I woke up and went into my dad’s room (My parents had moved in with me after hurricane Katrina damaged the city in which they had lived.) He looked worse than normal that day. He was shaking and he said to me, without opening his eyes, “Don’t use the tanks marked ‘MT’ it means they’re empty.” What he was thinking of when he said that I could only speculate but in some strangely comical way it seemed logical. His kidneys were at nearly zero function, he had been speaking erratically, and vomiting profusely for weeks. The hospice nurse said it would be like this and that it was only a matter of time now. But I had faith and if I TRULY believed than the Holy Spirit would heal him. So, I went to work….that will be a true profession of faith! I believe he’ll be ok so much that I will go about my day! Two hours later I got the phone call that he was dead. Gone. He was really gone. I wasn’t there to hold his hand. I wasn’t there to wipe his brow. I wasn’t there to consol my mother when the moment came. I was gone…..in more ways than I can put into words.
Andrew Wommack spoke at a child’s funeral years ago and to paraphrase him he said, “God is not willing for anyone to die and this child is dead because of a lack of faith.” He has written a book entitled, “Self centeredness the root of all grief.” In which grief itself is seen as a selfish act of a lack of faith. You may think both these instances harsh, but let’s not be too hard on Mr. Wommack because this is the natural conclusion of a world-view in which a sovereign God does not rein. If man is in control of reality through his faith than all “bad things” that happen to a believer must be the fault of the believer. After all the unspoken mantra of the health wealther is, “My will be done.” with the guise of “Thy will be done.” Again, the problem with all of this is that everything is centered on man and not God. Everything must be filtered through our finite understanding. So, in the eyes of the health-wealther our only comfort must be in our own ability to control our lives through the strength of our faith. But what true comfort is there in our own ability to wield the power of God when we must filter it through our finite-still-struggling-with-sin minds and wills?
We live in a sad fallen world. But if God really has “the whole world in his hands” as the child’s song goes than is not our suffering also in those hands? Remember what we said last time, that what God wants is for us to be made into the image of His son. How could dying to flesh not be painful and conforming to Christ not include submission to His will when we are born into this world in lust and love for our sin? Maybe this is why sanctification is a process instead of in an instant because we couldn’t take it all at once. Even this, is an act of our Sovereign’s love. You see what I did not say at the intro of this post about my dad is that, though he professed faith, he had major struggles with sin (like us all). But when his body began to fail him and his prospect on what to do with his time (as well as the time itself) narrowed, he really started to stop and spend time with his Father that Art in Heaven. I watched him grow more spiritually in those final months than I saw in my lifetime living with him and in effect my family and I grew. Even the sovereign fact that I chose (my responsibility of course) to go to my insignificant job instead of staying with my family is used as a testimony and helped me in my walk with my Father God. I’m not saying that suffering is the only means we grow in Christ, but I am saying that there is no room for this type of sanctification in a health-wealth doctrine. Its center is man and his wants instead of God and His sovereign living hand on us.
Kevin DeYoung in his book The Good News We Almost Forgot said, “Trust, therefore does not mean hoping for the absence of pain but believing in the purpose of pain.” This is true faith: a total trust in God not what I can get from him. I will end this post with the very first question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q - What is your only comfort in Life?
A- That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen and glory be to God for that fact, because I assure you if it were not so, we would most defiantly ruin it…
Showing posts with label christian suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian suffering. Show all posts
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, June 19, 2010
How do the afflictions of the godly differ from the afflictions of the wicked?
(1) They are but castigations, but those on the wicked are punishments. The one come from a father, the other from a judge.
(2) Afflictions on the godly are fruits of covenant-mercy. 2 Sam 7: 14. Afflictions on the wicked are effects of God’s wrath. ‘He has much wrath with his sickness.’ Eccl 5: 17. Afflictions on the wicked are the pledge and earnest of hell; they are like the pinioning of a malefactor, which presages his execution.
(3) Afflictions on the godly make them better, but afflictions on the wicked make them worse. The godly pray more; Psa 130: 1: The wicked blaspheme more. ‘Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God.’ Rev 16: 9. Afflictions on the wicked make them more impenitent; every plague upon Egypt increased the plague of hardness in Pharaoh’s heart. To what a prodigy of wickedness do some persons come after great sickness. Affliction on the godly is like bruising spices, which are most sweet and fragrant: affliction on the wicked is like pounding weeds with a pestle, which makes them more unsavoury.
