Because all men die, the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: What profit hath a man of all his labor...? (Ec 1: 3) Noting that the eyes of man are never satisfied (Ec 1:8; Pr 27:20), he concludes that all is vanity.
How are the eyes "never satisfied"? First Jn 2:15-17 states:
Love not the world...For all that is in the world...the lust of the eyes...is not of the Father, but of the world...And the world passeth away.
Outside of God's redeeming grace, humans will lust after whatever their eyes see that is appealing. Eve lusted after the fruit that appeared attractive to her. Earthly possessions pass away. Mark 8:36 asks:
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1-2 reflects on the meaninglessness of life when viewed without an eternal perspective. He concludes that even the profitable life and the life of pleasure is vanity and of no real enduring profit. Love of the world is not of the Father. Solomon did great works and "whatever mine eyes desired I kept not from them" (Ec 2:10). He had everything anyone could want, but he found life without God was meaningless.
How many individuals today are too busy (or just unwilling)to recognize the meaninglessness of their efforts aimed at satisfying the "lust of the eyes," which can never be satisfied? Solomon calls it vexation of spirit or grasping for the wind. The Lord has an answer to the meaningless life, but the individual has to recognize the meaninglessness of his efforts first.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
An Appointed Time To Die
During my mother's last days the Lord comforted me with Ecclesiastes 3: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die... ( Ec 3:1-2). The word season can be viewed as an appointed occasion. God has an appointed time, an occasion, for each one of us to die.
Four days before she died, my mother lay in her hospital bed with her sitter, my husband and me in the room. She spontaneously started praying: "Father, forgive me of my sins. Thine be the kingdom and the power and the glory." She was clearly not talking to us or for our benefit.
Believing the Gospel, that Jesus is Savior and God and the means to salvation, is not equivalent to being saved. Even the devils believe the facts about salvation (Jm 2:19). The Lord in His mercy let me see my mother's humble request for forgiveness, which He will not deny (See Matthew 7:7-11).
Four days before she died, my mother lay in her hospital bed with her sitter, my husband and me in the room. She spontaneously started praying: "Father, forgive me of my sins. Thine be the kingdom and the power and the glory." She was clearly not talking to us or for our benefit.
Believing the Gospel, that Jesus is Savior and God and the means to salvation, is not equivalent to being saved. Even the devils believe the facts about salvation (Jm 2:19). The Lord in His mercy let me see my mother's humble request for forgiveness, which He will not deny (See Matthew 7:7-11).
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Philippians--Joy in Knowing Christ
Paul rejoiced whenever he thought of the Philippians believers. This group of Christians shared his missionary zeal and supported his ministry. Paul viewed them as fellow-laborers in the Gospel. Unlike other churches he had founded, Paul did not need to correct them for doctrinal errors or for blatant sin in the church. Paul loved the Philippian believers and longed to see them.
Paul noted that joy was a part of the normal Christian life, experienced, for example, in the following cases:
1. Whenever Paul thought about his beloved Philippians (1:4);
2. Whenever the Gospel of Christ was preached (1:18);
3. Whenever Paul was able to reunite with the Philippians (1:25-25);
4. Whenever the Philippians were like-minded with Paul (2:2);
5. In the event the Philippians were steadfast until the day of Christ (2:16);
6. As Paul's life was being poured out in his service to the Philippians as an offering to God (2:17);
7. When Epaphroditus, a brother in Christ, would be reunited with the Philippians (2:25-28);
8. When believers worship God in the Spirit, they rejoice in Christ Jesus (3:3);
9. When Jesus returns and Paul receives a crown for his work with the Philippians (3:20-4:1);
10. When the Philippians support his ministry (4:10); and
11. Always rejoicing because of being in the Lord (4:4).
Paul had learned how to be content, whether he had abundance or was in need (4:11-13). He rejoiced when the Philippians sent him support, not so much for the support itself, but for the expression of their love for him. Like Paul, the Christian today, being saved from sin and damnation and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can live in peace and contentment, with the joy of the Lord ever-present. Paul is the example to follow (3:17).
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (4:4)!
Paul noted that joy was a part of the normal Christian life, experienced, for example, in the following cases:
1. Whenever Paul thought about his beloved Philippians (1:4);
2. Whenever the Gospel of Christ was preached (1:18);
3. Whenever Paul was able to reunite with the Philippians (1:25-25);
4. Whenever the Philippians were like-minded with Paul (2:2);
5. In the event the Philippians were steadfast until the day of Christ (2:16);
6. As Paul's life was being poured out in his service to the Philippians as an offering to God (2:17);
7. When Epaphroditus, a brother in Christ, would be reunited with the Philippians (2:25-28);
8. When believers worship God in the Spirit, they rejoice in Christ Jesus (3:3);
9. When Jesus returns and Paul receives a crown for his work with the Philippians (3:20-4:1);
10. When the Philippians support his ministry (4:10); and
11. Always rejoicing because of being in the Lord (4:4).
Paul had learned how to be content, whether he had abundance or was in need (4:11-13). He rejoiced when the Philippians sent him support, not so much for the support itself, but for the expression of their love for him. Like Paul, the Christian today, being saved from sin and damnation and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can live in peace and contentment, with the joy of the Lord ever-present. Paul is the example to follow (3:17).
