The Best Knowledge
Posted by jerrywhite on May 30, 2010
Knowledge about the contents of the Bible is not the same as knowing the Lord Jesus intimately. Knowledge about theology (doctrine) is not the same as close personal fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Knowledge about all the Biblical principles for Christian living is not the same as knowing the Lord Jesus with the fullness of one’s soul. Knowledge of how to serve in ministry is not the same as privately gazing with wonder and awe on the Lord in His beauty. Knowledge about the Lord’s supernatural working through the gifts of the Spirit is not the same as knowing in one’s inner being the reality of the Lord’s presence through faith.
To know Jesus Christ—to know Him ever more intimately—to see Him with eyes of heart ever more clearly—to enjoy His near presence with ever increasing spiritual reality—this is the goal, and all knowledge should point to this ultimate goal for life and eternity. Deep personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus brings heart satisfaction like nothing else, and this is what our Heavenly Father longs to give us. This kind of knowledge is what we must set our heart upon to seek. Here is where our soul finds rest. Then we are prepared to tell others with experiential authority, both lost and saved, the wonders of Jesus Christ.
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And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3 (ESV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
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“That nearness is what we are to make daily efforts after, and that nearness is one capable of indefinite increase. We know not how close to His heart we can lay our aching heads. We know not how near to His fullness we can bring our emptiness. We have never yet reached the point beyond which no closer union is possible.”
Alexander MacLaren
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Spiritual Gifts Manifest Jesus
Posted by jerrywhite on May 27, 2010
But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
John 15:26 (ESV)
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“Every Christian has a gift. The Spirit gives one to each person, just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11). What is this gift for? ‘To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good’ (1 Corinthians 12:7). These are illuminating words indeed. A gift, Paul suggests, is a ‘manifestation of the spirit’. It is a means by which the Spirit shows us more of Christ. He does so by using some ability he has given us in the service of others.
Martin Luther used to speak about the Christian being ‘a little Christ’ to his neighbour. That is what Paul means here. Unlike many of us, Paul did not think of a gift of the Spirit as something which makes the recipient seem special or important. A gift of the Spirit is meant to show that Christ is special. The only person the Spirit wants to manifest is Jesus! (See John 16:12-14 and John 14:21, 23). When we exercise the gifts which Christ has given us we are really saying to our fellow Christians and others: See how much the Lord Jesus loves you and cares for you; he has sent me to love you and serve you in this way; he is using my hands and feet, my lips and ears, to show his love in this special way. It is a tragic mistake if we think that the message is: See what a super Christian I am; see the wonderful gifts I have.”
Sinclair B. Ferguson
Grow In Grace, 87
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“Because the devil has such great powers to ensnare, we must beware at all times. For at the moment we forget our low estate and think we have become spiritual and specially gifted, we have become wrong-spirited and we are in grave danger. This is a serious warning to those who have experienced special inner guidance and spiritual gifts. Do not slip from your place in Christ on the misstep of hidden pride.”
John of the Cross (1542-1591)
You Set My Spirit Free, 123, (Arranged and paraphrased by David Hazard)
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Faithful In Your Calling
Posted by jerrywhite on May 23, 2010
“The common drudgery of daily life can be a divine calling. We often speak of a young man as ‘being called to the ministry,’ but it is as fitting to speak of a carpenter being called to the workbench, the blacksmith to the forge, and the shoemaker to his wooden or metal form of a foot. ‘Brethren,’ said the apostle, ‘let each one remain with God in that calling in which he was called’ (1 Cor. 7:24).
Remember that your life has been appointed by God’s wise providence. God as much sent Joseph to the drudgery and discipline of the prison as to the glory and responsibility of the palace. Nothing happens to us that is not included in His plan for us, and incidents that seem most tiresome are often designed to give us opportunities to become nobler, stronger characters.
We are called to be faithful in performing our assigned duties. Not brilliance, not success, not notoriety, but the regular, quiet, and careful performance of trivial and common duties. Faithfulness in that which is least is as great an attainment in God’s sight as in the greatest.
