So two weeks ago, I wrote about "Humility and Absolute Surrender"(which you can read here). Pride is a big struggle, so I wanted to post a passage talking about Christ's Example of Humility.
Philippians 2:1-11
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Now I know that there is tons of stuff that I could take from this passage write about, but this is what I want to do. Read the passage again, and think about your thought life.
How often do you think of yourself more highly than others(even small passing thoughts)? How often do you get hurt because someone hurt your pride(was better than you at something and "put you in your place")? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to others? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to God?
Test yourself and be open to what the Lord will show you. The Lord has shown me things that I am ashamed of, and yet, out of grace, He hasn't shown me all my faults. He is also merciful to forgive.
Read the passage and see how you compare to Christ's example of humility. Don't just think about it now, while you are reading this. Think about it when your with your friends, when you're doing homework,etc. Be constantly aware of your thoughts, because that's the reflection of your heart.
Lord, we are wretched and sinful creatures. And we continue to sin over and over again. Our thoughts are constantly self-centered, even in the good, righteous things we do. Humble us, Lord, and give us hearts to hear your voice of truth that tells us we are wrong. Take our pride and turn it into a worship and exaltation of You, instead of us. This is only possible through your grace and the Holy Spirit. We praise you and thank you for that as well. Amen.
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Humility
Today I started the book "Humility & Absolute Surrender" by Andrew Murray. I choose this book next in my list because I am an extremely judgmental and prideful person. God has shown me how selfish my thoughts are most of the time. They are consumed with me, usually in comparing with others. God is gracious to me in two ways when this happens though.
First, He forgives my prideful thoughts and counts me righteous because of Christ's selfless act of salvation on the cross. Secondly, He usually puts me in situations where someone is more talented than I am, therefore I am humbled. These moments are hard, because I don't want people to be better than me, but I praise Him for showing me and adding to my sanctification.
In the preface, Andrew says, "In our ordinary religious teaching, the second aspect has been too exclusively put in the foreground, so that some have even gone to the extreme of saying that we must keep sinning if we are indeed to keep humble. Others again have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility.
"And the Christian life has suffered loss, where believers have not been distinctly guided to see that, even in our relation as creatures, nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, that God may be all; or where it has not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles most, but grace, and that it is the soul, led through its sinfulness to be occupied with God in his wonderful glory as God, as Creator and Redeemer, that will truly take the lowest place before him."
This is a common misconception that I had bought into. I would think about my sinfulness and use that as my humility and to an extent that is good. If we have a healthy view of how sinful we are, it shows us how important the cross is, which increases our view of grace. That doesn't mean that we sin more. It just means that we recognize how sinful we are already.
The cross is the most humbling act in the history of the world, but too often we take it for granted. We continue through our lives thinking we are cooler than others, better than others, and more worthy than others, when reality is that we are all dust. Dust that sinned and deserved eternal punishment. But instead Jesus died so that we might live. This should baffle us.
As a last point, I want to speak to the "super-Christians" in our bible-belt region. Beware of the constant judging and justifying that you do to yourself and others. How many times have you been listening to a sermon and thought "oh, _______ (< insert name) could use this sermon." How many times do you justify the things you do because either, others have done them and so it's ok, or someone has wronged you so it was ok to respond the way you did.
I only bring this up, because these are the things that I do constantly, and God has shown me that I am wrong. Even now I have to battle the thoughts of "oh, I hope so and so will read my blog post." I am a sinful human being that fails, but by God's grace, is forgiven and pointed back to doing the right thing. I thank God for putting up with me and my sinfulness, and I also want to thank my friends, family and mentors for doing the same. You all have been a blessing to me. Thank you.
First, He forgives my prideful thoughts and counts me righteous because of Christ's selfless act of salvation on the cross. Secondly, He usually puts me in situations where someone is more talented than I am, therefore I am humbled. These moments are hard, because I don't want people to be better than me, but I praise Him for showing me and adding to my sanctification.
In the preface, Andrew says, "In our ordinary religious teaching, the second aspect has been too exclusively put in the foreground, so that some have even gone to the extreme of saying that we must keep sinning if we are indeed to keep humble. Others again have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility.
"And the Christian life has suffered loss, where believers have not been distinctly guided to see that, even in our relation as creatures, nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, that God may be all; or where it has not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles most, but grace, and that it is the soul, led through its sinfulness to be occupied with God in his wonderful glory as God, as Creator and Redeemer, that will truly take the lowest place before him."
