My friend recently posted this on this Facebook status.
" Live well, stay healthy, faithful to your partner, family and friends. Eat well. Laugh often and do good. That is my religion"
This is not a cult that he formed. Far from it, it is the officially cited and sometimes non-cited 'religion' of many, many people in the world today; particularly in the West or from those who are influenced by the mores of Western behaviour and thought. The faith of their fathers is archaic, irrelevant and downright nasty in some cases. We, as modern people, are now enlightened and see that there is no God.
Essentially, it means that you are the Captain of your own ship, you own the ship too and you are totally responsible for steering the ship to get to your destination. And there is no one else who is involved or present that you should be accountable for. It is a religion based on the worship of one god: Yourself
How would the Christian respond?
I wouldn't bother with a lengthy response. Scripture doesn't even bother with pages upon pages trying to prove the existence of God. It simply says:
"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1)
Notice that the key term is "in his heart". Not with his mouth, although that may be assumed. Not with his actions, or a Facebook post, although that may be assumed as well. But deep down, in the hidden bowels of his heart, he has already decided that there is "no God". So, all the counter arguments to a certain extent will make about as much dent as a sprinkle of water on the Sahara. His heart is barren of the living waters of the Holy Spirit, which means that he is as lifeless and as bereft of life as the aforementioned desert itself
In other words, at times, there is no arguing with a dead man. Dead is dead. And should God choose to revive and regenerate the heart at a later stage, may you be the one to bring the Gospel to such a person so that they may be rejoicing in Heaven. But right now, he is dead to the Word and in fact, ready to counter your efforts because he has already decided, and he is a fool for doing so.
Where do we see another usage of the term "Fool"? It's in Luke 12:19-20 where Jesus relates the parable of the rich fool.
"And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, 'Fool!'. This night your soul is required of you and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?"
The sad thing is that he is not a fool for just denying the Lordship of God. The tragic uninmaginable horror is that the fool will get for eternity what he has seeked for in his time on earth:eternal separation from God. But by then, it will be too late to repent. The door has closed forever
That is the real essence of foolishness.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
How does 1 Corinthians 13 apply here?
Here's something to ponder:
If you are serving at church already..
1) How many ministries are you serving in?
2) Are you currently being asked to serve in more?
3) Have you noticed, once you said "yes", that suddenly there are more meetings you have to attend, more issues to solve, more deadlines, more expectations and more responsibilities?
4) Now, when you first started serving, did you have passion in your heart and a smile on your face?
5) Is it stil there now?
6) Do people appreciate you serving? Is there support, love and compassion for your needs as you take care of other people's needs?
If you are serving at church already..
1) How many ministries are you serving in?
2) Are you currently being asked to serve in more?
3) Have you noticed, once you said "yes", that suddenly there are more meetings you have to attend, more issues to solve, more deadlines, more expectations and more responsibilities?
4) Now, when you first started serving, did you have passion in your heart and a smile on your face?
5) Is it stil there now?
6) Do people appreciate you serving? Is there support, love and compassion for your needs as you take care of other people's needs?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tell me where the punchline is
Have you ever noticed how so much of church life seems to be dominated by the need for everyone involved to laugh? Or to have fun? Rarely does a sermon start these days in the modern church without a few jokes from the pastor to 'warm' the congregation up. Or how the selection of a speaker for a cell group, conference or camp is determined by whether he can make the audience laugh and feel good.
I sense in this a dangerous precedent. One in which the carnal desire of gratification is satisfied through the intense need to joke and laugh about things. In other words, too much seriousness is not a good thing. Let's keep it light.
It has been described that this is now the way of the world. This is a generation that has never known any wars, hunger, poverty or great upheavals. It's a generation that has been remarkably prosperous like no other time before in history and one which has ample resources and time to spend on leisure activities, consumer goods and programs to satisfy one's own's desires. Sadly, this is reminiscent of the period in history known as the fall of the Roman empire, which occurred at a time when the empire was relatively peaceful and wealthy, which then led to the society becoming weaker over time as they forgot how they got there and concentrated more on satisfying their wants through gluttony, displays of barbarism and cruelty in the circuses and debauched acts.
All this is another word for superficiality and a slide down the slope away from the gospel. This is not to say that there is no joy in the Gospel. Far from it, the Gospel is a picture of the greatest joy possible - that of God redeeming you from eternal condemnation. If that doesn't fill your heart with joy, I don't know what will.
However, the joy that is seen these days in the current church is a far cry from that. It is a fleshly distraction from the Gospel and to satisfy the need for ears to be tickled. What happens then when you hear a sermon on sin? Or the fact that those who continue sinning and never repent are going to Hell? Is this a laughing matter?
The more we veer towards inappropriate hilarity at the wrong time and place, we steer away from talking about those issues. And the Devil will have made a gain there. There is a time and a place for humour, and it can even emanate from the pulpit; but the underlying principle is that it cannot detract one ounce of attention away from Jesus Christ and the Gospel
So the moment I become Pastor standup comedian, I forego my responsibilities as a steward of the Bride of Christ. As soon as I bow to sulky and bored faces during Bible study and inject a round of conversational topics that gets everyone laughing gayily, I have won the hearts of men (and women) to myself but not Jesus Christ and the Gospel
We decry the lack of awe and reverence during Holy Communion. There is ranting about the lack of respect and passion in the youth in their commitment to Christlike discipleship. Then we look at how we approach worship, the message, Bible study and prayer - is it any wonder why what we get is something of our own doing and not to be blamed on anyone else?
If you are not getting any yucks from the sermon - too bad. When Bible study seems boring to you, suck it up and do some study before the study. Life isn't a never ending laugh track and the church isn't here to make you happy or entertain you. Learn to live life with more discernment, soberness and judgement. And above all, bear in mind the God who gave his Son up as a perfect sacrifice to die painfully and horribly on a Cross for your sins.
See if you can laugh about that.
I sense in this a dangerous precedent. One in which the carnal desire of gratification is satisfied through the intense need to joke and laugh about things. In other words, too much seriousness is not a good thing. Let's keep it light.
It has been described that this is now the way of the world. This is a generation that has never known any wars, hunger, poverty or great upheavals. It's a generation that has been remarkably prosperous like no other time before in history and one which has ample resources and time to spend on leisure activities, consumer goods and programs to satisfy one's own's desires. Sadly, this is reminiscent of the period in history known as the fall of the Roman empire, which occurred at a time when the empire was relatively peaceful and wealthy, which then led to the society becoming weaker over time as they forgot how they got there and concentrated more on satisfying their wants through gluttony, displays of barbarism and cruelty in the circuses and debauched acts.
All this is another word for superficiality and a slide down the slope away from the gospel. This is not to say that there is no joy in the Gospel. Far from it, the Gospel is a picture of the greatest joy possible - that of God redeeming you from eternal condemnation. If that doesn't fill your heart with joy, I don't know what will.
However, the joy that is seen these days in the current church is a far cry from that. It is a fleshly distraction from the Gospel and to satisfy the need for ears to be tickled. What happens then when you hear a sermon on sin? Or the fact that those who continue sinning and never repent are going to Hell? Is this a laughing matter?
The more we veer towards inappropriate hilarity at the wrong time and place, we steer away from talking about those issues. And the Devil will have made a gain there. There is a time and a place for humour, and it can even emanate from the pulpit; but the underlying principle is that it cannot detract one ounce of attention away from Jesus Christ and the Gospel
So the moment I become Pastor standup comedian, I forego my responsibilities as a steward of the Bride of Christ. As soon as I bow to sulky and bored faces during Bible study and inject a round of conversational topics that gets everyone laughing gayily, I have won the hearts of men (and women) to myself but not Jesus Christ and the Gospel
We decry the lack of awe and reverence during Holy Communion. There is ranting about the lack of respect and passion in the youth in their commitment to Christlike discipleship. Then we look at how we approach worship, the message, Bible study and prayer - is it any wonder why what we get is something of our own doing and not to be blamed on anyone else?
If you are not getting any yucks from the sermon - too bad. When Bible study seems boring to you, suck it up and do some study before the study. Life isn't a never ending laugh track and the church isn't here to make you happy or entertain you. Learn to live life with more discernment, soberness and judgement. And above all, bear in mind the God who gave his Son up as a perfect sacrifice to die painfully and horribly on a Cross for your sins.
See if you can laugh about that.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Communion - some thoughts (2)
Just how is communion seen in Malaysia? It's a tough one to answer. I have heard how some people see the sacraments as magic infused talismans. One person told me that a parishioner wanted to take the bread back to his ill wife so she could take it and be healed. I want to laugh but at the same time, realise that behind that mistaken notion is a genuine need for people to see a manifestation of God; in whatever form, even if it is in the form of a wafer
This need is real. Even the most hardened intellectual somewhere is crying out for a display of divine presence, even if the aim is just to disprove it; a laughable notion if there ever was one. But it is real and it is because we were made in the image of something larger than ourselves.
