"... [F]or they proceed from one evil to another, and they do not take Me into account..." (Jeremiah 9:3, HCSB).
"... If you do not stand firm in the faith, then you will not stand at all" (Isaiah 7:9, HCSB).
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (cf. Genesis 18:25).
"In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8, HCSB).
"What's wrong with the world? I am. Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." --Edmund Burke
God ordained the institution of government to keep evil at bay, but there comes a time when those in the know have to stand up for what they believe either in civil disobedience or engaging in public discourse to disseminate the truth, as Francis Schaeffer said that there comes a time when this is not only a right but a duty! We see this today manifest in peaceful demonstrations and protests. But we must beware lest we assume that the government is always the problem or the solution, and the other extreme: "My country, right or wrong!"
If we don't stand for the faith we have, it's worth noting, and we don't really stand at all. If you won't stand for your faith, is it of value? And if faith weren't a challenge or difficulty, it would be worth little. We are representatives of God's righteousness as well as ambassadors of the kingdom of Christ. Ultimately, it matters whether we have a faith we can live with, or one we will fight or even die for! That's because infidels and the ignorant are seldom convinced by debate or argument and the faith we have is the faith we show!
Our do-goodery may win them over yet and perchance they may see Christ at work in us. But we must first become introspective like G. K. Chesterton was: "What 's wrong with the world? I am, sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton." He realized that true faith expresses itself and there's a difference between bogus faith or the mere profession of faith and the reality of faith. We must first know what our faith is and what we do believe and this is the weak link in the chain of uninformed believers: "Tell me your certainties, I have enough doubts of my own," said German famed playwright and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe over two centuries ago!
We need to end the doubting and commence to doubt our doubts and believe our faith, translating it into deeds, practicing what we preach, and preaching only what we practice. Then we become a fidei defensor or a defender of the faith! Note that there does come an opportunity and time in each person's life to prove what side he's on and to take a stand for right versus wrong and to fight the evil in the world: God did something about evil; He created you and me! This is the opportunity to throw down the gauntlet much like Martin Luther did on the door of the church at Wittenberg (All Saints Church) in 1517 with his Ninety-Five Theses to end the Dark Ages.
He knew what he was doing and this took grit and fortitude but crossed the Rubicon despite this: Challenging the entire establishment much the way that Jesus was an antiestablishment figure and upset the religious apple cart. He had the necessary dynamic for living and courage: He knew what he believed and much more importantly, like Paul in 2 Timothy 2:12, he knew in Whom he believed. Jeremiah was in a similar situation and was considered unpatriotic because he prophesied against Jerusalem and he said in Jeremiah 9:3 that "they refuse to stand up for the truth." Jerusalem had become unfaithful and was supposed to be a city on a hill, as it were. There's a limit to patriotism though: We don't put country above God!
Irish playwright and Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw noted pertinently that "no nation has survived the loss of its gods." And John Adams quipped that our Constitution "was made only for a religious and moral people." Yes, I want to mention in passing that we have many issues and causes in our society and have found many questions, but it's now time to search for the answers and that means we need visionaries who can rightly interpret the times and have a Christian worldview so that they are not deceived by the prevalent Secular Humanism and the newfangled Postmodernism that is creeping into our schools and institutions that are simply "anti-Christian," a sort of militant atheism that wages war on Christendom. That's why it's called a "Truth War."
All the other worldviews agree on this one point: They're all opposed to "dangerous" Christianity. But the only truths that are irrelevant are the Christian ones! And we must not let Christ be eradicated from the public square and open marketplace of ideas, even the social media but must fear not to exercise our First Amendment rights. There is no social gospel to preach but we do have a social commission to complete to be salt and light for social justice, as Cicero called Rome a city of light.
In sum, we are not to parade our righteousness, wear it on our sleeves, nor even to flaunt it, but we never should privatize it, being ready to stand up for Jesus and fly and declare our Christian colors, which means we are declaring war on the enemy, knowing that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one or wickedness and its "isms." (cf. 1 John 5:19). (Relevant is the saying that everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it!)
CAVEATS: WE ARE NOT CALLED TO USHER IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM, NOR TO LEGISLATE "CHRISTIAN SHARIA LAW," NOR LEGISLATE OUR FAITH. Remember: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing (Edmund Burke). Soli Deo Gloria!
To bridge the gap between so-called theologians and regular "students" of the Word and make polemics palatable. Contact me @ bloggerbro@outlook.com To search title keywords: title:example or label as label:example; or enter a keyword in search engine ATTN: SITE USING COOKIES!
About Me
- Karl Broberg
- I am a born-again Christian, who is Reformed, but also charismatic, spiritually speaking. (I do not speak in tongues, but I believe glossalalia is a bona fide gift not given to all, and not as great as prophecy, for example.) I have several years of college education but only completed a two-year degree. I was raised Lutheran and confirmed, but I didn't "find Christ" until I was in the Army and responded to a Billy Graham crusade in 1973. I was mentored or discipled by the Navigators in the army and upon discharge joined several evangelical, Bible-teaching churches. I was baptized as an infant, but believe in believer baptism, of which I was a partaker after my conversion experience. I believe in the "5 Onlys" of the reformation: sola fide (faith alone); sola Scriptura (Scripture alone); soli Christo (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (to God alone be the glory). I affirm TULIP as defended in the Reformation.. I affirm most of The Westminster Confession of Faith, especially pertaining to Providence.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Full Assurance Of Salvation
"Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10, HCSB).
It is not presumption nor conjecture to believe one is saved eternally in real-time, it's faith and a boon to one's well-being, even justification and a motive and reason to do good. We should be able to quote 2 Tim. 1:12 that saying, I know whom I have believed and am confident that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him day. Assurance is paramount and enhances our sanctification and is the helmet of salvation to fight Satan and his minions. If we lack assurance, our walk is paralyzed and we are in limbo, so to speak, meaning we are not resting in faith. Assurance is not of the essence of faith, and not an automatic fruit, but it is commanded and our duty to know (cf. 2 Pet. 1:10), not just be idly curious about! Assurance isn't the job description of the pastor-teacher but individual responsibility to examine their heart. All one can do is "reassure."
Actually, some believers are congenital doubters or have little faith, but false assurance is the bigger problem (believing one is secure without biblical warrant or sanction). Also, note that it's not some one's job description to certify your salvation--they can only give reassurance: One must examine his own heart and the fruits of his faith, and see if they align with the Word of God and the witness of the inward Spirit (per Romans 8:16; 2 Cor. 13:5).
We need not speculate about our destiny with God, for we can take God at His Word and at face value, standing on the promises of God; however, this implies we are not ignorant of the Word and have faith to begin with. In the final analysis, realize that we don't rest on conjecture, but certainty!
God is the great Promise Keeper and His Word "cannot be broken"; He has given us His Spirit as the earnest money or down payment on our salvation dividend. Our destiny is in God's hands! Believing this, we ought to rest in faith and stop trying to save ourselves by piety or religiosity. We see salvation as a done deal (a fait accompli) with nothing we can add improvements to it, and we cannot earn, deserve, nor pay it back--it's the gift of God received through faith by grace, giving all the credit and glory to God (Soli Deo Gloria! "Salvation is of the LORD," per Jonah 2:9). Salvation is not of us, nor of us and the LORD, but solely of the LORD.
In sum, taking a verse that you can cling to as a promise is the way to have assurance, and some call this a spiritual birth certificate, for example, a favorite of mine: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life [now], and shall not come into condemnation, but has [past tense or done deal] passed from death unto life" (John 5:24, KJV). Soli Deo Gloria!
It is not presumption nor conjecture to believe one is saved eternally in real-time, it's faith and a boon to one's well-being, even justification and a motive and reason to do good. We should be able to quote 2 Tim. 1:12 that saying, I know whom I have believed and am confident that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him day. Assurance is paramount and enhances our sanctification and is the helmet of salvation to fight Satan and his minions. If we lack assurance, our walk is paralyzed and we are in limbo, so to speak, meaning we are not resting in faith. Assurance is not of the essence of faith, and not an automatic fruit, but it is commanded and our duty to know (cf. 2 Pet. 1:10), not just be idly curious about! Assurance isn't the job description of the pastor-teacher but individual responsibility to examine their heart. All one can do is "reassure."
Actually, some believers are congenital doubters or have little faith, but false assurance is the bigger problem (believing one is secure without biblical warrant or sanction). Also, note that it's not some one's job description to certify your salvation--they can only give reassurance: One must examine his own heart and the fruits of his faith, and see if they align with the Word of God and the witness of the inward Spirit (per Romans 8:16; 2 Cor. 13:5).
