Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thought for the Day: A Saturday Prayer
Lord, prepare me for what still lies ahead in this life; keep changing me. Don't leave me the way I am, unaware of so many sins. Forgive me for the sins I am aware of, but I'm not sorry for. Remind me of the cross. Remind me of my utter dependence on it for my existence, not only in the rest of eternity, but as the true source of my life now, in this moment, and every moment. I have no life outside of Jesus. I have no way outside of Jesus. I have no truth outside of Jesus. Thank you for punishing all my sins, of omission and commission, aware and unaware, in your very Son, for my sake, and for the glory of your great Name. I cannot believe it, and yet I must believe it with all my heart. Blessed Resurrection, you are here.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Haikus and Humble Hermeneutics: 1 Peter, Chapter 1
Paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:1-2: Those of us who believe have been chosen by God the Father before the dawn of time to be set apart from the world by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus and to be purified before God by Jesus' blood. And because of this work of the whole of the Trinity to bring us to reconciliation and relationship with God, we should live differently in this world. In fact, we should live as strangers and aliens.
According to Philippians 3:20, our citizenship is in heaven, and we are awaiting our Savior from there, so why do we get so preoccupied with life on this earth, to the neglect of our true citizenship? I know I become preoccupied much too easily, but first imagine residing as an alien in another country. If I were to move from Texas to France, never minding the four years of French I took in high school, I think I would be frequently reminded that my citizenship lies elsewhere. The culture, food, and language would be different, but more than that, there would be a general out-of-place feeling ever-present in the back of my mind. I would be reminded that I am a stranger and an alien in that country.
I think too many people believe they are living as citizens of the kingdom of heaven while in reality, they are living like I would live in France with my 15-year-old four years of French. I could participate in some of the activities of the country's people, I could eat their food, and I might even be able to speak and understand some of the language, but I would not be living as a citizen. How could I? I would have no right to participate in the full life of a citizen of any other country while remaining an American myself. And while there are paths to citizenship of other countries through naturalization, with requirements including length of residency, passing a test, and remaining in good standing with the law, there is no amount of time spent in church, adherence to religious traditions, or even knowledge of God (see James 2:19), that can grant citizenship to the kingdom of heaven.
So if naturalization isn't an option, only one option remains: I would have to be born again to become a citizen of anywhere other than here. Impossible, you say. But what does Jesus say? "Humanly speaking, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) In John chapter 3, Jesus told Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." But Nicodemus had been skeptical, too: "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answers him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (vv. 3-6) And there is our answer. Being born of the flesh, as we all have been, only grants us citizenship to this earthly kingdom, where we can all experience an amount of God's common grace (see Matthew 5:45), but only as an American citizen living in France--this is not full participation in citizenship. To enter the kingdom of God as a citizen, we must be born again of the Holy Spirit of God, through Jesus Christ who has redeemed us. In this chapter of 1 Peter 1, we read that it is according to the great mercy of "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who...has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." (vv. 3-4) An inheritance is a gift; it is not earned, but rather it is earned through the work of another, given to the one who has a right to it by birth. This citizenship is not of our own doing; it is humanly impossible to acquire. Our citizenship was brought at a great price, and it is only acquired through the purchaser of its rights. We have been redeemed "with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19) So there is only one path to citizenship in the kingdom of heaven: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
So the question remains, what should life on this earth look like for citizens of the kingdom of heaven? "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) We must walk in newness of life. "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:14-17) As children of God and co-heirs with Christ, we will suffer in this world. In fact, Jesus promises us that "in this world you will have trouble, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Because of Jesus, we will have to live as aliens and strangers in this world, but because of Jesus, we will inherit the kingdom of heaven for eternity. Our flesh binds our citizenship to this world, but the Spirit of Christ sets us free to live in His kingdom forever. "To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6)
