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Coffee Shop Chapel
- Thread starter Dan Todd
- Start date
I Am Blessed 24
Active Member
"When Jesus comes, the blinded eyes are open,
When Jesus comes, the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and turns it into gladness,
When Jesus comes, the night has turned to day."
When Jesus comes, the tears are washed away.
He takes the gloom and turns it into gladness,
When Jesus comes, the night has turned to day."
Wednesday, Sept 17, 2003
John 11: 38ff
This mornings devotional starts off with Jesus groaning. Have you ever looked up the word groan in an English dictionary? It refers to that grunt we express when we are frustrated or disgusted with something. Mr. Spurgeon has an interesting take on this: "We hear more of His personal groaning in this than in all his personal suffering." Jesus never "groaned" about walking that final parade. Jesus never groaned about taking His place on the cross. Jesus goes the extra mile for His friends; He groans.
In verse 39 we read: Jesus said, Take away the stone. I am not sure whether this is referring to a simple burial site or the tomb as used later in His own burial. I rather suspect it is a regular grave. The stone might not be that huge, and so he instructed the sisters to take the stone away.
It is a simply order. It does not take a genius to understand what it means..Take away the stone!
Martha instantly shows her lack of faith...By this time he stinks! He has been dead four days. I should hope he would stink. If you have been to the Middle East on hot days, you will appreciate how that body would stink sitting in an oven for four days under a hot sun.
One thing that stands out in this passage is the fact that a step of faith requires some action on our part. Take away the stone! No claiming exemption because one is a woman here. He is speaking to the two women,,,You there, Martha, Take away the stone. Faith requires action. We must respond to the Lord. We must do something.
The next thing I found in this passage (verse 43) "He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth." He was not troubled about the fact Lazarus was dead. There is no timidity here. Jesus shouts with a loud voice, Come out! When Jesus calls one out from the bondage of spiritual death, he might better respond. Here Lazarus makes his entry with wrappings still in place. I was wondering how he could walk with his legs bound, hindered by the facial napkin, the triangular cloth that was tied under the chin and over the head to keep the chin from dropping in death. When Jesus calls, the dead will walk. He gives us newness of life. He takes off the old clothes and makes us new all over. There is no excuse allowed here. Lord, I am a simpleton, you know I can't do that....When Jesus calls, he equips. There is no room for a no.
In verse 44 we have the words of freedom, "loose him, and let him go." There is no binding that can keep us back from service. The Lord Himself gave the orders and they are clear, Lay your hands off me, for I am free from all my binding of sin and depravity and my Lord has called me out of death unto life.
Lord, fill us with so much of yourself, that the bindings of our former life will not hinder us from your service. Amen, and God bless.
Cheers,
Jim
John 11: 38ff
This mornings devotional starts off with Jesus groaning. Have you ever looked up the word groan in an English dictionary? It refers to that grunt we express when we are frustrated or disgusted with something. Mr. Spurgeon has an interesting take on this: "We hear more of His personal groaning in this than in all his personal suffering." Jesus never "groaned" about walking that final parade. Jesus never groaned about taking His place on the cross. Jesus goes the extra mile for His friends; He groans.
In verse 39 we read: Jesus said, Take away the stone. I am not sure whether this is referring to a simple burial site or the tomb as used later in His own burial. I rather suspect it is a regular grave. The stone might not be that huge, and so he instructed the sisters to take the stone away.
It is a simply order. It does not take a genius to understand what it means..Take away the stone!
Martha instantly shows her lack of faith...By this time he stinks! He has been dead four days. I should hope he would stink. If you have been to the Middle East on hot days, you will appreciate how that body would stink sitting in an oven for four days under a hot sun.
One thing that stands out in this passage is the fact that a step of faith requires some action on our part. Take away the stone! No claiming exemption because one is a woman here. He is speaking to the two women,,,You there, Martha, Take away the stone. Faith requires action. We must respond to the Lord. We must do something.
The next thing I found in this passage (verse 43) "He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth." He was not troubled about the fact Lazarus was dead. There is no timidity here. Jesus shouts with a loud voice, Come out! When Jesus calls one out from the bondage of spiritual death, he might better respond. Here Lazarus makes his entry with wrappings still in place. I was wondering how he could walk with his legs bound, hindered by the facial napkin, the triangular cloth that was tied under the chin and over the head to keep the chin from dropping in death. When Jesus calls, the dead will walk. He gives us newness of life. He takes off the old clothes and makes us new all over. There is no excuse allowed here. Lord, I am a simpleton, you know I can't do that....When Jesus calls, he equips. There is no room for a no.
In verse 44 we have the words of freedom, "loose him, and let him go." There is no binding that can keep us back from service. The Lord Himself gave the orders and they are clear, Lay your hands off me, for I am free from all my binding of sin and depravity and my Lord has called me out of death unto life.
Lord, fill us with so much of yourself, that the bindings of our former life will not hinder us from your service. Amen, and God bless.
Cheers,
Jim
September 18
Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Our text tells us that there are two kinds of righteousness, God’s and man’s. Does it matter which righteousness we possess? Is one righteousness better than the other? Is one righteousness right and the other wrong? How serious is this issue? Charles Hodge observes that the Jews’ “ignorance on this point implied ignorance of the character of God, of the requirements of the law, and of themselves.” Hodge considered this issue important. He goes on the say, “Those who err essentially here, err fatally; and those who are right here, cannot be wrong as to other necessary truths.”
Those who fail to see the distinction between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of man, seek salvation in the wrong way. Boice lists five fatal consequences of this error.
1. Those who make it are satisfied with their own righteousness. Boice writes, “This is like a woman dying of some disease saying that she is sure everything is all right with her because her face looks good when she puts on her makeup. I have no doubt that a dying woman might look a great deal better with some makup, particularly if she is very sick. But it is utter folly to trust the makeup and fail to see a doctor, if there is any chance that the doctor can detect the disease and cure it.”
