“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20
Have you noticed how the mores of society are upside down, compared to the Word of God? According to the world, sex before marriage (and indeed, not even getting married at all) is expected, homosexuality is just another alternative lifestyle, abortion is acceptable, getting drunk is seen as cool, etc. Yet the Bible says all of these are sin. According to the world, evolution is fact and those who believe it are sophisticated and educated, but those who teach creationism are guilty of brainwashing. The world sees Christians as intolerant and backwards, but those who embrace the New Age are seen as open-minded.
Let’s face it: if we hold tight to the Word of God, we are never going to agree with the world on what is right and wrong. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). If we believe the Bible, we are going to be in the minority. But that’s ok – the narrow road is the one that leads to life eternal.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Emmaus road
“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognising Him.” Luke 24:15-16
What I’m about to share is not one of those essential doctrines that we must all agree on. If you think differently, that’s fine. But this is a passage of Scripture that raises questions for many people, and those questions are worth answering.
There are two explanations that are usually given as to why the disciples did not recognise Jesus. The first is that they didn’t recognise Him at first because of the facial scarring, due to His beard being ripped out (Isa. 50:6). Then, when He broke the bread, they saw the scars in His wrists from the nails, and realised it was Jesus.
The second is that it is a spiritual veiling. This is the view that I agree with, and let me give the reasons why. First and most trivially, I find it hard to believe that they didn’t notice His hands until He broke the bread. Mary recognised Jesus from His voice (John 20:15-16), and He had talked with these disciples for most of the day. But more importantly, is the wording that is used that describes the veiling and unveiling: “but they were kept from recognising Him” (Luke 24:16), “then their eyes were opened and they recognised Him” (Luke 24:31). This speaks to me of a deliberate, spiritual veiling and unveiling, recognised by the disciples themselves as they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Similar examples can be found elsewhere in the Scriptures (1 Kin. 14:1-6, 2 Kin. 6:15-17, 2 Kin. 6:18-20).
As I said, this isn’t a doctrine that should divide us. But feel free to leave a comment if you want to...
What I’m about to share is not one of those essential doctrines that we must all agree on. If you think differently, that’s fine. But this is a passage of Scripture that raises questions for many people, and those questions are worth answering.
There are two explanations that are usually given as to why the disciples did not recognise Jesus. The first is that they didn’t recognise Him at first because of the facial scarring, due to His beard being ripped out (Isa. 50:6). Then, when He broke the bread, they saw the scars in His wrists from the nails, and realised it was Jesus.
The second is that it is a spiritual veiling. This is the view that I agree with, and let me give the reasons why. First and most trivially, I find it hard to believe that they didn’t notice His hands until He broke the bread. Mary recognised Jesus from His voice (John 20:15-16), and He had talked with these disciples for most of the day. But more importantly, is the wording that is used that describes the veiling and unveiling: “but they were kept from recognising Him” (Luke 24:16), “then their eyes were opened and they recognised Him” (Luke 24:31). This speaks to me of a deliberate, spiritual veiling and unveiling, recognised by the disciples themselves as they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Similar examples can be found elsewhere in the Scriptures (1 Kin. 14:1-6, 2 Kin. 6:15-17, 2 Kin. 6:18-20).
As I said, this isn’t a doctrine that should divide us. But feel free to leave a comment if you want to...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Remembering His words
“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered His words.” Luke 24:6-8
We can read through the Bible with a sense of wonderment at how all of the disciples failed to remember that Jesus said He would rise from the dead. However, we have the benefit of hindsight. They were right there in the thick of things, and despite being with Jesus day and night for three and a half years, their own faith was small. Jesus started telling them about how He would be crucified, after Peter made his confession of faith in Jesus as Messiah (Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:30, Luke 9:20). But every time He mentions His death, He also tells them that after three days He would be raised back to life (Matt. 16:21, Matt. 17:22-23, Matt. 20:19, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33-34, Luke 9:22, Luke 18:31-33). Whether they didn’t understand that He was talking about a literal, bodily resurrection, or whether they were too overcome with grief at Him talking about His death that they failed to hear it, in any case they didn’t figure it out until they arrived at the tomb and found it empty (Luke 24:8, John 2:22). Even the Pharisees remembered what He had said (Matt. 27:62-64).
