Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Mark 1:15
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!
God's Soverign Will
God's Soverign Will
Exodus 38-40 | Psalm 30 | Romans 9
Today we finished our reading of the Book of Exodus, and have found in the preceeding text (Genesis and Exodus) an account of the creation of the world, and the history of the early Israelites. We saw how God chose Israel of all the nations, to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation". Israel was not a large nation, nor was it powerful, yet God chose to reveal Himself to that nation, to guide it and use it for His glory.
Out of Israel, we will learn, comes the great King David, who authored the Psalms read so far, and His Son, King Solomon: the wisest King on earth. More important still, from the line of David, and from the nation that God chose, comes the human ancestry of Christ.
Though we have seen the constant failure of the Israelites to obey God (e.g., the lack of trust in the exodus from Egypt, and the golden calf), He has remained faithful to them, and still delivered them and used them. The Book of Exodus conlcudes with Israel now set to worship God as He desires: with the priesthood set up, the tabernacle built and all other of God's instructions to the people through Moses completed satisfactorially. The Israelites are physically prepared to worship God as He desires, yet we will find that they fail constantly and consistently.
But as Paul points out in our reading from Romans today, God will often choose the unlikely for His purposes - it is up to Him - He "has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden"(v.18).
It is similar in the lives of all Christians. There is a clear stream of teaching in the Bible that all believers were chosen by God before creation, not by any merit of their own but only because of God's soverign good pleasure, to be believers. This is called the teaching of predestination.
Many people take offence at the notion that the only way they will be saved is if God has chosen them to be one of the saved - and they remark similar to the imagined opponent of Paul's: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists His will?"
It is not uncommon for people, believers and non-believers, to view this world from their own perspective and claim a proportion of fairness from their own viewpoint and in relation to the impact upon themselves: it is often forgotton to seek to understand God's viewpoint, God's perspective, God's position. He created us for His purposes, yet we do not trust Him or see His position!
In this case, Paul replies to such an objection with: "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the Potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"
God nevertheless has shown His love in this matter by saying elsewhere that it is His will that all be saved (1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9), and that any who ask will be forgiven and granted life (Matt. 11:28, Rev. 22:17). It is from the meeting of these two concepts - that God has elected some and not others, and that it is His will that all are saved - that the confusion arises in the teaching of predestination.
Yet there should be no frustration with this, as predestination as a concept does not impact people in any way: it is for God to understand. We do not know whom God has chosen to believe in Him, we are simply called to preach His word faithfully and seek the salvation of the lost. Those who accept the truth of God into their lives are those that God chose; those whom reject God to the grave, are not part of the elect.
It remains that God is soverign: He did create us and in the very act of doing so, knowing all things and living outside of time, committed His creation to a destiny He already knew. Perhaps this is the extent of predestination, or perhaps God works actively in everyone to see the slavation only of the elect.
We must simply trust that the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, who has given us His Word in the Bible, and who cares for us and guides us in everyday life; knows what He is doing.
Praise God for choosing you before He knew you, and pray that you may proclaim His gospel faithfully, in words and deeds, so that others may know Him as well.
Exodus 38-40 | Psalm 30 | Romans 9
Today we finished our reading of the Book of Exodus, and have found in the preceeding text (Genesis and Exodus) an account of the creation of the world, and the history of the early Israelites. We saw how God chose Israel of all the nations, to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation". Israel was not a large nation, nor was it powerful, yet God chose to reveal Himself to that nation, to guide it and use it for His glory.
Out of Israel, we will learn, comes the great King David, who authored the Psalms read so far, and His Son, King Solomon: the wisest King on earth. More important still, from the line of David, and from the nation that God chose, comes the human ancestry of Christ.
Though we have seen the constant failure of the Israelites to obey God (e.g., the lack of trust in the exodus from Egypt, and the golden calf), He has remained faithful to them, and still delivered them and used them. The Book of Exodus conlcudes with Israel now set to worship God as He desires: with the priesthood set up, the tabernacle built and all other of God's instructions to the people through Moses completed satisfactorially. The Israelites are physically prepared to worship God as He desires, yet we will find that they fail constantly and consistently.
But as Paul points out in our reading from Romans today, God will often choose the unlikely for His purposes - it is up to Him - He "has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden"(v.18).
It is similar in the lives of all Christians. There is a clear stream of teaching in the Bible that all believers were chosen by God before creation, not by any merit of their own but only because of God's soverign good pleasure, to be believers. This is called the teaching of predestination.
Many people take offence at the notion that the only way they will be saved is if God has chosen them to be one of the saved - and they remark similar to the imagined opponent of Paul's: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists His will?"
It is not uncommon for people, believers and non-believers, to view this world from their own perspective and claim a proportion of fairness from their own viewpoint and in relation to the impact upon themselves: it is often forgotton to seek to understand God's viewpoint, God's perspective, God's position. He created us for His purposes, yet we do not trust Him or see His position!
