“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. RSV
Americans are, if nothing else, individualists. It’s difficult for us to understand the concept of “corporate” or “group” because our country was founded on the idea of the individual going forth and conquering to achieve his goals. Other cultures are not so individualistically minded, but work together over long periods for the corporate good. But ultimately every sinner (meaning every human being) struggles with the idea of stepping back and allowing someone else to achieve, to have, to succeed.
Father God deals with us both corporately and individually; Christ died for us both corporately (the elect) and individually (the sinner). And the Spirit is concerned with how we interact, individuals, with each other, the group.
Here Paul tells us two things: (1) that we are freed from the constraints of the Law, and (2) that within that freedom, our constraint is that everything we do is to be directed to the good of those around us. In other words, we cannot use our freedom to satisfy our own desires, but must also, in every choice, consider the edification, the spiritual well-being of those around us.
It seems very popular these days to tout the idea of spiritual freedom. I’ve heard often, from the pulpit, from books, from other Christians, about the freedom that we have in Christ. There is no longer any rule upon us; we are free to do as we choose in Christ. The thing is, as Paul states here, that freedom ends at the point where it fails to bring good to those around us.
And before we think there is a constraint on who is our neighbor, the Lord Jesus already admonished us that our “neighbor” even includes our enemies (the parable of the Good Samaritan).
Thus, as Christians, we have a higher calling when it comes to what we may choose, what we may do. Our ultimate motivation must be not our own good, but the good of those around us. Is what we’re doing building up our family, our friends, our co-workers? I was just reading today (in Tozer’s That Incredible Christian):
“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers. This is accepted as inevitable, but the New Testament does not so teach. A prayerful study of Romans 6 to 8 points the way to victory. If Christ is allowed complete sway He will live in us as He lived in Galilee.” (p. 40).
Musing
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? RSV
When I first met my husband, he had attended only Catholic churches. And while there are (and we know many) wonderful devout Christians within the Catholic church, there are also (as within our own churches) those who are nominal members or attenders. My husband’s family was such a family.
He used to tell me about “Sunday morning obligation” where they would attend mass and then go home for mimosas (an alcoholic drink). The entire family, including the teenage kids, would be inebriated by evening.
I think that we often think of communion as some sort of ritual or habit that we do without understanding the full impact of participation.
Paul teaches:
“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:6-8 RSV)
When we participate in communion, we are acting out in a ritualistic sense this relationship between Christ’s death and our own. We are acknowledging that we are setting aside, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the demands of the flesh and are embracing the life of the Spirit.
(It’s an interesting note also that those who are not saved are slaves to sin—they have no choice—but those who are saved choose to sin because we do have a choice.)
Paul says (in Corinthians): “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Our participation in communion is holy reminder that we are the people of God, not just at the moment, but in every moment of our lives. That being said, why then do we choose to worship idols?
What is worship exactly? It is more than we think because it is more than just coming to a church building on Sunday morning and singing songs. Webster’s defines worship as “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” In other words, that which we want, that which we desire, that which we spend time or resources on . . . that is the thing we are worshiping.
So what is an idol? Again, the dictionary tells us “an object of extreme devotion.”
So what are we devoted to? Our children? Our husband? Our job? Our reputation? Our homes? Our possessions? Our dreams? Our future plans?
Anything to which we show devotion that is outside of Christian duty is idol worship; in other words, what God commands us to love is allowed . . . as long as we love Him more and we love that thing or person because He commands it. Otherwise, it is either an idol or is liable to become an idol.
Paul goes a step further. He cautions Christians against embracing even those things which are related to idols (the food offered to idols). In other words, rather than skirting the edge and still living without sinning, Paul is admonishing us to keep a large distance between ourselves and those things which would demand our devotion.
God will not share us with idols. He will not share our affection, our devotion, our worship. And if we are not His friends, we risk becoming His enemies. He is a God of mercy Who readily forgives us when we repent, but He is also a God of jealousy who isn’t content with only a part of us. He wants all . . . or nothing.
Think about it. I wouldn’t be content with a husband who was willing to share me with other men. Why should I be content with a God who would share me with other objects of worship? God, simply because of Who He is, deserves all of my worship, my focus, my attention. God, Who because of what He’s done (by providing salvation through the death of His Son), demands all of my worship, my focus, my attention.
I am His by original ownership (through creation). I am His by right of purchase (through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ).
When I first met my husband, he had attended only Catholic churches. And while there are (and we know many) wonderful devout Christians within the Catholic church, there are also (as within our own churches) those who are nominal members or attenders. My husband’s family was such a family.
He used to tell me about “Sunday morning obligation” where they would attend mass and then go home for mimosas (an alcoholic drink). The entire family, including the teenage kids, would be inebriated by evening.
I think that we often think of communion as some sort of ritual or habit that we do without understanding the full impact of participation.
