"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
This passage follows the one that says that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and those who knock will have the door opened to them. And yet, it will be a minority that find the way to Jesus, to life. It is not God who is being parsimonious with his offer of salvation, it is that people are not wanting to know God. The general human condition is one of rebellion against God and most people want to lead their lives in a way that satisfies their pride and greed. In a democracy, we elect our leaders based on the majority consent of the population. We have it in our minds that what most people want must be the right thing. However, this viewpoint does not apply to the things of God. His truth is not contingent on how many people ascribe to it.
I pray that God will give me the discernment to see, hear and obey the truth of his word. I pray that I will not be swayed by the latest popular thinking if it runs counter to his teaching. I pray that God will give me the strength to stand in the swirling stream of anti-God sentiment and not be swept away with it. He is enough.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Sad Retreat
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have...' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." Mark 10:21-22 NIV
It's easy to dismiss this passage because not many of our friends and family have great wealth, and if we aren't personally rich in money we think it doesn't apply to us. But other aspects of life can be seen as riches. Are we rich in relationships, rich in status, rich in opportunities? Often strong personal relationships among unbelievers are a barrier to someone following Christ. The cost of potentially losing some relationships seems too high. If a person has a high public profile and is admired by the world, a decision for Christ could quickly make their popularity plunge and perhaps subject them to ridicule. Walking away from the spotlight could be very difficult. Some jobs offer interesting opportunities including exciting projects and travel. A profession of faith in Christ might close those doors. A new life in Christ might lead to more constrained work situations.
Scripture tells us that Jesus loved the rich young man but his love didn't compel the man to follow him. Jesus didn't run after the man and try to convince him to change his mind. He knew it was futile because the man valued his goods more than God. I have to accept that some of those I love will never want to trade their worldly riches for the infinite blessing of eternal life with Christ.
It's easy to dismiss this passage because not many of our friends and family have great wealth, and if we aren't personally rich in money we think it doesn't apply to us. But other aspects of life can be seen as riches. Are we rich in relationships, rich in status, rich in opportunities? Often strong personal relationships among unbelievers are a barrier to someone following Christ. The cost of potentially losing some relationships seems too high. If a person has a high public profile and is admired by the world, a decision for Christ could quickly make their popularity plunge and perhaps subject them to ridicule. Walking away from the spotlight could be very difficult. Some jobs offer interesting opportunities including exciting projects and travel. A profession of faith in Christ might close those doors. A new life in Christ might lead to more constrained work situations.
Scripture tells us that Jesus loved the rich young man but his love didn't compel the man to follow him. Jesus didn't run after the man and try to convince him to change his mind. He knew it was futile because the man valued his goods more than God. I have to accept that some of those I love will never want to trade their worldly riches for the infinite blessing of eternal life with Christ.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Born of God
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well." 1 John 5:1 NIV
The imagery of birth is important as regards to believers. In natural birth, a baby is fully born when he has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been cut. No longer does the baby derive its sustenance from the mother, but now he must drink milk and breathe air. The baby cannot reenter the womb and reattach to the placenta. Birth is a definite irrevocable event, Similarly, conversion to Christ is not something that people can waver on from day to day, nor can it be a half measure just as one is never half born. This passage in 1 John is so clear : to be born of God one must believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is not enough to believe that there is a god, or to believe that Jesus lived and was a good teacher. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ.
I know that I have been born of God because his Holy Spirit continually testifies to me that Jesus is the Christ, my Saviour. The desire to become more like Jesus is given by God and assures us of our position as children of God. I thank God for his love, his forgiveness, his peace and joy. How blessed is the life of a believer.
The imagery of birth is important as regards to believers. In natural birth, a baby is fully born when he has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been cut. No longer does the baby derive its sustenance from the mother, but now he must drink milk and breathe air. The baby cannot reenter the womb and reattach to the placenta. Birth is a definite irrevocable event, Similarly, conversion to Christ is not something that people can waver on from day to day, nor can it be a half measure just as one is never half born. This passage in 1 John is so clear : to be born of God one must believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is not enough to believe that there is a god, or to believe that Jesus lived and was a good teacher. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ.