This is a common misconception that I had bought into. I would think about my sinfulness and use that as my humility and to an extent that is good. If we have a healthy view of how sinful we are, it shows us how important the cross is, which increases our view of grace. That doesn't mean that we sin more. It just means that we recognize how sinful we are already.
The cross is the most humbling act in the history of the world, but too often we take it for granted. We continue through our lives thinking we are cooler than others, better than others, and more worthy than others, when reality is that we are all dust. Dust that sinned and deserved eternal punishment. But instead Jesus died so that we might live. This should baffle us.
As a last point, I want to speak to the "super-Christians" in our bible-belt region. Beware of the constant judging and justifying that you do to yourself and others. How many times have you been listening to a sermon and thought "oh, _______ (< insert name) could use this sermon." How many times do you justify the things you do because either, others have done them and so it's ok, or someone has wronged you so it was ok to respond the way you did.
I only bring this up, because these are the things that I do constantly, and God has shown me that I am wrong. Even now I have to battle the thoughts of "oh, I hope so and so will read my blog post." I am a sinful human being that fails, but by God's grace, is forgiven and pointed back to doing the right thing. I thank God for putting up with me and my sinfulness, and I also want to thank my friends, family and mentors for doing the same. You all have been a blessing to me. Thank you.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Reflection for "Holy Week"
"We’re now in the realm of the sublime and profound
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molestor
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated"
"So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell"
-Shai Linne The Cross (3 hours) verse 2 and bridge.
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molestor
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated"
"So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell"
-Shai Linne The Cross (3 hours) verse 2 and bridge.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Seeing the Cross and Counting It Joy
I just finished reading C.J.Mahaney's "Christ Our Mediator". I have already blogged about two of the chapters called "The Divine Dilemma" and "The Divine Rescue." To read these posts, click here.
Today I would just like to give some quotes about seeing your sin for what it truly is, and then through seeing your sin looking at the cross for the ultimate joy.
"Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don;t really understand the nature and depth of your sin or the necessity of the cross."
"In making this point, my ultimate purpose is not to convict you of sin, but to convince you of grace. Unless you're deeply aware of your sin, and of what affront it is to God's holiness, and of how impossible it is for Him to respond to this sin with anything other than furious wrath - you'll never appreciate grace, and it will never be amazing to you. Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace."
"The distractions that turn us away from the cross are so incessant and so numerous. But failing to focus on the right spot has serious consequences. So here's my question for you: In the last week, what was your primary preoccupation in your life? What was your spiritual focus? Was it on that spot where God most reveals His personal love for you - the cross?
Or was it on your own circumstances, your own condition, your own concerns? Was your preoccupation with your personal pursuit of godliness? Growth in godliness must be pursued, but never apart from joyful gratitude for the cross."
"And the inevitable result of preaching the gospel to yourself will be a pronounced joy,an infectious joy, a consistent joy.
Like Nothing else, the gospel creates joy; it's both the source and the object of our joy. The gospel alone allows us to obey the biblical directive to 'serve the Lord with gladness.' Joy is a command. You may be working hard and serving the Lord faithfully, but if you aren't serving with gladness, you aren't serving Him appropriately or representing Him accurately."
"Are you someone who's consistently joyful and continually aware that the joy of the Lord is your strength? Or do you normally appear to others to be someone who's burdened, busy, and easily bothered?"
Lord, we praise you for your Son's sacrifice, and thank you for your continued grace towards us. Lord, as I read these quotes and questions, I see how much glory I take away from you and try to give to myself. There are times where I don't think about the price you paid, or I take for granted your grace, or I diminish your holiness and view of sin.
I pray that you would give me wisdom to understand these things and to be affected by your cross. Lord, through you I know I can do anything. Lord,help me to count all things as joy. Amen
Today I would just like to give some quotes about seeing your sin for what it truly is, and then through seeing your sin looking at the cross for the ultimate joy.
"Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don;t really understand the nature and depth of your sin or the necessity of the cross."
"In making this point, my ultimate purpose is not to convict you of sin, but to convince you of grace. Unless you're deeply aware of your sin, and of what affront it is to God's holiness, and of how impossible it is for Him to respond to this sin with anything other than furious wrath - you'll never appreciate grace, and it will never be amazing to you. Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace."