Paul teaches:
“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:6-8 RSV)
When we participate in communion, we are acting out in a ritualistic sense this relationship between Christ’s death and our own. We are acknowledging that we are setting aside, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the demands of the flesh and are embracing the life of the Spirit.
(It’s an interesting note also that those who are not saved are slaves to sin—they have no choice—but those who are saved choose to sin because we do have a choice.)
Paul says (in Corinthians): “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Our participation in communion is holy reminder that we are the people of God, not just at the moment, but in every moment of our lives. That being said, why then do we choose to worship idols?
What is worship exactly? It is more than we think because it is more than just coming to a church building on Sunday morning and singing songs. Webster’s defines worship as “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” In other words, that which we want, that which we desire, that which we spend time or resources on . . . that is the thing we are worshiping.
So what is an idol? Again, the dictionary tells us “an object of extreme devotion.”
So what are we devoted to? Our children? Our husband? Our job? Our reputation? Our homes? Our possessions? Our dreams? Our future plans?
Anything to which we show devotion that is outside of Christian duty is idol worship; in other words, what God commands us to love is allowed . . . as long as we love Him more and we love that thing or person because He commands it. Otherwise, it is either an idol or is liable to become an idol.
Paul goes a step further. He cautions Christians against embracing even those things which are related to idols (the food offered to idols). In other words, rather than skirting the edge and still living without sinning, Paul is admonishing us to keep a large distance between ourselves and those things which would demand our devotion.
God will not share us with idols. He will not share our affection, our devotion, our worship. And if we are not His friends, we risk becoming His enemies. He is a God of mercy Who readily forgives us when we repent, but He is also a God of jealousy who isn’t content with only a part of us. He wants all . . . or nothing.
Think about it. I wouldn’t be content with a husband who was willing to share me with other men. Why should I be content with a God who would share me with other objects of worship? God, simply because of Who He is, deserves all of my worship, my focus, my attention. God, Who because of what He’s done (by providing salvation through the death of His Son), demands all of my worship, my focus, my attention.
I am His by original ownership (through creation). I am His by right of purchase (through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ).
Saturday, December 29, 2007
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.” We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents; nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. RSV
Historical accounts in the Old Testament are both true and pictorial. In that, I mean that they both actually happened and have been recounted for us as a way for God to show us truths of our relationship with Him.
The children of Israel were freed from Egypt and given the hope of the Promised Land, Judea. Between the two, there was a journey they would have to make. In normal travel, it would take a matter of days. In actuality, because of their sin, it took 40 years.
Paul shares with us that there were those in the company who left Egypt (left the life of sin) but never reached the Promised Land. While they were witnesses and participants in a number of miracles, they continued to allow themselves to be tempted into sin and they died in the desert.
Paul says: “these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.” In other words, what the Israelites went through was a warning to them, a warning many ignored. And now, this is recounted to us as instruction; we are to learn from their mistakes.
We are a people that doesn’t learn well from others’ mistakes. It seems fairly common that most Americans claim they need to live their own lives, make their own mistakes in order to learn. That, in a fact, should not be the way of the Christian. This isn’t the first time that we are told, in scripture, that history has been preserved for us in order that we might learn from it and not repeat the same mistakes.
Paul gives a list of the “lessons” we are to learn from the Jews’ experience in the desert:
• Not to desire evil as they did
• Do not be idolaters
• Not indulge in immorality
• Not put the Lord to the test
• Not grumble
It’s interesting that the list of “sins” really runs the gamut of human behavior, everything from indulging in immorality (adultery, pornography, fornication) to not grumbling to simply not desiring evil. And Paul doesn’t give self-help tips for avoiding these sins; he simply says not to do them.
In other words, in each action, in each thought, we have a choice. And he admonishes us to choose holiness and righteousness over sin, to choose the Lord over our flesh, to choose heaven over the world.
Paul ends, however, with this marvelous promise: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
What’s interesting is that Paul doesn’t say “that you may be able to escape it,” but rather that you may be able to endure it.” Temptation isn’t something that comes fleetingly and then vanishes like a vapor into the air. Temptation comes as a battle we must fight, but a battle for which we are mightily equipped because God will provide the way of escape.
I think that, too often, we don’t look for the way of escape because, if the facts be known, we don’t want to have to endure the temptation, even if there is a way of escape. I think about the new studies that say that, once we’ve eaten the portions we know to be healthy, we need to wait 20 minutes because it takes that long for the brain to process that we are truly full. It seems to me that this might be similar to the idea of temptations. If we simply waited and refused to act on the temptation, rather than jumping right now on our first impulse, we would more readily see God’s way of escape and be able to take it.
Unfortunately, we have become a fast-food society, a people that want what we want right now without the waiting. Instant gratification. And that’s simply not how life is.
