When I was still a Catholic and, then, converted to a group, which later confessed to be a “cult,” and even when there was a great change in the said group and it was accepted in the evangelical circle – I could not yet grasp so much the meaning of love.
My general understanding before of the command, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27) is just to serve God and even the readiness to sacrifice for Him above all things.
However, before I decided to leave the group that I became a member for more than 27 years, I was able to review the so called “love chapter,” which I read actually so many times before -- 1 Corinthians 13, especially verses 4-8:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”
And I noticed in verse 6 the “ingredient” of love I missed for so long.
It says, “Love does not delight in evil but REJOICES with the truth.” Yes, love is not only, patient and kind… etc. It also REJOICES!
The command “Love the Lord your God…” gives me a new and even wonderful meaning. I could now relate it with other Scriptures, like Philippians 3:1, “…REJOICE IN THE LORD!”; Philippians 4:4, “REJOICE IN THE LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”; and Psalm 37:4, “DELIGHT yourself IN THE LORD…”
Now, the greatest commandment gives me a new and fascinating meaning.
It seems to sound like this:“DELIGHT and REJOICE in the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”!
If we love God, we delight in Him. We rejoice in and with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is the Truth.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Let JESUS CHRIST BE SEEN
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33).
We usually understand the verse to refer to the good works that we need to perform.
But I love how the pastor of the present church I am attending referred the “light” to Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself said: "I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
And if we realize that He is the true Light, then, we will place where He is not hidden in our life. We will exalt and extol Him in our life – so obvious that others will see that He is in the center of our life, that He is the uppermost One in our heart, that He is our Savior and King!
What do we really extol in our life? What do we want to promote? Our personal belief? Our accomplishment? Our denomination? Our family, friends, or whatever?
Are we also sure that Christ is really in us?
Paul wrote the Christians at Rome:
“… And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom. 8:9).
Though there are those who teach that everyone belong to Christ, it is clear from the Scripture that, if you do not have Christ – if you do not have His Spirit – you do NOT belong to Him!
“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness,” Christ also said in Luke 11:35.
So important, indeed, to know that what we have is the true Light. Let’s be sure that we belong really to Him. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5.)
And if He is really in us, let’s give Him the prominent place due the true Light, so that others may see Him in our life.
We usually understand the verse to refer to the good works that we need to perform.
But I love how the pastor of the present church I am attending referred the “light” to Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself said: "I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
And if we realize that He is the true Light, then, we will place where He is not hidden in our life. We will exalt and extol Him in our life – so obvious that others will see that He is in the center of our life, that He is the uppermost One in our heart, that He is our Savior and King!
What do we really extol in our life? What do we want to promote? Our personal belief? Our accomplishment? Our denomination? Our family, friends, or whatever?
Are we also sure that Christ is really in us?
Paul wrote the Christians at Rome:
“… And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom. 8:9).
Though there are those who teach that everyone belong to Christ, it is clear from the Scripture that, if you do not have Christ – if you do not have His Spirit – you do NOT belong to Him!
“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness,” Christ also said in Luke 11:35.
So important, indeed, to know that what we have is the true Light. Let’s be sure that we belong really to Him. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5.)
And if He is really in us, let’s give Him the prominent place due the true Light, so that others may see Him in our life.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
God Will Give All Things To Those WHO KNOW Him
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Those who consider themselves children of God, those who know God, the believers, or who belong to the “little flock” ought not to be anxious of anything.
In fact, Jesus Christ Himself told them not to be afraid of losing anything they value in this world. It could be material wealth. But we could also value health, position, knowledge, friendship, family, or even our personal belief.
He said, “Do NOT be afraid…”
Note very well that He was addressing the “little flock.” They are those who regard God as their “Father” – the faithful ones, the elect – “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9) – they really know God, not just as a “loving God” who wishes good things for everyone, but the Holy God, who punishes those who do not know Him and are disobedient (2 Thess. !:8). They really know God, because they truly love Him (1 John 4:7-8).
So, if we are among them, we should not suffer anxiety, because God Himself is our Father. He is able to provide all our needs. We should not even be afraid to part way with those things we value. Why ? Because He is happy to give us all things He owns – His Kingdom!!
Like an ordinary child, who values what his physical father has and later be given to him, we need also to realize the Supreme Value of what’s in store for us.
What a great privilege to really know God and be chosen as His adopted child!
