Render unto Him what is due

Paul has rights from the Corinthians. As an apostle and spiritual father, he had the right to support from the Corinthian believers. He mentions this in chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians: this is a command that goes back to the Old Testament. Do not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain. Paul asks them, is it really about oxen? Is it not about preachers of the Word, those who give their lives in service to other people? Render unto these men what is their due!

Paul goes on to say, if the Corinthians were to give, to support him voluntarily, that would be rewarding in itself. Yet if they were to do it involuntarily, begrudgingly, they would still only be doing what they should.

Paul likens this to his own ministry before God.

You see, Paul had the right to demand support, yet he did not take advantage of that right. This does not negate the existence of his right - it just means that he did not take what was his. In preaching the gospel, Paul says he was simply discharging the trust committed to him. He was a steward of God's grace, preaching the gospel because it was his duty. If he had preached the gospel begrudgingly, he would have been doing what was required of him; he preached the gospel willingly, and gladly, and so it was rewarding. 

To me, this goes for everything we do as believers, whether service, worship, or belief. If we believe the right thing about God, we're only doing what we are supposed to do. If we use up every breath in praise of God, we're only rendering unto God that which is His due. If we spend all our energy in glorifying God, we are not doing anything above and beyond our duty as human beings.

We are so fickle, we demand rewards for the tiniest service, thinking we did something great for God, something for which He now owes us. We forget that we are created to be God-glorifying image-bearers, whose sole purpose is to render to God the praise due His name. Anything we do for God is a thing we ought to have been doing anyway. Any praise we give is praise we were supposed to give.

The beautiful thing here is that God's grace is in this. Just as Paul preached because it was his duty, yet received a reward because he did it willingly, so too will we receive a reward. God is pleased with our attempts to glorify Him. We will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We will receive the prize because we've run the race, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith. Praising God through our actions and thoughts, through our work and word, is reward enough in itself, for it satisfies our deepest reality as God's image-bearers - yet above and beyond that God will bless us beyond measure, for He will satisfy us with great things. God has already proven His own character through Christ Jesus - He has given us what we did not deserve, what we did not earn.

All praise to Him who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

Blessed be the Name,
Blessed be the Name,
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Blessed be the Name,
Blessed be the Name,
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

His name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father's own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.

Redeemer, Saviour, Friend of man,
Once ruined by the Fall,
Thou has devised salvation's plan,
For Thou hast died for all.

Wants

I don't want to be a "professional" Christian. I don't want to go through the motions and the routine of faith or religion, walking with half-closed eyes and with boredom or complacency, simply doing the "right thing" because someone might be watching. I don't want to speak or share half-heartedly.

I want to see myself for what I am: an amateur, a messy child with grubby hands, running arms-outstretched toward my Father, the one who has washed and redeemed and loved me, the one who delights in me and is close to me no matter whether I can feel his presence or not. Maybe, especially when I can't.

I want to know my mistakes so I can see God's correction. I want to study the cracks in my frame so I can see God's grace fill every gap, overflowing and submerging me in grace that says perfection is attained through Christ Jesus, not through my efforts. I can stop trying to scrub my hands clean. They've been scrubbed clean by greater hands than mine. 

I want to sit still and listen, learning the sweet, sweet words of Jesus until I know them by heart and love them all the more. I want to lift my hands and sing, and dance for joy because joy is there and ready to be embraced. I want to embrace joy.

I want to see my strengths and be ready to use them for a good purpose, not holding myself back in case my strengths are not strong enough. I want to leap into and lean on the Everlasting Arms, comfortable and confident in their steadiness.

I want to be thankful for tears, for frustrations, for weakness, because these things drive me somewhere good. They drive me to Someone, to the Helper, to the Answer. I want to recognize the delight found in my Saviour, recognize it until it bubbles up in me and I can't help but laugh at the sheer joy of grace. I want to be amazed at the depths of the riches of the knowledge of God, his unsearchable ways, his vast wisdom and knowledge.

Amen.

Holy, righteous, good - all of Christ

Are believers really saints? Can we practice righteousness or holiness? Does Christ really see us in this light? The answer is, yes. We're reborn. Paul defines the unrighteous, what they do and how they act, and then he says, 

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
When it says "sanctified", this is what it means (taken from biblos.com):
hagiazó: to make holy, consecrate, sanctify
Original Word: ἁγιάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: hagiazó
Phonetic Spelling: (hag-ee-ad'-zo)
Short Definition: I make holy, sanctify
Definition: I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.

Total depravity (our standing before God) is overcome, here and now, by the flowing mercies in Christ Jesus. 

Here's an excellent article on all that we are in Christ Jesus: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-stupendous-reality-of-being-in-christ-jesus

Consider Romans 11:16, which references Christ as the root and believers as branches:

If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)
Christ is the root. If Christ is holy, then according to Paul, all those in Christ are made holy by virtue of being in Him. Christ said Himself, "I am the Vine; you are the branches". 

Let’s look quickly at the two words, “good” and “holy”.agathos = good
Reference: Ephesians 2:10; besides others
Definition: Intrinsically good, good in nature, good whether it be seen to be so or not. 