We need not speculate about our destiny with God, for we can take God at His Word and at face value, standing on the promises of God; however, this implies we are not ignorant of the Word and have faith to begin with. In the final analysis, realize that we don't rest on conjecture, but certainty!
God is the great Promise Keeper and His Word "cannot be broken"; He has given us His Spirit as the earnest money or down payment on our salvation dividend. Our destiny is in God's hands! Believing this, we ought to rest in faith and stop trying to save ourselves by piety or religiosity. We see salvation as a done deal (a fait accompli) with nothing we can add improvements to it, and we cannot earn, deserve, nor pay it back--it's the gift of God received through faith by grace, giving all the credit and glory to God (Soli Deo Gloria! "Salvation is of the LORD," per Jonah 2:9). Salvation is not of us, nor of us and the LORD, but solely of the LORD.
In sum, taking a verse that you can cling to as a promise is the way to have assurance, and some call this a spiritual birth certificate, for example, a favorite of mine: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life [now], and shall not come into condemnation, but has [past tense or done deal] passed from death unto life" (John 5:24, KJV). Soli Deo Gloria!
A Personal Invite: RSVP!
"For the grace of God has appeared with the salvation of all people" (Titus 2:11, HCSB).
We must all realize that God's call to salvation goes out to us personally and that He cares about our welfare, lot, and future as well as about final destiny with Him. His plan is personalized, tailored, or individualized with us in particular in mind as if only we we alive. He knows the plans He has for us; to prosper us and not to harm us! (Cf. Jer. 29:11). God's best is for us, spiritually speaking. But we must apply God's message to us personally (claiming it) and realize that He is talking to and has us in mind. The only counsel that seems pertinent is to RSVP, because this is such wonderful news we cannot afford to lose the opportunities that are possible.
The offer has not only to do with our forgiveness from our past sins (justification), but deliverance from the power of sin and from what we are (sanctification)! God never paints a pretty picture of our condition in solidarity with Adam, but tells it like it is--we are slaves to sin and not free before salvation and only Christ can set us free. G. K. Chesterton said that the only doctrine that can be proved is total depravity! In fact, the extension of our salvation is fourfold: pardon from our sins, power over sin; purpose for living and to carry on; and peace with God, man, and ourselves (the four P's).
This means that we are not just sanitizing our life (cleaning up our act) and giving up sins, but turning our back and renouncing sin in general and it's power and influence in our lives, which entails not loving the world (cf. 1 John 2:15) nor the things of the world (the devil's delicacies which spoil our taste for the real thing); what we are doing, in reality, is salvaging our soul itself, not only staying alive but being alive in the real sense--entree into a new life from above in Christ.
For Christ "didn't come to make bad men good, but dead men alive!" We are never more alive when we live in Christ and know His power that resides in us (the power of the resurrection per Phil. 3:10)). When we know Jesus, we see Him in a spiritual sense at work around us, even using us for His glory. To know Jesus, then is to be fully alive with this abundant life (cf. John 10:10) He promised, that involves our soul's participation. We were dead in our trespasses and sins (cf. Eph. 2:1) especially to the spiritual before knowing Christ, but now we are alive spiritually and can comprehend and know spiritual things (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). The only healthy response is to obey ("For to obey is better than sacrifice..." per 1 Samuel 15:22)! By faith we obey but obedience is the only test of that faith, not ecstasy or experience. "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes" according to Bonhoeffer.
NB: Our salvation is nearer than we realize, (cf. Rom. 13:11). Jesus is as close as the mention of His name and we can do nothing to earn our salvation or even to keep it (cf. Jude 1)--it's all been done for us on the cross and we must just receive it as a free gift on God's terms (cf. Eph. 2:9). Soli Deo Gloria!
We must all realize that God's call to salvation goes out to us personally and that He cares about our welfare, lot, and future as well as about final destiny with Him. His plan is personalized, tailored, or individualized with us in particular in mind as if only we we alive. He knows the plans He has for us; to prosper us and not to harm us! (Cf. Jer. 29:11). God's best is for us, spiritually speaking. But we must apply God's message to us personally (claiming it) and realize that He is talking to and has us in mind. The only counsel that seems pertinent is to RSVP, because this is such wonderful news we cannot afford to lose the opportunities that are possible.
The offer has not only to do with our forgiveness from our past sins (justification), but deliverance from the power of sin and from what we are (sanctification)! God never paints a pretty picture of our condition in solidarity with Adam, but tells it like it is--we are slaves to sin and not free before salvation and only Christ can set us free. G. K. Chesterton said that the only doctrine that can be proved is total depravity! In fact, the extension of our salvation is fourfold: pardon from our sins, power over sin; purpose for living and to carry on; and peace with God, man, and ourselves (the four P's).
This means that we are not just sanitizing our life (cleaning up our act) and giving up sins, but turning our back and renouncing sin in general and it's power and influence in our lives, which entails not loving the world (cf. 1 John 2:15) nor the things of the world (the devil's delicacies which spoil our taste for the real thing); what we are doing, in reality, is salvaging our soul itself, not only staying alive but being alive in the real sense--entree into a new life from above in Christ.
For Christ "didn't come to make bad men good, but dead men alive!" We are never more alive when we live in Christ and know His power that resides in us (the power of the resurrection per Phil. 3:10)). When we know Jesus, we see Him in a spiritual sense at work around us, even using us for His glory. To know Jesus, then is to be fully alive with this abundant life (cf. John 10:10) He promised, that involves our soul's participation. We were dead in our trespasses and sins (cf. Eph. 2:1) especially to the spiritual before knowing Christ, but now we are alive spiritually and can comprehend and know spiritual things (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). The only healthy response is to obey ("For to obey is better than sacrifice..." per 1 Samuel 15:22)! By faith we obey but obedience is the only test of that faith, not ecstasy or experience. "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes" according to Bonhoeffer.
NB: Our salvation is nearer than we realize, (cf. Rom. 13:11). Jesus is as close as the mention of His name and we can do nothing to earn our salvation or even to keep it (cf. Jude 1)--it's all been done for us on the cross and we must just receive it as a free gift on God's terms (cf. Eph. 2:9). Soli Deo Gloria!
Monday, November 25, 2019
Needless Consternation Over Election
Calvinist or Reformed thinkers, theologians, and believers are accused of stealing man's free will and making us puppets, automatons, robots, even pets of God. Election is a kind of determinism, but it's not determination or coercion. We are free agents, but free will is not a biblical doctrine but a Romanist one; it's nowhere mentioned in Scripture. What I mean by free will is not the power to make choices, but the independent power to receive faith and salvation apart from God's grace and influence. Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" [evidently not even believe].
He also said that believing in Him is the work of God (cf. John 6:29). Why election, that He chose us from the beginning, is so important is that it's the overture to our salvation--the first step in our salvation. What Calvinists believe is that our salvation is not our wills ultimately to decide, but God working on our wills.
When we say that God knows who will be saved and elects those He foreknows, it's not referring to the prescient view that God elects us because we will have faith--leading to the narrative of merit in our salvation, but that God elects us unto faith--He decides in whom He will work the miracle of regeneration in. Some people say that this is unfair that everyone should have an equal chance, but if we were all left alone to ourselves by God, none of us would come to Him in faith and repent. If God is to save anyone it must be by election according to His purpose and will. Indeed He regards the salvation of the elect more important than not interfering with their wills, and His glory more important than the salvation of everyone.
The result of God's holiness and justice, which require punishment for sin and evil, eternal damnation in hell must exist. If God knows our destiny, it must be determined; and if determined, we must ask by whom? God doesn't play dice with the universe of souls and also isn't pleased in the death of the wicked nor rejoice in their punishment, it is justice meted out in mercy but due justice not more than required without any cruelty
This is the crux of the matter: human choice doesn't mean without any influence from God to be free. No one can say they came to God entirely on their own initiative without any grace leading them to God known to some as the wooing of the Holy Spirit--those who claimed they did, probably left Jesus without His grace too. NB: God determines our nature and nurture, circumstances, and events, or character and innate righteousness, our contribution to God is nothing--that's why we must be saved by grace--that means very little of our decisions ultimately depends upon our wills and choices. But God does promise to give us a choice and even the non-elect have made choices against God, not for Him.
But God has determined to save His sheep or the elect, just like he chose the elect angels, He chooses us, we don't choose Him. "The elect obtained unto it..." (Cf. Rom. 11:7). We are elect according to His purpose and grace, since God will have mercy on whom He will and no one can resist God's will, being more powerful than ours (cf. Rom. 9:19). God is totally able to influence our wills to do something of His will voluntarily--He can make the unwilling willing! But at no time are we forced to do something we don't want to against our wills. We cooperate all the way with God's sovereign will willingly and voluntarily and not by compulsion or impulsion. Remember: "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (cf. Acts 13:48).
