In God I Trust

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56:4)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Commentary on Psalm 56:1-7

Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties and dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God's anger; how high it can reach, how forcibly it can strike?

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

LORD's love

“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103:17-18)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Wonderful news. The unbelievers get angry at this truth, blaming God for His conditional love. How unwise they are... And how blind...
Is it really easier to disobey than to gladly obey the Good Father? Every child knows that rebellion hurts the rebel, sooner or later. Guys - it will hurt you forever. Think about it.

Where's the logic gone?

First you have none.
Then you want some. And you discover you cannot have any.
So you go into despair - and the very wise man in a white rock tells you that you may have some.
You pay a lot to try, but money is never enough, and you end up risking it all on one shot. And you win - you get many.


Too many.

Not all can go on, you have to get rid of some - the very same you so desperately wanted before.

The wise man offers help. Now you have only two. The others are gone.


*****************

What am I talking about? Something that made me stop, sit down and listen in tears to what a horrible species we have become.
We have condemned Mengele in Auschwitz, for his experiments on children. And rightly so. But are we so much better than him? I do not think so.
People play God. People will pay the price.

What I am talking about is this:

Selective Reduction


According to Wikipedia:

Selective reduction (or fetal reduction) is the practice of reducing the number of fetuses in a multifetal pregnancy (i.e. those involving more than one fetus). With selective reduction, a specific fetus or fetuses are "selected" for termination, usually after a congenital defect has been identified. Prenatal diagnostic testing may be used to determine which of the fetuses has a greater chance of chromosomal defect or genetic disease. Those fetuses are then targeted in selective reduction because of the probability of their health being inferior to that of the others.

The term multifetal reduction describes a procedure to reduce a higher-order multiple pregnancy (one with three or more fetuses) to a twin or singleton pregnancy, without targeting a specific fetus for reduction. It can also be used to reduce a twin pregnancy to a singleton one, but this is less common as the risks in twin pregnancies, while existent, are much lower than in higher-order multiple ones. The aim of multifetal reduction is to avoid the medical issues generally related to multiple births (including premature births, low birth weights and associated medical problems).

It is reasoned that if some of the fetuses will be terminated to preserve the well-being of the others and the mother, the ones that are terminated might as well be the ones that would, if born, face more health issues in addition to the ones inherent to all multiple births. This adds a new dimension of controversy; beyond the already controversial nature of abortion, critics charge that reduction is a form of eugenics.

The reduction procedure is generally carried out during the first trimester. The most common method is to inject a chemical solution or feticide into the fetus or fetuses selected for either genetic reasons or for ease of accessibility. Generally, the fetal material is reabsorbed into the woman's body. While the procedure generally reduces the over-all risk level for the remaining fetus or fetuses, reduction does have its own risks, including the possibility that one or more of the remaining fetuses will also die.

Selective or multifetal reduction can be a very difficult decision for those who choose to make it; in many cases it is a decision faced by couples who used fertility treatments that resulted in a multifetal pregnancy.

Law vs Lamb

Daily Bible Verse

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Just a reminder of God's Grace and Love. Law was condemning, Lamb was saving.
Which one then do you embrace? Law or Lamb?

If God Wills Disease Why Should We Try to Eradicate It?

by John Piper

This question arises from the biblical teaching that all things are ultimately under God's control. "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). "Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps" (Psalm 135:6). "He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:35). "[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).
This means that God governs all calamity and all disease. Satan is real and has a hand in it, but he is not ultimate and can do nothing but what God permits (Job 1:12-2:10). And God does not permit things willy-nilly. He permits things for a reason. There is infinite wisdom in all he does and all he permits. So what he permits is part of his plan just as much as what he does more directly.

Therefore this raises the question: If God wills disease why should we try to eradicate it? This is a crucial question for me because I have heard Christians say recently that believing in the sovereignty of God hinders Christians from working hard to eradicate diseases like malaria and tuberculosis and cancer and AIDS. They think the logic goes like this: If God sovereignly wills all things, including malaria, then we would be striving against God to invest millions of dollars to find a way to wipe it out.

That is not the logic the Bible teaches. And it is not what Calvinists have historically believed. In fact, lovers of God's sovereignty have been among the most aggressive scientists who have helped subdue creation and bring it under the dominion of man for his good-just like Psalm 8:6 says, "You have given him [He] dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet."

The logic of the Bible says: Act according to God's "will of command," not according to his "will of decree." God's "will of decree" is whatever comes to pass. "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:15). God's "will of decree" ordained that his Son be betrayed (Luke 22:22), ridiculed (Isaiah 53:3), mocked (Luke 18:32), flogged (Matthew 20:19), forsaken (Matthew 26:31), pierced (John 19:37), and killed (Mark 9:31). But the Bible teaches us plainly that we should not betray, ridicule, mock, flog, forsake, pierce, or kill innocent people. That is God's "will of command." We do not look at the death of Jesus, clearly willed by God, and conclude that killing Jesus is good and that we should join the mockers.

In the same way, we do not look at the devastation of malaria or AIDS and conclude that we should join the ranks of the indifferent. No. "Love your neighbor" is God's will of command (Matthew 22:39). "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is God's will of command (Matthew 7:12). "If your enemy is hungry, feed him" is God's will of command (Romans 12:20). The disasters that God ordains are not aimed at paralyzing his people with indifference, but mobilizing them with compassion.

