"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 3-4)
The book of Jude has been one of great encouragement and yet strict warning for me. As I have studied the book and gained more and more insight into its meaning and importance, I have found myself plumbing the depths of weighty matters.
Jude is a concise book written to warn and call those in the faith to contend for that very faith, although originally intended to encourage about our common salvation, We are challenged to be alert, to be quick to recognize, and to discern frightening realities within our own churches as the audience of Jude's letter was too. Apostasy was very real, and easily overlooked. It had become a 'Truth War', as John MacArthur likes to refer to it. There has been in infiltration in the church of people who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. And although apostasy was nothing new, Jesus himself discussed it in the Gospels with the parable of the seeds, it was a burden on the heart of Jude, and a threat to all believers.
In order to really understand what Jude is getting at, one must understand what he means when he speaks of apostasy. Apostates were not those people who had never heard the truth and lived their day to day life in sin. John MacArthur explains it well, "When you talk specifically about an apostate, you're talking about someone who has received the light but not the life, the seed but not the fruit, the perhaps the written Word but not the living Word. It is a willful and deliberate rejection of the truth after the truth has been heard." What is frightening about these people is that they get into Christianity, they get into the church, and they hide themselves, often unnoticed. Apostle Paul tells the people in Acts 20:28, "Be on guard for yourselves and all the flock." You've got to be on guard. Why? "Because after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock." And here's the danger. "From among your own selves men will arise speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them and therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish each one with tears."
But how do they defend themselves from this dangerous enemy? How do we? Well he says, "I commend you to God and the Word of His grace which is able to build you up." The only way one is going to be able to discern an apostate is if they are in the Word, and know it. "Apostates go away from the truth, they don't necessarily go away from the church. Apostasy has plagued the church not only in individual situations, but in massive ways. Roman Catholicism is an apostate form of Christianity. Liberalism is an apostate form of Christianity. Neo-orthodoxy is an apostate form of Christianity. And every cult and ism and chism that's come along in the name of Christianity that deviates from the true gospel is an apostate form. Every preacher who doesn't preach the truth is an apostate preacher."
Jude loved the people whom he wrote to, calling them beloved, and because he loved them so, he was willing to tell them the truth. A much needed warning, a great exhortation, and a compelling for each one and us today. So, because of the danger of apostasy, Jude says, "I have to write...I have to write." The question is will we obey? Will we take heed? Will we do the hardwork of diligently studying the Word of God and become experts in the truth so we might contend for our faith!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Repent, Remember and Rest!
Being sanctified doesn't always "feel" good. Let's face it, even though we "know" and "believe" that the test, trial, or refining that we are going through is going to produce Christ like character in us and turn out for our good, in the moment, it's tough. And the Lord, in His love and mercy, tends to sanctify us in areas in which we are least comfortable with in order to REMIND us of our dependence upon Him. I say all of this, because the Lord is refining me in an area that I believe many Christians struggle with, that is with the "unknown". This lack of knowledge displays fruit in fear, worry, anxiety, stress, burden, and the list goes on. And at the root, is a heinous sin, I am ashamed to admit...distrust in the sovereign God.
You see, it is more complicated than it seems. In my mind, and with my lips, I would never doubt God's goodness, His plan, or His provision. I have seen His faithfulness displayed in countless ways that have humbled my heart to always trust. And yet, there seems, at times, to be a disconnect between my head and my heart. What I know, doesn't translate into what I do. More specifically, in how I respond to uncomfortable circumstances in my life.
As of late I have been mediating on the following verse ( and passage in context ) in Matthew from the lips of Jesus himself,
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (v34)
I have learned a lot from this passage, and during this season of sanctification in my life, both from the Word and from commentaries on it. I want to share a couple principles with you in regards to worry, the unknown, and the like, in hopes that it might strengthen and encourage you to press on.
