Recommended Book: A Christian's Pocket Guide to Jesus Christ

In the book, "A Christian's Pocket Guide to Jesus Christ", Mark Jones carefully spells out, in 76 pages, the person and work of Jesus Christ - Christology. Christology is also the discussion about the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ. He unpacks the historical and theological view on this subject. Surely, Jones treatment on Christology on this book may be tiny, since it is an introduction, yet it contains treasure.

He provides different views (Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed) on Christology, and he is a proponent of the Reformed view. He hammers down his argument through the support of Scripture as a whole - he carefully performs exegesis - and the works of John Owen and Thomas Goodwin and etc. - the Puritans. His writing and theology do resemble the works of the Puritans, so you might have to re-read it a couple of times in order to grasp what Jones is talking about. 

Here are some questions that the book answers (I still have to ponder and carefully think about them):

1.) Did Jesus have one or two wills?
2.) Did Jesus need to pray?
3.) Did Joseph have to teach Jesus how to be a carpenter?
4.) Did Jesus need to have faith?
5.) Was it possible for Jesus to sin? 

Check out this review and consider getting one. 

Book Worm (April 6th, 2014)

For the past few months of working at the Amazon Warehouse, I have encountered numerous of books. I created a list and a wish list of the books that I want add into my library. When I see a book that seems interesting to me, I would write it down and go back home to review it and consider purchasing it.

With a lot of books on my shelf, desk, bed, and also in the tablet, I want to briefly share what I've been reading (if you are ever at all interested) and give a short description of the content. 

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Antinomianism: Reformed Theology's Unwelcome Guest? by Mark Jones

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Mark Jones is a pastor, theologian and elder of Faith Presbyterian Church. He is a theologian that is trained in Christology, a discussion about the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. He has written a few books, one of which is called Puritan Theology with Joel Beeke. He is an expert on the Puritans where he would often quote dead guys on top of his head. I am privileged to be under his teachings at a Willingdon School of the Bible.

In his book, he traces back to a historical debate in 16 century in the Reformed theological tradition, which is called Antinomianism, that has crept up in the 21st century. We are living in an era where legalism was a big problem, but nowadays Antinomianism is becoming a more detrimental problem within the church. Antinomianism in of itself preaches absolute contrast between the law and the gospel. (i.e. "No Work" or "No Law" and "God Loves Me Unconditionally No Matter What I Do" or "Jesus Already Finished The Work For Us") Mark Jones, with his scholarly work on church history and scriptural argument, carefully reconciles the Law and the Gospel together with Christology. 

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Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments by Geerhardus Vos

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Do not ever underestimate fine old books. This piece is truly a modern classic. Vos is considered to be a modern puritan and has been called the father of Reformed Biblical Theology. He lived from 1862 to 1949. 

Sara Shim gave me this book. When she gave it to me, knowing that I will enter into pastoral ministry, encouraged me to read through it. My first impression was indifferent because the font and the book cover look old. I also had no clue what this book was about besides Biblical Theology. Mark Jones altered my thoughts when he mentioned that book during the class on Biblical Theology and highly recommends it. Majority of well-known Biblical Theologians also recommend this treat for those who want to dig deeper in understanding Biblical Theology. This year, this book resonates to me because I have a special interest in specializing in Biblical Theology and a bit of Christology when I do Th.M (Lord willing).

Biblical Theology is a not for those who wants to seek a basic understanding about that subject. It is an advanced material that is comparable to the works of John Owen and Jonathan Edwards. This is truly a book that would cure insomnia. The way that Vos chooses his vocabulary and structures his sentences helps me to carefully ponder at his points. Essentially, Vos is providing an account and theological themes of how God's revelation unfolds, not simply the big idea of the entire Bible. He structures his book in three parts: The Mosaic Epoch of Revelation, The Prophetic Epoch of Revelation, and The New Testament.

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What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics and What is the Church by R.C. Sproul

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Sproul is one of the well-known evangelicals/theologians that Christians look up to. He has a ministry called Ligonier Ministries. This ministry is dedicated "to help Christians know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it."

Yesterday, I decided to immerse myself in the realm of Reformed Theology. Sproul is gifted not only in theology, but also in teaching theology in basic terms that even a Christian layperson could understand. Sproul makes a fine argument that Reformed Theology, or the Reformed Tradition, is not simply about the five points of calvinism although it is part of the treatment of theology. First of all, Sproul carefully distinguishes difference between the study of religion and the study of theology. Later on, Sproul explains the historic reformed tradition that was brought about during the time of the Reformation in the 16th century. For the first half of the book, he lays out "The Five Foundation Stones" in Reformed Theology: 

(1) Centered On God 

(2) Based On God's Word Alone 

(3) Committed To Faith Alone 

(4) Devoted To Jesus Christ 

(5) Structured by three covenants. 