Thus, communion can be seen as a time when the gap between us and God is closer. I have to be careful how I say this. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus that brings us into God's family and confers on us an adopted status. An act performed by laity or priesthood with some food objects and utterances is not an incantational act that miraculously brings into a 'special place', so to speak. The blood of Christ that washes your sins away gives you that status
But in a sense, it does bring us closer because each time we take the sacraments, we are reminded not only of the time in the upper room where Christ shared himself with his disciples, but a hint of foreshadowing a far greater time. A time when he would die and be resurrected forevermore. And a time when he would come again once and for all to rule over the earth in his rightful place as King Jesus
Therefore, communion is not just a celebration of an event in the past, or in the present. It is both. But it is also the expected hope of things to come and both a sad and joyous occasion wrapped into one. It is best likened to the hope of an expectant mother, anxious and waiting nervously for the child to come, thinking about the pain of labour but ultimately, every tear will be worht it and wiped away when the baby come.
So it was in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. So it will be some time in the future, but it will not be a baby that comes but a sovereign, omnipotent, just and loving King.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus - and take your rightful place on your throne.
SDG
This need is real. Even the most hardened intellectual somewhere is crying out for a display of divine presence, even if the aim is just to disprove it; a laughable notion if there ever was one. But it is real and it is because we were made in the image of something larger than ourselves.
Thus, communion can be seen as a time when the gap between us and God is closer. I have to be careful how I say this. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus that brings us into God's family and confers on us an adopted status. An act performed by laity or priesthood with some food objects and utterances is not an incantational act that miraculously brings into a 'special place', so to speak. The blood of Christ that washes your sins away gives you that status
But in a sense, it does bring us closer because each time we take the sacraments, we are reminded not only of the time in the upper room where Christ shared himself with his disciples, but a hint of foreshadowing a far greater time. A time when he would die and be resurrected forevermore. And a time when he would come again once and for all to rule over the earth in his rightful place as King Jesus
Therefore, communion is not just a celebration of an event in the past, or in the present. It is both. But it is also the expected hope of things to come and both a sad and joyous occasion wrapped into one. It is best likened to the hope of an expectant mother, anxious and waiting nervously for the child to come, thinking about the pain of labour but ultimately, every tear will be worht it and wiped away when the baby come.
So it was in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. So it will be some time in the future, but it will not be a baby that comes but a sovereign, omnipotent, just and loving King.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus - and take your rightful place on your throne.
SDG
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Communion: Some thoughts (1)
Malaysia is one of those places where Communion is becoming increasingly inclusive. Years ago, you had to be a card carrying certified baptised member of your denomination to take communion. And like some credit cards, these were not transferable. If I was baptised at a Methodist church for example, I was allowed to take the bread and wine (or grape juice) at any other Protestant church but not a Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox church
In some cases, this stringency has been relaxed. If you profess to put your faith in Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you are more than welcome to participate. Communion is both vertical and horizontal. By the act of taking communion, the former entails partaking in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It is an act of communion between you and God.
On the horizontal level, when we take communion as a church, we are effectively saying that although you and I are different in appearance, race, background, gender, etc...we are bonded together in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, and thus, we celebrate this communal communion. This on the horizontal level
Now, here begs the question:
Is everyone who takes communion your brother or sister?
The answer is dangerously simple, and scary all at once. Not all who profess a faith in Christ are saved. Even if they have done the catechism, membership or prepatory classes. Not even if they've been dunked in the Jordan river itself, three times over for good measure. Now this means (at the risk of sounding like a line from a dramatic war movie) ,that the next time you all line up at the rail to take the sacraments, you should take a good look at the person to your right or left; they may not be spending eternity with God. Heck, take a good look at yourself first! You may not be spending eternity with God in the first place.
This is an important issue because I believe that we have all taken salvation for granted, including myself. And an easy trip up the aisle to take the wafer and wine only serves to reinforce a possible delusion that we are saved, while all this while, our names are not in the book of Life.
Check yourself. Look at your brother and sister. Ask them to check themselves. Seek repentence for yourself, and them. Bring them and yourself to the foot of the Cross first, to Christ all else before doing so. The bread and wine are not magical items that confer you entry into the Kingdom of God. Christ's life, death and resurrection has already done that. He has paid the penalty for you. You need not do anything else but believe onto him.
Then, the walk up the aisle will thus have true meaning. Where you now understand and believe that Christ alone died for your sins while you were dead in your transgressions, to satisfy the wrath of the father, and through his grace and mercy, you now have new life.
SDG
In some cases, this stringency has been relaxed. If you profess to put your faith in Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you are more than welcome to participate. Communion is both vertical and horizontal. By the act of taking communion, the former entails partaking in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It is an act of communion between you and God.
On the horizontal level, when we take communion as a church, we are effectively saying that although you and I are different in appearance, race, background, gender, etc...we are bonded together in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, and thus, we celebrate this communal communion. This on the horizontal level
Now, here begs the question:
Is everyone who takes communion your brother or sister?
The answer is dangerously simple, and scary all at once. Not all who profess a faith in Christ are saved. Even if they have done the catechism, membership or prepatory classes. Not even if they've been dunked in the Jordan river itself, three times over for good measure. Now this means (at the risk of sounding like a line from a dramatic war movie) ,that the next time you all line up at the rail to take the sacraments, you should take a good look at the person to your right or left; they may not be spending eternity with God. Heck, take a good look at yourself first! You may not be spending eternity with God in the first place.
This is an important issue because I believe that we have all taken salvation for granted, including myself. And an easy trip up the aisle to take the wafer and wine only serves to reinforce a possible delusion that we are saved, while all this while, our names are not in the book of Life.
Check yourself. Look at your brother and sister. Ask them to check themselves. Seek repentence for yourself, and them. Bring them and yourself to the foot of the Cross first, to Christ all else before doing so. The bread and wine are not magical items that confer you entry into the Kingdom of God. Christ's life, death and resurrection has already done that. He has paid the penalty for you. You need not do anything else but believe onto him.
Then, the walk up the aisle will thus have true meaning. Where you now understand and believe that Christ alone died for your sins while you were dead in your transgressions, to satisfy the wrath of the father, and through his grace and mercy, you now have new life.
SDG
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Remnant: Holding the primacy of Scripture
This morning, I started a course called "Bible Overview". It's a 10-week course that is part the Moore College external studies Certificate in Theology. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will blog more about it, but for now, I want to say that my initial impression of it is one of great joy and hope.
Why? Not because God has granted me the opportunity to do it, but because there is something I saw today that has raised my spirit regarding the modern church and the lamentable state it has fallen in.
I say young people - university youth, some from high school, eager to learn, study and appreciate God's Word. For a while, others have told me that Bible study is boring, the youth will never take to it,that they need experential, fun filled activities, relevance etc etc. Well, so much for that load of compost.
These were young people who were realising that it wasn't about them or their felt needs. It was about God. And it was about reverence for his revelation that is found in Holy Scripture. It also warms my heart (there ya go, a Calvinist using an Arminian phrase! :-) )to see that these Caleb and Joshua's are still around. They are the remnant
In every dark period where the church has been assailed, ripped apart and generally discredited; a remnant always remains. They are true to God, his sovereignity and sense of his true character. They remain faithful to his Word, relying on his grace and knowing that they are justified by faith alone in Christ alone.
This is a beautiful thing.
My prayer is that through the beauty of Sola Scriptura (solely by scripture), more young people will see the Bible as the primary means of understanding who God is, his past, present and to be revealed will, and his plan of redemption in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross.
SDG
Why? Not because God has granted me the opportunity to do it, but because there is something I saw today that has raised my spirit regarding the modern church and the lamentable state it has fallen in.
I say young people - university youth, some from high school, eager to learn, study and appreciate God's Word. For a while, others have told me that Bible study is boring, the youth will never take to it,that they need experential, fun filled activities, relevance etc etc. Well, so much for that load of compost.
These were young people who were realising that it wasn't about them or their felt needs. It was about God. And it was about reverence for his revelation that is found in Holy Scripture. It also warms my heart (there ya go, a Calvinist using an Arminian phrase! :-) )to see that these Caleb and Joshua's are still around. They are the remnant
In every dark period where the church has been assailed, ripped apart and generally discredited; a remnant always remains. They are true to God, his sovereignity and sense of his true character. They remain faithful to his Word, relying on his grace and knowing that they are justified by faith alone in Christ alone.
