Paul urges them to continue on, like in a race he urges that some have fallen away because they loved the things of this world too much.
Fellow Christians, if we stop actively living a holy life we will soon fall away, get funny in our beliefs. We would add or subtract something from the gospel. Some new idea would take the place of the cross. The cross is still offensive to some and a stumbling block to others.
Sometimes a cause, perhaps good on it's own gets in front of God and becomes a god itself. For some environmentalism is that way. I think for me it is getting involved in too much diverting stuff like sports, reading, movies, or computers. They are less than reality. I am tempted to back off from life.
Paul says to continue. We never get it perfect or completed until God calls us home. We must press forward keep trying, keep seeking, keep serving. But we know the service is not god, we do it for God, not for itself alone, whatever it is that God has called us to.
We are called to serve as Paul served, as Jesus served. Paul tells them to look at him, at Timothy, at Epaphroditus as role models. Remember they did not have the Bible yet. They needed role models. Paul is simply being practical, not proud, in offering himself as a role model. He told them of Jesus but they could not see him. They could see Paul and the other leaders.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Philippians 2
[19] But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. [20]For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. [21]For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Paul praises Timothy greatly here. But by comparison Paul is putting down some good men. He is saying they don't quite measure up. I expect I would not measure up in his eyes. Paul was a hard man to please it seems.
But I think I know what he feels like. When I was Cubmaster for my son's pack, I did that for four years, each year I would recruit den leaders, usually from the parents. I demanded that they commit to one year. A lot of parents wanted to help but I wanted to know they would be regular. I did not want to have to wonder who would be there to help me each week. Others could come and participate and many did. But I would not appoint you to den leader unless you had a long term commitment.
One man, a very good man, quit after the first year. He felt like the commitment was too much. I am not sure it was his work or his wife that made him want to quit. Later at a party he explained to me that I was too hard. I set the bar too high for commitment. I don't think he understood it from my position. I tried to apologize for hurting his feelings but I did not think I would have ever done it any differently.
Paul too, I'm sure, wanted to expect his helpers to be ready at any time, not distracted by other interests. He wanted to know who would be there each time they met. I think I can at least partly understand Paul's position. If you have ever taken on a leadership position you probably can too.
Paul praises Timothy greatly here. But by comparison Paul is putting down some good men. He is saying they don't quite measure up. I expect I would not measure up in his eyes. Paul was a hard man to please it seems.
But I think I know what he feels like. When I was Cubmaster for my son's pack, I did that for four years, each year I would recruit den leaders, usually from the parents. I demanded that they commit to one year. A lot of parents wanted to help but I wanted to know they would be regular. I did not want to have to wonder who would be there to help me each week. Others could come and participate and many did. But I would not appoint you to den leader unless you had a long term commitment.
One man, a very good man, quit after the first year. He felt like the commitment was too much. I am not sure it was his work or his wife that made him want to quit. Later at a party he explained to me that I was too hard. I set the bar too high for commitment. I don't think he understood it from my position. I tried to apologize for hurting his feelings but I did not think I would have ever done it any differently.
Paul too, I'm sure, wanted to expect his helpers to be ready at any time, not distracted by other interests. He wanted to know who would be there each time they met. I think I can at least partly understand Paul's position. If you have ever taken on a leadership position you probably can too.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Great sermon this morning
Based on Luke 4:1-12, the testing of Christ.
Some salient points
We need to be tested. (Jesus needed to be tested.) God does not tempt us but he wants us to be tested. See the Israelites in the wilderness (fail). See Jesus in the wilderness (pass). I thought of Adam and Eve in the garden.
I would rather be wrong in integrity than right without integrity. The context is in making decisions that would put one in position of power and/or prestige. Are you doing it for the acclaim or in order to serve God better and give him the glory?
Test #3 - Do you have to repeatedly make God prove how much you are loved? Do you make others prove how much they love you? Or are you assured of God's love?
Some salient points
We need to be tested. (Jesus needed to be tested.) God does not tempt us but he wants us to be tested. See the Israelites in the wilderness (fail). See Jesus in the wilderness (pass). I thought of Adam and Eve in the garden.
I would rather be wrong in integrity than right without integrity. The context is in making decisions that would put one in position of power and/or prestige. Are you doing it for the acclaim or in order to serve God better and give him the glory?
Test #3 - Do you have to repeatedly make God prove how much you are loved? Do you make others prove how much they love you? Or are you assured of God's love?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Malachi 3:13-18
God accuses Israel of cynicism. "You have said, 'It's foolish to serve the LORD God All-Powerful. What do we get for obeying him and from going around looking sad?'"
Another translation interprets "looking sad" to mean "feeling sorry for what they have done wrong".
The psalms are full of examples of men who are feeling that God has not treated them right even though they have been faithful. Do you feel God has not paid attention to your devotion?
