God, the Storyteller

“God made us because He love stories” a traditional Hasidic (Jewish) proverb. In God’s word (the bible) there are numerous stories – stories of heroes and villains, good examples for us to follow and bad examples to avoid. Good examples like Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) was a disciple who lived in Joppa, referenced in the Book of Acts 9:36–42, The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-8:1), Gaius (3 John 1: 1-4) and Demetrius (3 John 1:12), etc. Bad examples like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1 – 11), Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), etc. 

It is a given that many people around us do not always provide the right examples for us to follow. Some are downright hypocritical. Others do not even seem to care what God's Word has to say at all. Others may truly desire to follow Christ but find themselves more interested in what some individual has to say or what some program has to offer rather than what God's Word teaches. Yet despite the mixed signals and poor examples often set by those around us God wants us to honour Him, obey Him and lead by example. The Word of God is not silent concerning the conduct of people and their role in the church and in society.

We need to be an example to others in our speech. To be an example "in word" involves our choice of words, the content of our words and the delivery of our words. Our vocabulary must be free from the swearing, cursing and filth that permeates the hearts and minds of the unsaved. Scripture tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). Therefore, when our tongues spew forth cursing or filthy, unseemly words, we know that a spiritual problem exists within our hearts that goes deeper than that which simply comes out of our mouths.

We also need to be an example to others in our conduct. To be an example of the believers "in conversation" involves our conduct (behaviour) and our lifestyle. How do we act around other people within our church or society, whether young or old, saved or unsaved? Do we try to be as difficult, as cool, as rebellious, as wild or as nonconformist as we can possibly be? Or do we conduct ourselves in a manner that sets us apart from the world and causes others to see something different in us? When others observe our behaviour, can they conclude that we are people of integrity, discernment and knowledge? If not, then we must change!

We also need to be an example to others by showing love and concern for the well-being of other believers and unbelievers. The word "charity," or "love," in this verse does not speak of affection or friendship, but rather of an unselfish, sacrificial love for another. This agape love (agape is the Greek word from which our English word "charity" [or "love"] is translated in this text) means that we love our fellow Christians to the extent that we sacrifice our own time, comfort or popularity in order to build them up in the faith.

Are we measuring up to what God wants us to be? Are we just following the crowd, or do we stand out as those who desire to be faithful and holy despite the hypocrisy and compromise all around us on the part of both adults and young people? When we fail the Lord in various areas of our lives (and we all will certainly fail Him at times), get back on track through prayer and Bible study and keep purposing to please Him in everything you do. Keep striving to be an example "of the believers." Difficult times will come--loneliness, anxiety, peer pressure and discouragement will look us straight into the eyes at times. But God is always faithful to us.

The Great Loss

I believe there are many in the body of Christ who truly are not bound to anything on this earth. You could take away their house, bank account, job or business - everything but the clothes on their back - and yet still they would love God with all their heart. Does that mean they are faithful…?

Faithfulness to God does not just mean a willingness to lose everything for His sake. In fact, Bible says you can give your body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive - without love in your heart - you will die in vain (see 1 Corinthians 13:3).

Some think of faithfulness as simply living without lust and getting victory over sinful habits. Others think it means being constant in Bible reading, prayer, giving and church attendance. Still others think of it as going about doing good works, or keeping pure by avoiding all that is evil and wicked. But these things can never make us faithful to God.

You ask, "Do you mean all my striving against sin, all my sanctified service to God and crying out in prayer are not considered faithfulness? If that isn't being faithful, what is?"

All these wonderful things indeed are commanded by the Word - and we will do them if we are faithful. But they in themselves are not the essence of faithfulness. You see, faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a TRUSTING and BELIEVING heart!

“For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. (Hebrews 4:2, ESV)”

This does not mean that living without lust, getting victory over sinful habits, constant Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, doing good works, etc. are not needful. They are… but without trusting and obeying Him, then we “did not benefit” from them and thus, not faithful to Him, period!

The dictionary definitions of faithful is “unwavering in belief: believing firmly in something or somebody, especially a religion or a political doctrine”.

Thus, anytime we have a slight doubt in what God has said he will do, when we question his ability to deliver as He has promised, when we question his existence, we are moving away from Him.

“So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12, MSG)”

It will not be very easy and simple especially in difficult and trying times but… “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)”

Endless Warranty

Once we accept Jesus as our lord and personal saviour, we become co-heirs with Him as regards to what our father, Jehovah God owns – the world. Being co-heirs with Jesus makes us no longer salves or strangers but now son of the father. “So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children. (Galatians 4:7, GNT)”. What more assurance do we need as Christians?

Assurance is the confident realisation of security in Christ. It is the realization of what we have in Christ such as eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and being the object of God’s personal care as His children. Assurance has to do with our comprehension of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Christ. This is a crucial doctrine because, properly understood, it will touch the believer’s life in several areas. Not only does it give assurance of salvation, but with that also comes a greater assurance of God’s provision in all areas of life.