This is a beautiful thing.
My prayer is that through the beauty of Sola Scriptura (solely by scripture), more young people will see the Bible as the primary means of understanding who God is, his past, present and to be revealed will, and his plan of redemption in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross.
SDG
Sunday, May 30, 2010
What's Christian camp for?
Imagine that you have signed up for a tennis camp that says it will turn you into the next Roger Federer, Nadal or Sharapova (or at least try to). So you eagerly go there with your racquet in tow and your best tennis sneakers ready to learn how to hit scorching forehands down the lines and the intricacies of a serve-and-volley game
Now, assume that when you get there this is the schedule you get:
1) 3 hours on the badminton court..
2) A trip to the closest town to buy souveniers...
3) Loads of fun in a swimming pool, and a seminar on aqua aerobics..
4) An intense 3 hour session on how a tennis ball is made, plus a trip to a tennis ball making factory
And so on...
You would feel pretty ripped off, woudn't you? Presumably, the time spent might be fun, enjoyable and relaxing..but it's not what you're supposed to be doing.
None of those things make you a better tennis player.
The prime reason you wanted to go for this camp was to have hours of gruelling sessions hitting thousands of balls. You needed seminars on court tactics with your double's partner. And everyone wanted to attend those talks on better body mechanics on a service motion. Essentially, you wanted to become a better tennis player, and you payed money and sacrificed time for the opportunity to learn to be one
By now my point is pretty clear. Christian camps that don't do what they are supposed to do, that is - preach the gospel, make disciples of men and women and teach them how to be more like Christ should not be in the game of holding Christian camps. You can call it a motivational, spiritual, get to know your inner hurt child camp but once you remove the 'Christ' from the 'Christian' part..it's as good as if you never put that in the first place
All those points in 1 to 4 are in themselves relatively benign, or even good. But they are not what part of those things that should constitute a tennis camp because they add nothing of value. It's like what one of my tennis coaches used to say to me when I asked him how to get better. He said:
" Hit balls. Lots and lots of balls."
So, this is one of the way to become a better follower of Christ. Read the Word. Lots and lots of the Word. Pray to God. Pray lots and lots to God. And this is what you should be getting in a Christian camp. Lots and lots of what you should be getting
SDG
Now, assume that when you get there this is the schedule you get:
1) 3 hours on the badminton court..
2) A trip to the closest town to buy souveniers...
3) Loads of fun in a swimming pool, and a seminar on aqua aerobics..
4) An intense 3 hour session on how a tennis ball is made, plus a trip to a tennis ball making factory
And so on...
You would feel pretty ripped off, woudn't you? Presumably, the time spent might be fun, enjoyable and relaxing..but it's not what you're supposed to be doing.
None of those things make you a better tennis player.
The prime reason you wanted to go for this camp was to have hours of gruelling sessions hitting thousands of balls. You needed seminars on court tactics with your double's partner. And everyone wanted to attend those talks on better body mechanics on a service motion. Essentially, you wanted to become a better tennis player, and you payed money and sacrificed time for the opportunity to learn to be one
By now my point is pretty clear. Christian camps that don't do what they are supposed to do, that is - preach the gospel, make disciples of men and women and teach them how to be more like Christ should not be in the game of holding Christian camps. You can call it a motivational, spiritual, get to know your inner hurt child camp but once you remove the 'Christ' from the 'Christian' part..it's as good as if you never put that in the first place
All those points in 1 to 4 are in themselves relatively benign, or even good. But they are not what part of those things that should constitute a tennis camp because they add nothing of value. It's like what one of my tennis coaches used to say to me when I asked him how to get better. He said:
" Hit balls. Lots and lots of balls."
So, this is one of the way to become a better follower of Christ. Read the Word. Lots and lots of the Word. Pray to God. Pray lots and lots to God. And this is what you should be getting in a Christian camp. Lots and lots of what you should be getting
SDG
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Leading Worship: It's all about the gospel
I had a great worship session this morning.
After practice the previous night, I was kind of wondering how it would go; but it went much, much better than what I was expecting. Of course, there a few snafu's here and there but for they were not of earth shattering consequence, in my opinion.
Most of all, I hope the gospel was proclaimed in worship today. It's nice if I hear that someone told me they enjoyed worship, but it would absolutely thrill me if they told me that the gospel message reached them. And that Christ Jesus was proclaimed in song today.
That would be nice. Really, really nice
After practice the previous night, I was kind of wondering how it would go; but it went much, much better than what I was expecting. Of course, there a few snafu's here and there but for they were not of earth shattering consequence, in my opinion.
Most of all, I hope the gospel was proclaimed in worship today. It's nice if I hear that someone told me they enjoyed worship, but it would absolutely thrill me if they told me that the gospel message reached them. And that Christ Jesus was proclaimed in song today.
That would be nice. Really, really nice
Monday, May 3, 2010
Getting it the first time
Sometimes when I take a friend to hear a good sermon from a speaker I highly regard, it stumps me when that person doesn't react as passionately as I would have expected. At times, I want to say: "Are you made of stone?!? Doesn't what he said move you in any way?". In my less charitable moments, I am likely to dismiss that person as one who is not in the rarified circle of those elite who "get it"
Now this might work two ways and I too have been on the receiving end as well. Quite a few times, I've sat stone faced through a sermon when all around me, people are guffawing and rolling in the aisles with laughter. And on certain occasions, I can almost sense the same condenscention directed my way as I have done to others.
Maybe one's man's meat is another man's poison. After all, it all comes down to personal preference and mood right? The latter is important, to be true. How often have we gone to a church service and while the worship was good, the sermon was God glorifying and the whole service honoured the Lord; you were in a different world thinking about something else? It happens
But it's not an excuse when the Gospel is preached. When the emphasis is not on the techniques of motivating presentation and all expositing the Word, I must say that at that time, irregardless of mood or frame of mind or whatever; the Gospel must pierce. How deep is a matter for debate. Either you have harderned your heart or God has harderned it for his purpose, the lukewarm response is no response at all. It doesn't have to move you to drop to your knees in repentance (although should you be so moved to, it is not a bad thing), nor should you have to shout "Yes! Preach it, brother!!" at the top of your voice. But it should speak to you. And it can't be ignored
If your father speaks to you, no matter how you feel at that time; you have to respond. And if the Father speaks to you through his word, there is no way you can hear the words: "Jesus died for your sins" and not be affected..unless you are not of the elect
Of course, it is not for me to say who is and who is not. I could very well type these words now and years from now, be the equivalent of the son of perdition. I pray to God I hope not. But I might also be a layabout in the faith, and suddenly die as one who God knows and loves. It is possible for in God, all things are possible
However, this does not excuse a non-response. Once the gospel is heard, you must react. Even if you get angry at it, the reaction shows that it has done it's work as a spear to your conscience. But not to move as a result, it is a dangerous thing indeed, my friend
Now this might work two ways and I too have been on the receiving end as well. Quite a few times, I've sat stone faced through a sermon when all around me, people are guffawing and rolling in the aisles with laughter. And on certain occasions, I can almost sense the same condenscention directed my way as I have done to others.
Maybe one's man's meat is another man's poison. After all, it all comes down to personal preference and mood right? The latter is important, to be true. How often have we gone to a church service and while the worship was good, the sermon was God glorifying and the whole service honoured the Lord; you were in a different world thinking about something else? It happens
But it's not an excuse when the Gospel is preached. When the emphasis is not on the techniques of motivating presentation and all expositing the Word, I must say that at that time, irregardless of mood or frame of mind or whatever; the Gospel must pierce. How deep is a matter for debate. Either you have harderned your heart or God has harderned it for his purpose, the lukewarm response is no response at all. It doesn't have to move you to drop to your knees in repentance (although should you be so moved to, it is not a bad thing), nor should you have to shout "Yes! Preach it, brother!!" at the top of your voice. But it should speak to you. And it can't be ignored
If your father speaks to you, no matter how you feel at that time; you have to respond. And if the Father speaks to you through his word, there is no way you can hear the words: "Jesus died for your sins" and not be affected..unless you are not of the elect
Of course, it is not for me to say who is and who is not. I could very well type these words now and years from now, be the equivalent of the son of perdition. I pray to God I hope not. But I might also be a layabout in the faith, and suddenly die as one who God knows and loves. It is possible for in God, all things are possible
However, this does not excuse a non-response. Once the gospel is heard, you must react. Even if you get angry at it, the reaction shows that it has done it's work as a spear to your conscience. But not to move as a result, it is a dangerous thing indeed, my friend
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Put the Gospel First
This is from D.A Carson's Book "Basics for Believers":
"I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so , much that that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I really learn to hate covetousness and lust; I certaintly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.