"The distractions that turn us away from the cross are so incessant and so numerous. But failing to focus on the right spot has serious consequences. So here's my question for you: In the last week, what was your primary preoccupation in your life? What was your spiritual focus? Was it on that spot where God most reveals His personal love for you - the cross?
Or was it on your own circumstances, your own condition, your own concerns? Was your preoccupation with your personal pursuit of godliness? Growth in godliness must be pursued, but never apart from joyful gratitude for the cross."
"And the inevitable result of preaching the gospel to yourself will be a pronounced joy,an infectious joy, a consistent joy.
Like Nothing else, the gospel creates joy; it's both the source and the object of our joy. The gospel alone allows us to obey the biblical directive to 'serve the Lord with gladness.' Joy is a command. You may be working hard and serving the Lord faithfully, but if you aren't serving with gladness, you aren't serving Him appropriately or representing Him accurately."
"Are you someone who's consistently joyful and continually aware that the joy of the Lord is your strength? Or do you normally appear to others to be someone who's burdened, busy, and easily bothered?"
Lord, we praise you for your Son's sacrifice, and thank you for your continued grace towards us. Lord, as I read these quotes and questions, I see how much glory I take away from you and try to give to myself. There are times where I don't think about the price you paid, or I take for granted your grace, or I diminish your holiness and view of sin.
I pray that you would give me wisdom to understand these things and to be affected by your cross. Lord, through you I know I can do anything. Lord,help me to count all things as joy. Amen
Friday, March 5, 2010
Philemon
I recently listened to two sermons by Beau Hughes from the Village Church on Philemon. Philemon is one of the smallest of the thirteen letters sent by Paul and is different from all the other letters. It is a very personal letter and it's message is simple yet very powerful. Before reading this post I would encourage you to read the chapter here.
The context is this: Paul is in prison and somehow he meets Onesimus, one of Philemon's slaves, who has stolen from his master and run away. Paul uses this encounter to share the gospel with Onesimus and he becomes a believer.
One of the first things that Beau pointed out was how different slaves were treated in that day compare to that of the Civil War days. Slaves in Christian households were treated kindly and justly (which is part of the reason Christ says we have been made slaves to Him). They weren't abused, but treated in a godly manner.
One of the coolest things about this book is Paul's role. Paul is giving us a human example of what Christ does for us. Paul is mediating for Onesimus to Philemon, sort of like Jesus mediates for us to God. Paul has seen Onesimus' conversion, he has seen fruit for Christ and he sends this letter to Philemon saying recieve this man back, not as a disobedient slave, but as a fellow brother in Christ.
Another thing is that Paul usually gives commands. He shows the churches what they are doing wrong and corrects them sternly and then encourages them, but here he is giving Philemon friendly counsel. He says I know he has sinned against you, but I want you to recieve him as you would recieve me, with the same amount of joy same enthusiasm, because he is now a brother.
Paul sent the letter back with Onesimus, so this was a hard thing for Philemon. Here comes this man, who has wronged and Philemon, with a letter and Philemon reads this out loud and immediately has a decision to make; to except Onesimus back or to reject him.
Beau said that he believed that Philemon excepted him because otherwise we wouldn't have the letter and also look at verse 21,
"Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."
Paul was confident in Philemon, not because he would say, ok Paul I'll do it because you said so, but because Philemon had a heart for the Lord. Paul was confident of Philemon's obedience to God. That requires great trust in God and obedience. I would not have wanted to do that. Philemon could have justly had him arrested, but he forgave him.
This is a vague reflection of our relationship with God and Christ. We have wronged God, like Onesimus wronged Philemon. But Christ came down and died, taking away our punishment and now he mediates between us, so that we may have a relationship with the Father.
And the Father accepts us, not grudgingly, but lovingly. That is a forgiveness that should make us cry from sorrow and burst for joy at the same time, because though we are wretched and we screw up all the time, Christ continues to forgive and mediate and God continues to love us.
The context is this: Paul is in prison and somehow he meets Onesimus, one of Philemon's slaves, who has stolen from his master and run away. Paul uses this encounter to share the gospel with Onesimus and he becomes a believer.
One of the first things that Beau pointed out was how different slaves were treated in that day compare to that of the Civil War days. Slaves in Christian households were treated kindly and justly (which is part of the reason Christ says we have been made slaves to Him). They weren't abused, but treated in a godly manner.