The 2nd half of the book speaks about the five points of Calvinism/Reformed Theology or the Doctrine of Grace. 

"What is the Church" is a short book that explains that question. Sproul again carefully expounds a biblical understanding of unity within the local and universal church. Unity is not a simple word, as Sproul explains it in his book. With the rise of Christian liberalism, can liberal churches and conservative churches be united? Doctrines do divide churches, therefore, should we hold peace and unity over doctrine? Sproul answers those questions in his book. For your information, Ligonier is giving away all of Sproul's "Crucial Questions Series" for free on kindle or ebook. 

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Conclusion

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And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
(Colossians 1:9-10)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Gift exchange is part of celebrating Christmas. with family and friends.

Let us also remember the Great Exchange.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
(2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

Absolutely Beautiful

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/55307071]

Reminder For Us As Christians That We Are Adopted Into God's Family:

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

Reminder For Us That Jesus Was Adopted By Joseph:

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-7)

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents [Mary and Joseph] brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law... (Luke 2:27)

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (Luke 2:41)

Apocalypse - Reasons Why 2012 Won't Happen

DISCLAIMER: This post has a bias view on the perspective of apocalypse.

Today is December 20th, 2012. According to the Mayan Calendar, December 21st 2012 is technically the day when the Calendar stops continuing. It prophecies that this Friday is possibly the end of the world. Some argue that it won't happen because the person got tired of continuing with the calendar. As the day is approaching, a lot of people on the internet are discussing and worried about Friday. As a Christian, I want to stand firm with what the Bible says about apocalypse and the end of the age. And I want to suggest several biblical-eschatological reasons why the event for this Friday will not happen.

1.) Regarding "that day", the disciples were asking Jesus what will the sign be for the end of the age in Matthew 24:3. Nobody knows when it will happen. Only God knows. Therefore, the Mayan Calendar is not a divine prophecy that was utter by God, so it won't happen.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36 ESV)

2.) The end of the age is when Christ returns for the 2nd time. One of the things we know that Christ is coming back very soon is when the message of the gospel is proclaimed in all the nations. The Mayan Calendar does not know when Jesus will come back.

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14 ESV)

3.) The rebellion comes first. The rebellion is when the anti-Christ or the man of lawlessness reveals himself, and the Lord Jesus will come and destroy him.

"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 ESV)

4.) Jesus will return for the 2nd time like a thief. For unbelievers, they don't know when a thief comes to rob their home, and it will surprise them. For Christians, we shouldn't be surprise because we are ready for that day to come (whenever it is). We are ready because we are children of light. We are children of light because we belong to God when we receive Jesus.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 ESV)

5.) The book of Revelation offers apocalyptic perspective on how the end will come, which is very different from the Mayan Calendar. My church recently worked through the book of Revelation. Anti-Christ will come. False Prophet will come. Satan will come. The "unholy Trinity", the way my pastor called it, will come and attack and kill a lot of Christians during the Great Tribulation. The Seven Judgement (Trumpets, Plagues, Bowls of God's Wrath) will come. Jesus will come and defeat the "unholy Trinity" once and for all with the breath of His mouth. You can read and study it for more detail. I just want to say in general that the events are slowly happening and we should anticipate the Jesus' coming.

There are many passages in the Bible that I could point out, but I hope 5 reasons are good enough to convince Christians not to stress out over this Friday. As Christians, we can be more confident to not know when Jesus will return than to know His return. However, we are expecting for His return and we are ready for His return. Are you ready for His return?

Theological Position

In the past, people asked me about Predestination vs. Free Will, Assurance of Salvation, Calvinist, and etc. In this entry, I want to share my theological position. Now, there are lots of positions out there, but I'll give you one of them. Do I stand on the side of Arminianism or Calvinism/Reformed?

