Enjoying God Blog

In the previous post we looked at the tendency of some Christians to coast, as over against Paul’s determination to “press on” to “what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:12-14). Continue reading . . .

In the previous post we looked at the tendency of some Christians to coast, as over against Paul’s determination to “press on” to “what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:12-14). Here is the passage once more.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12-14).

He begins this portion of his letter to the Philippians with an immediate disclaimer. He does not want us to think that his suffering the loss of all things to gain Christ means that he has fully arrived, that he has already achieved or obtain everything that God has in store for Christians.

So, to what does the word “this” in v. 12 refer? Or again, in v. 13, to what does the word “it” refer? Paul denies having obtained “this” and having made “it” his own. What’s he talking about?

There are several possibilities, all of which may be true! He may have in mind the “resurrection from the dead” (Phil. 3:11). There were some in the early church (see 2 Tim. 2:16-18) who argued that our spiritual resurrection or coming to life through faith in Christ is the only resurrection that will ever occur. Or he may also have in mind the claim of some to have achieved sinless perfection in this life.

Should we be concerned that some Christians, for a variety of reasons, have become spiritually stagnant. Continue reading . . .

Should we be concerned that some Christians, for a variety of reasons, have become spiritually stagnant. They aren’t regressing but there is a sense in which they are stuck in neutral. Or perhaps they’re actually moving forward, but only because they’ve set their souls on cruise control. They don’t pay much attention to the speed and progress of their Christian life, but are attentive only to the degree that it is necessary to keep from swerving off the road of following Christ. They don’t think it’s necessary to accelerate. They are content with where they are on the pathway to eternal life. They’ve settled for the status quo. “Things as they are” is just fine with them. No need to rock the boat or increase the pace at which they pursue Christ in all his fullness. Again, they are spiritually stagnant.

I’m not suggesting they aren’t genuinely born again and saved. But there is little or no growth. Their passion for Jesus Christ is lukewarm, at best. Their study of God’s Word is sporadic, at best. Their prayer lives are largely restricted to listening to others intercede with God on a Sunday morning. They’ve embraced the truth that by faith alone they stand righteous in God’s sight and have concluded from this that they need do no more. There is a sense in which they’ve fully and finally arrived.

Some might even think that whatever Christ died to obtain for them is already theirs in total perfection. It’s now just a matter of resting in what is already true. The idea of pressing forward and relentlessly pursuing the knowledge and enjoyment of Christ strikes them as inconsist

There is a profoundly important connection between the spiritual discipline of fasting and our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Continue reading . . .

There is a profoundly important connection between the spiritual discipline of fasting and our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a feasting that looks backward in time, whereas fasting is a feasting that looks forward in time. The breaking of bread and drinking the cup is done “in remembrance” of our Lord’s historic, and therefore past, act of sacrifice. Thus by eating and drinking we celebrate the finality and sufficiency of that atoning death and that glorious resurrection. We should never fast from the supper of the Lord, even when we are fasting from other ordinary “suppers”. On the other hand, as John Piper explains,

“by not eating—by fasting—we look to the future with an aching in our hearts saying: ‘Yes, he came. And yes, what he did for us is glorious. But precisely because of what we have seen and what we have tasted, we feel keenly his absence as well as his presence. . . . we can eat and even celebrate with feasting because he has come. But this we also know: he is not here the way he once was. . . . And his [physical] absence is painful. The sin and misery of the world is painful. . . . We long for him to come again and take up his throne and reign in our midst and vindicate his people and his truth and his glory” (A Hunger for God, 84).

When we sit at Christ’s table with other believers we gratefully, fearfully, joyfully feast upon that food and drink that remind us of what has happened. And when we, in a time of fasting, turn away from the table where otherwise daily meals are served we declare our deep yearning for what has not yet happened.

Not long ago I read an article about the discovery of the most distant galaxy in our universe. The galaxy, known as z8-GND-5296, was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope and an observatory in Hawaii. Continue reading . . .

Not long ago I read an article about the discovery of the most distant galaxy in our universe. The galaxy, known as z8-GND-5296, was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope and an observatory in Hawaii. As the article explains, “when scientists look at distant galaxies, they see them as they appeared in the past because of the time it takes for a galaxy’s light to travel to Earth. The newly discovered galaxy was seen by the researchers as it appeared 13 billion years ago” (Ralph K. M. Haurwitz, The Oklahoman, 10-24-13).

