Our human self-centeredness often let us fall into a trap to misinterpret the Bible as if it was only written for me, for now. This may be evil’s most effective tool to disguise and turn what God wants to say into what we want to hear. And yet, without God speaking to me, to us, today, Bible reading will become a tedious task with no relevance and therefore one we would too easily neglect.
I was really excited when I came across articles by David Powlison about personal application of the Bible, and want to share the core truths of these articles with you during the next couple of Wednesdays.
Its about how to personally apply your Bible Reading in your life and your circumstances. There is a correct, legitimate way, that has the authority of God’s Word for you on the day you read it. There also are ways of doing this where we make the Bible say what we want to hear in stead of what the Spirit intended it to mean. That way of interpretation has no authority as God’s Word and leads to misunderstanding and misleading. Yet no believer should miss out on the miracle when the Spirit personally applies the Bible as God’s Word in our lives, today.
The words written in the Scriptures addressed the concerns of long-ago people in faraway places, facing specific problems, many of which no longer exist today. Yet they, the first, original readers, had no difficulty seeing the application for their lives and faith.
But nothing in the Bible was written directly specifically to us in the same way as it was to the first readers and their circumstances. In the Bible we are reading someone else’s mail. Yet, the Bible repeatedly verify that these words are also written for us:
Rom 5: 4 says “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction” (Also see Deut. 29:29, 1 Cor 10:11 and 2 Tim 3: 15 – 17.)
Application for our own benefit needs to discover the ways in which the Spirit reapplies Scripture in my present day to my present day needs.
Secondly we should also remember that the Bible is primarily about God, and not you and me. The subject matter of the Bible is the triune God as fully revealed in the life and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We read that when Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 22:45), he showed how everything written—creation, promises, commands, history, sacrificial system, psalms, proverbs—is really and ultimately, about him.
So we are not only reading someone else’s mail, but also someone else’s biography.
But it is also true that whatever we read about Jesus - and the whole Bible points to him - it includes a word for you and me. It has a message for you and me. Application of the Bible for my life and questions today happens when the Spirit “rescripts” my life by the revelation of who God is and what he is doing, and it is not about how my life and tribulations are rescripting the Bible for today’s issues, the trap we so easily falls into.
“Personal application” of the Bible proves to have the authority of God speaking to me, today, with divine authority, when I recognize the above facts and principles about Bible reading
The Bible was written to others—but speaks to you.
The Bible is about God—but draws you in. Your challenge is always to apply Scripture afresh, because God’s purpose is always to rescript your life, every day.
But how do we do this? Over the next 4 or 5 Wednesdays we are going to ask – How can I read the Bible in a way it personally applies to me, today!
May the God of grace through Jesus Christ our Saviour bless and keep you.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Through faith surrender everything
Heb 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, (18) even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." (19) Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Abraham had faith in God's power to raise the dead. Even if Isaac died at Abraham's hand, he believed that God would bring his son back to life again.
Abraham's faith was much more than words - much more than some creed pulled from a dusty shelve for times of trouble. His faith was not a profession of beliefs that meant nothing in his day to day living and cost nothing. Abraham backed up his faith by acting according to what he believed. Listen to what James says about this:
James 2:21-22: Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (22) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Abraham, in faith, was willing to surrender everything to and for God. He was even ready to give up his child, in spite of the promises that Isaac represented. Abraham realized that when we have everything except God, we have nothing; and, he realized that when we have nothing except God, we have everything. Abraham, in faith, was ready to sacrifice everything. Even his only, beloved Isaac.
How many of us are willing to make such sacrifices? If we, like Abraham, received God’s promise that he is and will be our God for ever, are we willing to surrender everything to and for him and his kingdom?
May God grant us a faith that makes us willing to surrender to him whatsoever is required from us!
Abraham had faith in God's power to raise the dead. Even if Isaac died at Abraham's hand, he believed that God would bring his son back to life again.
Abraham's faith was much more than words - much more than some creed pulled from a dusty shelve for times of trouble. His faith was not a profession of beliefs that meant nothing in his day to day living and cost nothing. Abraham backed up his faith by acting according to what he believed. Listen to what James says about this:
James 2:21-22: Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (22) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Abraham, in faith, was willing to surrender everything to and for God. He was even ready to give up his child, in spite of the promises that Isaac represented. Abraham realized that when we have everything except God, we have nothing; and, he realized that when we have nothing except God, we have everything. Abraham, in faith, was ready to sacrifice everything. Even his only, beloved Isaac.
How many of us are willing to make such sacrifices? If we, like Abraham, received God’s promise that he is and will be our God for ever, are we willing to surrender everything to and for him and his kingdom?
May God grant us a faith that makes us willing to surrender to him whatsoever is required from us!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Revenge and retaliation!
Matthew 5:38-42: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!"
I The Law of Moses
Throughout our study of the Sermon on the Mount we have looked at the law of Moses, what the Rabbis said about that law, and then what Jesus said about that law. Since the Old Testament speaks in a number of places about "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" (Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21) many people think that the words of our text break this pattern; they think Jesus refers to the law itself rather than the explanation given by the Rabbis. This is not the case. Jesus again is setting his view against that of the Pharisees.
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." In this law of Moses the Lord speaks to us of revenge. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of it. If any harm is done to us, the immediate natural instinct is to hit back. Not only that, but the immediate natural instinct is to hit back harder than we were hit in the first place. When natural man is injured he wants vengeance; he even wants to kill. We see this tendency to wrath and anger, to retribution and retaliation, everywhere. We see it among children and adults. We see it among families. We see it among nations and races. We see it among different religions.
People don't seem to realize how damaging the desire for revenge really is.
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control excess. The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control anger and violence and the desire for revenge. God wants equity and justice to rule. So, if a man knocks out another man's eye, he must not be killed for it. Rather, it is "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment must fit the crime.
