The Value of Learning History: A Lesson from Jude
John Piper
The little letter of Jude teaches us something about the value of learning history. This is not the main point of the letter. But it is striking. In this next-to-last book of the Bible, Jude writes to encourage the saints to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (verse 3).
The letter is a call to vigilance in view of "certain persons [who] have crept in unnoticed... ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (verse 4). Jude describes these folks in vivid terms. They "revile the things which they do not understand" (verse 10). They "are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage" (verse 16). They "cause divisions, [and are] worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit" (verse 19).
This is a devastating assessment of people who are not outside the church but have "crept in unnoticed." Jude wants them be spotted for who they really are, so that the church is not deceived and ruined by their false teaching and immoral behavior.
One of his strategies is to compare them to other persons and events in history. For example, he says that "Sodom and Gomorrah . . . since they, in the same way as these, indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire" (verse 7). So Jude compares these people to Sodom and Gomorrah. His point in doing this is to say that Sodom and Gomorrah are "an example" of what will happen when people live like these intruders are living. So, in Jude's mind, knowing the history of Sodom and Gomorrah is very useful in helping detect such error and deflect it from the saints.
Similarly in verse 11, Jude piles up three other references to historical events as comparisons with what is happening in his day among Christians. He says "Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." This is remarkable. Why refer to three different historical incidents like this that happened thousands of years earlier - Genesis 19 (Sodom), Genesis 3 (Cain), Numbers 22-24 (Balaam), Numbers 16 (Korah)? What's the point?
Here are three points: 1) Jude assumes that the readers know these stories! Is that not amazing! This was the first century! No books in anyone's homes. No Bibles available. No story tapes. Just oral instruction. And he assumed that they would know: What is "the way of Cain" and "the error of Balaam" and "the rebellion of Korah"? Do you know? Isn't this astonishing! He expects them to know. It makes me think that our standards of Bible knowledge in the church today are too low.
2) Jude assumes that knowing this history will illumine the present situation. The Christians will handle the error better today, if they know similar situations from yesterday. In other words, history is valuable for Christian living. To know that Cain was jealous and hated his brother and resented his true spiritual communion with God will alert you to watch for such things even among brothers.
To know that Balaam finally caved in and made the Word of God a means of worldly gain makes you better able to spot that sort of thing. To know that Korah despised legitimate authority and resented Moses' leadership will protect you from factious folk who dislike anyone being seen as their leader.
3) Is it not clear, then, that God ordains that events happen and that they get recorded as history so that we will learn them and become wiser and more insightful about the present for the sake of Christ and his church. Never stop learning history. Gain some knowledge every day. And let us give our children one of the best protections against the folly of the future, namely, a knowledge of the past.
Learning with you, for Christ and his kingdom,
Pastor John
When I Want to Be Mean
LYSA TERKEURST
Hindsight is always 20/20. Yet while we are in a particular situation, we tend to make things out to be what theyaren't and infer wrong meanings. We kick ourselves, thinking, If only I had known then what I know now!
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been one of those moments for His disciples. It had appeared to be such a wonderful day for them-and it was, but for different reasons than they realized. They thought the Messiah had come to reestablish Israel's power in the world. But God had something else in mind.
The disciples weren't the only ones who had misconceptions about the Messiah. Many Jews of the day expected Him to be an earthly king. When the crowds heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they cheered, "Hosanna! " which means, "Save now!" They saw Him as their new King, come to bring salvation from political and societal oppression. He raised the dead-no doubt he could also restore the kingdom of David and free them from Roman rule.
Seated upon a donkey, Jesus resembled a ruler returning to his city in peacetime, loyal subjects lining his path with coats and palm fronds. Even the Pharisees were there watching in indignation, saying, "Look, the world has gone after Him" (John 12:19).
This week, think back to those times when circumstances looked one way but turned out to be something else entirely. Remember when you realized God was different than you imagined and saw His will unfold in surprising ways. Look for an opportunity to share your insight with a friend or loved one.
The Value of Seeking the Lord
Psalms 119:1-8
We all have ambitions and desires. And while these are not necessarily wrong, we should analyze our priorities: Where do I invest my time and energy? What or who occupies my thoughts? As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord.
First of all, consider what it means to seeksomething. The word connotes a strong desire and an energetic quest to achieve it.Suppose you discovered a very productive vein of gold on your property. You wouldn't just stroll out and look at it occasionally. No, you would gather some equipment and diligently go out each day to chip away at the rocks and collect the precious metal.
