Relevant Bible Verses
1) Heb 10:19-22 Having therefore, brothers, boldness for entering the Holy of Holies in the blood of Jesus. Which entrance He initiated for us as a new and living way through the veil, that is, His flesh. And having a great Priest over the house of God. Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies.......
2) Heb 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.
3) Gal 5:4 You have been brought to nought, separated from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
4) Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with a yoke of slavery again,
After understanding that Christ has come to fulfill the law, it is important that we do not fall back to the old teaching. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we are not justified by observing the law, but by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We must leave the first covenant, and the first age, and go on to the Holy of Holies, enter into the new covenant, into the second age or dispensation, and live in the new age under grace. Christ has become our High Priest!
Bible has warned us (Heb 10:38) of the danger of shrinking back to Judaism and not coming forward to the new testament. As the Hebrew believers (river crossers), we are encouraged to come forward otherwise we will be in a very vulnerable position of shrinking back, falling back to the religious rituals of the law. The moment we shrink back into the old teaching (Judaism), it caused us to come under the curse of the law, thus depriving us from the enjoyment of Christ and causing us to fall from grace. In fact if we do not walk according to the principle of truth with grace in Christ under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit will be grieved.
Actually faith in Christ brings us into the blessing that God promised Abraham, which is promise of the Spirit (Gal 3:14).
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin and death. Do not fall back into the Judaism and be ensnared by the yoke of slavery.
Praise the Lord! For we are the new creation.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
New Covenant
Relevant Bible Verses
1) Gal 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
2) Gal 3:25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
3) Rom 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
4) Heb 8:5 Who serve the example and shadow of the heavenly things,
5) Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.
Someone once asked me why I still quote Old Testament verses in my blog if I claimed that Christians today are no longer bound by the law (Mosaic Law).
Well, in order for us to fully understand the purpose and the complete vision of God’s eternal plan, we need to see the whole spectrum of the Kingdom of God. In other words, we need to know the past so that we can appreciate the presence and the eternity future. The Alpha (α) and Omega (Ω).
The question here is if believers of Christ are still under the law of the Old Testament, i.e. Mosaic Law.
In Galatians 2:16 and 3:25 the apostle Paul was very clear about this issue. He said that we are not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Christ. Christ through His coming, human living, dying on the cross and resurrection had been completely perfected, equipped, and qualified to be our divine High Priest (Heb 7:28). By our first step of faith in accepting Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, He has already set us free by the renewing in the Spirit of life, redeeeming us from the bondage of sin and death.
The writer of Hebrews has taken a great deal of time explaining in detail that the old system (law) is but only a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” (Heb 8:5). In this passage he further said it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away the sin forever.
Under the old covenant the people of God practiced sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats in the Holy of Holies through the high priest to cover their sins. This they repeated endlessly year after year. It is known as the atonement of sin, i.e. covering but not the redemption of sin (see article Atonement vs Redemption). Christ came to replace the old covenant with the new covenant. In the new covenant, the Lord is our God not according to the law of letters whereby knowledge of the law was recognized. God through Christ has achieved the abundance of eternal life by inward ability of life and faith. If the first covenant (Mosaic Law) was perfect, there was no need for Christ to introduce the new covenant (Heb 8:7).
Many Christians today are still holding on to the law and thereby neglected to recognize the power of the blood of Christ. Christ came to complete the law and takes away the “first that He may establish the second. By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. (Heb 10:9-10). When the priesthood is transferred, there comes into being the transfer of law as well (Heb 7:12).
I wish many Christians could really understand what the writer of Hebrews was pointing to here and apply it to the whole Mosaic Law, they would be free indeed! No more under the bondage of the law which lead to death but faith which leads to eternal life. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 3:6)
We should simply take Christ and enjoy them. By taking in Christ, we allow God to impart life into us. Praise the Lord! Sin has been put away once for all, and we are regenerated with the divine life of Christ. It is a matter of inner life, not a matter of the outer knowledge. Under the new covenant, God does not deal with us according to the outward regulations but according to the inward laws of life – sense of life.
We must proclaim, “O Lord Jesus, You are my Savior. I believe in You. Thank You for Your blood and for Your washing.”
The law is only a copy and shadow, but Christ is REAL!
1) Gal 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
2) Gal 3:25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
3) Rom 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
4) Heb 8:5 Who serve the example and shadow of the heavenly things,
5) Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.
Someone once asked me why I still quote Old Testament verses in my blog if I claimed that Christians today are no longer bound by the law (Mosaic Law).
Well, in order for us to fully understand the purpose and the complete vision of God’s eternal plan, we need to see the whole spectrum of the Kingdom of God. In other words, we need to know the past so that we can appreciate the presence and the eternity future. The Alpha (α) and Omega (Ω).