And yet almost all the psalms end with the psalmist reiterating God's faithfulness and love. We often have to speak faith without understanding. So the psalmist did.
The rest of the passage is a vision of God reasserting that yes he does notice our devotion, our fear, our respect for him.
"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord gave attention and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name."
Malachi concludes, "So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."
The "you" is us. We will again see that God does not sleep. He is very much involved and does note those who love him.
Let us rejoice that God does love us. He cares to reward us. He has sent his Savior to make up for our shortcomings, our sins. Thank you Lord.
Another translation interprets "looking sad" to mean "feeling sorry for what they have done wrong".
The psalms are full of examples of men who are feeling that God has not treated them right even though they have been faithful. Do you feel God has not paid attention to your devotion?
And yet almost all the psalms end with the psalmist reiterating God's faithfulness and love. We often have to speak faith without understanding. So the psalmist did.
The rest of the passage is a vision of God reasserting that yes he does notice our devotion, our fear, our respect for him.
"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord gave attention and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name."
Malachi concludes, "So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."
The "you" is us. We will again see that God does not sleep. He is very much involved and does note those who love him.
Let us rejoice that God does love us. He cares to reward us. He has sent his Savior to make up for our shortcomings, our sins. Thank you Lord.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Humble yourself
I must be a proud man. And yet I can humble myself when the need arises. I know I am proud because when I do it I am so conscious of doing it and it feels so weird.
Humble yourself. When writing your term paper humble yourself. Do it the way the professor wants you to do it. It makes it so much easier. I have done it both ways and I know. Really humbling yourself is often the easiest path.
We watched Hobson's Choice last night, a movie from 1954 directed by David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) and starring Charles Laughton and John Mills. The protagonist would have done much better if he had humbled himself. But he has to come to humility the hard way. He finally does humble himself in the end. I read that is what is called a "Hobson's Choice". I had never heard that expression before. Had you?
Jesus humbled himself (Philippians 2:7). He became a man when he was God. That's humility. And as a man he was obedient and submitted himself to death for us, a very painful death. Paul tells us Jesus is our model we should be like him.
Paul then says God glorified him. It is much better to let God glorify us than to try to do it for ourselves. What if we are successful at glorifying ourselves.
The commentator mentions politicians. I do not think all politicians are bad. And almost all start out good. But a politician is one who does succeed at glorifying himself. How would you feel if thousands sometimes millions vote for you and pick you over all others? You are going to feel glorified. You are going to burst your buttons. It is no wonder that some of them will feel that they are above the rules and perhaps even legally exempt themselves from some of them. It may be amazing that there are many who remain honest. My U.S. Representative and I do not agree on a lot (Gene Green) but it does appear he is very honest in his dealings. He has not let his power and glory go to his head.
An old seminary instructor used to tell his students, "Mortify yourself, mortify yourself." You can consciously do it.
But it is best to do it when the opportunity arises. Opportunities will certainly arise. You do not have to be like the Flagellites who walked around in public and had others beat them with whips.
Humble yourself. When writing your term paper humble yourself. Do it the way the professor wants you to do it. It makes it so much easier. I have done it both ways and I know. Really humbling yourself is often the easiest path.
We watched Hobson's Choice last night, a movie from 1954 directed by David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) and starring Charles Laughton and John Mills. The protagonist would have done much better if he had humbled himself. But he has to come to humility the hard way. He finally does humble himself in the end. I read that is what is called a "Hobson's Choice". I had never heard that expression before. Had you?
Jesus humbled himself (Philippians 2:7). He became a man when he was God. That's humility. And as a man he was obedient and submitted himself to death for us, a very painful death. Paul tells us Jesus is our model we should be like him.
Paul then says God glorified him. It is much better to let God glorify us than to try to do it for ourselves. What if we are successful at glorifying ourselves.
The commentator mentions politicians. I do not think all politicians are bad. And almost all start out good. But a politician is one who does succeed at glorifying himself. How would you feel if thousands sometimes millions vote for you and pick you over all others? You are going to feel glorified. You are going to burst your buttons. It is no wonder that some of them will feel that they are above the rules and perhaps even legally exempt themselves from some of them. It may be amazing that there are many who remain honest. My U.S. Representative and I do not agree on a lot (Gene Green) but it does appear he is very honest in his dealings. He has not let his power and glory go to his head.
An old seminary instructor used to tell his students, "Mortify yourself, mortify yourself." You can consciously do it.
But it is best to do it when the opportunity arises. Opportunities will certainly arise. You do not have to be like the Flagellites who walked around in public and had others beat them with whips.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
a little foreign policy
And now for a change of pace.
The WSJ has as its top story an article on the summit between Obama and Hu, the leader of China.
My comment: China is a rising super power. They are already an economic super power. People may not know that China is quietly building weapons. So soon they will be a military super power.