When Paul taught that the creation was subjected to futility (Romans 8:20), he also taught that this subjection was "in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" (v. 21). There is no reason that Christians should not embrace this futility-lifting calling now. God will complete it in the age to come. But it is a good thing to conquer as much disease and suffering now in the name of Christ as we can.

In fact, I would wave the banner right now and call some of you to enter vocations of research that may be the means of undoing some of the great diseases of the world. This is not fighting against God. God is as much in charge of the research as he is of the disease. You can be an instrument in his hand. This may be the time appointed for the triumph that he wills to bring over the disease that he ordained. Don't try to read the mind of God from his mysterious decrees of calamity. Do what he says. And what he says is: "Do good to everyone" (Galatians 6:10).

Watch your mouth...

“ My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” (James 1:19)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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This one is very convicting. How many of us live like this? Do I? I surely would like to, but I know the truth...

He is Just

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Please never, never forget about it. Every small and big thing you do will be remembered, not to save you, but to reward you. You are saved already, and now everything you do is for the Glory of God.
And you who are not saved? What is in it for you?

A wonderful news of promise, if you believe and repent, you will also be counted among His People. It does not cost you anything to obtain Grace...
Consider the cost, though, because it will cost you everything to live it....

Or are you one of those who say: He is not fair, He does not play by our rules. Are you?
Why should He, the Almighty God, play by the rules of the fallen man? Any reason? Apart from your fierce idolatry of self? Your rules mean injustice, just use some logic. Logic is free and comes with the rules of this universe, the one created by.....God. Right, by God.

(Wait a minute - but what if you just do not believe it at all? Well, that is another blog entry, then...)

Free

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Free IN mutual love. Servants of the Highest. Slaves for the case of the Gospel. Free from this world of deception and lust. Standing in the Light, shining in the darkness.

Christians... Are we? That is what we should be, and not of our own making, but of Grace...
Sometimes it is good to examine ourselves. To look in the mirror and be true to yourselves... So that we are not ALMOST Christians. This is a 100% deal, you know, you either go in with everything, or you'd better not bother at all.

Just an evening musing...

The Calling 4

The External Call: Not Extended to All Men

by Wilhelmus à Brakel

Concerning the external call the question arises, Is this call universal; that is, does God call all men upon the face of the earth to Christ, and through Him unto salvation? The Lutherans answer in the affirmative. We maintain that this call does not come to all men. Although it does come to entire areas, nations, peoples, and languages, it does not come to all. The entire Scripture and the experience of all ages contradict this. Cain was the first to be driven away from the countenance of God, whereas the gospel remained in the genealogy of Seth. Abraham and his seed were received into the church of God and to them the oracles of God were committed, whereas God left all the heathen to walk in their own ways (Acts 14:16). “He showeth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for His judgments, they have not known them” (Psa. 147:19–20).

After Christ’s coming, this calling has also not been universal. The entire continent of America was unknown and remained unknown for at least a thousand years and was thus deprived of the gospel. The interior is still largely unknown. 66There have always been countries where the gospel has not been proclaimed. Also today, most nations upon the face of the earth are deprived of the gospel. This fact is so obvious that it cannot be refuted, and it thus remains a certainty that this calling is not universal.

Objection #1:

All men have been called in Adam and in Noah, as well as in other ancestors who have had the gospel and rejected it. For this reason God removed the candlestick from them, as is evident in Revelation 2 and 3.

Answer:

We deny that those descendants to whom the gospel has not been proclaimed can be said to have been called simply because their ancestors were called, for it is true what the prophet says, “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father” (Ezek. 18:20). Thus, the rejection of the gospel by our ancestors cannot be imputed to their descendants. We deny that all men have been called in Adam, Noah and in other ancestors, for all who are comprehended in Adam and in Noah are not comprehended in the covenant of grace, nor are they the recipients of the offer of grace. In this respect everyone must be viewed individually, none being called by the gospel but those to whom the gospel is proclaimed.

Objection #2:

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4); “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11); “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). From these texts it can be concluded that the calling is universal, and that all men are individually called.

Answer:

The word “all” frequently means “various.” Experience confirms that such is the meaning in these texts. These texts pertain to the proclamation of the gospel over the entire world, in contrast to being previously limited to the seed of Abraham. It refers to all sorts of nations without distinction, but not to every nation without exception.

Objection #3:

Scripture indicates that there have been many believers who did not live where the church was situated, such as Job, Melchizedek, Baalam, Cornelius, etc. This proves that the calling extends beyond the limits of the visible church, and thus is universal.

Answer:

From the calling of some individuals, one cannot deduce the universal calling of all. Some of these individuals lived prior to the time when Abraham’s seed was set apart. Such was true in the life of Shem and the patriarchs, when the knowledge of true religion had not been entirely removed from other generations. Others, even though they did not belong to Abraham’s seed, have lived where the church was situated, and due to such circumstances became believers and proselytes.

Objection #4:

There have been many who, though living far from the church, lived godly lives and did good works. Their knowledge was consequently sufficient unto salvation. The calling is thus universal.

Answer:

The law of nature is innate in all men. From this proceeds natural religion and thus also natural virtues. In chapter one we demonstrated that this is not sufficient unto salvation. This natural knowledge, religion, and virtuousness differ in their essential nature from the true knowledge of God in Christ, and from true religion and virtuousness, so that the one does not necessarily follow the other. From all this it is certain that the calling is not universal.

