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Dangers and Delusion of Rationalization

…behold, you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they . . . made plans to kill him. . . . [But] Judah said to the others, “What can we gain by killing our brother? That would just give us a guilty conscience. Let’s sell Joseph to those Ishmaelite traders. Let’s not be responsible for his death; after all, he is our brother!” (Genesis 37:18, 26-27 NLT)

Initially, out of jealousy for their little brother, Joseph’s elder brothers proposed a plan to kill him. Then they altered their strategy of murdering him, rationalizing a lesser sin, to sell him into slavery to by-passing Ishmaelite traders. When you rationalize your plan to commit a lesser sin, it remains sin. At these times of temptation consider the consequences of your actions. When we justify in such times when deceived that a lesser evil is okay, we surrender our conscience from the guidance of the Holy Spirit to Satan. Rationalizing is, in many cases, delusion in disguise. We might think we are smart while acting in folly.

Begin to consider in what areas of life where you might be rationalizing sin that could lead to harmful consequences.

  • Have I joked crudely, even if it hurts another’s feelings?
  • Do I have a propensity for gluttony, drunkenness, sexual lust, anger, or slanderous gossip?
  • Have I ever told half-lies versus the whole truth?
  • Am I ethically divisive based on political leanings?
  • Do I advise others how to live even if it is against their conscience and thus viewed as sin?
  • Do I ever sidestep the plain truth of scripture that doesn’t fit my denominational group-think?
  • Have I ever rejected Christ as my Saviour?
  • Do I sway others  towards non-Christian ideologies unto ungodly living in this world’s culture?
  • Have I minimized Christ in the family to get along with my partner/spouse?
  • Have I often spoken of the faults of others without exhibiting forgiveness?

Let the Lord challenge you: Live such good lives among the unbeliever that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

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Theology: The Trinity Doctrine Glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The doctrine of the Trinity has parallel truths that are complementary, not contradictory. Three unique identities co-exist in one tri-unified Godhead in an equal relationship working distinctly as purposeful personal extensions in the co-creation of the universe, with earth and humankind and all creatures, sustaining potentiation of divine connections to humanity in a communicable (prayer-linked), pedagogical mindset (Spirit-linked): with prescribed laws (prophetically scripture-linked) in all realms psychologically, spiritually, familial in relation with our minds existentially in a created biologic, physic, atomic, and cosmic reality sustained by the highest laws in each energy field. 1

The Christian faith affirms that there is one and only one God, eternally existing while fully and simultaneously expressed in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Godhead is equally God, each is eternally God, and each is fully God—not three gods but three Persons of the one Godhead. Each Person is equal in essence as each possesses eternally, simultaneously, and fully the identically same and undivided divine nature. Yet each is also an eternal and distinct personal expression of that one undivided divine nature. Because of this, what distinguishes each Person of the Godhead from each other Person is not and cannot be the divine nature, since the identically same one and undivided divine nature is the full and eternal possession of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. So, what distinguishes each Person of the Godhead from each other Person are the relationships that each has with each of the other Persons and his particular roles in relation to the others. In light of both the equality of essence yet differentiation of relationships and roles that exist among the Persons of the Godhead, we consider just how the church came to affirm these truths about the Trinity and how those Trinitarian relationships and roles are expressed within the Trinity of Persons. 2

The bible teaches that the Father is God. Yet it was evident that while on earth as our saviour and representative man, Jesus honoured prayed to and obeyed his Father.

The Doctrine of the Trinity Glorifies Jesus Christ

In 1 Corinthians 8:6 we can see that Jesus was active in creation: yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 

The triadic relationship of God can be seen into whom Christians are baptized. Matthew 28:19-20 states: Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Further, we are called to know the true God in the context of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. John 17: 3: And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

In 2 Corinthians 13:14: the Hoy Spirit is noted in the triad: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Supremacy of Jesus in the creation of all life is noted in Colossians 1:15-20 NLT: Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him, God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

1 Glen Jackman’s philosophic meditations

2 Dr Bruce Ware, Southern Seminary

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Demons lurk behind international warfare

Now in 2022, the war in Ukraine brings violent evil to the fore once again and threatens to reshape our global future in ways we can only imagine.

Human selfishness and greed are among the sins that spawn wars: “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?” (James 4:1, NASB). Collectively, however, the scale of human suffering at the hands of others also seems to presume a dimension of cosmic evil that defies even our recognition of human depravity.