Nature abhors a vacuum. We have had a military vacuum since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. The U.S.A. is a flabby super power. We are lazy. A competitor might help us to shape up. Or we may just collapse.
If the dollar ceases to be the major currency in the world this will hurt the standard of living we are assume will go on forever. But soon the yuan will be the major currency.
We already see China's economic influence in the price of gasoline. Price increases are directly related to international demand mostly China but also India. It is the same with decreases. We no longer control gasoline prices which are related to the price of a barrel of crude oil.
I still maintain that Obama seems strong and on point on his foreign policy. He has not had a crisis yet but that may be partly because of his competence.
Now if we could just get him on board for repealing universal health care.
The WSJ has as its top story an article on the summit between Obama and Hu, the leader of China.
My comment: China is a rising super power. They are already an economic super power. People may not know that China is quietly building weapons. So soon they will be a military super power.
Nature abhors a vacuum. We have had a military vacuum since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. The U.S.A. is a flabby super power. We are lazy. A competitor might help us to shape up. Or we may just collapse.
If the dollar ceases to be the major currency in the world this will hurt the standard of living we are assume will go on forever. But soon the yuan will be the major currency.
We already see China's economic influence in the price of gasoline. Price increases are directly related to international demand mostly China but also India. It is the same with decreases. We no longer control gasoline prices which are related to the price of a barrel of crude oil.
I still maintain that Obama seems strong and on point on his foreign policy. He has not had a crisis yet but that may be partly because of his competence.
Now if we could just get him on board for repealing universal health care.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Identity in Christ / insecurity
One thing else I did not do the other day was have confidence in my identity in Christ. I have blogged about that. "Physician heal yourself." Not that I must act better than others. But I can be confident in Jesus, my identity as a saint of God.
In that identity I can be ready to be a servant whenever opportunity comes that I have the ability to help. My identity under Christ is as a servant. As a servant I can be confident in Christ.
I was thankful last night at Life Group for the party given in my honor for my birthday. I got a nice card, a cat on the front, a cake and wonderful brownies. I have decided red velvet cake is my favorite. Who knew it was chocolate? Yum. Both yum.
I find Philippians appropriate here. Yes I am reading into it what was not really there originally. This word was meant for the whole church, a group, not an individual like me. Yet I will read it for me right now.
"Conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel... standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, strong together for the faith of the gospel. In no way alarmed by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that from God."
Some of the ideas encourage me. The passage was written for the group to act together. But I sometimes see my brothers in Christ like enemies. I know this is a personal problem. It's just a feeling. But in this situation I feel it is true. Perhaps what I am dealing with are old hurts and snubs. I guess I have unresolved issues but they are not conscious. I feel like running or saying rude things.
But thank God I was polite, even friendly to everyone. For the most part I may have passed the test. I feel like God is requiring my to grow up, be the man. But I did leave early, before most everyone else. Perhaps I should have stayed but I really saw no reason to do so. I would have stayed if I saw a reason to stay.
I see Philippians 2:4 "Do not merely look after your own personal interests but also for the interests of others."
I wanted to do that in this previous situation. I really did. But I did not feel I had anything to offer here. So I went home.
In that identity I can be ready to be a servant whenever opportunity comes that I have the ability to help. My identity under Christ is as a servant. As a servant I can be confident in Christ.
I was thankful last night at Life Group for the party given in my honor for my birthday. I got a nice card, a cat on the front, a cake and wonderful brownies. I have decided red velvet cake is my favorite. Who knew it was chocolate? Yum. Both yum.
I find Philippians appropriate here. Yes I am reading into it what was not really there originally. This word was meant for the whole church, a group, not an individual like me. Yet I will read it for me right now.
"Conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel... standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, strong together for the faith of the gospel. In no way alarmed by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that from God."
Some of the ideas encourage me. The passage was written for the group to act together. But I sometimes see my brothers in Christ like enemies. I know this is a personal problem. It's just a feeling. But in this situation I feel it is true. Perhaps what I am dealing with are old hurts and snubs. I guess I have unresolved issues but they are not conscious. I feel like running or saying rude things.
But thank God I was polite, even friendly to everyone. For the most part I may have passed the test. I feel like God is requiring my to grow up, be the man. But I did leave early, before most everyone else. Perhaps I should have stayed but I really saw no reason to do so. I would have stayed if I saw a reason to stay.
I see Philippians 2:4 "Do not merely look after your own personal interests but also for the interests of others."
I wanted to do that in this previous situation. I really did. But I did not feel I had anything to offer here. So I went home.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Isaiah 49:4 (and around it)
I did the half marathon in Sugar Land Sunday. It was cool and wet. It's hard not to get all wet despite using DW's parka. But my time ended up the same as usual, an 18 minute mile.
Today I got a severe experience in what I blogged about yesterday. It is so much easier to feel confident in my love of God than it is to feel confident in my love of people. I sure had to struggle to love some people today. I really did try my hardest.
