God is in the center… November 5, 2009
Posted by JP in Absolute Favorites, Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture, Uncategorized.add a comment
The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119
The chapter in the centre of the Bible is Psalm 118
There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 and 594 chapters after Psalms 118.
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.
Is it coincidence that the centre verse of the bible is Psalms 118:8?
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
The next time someone says, they would like to find God’s perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the centre of His will, just send them to the centre of His Word!
The Seven-Fold Purpose of God’s Word September 7, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
The Word of God, energized by the Holy Spirit, has a seven-fold purpose in our lives:
Enlightening
Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Psa 119:130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Under the illumination of God’s Word, we see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness. The Bible sheds light on behavior and actions that displease the Lord and lights up the path that God has designated for you to walk.
Convicting
John 16:7-11 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. (8) And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: (9) About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; (10) About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; (11) About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.
The Holy Spirit’s mission is to convict the world. When spiritually convicted, a person realizes that sin has been committed and that they are guilty before God. Through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will convict our hearts regarding three things:
- Sin – because men do not believe in me. The rejection of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ is the prime sin and the most serious one, for it exposes a person to the judgment of God. The eternal destiny of a human life hinges upon the receiving in faith of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:11-13) The Holy Spirit’s mission is to expose any pattern of thought or behavior that is an affront to God.
- Righteousness – because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer. Jesus is the standard of righteousness against which our lives are measured and the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict us of the stark reality of this fact. Compared to the righteousness of Christ, our own acts of righteousness are like filthy rags. (Isa 64:6)
- Judgment – because the prince of this world now stands condemned. Note that the judgment of which the Holy Spirit convicts is the judgment of Satan. The judgment that took place at the cross (Col 2:15) is the pivotal theme of the Holy Spirit’s work of conviction and is the core thread of the entire Word of God.
As long as we are open to the Holy Spirit and to his Word, we will experience this ongoing conviction process. This is a sign of spiritual health, for the Holy Spirit never leaves us in a place of conviction, but leads us into his answer for our lives. The Bible’s amazing answer to sin – righteousness and judgment – is the other side of conviction.
Heb 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Washing
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, (26) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, (27) That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
The Word of God has a washing action (John 15:3). Through his Word, the Holy Spirit renews our minds – conforming our minds His way of thinking. As we expose ourselves to the Word of God on a daily basis, the Holy Spirit will cleanse our minda of the filth of this world’s thinking, which the Bible calls depraved (Rom 1:28) and hostile to God. (Rom 8:7)
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
We cannot be conformed to Christ while still being conformed to this world. The two objectives are totally opposed to one another. Therefore, a major function of God’s Word is to realign our thinking to God’s thinking. This new Bible-based kind of thinking involves:
- The Right View of God (Isaiah 40:18,21-28; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
- The Right View of Yourself (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3)
- The Right View of the World (Isaiah 40:15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31)
The Bible is God’s tool for renewing our minds. God so wants to renew our thought processes that His way of thinking becomes our way of thinking.
Encouraging
Rom 15:4-5 for whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope. (5) Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.
Note that this passage attributes to Scripture that which is attributed to God – encouragement.
Paul writes to the Colossian Christians with the express purpose that they might be encouraged in heart:
Col 2:2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).
This is a major purpose of God’s Word, not simply to make us feel good about ourselves, but to encourage us to continue to persevere in our faith.
Instructing
2Ti 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
Notice that Paul writes to Timothy and declares that all Scripture (not just some of it) is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
- Teaching shows us the right path.
- Rebuking shows us where we have wandered from the path.
- Correcting shows us the way back onto the path.
- Training shows us how to walk on the path.
