Late last week the headlines were everywhere. Local, national and international news agencies all covered the story. The headlines read that Pope John Paul II was to be "beatified" in May of this year. This announcement followed the decision made by Vatican officials, attributing a miracle to John Paul II. The story indicated that a panel of doctors, theologians, cardinals and bishops, appointed by the Vatican, had determined that a French nun's miraculous recovery from Parkinson's disease was due to the intercession of John Paul II. This step in the "canonization" process apparently acknowledges John Paul's entrance into heaven and his capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his name. It will give him the title of "blessed" and give authority for him to be publicly "venerated". Another "Vatican approved miracle" and John Paul II may even become a saint some day.
I do not normally comment on matters like this but felt compelled to do so now. Let me first say, that unequivocally, the Apostle Paul's words to Timothy proclaim an everlasting truth; there is "one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"! "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" Jesus declared. He alone "always lives to make intercession" for "those who draw near to God through Him" stated the Hebrew author. His miracles were countless and no panel of men, appointed by men, has or ever will be required for validation.
He is the "blessed God", "the blessed and only Sovereign", the One "who is blessed forever" and there is none other like Him! Men have been the recipients of His countless blessings but He alone is the Blessed One. In Christ, all who have believed the gospel message are saints. They are saints, not by virtue of a progression of man made ordinances and requirements, but by the grace of God. I am a saint because of the kind intention of His will, where He purposed to reveal Christ in me, the hope of glory. Soon millions will publicly "venerate" John Paul II, giving him reverential adoration and respect not due any man, save the man Christ Jesus. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has been exalted by God and given "the name which is above every name".
Yes, I suppose millions welcomed the news of John Paul's anticipated "beatification" and that many will be praying in his name. Sadly, there is no power in his name. But there is power in the name of Jesus! May God open the hearts and minds of men, women and children all over the world to the gospel of grace, the gospel of Jesus. As the words of the great hymn remind us, "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow."
Man may deny the truth and supremacy of Christ and continue to exalt other men to positions that He alone is worthy of. And I suppose men, in their own estimation, will continue to determine the time of "beatification", when and to whom to ascribe the title "blessed" and maintain a list of criteria for becoming a "saint". But along "with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours", I'm sticking with Jesus!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Resolved to Turn Away, Resolved to Pray
Believers and non-believers alike often make New Year's resolutions at or near the beginning of each new year. Resolutions most commonly made are those related to losing weight, discontinuing bad habits or developing more positive ones. A comprehensive list of specific ones would be quite long. The leadership of my home church has put forth a bible reading program that encourages our members to read through the Bible this year. This has already been a blessing for me. God has reminded me of a couple of important truths that I thought I would share.
The first one is spoken of in Isaiah 5:20 where we read, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness: who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Oh, how accurately this describes the times in which we live. May God help us to be aware and yet not disheartened by this truth. In a world where evil is called good, darkness is substituted for light and bitter is substituted for sweet, how much do we need the everlasting truth of God's word to light our ways.
The other passage of scripture I wanted to mention is found in the book of Job. In the beginning of the first chapter we are given some insight into the man that Job was. First, in Job 1:1 we read, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." And then in Job 1:5, in reference to Job's concern for his children, we read, "When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually."
Oh, that like Job, we also would turn away from evil! Paul wrote of abhorring that which is evil and clinging to that which is good. Peter wrote of the importance of turning away from evil and doing good. We will not turn away from that which we do not see. By His Spirit and through the study of His holy word, may we have the mind of Christ to recognize evil when it is before us. As the Hebrew author was inspired to write about the importance of maturity, he said that "solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Oh, how important that we avail ourselves to all that God has provided for spiritual maturity!
And oh, that like Job, we would have a heart for our children in regards to spiritual matters. No, we are not called to offer burnt offerings for our children's sins and we cannot live their life in Christ for them. But I'm talking about the heart of Job. The relationship that his children had with the Lord was a deep concern of his heart continually. When did you last, with great humility of heart, pray earnestly for your sons or daughters? Or perhaps for your grandchildren. If it has been some time, please do so today. May we be serious minded regarding the impact that our life in Christ can have on those close to us.
I cannot help but think of the effect that would be upon the Church, the body of Christ, if God's people resolved to turn away from evil and to cling to what is good. And one can only imagine the impact of believing parents being resolved to be concerned for their children in spiritual matters, continually. Perhaps we will not see the impact of such on the entire body of Christ. But how about an individual life or perhaps a family or a local church? Oh, that Christ may work in our lives, in accordance with His glorious might, to accomplish His will in us. May Christ be glorified in and through our lives this and every other year He grants us.
The first one is spoken of in Isaiah 5:20 where we read, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness: who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Oh, how accurately this describes the times in which we live. May God help us to be aware and yet not disheartened by this truth. In a world where evil is called good, darkness is substituted for light and bitter is substituted for sweet, how much do we need the everlasting truth of God's word to light our ways.
The other passage of scripture I wanted to mention is found in the book of Job. In the beginning of the first chapter we are given some insight into the man that Job was. First, in Job 1:1 we read, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." And then in Job 1:5, in reference to Job's concern for his children, we read, "When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually."
Oh, that like Job, we also would turn away from evil! Paul wrote of abhorring that which is evil and clinging to that which is good. Peter wrote of the importance of turning away from evil and doing good. We will not turn away from that which we do not see. By His Spirit and through the study of His holy word, may we have the mind of Christ to recognize evil when it is before us. As the Hebrew author was inspired to write about the importance of maturity, he said that "solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Oh, how important that we avail ourselves to all that God has provided for spiritual maturity!
And oh, that like Job, we would have a heart for our children in regards to spiritual matters. No, we are not called to offer burnt offerings for our children's sins and we cannot live their life in Christ for them. But I'm talking about the heart of Job. The relationship that his children had with the Lord was a deep concern of his heart continually. When did you last, with great humility of heart, pray earnestly for your sons or daughters? Or perhaps for your grandchildren. If it has been some time, please do so today. May we be serious minded regarding the impact that our life in Christ can have on those close to us.
I cannot help but think of the effect that would be upon the Church, the body of Christ, if God's people resolved to turn away from evil and to cling to what is good. And one can only imagine the impact of believing parents being resolved to be concerned for their children in spiritual matters, continually. Perhaps we will not see the impact of such on the entire body of Christ. But how about an individual life or perhaps a family or a local church? Oh, that Christ may work in our lives, in accordance with His glorious might, to accomplish His will in us. May Christ be glorified in and through our lives this and every other year He grants us.
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