What do you think of when you hear the word sin? For many in the West who have grown up within a Judeo-Christian framework, sin is usually associated with the Ten Commandments. Christians specifically may point to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount for an even deeper understanding of sin. These two passages are certainly important for those who want to fight sin and walk in the ways of the Lord. Unfortunately, sin is often reduced to a list of do’s and don’ts, allowing us to justify ourselves by comparing our do’s to others’ don’ts.
The concept of sin in China is quite different. It is only associated with civil law and not moral law. Therefore, when a Chinese person hears, “you are a sinner” they hear “you are a criminal.” Though many in the West won’t deny that they are sinners, like those in China, they have an equally inadequate view of sin. We need to have a biblically informed and defined view of sin if we are to make any sense of this.
I was delighted today to see that John Piper’s sermon from March 10th at Mars Hill Church in Seattle is available for download. I would commend this message to you, titled “Be Killing Sin or it Will be Killing You” and another one of Dr. Piper’s called “The Importance of Knowing Our Sin.” If you want a deeper understanding of the devastation of sin and the beauty of God’s power to conquer it by His grace, then I would encourage you to download them, chew on the Scriptures that he uses and ask the Lord to help you “kill sin” in your life before it “kills you!”
And please stop by soon for some more thoughts in Part 2!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Be Careful What You Wish For: a lesson in contentment from Numbers 11 & 12
I just finished reading the Book of Numbers today. Among the many practical insights and lessons that can be learned from a people and culture very distant from ours today, this one stood out to me the most.
In Numbers 11:4-6 the people of Israel are grumbling that they only have manna to eat saying, “Oh that we had meat to eat” while lamenting the fact that their life in Egypt was “better” because of the abundance of meat. It’s amazing that the desire for meat seems to completely erase from their memory the harsh conditions of slavery that they faced in Egypt.
The people’s complaining causes grief to their leader Moses, forcing him to go before the Lord and ask where all of this meat is going to come from. He even asks for the Lord to kill him rather than make him carry the heavy burden of a complaining people. The Lord in his kindness does not give Moses the easy way out, but calls him to action. He is told to gather 70 elders who then call the people consecrate themselves.
The Lord promises to give the people what they want - meat! However, He tells them that they will eat it “until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?’” Probably not the response the people were expecting!
Moses questions the Lord’s wisdom and asks how on His green earth He is going to provide meat for 600,000+ people for an entire month. The Lord’s answer is the knockout punch in this whole narrative. He asks Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened?” and then says, “now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
Of course God is going to keep His word. He delivers good on His promise as usual and the people get quail piled up 3 feet high, a day’s journey on each side of the camp. After they gather it and as they are eating it the Lord sends a plague that strikes many of the people down. The name of the place where this narrative occurs is called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means graves of craving).
I think there is a lot to be learned from this series of events. First, God has redeemed us from slavery to sin (Egypt) and we should by faith receive and be content with our daily bread (manna) that He faithfully provides. Second, our cravings for more and better things can be dangerous. God knows our needs and what is best for us. Aligning our wills to His requires sacrifice, patience and endurance. Lastly, be careful what you wish for because God just might give it to you. The desire and craving for meat and a return to pre-redemptive living actually lead to eventual destruction and death for the people of Israel. Let us live as those who have been redeemed and with wholehearted devotion continue to trust the Lord to supply our daily bread!
In Numbers 11:4-6 the people of Israel are grumbling that they only have manna to eat saying, “Oh that we had meat to eat” while lamenting the fact that their life in Egypt was “better” because of the abundance of meat. It’s amazing that the desire for meat seems to completely erase from their memory the harsh conditions of slavery that they faced in Egypt.
The people’s complaining causes grief to their leader Moses, forcing him to go before the Lord and ask where all of this meat is going to come from. He even asks for the Lord to kill him rather than make him carry the heavy burden of a complaining people. The Lord in his kindness does not give Moses the easy way out, but calls him to action. He is told to gather 70 elders who then call the people consecrate themselves.
The Lord promises to give the people what they want - meat! However, He tells them that they will eat it “until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?’” Probably not the response the people were expecting!
