The Perfect Gift

"Do not be deceived my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" - James 1:16

Giving is two-fold. We don't tend to see giving as two-fold because of our culture. Our culture suggests that giving is simply between one person and another. However, scripture would suggest something deeper. Scripture would suggest that all giving is a reflection of God's dealing with man. There is a reason behind Jesus saying, "it is better to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Jesus doesn't use empty words. When he says giving is better than receiving he means it. Why? Because throughout scripture, God is continually seen as a giver with man being the receiver. So in essence what Jesus is saying is, "It is better to be like God than it is to be like man"

But what is this deception that James talks about? "Do not be deceived.." Have WE been deceived? I don't FEEL deceived. Unfortunately, we have been deceived. The evidence is everywhere. One way that we've been deceived is in our vernacular. The word "lucky" is commonly found on our lips but it is surprisingly absent from scripture. None of the Bible's authors use any form of the word "luck". You simply will not find it anywhere in scripture. You will however find the word, "blessed". In fact, you will find this word close to 300 times throughout the bible. (That's around 4-5 times on average in every book) I don't mean to overstate my case but it seems as though this concept of "blessing" is somewhat of a theme in the bible. The reason why the word "luck" is a deception is because it only fits into an atheistic worldview. Luck stems from chance. Chance stems from disorder. And if God is a God of order, he has no dealings with luck or chance. God and luck cannot coexist. However the word "blessed" fits perfectly into a biblical worldview. "Blessed" suggests purpose. It suggests intentionality and love. It also suggests that there are at least two parties involved. One who is the blesser and one who is blessed. The word "lucky" dishonors God because it reduces his grace to a product of chance. Therefore, "luck" should be removed from our vocabulary and replaced with "blessed".

Also, we find James making a distinction between a "good" gift and a "perfect" gift. While there is a distinction between the two, they both descend from a common source. Namely, the Father of lights. But why the distinction? Perhaps it could be that a good gift is something that one could USE whereas a perfect gift is something that one desperately NEEDS. May I suggest that there are an infinite amount of good gifts but there is only one perfect gift. There is one gift that is elevated above all other gifts. All good gifts merely shadow and imperfectly mirror this singular perfect gift. This perfect gift is Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son". Romans states it this way, "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This verse is a little more clear. We see our need as well as our solution. The need is an escape from the death that our sin has earned. Jesus has taken the death for believers and given them his perfect record. The reason we give gifts on Christmas is to symbolize the perfect gift of Jesus' life for all who would turn to him. He literally is the "perfect" gift. He is completely without sin and yet freely gives this "perfect" record to those who would receive it.

I"ll end by suggesting that we ought to see every good thing as from God. Even the things we take for granted ought to be reflected back to God in praise "since he gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25). Note the order of the words. Life and breath come first. The fact that you are breathing right now (and I assume you are) is evidence of God's grace. The very fact that you are able to read and follow a pattern of thought is an unbelievable gift from God! However, these are all to prepare us for the perfect gift of Jesus Christ. All other gifts tank in comparison to this perfect gift. Our deepest need is the need for a Savior. Not only is Jesus a savior, but he is also a treasure. I pray that you would recognize the hand of God in all good gifts and be incredibly grateful for the perfect gift of Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.

Joy in times of stress

Life is stressful. Life is infamous for suffering, hardships and trials. However, as followers of Christ we are told to rejoice in these sufferings. We are told to consider it "pure joy" when we face trials of various kinds (James 1:2). How could this be? How are we to rejoice in the loss of a close family member or the loss of a friend? How are we to glory in the injustice of crooked politicians, crooked professors and crooked people? Surely the apostle Paul doesn't have our trials and our difficulties in mind when he exhorts us to "rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Of course this argument falls apart when you take into account the life of Paul. We find Paul's suffering résumé in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. He writes,

"I am talking like a madman-with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked...in danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city...in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches"

For the sake of clarity, let us recap. Paul has experienced physical pain (vv 24-25), emotional pain (v 26), the pain of betrayal (v 24) and the pain of anxiety (v 28). This is the résumé of the man who has told us to "rejoice always". Could it be that he has learned the secret to possessing unwavering joy? Philippians 4 would assume so.

