2 Corinthians 6:14-17, 7:1: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . . What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.' . . . . Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
These verses have been the preeminent ones to warn true followers of Jesus Christ from entering into marital relationships with unbelievers. It is true that entering into the holy covenant of marriage with an unbeliever is not a wise thing, for that unbeliever is not yielded to Christ as Lord and is not directed by the conviction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Rather, he is directed by his own sinful, selfish ways that are contrary to the will of God. This type of union most assuredly leads to disaster.
Still, when one references the Old Testament passage that Paul cites in these verses above, we find that the book of Isaiah is quoted. Isaiah lived 700 years before Paul, during an era when the people of Israel and Judah had assimilated with the pagan Canaanites of the region. As a result, these chosen people of God had become a "sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt . . . forsaking the Lord and spurning the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 1:4). They were a despicable sight . . . propagating their own carnal wills over submission to God's will, and they would not hear the prophetic warnings of God's prophets, calling them back into intimate fellowship with the Lord. Still, God would offer salvation to those who would come out from those unholy alliances and be a separate people, surrendered and obedient to the One True Lord (Isaiah 55:10-11).
In the 2 Corinthians passage, Paul reminds the church that it is not to be tethered to pagans in unholy alliances; for, the apostle writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, understood that those associations would tend to lead to the "contamination of the body and spirit." Those associations likely would cause the follower of Christ to compromise convictions and standards, leading to chronic rebellion against the Lord.
On occasion, I will hear this response: "But aren't we to be in the world, to show the light of Christ to it? I believe that I can be a positive influence in his/her life." In most instances, this response is shared in the context of a dating relationship. My reply ALWAYS includes Paul's remarks in I Corinthians 15:33, "Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character." Whereas we are called to live in the world and are to witness to others the Truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, no where will one find that we are to enter into unholy relations with those who are not surrendered to Christ as Lord. This was the problem with the Israelites of Isaiah's day. At first, their associations were seemingly "innocent"; however, the more they lived among the Canaanites, the more they yearned for the debased, immoral lifestyles of these pagans. This assimilation began a downward spiral of rebellion by the Israelites, who again would not hear the warnings of God's ordained prophets. And it would not be until God enacted His judgment through the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions that the wickedness of the Israelites would stop.
This is a good word for us. We are called to live in the world, but we are not called to be a part of the world. God has summoned us out from the wicked associations with pagans. He has called us to "purify ourselves from everything that contaminates both body and spirit" (7:1). And out of our reverence for Him, we set ourselves apart for His glory. This is what holiness is all about.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Bearing Up Under a Trial
I Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5,8-11: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain . . . . Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows . . . . We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
In our Single Adult Bible Study, we have been working through a series by James MacDonald, entitled, "Turning to Trials into Gold." It has been a powerful discussion in which we have learned that trials are an inevitable reality for humanity. This is because we live in a fallen world, which is subject to calamities of all sorts. No one is immune from the painful ordeals that come our way, though we know that God allows such events in our lives in order that we might grow in our dependence on and intimacy with Him. No trial is permitted by the Lord, unless He desires to use the difficulty for the ultimate good . . . to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of a life lived in surrender to God and His purposes.
The above mentioned passage reminds us that we are called to "stand firm, letting nothing move us as we give ourselves fully to the work of God." It is SO easy to falter when calamity befalls us. We want to fold under the pressure, or escape it to better circumstances. God tells us instead that in the midst of trial, we are to stand firm. And God tells us that we are able to remain steadfast in our full work for the Lord by knowing that our efforts are not in vain. One can see that God has in view His eternal redemptive plan, that will reward those who are faithful to Him in this life. Even in those circumstances that seem to have no evidence of ever improving, we know that they ultimately will be transformed for the better in eternity. God will bring full restoration, and it is to this certainty that we are to put our trust. It's the only way to press on in life, especially when our circumstances look rather abysmal.
We too must remember that God has not left us alone in the midst of our difficulty. Rather, he is the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in ALL our troubles." Never can we say that God has overlooked us in a difficult situation. God has promised to provide us His loving comfort, no matter what the circumstance is. This of course suggests that if we are not experiencing His loving peace and presence, we need to look to see if we in fact have asked for it (see James 4:2). But what we are commanded to do with His peace and comfort is not to hoard it for ourselves; instead, we are to share this wonderful gift with others who are struggling through a painful trial. We are to be a conduit of blessing to others, showing the love and peace of Christ that we have received from Him.
