Well, the final day of 2006 has arrived. What a year it has been! Not only have there been many changes in my personal life with the move to teaching full-time at TBS, but there have been many things going on in the world as we continue to wait for the fulfillment of the promise: the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even the final days of 2006 have seen lots of activity with the death of former American President Gerald Ford, the execution of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and the passing of singer James Brown the reputed "godfather of soul". Time marches on. Men and women live out their lives. The famous, the infamous, as well as the ordinary, exit the stage of human history. The moral and the immoral live out their time on earth and then are called to the judgment. Life is either lived to the glory of God or forever wasted in some lesser way.
It is truly amazing to hear the eulogizing that occurs when human beings pass into the awesome presence of God. It often seems that no matter how they lived here on earth there are always some who praise them as heroes. Whether or not their lives were marked by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ there is always some clergyman who is willing to grant them a place in heaven. The world just doesn't get it! After all this time people do not understand that without holiness no one will see the Lord. And that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
When I first began ministry back in 1982 I remember preaching a number of times on Matthew 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in our name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
This is an uncomfortable text of scripture. The words make us squirm... or ought to! They indicate that many will come to the judgment deceived, thinking all is well with their souls, when it is not. Many will speak with emotional conviction "Lord, Lord", they will plead their particular list of impressive activities, even religious activities, and they will emphasize the fact that it has all been done in God's name. But in spite of what they deem impeccable credentials they will be dismissed from the presence of the Lord Jesus because they are evildoers who have no relationship with him.
Jesus' words are stunning and we need to mediate on them as we come to the end of another year. While some religious scholars may try to blunt their impact by explaining them against the background of second temple Judaism, or portraying them as indicative of a nascent Matthean theology that needs to be extrapolated along a redemptive trajectory, or whatever; they stubbornly resist human rationalizations. We need to ask ourselves whether we will fare any better, and if we think that we will, on what grounds. What will we point to? Our holy wars, our fulfilling of heavy responsibilities, our singing and dancing, or our speaking, or writing, or whatever it is that we do day after day.
Jesus warns us, as he does in this passage and many others, in order that we might not arrive at the judgment unprepared and under a curse. He wants us to leave our lives of sin and surrender to his Lordship. There is no other way to prepare for "that day" when we must stand before him than to run to him and embrace him by faith and allow him to change our lives from the inside out.
A new year, 2007, looms on the horizon. What will it bring? Not even the best forecasters know. But we need not fear if our eyes are on Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, and the one who holds the keys of death and Hades. In fact, if we are walking with him, we can look forward to all that he has planned for us knowing that he is on our side and he will never leave or forsake us but will be with us to the very end of the age.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
New Year's Resolutions
This morning I heard on the radio that the top three new year's resolutions of Canadians were 1) to lose weight, 2) to be a better person, 3) to stop smoking. I suppose all three are good things to aim for and all of them have obvious benefits in this life. But when you stop and think about these resolutions, all three are very horizontal in their orientation. None of them is concerned with the greater issue of living to the glory of God. This is not to suggest that God is not interested in our health and the way we conduct ourselves in this world. He is very interested in both things. But he is interested in more, much more.
God has made us in his image to have a relationship with him. We are his creatures and consequently we are only complete when we live for his honor and glory. This lies at the heart of biblical Christianity. We are not placed here on the earth to do our own thing but his will. Ours is not to make up our own religious approach to God but to come by faith through his Son whom he has sent into the world.
Last night when I was in Chapters with my wife before we headed off to the theater to watch a movie, I picked up a book by Marcus Borg entitled: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. I did not buy the book, I merely flipped through it. But that was enough to see that Borg was not really taking the Bible seriously at all. He was merely using the Bible to support his own preconceived notions of reality. Picking and choosing what he wanted God to be like he felt free to accept or reject the biblical testimony as he saw fit. Borg's hubris is staggering. As if he, for all his learning, is in a position to make up the rules when it comes to God and salvation.
Marcus Borg is not alone. Many people in our world want this kind of religion. A self-made religion. A religion that they do their own way, without apologies or embarrassment. But God is not interested in this kind of rebellion even when it is cleverly veiled in academic lingo and a superficial show of piety. God wants us to bow to his authority. He wants us to receive his word as his word and to obey it fully. He wants us to seek him while he may be found and to call upon him while he is near. To forsake our wicked thoughts and to cast ourselves upon him for mercy. This is the beginning of wisdom and it is foundational to a life that is lived for his glory and not our own. Ironically it is also the way to the deepest kind of joy and fulfillment. May this new year see us draw ever closer to him.
God has made us in his image to have a relationship with him. We are his creatures and consequently we are only complete when we live for his honor and glory. This lies at the heart of biblical Christianity. We are not placed here on the earth to do our own thing but his will. Ours is not to make up our own religious approach to God but to come by faith through his Son whom he has sent into the world.
Last night when I was in Chapters with my wife before we headed off to the theater to watch a movie, I picked up a book by Marcus Borg entitled: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. I did not buy the book, I merely flipped through it. But that was enough to see that Borg was not really taking the Bible seriously at all. He was merely using the Bible to support his own preconceived notions of reality. Picking and choosing what he wanted God to be like he felt free to accept or reject the biblical testimony as he saw fit. Borg's hubris is staggering. As if he, for all his learning, is in a position to make up the rules when it comes to God and salvation.
Marcus Borg is not alone. Many people in our world want this kind of religion. A self-made religion. A religion that they do their own way, without apologies or embarrassment. But God is not interested in this kind of rebellion even when it is cleverly veiled in academic lingo and a superficial show of piety. God wants us to bow to his authority. He wants us to receive his word as his word and to obey it fully. He wants us to seek him while he may be found and to call upon him while he is near. To forsake our wicked thoughts and to cast ourselves upon him for mercy. This is the beginning of wisdom and it is foundational to a life that is lived for his glory and not our own. Ironically it is also the way to the deepest kind of joy and fulfillment. May this new year see us draw ever closer to him.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Something To Think About At The End of 2006
Every year The Barna Group lists the 12 Most Significant Religious Findings from their annual surveys. This year there were a number of things that caught my attention.
First, although Barna found that large majorities of people claim to be "deeply spiritual" and say that their religious faith is "very important" in their life, only 15% of those who regularly attend a Christian church ranked their relationship with God as the top priority in their life. Joined to this finding was the interesting sidebar that pastors like to believe that 70% of the adults in their congregation consider their relationship with God to be their top priority. Clearly, it is all too easy to live in a phoney world of our own making and to convince ourselves and those around us that all is well!
Second, three out of four teenagers say they have engaged in at least one type of psychic or witchcraft-related activity; which could include using a Ouija board, reading occult books, or having their fortunes told. However, only three of ten teenagers who go to church regularly reported that they had received any teaching on this dark side of life. This shows us that Christian leaders need to be more aware of what is going on in the lives of the people that they shepherd. There is too often a large gap that exists between what happens in church and what is going on outside of it. One reason for this is that clergy and laity are not living for the glory of God and seeking to bring every thought into captivity to Christ.
Third, personal holiness is not something that the vast majority of Christian give much thought to. When asked 21% of adults consider themselves holy but then go on to say that they have no idea what "holiness" is all about. And apparently only 35% believe that God expects people to become holy! Quite frankly, this is shocking unless you know what many Christians are like in their personal and private lives. It also shows what kind of unbalanced spiritual diets are being dispensed in churches dedicated to making people "feel better".
