June was quite a month for my family and I. Much time was spent preparing for my daughter's wedding that occurred on the 25th of the month. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day and a most wonderful wedding ceremony and reception. Oh, what a lovely bride!
Earlier in the month I found myself in the hospital after being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung). This was quite a shock for myself and my family. I am following through with treatment recommendations and also in the process of trying to determine the origin of the blood clot.
With the exception of the Sunday I was in the hospital, my wife and I have continued to travel to Oretown Bible Church (near Pacific City, Oregon) each week where I have been teaching Sunday School and preaching the morning message for about 18 weeks now. I hope to resume writing more on my blog soon. Please pray for my family and I as we go through the steps to address my health matters and do continue to pray for the Lord's will for Oretown Bible Church and the people there. They have become very dear to us.
What a gracious and loving Lord we have. May He be glorified in our lives. Thanks for your prayers.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Hyperbole that Wasn't
I know that the title I have chosen for this article does not have the appearance of being very spiritual, edifying or profitable for the believer in Christ and His church. I pray that you might read it through anyway.
You may or may not know what a hyperbole is. But even if you don't, I'm sure that you are likely to have heard and/or used them. They are common in our everyday conversations. Webster's defines hyperbole as an "extravagant exaggeration". Another definition says that a hyperbole "is any rhetorical device or figure of speech that employs exaggeration. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally." As you look at the following examples of hyperbole's you will see more clearly what they are, and undoubtedly recognize their usage.
Examples of hyperbole's:
"I'm so hungry that I could eat a horse."
"She cooked enough food to feed an entire army."
"That part of the country is as flat as a pancake."
"My brother is as big as a barn."
"His jokes were so funny that we almost died laughing."
"He's as strong as an ox."
"That hamburger was piled mile high with toppings."
The list could go on and on, but I hope I've help make it clear what a hyperbole is. I never thought I would find myself writing about a figure of speech or any other matter related to the use of the English language. I will now endeavor to explain why I have done so.
Some time ago, in my adult Sunday school class, while I was teaching out of the book of Galatians, I used what many would consider to have been a hyperbole. I used it in reference to Galatians 2:21, where the Apostle Paul wrote, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly." As you may recall, Paul had been addressing the matter of "another gospel" that had been spreading throughout the churches of Galatia. He went on to teach that it was not "another gospel" at all, as there was only one true gospel, the gospel of grace. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. But there were those who were teaching that righteousness came through Christ AND observance of the Law. This was, of course, a perversion of the true gospel message.
This passage in Galatians 2:21 suggests a most tragic conclusion by asserting that Christ had died needlessly "if righteousness comes through the law". Of course, we would not just be speaking of his physical death but the entire matter of His death. If He died needlessly, we must conclude that He bore our sins needlessly if He bore them at all. If He died needlessly, His agonizing separation from His father was needless as well. If He died needlessly, He tasted death for no purpose. His agony in the garden, the thorns on his brow, the nails in his hands and feet. All would have been needless. If He died needlessly, He was needlessly born of a virgin.
But what I said during that Sunday School class was that nothing could be farther from the truth. Some might have described my statement as having been a hyperbole. But was it? Was it an extravagant exaggeration? No. Had I used it as an exaggeration to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression without intending it to be taken literally? Absolutely not!
It was no exaggeration at all. It was meant to be taken as entirely literal. With no doubt in my mind, I absolutely meant that nothing could have been further from the truth than the notion that Christ had died needlessly. The exact opposite is true. The need for His substitutionary death is proclaimed throughout scripture. Christ's death was not needless, but altogether necessary.
All of our efforts to obtain "righteousness" or to rectify our sin problem, "fall short of the glory of God". It is an error to believe and/or teach that we must add something to our faith in Christ to obtain righteousness. God reckons Christ's righteousness to us through faith. We are complete in Him! Praise God for the all sufficient sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You may or may not know what a hyperbole is. But even if you don't, I'm sure that you are likely to have heard and/or used them. They are common in our everyday conversations. Webster's defines hyperbole as an "extravagant exaggeration". Another definition says that a hyperbole "is any rhetorical device or figure of speech that employs exaggeration. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally." As you look at the following examples of hyperbole's you will see more clearly what they are, and undoubtedly recognize their usage.
Examples of hyperbole's:
"I'm so hungry that I could eat a horse."
