Thursday, August 8, 2013
My House Was Built of Sandstone
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24-27ESV)
I always thought I was the wise man, or woman, shall we say, who built their house on the rock. From the time I was a child, I acquainted myself with the teachings of Jesus, came to faith in Him, and devoted my life to Him, for the most part. I never identified with the one who built his house on sand because I knew Jesus was in my heart.
Looking back, I see that I was actually somewhere in between. If my house were built of rock, it would have been sandstone. Here's why. It is composed of different kinds of minerals and particles of stone. Those particles of stone are Jesus. But, it is called "sandstone" because it one of the softer rocks that is more easily broken, as some of the minerals are so soft they may crumble. Disclaimer: I am not a geologist, so please forgive me if this analogy is inaccurate. It makes sense in my mind.
Here's the beauty of it all. My faith is being strengthened, and I see that God is graciously given me a strong, firm foundation. The means for which this is being accomplished is through suffering. I have recently been hit with trials that I thought would never come my way. I am 23 years old, I am a dreamer. I have huge desires for how God will use Michael and I for His coming kingdom. That being said, I am often tempted to believe that my trials are a stumbling block to my dreams. What I am beginning to experience is that they are actually the means to the dreams. What we desire requires faith, and God requires this for anyone who is called according to His purpose.
It is the grace of God that He would allow this. How else will Michael and I ever be prepared if He calls to take up our cross and follow Him to Africa or Asia? How can we set the captives free, if our faith is still so easily shaken? As John Piper puts it, "Strange as it may seem, one of the primary purposes of being shaken by suffering is to make our faith more unshakable." Is my faith unshakable? Not always. But, is it becoming unshakable? Absolutely. In that, I will rejoice, for my God is faithful! Until I embrace Christ alone, I will never see His strength made perfect in my weakness. But as I suffer while looking upwards and giving thanks to God, His glory will begin to radiate from my innermost being.
Brothers and sisters, it is a privilege to suffer, as it identifies us closer and closer with Christ Himself. It's okay to cry, to grieve, to mourn your trials. But, know that all the while it is God who weeps with you, holding your hand all the while. If you look to Him, your faith will surely become strong. After all, He is the author and perfecter of our faith. We all encounter trials of various kinds. Where will you build your house? All other ground but Christ is sinking sand.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand."
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
I am the Woman at the Well.
The story of the woman at the well in John 4 has recently become a story that represents God's redemption in my own life. I've known this story since I was young, and yet lately, God has been using this story to penetrate my heart. I knew the details of the story, yet I'd never really understood their meaning. Clarification: I have never been married, and I have never been a prostitute. There is so much more going on in the story than this! This woman is judged by people based on what she had done, but God looked inwardly at her heart. If you have never read this story or need to be refreshed on the details, I would suggest reading it before finishing this post, so that it makes more sense.
When Jesus speaks to her, she is surprised (4:9). Though she wasn't aware at the time that he was the Son of God, she was fully aware that Jews did not speak with Samaritans. Especially not a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans were a racially mixed people, and the Jews didn't believe in cultural mixing. The Jews, being God's chosen people, had a tendency to look down upon those outside of their race. To top it off, the two groups had a different temple of worship and different versions of Scripture. You can imagine the sense of shame and unworthiness a Samaritan might feel when encountering a Jew. I can almost visualize the woman trying to hide her face, looking away when he initially asked her for a drink of water. Many of us struggle to bring ourselves as we are before Christ because we realize our unworthiness. The guilt, which is meant to drive us to the cross, drives us away because of unbelief in God's atoning work of the Cross. This is a commonality among Christians, and I can pinpoint moments in my walk with Christ where I've also done exactly this.
Her eyes were fixed on what is seen, rather than what is unseen (4:10-14) Jesus wasn't interested in getting H20 from her, he was interested in saving her soul. He wanted to give her living water, that would last for all of eternity. Even in the midst of offering her this immeasurable gift, she sought to connect it with that which she could see. The truth of eternity was not crossing her mind because she was so fixated on what seemed tangible. Disclaimer: I would have wondered the same thing that she did! She didn't have John 4 to explain what he meant by "living water", like we do. She was being called to faith. Although our intellect is a blessing, it has limits. Faith doesn't always guarantee that we'll receive full understanding, but with the truth God gives us through Scripture, we are fully equipped. Faith calls us to step beyond the tangible, and step into the supernatural. As the Samaritan woman asked for Jesus to give her the water which he spoke of, she was beginning to practice faith.