(1) REMEMBER who your Father Is: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" -Matthew 7:11
Growing up, I had no reason to fear or worry about where I would lay my head at night, when my next meal would be, or if I'd have clothes to wear to school. Why? Because I had unwavering trust and confidence in my dad as my provider. This childlike faith goes hand in hand with the faith we as Christians are called to and enabled to have with our Father. My earthly father doesn't even compare to my Father in heaven, and yet I fail to remember who He is. I forget that He is sovereign, in control, and working everything together for my good and His glory. And although I may not think I have forgotten, the reactions I have in certain situations, or the doubts I experience, are evidence of the reality of my faithlessness. When tempted to worry or fret, stop for a moment, and REMEMBER who your Father is. If He has saved you from eternal damnation, why would you fear He won't provide exactly what you need for today.
(2) REMEMBER His Faithfulness"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." -1 Corinthians 1:9
It doesn't take long after starting in Genesis to see the faithfulness of God displayed. All throughout the Old and into the New testament, the Scriptures are filled with an unending story of God's perfect faithfulness. And if you look back on your own life you see the evidences of it even more personally. His faithfulness, as Scripture says, "reaches to the skys". It is amazing to see it in action, and it is consistently perfect. That is an incredible Truth that brings me so much joy and so much comfort! In moments of despair, confusion, and uncertainty, REMEMBER the faithfulness of God throughout all generations and in your life too.
May you see the sin in the fruits of your unknown circumstances, repent, remember and REST in the One who is faithful!
"Children of God... will you not bear witness, that, through all your trials and troubles, the faithfulness of your Savior's love has been the “very joy of your hearts?” You have had many crosses and losses – has He ever deserted you? You have been in severe afflictions, and have seen the flowers of many a “sweet hope” wither and decay – did your Friend desert you then? Others may have proved faithless – all other help may have failed you – friendship’s help, promised help, expected help – all, all may have been but as the foam upon the billow, as the footsteps in the sand – but, has Christ ever failed you? Could you, in the darkest and the saddest hour of your grief, say to Him? “Lord, You have promised what You did not perform.” Will you not bear witness concerning the past? – “Not one good thing has failed, of all that the Lord has promised – all has come to pass.” -John MacDuff
You see, it is more complicated than it seems. In my mind, and with my lips, I would never doubt God's goodness, His plan, or His provision. I have seen His faithfulness displayed in countless ways that have humbled my heart to always trust. And yet, there seems, at times, to be a disconnect between my head and my heart. What I know, doesn't translate into what I do. More specifically, in how I respond to uncomfortable circumstances in my life.
As of late I have been mediating on the following verse ( and passage in context ) in Matthew from the lips of Jesus himself,
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (v34)
I have learned a lot from this passage, and during this season of sanctification in my life, both from the Word and from commentaries on it. I want to share a couple principles with you in regards to worry, the unknown, and the like, in hopes that it might strengthen and encourage you to press on.
(1) REMEMBER who your Father Is: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" -Matthew 7:11
Growing up, I had no reason to fear or worry about where I would lay my head at night, when my next meal would be, or if I'd have clothes to wear to school. Why? Because I had unwavering trust and confidence in my dad as my provider. This childlike faith goes hand in hand with the faith we as Christians are called to and enabled to have with our Father. My earthly father doesn't even compare to my Father in heaven, and yet I fail to remember who He is. I forget that He is sovereign, in control, and working everything together for my good and His glory. And although I may not think I have forgotten, the reactions I have in certain situations, or the doubts I experience, are evidence of the reality of my faithlessness. When tempted to worry or fret, stop for a moment, and REMEMBER who your Father is. If He has saved you from eternal damnation, why would you fear He won't provide exactly what you need for today.
(2) REMEMBER His Faithfulness"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." -1 Corinthians 1:9
It doesn't take long after starting in Genesis to see the faithfulness of God displayed. All throughout the Old and into the New testament, the Scriptures are filled with an unending story of God's perfect faithfulness. And if you look back on your own life you see the evidences of it even more personally. His faithfulness, as Scripture says, "reaches to the skys". It is amazing to see it in action, and it is consistently perfect. That is an incredible Truth that brings me so much joy and so much comfort! In moments of despair, confusion, and uncertainty, REMEMBER the faithfulness of God throughout all generations and in your life too.
