by HARVEYOPP | May 29, 2015 | Scott Henry
“Do all things without complaining or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15).
If we complained less and were more thankful we would be joyous Christians, and God would be more glorified through our words and works. Every day we must thank God for the “ordinary mercies” we receive from His generous hand; for although we deserve nothing, God provides us with great abundance, as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17: “…who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
However, our loudest song of thanksgiving should be for God’s redeeming grace. Believers have been redeemed from the overpowering rule and consequences of sin in which we were conceived and born. We have been led to the cross of Christ by the sweet Holy Spirit of God and our bonds of guilt have been removed. We are no longer slaves of Satan and sin, but are now children of the living God who are adopted through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. We now have the precious promises that “nothing can separate us from Christ’s love” and that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28-39). Why, then, should the Christian ever be heard complaining? Oh, what a grievous, selfish, thankless heart we demonstrate when we participate in the worldly, sinful craft of complaining. Every child of God must cultivate a thankful heart. We must learn to be content with God’s provisions, to be thankful in all things, to be people of praise rather than people who complain. As the writer of Hebrews declared: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Begin by thinking of the “little” things and then move into the realm of God’s saving grace. Reflect upon the truth that God, out of mere grace, caused every elect sinner to be born from above, renewed in their soul, given spiritual life by the working of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the spiritual body of Jesus Christ where we receive all Christ’s merits. Reflect upon the fact that the redeemed are sinners saved by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, and given hearts of true faith and love in order that we might trust God, adore His glorious attributes, praise the blessed name of Jesus, and do good deeds to our neighbors out of a thankful heart to the God of our salvation. Meditate on these truths and your heart will surely be stirred by the Holy Spirit to “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
by HARVEYOPP | May 22, 2015 | Scott Henry
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit” (Psalm 34:13).
Most, if not all, of our problems relate to our tongue … our speech is one of the easiest ways to sin. We cannot do just anything we want, but we sure can say just about anything. Do you want to grow in your Christian life? Practice putting a muzzle on your tongue. “I said, I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me” (Psalm 39:1). And we read in James 3:3: “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.” James says if we can control a horse’s tongue then we can direct the entire body of the horse to a useful purpose. However, without the control of the tongue the horse is absolutely useless … it’s like a wild stallion running throughout the countryside trampling over everything it encounters. In like manner, if we can control our tongue then our whole life can be directed to the noble purpose of glorifying God and edifying our neighbor. But if we let our tongue run loose then our whole body will follow and we will bring dishonor to God, destruction to our neighbor, and shame to ourselves.
According to Scripture, the tongue reveals the true person. It’s an instrument that tells on the condition of a person’s heart. The tongue is the dip stick of the heart, the tattletale, the barometer that displays a person’s spiritual condition. Ultimately, a person speaks the way he does because of the state of his heart. Jesus said: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). David described the tongue of the wicked in Psalm 52:2-4: “Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.” Therefore, believers are admonished in Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” True believers are those begotten by the Word of God (James 1:18), and James tells us that true, living, vibrant faith shows itself in the control of the tongue. As the doctor would say, “stick out your tongue” and put the thermometer under your tongue for your physical temperature, so James says the tongue reveals your spiritual temperature or the condition of your heart. As was said to Peter by those in the courtyard, “Your speech betrays you”, so one’s speech reveals a person’s true character since the issue of the tongue is ultimately an issue of the heart. As the Puritans were fond of saying, “The heart of the matter is always the matter of the heart.”
Therefore, the question for each of us is this, are the words we speak consistent with the faith we confess? Don’t be deceived … a faith that doesn’t transform the tongue is no saving faith. James tells us, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26). How are you doing with the control of your tongue? Do you say whatever pops into your head, or are you careful with the words you speak? Paul wrote in Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” Jesus is the greatest example regarding the use of the tongue: “So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth…” (Luke 4:22).
Begin each day by praying the words found in Job 6:24: “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” And remember, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). May the Lord bless His people as we strive to bridle our tongue by the power of the Holy Spirit in order that “…no corrupt word proceeds out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). All to the glory, honor, and praise of Jesus Christ!
by HARVEYOPP | May 18, 2015 | Scott Henry
“…be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…” (1 Peter 5:5).
The word humility in Scripture means “humbleness of mind.” It’s a character quality that can best be summarized by Romans 12:3: “…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…” An excellent example of humility is found in the words of the prophet Samuel when he addressed King Saul: “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?” (1 Sam. 15:17). “Little in your own eyes” is a wonderful description of a humble person, but humility is not popular in our world because humility only thrives in a society that honors God. When God is dishonored then humility is despised and belittled, and man’s sinful pride is exalted. And because our world is hostile to God, humility is ridiculed by our society. Nevertheless, Scripture calls every believer to “be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
This text is completely foreign to our culture, but it’s absolutely essential in the Christian life if we are going to glorify Christ and live as salt of the earth and light for a perishing world. Notice what Peter says: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another…” One key element to a life of humility is submission. A person who is unwilling to submit to others is a person filled with pride, and this is contrary to the virtue of humility. You see, an attitude of submission is produced by an attitude of humility, and true humility is demonstrated in two particular ways: obedience to God’s Word and esteeming others better than yourself.