The question here is if believers of Christ are still under the law of the Old Testament, i.e. Mosaic Law.
In Galatians 2:16 and 3:25 the apostle Paul was very clear about this issue. He said that we are not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Christ. Christ through His coming, human living, dying on the cross and resurrection had been completely perfected, equipped, and qualified to be our divine High Priest (Heb 7:28). By our first step of faith in accepting Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, He has already set us free by the renewing in the Spirit of life, redeeeming us from the bondage of sin and death.
The writer of Hebrews has taken a great deal of time explaining in detail that the old system (law) is but only a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” (Heb 8:5). In this passage he further said it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away the sin forever.
Under the old covenant the people of God practiced sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats in the Holy of Holies through the high priest to cover their sins. This they repeated endlessly year after year. It is known as the atonement of sin, i.e. covering but not the redemption of sin (see article Atonement vs Redemption). Christ came to replace the old covenant with the new covenant. In the new covenant, the Lord is our God not according to the law of letters whereby knowledge of the law was recognized. God through Christ has achieved the abundance of eternal life by inward ability of life and faith. If the first covenant (Mosaic Law) was perfect, there was no need for Christ to introduce the new covenant (Heb 8:7).
Many Christians today are still holding on to the law and thereby neglected to recognize the power of the blood of Christ. Christ came to complete the law and takes away the “first that He may establish the second. By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. (Heb 10:9-10). When the priesthood is transferred, there comes into being the transfer of law as well (Heb 7:12).
I wish many Christians could really understand what the writer of Hebrews was pointing to here and apply it to the whole Mosaic Law, they would be free indeed! No more under the bondage of the law which lead to death but faith which leads to eternal life. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 3:6)
We should simply take Christ and enjoy them. By taking in Christ, we allow God to impart life into us. Praise the Lord! Sin has been put away once for all, and we are regenerated with the divine life of Christ. It is a matter of inner life, not a matter of the outer knowledge. Under the new covenant, God does not deal with us according to the outward regulations but according to the inward laws of life – sense of life.
We must proclaim, “O Lord Jesus, You are my Savior. I believe in You. Thank You for Your blood and for Your washing.”
The law is only a copy and shadow, but Christ is REAL!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Incest
Relevant Bible Verses
1) Genesis 19:30-38
2) 1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
3) 1 Tim 1:9-10 And knows this, that the law is not enacted for a righteous man but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and those who strike their mothers, for murderers, for fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever other thing that is opposed to the healthy teaching.
I was indeed very disturbed, in fact felt sick after reading the news that daughter and father were not embarrassed to appear on the Channel 9 South Australian News show to talk openly of their incestuous relationship and the baby they had together. They discussed about their relationship and are actually in the process of splitting up.
To make the situation worse and more sickening, the daughter has in fact found romance with another person who is bisexual, a father-of-three. The father, daughter and the daughter’s new found boyfriend, together with the children from their previous marriages are currently living under the same roof! Wow! Shark! What is wrong with the world today? What other sins can be more sinful than this? I am completely taken out and extremely disgusted. No sin is worse or more damaging to humanity than incest.
The first incestuous relationship was found in Genesis 19:30-38. After the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's whole family moved to another smaller city known as Zoar. Later they felt unsafe staying in Zoar and moved to live in a cave. The unmarried daughters of Lot were feeling unsecured and lonely in the cave and evil thought came into their minds. They encouraged Lot to drink wine until he was drunk so that they could sleep with Lot. It was a gross sin that comes from the lust of the flesh. The older and younger daughters both had a son each with Lot and they named them Moab and Ben-Ammi respectively.
In the New Testament, we find that Paul had to deal with a brother in the church at Corinth who had committed in the sin of incest with his stepmother (1Cor 5:1). We have a couple of lessons to learn from this portion of the scripture. Firstly, it shows that it is possible for a truly saved one, a genuine brother in Christ to commit a gross sin, such as incest. Secondly, it shows that once a church is divided (1Cor 1-4) and diverted from the central vision of God’s economy, the door of soulish life will be open for the lust of the flesh to come in. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous for us to remain in the soul.
But there is good news in the grace of God! Since incestuous relationship is a sin, it can be forgiven. In fact all types of sin can be forgiven. In 1Timothy 1:9-10 (above), we can read the full list of sinners including fornicators, perjurers, murderers, adulterers, and homosexuals. Just as unsaved murderers and unsaved adulterers can receive salvation, unsaved people who are in incestuous relationship can also receive salvation as well. The Samaritan woman (John 4:1-24) who had 5 husbands and living with another man who was not even her husband was able to be renewed unto repentance with Christ.