The questions posed are: Why are some saved and others not? Does God woo all equally? If so, why do some respond and others don't? Does man need free will? If it's determined, do we have a choice?
If God woos all equally, and some do respond; therefore, it must be by human merit or inherent goodness and wouldn't be unconditional, and if God doesn't woo all equally, as He doesn't, then that means the ultimate destiny of man is in God's hands, meaning God decides who gets wooed and by how much. It's a fact though that some are saved and others not because God cannot save all and salvage His justice and maintain holiness and the purity of heaven--He must judge sin and has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But God is unjust to no one, salvation is not justice, but a form of non-justice known as grace and mercy. If God had to save anyone at all, it would be justice!
We are not born free but in bondage and slavery to sin. We don't need free wills to be saved but wills made free! Our wills are stubborn and need saving too, they are not righteous and able to make free choices: Augustine of Hippo said, we are "free but not freed," meaning that we've lost our liberty like a man in prison who is still human with a will. If God left it up to us, no one would be saved because we're all stubborn. God gives us a choice to make and no one has an excuse or can charge God with wrong for how His Maker made him or Potter molded him; however, we're all culpable for the choices (cf. Josh. 24:15) we make throughout our adult life after the age of accountability (cf. Deut. 1:39; Isa. 7:15).
In sum, we must all give God the glory in our salvation, which is "of the LORD," not mankind, and the only plan giving Him all the glory (Soli Deo Gloria!) is for it to be unconditional election by grace through faith. No one will have any basis of boasting in God's presence. Soli Deo Gloria!
He also said that believing in Him is the work of God (cf. John 6:29). Why election, that He chose us from the beginning, is so important is that it's the overture to our salvation--the first step in our salvation. What Calvinists believe is that our salvation is not our wills ultimately to decide, but God working on our wills.
When we say that God knows who will be saved and elects those He foreknows, it's not referring to the prescient view that God elects us because we will have faith--leading to the narrative of merit in our salvation, but that God elects us unto faith--He decides in whom He will work the miracle of regeneration in. Some people say that this is unfair that everyone should have an equal chance, but if we were all left alone to ourselves by God, none of us would come to Him in faith and repent. If God is to save anyone it must be by election according to His purpose and will. Indeed He regards the salvation of the elect more important than not interfering with their wills, and His glory more important than the salvation of everyone.
The result of God's holiness and justice, which require punishment for sin and evil, eternal damnation in hell must exist. If God knows our destiny, it must be determined; and if determined, we must ask by whom? God doesn't play dice with the universe of souls and also isn't pleased in the death of the wicked nor rejoice in their punishment, it is justice meted out in mercy but due justice not more than required without any cruelty
This is the crux of the matter: human choice doesn't mean without any influence from God to be free. No one can say they came to God entirely on their own initiative without any grace leading them to God known to some as the wooing of the Holy Spirit--those who claimed they did, probably left Jesus without His grace too. NB: God determines our nature and nurture, circumstances, and events, or character and innate righteousness, our contribution to God is nothing--that's why we must be saved by grace--that means very little of our decisions ultimately depends upon our wills and choices. But God does promise to give us a choice and even the non-elect have made choices against God, not for Him.
But God has determined to save His sheep or the elect, just like he chose the elect angels, He chooses us, we don't choose Him. "The elect obtained unto it..." (Cf. Rom. 11:7). We are elect according to His purpose and grace, since God will have mercy on whom He will and no one can resist God's will, being more powerful than ours (cf. Rom. 9:19). God is totally able to influence our wills to do something of His will voluntarily--He can make the unwilling willing! But at no time are we forced to do something we don't want to against our wills. We cooperate all the way with God's sovereign will willingly and voluntarily and not by compulsion or impulsion. Remember: "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (cf. Acts 13:48).
The questions posed are: Why are some saved and others not? Does God woo all equally? If so, why do some respond and others don't? Does man need free will? If it's determined, do we have a choice?
If God woos all equally, and some do respond; therefore, it must be by human merit or inherent goodness and wouldn't be unconditional, and if God doesn't woo all equally, as He doesn't, then that means the ultimate destiny of man is in God's hands, meaning God decides who gets wooed and by how much. It's a fact though that some are saved and others not because God cannot save all and salvage His justice and maintain holiness and the purity of heaven--He must judge sin and has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But God is unjust to no one, salvation is not justice, but a form of non-justice known as grace and mercy. If God had to save anyone at all, it would be justice!
We are not born free but in bondage and slavery to sin. We don't need free wills to be saved but wills made free! Our wills are stubborn and need saving too, they are not righteous and able to make free choices: Augustine of Hippo said, we are "free but not freed," meaning that we've lost our liberty like a man in prison who is still human with a will. If God left it up to us, no one would be saved because we're all stubborn. God gives us a choice to make and no one has an excuse or can charge God with wrong for how His Maker made him or Potter molded him; however, we're all culpable for the choices (cf. Josh. 24:15) we make throughout our adult life after the age of accountability (cf. Deut. 1:39; Isa. 7:15).
In sum, we must all give God the glory in our salvation, which is "of the LORD," not mankind, and the only plan giving Him all the glory (Soli Deo Gloria!) is for it to be unconditional election by grace through faith. No one will have any basis of boasting in God's presence. Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Our Incurable Addiction
"[F]or in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his own sin" (Psalm 36:2, HCSB).
Man insists upon presenting Himself to God in the most favorable light in regards to his deeds, thinking that the good ones outweigh the bad ones and that he has some merit before a "just" God who will have mercy on him. He should realize that Job One is repentance and that he must realize he's a lost sinner in need of God and cannot save himself. The chief problem with man is that he doesn't see his own sin or unworthiness--he believes in the basic or inherent goodness of man and of himself; however, our do-goodery amounts to zilch in God's estimation and He doesn't grade on a curve--He leveled the playing field and we're all in the same boat (totally depraved with nothing good to claim).
If God were just to all of us, we'd all be judged worthy of damnation! We can be thankful God tempers His justice with mercy (cf. Habukkuk 3:2) We would hope God is not just, and not only merciful (keeping us from getting our just due) but also gracious (giving us what we don't deserve, cannot pay back, and cannot even earn).
The difference between what the common man in view of his religiosity thinks and Christianity is that he is incurably addicted to doing something for his salvation and doesn't seem to have the mindset to realize that it's a gift to be received. It's not about "Do!" but "Done!" In Christ, it's a done deal and there's nothing we can do to improve upon God's plan! To add to God's work is an insult to our Maker like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa! God doesn't need our efforts to impress Him, for we cannot. Put it this way: If we had to do something for salvation, we'd fail!
Salvation must be seen as something we cannot earn by anything we do, and we have no merit before God--that's the definition of grace (unmerited favor!). This is the only way to make salvation available to all (the outward, general call is to all per Titus 2:11) because it's the only way that everyone has equal chance and no one is excluded, since anyone can believe! If God had said we had to run the mile in under four minutes, you'd see every earnest believer taking up jogging and joining track teams!
But faith is not what we see, it's evidence of that something being real to us; however, we want to do something because we cannot conceive of this abstract thought of faith. The Jews asked Jesus what they must do to do the works of God and He told them: "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (cf. John 6:29, NIV). You can read at least two doctrines into this verse: Our faith is solely God's work in our heart and a gift that only God can accomplish; and the only thing that pleases God is faith and our works in the flesh amount to nothing.. But James (cf. James 2:24) said that we are not saved by faith alone but by works! What he was getting at was that faith must be proved by works and Paul would say that works must spring from faith.
We dare not divorce faith and works for a faith without works as evidence is dead faith and cannot save. ("faith without works is dead" according to James 2:26). The Reformers reconciled all this by their famous formula of salvation: We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone! It just makes sense that anyone can just say they have faith or even believe they have faith, but if there's no fruit, there's no reality of faith. Our works become a "therefore," not an "in order to."
There's a difference between a profession of faith and a reality of faith. Just as Christ said that we shall know them by their fruits, and know fruit means no faith, the whole point of salvation is a changed and transformed life from the inside out due to a living relationship with God through Jesus. We must realize that true faith expresses itself, it's the evidence that gives us credibility and witness to the lost.
We are not saved by our good deeds or behavior, but unto them, likewise, we are not saved by good deeds, but not without them either (CAVEAT: Beware the doctrine of the antinomians who adhere to a faith that is alone and doesn't need produce works; i.e., once saved you can live lawless or without restraint).