Psa 119:133 Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Remember, it is not only the New Testament which has been designed by God for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. In fact, the Scriptures that Paul is referring to when writing to Timothy is the Old Testament. The whole of Israel’s history has been chronicled in the Old Testament, not just as a lead up to the coming of Jesus, but also as exemplary instruction and strong .warnings for you. (Hebrews 3:15-19; Hebrews 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:6-12)
Defending
Luk 4:1-12 THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit (2) For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry. [Deut. 9:9; I Kings 19:8.] (3) Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread]. (4) And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God. [Deut. 8:3.] (5) Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time [in the twinkling of an eye]. (6) And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will. (7) Therefore if You will do homage to and worship me [just once], it shall all be Yours. (8) And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. [Deut. 6:13; 10:20.] (9) Then he took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on a gable of the temple, and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from here; (10) For it is written, He will give His angels charge over you to guard and watch over you closely and carefully; (11) And on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. [Ps. 91:11, 12.] (12) And Jesus replied to him, [The Scripture] says, You shall not tempt (try, test exceedingly) the Lord your God. [Deut. 6:16.]
When Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus did not debate with him or even entertain any discussion. He solely relied on the authority of the Word of God. God’s Word is described as a sword:
(Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.; Heb 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.).
When Satan attacks, we can wield the full authority of God’s Word against him. However, we can only wield what has become written on our hearts. (Isa 49:2 And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand, has He hid me and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me.)
Perfecting
Col 1:24-29 [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. (25) In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]– (26) The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), (27) To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. (28) Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). (29) For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.
Paul’s declared goal, toward which he labored so vigorously, was to present everyone perfect in Christ. This is the exact same goal of God’s Word. As Paul said, he was commissioned by God to present to you the word of God in its fullness. That commission was fulfilled largely through his letters, which make up the bulk of the New Testament.
Eph 4:12-13 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), (13) [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.
Paul’s purpose was God’s purpose – not just that we may be conformed to the image of God’s Son as individuals, but that together, as the corporate Body of Christ, we may reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
2 Co 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
It is in the pages of God’s Word that we meet with the Lord on terms so intimate that the Bible describes it like looking in a mirror:
Jas 1:23-25 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; (24) For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. (25) But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
God’s Word acts like a mirror reflecting God’s glory. By revelation of the Holy Spirit we see, in the Word, dimension after dimension of his glory. This cannot but affect us! We are changed by what we see from glory to glory.
Biblical Salvation… May 19, 2009
Posted by JP in Faith, Scripture.1 comment so far
The Biblical method of salvation is to hold an abiding, trusting belief in Jesus the Christ as the Savior of men, the only begotten Son of God and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Salvation is gained by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; (9) Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast),
by receiving Jesus as Savior (John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name),
by fully trusting Jesus alone (John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.)
(Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.)
The Biblical message of salvation is simple and clear, and amazing at the same time. We have all committed sin against God (Romans 3:23). There is no one who has lived an entire life without sinning (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Because of our sin, we have earned judgment from God (Romans 6:23), and that judgment is physical death followed by spiritual death (eternal separation from God). Because of our sin, and its deserved punishment, there is nothing we can do on our own to make ourselves right with God.
Because of His love for us, God became a human being in the Person of Christ Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life and always taught the truth. However, humanity rejected Jesus and put Him to death by crucifying Him. Through that horrible act, Jesus died in our place. Jesus took the burden and judgment of our sin upon Himself, and died for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus was then resurrected (1 Corinthians 15), proving that His payment for our sin was sufficient and that He had overcome sin and death. As a result of Jesus’ sacrifice, God offers us salvation as a gift. God calls us all to change our minds about Jesus (Acts 17:30), and to receive Him as the full payment of our sins (1 John 2:2). Salvation is gained by receiving the gift God offers us.
If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the Biblical method of salvation.
If you have received Jesus as your Savior, by all means, say a prayer to God. Saying the “sinner’s prayer” is simply a way of declaring to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ as your Savior. There are no “magical” words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection that can save us. If you understand that you are a sinner and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, here is a prayer that you can pray to God: “God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I believe that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”
Ex-Christians? February 2, 2009
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
Is there such a thing as an ‘ex-Christian’? Can one fall from grace, or abandon their faith, or does the idea of Once Saved Always Saved come into play somehow? These are the questions I have been pondering for a few days.
John 2:19 They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us. ”
This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian.
It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian. A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin. A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ. A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.
There are many in those world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a “little Christ” (the meaning of the word Christian) and a servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. There are some who prayed the “sinner’s prayer” and claimed the mantel of Christian only to later fall away, or reject that title. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.