II The Teaching of the Rabbi’s
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The Rabbis made this law a matter of personal revenge. They said that any person who had been injured could seek "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." They basically said that a man had the right to take the law into his own hands and seek revenge. Yet, this law of Moses does not apply to individuals. This is clear when we look at Leviticus 19:
(Lev 19:18) Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
This law applies to judges and courts. Individuals do not have the right to punish people who have injured them. Only the authorities have this right. And, in exercising this right judges and courts have to apply the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment has to fit the crime. Judges and courts are restrained by this law from horrible excess.
The Rabbis were wrong in making the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" a matter of personal revenge. Instead, it was something to be carried out by judges and courts.
Not only that, but in their legalism the Rabbis said the law of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" was a duty; it was something that was automatic; revenge was something the law required. But God’s law required nothing like that. The Rabbis took the law and turned and twisted it. The law said this: "Do not punish more than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." The Rabbis twisted this law into a statement which said: "You are to seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
III The Teaching of Jesus
Jesus, however, speaks about Kingdom living. About Christian life sanctified. And Christians do not take the law into their own hands; they know they are not civil judges. Christians do not automatically seek revenge. Jesus makes this point with three examples.
The first example mentioned by our Lord concerns a case of slapping. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:39) ... Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Slapping is normally done with the right hand. A man would use his right hand and with his palm slap someone’s left cheek. However, to slap the right cheek you had to use the backside of the right hand The Jews believed that slapping the face with the backside of the hand was far more offensive than slapping the face with the palm. What Jesus is saying is this: Even if you are utterly humiliated, you must not hit back.
I think we all realise that retaliation has no end. Each blow becomes more severe than the one before. Then it becomes a big fight. This can only be prevented if someone stops hitting back and is willing to suffer a blow without retaliation.
The best example of this is the Lord Jesus. He was before the Sanhedrin. One of the officials struck him in the face. Jesus' only response was to ask, "Why did you strike me?" (Jn 18:23). When we succeed in turning the other cheek, our lives become a living testimony to the Lord Jesus.
The second example mentioned by Jesus concerns tunics and cloaks. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. When Israel's poor took out a loan they sometimes were obliged to give their cloak as a pledge. Yet, according to Deuteronomy 24:10-13, the creditor was not allowed to keep the cloak throughout the night. Because of the cold of the night he had to return the cloak before the sun went down. That way the poor debtor could sleep covered by his cloak and keep warm. However, some creditors were harsh. When they returned the cloak before sunset they immediately demanded another pledge in its place and said, "Give us your tunic."
Jesus said, "Do not protest if you are treated this way. Do not retaliate. Give him both your tunic and your cloak. Give him all your clothes, even though you may need them." In this way a court case. Christians should act in this way and embarrass the person who asks too much.
The third example mentioned by our Lord has to do with travel. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
It was an unwritten law in Israel that a traveler had the right to ask a village to provide one or more protecting companions as he continued his journey. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us what could happen when someone travels alone – robbers and thieves will steal and beat and destroy. Now Jesus speaks of a traveler who demanded more than was customary. Maybe he was scared or lonely or was on the run. Whatever the reason he forced his protecting companions to go with him a mile further than was necessary. Instead of arguing in such a case, says Jesus, it is better to go the extra mile.
It is not Jesus' intention to tell us to give in to the demands of bullies. But we should extend Christian kindness to people who beg for more help than we are obliged to give.
Jesus is here not speaking to the nations of the world, to police officers, judges or magistrates. Because the government is called to resist evil. And countries should defend the safety of their citizens. Jesus is also not speaking to unbelievers. To anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus, these teachings are ridiculous.
Jesus is speaking to people who are made new in Christ; people who are born again; people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Such people, by the power of God, can find it within themselves not to seek revenge or bear a grudge, but to be humble and forgiving.
Blessed are the peace makers!
I The Law of Moses
Throughout our study of the Sermon on the Mount we have looked at the law of Moses, what the Rabbis said about that law, and then what Jesus said about that law. Since the Old Testament speaks in a number of places about "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" (Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21) many people think that the words of our text break this pattern; they think Jesus refers to the law itself rather than the explanation given by the Rabbis. This is not the case. Jesus again is setting his view against that of the Pharisees.
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." In this law of Moses the Lord speaks to us of revenge. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of it. If any harm is done to us, the immediate natural instinct is to hit back. Not only that, but the immediate natural instinct is to hit back harder than we were hit in the first place. When natural man is injured he wants vengeance; he even wants to kill. We see this tendency to wrath and anger, to retribution and retaliation, everywhere. We see it among children and adults. We see it among families. We see it among nations and races. We see it among different religions.
People don't seem to realize how damaging the desire for revenge really is.
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control excess. The main intent of the law of Moses here was to control anger and violence and the desire for revenge. God wants equity and justice to rule. So, if a man knocks out another man's eye, he must not be killed for it. Rather, it is "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment must fit the crime.
II The Teaching of the Rabbi’s
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The Rabbis made this law a matter of personal revenge. They said that any person who had been injured could seek "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." They basically said that a man had the right to take the law into his own hands and seek revenge. Yet, this law of Moses does not apply to individuals. This is clear when we look at Leviticus 19:
(Lev 19:18) Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
This law applies to judges and courts. Individuals do not have the right to punish people who have injured them. Only the authorities have this right. And, in exercising this right judges and courts have to apply the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." The punishment has to fit the crime. Judges and courts are restrained by this law from horrible excess.
The Rabbis were wrong in making the rule of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" a matter of personal revenge. Instead, it was something to be carried out by judges and courts.
Not only that, but in their legalism the Rabbis said the law of "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" was a duty; it was something that was automatic; revenge was something the law required. But God’s law required nothing like that. The Rabbis took the law and turned and twisted it. The law said this: "Do not punish more than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." The Rabbis twisted this law into a statement which said: "You are to seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
III The Teaching of Jesus
Jesus, however, speaks about Kingdom living. About Christian life sanctified. And Christians do not take the law into their own hands; they know they are not civil judges. Christians do not automatically seek revenge. Jesus makes this point with three examples.
