"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Through years of watching and listening to the Master, His chosen men had often been awed by His actions, intimidated by His power, worried over His waning popularity... but now He is talking of leaving them, and their hearts are troubled.
He had been their shield in so many ways...calming a storm that threatened to capsize their boat... defending them against accusations and attacks from the religious leaders, such as when the disciples picked grain on the Sabbath... even diffusing the anger of mobs intent upon killing Him (and them)... So, now that He is talking of leaving them, their hearts are troubled.
He had also been their spiritual Protector, as well. At one point, He revealed to Peter that "Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail," (Luke 22:31, 32a). Such, indeed, was one of His greatest means of spiritual protection on their behalf: intercessory prayer (John 17:6--19). The other was the sheer force of who He was (John 18:6).
And His presence was now being taken from them... their hearts were troubled, indeed.
Our Lord's first comforting assurance dealt with His divinity. "believe in God, believe also in Me." In truth, it was at the heart of His relationship to them. Their total acceptance of His equality with the Father was a non-negotiable, the very foundation under-girding what He was about to promise. They had to embrace who He was, the God-Man, in order to trust Him (as He knew they would) in the future. Psalm 9:10 speaks to this: "And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Those trust God the most who know Him the best. The reason we do not trust Him more is because we do not know Him, really. The more intentional we are in hearing, reading, studying, memorizing & meditating on His Word, the deeper will be our knowledge of Him. And the more faithful we find Him, the greater will be our confidence in all that He promises.
It was so that evening in the upper room... the Lord Jesus sought to comfort their troubled hearts by revealing (1) heaven's accommodations, (2) His provision there for His own, and (3) His imminent death on the cross would only be a temporary separation from them-- there would be an eternity-long enjoying of His presence in glory.
(1) Better than "mansions," "dwelling places" (or apartments) conveys the layout our Lord is describing. The disciples were no doubt familiar with the practice of adding rooms to the main house when children would marry, elderly relatives would need a place to spend closing years, or for extending hospitality to visitors. How many "dwelling places" the father could add on was, of course, limited by his financial resources. In contrast, heaven has no such restriction... limited only in the number of the elect ones who will reside there.
(2) The Lord Jesus Himself will make the needed preparations... matching each deceased (or translated) saint with a dwelling place suitable for his/her glorified existence. Such a loving Lord! Numberless angels could have been sent for this task, but no... the sovereign Shepherd Himself will tend to His sheep (John 10:4). From eternity past when we were chosen in Him, through our days on this earth as we are led by His sent Holy Spirit, and into a heavenly eternity... we have been graciously provided for by our faithful Savior.
(3) His promised return was based on the pledge of preparing their (and our) heavenly home. "I will come again" is the confident hope that everyone who has been changed by the Lord Jesus holds tenaciously.
Note: our Lord did NOT say that He would come again and take us to heaven...rather, "I will come again and receive you to Myself.." In a wonderful sense, going to heaven is not so much going to a place, as it is going to a Person. Heaven is being with Him, forever!
"...if it were not so, I would have told you." With their winsome wooing, these assurances by the Savior draw my heart back time and again... for, who among us hasn't had a troubling thought about death and its hidden coming..? The enemy of our soul knows only too well the tendency we have, as people, to dread the unknown, to fear the unseen, and to doubt what is beyond our senses. How gracious and compassionate of the Lord Jesus to give us the written Word of His immutable promises of: His preparations for us, His provision, and His Person. Such a joy it will be to praise Him more worthily than we do now... and forever, at that!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I Peter 5:8
SAN FRANCISCO – "Howard Kuljian and his family were out for a walk on a damp, overcast morning at Big Lagoon beach, playing fetch with their dog Fran as 10-foot surf churned the water just feet away like a washing machine.
Signs near the beach warned of "sneaker waves," the kind that suddenly roar ashore.
Kuljian tossed a stick that took the dog down to the water's edge, and in an instant, authorities said, a wave swallowed it, setting off a nightmarish scramble.
"Everything kind of snowballed from there," said Coast Guard Lt. Bernie Garrigan.