In sum, we must turn that creed into deeds, letting it show, giving it away to keep it, just as Titus 2:14, NIV, says so plainly: "... purify for himself a people, that is his very own, eager to do what is good." Soli Deo Gloria!
Man insists upon presenting Himself to God in the most favorable light in regards to his deeds, thinking that the good ones outweigh the bad ones and that he has some merit before a "just" God who will have mercy on him. He should realize that Job One is repentance and that he must realize he's a lost sinner in need of God and cannot save himself. The chief problem with man is that he doesn't see his own sin or unworthiness--he believes in the basic or inherent goodness of man and of himself; however, our do-goodery amounts to zilch in God's estimation and He doesn't grade on a curve--He leveled the playing field and we're all in the same boat (totally depraved with nothing good to claim).
If God were just to all of us, we'd all be judged worthy of damnation! We can be thankful God tempers His justice with mercy (cf. Habukkuk 3:2) We would hope God is not just, and not only merciful (keeping us from getting our just due) but also gracious (giving us what we don't deserve, cannot pay back, and cannot even earn).
The difference between what the common man in view of his religiosity thinks and Christianity is that he is incurably addicted to doing something for his salvation and doesn't seem to have the mindset to realize that it's a gift to be received. It's not about "Do!" but "Done!" In Christ, it's a done deal and there's nothing we can do to improve upon God's plan! To add to God's work is an insult to our Maker like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa! God doesn't need our efforts to impress Him, for we cannot. Put it this way: If we had to do something for salvation, we'd fail!
Salvation must be seen as something we cannot earn by anything we do, and we have no merit before God--that's the definition of grace (unmerited favor!). This is the only way to make salvation available to all (the outward, general call is to all per Titus 2:11) because it's the only way that everyone has equal chance and no one is excluded, since anyone can believe! If God had said we had to run the mile in under four minutes, you'd see every earnest believer taking up jogging and joining track teams!
But faith is not what we see, it's evidence of that something being real to us; however, we want to do something because we cannot conceive of this abstract thought of faith. The Jews asked Jesus what they must do to do the works of God and He told them: "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (cf. John 6:29, NIV). You can read at least two doctrines into this verse: Our faith is solely God's work in our heart and a gift that only God can accomplish; and the only thing that pleases God is faith and our works in the flesh amount to nothing.. But James (cf. James 2:24) said that we are not saved by faith alone but by works! What he was getting at was that faith must be proved by works and Paul would say that works must spring from faith.
We dare not divorce faith and works for a faith without works as evidence is dead faith and cannot save. ("faith without works is dead" according to James 2:26). The Reformers reconciled all this by their famous formula of salvation: We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone! It just makes sense that anyone can just say they have faith or even believe they have faith, but if there's no fruit, there's no reality of faith. Our works become a "therefore," not an "in order to."
There's a difference between a profession of faith and a reality of faith. Just as Christ said that we shall know them by their fruits, and know fruit means no faith, the whole point of salvation is a changed and transformed life from the inside out due to a living relationship with God through Jesus. We must realize that true faith expresses itself, it's the evidence that gives us credibility and witness to the lost.
We are not saved by our good deeds or behavior, but unto them, likewise, we are not saved by good deeds, but not without them either (CAVEAT: Beware the doctrine of the antinomians who adhere to a faith that is alone and doesn't need produce works; i.e., once saved you can live lawless or without restraint).
In sum, we must turn that creed into deeds, letting it show, giving it away to keep it, just as Titus 2:14, NIV, says so plainly: "... purify for himself a people, that is his very own, eager to do what is good." Soli Deo Gloria!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Walking Worthy Of Our Lord
"The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chron. 16:9, NIV).
Just because we're saved doesn't guarantee we'll act it. In some cases Christians fall short of the ideals and morals of the infidel, who is solely motivated by selfish pride and impressing others--as people-pleasers. The Spirit-led, controlled, directed, filled believer has put on the new self-created in Christ's image, called the new man. He has found the Enabler, the Holy Spirit as the dynamic for living. It's not a matter of how much of the Spirit one has, but how much of you He has. The new life in Christ is all about surrender and it's not just a once-for-all, completed event. He doesn't have an ulterior motive for good but wants to serve God from gratitude.
We're all works in progress and should humbly ask others to be patient with us as God isn't finished with us yet. But we can rejoice that God doesn't deal with us as our sins deserve and He corrects us when we err. It is said that the closer we get to God, the more we see our imperfections. As we progress in our sensitivity to the Spirit, we strive to seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and not attention to us. Just like the Spirit seeks not to bring attention to Himself, but to Christ, so also, as believers we seek God's glory and rejoice when God uses us for it.
It is said quite wisely that the mature believer is not divisive, contentious, argumentative, nor judgmental, but leaves room for God's judgment or gives the benefit of the doubt. As it says in Scripture, the man of God must not strive or quarrel! But we're all human too and this temptation will come as our pride gets in the way and we succumb to Satan's Anfectung or attack. But we should beware of the devil's schemes and not get fooled--he's always playing mind games with psychological warfare (e.g., 'divide and conquer'). He just loves to strike at our pride because that seems to be his specialty and his evil.
Only when we walk in the Spirit, always in fellowship and in constant prayer and confession are we worthy of our Lord, but this involves applying the Word, being a witness to others, and growing in faith and its application as we do walk in the presence of God. There are no short-cuts, easy paths, or formulae to follow; the only way is the O.J.T. of the trench warfare of real-life--the school of hard knocks of putting God's Word into practice. We must all realize that hardship and Reality 101 are part of the divine curriculum when we matriculated in the school of Christ, and that God sends us adversity for our growth opportunities--to test our faith for our sake. We will all have a different pilgrimage and spiritual journey to complete. God has selected each man's work and purpose--finding it is the secret because many never do.
Those who serve God wholeheartedly can be said to be walking worthily. God frowns upon the lackadaisical disciple who doesn't commit or follow through. David pleased God in that he served Him with all his heart. Joshua and Caleb likewise "wholly followed the Lord." In other words, they were gung-ho and had gusto and spunk! The world may count the spiritual man as out of his mind, a fool, or demented, but this is for God's glory. We must own Him as Lord and this always includes confessing Him as Lord.
The worthy believer has not divorced faith and faithfulness. They are two sides of the same coin! He realizes the importance of endurance and perseverance as God preserves us. Faithfulness implies that we apply our faith with good works to prove its worth or value. We progress from faith to faith and grow by our faithfulness. The righteous man shall live by his faithfulness according to Romans 1:17 which also means by his faith, for the two words are the same in Hebrew (cf. Hab. 2:4).
In sum, the believer who has a healthy relationship and/or fellowship with his Lord is without duplicity or hypocrisy to others--he makes no parade of his spirituality or false impressions but is in earnest with all integrity, even if a sin is obvious, he can be pleasing to God, though the sin displeased Him. But his testimony is not jeopardized by acting contrary to what pleases the Lord. One must acknowledge his sins, no matter how great and confess them with all sincerity and this doesn't mean he won't ever sin or offend others--he's both sinner and saint--a justified saint! In other words: What you see is what you get (no pretense)! Soli Deo Gloria!
Just because we're saved doesn't guarantee we'll act it. In some cases Christians fall short of the ideals and morals of the infidel, who is solely motivated by selfish pride and impressing others--as people-pleasers. The Spirit-led, controlled, directed, filled believer has put on the new self-created in Christ's image, called the new man. He has found the Enabler, the Holy Spirit as the dynamic for living. It's not a matter of how much of the Spirit one has, but how much of you He has. The new life in Christ is all about surrender and it's not just a once-for-all, completed event. He doesn't have an ulterior motive for good but wants to serve God from gratitude.
We're all works in progress and should humbly ask others to be patient with us as God isn't finished with us yet. But we can rejoice that God doesn't deal with us as our sins deserve and He corrects us when we err. It is said that the closer we get to God, the more we see our imperfections. As we progress in our sensitivity to the Spirit, we strive to seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and not attention to us. Just like the Spirit seeks not to bring attention to Himself, but to Christ, so also, as believers we seek God's glory and rejoice when God uses us for it.
It is said quite wisely that the mature believer is not divisive, contentious, argumentative, nor judgmental, but leaves room for God's judgment or gives the benefit of the doubt. As it says in Scripture, the man of God must not strive or quarrel! But we're all human too and this temptation will come as our pride gets in the way and we succumb to Satan's Anfectung or attack. But we should beware of the devil's schemes and not get fooled--he's always playing mind games with psychological warfare (e.g., 'divide and conquer'). He just loves to strike at our pride because that seems to be his specialty and his evil.
