Category Archives: Christian Life

THE CUP

Christian Life, ,

THE CUP

The use of a “cup” in Scripture helps to throw light on God’s dealings with individuals and nations, giving us insights into both His sovereignty and human responsibility.

Some time ago, I asked the Lord why He has not stopped the war in Ukraine in response to the prayers of many people around the world. His answer shocked and surprised me, because it is in the Bible, because it makes sense to me, because it takes the long look at the present situation, and because it throws light on God’s sovereignty and the absolute justice of His justice.

The Holy Spirit, the supreme Teacher, took me to Genesis 15:16, where God told Abraham about the future of his descendants and the fate of the Amorites who occupied the land God would give to the descendants of Abraham.

“In the fourth generation, your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”

Genesis 15:16 NIV

God would not destroy the Amorites until their cup of God’s wrath against their idolatry and wickedness was full. In the fourth generation, Abraham’s descendants would go back to Canaan, wipe out the Amorites (Canaanites) because of their wickedness, and take possession of the land. God fulfilled this prophecy under the leadership of Joshua.

It seems to me, then, that the Bible is telling us, from the many references to a cup, that God has a cup of destiny for every individual and nation. The cup is simply His way of saying that He has determined a destiny for every individual and every nation for either mercy or judgment but…

It is the responsibility of every person and nation, through its leaders, to fill that cup by living in a way that confirms that destiny. In the end, they will drink the “wine” of God’s wrath or mercy when their cup is full.

If I understand God’s Word correctly, God has given the nation of Russia a cup of wrath, but also the opportunity to change its destiny by turning to the Lord in repentance, as Assyria did for a time through the preaching of Jonah. However, Russia, through its leaders, has chosen to fill up the cup of God’s wrath by its indescribable wickedness to the people of Ukraine in particular and the world in general by it policy of socialism and its accompanying cruelty. When that cup is full, He will cause Russia to drink it to the dregs…. and so with every nation that defies God’s Word and harms other nations.

Take Egypt, for example. God chose Pharaoh for wrath but gave him the opportunity to change his destiny and that of Egypt by treating the Israelites kindly, but Pharaoh chose to fill up God’s cup with wrath…and paid for it.

“For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.”

Romans 9:17-18 NLT

Paul explains this aspect of God’s dealings with people that we often question because we think that God is being unfair by choosing some for wrath and others for mercy.

“Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

Romans 9:19-24 NLT

What Paul is saying is this: we look at election from a human perspective. We think God is being unfair by arbitrarily choosing some for wrath and others for mercy. However, from God’s perspective, all are under wrath. When God pours out wrath in individuals and nations, He is being perfectly just because, as Paul said, “There are none righteous, not even one.”

God also has a purpose even for those whom He has destined for judgment. In the end, both His wrath and His mercy reveal His true nature and bring glory to Him.

When God chose Pharaoh for wrath and poured out judgment on Egypt and Egypt’s gods, He was bringing glory to His name because it was the destiny Pharaoh chose for Egypt, confirming God’s “cup” for that nation. So, God’s wrath brings Him glory by justifying His righteous judgment on ungodliness.

Likewise, God shows mercy to others to reveal an aspect of His nature which we could otherwise never know. Only through the sin of mankind and the sacrifice of Jesus can we know the mercy of God.

As our Creator, He has the right to do as He chooses with the clay. The clay cannot decide what it wants to become. Whether He chooses some for wrath and others for mercy, He is glorified in the outcome of His dealings with both people and nations.

In the end, the revelation is about who is Lord. Those who are destined for wrath are those who reject God for some other false deity they choose to worship. Those who receive mercy do so only because they obey the gospel and bow to Jesus as Lord.

“And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 NLT

This is a huge subject. This password, “cup” opens a treasure chamber of revelation about the nature and ways of God, too big to write about here.

The little prophecy of Habakkuk, which is often just read for its titbits of truth, gives us some insights into the ways of God and what our response should be to what He is doing in the world today.

Habakkuk also asked God a question. “Why are you not doing something about the wickedness of your own people?” God’s answer shocked and surprised him. “I am,” God said, “and if I tell you what I am doing, you will not believe me. I am raising up the Babylonians!” 

Wow! It’s as if God were saying to us, in answer to our question in the past, “God, why are you not doing something about apartheid?” “I am. I’m raising up the ANC!”

The Babylonians were a cruel and vicious nation that would destroy Judah (Israel had already been conquered by the Assyrians) and take its people captive to Babylon as punishment for their stubborn disobedience and idolatry. Why did God do that?

