The more I fall in love with my precious Savior the more I realize how desperately I need Him and how amazingly blessed beyond all comprehension I am to have a heavenly Father who is intimately involved in my life. Recently I stumbled across the lyrics to a song I really love...
Shane and Shane "There is None Like You"
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find
There is none like You
Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes in Your Name
Helpless children are safe in Your arms
And there is none like you
In our depravity as humanity we are quick to trust in ourselves and in others to find answers, joy, or satisfaction but what an emptiness that brings. There is nothing in this world that can bring the kind of joy, peace and true satisfaction that our Father in Heaven so graciously bestows upon His kids. Looking back in my life the times that were the most fulfilling and satisfying are the moments when I was broken before my Father in heaven and clinging tightly to His promises and the hope that I have in Jesus Christ. I think of passages in Scripture that talk about how we are refined, sharpened, and made more and more like Christ as we pursue Him and holiness and I graple to understand what a privilege that is. Have we really ever thought of that? Have we grasped the fact that the God of the universe cares for a creature like us and takes the time to prune us into perfection like His Son?! Amazing it leaves me speechless.
Take a look at God and you will quickly realize that there is none like Him!
THE ABILITY TO KNOW GOD:
"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Matthew 11:27
"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3
( I Jn 4:8 I Jn 1:5 John 4:24 Rom 3:26)
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD:
"Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.
From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do."
-Isaiah 46:9-11
(Josh 11:20 Dan 5:20 Mk 6:52 Rom 11:7 Rom 9:18)
THE LOVE OF GOD:
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8
GOD IS MIGHTY:
"God is mighty, but does not despise men;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose." Job 36:5
GOD IS FAITHFUL:
"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:9
GOD IS EVERLASTING:
"Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:2
GOD IS UNCHANGING:
"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6
I could go on and on with hundreds upon hundreds of verses to show you the character of God and the fact that there really is nothing and nobody that compares. May this humble us and bring us to the constant realization of how truly blessed we are to have been plucked from eternity apart from Him to share in the fellowship with our King. God you are so good, so faithful, so wonderful, so indescribable...there is none like you!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
I Count it All Loss
This past Revival we heard a new song that Ty Sager and Bobby Blakey wrote...below are the lyrics:
"Called to count the cost of Christ
Am I willing to give up this life, give up this life
Called to consider it loss
Deny myself and take up my cross, take up my cross
And I, I'd rather have Jesus than anything else
And I, I'd rather know Him than anyone else
I'll leave it all, to follow You Christ
I'm losing this world, and gaining Your life
I'll call You Lord and obey what You say
I'll do it today Lord, I'll do it today
The sun came up today
You've given me another day
There's no reason I'll delay...I'll leave it all."
After hearing this song and reading the lyrics I am yet speechless again at the grace of our good and awesome God. I am astounded by the work of Christ on the cross and the very idea that He would chose to pour His favor upon a depraved creature like me. Here we face a question as addressed in this song and in Mark 8:34-38 where we read, "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Many times however I think there is a skewed picture of the idea of picking up your cross and following Christ. There is this idea in the back of our minds that we are giving something to the Lord as if it is "painful". Many times a cost of something is negative. That is not the perspective that we should have in this area. The cost we are looking at is really not a cost at all. In fact it needs to be turned into the perspective of a privilege. The bridge in this song above puts it well, "I'd rather have Jesus than anything else". You see as Christians we are loosing from the world's perspective "everything". We are loosing the ability to live in the flesh, the choice to satisfy our carnal desires, and the want to live a life that pleases our own selves in turn for what the world would see as foolishness...an unseen prize of eternal glory with a resurrected King! But this is where the Holy Spirit's ability to unveil the hearts and minds of the saved comes into play. To the one who is repentant, there is a different view. In fact the view is flipped. The cost is no longer a cost, the race that is being run is not a race ran in vain in fact it is one that is moving towards a goal and a prize as Paul writes in Philippians 3. You see we count it as a loss...everything else is a loss compared to him. Therefore what is the cost? Earthly...temporal pleasures??
Do we as Christians live this way though? Have we counted everything lost to follow Christ. Do we really see following Christ and loosing our lives as a privilege, a joy, and everything we could ever want? Do we live this way? Have we left everything or are we still holding onto something in this world that seems better, something that we are unwilling to part with? The reality is that there is NOTHING better than Jesus Christ. No earthly pleasure, no momentary satisfaction, NOTHING AT ALL is going to satisfy like Jesus Christ. Will we lose things when we repent and trust in Him? Absolutely...but what are we losing is the question and are we really losing when we are gaining eternal life???
"Called to count the cost of Christ
Am I willing to give up this life, give up this life
Called to consider it loss
Deny myself and take up my cross, take up my cross
And I, I'd rather have Jesus than anything else
And I, I'd rather know Him than anyone else
I'll leave it all, to follow You Christ
I'm losing this world, and gaining Your life
I'll call You Lord and obey what You say
I'll do it today Lord, I'll do it today
The sun came up today
You've given me another day
There's no reason I'll delay...I'll leave it all."
After hearing this song and reading the lyrics I am yet speechless again at the grace of our good and awesome God. I am astounded by the work of Christ on the cross and the very idea that He would chose to pour His favor upon a depraved creature like me. Here we face a question as addressed in this song and in Mark 8:34-38 where we read, "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Many times however I think there is a skewed picture of the idea of picking up your cross and following Christ. There is this idea in the back of our minds that we are giving something to the Lord as if it is "painful". Many times a cost of something is negative. That is not the perspective that we should have in this area. The cost we are looking at is really not a cost at all. In fact it needs to be turned into the perspective of a privilege. The bridge in this song above puts it well, "I'd rather have Jesus than anything else". You see as Christians we are loosing from the world's perspective "everything". We are loosing the ability to live in the flesh, the choice to satisfy our carnal desires, and the want to live a life that pleases our own selves in turn for what the world would see as foolishness...an unseen prize of eternal glory with a resurrected King! But this is where the Holy Spirit's ability to unveil the hearts and minds of the saved comes into play. To the one who is repentant, there is a different view. In fact the view is flipped. The cost is no longer a cost, the race that is being run is not a race ran in vain in fact it is one that is moving towards a goal and a prize as Paul writes in Philippians 3. You see we count it as a loss...everything else is a loss compared to him. Therefore what is the cost? Earthly...temporal pleasures??