Take up your work, then, you who seem to be nobodies, those tireless and faithful servants who draw little attention. Do it with a brave heart, looking up to Him who for many years toiled at the carpenter’s bench. Do everything as in His presence and to win His approval, Look for opportunities to cheer your fellow workers. Do not complain or grumble, but let your heart rise from your toil to God—your maker, Savior and friend.”
F. B. Meyer (1847-1929)
The Best of F. B. Meyer, 81-82
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Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
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Whatever the Lord Jesus has you doing is a holy assignment. Washing dirty feet was the lowest slave’s job, but when the Lord Jesus did it, this simple humble service became a holy act. The lowest menial work can be a holy act of worship from your heart. Do it for His approval alone. Do it with joy—just for His smile.
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Sound Doctrine Required
Posted by jerrywhite on May 19, 2010
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound (healthy) teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passion, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV)
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The day when many who profess Christ will not endure sound doctrine is upon us. Many strange winds are blowing upon the church. In our day of instant gratification, pleasure seeking, and quick fixes, many professing Christians will not take time to diligently seek, study, meditate and pray over God’s Word so they can understand with mind and heart the vital doctrines of God. Too easily some accept what sounds spiritual from a winsome personality, when in fact it does not match up with God breathed Scriptures. Basic principles of Biblical interpretation are ignored. Fundamental truths the apostles considered crucial are overlooked. Many active in church cannot articulate sound doctrine and cannot even think straight about essential truth. Worse, these truths are not even considered important. “Don’t disturb me with what God truly says, I just want a happy and comfortable life.” The result is that many professing believers hold to a hodge-podge of beliefs that have absolutely no Biblical foundation.
We can show our love for the Lord Jesus by studying His Word so we understand exactly what He says and means. By this our lives can line up with His revealed truth. Otherwise we are spiritually crippled and cannot grow into His likeness. Truth is not about what makes us feel good; it is about what our Lord precisely says so we can stand upon solid Biblical truth, obey His clear commands, and rest upon His glorious promises.
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“It was doctrine in the apostolic ages which emptied the heathen temples, and shook Greece and Rome. It was doctrine which awoke Christendom from its slumbers at the time of the Reformation and spoiled the Pope of one-third of his subjects. It is doctrine which gives power to every successful mission, whether at home or abroad. It is doctrine – doctrine, clear ringing doctrine – which like the rams’ horns at Jericho, casts down the opposition of the devil and sin.”
J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
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A Strong Devotional Life
Posted by jerrywhite on May 17, 2010
“When I was very young and green in the Lord, a missionary friend from Japan shared with me an incident in his life, which left an indelible impression on my own. He approached the godliest man he knew and asked him a very serious question, ‘What is the great key to becoming a man of God?’ The older saint answered without a moment’s hesitation, ‘Maintain a strong devotional life.’
Anyone who has read the biographies of godly saints would have to agree that this is certainly a common denominator with the godly. All of them maintained consistent devotional times with the Lord. John Wesley maintained the lifelong habit of rising every morning at four to seek his Lord. It was said of Hudson Taylor that the sun never rose over China but that it found Hudson Taylor on his face before God. Amy Carmichael was always seeking her Lord early in the morning and praying her way through her well-worn edition of Daily Light. The great Chinese Christian, Pastor Hsi often went to bed with his clothes on in order to rise more quickly in the early morning hours. All who have read A. W. Tozer’s books can testify to the freshness and uniqueness of his insights. This man would rise every morning at five thirty and seek his Lord in prayer.
The men of God in the Bible set the same pattern. David sought the Lord seven times a day (Psalm 119:164). Daniel, even as busy as he was as the Prime Minister of a world empire, sought the Lord three times a day (Daniel 6:10). And Jesus, the perfect Man, continually took time aside to pray alone with His Father (Mark 6:46).
Dan Johnson
Those Who Wait on the Lord…, 4
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“Is it likely that God would call you to do more than he gives you time to do? No one who believes God is good and wise could answer yes. So when it seems you don’t have enough time to do your work, care for your family, love your friends, and devote yourself to prayer and meditation, the problem isn’t God’s providence. The problem may be that you’ve taken on yourself more than God intended.”
Kris Lundgaard
The Enemy Within, 74-75
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