Fourth, assessing spiritual maturity remains an "elusive process" for clergy as well as individuals. This means that clergy and laity tend to look at "volunteer activity" or "ministry involvement" as a measure of spiritual commitment and health. However, there are reasons to doubt the accuracy of these benchmarks. We need to remember that if you measured the spiritual maturity of the scribes and Pharisees by their involvement in ministry they would pass with flying colors. And yet Jesus said that if our righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees we will not enter the kingdom of heaven let alone collect the rewards!
Fifth, faith before and after the momentous event of September 11, 2001 is little changed. Barna's group looked at 19 different measure of "faith" and none of them changed in a statistically significant way. Again, this is disappointing but not surprising. It takes more than crisis experiences to change people lives. It takes a supernatural experience of God's grace brought home to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Without that, our tears will dry, our resolutions lie forgotten, and we will return to our old ways as if nothing had happened.
These, and the other findings, that Barna sets before us for our contemplation reveal that there is too much nominal Christianity and Christians who think that they are in better spiritual shape than they are. Just as obesity is at record levels so is spiritual sluggishness of mind and heart. The solution of many which is to cater to this indolence only makes matters worse. Perhaps we should consider what Barna calls Christian Revolutionaries as opposed to born again Christians or the equally meaningless evangelical label as a way of returning to a strong, vigorous and orthodox Christianity which takes the Scriptures seriously and lives in a way that is consistent with New Testament Christianity and not its spiritually neutered but politically correct and materialistic counterpart. Certainly, Christianity as a driving force both in people's personal lives and in the church and society at large has a long way to go if it is to shake the world again as it has in the past.
First, although Barna found that large majorities of people claim to be "deeply spiritual" and say that their religious faith is "very important" in their life, only 15% of those who regularly attend a Christian church ranked their relationship with God as the top priority in their life. Joined to this finding was the interesting sidebar that pastors like to believe that 70% of the adults in their congregation consider their relationship with God to be their top priority. Clearly, it is all too easy to live in a phoney world of our own making and to convince ourselves and those around us that all is well!
Second, three out of four teenagers say they have engaged in at least one type of psychic or witchcraft-related activity; which could include using a Ouija board, reading occult books, or having their fortunes told. However, only three of ten teenagers who go to church regularly reported that they had received any teaching on this dark side of life. This shows us that Christian leaders need to be more aware of what is going on in the lives of the people that they shepherd. There is too often a large gap that exists between what happens in church and what is going on outside of it. One reason for this is that clergy and laity are not living for the glory of God and seeking to bring every thought into captivity to Christ.
Third, personal holiness is not something that the vast majority of Christian give much thought to. When asked 21% of adults consider themselves holy but then go on to say that they have no idea what "holiness" is all about. And apparently only 35% believe that God expects people to become holy! Quite frankly, this is shocking unless you know what many Christians are like in their personal and private lives. It also shows what kind of unbalanced spiritual diets are being dispensed in churches dedicated to making people "feel better".
Fourth, assessing spiritual maturity remains an "elusive process" for clergy as well as individuals. This means that clergy and laity tend to look at "volunteer activity" or "ministry involvement" as a measure of spiritual commitment and health. However, there are reasons to doubt the accuracy of these benchmarks. We need to remember that if you measured the spiritual maturity of the scribes and Pharisees by their involvement in ministry they would pass with flying colors. And yet Jesus said that if our righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees we will not enter the kingdom of heaven let alone collect the rewards!
Fifth, faith before and after the momentous event of September 11, 2001 is little changed. Barna's group looked at 19 different measure of "faith" and none of them changed in a statistically significant way. Again, this is disappointing but not surprising. It takes more than crisis experiences to change people lives. It takes a supernatural experience of God's grace brought home to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Without that, our tears will dry, our resolutions lie forgotten, and we will return to our old ways as if nothing had happened.
These, and the other findings, that Barna sets before us for our contemplation reveal that there is too much nominal Christianity and Christians who think that they are in better spiritual shape than they are. Just as obesity is at record levels so is spiritual sluggishness of mind and heart. The solution of many which is to cater to this indolence only makes matters worse. Perhaps we should consider what Barna calls Christian Revolutionaries as opposed to born again Christians or the equally meaningless evangelical label as a way of returning to a strong, vigorous and orthodox Christianity which takes the Scriptures seriously and lives in a way that is consistent with New Testament Christianity and not its spiritually neutered but politically correct and materialistic counterpart. Certainly, Christianity as a driving force both in people's personal lives and in the church and society at large has a long way to go if it is to shake the world again as it has in the past.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
His Yoke Is Easy And His Burden Is Light
Last week I mentioned that I had a chance to hear Handel's Messiah performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and as I was driving home on Christmas Day I once again heard part of it on the radio. As I listened, I was struck by words of Jesus from Matthew 11:28-30 that are sung at the end of part one. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." And in particular, I was struck by the last sentence: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
As the words were repeated over and over I thought about how important it is to hear and believe what Jesus is saying. It balances the messages that we can sometime hear in our own heads which tell us how difficult it is to be a Christian. This is not to say that the Christian life is easy. Difficulties and struggles are to be expected. Normal Christianity often involves persecution too. We have turned our backs on sin and Satan and therefore find ourselves in the struggle for godliness which is never attained without discipline and self-renunciation.
But having said that, the yoke and burden of Jesus is easy and light compared to the ways of the world and false religious systems that are based on merely human ideas. It is wonderful to know that our sins are forgiven and that our place in the family is God is secure because of the finished work of Christ. There is nothing like knowing fellowship with God mediated to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is also so encouraging to know that our labors are not in vain in the Lord, even though, they can often seem like sandcastles on a beach. Satan is a cruel taskmaster and other human beings are often so frequently into themselves that working for their applause or approval is shortsighted and frustrating to say the least. How much better to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords! So the next time you find yourself struggling under what seems to be the weight of the world remember the words of Jesus: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light!"
As the words were repeated over and over I thought about how important it is to hear and believe what Jesus is saying. It balances the messages that we can sometime hear in our own heads which tell us how difficult it is to be a Christian. This is not to say that the Christian life is easy. Difficulties and struggles are to be expected. Normal Christianity often involves persecution too. We have turned our backs on sin and Satan and therefore find ourselves in the struggle for godliness which is never attained without discipline and self-renunciation.
But having said that, the yoke and burden of Jesus is easy and light compared to the ways of the world and false religious systems that are based on merely human ideas. It is wonderful to know that our sins are forgiven and that our place in the family is God is secure because of the finished work of Christ. There is nothing like knowing fellowship with God mediated to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is also so encouraging to know that our labors are not in vain in the Lord, even though, they can often seem like sandcastles on a beach. Satan is a cruel taskmaster and other human beings are often so frequently into themselves that working for their applause or approval is shortsighted and frustrating to say the least. How much better to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords! So the next time you find yourself struggling under what seems to be the weight of the world remember the words of Jesus: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light!"
Monday, December 25, 2006
A Certain Word In An Uncertain World
This Christmas I would like to put two Bible passages back-to-back. The first is from the prophecy of Isaiah, the second from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Together they span the advents of Christ and remind me that while it is wonderful to enjoy the day there is still lots to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But in this order: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he 'has put everything under his feet.' Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).
The King whose birth we celebrate this day will destroy all dominion, authority and power. Therefore, if we are on his side, there is no reason to be discouraged and every reason to press on in the year ahead. He is not only powerful but loving and gracious and he will led us to victory if we love him and keep his commands. Maranatha! Come, Lord!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But in this order: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he 'has put everything under his feet.' Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).
