Jesus showed God's love in His care for His disciples, and that shortly before He was to die a physically and mentally painful death. He told them they would be scattered and scared but to take heart, because He "had overcome the world." John 16:25-33
Jesus warned them:"though you "say" you believe, you must look to your faith. There will be trying times when your faith will waver and you will leave Me and shift for yourselves. Those who think they stand must beware of falling". He warns them that they may think their faith is strong until a hard struggle comes. No man is alone who has the presence of God with him. Seek Him and you will find. Call to Him and He will answer. Never give in to feelings, to doubts. He will never leave you or forsake you. "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Reprove The World
"And when He comes, He will reprove the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment..."
John 16:8 What grace is here, that Jesus came for us to lead us, to show us what God is like, to give us an appetite for Him, to teach us and bring us to Himself. To call reproof "grace" is a work of the Spirit. As it is, the world balks at being reproved. And all along, it is for our happiness and rest. In fact, there is none apart from it.
What is reprove? To be reproved is to be corrected, warned...'you're going the wrong way, stop!' Real rebukes to convince. However, "it is one thing to convince the understanding and quite another to prevail upon the will". So writes Matthew Poole. He continues, "...because of the total corruption of our soul, we will not embrace what we confess as truth nor do we know what is best. But through the stubbornness of our will, we resist the light and conviction of our understanding. The Holy Spirit is here promised not only to lead men into truth by a work of illumination, but to BOW the hearts and wills to the embracing of it and living up to it while others remain without excuse."
I'm so thankful for reproof! Where would I be without it? Shudder to think....
John 16:8 What grace is here, that Jesus came for us to lead us, to show us what God is like, to give us an appetite for Him, to teach us and bring us to Himself. To call reproof "grace" is a work of the Spirit. As it is, the world balks at being reproved. And all along, it is for our happiness and rest. In fact, there is none apart from it.
What is reprove? To be reproved is to be corrected, warned...'you're going the wrong way, stop!' Real rebukes to convince. However, "it is one thing to convince the understanding and quite another to prevail upon the will". So writes Matthew Poole. He continues, "...because of the total corruption of our soul, we will not embrace what we confess as truth nor do we know what is best. But through the stubbornness of our will, we resist the light and conviction of our understanding. The Holy Spirit is here promised not only to lead men into truth by a work of illumination, but to BOW the hearts and wills to the embracing of it and living up to it while others remain without excuse."
I'm so thankful for reproof! Where would I be without it? Shudder to think....
Friday, August 23, 2019
The Door to Life
Death's door or Life's door? Between the two, I would say we would all choose life. But do we? Faith is the path to The Path. We have the faith to turn on the light of a lamp expecting the electricity we do not see, to produce the light we will see. There is nothing so fantastic than declaring yourself The Door. But that is just what Jesus said. And people do not realize to reject Him, for whatever reason they allow, is to reject the Door to life. And the consequences will be Death to them.
It gives me intense and sickening angst as I write that introduction, for I personally know and love many who have rejected Christ. And I grieve as well over anyone that will not seek to find what God in His mercy enabled me to do. It's a surrender of all to His All. And while it's a one time act, it's a lifetime process of learning and relearning because we are indeed stupid sheep.
"I am the door. By Me, If any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9) Matthew Poole writes in his commentary about this verse the following:
"Our Savior here lets us know, that He meant by "the door", the door of salvation: the way by which every man must enter into life that findeth life... And he, who so believeth in Me, shall be so guided, and governed, and taught, that he shall be secure, and want nothing for the management of his whole conversation in the world. Under the notion of "pasture" here, are signified all good things that the soul can stand in need of."
Secure, having all we need for the management of our whole life here in the world, all good things that we need! What a list! Just that list alone could enable a person to drop the heavy load they carry in this life and to realize our Savior is there to carry it and guide us through the dark and the light. For in reality, we need guidance on our good days as well, so we won't make stupid decisions based on feelings. This is not as easy as it sounds, but the truth of it is staggering and it will change our lives in ways we would not have imagined.
He makes us secure because He is our Security. (He, like the shepherd, owns the sheep and has a vested interest in their welfare!) He gives us all we need to manage our lives while living on this earth. The Bible is our daily book of instruction toward that management. It guides, governs and teaches. And in case anything is not covered, Poole says "and all good things that we need". In that falls the category of "rest" which I touched on in my last post.
