“Things,” material, physical objects – stuff – are interesting. Looking at the world we live in, I can’t help but realize more and more how it is so perfectly set up to be a trial period – we come, we stay a while, we get a chance to do some stuff, and then we’re gone – for the most part, none of us leave anything behind, except what may be used or admired by others. Someone else will live in the house we build, someone else will hang our painting on their wall, someone else will drive our car.
If, then, all this stuff is here for us to use, what are we supposed to be doing with it? It isn’t dependent on us – it’s here whether we use it or not – we can’t increase it in any way, there’s no way we can get more of it, or say “mankind has increased the amount of matter in from 10 bazillion tons to 110 bazillion tons.” Things, then, are really inconsequential…but what then are we here for? It’s interesting how people use things as a means of relating to one another – we steal or share, we restrict privileges, we tax, we give welfare, we adorn ourselves with gold, silver, and precious stones, we hold hands, we have sex, we babysit kids…the list goes on and on. The common theme, however, is that things are the means by which we relate to other people; this is the trial, not what we “accomplish” with the things we have, but how we use those things in relationship to others. Do we hoard “our” stuff, or are we generous? Liberal or possessive? Caring, sharing, and honest, or malicious, stingy, greedy, and dishonest? Selfish? Or charitable?
This is why Jesus can say “by their fruits ye shall know them.” It is not about what we have, what we “achieve,” or how much we can collect, but rather that we use what we have to show that we do indeed love others as much as we love ourselves.
Now, because this life is a trial, we must give due allegiance to the Trier. This means more than merely acknowledging His existence – it means we must know Him and follow His instructions. If we have failed the test, He is the only one who could ever say “I forgive you, now you can start again.” We must, at all costs, honour, love, and obey Him, if we are to live this life so that we pass the test.
He has given us two great commandments: to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love thy neighbour as thyself.
Showing posts with label commandments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commandments. Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
For Those Who Think We Cannot
For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deuteronomy 30:11-19
_______________________________________________________
Here, the Lord tells the children of Israel what he requires of them. He has laid out his commandments, and He has explained in graphic detail the consequences of forsaking those commandments. Now, these things were written for our examples – that we should not lust after evil things, as they did – so let us take care to pay attention to what we read. In giving the commandments of this covenant, as weak and unprofitable as it was, as burdensome a yoke (that neither they nor their children were able to bear, says Peter), what does the Lord say? He says there is nothing about these commands that is difficult: they are not hidden requirements that we might break them unwittingly, they are not far off, idealistic and unrealistic; they are not up in heaven that we need some prophet to bring them to us, nor are they in some far away country, that we need a hero to retrieve them for us. No, the Lord says, they are right here, near you – in fact, they are in your mouth – in your heart. Simply do them and live. It is not a difficult choice, people.
Now, if that is what our Lord provided for His people in the former covenant, what greater provision and power must there be in His new covenant? For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God…by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament…wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are call might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The new covenant being established on better promises than the old, we may say that through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, grace and peace are multiplied unto us according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness – through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue – and by him are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Thus, in the Spirit and power of the Lord, we may live, not in fear, nor in sin, but in wholehearted obedience and love, and that not as though it were difficult, but easily and naturally, for our Lord says “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:2-4)
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deuteronomy 30:11-19
_______________________________________________________
Here, the Lord tells the children of Israel what he requires of them. He has laid out his commandments, and He has explained in graphic detail the consequences of forsaking those commandments. Now, these things were written for our examples – that we should not lust after evil things, as they did – so let us take care to pay attention to what we read. In giving the commandments of this covenant, as weak and unprofitable as it was, as burdensome a yoke (that neither they nor their children were able to bear, says Peter), what does the Lord say? He says there is nothing about these commands that is difficult: they are not hidden requirements that we might break them unwittingly, they are not far off, idealistic and unrealistic; they are not up in heaven that we need some prophet to bring them to us, nor are they in some far away country, that we need a hero to retrieve them for us. No, the Lord says, they are right here, near you – in fact, they are in your mouth – in your heart. Simply do them and live. It is not a difficult choice, people.
Now, if that is what our Lord provided for His people in the former covenant, what greater provision and power must there be in His new covenant? For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God…by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament…wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are call might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The new covenant being established on better promises than the old, we may say that through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, grace and peace are multiplied unto us according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness – through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue – and by him are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Thus, in the Spirit and power of the Lord, we may live, not in fear, nor in sin, but in wholehearted obedience and love, and that not as though it were difficult, but easily and naturally, for our Lord says “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:2-4)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Holiness in the Church
My goal and God’s command is holiness in the church.
II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Luke 1:74-75 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
This holiness means:
First, it means doing what God has given us to do. Not some of what God has commanded, not most of what He has said, but all His commands – we are not to leave out any of them. If we are neglecting any of God’s positive commands, we need to correct this sinfulness immediately.
Second, it means not doing what God has told us not to do. God has called us to refrain from murder, and it is of paramount importance that we do not murder. God has told us not to covet – we are not to covet, at all costs.
Thus, at the very least, holiness in the church means that the actions taken by the church and its members positively fulfill the commissions of the Lord, and in no way violate them, and taking great care to abstain from all of our Lord’s prohibitions.
Thirdly, holiness in the church affects the church’s actions in the “gray areas” – when there is no scriptural command for or against a given activity – here, several scriptural principles must guide the church in her decisions:
(1) Does it have any appearance of evil
(2) Does it edify the brethren
a. In knowledge of God and the truth
b. In Grace – the gift given to us whereby we are made new creatures, created for good works in Christ
(3) Are any of the brethren encouraged (whether overtly, or in effect) to engage in an activity that would go against their conscience, or lead them into a situation that their conscience would become compromised?