The Apostle Paul in the above passage mentions that He struggled with some very difficult persecutions . . . even to the point of wanting to see an end to his life. In hindsight, Paul was later able to see that God was allowing such events so that Paul would become even more dependent upon God, the All-Powerful One. Clearly, if God can "raise the dead" as Paul exclaims, then God can take care of us in our difficulties. One can almost see the hope in Paul's words, knowing that His deliverance ultimately comes through the One True Lord of Hosts! Paul also recognized that God had permitted these painful circumstances to give opportunity for others to offer prayers to the Lord in his behalf. In effect, Paul's difficulty was being used by God to draw others into a greater dependence upon Him, and Paul noted that God's miraculous response in the matter would result in many giving thanks to the Lord for His "gracious favor granted in response to the prayers of many." It was because of the pain of one, that many were drawn closer in intimate fellowship with the Lord.
This is such a good word for us. We must see that our trials are opportunities for God to show us His great love even more, bringing us into a closer intimacy than ever before. He is using the trial to reorient our understanding of this life in view of eternity, and He is educating us to understand that our lives will only find satisfaction and fulfillment the more we understand our dependence upon Him.
God too wants to use our difficulty to impact the lives of others for His glory. As others see the way that we handle our trial and as they are blessed by our passing His comfort that we have received to others, then they will be drawn closer to Him.
Therefore, let us not see our trials only for the misery that they might bring; rather, let us see the opportunity that the Lord is using our difficulties to do some truly incredible works for His kingdom. This is not to belittle the pain that might be associated with the trial. Still, we as followers of Jesus Christ are able to have better perspective . . . that truly God is using our trials for an even greater good. Let us not give up on the hope that in the end, He will make all things new. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
In our Single Adult Bible Study, we have been working through a series by James MacDonald, entitled, "Turning to Trials into Gold." It has been a powerful discussion in which we have learned that trials are an inevitable reality for humanity. This is because we live in a fallen world, which is subject to calamities of all sorts. No one is immune from the painful ordeals that come our way, though we know that God allows such events in our lives in order that we might grow in our dependence on and intimacy with Him. No trial is permitted by the Lord, unless He desires to use the difficulty for the ultimate good . . . to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of a life lived in surrender to God and His purposes.
The above mentioned passage reminds us that we are called to "stand firm, letting nothing move us as we give ourselves fully to the work of God." It is SO easy to falter when calamity befalls us. We want to fold under the pressure, or escape it to better circumstances. God tells us instead that in the midst of trial, we are to stand firm. And God tells us that we are able to remain steadfast in our full work for the Lord by knowing that our efforts are not in vain. One can see that God has in view His eternal redemptive plan, that will reward those who are faithful to Him in this life. Even in those circumstances that seem to have no evidence of ever improving, we know that they ultimately will be transformed for the better in eternity. God will bring full restoration, and it is to this certainty that we are to put our trust. It's the only way to press on in life, especially when our circumstances look rather abysmal.
We too must remember that God has not left us alone in the midst of our difficulty. Rather, he is the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in ALL our troubles." Never can we say that God has overlooked us in a difficult situation. God has promised to provide us His loving comfort, no matter what the circumstance is. This of course suggests that if we are not experiencing His loving peace and presence, we need to look to see if we in fact have asked for it (see James 4:2). But what we are commanded to do with His peace and comfort is not to hoard it for ourselves; instead, we are to share this wonderful gift with others who are struggling through a painful trial. We are to be a conduit of blessing to others, showing the love and peace of Christ that we have received from Him.
The Apostle Paul in the above passage mentions that He struggled with some very difficult persecutions . . . even to the point of wanting to see an end to his life. In hindsight, Paul was later able to see that God was allowing such events so that Paul would become even more dependent upon God, the All-Powerful One. Clearly, if God can "raise the dead" as Paul exclaims, then God can take care of us in our difficulties. One can almost see the hope in Paul's words, knowing that His deliverance ultimately comes through the One True Lord of Hosts! Paul also recognized that God had permitted these painful circumstances to give opportunity for others to offer prayers to the Lord in his behalf. In effect, Paul's difficulty was being used by God to draw others into a greater dependence upon Him, and Paul noted that God's miraculous response in the matter would result in many giving thanks to the Lord for His "gracious favor granted in response to the prayers of many." It was because of the pain of one, that many were drawn closer in intimate fellowship with the Lord.
This is such a good word for us. We must see that our trials are opportunities for God to show us His great love even more, bringing us into a closer intimacy than ever before. He is using the trial to reorient our understanding of this life in view of eternity, and He is educating us to understand that our lives will only find satisfaction and fulfillment the more we understand our dependence upon Him.