Only when we walk in the Spirit, always in fellowship and in constant prayer and confession are we worthy of our Lord, but this involves applying the Word, being a witness to others, and growing in faith and its application as we do walk in the presence of God. There are no short-cuts, easy paths, or formulae to follow; the only way is the O.J.T. of the trench warfare of real-life--the school of hard knocks of putting God's Word into practice. We must all realize that hardship and Reality 101 are part of the divine curriculum when we matriculated in the school of Christ, and that God sends us adversity for our growth opportunities--to test our faith for our sake. We will all have a different pilgrimage and spiritual journey to complete. God has selected each man's work and purpose--finding it is the secret because many never do.
Those who serve God wholeheartedly can be said to be walking worthily. God frowns upon the lackadaisical disciple who doesn't commit or follow through. David pleased God in that he served Him with all his heart. Joshua and Caleb likewise "wholly followed the Lord." In other words, they were gung-ho and had gusto and spunk! The world may count the spiritual man as out of his mind, a fool, or demented, but this is for God's glory. We must own Him as Lord and this always includes confessing Him as Lord.
The worthy believer has not divorced faith and faithfulness. They are two sides of the same coin! He realizes the importance of endurance and perseverance as God preserves us. Faithfulness implies that we apply our faith with good works to prove its worth or value. We progress from faith to faith and grow by our faithfulness. The righteous man shall live by his faithfulness according to Romans 1:17 which also means by his faith, for the two words are the same in Hebrew (cf. Hab. 2:4).
In sum, the believer who has a healthy relationship and/or fellowship with his Lord is without duplicity or hypocrisy to others--he makes no parade of his spirituality or false impressions but is in earnest with all integrity, even if a sin is obvious, he can be pleasing to God, though the sin displeased Him. But his testimony is not jeopardized by acting contrary to what pleases the Lord. One must acknowledge his sins, no matter how great and confess them with all sincerity and this doesn't mean he won't ever sin or offend others--he's both sinner and saint--a justified saint! In other words: What you see is what you get (no pretense)! Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Battling Bible Fatigue
"[H]earken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness" (Isaiah 55:1-2, KJV).
"Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, HCSB).
"I rejoiced over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure" (Psalm 119: 162, HCSB).
"Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction" (Psalm 119:165, HCSB).
"... I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food" (Job 23:12, HCSB).
As an introduction, realize that God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform (cf. Isaiah 45:15) and through general revelation such as creation, as well as through propositional and written revelation in the Word of God--on this, I'll focus.
Bible fatigue refers to the syndrome when the Bible seems to have lost its original pizzazz or zing, no longer inspiring us to do good deeds or mediate on or know God. Boredom is a phenomenon that only humans are truly capable of, in that we get bored with ourselves and our environments. Someone could have everything to live on and nothing to live for. Anything can become blase! Sometimes the verses we're reading may seem overly familiar because of repetitive reading and resorting to the same passages over and over again--over-exposure! In one way this reflects on our relationship with God and that God may be becoming a bore to us (we feel less amazed or in wonder at the beauty of the Word).
Remember the principle that familiarity breeds contempt and that's why we should seek illumination and not just depend on eating leftovers of the previous day's meal of the Word. This doesn't mean that there are staples we never tire of, such as the gospel message: we will always need the milk of the Word, but should grow to comprehend its solid food.
There are many cures to this phenomenon: we can change translations or versions to give new insight; we may fail to see the forest for the trees; we can start putting into action what we already know or apply it to ourselves; the more we understand, the more we'll gain; we can see what commentators or teachers have written about it; we can get a new interest as in a newfound interest in theology as a systematic way of seeing Scripture--rightly dividing the Word of truth.
Remember: You don't always need some so-called existential encounter in the Word or experience God in it to have a genuine, beneficial, blessed reading session--you don't need a new revelation either, but maybe a gentle reminder. As we mature in the Word, we learn to see "Aha!" moments and appreciate them like one who says "Eureka!" or "I found it!" Great spoils in the Word are there to be had by hard work and faithful reading (cf. Psalm 119:162), inspired by God (cf. Psalm 119:18).
But no one is immune to becoming blase about the Bible if they let it become routine or perfunctory, as a matter of fact, or of duty. This is where seeing the big picture is necessitated and mandatory for the correct interpretation of the Word. There are no short-cuts to a thorough understanding or comprehension of the Bible's main message. One cannot look truly into Scripture without looking truly into his heart, so it is we must be attentive to the illumination of the Spirit and our convictions, not confusing them with our prejudices. We must also realize mankind is basically empty without God on some journey or quest to find fulfillment, and his soul is a vacuum only God can satisfy, according to Pascal, and the only contentment is in knowing God, not just knowing He exists or about Him, as Augustine said, our souls are restless till they rest in God.
When we diligently approach the Word, we ought to be spiritually prepared and with an open mind, obedient will, open mind, expectant attitude, willing spirit, and needy heart, being teachable and reverent to the Word, or we will get nothing! Above all: READ WITH A PURPOSE! God chose to speak to our hearts in the Word and we must be ready to echo its prayers and to be convicted by the Spirit or to be prompted to do His will. Then divine order is to prepare with prayer, being ready to pray during reading, and to thank and praise in prayer afterward, keeping the message spoken to our hearts in mind as we go about our activities.
CAVEAT: NEVER READ THE WORD OF GOD FOR MERELY OR PURELY ACADEMIC REASONS, FOR ENTERTAINMENT, OR WHEN YOU AREN'T SERIOUS ABOUT GOD SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART AND YOU BEING WILLING TO APPLY IT! Soli Deo Gloria!
"Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, HCSB).
"I rejoiced over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure" (Psalm 119: 162, HCSB).
"Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction" (Psalm 119:165, HCSB).
"... I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food" (Job 23:12, HCSB).
As an introduction, realize that God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform (cf. Isaiah 45:15) and through general revelation such as creation, as well as through propositional and written revelation in the Word of God--on this, I'll focus.
Bible fatigue refers to the syndrome when the Bible seems to have lost its original pizzazz or zing, no longer inspiring us to do good deeds or mediate on or know God. Boredom is a phenomenon that only humans are truly capable of, in that we get bored with ourselves and our environments. Someone could have everything to live on and nothing to live for. Anything can become blase! Sometimes the verses we're reading may seem overly familiar because of repetitive reading and resorting to the same passages over and over again--over-exposure! In one way this reflects on our relationship with God and that God may be becoming a bore to us (we feel less amazed or in wonder at the beauty of the Word).
Remember the principle that familiarity breeds contempt and that's why we should seek illumination and not just depend on eating leftovers of the previous day's meal of the Word. This doesn't mean that there are staples we never tire of, such as the gospel message: we will always need the milk of the Word, but should grow to comprehend its solid food.
There are many cures to this phenomenon: we can change translations or versions to give new insight; we may fail to see the forest for the trees; we can start putting into action what we already know or apply it to ourselves; the more we understand, the more we'll gain; we can see what commentators or teachers have written about it; we can get a new interest as in a newfound interest in theology as a systematic way of seeing Scripture--rightly dividing the Word of truth.
Remember: You don't always need some so-called existential encounter in the Word or experience God in it to have a genuine, beneficial, blessed reading session--you don't need a new revelation either, but maybe a gentle reminder. As we mature in the Word, we learn to see "Aha!" moments and appreciate them like one who says "Eureka!" or "I found it!" Great spoils in the Word are there to be had by hard work and faithful reading (cf. Psalm 119:162), inspired by God (cf. Psalm 119:18).
But no one is immune to becoming blase about the Bible if they let it become routine or perfunctory, as a matter of fact, or of duty. This is where seeing the big picture is necessitated and mandatory for the correct interpretation of the Word. There are no short-cuts to a thorough understanding or comprehension of the Bible's main message. One cannot look truly into Scripture without looking truly into his heart, so it is we must be attentive to the illumination of the Spirit and our convictions, not confusing them with our prejudices. We must also realize mankind is basically empty without God on some journey or quest to find fulfillment, and his soul is a vacuum only God can satisfy, according to Pascal, and the only contentment is in knowing God, not just knowing He exists or about Him, as Augustine said, our souls are restless till they rest in God.
When we diligently approach the Word, we ought to be spiritually prepared and with an open mind, obedient will, open mind, expectant attitude, willing spirit, and needy heart, being teachable and reverent to the Word, or we will get nothing! Above all: READ WITH A PURPOSE! God chose to speak to our hearts in the Word and we must be ready to echo its prayers and to be convicted by the Spirit or to be prompted to do His will. Then divine order is to prepare with prayer, being ready to pray during reading, and to thank and praise in prayer afterward, keeping the message spoken to our hearts in mind as we go about our activities.
