Thoughts ~ A collection of meditations on the Christian life
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)
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The Christian religion is God-centered, not man-centered. This means that the first priority for Christians is to please God, not themselves. Christianity is not a religion of personal fulfillment or self-actualization. God exists and acts primarily for his own benefit, not for the benefit of men and women. However, because God is a God of love, his actions are motivated by mercy and grace and are therefore of great benefit to his people. Christians do indeed find meaning and fulfillment in their religion, but they find it in God, not themselves.
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Because humans are limited by time and space, spiritual truths about the unlimited God -- concepts ultimately beyond comprehension by the human mind -- are often portrayed in the Bible by imagery and parables (stories). But though the Bible contains many stories, a great deal of figurative language, and quite a few statements difficult to understand, it does not contain a 'hidden wisdom' available only to an inner circle. The Bible is not written in code. There are no secret documents held back from public view. Anyone can read and learn the basic biblical concepts. In fact, that is what Christians want people to do. Christianity is not esoteric; it is not a secret society. The 'mystery' of God has been revealed. This mystery is not a 'higher knowledge' or an 'awareness of the true divine self.' Rather, it is a practical knowledge of who God is, what he has done, and where people stand relative to him. Those who cannot 'see' this revealed mystery are hindered only by their unwillingness to 'look' or the limited availability of information to look at.
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God has revealed himself in history by speaking to people, by entering into relationships with people, and by performing other actions that involved unique events. The central historical event recorded in the Bible is the incarnation, where God entered history in the form of a human being, the man, Jesus of Nazareth. The Christian faith rests on the conviction of the truth of the incarnation and the truth of subsequent related historical events including Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. These events do not prove or compel belief in the theological interpretations of Christianity, but if these events did not happen, Christian faith is groundless. No historical event reveals God or his purposes unless he talks to people about that event. God's actions confirm and fulfill his words, but without the words people can only guess at the significance of the events.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:8-12)
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Jesus was most likely an average looking Jewish man, strong and weather-beaten from much walking and working out-of-doors. He was probably, by trade, a carpenter with a good grasp of practical things.[1] He did not hide his emotions: He wept[2] and got angry,[3] was compassionate[4] and sorrowful.[5] He got hungry[6] and ate,[7] got tired[8] and slept.[9] He could debate with the best minds,[10] even as a child;[11] but he was also at home among the common people, so much so that he was accused of being "a friend of sinners."[12] If Jesus were here as a human being today, he would probably spend most of his time in hospitals, jails, half-way houses, shelters for the homeless, inner-city soup kitchens, along the beaches, and at parties.[13] He would probably not spend very much time in government offices, at political rallies, in corporation board rooms, on TV talk shows, on religious TV programs, or in most churches.[14]
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(1 Peter 2:21)
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[1]Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3
[2]John 11:33-35
[3]Mark 3:5
[4]Luke 13:34
[5]Mark 14:34
[6]Luke 4:2b
[7]Matt. 9:10
[8]John 4:6
[9]Mark 4:38
[10]Matt. 22:46
[11]Luke 2:46-47
[12]Matt. 11:18-19; Luke 7:36-39
[13]Matt. 25:34-36; Mark 2:15-17; John 2:1-2
[14]Matt. 9:10-13
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The next direct intervention by God in human history will be the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Jesus' first appearance on earth was as a human teacher and suffering Savior. His second appearance will be as Divine Lord and Conquering King. The promise of his return gives Christians confident hope for the future and serves as a motive for holy behavior now. Exactly how he will appear and the precise sequence and schedule of related events is a subject of much discussion among Christians. However, all agree: Jesus will come again. Maranatha!
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With the whole world lying under its prince [Satan], and men's thoughts and actions, art and culture affirming that to be so, God's people are called upon to affirm the contrary. In this enemy-occupied territory, they are to be members of an underground resistance movement, asserting another authority; affirming another world-view. (Harry Foster)
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River,
or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
(Joshua 24:15)
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A well-prepared army base ready for action on the battlefield will have all its units in place -- combat, supply, transportation, communication, medical, administration, etc. -- and will be staffed by soldiers accustomed to such things as authority, responsibility, leadership, trust, goals, training, teamwork, weapons, injury, and death.