Do we as Christians live this way though? Have we counted everything lost to follow Christ. Do we really see following Christ and loosing our lives as a privilege, a joy, and everything we could ever want? Do we live this way? Have we left everything or are we still holding onto something in this world that seems better, something that we are unwilling to part with? The reality is that there is NOTHING better than Jesus Christ. No earthly pleasure, no momentary satisfaction, NOTHING AT ALL is going to satisfy like Jesus Christ. Will we lose things when we repent and trust in Him? Absolutely...but what are we losing is the question and are we really losing when we are gaining eternal life???
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Can You Be Sure?
“Yes, assurance is not only possible but Christians are exhorted, as a duty, to seek and find heartfelt assurance." –John Reisinger
In a post-modern world where relativity is rampant and absolute truth is void, assurance in anything seems impossible. In fact even during past centuries by other religions such as the Catholic Church, assurance was “the sin of presumption”. Assurance brings freedom from doubt and inspired confidence that provides comfort and peace in that which you are seeking assurance in. For the Christian salvation through Christ alone is the prime doctrine that distinguishes us from every other religion and is the foundation for all we believe. Having assurance in one’s own salvation is vital. However innate in fallen humanity is the capacity for doubt, confusion, and despair; it is because of this that one must find confidence in the faith that they proclaim to possess and live a life that reflects that. 1 John 5:13 reads, “These things have I written unto you...that ye may know that ye have eternal life." The Christian can be assured of their salvation and it is Scripture and Scripture alone that makes that very clear.
In order to have assurance in anything one must understand what it is that they are being assured of. A Christian must fully understand what it means to be a follower of Christ, a Christian, in order to gain confidence in that. Many times a lack of comprehension is what causes the uncertainty in grasping the concept of salvation; in other words one does not fully understand how they were saved. Scripture makes it clear in passages like John 3:18 where we read, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” Unfortunately although the Gospel message saves, if not understood properly and not lived out we must question whether it is saving and transforming to all who proclaim to accept it. John MacArthur puts it this way, “Many who profess to believe in Christ may act like Christians to a certain degree, but turn out to be impostors or are simply misinformed about the nature of salvation. Either way, it becomes obvious that they did not really know the truth.” With all that said it is still understood by the Christian that to be genuinely saved an individual must repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in the saving work of Christ, God in human form, on the cross; it is only then through the transforming work of the cross that one can be assured of their salvation.
Piper explains eloquently what saving faith in its essence contains. He explains, “Faith is a spiritual sight of glory (or beauty) in the Christ of the gospel.” The Gospel should be an amazing and sweet aroma to the individual, a magnificent act, something so great once can only respond in humble adoration. Piper also says that, “Second, faith is a warranted resting in this glorious gospel for our own salvation. What this means practically is that we should continually look to the cross and the work of God in Christ, because this is where God makes the light of the gospel shine. We should continually pray for God to "enlighten the eyes of our hearts" (Ephesians 1:18). Thirdly, we should love each other; because, as John said, "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren." In the end, assurance is a precious gift of God. Let us pray for each other that it will abound among us.”
The Christian, according to Scripture, must be “born again”. We read about this, and Nicodemus’ transformation, in John 3 when he begs the question to Jesus himself of how to gain eternal life, his response was simply, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (v3). A spiritual rebirth must take place. A life change must occur. A radical transformation within the individual that only God can do happens. For as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
There are countless reasons why an individual may not be assured of their salvation, many of which stem from human fear and worry which in essence is sin. It may be that the individual does not remember the time or point in which they actually first turned from their sins and put their faith in Christ. Various churches teach varying views on the “process” in which one is saved, this too can cause confusion. As Christians we still struggle with sin, the difference now is that we have the power through the Spirit to not sin. This however can cause worry when a new believer doesn’t realize why they still struggle despite the fact that they have been “regenerated”. People fear because the theology or doctrines they are being instructed in are false, such as a works plus the work of Christ. However, according to Professor J. Keathly the primary reason that people struggle with their assurance in salvation is, “…doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ.” This is only a small list of what could be causing confusion, but the commonality between them all is a lack of faith in the Word of God. Scripture alone teaches us what salvation is and the way in which we might be saved and it is through faith and understanding in that that one can find promise.
Many might say “I feel/don’t feel like I am living for Christ”, but although that may be true, feelings cannot be our source for assurance in anything, Scripture, which is our only truth, is our source for answers. John MacArthur and John Piper divide assurance into two categories: subjective and objective. Subjective assurance is invisible; it is what is going on within us, internally, unseen to anyone else; in other words our process of sanctification. 2 Corinthians 1:12--Paul says, "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, we have behaved ourselves in the world." Paul was saying, "I know what's going on in my life because of the testimony of my conscience. Something rings true in my conscience that my behavior is pleasing to God." Objective assurance is outward, seen by others; it is based on Godly things being produced in our life, “fruit” as the Bible explains. We see this in 2 Peter 1:5-9 where we read, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
There will be proof visibly to not only the individual himself but to the church and other believers and to the world as a whole. Often times we hear we are not to “judge” others for that is for the Lord to do. However this idea is quite often misunderstood. Scripture teaches us that we can know where people who claim to be Christians stand by their “fruit” (Matthew 7). Look at 1 Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?” We are to judge those who are within the church. As Christians we can be fruit-inspectors of fellow Christians, seeing if indeed there is visible proof that salvation has taken place. Other Christians and even non-Christians should see something different from pre-salvation. The individual should see a radical change as well within themselves that will evidence salvation.
If all of this is true, then what the one claiming to be a Christian must do is test himself to see if what he is claiming is even true. MacArthur divides it into two categories: the doctrinal test and the moral test. Doctrinally we are taught throughout Scripture that you must confess Christ as Lord, 1 John 4:2 says, “By this know you the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." One must also confess their sins, 1 John 1:6, 8 says "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie .... If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." However that is not enough. Is God’s work enough? Absolutely! However there will be a life-change that takes place and is evidenced morally.