CAVEAT: NEVER READ THE WORD OF GOD FOR MERELY OR PURELY ACADEMIC REASONS, FOR ENTERTAINMENT, OR WHEN YOU AREN'T SERIOUS ABOUT GOD SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART AND YOU BEING WILLING TO APPLY IT! Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, November 3, 2019
He Gave What He Had
"... Freely you have received; freely give" (cf. Matt. 10:8, NIV).
"... [S]o I will save you and you will be a blessing" (cf. Zech. 8:13, HCSB).
In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus took the bread and fish from a boy and multiplied it to feed the crowd. The principle is that we do the addition and God the multiplication. Jesus had inquired about the resources of the whole crowd and this was all there was; hard to believe no one planned ahead or even that some weren't hiding their lunch. But evidently the boy must've gladly volunteered his lunch to share. His faith could've been an instant object lesson too! Our giving, too, is a test of our faith in action to be a blessing as we have been blessed. His act of giving showed his faith, but the disciples needed to learn a lesson. The lesson to come away with is that God can take our meager resources and gifts and multiply them for His kingdom, not that He needs them, for the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, but that He has privileged us to be used for His glory and honor.
We are not called to turn stones into bread as a social gospel, but to preach the gospel and in so doing to meet other needs where we can. The Great Commission has a social implication or commission. The boy's gift shows that we must be willing to give whatever we can even if it's a small donation, because we only do addition, and God gives compound interest. Some people just aren't even willing to give at all no matter what size offering. This story shows that God cares about our daily needs as the Lord's prayer says, 'Give us this day our daily bread.' The miracle or sign shows us, as Jesus announced, that He is the bread of life who fills all our spiritual needs and can supply all our physical needs with them.
They wanted to make Christ king just because of a free lunch. Even people today will sell out for security in life at the expense of their principles--job turfs for example. Jesus will be our king and supply our needs but according to His rules. Our needs are not an automatic given when we don't work for them or deserve them. The fact that there were twelve baskets of leftovers shows Christ's continuing care for us and that we ought not to waste His resources and blessings, for we will be held accountable and must invest the blessings we have faithfully. Having an abundance doesn't mean we can waste God's provision. Note that the boy gave everything he had much like the poor widow who gave her last two mites and Jesus said she gave what she could and even more than the others. This wasn't the first time God had performed a miracle to feed His people: Moses was leader when God supplied manna for Israel. Both Elijah and Elisha multiplied food to sustain people by a miracle of God.
This miracle shows us that God alone is the creator who can make something out of nothing, as in creation, can produce great results with small resources and make big dividends no matter how small they are. In the final analysis, it's not how big our supply but our faith and willingness to give, and how big our God is to meet our needs. How many in the crowd thought of Jesus the next time they were in need?
But we must be careful not to follow the wrong Jesus or another Jesus, nor even Jesus for the wrong motives. We signed up for a cross to bear and not for a free lunch. Hardship may come with the territory and if we accept good times we must accept bad ones (cf. Job 2:10) . We must be willing to go with Jesus no matter where we are called and be thankful for whatever He gives us.
In sum, the words of Augustine ring true: "Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in God." Jesus is truly the Bread of Life in more ways than one! Soli Deo Gloria!
"... [S]o I will save you and you will be a blessing" (cf. Zech. 8:13, HCSB).
In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus took the bread and fish from a boy and multiplied it to feed the crowd. The principle is that we do the addition and God the multiplication. Jesus had inquired about the resources of the whole crowd and this was all there was; hard to believe no one planned ahead or even that some weren't hiding their lunch. But evidently the boy must've gladly volunteered his lunch to share. His faith could've been an instant object lesson too! Our giving, too, is a test of our faith in action to be a blessing as we have been blessed. His act of giving showed his faith, but the disciples needed to learn a lesson. The lesson to come away with is that God can take our meager resources and gifts and multiply them for His kingdom, not that He needs them, for the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, but that He has privileged us to be used for His glory and honor.
We are not called to turn stones into bread as a social gospel, but to preach the gospel and in so doing to meet other needs where we can. The Great Commission has a social implication or commission. The boy's gift shows that we must be willing to give whatever we can even if it's a small donation, because we only do addition, and God gives compound interest. Some people just aren't even willing to give at all no matter what size offering. This story shows that God cares about our daily needs as the Lord's prayer says, 'Give us this day our daily bread.' The miracle or sign shows us, as Jesus announced, that He is the bread of life who fills all our spiritual needs and can supply all our physical needs with them.
They wanted to make Christ king just because of a free lunch. Even people today will sell out for security in life at the expense of their principles--job turfs for example. Jesus will be our king and supply our needs but according to His rules. Our needs are not an automatic given when we don't work for them or deserve them. The fact that there were twelve baskets of leftovers shows Christ's continuing care for us and that we ought not to waste His resources and blessings, for we will be held accountable and must invest the blessings we have faithfully. Having an abundance doesn't mean we can waste God's provision. Note that the boy gave everything he had much like the poor widow who gave her last two mites and Jesus said she gave what she could and even more than the others. This wasn't the first time God had performed a miracle to feed His people: Moses was leader when God supplied manna for Israel. Both Elijah and Elisha multiplied food to sustain people by a miracle of God.
This miracle shows us that God alone is the creator who can make something out of nothing, as in creation, can produce great results with small resources and make big dividends no matter how small they are. In the final analysis, it's not how big our supply but our faith and willingness to give, and how big our God is to meet our needs. How many in the crowd thought of Jesus the next time they were in need?
But we must be careful not to follow the wrong Jesus or another Jesus, nor even Jesus for the wrong motives. We signed up for a cross to bear and not for a free lunch. Hardship may come with the territory and if we accept good times we must accept bad ones (cf. Job 2:10) . We must be willing to go with Jesus no matter where we are called and be thankful for whatever He gives us.
In sum, the words of Augustine ring true: "Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in God." Jesus is truly the Bread of Life in more ways than one! Soli Deo Gloria!
Sunday, October 27, 2019
The Blessed Life
In heaven, "blessing and honor and glory and dominion" will belong to the One seated on the throne and the Lamb forever! It will be our final destination to "enter into the joy of the Lord" when we enter the presence of the Lord in glory. But blessing is a difficult and troublesome word to translate from the Hebrew or Greek. We might think of it as "happiness," but also one of fulfillment and inner joy. Mother, now canonized, Teresa said, "True holiness consists in doing the will of God with a smile." C. S. Lewis said, "Joy is the serious business of heaven," and we will all find our joy there and be blessed beyond measure.
Our blessings come from the ultimate source of blessing and all good things (cf. James 1:17)--God. Man is on a frantic search for happiness or fulfillment in this life and will substitute anything but God's provision to bring him momentary thrills or an escape. "There is no peace for the wicked." (cf. Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Materialism, wisdom, success, knowledge, sex, fame, power, and riches all fail to satisfy the soul according to Solomon, who tried them all.
The purpose of saying we are blessed instead of lucky or fortunate is that we attribute our welfare to God and are thanking Him. How God measures blessing or happiness in His economy differs from the norms of this world. The Beatitudes show the way to true blessing and this is in contradistinction to the ways of the world. Christianity is countercultural! The truly blessed people are those who have found God, know Him, and let Him use them to be a channel of blessing to others. Those who bless others are the most blessed! Let us not so seek to be blessed as to bless! John the Baptist is the epitome of success in God's economy; he realized that the way up is down! that pride comes before a fall and that humility comes before promotion: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30, HCSB, emphasis added),
Happiness is not the chasing of pots at ends of mythical rainbows, but something granted by the Spirit for our obedience and submission to His will; "But none of these things move me" (cf. Acts 20:24). It is not some will-o'-the-wisp either. The whole world is on a made quest for happiness but it eludes them without knowing God. Only Jesus can give us the "abundant life" He promised; "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11, KJV). We are to first seek God and His righteousness, then it will be added (cf. Matt. 6:33).
What are we really looking for then? Not some religious high or some momentary experience we can ride the rest of our lives, but to find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life. The question should be: Are we getting what we want and expect out of our lives? Are we satisfied and content? Paul said that he had learned the secret of contentment in all situations (cf. Phil. 4:13) and that is something we can all relate to (he was under arrest when he wrote that). We will have Happiness with a capital H when we learn to abide in Christ. This is one of the great commands of salvation: come to Me; follow Me; abide in Me; know Me. love Me. We must abide in Christ and show much fruit to glorify God, that's the secret right there: living for something bigger than ourselves and that will outlast us, our calling from God to let Him use us for His glory.
