If there is one thing I'll miss about being on maternity leave (other than being on maternity leave) it's Daytime TV. I hate to admit it but I watch quite a bit of television. In addition to all my PVR'd evening shows and some newbies that Dale and started to get into this Fall, I'm finding that I need to have my daily talkshow fix. Namely, Dr. Phil. Granted, some topics are just lame and I couldn't really be bothered. But recently they've been focused on a group I've always been somewhat interested in: FLDS. I'm not absolutely sure why I'm so intrigued by this religion, sect, cult or whatever they might be. Maybe because their self-appointed leader is in prison for heinous crimes and yet he still has a following. Maybe it's because I've never really understood (and will never understand) why women would agree to be in a polygamous marriage. Maybe it's because I can't fathom why anyone (women particularly) would want to live imprisoned, controlled, and secluded lives. The disparity of life as I know it in a relationship with a God who loves freely, offers salvation as a gift, forgives sin not based on merit but on his grace alone, versus life for one whose leader's absolute power corrupted both himself and others, intrigues me.
It's easy to judge people who choose this life and lifestyle and call them 'brainwashed' as a result. Maybe they are. But maybe the issue is much more. Generations of families have lived and grown up in these secluded communities, not knowing otherwise and being completely ignorant of anything outside what they have been indoctrinated to believe since birth. Can you call someone brainwashed if they do not know otherwise? Children grow up believing what they hear & see day in and day out from people they know and trust and do not get the opportunity to do otherwise. They aren't necessarily forced to believe or do anything but rather they obediently (save for the bold few) do as they have been brought up to do. In one way I can relate to this experience, but only in so far as being brought up in a household that valued church and having a relationship with God and thus making God-fearing choices. My parents raised us with their beliefs and values, but there came a point in our lives (my siblings and I) where we chose to know God and follow Him for ourselves, which is ultimately everyone's fork in the road.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord John Acton
Human nature is already drenched in sin out of which stems all other vices. Add power unchecked to the mix and you have a disaster waiting to happen. From what I've read and seen, Mr. Jeffs is the epitome of the quote above. Having claimed to be God's prophet and mouthpiece to his people, he used his power to manipulate children, deceive thousands, and feed his sick and twisted desires. And the worst part is that those in power who perhaps knew, did/do nothing about it and those who didn't/don't know blindly took/take his words as gospel truth from "God" himself. It angers me to know that there are people who say and do things utterly contrary to the nature and Word of the real Jesus Christ, the one true God, claiming their words and actions to have been directed by God's righteous, loving, and sovereign hand. Time and again religion has been used as a tool of power to persuade or propogate personal agendas. Even in the Christian church today corruption rears its ugly face when power struggles emerge and sin remains unexposed. It is complete folly to believe anyone's words or sayings or commands as revelations from God without holding it up to the scrutiny of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) which is our ultimate source of knowledge about who God is, who we are, and God's desires for holy living.
Well, those are my thoughts on that. Unfortunately, ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to questions of moral aboslutes, salvation, God, and His Word. Get educated, people!
8.26.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 4: Security in God's Sovereignty
One of my good friends who is a nurse told me of the recent death of one of her patients, 2-year-old Brandon. He was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect where the intestines grow outside of the abdomen. Although he was able to sucessfully undergo a multi-organ transplant, he caught an infection that his little body wasn't able to fend off. As she shared this story with me, I couldn't help but imagine what I would feel or how I would cope if my own daughter was born with, or contracted, a disease that could possibly take her life. I couldn't imagine it. My friend spoke of the brokenness of Brandon's mother and of the parents' despair as they grieved the passing of their young boy. Then she asked me a simple yet profound question: "How do you share about God's love to a couple whose baby just died? What are you supposed to say?"