But that is exactly the folly millions (billions) of spiritually dying people are wilfully committing. They are ignorant of their true condition and they “trust their efforts to paint over the surface of their lives with human morality.” (Boice) Some think that they must be right with God because they have been baptized or take communion. It is true, God commanded these things, but they are meant to be signs of an inward change, not the reality itself. Others give to church or charitable institutions, again thinking this will add up to God’s righteousness. “Because they are satisfied with what they have done, they suppose that God must be satisfied also. They fail to see that they are spiritually dying men and women.” (Boice)
2. They look down on other people. Can you imagine what heaven would be like if we made it there on our own righteousness? Eternity would be one big brag festival. “I did more than you did to get here, I’m better than you!” “Those who are satisfied with their own righteousness, inevitably look down on other people – whom they suppose to have achieved less. Because they have no high, absolute standard by which to judge themselves, they assume that they are somewhere near the top.” (Boice)
This is one of the reasons why, in our natural sinful condition, we refuse to look up to God and His righteousness. If we were to look up, as Paul was forced to do on the road to Damascus, we would be most conscious of far short we are of the divine requirements. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If we would look up, we would realize that we too are but dim light bulbs when compared to the sun (Son). And when a fifty watt bulb is in the sunlight, it is foolish to brag that it is brighter than a twenty five watt bulb. So what does sinful man do, he refuses to look up. Because the righteousness of God humbles us (something the natural man hates), and takes away all grounds for proud comparison, we avoid it. Instead we keep our eyes focused on other people, and pat ourselves on the back, because we imagine ourselves to be superior to other fallen sinners. That makes as much sense as a someone who is drunk on $150.00 per bottle vodka, feeling superior to someone who is drunk on $3.00 per bottle ripple. Both are drunk, both are in the same condition, it’s just one thinks he’s a better drunk than the other.
Lord willing, we will look at the other three fatal consequences next time.
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Our text tells us that there are two kinds of righteousness, God’s and man’s. Does it matter which righteousness we possess? Is one righteousness better than the other? Is one righteousness right and the other wrong? How serious is this issue? Charles Hodge observes that the Jews’ “ignorance on this point implied ignorance of the character of God, of the requirements of the law, and of themselves.” Hodge considered this issue important. He goes on the say, “Those who err essentially here, err fatally; and those who are right here, cannot be wrong as to other necessary truths.”
Those who fail to see the distinction between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of man, seek salvation in the wrong way. Boice lists five fatal consequences of this error.
1. Those who make it are satisfied with their own righteousness. Boice writes, “This is like a woman dying of some disease saying that she is sure everything is all right with her because her face looks good when she puts on her makeup. I have no doubt that a dying woman might look a great deal better with some makup, particularly if she is very sick. But it is utter folly to trust the makeup and fail to see a doctor, if there is any chance that the doctor can detect the disease and cure it.”
But that is exactly the folly millions (billions) of spiritually dying people are wilfully committing. They are ignorant of their true condition and they “trust their efforts to paint over the surface of their lives with human morality.” (Boice) Some think that they must be right with God because they have been baptized or take communion. It is true, God commanded these things, but they are meant to be signs of an inward change, not the reality itself. Others give to church or charitable institutions, again thinking this will add up to God’s righteousness. “Because they are satisfied with what they have done, they suppose that God must be satisfied also. They fail to see that they are spiritually dying men and women.” (Boice)
2. They look down on other people. Can you imagine what heaven would be like if we made it there on our own righteousness? Eternity would be one big brag festival. “I did more than you did to get here, I’m better than you!” “Those who are satisfied with their own righteousness, inevitably look down on other people – whom they suppose to have achieved less. Because they have no high, absolute standard by which to judge themselves, they assume that they are somewhere near the top.” (Boice)
This is one of the reasons why, in our natural sinful condition, we refuse to look up to God and His righteousness. If we were to look up, as Paul was forced to do on the road to Damascus, we would be most conscious of far short we are of the divine requirements. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If we would look up, we would realize that we too are but dim light bulbs when compared to the sun (Son). And when a fifty watt bulb is in the sunlight, it is foolish to brag that it is brighter than a twenty five watt bulb. So what does sinful man do, he refuses to look up. Because the righteousness of God humbles us (something the natural man hates), and takes away all grounds for proud comparison, we avoid it. Instead we keep our eyes focused on other people, and pat ourselves on the back, because we imagine ourselves to be superior to other fallen sinners. That makes as much sense as a someone who is drunk on $150.00 per bottle vodka, feeling superior to someone who is drunk on $3.00 per bottle ripple. Both are drunk, both are in the same condition, it’s just one thinks he’s a better drunk than the other.
Lord willing, we will look at the other three fatal consequences next time.
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Friday, September 19, 2003
John 11:45ff
To-day's passage should have been about Peter stepping out of the fishing boat and sinking, and Jesus calming the storm on the sea. This thinking is coupled with how people use horoscopes to determine how they will live to-day. I wonder sometimes if we use devotions the same way. Do we open the word to discover what we CAN do to-day?
In a sense, I do that. I open my bible to the passage of the day prescribed by someone I don't know and the first thing I ask...."Well, Lord, What do You have for me to-day?" To-day turned up this:
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him..." (vs 45) Now what is wrong with many Jews believing on Christ? Nothing at all. The thing that troubles me is the word "many". Why didn't all the Jews who witnessed these miraculous acts of One who claimed to be the Messiah of God? And, what happened to those who didn't come? No matter hw clearly we present the gospel of the Lord Jesus, no matter how attractive we make it sound, no matter our choice of language, SOME is the best we can expect. Did the others not believe?
According to the passage at hand, they believed the facts of what they saw, because they reported what they saw to the religious leaders of the day.
The religious leaders believed what was done by Jesus and they call the club to a special meeting to decide what to do about it. As we peek in on their meeting, we catch a glimpse of their concerns....they are afraid they will have to surrender the prestige of their worldly status.,,,read vs48.."If we leave him alone, all men will believe him; the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation." They were more concerned with status than with salvation, more concerned with society than a Saviour.
Is this not true of to-day, yea, of all time? We are more concerned with our daily ways than to giving our all, and I mean all, to our precious Lord Jesus.
It is like a stranger coming to town and asking directions. You tell him to turn south at the corner and he turns north, turn left and he turns right. We turn in the directions we perceive to be right, rather than follow directions by another.
This Caiaphas made the prophecy about the Christ, and these people knew of that prophecy, and what do they do? Assist in the fulfilment of the prophecy, but remain ignorant to the truth of the prophecy. Read on: 49-52....and what do they do? Vs 53 : "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.:
My question this morning is simple. Are we reading what He says, and meeting with the world to put him to death, or, are we reading what God says and dying to self and society and coming to life in our precious Lord Jesus who already died for us?