From my understanding of what the Scripture teaches, I stand along the side of/yield towards Reform Theology. You can call me a Calvinist if you want even though I dislike being labelled that way (not that anyone called by that). I am a follower of Jesus Christ, His disciple, and a child of God. That's it. I simply want to be faithful to the teachings of Scripture as a whole. As I read and studied Scripture, I am more convinced that the Bible does teach about Total Depravity, Predestination, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. However, Limited Atonement is one of the Doctrines that's tricky and somewhat a problem for me to understand. I do agree that Jesus died for elect, but I also believe that Jesus died for everyone. Here's how I would summarize this: Jesus died for the sins of the whole world but His atonement is only effective to those who believe.

You can read more about it in some detail here: http://www.the-highway.com/compare.html

It's been almost 5 years ever since God saved me through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He loves me despite of who I am - a wretched sinner. His grace is enough and I need Him everyday. Five years, God taught me a lot through Scripture, prayer, other believers, and daily basis. And I still have lots to learn and study from Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is just a surface of where I stand so far. Please don't criticize or judge where I am at if you disagree. I still love you wherever you stand theologically :)

Old Testament Clues To Christ

I think two years ago, I did a project on how we could find Jesus in the Old Testament. It was a very edifying and mind-stretching experience to be studying the Word of God. I want to share it with you so you could see Christ in the Old Testament. We could see the Old Testament pointing to the Gospel, the person and work of Jesus Christ. Give thanks to God because we worship a God who defeated Satan, sin, and death through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Passage	Description or Outline
Genesis 3:15	There will be hostile between Satan and the woman, and his offspring and her offspring. Offspring, seed, does not come from her seed, but God prophecy that He will miraculously put a seed in the woman, Mary, to give a virgin birth to a Son, who is Jesus. Jesus shall bruise Satan’s head, and Satan shall bruise his heel. Ultimately, Jesus will have the overall victory.
Genesis 12:3	Through offspring of Abraham, all families of the earth SHALL be blessed. This offspring is the coming the Messiah who will come to take away the sins of the world and bringing people back in fellowship with Him.
Genesis 49:10	Scepter symbolizes royal authority. Thus, the One who holds the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff (lawgiver) from between his feet. This tribute (Shiloh – Messianic title), “until he comes to whom it belongs” according to the footnote, means that the One that has all royal authority comes because He is the lawgiver. And to Him (Jesus) shall be the obedience of the peoples. The gospel is not only that Jesus died for our sins, but He also obeyed every commandment in our place while we broke every commandment out of disobedience to Him.
Deuteronomy 18:15	Moses is FORTH-telling that God will raise up a prophet. Jesus is the greater prophet that is yet to come. In reference to Hebrews 3:1-6, Jesus is greater than Moses because “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (v.3).
Joshua 5:13-15	Jesus is the commander of the army of the Lord. A similar event happened with Moses at the burning bush. God told Moses to take off his sandal for he is standing on the holy place. Likewise, the commander, Jesus, told Joshua to do the same thing.
2 Samuel 7:16	God was making an unconditional covenant with David spoken through the prophet Nathan. As a Great King, Jesus’ house, kingdom and throne will be established forever. Jesus is making the new heavens and the new earth, and He all authority of the heavens and earth belongs to Him. He will rule as the Great King and Saviour.
Psalm 22	This 1st part of the chapter reminds me of Jesus when He was on the cross, being crucified. While Jesus was on the cross, He echoes verse 1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” In verse 6-8, it describes the humiliation and sorrow that David went through, which also describes Jesus’ mockery and insult from the crowd and soldiers. When Jesus was the cross, soldier mocked Him that if He was God, then He could save Himself. On the cross, Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced (v.16). However, the 2nd part of the chapter reminds me of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. He didn’t hide his face from anybody. He did not despise the people, but invites them to turn to the Lord and praise Him in reverence (v.27-28).
Isaiah 7:14	“Therefore, the Lord (Jesus) Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin SHALL conceive and bear a son (Jesus), and shall call His name Immanuel” (God is with us).
Isaiah 9:6-7	Isaiah prophecies, “For to us a child (Jesus) is born, to us a son (Jesus) is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...”I see that Jesus will on David’s throne and rule over His kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
Isaiah 11:1-2	Isaiah gives us a picture of the branch to describe the descendent. Jesse, David’s father, will have a branch coming forth from him. This branch (Jesus) from his (Jesse) roots shall bear fruit. Holy Spirit will rest upon Him (Jesus). Holy Spirit will give Him wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 53:1-12	Isaiah describes the very detail of the suffering of Christ. Jesus was despised and rejected by men. Jesus was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Jesus has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions. Jesus was crushed for our iniquities. It was God’s, the Father, will to lay His wrath on Jesus the iniquity of us all. Jesus was oppressed, and Jesus was afflicted, yet he didn’t open his mouth. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was led to the slaughter. The will of the Lord shall prosper in Jesus’ hand. Jesus, out of the anguish if His soul, shall see and be satisfied. Jesus poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Jeremiah 23:1-8	Jesus being the righteous Branch whom God will raise up for David. Jesus shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In Jesus’ days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. Jesus will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Ezekiel 21:24-27	During this time, God said that Jerusalem will be overthrown. “Ruin” is said three times to describe the intensive nature of the destruction that will come. Prince of Israel, probably Zedekiah, will come to an end as the Babylonian overtakes Jerusalem. Jesus shall come who is the one to whom judgement belongs, and God will give it to Him. Other commentator says that “The priestly and kingly offices would not return until the coming of Him whose right it is – the Messiah.”
Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45	The stone described in the passage is Jesus. He shall break in pieces of all these kingdoms (the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold) and bring them to an end. The stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth, and this stone shall stand forever.
Daniel 7:13-14	Daniel sees a vision of the One that looked like a son of man. Jesus Himself used the name, “Son of Man”, to emphasize His humanity as the incarnate Son of God. Jesus was given dominion and glory and a kingdom. All peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. Jesus’ dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. His kingdom shall not be destroyed.
Micah 5:2	Bethlehem shall come forth the One, Jesus, who is to be ruler in Israel. He is coming forth from of old, Ancient of Days.
Habakkuk 2:14	Like the waters will cover ocean, so will the knowledge of the glory of the Lord cover the earth. Jesus will come as the glory of the Lord in full manifestation of His divine being on earth.
Zechariah 9:9-10	Jesus is the coming King of Zion. Jesus is righteous and has salvation. As foretold, Jesus will be humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Jesus shall speak peace to the nations. And He will reign from sea to sea like the River flowing to the end of the earth.