The first example mentioned by our Lord concerns a case of slapping. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:39) ... Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Slapping is normally done with the right hand. A man would use his right hand and with his palm slap someone’s left cheek. However, to slap the right cheek you had to use the backside of the right hand The Jews believed that slapping the face with the backside of the hand was far more offensive than slapping the face with the palm. What Jesus is saying is this: Even if you are utterly humiliated, you must not hit back.
I think we all realise that retaliation has no end. Each blow becomes more severe than the one before. Then it becomes a big fight. This can only be prevented if someone stops hitting back and is willing to suffer a blow without retaliation.
The best example of this is the Lord Jesus. He was before the Sanhedrin. One of the officials struck him in the face. Jesus' only response was to ask, "Why did you strike me?" (Jn 18:23). When we succeed in turning the other cheek, our lives become a living testimony to the Lord Jesus.
The second example mentioned by Jesus concerns tunics and cloaks. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. When Israel's poor took out a loan they sometimes were obliged to give their cloak as a pledge. Yet, according to Deuteronomy 24:10-13, the creditor was not allowed to keep the cloak throughout the night. Because of the cold of the night he had to return the cloak before the sun went down. That way the poor debtor could sleep covered by his cloak and keep warm. However, some creditors were harsh. When they returned the cloak before sunset they immediately demanded another pledge in its place and said, "Give us your tunic."
Jesus said, "Do not protest if you are treated this way. Do not retaliate. Give him both your tunic and your cloak. Give him all your clothes, even though you may need them." In this way a court case. Christians should act in this way and embarrass the person who asks too much.
The third example mentioned by our Lord has to do with travel. Jesus says,
(Mt 5:41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
It was an unwritten law in Israel that a traveler had the right to ask a village to provide one or more protecting companions as he continued his journey. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us what could happen when someone travels alone – robbers and thieves will steal and beat and destroy. Now Jesus speaks of a traveler who demanded more than was customary. Maybe he was scared or lonely or was on the run. Whatever the reason he forced his protecting companions to go with him a mile further than was necessary. Instead of arguing in such a case, says Jesus, it is better to go the extra mile.
It is not Jesus' intention to tell us to give in to the demands of bullies. But we should extend Christian kindness to people who beg for more help than we are obliged to give.
Jesus is here not speaking to the nations of the world, to police officers, judges or magistrates. Because the government is called to resist evil. And countries should defend the safety of their citizens. Jesus is also not speaking to unbelievers. To anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus, these teachings are ridiculous.
Jesus is speaking to people who are made new in Christ; people who are born again; people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Such people, by the power of God, can find it within themselves not to seek revenge or bear a grudge, but to be humble and forgiving.
Blessed are the peace makers!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Predestination
Romans 8:28-30: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
In Christianity there is a school of thought that is known as Armenianism. People who hold this view typically believe that man cooperates with God by initiating their own salvation. They say we choose to believe in Christ when we are ready. They also believe that we can stop believing at any time and, thus, we become lost again. Basically, according to them, salvation is based upon the choice and will of man.
Then, there is a school of thought that is known as Calvinism that believes that we can only be saved by grace – through faith. Within Calvinism there are more than one interpretation of this truth. In extreme Calvinism it is believed that God elected some people for salvation and others for hell and that those elected have no say in the matter whatsoever. In extreme Calvinism, the free will of man is forfeited to the sovereignty of God. This is not the main stream view within the Reformed faith, although opponents of Presbyterianism often are mistaken about this and create the perception that all Presbyterians believe this.
But what does the Bible say? Romans 8: 28 - 30 deal with some of the Biblical teaching on election. It teaches that salvation is shaped by God and enjoyed by man; that salvation is one of those things that we, by ourselves, can not make a reality in our lives by ourselves. These verses also give us the strongest possible assurance of the unconditional, eternal security of whosoever believes in Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
As we dig into these verses we are walking in deep waters! Yet, for the assurance of salvation, these thoughts are of utmost importance to make our own.
In all things God works for the good of those who love him.
Life is filled with trials and troubles. It is comforting to know that everything is being worked out for our good according to the plan of a great God. God’s reputation depends on this verse being true, and it is! The Word does not say that all things are good, but that they will work for good. It is a promise that is as good as the God who made it!
When we experience troubles, we need to know that God is in control.
Yet this promise is not for everyone. According to verse 28 it is only for those who love God. If all things work together for the good of those who love God, the opposite is true for those who do not love him! For them everything that happens in their lives work towards their judgment and towards being lost for ever.
This often quoted and much loved verse must never be divorced from the verses that immediately follow it - 29-30: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
God's purpose in turning everything to our good is to make us more like Jesus! God’s work in you was not completed at salvation. He will continue to shape you until you reflect his image perfectly. The whole purpose of Romans 8:28 is to teach us that God has an eternal plan and that nothing will ever be able to change that plan! God is busy preparing his people to become more and more like Christ and he will perfect this work in heaven.
God is working out an awesome eternal plan for the life of every child of God.
God's will can never be a prisoner of man's will. That can never happen! God will never be held captive to the whims of men. It takes away from the glory of God’s sovereign grace and of man’s complete inability to do good by himself, without the intervention of the Spirit.
So what does the Bible tell us about getting saved?
1. Man does not initiate salvation – Man’s ability to do this died as a result of sin. Therefore, he is incapable of coming to God on his own. As a result, salvation is dependent upon the sinner being called to come to God by the Spirit of God. Salvation always begins with God. He takes the initiative.
2. But, on the other hand, the Bible is clear that the death of Christ on the cross was for the sins of all men and women - When Jesus died, he was dying for the sins of the world, 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:21.
3. And only those who receive the atoning death of Christ through faith are saved by his blood - Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10; John 5:24; John 3:16.
4. There is also no escaping the fact that believers were chosen by God to be his own, before the world began - Eph. 1:4-6.
5. But, wait, the Bible says "whosoever will" may come, Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13!
Doesn't this mean that anyone can be saved?
