We love because he first loved us.
-- 1 John 4:19
If you’ve ever suffered any degree of loneliness, you know that we were not made to live alone! God wired us to experience love—both to give it and to receive it. We need intimacy… the sharing of love and life with another.
When God saw that Adam was alone, he created Eve. ow, you may not feel cut out for marriage, but you are still created for intimacy. And God prepares opportunities for intimacy in a variety of ways. The Bible says God sets the solitary in families (Psalm 68:6) to help us meet this innate need for community. For many Christians, fellowship in their local church helps fill the need.
But human relationships alone cannot really satisfy the need for intimacy. That’s because we’re wired first to be intimate with God. This is why so many people feel separated and cut off from life and cut off from a valuable future. They don’t have a relationship with God.
When you feel disconnected from life and purpose for no apparent reason, when you sense that nagging, empty, itching loneliness that draws you to something beyond human relationship, seek intimacy with God. You were made to know him. He knows your name and he’s calling your name today. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
ONLY GOD CAN SATISFY THE HEART’S DESIRE FOR INTIMACY.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
IRON IN YOUR SOUL
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!”
-- Luke 6:22
If you and I are determined to live for God, we will face times of adversity. The words of Jesus in today’s verse make it clear that we will face persecution for our faith.
That was certainly the case of Joseph who lived a godly life in front of his family and yet he was sold into slavery. He lived a godly life inside Potiphar’s house and yet he was falsely accused, maligned, and imprisoned. And Joseph even lived a godly life in prison and yet was forgotten and left there to die.
Miraculously, through all these hardships, Joseph never became angry or bitter. He trusted God’s purpose in his life. So Joseph grew in wisdom, courage, character, and endurance through the prison of his circumstances. In fact, Psalm 105 says that God put iron into Joseph’s soul through those difficulties.
Listen! Hard times are ahead for us, too. We need the iron in our soul that comes from walking through adversity God’s way.
When adversity comes your way, trust God with your life. Don’t let adversity make you bitter, but allow it to make you a better follower of Christ Jesus.
WE NEED THE IRON IN OUR SOUL THAT COMES FROM WALKING THROUGH ADVERSITY GOD’S WAY.
-- Luke 6:22
If you and I are determined to live for God, we will face times of adversity. The words of Jesus in today’s verse make it clear that we will face persecution for our faith.
That was certainly the case of Joseph who lived a godly life in front of his family and yet he was sold into slavery. He lived a godly life inside Potiphar’s house and yet he was falsely accused, maligned, and imprisoned. And Joseph even lived a godly life in prison and yet was forgotten and left there to die.
Miraculously, through all these hardships, Joseph never became angry or bitter. He trusted God’s purpose in his life. So Joseph grew in wisdom, courage, character, and endurance through the prison of his circumstances. In fact, Psalm 105 says that God put iron into Joseph’s soul through those difficulties.
Listen! Hard times are ahead for us, too. We need the iron in our soul that comes from walking through adversity God’s way.
When adversity comes your way, trust God with your life. Don’t let adversity make you bitter, but allow it to make you a better follower of Christ Jesus.
WE NEED THE IRON IN OUR SOUL THAT COMES FROM WALKING THROUGH ADVERSITY GOD’S WAY.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Experiencing the Holiness of God
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." - Isaiah 6:6-7
Holiness.
What image does that word conjure up in your mind? My earliest image of holiness is standing in a little country church. I was maybe five years old, staring straight ahead with my brothers all stiff and stale, my shirt and tie choking the life out of me. In the same row were my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, each gripping the pew in front of them till their knuckles turned white. They sang "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty" at the top of their lungs with a medieval organ backing their trio.
For me, God's holiness was connected with the clock ever so slowly ticking out the remaining minutes of the monotonous message while I squirmed on the hard seat longing to be free from constraint. Do you relate in some way to that picture?
Possibly you think of holiness as a list of rules to freeze freedom and crush creativity. Maybe you have known some people who claimed to be fired up about holiness but there's nothing appealing about their legalistic lifestyle or plastic perspective on living a God-centered life.
That's not God's holiness. No human standard of goodness or man-made regulation of righteousness could ever substitute for a fearful and wonderful encounter with the living God. A true glimpse of His holiness rocks your world to the core. In fact, we are only prepared to comprehend the grace of God when we have understood His infinite holiness and our incredible sinfulness. Any presentation of the gospel which leaves out that truth is incomplete. It's the holiness of God that casts us upon His mercy.
Try to remember that next time you are tempted to gloss over a sin in your life. "Well, it's not that bad." Or "everyone understands." Refuse that rationalization. Allow God to grip your heart with this truth and you'll find you have no more patience for your own lame excuses!
God allowed the prophet Isaiah to peek into His heavenly throne room and glimpse His holiness like no human has ever done. And Isaiah was seriously laid out by what he saw. Isaiah's vision of this scene above the ceiling (see Isaiah 6) is one we desperately, desperately need in the church today. Why? Because it blows away the comfortable, manageable God we've fashioned for ourselves. It reminds us how small we are and how great He is. So great in fact, that He is unapproachable except in the ways He has prescribed.
Isaiah, overcome with his own sinfulness before God's holiness, experienced the grace and mercy that flows from His throne. Picture the scene in Isaiah 6:6-7.
So this infinitely holy, immeasurable, unalterable, unfathomable God says, "I've cleansed you for holiness." Think of that. "I want you to be like Me--holy. I've done what you could not do so you would have this incredible opportunity to be holy--now go for it."
I began this devotional sharing the distorted perception I had of God's holiness as a child. I had to learn that God's holiness is not some abstract character trait to be admired like a fine painting or an antique car. God's holiness draws us to purity. What God forbids as sin He does because He knows us. Every time God says "don't," what He really means is "don't hurt yourself." When we choose to sin we choose to suffer. All the pain and suffering in our world is the result of humanity rejecting this call to holiness. But you can accept it today. You can embrace the reality of God's transforming work unto genuine, lasting joy-producing holiness.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." - Isaiah 6:6-7
Holiness.
What image does that word conjure up in your mind? My earliest image of holiness is standing in a little country church. I was maybe five years old, staring straight ahead with my brothers all stiff and stale, my shirt and tie choking the life out of me. In the same row were my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, each gripping the pew in front of them till their knuckles turned white. They sang "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty" at the top of their lungs with a medieval organ backing their trio.
For me, God's holiness was connected with the clock ever so slowly ticking out the remaining minutes of the monotonous message while I squirmed on the hard seat longing to be free from constraint. Do you relate in some way to that picture?
Possibly you think of holiness as a list of rules to freeze freedom and crush creativity. Maybe you have known some people who claimed to be fired up about holiness but there's nothing appealing about their legalistic lifestyle or plastic perspective on living a God-centered life.
That's not God's holiness. No human standard of goodness or man-made regulation of righteousness could ever substitute for a fearful and wonderful encounter with the living God. A true glimpse of His holiness rocks your world to the core. In fact, we are only prepared to comprehend the grace of God when we have understood His infinite holiness and our incredible sinfulness. Any presentation of the gospel which leaves out that truth is incomplete. It's the holiness of God that casts us upon His mercy.
Try to remember that next time you are tempted to gloss over a sin in your life. "Well, it's not that bad." Or "everyone understands." Refuse that rationalization. Allow God to grip your heart with this truth and you'll find you have no more patience for your own lame excuses!