Kuljian's 16-year-old son, Gregory, ran to save the dog, only to be captured by the surging surf himself. Kuljian, 54, followed, and then his wife, Mary Scott, 57. On shore, their 18-year-old daughter, Olivia, and Gregory's girlfriend could only watch.
Both parents' bodies were later recovered, but the boy -- presumed dead -- is still missing." -- Fox News
"At Big Lagoon beach, a short drive from Arcata, signs posted near the parking lot warned beachgoers not to turn their back to the surf and to pay special attention to sneaker waves." --By JASON DEAREN AP reporter.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." I Peter 5:8
Peter's warning is timely, his image is vivid, and the need to be reminded of it, unceasing.
Through Peter, God's first command is to be sober and alert. A sober spirit is one characterized by maintaining a discerning perspective on life, with eternity in view. This spirit is in contrast with being dominated by emotions and passion. Rather than being ruled by feelings, the sober-spirited believer lives daily in the light of eternal priorities. How? The senses are trained to maturity by continuous time in the Word of God. As our thoughts are taken captive to His obedience (II Corinthians 10:5), a sober spirit develops and leads to alertness. For, the believer whose mind is saturated by Scripture learns to never underestimate two things: (1) the power of the flesh, and (2) the subtle stealth of the Enemy and his forces. Like the warning signs posted at Big Lagoon beach, the Bible warns complacent Christians of the constant, continual warfare that is going on in the unseen realms. A classic example is the 10th chapter of Daniel. There Daniel is given a glimpse of the angelic warfare that transpires when God's children pray. Another is Ephesians 6, where, in verses 12--18, the apostle Paul warns us to be alert and armed... for our struggle involves various levels of spiritual opposition: "...against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." With such formidable forces arrayed against us, it is little wonder that we are admonished to continually keep alert.
As for Peter's vivid imagery, it is a powerful one. Likening the devil to a roaring lion carries with it intriguing physical characteristics, as well as sobering spiritual applications for every believer. In his sermon entitled "Roaring Like a Lion" pastor Leith Anderson of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN., cites formidable facts related to lions' traits: "The lion is called 'the king of beasts.' It is a fitting title because lions have virtually no natural enemies, other than humans. Male lions can grow to 550 lbs. in weight, 4 ft. tall at the shoulder, and 10 ft. long in the body (not including the tail, which adds another 3 ft.). [Its roar] can be heard as far as five miles away (!). But never believe anyone who tells you that the roar of a lion is worse than its bite. He has 30 teeth: large canines that grab and kill; razor-like molars that slice through flesh; and small incisors that are especially good for scraping the meat off of bones. When the other lions in the pride surround a victim, it doesn't matter which way the antelope or zebra runs because there is a lion waiting to pounce. The weight of the lion takes the victim down, as sharp claws tear through the toughest hide. Actual death comes by biting the neck or snout and suffocating the prey to death. Once dead, the victim is ripped open and the big male lion comes in to celebrate the victory by consuming up to 80 lbs. of meat at one meal (!). It is only when the large male lion has finished his meal that he will leave whatever remains for the other members of the pride." Satan, too, has a pride, consisting of a third of the heavenly host who revolted with him in his pride and rebellion (Isaiah 14:12--14; Ezekiel 28:14,15; Revelation 12:4). Their number is humanly incalculable, their power superhuman, and their subtle movements relentless. Like their leader, their two-fold aim in the universe is to hinder the knowledge of God, and, to steal His worship. Without regard for whatever means are necessary, they purpose to be as unnoticed as possible to the destruction of souls.
The third part of God's warning through Peter describes the devil's desire to devour. Like lions, who hunt, surround, chase and pounce, going for the throat, so, too, the demons do their Master's bidding that he may devour men's souls. Through the world system, their tools are three: "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life," (I John 2:16). With them, Satan and his forces foster ignorance of God through fear and idolatry.