"In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:12-13) 

This verse was never meant to be plucked out of context and plastered onto the back of church league baseball jerseys promoting some sort of underdog mentality. The immediate context suggests that Paul's realization occurs in the midst of suffering. However, it is in the midst of this pain that God will usher in a deeper understanding of the sufficiency of Christ. Joy will flee from us until we realize that Jesus Christ is our treasure. I pray that you would be satisfied in Christ alone as the source of your strength and your joy.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.

3 Glorious Truths

How are we to cope with stress? What is the secret path to joy that Paul talks about time and time again? I believe Jesus gives us a very applicable blueprint in John 14. "Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (v 1). 

Keep in mind, this blueprint occurs directly after Jesus reveals four devastating truths to his disciples.

          #1: I am going to be crucified (12:32-33)

          #2: Some people will never believe (12:39)

          #3: Judas is a betrayer (13:26)

          #4: Simon Peter will deny me three times (13:38)

In the midst of this, Jesus has the audacity to tell his disciples "Let not your hearts be troubled". The next sentence is very important. "Believe in God, believe also in me".  Following this command are 3 glorious truths that Jesus intends for us to set our minds on daily. He desires that we set our minds on these daily so that we might glorify him by having his joy overflowing in us. No believer can be unaffected or unmoved by these 3 glorious truths. The burden of this passage is to believe. You must believe not only on an academic level but also on a heart level. You need your heart, soul and mind all to be engaged in order to believe these truths. This word "believe" ought to be synonymous with "trust" or "eat" or "follow".

Glorious truth #1

- Jesus is taking you to heaven

"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am  you may be also" (vv 2-3)

Most of our stress comes from being overly-attached to the things of this world. The implication of believing in our heavenly destination will cause us to detach our source of joy from the things of this world and find our joy in being co-heirs with Christ. Are you worried about living situations? Jesus has prepared a place for you in heaven. Are you worried about relationships? Jesus wants to be with you in heaven. Are you concerned about your academic performance? Jesus has given you his perfect righteousness. The list goes on but the truth stays the same. You are meant for life with Jesus in God's heavenly kingdom.

Glorious Truth #2

- Jesus knows where he is going

"Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (vv 5-6)

A lot of our stress comes from uncertainty about the future. The implication of believing this promise is trusting the Holy Spirit to lead you into your God-ordained future. Even in times of uncertainty we need to believe that God has a definite plan for our lives. He knows the way. Therefore, let us follow him. Jesus makes three claims in verse 6. He claims to be the only way to God, the ultimate standard for truth and the only source of true life. Therefore, although you may not know what the future has in store, Jesus does, and he is taking you there. In the midst of your confusion and anxiety he quietly whispers, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow" (Matt 6:34)

Glorious Truth #3

- Jesus plans to use you for great and mighty things

"Truly truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the son." (vv 12-13)

Stress can be caused by the feeling of worthlessness. Or perhaps you regularly feel bored. If so, what you are feeling is the beginning of something incredible. You were not created to sit on the bench and watch life pass you by. God has carefully crafted you in his image. Go out and live! Find a passion like Nehemiah did and surrender your life to it! God has personally given certain spiritual gifts specifically for you. He wants you to use them in ways to glorify him. Herein lies the best part, you will never feel more alive than when you are operating out of one of your spiritual giftings. We ought to spend much time in prayer asking the Father to reveal to us what his passion for our life is. I pray that you would have the joy of Christ at all times and in all circumstances.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.

Anger as a means to Holiness

We tend to avoid anger like it's some sort of plague. We have been trained that anger is wrong and that it has no place in the Christian life. If this is true, "reductio ad absurdum" would suggest that Jesus would not be much of a Christian. "Making a whip of cords, [Jesus] drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables." (John 2:15) Also, God the Father would not be much of a Christian either. "And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp" (Numbers 11:1). Our standards ought never to be higher than God's standards. There is clearly a place for anger in the Christian life. In fact, I would venture to argue that anger is commanded.  