The Sovereignty of God and Prayer

by
John Piper

I am often asked, "If you believe God works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11) and that his knowledge of all things past, present, and future is infallible, then what is the point of praying that anything happen?" Usually this question is asked in relation to human decision: "If God has predestined some to be his sons and chosen them before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4,5), then what's the point in praying for anyone's conversion?"

The implicit argument here is that if prayer is to be possible at all man must have the power of self-determination. That is, all man's decisions must ultimately belong to himself, not God. For otherwise he is determined by God and all his decisions are really fixed in God's eternal counsel. Let's examine the reasonableness of this argument by reflecting on the example cited above.

1. "Why pray for anyone's conversion if God has chosen before the foundation of the world who will be his sons?" A person in need of conversion is "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1); he is "enslaved to sin" (Romans 6:17; John 8:34); "the god of this world has blinded his mind that he might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (II Corinthians. 4:4); his heart is hardened against God (Ephesians 4:18) so that he is hostile to God and in rebellion against God's will (Romans 8:7).

Now I would like to turn the question back to my questioner: If you insist that this man must have the power of ultimate self-determination, what is the point of praying for him? What do you want God to do for Him? You can't ask that God overcome the man's rebellion, for rebellion is precisely what the man is now choosing, so that would mean God overcame his choice and took away his power of self-determination. But how can God save this man unless he act so as to change the man's heart from hard hostility to tender trust?

Will you pray that God enlighten his mind so that he truly see the beauty of Christ and believe? If you pray this, you are in effect asking God no longer to leave the determination of the man's will in his own power. You are asking God to do something within the man's mind (or heart) so that he will surely see and believe. That is, you are conceding that the ultimate determination of the man's decision to trust Christ is God's, not merely his.

What I am saying is that it is not the doctrine of God's sovereignty which thwarts prayer for the conversion of sinners. On the contrary, it is the unbiblical notion of self-determination which would consistently put an end to all prayers for the lost. Prayer is a request that God do something. But the only thing God can do to save a lost sinner is to overcome his resistance to God. If you insist that he retain his self-determination, then you are insisting that he remain without Christ. For "no one can come to Christ unless it is given him from the Father" (John 6:65,44).

Only the person who rejects human self-determination can consistently pray for God to save the lost. My prayer for unbelievers is that God will do for them what He did for Lydia: He opened her heart so that she gave heed to what Paul said (Acts 16:14). I will pray that God, who once said, "Let there be light!", will by that same creative power "shine in their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6). I will pray that He will "take out their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). I will pray that they be born not of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God (John 1:13). And with all my praying I will try to "be kind and to teach and correct with gentleness and patience, if perhaps God may grant them repentance and freedom from Satan's snare" (II Timothy 2:24-26).

In short, I do not ask God to sit back and wait for my neighbor to decide to change. I do not suggest to God that He keep his distance lest his beauty become irresistible and violate my neighbor's power of self-determination. No! I pray that he ravish my unbelieving neighbor with his beauty, that he unshackle the enslaved will, that he make the dead alive and that he suffer no resistance to stop him lest my neighbor perish.

2. If someone now says, "O.K., granted that a person's conversion is ultimately determined by God' I still don't see the point of your prayer. If God chose before the foundation of the world who would be converted, what function does your prayer have?" My answer is that it has a function like that of preaching: How shall the lost believe in whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall they preach unless they are sent (Romans 10:14f.)? Belief in Christ is a gift of God (John 6:65; II Timothy 2:25; Ephesians 2:8), but God has ordained that the means by which men believe on Jesus is through the preaching of men. It is simply naive to say that if no one spread the gospel all those predestined to be sons of God (Ephesians 1:5) would be converted anyway. The reason this is naive is because it overlooks the fact that the preaching of the gospel is just as predestined as is the believing of the gospel: Paul was set apart for his preaching ministry before he was born (Galatians 1:15), as was Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5). Therefore, to ask, "If we don't evangelize, will the elect be saved?" is like asking, "If there is no predestination, will the predestined be saved?" God knows those who are his and he will raise up messengers to win them. If someone refuses to be a part of that plan, because he dislikes the idea of being tampered with before he was born, then he will be the loser, not God and not the elect. "You will certainly carry out God's purpose however you act but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John." (Problem of Pain chapter 7, Anthology, p 910, cf. p 80)

Prayer is like preaching in that it is a human act also. It is a human act that God has ordained and which he delights in because it reflects the dependence of his creatures upon Him. He has promised to respond to prayer, and his response is just as contingent upon our prayer as our prayer is in accordance with his will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (I John 5:14). When we don't know how to pray according to God's will but desire it earnestly, "the Spirit of God intercedes for us according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).

In other words, just as God will see to it that His Word is proclaimed as a means to saving the elect, so He will see to it that all those prayers are prayed which He has promised to respond to. I think Paul's words in Romans 15:18 would apply equally well to his preaching and his praying ministry: "I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles." Even our prayers are a gift from the one who "works in us that which is pleasing in his sight" (Hebrews 13:21). Oh, how grateful we should be that He has chosen us to be employed in this high service! How eager we should be to spend much time in prayer!