God allowed the prophet Isaiah to peek into His heavenly throne room and glimpse His holiness like no human has ever done. And Isaiah was seriously laid out by what he saw. Isaiah's vision of this scene above the ceiling (see Isaiah 6) is one we desperately, desperately need in the church today. Why? Because it blows away the comfortable, manageable God we've fashioned for ourselves. It reminds us how small we are and how great He is. So great in fact, that He is unapproachable except in the ways He has prescribed.
Isaiah, overcome with his own sinfulness before God's holiness, experienced the grace and mercy that flows from His throne. Picture the scene in Isaiah 6:6-7.
So this infinitely holy, immeasurable, unalterable, unfathomable God says, "I've cleansed you for holiness." Think of that. "I want you to be like Me--holy. I've done what you could not do so you would have this incredible opportunity to be holy--now go for it."
I began this devotional sharing the distorted perception I had of God's holiness as a child. I had to learn that God's holiness is not some abstract character trait to be admired like a fine painting or an antique car. God's holiness draws us to purity. What God forbids as sin He does because He knows us. Every time God says "don't," what He really means is "don't hurt yourself." When we choose to sin we choose to suffer. All the pain and suffering in our world is the result of humanity rejecting this call to holiness. But you can accept it today. You can embrace the reality of God's transforming work unto genuine, lasting joy-producing holiness.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
REFRESHMENTS FOR WEARY TRAVELERS
A depressed, dejected Elijah staggers off into the wilderness. He collapses under a broom tree, one of the few sources of shade in the baked desert region. Steeped in a gloomy spirit, he asks God to end his life. How did this happen?
Ahab was king of Israel—a spurious monarch more interested in pleasing his foreign-born wife, Jezebel, than following the will of God. Jezebel attempted to outlaw worship of God in Israel, and she might have succeeded but for Elijah—a bold prophet of God. Elijah forced a contest between the Baal gods of Jezebel’s homeland and the God of Israel. In a dramatic display of power (1 Kings 18), God emerged victorious over the rival gods, and Elijah, one would think, was vindicated for serving the one true God. Instead, an enraged Jezebel put a price on Elijah’s head, forcing his flight to Beersheba for safety.
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. (1 Kings 19:1–9) (NRS)
Sometimes our lowest moments come after a great victory. Everything should be better, we think, but nothing really changes.
Lying under the broom tree, depressed, wanting to die, Elijah fell asleep. When depression strikes us, we want to withdraw and sleep life away. We’re exhausted and tempted to fade into nonexistence. But God doesn’t allow it. An angel came and nudged Elijah, showing gifts of water and bread. Elijah ate a bit, but the depression was great and he fell back to sleep. This is one tenacious angel! She knocks him over and says firmly “Get up! Eat! Or else the journey will be too great for you.” Elijah obeys; he consumes the food and drink and embarks on the next leg of his journey.
I once heard a country preacher on the radio say, “When you’re at the end of your rope, let go, and your feet will rest on the Rock of Jesus.” In the throes of despair, Jesus comes to us bearing gifts of refreshment and renewal. Elijah was not offered a smorgasbord of delights that would have kept him forever in the desert. God gave him just enough for the next stage of the journey. Likewise God is able to pull us out of our own murky pits and give us just what we need to continue the journey to something better.
God used an angel to deliver the refreshing gifts to Elijah. “Angel” (“messenger” in Hebrew) can refer to either a human or spiritual being carrying out a mission for God. Have you ever thought God may be calling you to be an angel for a person wandering in the desert? Open your eyes to see a wanderer in a spiritual wasteland who needs gifts of God’s love and encouragement. Be an angel for the Lord!
Lord, as you have refreshed me in my desert wanderings, so send me now with your gifts of love and encouragement to those in need of your refreshment! Amen.
A depressed, dejected Elijah staggers off into the wilderness. He collapses under a broom tree, one of the few sources of shade in the baked desert region. Steeped in a gloomy spirit, he asks God to end his life. How did this happen?
Ahab was king of Israel—a spurious monarch more interested in pleasing his foreign-born wife, Jezebel, than following the will of God. Jezebel attempted to outlaw worship of God in Israel, and she might have succeeded but for Elijah—a bold prophet of God. Elijah forced a contest between the Baal gods of Jezebel’s homeland and the God of Israel. In a dramatic display of power (1 Kings 18), God emerged victorious over the rival gods, and Elijah, one would think, was vindicated for serving the one true God. Instead, an enraged Jezebel put a price on Elijah’s head, forcing his flight to Beersheba for safety.
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. (1 Kings 19:1–9) (NRS)
Sometimes our lowest moments come after a great victory. Everything should be better, we think, but nothing really changes.
Lying under the broom tree, depressed, wanting to die, Elijah fell asleep. When depression strikes us, we want to withdraw and sleep life away. We’re exhausted and tempted to fade into nonexistence. But God doesn’t allow it. An angel came and nudged Elijah, showing gifts of water and bread. Elijah ate a bit, but the depression was great and he fell back to sleep. This is one tenacious angel! She knocks him over and says firmly “Get up! Eat! Or else the journey will be too great for you.” Elijah obeys; he consumes the food and drink and embarks on the next leg of his journey.
I once heard a country preacher on the radio say, “When you’re at the end of your rope, let go, and your feet will rest on the Rock of Jesus.” In the throes of despair, Jesus comes to us bearing gifts of refreshment and renewal. Elijah was not offered a smorgasbord of delights that would have kept him forever in the desert. God gave him just enough for the next stage of the journey. Likewise God is able to pull us out of our own murky pits and give us just what we need to continue the journey to something better.
God used an angel to deliver the refreshing gifts to Elijah. “Angel” (“messenger” in Hebrew) can refer to either a human or spiritual being carrying out a mission for God. Have you ever thought God may be calling you to be an angel for a person wandering in the desert? Open your eyes to see a wanderer in a spiritual wasteland who needs gifts of God’s love and encouragement. Be an angel for the Lord!
Lord, as you have refreshed me in my desert wanderings, so send me now with your gifts of love and encouragement to those in need of your refreshment! Amen.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
CHRISTIAN LIFE IN THE LONG RUN
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1–3)
The Christian life is not a sprint. It is long distance, a marathon—and the run requires patience and perseverance. In his coaching passage in Hebrews, Paul's word for perseverance, in its root, is the same word used to express endurance in Matthew 10,". . . he that endures to the end shall be saved." The beautiful passage in 1 Corinthians 13 employs the same word to say that love endures all things. So whether with God—the vertical relationship of our lives—or in the horizontal relationships with our friends, husbands and wives, parents and children, we are advised to pace ourselves, to persevere and endure.
How do we endure? A day at a time. Patience doesn't arrive prepackaged and complete. We must appropriate it over and over again, morning by morning, day by day, throughout life. One of the greatest and most popular prayers of the 20th Century is used by Alcoholics Anonymous and was originally written by Reinhold Niebuhr. Beautiful, marvelous, profoundly real, "The Serenity Prayer" has at its heart the cross and resurrection of Christ:
God, grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
It also speaks the theme of endurance—"living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time . . ." which upends our compulsive lives.