May you see the sin in the fruits of your unknown circumstances, repent, remember and REST in the One who is faithful!
"Children of God... will you not bear witness, that, through all your trials and troubles, the faithfulness of your Savior's love has been the “very joy of your hearts?” You have had many crosses and losses – has He ever deserted you? You have been in severe afflictions, and have seen the flowers of many a “sweet hope” wither and decay – did your Friend desert you then? Others may have proved faithless – all other help may have failed you – friendship’s help, promised help, expected help – all, all may have been but as the foam upon the billow, as the footsteps in the sand – but, has Christ ever failed you? Could you, in the darkest and the saddest hour of your grief, say to Him? “Lord, You have promised what You did not perform.” Will you not bear witness concerning the past? – “Not one good thing has failed, of all that the Lord has promised – all has come to pass.” -John MacDuff
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Job's Example
"This is the essence of God’s sovereignty; His absolute independence to do as He pleases and His absolute control over the actions of all His creatures. No creature, person, or empire can either thwart His will or act outside the bounds of His will."
There is something so comforting knowing that God IS sovereign. It seems as if this attribute is one I remind myself of almost daily. In moments of confusion, in moments of despair, in moments of pain, and in moments of sheer happiness, I am reminded of the precious Truth that THE LORD IS SOVEREIGN. I rejoice in this Truth because I know that NO MATTER WHAT, there is NOTHING, and NOBODY, that can thwart His plan. That is an incredible thought. To know that no act of Satan, no sin of man, no groan of creation, NOTHING, happens apart from the sovereign hand, design, and will of our good God.
The story of Job is such a perfect reminder for this very reality. Having the Word of God gives us the privilege of hearing the conversation between God and Satan and seeing the role of God's sovereign hand in the trials that befall this righteous man. We look and marvel at the story, we know the beginning and the end, but Job only knew the moments as they played. I often wonder what Job must have been thinking while God watched and smiled at his faith and Satan was frustrated over and over again. Here is a man who had it all, spiritually and physically speaking. He seemed to be living a life abundantly blessed, and for the glory of God alone; and then in a matter of moments, everything was taken from him, every earthly possession that is. Yes his faith was tested, yes despair set in, but his trust in a sovereign God kept Him clinging to the faith He held so dear. We hear this in Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. " Through it all Job held on KNOWING His God was sovereignly in control of every detail of every circumstance, no matter how baffling or confusing it seemed in the moment.
I want to have faith like Job. I want to see God's sovereignty as a Truth that is unshakable. I want to KNOW and trust His perfect plan no matter what comes my way, believing that He is working all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). If God weren't sovereign, my faith would be empty, my hope destroyed, and the promise of eternity in question...but because HE IS sovereign, my faith is strong, my hope is sure, and the promise of forever with my Jesus is eternally secure. I rejoice in His sovereignty, more than most any other thing about my God, for it is by this Truth that I rest completely in Him.
There is something so comforting knowing that God IS sovereign. It seems as if this attribute is one I remind myself of almost daily. In moments of confusion, in moments of despair, in moments of pain, and in moments of sheer happiness, I am reminded of the precious Truth that THE LORD IS SOVEREIGN. I rejoice in this Truth because I know that NO MATTER WHAT, there is NOTHING, and NOBODY, that can thwart His plan. That is an incredible thought. To know that no act of Satan, no sin of man, no groan of creation, NOTHING, happens apart from the sovereign hand, design, and will of our good God.
The story of Job is such a perfect reminder for this very reality. Having the Word of God gives us the privilege of hearing the conversation between God and Satan and seeing the role of God's sovereign hand in the trials that befall this righteous man. We look and marvel at the story, we know the beginning and the end, but Job only knew the moments as they played. I often wonder what Job must have been thinking while God watched and smiled at his faith and Satan was frustrated over and over again. Here is a man who had it all, spiritually and physically speaking. He seemed to be living a life abundantly blessed, and for the glory of God alone; and then in a matter of moments, everything was taken from him, every earthly possession that is. Yes his faith was tested, yes despair set in, but his trust in a sovereign God kept Him clinging to the faith He held so dear. We hear this in Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. " Through it all Job held on KNOWING His God was sovereignly in control of every detail of every circumstance, no matter how baffling or confusing it seemed in the moment.