Most people equate happiness with happenings or circumstances (this is superficial and depends on outward stimuli). They don't realize they can be blessed or have inner joy through the trials and tribulations and all manner of adversity--they just bring new opportunities to learn about God and ourselves. We can rise above circumstances and live above the humdrum. God's answer to happenstance is Providence and when we realize He's in control and fully orchestrates all details in our lives, we are at ease and can rest assured and be content wherever the chips may fall and whenever they are down; i.e., we are down on our "luck" so to speak (though this is an overused misnomer), because we will know that God is with us through it all. ("And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go," Gen. 28:15, RSV; cf. Isaiah 41:10).
In summation, Pascal said that our souls are like vacuums that only God can fill, and St. Augustine of Hippo said likewise that we are restless till we find our rest in God--we are made for Him and no substitute will do. We are called to walk by faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7) but this is not some perpetual, religious high nor remembering some existential encounter or experience, but growing in our relationship and fellowship as we become intimate with God. In closing, I'll quote the Christian student of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung: "Emptiness is the primary problem of man." Soli Deo Gloria!
Our blessings come from the ultimate source of blessing and all good things (cf. James 1:17)--God. Man is on a frantic search for happiness or fulfillment in this life and will substitute anything but God's provision to bring him momentary thrills or an escape. "There is no peace for the wicked." (cf. Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Materialism, wisdom, success, knowledge, sex, fame, power, and riches all fail to satisfy the soul according to Solomon, who tried them all.
The purpose of saying we are blessed instead of lucky or fortunate is that we attribute our welfare to God and are thanking Him. How God measures blessing or happiness in His economy differs from the norms of this world. The Beatitudes show the way to true blessing and this is in contradistinction to the ways of the world. Christianity is countercultural! The truly blessed people are those who have found God, know Him, and let Him use them to be a channel of blessing to others. Those who bless others are the most blessed! Let us not so seek to be blessed as to bless! John the Baptist is the epitome of success in God's economy; he realized that the way up is down! that pride comes before a fall and that humility comes before promotion: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30, HCSB, emphasis added),
Happiness is not the chasing of pots at ends of mythical rainbows, but something granted by the Spirit for our obedience and submission to His will; "But none of these things move me" (cf. Acts 20:24). It is not some will-o'-the-wisp either. The whole world is on a made quest for happiness but it eludes them without knowing God. Only Jesus can give us the "abundant life" He promised; "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11, KJV). We are to first seek God and His righteousness, then it will be added (cf. Matt. 6:33).
What are we really looking for then? Not some religious high or some momentary experience we can ride the rest of our lives, but to find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life. The question should be: Are we getting what we want and expect out of our lives? Are we satisfied and content? Paul said that he had learned the secret of contentment in all situations (cf. Phil. 4:13) and that is something we can all relate to (he was under arrest when he wrote that). We will have Happiness with a capital H when we learn to abide in Christ. This is one of the great commands of salvation: come to Me; follow Me; abide in Me; know Me. love Me. We must abide in Christ and show much fruit to glorify God, that's the secret right there: living for something bigger than ourselves and that will outlast us, our calling from God to let Him use us for His glory.
Most people equate happiness with happenings or circumstances (this is superficial and depends on outward stimuli). They don't realize they can be blessed or have inner joy through the trials and tribulations and all manner of adversity--they just bring new opportunities to learn about God and ourselves. We can rise above circumstances and live above the humdrum. God's answer to happenstance is Providence and when we realize He's in control and fully orchestrates all details in our lives, we are at ease and can rest assured and be content wherever the chips may fall and whenever they are down; i.e., we are down on our "luck" so to speak (though this is an overused misnomer), because we will know that God is with us through it all. ("And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go," Gen. 28:15, RSV; cf. Isaiah 41:10).
In summation, Pascal said that our souls are like vacuums that only God can fill, and St. Augustine of Hippo said likewise that we are restless till we find our rest in God--we are made for Him and no substitute will do. We are called to walk by faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7) but this is not some perpetual, religious high nor remembering some existential encounter or experience, but growing in our relationship and fellowship as we become intimate with God. In closing, I'll quote the Christian student of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung: "Emptiness is the primary problem of man." Soli Deo Gloria!
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Going One On One In Discipleship
"... Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass the on to others" (2 Tim. 2:2, NLT).
What is the chief function of the gospel but it to spread to all the world? (When it is preached to all the world, then the end shall come according to Matt. 24:14.) We all must do our part in exercising our specialized gift in the organism of the local church as it corporately fulfills the Great Commission (the chief function of the church and believer), as well as the fact that we have individual responsibilities due to our gifting. If we want to keep our faith, we must let it shine and be willing to make it known to others. Billy Graham says we must "give it away!" NB: In God's economy we keep it by giving it away! We must be people on a mission! Some sow, some water, some reap; but God gives the increase. We must be ever aware of the fact that it's God working in us and through us and we are just vessels or tools of honor doing God's good pleasure and will, to which we are the called according to His purpose (per Romans 8:28).
Before service comes prep. The key to discipleship is discipline and experience or on the job training in the trench warfare of real-life--Reality 101, the divine curriculum. Only battle-tested warriors for Christ can defeat Satan in the angelic conflict because they know the full armor of God and are not ignorant of the schemes of the devil. His chief strategy is to divide and conquer and that's where party-politics can divide a church if not done according to the Christian worldview. "They do not reckon God in their worldview"(cf. Romans 10:4). Literally, "there is no fear of God before their eyes" (cf. Psalm 36:1; Rom. 3:18, NIV). Example: the principles of the rule of law, and the concept of liberty and justice for all are paramount (the church has a duty to teach these core values as taught in Scripture).
NB: the Bible endorses no political party or type of government just so that the rule of law is observed and people's God-given rights protected. By the rule of law we must agree that no one is above the law and we are not governed by the arbitrary whims of men, but of duly passed legislation and consent of the people. This was first delineated in 1644 by the Rev. Samuel Rutherford in Lex Rex, which means "the law is the king," [the king is not the law]. And so, true and ready discipleship includes familiarity with the Christian worldview. There should be unity concerning what the Bible does teach and note that God isn't partisan and that means we shouldn't be either (He is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality).
Paul taught the one-on-one principle or that we should invest ourselves individually into the life of someone and teach them what the Lord has taught us. There are no shortcuts or easy formulas, just hard work, faithfulness, and discipline. We must be gung-ho for the Lord--spiritual lukewarmness will not do. We must follow the Lord wholeheartedly and single-minded so as not to be distracted by the world's temptations and what the devil has to offer--"Love not the world." So, this means a full commitment or surrender is necessary without reservation, full relinquishment and I say this because most believers haven't really had their wills tested yet to see just how far they are willing to go with the Lord or how close to walk with Him. It may turn out that we may have no friends but the Lord, and we must know how to cope spiritually with that relationship intact.
If the above principle were actually practiced, the world would be evangelized in one generation; all it takes is for everyone to commit to someone and then that person returning the favor to the Lord by doing likewise. In discipleship, one thing is important: keep it simple and put into practice what you learn realizing what you are or are not good at--don't get in over your head but be patient with the small responsibility God has granted you by grace. Remember, the goal is to spread the gospel and that entails knowing the gospel (and most believers don't) and how to present it should someone ask them how to be saved.
If they don't know how to help someone else to salvation or show the way, how can they be assured themselves? If they do get saved, we must never offer false assurance for it's not our job to grant it, but God's; we only offer reassurance. Assurance comes solely by the Word of God coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit per Romans 8:16 ("The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God.") and this is done by searching one's heart and examining one's fruit. This is vital to know because the believer's assurance is a key to his witness and if he has any doubts it will stifle, cripple, paralyze, or disable his witness or it may even jeopardize or compromise his testimony and he will be neutralized as a witness and paralyzed in growth. "Our lives are known and read by all men," (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2, NKJV)."
Confidence breeds confidence! Love begets love; faith, faith! Faith is not conjecture but certitude and confidence about our salvation and we need not be stunted by doubts. Doubt is an element of faith, not its opposite! No one has perfect faith; the best we can have is sincere, honest faith (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5). But being honest with them takes fortitude and courage and one step to growing in faith is to admit them and not repress them. It's our duty to be assured and this is not a sin of presumption (it's commanded in 2 Pet. 1:10), it's faith! We all live on the doubt-faith continuum and must overcome our fears and questions as we grow in the faith; little faith is still faith! We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18). We go from "faith to faith in a continuum (cf. Rom. 1:17). Doubt is an element of faith, not the opposite of it, and must be dealt with. So, the chief duty of the mentor is to build this confidence in their gift and salvation itself and prepare them to pass the baton or carry on this work of spreading the Word.