So which door do you choose.? "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." You turn on a lamp with great faith that the unseen electricity will produce the desired result. Are we too stubborn in our own intellect to do something as fantastic as trusting in a God we cannot see or a Savior Who died for His own? The provision, the result will be staggering as you will see. You must bow humbly at the cross of a dying Savior to see the power of His resurrected intercession.
It gives me intense and sickening angst as I write that introduction, for I personally know and love many who have rejected Christ. And I grieve as well over anyone that will not seek to find what God in His mercy enabled me to do. It's a surrender of all to His All. And while it's a one time act, it's a lifetime process of learning and relearning because we are indeed stupid sheep.
"I am the door. By Me, If any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9) Matthew Poole writes in his commentary about this verse the following:
"Our Savior here lets us know, that He meant by "the door", the door of salvation: the way by which every man must enter into life that findeth life... And he, who so believeth in Me, shall be so guided, and governed, and taught, that he shall be secure, and want nothing for the management of his whole conversation in the world. Under the notion of "pasture" here, are signified all good things that the soul can stand in need of."
Secure, having all we need for the management of our whole life here in the world, all good things that we need! What a list! Just that list alone could enable a person to drop the heavy load they carry in this life and to realize our Savior is there to carry it and guide us through the dark and the light. For in reality, we need guidance on our good days as well, so we won't make stupid decisions based on feelings. This is not as easy as it sounds, but the truth of it is staggering and it will change our lives in ways we would not have imagined.
He makes us secure because He is our Security. (He, like the shepherd, owns the sheep and has a vested interest in their welfare!) He gives us all we need to manage our lives while living on this earth. The Bible is our daily book of instruction toward that management. It guides, governs and teaches. And in case anything is not covered, Poole says "and all good things that we need". In that falls the category of "rest" which I touched on in my last post.
So which door do you choose.? "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." You turn on a lamp with great faith that the unseen electricity will produce the desired result. Are we too stubborn in our own intellect to do something as fantastic as trusting in a God we cannot see or a Savior Who died for His own? The provision, the result will be staggering as you will see. You must bow humbly at the cross of a dying Savior to see the power of His resurrected intercession.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Sinful Maturity
Al Mohler talked recently about progressivism, a philosophy that says we are getting better throughout history. (Actually, it's way more complex than that. This is my take. And his post on this is worth the read!) They actually say we are more mature in our approach to certain things in society. While Mohler goes through many areas where that is true, he also weighs in on that which is not so mature or healthy.
I weigh in at "yes" we are mature alright. We are more mature in our sin. And because of that maturity ie. growth, the light is all but blocked out. Romans 16:19 says: "...I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil." Evil is pervasive and no longer regarded as evil. Sin seems to reign but it is not on the throne! God is and He has the final Word.
In John 8:34, Jesus describes the gravity if sin and the predicament of humanity under sin. His hearers did not understand the bondage they were in. Sin deprives us of the fulfillment of the purpose of those created in the image of God. Sin clouds our minds, degrades our feelings, and enslaves our wills. (Reformation Bible notes) Did you get that? Apart from Christ, you are a slave! A slave to sin.
True freedom is in serving the God who created us. The only remedy from the destruction in which sin plunges us is rebirth. Jesus told Nicodemus, a very intelligent and prominent man of the Pharisees, "You must be born again."(John 3:3) This perplexed him, as it does all "rational" men. How can you be born when you are old? Do you go back in your mother's womb? He knew better than that but he still did not understand because his understanding of true spiritual things was dark. Being "born again"is a supernatural work done by God! It changes everything about your outlook on all of life and sin. And you become a free man...free from sin. And while it is a process, "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:31-32; 34-36)
I weigh in at "yes" we are mature alright. We are more mature in our sin. And because of that maturity ie. growth, the light is all but blocked out. Romans 16:19 says: "...I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil." Evil is pervasive and no longer regarded as evil. Sin seems to reign but it is not on the throne! God is and He has the final Word.
In John 8:34, Jesus describes the gravity if sin and the predicament of humanity under sin. His hearers did not understand the bondage they were in. Sin deprives us of the fulfillment of the purpose of those created in the image of God. Sin clouds our minds, degrades our feelings, and enslaves our wills. (Reformation Bible notes) Did you get that? Apart from Christ, you are a slave! A slave to sin.