One of the coolest things about this book is Paul's role. Paul is giving us a human example of what Christ does for us. Paul is mediating for Onesimus to Philemon, sort of like Jesus mediates for us to God. Paul has seen Onesimus' conversion, he has seen fruit for Christ and he sends this letter to Philemon saying recieve this man back, not as a disobedient slave, but as a fellow brother in Christ.
Another thing is that Paul usually gives commands. He shows the churches what they are doing wrong and corrects them sternly and then encourages them, but here he is giving Philemon friendly counsel. He says I know he has sinned against you, but I want you to recieve him as you would recieve me, with the same amount of joy same enthusiasm, because he is now a brother.
Paul sent the letter back with Onesimus, so this was a hard thing for Philemon. Here comes this man, who has wronged and Philemon, with a letter and Philemon reads this out loud and immediately has a decision to make; to except Onesimus back or to reject him.
Beau said that he believed that Philemon excepted him because otherwise we wouldn't have the letter and also look at verse 21,
"Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."
Paul was confident in Philemon, not because he would say, ok Paul I'll do it because you said so, but because Philemon had a heart for the Lord. Paul was confident of Philemon's obedience to God. That requires great trust in God and obedience. I would not have wanted to do that. Philemon could have justly had him arrested, but he forgave him.
This is a vague reflection of our relationship with God and Christ. We have wronged God, like Onesimus wronged Philemon. But Christ came down and died, taking away our punishment and now he mediates between us, so that we may have a relationship with the Father.
And the Father accepts us, not grudgingly, but lovingly. That is a forgiveness that should make us cry from sorrow and burst for joy at the same time, because though we are wretched and we screw up all the time, Christ continues to forgive and mediate and God continues to love us.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sacrificing Sons
So I have been using the Professor Horner's Bible-Reading system for my Bible study and today I read Genesis 22. Chapter 22 is when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. I have heard many things said about this passage and how many different ways you can look at it.
When I read it this time, firstly I was blown away by Abraham. God had just asked him to kill his son, and Abraham not only obeys, but he obeys to the best of his ability. Verse 3 says, "so Abraham rose early in the morning..." I don't have a child, but I can't imagine having to kill a son. If I had been Abraham, I don't think I would have gotten up early to kill my son. I would have stall and delayed as much as possible (that's if I obeyed God in the first place).
Abraham really shows trust in God. Genesis 17:19 says, "God said, 'No, but Sarah your wife shall bear a son, and you shall call his name. Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.'" So God had promised a covenant with Isaac's descendants before He told Abraham to kill him. Even so, Abraham was holding the knife, preparing to kill his son, when an angel stopped him.
The second thing I thought of was God sacrificing His Son. Not only was the bond of Father and Son crushed at that point, but Christ had to experience what it was like to have God forsake Him. Christ experienced the worst part of Hell in that moment. It wasn't about the pain, shame, or mockery. The reason the cross was so horrible was because His intimate connection with God was broken.
Christ went through that for us. He made the biggest sacrifice to save those that spit on Him, mocked Him, and bitterly hated Him. Despite our wickedness, He gave up His life and bond with the Father to save us. When I consider my self (and am honest with myself about how sinful I am), this blows my mind. I don't know why Christ did it. All I know is that I want to spend my life thanking and promoting Him for his love and grace.
Lord, I want to thank you for making the sacrifice that saved me; the sacrifice that I cannot begin to understand. Make me humble, Lord. Show me my sin, and how much I need you. I never want to lose the price of the cross in my life. The payment that you made and what you went through to make that payment should overwhelm me, Lord, and too often it doesn't. I pray that you would soften my prideful heart, that likes to give the credit to Luke. Thank you again, Lord. Amen.
When I read it this time, firstly I was blown away by Abraham. God had just asked him to kill his son, and Abraham not only obeys, but he obeys to the best of his ability. Verse 3 says, "so Abraham rose early in the morning..." I don't have a child, but I can't imagine having to kill a son. If I had been Abraham, I don't think I would have gotten up early to kill my son. I would have stall and delayed as much as possible (that's if I obeyed God in the first place).
Abraham really shows trust in God. Genesis 17:19 says, "God said, 'No, but Sarah your wife shall bear a son, and you shall call his name. Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.'" So God had promised a covenant with Isaac's descendants before He told Abraham to kill him. Even so, Abraham was holding the knife, preparing to kill his son, when an angel stopped him.