This idea concerns me, and others, for often evangelicals teach that saying that prayer gains salvation, yet how then can we explain the ‘ex-Christians’ who seem to abound? How do we reconcile that so many fall away, ‘back-slide’ or never experience the full joy of regeneration or demonstrate the fruits of the spirit?
These are the ideas I want to explore here, starting with the fruits of the spirit:
I’ve tried to coin the phrase “fruit of the root”, but when I say it people just look at me like I’m an idiot. The idea is that true Christians demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit which is the root of our salvation and regeneration. These fruits are not a laundry list of things we must do, or ways we must act, in order to be ‘Christian’, but instead they are symptoms of our internal regeneration, they are the naturally resulting fruit based upon the roots by which we are grounded.
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (24) And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. (25) If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
“…let us also walk by the Spirit” That is a powerful phrase. We do not behave as if we are Christians, or disciples of Christ; our behavior is a natural outpouring of that foundation which drives us, leads us, speaks to us, and reforms us. Our behavior is a fruit born of the roots of the Spirit embedded within our hearts.
Many of us, myself tops on the list, struggle daily with experiencing the fruits of the spirit. We (I) struggle with having the symptoms evidence the fact that our foundation is based in Christ and not the flesh.
I have sought answers for this predicament and have come to the conclusion that the problem, and the solution, resides in one simple word: abide.
To “abide” is to live, continue, or remain; so, to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. The phrase “abiding in Christ” denotes an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance.
The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved.
Abiding in Christ is taught in 1 John 2:5-6, where it is synonymous with “knowing” Christ (verses 2 and 3). Later in the same chapter, John equates “remaining” in the Father and the Son with having the promise of eternal life (verses 24 and 25).
How can we experience the symptoms of a symbiotic relationship if we do not maintain a close connection with those whom are in that relationship with us? Can you maintain a healthy marriage if you do not see, interact with, communicate with, your spouse? Can you fully experience the relationship if you do not share your joys, trials, concerns, victories, failures, loves, dislikes? My experience has been that one cannot fully expect a beneficial, life-changing symbiotic relationship with someone which you are only acquainted.
In John 15:4-7, Jesus tells His disciples that having salvation is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine. Without that vital union with Christ which salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity. Elsewhere, the Bible likens this union to that of a head and a body (Colossians 1:18).
I’m particularly enamored of how Christ Jesus spoke of this relationship and the necessity to abide in Him in John 5:
Joh 15:1-16 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vine-dresser. (2) Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. (3) You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. (4) Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (6) If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (8) When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. (9) I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. (10) If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. (11) I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. (12) This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. (13) No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. (14) You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. (15) I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] (16) You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
I spoke of the ‘fruit of the root’ earlier and I wanted to point out that the esoteric aspects of personality are not the only fruits born by the root system that is within us.
We also bear the fruit of obedience to Christ’s commands (1Jn 3:24 All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them. [They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and makes His home in us: by the [Holy] Spirit Whom He has given us. ); following Christ’s example (1Jn 2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. ); living free from habitual sin (Jn 3:6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. ); and the awareness of a divine presence within one’s life (1Jn 4:13 By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit.
Allow me to once again stress this point: These fruits are not things we do, ways we act, something we strive for; they are symptoms of an internal condition. They are natural aspects of the regenerate life. To attempt to portray these aspects on our own merits is hypocrisy.
Do we (I) exemplify these fruits? If not, then we need to go back to the source: Christ Jesus. We must involve Him in our daily lives through prayer and study, we must abide in Him, and He in us, and we must know that the impetus for this union comes from Him and Him alone, nothing of ourselves, thus we must call upon Him to instill His Spirit in us, as we know from His Word that it is only from Him:
2Co 5:17-20 Therefore if any person is [in-grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (18) But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. (19) It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). (20) So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.
The Mind of Christ… November 23, 2008
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.1 comment so far
1Co 2:16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart
In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 and then makes a statement concerning all believers: “We have the mind of Christ.” Having the mind of Christ means sharing the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ, and it is something that all believers possess.
Having the mind of Christ means we understand God’s plan in the world—to bring glory to Himself, restore creation to its original splendor, and provide salvation for sinners. It means we identify with Christ’s purpose “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). It means we share Jesus’ perspective of humility and obedience (Philippians 2:5-8), compassion (Matthew 9:36), and prayerful dependence on God (Luke 5:16).