J. C. Ryle explains that there are “six great marks of a born again Christian” the first being the “doctrinal test” Macarthur explained. Second, as a born-again believer there will be no more “habitual sinning”. 1 John 3:9 says, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin”. Now this does not mean that the Christian does not ever sin but it means more simply that “he true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it”. The Christian no longer finds pleasure and joy in doing things against the will of God. The one that truly understands the sheer repulsiveness of sin and the cost of God’s wrath poured on Christ will strive not to sin. Next, a true believer must “practice righteousness”. 1 John 2:29 says, “Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him”. The righteous man’s desire is to live a holy and blameless life. Although he knows that within himself there is moral corruption and perversion he seeks to overcome that and live set apart. Fourth, a Christian must love other Christians. 1 John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”. This man has a passion for his fellow disciples, like that of Christ. Or as Ryle puts it, “He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.” Fifth, “a man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong”. 1 John 5:4 says, “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world”. In other words his only desire is to please the Father and he no longer cares about the opinions or pleasures of the world. And finally, we read in 1 John 5:18, “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself”. He is concerned about his soul and keeping it pure or blameless before the Lord. Ryle states, “He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be watchful, humble, prayerful man”. After carefully considering all of these “marks” an individual can determine whether or not they are genuinely “born again” and part of God’s family…if they past the tests.
Understanding the work of Christ on the cross is the fundamental and the key to finding assurance in His saving work. Many Christians may have the marks stated previously but they may still not fully grasp the height and depth and breadth of what Christ did for us at Calvary. It is only at the foot of the cross that one can humbly find grace. One must realize that salvation is all on Him, He did everything, we did nothing to merit His grace and good favor, and we can do nothing to earn or repay it either. The work on the cross was sufficient, it fulfilled the requirement, and it was finished, or brought to its final desired state, and accomplished, or successfully completed in the person of Christ. Christ’s substitutionary death for the Christian. A Christian must understand what Christ died for. Christ didn’t die for only the big sins in our life but for EVERY sin. He died for every unclean thought, every careless word, every malicious act, and every spiteful deed; he paid for it with his life and experienced the wrath of God we deserved. And then He raised three days later and conquered death for those who put their faith in Him. Not only did He conquer physical death, as is obvious, but He conquered spiritual death as well. He conquered Satan and sin once and for all through that atoning work on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it is not we that saved ourselves but by grace, it is a gift, and one we must not take lightly. In order for a Christian to fully be satisfied in their redeeming grace they must understand what Christ did to the fullest extent. It is not something that can only be pondered on once at the moment of salvation but it should be an ever present thought constantly being thought upon.
Although Christ returned to heaven after His resurrection He left us with the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. As Christians we possess the Holy Spirit within our beings. He is our witness to the testimony of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives understanding and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God.” Professor J. Keathley explains that, “The Holy Spirit assures our hearts through the Word that we are children of God”. Romans 8:15-16 states this perfectly, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.” What an amazing reality that is. We cry out to our Father in heaven as “Abba” which in today’s terms is like “daddy”. We can have this closeness of a relationship with the living God! The Spirit has been given to the Christian for even more assurance of salvation.
Once an individual is certain that they understand the Gospel of Christ and the depth of what that means and has claimed that they believe and trust in that and have repented from a life of sin and depravity and are in turn living a transformed Holy life for Christ, they can then gain a confidence that only the Word and the Spirit can provide. Professor J. Keathley speaks of two principles that can be thought upon in order to gain that assurance in the salvation that the person is claiming to have: Faith in facts and not feelings and faith in facts and not works.
Many times, as previously discussed, there is this idea that we find assurance from how we are feeling. We as fallen humanity cannot trust our feelings. We read in Jeremiah 17:9 that, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”. Our faith cannot come from within ourselves and our own intuitions but it must stand on the only truth that is true, the Word of God. Keathley explains, “The biblical order is: FACTS leads to FAITH which leads to FEELINGS. Feelings are the responders of the soul or heart. They are to follow and respond to our understanding of Scripture, but they are never a safe guide to what we should believe or of the state of our salvation.”
We have to make sure that our assurance is coming from solid facts from Scripture and not from our own works. Innate within ourselves is our pride which motivates us to do things for ourselves in hopes that we might merit or earn things; however salvation cannot be earned or merited…ever! “Works or the biblical changes that occur in our lives as a result of the grace of God can confirm the reality of our life with God” (Keathley). If it were based on us and our works our salvation would be ever so contingent. One must rest in the FINISHED work of Christ at the cross at Calvary.
One question that all of this might beg is, ‘is it possible for the truly saved Christian to doubt’? The answer is yes. Tim Challies puts it this way, “There is nothing unusual about occasionally doubting one’s salvation. The only thing unusual about doubt would be to experience it and not deal with it”. Doubt is different than unbelief, it is a state or short period of questioning in some regards that sanctifies. Doubt matures us in the Lord as the individual increases their knowledge of His truth throughout Scripture and are even more rooted in the truth of the Lord. It is not necessarily sinful to struggle with doubt at times in the Christian life, however the true believer will wrestle with this and through the Spirit’s power overcome the deceiving temptations leading to this. This doubt many times will lead to further dependence on Christ and study in the Word which leads to firm assurance.
Once someone is fully convinced and assured in their salvation there is a peace that surpasses understanding as it is a peace that can only come from God. However one must realize that assurance of salvation does not permit or promote promiscuous Christian living. We as Christians are stewards of God’s grace (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) and therefore we are responsible to steward our time, gifts, and resources for the glory of God. There is a joy in serving Christ and being His steward and there is an eternal reward waiting. Although believers will not be judged for their sins we are responsible before the Lord for being stewards at will stand before Him at the Bema and be judged by our works (2 Corinthians 5:10). So as J. Keathley puts, “it is sufficient for us to realize that while we are secure in the Savior as far as heaven is concerned, we have a wonderful stewardship for which we are each responsible”.
Assurance is confidence and confidence leads to boldness. As Christians who can be confident in their salvation because of the truth of Scripture, we are called to reflect that to others in hopes that they too might find salvation through Him who gives. Although our world teaches us that assurance in anything is impossible, Christians can stand out here in a dark world like lights and proclaim the truth that we have found to be true and are assured in, that Jesus Christ is Lord forever and ever amen!