Sometimes we too can forget the foundational promises of God, when we are in times of pain or grief. But Jesus still loved His disciples, and He still loves us, despite our weakness and our failings.
We can read through the Bible with a sense of wonderment at how all of the disciples failed to remember that Jesus said He would rise from the dead. However, we have the benefit of hindsight. They were right there in the thick of things, and despite being with Jesus day and night for three and a half years, their own faith was small. Jesus started telling them about how He would be crucified, after Peter made his confession of faith in Jesus as Messiah (Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:30, Luke 9:20). But every time He mentions His death, He also tells them that after three days He would be raised back to life (Matt. 16:21, Matt. 17:22-23, Matt. 20:19, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33-34, Luke 9:22, Luke 18:31-33). Whether they didn’t understand that He was talking about a literal, bodily resurrection, or whether they were too overcome with grief at Him talking about His death that they failed to hear it, in any case they didn’t figure it out until they arrived at the tomb and found it empty (Luke 24:8, John 2:22). Even the Pharisees remembered what He had said (Matt. 27:62-64).
Sometimes we too can forget the foundational promises of God, when we are in times of pain or grief. But Jesus still loved His disciples, and He still loves us, despite our weakness and our failings.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Money can't buy me love
“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:7
The Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, is one of the 1005 songs that Solomon wrote (1 Kin. 4:32). It describes the wedding night of Solomon and his bride, here called the Shulammite (Son. 6:13) - who was probably Abishag (1 Kin. 1:3, 2:21-22). According to Jewish custom, a man was forbidden to read the book until he was thirty years old.
So, there are many verses in this book that are quite explicit, but we must also remember that the book is included in Scripture for a reason. The reason is this: it describes to us the depth of God’s love for His people, of Christ’s love for the church. With that in mind, let’s read this verse again.
“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” As Paul said in the New Testament, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). God will never stop loving us. Fact.
“If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” This is true for human love as well as God’s love. It’s true: money can’t buy you love. When it comes to God’s love, He gives it to us as a free gift. You can’t earn God’s love. He loved you before time began. You can’t pay Him back, either. All you can do is accept it, and love Him in return.
The Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, is one of the 1005 songs that Solomon wrote (1 Kin. 4:32). It describes the wedding night of Solomon and his bride, here called the Shulammite (Son. 6:13) - who was probably Abishag (1 Kin. 1:3, 2:21-22). According to Jewish custom, a man was forbidden to read the book until he was thirty years old.
So, there are many verses in this book that are quite explicit, but we must also remember that the book is included in Scripture for a reason. The reason is this: it describes to us the depth of God’s love for His people, of Christ’s love for the church. With that in mind, let’s read this verse again.
“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” As Paul said in the New Testament, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). God will never stop loving us. Fact.
“If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” This is true for human love as well as God’s love. It’s true: money can’t buy you love. When it comes to God’s love, He gives it to us as a free gift. You can’t earn God’s love. He loved you before time began. You can’t pay Him back, either. All you can do is accept it, and love Him in return.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Trust God
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
No matter where we are at in our Christian walk, there’s one thing we can all grow more in: trusting God. I was listening recently to a sermon* by Alwyn Wall, pastor of Calvary Chapel Westminster (London, UK), where he pointed out that it’s difficult to trust someone you don’t know – and we come to know God by reading His Word.
As we read the Scriptures, we see example after example where God was faithful to His people, and faithful to keep His word. Why should it be any different today? God hasn’t changed.
With God on our side, we have no reason to fear. David asks here, “What can mortal man do to me?” Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more” (Luke 12:4). Mortal man can only affect our mortal bodies. He cannot touch your spirit, unless you let him. How much more important it is to fear God – who decides on each person’s eternal destiny, based on their acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
* Jude 1:17-25, available from http://www.calvarylondon.co.uk/pages/Downloads.html
No matter where we are at in our Christian walk, there’s one thing we can all grow more in: trusting God. I was listening recently to a sermon* by Alwyn Wall, pastor of Calvary Chapel Westminster (London, UK), where he pointed out that it’s difficult to trust someone you don’t know – and we come to know God by reading His Word.
As we read the Scriptures, we see example after example where God was faithful to His people, and faithful to keep His word. Why should it be any different today? God hasn’t changed.
