Obedience unto righteousness (Rom 6:16)
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
(Mat 25:33)
Jesus ended the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven with this astounding closing statement. The question that I had in mind was what about John 3:16? What about 2 Cor 5:21 that says that ‘Jesus was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him’? How than can we become righteous in order to end up in the Kingdom of Heaven? Does this mean that the ‘sinner’s prayer’ that many of us so sincerely prayed and believing after that we will end up in Heaven?
What separates that sheep from the goats? After all both sheep and goats acknowledge Jesus as Lord. It would be rather hard to find a non believer acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord. This time Jesus returns in all Glory as Son of Man (because He can as one to save us and finally to judge mankind) and sits on the judgment throne to those who call Him Lord. When John had the revelation of Jesus Christ as recorded in the last book of the Bible, this man who used to lean on Jesus bosom fell down as through dead (rev 1:17). Against our human estimation of intimacy and friendship, we have to consider the Holiness of God. It appears that the Holiness of God in the New Testament and the Old Testament is consistent.
Before this joyful or dreadful time (depending which of His side we will stand on) nobody is to label anyone sheep or goat. It is Christ that will do the separation for He sees beyond the human eye and looks on the heart (1 Sam 16:7).
It appears that the criteria for the separation have to do with feeding, clothing and visitation of the destitute. Interesting isn’t it? We know that judgments have to be made on basis of law. If we committed a traffic offense, we will be judged according to the traffic law and punishment will be administered accordingly. So Jesus who came to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17, He must be referring to the Law of Moses since the NT wasn’t written yet) and not to do away with it, must be judging the sheep and goats who used to feed on the same pasture called ‘church’ by it. So OT is still relevant today, not FYI only.
What is the Law of Moses got to do with feeding, clothing and visitation? We should not look at the letter of the Law but the spirit of it.
In Exo 20, there was the giving of the 10 Commandments or the moral laws. Which I believe is still valid today. In following 3 chapters God talks about how we should treat others kindly. Subsequently the laws written on sacrifice and priesthood were fulfilled by Jesus, which is why we no longer bring animal sacrifices to our worship. Therefore we can conclude that the Moral Laws and civil laws (how we treat others) are still valid today. So we have the vertical relationship to God and the horizontal relationship toward man. That is why Jesus said in Matt 22:37-40 that loving the Lord is the first and greatest commandment followed by loving others; there hang all the law (singular because it talks about the whole package deal) and the prophets (who declared the law).
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
(1Jn 4:20-21)
I believe that the criteria of feeding, clothing and visiting the destitute are a concern of the Lord. This is the horizontal relationship that is difficult to keep as what John wrote in the Epistle. In fact John states loving others as a commandment and hating our brother will make us liars if we dare say we love God. We all know who the father of lies is and that liars belong to that father. Now we have to consider seriously not falling into the goat category by looking at how we love and treat others by our words, actions and intent of our hearts. Those who harbor unforgiveness and anger towards others are in danger of hell fire (Matt 5:22).
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
(Mat 25:37)
The righteous sheep don’t even know what good they have done to the destitute for His commandments are a delight (Psa 119:47). Fulfilling the second great commandment is a normal Christian life.
Paul, the teacher of Grace teaches us in Rom 6:16 that obedience leads us to righteousness. And the fruit of holiness, everlasting life (Rom 6:22).
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Ask and be given bountifully
: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
(1Ki 3:5b)
Many would like to have this question asked of God to Solomon. Jesus taught to ask what you will and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7). But we ask and ask amiss (James 4:3) most of the time not getting the expectant answer. The idea of Jesus in the asking and it will be done unto you is when we abide in Him. If we abide in Him, we will be interested in the things that concerns Christ. If we ask for a bigger car or better job or anything that concerns what the world deems as of ‘worth’ it won’t concern Him. Jesus was offered not just the world but the glory of them (Matt 4:8, 9) but that offer didn’t move Him one bit. The devil can’t offer Jesus (Who knows all things), what he doesn’t own. So if we asked of the things of the world the best person to ask from is the devil. Jesus wants to give us His eternal Kingdom (Matt 25:34) heavenly treasures where moth and rust can’t destroy – how about the crown of life (Jam 1:12) and the being loved by the Lord, let’s desire these things that last forever! For all that is the world consist of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and loving the world voids us of the love of the Father (1 John 2:15). What we ask depicts the condition of our heart (Luke 6:45). As parents we also know what our children’s priorities are and hopefully we have the wisdom to give them things they asked for concerns their long term good.
The account continues in 1 Kings 3 of the first test of the wisdom Solomon asked for. It was the test of two women. What lessons can we draw from this first test of wisdom?
Firstly they were harlots, true wisdom from God is not prejudice it is based on God’s standards and not ours. If you or I sat on that throne that day we would have judge harlots differently because we have our own sense of self righteousness. Yes, Jesus didn’t condemn the adulteress but she was asked to sin no more (John 8:11). Our self righteousness will condemn us (Matt 7:2). Our righteousness is not given ‘free’ just because we claim to be Christians; righteousness is to be desired (Matt 5:6). Let’s be honest with ourselves, how many of us really, truly hunger and thirst for righteousness. Think of the things that we hunger and thirst for and no need to wonder anymore why we are not blessed.
Secondly, having wisdom of God we will be able to divide the truth from a lie. Rev 21:8 tells us the liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. The first judgment of God after Pentecost was the lying to the Holy Spirit. Today lying is not regarded as a deadly sin. People lie to gain things (perhaps to cheat or even career advancement) or lie to get out of trouble. There is a worst thing to get and bigger trouble to face in the final judgment of Christ by being a liar.