I would like about three quids worth of gospel please"
- "Basics for Believers" , page 9; D.A Carson -
"I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so , much that that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I really learn to hate covetousness and lust; I certaintly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.
I would like about three quids worth of gospel please"
- "Basics for Believers" , page 9; D.A Carson -
Friday, April 9, 2010
2 Kings 5:1-14 : Meditations
The first thing that grabs you is Verse 1: "..the LORD had given victory to Syria". This is not to be skimmed over and it gives those who say that God always favours them as his children, no matter, what had better take a second, or even a third look at this verse.
It may be that the Syrians avoided the Israelites in battle, and thus preserving the notion that God always sided with his chosen people. However, this is unlikely. The reaction of the king (note the small "k") of Israel probably indicates that neighbourly relations were not always of the cordial kind. And in an era where skirmishes and wars were common place, Israel and Syria came to blows and the LORD favoured the latter!
This goes to show that the Lord is indeed sovereign, and that everything is under his command, both good and evil. Not that he is evil, but evil is not outside his jurusdiction. A quick read of Job 1-2 will show that Satan cannot do anything unless it is willed by God ultimately. Now, this also means that God is not in our pocket, so to say. That even the best of intentions may not garner his favour because we look on 'favour' in uniquely earthly terms (i.e: If I do good, God is sure to bless my requests and give me stuff etc etc)
Was the king of Israel always good? Was Israel always devoted to it's God? Of course, not. So one could say that the Syrians, like the Babylonians, were at one time or another used as instruments of his wrath for his purpose. Not that they were any better, they too were cruel, bloodthirsty and idolatous, with the Syrians and Babylonians worshipping Rimmon (v.18) and Marduk respectively
No, the issue here is that God chooses to save who he'll save and let those perish who he chooses to let perish. This is harsh to our ears but what can we say of the fact that he chooses to save Naaman, a gentile and worse, an enemy of Israel who was probably directly involved in the loss of Jewish lives in his role as commander of the Syrian army? That he uses a Jewish prisoner who is now essentially a slave in a Syrian household to carry out her plans. What of her eventual fate or redemption? We hear no more of her after this.
But in the end, Naaman is cured and becomes a follower of Yahweh. He seems for all intents and purposes, a changed man on the inside and out. His leprosy was external but the more serious condition of the leprous heart was dealt with in this chapter. And in God extending his mercy to Naaman through Elisha, it is in essence a snapshot of Paul's mission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13)
Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this is that we should not be presumptious in being able to read the mind of God. It is God's perogative to give grace to who he wants, and likewise, it is his choice to issue condemnation. It should serve to make us a little less cocksure about our self delusional lofty status in this world and to realise that we are his created beings, made to worship and serve him with meekness,humility and love
SDG
It may be that the Syrians avoided the Israelites in battle, and thus preserving the notion that God always sided with his chosen people. However, this is unlikely. The reaction of the king (note the small "k") of Israel probably indicates that neighbourly relations were not always of the cordial kind. And in an era where skirmishes and wars were common place, Israel and Syria came to blows and the LORD favoured the latter!
This goes to show that the Lord is indeed sovereign, and that everything is under his command, both good and evil. Not that he is evil, but evil is not outside his jurusdiction. A quick read of Job 1-2 will show that Satan cannot do anything unless it is willed by God ultimately. Now, this also means that God is not in our pocket, so to say. That even the best of intentions may not garner his favour because we look on 'favour' in uniquely earthly terms (i.e: If I do good, God is sure to bless my requests and give me stuff etc etc)
Was the king of Israel always good? Was Israel always devoted to it's God? Of course, not. So one could say that the Syrians, like the Babylonians, were at one time or another used as instruments of his wrath for his purpose. Not that they were any better, they too were cruel, bloodthirsty and idolatous, with the Syrians and Babylonians worshipping Rimmon (v.18) and Marduk respectively
No, the issue here is that God chooses to save who he'll save and let those perish who he chooses to let perish. This is harsh to our ears but what can we say of the fact that he chooses to save Naaman, a gentile and worse, an enemy of Israel who was probably directly involved in the loss of Jewish lives in his role as commander of the Syrian army? That he uses a Jewish prisoner who is now essentially a slave in a Syrian household to carry out her plans. What of her eventual fate or redemption? We hear no more of her after this.
But in the end, Naaman is cured and becomes a follower of Yahweh. He seems for all intents and purposes, a changed man on the inside and out. His leprosy was external but the more serious condition of the leprous heart was dealt with in this chapter. And in God extending his mercy to Naaman through Elisha, it is in essence a snapshot of Paul's mission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13)
Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this is that we should not be presumptious in being able to read the mind of God. It is God's perogative to give grace to who he wants, and likewise, it is his choice to issue condemnation. It should serve to make us a little less cocksure about our self delusional lofty status in this world and to realise that we are his created beings, made to worship and serve him with meekness,humility and love
SDG
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Theology of the Cross
" But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us "
- Romans 5:8 -
It is appropriate during Easter that one should reflect on the Cross and what it means to us. Strangely, the Cross is rarely preached, let alone the blood of Christ. This is all part of a current trend that recently has seen attacks on the Doctrine of Penal Subsititution, the Deity of Christ, Double imputation, Propitiationary Sacrifice and the Redeeming act of Salvation. Churches avoid mention of any of these because it is seen as distasteful, off putting and primitive
However, if one stays true to God, and the Word; we must acknowledge these things. You cannot omit these elements; it's a package deal. Justification must mean the Cross. And you must have a theology of the Cross which explains the whole story for what it is, and not a day where one goes on Easter egg hunts and eats lots of Chocolate
No, it is a story which starts off in dark tones. Man, headed towards eternal condemnation and separation from a Holy and just God because he wallows in Sin, unable to do a single thing about it. A God, who loves men and women, totally justified in pouring his wrath out on a rebellious and hateful creation..performs the ultimate act of redemption
The sacrificial offering of his Son. Pure and Holy. A willfull sacrifice by the Son, not coerced, bribed or cajoled. One done out of the purest love. Doing the will of the Father.
As he lay on the Cross, bearing your sins and mine; he could have stepped down. "Enough!" , he could have said. A stiff necked people that refused to listen, follow or obey were now spitting on him and willing him a humiliating and painful death. Oh, he could have wiped them and the whole world out with a thought, or a word.
But he didn't
Till the awful deed was done, and finally, he uttered the last words, that will ever be said by God hanging on that cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"
It was done. Redemption. Saved. Rescued. No words can describe what was done on that Cross for me that day. Nothing I do from here till the day I die can ever make up or repay that. I can give every waking minute to the Lord, every penny, submit every thought and even give my body to be burned for him..no, not enough. Never enough
And that was Grace. A free gift to someone who doesn't deserve it. It was also Mercy. Ultimately, it was an act of Love from the author and creator of Love: God almighty
On this day, remember this: No cross,no salvation.
May you have a blessed Easter. And always have the Theology of the Cross. Always
SDG
- Romans 5:8 -
It is appropriate during Easter that one should reflect on the Cross and what it means to us. Strangely, the Cross is rarely preached, let alone the blood of Christ. This is all part of a current trend that recently has seen attacks on the Doctrine of Penal Subsititution, the Deity of Christ, Double imputation, Propitiationary Sacrifice and the Redeeming act of Salvation. Churches avoid mention of any of these because it is seen as distasteful, off putting and primitive
However, if one stays true to God, and the Word; we must acknowledge these things. You cannot omit these elements; it's a package deal. Justification must mean the Cross. And you must have a theology of the Cross which explains the whole story for what it is, and not a day where one goes on Easter egg hunts and eats lots of Chocolate
No, it is a story which starts off in dark tones. Man, headed towards eternal condemnation and separation from a Holy and just God because he wallows in Sin, unable to do a single thing about it. A God, who loves men and women, totally justified in pouring his wrath out on a rebellious and hateful creation..performs the ultimate act of redemption
The sacrificial offering of his Son. Pure and Holy. A willfull sacrifice by the Son, not coerced, bribed or cajoled. One done out of the purest love. Doing the will of the Father.
As he lay on the Cross, bearing your sins and mine; he could have stepped down. "Enough!" , he could have said. A stiff necked people that refused to listen, follow or obey were now spitting on him and willing him a humiliating and painful death. Oh, he could have wiped them and the whole world out with a thought, or a word.