True freedom is in serving the God who created us. The only remedy from the destruction in which sin plunges us is rebirth. Jesus told Nicodemus, a very intelligent and prominent man of the Pharisees, "You must be born again."(John 3:3) This perplexed him, as it does all "rational" men. How can you be born when you are old? Do you go back in your mother's womb? He knew better than that but he still did not understand because his understanding of true spiritual things was dark. Being "born again"is a supernatural work done by God! It changes everything about your outlook on all of life and sin. And you become a free man...free from sin. And while it is a process, "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:31-32; 34-36)
"More than Fifteen Minutes"
I heard a young dad's conversation with a friend about his child's sleep patterns. The child had been adopted and was having trouble sleeping for more than fifteen minutes at a time. The young dad said, "I need more than fifteen minutes of sleep..." And it's really the same for most young moms and dads of small children, adopted or not. Sleep pattern adjustments for their little ones take time and perseverance on the part of the parents. Eventually, just like most of us, they begin to rest. And there is nothing more precious than a sleeping baby, especially to the sleep deprived parents. Family peace at last!
How like us as new believers! We lived a life of alienation from God. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, our eyes are opened to gospel and we are adopted into the family of God. It's exciting and scary. We know the change exists in our hearts but what now? How do we rest? When do we feel secure, steadfast and safe in this new life? We are babies. Our understanding is skewed. We begin to learn that trusting God is not done the moment we are saved. Yes, it does occur then as well, but shortly we begin to learn that it will be a process also.
The process will take time. We may rejoice at new learning that escalates our understanding of true trust and rest in Almighty God. But "fifteen minutes" later, we plummet to depths of despair over failure or a trial or unanswered prayer. The process begins again. We study, pray and humble ourselves before our All-sufficient Father. Before we know it, again that rest, trust and peace is amazingly restored and we feel like a new man. Then "fifteen minutes" later...
The perseverance of the saints is an awesome doctrine, like all the doctrines we learn in God's word. And praise God, He will never leave us or forsake us as long as we abide in Him. Let us rest in His promise and unchanging Word. And praise God for all the "fifteen minutes" of peace. One day it'll be forever peace. Family peace at last! Nothing more precious to God than the "sleep" of His children!
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Are You Listening?
In the post, "Gracious Dispensation", I touched on that Jesus came to preach. I would like to reiterate that point using scripture. Jesus came to preach! This was the life He lived. Salvation of sinners was the death He died. Eternal life was the product of defeat of death.
I know you can look this up but for emphasis, I will write it out and I will put the passage references in order at the end:
"Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
"He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."
"And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casino out the demons."
"And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them."
"And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them."
"But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
I love that last one, "I must preach...I was sent for this purpose." Are we listening?
[Mark 1:14, 38, 39; 2:2, 13; Luke 4:43]
[Others: Matthew 4:17, 23; 9:35; 12:18; Luke 4:18, 19, 43; Hebrews 2:3 (and I'm sure this isn't exhaustive.)]
I know you can look this up but for emphasis, I will write it out and I will put the passage references in order at the end:
"Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
"He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."
"And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casino out the demons."
"And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them."
"And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them."
"But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
I love that last one, "I must preach...I was sent for this purpose." Are we listening?
[Mark 1:14, 38, 39; 2:2, 13; Luke 4:43]
[Others: Matthew 4:17, 23; 9:35; 12:18; Luke 4:18, 19, 43; Hebrews 2:3 (and I'm sure this isn't exhaustive.)]
Fine Linen, Bright and Clean
"Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus...., he granted the body to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb." (Mark 15:43-46) Matthew 27 states, "And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb and went away."
Hebrews tells us that "the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edge sword..." (4:12) It is so amazing that no matter how many times you read a book of the Bible, you are going to see amazing new truths. So I'm studying the Revelation at church and we are in chapter 19. Beginning in verse seven, it says: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." I'm studying the book of Mark at home and I noticed something I've not noticed. Joseph "bought" a linen cloth. I had always read that as brought. But this was a new piece of linen, as well as his "own new tomb". The precious dead body of our Lord was wrapped in a new, clean linen cloth and put in a new tomb. I knew the tomb was new but not the cloth. Really had not thought about it. But having just studied the passage in Revelation about the bride being clothed in fine linen, bright and clean and that the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints, I couldn't help but put the two passages together. Joseph with his courageous, sacrificial act of serving his Lord by careful attention to His body was bestowing on Jesus a righteous act with the fine linen that he had bought. And one day, Joseph will be the bride of Christ and be clothed by Him in fine linen, bright and clean.