I am especially struck by Isaiah 49:4. This was a scripture read last night at the evening service which I attended.
Isaiah 49:1-8 (CEV) Everyone, listen, even you foreign nations across the sea. The LORD chose me and gave me a name before I was born. (2) He made my words pierce like a sharp sword or a pointed arrow; he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand. (3) The LORD said to me, "Israel, you are my servant; and because of you I will be highly honored." (4) I said to myself, "I'm completely worn out; my time has been wasted. But I did it for the LORD God, and he will reward me." (5) Even before I was born, the LORD God chose me to serve him and to lead back the people of Israel. So the LORD has honored me and made me strong. (6) Now the LORD says to me, "It isn't enough for you to be merely my servant. You must do more than lead back survivors from the tribes of Israel. I have placed you here as a light for other nations; you must take my saving power to everyone on earth."
It is a hard verse to totally understand. In other versions it is less clear. I think that is often our cry. We feel what we have done is for the Lord and yet we can see little fruit. And yet we trust that God is faithful. He will reward me.
Isaiah 49:4 (BBE) And I said, I have undergone weariness for nothing, I have given my strength for no purpose or profit: but still the Lord will take up my cause, and my God will give me my reward.
But I just love how this verse is preceded and also what follows. It is preceded by Isaiah proclaiming his identity. He is chosen by God for his mission.
I think we can take that scripture and own it for ourselves. God has called us and preordained for good works and for salvation as our reward. Let us rejoice.
Then after Isaiah confesses his insecurity God reaffirms and states that his mission is even bigger than he can imagine. God is calling him not only for Israel but for all the nations. I think that is beyond Isaiah's comprehension.
I think God has similar plans for us. We often do not know how he is using our puny efforts.
Today I got a severe experience in what I blogged about yesterday. It is so much easier to feel confident in my love of God than it is to feel confident in my love of people. I sure had to struggle to love some people today. I really did try my hardest.
I am especially struck by Isaiah 49:4. This was a scripture read last night at the evening service which I attended.
Isaiah 49:1-8 (CEV) Everyone, listen, even you foreign nations across the sea. The LORD chose me and gave me a name before I was born. (2) He made my words pierce like a sharp sword or a pointed arrow; he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand. (3) The LORD said to me, "Israel, you are my servant; and because of you I will be highly honored." (4) I said to myself, "I'm completely worn out; my time has been wasted. But I did it for the LORD God, and he will reward me." (5) Even before I was born, the LORD God chose me to serve him and to lead back the people of Israel. So the LORD has honored me and made me strong. (6) Now the LORD says to me, "It isn't enough for you to be merely my servant. You must do more than lead back survivors from the tribes of Israel. I have placed you here as a light for other nations; you must take my saving power to everyone on earth."
It is a hard verse to totally understand. In other versions it is less clear. I think that is often our cry. We feel what we have done is for the Lord and yet we can see little fruit. And yet we trust that God is faithful. He will reward me.
Isaiah 49:4 (BBE) And I said, I have undergone weariness for nothing, I have given my strength for no purpose or profit: but still the Lord will take up my cause, and my God will give me my reward.
But I just love how this verse is preceded and also what follows. It is preceded by Isaiah proclaiming his identity. He is chosen by God for his mission.
I think we can take that scripture and own it for ourselves. God has called us and preordained for good works and for salvation as our reward. Let us rejoice.
Then after Isaiah confesses his insecurity God reaffirms and states that his mission is even bigger than he can imagine. God is calling him not only for Israel but for all the nations. I think that is beyond Isaiah's comprehension.
I think God has similar plans for us. We often do not know how he is using our puny efforts.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Is it easier to love God or to love your brother?
When John (in 1 John) says, he who hates his brother does not have light or later he who hates his brother does not love God, a form of the root "miso" is used here in Greek. This word is the opposite of agape love. He who loves his brother loves God.
John is linking the two, making this love of God practical. You cannot just say, "I love God." without consequences. John says you can be proved a liar.
It is much easier to say "I love God." and look good than it is to say, "I love my brother." People know, you know if it is true or if you are lying.
John's linking the two is obvious. God loves us. If we want to be like God, to be his people, we have to do what he does. He loves, we must love too. But often our church brothers can be hard to love.
John says it several ways in this letter to underscore the importance. If you claim to love God, you must love your brothers who you can see. These people often do things that annoy you. They may even not love you. (aghast!)
John does not say this to condemn but to challenge us. If we wish to love God and be close to God we must redouble our efforts to love people, especially our Christian brothers who we can see.
We'd like to separate our love of God (fun, exciting) from loving our brothers (hard, annoying). But John says you cannot. Jesus says so too.
Loving God and loving our Christian brothers are inextricably linked. If you plan to love God you also must plan to love your brothers.