Lord, make me to be, consecrated Lord to Thee....how often the empty words fow off the lips...Lord drive them a foot or two lower from the empty head to the hollow heart and fill me with Thyself. Amen
Cheers,
Jim
John 11:45ff
To-day's passage should have been about Peter stepping out of the fishing boat and sinking, and Jesus calming the storm on the sea. This thinking is coupled with how people use horoscopes to determine how they will live to-day. I wonder sometimes if we use devotions the same way. Do we open the word to discover what we CAN do to-day?
In a sense, I do that. I open my bible to the passage of the day prescribed by someone I don't know and the first thing I ask...."Well, Lord, What do You have for me to-day?" To-day turned up this:
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him..." (vs 45) Now what is wrong with many Jews believing on Christ? Nothing at all. The thing that troubles me is the word "many". Why didn't all the Jews who witnessed these miraculous acts of One who claimed to be the Messiah of God? And, what happened to those who didn't come? No matter hw clearly we present the gospel of the Lord Jesus, no matter how attractive we make it sound, no matter our choice of language, SOME is the best we can expect. Did the others not believe?
According to the passage at hand, they believed the facts of what they saw, because they reported what they saw to the religious leaders of the day.
The religious leaders believed what was done by Jesus and they call the club to a special meeting to decide what to do about it. As we peek in on their meeting, we catch a glimpse of their concerns....they are afraid they will have to surrender the prestige of their worldly status.,,,read vs48.."If we leave him alone, all men will believe him; the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation." They were more concerned with status than with salvation, more concerned with society than a Saviour.
Is this not true of to-day, yea, of all time? We are more concerned with our daily ways than to giving our all, and I mean all, to our precious Lord Jesus.
It is like a stranger coming to town and asking directions. You tell him to turn south at the corner and he turns north, turn left and he turns right. We turn in the directions we perceive to be right, rather than follow directions by another.
This Caiaphas made the prophecy about the Christ, and these people knew of that prophecy, and what do they do? Assist in the fulfilment of the prophecy, but remain ignorant to the truth of the prophecy. Read on: 49-52....and what do they do? Vs 53 : "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.:
My question this morning is simple. Are we reading what He says, and meeting with the world to put him to death, or, are we reading what God says and dying to self and society and coming to life in our precious Lord Jesus who already died for us?
Lord, make me to be, consecrated Lord to Thee....how often the empty words fow off the lips...Lord drive them a foot or two lower from the empty head to the hollow heart and fill me with Thyself. Amen
Cheers,
Jim
September 20
Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
God’s righteousness or man’s righteousness, that is the question. There are five fatal consequences if you err and choose man’s righteousness over God’s righteousness. We previously looked at the first two:
1. Those who make it are satisfied with their own righteousness.
2. They look down on other people.
Today we will look at the final three:
3. They resent Jesus and His gospel. Boice writes, “When Jesus came to earth it was as if God brought down to our level the righteousness we in our fallen state refused to look up to or acknowledge.”
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day fiercely hated Him. Today, people who do not trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will often acknowledge that He was gentle, kind, loving, and active in good works. Why was such a person hated as Jesus was, hated to the point of an unjust trial and an execution? The only explanation was that He was too gentle, too kind, too loving, and too active in good works. His good was of such a high quality that it was seen as other-worldly. Why? Because His was divine righteousness, not mere human righteousness. His righteousness was unattainable, and that was His offense, in fact it was an intolerable offense to His enemies. Why? Because before Jesus (God incarnate) arrived on the scene, His enemies considered themselves to be quite good and clearly better than others, Jesus’ righteousness proved otherwise.
“This is why Jesus had a much better reception among social outcasts than among the model members of the community. The outcasts had no illusions about themselves. They knew they were sinners. They were merely overwhelmed and happy to find that Jesus loved them. But the self-styled righteous people felt offended by Jesus, someone whose true righteousness exposed the limits and falseness of their own.” (Boice)
4. They misunderstand and mishandle the law. What is the purpose of the law? To show that we are sinners, not for us to be saved by it! “If we reject the revelation of God’s true righteousness in Christ and suppose that we are doing well in our efforts to achieve our own righteousness, we will then use the law wrongly, misinterpreting it to require what we feel able to do and then praising ourselves for our achievement.” (Boice)
The Pharisees defined and refined the law. It was not enough that the law said, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8). The Pharisees asked, “What does it mean to keep it holy?” The law said, “In it thou shalt not do any work” (verse 10). The Pharisees responded, “But what is work?” From this sort of thinking came an elaborate system of rules that dictated how far you could walk on the Sabbath, what you could carry when you walked, and the type of activities you could pursue. The Pharisees did this with the other nine commandments as well as the many additional ordinances found in the Pentateuch.
Matthew records how Jesus thought about the law. To hate makes you guilty of murder, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21-22). To lust is to commit adultery, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (verses 27-28). You must do more than love your neighbor, you must also love your enemy, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (verses 43-44).
Jesus understood the law rightly. When we follow His example, we to will use it rightly, and see that we can never measure up to this or any other right standard, and we will turn to the mercy of God to save us from our sins. The Pharisees refused Christ’s example, because they were satisfied with their own deficient righteousness.
5. They will not submit to God’s righteousness. The self-righteous will never acknowledge that they need God’s righteousness and seek Christ.
Boice summarizes the matter, “Paul says that the people of his day pursued a law of human righteousness but failed to achieve God’s true righteousness because they sought it the wrong way. They thought they could attain it by works, when it can be received only as a gift of God through faith. The reason they sought it in the wrong way is that they were ignorant of these two types of righteousness. They trusted in their own righteousness and thought that, if they had enough of it, their righteousness would add up to the righteousness of God. Therefore, they did not abandon their own efforts and submit to God’s righteousness.”
“If we are not to be ignorant of God’s righteousness, if we are to turn away from any attempt to establish our own righteousness, we must come to the place where we submit ourselves to the righteousness of God – as it is seen in ... Jesus Christ” (Barnhouse).
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
God’s righteousness or man’s righteousness, that is the question. There are five fatal consequences if you err and choose man’s righteousness over God’s righteousness. We previously looked at the first two:
1. Those who make it are satisfied with their own righteousness.
2. They look down on other people.
Today we will look at the final three:
3. They resent Jesus and His gospel. Boice writes, “When Jesus came to earth it was as if God brought down to our level the righteousness we in our fallen state refused to look up to or acknowledge.”