As said above, "amazing, living, active and sharp" Word of God.
Hebrews tells us that "the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edge sword..." (4:12) It is so amazing that no matter how many times you read a book of the Bible, you are going to see amazing new truths. So I'm studying the Revelation at church and we are in chapter 19. Beginning in verse seven, it says: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." I'm studying the book of Mark at home and I noticed something I've not noticed. Joseph "bought" a linen cloth. I had always read that as brought. But this was a new piece of linen, as well as his "own new tomb". The precious dead body of our Lord was wrapped in a new, clean linen cloth and put in a new tomb. I knew the tomb was new but not the cloth. Really had not thought about it. But having just studied the passage in Revelation about the bride being clothed in fine linen, bright and clean and that the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints, I couldn't help but put the two passages together. Joseph with his courageous, sacrificial act of serving his Lord by careful attention to His body was bestowing on Jesus a righteous act with the fine linen that he had bought. And one day, Joseph will be the bride of Christ and be clothed by Him in fine linen, bright and clean.
As said above, "amazing, living, active and sharp" Word of God.
Friday, April 19, 2019
No Future for Pride
The cotoneaster is a garden shrub that I chose in landscaping my new home. I knew nothing except that I liked the one picture I saw of it. I have three. I had no idea how wild they would be without proper knowledge of their upkeep. After eight years of wild and crazy, I finally educated myself, cut them way low and am looking forward to the beautiful plant they were meant to be.
One of the tips given in my research was "Always cut off the growth that shoots straight up. Nothing good ever comes from those branches." As I began to take off these shoots, I began thinking of pride: the pride that exists in a man and the desire he has to rise up above his peers. And taken to the extreme to rise above his Creator, as Satan did, enticing God's crowning creation, man, to do as well. To go beyond what God has prescribed has been the problem of man since the fall. It's called sin.
Pride is defined as a foolishly and irrationally corrupt sense of ones own personal value, status or accomplishments used synonomously with hubris. Hubris, in its ancient Greek context, typically defines behavior that challenge the gods and brings about the downfall of the perpetrator. That about sums up man's predicament. And for those who still have breath, the gospel of Jesus Christ opens a way to save man from the fatal predicament to which he is headed.
Man wants to rise above His creator, to malign God's Word as though it is not relevant for him. The person who will not have God rule over him or who redefines God's Word to suit himself is like that branch that grows straight up. He has lost sight of what he truly is and will be cut off to die, disconnected from all that he could have become. "Nothing good ever comes from those branches."
One of the tips given in my research was "Always cut off the growth that shoots straight up. Nothing good ever comes from those branches." As I began to take off these shoots, I began thinking of pride: the pride that exists in a man and the desire he has to rise up above his peers. And taken to the extreme to rise above his Creator, as Satan did, enticing God's crowning creation, man, to do as well. To go beyond what God has prescribed has been the problem of man since the fall. It's called sin.
Pride is defined as a foolishly and irrationally corrupt sense of ones own personal value, status or accomplishments used synonomously with hubris. Hubris, in its ancient Greek context, typically defines behavior that challenge the gods and brings about the downfall of the perpetrator. That about sums up man's predicament. And for those who still have breath, the gospel of Jesus Christ opens a way to save man from the fatal predicament to which he is headed.
Man wants to rise above His creator, to malign God's Word as though it is not relevant for him. The person who will not have God rule over him or who redefines God's Word to suit himself is like that branch that grows straight up. He has lost sight of what he truly is and will be cut off to die, disconnected from all that he could have become. "Nothing good ever comes from those branches."
Warning! Beware!
Over the years, from my own experiences and the experiences of other Christians, I have heard varied responses to sharing Christ. One of the big ones, and it is what I used before I was saved, is that the church is full of hypocrites. After I was saved, my response back was, "yes, where else would they be?"