There are reasons for that. The Book of Daniel speaks not just of a succession of world empires but of the spiritual forces behind them. The angelic prince of Persia delayed an answer to Daniel’s prayers until Michael, Israel’s prince, intervened; the angelic prince of Alexander’s empire would follow (Dan. 10:13, 20–21; 12:1). God had sovereignly allotted times in history for various angels and their empires, but his angelic and human servants continued to work for his purposes until he caused them to prevail.

The Greek translation of Deuteronomy mentions that God appointed angels over the various nations, and Jewish thought increasingly recognized such heavenly rulers and authorities—what later rabbis called angels over the nations. These beings were typically hostile toward God’s people, but in the end, God would give the kingdom to his persevering people.

Because our king, Jesus, has already come, Satan has been defeated. His exaltation corresponds with the angel Michael’s heavenly triumph over the dragon (Rev. 12:7–8).

In explaining this story, scholars often invoke the World War II analogy between D-Day and V-Day. In D-Day, the success of the Normandy invasion decided the outcome of the war, and the defeat of the Nazi regime and its allies was merely a matter of time. Yet until V-Day—the final surrender of the Axis powers—battles continued and casualties mounted.

In the same way, all enemies—including the final one, death itself—will be subdued when Jesus returns (Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25–26), but his servants face continuing battles until then.

In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes that Jesus is already enthroned above heavenly rulers and authorities (Eph. 1:20–22) and we are spiritually enthroned with him (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:6). In a letter that heavily underscores the unity between Jews and Gentiles in Christ’s body, this enthronement above angels of nations and empires means that our unity in Christ is greater than all the ethnic and national divisions fomented by such angels. Believers are no longer subject to the prince of this world (Eph. 2:1–3).

For Paul, this triumph over divisions has spiritual warfare ramifications, even for the interpersonal dimensions of our lives. In Ephesians 4, for example, denying the devil an opportunity means having integrity and controlling our anger (Eph. 4:25–27). In Ephesians 6:10–20, it means taking hold of the defensive armour of truth, faith, and righteousness, plus a weapon for invading hostile territory: the mission of the gospel.

The upside is that by faith we look forward to our Lord’s final victory over the world conflicts spawned by evil:

  • He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)

  • “. . .in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” — Daniel 2:44 KJV
  • “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 ESV
Excerpts from: Mark Johnson, Michael Heiser; and Louis Markos, Feb 26, 2022, Christianity Today
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The Gospel of God the Father

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

The gospel of God (Mark 1:14–15) If the intratrinitarian love of God is a crucial theme within our text, we also need to draw together the wider themes related to the Messiah’s mission and how they illuminate the love of God. 1

In verse Mark 1:14 we are told Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news [gospel] of God. This wonderful phrase shows how Mark links the Gospel interchangeably to God or Jesus Christ (Mark 1: 1). In other words, the story of Jesus described above is very good news about God.

What is this good news? Perhaps I can explain it this way. There is a tension running through the prologue of Mark, and Mark 1:11 in particular, between the transcendence and immanence of God. Transcendence means that God is utterly distinct from his creation. Immanence captures how God is near and present, intimately involved within the world. Both are, in different ways, sources of very good news.

First, transcendence. In verse 11 God is in heaven, his ‘dwelling place: a different dimension of reality from the physical universe. It is only when heaven is ‘split’ open that the voice of God is heard. Mark’s description gives readers a glimpse of the glorious ‘otherness’ of almighty God. In other words, ‘behind the scenes’ God is reigning.

As the Son literally steps out of the Jordan in faith he is affirmed in his identity and mission. The Father is with him and anoints him with his Spirit. The presence of Father and Spirit remain with him in all the darkness to come. If the transcendent love of the Father and the empowering of the Spirit are good news for Jesus, they are also good news for Christians today. Obviously the parallel is not exact: Jesus has a unique relationship with his Father. He alone is the anointed king and Messiah. But there is encouragement here for us nonetheless. Jesus announces that The time has come … the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15).

As Acts later makes clear, God has now poured out his Spirit for all who respond in faith and repentance to the good news of the resurrected Son (e.g. Acts 2:38). Therefore, whatever trials we face in our daily lives, the ‘otherness’ of our transcendent God is a source of hope and comfort. Whether we are wrestling with cancer, broken relationships, grief, spiritual opposition, injustice or long-term unemployment, we can be encouraged that this world is not all there is: it is the gospel of the transcendent God that will have the last word.

