“When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.” Hosea 1:2-3
The theme of Hosea is laid out for us in these two verses, “Take to yourself a wife of whoredom… For the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” Here we will look at the two types of whoredom in two parts. First in the post we’ll look at the believer’s whoredom. In the next post we’ll look at the unbeliever’s whoredom. Let’s begin with the believer.
As believers in the Gospel, this is our condition. We are Gomer. We are the whores. The ones pledging our affection solely to Christ, then turning to love anything else. To describe this better I default to Henry Scougal’s small yet powerful book (originally a letter) “The Life of God in the Soul of Man”. Within which he writes we must,
“…Wean our affections from created things, and all the delights and entertainments of the lower life, which sink and depress the souls of men, and retard their motions toward God and heaven; and this we must do by possessing our minds with a deep persuasion of the vanity and emptiness of worldly enjoyments.”
“This is an ordinary theme, and everybody can make declamations upon it; but alas! How few understand and believe what they say? These notions float in our brains, and come sliding off our tongues, but we have no deep impression of them on our spirits; we feel not the truth which we pretend to believe. We can tell that all the glory and splendor, all the pleasures and enjoyments of the world are vanity and nothing; and yet these nothings take up all our thoughts, and engross all our affections, they stifle the better inclinations of our soul, and inveigle us into many a sin.”
We say we love Christ Jesus more than life, and love, and freedom, and family, and friends and money, yet we spend more time worrying about, thinking upon and hoping for these things than we ever have Christ. We, the believers in the Gospel, are the whores, placing our affections anywhere but on Jesus.
Thus the necessity of the Gospel, we knew not how we ought to love, therefore Christ came; we knew not how we ought to live, therefore Christ came; we knew not what it meant to be alive, therefore Christ came. Paying our debt by dying in our place and propitiating the punishment we so justly deserved. So that, positionally speaking, we now stand before God perfect, by Christ work only. Though we are shot through with our sin, and in dire need of progressive sanctification.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Spurgeon on 1 Thess. 5:6
"Now, Christians, this is your case. Your life is a life of warfare; the world, the flesh, and the devil; the hellish trinity, and your poor flesh is a wretched mudwork behind which to be intrenched. Are you asleep? Asleep, when Satan has fire-balls of lust to hurl into the windows of your eyes- when he has arrows of temptation to shoot into your heart- when he has snares into which to trap your feet? Asleep, when he has undermined your very existence, and when he is about to apply the match with which to destroy you, unless sovereign grace prevents? Oh! Sleep not, soldier of the cross! To sleep in wartime is utterly inconsistent. Great Spirit of God forbid that we should ever slumber"
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Hosea
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
“For he has torn us.” More often than not when we feel torn down rather than looking to God as the one who has ripped us (directly or indirectly), we either, consciously or subconsciously, think that somehow God lost control. I do this often. Seeing circumstances that I want to go a certain way, but knowing it could very well go the opposite way, and worrying about it. This is unbelief and disobedience (sin). Unbelief that God is sovereign and disobedience to have faith in what He will do. Unbelief that what He will do will be the best for me (even though my past speaks clearly to God being in control and good coming from pain) and disobedience to act in accordance with His sovereignty. I can’t help but think of Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” ‘They’ are the Israelites who were freed from Egypt. Their unbelief led to their disobedience, and because of their unbelief and disobedience they could not enter God’s rest. The same is true for us.
“That he may heal us.” Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Let’s be honest: we’re jacked up and need healing. We, apart from God, don’t know up from down; we are blind; we are deaf; we are dead. For proof look at the Word Romans 3:10-20,23. And if that’s not enough (which it ought to be, God said it) then look at the world. Man’s (yours and mine) proclivity to do disastrous things/acts. Murder, rape, pedophilia and racial hatred to name a few; these things comprise the world that surrounds us, yet they do not shock us… We either need help and healing or to get our butts kicked for being so downright bad. So how can God heal us from our desperate state? Or better, why should He heal us?
Let’s answer the second question first. Why should God heal us? In an effort to be brief we’ll stay within these verses. “That we may live before the Lord. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.” So, why should God heal us? So that we can live before the Lord, and press on to know Him. Does this mean that God is lonely and needs us to keep him company so he saved us? No! If we, as believers, are pressing on to know him, praise will happen. Our natural response to awe-inspiring things is to praise them. But here praise is different because this praise is holy (set apart), all other praise is praise to things, creation (idolatry), but praise that is given to God is right praise, it is God-glorifying. So the fundamental answers to why should God heals us, is not because of our value to him, but because His praise and glory are at stake.
Back to the first question; how can God heal us from our desperate state? “On the third day He will raise us up.” Ephesians 4:8-11, “ Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Since we’re on the honest bend, I’ll be frank. Jesus is how God heals us. We’re screwed, and getting exactly what we deserve unless we have Jesus. No ifs, ands, or buts; no Jesus, no healing. So how do we get Jesus to heal us??? Answer: Belief. Plain and simple. Belief in the Gospel, that Jesus became a man, lived a perfect life (the life you and I can never live), died the death we ought to be eternally dying, and then rose from the dead defeating sin (our biggest problem), death and Satan. Leading us, the captives from our former slavery.
“For he has torn us.” More often than not when we feel torn down rather than looking to God as the one who has ripped us (directly or indirectly), we either, consciously or subconsciously, think that somehow God lost control. I do this often. Seeing circumstances that I want to go a certain way, but knowing it could very well go the opposite way, and worrying about it. This is unbelief and disobedience (sin). Unbelief that God is sovereign and disobedience to have faith in what He will do. Unbelief that what He will do will be the best for me (even though my past speaks clearly to God being in control and good coming from pain) and disobedience to act in accordance with His sovereignty. I can’t help but think of Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” ‘They’ are the Israelites who were freed from Egypt. Their unbelief led to their disobedience, and because of their unbelief and disobedience they could not enter God’s rest. The same is true for us.
“That he may heal us.” Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Let’s be honest: we’re jacked up and need healing. We, apart from God, don’t know up from down; we are blind; we are deaf; we are dead. For proof look at the Word Romans 3:10-20,23. And if that’s not enough (which it ought to be, God said it) then look at the world. Man’s (yours and mine) proclivity to do disastrous things/acts. Murder, rape, pedophilia and racial hatred to name a few; these things comprise the world that surrounds us, yet they do not shock us… We either need help and healing or to get our butts kicked for being so downright bad. So how can God heal us from our desperate state? Or better, why should He heal us?
Let’s answer the second question first. Why should God heal us? In an effort to be brief we’ll stay within these verses. “That we may live before the Lord. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.” So, why should God heal us? So that we can live before the Lord, and press on to know Him. Does this mean that God is lonely and needs us to keep him company so he saved us? No! If we, as believers, are pressing on to know him, praise will happen. Our natural response to awe-inspiring things is to praise them. But here praise is different because this praise is holy (set apart), all other praise is praise to things, creation (idolatry), but praise that is given to God is right praise, it is God-glorifying. So the fundamental answers to why should God heals us, is not because of our value to him, but because His praise and glory are at stake.
Back to the first question; how can God heal us from our desperate state? “On the third day He will raise us up.” Ephesians 4:8-11, “ Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Since we’re on the honest bend, I’ll be frank. Jesus is how God heals us. We’re screwed, and getting exactly what we deserve unless we have Jesus. No ifs, ands, or buts; no Jesus, no healing. So how do we get Jesus to heal us??? Answer: Belief. Plain and simple. Belief in the Gospel, that Jesus became a man, lived a perfect life (the life you and I can never live), died the death we ought to be eternally dying, and then rose from the dead defeating sin (our biggest problem), death and Satan. Leading us, the captives from our former slavery.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hosea 6:1-3
“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Commentary to come.