The Samaritan woman had divided affections (4:16-18). She had been married five times, and was then trading sex for rent payments with a man who was not her husband. In her culture, she was shunned for her immorality. And yet, Jesus loved and accepted her. How do we view women who are unfaithful to their husbands? Those who sell themselves sexually? Do we judge them, or do we have the compassion of Christ? An even better question, what idols exist in our own lives? Where do our affections land? Is there something or someone that fights to steal our affections away from God? If so, we may as well know that we are no better than the woman at the well. On some level, we're worse. If we fail to see the depth of our sin, we are also prideful. At least the woman was aware of her brokenness.
She'd rather talk about theology than matters of the heart (4:19-26). When Jesus revealed that he knew about her sin, the conversation took a turn, as she attempted to debate with him on the proper place of worship. What people believe about God and how to express this belief divides Christians to this day. The study of theology is extremely important, and yet, we must be cautious that head knowledge never takes the place of a transformed heart. Jesus was interested in changing this woman from the inside out. It's easy to talk about theology among our brothers and sisters, having an outward appearance of spiritual fervor, while failing to confess our sins to one another. We fear vulnerability. And yet in our weaknesses, Christ is made strong! His grace is truly sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9). God's desire is to bring our darkness to light, that He might shed His grace upon us. Back to the story... Jesus, in his kindness and mercy, addressed her question, while revealing Himself to her as the Son of God, thus inviting her to believe and be saved. This is pivotal! Salvation was no longer for the Jews alone, but for everyone who believed in Christ.
Many came to faith because of her testimony (4:39). We all have a story of redemption. Each story looks a little differently, yet each story looks the same. I was lost, and now I am found. I am a sinner, saved by the grace of God. I was blind, and now I can see. Our story is worth sharing! When we boldly proclaim the Gospel and the freedom that God personally given us because of His truth and grace, it is inevitable that others will come to know Him. Every time I open my mouth to speak of God's goodness, seeds are planted. Only He can water the seeds, and yet He calls us to be laborers in His harvest. We must speak of Him, and we must love others through Him. I've gone through multiple seasons of my life where I was afraid for people to know where I'd been, the things I had done, and the ugliness of my own heart. I feared man, and I knew that exposing my weaknesses meant taking the risk of being judged my others. This would then damage my reputation of being a goody-goody Christian girl. What I've learned is that when I freely speak of my weaknesses, people begin to look at me and see Christ, rather than me. It ruins my pride, and it ruins any false glorification of anyone but God Himself. What a spectacular thing! The Samaritans of the woman's town believed because they knew the woman. They saw her immorality, knew how she ought to be punished, and yet she returned to them as a woman who had been washed clean of her iniquities. This was telling of nothing she had accomplished, but a truly miraculous transformation that only the Son of the Living God could do. Share your testimony, you won't regret it.
Any further thoughts or insights on this story? Would love to hear them!
When Jesus speaks to her, she is surprised (4:9). Though she wasn't aware at the time that he was the Son of God, she was fully aware that Jews did not speak with Samaritans. Especially not a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans were a racially mixed people, and the Jews didn't believe in cultural mixing. The Jews, being God's chosen people, had a tendency to look down upon those outside of their race. To top it off, the two groups had a different temple of worship and different versions of Scripture. You can imagine the sense of shame and unworthiness a Samaritan might feel when encountering a Jew. I can almost visualize the woman trying to hide her face, looking away when he initially asked her for a drink of water. Many of us struggle to bring ourselves as we are before Christ because we realize our unworthiness. The guilt, which is meant to drive us to the cross, drives us away because of unbelief in God's atoning work of the Cross. This is a commonality among Christians, and I can pinpoint moments in my walk with Christ where I've also done exactly this.
Her eyes were fixed on what is seen, rather than what is unseen (4:10-14) Jesus wasn't interested in getting H20 from her, he was interested in saving her soul. He wanted to give her living water, that would last for all of eternity. Even in the midst of offering her this immeasurable gift, she sought to connect it with that which she could see. The truth of eternity was not crossing her mind because she was so fixated on what seemed tangible. Disclaimer: I would have wondered the same thing that she did! She didn't have John 4 to explain what he meant by "living water", like we do. She was being called to faith. Although our intellect is a blessing, it has limits. Faith doesn't always guarantee that we'll receive full understanding, but with the truth God gives us through Scripture, we are fully equipped. Faith calls us to step beyond the tangible, and step into the supernatural. As the Samaritan woman asked for Jesus to give her the water which he spoke of, she was beginning to practice faith.
The Samaritan woman had divided affections (4:16-18). She had been married five times, and was then trading sex for rent payments with a man who was not her husband. In her culture, she was shunned for her immorality. And yet, Jesus loved and accepted her. How do we view women who are unfaithful to their husbands? Those who sell themselves sexually? Do we judge them, or do we have the compassion of Christ? An even better question, what idols exist in our own lives? Where do our affections land? Is there something or someone that fights to steal our affections away from God? If so, we may as well know that we are no better than the woman at the well. On some level, we're worse. If we fail to see the depth of our sin, we are also prideful. At least the woman was aware of her brokenness.