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day fiercely hated Him. Today, people who do not trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will often acknowledge that He was gentle, kind, loving, and active in good works. Why was such a person hated as Jesus was, hated to the point of an unjust trial and an execution? The only explanation was that He was too gentle, too kind, too loving, and too active in good works. His good was of such a high quality that it was seen as other-worldly. Why? Because His was divine righteousness, not mere human righteousness. His righteousness was unattainable, and that was His offense, in fact it was an intolerable offense to His enemies. Why? Because before Jesus (God incarnate) arrived on the scene, His enemies considered themselves to be quite good and clearly better than others, Jesus’ righteousness proved otherwise.
“This is why Jesus had a much better reception among social outcasts than among the model members of the community. The outcasts had no illusions about themselves. They knew they were sinners. They were merely overwhelmed and happy to find that Jesus loved them. But the self-styled righteous people felt offended by Jesus, someone whose true righteousness exposed the limits and falseness of their own.” (Boice)
4. They misunderstand and mishandle the law. What is the purpose of the law? To show that we are sinners, not for us to be saved by it! “If we reject the revelation of God’s true righteousness in Christ and suppose that we are doing well in our efforts to achieve our own righteousness, we will then use the law wrongly, misinterpreting it to require what we feel able to do and then praising ourselves for our achievement.” (Boice)
The Pharisees defined and refined the law. It was not enough that the law said, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8). The Pharisees asked, “What does it mean to keep it holy?” The law said, “In it thou shalt not do any work” (verse 10). The Pharisees responded, “But what is work?” From this sort of thinking came an elaborate system of rules that dictated how far you could walk on the Sabbath, what you could carry when you walked, and the type of activities you could pursue. The Pharisees did this with the other nine commandments as well as the many additional ordinances found in the Pentateuch.
Matthew records how Jesus thought about the law. To hate makes you guilty of murder, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21-22). To lust is to commit adultery, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (verses 27-28). You must do more than love your neighbor, you must also love your enemy, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (verses 43-44).
Jesus understood the law rightly. When we follow His example, we to will use it rightly, and see that we can never measure up to this or any other right standard, and we will turn to the mercy of God to save us from our sins. The Pharisees refused Christ’s example, because they were satisfied with their own deficient righteousness.
5. They will not submit to God’s righteousness. The self-righteous will never acknowledge that they need God’s righteousness and seek Christ.
Boice summarizes the matter, “Paul says that the people of his day pursued a law of human righteousness but failed to achieve God’s true righteousness because they sought it the wrong way. They thought they could attain it by works, when it can be received only as a gift of God through faith. The reason they sought it in the wrong way is that they were ignorant of these two types of righteousness. They trusted in their own righteousness and thought that, if they had enough of it, their righteousness would add up to the righteousness of God. Therefore, they did not abandon their own efforts and submit to God’s righteousness.”
“If we are not to be ignorant of God’s righteousness, if we are to turn away from any attempt to establish our own righteousness, we must come to the place where we submit ourselves to the righteousness of God – as it is seen in ... Jesus Christ” (Barnhouse).
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Sunday, Sept 21, 2003
John 12:21ff
Sir, we would see Jesus. vs 21
In this short sentence lies the essence of Christian mission. Sir, We would see Jesus. Nevermind all the trappings of relgion, our beautiful building we call church, the gymnasium and the like....Sir, we wold see Jesus.
This was not a convnient thing. They travelled some distance to get there. I recall a reunion of sorts some years back. The first thing we wanted to do when we met was to see each other. It is a natural inclination. In verse 20, these Greeks came for a purpose, and it wasn't to say hello to old friends, "Sir, we would see Jesus."
The next thing that jumped out at me is vs 26.Once we have seen Jesus, we want to follow him. "If any man serve me, let him follow me."
The basic requirement is that we become familiar with Jesus the Christ..Sir, we would see Jesus...Prior knowledge of the Lord is vital. Then, we will follow him. Nothing becomes important. In fact, the word says, "He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." Read this passage carefully now. There is a double action required. We must not only love the life in Christ, but we must hate the life this world affords us outside of Christ.It cannot be a passive existence. Once saved always saved should be cast into the Lake of Fire for what it is worth. Far too many rest there all in such cliches, which are meaningless and at best deceptive. Yes, we are eternally secure in the Lord Jesus, but we will demonstrate it on a regular basis. The Christian life is not a string of flashing Christmas lamps..This light is expected to shine on forever. As Jesus says, in vs 32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Do we seek attention from the world? From the church we serve? From our family? Jesus said that if He was lifted up on the cross all would be attracted to Him. So, if you want attention, you must be prepared to die to self. To sacrifice all the things of this old world. We must die to self and be resurrected to newness of life in the Lord Jesus. Wasn't it Paul who said, I die daily?
Lord gives me that kind of magnetism, that when I am lifted up I will make You desireable by all men. Amen
Cheers,
Jim
John 12:21ff
Sir, we would see Jesus. vs 21
In this short sentence lies the essence of Christian mission. Sir, We would see Jesus. Nevermind all the trappings of relgion, our beautiful building we call church, the gymnasium and the like....Sir, we wold see Jesus.
This was not a convnient thing. They travelled some distance to get there. I recall a reunion of sorts some years back. The first thing we wanted to do when we met was to see each other. It is a natural inclination. In verse 20, these Greeks came for a purpose, and it wasn't to say hello to old friends, "Sir, we would see Jesus."
The next thing that jumped out at me is vs 26.Once we have seen Jesus, we want to follow him. "If any man serve me, let him follow me."
The basic requirement is that we become familiar with Jesus the Christ..Sir, we would see Jesus...Prior knowledge of the Lord is vital. Then, we will follow him. Nothing becomes important. In fact, the word says, "He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." Read this passage carefully now. There is a double action required. We must not only love the life in Christ, but we must hate the life this world affords us outside of Christ.It cannot be a passive existence. Once saved always saved should be cast into the Lake of Fire for what it is worth. Far too many rest there all in such cliches, which are meaningless and at best deceptive. Yes, we are eternally secure in the Lord Jesus, but we will demonstrate it on a regular basis. The Christian life is not a string of flashing Christmas lamps..This light is expected to shine on forever. As Jesus says, in vs 32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Do we seek attention from the world? From the church we serve? From our family? Jesus said that if He was lifted up on the cross all would be attracted to Him. So, if you want attention, you must be prepared to die to self. To sacrifice all the things of this old world. We must die to self and be resurrected to newness of life in the Lord Jesus. Wasn't it Paul who said, I die daily?
