creation shall give thanks to God, a mandate of praise so that each generation will know of the glory of God and His everlasting Kingdom (vv. 10-13). Again, the reason for such ardent and steadfast praise is because the Lord is faithful (v. 14), and He provides for all in need, even upon request (vv. 15-16, 19).
This psalm closes in continuity of the previous praises: God is righteous and kind (v. 17), He is near to all those who call on Him to provide and fulfill the desires of those who fear Him (vv. 18-19), and He preserves those who love Him but destroys the wicked for their wickedness (v. 20). For the epilogue, the psalmist writes plainly, "My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever (v. 21)."
To be sure, this has been a purposefully brief interpretation of this psalm. However, consider that in twenty-one verses, this psalm has covered so much of God's character: kindness, faithfulness, steadfast love, justice, awesomeness, majesty, mercy, providence, provision, goodness, greatness, righteousness, preserver, gracious, gloriousness, and His power. Additionally, this psalm speaks to the mandate for believers to proclaim God's glory and His name throughout creation, particularly to the next generations.
Twenty-one short verses and yet so much theological weight and wonderful worth. As believers who desire to know who God is, a practice of getting into the psalms is a great way to encourage that relationship with the Holy Lord. A daily habit of taking one psalm and taking it apart, as shown above, can be supremely beneficial for engaging with God's Word and, thus, with God. One psalm is a reasonable amount of land to mine for the precious theological gold to be found within. Praise be to God that He would reveal Himself to mankind through His immutable and lasting Word!
Among the many different types of psalms, the theme of praise rings clearly throughout. In fact, many of the psalms either begin with or end with an expression of praise or the like. And while it is difficult to point out single psalms to define a whole worship ideal of praise, chapter 145 offers a beautiful teaching on the nature of praise. Disclaimer: the purpose of this discussion is to encourage an interpretive focus when dealing with the Psalter as well as to foster a love for the wealth within. Psalm 145 will be interpreted verse-by-verse to accomplish this task and to point out the awesome profundity of the psalms.
For starters, believers praise the Lord for His name (145:2) and for His greatness (v. 3). This is the starting point of praise, the lens by which praise is filtered through. Once praise is asserted as an attitude of worshiping God for who He is, it is then to be taught and trained to each generation so that they will praise His glory, goodness, and righteousness (vv. 4-7).
The psalmist then praises the Lord for His grace, His mercy, His patience, and His love (vv. 8-9). The psalmist decrees that all creation shall give thanks to God, a mandate of praise so that each generation will know of the glory of God and His everlasting Kingdom (vv. 10-13). Again, the reason for such ardent and steadfast praise is because the Lord is faithful (v. 14), and He provides for all in need, even upon request (vv. 15-16, 19).
This psalm closes in continuity of the previous praises: God is righteous and kind (v. 17), He is near to all those who call on Him to provide and fulfill the desires of those who fear Him (vv. 18-19), and He preserves those who love Him but destroys the wicked for their wickedness (v. 20). For the epilogue, the psalmist writes plainly, "My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever (v. 21)."
To be sure, this has been a purposefully brief interpretation of this psalm. However, consider that in twenty-one verses, this psalm has covered so much of God's character: kindness, faithfulness, steadfast love, justice, awesomeness, majesty, mercy, providence, provision, goodness, greatness, righteousness, preserver, gracious, gloriousness, and His power. Additionally, this psalm speaks to the mandate for believers to proclaim God's glory and His name throughout creation, particularly to the next generations.
Twenty-one short verses and yet so much theological weight and wonderful worth. As believers who desire to know who God is, a practice of getting into the psalms is a great way to encourage that relationship with the Holy Lord. A daily habit of taking one psalm and taking it apart, as shown above, can be supremely beneficial for engaging with God's Word and, thus, with God. One psalm is a reasonable amount of land to mine for the precious theological gold to be found within. Praise be to God that He would reveal Himself to mankind through His immutable and lasting Word!
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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 ...