Taking into account the continuous expansion of the universe, researchers estimate that the galaxy is now about 30 billion light years away. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, or nearly 6 trillion miles. So, to determine how far away the galaxy is today, simply multiply 30 billion by 6 trillion! My math leads to the conclusion that this galaxy is currently some 180 sextillion miles from Earth (that’s 180 followed by 21 zeros)!

As amazing and mind-boggling as it is, I’ve always been bothered by something like this. Whenever I think of the immeasurable expanse of the universe, it makes me feel so very, very, very (ok, very with hundreds of zeros behind it!) small. To say that the Earth is a sub-microscopic pinprick in this vast universe is to exaggerate wildly. We are actually much smaller than that.

But then I got to thinking. We wouldn’t be any bigger in any ultimate sense of the term or a greater part of the universe if we were 10,000 (or 10 sextillion) times larger than we are. If the universe is infi

God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered worship happens whenever the mind is filled with deep, robust, expansive, biblical thoughts about who God is and what he has done, which in turn awaken and inflame heart-felt and passionate affections for God such as joy, gladness, delight, gratitude, admiration, love, fear, zeal, and deep satisfaction in all that he is for us in Jesus Christ. Continue reading . . .

God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered worship happens whenever the mind is filled with deep, robust, expansive, biblical thoughts about who God is and what he has done, which in turn awaken and inflame heart-felt and passionate affections for God such as joy, gladness, delight, gratitude, admiration, love, fear, zeal, and deep satisfaction in all that he is for us in Jesus Christ.

You will notice that I said nothing about the kind of songs we sing. One can genuinely worship God with a medieval hymn, a contemporary chorus, or in spoken prose. Nothing was said in my definition about physical posture. One can genuinely worship God sitting, standing, kneeling, lying prostrate on the ground, dancing, with hands raised, with hands in pockets, with hands clapping, with tears flowing or a wide smile. I said nothing about the presence or absence of musical instruments. One can genuinely worship God by singing a cappella or with musical accompaniment, both by the human voice alone or with a symphony orchestra. I said nothing about the freedom, form, or style in which worship is expressed. One can genuinely worship God through centuries-old structured liturgy or Spirit-prompted spontaneity, both through pre-written confessions of faith or impromptu shouts of praise.

The mistake many make is in conceiving worship as if it’s all about

The blogosphere was all abuzz last week when Donald Miller, well-known author of the best-selling book, Blue Like Jazz, announced that he no longer attends a local church. Continue reading . . .

The blogosphere was all abuzz last week when Donald Miller, well-known author of the best-selling book, Blue Like Jazz, announced that he no longer attends a local church. I won’t go into his reasons or the multitude of responses, many of which were extremely insightful (others weren’t). What struck me most was the element of surprise among many evangelicals. They acted as if this choice of Miller’s was unexpected. “How can this be?” they asked. “What could possibly lead an educated and articulate professing Christian to abandon local church life?”

For my part, Miller’s decision makes perfectly good sense, given his rejection of the functional authority of Scripture. If one does not believe that the Bible is authoritative for belief and behavior, all options are on the table. To say that the inspired and infallible text of Scripture functions authoritatively means, among other things, that our minds are not free to believe whatever seems preferable. It means that our choices are limited to what Scripture approves. It means that God exerts his rule over us through his written Word.

Of course, many bristle at this. Such limitations on their “freedom” are highly offensive and ultimately stifling to any meaningful sense of personal development. Scripture, on the other hand, would have us enjoy the superior “freedom” of conformity to the will of God so revealed. Freedom is not the multiplication of options and the unfettered opportunity to select whichever ones suit our fancy. Freedom is the Spirit-wrought alignment of one’s mind with what God declares to be true and

The notion of divine justice and wrath are not popular in certain sectors of the professing Christian world today. If nothing else, this betrays how weak in the minds of such folk is the doctrine of inspiration and the functional authority of Scripture. For if Scripture is indeed the Word of God written, infallible for all life and belief, then divine wrath must be embraced, as uncomfortable for some as that may be. Continue reading . . .

