If my thesis is correct, if history really is God’s story of His glory, then we should expect Jesus to declare this truth. We should expect Jesus to state that the purpose of His incarnation and His death on the cross was for the display and exaltation of the glory of God. And this is exactly what we do hear Jesus saying.
And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. (John 12:23-30 ESV)
The incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus was all about the glory of the triune God. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross, He declares that it is time for Him to be glorified. It’s time for man to see His glory put on display. But the path to this display of glory is not what we would expect. The path is death. Jesus is saying that His death will produce life. Just as a seed must be buried in the ground to produce fruit, so He must die to produce life. It is through His death on the cross, that we receive life.
Don’t miss the hugely significant personal application Jesus states here for you and me. What is true for Him, is true for us. As long as we try to hold on to our lives we are really missing life. It is only when we totally surrender sovereignty and control of our lives to God that we truly know life. It is only then that our lives can produce the fruit that we were created to produce.
Turning back to His purpose for the Incarnation and sacrifice, Jesus states that He will not seek to avoid the Cross because this is why He came. Now, we tend to stop there and say with self affirming delight, "See, Jesus came to sacrifice His life for us. He loved us so much that He was willing to die for us." And we make the incarnation and the Cross all about us. We make it totally man-centered. It is not.
Look what Jesus says about His purpose in coming to "this hour." He immediately draws attention to the real and ultimate purpose of the incarnation and the Cross. "Father, glorify your name."
Jesus viewed the Cross as an act in which God was going to get glory for His name. Jesus saw the Cross as God-centered. We could paraphrase Jesus’ statements, "I came to die so that through my death, life would be produced. I’m not going to ask the Father to avoid this. This is why I came. So Father, through my death, show your glory. Get glory for yourself."
The Father responds, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The Father reaffirms and states with clarity what this is all about. He has been glorifying His name and He will continue to do so. The life of Jesus here on earth from the incarnation to the Cross, to the ascension is about the glory of God.
Notice, that God said this audibly so everyone could hear it. Jesus explained that the Father didn’t do this for His sake but for theirs. Its like God is saying, "Let’s be clear about this. I’m going to say this out loud . . . loud and clear so everyone can get the message. This is all about Me. It is all about the exaltation of My glory."
Why would God need to do this? Because man is man-centered. We think it is all about us. We think the incarnation and the Cross is all about us. We need to hear God say to us, loud and clear that it is not about us. It is about the exaltation of His glory. We need to recognize that Jesus came to display the glory of God. We need to recognize that Jesus died on the Cross as a display of God’s glory. Jesus died so we could have life – a life lived for this very same purpose, the exaltation of the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Reciprocal & Shared Glory
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
(9) The Cloning of God
Reproductive cloning uses cell nuclear transfer to create animals that are genetically identical. In science fiction, you step into a chamber and an exact duplicate of you is produced. Neither is reality. Reproductive cloning does not actually produce a genetic equal, and the chamber is, well, science fiction. There are no two persons who share the exact same nature. Except when it comes to the triune God. In which case, it is three persons sharing the exact same nature.
The second wonderful phrase in Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is "the exact imprint of [God’s] nature." Martin Vincent explains:
Here the essential being of God is conceived as setting its distinctive stamp upon Christ, coming into definite and characteristic expression in His Person, so that the Son bears the exact impression of the divine nature and character.
Consider the explanation of William Hendricksen.
A die that stamps an image on a coin bears certain characteristics. When the die produces a coin, the coin is an exact duplicate of the die. Whatever was characteristic of the die is now characteristic of the coin. The nature of the coin is exactly the same as the nature of the die. Nevertheless, even though an imprint is the same as the stamp that makes the impression, both exist separately.
The illustration of this verse helps us think in terms we can understand. A coin is an exact replication or reproduction of the die it came from. Jesus is an exact representation of God. All that God is in His nature, Jesus is. When you look at Jesus, you are looking at the radiance of the glory of God.
Paul states that Jesus "is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)." "Image" implies representation and manifestation. Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God. In other words, we can see exactly what God is like in all His nature by looking at Jesus. Look at Jesus and you're looking at God.
God’s eternal plan is amazing! He decided to create a being in His image (man) that would fall and be redeemed. But redemption was not just a means to the end of restoring man from the Fall. The whole process of this redemption was planned in eternity past to be a brilliant display of the character, the glory of God.
In many ways, it is difficult for us to comprehend the character of God. It is difficult for us to understand what the glory of God looks like in the context of humanity and life on earth. The incarnation was an act of God putting the glory of His nature on display in the context of His creation. The Incarnation helps us see what the glory of God looks like in every day human existence.
Redemption came as God Himself in the second person of the triune God stepped down into creation. He did this in such a way that the glory of God was put on display for man to see. The display of the glory of God was the purpose of the incarnation which led to the fulfillment of the purpose of redemption, the honor and worship of the glory of God. It’s all about the glory of God from beginning to end.
The purpose of the incarnation was being realized long before Jesus went to the Cross. God’s glory was being brilliantly displayed in His creation.
God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? The story of His glory!
Jesus ULTIMATE purpose in coming to earth was not simply to provide for man’s salvation from hell. Jesus came first and foremost to put the glory of God on display in magnificent brilliance.
Jesus’ coming was God centered, not man centered.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Jesus Declares His-Story
The second wonderful phrase in Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is "the exact imprint of [God’s] nature." Martin Vincent explains:
Here the essential being of God is conceived as setting its distinctive stamp upon Christ, coming into definite and characteristic expression in His Person, so that the Son bears the exact impression of the divine nature and character.
Consider the explanation of William Hendricksen.
A die that stamps an image on a coin bears certain characteristics. When the die produces a coin, the coin is an exact duplicate of the die. Whatever was characteristic of the die is now characteristic of the coin. The nature of the coin is exactly the same as the nature of the die. Nevertheless, even though an imprint is the same as the stamp that makes the impression, both exist separately.
The illustration of this verse helps us think in terms we can understand. A coin is an exact replication or reproduction of the die it came from. Jesus is an exact representation of God. All that God is in His nature, Jesus is. When you look at Jesus, you are looking at the radiance of the glory of God.
Paul states that Jesus "is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)." "Image" implies representation and manifestation. Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God. In other words, we can see exactly what God is like in all His nature by looking at Jesus. Look at Jesus and you're looking at God.
God’s eternal plan is amazing! He decided to create a being in His image (man) that would fall and be redeemed. But redemption was not just a means to the end of restoring man from the Fall. The whole process of this redemption was planned in eternity past to be a brilliant display of the character, the glory of God.
In many ways, it is difficult for us to comprehend the character of God. It is difficult for us to understand what the glory of God looks like in the context of humanity and life on earth. The incarnation was an act of God putting the glory of His nature on display in the context of His creation. The Incarnation helps us see what the glory of God looks like in every day human existence.
Redemption came as God Himself in the second person of the triune God stepped down into creation. He did this in such a way that the glory of God was put on display for man to see. The display of the glory of God was the purpose of the incarnation which led to the fulfillment of the purpose of redemption, the honor and worship of the glory of God. It’s all about the glory of God from beginning to end.
The purpose of the incarnation was being realized long before Jesus went to the Cross. God’s glory was being brilliantly displayed in His creation.
God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? The story of His glory!
Jesus ULTIMATE purpose in coming to earth was not simply to provide for man’s salvation from hell. Jesus came first and foremost to put the glory of God on display in magnificent brilliance.
Jesus’ coming was God centered, not man centered.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Jesus Declares His-Story
Friday, July 24, 2009
(8) The Radiance of God
Have you ever looked at the sun? In reality, no, you haven’t. You have looked at the rays emanating from the sun, but you have never looked at the sun itself. You can’t. Your eyes would be burned right out of your skull. That is, assuming you could get close enough to look without your whole body being vaporized. There’s some serious radiation coming off that ferocious orange ball!
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)
God has communicated His glory in the magnificent beauty, astounding vastness, incredible variety and amazing creative intricacies of the universe. God has communicated His glory in the wonder of humanity; created in His image with even greater beauty, variety and creativity. But, of all God's ways of revealing His glory to man, the greatest has been the incarnation – Jesus taking on human flesh. The incarnation speaks volumes about God's character and purpose.
The writer of Hebrews tells us here that God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? Hebrews 1:3 explains the message.
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."
There are two phrases in this description of Jesus that are fascinating in their depth of meaning. The first is that Jesus is "the radiance of the glory of God. William Hendriksen states, "The Son causes the radiance of the Father to shine forth. The Son's radiance, therefore, is an extension of God's glory."
Noted Greek scholar Kittel helps us understand the idea of Jesus being the radiance of the glory of God.
"The sun as a heavenly body radiates its light in all its brightness and power to the earth. In the same way , we may see Christ as the radiant light coming from the Father as sunlight emanates from the sun."