Three Covenants and the Gospel of Salvation by Faith

An Article Printed Out By Willingdon School of the Bible.

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"Who then can be saved?"

Considering the discussion above, the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, and the NT teaching "by the works of the law no human being will be justified", how could anyone in Israel hope to be saved?

"The rock was Christ"

In 1 Corinthians 10:4 we learn a remarkable thing about the children of Israel:

"and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4 ESV)

In other words, Moses may have been the visible leader of the nation as they left Egypt headed for the promised land, but the One who really lead them and sustained them was Christ. And just as water can only come from the a rock by a miraculous act of grace and mercy, even so in the midst of the Mosaic Covenant, God's elect could only be saved by grace and mercy. To understand how this is possible, we must consider once again the three major covenants of Scripture.

1.) The Covenant of Redemption: This is the covenant between the Father and the Son whereby the Son promises to undertake the redemption of God's elect by His incarnation, perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and resurrection. The Father promises to send His Son, to sustain Him, to enable Him to accomplish His work, and to reward Him with the salvation of the elect upon successful completion of His mission.

2.) The Covenants of Works: Initially this covenant was between God and all of mankind, represented by Adam. After the fall, it was between Yahweh and the nation of Israel. As we have discussed, this is the covenant which was made with Adam and repeated with Israel through the Mosaic law. This covenant is described by the phrase "Do this and live". In other words, the outcome of failure to keep any part of the covenant is death. Perfect obedience is required in all parts of the law. Finally, Jesus Christ, the true Israel, fulfilled all the conditions of the Covenant of Works, and he did so not on His own behalf, but on behalf of the elect.

3.) The Covenant of Grace: The covenant of grace is between the Father and His elect, is founded upon mercy, and depends entirely on the work of Christ for its success or failure. In fact, the Covenant of Grace is founded upon the Covenant of Redemption. If Christ fails, then all who are "in Christ" fail. If Christ succeeds, then all who are "in Christ" succeed. And who is "in Christ"? The elect - those "chosen before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:3-10).

It is important to see how these three covenants relate to each other. First of all, all three covenants are eternal covenants. Christians sometimes have the idea that the covenant of works is ended in the New Testament, but that is quite wrong. The difference for those who, by faith, are "in Christ" is that Jesus Christ undertakes - through the Covenant of Redemption - to deliver all whom the Father has given Him from death, to lead a perfect life of obedience on their behalf, and to lead them to perfection through the new birth which will culimate in their resurrection unto life. It is important to note that, through Christ, all of the elect will be one day perfectly "conformed to the image of Christ".

