"Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness, with acknowledgment of it, is the fittest seat and subject for God to perfect his strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to him in whom our strength lies." Richard Sibbes, from The Bruised Reed.
Weakness is often despised, because its purpose is not known. Often, it appears that weakness serves only to invite oppression or to force someone to bear our burdens for us. Yet weakness serves a greater purpose for the believer. Weakness forces the follower of Christ to acknowledge his dependence upon the Lord. For if Christ could do nothing without the Father, it is foolish to think that we can do somethings on our own.
Pride is a vicious predator. It lurks in the deep, dark places of the soul. Often, it masks its scent with the air of false humility. For example, a man is in desperate need of help, but he doesn't want to call his neighbor for help, because his neighbor might not think he knows what he is doing. Although, it is his fear of what his neighbor thinks that keeps him from dialing the phone, he comforts himself with a "I wouldn't want to bother anyone."
What if the person in need called up his neighbor, and asked for help. What if during their time of working together they discovered they had more in common than they previously realized? What if a lasting friendship sprang out of the moment of weakness and need? What if that friendship made them both stronger people? Then they would discover that weakness is often a springboard to greater things.
When we know we have a weakness, we need to be watchful, especially when it is a moral or spiritual weakness. The building up of one's character is a long, slow process. Tearing down the same character take much less time and effort. Just as a man who lacks knowledge of electrical wiring seeks the assistance of a trained electrician, so to must believers seek assistance from the Righteous One.
The Lord is both willing and able to provide what we lack. Our weakness becomes a beacon directing us to God. How do you perceive weakness? Are you afraid people will find out you're weaknesses? Are you running to Jesus for strength?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
FAQs Mondays: What is the Fifth Commandment?
Which is the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment is, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" (Ex. 20:12).
What is required in the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment requires that we preserve the honor and perform the duties which belong to every one in their various roles as authorities, subordinates or equals. The Lord states, "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:32). Peter exhorts, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Pet. 2:17). Paul states, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom. 13:1). Paul even explains how this culture of honor is to displayed among God's people in passages like Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:21-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1; and 1 Thessalonians 5:12. The author of Hebrews reminds us that such honor should be shown to leadership within the church as well (see Hebrews 13:7, 17).
What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting or offending the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their various places and relations. Proverbs warns, "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vulture" (Prov. 30:17). Paul states, "Pay to all what is owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Rom. 13:7-8).
What is the reason added to the fifth commandment?
The reason added to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God's glory and their own good), to all who keep this commandment. Moses encouraged Israel with these words, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin" (Ex. 20:20). Paul instructs, "'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that all may go well with you and that you may live long in the land' (Eph. 6:2-3).
Summary
So we see that the fifth commandment deals with the proper relation to authority. God appointed oversight into the created order. These relationships of authority and accountability are designed to bring about his glory and our good. When we break this commandment, we dishonor God's governing authority over all things. When we dishonor God's authority, we are rejecting his authority over us. The fifth commandment promises long life to those who obey it, because in keeping it, one is honoring God, as well as their parents.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday Recap 9-5-10
Morning: The sermon, "More Knowledge, More Sorrow," explored Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. In this passage, Solomon explains the vanity of pursuing wisdom and knowledge without reference to God. Human wisdom is at a loss to explain what is really wrong with the world. The pursuit of knowledge as an end in itself is a trivial pursuit. The pursuit of knowledge is a means to a end, knowing God and how to do his will.
Evening: Business meeting.
Evening: Business meeting.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Benefits of Friendship
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Eccl. 4:9-10).
As in all Scripture, there is much truth in these verses. Solomon is here lamenting the foolishness of friendlessness. It is a sad thing to have no friends. A person without friends is not only destined for loneliness, but grief. Their life lacks the joy of socialization.
Solomon says, two make quicker work of a job with half of the energy spent. He goes on to say, "If you fall in a pit and no one is there to help you, you're stuck. However, if you have someone there, rescue is more likely.
I have walked the path of the loner. Throughout much of my youth, I didn't have a lot of friends. I was well acquainted with several people, we talked at school, we had some of the same interests, but I never really entrusted myself to them. I was always afraid of being betrayed or getting hurt. I'm not saying I didn't have friends I could trust. I did, but not many of them.