"Be angry and do not sin" - Ephesians 4:25

Now I need to be careful because I know that I walk a very thin line when I suggest that anger is commanded. What I do not suggest is a type of selfish and unrighteous anger. On the contrary, the anger that I am referring to is both holy and sanctifying. Yes! Anger is essential in your sanctification! I believe that the apostle Paul is communicating something very important. He is communicating that there are some areas of your life that in order to "not sin" you must "be angry". As a Christian, some things need to incite hositility in you. Some things need to make your heart beat fast and your fists clench. Some things need to make you grind your teeth. Namely, sin. The mastermind behind sin is Satan. Jesus describes him as a "thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Or in other words, Satan desires to sever you from Christ. He desires to steal your joy, kill your passion and destroy your hope. The proper response to this is righteous anger.

In 1775, America was engaged in a war for freedom. Facing Great Britain, victory was an unlikely outcome. However, America used a certain tactic called, “guerrilla warfare”. This proved to be effective against the British soldiers. Americans hid in bushes and ambushed the unsuspecting British soldiers. As a result, America won the war and gained freedom after being in bondage to Great Britain. In the same way, Satan desires to keep you in bondage. The only way to gain freedom is to engage in what I call, “guerilla spiritual-warfare”. Your sin doesn’t fight fair and neither should you! Ambush it, choke it, starve it, kick it while it’s down! Whatever you do, don't compromise with it. Don't play with it. It's not playing with you! It has an ulterior motive: steal, kill and destroy. Do not be fooled. Satan's mission statement is, "To steal, kill and destroy". He is desperately trying to woo you away from Christ. Every temptation to lust, boast, gossip, or seek approval are all subtle attempts to steal your joy, kill your passion and destroy your soul. We need to be angered by this and engage in guerilla spiritual-warfare. 

With that being said, I would like to affirm that while we should be angry, we should not be afraid. The battle is already won. Jesus has won the war by conquering sin and death on the cross. His resurrection has sealed his triumph over evil. Therefore, since Jesus has won the war, it is now our responsibility to fight for joy. Joy in the Christian life does not come easy. It is hard work. It involves intentionality. It involves much prayer, and finally, it involves hostility. John Owens writes, "Strength and vigor in the Christian life depends much on the mortification of sin." Anger is a pre-requisite to joy. Your sanctification depends on guerrilla spiritual-warfare. I pray that you would be angered by evil and in so doing, increase your delight in God!

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it."

Life through Light

There is a uniqueness to Jesus' ministry. There is an equally uniqueness to his claims. One moment he's drawing people to himself and the next he's flipping tables over in the temple. One moment he's describing how he is the Good Shepherd and the next moment he's tight-roping the lines of cannibalism. Just when you think you have Jesus figured out he slaps a weighty truth on you! It's seemingly madness! However, this madness is very much intended. It's desired. It's planned. Or in other words, there is meaning behind the madness. God intends that we never get used to Jesus. Getting used to Jesus is a very dangerous thing. If we stop seeing the madness as madness we will handicap the gospel's effect on our life. If we stop wrestling with God's word we will become numb to God's love. That is a horrible place to be in. That is a place of methodical, halfhearted devotion to Christ that leads to more and more darkness. We need light! You cannot ignore light! There is no getting used to bright headlights obstructing your vision on the highway! It cannot be ignored, rather, it must be dealt with. In the same way, we find Jesus in John 8 proclaiming, "I am the light of the world" (v 12).

As you trek through John and reach chapter 8, you will most likely have the startling realization that John has been setting you up. You realize that he has been secretly preparing your heart for the past 7 chapters. In chapter 1 he laid the foundation of Jesus being life, and that life being the light of men. He tells us that the light shines in the darkness and that the darkness cannot overcome it. (1:4-5) In chapter 3 he builds on this foundation by adding that those who do what is true go to the light. (3:21) Now we arrive in chapter 8 already preheated. It is his crescendo! Jesus tells us that He is the light. We find that light produces life whereas darkness produces death.