We will never be able to fathom why disease and death and disaster happen. But they do. It is a fact of life that these exist. Some may not experience it to the same degree as others and this inconceivable unfairness is difficult to swallow for many and a stumbling block to understanding, and accepting, God as love. I don't propose an answer to the question above, but I do propose this: God's sovereignty can be our security in times of trouble, heartache, and tribulation. If he is sovereign over the good that we experience in life, he must also be sovereign over the hardships we encounter. God himself endured the pain of seeing his only Son suffer a horrendous death on a cross to pay the penalty of our sin against him. Even though Christ himself spoke of his resurrection after death much to his disciples' unbelief, God alone knew the magnitude of this event in history, and its insurmountable accomplishment for those who believe.
Trouble will (and does) plague our lives. Some to a greater degree than others. I don't presume to know the answer to why God allows bad things to happen although I do believe that much of what happens is the natural course of life in a fallen, imperfect, temporal world, governed yet by God's sovereign hand. But God cannot be blamed for mankind's depravity and how that impacts a person's willfull actions. He grieves with us and offers us hope and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can count on his grace to allow something beautiful, good, praiseworthy, true, and right to rise out of the ashes.
God's righteous people put their security in the sovereignty of God. That is much easier declared (and written) than actually done. But it's a daily practice, both of the mind and the will, that comes by faith.
Ponder with me the story of Job; a difficult one grasp. Here was a humble and obedient man, blessed by God with intelligence, health, wealth, possessions, a loving family. God allows every disaster (death, disease, dishonor) to plague this God-fearing, honest, hardworking man. Job, in response to all of this, acknowledges God as sovereign: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised"(Job 1:21)... "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" (2:10). The story continues with Job and his three friends contending the reason for Job's affliction, each trying to determine (or defend) God's purpose in the matter - essentially that Job's suffering was God's way of punishing him for his sin against God. I'm sure that Job probably considered that reasoning even before his friends brought it to his attention. I know I would've if I were Job (and I admit to having done so many a time in my own life). But God had already declared Job to be "blameless and upright" and a man who "feared God and shunned evil" (1:1).
And so the difficult question still remains: Why does this happen to him?
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. provides a simple yet vexing answer that does well to reflect the attitude of one who consciously and consistently puts their trust in God's sovereignty:
"While we cannot deny that the issue of suffering in the lives of God's people, such as Job, still contains a good deal of mystery, it is just as much a horrible misconception to declare that suffering is God's normal route for every believer as it is to declare that God's goodness means life will always result in prosperity and riches for those who serve the Lord.
Our decision must be to follow God and trust his justice, wisdom, and goodness whether we are in the throes of suffering or enjoying good health and blessing. Such a decision would surely cut the ground out from under Satan in the spiritual warfare of our day and age. Thus, the law of God does not contradict the Psalms, the historical writings, prophets, or the wisdom books. Believers will continue to suffer, but it will always be under the permission or direction of a merciful and wise heavenly Father who works for our good in the way of the truth and fairness of the gospel."
Click here to read the entire article in Christianity Today: Reductionist Justice: Where Job's Friends Went Wrong About Suffering
Friend, although your heart may be troubled put your trust and hope in God. He is sovereign. Nothing and no one can fathom his thoughts and his ways. God's righteous people clutch onto this truth and when trouble or heartache or hardship or grief confront them, they are not quick to let go of His mighty hand because they know His wisdom, love, and mercy guide both the sunshine and the storm. He IS; we are not. I believe Job responded in the most appropriate way one could respond to God's own revelation of himself. I pray that we who live by faith would learn from his example and do the same.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
Job 42:1-6
One of my good friends who is a nurse told me of the recent death of one of her patients, 2-year-old Brandon. He was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect where the intestines grow outside of the abdomen. Although he was able to sucessfully undergo a multi-organ transplant, he caught an infection that his little body wasn't able to fend off. As she shared this story with me, I couldn't help but imagine what I would feel or how I would cope if my own daughter was born with, or contracted, a disease that could possibly take her life. I couldn't imagine it. My friend spoke of the brokenness of Brandon's mother and of the parents' despair as they grieved the passing of their young boy. Then she asked me a simple yet profound question: "How do you share about God's love to a couple whose baby just died? What are you supposed to say?"