We might ask, though, "What does this have to do with Israel under the Mosaic law?" The answer is that there is one major difference between Adam under the law and Israel under the law. Adam, before the fall, had no promise of redemption. Israel after the fall had such a promise. Even though Israel as a nation failed, nevertheless within the nation there were individuals like Moses who found favour with God, like their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had before them. The Holy Spirit revealed to them that they might hope in the "promise of God" to redeem them from their sins, and that promise is personified in Jesus Christ. Those who made up the "true Israel" were saved like their father Abraham who "believed the LORD, and he counted to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). There were many things about the Gospel of grace in Christ Jesus which they did not understand, but the Holy Spirit revealed to them that they might hope in God's deliverance through His promised deliverer.

After the fall, then, and the promise of Genesis 3:15 (the "proto-euangellion"), grace was always available to God's elect. It is important to understand that even during the administration of the Old Covenant, God's chosen were saved by placing their trust in Yahweh and in His promise of a deliverer.

Holiness, Worldliness, and being "Set-Apart" in the Christian Life

I want to provide a helpful resource to understand what it authentically means to be a Christian. Below are provided notes that I received from Willingdon School of the Bible, and I pray that you may find it enlightening and edifying in your understanding of Scripture.

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When God calls us to be 'set apart,' and to avoid 'worldliness (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15) in our efforts to be Holy, this does not mean that we cannot enjoy God's many common graces to all of mankind. On the contrary, we are to glorify God by enjoying His gracious gifts in such areas as the arts, sports, and food.

In other words, our holiness is not seen in monasticism and physical separation from any activities that non-Christians are involved in. So, what does it mean to enjoy God's bountiful provisions while maintaining a "set apart" and Holy life? How can we do both?

Worldliness in Scripture is the sin of allowing our attitudes, ambitions, focus, and desires to be shaped by "the system of rebellion and pride that seeks to displace God and His rule. It is this system rather than the created order itself which is "not from the Father" (1 John 2:15), and which has already been marked for judgment and destruction (John 12:31)." [1]

"The world" does not refer to the physical earth, creation or the universe (or God-given common graces to all his creation), but rather to the spiritual reality of man-centered, Satan-directed system of this present age, which is hostile to God and God's people. It refers to the self-centered, godless value system and mores of fallen mankind. The goal of "the world" is self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving, all of which amounts to hostility toward God." [2]

Thus, we as Christians must beware of allowing "worldliness" to creep in; we must also be aware of defining it properly. Again, it is not "worldly" or "sinful" to enjoy the common graces of God such as Art, Music, Drama, Literature,etc...even though they are not performed or created by Christians. It is worldly and sinful to allow ourselves to be influenced by anything (Art, TV, Moves, Literature, and Music) that carries a message that is antagonistic to Christ and our Faith. Such messages and philosophies are the "enemy of God" (James 4:4). We must forever guard ourselves against them in our continuous battle to remain "set apart" and Holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy.

There have been periods in history, particularly during the monastic age of the 4th century and the middle ages, when men and women sought holiness in isolation and radical self-denial. Some of this self-immolation was quite dramatic and included practices like the wearing of "hair shirts", self-flagellation, excessive fasting, and so on. Sadly, as Martin Luther pointed out so articulately , these practices had just the opposite effect to the one intended. It was, in the end, a glorification of the flesh and an attempt to establish righteousness by human effort. As such, it was an abomination to God, an affront to the cross of Christ, and typically ended in the most abhorrent of depravities.

When Jesus says, "Be perfect because your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt 5:48) He is saying the same thing as, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). There is not such thing as pleasing except by faith in Christ according to Scripture. Every effort to do so is an affront to God, and an attempt to prove God a liar and myself independent of His salvation.

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REFERENCE

[1] Reformation Study Bible Notes on 1 John 2:15

[2] John MacArthur, Commentary on James 4:4

Can God Command our Emotions?

There are many Scriptures which suggest that we are to have certain emotional responses to the Lord. But is it possible for our emotions to be commanded, even by God? Can we really control our emotions? Here is John Piper's response to this question.