She'd rather talk about theology than matters of the heart (4:19-26). When Jesus revealed that he knew about her sin, the conversation took a turn, as she attempted to debate with him on the proper place of worship. What people believe about God and how to express this belief divides Christians to this day. The study of theology is extremely important, and yet, we must be cautious that head knowledge never takes the place of a transformed heart. Jesus was interested in changing this woman from the inside out. It's easy to talk about theology among our brothers and sisters, having an outward appearance of spiritual fervor, while failing to confess our sins to one another. We fear vulnerability. And yet in our weaknesses, Christ is made strong! His grace is truly sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9). God's desire is to bring our darkness to light, that He might shed His grace upon us. Back to the story... Jesus, in his kindness and mercy, addressed her question, while revealing Himself to her as the Son of God, thus inviting her to believe and be saved. This is pivotal! Salvation was no longer for the Jews alone, but for everyone who believed in Christ.
Many came to faith because of her testimony (4:39). We all have a story of redemption. Each story looks a little differently, yet each story looks the same. I was lost, and now I am found. I am a sinner, saved by the grace of God. I was blind, and now I can see. Our story is worth sharing! When we boldly proclaim the Gospel and the freedom that God personally given us because of His truth and grace, it is inevitable that others will come to know Him. Every time I open my mouth to speak of God's goodness, seeds are planted. Only He can water the seeds, and yet He calls us to be laborers in His harvest. We must speak of Him, and we must love others through Him. I've gone through multiple seasons of my life where I was afraid for people to know where I'd been, the things I had done, and the ugliness of my own heart. I feared man, and I knew that exposing my weaknesses meant taking the risk of being judged my others. This would then damage my reputation of being a goody-goody Christian girl. What I've learned is that when I freely speak of my weaknesses, people begin to look at me and see Christ, rather than me. It ruins my pride, and it ruins any false glorification of anyone but God Himself. What a spectacular thing! The Samaritans of the woman's town believed because they knew the woman. They saw her immorality, knew how she ought to be punished, and yet she returned to them as a woman who had been washed clean of her iniquities. This was telling of nothing she had accomplished, but a truly miraculous transformation that only the Son of the Living God could do. Share your testimony, you won't regret it.
Any further thoughts or insights on this story? Would love to hear them!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Imago Dei: All Humanity or only the Elect?
We were created in the image of God. Knowing this truth is so important that it's in the very first chapter that was ever written of the Bible! Genesis 1:27:
"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
This sets us apart from any other part of creation. When He created the animals, he created them each according to their kind (Gen. 1:21). In what accordance were we created to? God Himself. His own likeness. Take note of how God said in 27, "Let US make mankind.." This was the first time in creation He used "us," rather than simply speaking it into motion. "Us" refers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created us in the image of the Trinity, the perfect community & unity of God Himself. Think on that for a minute, it's absolutely mind boggling.
The fall of humanity, the first sin in the Garden of Eden, distorted God's image in us. But did it destroy it? Remove it? Or is it possible that we all still maintain somewhere inside of us the image of God?
I recently heard a sermon by Dave Lomas of Reality SF (my church family in the Bay area) that has challenged me to view all people in light of this fact: All humanity is created in the image of God. When our hearts are awakened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the New Testament says numerous times that we are reborn/recreated. (Here are just a few of those examples: 2. Cor. 5:17, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, John 3:3, Rom. 6:6). The language used here suggests that when I accept Christ, my old self is put to death, and my new self is brought to life. A resurrection of the image of God...in me. Not because I myself am capable of acting in a way that looks like God, but because of Christ's transformational work in me, the only possible outcome is that I might be a reflection of Him. When John Calvin spoke of humanity as being created in the image of God, he stated that "sin has made it frightfully deformed [the image], and it must be restored by God." Only God can do a saving work, such as this.
When I think upon my new life in Christ, I am well aware of the darkness that dwelt in me before knowing Him. Any of you who have ever had children or worked with children have seen that no one has to teach a two-year-old how to say, "Mine!" We're sinners. From the time we're young, we're bent towards selfishness, and trying to be our own little gods. But, this is NOT how we were created.
"Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2)
"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14)
I see this in my nephew, Milo. He hasn't read the Bible for himself yet. And he hasn't fully understood the Gospel, though I practice evangelism on him. Milo is, after all, four months old! And yet...despite the fact that he is a baby, I see the image of God in him. It's something that is beyond words. Even Milo, though a sinner, was so clearly created in the glorious image of God Himself! I cannot fathom otherwise how a baby could be so joyful when I play music for him, wake up giggling, have the capacity to brighten everyone's day, and begin to grow and function as a human being, though he started out as a teeny tiny little embryo. Watching a baby grow is incredible, and he has "image of God" written all over him.