We will never be able to fathom why disease and death and disaster happen. But they do. It is a fact of life that these exist. Some may not experience it to the same degree as others and this inconceivable unfairness is difficult to swallow for many and a stumbling block to understanding, and accepting, God as love. I don't propose an answer to the question above, but I do propose this: God's sovereignty can be our security in times of trouble, heartache, and tribulation. If he is sovereign over the good that we experience in life, he must also be sovereign over the hardships we encounter. God himself endured the pain of seeing his only Son suffer a horrendous death on a cross to pay the penalty of our sin against him. Even though Christ himself spoke of his resurrection after death much to his disciples' unbelief, God alone knew the magnitude of this event in history, and its insurmountable accomplishment for those who believe.
Trouble will (and does) plague our lives. Some to a greater degree than others. I don't presume to know the answer to why God allows bad things to happen although I do believe that much of what happens is the natural course of life in a fallen, imperfect, temporal world, governed yet by God's sovereign hand. But God cannot be blamed for mankind's depravity and how that impacts a person's willfull actions. He grieves with us and offers us hope and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can count on his grace to allow something beautiful, good, praiseworthy, true, and right to rise out of the ashes.
God's righteous people put their security in the sovereignty of God. That is much easier declared (and written) than actually done. But it's a daily practice, both of the mind and the will, that comes by faith.
Ponder with me the story of Job; a difficult one grasp. Here was a humble and obedient man, blessed by God with intelligence, health, wealth, possessions, a loving family. God allows every disaster (death, disease, dishonor) to plague this God-fearing, honest, hardworking man. Job, in response to all of this, acknowledges God as sovereign: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised"(Job 1:21)... "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" (2:10). The story continues with Job and his three friends contending the reason for Job's affliction, each trying to determine (or defend) God's purpose in the matter - essentially that Job's suffering was God's way of punishing him for his sin against God. I'm sure that Job probably considered that reasoning even before his friends brought it to his attention. I know I would've if I were Job (and I admit to having done so many a time in my own life). But God had already declared Job to be "blameless and upright" and a man who "feared God and shunned evil" (1:1).
And so the difficult question still remains: Why does this happen to him?
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. provides a simple yet vexing answer that does well to reflect the attitude of one who consciously and consistently puts their trust in God's sovereignty:
"While we cannot deny that the issue of suffering in the lives of God's people, such as Job, still contains a good deal of mystery, it is just as much a horrible misconception to declare that suffering is God's normal route for every believer as it is to declare that God's goodness means life will always result in prosperity and riches for those who serve the Lord.
Our decision must be to follow God and trust his justice, wisdom, and goodness whether we are in the throes of suffering or enjoying good health and blessing. Such a decision would surely cut the ground out from under Satan in the spiritual warfare of our day and age. Thus, the law of God does not contradict the Psalms, the historical writings, prophets, or the wisdom books. Believers will continue to suffer, but it will always be under the permission or direction of a merciful and wise heavenly Father who works for our good in the way of the truth and fairness of the gospel."
Click here to read the entire article in Christianity Today: Reductionist Justice: Where Job's Friends Went Wrong About Suffering
Friend, although your heart may be troubled put your trust and hope in God. He is sovereign. Nothing and no one can fathom his thoughts and his ways. God's righteous people clutch onto this truth and when trouble or heartache or hardship or grief confront them, they are not quick to let go of His mighty hand because they know His wisdom, love, and mercy guide both the sunshine and the storm. He IS; we are not. I believe Job responded in the most appropriate way one could respond to God's own revelation of himself. I pray that we who live by faith would learn from his example and do the same.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
Job 42:1-6
8.25.2011
Mischa Milestone
Being a mom is ultimately (all things considered)...rewarding. Mischa has quickly become my heart. I can't explain a lot of the emotions I feel when she smiles, when I watch her chest rise and fall as she sleeps, when she babbles at me, when she's so tired while she's nursing that she falls asleep but won't let go of me, when she holds on (yes - she can hold on to stuff now!) to my shoulder as I carry her, when she's overtired but sleepy and restlessly rolls around and sticks her butt in the air; but one that permeates through all of them is happiness. She makes me happy. And I would, quite literally, give my life for her. In fact, perhaps a little bit of that happens every day. And I may have lamented that in the beginning, but not now. Life is even better with Mischa.
