Category Archives: Christian Life

THE BEST WITNESS – 7

Christian Life, ,

Peter 3:15-17 NLT‬
[15] “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. [16] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. [17] Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”

The next ‘gem’ in Peter’s treasure chest is one some believers need to learn. How many ‘Bible-bashing’ believers there are that think they are being witnesses for Jesus! “Hit people over the head with God’s Word!” is their method of spreading the gospel. “Turn or burn,” is their message and God’s love for sinners becomes the club by which unbelieving sinners are alerted to their need.

Unfortunately, this type of ‘witness’ often does not flow from a life submitted to the authority of Jesus. Sometimes guilt drives us to preach to sinners rather than to show them what God can do.

Peter shows us how true witnessing works. A witness is one who has first-hand knowledge, either by seeing an event unfold, for example, a crime committed, or by being the one who experiences what he is advocating.

A life transformed by God’s grace can never be contradicted by reason or argument. God works in a human heart, changing it inside from a selfish, greedy, lawless individual to a loving, caring, and unselfish person who lives beyond himself to serve others. No one can explain what happened or argue the change away. It’s real and permanent. It’s visible and inexplicable outside of God’s grace.

Jesus was the epitome of a human living under the Father’s authority. And people could not understand Him!

So, the only way another person can understand is for the witness to explain what happened.

Peter says there is a progression in the process of witnessing. He knew that because he had first-hand knowledge. Remember who Peter was…an over-confident young motor-mouth. He fell badly despite his bragging. However, one day the Holy Spirit came, and Peter was never the same again.

Witnessing begins with a life submitted to Jesus as Lord, our supreme authority in every aspect and detail in life. It’s a tough learning experience, bringing our unruly self-will into submission to Jesus. Only God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit can help us win the battle against our old selfish nature.

‭Galatians 5:16-17 NLT‬
[16] “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”

Pride must go – that persistent, toxic attitude that I am the centre of the universe.” I can do it. I don’t need you…or God, to cope.”

Only God knows what we are, and only He can bring down that stronghold by whittling away at our self-sufficiency until we learn to surrender to His disciplines.

How subtley pride creeps in, even in our witnessing for Jesus! That attitude of contempt, “I know the truth. You don’t! I’m saved. You aren’t! I’m right. You are wrong!” can so easily lurk beneath the surface of our words.

So, Peter urges, “First, live it out, then tell your story, remembering that, but for God’s grace, you were where they are now.”

HUSBANDS, YOU TOO – 6

Christian Life, ,

1 Peter 3:7 NLT‬
[7]”In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”

Peter includes advice to husbands in his collection of gems for this ‘crown of righteousness’ we will receive for faithfulness to Jesus.

What does ‘give honour’ mean? The Greek word ‘time’, (pronounced teemay), has the meaning of giving monetary value to something, figuratively meaning esteem, worth, dignity.

Husbands are to esteem their wives of great worth as precious, preserving their dignity and treating them with understanding. What must they understand? A wife is weaker in her physical makeup but equal in her position in Christ. Husband and wife are equal partners in their new life. “

There is a price to pay for those husbands who lord it over their wives, undermining their dignity and worth as equal partners in their marriage…they will spoil their fellowship with God.” Any untoward treatment will hinder your prayers,” said Peter.

When we consider the unique relationship God has planned for marriage partners to enjoy, one ingredient stands out that provides the glue that keeps the partners together…. humility!

What is humility? Despite the Bible’s simple definition of humility,

‭Proverbs 22:4 NIV‬
[4] “Humility is the fear of the Lord;…”

… I believe that there are other elements to humility that give us a clearer understanding of its meaning.

I asked myself the question, “Is God humble?” If not, then what is He… proud, arrogant, self-righteous? None of these descriptions fit the nature of God. In fact, Jesus claimed to be ‘humble and gentle in heart’.

Humility, then, is much more than the fear of the Lord, unless the fear of the Lord includes the qualities I am about to present.

Does Peter mention humility in his letter? Yes, he does.

‭1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV‬
[5] “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

There it is again! Humility in the context of submission!

Let’s consider some of the elements that make up humility so that we can draw a picture of the way humility functions in a marriage partnership.

  1. Humility means accepting and functioning in one’s unique position in the world without force or coercion.

If we accept that God is humble, it means that God takes His rightful place as ruler of the universe and functions from that role without force or coercion. How true that He never forces anyone to accept His authority but He does warn of the consequences of disobedience.

  1. Humility accepts the other person/persons for their place in the universe.

What applies to me applies equally to all other persons.

  1. Humility allows the other person the choice to respond or refuse to respond whatever the issue.

A humble person allows another to make his own choices. He does not force his will on another simply because he believes he is right or wants what he wants.