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700

Unity

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

“ I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)


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In agreement with the Gospel. The same Paul wrote:

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
(2Co 11:4)

This was a rebuke. A warning. A very precise observation of an error.
Unity for unity's sake? An argument so often used by the opponents of Protestantism, who gladly point to the vast number of denominations. But it is not really an issue, since all serious denominations agree on the essentials - on the 5 Solas of the Reformation. And this question: is Rome united doctrinally? When examined more closely, this facade crumbles and peels off easily, revealing a multitude of opinions, sacramental issues, personal allegiances, financial dependencies, historic conditions, cultural backgrounds, pagan influences.
Not a unity in biblical sense to me...

Children adopted from an orphanage

Something I read in a Christian magazine. I do not have the date of the event, nor more details, so if anybody knows more, you are welcome to leave the information in the meta.

In Omsk, Russia, an orphanage that was in contact with the local Baptist congregation, was about to be closed. The families from the congregation adopted then all 40 children, children who would otherwise get dispersed to various orphanages elsewhere.


It is a beautiful story. John Piper has a great message on Adoption - the Heart of the Gospel.

The Calling 3

The Distinction Between External and Internal Call

by Wilhelmus à Brakel

Concerning this calling a distinction is made between an external and an internal call. They both proceed from God, occur by means of this Word, pertain to the same matters, and are presented equally to all. Both calls are addressed to human beings who by nature are the same. They are, however, distinguishable. The one functions externally only by means of the Word, to which also the Holy Spirit does join Himself in His common operation, resulting in common illumination and historical faith. The other, however, penetrates the very heart of man, powerfully illuminating it with wondrous light, revealing spiritual mysteries to man in their essential form, and powerfully inclines the will to embrace those mysteries in Christ, and to the obedience of faith.

There is an infinite difference between the corrupt intellect of man—that is, the Arminians and other proponents of free will—and the Holy Scriptures. The question is: Does the obtaining of salvation proceed from man? Is he the only and essential cause of his salvation, or is God the only essential cause and can man, being absolutely incapable, do nothing to obtain salvation? The Arminians will readily admit that God has prepared and accomplished salvation and that God has given and revealed Christ the Mediator. However, they attribute this acceptance and entering in upon that way to the good will and power of man. This could be likened to what transpires on a race track. The government has put the prize on display and has prepared the track. The acquisition of the prize, however, is contingent upon the runners themselves.

In order to protect the idol of man’s own ability and of his good will as being the cause of his own salvation, the Arminians would prefer to do away with the distinction between the external and internal call, between the non-effectual and the effectual call. They would view them as being the same, and thus recognize only one calling. The effect would then not be due to the efficacious operation of God working more in one person than in another. Instead, it would be related to the outcome; namely, that the one person obeys the call by his free will (which enables him either to respond or to reject this call) and thus be saved. Another person will despise and reject this call by the same neutral free will. Scripture, however, rebukes and refutes such foolish thoughts and demonstrates first of all that the calling is effectual unto salvation as a result of God’s purpose, “...who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28); “for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:29). The actual exercise of faith in those who are called proceeds from this purpose. “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

Scripture conveys in the second place that there is no distinction in man himself, but that this distinction originates with God. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor. 4:7). Man, however, by attributing the cause of one having more faith than another to his goodness and power, would create such a distinction. There is thus a calling which is of an effectual nature and penetrates the inner man—his intellect, will, and inclinations, changing and sanctifying them. This is the internal call. There is a calling by means of the Word of God which is not accompanied by God’s effectual operation (which generates faith and love), but which comes to the external ear only. It leaves man in his natural state, who, in his wickedness, rejects this external call. He despises this call due to his free will which wills by way of necessary consequence. This is true of most who are called (Matt. 22:5, 14). We shall discuss both calls individually, considering the external call first.

We're just normal people

Yes, we are.
What a strange introduction, right? Not really, because it has to do with presuppositions and false images people have about one another. We all assume things, and in places where our understanding is lacking, we tend to fill in the gaps with our ignorance.

So what does an unbeliever really know about a Christian? He knows that the man (or woman) has got faith in God, he knows that they visit a place of worship, and that they follow certain rules of conduct. Furthermore, they reject certain things that an unbeliever cherishes, and for him these are essential, maybe, so he cannot comprehend how Christians can do without them gladly. And since the unbeliever considers his worldview as normal and natural, anything that is in a collision, material or logical, with this worldview, is strange and irrational.

And the gap comes into existence. Huge gap.

I do not intend to nullify this gap, because in my worldview God is the only One able to do that, but I want to say to the unbelievers that we are just normal people - and then some ;)

We live our lives as you do, we breathe the same air and drink the same water, we work at the same workplaces as you do, and we pay our taxes dutifully. There is difference, though, but if I were you, I would embrace it, instead of being afraid of it.

We love you.
We care what is going to happen to you.
We have the sure information what is going to happen to you unless you believe in the Only God.
We have the message of your salvation.
We want to tell you about it.
We need to tell you about it.
There is NOTHING more important to tell anybody than this Gospel about our Lord Jesus who saves sinners.

Next time you see one of us, somewhere, preaching in the street, handing out tracts, talking to you on a bus or train - try to listen, please. You see, God does not put you near one of us without a reason. Listen to the Gospel and may God open your heart to His Truth.

Neverending

“ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Every time I think I understand, know and feel, this verse comes to me convicting and correcting me, putting me back into my disciple chair, and humbling.

One cannot learn God. One cannot grasp Him, comprehend Him, and be set at peace with this knowledge. It is the constant walk into the Light of the World, into the Greatness and Holiness of Our Creator and Saviour. My present earthly brain is so terribly limited, that sometimes it makes me cry in despair...