Yes, anyone! If I have been called by the Spirit of God and responded to this call in faith, I will know that anyone can be saved, even me.
Verse 28 tells us that God is working out his purpose in us. What is that purpose? He is remaking us in the image of Jesus.
Verse 29 tells us that God has already decided that we will be like Jesus some day. It is a done deal!
Verse 30 uses several words to speak of our journey of salvation. In the past tense.
A. We were predestined for salvation. - Past tense.
B. We were called - Past tense
C. We were justified – meaning declared innocent on the grounds of Christ’s atoning work. - Past tense.
D. We were glorified - Past tense.
It means that if you are saved, you are saved forever. Nothing can or will derail the purpose of God concerning you. If you are in Jesus, you will be in Jesus forever.
But it does not say that anyone was predestined to go to hell!
Therefore, if you are not saved, know this, anyone who has the desire to be saved, can be. That desire is the voice of the Spirit of God calling you to come to him. If you feel that pull towards him today, then come to Jesus and you will be saved, forever.
Now bless the Lord by rejoicing in the words of Romans 8: 31 – 39:
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Christianity there is a school of thought that is known as Armenianism. People who hold this view typically believe that man cooperates with God by initiating their own salvation. They say we choose to believe in Christ when we are ready. They also believe that we can stop believing at any time and, thus, we become lost again. Basically, according to them, salvation is based upon the choice and will of man.
Then, there is a school of thought that is known as Calvinism that believes that we can only be saved by grace – through faith. Within Calvinism there are more than one interpretation of this truth. In extreme Calvinism it is believed that God elected some people for salvation and others for hell and that those elected have no say in the matter whatsoever. In extreme Calvinism, the free will of man is forfeited to the sovereignty of God. This is not the main stream view within the Reformed faith, although opponents of Presbyterianism often are mistaken about this and create the perception that all Presbyterians believe this.
But what does the Bible say? Romans 8: 28 - 30 deal with some of the Biblical teaching on election. It teaches that salvation is shaped by God and enjoyed by man; that salvation is one of those things that we, by ourselves, can not make a reality in our lives by ourselves. These verses also give us the strongest possible assurance of the unconditional, eternal security of whosoever believes in Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
As we dig into these verses we are walking in deep waters! Yet, for the assurance of salvation, these thoughts are of utmost importance to make our own.
In all things God works for the good of those who love him.
Life is filled with trials and troubles. It is comforting to know that everything is being worked out for our good according to the plan of a great God. God’s reputation depends on this verse being true, and it is! The Word does not say that all things are good, but that they will work for good. It is a promise that is as good as the God who made it!
When we experience troubles, we need to know that God is in control.
Yet this promise is not for everyone. According to verse 28 it is only for those who love God. If all things work together for the good of those who love God, the opposite is true for those who do not love him! For them everything that happens in their lives work towards their judgment and towards being lost for ever.
This often quoted and much loved verse must never be divorced from the verses that immediately follow it - 29-30: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
God's purpose in turning everything to our good is to make us more like Jesus! God’s work in you was not completed at salvation. He will continue to shape you until you reflect his image perfectly. The whole purpose of Romans 8:28 is to teach us that God has an eternal plan and that nothing will ever be able to change that plan! God is busy preparing his people to become more and more like Christ and he will perfect this work in heaven.
God is working out an awesome eternal plan for the life of every child of God.
God's will can never be a prisoner of man's will. That can never happen! God will never be held captive to the whims of men. It takes away from the glory of God’s sovereign grace and of man’s complete inability to do good by himself, without the intervention of the Spirit.
So what does the Bible tell us about getting saved?
1. Man does not initiate salvation – Man’s ability to do this died as a result of sin. Therefore, he is incapable of coming to God on his own. As a result, salvation is dependent upon the sinner being called to come to God by the Spirit of God. Salvation always begins with God. He takes the initiative.
2. But, on the other hand, the Bible is clear that the death of Christ on the cross was for the sins of all men and women - When Jesus died, he was dying for the sins of the world, 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:21.
3. And only those who receive the atoning death of Christ through faith are saved by his blood - Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10; John 5:24; John 3:16.
4. There is also no escaping the fact that believers were chosen by God to be his own, before the world began - Eph. 1:4-6.
5. But, wait, the Bible says "whosoever will" may come, Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13!
Doesn't this mean that anyone can be saved?
Yes, anyone! If I have been called by the Spirit of God and responded to this call in faith, I will know that anyone can be saved, even me.
Verse 28 tells us that God is working out his purpose in us. What is that purpose? He is remaking us in the image of Jesus.
Verse 29 tells us that God has already decided that we will be like Jesus some day. It is a done deal!
Verse 30 uses several words to speak of our journey of salvation. In the past tense.
A. We were predestined for salvation. - Past tense.
B. We were called - Past tense
C. We were justified – meaning declared innocent on the grounds of Christ’s atoning work. - Past tense.
D. We were glorified - Past tense.
It means that if you are saved, you are saved forever. Nothing can or will derail the purpose of God concerning you. If you are in Jesus, you will be in Jesus forever.
But it does not say that anyone was predestined to go to hell!
Therefore, if you are not saved, know this, anyone who has the desire to be saved, can be. That desire is the voice of the Spirit of God calling you to come to him. If you feel that pull towards him today, then come to Jesus and you will be saved, forever.
Now bless the Lord by rejoicing in the words of Romans 8: 31 – 39:
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The truth, and nothing but the truth - so help me God!
Within the church we have to make sure we never develop a credibility gap. We, of all people, should mean what we say and say what we mean. If truth cannot be expected from us, then it can be expected from no one.
Everything that a Christian does and says is important, because we are representatives of the Lord, Jesus Christ and we are being watched by and have an impact on others. It is especially important because all of life is lived in the presence of God and under his watchful eye.
In Matt 5: 34 - 37 Jesus tells us that our "tes" should be yes and our "no" should be no. Words should not come too easily out of our mouths or too quickly from our lips. We should always speak the truth.