In the same way, seeking the Lord is not a quick and occasional encounter, but a wholehearted effort to know Him more intimately and follow Him more closely. Those who unreservedly pursue this kind of fellowship with God are determined to spend time with Him; they also want to forsake anything that could hinder growth in their relationship with the Lord. God's committed followers boldly claim His promises and trust Him to fulfill His Word. Their experiences with the Lord bring amazing satisfaction yet cause them to hunger for more of Him.
The Christian life is meant to be a pursuit of God. To walk through the door of salvation and stand still, never drawing any closer to Him, is to miss the treasures that are available in Christ. Those who seek Him soon discover that knowing Him is the greatest reward of all.
The Cross The Believer's Motivation
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul was single-minded in the message he preached. The cross was not only his primary subject; it was also his motivation for living. When we begin to understand all that Jesus did for us at Calvary, we, too, can receive fresh motivation to live for Him. For instance, we can...
Walk humbly before God. Since the power to live the Christian life is supplied by Christ, there is no room for pride. When Jesus died, our "flesh" nature was crucified with Him so that we could live in newness of life. Any success we achieve in living righteously or walking in obedience is possible only because He is working through us.
Serve the Lord faithfully. At the cross, we were placed "in Christ," and He is in us (Gal. 2:20). We are now His body on earth, created for good works which God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Jesus wasn't crucified so we could sit in pews each Sunday and listen to sermons. He has specific tasks for each of us to achieve during our lifetime.
Share our faith. Knowing all that Jesus accomplished at the cross should motivate us to share the gospel with others. This world is filled with hurting people who know nothing about salvation. Since their eternal destiny is at stake, how can we keep our mouths closed?
Too often we view the cross only as a past event that secured our eternal destiny, and we fail to see how it can motivate daily choices and activities. Stop to contemplate all that God is continually accomplishing in you though the cross. Let it be your motivation to live wholeheartedly for Christ.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
My Glory
"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory." (Psalm 108:1)
This seems a somewhat strange expression. A similar statement is found in Psalm 30:12. "To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent." Also, note Psalm 57:8: "Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp."
The Hebrew word is the normal word for "glory," as in Psalm 19:1, for example: "The heavens declare the glory of God." But what, then, is meant by "my glory"? The explanation is found in the way the New Testament quotes Psalm 16:9: "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth." In Acts 2:26, this verse is applied to Christ, and translated: "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad."
It becomes clear, then, that in such passages "my glory" simply means "my tongue." In fact, the word was translated "tongue" in these and other similar passages in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament.
But why, then, did the inspired Hebrew text here use the words "my glory" instead of the usual Hebrew word for tongue? The answer probably is that, when our tongues are used to praise the Lord, they do, indeed, become our glory!
It is this very ability, in fact, that primarily distinguishes man from the animals. Animals can bark, roar, grunt, and send out sonar signals, but they cannot speak in intelligible, symbolic, abstract speech. This is an unbridgeable evolutionary gulf that cannot be crossed, because only men and women were created in the image of God.
Mankind alone has the ability to speak, for the simple reason that God desires to communicate with us so that we can respond in praise to Him. This is our glory! "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 89:1). HMM
LYSA TERKEURST
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn't this person see how insensitive and hurtful she was being?
I don't know who made up the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Either they had nerves of steel, or they lived on a deserted island with no other people. Because not only do words hurt me but they make me want to fight back and be mean, too.
Have you ever had a little situation with someone where you just knew you were right and they were wrong? Or at least you could make a really good case for your side of things?
Oh how I have this burning need to state my case in these kinds of situations. It's like an inner attorney rises up desperate to defend my rights and get the other person to see things my way. This is pretty normal, right?
Yes. But normal doesn't always mean good. Especially in light of today's key verse.
Colossians 2:6-7 reminds me, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
I should live rooted in Jesus' teaching and overflow with thankfulness. The opposite of this is when I'm rooted in self-centered opinions and overflowing with grumbling. I need to let God show me how to see things from this other person's side and gain a different perspective. In doing so, I will be strengthened and taught.
Colossians 3:12-14 reminds me, ". as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (NIV).
My job isn't to fix this person or make them see my side of things. My job is to obey God by offering an extension of the forgiveness I've been given. But I can also stay healthy in this situation by remembering forgiveness doesn't mean giving this person access in my life that sets me up for destructive patterns.
