You may be following the Oscar Pistorius trial (if you read the paper or watch the news, it's hard not to!). I haven’t been watching every move, but, as the embattled South African hero's name has been “trending” on news sites as a result of ongoing testimony that will help decide whether he will face at least 25 years in prison for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, I’ve generally been keeping up.
What has caught my attention most (in addition to his behavior in the courtroom) are reports portraying Pistorious’ personality. Text messages, testimony and news interviews with people who reportedly know him have revealed a brash, temperamental Pistorius who had been known to fire a gun in at least a couple heated moments.
I could not help but reflect that the picture painted of Pistorius - and this very sad situation, whatever the outcome - gives us practical, biblical lessons about the need to control our emotions, especially anger.
I’m not arguing whether I think Pistorius is legally innocent or guilty – I don’t know, and the South African court will decide that based on the evidence – but it does strike me that at the root of the events resulting in Steenkamp’s death on Valentine’s Day last year could be the outcome of a guy who has had challenges controlling his emotions. Now, how he's been portrayed may not be accurate, but, since issues about his allegedly temperamental persona have been raised, I can’t help but wonder if him not having controlled emotions was the underlying cause of the killing – whether it was premeditated or in the heat of the moment.
What we can learn from the tragic death - directly or indirectly - is that how we handle our emotions matters. In Genesis 4, right before the first murder, God gave some practical advice to the soon-to-be-culprit, Cain. In a nutshell, Cain became angry at his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering from his work keeping flocks but not his, from his work on soil (after sin entered the world through Adam and Eve's actions, various offerings were required to make amends for sins committed).
The text it is not completely clear why Cain’s offering was not accepted, but the Bible says that “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor" (Gen. 4: 3-5a). As the type of offering Abel brought – i.e., “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock”, and Abel himself - is favorably described - and Cain’s fruits - and Cain himself - is not favorably described, Cain's attitude and his offering likely were not of the first-rate quality of his brother's.
In response to God rejecting Cain’s sacrifice, the Bible says Cain got heated. In reply, God said to him, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (vv. 6-7). Rather than heed God’s warning, however, Cain killed his brother (v. 8). And, as we know, killings of passion – and premeditation – have continued since.
What would have happened if Cain had controlled his emotions – in this case, his anger? God’s words to Cain before he committed murder indicate he had the opportunity to reverse course by doing what was right – giving a good sacrifice, from a right heart - and not getting caught up in the moment of feeling rejected by God. Instead, Cain chose to let his emotions master him.
Ephesians 4 further provides that in our anger, we should not sin so that we don't give the devil a foothold in our lives. This implies that being angry is not always sinful, but what we do with our anger can be – and can lead to lasting negative emotions, and sin.
Expressing anger – and other emotions – starts with inward feelings that flow outward into our actions. Jesus said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). In other words, our words - and actions - are connected to what is in our hearts. While at times someone’s actions - or our own - may surprise us, the Bible indicates that, whether we saw it coming or not, our actions are the result of what’s in our hearts. Further, the Bible also says that our hearts are wicked and hard to know.
How, then, do we avoid being mastered by our emotions? Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart is often referred to as the seat of our emotions and mind. What feelings we allow ourselves to be caught up in, and what we fill our minds with, ultimately determines how we behave. The wrong thoughts and attitudes can lead us to make sinful, devastating choices. Learning to protect our hearts from being overcome by adverse attitudes and emotions can keep us bearing good fruit rather than bad.
Ultimately, however, the task of guarding our hearts is just too much on our own, that’s why we need Jesus. The death and resurrection of a sinless God gave us a way to be made right with Him, without sacrifices such as the one Cain and Abel offered - we need only confess with our mouths and believe - in our hearts - inJesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. Then, we receive His Spirit, which enables our hearts to change so that we learn to say no to sin and yes to right living. Christians aren't perfect, but we are being changed through faith in Jesus!
Whether Oscar Pistorius is guilty or innocent I don’t know, but I can’t help but wonder to what degree a habit of acting on negative impulses may have played a role in Steenkamp’s death, intentional or unintentional. I can’t answer this question, but I think the image we’ve seen of Pistorius is a chance for us to evaluate what – and who – has our hearts. Pistorius is human, as we all are, and our hearts can all wander off course, and anything can happen. Each day, who has yours?
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
The Biggest Lie You Might Believe
Have you ever experienced something unexpected? Faced tragedy? Dealt with unmet desires? Ever disliked your circumstances? The answer to all these questions likely is yes.