She's been reaching a lot of milestones recently. Just having turned 4 months not too long ago, she's already mastered rolling from her back to her tummy and officially sleeps on her tummy now. Like any parent who is warned not to let their child sleep on their tummy for fear of SIDS or suffocation, I would wake at the slightest sound in the monitor, enter her room to find her on her tummy, and flip her onto her back. Needless to say, that didn't last long as I quickly became exhausted from waking up 4-5 times a night to flip her. She found the position most comfortable for her and I needed to accept that. Plus, she started to sleep for longer stretches at night because of it. Ultimately, I gave up my desire to control the situation (after much praying and endless monitoring) and let her be. Now she's working on rolling back onto her back. She's done it a few times, surprising even herself at the feat, but napping has become 'roll-around-time' halfway through. She's hilarious.
She's been reaching a lot of milestones recently. Just having turned 4 months not too long ago, she's already mastered rolling from her back to her tummy and officially sleeps on her tummy now. Like any parent who is warned not to let their child sleep on their tummy for fear of SIDS or suffocation, I would wake at the slightest sound in the monitor, enter her room to find her on her tummy, and flip her onto her back. Needless to say, that didn't last long as I quickly became exhausted from waking up 4-5 times a night to flip her. She found the position most comfortable for her and I needed to accept that. Plus, she started to sleep for longer stretches at night because of it. Ultimately, I gave up my desire to control the situation (after much praying and endless monitoring) and let her be. Now she's working on rolling back onto her back. She's done it a few times, surprising even herself at the feat, but napping has become 'roll-around-time' halfway through. She's hilarious.
7.15.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 3: Let Intellect Learn (and Learn From) Wisdom
We are surrounded by intelligent people: people who have years of education and have ultimately become (or are becoming) experts on some issue, topic, or skill; people who may not have as much education as others but, through hard work and motivation, earn good, honest money (which requires a good amount of intelligence) and spend it well; people who absorb what they can from the world around them and are able to engage in intellectual banter; people who just seem to know a lot about everything. Some of my closest friends are the most intelligent people I know personally. Intelligence is a value of our culture today and rightly so - we need to develop, and ourselves become, people who desire to learn and gain accurate knowledge, reasoning, and facts about the world and whatever else interests us. There's nothing wrong with being smart and striving to become more intelligent. Personally, I'd rather be smart (and perceived as so) than stupid. I think we all would.
But,
It is quite possible to be smart and yet a fool; one can be intelligent but lack wisdom. If the opposite of intelligence is stupidity, the opposite of wisdom is foolishness. Although some people may be naturally 'smart' (I envied those whom I felt fell into this category during high school and university), people are not born wise. True wisdom comes from God:
"[In Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Wisdom, according to the dictionary's definition, is knowledge of and insight to what is true and right coupled with acting upon such knowledge. Intelligence, on the other hand, is merely the capacity or ability for understanding. While intelligence capitalizes on one's ability to learn and understand, wisdom focuses on the true and right knowledge discerned and how that impacts how one chooses to act.
Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."
God's righteous people believe that wisdom begins with a deep and holy reverence for God. The notion of fear in this verse derives from the Hebrew word 'yir'ah' which, in this context, refers not to fear as in terror but rather to reverent fear, a deep respect for another. In other words, wisdom starts with recognizing who God is and allowing that conviction to guide one's thoughts and ways. Living by faith daily acknowledges God's supremacy in all and over all things and to put it simply, desires and seeks to put God first. When you revere someone, you naturally think of that person before yourself - how you can please that person and regard that person in the highest way possible. You listen intently to someone you deeply respect and are careful to consider your actions before doing them. What more when it is God whom we ought to revere?
