Today I came to a familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 10:19-33. This is the continuation of Paul's exhortation to the Corinthian church concerning their attitude and behaviour especially as it relates to the church within, and the pagans without. He began in the beginning of chapter 10 the history of Israel's disobedience while they were in the desert after having been freed from Egypt:
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (verses 1-5)
Despite witnessing so many miracles from God - after crossing the red sea on dry ground, the Israelite were protected by the cloud from the heat of the sun during the day and warmed by a fire from the severe cold during the night; they received manna from heaven for food, quails sent by God to the camp for meat, and water from the rocks in the desert; and they witnessed supernatural events that represented God's presence - yet they grumbled, committed sexual immorality, and worshiped the golden calf! And ultimately because they did not believe that God would be powerful enough to drive out the enemies in the promise land, they would continue to wander in the wilderness for another forty years until the entire generation of fighting men over the age of twenty perished before they entered the promise land. We should therefore take heed of the warning:
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (verses 11-12)
But God made a promise in the very next verse:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (verses13)
So it is because of God's faithfulness that I can resist the temptation of this world. He will provide both the strength to endure as well as a way of escape from these temptations.
Paul continued in chapter 10 to use a practical example to help us live for God and not for ourselves. This is related to eating and drinking and the Lord's supper. So it should be a good reminder for me whenever I have Holy Communion at church (or for that matter every time I eat or drink!). The Lord's supper (see Paul's detail explanation concerning the Lord's supper in the next chapter 11:17-34) serves to remind us of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope we have in him. It is a reminder of the Passover which lead the Israelite out of their slavery in Egypt. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb that protects us from the destroying angels just as the blood of the lamb on the door posts protecting the Israelite. It is not about the food or the drink (which the Corinthians were abusing - see 1 Corinthians 11:17-22). Therefore,
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
So it is in the most ordinary things we do in life, eating and drinking, that can either bring God glory or cause others to stumble. We can choose to abuse our freedom in Christ to serve our own interest, or deliberately subject ourselves as slaves to serve others. I choose to please God (therefore trying to please everyone for God's sake) and not myself (therefore seeking the good of others).
Friday 29 August 2014
Friday 22 August 2014
Are you not to judge those inside (the church)?
Today's scripture reading gave me some new insight into when and whom I must exercise my judgement. Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 admonished us:
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Now when I use the word "judge" I mean simply to give an opinion on a moral issue, often based on a combination of my understanding of what scripture teaches, and the reasonable application of the laws and customs of the church and society at the time. For the most part I try to avoid making judgement on what people wear or what music they like or whether they smoke cigarettes. I must admit it is often more difficult to draw the line on many other issues - like stewardship (with money and the environment), some behaviour (like disrespect for parents or parenting children), and even choice of vocation (I think most would agree that being a professional assassin is likely wrong!).
Here in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians Paul was dealing with a case of incest in the church in Corinth. There are not too many specifics except this:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! (verses 1-2)
The problem: a man is sleeping with his father's wife (sexual immorality)
The church's response: and you are proud!
The world's standard at the time: even pagans do not tolerate (it likely broke the existing law)
Initially I was inclined to think that this unnamed church member had married his young step-mother following his father's death, as a means to support the widow and perhaps to reproduce on behalf of the family line. The church was proud because it was seen as a self-giving act. Well it appeared not to be so. Apparently this may have happened while his father was still alive (2 Corinthians 7:12 gave a hint that there was "an injured party"). This act was in direct violation of the ancient law:
Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father. (Leviticus 18:8)
And dishonoring our parent is breaking the 5th commandment of the Ten Commandments.
Paul was also drawing a distinction between judging Christians and non-Christians. It is possible that the step-mother involved was a non-christian and Paul did not think it was his business to judge her (I think Paul was using those outside the church as to mean those who had not made a profession of faith).