This brings us to verse three and Paul's final point: Patience has been modeled for us. By whom? By the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. How can we comprehend Christ's suffering and patience? Simply by knowing Him. In The Revelation, the Christ who is to come shows us his scars. He forever is the wounded healer. Suffering is at His heart. His triumph comes through his suffering. And He calls us to be like him. "Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself . . ."
How do we acquire patience and perseverance? Only one way: We look to Christ. We keep our eyes on the grief of the cross and the glory of His resurrection and triumph. We keep looking day after day as often as we need. We just keep looking to Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1–3)
The Christian life is not a sprint. It is long distance, a marathon—and the run requires patience and perseverance. In his coaching passage in Hebrews, Paul's word for perseverance, in its root, is the same word used to express endurance in Matthew 10,". . . he that endures to the end shall be saved." The beautiful passage in 1 Corinthians 13 employs the same word to say that love endures all things. So whether with God—the vertical relationship of our lives—or in the horizontal relationships with our friends, husbands and wives, parents and children, we are advised to pace ourselves, to persevere and endure.
How do we endure? A day at a time. Patience doesn't arrive prepackaged and complete. We must appropriate it over and over again, morning by morning, day by day, throughout life. One of the greatest and most popular prayers of the 20th Century is used by Alcoholics Anonymous and was originally written by Reinhold Niebuhr. Beautiful, marvelous, profoundly real, "The Serenity Prayer" has at its heart the cross and resurrection of Christ:
God, grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
It also speaks the theme of endurance—"living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time . . ." which upends our compulsive lives.
This brings us to verse three and Paul's final point: Patience has been modeled for us. By whom? By the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. How can we comprehend Christ's suffering and patience? Simply by knowing Him. In The Revelation, the Christ who is to come shows us his scars. He forever is the wounded healer. Suffering is at His heart. His triumph comes through his suffering. And He calls us to be like him. "Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself . . ."
How do we acquire patience and perseverance? Only one way: We look to Christ. We keep our eyes on the grief of the cross and the glory of His resurrection and triumph. We keep looking day after day as often as we need. We just keep looking to Christ.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Faith Is a Verb
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. . . . And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” - Matthew 13:54-58
One time in the Gospels it says that Jesus couldn’t do much in a town “because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). Wouldn’t that be an awful thing to have said about your home, about your family, about you? Jesus couldn’t do much in or through you because you just didn’t believe Him. Lord, why don’t You do more in our church? Could it be because of people’s unbelief? Why do you make good things happen so often in my friend’s life, but not in mine? Could it be because your friend believes God more?
Faith is the key. God’s promises are activated by faith. Faith is not passive—it’s an action verb. Don’t say, “Well, I’m just waiting over here. Maybe God will work; maybe He won’t.” What are you doing about it? “Well, not much,” you say.
It’s like the sick guy who needs to get better but doesn’t go to the doctor. That’s foolishness. You’ve got to do what you can.
Or like the girl who is looking for a husband but never goes to the Single Adult meetings at church. She just sits down in her basement praying for her man to show up. “My husband will have to find me here.” Yeah, that’s not a great plan. Do what you can!
Like the person who’s filled with concerns and wants to have hope but has never read the Bible.
It’s God's promises that give us hope. How many Scriptural promises do you know? How many promises have you memorized? How many are on the tip of your tongue? Not a lot? Well, no wonder you’re filled with anxiety! No wonder you don’t have any hope! You’re not holding onto anything.
Get your heart around some of the exceedingly great and precious promises of God! Hold on to what God has said in His Word. Someday you’re going to be in a difficult situation and the enemy will try to pull you down, but you’ve got God’s Word hidden in your heart. His words will flood you with courage and fill your life with faith.
“God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible but it is a biblical concept. Faith has to be active to be real. Remember the guy in 2 Kings 5 who had leprosy and God told him he had to go dip in the river? In faith, he had to do what he could. Like the woman in poverty in 2 Kings 4 who had to collect containers to hold all that oil God was giving her—she did what she could. Like a warrior heading into battle—he has to pick up his weapon.
Put some action behind what you believe and watch God work.
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. . . . And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” - Matthew 13:54-58
One time in the Gospels it says that Jesus couldn’t do much in a town “because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). Wouldn’t that be an awful thing to have said about your home, about your family, about you? Jesus couldn’t do much in or through you because you just didn’t believe Him. Lord, why don’t You do more in our church? Could it be because of people’s unbelief? Why do you make good things happen so often in my friend’s life, but not in mine? Could it be because your friend believes God more?
Faith is the key. God’s promises are activated by faith. Faith is not passive—it’s an action verb. Don’t say, “Well, I’m just waiting over here. Maybe God will work; maybe He won’t.” What are you doing about it? “Well, not much,” you say.
It’s like the sick guy who needs to get better but doesn’t go to the doctor. That’s foolishness. You’ve got to do what you can.
Or like the girl who is looking for a husband but never goes to the Single Adult meetings at church. She just sits down in her basement praying for her man to show up. “My husband will have to find me here.” Yeah, that’s not a great plan. Do what you can!
Like the person who’s filled with concerns and wants to have hope but has never read the Bible.
It’s God's promises that give us hope. How many Scriptural promises do you know? How many promises have you memorized? How many are on the tip of your tongue? Not a lot? Well, no wonder you’re filled with anxiety! No wonder you don’t have any hope! You’re not holding onto anything.
Get your heart around some of the exceedingly great and precious promises of God! Hold on to what God has said in His Word. Someday you’re going to be in a difficult situation and the enemy will try to pull you down, but you’ve got God’s Word hidden in your heart. His words will flood you with courage and fill your life with faith.
“God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible but it is a biblical concept. Faith has to be active to be real. Remember the guy in 2 Kings 5 who had leprosy and God told him he had to go dip in the river? In faith, he had to do what he could. Like the woman in poverty in 2 Kings 4 who had to collect containers to hold all that oil God was giving her—she did what she could. Like a warrior heading into battle—he has to pick up his weapon.
Put some action behind what you believe and watch God work.
Friday, September 3, 2010
T.H.I.N.K. Before You Talk
… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…. -- Ephesians 4:2
You and I need to give careful consideration to how we engage our culture on behalf of Christ.
That’s why I want to share with you a little acrostic that will help you “T.H.I.N.K” before you speak. Try using this simple little outline. It will help you present the Gospel in a positive manner.
“T” stands for True. Before you speak and offer criticism of someone’s ideas or behaviors, make sure that what you’re saying is true. Don’t mistake spiritual discernment for merely opinion, innuendo, slander, or gossip. Are you addressing a true spiritual issue?
“H” stands for Helpful. Ask yourself if the words you’re offering are helpful. Don’t judge, but seek to build up an individual rather than tearing them down.
“I” stands for Inspiring. Be uplifting and point others toward what the Scripture says about Christ, his love, and restoration.
“N” stands for Necessary. Don’t be a fault-finder regarding matters of little importance. Ask yourself if it’s really necessary to take action and what’s at stake.
“K” stands for Kind. Be kind and humble in your approach. We’re to get the speck out of our eye before addressing the faults of others. In other words, get your own life right before attempting to deal with someone else.
BE UPLIFTING AND POINT OTHERS TOWARD WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT CHRIST, HIS LOVE, AND RESTORATION.