John is linking the two, making this love of God practical. You cannot just say, "I love God." without consequences. John says you can be proved a liar.
It is much easier to say "I love God." and look good than it is to say, "I love my brother." People know, you know if it is true or if you are lying.
John's linking the two is obvious. God loves us. If we want to be like God, to be his people, we have to do what he does. He loves, we must love too. But often our church brothers can be hard to love.
John says it several ways in this letter to underscore the importance. If you claim to love God, you must love your brothers who you can see. These people often do things that annoy you. They may even not love you. (aghast!)
John does not say this to condemn but to challenge us. If we wish to love God and be close to God we must redouble our efforts to love people, especially our Christian brothers who we can see.
We'd like to separate our love of God (fun, exciting) from loving our brothers (hard, annoying). But John says you cannot. Jesus says so too.
Loving God and loving our Christian brothers are inextricably linked. If you plan to love God you also must plan to love your brothers.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
God commands Saul
1 Samuel 15 – Saul is commanded to utterly destroy Amalek. God has his reasons. God gives Saul a very big army. Some do not believe these numbers (200,000 in the NASB) could be true. Those people picture a small group of pastoral Bedouins living the hill country. They do not think the number of people living here could be that large or that stratified. I do.
Saul does not totally obey God. He (and the army) keep the good stuff and the king (why the king?). But he utterly destroys the people and the “worthless stuff”.
I am very uncomfortable with commands. I have all ways had trouble with authority, but the being in authority and being under authority.
When someone commands me to do something, there is a part of me that resists, that chafes. Even if they have every right to command me I do not cheerfully respond.
God has every right to command me. As the Father of Jesus my savior God has every right to tell me what to do and I should quickly do it.
Yet I am much more comfortable with a God that gently leads me through giving me desires and putting needs before me that I want to do. That seems more akin to manipulation than commanding.
I think God does work that way out of his great love and mercy. I am not sure it is best. God does reserve the right to command me, command us. He has every right to command us and we to obey, every right. And yet he also expects us to relate as friends not slaves. Jesus tells his disciples that they are friends because they obey him. That seems incongruous really. I think it means that if our hearts are ready to obey we are free to question and even ask why. Not that God always has to explain. But if in our hearts we are obedient we can ask. A good example is Mary who asks how she can get pregnant with having sex. It is a good and natural question. The angel answers patiently.
Perhaps I am more willing to obey than I realize. Perhaps it is the whispering of the accuser I am listening to. Perhaps all this struggle is a part of the human condition, fallen humanity, “the flesh” as Paul calls it.
I have not even touched on the morality of God calling, no commanding Israel to do genocide. I do not know how I justify it. I still believe God loves. God’s ways are not my ways. I think that has to be enough for me. Sadly I know it is not for others.
I think also God can still call down his judgment on people even before death. We think of God’s judgment coming at death. Sometimes people are so evil they are judged before they die. I think/. To hazard a guess as to specifics would be the role of a prophet. Do prophets still exist today? Yet it is God’s right to judge. And I think he still does it today.
Saul does not totally obey God. He (and the army) keep the good stuff and the king (why the king?). But he utterly destroys the people and the “worthless stuff”.
I am very uncomfortable with commands. I have all ways had trouble with authority, but the being in authority and being under authority.
When someone commands me to do something, there is a part of me that resists, that chafes. Even if they have every right to command me I do not cheerfully respond.
God has every right to command me. As the Father of Jesus my savior God has every right to tell me what to do and I should quickly do it.
Yet I am much more comfortable with a God that gently leads me through giving me desires and putting needs before me that I want to do. That seems more akin to manipulation than commanding.
I think God does work that way out of his great love and mercy. I am not sure it is best. God does reserve the right to command me, command us. He has every right to command us and we to obey, every right. And yet he also expects us to relate as friends not slaves. Jesus tells his disciples that they are friends because they obey him. That seems incongruous really. I think it means that if our hearts are ready to obey we are free to question and even ask why. Not that God always has to explain. But if in our hearts we are obedient we can ask. A good example is Mary who asks how she can get pregnant with having sex. It is a good and natural question. The angel answers patiently.
Perhaps I am more willing to obey than I realize. Perhaps it is the whispering of the accuser I am listening to. Perhaps all this struggle is a part of the human condition, fallen humanity, “the flesh” as Paul calls it.
I have not even touched on the morality of God calling, no commanding Israel to do genocide. I do not know how I justify it. I still believe God loves. God’s ways are not my ways. I think that has to be enough for me. Sadly I know it is not for others.
I think also God can still call down his judgment on people even before death. We think of God’s judgment coming at death. Sometimes people are so evil they are judged before they die. I think/. To hazard a guess as to specifics would be the role of a prophet. Do prophets still exist today? Yet it is God’s right to judge. And I think he still does it today.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Abiding in Jesus
John (1 John 2) is reiterating his theme about abiding. Abiding means to stay near, to spend time with someone. To me abiding reminds me of physical closeness, like snuggling with tour honey. Here though John is talking of abiding with God who we do not see. John no longer sees Jesus either yet he abides with him too, part of the Godhead, sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. And yet He is still present to us very near all the time. John is assured of that.