(4) The church should ask – in doing the activity, whose interests are being served: the “self” of the church, or God’s interests?
All these guidelines simply serve as a more thorough explanation that in all things, the two greatest commandments are the hanging point of all God’s law. We as a church must first of all love God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength; any action, decision, or choice that in any way weakens, reduces, or interferes with our love toward God ought never to be allowed. Second, we as a church must never forget that we are to love our neighbour as ourselves; this commandment has two implications: (1) that we do love ourselves, and (2) that we extend this love to all those we interact with. (John 13:35, Gal. 6:10) This is the way that we, the church, are to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation," this is how we are to "shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:15)
II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Luke 1:74-75 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
This holiness means:
First, it means doing what God has given us to do. Not some of what God has commanded, not most of what He has said, but all His commands – we are not to leave out any of them. If we are neglecting any of God’s positive commands, we need to correct this sinfulness immediately.
Second, it means not doing what God has told us not to do. God has called us to refrain from murder, and it is of paramount importance that we do not murder. God has told us not to covet – we are not to covet, at all costs.
Thus, at the very least, holiness in the church means that the actions taken by the church and its members positively fulfill the commissions of the Lord, and in no way violate them, and taking great care to abstain from all of our Lord’s prohibitions.
Thirdly, holiness in the church affects the church’s actions in the “gray areas” – when there is no scriptural command for or against a given activity – here, several scriptural principles must guide the church in her decisions:
(1) Does it have any appearance of evil
(2) Does it edify the brethren
a. In knowledge of God and the truth
b. In Grace – the gift given to us whereby we are made new creatures, created for good works in Christ
(3) Are any of the brethren encouraged (whether overtly, or in effect) to engage in an activity that would go against their conscience, or lead them into a situation that their conscience would become compromised?
(4) The church should ask – in doing the activity, whose interests are being served: the “self” of the church, or God’s interests?
All these guidelines simply serve as a more thorough explanation that in all things, the two greatest commandments are the hanging point of all God’s law. We as a church must first of all love God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength; any action, decision, or choice that in any way weakens, reduces, or interferes with our love toward God ought never to be allowed. Second, we as a church must never forget that we are to love our neighbour as ourselves; this commandment has two implications: (1) that we do love ourselves, and (2) that we extend this love to all those we interact with. (John 13:35, Gal. 6:10) This is the way that we, the church, are to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation," this is how we are to "shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:15)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Obedience
"To obey is better than sacrifice" I Samuel 15:22
Who are we to obey? God.
Why? Why should we do what God tells us to do? Isn't it much more fun when I don't have to worry about "don't do this, don't do that..." Our duty to obey God is not because He is God, but because His commands are in our best interests (see Matthew 7: 7-11) -- because God is good.
Since we are to obey God, what is it that He tells us to do? He says: "Love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength...and love thy neighbor as thyself." We cannot just "believe"- for without works, faith is dead (James 2:14) Jesus' death is only for us if we are His friends, and as He said, "ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." How is it with us? Are we Jesus' friends? Have we and are we doing what He has commanded? Do you treat others as we would want to be treated? If not, beware, for you are in danger of hellfire! However, if God will say "well done, good and faithful servant"...glory to God! He is glorified in our obedience.
Who are we to obey? God.
Why? Why should we do what God tells us to do? Isn't it much more fun when I don't have to worry about "don't do this, don't do that..." Our duty to obey God is not because He is God, but because His commands are in our best interests (see Matthew 7: 7-11) -- because God is good.
Since we are to obey God, what is it that He tells us to do? He says: "Love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength...and love thy neighbor as thyself." We cannot just "believe"- for without works, faith is dead (James 2:14) Jesus' death is only for us if we are His friends, and as He said, "ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." How is it with us? Are we Jesus' friends? Have we and are we doing what He has commanded? Do you treat others as we would want to be treated? If not, beware, for you are in danger of hellfire! However, if God will say "well done, good and faithful servant"...glory to God! He is glorified in our obedience.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My "Statement of Ethics"
Ethics are, simply put, "doing what is right." What is right? "Right," according to the dictionary, is the state of being in conformity to facts or truth; thus, any ability to "do what is right" implies that there is a truth to conform to, and that that truth is applicable to the situation. I believe (based on evidence) that ethics have an absolute basis, not changing according to my culture or individual sentivities. This absolute is Jesus Christ - for He is the Word of God - He is the way, the Truth, and the life.
My values are derived from what I know to be true - thus, my highest value is that Truth is more important to me than anything else, including my life. For several reasons I have found the Bible to be the epitome of truth, not only true as a whole, but true in all of its parts as well -- literally, the word of God, given to man. Because I am dedicated to Truth, I choose to abide by the principles and laws given in the Bible, which are, in essence, two:
My values are derived from what I know to be true - thus, my highest value is that Truth is more important to me than anything else, including my life. For several reasons I have found the Bible to be the epitome of truth, not only true as a whole, but true in all of its parts as well -- literally, the word of God, given to man. Because I am dedicated to Truth, I choose to abide by the principles and laws given in the Bible, which are, in essence, two:
- "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."
Thus, my mission in life is to carry out this edict. I show this by obeying the commands given by God.
- "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself..."
"...On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." This means that all of the other descriptors of righteous living are merely attributes of this one motive -- benevolence -- service to God and my neighbour. Integrity, honesty, loyalty, self-denial, work-ethic, patience, meekness, etc. are all manifestations of my obedience to this second command.
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