More of Jesus in 2010

Looking back over 2009, one thing that I have been made aware of in increasing measure is the presence and prevalence of Jesus in the Old Testament. The often-quoted verse along a Jesus-centered view of the whole council of God’s Word is found in Luke 24:27:

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

If Jesus did this, then it is good enough for those that follow Him. One way that we can see Jesus in the Bible is to see the Gospel in a particular passage. The Gospel is not about us, it is about the Savior (Mark 1:1 – “the gospel of Jesus.”).

Let’s look at the book of Philemon. For the sake of understanding the context, the introduction in my Bible has this to say: “Onesimus was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colossae. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled. At some time while Paul was under arrest, Onesimus met him and became a Christian.”

After Onesimus becomes a Christian, Paul makes a plea to Philemon to receive Onesimus back, “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother…” (verse 16). In verse 17-18, Paul writes:

“So, if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.”

If Paul is making this plea on behalf of Onesimus, then Paul would be his advocate. He is advocating that the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon be restored and for reconciliation to happen. Paul is desiring for this to happen so strongly that he is wiling to financially pay for any damage that Onesimus caused.

In 1 John 2:1, it says: “…But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Just as Paul made his plea, Jesus made a plea with the Father. Jesus desired to restore the relationship between the creation and the Creator. He wanted this to happen so strongly that He laid His own life down:

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Jesus’ plea may have gone like this: “Father, if you consider me, your Son, as one with you, receive them as you would receive me. If anyone has sinned against you, then I want to pay for it with my own blood.”

By going to the cross, Jesus has “cancelled” that which “stood against us” with God (Col. 2:14). No longer are we slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. Even though Paul calls Himself a slave (Titus 1:1 – translated “servant” or “bondservant”), God does not treat us as an earthly slave driver would, but more like a loving Father, a God we want to serve and lay down our lives for.

You are probably thinking: “What does this have to do with the Old Testament?” In the manner that we saw the Gospel in the book of Philemon, do the same in the Old Testament. Look at animal that was killed to cover up the shame of Adam and Eve and think of the Lamb of God. Look at the rock that Moses hit that provided water and think of the Rock that was crushed for our sake and provides Living Water. Those two examples were from Genesis and Exodus, the Old Testament.

God did not intend us to look at the covering at Adam and Eve and think about 10 ways on how to dress fashionably for 2010. Nor did he intend for us to look at Moses’ rock and analyze how he must of hit it in order to bring water. All the Scriptures are given to reveal to us who the Lord is and to worship Him for who He is.

So far, we have been discussing how to look at the Bible with new eyes, but you may be asking “I need something more practical.” Not only should we look at God’s Word with new eyes, but life now with new eyes. Imagine someone we are talking with starts to talk about how his father, who just passed and how he has been a great example to him by showing patience and compassion to his wife, who can be really difficult at times. As a follower of Christ, that should trigger the Gospel in our minds, just as the book of Philemon should trigger the Gospel. “That reminds me and how Jesus is faithful when we are unfaithful” and then share Jesus’ compassion and unconditional love through the cross and resurrection.

For 2010, I encourage you to really get to know Jesus and His Gospel to the point that you will be able to see Him in the all Scriptures and in life’s daily grind. Pray that God will open your minds to the Scriptures and for opportunities to proclaim how awesome He is.

1 John 1:5-2:2

In the previous four verses, the Apostle John wrote about fellowshipping with Jesus, having: heard Him, seen Him, and touched Him (v. 1). Because of this, he testified and declared to people (v. 2), so that they may have fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3) and our (and your) joy may be complete (v. 4). Even though John had the privilege of seeing Christ physically and personally, we (Christians) have the privilege of knowing Him personally in a spiritual sense. You may think there is a big difference (between knowing Christ physically or spiritually), but our desire and prayer should be that our relationship with Christ would that real...that our relationship with Christ would be as if we knew Him physically and personally.