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Commentary to come.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thins to remember when discussing the Church
I believe it is important to remember two things when discussing the Church.
First, that the Church is a whore, a bunch of saved sinners, like Hosea's wife, and she will always be a whore until Christ comes, yet Christ loves the Church to the point of death on a cross. Therefore as a believer I must love her, though I am the worst whore of them all.
Second, we must remember the Gospel. The good news of Jesus becoming a man, living, dying brutally (murdered) on a cross for our sins, raising to life, and now making intercession for believers in heaven.
Though it does piss me off to see churches destroy those people trapped in sin, rather than loving them, and walking alongside them, and getting to know them, and becoming their friend so that at some point to teach truth lovingly to them. We ought to build relational bridges that are strong enough to bear the weight of truth. For God uses sinners, to teach the Gospel.
So, yes, the Church is a jack-up whore; and, yes, she does an awful job at loving; but Christ loves her, therefore so must I.
First, that the Church is a whore, a bunch of saved sinners, like Hosea's wife, and she will always be a whore until Christ comes, yet Christ loves the Church to the point of death on a cross. Therefore as a believer I must love her, though I am the worst whore of them all.
Second, we must remember the Gospel. The good news of Jesus becoming a man, living, dying brutally (murdered) on a cross for our sins, raising to life, and now making intercession for believers in heaven.
Though it does piss me off to see churches destroy those people trapped in sin, rather than loving them, and walking alongside them, and getting to know them, and becoming their friend so that at some point to teach truth lovingly to them. We ought to build relational bridges that are strong enough to bear the weight of truth. For God uses sinners, to teach the Gospel.
So, yes, the Church is a jack-up whore; and, yes, she does an awful job at loving; but Christ loves her, therefore so must I.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Hebrews 1:7
1:7
“Of the angels he says, ‘He made his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’”
Here the author is quoting Psalm 104:4, “He makes his messengers winds his ministers a flaming fire.” Giving the angels some credit, that they are indeed beautiful, awe inspiring, and more often than not scary. But he uses the word ‘makes’. The Father makes his messengers, his angels and his ministers. Psalm 104 is mostly about God’s greatness, though these parts of creation are great (winds, water, clouds, messengers, ministers… etc.) God is greater then them, for, in fact, he made them.
There are two possible meanings here. Either God makes the winds and flames his messengers, or he makes his messenger into winds and flames of fire. The Psalmist takes the latter view. So, “God employs his angels and heavenly ministers in producing those winds, fire, thunder and lightening through which he executes many judgments on the world.” (~John Owen) Therefore “… if the angels are immeasurably superior to man, the Son is immeasurably superior to the angels.”(~ Leon Morris)
So because Christ makes his angels and ministers not only in creation, but also in his service, he is far superior not only in rank (service) but also in whom he is (the Son of God. As Leon Morris said the angels are far superior to us for they are committed to the service of their King, whereas we rarely do what we ought. But just as the angels are far superior to us in their service so Christ is far superior to them in his service. For which of the angels could ever atone for sin? Which of the angels could satisfy the just wrath of God? Which of the angels could become man? Could live prefect life; die the sacrificial death; make propitiation for sins; then raise from the dead? No angel could do that I service of their King. Thus Jesus’ rank is better because the service is better, not to mention the fact that he is the Son of God, and therefore God himself (Heb 1:3).
To conclude the verse; Christ makes his messengers (angels and ministers) winds and flames of fire to minister to the Church, the body of Christ. Because he is superior to the angels he has charge over them, and employs them in the service of glorifying God, through the spreading of the Gospel. Therefore Christ’s supremacy is put on display by the angels.
“Of the angels he says, ‘He made his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’”
Here the author is quoting Psalm 104:4, “He makes his messengers winds his ministers a flaming fire.” Giving the angels some credit, that they are indeed beautiful, awe inspiring, and more often than not scary. But he uses the word ‘makes’. The Father makes his messengers, his angels and his ministers. Psalm 104 is mostly about God’s greatness, though these parts of creation are great (winds, water, clouds, messengers, ministers… etc.) God is greater then them, for, in fact, he made them.
There are two possible meanings here. Either God makes the winds and flames his messengers, or he makes his messenger into winds and flames of fire. The Psalmist takes the latter view. So, “God employs his angels and heavenly ministers in producing those winds, fire, thunder and lightening through which he executes many judgments on the world.” (~John Owen) Therefore “… if the angels are immeasurably superior to man, the Son is immeasurably superior to the angels.”(~ Leon Morris)
So because Christ makes his angels and ministers not only in creation, but also in his service, he is far superior not only in rank (service) but also in whom he is (the Son of God. As Leon Morris said the angels are far superior to us for they are committed to the service of their King, whereas we rarely do what we ought. But just as the angels are far superior to us in their service so Christ is far superior to them in his service. For which of the angels could ever atone for sin? Which of the angels could satisfy the just wrath of God? Which of the angels could become man? Could live prefect life; die the sacrificial death; make propitiation for sins; then raise from the dead? No angel could do that I service of their King. Thus Jesus’ rank is better because the service is better, not to mention the fact that he is the Son of God, and therefore God himself (Heb 1:3).
To conclude the verse; Christ makes his messengers (angels and ministers) winds and flames of fire to minister to the Church, the body of Christ. Because he is superior to the angels he has charge over them, and employs them in the service of glorifying God, through the spreading of the Gospel. Therefore Christ’s supremacy is put on display by the angels.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hebrews 1:6
1:6
“Again to when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’”
The author quotes Psalm 97:7 wanting all to worship Him, Jesus the firstborn. The idea of Christ being first born is also in Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:5; 1:18; Revelation 1:5; Psalm 89:27; Hebrews 12:23. This is to show Christ preeminence in all things. He is the firstborn of the brothers and the firstborn of the dead. This, however, does not mean that Jesus was/is a created being. For evidence of this we look at two passages, one of which is quote by the here by the author of Hebrews.
Deuteronomy 32:43,
“Rejoice to him, O heavens; bow down to him all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his peoples land.”
and Psalm 97:7
“All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him all you gods.”
The word ‘gods’ may be translated either gods or angels, referring to created beings. Thus here, in these passages, the distinction between creation and Creator is made. For how could what is created become better than the Creator? What is created cannot become more glorious than the one that created it, therefore creation must worship that which is more glorious, namely its Maker. Since the angels do not have the unique role that Jesus has, they must worship that which is better than they, namely Jesus. So by using Psalm 97:7 the author makes both the argument for Christ being God, for his being the Firstborn, and for the necessity for creation to worship Him.