In a post-modern world where relativity is rampant and absolute truth is void, assurance in anything seems impossible. In fact even during past centuries by other religions such as the Catholic Church, assurance was “the sin of presumption”. Assurance brings freedom from doubt and inspired confidence that provides comfort and peace in that which you are seeking assurance in. For the Christian salvation through Christ alone is the prime doctrine that distinguishes us from every other religion and is the foundation for all we believe. Having assurance in one’s own salvation is vital. However innate in fallen humanity is the capacity for doubt, confusion, and despair; it is because of this that one must find confidence in the faith that they proclaim to possess and live a life that reflects that. 1 John 5:13 reads, “These things have I written unto you...that ye may know that ye have eternal life." The Christian can be assured of their salvation and it is Scripture and Scripture alone that makes that very clear.
In order to have assurance in anything one must understand what it is that they are being assured of. A Christian must fully understand what it means to be a follower of Christ, a Christian, in order to gain confidence in that. Many times a lack of comprehension is what causes the uncertainty in grasping the concept of salvation; in other words one does not fully understand how they were saved. Scripture makes it clear in passages like John 3:18 where we read, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” Unfortunately although the Gospel message saves, if not understood properly and not lived out we must question whether it is saving and transforming to all who proclaim to accept it. John MacArthur puts it this way, “Many who profess to believe in Christ may act like Christians to a certain degree, but turn out to be impostors or are simply misinformed about the nature of salvation. Either way, it becomes obvious that they did not really know the truth.” With all that said it is still understood by the Christian that to be genuinely saved an individual must repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in the saving work of Christ, God in human form, on the cross; it is only then through the transforming work of the cross that one can be assured of their salvation.
Piper explains eloquently what saving faith in its essence contains. He explains, “Faith is a spiritual sight of glory (or beauty) in the Christ of the gospel.” The Gospel should be an amazing and sweet aroma to the individual, a magnificent act, something so great once can only respond in humble adoration. Piper also says that, “Second, faith is a warranted resting in this glorious gospel for our own salvation. What this means practically is that we should continually look to the cross and the work of God in Christ, because this is where God makes the light of the gospel shine. We should continually pray for God to "enlighten the eyes of our hearts" (Ephesians 1:18). Thirdly, we should love each other; because, as John said, "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren." In the end, assurance is a precious gift of God. Let us pray for each other that it will abound among us.”
The Christian, according to Scripture, must be “born again”. We read about this, and Nicodemus’ transformation, in John 3 when he begs the question to Jesus himself of how to gain eternal life, his response was simply, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (v3). A spiritual rebirth must take place. A life change must occur. A radical transformation within the individual that only God can do happens. For as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
There are countless reasons why an individual may not be assured of their salvation, many of which stem from human fear and worry which in essence is sin. It may be that the individual does not remember the time or point in which they actually first turned from their sins and put their faith in Christ. Various churches teach varying views on the “process” in which one is saved, this too can cause confusion. As Christians we still struggle with sin, the difference now is that we have the power through the Spirit to not sin. This however can cause worry when a new believer doesn’t realize why they still struggle despite the fact that they have been “regenerated”. People fear because the theology or doctrines they are being instructed in are false, such as a works plus the work of Christ. However, according to Professor J. Keathly the primary reason that people struggle with their assurance in salvation is, “…doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ.” This is only a small list of what could be causing confusion, but the commonality between them all is a lack of faith in the Word of God. Scripture alone teaches us what salvation is and the way in which we might be saved and it is through faith and understanding in that that one can find promise.
Many might say “I feel/don’t feel like I am living for Christ”, but although that may be true, feelings cannot be our source for assurance in anything, Scripture, which is our only truth, is our source for answers. John MacArthur and John Piper divide assurance into two categories: subjective and objective. Subjective assurance is invisible; it is what is going on within us, internally, unseen to anyone else; in other words our process of sanctification. 2 Corinthians 1:12--Paul says, "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, we have behaved ourselves in the world." Paul was saying, "I know what's going on in my life because of the testimony of my conscience. Something rings true in my conscience that my behavior is pleasing to God." Objective assurance is outward, seen by others; it is based on Godly things being produced in our life, “fruit” as the Bible explains. We see this in 2 Peter 1:5-9 where we read, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
There will be proof visibly to not only the individual himself but to the church and other believers and to the world as a whole. Often times we hear we are not to “judge” others for that is for the Lord to do. However this idea is quite often misunderstood. Scripture teaches us that we can know where people who claim to be Christians stand by their “fruit” (Matthew 7). Look at 1 Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?” We are to judge those who are within the church. As Christians we can be fruit-inspectors of fellow Christians, seeing if indeed there is visible proof that salvation has taken place. Other Christians and even non-Christians should see something different from pre-salvation. The individual should see a radical change as well within themselves that will evidence salvation.
If all of this is true, then what the one claiming to be a Christian must do is test himself to see if what he is claiming is even true. MacArthur divides it into two categories: the doctrinal test and the moral test. Doctrinally we are taught throughout Scripture that you must confess Christ as Lord, 1 John 4:2 says, “By this know you the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." One must also confess their sins, 1 John 1:6, 8 says "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie .... If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." However that is not enough. Is God’s work enough? Absolutely! However there will be a life-change that takes place and is evidenced morally.
J. C. Ryle explains that there are “six great marks of a born again Christian” the first being the “doctrinal test” Macarthur explained. Second, as a born-again believer there will be no more “habitual sinning”. 1 John 3:9 says, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin”. Now this does not mean that the Christian does not ever sin but it means more simply that “he true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it”. The Christian no longer finds pleasure and joy in doing things against the will of God. The one that truly understands the sheer repulsiveness of sin and the cost of God’s wrath poured on Christ will strive not to sin. Next, a true believer must “practice righteousness”. 1 John 2:29 says, “Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him”. The righteous man’s desire is to live a holy and blameless life. Although he knows that within himself there is moral corruption and perversion he seeks to overcome that and live set apart. Fourth, a Christian must love other Christians. 1 John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”. This man has a passion for his fellow disciples, like that of Christ. Or as Ryle puts it, “He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.” Fifth, “a man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong”. 1 John 5:4 says, “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world”. In other words his only desire is to please the Father and he no longer cares about the opinions or pleasures of the world. And finally, we read in 1 John 5:18, “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself”. He is concerned about his soul and keeping it pure or blameless before the Lord. Ryle states, “He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be watchful, humble, prayerful man”. After carefully considering all of these “marks” an individual can determine whether or not they are genuinely “born again” and part of God’s family…if they past the tests.