Does not God accept our right to be wrong? Yes, He does. He gave us freedom to choose and never violates that freedom even if our choices destroy us. However, He offers mercy to those who acknowledge they are wrong and turn away from the wrong they chose.

  1. Humility has authority if it willingly comes under authority.

On earth, Jesus had authority because He was under authority. That means that, since He always submitted to the Father’s will, He required that others do the same to Him. Submission and obedience, which are the fruit of love and trust, are the hallmarks of a true son. These qualities qualify a son to act in behalf of the father.

  1. Humility accepts one another’s differences, and works within them without trying to change the other person.

Without humility, two people in a marriage partnership will always try to change each other. This is not God’s mandate for marriage. His mandate is to love and submit to one another.

  1. Humility keeps the greater purpose in view, focusing on protecting love and promoting unity in preference to demanding its own way.
  2. Humility is the willingness to submit to another person’s sacrifice without protest.

Humility provides the environment for unselfish service which is the role of a husband as servant leader.

When we put these elements of humility in place in a marriage partnership (or in any other partnership), God’s pattern for marriage becomes a workable alternative to the chaotic relationships in many marriages. It enables us to fulfil God’s plan for marriage which is to reflect the unity and harmony that exists in the Godhead.

When I think about these qualities, I discover that humility is an attitude which can only be seen by the way people treat one another. Like many other attitudes, e.g., love, hate, compassion etc., these attitudes don’t stand on their own. They are woven into the character of an individual by his behaviour towards others.

So, Peter can say to us, “Put on humility like a garment. Act humbly and you will become a humble person.”

How important this is for both husbands and wives if we want to do what God desires – to become one.

A POWERFUL ALTERNATIVE – 3

Christian Life, ,

We live in a ‘dog eat dog’ world. Retaliation and revenge keep going the animosity and antagonism between people on all levels of society. “You hit me, I’ll hit you back twice as hard!” It has been like that since the beginning of time.

‭Genesis 4:23-24 NIV‬
[23] “Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. [24] If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

So, the cycle of injury and revenge escalates into war, between individuals, families, groups, and nations. Will it ever stop? What can we do to make it stop?

There is no strategy in the hearts of humans to put this destructive cycle to an end. Even if one individual forgives, others will continue to exact revenge, carrying on the harm it causes to society. They do it because they want to do it.

This is the situation into which Jesus came with a strategy so powerful that, where the same strategy is put into practice in groups of like-minded people with transformed attitudes, peace reigns.

1 Peter 2:23-24 NIV‬
[23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Here is another of Peter’s ‘gems’ that deserves close scrutiny. As we turn it over and examine its facets, from its beauty glints those truths that reveal the heart of our Saviour.

Instead of non-retaliation being a sign of weakness, Jesus showed us a strategy so powerful that, through His refusal to retaliate, He obliterated all the sins of mankind, for all time, and made possible a new way of forgiveness, reconciliation, and harmony that changes communities where it is put in place.

  1. What did Jesus do?

He faced, without reacting, all the hatred human beings could muster, which they threw at Him by their revenge for all the ‘wrong’ of which they accused Him. They carried out their wicked intent, with scorn, insults, and mocking, in the cruellest way possible…Roman crucifixion.

‭Isaiah 53:7-8 NLT‬
[7] “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [8] Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.”

No human being in all history has suffered greater injustice than Jesus suffered. Had He retaliated, it would have been appropriate for the treatment He had received, and He had the power to carry it out but, not for Jesus! He came to take away the sin of the world, not to perpetuate it in His own life. He absorbed into Himself all the bitter hatred levelled against Him without uttering threats or defending Himself.

Jesus knew that the day of revenge on His enemies was coming. The Father had even given Him the role of divine Judge, but not now. This was the time to punish sin, not the sinner, by absorbing it into Himself and dying in the sinner’s place.

‭‭2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV‬
[21] “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

As difficult as it is for us to understand, it seems that God the Father took all the expressions of man’s rebellion, encapsulated in the cross, as one great burden of human guilt, placed it on Jesus and required that He accept is as His own.

  1. How did Jesus respond?

… “He entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

That’s a huge response for a human to make. Trusting an unseen God to avenge the injustice and suffering He endured was a massive act of faith.

However, Jesus knew the Father. As a man, He had walked and fellowshipped with the unseen God, living in perfect submission and obedience to Him for more than thirty years. Would it be any different now? Could He come down from the cross? Yes, He could, if He resorted to using His divine power. Would He come down from the cross? No, because He had chosen to do His Father’s will.