But he didn't
Till the awful deed was done, and finally, he uttered the last words, that will ever be said by God hanging on that cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"
It was done. Redemption. Saved. Rescued. No words can describe what was done on that Cross for me that day. Nothing I do from here till the day I die can ever make up or repay that. I can give every waking minute to the Lord, every penny, submit every thought and even give my body to be burned for him..no, not enough. Never enough
And that was Grace. A free gift to someone who doesn't deserve it. It was also Mercy. Ultimately, it was an act of Love from the author and creator of Love: God almighty
On this day, remember this: No cross,no salvation.
May you have a blessed Easter. And always have the Theology of the Cross. Always
SDG
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Jesus is my Life Coach
These days, it's all the rage to be into life coaching; either to have one or to be one. People want to improve their lives. More happiness, more money, more power - and a life coach is just the person to help you do that. He or she is an expert (or at least a perceived one) in a field and their job (for a fee) is to help you attain your goals
Now I am not against all forms of coaching. I benefit greatly from my tennis coaches, my judo teachers and other instructors. If you ask someone to teach you about managing your money, a good financial coach should be able to give you some pointers. It would be singularly foolish of me to say I don't need coaches and can teach myself everything, and it would be highly arrogant as well.
But I am particularly sceptical of life coaches. That is, those who say that they know how life works, so they can help you to achieve greater happiness and get the things that you want out of life . Not that they can't. I'm sure they can..in a manner of speaking.
No, I am wary because they help you attain exactly what you want, and usually what you want is not what Jesus wants. If my desires and motives are not exactly cracked up to what they should be in the first place (read Jeremiah 17:9), then anyone assisting me in reaching those goals are complicit in a bad, bad thing. Sorry, Life coaches, that is the truth.
If I coach someone into thinking that they are a good person, that all they need to be happy is to be self-actualising and realise their inner potential; I am deceiving them into what needs to be actually done. They, and you presumably, are still sinners on the road to condemnation. That's not Life, but Death coaching.
Life can only be found in Christ. It can only be taught through the Word. The leading can and should come only from the Holy Spirit. And all the lessons that you will be coached will be ones that are diametrically opposite to what the world thinks you need to learn. Instead of asserting yourself, you are asked to be meek. Far from living for one's sake, you die to your self for the sake of Christ. And lastly, you count what is seen to be worthy in this world as worthless for the true riches of what is to come in the life hereafter
Can a Life coach give you that, my friends? Can they offer you Hope..or life,really?
No, they can't. And if you are attuned to Christ, you will know this too and stay away from another worldly trinket that has the appearance of a precious stone, but under closer inspection; is merely just a fake bauble.
SDG
Now I am not against all forms of coaching. I benefit greatly from my tennis coaches, my judo teachers and other instructors. If you ask someone to teach you about managing your money, a good financial coach should be able to give you some pointers. It would be singularly foolish of me to say I don't need coaches and can teach myself everything, and it would be highly arrogant as well.
But I am particularly sceptical of life coaches. That is, those who say that they know how life works, so they can help you to achieve greater happiness and get the things that you want out of life . Not that they can't. I'm sure they can..in a manner of speaking.
No, I am wary because they help you attain exactly what you want, and usually what you want is not what Jesus wants. If my desires and motives are not exactly cracked up to what they should be in the first place (read Jeremiah 17:9), then anyone assisting me in reaching those goals are complicit in a bad, bad thing. Sorry, Life coaches, that is the truth.
If I coach someone into thinking that they are a good person, that all they need to be happy is to be self-actualising and realise their inner potential; I am deceiving them into what needs to be actually done. They, and you presumably, are still sinners on the road to condemnation. That's not Life, but Death coaching.
Life can only be found in Christ. It can only be taught through the Word. The leading can and should come only from the Holy Spirit. And all the lessons that you will be coached will be ones that are diametrically opposite to what the world thinks you need to learn. Instead of asserting yourself, you are asked to be meek. Far from living for one's sake, you die to your self for the sake of Christ. And lastly, you count what is seen to be worthy in this world as worthless for the true riches of what is to come in the life hereafter
Can a Life coach give you that, my friends? Can they offer you Hope..or life,really?
No, they can't. And if you are attuned to Christ, you will know this too and stay away from another worldly trinket that has the appearance of a precious stone, but under closer inspection; is merely just a fake bauble.
SDG
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The dangers of Facebook
Like many of you out there, I have a Facebook account. In fact, I can probably lay claim to, initially, being one of it's most enthusiastic users and supporters. I was hooked on it to a degree like no other and often wondered what the world would be without it.
Actually, it would be no better or worse.
Really, you say? What made me change my mind? After one gets over the usual euphoria or being 'in-touch' in a social network, the novelty wears off when one is constantly addicted to the 'thrill' of playing with new applications, adding new friends, placing updates about yourself etc.
In other words, it's all about satisfying your ego again.
What else would motivate you to update others about your life on a constant basis? Do I really need all my friends to know that I had a tough day? Why don't I take it to God instead in prayer, lamentations and exhortations. The reason for why one doesn't do it has always been the same: people only care about themselves and they want others to care about them. But God doesn't feature in there at all
It is a practice that is self-seeking and self-glorifying. The more I update, the more I revel in myself; good or bad. And pretty soon, everyone's raving on about ourselves. Add to that the countless hours that are spent playing around with useless applications and it becomes even more distressing when we consider that those times could have been better spent reading God's Word, spreading the Gospel or in earnest prayer.
No matter how you slice and dice it, unless you tell me that you are running a ministry or counselling someone over Facebook (which is quite possible and therefore a couple of redeeming features characteristic of the system), it remains a tool of destructive distraction that would seek to take you away from building the Kingdom of God
Actually, it would be no better or worse.
Really, you say? What made me change my mind? After one gets over the usual euphoria or being 'in-touch' in a social network, the novelty wears off when one is constantly addicted to the 'thrill' of playing with new applications, adding new friends, placing updates about yourself etc.
In other words, it's all about satisfying your ego again.
What else would motivate you to update others about your life on a constant basis? Do I really need all my friends to know that I had a tough day? Why don't I take it to God instead in prayer, lamentations and exhortations. The reason for why one doesn't do it has always been the same: people only care about themselves and they want others to care about them. But God doesn't feature in there at all
It is a practice that is self-seeking and self-glorifying. The more I update, the more I revel in myself; good or bad. And pretty soon, everyone's raving on about ourselves. Add to that the countless hours that are spent playing around with useless applications and it becomes even more distressing when we consider that those times could have been better spent reading God's Word, spreading the Gospel or in earnest prayer.
No matter how you slice and dice it, unless you tell me that you are running a ministry or counselling someone over Facebook (which is quite possible and therefore a couple of redeeming features characteristic of the system), it remains a tool of destructive distraction that would seek to take you away from building the Kingdom of God
Monday, August 31, 2009
Reality Based spirituality?
There are two shows I am hooked on, and yes, they happen to be reality shows. They are "The Biggest Loser" and "Chopped". One is all about obese people trying to lose weight and the other has to do with four chefs trying to be the last one standing,in other words, trying not to be 'chopped'
Without a doubt in both of these shows, an amount of intense competition, skullduggery and conflict is necessary. Those are elements compulsory for TV viewership. It is also depressing at times for while compeition is exciting to watch, it also in some ways reminds us of our very primal nature to get ahead at the expense of someone else. It always leaves a taste of wanting something more at the end, a higher and more noble precept, rather than what I witness- which is a survival of the fittest in the ultimate Darwinian sense
On certain occasions, I see some contestants knowingly and willingly put the interests of the group or their team first over themselves. Invariably, while they are loved and respected for that (so say their teammates as they tear up..and then vote them off anyway for being a threat!), they do not win. It seems that Americans love a sole winner and champion the individual succeeding at all costs, no matter the social impact
It broke my heart when I saw a contestant on 'chopped' last night give one of his two eggs to his competitor in the final cook-off last night. He didn't need to do it but he did, and in the end; it jeopardised his dish and he lost the contest. Was his compeititor grateful? No way. She acted as though it was on her own effort, disregarding the charity of the other person. What was even more demoralising was that when the loser was interviewed at the end, he admitted that he should not have given up the egg and instead had concentrated on keeping it all for himself
Thus went another disillusioned soul into the night, who now believes that the meek will not inherit the earth and he will get stomped on if they turn the other cheek. Better to be like the world because the way of Christ doesn't pay, does it?