The King whose birth we celebrate this day will destroy all dominion, authority and power. Therefore, if we are on his side, there is no reason to be discouraged and every reason to press on in the year ahead. He is not only powerful but loving and gracious and he will led us to victory if we love him and keep his commands. Maranatha! Come, Lord!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
The Glory of Christmas
Although Christmas means different things to different people in our society, for Christians, Christmas is about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the fulfillment of a promise from long ago. The coming of Yahweh--the Lord--into the world. The arrival of a Savior--Jesus-- to his rescue his people from their sins. The appearance of the Christ--Messiah--the anointed prophet, priest and king. This was a spectacular event but I fear that we do not always appreciate it as we should. The birth of Jesus the Messiah was a sublime miracle. Nothing like it had happened before and nothing like it will ever happen again.
At the beginning of his very special gospel, John (yes, I still believe it was the disciple named John that wrote the fourth gospel), draws our attention to the spectacular event of Christ's birth. Nowhere is his focus more concentrated than in John 1 :14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth".
First, these verses speak of the reality of the incarnation. The Word became flesh. This speaks of the pre-existence of the Word. The Word did not have a beginning. He was always there with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. There was never a time when he was not, but there was a time when he became flesh. John's use of flesh and not man is telling. It is his way of accentuating the wonder, the humanity of it all. Not flesh in a fallen sense (as Paul often uses the word, but flesh nonetheless. Weak, frail human flesh. Consequently, he grew and developed from childhood to manhood. He was hungry, thirsty, tired, felt pain, marveled, was angry, felt compassion, loneliness, temptation, opposition, and he knew what it was to submit as a man to the will of his Father.
The Word made his dwelling among us. John is recalling Exodus 33:7-34:35. In particular he as in mind the 'tent of meeting' that was pitched outside the camp where the Israelites could enquire of the Lord and where the Lord met with Moses face to face as a man speaks with a friend. Jesus is the fulfillment of the 'tent of meeting' and the 'tabernacle'. In him we meet with God face to face as friends; and we do not die but live!
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The word translated 'glory' is a word used in the LXX to translate a Hebrew word which was used to describe the visible manifestation of God when he revealed himself in a theophany (cf. Ex.33:22-23). In Jesus, John and the other disciples and eyewitnesses, saw the glory of the Lord. Glory which is further described as that belonging to the one and only Son. This does not mean only begotten but best-loved Son. He is the unique and special Son who reveals God's grace and truth. John saw what Moses saw when God hid him in the cleft of the rock and passed by. In Jesus, John saw even more than Moses saw. He saw divine goodness characterized by covenant steadfastness, love and mercy joined to faithfulness and truth. He saw all this embodied quite literally in a man; the man Christ Jesus.
Second, these verses confront us with the profound mystery of the incarnation. In fact, the incarnation is one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith. The divinity and humanity of Christ are tied to the triunity of God. They are a mystery that is revealed in Scripture that we are called to believe. Our curiosity must be circumscribed by the biblical record. But while we cannot explain it, we must defend the mystery of Christ's person from errors. We believe that as a result of the incarnation Jesus is both God and man. Not two Christs, as if one were God and the other man. Not a mixture of God and man as if his natures were somehow confused or confounded. But he is God and man: two natures, one person. God and man in one. He never laid his deity aside, not even when he came to earth. The Word did not merely assume manhood, he became flesh. He did not merely adopt the form of a body, he took to himself a human body forever. Although his deity was sometimes veiled, from the time of his incarnation he was always God and man.
Third, all of this is of vital importance given our need as fallen human beings. We sinners need a God-man to represent us before God, to be our Mediator. A merely human mediator is not enough given the greatness of the gulf between us and God. And a divine mediator cannot represent us or stand in our stead. We need one who is both God and man. Someone who can represent us as human beings and yet do for us what no mere human can do. We unrighteous need a righteousness that only the God-man can supply. We need perfect righteousness that has been proven in the crucible of testing and trial. An obedience that has been made perfect. We guilty need a sacrifice that can take away our sins and meet all the demands of a thrice holy God. That can render us clean and spotless in his sight. We need the Lamb of God to take away our sins. And we dead need one who rises from the dead never to die again. We don't need someone who has merely come back from the dead but one who is the resurrection and the life and is able to impart life to us.
Fourth, we are now in a position to see the glory of Christmas. This Christmas we have a faithful high priest who can help us in our time of need. Whatever our need, he is able and willing to help. He knows what it is to share our humanity and to be tempted in every point as we are and yet not sin. This Christmas we have a shepherd and guide. One that we can pattern our lives after, someone we can follow as our example and leader. He will not lead us astray but will protect and care for us. He will help us on our way to the heavenly city from whence he came. This Christmas we have a Savior and King who is now and forever a man. He has given dignity to the bodies he has made. Through we are flesh and blood, he now shares in our humanity. Therefore, we should honor God with our bodies. They too have dignity and value. We must not let sin reign in them any longer for we have been brought with a price and we belong to God.
So whatever else Christmas is, for the Christian it is a special time when we remember with thankfulness the incarnation of the Word of God. The supreme revelation of God that goes, as D.A. Carson says, beyond rationalism, irrational mysticism, and even beyond what was revealed in the Old Testament. In Jesus Christ God becomes a man, not merely to impress us with his glory but to catch us up in it, that in Christ, we might share that glory forever.
At the beginning of his very special gospel, John (yes, I still believe it was the disciple named John that wrote the fourth gospel), draws our attention to the spectacular event of Christ's birth. Nowhere is his focus more concentrated than in John 1 :14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth".
First, these verses speak of the reality of the incarnation. The Word became flesh. This speaks of the pre-existence of the Word. The Word did not have a beginning. He was always there with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. There was never a time when he was not, but there was a time when he became flesh. John's use of flesh and not man is telling. It is his way of accentuating the wonder, the humanity of it all. Not flesh in a fallen sense (as Paul often uses the word, but flesh nonetheless. Weak, frail human flesh. Consequently, he grew and developed from childhood to manhood. He was hungry, thirsty, tired, felt pain, marveled, was angry, felt compassion, loneliness, temptation, opposition, and he knew what it was to submit as a man to the will of his Father.
The Word made his dwelling among us. John is recalling Exodus 33:7-34:35. In particular he as in mind the 'tent of meeting' that was pitched outside the camp where the Israelites could enquire of the Lord and where the Lord met with Moses face to face as a man speaks with a friend. Jesus is the fulfillment of the 'tent of meeting' and the 'tabernacle'. In him we meet with God face to face as friends; and we do not die but live!
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The word translated 'glory' is a word used in the LXX to translate a Hebrew word which was used to describe the visible manifestation of God when he revealed himself in a theophany (cf. Ex.33:22-23). In Jesus, John and the other disciples and eyewitnesses, saw the glory of the Lord. Glory which is further described as that belonging to the one and only Son. This does not mean only begotten but best-loved Son. He is the unique and special Son who reveals God's grace and truth. John saw what Moses saw when God hid him in the cleft of the rock and passed by. In Jesus, John saw even more than Moses saw. He saw divine goodness characterized by covenant steadfastness, love and mercy joined to faithfulness and truth. He saw all this embodied quite literally in a man; the man Christ Jesus.
Second, these verses confront us with the profound mystery of the incarnation. In fact, the incarnation is one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith. The divinity and humanity of Christ are tied to the triunity of God. They are a mystery that is revealed in Scripture that we are called to believe. Our curiosity must be circumscribed by the biblical record. But while we cannot explain it, we must defend the mystery of Christ's person from errors. We believe that as a result of the incarnation Jesus is both God and man. Not two Christs, as if one were God and the other man. Not a mixture of God and man as if his natures were somehow confused or confounded. But he is God and man: two natures, one person. God and man in one. He never laid his deity aside, not even when he came to earth. The Word did not merely assume manhood, he became flesh. He did not merely adopt the form of a body, he took to himself a human body forever. Although his deity was sometimes veiled, from the time of his incarnation he was always God and man.