In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:
1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (1Co 2:5-6 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. (6) Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.).
2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (1Co 2:7 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].).
3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (1Co 2:10-12 Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. (11) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.).
4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (1Co 2:14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.).
5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (1Co 2:15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].).
In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (Joh 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-; 1Jn 5:12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. ). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Rom 12:1-2 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].).
Let Christians Vote As Though They Were Not Voting October 28, 2008
Posted by JP in Discussion, Faith, Politics, Scripture.add a comment
1Co 7:29-31 I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down and it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none, (30) And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything, (31) And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life] as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.
Christians should deal with the world. This world is here to be used. Dealt with. There is no avoiding it. Not to deal with it is to deal with it that way. Not to weed your garden is to cultivate a weedy garden. Not to wear a coat in Minnesota is to freeze—to deal with the cold that way. Not to stop when the light is red is to spend your money on fines or hospital bills and deal with the world that way. We must deal with the world.
But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.
So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.
By all means vote. But remember: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
Voting with you, as though not voting,
Pastor John Piper
Pray for the elections… October 26, 2008
Posted by JP in Faith, Politics, Scripture.1 comment so far
October 20, 2008
Dear Praying Friend,
In 2000, I wrote the 2nd most important letter of my life—a call to prayer for the elections of that year. I’m now writing what may be my most important letter. I knew the importance of those elections in 2000 was beyond any in my life up to that point and that the spiritual warfare surrounding them would be unlike anything any of us had ever seen. That letter was read by millions of people and I believe millions of them responded by praying. I also believe the prayers turned the tide.
You may question whether President Bush was the right choice; obviously, he has made some blunders in his tenure as president. But two of his decisions alone left no doubt he was God’s choice: Roberts and Alito.
These two Supreme Court Justices have proven critical in the process of breaking the hold of humanism, death and anti-God agendas that have ruled the Court for 50 years. I assure you that more devastation—the shedding of innocent blood, immorality, decay of the family and an erosion of our godly heritage—has flowed into our nation through that institution than any other door in America. Many times more. The poison allowed into America through their decisions is beyond any of our abilities to articulate. The reality in America is that you don’t need to control Congress or the White Hose to rule the nation. You only need 5 people – 5 out of 9 on the Supreme Court. And for decades those who disagree with just about everything you and I stand for have been in control!
In Bush’s two terms, the process of turning this around began with the appointments of Roberts and Alito. Now, we win some cases 5-4 and lose some 4-5. (We barely outlawed partial birth abortion. The vote of one judge saved thousands of babies from this horror.) We need one more conservative Justice for a consistent majority, then more to build a strong majority.
In Obama’s own words, “the next president will appoint at least one, perhaps two or more Supreme Court Justices.” He’s right. Almost certainly two or more older, liberal Justices are waiting until after the elections to retire, in hopes of Obama winning and appointing more liberals to replace them. And he certainly would. He voted against the confirmation of Roberts and Alito. So did Biden. And Biden led the fight against Justice Thomas several years back, another of the 4 solid conservatives. Make no mistake about it, the two of them do have a litmus test for Supreme Court Justices, and a major part of that test is Roe vs. Wade. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, both have very strong pro-life positions. This alone makes the choice for President simple. To vote for the 2nd and 3rd most liberal senators (Obama and Biden), both of whom are firmly and blatantly pro-abortion, would be unconscionable.
Obama has actually said that if he wins, he would like his first action as president
to be the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate every other
law against any aspect of abortion (partial birth abortion, parental notification, etc.). And with a democratic majority in the House and Senate, pretty much any legislation he and Biden want to pass will be a slam-dunk. There are many other unrighteous positions they hold but this position alone makes the choice easy. If they win this election, it will set America back decades in the cause of life and the restoration we seek.
