God wants His children to grow in grace an in the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But why did He chose trials as a means of sanctification?
There are so many passages in Scripture that indicate the purpose and nature and theology behind trials that our sovereign Father sends/allows/ordains etc. I'm going to hit some of the passages in coming days that expose why trials are so wonderful for believers.
1 Peter 1:1-9
He's writing to believers that are scattered throughout Asia, having been blamed for the burning of Rome. They are experiencing trials that we typically know nothing about - fear of life, land etc. In short, Peter reminds them first of their election (vs 1), then of their regeneration (vs 3-6), and then he gives them a very specific reason for the persecution they face.
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of you faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Peter says that the various trials were experienced so that the believer's faith might be seen as genuine. He likens assurance of true saving faith as more precious than gold. Typically, we would think that money might solve problems, but God knows that a heart assured of it's Salvation is worth more than any financial sum on Earth. How wonderful to have a God that is interested in pacifying the fears of our wavering hearts by sending trials to show us that we have the real thing. A faith that is not true saving faith will only falter during trial. A faith that is the real kind of faith that Jesus describes will trust in the Sovereign One during a time of adversity.
This is cause for thankfulness in the face of adversity.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Loved
Paul asks a rhetorical question in Romans 8. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? He argues in ensuing verses that no object, person or circumstance can do it. This is glorious truth.
When we are loved here on earth by others (spouse, friends, children, etc.) we feel secure. We feel something special. When my wife obviously demonstrates that she loves me, or when I just stop and think about how she has promised her love to me forever, my heart lifts with joy. I believe that's the way God made us all. We actually want to be loved so much that we decide to love ourselves above all else.
But how often do we fail to allow the truth of the eternal, undiminished, perfected, sacrificial, fulfilling love of Christ toward us cause us to feel satisfied. We worship God in spirit and in truth. In knowledge of who He is, and in emotional response by our spirit. May the Holy Spirit grant to us the refreshing joy that comes from the realization that Christ's love to us is present unconditionally, regardless of how negative we may feel.
When we are loved here on earth by others (spouse, friends, children, etc.) we feel secure. We feel something special. When my wife obviously demonstrates that she loves me, or when I just stop and think about how she has promised her love to me forever, my heart lifts with joy. I believe that's the way God made us all. We actually want to be loved so much that we decide to love ourselves above all else.
But how often do we fail to allow the truth of the eternal, undiminished, perfected, sacrificial, fulfilling love of Christ toward us cause us to feel satisfied. We worship God in spirit and in truth. In knowledge of who He is, and in emotional response by our spirit. May the Holy Spirit grant to us the refreshing joy that comes from the realization that Christ's love to us is present unconditionally, regardless of how negative we may feel.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Humility Review
I just finished a book that I think I need to read every month. CJ Mahaney's Humility: True Greatness was convicting and encouraging throughout. I recommend it to all Christians of all ages and all theological slants.
I should not have been surprised (considering the author) that the book's main thrust is to look to the Cross as an inspiration of humility. CJ builds the first several chapters to a climax where we see that Christ, as the ultimate demonstrator of humility, lead His flock into His great display humility - the Cross. On the Cross He took upon Him our sin, a display of ultimate selflessness. When I am proud I have lost sight of the Glories of Calvary. I view myself not as I should - I put myself higher than I ought. The Cross should have the effect of abasing us all as we prostrate ourselves before the unfathomable display of great love and sacrifice. O for Grace to always be impressed with the horrific sin I possess and the great payment by the Savior.
CJ devotes about half of the work to describing specific practices that help to remove pride and selfishness. These are helpful and also demonstrate his humble spirit in sharing with the world what he seeks to do to allow the Lord's grace to work in his own proud heart.
If we pray for the Spirit's help to illuminate the seriousness of our sin He will reveal it in the shadow of the Cross. We will then see the infinite grace that was there poured out into our souls - grace that frees us to live in humility as Christ did. This is true greatness.
I should not have been surprised (considering the author) that the book's main thrust is to look to the Cross as an inspiration of humility. CJ builds the first several chapters to a climax where we see that Christ, as the ultimate demonstrator of humility, lead His flock into His great display humility - the Cross. On the Cross He took upon Him our sin, a display of ultimate selflessness. When I am proud I have lost sight of the Glories of Calvary. I view myself not as I should - I put myself higher than I ought. The Cross should have the effect of abasing us all as we prostrate ourselves before the unfathomable display of great love and sacrifice. O for Grace to always be impressed with the horrific sin I possess and the great payment by the Savior.
CJ devotes about half of the work to describing specific practices that help to remove pride and selfishness. These are helpful and also demonstrate his humble spirit in sharing with the world what he seeks to do to allow the Lord's grace to work in his own proud heart.
If we pray for the Spirit's help to illuminate the seriousness of our sin He will reveal it in the shadow of the Cross. We will then see the infinite grace that was there poured out into our souls - grace that frees us to live in humility as Christ did. This is true greatness.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Not Condemned
Romans 8:1 says that there is now no condemnation to those in Christ. That's me, and I must admit that it feels very nice to be uncondemned in the eyes of an all-holy God. This is not because of my merit or goodness. It is only because the righteous life of Christ counts for me.
This beautiful verse follows Paul's open confession regarding how he doesn't do the things that his new man wants to do, but then does those things that his new man does not want to do. He describes the phenomenon as a war - flesh against Spirit. He culminates the emotional misery by declaring "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" His next thought is of Christ.
Being in Christ gives us all that we need for life and godliness. This includes the righteousness we need to stand before God justified. Sanctification is becoming what we have already been declared to be - a work of faith just as justification is. May the Lord teach us all to live as not-condemned people who are sanctified through grace and faith and not a working of our own wills.
This beautiful verse follows Paul's open confession regarding how he doesn't do the things that his new man wants to do, but then does those things that his new man does not want to do. He describes the phenomenon as a war - flesh against Spirit. He culminates the emotional misery by declaring "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" His next thought is of Christ.
Being in Christ gives us all that we need for life and godliness. This includes the righteousness we need to stand before God justified. Sanctification is becoming what we have already been declared to be - a work of faith just as justification is. May the Lord teach us all to live as not-condemned people who are sanctified through grace and faith and not a working of our own wills.
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