This goodness originates from God, and is empowered by Him. But in Ephesians 2:10 it says the Lord prepares good works for us to accomplish. He is a God of life and action, and He gives us actions to accomplish.

hagios = holyDefinition: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred.
References: 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Romans 6:19, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 11:16, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Ephesians 5:27

Again, this originates from God in that we become like Him, pronounced to be like Christ, set apart from the world because we are like Christ. This is what Christ has done: set us apart for Himself.

We submit fully to Christ. That’s what living righteously is all about: submitting fully and joyfully to Christ so that we can be used of Him. He works through us. We live in righteousness, we witness to others, and we present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God for the purpose of Christ’s exaltation and proclamation.

How would you define submitting fully to Christ? I would define it as something like “Here I am; Lord, send me!” When faced with His glory, our response is praise, worship and service.

Believers do not live rightly or do any holy thing outside of Christ. The ability to do anything in a godly manner comes from God, Who is goodness and mercy. This is the relationship:

We do good works (which God has laid out for us) by His grace in enabling us to do so. We do not do good works or live righteously because we want to "look good", or because we want to earn something; we do them because God has amazingly saved us, and it is a “reasonable service” to live our lives for the glory of God in whatsoever we do. We cannot earn what we already have. 

We cannot be righteous without Christ. However, with Him, we can. So the idea that believers can be righteous is cemented in the fact that Christ is the difference. Christ enables us to be so. God is in living, active relationship with us, right now. Christ is exalted and magnified by the idea that He has accomplished what He set out to do, finishing His work and revealing a people much changed by what He has done.

Why not go to Him? Cast all your cares upon Him. Cry out to Christ to change you, to wash you clean. We need constant reminders of the gospel, all day, every day. Christ came to save the needy, the broken, the sinful. He is the Great Physician, healing hearts and lives. Why not turn to Him? 

Total depravity: not the believer's reality

I have had discussions in the past concerning the doctrine of total depravity. I believe the doctrine of total depravity is true, yet I feel I must write concerning the doctrine's misuse*, especially when it comes to total depravity and believers.

What is total depravity?
The doctrine of total depravity as I understand it runs thus:

Because of the fall (Genesis 3), man is unable by or of himself to believe in the gospel of salvation. Man is from birth rebellious against God. He is dead, blind and deaf to the things of God (Matthew 13:13). His heart is corrupted, his will is bound to Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2), and his inclination is constantly towards evil (Genesis 6:5). This depravity affects man physically, mentally, and spiritually, so that every part (the total) is depraved.

Are believers totally depraved?
You tell me: according to the historical definition of total depravity, can believers properly be defined as remaining in this state? Are believers unable to believe in the gospel of salvation (Acts 15:11)? Then how are they believers? Are they rebellious against God? Then how are they united to Him (Romans 6:5)? Are they dead, blind and deaf to the things of God? Then how can they have a relationship with Him (Galatians 4:6)? Are their hearts corrupted? Then why does God say He has given them a new, clean heart (Ezekiel 11:19)? Is their will bound to Satan? Then why does God say He has set us free (Galatians 5:1)? Is their inclination constantly towards evil? Then why does the Bible say believers desire the heavenly (Hebrews 11:16)? Why do they seek to be Christlike?

In answer to the question, I say no, believers are not totally depraved. Total depravity is a pre-Christ state. It is what we were, not what we are. When we are in Christ, we are set free, changed, renewed, redeemed, forgiven, restored, adopted, sanctified, glorified, justified…the change is endless (1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 8:30). We are a new creation. The old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are recreated in Christ Jesus. Reborn. We have the indwelling Spirit. We abide in the Vine. Our eyes are opened, our ears can hear, and our hearts can respond to the gospel.

Does this mean believers don’t sin? Not at all. We sin and struggle on every plane, physically, mentally and spiritually. The effects of total depravity still linger in us. But believers are not totally depraved. That is not our condition. Not according to the historical definition, which indicated and indicates unsaved people. The doctrine of total depravity is not meant to define Christians, but to define humanity. We have a new existence in Christ Jesus. God sees us differently in Christ than outside of Him. Christ makes a difference - a major one. We have to consider our familial reality.

We still speak of being totally depraved in terms of acknowledging one side of the coin, which is our dependency upon Christ in all things. We are weak. But the reality is that, not only do we as believers depend on Christ for everything, but Christ fulfills every dependency we have! He is our strength when we are weak. This is why we are pronounced clean. This is why the epistles declare believers saints, not sinners. Our identity is changed. God has removed us from our sin, separating them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He has drowned our sins in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

The believer's reality
Our reality is settled in Christ. The ability that we have been given is only by God’s grace in enabling us to do the good works He has foreordained (Ephesians 2:8-10). He has called us to act in righteousness, and He provides the way for us to do so. My ability to be good is not some sort of apart-from-Christ merit. Apart from Christ we can do nothing – but this implies that in and with Christ, we can do something.

We are the Body of Christ. Christ works through us in order to bring about His will on earth. There is an intriguing relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. People pray for the salvation of a friend, and when the friend is saved they glorify God, not thinking that their prayer was the means, yet their prayer was the instrument God used in order to bring about His sovereign will in saving the friend. This is a glorious truth: God includes us in His plan and purpose. He is active in relationship with His people. He moves and creates and speaks and involves us. He allows us to participate in doing good works for His glory. That’s why we share the gospel or serve others in love: not to “be good”, but because God is good and He has allowed us a part to play.