Third, all of this is of vital importance given our need as fallen human beings. We sinners need a God-man to represent us before God, to be our Mediator. A merely human mediator is not enough given the greatness of the gulf between us and God. And a divine mediator cannot represent us or stand in our stead. We need one who is both God and man. Someone who can represent us as human beings and yet do for us what no mere human can do. We unrighteous need a righteousness that only the God-man can supply. We need perfect righteousness that has been proven in the crucible of testing and trial. An obedience that has been made perfect. We guilty need a sacrifice that can take away our sins and meet all the demands of a thrice holy God. That can render us clean and spotless in his sight. We need the Lamb of God to take away our sins. And we dead need one who rises from the dead never to die again. We don't need someone who has merely come back from the dead but one who is the resurrection and the life and is able to impart life to us.
Fourth, we are now in a position to see the glory of Christmas. This Christmas we have a faithful high priest who can help us in our time of need. Whatever our need, he is able and willing to help. He knows what it is to share our humanity and to be tempted in every point as we are and yet not sin. This Christmas we have a shepherd and guide. One that we can pattern our lives after, someone we can follow as our example and leader. He will not lead us astray but will protect and care for us. He will help us on our way to the heavenly city from whence he came. This Christmas we have a Savior and King who is now and forever a man. He has given dignity to the bodies he has made. Through we are flesh and blood, he now shares in our humanity. Therefore, we should honor God with our bodies. They too have dignity and value. We must not let sin reign in them any longer for we have been brought with a price and we belong to God.
So whatever else Christmas is, for the Christian it is a special time when we remember with thankfulness the incarnation of the Word of God. The supreme revelation of God that goes, as D.A. Carson says, beyond rationalism, irrational mysticism, and even beyond what was revealed in the Old Testament. In Jesus Christ God becomes a man, not merely to impress us with his glory but to catch us up in it, that in Christ, we might share that glory forever.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Reflections on Handel's Messiah
Last evening I had the opportunity to hear the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform Handel's Messiah. I went with my wife and daughter and we thoroughly enjoyed the presentation from beginning to end. I was particularly struck by Handel's presentation of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It was moving to hear the Psalms, Isaiah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi, Matthew, Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians and Revelation put to music and sung in Roy Thompson Hall. The grandeur of the music suited the glory of the subject matter and my heart rejoiced not only to hear the Hallelujah Chorus but the magnificent words of Revelation 5:9, 12-13 followed by the "Amen" that brought the evening to a close.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood,
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, glory and blessing.
Blessing and honor, glory and pow'r be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
I could not help but think that we are living in the 21st century and yet this ancient gospel is still being proclaimed. God is gracious indeed. He continues to wait on humanity because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. My Christmas wish is that everyone who sang and played might truly know the Lord of the Messiah! And that everyone who heard the good news of God's salvation but run to take refuge in Christ before it is forever too late. How tragic it is that people can sit and enjoy such a performance yet carry on in their sins as if all that was said was distant and removed from their everyday existence.
If the first appearance of Christ was awesome, what must his second appearance be? The words of Malachi need to be pondered by all: "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap" (3:2-3a). The answer of the New Testament is that no one will be able to endure the day of his coming and no one will stand when he appears, unless they are sheltered in the Lord Jesus. Theological universalism and the related virus accessiblism are unbiblical errors. There is no salvation outside of saving union with Jesus Christ that comes by grace through faith in him. He is King of kings and Lord of lords! He is the one we must not only sing about but commit ourselves to without reservation. And he is the one that we must proclaim in the world until the end of the age.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood,
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, glory and blessing.
Blessing and honor, glory and pow'r be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
I could not help but think that we are living in the 21st century and yet this ancient gospel is still being proclaimed. God is gracious indeed. He continues to wait on humanity because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. My Christmas wish is that everyone who sang and played might truly know the Lord of the Messiah! And that everyone who heard the good news of God's salvation but run to take refuge in Christ before it is forever too late. How tragic it is that people can sit and enjoy such a performance yet carry on in their sins as if all that was said was distant and removed from their everyday existence.
If the first appearance of Christ was awesome, what must his second appearance be? The words of Malachi need to be pondered by all: "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap" (3:2-3a). The answer of the New Testament is that no one will be able to endure the day of his coming and no one will stand when he appears, unless they are sheltered in the Lord Jesus. Theological universalism and the related virus accessiblism are unbiblical errors. There is no salvation outside of saving union with Jesus Christ that comes by grace through faith in him. He is King of kings and Lord of lords! He is the one we must not only sing about but commit ourselves to without reservation. And he is the one that we must proclaim in the world until the end of the age.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Your Word... A Lamp To My Feet
Without books the development of civilization would have been impossible. They are the engines of change, windows on the world, "Lighthouses" as the poet said "erected in the sea of time." They are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind. Books are humanity in print.
Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher (1788-1860)
Any lover of books is immediately drawn to Schopenhauer's words. We know the value of books and reading. We undertand that they are treasures that enable us to learn from the past and to be instructed and challenged by those we may never meet in real life. Alas, there are few things more frustrating to the genuine bookworm than to be in a bookstore surrounded by works that we would like to purchase and read and to know that our appetite for knowledge far exceeds the amount of money that we can spend on any given occasion!
But beyond the love of books, when I first read the quotation I felt that Schopenhauer was exaggerating. I wondered if this was an expression of his rather pessimistic view of life that found hope in aesthetic contemplation among other disciplines of the heart and life. However, without in any way endorsing his philosophy, I wonder if there is not a sense in which his observations are true because there is an ultimate Author and a ultimate Book that makes us wise unto salvation.
From a Christian point of view, we human beings are made in the image of God, but not just any god. We are made in the image of the God who communicates to us through his incarnate and written word; the God who gave us the Bible. This puts the Bible in a class by itself. It is the book of books. Compared to the Bible the very best works of human beings are a distant second. It is the lighthouse that has been erected in the sea of time! It tells us what we need to know about this life and the one to come.
I mention this because we are approaching the end of the calendar year and it is a good time to take stock of our lives. One discipline that all Christians need to develop is the discipline of reading the word of God. We know this, and are frequently reminded of it, but still one of our biggest problems is that we do not know the word of God as well as we should. This being the case, it is a good time to build into our lives for the coming year a plan to read the Bible. There are many ways to do this from One Year Bibles to various schedules that have been devised that will consistently expose us to the greatest book in the world. If books are "humanity in print", as Schopenhauer said; then the Bible is divinity in print! It tells us the greatest story ever told. It speaks of God's wonderful plan of salvation that is centered in his Son Jesus Christ and is brought home to our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. May it light our way in the coming year!
Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher (1788-1860)
Any lover of books is immediately drawn to Schopenhauer's words. We know the value of books and reading. We undertand that they are treasures that enable us to learn from the past and to be instructed and challenged by those we may never meet in real life. Alas, there are few things more frustrating to the genuine bookworm than to be in a bookstore surrounded by works that we would like to purchase and read and to know that our appetite for knowledge far exceeds the amount of money that we can spend on any given occasion!
But beyond the love of books, when I first read the quotation I felt that Schopenhauer was exaggerating. I wondered if this was an expression of his rather pessimistic view of life that found hope in aesthetic contemplation among other disciplines of the heart and life. However, without in any way endorsing his philosophy, I wonder if there is not a sense in which his observations are true because there is an ultimate Author and a ultimate Book that makes us wise unto salvation.