Lord gives me that kind of magnetism, that when I am lifted up I will make You desireable by all men. Amen
Cheers,
Jim
September 22
Romans 10:4, “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
We have before us a rather interesting verse, a short verse, just fifteen words in the authorized text, yet a verse that is difficult to interpret. It is not the polysyllabic words that give us problems, it is two simple words that lead to so many questions. Those two words are “end” and “law.”
In recent years, American politics seemed to have been reduced to its lowest common denominator when a ranking politician argued over the meaning of “it.” I trust that we shall not stoop that low in our discussion of “end” and law,” but it might be helpful to look at several possibilities. The late Charles Hodge reduced the possible number of meanings of “end” in his “A Commentary on Romans.” He gives us three possible interpretations:
1. “The object to which any thing leads,”
2. The “completion or fulfillment” of something, and
3. An “end or termination.”
Boice writes, “In terms of our text, if the first meaning is the right one, the verse means that Jesus is that to which the law points so that, if it is properly used, the law will carry the one using it to Him. If the second meaning is correct, the idea is that Jesus has Himself perfectly fulfilled the law. If the third meaning is chosen, the verse means that Jesus has brought the dispensation of law to an end by dying for sin, rising again, and inaugurating the Christian Era. Obviously, something can be said for each interpretation.”
Now, just to add difficulty to an already difficult situation, let’s look at the possible meanings of the word “law.” Law could mean: the Mosaic Law; a principle of conduct; the ceremonial law; or moral law. With three definitions of “end” and four definitions of “law,” and if I remember my mathematical studies from high school correctly, there is a possibility of twenty-one different combinations.
How shall we proceed? Boice did not argue the merits of the various possibilities, but asked, “How does Jesus Christ fulfill the law?” We too shall attempt to answer Boice’s question as we weave our way through this theological maze.
The first way in which Jesus fulfilled the law, and became “the end of the law,” was by keeping it perfectly Himself. Theologians distinguish between Christ’s “active” and “passive” obedience. Jesus’ passive obedience refers to His willingness to submit to His Father’s will, and go to the cross, giving His life for our sins. Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Christ’s active obedience refers to the way he carefully and deliberately kept the law of Moses in all respects. This obedience has several dimensions:
1. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by obeying it perfectly.
2. Jesus fulfilled the types and ceremonies of the law by being the reality to which they pointed, and accomplishing in His death what they symbolized. Christ was (and remains) our perfect sacrifice for sin. The daily temple sacrifices, and the yearly sacrifice on the Day of Atonement pointed to Jesus Christ. Leviticus presents five sacrifices and their accompanying laws, which point to the complexity of our Savior’s sacrifice. To accurately portray our One Savior, Who died but once, it takes five different Old Testament sacrifices to paint that picture of what Christ did for us on the tree.
3. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by living them out to the letter. The law of probabilities make it impossible for anyone to fulfill the many Messianic prophecies, unless they are fulfilled by the living God inhabiting human flesh.
Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies relating to His first coming, down to the most minute of details. Those fulfillments in detail, give me the confident (and it is not a misplaced confidence) “Blessed Hope” that all the prophecies relating to His second appearing will be fulfilled as accurately and completely as those of His first appearing.
Those of you who have read some of my music posts know that I am a big fan of Southern Gospel Music. The late J. D. Sumner used to write a column in the “Singing News.” He usually ended his article with the phrase, “I can’t wait!” As I see what is happening in the world around us, and with the “Blessed Assurance that Jesus is Mine,” I can’t wait – either!
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Romans 10:4, “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
We have before us a rather interesting verse, a short verse, just fifteen words in the authorized text, yet a verse that is difficult to interpret. It is not the polysyllabic words that give us problems, it is two simple words that lead to so many questions. Those two words are “end” and “law.”
In recent years, American politics seemed to have been reduced to its lowest common denominator when a ranking politician argued over the meaning of “it.” I trust that we shall not stoop that low in our discussion of “end” and law,” but it might be helpful to look at several possibilities. The late Charles Hodge reduced the possible number of meanings of “end” in his “A Commentary on Romans.” He gives us three possible interpretations:
1. “The object to which any thing leads,”
2. The “completion or fulfillment” of something, and
3. An “end or termination.”
Boice writes, “In terms of our text, if the first meaning is the right one, the verse means that Jesus is that to which the law points so that, if it is properly used, the law will carry the one using it to Him. If the second meaning is correct, the idea is that Jesus has Himself perfectly fulfilled the law. If the third meaning is chosen, the verse means that Jesus has brought the dispensation of law to an end by dying for sin, rising again, and inaugurating the Christian Era. Obviously, something can be said for each interpretation.”
Now, just to add difficulty to an already difficult situation, let’s look at the possible meanings of the word “law.” Law could mean: the Mosaic Law; a principle of conduct; the ceremonial law; or moral law. With three definitions of “end” and four definitions of “law,” and if I remember my mathematical studies from high school correctly, there is a possibility of twenty-one different combinations.
How shall we proceed? Boice did not argue the merits of the various possibilities, but asked, “How does Jesus Christ fulfill the law?” We too shall attempt to answer Boice’s question as we weave our way through this theological maze.
The first way in which Jesus fulfilled the law, and became “the end of the law,” was by keeping it perfectly Himself. Theologians distinguish between Christ’s “active” and “passive” obedience. Jesus’ passive obedience refers to His willingness to submit to His Father’s will, and go to the cross, giving His life for our sins. Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Christ’s active obedience refers to the way he carefully and deliberately kept the law of Moses in all respects. This obedience has several dimensions:
1. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by obeying it perfectly.
2. Jesus fulfilled the types and ceremonies of the law by being the reality to which they pointed, and accomplishing in His death what they symbolized. Christ was (and remains) our perfect sacrifice for sin. The daily temple sacrifices, and the yearly sacrifice on the Day of Atonement pointed to Jesus Christ. Leviticus presents five sacrifices and their accompanying laws, which point to the complexity of our Savior’s sacrifice. To accurately portray our One Savior, Who died but once, it takes five different Old Testament sacrifices to paint that picture of what Christ did for us on the tree.
3. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by living them out to the letter. The law of probabilities make it impossible for anyone to fulfill the many Messianic prophecies, unless they are fulfilled by the living God inhabiting human flesh.
Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies relating to His first coming, down to the most minute of details. Those fulfillments in detail, give me the confident (and it is not a misplaced confidence) “Blessed Hope” that all the prophecies relating to His second appearing will be fulfilled as accurately and completely as those of His first appearing.
Those of you who have read some of my music posts know that I am a big fan of Southern Gospel Music. The late J. D. Sumner used to write a column in the “Singing News.” He usually ended his article with the phrase, “I can’t wait!” As I see what is happening in the world around us, and with the “Blessed Assurance that Jesus is Mine,” I can’t wait – either!
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
following-Him
Active Member
Thank you Dan
Blessings
Sheila
Blessings
Sheila
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Luke 9: 51-62
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." Jesus had no time for sight-seeing. He had a goal and it was his ascension. His death was upcoming, but he looked beyond that. We think of his death as pivotal in our faith journey. Without his death we have not life. This is a truth, but Jesus set his sights much higher. The ascension would again unite him with his Father. How far beyond do we look in our journey of life? Do we look beyond the accomplishments of our ministry, our human journey of witness? Do we set our sights on that which is beyond? Beyond this life's journey is a new life and a new journey and it is an heavenly journey. If we look beyond this life as we minister, we will have far greater values during our human journey. We will say with Paul, I have run the race, I have finished my journey (the course), I have set my eyes on the prize of the high calling, which is in Christ Jesus." Oh that we might fully comprehend this goal and set our eyes stedfastly toward the prize, and run the race valiantly.
Jesus was walking among the Samaritans. They were in the habit of beating Jews who passed through their land enroute to Jerusalem. Verse 53.."And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." Were they looking at his features and making a racial judgment? How often do we look at one's features and make a value judgment? I remember taking a class of students down to the slum area. I said to them, you must go sit in the gutter with that drunkard, hug him and tell him you love him. One student said, I cannot do that. He is dirty and drunk. If we are not prepared to love the unlovely, then how dare we claim to be Christ-like as a Christian? This is what the gospel is all about. We go beyond the rich and the clean and the just citizens of society, and reach out to those who have need of us. The gospel reaches far beyond the eternal destiny of the soul and includes the march toward the prize.
The next passage is interesting. Verse 54, "And when his disciples, James and John..." This is not impetuous Peter, the bull in a china shop, this is the quiet duo of the chosen ones. Notice their reaction to the Samaritans who would not receive them. "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire come down from heaven and consume them...?"
I see two things here. (1) Even the gentle and mild among us can at times take on fire supposedly in the name of the Lord. We can get rather aggresive as we seek to serve Him. (2) We notice that the Lord's disciples obviously had specific powers as belonging to the Lord. It was not their own gifts, but gifts from heaven. We are likewise endowed with special gifts from heaven, but are we fully prepared to use them? How many of our talents go unused as we travel along?
In verse 55, Jesus reminds the disciples of their true spiritual life and reminds them that His very mission was not to destroy, but to save. In ministry, the pastor must always be ready to receive sinners, and downtrodden people regardless of their station and address their needs. "And they went to another village..."
It is in this journey we find some interesting events. The first is a man who comes to Jesus. "Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest." Jesus tells him how uncomfortable the journey will be. A rock for a pillow, ground for a mattress. It is not a soft life. Do you want to follow me? It will be a life of deprivation, sacrifice and toil...as Churchill said about another event....Blood, sweat and tears...Will you still choose to follow me?
Yet another is called by Jesus. The first volunteers, which is noble, the secod is called by Jesus, and yet, the response is, Lord, I want to follow you, but first I must bury my father. I will go to the mission field, but first I must see my parents through life and make right their death. Lord, here am I,,,just give me some extra time. When Jesus calls, He expects a response, not a delay. How often has Jesus called us and we find fifteen things to do first? The things were there beforehand, but all of a sudden they become preeminant. Jesus calls us now, and we must respond to His bidding now. This thinking was not isolated. The very next person that Jesus calls has a similar excuse, and this is where we get that well known verse, "No man, having put his hands to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (verse 62)
Once commited to the Lord, we cannot look back in our journey. We must set our face stedfastly toward Jerusalem. We must never take our eyes off the One who calls us. When a marksman takes his eyes off his target, he will surely miss. To draw a straight line by freehand, one must have two targets. A beginning point and a finishing point. One puts his pencil on the beginning dot and looks to the finishing point and never take his eyes off the finishing point. He will draw a straight line. Once removed from the finishing point, the line will not be straight. So it is in our Christian lives. We keep our eyes on the Lord and never waver from that vision lest we fall by the wayside.
Lord, help us to keep our eyes on You as we travel the rocky roads of life, and You will make straight the way, and we shall bless your holy name.
Cheers,
Jim
Luke 9: 51-62
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." Jesus had no time for sight-seeing. He had a goal and it was his ascension. His death was upcoming, but he looked beyond that. We think of his death as pivotal in our faith journey. Without his death we have not life. This is a truth, but Jesus set his sights much higher. The ascension would again unite him with his Father. How far beyond do we look in our journey of life? Do we look beyond the accomplishments of our ministry, our human journey of witness? Do we set our sights on that which is beyond? Beyond this life's journey is a new life and a new journey and it is an heavenly journey. If we look beyond this life as we minister, we will have far greater values during our human journey. We will say with Paul, I have run the race, I have finished my journey (the course), I have set my eyes on the prize of the high calling, which is in Christ Jesus." Oh that we might fully comprehend this goal and set our eyes stedfastly toward the prize, and run the race valiantly.
Jesus was walking among the Samaritans. They were in the habit of beating Jews who passed through their land enroute to Jerusalem. Verse 53.."And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." Were they looking at his features and making a racial judgment? How often do we look at one's features and make a value judgment? I remember taking a class of students down to the slum area. I said to them, you must go sit in the gutter with that drunkard, hug him and tell him you love him. One student said, I cannot do that. He is dirty and drunk. If we are not prepared to love the unlovely, then how dare we claim to be Christ-like as a Christian? This is what the gospel is all about. We go beyond the rich and the clean and the just citizens of society, and reach out to those who have need of us. The gospel reaches far beyond the eternal destiny of the soul and includes the march toward the prize.