John continues this theme of fellowshipping with God by way of battling the heresies of the day and instructing about three types of people: 1) true believers in Christ, 2) the ones that think are true believers, but are, and finally, 3) false teachers. He doesn’t start describing fellowship with God by describing who we are and our role, but he starts with who God is. He says that God is light. In the Greek (because light is a noun), there should be a “definite article” in front of it, but there isn’t. What John is saying is: God is not just a light, or the light...He is light. His nature and being is light which represents: purity, holiness, and truth. This means that there is no hint of evil or darkness of God at all. We should not blame God for the bad things that happen to us by accusing Him of being evil.

Because John is battling the current heresies, he wants to bring to light (pun intended) the lies of the false teachings. I already touched on one, that God has some evil in Him. There are three other lies that he exposes. In verse 6, we lie if we say, “We have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness.” It could be said that a Christian, is someone who has fellowship with God (not just a relationship), someone who is jointed with God and have things in common with Him; and someone who has their sins cleanse by Jesus (v. 7). With that said, how can someone love the Lord Jesus Christ, yet walk in darkness. One of the key words of verse 6 is “walk.” The type of Greek verb used describes a continuous action. Christians are not perfect people, but as a lifestyle (or style of life), they should not habitually be walking in fellowship with sin. A Christian can’t play for both teams (God, light vs. sin, darkness). Which team do we fellowship with based on what we think about the most, what we talk about the most?

The second lie, in verse 8, is that “we have no sin.” Reading this in English, it sounds like the text is saying the lie is denying the presence of sin. This is mostly true, but it is really saying that false teachers (or false Christians) deny the existence of the sinful nature in their lives. For those in Christ, this is a crazy claim “Of course, I have a sinful nature because I fight and struggle with it.” We know there is a war within us and the fact that we do battle with the sinful nature is a sign that you are a believer.

We also lie when we say that “we have not sinned” (verse 10). Let’s think about this: we are brought into a relationship with Christ when we repent of sin, so we do not deny the presence of sin in our actions. People proclaim their own goodness (Proverbs 20:6) and are “self-righteous.” A Christian is not about their own goodness, but the goodness of Christ on their behalf, “Christ-righteous.”

As walking in the light, and fellowshipping with Christ is the style of life for a Christian, so is confession. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (v. 9). The word “confess” also suggests a continuous action. Many Christians think that repentance is a one type deal (like a flu-shot), but it should be a part of the life of the believer. John is not saying that we need to confess every sin we commit because that is impossible. What he is saying is that a Christian has a different relationship with sin and wants/desires to repent/turn from it. One author said that the sinner is to believe and the saint is to confess. The verse also says that God is just. If God is just, then He should punish us when we sin. One preacher said He does not do that because Jesus has already paid our sin and it would be unjust for God to punish us again. Amazing grace and love! (That is not to say that he doesn’t discipline us because He does.)

When a Christian does sin and it will happen, we should not be hesitant to go to Christ because He is the very one who paid for them. He is our Advocate (v. 2). A big theological word that is not used enough in reference to the cross is “propitiation.” It means that Jesus satisfied or appeased the wrath of God that was suppose to be poured on the guilty (you and me). Because of the atoning work of Jesus, God’s wrath was turned from us and onto Him. That is propitiation. It is the heart in understanding the Gospel and most people don’t know this is what happened on that tree at Calvary.

In light of this passage, ask yourself: “How then shall we live?” Am I an imposter? In other words, am I living a lie? Is my profession/confession of faith matched with my life? Or, do I claim to have fellowship with Him and walk in the light having a heart of confession and drawing near to our Advocate?