We need to learn to wait. Isaiah 40:31 says:
“they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” RSV
Psalm 27:14:
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
yea, wait for the Lord!” RSV
In fact, there are many verses about waiting upon the Lord and receiving strength after the waiting.
The Jews in the desert weren’t content to wait. They wanted the promise now, rather than waiting until they reached the Promised Land. As Christians, we need to learn to wait for the gratification that will eventually come, both here on earth, but moreso in Heaven. We need to learn to deny ourselves, to put off the sin, and to persevere through this life, as hard as it is, so that we might one day receive the Hope of the Promise . . . eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.” We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents; nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. RSV
Historical accounts in the Old Testament are both true and pictorial. In that, I mean that they both actually happened and have been recounted for us as a way for God to show us truths of our relationship with Him.
The children of Israel were freed from Egypt and given the hope of the Promised Land, Judea. Between the two, there was a journey they would have to make. In normal travel, it would take a matter of days. In actuality, because of their sin, it took 40 years.
Paul shares with us that there were those in the company who left Egypt (left the life of sin) but never reached the Promised Land. While they were witnesses and participants in a number of miracles, they continued to allow themselves to be tempted into sin and they died in the desert.
Paul says: “these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.” In other words, what the Israelites went through was a warning to them, a warning many ignored. And now, this is recounted to us as instruction; we are to learn from their mistakes.
We are a people that doesn’t learn well from others’ mistakes. It seems fairly common that most Americans claim they need to live their own lives, make their own mistakes in order to learn. That, in a fact, should not be the way of the Christian. This isn’t the first time that we are told, in scripture, that history has been preserved for us in order that we might learn from it and not repeat the same mistakes.
Paul gives a list of the “lessons” we are to learn from the Jews’ experience in the desert:
• Not to desire evil as they did
• Do not be idolaters
• Not indulge in immorality
• Not put the Lord to the test
• Not grumble
It’s interesting that the list of “sins” really runs the gamut of human behavior, everything from indulging in immorality (adultery, pornography, fornication) to not grumbling to simply not desiring evil. And Paul doesn’t give self-help tips for avoiding these sins; he simply says not to do them.
In other words, in each action, in each thought, we have a choice. And he admonishes us to choose holiness and righteousness over sin, to choose the Lord over our flesh, to choose heaven over the world.
Paul ends, however, with this marvelous promise: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
What’s interesting is that Paul doesn’t say “that you may be able to escape it,” but rather that you may be able to endure it.” Temptation isn’t something that comes fleetingly and then vanishes like a vapor into the air. Temptation comes as a battle we must fight, but a battle for which we are mightily equipped because God will provide the way of escape.
I think that, too often, we don’t look for the way of escape because, if the facts be known, we don’t want to have to endure the temptation, even if there is a way of escape. I think about the new studies that say that, once we’ve eaten the portions we know to be healthy, we need to wait 20 minutes because it takes that long for the brain to process that we are truly full. It seems to me that this might be similar to the idea of temptations. If we simply waited and refused to act on the temptation, rather than jumping right now on our first impulse, we would more readily see God’s way of escape and be able to take it.
Unfortunately, we have become a fast-food society, a people that want what we want right now without the waiting. Instant gratification. And that’s simply not how life is.
We need to learn to wait. Isaiah 40:31 says:
“they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” RSV
Psalm 27:14:
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
yea, wait for the Lord!” RSV
In fact, there are many verses about waiting upon the Lord and receiving strength after the waiting.
The Jews in the desert weren’t content to wait. They wanted the promise now, rather than waiting until they reached the Promised Land. As Christians, we need to learn to wait for the gratification that will eventually come, both here on earth, but moreso in Heaven. We need to learn to deny ourselves, to put off the sin, and to persevere through this life, as hard as it is, so that we might one day receive the Hope of the Promise . . . eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 28, 2007
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. NKJ
It’s important that, as wise scholars, we not apply every analogy in the Bible literally (as would be unwise), but that we do ferret out the truth that we might apply it to our lives.
Paul says: “one receives the prize.” We know that there will be more than one Christian, so this isn’t a matter of competing against each other in order to gain heaven. Thankfully, the Lord hasn’t created such a system, but rather offers salvation to any and all who will receive Him, who will believe on His name.
What then is the kernel of truth that we should grasp from this passage? “Run in such a way that you may obtain it (the prize).” The point is that there are those who run but don’t obtain the prize, those who will live as Christians, but won’t persevere to finally end seeing the face of Jesus as Savior (though all will see the face of Jesus as Lord).
So how should one “run,” how should one live her life? What does it take to gain the prize?
• Be temperate in all things. Strong’s tells us that this Greek word, eágkrateáuoámai, means to be self-restrained in the matters of diet and chastity. In other words, to regulate and control one’s lusts. The fact is, we see lusts bursting out in all kinds of ways (shopping, gossiping, fighting, alcoholism, drugs) as well as in overeating and sexual sin. And yet Paul tells us that we must be self-restrained. In other words, we must learn how to discipline ourselves so that we don’t give into the temptations that exist all around us.