VISIT DR. SALVADOR OTHER WEBSITE HERE
… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…. -- Ephesians 4:2
You and I need to give careful consideration to how we engage our culture on behalf of Christ.
That’s why I want to share with you a little acrostic that will help you “T.H.I.N.K” before you speak. Try using this simple little outline. It will help you present the Gospel in a positive manner.
“T” stands for True. Before you speak and offer criticism of someone’s ideas or behaviors, make sure that what you’re saying is true. Don’t mistake spiritual discernment for merely opinion, innuendo, slander, or gossip. Are you addressing a true spiritual issue?
“H” stands for Helpful. Ask yourself if the words you’re offering are helpful. Don’t judge, but seek to build up an individual rather than tearing them down.
“I” stands for Inspiring. Be uplifting and point others toward what the Scripture says about Christ, his love, and restoration.
“N” stands for Necessary. Don’t be a fault-finder regarding matters of little importance. Ask yourself if it’s really necessary to take action and what’s at stake.
“K” stands for Kind. Be kind and humble in your approach. We’re to get the speck out of our eye before addressing the faults of others. In other words, get your own life right before attempting to deal with someone else.
BE UPLIFTING AND POINT OTHERS TOWARD WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT CHRIST, HIS LOVE, AND RESTORATION.
VISIT DR. SALVADOR OTHER WEBSITE HERE
Thursday, September 2, 2010
TURN VULNERABILITY INTO VICTORY
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
--Mark 14:38
Jesus was tempted in every way possible, but He never gave in. Not once! This means you and I, as believers in Christ, can also experience that kind of victory.
The reason why is because He has given us the power to overcome temptation just like He did through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Remember that temptation is the seduction to fulfill a God-given desire in a God-forbidden way. And sometimes the reason it is important to face temptation is so that we learn absolute dependence on God.
Be prepared: When you are moving forward in your walk with the Lord, be ready for the temptation Satan will throw your way. And know that in any potentially sinful situation, God will offer you a way of escape!
Sin may gratify momentarily, but it never satisfies. If you submit to the will of God, stay grounded in His Word, seek to live a life of worship, and recognize temptation, then you will be able to dodge Satan’s lies every time. You CAN turn every temptation into a triumph and vulnerability into victory for Jesus Christ.
IN ANY POTENTIALLY SINFUL SITUATION, GOD WILL OFFER YOU A WAY OF ESCAPE!
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
--Mark 14:38
Jesus was tempted in every way possible, but He never gave in. Not once! This means you and I, as believers in Christ, can also experience that kind of victory.
The reason why is because He has given us the power to overcome temptation just like He did through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Remember that temptation is the seduction to fulfill a God-given desire in a God-forbidden way. And sometimes the reason it is important to face temptation is so that we learn absolute dependence on God.
Be prepared: When you are moving forward in your walk with the Lord, be ready for the temptation Satan will throw your way. And know that in any potentially sinful situation, God will offer you a way of escape!
Sin may gratify momentarily, but it never satisfies. If you submit to the will of God, stay grounded in His Word, seek to live a life of worship, and recognize temptation, then you will be able to dodge Satan’s lies every time. You CAN turn every temptation into a triumph and vulnerability into victory for Jesus Christ.
IN ANY POTENTIALLY SINFUL SITUATION, GOD WILL OFFER YOU A WAY OF ESCAPE!
Friday, July 23, 2010
"Forgiven Freedom"
Exodus 9:1 - Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'
The late Charlton Heston became widely known during his life for several reasons. In his later years, he became well known for his support of the Second Amendment to the United States Bill of Rights as the president of the National Rifle Association. For me, however, he is best remembered for his immortalized support of the First Amendment when he played Moses in The Ten Commandments. With the wind in his long beard and his staff in hand, his deep voice boomed to Pharaoh the words of the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me."
Of course, the enslaved Hebrews did not have the First Amendment to protect their right to the free exercise of their religion, but we do. It came at a terrible price and is preserved still by the lives of our servicemen and women who keep us safe both at home and abroad. Freedom always comes at a price to someone.
As Americans, it is easy to forget the simple freedoms we enjoy when our generation silences the offensive realities of life, and the next generation sleeps through its history classes. As Christians, it's easy to forget the forgiveness that was won for us as our generation slips out the Church's back door, and the next generation neglects to even approach her door. How thankful we can be that Christ has come to set us free from the bondage of sin and death.
Freedom and forgiveness have come at a price-maybe not to you-but certainly to our crucified Lord. This Lenten season,Today, let us recall the supreme price He paid for our forgiveness and the liberation we have from sin's damnation on account of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Today, we are free, and we pray the coming generations remain free to serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE PRAYER: Gracious Lord, preserve the freedom we have to worship You and remind us of the gifts You give to us daily. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Exodus 9:1 - Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'
The late Charlton Heston became widely known during his life for several reasons. In his later years, he became well known for his support of the Second Amendment to the United States Bill of Rights as the president of the National Rifle Association. For me, however, he is best remembered for his immortalized support of the First Amendment when he played Moses in The Ten Commandments. With the wind in his long beard and his staff in hand, his deep voice boomed to Pharaoh the words of the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me."
Of course, the enslaved Hebrews did not have the First Amendment to protect their right to the free exercise of their religion, but we do. It came at a terrible price and is preserved still by the lives of our servicemen and women who keep us safe both at home and abroad. Freedom always comes at a price to someone.
As Americans, it is easy to forget the simple freedoms we enjoy when our generation silences the offensive realities of life, and the next generation sleeps through its history classes. As Christians, it's easy to forget the forgiveness that was won for us as our generation slips out the Church's back door, and the next generation neglects to even approach her door. How thankful we can be that Christ has come to set us free from the bondage of sin and death.
Freedom and forgiveness have come at a price-maybe not to you-but certainly to our crucified Lord. This Lenten season,Today, let us recall the supreme price He paid for our forgiveness and the liberation we have from sin's damnation on account of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Today, we are free, and we pray the coming generations remain free to serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE PRAYER: Gracious Lord, preserve the freedom we have to worship You and remind us of the gifts You give to us daily. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"Miracle Soap"
Jeremiah 2:22 - Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord GO
In our highly technological society, a solution to a problem as small as a stain is certainly available for a price. Armed with an array of detergents and stain-removing agents, anyone is a fair match for a difficult stain. That is, if all of the snazzy before-and-after demonstrations of the infomercials are to be believed.
But the stain of sin is not like any fabric stain. It is not humanly possible to remove it. As Jeremiah reminds his hearers, there is not a soap available-organic or mineral-that can wash away the ingrained blemish of our sin. Scrubbing will do no good: the stain is impervious to our efforts. It would take an act of God to make us clean again.
And yet, an act of God is what Christ gave us on the cross. Ironically, the blood He poured out for us on Calvary has become the miracle soap that makes us spotlessly clean. Blood, a stain-causing substance, has become a cleaning agent. The before-and-after picture looks something like this: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD: "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
By Jesus' blood, you are perfectly, spotlessly clean and fit for His eternal Kingdom. By the work of the Spirit He has given you, you can live a life of hope and expectation of an eternity of perfectly clean garments, praising God eternally for the miracle soap of Jesus' blood.
THE PRAYER: Precious Savior, You spilled Your guiltless blood so that I could be clean; enable me by the power of Your Spirit to live a clean life before You and to show those around me the value of Your sacrifice. Amen.