Affliction is not always the sign of God’s anger. Israel, the apple of God’s eye, a peculiar treasure to him above all people, were in the house of bondage. Exod 19: 5. We are apt to judge and censure those who are in an afflicted state. When the barbarians saw the viper on Paul’s hand, they said, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer.’ Acts 28: 4. So, when we see the viper of affliction fasten upon the godly, we are apt to censure them, and say, these are greater sinners than others, and God hates them; but this rash censuring is for want of wisdom. Were not Israel in the house of bondage? Was not Jeremiah in the dungeon, and Paul a night and day in the deep? God’s afflicting is so far from evidencing hatred, that his not afflicting does. ‘I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom.’ Hos 4: 14. Deus maxime irascitur cum non irascitur. Bernard. God punishes most when he does not punish; his hand is heaviest when it seems to be lightest. The judge will not burn him in the hand whom he intends to execute.
If God’s own Israel may be in the house of bondage, then afflictions do not of themselves demonstrate a man miserable. Indeed, sin unrepented of, makes one miserable; but the cross does not. If God has a design in afflicting his children to make them happy, they are not miserable; but God’s afflicting them is to make them happy, therefore they are not miserable. ‘Happy is the man whom God correcteth.’ Job 5: 17. The world counts them happy who can keep out of affliction; but the Scripture calls them happy who are afflicted.
(2) Afflictions on the godly are fruits of covenant-mercy. 2 Sam 7: 14. Afflictions on the wicked are effects of God’s wrath. ‘He has much wrath with his sickness.’ Eccl 5: 17. Afflictions on the wicked are the pledge and earnest of hell; they are like the pinioning of a malefactor, which presages his execution.
(3) Afflictions on the godly make them better, but afflictions on the wicked make them worse. The godly pray more; Psa 130: 1: The wicked blaspheme more. ‘Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God.’ Rev 16: 9. Afflictions on the wicked make them more impenitent; every plague upon Egypt increased the plague of hardness in Pharaoh’s heart. To what a prodigy of wickedness do some persons come after great sickness. Affliction on the godly is like bruising spices, which are most sweet and fragrant: affliction on the wicked is like pounding weeds with a pestle, which makes them more unsavoury.
Affliction is not always the sign of God’s anger. Israel, the apple of God’s eye, a peculiar treasure to him above all people, were in the house of bondage. Exod 19: 5. We are apt to judge and censure those who are in an afflicted state. When the barbarians saw the viper on Paul’s hand, they said, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer.’ Acts 28: 4. So, when we see the viper of affliction fasten upon the godly, we are apt to censure them, and say, these are greater sinners than others, and God hates them; but this rash censuring is for want of wisdom. Were not Israel in the house of bondage? Was not Jeremiah in the dungeon, and Paul a night and day in the deep? God’s afflicting is so far from evidencing hatred, that his not afflicting does. ‘I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom.’ Hos 4: 14. Deus maxime irascitur cum non irascitur. Bernard. God punishes most when he does not punish; his hand is heaviest when it seems to be lightest. The judge will not burn him in the hand whom he intends to execute.
If God’s own Israel may be in the house of bondage, then afflictions do not of themselves demonstrate a man miserable. Indeed, sin unrepented of, makes one miserable; but the cross does not. If God has a design in afflicting his children to make them happy, they are not miserable; but God’s afflicting them is to make them happy, therefore they are not miserable. ‘Happy is the man whom God correcteth.’ Job 5: 17. The world counts them happy who can keep out of affliction; but the Scripture calls them happy who are afflicted.
Thomas Watson, (1620-1686)
The 10 Commandments
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Are you a soldier or have you went AWOL?
2 Timothy 2:1-5
Here Paul exhorts Timothy to entrust these truths which he has taught to Timothy to other faithful men. Timothy knows these truths that Paul taught were not in some hidden room or corner somewhere in secret, where what Paul spoke could not be tested through the discernment and testimony of others. No, it was open and in public view. In verse 3 Paul explains to Timothy that he is a soldier, a soldier for Christ. But, he says something that would seem at total odds with today's evangelical landscape, he exhorts timothy to "suffer hardship". Paul knows the mark of a true soldier. A good soldier will experience hardship. Too many Christians today do not necessarily resemble this metaphor of a soldier that Paul uses here in 2 Timothy. There is an idea that we can just coast through this life as a christian and not even get as much as a blister. An effortless type of Christianity. A "glued to the pew" mentality. When one is in service, in the military sense he no longer is considered a civilian. He becomes the sole property of the enlist er. The enlistee looses his rights to the enlist er.