Lloyd J. Ogilvie gives us further understanding,
This marvelous word [radiance], filled with wonder, is a great word for the twentieth century, the first atomic century. Any time we detect radiation, whether light from a distant star or from alpha, gamma, or X-rays, we know there is a radiating source. The radiation that proceeds can be called effulgence or radiance, especially with light. It is not reflected, but a primary radiation coming straight from the source. If there is radiation, there must be a radiating source; if there is a radiating source, there must be radiation appropriate to the source. The nature of the radiation is determined by the source and the character of the source may be identified by analyzing the radiation.
So it is with Jesus Christ and God. Christ is the primal radiance of God’s glory; that is, because of the nature of Jesus Christ we know there must be some radiating source – God’s own glory.
We can say then that Jesus "flashes forth" the glory of God in all His divine nature. The one true God in all His glory is the source and Jesus radiates that glory. Jesus is the brilliant shining forth of the glorious nature of God. And Oh, how great is that
glory!
God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? The story of His glory!
Jesus' ULTIMATE purpose in coming to earth was not simply to provide for man’s salvation from hell. Jesus came first and foremost to put the glory of God on display in magnificent brilliance. Jesus' coming was God centered, not man centered.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Cloning of God
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)
God has communicated His glory in the magnificent beauty, astounding vastness, incredible variety and amazing creative intricacies of the universe. God has communicated His glory in the wonder of humanity; created in His image with even greater beauty, variety and creativity. But, of all God's ways of revealing His glory to man, the greatest has been the incarnation – Jesus taking on human flesh. The incarnation speaks volumes about God's character and purpose.
The writer of Hebrews tells us here that God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? Hebrews 1:3 explains the message.
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."
There are two phrases in this description of Jesus that are fascinating in their depth of meaning. The first is that Jesus is "the radiance of the glory of God. William Hendriksen states, "The Son causes the radiance of the Father to shine forth. The Son's radiance, therefore, is an extension of God's glory."
Noted Greek scholar Kittel helps us understand the idea of Jesus being the radiance of the glory of God.
"The sun as a heavenly body radiates its light in all its brightness and power to the earth. In the same way , we may see Christ as the radiant light coming from the Father as sunlight emanates from the sun."
Lloyd J. Ogilvie gives us further understanding,
This marvelous word [radiance], filled with wonder, is a great word for the twentieth century, the first atomic century. Any time we detect radiation, whether light from a distant star or from alpha, gamma, or X-rays, we know there is a radiating source. The radiation that proceeds can be called effulgence or radiance, especially with light. It is not reflected, but a primary radiation coming straight from the source. If there is radiation, there must be a radiating source; if there is a radiating source, there must be radiation appropriate to the source. The nature of the radiation is determined by the source and the character of the source may be identified by analyzing the radiation.
So it is with Jesus Christ and God. Christ is the primal radiance of God’s glory; that is, because of the nature of Jesus Christ we know there must be some radiating source – God’s own glory.
We can say then that Jesus "flashes forth" the glory of God in all His divine nature. The one true God in all His glory is the source and Jesus radiates that glory. Jesus is the brilliant shining forth of the glorious nature of God. And Oh, how great is that
glory!
God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? The story of His glory!
Jesus' ULTIMATE purpose in coming to earth was not simply to provide for man’s salvation from hell. Jesus came first and foremost to put the glory of God on display in magnificent brilliance. Jesus' coming was God centered, not man centered.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Cloning of God
Thursday, July 23, 2009
(7) Then They Will Know
How do we know that God is orchestrating the events of history for the display of His glory? Because He has said so. To what extent has He claimed responsibility for orchestrating the events of history? In amazing detail.
It would take volumes to explore the many details of history that God specifically claims responsibility for planning and implementing, but we can look at some of the broad brush strokes. In the Old Testament, especially the Prophets, there is a special, very specific and precise phrase which occurs over 65 times. This phrase also appears in nearly the exact same form another 75 times and in looser variations that express the same concept another 112 times for a total of 252 times. That phrase is, "Then they/you will know that I am the Lord".
This phrase is a statement of purpose. It is seen in very high concentration in the book of Ezekiel where it is applied to much of Old Testament history. When we carefully evaluate the passages using this phrase we can see the exhaustive nature of the works of God that He says He planned and orchestrated for the purpose of showing Himself as Lord. Consider the following list.
1. The Exodus of Israel from Egypt. Ex. 6:7, 7:5, 8:22, 10:2, 14:4,18
Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (Ex. 6:7)
2. Provision for Israel in the Wilderness. Ex. 16:12
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'" (Ex. 16:12)
3. Israel's victory in battle. 1 Kings 20:13, 28; Is. 49:26,60:16
The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.'" (1 Kings 20:28)
4. Judgment of Israel's sin. Ez. 6:10, 7:4, 27, 11:10-12, 12:15
The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (Eze. 7:27)
5. Judgement of Israel's oppressors. Is. 49:26; Ez. 13:21, 29:6-9
I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (Eze. 13:21)
6. Judgment of false prophets. Ez. 13:9
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. (Eze. 13:9)
7. Restoration of Israel from captivity. Ez. 20:42, 28:23-26, 34:27
In these passages and many others, we clearly see that God is orchestrating His-story to reveal Himself. We also see that God is orchestrating His-story to reveal Himself to all creation. In these passages that declare God’s orchestration of history, there is a universality in the scope of who is to come to recognize God as Lord through His orchestration of history:
1. Israel (central in God’s plan) Ex. 6:7;
2. Egypt (South) Ex. 7:5; Ez. 29:6
3. Sidon (West) Ez. 28:22
4. Edom & Mt. Seir (East) Ez. 35:15
5. Magog (North) Ez. 39:6
6. Coastlands (West & beyond?) Ez.39:6
7. Future Generations. Lev. 23:43
8. All Nations/Flesh Josh. 4:24; Is. 49:6; Ez. 37:26
God orchestrates His-story to reveal Himself to all creation . . . every human being in all history. God is trying to get our attention, He has been through all history, to send us a message: "I’m God!" "See Me!" "It really is all about ME!" "Worship Me!"
"Then they will know that I am the LORD" The question that needs to be answered in relation to this statement and these texts is, "Exactly what was and is God trying to communicate through these events?"
These texts overwhelmingly declare that God is orchestrating history so man will recognize Him as "LORD." "Lord" is God's name Yahweh. This name was very special to the Israelites. It is the personal name for God and was not spoken out of reverence and respect for God. It speaks of God's uniqueness. It establishes and distinguishes Him as the self-existent, one and only, true God among the many false gods of the nations. "Then they will know that I am the LORD" tells us that God's purpose for which He created the universe and is orchestrating every event in His-story is that He would be recognized as the ONE-AND-ONLY, true, unique God. God's eternal purpose is the revelation of Himself to all men, leading them to give Him glory as the one true, unique God.
What is God most Desiring? Focused on? Eager for? Passionate about? Protective of? Jealous for? Committed to? His glory . . . His Praise . . . His Worship!
God has planned and is sovereignly guiding His-story to show Himself as the one-and-only, true, unique God and lead all men to come to recognize and worship His glorious, infinite greatness. There is one purpose alone for which all creation exists: the demonstration, recognition, and worship of the glory of God!
All interpretation of history that contradicts or conflicts with the truth that God is sovereignly orchestrating His-story for His glory must be discarded. All else is an insult to the creator of all existence. All else is evil. All else incurs the wrath of God
All else is futility. All else is temporal & meaningless. All else is idolatry. All else must be stripped away. All pride must be annihilated. All selfishness must be mortified. All self advancement must be surrendered. All Self-righteousness must be repented of. All man-centered theology . . . All humanism . . . All science . . . All education . . . All ministry . . . All Religion that competes with or hinders the revelation of the glory of God.
The demonstration of the glory of God above all else and the worship of the glory of God at the exclusion of all else is the purpose of all existence from eternity past to eternity future!
It is not a purpose, it is the purpose!
It is not this and something else. It is this at the exclusion of all else!
So, I must ask the question, "What is there in my life, day, values, goals, finances, relationships or choices that competes with or hinders the demonstration of the glory of God?"
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Radiance of God's Glory
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
(6) His-Story Falls Apart . . Again?
For the most part, the story of Israel is the story of Israel’s dismal failure as God’s representatives, and God’s amazing patience and faithfulness to them, and His plan. God created and established Israel. God made a promise to Israel that they would be His people, His representatives. And God kept that promise; not for the sake of Israel, their worthiness or their glory, but for the glory of His name and the spread of His fame. Israel failed miserably. But God remained faithful to His promise for His name’s sake, His glory. Israel’s failure could not thwart God’s plan for the demonstration of His glory.
When Israel failed, the script was not being unraveled. The plot was not taking an unexpected twist. This was actually in the script all the time. God declared very early in Israel’s history that they would fail and He would restore them (Deuteronomy 28-30).