And again when he brings the firstborn into the world he says. This is not about Christ second coming. “This does not refer to anyone special act, or any one particular day. Rather, it means God’s whole work in Bringing the Messiah, through his conception, birth, anointing with the Spirit, resurrection, sending of the Holy Spirit, and preaching of the Gospel. Firstborn. Christ is never called firstborn with respect, “either to his eternal generation or the conception and nativity of his human nature.” Of his eternal generation he is called “the Son,” and of his human nature he is called the “firstborn Son,” but never simply “the firstborn.” “It is not, therefore, the thing itself of being the firstborn, but the dignity and privilege that came with it which are meant in this name (Col. 1:15)… Which means no mare than that he has power and authority over all of God’s creatures.” ~ John Owen
He says. God himself says. He speaks in the scriptures to the end of time. “The apostle’s words may be summarized as follows: ‘Again, in another place, where the Holy Spirit foretells the bringing forth into the world among men him who is the Lord and Heir of all things, to undertake his work, and to enter into his kingdom and glory, the Lord speaks to this end, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’’
This passage is not an argument for Christ’s second coming; however, it does show us his supremacy over all things created. We, along with all the angels, and all other created things must be compelled to worship Christ Jesus, simply because he is greater than us. We as the creation cannot even hope to become better than the One that made us. We may wish, and may try to live in a way that makes us feel like we are greater than He, but no amount of our ranting and raving or sophisticated philosophies of man being great will change that simple fact that we cannot overcome our Creator. “Let all God’s angels worship him.” “’All’ shows that this is no small, hole-in-the-corner affair, but one in which the worship of all heaven is offered the Son. The one that the angels worship is clearly superior by far to them.” ~Leon Morris
“Again to when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’”
The author quotes Psalm 97:7 wanting all to worship Him, Jesus the firstborn. The idea of Christ being first born is also in Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:5; 1:18; Revelation 1:5; Psalm 89:27; Hebrews 12:23. This is to show Christ preeminence in all things. He is the firstborn of the brothers and the firstborn of the dead. This, however, does not mean that Jesus was/is a created being. For evidence of this we look at two passages, one of which is quote by the here by the author of Hebrews.
Deuteronomy 32:43,
“Rejoice to him, O heavens; bow down to him all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his peoples land.”
and Psalm 97:7
“All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him all you gods.”
The word ‘gods’ may be translated either gods or angels, referring to created beings. Thus here, in these passages, the distinction between creation and Creator is made. For how could what is created become better than the Creator? What is created cannot become more glorious than the one that created it, therefore creation must worship that which is more glorious, namely its Maker. Since the angels do not have the unique role that Jesus has, they must worship that which is better than they, namely Jesus. So by using Psalm 97:7 the author makes both the argument for Christ being God, for his being the Firstborn, and for the necessity for creation to worship Him.
And again when he brings the firstborn into the world he says. This is not about Christ second coming. “This does not refer to anyone special act, or any one particular day. Rather, it means God’s whole work in Bringing the Messiah, through his conception, birth, anointing with the Spirit, resurrection, sending of the Holy Spirit, and preaching of the Gospel. Firstborn. Christ is never called firstborn with respect, “either to his eternal generation or the conception and nativity of his human nature.” Of his eternal generation he is called “the Son,” and of his human nature he is called the “firstborn Son,” but never simply “the firstborn.” “It is not, therefore, the thing itself of being the firstborn, but the dignity and privilege that came with it which are meant in this name (Col. 1:15)… Which means no mare than that he has power and authority over all of God’s creatures.” ~ John Owen
He says. God himself says. He speaks in the scriptures to the end of time. “The apostle’s words may be summarized as follows: ‘Again, in another place, where the Holy Spirit foretells the bringing forth into the world among men him who is the Lord and Heir of all things, to undertake his work, and to enter into his kingdom and glory, the Lord speaks to this end, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’’
This passage is not an argument for Christ’s second coming; however, it does show us his supremacy over all things created. We, along with all the angels, and all other created things must be compelled to worship Christ Jesus, simply because he is greater than us. We as the creation cannot even hope to become better than the One that made us. We may wish, and may try to live in a way that makes us feel like we are greater than He, but no amount of our ranting and raving or sophisticated philosophies of man being great will change that simple fact that we cannot overcome our Creator. “Let all God’s angels worship him.” “’All’ shows that this is no small, hole-in-the-corner affair, but one in which the worship of all heaven is offered the Son. The one that the angels worship is clearly superior by far to them.” ~Leon Morris
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
U2
I'm planning on putting up more Hebrews stuff when I get a chance... Things have been busy on my end, so when I get time it'll be here. Until then chew on this: I love U2.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Knowing God
I just finished J.I. Packer's "Knowing God."
Dude is a genius. Dude is godly. Dude, you need to read this book.
Not only did I learn quite a bit of who God is, but I also learned a great deal of what I am. Therefore as I read "Knowing God" I got, by God's grace, to know myself as well.
Hebrews 1:5
1:5
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ Or again, ‘I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son.”
“For to which of the angels did God ever say.” The writer implies there is a distinction between the angels; they differ in degrees. He, thus, challenges his readers to find an angel that is spoken to in the scriptures that is spoken to in a more loving manner than Christ.
The writer then supports the statement by quoting Psalms 2:7. “The apostle insists that testimonies in matters of faith must be from the Scriptures.” We ought to strive to do the same. Rather than say, “I think this passage means…” or “What I got from this was…” Scripture ought to interpret itself, and we ought to let it.
The author is continuing on to show the supremacy of Christ over the angels. We have seen his supremacy over the prophets. Now he continues, in more detail than the prophets, for angels are mysterious and awe inspiring but are not God. Therefore with these mysterious beings the writer constructs a biblical argument as to why Christ is supreme over the angels.
“You are my Son.” Here is the writer’s evidence for the supremacy of Christ over angels. ‘You are my Son.’ Solomon was called ‘Jedediah’ meaning ‘beloved of the Lord’ (2 Samuel 12:25). But Jesus is called ‘my Son.” Extreme love is implied in this simple statement.
The Jewish people see this verse (Psalms 2:7) as a prophecy about the Messiah. We as Christians would term this a Christological passage. Thus, as a passage applying to Christ, we must say that Christ is the Son of God.
If Christ is not the Son of God Christianity fails. All of the Christian faith hinges on this one God-Man. This should be an area of great joy for we as believers, because Christianity remains. Centuries of martyrdom, of abuse, of hate toward this Man, Jesus, all trying to put an end to the spread of his name, but it remains. Jesus is still supreme, the Bible is sill seen as authoritative, and lives are still dramatically changed.
“You are my Son today I have begotten you.” This is a poetic expression revealing the unique relationship between the Father and Son. Not that the Son was born on this day, for Christ has no beginning, but that the Father and Son entered into a new relationship.
Here the author gives another evidence for Christ’s supremacy over the angels. 1) Not only is his name of higher importance, meaning and office, but also 2) to the Father he is the Son. We must try to grasp the beauty of these two evidences.
“ I will be to him a father and he will be to me a son. When he commits iniquity I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.” 2 Samuel 7:14 “We say that both Solomon and the Lord Christ are intended in this oracle; Solomon literally and also as the type; the Lord Christ principally and mystically, as he who was represented by him.” ~John Owen. Spoken to Solomon fulfilled in Christ.
Giant Parenthetical:
(The intricacy of the Bible is astounding, but what is literally Jaw dropping is that it all points to Jesus and the work he did on the cross! I wonder if the writers knew of whom they were writing. A book written over the span of man hundreds of thousands of years, that has one theme, one protagonist, one climax one plot (with many sub-plots) and one end. Such a book can only have been written from one outside of time looking in. By one who knows the story intimately, like an author. There is beauty in this book.)
Christ is given the name Son of God showing his supremacy over angels. Therefore his witness is greater than mans.
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ Or again, ‘I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son.”