"She cooked enough food to feed an entire army."
"That part of the country is as flat as a pancake."
"My brother is as big as a barn."
"His jokes were so funny that we almost died laughing."
"He's as strong as an ox."
"That hamburger was piled mile high with toppings."
The list could go on and on, but I hope I've help make it clear what a hyperbole is. I never thought I would find myself writing about a figure of speech or any other matter related to the use of the English language. I will now endeavor to explain why I have done so.
Some time ago, in my adult Sunday school class, while I was teaching out of the book of Galatians, I used what many would consider to have been a hyperbole. I used it in reference to Galatians 2:21, where the Apostle Paul wrote, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly." As you may recall, Paul had been addressing the matter of "another gospel" that had been spreading throughout the churches of Galatia. He went on to teach that it was not "another gospel" at all, as there was only one true gospel, the gospel of grace. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. But there were those who were teaching that righteousness came through Christ AND observance of the Law. This was, of course, a perversion of the true gospel message.
This passage in Galatians 2:21 suggests a most tragic conclusion by asserting that Christ had died needlessly "if righteousness comes through the law". Of course, we would not just be speaking of his physical death but the entire matter of His death. If He died needlessly, we must conclude that He bore our sins needlessly if He bore them at all. If He died needlessly, His agonizing separation from His father was needless as well. If He died needlessly, He tasted death for no purpose. His agony in the garden, the thorns on his brow, the nails in his hands and feet. All would have been needless. If He died needlessly, He was needlessly born of a virgin.
But what I said during that Sunday School class was that nothing could be farther from the truth. Some might have described my statement as having been a hyperbole. But was it? Was it an extravagant exaggeration? No. Had I used it as an exaggeration to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression without intending it to be taken literally? Absolutely not!
It was no exaggeration at all. It was meant to be taken as entirely literal. With no doubt in my mind, I absolutely meant that nothing could have been further from the truth than the notion that Christ had died needlessly. The exact opposite is true. The need for His substitutionary death is proclaimed throughout scripture. Christ's death was not needless, but altogether necessary.
All of our efforts to obtain "righteousness" or to rectify our sin problem, "fall short of the glory of God". It is an error to believe and/or teach that we must add something to our faith in Christ to obtain righteousness. God reckons Christ's righteousness to us through faith. We are complete in Him! Praise God for the all sufficient sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Prayer Request - To Fully Carry Out the Preaching of God's Word
In Colossians 1:25, the Apostle Paul was inspired to write, "Of this church, I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed upon me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God". As I prepared to speak on this passage of scripture last week, I focused on three main points. That God had sovereignly made Paul a minister, or a servant of His church and that He had bestowed on Paul a stewardship that was for the benefit of His church, with a charge to fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.
One thing I continually thought about, was that fully carrying out the preaching of the word of God was directly related to that which "benefited" His church. Even as I shared the message I felt burdened as I considered that many who were speaking in churches all over the country were not preaching the word of God. The very thing, the only thing, that would truly "benefit" His church, the preaching of His word, was not being fully carried out.
Watering down God's word does not benefit His church, preaching Jesus does. Preaching that which is contrary to, or inconsistent with God's word does not benefit the body of Christ, unashamedly preaching the the whole counsel of God's word does. Preaching human wisdom or intellect does not benefit His church, preaching the gospel of grace, Christ and Him crucified does!
The more I considered this matter, I felt as if God was asking me if I had been praying about it. Had I dared ask the One who is able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" to intervene and make a difference in this matter? Had I asked Him to work mightily in the hearts of those men, who perhaps had started off well, but had strayed from fully carrying out the preaching of God's word? Had I beseeched Him to change the hearts of men and to draw His "ministers" back to His precious word?
I know that we are in the last days and that some of what we see in the church is prophetic. I suspect that many will continue to preach those things which are not beneficial to Christ's church, even if many were to pray daily for His intervention. But what if we do pray? What if God does change the heart of one or of two who minister in His church? How might that affect His church? How might that benefit the members of His body? I guess it is for that reason that I feel compelled to pray about this matter. It concerns His church, those for whom Christ died.
Would you join with me in praying that God might raise up men who will fully carry out the preaching of God's word? Would you ask God to work in the lives of those who will step into the pulpits of our churches this Sunday and in the weeks to follow, that they might be compelled to preach Jesus? Would you ask God to confirm in the hearts of these men that Jesus Christ remains a rock of offense and a stumbling stone to a lost world, and to preach Him anyway? We need not try to "dress Him up" and make Him more acceptable. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation and the preaching of His word is necessary for our edification. May God help us and may His name be glorified.