In fact the origin of Ruth was incest. She belonged to the tribe of Moab (Ruth 1:4), the fruit of Lot’s incestuous union with his older daughter. Ruth, however, not only was accepted by the Lord but also became one of the most important ancestors of Christ because she sought after God and God’s people (Ruth 1:15-17; 2:11-12).
Regardless of our background, if we turn to God in sincerity, we will bring forth proper fruit and participate in the enjoyment of the birthright of Christ.
God is so merciful and loving!
1) Genesis 19:30-38
2) 1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
3) 1 Tim 1:9-10 And knows this, that the law is not enacted for a righteous man but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and those who strike their mothers, for murderers, for fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever other thing that is opposed to the healthy teaching.
I was indeed very disturbed, in fact felt sick after reading the news that daughter and father were not embarrassed to appear on the Channel 9 South Australian News show to talk openly of their incestuous relationship and the baby they had together. They discussed about their relationship and are actually in the process of splitting up.
To make the situation worse and more sickening, the daughter has in fact found romance with another person who is bisexual, a father-of-three. The father, daughter and the daughter’s new found boyfriend, together with the children from their previous marriages are currently living under the same roof! Wow! Shark! What is wrong with the world today? What other sins can be more sinful than this? I am completely taken out and extremely disgusted. No sin is worse or more damaging to humanity than incest.
The first incestuous relationship was found in Genesis 19:30-38. After the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's whole family moved to another smaller city known as Zoar. Later they felt unsafe staying in Zoar and moved to live in a cave. The unmarried daughters of Lot were feeling unsecured and lonely in the cave and evil thought came into their minds. They encouraged Lot to drink wine until he was drunk so that they could sleep with Lot. It was a gross sin that comes from the lust of the flesh. The older and younger daughters both had a son each with Lot and they named them Moab and Ben-Ammi respectively.
In the New Testament, we find that Paul had to deal with a brother in the church at Corinth who had committed in the sin of incest with his stepmother (1Cor 5:1). We have a couple of lessons to learn from this portion of the scripture. Firstly, it shows that it is possible for a truly saved one, a genuine brother in Christ to commit a gross sin, such as incest. Secondly, it shows that once a church is divided (1Cor 1-4) and diverted from the central vision of God’s economy, the door of soulish life will be open for the lust of the flesh to come in. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous for us to remain in the soul.
But there is good news in the grace of God! Since incestuous relationship is a sin, it can be forgiven. In fact all types of sin can be forgiven. In 1Timothy 1:9-10 (above), we can read the full list of sinners including fornicators, perjurers, murderers, adulterers, and homosexuals. Just as unsaved murderers and unsaved adulterers can receive salvation, unsaved people who are in incestuous relationship can also receive salvation as well. The Samaritan woman (John 4:1-24) who had 5 husbands and living with another man who was not even her husband was able to be renewed unto repentance with Christ.
In fact the origin of Ruth was incest. She belonged to the tribe of Moab (Ruth 1:4), the fruit of Lot’s incestuous union with his older daughter. Ruth, however, not only was accepted by the Lord but also became one of the most important ancestors of Christ because she sought after God and God’s people (Ruth 1:15-17; 2:11-12).
Regardless of our background, if we turn to God in sincerity, we will bring forth proper fruit and participate in the enjoyment of the birthright of Christ.
God is so merciful and loving!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wall of Jericho
Relevant Bible Verses
1) Joshua 1:9 Be strong and take courage; do not be afraid or dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.
2) Joshua 6
Have you ever heard of people winning a war without using any weapons and guns but by only shouting?
The first human warfare was found in Joshua chapter 6 and it happened to be won by shouting! Jericho was destructed by Israel in the land of Canaan.
After the death of Moses, Joshua was instructed by God Jehovah to lead the children of Israel. When they crossed the river Jordan, God was with them and God did everything for them. In order for the children of Israel to gain the good land, they had to defeat the enemy and drive out the evil forces of Jericho.
The children of Israel did not need to fight and actually they were not trained to fight in a war. They only needed to believe and trust in God, to listen to the instruction from the Captain of the army of Israel, and to exalt Christ by bearing the ark. As followers of Christ, we see that in the spiritual warfare the first step we should do is acknowledge Christ and wait upon His instruction.
Jericho was strongly fortified with thick walls wrapped around the city. The king of Jericho was not afraid of the Israelites, but their God Jehovah. When the king of Jericho heard what Jehovah had done for His people, his heart melted. He had lost his spirit, confidence and boldness. Recognizing the power of God and not knowing what to do, he ordered to have the gates of the city shut and used the walls to protect himself and his people from the Israelites. The city was totally isolated from the outside world. No body was allowed to enter and exit. The king trusted in the walls and he knew that the Israelites did not have any weapon powerful enough to break the wall. He did not have any idea what God Jehovah could do.
Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men (Joshua 6:2). God later instructed Joshua to have the men of war with the priests bearing the ark circle the city, going around it one time. This they were to do for six days. Seven other priests were charged to carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of Jehovah. The priests did not blow their trumpets according to their own will. Instead, they waited for the Captain to give the command. They needed instructions and leading, just as we today need the leading and guiding of the Spirit.
For the first six days, the army of Israel just walked around the city with the ark, which typified Christ as the embodiment of God. The people of Jericho most likely would be on the top of the walls looking down, wondering what these people of Israel were doing, carrying ark and rams' horns around the city of Jericho aimlessly. I believe they must be thinking that the wall would be too strong for the Israelites to breach and that the Israelites had no solution to take over the kingdom of Jericho.
On the seventh day, the instruction was slightly different. The Israelites actually did not have to fight but enjoyed the Sabbath, that is, enjoyed the rest. But they had to go around the city again and this time not once, but seven times. Then the visible Captain gave the command: “Shout!” The priests trumpeted, the people shouted, and the wall fell down. The city was completely destroyed, and a curse was placed on anyone who would rise up and build it. The way that Israel conquered Jericho was a strong testimony that Israel’s God, Jehovah, is a true and living God. God was with the children of Israel wherever they went (Joshua 1:9).
We may apply this account of the destruction of Jericho to the matter of preaching the gospel. As we take up the burden to share the good news to non believers, we need to realize that every sinner is a “fortified city”, with strong walls wrapped around them that has been cursed. In dealing with such a fortified city, we must exercise patience and trusting God all the way, considering when we should be silent and when we should speak. This means that we should follow the Lord’s leading and guidance. At the right time, the proper declaration will be very effective, and there will be a Sabbath day in which we can shout, “Praise the Lord! Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!” The “wall” will fall, and we will be able to defeat all the demons and possess that sinner for Christ.
Praise the Lord!!!
1) Joshua 1:9 Be strong and take courage; do not be afraid or dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.
2) Joshua 6
Have you ever heard of people winning a war without using any weapons and guns but by only shouting?
The first human warfare was found in Joshua chapter 6 and it happened to be won by shouting! Jericho was destructed by Israel in the land of Canaan.
After the death of Moses, Joshua was instructed by God Jehovah to lead the children of Israel. When they crossed the river Jordan, God was with them and God did everything for them. In order for the children of Israel to gain the good land, they had to defeat the enemy and drive out the evil forces of Jericho.
The children of Israel did not need to fight and actually they were not trained to fight in a war. They only needed to believe and trust in God, to listen to the instruction from the Captain of the army of Israel, and to exalt Christ by bearing the ark. As followers of Christ, we see that in the spiritual warfare the first step we should do is acknowledge Christ and wait upon His instruction.
Jericho was strongly fortified with thick walls wrapped around the city. The king of Jericho was not afraid of the Israelites, but their God Jehovah. When the king of Jericho heard what Jehovah had done for His people, his heart melted. He had lost his spirit, confidence and boldness. Recognizing the power of God and not knowing what to do, he ordered to have the gates of the city shut and used the walls to protect himself and his people from the Israelites. The city was totally isolated from the outside world. No body was allowed to enter and exit. The king trusted in the walls and he knew that the Israelites did not have any weapon powerful enough to break the wall. He did not have any idea what God Jehovah could do.
Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men (Joshua 6:2). God later instructed Joshua to have the men of war with the priests bearing the ark circle the city, going around it one time. This they were to do for six days. Seven other priests were charged to carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of Jehovah. The priests did not blow their trumpets according to their own will. Instead, they waited for the Captain to give the command. They needed instructions and leading, just as we today need the leading and guiding of the Spirit.
For the first six days, the army of Israel just walked around the city with the ark, which typified Christ as the embodiment of God. The people of Jericho most likely would be on the top of the walls looking down, wondering what these people of Israel were doing, carrying ark and rams' horns around the city of Jericho aimlessly. I believe they must be thinking that the wall would be too strong for the Israelites to breach and that the Israelites had no solution to take over the kingdom of Jericho.
On the seventh day, the instruction was slightly different. The Israelites actually did not have to fight but enjoyed the Sabbath, that is, enjoyed the rest. But they had to go around the city again and this time not once, but seven times. Then the visible Captain gave the command: “Shout!” The priests trumpeted, the people shouted, and the wall fell down. The city was completely destroyed, and a curse was placed on anyone who would rise up and build it. The way that Israel conquered Jericho was a strong testimony that Israel’s God, Jehovah, is a true and living God. God was with the children of Israel wherever they went (Joshua 1:9).