Should not every church be as well-prepared for action on the spiritual battlefield? And should not every Christian be accustomed to the same things that describe an experienced soldier? If we are to willingly obey orders, make sacrifices, put up with indignities, and face the possibility of being wounded in battle, we Christians must understand that we are soldiers in a war against a cunning and merciless enemy. We must also understand that we are under the command of a loving and all-knowing, all-powerful God who will win -- has won! -- the war.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of [the nations],
for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6)
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A church may congratulate itself on growing numbers, or rising levels of giving, or impact on the community, but without an increasing knowledge of God through his Word and through experience neither church nor individuals is truly advancing in the Christian life. (John Paterson)
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"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
the God we serve is able to save us from it,
and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
But even if he does not, we want you to know,
O king, that we will not serve your gods
or worship the image of gold you have set up."
(Daniel 3:17-18)
God must do nothing; he does all things.
God is able, but not obligated, to save.
We should not be timid or presumptuous.
(Anon.)
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The truth is complete in Christ, but the need or our hearts is to have God's light shed on it. Apart from this, there is no revelation. All spiritual experience comes from divine light on eternal truth. Truth preached without light becomes doctrine; with divine light it becomes revelation. It always comes to us as one or the other. (Watchman Nee)
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Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God are all found in Jesus Christ. Therefore the armor described by Paul in his elaborate metaphor of Christian warfare in Ephesians 6:10-20 is actually Christ himself. We do not manufacture these items of spiritual warfare; instead, we find them "in Christ". Our responsibility is to "put on" the pieces of armor: to identify them, understand how they work, and incorporate them into our lives. To do this, we must learn to think and act like soldiers, those men whose job it is to fight battles. Thus the very thing that many believers find repulsive, fighting, is the thing Paul says Christians must be prepared to do. Paul does not tell all believers to sign up for military service; but he does tell them to prepare for and to fight in spiritual battles where the real enemy is not other people and their organizations -- although the battle near at hand may be with them -- but non-material beings, those "spiritual forces of evil" opposed to God and his people. Jesus promised that even the "gates of Hades" cannot withstand the onslaught of a Church composed of Christian soldiers wielding spiritual weapons. So, with victory guaranteed, let's "put on the full armor of God" and start fighting.
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Nothing has been or can be more detrimental to man and to his greatest good and glory than to believe that Bible evangelism or gospel preaching is primarily for his own personal benefit, security, enjoyment and satisfaction. For the One who created man for His glory and pleasure is the same One who is now saving him for the very same purpose. (C. A. Jones)
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Evangelism that is chiefly motivated by man's lost and unhappy condition, his untold worth and potentialities, his awful need and imminent danger and the great benefits that will accrue to him by being saved is not Bible or Christian evangelism but humanism. Christian evangelism does comprehend all that man is, needs and will enjoy by being saved, but this is not the major concern and end of Christian evangelism. For the thing that man has been lost from through sin, and is now being saved from, to and for is the thing of primary importance. There is an evangelism that is primarily devoted to the revelation and realization of that which God Himself chiefly is, desires, wills and intends. And this is evangelism on its highest plain, in its greatest role seeking its greatest ultimate. (C. A. Jones)
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The Bible has many ways of describing the gospel transformation. It is spoken of in terms of birth -- "By his own will, he begat us" (James 1:18). This is dramatic, but it is also sovereign. Parents do not consult their children as to whether they would like to be born. Birth is not an invitation; it is an event. Salvation is spoken of as resurrection -- we were dead in sins and raised to life together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). No one would address a dead body and inquire if it wished to be raised. ["Lazarus, Do you want to come out?"] No, resurrection is a sovereign act which depends on decisions and energies that belong elsewhere. The Creator does not consult the creation. When the world was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep, the Creator did not come and say, would you mind if I created light? Would you like to have light? If I offer it to you will you accept it?" It is a sovereign decision. Paul says that conversion is like that. (J. Alec Motyer)
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"Lazarus, come out!"
The situation was this: Lazarus was dead, stone-cold dead. His body had been wrapped in grave clothes and buried. The grave was closed with a stone. After being in the grave four days, his body was beginning to decompose. When confronted with this situation, here are some things Jesus did NOT say:
"It must stink in there, so come out here where the air is fresh."
"If you come out, I will remove your grave clothes and you will feel wonderful."
"There is a beautiful life out here that you are missing, so come out."
"I invite you to come out."
"I love you and want you to come out."
"I am here to receive you if you come out."
"If you try hard to come out, you can."
No, Jesus said none of these things. Instead, he ordered the stone removed, spoke briefly to Martha, prayed to his Father, and then "called out in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' [and] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face" (John 11:43-44). Salvation is like that.
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved.
(Ephesians 2:4-5)
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The Maker of man was made man: That the Ruler of the stars might suck at the breast; that the Bread might be hungered; the Fountain, thirst; the Light, sleep; the Way, be wearied by the journey; the Truth, be accused by false witnesses; the Judge of the living and the dead, be judged by a mortal judge; the Chastener, be chastised with whips; the Vine, be crowned with thorns; the Foundation, be hung upon the tree; Strength, be made weak; Health, be wounded; Life, die.