Jeremiah 2:22 - Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord GO
In our highly technological society, a solution to a problem as small as a stain is certainly available for a price. Armed with an array of detergents and stain-removing agents, anyone is a fair match for a difficult stain. That is, if all of the snazzy before-and-after demonstrations of the infomercials are to be believed.
But the stain of sin is not like any fabric stain. It is not humanly possible to remove it. As Jeremiah reminds his hearers, there is not a soap available-organic or mineral-that can wash away the ingrained blemish of our sin. Scrubbing will do no good: the stain is impervious to our efforts. It would take an act of God to make us clean again.
And yet, an act of God is what Christ gave us on the cross. Ironically, the blood He poured out for us on Calvary has become the miracle soap that makes us spotlessly clean. Blood, a stain-causing substance, has become a cleaning agent. The before-and-after picture looks something like this: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD: "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
By Jesus' blood, you are perfectly, spotlessly clean and fit for His eternal Kingdom. By the work of the Spirit He has given you, you can live a life of hope and expectation of an eternity of perfectly clean garments, praising God eternally for the miracle soap of Jesus' blood.
THE PRAYER: Precious Savior, You spilled Your guiltless blood so that I could be clean; enable me by the power of Your Spirit to live a clean life before You and to show those around me the value of Your sacrifice. Amen.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
FORGIVENESS
LUK 23:34, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
At times it is very difficult for us to forgive people, and it is very easy to harbor an unforgiving spirit. However, to be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. Forgiveness means to give up resentment, excuse a guilty party, release from payment, and forget an offense never bringing it up again, not even to discuss it. The ultimate expression of forgiveness is found in our Lord's words, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
The greatest illustration of forgiveness is the Cross itself, where all the personal sins of the human race were imputed to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lord demonstrates His graciousness in forgiving someone who was guilty in LUK 7:36-50; verse 36 reads, "Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him. And He entered the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table."
Simon the Pharisee was a user. He wanted to use Jesus to gain power with the crowds following Him. Often these meals were eaten in the courtyard, and when a rabbi was at the meal, people came in to hear his wisdom. When a guest entered such a house, three protocols were always followed. First, the host placed his hands on the guest's shoulder and gave him the kiss of peace as a mark of respect. Secondly, since the roads were dusty and dirty and they wore sandals, their feet became dirty; therefore, water was poured over the guest's feet to cleanse them. Thirdly, a pinch of sweet-smelling incense was burned or a drop of aroma of roses was placed on the guest's head as an anointing. However, none of these were offered to the Lord when He entered. Yet His attitude of grace and restoration was the same toward the Pharisees, the tax collectors, and prostitutes.
LUK 23:34, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
At times it is very difficult for us to forgive people, and it is very easy to harbor an unforgiving spirit. However, to be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. Forgiveness means to give up resentment, excuse a guilty party, release from payment, and forget an offense never bringing it up again, not even to discuss it. The ultimate expression of forgiveness is found in our Lord's words, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
The greatest illustration of forgiveness is the Cross itself, where all the personal sins of the human race were imputed to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lord demonstrates His graciousness in forgiving someone who was guilty in LUK 7:36-50; verse 36 reads, "Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him. And He entered the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table."
Simon the Pharisee was a user. He wanted to use Jesus to gain power with the crowds following Him. Often these meals were eaten in the courtyard, and when a rabbi was at the meal, people came in to hear his wisdom. When a guest entered such a house, three protocols were always followed. First, the host placed his hands on the guest's shoulder and gave him the kiss of peace as a mark of respect. Secondly, since the roads were dusty and dirty and they wore sandals, their feet became dirty; therefore, water was poured over the guest's feet to cleanse them. Thirdly, a pinch of sweet-smelling incense was burned or a drop of aroma of roses was placed on the guest's head as an anointing. However, none of these were offered to the Lord when He entered. Yet His attitude of grace and restoration was the same toward the Pharisees, the tax collectors, and prostitutes.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST
It is the focal point throughout every book in the Bible…. it is the cross of Jesus Christ. The doctrines concerning the cross mean nothing to those who are pursuing foolishness but to those who are saved and positive toward God's truth the cross is the very power of God, 1CO 1:18. The cross, to many uninformed Christians, is nothing more than an excuse to be lazy and claim charity under the name of Jesus. To such Christians the glory of the cross eludes them. God has nothing more marvelous to reveal to man than the cross and it goes way beyond salvation. His marvelous plan goes way beyond the fact that we are forgiven of all our sins but that we have a new life in Christ. Calvary marked the greatest hour in the entire meritorious history of deity! At the cross we have the meritorious attributes of God coming to their maximum expression.
At the cross God found a way to justify the ungodly and still remain just, ROM 3:26. And, the cross not only crucified Christ to the world but it crucified the world to us, we have a new life in Christ, GAL 6:14. At the cross we have God declaring the wicked perfectly righteous without a shadow of blame falling on His perfect character. Only when the Christian has the divine focus on what the cross is all about will he then see the Bible in its true light with all its deepest doctrines and treasures. So, the central message of the word of God deals with sin-stricken humanity and the cross of Jesus Christ. God demonstrated his perfect righteousness in displaying publicly His Son on the cross as a propitiation on behalf of all, ROM 32:25-26.
As we participate in the Communion table, we remember the cross of Christ which actually is our cross that Christ bore for us. When we see the cross we remember that we were once sinners but now are forgiven. Let us approach the cross with penitent and repentant hearts.
It is the focal point throughout every book in the Bible…. it is the cross of Jesus Christ. The doctrines concerning the cross mean nothing to those who are pursuing foolishness but to those who are saved and positive toward God's truth the cross is the very power of God, 1CO 1:18. The cross, to many uninformed Christians, is nothing more than an excuse to be lazy and claim charity under the name of Jesus. To such Christians the glory of the cross eludes them. God has nothing more marvelous to reveal to man than the cross and it goes way beyond salvation. His marvelous plan goes way beyond the fact that we are forgiven of all our sins but that we have a new life in Christ. Calvary marked the greatest hour in the entire meritorious history of deity! At the cross we have the meritorious attributes of God coming to their maximum expression.
At the cross God found a way to justify the ungodly and still remain just, ROM 3:26. And, the cross not only crucified Christ to the world but it crucified the world to us, we have a new life in Christ, GAL 6:14. At the cross we have God declaring the wicked perfectly righteous without a shadow of blame falling on His perfect character. Only when the Christian has the divine focus on what the cross is all about will he then see the Bible in its true light with all its deepest doctrines and treasures. So, the central message of the word of God deals with sin-stricken humanity and the cross of Jesus Christ. God demonstrated his perfect righteousness in displaying publicly His Son on the cross as a propitiation on behalf of all, ROM 32:25-26.
As we participate in the Communion table, we remember the cross of Christ which actually is our cross that Christ bore for us. When we see the cross we remember that we were once sinners but now are forgiven. Let us approach the cross with penitent and repentant hearts.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
He Suffered for Our Own Iniquities
Isaiah 53:3-5a
He was despised and rejected. Christ was “rejected” by men, in consequence of their beholding in him nothing but grief and infirmity. These things needed to be often repeated. that mankind might not form a false conception of Christ and his kingdom; for, in order to know his glory, we must proceed from his death to his resurrection. Many stumble at his death, as if he had been vanquished and overwhelmed by it; but we ought to contemplate his power and majesty in the resurrection.