The person who allows herself to be focused on these kinds of indulgences allows herself to be involved in activities that interfere with running for the prize. Think about it! When you are focusing on eating (even secretly) those candy bars, when you are looking at pornography (even on the TV), when you are buying one thing after another for yourself . . . are you focusing on the Lord? Are you in sweet communion with the Holy Spirit? No, of course, we aren’t. We’re thinking about ourselves.
Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians: “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (10:5b NKJ). This is the kind of self-restraint about which Paul is talking. Bringing thoughts (and their resulting actions) into obedience by restraining ourselves from actions which are ungodly.
• Run with certainty. The opposite of “certain” is “uncertain” or unreliable, untrustworthy, not able to count on. In other words, do we live our lives knowing that every decision we make will be as a Christian, will be in order to please God? Or are we, as James described, those who doubt, who are tossed to and fro as by the wind? (James 1:6-7).
The fact is, while we would like to deny it, every decision that we make is made with certainty. We make decisions. Even those decisions where we allow ourselves to be influenced by those around us or by our circumstances, we are still making even that decision.
Paul is encouraging us to be deliberate and strategic in our walk with the Lord, to make decisions to move us closer to our goal, of being in heaven with Him.
And while I don’t think we can stretch the analogy too far, I do believe that “run” has a certain ironic twist to it. Isn’t life getting faster and more furious? Don’t you often feel that you are running through the day, that the minutes fly by so fast it’s difficult to even process all that’s happening? And yet Paul tells us to run with certainty. How do we do that?
Think about an Olympic runner. That runner doesn’t just walk up to the starting blocks, wait for the gun and go. That runner has, instead, checked out the course, studied it, determined even where on the course he would like to run, where the path will lead to victory.
We need to do the same thing. We need to take time each day to chart a course, not of circumstances, but of reactions, of dependence upon the Spirit. We can’t predict the situations in which we will be in with much certainty, but we can predict the reactions that we will give to each circumstance . . . if we have prepared ourselves by basking in the presence of the Father and looking to Him to guide us each step of the day.
• Paul concludes by saying that he disciplines his body, brings it under subjection. Under subjection to what? To the will of Father God, rather than to the whims of the flesh (including the emotions).
We have become a society guided by our desires, our lusts, our emotions, and our rights. As Christians, we have a higher calling . . . to be guided by the principles and commandments of the holy scriptures, God’s Word. When we make decisions, even such innocuous ones as what to eat, we are often guided by what we “want,” rather than what is best for us, what is righteous, what is holy. And each decision made based on what we “want” strengthens our lusts and weakens our spiritual resolve.
As Christians, we have a duty, an obligation, in fact a dire need to so discipline ourselves as to focus on what God wants in all situations, rather than what we think we want. We need to, as athletes, run the race to win the prize, the prize of eternity in Heaven with Him Who gave His all for us.
It’s important that, as wise scholars, we not apply every analogy in the Bible literally (as would be unwise), but that we do ferret out the truth that we might apply it to our lives.
Paul says: “one receives the prize.” We know that there will be more than one Christian, so this isn’t a matter of competing against each other in order to gain heaven. Thankfully, the Lord hasn’t created such a system, but rather offers salvation to any and all who will receive Him, who will believe on His name.
What then is the kernel of truth that we should grasp from this passage? “Run in such a way that you may obtain it (the prize).” The point is that there are those who run but don’t obtain the prize, those who will live as Christians, but won’t persevere to finally end seeing the face of Jesus as Savior (though all will see the face of Jesus as Lord).
So how should one “run,” how should one live her life? What does it take to gain the prize?
• Be temperate in all things. Strong’s tells us that this Greek word, eágkrateáuoámai, means to be self-restrained in the matters of diet and chastity. In other words, to regulate and control one’s lusts. The fact is, we see lusts bursting out in all kinds of ways (shopping, gossiping, fighting, alcoholism, drugs) as well as in overeating and sexual sin. And yet Paul tells us that we must be self-restrained. In other words, we must learn how to discipline ourselves so that we don’t give into the temptations that exist all around us.
The person who allows herself to be focused on these kinds of indulgences allows herself to be involved in activities that interfere with running for the prize. Think about it! When you are focusing on eating (even secretly) those candy bars, when you are looking at pornography (even on the TV), when you are buying one thing after another for yourself . . . are you focusing on the Lord? Are you in sweet communion with the Holy Spirit? No, of course, we aren’t. We’re thinking about ourselves.
Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians: “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (10:5b NKJ). This is the kind of self-restraint about which Paul is talking. Bringing thoughts (and their resulting actions) into obedience by restraining ourselves from actions which are ungodly.