On the other hand, a non-submissive, rebellious attitude is produced by pride, and pride is manifested by a person who rebels against God’s Word and views other people as lower than himself. The word “clothed” in our text literally means to tie something on with a knot. What Peter has in mind is the work apron of a slave, which was put on over the outer clothes to keep them clean. It became the word for putting on humble service. So Peter is saying, ‘Clothe yourself in a garment of humble service by putting on the apron of a slave and serving others.’ To clothe yourself with humility is to put on the attitude of lowly-mindedness, which is best exemplified by Jesus in John 13:3-5: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” And Scripture says to every believer: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). Remember also the words of Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Christian, how are you doing with your walk of humility? Are you endeavoring to keep on continually being clothed with humility, which is nothing other than Christ-likeness? Pray the Holy Spirit strengthens you every day for a walk of faith that glorifies Christ … a simple walk of humble service towards God and your neighbor.
by HARVEYOPP | May 16, 2015 | J.I. Packer
“Paul’s words here endorse the consistent biblical testimony that idolatry is inexcusable. Scripture never condones idolatry on the grounds that men knew no better, but condemns it on the assumption that they did, and that irrespective of whether they had encountered any part of God’s special revelation or not (Is. xliv.10-20; Hab. ii. 18-20).
Quite so, says Paul; for it is out of general, not special, revelation that idolatry has been manufactured. Idolatry is a lie grafted on to some of the intuitions of general revelation in order to smother the rest; it was invented to provide sinners with gods they can worship while remaining their own masters. One of the contradictions of fallen human nature is the desire to be lord of what one worships.
As a creature, man yearns for a god to serve; as a sinner, he is resolved to play God himself, and demands that everything else should serve him. This explains the absurd actions of the pagan who directs acts of worship to the image he made himself (Is. xliv. 10-20), while at the same time developing techniques of sacrifice, prayer and sympathetic magic for getting his imaginary god to do what he wants (cf. 1 Ki. xvii. 25-28 with verses 36, 37, and Mt. vi. 7).
And Scripture recognizes more forms of idolatry than polytheism. It says that idolatry exists whenever man gives himself up, heart and soul, to mastering an adored object. Covetousness is thus idolatry (Col. iii. 5). So it by no means follows that sinners forsake idolatry when they abandon polytheism.
All that happens is that they change their gods. Some ‘idolize’ wealth; and Christ calls such the slaves of Mammon in just the same exclusive sense as the Christian is the servant of his God (Mt. vi. 19, 24). Others ‘idolize’ and live for ideas, ideals, a cause, power, a wife, children, country, beauty, and many other things besides.
The self-contradictory lust of sinful man to have something he can worship and master at the same time takes countless forms, each exhibiting the same pathetic ambivalence.
Trying to rule what one serves—being enslaved by what one tries to rule—trying to play God to one’s gods, and ending up the captive of them all—that is idolatry, in all its forms. It is a satanic parody of man’s original relation to his Maker, and a source of endless misery to all its practioners.”
by HARVEYOPP | May 16, 2015 | Sinclair Ferguson
“In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ‘author,’ ‘captain’ or ‘pioneer’ of salvation (Acts 3:15; 5:31; Hebrews 2:10; 12:2). The word archegos (author) is notoriously difficult to translate into English. In the case of Jesus (especially in the context of Hebrews) it seems to convey the twin notions of primacy and origin.
Jesus is the ‘author’ of our sanctification, in the sense that He creates it for us, but He is also its ‘pioneer’ because He does so out of His own incarnate life, death and resurrection.
He is the ‘pioneer’ of our salvation, because as the Hero of Faith (to be distinguished from the long list of those heroes who bear witness to Him, Hebrews 12:1), He has endured the cross, despising its shame and the opposition of sinners, and is now seated at God’s right hand.
He is the first and only fully sanctified person. He has climbed God’s holy hill with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3-6). It is as the ‘Lead Climber’ that He gives the sanctification He has won to others (Acts 5:31).
As ‘pioneer,’ Jesus has Himself gone ahead of us to open up the way to the Father. By doing so, He brings to the Father in similar obedience all those who are ‘roped’ to Him by grace and faith.
Christ is our sanctification. In Him it has first come to its fulfillment and consummation. He not only died for us to remove the penalty of our sin by taking it himself; He has lived, died, risen again and been exalted in order to sanctify our human nature in Himself for our sake.
This is the significance of His words shortly before the cross, ‘Sanctify [the disciples] by the truth… As You sent Me into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified’ (John 17:17-19).”
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