"Jesus Commands the Emotions:

"I recall reading a book in college that argued: Love cannot be a feeling because it is commanded, and you can't command the feelings. In other words, love must simply be an act of the will or a deed of the body without involving the emotions or affections. But the problem with this argument is that the premise is false: Jesus does command the feelings. He demands that our emotions be one way and not another.
"He demands, for example, that we rejoice in certain circumstances (Matt 5:12), and that we fear the right person (Luke 12:5), and that we not feel shame over him (Luke 9:26), and that we forgive from the heart (Matt 18:35), and so on. If a feeling is proper to have, Jesus can demand it. The fact that I may be too corrupt to experience the emotions that I ought to have does not change my duty to have them. If Jesus commands it, I should have it. My moral inability to produce it does not remove my guilt; it reveals my corruption. It makes me desperate for a new heart - which Jesus came to give." [1]

 

REFERENCE

[1] John Piper. What Jesus Demands from the World. Crossway Books, Wheaton Illinois. 2006. pp 52-53

Word On The Street: Forgiveness

Take at least few minutes to read Matthew 18:21-35 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

What does it mean to forgive someone? This word, “forgiveness”, is a word that we all know, but wrongly applied majority of the time in our lives. Let me give you 10 things from my brother, Mark Driscoll, of what forgiveness is NOT:
1.) Approving or Diminishing
2.) Enabling Sin
3.) Denying a wrongdoing
4.) Waiting for an apology
5.) Forgetting
6.) Ceasing to feel the pain
7.) A one time event
8.) Neglecting justice
9.) Trusting
10.) Reconciliation



Before the passage (Matthew 18:15-20), Jesus taught on confronting your brother who sinned against you. In this passage, Jesus taught on forgiving someone who sinned against you. If you’re not able to forgive someone, then your sins are not forgiven because asking God’s forgiveness requires forgiving others.

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As we see in this parable in the bigger context, Jesus is speaking about what kingdom of heaven is like. So what does it mean to forgive someone who sinned against you? The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. The king forgave the servant when he asked for forgiveness. Did this servant deserve any forgiveness with the amount of debt that he owed to the king? I would say “No” because he doesn’t deserve it. But the king, out of grace and pity, still forgave him. This is what the kingdom of heaven may be like.
What is the kingdom of heaven NOT like? In contrast, the same servant hunted down one of his fellow servant because he was in debt to him. He didn’t forgive him, he even choked him and put him in prison. As a result, he was reported to the king by his own fellow servants because “they were greatly distressed”. It was painful to watch, and I wonder what they were thinking. “Wait a minute, this doesn’t seem moral, and seem injustice. You were forgiven by the king but you weren’t able to forgive your servant?” The king was furious, saying, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”

Why wasn’t the servant able to forgive? The answer to this question is found in the last verse of this passage: “If you do not forgive your brother FROM YOUR HEART.” What does this all mean? You and I have heard of Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel. Most of us went to Sunday School and learned about God’s forgiveness and love for the world by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins so that we are able, by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, to come to Jesus and live a new life in repentance, which leads to holiness. This is what we call sanctification. The servant wasn’t able to forgive is due to the issue of the heart. Let me ask you this: where is your heart at? Because I know some of you have heard of God’s forgiveness. Some of you might have asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins, but did this experience of forgiveness genuinely transformed your heart?  A transformed heart must result in a changed life that offers the same mercy and forgiveness as has been received from God. Someone who does not grant forgiveness to others shows that his own heart has not experienced God’s forgiveness. Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being, including one’s reason, emotions, and will.

In our lives, we all have spiritual debt that we owe to God. Our standard credit is holiness. Since we have fallen short of the glory of God, we are no longer holy, but wicked and sinful man and woman. In order for any of us to be with God, we are called to be holy as He is holy. Different religions teach you about working your way to heaven or do good deeds or follow the moral standard of this culture or try to balance over our bad deeds with the good deeds. But no matter how hard we try to be perfect, we can never reach God’s standard because our heart cannot be changed by religious good deeds. Imagine I put a little bit of poison on a bucket of water, for example, would you still drink it? If I add more water onto it (without overflowing), then would you still drink it? I would hope you say “no”. Ever since we were born, we have done nothing but sin or rebel against God. Every sin we have committed, we are already in debt. I cannot imagine myself ever finish paying that debt because everyday I sin. Just like the servant, who fell on his knees, and begged for mercy, the king was willing to forgive his debts and wipe his credit clean. Jesus came and suffered on the cross in our behalf to pay the penalty of our debt, our sin, while we were suppose to be the ones who should deserve that penalty. Every sin that I have committed in my life, from the time I was born until now, Jesus died for it. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) As He promised, He resurrected from the dead to give us new life and live free from debt if we repent of sin and believe in Jesus and what He did for us. It all come down to the heart issue. What is holding you back from forgiving? Better question: What is holding you back from receiving forgiveness of sin? I am willing to forgive, although it’s hard sometimes, because Jesus forgave me even though I don’t deserve it. Thank Jesus for erasing our debt and purchasing our salvation.