So be born again, brothers and sisters; exchange citizenship of this world for citizenship in a kingdom that will never pass away. "...and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)
Verse 1
Peter, apostle
Of Jesus Christ, To those who
Are elect exiles,
2
Sojourners of the
Dispersion, God the Father
Knew you long ago,
2 (continued)
You are set apart
By the Spirit to obey
Jesus and be cleansed
2 (continued)
May grace and peace be
Multiplied to you in the
Fullest of measures
3
Blessed is God the
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Messiah
3 (continued)
According to His
Great mercy, He has caused us
To be born again,
3 (continued)
Born to living hope
Through the resurrection of
Jesus from the dead
4
And to obtain an
Inheritance that can't be
Destroyed, defiled, changed
5
And through faith you are
Being shielded and kept by
The power of God
5 (continued)
For salvation that
Is ready to be revealed
At the end of time
6
You greatly rejoice
In this, even though you have
Suffered in trials
7
These have come to show
That your faith is genuine,
Strong through many tests
7 (continued)
As fire purifies
And tests gold, your faith is found
More precious than gold
7 (continued)
That faith may result
In praise, glory, honor, when
Jesus is revealed
8
You love Him even
Though you have not seen Him and
Do not see Him now
8 (continued)
You believe in Him
And rejoice with glorious,
Unspeakable joy
9
That you may receive
The salvation of your souls,
The goal of your faith
10
Of this salvation
The prophets searched with careful
Investigations
10 (continued)
They prophesied of
The grace that was going to
Be given to you
11
They sought to know what
Person or time the Spirit
In them was pointing
11 (continued)
When he predicted
The sufferings of Christ and
Subsequent glories
12
It was revealed to
Them that they were not serving
For themselves, but you
12 (continued)
Now this Good News has
Been announced to you by those
Who preached in power
12 (continued)
Angels long to look
Into these things sent by the
Spirit from heaven
13
Prepare your minds for
Action, be sober-minded,
And hope to the end
13 (continued)
Grace will be given
To you when Jesus Christ is
Revealed to the world
14
As obedient
Children don't be shaped by past
Ignorant desires
15
But like the Holy
One who called you, be holy
In all your conduct
16
Because it has been
Written, "You must be holy,
For I am holy."
17
You call on Him as
Father who impartially
Judges each one's work
17 (continued)
So conduct yourselves
In reverent fear as you
Live as strangers here
18
You were redeemed from
The empty way of life that
You inherited
18 (continued)
But you have not been
Ransomed with perishable
Things like silver, gold
19
But with the precious
Blood of Christ, a lamb without
Blemish or defect
20
He is tthe lamb who
Was appointed long before
The world existed
20 (continued)
But he was revealed
And made manifest in these
Last times for your sake
21
Through Christ you believe
In God, and you have placed your
Faith and hope in Him
21 (continued)
Because God raised Christ
From among the dead and has
Given Him glory
22
You have purified
Your souls for sincere love by
Obeying the truth
22 (continued)
So then you would love
One another fervently
And with a pure heart
23
You've been born again,
From imperishable seed,
Not perishable
23 (continued)
Through the living and
Enduring word of God that
Cannot be destroyed
24
For "All men are like
Gracss, and all their glory like
The flower of grass
24-25
"The grass withers and
The flower falls, but God's word
Endures forever."
25 (continued)
And this is the Good
News preached to you by which you've
Been evangelized
According to Philippians 3:20, our citizenship is in heaven, and we are awaiting our Savior from there, so why do we get so preoccupied with life on this earth, to the neglect of our true citizenship? I know I become preoccupied much too easily, but first imagine residing as an alien in another country. If I were to move from Texas to France, never minding the four years of French I took in high school, I think I would be frequently reminded that my citizenship lies elsewhere. The culture, food, and language would be different, but more than that, there would be a general out-of-place feeling ever-present in the back of my mind. I would be reminded that I am a stranger and an alien in that country.
I think too many people believe they are living as citizens of the kingdom of heaven while in reality, they are living like I would live in France with my 15-year-old four years of French. I could participate in some of the activities of the country's people, I could eat their food, and I might even be able to speak and understand some of the language, but I would not be living as a citizen. How could I? I would have no right to participate in the full life of a citizen of any other country while remaining an American myself. And while there are paths to citizenship of other countries through naturalization, with requirements including length of residency, passing a test, and remaining in good standing with the law, there is no amount of time spent in church, adherence to religious traditions, or even knowledge of God (see James 2:19), that can grant citizenship to the kingdom of heaven.