Second, God is also immanent (here with us). God loves Israel passionately. He is also deeply angered by sin. Neither is he passive. In Mark the dramatic arrival of Israel’s Messiah is God’s (utterly unexpected) means by which to heal the story of our broken world by God’s fulfilled promise to Israel – he is working within history to bring forgiveness and hope, via a king establishing his kingdom here on earth and who is powerfully present in the world through his Spirit.

Most astonishingly of all, he through the incarnation and mission of his beloved Son, God shows us his utter commitment to this broken world. Jesus becomes vulnerable to hunger and temptation in the desert. Ultimately, as a human saviour, he allows himself to be vulnerable even to suffering and death. God has, in Christ, and through the Spirit, ‘come down’ to us.

The Father is well pleased Mark 1:11 to send his Son on such a mission because his endgame is blessing. Charles Wesley’s great words capture perfectly this paradox of the limitless transcendent love of God being embodied in his Son:

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

All this tells us astonishing good news about the God we worship: Father, Son and Spirit. Mark, does not spell this out, but invites his readers to think of ‘God’ through a new lens. He is at once totally, transcendant ‘other’ and, at the same time, immanently ‘present’ in the beloved Son whose mission leads to the cross.

Richard Hays suggests that ‘if we have rightly followed Mark’s narrative clues about the identity of the one on the cross’, the most appropriate response is ‘reticent fear and trembling’—where ‘we stand before the mystery in silence, to acknowledge the limitation of our understanding, and to wonder’. We would be wise to take this into account as we live our lives here on earth in what is actually a probabtionary period before the Second Advent of Jesus Christ who will ultimenty judge each of us according to our ways, words and deeds.

Learn about God’s Love; The New Covenant Manifesto of God’s Love

1 The insight into the Trinity by Patrick Mitchell is highly recommended,:The Message of Love: The Only Thing That Counts, ed. Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019), 101–103.

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The Relationship of the Father with the Son

 Theology Series on the  Trinity

Our first study will look at the relationship of the Father and the Son, to see both a distinction and equality. We will also see both the difference and the identity. (John 1:1) Further studies will bring in the relationship of the Spirit in co-unity with the Father and the Son.

The definition of the Trinity: God’s whole and undivided essence belong equally, eternally, simultaneously, and fully to each of the three Persons of the Godhead, so that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each is fully God – not three gods — while each is his own personal expression, in the relationship, role and activity, of the one eternal and undivided divine essence. 1 

Each Person of the Godhead is equal in essence as each possesses the identically same undivided divine nature, both of whom distinctly express a personal expression of that one undivided divine nature.  The distinguishing character of each Person of the Godhead from each other Person is not the divine nature, being identically the same, possessing oneness with an undivided divine nature, expressing the full and eternal possession of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Possessing equality of essence, the distinguishing characteristic from each other’s personage is the particular roles and authority in relation to each other.

In light of both the equality of essence yet differentiation of relationships in authority and roles that exist among the Persons of the Godhead, we consider now just how those relationships and roles are expressed within the Trinity of Persons.

The Father as Supreme in Position and Authority among the Persons of the God-head

  • Psalm 2:7-9: “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:  He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.  ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”
  • Matthew 6:9-10: “Pray, then, in this way:  ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come.  Your will be done,  On earth as it is in heaven.’”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:28:  When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
  • Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him…
  • Philippians 2:9-11: For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Father is the Architect, the Designer of Creation, and of Redemption

  • Ephesians 1:9-12-9: He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

The Father is the Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift 

Scripture emphasizes the wisdom, the goodness, the care, and the thoroughness with which the Father exercises his authority using His absolute authority always to bring about what is best.

  • James 1:17: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
  • Romans 8:31-32-31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

The Father often Provides and Works Through the Son and Spirit

  • Ephesians 1:3-14: The Father is to be praised, but his gifts to us come – every one of them – through the Son and Spirit.
  • Col 1:16: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
  • John 1:1-4:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

The Father in Relation to the Son 

The Father’s plan and purpose is to place his Son in the lime-light directing attention and honour to The Son, as the Son seeks, in all he does, to glorify his Father.

The Son is under the headship or authority of the Father

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3: But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
  • Hebrews 1:1-2: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son [incarnation], whom He appointed heir of all things [eternity future], through whom also He made the world [eternity past].

