Love Amidst a World of Hate

Lately, I've become aware that we live in a world that is filling with hate. Our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered and each time I turn on the news, it seems there is more tragedy at the hand of man. (Bringing back memories of Cain and Abel anyone?) Sure, there are the feel-good fillers about the elderly reaching the 100 year plus milestone and celebrations of human dedication and triumph in sport and ingenuity, but on the whole I often get more depressed by the state of our world and wonder what kind of world my children will grow up in.

The articles  "Does Islam Inevitably Lead to Violence" (Caleb Greggson) and "The FAQS: Islamic State Beheads 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya" (Joe Carter) over at the Gospel Coalition, made me grow in awareness of the causes of some of these tragic killings and I also became more aware of the tough call for us as Christians to be filled with love, instead of fear and hate. 

As we read through the book of 1 John, we quickly see the theme of love emerge. We can be struck by the love the Father has lavished on us in 1 John 3:1 and are reminded to love God (1 John 4:7) rather than the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17).  John then writes that we will be known by our love:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so love us, we also ought to love one another. no one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:7-12).

Did you catch that? We love because God first loved us, seen most evidently in his gift of Jesus. We then will be known as a child of God because of God's love being lived out in our lives (1 John 5:1). In God's Kingdom, it is love that overcomes the dark evils of the world (1 John 5:4) and most specifically, the love through Jesus and belief in him (1 John 5:4-5). You see, our faith and love in Jesus cannot be taken from us, it is a light that is ever-shining. We are not of this world and so no matter what comes, our love for Jesus radiating out of us through our joy and hope and assurance of faith cannot be suppressed. 

It is helpful to be reminded that our world looks dark, because it is: "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19). It is also good to remember that as children of God, we have knowledge of the true light in Jesus and can grow more and more to know him and become like him, "we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ."(1 John 5:20). Let us remember "He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20 b) and so we are to love and hope in him. We are to keep ourselves from the love of the things of this world and be filled with love for the world as it is in darkness and needs to be illuminated with the love of Jesus. We also have hope: one day we will be enveloped in this love tangibly, as we are reunited with him and the rest of our family. Oh the depth of his love, and the sweet sweet mercy and grace shown through our glorious Saviour!




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Should a Christian Make New Year Resolutions?

I'm a planner. For as far back as I remember, I have enjoyed making lists, checking them twice and then ticking things off. In the advent period, we so busily try to ensure we have everything prepared. We ready our tree, we decorate our home, we wrap our presents. But then it is over for another year.

Soon after the Christmas celebrations have finished, I begin thinking about the New Year and what my new resolutions or goals will be. Advertisements call to me- Do I want to shed a few extra kilos? Do I want to have a savings goal? Do I want to travel somewhere exotic?

Yet as I've put my daughter to bed over the past few nights, she has whispered in my ear- "Mummy, do you think we will see Jesus tomorrow? He had his birthday and maybe we will see him." Through this little 3 year old, I have been challenged in the depths of my heart- is 2015 a year that Jesus will return? Do I want Him to? Am I ready? His return will not just be another Christmas that comes and goes. It will be a forever. Our lists will end. Those extra few kilos won't matter. Whether I've gone on an African safari lately or trekked Machu Picchu will all be pointless unless they aided me in my pursuit of God.


In 1 Corinthians 15 we read,

"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:“Death is swallowed up in victory.”55“O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?”56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Here, Paul reminds us firstly that we can be sure one day Jesus will return. We will also all be changed. In a twinkling of an eye, when the trumpet sounds (v. 51) we will have new bodies. Why? Because our mortal bodies must be replaced with bodies that fit us for eternity (v. 53). In this moment, Paul echoes the words of Hosea (Hosea 13:14), "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?".

As an aside, Paul makes time to point out the sting of death isn't our pain associated with death, rather it is the sting of sin. As Verbrugge in Longman III and Garland exposits, "Paul digresses before he writes his grand conclusion. He wants to identify more closely what the "sting" is that will be conquered through the resurrection. That sting is "sin". ... But when Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for sin on the cross, died, and then rose again as the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20-23), the power of that sting was gone. Death remains an enemy... but only temporarily." (2008, pp.404-405). Paul also shows that our knowledge of sin comes through the law, which we have been freed from at Calvary (Gal 3:13). Hallelujah- what a saviour!