Live, then, in the light and the joy of this reality. Live every day as though God has a plan and a purpose for you - because He does! He has plans for you far beyond what you can imagine. He is with you every moment. Christ does not forget about you, not even for a second. Leave the hours and the minutes of your life in the hands of the Sovereign God Who has pronounced you clean, Who has declared you worthy to be a steward of His righteousness, a messenger of His glory, a child who is welcome and loved. Leave your doubts and your confusions, and even your certainties, with the all-wise Saviour, Who knows you better than you know yourself. Look to Jesus, and be ready.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:21-22 ESV)


*I don't doubt that I have misused the term in the past; this blog is an attempt to correct my own errors as much as to address the errors of others.

Five women & God's grace

1

When others sinned against me, I sinned to gain security. I used deceit, cunning and immorality to ensure my deceased husband's inheritance, as well as my own future. I banked on the immorality of my father-in-law rather than trusting in the Most High God. Still, in all my sinfulness, God moved with grace, using me despite my sinful works, despite my fears, and allowing me to bear a son who would be in the line of the Messiah.

2

I am a prostitute from a pagan nation. I lived my life in immorality, in godlessness. Then I heard about the LORD, the one who delivered his people from Egypt, who brought them through the Red Sea, who defeated powerful nations. My heart melted within me at the word of this God, the God of the heavens above and the earth beneath. How I rejoiced and mourned when God spared me by his mercy and grace! Could it be that I, even I could be in the line of the Messiah? 

3

I am a Gentile. By God's grace I was saved, living with Naomi and refusing to go back to Chemosh and spiritual death. I forsook the idols of my people. God moved mysteriously and graciously, and in his providence I found myself married to Boaz, a righteous and worthy man. In my life I saw something of the final redemption through the Messiah. 

4

I am an adulteress. Called by the king, I went and lay with him. O, God - pregnancy! Proof of our iniquity, and my death sentence. To cover our iniquity, my husband, my righteous husband Uriah, was betrayed and slain. What have I done? My lament, my guilt, O my husband! O, my child. This consequence is great. I sinned against the Lord. But, O - God's grace. God gave us another son, a son beloved of the Lord. Could it be that my son, the son from my womb, is an ancestor of the Messiah? 

5

I am young, unmarried, and vulnerable. I am neither rich nor powerful. An angel appeared to me and told me wonderful things, things that were confusing and amazing. The Holy Spirit? Overshadowing? A Son - a Son of the Most High? Let it be so, according to your word. 

O, those months. The visit with Elizabeth; the joy in knowing Joseph believed me, that he would stay! - the long, aching travel; the inn. No room in the inn. Where am I to bear this child? The time has come!

My beautiful boy. Look at you - so small and frail, needing me. What is the grace of God, that I should bear the Saviour of the world? I need him. The whole world will need him. The shepherds came and told us their story, how the choir of angels sang. A Saviour. Christ the Lord. My baby. I will treasure these things and ponder them. Could it be that the promises of God have been fulfilled? The time of waiting is over - the Messiah has come!

Driving down the highway, I had a conversation with myself. This happens a lot, but this particular self-conversing was more noteworthy. It was an "Oh!" moment, one of those times where something so simple becomes understandable. Sometimes the simplest things give me the most trouble. These are the things about which I need the most reminding.

The conversation went something like this (I've cut out the random asides):

I haven't written a blog post in a while. I should do that.

I don't have anything to write about! Anyway, I've been busy.

Everybody's busy. I should just write about something easy - something basic.

So what is the most basic, the most fundamental part of me, for instance? What is most important to me?

My faith. Wait, no, that's not really true, is it? It's not my faith that's most important, but the object of my faith. Faith is nothing without its object. Christ is everything.

After having this "Oh, yea" thought, I got home, went on Twitter, and found these two tweets waiting for me:

C. H. Spurgeon ‏@spurgeonfix

It is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.

Tim Keller Wisdom ‏@DailyKeller

It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.


Funny how that worked out.

Believers: according to Philippians: part two

Partakers

The word for partakers is sygkoinōnós, which means a close companion or joint-sharer. It is amazing to think that we are not merely an audience, not passively watching grace, but that we are active accomplices, having fellowship with all believers through the Spirit. We are the hands and feet of Christ, serving one another out of reverence for Jesus. When Paul uses this word in Philippians, he is referencing the Philippians' willingness to share Paul's suffering and shame. You know a close companion when they stand by you in the worst of times, not just the best of times.

Brothers, Beloved, Children of God

These profound familial terms ignite our theology, bringing the truths of God's Word to light through relationship. Through His death, Christ has caused us to be born again, born into adoption. We are the children of God. To be adopted in Christ is an eternal and glorious relational aspect of our salvation. We are more than believers; we are beloved, loved by God as a father loves his children. We are co-heirs with Christ. Think about these mercies! I can barely understand them.

Not only does salvation affect our relationship with God, but it also changes how we fellowship with one another. Believers are brothers, united as the family of God, given new life and new purpose in Christ Jesus. We grow together in sanctification, love, joy, suffering, and everything else.