My own personal devotion for this weekend - to see and understand more of This Majesty, to be one tiny inch closer to this Eternal Spirit, who does not neglect even the least significant items of His creation...

Go and listen to "Wonderful Counselor" by Campi.

The Calling 2

The Distinction Between Law and Gospel

by Wilhelmus à Brakel

Law and gospel are frequently placed in contradistinction to each other. If in such a contradistinction the reference is to the ceremonial law, its purpose is to refer to Christ’s coming in the flesh, whose coming was typified by the ceremonies. The gospel of fulfillment, however, declares that Christ has come. In the matter itself there can be no contradistinction, since the gospel is comprehended in the ceremonies and proclaimed by them.

However, there is an essential difference between the moral law and the gospel. The law has first of all been given by God the Lord as the sovereign, majestic, and sole Lawgiver, and is pertinent to all mankind. The gospel, however, is the manifestation of God as being “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exo. 34:6), and does not pertain to all, but only to some. Secondly, the law can partially be known by nature (Rom. 2:15), but the gospel can only be known by revelation (Eph. 3:5). Thirdly, the law is a condition of the covenant of works which promised salvation upon the perfect keeping of the law and knows of no forgiveness (cf. Rom. 10:5; Matt. 19:17). The gospel, however, is a declaration of the covenant of grace, promising believers forgiveness and salvation by Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:8–9). Fourthly, the law begets the knowledge of sin in the sinner (Rom. 3:20), confronts him with wrath (Rom. 4:15), and thus brings forth fear and trembling (Isa. 33:14). The gospel, however, is the precious administration of the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). This gospel is the means whereby God calls men unto salvation.

God could immediately and nonverbally reveal Christ to man, bring him to Christ, cause him to believe in Him, and thus lead him to salvation. It has pleased the Lord, however, in order that His manifold wisdom be revealed and His other attributes be glorified, to make man a partaker of this salvation by means of the word of the gospel, leading rational man in a rational way. The use of this means is referred to as calling, since all men are going astray on a way which is not good and which leads to destruction. God calls out to men who are going astray that the way upon which they are traversing will make them eternally miserable, and invites them to come to Christ as the only way unto salvation.

What is the Unpardonable Sin?

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

(Mat 12:22-32)

I have seen many discussions on that particular theological dilemma. What is this sin that Jesus is talking about so strongly, and can a Christian rest peaceful, or must we fear this horror? I guess there are two camps on this, one of them being the Arminian camp, believing in losing of salvation, and hence viewing this sin as reality possible and existing if they fault at will.
I do not opt for that camp. If what Paul says in Romans:

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(Rom 8:27-31)

is true, there is no way that a God's Elect can commit this sin. So let me share with you what Dr. Charles Stanley has to say on the subject:

No one today can commit the unpardonable sin. According to the Bible, the only action God will not pardon is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, committed by the Pharisees. The Jewish religious leaders were shown compelling evidence that Jesus was God’s Son. But they chose to undermine Him in hopes of maintaining their own power. After witnessing Christ’s miracles, the Pharisees blasphemed by claiming His supernatural power was from Satan. In Matthew 12:22-32, Jesus responds to their sin by warning that whoever spoke this way against the Holy Spirit wouldn’t be forgiven.

People today don’t have the undeniable physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world. So they can’t recreate the Pharisees’ sinful event. But it’s still possible to end up in an unpardonable state. This happens when a person rejects the Holy Spirit’s call to salvation and holy living, and then dies in a condition of unbelief.

The stages leading to an unpardonable state are simple. An unbeliever chooses to sin, even though he knows it’s wrong. He resists the Holy Spirit’s gentle prompts toward conviction and salvation. Over many years, this hardens his heart against God. A time comes when the Holy Spirit makes no impression. Any desire for the Lord has dried up. No sermon or song can move him. His heart is hardened to the Gospel.

No sin can separate you from God’s love. Only a conscious decision to reject the Lord can result in your spending an eternity apart from Him. Don’t wait another minute to receive His offer of salvation.

by Dr. Charles Stanley

Wonderful

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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It really is difficult to chose one favorite verse in the Bible, and I certainly am not going to do it. But this one is simply beautiful, one of thousands beautiful verses, telling the story of a creation of every each and one of us. It tells us WHO created whom, and where, and how. It also tells us WHO we need to praise for this and why we praise Him, and finally, it reveals to us that we know all that.

In the light of what is going on in the world, where people take the lives of the unborn children in their own hands and dare to decide who is going to live and who is going to die, these words sound very profound and convicting. Let us not allow the unbelievers to decide upon life and death of God's creation. We have to defend it to every cost. Every human life is holy, and belongs to God. To Him be the Glory and Worship.

The Calling 1

God’s Declaration of the Gospel to Sinners
by Wilhelmus à Brakel

The calling is a gracious work of God, whereby He invites the sinner by means of the gospel to exchange the state of sin and wrath for Christ, in order that through Him he may be reconciled to God and obtain godliness and salvation. By means of this calling He also, by the Holy Spirit, efficaciously translates His elect into this state.

The calling is a gracious work of God: “And (the king) sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:3, 14); “...Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3); “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9).

God calls neither by the law of nature nor by the works of nature, whereby, in doing good, He nevertheless does not leave Himself without witness to the heathen (Acts 14:17). “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him” (Acts 17:27). For in all this Christ is neither proclaimed to them nor are they exhorted to believe in Him. The heathen are subject to the covenant of works, and whatever God does in and toward them has reference to that covenant. They are thus obligated to live according to this rule, “Do this and thou shalt live.” Therefore neither the law of nature, nor God’s works belong to the calling; the heathen are not called.