But my short post today is about another response: "You are judging me." For any believers familiar with God's Word (and I hope all believers are students of the Word), we know that God is the Judge and the Word delivers His judgment. Our answer must be: "No! I am not your judge nor do I judge, as I am also judged by the Word of God. I am warning you. I'm your friend. I care. Please pay attention." Christians are not in the business of judging but of warning. This is loving, not hateful!
But my short post today is about another response: "You are judging me." For any believers familiar with God's Word (and I hope all believers are students of the Word), we know that God is the Judge and the Word delivers His judgment. Our answer must be: "No! I am not your judge nor do I judge, as I am also judged by the Word of God. I am warning you. I'm your friend. I care. Please pay attention." Christians are not in the business of judging but of warning. This is loving, not hateful!
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Futility
In my last post, ambition and the only right ambition was the subject. Running after the wrong kind of ambition leads to futility. What is futility? The inability to achieve a goal or purpose; pointless, useless, fruitless, vanity, ineffective. How tragic! Romans 8:20 says, "the whole creation was subjected to futility..." Why? No part of creation fulfills God's original purpose. "The whole creation groans."
In watching a battle scene in a movie, the commander of the loosing side, after a long, hard fight in the rain, yells, "RETREAT"! What would cause a commander, after all that fighting, to utter those words? They were not cowards or wimpy men. No! They were strong, brave and determined to win even though they knew they were few compared to the enemy. But their few hundreds against thousands became fewer still. Futility!
We live in an abnormal world. Sin and guilt have shattered the normal relationship between Creator and creation. That's why creation groans. That's why we groan. But believers have been given hope, hope that encourages our strength and stamina; that gives us the power not to yell "Retreat"! Romans goes on to say in verse 21, "it will be delivered from bondage. It was subjected in hope."
Hope! That's the freedom from futility. Not a "hope so" hope, but a sure hope as expressed in the latter part of Romans 8. Christians are to be a doxology! "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!" Christians live to establish the credibility of the Christian faith. Verse 37: "In all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
[Note: There is nothing original with me. These notes were taken from some past study I've done. And there are many Godly men whom God has used to teach me. And ultimately, He gets all the glory anyway. For apart from Him, we can do nothing. Forgive any uncredited quote.]
In watching a battle scene in a movie, the commander of the loosing side, after a long, hard fight in the rain, yells, "RETREAT"! What would cause a commander, after all that fighting, to utter those words? They were not cowards or wimpy men. No! They were strong, brave and determined to win even though they knew they were few compared to the enemy. But their few hundreds against thousands became fewer still. Futility!
We live in an abnormal world. Sin and guilt have shattered the normal relationship between Creator and creation. That's why creation groans. That's why we groan. But believers have been given hope, hope that encourages our strength and stamina; that gives us the power not to yell "Retreat"! Romans goes on to say in verse 21, "it will be delivered from bondage. It was subjected in hope."
Hope! That's the freedom from futility. Not a "hope so" hope, but a sure hope as expressed in the latter part of Romans 8. Christians are to be a doxology! "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!" Christians live to establish the credibility of the Christian faith. Verse 37: "In all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
[Note: There is nothing original with me. These notes were taken from some past study I've done. And there are many Godly men whom God has used to teach me. And ultimately, He gets all the glory anyway. For apart from Him, we can do nothing. Forgive any uncredited quote.]
Ambition
Ambition is truly an escalated and driving force in our world today. It's really not new, for it's drive has been the stuff of which stories are made not to mention epic movies, T.V. series, soap operas and reality shows. What is ambition: strong desire to do or to achieve something; a desire and determination to achieve success. So what is success?
The world looks at success the same old way it's always looked at success: fame, power, money, stuff, looks, etc. etc. etc. But once those things are acquired, the result is far less fulfilling than the person seeking them thought. The Bible makes it clear in one short verse what our ambition and ultimate success can be. And with that change that only God can make, come joys and lasting fulfillment.
"Therefore, we also have as our ambition...to be pleasing to Him." (2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB) Pretty simple verse yet amazingly profound. Our ambition in every area of our life is one that is checked at every turn by God's directives through His word. William Law: "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead."