To suffer these and suchlike things, undeserved things, that He might free the undeserving, for neither did He deserve any evil, who for our sakes endured so many evils, nor were we deserving of anything good, we who through Him received such good. (Augustine)
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Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed --
not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence --
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling ...
One way to work out our salvation is to follow the example in Acts 27.
Paul was on a ship headed for Rome when the ship was caught in a violent storm. After two weeks of being blown and battered by the wind and waves, the passengers and crew had given up all hope of ever getting out of the storm alive. At this point Paul was visited by an angel who told him God would save his life along with the lives of all those on board. To the people on board, however, the circumstances did not match the promise.
So, in a situation that looked like certain destruction, Paul told everyone: "Keep up your courage." Then he and the rest of the passengers and crew proceeded to 'work out their own survival with obvious fear and trembling' by operating the ship as best they could to reach land safely. They took soundings, dropped anchors, ate food, threw cargo overboard, untied ropes, set sails, steered for the beach, hit a sandbar, jumped overboard, swam or floated to land. And all survived as God had promised.
Perhaps we could follow this example to 'work out our salvation' as a church. We could first tell each other to "keep up your courage." Then we could operate the ship as best we can by praying, studying, sharing, meeting, teaching, listening, working, and building. After all, we have God's promise.
... for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
(Philippians 2:12-13)
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It follows that every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For, he was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; he was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; he died for our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal despised, debt canceled, labor lightened, sadness made merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal. In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune. For all these things which were to be the weapons of the devil in his battle against us, and the sting of death to pierce us, are turned for us into exercises which we can turn to our profit. (John Calvin)
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
(Colossians 1:19-20)
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He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;
by his wounds you have been healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)
But how could Jesus who lived and died 2000 years ago bear "our sins"? In other words, how could Jesus' death 'then' be effective on our behalf 'now'? Here's how: Jesus was sacrificed to satisfy God, "him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). Based on that sacrifice, God declared (and announced to everyone via the Bible writers) that all people who have faith in Jesus are forgiven from their sin and its consequences (Acts 13:38-39). So, because God exists continually, i.e., God always has been alive and always will be alive, his declaration of salvation holds everywhere and at every time. Thus Jesus' death in history was effective 'then' and is still effective 'now.' History counts!
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14)
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And indeed this is one of the greatest mysteries in this world -- namely, that a righteousness that resides with a person in heaven should justify me, a sinner, on earth. (John Bunyan)
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The process of being prepared for glory is that of constant present renewal: "Though our outward man is decaying, our inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). The bangs and buffetings of life are the means by which God is making us like His Son. This is not what is commonly heard today. Just as Christians want costless evangelism, so they are looking for cheap, costless renewal. This can never be. Paul tells us that it is the trials which will produce renewals. It may seem a strange way of renewal, to have the outward man decaying, day after day. But since God is in charge, it involves constant renewal by His grace, as day after day we are transformed under His hand. (J. Alec Motyer)
Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best --
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.
(Carolina Sandell Berg)
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Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
(Romans 11:33)
No human can penetrate beyond the surface of God's riches of "wisdom and knowledge," of "kindness, tolerance and patience,"[1] of "glory,"[2] of "grace"[3] -- the "unsearchable riches of Christ,"[4] "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."[5] Even though God has made known to the saints "the glorious riches" of "Christ in you, the hope of glory,"[6] no one can fully fathom his greatness.[7]
Therefore God's judgments --his deliberations and decisions, his reasons and pronouncements, his spoken and carried-out will -- cannot be deciphered by humans. His paths or ways of operating cannot be mapped, diagrammed, or analyzed. To this truth the Teacher of Ecclesiastes agrees and gives evidence: Men "cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."[8] "Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future."[9] "No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it."[10]
God's ordering of events in this world is inscrutable, enigmatic, inexplicable. As J. I. Packer wrote: "The God who rules [this world] hides Himself."[11] We do not and cannot know the ways of God. So, what should we do? We should trust and obey our righteous, wise, and gracious God, not try to figure him out. We should "stand in awe of God."[12] We should "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."[13]
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[1]Rom. 2:4
[2]Rom. 9:23
[3]Eph. 2:7
[4]Eph. 3:8
[5]Col. 2:3
[6]Col. 1:27
[7]Psalm 145:3
[8]Ecc. 3:11
[9]Ecc. 7:14b
[10]Ecc. 8:17
[11]Packer: Knowing God, p.95
[12]Ecc. 5:7b
[13]Ecc. 12:13b-14
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Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?