When Israel disobeyed, became corrupt and failed to demonstrate the glory of God through their lives and declare the glory of God through their witness, God disciplined them. But God never forsook them. He continued to work in them. He changed their hearts. He brought them to repentance. And He restored them over and over again. He acted for His glory, for His fame. Through it all, He put His glory on display for the world to see.
"For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off." (Isaiah 48:9 NAU)
"But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. . . . 14"But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out. . . . 22"But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out." . . . 44"Then you will know that I am the LORD when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel," declares the Lord GOD.'" (Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22, 44 NAU)
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. "I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:22-27 NAU)
God promised Israel that despite their failure and rebellion, He would act in them to change their hearts. God wasn’t waiting for them to have a change of heart so he could continue on with His plan. He said, "I will do it. I will change your heart. You have a heart of stone, cold, lifeless, hardened against me, but I’m going to give you a heart transplant. And after I change your heart, you will repent and return to Me. I will cause you to obey."
The display of the glory of God was not, and is not dependant on man. It was and is dependant on God and God alone. God always acts for His Name’s sake. He declares, "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10)" and no one will stop what He has decreed. He will be exalted. He will have His worshipers. God’s story of His glory is dependant on Him and Him alone.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Then They Will Know
When Israel failed, the script was not being unraveled. The plot was not taking an unexpected twist. This was actually in the script all the time. God declared very early in Israel’s history that they would fail and He would restore them (Deuteronomy 28-30).
When Israel disobeyed, became corrupt and failed to demonstrate the glory of God through their lives and declare the glory of God through their witness, God disciplined them. But God never forsook them. He continued to work in them. He changed their hearts. He brought them to repentance. And He restored them over and over again. He acted for His glory, for His fame. Through it all, He put His glory on display for the world to see.
"For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off." (Isaiah 48:9 NAU)
"But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. . . . 14"But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out. . . . 22"But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out." . . . 44"Then you will know that I am the LORD when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel," declares the Lord GOD.'" (Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22, 44 NAU)
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. "I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:22-27 NAU)
God promised Israel that despite their failure and rebellion, He would act in them to change their hearts. God wasn’t waiting for them to have a change of heart so he could continue on with His plan. He said, "I will do it. I will change your heart. You have a heart of stone, cold, lifeless, hardened against me, but I’m going to give you a heart transplant. And after I change your heart, you will repent and return to Me. I will cause you to obey."
The display of the glory of God was not, and is not dependant on man. It was and is dependant on God and God alone. God always acts for His Name’s sake. He declares, "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10)" and no one will stop what He has decreed. He will be exalted. He will have His worshipers. God’s story of His glory is dependant on Him and Him alone.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Then They Will Know
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
(5) His-story of His Glory Continues
Very early in human history, God chose a man to be His representative to the rest of humanity. That man was Abram who latter became Abraham. God told Abraham that he would be the father of a nation – Israel. God promised to bless Abraham and his offspring and establish them as His special representatives to the rest of the world. They were to be God’s special envoys, ambassadors, or witnesses to lead others to know God and worship Him. He talks about this purpose for Israel in Isaiah 43. Read it slowly and thoughtfully.
"I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made. 8"Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, and the deaf, even though they have ears [the unbelieving nations]. All the nations have gathered together in order that the peoples may be assembled. Who among them can declare this and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say, "It is true." "You [Israel] are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And My servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. "I, even I, am the Lord; and there is no savior besides Me. "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God". (Isaiah 43:6-12)
God is declaring here that He created and established the nation of Israel from one man, Abraham for His glory. God chose a man and God made a nation from that man, nurturing and maturing them physically and spiritually to be His representatives. He created this nation to use the people as witnesses of His greatness and glory and of how He had worked in history and orchestrated the events of history for the fulfillment of His purpose and plan. They were to give this witness so that the nations would see that God alone is God, that they would see God’s glory, and that they would worship Him.
This is the story of all of history up to the time of Jesus. All through the history of the ancient world, God worked in and through the nation of Israel for the spread of His glory and fame. The story of His glory continues. God is intent on having a people who will recognize and worship His glory. He will fulfill His plan and accomplish His purpose for creation.
Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." . . . So you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God".
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-Story Falls Apart . . Again?
"I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made. 8"Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, and the deaf, even though they have ears [the unbelieving nations]. All the nations have gathered together in order that the peoples may be assembled. Who among them can declare this and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say, "It is true." "You [Israel] are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And My servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. "I, even I, am the Lord; and there is no savior besides Me. "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God". (Isaiah 43:6-12)
God is declaring here that He created and established the nation of Israel from one man, Abraham for His glory. God chose a man and God made a nation from that man, nurturing and maturing them physically and spiritually to be His representatives. He created this nation to use the people as witnesses of His greatness and glory and of how He had worked in history and orchestrated the events of history for the fulfillment of His purpose and plan. They were to give this witness so that the nations would see that God alone is God, that they would see God’s glory, and that they would worship Him.
This is the story of all of history up to the time of Jesus. All through the history of the ancient world, God worked in and through the nation of Israel for the spread of His glory and fame. The story of His glory continues. God is intent on having a people who will recognize and worship His glory. He will fulfill His plan and accomplish His purpose for creation.
Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." . . . So you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God".
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-Story Falls Apart . . Again?
Monday, July 20, 2009
(4) His-Story Falls Apart?
Imagine it, a world filled with people created to reflect and worship the glory of God . . . and then imagine they’re actually doing it! We have to imagine it in the world we live in because we’re not seeing a demonstration of God’s character, majesty and beauty in the people around us. We are surrounded by evil. The world can look like it’s falling apart at times. So what happened?
What happened is what we call the "Fall." Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The first humans who were created in God’s image and were told to fill the earth with this image made a choice which marred that image and corrupted their nature . . . and ours. The main actors in God’s great story of creation had decided to write their own script. It would appear that His-story of His glory was falling apart!
But this would only be appearance, not reality. The script was not being unraveled. The plot was not taking an unexpected twist. This was actually in the script all the time. Look what Peter declares:
Realize that you weren't set free from the worthless life handed down to you from your ancestors by a payment of silver or gold which can be destroyed. Rather, the payment that freed you was the precious blood of Christ, the lamb with no defects or imperfections. He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed, but for your good he became publicly known in the last period of time. (1 Peter 1:18-20 GWN)
This passage is so rich but for our purpose here, we need to focus on one statement, "He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed." Jesus, the lamb that paid the penalty for man’s failure and provided for man’s restoration, was "known" before creation! Don’t let the significance of this escape your notice. God planned for Jesus to die on the Cross before He created man! The fall of man into spiritual darkness was not a deviation from the script, it was worked into the script when it was written before any of the script was acted on. Paul declares that the redemption of man and the establishment of the Church were God’s, "eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:11)."
God created man with the ability to make choices between two or more possibilities. God did this, knowing that Adam was going to choose to disobey His command. This was all part of His plan. God planned for man to disobey. If not, He would not have created man, or He would not have created man with the potential for choosing to disobey. But in this plan, God also planned to show His glory by providing the solution for man’s sin, recreating man’s nature and ability to glorify Him. God planned for the fall and redemption from the fall before He created anything.
His-story did not fall apart at the fall. His-story continued as scripted.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-story of His Glory Continues.
CONFUSED? HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS? HERE'S MORE TO THINK ABOUT:
God didn’t panic when Adam bit into the "forbidden fruit." He did not have to come up with a plan B. He created man with the ability to choose to do evil knowing that man would in fact choose evil. From before He began His-story, He planned for this and He planned the solution for evil, the death of Christ. His-story did not fall apart at the fall. His-story continued as it was scripted before it began.
This is probably very new thinking for you. It is, perhaps, difficult to follow and even accept. If so, let me encourage you, go back and read 1 Peter 1:18-20 very carefully and think about the implications of what God is saying here. Ask yourself the question, "Why would God plan for Christ to die on the cross for man’s sin before He created anything?" Isn’t the only answer that He knew man would sin? And when did He know man would sin? The only answer must be that He knew this before He created anything. He created man with this ability to sin (choose to disobey Him) knowing that man would sin. Why didn’t He create man differently, so that man would not sin? He didn’t want to. It is not the way he wanted to write the script of His glory in creation. He created man knowing man would sin but He also planned, at the same time, for the solution. It all fits into His perfect plan for the display and worship of His glory.
What happened is what we call the "Fall." Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The first humans who were created in God’s image and were told to fill the earth with this image made a choice which marred that image and corrupted their nature . . . and ours. The main actors in God’s great story of creation had decided to write their own script. It would appear that His-story of His glory was falling apart!
