Micah 6:8

Free books and a good quote

I found a wonderful gem. I've never read much by John Piper before. I discovered this evening that he has several of his books online. Most of them can be found at desiringgod.org. For the rest of them follow this ink and find Piper's name on the list. I absolutely love when authors put their books online. It shows me that they desire to teach others more then they desire to make money. Anyways, while I was exploring these books I noticed that Piper's book Desiring God had a chapter on money. Out of curiosity I read through the chapter. Here is my favorite section from that chapter. He clearly illustrates something the point that we need to be giving our resource up for God's kingdom. Very nice.

The mention of"war" is not merely rhetorical. What is specifically called for today is a "wartime lifestyle." I have used the phrase "simple necessities of life" earlier in this chapter because Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:8, "If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." But this idea of simplicity can be very misleading. I mean it to refer to a style of life that is unencumbered with nonessentials-and the criterion for "essential" should not be primitive "simplicity," but wartime effectiveness.

Ralph Winter illustrates this idea of a wartime lifestyle:

The Queen Mary, lying in repose in the harbor at Long Beach, California, is a fascinating museum of the past. Used both as a luxury liner in peacetime and a troop transport during the Second World War, its present status as a museum the length of three football fields affords a stunning contrast between the lifestyles appropriate in peace and war. On one side of a partition you see the dining room reconstructed to depict the peacetime table setting that was appropriate to the wealthy patrons of high culture for whom a dazzling array of knives and forks and spoons held no mysteries. On the other side of the partition the evidences of wartime austerities are in sharp contrast. One metal tray with indentations replaces fifteen plates and saucers. Bunks, not just double but eight tiers high, explain why the peacetime complement of 3000 gave way to 15,000 people on board in wartime. How repugnant to the peacetime masters this transformation must have been! To do it took a national emergency, of course. The survival of a nation depended upon it. The essence of the Great Commission today is that the survival of many millions of people depends on its fulfillment.5

There is a war going on. All talk of a Christian's right to live luxuriantly "as a child of the King" in this atmosphere sounds hollow-especially since the King himself is stripped for battle. It is more helpful to think of a "wartime" lifestyle than a merely "simple" lifestyle. Simplicity can be very inward directed, and may benefit no one else. A wartime lifestyle implies that there is a great and worthy cause for which to spend and be spent (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Winter continues:

America today is a save-yourself society if there ever was one. But does it really work? The underdeveloped societies suffer from one set of diseases: tuberculosis, malnutrition, pneumonia, parasites, typhoid, cholera, typhus, etc. Affluent America has virtually invented a whole new set of diseases: obesity, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, strokes, lung cancer, venereal disease, cirrhosis of the liver, drug addiction, alcoholism, divorce, battered children, suicide, murder. Take your choice. Laborsaving machines have turned out to be body-killing devices. Our affluence has allowed both mobility and isolation of the nuclear family, and as a result our divorce courts, our prisons and our mental institutions are flooded. In saving ourselves we have nearly lost ourselves.

How hard have we tried to save others? Consider the fact that the U.S. evangelical slogan, "Pray, give, or go" allows people merely to pray, if that iS their choice! By contrast the Friends Missionary Prayer Band of South India numbers 8000 people in their prayer bands and supports 80 full-time missionaries in North India. If my denomination (with its unbelievably greater wealth per person) were to do that well, we would not be sending 500 missionaries, but 26,000. In spite of their true poverty, those poor people in South India are sending 50 times as many cross-cultural missionaries as we are.6

The point here is to show that those who encourage Christians to pursue a luxuriant peacetime lifestyle are missing the point of all Jesus taught about money. He called us to lose our lives in order that we might gain them again (and the context is indeed money-"What does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?"- Mark 8:36) . And the way he means for us to lose our lives is in fulfilling the mission of love he gave us.

Subjective Experience

Some of the blogs that I frequent have recently had some articles on the role of subjective experience in the Christian life. I've put some significant thought into this topic and yet I still don't know completely what I think on the topic. On the one hand I know that the Holy Spirit does communicate about sin, righteousness, judgment and the nature of God to Christians. These are definitely communicated through subjective means but what about other things? Am I sure that he doesn't communicate very specific direction to believers that are willing to listen? What do you think? I'm going to do a study on the work of the Holy Spirit as seen in scripture and try to form my own conclusions on this topic. Here are some links to some reasonable discussions from different points of view on this topic.
Pyromaniacs – Misreading God (the comments are good too)
Internet Monk – Thoughts on Spiritual Experience
Stand to Reason – A Private Hotline to God?

Jesus' Attitude

Recently some people challenged Joel and I about being too negative and critical. Joel's response was to point out that we are negative and critical because there is so much that is bad and negative in the world around us. Also, Joel pointed out that Jesus himself was considered a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and that he was often negative and critical. The people challenging us were very opposed to Joel's characterization of Jesus. They challenged Joel to prove his claim. Being convinced of our correctness on this issue we decided to do just that. I skimmed Matthew, Mark and the beginning of Revelation and Joel skimmed Luke and John. We each recorded any mention of Jesus' emotions (if it was obvious) and instances where Jesus was critical or complimentary of people . Here are our results:

Instances of critical comments by Jesus: 130
Instances of complimentary comments by Jesus: 45

Obvious emotions of Jesus
frustration: 14
sorrow: 3
troubled: 3
anger: 5
distressed: 1
compassion: 1
rejoice: 1
agony: 1
displeasure:1
pity: 3
grief: 3

Now obviously anyone that created a list like this would come out with slightly different numbers and slightly different descriptions of Jesus' emotions. Overall I think that it would be hard to come up with a count that contradicted our conclusions. If you don't believe me then I challenge you to do a count and post your results. One thing to note about these numbers is that the affirming comments number is greatly inflated by the compliments that Jesus gives to the seven church at the beginning of Revelation. That section of Revelation had 15 compliments and only 7 criticisms. That means that Jesus, as presented in the gospels, is 4 times more critical then affirming.