The Son’s submission to the Father during His incarnation and earthly mission 

The Son’s perfect, loving, and joyous obedience to the Father is always evidenced by his life when incarnated here on earth as a man. He never sinned!  In all that he did, his submission to the Father was in absolute obedience without compromise.

  • John 8:28-29: So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”

This is typical of how Jesus spoke over and over. In John 4, when the disciples asked Jesus why he was not interested in eating, Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34).

The Son’s Submission to the Father in eternity past

Forty times in John’s gospel, Jesus mentions the fact that the Father has sent him to accomplish the mission he is here to do.  Some might be understood as a “sending” that occurred during the incarnation itself, but most refer to his being sent (or coming forth) from heaven.

  • John 3:16-17-16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
  • John 6:38: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
  • John 8:42: “. . . I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.”
  • John 10:36: “…do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
  • John 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:16, Heb 1:1-3 the Father creates “by” or “through” the Son (the “Word”)
  • Eph 1:9-11: indicates that the Father ordained that everything in creation be placed in subjection to his Son, both as some are elected and redeemed in Christ (Eph 1:4-6), and as all others are brought to final judgment through Christ (John 5:22-29). See Rev 5:9 for stunning display of both (see below for elaboration)

The Son obeyed the Father in heaven, as the Father’s instrument of creation, and as sent from heaven do the will of his Father.  The Son submitted to the Father, then, in eternity past.

The Son’s submission to the Father in eternity future

  • 1 Cor 15:25-28: For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
  • Rev 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.

The Love Relationship between the Son and the Father

  • John 14:3: I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father [italics added].
  • John 15:9-10:As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love [italics added].
  • Jesus works in unity with the Father. It is the Father’s Gospel for mankind – the Good News must be seen through the lens of a united act of both the Father and Son, and Spirit.

1 Indebted Professor Bruce Ware’s teaching, who helped me to understand the unity of the Trinitarian Godhead. I attempted to edit his finest ideas.

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You can live in the Spirit of holiness now

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14)

When Moses directed the Israelites to enter the promised land, he first sent spies to determine the layout of the land and potential enemy strength. Most of the spies expressed fear of the giants they saw in the land, referring to themselves in a demeaning note comparative to the giants as grasshoppers. They were downright scared puny! Moreover, they poisoned the minds of the Israelites to fear entering the land of promise – wherefrom milk and honey and giant grapes were brought back by the spies evidencing the fertility of the land.

With the majority upset, siding with the fear-mongering report, the Jews were doomed not to obey their marching orders from Moses, who took his lead from Yahweh God.

The minority report of two men, Caleb and Joshua, was overwhelmingly positive – let’s move forward into the promised land — we can overcome the giants — we have God on our side!  But it was not enough to open the deafened ears of the majority. For their stubbornness, which God viewed as a disobedient lack of trust in His ability to conquer and overcome, they would never cross the Jordan and enter the land. That entire generation of complainers would die right at their point of a call to radically act and be rewarded with the blessings promised and a bountiful land they could call home.

Significantly, Caleb and Joshua saw what all the other spies saw (Numbers 14:6). They saw grapes, and they saw the giants.  Nor did they dispute or deny that they were grasshoppers, but with the eye of faith, they ‘saw’ something else.  They were more conscious of God than they were of the giants, the grasshoppers, and even the grapes.  Caleb’s initial charge to the people was unequivocal: ‘Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it’ (Numbers 13:30). 1

The Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and had seen how God destroyed the Egyptian army. Yet, they grumbled and defied the timing ordained by God to move into a place where with His help, it would have been impossible to fail if they’d demonstrated obedient trust.

This offers an object lesson typified by Joshua and Caleb’s clear-sighted trust and obedience in contrast with the whining populace of the then-current generation, who magnified the fear-mongering resistance to trusting God alone for victory.

Subsequently, entire corporate Israel – irrespective of Joshua and Caleb’s faithfulness – was adjourned by Yahweh to roam the desert wastelands until death. Their children would eventually enter 40 years later. For those fearful of failure in their walk with the Lord, we must learn a lesson to take courage, equip our minds and advance in the will of the Lord unto righteous living in His favour.  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. (Psalm 56:3–4 ESV)

Those doomed to stay in one place are a type of Christians who never grasp the promise of God, that they can overcome the enemy, Satan and his demons, by the indwelling Spirit of God and live obedient and holy sanctified lives. Those who overcome will be prepared to meet the Lord with all his holy angels in the final reaping judgment at the second advent of Jesus Christ.