But this would only be appearance, not reality. The script was not being unraveled. The plot was not taking an unexpected twist. This was actually in the script all the time. Look what Peter declares:
Realize that you weren't set free from the worthless life handed down to you from your ancestors by a payment of silver or gold which can be destroyed. Rather, the payment that freed you was the precious blood of Christ, the lamb with no defects or imperfections. He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed, but for your good he became publicly known in the last period of time. (1 Peter 1:18-20 GWN)
This passage is so rich but for our purpose here, we need to focus on one statement, "He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed." Jesus, the lamb that paid the penalty for man’s failure and provided for man’s restoration, was "known" before creation! Don’t let the significance of this escape your notice. God planned for Jesus to die on the Cross before He created man! The fall of man into spiritual darkness was not a deviation from the script, it was worked into the script when it was written before any of the script was acted on. Paul declares that the redemption of man and the establishment of the Church were God’s, "eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:11)."
God created man with the ability to make choices between two or more possibilities. God did this, knowing that Adam was going to choose to disobey His command. This was all part of His plan. God planned for man to disobey. If not, He would not have created man, or He would not have created man with the potential for choosing to disobey. But in this plan, God also planned to show His glory by providing the solution for man’s sin, recreating man’s nature and ability to glorify Him. God planned for the fall and redemption from the fall before He created anything.
His-story did not fall apart at the fall. His-story continued as scripted.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-story of His Glory Continues.
CONFUSED? HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS? HERE'S MORE TO THINK ABOUT:
God didn’t panic when Adam bit into the "forbidden fruit." He did not have to come up with a plan B. He created man with the ability to choose to do evil knowing that man would in fact choose evil. From before He began His-story, He planned for this and He planned the solution for evil, the death of Christ. His-story did not fall apart at the fall. His-story continued as it was scripted before it began.
This is probably very new thinking for you. It is, perhaps, difficult to follow and even accept. If so, let me encourage you, go back and read 1 Peter 1:18-20 very carefully and think about the implications of what God is saying here. Ask yourself the question, "Why would God plan for Christ to die on the cross for man’s sin before He created anything?" Isn’t the only answer that He knew man would sin? And when did He know man would sin? The only answer must be that He knew this before He created anything. He created man with this ability to sin (choose to disobey Him) knowing that man would sin. Why didn’t He create man differently, so that man would not sin? He didn’t want to. It is not the way he wanted to write the script of His glory in creation. He created man knowing man would sin but He also planned, at the same time, for the solution. It all fits into His perfect plan for the display and worship of His glory.
Friday, July 17, 2009
(3) His-Story of His Glory Begins
God devised His great script and then God began to enact His great drama of self-glorification when He created the universe. God began His mission of self-glorification when He created. God created what was pleasing to Him and then declared it to be "good." So God created for His pleasure and for His purpose. He designed creation so that it showcases His glory and gives witness to His glory.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber; like a strong man it enjoys running its course. It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6 NET)
The earth and sky do not have vocal cords yet they sing a glorious and never ending melody of the glory of God. All the earth is filled with the glory of God displayed in creation. Every day, all over the world there are incredible symphonies and portraits that communicate the existence and wonder of God. Because God designed and created the universe to do just that.
I have seen beautiful, even breath-taking mountains, waterfalls, beaches, sunsets, flower filled fields. Amazing beauty that all exists by God's design to display and point to His glory . . . to lead us to WORSHIP!
God created the universe as a beautiful display of His greatness, power, intelligence, wisdom, creativity, love, grace and mercy. In fact, the display of God’s glory in creation is so magnificent and clear that those who reject God are absolutely without excuse.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
God didn’t stop with the stars, the sky, the mountains, streams, trees, flowers and many animals that display God’s glory. He also created man to display His glory and to have beings that would recognize, praise and worship His glory. He created man in His image (Genesis 1:27). Theologians have discussed and debated what this means, but there are a few things that are clear. Man was created with a special capacity to demonstrate God’s nature, live in relationship with Him, recognize His greatness, and worship His glory.
Next comes a very fascinating and significant aspect of God’s story of His glory. He tells Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!" (Genesis 1:28) In other words, God planned that through Adam and Eve He would fill the whole earth with those who had been created and especially designed to showcase His glory and worship His glory. God planned for a world full of human beings, created in His image who would display His glory, see His glory in creation, and worship His glory.
So, the beginning of history is the story of God creating a world to honor His glory and beings that would reflect His glory and worship Him. It truly is His-story.
Creation is the opening scene in His-story designed and decreed for the demonstration and declaration of His glory. The story of His glory has begun.
Stop for a moment and consider creation, look up at the sky. Look at the stars – as many as you can actually see. Look at the mountains, beaches, lakes, streams and waterfalls. Look at the flowers, trees and other vegetation. Look at the beautiful, powerful, amazing and sometimes funny animals. Look, and see the beauty, magnificence, and creativity of God. Look, and behold the glory of God. And worship!
Look at nature today . . . and WORSHIP!
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: His-Story Falls Apart?
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber; like a strong man it enjoys running its course. It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6 NET)
The earth and sky do not have vocal cords yet they sing a glorious and never ending melody of the glory of God. All the earth is filled with the glory of God displayed in creation. Every day, all over the world there are incredible symphonies and portraits that communicate the existence and wonder of God. Because God designed and created the universe to do just that.
I have seen beautiful, even breath-taking mountains, waterfalls, beaches, sunsets, flower filled fields. Amazing beauty that all exists by God's design to display and point to His glory . . . to lead us to WORSHIP!
God created the universe as a beautiful display of His greatness, power, intelligence, wisdom, creativity, love, grace and mercy. In fact, the display of God’s glory in creation is so magnificent and clear that those who reject God are absolutely without excuse.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
God didn’t stop with the stars, the sky, the mountains, streams, trees, flowers and many animals that display God’s glory. He also created man to display His glory and to have beings that would recognize, praise and worship His glory. He created man in His image (Genesis 1:27). Theologians have discussed and debated what this means, but there are a few things that are clear. Man was created with a special capacity to demonstrate God’s nature, live in relationship with Him, recognize His greatness, and worship His glory.
Next comes a very fascinating and significant aspect of God’s story of His glory. He tells Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!" (Genesis 1:28) In other words, God planned that through Adam and Eve He would fill the whole earth with those who had been created and especially designed to showcase His glory and worship His glory. God planned for a world full of human beings, created in His image who would display His glory, see His glory in creation, and worship His glory.
So, the beginning of history is the story of God creating a world to honor His glory and beings that would reflect His glory and worship Him. It truly is His-story.
Creation is the opening scene in His-story designed and decreed for the demonstration and declaration of His glory. The story of His glory has begun.
Stop for a moment and consider creation, look up at the sky. Look at the stars – as many as you can actually see. Look at the mountains, beaches, lakes, streams and waterfalls. Look at the flowers, trees and other vegetation. Look at the beautiful, powerful, amazing and sometimes funny animals. Look, and see the beauty, magnificence, and creativity of God. Look, and behold the glory of God. And worship!
Look at nature today . . . and WORSHIP!
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: His-Story Falls Apart?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
(2) God's "Chief End"
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they continually exist and have come into being!" (Revelation 4:11)
Here's the bottom line. The story of creation and the story of your life is God’s story. He is the author, the director, the producer. We are just actors, placed in His story to fulfill His purpose to showcase His glory.
What is God’s glory? That is what this blog is all about. Discovering the glory of God. Simply put, the glory of God is His character, His nature. The glory of God is those things that are true about Him that make Him God. Those things that make Him worthy of worship. Theologians call these things God’s attributes or perfections.
We will examine these truths about God in future posts. But first, we need to fully appreciate how important it is that we embrace God’s purpose for our lives. We need to begin by firmly establishing our commitment to live for the demonstration and declaration of the glory of God.
For me growing up, the answer to the fundamental question of "man’s chief end" became little more than a memorized statement. For many of us, it is a familiar Sunday school answer. We’re supposed to glorify God with our lives. But if you’re like me, you have lived much of your life not really appreciating the true reality and significance of this statement.
This isn’t just a nice Sunday school or catechism answer for children. The Bible teaches us that God created everything for the display and the admiration of his glory. In fact, the Bible teaches us that this is God’s eternal purpose. John Piper has put it so well when he says, "The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy himself forever."
To what extent does God act for His glory? To what extent is He involved in the world to make this happen? What does it look like? When we look carefully at scripture, we will see that God has written the script for His creation in great detail and God orchestrates HIS-story according to His purpose to reveal Himself and receive the worship He deserves.
The story of all the universe is God’s story. He wrote it when He was all by Himself before anything else existed. And the story He wrote, the script for this grand drama is a story about His glory, His greatness. It is a story written were His magnificence is displayed, recognized, and worshiped. It has become cliche, but it really is all about Him! Are you?
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." (Isaiah 42:8)
"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." (Isaiah 48:1)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-Story of His Glory Begins
Here's the bottom line. The story of creation and the story of your life is God’s story. He is the author, the director, the producer. We are just actors, placed in His story to fulfill His purpose to showcase His glory.