(Romans 11:34)
To support his argument that God is beyond knowing, the Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah, chapter 40: "Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?"[1] To help us understand this quotation in its context, here is a summary of Isaiah 40.
God's people are to be comforted because their sins are atoned for.[2] The glory of the LORD will be revealed when he straightens out and levels the disruption caused by sin.[3] In response to a command to "Cry out," Isaiah quotes God to the effect that men are like grass that withers and flowers that fall, but God's word stands forever.[4] Prophets of good tidings are to shout, "Here is your God!", a God of power and gentleness[5] far beyond men in ability and knowledge.[6] No one taught God. Who could? The nations are of no account, like a drop in a bucket.[7] Idols have no life.[8] God is above the earth and the heavens and the rulers; he controls them all.[9] Nothing in the heavens can compare favorably with God.[10] Even though Jacob and Israel complain that God does not see their weariness, he gives strength to those who hope in the LORD.[11]
Therefore, though they cannot understand how it all works out, the strength and hope of God's people are in the LORD because no one -- no ruler or prophet or apostle or teacher -- knows more than God or is in a position to instruct God. "Who has been his counselor?" No one.
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[1]Is. 40:13
[2]Is. 40:1-2
[3]Is. 40:3-5
[4]Is. 40:6-8
[5]Is. 40:9-11
[6]Is. 40:12-14
[7]Is. 40:15-17
[8]Is. 40:18-20
[9]Is. 40:21-24
[10]Is. 40:25-26
[11]Is. 40:27-31
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Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
(Romans 11:35)
God is in debt to no one because he is the originator of all things.[1] He owns all things and does not need to borrow anything from anyone.[2] Thus we read in the Old Testament book of Job -- after two chapters of introduction followed by 35 chapters of discussion between Job and his friends about Job's problems -- that God told Job to get ready to answer some questions about ownership.[3] God asked:
Were you present at creation?[4] Can you control the sea[5] or the dawn?[6] Can you fully comprehend the expanse of the earth[7] or the light[8] or the snow, hail, lightening, wind, rain, dew, and ice?[9] Can you control the stars[10] or the storms?[11] Do you feed the lion or the raven?[12] Do you know the ways of the mountain goat, doe, bear, wild donkey, wild ox, ostrich, horse, hawk, or eagle?[13] Will you correct me? Answer me![14] And Job answered: I am unworthy ... I have no answer.[15] Then God spoke again: Brace yourself like a man.[16] Can you dispense justice?[17] Can you capture the behemoth[18] or the leviathan?[19] or stand against me?[20] No? Then
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? (Job 41:11a)
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans quotes this verse from Job, but not exactly. Instead, Paul says the same thing in his own inspired words, perhaps a paraphrase or an elaboration given him by the Holy Spirit. In any case, we are back where we started: God is in debt to no one because he is the owner of all things.[21]
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[1]Acts 17:24-28
[2]Psalm 50:9-12
[3]Job 38:1-3
[4]Job 38:4-7
[5]Job 38:8-11
[6]Job 38:12-15
[7]Job 38:16-18
[8]Job 38:19-21
[9]Job 38:22-30
[10]Job 38:31-33
[11]Job 38:34-38
[12]Job 38:39-41
[13]Job 39:1-30
[14]Job 40:1-2
[15]Job 40:3-5
[16]Job 40:6-7
[17]Job 40:8-14
[18]Job 40:15-24
[19]Job 41:1-10a
[20]Job 41:10b
[21]Job 41:11b
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For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
(Romans 11:36)
Since God's ways are beyond knowing (Rom. 11:33), his mind beyond counseling (Rom. 11:34), and his riches beyond repayment (Rom. 11:35), we can only acknowledge that all things are His and dedicate ourselves to give him glory forever by being good stewards of that exceedingly small part of creation (our assets) God allows us to use for that very brief period of time (our lifetime beyond childhood) we live as responsible, thinking persons.
Soli Deo Gloria
"To the Glory of God Alone"
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All Bible quotations on this page are from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by New York International Bible Society, and published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
C. A. Jones: The Supreme and Final Thing, copyright and publisher unknown.
Carolina Sandell Berg (Tr. by Andrew L. Skoog): From The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, copyright 1986 Word Music, Waco, Texas.
Harry Foster, John Paterson, J. Alec Motyer: Toward the Mark, a bi-monthly journal privately published in England, no copyright, out of print.
John Bunyan, John Calvin, Augustine: public domain.
Unsigned paragraphs copyright 1996-2009 by Paul Redin.
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