When Adam fell, creation fell. We live in an imperfect world full of imperfect people.
Sometimes when things go wrong it is totally random, not necessarily anyone's fault. Like sickness, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes.
Sometimes it is the fault of mankind in general, for abusing nature and its resources, or because of corruption and inequality.
Sometimes we bring things on ourselves or someone causes our pain or distress.
But in all cases we can see the hand of God if we will look for it. Not inflicting the problem, but supporting us through it. Whether our suffering is actually sent by God or caused by others (or ourselves) is largely irrelevant. We suffer much worse by agonising over it, worrying about 'why', dwelling on the injustice of it.
Whatever the reason for your suffering, God can use it - to strengthen your dependence on Him, to detach yourself from material things and your own wants and desires, and to strengthen your character. (See Romans 5:3-5, quoted in These things I know 5)
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
Showing posts with label These Things I Know. Show all posts
Showing posts with label These Things I Know. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Friday, 1 August 2008
These things I know: 5 The Old Man
Becoming 'born again' does no completely eradicate our old ways of thinking and acting. We live in a strange sense of 'now and not yet'. There is a saying, "I am saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved."
"I am saved," because Jesus has paid for my sins and satisfied God's justice. Jesus said, "No one can take them out of my hand." In the course of daily living it is easy to feel that we are losing it and see to earn what God has already freely given. We need to hold on to the promises of assurance. We also need to rememer that we are precious to God and "he rejoices over [us] with singing."
"I am being saved," because God works with our own wills to transform us to the likeness of Christ. Sometimes I wish I could have been instantly transformed outwardly as well as in my spirit when I became a child of God. But I guess such a transformation would have altered me from my distinctive 'me-ness' and perhaps have made it impossible for me to go on living in an imperfect world with imperfect people. How would they relate to me? Also, what sort of character would I have if everything were done for me? Paul exp-lained it very well:
"... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:3-5)
As the T-shirt slogan says: "Be patient, God hasn't finished with me yet."
"I will be saved," because the hope that Paul referred to is the promise that in the end we will all be like Christ and receive the desire of our hearts. So it will be finished one day, but the process is ongoing.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
4 Salvation
6 Suffering
"I am saved," because Jesus has paid for my sins and satisfied God's justice. Jesus said, "No one can take them out of my hand." In the course of daily living it is easy to feel that we are losing it and see to earn what God has already freely given. We need to hold on to the promises of assurance. We also need to rememer that we are precious to God and "he rejoices over [us] with singing."
"I am being saved," because God works with our own wills to transform us to the likeness of Christ. Sometimes I wish I could have been instantly transformed outwardly as well as in my spirit when I became a child of God. But I guess such a transformation would have altered me from my distinctive 'me-ness' and perhaps have made it impossible for me to go on living in an imperfect world with imperfect people. How would they relate to me? Also, what sort of character would I have if everything were done for me? Paul exp-lained it very well:
"... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:3-5)
As the T-shirt slogan says: "Be patient, God hasn't finished with me yet."
"I will be saved," because the hope that Paul referred to is the promise that in the end we will all be like Christ and receive the desire of our hearts. So it will be finished one day, but the process is ongoing.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
4 Salvation
6 Suffering
These things I know: 4 Salvation
Only a sinless human being could satisfy God's justice, and that would be for himself alone. Only God can stand on behalf on all sinful people. God's mercy and love demanded the rescue of all people.
So God the Son, with the power to represent all people, became mortal, fully human, with the power to satisfy God's justice.
Salvation is the free gift of perfection in God's Kingdom for those who accept the death of Jesus Christ as their own. If we die, we cannot satisfy the requirements for the Kingdom. If we ive, justice awaits. Jesus Christ took our punishments upon Himself so that we can die to sin and live a new life in Him.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
So God the Son, with the power to represent all people, became mortal, fully human, with the power to satisfy God's justice.