I must confess that seeing the image of God in people is far easier for me to see in Christians than in those who don't know Him. Living in a culture that denies God's existence, sometimes it's hard to see God's image in them...and yet, it's there. I am profoundly humbled to think that I often view people as sinners before I view them as image bearers of God. I wonder how the world would look if all of us who believe started to look every person we encounter in the eyes with love, praying for them, and telling ourselves that they were created in the image of God. I imagine we'd be quicker to care for the orphans and widows, as well as that strange man or woman in our workplace who is so clearly broken that we sometimes try to avoid. As we look for God in others, both believers and unbelievers, I think we'll be amazed to see that it truly exists in everyone. But for those who don't believe, we must pray for a resurrection of that image, and an awakening of their hearts to Jesus Christ. For those who do believe, we must pray for a greater reflection of God's image in one another, as His love deepens in our hearts.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you."
(2 Cor. 4:7-12)
God's surpassing glory, His very image is in us, though in some regards we still look the same as before. And we still wrestle with sin. Why? So that they might see His glory made manifest in our weaknesses. When they see something beautiful in us, they'll see Him. And eventually, they may start to see that they, too, were created for the glory of God.
"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
This sets us apart from any other part of creation. When He created the animals, he created them each according to their kind (Gen. 1:21). In what accordance were we created to? God Himself. His own likeness. Take note of how God said in 27, "Let US make mankind.." This was the first time in creation He used "us," rather than simply speaking it into motion. "Us" refers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created us in the image of the Trinity, the perfect community & unity of God Himself. Think on that for a minute, it's absolutely mind boggling.
The fall of humanity, the first sin in the Garden of Eden, distorted God's image in us. But did it destroy it? Remove it? Or is it possible that we all still maintain somewhere inside of us the image of God?
I recently heard a sermon by Dave Lomas of Reality SF (my church family in the Bay area) that has challenged me to view all people in light of this fact: All humanity is created in the image of God. When our hearts are awakened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the New Testament says numerous times that we are reborn/recreated. (Here are just a few of those examples: 2. Cor. 5:17, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, John 3:3, Rom. 6:6). The language used here suggests that when I accept Christ, my old self is put to death, and my new self is brought to life. A resurrection of the image of God...in me. Not because I myself am capable of acting in a way that looks like God, but because of Christ's transformational work in me, the only possible outcome is that I might be a reflection of Him. When John Calvin spoke of humanity as being created in the image of God, he stated that "sin has made it frightfully deformed [the image], and it must be restored by God." Only God can do a saving work, such as this.
When I think upon my new life in Christ, I am well aware of the darkness that dwelt in me before knowing Him. Any of you who have ever had children or worked with children have seen that no one has to teach a two-year-old how to say, "Mine!" We're sinners. From the time we're young, we're bent towards selfishness, and trying to be our own little gods. But, this is NOT how we were created.
"Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2)
"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14)
I see this in my nephew, Milo. He hasn't read the Bible for himself yet. And he hasn't fully understood the Gospel, though I practice evangelism on him. Milo is, after all, four months old! And yet...despite the fact that he is a baby, I see the image of God in him. It's something that is beyond words. Even Milo, though a sinner, was so clearly created in the glorious image of God Himself! I cannot fathom otherwise how a baby could be so joyful when I play music for him, wake up giggling, have the capacity to brighten everyone's day, and begin to grow and function as a human being, though he started out as a teeny tiny little embryo. Watching a baby grow is incredible, and he has "image of God" written all over him.
I must confess that seeing the image of God in people is far easier for me to see in Christians than in those who don't know Him. Living in a culture that denies God's existence, sometimes it's hard to see God's image in them...and yet, it's there. I am profoundly humbled to think that I often view people as sinners before I view them as image bearers of God. I wonder how the world would look if all of us who believe started to look every person we encounter in the eyes with love, praying for them, and telling ourselves that they were created in the image of God. I imagine we'd be quicker to care for the orphans and widows, as well as that strange man or woman in our workplace who is so clearly broken that we sometimes try to avoid. As we look for God in others, both believers and unbelievers, I think we'll be amazed to see that it truly exists in everyone. But for those who don't believe, we must pray for a resurrection of that image, and an awakening of their hearts to Jesus Christ. For those who do believe, we must pray for a greater reflection of God's image in one another, as His love deepens in our hearts.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you."
(2 Cor. 4:7-12)
God's surpassing glory, His very image is in us, though in some regards we still look the same as before. And we still wrestle with sin. Why? So that they might see His glory made manifest in our weaknesses. When they see something beautiful in us, they'll see Him. And eventually, they may start to see that they, too, were created for the glory of God.