God allowed Babylon to fill up its own cup of wrath so that He could destroy it for its wickedness for conquering Judah. Babylon was eventually wiped out by the Medes and Persians.

What about God’s people who suffered at the hands of the Babylonians army? Once again, what God revealed to the prophet shows us how He deals with every individual in every nation, no matter what choices the leader makes for each nation.

God not only raised up a wicked nation to inflict punishment on His people for their wickedness, but he judged that nation for doing to Judah what they did. However, there is another side to what God told Habakkuk. He also deals with individuals in wrath or mercy. Every person will stand before Hin to answer for their response to the gospel.

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds…. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:11-13, 15 NLT

For those within the wicked nation that is under God’s wrath, who are destined for mercy, there is a way to deal with the revelation God gave to Habakkuk.

WONDER

“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.”

Habakkuk 3:2 NLT

Habakkuk recalled God’s works in history. The prophet was overwhelmed with awe and amazement at the things God revealed to him. He responded with a wild song and dance of worship, recalling, in extravagant language, what God did to Egypt.

WORSHIP

Habakkuk was not only filled with wonder as he recalled and reflected on the way God rescued his people from Egyptian tyranny, but he also declared his absolute confidence in God no matter what His punishment of His own people would bring. Babylonian invasion might mean great suffering for the people of Judah, but he would rejoice in God anyway.

WAIT

“I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.”

Habakkuk 3:16 NLT

Habakkuk was reassured that God would act to revenge those who destroyed his people. He would wait for God to do as He promised.

WALK

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

Habakkuk 3:19 NLT

Finally, as the prophet affirms his trust in God, no matter what, he also expresses his confidence in God’s grace to enable him to navigate the steep and rocky places that God’s judgment would bring.

In all this startling and shocking revelation, the prophet has only one request… “In wrath, remember mercy.”

Perhaps we should take a leaf from Habakkuk’s book. Instead of praying long prayers, giving God advice, and telling Him what to do, as we contemplate the disasters that are happening all around us, we should WONDER at what God has already done in His sovereignty to deal with sin in the world, culminating in the death of His Son.

We should WORSHIP Him for who He is despite the terrible things that are happening and WAIT for Him to act for His own glory. Then we will WALK in His grace, no matter what, because He is God and worthy of our love, trust, and praise.

Our response should be David’s response when he considered all God’s goodness to him…

What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:12-13

THE CRUX OF THE CROSS

Christian Life, ,

THE CRUX OF THE CROSS

Jesus told a story of a landowner who hired labourers to work in his vineyard at different intervals during the day. At knock-off time, he paid them all the same amount, starting with the ones he hired last.

The ones who were hired at the beginning of the day expected to be paid more than the prearranged amount. Imagine their disappointment when their unfounded expectation was not met. They turned on their employer, accusing him of being unfair.

Why did Jesus tell this story? He always told parables for the benefit of someone in the audience. This time, it was His disciples. He was intent on revealing the true nature of the Father whenever He could.

The punchline of the story lay in the landowner’s response to the accusation of being unfair. The word for “jealous” or “envious”, the Greek word, “poneros” in the text, has the idea of the outcome of a bad action. The real meaning of “poneros”, which is usually interpreted as “envious” or “jealous” in most translations, should read, “Has my generosity to others ever caused you any harm?”

The labourers’ interpretation of the landowner’s generosity highlighted their character, rather than the landowner’s. They felt cheated, so they cast a slur in his integrity, forgetting that the landowner had done nothing wrong according to their agreement.

Two observations emerge from this story.

Firstly, God the Father is not fair, but He is far more generous that we will ever imagine. If He were to treat us fairly, none of us would survive.

Secondly, we judge the Father by our imagined loss, not by His infinite goodness. When we don’t get what we want, we judge Him to be less than who He is.

Let’s be honest. Has God’s generosity to others ever harmed us? Since we are constantly comparing ourselves with others, we judge Him unfair when someone else gets more or better than we desire. The real “harm” is the exposure of our own sinful hearts.

Why do we find it so difficult to trust God’s love in every up and down of life? Has His generosity to everyone, demonstrated in the priceless gift of His only Son, ever harmed us in any way?

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10 NLT

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

Romans 8:32 NLT

Adam’s stubborn, rebellious, sinful nature is in all of us from birth. Our new birth by God’s Spirit has not eradicated our old nature. Yes, we are now all “partakers of the divine nature” because the Holy Spirit has transformed us and indwells us but, until we are released from our old nature in the life to come, there is a war going on inside of us between flesh and spirit.