1 Peter 4:12-19

PETER CONTINUES THE ONGOING THEME OF SUFFERING. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE SAYS IS "DON'T BE SUPRISED BY IT, AS IF SOMETHING UNUSUAL WERE HAPPENING TO YOU" (V. 12). IF I AM A CHRISTIAN, SUFFERING IS NOT ALIEN TO ME. THIS IS HARD FOR ME TO FULLY GRASP IN THE CULTURE OF COMFORT THAT I LIVE IN (RELIGIOUSLY SPEAKING). SUFFERING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO "SHARE" (V. 13) COMMON GROUND AND EXPERIENCES WITH CHRIST. BECAUSE WE ARE BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST AND HE IS BEING GLORIFIED BY OUR SUFFERING, WE HAVE REASON TO REJOICE GREATLY.

PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ASKING GOD FOR BLESSINGS AND TO BE BLESSED. THE WORD OF GOD IN THIS TEXT SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE REPROACHED, RIDICULED, INSULTED, TREATED UNFAIRLY FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, YOU ARE BLESSED. HOW ABOUT THEM APPLES JOEL OLSTEEN? YOU ARE BLESSED BECAUSE "THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTS ON YOU" (V. 14) WOW! GOD IS THERE WHEN HE IS WITNESSING HIS OWN ADOPTED, REDEEMED CHILD IS SUFFERING AND GIVES HIM REST.

IF WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING, WE "SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED" (V. 16) OF BEING A CHRISTIAN, BUT GLORIFY AND HONOR GOD WITH THAT NAME. THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF ROMANS 10:9:

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

IN THAT TIME, CAESAR AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE WERE IN CONTROL, POLITICALLY AND RELIGOUSLY. CAESAR WAS CONSIDERED TO BE GOD AND HE WAS WORSHIPPED AS SUCH. CHRISTIANS, WHO DENIED CAESAR'S DEITY, WERE CONSIDERED ATHEISTS. WHO WAS LORD? MOST, IN THAT DAY, WOULD SAY "CAESAR IS LORD" BUT THE CHRISTIANS WOULD SAY "JESUS IS LORD." BECAUSE OF THIS CONFESSION, THESE PEOPLE WERE CHRISTIANS AND THUS SAVED.

EVEN THOUGH SUFFERING MAY SEEM OR FEEL LIKE GOD IS PLACING JUDGEMENT ON US, HOW WOULD IT BE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE REJECTED THE "GOSPEL OF GOD" (V. 17). IN OTHER WORDS, THE SUFFERING WE MAY EXPERIENCE NOW IS NOTHING LIKE THE JUDGMENT OF HELL, WHICH NEVER ENDS.

VERSE 19 IS THE ULTIMATE MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR A CHRISTIAN TO NOT LOSE HEART AND COMMITT THEMSELVES TO GOD'S WILL (IN THE CONTEXT OF SUFFERING FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST): BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL. BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS, WE CAN FOLLOW HIM, EVEN THROUGH THE FIERY TRIALS.

The Faith of King Herod

Here is a blog from Dan Phillips on the faith of King Herod:

23 December 2008

King Herod, the believer

by Dan Phillips

Though he appears in the narrative after the birth of Christ, King Herod ("the Great," 47-4 BC) is one of the well-known villains of the Christmas story. He's notable in history for his viciousness and jealousy; he's known to Bible readers for his infanticide.

But King Herod should also be known for his deep faith in the Bible.

The magi had asked Herod, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). Herod himself was part-Edomite, not of the line of David, and thus not "born king of the Jews." To this murderously jealous man, the question was - well, let Matthew tell it:

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."

Herod called a plenary session of the Sanhedrin (as Lenski observes), and ἐπυνθάνετο παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ χριστὸς γεννᾶται — demanded of them where the Messiah would be born.

So Herod looked forward to the Messiah in faith — just the formula some theologians use of saving faith in the OT. Faith? Herod had faith. He believed in Bible prophecy. He believed in Messiah, that Messiah would be a literal individual, who would be king of the Jews. Herod's faith was informed, firm and motivating. It even issued in works!

So Herod believed — but he didn't believe. Without breaking out the theological Latin, Herod had knowledge, he had understanding, he even had a degree of acceptance — all of which are elements of saving faith.