“For to which of the angels did God ever say.” The writer implies there is a distinction between the angels; they differ in degrees. He, thus, challenges his readers to find an angel that is spoken to in the scriptures that is spoken to in a more loving manner than Christ.
The writer then supports the statement by quoting Psalms 2:7. “The apostle insists that testimonies in matters of faith must be from the Scriptures.” We ought to strive to do the same. Rather than say, “I think this passage means…” or “What I got from this was…” Scripture ought to interpret itself, and we ought to let it.
The author is continuing on to show the supremacy of Christ over the angels. We have seen his supremacy over the prophets. Now he continues, in more detail than the prophets, for angels are mysterious and awe inspiring but are not God. Therefore with these mysterious beings the writer constructs a biblical argument as to why Christ is supreme over the angels.
“You are my Son.” Here is the writer’s evidence for the supremacy of Christ over angels. ‘You are my Son.’ Solomon was called ‘Jedediah’ meaning ‘beloved of the Lord’ (2 Samuel 12:25). But Jesus is called ‘my Son.” Extreme love is implied in this simple statement.
The Jewish people see this verse (Psalms 2:7) as a prophecy about the Messiah. We as Christians would term this a Christological passage. Thus, as a passage applying to Christ, we must say that Christ is the Son of God.
If Christ is not the Son of God Christianity fails. All of the Christian faith hinges on this one God-Man. This should be an area of great joy for we as believers, because Christianity remains. Centuries of martyrdom, of abuse, of hate toward this Man, Jesus, all trying to put an end to the spread of his name, but it remains. Jesus is still supreme, the Bible is sill seen as authoritative, and lives are still dramatically changed.
“You are my Son today I have begotten you.” This is a poetic expression revealing the unique relationship between the Father and Son. Not that the Son was born on this day, for Christ has no beginning, but that the Father and Son entered into a new relationship.
Here the author gives another evidence for Christ’s supremacy over the angels. 1) Not only is his name of higher importance, meaning and office, but also 2) to the Father he is the Son. We must try to grasp the beauty of these two evidences.
“ I will be to him a father and he will be to me a son. When he commits iniquity I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.” 2 Samuel 7:14 “We say that both Solomon and the Lord Christ are intended in this oracle; Solomon literally and also as the type; the Lord Christ principally and mystically, as he who was represented by him.” ~John Owen. Spoken to Solomon fulfilled in Christ.
Giant Parenthetical:
(The intricacy of the Bible is astounding, but what is literally Jaw dropping is that it all points to Jesus and the work he did on the cross! I wonder if the writers knew of whom they were writing. A book written over the span of man hundreds of thousands of years, that has one theme, one protagonist, one climax one plot (with many sub-plots) and one end. Such a book can only have been written from one outside of time looking in. By one who knows the story intimately, like an author. There is beauty in this book.)
Christ is given the name Son of God showing his supremacy over angels. Therefore his witness is greater than mans.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Mars Hill blog post
Go here to read about a Mars Hill congregant who lost his life in the line of duty to his country.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hebrews 1:4
1:4
“Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
Now the theme of chapter 1 is revealed. After establishing Christ’s word as supreme, his person as God and his work as complete and perfect the writer states that Christ is supreme over angels as well. His name is “Son of God” not “angel” giving him a place of prominence.
As much superior to. “The Lord Jesus Christ, the revealer of God’s will in the Gospel, is exalted above, preferred before, made more excellent and glorious than the angels themselves…” Christ is the exact imprint of God. Christ is God, “I and the Father are One.” (John 10:22) The angels are created beings, God is infinite the angels do the will of God (Jesus). Jesus is superior to angels because:
1. Christ is the heir of all things
2. Christ is the creator of all things
3. Christ is the, “radiance of the glory of God.”
4. Christ is the, “exact imprint of his [God’s] nature.”
5. Christ, “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
6. Christ made purification for sins perfectly and completely.
7. Christ is seated at the, “right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Five questions to ask of this verse:
1. Why is Christ preferred above the angels?
See above list
2. When was Christ exalted above the angels?
“… It must be the time of his resurrection, ascension, and exalted at God’s right hand.” ~John Owen
I think that he (John Owen) is right to say Christ was (and is) exalted at the time of his resurrection and ascension, however I think it would also be prudent to say that Christ was exalted before the creation of the universe.
3. What is the extent of Christ exaltation?
The extent of Christ’s exaltation can, in my mind, be given no adjective in any language to make it fully comprehendible. Simply put our minds are too small. I do not know the extent of Jesus’ exaltation, but what I do know is that for all eternity I will be going into a deeper and deeper understanding of Christ’s exaltation. As C.S. Lewis put it in the final book of The Chronicles of Narnia through the mouth of Aslan, “Further up and further in!” This will be heaven for those who believe the Gospel. Continually going further up and further in to the manifest glories of God.
4. What proof is seen for Christ ascertaining this name?
“His name was not given to him by man, or assumed by himself, but ascribed to him by God himself… The apostle is emphasizing that the titles were given to them by God, and thus tells you about their relative importance.”
5. How did the Lord come by this name?
He inherited it from God. As a smith would inherit the name smith; so Jesus inherited Christ. It signifies his profession forever. Because he is the heir of all things; he is the High Priest; He is the mediator between perfect God and sinful man; He is the reason for our justification and our adoption. Thus ‘Christ’ is his title for it means ‘Messiah,’ our deliverer. He delivered us from the curse of the law to adoption as co-heirs.
Jesus Christ must be seen as supreme or the Bible is nothing more than a collection of odd stories. Christ is the thread weaving the tapestry together. He is the theme. He is the main character. He is God.
“Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
Now the theme of chapter 1 is revealed. After establishing Christ’s word as supreme, his person as God and his work as complete and perfect the writer states that Christ is supreme over angels as well. His name is “Son of God” not “angel” giving him a place of prominence.
As much superior to. “The Lord Jesus Christ, the revealer of God’s will in the Gospel, is exalted above, preferred before, made more excellent and glorious than the angels themselves…” Christ is the exact imprint of God. Christ is God, “I and the Father are One.” (John 10:22) The angels are created beings, God is infinite the angels do the will of God (Jesus). Jesus is superior to angels because:
1. Christ is the heir of all things
2. Christ is the creator of all things
3. Christ is the, “radiance of the glory of God.”
4. Christ is the, “exact imprint of his [God’s] nature.”
5. Christ, “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
6. Christ made purification for sins perfectly and completely.
7. Christ is seated at the, “right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Five questions to ask of this verse:
1. Why is Christ preferred above the angels?
See above list
2. When was Christ exalted above the angels?
“… It must be the time of his resurrection, ascension, and exalted at God’s right hand.” ~John Owen
I think that he (John Owen) is right to say Christ was (and is) exalted at the time of his resurrection and ascension, however I think it would also be prudent to say that Christ was exalted before the creation of the universe.
3. What is the extent of Christ exaltation?
The extent of Christ’s exaltation can, in my mind, be given no adjective in any language to make it fully comprehendible. Simply put our minds are too small. I do not know the extent of Jesus’ exaltation, but what I do know is that for all eternity I will be going into a deeper and deeper understanding of Christ’s exaltation. As C.S. Lewis put it in the final book of The Chronicles of Narnia through the mouth of Aslan, “Further up and further in!” This will be heaven for those who believe the Gospel. Continually going further up and further in to the manifest glories of God.