We may apply this account of the destruction of Jericho to the matter of preaching the gospel. As we take up the burden to share the good news to non believers, we need to realize that every sinner is a “fortified city”, with strong walls wrapped around them that has been cursed. In dealing with such a fortified city, we must exercise patience and trusting God all the way, considering when we should be silent and when we should speak. This means that we should follow the Lord’s leading and guidance. At the right time, the proper declaration will be very effective, and there will be a Sabbath day in which we can shout, “Praise the Lord! Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!” The “wall” will fall, and we will be able to defeat all the demons and possess that sinner for Christ.
Praise the Lord!!!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Eat, Drink & Be Merry
Relevant Bible Verses
1) Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
2) John 6:35 I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall no means ever thirst.
3) John 7:37-38 If any thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me, . . . out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.
4) Rev 2:7 To him who overcome, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life.
After blogging for a few months, I am beginning to relax with the frequency of my postings. I remembered a friend once asked me to write about enjoyment of life and this topic has always been at the back of my mind. Actually there are so many aspects one can write about enjoyment of life in this exciting world.
We enjoy owning exotic cars, living in luxurious homes, possessing sophisticated computer gadgets, traveling first class, staying in 6-star luxurious hotels and many more finer things in life that we truly enjoyed. However, I believe eating and drinking are the very basics of humans enjoyment in our day to day living.
I was once operated for some complications in my small intestine. I was not allowed to eat and drink for almost 3 weeks after the operation and I was put on drip. It was over the Chinese New Year festival period. Being in the hospital, waiting anxiously for the day to be discharged to be able to eat and drink again, I have no other things to do except to watch television. Can you imagine the programs that were televised during that period? Food, nothing but food. All kinds of food!! I did not object to the programs but I had one problem- the thought of those delicious food and not able to consume them was torturing! From that experience, I consider drinking and eating are the privilege and enjoyment most humans can indulge in, which is given by God.
The Bible talks about eating and drinking. Anything related to eating and drinking must be a matter of enjoyment as we have deduced. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). The Lord Himself said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall by no means ever thirst” (John 6:35). He also said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me,…out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). In addition, the apostle Paul said that the Israelites who followed Moses in the wilderness, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink” (1 Cor. 10:3-4). Then in the book of Revelation written by John, the Lord Jesus promised, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life” (Rev 2:7). He also said, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna” (Rev 2:17). These verses cover the matters of eating and drinking, which are certainly matters for enjoyment.
We should not take the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, BUT take the tree of life (Rev 22:14) - this is the promise by God concerning eating. There are christians, even those who have been christians for many years that could not understand the concept of "eating and drinking" Christ. If we continue to work out our salvation (having daily experience with Christ) with fear and trembling, we shall be drawn within and find refuse under the shadow of the wings (Psalm 36:7). From the beginning, God has always wanted us to consume and depend on Him.
Let's eat, drink and be merry with our Lord Jesus Christ!
1) Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
2) John 6:35 I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall no means ever thirst.
3) John 7:37-38 If any thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me, . . . out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.
4) Rev 2:7 To him who overcome, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life.
After blogging for a few months, I am beginning to relax with the frequency of my postings. I remembered a friend once asked me to write about enjoyment of life and this topic has always been at the back of my mind. Actually there are so many aspects one can write about enjoyment of life in this exciting world.
We enjoy owning exotic cars, living in luxurious homes, possessing sophisticated computer gadgets, traveling first class, staying in 6-star luxurious hotels and many more finer things in life that we truly enjoyed. However, I believe eating and drinking are the very basics of humans enjoyment in our day to day living.
I was once operated for some complications in my small intestine. I was not allowed to eat and drink for almost 3 weeks after the operation and I was put on drip. It was over the Chinese New Year festival period. Being in the hospital, waiting anxiously for the day to be discharged to be able to eat and drink again, I have no other things to do except to watch television. Can you imagine the programs that were televised during that period? Food, nothing but food. All kinds of food!! I did not object to the programs but I had one problem- the thought of those delicious food and not able to consume them was torturing! From that experience, I consider drinking and eating are the privilege and enjoyment most humans can indulge in, which is given by God.
The Bible talks about eating and drinking. Anything related to eating and drinking must be a matter of enjoyment as we have deduced. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). The Lord Himself said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall by no means ever thirst” (John 6:35). He also said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes into Me,…out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). In addition, the apostle Paul said that the Israelites who followed Moses in the wilderness, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink” (1 Cor. 10:3-4). Then in the book of Revelation written by John, the Lord Jesus promised, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life” (Rev 2:7). He also said, “To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna” (Rev 2:17). These verses cover the matters of eating and drinking, which are certainly matters for enjoyment.