God too wants to use our difficulty to impact the lives of others for His glory. As others see the way that we handle our trial and as they are blessed by our passing His comfort that we have received to others, then they will be drawn closer to Him.
Therefore, let us not see our trials only for the misery that they might bring; rather, let us see the opportunity that the Lord is using our difficulties to do some truly incredible works for His kingdom. This is not to belittle the pain that might be associated with the trial. Still, we as followers of Jesus Christ are able to have better perspective . . . that truly God is using our trials for an even greater good. Let us not give up on the hope that in the end, He will make all things new. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Do Not Defy the Redemptive Work of God
Obadiah 4: "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
The book of Obadiah is one of those seldom referenced books of the Bible. It is nestled in the Old Testament among the other minor prophetic books; still, it is an invaluable Word from the Lord to which we must look to find important truths. These truths of God aid us in living lives of obedience to Him as our Sovereign Lord.
Not much is known about the prophet Obadiah other than he was a prophet devoted to God and assured that God would vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked ones who would attempt to thwart His redemptive work.
The book is specifically addressed to the Edomites. This tribe of people were descendants of Esau, and they lived in the region southeast of the Promised Land/Judah on the other side of the Dead Sea. Their land was much more barren as compared to the land God gave to the Israelites, as it was filled with red sandstone soil that did not yield much fruit.
These Edomites were constantly warring against their distant relatives, the Israelites, over land and preeminence in the region. In Numbers 20:21, the account is given of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses moving from Egypt to the Promised Land. The land of Edom was one of the last territories that the Israelites had to pass through to reach their final destination and experience the redemptive work of God in delivering His people from bondage. However, the Edomites would not permit the Israelites to pass through. Instead, the Edomites came out with a powerful army and turned away the Israelites from being obedient to the redemptive calling of God.
Years later, these Edomites would war against King David (2 Samuel 8:13) and against King Solomon (I Kings 11:14-15). They were a continual threat to the Israelites in the region of Palestine, as is evidenced by their invasions during the reigns of Jehosophat, Jehoram, Amaziah, and Ahaz. And later, when the Babylonians invaded the land of Judah, not only did the Edomites refuse to help their distant relatives, but they instead aided the Babylonians destroy the people of Judah. These Edomites cried out for Jerusalem to be torn down (see Psalm 137:7). Some historical sources even claim that the Edomites were directly responsible for destroying the Temple at the time of the Babylonian invasion (see I Esdras 4:45). And even while the people of Judah were fleeing the region, these Edomites took full advantage of the Israelites, seizing their wealth and "cutting down" the fugitives who were trying to escape the slaughter by the Babylonians (Obadiah 13-14). They were quite brazen after the destruction of Jerusalem, drinking in celebration among the ruins on the Holy Hill of Jerusalem. (Obadiah 16).
If anything, the Edomites are analogous to Satan, who attempts to thwart the redemptive work of the Almighty, who offers the ultimate "Promised Land" (i.e. Heaven) to His chosen ones (i.e. those who have responded to His grace). As Edom attempted to inhibit the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, so too is Satan actively at work trying to thwart God's redemptive process for His followers.
Therefore, the strong judgment response against the Edomites in the book of Obadiah is understandable, as they are seen as the epitome of wickedness and rebellion against God and His work of reclamation. God will not hold guiltless the ones that would "shake (their) fists at God, vaunting (themselves) against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield" [Job 15:25-26]. The vanity of these Edomites' with their prideful hearts and the false presumption that they lived in impenetrable fortresses would lead to their destruction (see Obadiah 3). God promised to "bring them down" from their lofty position, and would judge them for their abject rebellion, and His prophetic words were severe, "Oh, what a disaster awaits you . . . . Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged!" (Obadiah 5-6).
As we see in Obadiah 1, our God has the final word on the matter. He promised that He ultimately would deliver His people and His land (Obadiah 17), thus restoring the divine blessings that had been lost. God would not be challenged in His redemptive work, but he would restore His kingdom to the place it once was (Obadiah 21).
We can see today that God was true to His Word, for the Edomites no longer exist as a nation. And so too will all those who perpetrate rebellion against the Almighty fall to a similar fate (see Revelation 20). Let us not be associated with the Edomites (i.e. purveyors of rebellion against the purposes of the Lord); rather, let us surrender to Him as Lord and experience the blessings that the Lord desires to lavish upon us.
The book of Obadiah is one of those seldom referenced books of the Bible. It is nestled in the Old Testament among the other minor prophetic books; still, it is an invaluable Word from the Lord to which we must look to find important truths. These truths of God aid us in living lives of obedience to Him as our Sovereign Lord.