By contrast, those who belong to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, are "not [to be] ignorant of his schemes, (II Corinthians 2:11), [in order] that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan." NOTE: in context, Paul makes it clear that one key means by which we can be taken by surprise is through unforgiveness (v. 10). An unforgiving heart is one that (a) has failed to take sin seriously, and (b) has forgotten how freely he/she has been forgiven by the Lord Jesus.
"Father, Impress upon us afresh the ongoing reality of spiritual warfare revealed in Your Word. Grant maturity of our senses to discern the enemy's schemes, deepening our determination to walk daily in Your provided armor. May Your blessed Spirit continually prod us to praise You for the victory the Lord Jesus won on the cross! Be pleased to reveal ways we fall into fear and idolatry, with an ever-increasing desire to repent and be restored...moment by moment. Thank You for not being through with us, yet. And for the certainty of Your acceptance & forgiveness wrought by Your Son's flawless life, atoning sacrifice, and victorious resurrection! In His Name, Amen."
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Speculation vs. Revelation
Psalm 103:19 affirms that the sovereignty of the living God rules over all. Now, as it is that God is infinite, so His sovereignty is absolute, for, His attributes are but expressions of who He is in His essence. Anything less, more, or different would not describe the one and only living God. To portray Him in any terms or fashion that do not accurately reflect His biblical presentation is to be guilty of idolatry. Indeed, one of the most basic purposes God had for breathing out His Word, providentially preserving it, and providing understanding of His truth by the regenerating work of His infallible Spirit, is to be worshiped as He truly is. No, we are not to concoct our own concept(s) of who He is and what He requires/desires of us... we are not to base our lives on speculation, but revelation. To the extent that we are ignorant of revelation (the Scriptures), is the extent to which we will use our sanctified imagination to speculate what seems right and accurate.
Major problems with speculation, however, are that (a) it lacks God's authority, (b) our hearts are more deceitful than all else, and desperately sick [Jeremiah 17:9], and (c) it is inevitably idolatrous, for He Himself declares, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than Your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts," [Isaiah 55:8, 9].
As for (a), speculation in the spiritual realm doesn't have God's assurances of power, as does His Word: "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it," [Isaiah 55:10,11]. "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart," [Hebrews 4:12]. Such promises as these (and many more) are given by the unchanging (Malachi 3:6a) living God, who does not lie (Numbers 23:19), and is utterly faithful (James 1:17). Our opinions are exactly that: opinions... oscillating as we take in new knowledge, and so cannot come close to the authority of the omniscient God of the Word.
Concerning (b), if one ignores or refuses the Word that God has inspired, preserved and revealed, he is left to depend upon his heart's imagination to answer such questions as "What is God like?" "What happens to me after death?" and "Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?" Man lays great stock in his heart's ability to judge life correctly: As Shakespeare put it,"To thy own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." Sounds reasonable... trouble is, it won't do. Contrary to the unsaved person's insistence, the lost one is spiritually blind (II Corinthians 4:3,4) and unable to know his own heart, much less be true to it. As Proverb 14:12 states, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Only through salvation (had only through the Lord Jesus Christ) does one have spiritual discernment.
Regarding (c), any way that we try to relate to the living God other than how He is presented in Scripture, is idolatry. Indeed, what comes to mind when we think of God is a spiritual barometer, revealing whether or not He has the same attributes in our thoughts as He has in the Bible. Operating apart from revelation, man's speculations are always skewed, dominated by emotion and logic. Since "every man's way is right in his own eyes," (Proverb 21:2a), he/she will envision God through feelings and suppositions...many based in childhood experiences, as well as traditions assumed to be true (one such entrenched assumption is "God helps those who help themselves"). Many even believe this saying is found in Scripture, it is so pervasively accepted. It isn't. And it helps perpetuate the myth that our works are the means by which we gain God's aid & acceptance. No, only by revelation do we learn the ways of grace.
May God grant a deeper desire to learn Him as He is...and seek His face through the revealed Word He has given so graciously.
Major problems with speculation, however, are that (a) it lacks God's authority, (b) our hearts are more deceitful than all else, and desperately sick [Jeremiah 17:9], and (c) it is inevitably idolatrous, for He Himself declares, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than Your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts," [Isaiah 55:8, 9].