I sadly admit that at times, the way of our Lord does not look very intelligent, street smart of common sensical at times. In fact, just following it can make our life look like it took a downturn. But then again, Jesus did not promise that all will be great, rosy and peachy
"In this World, you will have trouble" said Christ. And you will - for following him. Don't look to the so-called corporate fat cats who claim that Jesus blessed them this way and that. Maybe so, and if they were honest, they ought to be humble and ascribe it to his grace that they are so blessed and not swimming in a lake of fire. If they claim to they are able to 'work' the gospel so it turns out well for them in terms of material riches; be careful - who are you going to belive: man or our Lord? One is a liar, the other is not. You decide
In my time, I have been made a fool for following Christ. My career has suffered due to decisions taken not to compromise the gospel, and I have had to endure the sniggerings and criticisms of being one who walks the meek way. Or as some of my less charitable detractors have labelled it - the 'loser' way
But I hope and pray that I will not be like that losing chef at the end; that no matter if the decisions I take do not make me a success in the eyes of the world, my peers, parents or even the church. As long as Jesus sees me as his own. That is enough. For to be 'chopped' by him on judgement day, will be far, far worse than anything that could happen to you on a so-called 'reality' show
Without a doubt in both of these shows, an amount of intense competition, skullduggery and conflict is necessary. Those are elements compulsory for TV viewership. It is also depressing at times for while compeition is exciting to watch, it also in some ways reminds us of our very primal nature to get ahead at the expense of someone else. It always leaves a taste of wanting something more at the end, a higher and more noble precept, rather than what I witness- which is a survival of the fittest in the ultimate Darwinian sense
On certain occasions, I see some contestants knowingly and willingly put the interests of the group or their team first over themselves. Invariably, while they are loved and respected for that (so say their teammates as they tear up..and then vote them off anyway for being a threat!), they do not win. It seems that Americans love a sole winner and champion the individual succeeding at all costs, no matter the social impact
It broke my heart when I saw a contestant on 'chopped' last night give one of his two eggs to his competitor in the final cook-off last night. He didn't need to do it but he did, and in the end; it jeopardised his dish and he lost the contest. Was his compeititor grateful? No way. She acted as though it was on her own effort, disregarding the charity of the other person. What was even more demoralising was that when the loser was interviewed at the end, he admitted that he should not have given up the egg and instead had concentrated on keeping it all for himself
Thus went another disillusioned soul into the night, who now believes that the meek will not inherit the earth and he will get stomped on if they turn the other cheek. Better to be like the world because the way of Christ doesn't pay, does it?
I sadly admit that at times, the way of our Lord does not look very intelligent, street smart of common sensical at times. In fact, just following it can make our life look like it took a downturn. But then again, Jesus did not promise that all will be great, rosy and peachy
"In this World, you will have trouble" said Christ. And you will - for following him. Don't look to the so-called corporate fat cats who claim that Jesus blessed them this way and that. Maybe so, and if they were honest, they ought to be humble and ascribe it to his grace that they are so blessed and not swimming in a lake of fire. If they claim to they are able to 'work' the gospel so it turns out well for them in terms of material riches; be careful - who are you going to belive: man or our Lord? One is a liar, the other is not. You decide
In my time, I have been made a fool for following Christ. My career has suffered due to decisions taken not to compromise the gospel, and I have had to endure the sniggerings and criticisms of being one who walks the meek way. Or as some of my less charitable detractors have labelled it - the 'loser' way
But I hope and pray that I will not be like that losing chef at the end; that no matter if the decisions I take do not make me a success in the eyes of the world, my peers, parents or even the church. As long as Jesus sees me as his own. That is enough. For to be 'chopped' by him on judgement day, will be far, far worse than anything that could happen to you on a so-called 'reality' show
Monday, August 3, 2009
Can you lose your salvation?
Recently, a learned brother in Christ , and also an avowed Wesleyan Arminian; challenged me once again on the doctrine on whether salvation can be lost. For 5-point Calvinists like myself, we believe that our sovereign God who has done a work of grace by calling us to him will not let us fall away irredeemably. He will preserve us to end. We call this point the “Preservation of Saints” , the “P” in TULIP.
As an Arminian, his contention is that this salvation is not certain. It can be lost due to the lack of judicious cultivation of one’s salvific faith. Or maybe just stumbling back into sin. the His proof text used was from Hebrews 6:4-6, which states:
“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have been enlightened, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”
A-ha! ‘So one can fall away!’ said my antagonist confidently. On the surface, it sure looks like that. Those referred to seem to have all the hallmarks of a believer, seen all the things associated with that of a follower of Christ, and sadly had backslided away; beyond redemption
It is a tough passage no doubt, but then again, what does one make of another verse that seems to contradict that?
“ 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. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
- John 10:27-29 (ESV) –
Or this:
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will”
- Ephesians 1:4-5 –
Notice the phrase “ no one is able to snatch them out”. That means nobody, not Satan, not your beer loving friends or a night in Vegas; no one can snatch you from the Father once he has called you
This does not mean that you do not sin. After justification, we are still works in progress. This is the process of santification, but we will not be sinless until we are in heaven where there is no sin.
The confusion, I believe, comes from a view of salvation as a one time event where you get your ticket punched as though you were about to board a train. This is the present view of salvation in the evangelical church. You put your hand up, and accept Christ. Thereafter, you strive to be good, but if you’re not, you might backslide so much that you lose your place on the train. God takes your ticket, so to speak
Look at Ephesians. We are chosen before we even ‘decided’ to go up for that altar call. That aligning of your heart’s compass needle to the true north of the Godhead is a work of the Holy Trinity indeed. It is the Holy Spirit, regenerating your mortally depraved soul, pointing to the Son as the atoning sacrifice for your sins and bringing you to your knees in repentance before the Cross. Redeemed from your sins by his blood, you have a righteousness not of your own, that of Christ, and through that, the Father calls you his own – from the very start
It’s the ultimate love story
To solve the issue of Hebrew, one should look at the literary effect being outlined here in that passage. The key phrase is the use of an absolute proposition : “It is impossible..” By doing so, he is stating the absurdity of a certain situation happening. And the example put forward is a question as to whether someone who is a believer can fall away
The manner in which it is answered is telling. The author’s premise is:
1) It is possible to “taste the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come..”
2) But once you experience all that, how is it possible that you can fall away?
3) For it should be impossible for you to do that, but if you do, then maybe you haven’t really “tasted the goodness of God”
4) Thus, those who claim all that and still fall away…were not truly saved in the first place
This is sobering thought. But it does make sense in the light of other cautionary passages such as Philippians 2:12 which tells you to “..work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. It means work on your sanctification, know that you are justified but if there is no display of sanctifying behavior, in other words, your deeds do not follow your words – then brother, sister: I think you have a serious problem here saying that you are justified
Thus, my problem with the Arminian view. If Jesus says that he will “give them eternal life and they will never perish”, how come some seem to do just that in Hebrews? This gives us the unsavory possibility of having to call our Lord a liar; which he definitely is not. But the author of Hebrews in not telling tales as well, which leads us to the position that there are those who look, smell and taste like a follower of Christ; but they are not of him. Again, we do well to heed the verse that says:
“ Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven”
Or in my vernacular, putting a tuxedo on a goat still makes it a goat.
SDG
As an Arminian, his contention is that this salvation is not certain. It can be lost due to the lack of judicious cultivation of one’s salvific faith. Or maybe just stumbling back into sin. the His proof text used was from Hebrews 6:4-6, which states:
“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have been enlightened, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”
A-ha! ‘So one can fall away!’ said my antagonist confidently. On the surface, it sure looks like that. Those referred to seem to have all the hallmarks of a believer, seen all the things associated with that of a follower of Christ, and sadly had backslided away; beyond redemption
It is a tough passage no doubt, but then again, what does one make of another verse that seems to contradict that?
“ 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. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
- John 10:27-29 (ESV) –
Or this:
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will”
- Ephesians 1:4-5 –
Notice the phrase “ no one is able to snatch them out”. That means nobody, not Satan, not your beer loving friends or a night in Vegas; no one can snatch you from the Father once he has called you
This does not mean that you do not sin. After justification, we are still works in progress. This is the process of santification, but we will not be sinless until we are in heaven where there is no sin.
The confusion, I believe, comes from a view of salvation as a one time event where you get your ticket punched as though you were about to board a train. This is the present view of salvation in the evangelical church. You put your hand up, and accept Christ. Thereafter, you strive to be good, but if you’re not, you might backslide so much that you lose your place on the train. God takes your ticket, so to speak
Look at Ephesians. We are chosen before we even ‘decided’ to go up for that altar call. That aligning of your heart’s compass needle to the true north of the Godhead is a work of the Holy Trinity indeed. It is the Holy Spirit, regenerating your mortally depraved soul, pointing to the Son as the atoning sacrifice for your sins and bringing you to your knees in repentance before the Cross. Redeemed from your sins by his blood, you have a righteousness not of your own, that of Christ, and through that, the Father calls you his own – from the very start
It’s the ultimate love story
To solve the issue of Hebrew, one should look at the literary effect being outlined here in that passage. The key phrase is the use of an absolute proposition : “It is impossible..” By doing so, he is stating the absurdity of a certain situation happening. And the example put forward is a question as to whether someone who is a believer can fall away
The manner in which it is answered is telling. The author’s premise is:
1) It is possible to “taste the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come..”