In this case, Paul replies to such an objection with: "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the Potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"
God nevertheless has shown His love in this matter by saying elsewhere that it is His will that all be saved (1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9), and that any who ask will be forgiven and granted life (Matt. 11:28, Rev. 22:17). It is from the meeting of these two concepts - that God has elected some and not others, and that it is His will that all are saved - that the confusion arises in the teaching of predestination.
Yet there should be no frustration with this, as predestination as a concept does not impact people in any way: it is for God to understand. We do not know whom God has chosen to believe in Him, we are simply called to preach His word faithfully and seek the salvation of the lost. Those who accept the truth of God into their lives are those that God chose; those whom reject God to the grave, are not part of the elect.
It remains that God is soverign: He did create us and in the very act of doing so, knowing all things and living outside of time, committed His creation to a destiny He already knew. Perhaps this is the extent of predestination, or perhaps God works actively in everyone to see the slavation only of the elect.
We must simply trust that the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, who has given us His Word in the Bible, and who cares for us and guides us in everyday life; knows what He is doing.
Praise God for choosing you before He knew you, and pray that you may proclaim His gospel faithfully, in words and deeds, so that others may know Him as well.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Christian Maturity and the Struggle with Sin
Christian Maturity and the Struggle with Sin
Exodus 32-34 | Psalm 28 | Romans 7
In yesterday's devotions we learned that the believer is no longer under the yoke of sin, yet still sins. We read explicitly of this in today's reading from Romans.
Paul comments that the good he wants to do he cannot do, and the bad he does not want to do, he does. We read elsewhere that sin abounds even in the Christian life - for example: to look at someone and to wish them harm is to murder them, and to look lustfully at someone is to committ adultury (Matt. 5:21ff.).
We read later of Paul's continued struggle with sin, in that he has been left with a "thorn in his side" (2 Cor. 12:7). It is clear that he is referring to a sin that, try as he might, he cannot irradicate. Similar is the situation for all Christians: holiness and purity though sought, will not be found by any in this world.
There is the story of C.H. Spurgeon (1834-92), a Christian leader renowned for his extreme directness in preaching, who attended a gathering of Christian leaders and heard an address where it was taught that purity could be attained on this earth. Known for not allowing such flawed teaching to go by unquestioned, many attending were surprised that Spurgeon did not immediately respond.
Rest assured however, the next morning at breakfast, Spurgeon, standing behind the preacher from the day before, calmly tiped the contents of a pitcher of milk over the seated man's head - producing an abusive response. Such is the purity attained on this earth!
In my life, realisation of sin has led to feelings of frustration and pointlesness, especially when I fail constantly and consistently. But I can also see where God uses my failings and these emotions: humility.
There was a time when I would compare myself to those around me and consider myself to be 'better than most'. Since then, God has used my sins to help me realise the enormity of my failings, especially regarding my previously mentioned pious thoughts of myself. This has left me with a greater sense of my own unworthiness, but also a greater sense of the power of Jesus' death. As God said to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
God used terrible things I had done to Him to humble me, and thus help me grow in Christian maturity. It was at this time that I realised that there is no such thing as a good Christian: there are mature Christians and Christians gifted to different extents, but there is no such thing as a "good" Christian, for all have sinned, do sin and will sin.
Further, whereas a distinction between a 'good' and 'bad' Christian seems to imply that the former has a greater mastery over sin than the latter; a distinction between a 'mature' and 'immature' Christian allows the understanding that in ourselves, we have no mastery over sin; it is only through Christ (in whom all Christians share) that sin is mastered. The mature Christian is one who is in a comparitively close relationship with God.
It remains that as believers we are no longer dominated by sin, though we will struggle with it; we are slaves to the law of sin, but must continue struggling in order to please and glorify God as we are predominantly slaves to His rightousness. However, we can find hope in the face of seeming futility knowing that in Heaven we will find purity! Thanks be to God.
Praise God for His gift of life in His Son, and pray that you may grow in Christian maturity in order to please and glorify Him.
Exodus 32-34 | Psalm 28 | Romans 7
In yesterday's devotions we learned that the believer is no longer under the yoke of sin, yet still sins. We read explicitly of this in today's reading from Romans.
Paul comments that the good he wants to do he cannot do, and the bad he does not want to do, he does. We read elsewhere that sin abounds even in the Christian life - for example: to look at someone and to wish them harm is to murder them, and to look lustfully at someone is to committ adultury (Matt. 5:21ff.).
We read later of Paul's continued struggle with sin, in that he has been left with a "thorn in his side" (2 Cor. 12:7). It is clear that he is referring to a sin that, try as he might, he cannot irradicate. Similar is the situation for all Christians: holiness and purity though sought, will not be found by any in this world.