So it seems that it is not only right for us to judge our own brothers and sisters in matters clearly in violation of God's laws and even the law of society, it is our responsibility so that God would be honored. Paul used the metaphor of the "bad yeast" that can ruin the entire dough in the context of the Passover lamb (Jesus) who made a costly sacrifice to redeem us (verses 6-8). This "little yeast" was an emblem of a church that had many other moral failures which Paul addressed in the books of Corinthians. We must deal with sins within the church seriously so that we can truly become the light to the world.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Now when I use the word "judge" I mean simply to give an opinion on a moral issue, often based on a combination of my understanding of what scripture teaches, and the reasonable application of the laws and customs of the church and society at the time. For the most part I try to avoid making judgement on what people wear or what music they like or whether they smoke cigarettes. I must admit it is often more difficult to draw the line on many other issues - like stewardship (with money and the environment), some behaviour (like disrespect for parents or parenting children), and even choice of vocation (I think most would agree that being a professional assassin is likely wrong!).
Here in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians Paul was dealing with a case of incest in the church in Corinth. There are not too many specifics except this:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! (verses 1-2)
The problem: a man is sleeping with his father's wife (sexual immorality)
The church's response: and you are proud!
The world's standard at the time: even pagans do not tolerate (it likely broke the existing law)
Initially I was inclined to think that this unnamed church member had married his young step-mother following his father's death, as a means to support the widow and perhaps to reproduce on behalf of the family line. The church was proud because it was seen as a self-giving act. Well it appeared not to be so. Apparently this may have happened while his father was still alive (2 Corinthians 7:12 gave a hint that there was "an injured party"). This act was in direct violation of the ancient law:
Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father. (Leviticus 18:8)
And dishonoring our parent is breaking the 5th commandment of the Ten Commandments.
Paul was also drawing a distinction between judging Christians and non-Christians. It is possible that the step-mother involved was a non-christian and Paul did not think it was his business to judge her (I think Paul was using those outside the church as to mean those who had not made a profession of faith).
So it seems that it is not only right for us to judge our own brothers and sisters in matters clearly in violation of God's laws and even the law of society, it is our responsibility so that God would be honored. Paul used the metaphor of the "bad yeast" that can ruin the entire dough in the context of the Passover lamb (Jesus) who made a costly sacrifice to redeem us (verses 6-8). This "little yeast" was an emblem of a church that had many other moral failures which Paul addressed in the books of Corinthians. We must deal with sins within the church seriously so that we can truly become the light to the world.
Friday 15 August 2014
The Safest Place in the Universe!
Psalm 91:1 says "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Before I begin, let me confess a number of fears that I have. I am afraid of "ghost"! I blame it on my childhood, my ethnic background, and indeed my mother! I can't remember clearly the number of events and situations that brought such silly fear into my life. I am after all a born again Christian! The word "fear" appears 336 times in the NIV translation of the bible. There are many clear teachings explaining why we don't have to fear because we now belong to Christ. I even wrote a blog about fear called "Whom Shall I Fear". But my fear of ghost is just one of those fear that is totally irrational, much like my fear of height, close space etc. I remember once during my summer elective as a medical student living in a northern Ontario town called Cochrane. I was put up in the operating room of a deserted hospital! I am embarrassed to say that I lasted only one night - I couldn't sleep at all! I begged my supervisor to put me up in his home instead!
Psalm 91 is not talking about this kind of irrational fear. There are real fears in every human being's life. Recent wars in Iraq, Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, and Ebola outbreaks all point to real physical dangers in the world we live in. The Psalmist (most people think Moses wrote this Psalm) talked about fowler's snare (an enemy's trap - see Spurgeon's commentary) and deadly pestilence (verse 3), terror of night and arrow that flies by day (verse 5), and the death of thousands (verse 7). In this Psalm the writer used the most vivid visual imagery to help the readers appreciate how God's presence provides a sense of protection. Against the fowler's snare, God will cover us with his feathers and we will find refuge under his wings (verse 4). Against deadly pestilence God's faithfulness is our shield and rampart (a defensive wall) - like the protective suits and isolation wards against Ebola transmission.