In verse 4 Paul equates the christian to being an "active soldier". How many of us are inactive for Christ, as if we are on the injured list and can't perform our prescribed duty by our commanding officer? You may be injured or persecuted and even unto death. That is what it means to be active. This is what a good soldier does. He suffers the hardship of verse 3. That is the genuine experience of the christian life. Not "your best life now". Paul goes on to say that no active soldier entangles himself or gets distracted by the daily grind of everyday life. No, that is sinful self centerdness. This world is not our home. We have been bought with a price. We have bought into this idea of the "American Dream". Christianity for the most part today has bought into the "American lie". We live in debt up to our necks. We have become in bondage to the lender. This need for more stuff and then equating it often times as a blessing from the Lord is sometimes, I believe a judgement from God instead of a blessing. More stuff has becomes the idol of our lives. The bigger house, the better job, the better car, better husband, the better wife, etc... Where has the striving to be Holy unto the Lord gone? Where has the loving, longing and wanting more of Christ gone? Where is the trusting in God gone? Where has the running from sin gone? Instead we sprint headlong toward poor teaching and poor doctrine. Oh, and what a distaste for theology most have today! The U.S. is the main exporter of this garbage on the mission field. No doctrine, no theology," let's just go and get some converts boys!" The people are left there untrained and often times incapable of fighting off the next heresey coming down the pike. And so it goes....
We are to please the one who has enlisted us for service. We are to live lives of holiness and abstain from the things of the flesh that keep us from being on the front lines of battle. Not many battles are ever won when your back is turned and you are running from your enemies as he constantly pelts you with relentless and on going attacks. In verse 5 Paul again gives a metaphor, that of an athlete competing for a prize. But, unless the christian obeys the rules he does not win the prize. This is a call for the christian to obey the word of God. How flippant we are with god's word. As we come to certain text , we may think, "that doesn't apply to me, must be talking about someone else". Most of the time when we come to a particular verse we don't care for, because it gnaws at our conscience till we can't stand it so, we find some other teaching, commentary or someone else who will agree with our evil unbiblical desire. So, we accumulate for ourselves teachers in accordance with their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3). Is that playing by the rules?
This article by J.r. Miller below shows these verses in 2 Timothy 2:1-5 in action in the life of Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego.
"As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music--you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up! Whoever does not fall down and worship--will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace!" Daniel 3:5-6Every child knows this story. It is one of the classics of Christian households. We will never have to meet precisely the same trial of faith, that these three Hebrew children had to meet; but we need just as heroic a spirit--in order to be faithful. Imposing images are set up even now in many a place--and all are expected to bow down to them--and woe to him who does not kneel! We all have opportunity enough to be heroic. The popular religion of today, is inclined to limpness of the knees. We have grown wonderfully tolerant in these modern days! We bow to almost anything--if it happens to be fashionable."Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music--all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up!"But there were some whose knees did not bend!"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king: O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king--that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up!" Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were all young men who were in peculiar circumstances. They were away from home, out from under parental influence and restraints, and exposed to very strong temptation. They had now their choice between duty--and the fiery furnace! We should study this lesson for its example of heroic devotion to duty, regardless of consequences. Even yet, the world's promotion is obtainable ofttimes--only at the price of a trampled conscience!There are several things to note in these young men. Note their calmness; they displayed no excitement, no heat of passion. The peace of God ruled in their hearts. Note also, their sublime courage. They had a contempt of death. They feared only one thing--sin! Note also, their trust in God. They committed the matter utterly into His hands. They did not know what He would do--but they were sure it would be the right thing. The king wanted to give them another chance, as he preferred not to burn such useful servants; but they told him there was no need for a second opportunity. They would have no other answer to give. They could make no possible change in their decision. The thing that was demanded of them was contrary to the plain law of their God--and that settled it forever. There was no room for discussion or for deliberation or for persuasion--when it was the law of God that was concerned. They could burn--but they could not turn!
It would save many people a great deal of weighing, balancing, and discussing of fine points--if they would act always on this principle--that the Word of God is final in all matters of duty. When a thing is forbidden in the Word--that should be the end of it.
But too many people parley with such matters--and usually end in yielding to sin. It is never safe to parley with temptation!
It would be well if all our modern Christians had the sublime moral courage of these three Hebrew children.
J.R. Miller
Nolan
Here Paul exhorts Timothy to entrust these truths which he has taught to Timothy to other faithful men. Timothy knows these truths that Paul taught were not in some hidden room or corner somewhere in secret, where what Paul spoke could not be tested through the discernment and testimony of others. No, it was open and in public view. In verse 3 Paul explains to Timothy that he is a soldier, a soldier for Christ. But, he says something that would seem at total odds with today's evangelical landscape, he exhorts timothy to "suffer hardship". Paul knows the mark of a true soldier. A good soldier will experience hardship. Too many Christians today do not necessarily resemble this metaphor of a soldier that Paul uses here in 2 Timothy. There is an idea that we can just coast through this life as a christian and not even get as much as a blister. An effortless type of Christianity. A "glued to the pew" mentality. When one is in service, in the military sense he no longer is considered a civilian. He becomes the sole property of the enlist er. The enlistee looses his rights to the enlist er.