I The Law of Moses
The law of Moses speaks a number of times about the words of our mouth:
(Ex 20:7) "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
(Ex 20:16) "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
(Lev 19:12) "'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD."
(Deut 6:13) Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
What is the purpose of these statements?
The main intent of these verses, is to restrain lying and broken promises. One of the greatest problems Moses had to deal with was the tendency of people to lie to one another and to deliberately say things that were not true. Life was becoming chaotic because people could not believe one another's words or statements.
Experts agree we lie – and are lied to – much more than we think. One recent survey showed 91% people lie routinely.
A two-year study of nearly 9,000 people, more than two-thirds of whom were in high school or college, found significant numbers of the students engaged in or willing to engage in lying, cheating and stealing.
* More than a third of the students claimed they would lie on an application or resume if necessary to get a job; 16 percent of the high-school group and 18 percent of the college crowd admitted that they had done so. And 21 percent of the students approved of falsifying a report if needed to keep a job. Of the older group of students, more than a third also said they have lied to bosses and customers during the past year.
The law of Moses attempts to control and check such lies. When we cannot depend on each other's words then we cannot trust each other. And when we cannot trust each other then community becomes almost impossible.
Another purpose of the law of Moses was to restrict oath-taking to serious and important matters. Oath-making is a serious matter; it should only be done in unusual situations and for serious matters. After all, when all of life is lived under the eye of God, all our words – and not just those under oath – must be faithful and true.
II The Teachings of the Pharisees
What did the Pharisees say? Jesus sums up their teaching in verse 33:
(Mt 5:33) Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'
The Pharisees, as we have seen before, are more concerned with the letter of the law than with the spirit. As long as they could persuade themselves – and others – that they were keeping the letter of the law they were perfectly happy. They fooled themselves into thinking that as long as they kept certain kinds of oaths they were righteous, even though their lips were full of lies and their mouths were used to twist the truth.
The trouble with the Pharisees and the scribes was that they were legalists. And, in their legalism they reduced the law's meaning. They reduced the law's entire meaning to perjury. To say a lie in a Court of Law was to them a very serious and solemn matter; it was a terrible sin and they condemned it. Any other time, however, you could twist words, lie about the facts, and distort the truth and you were not guilty before the law as long as you did not commit perjury.
One final point about the Pharisees. They drew a distinction between oaths. You could swear by heaven, by the earth, by Jerusalem, or by your head. All these oaths, according to them, are not equal. Some are much more serious than others. They said, for instance, that swearing by the temple did not mean a thing, but swearing by the gold of the temple was very serious; in that case you were bound by your oath. If you took an oath by the altar you need not keep it; but if you took an oath by the gift on the altar then it was absolutely binding. Such distinctions make a mockery of oaths and oath-taking.
III The Teachings of Jesus
Let us turn now to the teachings of Jesus. What does he say about the words of one's mouth? Listen again to the words of our text:
(Mt 5:34-37) But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; (35) or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. (36) And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. (37) Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
What Jesus is saying is that oath-taking must be restricted. It must be used in unusual circumstances and on solemn occasions. Jesus forbids all oaths in ordinary conversation. There is no need to take an oath during an argument and you must not do so. In fact, oaths should never be necessary among believers. "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'"
Jesus' point is that if all of life is lived under God, then all our words are binding and to them all of us must be faithful and true. God's children, you see, know that they are always in the presence of God. They confess that they live in fellowship with him. Therefore, when they deal with each other an oath is not necessary. It's understood that their simple "yes" and "no" are spoken with God as their witness. They realize that before God their "yes" and "no" has the value of an oath.
If all our words are said in the presence of God, if all of life comes under him, why then are oaths sometimes required? Jesus answers this when he says, "anything beyond this comes from the evil one." We live in a corrupt world, a world of sin. Swearing by the Name of God is sometimes necessary because of the fact of sin. Fallen people cannot be trusted or believed so sometimes we have to ask them to swear in God's name that they are telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
We must not lie. We must mean what we say and say what we mean. Our "yes" must be "yes" and our "no" must be "no." Our talk should not be cheap. Words should not come too easily out of our mouths or too quickly from our lips. We must never forget that all of life is lived in the presence of God and under his watchful eye.
Everything that a Christian does and says is important, because we are representatives of the Lord, Jesus Christ and we are being watched by and have an impact on others. It is especially important because all of life is lived in the presence of God and under his watchful eye.
In Matt 5: 34 - 37 Jesus tells us that our "tes" should be yes and our "no" should be no. Words should not come too easily out of our mouths or too quickly from our lips. We should always speak the truth.
I The Law of Moses
The law of Moses speaks a number of times about the words of our mouth:
(Ex 20:7) "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
(Ex 20:16) "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
(Lev 19:12) "'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD."
(Deut 6:13) Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
What is the purpose of these statements?
The main intent of these verses, is to restrain lying and broken promises. One of the greatest problems Moses had to deal with was the tendency of people to lie to one another and to deliberately say things that were not true. Life was becoming chaotic because people could not believe one another's words or statements.
Experts agree we lie – and are lied to – much more than we think. One recent survey showed 91% people lie routinely.
A two-year study of nearly 9,000 people, more than two-thirds of whom were in high school or college, found significant numbers of the students engaged in or willing to engage in lying, cheating and stealing.
* More than a third of the students claimed they would lie on an application or resume if necessary to get a job; 16 percent of the high-school group and 18 percent of the college crowd admitted that they had done so. And 21 percent of the students approved of falsifying a report if needed to keep a job. Of the older group of students, more than a third also said they have lied to bosses and customers during the past year.
The law of Moses attempts to control and check such lies. When we cannot depend on each other's words then we cannot trust each other. And when we cannot trust each other then community becomes almost impossible.
Another purpose of the law of Moses was to restrict oath-taking to serious and important matters. Oath-making is a serious matter; it should only be done in unusual situations and for serious matters. After all, when all of life is lived under the eye of God, all our words – and not just those under oath – must be faithful and true.