This letter is to believers. God always abides with us, who have accepted him as savior, by the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus.
John is teaching these Christians what it means to be a devotee of Christ. It is not at all like being a devotee of a pagan temple god like Artemis, for example. It requires more and yet it returns much more. When John speaks of abiding he is telling these former pagans of a new type of lifestyle.
This letter is to believers. God always abides with us, who have accepted him as savior, by the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus.
John is teaching these Christians what it means to be a devotee of Christ. It is not at all like being a devotee of a pagan temple god like Artemis, for example. It requires more and yet it returns much more. When John speaks of abiding he is telling these former pagans of a new type of lifestyle.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
1 John
We can so easily slip into the idea that knowing God means something mental, something intellectual. But John makes it clear "We know we have come to know (God) if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3)."
He goes on to elaborate: "If I say I know God and do not keep his commands I am a liar and the truth is not in me." Another: "I one says he abides (knows like a friend) ought to walk in the same manner as He walked (1 John 2:6)." And then the more positive: "Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected (completed). Bu this we know we are in Him." This a life conformed to the example of Christ.
John uses three different ways to say the same thing, to inforce his point: know him, abide in him, simply in him. We have to know him to walk as he walked. That requires observing God's behavior, his demeanor, his attitude. We learn those things by abiding.
John loves to keep the tension. He speaks of new commands and old commands. What command does he mean? He never exactly explains. He assumes his readers will know.
"Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment, it is an old commandment. This old commandment is the word from beforehand. What does John mean here? He says it is from the beginning. What beginning? The beginning of time or the beginning of their relationship? "You heard it from the first." What command is that?
Then John says, "on the other hand I write a new commandment to you." Are the new and old one and the same? Are they two sides of the same coin?
The new command has to do with light. Light is a favorite metaphor of John's. The light is shining brighter and brighter. It seems the darkness is passing away.
I think John is saying you obey the old commandment which is to abide in God and live as Jesus lived. As you do that you are more and more changed into the likeness of God. The light is an image. You are a light to a needy and sinful world. You see into the darkness better as you come to experience God's wisdom. You are growing in faith and holiness as you are obedient to Him.
He goes on to elaborate: "If I say I know God and do not keep his commands I am a liar and the truth is not in me." Another: "I one says he abides (knows like a friend) ought to walk in the same manner as He walked (1 John 2:6)." And then the more positive: "Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected (completed). Bu this we know we are in Him." This a life conformed to the example of Christ.
John uses three different ways to say the same thing, to inforce his point: know him, abide in him, simply in him. We have to know him to walk as he walked. That requires observing God's behavior, his demeanor, his attitude. We learn those things by abiding.
John loves to keep the tension. He speaks of new commands and old commands. What command does he mean? He never exactly explains. He assumes his readers will know.
"Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment, it is an old commandment. This old commandment is the word from beforehand. What does John mean here? He says it is from the beginning. What beginning? The beginning of time or the beginning of their relationship? "You heard it from the first." What command is that?
Then John says, "on the other hand I write a new commandment to you." Are the new and old one and the same? Are they two sides of the same coin?
The new command has to do with light. Light is a favorite metaphor of John's. The light is shining brighter and brighter. It seems the darkness is passing away.
I think John is saying you obey the old commandment which is to abide in God and live as Jesus lived. As you do that you are more and more changed into the likeness of God. The light is an image. You are a light to a needy and sinful world. You see into the darkness better as you come to experience God's wisdom. You are growing in faith and holiness as you are obedient to Him.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Devotional book suggestions from Whitney Kuniholm
Whitney Kuniholm’s Top Ten Devotional Books for 2011
1. Understanding the Bible by John Stott. This is the best one-volume summary of the background and context of the Bible that you're ever going to find, written by one of my heroes. First published by Scripture Union nearly 40 years ago, it's a classic that should be on the shelf of every Bible reader. Great starting point in our little course.
2. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Somewhere along the way every Christian asks, "How do I know the Bible is true?" This slim volume focuses on the New Testament (because that's the target of most doubters) and nails the answer. Reading it will make you a confident defender of the Bible.
3. How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. Once you understand the context and reliability of the Bible, you need some perspective on how to interpret the different kinds of writing it contains--narrative, laws, psalms, prophecy, Gospels, epistles and so on--plus a grasp of some basic hermeneutical principles. This book delivers all that in a readable format.
4. Shaped by the Word, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. Pastors and preachers often say, "God's Word changes lives." This book, by one of my mentors, helps us understand how that happens. It zeros in on the role of the Bible in the spiritual formation process.