Monday, February 13, 2012
I am but a Breath
"All mankind stands as a mere breath!" (Psalm 39:5b)
What an uncommon perspective David had! We rarely think of our lives as being so short. We spend time thinking about things that will fade away. If my life is like a breath, how insignificant are the details of my life in comparison with God's greater purpose! When I one day kneel at the throne of Jesus, will all of these things even matter? And yet, our lives are full of purpose. This purpose is to be in accordance with God's greater plan for humanity, not simply our own very small life.
Since we are called one body of Christ with many members, the Lord gifts us in different ways. One of the ways that we practice our faithfulness to Christ is in being faithful to the gifts He has given us. He has given them to us that He might make Himself known through us in a very personal way, a way that we can understand. The temptation with pursuing these good gifts is that the end goal can become prosperity. Our culture defines success by how much money you make. While we wait and hope for Jesus to say "Well done, good and faithful servant," I don't think he'll be referring to the income we received through our careers. Rather, he will speak these words to those who lived a life of love and devotion to God, and in doing so, invariably others came to know Him, as well! True success = knowing God.
All that can accompany me to heaven is my relationship with my Creator, and my brothers and sisters in Christ. How I long for all of my biological family to know Him! Those who in Christ are now family members, belonging to one another. And yet, it's necessary for us to be burdened that many who we know and love haven't yet received Him. We must pray.
The Lord blesses the one who prays with faith and persistence. How seriously do I pray for those around me who don't know yet know Him? Though the Holy Spirit works apart from us (and certainly doesn't need us), we invite His further work and saving grace when we pray.
when a person is once saved, are they always saved? This seems to be a debatable topic among Christians. Regardless of your own convictions on this question, we are still called to live a certain way. We must always be tuned in to the fact that our hearts are prone to wander, to forget the Gospel. We must daily respond through repentance, thanksgiving, and worship of our Lover.
If my life is a mere breath, what will be recollected of it? Will it be me? Or Christ made manifest through me? Though I have certainly rebelled against God and wasn't always saved by Him, how will I live my life from this day forward? I walk with Him confident in my salvation because I was purchased by the blood of Christ. Now, I am instructed to fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Below are some further references on how we are to live towards Christ, continuing in the faith with perseverance, as His faithful children. After all, our lives are but a breath.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Proverbs 24:16)
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples...'" (John 8:31)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:1-5)
What an uncommon perspective David had! We rarely think of our lives as being so short. We spend time thinking about things that will fade away. If my life is like a breath, how insignificant are the details of my life in comparison with God's greater purpose! When I one day kneel at the throne of Jesus, will all of these things even matter? And yet, our lives are full of purpose. This purpose is to be in accordance with God's greater plan for humanity, not simply our own very small life.
Since we are called one body of Christ with many members, the Lord gifts us in different ways. One of the ways that we practice our faithfulness to Christ is in being faithful to the gifts He has given us. He has given them to us that He might make Himself known through us in a very personal way, a way that we can understand. The temptation with pursuing these good gifts is that the end goal can become prosperity. Our culture defines success by how much money you make. While we wait and hope for Jesus to say "Well done, good and faithful servant," I don't think he'll be referring to the income we received through our careers. Rather, he will speak these words to those who lived a life of love and devotion to God, and in doing so, invariably others came to know Him, as well! True success = knowing God.
All that can accompany me to heaven is my relationship with my Creator, and my brothers and sisters in Christ. How I long for all of my biological family to know Him! Those who in Christ are now family members, belonging to one another. And yet, it's necessary for us to be burdened that many who we know and love haven't yet received Him. We must pray.
The Lord blesses the one who prays with faith and persistence. How seriously do I pray for those around me who don't know yet know Him? Though the Holy Spirit works apart from us (and certainly doesn't need us), we invite His further work and saving grace when we pray.
when a person is once saved, are they always saved? This seems to be a debatable topic among Christians. Regardless of your own convictions on this question, we are still called to live a certain way. We must always be tuned in to the fact that our hearts are prone to wander, to forget the Gospel. We must daily respond through repentance, thanksgiving, and worship of our Lover.
If my life is a mere breath, what will be recollected of it? Will it be me? Or Christ made manifest through me? Though I have certainly rebelled against God and wasn't always saved by Him, how will I live my life from this day forward? I walk with Him confident in my salvation because I was purchased by the blood of Christ. Now, I am instructed to fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Below are some further references on how we are to live towards Christ, continuing in the faith with perseverance, as His faithful children. After all, our lives are but a breath.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Proverbs 24:16)
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples...'" (John 8:31)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:1-5)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
"...That They May Know That I Am God."