We are assured of the following:  

•

Eternal Life

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36,NKJV)

•

Overcoming the World by faith
“Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5, GNT)

•

God hears us when we ask
“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.” (1 John 5:14, AMP)

•

Security of life and Property Assured
“We know that no children of God keep on sinning, for the Son of God keeps them safe, and the Evil One cannot harm them.” (1 John 5:18, GNT)

•

Forgiveness of all sin
“All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name.” (Acts 10:43, GNT)

•

Freedom from condemnation
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.(John 5:24, NIV)

•

Justified and peace with God
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1, RSV)

Despite our short falls and misgivings, this assurance is still sure. Sometimes, when we fall into sin often, we take it as we’ve lost this assurance, the truth still remains that the assurance is still there.

We all have our struggles and we all need to take into account the fact that we are still sinful and we are going to struggle with our sin.  But, if we begin to doubt our salvation because we don't "feel" saved, then we should stop trusting our feelings and start trusting God at His word.  Then we ask ourselves if we are struggling against our sin.  If we aren't, maybe we aren't saved.  But, if we are, then that is a sign of life.  We then ask if we believe in the Trinity, that Jesus is God in flesh, and that He died and rose from the dead.  If we do, that is a sign of spiritual renewal.  We must take eyes off our feelings and failures and put them on Christ, His word, and His sacrifice.  Trust in Him and Him alone.... not what we feel, not at what we failed in.  He didn't save us because of our “works” or our "goodness."  He did not save us because of what is or is not in us. He saved us because of what is in Him: love and truth.

RUMOUR MILL

Last week, I was checking Chelsea Football Club’s official website because there has been increasing rumour concerning the return of former manager Jose Mourinho to the club. There has been several rumours from many different sources, but I never believed until I saw the news “MOURINHO APPOINTED” dated 03/06/2013 on their official website. One of the websites (Premier League on June 2^nd 2013) had to apologise for saying that Chelsea had secured the services of Mourinho when they had not.

With the arrival of the internet, ideas and beliefs spread around the world more quickly than ever before. Almost anyone with a computer can now appear to be an expert on any subject. Bloggers post their viewpoints on issues, flooding the world with conflicting ideas based on their subjective opinions with little or no accountability. Instant information is not bad in itself, but it certainly can bring about situations that can be spiritually dangerous it people are not discerning.

Many today still follow after falsehood, believing it will gain them spiritual enlightenment and peace. They dismiss the exclusive claim of Christianity that Jesus Christ is the only way to know God. Until they are willing to respond in faith to God’s Word and the drawing of the spirit of truth, they will follow “the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). Those who listen and respond to what God has said in the Bible show themselves as God’s own.

One of such things is about love. Those who do not love are not of God. Love originates with Him and as His children, it should be an essential characteristic of our lives. God does not merely expects us to love. He demonstrated His love to us in the most amazing way. Sending His only son was costly, showing us how much He love us.

Often human generosity originates out of excess, getting rid of something not needed or wanted anymore. God’s generosity is much different. We did nothing to deserve sending His only son, yet he did it all the same. Love is more than just a feeling or mere emotion. Love involves action giving of oneself for the benefit of someone else. Love begins with an attitude of grace extended to any you encounter, whether deserving of not, and it carries on through a lifetime of consistent giving.

36  Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?

37  And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38  This is the great and first commandment.

39  And a second like (unto it) is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40  On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.

Matt 22:36-40 ASV

Calculated Evolution

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honour beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

Hebrews 12 : 1 - 3 (NLT)

When a child is born if the child gets to the age he or she should start to crawl and the child didn’t, the parents and anyone who knows such child will be worried for the child. Same is applicable to us Christians. At repentance, one dies to sin and is therefore BORN AGAIN, this time, unto righteousness. Spiritual growth begins at salvation when Jesus sets us free from sin, it continues as we walk in newness of life, remaining free from sin’s yokes.

It is a given, that none of us will, in our lifetime, reach spiritual perfection. Thus, we should live in the awareness that, this side of eternity, we will always have room to grow spiritually. This desire to be like Christ will cause us to make spiritual maturity our lifelong goal. When one starts feeling that they are spiritually mature, they will start feeling the less need to grow spiritually. The things that are needful for growth will become of no importance to them, thus they end up slipping back into spiritual immaturity.

To growth and continue to grow spiritually, first, we need to recognise that we have not arrived at full spiritual maturity. Then we, as Paul did, should press towards the mark for the prize (Philippians 3: 13, 14), like an athlete pursuing victory. Next, we should not allow the failures we had recorded in the past hold us down. Finally, we should unremittingly set our eyes on the prize, seeing the quest as an earthly pursuit that will reach its eternal goal in heaven.

Spiritual maturity is not developed easily and quickly. We can, and should, spend our lives as Christians growing in Christ. It should be our lifelong pursuit, not just a momentary interest. Even the most seasoned believers need to continue growing.