4. What proof is seen for Christ ascertaining this name?
“His name was not given to him by man, or assumed by himself, but ascribed to him by God himself… The apostle is emphasizing that the titles were given to them by God, and thus tells you about their relative importance.”
5. How did the Lord come by this name?
He inherited it from God. As a smith would inherit the name smith; so Jesus inherited Christ. It signifies his profession forever. Because he is the heir of all things; he is the High Priest; He is the mediator between perfect God and sinful man; He is the reason for our justification and our adoption. Thus ‘Christ’ is his title for it means ‘Messiah,’ our deliverer. He delivered us from the curse of the law to adoption as co-heirs.
Jesus Christ must be seen as supreme or the Bible is nothing more than a collection of odd stories. Christ is the thread weaving the tapestry together. He is the theme. He is the main character. He is God.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Hebrews 1:3 (Summary)
“He is the radiance of the glory of God.” Jesus is “his glory” who dwelt among Israel from the beginning representing the Father. “The exact imprint of his nature.” Christ is not merely an emanation from the Father like a ray of light from the sun, but he is the Father himself. “The exact imprint of the Father is the Father himself.” If Jesus is not the exact imprint of the Father he cannot be our representative head. “And he upholds the universe by the word if his power.” Jesus is not only the heir and creator of all things, but the sustainer as well. He upholds, sustains, carries the universe along to a single end, namely to his own glory. Christ’s sustaining hand is the only thing keeping the universe from falling back into nothingness at any one moment. “After making purification for sins.” After he suffered the humiliation of the cross; the pain of the cross; the loneliness and torment of the cross. “He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high.” Because his sacrifice was superior to those of old, because his sacrifice was completely perfect he sat down. He disbanded the role of priest by being the perfect high priest. Thus he entered into the majesty and glory of the Father, sitting at his right hand making intercession for us, how are called according to his purpose.
Hebrews 1:3b
"After making purification for sins." “The apostle says two things about the Messiah; one, which is the foundation of both, he takes for granted. First, he says what he did; he provided purification for sins; second, he says how he did this: he did it…after he… the basis for these things he assumes we know; that Christ was the great High Priest of the Church. The apostle’s readers knew well enough that this matter of purging sins belonged only to the priest.” Once again only the God-Man could make purification for sins, a goat would not suffice, any other man would not suffice, it must be the God-Man, Jesus.
“He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high.” After Christ suffered the worst possible pain, humiliation, and loneliness possible (for our sake) on the cross, he sat down at the right hand of God. The act of sitting here is representative of Jesus’ work finished. That his sacrificial work was accepted, that his propitiatory work was complete, and that his expiating work was perfect. Therefore, because of this work, the office of priest was disbanded forever, because in Christ we find our Great High Priest, not in men.
So here is another way we can read this passage, "After making purification for sins. [After being beaten to a pulp. After being scourged 'till his back fluttered like ribbons in the wind. After having a crown of thorns shoved into his previously beaten skull. After being nailed to a tree he created by men he sustained. After having the sins of mankind laid on his shoulders. After the Father turned his face away. After dying. After rising. After crushing the Serpent's head.] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
“He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high.” After Christ suffered the worst possible pain, humiliation, and loneliness possible (for our sake) on the cross, he sat down at the right hand of God. The act of sitting here is representative of Jesus’ work finished. That his sacrificial work was accepted, that his propitiatory work was complete, and that his expiating work was perfect. Therefore, because of this work, the office of priest was disbanded forever, because in Christ we find our Great High Priest, not in men.
So here is another way we can read this passage, "After making purification for sins. [After being beaten to a pulp. After being scourged 'till his back fluttered like ribbons in the wind. After having a crown of thorns shoved into his previously beaten skull. After being nailed to a tree he created by men he sustained. After having the sins of mankind laid on his shoulders. After the Father turned his face away. After dying. After rising. After crushing the Serpent's head.] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Hebrews 1:3a
Before I begin, you need to know this portion continues to blow my mind... Daily.
1:3
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high."
"He is the radiance of the glory of God." The Jews called the ark, 'His glory' because in it they had the representation of God dwelling among them. "So he who had revealed the will of God to them was none other than he who had dwelt among them from the beginning, representing in all things the person of the Father, being typically revealed to them as the radiance of the glory of God. (Owen)"
"The exact imprint of his nature." The Son is the Father. "The exact imprint of the Father is the Father himself." Jesus must, be, do, and have exactly what the Father is, does, and has or he cannot be our representative head. Jesus must be the God-Man. Fully God to live the perfect life. Fully man to make propitiation for us.
"And he upholds the universe by the word of his power." Upholds, sustains, supports, carries along to a single end. This sustaining work is the only thing that keeps creation from falling back into nothingness at any one moment. All this is done by his word. "His enabling word (Knox)." "The 'word' is thought of as active and powerful... The 'word' is not empty. It has force. It does things (Leon Morris)."
With a word the universe was created, and with a word it is sustained by the powerful (dynamis = dynamite), effectual, change causing word of God. When God speaks things happen. Not little trifles (although they are included) but universes, Everests, Grand Canyons, single celled life, animals, people, spider webs, leaves, salvation happens from utter nothingness. The same powerful word that, created everything brought about our salvation (Rom. 1:16) When God speaks change happens. The dead are raised to life. The blind see. The deaf hear. The captives go free. The word of God will not return to him void.
Side note: Practically speaking, Christ's word sustains us, all the time... Meaning that while we are sinning, while we are thankless, while we are loveless; while we are dead (in our sins) Christ sustains us. While people interact and go about their lives in complete objection to God he sustains them. While they live lives of rebellion against him, he sustains them… While we are living lives of rebellion against him, he sustains us!
Birds fly, leaves grow, rain falls; we feel, and hear, and see, and taste simply because Christ says, "BE!" For no other reason do we exist apart from God's mere will.
Therefore, as a Christian, my view of others should (and indeed has) change dramatically. For how can I know that God sustains all things, and still not love them? God sees mankind as worthy of upholding, if only for the purpose of his glory, so I should see them as worthy of love. But more often than not I see my love to them as an obligatory duty, not an overflowing of love. So here, in this verse, is a wellspring of love for others, that Christ sustains them, and therefore, if for no other reason, I should love them, because he loves them.
1:3
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins He sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high."
"He is the radiance of the glory of God." The Jews called the ark, 'His glory' because in it they had the representation of God dwelling among them. "So he who had revealed the will of God to them was none other than he who had dwelt among them from the beginning, representing in all things the person of the Father, being typically revealed to them as the radiance of the glory of God. (Owen)"
"The exact imprint of his nature." The Son is the Father. "The exact imprint of the Father is the Father himself." Jesus must, be, do, and have exactly what the Father is, does, and has or he cannot be our representative head. Jesus must be the God-Man. Fully God to live the perfect life. Fully man to make propitiation for us.
"And he upholds the universe by the word of his power." Upholds, sustains, supports, carries along to a single end. This sustaining work is the only thing that keeps creation from falling back into nothingness at any one moment. All this is done by his word. "His enabling word (Knox)." "The 'word' is thought of as active and powerful... The 'word' is not empty. It has force. It does things (Leon Morris)."
With a word the universe was created, and with a word it is sustained by the powerful (dynamis = dynamite), effectual, change causing word of God. When God speaks things happen. Not little trifles (although they are included) but universes, Everests, Grand Canyons, single celled life, animals, people, spider webs, leaves, salvation happens from utter nothingness. The same powerful word that, created everything brought about our salvation (Rom. 1:16) When God speaks change happens. The dead are raised to life. The blind see. The deaf hear. The captives go free. The word of God will not return to him void.
