God’s Light

5 This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 So if we say we are His friends but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. 7 But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (The Living Bible) see also John 8:12.

The Holy Scriptures are clear that God is Light (1 John 1:5-7; see also Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:4-9; John 3:19-21; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46; 1 John 2:8; Revelation 21:23).  In fact, when people see God they often describe seeing a great Light, often described as His glory.  That same glory radiated from Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2).

Light is associated with God’s holiness and purity (1 John 1:5). To walk in the Light is to walk with God (Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8)!  The Light reveals good and evil (John 3:19-21). God wants every human to walk in the Light of His goodness (Matthew 6:22-23; John 8:12; John 12:46; Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 6:14).  In fact, every human’s goal must be to seek God’s glory or light and imitate His image (1 Corinthians 10:31). Humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God is holy, perfect and pure (Leviticus 11:44.  Like Himself, God wants everyone to be holy, perfect and pure to reflect His Light to the world (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Reflecting the image of God distinguishes us from all other creatures on earth and gives us a special relationship with God.  So, let us all walk in the Light!

References:  Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. P & R Publishing Company, 2008.

That Gentle Whisper of God

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a Voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV).

The Lord God spoke to the Prophet Elijah and He told Elijah to go out and stand before Him on the mountain. And as Elijah stood on the mountain, God passed Elijah. First, Elijah witnessed a mighty windstorm that hit the mountain with a terrible blast, but the Lord God was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord God was not in the earthquake. Next, Elijah witnessed a fire, but again God was not in the fire. Then finally, Elijah heard a sound of a gentle whisper and God spoke to Elijah through His gentle whisper.

Sometimes, God reveals Himself with great, awe-inspiring, and overwhelming wonder (e.g., Exodus 3:2; Exodus 19:18; Psalm 68:7-8). Or, God may reveal Himself at church events, rallies, or conferences. At other times, God reveals Himself in a gently whisper to a humble and submissive heart.

Often times during Jesus’ public ministry on earth, Jesus escaped to a quiet place to pray and connect with God (see e.g., Mark 1:35; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 3:21; Luke 6:12).  Through those quiet times with God, Jesus would gather His strength and direction from God to carry out His ministry while on earth. In our hectic and frantic day, never forget to take time from the noise and busyness to listen quietly to God’s gentle whisper.  Although God is strong and mighty, He is also full of grace, gentleness, mercy, and tender love for His people and their concerns. 
 

God's Glory

6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)

The first and the great Commandment require exclusive allegiance and love to God and obedience to His commands (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:34-40). The only true God is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6).  This God is the only true Trinitarian God of the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:36; John 5:23-24; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father (John 1:18; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Therefore, all world religions or non-religions are not pathways to the true God.

The Holy Scriptures are very clear that every area and action of life – education, work, family, possessions, talents etc. – must be done for the glory of God (Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 10:31), in the Name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17) and in accordance with the Word of God (also called the Holy Scriptures) (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Ethical literature has often discussed the highest good, or summum bonum, as human happiness.  But the Holy Scriptures are clear that all humans must seek to glorify God and to seek His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Once we seek God and His glory, we will truly find happiness and everything you need (Matthew 6:33)!

So, reach out to God by faith with your whole heart and God will respond.  God loves ALL people regardless of race, sex, or national origin and the living God wants a personal relationship with you (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 56:3-7; Jeremiah 7:23; Malachi 1:11; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 3:29-30; Galatians 3:28). By seeking God and studying His Holy Scriptures, you will find the true meaning of life and happiness (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14).

References:  Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. P & R Publishing Company, 2008.

 

Our True Safety

The Name of the LORD is a strong fortress (tower); the godly run to Him and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 (NLT)

 

The Name of the LORD is a strong tower.  We can run to God and find safety and strength. With God, we find everything, including knowledge and wisdom. Most important, we can totally depend on God for our needs and protection. People like King Solomon and King David realized true safety, wisdom, and victory come with humility and complete trust in God and not from human pride and human trust (see Psalm 20; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 15:33). In God, we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Sadly, the wealthy may believe their wealth is a strong defense, but the power of money is limited (Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 13:8).  Only God is our true safety and fortress!

Brain Power!

The good life begins in the fear of God— Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever!  Psalm 111:10 (MSG). See also Proverbs 1:7-9, Proverbs 9:10.

The only way to become truly wise and experience the good life is to fear God. To “fear God” means to respect, revere, love, worship, and honor God as the one true living God (Father, Son –Jesus Christ, and Spirit). Wisdom ultimately leads to obedience to God’s Word found in the Holy Bible.  Everyone who obeys and follows God and His Holy Word has insight, good understanding, and blessings (Psalm 112:2-9). Many of God’s blessings — honor, prosperity, security, freedom and peace — come to those who respect and love God and honor His commands.

Many people believe they can become wise, smart, and happy through academic pursuits, winning the lottery, or life experience. God is Wisdom and the only true source of wisdom (Job 12:13).  Anytime we make a decision that conflicts God and God’s wisdom found in the Holy Bible, we ultimately make the WRONG decision! 

God requires ALL people to obey the Holy Bible, and He rewards spiritual obedience and faithfulness with His blessings (see e.g., Deuteronomy 6:1-25; Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Psalm 115:13; Isaiah 30:19-26; 1 Peter 3:9). Spiritual and heart obedience to God brings His blessings (Leviticus 26:3-13; Deuteronomy 6:4-11; Deuteronomy 28:1-14).  Nonetheless, spiritual and heart disobedience causes God’s severe judgment (Leviticus 26:14-39; Numbers 20:12-13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Samuel 15:13-23).