I want to have faith like Job. I want to see God's sovereignty as a Truth that is unshakable. I want to KNOW and trust His perfect plan no matter what comes my way, believing that He is working all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). If God weren't sovereign, my faith would be empty, my hope destroyed, and the promise of eternity in question...but because HE IS sovereign, my faith is strong, my hope is sure, and the promise of forever with my Jesus is eternally secure. I rejoice in His sovereignty, more than most any other thing about my God, for it is by this Truth that I rest completely in Him.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
A Reflection and Looking Ahead
"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." -Colossians 1:17
2011 has been a year where my cup has overflowed. God has blessed me beyond comprehension with some wonderful gifts, and the most precious gift I could have ever received aside from my salvation, my incredible husband, made just for me. And the way in which He answered prayers, like that for a husband, were above and beyond all that I could have imagined or hoped for (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Throughout this year God has not only blessed me abundantly, but has, in His love, sanctified me in a variety of ways. I have seen His hand reveal areas of weakness in my life, and have felt the Spirit's strengthening power to run this race harder. This year my prayer was two-fold with regard to my own sanctification; that I might know Him better and that I might comprehend the weight of the Gospel more. I am an eternity from the total fruition of these prayers being answered, but can truly say that He has allowed me to see Jesus as more glorious and great this year, and He has made the Gospel more real in my life. For that, I am so thankful.
As I look back on this year, I am humbled and in awe of God's faithfulness. I wonder why I ever distrust such a perfectly sovereign and good God. Despite the suffering, trials, and daily battles I have faced, I have realized more than ever the goodness of the Great God we serve! His immutable faithfulness is dumbfounding, characteristics that I never grow weary of praising Him for.
I believe as Christians it is a good thing to look back over the year, whether full of blessing or trial, and stand in awe of our great God. When you begin to examine the days of the year, you can't help but find yourself thanking Him for His constant love, steadfast protection and provision, and grace in your life. You see more clearly His sustaining power in all things in your life. And recognize that it is by His grace you were given another year.
And as we reflect and bring Him glory, we prayerfully anticipate the next year, 2012. There are countless unknowns and the great possibility that we may see Him face to face this year! There is a vital need to pray, to entreat the mighty God, and expectantly hope in this year, knowing that whatever His will is for it will be good, perfect!
I am beyond excited for 2012, despite the unknowns, because I have a great Father in heaven who holds all things in His hands! It is another year to know HIm more, to bring Him more glory, and to enjoy the good gifts (like my sweet husband), that He has blessed me with!
Thank you Jesus for 2011, I trust you with 2012!
2011 has been a year where my cup has overflowed. God has blessed me beyond comprehension with some wonderful gifts, and the most precious gift I could have ever received aside from my salvation, my incredible husband, made just for me. And the way in which He answered prayers, like that for a husband, were above and beyond all that I could have imagined or hoped for (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Throughout this year God has not only blessed me abundantly, but has, in His love, sanctified me in a variety of ways. I have seen His hand reveal areas of weakness in my life, and have felt the Spirit's strengthening power to run this race harder. This year my prayer was two-fold with regard to my own sanctification; that I might know Him better and that I might comprehend the weight of the Gospel more. I am an eternity from the total fruition of these prayers being answered, but can truly say that He has allowed me to see Jesus as more glorious and great this year, and He has made the Gospel more real in my life. For that, I am so thankful.
As I look back on this year, I am humbled and in awe of God's faithfulness. I wonder why I ever distrust such a perfectly sovereign and good God. Despite the suffering, trials, and daily battles I have faced, I have realized more than ever the goodness of the Great God we serve! His immutable faithfulness is dumbfounding, characteristics that I never grow weary of praising Him for.