So if naturalization isn't an option, only one option remains: I would have to be born again to become a citizen of anywhere other than here. Impossible, you say. But what does Jesus say? "Humanly speaking, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) In John chapter 3, Jesus told Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." But Nicodemus had been skeptical, too: "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answers him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (vv. 3-6) And there is our answer. Being born of the flesh, as we all have been, only grants us citizenship to this earthly kingdom, where we can all experience an amount of God's common grace (see Matthew 5:45), but only as an American citizen living in France--this is not full participation in citizenship. To enter the kingdom of God as a citizen, we must be born again of the Holy Spirit of God, through Jesus Christ who has redeemed us. In this chapter of 1 Peter 1, we read that it is according to the great mercy of "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who...has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." (vv. 3-4) An inheritance is a gift; it is not earned, but rather it is earned through the work of another, given to the one who has a right to it by birth. This citizenship is not of our own doing; it is humanly impossible to acquire. Our citizenship was brought at a great price, and it is only acquired through the purchaser of its rights. We have been redeemed "with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19) So there is only one path to citizenship in the kingdom of heaven: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
So the question remains, what should life on this earth look like for citizens of the kingdom of heaven? "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) We must walk in newness of life. "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:14-17) As children of God and co-heirs with Christ, we will suffer in this world. In fact, Jesus promises us that "in this world you will have trouble, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Because of Jesus, we will have to live as aliens and strangers in this world, but because of Jesus, we will inherit the kingdom of heaven for eternity. Our flesh binds our citizenship to this world, but the Spirit of Christ sets us free to live in His kingdom forever. "To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6)
So be born again, brothers and sisters; exchange citizenship of this world for citizenship in a kingdom that will never pass away. "...and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14)
Verse 1
Peter, apostle
Of Jesus Christ, To those who
Are elect exiles,
2
Sojourners of the
Dispersion, God the Father
Knew you long ago,
2 (continued)
You are set apart
By the Spirit to obey
Jesus and be cleansed
2 (continued)
May grace and peace be
Multiplied to you in the
Fullest of measures
3
Blessed is God the
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Messiah
3 (continued)
According to His
Great mercy, He has caused us
To be born again,
3 (continued)
Born to living hope
Through the resurrection of
Jesus from the dead
4
And to obtain an
Inheritance that can't be
Destroyed, defiled, changed
5
And through faith you are
Being shielded and kept by
The power of God
5 (continued)
For salvation that
Is ready to be revealed
At the end of time
6
You greatly rejoice
In this, even though you have
Suffered in trials
7
These have come to show
That your faith is genuine,
Strong through many tests
7 (continued)
As fire purifies
And tests gold, your faith is found
More precious than gold
7 (continued)
That faith may result
In praise, glory, honor, when
Jesus is revealed
8
You love Him even
Though you have not seen Him and
Do not see Him now
8 (continued)
You believe in Him
And rejoice with glorious,
Unspeakable joy
9
That you may receive
The salvation of your souls,
The goal of your faith
10
Of this salvation
The prophets searched with careful
Investigations
10 (continued)
They prophesied of
The grace that was going to
Be given to you
11
They sought to know what
Person or time the Spirit
In them was pointing
11 (continued)
When he predicted
The sufferings of Christ and
Subsequent glories
12
It was revealed to
Them that they were not serving
For themselves, but you
12 (continued)
Now this Good News has
Been announced to you by those
Who preached in power
12 (continued)
Angels long to look
Into these things sent by the
Spirit from heaven
13
Prepare your minds for
Action, be sober-minded,
And hope to the end
13 (continued)
Grace will be given
To you when Jesus Christ is
Revealed to the world
14
As obedient
Children don't be shaped by past
Ignorant desires
15
But like the Holy
One who called you, be holy
In all your conduct
16
Because it has been
Written, "You must be holy,
For I am holy."
17
You call on Him as
Father who impartially
Judges each one's work
17 (continued)
So conduct yourselves
In reverent fear as you
Live as strangers here
18
You were redeemed from
The empty way of life that
You inherited
18 (continued)
But you have not been
Ransomed with perishable
Things like silver, gold
19
But with the precious
Blood of Christ, a lamb without
Blemish or defect
20
He is tthe lamb who
Was appointed long before
The world existed
20 (continued)
But he was revealed
And made manifest in these
Last times for your sake
21
Through Christ you believe
In God, and you have placed your
Faith and hope in Him
21 (continued)
Because God raised Christ
From among the dead and has
Given Him glory
22
You have purified
Your souls for sincere love by
Obeying the truth
22 (continued)
So then you would love
One another fervently
And with a pure heart
23
You've been born again,
From imperishable seed,
Not perishable
23 (continued)
Through the living and
Enduring word of God that
Cannot be destroyed
24
For "All men are like
Gracss, and all their glory like
The flower of grass
24-25
"The grass withers and
The flower falls, but God's word
Endures forever."
25 (continued)
And this is the Good
News preached to you by which you've
Been evangelized
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thought of the Day: Election
Election--what we do to choose who leads us.