Understanding the work of Christ on the cross is the fundamental and the key to finding assurance in His saving work. Many Christians may have the marks stated previously but they may still not fully grasp the height and depth and breadth of what Christ did for us at Calvary. It is only at the foot of the cross that one can humbly find grace. One must realize that salvation is all on Him, He did everything, we did nothing to merit His grace and good favor, and we can do nothing to earn or repay it either. The work on the cross was sufficient, it fulfilled the requirement, and it was finished, or brought to its final desired state, and accomplished, or successfully completed in the person of Christ. Christ’s substitutionary death for the Christian. A Christian must understand what Christ died for. Christ didn’t die for only the big sins in our life but for EVERY sin. He died for every unclean thought, every careless word, every malicious act, and every spiteful deed; he paid for it with his life and experienced the wrath of God we deserved. And then He raised three days later and conquered death for those who put their faith in Him. Not only did He conquer physical death, as is obvious, but He conquered spiritual death as well. He conquered Satan and sin once and for all through that atoning work on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it is not we that saved ourselves but by grace, it is a gift, and one we must not take lightly. In order for a Christian to fully be satisfied in their redeeming grace they must understand what Christ did to the fullest extent. It is not something that can only be pondered on once at the moment of salvation but it should be an ever present thought constantly being thought upon.
Although Christ returned to heaven after His resurrection He left us with the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. As Christians we possess the Holy Spirit within our beings. He is our witness to the testimony of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives understanding and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God.” Professor J. Keathley explains that, “The Holy Spirit assures our hearts through the Word that we are children of God”. Romans 8:15-16 states this perfectly, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.” What an amazing reality that is. We cry out to our Father in heaven as “Abba” which in today’s terms is like “daddy”. We can have this closeness of a relationship with the living God! The Spirit has been given to the Christian for even more assurance of salvation.
Once an individual is certain that they understand the Gospel of Christ and the depth of what that means and has claimed that they believe and trust in that and have repented from a life of sin and depravity and are in turn living a transformed Holy life for Christ, they can then gain a confidence that only the Word and the Spirit can provide. Professor J. Keathley speaks of two principles that can be thought upon in order to gain that assurance in the salvation that the person is claiming to have: Faith in facts and not feelings and faith in facts and not works.
Many times, as previously discussed, there is this idea that we find assurance from how we are feeling. We as fallen humanity cannot trust our feelings. We read in Jeremiah 17:9 that, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”. Our faith cannot come from within ourselves and our own intuitions but it must stand on the only truth that is true, the Word of God. Keathley explains, “The biblical order is: FACTS leads to FAITH which leads to FEELINGS. Feelings are the responders of the soul or heart. They are to follow and respond to our understanding of Scripture, but they are never a safe guide to what we should believe or of the state of our salvation.”
We have to make sure that our assurance is coming from solid facts from Scripture and not from our own works. Innate within ourselves is our pride which motivates us to do things for ourselves in hopes that we might merit or earn things; however salvation cannot be earned or merited…ever! “Works or the biblical changes that occur in our lives as a result of the grace of God can confirm the reality of our life with God” (Keathley). If it were based on us and our works our salvation would be ever so contingent. One must rest in the FINISHED work of Christ at the cross at Calvary.
One question that all of this might beg is, ‘is it possible for the truly saved Christian to doubt’? The answer is yes. Tim Challies puts it this way, “There is nothing unusual about occasionally doubting one’s salvation. The only thing unusual about doubt would be to experience it and not deal with it”. Doubt is different than unbelief, it is a state or short period of questioning in some regards that sanctifies. Doubt matures us in the Lord as the individual increases their knowledge of His truth throughout Scripture and are even more rooted in the truth of the Lord. It is not necessarily sinful to struggle with doubt at times in the Christian life, however the true believer will wrestle with this and through the Spirit’s power overcome the deceiving temptations leading to this. This doubt many times will lead to further dependence on Christ and study in the Word which leads to firm assurance.
Once someone is fully convinced and assured in their salvation there is a peace that surpasses understanding as it is a peace that can only come from God. However one must realize that assurance of salvation does not permit or promote promiscuous Christian living. We as Christians are stewards of God’s grace (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) and therefore we are responsible to steward our time, gifts, and resources for the glory of God. There is a joy in serving Christ and being His steward and there is an eternal reward waiting. Although believers will not be judged for their sins we are responsible before the Lord for being stewards at will stand before Him at the Bema and be judged by our works (2 Corinthians 5:10). So as J. Keathley puts, “it is sufficient for us to realize that while we are secure in the Savior as far as heaven is concerned, we have a wonderful stewardship for which we are each responsible”.
Assurance is confidence and confidence leads to boldness. As Christians who can be confident in their salvation because of the truth of Scripture, we are called to reflect that to others in hopes that they too might find salvation through Him who gives. Although our world teaches us that assurance in anything is impossible, Christians can stand out here in a dark world like lights and proclaim the truth that we have found to be true and are assured in, that Jesus Christ is Lord forever and ever amen!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Excel Still More
Yesterday at Compass Pastor Bobby gave an exhorting message on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 in which we read, ":Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
Why is it that so many people who claim to be Christians think they can be just mediocre and that making Christ your life is only for those "sold-out" Christians, those "fanatical" ones or those Christians who are just over-achievers so to speak?! That is not what the truth of Scripture teaches at all! In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. The Bible teaches us that unless you are "fanatical" and all out, unless you have counted the cost and picked up your cross to follow Christ you aren't a Christian at all!!! There is no in between, there is no luke-warm, there is no mediocre. You see to be a Christian obedience is expected...it is not a bonus.
Now for those of us who are sold-out we too fall prey to a terrible tragedy which 1 Thessalonians reminds us of...that as "Christians" we cannot become complacent with where we are even when we are doing well and obeying the Lord! In fact, here we read in 1 Thess that we are to EXCEL still more. As Christians we need to pursue excellence for Christ.