5. Life with God, by Richard J. Foster. Understanding that the Bible is key to spiritual formation is step one. Step two is "re-learning" how to read the Bible so that spiritual transformation is possible. That's what Foster helps us do in this book.
6. Eat This Book, by Eugene Peterson. The author of The Message tackles an important question: how can Bible reading and prayer become a genuine dialog with God? If you're hungry for a Bible engagement experience that's more than just informational, this is the book for you. I love this book!
7. Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, by Chris Hall. God's people have been reading the Bible for centuries. My friend Chris Hall adds depth to our understanding of Bible engagement by introducing us to how Athanasius, Chrysostom, Augustine and many other Church Fathers approached it. Those guys were good.
8. The Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnight. To balance our historical perspective, we need to listen to some contemporary voices like McKnight's. His book steers around both liberal and conservative biases so we can catch a fresh vision of the big story of the Bible.
9. Hearing God, by Dallas Willard. How specifically does God speak to us through the words of Scripture, or through any other means for that matter? This book is the best answer to that important question that I've ever found, by one of the great spiritual writers of our day.
10. The Holy Bible. Of course, the best Bible engagement book ever is the Bible itself. No matter how many books you read and study about the Bible, there's no substitute for this: pray it in, live it out, every day. "That's what Bible engagement is all about, Charlie Brown."
1. Understanding the Bible by John Stott. This is the best one-volume summary of the background and context of the Bible that you're ever going to find, written by one of my heroes. First published by Scripture Union nearly 40 years ago, it's a classic that should be on the shelf of every Bible reader. Great starting point in our little course.
2. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Somewhere along the way every Christian asks, "How do I know the Bible is true?" This slim volume focuses on the New Testament (because that's the target of most doubters) and nails the answer. Reading it will make you a confident defender of the Bible.
3. How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. Once you understand the context and reliability of the Bible, you need some perspective on how to interpret the different kinds of writing it contains--narrative, laws, psalms, prophecy, Gospels, epistles and so on--plus a grasp of some basic hermeneutical principles. This book delivers all that in a readable format.
4. Shaped by the Word, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. Pastors and preachers often say, "God's Word changes lives." This book, by one of my mentors, helps us understand how that happens. It zeros in on the role of the Bible in the spiritual formation process.
5. Life with God, by Richard J. Foster. Understanding that the Bible is key to spiritual formation is step one. Step two is "re-learning" how to read the Bible so that spiritual transformation is possible. That's what Foster helps us do in this book.
6. Eat This Book, by Eugene Peterson. The author of The Message tackles an important question: how can Bible reading and prayer become a genuine dialog with God? If you're hungry for a Bible engagement experience that's more than just informational, this is the book for you. I love this book!
7. Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, by Chris Hall. God's people have been reading the Bible for centuries. My friend Chris Hall adds depth to our understanding of Bible engagement by introducing us to how Athanasius, Chrysostom, Augustine and many other Church Fathers approached it. Those guys were good.
8. The Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnight. To balance our historical perspective, we need to listen to some contemporary voices like McKnight's. His book steers around both liberal and conservative biases so we can catch a fresh vision of the big story of the Bible.
9. Hearing God, by Dallas Willard. How specifically does God speak to us through the words of Scripture, or through any other means for that matter? This book is the best answer to that important question that I've ever found, by one of the great spiritual writers of our day.
10. The Holy Bible. Of course, the best Bible engagement book ever is the Bible itself. No matter how many books you read and study about the Bible, there's no substitute for this: pray it in, live it out, every day. "That's what Bible engagement is all about, Charlie Brown."
Thursday, January 6, 2011
James 4:17
James 4:17 “So for one who knows the right way to do and does not do it, it is sin.”
This is a definition of sin. I think there are others in the Bible but I cannot remember where. But this is a good one, really.
This definition gives me encouragement and it should you too. We do not know much. No, I’m not talking about stuff we pretend not to know. This gets us into lots of trouble.
We do not know much. Don’t worry about what you do not know. God is in charge. If you need to know, God can make it happen. You can trust God.
Be concerned about what you know and be obedient. There you are. Easy isn’t it? NO! It’s not. Being responsible for what we know is all we can handle. We certainly cannot handle worrying about what we do not know. If we concern ourselves to try to figure out if we are sinning ignorantly we will make ourselves a nervous wreck.
Here is encouragement. It is all right. God is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11). Even with this seemingly easy requirement we will sin a lot. We can trust in his mercy and ask his forgiveness, determining not to be discouraged. God is compassionate.
God will reveal many things to us who wait on him, who read his word, who abide in his presence. We should aspire to be closer to God. But then at times our unbelief will cause us to sin. We will not do what we know that we should. We can know we are just like all the saints before us, even James.
There is a lot in the spiritual realm that we do not know. We cannot see spiritual things. Even with earthly things that we can see we do not know a lot. How much more with spiritual things of God that we cannot see! We do not need to be so concerned with them. We need not worry if we are sinning without knowing. God will reveal what we need to know.