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (4:4)!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
We Are Your Rejoicing (11 Co 1--2:4)
The theme of this section is found in verse 1:14: "...we are your rejoicing even as you also are ours...." Paul rejoiced that God had empowered his ministry team to witness to the Corinthians that Jesus was the Son of God, with the result that they had believed and had become brothers and sisters in Christ with Paul.
Paul explained that the persecution his ministry endured caused them to trust not in themselves, but in God, and enabled them to share God's comfort with the Corinthians when they went through times of similar suffering.
Paul assured them of his love and explained his delay in returning to them: he was waiting to see if they had accepted his previous chastisement and if they had followed his instruction, so that when he came again, he would not have to chastise them further. He wanted their next meeting together to be a joyous one.
Chastisement by Paul is a form of accountability for the Corinthians and a means of instruction. In 1 Corinthians 5 he had chastised the church for tolerating incest by a member. He had instructed the church to chastise the member who was in sin. Paul's love for the Corinthians was evidenced by his willingness to rebuke them and help them to grow in their understanding of the Christian life.
It is clear that the Lord Jesus enables His followers to rejoice and to be joyful as each believer contemplates the love of Jesus (seen through salvation) and the love of the brethren. This joy is not diminished by persecution or suffering. Being a part of the family of the Lord Jesus, whether or not in times of trouble, is reason to rejoice.
Chastisement by Paul is a form of accountability for the Corinthians and a means of instruction. In 1 Corinthians 5 he had chastised the church for tolerating incest by a member. He had instructed the church to chastise the member who was in sin. Paul's love for the Corinthians was evidenced by his willingness to rebuke them and help them to grow in their understanding of the Christian life.
It is clear that the Lord Jesus enables His followers to rejoice and to be joyful as each believer contemplates the love of Jesus (seen through salvation) and the love of the brethren. This joy is not diminished by persecution or suffering. Being a part of the family of the Lord Jesus, whether or not in times of trouble, is reason to rejoice.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Believer in a Time of National Judgment
Habakkuk prays, asking God: Why do You show me iniquity--plundering, violence, strife, contention; the law being powerless and justice being corrupted in the nation of God's people? God answers that He will raise up a wicked nation to invade and destroy the nation of God's people because of their wickedness.
Habakkuk asks why would God use a people more wicked than they were to invade them and have victory over them. God answered that the wicked invaders, after they had brought judgment on God's people, would then themselves be judged of God for their pride, idolatry, and blasphemy.
Habakkuk asks why would God use a people more wicked than they were to invade them and have victory over them. God answered that the wicked invaders, after they had brought judgment on God's people, would then themselves be judged of God for their pride, idolatry, and blasphemy.
Habakkuk then responds with intercessory prayer: "O Lord, I have heard thy speech and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work...in wrath remember mercy (Ha 3:2)." Habakkuk notes that though he trembled (at what God had shown him), he was able to "rest in the day of trouble (3:16)."
Not only could he rest, he could rejoice: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation (3:17-18)."
How can Habakkuk rejoice as he sees God's judgment bring foreign invasion, destruction, famine and poverty to his land? Habakkuk understands that after judgment, God's people will repent and return to faith in Him. He also knows that God protects the righteous: "The Lord is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places (3:19)."
For personal application, one must ask himself: Am I one of the "just;" i.e., one who has been justified, or made righteous in the sight of God by means of His plan of salvation through His Son Christ?
And secondly, ask: Do I live by faith; i.e., Christ in control of me, living out His life in me through moment-by-moment surrender of my will (my plans, my agenda, my desires) to His will?
The just, who are living by faith (Ha 2:4), can rejoice with Habakkuk in the midst of God's refining fire of judgment as it comes on this nation.
Not only could he rest, he could rejoice: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation (3:17-18)."
How can Habakkuk rejoice as he sees God's judgment bring foreign invasion, destruction, famine and poverty to his land? Habakkuk understands that after judgment, God's people will repent and return to faith in Him. He also knows that God protects the righteous: "The Lord is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places (3:19)."
For personal application, one must ask himself: Am I one of the "just;" i.e., one who has been justified, or made righteous in the sight of God by means of His plan of salvation through His Son Christ?