We should not take the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, BUT take the tree of life (Rev 22:14) - this is the promise by God concerning eating. There are christians, even those who have been christians for many years that could not understand the concept of "eating and drinking" Christ. If we continue to work out our salvation (having daily experience with Christ) with fear and trembling, we shall be drawn within and find refuse under the shadow of the wings (Psalm 36:7). From the beginning, God has always wanted us to consume and depend on Him.
Let's eat, drink and be merry with our Lord Jesus Christ!
Monday, November 3, 2008
And Peter
While doing research for my next issue, I stumbled upon this article which is very encouraging. Although I find the title of this article is a little abstract, but the meaning behind this article is so rich. Read on...
AND PETER
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:7; Matt. 28:7
Can you find the difference between these two passages after reading them? The Gospel of Matthew says that after the Lord’s resurrection, an angel told the women to tell His disciples of His resurrection. The Gospel of Mark records that the angel asked the women to tell the Lord’s disciples and Peter. Oh, the words “and Peter” cause tears to fall. All of the four Gospels record the story of the Lord’s resurrection. But only the Gospel of Mark has the words “and Peter.” Since John was the one whom the Lord loved, why does the Bible not say “and John”? Since Thomas was doubtful about the Lord’s resurrection, why does it not say “and Thomas”? The angel did not mention the best disciples or the most needy disciples. He specifically mentioned Peter. Why? What made Peter different from the others?
What kind of person was Peter? Three days before the resurrection, Peter committed a great sin, a sin that would cause the Lord not to confess him before the Father’s angels. Peter not only denied the Lord before men, he even denied the Lord before a maid who was despised by others at that time. But the Lord wanted the women to tell the disciples and Peter about His resurrection. The words “and Peter” have a very deep meaning! If any brother or sister had Peter’s experience, they might think:
“Oh! I have fallen. The sin which I have committed is not a common sin. I am afraid that I cannot draw close to the Lord anymore. The Lord might have already forsaken me. I am afraid that from now on, whenever the Lord has any important thing to do, He will not take me along. I will not be able to have special experiences like I had when I was with Him on the mount of transfiguration. I will not be able to accompany Him like I did in the garden of Gethsemane. I told the Lord that I would die for Him, and the Lord said that before the cock crowed twice, I would deny Him three times. I thought that the Lord misunderstood me. When He was taken, I even cut off a man’s ear with a sword, thinking that I could love Him courageously. Yet I fell. I did not fall before the high priest or before the powerful Pilate, but before the questioning of a maid. I denied the Lord once, twice, and finally I even swore in my denial of the Lord. At one time I confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. At another time I said to Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’ But eventually, I fell just as the Lord was about to be crucified. I committed the great sin of denying Him. Although I cried with regret, I do not know how the Lord is going to treat me. It would have been better if He had not known that I denied Him. But when I denied Him, He turned His back and looked at me. He knew what I had done. What should I do? I dare not come close to Him anymore. Although He loves me, I dare not approach Him because there is a sin which separates me from Him. Perhaps from now on, I cannot be close to Him. Yet, after the Lord resurrected, several women brought back word that they were to specifically tell me about it. Oh, the Lord has not forsaken me, even though I denied Him three times. He does not hate me, nor is He angry with me. His heart was thinking of me. He did not mention anyone but me specifically. It is as though He was only thinking about me. ‘And Peter!’ ‘And Peter!’ These words are truly the most beautiful music in the world, the most wonderful tidings! If the Lord had only told the women to tell the disciples, I would have thought that I was no longer worthy of being His disciple and that I was no longer one of His disciples. I would not dare to go see Him. But since the Lord said, ‘and Peter,’ I know that He still wants me. Although I do not have the strength to go see Him, ‘and Peter’ encourages me to go. The message brought back by the women is true. The Lord told the angel to mention my name specifically. The Lord did not forsake me. I can still draw near to Him. Let me rise up and go see Him!”
Here was a fallen, sinful Peter, a Peter who had denied the Lord. Yet the Lord specifically mentioned him. This is the gospel! Brothers and sisters, do you know that once the Lord saves you, He saves you eternally? Although you may be discouraged, the Lord will never be discouraged. A sinful person like you may feel shame in turning back to Him, but the One you have sinned against considers that there is nothing wrong in returning to Him. Why should you keep thinking of your failure when He is not concerned with it? If the Lord can remove the veil from your face today, you will not fear Him or be afraid to come near to Him. Peter might have remembered that he said to the Lord, “If all will be stumbled because of You, I will never be stumbled” (Matt. 26:33). He might have also remembered what he said at the lake of Gennesaret, when he saw the glory of the Lord: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord” (Luke 5:8). After Peter realized his true condition, how could he dare see the Lord again? He might have remembered the Lord’s pleading: “So were you not able to watch with Me for one hour?” He might have heard the Lord’s command in his ear: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:40-41). His condition was far below the Lord’s requirements. How could he dare to go see Him? But he went to meet the Lord anyway. He dared to go because of the words “and Peter.” Brothers and sisters, if you know the Lord’s intention behind the words “and Peter,” will you still turn away from Him, instead of turning toward Him? If you realize the profound significance of the words “and Peter,” you have to come near to the Lord.