Moses questions the Lord’s wisdom and asks how on His green earth He is going to provide meat for 600,000+ people for an entire month. The Lord’s answer is the knockout punch in this whole narrative. He asks Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened?” and then says, “now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
Of course God is going to keep His word. He delivers good on His promise as usual and the people get quail piled up 3 feet high, a day’s journey on each side of the camp. After they gather it and as they are eating it the Lord sends a plague that strikes many of the people down. The name of the place where this narrative occurs is called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means graves of craving).
I think there is a lot to be learned from this series of events. First, God has redeemed us from slavery to sin (Egypt) and we should by faith receive and be content with our daily bread (manna) that He faithfully provides. Second, our cravings for more and better things can be dangerous. God knows our needs and what is best for us. Aligning our wills to His requires sacrifice, patience and endurance. Lastly, be careful what you wish for because God just might give it to you. The desire and craving for meat and a return to pre-redemptive living actually lead to eventual destruction and death for the people of Israel. Let us live as those who have been redeemed and with wholehearted devotion continue to trust the Lord to supply our daily bread!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
My Wonderful Family
I am dedicating this new blog to my wonderful family. God has richly blessed me in so many ways that I don’t deserve. I hope to share thoughts here on life, family & theology. I hope that it can be a blessing and encouragement to all who “stop by”.
In my office I have a picture of my lovely wife with Proverbs 18:22 written beside it, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I don’t know where I would be be without the good thing...or should I say best thing that the Lord has given me. Lindsey, thank you for being an excellent wife who truly fears the Lord and walks in His ways!
The theme of this blog comes from Psalm 127:4-5a, “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” The verse before it says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” There are days when we are exhausted and overwhelmed when it is hard to believe this, but we know it is true. I praise God for each one of my children and how He has uniquely made them.
Lily, a.k.a. “Silly Lily” is my firstborn and full of the funniest faces I have ever seen. There’s something about the camera that forces her tongue to exit her mouth. I think I know where she gets that from! It’s a blessing to see a 5 year old full of so much energy and with such a desire to learn. Lord, make Lily a sharp arrow for your glory!
Caedmon, a.k.a. “Cades Bud” is my only son and so much like his dad...a little sensitive but pretty daring. He loves wrestling and trying to jump off of anything he can find. An adventuresome 4 year old who is full of spunk! He also thinks shaving like dad is pretty cool. Lord, make Caedmon a straight arrow who fears you and walks in your ways!
Hadassah, a.k.a. “Dassah Bean” is my little trouble maker. The look on her face in this picture says it all! She definitely has an independent personality and likes exploring everything. She loves following her big siblings around and learning from them. It's fun to hear her start to say some more words and be able to communicate better. I think she'll be one who has a lot to say :). Lord, make Hadassah a bold and strong arrow for your service!
Vivianna hasn’t earned her nickname yet. She is just a cute little peanut who makes me smile every time I look at her. It is so fun to see such innocence and realize what a great responsibility it is from the Lord to be entrusted with teaching them to walk in His ways. Lord, make Vivianna a bright shining arrow in Your world!
Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Lord, unless you build my family I will labor in vain. Unless you watch over them I will stay awake in vain. They belong to You Lord. Help me be faithful to love and serve my wife and children whom you have entrusted me with.
And may every word I type on this blog be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!
In my office I have a picture of my lovely wife with Proverbs 18:22 written beside it, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I don’t know where I would be be without the good thing...or should I say best thing that the Lord has given me. Lindsey, thank you for being an excellent wife who truly fears the Lord and walks in His ways!The theme of this blog comes from Psalm 127:4-5a, “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” The verse before it says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” There are days when we are exhausted and overwhelmed when it is hard to believe this, but we know it is true. I praise God for each one of my children and how He has uniquely made them.
Lily, a.k.a. “Silly Lily” is my firstborn and full of the funniest faces I have ever seen. There’s something about the camera that forces her tongue to exit her mouth. I think I know where she gets that from! It’s a blessing to see a 5 year old full of so much energy and with such a desire to learn. Lord, make Lily a sharp arrow for your glory!
Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Lord, unless you build my family I will labor in vain. Unless you watch over them I will stay awake in vain. They belong to You Lord. Help me be faithful to love and serve my wife and children whom you have entrusted me with.
And may every word I type on this blog be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!
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