The world looks at success the same old way it's always looked at success: fame, power, money, stuff, looks, etc. etc. etc. But once those things are acquired, the result is far less fulfilling than the person seeking them thought. The Bible makes it clear in one short verse what our ambition and ultimate success can be. And with that change that only God can make, come joys and lasting fulfillment.
"Therefore, we also have as our ambition...to be pleasing to Him." (2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB) Pretty simple verse yet amazingly profound. Our ambition in every area of our life is one that is checked at every turn by God's directives through His word. William Law: "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead."
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Gracious Dispensation
A dispensation is a system of order; a distinct arrangement or period in history that forms the framework through which God relates to man. Mark 1:14 says, "Jesus came preaching....the time is fulfilled": the time determined of God for the revelation of the Messiah and the grace of the gospel through Him. The dispensation of the fullness of time, the kingdom of God is at hand.
Everything from the beginning of creation looked toward this time and everything after the resurrection looked backward to that time. And again, I am using Matthew Poole's commentary in my writing. He calls this "the gracious dispensation of God"; the gracious period of history that forms the framework for open communication between Creator and His most prized trophy of creation, man.
And Jesus, the Name above all Names, was born, preached, died and did something no person could do, satisfy the wrath of God and then conquered death. And in His life here, while many love to exalt the miracles, our gracious Lord preached. He had compassion in His short time here. He wanted men to hear and understand.
He said, "Repent"! What is that? To know you are a sinner and to have great sorrow over it and turn from that wickedness. "Believe"! To believe the gospel is one thing but to "believe in" the gospel is another. Many who heard Jesus believed but it was no more than a firm and fixed assent to the proposition of the gospel. But to "believe in" is to place our hope of salvation in the doctrine and promises of the gospel, that flows from the sense of the love of God in Christ.
While many admired and were amazed and astonished at Jesus, they did not believe in Him. The gospel did not affect their cold, lifeless, and powerless hearts any more than the dull telling of a tale. But those who did and do place their life in the hope He has laid out for us in His word, will find He fills us with a power that affects everything. Everything we think, do and say can no longer be flippant or unaffected by the power of His word. Gracious Dispensation! Let us look back in hope, love and adoration of the order of our great God and His plan of love for His creatures.
Everything from the beginning of creation looked toward this time and everything after the resurrection looked backward to that time. And again, I am using Matthew Poole's commentary in my writing. He calls this "the gracious dispensation of God"; the gracious period of history that forms the framework for open communication between Creator and His most prized trophy of creation, man.
And Jesus, the Name above all Names, was born, preached, died and did something no person could do, satisfy the wrath of God and then conquered death. And in His life here, while many love to exalt the miracles, our gracious Lord preached. He had compassion in His short time here. He wanted men to hear and understand.
He said, "Repent"! What is that? To know you are a sinner and to have great sorrow over it and turn from that wickedness. "Believe"! To believe the gospel is one thing but to "believe in" the gospel is another. Many who heard Jesus believed but it was no more than a firm and fixed assent to the proposition of the gospel. But to "believe in" is to place our hope of salvation in the doctrine and promises of the gospel, that flows from the sense of the love of God in Christ.
While many admired and were amazed and astonished at Jesus, they did not believe in Him. The gospel did not affect their cold, lifeless, and powerless hearts any more than the dull telling of a tale. But those who did and do place their life in the hope He has laid out for us in His word, will find He fills us with a power that affects everything. Everything we think, do and say can no longer be flippant or unaffected by the power of His word. Gracious Dispensation! Let us look back in hope, love and adoration of the order of our great God and His plan of love for His creatures.
Simpletons
Malice reveals how "simple" people can be. (So says Matthew Poole, a commentator I've mentioned in previous posts.) Malice is the intention or desire to do evil. And while the meaning here of "simple"is a lack of intelligence, the meaning of "simpleton" is foolish and gullible (categories both of which the two following groups fell). Mr. Poole gives commentary on the soldier's report to the priests, and the priests plan regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:12-15)
"What a story was here! If they were asleep, how could they know that Christ's disciples came by night and stole Him away? Would no noise of rolling away the stone wake them? Malice will not allow men deliberation enough to show themselves wise!"
Nuff said! (me not Matt)
"What a story was here! If they were asleep, how could they know that Christ's disciples came by night and stole Him away? Would no noise of rolling away the stone wake them? Malice will not allow men deliberation enough to show themselves wise!"