Understanding grace should motivate us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. In Titus 2:11-14 we read, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
So what do we do to excel more in our faith you may ask? We first need to evaluate where we are with the Lord. We need to ask ourselves some honest questions and give honest answers about whether or not we are conducting ourselves in a way that pleases Him. Are we working our hardest for the Lord? Are we receiving the truth of His word with joy? Are we sharing the Gospel with the lost? We need to take it to the next level. We may be doing "well" in our eyes but our standard isn't the Christian sitting next to us it is perfection...Jesus Christ.
So what next? We need to set a goal, a tangible and reachable goal to grow. How can we abound further for the Lord? Bobby brought up some challenging questions:
1. How can we give more time? 1 Corinthians 15:58
2. How can we give more money? 2 Corinthians 8:1-8
3. How can we give more love? 1 Thess 3:12-13, 4:10
We need to put the Lord first, others second instead of always thinking of ourselves. Philippians 3 talks about straining forward towards the goal, are we doing that?
Lastly, we need to increase our intensity in regards to our growth. We need to excel more and more and more and never stop. We need to continue on strong with our eyes on the prize. The olympic athletes train for hundreds upon hundreds of hours to prep for the Olympics, we need to train harder than that for the eternal reward after all they are only getting a piece of gold. We need to be willing to do whatever it takes to please Him. What a joyous day it will be when we hear the words well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Master.
Remember where you are right now in your walk is not where you are meant to be...EXCEL STILL MORE!
Why is it that so many people who claim to be Christians think they can be just mediocre and that making Christ your life is only for those "sold-out" Christians, those "fanatical" ones or those Christians who are just over-achievers so to speak?! That is not what the truth of Scripture teaches at all! In fact, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. The Bible teaches us that unless you are "fanatical" and all out, unless you have counted the cost and picked up your cross to follow Christ you aren't a Christian at all!!! There is no in between, there is no luke-warm, there is no mediocre. You see to be a Christian obedience is expected...it is not a bonus.
Now for those of us who are sold-out we too fall prey to a terrible tragedy which 1 Thessalonians reminds us of...that as "Christians" we cannot become complacent with where we are even when we are doing well and obeying the Lord! In fact, here we read in 1 Thess that we are to EXCEL still more. As Christians we need to pursue excellence for Christ.
Understanding grace should motivate us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. In Titus 2:11-14 we read, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
So what do we do to excel more in our faith you may ask? We first need to evaluate where we are with the Lord. We need to ask ourselves some honest questions and give honest answers about whether or not we are conducting ourselves in a way that pleases Him. Are we working our hardest for the Lord? Are we receiving the truth of His word with joy? Are we sharing the Gospel with the lost? We need to take it to the next level. We may be doing "well" in our eyes but our standard isn't the Christian sitting next to us it is perfection...Jesus Christ.
So what next? We need to set a goal, a tangible and reachable goal to grow. How can we abound further for the Lord? Bobby brought up some challenging questions:
1. How can we give more time? 1 Corinthians 15:58
2. How can we give more money? 2 Corinthians 8:1-8
3. How can we give more love? 1 Thess 3:12-13, 4:10
We need to put the Lord first, others second instead of always thinking of ourselves. Philippians 3 talks about straining forward towards the goal, are we doing that?
Lastly, we need to increase our intensity in regards to our growth. We need to excel more and more and more and never stop. We need to continue on strong with our eyes on the prize. The olympic athletes train for hundreds upon hundreds of hours to prep for the Olympics, we need to train harder than that for the eternal reward after all they are only getting a piece of gold. We need to be willing to do whatever it takes to please Him. What a joyous day it will be when we hear the words well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Master.
Remember where you are right now in your walk is not where you are meant to be...EXCEL STILL MORE!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Perfection?
Philippians 3:12-14 " Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Why is it that as Christians we often times are expected to be "perfect", "unstruggling", and "never sinning"? Is this the reality that the Bible speaks about or is this something that Christians have been pegged with by an unbelieving world? Unfortunately the term "hypocrite" is always tagged to the Christian faith because of the blatant hypocrisy within our churches today. However, there must be a realization among believers and non-believers alike that until we reach heaven and are glorified we have not achieved some form of perfection or are now not struggling with sin and this world. In fact our lives as Christians have now become even more complicated because we have a fleshly nature wanting and desiring to do what the flesh wants and the Holy Spirit indwelling us convicting us to abide by God's truth.
Throughout Paul's writings he often uses the analogy of a race in which runners are running to win a prize. As Christians we are on a race with a course marked out for us and it is the Lord who enables us to have the endurance and the perseverance to run that race, but it is a race and we have not finished quite yet. Paul himself admits here in Philippians earlier on that he wants to somehow be found with Christ in his death and attain to the resurrection of the dead...but immediately after he admits that he has not achieved this yet, he has not reached that point yet.
Paul in fact explains in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 that he is in training, " Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We see here that even Paul had to discipline his own body and make it a slave so that he would be faithful in fulfilling what Christ commanded. It didn't come natural to him despite the fact that he had been redeemed.
What we as believers need to realize is that our lives as "Christians" are not now perfect since we have been made new creations but they are now "purposeful". What I mean is that as believers we are still going to struggle with sin such as fear, worry, doubt and the list goes on but now we have the ability through Christ's conquering on the cross to overcome those sins. Our lives will still be marked by tragedy yet our response goes from a depressed mourning and sorrow and despair to finding hope in light of sadness knowing that our good God works all things together for His glory and our good because we are His kids. Our hearts will still be burdened at times through trial and yet we can now find joy as it says in James because we know that that trial is conforming us more into the image of Christ and preparing us for the good works that God has set forth for us to complete through Him. As Christians our lives are not perfect this side of heaven but purposeful because we are running a race marked out by a sovereign good God who is enabling our every move for His glory and our good and making us more like him so as Paul said in verse 14, we too can "...press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
(On a sidenote, as Christians we cannot use the excuse that we are not yet perfect to enable us to live lives that are not striving for holiness as God has commanded. We cannot use grace as a license to sin. Although we have not been made perfect we still have been called to live holy lives through His strength.)
In Acts 20:24 we read, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
GOD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US THE TASK OF SPREADING HIS TRUTH TO THIS LOST AND UNBELIEVING WORLD AND WE ARE TO BE FAITHFUL THROUGH HIS STRENGTH THAT ENABLES US TO DO THAT.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
DO WE RUN THIS WAY? DO WE RUN TO WIN CHRIST?