What is God’s glory? That is what this blog is all about. Discovering the glory of God. Simply put, the glory of God is His character, His nature. The glory of God is those things that are true about Him that make Him God. Those things that make Him worthy of worship. Theologians call these things God’s attributes or perfections.
We will examine these truths about God in future posts. But first, we need to fully appreciate how important it is that we embrace God’s purpose for our lives. We need to begin by firmly establishing our commitment to live for the demonstration and declaration of the glory of God.
For me growing up, the answer to the fundamental question of "man’s chief end" became little more than a memorized statement. For many of us, it is a familiar Sunday school answer. We’re supposed to glorify God with our lives. But if you’re like me, you have lived much of your life not really appreciating the true reality and significance of this statement.
This isn’t just a nice Sunday school or catechism answer for children. The Bible teaches us that God created everything for the display and the admiration of his glory. In fact, the Bible teaches us that this is God’s eternal purpose. John Piper has put it so well when he says, "The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy himself forever."
To what extent does God act for His glory? To what extent is He involved in the world to make this happen? What does it look like? When we look carefully at scripture, we will see that God has written the script for His creation in great detail and God orchestrates HIS-story according to His purpose to reveal Himself and receive the worship He deserves.
The story of all the universe is God’s story. He wrote it when He was all by Himself before anything else existed. And the story He wrote, the script for this grand drama is a story about His glory, His greatness. It is a story written were His magnificence is displayed, recognized, and worshiped. It has become cliche, but it really is all about Him! Are you?
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." (Isaiah 42:8)
"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." (Isaiah 48:1)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: His-Story of His Glory Begins
(1) The "Chief End" of Man
What is the purpose of life? Why do we exist? Is it essentially a matter of self determination? Is it up to each human being to carve out their existence and destiny? Or, is there a purpose that has been assigned to us? Is this our story to write as we choose or are we really actors in a story written by someone else?
I remember as I grew up spending one month out of my summers attending vacation Bible school. That’s right, one month, all morning, five days a week. Before you start thinking that sounds like fun, let me say that this was not about fun. This was about education. Intense education. There was a lot of studying and memorizing.
One of the main things I remember is memorizing the Westminister Catechism. One of the best known questions in the catechism is, "What is man’s chief end?" The language is a bit antiquated but the question is fundamental to everyone of every age. We might put it this way, "What is man’s highest purpose." Or, "What is man’s primary goal in life?"
If you asked the average person, you would likely get quite a range of answers to this question. Some even philosophical and spiritual in their tone. But, if you looked at the way the average person lives, even many who call themselves Christians, you would get an even more realistic answer to what they believe life is all about.
What are some of the goals we set our hearts on? Certainly at the top of the list would have to be a desire to be happy and fulfilled in life. Many people set their hearts on bing successful in a career. Some live to make a name for themselves, to advance their status in the community. Others just want to enjoy life to the fullest and have all the best life has to offer.
Those who are more noble in their thinking might even live to stop world hunger, cure disease, or promote peace, love and tranquility. Some believers have set their sights on living to win the lost for Christ as their life goal.
These goals for life have varying degrees of merit, but all fall short of the purpose for all creation. All fall short of God’s intention for us in giving us breath and life.
What is man’s chief end? What is man’s highest purpose? What is man’s primary goal in life? The Westminister Catechism answer is, "Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
What exactly does this mean? To put it more simply, it means that man exists for the purpose of honoring God and finding our joy in Him. This is what we were created for. In fact, this is the purpose of all creation because God’s highest purpose, God’s primary goal is to display His glory. God’s purpose for all existence is the demonstration and declaration of His glory from eternity past to eternity future. God’s purpose for us is that we come to recognize His glory, demonstrate His glory, and worship His glory.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: God's "Chief End"
I remember as I grew up spending one month out of my summers attending vacation Bible school. That’s right, one month, all morning, five days a week. Before you start thinking that sounds like fun, let me say that this was not about fun. This was about education. Intense education. There was a lot of studying and memorizing.
One of the main things I remember is memorizing the Westminister Catechism. One of the best known questions in the catechism is, "What is man’s chief end?" The language is a bit antiquated but the question is fundamental to everyone of every age. We might put it this way, "What is man’s highest purpose." Or, "What is man’s primary goal in life?"
If you asked the average person, you would likely get quite a range of answers to this question. Some even philosophical and spiritual in their tone. But, if you looked at the way the average person lives, even many who call themselves Christians, you would get an even more realistic answer to what they believe life is all about.
What are some of the goals we set our hearts on? Certainly at the top of the list would have to be a desire to be happy and fulfilled in life. Many people set their hearts on bing successful in a career. Some live to make a name for themselves, to advance their status in the community. Others just want to enjoy life to the fullest and have all the best life has to offer.
Those who are more noble in their thinking might even live to stop world hunger, cure disease, or promote peace, love and tranquility. Some believers have set their sights on living to win the lost for Christ as their life goal.
These goals for life have varying degrees of merit, but all fall short of the purpose for all creation. All fall short of God’s intention for us in giving us breath and life.
What is man’s chief end? What is man’s highest purpose? What is man’s primary goal in life? The Westminister Catechism answer is, "Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
What exactly does this mean? To put it more simply, it means that man exists for the purpose of honoring God and finding our joy in Him. This is what we were created for. In fact, this is the purpose of all creation because God’s highest purpose, God’s primary goal is to display His glory. God’s purpose for all existence is the demonstration and declaration of His glory from eternity past to eternity future. God’s purpose for us is that we come to recognize His glory, demonstrate His glory, and worship His glory.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: God's "Chief End"
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Light that Leads to Destruction (Isaiah 50:11)
Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. (Isaiah 50:11)
You can’t light up a dark room with a lamp-shade and you can’t find light for the darkness of life through human reasoning. Just as a lamp-shade conceals light rather than giving light, so human reasoning and solutions conceal truth, righteousness, and the light of God.
The Bible is full of warnings not to trust in human reasoning and the danger that comes from trusting in human reasoning. It tells us of the error of man’s thinking, the darkened mind of man, the blindness of man, and the futility of man’s reasoning. It teaches us that man cannot view life correctly or understand what is right unless God supernaturally brings enlightenment by His Spirit through His Word (1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Cor. 4:4).
The amazing fact that this verse points out to us is that man, even God’s children will ignore, repress, and deny the truth of God and trust in their own thinking. We, yes we, do just what this verse is warning against. We kindle our fires and light our torches to walk by the light of our torches. We rely on our own thinking, understanding, solutions, and planning. And our light is just like a lamp-shade. It is worthless for lighting up the darkness. And God says, "You have this from my hand (I have decreed): you shall lie down in torment." Your "light," your reasoning, solutions, and plans for your life are only going to lead you to more torment, greater problems, greater darkness.
Some will object and say that man, even unbelievers can and do find solutions to problems. This is true. Man can, in his reasoning find temporary solutions for superficial, temporal problems. But these solutions are just temporary band-aids because they don’t change the heart. These solutions don’t deal with the real problem of man’s spiritual needs. And so the problems just spring up again. Many times, worse.
So, we can go our own way, relying on our intelligence, wisdom and planning to get us out of the dark situations we find ourselves in at times. And we will end up still in darkness, still trying to figure things out. Or, we can learn to distrust our thinking and reasoning and learn to trust in God and His Word. One path leads to continued darkness, the other to light and life. God has decreed it.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The "Chief End" of Man
You can’t light up a dark room with a lamp-shade and you can’t find light for the darkness of life through human reasoning. Just as a lamp-shade conceals light rather than giving light, so human reasoning and solutions conceal truth, righteousness, and the light of God.
The Bible is full of warnings not to trust in human reasoning and the danger that comes from trusting in human reasoning. It tells us of the error of man’s thinking, the darkened mind of man, the blindness of man, and the futility of man’s reasoning. It teaches us that man cannot view life correctly or understand what is right unless God supernaturally brings enlightenment by His Spirit through His Word (1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Cor. 4:4).
The amazing fact that this verse points out to us is that man, even God’s children will ignore, repress, and deny the truth of God and trust in their own thinking. We, yes we, do just what this verse is warning against. We kindle our fires and light our torches to walk by the light of our torches. We rely on our own thinking, understanding, solutions, and planning. And our light is just like a lamp-shade. It is worthless for lighting up the darkness. And God says, "You have this from my hand (I have decreed): you shall lie down in torment." Your "light," your reasoning, solutions, and plans for your life are only going to lead you to more torment, greater problems, greater darkness.
Some will object and say that man, even unbelievers can and do find solutions to problems. This is true. Man can, in his reasoning find temporary solutions for superficial, temporal problems. But these solutions are just temporary band-aids because they don’t change the heart. These solutions don’t deal with the real problem of man’s spiritual needs. And so the problems just spring up again. Many times, worse.