James 4:17 If you know what is right and do wrong, you are sinning. It seems simple enough. But in the midst of living it is not easy.
This is a definition of sin. I think there are others in the Bible but I cannot remember where. But this is a good one, really.
This definition gives me encouragement and it should you too. We do not know much. No, I’m not talking about stuff we pretend not to know. This gets us into lots of trouble.
We do not know much. Don’t worry about what you do not know. God is in charge. If you need to know, God can make it happen. You can trust God.
Be concerned about what you know and be obedient. There you are. Easy isn’t it? NO! It’s not. Being responsible for what we know is all we can handle. We certainly cannot handle worrying about what we do not know. If we concern ourselves to try to figure out if we are sinning ignorantly we will make ourselves a nervous wreck.
Here is encouragement. It is all right. God is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11). Even with this seemingly easy requirement we will sin a lot. We can trust in his mercy and ask his forgiveness, determining not to be discouraged. God is compassionate.
God will reveal many things to us who wait on him, who read his word, who abide in his presence. We should aspire to be closer to God. But then at times our unbelief will cause us to sin. We will not do what we know that we should. We can know we are just like all the saints before us, even James.
There is a lot in the spiritual realm that we do not know. We cannot see spiritual things. Even with earthly things that we can see we do not know a lot. How much more with spiritual things of God that we cannot see! We do not need to be so concerned with them. We need not worry if we are sinning without knowing. God will reveal what we need to know.
James 4:17 If you know what is right and do wrong, you are sinning. It seems simple enough. But in the midst of living it is not easy.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Jesus in the temple at aged 12
My resolution is to blog more. I strive to get a blog done every day. But I know that it not going to happen. But I hope for more maybe five a week. I promise to do my best to get good blogs and more of them.
Luke 2:41-52 This story is only told in Luke. Why is that? My guess is because Luke must have spent a lot of time with Mary hearing her remembrances. This must be one of the things she remembered about the boyhood of Jesus.
Jesus' parents sound just like any other parents who lose their boy, are afraid for his safety. They are relieved and angry at the same time. Jesus' answer is equally blunt isn't it? "Don't you know I must be about my Father's business?"
Even at age 12 Jesus knew who he was. He knew his identity. He knew he was special. He had a unique role.
Yet in the next sentence we are told that he went home with parents and was obedient to them. Staying behind seems less that obedient. Yet I think again we have the remembrance of Mary. "Jesus was a good boy. He was obedient to his parents."
Jesus at twelve was already a teacher. Of course he was God so he knew God better than the priests and teachers of the law. Yet it seems he responded in a question/answer dialog sort of fashion. As a child he had to be respectful to his answers. He could not directly teach them. Yet he still felt a need to teach them. These are men who would teach others. He wanted them to teach correctly. So he tried to leave them with provocative ideas. This was doing his Father's work.
Luke 2:41-52 This story is only told in Luke. Why is that? My guess is because Luke must have spent a lot of time with Mary hearing her remembrances. This must be one of the things she remembered about the boyhood of Jesus.
Jesus' parents sound just like any other parents who lose their boy, are afraid for his safety. They are relieved and angry at the same time. Jesus' answer is equally blunt isn't it? "Don't you know I must be about my Father's business?"
Even at age 12 Jesus knew who he was. He knew his identity. He knew he was special. He had a unique role.
Yet in the next sentence we are told that he went home with parents and was obedient to them. Staying behind seems less that obedient. Yet I think again we have the remembrance of Mary. "Jesus was a good boy. He was obedient to his parents."
Jesus at twelve was already a teacher. Of course he was God so he knew God better than the priests and teachers of the law. Yet it seems he responded in a question/answer dialog sort of fashion. As a child he had to be respectful to his answers. He could not directly teach them. Yet he still felt a need to teach them. These are men who would teach others. He wanted them to teach correctly. So he tried to leave them with provocative ideas. This was doing his Father's work.
Happy New Year
A D Players did themselves proud. We kept Christmas season and prayed in the New Year after going to eat at Ouisie's Table on San Felipe.
Thank you God for your faithfulness.
We sang some Christmas carols between one act plays. That was great but also challenging since Abby led us, without the words into the second and third verses of some carols. Some I knew a little some not at all. There was one song where it seemed that Abby Barbara and I were the only ones singing. Must have been more but I could not hear them.
The ending prayers as midnight came were very cool.
Praise God!
Thank you God for your faithfulness.
We sang some Christmas carols between one act plays. That was great but also challenging since Abby led us, without the words into the second and third verses of some carols. Some I knew a little some not at all. There was one song where it seemed that Abby Barbara and I were the only ones singing. Must have been more but I could not hear them.
The ending prayers as midnight came were very cool.
Praise God!
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