• Run with certainty. The opposite of “certain” is “uncertain” or unreliable, untrustworthy, not able to count on. In other words, do we live our lives knowing that every decision we make will be as a Christian, will be in order to please God? Or are we, as James described, those who doubt, who are tossed to and fro as by the wind? (James 1:6-7).
The fact is, while we would like to deny it, every decision that we make is made with certainty. We make decisions. Even those decisions where we allow ourselves to be influenced by those around us or by our circumstances, we are still making even that decision.
Paul is encouraging us to be deliberate and strategic in our walk with the Lord, to make decisions to move us closer to our goal, of being in heaven with Him.
And while I don’t think we can stretch the analogy too far, I do believe that “run” has a certain ironic twist to it. Isn’t life getting faster and more furious? Don’t you often feel that you are running through the day, that the minutes fly by so fast it’s difficult to even process all that’s happening? And yet Paul tells us to run with certainty. How do we do that?
Think about an Olympic runner. That runner doesn’t just walk up to the starting blocks, wait for the gun and go. That runner has, instead, checked out the course, studied it, determined even where on the course he would like to run, where the path will lead to victory.
We need to do the same thing. We need to take time each day to chart a course, not of circumstances, but of reactions, of dependence upon the Spirit. We can’t predict the situations in which we will be in with much certainty, but we can predict the reactions that we will give to each circumstance . . . if we have prepared ourselves by basking in the presence of the Father and looking to Him to guide us each step of the day.
• Paul concludes by saying that he disciplines his body, brings it under subjection. Under subjection to what? To the will of Father God, rather than to the whims of the flesh (including the emotions).
We have become a society guided by our desires, our lusts, our emotions, and our rights. As Christians, we have a higher calling . . . to be guided by the principles and commandments of the holy scriptures, God’s Word. When we make decisions, even such innocuous ones as what to eat, we are often guided by what we “want,” rather than what is best for us, what is righteous, what is holy. And each decision made based on what we “want” strengthens our lusts and weakens our spiritual resolve.
As Christians, we have a duty, an obligation, in fact a dire need to so discipline ourselves as to focus on what God wants in all situations, rather than what we think we want. We need to, as athletes, run the race to win the prize, the prize of eternity in Heaven with Him Who gave His all for us.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Mark 16:15
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. NLT
I think it is the desire of every Christian person to work within a “Christian” environment. How often have you wished you could have a job (albeit with your same salary) at your local church, at the local Christian school, at a Christian bookstore, at a Christian camp? The desire of Christians to be together is inbred into us at our salvation, the desire of “family,” the desire to be with ones who are like-minded in the things of the Lord.
But the fact is, the highest calling of the Christian is very likely the calling to be “in the world, not of it.” The Lord Jesus has commanded us to “Go into all the world.” And while He tells us to “preach” the gospel, it doesn’t mean that we all are preachers. The fact is, the preaching that is done when we “go into the world” is more often done with our lives than with our mouths, more often done with our deeds than with our words.
When I was growing up, chalk artist evangelists and preachers were very popular. These were people who had the ability to draw pictures related to their sermons on large canvases or sheets of paper. As they talked and quoted scripture, the pictures would come alive under their fingertips. The importance of chalk sermons isn’t the medium, but the fact that these pastors understood the importance of the visual (what we see) as compared to the auditory (what we hear). Often what we see far outweighs, in our hearts and minds, what we hear.
“Your actions speak loud than your words.”
The Lord Jesus needs His Church to refuse to cloister itself, but to permeate the world with the gospel through our lives. Paul taught, in Philippians:
“You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.” (2:15b-16 NLT).
The Lord Jesus taught us (also) that we are the salt of the world (Matthew 5:16). But think about salt. By itself, it is bitter and distasteful. Added into food, it permeates everything it touches and changes it through it’s very nature. If we, as salt, cloister ourselves away, then we become useless and should be thrown out.
It may be that we are working a job that is difficult, where being a Christian is hard. But that may be the very situation where God needs us to the most: in politics, in public school teaching, in the military, in the retail industry, wherever it’s difficult to easily shine as a light for Christ . . . that’s where Christians are needed the most! We need to stand firm in this invisible calling to ministry and to remember that we are there first to serve the Lord and His purposes. Like an underground army, we are the army of the Lord, spreading the gospel in covert and overt ways as He makes possible.
I think it is the desire of every Christian person to work within a “Christian” environment. How often have you wished you could have a job (albeit with your same salary) at your local church, at the local Christian school, at a Christian bookstore, at a Christian camp? The desire of Christians to be together is inbred into us at our salvation, the desire of “family,” the desire to be with ones who are like-minded in the things of the Lord.
But the fact is, the highest calling of the Christian is very likely the calling to be “in the world, not of it.” The Lord Jesus has commanded us to “Go into all the world.” And while He tells us to “preach” the gospel, it doesn’t mean that we all are preachers. The fact is, the preaching that is done when we “go into the world” is more often done with our lives than with our mouths, more often done with our deeds than with our words.