From a Christian point of view, we human beings are made in the image of God, but not just any god. We are made in the image of the God who communicates to us through his incarnate and written word; the God who gave us the Bible. This puts the Bible in a class by itself. It is the book of books. Compared to the Bible the very best works of human beings are a distant second. It is the lighthouse that has been erected in the sea of time! It tells us what we need to know about this life and the one to come.
I mention this because we are approaching the end of the calendar year and it is a good time to take stock of our lives. One discipline that all Christians need to develop is the discipline of reading the word of God. We know this, and are frequently reminded of it, but still one of our biggest problems is that we do not know the word of God as well as we should. This being the case, it is a good time to build into our lives for the coming year a plan to read the Bible. There are many ways to do this from One Year Bibles to various schedules that have been devised that will consistently expose us to the greatest book in the world. If books are "humanity in print", as Schopenhauer said; then the Bible is divinity in print! It tells us the greatest story ever told. It speaks of God's wonderful plan of salvation that is centered in his Son Jesus Christ and is brought home to our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. May it light our way in the coming year!
Monday, December 18, 2006
The Sin of Theological Envy
A recent trip to Chapters Bookstore and the inevitable survey of the "Christianity" section led me to an interesting book by New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III entitled, "What Have They Done With Jesus?" The book was written in the aftermath of the spate of material on the Gnostic Gospels and other scholarly and not-so-scholarly attempts to discredit traditional historic Christianity in favor of imaginative revisions that usually end up cutting the heart out of the gospel when they have finished enlightening us. Witherington is a good writer and so far I have enjoyed his presentation even though it is not without its own interesting twists and turns which in some cases push the limits of believability. However, I will reserve comments on those aspects of his work until I have finished reading the whole work; a wise policy to say the least!
However, what caught my attention just a few pages into his introduction when he was giving reasons why American culture is all abuzz about "lost" or alternate Christianities, is what he identifies as the "flamin' fundy factor". What he is refering to is the envy that exists on the part of many scholars whose area is the Bible or early Christianity when they see the fundamentalists getting far more attention than they deserve, especially those who are able to access large amounts of money which enables them to get on the radio or television and spread their truncated theological visions. Witherington writes: "This causes the scholars to see red, and they react by trying to present Christianity in a way that is as distant as possible from what they see fundamentalists teaching; they offer ideas and theories that they find more personally congenial. I do understand this reaction (or, better said, overreaction). Such scholars are correct that arrogance and ignorance are a lethal combination, especially when a person is dealing with an important historical subject, and these vices are paraded all too frequently on TV and elsewhere when the subject is Jesus or his earliest followers". He goes on to give as an example of this kind of scholarly reaction, Robert Funk of the infamous "Jesus Seminar", who openly stated that his mission was to deconstruct the "Sunday school Jesus".
I understand what Witherington is saying and can sympathize with those scholars who have to listen to the pep-talk like drivel that passes for preaching and teaching in so many churches and the downright silly kinds of devotional material that are too often for sale in Christian bookstores. What astonishes me is that people will support this kind of thing without hardly raising raising an eyebrow. Jesus was right; people are "like sheep without a shepherd". But the more I thought about Witherington's remarks, the more I began to wonder about how much scholarship is really affected by this "envy factor". How much does envy and jealousy play a motivational role in the endless number of books and articles and theories that compete for our attention? Are people really interested in glorifying God and walking in his truth, or in justifying their own disobedient lifestyles, or in taking vengeance on others who they feel have done them wrong?
In the end, only the Lord knows these things. But if Witherington is right (and I suspect he is is) it is incumbunt upon all of us, no matter what our theological stance, to make sure that our hearts are right before the Lord. The truth of the gospel is too important for us to use to make a name for ourselves or our group. Theology is not an intellectual sport. Nor is it an exercise in creative thinking. Our task is not to see who can most creatively rearrange the historical or biblical data but to think God's thoughts after him and to believe what the Bible tells us about itself and its own supernatural character. We are not charged with the responsibility to be original but to hold on to the gospel that has been clearly proclaimed in the canonical Scriptures and to apply it afresh to ourselves and our generation.
If we are to fulfill our callings we must remember what the Lord said long ago: "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word" (Isaiah 66:2). No wonder the apostle Paul told us to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above ourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:2-4).
However, what caught my attention just a few pages into his introduction when he was giving reasons why American culture is all abuzz about "lost" or alternate Christianities, is what he identifies as the "flamin' fundy factor". What he is refering to is the envy that exists on the part of many scholars whose area is the Bible or early Christianity when they see the fundamentalists getting far more attention than they deserve, especially those who are able to access large amounts of money which enables them to get on the radio or television and spread their truncated theological visions. Witherington writes: "This causes the scholars to see red, and they react by trying to present Christianity in a way that is as distant as possible from what they see fundamentalists teaching; they offer ideas and theories that they find more personally congenial. I do understand this reaction (or, better said, overreaction). Such scholars are correct that arrogance and ignorance are a lethal combination, especially when a person is dealing with an important historical subject, and these vices are paraded all too frequently on TV and elsewhere when the subject is Jesus or his earliest followers". He goes on to give as an example of this kind of scholarly reaction, Robert Funk of the infamous "Jesus Seminar", who openly stated that his mission was to deconstruct the "Sunday school Jesus".
I understand what Witherington is saying and can sympathize with those scholars who have to listen to the pep-talk like drivel that passes for preaching and teaching in so many churches and the downright silly kinds of devotional material that are too often for sale in Christian bookstores. What astonishes me is that people will support this kind of thing without hardly raising raising an eyebrow. Jesus was right; people are "like sheep without a shepherd". But the more I thought about Witherington's remarks, the more I began to wonder about how much scholarship is really affected by this "envy factor". How much does envy and jealousy play a motivational role in the endless number of books and articles and theories that compete for our attention? Are people really interested in glorifying God and walking in his truth, or in justifying their own disobedient lifestyles, or in taking vengeance on others who they feel have done them wrong?
In the end, only the Lord knows these things. But if Witherington is right (and I suspect he is is) it is incumbunt upon all of us, no matter what our theological stance, to make sure that our hearts are right before the Lord. The truth of the gospel is too important for us to use to make a name for ourselves or our group. Theology is not an intellectual sport. Nor is it an exercise in creative thinking. Our task is not to see who can most creatively rearrange the historical or biblical data but to think God's thoughts after him and to believe what the Bible tells us about itself and its own supernatural character. We are not charged with the responsibility to be original but to hold on to the gospel that has been clearly proclaimed in the canonical Scriptures and to apply it afresh to ourselves and our generation.
If we are to fulfill our callings we must remember what the Lord said long ago: "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word" (Isaiah 66:2). No wonder the apostle Paul told us to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above ourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:2-4).
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Grace of Waiting on the Lord
Today I want to return to further Christmas reflections. This time Simeon and Anna, whose stories are told in Luke 2. Two "senior citizens" who had faithfully served God all their lives and who were looking forward to the coming of God's Messiah. Two believers nearing the end of their earthly pilgrimage who were given the privilege of seeing the Lord's Christ before they left this mortal realm.
There are many things we could say about them, and many lessons that they could teach us. But when I think of them I think about how their patience was rewarded by the Lord in his time. Patience is a grace that is required of those who walk with God. The Lord works according to his own timetable, not ours, and this can make it difficult for us to wait on him. When there are delays we are tempted to give up or to despair or to run ahead and take matters into our own hands. But whenever we do, we only get ourselves into trouble and complicate our situation.