Solomon says that isolation tends toward self-destruction, not self-preservation. Pride often keeps us cut off from others, because we fear how they will perceive us. We fear their judgment more than we value their friendship.
Friendship is a gamble, but it is a glorious one. When you venture out into the world you have the chance to know and be known in a way binds you to others. You get the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous meal with good company (which foreshadows heaven). You get to share your load with others. And yes, you risk the dangers of betrayal and pain, but what you gain in the bargain is worth the risk.
I grateful for the friends with whom Jesus has blessed me. What about you? Have you found some really good friends that you count on? Or have you tried to protect yourself from the potential heartache friendships might bring?
As in all Scripture, there is much truth in these verses. Solomon is here lamenting the foolishness of friendlessness. It is a sad thing to have no friends. A person without friends is not only destined for loneliness, but grief. Their life lacks the joy of socialization.
Solomon says, two make quicker work of a job with half of the energy spent. He goes on to say, "If you fall in a pit and no one is there to help you, you're stuck. However, if you have someone there, rescue is more likely.
I have walked the path of the loner. Throughout much of my youth, I didn't have a lot of friends. I was well acquainted with several people, we talked at school, we had some of the same interests, but I never really entrusted myself to them. I was always afraid of being betrayed or getting hurt. I'm not saying I didn't have friends I could trust. I did, but not many of them.
Solomon says that isolation tends toward self-destruction, not self-preservation. Pride often keeps us cut off from others, because we fear how they will perceive us. We fear their judgment more than we value their friendship.
Friendship is a gamble, but it is a glorious one. When you venture out into the world you have the chance to know and be known in a way binds you to others. You get the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous meal with good company (which foreshadows heaven). You get to share your load with others. And yes, you risk the dangers of betrayal and pain, but what you gain in the bargain is worth the risk.
I grateful for the friends with whom Jesus has blessed me. What about you? Have you found some really good friends that you count on? Or have you tried to protect yourself from the potential heartache friendships might bring?
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Rusty Lock
I am reading a collection of sermons entitled, Gospel Fear, by the Puritan pastor, Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646). In a message preached June 15, 1644 from 2 Kings 22:19, Burroughs states,
This does not mean that we have nothing to do in these situations. On the contrary, our actions are either pouring more water on the lock so that it rusts more, or they are oil the lock so that the key turns more easily. When we listen to a message, or prepare to listen to one, we must keep in mind our objective. Our objective is to hear from God. We are to listen with attentiveness, we are to shake off distractions, we are to have our minds prepared for the event.
If we do not read the Bible throughout the week, it makes it much more difficult for us to understand the sermon. We need to study it, as well as read it. We need to search out the meaning of words we don't understand, or we may confuse the meaning of the passage we are reading.
Cherishing sin in our heart also causes the lock to rust more quickly. If we are caught up in sin, it is more difficult for us to listen to messages that call us to righteousness. Pride scoffs at humility. Self-righteousness grits its teeth at grace. We must continually ask the Lord to open our hearts to understand where sin is present in our lives, and how we can get rid of it.
Fellowship with God's people oils the lock. By fellowship, I mean living in mutually encouraging and accountable relationships. When we know one another, it is easier to confront sin or offer a word of encouragement it difficult times.
Prayer is also vital to loosing the rusted lock. As we pray for others our heart becomes tender toward them. As we confess our sins, we remember that grace is needed by all, and that we should give it as readily as we seek it. Prayer conforms to God's will (if we do it right).
So what shape is your heart in? Do you find the Word of God turning your heart toward him with great ease? Or our you an immovable fortress of self-reliance? May it be, by his good pleasure, that he crack the lock of your heart with ease either way.