Just as many of you do, I too, want to see a first black President, but not Senator Obama. To allow that noble and godly desire, the economy or one’s position on the war to trump this issue of life and death for the innocent unborn is simply wrong. The scriptures teach that if we choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from evil, God promises to heal our land (see Proverbs 14:34; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not wealth, prosperity or armies. If we will finish the process of removing the curses of death and anti-God laws off of America by electing a president that will continue to shift the Court, God will grace us with breakthrough in other areas such as the economy, the war against terrorism, etc. My faith is not in a person, and certainly not a political party, for the healing of America, but I know God’s word and His ways well enough to know that our decisions do move Him to action or inaction. Now to the heart of my reason for writing this letter (I realize I am “preaching to the choir”—most of you who know or listen to me are conservative enough to vote for McCain and Palin.)
I have not written any appeals for prayer concerning this election because: 1) others have, and 2) I believe our movement has matured to the point that the prayer base of the Church is already praying.
But I now feel the need to raise my voice. I am appealing to you to pray for these elections the next two weeks like you’ve never prayed for any in the past. Faithfully. Passionately. Boldly. Ask God for His mercy and grace. We deserve His judgment for removing His influence and authority from our government, schools, homes and businesses; for the killing of 50 million babies; for leading the world in the consumption and exporting of pornography; for passing laws to reject His; etc. But mercy triumphs over judgment and in His wrath He remembers mercy. In 2000 we actually lost the popular vote and won the election—talk about grace! Please pray for this grace to be released again.
But I am also asking you for something more than normal prayer. For those of you who understand spiritual warfare, I am asking you to also include this aspect of prayer. There is no doubt that we have entered a Daniel 10 moment in time: “Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia’” (Daniel 10: 12-13 NAS). The spiritual warfare in this election is incredibly fierce, and just as it was in Daniel’s day, is all about the restoration of a nation. And also like Daniel, we must keep praying until we win the battle in the heavens.
In August of this year I predicted that September would mark a shift in momentum for these elections. This happened with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential nominee (who is a true Esther in our generation), but when the economy began its meltdown and the media ramped up their unprecedented attacks on Palin, that momentum wasn’t sustained. But we can see it turn again if we approach this battle as the spiritual warfare it truly is and bind the evil forces involved (see Matthew 16:18-19). The reality is that this election can be the breakthrough we need to fully shift the Court (and ultimately our nation) or it will be an immeasurable setback that could take many years to reverse—if ever. Please understand what I am saying: if we engage in this battle and do what I am asking—in mass—we will win; if we do not, we will lose. I, for one, don’t intend to allow the latter. I am in Washington, D.C. now (October 20-22) with Lou Engle and a team of prayer leaders from around the nation to war for this election. Join us! Lose some sleep, miss some meals— pray! Pray like never before for these elections. And as you do, involve yourself not only in petitioning prayer but also in spiritual warfare. Use your God-given authority over the plans and strategies of satan’s kingdom. Bind all witchcraft that is working to control the outcome, including occultic powers that are suppressing truth. Release Christ’s Kingdom rule in every way the Holy Spirit leads you.
Don’t be deceived and don’t lose hope (if you have to, turn off the TV.) It is not too late to turn these elections. God is plenty powerful enough to do so. The real question is will we rise to the level of prayer and spiritual warfare necessary to release that power. And remember, we don’t need a majority of Christians who are willing and able to do this—only a praying remnant. We can do it!
Here are some practical suggestions to consider:
1) Fast (a meal a day; a day a week; a Daniel fast; 3 days; 10 days; TV; etc.) and spend the time praying.
2) Agree in prayer with someone everyday for God’s will to be done.
3) Form/participate in prayer groups regularly. Churches could pray everyday.
4) Take time in every gathering to pray. (Take 15 minutes in every service to pray for the elections. Turn an entire service to harp and bowl style intercession—worship and prayer combined.)
5) Join 2 or more on a conference call and pray for 15, 20, or 30 minutes.
6) Pray on the way to work (and on the way home).
7) Pray before you go to sleep.
Pray before church services.
9) Ask God to give you His strategy—He will!
In His grip,
Dutch Sheets
Handling Praise – Proverbs 27:2 August 27, 2008
Posted by JP in Scripture.add a comment
Pro 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
We’ve all experienced how encouraging a word of praise can be. Most of us can remember a time when a parent, teacher, or employer voiced approval that motivated us to even greater heights.