It’s that old “me” that prompts me to judge God, not myself, when I am suspicious of His dealings with me. How can I overcome this flaw in me to doubt Him when His generosity, so evident in Jesus, has never harmed me?

What is the antidote to this pernicious tendency to doubt God and the judge Him unfair when we compare ourselves with others’ blessings or when we covet what others have, especially spiritual gifts?

The answer is simple but not always easy. It is a choice that eventually leads to a lifestyle.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”

Hebrews 13:15 NLT

A vibrant faith in God is the antidote to mistrust, and gratitude and praise are the language of faith.

Continually giving thanks in all circumstances will grow into a robust, joyous spirit that can meet all circumstances with a warcry of victory, like the Israelites of old.

“After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.”

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 NLT

A thankful heart leads to contentment which Paul said is of great value. When we are grateful and contented with our lot in life, we are willing to trust God in every circumstance because He is always working for our good.

I think that there is something else hidden in this story. The context includes one of Jesus’ many attempts to alert and prepare His disciples for His impending death.

Every murder has a motive even when it’s a spur-of-the-moment crime of anger, passion, or revenge. Was Jesus using the story of the generous landowner to awaken His disciples to the ugly truth of what was going on behind the scenes of the religious hierarchy?

The “Jews”, as John called them, since they were the representatives of Judaism and the Jewish nation, had taken their stand against Jesus and His representation of the Father as outrageously generous. They hated Jesus for His acceptance of “sinners” by treating them with dignity and kindness. It was His goodness that riled them because the God He represented loves bad people.

Even Pilate recognised this fact. Matthew commented on Pilate’s perception of the religious leaders’ motive for murder.

“So, when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest (Greek word  “pthonos” meaning envy) that they had handed Jesus over to him.”

Matthew 27:17-18 NIV

Envy differs from jealousy in that jealousy focuses on the object of the jealousy while envy focuses on the attitude of the one who envies, usually the desire to get rid of that person because he/she is the object of hatred for who they are.

So, the underlying meaning of Jesus’ story was that the religious leaders planned to kill Jesus because they believed that His generosity to others harmed them.

SOME THOUGHTS ON SUFFERING

Christian Life, ,

SOME THOUGHTS ON SUFFERING

Suffering of every kind is woven into the tapestry of our lives here on earth. Suffering comes to us in many disguises, physical, mental, emotional, psychological…Suffering is the lot of every human being on earth no matter what language or culture.

Human suffering seems to fly in the face of who God is. “Why does God allow suffering?” Some even blame God for self-inflicted suffering like the pregnant young teenager who recklessly slept with her boyfriend.

Suffering makes no sense until we take the long look.

1. Jesus suffered physically and spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.

“He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Isaiah 53:3 NLT

The highest purpose of Jesus’s suffering was to absorb the sin of the world into Himself without resistance so that all the suffering that sin produced and sin itself, would be neutralised forever.

2. For believers in Jesus, if we understand our suffering from God’s perspective, suffering is a golden thread that connects us to the glorious purpose of God, to recreate us in the image of His Son.

Peter has some marvellous insights into suffering, both Jesus’s suffering and ours, that clarify this amazing truth.

“For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment… For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 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.”

1 Peter 2:19, 21-24 NLT

This is God’s way for us to endure and overcome suffering.

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.  You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”

1 Peter 4:1-2 NLT

Suffering for and with Jesus neutralises our sinful appetites and helps us to face real life on a corrupted planet with the power of God’s grace.

What was Jesus attitude in all His suffering?

“He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly…. ‘

Paul adds to our understanding of our suffering.

“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.”

Colossians 1:24 NLT

Paul did not mean that Jesus’s suffering was either incomplete or ineffective. His suffering was a perfect sacrifice of atonement for our sin.

However, His suffering would be of no benefit to us if we do not appropriate God’s grace to suffer as Jesus did. By steadfastly trusting God in our suffering of whatever kind, we demonstrate God’s power in our lives to overcome the sins of our old nature. We add to Christ’s suffering only by living as He did in submission to and trust in the love of God.

This season of Covid-19 has brought untold suffering to everyone on earth, from the loss of simple pleasures like visiting friends, walking the dog, or just freedom of movement, to the ultimate suffering of grief for the loss of family and friends.

How do we react in these circumstances that is different from the world?

Watch “COVID-19 Health Update From Joni Eareckson Tada” on YouTube https://youtu.be/squAX6lV2Aw

This video from Joni Eareckson Tada, recovering from Covid-19, is a beautiful testimony to the way she responded to her suffering.