With God on our side, we have no reason to fear. David asks here, “What can mortal man do to me?” Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more” (Luke 12:4). Mortal man can only affect our mortal bodies. He cannot touch your spirit, unless you let him. How much more important it is to fear God – who decides on each person’s eternal destiny, based on their acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
* Jude 1:17-25, available from http://www.calvarylondon.co.uk/pages/Downloads.html
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Be broken or be crushed
“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Luke 20:18
The stone, or rock, is a symbol throughout the Scriptures of Jesus Christ. In Daniel 2:34 He is the rock that is ‘cut out, but not by human hands’ that smashes the kingdoms of men and establishes His own kingdom that fills the earth. He is the rock in the wilderness that provided water for the children of Israel (1 Cor. 10:4). Faith in Him amongst His own is the rock on which He will build His church (Matt. 16:18). He is the chief cornerstone of the foundation (Eph. 2:20).
Here we read that we have two choices when it comes to this stone – the stone that the builders (Israel) rejected, that has become the capstone (Matt. 20:17). We can fall on Him and be broken in repentance, or He will fall on us in judgement at the end of days. As we read in Phil. 2:10-11, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
One day all will bow before Jesus Christ. The question is: will you do it voluntarily or involuntarily? How much better to fall on Him and be broken – because then He will raise you up for glory in His kingdom.
The stone, or rock, is a symbol throughout the Scriptures of Jesus Christ. In Daniel 2:34 He is the rock that is ‘cut out, but not by human hands’ that smashes the kingdoms of men and establishes His own kingdom that fills the earth. He is the rock in the wilderness that provided water for the children of Israel (1 Cor. 10:4). Faith in Him amongst His own is the rock on which He will build His church (Matt. 16:18). He is the chief cornerstone of the foundation (Eph. 2:20).
Here we read that we have two choices when it comes to this stone – the stone that the builders (Israel) rejected, that has become the capstone (Matt. 20:17). We can fall on Him and be broken in repentance, or He will fall on us in judgement at the end of days. As we read in Phil. 2:10-11, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
One day all will bow before Jesus Christ. The question is: will you do it voluntarily or involuntarily? How much better to fall on Him and be broken – because then He will raise you up for glory in His kingdom.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Burdens
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22
We all have cares and worries that arise in life. Some are small and seem insignificant; others are large and feel overwhelming at times. But it’s important to remember, no matter how big your burden is, that it is never too big or heavy for God. And, no matter how small it is, it’s not too small for God to care about.
Think of a soft drink can. If it’s empty, and we stand on it, the can will be crushed. How can a can be stood on without being crushed? If it is full. The pressure from the outside is still the same, and the can is still made of the same material, but it’s the contents that keep the can in shape and help it resist that external pressure. Similarly with us: if we are full of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens us against any outside pressure. But we need to trust Him, that we won’t be crushed.
Here are some more verses to encourage you:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
We all have cares and worries that arise in life. Some are small and seem insignificant; others are large and feel overwhelming at times. But it’s important to remember, no matter how big your burden is, that it is never too big or heavy for God. And, no matter how small it is, it’s not too small for God to care about.
Think of a soft drink can. If it’s empty, and we stand on it, the can will be crushed. How can a can be stood on without being crushed? If it is full. The pressure from the outside is still the same, and the can is still made of the same material, but it’s the contents that keep the can in shape and help it resist that external pressure. Similarly with us: if we are full of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens us against any outside pressure. But we need to trust Him, that we won’t be crushed.
Here are some more verses to encourage you:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
Thursday, March 3, 2011
When a friend betrays you
“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” Psalm 55:12-14
Have you ever had it happen where someone whom you once regarded as a close friend, turned against you? When this happens, it’s worse than ‘mere’ persecution. You’ve trusted this person, you’ve relied on them, you’ve shared time and secrets with them. Then they turn on you, and use what you’ve told them as ammunition against you. The hurt that they can cause is deeper than if it is an enemy attacking you, because in that case you are prepared for it.
Jesus knew this all too well. He was betrayed by one of His own disciples, the inner circle of the Twelve. For three and a half years He had taught them, walked with them, eaten with them, lived together with them. Yet there was still one who did not believe, and turned aside for his own personal gain. Yes, Jesus chose Judas, knowing he would betray Him. But He also befriended him and opened Himself up to him.