The second thing I thought of was God sacrificing His Son. Not only was the bond of Father and Son crushed at that point, but Christ had to experience what it was like to have God forsake Him. Christ experienced the worst part of Hell in that moment. It wasn't about the pain, shame, or mockery. The reason the cross was so horrible was because His intimate connection with God was broken.
Christ went through that for us. He made the biggest sacrifice to save those that spit on Him, mocked Him, and bitterly hated Him. Despite our wickedness, He gave up His life and bond with the Father to save us. When I consider my self (and am honest with myself about how sinful I am), this blows my mind. I don't know why Christ did it. All I know is that I want to spend my life thanking and promoting Him for his love and grace.
Lord, I want to thank you for making the sacrifice that saved me; the sacrifice that I cannot begin to understand. Make me humble, Lord. Show me my sin, and how much I need you. I never want to lose the price of the cross in my life. The payment that you made and what you went through to make that payment should overwhelm me, Lord, and too often it doesn't. I pray that you would soften my prideful heart, that likes to give the credit to Luke. Thank you again, Lord. Amen.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Divine Rescue
Last week I posted some stuff from C.J. Mahaney’s book “Christ Our Mediator” from the chapter “The Divine Dilemma.” We saw how opposite God and man is and how sin separates us.
This week I’m posting some stuff from the next chapter entitled “The Divine Rescue.” C.J. starts out asking if there was one sentence you could use to best capture the storyline of scripture, what it would be. He said the most common is John 3:16, but that he would go to 1 Timothy 2:5-6:
“For there is one God, and there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
But as a mediator, He has to represent both sides. Here’s what C.J. had to say:
“Only someone both fully divine and truly human can effectively mediate between God and men, and Jesus is exactly that. He is unique – totally unlike anyone else. That’s why Paul insists there is only ‘one mediator’, just as surely as there is ‘one God.’”
C.J. uses a quote from Ron Rhodes on this subject:
“If Christ the redeemer had been only God he could not have died, since God by his very nature cannot die. It was only as a man that Christ could represent humanity and die as a man.
As God, however, Christ’s death had infinite value sufficient to supply redemption for the sins of all mankind. Clearly then Christ had to be both God and man to secure man’s salvation.”
So Christ mediates between us and God and this is the result:
“He paid the price you and I owed to the innocent offended party, God our Creator and Judge.
Therefore the offended party is appeased. His righteous wrath against our sin is satisfied, having been poured out not upon us, but on Christ. God’s holy hostility against us has ended. The divine dilemma is resolved.”
This should cause us to fall on our faces in worship to Christ and God. God’s wrath/hostility/judgment crushed Christ instead of us. We were saved because of Christ sacrifice. Praise him for his death, grace, and love.
Dear Jesus, I don’t understand why you would choose to save me, a continuous sinner and offender of God, but we thank you. Help us to never forget the cross. Help us to never do anything in this life, without thinking of why we are able to do anything. The only reason we are alive now is because of your grace. Your grace on the cross and your continuous grace should overwhelm us and cause us to worship with the most humble hearts, because we did nothing, and you did everything. Thank you, Lord.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Divine Dilemma
Sitting on the floor beside my bed is a stack of about twenty-five books by great Christian authors such as John Piper, C. H. Spurgeon, and others. My goal is to read through as many of these as I can before I leave for college this fall. Right now I'm going through C. J.Mahaney's book "Christ Our Mediator".
The latest chapter I read was called "The Divine Dilemma" and I'm just going to give some excerpts from this chapter. First C. J. describes God:
"Paul conveys this dilemma in the opening chapters of his first letter to Timothy. God is 'the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,' Paul says. As King of kings, He's the absolute Sovereign one who transcends time...And He's invisible-living in unapproachable light, so that sinful beings cannot see Him and live. Furthermore, He's the only God, with no rivals."
Then describes man:
"In utter contrast to this is the portrait of humanity Paul paints for Timothy: 'lawless and disobedient...ungodly and sinners...unholy and profane...those who strike their fathers and mothers...murders, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.'"
Now C. J. compares the two and shows the dilemma:
"For God, the divine dilemma comes about because He isn't indifferent to any of this sinfulness on mankind's part. He is, in fact, righteously and furiously opposed to every bit of it. He cannot simply overlook or excuse it. In light of His holiness and justice, He has no alternative but to punish sin and punish the sinner."