As for (a), speculation in the spiritual realm doesn't have God's assurances of power, as does His Word: "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it," [Isaiah 55:10,11]. "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart," [Hebrews 4:12]. Such promises as these (and many more) are given by the unchanging (Malachi 3:6a) living God, who does not lie (Numbers 23:19), and is utterly faithful (James 1:17). Our opinions are exactly that: opinions... oscillating as we take in new knowledge, and so cannot come close to the authority of the omniscient God of the Word.
Concerning (b), if one ignores or refuses the Word that God has inspired, preserved and revealed, he is left to depend upon his heart's imagination to answer such questions as "What is God like?" "What happens to me after death?" and "Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?" Man lays great stock in his heart's ability to judge life correctly: As Shakespeare put it,"To thy own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." Sounds reasonable... trouble is, it won't do. Contrary to the unsaved person's insistence, the lost one is spiritually blind (II Corinthians 4:3,4) and unable to know his own heart, much less be true to it. As Proverb 14:12 states, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Only through salvation (had only through the Lord Jesus Christ) does one have spiritual discernment.
Regarding (c), any way that we try to relate to the living God other than how He is presented in Scripture, is idolatry. Indeed, what comes to mind when we think of God is a spiritual barometer, revealing whether or not He has the same attributes in our thoughts as He has in the Bible. Operating apart from revelation, man's speculations are always skewed, dominated by emotion and logic. Since "every man's way is right in his own eyes," (Proverb 21:2a), he/she will envision God through feelings and suppositions...many based in childhood experiences, as well as traditions assumed to be true (one such entrenched assumption is "God helps those who help themselves"). Many even believe this saying is found in Scripture, it is so pervasively accepted. It isn't. And it helps perpetuate the myth that our works are the means by which we gain God's aid & acceptance. No, only by revelation do we learn the ways of grace.
May God grant a deeper desire to learn Him as He is...and seek His face through the revealed Word He has given so graciously.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Ephesians 4:15
"but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head, even Christ."
Paul touches on three immeasurably important needs for every believer: (1) what we're to speak, (2) how we're to speak, and (3) the goal of a well-rounded maturity in the Lord Jesus.
(1) As those whose souls have been savingly changed by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, our lives are to be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our minds (hearts) are the focus here, because our mouths speak that which fills our hearts (Luke 6:45). And it's important what we say, even every word we speak -- "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned." (Matthew 12:36, 37). Sobering words, these... especially since the Lord Jesus never exaggerated, never equivocated, never misspoke. As our speech is a reflection of our heart's condition, what we say actually forms a basis for future judgment: believers before the bema seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10), and the unsaved before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-13). What then are we to speak? The truth. Sounds simple, but it isn't. We can lie in so many more ways that stating a falsehood. One of the most subtle ones is silence. By our silence we can allow others to assume an untruth. And with our pride and fears and deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 17:9), silence isn't "golden", it's sinful. Another pitfall comes in the form of exaggeration. Overstating to impress easily slips into falsities that multiply and worsen, until we are inextricably caught in them, and our good name (as well as our witness) are compromised. One other way we may mishandle the truth is to speak it as a weapon, with the intent to hurt. Incalculable damage has been done to the body of Christ, even to the destroying of fellowships, by some who declare, with cruelty, truth that tears down rather than builds up... which leads to the "how we are to speak."
(2) Speaking the truth can be harsh, biting, and hurtful... particularly if it's told to the wrong person, behind another's back, with ulterior motives. Gossip can be malicious, even though the information may be true. And some seek to justify overly-confrontational truth by pleading the spiritual gift of prophecy. Hence, Paul bids us balance truth-telling with love. The biblical portrayal of love is not a sugary sentimentality, based on feelings. Paul's enduring all that he did (II Corinthians 11:23-27), was certainly not based on emotion or mood. And the supreme example of love's sacrificial nature, despite feelings, is the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus... He definitely did not feel like being nailed to a cross... yet sacrificial love and submission to His Father kept Him there. The point? Speaking the truth doesn't always feel good, yet when spoken in loving obedience to the Lord and for the listener's sake, the Holy Spirit's smile will be upon it. There is not a guarantee that the truth will be received gladly... yet the Lord will be pleased, and we will grow from it.
