Symbols of Christmas

I just read this post by John Piper on DesiringGod.org about all the symbols that relate to Christmas. I was blessed by his (and his wife's insights) which echo some of the things we are doing in our home.

To read his post, click here.

PS - if you've never heard of John Piper, let me whole-heartedly recommend his books and teachings.

Unfair!!!

The children of your people say, 'The way of the LORD is not fair,' But it is their way which is not fair! - Ezekiel 33:17

Having four small children, there are many things that come out of their mouths, both positive and negative. One of the beauties of small children is they say what they mean and they mean what they say. They haven't learned the art of cover-up. If they do not like something, they simply tell you. If they are excited, it cannot be hidden.

One of the phrases that often comes forth in the midst of sibling rivalry is "Not fair!". The essence of the statement is that I have been wronged and dealt with unjustly. You have received what I deserve to have, give it to me. This is obvious in small children (remember, they do not hide their feelings well). However, when it comes to us mature people, we hold the same mindset however enshroud it with a sophisticated arrangement of smoke and mirrors so things do not appear as they are.

The problem is what we may call an ego-centric perspective. We have a wrong assessment of ourselves and therefore deem ourselves worthy of whatever it is we feel we are lacking. Humanity as a whole has the same problem (anthropo-centric). When difficulty happens and tragedy befalls us, humanity is quick to place the blame on God and claim that God has not dealt fairly with us. This is evident by the statement often uttered "If God is good, then why ________?" Fill in the blank! The problem with this perspective is that man thinks that God owes man something. God has somehow deprived him or someone else of the right to health, wealth, comfort, security, and ultimately of self-defined happiness etc.

We see this here in Ezekiel 36. "God is not fair!" They rail their accusation against God claiming Him to be corrupt. However the prophet puts the emphasis of corruption (unfairness) back on the people.

God created a beautiful world and made mankind in the perfect image of God. God, the Creator, blessed man and endowed man with myriads of gifts, the greatest of which was the very presence and favour of God. God had told man that there was one thing he was not supposed to touch. Man then said in essence, "That's not fair. I deserve the fruit of that tree." Thus corruption entered the world. The core of this problem is a high view of man (anthro-centric) and a low view of God (theo-centric). Somehow the roles were reversed and the Maker is to become the servant and the servant then judges the Maker.

Man says he doesn't want God but then demands that God give man those things associated with God (i.e. God's blessings, favour, joy, provision). Maybe God hasn't been fair, but if that's the case it's only because He has been more than fair.

All of humanity has fully earned hell and God's judgment. Yet they cry out for fairness. If God were to deal fairly, all would be under His wrath. Yet God gives bread to the eater and rain to the sower (Isaiah 55:10). God blesses all mankind with this life. As if this were not enough, God has made it possible for us to be saved from our well deserved judgment by sending His own beloved Son to bear the wrath of God's justice for fallen humanity. Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus shall find that God's fairness towards them was given to Jesus in the crucifixion.

If we were to cry out to God and say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" We should do so acknowledging that "The way of the Lord is more than fair!" Truly it seems unfair for Jesus to bear our judgment. However, because God loves you, Jesus willingly suffered your fair death, that you could have His fair life.

Steal No Longer

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. – Ephesians 4:28

The fourth chapter of Ephesians has a great emphasis on the importance of the body of Christ. In Eph 4:4-6, we read that there is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father that unify us as the Body of Christ. In other words, in Jesus we are all one. Paul continues then to show in Eph 4:11-13 how certain parts of the Body exist to enable and equip the whole Body of Christ to edify one another, unifying us further. Then in Eph 4:16 Paul goes on to point out the fact that the body of Christ is made up of individual parts who work corporately emphasising the importance of every part doing its share.

It is in this great context of oneness and one-another-ness that we find Eph 4:28. Often this verse is read in relation to those who stole before coming to Christ, and now should seek to do the opposite (give). But what if (keeping in mind the predominate context of the chapter) this is a message to Christians as Christians. In other words, the context of this passage could mean that Christians (as members of the Body), who do not do their share, are actually stealing from the Body of Christ.

How our own physical bodies function will lend light to this concept. God has designed our body’s members to work in harmony for the whole body’s ultimate good. In other words, the feet do not work simply for their own purposes. The feet serve the body, but also receive what they need from the body. The feet enable the body to walk from point A to B, but the body also supplies the feet with the nutrients (via digestive system through the blood), oxygen (via the lungs through the blood), direction and balance (via the head) etc. that the feet require to do their job and to exist. If part of our body did not contribute toward the wellness of the body, and only absorbed the body’s energy, we would call that part a parasite. A parasite only seeks its own benefit which weakens the body and does not strengthen it.

Christians who do not do their part in the body, I believe, are being exhorted here to steal no longer. Rather let them use what God has gifted them with for the benefit of the Body, that way he can give to him who has need. He will be receiving, but not thieving. He will be giving, but not depleting. It has been said that in churches 90% of the work is done by 10% of the people. Oh wouldn’t it be beautifully healthy if 100% of the work was done by 100% of the people? The irony of it is, only those who do their part truly enjoy the blessing of being part of the Body. Eyes that do not function but only draw away energy and nutrients are neither blessed nor blessing, yet always absorbing. Oh the beauty of a functioning body. Let him who stole steal no longer, rather let him fulfil His God-given role in the Body of Christ, that he may be used to satisfy him who has need.

