Why Trials?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christ is Born!

Christ can be celebrated in His full glory. Though a stable and its company may have been the immediate audience for the birth of Christ, all creation knew that the King had been born in human flesh that night in Bethlehem. It is amazing that to most people it was just the birth of another baby. His announcement came from the praises of angels and the God intended direction of a brightly beaming star. Humble men from completely different lifestyles set out to find this Babe with the intended purpose of worshiping Him. Shepherds heard the joyous cries directly from the heavenly host that Christ had been born. They went from watching their sheep to seeking their Shepherd. Wise men watching in anticipation saw the star and immediately sought where this new King could be found. He was not in a place that would be expected for a King, but this location could not be questioned because of the Father's direction. Wise men responded in the same way the shepherd's did. Worship was automatic. All who saw the Babe were amazed by the supernatural. There was something very different about this baby. Why would the heavens split open and supply a symphony of praise to tell all of His birth, or why would creation submit to the will of God in order to lead men to Bethlehem? I suggest that what the centurion said in Matthew 27:54 was quite evident at our Savior's birth too. "Truly this (is) the Son of God." All creation's willingness to submit to the fleshly birth and death of its Maker is testimony to the character and abilities of the One worshipped and obeyed. This response by all to Jesus Christ causes me to evaluate whether my life shows off whether I believe Him to be the Son of God! My life belongs to the King. Where He leads, I must go. What He says, I must obey. When I am with Him, I must worship. These are all automatic responses to the knowledge of the Truth. He was the Son of God come in human flesh to save His people from their sins. His complete life, from birth to death, was necessary for the fulfillment of God the Father's will. The greatest thing I can do this Christmas is rejoice in the One through whom God has worked in such amazing ways. May this Christmas season cause you to rejoice and worship the One who is worthy of all creation's praise!

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all

The Spirit opened this verse to me in a new way recently. The One (Christ) died for all (the elect), therefore all (the elect) have died. This text means that I identify literally with Christ's death on the cross. Jesus satisfied the wrath of the Father for me - His death is my death for the sins I committed. And His death applies specifically and definitely. He could not have really died for every person who every existed, for then every human would have died with him on the tree...and thus every human would have propitiation of the Father's wrath. This is obviously not the case.

that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

The Savior's flock died with Him they might live for Him and like Him. First, life in Christ is precious - new, everlasting, joyful and satisfying. Next, living for Him as a result of our close and intimate union with Him. If we died with Him we also live with Him. We abide in Him and enjoy blessing in obedience to His commands. How selfish to live for myself! As Galatians 6:14 gives our theme - God forbid that I should boast in anything but he Cross of Christ. Boasting in it involves living for it and for Him.

The big little lessons from these verses demonstrate a great principle. The depths of the Gospel are unfathomable and satisfying. The entire Bible funnels to it. May the Lord continue to take all of us deep into the treasures of the Gospel.

Cessation?

I've been thinking about this issue for a while now. After hearing some men at The Pursuit a few weeks ago tell me about Sovereign Grace Ministry's position I see a distinction between what some consider charismatic and the modern pentecostal movement. There are basically 4 "movements" regarding this issue today. (This is a regurgitation of an article I read last night, found here from the Master's Seminary Journal) One is classic pentecostalism, another is the modern charismatic movement, the third is "third wave" theology and the last is cessationism. The article referenced gives excellent history to all of these.

From a child the fourth view has been presented to me as truth. The first two believe that the baptism of the Spirit follows Salvation which is unbiblical and therefore I reject both. However, the third viewpoint (what was presented to me at the conference) is rooted in good Scriptural exegesis and honest conviction. Stitzinger, in the article noted above, mentions that the third wave opinion is held by men such as Piper, Grudem and Lloyd-Jones.

I need the Spirit to move me and illumine me from the Word to know which direction I should take on this issue. Right now I see good evidence for both views, but I don't have a leaning either way. So, for the few people that actually know this blog exists, please gives your thoughts and the Scriptures behind them for a good godly discussion. May the Lord lead us into His perfect Truth!