This call also does not occur by way of the moral law of Scripture. The moral law must be viewed in a twofold sense: It must be viewed either in its demands, whereby it reveals the perfect conditions of the covenant of works, or in its purpose, as having been given to the church as a rule of life and as the standard for true holiness. In its first sense the law is preached to convict man of sin (Rom. 3:20), thus bringing man to despair of being saved by his works. Here the function of the law ends. If, however, Christ is simultaneously preached by means of the gospel, man, being rejected by the law, is allured by the gospel. Thus, wherever Christ is preached, the law functions as a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal. 3:24). The law, however, neither teaches about Christ nor calls to Him, and thus the moral law is not a functional element of the calling. This is different as far as the ceremonial law is concerned, which belongs to the gospel.

The true means whereby we are called, however, is the gospel. “Whereunto He called you by our gospel” (2 Th. 2:14). The word “gospel” means a good tiding, the content of which is as follows: “Poor man, you are subject to sin and to the wrath of God. You are traversing upon the way which will end in eternal perdition. God, however, has sent His Son Jesus Christ to be a Surety; in His suffering and death there is the perfect satisfaction of the justice of God, and thus acquittal from guilt and punishment. In His obedience to the law there is perfect holiness, so that He can completely save all who go unto God through Him. Christ offers you all His merits, and therefore eternal salvation.” He calls and invites everyone: “Turn unto Me and be saved, receive Me, surrender to Me, enter into a covenant with Me and you will not perish but have everlasting life.” This declaration is recorded in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. The first gospel declaration is found in Genesis 3:15, where we read that the Seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent. Since then, God has frequently and in various ways caused the gospel to be proclaimed (Heb. 1:1). “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them” (Heb. 4:2). Prior to the coming of Christ it was called the gospel of promises. “...separated unto the gospel of God, (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures)” (Rom. 1:1–2). Subsequent to Christ’s coming it is called the gospel of fulfillment. “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:14–15).

Wife and Mother

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” (Proverbs 31:10, 27-28)

(Read by Max McLean. Provided by Zondervan.)

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Will of man, Will of God - and Legalism

First I intended to write down what John Piper said while commenting on Desiring God Radio. But then I went over to Kim's and found a post on legalism, which gave me an idea to actually combine Piper's commentary with my own conclusions. Transcript first.


When God wants something to happen in my life, He doesn't say: 'your choices don't matter'; He says: 'I will now influence your choices'.

Question: John, some people's response to God's sovereignty in Romans 9 is *fatalism*. If God's going to do what God's going to do, our choices mean nothing, so we can just go about our business, and if God's going to get our attention, He'll do so. Where do you find fault in that thinking?

John Piper: God doesn't exercise His sovereignty around human will, but through human will. If God wills that a nail go through this 2x4 into another 2x4, and hold this wall in place, He wills that you hit it with a hammer. He doesn't say: 'Nail, enter!', and it just kind of sinks. Rather, He says in His sovereign providence, 'Carpenter, bang the nail!.' And the nail goes in, and God's will is accomplished.
So, take prayer, or evangelism as corresponding to the hammer and the carpenter. Does God will that my children come to faith? I hope He does. But He won't will it around my will or their will. He influences me, in His sovereignty, to teach my children the Word of God. He influences me in His sovereignty to pray for my children. He influences them to read their Bible and to comply with my requirement that they go to church. And in bringing about His total sovereign control over the outcomes of our lives, He doesn't do it in spite of what we're thinking or in spite of what we're willing - He does it through what we're thinking and what we're willing - He influences what we think and what we will; so we're folded in into a drama.
It's not a fatalism that says, 'Oh, our thinking and our choosing doesn't matter', as though God has some track He can run along while our thinking and our willing are off to the side. Rather, the track runs right through my will and right through my thinking, and He inclines my heart.
When God wants something to happen in my life, He doesn't say, 'your choices don't matter.' He says, 'I will now influence your choices.' And so, we pray.
I mean, the psalmists model for us how to pray: 'Incline my heart to Your Testimonies.'
What does that mean? It means: 'I'm not right now inclining or desiring, or choosing Your Testimonies!', and so he cries out, 'God, exercise Your sovereign influence over my will and make me want to read the Bible!' and so God doesn't fatalistically do a run around my will, He rather works in and under my will, so that I am freely, freely choosing to do what He wants me to do.

Now what I think legalism is or is not, according to the above, is this: it is impossible to do Father's will this way and sidetrack to the legalistic path. As long as you follow this underlying will of God, the one that influences your own willing and thinking, you follow the commandment of love. The problem starts when you rebel against this gift of influence and try to take your own track, when there is a battle of wills in you, and when you no longer work out of will, but out of duty and in spiritual solitude - when you yourself separate your will from the will of God.

I do not know if this makes sense, but it certainly made sense when I was thinking about it. Kim, what do you think?

Seven Things Tagging :)... Or Eight

Even So tagged me... And then Mary!
I do not consider myself a very exciting person, but who knows?
To make it more appropriate, I just may start by saying:

1. Ti's my birthday today!!! - 'cause it really is my birthday, May 11th 19.., well, sufficient to say, long ago and far away.