Not much is known about the prophet Obadiah other than he was a prophet devoted to God and assured that God would vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked ones who would attempt to thwart His redemptive work.
The book is specifically addressed to the Edomites. This tribe of people were descendants of Esau, and they lived in the region southeast of the Promised Land/Judah on the other side of the Dead Sea. Their land was much more barren as compared to the land God gave to the Israelites, as it was filled with red sandstone soil that did not yield much fruit.
These Edomites were constantly warring against their distant relatives, the Israelites, over land and preeminence in the region. In Numbers 20:21, the account is given of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses moving from Egypt to the Promised Land. The land of Edom was one of the last territories that the Israelites had to pass through to reach their final destination and experience the redemptive work of God in delivering His people from bondage. However, the Edomites would not permit the Israelites to pass through. Instead, the Edomites came out with a powerful army and turned away the Israelites from being obedient to the redemptive calling of God.
Years later, these Edomites would war against King David (2 Samuel 8:13) and against King Solomon (I Kings 11:14-15). They were a continual threat to the Israelites in the region of Palestine, as is evidenced by their invasions during the reigns of Jehosophat, Jehoram, Amaziah, and Ahaz. And later, when the Babylonians invaded the land of Judah, not only did the Edomites refuse to help their distant relatives, but they instead aided the Babylonians destroy the people of Judah. These Edomites cried out for Jerusalem to be torn down (see Psalm 137:7). Some historical sources even claim that the Edomites were directly responsible for destroying the Temple at the time of the Babylonian invasion (see I Esdras 4:45). And even while the people of Judah were fleeing the region, these Edomites took full advantage of the Israelites, seizing their wealth and "cutting down" the fugitives who were trying to escape the slaughter by the Babylonians (Obadiah 13-14). They were quite brazen after the destruction of Jerusalem, drinking in celebration among the ruins on the Holy Hill of Jerusalem. (Obadiah 16).
If anything, the Edomites are analogous to Satan, who attempts to thwart the redemptive work of the Almighty, who offers the ultimate "Promised Land" (i.e. Heaven) to His chosen ones (i.e. those who have responded to His grace). As Edom attempted to inhibit the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, so too is Satan actively at work trying to thwart God's redemptive process for His followers.
Therefore, the strong judgment response against the Edomites in the book of Obadiah is understandable, as they are seen as the epitome of wickedness and rebellion against God and His work of reclamation. God will not hold guiltless the ones that would "shake (their) fists at God, vaunting (themselves) against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield" [Job 15:25-26]. The vanity of these Edomites' with their prideful hearts and the false presumption that they lived in impenetrable fortresses would lead to their destruction (see Obadiah 3). God promised to "bring them down" from their lofty position, and would judge them for their abject rebellion, and His prophetic words were severe, "Oh, what a disaster awaits you . . . . Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged!" (Obadiah 5-6).
As we see in Obadiah 1, our God has the final word on the matter. He promised that He ultimately would deliver His people and His land (Obadiah 17), thus restoring the divine blessings that had been lost. God would not be challenged in His redemptive work, but he would restore His kingdom to the place it once was (Obadiah 21).
We can see today that God was true to His Word, for the Edomites no longer exist as a nation. And so too will all those who perpetrate rebellion against the Almighty fall to a similar fate (see Revelation 20). Let us not be associated with the Edomites (i.e. purveyors of rebellion against the purposes of the Lord); rather, let us surrender to Him as Lord and experience the blessings that the Lord desires to lavish upon us.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Being a Person of Sexual Purity
I Corinthians 6:13-15 17-20: "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? . . . . But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins agains his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
The physical body is very precious to the Lord. He created our bodies (which He declared good [Genesis 1:31]), and He has determined that our spirits would indwell these bodies in order that we might glorify Him through our physical experiences. We must remember that God is the owner of all things (see Ezek. 18:4); therefore, He has the right to dictate what we would do with the bodies given to us.
One of the problems with the church at Corinth was their inappropriate sexual behavior. In chapter 5, one of their members was having sexual relations with his "father's wife . . . something that does not even occur among pagans." In that instance, Paul summoned the church to meet together in the name and power of the Lord Jesus and hand the man over to Satan for the destruction of his body. Paul then advised that the church was not to have any contact with a person who would consider himself a follower of Christ and yet was sexually immoral; for in reality, such a person who perpetuates such debauchery is no true follower of Christ. Instead, he is subject to losing the kingdom of God, offered through God's grace, because he is defying the Sovereign One in such an egregious way (see I Corinthians 5:6:9).