So the promise is that "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." This commentary explains:
The word "shelter" in the NIV is translated "secret place" in the KJV. It speaks of a place known only to God! When faced with danger, we automatically cover ourselves, or at least shield ourselves from harm. Can you imagine covering yourself with God? Can you imagine being shielded by the Might and Power of the Almighty? Where no evil can harm nor even reach us? That is what the psalmist is speaking about here! That is ultimate Security, and only in God will we find True Peace. The one who "dwells" or lives in God's secret place will be protected by His Almighty Presence! But let no one misunderstand this Truth. It is not the one who claims to dwell in God's Presence that will be protected, but the one who truly lives there! The one who wanders beyond His "shadow" into the realm of the world should not expect His protection!
So the secret of finding this "secret place" is in verse 2: I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”.
The commentary further explains:
The key to entering God's secret place is simple: Trust God and acknowledge Him as your refuge and fortress! This second verse is easy enough to say, but very difficult to do when "danger" is tangible and near! When threatened, we too often become controlled by our fears that melt our trust in God. We too easily trust in our own strength and intellect to save us from danger, but fail to recognize where our real protection lies! Admission into God's presence has always been by faith, and never on the basis of how deserving we are! Otherwise, we will find ourselves forever cast out from God's Holy and Perfectly Righteous Presence! The One who dwells in Light Unapproachable can no more welcome the sinner as oil can mix with water. On the contrary, God's Righteousness repels sin! But the one who receives God's Son, Jesus Christ, and believes that Christ died for his sins, will be transformed into God's child and transferred into God's Presence. It is this child of God who is permitted sanctuary in the very secret place of the Most High!
So we who trust in Christ's redeeming work is already in his presence! Our faith is based on what Christ has done rather than what we have done so we don't have to be afraid that we are not good enough. His promise of protection is real and tangible.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
Before I begin, let me confess a number of fears that I have. I am afraid of "ghost"! I blame it on my childhood, my ethnic background, and indeed my mother! I can't remember clearly the number of events and situations that brought such silly fear into my life. I am after all a born again Christian! The word "fear" appears 336 times in the NIV translation of the bible. There are many clear teachings explaining why we don't have to fear because we now belong to Christ. I even wrote a blog about fear called "Whom Shall I Fear". But my fear of ghost is just one of those fear that is totally irrational, much like my fear of height, close space etc. I remember once during my summer elective as a medical student living in a northern Ontario town called Cochrane. I was put up in the operating room of a deserted hospital! I am embarrassed to say that I lasted only one night - I couldn't sleep at all! I begged my supervisor to put me up in his home instead!
Psalm 91 is not talking about this kind of irrational fear. There are real fears in every human being's life. Recent wars in Iraq, Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, and Ebola outbreaks all point to real physical dangers in the world we live in. The Psalmist (most people think Moses wrote this Psalm) talked about fowler's snare (an enemy's trap - see Spurgeon's commentary) and deadly pestilence (verse 3), terror of night and arrow that flies by day (verse 5), and the death of thousands (verse 7). In this Psalm the writer used the most vivid visual imagery to help the readers appreciate how God's presence provides a sense of protection. Against the fowler's snare, God will cover us with his feathers and we will find refuge under his wings (verse 4). Against deadly pestilence God's faithfulness is our shield and rampart (a defensive wall) - like the protective suits and isolation wards against Ebola transmission.
So the promise is that "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." This commentary explains:
The word "shelter" in the NIV is translated "secret place" in the KJV. It speaks of a place known only to God! When faced with danger, we automatically cover ourselves, or at least shield ourselves from harm. Can you imagine covering yourself with God? Can you imagine being shielded by the Might and Power of the Almighty? Where no evil can harm nor even reach us? That is what the psalmist is speaking about here! That is ultimate Security, and only in God will we find True Peace. The one who "dwells" or lives in God's secret place will be protected by His Almighty Presence! But let no one misunderstand this Truth. It is not the one who claims to dwell in God's Presence that will be protected, but the one who truly lives there! The one who wanders beyond His "shadow" into the realm of the world should not expect His protection!
So the secret of finding this "secret place" is in verse 2: I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”.