Election--what God does when he chooses us to be led by him.
Election--what God does when he chooses us to be led by him.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Thought of the Day: Chaos
"Entropy in an information system is the natural tendency to move from order to disorder. The ultimate result is chaos."
The idea of entropy was first established in the laws of thermodynamics by physicists attempting to describe chaotic things happening in a given system, and how long they could expect this chaos to continue before reaching some kind of equilibrium (not the best definition, I'm sure, but I paraphrase; hopefully no physicist will leave hate comments below). However, the quote above was taken from a business article (by Mark A. Coudray, found here: http://www.screenweb.com/content/systems-order-entropy-and-chaos-why-its-so-hard-keep-things-running-smoothly#.USti7TK9Kc). It, along with the laws of thermodynamics, talks about how we have to put work into a system to prevent the loss of energy, and prevent the increase of chaos.
Physicists and businessmen, mathematicians and simple observers of nature can discern that disorder and chaos runs rampant through all systems (meteors fragmenting through our atmosphere, cancer, rust, rot, etc.). And moms--how about laundry and toys constantly ending up in chaos in our closed systems (houses)? My chaos has yet to reach its equilibrium state, but then again, there's a red-headed two-year-old acting as an entropy object lesson for the time being. I mean, talk about having to put work into a system to prevent chaos!
Anyway, thanks to aforementioned physicists and businessmen, mathematicians, astronomers, doctors, and a host of other experts and professionals, most of these things can be explained to some degree, yet they cannot be completely prevented. Chaos happens.
So what do we do? Despair? At first glance, perhaps we should. Many cancers have been treated, but a complete cure has not been found, and it is certainly a long way from being altogether eradicated. We could send probes into deep space, but still never be able to prevent a meteor from crashing through our atmosphere when its path intersects ours (although it does provide material for some questionable sci-fi and action movie plots--I'm talking about you, writers of 1998's Armageddon). Additionally, all these problems of chaos and more can ultimately be explained as effects of sin in the world, or the fall of man, so we are all then culpable for the state in which we find ourselves. But are we left to perish in this darkness? (The answer is no, but read on for proof...)
"He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:13-17
Did you catch that? "By Him all things hold together." And again, He "sustains all things by His powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3)
"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." John 1:1-5
So all things were created through Jesus, He is our life, and darkness cannot overcome Him. How's that for overcoming despair in the midst of darkness and chaos? God not only created all things through Jesus, sustains and holds all things together through Jesus, but in Jesus is also making all things new! "Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, 'Look! I am making everything new.' He also said, 'Write, because these words are faithful and true.'" (Revelation 21:3-5)
"In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself." (2 Corinthians 5:19) And when we are reconciled to Him in Christ, He makes us new too: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...not counting their trespasses against them." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19) So no longer is the law of chaos, spawned by our sin, our ultimate plight. “For our sake, [God] made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
So God, through Jesus, created all things; sustains, and holds all things together by the word of His power; and redeems His creation from chaos and His people out of darkness, "so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." We have all had a part in the chaos of the universe, and certainly in our own finite lives, but God sovereignly orders it all, to the glory of His righteousness. Be reconciled to Him through Jesus today, dear brothers and sisters. Live in chaos no more.
The idea of entropy was first established in the laws of thermodynamics by physicists attempting to describe chaotic things happening in a given system, and how long they could expect this chaos to continue before reaching some kind of equilibrium (not the best definition, I'm sure, but I paraphrase; hopefully no physicist will leave hate comments below). However, the quote above was taken from a business article (by Mark A. Coudray, found here: http://www.screenweb.com/content/systems-order-entropy-and-chaos-why-its-so-hard-keep-things-running-smoothly#.USti7TK9Kc). It, along with the laws of thermodynamics, talks about how we have to put work into a system to prevent the loss of energy, and prevent the increase of chaos.
Physicists and businessmen, mathematicians and simple observers of nature can discern that disorder and chaos runs rampant through all systems (meteors fragmenting through our atmosphere, cancer, rust, rot, etc.). And moms--how about laundry and toys constantly ending up in chaos in our closed systems (houses)? My chaos has yet to reach its equilibrium state, but then again, there's a red-headed two-year-old acting as an entropy object lesson for the time being. I mean, talk about having to put work into a system to prevent chaos!
Anyway, thanks to aforementioned physicists and businessmen, mathematicians, astronomers, doctors, and a host of other experts and professionals, most of these things can be explained to some degree, yet they cannot be completely prevented. Chaos happens.