2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
MAY WE TOO BE ABLE TO SAY THIS
Why is it that as Christians we often times are expected to be "perfect", "unstruggling", and "never sinning"? Is this the reality that the Bible speaks about or is this something that Christians have been pegged with by an unbelieving world? Unfortunately the term "hypocrite" is always tagged to the Christian faith because of the blatant hypocrisy within our churches today. However, there must be a realization among believers and non-believers alike that until we reach heaven and are glorified we have not achieved some form of perfection or are now not struggling with sin and this world. In fact our lives as Christians have now become even more complicated because we have a fleshly nature wanting and desiring to do what the flesh wants and the Holy Spirit indwelling us convicting us to abide by God's truth.
Throughout Paul's writings he often uses the analogy of a race in which runners are running to win a prize. As Christians we are on a race with a course marked out for us and it is the Lord who enables us to have the endurance and the perseverance to run that race, but it is a race and we have not finished quite yet. Paul himself admits here in Philippians earlier on that he wants to somehow be found with Christ in his death and attain to the resurrection of the dead...but immediately after he admits that he has not achieved this yet, he has not reached that point yet.
Paul in fact explains in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 that he is in training, " Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We see here that even Paul had to discipline his own body and make it a slave so that he would be faithful in fulfilling what Christ commanded. It didn't come natural to him despite the fact that he had been redeemed.
What we as believers need to realize is that our lives as "Christians" are not now perfect since we have been made new creations but they are now "purposeful". What I mean is that as believers we are still going to struggle with sin such as fear, worry, doubt and the list goes on but now we have the ability through Christ's conquering on the cross to overcome those sins. Our lives will still be marked by tragedy yet our response goes from a depressed mourning and sorrow and despair to finding hope in light of sadness knowing that our good God works all things together for His glory and our good because we are His kids. Our hearts will still be burdened at times through trial and yet we can now find joy as it says in James because we know that that trial is conforming us more into the image of Christ and preparing us for the good works that God has set forth for us to complete through Him. As Christians our lives are not perfect this side of heaven but purposeful because we are running a race marked out by a sovereign good God who is enabling our every move for His glory and our good and making us more like him so as Paul said in verse 14, we too can "...press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
(On a sidenote, as Christians we cannot use the excuse that we are not yet perfect to enable us to live lives that are not striving for holiness as God has commanded. We cannot use grace as a license to sin. Although we have not been made perfect we still have been called to live holy lives through His strength.)
In Acts 20:24 we read, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
GOD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US THE TASK OF SPREADING HIS TRUTH TO THIS LOST AND UNBELIEVING WORLD AND WE ARE TO BE FAITHFUL THROUGH HIS STRENGTH THAT ENABLES US TO DO THAT.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
DO WE RUN THIS WAY? DO WE RUN TO WIN CHRIST?
2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
MAY WE TOO BE ABLE TO SAY THIS
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Who is The Master of My Fate??
Who is the master of my fate? That is a question that I think I would never utter because I "know" the truth, but often times I do not live like I "know" the truth.
Early a few mornings ago I was sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking beautiful Lake Isabella admiring God's glory and thinking on many things I had been wrestling with in my own mind when the providence of God entered my mind and brought me much encouragement...it was almost like a light bulb going off in my head. As I was praying about some things going on in my life; for wisdom and discernment and direction and that God's will would be done and not my own God brought Proverbs 16:33 to the forefront of my mind, " The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." All the worrying, all the questioning and all the uncertainity stopped at that very moment and I was able to rest in the comfort of knowing that my sovereign God had everything under control, had every step planned out and was going to prove Himself faithful forever.
Ironically or should I say providentially God spoke again to me on this very issue this weekend at church as Phil Johnson (Grace to You Ministries) brought a message from James. James, a book of wisdom in many ways tackles one of what can be the most depressing or encouraging topics in Christianity...God's sovereignty and providence.
James 4:13-17 "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
Any truth from a human perspective seems bleak but from God's, the divine we see glory and goodness of our mighty King and can find great encouragement.
Verse 14a "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow..
From a human perspective, the future is not certain. The only things that are certain are things that are specifically spelled out in Scripture as promises that have been revealed. Although you may offer that the sun will rise tomorrow at a certain time, it is not certain and we cannot be certain that even if it does rise tomorrow that we will be there to view it. Mark 13:32 says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We do not know the hour that He will return. Deut 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Here we see again that we really do not have any certainity about the future.
v14 "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
Secondly, our lives are not constant. Life itself is a variable, it is brief and fragile. Throughout Scripture we find countless warnings and exhortations from many different books explaining this very idea...that life is a vapor. Psalm 39:5, Psalm 89:47, Psalm 90:5, Isaiah 40:6-7 says, "A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass."
, 1 Peter 1:24, Job 7:6-7, 9:25-26 and 14:1-2. We are insignificant in the eternal scope of things.
v15-16 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."
Lastly, we are not sovereign. The rebuke we read in Scripture about planning here in James is not referring to planning but to leaving God out of your planning not planning relying on God's will or desiring that His will be done. There is no dependence shown towards God in this aspect. YOU CANNOT LEAVE HIM OUT OF IT!!! In our own pride there is often a tendency to think we know better or for us to plan things without seeking Him in prayer and with a desire that He will work it out. You can make all the plans you want but rarely does it, if ever, work out the way you think or want it to. The parables in the end of Matthew 24 and beginning of 25 show us that you must plan for life's uncertainities (from our perspective). We cannot control the future, even if we knew it we couldn't.
From the human perspective what we may be very discouraged. But take a look at it from the divine side of things and may you be encouraged. A simple definition of the providence of God is as follows, according to Phil Johnson " God's sovereign working in every detail of whatever happens to assure everything He created acheives the puprose He made it for!" What an encouragement in knowing that God is ultimately and intimately involved in every aspect of our lives.
v15 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
The future is absolutely certain! God knows the future, He has planned it and He will carry it out! Everything that happens is God's will, Ephesians 1:11 "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." In Isaiah 46:9-10 we read about God decreeing everything. In this we must also realize that evil is a part of God's plan although He is not the effectual cause of it, He planned for it. God was not surprised by it. He didn't create the world and stand back amazed that the fall occurred but instead He planned for it for His own glory and his wise and holy purposes.
v14"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
God is perfectly constant. Everytime I think about this attribute of God I find great comfort. Everything in life is changing constantly but we can find hope in the fact that He is the only being that never changes! He is always faithful, always true to His Word, and the same yesterday today and forevermore! James 1:17 and 1 Timothy 6:16
v15-16 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."