So as we look to the year ahead? We should look to the reality that one of these years Jesus' will return. We should heed Paul's grand conclusion- "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are working together for the Lord, labouring (sometimes with pain) as the trials of life come our way, but with HOPE and ASSURANCE. As we write our 'lists' for this year ahead, with the Spirit at work in us (Philippians 2:12-16), may readying ourselves for the coming of the Lord be of first priority.

As I look back on 2014, I can see God's faithfulness, patiently working in me, conforming me little by little to the image of His Son. As I look forward I can trust in God's Sovereignty and firm promise that one day He will return: it is a reality. Let us prioritise spiritual growth over that of holidays and weight-loss this coming year, encouraging each other all the more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

References:
Verbrugge, V.D. (2008) 1 Corinthians. In T. Longman III & D.E. Garland (Edts. ) "The Expositor's Bible Commentary Revised Edition 11: Romands - Galatians" Grand Rapids: Zondervan


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Death at Christmas

The last week or so has seen tragedy come to our beautiful Australian shores- we've turned on the news and seen the Lindt cafe siege, where two were killed, 8 children murdered in sunny Cairns and then on a global scale, we've seen 132 children in Pakistan slaughtered. It causes us to hug our babies tighter and question- how could these things happen, particularly at this time of year?

Often when we look at beautiful Christmas cards and nativity scenes, we think Christmas is meant to be peaceful- after all isn't it about Peace, Love, Hope and all things good? We forget. Jesus came with pain and heartache and turbulence filled the Jewish world sometime during the first 2 years of Jesus' life. Over 2000 years ago, a similar slaughter of innocent children took place. Herod, in his fear for loss of power, commanded the annihilation of thousands of Hebrew baby boys. Fear and wailing would have resounded across the land. 

Yet I find comfort. As I read John 1:1-5, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." What a beautiful hope! Despite death and turmoil crowding onto the pages of history surrounding that first Christmas, we see that in Jesus was LIFE and it is this LIFE that is our LIGHT. We see in Jesus a light that cannot be quenched- the dark things of this world can not overcome it.

As our world sometimes seems to be a very dark place, we can stand firm and find strength and comfort in Jesus: the Light he is and the Life he brings. 

Let me leave you with the beautiful words penned by Martin Luther's, "A Mighty Fortress is our God"

1	A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing;  (Bulwark- defensive wall) Our Helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
2	Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name,  (Sabaoth- Lord of Heaven and Hosts) From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
3	And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
4	That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.

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What Christmas Means to Me

Our family love music. It has been a bit of a heritage really- growing up my family and that of my wider family- my cousins, aunties and uncles could often be found around my grandmother's piano and my uncles' guitars singing. When I became part of Dave's family, I quickly realised music was a big part of their life too. Dave's dad quickly educated me on music such as Ray Charles and now with my mothering meaning I am a little removed from current music charts, a visit to Dave's dad will often rectify this as he shares the music he is currently listening to.  

We have continued to enjoy music in our little family. Before bed our children are often found crowded on Dave's lap, listening and watching music clips on YouTube. This tradition makes our Miss 3 want to eat her whole dinner (most of the time) as she wants to watch YouTube with Daddy and our little man (10 months today) has also just started bopping along and clapping to the music. 

One of our latest favourites is the acapella group Pentatonix. Here is "What Christmas Means to Me," a song we have enjoyed watching that helps us get excited about Christmas. 

One evening, as we were listening along, I started to think though- at our heart what does Christmas really mean to us? Here, the song and group reinforce the message that Christmas is about enjoying family and presents. We too perpetuate this message- we shop for pressies, we learn new recipes for our family to enjoy eating, we decorate the house to help us get excited and make things look festive and pretty. Like any girl, I love pretty and glittering things. But is there anything wrong with this? I think celebrating family and enjoying giving is a great thing to do: I love it! But if our celebration of Christmas becomes more about celebrating family and gifts, haven't we missed the point?

Why Do We Give?