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. “(Colossians 2:13-15)

Word On The Street: Compassion

Take at least 2 minutes to read Luke 10:25-37 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the famous stories in the Bible. Christians and non-Christians (secularism) know this story and have implemented into the culture. The concept of the “Good Samaritan” is found in the “Good Samaritan law”, helping others and cleaning up the mess in the riot, and I don’t know how many “Good Samaritan _____  “(fill in the blank) there are. Hopefully some of you know what the story is about, but we often miss the main point of the story.

It started out with a lawyer asking Jesus what it takes to go to heaven. Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The lawyer answered the Great Commandment. Since the lawyer answered correctly, he must apply it. The lawyer wanted to justify himself. What did he mean “justify himself”? To be show what is just and to be made right. Why did he want to “justify himself”? He asked Jesus a question, “Who is my neighbour?” As deceitful and clever this lawyer was, he tried to escape the responsibility of not loving those who are “non-neighbour”, such as the poor, the sinners, the sick, the lame, and those who are in the lower social classes.

Jesus told a story to show an example of what a neighbour is like. A man from Jerusalem got mugged by robbers. There were three people who Jesus talked about: Priest, Levite, and Samaritan. Priest is a descendant of Aaron who had priestly responsibilities in the Jerusalem temple. He saw the man wounded but he passed by on the other side, which was to describe his unwillingness to love his neighbor. Levite is a member of the tribe of Levi but not a descendant of Aaron and therefore not a priest. The Levites were the ones who assisted the priests. He also passed by the man. Then came a Samaritan. Culturally, it would have been unthinkable for a Samaritan to help a Jew (the wounded man could have been a Jew because he is coming from Jerusalem) because Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jesus, however, emphasized the point that to love your neighbor involved showing care and compassion even to those who would not have any normal relationship or to those who are undeserving to be loved and cared for. The Samaritan ministered and helped the injured man by setting “him on his own animal” because he’s probably too injured to walk, brought him to an inn and paid for the fees because he’s been mugged and has nothing left, and extending whatever more cost and care may be needed for this Jew. On the extended note, two denarii were equivalent of two days salary; therefore, it showed that the Samaritan was willing to sacrifice his money and energy for the well-being of the Jew. Jesus ended with this question, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” And we can all answer: “The Good Samaritan”.

I want to make a personal note that I don’t agree that there is a “Good Samaritan”. The headline of your Bible may say that “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”, but Jesus never said the Samaritan was good although he did demonstrate love and kindness. I think, perhaps, that the “Good Samaritan” was able to show love and compassion for his neighbor was because God showed compassion and love toward him in the first place, if he ever existed. Because of the grace of God, the Samaritan’s heart and mind was able to be changed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. No one is good besides God. No one is righteous besides God. Why did Jesus tell us this parable then? It is to show how the “wise and understanding” (the religious leaders who thinks they are good and self-righteous) do not understand even the simplest commands of Scripture. We too fall short like the lawyer. Like the lawyer, we try to justify ourselves by picking and choosing who our neighbours are. How about the man or woman living in E Hastings and doing drugs and sleeping street? Do they need compassion and need to be loved? How about a new person coming into the youth Sunday School or small group or Bible study and we ignore him or her because we like to be comfortable with the friends we know? Does he or she need compassion and need to be loved?

The gospel is a better news than just helping the poor and paying their hotel fees. It is about Jesus. I think that Jesus wanted to us to see ourselves in the story. Who did the injured man represent? I think it would be, in the context of the Bible, the sinners, the lame, the sick, and living in the lower social class (like you and I spiritually speaking). Who did the priest and Levite represent? The religious leaders. Throughout the story of the gospel, the Pharisees never cared about the sinner and didn’t even want to interact with them because they were afraid that it would defile them. They would condemn people like hypocrites for not seeing the plank in their own eyes. In John 8, Jesus was with the prostitute who was about to be stoned by the Pharisees. It shows that being religious doesn’t work.

Jesus not only taught about “loving your neighbor as yourself”, but He fulfills that command in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5). It is about Jesus loving the world by demonstrating His love on the cross. Jesus loves those who hated Him. Jesus loves those who are affected by culture (John 4). Jesus loves those who persecuted Him. On the cross, He told the Father to forgive them because they don’t know what they were doing.