You've probably also pondered God's role in these situations. You may be tempted to think that God doesn't care or love you, wouldn’t understand or is to blame. We may not say it, but we can act like it. The biggest lie you can believe? That those thoughts are true.
Trying situations where God's hand may not seem evident are ripe for us to be hoodwinked by the enemy, who wants us to believe negative thoughts about God, distance ourselves from Him and stop trusting Him. In John 8:44, Satan is called the father of lies. In Revelation 12:9, he’s named the great deceiver. In John 10:10, he often is interpreted as the “thief” seeking to kill, steal and destroy, while Jesus says that He came to give us true, abundant life - to the full. While the enemy is out to ruin us, God wants to see us thrive in all circumstances, and, ultimately, into eternity. Yet in those times when we don't see His hand, we're tempted not to believe Him and instead trust the deceiver by going our own way. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves to avoid falling prey to the devil's schemes in tough times.
Who is God to Me?
Trying circumstances are a chance to evaluate whether we see God as He is. We can view Him as Creator of the world who loves us and knows best, or we can see Him as less than He is, perhaps reducing Him to a means of getting what we want, such as health, wealth and companionship. If God is merely the fairy who grants all our wishes, we'll do what He asks only as long as things go our way, and we'll bail on Him when life gets rough. We'll also see ourselves as more in control than we ever can be, not recognizing that we can only see what is in front of us, while He sees all. When we don't recognize God's greatness, we can forget how small we really are.
The story of Job provides a wonderful reminder of God's magnitude. Despite Job ultimately passing tests to his faith in God and devotion to Him that Satan inflicted with God's permission (such as losing his children, wealth and health), there is a point during his suffering where Job ponders the reason for his torment, attempting to explain it from his limited, human perspective. God's response to Job's questioning, in Chapters 38-41, is awe-inspiring. He reminds Job of his limits. A snippet of God’s reply:
When we recognize God's power, we can trust that He’s in control even when we only see chaos.
What's My Diet?
Our habits also impact whether we believe Satan's lies or God’s truths. The Bible tells us that our battles in life are not about the physical that we see, but the spiritual that we cannot see. Second Corinthians 10:3-5 says,
Ephesians 6: 10-18 also says that we are to resist the devil’s schemes by being strong in the Lord’s mighty power, putting on the "full armor" of God. The “weapons” from the passage include:
Belt of Truth (v. 14)
Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14)
Shield of Faith (v. 14)
Footwear of the Readiness of The Gospel (v. 15)
Shield of Faith (v. 16)
Helmet of Salvation (v. 17)
Sword of the Spirit (v. 17)
(See an explanation of each here)
When we put on God's armor, we're no longer dealing with trouble in our own limited way, but through God's power, which makes all the difference!
Who's in My Corner?
Connecting with other believers also is critical in overcoming the enemy's schemes. The book of Hebrews, written to Jewish Christians facing persecution, contains relevant advice on maintaining Christian community. Hebrews 10: 24-25 says,"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I love how timeless this passage is! Both then and now, there are those of us prone to periodically disappear – check out – from connecting with other believers. Often it’s when life gets challenging and the support is needed most when we may be tempted to bail. Yet we’re to stay in our struggles together. And, as this passage indicates, connecting is not only for our personal benefit, but also so that we can encourage others. Being part of God’s kingdom, our difficulties aren’t just meant to grow us, they’re also supposed to lead us to comfort others. In community, we can’t wallow too deeply into self-pity!
Further, Hebrews 3: 12-15 tells us that we avoid being hardened by sin's deceitfulness – i.e., seeing sin as “no big deal” – by encouraging each other. When we're tempted to stray in our trials, other believers steer us in the right direction. We're not meant to always be alone, and we can't succeed in overcoming challenges by ourselves!
Am I thankful?
Our perspective also is critical. Second Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." "All" truly means all! When we have a disposition of thankfulness no matter what the circumstance, we are not limited by our trials and recognize what blessings we do have that the enemy would have us forget. As 2 Thessalonians indicates, we also are obedient to God when we remain thankful, and God honors obedience. Psalm 103, a psalm of praise, is one that reminds me to be thankful for all that God has done - and does - every day!
Post Script
Jesus said that in this world, we would have trouble, but we can take heart because He's overcome the world. In trials, learn to trust God by recognizing who He is, putting on His armor, connecting with other believers and overflowing with thankfulness. That way, you won't get hoodwinked by the enemy's lies.
