“Twas I that shed the sacred blood;
I nailed him to the tree;
I crucified the Christ of God;
I joined the mockery.”
Fri 26 Mar 2010
Learning Contentment, pt.2
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Lloyd-Jones:
“(4) God’s will and God’s ways are a great mystery, but I know that whatever he wills or permits is of necessity for my good; and (5) Every situation in life is the unfolding of some manifestation of God’s love and goodness. Therefore my business is to look for this peculiar manifestation of God’s goodness and kindness and to be prepared for surprises and blessings because ‘his ways are not my ways, neither his thoughts my thoughts.’”
We can be content in Christ because “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” (Rom.8:28-29).
Thu 25 Mar 2010
Learning Contentment
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“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13).
Martin Lloyd-Jones on Paul’s logic:
“He said to himself–
(1) Conditions are always changing, therefore I must obviously not be dependent upon conditions; (2) What matters supremely and vitally is my soul and my relationship to God–that is the first thing; (3) God is concerned about me as my Father, and nothing happens to me apart from God. Even the very hairs of my head are all numbered. I must never forget that.”
Sat 20 Mar 2010
What can the sinner expect?
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“What can the sinner expect if the Beloved Son was so afflicted?” Martin Luther
Fri 19 Mar 2010
What is your hope set upon?
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“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Pe.1:13). The future is uncertain, so what have we to hope in? Hoping in things that aren’t eternal is really no hope at all, for such things are merely temporary. But the return–”or revelation”–of Christ is sure. When he returns, he’ll show grace to his children for all eternity. Peter says to fix our hope upon this. When we do, it will prepare our minds for action here and sober up our foggy thinking for “the thoughts of eternity are mighty prevailing thoughts, they are over-awing thoughts, soul-humbling thoughts that would ballast our hearts” (Jeremiah Burroughs). The best way to be effective in this life is to “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Wed 17 Mar 2010
Were You There?
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“‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’…we must answer, ‘Yes, we were there.’ Not as spectators only but as participants, guilty participants…Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” John Stott, The Cross of Christ
Tue 16 Mar 2010
The Righteous Judge is Coming
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2 Timothy 4:1, 8
“I charge you…preach the Word!” There is good reason to believe charges like this were used in Roman courts and legal documents. A typical summons might have begun: “The case will be drawn up against you in the court of Hierapolis, in the presence of the honorable judge Festus, chief magistrate.” A pastor’s work is done not only under Christ’s watchful eye, but is also subject to his judgment on that Day. These two verses serve as bookends to Paul’s charge. His point: complete your ministry because the Judge is coming. When will he come? “on that Day” What will he do? “judge the living and the dead…and award the crown of righteousness” to “all who have loved his appearing.” As Timothy discharges his pastoral duties, he does so in the sight of the Judge. His life and ministry are on display before Christ.