I find it important that Jesus identifies himself as "the" light of the world. He is communicating something singular. He is communicating that he is the only light in the world. Meaning, true life is exclusive. Without Christ, you are in darkness. Even worse, it is possible to grow accustom to darkness. Our spiritual eyes adjust to "dealing" with it. However, when Mom flicks on the lights in your room early in the morning, it hurts! You fight it! You burrow under the covers and squeeze your eyelids shut. The light seems unbearable! However, like always, there is meaning behind the madness. That light is good for you. It wakes you up. It produces life in you. We ought to wake up and seek after life!

However, we must be very careful in our pursuit of life. There is a type of pursuit that will cause more emptiness and darkness. This is why we find Jesus proclaiming, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin" (v 21). This should startle us. However, John has prepared us for this. He doesn't intend that we approach this statement unprepared. He's already laid a framework of Jesus being synonymous with life and light. Therefore, what Jesus is communicating to us is this: "What you seek in your idols, your vanity, your money, your relationships, or in whatever your sin of choice may be, is me. You crave life and life can only be found in me. Your pursuits are silly. They're destructive. They will cause more darkness and that darkness will be the death of you." Therefore, if you seek life through anything other than Christ, you sin, and "the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23). This is exclusive. This is offensive. This is the gospel. It is meant for both the nonbeliever AND the believer. The remedy is the same; experience life by following Christ. You don't have to walk in darkness. There is an alternative. Christian, you don't have to walk in darkness. You have the "light of life" (v 12). Redirect your pursuits towards Him and faithfully follow Him. I pray that God would pierce through the darkness with the light of Christ so that you would have life and have it abundantly.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it"

Expository Blogging

I realize that this post is a long time coming. I also realize that if you've read a few of my posts, most of what I am about to explain will not be news to you. However, I would like to explain the purpose of this blog.

If you've been following this page, you may have noticed this concept of "Expository Blogging" embedded into my posts. You most likely have not called it that but nonetheless, what I mean by "expository blogging" is that the main point of my writings are always the main point of a passage of scripture. This is not an accident. This is a carefully drawn out attempt to give you a taste for the word of God. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). I do this because I have a conviction that the word of God when properly expounded does a multitude of things:

- It makes one wise for salvation through Jesus Christ (2 Tim 3:15)
- It sanctifies (John 17:17)
- It makes our hearts burn for joy (Luke 24:32)
- It convicts us of sin (Matthew 22:29)
- It convinces us of grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This is my aim through blogging, that you and I would know him personally and make him known openly. Biblically, this only happens through scripture and through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything" (2 Tim 2:7). This is why I end with a prayer and with a confidence that, "He who calls you is faithful [AND] he will surely do it." (1 Thes 5:24)

Divine Syncing

Synchronization makes life easier. I recently purchased an android-based smartphone and one of my favorite features is it's autosync. My email, my calendar, my contacts and my iTunes are all synced to my cell phone. I think one reason I like this feature is because of the comfort and security that it provides. I never have to worry about losing information or being out of the know. This is because information is constantly coming in and going out. In the same way, I think God desires that we be synchronized to him. With information coming in and going out. This thought comes from a meditation on John 7.

First, let's take a look at the context of John 7. Verses 1-2 tell us that the Feast of the Booths was at hand and there was to be a celebration in Judea. However, Jesus refuses to go because the Jews were seeking to kill him (v 1). At first glance, it seems as though Jesus reacts out of fear. However, that thought is quickly put to rest when he not only travels to Judea but starts open-air preaching (v 14). We then see that verse 1 is not motivated by fear, rather, it is motivated by a divine schedule."My time has not yet come" (v 6). I find that synchronization to the Father's will produces a boldness and a confidence that is able to stand up to life's greatest obstacles.