God's way of doing things, including his long delays, causes some people to scoff! It has always been that way. In his second letter, Peter, talks about scoffers who mock the idea of Jesus' return at the end of the age. But we must not listen to them for a moment. The Lord will do all his holy will. We can count on that. Our job is to do what we are supposed to do day after day and leave the results with him. We know that his word will not return empty and when our time on earth is over, we will see our Savior face to face. So like Simeon and Anna, we need to press on in the service of God. If he chooses to surprise us along the way, so be it! If we never see him work as we want him to, we should not be dismayed. He does all things well and we will understand the events of our lives much better from the vantage point of glory!
There are many things we could say about them, and many lessons that they could teach us. But when I think of them I think about how their patience was rewarded by the Lord in his time. Patience is a grace that is required of those who walk with God. The Lord works according to his own timetable, not ours, and this can make it difficult for us to wait on him. When there are delays we are tempted to give up or to despair or to run ahead and take matters into our own hands. But whenever we do, we only get ourselves into trouble and complicate our situation.
God's way of doing things, including his long delays, causes some people to scoff! It has always been that way. In his second letter, Peter, talks about scoffers who mock the idea of Jesus' return at the end of the age. But we must not listen to them for a moment. The Lord will do all his holy will. We can count on that. Our job is to do what we are supposed to do day after day and leave the results with him. We know that his word will not return empty and when our time on earth is over, we will see our Savior face to face. So like Simeon and Anna, we need to press on in the service of God. If he chooses to surprise us along the way, so be it! If we never see him work as we want him to, we should not be dismayed. He does all things well and we will understand the events of our lives much better from the vantage point of glory!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
There Is Only One Prince of Peace
The two day Holocaust conference going on in Iran is the latest manifestation of an ugly, wicked antisemitism that should not be tolerated by civilized nations. Here we are in the 21st century and human beings are still unable to solve their problems. The "cold war" has come to an end, but new threats to world peace have emerged that will carry us back into the very worst kind of religious, social and moral darkness if they ever gain the upper hand. If ever there was a time when we see wars and rumors of wars, as Jesus predicted, this is it. For all the advances in different areas of human endeavor, there are still evil spiritual powers in the world that work through human governments to further deface the world which God has made.
At this time of year, when we remember the birth of Jesus, we should recall how he is described in the prophecy of Isaiah. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (9:6-7).
In this passage, Isaiah speaks prophetically of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace". And that is exactly who he is. This world will never know lasting peace until he banishes sin and sinners and he finishes his work of grace in his people. Hatred, bigotry and prejudice cannot simply be outlawed. The roots of malice and envy go too deep and wrap themselves around the human mind and heart in ways that only the grace of God in Christ can undo. Most people say they want peace, but few realize that lasting peace is beyond our grasp unless we come to Christ Jesus as the crucified one and know the renewing work of his spirit in our lives. There is no peace for the wicked! Sin always complicates things. Only the confession of our sins and a commitment to walk in the way of the Son of Man can transform agitated hate mongers, as well as secular and religious idolaters into peacemakers who work for the glory of God and the good of their fellow human beings.
The apostle Paul brings these things together when he writes in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". And Paul knows of what he speaks because he had been delivered from his own "righteous hatred" by the Lord as he tells us in 1 Timothy 1:12-14. "I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus". May we know that same powerful grace in all of our lives and may we live out the radical demands of the gospel at Christmas and throughout the coming year.
At this time of year, when we remember the birth of Jesus, we should recall how he is described in the prophecy of Isaiah. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (9:6-7).
In this passage, Isaiah speaks prophetically of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace". And that is exactly who he is. This world will never know lasting peace until he banishes sin and sinners and he finishes his work of grace in his people. Hatred, bigotry and prejudice cannot simply be outlawed. The roots of malice and envy go too deep and wrap themselves around the human mind and heart in ways that only the grace of God in Christ can undo. Most people say they want peace, but few realize that lasting peace is beyond our grasp unless we come to Christ Jesus as the crucified one and know the renewing work of his spirit in our lives. There is no peace for the wicked! Sin always complicates things. Only the confession of our sins and a commitment to walk in the way of the Son of Man can transform agitated hate mongers, as well as secular and religious idolaters into peacemakers who work for the glory of God and the good of their fellow human beings.
The apostle Paul brings these things together when he writes in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". And Paul knows of what he speaks because he had been delivered from his own "righteous hatred" by the Lord as he tells us in 1 Timothy 1:12-14. "I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus". May we know that same powerful grace in all of our lives and may we live out the radical demands of the gospel at Christmas and throughout the coming year.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Great Is The Lord and Greatly To Be Praised
Yesterday's meeting of the Sovereign Grace Pastors Fellowship gave us a chance to reflect on the glory of God. We all agreed that we can never fully comprehend the Triune, Sovereign Lord. By God's grace we can go as far as he has revealed in his word and then we must stop. Speculation beyond Scripture may be interesting but it is not long before we find ourselves swimming in an ocean without shores. Not only is that intimidating, but speculation beyond what the Scriptures teach can be downright dangerous. This is another case of what Moses describes in Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law".
But because God has revealed himself to us we rejoice in him as the transcendent and yet personal God who is one and yet three. There is a richness to God. He is a "being-in-relation". Father, Son and Holy Spirit, he is infinitely glorious and these three persons of the Godhead work together in creation, revelation and redemption. For all eternity we will grow in our appreciation and love for this awesome God. Because he is the infinite Creator and we are finite creatures there will never come a time when we will know all that there is to know about him. Forever we will praise and worship him in new heavens and earth.
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" Revelation 4:8
But because God has revealed himself to us we rejoice in him as the transcendent and yet personal God who is one and yet three. There is a richness to God. He is a "being-in-relation". Father, Son and Holy Spirit, he is infinitely glorious and these three persons of the Godhead work together in creation, revelation and redemption. For all eternity we will grow in our appreciation and love for this awesome God. Because he is the infinite Creator and we are finite creatures there will never come a time when we will know all that there is to know about him. Forever we will praise and worship him in new heavens and earth.
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" Revelation 4:8
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Studied Simplicity
Another lesson we can learn from the Christmas story is the need for humility and simplicity as followers of Jesus who was born in a manger--a feeding trough for animals--because there was no room for him in the inn. I say this because we live in a day when big and splashy is often considered better, even in Christian circles. And yet how many of the Lord's people live and worship in very humble circumstances. It is true that some have money and fancy buildings but the vast majority around the world do not. While error thrives and falsehood is well supported, those who labor in the cause of truth often have to struggle to make ends meet.
This may be frustrating, but it is often the way of the Master who was born in a manger and when he went about ministering the word told an inquirer that foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. I am not suggesting that we live precisely as he did. His was an unique ministry in many ways. But we can learn from Jesus to focus on what is most important. Though he had nothing in terms of this world's goods, he was profoundly rich. He had all he needed as he walked in faith and relied on the provision of his heavenly Father.
Ironically, it is at Christmas that our contentment in the Lord is often severely challenged as we see and feel the pressure of the materialistic culture all around us. At this time and throughout the rest of the year we need to remember that it is important to be rich toward God first and foremost. All other riches are secondary at best. Only he can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.
As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:31-43).
This may be frustrating, but it is often the way of the Master who was born in a manger and when he went about ministering the word told an inquirer that foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. I am not suggesting that we live precisely as he did. His was an unique ministry in many ways. But we can learn from Jesus to focus on what is most important. Though he had nothing in terms of this world's goods, he was profoundly rich. He had all he needed as he walked in faith and relied on the provision of his heavenly Father.