  1. What was the outcome?

‭1 Peter 2:24 NLT‬
[24] “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”

Jesus stopped sin dead in its tracks, by refusing to retaliate. All the sin of the world was laid on Him. He took it on the chin, bore the Father’s wrath against sin in Himself, and died the sinner’s death in our place.

This is God, remember, in human form, not just some so-called ‘good’ person, doing this for us. God is perfect holiness, utterly separate from sin and any possibility to sin.

‭Habakkuk 1:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal… [13]… You are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil….”

Yet, He became sin for us, and God the Father was happy about that!

‭Isaiah 53:10 NLT‬
[10]”But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.”

The cross event goes much deeper than Jesus doing the Father’s will. He WANTED to do the Father’s will because of the love and unity between them, no matter what the cost. The Father’s will was to have a family of people redeemed from the penalty, power, and presence of sin… and only Jesus could accomplish His will…and Jesus gladly did it for Him.

‭John 14:31 NLT‬
[31]…”but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father….”

The outcome of Jesus’ refusal to retaliate is exactly what the Father planned from before the foundation of the world. He wanted a family of sons and daughters, perfectly and eternally righteous… forgiven, cleansed, restored, and healed of everything sin had broken and corrupted, body, soul and spirit… exactly like Jesus, to live with Him forever.

For Jesus, the outcome was pure joy.

‭Hebrews 12:2 NLT‬
[2] “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

He won two great prizes, a family for the Father and the place of highest honour in God’s kingdom.

‭Philippians 2:9-11 NLT‬
[9]”Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So, when we follow Jesus and do what He did,

  1. Refuse to retaliate
  2. Trust the Father’s justice

‭Romans 12:19-21 NLT‬
[19]” Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

We will also reap the reward…

  1. ‭1 Peter 1:9 NLT‬
    [9]”The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

THREE A’S TO ACHIEVE ONE THING

Christian Life, ,

People in the world run after different goals in life but all their goals move towards one thing…money. We can probably sum up their goals by two aspirations, to be wealthy, successful, or both.

How does the world measure up to the Bible’s ideal?

We must always look for God’s way outside of money and success which are part of this world and it’s philosophy and ideals
… temporal, temporary, and transient.

‭1 John 2:15-17 NLT‬
[15] “Do not love this world or the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. [16] For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [17]And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

There is another side to life, here and now, that few find because these aspirations belong to those who view their lives from a different perspective. Those who live only for this life give no thought to the next. Those who live for God use this life to prepare for the next.

‭Psalms 27:8 NIV‬
[8] “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

  1. David’s Aspiration – to be in His presence in the temple.

David longed to be permanently in God’s presence, to see His beauty and experience the wonder of being with Him.

‭Psalms 27:4 NLT‬
[4] “The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.”

David was tired of being a fugitive, always dodging King Saul’s murderous intention. In God’s presence he would be safe, out of reach though not out of sight. There he would be free to contemplate the wonders of the God he worshiped without having constantly to look over his shoulder for danger.

  1. Mary’s Action – to be in His presence at His feet.

Mary, out of all who fellowshipped with Jesus, chose an action that set her apart from all others. She was, as a woman, barred her from sitting among the men. Her place was with Martha in the kitchen.

But…

‭Luke 10:38-39 NLT‬
[38] “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.”

Martha was incensed. Why didn’t Jesus rebuke Mary and send her to the place where she belonged? Didn’t she know that her culture forbade her to be with the men?

Yet, Jesus commended her action…

‭Luke 10:41-42 NLT‬
[41] “But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! [42] There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Mary chose one thing, above all else, in her disregard for protocol. Her action confirmed her intent, to be at His feet, in His presence, listening and learning from the Master Rabbi…

And Jesus approved.

  1. Paul’s Ambition – to be with Him and in Him forever.

Paul’s ambition takes us to the heart of the ‘one thing’. Setting aside all other goals as earthly and irrelevant, Paul set his sights on one thing.

‭Philippians 3:13-14 NLT‬
[13] “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Paul had much on his mind as he worked hard to fulfill his calling. Taking the good news of Jesus to a pagan world was no easy task. He had to contend with vicious opposition as well as with churches full of people raised in paganism with its ungodly ways. His role was to teach them the way of truth.

In and above all these concerns was the ‘one thing’ that motivated and guided all Paul’s actions and reactions. This ‘one thing’ was a prize so valuable that it kept him on track through every experience, good and bad. He never let the goal out of his sight, no matter what happened to him in a world opposed to God and His Word.

When he wobbled, God’s grace steadied him.

‭2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV‬
[9] “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Paul knew he would always be striving towards the goal in this life.

‭Philippians 3:13-14 NLT‬
[13] “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Every struggle was an opportunity to gain ground on his way to the prize.