The commentary further explains:
The key to entering God's secret place is simple: Trust God and acknowledge Him as your refuge and fortress! This second verse is easy enough to say, but very difficult to do when "danger" is tangible and near! When threatened, we too often become controlled by our fears that melt our trust in God. We too easily trust in our own strength and intellect to save us from danger, but fail to recognize where our real protection lies! Admission into God's presence has always been by faith, and never on the basis of how deserving we are! Otherwise, we will find ourselves forever cast out from God's Holy and Perfectly Righteous Presence! The One who dwells in Light Unapproachable can no more welcome the sinner as oil can mix with water. On the contrary, God's Righteousness repels sin! But the one who receives God's Son, Jesus Christ, and believes that Christ died for his sins, will be transformed into God's child and transferred into God's Presence. It is this child of God who is permitted sanctuary in the very secret place of the Most High!
So we who trust in Christ's redeeming work is already in his presence! Our faith is based on what Christ has done rather than what we have done so we don't have to be afraid that we are not good enough. His promise of protection is real and tangible.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
Friday 8 August 2014
Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated
The Internet at the cottage is very spotty so this may be a short blog. I had a wonderful time enjoying the cottage country for the past week.
I had always thought that Romans 8:28-30 spoke most clearly about God's sovereign choice. These verses are often quoted and debated by Calvinists and Armenians between God's sovereignty versus man's free will in salvation. I recently heard this sermon from Bruxy Cavey on Soteriology where he explained the different views on these specific verses.
For the last two days I have been reading Romans 9. I was surprised to find how much more it speaks on God's sovereign choice. I find it difficult to understand that Paul quoted "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" to emphasize how much God has a say in who is to be saved. Paul was quoting from Malachi chapter 1. Malachi gave this message to Israel after the exile:
“I loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How did you love us?’
“Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “I loved Jacob, but Esau I hated. I turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the jackals in the desert. (Malachi 1:2-3)
John Piper did an excellent sermon on the first chapter of Malachi in Desiring God called "The greatness of God's electing love".
John Piper exhorted us:
So let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Let us give him the glory—all the glory—for our salvation. And let us never grow weary in savoring and strengthening and spreading the vision of our God, for "Great is the Lord beyond the walls of this church!"
Gotquestion.org has a nice answer on the question "Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau?".
"It is important to always study the context of a particular Bible verse or passage. In these instances, the prophet Malachi and the apostle Paul are using the name “Esau” to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God chose Jacob (whom He later renamed “Israel”) to be the father of His chosen people, the Israelites. God rejected Esau (who was also called “Edom”) and did not choose him to be the father of His chosen people. Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, were in many ways blessed by God (Genesis 33:9; Genesis 36). So, considering the context, God loving Jacob and hating Esau has nothing to do with the human emotions of love and hate. It has everything to do with God choosing one man and his descendants and rejecting another man and his descendants."
So Paul wrote Romans 9 to indeed point us to God sovereign choice and the importance of faith rather than works in salvation:
"What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works." (Romans 9:30-32)
I am thankful that God chose me! I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. By God's grace I never have to ask ‘How did you love us?’.
I had always thought that Romans 8:28-30 spoke most clearly about God's sovereign choice. These verses are often quoted and debated by Calvinists and Armenians between God's sovereignty versus man's free will in salvation. I recently heard this sermon from Bruxy Cavey on Soteriology where he explained the different views on these specific verses.
For the last two days I have been reading Romans 9. I was surprised to find how much more it speaks on God's sovereign choice. I find it difficult to understand that Paul quoted "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" to emphasize how much God has a say in who is to be saved. Paul was quoting from Malachi chapter 1. Malachi gave this message to Israel after the exile:
“I loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How did you love us?’
“Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “I loved Jacob, but Esau I hated. I turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the jackals in the desert. (Malachi 1:2-3)
John Piper did an excellent sermon on the first chapter of Malachi in Desiring God called "The greatness of God's electing love".
John Piper exhorted us:
So let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Let us give him the glory—all the glory—for our salvation. And let us never grow weary in savoring and strengthening and spreading the vision of our God, for "Great is the Lord beyond the walls of this church!"
Gotquestion.org has a nice answer on the question "Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau?".