The next passage is interesting. Verse 54, "And when his disciples, James and John..." This is not impetuous Peter, the bull in a china shop, this is the quiet duo of the chosen ones. Notice their reaction to the Samaritans who would not receive them. "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire come down from heaven and consume them...?"
I see two things here. (1) Even the gentle and mild among us can at times take on fire supposedly in the name of the Lord. We can get rather aggresive as we seek to serve Him. (2) We notice that the Lord's disciples obviously had specific powers as belonging to the Lord. It was not their own gifts, but gifts from heaven. We are likewise endowed with special gifts from heaven, but are we fully prepared to use them? How many of our talents go unused as we travel along?
In verse 55, Jesus reminds the disciples of their true spiritual life and reminds them that His very mission was not to destroy, but to save. In ministry, the pastor must always be ready to receive sinners, and downtrodden people regardless of their station and address their needs. "And they went to another village..."
It is in this journey we find some interesting events. The first is a man who comes to Jesus. "Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest." Jesus tells him how uncomfortable the journey will be. A rock for a pillow, ground for a mattress. It is not a soft life. Do you want to follow me? It will be a life of deprivation, sacrifice and toil...as Churchill said about another event....Blood, sweat and tears...Will you still choose to follow me?
Yet another is called by Jesus. The first volunteers, which is noble, the secod is called by Jesus, and yet, the response is, Lord, I want to follow you, but first I must bury my father. I will go to the mission field, but first I must see my parents through life and make right their death. Lord, here am I,,,just give me some extra time. When Jesus calls, He expects a response, not a delay. How often has Jesus called us and we find fifteen things to do first? The things were there beforehand, but all of a sudden they become preeminant. Jesus calls us now, and we must respond to His bidding now. This thinking was not isolated. The very next person that Jesus calls has a similar excuse, and this is where we get that well known verse, "No man, having put his hands to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (verse 62)
Once commited to the Lord, we cannot look back in our journey. We must set our face stedfastly toward Jerusalem. We must never take our eyes off the One who calls us. When a marksman takes his eyes off his target, he will surely miss. To draw a straight line by freehand, one must have two targets. A beginning point and a finishing point. One puts his pencil on the beginning dot and looks to the finishing point and never take his eyes off the finishing point. He will draw a straight line. Once removed from the finishing point, the line will not be straight. So it is in our Christian lives. We keep our eyes on the Lord and never waver from that vision lest we fall by the wayside.
Lord, help us to keep our eyes on You as we travel the rocky roads of life, and You will make straight the way, and we shall bless your holy name.
Cheers,
Jim
following-Him
Active Member
Thank you Jim,
That is a blessing for me today,
Sheila
That is a blessing for me today,
Sheila
September 24
Romans 10:4, “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Last time we mentioned three areas in which Christ was the end of the law:
1. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by obeying it perfectly.
2. Jesus fulfilled the types and ceremonies of the law by being the reality to which they pointed.
3. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by living them out to the letter.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus referred to at least two of these areas when He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. John, who had been alerted by God as to who Jesus was, said, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” (Matthew 3:14). John had been teaching about Messiah’s work of “baptiz[ing] ... with the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 3:11). John was saying “that he needed to receive a baptism with the Holy Spirit from Jesus, rather than Jesus receiving any benefit from him.” (Boice)
Listen to Jesus’ response, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matthew 3:15). John’s baptism was a baptism for repentance, and Jesus had committed no sin. Why did Jesus need to be baptized in order to fulfil all righteousness? Baptism has two aspects, identification and obedience. Jesus was identifying with all the other Israelites who were responding to John’s preaching. It was a symbol of the union of Jesus with the believer. Jesus considered baptism to be “part of His conscious obedience to all that God required. Through John, God had commanded His believing people to be baptized. So Jesus was baptized.” (Boice)
H. N. Ridderbos writes, “No matter how conscious Jesus was of His exceptional position, up to that time he had no other calling than to comply with the demands that God had imposed on every Israelite. Hence, just as He had once undergone circumcision, He now had to be baptized.” John A Broadus writes, “It was proper for all devout Jews to be baptized; therefore it was proper for Jesus.”
By being baptized by John, Jesus was declaring His intention to fulfill all that God had required. Jesus so obeyed God’s law, that none of His enemies were able to accuse Him of any wrongdoing, as much as they tried. Jesus was convicted on false accusations, but not on legitimate accusations. God the Father affirmed Jesus’ obedience, by saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
“It was because Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly that He was able to be our substitute in dying for us on the cross, truly ‘a lamb without blemish and without spot’ (1 Peter 1:19).
Jesus fulfilled (satisfied) the demands of the law completely. You and I cannot say that, we do not go for a day without breaking God’s law. We deserve eternal damnation in the lake of fire, but when we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, confessing our sin, we put on His righteousness, as He put on our sin as He hung on that awful tree. Praise God, He did for us what we can not do for ourselves. He paid a debt He did not owe, because I (we) owe a debt I (we) cannot pay.
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Romans 10:4, “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Last time we mentioned three areas in which Christ was the end of the law:
1. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by obeying it perfectly.
2. Jesus fulfilled the types and ceremonies of the law by being the reality to which they pointed.
3. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by living them out to the letter.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus referred to at least two of these areas when He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. John, who had been alerted by God as to who Jesus was, said, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” (Matthew 3:14). John had been teaching about Messiah’s work of “baptiz[ing] ... with the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 3:11). John was saying “that he needed to receive a baptism with the Holy Spirit from Jesus, rather than Jesus receiving any benefit from him.” (Boice)
Listen to Jesus’ response, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matthew 3:15). John’s baptism was a baptism for repentance, and Jesus had committed no sin. Why did Jesus need to be baptized in order to fulfil all righteousness? Baptism has two aspects, identification and obedience. Jesus was identifying with all the other Israelites who were responding to John’s preaching. It was a symbol of the union of Jesus with the believer. Jesus considered baptism to be “part of His conscious obedience to all that God required. Through John, God had commanded His believing people to be baptized. So Jesus was baptized.” (Boice)
H. N. Ridderbos writes, “No matter how conscious Jesus was of His exceptional position, up to that time he had no other calling than to comply with the demands that God had imposed on every Israelite. Hence, just as He had once undergone circumcision, He now had to be baptized.” John A Broadus writes, “It was proper for all devout Jews to be baptized; therefore it was proper for Jesus.”