Among the four Gospels, only the Gospel of Mark records this matter. Mark was a young man who followed and learned from Peter. The Gospel of Mark was dictated by Peter and written down by Mark. The words “tell His disciples and Peter” were specifically dictated by Peter. These words might not have been important to other people, but they were very important in Peter’s heart. When the Holy Spirit was writing the Bible, He specifically wanted to show us that, even though these few words were considered unimportant by Matthew, Luke, and John, they were very unforgettable and important to Peter who dictated the Gospel of Mark. “And Peter” had special meaning for him. Each remembrance of these words was sweet. Words of grace are especially memorable to the person who receives the grace.
Brothers and sisters, when you are at the Lord’s table meeting remembering the Lord, are you still afraid of God in your heart? Is there any sin separating you from God? You may have deeply wept, repented, and admitted that you disappointed the Lord. But do you dare say to the Lord, “Lord, I come to You”? Please consider this: If He was willing to go to the cross because He loved you, would He stop loving you just because you failed, fell, and backslid? Would the love He had on the cross decrease? It may be very easy for you not to love Him, draw near to Him, or return to Him; but it is impossible for Him to forget you, forsake you, or not love you. During the three days after the Lord was crucified, Peter was silent because he had fallen. But the Lord did not forget him. Therefore, if you do not have the strength to come to the Lord, as long as you are willing to believe in His words, He will give you the strength to draw near to Him. If you fall, He can make you rise up again. Although it seems that you will not be able to draw near to Him anymore, remember in faith the words “and Peter,” and you will be able to draw near to Him. When you want to come close to the Lord, but feel that you are very far from Him and have no strength to come near to Him, you need to remember the words “and Peter.” The more Peter fell, the more the Lord wanted to remember him. Although Peter dared not come too close to the Lord, the Lord’s heart attracted him and kept him from running away from Him. May you not misunderstand the Lord’s heart. If you ever hear the words “and Peter,” you should know that the Lord has not forsaken you. The Lord did not desert Peter, and neither has He forsaken you. “And Peter” means “and you”—“you” who have failed like Peter. May you see the Lord’s heart for you. If you see the Lord’s heart, you will run toward Him.
AND PETER
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:7; Matt. 28:7
Can you find the difference between these two passages after reading them? The Gospel of Matthew says that after the Lord’s resurrection, an angel told the women to tell His disciples of His resurrection. The Gospel of Mark records that the angel asked the women to tell the Lord’s disciples and Peter. Oh, the words “and Peter” cause tears to fall. All of the four Gospels record the story of the Lord’s resurrection. But only the Gospel of Mark has the words “and Peter.” Since John was the one whom the Lord loved, why does the Bible not say “and John”? Since Thomas was doubtful about the Lord’s resurrection, why does it not say “and Thomas”? The angel did not mention the best disciples or the most needy disciples. He specifically mentioned Peter. Why? What made Peter different from the others?
What kind of person was Peter? Three days before the resurrection, Peter committed a great sin, a sin that would cause the Lord not to confess him before the Father’s angels. Peter not only denied the Lord before men, he even denied the Lord before a maid who was despised by others at that time. But the Lord wanted the women to tell the disciples and Peter about His resurrection. The words “and Peter” have a very deep meaning! If any brother or sister had Peter’s experience, they might think:
“Oh! I have fallen. The sin which I have committed is not a common sin. I am afraid that I cannot draw close to the Lord anymore. The Lord might have already forsaken me. I am afraid that from now on, whenever the Lord has any important thing to do, He will not take me along. I will not be able to have special experiences like I had when I was with Him on the mount of transfiguration. I will not be able to accompany Him like I did in the garden of Gethsemane. I told the Lord that I would die for Him, and the Lord said that before the cock crowed twice, I would deny Him three times. I thought that the Lord misunderstood me. When He was taken, I even cut off a man’s ear with a sword, thinking that I could love Him courageously. Yet I fell. I did not fall before the high priest or before the powerful Pilate, but before the questioning of a maid. I denied the Lord once, twice, and finally I even swore in my denial of the Lord. At one time I confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. At another time I said to Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’ But eventually, I fell just as the Lord was about to be crucified. I committed the great sin of denying Him. Although I cried with regret, I do not know how the Lord is going to treat me. It would have been better if He had not known that I denied Him. But when I denied Him, He turned His back and looked at me. He knew what I had done. What should I do? I dare not come close to Him anymore. Although He loves me, I dare not approach Him because there is a sin which separates me from Him. Perhaps from now on, I cannot be close to Him. Yet, after the Lord resurrected, several women brought back word that they were to specifically tell me about it. Oh, the Lord has not forsaken me, even though I denied Him three times. He does not hate me, nor is He angry with me. His heart was thinking of me. He did not mention anyone but me specifically. It is as though He was only thinking about me. ‘And Peter!’ ‘And Peter!’ These words are truly the most beautiful music in the world, the most wonderful tidings! If the Lord had only told the women to tell the disciples, I would have thought that I was no longer worthy of being His disciple and that I was no longer one of His disciples. I would not dare to go see Him. But since the Lord said, ‘and Peter,’ I know that He still wants me. Although I do not have the strength to go see Him, ‘and Peter’ encourages me to go. The message brought back by the women is true. The Lord told the angel to mention my name specifically. The Lord did not forsake me. I can still draw near to Him. Let me rise up and go see Him!”