It's a terrible thing to be out of sync with the Lord. You feel rebellious. You feel lost. You feel powerless. You don't feel the "immeasurable greatness of his power" (Eph 1:19) but rather, "burdened and heavy laden" (Matt 11:28). If this is you, take heart. Syncing to God's will is not a complex process. Let us then ask the question that confronts so many believers. The question being, "How do I get synced to God's will?" This is a fair question. However, I'm pleased to find an answer in Jesus stating, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know..." (v. 17) This is a tremendous promise! We don't need to trouble ourselves over the specifics of God's will. Rather we are to rejoice in that the requirement to knowing his will is passionately following, obeying and serving him with the tools and opportunities that he's provided. This is the blueprint for divine syncing and the pathway that leads to peace and comfort.

God desires that we seek his glory (v. 18) and not our own. How? Through prayer, through his word and through the proclamation of the gospel! This is how we seek his glory. We seek his fame! We count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing him AND making him known! Let us not seek our own glory and in so doing, alienate ourselves from Him. Rather, let us seek his glory by seeking his face, praying, studying his word and sharing the gospel. I pray that you would be synced to the Father's will and passionately complete the work that he has given you to do.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it."

Feeding on the gospel

We love food. We live in a culture that bows down before food. Our weekly meetings usually involve food. We eat when we're hungry, we eat when we're sad, we eat when we're bored and we eat when we're happy. We eat before we eat (appetizer) and we eat after we eat (desert). We love to eat. However, eating is dynamic. We eat because it's enjoyable and yet we eat to stay alive. Food is both a necessity and an indulgence. Fully aware of this, we find Jesus in John 6 proclaiming, "I am true food" (v. 55)

 First, let's talk about false food. Better yet, we can call it fast food. Fast food is that cheap stuff that satisfies you in the moment but can leave you with the pains of a stomachache or a clotted artery later. Fast food is easy to get, convenient, and requires little to no preparation. However, many of us spend our lives bouncing around from one spiritual fast food joint to another. Let's get a little more practical. Here are some examples of spiritual fast food: relationships, the approval of others, beauty, a sense of accomplishment, power, or lustful indulgences. If none of these seem to land, allow me to press a little further. Spiritual fast food can also include your sanctification, your bible study, your ministry and your fellowship. Yes, we can experience all of these things and still be spiritually malnourished. How? "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me." (John 5:39) There is a type of religious devotion that will cause you to be fat rather than strong.

So what is true food? What is this food that is both a necessity and an indulgence? Simple. Jesus Christ crucified. "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life" (vv 6:53-54) I believe Jesus is going for shock value here. Like any good teacher, he is saying something that will resonate in the minds of the hearers. Surely the Jews were thinking about the Levitcal law which strictly prohibits the drinking of blood. "I will set my face against that person who eats blood" (Lev 17:10) I imagine they were grumbling among themselves saying, "Surely he can't be speaking literally. Is he commanding us to disobey God's law?" However, the same sun that melts the snow hardens the clay. "...for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life" (Lev 17:11)

This food that Jesus is talking about is his atoning life, death and resurrection. Because the saviors blood was spilled, you stand justified before a holy and righteous God. Because the saviors flesh was torn, all your sins have been blotted out. Because of he who knew no sin becoming sin, you have been made the righteousness of God. There is no way to improve righteousness. There is no way to improve justification. There is no way to improve on what God has done for you in Jesus Christ. This is true food! What Jesus is telling us here is "Come! Eat of this food." To eat something is to acknowledge that it is edible, nourishing and real. Jesus Christ came on a search and rescue mission for you. He gave his flesh and blood for you. This is applicable, this is nourishing, this is real! Feed on this! Meditate on this! Allow this to be of first importance in your heart! Don't waste your time laboring for the food that perishes. Rather, labor for the food that endures to eternal life. I pray that God would draw you every day to feed on the gospel as both a necessity and an indulgence.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it."