Yet for many people, praise is nearly as difficult to handle as criticism. Because the Word of God instructs us to be humble (Matt. 18:4; Phil. 2:3), we may sometimes feel confused about the right way to give or receive compliments.
How, then, should we accept recognition?
- Acknowledge the comment by simply thanking the person. Don’t belittle the words in any way or explain reasons why you do not deserve them.
- Identify and acknowledge the character quality that led the other person to offer his praise. For example, does he have a discerning spirit, deep compassion, or strong love for others?
- Share what the encouragement means to you. If someone tells you how he enjoyed your teaching, you might say, “That really motivates me to study harder; I want to be what God desires of me.”
- When appropriate, deflect the praise to others. For instance, a pastor might redirect kind words about an effective worship service by acknowledging the wonderful staff that works with him. When you rightly praise others, it builds their self-esteem while protecting you from pride.
Both criticism and pride can develop us or be dangerous to us. Our response is the determining factor.
False Teachers… August 7, 2008
Posted by JP in Bible Study/Reference, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.1 comment so far
The false teacher is deceptive. Verse 15 of today’s passage describes him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He appears to want people to know the “real” truth about God, but his interpretation of Scripture may contain outright lies or a distorted mix of fact and error. Since wise believers study God’s Word, they can detect a “sheepskin” starting to slip. The wolf is further exposed by his personal life, which won’t be consistent with righteousness (Matt. 7:16). A close study of his decisions, actions, and words will reveal that he does not follow the Lord’s will or biblical principles.
The false teacher’s life and message are self-indulgent. His enticing ideas appeal to his listeners’ fleshly nature. In fact, he’ll often permit activities prohibited in Scripture. Some deceivers describe God’s grace as a license to live without restraint (Jude 4). Paul clearly denounces this lie, teaching that believers have died to sin and shouldn’t live in it (Rom. 6:2).
The body of Christ is expected to use Scripture as the standard against which to measure a leader’s lifestyle and words. When we seek divine truth, we are given the discernment to know a holy message from a misleading one.
A false teacher wants to create uncertainty in his listeners. In order to gain followers, he must persuade his audience that he possesses knowledge they lack. The people who accept this misleading information as absolute truth will usually return to the false teacher for more. Having followers strokes his ego and provides “proof” that he is right.
Those who have a sound doctrine won’t be led astray. That’s why it is so important for our faith to rest on biblical truth—for example, Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and Christians will be resurrected bodily. Defeating false teachers takes more than “my pastor says . . .”When confronted, we must defend our faith with Scripture we ourselves have studied. By regularly reading and applying God’s Word, we will be better prepared when confronted with untruth.
Building a sound doctrine protects believers from misleading messages and arms them to defend the faith. Do not be caught unprepared. If you haven’t already started, begin to study the Bible today. Should you need help, ask your pastor or a godly mentor for guidance.
August 1, 2008
Posted by JP in Discussion, Scripture.1 comment so far
A great commentary by Kenneth Hemphill…
I listened intently as he patiently asked the following three questions: 1) Are you certain that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? She responded “yes.” 2) Do you believe that the Bible is God’s Word and is sufficient for all our needs? Again she responded in the affirmative. 3) If I show you truth from God’s Word that deals with the issues that concern you, will you obey them immediately and completely? My friend did not elaborate at this point, but the lady began to exclaim that we wouldn’t understand. She pointed to her financial need and loneliness. My friend listened patiently and then started again repeating the three questions.
The implication was obvious. If we pointed her to Scripture which she confessed to be a “sufficient guide” and she refused to obey God’s Word, we had no other advice to give her. It would be like going to the doctor and refusing to follow his prescription.
While you might smile in agreement, let me pose a question: “Is the Bible sufficient for church growth and health?” I’m not suggesting that we don’t need to organize for Bible study and outreach. God is not a God of confusion; He works through orderly strategy. But do we really agree with the Apostle Paul that it is “God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7)? And if it is God who actually causes true growth, it only makes sense that we find His design for these matters in His Word. We face the temptation of relying too heavily on the next model, method or marketing strategy to grow our church, rather than looking primarily to Scripture for our growth strategy. I believe that if we search the Scriptures and apply their emphases, we will experience the growth and health the Lord desires.