Side note: Practically speaking, Christ's word sustains us, all the time... Meaning that while we are sinning, while we are thankless, while we are loveless; while we are dead (in our sins) Christ sustains us. While people interact and go about their lives in complete objection to God he sustains them. While they live lives of rebellion against him, he sustains them… While we are living lives of rebellion against him, he sustains us!
Birds fly, leaves grow, rain falls; we feel, and hear, and see, and taste simply because Christ says, "BE!" For no other reason do we exist apart from God's mere will.
Therefore, as a Christian, my view of others should (and indeed has) change dramatically. For how can I know that God sustains all things, and still not love them? God sees mankind as worthy of upholding, if only for the purpose of his glory, so I should see them as worthy of love. But more often than not I see my love to them as an obligatory duty, not an overflowing of love. So here, in this verse, is a wellspring of love for others, that Christ sustains them, and therefore, if for no other reason, I should love them, because he loves them.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hebrews 1:1-2
About a month ago I began a study in Hebrews. This study, which is still in process, has been very good for my heart. Christ's supremacy being put on display for me day in and day out. Therefore I feel it may be beneficial to put my notes (edited of course) on here, so that you, the reader, may also enjoy seeing Christ as supreme over all things. "Let's go. (Chandlerism)"
1:1-2
"Long ago at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our Father by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world."
Parallels:
Vs. 1________________________Vs.2
Long ago_____________________In these last Days
Many times, many ways________Once
through the prophets_________Through His Son
to our fathers_______________To us (the Church)
Through the prophets the law was given to the forefathers over an extended period of time. Through the Son the Gospel was given to us, at one dispensation of time, namely the life of Christ. "There is a difference between the Son of God revealing God's will in his divine person to the prophets, and the Son of God as incarnate revealing God's will directly to the Church." ~John Owen
We must see the one revealing the Gospel as better than the prophets. For if the prophets and the Son are equal than Jesus is merely man, and therefore 1) we must discredit Jesus for proclaiming to be God, 2) making him a simple lunatic, and causing 3) the Gospel to null and void.
8 reasons the Son of God's revelation is better than the prophets:
"1) From the womb, being filled with the light and the knowledge of God and His will. (2 Cor. 4:4)
2) This was accomplished through the commission, mission, and equipping of the Son as incarnate and mediator, with the ability to declare God's will mind and will for the Church. (John 8:26,28,40; 14:10;15:15; Rev.1:1)
3) The Son received the revelation of God's will since his own nature was divine, and because he was the eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father. (John1:1; Heb 1:3; Col.1:15-20)
4) The Lord Christ carried out his office of the Father's will through His human nature. (John 19:29; Isaiah 53)
5) Christ's human nature was, from the moment of its union with the person of the Son of God a 'holy thing.'
6) Christ has a special endowment of the Holy Spirit that is beyond our understanding. (John 1:33; Luke 4:1)
7) Christ's prophecies were superior to those of Moses and all other prophets. (John 1:17-18; Eph. 3:8-11 (?); Col. 1:26-27; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; Titus 2:11)
8) The general expectation of the Church for the full revelation of God's will was upon the Messiah. (John 4:25)" ~John Owen
After showing Christ's supremacy to the prophets the author moves one to show His glory. "Whom he appointed the heir of all thing, and through whom he created all thing." Owen says, "The Son, as God, has a natural dominion over everyone . To this He can be no more appointed than he can be to God." Only he who became a a man to establish the Gospel can be the heir of all things. Or to say it another way, the God-Man alone can be the heir of all things.
1:1-2
"Long ago at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our Father by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world."
Parallels:
Vs. 1________________________Vs.2
Long ago_____________________In these last Days
Many times, many ways________Once
through the prophets_________Through His Son
to our fathers_______________To us (the Church)
Through the prophets the law was given to the forefathers over an extended period of time. Through the Son the Gospel was given to us, at one dispensation of time, namely the life of Christ. "There is a difference between the Son of God revealing God's will in his divine person to the prophets, and the Son of God as incarnate revealing God's will directly to the Church." ~John Owen
We must see the one revealing the Gospel as better than the prophets. For if the prophets and the Son are equal than Jesus is merely man, and therefore 1) we must discredit Jesus for proclaiming to be God, 2) making him a simple lunatic, and causing 3) the Gospel to null and void.
8 reasons the Son of God's revelation is better than the prophets:
"1) From the womb, being filled with the light and the knowledge of God and His will. (2 Cor. 4:4)
2) This was accomplished through the commission, mission, and equipping of the Son as incarnate and mediator, with the ability to declare God's will mind and will for the Church. (John 8:26,28,40; 14:10;15:15; Rev.1:1)
3) The Son received the revelation of God's will since his own nature was divine, and because he was the eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father. (John1:1; Heb 1:3; Col.1:15-20)
4) The Lord Christ carried out his office of the Father's will through His human nature. (John 19:29; Isaiah 53)
5) Christ's human nature was, from the moment of its union with the person of the Son of God a 'holy thing.'
6) Christ has a special endowment of the Holy Spirit that is beyond our understanding. (John 1:33; Luke 4:1)
7) Christ's prophecies were superior to those of Moses and all other prophets. (John 1:17-18; Eph. 3:8-11 (?); Col. 1:26-27; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; Titus 2:11)
8) The general expectation of the Church for the full revelation of God's will was upon the Messiah. (John 4:25)" ~John Owen
After showing Christ's supremacy to the prophets the author moves one to show His glory. "Whom he appointed the heir of all thing, and through whom he created all thing." Owen says, "The Son, as God, has a natural dominion over everyone . To this He can be no more appointed than he can be to God." Only he who became a a man to establish the Gospel can be the heir of all things. Or to say it another way, the God-Man alone can be the heir of all things.
Friday, May 1, 2009
God is never silent
God is never silent. He speaks loudly and clearly through the truth of His word. When the dark night of the soul comes and we feel He is not near we have not run to His word! We know its pages not, "Where will I go in my hour of need?" To the word! "Where?" Poor fellow do you not know your sword well enough to find comfort in its security? Woe are we who do not know our Bible's pages well.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Letter (for a class)
My Dearest,
You know the love I have for you, and therefore, because of this love, I need to write to you concerning what I have learned. The Gospel. Before you through this letter down after reading a ‘Church word’, hear me out. Recently while reading portions of the Bible, I stumbled across this statement, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind and with all your strength.’ The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
I admit, I do not understand all of what this is saying, but I feel as though I have a good guess. If the only way to be saved is to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, then, to put it loosely, I’m screwed, and not only me, but you, and all the rest of the world as well. I don’t even love myself with this kind of love; let alone anyone or anything else! As I read these words, my mind is filled with all the atrocities committed over the past century.
The murder of millions under the Hitler’s Nazi party, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands under countless African dictators, Stalin, Lenin, Mussolini all these men claiming there is no God, and executing the opposition. If then when we say there is no God and we treat mankind as these men did, it forces me to conclude there is a God. For if the godless can gouge out the eyes of innocent children, repeatedly rape and then murder women, and slaughter a family simply for being of a different class, what can the God believer do? What can a man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do? A man who loves his neighbor as himself, what can he do?