Many have experienced failure, often allowing Satan to tempt them to focus on their spiritual weaknesses. Here is an important scripture you can contemplate to encourage you to stand decisively like Joshua and Caleb, holding to the promises and doctrine taught by the prophets and the apostles. The apostle Peter made it clear that we are to adhere insightfully to the promises of God to overcome Satan’s temptations living obedient, holy lives.  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV)

The prophet Daniel speaks of the necessity of heeding a serious call to submit to the Lord and live an obedient and holy life. (Daniel 12:10 NAS): Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 

1 A Radical Comprehensive Call to Holiness, Joel R. Beeke and Michael P.V. Barrett

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Taking Risk with Caution

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6)

Scripture tells us “do not depend on your own understanding” when we have an idea of what plan to implement for a business career or venture, a vacation, or even sharing the Gospel with others — it is important to seek God’s wisdom first. (Proverbs 3:6)

Accepting a shared insight as to what hot stock to invest in, whom to join within a business partnership, or what health measures you should take in life, has led many to troubling outcomes. It is important to prayerfully submit your plans to God and do your own due diligence. Yes, you need counsel, first from the Lord, and as you seek wisdom from human mentors who are also committed to the Lord. (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 22:6; 14:16; 15:23)

Jesus taught that your results indicate the level of your acquired wisdom that agrees with the Lord. He cured many, raised the dead, and opened the eyes of the blind, yet the Jewish leaders accused him of being led by and given powers from the devil. They also chided him for befriending sinners. Jesus rebuked the leaders noting that wisdom is vindicated by her deeds for good or evil. (Matthew 11:19)

Also, it is impossible to understand biblical truths for example: that Jesus is one with God the Father, and that it is His Spirit that guides you into all truth:

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Matt 11: 27)

All our greatest necessary insights into life – the truth, about Jesus and His Gospel, as well as all life’s strategies in line with His will, come via the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus. Righteous truth will come to a man or women who is obedient to the Word of God, and asks for guidance via the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

The world cannot receive him [Christ and His Spirit that leads], because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. (John 14:17, NLT)

 

 

 

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Plan with God for the coming year.

Where did last year go – it just flew by! Now we face another year. If we rely on God to lead and advise us, we can rest in these promises.

  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your limited understanding. Prayerfully seek His will in everything: including every strategy that you plan to do, every road you plan to take with every business and personal association you will conjoin. He will direct your focus on refining your life plans.1 (Proverbs 3:5-6  ESV)
  • I will guide, advise and watch over you along the best path for your life. 1 (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

You may think your plans generally go in the right direction. Yet it is vital to know that God’s purposes will prevail for your life as he seeks to draw you closer to His will. Thus prayerful, thoughtful planning and, yes, replanning help you to stay on the right course and navigate your life. After our day-planning year by year is said and done: “…the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). He already knows what time has in store for you, including your best direction and potential destiny. Asking God for His guidance and ongoing supervision, you move forward with more self-worth enlivened by calm confidence, knowing that His purposes and work will prevail.

Everyone will be forgotten, nothing we do will make any difference, and all good endeavours, even the best, will come to naught. Unless there is God. If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavour, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever. 2

It is important to understand that the priority in your planning must be to adhere to the gospel call to obey the Lord as one adopted into his family, keep his teachings, and live a godly principled life. (see also Colossians 3:17, 23, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Philippians 1:6)

1 Glen Jackman’s bible version

2 Tim Keller on Why Calling Matters

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Why was Jesus’ birth so odd?

The Savior . . . has been born tonight in Bethlehem . . . and this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth! Luke 2:11-12

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

God often accomplishes his purposes in unexpected ways. God used the census of a heathen emperor to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Maybe that is also why he chose to have Jesus born in a stable rather than a palace, why he chose Bethlehem rather than Jerusalem, and why the news of Jesus’ birth went first to shepherds rather than to kings. God may have done all this to show that life’s greatest treasure—salvation through Jesus—is available to all. And it may also show that the lowly and humble might have a better chance of receiving that message. 1

God’s Promise God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. MATTHEW 5:5 

1 Beers, Gilbert; Beers, Ron. The One Year Mini for Men (p. 357). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

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Jude: Beware of false teachers

I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 ESV

The focus of Jude’s letter to the Christian believers is to give direction: certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 ESV)