You've probably also pondered God's role in these situations. You may be tempted to think that God doesn't care or love you, wouldn’t understand or is to blame. We may not say it, but we can act like it. The biggest lie you can believe? That those thoughts are true.
Trying situations where God's hand may not seem evident are ripe for us to be hoodwinked by the enemy, who wants us to believe negative thoughts about God, distance ourselves from Him and stop trusting Him. In John 8:44, Satan is called the father of lies. In Revelation 12:9, he’s named the great deceiver. In John 10:10, he often is interpreted as the “thief” seeking to kill, steal and destroy, while Jesus says that He came to give us true, abundant life - to the full. While the enemy is out to ruin us, God wants to see us thrive in all circumstances, and, ultimately, into eternity. Yet in those times when we don't see His hand, we're tempted not to believe Him and instead trust the deceiver by going our own way. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves to avoid falling prey to the devil's schemes in tough times.
Who is God to Me?
Trying circumstances are a chance to evaluate whether we see God as He is. We can view Him as Creator of the world who loves us and knows best, or we can see Him as less than He is, perhaps reducing Him to a means of getting what we want, such as health, wealth and companionship. If God is merely the fairy who grants all our wishes, we'll do what He asks only as long as things go our way, and we'll bail on Him when life gets rough. We'll also see ourselves as more in control than we ever can be, not recognizing that we can only see what is in front of us, while He sees all. When we don't recognize God's greatness, we can forget how small we really are.
The story of Job provides a wonderful reminder of God's magnitude. Despite Job ultimately passing tests to his faith in God and devotion to Him that Satan inflicted with God's permission (such as losing his children, wealth and health), there is a point during his suffering where Job ponders the reason for his torment, attempting to explain it from his limited, human perspective. God's response to Job's questioning, in Chapters 38-41, is awe-inspiring. He reminds Job of his limits. A snippet of God’s reply:
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?Job responds accordingly, in worship and repentance. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 5:2 gives us a guide for reverencing our Maker even in trying times, when we may be tempted to think we have the answers: “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” (ESV)
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
When we recognize God's power, we can trust that He’s in control even when we only see chaos.
What's My Diet?
Our habits also impact whether we believe Satan's lies or God’s truths. The Bible tells us that our battles in life are not about the physical that we see, but the spiritual that we cannot see. Second Corinthians 10:3-5 says,
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.There is no better way to “take captive” thoughts that help us choose obedience to Christ than meditating on the promises in His Word. Just a few of the things God says to believers in it are that He works all things together for our good, is for us, nothing can separate us from His love, He will never leave or forsake us, and has great plans for us - including a definitive, final plan to overcome evil. I shared some other promises I like to meditate on most here. If you don’t already, mediate on verses that remind you of who God is and speak to your doubts. God’s Word is truly the hope that we have to overcome the enemy!
Ephesians 6: 10-18 also says that we are to resist the devil’s schemes by being strong in the Lord’s mighty power, putting on the "full armor" of God. The “weapons” from the passage include:
Belt of Truth (v. 14)
Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14)
Shield of Faith (v. 14)
Footwear of the Readiness of The Gospel (v. 15)
Shield of Faith (v. 16)
Helmet of Salvation (v. 17)
Sword of the Spirit (v. 17)
(See an explanation of each here)
When we put on God's armor, we're no longer dealing with trouble in our own limited way, but through God's power, which makes all the difference!
Who's in My Corner?
Connecting with other believers also is critical in overcoming the enemy's schemes. The book of Hebrews, written to Jewish Christians facing persecution, contains relevant advice on maintaining Christian community. Hebrews 10: 24-25 says,"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I love how timeless this passage is! Both then and now, there are those of us prone to periodically disappear – check out – from connecting with other believers. Often it’s when life gets challenging and the support is needed most when we may be tempted to bail. Yet we’re to stay in our struggles together. And, as this passage indicates, connecting is not only for our personal benefit, but also so that we can encourage others. Being part of God’s kingdom, our difficulties aren’t just meant to grow us, they’re also supposed to lead us to comfort others. In community, we can’t wallow too deeply into self-pity!
Further, Hebrews 3: 12-15 tells us that we avoid being hardened by sin's deceitfulness – i.e., seeing sin as “no big deal” – by encouraging each other. When we're tempted to stray in our trials, other believers steer us in the right direction. We're not meant to always be alone, and we can't succeed in overcoming challenges by ourselves!
Am I thankful?