So, we can go our own way, relying on our intelligence, wisdom and planning to get us out of the dark situations we find ourselves in at times. And we will end up still in darkness, still trying to figure things out. Or, we can learn to distrust our thinking and reasoning and learn to trust in God and His Word. One path leads to continued darkness, the other to light and life. God has decreed it.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The "Chief End" of Man
Monday, July 13, 2009
Confidence in the Darkness (Isaiah 50:10)
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10)
This verse starts out with two heart piercing questions. First, "Who among you fears the LORD?"
What does it mean to fear the Lord? The fear of the Lord is not terror, but rather, an intense respect and awe of God. It begins with a high view of God's greatness and glory. The greater my understanding and view of God’s greatness and glory, the greater will be my fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a desire to please God, obey Him, and live according to His will and Word. It is a desire to honor God and fear dishonoring God. Do you fear the Lord?
The second question is the natural extension of the first. "Who among you . . . obeys the voice of his servant?" If I fear the Lord, I will obey the voice of His servant, Jesus Messiah. No obedience equals no fear. That’s why these questions are really one, two-part question here. I can’t say I have reverential respect for God and disobey Jesus. So, do you fear the Lord . . . are you obedient?
Many Bible scholars believe the expected answer to this question is an affirmative, "I’m one." I may not be able to answer these questions with absolute affirmation, but it is expected that as God’s child I can at least say that it is the overall characteristic of my life. I want to fear the Lord and obey. I am striving to fear the Lord and obey. If I can’t answer this way, perhaps I need to reevaluate if I truly am His child.
The second half of this verse gives a word of encouragement to those who fear the Lord and obey Him . . . "Trust and rely on your God." This word of encouragement is given to those who are in darkness and have no light. This is not referring to unbelievers, but to God’s child who is confused, bewildered, not understanding what is going on in their life.
May I paraphrase this for you in the first person? "God, I don’t understand what is going on in my life. I don’t understand what you are doing. Everything is just so dark. I feel so helpless. Life seems so hopeless. What are you doing?"
"Trust in the name of the LORD and rely on your God." Trust . . . Believe . . . Put your confidence in . . . Stake you life on . . . The name of the LORD . . . Yahweh . . . Creator and Sustainer of the universe . . . the self-existent, uncaused cause . . . sovereign . . . all-powerful . . . all-knowing . . . all-wise . . . gracious . . . merciful . . . loving . . . and always right in all that He does. When everything is dark and you feel hopeless and helpless, trust in the name of this LORD!
Rely . . . lean on . . . find your strength and support in . . . count on . . . your God. Your God is the God who is sovereign ruler over all existence. Your God is the faithful, covenant keeping God. In the context of Isaiah 50, your God is the God who took the most horrific, unjust, darkest series of events in history, the Cross, and orchestrated them to be the most beautiful, glorious, magnificent events in all His-story. We have seen already in Isaiah 50 how God has and will vindicate righteousness, execute His perfect plan and fulfill His purpose. And this God, your God can do the same with the darkness you are facing. And He has promised that He will.
What to do in the darkness? Renew your fear of the LORD. How? Meditate on His greatness and glory. Then, renew your commitment to obey Him. Determine that you are going to follow Him even if it seems to lead you further into darkness. Then trust and rely on the glorious infinite indescribably awesome God of all creation . . . the God of the Cross!
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Light that Leads to Destruction. (Isaiah 50:11)
This verse starts out with two heart piercing questions. First, "Who among you fears the LORD?"
What does it mean to fear the Lord? The fear of the Lord is not terror, but rather, an intense respect and awe of God. It begins with a high view of God's greatness and glory. The greater my understanding and view of God’s greatness and glory, the greater will be my fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a desire to please God, obey Him, and live according to His will and Word. It is a desire to honor God and fear dishonoring God. Do you fear the Lord?
The second question is the natural extension of the first. "Who among you . . . obeys the voice of his servant?" If I fear the Lord, I will obey the voice of His servant, Jesus Messiah. No obedience equals no fear. That’s why these questions are really one, two-part question here. I can’t say I have reverential respect for God and disobey Jesus. So, do you fear the Lord . . . are you obedient?
Many Bible scholars believe the expected answer to this question is an affirmative, "I’m one." I may not be able to answer these questions with absolute affirmation, but it is expected that as God’s child I can at least say that it is the overall characteristic of my life. I want to fear the Lord and obey. I am striving to fear the Lord and obey. If I can’t answer this way, perhaps I need to reevaluate if I truly am His child.
The second half of this verse gives a word of encouragement to those who fear the Lord and obey Him . . . "Trust and rely on your God." This word of encouragement is given to those who are in darkness and have no light. This is not referring to unbelievers, but to God’s child who is confused, bewildered, not understanding what is going on in their life.
May I paraphrase this for you in the first person? "God, I don’t understand what is going on in my life. I don’t understand what you are doing. Everything is just so dark. I feel so helpless. Life seems so hopeless. What are you doing?"
"Trust in the name of the LORD and rely on your God." Trust . . . Believe . . . Put your confidence in . . . Stake you life on . . . The name of the LORD . . . Yahweh . . . Creator and Sustainer of the universe . . . the self-existent, uncaused cause . . . sovereign . . . all-powerful . . . all-knowing . . . all-wise . . . gracious . . . merciful . . . loving . . . and always right in all that He does. When everything is dark and you feel hopeless and helpless, trust in the name of this LORD!
Rely . . . lean on . . . find your strength and support in . . . count on . . . your God. Your God is the God who is sovereign ruler over all existence. Your God is the faithful, covenant keeping God. In the context of Isaiah 50, your God is the God who took the most horrific, unjust, darkest series of events in history, the Cross, and orchestrated them to be the most beautiful, glorious, magnificent events in all His-story. We have seen already in Isaiah 50 how God has and will vindicate righteousness, execute His perfect plan and fulfill His purpose. And this God, your God can do the same with the darkness you are facing. And He has promised that He will.
What to do in the darkness? Renew your fear of the LORD. How? Meditate on His greatness and glory. Then, renew your commitment to obey Him. Determine that you are going to follow Him even if it seems to lead you further into darkness. Then trust and rely on the glorious infinite indescribably awesome God of all creation . . . the God of the Cross!
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Light that Leads to Destruction. (Isaiah 50:11)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where’d Everybody Go? (Isaiah 50:9)
Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:9)
Jesus didn’t escape accusation and condemnation even though He was perfectly sinless and perfectly righteous. There were false accustions and trumped up, manufactured charges. The Jewish religious leaders found Him guilty of blasphemy. Pilot could find no guilt. Still, He was crucified.
But the Jewish religious leaders and Pilot are not the judges that matter. And they could not prove or declare His guilt before the only judge that really matters, God. No, while they were against Him, tying to assess and prove His guilt, God was there to help Him.
This verse points our another important truth. All the false accusers are long gone. They have worn out like a garment. The moth has eaten them up. Their accusations silenced. And Jesus? Vindicated. Exalted. Sitting on His throne as King of the universe.
Doing what is right doesn’t mean you and I won’t face opposition, accusation, and condemnation from man. We may even face it from religious leaders or from government. But they are not the judges that ultimately matter. God is. We live our lives for the approval of an audience of one.
So, what do we do when we face false accusation and condemnation from man?
1. Make sure we are in fact guiltless of wrong doing before the true judge, God. If necessary, confess, repent, and make amends with those we have wronged.
2. Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (1 Peter 3:9)). Never return false accusation or retaliation. Never.
3. Entrust your life and your circumstances to the sovereign hands and plan of a faithful Creator and continue to do what is right in His eyes (1 Peter 4:19).
4. Remember, man may be successful in accusing us before man, but not before God. Live for the approval of the audience of one.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Confidence in the Darkness (Isaiah 50:10)
Jesus didn’t escape accusation and condemnation even though He was perfectly sinless and perfectly righteous. There were false accustions and trumped up, manufactured charges. The Jewish religious leaders found Him guilty of blasphemy. Pilot could find no guilt. Still, He was crucified.
But the Jewish religious leaders and Pilot are not the judges that matter. And they could not prove or declare His guilt before the only judge that really matters, God. No, while they were against Him, tying to assess and prove His guilt, God was there to help Him.
This verse points our another important truth. All the false accusers are long gone. They have worn out like a garment. The moth has eaten them up. Their accusations silenced. And Jesus? Vindicated. Exalted. Sitting on His throne as King of the universe.
Doing what is right doesn’t mean you and I won’t face opposition, accusation, and condemnation from man. We may even face it from religious leaders or from government. But they are not the judges that ultimately matter. God is. We live our lives for the approval of an audience of one.
So, what do we do when we face false accusation and condemnation from man?
1. Make sure we are in fact guiltless of wrong doing before the true judge, God. If necessary, confess, repent, and make amends with those we have wronged.
2. Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (1 Peter 3:9)). Never return false accusation or retaliation. Never.
3. Entrust your life and your circumstances to the sovereign hands and plan of a faithful Creator and continue to do what is right in His eyes (1 Peter 4:19).