Finally, Colossians 3:17 reminds me, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (NIV).
Everything I do and say tells a story of whom I serve. If I act out of anger and spite, I give in to the ways of the enemy, spreading his darkness. If I honor the Lord with my actions, I serve to further the Name of Jesus and spread His light.
At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.
I processed the text message mentioned above with my husband. He said something that brought much clarity. "Lysa, you know when you've taken the high road, God blesses you. You've seen these blessings over and over as you've made choices that honor God. So choose a blessing today and save yourself the emotional turmoil of trying to prove you're right."
He's a smart man.
I know this isn't easy stuff. I'm having to live it in the midst of feeling hurt. But I'm also feeling more at peace being able to see another perspective - a healthier perspective - a Biblical perspective. And I'm really excited about the blessings that are surely coming my way.
Dear Lord, You know the hurtful words and actions that have come my way. Please give me Your strength to not retaliate, but instead to react based on Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalm 145:16 (NIV)
I've come to the realization that every choice I make is actually a trade.
Some trades are good. On the days I trade a half hour of sleep for extra time with Jesus in God's Word . that's a great trade. The time I chose to keep dusting as my daughter shared her heart with me . that was a horrible trade. Taking care of my body or indulging in a little more dessert? It's all about what trade I will make.
There's a guy in the Bible, not much different than me, who also made a trade. His name was Esau, and the story of his dealings are found in Genesis 25.
Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. Esau, like me, was an outdoorsy type. Jacob, unlike me, liked to hang out in the kitchen.
One day, after being out in the open country, Esau returned home exhausted and famished to find Jacob cooking some stew. He said, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew!" (Genesis 25:30, NIV).
Jacob, being the conniving type, saw an opportunity to play let's-make-a-deal with his older brother. He made a proposition, "First, sell me your birthright" (Genesis 25:31, NIV).
According to Jewish tradition, fathers gave the birthright to the firstborn son. The eldest would receive the title of the family name (maybe something like the way royalty passes on the family title) and a double portion of his father's inheritance.
Maybe Esau thought Jacob's proposition was a lighthearted toss, so he threw back an exaggerated, sarcastic response: "Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?" (Genesis 25:32, NIV)
That's all it took. He swore an oath and got his bowl of stew.
Some trade.
When I first read this account I thought: Really? Give away all of your rights for a bowl of stew?
What would possess Esau to make such an uneven exchange?
Take a closer look at the word describing Esau's condition: famished. Extremely hungry, starving, empty, hollow. I think Esau's condition had a lot to do with his decision. Past the point of being hungry, he was empty.
Hollow.
If Esau would have grabbed a snack while waiting for the meal preparation, he could have been sated until all was ready. The temptation to give up the best of later for the quick fix of now wouldn't have had such a tantalizing pull.
Esau and I are a lot alike. When I'm "hungry" - whether that looks like loneliness, fear or tiredness - I can make some unwise decisions. When my heart is empty, I can make an unequal trade out of desperation. In this condition, I am tempted to:
Make quick decisions
Speed had everything to do with Esau's choice. He wanted his problem fixed now! It wasn't hard for Jacob to manipulate a man who wouldn't wait.
Speed had everything to do with Esau's choice. He wanted his problem fixed now! It wasn't hard for Jacob to manipulate a man who wouldn't wait.
Exaggerate my condition
Esau told his brother he was about to die. Someone who has been out in the open country all day doesn't seem to be at death's door.
Esau told his brother he was about to die. Someone who has been out in the open country all day doesn't seem to be at death's door.
Make unwise decisions
Esau gave up the best of what he had for a bowl of stew.
Esau gave up the best of what he had for a bowl of stew.
What's the trade you're facing? Does it have to do with how you spend your time, invest in relationships, or take care of yourself? Maybe you find yourself trading intimacy with your husband for a romance novel? Sacrificing financial freedom for "having it all"? Bypassing time with your kids for the project at work? The trade presents itself in many different ways.
Today's key verse in Psalm 145:16 tells us, "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Jesus will satisfy our hungers and allow us to see the truth of the trade if we turn to Him. Then, we can see the exchange for what it is.
What trades are you tempted to make today? Let's learn from Esau. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth the trade if it means giving up God's very best.