I am always intrigued by the story of King Solomon, the richest and wealthiest man who has ever lived (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:12b). When Solomon became king after David, God appeared to him one night and told him to ask for whatever he wanted God to give him. Surprisingly enough, Solomon asked for wisdom:
"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to givern this great people of yours?" 2 Chronicles 1:10
Solomon recognized that God made him king and that only God knew how to rightly govern and lead his people. So, in humility, he asked for God's wisdom to fulfill the task he had been given. God granted his request AND more (he gave him wisdom, wealth, riches, and honor too). What a blessing! Solomon could have asked for wealth or riches or long life, which I'm sure he desired. But he asks for what he knows he needs and what he knows is infinitely more valuable than possessions and status combined: wisdom. Solomon was no fool.
We all need wisdom to live a life of faith daily, to be able to discern what is right and true, to make good, God-honoring, God-revering choices and to act in accordance with God's Word. James exhorts us to "ask God [for wisdom if you lack it for he] gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5). Wisdom comes from God and he gives it freely to those who ask. The question is: Do we ask? Or do we presume to have it already? Have we realized the need for wisdom in order to live a life of faith?
Friend, intelligence is valuable but so easily boasted of. Wisdom, on the otherhand, is indispensible and a virtue that only God can give. God's righteous ones recognize the difference between knowledge and wisdom and, by faith, seek God's wisdom primarily by studying His Word and living by it. Anything less is folly.
"Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:33-36
We are surrounded by intelligent people: people who have years of education and have ultimately become (or are becoming) experts on some issue, topic, or skill; people who may not have as much education as others but, through hard work and motivation, earn good, honest money (which requires a good amount of intelligence) and spend it well; people who absorb what they can from the world around them and are able to engage in intellectual banter; people who just seem to know a lot about everything. Some of my closest friends are the most intelligent people I know personally. Intelligence is a value of our culture today and rightly so - we need to develop, and ourselves become, people who desire to learn and gain accurate knowledge, reasoning, and facts about the world and whatever else interests us. There's nothing wrong with being smart and striving to become more intelligent. Personally, I'd rather be smart (and perceived as so) than stupid. I think we all would.
But,
It is quite possible to be smart and yet a fool; one can be intelligent but lack wisdom. If the opposite of intelligence is stupidity, the opposite of wisdom is foolishness. Although some people may be naturally 'smart' (I envied those whom I felt fell into this category during high school and university), people are not born wise. True wisdom comes from God:
"[In Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Wisdom, according to the dictionary's definition, is knowledge of and insight to what is true and right coupled with acting upon such knowledge. Intelligence, on the other hand, is merely the capacity or ability for understanding. While intelligence capitalizes on one's ability to learn and understand, wisdom focuses on the true and right knowledge discerned and how that impacts how one chooses to act.
Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."
God's righteous people believe that wisdom begins with a deep and holy reverence for God. The notion of fear in this verse derives from the Hebrew word 'yir'ah' which, in this context, refers not to fear as in terror but rather to reverent fear, a deep respect for another. In other words, wisdom starts with recognizing who God is and allowing that conviction to guide one's thoughts and ways. Living by faith daily acknowledges God's supremacy in all and over all things and to put it simply, desires and seeks to put God first. When you revere someone, you naturally think of that person before yourself - how you can please that person and regard that person in the highest way possible. You listen intently to someone you deeply respect and are careful to consider your actions before doing them. What more when it is God whom we ought to revere?