(3) Spiritual maturity, leading to being conformed more and more to the image of Christ, is Paul's goal for the Ephesian believers in this verse... and by extension, all who have been changed by the Lord Jesus. James' perspective agrees with Paul's: "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well," (3:2). "Perfect" could be taken literally, but more likely it indicates maturity...the spiritual maturity of those who have learned to minimize their tongues' misuse. I say minimize rather than "completely control" because of James' statement in verse 8 of that third chapter: "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." Thus, a sign of spiritual maturity is constant vigilance and yieldedness to the Holy Spirit's ministry, thereby taking captive to His obedience our every thought. For, when our thoughts are pure, then our speech will be, as well. O that we would keep our focus upon the Lord Jesus, Author and Finisher of our faith, that by His Word both our contemplations and conversations would have His empowering grace.
Paul touches on three immeasurably important needs for every believer: (1) what we're to speak, (2) how we're to speak, and (3) the goal of a well-rounded maturity in the Lord Jesus.
(1) As those whose souls have been savingly changed by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, our lives are to be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our minds (hearts) are the focus here, because our mouths speak that which fills our hearts (Luke 6:45). And it's important what we say, even every word we speak -- "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned." (Matthew 12:36, 37). Sobering words, these... especially since the Lord Jesus never exaggerated, never equivocated, never misspoke. As our speech is a reflection of our heart's condition, what we say actually forms a basis for future judgment: believers before the bema seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10), and the unsaved before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-13). What then are we to speak? The truth. Sounds simple, but it isn't. We can lie in so many more ways that stating a falsehood. One of the most subtle ones is silence. By our silence we can allow others to assume an untruth. And with our pride and fears and deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 17:9), silence isn't "golden", it's sinful. Another pitfall comes in the form of exaggeration. Overstating to impress easily slips into falsities that multiply and worsen, until we are inextricably caught in them, and our good name (as well as our witness) are compromised. One other way we may mishandle the truth is to speak it as a weapon, with the intent to hurt. Incalculable damage has been done to the body of Christ, even to the destroying of fellowships, by some who declare, with cruelty, truth that tears down rather than builds up... which leads to the "how we are to speak."
(2) Speaking the truth can be harsh, biting, and hurtful... particularly if it's told to the wrong person, behind another's back, with ulterior motives. Gossip can be malicious, even though the information may be true. And some seek to justify overly-confrontational truth by pleading the spiritual gift of prophecy. Hence, Paul bids us balance truth-telling with love. The biblical portrayal of love is not a sugary sentimentality, based on feelings. Paul's enduring all that he did (II Corinthians 11:23-27), was certainly not based on emotion or mood. And the supreme example of love's sacrificial nature, despite feelings, is the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus... He definitely did not feel like being nailed to a cross... yet sacrificial love and submission to His Father kept Him there. The point? Speaking the truth doesn't always feel good, yet when spoken in loving obedience to the Lord and for the listener's sake, the Holy Spirit's smile will be upon it. There is not a guarantee that the truth will be received gladly... yet the Lord will be pleased, and we will grow from it.