Man and God are in complete opposition to each other, yet God wanted to save man. But God had to punish man for their sin. So this is the biggest dilemma that has ever existed and no man can do anything to resolve the issue. Next week C. J. will tell us about the Divine Rescue.
The latest chapter I read was called "The Divine Dilemma" and I'm just going to give some excerpts from this chapter. First C. J. describes God:
"Paul conveys this dilemma in the opening chapters of his first letter to Timothy. God is 'the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,' Paul says. As King of kings, He's the absolute Sovereign one who transcends time...And He's invisible-living in unapproachable light, so that sinful beings cannot see Him and live. Furthermore, He's the only God, with no rivals."
Then describes man:
"In utter contrast to this is the portrait of humanity Paul paints for Timothy: 'lawless and disobedient...ungodly and sinners...unholy and profane...those who strike their fathers and mothers...murders, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.'"
Now C. J. compares the two and shows the dilemma:
"For God, the divine dilemma comes about because He isn't indifferent to any of this sinfulness on mankind's part. He is, in fact, righteously and furiously opposed to every bit of it. He cannot simply overlook or excuse it. In light of His holiness and justice, He has no alternative but to punish sin and punish the sinner."
Man and God are in complete opposition to each other, yet God wanted to save man. But God had to punish man for their sin. So this is the biggest dilemma that has ever existed and no man can do anything to resolve the issue. Next week C. J. will tell us about the Divine Rescue.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
We are Absolutely Safe with Jesus
I have been very blessed in reading J. R. Miller's thoughts on various passages recently through "Grace Gems". These particular thoughts are very encouraging to me. Christ knows all that is in a person, yet if that person is His, then His love still covers us.
"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1
"A friend is one who loves--and does not cease to love. Christ having loved His people--loves them unto the end. One quality of true friendship, is trust.
What could be more sacred than this comfort of feeling safe with a person, absolutely safe? That is the kind of friend Jesus is. You may always feel safe with Him.
You may confess all your sins to Him. You may tell Him all your faults and your failures--how you denied Him the other night, how you failed to be true to Him, and all the evil thoughts of your heart; and He will be just as tender and gracious--as if you never had sinned!
He loves unto the end!
None of us would want to have our hearts photographed, and the picture held up before the eyes of our neighbors! We would not want even our best friends to see a full transcript of our secret life--what goes on within us: the jealousies, the envyings, the bitter feelings, the impure thoughts, the meannesses, the selfishnesses, the suspicions, the doubts and fears!
Yet Christ sees all this unworthy inner life--He knows the worst that is in us--and loves us still!
We do not need to hide our weaknesses from Him. He never withdraws His love. We may trust Him absolutely and forever!"
"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1
"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1
"A friend is one who loves--and does not cease to love. Christ having loved His people--loves them unto the end. One quality of true friendship, is trust.
What could be more sacred than this comfort of feeling safe with a person, absolutely safe? That is the kind of friend Jesus is. You may always feel safe with Him.
You may confess all your sins to Him. You may tell Him all your faults and your failures--how you denied Him the other night, how you failed to be true to Him, and all the evil thoughts of your heart; and He will be just as tender and gracious--as if you never had sinned!
He loves unto the end!
None of us would want to have our hearts photographed, and the picture held up before the eyes of our neighbors! We would not want even our best friends to see a full transcript of our secret life--what goes on within us: the jealousies, the envyings, the bitter feelings, the impure thoughts, the meannesses, the selfishnesses, the suspicions, the doubts and fears!
Yet Christ sees all this unworthy inner life--He knows the worst that is in us--and loves us still!
We do not need to hide our weaknesses from Him. He never withdraws His love. We may trust Him absolutely and forever!"
"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thoughts on the Holiday in the Rear View Mirror
The birth of Jesus is an important, historic event which we should never forget. But one thing that has always puzzled me is why only two of the four gospel accounts depict this beautiful scene and why the epistles don't explicitly focus their attention at all on the virgin birth, the shepherds, or the star.