And secondly, ask: Do I live by faith; i.e., Christ in control of me, living out His life in me through moment-by-moment surrender of my will (my plans, my agenda, my desires) to His will?
The just, who are living by faith (Ha 2:4), can rejoice with Habakkuk in the midst of God's refining fire of judgment as it comes on this nation.
Monday, October 26, 2009
John 1-5: Exciting Conversions
The first five chapters of John's Gospel give exciting accounts of individual conversion experiences. Jesus begins His public ministry after baptism by John the Baptist. Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael become His disciples. At first Nathanael expresses disbelief that anything good (as the Messiah) could come out of Nazareth. Then he actually meets Jesus, and within the context of a brief conversation, he exclaims, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel!"
In Chapter 2 Jesus performs His first miracle--changing water to wine--at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Those who are serving the water/wine (and know that it was originally water) have an opportunity to think about who Jesus really is and to come to faith in Him.
In Chapter 3 Nicodemus, a man hardly thought to be a candidate for conversion (because he is a pharisee, a member of a group that is hostile to Jesus) has an encounter with the Lord that brings him to truth and salvation.
In Chapter 4, Jesus goes to Samaria, a place and a people hated by the Jews, and He brings salvation to an entire city. Then He returns to Cana and brings salvation to a nobleman and his household.
In Chapter 5, Jesus brings salvation (and physical healing) to a man who has been incapacitated and hopeless for 38 years.
In Chapter 5, Jesus brings salvation (and physical healing) to a man who has been incapacitated and hopeless for 38 years.
In these first five chapters, John tells his audience by example that Jesus saves the rich and honorable (Nicodemus and the nobleman), the working class (fishermen), the poor (lame man), the dishonorable (Samaritan woman); the skeptic (Nathanael), the ultra religious (a pharisee), and the foreigner (Samarians). Is there any class or category that Jesus will not save? No! So why art thou cast down, O my soul?...hope thou in God (Psalm 42:11). And Believer, be reinvigorated to pray for that lost one!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Halloween for Believers?
Ephesians 4 and 5 give instruction to the believer in regard to his behavior. He is told to quit following after the dictates of the culture around him and, rather, to behave in a righteous and holy manner.
A casual reading of these chapters may look like nothing more than a list of "do's and don't's" but the admonition as a whole is telling the believer that his behavior should be startlingly different from that of the world around him. The believer has a new nature--one that constantly should be seeking to please the Lord.
The unredeemed nature of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9.) Most people in any culture are not believers (Matthew 7: 13-14, the narrow way) and the popular traditions and customs will rarely be Christian. The culture of the unredeemed man will be based upon lies and deception because the unredeemed people (the majority) follow Satan, who is the father of lies, rather than following the Lord Jesus, Who is the Truth (John 14:6).
In practical application the question arises: how can a true believer participate in any way in the occult, the dark practices identified with Satan? The most obvious practice this month (October) is the pagan holiday of Halloween.
Just what is "love of the world?" Is it just a phrase in the Bible with no meaning to it? Cannot the Christian community even take a stand against Halloween, an obviously occultic holiday? Imagine having to answer to the Lord Jesus about taking part in an event that is known as the biggest day of the year for worshiping Satan!
In practical application the question arises: how can a true believer participate in any way in the occult, the dark practices identified with Satan? The most obvious practice this month (October) is the pagan holiday of Halloween.
Why do Christians try to find a way to celebrate this occult holiday and somehow make their actions Biblically acceptable? Some may respond that they only do the "fun" things and not the scary things. What then is the lesson of First Corinthians 8 and 10, where Paul advises believers not to participate in eating meat sacrificed to idols? The admonition there does not stem from the meat itself being tainted, but from the affiliation with pagans in a practice of idol-worship (which is demon-worship).
A similar lesson is reflected in the Old Testament, where syncretistic ( mixed) worship led to forsaking God altogether. In Numbers 25 (and 31:16) Balaam, a wicked prophet, advises a foreign king in a scheme to overcome the Hebrews: have the foreign, pagan women entice the Hebrew men to engage in sexual immorality with them; then the men, in order to please the women, joined them in their idolatrous practices. This effort at mixing paganism with true worship failed (as it always does) and soon the men had forsaken their own God completely.
Compromise in the area of purity, righteousness, holiness and truth constitutes "friendship with the world" and puts a person at "enmity" with God (James 4:4). If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). Rather than looking for loopholes that seem to permit the Christian to have "fun" with the pagans, why doesn't the Christian seek to behave in a manner that glorifies God?
Just what is "love of the world?" Is it just a phrase in the Bible with no meaning to it? Cannot the Christian community even take a stand against Halloween, an obviously occultic holiday? Imagine having to answer to the Lord Jesus about taking part in an event that is known as the biggest day of the year for worshiping Satan!
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