(3) Spiritual maturity, leading to being conformed more and more to the image of Christ, is Paul's goal for the Ephesian believers in this verse... and by extension, all who have been changed by the Lord Jesus. James' perspective agrees with Paul's: "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well," (3:2). "Perfect" could be taken literally, but more likely it indicates maturity...the spiritual maturity of those who have learned to minimize their tongues' misuse. I say minimize rather than "completely control" because of James' statement in verse 8 of that third chapter: "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." Thus, a sign of spiritual maturity is constant vigilance and yieldedness to the Holy Spirit's ministry, thereby taking captive to His obedience our every thought. For, when our thoughts are pure, then our speech will be, as well. O that we would keep our focus upon the Lord Jesus, Author and Finisher of our faith, that by His Word both our contemplations and conversations would have His empowering grace.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Taste and See! (Psalm 34:8)
One of the most basic reasons people in general, and believers in particular, distrust God relates to His goodness. Trusting God is at the very heart of man's purpose on the Earth: to glorify Him and enjoy Him, forever. Yet, from the very outset, Satan managed to convince Eve, then Adam, that God could not be trusted. At the heart of his temptation, and at the core of her falling, was the questioning of God's goodness. The enemy insinuated that He was holding out on her, that His restriction was unfair, that He couldn't really be trusted to act in their best interest. In short -- He isn't completely good.
The Accuser's tactics haven't changed a bit... He does all he can to get us to focus on all that is terrible in this world, with the whispered thought, "See? He allows this, and this, and that... He can't be trusted... how can He really be good?" And, since we tend to embrace as true only what our five senses experience, we believe his "half truths" (which is only another name for lies). In so doing, at least two things occur: (a) We impugn the character of the living God; and (b) we walk by sight, rather than by faith.
Psalm 119:68a reads, "You are good and do good." Interestingly, the context in which David affirms the character of God as good is having experienced afflictions. "It is good for me that I was afflicted," he declares in verse 71, which was used as a tool by the Lord to teach him His truth. Indeed, David confesses that "before I was afflicted I went astray, " (v. 67). What a contrast in perspective from that of the world! The world views affliction as a sign that God isn't good after-all...that suffering's afflictions indicate His impotency or indifference. When believers "buy the lie" of this perspective, it is a deplorable reflection on the goodness of the One who loves us beyond description, whose promises are thus slandered and whose faithfulness is discounted.
To the degree that we live lives that are not grounded upon His goodness, is the degree to which we walk by sight... giving the lie to II Corinthians 5:7. And the degree to which we do this is the extent to which our lives bear little difference from those who disdain our Lord. For, it is a life of faith that distinguishes the Christian from lost folk. In truth, the unseen realm is more real than the one that daily assaults our senses. For, "the world is passing away, and also its lusts...but the one who does the will of God abides forever." Oh, that the truth of God's immutable goodness would permeate our every attitude, mark our every action, and be reflected in our every word!
The Accuser's tactics haven't changed a bit... He does all he can to get us to focus on all that is terrible in this world, with the whispered thought, "See? He allows this, and this, and that... He can't be trusted... how can He really be good?" And, since we tend to embrace as true only what our five senses experience, we believe his "half truths" (which is only another name for lies). In so doing, at least two things occur: (a) We impugn the character of the living God; and (b) we walk by sight, rather than by faith.
Psalm 119:68a reads, "You are good and do good." Interestingly, the context in which David affirms the character of God as good is having experienced afflictions. "It is good for me that I was afflicted," he declares in verse 71, which was used as a tool by the Lord to teach him His truth. Indeed, David confesses that "before I was afflicted I went astray, " (v. 67). What a contrast in perspective from that of the world! The world views affliction as a sign that God isn't good after-all...that suffering's afflictions indicate His impotency or indifference. When believers "buy the lie" of this perspective, it is a deplorable reflection on the goodness of the One who loves us beyond description, whose promises are thus slandered and whose faithfulness is discounted.
To the degree that we live lives that are not grounded upon His goodness, is the degree to which we walk by sight... giving the lie to II Corinthians 5:7. And the degree to which we do this is the extent to which our lives bear little difference from those who disdain our Lord. For, it is a life of faith that distinguishes the Christian from lost folk. In truth, the unseen realm is more real than the one that daily assaults our senses. For, "the world is passing away, and also its lusts...but the one who does the will of God abides forever." Oh, that the truth of God's immutable goodness would permeate our every attitude, mark our every action, and be reflected in our every word!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The unpredictability of life. The certainty of death. The "foreverness" of eternity in either heaven or hell. These three realities combine to make salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ an absolute necessity. "I am the way, the truth, and the life-- no one comes to the Father but by Me," He said, without equivocation. The claim is either true or it isn't. His life validated it, His works supported it, His fulfillment of Old Testament predictions relating to Messiah further confirmed it. His resurrection completed it. He said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." Though one dies physically, he'll never die, spiritually, if his life is in the Lord Jesus.Is this so? The men who walked the countryside of Israel in the first century, called to leave their livelihoods and follow Jesus, found it to be so.