In verse 4 Paul equates the christian to being an "active soldier". How many of us are inactive for Christ, as if we are on the injured list and can't perform our prescribed duty by our commanding officer? You may be injured or persecuted and even unto death. That is what it means to be active. This is what a good soldier does. He suffers the hardship of verse 3. That is the genuine experience of the christian life. Not "your best life now". Paul goes on to say that no active soldier entangles himself or gets distracted by the daily grind of everyday life. No, that is sinful self centerdness. This world is not our home. We have been bought with a price. We have bought into this idea of the "American Dream". Christianity for the most part today has bought into the "American lie". We live in debt up to our necks. We have become in bondage to the lender. This need for more stuff and then equating it often times as a blessing from the Lord is sometimes, I believe a judgement from God instead of a blessing. More stuff has becomes the idol of our lives. The bigger house, the better job, the better car, better husband, the better wife, etc... Where has the striving to be Holy unto the Lord gone? Where has the loving, longing and wanting more of Christ gone? Where is the trusting in God gone? Where has the running from sin gone? Instead we sprint headlong toward poor teaching and poor doctrine. Oh, and what a distaste for theology most have today! The U.S. is the main exporter of this garbage on the mission field. No doctrine, no theology," let's just go and get some converts boys!" The people are left there untrained and often times incapable of fighting off the next heresey coming down the pike. And so it goes....
We are to please the one who has enlisted us for service. We are to live lives of holiness and abstain from the things of the flesh that keep us from being on the front lines of battle. Not many battles are ever won when your back is turned and you are running from your enemies as he constantly pelts you with relentless and on going attacks. In verse 5 Paul again gives a metaphor, that of an athlete competing for a prize. But, unless the christian obeys the rules he does not win the prize. This is a call for the christian to obey the word of God. How flippant we are with god's word. As we come to certain text , we may think, "that doesn't apply to me, must be talking about someone else". Most of the time when we come to a particular verse we don't care for, because it gnaws at our conscience till we can't stand it so, we find some other teaching, commentary or someone else who will agree with our evil unbiblical desire. So, we accumulate for ourselves teachers in accordance with their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3). Is that playing by the rules?
This article by J.r. Miller below shows these verses in 2 Timothy 2:1-5 in action in the life of Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego.
"As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music--you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up! Whoever does not fall down and worship--will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace!" Daniel 3:5-6Every child knows this story. It is one of the classics of Christian households. We will never have to meet precisely the same trial of faith, that these three Hebrew children had to meet; but we need just as heroic a spirit--in order to be faithful. Imposing images are set up even now in many a place--and all are expected to bow down to them--and woe to him who does not kneel! We all have opportunity enough to be heroic. The popular religion of today, is inclined to limpness of the knees. We have grown wonderfully tolerant in these modern days! We bow to almost anything--if it happens to be fashionable."Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music--all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up!"But there were some whose knees did not bend!"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king: O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king--that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up!" Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were all young men who were in peculiar circumstances. They were away from home, out from under parental influence and restraints, and exposed to very strong temptation. They had now their choice between duty--and the fiery furnace! We should study this lesson for its example of heroic devotion to duty, regardless of consequences. Even yet, the world's promotion is obtainable ofttimes--only at the price of a trampled conscience!There are several things to note in these young men. Note their calmness; they displayed no excitement, no heat of passion. The peace of God ruled in their hearts. Note also, their sublime courage. They had a contempt of death. They feared only one thing--sin! Note also, their trust in God. They committed the matter utterly into His hands. They did not know what He would do--but they were sure it would be the right thing. The king wanted to give them another chance, as he preferred not to burn such useful servants; but they told him there was no need for a second opportunity. They would have no other answer to give. They could make no possible change in their decision. The thing that was demanded of them was contrary to the plain law of their God--and that settled it forever. There was no room for discussion or for deliberation or for persuasion--when it was the law of God that was concerned. They could burn--but they could not turn!
It would save many people a great deal of weighing, balancing, and discussing of fine points--if they would act always on this principle--that the Word of God is final in all matters of duty. When a thing is forbidden in the Word--that should be the end of it.
But too many people parley with such matters--and usually end in yielding to sin. It is never safe to parley with temptation!
It would be well if all our modern Christians had the sublime moral courage of these three Hebrew children.
J.R. Miller
Nolan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)