"It is important to always study the context of a particular Bible verse or passage. In these instances, the prophet Malachi and the apostle Paul are using the name “Esau” to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God chose Jacob (whom He later renamed “Israel”) to be the father of His chosen people, the Israelites. God rejected Esau (who was also called “Edom”) and did not choose him to be the father of His chosen people. Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, were in many ways blessed by God (Genesis 33:9; Genesis 36). So, considering the context, God loving Jacob and hating Esau has nothing to do with the human emotions of love and hate. It has everything to do with God choosing one man and his descendants and rejecting another man and his descendants."
So Paul wrote Romans 9 to indeed point us to God sovereign choice and the importance of faith rather than works in salvation:
"What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works." (Romans 9:30-32)
I am thankful that God chose me! I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. By God's grace I never have to ask ‘How did you love us?’.
Friday 1 August 2014
What is Abraham's faith?
Today's scripture reading includes Romans chapter 4. Paul spent the entire chapter talking about Abraham's faith. He helped us understand (at least in part) how faith played a role in our salvation (how we are saved from condemnation which our sins deserve) and the concept of "justification" - a term used in the court of law (how we are justified before the judge and declared not only innocent but "righteous"!).
Abraham was the son of Terah, born 292 years after the flood. He was given the name Abram initially. He belonged to a people who had been scattered around the ancient world by God because of their pride, as recorded in the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Terah settled in Harran with his family although he intended to travel to Canaan. Little else is known about Abram's life except that he had two brothers Nahor and Haran (Haran died before the move from Ur to Harran) and a nephew (son of Nahor) called Lot. In Genesis 12 we are told that Abram was childless at the age of 75. God "called" him to leave his aging father and his people to move away from Harran. He took his wife Sarai and nephew Lot and arrived at Canaan (where his father was planning to move to previously).
One can only speculate how Abram heard this "call". In Genesis 12:7 we are told that the Lord "appeared" to Abram. Abram clearly heard God's call to leave his country, and the promise of many blessings if he would obey:
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
And further more, the blessing would also include:
“To your offspring I will give this land.” (verse 7)
So the blessings included:
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Paul further explained this concept of "justification by faith":
Oswald Chambers also wrote a nice piece on this theme - "Abraham's Life of Faith".
Abraham was the son of Terah, born 292 years after the flood. He was given the name Abram initially. He belonged to a people who had been scattered around the ancient world by God because of their pride, as recorded in the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Terah settled in Harran with his family although he intended to travel to Canaan. Little else is known about Abram's life except that he had two brothers Nahor and Haran (Haran died before the move from Ur to Harran) and a nephew (son of Nahor) called Lot. In Genesis 12 we are told that Abram was childless at the age of 75. God "called" him to leave his aging father and his people to move away from Harran. He took his wife Sarai and nephew Lot and arrived at Canaan (where his father was planning to move to previously).
One can only speculate how Abram heard this "call". In Genesis 12:7 we are told that the Lord "appeared" to Abram. Abram clearly heard God's call to leave his country, and the promise of many blessings if he would obey:
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
And further more, the blessing would also include:
“To your offspring I will give this land.” (verse 7)
So the blessings included:
- Abram will have descendants who will form a great nation (now believed to be the nation of Israel).
- Abram will be famous.
- He will be a blessing to others, including all peoples on earth.
- The Lord Himself will protect him (the Canaanites were still living all around Abraham just as the Palestinians are living around Israel today!).
- His descendant will own the land of Canaan (one can see why the nation of Israel looked upon Palestine as God's promised land).
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Paul further explained this concept of "justification by faith":
- Didn't come by works (verses 4-5).
- Comes before "religion" - Abraham's call and his obedience happened before the rite of "circumcision" (which represents the entry into the Jewish religion). (Verses 9-15)
- Comes to us all (Jews and gentiles) through the same faith (not the Jewish religion). (verses 16-17)
- Faith does not depend on what is possible but what we believe based on our relationship with the person. Abraham based his faith on the Lord who had appeared to him. We base our faith on the historic Jesus who came to show us the same promise God made to Abraham and demonstrated to us by his death and resurrection! (verses 18-25)
Oswald Chambers also wrote a nice piece on this theme - "Abraham's Life of Faith".
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