Jude is the brother of Jesus as is James. He reminds his readers (especially those of Jewish descent) that they once fully knew about God’s judgment. He refers them to the Exodus account as a reminder of the Deity of our Lord: Jesus … saved a people out of the land of Egypt (cf. Exodus 1–15). This may seem puzzling because the name “Jesus” is not applied to the Son of God in the OT. Jude reveals a deep understanding of Jesus as one of the Trinity who created the heavens and the earth, mankind and beast just as Paul noted in Colossians 1:16: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 

The apostolic understanding of the Old Testament, according to which the Son of God, in His eternal divine nature, was active in the world from the beginning of creation, long before his incarnation (cf. Luke 24:27; John 1:3; 8:56–58; 12:41; 1 Cor. 10:4, 9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:8–12; 11:26). Jesus, in the Old Testament, revealed Himself to Moses as I AM, and later as YAHWEH. In the New Testament, Paul referred to Jesus as God who freed the Jews from Egyptian slavery: the Rock that followed Moses and the Jews in the wilderness. Jesus referred to Himself as the great I AM of the Old Testament period. (John 8:58), who then, judged and destroyed those in Israel who escaped from Egypt but failed to keep trusting in God, and therefore they did not reach the Promised Land (cf. 1 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 3:16–19). When they arrived at the entrance to the Promised Land, many rebelled against God, refusing to believe that he could or would protect them. Their unbelief resulted in their destruction. 1

Couple the above paragraph depicting the period of Jesus dealt with old Israel with how Jesus is central to the entire Word of God – both the Old and New testaments. Thus, the importance of knowledge in the continuum of the scriptural writings by the inspired prophets moving forward by the Spirit to the future, and now our history of the gospels of our Lord Jesus. Instead of the name “Jesus,” some NT Greek manuscripts have ho Kyrios, “the Lord,” and some English translations follow that reading. Most of the oldest and most reliable manuscripts have Iēsous (“Jesus”).

And a good knowledge of the Word of God will help you discern false teachers when they seek to lead you or other believers astray. Jude presents the primary characteristics of false teachers.

He refers to previously written condemnation of anyone who is a false teacher or false prophet. God’s true prophets had warned against false prophets (see, for example, Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 50:36). Jesus had warned his disciples that false teachers would come (Matthew 7:15; 24:11, 24; Luke 6:26). The apostles often denounced false teachers in their letters (see 2 Corinthians 11:5; Galatians 1:6–9; Philippians 3:2; Colossians 2:8, 16–19; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3; 2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 4:1). These false teachers would eventually receive their just reward. There could be no other fate except condemnation, for these teachers had turned against the only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude was emphasizing that the false teachers were immoral, insubordinate, and irreverent.

Jude uses strong language when dealing with false teachers. Using an example of God’s judgment of disobedience, Jude pointed out that Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbouring towns were destroyed by fire. The inhabitants were so full of sin that God wiped the cities off the face of the earth. The people were following their own sinful natures, indulging in sexual immorality and pursuing sexual perversion. God “rained down fire and burning sulfur” (Genesis 19:24) as punishment. So complete was God’s judgment and destruction that the cities no longer exist today. Archaeologists believe they may be under the waters of the Dead Sea. The destruction of these cities served as a warning of the eternal fire that will punish all who are evil. The fire that rained on the evil cities pictures the fire that awaits unrepentant sinners. Many people don’t want to believe that God will punish people with “eternal fire” for rejecting him. But this is clearly taught in Scripture. Sinners who don’t seek forgiveness from God will face eternal darkness. Jude warned all who rebel against, ignore, or reject God (Jude 1:7) 4

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the everlasting I AM, is the great creator, protector, deliverer, and rearranger YAHWEH. Our Mediating High Priest who is empowered in His glorious status as our redeemer Jesus Christ, the first and the last of Omni-Potent and Omni-Powerful lawmaker, judicial yet extending mercy. Our Lord now calls men to repentance from self-abandon, into His glorious light and stand reckoned as a child of God. I want to be sure that you see Jesus in His love for you, He who has expressed so much love when he died in our stead.

False teachers abound and they do great harm in misleading men and women today. Pray that in the context of His love, you understand that Jesus is our final Judge on the last day. He will make his majesty known to all the world in due time at His Second Advent.

You may also enjoy a devotional Jude: God will keep us from stumbling

1 Barton, Bruce, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman. 2001. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale. 

2 Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3 Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.

4 Barton, Bruce, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman. 2001.