One thing I continually thought about, was that fully carrying out the preaching of the word of God was directly related to that which "benefited" His church. Even as I shared the message I felt burdened as I considered that many who were speaking in churches all over the country were not preaching the word of God. The very thing, the only thing, that would truly "benefit" His church, the preaching of His word, was not being fully carried out.
Watering down God's word does not benefit His church, preaching Jesus does. Preaching that which is contrary to, or inconsistent with God's word does not benefit the body of Christ, unashamedly preaching the the whole counsel of God's word does. Preaching human wisdom or intellect does not benefit His church, preaching the gospel of grace, Christ and Him crucified does!
The more I considered this matter, I felt as if God was asking me if I had been praying about it. Had I dared ask the One who is able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" to intervene and make a difference in this matter? Had I asked Him to work mightily in the hearts of those men, who perhaps had started off well, but had strayed from fully carrying out the preaching of God's word? Had I beseeched Him to change the hearts of men and to draw His "ministers" back to His precious word?
I know that we are in the last days and that some of what we see in the church is prophetic. I suspect that many will continue to preach those things which are not beneficial to Christ's church, even if many were to pray daily for His intervention. But what if we do pray? What if God does change the heart of one or of two who minister in His church? How might that affect His church? How might that benefit the members of His body? I guess it is for that reason that I feel compelled to pray about this matter. It concerns His church, those for whom Christ died.
Would you join with me in praying that God might raise up men who will fully carry out the preaching of God's word? Would you ask God to work in the lives of those who will step into the pulpits of our churches this Sunday and in the weeks to follow, that they might be compelled to preach Jesus? Would you ask God to confirm in the hearts of these men that Jesus Christ remains a rock of offense and a stumbling stone to a lost world, and to preach Him anyway? We need not try to "dress Him up" and make Him more acceptable. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation and the preaching of His word is necessary for our edification. May God help us and may His name be glorified.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Just as He Said
What a wonderful celbration of the gospel is Easter! The resurrection of Christ and the events preceding it are perhaps the most important events in human history. All of man kind finds themselves either looking forward or backward to this glorious resurrection day. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the Apostle Paul was inspired to write the following words regarding these events; “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. That Christ died for our sins, that He was buried, and that on the third day He was raised from the dead, are said to be "of first importance". Without these truths, as revealed "according to the Scriptures", there can be no gospel message, no good news.
Jesus emphasized these truths when He repeatedly told His disciples of there coming occurrence. We read the following accounts
(Matthew 17:22-23) “and while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved."
(Matthew 20:17-19) “As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."
(Mark 8:31) “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
(Mark 9:30-32) “From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later." But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”
(Mark 10:32-34) “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. "They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."
(Luke 9:22) "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."
(Luke 9:43-44) “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men."
There is no question that His repetition of these truths stressed their importance and significance. I appreciate the last reference where Jesus told His disciples to "Let these words sink into your ears". He was as sure of these events as He was of anything. Not simply because He knew the sinfulness of men and what they were capable of doing, but because He knew the perfect plan of God. The plan, the authority, to “deliver Him into the hands of men” had not been made by men, but by God.And praise God, He rose on the third day!
Jesus emphasized these truths when He repeatedly told His disciples of there coming occurrence. We read the following accounts
(Matthew 17:22-23) “and while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved."
(Matthew 20:17-19) “As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."
(Mark 8:31) “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
(Mark 9:30-32) “From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later." But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”
(Mark 10:32-34) “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. "They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."
(Luke 9:22) "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."
(Luke 9:43-44) “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men."
There is no question that His repetition of these truths stressed their importance and significance. I appreciate the last reference where Jesus told His disciples to "Let these words sink into your ears". He was as sure of these events as He was of anything. Not simply because He knew the sinfulness of men and what they were capable of doing, but because He knew the perfect plan of God. The plan, the authority, to “deliver Him into the hands of men” had not been made by men, but by God.And praise God, He rose on the third day!
This was the purpose for His coming to dwell amongst men. This was God’s will being done. He was simply using the sinful hearts of men to accomplish His perfect will. May we never forget and may we never allow someone to persuade us to believe otherwise, that the manger He laid in at His birth, lie already, in the shadow of His cross.