I am always intrigued by the story of King Solomon, the richest and wealthiest man who has ever lived (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:12b). When Solomon became king after David, God appeared to him one night and told him to ask for whatever he wanted God to give him. Surprisingly enough, Solomon asked for wisdom:
"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to givern this great people of yours?" 2 Chronicles 1:10
Solomon recognized that God made him king and that only God knew how to rightly govern and lead his people. So, in humility, he asked for God's wisdom to fulfill the task he had been given. God granted his request AND more (he gave him wisdom, wealth, riches, and honor too). What a blessing! Solomon could have asked for wealth or riches or long life, which I'm sure he desired. But he asks for what he knows he needs and what he knows is infinitely more valuable than possessions and status combined: wisdom. Solomon was no fool.
We all need wisdom to live a life of faith daily, to be able to discern what is right and true, to make good, God-honoring, God-revering choices and to act in accordance with God's Word. James exhorts us to "ask God [for wisdom if you lack it for he] gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5). Wisdom comes from God and he gives it freely to those who ask. The question is: Do we ask? Or do we presume to have it already? Have we realized the need for wisdom in order to live a life of faith?
Friend, intelligence is valuable but so easily boasted of. Wisdom, on the otherhand, is indispensible and a virtue that only God can give. God's righteous ones recognize the difference between knowledge and wisdom and, by faith, seek God's wisdom primarily by studying His Word and living by it. Anything less is folly.
"Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:33-36
7.13.2011
24 hours
That's how long my shift as a mom, or more accurately 'caregiver', is every day. Sometimes I don't even know what time it is any more and I walk around permanently wired from running on 6 hours of interrupted sleep every night. Today was a rough day. Mischa started refusing to drink from a bottle at 2 months and since then I've tried (although not every day) to give her a bottle a day (sometimes twice a day) to help her re-learn what somehow slipped past her memory. Although from what I also hear, babies develop a preference at some point and clearly she decided she would not take anything artificial to get her meals. So that combined with introducing a new sleep-time technique to get her to fall asleep on her own without me having to rock or sway her to sleep made for an exhausting day. In the end, she took one bottle out of the three that I gave during feed times (after an hour of trying EACH time) and before bed tonight cried hysterically every time I tried to put her down awake but drowsy. She's asleep now, thankfully, after much "shhhhhh"-ing and patting. I'm beat.
This job has its work cut out for it!
This job has its work cut out for it!
7.12.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 2: The Life of Faith is Living in Pursuit
Living by faith is anything but passive; it's active! We've already established in the first anecdote that it's the Holy Spirit who enables the righteous to live by faith; it is impossible otherwise. It has also been made clear that the Holy Spirit dwells within God's righteous people and is reflected in one's active pursuit of a life of faith (Galatians 5 gives a glimpse of what life by the Spirit looks like). I like the word "pursuit" because it connotes a sense of urgency and persistence, passion and desire. Living by faith requires mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dedication to pursue righteousness and holiness. God's righteous people understand by faith that salvation is more than just life in eternity; it is life today - life in all its God-intended fullness. And abundant life while living on earth does not happen by chance or in good intentions; it happens as God's people actively pursue Him before and above all things. The Apostle Paul portrays this attitude when he writes in Philippians 3:12-16:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...All of us who are mature should take such a view of things...Only let us live up to what we have already obtained."
Interestingly enough, he refers to those who consider themselves to be mature in the faith as having this drive to "press on" towards - to pursue - the goal that God has called us to claim: namely, knowing Christ and consequently being transformed and changed to reflect true righteousness and holiness. Maturity is not measured by the depth of one's knowledge or the impact of one's influence but rather by the active, unwavering, passionate pursuit of God.
The notion of pursuit continues in 1 Timothy 6:11 when Paul exhorts Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
The bold, active words highlighted above imply that living by faith requires work! It's a fight against our sinful nature and against the enemy of God. It's a continual act of the will to: seek God each day and worship Him, daily read and value the truth of His word, talk about Him with others, pray without ceasing, resist temptation, humble oneself, love others, confess your sins, avoid legalism, trust in the Lord, endure hardship and suffering, exercise kindness and generosity, speak truthfully, overcome laziness, yield to the Holy Spirit who enables you to live by faith.