After He had been taken into custody they went into hiding, fearful that they, too, would be arrested. Following His death, for the three dismal days that He seemed completely defeated, they remained cloistered behind closed doors, utterly intimidated by the Jewish authorities.
But then what a change! Suddenly, Peter is standing before the crowd of several thousand on the Day of Pentecost, preaching with a boldness completely beyond him. This fearful fisherman who had caved when confronted with being recognized by a servant girl, was now fearlessly facing the enemies of Christ, saying, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ --- this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36) The old Peter would have had too much fear for his life to risk making such a declaration... but then, this isn't the same man. Nor were the other disciples, the same, either.What could possibly have made such a change...? What would so revolutionize that group of demoralized disciples, transforming them into individuals who would live the rest of their days in holy boldness to the point of martyrdom? They saw the resurrected Christ, and His Spirit had taken residence within them! Only this would adequately explain the lives they lived for their Lord.
Has there been such a change in our lives? Does there reside within us a settled certainty that death will usher us into the Lord Jesus' heavenly presence? If not, look to Him and be saved!
After He had been taken into custody they went into hiding, fearful that they, too, would be arrested. Following His death, for the three dismal days that He seemed completely defeated, they remained cloistered behind closed doors, utterly intimidated by the Jewish authorities.
But then what a change! Suddenly, Peter is standing before the crowd of several thousand on the Day of Pentecost, preaching with a boldness completely beyond him. This fearful fisherman who had caved when confronted with being recognized by a servant girl, was now fearlessly facing the enemies of Christ, saying, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ --- this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36) The old Peter would have had too much fear for his life to risk making such a declaration... but then, this isn't the same man. Nor were the other disciples, the same, either.What could possibly have made such a change...? What would so revolutionize that group of demoralized disciples, transforming them into individuals who would live the rest of their days in holy boldness to the point of martyrdom? They saw the resurrected Christ, and His Spirit had taken residence within them! Only this would adequately explain the lives they lived for their Lord.
Has there been such a change in our lives? Does there reside within us a settled certainty that death will usher us into the Lord Jesus' heavenly presence? If not, look to Him and be saved!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Psalm 143:8, 10
"Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Little wonder the writer of this prayer is known as a man after God's own heart-- such humility, opening his soul to his LORD with a limitless willingness to be taught, with a fearless trust in his sovereign God, holding back nothing in his yearning to learn his Maker's ways.
Notice, David does not put off meeting with the greatest Love of his life... it is the fresh stillness of the morning when best he can hear his Beloved speak. "In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch," (Psalm 5:3). Here is waiting without drudgery, waiting with undeterred delight, waiting with eagerness to listen, learn, and obey.
Why the morning? Why the first thing of the day? For one thing, David couldn't help it! His love wouldn't, couldn't wait to come into God's presence. What an indictment on our lukewarmness. How often do we have such intensity & eagerness?
Too, very often there is spiritual warfare in the night...dreams come unbidden, flaming missiles of the evil one, turmoil of spirit that makes morning a welcome relief. Nothing is more encouraging, more heartening, than to draw near to the throne of grace, with the cleansing work of the Savior's blood, and the filling of the Holy Spirit providing an almost tactile surge of joy in the inner man!
Also, the Lord Jesus, filled as His days were with ministries of healing, teaching, discipling and traveling, found the early morning most conducive to meeting with His Father (Mark 1:35). If the Master knew it to be the best time for hearing the Father's lovingkindness, then we as life-long learners in His spiritual classroom should pay attention and emulate His modeling. May He grant grace to humble ourselves and do so.
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