2. Something more substantial? OK. I speak three languages fluently, Polish, English and Swedish, and some other ones not so fluently. Linguistics has been a passion of my life, and I was given the opportunity to use it in practice, both privately and professionally.

3. I can dance like they do in "Swan Lake" - 9 years of ballet school left some traces :).

4. On the shocking side - both my mom and I used the possibility of divorce when we found out that marriage was not so safe anymore (not this one I am in now).

5. When everybody else sits back and enjoys the pleasures of half-grown kids, I started having my own. I was over 36 when the first one came ;), and the second one came exactly 5 years later. They are fun!

6. I have absolutely no interest in plants/flowers/gardening, but much interest in books and some weird computer programs...

7. 2 years ago I lost over 16 kilograms off of my weight, by exercise and diet, during a period of 10 months.

8. I was saved by God's Grace in June 2006 - and consider it the most important moment of my life.

Now I am not sure about 8 people to tag... But I want to tag Donna, Mike, Mil and Chris... I forgot to add the important thing: the folks tagged here are supposed to write a post about 7 or 8 random things about themselves, and then tag some other folks...

Evil is real

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
--Genesis 3:1

From the beginning of time we find Satan actively at work doing what he does best…deceiving and destroy. Make no mistake, Satan is real and he’s out to destroy you and your faith. In fact, Satan is the ultimate terrorist…the terrorist of your soul!

I find it fascinating that many people blame God when tragedies occur. They say, “Why would God allow this to happen to us,” or “Where was God when this happened? Doesn’t He care?” But these questions omit the fact that Satan and his evil work are real. And that he is still active today deceiving and destroying.

Evil is real, and Satan is the author of every bit of it. That’s why he shows up when he sees an opportunity to trip you up. Have you ever noticed that many temptations seem to just come out of nowhere? Everything is going well, and suddenly you’re faced with an incredibly tough temptation to sin.

That’s because Satan is an opportunist. He knows your strengths and weaknesses, and knows exactly where to hit you…and the kind of evil suggestions that will tempt you most.

So be careful not to blame God for your struggles, because they come from our adversary, the devil. Instead of blaming God for the temptation, you need to turn to Him for the strength to resist the devil.

Our world wants to blame God for evil???but we know who is really to blame. Your calling as a believer is to stand in Christ’s strength against the devil’s temptations and not allow him the victory in your life today.


SATAN KNOWS YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. DO YOU?

by Jack Graham

Children 'bad for planet'

There is something "fishy" about this Global Warming Hysteria, for sure. The other day I posted a video about it, and today I found this strange article:

Children 'bad for planet'.
It starts by stating this:

HAVING large families should be frowned upon as an environmental misdemeanour in the same way as frequent long-haul flights, driving a big car and failing to reuse plastic bags, says a report to be published today by a green think tank.

Now wait a minute! What does it really say? And who says it?

Optimum Population Trust. This is how they describe themselves:

OPT research covers population in relation to climate change, energy, resources, biodiversity, development impacts, ageing and employment and other environmental and economic issues. It campaigns for stabilisation and gradual population decrease globally and in the UK.

Do you start seeing the pattern here? Like ProChoice puzzled together with Global Warming puzzled together with Hate Crimes?
No wonder the supporters of abortions are so loud - they get good support of the environment crowd, and the underlying results of gay movement are pointing towards the decrease of population, right? Who needs people to stop reproducing themselves? Is it so hard to figure out?
Coming back to basics, to Eden, to Enemy... And a good lie is a kind and humanistic lie at that - you will harm the planet if you have more children! They breathe, you know, and it is dangerous!
We are not far from eugenics, folks. We are not far from total mind and body control in the name of the planet.
God have mercy on us. MARANATHA!

John Piper on Resurrection

On the death of Christ:

• The Greatest Event in History: Two Paradoxes in the Death of Christ
• The Pleasure of God in Bruising the Son
• For Whom Did Jesus Taste Death?
• He Made Purification of Sins
• God Did Not Spare His Own Son

On the resurrection of Christ:

• The Gladness of the Risen God
• But Christ Has Been Raised, You Are Not in Your Sins
• Jesus is Alive to Serve
• Eight Reasons Why I Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead
• Six Gifts of the Resurrection

On the resurrection of believers:

• Glorification: Conformed to Christ for the Supremacy of Christ
• We Shall be Like Him
• What Happens When You Die? The Dead Will be Raised Imperishable
• How God's Word Produces Our Work: The Mighty "Therefore" of 1 Corinthians 15:58

See also the sermon occassions "Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday," and the topics "Jesus Christ," "the Death of Christ," "the Resurrection of Christ," and "Glorification."

Accelerating

Accelerating world.

Just some random thoughts...

My grandparents, when they were buying something new, believed that this thing would serve for many years ahead. And it did. Be it shoes, clothes, some hardware.
I am lucky if what I buy stays with me for one season... We are tricked into consumerism. Think about the photo cameras, the old type, before the whole digital hip. You could own one for generations! Now? Two years at most, and it gets outdated, useless, the battery dies. The same about computers. I was pretty happy with my IBM until I visited the computer store the other day. I really had to brace myself in order not to take my credit card and buy a new shiny machine.

Biblically, it is explainable, signum tempori (I hope I got it right). We work all the time and get nothing for it, because the things we buy get worthless so soon that we are still paying for them while they are long gone.
Unbelievable, and it is only getting worse...
I am worried for my children's sake.

