I may be one of the last pastors to see the movie, Amazing Grace. I am yearning to see it- don't get me wrong- free time just seems to be a bit of a dream right now between work and home responsibilities.
I happened upon the new Chris Tomlin version of the classic hymn written for the new movie. Chris wasn't thrilled about touching a song so glorious at first, but soon the Lord convinced him otherwise.
I sat here today in tears as I heard it in full for the first time. God's grace seemed so fresh to me. I love the verse Tomlin wrote himself to place in the song, however, what really pierced me was this line from the original hymn (why it was omitted from the Baptist Hymnal is a mystery to me, and regrettable):
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forebear to shine,
But God who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Tomlin ends his version with this verse, he doesn't even use the "when we've been there" verse (which I like, but was OK with him leaving out) . You've got to hear it, if you haven't already. What an important exclamation to make about the security of our salvation because of GRACE.
We've been studying in 1 Peter 4:7- the end of all things is near. What a great comfort it is to know that when judgment comes and the earth is destroyed, by grace I WILL be forever with God. I should fear nothing but rejoice with exceeding gladness!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Beginning of Knowledge
Proverbs 1:7 is a keystone text for the whole book. The fear of the Lord is mentioned 11 times in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:7 ESV
Is there any characteristic more lacking in man than the fear of the Lord?
We live in the information age. Modern technology, through the internet and wireless devices, provide an immeasurable quantity of data at our fingertips in mere nanoseconds. Still, man is unable to put all knowledge in proper perspective without the fear of God.
It is misunderstood by Christians that believers are to live with the fear of God. It is no longer fear of wrath, but fear of His will, His holiness, His discipline that comes when we are disobedient. It is for the fear of God that the Lord did what he did in Acts 5:1-16 to 2 hypocrites in the church- and through this fear of God, the church grew. We are to both fear and love God to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him and joyful worship.
The fool is the one who does not fear God, but considers himself or herself free enough to live apart from submission to God. Such persons despise true wisdom and instruction; they want to live only for the flesh. In the end, they are ignorant of spiritual things, and remain in bondage in sin.
There are 2 main kinds of people. Those who fear God and grow in spiritual knowledge; and those who, in arrogant foolishness, do not. What kind of person are you? Heed the Lord's warning against foolishness, and fear the Lord.
As it says in Job 28:28 (ESV):
Proverbs 1:7 ESV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Is there any characteristic more lacking in man than the fear of the Lord?
We live in the information age. Modern technology, through the internet and wireless devices, provide an immeasurable quantity of data at our fingertips in mere nanoseconds. Still, man is unable to put all knowledge in proper perspective without the fear of God.
It is misunderstood by Christians that believers are to live with the fear of God. It is no longer fear of wrath, but fear of His will, His holiness, His discipline that comes when we are disobedient. It is for the fear of God that the Lord did what he did in Acts 5:1-16 to 2 hypocrites in the church- and through this fear of God, the church grew. We are to both fear and love God to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him and joyful worship.
The fool is the one who does not fear God, but considers himself or herself free enough to live apart from submission to God. Such persons despise true wisdom and instruction; they want to live only for the flesh. In the end, they are ignorant of spiritual things, and remain in bondage in sin.
There are 2 main kinds of people. Those who fear God and grow in spiritual knowledge; and those who, in arrogant foolishness, do not. What kind of person are you? Heed the Lord's warning against foolishness, and fear the Lord.
As it says in Job 28:28 (ESV):
And he [God] said to man,
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Why Proverbs, Part 2
Proverbs 1:4-6 ESV
As we continue to open the first statements of this book, we have more explanation for why it is useful and why it was given. Again, we see this book as a whole is extremely practical, intersecting real life, real decisions, real thinking, and real people. At first glance, Proverbs does not appear heavy on doctrine; however, thorough study will reveal there is much we learn about God and His nature through these words.
Verse 4 tells us these following chapters give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. Isn't it interesting these two groups are singled out- the simple, and the youth? The simple refers to those who are naive and untaught. But we dare not miss the profoundness of all this. These are two groups that we naturally assume make the most mistakes due to lack of understanding. The remarkable thing being said here is this: through God's Word, even the most simple people can live wisely, even the youth with their lack of life experience and immaturity can live righteously and faithfully. A simple person, nor a youth, need not be bound to the errors of their "kind." God will give them discretion, knowledge, and prudence, if they will but heed Him.