The Will of God

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:17

What is the will of God for my life? This question comes up often in conversation and in prayer. It seems Christians are always struggling to figure out what God’s will is for their lives. Usually, this is a question in relation to specific matters such as whom I should marry, where I should work, when should we have kids, when should I retire etc. Verses such as Ephesians 5:17 can cause panic as we realize there are many situations in which we find ourselves and we do not know how to proceed. Rather than do something that is out of the will of God, we do nothing, which often is no better.

What is the will of God for your life? Here are some verses that clearly reveal His will for you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us that the will of God is that we are sanctified, or set apart for God’s purposes. Paul then gives the example of sexual immorality being one of those things that works against sanctification (being set apart for God’s purposes). It is God’s will that we allow Him to conform us into the image of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that the will of God is that we give thanks in everything. It is God’s will that we don’t complain about our problems, but rather in them offer thanks to God. To complain is essentially to say God has dealt with us in an unjust manner. God is never unfair. He is more than fair. God’s will for your life is for you to have an attitude of gratitude towards God.

1 Peter 2:15 tells us that the will of God is that we do good. God’s will for you is to seek to bless and be a blessing to others. As a Christian, God wills you to show through your life the goodness that you have received from God.

I believe that when we do what we know, then what we need to know will be revealed to us. In other words, rather than fretting about what God’s will is in your life in regards to the specificities of life, step back and see His will universally (generally). Are you being sanctified, giving thanks, and letting God’s goodness shine through your life? If you would answer ‘no’, then I think that is an indication that you should focus your attention on what you know you should be doing. Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. If you are letting Jesus work out His will in your life in these ways, I trust that, as you continue to seek Him, He will make His will, in more specific matters, clear. Be faithful in what you know and let the Spirit work out the details.

Jesus: The Only Way For Salvation

This 7min 28sec video features RC Sproul. Sproul powerfully explains here why Jesus is the only way to God. This is definitely worth a few of your minutes.

A Boundless Gospel

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

Jesus’ words here are potent with depth and swelling with perspective on God’s gospel. Jesus tells us that the proclamation of the gospel by our lives requires the power of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus. This is an absolute essentiality in our witness of Christ. But here we also see something of the nature of a Spirit-empowered witness: Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Our gospel witness begins at home, but it does not simply remain there. In science we learn that nature hates a vacuum. This is why air in a balloon is not content to stay bound up. As soon as the nozzle of the balloon is open and released, the air bursts forth.

In many respects, the gospel is similar. God’s message by nature demands the pushing of our boundaries. Our comfort zones are always put to the test by the ‘going’ nature of the gospel. Indeed, the first word of the Great Commission is “go” (Matt 28:19). Have you become content with your gospel witness being compartmentalized in areas of your life? Are there places/people where you are in Jerusalem or “at home” with the gospel (i.e. certain friends, home, some neighbours)? If so, the Lord would call you out of your comfort zones into the next sphere of your life. The Lord would say, “bear witness in Judea and Samaria” (i.e. work place, school, acquaintances). From there, the Lord would say “bear witness to the world” (i.e. strangers). The nature of a Spirit-empowered, gospel witness is ever expanding, and always moving outward until the whole world hears.

The Spirit-empowers our witness of Jesus to not simply remain where we are comfortable, but to ever expand and take ground causing us to live in ordinary life as missionaries empowered by the Spirit of God, to a world that needs to see a witness of Jesus.

Creative Beauty

This past week, on our family day, we went to Birdworld as a family (praise God for Tesco Day's Out Vouchers). Included are some of the pictures I took when we were there. I was reminded afresh of the absolute beauty that God has placed in creation. He truly has given us all things richly to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17).

Looking at the various species of birds in their shapes, sizes, colours, and the grace with which they fly was humbling. I was humbled because God displayed such vibrancy in creation for our pleasure. He could have given us eyes that were monochrome and could only see black/white. He could have given us 2-Dimensional sight so we would have no depth perception. Yet, because He desires to display to us something of His own character in creation, He has given us sight/taste/touch/hearing/scent. Senses to perceive aspects of who our God is. That means that God has graced us with what we require to observe and discover Him as well. We have the Holy Spirit who reveals to us the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:10).

By the way... He is not dull and uncreative. He has shown such imagination in creation. Consider this fact. God is the first abstract artist! Artists re-create in art, something in nature. Even abstract artists, because they use shapes, colours, etc. None of these things existed before God created, so even our abstract artists are only copyists. God was not copying rather creating (we re-create, but He creates).

Such observations are reminders of how God not only gives us perception to observe such things, but He actually desires us to take enjoyment in the observation. Why? If it is enjoyable observing the wisdom in design and the beauty in form of creation (Psalm 104:24), how much more enjoyable must it be observe God Himself? I found great pleasure in observing the shapes/sizes/colours of these birds (objects of creation). How much more pleasurable must it be to observe and discover more about our God who has blessed us with these things? Oh, there is great pleasure and joy in discovering God! God doesn't desire our discovery of Him to be dull and flat obligation, rather an enthusiastic*, joyful, adventure where each ascended peak reveals a yet greater peak in the endless joy of ascending in knowledge of God.

*enthusiastic - comes from the Greek word enthusia, which is a compound word of en (in) Theos (God), which essentially means "a response to God in us".










































































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