Father, I think often I am unaware that I am making a trade. Open my eyes to see the temptation for what it is and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to make the right choices for Your honor and glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." 1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)
One of my dearest friends is dying of cancer right now.
I realize that's not really an uplifting start to your day. But it's the reality. I am heartbroken at the prospect of losing my Jen. She's been a constant presence in my life since we first met at 18 years old and she swept into a room wearing a denim wrap skirt and Cole Haan loafers that caused me to immediately reexamine all my personal wardrobe goals. She was exuberant and confident, and immediately I wanted to be her friend . if I could get over feeling so intimidated.
Fortunately, I did, and she quickly became one of my dearest friends as we learned all the ways we were alike and all the ways we were different. God used Jen to draw my heart back to Him as she demonstrated how to make faith a priority. I look back at that time and realize God very purposely knit our hearts together during those years. He knew all the ways He would use us to encourage and strengthen one another.
As we see in our key verse, 1 Samuel 18:1, God sometimes knits our hearts with others like He did with David and Jonathan. He puts people in our paths because He knows we'll need them.
Jonathan was just what David needed at that stage of his life. David was a young shepherd thrust into the spotlight. And based on some of his future writings in the book of Psalms, maybe a little overemotional at times.
David was often overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and depression, and being hunted by a crazy king. (I can relate to all of these things with the exception of the crazy king.) But Jonathan loved David, believed in him, and sought God's best for him. Jonathan's friendship was what David needed to grow into the king and leader he was to become.
As women, many of us spend our early lives thinking about marriage and hoping to find Mr. Right. Then we realize our husbands don't necessarily want to hear all about the best waterproof mascara or cry with us over the kid who's failing math or eat cookie dough straight from the bowl. That's why God gives us our girlfriends.
Beyond common interests, affection and a sense of humor - the aim of friendship is to sow into each other words of eternal life and blessing. We remind each other of God's wisdom and provision, refresh each other's spirit and strengthen each other's faith.
Good friendships require walking with one another down some hard roads, losses, a bad diagnosis, financial problems and much more. We need friends to help us remember what God has done for us and that He will be faithful.
In 2 Samuel 1:26b, David says of Jonathan, " . Your friendship was a miracle-wonder, love far exceeding anything I've known - or ever hope to know," (MSG). That's ultimately what God gives us in friendship: a real life, everyday miracle in the form of another person.
But having your soul knitted to another isn't for the faint of heart.
It means you bear your own hurts along with those of your friend. You cry when they cry and laugh when they laugh and feel like your heart will break wide open when you face not having them by your side.
But it's worth it because they cause you to love harder, laugh louder, live richer and become more than you could ever be without them. It's putting your heart and your name in the hands of another person and saying, "I trust you with all of this," as they do the same.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the friends You have given us to walk with us through life here on earth. Please show us ways to love each other better and take away any fear we have of being authentic about our struggles. Help us have open hearts that love the way You love. Thank You for knitting our hearts together with the people You know will make us stronger. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
She's a name-dropper.
The kind of woman who always needs the world to know what famous person tweeted at her, liked her post or followed her on Instagram. She's always at the important meetings, the ones where the people in charge see her. And she schedules lunches and coffee dates with people who can take her career further.
We all know this woman. She's our neighbor. Our co-worker. Our ministry leader. She's everywhere.
And maybe, at times, there's a little bit of this woman in each of us.
The world tells us in order to go higher we must surround ourselves with people who will take us higher. Our mommas taught us at a young age we will become like those we keep close. And in high school we grouped together with people who were like-minded.
While I understand the importance of keeping company with the right kind of people, I see Jesus taking a different approach at times as I study His life in the Bible.
It's true Jesus had good friends like His disciples, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. But as I look closely at the steps of Jesus, I see He invested a lot of His time into the "least of these:" the poor, the hungry, the broken, the weak and the people who had absolutely nothing to offer Him.
Jesus always had a genuine concern and focus on people in need.
If we are always surrounding ourselves with the "best of these," how will we ever truly learn to love the least of these?
It's an honest question to reflect on as we go about our days, make our schedules and choose where to invest our energy. But I don't really know if in Jesus' eyes this concept of serving the least of these is optional.
Do I always get this right? Goodness no.
My excuses for a lack of service to those in need are shameful:
- I'm too busy.
- I already give so much.
- I don't have what they need.
- I forgot.