What an expressible joy to have Him, as our Holy Heavenly Father – the Source of our sufficiency and our real Treasure!
We do not have to fear that what we truly value will be lost from us.
Those who consider themselves children of God, those who know God, the believers, or who belong to the “little flock” ought not to be anxious of anything.
In fact, Jesus Christ Himself told them not to be afraid of losing anything they value in this world. It could be material wealth. But we could also value health, position, knowledge, friendship, family, or even our personal belief.
He said, “Do NOT be afraid…”
Note very well that He was addressing the “little flock.” They are those who regard God as their “Father” – the faithful ones, the elect – “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9) – they really know God, not just as a “loving God” who wishes good things for everyone, but the Holy God, who punishes those who do not know Him and are disobedient (2 Thess. !:8). They really know God, because they truly love Him (1 John 4:7-8).
So, if we are among them, we should not suffer anxiety, because God Himself is our Father. He is able to provide all our needs. We should not even be afraid to part way with those things we value. Why ? Because He is happy to give us all things He owns – His Kingdom!!
Like an ordinary child, who values what his physical father has and later be given to him, we need also to realize the Supreme Value of what’s in store for us.
What a great privilege to really know God and be chosen as His adopted child!
What an expressible joy to have Him, as our Holy Heavenly Father – the Source of our sufficiency and our real Treasure!
We do not have to fear that what we truly value will be lost from us.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
BEAUTY Of God's Sovereignty
How do we regard the Sovereignty of God?
Though we say that God is Sovereign, most of us try to elevate the so-called human free will over the Will of the Living God, the Maker of heaven and earth!
God’s Word tells us:
“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is THE LORD'S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS” (Proverbs 19:21).
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I WILL DO ALL THAT I PLEASE” (Isaiah 46:10).
How much do we believe on those remarks of God’s Word? Do we perceive any limitation in the accomplishment of God’s purpose from those verses?
Should we say that “the Lord’s purpose… prevails” as long as it does not go against the so-called free will of man?
Consider what the man in the Bible who has the “right” to be proud acknowledged later on:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. AND THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE” (Daniel 4:37).
We are also familiar with Jonah. When he was commanded by the Sovereign God to “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it…” (Jonah 1:2) – not only he disobeyed…
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).
Did the stubborn will of Jonah prevail, or God’s Sovereign Will?
We read:“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD and went to Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:1-3.)
God is Supreme.
But did Nebuchadnezzar or Jonah become like robots, because they ultimately subjected themselves to God? They didn’t.
God made them willing to do what He wanted. He enabled those who walk in pride to have humility. He enabled those who run away from Him to obey Him.
God's Beauty is also seen in His Sovereignty. He is able to accomplish His purpose even in our life, without the necessity of turning us into automatons, or forcing His Will upon us. He is able to make us willing!
Though we say that God is Sovereign, most of us try to elevate the so-called human free will over the Will of the Living God, the Maker of heaven and earth!
God’s Word tells us:
“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is THE LORD'S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS” (Proverbs 19:21).
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I WILL DO ALL THAT I PLEASE” (Isaiah 46:10).
How much do we believe on those remarks of God’s Word? Do we perceive any limitation in the accomplishment of God’s purpose from those verses?
Should we say that “the Lord’s purpose… prevails” as long as it does not go against the so-called free will of man?
Consider what the man in the Bible who has the “right” to be proud acknowledged later on:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. AND THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE” (Daniel 4:37).
We are also familiar with Jonah. When he was commanded by the Sovereign God to “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it…” (Jonah 1:2) – not only he disobeyed…
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).
Did the stubborn will of Jonah prevail, or God’s Sovereign Will?
We read:“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD and went to Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:1-3.)
God is Supreme.
But did Nebuchadnezzar or Jonah become like robots, because they ultimately subjected themselves to God? They didn’t.
God made them willing to do what He wanted. He enabled those who walk in pride to have humility. He enabled those who run away from Him to obey Him.
God's Beauty is also seen in His Sovereignty. He is able to accomplish His purpose even in our life, without the necessity of turning us into automatons, or forcing His Will upon us. He is able to make us willing!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
WHEN The Sovereign God REDEEMS...
"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself" (Psalms 49:15, NIV).
I love the translation of New International Version of Psalm 49:15, “…he will surely take me to himself.”
A Bible teacher told me that there are those who are redeemed by the blood of God’s Son, yet, will NOT be saved!