Lights in the world

As lights in the world, we shine brightly. We are not under baskets. We don't hide away, but rather declare the glories of Christ Jesus through the way we live and through what we say. How can we distinguish between what we say and how we live? It shouldn't be possible. If our "yes" really means "no", then there is something wrong. We are to live as lights in the world, shining the gospel of Christ into even the darkest corners. 

Citizens of heaven
We belong to the God of heaven, not the prince of the power of the air, nor this present darkness. We are sojourners here, living for Christ in the midst of our journey home. Our citizenry is with Christ, for we are seated with Him in the heavenly places, kept for, by, and through Jesus as we await the final day, the day when the "worst vacation ever" has come to an end.

Paul reminds the Philippians of many things in his short letter. I pray they've encouraged you as they did me. 

Believers: according to Philippians - part one

When reading through Scripture, you can find many different titles for believers. The term, "Christian" only shows up a few times, yet believers are referenced quite often, especially in the New Testament. Reading through Philippians I came across many different titles given among believers. Some are specific titles, such as "servants", used in Paul's introduction, as well as the titles of overseer and deacon. However, I think we can expand upon these titles in general. 

According to Philippians, we are

Servants

As I said, Paul uses this in his introduction: 

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 1:1)

However, this is not exclusive to Paul. John, Peter, Jude and James all refer to themselves in the same way. In light of that, I think it is appropriate that we follow their example in proclaiming our servanthood to Christ. I am a servant of Christ. What does this mean? This means my life is not my own. I have been bought with the price of Christ's precious blood. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. My whole life is lived in devotion to Christ, or that at least is what I strive to do. I want to live my life according to Christ's will and by His word. I want to grow in love for God as well as for those whom He has created, glorifying God through selfless ministry. I want Christ to live through me. In light of that, I am His servant. 

Saints

Again from verse one:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)

Believers are often referred to as saints in the New Testament. This is a declaration of our state in Christ: by His sacrifice, by His substitution, by His atonement and redemption, we have been pronounced pure and blameless, without blemish. We have been clothed in Christ's righteousness. We have been given new life in Christ Jesus. We are saints - set apart, holy unto the Lord. This one is difficult to understand, because it is wrapped up in the mystery of salvation. Yet we can know that this is how God sees us. He sees us through Christ, perfect, blameless, holy, redeemed. To be declared a saint is a glorious concept, and it is the reality for believers. 

Overseers and Deacons

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)

This does not refer to all believers, but to a specific group of men who are set apart within the believing community. These are elders, those who "supervise" the flock of God, who check the gospel pulse of the church. They keep watch, guarding against apostasy, guarding against the onslaught of the devil. They provide personal protection and care for believers. Deacons "kick up the dust" in ministry, serving the church in more practical, day-to-day-serving ways. Overseers have a great responsibility, and I think it is important for believers to pray for elders and deacons in their church. However, I think every believer can watch and guard against false teaching. We can all protect and care for one another through fellowship and prayer, and we can all certainly serve one another - in fact, we are called to do that very thing in Hebrews, stirring one another up to good works (Hebrews 10:24). 

Partners

All believers share things in common. Though we can disagree, though we can have many denominations and many different interpretations of any given Bible passage, we are bound together and unified in Christ Jesus. We share a fellowship through Christ. He is the unifier. He breaks down the walls of hostility and unites all peoples.

Saints together

This is the power of Jesus Christ. 

Getting over my apathetic view of 1 Corinthians yesterday, I read chapter one and was subsequently blown away by something I had never caught before. I used to skim over the introductions of letters, thinking it was simply a greeting and the good stuff came later. However, that view died when my pastor preached from the book of James, and spent two sermons on the first two verses of the book. In reading 1 Corinthians 1, then, I paid close attention to the introduction of Paul. Look carefully:

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

The question that popped into my head was, "Where have I heard the name Sosthenes before?" Sure enough, he is mentioned in Acts 18: 

And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. (Acts 18:17a)

The context for this verse is essential in explaining the first sentence of this blog. Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, was beaten in front of the tribunal because a case against Paul had swiftly been dismissed by Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia. In his study Bible, John MacArthur states, "Since [Sosthenes] was the ruler of the synagogue, he would have presented the case to Gallio." Imagine that. Sosthenes was basically the lead prosecutor against Paul. When the case was dismissed, Sosthenes received the blame. He was beaten. He was shamed. He probably considered Paul his enemy - especially in light of Paul's "betrayal" of the Jews. Formerly Paul had been their knight in shining armour, ridding the world of the blight of "The Way". Then he converted to Christianity. Paul was no favourite among the Jewish leaders. 

This leaves us with the fairly valid assumption that Sosthenes hated Paul's guts. 

But then, Christ steps in. The power of the gospel in Christ Jesus flies in the face of that enmity. Sosthenes is saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. The Bible does not go into the particulars of Sosthenes' conversion, but we are given the epilogue of the vanished enmity between Paul and Sosthenes in 1 Corinthians 1. 

Paul calls Sosthenes "our brother". This term of endearment flows through Christ Jesus, Who is the Redeemer and Mediator. Through Christ we are adopted as children of God. Through Christ the walls of hostility are broken down. Through Christ believers, even former enemies, are united in love and peace. 

I find it quite interesting how Paul continues in his introduction, after mentioning Sosthenes. Paul may have had Sosthenes in mind as he wrote "called to be saints together". These two men knew the power of Jesus Christ. They knew His saving grace. They knew His mercy and His atonement. 