I know that I have been born of God because his Holy Spirit continually testifies to me that Jesus is the Christ, my Saviour. The desire to become more like Jesus is given by God and assures us of our position as children of God. I thank God for his love, his forgiveness, his peace and joy. How blessed is the life of a believer.
Saturday, May 30, 2020
The All-Seeing
"You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away." Isaiah 47:10-11 NIV
The idea that God is watching you is not a popular concept these days. Interesting that even in Isaiah's time some people believed that they had no accountability to God. The phrase, "I am" often references God , the great I AM. "I am, and there is none besides me" could be paraphrased as, "I am my own god, and I will do whatever I want to please myself. There is no higher authority." The intellect, full of worldly wisdom and knowledge, is easily puffed up with a false sense of its worth. The pride that grows in that environment gladly casts off any notion of a sovereign God. But Isaiah warns that such an attitude will bring disaster and no manner of mental maneuvering will bring a solution to it.
How many times do I want to satisfy my own selfishness and pride? I pray that God will keep me mindful of his authority and love. His Lordship keeps me from disaster. His way is the way of truth, of love and of blessing.
The idea that God is watching you is not a popular concept these days. Interesting that even in Isaiah's time some people believed that they had no accountability to God. The phrase, "I am" often references God , the great I AM. "I am, and there is none besides me" could be paraphrased as, "I am my own god, and I will do whatever I want to please myself. There is no higher authority." The intellect, full of worldly wisdom and knowledge, is easily puffed up with a false sense of its worth. The pride that grows in that environment gladly casts off any notion of a sovereign God. But Isaiah warns that such an attitude will bring disaster and no manner of mental maneuvering will bring a solution to it.
How many times do I want to satisfy my own selfishness and pride? I pray that God will keep me mindful of his authority and love. His Lordship keeps me from disaster. His way is the way of truth, of love and of blessing.
Friday, May 22, 2020
A Shaken World
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand,
I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8 NIV
Do a concordance search for the word "shaken" and several of the Psalms come up. A recurring theme of the steadiness of God in troubled times is apparent. With Covid-19 sweeping around the world, it does feel like the world is being shaken. Governments are rattled, people are fearing for their lives, and employment has done a somersault. The Psalmist has the solution for times like these and declares :"I keep my eyes always on the Lord." He is the rock and our salvation. He keeps us in the eye of the storm away from the furious winds of panic and despair. The harder we hang on to the world - afraid to lose our lives, our status, our health, the more we are shaken. If we hang on to the lifeline of faith in our Lord, we can soar far above the world even as we are still attached to it, and we will barely feel the violent shaking going on below.
I rejoice in the omnipotence of God who can shake up the world when it needs to be woken up. He will not let us wallow and die in our sins. I praise him for the Scriptures that He has given us so that we can see how He worked in history in the past. I pray that I will use this time of shaking to good purpose.
With him at my right hand,
I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8 NIV
Do a concordance search for the word "shaken" and several of the Psalms come up. A recurring theme of the steadiness of God in troubled times is apparent. With Covid-19 sweeping around the world, it does feel like the world is being shaken. Governments are rattled, people are fearing for their lives, and employment has done a somersault. The Psalmist has the solution for times like these and declares :"I keep my eyes always on the Lord." He is the rock and our salvation. He keeps us in the eye of the storm away from the furious winds of panic and despair. The harder we hang on to the world - afraid to lose our lives, our status, our health, the more we are shaken. If we hang on to the lifeline of faith in our Lord, we can soar far above the world even as we are still attached to it, and we will barely feel the violent shaking going on below.