When I was growing up, chalk artist evangelists and preachers were very popular. These were people who had the ability to draw pictures related to their sermons on large canvases or sheets of paper. As they talked and quoted scripture, the pictures would come alive under their fingertips. The importance of chalk sermons isn’t the medium, but the fact that these pastors understood the importance of the visual (what we see) as compared to the auditory (what we hear). Often what we see far outweighs, in our hearts and minds, what we hear.
“Your actions speak loud than your words.”
The Lord Jesus needs His Church to refuse to cloister itself, but to permeate the world with the gospel through our lives. Paul taught, in Philippians:
“You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.” (2:15b-16 NLT).
The Lord Jesus taught us (also) that we are the salt of the world (Matthew 5:16). But think about salt. By itself, it is bitter and distasteful. Added into food, it permeates everything it touches and changes it through it’s very nature. If we, as salt, cloister ourselves away, then we become useless and should be thrown out.
It may be that we are working a job that is difficult, where being a Christian is hard. But that may be the very situation where God needs us to the most: in politics, in public school teaching, in the military, in the retail industry, wherever it’s difficult to easily shine as a light for Christ . . . that’s where Christians are needed the most! We need to stand firm in this invisible calling to ministry and to remember that we are there first to serve the Lord and His purposes. Like an underground army, we are the army of the Lord, spreading the gospel in covert and overt ways as He makes possible.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Matthew 6:12-15
And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. RSV
One of the frequent commercial jingles around the Christian season is the phrase: “Give the gift that keeps on giving.” I think that one of the gifts we can give others–as well as ourselves–is the gift of forgiveness.
I often see us, when we interact with the people around us, like balls in a pinball machine. Did you ever play pinball as a kid (or even as an adult)? You watch that little ball bounce around, often rather fiercely, against all the obstacles, racking up points. Well, imagine that you were able to release not one but dozens of balls into the game. Not only would the balls be bouncing off the obstacles, trying to avoid anything and everything in their paths, but they would also–with the same intensity–be bouncing off each other. Not really intentionally, but simply because that’s the nature of a pinball game.
As human beings, we are born sinful. We tend to be demanding, egocentric, selfish. Even at our best, we grate against each other, do the wrong things, make the wrong choices. Like dozens of balls in a pinball machine, we bounce off each other, sometimes accomplishing something worthwhile, but more often changing the course of another’s path, interfering with their goals, bruising their feelings. And, of course, because we see things from our own perspective, we don’t see ourselves as the culprits as much as we see others as interfering with us.
The fact is, even at our best, we often bounce off others causing them physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial harm.
The Lord Jesus, when He taught His disciples (and us), to pray added two very interesting (and related) phrases:
• And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us)
• For if you forgive men their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses (sins), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (sins).
There many be scads of reasons why Father God connected the forgiveness of our own sins to our willingness to forgive others, but the fact is, He did . . . and we should! Forgiveness is that gift that truly “keeps on giving,” not only because it benefits us, but it truly heals relationships. Even when we forgive those who don’t want to be forgiven, when we set aside our resentment and anger to reach out in forgiveness, we give to ourselves.
I know that, in my own life, when I have held grudges, I have done so in some kind of extended punishment for the person with whom I’m angry. I figure that if I stay angry, they will continue to be hurt by my anger. Do you want to know the truth? Usually that person hasn’t the foggiest idea that I’m angry and, if they do know, they don’t care. In other words, all the effort and energy I’m spending on maintaining my anger isn’t doing anything except harming me.
Not only am I exerting energy and effort needlessly, but I’m actually consciously rebelling against the commandments of God.
Why would I want to do either?
As we all look toward the beginning of the New Year, perhaps this would be the time to look at our resentments of old, to finally and completely put them at the Throne, and to walk away. To forgive those who have sinned against us and to completely and fully embrace the forgiveness of our Lord, paid by His precious blood.
One of the frequent commercial jingles around the Christian season is the phrase: “Give the gift that keeps on giving.” I think that one of the gifts we can give others–as well as ourselves–is the gift of forgiveness.
I often see us, when we interact with the people around us, like balls in a pinball machine. Did you ever play pinball as a kid (or even as an adult)? You watch that little ball bounce around, often rather fiercely, against all the obstacles, racking up points. Well, imagine that you were able to release not one but dozens of balls into the game. Not only would the balls be bouncing off the obstacles, trying to avoid anything and everything in their paths, but they would also–with the same intensity–be bouncing off each other. Not really intentionally, but simply because that’s the nature of a pinball game.
As human beings, we are born sinful. We tend to be demanding, egocentric, selfish. Even at our best, we grate against each other, do the wrong things, make the wrong choices. Like dozens of balls in a pinball machine, we bounce off each other, sometimes accomplishing something worthwhile, but more often changing the course of another’s path, interfering with their goals, bruising their feelings. And, of course, because we see things from our own perspective, we don’t see ourselves as the culprits as much as we see others as interfering with us.