So what do we do? Despair? At first glance, perhaps we should. Many cancers have been treated, but a complete cure has not been found, and it is certainly a long way from being altogether eradicated. We could send probes into deep space, but still never be able to prevent a meteor from crashing through our atmosphere when its path intersects ours (although it does provide material for some questionable sci-fi and action movie plots--I'm talking about you, writers of 1998's Armageddon). Additionally, all these problems of chaos and more can ultimately be explained as effects of sin in the world, or the fall of man, so we are all then culpable for the state in which we find ourselves. But are we left to perish in this darkness? (The answer is no, but read on for proof...)
"He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:13-17
Did you catch that? "By Him all things hold together." And again, He "sustains all things by His powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3)
"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." John 1:1-5
So all things were created through Jesus, He is our life, and darkness cannot overcome Him. How's that for overcoming despair in the midst of darkness and chaos? God not only created all things through Jesus, sustains and holds all things together through Jesus, but in Jesus is also making all things new! "Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, 'Look! I am making everything new.' He also said, 'Write, because these words are faithful and true.'" (Revelation 21:3-5)
"In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself." (2 Corinthians 5:19) And when we are reconciled to Him in Christ, He makes us new too: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...not counting their trespasses against them." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19) So no longer is the law of chaos, spawned by our sin, our ultimate plight. “For our sake, [God] made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
So God, through Jesus, created all things; sustains, and holds all things together by the word of His power; and redeems His creation from chaos and His people out of darkness, "so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." We have all had a part in the chaos of the universe, and certainly in our own finite lives, but God sovereignly orders it all, to the glory of His righteousness. Be reconciled to Him through Jesus today, dear brothers and sisters. Live in chaos no more.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Thought of the Day: Shifting
"But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:49
There is no shiftier ground upon which to build our lives than that of people's opinion and approval, and yet so many of us (especially me) do it daily. Rather, our foundation is to be built on Jesus, our "perfect gift from above, coming fown from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17
God has no variation or shifting shadow resulting from change. His approval of us is based only on his approval of his son, Jesus, and He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
There is no shiftier ground upon which to build our lives than that of people's opinion and approval, and yet so many of us (especially me) do it daily. Rather, our foundation is to be built on Jesus, our "perfect gift from above, coming fown from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17
God has no variation or shifting shadow resulting from change. His approval of us is based only on his approval of his son, Jesus, and He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
God is no regarder of persons (Acts 10:34), so why should I fear what any man can do to me (Psalm 118:1-9)?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Haikus and Humble Hermeneutics: James, Chapter 5
I have. SO MUCH. to learn. No sooner had I finished writing my prayer for
humility instead of selfishness after finishing James 4 than I walked away from the computer and
realized I had offended my husband, and been very selfish with my time. I
had intended to spend some time relaxing with my husband after putting
the children to bed, but instead I became very self-centeredly distracted at the computer for 3 hours. (I am
notoriously bad at time management, and then there's the neglect of realizing how much time actually elapses while I'm preoccupied with something. This is not a new problem for me, but I don't have time to discuss it here. :) ) With that said, let
me assure you that I in no way think I have mastered any of these instructions of Scripture just because I have turned them into haikus. And yet, I
know that meditating on Scripture is never time wasted. So here is my confession that I much too easily can turn even a "good thing" into a selfish pursuit, any time that it is
done at the expense of, and lack of concern for, others.
Moving right along, I would hate to finish this letter of James with any encouragement of any kind of works-based righteousness (the idea that we can be justified before God because of anything we can do). From reading through James and balancing it with the rest of Scripture, I believe that our works, similar to baptism, are meant to be an outward evidence to others of an inward commitment to God. Our works are vitally necessary in showing our faith to others (James 2:18-19), but it is our faith in the promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus, that will justify us. Please consider this from Galatians 3:2-22:
Yes, we uphold the Law because Jesus upholds the Law:
So while I readily admit that I have a long way to go in obedience to the commands of Jesus, I also freely admit my dependence on Christ and His Spirit within me for a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (they were the ones esteemed as righteous in that day for holding to the letter of the Law, yet they were condemned by Jesus for having only external (works-based) righteousness; see Matthew 23:27-28). I am so gratefully reminded throughout the old and new testaments that only Jesus the Messiah was able to, and did, perfectly fulfill the Law (FULFILL it, not just appear to be externally righteous). And, Jesus' work on the cross is the only work that has true eternal significance. In heaven, millions of angels, elders, and creatures sing of Jesus' work for all eternity (Revelation 5:7-14). His work is utterly amazing, causing the elders of heaven to fall down in worship. Mine is not worthy to fall in the same sentence. My works will always fall short, either in action or motivation (see the rest of Matthew 5), but the fruit of the Spirit will always result in obedience to Jesus (1 Peter 1:1-2).