Why the Cross?

by Greg Laurie

"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem," Luke 9:51

Why did Jesus have to die? Why the cross? Why couldn't God just say, "Look, I know you have sinned against Me. It's okay. Never mind. You are all forgiven." The answer is that it doesn't work with His nature and character. God is just. And the justice of God requires that our sins be paid. He could not accept us into fellowship with himself unless the penalty was paid.

You see, the cross demonstrates the justice of God. At the cross of Calvary, the love and the justice of God met. Jesus had to go to the cross because humanity is sinful, and there was no other way to bridge the gap between a just and holy God and sinful humanity. The cross was His goal, and it was His destination from the very beginning. He spoke of it frequently.

So don't think the cross was a mistake. Don't think that Jesus didn't know it was coming. Jesus, being God, had complete foreknowledge. He was braced for the cross. He knew the cruel and horrendous pain that awaited Him. In fact, Scripture tells us, "He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem". He would let nothing or no one deter Him from His course.

God said, "My righteous requirements must be met. But I love humanity. And there is no way they can do it on their own. So I must assist them. I must help them." So He sent His only begotten Son to bridge the gap. Jesus came to this earth to purchase back what had been forfeited in the Garden of Eden.

Prosperity Preaching: Deceitful and Deadly

Prosperity Preaching: Deceitful and Deadly

by John Piper

When I read about prosperity-preaching churches, my response is: “If I were not on the inside of Christianity, I wouldn’t want in.” In other words, if this is the message of Jesus, no thank you.

Luring people to Christ to get rich is both deceitful and deadly. It’s deceitful because when Jesus himself called us, he said things like: “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). And it’s deadly because the desire to be rich plunges “people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9). So here is my plea to preachers of the gospel.

1. Don’t develop a philosophy of ministry that makes it harder for people to get into heaven.

Jesus said, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” His disciples were astonished, as many in the “prosperity” movement should be. So Jesus went on to raise their astonishment even higher by saying, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” They respond in disbelief: “Then who can be saved?” Jesus says, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:23-27).

My question for prosperity preachers is: Why would you want to develop a ministry focus that makes it harder for people to enter heaven?

2. Do not develop a philosophy of ministry that kindles suicidal desires in people.

Paul said, “There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” But then he warned against the desire to be rich. And by implication, he warned against preachers who stir up the desire to be rich instead of helping people get rid of it. He warned, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

So my question for prosperity preachers is: Why would you want to develop a ministry that encourages people to pierce themselves with many pangs and plunge themselves into ruin and destruction?

3. Do not develop a philosophy of ministry that encourages vulnerability to moth and rust.

Jesus warns against the effort to lay up treasures on earth. That is, he tells us to be givers, not keepers. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

Yes, we all keep something. But given the built-in tendency toward greed in all of us, why would we take the focus off Jesus and turn it upside down?

4. Don’t develop a philosophy of ministry that makes hard work a means of amassing wealth.

Paul said we should not steal. The alternative was hard work with our own hands. But the main purpose was not merely to hoard or even to have. The purpose was “to have to give.” “Let him labor, working with his hands, that he may have to give to him who is in need” (Ephesians 4:28). This is not a justification for being rich in order to give more. It is a call to make more and keep less so you can give more. There is no reason why a person who makes $200,000 should live any differently from the way a person who makes $80,000 lives. Find a wartime lifestyle; cap your expenditures; then give the rest away.

Why would you want to encourage people to think that they should possess wealth in order to be a lavish giver? Why not encourage them to keep their lives more simple and be an even more lavish giver? Would that not add to their generosity a strong testimony that Christ, and not possessions, is their treasure?

5. Don’t develop a philosophy of ministry that promotes less faith in the promises of God to be for us what money can’t be.

The reason the writer to the Hebrews tells us to be content with what we have is that the opposite implies less faith in the promises of God. He says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

If the Bible tells us that being content with what we have honors the promise of God never to forsake us, why would we want to teach people to want to be rich?

6. Don’t develop a philosophy of ministry that contributes to your people being choked to death.

Jesus warns that the word of God, which is meant to give us life, can be choked off from any effectiveness by riches. He says it is like a seed that grows up among thorns that choke it to death: “They are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the . . . riches . . . of life, and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14).

Why would we want to encourage people to pursue the very thing that Jesus warns will choke us to death?

7. Don’t develop a philosophy of ministry that takes the seasoning out of the salt and puts the light under a basket.

What is it about Christians that makes them the salt of the earth and the light of the world? It is not wealth. The desire for wealth and the pursuit of wealth tastes and looks just like the world. It does not offer the world anything different from what it already believes in. The great tragedy of prosperity-preaching is that a person does not have to be spiritually awakened in order to embrace it; one needs only to be greedy. Getting rich in the name of Jesus is not the salt of the earth or the light of the world. In this, the world simply sees a reflection of itself. And if it works, they will buy it.

The context of Jesus’ saying shows us what the salt and light are. They are the joyful willingness to suffering for Christ. Here is what Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:11-14).

What will make the world taste (the salt) and see (the light) of Christ in us is not that we love wealth the same way they do. Rather, it will be the willingness and the ability of Christians to love others through suffering, all the while rejoicing because their reward is in heaven with Jesus. This is inexplicable on human terms. This is supernatural. But to attract people with promises of prosperity is simply natural. It is not the message of Jesus. It is not what he died to achieve.

© Desiring God

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.

Pastor John