In the above mentioned passage, we find that everything we do with our bodies ultimately is for the glory of Lord. This is because we have been bought with a price by the precious blood of Christ, who will raise our bodies to glorious, perfected, immortality at the resurrection. For the true follower of Christ, our bodies have become the residence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and therefore, we are a temple unto the Lord. Therefore, such sinful, sexual wickedness is nothing less than a sacrilege against the Lord and the repercussions are severe, since such behavior is a sin directly against the body . . . the dwelling place of the One True God!
Living in such a sex-saturated society that exonerates all kinds of sexual deviations is not an excuse for the believer to follow suit. We must never forget that we are the possession of the Lord, and we are called to maintain sexual purity as an offering of worship to the Almighty. He has created us and called us to obedience in our physical bodies. Let us be faithful to the calling given to us.
The physical body is very precious to the Lord. He created our bodies (which He declared good [Genesis 1:31]), and He has determined that our spirits would indwell these bodies in order that we might glorify Him through our physical experiences. We must remember that God is the owner of all things (see Ezek. 18:4); therefore, He has the right to dictate what we would do with the bodies given to us.
One of the problems with the church at Corinth was their inappropriate sexual behavior. In chapter 5, one of their members was having sexual relations with his "father's wife . . . something that does not even occur among pagans." In that instance, Paul summoned the church to meet together in the name and power of the Lord Jesus and hand the man over to Satan for the destruction of his body. Paul then advised that the church was not to have any contact with a person who would consider himself a follower of Christ and yet was sexually immoral; for in reality, such a person who perpetuates such debauchery is no true follower of Christ. Instead, he is subject to losing the kingdom of God, offered through God's grace, because he is defying the Sovereign One in such an egregious way (see I Corinthians 5:6:9).
In the above mentioned passage, we find that everything we do with our bodies ultimately is for the glory of Lord. This is because we have been bought with a price by the precious blood of Christ, who will raise our bodies to glorious, perfected, immortality at the resurrection. For the true follower of Christ, our bodies have become the residence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and therefore, we are a temple unto the Lord. Therefore, such sinful, sexual wickedness is nothing less than a sacrilege against the Lord and the repercussions are severe, since such behavior is a sin directly against the body . . . the dwelling place of the One True God!
Living in such a sex-saturated society that exonerates all kinds of sexual deviations is not an excuse for the believer to follow suit. We must never forget that we are the possession of the Lord, and we are called to maintain sexual purity as an offering of worship to the Almighty. He has created us and called us to obedience in our physical bodies. Let us be faithful to the calling given to us.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Shepherds
Luke 2:8-9a: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them."
Recently, I was reading through the Nativity story and I came upon the shepherds. I decided to read through several commentaries and books just to learn more about these pasture "roamers" who accompanied their flocks both day and night.
One commentary mentioned that the job of a shepherd was not esteemed at all. It cited the Midrash, a collection of Jewish opinions concerning the Law, as saying that there is "no more disreputable an occupation than that of a shepherd." The commentary further commented that shepherds were considered lower class by the Jewish people, and they were as despised as gamblers and tax collectors.
Isn't it just like God to herald His Advent first not to the wealthy nobility or the arrogant religious leaders, but to those who were most despised within their society. Though the shepherds were despised by their fellowmen, they loved the Lord and were faithful to their much-needed responsibility for the Jewish people. I say "much-needed" because these particular shepherds were raising the very lambs that would be offered as atonement sacrifices in Jerusalem. Bethlehem was only 5 miles southwest from Jerusalem, and it was the place that the lambs would be raised and eventually herded to the temple as burnt offerings. Thus, it is a noticeable act of irony that God, the Paschal Lamb, would communicate His coming to those who faithfully prepared the lambs that were to be sacrificed as a foreshadowing of the One True Lamb to come, Jesus Christ!
After the quite fearful encounter with the Heavenly hosts praising God, the shepherds made haste to follow obediently the charge to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ Child. There was no hesitation on their part, for they knew that it was the LORD who had spoken to them (see Luke 2:15).
After they had seen the Messiah, the shepherds hurried off to share all that they had seen, resulting in much amazement from those who heard their powerful message. Then the shepherds returned to their fields in a spirit of celebration, glorifying and praising God.
This Christmas story is a wonderful reminder of our Ultimate Good Shepherd who entered into the world to lay down His very life for His sheep (see John 10:11). It also reminds us that God is not interested in one's social status or temporal affluence; rather, He is looking for those who would glorify Him through their faithful obedience and reverential awe. God Himself has told us that He esteems the one who is "humble and contrite in Spirit, and trembles at His Word" (Isaiah 66:2). God also chooses those who are weak and despised to accomplish His purposes, for He knows that these "despised ones" are more apt to boast in the Lord rather than in their own, vain accomplishments (I Corinthians 1:20-31).