By being baptized by John, Jesus was declaring His intention to fulfill all that God had required. Jesus so obeyed God’s law, that none of His enemies were able to accuse Him of any wrongdoing, as much as they tried. Jesus was convicted on false accusations, but not on legitimate accusations. God the Father affirmed Jesus’ obedience, by saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
“It was because Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly that He was able to be our substitute in dying for us on the cross, truly ‘a lamb without blemish and without spot’ (1 Peter 1:19).
Jesus fulfilled (satisfied) the demands of the law completely. You and I cannot say that, we do not go for a day without breaking God’s law. We deserve eternal damnation in the lake of fire, but when we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, confessing our sin, we put on His righteousness, as He put on our sin as He hung on that awful tree. Praise God, He did for us what we can not do for ourselves. He paid a debt He did not owe, because I (we) owe a debt I (we) cannot pay.
Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.
In Christ,
Dan Todd
Thursday, September 25, 2003
1 John 4: 10-14
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Verse 10
Contrary to what many may think and espouse, this verse is not a definition of love. It is the very essence of love. We can view love from what we understand it to be, but we can't began to comprehend God is love. Do you, do I, fully understand that word translated as "propitiation"?
The English word comes from the Latin meaning "appeasement", "atonement". Now "appeasement" is a French word which means "make calm or quiet; conciliate and agressor by making concessions." Sometimes we must travel a long journey to fully understand a word we might use many times on a given day. Think now about love; that God-love; that God is the very essence of love.
God, for a moment, made concessions for us. He didn't have to, some will say. He is sovereign and He can do as He pleases. It is at this point I beg to differ, and still remain a sound Calvinist. God had no choice because God is love, and that is what love does. It makes concessions.
Understanding this, we ought to find a new, attitude toward God, a new posture in His presence. We are sinful creatures by our own making. We did it in Adam, but the choice was ours as if we were there side by side with Adam. We make these sinful choices each and every day. I know there are some who cliam sinless perfection. That is where they make the gravest error because this requires that we take on the very essence of love which belongs to God alone.
The we see the expression of this love essence. "And sent His Son to be the appeasement for our sins." He takes my sin and buries it deep in storage cavity of His love essence and it is remembered no more. Not by anything we deserve or have earned, but because He is love. It is because He takes us into Himself, that we can find a capacity to show forth love for others. Indeed, the scripture admonishes us to do so.
I get a little short on Christians who are angry all the time....oh, oh...Did you read what I wrote? The love I know just broke down,,I get short on....you see, our love cannot compare with God's love...God's perfect love.
Again, the amazing thing is that God "dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us." Verse 12 This is the new nature in Christ the Lord. When you get angry, think on Christ and say His name 3 times, and try to tell me that you can remain angry and mean what you just said. It is impossible, friends. We cannot utter the name Jesus, and say we possess the God-love the scripture just said is "perfected in us." There is an old saying, "It is hard to be angry with someone when you are smiling."
Lord, help me to smile without ceasing, that I may show forth this frail and weak vessel as the tabernacle of your love. Amen
Jesus, thou Prince of life!
Thy chosen cannot die;
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.
It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise on strong exulting wing,
To live among the just.
Cheers, and God bless,
Jim
1 John 4: 10-14
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Verse 10
Contrary to what many may think and espouse, this verse is not a definition of love. It is the very essence of love. We can view love from what we understand it to be, but we can't began to comprehend God is love. Do you, do I, fully understand that word translated as "propitiation"?
The English word comes from the Latin meaning "appeasement", "atonement". Now "appeasement" is a French word which means "make calm or quiet; conciliate and agressor by making concessions." Sometimes we must travel a long journey to fully understand a word we might use many times on a given day. Think now about love; that God-love; that God is the very essence of love.
God, for a moment, made concessions for us. He didn't have to, some will say. He is sovereign and He can do as He pleases. It is at this point I beg to differ, and still remain a sound Calvinist. God had no choice because God is love, and that is what love does. It makes concessions.
Understanding this, we ought to find a new, attitude toward God, a new posture in His presence. We are sinful creatures by our own making. We did it in Adam, but the choice was ours as if we were there side by side with Adam. We make these sinful choices each and every day. I know there are some who cliam sinless perfection. That is where they make the gravest error because this requires that we take on the very essence of love which belongs to God alone.
The we see the expression of this love essence. "And sent His Son to be the appeasement for our sins." He takes my sin and buries it deep in storage cavity of His love essence and it is remembered no more. Not by anything we deserve or have earned, but because He is love. It is because He takes us into Himself, that we can find a capacity to show forth love for others. Indeed, the scripture admonishes us to do so.
I get a little short on Christians who are angry all the time....oh, oh...Did you read what I wrote? The love I know just broke down,,I get short on....you see, our love cannot compare with God's love...God's perfect love.
Again, the amazing thing is that God "dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us." Verse 12 This is the new nature in Christ the Lord. When you get angry, think on Christ and say His name 3 times, and try to tell me that you can remain angry and mean what you just said. It is impossible, friends. We cannot utter the name Jesus, and say we possess the God-love the scripture just said is "perfected in us." There is an old saying, "It is hard to be angry with someone when you are smiling."
Lord, help me to smile without ceasing, that I may show forth this frail and weak vessel as the tabernacle of your love. Amen
Jesus, thou Prince of life!
Thy chosen cannot die;
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.
It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise on strong exulting wing,
To live among the just.
Cheers, and God bless,
Jim
Jim,
I sometimes use a baseball analogy when speaking about sin.
I am a sinner - because I sinned in Adam - strike one
I am a sinner - because I was conceived in sin - strike two
I am a sinner - because I knowingly chose to sin - strike three
My apologies to those who do not care for sports analogies!!!
Dan
I sometimes use a baseball analogy when speaking about sin.
I am a sinner - because I sinned in Adam - strike one
I am a sinner - because I was conceived in sin - strike two
I am a sinner - because I knowingly chose to sin - strike three
My apologies to those who do not care for sports analogies!!!
Dan