Apart from Jesus, if we think that by doing good works will label us as “good” and “righteous” people, then don’t be fooled by the religious culture we are living in. Apart from Jesus, all our good deeds are like garbage. I’m not saying don’t help people and stop doing good, but if Jesus has renewed your heart and mind, then all the good deeds you do are no longer for yourself, but for Jesus Christ. Instead of asking an improper question, “Who is my neighbor?” we should ask, “How can I be a loving neighbor?”

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” (Luke 6:27; 30)

Word On The Street: Gratitude

Take at least 2 minutes to read Matthew 20:1-16 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

As Jesus taught in the parable, the landowner teaches the laborers to be thankful with wages they received. The landowner clearly promised the laborers that the deal was to give them a denarius (a typical day’s wage for a laborer) a day. The landowner, however, did not say denarius per hour. When the laborer came in the last hour before laborers need to get off work, he too got the denarius as the ones who worked from morning at 6am, 9am, 12pm...and so on.  The workers grumbled at the landowner for being unfair because he gave the same wage as to the one who worked only for an hour while they worked for 12 hours. The landowner reminded them, “‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? (v.13 ESV)” That’s the deal my friend! He continues saying, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what BELONGS to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” The reward (the wages) belongs to the landowner, and he explained the fairness of his actions. Begrudge (or envious NIV) literally means, “Is your eye evil?” Instead of being thankful for their wages, they have been blinded by their own self-interested lack of compassion for his fellow worker who needed a job (v.7).

I’ll be asking this question for this post and for the next four weeks: What does this have to do with the gospel?

Jesus is not just an idea originated from the western culture. That is the biggest mistake and assumption that people make regarding Jesus. Jesus was a God becoming a man and was born in Asia in a place called Bethlehem. Anybody can believe in Jesus whether if you’re an Asian, Caucasian, African and every race and tribe and tongue and nation. This parable displays God’s generosity to give salvation to anybody whom Jesus saves whether if they are young or old. Some of us became Christians when we’re young. There are some who would become Christians later on in our life. Some would become Christians a moment before they die. What? Jesus can save those an hour before they die? Yes! But that’s not fair! What about the things they did in the past? Stealing, murder, rebellion, sexual immorality, and etc. Take this parable as a warning from Jesus. Do NOT despise those who would come to faith later. We are no different from them because we are all sinners and we have once been on their shoes before. As Jesus teaches, “So the last will be first, and the first last.” As Christians, we should never measure our worth by comparing it with other’s accomplishments. For example, I helped around the church longer than this person did, so I think God should reward me more. Being a Christian is not about getting a bigger reward than others, but it is about where our heart is at when we serve God. Does our serving focus from a heart of gratitude and joy in RESPONSE to God’s grace to us? Basically, do we love God because Jesus saved us by dying on the cross for our sins, from the wrath of God, resurrecting from the grave to give us new life. Those who are Christians will get the same reward. If you’re a Christian, then you and I will get the same reward when we get to heaven. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

This parable is an amazing story that Jesus taught, and it can relate to us in a personal level. If you’re not a Christian yet, by God’s mercy and grace, Jesus welcomes you. Let our attitudes be changed to gratitude by believing in what Jesus has done for you and I and accept His forgiveness, inviting the Holy Spirit to regenerate you, and to convict us of sin, and repent of sin.

"Religion will change your outer behaviors, but grace will change your heart."

"If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 ESV)

VBS: Words On The Street

This week, from Tuesday until Saturday (Aug 2nd - Aug 6th), Oakridge Children’s Ministry will be hosting Vacation Bible School! It’s very exciting to see children coming to our church, having fun, making friends, learning the parables in the Bible, and getting to know our awesome Savior Jesus Christ.

The children will basically be learning about 5 words based on the parable lessons being taught: Gratitude, Compassion, Grace, Forgiveness, and Faithfulness. These lessons may be simple knowledge for our Christian life, but not easy to apply them in our day-to-day basis. For the next 5 weeks, through the reliance of the Holy Spirit, I will try to explain each word through the teachings of Jesus - the parables - and how it all points to the gospel.

5 Questions to think about:
What are you thankful for each day?
How do you deal with someone who is in need?
Is there someone, who usually ticks you off, you need to show love?
Is there someone who you need to forgive?
How is your walk with Jesus Christ?