As these thoughts sped through my mind, I kept coming back to my previous conclusion: I don’t even love myself the way I should love God, how can anyone possibly live such a radical life? But I was forgetting a major piece of the puzzle. I had forgotten to consider the source, the man who spoke these words.
Jesus, if the Christians claims about this man are right, then in this man we see this love lived out. If, indeed, Jesus is God then it would make since that only Jesus could love God the way He deserves, and indeed commands to be love. For I’m right that no man can love the way he is commanded to love. But Christianity claims that Jesus is no mere man, that he is God. Thus God can love God the way God commands to be loved. However, this still left me at a loss. Yes, God can love himself the way he commands, but man can’t. This idea still leaves man in a terrible plight. God can love himself in a saving fashion, but man can’t. Somehow man must come to the place where he can love God the way he commands, and still be man. At this point desperation was setting in, my mind was zipping out statements left and right, ‘No one can do this; no one is capable of this form of love; if God is real then he is demanding too much; He is wanting the stars from the dirt.’ And this is where my heart and mind was left for quiet sometime. That is until I read about the other side of the Christian view of Jesus. He is not only God, but also man.
Jesus is also man. The Christian view of Jesus is that he is both God and man, fully man and fully God, the perfect God-Man. Therefore in Jesus, and in Jesus alone, if the Christian is right, can this kind of love by lived out. A man can love God the way God commands. However this still leaves a problem. The God-Man can love God the way he commands but I, a simple man, cannot. But in came the doctrine of substitution before my mind could flounder. The God-Man died, as a substitute. A substitute for me, for if Christians are right, then I deserve Hell simply for not loving God the way he commands. Therefore Jesus (The God-Man) came to take my punishment on the cross, so that I could be saved from Hell. By doing this Jesus became our Mediator, and in so doing, positionally made me love God the way he commands. Allow me flesh this out a little, positionally and practically.
Positionally I stand before God as Jesus does, with perfect love for God. Practically I am still a man deserving of Hell, but because of Jesus’ substitution God’s justice was appeased, and because Jesus is the Mediator God sees me as he sees Jesus, full of love.
All of my thinking on these matters was solidified when I came across this passage in the gospel of Matthew. “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them… (Matthew 5:17)” Jesus, this God-Man, could be the only one to fulfill the law. As I explained earlier, only God could fulfill his commands, and only man needed to fulfill it, thus the God-Man. The one who made himself a substitute and a mediator. The one who made propitiation of the just wrath of God against us, an unloving people.
All of this to explain that Jesus is what we need; the Gospel is that Jesus did what we could not do. He lived the life we could not live, and died the death we should have died. He did. We didn’t. And because I now believe this I must pass it to you for if I believe this, and also believe that those who don’t believe this will go to Hell, then I must truly hate you to not tell you. Therefore I write with a conviction of these matters, that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Savior that Jesus is the God-Man, through whom we are saved.
Thus the questions of what can a man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do for the world, is posed wrongly, and needs to be re-phrased; what can a God-Man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do for the world? The answer is clear; He can save the world from itself. Culturally this view would change nothing, but people would love each other, because in the Gospel they would see the love Jesus had for them, love that died for them. Therefore loving one’s neighbor would become far more easy because the question of why should I love them finds its answer; because Jesus, in the gospel, loved me, his enemy, to the point of death on a cross.
You know the love I have for you, and therefore, because of this love, I need to write to you concerning what I have learned. The Gospel. Before you through this letter down after reading a ‘Church word’, hear me out. Recently while reading portions of the Bible, I stumbled across this statement, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind and with all your strength.’ The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
I admit, I do not understand all of what this is saying, but I feel as though I have a good guess. If the only way to be saved is to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, then, to put it loosely, I’m screwed, and not only me, but you, and all the rest of the world as well. I don’t even love myself with this kind of love; let alone anyone or anything else! As I read these words, my mind is filled with all the atrocities committed over the past century.
The murder of millions under the Hitler’s Nazi party, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands under countless African dictators, Stalin, Lenin, Mussolini all these men claiming there is no God, and executing the opposition. If then when we say there is no God and we treat mankind as these men did, it forces me to conclude there is a God. For if the godless can gouge out the eyes of innocent children, repeatedly rape and then murder women, and slaughter a family simply for being of a different class, what can the God believer do? What can a man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do? A man who loves his neighbor as himself, what can he do?
As these thoughts sped through my mind, I kept coming back to my previous conclusion: I don’t even love myself the way I should love God, how can anyone possibly live such a radical life? But I was forgetting a major piece of the puzzle. I had forgotten to consider the source, the man who spoke these words.
Jesus, if the Christians claims about this man are right, then in this man we see this love lived out. If, indeed, Jesus is God then it would make since that only Jesus could love God the way He deserves, and indeed commands to be love. For I’m right that no man can love the way he is commanded to love. But Christianity claims that Jesus is no mere man, that he is God. Thus God can love God the way God commands to be loved. However, this still left me at a loss. Yes, God can love himself the way he commands, but man can’t. This idea still leaves man in a terrible plight. God can love himself in a saving fashion, but man can’t. Somehow man must come to the place where he can love God the way he commands, and still be man. At this point desperation was setting in, my mind was zipping out statements left and right, ‘No one can do this; no one is capable of this form of love; if God is real then he is demanding too much; He is wanting the stars from the dirt.’ And this is where my heart and mind was left for quiet sometime. That is until I read about the other side of the Christian view of Jesus. He is not only God, but also man.
Jesus is also man. The Christian view of Jesus is that he is both God and man, fully man and fully God, the perfect God-Man. Therefore in Jesus, and in Jesus alone, if the Christian is right, can this kind of love by lived out. A man can love God the way God commands. However this still leaves a problem. The God-Man can love God the way he commands but I, a simple man, cannot. But in came the doctrine of substitution before my mind could flounder. The God-Man died, as a substitute. A substitute for me, for if Christians are right, then I deserve Hell simply for not loving God the way he commands. Therefore Jesus (The God-Man) came to take my punishment on the cross, so that I could be saved from Hell. By doing this Jesus became our Mediator, and in so doing, positionally made me love God the way he commands. Allow me flesh this out a little, positionally and practically.
Positionally I stand before God as Jesus does, with perfect love for God. Practically I am still a man deserving of Hell, but because of Jesus’ substitution God’s justice was appeased, and because Jesus is the Mediator God sees me as he sees Jesus, full of love.
All of my thinking on these matters was solidified when I came across this passage in the gospel of Matthew. “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them… (Matthew 5:17)” Jesus, this God-Man, could be the only one to fulfill the law. As I explained earlier, only God could fulfill his commands, and only man needed to fulfill it, thus the God-Man. The one who made himself a substitute and a mediator. The one who made propitiation of the just wrath of God against us, an unloving people.
All of this to explain that Jesus is what we need; the Gospel is that Jesus did what we could not do. He lived the life we could not live, and died the death we should have died. He did. We didn’t. And because I now believe this I must pass it to you for if I believe this, and also believe that those who don’t believe this will go to Hell, then I must truly hate you to not tell you. Therefore I write with a conviction of these matters, that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Savior that Jesus is the God-Man, through whom we are saved.