2nd Hand Glory

Addiction is a terrible thing. However, if we are honest with ourselves, most of us are addicted to what I call, 2nd hand glory. This thought came out of a quiet time on the last passage in John 5. Jesus affirms the trustworthiness of John the Baptist (v. 32) and then condemns the faithlessness of the Jewish crowd (v. 40). These two events are NOT unrelated. Quite the opposite. I believe that our Lord is communicating something that is intended to have a powerful effect on us. Something that can only be seen through the side-by-side comparison of John and the Jewish crowd. Here it is; The pursuit of 2nd-hand glory will kill faith.

What I mean by 2nd-hand glory is this; there is a feeling you get from knowing somebody important. There is an unashamed zeal and a confidence in being around somebody famous. Why else would celebrities walk around with giant followings? Why else would a musician have 1,000 followers on twitter, updating fans on the trivial and ironically normal things done throughout their day? Easy. Famous people attract followers. I feel guilty of this myself. My cousin just married a professional football player. Not only is he in the NFL, but he's popular! I've seen him many times on Sportscenter. To me, this is exhilarating! I wanted to buy his jersey and tell the world who my newest cousin was! That is, until I met him. Upon meeting him, I no longer had a desire to brag about him. Why? Is it because he's an ego-maniac? No. Quite the opposite. I no longer had a desire to brag about him because I realized that he was humble. Therefore, I was caught in the awkward tension of boasting in someone who doesn't boast in himself. However as we see through the life of Jesus, humility is the true path to greatness.

This may be Jesus' point in saying, "[John] was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light" (v. 35) Upon hearing this, the next question should be, "Why only rejoice for a while?" Jesus explains by saying, "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him." (v 43) Or in other words, If Jesus came as an ego-loving celebrity, he would have far more followers than he does today. However, great people are not measured by how big a following they have, rather, they are measured by the love of God within them (v. 42). The fact that Jesus came as a humble king makes it hard to receive 2nd-hand glory from him. Why? Because it makes you feel uncomfortable. The reason the Jews only rejoiced in the limelight of John for a while is the same reason why I only rejoiced in the limelight of my NFL-playing cousin for a while. It was uncomfortable boasting in a humble servant. "I am not the Christ....I am not Elijah...I am not the Prophet...[Rather] I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord" (John 1:20-23) With rumors like "messiah" "elijah" and "prophet" circulating around John, we can easily see why people would want to rejoice in his fame. However, John did not rejoice in his fame. On the contrary, he said,  "[Jesus] must increase but I must decrease" (Jn 3:30) This seems unusual. It is impossible to receive 2nd-hand glory from one who does not seek glory from people. Humble people love God more than they love their reputation.

I think this ushers in verse 41 very well. Jesus says, "I do not receive glory from people." Therefore, what is true about John is also true about Jesus. He is a humble servant who has the love of God within him. And there is no 2nd-hand glory to be attained through serving a humble servant, rather, there is only humble admiration. As children of God, we ought not seek glory from other people. We have no ground for boasting in ourselves because we follow one who does not boast in himself. As if that were not enough motivation, Jesus' shocking words in verse 44 should ring in our ears, "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"  The love of 2nd-hand glory is detrimental to your faith. I pray that your faith would grow strong as you give glory to our humble king.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it."

Consider your calling

In what shall our confidence lay in? In what shall we boast in? Are we to boast in ourselves? Nay, that would be hedonistic. However, there is a type of hedonism that is indeed biblical. Pastor, scholar, and my personal hero John Piper writes, "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him" This is the foundation for Christian Hedonism. Our boast is, has, and always will be in the Lord. Anyone who says that we ought not boast has an ascetic view on humility. Biblical humility is PROUD! Biblical humility is boastful! I find that the most humble thing one can do is boast in one who is greater than he. Since then we have been united to Christ, let us boast in him! Believe me, there will be much boasting in heaven. However, that boasting will not be in ourselves, but rather in "The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29)