He set aside earthly, religious, and personal achievements as nothing compared with what awaited him at the end of his journey.

‭Philippians 3:7-9 NLT‬
[7″I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ [9] and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”

‭2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT‬
[6]”As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

‭What was the ‘crown of righteousness’ towards which Paul struggled with determined purpose? He used different ways to describe his goal, but they all lead to one thing. We could say he meant ‘crowned with the righteousness’ he had received from Christ by faith when he had abandoned his own righteousness by trying to keep the law. Christ’s righteousness gave him right standing with God and access to the grace that gave him the power to do the right thing.

John puts the same goal simply…

‭‭1 John 3:2 NLT‬
[2]” Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

This goal towards which God’s children are moving, consciously or unconsciously, requires that we do one thing.

‭1 John 3:3 NLT‬
[3]”And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”

So, God is at work in us. As we work with Him, trusting Him in the ‘all things’ that He is working for our good, something is happening inside.

‭Romans 8:28-29 NLT‬
[28]”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

It’s this goal, becoming like Jesus, the only goal worth pursuing with all our energy, that will achieve man’s chief end, “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Catechism)

GOD’S PROMISES

Christian Life, ,

‭2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT‬
[20]”For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

God’s promises are a declaration of intent. He tells us, in His promises, what He is going to do, and what He wants to do for us, often with the conditions that He wants us to fulfil before He plays His part.

The conditions He sets out for us to do reaffirm our connection with Him and our commitment to obey Him. He guarantees His promises by what Jesus did for us on the cross. Jesus ratified everything the Father has pledged to us by removing all barriers to our connection with Him.

‭2 Corinthians 1:18-19 NIV‬
[18] “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” [19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”

One of God’s all-encompassing promises is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.

‭‭Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT‬
[5]”Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

I recently experienced the amazing way in which God straightened my path in a series of incidents that happened with perfect timing and God’s guiding and intervention.

My son periodically visits me for a few days from his home city. He was able to take leave with public holidays in between, for a total of three weeks, so he chose to fly down for a six-day’ visit to me in my home city.

A few days before he came, I had a frightening incident with my gas cooker. I am forced to cook on gas because of our frequent spells of electricity cuts so, on this occasion, I was boiling water in my kettle on the gas stove.

While I was working at my sink, my little dog alerted me with furious barking, to a stream of fire burning under the cooker top. Fortunately, the fire burned against the gas tank frame and not directly onto the newspaper which protected the wall from splashing fat. I had not replaced the washer in the cooker top correctly, letting gas leak out of the side of the washer. That was a warning to me that all was not well with my cooking arrangement.

One morning, when my son was replacing the lining under my recliner, again a flame suddenly burned out of the side of the screw regulating the flow of gas. On inspection, he found that the fitting was worn and needed replacement.

I was forced to use my electric stove (which I avoid because of the high cost of electricity) while my gas tank was out of use.

During a family conversation the next day, two of my sons decided that I needed a much safer setup.

My visiting son took it upon himself, at his own expense, to provide and install a two-plate, fail-safe, gas hob with a built-in gas tank, supplied by my resident son, which did away with the ungainly outfit I was using.

God’s timing was perfect. Had the gas tank played up after my son’s visit, I would not have been blessed with the perfect setup I have now.

One of my son’s functions on a previous visit was to install a new handle and cable for raising and lowering the leg-rest on my recliner. We discovered, when we turned the recliner over, that the entire lining underneath the chair, made of black material, was rotting and disintegrating.

So, replacing the lining was his project for this year’s visit. We discussed the type and quantity of material we needed and decided on a plan of action. On our way to the car, we met up with my landlady in the garden. She mentioned a material shop nearby where we could get material and batting to do the job.

We bought what we thought we would need at that shop and, to our astonishment, my son completed the job with not even a thread left over, at the cost of R70. Another perfect mission accomplished!

The third incident in this trio of God’s “straight path” was completely unexpected. My son brought a packet of dried sausage with him which he put in my refrigerator. Every time I opened the fridge, I smelt bad meat which I blamed on the dried sausage!

On the day he left, he was straightening the cloth on top of the fridge on which I store my longlife milk. He reached to the back of the fridge and encountered a plastic packet of putrefging steak! How it got there I have no idea. However, he finally found the source of the bad smell (and the hoards of flies that kept invading my home)!

Somehow, these three incidents were entwined and, through them, the Father showed me again just how perfectly He can make our paths straight.

So, God’s promises are indeed precious because, through them we, God and I, stay in contact. God is glorified and my needs are met when I acknowledge Him in all my ways and speak a heartfelt “amen” to what He has promised.

And He gets the glory, which is what He desires, all along!