The notion of divine justice and wrath are not popular in certain sectors of the professing Christian world today. If nothing else, this betrays how weak in the minds of such folk is the doctrine of inspiration and the functional authority of Scripture. For if Scripture is indeed the Word of God written, infallible for all life and belief, then divine wrath must be embraced, as uncomfortable for some as that may be.

I have of late been reading extensively in the works of J. I. Packer. In his reflections on the atonement Packer speaks often of what has been called the retributive justice of God, or that which God's nature requires him to require of his creatures. Retributive justice is that in virtue of which God gives to each of us that which is our due. It is that in virtue of which God treats us according to our deserts. Retributive justice is thus somewhat synonymous with punishment. This is a necessary expression of God's reaction to sin and evil. Retributive justice is not something which God may or may not exercise, as is the case with mercy, love, and grace. Retributive justice, i.e., punishment for sin, is a matter of debt. It is something from which God cannot refrain doing lest he violate the rectitude and righteousness of his nature and will. Sin must be punished. It is a serious misunderstanding of Christianity and the nature of forgiveness to say that believers are those whose guilt is rescinded and who

It’s been some time since I posted anything on Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “The Excellency of Christ.” Below is the ninth installment of this message. I personally find this portion of his sermon to be more compelling and uplifting than anything else he’s written. Read and rejoice! Continue reading . . .

It’s been some time since I posted anything on Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “The Excellency of Christ.” Below is the ninth installment of this message. I personally find this portion of his sermon to be more compelling and uplifting than anything else he’s written. Read and rejoice!

“And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev. 5:5-6).

1. What are you afraid of, that you dare not venture your soul upon Christ? Are you afraid that he cannot save you: that he is not strong enough to conquer the enemies of your soul? But how can you desire one stronger than the “mighty God”? as Christ is called, Isa. 9:6. Is there need of greater than infinite strength? Are you afraid that he will not be willing to stoop so low as to take any gracious notice of you? But then, look on him, as he stood in the ring of soldiers, exposing his blessed face to be buffeted and spit upon by them! Behold him bound with his back uncovered to those that smote him! And behold him hanging on the cross! Do you think that he that had condescension enough to stoop to these things, and that for his crucifiers, will be unwilling to accept of you

We’ve now come to the final article in our study of 1 Peter 2:13-17. Continue reading . . .

We’ve now come to the final article in our study of 1 Peter 2:13-17. Here Peter says to us:

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-17).

We are now ready for the fourth and final observation on this passage.

(4) My fourth observation is simply to take note of Peter’s concluding four-fold exhortation in v. 17.

First, honor everyone (v. 17a). We are to treat every human being with dignity and respect and honor. All are created in God’s image. The emperor isn’t the only one deserving of our honor. Of course, how we honor everyone will differ. We do not honor an immoral scoundrel the same way we honor Mother Theresa!

Second, love the brotherhood (v. 17b). Although we are to love and care for all mankind, we have a special responsibility to the family of faith.

Third, fear God (v. 17c). Although we honor the emperor, we are never told to fear him. Although we are to love other Christians, our deepest and most passionate affection and our most reverential awe is due unto God alone.

Fourth, honor the emperor (v. 17d). You shouldn’t fear him the way you do God nor do you have to love him the way you do Christians in the family of faith which we call the church.

In the previous article I made the first of four observations about this passage. Continue reading . . .

In the previous article I made the first of four observations about this passage. Read it again and then we’ll move to the next important issue that it raises.

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-17).

(2) We are to submit to every man-made law that does not require us to sin or to compromise our Christian integrity.

Before I explain what I mean, a word of explanation is in order concerning the phrasing of v. 13. First of all, the phrase “human institution” is literally, “human creation” or “human creature.” Peter has particularly in mind the human leaders who are in authority over us. There is a reason why Peter referred to “emperors” or “kings” as well as “governors” as “human creatures.” He was countering the claims of the emperor cult which typically deified the Roman ruler. They are but “creatures”, says Peter, not the Creator. Don’t deify them. Don’t worship them. Just obey them.

Second, Peter refers to the “emperor” and “governors.” He obviously was thinking not only of the Roman emperor, in this case Nero, but also of the procurators of imperial provinces and the proconsuls who exercised