Ironically, it is at Christmas that our contentment in the Lord is often severely challenged as we see and feel the pressure of the materialistic culture all around us. At this time and throughout the rest of the year we need to remember that it is important to be rich toward God first and foremost. All other riches are secondary at best. Only he can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.
As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:31-43).
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Fresh Lessons From An Old Story
Earlier this evening I spoke to some of the students at TBS and the college and careers group from Jarvis Street Baptist Church about the heart of the Christmas story which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Although many stories related to Christmas have been written down through the years, there is nothing like the story of Christ's birth. I remember a few years ago when I was in pastoral ministry and facing another Christmas Eve service wondering what I could say that would be fresh and interesting. Then I saw a Charlie Brown Christmas Special on TV, the point of which was that Christmas was all about the birth of Jesus... period! That simple thought hit home. The Christmas story needs to be told over and over again. We can never get enough of it. We can never hear it too often! What greater Christmas story is there than the one preserved for us in the Bible!
One of the things that strikes me about the account in Luke 2:1-40 is the fact that behind the mundane events of life, God is working out his plan. What could be more mundane--dull, routine, worldly--than the plans of the Roman government to take a census and tax the people? But this is how Luke 2 opens. It is another day in the life of a nation. Another day in the life of a poor working man. Joseph, a carpenter, must travel from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem in Judea, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He must travel with Mary to whom he was married because she was expecting a very special child.
Here is a couple swept up in the movements of nations. Two small people in a world teeming with people. Two people without status who were following orders. But there is more to the story than this. Behind the decrees of the Roman government there is the plan of God to fulfill his Word and bring his Son into the world. Mary does not carry just any baby, but the one whose goings forth are of old, even from everlasting. However, if you could have watched this drama unfold, you would not necessarily have seen God's hand, even though it was there all along.
While God is not at work in us in precisely the same way he was in Joseph and Mary, nevertheless, he continues to carry out his plans and purposes through the mundane events of life. This fact invest everything we do with significance and meaning, if we are Christian believers. We are part of his plan to glorify himself and to bring many sons to glory! And there is nothing more wonderful than that!
One of the things that strikes me about the account in Luke 2:1-40 is the fact that behind the mundane events of life, God is working out his plan. What could be more mundane--dull, routine, worldly--than the plans of the Roman government to take a census and tax the people? But this is how Luke 2 opens. It is another day in the life of a nation. Another day in the life of a poor working man. Joseph, a carpenter, must travel from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem in Judea, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He must travel with Mary to whom he was married because she was expecting a very special child.
Here is a couple swept up in the movements of nations. Two small people in a world teeming with people. Two people without status who were following orders. But there is more to the story than this. Behind the decrees of the Roman government there is the plan of God to fulfill his Word and bring his Son into the world. Mary does not carry just any baby, but the one whose goings forth are of old, even from everlasting. However, if you could have watched this drama unfold, you would not necessarily have seen God's hand, even though it was there all along.
While God is not at work in us in precisely the same way he was in Joseph and Mary, nevertheless, he continues to carry out his plans and purposes through the mundane events of life. This fact invest everything we do with significance and meaning, if we are Christian believers. We are part of his plan to glorify himself and to bring many sons to glory! And there is nothing more wonderful than that!
TBS Pastoral Theology Class
Yesterday, I was privileged to be a part of a panel in the Pastoral Theology Class at TBS which is very capably taught by Paul Martin. He had asked Carl Muller (Trinity Baptist Church) and David Robinson (Grace Bible Church) and myself to field various questions about the challenges of the Christian ministry in the local church. We had a great time together. It is exciting to see what God is doing in the lives of the young men in the class. Canada desperately needs preachers versus talkers, lecturers, counselors, jokers and public relations specialists etc. And Canada desperately needs churches where the gospel is preached in a way that honors God. It is my prayer that God will use the young men in this class to serve him in the church and that they will build works that stand the test of time. None of us are sufficient in ourselves for this task, but thankfully there is a sufficiency that comes from God.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Glorious Triunity of God
At the Sovereign Grace Pastor's Meeting on Monday I will be speaking on the Doctrine of the Trinity. As I have been reviewing the subject this evening I have been impressed with the glory of God all over again. Surely there is no God like the God who has revealed himself in the Old and New Testaments which together tell the story of his grace and mercy toward lost sinners.
Although the doctrine of the tri-unity of God is ultimately beyond human comprehension nevertheless it is clearly revealed in the Bible when you bring together all the pieces of the puzzle. It is this doctrine that sets the Christian God apart from all other divine pretenders and along the way it answers some of the most profound theological and philosophical questions.
If God is not one and yet three then he is not the all-glorious, self-sufficient God that the Bible reveals him to be. If he is not complete in himself then he needs the creation at some level to make him whole and to give him someone to love and talk to in an otherwise lonely universe. But this is not the way it is. From eternity past God was complete in himself. He enjoyed love, fellowship and communion within himself. His decision to create and to allow the fall and to bring back sinful human beings to himself was something that he did to magnify his own glory. It is not indicative of some character flaw in God or some inadequacy or lack of fulfillment.
But where the doctrine of the Trinity really shines is in salvation. The Bible tells us that the Father planned salvation, the Son accomplished salvation by his life, death, resurrection and ascension on high, and the Holy Spirit applies salvation to those who have been chosen in Christ before the creation of the world. Salvation is an act of the Triune God. Nothing less than this would save us! And now we can say with confidence, if we are Christian believers, that if God is for us no one can be against us. If he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things (Romans 8:31-32).
Although the doctrine of the tri-unity of God is ultimately beyond human comprehension nevertheless it is clearly revealed in the Bible when you bring together all the pieces of the puzzle. It is this doctrine that sets the Christian God apart from all other divine pretenders and along the way it answers some of the most profound theological and philosophical questions.
If God is not one and yet three then he is not the all-glorious, self-sufficient God that the Bible reveals him to be. If he is not complete in himself then he needs the creation at some level to make him whole and to give him someone to love and talk to in an otherwise lonely universe. But this is not the way it is. From eternity past God was complete in himself. He enjoyed love, fellowship and communion within himself. His decision to create and to allow the fall and to bring back sinful human beings to himself was something that he did to magnify his own glory. It is not indicative of some character flaw in God or some inadequacy or lack of fulfillment.
But where the doctrine of the Trinity really shines is in salvation. The Bible tells us that the Father planned salvation, the Son accomplished salvation by his life, death, resurrection and ascension on high, and the Holy Spirit applies salvation to those who have been chosen in Christ before the creation of the world. Salvation is an act of the Triune God. Nothing less than this would save us! And now we can say with confidence, if we are Christian believers, that if God is for us no one can be against us. If he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things (Romans 8:31-32).
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Latest Canadian Divorce Numbers
Some very disappointing statistics came across my computer screen today regarding the divorce rate among Canadians 55-64 years of age. According to Statistics Canada between 1993 and 2003 there was an overall decline in the divorce rate which fell by more than 11% from previous years. The decline was led by a decrease of more than 40% among those in their 20s and 30% among those in their 30s. However, this good news was offset by an increase of 47.9% in the divorce rate among those in the 55-59 age group, followed by an 31.7% by those in their early 60's!
While it is wonderful to hear that the overall divorce rate has declined, the increase among those in their 50s and 60s is sad to say the least. In trying to understand the numbers, those who study such trends point to marital dissatisfaction that is tolerated until the children are self-sufficient and then couples go their own separate ways; the affluence of this particular demographic group and the general feeling that exists in our society that people need to look out for themselves above all else. It is as though people in this age group feel that they have done the "responsible thing" long enough and now it is time for them to do what they want.