II The Teachings of the Pharisees
What did the Pharisees say? Jesus sums up their teaching in verse 33:
(Mt 5:33) Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'
The Pharisees, as we have seen before, are more concerned with the letter of the law than with the spirit. As long as they could persuade themselves – and others – that they were keeping the letter of the law they were perfectly happy. They fooled themselves into thinking that as long as they kept certain kinds of oaths they were righteous, even though their lips were full of lies and their mouths were used to twist the truth.
The trouble with the Pharisees and the scribes was that they were legalists. And, in their legalism they reduced the law's meaning. They reduced the law's entire meaning to perjury. To say a lie in a Court of Law was to them a very serious and solemn matter; it was a terrible sin and they condemned it. Any other time, however, you could twist words, lie about the facts, and distort the truth and you were not guilty before the law as long as you did not commit perjury.
One final point about the Pharisees. They drew a distinction between oaths. You could swear by heaven, by the earth, by Jerusalem, or by your head. All these oaths, according to them, are not equal. Some are much more serious than others. They said, for instance, that swearing by the temple did not mean a thing, but swearing by the gold of the temple was very serious; in that case you were bound by your oath. If you took an oath by the altar you need not keep it; but if you took an oath by the gift on the altar then it was absolutely binding. Such distinctions make a mockery of oaths and oath-taking.
III The Teachings of Jesus
Let us turn now to the teachings of Jesus. What does he say about the words of one's mouth? Listen again to the words of our text:
(Mt 5:34-37) But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; (35) or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. (36) And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. (37) Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
What Jesus is saying is that oath-taking must be restricted. It must be used in unusual circumstances and on solemn occasions. Jesus forbids all oaths in ordinary conversation. There is no need to take an oath during an argument and you must not do so. In fact, oaths should never be necessary among believers. "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'"
Jesus' point is that if all of life is lived under God, then all our words are binding and to them all of us must be faithful and true. God's children, you see, know that they are always in the presence of God. They confess that they live in fellowship with him. Therefore, when they deal with each other an oath is not necessary. It's understood that their simple "yes" and "no" are spoken with God as their witness. They realize that before God their "yes" and "no" has the value of an oath.
If all our words are said in the presence of God, if all of life comes under him, why then are oaths sometimes required? Jesus answers this when he says, "anything beyond this comes from the evil one." We live in a corrupt world, a world of sin. Swearing by the Name of God is sometimes necessary because of the fact of sin. Fallen people cannot be trusted or believed so sometimes we have to ask them to swear in God's name that they are telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
We must not lie. We must mean what we say and say what we mean. Our "yes" must be "yes" and our "no" must be "no." Our talk should not be cheap. Words should not come too easily out of our mouths or too quickly from our lips. We must never forget that all of life is lived in the presence of God and under his watchful eye.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Spirit groans too.
We saw that the creation groans, waiting on God’s children to be revealed in order to be set free from the curse of our sin. Christians also groan, longing to be changed from weak sinners, into the likeness of Christ.
The amazing truth is that the Comforter, God’s Holy Spirit also groans.
Rom 8: 26 – 27: The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
We are taught that the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to help us to be Christians in this harsh anti-Christian world. Believers need this basic help and support every day. The Spirit knows our tendency to be evil and he helps us not to be! He knows that we often wander, and he helps us not to get lost. He knows that we grow tired of doing God’s will, and he helps us to remain faithful!
We are weak and we are sinners, but the Holy Spirit strengthens us so that we are able to live for God’s glory.
Yes, the Spirit prays for us. As a result of being sinful and weak, we are not able to pray in a manner that is according to the will of God. But the Holy Spirit knows the will of God, and he knows what we need. He takes our prayers, which are imperfect and self centred, and he tells the Father what we really need.
What a blessing! Who really knows how to pray about everything we need and the needs of others we hear about?
Who knows the mind of God well enough to know how to pray according to his will?
The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God, because he is God. He is able to translate our prayers into the perfect will of God. This is genuine, biblical praying in the Spirit!
There will be times when it is hard for us to worship, pray and do the work of God, but we have a Helper! We have One within us who is available to help us to meet the challenge of serving God according to his will and his purpose with our lives. He enables to live victoriously.
Whoever thought that it is easy to live the Christian life, is mistaken! Yet, it is never impossible!
Will we suffer? Yes!
Will we groan while we are here? Yes!
Will there be times when we feel like quitting being a child of God? Yes!
Will we feel that we do not have to go to church or bring the kids to Children’s Church? Yes!
When these things happen, remember that we have the Spirit of God within us and he remains diligent to keep us committed as we journey in this world toward God’s destination!
Take courage! The Spirit prays for you!
The amazing truth is that the Comforter, God’s Holy Spirit also groans.
Rom 8: 26 – 27: The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
We are taught that the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to help us to be Christians in this harsh anti-Christian world. Believers need this basic help and support every day. The Spirit knows our tendency to be evil and he helps us not to be! He knows that we often wander, and he helps us not to get lost. He knows that we grow tired of doing God’s will, and he helps us to remain faithful!
We are weak and we are sinners, but the Holy Spirit strengthens us so that we are able to live for God’s glory.
Yes, the Spirit prays for us. As a result of being sinful and weak, we are not able to pray in a manner that is according to the will of God. But the Holy Spirit knows the will of God, and he knows what we need. He takes our prayers, which are imperfect and self centred, and he tells the Father what we really need.
What a blessing! Who really knows how to pray about everything we need and the needs of others we hear about?
Who knows the mind of God well enough to know how to pray according to his will?
The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God, because he is God. He is able to translate our prayers into the perfect will of God. This is genuine, biblical praying in the Spirit!
There will be times when it is hard for us to worship, pray and do the work of God, but we have a Helper! We have One within us who is available to help us to meet the challenge of serving God according to his will and his purpose with our lives. He enables to live victoriously.
Whoever thought that it is easy to live the Christian life, is mistaken! Yet, it is never impossible!