Surely he carried our sicknesses. This is a strong affirmation of the fact and likewise a reason of something which went before, and which might have been thought new and strange. The true reason of the weakness, pains, and shame of Christ is, that “he carried our sicknesses.”
Matthew quotes this prediction, after having related that Christ cured various diseases; though it is certain that he was appointed not to cure bodies, but rather to cure souls; for it is of spiritual disease that the Prophet intends to speak. But in the miracles which Christ performed in curing bodies, he gave a proof of the salvation which he brings to our souls. That healing had therefore a more extensive reference than to bodies, because he was appointed to be the physician of souls; and accordingly Matthew applies to the outward sign what belonged to the truth and reality.
We thought him to be smitten, wounded by God, and afflicted. This shows how great was the ingratitude and wickedness of the people, who did not know why Christ was so severely afflicted, but imagined that God smote him on account of his own sins, though they knew that he was perfectly innocent, and his innocence was attested even by his judge. (Matthew 27:24; Luke 23:4, 14, 22; John 18:38) Since therefore they know that an innocent man is punished for sins which he did not commit, why do they not think that it indicated some extraordinary excellence to exist in him? But because they see him wounded and despised, they do not inquire about the cause, and from the event alone, as fools are wont to do, they pronounce judgment. Accordingly, Isaiah complains of the wicked judgment of men, in not considering the cause of Christ’s heavy afflictions; and especially he deplores the dullness of his own nation, because they thought that God was a deadly enemy of Christ, and took no account of their own sins, which were to be expiated in this manner.
And he was wounded for our iniquities. He again repeats the cause of Christ’s great afflictions, in order to meet the scandal which might have arisen from it. The spectacle of the cross alienates many persons from Christ, when they consider what is presented to their eyes, and do not observe the object to be accomplished. But all offense is removed when we know that by his death our sins have been expiated, and salvation has been obtained for us.
As participate in the communion, let us be reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He suffered for our own iniquities.
Isaiah 53:3-5a
He was despised and rejected. Christ was “rejected” by men, in consequence of their beholding in him nothing but grief and infirmity. These things needed to be often repeated. that mankind might not form a false conception of Christ and his kingdom; for, in order to know his glory, we must proceed from his death to his resurrection. Many stumble at his death, as if he had been vanquished and overwhelmed by it; but we ought to contemplate his power and majesty in the resurrection.
Surely he carried our sicknesses. This is a strong affirmation of the fact and likewise a reason of something which went before, and which might have been thought new and strange. The true reason of the weakness, pains, and shame of Christ is, that “he carried our sicknesses.”
Matthew quotes this prediction, after having related that Christ cured various diseases; though it is certain that he was appointed not to cure bodies, but rather to cure souls; for it is of spiritual disease that the Prophet intends to speak. But in the miracles which Christ performed in curing bodies, he gave a proof of the salvation which he brings to our souls. That healing had therefore a more extensive reference than to bodies, because he was appointed to be the physician of souls; and accordingly Matthew applies to the outward sign what belonged to the truth and reality.
We thought him to be smitten, wounded by God, and afflicted. This shows how great was the ingratitude and wickedness of the people, who did not know why Christ was so severely afflicted, but imagined that God smote him on account of his own sins, though they knew that he was perfectly innocent, and his innocence was attested even by his judge. (Matthew 27:24; Luke 23:4, 14, 22; John 18:38) Since therefore they know that an innocent man is punished for sins which he did not commit, why do they not think that it indicated some extraordinary excellence to exist in him? But because they see him wounded and despised, they do not inquire about the cause, and from the event alone, as fools are wont to do, they pronounce judgment. Accordingly, Isaiah complains of the wicked judgment of men, in not considering the cause of Christ’s heavy afflictions; and especially he deplores the dullness of his own nation, because they thought that God was a deadly enemy of Christ, and took no account of their own sins, which were to be expiated in this manner.
And he was wounded for our iniquities. He again repeats the cause of Christ’s great afflictions, in order to meet the scandal which might have arisen from it. The spectacle of the cross alienates many persons from Christ, when they consider what is presented to their eyes, and do not observe the object to be accomplished. But all offense is removed when we know that by his death our sins have been expiated, and salvation has been obtained for us.
As participate in the communion, let us be reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He suffered for our own iniquities.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Christ is the Lamb of God
John 1:29
Behold the Lamb of God. The principal office of Christ is briefly but clearly stated; that he takes away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of his death, and reconciles men to God. There are other favors, indeed, which Christ bestows upon us, but this is the chief favor, and the rest depend on it; that, by appeasing the wrath of God, he makes us to be reckoned holy and righteous. For from this source flow all the streams of blessings, that, by not imputing our sins, he receives us into His favor.
By the word Lamb he alludes to the ancient sacrifices of the Law. This had to do with Jews who, having been accustomed to sacrifices, could not be instructed about atonement for sins in any other way than by holding out to them a sacrifice. As there were various kinds of them, he makes one, by a figure of speech, to stand for the whole; and it is probable that John alluded to the paschal lamb. John employed this mode of expression, which was better adapted to instruct the Jews, and possessed greater force; as in our own day, in consequence of baptism being generally practiced, we understand better what is meant by obtaining forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ, when we are told that we are washed and cleansed by it from our sins. At the same time, as the Jews commonly held superstitious notions about sacrifices, he corrects this fault in passing, by reminding them of the object to which all the sacrifices were directed. It was a very wicked abuse of the institution of sacrifice, that they had their confidence fixed on the outward signs; and John, holding out Christ, testifies that he is the Lamb of God; by which he means that all the sacrifices, which the Jews were accustomed to offer under the Law, had no power whatever to atone for sins, but that they were only figures, the truth of which was manifested in Christ himself.
Who takes away the sin of the world. He uses the word sin in the singular number, for any kind of iniquity; as if he had said, that every kind of unrighteousness which alienates men from God is taken away by Christ. And when he says, the sin Of The World, he extends this favor indiscriminately to the whole human race; that the Jews might not think that he had been sent to them alone. But hence we infer that the whole world is involved in the same condemnation; and that as all men without exception are guilty of unrighteousness before God, they need to be reconciled to him. John the Baptist, therefore, by speaking generally of the sin of the world, intended to impress upon us the conviction of our own misery, and to exhort us to seek the remedy. Now our duty is, to embrace the benefit which is offered to all, that each of us may be convinced that there is nothing to hinder him from obtaining reconciliation in Christ, provided that he comes to him by the guidance of faith.
Although God had appointed the one sacrifice which directed men to Christ; but yet every man contrived for himself his own method of appeasing God. John leads us back to Christ alone, and informs us that there is no other way in which God is reconciled to us than through his agency, because he alone takes away sin. He therefore leaves no other refuge for sinners than to flee to Christ.
John 1:29
Behold the Lamb of God. The principal office of Christ is briefly but clearly stated; that he takes away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of his death, and reconciles men to God. There are other favors, indeed, which Christ bestows upon us, but this is the chief favor, and the rest depend on it; that, by appeasing the wrath of God, he makes us to be reckoned holy and righteous. For from this source flow all the streams of blessings, that, by not imputing our sins, he receives us into His favor.