In the article, "Christmas Spending is a Test of Your Treasure" by David Mathis on DesiringGod, Mathis prompts us to look at our heart motives as we spend money this Christmas. Mathis reminds us that just as our Heavenly Father is generous in giving us the gift of his Son, it is important that we too are generous. At the core of Mathis' article is a reminder to question our hearts when we give- are we giving sacrificially? Are we giving to bless others? Are we giving because we know it is expected? Are we giving to show others how clever we are at finding the right gift, or to show our financial status? Are we giving because we are trying to fill a void in our lives? or are we giving to glorify God and celebrate his blessings firstly in his Son and then in the provisions he showers upon us? As Mathis says: 

"God made us for rhythms and cadences, for feasting and fasting, for noise and crowds and silence and solitude. There is some help, even if minimal, in identifying and naming the extremes of sustained opulence and austerity. We need a place for both financial feasting and fasting. We should abhor the prosperity gospel, and not be snookered by stinginess masquerading as Christian stewardship, and beware that running up large credit-card debt is likely giving beyond our means."

As we shop this year, gathering our gifts from near and far, as Mathis suggests, I will take a moment to ask "What desire am I trying to fulfill? Is this for private comfort, or gospel advance, or expressing love to a friend or family member?" (Mathis)

Treasuring God in Our Traditions

Noel Piper, the wife of John Piper, has written a book that is available for free download here, titled "Treasuring God in Our Traditions" (2003, Crossway). In this book, Noel Piper shares the importance of creating traditions that honour and glorify God. She writes how important it is for us to plan our "celebrations of a world-shaking event like God being born a baby so that we can be reborn as his children." (2003, p.76).  This year, with our Miss 3 able to understand more of what is going on, I really want to be intentional about honouring God and his gift of Jesus. Noel Piper encourages us to recognise the importance of this gift, "We are a people of promise. For centuries God prepared people for the coming of his Son, our only hope for life. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfilment of the promises God made—that he would make a way to draw near to him." (2003, p.76).  As we have tried to be intentional in this nativity period, we have been reading the Nativity Story from a children's Bible each evening and opening an advent calendar square (with accompanying chocolate). Noel Piper also suggests traditions could include advent candles, an advent calendar that tells the Nativity story and nativity crèches that children can play with and that can decorate the home. Picture books focused on Jesus' birth could also be a good addition to family traditions. I'd be interested to hear how you celebrate Jesus in your home! As we get closer to Christmas, may we take the time to look at what Christmas really means to us and make a conscious effort to focus on Jesus. 

 

 

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Heaven- Is It For Real? Part 1

Do you ever look around our world and long for heaven? I was interested in a discussion recently on heaven and there seemed to be some differing views about what it actually is, where it is and what we are told about it in the Bible. With the emergence of books and films that like to claim people have been there, it is easy to use these as a framing reference, instead of the Word of God.

To help, I've put together some information about heaven and what we are actually told about it in the Bible. I will do this in two parts- Part 1 on the basic information we know, Part 2 on the New Heaven and Earth.

Heaven is where:

• The Father is (Matthew 6:9)
• Our Saviour Jesus is (Hebrews 9:24)
• The angels are (Matthew 22:30)
• Those who have died who had faith in Jesus are (Hebrews 12:23)
• Our citizenship is (Philippians 3:20)
• Our inheritance is (1 Peter 1:3-4)
• Our rewards are (Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:19-21)

Location, please?

• In a number of verses we are told heaven is high up (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 102:19)
• God looks down from heaven (Isaiah 63:15)
• It is an actual place from where God looks out (Psalm 33:14)

As John MacArthur says, "Now listen, heaven is up. It’s up beyond everything that we know in the material universe. It is as big as God. It is that which engulfs within it the material universe as we know it which is billions and billions and billions of light years to its extensions. And it is that which is the heaven of God which embraces this universe in its midst. Now, you can’t keep thinking about that because what you’ve got beyond the universe that’s created, the universe of time and space as we know it, is infinity. And it is as, an infinite as God is infinite and that’s how infinite heaven is. We can’t handle that because we are captive to a time-space mentality. We cannot conceive of endless, eternal heaven. But that’s what the Bible teaches."

Does a person go straight to heaven when they die? 

Yes, immediately on death:

• Jesus tells thief on the cross "today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43)
• Paul would prefer to be away from his body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

What is Heaven Like?

Revelation Chapter 4

• There is a throne where God is (Revelation 4:1-3), where lightning, thunder, majesty, glory and colours come from (Revelation 4:5) and where the Spirit of God is (Revelation 4:5, cf Isaiah 11:2). On each side of the throne are 4 living creatures (Revelation 4:6-8).
• Around the throne are 24 thrones with 24 elders on them (Revelation 4:4).
• In front of the throne is a sea of glass (Revelation 4:6).

More information: John MacArthur has a series on Heaven that is worth a listen.

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