So if you’re facing this kind of situation today, take heart: Jesus knows what it is like. And you can always trust Him – He will never forsake you.
Have you ever had it happen where someone whom you once regarded as a close friend, turned against you? When this happens, it’s worse than ‘mere’ persecution. You’ve trusted this person, you’ve relied on them, you’ve shared time and secrets with them. Then they turn on you, and use what you’ve told them as ammunition against you. The hurt that they can cause is deeper than if it is an enemy attacking you, because in that case you are prepared for it.
Jesus knew this all too well. He was betrayed by one of His own disciples, the inner circle of the Twelve. For three and a half years He had taught them, walked with them, eaten with them, lived together with them. Yet there was still one who did not believe, and turned aside for his own personal gain. Yes, Jesus chose Judas, knowing he would betray Him. But He also befriended him and opened Himself up to him.
So if you’re facing this kind of situation today, take heart: Jesus knows what it is like. And you can always trust Him – He will never forsake you.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Loving money
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
As we know, Solomon was the richest man in the world at one time. His income is listed as being 666 talents of gold per annum (1 Kin. 10:14), or about 23 metric tons, which in today’s price of gold would be around 1 billion US dollars. So he is more than qualified to write about what life is like when you have a lot of money. Can you imagine what it would be like to not be satisfied with an annual income of a billion dollars? But if you love money, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you make; you will never be satisfied.
John D. Rockefeller was asked once, “How much money is enough money?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.” How much better it is, to be like the apostle Paul: “I know what it is to b ein need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12).
Paul also tells us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). The pursuit of more money, if you get drawn in to it, is neverending. As you focus more and more of your life on getting more, your relationship with God will suffer. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24).
The issue is not having money. The problem comes when we love it.
As we know, Solomon was the richest man in the world at one time. His income is listed as being 666 talents of gold per annum (1 Kin. 10:14), or about 23 metric tons, which in today’s price of gold would be around 1 billion US dollars. So he is more than qualified to write about what life is like when you have a lot of money. Can you imagine what it would be like to not be satisfied with an annual income of a billion dollars? But if you love money, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you make; you will never be satisfied.
John D. Rockefeller was asked once, “How much money is enough money?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.” How much better it is, to be like the apostle Paul: “I know what it is to b ein need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12).
Paul also tells us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). The pursuit of more money, if you get drawn in to it, is neverending. As you focus more and more of your life on getting more, your relationship with God will suffer. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24).
The issue is not having money. The problem comes when we love it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Vows
“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it.” Ecclesiastes 5:5
There are a few passages in the Bible, both Old and New Testament, concerning the making of vows. To sum them all up, making vows is not wrong, but we need to be careful when we do make vows, that we keep our word. Also, we shouldn’t be people who have to make an oath every time we promise to do something – our word should be enough (Matt. 5:33-37).
If we do make a vow and fail to keep it, it is worse than if we had not made the vow in the first place. I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told of the two sons in Matt. 21:28-31. He asked both sons to go and work in his vineyard. The first said he wouldn’t, but later did. The second said he would, but did not. Both ended up not doing what they said, but it is better to be in the first situation than the second.
We might not make many oaths or vows today; those are generally reserved for solemn occasions such as giving evidence in court or getting married. But on top of these, there are many occasions every day where we make a promise to someone, saying ‘I’ll do that when...’. So make sure you do!
There are a few passages in the Bible, both Old and New Testament, concerning the making of vows. To sum them all up, making vows is not wrong, but we need to be careful when we do make vows, that we keep our word. Also, we shouldn’t be people who have to make an oath every time we promise to do something – our word should be enough (Matt. 5:33-37).
If we do make a vow and fail to keep it, it is worse than if we had not made the vow in the first place. I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told of the two sons in Matt. 21:28-31. He asked both sons to go and work in his vineyard. The first said he wouldn’t, but later did. The second said he would, but did not. Both ended up not doing what they said, but it is better to be in the first situation than the second.
We might not make many oaths or vows today; those are generally reserved for solemn occasions such as giving evidence in court or getting married. But on top of these, there are many occasions every day where we make a promise to someone, saying ‘I’ll do that when...’. So make sure you do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)