Many men's hearts are like rusty locks. It takes a great deal of work to open them, especially if the key is not the right key and fitted to every notch. But now come to a lock where the key is fitted to every notch fully and a child may turn it. You can turn it with one of your fingers. So the Lord sometimes, indeed, so speaks the Word to many men's hearts which are like rusty locks, so that the Word does not fit. There are many notches in their hearts. Many objections lie in their hearts against the Word so that the Word does not fit them, and so their hearts are not opened. But at another time, the Lord is so pleased to direct His Word that He makes the key as fit for such a man's heart as can be, and then He opens it immediately. In an instant, the heart of this man is opened that has been shut against God all the days of his life (page 89).I think the thing that we have to remember in all of this is that God moves as he pleases. When it pleases the Lord to "fit" the Word into a heart, it will fit. The lock, rust or not, will open, and the soul will be free to serve.
This does not mean that we have nothing to do in these situations. On the contrary, our actions are either pouring more water on the lock so that it rusts more, or they are oil the lock so that the key turns more easily. When we listen to a message, or prepare to listen to one, we must keep in mind our objective. Our objective is to hear from God. We are to listen with attentiveness, we are to shake off distractions, we are to have our minds prepared for the event.
If we do not read the Bible throughout the week, it makes it much more difficult for us to understand the sermon. We need to study it, as well as read it. We need to search out the meaning of words we don't understand, or we may confuse the meaning of the passage we are reading.
Cherishing sin in our heart also causes the lock to rust more quickly. If we are caught up in sin, it is more difficult for us to listen to messages that call us to righteousness. Pride scoffs at humility. Self-righteousness grits its teeth at grace. We must continually ask the Lord to open our hearts to understand where sin is present in our lives, and how we can get rid of it.
Fellowship with God's people oils the lock. By fellowship, I mean living in mutually encouraging and accountable relationships. When we know one another, it is easier to confront sin or offer a word of encouragement it difficult times.
Prayer is also vital to loosing the rusted lock. As we pray for others our heart becomes tender toward them. As we confess our sins, we remember that grace is needed by all, and that we should give it as readily as we seek it. Prayer conforms to God's will (if we do it right).
So what shape is your heart in? Do you find the Word of God turning your heart toward him with great ease? Or our you an immovable fortress of self-reliance? May it be, by his good pleasure, that he crack the lock of your heart with ease either way.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Be Still, and Know
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Ps. 46:10, ESV).
I find these words both convicting and comforting. They convict me because deep inside is a tempest of doubt raging. I see a culture on the downward slide of the slippery slope. I see my own half-heartedness. I see a unbelievers listening to the message of Jesus without flinching. I see all these things and I wonder how it's all going to work out in the end.
I'm so caught up looking at the trees that I don't see the forest. I fail to see the bigger picture. Sometimes, it is easy to think God isn't at work, because we don't see any immediate results. We are wanting a burning bush, but God is moving in subtler ways. We want to hear a still small voice, but God is speaking through message of Christ.
"Be still," he says. Stop struggling. Stop squirming. Let your mind take a breather. Relax. "Be still, and know I am God," he commands. Stop fretting and realize that he alone is God. He is in control. There is nothing going to slip past him. There is nothing that God cannot handle.
This passage comforts me with the words, "I will be exalted among the nation! I will be exalted in the earth!" He will be exalted. There is no stopping it. The devil may rage, and the nations with him, but to no avail.
We can pray with confidence, as Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hollowed be you name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We are confident because we know that his will, ultimately, will be done.
We don't have to worry when we don't have all the answers. God is in control, and he will be exalted. Be still, and rest in the knowledge that he is God.
I find these words both convicting and comforting. They convict me because deep inside is a tempest of doubt raging. I see a culture on the downward slide of the slippery slope. I see my own half-heartedness. I see a unbelievers listening to the message of Jesus without flinching. I see all these things and I wonder how it's all going to work out in the end.
I'm so caught up looking at the trees that I don't see the forest. I fail to see the bigger picture. Sometimes, it is easy to think God isn't at work, because we don't see any immediate results. We are wanting a burning bush, but God is moving in subtler ways. We want to hear a still small voice, but God is speaking through message of Christ.
"Be still," he says. Stop struggling. Stop squirming. Let your mind take a breather. Relax. "Be still, and know I am God," he commands. Stop fretting and realize that he alone is God. He is in control. There is nothing going to slip past him. There is nothing that God cannot handle.