Will we suffer? Yes!
Will we groan while we are here? Yes!
Will there be times when we feel like quitting being a child of God? Yes!
Will we feel that we do not have to go to church or bring the kids to Children’s Church? Yes!
When these things happen, remember that we have the Spirit of God within us and he remains diligent to keep us committed as we journey in this world toward God’s destination!
Take courage! The Spirit prays for you!
Monday, July 12, 2010
El-Shaddai
In Gen. 17: 1, God appears to Abram and says, "I am God Almighty." In the Hebrew language this name is "El-Shaddai." This divine name appears forty-eight times in the Old Testament, and this name reveals to us that God is more than able to keep all his promises to Abram - and to us, because he is El-Shaddai - he is God Almighty.
How great is our God, El-Shaddai? How mighty is he? In Gen. 18 God promises a natural-born child to an elderly Abraham and Sarah. Sarah laughed when she heard this. El-Shaddai responded with these words:
(Gen 18:14) "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" The correct answer, the only answer, the answer that everyone knows, is this: No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. Because he is God Almighty.
How great is our God, El-Shaddai? Israel was in the wilderness where God provided them manna and water. They began to crave other food: meat, fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic. So they cried to the Lord and complained to the Lord. God promises the people would eat meat for a month. (Num 11:20). This time it was Moses who doubted the word of the Lord. Listen to the response of El-Shaddai:
(Num 11:23) "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."
"Is the Lord's arm too short?" Do the Lord's arms not reach far enough is be able to help us when we are in need?
The only answer, the answer that everyone knows, is this: No, the Lord's arm is not too short. Because he is El-Shaddai.
Do you see what our God, what El-Shaddai, what God Almighty can do?
He can do anything, anything at all.
In Christ, we who are sinners are renewed. The old, weak, sinful person is buried and a new person rises through faith. We are declared righteous in God's sight. God can do this, because he is El-Shaddai. He is God Almighty. He can do anything, anything he wants to do.
How great is our God, El-Shaddai? How mighty is he? In Gen. 18 God promises a natural-born child to an elderly Abraham and Sarah. Sarah laughed when she heard this. El-Shaddai responded with these words:
(Gen 18:14) "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" The correct answer, the only answer, the answer that everyone knows, is this: No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. Because he is God Almighty.
How great is our God, El-Shaddai? Israel was in the wilderness where God provided them manna and water. They began to crave other food: meat, fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic. So they cried to the Lord and complained to the Lord. God promises the people would eat meat for a month. (Num 11:20). This time it was Moses who doubted the word of the Lord. Listen to the response of El-Shaddai:
(Num 11:23) "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."
"Is the Lord's arm too short?" Do the Lord's arms not reach far enough is be able to help us when we are in need?
The only answer, the answer that everyone knows, is this: No, the Lord's arm is not too short. Because he is El-Shaddai.
Do you see what our God, what El-Shaddai, what God Almighty can do?
He can do anything, anything at all.
In Christ, we who are sinners are renewed. The old, weak, sinful person is buried and a new person rises through faith. We are declared righteous in God's sight. God can do this, because he is El-Shaddai. He is God Almighty. He can do anything, anything he wants to do.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Marriage is for life!
Marriage is forever!
What does Jesus say about marriage and divorce? (Read Matthew 5:31-32).
Firstly, we notice that marriage is forever. In Matthew 19 we see Jesus going behind the law of Moses to the law that was given by God at the very beginning of time. Jesus says,
(Mat 19:4-6) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Secondly, Jesus says divorce is not to be condemned if there is "marital unfaithfulness." Marital unfaithfulness means unrepentant unchastely acts.
We may not recognize this at first, but in allowing divorce for marital unfaithfulness our Lord shows him to be gracious and kind. Don't forget, in Old Testament Israel the penalty for adultery and other unchastely acts was death by stoning. Jesus now removes this death sentence and permits divorce instead. Furthermore, the Old Testament law of divorce often left women and children abused, neglected, and suffering in impossible situations because only the husband was permitted to seek a divorce. Jesus' command permits wives to also initiate action.
Thirdly, notice that God does not command anyone to divorce. As in the law of Moses, God permits divorce rather than commands divorce. The reason is simple: marriage is for life.
Even as God forgives us, so we must forgive each other as husbands and wives. Instead of commanding divorce, what God does command is forgiveness.
Fourthly, we have to compare what Jesus says to what is happening in our world today. In South Africa you now get a so called "no-fault" divorce. Like the Pharisees, our society allows divorce for any and every reason. This was never God’s intention and not what Jesus taught
And fifthly, Jesus reminds us of the basis for marriage. If it is marital unfaithfulness that breaks a marriage, then it is marital faithfulness that makes a marriage.
The basis for marriage, the foundation for marriage, is fidelity, faithfulness, commitment. Where there is this faithfulness, the marriage remains together even when love is difficult. Where there is this faithfulness, the two remain one-flesh. And, by the power of Christ, where there is this faithfulness, love can slowly grow and come alive again.
Lastly, the Bible does not know unforgivable sin, except the sin of not believing in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Divorce can be forgiven, and we can start a new life after divorce! And God in his mercy may then grant us a marriage that is for life and that is based on true faithfulness and commitment!
What does Jesus say about marriage and divorce? (Read Matthew 5:31-32).
Firstly, we notice that marriage is forever. In Matthew 19 we see Jesus going behind the law of Moses to the law that was given by God at the very beginning of time. Jesus says,
(Mat 19:4-6) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Secondly, Jesus says divorce is not to be condemned if there is "marital unfaithfulness." Marital unfaithfulness means unrepentant unchastely acts.
We may not recognize this at first, but in allowing divorce for marital unfaithfulness our Lord shows him to be gracious and kind. Don't forget, in Old Testament Israel the penalty for adultery and other unchastely acts was death by stoning. Jesus now removes this death sentence and permits divorce instead. Furthermore, the Old Testament law of divorce often left women and children abused, neglected, and suffering in impossible situations because only the husband was permitted to seek a divorce. Jesus' command permits wives to also initiate action.