Let us remember that the shepherds who prepared the lambs for sacrifice were the ones to whom God approached to be the first evangelists of the arrival of the Messiah. Though these shepherds were despised by their peers, may we today strive to have a heart similar to these shepherds . . . ones who were ready for the message of God, ones who followed faithfully the dictates of the angels, ones who worshipped Christ directly, ones who shared the good news of Christ's arrival, and ones who celebrated the redemptive work of God in the world.
Oh, to be a modern-day shepherd!
Recently, I was reading through the Nativity story and I came upon the shepherds. I decided to read through several commentaries and books just to learn more about these pasture "roamers" who accompanied their flocks both day and night.
One commentary mentioned that the job of a shepherd was not esteemed at all. It cited the Midrash, a collection of Jewish opinions concerning the Law, as saying that there is "no more disreputable an occupation than that of a shepherd." The commentary further commented that shepherds were considered lower class by the Jewish people, and they were as despised as gamblers and tax collectors.
Isn't it just like God to herald His Advent first not to the wealthy nobility or the arrogant religious leaders, but to those who were most despised within their society. Though the shepherds were despised by their fellowmen, they loved the Lord and were faithful to their much-needed responsibility for the Jewish people. I say "much-needed" because these particular shepherds were raising the very lambs that would be offered as atonement sacrifices in Jerusalem. Bethlehem was only 5 miles southwest from Jerusalem, and it was the place that the lambs would be raised and eventually herded to the temple as burnt offerings. Thus, it is a noticeable act of irony that God, the Paschal Lamb, would communicate His coming to those who faithfully prepared the lambs that were to be sacrificed as a foreshadowing of the One True Lamb to come, Jesus Christ!
After the quite fearful encounter with the Heavenly hosts praising God, the shepherds made haste to follow obediently the charge to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ Child. There was no hesitation on their part, for they knew that it was the LORD who had spoken to them (see Luke 2:15).
After they had seen the Messiah, the shepherds hurried off to share all that they had seen, resulting in much amazement from those who heard their powerful message. Then the shepherds returned to their fields in a spirit of celebration, glorifying and praising God.
This Christmas story is a wonderful reminder of our Ultimate Good Shepherd who entered into the world to lay down His very life for His sheep (see John 10:11). It also reminds us that God is not interested in one's social status or temporal affluence; rather, He is looking for those who would glorify Him through their faithful obedience and reverential awe. God Himself has told us that He esteems the one who is "humble and contrite in Spirit, and trembles at His Word" (Isaiah 66:2). God also chooses those who are weak and despised to accomplish His purposes, for He knows that these "despised ones" are more apt to boast in the Lord rather than in their own, vain accomplishments (I Corinthians 1:20-31).
Let us remember that the shepherds who prepared the lambs for sacrifice were the ones to whom God approached to be the first evangelists of the arrival of the Messiah. Though these shepherds were despised by their peers, may we today strive to have a heart similar to these shepherds . . . ones who were ready for the message of God, ones who followed faithfully the dictates of the angels, ones who worshipped Christ directly, ones who shared the good news of Christ's arrival, and ones who celebrated the redemptive work of God in the world.
Oh, to be a modern-day shepherd!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Evidence of Immaturity
I Corinthians 2:6-8: "We did, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
One of the evidences of spiritual maturity is one's hearing and obeying the wisdom of God, as communicated through His Holy Scriptures. This wisdom of God concentrates upon the message of the cross . . . that God has offered Himself as the only perfect atoning sacrifice for all of humanity . . . the rebellious ones who all have at one time or another attempted to assert their desire for lordship over the One True Lord of Hosts. This level of rebellion deserves the most hostile reprisals from God; we are due the fullest measure of His wrath for our recalcitrance. This is why God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ is so sweet! It cost the One of whom no cost was due to provide eternal benefits and privileges to those who had no right nor ability to pay.
This wisdom of God also calls people to respond with surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It necessitates that the person relinquish his life to the Lord and serve Him as Master and Savior. It is understood that this follower of Christ is passionate in following His Lord faithfully; he is enthralled in who God is and His love that has been lavished upon the sinner . . . so undeserving of such blessings. This person too knows that when he begins to deviate from the line of obedience, he will return to the Lord in a spirit of remorse and repentance. He knows the voice of the Holy Spirit bringing conviction into his heart; and this man is not too vain, selfish, or proud to relinquish such acts of disobedience against the Lord. Rather, that man quickly casts off such thoughts and/or behaviors that displease his Master and Savior.