There is the story of C.H. Spurgeon (1834-92), a Christian leader renowned for his extreme directness in preaching, who attended a gathering of Christian leaders and heard an address where it was taught that purity could be attained on this earth. Known for not allowing such flawed teaching to go by unquestioned, many attending were surprised that Spurgeon did not immediately respond.
Rest assured however, the next morning at breakfast, Spurgeon, standing behind the preacher from the day before, calmly tiped the contents of a pitcher of milk over the seated man's head - producing an abusive response. Such is the purity attained on this earth!
In my life, realisation of sin has led to feelings of frustration and pointlesness, especially when I fail constantly and consistently. But I can also see where God uses my failings and these emotions: humility.
There was a time when I would compare myself to those around me and consider myself to be 'better than most'. Since then, God has used my sins to help me realise the enormity of my failings, especially regarding my previously mentioned pious thoughts of myself. This has left me with a greater sense of my own unworthiness, but also a greater sense of the power of Jesus' death. As God said to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
God used terrible things I had done to Him to humble me, and thus help me grow in Christian maturity. It was at this time that I realised that there is no such thing as a good Christian: there are mature Christians and Christians gifted to different extents, but there is no such thing as a "good" Christian, for all have sinned, do sin and will sin.
Further, whereas a distinction between a 'good' and 'bad' Christian seems to imply that the former has a greater mastery over sin than the latter; a distinction between a 'mature' and 'immature' Christian allows the understanding that in ourselves, we have no mastery over sin; it is only through Christ (in whom all Christians share) that sin is mastered. The mature Christian is one who is in a comparitively close relationship with God.
It remains that as believers we are no longer dominated by sin, though we will struggle with it; we are slaves to the law of sin, but must continue struggling in order to please and glorify God as we are predominantly slaves to His rightousness. However, we can find hope in the face of seeming futility knowing that in Heaven we will find purity! Thanks be to God.
Praise God for His gift of life in His Son, and pray that you may grow in Christian maturity in order to please and glorify Him.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
ISAIAH 40:31
BUT THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH, THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES; THEY WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY; THEY WILL WALK AND NOT FAINT.
The Gospel Call
The Gospel Call
Exodus 35-37 | Psalm 29 | Romans 8
For many Christians, the book of Romans is one of special significance; and for many of these, the eighth chapter is particularly special. I share a similar view of Romans 8, counting it as one of my favourite chapters in the Bible because in this chapter, the Apostle also known as "The Evangelist" (Paul), partially restates and then concludes His exposition of the outworking and effects of God's plan for the salvation of mankind.
After stating that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (v.1), Paul shows that there are indeed two ways to live: by the law of sin and death, or under the Spirit. This teaching reminds us of the preceeding chapters, where we found that Christians are no longer slaves to sin, but are slaves to righteousness; and here Paul comments that "you...are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (v.9a).
The Holy Spirit is indeed a wonderful gift given by God to all believers - He is not "a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear" - He is the Spirit of Sonship: when we are united with Christ through faith, forgiven by God through grace, and receivers of the Holy Spirit through love, we have truly become children of God and we receive the blessings due to God's children: a relationship with God and assurance of eternal life with Him.
Paul then again retraces the gospel message: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (vv.29-30). When the world is viewed in comparison to such a grand scheme it is impossible not to remark, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"(v.31)
Finally, Paul concludes that God's love is insurmounatble:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vv.35-39)
Praise God for calling you, and reflect on the ways in which He has shown you His love.
Exodus 35-37 | Psalm 29 | Romans 8
For many Christians, the book of Romans is one of special significance; and for many of these, the eighth chapter is particularly special. I share a similar view of Romans 8, counting it as one of my favourite chapters in the Bible because in this chapter, the Apostle also known as "The Evangelist" (Paul), partially restates and then concludes His exposition of the outworking and effects of God's plan for the salvation of mankind.
After stating that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (v.1), Paul shows that there are indeed two ways to live: by the law of sin and death, or under the Spirit. This teaching reminds us of the preceeding chapters, where we found that Christians are no longer slaves to sin, but are slaves to righteousness; and here Paul comments that "you...are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (v.9a).
The Holy Spirit is indeed a wonderful gift given by God to all believers - He is not "a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear" - He is the Spirit of Sonship: when we are united with Christ through faith, forgiven by God through grace, and receivers of the Holy Spirit through love, we have truly become children of God and we receive the blessings due to God's children: a relationship with God and assurance of eternal life with Him.
Paul then again retraces the gospel message: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (vv.29-30). When the world is viewed in comparison to such a grand scheme it is impossible not to remark, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"(v.31)
Finally, Paul concludes that God's love is insurmounatble:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vv.35-39)
Praise God for calling you, and reflect on the ways in which He has shown you His love.
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