I had a lot of fun doing this assignment. I noticed that Jesus' criticisms are usually directed at the rich, those that think that they are righteous, and those that lack faith. His compliments are for those that show faith and people that show humility. I think that it has reminded me of what pleases Jesus and what definitely doesn't. Another thing that I noticed is that Jesus often makes very critical comments in his anger. We're often led to believe that responding with criticism in anger is sinful. I'm not sure how often what comes out of my mouth when I'm angry is not sin. This observation at least shows me though that responding critically in anger is not always sin. I think that I'm going to try to do more survey type studies in the future.

Balance

Phil Johnson has good article on his blog about balance. Here is a excerpt:

Let's be honest: That claim is often employed in an effort to stop meaningful discussion rather than advance it. Many people who take that approach simply don't want to work through the difficulties posed by the tension between the gospel call and the sinner's inability, or between God's absolute sovereignty and His wrath against sin. They imagine that if they take a position in the middle of the road and cover their eyes, they can simply avoid all such problems altogether.

That's not a biblical way of thinking. Scripture (as well as true Calvinism) stresses both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The truth is not a midway point where neither emphasis is taught at all, but a balanced doctrine where both sides of the truth are fully stressed.

The balance between Christian liberty and godly living is also like that. Don't look for a comfortable midway point between legalism and license. There is no safe "middle road" between legalism and license. In fact, legalism and license often go hand in hand and are found together, because they stem from the same wrong view of sanctification. Legalism is often a smoke screen for carnal living.

Praying to Jesus

The other night in our cell group we were sharing why we were grateful for the fact that Jesus had been born. After we all shared we were encouraged to thank Jesus for the things that we were grateful for. I found this exercise really encouraging because I'm not used to praying directly to Jesus. Quite a while ago I came to the conclusion somehow that I was only supposed to pray to the Father. This exercise inadvertently got me to thinking about that conclusion. After a quick google search and some other people's opinions I came to the conclusion that I can in fact appropriately pray directly to Jesus. John 14:14 says, "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." This leads me to believe that it is reasonable to ask him things.

Anyways, I tried praying to Jesus some more yesterday and it was quite difficult for me. It felt much more humbling. This is pretty silly because in some ways Jesus should seem more approachable then the Father but for me it was more difficult. I think that this was because the Father is more illusive and I don't understand him as much. Jesus on the other hand I have huge respect for. I feel beyond nothing in comparison to him. To speak to him and ask him anything was difficult.

I think that I tend to see more of the powerful lion side of Jesus then I do of his meek and mild lamb side. I think as I learn to speak to him more I may feel more of his forgiveness and tenderness. I think that my experience praying to him also helped me think of him as actually still being real.

In conclusion, if you've never spoken to Jesus take a moment and get to know him.

Prayer

I've really been thinking about my need to pray more. When I really examine my spiritual life I realize that it lacks a whole of the relationship end of things that I used to have. I'm not sure how I let it slip but I think that it may have happened by trying to focus more on obedience and less on intimacy with God (although not intentionally). It's pretty pathetic to admit but my prayers are mostly about 5 to 10 minutes per day and quite narcissistic as a result. I've been contemplating the following verse:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

I think that it really is no wonder I don't feel very close with God. Why in the world would I feel close with God if I'm not spending anytime in fellowship with him. I don't think that he has any intention of making me feel this way until I put some work into it. Anyways, I'm going to try to run at it over the next few weeks and see where I end up. Wish me well.

Martin Luther King Jr on Extremism

Here is a good quote from Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" on the subject of extremism.

But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God." And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that an men are created equal ..." So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we viii be. We be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremist for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime---the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jeans Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.

Great Quote

"There is a notion aborad of a sort of make-believe religion as though God would count us righteous and deal with us as if we were righteous while He leaves us in our unrighteousness." —Catherine Booth (hat tip: Armybarmy blog)

Persecution

John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

1 Peter 2:20, 21
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 4:12,13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

I've been thinking about my last post a little bit more and I wanted to share some verses that I found on the topic. These verses really make me conclude that the modern church, although maybe not the real church, is doing a very poor job of serving God. How much have you suffered for your faith lately? If your answer is not much then I need to question how Godly you really are (2 Tim 3:12). This and a few other issues that I've mentioned before are why I think that most of what we the church needs to repent and start serving God instead of their own comfort. Our call is radical. People will not like you if you are faithful because you will be exposing sin and calling for righteousness and surrender. Are you willing to be faithful even to the point of death?

Mary

This may be somewhat offensive to some of my Catholic friends but I've never shyed away from speaking the truth before. I'm staying in a Catholic home right now and had a chance to skim through the Catechism of the Catholic chuch. I always knew that Catholics honoured Mary but I didn't realize how far they took that. Here is one point that really seemed contrary to scripture. Please compare it with the verses that follow it and judge for yourself.

"But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle, the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness. And so they turn their eyes to Mary": in her, the Church is already the "all-holy." Article 829 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Eph 5:25-27

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5