What a great contrast with the positive assurance of the Living Word of the Sovereign God: If He will redeem you – even from the spiritual grave of sin – He will SURELY take you to Himself!
This reminds me of another verse: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory” (Ps. 73:24).
The Sovereign God who caused Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge willingly: “…praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37) – is the same God who will guide you and afterward will take you into glory.
The same Lord who “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm” to build the temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-2) and the God “who put into the heart of Titus the same concern” that Paul had for the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:16) can also move your heart to believe and say:
“'In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Eph. 1:7) and He will surely take me to Himself!”
I love the translation of New International Version of Psalm 49:15, “…he will surely take me to himself.”
A Bible teacher told me that there are those who are redeemed by the blood of God’s Son, yet, will NOT be saved!
What a great contrast with the positive assurance of the Living Word of the Sovereign God: If He will redeem you – even from the spiritual grave of sin – He will SURELY take you to Himself!
This reminds me of another verse: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory” (Ps. 73:24).
The Sovereign God who caused Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge willingly: “…praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37) – is the same God who will guide you and afterward will take you into glory.
The same Lord who “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm” to build the temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-2) and the God “who put into the heart of Titus the same concern” that Paul had for the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:16) can also move your heart to believe and say:
“'In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Eph. 1:7) and He will surely take me to Himself!”
Saturday, December 29, 2007
HOW GREAT Is Your Regard For God (A Thought On Human Free Will)?
"Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty" (Ps. 104:1).
Do we have such regard for God, "very great"?
Like the psalmist, could we really say to God: "You are clothed with splendor and majesty"?
How high and lofty is our regard for Him?
We may find it easy to say that we value Him more than our material possession. But do we also exalt Him more than our own abilities? Do we believe that He is even greater than our so-called human free will?
There are those who believe that because of our freedom of choice, we can even choose to resist the Attractiveness of God! Because of our free will, according to them, we could reject God!
Instead of teaching what God's Word declares that, those who ignore and refuse God and His Gift are in spiritual darkness or spiritually blind, and they fail to behold God's Attractiveness and Greatness -- they prefer to teach that there are those who could behold God's splendor and majesty, but they are not attracted or "refused" to be captivated by God's Beauty, because of their human choice!!
If we are not spiritually dead, if we are not spiritually blind -- our human free will to desire and choose what attracts us is NOT extinguished! Please read that again. And again.
Our freedom of choice does not extinguish our desire for what is attractive -- whether what we choose is not attractive to others.
The Great God who created us with our human free will -- has given us the freedom of choice that makes us desire what attracts us! Thus, when we are really attracted to something, we are not "forced." It is our natural tendency to desire what is admirable, as we desire for water when we are thirsty, or we want food when we are hungry.
The human free will that He gave us is NOT the kind of choice wherein we have to choose between being attracted or embrace what attracts us, and not to be attracted or resist what attracts us!
Our freedom of choice is our freedom to choose what appears desirable to us at the moment we make our decision. Our Great God has given us the human free will that we are inclined to choose and accept what is more pleasant compared with other options.
Thus, our human free choice will NOT "kill" or even lessen our admiration for God's Greatness! Our freedom of choice -- given to us by God -- will direct us to adore and come to Him.
Our God given freedom will NOT move us to ignore and reject Him, but admire and praise Him, and say, "O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty"!
you are clothed with splendor and majesty" (Ps. 104:1).
Do we have such regard for God, "very great"?
Like the psalmist, could we really say to God: "You are clothed with splendor and majesty"?
How high and lofty is our regard for Him?
We may find it easy to say that we value Him more than our material possession. But do we also exalt Him more than our own abilities? Do we believe that He is even greater than our so-called human free will?
There are those who believe that because of our freedom of choice, we can even choose to resist the Attractiveness of God! Because of our free will, according to them, we could reject God!
Instead of teaching what God's Word declares that, those who ignore and refuse God and His Gift are in spiritual darkness or spiritually blind, and they fail to behold God's Attractiveness and Greatness -- they prefer to teach that there are those who could behold God's splendor and majesty, but they are not attracted or "refused" to be captivated by God's Beauty, because of their human choice!!
If we are not spiritually dead, if we are not spiritually blind -- our human free will to desire and choose what attracts us is NOT extinguished! Please read that again. And again.
Our freedom of choice does not extinguish our desire for what is attractive -- whether what we choose is not attractive to others.