I believe as Christians it is a good thing to look back over the year, whether full of blessing or trial, and stand in awe of our great God. When you begin to examine the days of the year, you can't help but find yourself thanking Him for His constant love, steadfast protection and provision, and grace in your life. You see more clearly His sustaining power in all things in your life. And recognize that it is by His grace you were given another year.
And as we reflect and bring Him glory, we prayerfully anticipate the next year, 2012. There are countless unknowns and the great possibility that we may see Him face to face this year! There is a vital need to pray, to entreat the mighty God, and expectantly hope in this year, knowing that whatever His will is for it will be good, perfect!
I am beyond excited for 2012, despite the unknowns, because I have a great Father in heaven who holds all things in His hands! It is another year to know HIm more, to bring Him more glory, and to enjoy the good gifts (like my sweet husband), that He has blessed me with!
Thank you Jesus for 2011, I trust you with 2012!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Gospel's Power to Humble
The human heart, by nature, is selfish and proud. Although it may be disguised at times in self pity or selfishly motivated humility, we must admit that being humble does not come "natural". And in a country and culture where self-worth, self-esteem, and pride is esteemed, being humble is all the more of a struggle. Yet, for the Christian, it is a command. Jesus himself called for a denial of self in order to be one of His disciples. And He goes further in summing up all the commandments into two; love Him first, and then love others...making you and me, number three. I'll be the first to admit that both of these characteristics that should define a Christ follower are struggles for me daily. My flesh is weak and although the Spirit is willing and able, I so often fail to draw from Him, and end up falling prey to my own fleshly wants and desires. I find myself like the Apostle Paul in Romans 7 saying, " For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing" (v19). And yet there is one thing that can humble me to my knees, one thing I must meditate more and more on, and preach continually to my heart- The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Christmas comes this week I have been daily reminded of the Gospel. I can't think of the little baby in the manger without immediately thinking about the man on the cross. I am dumbfounded when I recognize the weight of what happened during the transaction that day. And I am humbled beyond understanding when I recall the events of Christ's birth, life, and death. The God of the universe, coming to earth as a baby, in a stable? It sounds foolish. And then He goes further, purposefully planned, and dies the most heinous death possible, never once opening his mouth in rebuke or wrath. That kind of humility is out of this world, it is perfect in every way. It demands my worship, adoration, living.
And the message as Paul calls it in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God", is truly the most humbling. It forces a sinner to their knees, to a recognition of the true state of self, and to a humbling reality that there is no hope within the human race. It demands repentance. And yet, while devastating the pride of the individual and humiliating the person to their knees, it offers the sweetest of promises, the greatest of joys, and the most wonderful of hopes. It is humbling, but in the most satisfying way. A salvation that is solely His to give and freely ours to cling to. How precious, how great is this Truth.
My heart's hope is that this Christmas season will spur on a year of continual reflecting on the Gospel message. It is the only message that will bring about true humility as we live for Him each day, and enable us to selflessly live a life for the glory of His name!
As Christmas comes this week I have been daily reminded of the Gospel. I can't think of the little baby in the manger without immediately thinking about the man on the cross. I am dumbfounded when I recognize the weight of what happened during the transaction that day. And I am humbled beyond understanding when I recall the events of Christ's birth, life, and death. The God of the universe, coming to earth as a baby, in a stable? It sounds foolish. And then He goes further, purposefully planned, and dies the most heinous death possible, never once opening his mouth in rebuke or wrath. That kind of humility is out of this world, it is perfect in every way. It demands my worship, adoration, living.
And the message as Paul calls it in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God", is truly the most humbling. It forces a sinner to their knees, to a recognition of the true state of self, and to a humbling reality that there is no hope within the human race. It demands repentance. And yet, while devastating the pride of the individual and humiliating the person to their knees, it offers the sweetest of promises, the greatest of joys, and the most wonderful of hopes. It is humbling, but in the most satisfying way. A salvation that is solely His to give and freely ours to cling to. How precious, how great is this Truth.
My heart's hope is that this Christmas season will spur on a year of continual reflecting on the Gospel message. It is the only message that will bring about true humility as we live for Him each day, and enable us to selflessly live a life for the glory of His name!
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