Thus the questions of what can a man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do for the world, is posed wrongly, and needs to be re-phrased; what can a God-Man who loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength do for the world? The answer is clear; He can save the world from itself. Culturally this view would change nothing, but people would love each other, because in the Gospel they would see the love Jesus had for them, love that died for them. Therefore loving one’s neighbor would become far more easy because the question of why should I love them finds its answer; because Jesus, in the gospel, loved me, his enemy, to the point of death on a cross.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Hebrews 1:3 (Excerpt)
"After making purification for sins. [After being beaten to a pulp. After being scourged 'till his back fluttered like ribbons. After having a crown of thorns shoved into his head. After being nailed to a tree he created by men he sustained. After having the sins of mankind laid on his shoulders. After the Father turned his face away. After dying. after rising. After crushing the Serpent's head.] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Hebrews 1:3b
Hebrews 1:3b
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
...ugh
I am definitely not looking forward to attending my grandma's funeral - Whether it is just because she is the last grandparent from that side to die, or if it is the emotions of reading a passage (John 3) that she wanted read at her husbands funeral...now for her's - I'm not sure. Emotions seem high, tension thick, and I'm simply worn out. Thank God for the book of Hebrews, within which we know that Jesus understands the gravity, the weightiness, and pressure of life.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Yea, that sucked
Christless, universalist, teaching is nothing more than heresy. At best it will do what Matt Chandler said so well, "inoculate them to the Gospel." The Bible is understood through the Gospel (Jesus), therefore if the Gospel (Christ) is taken out of Biblical teaching, then the teaching ceases to be Biblical and becomes a self-help, "come feel good about yourself 'cause you're naturally good." This kind of teaching is like Luther said while writing to Erasmus, "So mean and vile, that I greatly feel for for you for having defiled your most beautiful language with such vile trash."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
To the Cross We Cling
For: Grandma Fern
When the call comes, and a loved one lays dying
How should we think of the one that is flying?
Do we look for the life well lived,
Or go to the lists of all that's achieved?
Where can we look for solidarity?
What is there to see?
Of One I only know,
He alone can show
That life well lived is worthless,
And what's achieved is pointless,
If at the fore of thought and deed
is not the Cross of Christ.
So when the call comes, and a loved one lays dying
To the Cross we cling.
For in the Cross we've seen,
Love unbounded,
Grace unrestricted,
Wrath appeased,
Sin removed,
Death chained.
Thus as we hold the hand, and say our last farewells
To the Cross we cling.
For glory comes for you, and leaves me,
But hope must fill my heart
For this one must depart,
And when time comes for me,
I know that you I'll see,
For to the Cross we cling.
When the call comes, and a loved one lays dying
How should we think of the one that is flying?
Do we look for the life well lived,
Or go to the lists of all that's achieved?
Where can we look for solidarity?
What is there to see?
Of One I only know,
He alone can show
That life well lived is worthless,
And what's achieved is pointless,
If at the fore of thought and deed
is not the Cross of Christ.
So when the call comes, and a loved one lays dying
To the Cross we cling.
For in the Cross we've seen,
Love unbounded,
Grace unrestricted,
Wrath appeased,
Sin removed,
Death chained.
Thus as we hold the hand, and say our last farewells
To the Cross we cling.
For glory comes for you, and leaves me,
But hope must fill my heart
For this one must depart,
And when time comes for me,
I know that you I'll see,
For to the Cross we cling.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
New Piper
So, my Dad bought me the new Piper book, "Finally Alive." So far the intro has been awesome. Piper after giving some stats from the Barna Group about the indistinguishableness of non-christians from "born again" Christians says,
"I want to say loud and clear that when the Barna Group uses the term born again to describe American church-goers whose lives are indistinguishable from the world and who sin as much as the world, and sacrifice for others as little as the world, and embrace injustice as readily as the world, and covet things as greedily as the world, and enjoy God-ignoring entertainment as enthusiastically as the world-when the term born again is used to describe these professing christians, the Barna Group is making a profound mistake."
Time to self-examine.
"I want to say loud and clear that when the Barna Group uses the term born again to describe American church-goers whose lives are indistinguishable from the world and who sin as much as the world, and sacrifice for others as little as the world, and embrace injustice as readily as the world, and covet things as greedily as the world, and enjoy God-ignoring entertainment as enthusiastically as the world-when the term born again is used to describe these professing christians, the Barna Group is making a profound mistake."
Time to self-examine.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Martin Luther = Da Man
I got Martin Luther's "Bondage of the Will" yesterday and promptly began reading it... and laughing because of it. Luther went from 5th in my book, to 1st in a sentence, here is the long sentence.
"And next, because, on so great a subject, you say nothing but what has been said before: therefore, you say less about, and attribute more unto "Free-will," then the Sophists have hitherto said and attributed: (of which I shall speak more fully hereafter.) So that it seems even superfluous to reply to these your arguments, which have been indeed often refuted by me; but trodden down, and trampled under foot, by the incontrovertible book of Philip Melancthon "Concerning Theological Questions;" a book, in my judgment, worthy not only of being immortalized, but being included in the ecclesiastical canon: in comparison of which, your Book is, in my estimation, so mean and vile, that I greatly feel for you for having defiled your most beautiful and ingenious language with such vile trash; and such unworthy stuff should be borne about in ornaments of eloquence so rare; which is as if rubbish, or dung, should be carried in vessels of gold and silver."
Thats funny.
"And next, because, on so great a subject, you say nothing but what has been said before: therefore, you say less about, and attribute more unto "Free-will," then the Sophists have hitherto said and attributed: (of which I shall speak more fully hereafter.) So that it seems even superfluous to reply to these your arguments, which have been indeed often refuted by me; but trodden down, and trampled under foot, by the incontrovertible book of Philip Melancthon "Concerning Theological Questions;" a book, in my judgment, worthy not only of being immortalized, but being included in the ecclesiastical canon: in comparison of which, your Book is, in my estimation, so mean and vile, that I greatly feel for you for having defiled your most beautiful and ingenious language with such vile trash; and such unworthy stuff should be borne about in ornaments of eloquence so rare; which is as if rubbish, or dung, should be carried in vessels of gold and silver."
Thats funny.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Be Still and Know
This is a something we need to be called to more often:
"Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still
Be speechless
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still"
Let the noise and clamor cease. Know that He is God.
"Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still
Be speechless
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still"
Let the noise and clamor cease. Know that He is God.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Scougal = WOW!
"Shall we doat on the scattered pieces of a rude and imperfect picture, and never be affected with the original beauty? This were an accountable stupidity and blindness. Whatever we find lovely in a friend, or in a saint, ought not to engross, but to elevate our affections: we should conclude with ourselves, that if there be so much sweetness in a drop, there must be infinitely more in the fountain; if there be so much splendor in a ray, what must the sun be in its glory?"
Henry Scougal "The Life of God in the Soul of Man"
Henry Scougal "The Life of God in the Soul of Man"
Monday, January 5, 2009
Biographay of Christian Solider
Here is an excerpt from the "Biography of a Christian Solider pt. 2" from the Resurgence.com . The rest of this blog, as well as part 1 can be read here
"The church is not designed to be a place for you to go once you have your life put together. It is designed to be the headquarters, sending men out and receiving men in who are trying to piece together their shattered selves through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We should actually be recruiters who enjoy what we are recruiting folks into, since we don’t deserve the grace Jesus has given us."
"The church is not designed to be a place for you to go once you have your life put together. It is designed to be the headquarters, sending men out and receiving men in who are trying to piece together their shattered selves through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We should actually be recruiters who enjoy what we are recruiting folks into, since we don’t deserve the grace Jesus has given us."
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