Assurance

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:11-12

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

Christians can be assured of their salvation through a true knowledge of God, confidence in the gospel, and experience of His work in our lives. This assurance cuts against modern and postmodern skepticism, and also the insecurity and uncertainty found in so many other world religions (including Islam, from what I've read).

I happened to read a chapter on this subject in J.C. Ryle's book Holiness this past week. It is a chapter worth reading and it may be found here. The main point: believers who have assurance of God's acceptance will be those who are the least distracted, and most dedicated, in their service to Christ. Furthermore, assurance is not arrogance - the humblest men of the New Testament were also the most assured, because their confidence was not in themselves but in the gospel.

If we are to be most effective in the kingdom, let's do exactly what the Bible says: make our calling and election sure.

Access Denied

The Lord God "drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:24)

"We've got to get ourselves back to the garden." (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)

The fall of mankind into sin (Genesis 3) brought with it many consequences: internal and external, physical and spiritual, individual and relational. But this verse highlights the most fundamental - ejection from the presence of God, from the sphere of his blessing.

I found these thoughts from John Walton's commentary on Genesis very helpful, and I think you will too: "The overwhelming loss was not paradise; it was God. Throughout all the rest of the Old Testament one never hears talk of regaining the comfort of Eden, but regaining access to God."

Sometimes hell as described as "separation from God," and this is indeed one of the chief biblical categories used to explain eternal judgment (another biggie is affliction and pain). We are actually born into this separation as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.

The way back has been made for us, however: and the name of the Way is Jesus of Nazareth.

A Consolation with Kick

A famous promise of Scripture reads,

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I was recently reading over 1 Corinthians 10, and it struck me that in context this is more than a promise. It is also a call to arms - a challenge, an exhortation. Perhaps even an "or else"!

1 Corinthians 10 warns against apostasy, disobedience, idolatry, grumbling... and more. It speaks of those described in the Old Testament who were so close, and yet so far - and urges that we not imitate their disbelief and so "put Christ to the test" (v.9).

The words immediately preceding the famous words above are, "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (v.12). The words immediately following? "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (v.14).

1 Corinthians 10:13 is a promise worth memorizing. But as you do, make sure you don't declaw this verse - like all truly loving fathers, our heavenly Father wants to give us both a pat on the back and a kick in the pants.

The Problem of Pride

Our sermons lately have been centered on Genesis 3 and the first sin(s) of mankind. There certainly have been many since! But what is at root?

Here's what Jonathan Edwards had to say:

"Alas, how much pride have the best of us in our hearts! It is the worst part of the body of sin and death; the first sin that ever entered into the universe, and the last that is rooted out: it is God's most stubborn enemy!"

The above quotation is from a discussion on spiritual pride in particular, which Edwards calls "the door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of religion." He is not speaking of a true zeal that weeps for the lost; he is speaking of a counterfeit zeal that tears down one's Christian brothers and sisters.

"The spiritually proud person is apt to find fault with other saints, that they are low in grace; and to be much in observing how cold and dead they are; and being quick to discern and take notice of their deficiencies. But the eminently humble Christian has so much to do at home, and sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts..."

Not a whole lot different from the sin of gossip, is it?

Lord, protect us from pride - worldly pride and spiritual pride!

Evaluating Your Ministry

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

How important it is to our spiritual growth to serve in the body of Christ! This is important no matter what stage of life we are in – circumstances vary, but the basic principle remains true.

Three questions to ask yourself as you evaluate your service to others:

First, are you serving? Most likely you are serving others in some capacity. Prayer, reaching out behind the scenes to others, raising children – these are all significant areas of service. But if you feel as if you are primarily concerned with “self” rather than God and others, pray for wisdom and begin planning to reverse this trend. Don’t see this as a burdensome duty but as a proper and natural expression of love to God.

Second, where are you serving? We should seek ways to serve Jesus Christ in our families, church, and in our communities. There is often overlap, but these are biblical categories to consider. Also, the verse above reminds us that God wants “faithful” servants. This means we cannot serve in so many areas that none of them truly receive the attention they deserve.

Third, how are you serving? Space does not permit a lengthy discussion of spiritual gifts (see Romans 12 or 1 Corinthians 12). But hopefully you are serving in ways that are compatible with the gifts and talents given to you by God. It’s great to stretch yourself beyond these, but if you stretch too far (or for too long) you just may snap! Do you need to reevaluate?

Fourth, are you ministering the grace of God? Notice in the verse quoted above that we are called to “faithfully administer God’s grace.” God’s grace is seen in the manner in which we serve – humbly, lovingly, generously. God’s grace should also be communicated explicitly, by helping people to see Jesus Christ for who he is. We must all be ready to speak the gospel (1 Peter 3:15), and you never know when this may be!

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NOTE: This was written for the New Covenant newsletter, but I thought it would fit well here on the blog as well.

Diminishing Returns

In the Fall, leaves change colors and eventually fall to the ground. Removed from the life of the tree, the leaves die, dry, crumble, and are forgotten. But the trees remain alive, and new leaves appear in time.

When we speak of the Fall of Mankind, we refer to a time when mankind changed their allegiance, from God to self and Satan. Severed from relationship to God, which is spiritual death, mankind was also doomed to physical death. Yet by God's grace, renewed life is possible through the Savior Jesus Christ.

In Joe's sermon concerning the Fall, he mentioned how that first transgression (recorded in Genesis 3) resulted from diminishing the truthfulness of God's word. God graciously gave his world and his word to our first parents, Adam and Eve, and yet they devalued it. And at that moment, their relationship with God was altered - they had not only disobeyed, but had called into question his knowledge and honor and reliability.

It occurred to me that at this moment, they were likewise diminished. Sin corrupted them, as it does us. Our original purpose and value is diminished, revealed in broken relationships to God and others. Where there should be harmony, there is friction and even warfare.

Redemption is a reversal of this corrosive nature of sin. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are given new life -- the life of God from which we have been severed. This isn't magical as much as it is the fulfillment of a promise that God makes to us: As surely as he promised death for disobedience, he promises life for repentance and faith in his promises - and these promises are centered around Jesus Christ.

To believe these promises is to believe that what has been diminished in value will be restored, to the praise of God's mercy.