The fact is, even at our best, we often bounce off others causing them physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial harm.
The Lord Jesus, when He taught His disciples (and us), to pray added two very interesting (and related) phrases:
• And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us)
• For if you forgive men their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses (sins), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (sins).
There many be scads of reasons why Father God connected the forgiveness of our own sins to our willingness to forgive others, but the fact is, He did . . . and we should! Forgiveness is that gift that truly “keeps on giving,” not only because it benefits us, but it truly heals relationships. Even when we forgive those who don’t want to be forgiven, when we set aside our resentment and anger to reach out in forgiveness, we give to ourselves.
I know that, in my own life, when I have held grudges, I have done so in some kind of extended punishment for the person with whom I’m angry. I figure that if I stay angry, they will continue to be hurt by my anger. Do you want to know the truth? Usually that person hasn’t the foggiest idea that I’m angry and, if they do know, they don’t care. In other words, all the effort and energy I’m spending on maintaining my anger isn’t doing anything except harming me.
Not only am I exerting energy and effort needlessly, but I’m actually consciously rebelling against the commandments of God.
Why would I want to do either?
As we all look toward the beginning of the New Year, perhaps this would be the time to look at our resentments of old, to finally and completely put them at the Throne, and to walk away. To forgive those who have sinned against us and to completely and fully embrace the forgiveness of our Lord, paid by His precious blood.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Isaiah 9:1-7
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us . . .”, is a familiar passage for the days of Advent. Many pastors choose it during the Christmas season to either read or upon which to base their sermons. “For unto us a child is given, unto us a son is born.” It—seemingly—so fits with the pastoral scene of the Nativity.
But, in some ways, this passage is more about Easter than Christmas, more about freedom than gifts, more about salvation. Period.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
Who walks in darkness, dwells in death except an unredeemed sinner? Who needs the light—the Light of salvation—desperately? Those who need the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is hailed as one of the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. When the Jews were looking for a Messiah, they weren’t looking for a babe in a manger; they weren’t looking for a baby at all, but rather for a warrior-king who would free them from the slavery of the oppressive governments that had conquered them. “For you have broken . . . the rod of his oppressor.” War, servitude, subjugation would be over. Israel would be free.
What the Jews didn’t grasp, didn’t realize is that this life in itself is oppression. There is a sense of slavery to the very sin that permeates the earth that crushes each and every one of us. Paul writes: “. . . the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption . . .” (Romans 8:21b, NKJ). Simply living here, in this life, is a kind of slavery, a slavery to sin.
Paul talks about this slavery . . . to the earth, to sin:
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:15-24 NKJ)
As Christians, we feel this slavery down to the very cells in our body. Our hormones, our lusts, our very sin nature fight against our desire to please God and to do His will. We know that it’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to trust Him and to do His will.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.”
The wonderful truth is that Jesus, the Lord Jesus Whom we love and trust, is the One Who has become our judge, our jury, our King! It is to Him we owe allegiance, Him that we serve. And He, through His great sacrifice, has already paid the price of our sin. The miracle of Christmas isn’t about Bethlehem, as tender and wonderful as it is, but rather is about Calvary and what Father God planned and accomplished that Easter week long ago. The miracle of Christmas is about a baby who became a man, but more than a man. Who because our Savior, Who died and rose again to pay the price for our sins.
It’s easy and fun to celebrate all the aspects of Christmas. But what looms as a shadow over every nativity is a cross, for without the cross, the nativity has no value, makes no sense.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, as we look, even today, toward the next weeks where the decorations are packed away, where homes are cleaned of the accumulated clutter, let’s also look toward the spring where the celebration of Easter rises. Let’s not see Christmas as an end unto itself, but rather the beginning of the time when we rejoice because our Lord is truly risen indeed!
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us . . .”, is a familiar passage for the days of Advent. Many pastors choose it during the Christmas season to either read or upon which to base their sermons. “For unto us a child is given, unto us a son is born.” It—seemingly—so fits with the pastoral scene of the Nativity.
But, in some ways, this passage is more about Easter than Christmas, more about freedom than gifts, more about salvation. Period.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
Who walks in darkness, dwells in death except an unredeemed sinner? Who needs the light—the Light of salvation—desperately? Those who need the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is hailed as one of the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. When the Jews were looking for a Messiah, they weren’t looking for a babe in a manger; they weren’t looking for a baby at all, but rather for a warrior-king who would free them from the slavery of the oppressive governments that had conquered them. “For you have broken . . . the rod of his oppressor.” War, servitude, subjugation would be over. Israel would be free.