God is utterly sovereign. Do you realize that to think of God as anything other than being sovereign is not ok, in fact it is a sin! We wouldn't pray to an unsovereign God...think about that, it wouldn't make sense. Do not rob God of His glory in thinking that somehow we have some control over our lives. Colossians 1:16-17 says this so clearly when we read
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." There are no what we would call "random" happenings, everything happens for a specific purpose. Romans 8:28 wouldn't make sense otherwise. Proverbs 16:33 reminds us that it is God who directs our pathhs. James 1:19 and Romans 8:29-20 clearly states that it is even God who is sovereign over our salvation in every aspect! Genesis 45:5 teaches us that God is even sovereign over evil acts (Job gives us a clear picture of this as well). Think about that for a second, it was the most evil act in the world that God used to bring him the most glory and for the greatest good...the cross of Christ!
So who is the master of our fate? Who gets to make the shots, who gets to decide? Who makes the decisions? Who works things out for good in the lives of those who love him and who brings glory to His name? Who works EVERY DETAIL in order to acheive a specific end? GOD!! God is the master of our fate, He is the one who has it all under control. Remembering this such bring us great encouragement, joy and hope!!!
As Oswald Chambers has said "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
Early a few mornings ago I was sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking beautiful Lake Isabella admiring God's glory and thinking on many things I had been wrestling with in my own mind when the providence of God entered my mind and brought me much encouragement...it was almost like a light bulb going off in my head. As I was praying about some things going on in my life; for wisdom and discernment and direction and that God's will would be done and not my own God brought Proverbs 16:33 to the forefront of my mind, " The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." All the worrying, all the questioning and all the uncertainity stopped at that very moment and I was able to rest in the comfort of knowing that my sovereign God had everything under control, had every step planned out and was going to prove Himself faithful forever.
Ironically or should I say providentially God spoke again to me on this very issue this weekend at church as Phil Johnson (Grace to You Ministries) brought a message from James. James, a book of wisdom in many ways tackles one of what can be the most depressing or encouraging topics in Christianity...God's sovereignty and providence.
James 4:13-17 "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
Any truth from a human perspective seems bleak but from God's, the divine we see glory and goodness of our mighty King and can find great encouragement.
Verse 14a "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow..
From a human perspective, the future is not certain. The only things that are certain are things that are specifically spelled out in Scripture as promises that have been revealed. Although you may offer that the sun will rise tomorrow at a certain time, it is not certain and we cannot be certain that even if it does rise tomorrow that we will be there to view it. Mark 13:32 says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We do not know the hour that He will return. Deut 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Here we see again that we really do not have any certainity about the future.
v14 "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
Secondly, our lives are not constant. Life itself is a variable, it is brief and fragile. Throughout Scripture we find countless warnings and exhortations from many different books explaining this very idea...that life is a vapor. Psalm 39:5, Psalm 89:47, Psalm 90:5, Isaiah 40:6-7 says, "A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass."
, 1 Peter 1:24, Job 7:6-7, 9:25-26 and 14:1-2. We are insignificant in the eternal scope of things.
v15-16 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."
Lastly, we are not sovereign. The rebuke we read in Scripture about planning here in James is not referring to planning but to leaving God out of your planning not planning relying on God's will or desiring that His will be done. There is no dependence shown towards God in this aspect. YOU CANNOT LEAVE HIM OUT OF IT!!! In our own pride there is often a tendency to think we know better or for us to plan things without seeking Him in prayer and with a desire that He will work it out. You can make all the plans you want but rarely does it, if ever, work out the way you think or want it to. The parables in the end of Matthew 24 and beginning of 25 show us that you must plan for life's uncertainities (from our perspective). We cannot control the future, even if we knew it we couldn't.
From the human perspective what we may be very discouraged. But take a look at it from the divine side of things and may you be encouraged. A simple definition of the providence of God is as follows, according to Phil Johnson " God's sovereign working in every detail of whatever happens to assure everything He created acheives the puprose He made it for!" What an encouragement in knowing that God is ultimately and intimately involved in every aspect of our lives.
v15 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
The future is absolutely certain! God knows the future, He has planned it and He will carry it out! Everything that happens is God's will, Ephesians 1:11 "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." In Isaiah 46:9-10 we read about God decreeing everything. In this we must also realize that evil is a part of God's plan although He is not the effectual cause of it, He planned for it. God was not surprised by it. He didn't create the world and stand back amazed that the fall occurred but instead He planned for it for His own glory and his wise and holy purposes.
v14"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
God is perfectly constant. Everytime I think about this attribute of God I find great comfort. Everything in life is changing constantly but we can find hope in the fact that He is the only being that never changes! He is always faithful, always true to His Word, and the same yesterday today and forevermore! James 1:17 and 1 Timothy 6:16
v15-16 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."
God is utterly sovereign. Do you realize that to think of God as anything other than being sovereign is not ok, in fact it is a sin! We wouldn't pray to an unsovereign God...think about that, it wouldn't make sense. Do not rob God of His glory in thinking that somehow we have some control over our lives. Colossians 1:16-17 says this so clearly when we read
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." There are no what we would call "random" happenings, everything happens for a specific purpose. Romans 8:28 wouldn't make sense otherwise. Proverbs 16:33 reminds us that it is God who directs our pathhs. James 1:19 and Romans 8:29-20 clearly states that it is even God who is sovereign over our salvation in every aspect! Genesis 45:5 teaches us that God is even sovereign over evil acts (Job gives us a clear picture of this as well). Think about that for a second, it was the most evil act in the world that God used to bring him the most glory and for the greatest good...the cross of Christ!
So who is the master of our fate? Who gets to make the shots, who gets to decide? Who makes the decisions? Who works things out for good in the lives of those who love him and who brings glory to His name? Who works EVERY DETAIL in order to acheive a specific end? GOD!! God is the master of our fate, He is the one who has it all under control. Remembering this such bring us great encouragement, joy and hope!!!
As Oswald Chambers has said "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
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