So, what are God’s commands?  The Holy Bible is God’s commands (see John 10:35; John 17:12; 1 Timothy 5:18). Even though the Holy Bible contains sixty-six books and written by over 40 authors, the Holy Bible calls itself one Book that is God-breathe and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  If the idea of reading sixty-six books appears overwhelming, God gives you a quick summary …

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 (NLT), with parallel references found at Matthew 22:34-40, citing Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18 of the Old Testament.

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James 2:8 (NLT).

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:8-10 (NLT).
 

Finally, if you have any trouble obeying God, then ask God to help you!  God promised to send us His Helper called the Holy Spirit to help people obey His commands.  If you humble and sincerely ask God for help and strength to love and obey Him wholeheartedly, He will send you His Holy Spirit to be your Guide, Protector, and Instructor (read John 14 – 16 of the New Testament). Just ask God for help and He will send His Helper, the Holy Spirit!

Seeking God

4 Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His presence continually! 5 Remember the wonderful works that He has done, His miracles, and the judgments (decisions, rulings) He uttered. Psalms 105:4-5 (RSV).

The attitude of the heart is a key concern of God. God wants everyone to obey His commands (e.g., the Ten Commandments at Exodus 20:1-17), be holy instead of following their own corrupting desires (Numbers 15:37-41), and seek Him first as God (Psalms 105:4-5). People who do not seek God are often self-centered, focusing on what they can get from serving idols, like money, prestige and possession. However, God wants His people to be selfless rather than self-centered and to serve Him for who He is as our Refuge, Strength, and Provider.

Saul lost his kingship of Israel and eventually his life because he sought a medium rather than seeking God first (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). However, David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).  David sincerely loved, obeyed, and sought God (1 Chronicles 16:7-36).  As king of Israel, David encouraged others to also seek God (1 Chronicles 22:19; 1 Chronicles 28:8-10). When David sinned with Bathsheba, he turned to God and confessed his disobedience and returned to seeking God (Psalms 51). Even more, David’s son, Solomon, also sought God (2 Chronicles 1:6; 2 Chronicles 6). Still more, the prophet Isaiah urged the people to seek God: “Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). The Holy Scriptures state that God’s promises and blessings are given to those who genuinely seek God with their whole heart (Psalms 105:4-5; Isaiah 55:3; Hebrews 11:6). Jesus promises, "Seek and you will find" (Matthew 7:7).

The best place to start seeking God is prayer – talk to God from your heart!  Next, read God’s Holy Bible – life’s instruction book.  Finally, find a good bible-teaching local church to also seek, serve, and love God wholeheartedly. So, remember to seek God first and find God’s rich blessings and heart-peace!

Christian Ethics - Part Two

The issues of Organism of Revelation and Organs of Ethical Knowledge made important impressions on me while reading The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John M. Frame. As God’s image, humans have a fundamental ethical responsibility to imitate God.  However, the issue of Organs of Ethical Knowledge really sparked the most significant impression.

The mental capacities play an important role in ethical thought and action. The whole person – reason, emotion, conscience, imagination, will, and so forth – all work together and makes ethical decisions. I agree with Professor Frame that all of these faculties are “perspective on one another and on the whole person.” Conscience, intellect, experience, emotion, imagination and so forth are perspectives on the moral decision of the whole person.

In general, the heart is the “center” of all human’s being. The heart is the chief organ of moral knowledge, our moral will, and our desire to obey God. Even more, the heart is what God sees and governs the fundamental direction of human life.  God places His knowledge and obedience inside the human heart and they nourish one another.

Nonetheless, all of our human faculties such as emotion, intellect, and heart are fallen and must be redeemed by God’s grace. Un-regenerated human organs are quite different from regenerated ones.  Un-regenerated humans have a natural bent or disposition toward evil and wickedness. Through the Holy Spirit and the saving grace of Jesus Christ, God gives humans a new disposition, so that we feel different and our emotions, heart, intellect, will and so forth now belong to God.  Only by God’s grace can humans use their whole person to make right ethical decisions.  Our organs – conscience, intellect, experience, emotion, imagination and so forth – are perspectives on the moral decisions of the whole person. As Professor Frame noted, these faculties have a hermeneutical component because they discover and express meaning in the situations of life.

Moreover, all the human organs – will, intellect, emotions and so forth – play a positive role in the Christian life and ethics.  The Scriptures appeals to all aspects of our personality, including the mind, will, and emotions (see e.g., Ezekiel 33:11; Psalm 42:1-6). Many great people of the Scriptures, including the apostle Paul, the apostle John, and even Jesus Christ were filled and taught the people with emotions and intellect. In my opinion, Professor Frame states correctly

Scripture does not warrant any notion of the “primacy of the intellect.” For one thing, Scripture does not even distinguish between intellect, will, and emotions, as distinct “faculties” of the mind. . . . Therefore, it never exhorts us to bring our decisions and feelings into conformity with our intellect. . . . Scripture teaches that God’s grace saves us as whole persons.  Our thinking, acting, and feelings are all changed by regeneration.  God’s grace leads us to seek conformity with God’s Word.  The important thing is not to bring our emotions into line with our intellect, but to bring both our emotions and our intellect into line with God’s Word.