Salvation is the free gift of perfection in God's Kingdom for those who accept the death of Jesus Christ as their own. If we die, we cannot satisfy the requirements for the Kingdom. If we ive, justice awaits. Jesus Christ took our punishments upon Himself so that we can die to sin and live a new life in Him.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
These things I know: 3 Sin
Sin is not what we do, it is what we are. Since Adam & Eve's rebellion, everyone has been born with that fatal flaw. There is no one who has ever lived, no matter how good, who has never told a lie, broken a promise, thought wrong thoughts - except one.
Since God's Kingdom cannot accept anyone who is not perfect, and since no one can perfect themselves, God's justice stands against us all. But God is also merciful and loves us. He is not willing for anyone to perish.
Throughout the Old Testament God raised up a special people to be His own, gave them laws and rituals, prophets and priests. Their history serves to prove how impossible it is for mankind to even remain faithful. Sin is the greatest barrier to salvation, not only because it makes us imperfect, but because ourpride will not even admit that we are sinful. People need to understand the bad news of sin and judgement, and accept it, before they are ready to understand the Good News.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
Since God's Kingdom cannot accept anyone who is not perfect, and since no one can perfect themselves, God's justice stands against us all. But God is also merciful and loves us. He is not willing for anyone to perish.
Throughout the Old Testament God raised up a special people to be His own, gave them laws and rituals, prophets and priests. Their history serves to prove how impossible it is for mankind to even remain faithful. Sin is the greatest barrier to salvation, not only because it makes us imperfect, but because ourpride will not even admit that we are sinful. People need to understand the bad news of sin and judgement, and accept it, before they are ready to understand the Good News.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
2 The Kingdom of God
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
These things I know: 2 The Kingdom of God
This is the foundation of the whole Bible and the Gospel. At creation, God established His Kingdom on earth. Adam & Eve lived under God's rule, in the place God set apart for them. Their rebellion against God severed that relationship and resulted in their being thrown out of the Garden of Eden. It doesn't matter whether you believe the Adam & Eve story literally or not, it is the principles it illustrates that are important.
Ever since, God has been working to restore His Kingdom. This could not be done all at once, mankind has free will and needed to learn more about God and His purposes, and the truth about the human condition.
* It began with a covenant with Adam & Eve - individuals.
* Then a covenant with Abraham and his descendants - a family.
* Through the exodus, God made a covenant with Israel - a nation. He gave them laws and religious practices, and led them to a promised land.
* Through Jesus Christ, God's Kingdom became available to the whole world.
The 'promised land' failed in Eden because of rebellion, failed with Abraham's family and with Israel because of faithlessness and sin. This showed repeatedly that perfect obedience to God is impossible for human beings, because they are flawed from the start.
Only through Jesus Christ can we be made perfect and born again to as new life in God's Kingdom. God has provided the means to meet His own requirements.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
3 Sin
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
Ever since, God has been working to restore His Kingdom. This could not be done all at once, mankind has free will and needed to learn more about God and His purposes, and the truth about the human condition.
* It began with a covenant with Adam & Eve - individuals.
* Then a covenant with Abraham and his descendants - a family.
* Through the exodus, God made a covenant with Israel - a nation. He gave them laws and religious practices, and led them to a promised land.
* Through Jesus Christ, God's Kingdom became available to the whole world.
The 'promised land' failed in Eden because of rebellion, failed with Abraham's family and with Israel because of faithlessness and sin. This showed repeatedly that perfect obedience to God is impossible for human beings, because they are flawed from the start.
Only through Jesus Christ can we be made perfect and born again to as new life in God's Kingdom. God has provided the means to meet His own requirements.
Other posts in this series:
1 Intro
3 Sin
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
These things I know: 1 Intro
A short while ago I went through a crisis with my faith, and kind of lost the plot for a bit. To help me sort my head out, I decided to go back to basics and write down what I was sure of. These things are the basis for my faith, and everything else builds on them. This helped me concentrate on what was most important, and remind me of the Good News. Maybe they would help someone else, so here they are.
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
2 The Kingdom of God
3 Sin
4 Salvation
5 The Old Man
6 Suffering
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