2) But once you experience all that, how is it possible that you can fall away?
3) For it should be impossible for you to do that, but if you do, then maybe you haven’t really “tasted the goodness of God”
4) Thus, those who claim all that and still fall away…were not truly saved in the first place
This is sobering thought. But it does make sense in the light of other cautionary passages such as Philippians 2:12 which tells you to “..work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. It means work on your sanctification, know that you are justified but if there is no display of sanctifying behavior, in other words, your deeds do not follow your words – then brother, sister: I think you have a serious problem here saying that you are justified
Thus, my problem with the Arminian view. If Jesus says that he will “give them eternal life and they will never perish”, how come some seem to do just that in Hebrews? This gives us the unsavory possibility of having to call our Lord a liar; which he definitely is not. But the author of Hebrews in not telling tales as well, which leads us to the position that there are those who look, smell and taste like a follower of Christ; but they are not of him. Again, we do well to heed the verse that says:
“ Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven”
Or in my vernacular, putting a tuxedo on a goat still makes it a goat.
SDG
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The 'wrong-ed' way of Jesus
Recently, it came to my attention that there was some conflict amongst some people I knew at church, and it spilled into what could be characteristically called - a blog war. Accusations, sniping and who knows what else was thrown on each side. To date, it still has not been resolved.
One of the good and bad things about the internet is that it has given voice to the dienfranchised. If I feel wronged, I blog, email, twit about it. Far more effective than making 100 phone calls or writing 100 letters (and a lot cheaper too). The problem here is the phrase "If I feel wronged"
Rather than talk about that. Let me point to the Word of God as usual (yes, yes, I know..we Calvinists always go on and on about the Word). Throughout the story of the Bible, it has been one of humanity feeling 'wronged'. Eve feel wronged for being duped by the serpent. Adam felt wronged by being sucked in by his wife. I bet both of them felt wronged when God gave them marching orders out of Eden. Cain felt done in by Abel, then did him in. Esau - done in by his deceitful brother Jacob. The list goes on...
History is one whole litany of man feeling he's been 'wronged'. Well, sorry, my Oprah sensitised touchy-feely people..there's only one who's been 'wronged' here - and it's God. Somehow or another, from day 1, we have been the abject failure of whatever it is we were supposed to be. We kill with words, then objects, or both. Hate, discord and greed is what we are best at sowing, not seeds of grace and love
And then we committed the ultimate wrong - we sent the Son of Man to the Cross.
Yes, you, chum. With your filthy, sick sins. You and I might as well have pounded the nails into his hands, or picked up the scourge to whip and tear his flesh. We are stand condemmned; and rightly so.
However, Jesus, the only man to have been wronged by every person in existence, bore the wrath that was due to us and took our sins. He who was justifiably wronged and should have exacted just retribution to us for our inquities gave his life for us instead. What grace..what mercy..what humanity. The truest sense of it. And beyond.
In finality, I am not saying that we shouldn't seek justice, resolution, reconciliation or dialogue. All of those things under the banner of Christ is all good. Damn good. What I am leaving you with is this - there is a bigger picture, and it goes beyond some bits of jottings on a blog. We should all seek to remember that, including me
SDG
One of the good and bad things about the internet is that it has given voice to the dienfranchised. If I feel wronged, I blog, email, twit about it. Far more effective than making 100 phone calls or writing 100 letters (and a lot cheaper too). The problem here is the phrase "If I feel wronged"
Rather than talk about that. Let me point to the Word of God as usual (yes, yes, I know..we Calvinists always go on and on about the Word). Throughout the story of the Bible, it has been one of humanity feeling 'wronged'. Eve feel wronged for being duped by the serpent. Adam felt wronged by being sucked in by his wife. I bet both of them felt wronged when God gave them marching orders out of Eden. Cain felt done in by Abel, then did him in. Esau - done in by his deceitful brother Jacob. The list goes on...
History is one whole litany of man feeling he's been 'wronged'. Well, sorry, my Oprah sensitised touchy-feely people..there's only one who's been 'wronged' here - and it's God. Somehow or another, from day 1, we have been the abject failure of whatever it is we were supposed to be. We kill with words, then objects, or both. Hate, discord and greed is what we are best at sowing, not seeds of grace and love
And then we committed the ultimate wrong - we sent the Son of Man to the Cross.
Yes, you, chum. With your filthy, sick sins. You and I might as well have pounded the nails into his hands, or picked up the scourge to whip and tear his flesh. We are stand condemmned; and rightly so.
However, Jesus, the only man to have been wronged by every person in existence, bore the wrath that was due to us and took our sins. He who was justifiably wronged and should have exacted just retribution to us for our inquities gave his life for us instead. What grace..what mercy..what humanity. The truest sense of it. And beyond.
In finality, I am not saying that we shouldn't seek justice, resolution, reconciliation or dialogue. All of those things under the banner of Christ is all good. Damn good. What I am leaving you with is this - there is a bigger picture, and it goes beyond some bits of jottings on a blog. We should all seek to remember that, including me
SDG
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
At times, I have asked why I nit-pick over certain points or words in the Bible. I suppose it is a sign of the times that this current generation seems to eschew the practice of careful thorough analysis, as opposed to a cursory reading with an emphasis on the subjective experiential result at the end. Their feeling is: “ Why do you want to argue so much, I mean, can’t we all just stick to John 3:16, hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya’?”
Unfortunately, I would call them out of their own hypocrisy. They say that words don’t really matter. Really? Ask your girlfriend or boyfriend how they felt about you. And if they said they ‘liked’ you when they meant they ‘loved’ you or vice-versa, can you see how much confusion and grievance that could possibly cost? Words, and their correct definition and placement within a context are tremendously important, and no more so than in God’s Word
One word that, by the grace of God, has made a comeback is “Propitiation”. It is not a word that we use very much any more but one that is vitally important in understanding the whole message of the Gospel. To ‘propitiate’ is to make a sacrifice to avert some form of judgement, wrath or anger. It is a word used to describe the conciliatory and atoning sacrifices made in order to avoid a divine punishment.
In recent times, this word was seen as primitive and not representative of what a ‘loving’ God should look like. So, it is no wonder that as some translations of the Bible omitted the aforementioned word, and used the term ‘expiate’ instead. This was seen in the New English Bible, where it is mentioned:
“ For God designed him to be the means of expiating sin by his sacrificial death, effective through faith. God meant by this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had overlooked the sins of the past..” ( Romans 3:25 : NEB )
What is the difference? To ‘expiate’ means that sin is removed, or put out. The root word ‘ex-’ is the same as the one used in words like ‘extinguish’ and ‘exhale’. Is a wrong word to describe God’s saving grace? No. Christ’s death on the cross indeed cancelled the debt of sin over us. It was redemptive in the removal the sin curse.
Is the word sufficient? No. It hardly does justice in depicting the real nature of his death. In using the word ‘propitiation’, as seen in the ESV translation below, we finally see that Christ’s death did not just remove the sin debt, but also appeased the wrath of God who previously had judged us all as sinners worthy only of receiving death. It also depicts that the very act of sending his own son is a testament to his loving grace and mercy and also characteristic of God as a just being. It is crucial that we see this, otherwise our depiction of God will be a one dimensional, mono-perspective one and our whole understanding of the Gospel will have been built on shaky foundations
“ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance, he has passed over former sins.” ( Romans 3:25 : ESV )
‘Expiation’ is insufficient because it does not refer to the satisfaction or appeasement of God’s wrath, turning it to favour. God’s righteous anger needs to be appeased before sin can be forgiven (note the sequence), and God in his love sent his Son (who offered himself willingly) to satisfy God’s holy anger against sin. In this way, God demonstrates his righteousness, which here refers to his inate nature of being holy, and just.
Thus, one word is of matter of grave importance. At the very heart is the nature of salvation itself, and if one lacks a proper understanding of it, one does not have the correct understanding of God. It is that important, and it is that serious
SDG
Unfortunately, I would call them out of their own hypocrisy. They say that words don’t really matter. Really? Ask your girlfriend or boyfriend how they felt about you. And if they said they ‘liked’ you when they meant they ‘loved’ you or vice-versa, can you see how much confusion and grievance that could possibly cost? Words, and their correct definition and placement within a context are tremendously important, and no more so than in God’s Word
One word that, by the grace of God, has made a comeback is “Propitiation”. It is not a word that we use very much any more but one that is vitally important in understanding the whole message of the Gospel. To ‘propitiate’ is to make a sacrifice to avert some form of judgement, wrath or anger. It is a word used to describe the conciliatory and atoning sacrifices made in order to avoid a divine punishment.