We could spend time on why Matthew and Luke decided this was necessary for their gospels but Mark and John didn't but I don't know how helpful that would be for the limited space of this post. Instead I want to call of us to remember as the new year approaches and the tinsel disappears exactly why we celebrated a birth that occurred thousands of years ago. That is, what were all four gospels in agreement about as to why this birth was important. As we approach a new year leave another Christmas behind we must ask, why did Christ come into the world? Here are a few answers to this question that are very important to remember.
Jesus was born to be the true representation of God on Earth.
Jesus was born to save his people from their sins and the necessary judgment on their sin.
Stephen
We could spend time on why Matthew and Luke decided this was necessary for their gospels but Mark and John didn't but I don't know how helpful that would be for the limited space of this post. Instead I want to call of us to remember as the new year approaches and the tinsel disappears exactly why we celebrated a birth that occurred thousands of years ago. That is, what were all four gospels in agreement about as to why this birth was important. As we approach a new year leave another Christmas behind we must ask, why did Christ come into the world? Here are a few answers to this question that are very important to remember.
Jesus was born to be the true representation of God on Earth.
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Jesus was born to save his people from their sins and the necessary judgment on their sin.
"...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)Jesus was born to live a perfect, righteous life.
"Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15)
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify." (Romans 3:21)Jesus was born to die a sacrificial death.
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)
"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'—which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matthew 27:46)
"God put forward [Christ] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." (Romans 3:25)
"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Cor. 15:1,3-4)Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
God Has Visited His People
I love this time of year when we reflect upon the glory, the majesty, the wonder, and the mystery of God visiting His people. What grace and mercy was shown as the Son of God took on flesh and tabernacled among us! Who can fathom the reality of the eternal, self-existant God coming in flesh to walk among us and taste the struggles that we encounter? These thoughts never get old, yet they can definately make you dizzy!
And yet this is the truth that the children of God are hoping so desperately in! If we don't have Christ, then hope does not exist. Yet Jesus Christ most assuredly is the Savior of the world!
He came that we might have true life. He came that we might have forgiveness of sins. He came to fulfill the plan of the Father. He came that glory might arise out of suffering. He came so that death would be defeated.
Jesus Christ split history and conquered sin. He has declared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). If we deny Him as the only Deliverer, then sadly we have denied the only way of deliverance.
I pray that anyone who does not love Christ; come to Him! In Christ there is redemption! You can be forgiven. God "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). You can taste a joy and a hope that has been born out of Heaven.
I pray that anyone who does love Christ; rejoice in Him! Abide in Him. Though the life of a Christian has struggles, temptations, and failings; seek to kill sin in His name by His empowering Spirit...and preach His Good News to the entire world!
Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. The Gospel is something that never gets old! It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the lens through which we can view reality. May we worship our Savior with joy, hope, and love because of who He is and what He has done!
And yet this is the truth that the children of God are hoping so desperately in! If we don't have Christ, then hope does not exist. Yet Jesus Christ most assuredly is the Savior of the world!
He came that we might have true life. He came that we might have forgiveness of sins. He came to fulfill the plan of the Father. He came that glory might arise out of suffering. He came so that death would be defeated.
Jesus Christ split history and conquered sin. He has declared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). If we deny Him as the only Deliverer, then sadly we have denied the only way of deliverance.
I pray that anyone who does not love Christ; come to Him! In Christ there is redemption! You can be forgiven. God "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). You can taste a joy and a hope that has been born out of Heaven.
I pray that anyone who does love Christ; rejoice in Him! Abide in Him. Though the life of a Christian has struggles, temptations, and failings; seek to kill sin in His name by His empowering Spirit...and preach His Good News to the entire world!
Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. The Gospel is something that never gets old! It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the lens through which we can view reality. May we worship our Savior with joy, hope, and love because of who He is and what He has done!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Sunrise shall visit us from on High
After John the Baptist was born, Zechariah (his father) "was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied". The words recorded in this passage in the gospel of Luke are filled with hope, faith, and eager expectation for the revelation of the Savior. While Zechariah speaks of John the Baptist as preparing the way for the Lord, he also shows the beauty of our Savior in that we can have the forgiveness of sins because of the tender mercy of our God! What a wonderful thought, that we who were sitting in darkness have been washed in the light of Jesus Christ! Truly the sunrise has visited us from on High!
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father
Abraham, to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace"
-Luke 1:68-79
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father
Abraham, to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace"
-Luke 1:68-79
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
God has given us a Savior
This is a wonderful passage from the "Valley of Vision" to meditate upon as we celebrate Christmas this month...