The proclamation made that resurrection morning was grand; "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying." (Matthew 28:6)
He was condemned to death.
He was mocked. He was spat upon. He was scourged.
He was crucified.
He was buried.
He rose the third day!
What a wondrous day is Easter!
Yes, just as He said! Today we celebrate the fulfillment of His word. He is faithful and true. So, just as He had said:
He was delivered into the hands of men.He was condemned to death.
He was mocked. He was spat upon. He was scourged.
He was crucified.
He was buried.
He rose the third day!
What a wondrous day is Easter!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Epaphrus, A Faithful Servant
In his letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul was inspired to commend Epaphrus, a man who had been involved in Christian service to the Colossians, as being a "faithful servant of Christ". Throughout Paul's letters one would see that Paul did not make such statements lightly. He was a man much about proven character and not just words.
There is not a lot of scripture concerning this man Epaphrus, but it seems that what we have is quite telling. In Colossians 1:3-8, Paul wrote, "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit." And in Colossians 4:12-13 we read, "Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis."
From these verses and their context, we gain some insight as to why the Apostle Paul would refer to Epaphrus as a "faithful servant of Christ". Consider these three points. First of all, he had been God's vessel or instrument in the sharing of the gospel of Christ with the people in Colossae. Having been a good steward of the gospel, He had declared unto them the "word of truth". Secondly, it appears that he had been a defender of the gospel of grace. Seemingly aware of it's importance and led by the Spirit, he taught the Colossions in a manner which they "understood the grace of God in truth". And thirdly, though imprisoned for his faith in Christ, out of a God inspired "deep concern" for others, he continued to serve the Colossian believers by "laboring earnestly" for them in his prayers.
Although it is not intented to be a complete list of qualities that might be seen in a faithful servant, in Epaphrus we can learn the following. That a "faithful servant of Christ" is one who lives and shares the gospel of Christ, defends and teaches the gospel of grace, serves in whatever situations they find themselves in and is a person of earnest prayer. The place of service and specifics of it may change but the heart of the faithful servant remains the same. May God so work in our lives that we might be found to be faithful servants of Christ. To God be the glory!
There is not a lot of scripture concerning this man Epaphrus, but it seems that what we have is quite telling. In Colossians 1:3-8, Paul wrote, "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit." And in Colossians 4:12-13 we read, "Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis."
From these verses and their context, we gain some insight as to why the Apostle Paul would refer to Epaphrus as a "faithful servant of Christ". Consider these three points. First of all, he had been God's vessel or instrument in the sharing of the gospel of Christ with the people in Colossae. Having been a good steward of the gospel, He had declared unto them the "word of truth". Secondly, it appears that he had been a defender of the gospel of grace. Seemingly aware of it's importance and led by the Spirit, he taught the Colossions in a manner which they "understood the grace of God in truth". And thirdly, though imprisoned for his faith in Christ, out of a God inspired "deep concern" for others, he continued to serve the Colossian believers by "laboring earnestly" for them in his prayers.
Although it is not intented to be a complete list of qualities that might be seen in a faithful servant, in Epaphrus we can learn the following. That a "faithful servant of Christ" is one who lives and shares the gospel of Christ, defends and teaches the gospel of grace, serves in whatever situations they find themselves in and is a person of earnest prayer. The place of service and specifics of it may change but the heart of the faithful servant remains the same. May God so work in our lives that we might be found to be faithful servants of Christ. To God be the glory!
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Local Church
My home church recently became aware of a small congregation on the Oregon coast that finds themselves without a pastor, following their pastor's retirement after 25 years. As an outreach of our church, God has given me the privilege to go and minister to these brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been graced with the opportunity to teach their adult Sunday School class and preach their morning message. As the Lord allows, the current plan is for my wife and I to travel there each Sunday for the next several weeks. God has already blessed us in this ministry and travel time together.
As I shared with them for the first time last week, I felt compelled to remind them of an important truth. God cares for the local church. He cares for their church, those who fellowship there and for the people that live in the communities surrounding it. Their congregation is not large in number but their love for the Savior is evident. I was reminded of Acts 17:17, where speaking of the Apostle Paul, the author wrote, "So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present." I so much appreciate what it says here. Paul was not moved by the Spirit to speak only to a certain number of people but he shared God's truth "with those who happened to be present."