Nearly everything that happens in our lives happens simply so that we might know God. Hardships. Blessings. Loss. Gain. The Lord divinely appoints all circumstances so that He might be glorified, magnified in us.
Even pop culture seems to grasp part of this truth, though incomplete. Kanye West sings, "That, that don't kill me, can only make me stronger." In fact, many celebrities and singers communicate this same message. And it's true, we do become stronger throughout the challenges of life. But why do we become stronger? Is it for our good, or for God's? When challenges come, this is an opportunity for God's strength to be made manifest in us. Though it does benefit us, we are not the end goal. God is. As we become strong, it's not really our strength at all. It is the divine strength of the One who made us. His strength is limitless, ours is limited. How freeing it is to draw strength from a source which has no end!
Not only do hardships come our way so that we might know Him, but blessings come with the same purpose. The danger of being blessed by God is that we might fail to see Him as the source of our blessing. He is the only one who is altogether good; therefore, all that is good comes from Him (James 1:17). He gives us good things, that we might glorify His name, as our eyes begin to see more clearly His kindness, provision, faithfulness, and graciousness. Also, He blesses us, so that we might be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:2). This truth is in perfect harmony with the two greatest commandments that Jesus later gives us in Matthew Gospel account: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:35-40). The symmetry in biblical texts, even over the test of time, is one of the many ways God has shown His word to be infallible, absolute truth. Loving God propels us and enables us to love one another, as Jesus laid it out for us in its proper order.
When we speak of the Lord blessing us, we must be careful with the way we define blessing. While blessing may mean health and wealth, our greatest blessing is often much different. Jesus said it well in His sermon the mount:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
(Matthew 5:2-12)
These are the ones who are called blessed.
As the Lord blesses us, the only appropriate response is to believe God, know God, and glorify God. Has God blessed you with meaningful relationships? Those of family? Friends? Spouse? Glorify Him by building each other up, spurring one another on towards Christ. Love one another from within your hearts (Col. 3:12-17; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13). Has God blessed you with a home? Food to eat? Glorify God through giving your resources back to Him and to those who are in need. Trust His promise to provide for you, and be generous in your giving. Has God blessed you through an awakening of His love for you? Glorify Him by offering your very life as a sacrifice unto Him.
God gives us exactly what we need in His perfect timing, that we might know Him and proclaim His excellencies. For some, this means being a missionary in a third world country. For others, this means living as an ambassador of Christ wherever you are and whatever your job description may be. I praise God for those of you who see it as your primary purpose in life to know and glorify God! You are a co-heirs and co-laborer with Christ (1 Cor. 3:6-9).
So then, whether in plenty or in need, in affliction or ease, in joy or sorrow, let us strive to see God for who He truly is. Throughout generations upon generations, God has revealed Himself to us, that we might know that He is God. These thoughts of mine have been shaped over time, but have been more recently confirmed through the study of Genesis and Exodus. The Lord relentlessly delivers this message: "I will do this or that...that they may know that I am God."
For further study:
Genesis 5:1; 6:18; 8:22; 9:11-13; 12:2; 15:5-6; 16:13; 18:1; 22:9-14; 26:24; 28:15-17; 29:31-35; 32:30; 35:10-11; 39:23; 41:16,52; 43:23; 45:8; 50:19-20
Exodus 3:6,12; 4:10-12,31; 6:6-7, 7:17; 8:19,22; 9:6,14-16,29; 10:1-2; 11:9; 12:17; 13:8-10; 14:13-14,17-18,31; 15:26; 16:12; 17:6-7; 18:8-11; 19:9,20; 20:18-21; 24:17
Even pop culture seems to grasp part of this truth, though incomplete. Kanye West sings, "That, that don't kill me, can only make me stronger." In fact, many celebrities and singers communicate this same message. And it's true, we do become stronger throughout the challenges of life. But why do we become stronger? Is it for our good, or for God's? When challenges come, this is an opportunity for God's strength to be made manifest in us. Though it does benefit us, we are not the end goal. God is. As we become strong, it's not really our strength at all. It is the divine strength of the One who made us. His strength is limitless, ours is limited. How freeing it is to draw strength from a source which has no end!
Not only do hardships come our way so that we might know Him, but blessings come with the same purpose. The danger of being blessed by God is that we might fail to see Him as the source of our blessing. He is the only one who is altogether good; therefore, all that is good comes from Him (James 1:17). He gives us good things, that we might glorify His name, as our eyes begin to see more clearly His kindness, provision, faithfulness, and graciousness. Also, He blesses us, so that we might be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:2). This truth is in perfect harmony with the two greatest commandments that Jesus later gives us in Matthew Gospel account: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:35-40). The symmetry in biblical texts, even over the test of time, is one of the many ways God has shown His word to be infallible, absolute truth. Loving God propels us and enables us to love one another, as Jesus laid it out for us in its proper order.