I find this to be the basis for Paul's admonishment in 1 Cor 1:26, "Consider your calling, brothers" What follows next is surprising to say the least. We are told to think back to our spiritual calling and then Paul precedes to call us "foolish", "weak", "low" and "despised". Now as I contemplate these descriptions, I initially have a hard time reconciling them to the previous command. How does this make sense? How am I foolish and yet called by God? How am I weak and yet called by God? How can these descriptions which make me seem so unimpressive somehow be working as the basis for my spiritual calling? Then it dawned on me. This is all working to cultivate Christian Hedonism. Or otherwise known as "the intentional pursuit of joy in God". What gets in the way of true worship is an elevated view of self. No one stands before God and says, "I alone am great." Once we have a proper understanding of the holiness of God, true worship will ultimately follow. This is why Christian hedonists are more than content with being called "weak", "foolish" and "low". For the lower they go, the higher God seems! Our boast is not in ourselves, rather it is in the greatness of God. I pray that you would decrease in order that Jesus Christ may increase in your life. That is the true path to joy and the essence of Christian Hedonism.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it"

Living water for the thirsty

Nothing is more frustrating than unmet desires. We run through countless idols trying to appease our cavernous thirsts. However, what we fail to realize is that our deep, great thirsts have been given to us by God FOR him. The sad thing is that we turn perfectly good things into idols by attempting to use them to fill the great holes in our life. However, good things cannot fill great holes. Where there are deep longings to be satisfied, there are equally deep portions of grace to satisfy that restless soul. If you have spectacular sins, you may enjoy a spectacular savior! A heart that desires little receive little but a heart that desires much receives "grace upon grace" (John 1:16) Therefore, "let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need" (Heb 4:16) Let us never think that our sin disqualifies us to draw near to the throne of grace. For our confidence is not in ourselves but in the perfect righteousness of Christ. Those who lean on Christ are the most humble and joyful people in the world.

In John 4 we meet a Samaritan woman with a deep thirst for the Lord. Sadly, she is unaware that her desires are for the triune God. We see in verse 6 that she is drawing water from a well at an unusual hour. The writer John makes a point to specify that this took place around the sixth hour (noon). It was customary for women to draw water early in the morning. However, this lady seems to be avoiding the women in the town. Why? Verse 18 tells us that she's had FIVE failed marriages and is living with a man who is not her husband. I can only imagine the emotional wounds of five failed marriages. I can only imagine how women in the town talk and gossip about this poor soul. I can only imagine how the men in the town view this seemingly promiscuous woman. However, God intends that we see ourselves in the face of this woman.

Notice that our Lord does not condemn her for her desires. Rather, he offers her living water that will cause her to "never thirst again" (v. 14). Do you think she has thirsts? You bet she has thirsts! FIVE failed marriages! This is a great picture of the result of idolatry. Men make horrible Gods. Women make horrible Gods. Anything other than Yahweh will make a horrible God. Once anything is elevated above God, it gets crushed and we get disappointed. These men were mostly likely crushed under the weight of having to be God to this woman. It was far too much to handle. Men were not meant to be put in God's position. Only God can bear the weight of our deep expectations. Only God can offer us living water. All other founts will cause us to "be thirsty again" (v. 13).

Here we see ourselves in the face of this adulteress woman. We too have given ourselves over to idols. We too have tried to satisfy our heart's longings with created things instead of the creator. We too have made a mess of our life and live in shame and in a pool of regret. However, we can take heart. For our Lord will deal with us as patiently and as lovingly as he does with this woman. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37) This is meant for us! Whoever doesn't thirst doesn't breath. Whoever doesn't have longings doesn't have a soul. Let us repent and rejoice! Like the woman of Samaria, let us drop our buckets (v.28) and drink deeply from the living water that our Savior provides! Grace upon grace is ours for the taking! All you need to bring with you is repentance and faith! Bring as much of it as you can! The greater the longings, the greater the Savior will prove to be! I pray Christ would draw you to drink deeply from his fount of living water.

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it"