Our perspective also is critical. Second Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." "All" truly means all! When we have a disposition of thankfulness no matter what the circumstance, we are not limited by our trials and recognize what blessings we do have that the enemy would have us forget. As 2 Thessalonians indicates, we also are obedient to God when we remain thankful, and God honors obedience. Psalm 103, a psalm of praise, is one that reminds me to be thankful for all that God has done - and does - every day!
Post Script
Jesus said that in this world, we would have trouble, but we can take heart because He's overcome the world. In trials, learn to trust God by recognizing who He is, putting on His armor, connecting with other believers and overflowing with thankfulness. That way, you won't get hoodwinked by the enemy's lies.
Monday, February 10, 2014
How Do You Read The Bible?
Last summer I finished reading through the Bible chronologically, marking two-and-a-half times that I'd read the Bible cover-to-cover. As I shared at the beginning of the read, I used The Chronological Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson.
As I’ve explained before, for me reading through the Bible all started in January 2011, when I read the New Testament in 30 days with my church. It was the catalyst for me then reading through the Old Testament and completing my first full read. Through it I gained greater perspective about God’s Word that really deepened my understanding of Him and our relationship. After it I decided to continue reading through the Bible in various ways perpetually. The experience truly has revolutionized how I consume Scripture.
The Story
Studying God's Word chronologically this read around really illuminated once again that the Bible is The Greatest Story ever told. I'll recount it, in a nutshell. It begins in Genesis with the true tale of the triune God of the Universe, in His boundless creativity, making a beautiful world and everything in it, including forming humanity in His image by one man and giving him the privilege of fellowship with God, just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit shared. God gave man the Garden of Eden as his dwelling place and responsibility. Then, knowing just what man was missing, God created for him a suitable helper (ladies, haaay!). In His omniscience, He also set boundaries of protection to maximize man (and woman)'s enjoyment of Him and His creation. Yet also in His love, God gave them the choice to obey His boundaries, or disobey.
Then the sunny story turns dark, with man deciding to cross the boundaries that God set by eating from the only tree in Eden that He had told them not to, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, man faced the devastating effects of sin, including separation from God and banishment from Eden.
Man's sin sets off the rest of Scripture, which highlights God's love affair with a wayward humanity. Although man and woman would suffer consequences of sin, God promised a Savior. Each verse, chapter and book of the Bible knits the story of God reaching down to rescue and restore mankind to a relationship with Him, the Creator. His redemptive plan plays out in Scripture as humans like you and I underscore our need for salvation throughout it.
We witness it in the Old Testament, where God’s chosen people Israel consistently disobey His commands despite His warnings that the people’s lives would go well if they only followed them. They rejected God’s warnings by committing offenses such as not listening to God’s instructions in battles with other nations, whoring after other gods, envying other nations, ignoring and abusing the prophets God sent to call them to repentance when they strayed, and completely forgetting – even for a time losing – His laws. We see Israel (and Judah) suffer the consequences of those sins, at times in brutal ways. Yet through it all, God shows them mercy by holding back His wrath repeatedly, relenting in many cases. And when He does punish His people, it is to discipline and guide them in the right direction, as a loving Father would.
The Old Testament also highlights God's holiness. He is far greater than us and cannot look on sin. For His people, He instituted a high priest that could go into the Holy of Holies once a year in the temple, where He appeared, to offer sacrifices to atone for their sins. This ritual was a glimpse of the atonement that the sinless Messiah would bring when He came to earth to be the Ultimate sacrifice. We also see God use and deliver foreign nations as part of His redemptive plan.
The Promised Messiah Jesus is experienced in the New Testament, where He introduces a New Covenant. His life, ministry, death and resurrection, chronicled in The Gospels, finally bring the long-awaited way for man to freely access God and restore the relationship with Him that was lost at Eden.
While on earth, Jesus picks and trains a group of 12 ordinary men – including one who would betray Him – teaches them and tells them of the greater things that they would do when He goes and sends His Spirit. After He is victorious over death, suffering in our place, He leaves, returning to be with the Father.
As promised, the Holy Spirit arrives, on the Day of Pentecost. The church launches, ushering an Age that we are still part of today. His disciples start spreading the good news that Jesus died, buried, and rose again – not only to Jews, but also to Gentiles. Many Gentiles hear and receive the message, and The Gospel starts reaching the ends of the earth, as Jesus promised it would.
And, as presented in Acts, God calls and makes an apostle to the Gentiles out of Saul, a Pharisee who was previously breathing out murderous threats against God’s people and even participated in the first martyrdom of a Christian.