This passage comforts me with the words, "I will be exalted among the nation! I will be exalted in the earth!" He will be exalted. There is no stopping it. The devil may rage, and the nations with him, but to no avail.
We can pray with confidence, as Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hollowed be you name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We are confident because we know that his will, ultimately, will be done.
We don't have to worry when we don't have all the answers. God is in control, and he will be exalted. Be still, and rest in the knowledge that he is God.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Warning: Knowledge Increases Sorrow
"For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecc. 1:18, ESV).
The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge can never be ends in themselves. It is not sufficient to "be wise" or to "have knowledge." These sorts of pursuits leave one puffed up with pride. With knowledge comes the expectation of correct response. Or to quote Uncle Ben, from Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Solomon initially pursued wisdom with the end of rightly leading God's people fixed in his sight. However, after his wisdom became known, he began trying to increase his wisdom for the sake of having wisdom. His focus shifted from glorifying God to glorifying himself.
His knowledge of the proper response to God, burdened him with guilt. Solomon's disobedience was costly, not only to himself, but his family and his nation. The more you know, the more you have reason to grieve. Knowledge burdens the learner with expectations, but the pursuit of knowledge often floods the mind with contradictory information that must be sorted out, and which can blind you to the truth.
That is not to say that one should never study or never seek to learn. I believe Solomon is saying that we need to know why we are learning (for God's glory), how it will help us to serve him, and why study should be approached with great care. Failure to discern between truth and opinion disguised as "fact," can be very destructive.
Let's say that you don't know that starving children are dying in Karzy*. One day you come upon a startling statistic that says 65% of all the children in Karzy will die of malnutrition before they reach the age of three. You check all the references and discover that the statistic is true. Now you have knowledge that increases your sorrow.
There are at least two ways it increases your sorrow. First, you are made aware of the fact that children are starving to death in a foreign land. Unless you're some kind of heartless monster, that fact should disturb you in some way. Second, you now have the responsibility to do something. Prior to discovering the fact you were blissful in your ignorance, and you had no moral duty. However, upon learning about the situation you become morally responsible, before God, to help the starving children.
Knowledge is power, and power brings responsibility. If we are to live in a way that please our King, we will continue to learn, and act upon what we learn. Learning for any other purpose, will only weary the learner.
*Karzy is a fictional place, however starving children are a reality in our world.
The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge can never be ends in themselves. It is not sufficient to "be wise" or to "have knowledge." These sorts of pursuits leave one puffed up with pride. With knowledge comes the expectation of correct response. Or to quote Uncle Ben, from Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Solomon initially pursued wisdom with the end of rightly leading God's people fixed in his sight. However, after his wisdom became known, he began trying to increase his wisdom for the sake of having wisdom. His focus shifted from glorifying God to glorifying himself.
His knowledge of the proper response to God, burdened him with guilt. Solomon's disobedience was costly, not only to himself, but his family and his nation. The more you know, the more you have reason to grieve. Knowledge burdens the learner with expectations, but the pursuit of knowledge often floods the mind with contradictory information that must be sorted out, and which can blind you to the truth.
That is not to say that one should never study or never seek to learn. I believe Solomon is saying that we need to know why we are learning (for God's glory), how it will help us to serve him, and why study should be approached with great care. Failure to discern between truth and opinion disguised as "fact," can be very destructive.
Let's say that you don't know that starving children are dying in Karzy*. One day you come upon a startling statistic that says 65% of all the children in Karzy will die of malnutrition before they reach the age of three. You check all the references and discover that the statistic is true. Now you have knowledge that increases your sorrow.
There are at least two ways it increases your sorrow. First, you are made aware of the fact that children are starving to death in a foreign land. Unless you're some kind of heartless monster, that fact should disturb you in some way. Second, you now have the responsibility to do something. Prior to discovering the fact you were blissful in your ignorance, and you had no moral duty. However, upon learning about the situation you become morally responsible, before God, to help the starving children.
Knowledge is power, and power brings responsibility. If we are to live in a way that please our King, we will continue to learn, and act upon what we learn. Learning for any other purpose, will only weary the learner.
*Karzy is a fictional place, however starving children are a reality in our world.
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