God blesses us so that we may bless others. May we be compelled to take our eyes off ourselves and turn our heads to the right and to the left. Let us see those around us in need and give whatever we have to bless them.
Here are three ways to do this right now:
- Spend time with someone who has nothing to give back to you.
- Ask God if there's anything you have in your possession that could bless someone else. Maybe it's a coat, a pair of shoes, a purse, jewelry . what can you give up to bless another?
- Write a note of encouragement to someone who is down, sick or weary. Tell her specific things you are praying over her life.
We don't always need to be with the "best of the best." There is life, love and opportunities to expand our souls if we will humble ourselves and become just a little bit more like Jesus today and serve the least of these.
God, help us to see those in need today. Help our lives ring loudly as we take steps to serve others more than ourselves. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Palm Sunday
Luke 19:28-44Hindsight is always 20/20. Yet while we are in a particular situation, we tend to make things out to be what theyaren't and infer wrong meanings. We kick ourselves, thinking, If only I had known then what I know now!
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been one of those moments for His disciples. It had appeared to be such a wonderful day for them-and it was, but for different reasons than they realized. They thought the Messiah had come to reestablish Israel's power in the world. But God had something else in mind.
The disciples weren't the only ones who had misconceptions about the Messiah. Many Jews of the day expected Him to be an earthly king. When the crowds heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they cheered, "Hosanna! " which means, "Save now!" They saw Him as their new King, come to bring salvation from political and societal oppression. He raised the dead-no doubt he could also restore the kingdom of David and free them from Roman rule.
Seated upon a donkey, Jesus resembled a ruler returning to his city in peacetime, loyal subjects lining his path with coats and palm fronds. Even the Pharisees were there watching in indignation, saying, "Look, the world has gone after Him" (John 12:19).
This week, think back to those times when circumstances looked one way but turned out to be something else entirely. Remember when you realized God was different than you imagined and saw His will unfold in surprising ways. Look for an opportunity to share your insight with a friend or loved one.
The Value of Seeking the Lord
Psalms 119:1-8
We all have ambitions and desires. And while these are not necessarily wrong, we should analyze our priorities: Where do I invest my time and energy? What or who occupies my thoughts? As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord.
First of all, consider what it means to seeksomething. The word connotes a strong desire and an energetic quest to achieve it.Suppose you discovered a very productive vein of gold on your property. You wouldn't just stroll out and look at it occasionally. No, you would gather some equipment and diligently go out each day to chip away at the rocks and collect the precious metal.
In the same way, seeking the Lord is not a quick and occasional encounter, but a wholehearted effort to know Him more intimately and follow Him more closely. Those who unreservedly pursue this kind of fellowship with God are determined to spend time with Him; they also want to forsake anything that could hinder growth in their relationship with the Lord. God's committed followers boldly claim His promises and trust Him to fulfill His Word. Their experiences with the Lord bring amazing satisfaction yet cause them to hunger for more of Him.
The Christian life is meant to be a pursuit of God. To walk through the door of salvation and stand still, never drawing any closer to Him, is to miss the treasures that are available in Christ. Those who seek Him soon discover that knowing Him is the greatest reward of all.
The Cross The Believer's Motivation
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul was single-minded in the message he preached. The cross was not only his primary subject; it was also his motivation for living. When we begin to understand all that Jesus did for us at Calvary, we, too, can receive fresh motivation to live for Him. For instance, we can...
Walk humbly before God. Since the power to live the Christian life is supplied by Christ, there is no room for pride. When Jesus died, our "flesh" nature was crucified with Him so that we could live in newness of life. Any success we achieve in living righteously or walking in obedience is possible only because He is working through us.
Serve the Lord faithfully. At the cross, we were placed "in Christ," and He is in us (Gal. 2:20). We are now His body on earth, created for good works which God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Jesus wasn't crucified so we could sit in pews each Sunday and listen to sermons. He has specific tasks for each of us to achieve during our lifetime.
Share our faith. Knowing all that Jesus accomplished at the cross should motivate us to share the gospel with others. This world is filled with hurting people who know nothing about salvation. Since their eternal destiny is at stake, how can we keep our mouths closed?
Too often we view the cross only as a past event that secured our eternal destiny, and we fail to see how it can motivate daily choices and activities. Stop to contemplate all that God is continually accomplishing in you though the cross. Let it be your motivation to live wholeheartedly for Christ.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.