Saved by Grace
The introduction of Saul turned Paul in the New Testament – and the books he wrote by divine inspiration – highlight one of the greatest reminders that I got from this read – that I – and all believers – are predestined! In Ephesians 1:3-6, Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:
One of the best parts of The Greatest Story Ever Told is the ending. In Revelation (and in other parts of Scripture, such as Daniel 9 and 1 Thessalonians 4), we learn about the end times and how Jesus will come back and establish a new heaven and a new earth, one that believers will reign with Him on, and how sin and Satan will ultimately be defeated. Through Revelation we are reminded that while God chose a specific time in history to reveal His word, it is a timeless revelation that speaks not only up to our present, but also the future. Further, it tells us about a God who is outside time and has a definite plan to overcome the world – including evil. His Word ends with the ultimate hope: that He will come again, and those who know Him will be with Him forever, just as intended in Eden. Amen – come, Lord Jesus!
Reading
Question: how do you read the Bible? Do you read it as a critic picking out select phrases to bolster a negative opinion about it? Do you only read all or part of the Old or New Testament and discount the rest? Do read it just out of duty, to check a box? Do you see it just as a “good book” with positive sayings for life but not as God’s very Word? If we do not see it as primarily a love story, from Genesis to Revelation, we have missed the point. I like how Mark Driscoll puts it in his newest book, A Call to Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Funeral of A Future?, particularly in reference to reading Scripture out of religious duty:
As I’ve explained before, for me reading through the Bible all started in January 2011, when I read the New Testament in 30 days with my church. It was the catalyst for me then reading through the Old Testament and completing my first full read. Through it I gained greater perspective about God’s Word that really deepened my understanding of Him and our relationship. After it I decided to continue reading through the Bible in various ways perpetually. The experience truly has revolutionized how I consume Scripture.
The Story
Studying God's Word chronologically this read around really illuminated once again that the Bible is The Greatest Story ever told. I'll recount it, in a nutshell. It begins in Genesis with the true tale of the triune God of the Universe, in His boundless creativity, making a beautiful world and everything in it, including forming humanity in His image by one man and giving him the privilege of fellowship with God, just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit shared. God gave man the Garden of Eden as his dwelling place and responsibility. Then, knowing just what man was missing, God created for him a suitable helper (ladies, haaay!). In His omniscience, He also set boundaries of protection to maximize man (and woman)'s enjoyment of Him and His creation. Yet also in His love, God gave them the choice to obey His boundaries, or disobey.
Then the sunny story turns dark, with man deciding to cross the boundaries that God set by eating from the only tree in Eden that He had told them not to, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, man faced the devastating effects of sin, including separation from God and banishment from Eden.
Man's sin sets off the rest of Scripture, which highlights God's love affair with a wayward humanity. Although man and woman would suffer consequences of sin, God promised a Savior. Each verse, chapter and book of the Bible knits the story of God reaching down to rescue and restore mankind to a relationship with Him, the Creator. His redemptive plan plays out in Scripture as humans like you and I underscore our need for salvation throughout it.
We witness it in the Old Testament, where God’s chosen people Israel consistently disobey His commands despite His warnings that the people’s lives would go well if they only followed them. They rejected God’s warnings by committing offenses such as not listening to God’s instructions in battles with other nations, whoring after other gods, envying other nations, ignoring and abusing the prophets God sent to call them to repentance when they strayed, and completely forgetting – even for a time losing – His laws. We see Israel (and Judah) suffer the consequences of those sins, at times in brutal ways. Yet through it all, God shows them mercy by holding back His wrath repeatedly, relenting in many cases. And when He does punish His people, it is to discipline and guide them in the right direction, as a loving Father would.
The Old Testament also highlights God's holiness. He is far greater than us and cannot look on sin. For His people, He instituted a high priest that could go into the Holy of Holies once a year in the temple, where He appeared, to offer sacrifices to atone for their sins. This ritual was a glimpse of the atonement that the sinless Messiah would bring when He came to earth to be the Ultimate sacrifice. We also see God use and deliver foreign nations as part of His redemptive plan.
The Promised Messiah Jesus is experienced in the New Testament, where He introduces a New Covenant. His life, ministry, death and resurrection, chronicled in The Gospels, finally bring the long-awaited way for man to freely access God and restore the relationship with Him that was lost at Eden.
While on earth, Jesus picks and trains a group of 12 ordinary men – including one who would betray Him – teaches them and tells them of the greater things that they would do when He goes and sends His Spirit. After He is victorious over death, suffering in our place, He leaves, returning to be with the Father.