The Great God who created us with our human free will -- has given us the freedom of choice that makes us desire what attracts us! Thus, when we are really attracted to something, we are not "forced." It is our natural tendency to desire what is admirable, as we desire for water when we are thirsty, or we want food when we are hungry.
The human free will that He gave us is NOT the kind of choice wherein we have to choose between being attracted or embrace what attracts us, and not to be attracted or resist what attracts us!
Our freedom of choice is our freedom to choose what appears desirable to us at the moment we make our decision. Our Great God has given us the human free will that we are inclined to choose and accept what is more pleasant compared with other options.
Thus, our human free choice will NOT "kill" or even lessen our admiration for God's Greatness! Our freedom of choice -- given to us by God -- will direct us to adore and come to Him.
Our God given freedom will NOT move us to ignore and reject Him, but admire and praise Him, and say, "O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty"!
Friday, December 21, 2007
WOULD YOU REJECT THE GREATEST GIFT?
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
What is this “free gift of the water of life”?
We also read in Revelation 21:6, “He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.’”
If we have this “water of life,” we will have satisfaction as a thirsty man is satisfied in drinking from the spring of water.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman, who would draw water from the well:
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14).
Water and other physical things will only give us temporary satisfaction. But if we have the “water of life” given by Jesus, we “will never thirst” – we will enjoy complete and eternal satisfaction!
Unfortunately, there are those who reject and will continue to reject this precious gift.
Why?
First, let us identify this “water of life.”
We read in John 7:37-39, “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By THIS HE MEANT THE SPIRIT, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
Jesus Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God – His Spirit. Nothing in this world could satisfy our heart as the exceeding joy of the Spirit of Christ could give us. And yet, there are those who refuse to come to Him. They do not accept Him to control their lives. They resist the Holy Spirit.
Stephen told the Jews, who would stone him: ”You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51.)
Notice that they resisted the Spirit, because they were “stiff-necked” and “with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” – as spiritually deaf, they did not hear the call: “Come! … take the free gift of the water of life.”
Also, there are those who cannot accept Him, because they do not know Him. Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Those who reject the Most Precious Gift are in spiritual darkness – spiritually deaf, spiritually ignorant – and with heart of stone. They cannot perceive the Great Worth of the Gift. The “culprit” is not actually the so-called “freedom of choice” of man.
As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "IF YOU KNEW the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).
But by God’s grace, those whom He had circumcised the hearts, whom He made spiritually alive to hear the Sovereign call and to behold the Glory of Christ, and whom He enabled to come to the Son, they would choose freely to have the Greatest Gift.
They would, then, be feasting on the Word of God (the Bible), for Jesus Christ said: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). And they would never thirst.
What is this “free gift of the water of life”?
We also read in Revelation 21:6, “He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.’”
If we have this “water of life,” we will have satisfaction as a thirsty man is satisfied in drinking from the spring of water.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman, who would draw water from the well:
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14).
Water and other physical things will only give us temporary satisfaction. But if we have the “water of life” given by Jesus, we “will never thirst” – we will enjoy complete and eternal satisfaction!
Unfortunately, there are those who reject and will continue to reject this precious gift.
Why?
First, let us identify this “water of life.”
We read in John 7:37-39, “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By THIS HE MEANT THE SPIRIT, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
Jesus Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God – His Spirit. Nothing in this world could satisfy our heart as the exceeding joy of the Spirit of Christ could give us. And yet, there are those who refuse to come to Him. They do not accept Him to control their lives. They resist the Holy Spirit.
Stephen told the Jews, who would stone him: ”You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51.)
Notice that they resisted the Spirit, because they were “stiff-necked” and “with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” – as spiritually deaf, they did not hear the call: “Come! … take the free gift of the water of life.”
Also, there are those who cannot accept Him, because they do not know Him. Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Those who reject the Most Precious Gift are in spiritual darkness – spiritually deaf, spiritually ignorant – and with heart of stone. They cannot perceive the Great Worth of the Gift. The “culprit” is not actually the so-called “freedom of choice” of man.
As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "IF YOU KNEW the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).
But by God’s grace, those whom He had circumcised the hearts, whom He made spiritually alive to hear the Sovereign call and to behold the Glory of Christ, and whom He enabled to come to the Son, they would choose freely to have the Greatest Gift.
They would, then, be feasting on the Word of God (the Bible), for Jesus Christ said: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). And they would never thirst.
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