4. Remember, man may be successful in accusing us before man, but not before God. Live for the approval of the audience of one.
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own?
No one-- for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
Who then will condemn us?
No one-- for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us,
and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand,
pleading for us.
(Romans 8:33-34)
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Confidence in the Darkness (Isaiah 50:10)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bring it On (Isaiah 50:8)
He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
Here is the voice of unwavering confidence rooted in unwavering trust in the sovereign, absolute standard and judge of righteousness. "He who vindicates me is near." Messiah is confident that He will be judged righteous and in fact perfectly right in everything He has done. He is confident that the ultimate judge in these matters is near and is ready to acquit Him.
In the end, the only opinion that matters is God’s. In the end the only judge that matters is God. Others will evaluate us . . . judge us . . . find fault . . . criticize. But their opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge.
I will also evaluate myself . . . judge myself . . . find fault . . . or excuse. But my opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge. I must, therefore, live under and by His judgement . . . His opinion . . . His declaration of what is right and what is wrong. I must live and die by this standard alone.
Messiah is not afraid to meet His judge. He exudes confidence. Look at what He says. "Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me." The New Living Translation makes this a little clearer. "Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!" My paraphrase: "You want to bring a charge of guilt against me? Bring it on! You want to accuse me? Bring it on!"
How could He be so confident in calling His accusers to court. Because He knows they will stand before the all-knowing, perfectly just, holy judge who will only judge by what is true and right. And Messiah knows He is true. He is righteous . . . perfectly righteous. Without blame . . . without sin . . . perfect.
Oh that I would have such integrity that I could always stand before the sovereign judge with my accusers with confidence of vindication. Daniel was like this. Remember? His fellow rulers tried to find something, anything they could use against him to get him in trouble with the king. They could not find a single thing! Except that Daniel was unwaveringly faithful to God.
Oh that I would have such integrity and righteousness in my life. Oh that I could say to my accusers, "Bring it on, I have walked in righteousness and integrity. I have no fear of the accusations you may bring."
Have you ever felt like you wanted to stand before God’s court with you accusers? I have. There have been times when I wanted with all that was in me to be able to stand before God with those who were my accusers and have God judge in the matter. I can’t say I expected to be judged completely innocent, but I was confident that the basic facts in the matter were on my side. I was convinced I had God’s Word on my side. I wanted to be vindicated.
It didn’t happen. We didn’t stand before the court of God as I desired. But, I have seen God vindicate righteousness. In some cases, I still wait for truth to prevail. But I know that in the end it will. God is still the sovereign, righteous and just judge. And you can be sure truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail. Does this make you confident? Or fearful?
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Where’d Everybody Go? (Isaiah 50:9)
Here is the voice of unwavering confidence rooted in unwavering trust in the sovereign, absolute standard and judge of righteousness. "He who vindicates me is near." Messiah is confident that He will be judged righteous and in fact perfectly right in everything He has done. He is confident that the ultimate judge in these matters is near and is ready to acquit Him.
In the end, the only opinion that matters is God’s. In the end the only judge that matters is God. Others will evaluate us . . . judge us . . . find fault . . . criticize. But their opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge.
I will also evaluate myself . . . judge myself . . . find fault . . . or excuse. But my opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge. I must, therefore, live under and by His judgement . . . His opinion . . . His declaration of what is right and what is wrong. I must live and die by this standard alone.
Messiah is not afraid to meet His judge. He exudes confidence. Look at what He says. "Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me." The New Living Translation makes this a little clearer. "Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!" My paraphrase: "You want to bring a charge of guilt against me? Bring it on! You want to accuse me? Bring it on!"
How could He be so confident in calling His accusers to court. Because He knows they will stand before the all-knowing, perfectly just, holy judge who will only judge by what is true and right. And Messiah knows He is true. He is righteous . . . perfectly righteous. Without blame . . . without sin . . . perfect.
Oh that I would have such integrity that I could always stand before the sovereign judge with my accusers with confidence of vindication. Daniel was like this. Remember? His fellow rulers tried to find something, anything they could use against him to get him in trouble with the king. They could not find a single thing! Except that Daniel was unwaveringly faithful to God.
Oh that I would have such integrity and righteousness in my life. Oh that I could say to my accusers, "Bring it on, I have walked in righteousness and integrity. I have no fear of the accusations you may bring."
Have you ever felt like you wanted to stand before God’s court with you accusers? I have. There have been times when I wanted with all that was in me to be able to stand before God with those who were my accusers and have God judge in the matter. I can’t say I expected to be judged completely innocent, but I was confident that the basic facts in the matter were on my side. I was convinced I had God’s Word on my side. I wanted to be vindicated.
It didn’t happen. We didn’t stand before the court of God as I desired. But, I have seen God vindicate righteousness. In some cases, I still wait for truth to prevail. But I know that in the end it will. God is still the sovereign, righteous and just judge. And you can be sure truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail. Does this make you confident? Or fearful?
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Where’d Everybody Go? (Isaiah 50:9)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Secret to Future Victory (Isaiah 50:7)
For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7)
Jesus Messiah states here in this verse that, "I am not disgraced." This Hebrew word refers to public humiliation. Yet, we know that Jesus did in fact face public humiliation and disgrace. To add to this perplexity, in Isaiah 50:6, we see Messiah willingly face physical abuse and disgrace. Now here in verse seven, He says, "I am not disgraced [same word as v. 6]." How do we make sense of this?
The answer to this is found in another word here in verse seven. The verse ends with Messiah declaring, "I will not be ashamed." This is a different Hebrew word that means to fall into disgrace through failure. This statement looks to the end of the Messiah’s mission and states that there will not be shame or disgrace due to the failure of that mission.
So, this verse looks past the temporary, specific events of the Cross to the end of the story. The end of the story is that Jesus is not publically humiliated but rather, He is highly exalted. The end of the story is that Jesus’ mission is not a failure, but a glorious success.
What is the source of this glorious success and vindication? The "Lord GOD helps Me." This is Adonai Yahweh. The one and only, sovereign lord over all creation brings victory and vindication.
We might paraphrase these statements this way, "When all is said and done, I will not be publically humiliated and disgraced nor will I be ashamed of misplaced trust and confidence because Jehovah is Lord and He will bring victory."
And so, Jesus Messiah declares, "I have set My face like flint." Flint is a particularly hard stone. This is rock solid, unwavering determination. Jesus was unwavering; fully surrendered to the will of the Father, committed and determined to fulfill His mission. Why? Because He had rock solid confidence that the Father was trustworthy and that He would be vindicated and victorious in His mission.
So here’s the secret to future victory. Faith and determination. We must actually believe Romans 8:28. I know we all have it memorized, but far too often we really don’t believe it. We question God’s plan. We doubt God’s wisdom. We lack faith in God’s power.
Future victory begins with a firm confidence that our God is in fact the Lord God who is sovereign, all wise, all powerful and working His perfect plan in our lives for our good and His glory.
Then, we must be determined. Determined that no matter what we face in the future, we will be unwavering in obedience to God’s Word and His direction by His Spirit. We must be determined to trust Him . . . rely on Him . . . allow Him to bring the victory and vindication. We must be determined that we will not delay, desert, or disobey no matter how hard the road ahead. We must be determined to face public humiliation without quitting, knowing that He will bring us to victory and vindication.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Bring it On (Isaiah 50:8)
Jesus Messiah states here in this verse that, "I am not disgraced." This Hebrew word refers to public humiliation. Yet, we know that Jesus did in fact face public humiliation and disgrace. To add to this perplexity, in Isaiah 50:6, we see Messiah willingly face physical abuse and disgrace. Now here in verse seven, He says, "I am not disgraced [same word as v. 6]." How do we make sense of this?
The answer to this is found in another word here in verse seven. The verse ends with Messiah declaring, "I will not be ashamed." This is a different Hebrew word that means to fall into disgrace through failure. This statement looks to the end of the Messiah’s mission and states that there will not be shame or disgrace due to the failure of that mission.
So, this verse looks past the temporary, specific events of the Cross to the end of the story. The end of the story is that Jesus is not publically humiliated but rather, He is highly exalted. The end of the story is that Jesus’ mission is not a failure, but a glorious success.
What is the source of this glorious success and vindication? The "Lord GOD helps Me." This is Adonai Yahweh. The one and only, sovereign lord over all creation brings victory and vindication.
We might paraphrase these statements this way, "When all is said and done, I will not be publically humiliated and disgraced nor will I be ashamed of misplaced trust and confidence because Jehovah is Lord and He will bring victory."
And so, Jesus Messiah declares, "I have set My face like flint." Flint is a particularly hard stone. This is rock solid, unwavering determination. Jesus was unwavering; fully surrendered to the will of the Father, committed and determined to fulfill His mission. Why? Because He had rock solid confidence that the Father was trustworthy and that He would be vindicated and victorious in His mission.