By the word Lamb he alludes to the ancient sacrifices of the Law. This had to do with Jews who, having been accustomed to sacrifices, could not be instructed about atonement for sins in any other way than by holding out to them a sacrifice. As there were various kinds of them, he makes one, by a figure of speech, to stand for the whole; and it is probable that John alluded to the paschal lamb. John employed this mode of expression, which was better adapted to instruct the Jews, and possessed greater force; as in our own day, in consequence of baptism being generally practiced, we understand better what is meant by obtaining forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ, when we are told that we are washed and cleansed by it from our sins. At the same time, as the Jews commonly held superstitious notions about sacrifices, he corrects this fault in passing, by reminding them of the object to which all the sacrifices were directed. It was a very wicked abuse of the institution of sacrifice, that they had their confidence fixed on the outward signs; and John, holding out Christ, testifies that he is the Lamb of God; by which he means that all the sacrifices, which the Jews were accustomed to offer under the Law, had no power whatever to atone for sins, but that they were only figures, the truth of which was manifested in Christ himself.
Who takes away the sin of the world. He uses the word sin in the singular number, for any kind of iniquity; as if he had said, that every kind of unrighteousness which alienates men from God is taken away by Christ. And when he says, the sin Of The World, he extends this favor indiscriminately to the whole human race; that the Jews might not think that he had been sent to them alone. But hence we infer that the whole world is involved in the same condemnation; and that as all men without exception are guilty of unrighteousness before God, they need to be reconciled to him. John the Baptist, therefore, by speaking generally of the sin of the world, intended to impress upon us the conviction of our own misery, and to exhort us to seek the remedy. Now our duty is, to embrace the benefit which is offered to all, that each of us may be convinced that there is nothing to hinder him from obtaining reconciliation in Christ, provided that he comes to him by the guidance of faith.
Although God had appointed the one sacrifice which directed men to Christ; but yet every man contrived for himself his own method of appeasing God. John leads us back to Christ alone, and informs us that there is no other way in which God is reconciled to us than through his agency, because he alone takes away sin. He therefore leaves no other refuge for sinners than to flee to Christ.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
There's Joy in the Temple
2 chronicle 29:27
“And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.”
There was silence in the temple for 16 years. We read in verse 27 that “the song of the Lord began.” The word “began” indicates that the song of the Lord had ceased in the temple. The temple had become like a body without a spirit, like an envelope without a letter, like a house without a family. Everything inside was still and silent. The reason for the silence is SIN. In chapter 28, verse 1, we read, “And Ahaz reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” So he encouraged idolatry, the worship of false gods, in Israel. In verse 3, we read that “he burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” The “song of the Lord” ceased in the land. For sixteen years, the song of the Lord did not break from the throats of the people.
Then, there was surrender in the temple. When Ahaz died, and Hezekiah succeeded him to the throne, a change immediately came to the nation. In chapter 29, verse 3 and following, we read, “In the first year of Hezekiah’s reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.” The people were called upon to surrender two things. First, Hezekiah charged them to surrender their sins. He said, “Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.” This is always the first step toward Divine blessing. The formula sounds wonderfully similar to the words of the New Testament in II Corinthians 7:1, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” And in verse 16 we read, “They went into the inner part of the house of the Lord, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found.” Then in verse 23, they offered a sin-offering, which was the means of their forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Let this be said to Hezekiah’s everlasting credit: he lost no time in hedging or compromising. He put first things first. He promptly called the people to repentance—to put sin away. Today, many Christians have forfeited the song of the Lord from their lives because the inner shrine of their hearts has become full of sin. Look into your own heart. Perhaps you didn’t deliberately reach out to bring the sin into your heart. Maybe the sin just accumulated over a period of time when your heart went without regular cleansing. But, however it happened, the dust and filthiness of the world has accumulated in your soul, and has stifled the song of the Lord. Now, you must deal with your sins. Open the doors today, admit God to the inner sanctuary, let Him search your soul, and show you the unclean thing therein, and then, by a decisive commitment of the will, surrender that sin to God!
Then, Hezekiah called upon them (indeed, he “commanded” them) to surrender their total selves to God. In verse 27, we read, “And Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar.” Now, the “burnt-offering” was one of the five Levitical sacrifices in the Jewish sacrificial system. You can study the burnt-offering in the very first chapter of the book of Leviticus. In Leviticus 1:3, we read, “If his offering be a burnt-offering, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.” Then in verse 9 (listen carefully!): “And the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt-sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.” In the other four Levitical sacrifices, only part of the sacrifice was consumed on the altar as an offering to God. The key is found in the phrase, “All on the altar.” Those old sacrifices, the “sin-offering” and the “burnt-offering,” have long since been abolished, but the deep truths which they stand for abide permanently in the purpose of God.
Finally, there was joy in the temple. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” One wise saint said, “Joy is the infallible sign of the Presence of God.” But what is joy? What is this “song of the Lord?” It is a lifting sense of gladness and delight. It is a free happiness. It is an inner celebration flavored with purpose and accomplishment. It is this joy that is the strength of a believer’s personal life and the strength of the service he renders for Christ. Sam Shoemaker was right when he said, “The amount of good a person can do depends greatly on how much pleasure he gets outs of it.” One of the important reasons for the rapid growth of Christianity at the beginning was the joy which was characteristic of the early disciples.
Andrew Murray was surely right when he wrote, “My first business in each new day is to get my own soul into a happy relationship with God.” So today, at this moment, I humbly claim from you in the name of Jesus a burnt-offering of your total life and self, placed all on the altar. And I can promise you this, that when all has been put on the altar in your life, in your heart God will put a new song. You will enter into a new liberty and a new kind of joy. And as long as you leave your all on the altar, that song will continue, and will deepen as the years go by.
Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She drew back when the angel told her that she was to be the mother of a supernatural son. But at last she bowed her head and said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word.” That’s the burnt offering; she surrendered herself; she placed her all on the altar. And listen to her next words: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” There’s the song of the Lord! “When the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also.” You see, surrender and song are Siamese twins. If you have lost the song of the Lord, you can have it again. But before the song of the Lord can begin, at some sudden, decisive moment like this one, you must surrender all of your sins and all of your self to God in a crucial act of your will.
Think of Jesus. At the last supper, He shared with His disciples the broken bread and the cup of wine, picturing His Body broken and His Blood poured out on the Cross. This is the burnt offering. Then we read, “And they sang a hymn.” This is the song of the Lord.
2 chronicle 29:27
“And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.”
There was silence in the temple for 16 years. We read in verse 27 that “the song of the Lord began.” The word “began” indicates that the song of the Lord had ceased in the temple. The temple had become like a body without a spirit, like an envelope without a letter, like a house without a family. Everything inside was still and silent. The reason for the silence is SIN. In chapter 28, verse 1, we read, “And Ahaz reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” So he encouraged idolatry, the worship of false gods, in Israel. In verse 3, we read that “he burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” The “song of the Lord” ceased in the land. For sixteen years, the song of the Lord did not break from the throats of the people.