Whatever the exact cause, this is a telling commentary on a generation that has enjoyed so much in terms of material blessings and that has heard so much in terms of the gospel. Instead of providing leadership and setting an example for those coming up behind them, too many of them are flitting from cruise to cruise, meal to meal, and pleasure to pleasure as if the world now owes them a living because they have hit 55! From a biblical point of view they need to be reminded that only "those who stand firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13); "and we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory"; and "we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold firmly till the end our original conviction" (Hebrews 3:6, 14). It is not how we start or how we run for a while, but how we finish in the end that matters. These numbers show us that not only are there spiritual needs among the young but seniors can be just as needy if they have never committed themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that truly transforms their lives to the very end of their days.
While it is wonderful to hear that the overall divorce rate has declined, the increase among those in their 50s and 60s is sad to say the least. In trying to understand the numbers, those who study such trends point to marital dissatisfaction that is tolerated until the children are self-sufficient and then couples go their own separate ways; the affluence of this particular demographic group and the general feeling that exists in our society that people need to look out for themselves above all else. It is as though people in this age group feel that they have done the "responsible thing" long enough and now it is time for them to do what they want.
Whatever the exact cause, this is a telling commentary on a generation that has enjoyed so much in terms of material blessings and that has heard so much in terms of the gospel. Instead of providing leadership and setting an example for those coming up behind them, too many of them are flitting from cruise to cruise, meal to meal, and pleasure to pleasure as if the world now owes them a living because they have hit 55! From a biblical point of view they need to be reminded that only "those who stand firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13); "and we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory"; and "we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold firmly till the end our original conviction" (Hebrews 3:6, 14). It is not how we start or how we run for a while, but how we finish in the end that matters. These numbers show us that not only are there spiritual needs among the young but seniors can be just as needy if they have never committed themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that truly transforms their lives to the very end of their days.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Listening to the Gospel of John
As I was driving back and forth to preach at Grace Bible Church in Preston this morning and this evening I had a chance to listen to the entire gospel of John on audio CDs. I cannot commend this way of listening to Scripture highly enough! Although there are many different ways to read and study the Bible often we do not cover large swaths of the text. No one would argue that we do not need to study the Bible in detail, verse by verse, sentence by sentence, and paragraph by paragraph; but if this is all we do we are missing out. We will miss larger connections and themes that will emerge if we read or listen to a whole book from start to finish in one sitting.
For instance, in the gospel of John the "hour" theme reoccurs over and over again reminding us that Jesus has come to fulfill a plan that was decided upon before the creation of the world. He is untouchable until his hour comes and then he lays down his life only to take it up again because of the authority he received from his Father. By means of this literary device John captures an essential element of Jesus' glory. He has come on a mission of love and grace and he will not fail in all that he set out to do. What a Savior!
Something else struck me as I was listening today and that was John 17:17 "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth". Truth! Isn't that wonderful, I thought, in a world that denies there is such a thing as truth. Just like Pilate in John 18:38, people today indignantly ask, "What is truth?" But Jesus has an answer... the answer! The word of God is truth, which is far more than merely saying the word of God is true. He is saying that it is the standard against which all truth claims are measured. It is both true and the truth. And that word has been "incarnated" and clothed in human flesh so that we might find our way back to God. Ultimately, it all comes down to this: will we accept the truth as it has been revealed in Jesus the Messiah. This is the difference between life and death, between heaven and hell, and between joy and sorrow. Will we receive what Jesus has to say even when it runs contrary to the opinions of worldly experts; even when it runs contrary to our sinful desires? Your word is truth means that at long last the search is over. It is now time to hear him and obey.
For instance, in the gospel of John the "hour" theme reoccurs over and over again reminding us that Jesus has come to fulfill a plan that was decided upon before the creation of the world. He is untouchable until his hour comes and then he lays down his life only to take it up again because of the authority he received from his Father. By means of this literary device John captures an essential element of Jesus' glory. He has come on a mission of love and grace and he will not fail in all that he set out to do. What a Savior!
Something else struck me as I was listening today and that was John 17:17 "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth". Truth! Isn't that wonderful, I thought, in a world that denies there is such a thing as truth. Just like Pilate in John 18:38, people today indignantly ask, "What is truth?" But Jesus has an answer... the answer! The word of God is truth, which is far more than merely saying the word of God is true. He is saying that it is the standard against which all truth claims are measured. It is both true and the truth. And that word has been "incarnated" and clothed in human flesh so that we might find our way back to God. Ultimately, it all comes down to this: will we accept the truth as it has been revealed in Jesus the Messiah. This is the difference between life and death, between heaven and hell, and between joy and sorrow. Will we receive what Jesus has to say even when it runs contrary to the opinions of worldly experts; even when it runs contrary to our sinful desires? Your word is truth means that at long last the search is over. It is now time to hear him and obey.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Some Interesting Stats
Every once in a while, when I have nothing better to do, I catch Bill O'Reilly on the Fox Cable News Channel. He is almost always entertaining even when he is over the top... but that is another story. Anyway, a couple of nights ago I heard him talking about "charity" and who gives what to charity. Quoting as his source a new book called, "Who Really Cares," by Syracuse University Professor Arthur Brooks, O'Reilly gleefully pointed out that "religious Americans who vote Republican are far more likely to be generous to the downtrodden than secular-progressives". Not to mention the differences between the amount given by the average American family versus families in more secular Europe. And the further fact that those Americans who give the most do not necessarily come from the wealthiest parts of the country.
O'Reilly then went on to talk about why this is the case and his conclusion is that conservatives are more likely to be devout Christians, Jews or Muslims, who are motivated to help the poor because of their religious beliefs. When compared with their more secular counterparts, religious people give four times as much money to charity every year and they are 23 times more likely to volunteer to help others. They are also not as likely to be crying for "income redistribution". He claims that those who favor government intervention and more socialistic control in order to help the poor give 75% less to charity then those who do not. And while secularists make lots of noise about "helping the poor" they like it best when someone else's money is being used!
Recently, I also saw a quotation reputedly from Napoleon which said: "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich". I have no way of knowing if Napoleon said such a thing but once again it underscores the difference religion, and I would want to say, Christianity, makes in one's life. We are living in a time when religion in general is being blamed for many things. Some of the blame is warranted. But that blame is always connected to various forms of false religion masquerading as the truth, including secularism which is deeply religious in its own perverted way. Biblical Christianity has a powerful effect on the lives of those who are living in submission to Jesus Christ. And once again at this Christmas season the world will reminded in many ways about the true King of kings and Prince of peace. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone would listen?
O'Reilly then went on to talk about why this is the case and his conclusion is that conservatives are more likely to be devout Christians, Jews or Muslims, who are motivated to help the poor because of their religious beliefs. When compared with their more secular counterparts, religious people give four times as much money to charity every year and they are 23 times more likely to volunteer to help others. They are also not as likely to be crying for "income redistribution". He claims that those who favor government intervention and more socialistic control in order to help the poor give 75% less to charity then those who do not. And while secularists make lots of noise about "helping the poor" they like it best when someone else's money is being used!
Recently, I also saw a quotation reputedly from Napoleon which said: "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich". I have no way of knowing if Napoleon said such a thing but once again it underscores the difference religion, and I would want to say, Christianity, makes in one's life. We are living in a time when religion in general is being blamed for many things. Some of the blame is warranted. But that blame is always connected to various forms of false religion masquerading as the truth, including secularism which is deeply religious in its own perverted way. Biblical Christianity has a powerful effect on the lives of those who are living in submission to Jesus Christ. And once again at this Christmas season the world will reminded in many ways about the true King of kings and Prince of peace. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone would listen?
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