Again, Lord, please let me not be found to be just a hearer of your word, but rather a doer of it. Let it work in and affect every part of my life, to the glory of your name. Amen.
The last chapter of James...
Verse 1
Come now, you rich, weep
And howl for the miseries
Coming upon you
2-3
Your wealth is ruined
And your clothes are moth-eaten,
Your gold corroded
3
Their corrosion will
Testify against you and
Eat your flesh like fire
3 (continued)
It is in the last
Days that you have stored up and
Hoarded your treasure!
4
Look! The pay that you
Withheld from the workers who
Reaped your fields cries out
4 (continued)
The outcry of the
Harvesters has reached the ears
Of the Lord of Hosts
5
You have lives on earth
In luxury and led a
Self-indulgent life
5-6
You have fattened your
Hearts in the day of slaughter,
And you have condemned
6
You have murdered the
Innocent, righteous man, who
Did not resist you
7
Therefore, be patient,
Brothers, as you wait for the
Coming of the Lord
7 (continued)
See how the farmer
Waits for the earth to yield its
Valuable crop
7 (continued)
He is patient with
It until it receives the
Fall and spring rains
8
You, too, be patient,
Strengthen your hearts, for the Lord's
Coming is at hand
9
Don't grumble against
One another, brothers, that
You may not be judged
9-10
Look! The judge stands at
The door! Follow the prophets
As an example:
10
They were patient in
Suffering as they spoke in
The name of the Lord
11
We count as blessed those
Who have endured. You have heard
Of Job's endurance
11 (continued)
And you have seen the
Outcome of the Lord's dealings
With him in the end:
11 (continued)
The Lord is very
Full of pity, compassion,
And tender mercy
12
Above all, do not swear
Oaths by heaven, by earth, or
By anything else
12 (continued)
Let your "yes" mean yes
And your "no" mean no, so you
Will not be condemned
13
If any of you
Are in trouble, pray; if you
Are happy, sing psalms
14
Is any one of
You sick? He should call for the
Elders of the church
14 (continued)
Let them pray for him,
Anointing him with oil in
The name of the Lord
15
And the prayer offered
In faith will heal and restore
The one who is sick
15 (continued)
The Lord will raise him
Up, and if he has sinned, he
Will be forgiven
16
Confess your sins to
Each other and pray for one
Another; be healed
16 (continued)
The effectual
Fervent prayer of a righteous
Man has great power
17
Elijah was a
Man like us, subject to like
Passions as we are
17 (continued)
He prayed that it would
Not rain, and it did not for
Three and a half years
18
Then he prayed again,
And heaven gave rain, and the
Earth produced its crops
19
If any among
You wanders from the truth and
Someone turns him back,
20
Let him know that he
Who turns a sinner from the
Error of his way
20 (continued)
Will save him from death
And will cover over a
Multitude of sins
Moving right along, I would hate to finish this letter of James with any encouragement of any kind of works-based righteousness (the idea that we can be justified before God because of anything we can do). From reading through James and balancing it with the rest of Scripture, I believe that our works, similar to baptism, are meant to be an outward evidence to others of an inward commitment to God. Our works are vitally necessary in showing our faith to others (James 2:18-19), but it is our faith in the promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus, that will justify us. Please consider this from Galatians 3:2-22:
"Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh [human effort]? ...For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed. Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. ...Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed [Jesus] to whom the promise was made would come. ...Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."So then, the law was given to us because of our sin, to show us the inadequacy of all our works before God, pointing us to dependence on faith in the promise of Jesus. We can do no good thing to make us righteous before God. All of us have fallen short, and we will not be justified before God apart from faith in His mediator with us--Jesus. We can be assured of this from Romans 3:10-31:
“'None is righteous, no, not one; ...no one does good, not even one.' ...For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. ...Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law."