One of the evidences of spiritual maturity is one's hearing and obeying the wisdom of God, as communicated through His Holy Scriptures. This wisdom of God concentrates upon the message of the cross . . . that God has offered Himself as the only perfect atoning sacrifice for all of humanity . . . the rebellious ones who all have at one time or another attempted to assert their desire for lordship over the One True Lord of Hosts. This level of rebellion deserves the most hostile reprisals from God; we are due the fullest measure of His wrath for our recalcitrance. This is why God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ is so sweet! It cost the One of whom no cost was due to provide eternal benefits and privileges to those who had no right nor ability to pay.
This wisdom of God also calls people to respond with surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It necessitates that the person relinquish his life to the Lord and serve Him as Master and Savior. It is understood that this follower of Christ is passionate in following His Lord faithfully; he is enthralled in who God is and His love that has been lavished upon the sinner . . . so undeserving of such blessings. This person too knows that when he begins to deviate from the line of obedience, he will return to the Lord in a spirit of remorse and repentance. He knows the voice of the Holy Spirit bringing conviction into his heart; and this man is not too vain, selfish, or proud to relinquish such acts of disobedience against the Lord. Rather, that man quickly casts off such thoughts and/or behaviors that displease his Master and Savior.
This wisdom of redemption has been destined for the redeemed even before time began. God would determine it best that make us, fully knowing that He must later sacrifice Himself so that we might be rescued from the punitive curse of our rebellion. This is love at its finest. His love and greatness deserve our faithful obedience.
The tragedy throughout the history of the earth is that mankind has continued to defy the Sovereign Lord through its determination to assert itself as supreme over all things (even God Himself). Man has determined that he wants to be number one; he is interested in his wanton desires above everyone and everything. Of course, the Scriptures tell us that God will not be mocked by such rebellion. He will call all men to account for their allegiances in this life. Only through submission to His Lordship may a person receive the Divine pardon leading to eternal life.
May we ever remember God's rightful reign over us and His magnificent demonstration of love through His death and resurrection. Let us press on in a spirit of humility, thankfulness, and obedience, looking forward to the day of our joyous reunion with our Lord!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Pleasure of God
I Corinthians 1:18-19,21: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' . . . . For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."
It is amazing to see how people respond to the "message" of grace offered by Jesus Christ. For those who would attempt to figure God out by using their "wisdom," they are apt to conclude that such notions of a God offering Himself for our salvation to be an absurdity. These people either believe that God does not exist at all or that He exists but is so ethereal that we cannot know much about spiritual matters.
A majority of people today if asked about their eternal condition would argue that there is a Creator and that the standard for eternal blessedness is contingent upon "good living." That is, if a person simply does enough good things as compared to bad things (i.e. their karma), then this mercurial cosmic essence or deity will grant that person entrance into Heaven, or Nirvana, or Paradise, or whatever they want to call it.
In response, the One True God communicates in His Holy Word that only through Christ's physical death and resurrection might a person have hope of Divine forgiveness. This is because all of us have sinned and therefore are unable to provide satisfaction for our sins against the Lord. Only a perfect sacrifice would suffice; hence this was why God had to come to this Earth as Jesus Christ to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Of course, this fact of our inability to gain for ourselves our redemption runs counter to any notion of inherent goodness or worthiness within a person. There is a sobering reality that each person must plead for the mercy of God, which necessitates that he relinquish any false notion of ability. He must fall at the throne of God and beg for forgiveness, surrendering himself to Christ as his Lord and Savior. No longer can he believe the falsity that he is inherently good and worthy of God. This person must kick himself off the throne of his life and put Christ where he rightfully deserves to be . . . on that throne!
This need for Jesus Christ as Savior and the resultant capitulation of the one's "self" to Christ is an absurdity to those who are perishing spiritually. It is not so much because the precepts are too difficult to understand; rather, there is a hostility of "self" in submitting to God. Pagans will attempt to reason away any notions in order that they might feel absolved of any responsibility. They formulate contrary opinions of their reality, and are apt to mock those who would follow Christ as Lord. These people are blinded by the Evil One, who uses their resistance to the gospel to ensnare them for all eternity (2 Corinthians 4:4). This is the grandest loss that ever will be recognized in eternity . . . that God would suffer a heinous death out of His amazing love for humanity, only to have certain ones deride such an offering of grace. Tragically, God will pour out the full measure of His wrath against these traitors to His Sovereign Lordship. When Jesus returns to enact His righteous judgment, these rebellious ones will experience such judgment that they will desire their own annihilation (Revelation 6:16). Sadly, they will be cast into the black darkness of torment where there will be eternal pain and agony (Jude 14-16; Matthew 13:42).
