The plain fact is that imitation of Jesus, important as it was for Paul, was swallowed up by something far more important still. Not the example of Jesus, but the redeeming work of Jesus, was the primary thing for Paul. The religion of Paul was not primarily faith in God like Jesus’ faith; it was faith in Jesus; Paul committed to Jesus without reserve the eternal consequences of his soul. -J. Gresham Machen
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 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. Col 1:15-20
Read more: J. Gresham Machen #5 Jesus Christ: Model or Majesty?
“I have no notion of the Spirit dwelling in a man and not giving a clear evidence of His presence. And I believe it to be a signal evidence of the Spirit’s presence when the Word is really precious to a man’s soul.”
One of the battlegrounds of the Reformation was over the sufficiency of the written Word. Were the Scriptures alone, sola scriptura, sufficient for gaining salvation and for knowing all that God requires? Or, was something more needed to make the gospel clear, complete and effective? One of the skirmishes in this battle focused upon the question of whether the Scriptures were perspicuous, clear for all, or were they beyond the common man and in need of interpretation by the infallible witness of the Church.
Read more: Holy Heroes #7 Martin Luther: The Spirit and the Word
What God Knows
"Knowing that I am not the one in control gives great encouragement. Knowing the One who is in control is everything." Alexander Michael
If you will recall, I have devoted this year to the study of the life and writings of Martin Luther. I like this guy. He is so human and yet so God-centered. He has a great sense of humor, which he sometimes misuses at the expense of his critics. He is a leader. He is a prayer. He is a thinker. But, what I like best about him is that he is a warrior. He goes after truth like a Hound dog on the trail of a coon. And, after he catches it, he holds on to it like a Pit Bull. The whole world and all of its demons and the devil himself may try to wrench it from his grasp, but he won’t let go. I want to be like that.
“The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” G. K. Chesterton
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.[ Luke 2:17-20]
It is very early Christmas Eve, 2009. I am sitting in my living room surrounded by three beautiful Christmas trees aglow with lights and decorations. I have deliberately moved my devotions here so I could “feel” more of the beauty of the Christmas season. The predawn darkness creates the necessary backdrop to facilitate the wonder of Christmas. There is a mystery in Christmas that transcends the traditions and commercialism and I don’t want to miss it.
GETTING GOD'S PERSPECTIVE
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [Isa 40:27-28]
“The Lord made mountains to climb, not to look at, and up there one understands why- seeing the vista that most folks never see, with the sense of farness that most never feel.” Jim Elliot
Providence and Service
“Almighty God, just because He is almighty needs no support. Twentieth-century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, if not enjoyable, to believe we are necessary to God.” A.W. Tozer
When I was growing up in the church, it was a common thing to hear evangelists and missionaries attempt to motivate us to go to the ends of the earth to complete the Great Commission. I still remember one story that was designed to get us to leave all for the “sake of Christ and the lost.” It was told that Jesus was met by an angel as he returned to heaven. The angel asked, “Jesus, with you in heaven, how will the heathen in the world be saved?” Jesus answered, “I have established my Church and commissioned them to go to the ends of the earth.” “But, Jesus,” the angel queried, “What if your people don’t go?” What is the back-up plan?” Jesus hesitated, and then said, “I have no other plan.”
Providence and Prayer
"Prayer is not designed to inform God, but to give man a sight of his mercy; to humble his heart, to excite his desire, to inflame his faith, to animate his hope, to raise his soul from earth to heaven." Adam Clark
The doctrine of providence should give us great confidence. It affirms that God controls everything for the glory of his name and the salvation of his people. Paul said it like this: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” [Eph 1:11-13]
Providence and Evil
“The church has not been spending its energy to go deep with the unfathomable God of the Bible. Against the overwhelming weight and seriousness of the Bible, much of the church is choosing, at this very moment, to become more light and shallow and entertainment-oriented, and therefore successful in its irrelevance to massive suffering and evil. The popular God of fun church is simply too small and too affable to hold a hurricane in his hand, The biblical categories of God’s sovereignty lie like land mines in the pages of the Bible waiting for someone to seriously open the book. They don’t kill, but they do explode trivial notions of the Almighty”. John Piper: The Sovereignty of God in Suffering
Piper’s comment was addressing the church’s shallow and weak response to the terrible events of 9/11. The church of today simply does not think or sink deep enough into the truth of God’s Word to display a God great enough to rule even over the calamities like 9/11. In our entertainment, fun-oriented church, we simply have not taken the time or the discipline to mine the truth hidden deep within the Scriptures. Consequently, our God is too small. He simply is not the God “who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” [Eph 1:11-12]
“What may seem to us as “accidents” are no such things in the universe governed by the providence of the true and living God. Prayers may be directed to this mighty and reigning King knowing that while he tenderly and compassionately hears the cries of his people, he “sits” in the unique position of knowing perfectly what is best and possessing unthwarted power to bring to pass what he wills. The world is not spinning out of control; in fact, not one atom or despot or demon acts in any respect to hinder the fulfillment of what God has eternally ordained. To know this God, and better to be known by him [Gal. 4:9], is to enter into the security and confidence of a lifetime of trust in his never-failing arms.” Bruce Ware: God’s Greater Glory, p. 15
"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Ex 15:11-13
The same faith that delivered us from past problems will direct us into future pressures. Faith in God brought Joseph to the pit, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the fiery furnace and Daniel to the lion’s den. It is only a matter of time before the God who called and saved us will lead us into a situation where our trust in His faithfulness and power will be tested. Finding ourselves in a tight spot does not necessarily mean that we are being judged for our sins. It is the way of God to lead us into situations that stretch our faith and our love for Him. It is in the darkest of night that the light of God’s glory shines the brightest. The psalmist sums up God’s intention like this: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." [Ps 50:15]