When we speak of the Lord blessing us, we must be careful with the way we define blessing. While blessing may mean health and wealth, our greatest blessing is often much different. Jesus said it well in His sermon the mount:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
(Matthew 5:2-12)
These are the ones who are called blessed.
As the Lord blesses us, the only appropriate response is to believe God, know God, and glorify God. Has God blessed you with meaningful relationships? Those of family? Friends? Spouse? Glorify Him by building each other up, spurring one another on towards Christ. Love one another from within your hearts (Col. 3:12-17; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13). Has God blessed you with a home? Food to eat? Glorify God through giving your resources back to Him and to those who are in need. Trust His promise to provide for you, and be generous in your giving. Has God blessed you through an awakening of His love for you? Glorify Him by offering your very life as a sacrifice unto Him.
God gives us exactly what we need in His perfect timing, that we might know Him and proclaim His excellencies. For some, this means being a missionary in a third world country. For others, this means living as an ambassador of Christ wherever you are and whatever your job description may be. I praise God for those of you who see it as your primary purpose in life to know and glorify God! You are a co-heirs and co-laborer with Christ (1 Cor. 3:6-9).
So then, whether in plenty or in need, in affliction or ease, in joy or sorrow, let us strive to see God for who He truly is. Throughout generations upon generations, God has revealed Himself to us, that we might know that He is God. These thoughts of mine have been shaped over time, but have been more recently confirmed through the study of Genesis and Exodus. The Lord relentlessly delivers this message: "I will do this or that...that they may know that I am God."
For further study:
Genesis 5:1; 6:18; 8:22; 9:11-13; 12:2; 15:5-6; 16:13; 18:1; 22:9-14; 26:24; 28:15-17; 29:31-35; 32:30; 35:10-11; 39:23; 41:16,52; 43:23; 45:8; 50:19-20
Exodus 3:6,12; 4:10-12,31; 6:6-7, 7:17; 8:19,22; 9:6,14-16,29; 10:1-2; 11:9; 12:17; 13:8-10; 14:13-14,17-18,31; 15:26; 16:12; 17:6-7; 18:8-11; 19:9,20; 20:18-21; 24:17
Friday, January 27, 2012
Comparing Myself to Others
It is human nature to compare ourselves to others. We compare our talents, our looks, and the worst of all, how "good" we are. This is wildly dangerous, and the effects are devastating. As Village Church's Matt Chandler puts it, "I am 6'5" tall. Compared to a man who is 5'8", I am extremely tall. But compared to an NBA player, I am not so tall, after all." Who do we compare ourselves to? If I measure how good I am next to Adolf Hitler, I feel pretty good about myself. On the other hand, what happens when I measure my "goodness" with God's?
Since we are prone to make comparisons, let's compare ourselves with God. If any thought is humbling, it is this. He is Perfection. He is Goodness. He is Holy. He is Righteous. He is much more. He IS.
“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (2 Samuel 22:31)
"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works." (Psalm 145:17)
"And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!'" (Rev. 4:8)
As we look to God's glory, there is no room to compare ourselves to others. We have ALL sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). This leaves no room for saying, "At least I don't struggle with this or that, like she does." Your sin is just as wretched as your neighbors', your family members', and your friends'. Different types of sin can leave us in different circumstances, but the end result of all sin is death, until Christ intercedes.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Ps. 130:3)
"We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." (Isaiah 64:6)
"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." (Ecc. 7:20)
In the midst of the ugly mess of our sin, there is good news. What God has done for us is nothing short of spectacular! Through Christ, we are made righteous. But ONLY through Him, not on our own strength, but in His.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:4)
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
"Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." (Romans 6:13)
Benefits that come from viewing ourselves in comparison to God:
1) We come to know God in all His glory
2) He becomes greater, we become less
3) Our understanding and thankfulness for His grace deepens
4) We are motivated to pursue godliness
5) We are less prone to judge & more prone to live with grace and humility to all
Since we are prone to make comparisons, let's compare ourselves with God. If any thought is humbling, it is this. He is Perfection. He is Goodness. He is Holy. He is Righteous. He is much more. He IS.