But this book is not just for the simple and the youth. As verse 5 shows us, God's Word is also for the wise, or those with understanding. Verse 5 is a classic example of Hebrew parallelism, where a statement is basically repeated for emphasis using different terminology. God's Word is so essential to life, even the wise are commanded to learn here. What an essential facet of the Christian life! How many warm pews and never learn anything- at the fault of poor preachers, or of their own hardened, misguided hearts? Even the wise and those with understanding are to seek guidance in the Word of God. The wise must NEVER, in pride, close their ears to the Word of God. If they do, their wisdom will cease, and they will become as fools.
Verse 6 indicates there could be some challenges to learning God's Word. The emphasis here is on understanding the following proverbs, yet they are also described as riddles. This of course indicates there is something mysterious about them, or, that the meaning is not initially and obviously clear. Jesus spoke in parables repeatedly that many did not understand at first. A riddle, in the end, is something that carries an indirect message, and therefore requires interpretation.
Two things strike me about this:
1) Man is in desperate need for the Holy Spirit to renew his mind (His whole being) in order to receive the Word of God. Without the Holy Spirit, we would be blind to God's special revelation of Himself. There is a strong dose of this concept that speaks forth from the verse we'll digest in the next blog.
2) Man is in great need of devotion to study. One of the tragedies of modern man, in large measure, is that he does not read, nor does he even really think. He learns a job skill and applies it, he entertains himself with his remaining time. His mind is often too lazy to consider anything freshly to gain new understanding- often, only if it effects his health or his wealth will his mind truly engage. Jesus told us the Great Commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. This means not only having our thoughts about God be true and pure, but applying our minds to understand what the Lord has revealed. Many a church, many a Christian has suffered because the Scripture has gone left unstudied, and therefore, misunderstood or ignored.
Next time: the watermark verse for the whole book of Proverbs- what it all comes down to, and one of my favorite passages.
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
As we continue to open the first statements of this book, we have more explanation for why it is useful and why it was given. Again, we see this book as a whole is extremely practical, intersecting real life, real decisions, real thinking, and real people. At first glance, Proverbs does not appear heavy on doctrine; however, thorough study will reveal there is much we learn about God and His nature through these words.
Verse 4 tells us these following chapters give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. Isn't it interesting these two groups are singled out- the simple, and the youth? The simple refers to those who are naive and untaught. But we dare not miss the profoundness of all this. These are two groups that we naturally assume make the most mistakes due to lack of understanding. The remarkable thing being said here is this: through God's Word, even the most simple people can live wisely, even the youth with their lack of life experience and immaturity can live righteously and faithfully. A simple person, nor a youth, need not be bound to the errors of their "kind." God will give them discretion, knowledge, and prudence, if they will but heed Him.
But this book is not just for the simple and the youth. As verse 5 shows us, God's Word is also for the wise, or those with understanding. Verse 5 is a classic example of Hebrew parallelism, where a statement is basically repeated for emphasis using different terminology. God's Word is so essential to life, even the wise are commanded to learn here. What an essential facet of the Christian life! How many warm pews and never learn anything- at the fault of poor preachers, or of their own hardened, misguided hearts? Even the wise and those with understanding are to seek guidance in the Word of God. The wise must NEVER, in pride, close their ears to the Word of God. If they do, their wisdom will cease, and they will become as fools.
Verse 6 indicates there could be some challenges to learning God's Word. The emphasis here is on understanding the following proverbs, yet they are also described as riddles. This of course indicates there is something mysterious about them, or, that the meaning is not initially and obviously clear. Jesus spoke in parables repeatedly that many did not understand at first. A riddle, in the end, is something that carries an indirect message, and therefore requires interpretation.
Two things strike me about this:
1) Man is in desperate need for the Holy Spirit to renew his mind (His whole being) in order to receive the Word of God. Without the Holy Spirit, we would be blind to God's special revelation of Himself. There is a strong dose of this concept that speaks forth from the verse we'll digest in the next blog.
2) Man is in great need of devotion to study. One of the tragedies of modern man, in large measure, is that he does not read, nor does he even really think. He learns a job skill and applies it, he entertains himself with his remaining time. His mind is often too lazy to consider anything freshly to gain new understanding- often, only if it effects his health or his wealth will his mind truly engage. Jesus told us the Great Commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. This means not only having our thoughts about God be true and pure, but applying our minds to understand what the Lord has revealed. Many a church, many a Christian has suffered because the Scripture has gone left unstudied, and therefore, misunderstood or ignored.
Next time: the watermark verse for the whole book of Proverbs- what it all comes down to, and one of my favorite passages.
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