Then, there was surrender in the temple. When Ahaz died, and Hezekiah succeeded him to the throne, a change immediately came to the nation. In chapter 29, verse 3 and following, we read, “In the first year of Hezekiah’s reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.” The people were called upon to surrender two things. First, Hezekiah charged them to surrender their sins. He said, “Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.” This is always the first step toward Divine blessing. The formula sounds wonderfully similar to the words of the New Testament in II Corinthians 7:1, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” And in verse 16 we read, “They went into the inner part of the house of the Lord, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found.” Then in verse 23, they offered a sin-offering, which was the means of their forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Let this be said to Hezekiah’s everlasting credit: he lost no time in hedging or compromising. He put first things first. He promptly called the people to repentance—to put sin away. Today, many Christians have forfeited the song of the Lord from their lives because the inner shrine of their hearts has become full of sin. Look into your own heart. Perhaps you didn’t deliberately reach out to bring the sin into your heart. Maybe the sin just accumulated over a period of time when your heart went without regular cleansing. But, however it happened, the dust and filthiness of the world has accumulated in your soul, and has stifled the song of the Lord. Now, you must deal with your sins. Open the doors today, admit God to the inner sanctuary, let Him search your soul, and show you the unclean thing therein, and then, by a decisive commitment of the will, surrender that sin to God!
Then, Hezekiah called upon them (indeed, he “commanded” them) to surrender their total selves to God. In verse 27, we read, “And Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar.” Now, the “burnt-offering” was one of the five Levitical sacrifices in the Jewish sacrificial system. You can study the burnt-offering in the very first chapter of the book of Leviticus. In Leviticus 1:3, we read, “If his offering be a burnt-offering, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.” Then in verse 9 (listen carefully!): “And the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt-sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.” In the other four Levitical sacrifices, only part of the sacrifice was consumed on the altar as an offering to God. The key is found in the phrase, “All on the altar.” Those old sacrifices, the “sin-offering” and the “burnt-offering,” have long since been abolished, but the deep truths which they stand for abide permanently in the purpose of God.
Finally, there was joy in the temple. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” One wise saint said, “Joy is the infallible sign of the Presence of God.” But what is joy? What is this “song of the Lord?” It is a lifting sense of gladness and delight. It is a free happiness. It is an inner celebration flavored with purpose and accomplishment. It is this joy that is the strength of a believer’s personal life and the strength of the service he renders for Christ. Sam Shoemaker was right when he said, “The amount of good a person can do depends greatly on how much pleasure he gets outs of it.” One of the important reasons for the rapid growth of Christianity at the beginning was the joy which was characteristic of the early disciples.
Andrew Murray was surely right when he wrote, “My first business in each new day is to get my own soul into a happy relationship with God.” So today, at this moment, I humbly claim from you in the name of Jesus a burnt-offering of your total life and self, placed all on the altar. And I can promise you this, that when all has been put on the altar in your life, in your heart God will put a new song. You will enter into a new liberty and a new kind of joy. And as long as you leave your all on the altar, that song will continue, and will deepen as the years go by.
Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She drew back when the angel told her that she was to be the mother of a supernatural son. But at last she bowed her head and said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word.” That’s the burnt offering; she surrendered herself; she placed her all on the altar. And listen to her next words: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” There’s the song of the Lord! “When the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also.” You see, surrender and song are Siamese twins. If you have lost the song of the Lord, you can have it again. But before the song of the Lord can begin, at some sudden, decisive moment like this one, you must surrender all of your sins and all of your self to God in a crucial act of your will.
Think of Jesus. At the last supper, He shared with His disciples the broken bread and the cup of wine, picturing His Body broken and His Blood poured out on the Cross. This is the burnt offering. Then we read, “And they sang a hymn.” This is the song of the Lord.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
CHRIST DEATH IS NECESSARY
When the priest in the Old Testament represented Israel before God he made the offerings by which fellowship was consummated and carried on between the people and God. So the priest, representing men before God, made the reconciling offerings. Just as the great offering that the Lord Jesus Christ made was a satisfaction, that is, he, in the gift of himself, satisfied God's requirements and his claims against us. His satisfaction anti-typically effected an expiation of sin. That is by what he did on the cross, sin was expiated, paid for. And God was propitiated, his holiness and righteousness satisfied, and by the death of Christ, the Father was rendered able, consistent with his perfections. That is, his perfections of mercy and holiness and justice, to reconcile us in mercy, to renew us, and to, finally, exalt us to the dignity, to the excellence, to the blessedness of the sons of God. So when we think of the Lord Jesus Christ as priest, we think of him as offering that offering, that satisfaction. Theologians for many centuries called it a satisfacio or the making of that which was sufficient. Satis in Latin means sufficient. Facio means to make. So satisfacio was the satisfaction, Christ's work by which he satisfied God's requirements for his people.
Now the apostles preached this fact, we believe. Paul said to the Corinthians, "I determine not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." When Peter stood on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem by the temple he said,
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death."
That, of course, was the satisfacio, that is the satisfaction. And he says, "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." Later when Peter writes his first epistle, in the very 1st chapter, he speaks again of this fact when he says, "Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." So Peter affirmed the same thing that Paul did. He affirmed the death of the Lord Jesus, and that it was the ground of the redemption of men.
When we turn to Revelation chapter 5 and verse 9 and 10 and read the vision that John has given us there in chapters 4 and 5, the climax of it is the statement in verse 9 and verse 10 in chapter 5, "And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou to take the book and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." So, it's quite clear that the apostles, Paul, Peter, and John, thought that the Lord Jesus had offered an offering by which men are brought into fellowship with the Lord God, and each one of them affirms the necessity of the death of the Lord Jesus for the accomplishment of that.
When the priest in the Old Testament represented Israel before God he made the offerings by which fellowship was consummated and carried on between the people and God. So the priest, representing men before God, made the reconciling offerings. Just as the great offering that the Lord Jesus Christ made was a satisfaction, that is, he, in the gift of himself, satisfied God's requirements and his claims against us. His satisfaction anti-typically effected an expiation of sin. That is by what he did on the cross, sin was expiated, paid for. And God was propitiated, his holiness and righteousness satisfied, and by the death of Christ, the Father was rendered able, consistent with his perfections. That is, his perfections of mercy and holiness and justice, to reconcile us in mercy, to renew us, and to, finally, exalt us to the dignity, to the excellence, to the blessedness of the sons of God. So when we think of the Lord Jesus Christ as priest, we think of him as offering that offering, that satisfaction. Theologians for many centuries called it a satisfacio or the making of that which was sufficient. Satis in Latin means sufficient. Facio means to make. So satisfacio was the satisfaction, Christ's work by which he satisfied God's requirements for his people.
Now the apostles preached this fact, we believe. Paul said to the Corinthians, "I determine not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." When Peter stood on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem by the temple he said,
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death."
That, of course, was the satisfacio, that is the satisfaction. And he says, "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." Later when Peter writes his first epistle, in the very 1st chapter, he speaks again of this fact when he says, "Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." So Peter affirmed the same thing that Paul did. He affirmed the death of the Lord Jesus, and that it was the ground of the redemption of men.
When we turn to Revelation chapter 5 and verse 9 and 10 and read the vision that John has given us there in chapters 4 and 5, the climax of it is the statement in verse 9 and verse 10 in chapter 5, "And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou to take the book and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." So, it's quite clear that the apostles, Paul, Peter, and John, thought that the Lord Jesus had offered an offering by which men are brought into fellowship with the Lord God, and each one of them affirms the necessity of the death of the Lord Jesus for the accomplishment of that.
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