"Thou God of all grace, Thou hast given me a savior,
produce in me a faith to live by him,
to make him all my desire,
all my hope,
all my glory.
May I enter him as my refuge,
build on him as my foundation,
walk in him as my way,
follow him as my guide,
conform to him as my example,
receive his instructions as my prophet,
rely on his intercession as my high priest,
obey him as my king.
May I never be ashamed of him or his words,
but joyfully bear his reproach,
never displease him by unholy or imprudent conduct,
never count it a glory if I take it patiently when buffeted for a fault,
never make the multitude my model,
never delay when thy Word invites me to advance.
May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,
so that its smiles never allure,
nor its frowns terrify,
nor its vices defile,
nor its errors delude me.
May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,
declaring plainly that I seek a country,
my title to it becoming daily more clear,
my meetness for it more perfect,
my foretastes of it more abundant;
and whatsoever I do may it be done in the Savior's name."
- "The Valley of Vision: The Saviour"
"Thou God of all grace, Thou hast given me a savior,
produce in me a faith to live by him,
to make him all my desire,
all my hope,
all my glory.
May I enter him as my refuge,
build on him as my foundation,
walk in him as my way,
follow him as my guide,
conform to him as my example,
receive his instructions as my prophet,
rely on his intercession as my high priest,
obey him as my king.
May I never be ashamed of him or his words,
but joyfully bear his reproach,
never displease him by unholy or imprudent conduct,
never count it a glory if I take it patiently when buffeted for a fault,
never make the multitude my model,
never delay when thy Word invites me to advance.
May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,
so that its smiles never allure,
nor its frowns terrify,
nor its vices defile,
nor its errors delude me.
May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,
declaring plainly that I seek a country,
my title to it becoming daily more clear,
my meetness for it more perfect,
my foretastes of it more abundant;
and whatsoever I do may it be done in the Savior's name."
- "The Valley of Vision: The Saviour"
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Nothing but Christ
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
- 1 Corinthians 2:2
"Christ, in his person and offices, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching."
- Matthew Henry
Jesus Christ is...
our Righteousness,
our Redeemer,
our Mediator,
our Peace,
the true Light,
the Word made flesh,
the Great High Priest,
the image of the invisible God,
the Head of the Church,
the radiance of the glory of God,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
the bread that came down from Heaven,
the Good Shepherd,
the Resurrection and the Life,
The Way,
The Truth,
The Life,
the Lamb that was slain,
the death-conqueror,
The King of Kings,
The Lord of Lords.
Son of God, truly you are the only Savior. Jesus, You came to save Your people from their sin, we love You. You did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but you made yourself nothing, taking the form of a servant. You, the Author of life, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God for the glory of God. After making purification for sins, You sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. You have lavished your love upon us; a perfect love that has cast out all fear. Jesus You are Lord, You reign, and You uphold the universe by the word of Your power. You are our Salvation, and You are our perfect example of love and obedience as we seek to express our gratitude and adoration to You for who You are and what You have done. Blessed Savior, by Your empowering Spirit may we decrease as You increase in our lives. May our thoughts, words, and deeds reflect your image more and more. In Your holy name, Amen.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2
"Christ, in his person and offices, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching."
- Matthew Henry
Jesus Christ is...
our Righteousness,
our Redeemer,
our Mediator,
our Peace,
the true Light,
the Word made flesh,
the Great High Priest,
the image of the invisible God,
the Head of the Church,
the radiance of the glory of God,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
the bread that came down from Heaven,
the Good Shepherd,
the Resurrection and the Life,
The Way,
The Truth,
The Life,
the Lamb that was slain,
the death-conqueror,
The King of Kings,
The Lord of Lords.
Son of God, truly you are the only Savior. Jesus, You came to save Your people from their sin, we love You. You did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but you made yourself nothing, taking the form of a servant. You, the Author of life, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God for the glory of God. After making purification for sins, You sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. You have lavished your love upon us; a perfect love that has cast out all fear. Jesus You are Lord, You reign, and You uphold the universe by the word of Your power. You are our Salvation, and You are our perfect example of love and obedience as we seek to express our gratitude and adoration to You for who You are and what You have done. Blessed Savior, by Your empowering Spirit may we decrease as You increase in our lives. May our thoughts, words, and deeds reflect your image more and more. In Your holy name, Amen.
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