As promised, the Holy Spirit arrives, on the Day of Pentecost. The church launches, ushering an Age that we are still part of today. His disciples start spreading the good news that Jesus died, buried, and rose again – not only to Jews, but also to Gentiles. Many Gentiles hear and receive the message, and The Gospel starts reaching the ends of the earth, as Jesus promised it would.
And, as presented in Acts, God calls and makes an apostle to the Gentiles out of Saul, a Pharisee who was previously breathing out murderous threats against God’s people and even participated in the first martyrdom of a Christian.
Saved by Grace
The introduction of Saul turned Paul in the New Testament – and the books he wrote by divine inspiration – highlight one of the greatest reminders that I got from this read – that I – and all believers – are predestined! In Ephesians 1:3-6, Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.Further, Paul’s letters most often begin with the phrase “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” He consistently proclaimed that, but for God choosing Him, he would have continued persecuting God’s people with misguided zeal. The more I study God’s Word, the more I am convinced that God chose me – not because of anything great I’ve done, but because of His grace. God choosing – adopting – believers is something to celebrate!
One of the best parts of The Greatest Story Ever Told is the ending. In Revelation (and in other parts of Scripture, such as Daniel 9 and 1 Thessalonians 4), we learn about the end times and how Jesus will come back and establish a new heaven and a new earth, one that believers will reign with Him on, and how sin and Satan will ultimately be defeated. Through Revelation we are reminded that while God chose a specific time in history to reveal His word, it is a timeless revelation that speaks not only up to our present, but also the future. Further, it tells us about a God who is outside time and has a definite plan to overcome the world – including evil. His Word ends with the ultimate hope: that He will come again, and those who know Him will be with Him forever, just as intended in Eden. Amen – come, Lord Jesus!
Reading
Question: how do you read the Bible? Do you read it as a critic picking out select phrases to bolster a negative opinion about it? Do you only read all or part of the Old or New Testament and discount the rest? Do read it just out of duty, to check a box? Do you see it just as a “good book” with positive sayings for life but not as God’s very Word? If we do not see it as primarily a love story, from Genesis to Revelation, we have missed the point. I like how Mark Driscoll puts it in his newest book, A Call to Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Funeral of A Future?, particularly in reference to reading Scripture out of religious duty:
The Bible must not be read as a job description for motivated, self-disciplined, devoutly religious people to be their own heroes and saviors of their souls. It must be read as the story of guilty sinners and self-righteous hypocrites, visited by a perfect God who lived the life they haven’t, died the death they should have, and rose to give the gift they could not earn. The Bible is good news about what Jesus has done before it is good advice about what we should do. The Bible tells us how God serves us before it asks us to serve Him (pgs. 145-146).
Reading through the Bible chronologically (and perpetually) has made me much more mindful of the main purpose of God’s word as I read it each day, even in the times when I may not be particularly excited to do so. Now, every time I open it, I’m reminded that each verse – and passage – is an opportunity for me not just to complete a daily ritual or even gain wisdom for living, but, must importantly, to experience His love. I am so thankful for how God has revolutionized my time in His word through reading the whole story!
On that note, my perpetual read must go on! Right now I’m on day 176 of The Lookout Bible Reading Plan, available on YouVersion. The one year, six-day-a-week plan assigns a daily reading from the Gospels, another New Testament book, a Wisdom book (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and another Old Testament book. The daily “big picture” it provides of the whole Bible has been another great way to mediate on The Story.
Whether you profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or not, I challenge you to read God’s Word as a complete story, cover to cover. It is living and active, and has the power to change not just your life, but your destiny. If you know Jesus, be reminded of His love whenever you open it up, even in the times when doing so seems mundane. After all, it’s God’s very words, and that’s how He wants us to read it. And in the process, we can't help but be changed.
On that note, my perpetual read must go on! Right now I’m on day 176 of The Lookout Bible Reading Plan, available on YouVersion. The one year, six-day-a-week plan assigns a daily reading from the Gospels, another New Testament book, a Wisdom book (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and another Old Testament book. The daily “big picture” it provides of the whole Bible has been another great way to mediate on The Story.
Whether you profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or not, I challenge you to read God’s Word as a complete story, cover to cover. It is living and active, and has the power to change not just your life, but your destiny. If you know Jesus, be reminded of His love whenever you open it up, even in the times when doing so seems mundane. After all, it’s God’s very words, and that’s how He wants us to read it. And in the process, we can't help but be changed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)