Thirdly, notice that God does not command anyone to divorce. As in the law of Moses, God permits divorce rather than commands divorce. The reason is simple: marriage is for life.
Even as God forgives us, so we must forgive each other as husbands and wives. Instead of commanding divorce, what God does command is forgiveness.
Fourthly, we have to compare what Jesus says to what is happening in our world today. In South Africa you now get a so called "no-fault" divorce. Like the Pharisees, our society allows divorce for any and every reason. This was never God’s intention and not what Jesus taught
And fifthly, Jesus reminds us of the basis for marriage. If it is marital unfaithfulness that breaks a marriage, then it is marital faithfulness that makes a marriage.
The basis for marriage, the foundation for marriage, is fidelity, faithfulness, commitment. Where there is this faithfulness, the marriage remains together even when love is difficult. Where there is this faithfulness, the two remain one-flesh. And, by the power of Christ, where there is this faithfulness, love can slowly grow and come alive again.
Lastly, the Bible does not know unforgivable sin, except the sin of not believing in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Divorce can be forgiven, and we can start a new life after divorce! And God in his mercy may then grant us a marriage that is for life and that is based on true faithfulness and commitment!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Christian also groans.
Last week we learned that all of creation groans, awaiting God’s children to reveal a brand new wonderful earth which is free from the curse of the sin of the human race!
Now this week we see that,
The Christian also groans.
Romans 8: 23 – 25: We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Along with creation, the child of God groans. Paul refers to our desire to be free from these weak, mortal bodies. But he also speaks of the indwelling ministry of the Spirit of God in the believer's life. Since we were saved, the Spirit worked in us in such a way that we began the process of seeing sin like God sees sin. The Spirit of God "sensitised" us to sin. We became sensitive to sin around us and in us.
As a result, we are distressed by the sins we commit and that we see others commit. If sin doesn't bother us, we have a serious spiritual problem! If we can witness sin and it does not affect us, something is amiss in our hearts!
This produces a longing within the believer. We want to be delivered from the sinful, weak, mortal bodies. We would do anything to be free from this weakness. Wouldn't it be a blessing if we never again had a wicked thought? Did a wicked deed?
But Paul tells us that we are saved by "hope". Hope in the Bible has a vastly different meaning than it does in the world today. When people use the word "hope" now, they are saying, "I wish", or "I want". But instead of hope only being a wish or desire, biblical hope is a deep settled knowledge based on the firm promises of God. Biblical hope is a conviction that salvation comes through faith in the shed blood and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the sure knowledge that one day our Lord will come for us and will take us to heaven. It is the sure knowledge that we will be changed from weak, sinful creatures into new people made to be like Christ.
We, who are God’s children, groan because we want to be free from sin. We have a longing to be remade into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that day is coming! One day, in God’s perfect time, this sinful flesh will breath its last and I will be remade in the image of my Saviour!
This is the hope of every child of God!
Now this week we see that,
The Christian also groans.
Romans 8: 23 – 25: We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Along with creation, the child of God groans. Paul refers to our desire to be free from these weak, mortal bodies. But he also speaks of the indwelling ministry of the Spirit of God in the believer's life. Since we were saved, the Spirit worked in us in such a way that we began the process of seeing sin like God sees sin. The Spirit of God "sensitised" us to sin. We became sensitive to sin around us and in us.
As a result, we are distressed by the sins we commit and that we see others commit. If sin doesn't bother us, we have a serious spiritual problem! If we can witness sin and it does not affect us, something is amiss in our hearts!
This produces a longing within the believer. We want to be delivered from the sinful, weak, mortal bodies. We would do anything to be free from this weakness. Wouldn't it be a blessing if we never again had a wicked thought? Did a wicked deed?
But Paul tells us that we are saved by "hope". Hope in the Bible has a vastly different meaning than it does in the world today. When people use the word "hope" now, they are saying, "I wish", or "I want". But instead of hope only being a wish or desire, biblical hope is a deep settled knowledge based on the firm promises of God. Biblical hope is a conviction that salvation comes through faith in the shed blood and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the sure knowledge that one day our Lord will come for us and will take us to heaven. It is the sure knowledge that we will be changed from weak, sinful creatures into new people made to be like Christ.
We, who are God’s children, groan because we want to be free from sin. We have a longing to be remade into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that day is coming! One day, in God’s perfect time, this sinful flesh will breath its last and I will be remade in the image of my Saviour!
This is the hope of every child of God!
Monday, July 5, 2010
God sees and hears everything!
We know from Scripture that God is everywhere and knows everyone.
Ps 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, (10) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
There is nowhere we can go to escape the presence of God. He sees us everywhere and hears us wherever we are.
As a human, I can give full and perfect attention to only one person at a time. But the infinite mind of God is able to grasp the thoughts of millions, billions, at once and yet focus on every one person as if there was no one else but that one person.
Not only that, but God sees and hears everything about you. He does not merely note your actions, your appearance, your words, but even your thoughts. God has a window into every person's heart through which he looks. God knows what you need, even before you ask.
God sees and hears you constantly. There is no situation where he is absent and there is no need he does not consider to be important.
Be blessed as you are led, kept and protected by the God of grace and mercy!
Ps 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, (10) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
There is nowhere we can go to escape the presence of God. He sees us everywhere and hears us wherever we are.
As a human, I can give full and perfect attention to only one person at a time. But the infinite mind of God is able to grasp the thoughts of millions, billions, at once and yet focus on every one person as if there was no one else but that one person.
Not only that, but God sees and hears everything about you. He does not merely note your actions, your appearance, your words, but even your thoughts. God has a window into every person's heart through which he looks. God knows what you need, even before you ask.
God sees and hears you constantly. There is no situation where he is absent and there is no need he does not consider to be important.
Be blessed as you are led, kept and protected by the God of grace and mercy!
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