Still, for those who have yet to draw their last breath in this life, God's offering of grace is still available; in fact, He takes pleasure in presenting such an offering to those who would receive it. God is looking for those who are humble and contrite in spirit and tremble at His Truth (Isaiah 66:2). God knows that only a person who understands his utter unworthiness will find a need for Him . . . otherwise that person will perpetuate his own quest for divinity. For this person, no hope remains . . . only a sobering judgment from the Almighty King! (see John 3:36; Hebrews 10:26-7).
For those of us who have responded to Christ's offering of salvation through contrition and surrender, let us celebrate that the power of God has been made manifest to us. Let us reflect often upon this ultimate sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross for our sins. Let us sing praises for His resurrection, whereby He demonstrated His power over sin and death. Let us appreciate that God's wrath has been averted. Let us take joy forever in the privileges that God has afforded to us . . . solely through His amazing grace.
It truly is a wonderful blessing to find the pleasure of God through His salvation in Christ Jesus.
It is amazing to see how people respond to the "message" of grace offered by Jesus Christ. For those who would attempt to figure God out by using their "wisdom," they are apt to conclude that such notions of a God offering Himself for our salvation to be an absurdity. These people either believe that God does not exist at all or that He exists but is so ethereal that we cannot know much about spiritual matters.
A majority of people today if asked about their eternal condition would argue that there is a Creator and that the standard for eternal blessedness is contingent upon "good living." That is, if a person simply does enough good things as compared to bad things (i.e. their karma), then this mercurial cosmic essence or deity will grant that person entrance into Heaven, or Nirvana, or Paradise, or whatever they want to call it.
In response, the One True God communicates in His Holy Word that only through Christ's physical death and resurrection might a person have hope of Divine forgiveness. This is because all of us have sinned and therefore are unable to provide satisfaction for our sins against the Lord. Only a perfect sacrifice would suffice; hence this was why God had to come to this Earth as Jesus Christ to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Of course, this fact of our inability to gain for ourselves our redemption runs counter to any notion of inherent goodness or worthiness within a person. There is a sobering reality that each person must plead for the mercy of God, which necessitates that he relinquish any false notion of ability. He must fall at the throne of God and beg for forgiveness, surrendering himself to Christ as his Lord and Savior. No longer can he believe the falsity that he is inherently good and worthy of God. This person must kick himself off the throne of his life and put Christ where he rightfully deserves to be . . . on that throne!
This need for Jesus Christ as Savior and the resultant capitulation of the one's "self" to Christ is an absurdity to those who are perishing spiritually. It is not so much because the precepts are too difficult to understand; rather, there is a hostility of "self" in submitting to God. Pagans will attempt to reason away any notions in order that they might feel absolved of any responsibility. They formulate contrary opinions of their reality, and are apt to mock those who would follow Christ as Lord. These people are blinded by the Evil One, who uses their resistance to the gospel to ensnare them for all eternity (2 Corinthians 4:4). This is the grandest loss that ever will be recognized in eternity . . . that God would suffer a heinous death out of His amazing love for humanity, only to have certain ones deride such an offering of grace. Tragically, God will pour out the full measure of His wrath against these traitors to His Sovereign Lordship. When Jesus returns to enact His righteous judgment, these rebellious ones will experience such judgment that they will desire their own annihilation (Revelation 6:16). Sadly, they will be cast into the black darkness of torment where there will be eternal pain and agony (Jude 14-16; Matthew 13:42).
Still, for those who have yet to draw their last breath in this life, God's offering of grace is still available; in fact, He takes pleasure in presenting such an offering to those who would receive it. God is looking for those who are humble and contrite in spirit and tremble at His Truth (Isaiah 66:2). God knows that only a person who understands his utter unworthiness will find a need for Him . . . otherwise that person will perpetuate his own quest for divinity. For this person, no hope remains . . . only a sobering judgment from the Almighty King! (see John 3:36; Hebrews 10:26-7).
For those of us who have responded to Christ's offering of salvation through contrition and surrender, let us celebrate that the power of God has been made manifest to us. Let us reflect often upon this ultimate sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross for our sins. Let us sing praises for His resurrection, whereby He demonstrated His power over sin and death. Let us appreciate that God's wrath has been averted. Let us take joy forever in the privileges that God has afforded to us . . . solely through His amazing grace.
It truly is a wonderful blessing to find the pleasure of God through His salvation in Christ Jesus.
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