Yes, we uphold the Law because Jesus upholds the Law:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ...Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-20)
So while I readily admit that I have a long way to go in obedience to the commands of Jesus, I also freely admit my dependence on Christ and His Spirit within me for a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (they were the ones esteemed as righteous in that day for holding to the letter of the Law, yet they were condemned by Jesus for having only external (works-based) righteousness; see Matthew 23:27-28). I am so gratefully reminded throughout the old and new testaments that only Jesus the Messiah was able to, and did, perfectly fulfill the Law (FULFILL it, not just appear to be externally righteous). And, Jesus' work on the cross is the only work that has true eternal significance. In heaven, millions of angels, elders, and creatures sing of Jesus' work for all eternity (Revelation 5:7-14). His work is utterly amazing, causing the elders of heaven to fall down in worship. Mine is not worthy to fall in the same sentence. My works will always fall short, either in action or motivation (see the rest of Matthew 5), but the fruit of the Spirit will always result in obedience to Jesus (1 Peter 1:1-2).
Again, Lord, please let me not be found to be just a hearer of your word, but rather a doer of it. Let it work in and affect every part of my life, to the glory of your name. Amen.
The last chapter of James...
Verse 1
Come now, you rich, weep
And howl for the miseries
Coming upon you
2-3
Your wealth is ruined
And your clothes are moth-eaten,
Your gold corroded
3
Their corrosion will
Testify against you and
Eat your flesh like fire
3 (continued)
It is in the last
Days that you have stored up and
Hoarded your treasure!
4
Look! The pay that you
Withheld from the workers who
Reaped your fields cries out
4 (continued)
The outcry of the
Harvesters has reached the ears
Of the Lord of Hosts
5
You have lives on earth
In luxury and led a
Self-indulgent life
5-6
You have fattened your
Hearts in the day of slaughter,
And you have condemned
6
You have murdered the
Innocent, righteous man, who
Did not resist you
7
Therefore, be patient,
Brothers, as you wait for the
Coming of the Lord
7 (continued)
See how the farmer
Waits for the earth to yield its
Valuable crop
7 (continued)
He is patient with
It until it receives the
Fall and spring rains
8
You, too, be patient,
Strengthen your hearts, for the Lord's
Coming is at hand
9
Don't grumble against
One another, brothers, that
You may not be judged
9-10
Look! The judge stands at
The door! Follow the prophets
As an example:
10
They were patient in
Suffering as they spoke in
The name of the Lord
11
We count as blessed those
Who have endured. You have heard
Of Job's endurance
11 (continued)
And you have seen the
Outcome of the Lord's dealings
With him in the end:
11 (continued)
The Lord is very
Full of pity, compassion,
And tender mercy
12
Above all, do not swear
Oaths by heaven, by earth, or
By anything else
12 (continued)
Let your "yes" mean yes
And your "no" mean no, so you
Will not be condemned
13
If any of you
Are in trouble, pray; if you
Are happy, sing psalms
14
Is any one of
You sick? He should call for the
Elders of the church
14 (continued)
Let them pray for him,
Anointing him with oil in
The name of the Lord
15
And the prayer offered
In faith will heal and restore
The one who is sick
15 (continued)
The Lord will raise him
Up, and if he has sinned, he
Will be forgiven
16
Confess your sins to
Each other and pray for one
Another; be healed
16 (continued)
The effectual
Fervent prayer of a righteous
Man has great power
17
Elijah was a
Man like us, subject to like
Passions as we are
17 (continued)
He prayed that it would
Not rain, and it did not for
Three and a half years
18
Then he prayed again,
And heaven gave rain, and the
Earth produced its crops
19
If any among
You wanders from the truth and
Someone turns him back,
20
Let him know that he
Who turns a sinner from the
Error of his way
20 (continued)
Will save him from death
And will cover over a
Multitude of sins
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Haikus and Humble Hermeneutics: James, Chapter 4
A Survey of Scriptural Humility
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
----------------------------------
So then we see that humility comes before honor, and goes alongside meekness, patience, forgiveness, and bearing with one another in love. Lord, help me to seek humility instead of everything I pursue in my selfishness and lack of regard for you. I know this runs contrary to the natural ways of my own desires, so help me draw near to you. Amen.
Note: Please read through this chapter of James in your own Bible along with the haikus that follow. They serve only as meditations on what is contained in the Scriptures themselves.
Verse 1
What causes fighting
Among you? Evil desires
At war within you?
2
You desire and do
Not have; you kill and covet
But cannot obtain
2 (continued)
You quarrel and fight
But you do not have because
You do not ask God
3
And when you ask,
You do not receive because you
Ask with wrong motives
3 (continued)
You only ask so
That you may spend what you get
On your own desires
4
Adulterers! Don't
You know friendship with the world
Is hatred of God?