Friend, living by faith is active and requires daily pursuit of the things of God over the things of the world and the desires of the flesh which will always be in contrast to the desires of the Spirit. This pursuit is not always easy to do; dying to self is an impossible task without an unwavering yield to the Spirit who is the one who works in us to will and to act according to God's purposes. And though the Spirit gives us strength and is ultimately victorious, it is still a battle we must and will face as long as we live in this earthly body. One we must fight by faith. The truly righteous ones of God set as their goal in life the pursuit of righteousness and holiness, having been given a new self that is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-31). This pursuit must permeate how we work, the choices we make, how we relate to our spouse and children, how we serve, what we value in life, our ambitions on earth, what we do with our money, how we view, interact, and treat others and how others see us. We proclaim it, now let's claim it and live out the truth of what we preach!
Living by faith is anything but passive; it's active! We've already established in the first anecdote that it's the Holy Spirit who enables the righteous to live by faith; it is impossible otherwise. It has also been made clear that the Holy Spirit dwells within God's righteous people and is reflected in one's active pursuit of a life of faith (Galatians 5 gives a glimpse of what life by the Spirit looks like). I like the word "pursuit" because it connotes a sense of urgency and persistence, passion and desire. Living by faith requires mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dedication to pursue righteousness and holiness. God's righteous people understand by faith that salvation is more than just life in eternity; it is life today - life in all its God-intended fullness. And abundant life while living on earth does not happen by chance or in good intentions; it happens as God's people actively pursue Him before and above all things. The Apostle Paul portrays this attitude when he writes in Philippians 3:12-16:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...All of us who are mature should take such a view of things...Only let us live up to what we have already obtained."
Interestingly enough, he refers to those who consider themselves to be mature in the faith as having this drive to "press on" towards - to pursue - the goal that God has called us to claim: namely, knowing Christ and consequently being transformed and changed to reflect true righteousness and holiness. Maturity is not measured by the depth of one's knowledge or the impact of one's influence but rather by the active, unwavering, passionate pursuit of God.
The notion of pursuit continues in 1 Timothy 6:11 when Paul exhorts Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
The bold, active words highlighted above imply that living by faith requires work! It's a fight against our sinful nature and against the enemy of God. It's a continual act of the will to: seek God each day and worship Him, daily read and value the truth of His word, talk about Him with others, pray without ceasing, resist temptation, humble oneself, love others, confess your sins, avoid legalism, trust in the Lord, endure hardship and suffering, exercise kindness and generosity, speak truthfully, overcome laziness, yield to the Holy Spirit who enables you to live by faith.
Friend, living by faith is active and requires daily pursuit of the things of God over the things of the world and the desires of the flesh which will always be in contrast to the desires of the Spirit. This pursuit is not always easy to do; dying to self is an impossible task without an unwavering yield to the Spirit who is the one who works in us to will and to act according to God's purposes. And though the Spirit gives us strength and is ultimately victorious, it is still a battle we must and will face as long as we live in this earthly body. One we must fight by faith. The truly righteous ones of God set as their goal in life the pursuit of righteousness and holiness, having been given a new self that is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-31). This pursuit must permeate how we work, the choices we make, how we relate to our spouse and children, how we serve, what we value in life, our ambitions on earth, what we do with our money, how we view, interact, and treat others and how others see us. We proclaim it, now let's claim it and live out the truth of what we preach!
Mischa Milestone
My baby girl is 3 months today! It's still hard to believe how fast she is growing. I think she's in a growth spurt again because she has been eating every two hours, even through the night. She laughed for the first time last week (haven't been able to make her do it again since, though), talks ALL the time, is starting to reach and grab for things, is trying very hard to roll over but she always gets one arm stuck underneath her and hasn't figured out how to move it yet, and has an infectious smile. She still needs help to hold her head up but her neck muscles are getting stronger. I love when she wakes up happy instead of crying and when we peek at her from above her crib she gives us the biggest smile.
Happy 3 months Misch bebe!
Happy 3 months Misch bebe!
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