“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (2 Samuel 22:31)
"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works." (Psalm 145:17)
"And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!'" (Rev. 4:8)
As we look to God's glory, there is no room to compare ourselves to others. We have ALL sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). This leaves no room for saying, "At least I don't struggle with this or that, like she does." Your sin is just as wretched as your neighbors', your family members', and your friends'. Different types of sin can leave us in different circumstances, but the end result of all sin is death, until Christ intercedes.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Ps. 130:3)
"We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." (Isaiah 64:6)
"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." (Ecc. 7:20)
In the midst of the ugly mess of our sin, there is good news. What God has done for us is nothing short of spectacular! Through Christ, we are made righteous. But ONLY through Him, not on our own strength, but in His.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:4)
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
"Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." (Romans 6:13)
Benefits that come from viewing ourselves in comparison to God:
1) We come to know God in all His glory
2) He becomes greater, we become less
3) Our understanding and thankfulness for His grace deepens
4) We are motivated to pursue godliness
5) We are less prone to judge & more prone to live with grace and humility to all
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Invitation to the Lonely
Most people have at some point experienced loneliness, and are ashamed to talk about it. It leaves them feeling naked, exposed, vulnerable. This message is for all. It's for those who are in a relationship and those who aren't, those who have endured hardship, those who have been hurt or wounded, lost a loved one, moved to a new place, had successful or less than successful careers, made poor decisions, the sick, those who have had family issues, felt like an outsider, those who long for friendship, the married, and those who long for a lifelong companion. We have all been acquainted with loneliness in some shape or form.
Loneliness is not a result of our circumstances. It is a result of our sin, first and foremost. In our rebellion against God, the chasm grew wide between us and Him, the only one who is truly righteous. Ever since the first sin was committed in the garden of Eden, we have all ached for the one who knows us, fully understands us, and yet loves us anyway. Those who don't yet know the Lord are blinded from seeing that their relational desires are actually for the One who created them in His very image. This world offers no lasting fulfillment. We search for it, we create idols for ourselves, we set our hope in all the wrong places, and as we come up empty, we keep looking. It has been and continues to be an ongoing cycle throughout humanity.
These words are for all to hear, both Christians and non-Christians. God desperately desires our love. His love for us is wildly passionate, intimate, mysterious, and far more amazing than any other love on this earth. Why does He offer it to us? I'll never quite understand. But I do know that that it's not simply for our delight, but also for His. He takes joy in being in relationship with us. This divine love is ultimately for the glory of His name.
If there is anything you hear, hear this: You are not alone. The Lord is not far off, He is close to you.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Ps. 34:8)
Jesus was..."a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Is. 53:3)
Upon moments of loneliness in recently moving to San Francisco, I was tempted to believe it's simply that I know few people here. "As I come to know, love, and serve those in my community, it'll all change..." was a thought of mine. The Spirit convicted me that He has not only allowed me a season of loneliness, but He has purposed it to me for my good. It is a result of His grace, that I might come to know Him more. His desire is to satisfy my aching heart and demonstrate to me that I possess all I need in Christ.
If this season were to last forever, I would still be joyful. In God, there is great cause to rejoice. After all, He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Through His divine power, he has "granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Pet. 1:3). Dear friends, let us fix on minds on the Lord. Let us rejoice and give thanks to God, the One who satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts, the one loves us beyond all measure.
Loneliness is not a result of our circumstances. It is a result of our sin, first and foremost. In our rebellion against God, the chasm grew wide between us and Him, the only one who is truly righteous. Ever since the first sin was committed in the garden of Eden, we have all ached for the one who knows us, fully understands us, and yet loves us anyway. Those who don't yet know the Lord are blinded from seeing that their relational desires are actually for the One who created them in His very image. This world offers no lasting fulfillment. We search for it, we create idols for ourselves, we set our hope in all the wrong places, and as we come up empty, we keep looking. It has been and continues to be an ongoing cycle throughout humanity.
These words are for all to hear, both Christians and non-Christians. God desperately desires our love. His love for us is wildly passionate, intimate, mysterious, and far more amazing than any other love on this earth. Why does He offer it to us? I'll never quite understand. But I do know that that it's not simply for our delight, but also for His. He takes joy in being in relationship with us. This divine love is ultimately for the glory of His name.
If there is anything you hear, hear this: You are not alone. The Lord is not far off, He is close to you.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Ps. 34:8)
Jesus was..."a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Is. 53:3)
Upon moments of loneliness in recently moving to San Francisco, I was tempted to believe it's simply that I know few people here. "As I come to know, love, and serve those in my community, it'll all change..." was a thought of mine. The Spirit convicted me that He has not only allowed me a season of loneliness, but He has purposed it to me for my good. It is a result of His grace, that I might come to know Him more. His desire is to satisfy my aching heart and demonstrate to me that I possess all I need in Christ.
If this season were to last forever, I would still be joyful. In God, there is great cause to rejoice. After all, He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Through His divine power, he has "granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Pet. 1:3). Dear friends, let us fix on minds on the Lord. Let us rejoice and give thanks to God, the One who satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts, the one loves us beyond all measure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)