So here’s the secret to future victory. Faith and determination. We must actually believe Romans 8:28. I know we all have it memorized, but far too often we really don’t believe it. We question God’s plan. We doubt God’s wisdom. We lack faith in God’s power.
Future victory begins with a firm confidence that our God is in fact the Lord God who is sovereign, all wise, all powerful and working His perfect plan in our lives for our good and His glory.
Then, we must be determined. Determined that no matter what we face in the future, we will be unwavering in obedience to God’s Word and His direction by His Spirit. We must be determined to trust Him . . . rely on Him . . . allow Him to bring the victory and vindication. We must be determined that we will not delay, desert, or disobey no matter how hard the road ahead. We must be determined to face public humiliation without quitting, knowing that He will bring us to victory and vindication.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
No turning back, no turning back.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Bring it On (Isaiah 50:8)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Taking a Beating (Isaiah 50:6)
I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6)
Few people could identify with the extreme brutality that Jesus endured. Very, very few.
A few people, soldiers and spies, some persecuted Christians have faced extreme brutality and can perhaps identify with what Jesus went through physically. Most of us can’t even imagine it. We cringe and shrink away at the thought of it let alone the sight. It is too much to watch. And Jesus willingly walked right into it.
Jesus was punched in the face . . . struck in the head with a rod . . . savagely beaten with a metal laced whip till His flesh was dangling from His body . . . long thorny spikes pressed into His brow. It was brutal, savage, horror. And He willingly walked right into it. Jesus willingly walked right into it.
No one could ever identify with the betrayal, denial, desertion, rejection, contempt, mocking and burning hatred Jesus experienced. No one. Ever.
No one will ever face this extent of heartless emotional brutality. No one.
No one has loved so perfectly, given so freely and sacrificially, served so selflessly, been rejected so cruelly.
And Jesus walked right into it.
Are you willing to take a beating for the glory of God? Few of us will face physical beatings or any physical persecution for that matter. But all of us will face tiring times, hurt, even rejection in following God. If God "opens your ears" and makes it clear to you that you will suffer for following Him and doing what is right, will you still follow?
May we be a people who will "walk right into it" and take a beating for the glory of God!
Precious Savior,
Thank you. Thank you for walking right into it. Thank you for enduring the brutality, physically and emotionally. I have nothing to give that could begin to adequately honor your sacrifice. But what I have to give, I give . . . my life. Help me . . . work in me . . . that I would be willing to walk right into it . . . no matter the pain . . . emotionally . . . or physically . . . I know you’re walking right beside me showing me the way to do it. Help me to learn how to take a beating. For the glory of God. Amen
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: The Secret to Future Victory (Isaiah 50:7)
Few people could identify with the extreme brutality that Jesus endured. Very, very few.
A few people, soldiers and spies, some persecuted Christians have faced extreme brutality and can perhaps identify with what Jesus went through physically. Most of us can’t even imagine it. We cringe and shrink away at the thought of it let alone the sight. It is too much to watch. And Jesus willingly walked right into it.
Jesus was punched in the face . . . struck in the head with a rod . . . savagely beaten with a metal laced whip till His flesh was dangling from His body . . . long thorny spikes pressed into His brow. It was brutal, savage, horror. And He willingly walked right into it. Jesus willingly walked right into it.
No one could ever identify with the betrayal, denial, desertion, rejection, contempt, mocking and burning hatred Jesus experienced. No one. Ever.
No one will ever face this extent of heartless emotional brutality. No one.
No one has loved so perfectly, given so freely and sacrificially, served so selflessly, been rejected so cruelly.
And Jesus walked right into it.
Are you willing to take a beating for the glory of God? Few of us will face physical beatings or any physical persecution for that matter. But all of us will face tiring times, hurt, even rejection in following God. If God "opens your ears" and makes it clear to you that you will suffer for following Him and doing what is right, will you still follow?
May we be a people who will "walk right into it" and take a beating for the glory of God!
Precious Savior,
Thank you. Thank you for walking right into it. Thank you for enduring the brutality, physically and emotionally. I have nothing to give that could begin to adequately honor your sacrifice. But what I have to give, I give . . . my life. Help me . . . work in me . . . that I would be willing to walk right into it . . . no matter the pain . . . emotionally . . . or physically . . . I know you’re walking right beside me showing me the way to do it. Help me to learn how to take a beating. For the glory of God. Amen
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: The Secret to Future Victory (Isaiah 50:7)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
No Stopping or Standing! (Isaiah 50:5)
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. (Isaiah 50:5)
In this verse, we continue to see the obedience of Jesus Messiah in following the Father. Here, Messiah is again given instruction by Jehovah. This time, it is described as the opening of the ear. As we will see this passage unfold, we will see that Jesus fully understood what he would face when He went to the Cross. Before He went to the Cross, His ears were opened to hear of the rejection, pain, and horror of the Cross.
In this verse before us, He determines that He will face all the rejection, pain, and horror of the Cross. He determined that He would not be rebellious. He would move toward the Cross, not away from it. He did not turn back.
I remember at times waiting for someone outside of a store. Sometimes there are "No parking" signs. I take this to mean that you can’t leave your car there and go in shopping. But, you could sit there in the car and wait for someone to come out. Then, sometimes, I see "No stopping or standing signs." I take this to mean what it says, you can’t even stop; you can’t sit there and wait for someone to come out. You have to keep moving.
I must admit, sometimes I have viewed these signs as open for a little creative crawling as I inched forward ever so slowly without totally stopping and standing. For those of you familiar with limbo the chant is, "How slow can you go? . . . how slow can you go?
Our obedience to God cannot be like this. Obedience to God’s command does not allow for stopping and standing or creative crawling. (With the exception of when God commands it.) Whatever God has commanded, whatever God commands is not optional. And there is no room for delay or "go slow."
Sometimes, we will know that obedience will cost us something significant. It will cost us money. It will cost us pain, opposition, persecution. Sometimes we know. God will "open our ears."
Will we shrink back? Will we be rebellious? Will we turn back?
We must not! Whatever God says, we must do. No shrinking back. No turning back. May He open our ears and may we not be rebellious.
Lord Jesus,
I see the gruesome experience of the Cross. I see the torment . . . the pain . . . betrayal . . . abandonment by loved ones . . . beaten bloody . . . mocked . . . the crown of thorns . . . the nails . . . the Cross. And I see that you knew this was going to happen. And still, you did not rebel. You did not turn back.
Father . . . may I never turn back from obeying you. Even when it will mean sacrifice. Even when I know it will hurt. I want to embrace and live 100% obedience. Help me . . . I desperately need your help. My cry of commitment is this, No stopping or standing!
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Taking a Beating (Isaiah 50:6)
In this verse, we continue to see the obedience of Jesus Messiah in following the Father. Here, Messiah is again given instruction by Jehovah. This time, it is described as the opening of the ear. As we will see this passage unfold, we will see that Jesus fully understood what he would face when He went to the Cross. Before He went to the Cross, His ears were opened to hear of the rejection, pain, and horror of the Cross.
In this verse before us, He determines that He will face all the rejection, pain, and horror of the Cross. He determined that He would not be rebellious. He would move toward the Cross, not away from it. He did not turn back.
I remember at times waiting for someone outside of a store. Sometimes there are "No parking" signs. I take this to mean that you can’t leave your car there and go in shopping. But, you could sit there in the car and wait for someone to come out. Then, sometimes, I see "No stopping or standing signs." I take this to mean what it says, you can’t even stop; you can’t sit there and wait for someone to come out. You have to keep moving.
I must admit, sometimes I have viewed these signs as open for a little creative crawling as I inched forward ever so slowly without totally stopping and standing. For those of you familiar with limbo the chant is, "How slow can you go? . . . how slow can you go?
Our obedience to God cannot be like this. Obedience to God’s command does not allow for stopping and standing or creative crawling. (With the exception of when God commands it.) Whatever God has commanded, whatever God commands is not optional. And there is no room for delay or "go slow."
Sometimes, we will know that obedience will cost us something significant. It will cost us money. It will cost us pain, opposition, persecution. Sometimes we know. God will "open our ears."
Will we shrink back? Will we be rebellious? Will we turn back?
We must not! Whatever God says, we must do. No shrinking back. No turning back. May He open our ears and may we not be rebellious.
Lord Jesus,
I see the gruesome experience of the Cross. I see the torment . . . the pain . . . betrayal . . . abandonment by loved ones . . . beaten bloody . . . mocked . . . the crown of thorns . . . the nails . . . the Cross. And I see that you knew this was going to happen. And still, you did not rebel. You did not turn back.
Father . . . may I never turn back from obeying you. Even when it will mean sacrifice. Even when I know it will hurt. I want to embrace and live 100% obedience. Help me . . . I desperately need your help. My cry of commitment is this, No stopping or standing!
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Taking a Beating (Isaiah 50:6)
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