Paul, the former murderer and persecutor of Christ, and Sosthenes, the former adversary, full of bitterness, enmity and resentment, found themselves sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together. It is the same for believers today. Across the globe, in spite of multiple differences, diverse backgrounds, varying cultures and preconceived notions, Christ unites us, and by His power and mercy we stand united as the Bride. 

"Grace to you and peace" indeed. 

Always by grace

In reading through Deuteronomy, you find that God never gave any indication to the Israelites that they could be righteous on their own. In fact He made it quite clear they were not.

The Israelites could look at any point in their history and see how rebellious, how stiff-necked, how idolatrous they were. They were not God's people because they were love-able. Rather, just like believers today, they were God's people because He sovereignly set His love upon them (Deuteronomy 7-11).

For the Israelites, keeping the Law of God as He laid it down was a stipulation of the relationship they had by His grace. Their obedience would not result in God's relationship with them; rather, their obedience was the result of the relationship! It is the same for us today. We in Christ are given commands - whether from the "one anothers" to the commands to walk in a certain way, to the putting off, to the putting on. We have commandments and instructions given to us even in the "New Testament" church. These commandments (and following them) are the result of the relationship and the love we have for our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Because the reality is, God has revealed Himself to us. He has given us a relationship with Himself. He has done everything necessary to ensure this relationship. Now, within this relational reality lie aspects of the relationship, and God has always required certain things of those to whom He gives Himself. The things that are required of us do not save us. Neither did they save the Israelites. Salvation has always been by grace through faith, as a gift of God. God bestows His mercy and love in spite of the rebellion of His people.

Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:6)

You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. (Deuteronomy 9:24)

The Israelites were plainly given the truth. They were not a special people for any reason other than that the God Who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love sovereignly set His favour upon them, for the sake of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - men whom He also loved entirely because of His own sovereign favour! 

Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. (Deuteronomy 10:15)

God has always been as He is now: merciful, gracious, ready and willing to save. He has always given Himself in the place of others. He has always redeemed a people, a remnant unworthy to be redeemed. It has always been by the grace in Christ Jesus, the promised Messiah, the Seed of the woman Who would crush the serpent's head and lead us into repentance, restoration and redemption. 

This relationship, then, carries forward into what the Lord requires of us. This is seen in many other places in Scripture, notably Micah 6:8 (among many others), but we can actually stay in Deuteronomy. From chapter seven until now there has been something of an historical lecture, a telling and retelling of Israel's history, outlining the powerful works God accomplished for their sake. Now we come to the command: 

You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.(Deuteronomy 11:1)

Remember that a "therefore" links back to what has been said, so this essentially means something like this: 

Because God has set his love on His people, not because of them, for they are rebellious and stubborn, but because of Himself, for He is gracious and merciful, therefore you should respond in love. God loves you, not for your own loveliness, but by His own grace. God has done everything for you. You are His child because He has adopted you. You are His treasure because He has treasured you. You are His workmanship because He has worked in you. It is not because of you. God has given you a clean heart, a right spirit, open eyes and ears, and most of all, Himself. In light of all this, your only response is loving Him, keeping His charge, statutes, rules, and commandments, for this is the way to deepening your relationship with the God Who loved you from eternity past because He chose to love you, not because you were worthy of His love.

All these principles, of course, culminate and come to full realization in Christ Jesus. Yet I think it is important to understand that Christ Jesus was God from eternity, so His promises and His redemptive acts existed from eternity. God has always worked by grace. 

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6)

Do you hear what I hear?

'Tis the season, and Christmas music is sounding forth from radio stations across the world. Singers and songwriters alike devote themselves to capturing the quintessential beauty found in a single, dangling snowflake. Poets seek to capture on paper the mystical evanescence of what surrounds this holiday. Even the lowest and meanest among us wax poetic and philosophical at this time of year. How can you not be poetic when there are scented candles and pretty lights all around?  

I wondered recently whether those who sing certain Christmas songs know what they are saying. Are they oblivious to the words? Do they sing them simply because they are traditional songs, and they sound pretty good, and you can get that Christmas CD out pretty quick by covering an old tune instead of writing your own? Do they sing them because the songs are poetic? 

Am I cynical? I'm sure I have asked that question before. But do they know? I would really like to know if these singers realize what the words coming out of their mouths actually mean. 

For instance, I hear "Joy to the World" on the radio a lot. It's been sung by many people, old and young. It is a good tune. Just look at the words.  

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Verse 3 is sometimes skipped, but the remaining verses are enough to make you wonder. This carol is a proclamation of the gospel. It declares that joy has come to the world precisely because Christ has come to the world. We are joyful because He reigns. We are joyful because He brings blessings beyond measure, beyond understanding. We are joyful because He rules the world with truth and grace! He is glorious, He is righteous, He is Love Incarnate. I hear the truth found in Jesus Christ in every line of this carol.

I'm not complaining that it's on the radio; in fact, I'm delighted. Except for when someone does a completely messed-up version of the music. That is not so delightful.

But do they hear what I hear? 