I rejoice in the omnipotence of God who can shake up the world when it needs to be woken up. He will not let us wallow and die in our sins. I praise him for the Scriptures that He has given us so that we can see how He worked in history in the past. I pray that I will use this time of shaking to good purpose.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The Appaling Lord
"Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness-" Isaiah 52:14 NIV
Many were appalled at him. The passage seems to be referring to the physical appearance of the Saviour but something doesn't quite fit. Many people have physical disfigurements but his form is "marred beyond human likeness" as though somehow he is not like other men. Thinking about this, I wonder if it can be taken symbolically to mean that his teaching and presence were appalling to the natural man. God's holiness and goodness is presented to the world but it is viewed as something horrible. How many people recoil in disgust if you try to speak to them about Jesus? How many times is Christianity or the Bible ridiculed and despised? Jesus is so fundamentally different from man that there is no natural affinity between them. The sinful nature of man hates God, and lies to people saying that the love of God is evil. All the disfigurement is in the eyes of the beholder.
I pray that God will give me the right sight to see his holiness and love, and praise him for it.
I pray that I will never consider his essential teachings to be a burden, but that I will see them as his precious gift. I pray that the tawdry trinkets of this world will not distract me from the real beauty of my Saviour.
Many were appalled at him. The passage seems to be referring to the physical appearance of the Saviour but something doesn't quite fit. Many people have physical disfigurements but his form is "marred beyond human likeness" as though somehow he is not like other men. Thinking about this, I wonder if it can be taken symbolically to mean that his teaching and presence were appalling to the natural man. God's holiness and goodness is presented to the world but it is viewed as something horrible. How many people recoil in disgust if you try to speak to them about Jesus? How many times is Christianity or the Bible ridiculed and despised? Jesus is so fundamentally different from man that there is no natural affinity between them. The sinful nature of man hates God, and lies to people saying that the love of God is evil. All the disfigurement is in the eyes of the beholder.
I pray that God will give me the right sight to see his holiness and love, and praise him for it.
I pray that I will never consider his essential teachings to be a burden, but that I will see them as his precious gift. I pray that the tawdry trinkets of this world will not distract me from the real beauty of my Saviour.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Unbounded Love
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4 NIV
The Messiah is prophesied to take our infirmities upon himself. Our fears, our weaknesses, our doubts, our physical ailments are gathered up by the Saviour and become his burden. Our heart-break, our losses, our disappointments are loaded up on the shoulders of the Saviour. Yet as he does this, people think his crucifixion is a punishment from God, that God was angry with him, that God deliberately hurt him. But it is our sins that lead to death, even the death of our Saviour. His unbounded love for us carries all our pain and suffering even as we do not thank him for it, or even recognize it. In spite of our disregard for him, he still died on the cross for us because he loves us unreservedly. His nature is love and he only acts in accordance with his nature.
I pray that I will remember the depth and strength of Jesus's infinite love for me. The cross so graphically shows the result of our sins - the darkness, cruelty, suffering and death that come out of sin . Jesus hates to see our rebellious spirits crashing into evil so he stands in the way of our darkness and overcomes it with his love.
yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4 NIV
The Messiah is prophesied to take our infirmities upon himself. Our fears, our weaknesses, our doubts, our physical ailments are gathered up by the Saviour and become his burden. Our heart-break, our losses, our disappointments are loaded up on the shoulders of the Saviour. Yet as he does this, people think his crucifixion is a punishment from God, that God was angry with him, that God deliberately hurt him. But it is our sins that lead to death, even the death of our Saviour. His unbounded love for us carries all our pain and suffering even as we do not thank him for it, or even recognize it. In spite of our disregard for him, he still died on the cross for us because he loves us unreservedly. His nature is love and he only acts in accordance with his nature.
I pray that I will remember the depth and strength of Jesus's infinite love for me. The cross so graphically shows the result of our sins - the darkness, cruelty, suffering and death that come out of sin . Jesus hates to see our rebellious spirits crashing into evil so he stands in the way of our darkness and overcomes it with his love.
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