Here was a fallen, sinful Peter, a Peter who had denied the Lord. Yet the Lord specifically mentioned him. This is the gospel! Brothers and sisters, do you know that once the Lord saves you, He saves you eternally? Although you may be discouraged, the Lord will never be discouraged. A sinful person like you may feel shame in turning back to Him, but the One you have sinned against considers that there is nothing wrong in returning to Him. Why should you keep thinking of your failure when He is not concerned with it? If the Lord can remove the veil from your face today, you will not fear Him or be afraid to come near to Him. Peter might have remembered that he said to the Lord, “If all will be stumbled because of You, I will never be stumbled” (Matt. 26:33). He might have also remembered what he said at the lake of Gennesaret, when he saw the glory of the Lord: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord” (Luke 5:8). After Peter realized his true condition, how could he dare see the Lord again? He might have remembered the Lord’s pleading: “So were you not able to watch with Me for one hour?” He might have heard the Lord’s command in his ear: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:40-41). His condition was far below the Lord’s requirements. How could he dare to go see Him? But he went to meet the Lord anyway. He dared to go because of the words “and Peter.” Brothers and sisters, if you know the Lord’s intention behind the words “and Peter,” will you still turn away from Him, instead of turning toward Him? If you realize the profound significance of the words “and Peter,” you have to come near to the Lord.
Among the four Gospels, only the Gospel of Mark records this matter. Mark was a young man who followed and learned from Peter. The Gospel of Mark was dictated by Peter and written down by Mark. The words “tell His disciples and Peter” were specifically dictated by Peter. These words might not have been important to other people, but they were very important in Peter’s heart. When the Holy Spirit was writing the Bible, He specifically wanted to show us that, even though these few words were considered unimportant by Matthew, Luke, and John, they were very unforgettable and important to Peter who dictated the Gospel of Mark. “And Peter” had special meaning for him. Each remembrance of these words was sweet. Words of grace are especially memorable to the person who receives the grace.
Brothers and sisters, when you are at the Lord’s table meeting remembering the Lord, are you still afraid of God in your heart? Is there any sin separating you from God? You may have deeply wept, repented, and admitted that you disappointed the Lord. But do you dare say to the Lord, “Lord, I come to You”? Please consider this: If He was willing to go to the cross because He loved you, would He stop loving you just because you failed, fell, and backslid? Would the love He had on the cross decrease? It may be very easy for you not to love Him, draw near to Him, or return to Him; but it is impossible for Him to forget you, forsake you, or not love you. During the three days after the Lord was crucified, Peter was silent because he had fallen. But the Lord did not forget him. Therefore, if you do not have the strength to come to the Lord, as long as you are willing to believe in His words, He will give you the strength to draw near to Him. If you fall, He can make you rise up again. Although it seems that you will not be able to draw near to Him anymore, remember in faith the words “and Peter,” and you will be able to draw near to Him. When you want to come close to the Lord, but feel that you are very far from Him and have no strength to come near to Him, you need to remember the words “and Peter.” The more Peter fell, the more the Lord wanted to remember him. Although Peter dared not come too close to the Lord, the Lord’s heart attracted him and kept him from running away from Him. May you not misunderstand the Lord’s heart. If you ever hear the words “and Peter,” you should know that the Lord has not forsaken you. The Lord did not desert Peter, and neither has He forsaken you. “And Peter” means “and you”—“you” who have failed like Peter. May you see the Lord’s heart for you. If you see the Lord’s heart, you will run toward Him.
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