Distaste

I used to love honey. Seriously, I was a honey addict. I ate it every day - more than that, I felt like I needed to eat it every day. When we ran out of honey, I would be angry, or I would pout inside. Honey was my friend. Bees were the most glorious creature on the planet. Gold was my favourite colour. 

Okay, it wasn't quite that bad, but I did love honey. 

I recently went through a period of time (I think it was a little over a month) without eating any sugar or sweeteners of any kind. This was to rid my body of a particularly frustrating ailment. I was desperate, and it was suggested to me that ridding my body of sugar would "starve" out what I carried. It appears so far that this has worked, as the skin rashes, the pain, and the utter fatigue have not returned. (Yes!) 

Anyway, at the end of the month I was allowed to eat a little bit of sweets again. Naturally, I went for the honey. I remembered how delicious it was, and that it satisfied every craving and hit every single little spot. Yet when I had some, it wasn't that good. In fact, I didn't like it at all. I took a sip of tea with honey in it and my mouth puckered from the disgusting sweetness. I found my food tastes had changed. I no longer needed honey. I was just fine without it. In fact, I was healthier without it. 

I was thinking about that, and I can equate that to sin in my life. As I escape it, as God leads me away from it, I find that when I stumble back, expecting all the pleasure and satisfaction I had from it before, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It makes my nose wrinkle. I no longer desire it. I'd sooner go without it. I want to be free of it. I want to choke the disease of sin that lingers in my body, waiting for me to give it something on which to feed. My tastes are slowly changing as God works in me. Too bad this sort of change takes longer than a month. ;) More like a lifetime, but God is faithful and I know He will bring it to completion. 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

The full extent of grace

To see the full extent of grace, sometimes I have to look at the full extent of sin. My mind works in contrasts a lot. It helps me to learn and to grow - especially when the contrasts are concerning something so utterly relevant and definitive to my life and the way I live it.

For me, the full extent of sin is seen not only in the sinful acts I do, but it is seen in my capacity to sin. Even where I do not sin, when I choose to control myself and not allow the temptation to pull me in, the very fact of my contemplating the sin even for a moment condemns me. My mind is sinful. I find sin attractive. It is an option for me.  I am tempted to sin all the time. I relate to temptation. I consider the possibility of acting in sin. I weigh the pros and cons of sinning. My very consideration is a mark against me.

Jesus never considered sin as an attractive possibility. To sin was a concept so foreign and disgusting to Him that He immediately responded to Satan's tempting with righteousness. Satan sought to tempt Him just as he tempts us. The intent of the tempter remains the same in all cases. Satan wants people to fall, to sin, to deny God. Especially, I think, the Son of God incarnate. I imagine he was trying his devious best at that point.

In Christ, there was no connection. Jesus was completely without sin. Satan could not relate. He sought to tempt Jesus, to see Jesus fall, and found no hold. Jesus was sinless, perfectly righteous, perfectly good. Just as the volume of my sinfulness is basically limitless, so too is the volume of Christ's righteousness, of His goodness.

It is beautiful then for me to think of my own atrocious worthlessness, and then look away from my self (knowing full well that I can find no way out of sinfulness on my own) to my Saviour. The full extent of grace is that Jesus was willing to die for sinners, sinners so fully entrenched in their sin that they are ignorant of the depths. He was willing to take the full extent of our sin upon Himself, and bear it all, and die for it. He was willing to transfer to me all of His righteousness. I don't even understand that. It brings tears to my eyes to think of all that Jesus endured, and all that He has given to me, in spite of who I was. Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!

Offer him there

Genesis 22 (select verses):

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”


He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.


When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.


But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 

It always makes me cry to think of being in Abraham's shoes. Imagine being asked by the God you love to give up - more than that, to kill yourself - the son you love. God tests Abraham's obedience. Abraham obeys the Lord, believing God will provide His own offering. Abraham believes that God keeps His promises, so he is willing to obey, knowing that God could even raise Isaac, his promised son, from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham is committed to his God.

Just before Abraham slaughters his beloved son, God intervenes and blesses Abraham. God provides a ram as a substitute. I always think of the relief and joy Abraham must have felt, receiving his son back, being blessed by God.

Part of the reason this passage brings me to tears is that God spared Abraham's son, but did not spare His own Son. God offered Him there on the cross. Jesus was sacrificed for our sake. Jesus knew, just as the Father knew, what was required for sinful men to be reconciled to God. Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 

Giving Thanks - Building Up

"It's interesting that there is no word in Hebrew for "to give thanks." The word (yadah) behind our English translations means to praise or to give public acknowledgement; to tell others what God has done. If someone did you a favor or provided a blessing, instead of saying "thank you" you would respond by saying, "I'm going to declare your name to others. I'm going to praise your kindness and generosity and thoughtfulness to everyone I see." That's what thanksgiving or gratitude was in the Old Testament." ~ Sam Storms

I thought this was a really interesting comment on thankfulness. Thankfulness overflows and affects other people. It is contagious. Thankfulness builds others up, builds their reputation, builds relationships.

Sadly, we are more familiar with gossip and tearing down than we are with thankfulness. Thankfulness feels awkward to me. It battles my natural tendency toward selfish pride. It tastes funny in my mouth; it is not a well-known flavour. I'm far more used to the bitter taste of thanklessness!