The main error of evangelism is lack of follow-up (too many evangelists count heads and end there). One must realize that it takes commitment and faithfulness to the person wherever needed. We can accomplish little without a firm foundation in the Lord and this begins with the boldness to confess Christ before men, not to be ashamed of our Lord but to look for opportunities as He opens or shuts doors. Timothy was taught that he does the addition and God the multiplication (2 Tim. 2:2). Remember, investment will pay dividends.
But don't forget that the word disciple means learner and that means we are all learners and matriculated in the school of Christ and never stop learning, also that we only need be a step ahead of the learner to teach or mentor. Anyone can do it; availability, not ability is the key, for the filling of the Spirit is what's needed and one's dependence on God for guidance, not human wisdom or fancy gimmicks to teach. When we have been discipled, we owe a debt of gratitude to that person and are eager to pass it on and share what we have come to experience in Christ--to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge. Our mission doesn't end with making disciples, but to contend for the faith, defending it in the open marketplace of ideas in the public square. This entails the ideals of 1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Tim. 2:25: being prepared to defend our faith and making an effort to know the Scriptures via study or other means available
CAVEATS: DO NOT TEACH OVER SOMEONE'S HEAD, FASTER THAN THEY CAN LEARN, OR ASSUME TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE OR BACKGROUND INFO, BUT DON'T INSULT THEIR INTELLIGENCE EITHER. KEEP IT SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT MORE SO! DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOUR STUDENTS BUT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. WE DARE NOT GO IT ALONE AS A SPIRITUAL LONE RANGER OR LONE WOLF, BUT MUST GO ONE ONE ONE AND BE ACCOUNTABLE SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITY. TOO MANY OF US BELIEVE OUR DOUBTS AND DOUBT OUR FAITH; WE SHOULD DOUBT OUR DOUBTS AND BELIEVE OUR FAITH! FINALLY, KNOW, RESPECT, AND SET PERSONAL BOUNDARIES. Soli Deo Gloria!
What is the chief function of the gospel but it to spread to all the world? (When it is preached to all the world, then the end shall come according to Matt. 24:14.) We all must do our part in exercising our specialized gift in the organism of the local church as it corporately fulfills the Great Commission (the chief function of the church and believer), as well as the fact that we have individual responsibilities due to our gifting. If we want to keep our faith, we must let it shine and be willing to make it known to others. Billy Graham says we must "give it away!" NB: In God's economy we keep it by giving it away! We must be people on a mission! Some sow, some water, some reap; but God gives the increase. We must be ever aware of the fact that it's God working in us and through us and we are just vessels or tools of honor doing God's good pleasure and will, to which we are the called according to His purpose (per Romans 8:28).
Before service comes prep. The key to discipleship is discipline and experience or on the job training in the trench warfare of real-life--Reality 101, the divine curriculum. Only battle-tested warriors for Christ can defeat Satan in the angelic conflict because they know the full armor of God and are not ignorant of the schemes of the devil. His chief strategy is to divide and conquer and that's where party-politics can divide a church if not done according to the Christian worldview. "They do not reckon God in their worldview"(cf. Romans 10:4). Literally, "there is no fear of God before their eyes" (cf. Psalm 36:1; Rom. 3:18, NIV). Example: the principles of the rule of law, and the concept of liberty and justice for all are paramount (the church has a duty to teach these core values as taught in Scripture).
NB: the Bible endorses no political party or type of government just so that the rule of law is observed and people's God-given rights protected. By the rule of law we must agree that no one is above the law and we are not governed by the arbitrary whims of men, but of duly passed legislation and consent of the people. This was first delineated in 1644 by the Rev. Samuel Rutherford in Lex Rex, which means "the law is the king," [the king is not the law]. And so, true and ready discipleship includes familiarity with the Christian worldview. There should be unity concerning what the Bible does teach and note that God isn't partisan and that means we shouldn't be either (He is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality).
Paul taught the one-on-one principle or that we should invest ourselves individually into the life of someone and teach them what the Lord has taught us. There are no shortcuts or easy formulas, just hard work, faithfulness, and discipline. We must be gung-ho for the Lord--spiritual lukewarmness will not do. We must follow the Lord wholeheartedly and single-minded so as not to be distracted by the world's temptations and what the devil has to offer--"Love not the world." So, this means a full commitment or surrender is necessary without reservation, full relinquishment and I say this because most believers haven't really had their wills tested yet to see just how far they are willing to go with the Lord or how close to walk with Him. It may turn out that we may have no friends but the Lord, and we must know how to cope spiritually with that relationship intact.
If the above principle were actually practiced, the world would be evangelized in one generation; all it takes is for everyone to commit to someone and then that person returning the favor to the Lord by doing likewise. In discipleship, one thing is important: keep it simple and put into practice what you learn realizing what you are or are not good at--don't get in over your head but be patient with the small responsibility God has granted you by grace. Remember, the goal is to spread the gospel and that entails knowing the gospel (and most believers don't) and how to present it should someone ask them how to be saved.
If they don't know how to help someone else to salvation or show the way, how can they be assured themselves? If they do get saved, we must never offer false assurance for it's not our job to grant it, but God's; we only offer reassurance. Assurance comes solely by the Word of God coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit per Romans 8:16 ("The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God.") and this is done by searching one's heart and examining one's fruit. This is vital to know because the believer's assurance is a key to his witness and if he has any doubts it will stifle, cripple, paralyze, or disable his witness or it may even jeopardize or compromise his testimony and he will be neutralized as a witness and paralyzed in growth. "Our lives are known and read by all men," (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2, NKJV)."
Confidence breeds confidence! Love begets love; faith, faith! Faith is not conjecture but certitude and confidence about our salvation and we need not be stunted by doubts. Doubt is an element of faith, not its opposite! No one has perfect faith; the best we can have is sincere, honest faith (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5). But being honest with them takes fortitude and courage and one step to growing in faith is to admit them and not repress them. It's our duty to be assured and this is not a sin of presumption (it's commanded in 2 Pet. 1:10), it's faith! We all live on the doubt-faith continuum and must overcome our fears and questions as we grow in the faith; little faith is still faith! We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18). We go from "faith to faith in a continuum (cf. Rom. 1:17). Doubt is an element of faith, not the opposite of it, and must be dealt with. So, the chief duty of the mentor is to build this confidence in their gift and salvation itself and prepare them to pass the baton or carry on this work of spreading the Word.
The main error of evangelism is lack of follow-up (too many evangelists count heads and end there). One must realize that it takes commitment and faithfulness to the person wherever needed. We can accomplish little without a firm foundation in the Lord and this begins with the boldness to confess Christ before men, not to be ashamed of our Lord but to look for opportunities as He opens or shuts doors. Timothy was taught that he does the addition and God the multiplication (2 Tim. 2:2). Remember, investment will pay dividends.
But don't forget that the word disciple means learner and that means we are all learners and matriculated in the school of Christ and never stop learning, also that we only need be a step ahead of the learner to teach or mentor. Anyone can do it; availability, not ability is the key, for the filling of the Spirit is what's needed and one's dependence on God for guidance, not human wisdom or fancy gimmicks to teach. When we have been discipled, we owe a debt of gratitude to that person and are eager to pass it on and share what we have come to experience in Christ--to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge. Our mission doesn't end with making disciples, but to contend for the faith, defending it in the open marketplace of ideas in the public square. This entails the ideals of 1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Tim. 2:25: being prepared to defend our faith and making an effort to know the Scriptures via study or other means available
CAVEATS: DO NOT TEACH OVER SOMEONE'S HEAD, FASTER THAN THEY CAN LEARN, OR ASSUME TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE OR BACKGROUND INFO, BUT DON'T INSULT THEIR INTELLIGENCE EITHER. KEEP IT SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT MORE SO! DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOUR STUDENTS BUT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. WE DARE NOT GO IT ALONE AS A SPIRITUAL LONE RANGER OR LONE WOLF, BUT MUST GO ONE ONE ONE AND BE ACCOUNTABLE SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITY. TOO MANY OF US BELIEVE OUR DOUBTS AND DOUBT OUR FAITH; WE SHOULD DOUBT OUR DOUBTS AND BELIEVE OUR FAITH! FINALLY, KNOW, RESPECT, AND SET PERSONAL BOUNDARIES. Soli Deo Gloria!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)