Lastly, Solomon revealed the heart. The reaction of the two women to dividing the child shows who the true mother is. Love is stated as one of fruits of the Holy Spirit. The first and greatest commandment also concerns the heart; it’s about Who we should love with ALL our heart. Jesus warns that in the last days iniquity or lawless (those who refuse to obey the laws of God, no room for antinomianism) will abound and hearts of many will grow cold (Matt 24:12). Why? Because there is another love, covetousness is already abounding in books, preaching, ‘prophecies’, conferences, etc (1 Tim 6:10). The message of the church is about the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:31) not about betterment of society, politics, entertainment, etc. Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) that’s why His disciples are not striving for a better world. Jesus said that if it’s about the world then we as disciple would be fighting for the betterment of this and of that in the world.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Prov 1:7)
With the increase of iniquity and the devil knowing his end, all the more we require the wisdom of God least we become fools. If we don’t know how to ask for the right thing, i.e. wisdom we can end up like the fool who says in his heart that there is no God (Psa 14:1, 53:1). This is a very strong accusation to declare people as fools, but dear ones, look at it this way. If we are able to do things and changes for the betterment of the world then we really don’t need God, because we have done it.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(Jas 1:5)
Wisdom is for all of us to ask of God and He will give bountifully. This is one prayer that God will definitely answer but don’t doubt in asking. Solomon didn’t doubt when he had to face to judge the two women, he just gave the correct judgment. Seek the right things first (Matt 6:33) and all the other matters of life that we need will be provided for as He does creation (Matt 6:26). Do we trust God by asking for wisdom above other things?
: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
(1Ki 3:5b)
Many would like to have this question asked of God to Solomon. Jesus taught to ask what you will and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7). But we ask and ask amiss (James 4:3) most of the time not getting the expectant answer. The idea of Jesus in the asking and it will be done unto you is when we abide in Him. If we abide in Him, we will be interested in the things that concerns Christ. If we ask for a bigger car or better job or anything that concerns what the world deems as of ‘worth’ it won’t concern Him. Jesus was offered not just the world but the glory of them (Matt 4:8, 9) but that offer didn’t move Him one bit. The devil can’t offer Jesus (Who knows all things), what he doesn’t own. So if we asked of the things of the world the best person to ask from is the devil. Jesus wants to give us His eternal Kingdom (Matt 25:34) heavenly treasures where moth and rust can’t destroy – how about the crown of life (Jam 1:12) and the being loved by the Lord, let’s desire these things that last forever! For all that is the world consist of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and loving the world voids us of the love of the Father (1 John 2:15). What we ask depicts the condition of our heart (Luke 6:45). As parents we also know what our children’s priorities are and hopefully we have the wisdom to give them things they asked for concerns their long term good.
The account continues in 1 Kings 3 of the first test of the wisdom Solomon asked for. It was the test of two women. What lessons can we draw from this first test of wisdom?
Firstly they were harlots, true wisdom from God is not prejudice it is based on God’s standards and not ours. If you or I sat on that throne that day we would have judge harlots differently because we have our own sense of self righteousness. Yes, Jesus didn’t condemn the adulteress but she was asked to sin no more (John 8:11). Our self righteousness will condemn us (Matt 7:2). Our righteousness is not given ‘free’ just because we claim to be Christians; righteousness is to be desired (Matt 5:6). Let’s be honest with ourselves, how many of us really, truly hunger and thirst for righteousness. Think of the things that we hunger and thirst for and no need to wonder anymore why we are not blessed.
Secondly, having wisdom of God we will be able to divide the truth from a lie. Rev 21:8 tells us the liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. The first judgment of God after Pentecost was the lying to the Holy Spirit. Today lying is not regarded as a deadly sin. People lie to gain things (perhaps to cheat or even career advancement) or lie to get out of trouble. There is a worst thing to get and bigger trouble to face in the final judgment of Christ by being a liar.
Lastly, Solomon revealed the heart. The reaction of the two women to dividing the child shows who the true mother is. Love is stated as one of fruits of the Holy Spirit. The first and greatest commandment also concerns the heart; it’s about Who we should love with ALL our heart. Jesus warns that in the last days iniquity or lawless (those who refuse to obey the laws of God, no room for antinomianism) will abound and hearts of many will grow cold (Matt 24:12). Why? Because there is another love, covetousness is already abounding in books, preaching, ‘prophecies’, conferences, etc (1 Tim 6:10). The message of the church is about the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:31) not about betterment of society, politics, entertainment, etc. Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) that’s why His disciples are not striving for a better world. Jesus said that if it’s about the world then we as disciple would be fighting for the betterment of this and of that in the world.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Prov 1:7)
With the increase of iniquity and the devil knowing his end, all the more we require the wisdom of God least we become fools. If we don’t know how to ask for the right thing, i.e. wisdom we can end up like the fool who says in his heart that there is no God (Psa 14:1, 53:1). This is a very strong accusation to declare people as fools, but dear ones, look at it this way. If we are able to do things and changes for the betterment of the world then we really don’t need God, because we have done it.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(Jas 1:5)
Wisdom is for all of us to ask of God and He will give bountifully. This is one prayer that God will definitely answer but don’t doubt in asking. Solomon didn’t doubt when he had to face to judge the two women, he just gave the correct judgment. Seek the right things first (Matt 6:33) and all the other matters of life that we need will be provided for as He does creation (Matt 6:26). Do we trust God by asking for wisdom above other things?
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