Paul was concerned for the church that met in Prisca and Aquila's house. He was inspired to write to the church in Rome, the church in Corinth, the churches of Galatia, the church of Ephesus, of Philippi, of Colossae and of Thessalonica. He wrote to Titus regarding the churches on the island of Crete. God is building His Church, the body of Christ. But He cares for the local church. As only God could do, He inspired various letters to be written to believers located in different places and then preserved them for His use in speaking to all members of the body of Christ who have gathered through the centuries at various churches around the world. Praise the Lord for such a miraculous work as that.
May God give direction to this group of believers that He has privileged me to work with and may He give me the words to share each week with those who happen to be present.
As I shared with them for the first time last week, I felt compelled to remind them of an important truth. God cares for the local church. He cares for their church, those who fellowship there and for the people that live in the communities surrounding it. Their congregation is not large in number but their love for the Savior is evident. I was reminded of Acts 17:17, where speaking of the Apostle Paul, the author wrote, "So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present." I so much appreciate what it says here. Paul was not moved by the Spirit to speak only to a certain number of people but he shared God's truth "with those who happened to be present."
Paul was concerned for the church that met in Prisca and Aquila's house. He was inspired to write to the church in Rome, the church in Corinth, the churches of Galatia, the church of Ephesus, of Philippi, of Colossae and of Thessalonica. He wrote to Titus regarding the churches on the island of Crete. God is building His Church, the body of Christ. But He cares for the local church. As only God could do, He inspired various letters to be written to believers located in different places and then preserved them for His use in speaking to all members of the body of Christ who have gathered through the centuries at various churches around the world. Praise the Lord for such a miraculous work as that.
May God give direction to this group of believers that He has privileged me to work with and may He give me the words to share each week with those who happen to be present.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Time is Now
Some readers may remember a passage of scripture I have commented on from the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews. In this great chapter of faith, in the fourth verse, the writer tells us that by faith, though Abel is dead, he still speaks. As is the case for Abel, I see God reminding us of a couple of undeniable truths for us to consider. We will all "speak" after we are dead and the life that we live now will determine the sort of things we "speak" after we are gone.
Through the death of my father in-law and through His holy word, God has spoken to my heart recently about the importance of "the now". My father in-law left behind many memories and the life that he lived will dictate how he continues to speak to his family and friends as time goes on. But the dead are not afforded another opportunity to speak something new. They may only speak what they previously lived. I pray that this truth may instill in me a sober mindedness that will draw me to a closer walk with Christ through His word and promised Helper.
In a portion of Isaiah chapter 38, Isaiah was inspired to include "a writing of Hezekiah king of Judah". In the 19th verse we find in Hezekiah's writing, these words; "It is the living who give thanks to Thee, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Thy faithfulness." It is while we are living that we can give thanks to God. It is while we are living that we can love and serve one another. It is while we are living that we can "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". It is while we are living that we can "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God". It is while we are living that we can write in the hearts and minds of others the things that we will later speak when we are gone.
Fathers, while we are living and breathing, let us tell our sons and daughters about His faithfulness today! And may our life in Christ, while we walk this earth now, be such that we will continue to speak to them and others of faith; faith unto salvation and faith for living, when we are gone. May He be praised!
Through the death of my father in-law and through His holy word, God has spoken to my heart recently about the importance of "the now". My father in-law left behind many memories and the life that he lived will dictate how he continues to speak to his family and friends as time goes on. But the dead are not afforded another opportunity to speak something new. They may only speak what they previously lived. I pray that this truth may instill in me a sober mindedness that will draw me to a closer walk with Christ through His word and promised Helper.
In a portion of Isaiah chapter 38, Isaiah was inspired to include "a writing of Hezekiah king of Judah". In the 19th verse we find in Hezekiah's writing, these words; "It is the living who give thanks to Thee, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Thy faithfulness." It is while we are living that we can give thanks to God. It is while we are living that we can love and serve one another. It is while we are living that we can "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". It is while we are living that we can "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God". It is while we are living that we can write in the hearts and minds of others the things that we will later speak when we are gone.
Fathers, while we are living and breathing, let us tell our sons and daughters about His faithfulness today! And may our life in Christ, while we walk this earth now, be such that we will continue to speak to them and others of faith; faith unto salvation and faith for living, when we are gone. May He be praised!
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