In some ways, Herod's faith was superior to many who confidently call themselves "evangelicals."

But what did Herod lack?

Herod lacked the personal embrace of and repose on the truth he intellectually accepted and acknowledged. To use my favorite analogy: he saw the boat, he knew a lot about the boat, he may even have thought the boat could (theoretically) hold him. But he did not get in the boat. In fact, to work the analogy, he hated the boat. He tried to sink the boat.

So in Herod we see that awareness of Biblical facts is not enough, acceptance of Biblical fact is not enough; even a degree of action on the basis of Biblical facts is not enough.

Now, before our occasional mystical drive-bys get too excited, let me say this: if those factors alone are not enough, then how deficient is "faith" that lacks those elements? The problem isn't their inconsequentiality. It is their inadequacy. It isn't that they are dispensable. It is that they are, by themselves, insufficient.

Saving faith must be of a different kind than Herod's faith, which is fundamentally the same as Satan's faith. The demons are aware of far more Biblical facts than we; they acknowledge the truth of (at least) many of those facts. They even respond to those facts in a deeply emotional manner (James 2:19).

In spite of all his awareness and acceptance of facts, one fatal factor remained in Herod. It lurks behind his response:

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men (Matthew 2:16)

Herod believed in Messiah - and he wanted to kill Him. There wasn't room in Herod's universe for two kings, and he insisted that he be the one left standing.

So it is for many today, including many "evangelicals." They know some true things, they accept some true things, and to a degree they even act on some true things. But that core sin remains, lives, and thrives: pride, the motivator that transformed the anointed cherub into Satan, the Devil. Saving faith must be a knowing fact, an accepting faith — and a repenting faith, a submissive faith, a pride-crucifying faith.

That's why, when push comes to shove, they buckle and bail rather than push ahead and fight. Whether in conflict with inner passions or worldly fads, their faith isn't worth fighting for, suffering for, dying for.

One more thought: is this not why Christmas is not great good news to more people? In their hearts, they know the truth of the Christmas story (Romans 1:21). But it is not a welcome truth — because there is not room for two Kings, two Gods, in their universe. For them to remain king and god, Messiah must die. Since they can't accomplish it literally, they bury Him under trivial distractions and whistling past the graveyard — particularly that graveyard with the empty tomb.

But what makes it a Merry Nativity to us is we've seen the ruination and despair wrought by our own wretched attempts at godhood and autonomy. We're glad beyond words at the birth of Christ the King, the Savior. The history of Christ is the best news we ever heard! So we rejoice at and glory in the birth of Jesus Christ, who topples us off our cardboard thrones and saves us.

Scary man, Herod.

And instructive.

What Does A Move of God Look Like?

THIS IS AN ACCOUNT OF MY FRIEND'S TRIP HAPPENING RIGHT NOW:

LAST SUNDAY, GOD DID SOME AMAZING THINGS IN THE SMALL RUSSIAN SPEAKING CHURCH WE PARTICIPATED IN. HERE IS THAT ACCOUNT:

UNUSUAL THINGS TOOK PLACE DURING THE SERVICE.
FIRST THING, RIGHT AFTER THE PASTOR READ A PSALM, A MAN CAME FORWARD AND REPENTED ON HIS KNEES. HE SHOCKED EVERYONE. THE PASTOR FOLLOWED UP THE MAN’S PRAYER WITH A NICE PRAYER FOR HIM. THEN, 1/2 WAY THRU THE SERVICE, A COUPLE CAME FORWARD TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS TO GOD AND EACH OTHER AND FOR THE CHURCH TO PRAY FOR THEM. SO, PRAYER AND RECONCILIATION HAPPENED. PRAISE GOD! I SHARED THE WORD AND SO DID STEPAN, AND THEN WE HAD THE LORD'S SUPPER. RIGHT AFTER THAT A GIRL ABOUT 20 KNELT IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH AND REPENTED. THE PASTOR CAME DOWN AND PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER AND PRAYED FOR HER. HE NOTED THAT SHE HAD GROWN UP IN THE CHURCH AND HAD BEEN AWAY AND NOW HAD COME BACK. THE LADIES IN THE CHURCH WERE ALL CRYING AND THANKING GOD FOR HER REPENTANCE. WHEN SHE WENT BACK TO HER SEAT, THE CHURCH ALL STOOD UP AND SANG A SONG OF REJOICING AND ONE LADY JUMPED UP AND GOT THE FRESH FLOWERS OFF THE PIANO AND GAVE THEM TO HER. QUITE TOUCHING. EVERYONE CAME UP TO HER AFTERWARDS AND HUGGED AND KISSED HER. THIS WAS QUITE A SERVICE. REPENTANCES LIKE THIS ARE RARE IN THIS CHURCH.