In recent times, this word was seen as primitive and not representative of what a ‘loving’ God should look like. So, it is no wonder that as some translations of the Bible omitted the aforementioned word, and used the term ‘expiate’ instead. This was seen in the New English Bible, where it is mentioned:
“ For God designed him to be the means of expiating sin by his sacrificial death, effective through faith. God meant by this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had overlooked the sins of the past..” ( Romans 3:25 : NEB )
What is the difference? To ‘expiate’ means that sin is removed, or put out. The root word ‘ex-’ is the same as the one used in words like ‘extinguish’ and ‘exhale’. Is a wrong word to describe God’s saving grace? No. Christ’s death on the cross indeed cancelled the debt of sin over us. It was redemptive in the removal the sin curse.
Is the word sufficient? No. It hardly does justice in depicting the real nature of his death. In using the word ‘propitiation’, as seen in the ESV translation below, we finally see that Christ’s death did not just remove the sin debt, but also appeased the wrath of God who previously had judged us all as sinners worthy only of receiving death. It also depicts that the very act of sending his own son is a testament to his loving grace and mercy and also characteristic of God as a just being. It is crucial that we see this, otherwise our depiction of God will be a one dimensional, mono-perspective one and our whole understanding of the Gospel will have been built on shaky foundations
“ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance, he has passed over former sins.” ( Romans 3:25 : ESV )
‘Expiation’ is insufficient because it does not refer to the satisfaction or appeasement of God’s wrath, turning it to favour. God’s righteous anger needs to be appeased before sin can be forgiven (note the sequence), and God in his love sent his Son (who offered himself willingly) to satisfy God’s holy anger against sin. In this way, God demonstrates his righteousness, which here refers to his inate nature of being holy, and just.
Thus, one word is of matter of grave importance. At the very heart is the nature of salvation itself, and if one lacks a proper understanding of it, one does not have the correct understanding of God. It is that important, and it is that serious
SDG
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Chicken or beef, sir?
Picture this:
You're at your wonderful, large comfortable middle class church with numerous programs. You've got programmes coming out of the wazoo. And all of them look good. Maybe a worship workshop? How about a power prayer seminar? Or maybe a retreat for some spiritual invigoration? Sounds good, right?
Decisions, decisions. Choice after choice
And yet..all so wrong
When you are faced with alternatives, and all those alternatives look good - how do you choose? I mean, it's not as though I've a choice between church or drugs, right? They are all 'spiritual' and 'godly' choices
Oh,oh..my normal readers (about 1 or 2 in the world..:-) )know that when I start using quotation marks, I'm about to get snarky, and they would be right
Listen very carefully:
If you choose what your heart is telling you to..chances are...it's the wrong choice.
Remember what it says in Jeremiah: "The Heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV )
Your choice should be the one thing that you find boring, painful, a chore you wrestle with and the very thing you fear
For most people in church, it's serious Bible study. The one with no jokes, no trendy topics and dazzling music or video. Just you, a Bible and God. That's it.
I have seen the most spiritual looking and sounding people suddenly go weak at the mention of reading the Bible seriously. I have seen the same people in worship, raise their hands in glorious ecstasy to the King of Kings, promise that they will go to the ends of the earth for their Lord and fall to their knees in supplication..
..but they will not pick up his Word to know him better. His very precious divine word that has come through millenia, literal blood, sweat and tears and now is neatly bound in leather and sits in front of us in an airconditioned study room at church. We will not touch it.
Why? I've been asking over the weeks. Why is that?
Paul knew the answer, and it is a sobering one indeed:
" For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.."
( 2 Timothy 4:3 ESV )
Think about that for this week
SDG
You're at your wonderful, large comfortable middle class church with numerous programs. You've got programmes coming out of the wazoo. And all of them look good. Maybe a worship workshop? How about a power prayer seminar? Or maybe a retreat for some spiritual invigoration? Sounds good, right?
Decisions, decisions. Choice after choice
And yet..all so wrong
When you are faced with alternatives, and all those alternatives look good - how do you choose? I mean, it's not as though I've a choice between church or drugs, right? They are all 'spiritual' and 'godly' choices
Oh,oh..my normal readers (about 1 or 2 in the world..:-) )know that when I start using quotation marks, I'm about to get snarky, and they would be right
Listen very carefully:
If you choose what your heart is telling you to..chances are...it's the wrong choice.
Remember what it says in Jeremiah: "The Heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV )
Your choice should be the one thing that you find boring, painful, a chore you wrestle with and the very thing you fear
For most people in church, it's serious Bible study. The one with no jokes, no trendy topics and dazzling music or video. Just you, a Bible and God. That's it.
I have seen the most spiritual looking and sounding people suddenly go weak at the mention of reading the Bible seriously. I have seen the same people in worship, raise their hands in glorious ecstasy to the King of Kings, promise that they will go to the ends of the earth for their Lord and fall to their knees in supplication..
..but they will not pick up his Word to know him better. His very precious divine word that has come through millenia, literal blood, sweat and tears and now is neatly bound in leather and sits in front of us in an airconditioned study room at church. We will not touch it.
Why? I've been asking over the weeks. Why is that?
Paul knew the answer, and it is a sobering one indeed:
" For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.."
( 2 Timothy 4:3 ESV )
Think about that for this week
SDG
Monday, June 29, 2009
Really Radical Youth - Part 2
Imagine a youth who is well behaved, polite and properly attired. Someone who listens and obeys their parents. Works as a volunteer at church and social organisations on the weekends. What would you call him or her?
An oddball. A freak. A nerd.
Can we just take a breath and a pause to reflect on what has happened to our perception of moral values and cultural mores? The absurdity of taking what looks to be a more biblical model for behaviour and saying that it is out of the norm? We sometimes need to step back and take a look in the mirror to see how warped we've become, because we have accepted the lowest common denominator of social behaviour, applied the weakest of standards to our youth, and deemed it okay; even worth developing
It is the equivalent of giving everyone an 'A' because we don't want to damage their precious self esteem.
I see this in many instances. When a youth event is Bible study, hardly anyone turns up. When it is a 'fun' event involving worship, food and what-not; the place is filled to the brim. The watchwords of this age are fun, good feelings and being happy. To which I say: Beware - these will not get you the Kingdom of God.
Look, I don't have just classical music on my iPod. Nor do I dress like someone out of 'Revenge of the Nerds'. What's on the outside doesn't always reflect the inside but it is folly to suppose that there is no connection between the two whatsoever. You are what you eat. You dress and behave the way you feel and think. Perhaps, we need to think about that a little and check the way we portray ourselves to the world.
I gauge it very simply. Whenever I drop my 89-year old grandmother at church on Sunday, hardly anyone ever bothers to open my car door to help her out. They just walk by caught in their own little world. So, really , there is nothing radical about our faith when this happens, nothing radical about our church and nothing radical about our people
To paraphrase a song, 'We are the World', and that is a sad indictment indeed according to biblical standards
An oddball. A freak. A nerd.
Can we just take a breath and a pause to reflect on what has happened to our perception of moral values and cultural mores? The absurdity of taking what looks to be a more biblical model for behaviour and saying that it is out of the norm? We sometimes need to step back and take a look in the mirror to see how warped we've become, because we have accepted the lowest common denominator of social behaviour, applied the weakest of standards to our youth, and deemed it okay; even worth developing
It is the equivalent of giving everyone an 'A' because we don't want to damage their precious self esteem.
I see this in many instances. When a youth event is Bible study, hardly anyone turns up. When it is a 'fun' event involving worship, food and what-not; the place is filled to the brim. The watchwords of this age are fun, good feelings and being happy. To which I say: Beware - these will not get you the Kingdom of God.
Look, I don't have just classical music on my iPod. Nor do I dress like someone out of 'Revenge of the Nerds'. What's on the outside doesn't always reflect the inside but it is folly to suppose that there is no connection between the two whatsoever. You are what you eat. You dress and behave the way you feel and think. Perhaps, we need to think about that a little and check the way we portray ourselves to the world.
I gauge it very simply. Whenever I drop my 89-year old grandmother at church on Sunday, hardly anyone ever bothers to open my car door to help her out. They just walk by caught in their own little world. So, really , there is nothing radical about our faith when this happens, nothing radical about our church and nothing radical about our people
To paraphrase a song, 'We are the World', and that is a sad indictment indeed according to biblical standards
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