My Glory
"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory." (Psalm 108:1)
The Light and the Sun
"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun." (Psalm 74:16)
"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun." (Psalm 74:16)
One of the traditional "discrepancies" attributed by the skeptics to the Genesis account of creation is the fact that there was "light" (Hebrew or) on the first day of the creation week, whereas God did not create the "lights" (Hebrew ma-or) to rule the day and the night until the fourth day.
However, it is interesting that modern evolutionary cosmologists find no problem in having light before the sun. According to their speculative reconstruction of cosmic history, light energy was produced in the imaginary "Big Bang" 15 billion years ago, whereas the sun "evolved" only five billion years ago. Thus, even in their attempts to destroy the divine revelation of Genesis, they inadvertently find it necessary to return to its concepts. Light energy somehow had to be "prepared" before the sun and other stars could ever be set up to serve as future generators of light energy. The fact that light is an entity independent of the sun and other heavenly bodies is one of the remarkable scientific insights of the Bible. As the basic form of energy (even intrinsic in the very nature of matter, as expressed in the famous Einstein equation), it is significant that the first recorded word spoken by the Creator was: "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3).
In this chapter, the psalmist is entreating the Lord of light, the Creator of all things, to deliver His people from those who are seeking to destroy all genuine faith in the true God of heaven. "The tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually" (Psalm 74:23). Nevertheless, "God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth" (v. 12). The mighty God of creation, who established and controls all the basic energies of the cosmos and their manifestation on the earth, is fully able to defeat His enemies and establish His people. We can be sure of that. HMM
Questions About Creation
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38:4)
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38:4)
In chapters 38-41 of Job is recorded a remarkable series of 77 questions about the creation-questions which God asked Job and his philosophizing friends, and which they were utterly unable to answer. At the end of the searching examination, Job could only confess: "Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not" (Job 42:3). Modern evolutionists, despite all their arrogant pretensions, still are not able to answer them either, over 35 centuries later!
But there is one who can answer them, and His answers echo back from another ancient document, the marvelous eighth chapter of Proverbs. To God's first question, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth," comes His answer: "When he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him" (Proverbs 8:29-30). The speaker here is the divine wisdom. He is the Word of God, the pre-incarnate Son of God, soon to become the Son of man. In this amazing chapter, He echoes an answer to the most searching of God's inscrutable questions to Job and his friends:
"Who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth?" (Job 38:8). "He set a compass [literally 'sphericity'] upon the face of the depth: . . . When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment" (Proverbs 8:27, 29). "Hast thou commanded the morning . . . and caused the dayspring to know his place?" (Job 38:12). "When he prepared the heavens, I was there" (Proverbs 8:27).
Our Savior was there! "For by him were all things created" (Colossians 1:16). One more question: "Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?" (Job 38:17). Yes, and they have not prevailed! "For whoso findeth me findeth life, . . . all they that hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:35-36). HMM
Power of Faith
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Believing faith should never be seen as the goal, only the beginning of wonderful growth in the "divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4-9).
Faith both preserves and protects us: Jesus boldly declared, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me hath [present tense] everlasting life, and shall not come [future imperative] into condemnation; but is passed [pluperfect or past perfect tense] from death unto life" (John 5:24). "For the Lord preserveth the faithful" (Psalm 31:23). That's pretty clear. Either those words are accurate or they are untrue. There is no middle ground.
Faith is the "shield" against the enemy: Many of us have read about the great "armour of God" described in Ephesians 6. Of the seven "pieces" listed in those verses, we are told, "Above all [take] the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." And when we "resist the devil" (James 4:7), we are to do so "in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9).
Faith gives us power for effective prayer: The "faith as a grain of mustard seed" promise in Matthew 17:20 refers not to size or amount, but to the quality. "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you." We might translate that as, "If you have the same kind of faith as a mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto you." The "ask . . . seek . . . find" promise of Matthew 7:7 depends on our confidence in our heavenly Father. And finally, "this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us" (1 John 5:14). HMM III
An Early Confession
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16)
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16)
One of the specific reasons Paul wrote this letter to Timothy is contained in our text. The church is to guard and declare the "mystery of godliness."
A "mystery" in Scripture is something which was previously hidden, but which is now revealed. Here the mystery is the blessed truth that God is in the business of producing godliness in the lives of men and women; in this context, it is through the work of the church (v. 15). This ministry of the church in proclaiming this mystery was augmented by a doctrinal confession, or hymn, which was presented in:
"God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit." "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), and was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:4). This couplet relates Christ's human/divine nature. His humanity was evident to all; His divinity was declared through the Spirit.
"Seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles" (or nations). Angels observed, and to some degree participated in, Christ's earthly ministry, but the salvation and godliness He offered was only to men, "which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Peter 1:12).
"Believed on in the world, received up into glory." Other teachers have gained a following, but only Christ ascended directly into heaven following His resurrection.
Doctrinal confessions or hymns can be an aid in learning and remembering truth, but the goal of each is godliness-"this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27). JDM
Each of the last five psalms (146-150) begins and ends with: "Praise ye the LORD"-i.e., "Hallelujah." They comprise a sort of "Hallelujah Chorus": a grand epilogue to the five books which make up the complete book of Psalms.
Each of these five books also ends in a doxology. Note:
Book 1: "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 41:13).
Book 2: "And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 72:19).
Book 3: "Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 89:52).
Book 4: "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 106:48).
Book 5: "My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever" (Psalm 145:21).
It is interesting, even if coincidental, that these five final praise psalms-all thanking God for past deliverances and the promise of an eternal future-contain a total of 153 verses. This is the same as the number of great fishes caught in a strong net by the disciples after Christ's resurrection, symbolizing their going forth to fish for men in all nations, bringing them safe to the eternal shores of glory (John 21:10).
Then come the last five songs with their ten cries of "Hallelujah!" In the New Testament, "Hallelujah" (or "Alleluia") occurs only in the setting of the victorious marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-6). This suggests that these "Hallelujah Psalms" may be sung by the redeemed multitudes as they gather at His throne in heaven. HMM
The First Stone
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
When the self-righteous men in the crowd surrounding the woman caught in the act of adultery were about to stone the woman (apparently indifferent to the man with whom she had been caught!), the Lord Jesus turned them all away with His suggestion that the privilege of casting the first stone should go to one who was without sin of his own (John 8:7). They realized that He knew the condition of their sinful hearts, and "being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one" (John 8:9).
This incident is a perpetual reminder that "the Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22), not to any one of us. We are not qualified to judge others, since we ourselves are also sinners-saved sinners, perhaps, but sinners.
One of the most certain doctrines of Scripture is the universality of sin in human experience. "There is none that doeth good, no, not one," the Scripture says (Romans 3:12). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). "The Scripture hath concluded all under sin" (Galatians 3:22). "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). These and many other Scriptures tell us clearly that, while we urgently need to judge sin in ourselves, we are not qualified to condemn others, at least not on a personal level.
Only the Lord Jesus Christ, being Himself sinless (1 Peter 2:22), can judge a sinner. Thus it is only He who could be made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and thereby forgive sins and bring salvation. HMM
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
Son of God
"[God] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:2)
"[God] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:2)
The unique divine Sonship of Jesus Christ is emphasized here in Hebrews 1. The above text, for example, introduces the Son as the Creator, then as the revealing Word, and finally as the appointed heir of all things.
This chapter also demonstrates that God's Son was recognized even in the Old Testament. Verse 5 quotes Psalm 2:7: "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee," and 1 Chronicles 17:13: "I will be his father, and he shall be my son." That this Son is none other than God Himself is confirmed in verse 8, quoting Psalm 45:6: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." That He is the Creator is asserted in verse 10 referring to Psalm 102:25: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth." That He is now at God's own throne is stressed in verse 13, citing Psalm 110:1: "Sit on my right hand." Thus, He is to be worshipped as God. "Let all the angels of God worship him" (verse 6, taken from Psalm 97:7).
Furthermore, Hebrews 1 notes a manifold description of the meaning of the divine Sonship. He is Son of God by eternal generation, as the "brightness [or 'out-radiating'] of his glory, and the express image of his person" (v. 3). He is Son of God by miraculous conception (v. 5), also quoted in Acts 13:33 (note Romans 1:4) as referring to His Sonship by bodily resurrection. Verse 6 refers to the divine proclamation of the Sonship (also Matthew 3:17; 17:5). Verses 8 and 9 stress the testimony of His uniquely holy nature. "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity." Finally, as the Son, He is promised universal inheritance from His Father (vv. 9, 13). From eternity to eternity, Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son! And yet God "gave his only begotten Son" that we might have everlasting life! (John 3:16). HMM
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