Yet God works in me. He shows me how frail and needy I am. He provides me with wonderful friends and family who selflessly give. He reminds me of Christ, Who gave everything - everything! - for my sake, and I am shamed into repentance. The more I dwell on Christ, the more thankfulness grows in me, gaining a hold, overpowering the desire to tear down and destroy, overwhelming pride. The more I look on Christ, the more I wish to imitate Him in giving without a thought for repayment. The more I think about Christ, the more I want to express my thankfulness by telling everyone about Him.


Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
(Psalm 100:1-2; Psalm 100:3-5 ESV)
Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
(Psalm 100)

No Regrets?

Recently I read a quote from a grand ol' theologian who lived quite a number of years ago. In general, I love to read what he wrote. His words are a blessing and an exhortation. 
However, this particular quote gave me some pause. It said something to this effect:
"Let us strive to have no regrets on our deathbed." 
I know I will have regrets on my deathbed. I just will. I will regret not being braver, of saying nothing when I ought to have said something - or saying something when I ought to have said nothing at all. I will regret that I let opportunities pass by. I will regret that I have not loved as deeply or truthfully as I could have. I will regret every time I was unjustifiably angry. I will perhaps regret, as Andrew Fuller did on his own deathbed, that I will not have enough strength left to worship God. 
But it's not about my regrets. 
Life is not about being able to lay down your head for the last time and say, "I'm happy with what I've done and been." 
Life - and death - are about Christ Jesus. It is about what He has done for me. 
I will have regrets. Yet all my regrets will be demolished by this one thought: 
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57)
All my regrets are washed and overcome by my Saviour. As I lay dying, if I am not taken swiftly, I hope that my mind will not dwell on what I have accomplished (or failed to accomplish). I hope my mind will be dwelling on my Jesus, praising Him for His gift of salvation, and smiling upon the last few moments of life that are all that remains between me and seeing His face. 

Answering questions from a friend

A friend of mine asked me some questions in response to my previous blog post. Since the questions are good, I thought I'd make another blog post out of it. Not that they're usually bad... ;)

If salvation cannot be lost then why did he say: “depart from Me, I never knew you!”

This is found in Matthew 7, where Jesus is finishing up His sermon on the mount.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)

The implications of this can be quite scary. First of all, there are those who perform great and mighty works who have not truly put their faith in Christ Jesus. This is scary for more than one reason - not only are these people deceiving themselves, but it is possible, in light of Matthew 7:15-20, that these are influential people who could be leading others astray along with them.

The one concern I do not have is that this shows a possibility of losing salvation. The main reason for that is found in Jesus' words.

"I never knew you..."

The very idea of Jesus never having known them proves that they were never saved, for elsewhere Jesus has said:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28 ESV, emphasis mine)

Jesus knows His people. Believers have a family relationship with God. Through Christ we can cry, "Abba, Father!" This is talking about an intimate, close knowledge, far beyond speaking of God's omniscience. This is more personal. It is talking about first-hand relationship and perception.

For Jesus to say "I never knew you" implies that these people were never of His flock.

Also what is sin and what isn't?

Sin is not being or doing what God requires, or doing what God forbids. It is sin when God says "do this", and we say "I will not!" It is sin when God says "do not do this", and we say "I will, rather!" When we go against His character and command, when we go against what we ought to be, when we do not love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbour as ourselves, it is sin.

Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Failing to do what we know to be right is sin (James 4:17).

Is everything enjoyable sinful?

Certainly not, although we can most definitely enjoy things that are sinful. However, God made us with the ability (and need) to enjoy. God created beauty, and we are meant to enjoy it; He created relationships, and we are meant to enjoy them. The beauty of such things is corrupted and broken down from its original intent, but that does not mean that we may not enjoy what is enjoyable.

Specifically in relationships, people can certainly enjoy them sinfully, and yet there are relationships that are God-glorifying and most certainly enjoyable, and I would not say the enjoyment is sinful.

Are all altruistic behaviors grace?

I would say so, although altruism does not necessarily prove salvation (or the lack of it). All through the Bible there is mention of God being the giver of all things. It is most clearly seen in Acts 17:25:

...nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:25 ESV)

More to the point, though, I would say altruistic behaviours in people find their source in the character of God, for He is the Source of all good things, and selfless acts are understood universally to be good. God has created us in His own image, and so we do bear the marks of His character, stained though they may be.

Far beyond my own failing, pitiful altruism, I would emphasize that I most certainly find grace in what I consider to be the most supreme altruistic act, which was Christ Jesus giving Himself up on the cross as a propitiation for my sins, when He had committed no sins Himself. He bore the wrath and punishment reserved for me, and paid the price in full. Not only has He paid the price, but He has given me assurance in His promises that He will keep me forever, and no one is able to snatch me out of His hand. The heaviness of my sin (and, reading again what I wrote above about what sin is, it is quite the weight) is removed from my shoulders, and I am given joyful rest in Christ.

Just Believing in Myself? No Thanks

Some people say that to succeed in anything, you just have to believe in yourself.

I don't think that has ever worked for me, even once.

The reason such "positive thinking" fails is because I know myself. I know most of my failures and weaknesses, and no matter how much I tell myself "you can do this!", another part of me is saying "you probably can't".

Even if I believe in myself, to some degree I also believe in my failure. So it just doesn't work for me. Self-esteem fails strictly because it starts with "self".