Nuff said! (me not Matt)
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Conclusions
"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven." Matthew 16:1 Our pastor said recently in a study of Exodus, "People who ask for signs and miracles are never satisfied. Visible manifestation makes sinful man crave more. Signs do not generate mature faith. Signs do not generate holiness."
Matthew Poole, commentator from the 17th century, said, about Jesus' answer to these Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:2-3): "You can, saith our Savior, make observations upon the works of God in nature and common providence, and from such observations, you can make conclusions...but 'you cannot discern the signs of the times?': You are only dull at making observations upon the Scriptures and the will of God revealed in them concerning Me. ...you come and ask a sign, that you might believe in Me, when you have so many, and yet will not believe."
Later on in the commentary, Mr. Poole, expounds Jesus words through a parable in chapter twenty-one: "The Pharisees were a people highly pretending obedience to the law of God, and making a great show of religion...but though they heard His doctrine, saw His conversation, and saw others repent and own Christ, yet were so far from believing, that they would not repent, that they might believe; they would not be awakened to any sense of their sinful courses, nor amend anything of their former ways, that they might receive Christ and embrace His righteousness and salvation."
Conclusions? Their "sign" was living right there among them and performing every lesson He taught by living it out. This Life should have convicted them but they were blind to their own neediness and too proud of their own works. Repent, believe, obey! This is the essence of our response to the "signs" God has given. To determine any other means to a life in Christ is no life at all. To crave any other sign than that of the inspired Word of God is a dissatisfaction that will never be fulfilled. "He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him." 2 Peter 1:3
Matthew Poole, commentator from the 17th century, said, about Jesus' answer to these Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:2-3): "You can, saith our Savior, make observations upon the works of God in nature and common providence, and from such observations, you can make conclusions...but 'you cannot discern the signs of the times?': You are only dull at making observations upon the Scriptures and the will of God revealed in them concerning Me. ...you come and ask a sign, that you might believe in Me, when you have so many, and yet will not believe."
Later on in the commentary, Mr. Poole, expounds Jesus words through a parable in chapter twenty-one: "The Pharisees were a people highly pretending obedience to the law of God, and making a great show of religion...but though they heard His doctrine, saw His conversation, and saw others repent and own Christ, yet were so far from believing, that they would not repent, that they might believe; they would not be awakened to any sense of their sinful courses, nor amend anything of their former ways, that they might receive Christ and embrace His righteousness and salvation."
Conclusions? Their "sign" was living right there among them and performing every lesson He taught by living it out. This Life should have convicted them but they were blind to their own neediness and too proud of their own works. Repent, believe, obey! This is the essence of our response to the "signs" God has given. To determine any other means to a life in Christ is no life at all. To crave any other sign than that of the inspired Word of God is a dissatisfaction that will never be fulfilled. "He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him." 2 Peter 1:3
Friday, January 25, 2019
Dad
The design of God is that the family unit have a protector. A godly man's first allegiance is to His Creator. And then the responsible man protects his family. God prepared the man, Joseph, to be the guard for the greatest life ever born: the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Joseph's espoused wife, Mary, became pregnant. What was a godly man to do with that? Matthew Poole, in his commentary on the book of Matthew, says, "A kind and equitable man always presumeth the best, especially in a case where life is concerned." Joseph resolved to take the mildest course. However, as Poole continues in his commentary, "God will not leave so good a man long unresolved what to do." Joseph, thus became in this process, the man who would best fit the amazing role as the dad of God.
May I, also, learn from God's word that as we seek God, He will lead us. We are to wait. He will not leave us long in the dark. He is and will be our ultimate protector and Abba Father.
Joseph's espoused wife, Mary, became pregnant. What was a godly man to do with that? Matthew Poole, in his commentary on the book of Matthew, says, "A kind and equitable man always presumeth the best, especially in a case where life is concerned." Joseph resolved to take the mildest course. However, as Poole continues in his commentary, "God will not leave so good a man long unresolved what to do." Joseph, thus became in this process, the man who would best fit the amazing role as the dad of God.
May I, also, learn from God's word that as we seek God, He will lead us. We are to wait. He will not leave us long in the dark. He is and will be our ultimate protector and Abba Father.
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