What the Jews didn’t grasp, didn’t realize is that this life in itself is oppression. There is a sense of slavery to the very sin that permeates the earth that crushes each and every one of us. Paul writes: “. . . the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption . . .” (Romans 8:21b, NKJ). Simply living here, in this life, is a kind of slavery, a slavery to sin.
Paul talks about this slavery . . . to the earth, to sin:
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:15-24 NKJ)
As Christians, we feel this slavery down to the very cells in our body. Our hormones, our lusts, our very sin nature fight against our desire to please God and to do His will. We know that it’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to trust Him and to do His will.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.”
The wonderful truth is that Jesus, the Lord Jesus Whom we love and trust, is the One Who has become our judge, our jury, our King! It is to Him we owe allegiance, Him that we serve. And He, through His great sacrifice, has already paid the price of our sin. The miracle of Christmas isn’t about Bethlehem, as tender and wonderful as it is, but rather is about Calvary and what Father God planned and accomplished that Easter week long ago. The miracle of Christmas is about a baby who became a man, but more than a man. Who because our Savior, Who died and rose again to pay the price for our sins.
It’s easy and fun to celebrate all the aspects of Christmas. But what looms as a shadow over every nativity is a cross, for without the cross, the nativity has no value, makes no sense.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, as we look, even today, toward the next weeks where the decorations are packed away, where homes are cleaned of the accumulated clutter, let’s also look toward the spring where the celebration of Easter rises. Let’s not see Christmas as an end unto itself, but rather the beginning of the time when we rejoice because our Lord is truly risen indeed!
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. NKJ
One of the dearest words in a Christian’s vocabulary is “tomorrow.” While the rest of the world has to plan, has to insure against sorrow and harm, has to face the future with trepidation for what can’t be controlled, the Christian can rest in the knowledge that we have a “living hope,” an inheritance that is protected by the power of Father God Himself, reserved in heaven for us!
As Americans, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “planning” frenzy of our society. The holiday season brings with it the focus on making resolution for the new year. And yet, what we have, what we can cling to, is the knowledge that “tomorrow” is already planned for us! Because “tomorrow”—the true tomorrow of eternity—is bringing a culmination of all this suffering in the reality of heaven.
I think that one of the reasons Americans are infatuated with fiction (literature, television, movies) is because, unlike reality, fiction brings with it conclusions. In fact, if you were to ask many people, they love a movie with a happy ending! We like endings because they bring resolution to the conflict, bring answers to the questions, bring happiness to the heroes.
If you think about it, stories with happy endings are based on the idea that we can have heaven on earth . . . which, of course, we all know is impossible. But the good news is that there is heaven! That while there isn’t heaven on earth, there is heaven in life because of our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, because He died for our sins, paid the penalty of death for us.
The fact is, that regardless of what we plan, regardless of what we anticipate, regardless of what we fear there is a “tomorrow” coming that, for the Christian, means a cessation of all the struggles and a reconciliation, a reunion with the One we love best!
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 NKJ)
The “tomorrow” we seek—the lack of worrying, of anxiety, of stress, of hurting, of struggling—is coming for us as believers! Our commission now is to persevere in our faith, trusting the Lord that the “tomorrow” is coming when He Himself will dry the tears from our eyes and establish us as His people in the New heaven and new earth!
One of the dearest words in a Christian’s vocabulary is “tomorrow.” While the rest of the world has to plan, has to insure against sorrow and harm, has to face the future with trepidation for what can’t be controlled, the Christian can rest in the knowledge that we have a “living hope,” an inheritance that is protected by the power of Father God Himself, reserved in heaven for us!
As Americans, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “planning” frenzy of our society. The holiday season brings with it the focus on making resolution for the new year. And yet, what we have, what we can cling to, is the knowledge that “tomorrow” is already planned for us! Because “tomorrow”—the true tomorrow of eternity—is bringing a culmination of all this suffering in the reality of heaven.
I think that one of the reasons Americans are infatuated with fiction (literature, television, movies) is because, unlike reality, fiction brings with it conclusions. In fact, if you were to ask many people, they love a movie with a happy ending! We like endings because they bring resolution to the conflict, bring answers to the questions, bring happiness to the heroes.
If you think about it, stories with happy endings are based on the idea that we can have heaven on earth . . . which, of course, we all know is impossible. But the good news is that there is heaven! That while there isn’t heaven on earth, there is heaven in life because of our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, because He died for our sins, paid the penalty of death for us.
The fact is, that regardless of what we plan, regardless of what we anticipate, regardless of what we fear there is a “tomorrow” coming that, for the Christian, means a cessation of all the struggles and a reconciliation, a reunion with the One we love best!
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 NKJ)
The “tomorrow” we seek—the lack of worrying, of anxiety, of stress, of hurting, of struggling—is coming for us as believers! Our commission now is to persevere in our faith, trusting the Lord that the “tomorrow” is coming when He Himself will dry the tears from our eyes and establish us as His people in the New heaven and new earth!
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