AFTER THE SERVICE, I MET SEVERAL LADIES WHO PRAY ALL NIGHT THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH FOR MISSIONARIES. WHEN WE SHOWED UP AND SPOKE, THEY ALL KNEW THAT WE HAD COME THERE AS AN ANSWER TO THEIR PRAYERS. WE ENCOURAGED THEM AND WE WERE ENCOURAGED. A GREAT DAY FOR ALL!

Augustine On Fallen Human Nature

This is taken from one of my theology textbooks. Read the words carefully because there is a lot there in so few words:
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In this important discussion of fallen human nature, originally written in Latin in 415, Augustine identifies the consequences of the Fall upon human nature. Originally created without any fault, human nature is now contaminated by sin, and can only be redeemed through grace.

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Human nature was certainly originally created blameless and without any fault [vitium]; but the human nature by which each one of us is now born of Adam requires a physician, because it is not healthy. All the good things, which it has by its conception, life, senses, and mind, it has from God, its creator and maker. But the weakness which darkens and disables these good natural qualities, as a result of which that nature needs enlightenment and healing, did not come from the blameless maker but from original sin [ex originali peccato], which was committed by free will [liberum arbitrium].

For this reason our guilty nature is liable to a just penalty. For if we are now a new creature in Christ, we were still children of wrath by nature, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, on account of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our sins, raised us up to life with Christ, by whose grace we are saved. But this grace of Christ, without which neither infants nor grown persons can be saved, is not bestowed as a reward for merits, but is given freely [gratis], which is why it is called grace [gracia]. [...]

For this reason it is that those who are not made free by that blood (whether because they have not been able to hear, or because they were not willing to obey, or were not able to hear on account of their youth, and have not received the bath of regeneration which they might have done and through which they might have been saved) who are mostly justly condemned because they are not without sin, whether they derived from their origins or were acquired by evil actions. For all have sinned, whether in Adam or in themselves, and have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

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Notice the Latin terms gratis (freely or without cost) and gratia (grace or gift). Do you see a connection? What is grace?

Mark It Up

As a Christian, I try to treat the Scriptures as the utmost authority with the utmost respect. One of the ways I show this is that I don't mark, write, underline or highlight in the Bible. I like to keep the Bible pristine. Another reason is that I don't want a mark or comment for last year affect how I read or interact with the text this year. I want to approach the text with a clean slate.

Well, one of my closest friends told me that my quirks towards the Bible were idolatry! Pretty strong words to say the least. He encouraged me that I would get more out of my quiet time if I marked in it. I should write down comments that arose as I wrestled with the text and underline words or phrases that spoke to me.

To be honest, I was willing to try it, but not with my main Bible. I thought about buying a low-cost Bible, but I remembered that this same guy gave me a Bible last semester that I had not opened yet.

Guess what I did? I opened it up this morning and started to mark it up. I felt weird at first, but I noticed that I was interacting with the text more and thus, getting more out of my time in the Word. Not too bad for an idolater. I encourage you, if you are not in the Word, to get in it... every day. If you are, then to not just read it, but to interact with it...even if it means marking it up.