Enter the people I love and respect. If I am heading toward something big, something nerve-wracking, and someone I admire tells me, "you can do this!", I believe them, because I believe they believe in me. It makes a world of difference to know they are rooting for me, more confident than I am that I will succeed. I am strengthened by their encouragement, support and presence.

That's also (in part) why God often encourages us with the words, "I am with you", or "My presence will go with you". When I remember and dwell upon the fact of God's presence with me, I am more confident to do anything than if I thought, "I am capable". Because the truth is, by myself I am incapable. Yet I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

It gives me more confidence to know that God is with me, and that He is for me. What can be against me? He is by my side. What can man do to me? He loves me. What can the hatred of the world accomplish against me?

I don't believe in myself. I believe in God. The knowledge of His close presence and immanent relationship is my confidence and hope.

"Nevertheless, I am continually with You;

You hold my right hand."

Come Out!

The story of God raising Lazarus from the dead has always fascinated me. Everything about it, from Jesus' deliberate hesitation of two days' time before traveling, to the sisters' different reactions (but same faith) upon seeing Jesus, to the very call to life itself.

Jesus has all power and authority. He is the resurrection and the life, as he tells Martha, bringing forth her response, which is essentially a summary of the Gospel of John: "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

Jesus is deeply moved by their response to Lazarus' death. We can take comfort from that - He is our immanent Saviour, with us in all our struggles. He knows our frame, remembers that we are dust, and sympathizes with our hurt.

The other comfort is the call. Just as Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb and be raised to life, so He calls us to follow Him as Lord and Saviour. He calls us to put our faith in Him and trust His promises. He calls us to serve Him while on this earth. Can you hear Him?

Come Out!

Come out from the tomb of worry, and give your anxieties and fears to Christ. He bears our burdens, and gives us a yoke that is easy and light in exchange. He takes our worries and replaces them with hope.

Come Out!

Come out from the tomb of despair. Let the wrappings of heartbreak and sorrow fall away. Be unbound and free from the bondage of despair. Let go, and trust in Christ. Despair has no place among those whose God is the Lord. Even in the ugliest moments, the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Come out from that dark, filthy tomb and rejoice!

Come Out!

Come out from the tomb of doubt. Believe in God's promises. Believe that His Word never fails. Believe that He will do as He has said. Believe that He is with you. Repent, and believe!

Come Out!

Come out from the tomb of timidity. Stand for Christ your Saviour with boldness. Be courageous for the truth. Be courageous for the Gospel. Drop the wrappings of fear that surround your heart, mind and soul; step forward for Christ and live as a child of Light, not ashamed of the Gospel, but alive in the Gospel.

Do you hear Him?

Why Do We Obey God's Commands If We Live Under Grace?

I've been reading a book recently (shocker!). I had initially intended it as a Christmas gift, but I made the mistake of opening it up before wrapping it. So it never made it beneath the Christmas tree. It is a fascinating book. I'm not going to tell you the title, because then you might want to read it and I'll be forced to read faster and I JUST CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE.

If you are about to argue that one can want to read a book without knowing the title, save your breath. You might make me weep.

Anyhow, it is a fascinating book because it's talking about living the faith we defend. The last two chapters I read were dealing with challenges from Islam and Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. The thing that caught my interest was this: in most religions, salvation (or "reaching the goal" of whatever you believe) is works-based. Doing this, saying that, etc. The closer you are to doing things right, the better the outcome of your life.

As I was reading it, I was thinking about Christianity, and the difference between Christianity and other religions.

The difference is Christ. The difference is Christ.

The foundation of Christianity is that God provided a way where we could not. Christianity is grace-based, not works-based. Yes, there are "factions" and "denominations" under the great header of Christianity that are works-based, but they deviate from the truth in that instance.

Christ paid the price of our sin, and transferred His righteousness over to His people. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Salvation is found in Christ alone; not through our works.

So then, the question: why do we emphasize obedience? Why do we strive to live according to the commands of God? Because living under grace does not give us a license to sin.

If we are truly saved, and under the banner of grace, then we are a new creation. We are born again to a new life: one that ought to seek more and more to be like Christ. Why? Why do we obey the commands of Christ? Well, He answers that Himself:

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Love for Christ means a desire to please and glorify Him. We don't live righteously to earn anything - everything has been earned for us by Christ - we live righteously to please God. Obeying the commands of God does not add anything to our justification - our obedience is at best mediocre and tainted, since we are still battling with sinfulness; but Christ's obedience was perfect and without taint, and He has given that to us freely.

Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4); so what does that mean for us? It means if we keep on sinning and claim "salvation by grace", we neither know what grace nor salvation is.

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. (1 John 3:6)

1 John 3 in its entirety gives the answer to the question: because we have been born of God, we ought not to go on sinning. If we are His children (and if we are in Christ, then we are adopted as sons of God), we will do as He does. God does not sin.

You see, for the Christian, obeying God's commands does not come from some idea of merit or justification, and we ought to stress this. We are justified. Our merit is in Christ.

But living righteously comes from carrying on the family name into which we have been adopted. It comes from glorifying our Lord and Saviour, and pleasing the Father. It comes from living your life in light of the gospel. It comes from living for the one who died and was raised for our sake.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

Are you living in the light of the gospel?