4 (continued)
Whoever wants to
Be the world's friend becomes an
Enemy of God
5
Or do you think that
The Scripture means nothing and
Speaks without reason?
5 (continued)
For it says that the
Spirit God caused to live in
Us yearns jealously
6
But He gives more grace:
"God resists the proud, but gives
Grace to the humble"
7
So submit yourselves
To God; resist the devil
And he'll flee from you
8
Come near to God and
He will come near to you; wash
Your hands, you sinners
8 (continued)
And purify your
Hearts, you double-minded and
Half-hearted people
9
Grieve, mourn, and wail; change
Your laughter to mourning and
Your joy to sorrow
10
Humble yourselves in
The presence of the Lord and
He will lift you up
11
Do not slander or
Criticize or speak evil
Against each other
11 (continued)
If you speak against
And judge each other, you do
The same of the law
11 (continued)
When you judge the law
You do not keep it, but sit
In judgment on it
12
There is only one
Lawgiver and Judge, He who
Can save and destroy
12 (continued)
Who are you to sit
In judgment on your neighbor
And your fellow man?
13
Come now, you who say,
"Today or tomorrow we
Will go to a town,"
13 (continued)
"We will spend a year
There and engage in business
And make a profit."
14
You do not even
Know what tomorrow will bring.
For what is your life?
14 (continued)
You are like smoke that
Appears for a little while
And then vanishes
15
Instead, you should say,
"If the Lord wills, we will live
And do this or that."
16
As it is, you boast
In your arrogance; all such
Boasting is evil
17
Whoever knows what
Is right but fails to do it,
To him it is sin
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Colossians 3:12
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
1 Peter 5:5-9a
1 Peter 5:5-9a
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith.
(This passage in 1 Peter contains verses almost identical to this chapter of James, verses 7 and 10.)
(This passage in 1 Peter contains verses almost identical to this chapter of James, verses 7 and 10.)
----------------------------------
So then we see that humility comes before honor, and goes alongside meekness, patience, forgiveness, and bearing with one another in love. Lord, help me to seek humility instead of everything I pursue in my selfishness and lack of regard for you. I know this runs contrary to the natural ways of my own desires, so help me draw near to you. Amen.
Note: Please read through this chapter of James in your own Bible along with the haikus that follow. They serve only as meditations on what is contained in the Scriptures themselves.
Verse 1
What causes fighting
Among you? Evil desires
At war within you?
2
You desire and do
Not have; you kill and covet
But cannot obtain
2 (continued)
You quarrel and fight
But you do not have because
You do not ask God
3
And when you ask,
You do not receive because you
Ask with wrong motives
3 (continued)
You only ask so
That you may spend what you get
On your own desires
4
Adulterers! Don't
You know friendship with the world
Is hatred of God?
4 (continued)
Whoever wants to
Be the world's friend becomes an
Enemy of God
5
Or do you think that
The Scripture means nothing and
Speaks without reason?
5 (continued)
For it says that the
Spirit God caused to live in
Us yearns jealously
6
But He gives more grace:
"God resists the proud, but gives
Grace to the humble"
7
So submit yourselves
To God; resist the devil
And he'll flee from you
8
Come near to God and
He will come near to you; wash
Your hands, you sinners
8 (continued)
And purify your
Hearts, you double-minded and
Half-hearted people
9
Grieve, mourn, and wail; change
Your laughter to mourning and
Your joy to sorrow
10
Humble yourselves in
The presence of the Lord and
He will lift you up
11
Do not slander or
Criticize or speak evil
Against each other
11 (continued)
If you speak against
And judge each other, you do
The same of the law
11 (continued)
When you judge the law
You do not keep it, but sit
In judgment on it
12
There is only one
Lawgiver and Judge, He who
Can save and destroy
12 (continued)
Who are you to sit
In judgment on your neighbor
And your fellow man?
13
Come now, you who say,
"Today or tomorrow we
Will go to a town,"
13 (continued)
"We will spend a year
There and engage in business
And make a profit."
14
You do not even
Know what tomorrow will bring.
For what is your life?
14 (continued)
You are like smoke that
Appears for a little while
And then vanishes
15
Instead, you should say,
"If the Lord wills, we will live
And do this or that."
16
As it is, you boast
In your arrogance; all such
Boasting is evil
17
Whoever knows what
Is right but fails to do it,
To him it is sin
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