In the midst of her darkness, the Lord asked her, “Joni, do you trust me?” She responded, “Yes, Lord, I believe.” In the days following this encounter, she developed a strange calmness, “almost an indifference” she said, to what it would feel like and how it would end.

She felt Him drawing her into His shelter and resting under the shadow of the Almighty.

Quoting the writings of another sufferer (I could not identify the name on the video), she said, “When the suffering soul reaches a place of calm, sweet carelessness, when he can inwardly smile at his (own) suffering and not even ask to be delivered, then it begins to work its blessed ministry. Then the cross we are carry begins to weave itself into a crown.”

In conclusion, said Joni,

“When we give our suffering over to God, and sink ourselves into His will, He will make every pain work its divine purpose in our lives.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-4 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-4 NLT

My personal journey has taught me that my place of security and shelter lies in God’s promise that He works, in all things, for the good of those who love Him. His glorious purpose is to conform me and us, to the likeness of His Son that He, Jesus, might be the prototype (prototokos) of many sons and daughters.

RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY!

Christian Life, ,

RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY!

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Luke 6:17-19

Imagine the scene: Jesus had been up the mountain all night — praying, seeking His Father’s wisdom and guidance for the choice of disciples who would best follow Him and become like Him so that they could learn and bind His yoke on people wherever they went and do what He was doing and even more. And who did He choose? Simon Peter, James, John…and Judas Iscariot!

Now He comes down, having decided exactly who would form His band of followers, and He is met by a crowd of would-be disciples and people from the length and breadth of Judea and even farther afield -Tyre and Sidon, Gentiles from Phoenicia — Jezebel’s territory! What were they doing there? Sicknesses, diseases, demons…they were as much in need of Jesus as were His own people. They came for help and they knew where they could get it.

Jesus was electric with power. Why? Was there something about that crowd that charged Him with energy to heal and deliver? We learned earlier that the people of His own hometown of Nazareth rejected Him — even tried to kill Him. When He returned some time later, He was powerless to do miracles there because of their unbelief.

So vibrant was the atmosphere in this gathering that Luke commented on it. Power flowed from Him like electricity from a generator and just a touch brought healing and relief to their troubled minds and bodies. What was the difference between these people and the people of Nazareth? They were not concerned about His pedigree or lack of it. His presence brought help and they grabbed it with both hands.

To the villagers of Nazareth He was just a local kid, Joseph and Mary’s son, no big deal. He had grown up in front of them and they thought they knew who He was. Were they aware that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit? They thought He was Mary’s illegitimate son, a bastard who had no right to be running around teaching about God as though He were somebody special.

But to the people who were thronging Him and clamouring for His help, He was a rabbi, a prophet with unusual power and an unusual connection with God. They were not concerned about His pedigree, or who His parents were or what His father did. They were full of faith and expectation that He could and would heal them and their hopes were not disappointed.

“Then He spoke: ‘You are blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal'” Luke 6:20 (The Message).

Healing and deliverance were never the be-all and end-all of Jesus’ ministry. As much as they were acts of mercy and compassion to relieve people’s suffering, they were also a foretaste of what God’s kingdom was about — the restoration of all things. It was as important to minister to their hearts as to their bodies. He wanted them to understand that God had a destiny for them much bigger than comfortable lives in the here-and-now.

If we understand this from a Hebraic mind, Jesus was not talking about food; He was talking about having an appetite for God and His truth. God’s promise has always been that He will respond to those who sincerely seek after Him. “He is the rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Really living was much more than not being sick or crippled or demon-possessed. It was about being God’s sons and daughters in  a family that loves and takes care of one another.

You can be a part of it too! It depends on how hungry you are.

PRAYER – FOCUS ON JESUS

Christian Life, ,

PRAYER – FOCUS ON JESUS

If the kingdom is to be the main subject of our fellowship with the Father, then our next priority is the learn about and from the one whom God has appointed as king in His kingdom.

“For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

Psalms 2:6 NLT

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

“After that, the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NLT

We live in a world, not only of wickedness and evil, but also of subtle allurement to become part of its anti-God behaviour by indulging in fleshly lusts that war against our souls. How can we escape from the pull of the world?

Once again, the Bible gives us the answer – focus on Jesus.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-3 NLT

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 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 honour beside God’s throne.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

A big part of our fellowship with the Father, then, is contemplating the glory of the Son. God loves it when we talk to Him about Jesus, appreciating and valuing all that Jesus is to us. There is nothing that transforms our lives more powerfully than to gaze at Jesus and learn from Him.

Jesus is our model and our mentor. He said, “Learn from me,” and “Remain in me.” This is the only way we can live the life of God’s kingdom in a wicked and corrupted world.