The Ills of Idolatry

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. ~1 John 5:21

Its funny how one may complain when the sermon goes just a few minutes longer than they expected but get excited when the football game goes into overtime. Its funny how one may justify missing church on Sunday but set aside everything to make sure that they do not miss the season premiere of their favorite TV show. Its funny how there seems to be no time to read and study Scripture yet one can always find time to watch TV for two hours and go through the whole newspaper. Where does our treasure really lie? How concerned are we about the things of God?

Now the things mentioned may not be bad in themselves; depending on the content. I am not dissing football at all. I root my Redskins on when they have a good game. I have certain TV shows that I may watch from time to time. The issue comes with where we place our priorities and devotion. John Calvin said it well when he stated, "The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much."

The Apostle John closes his letter with this warning that we should keep ourselves from idols. We often think of idols as a golden bull calf or a wooden statue. However, an idol is much more than that. Anything can become an idol if we place its value above God or desire it more than God Himself. It is worshiping and serving something that is “created” instead of the “Creator” (Romans 1:24). Ken Sande has defined an idol as “something other than God that we set our hearts on (Luke 12:29;1 Cor. 10:6), that motivates us (1 Cor. 4:5), that masters or rules us (Ps. 119:133), or that we serve (Matt. 6:24).” This may be an object, person, or even an idea. It can even be something good or beneficial but if it becomes the center of our universe and what we desire more than anything else, then we have crafted it to be an idol, and thus a rival god.

The fact that John gives us this warning indicates that we are susceptible to idolatry. It is so easy for something we desire or devote our time to take the place of our focus and commitment for God. He commands us to guard or keep ourselves from this idolatry. This means that we need to constantly be on the alert about anything we desire too much that may distract us from our worship of God or lead us away from Him. In fact, the Greek term used here for guard is the same term used to describe the actions of shepherds in relation to their flocks and soldiers with their prisoners. Both shepherds and soldiers have to maintain a close watch over those entrusted to them, protect them, and make sure that they do not go astray or escape. We must keep a close watch on ourselves at all times to ensure that we are not giving something or someone more attention than what we should be giving to God. We need to protect ourselves from crafting an idol by constantly keeping God as the center of all that we say and do. Being thankful to Him and seeking to use everything He gives for His glory. Daily study of God’s Word and regular times of prayer can aid us in keeping John’s instruction. May we be diligent to always put God first and do all things for Him and never give the glory that He deserves to any other.

I am the LORD; that is My name;
My glory I give to no other,
nor My praise to carved idols.
~Isaiah 42:9

Love in Christ,
Pastor Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!

"It is Finished"

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
~John 19:28-30

Last night I basically preached on one word for our love feast and communion service. Normally I preach on a passage or paragraph. However, this one word carries so much meaning in its context that a full sermon doesn't do it justice. In fact, Charles Spurgeon has commented on this word that it "would need all the other words that were ever spoken, to explain it . . . It is altogether immeasurable. It is high; I cannot attain to it. It is deep; I cannot fathom it." The word in which I am referring is the Greek word tetelestai. It is rendered in most English translations as It is finished. This is one of seven utterances that Jesus made while hanging on the cross. He would have said this with His very last breaths. It is the last thing that He says before giving up His life.

Mission Accomplished
The Greek term comes from the root word, teleios, which means purpose, goal, end. It is often used to convey the carrying out of a task. When Jesus cries this word out from the cross, He is declaring that His goal or purpose has been finished or accomplished. He did not say that I am finished but instead that it is finished. He was not referring to His life being over but His mission being completed. He had accomplished the mission for which He came to earth to do.

What was this mission? It doesn't take long for us to go through the Gospels to find out. In the opening chapter of Matthew's gospel, we read the angel who appeared to Joseph tell him regarding Mary that She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). His mission was to save His people from their sins. In fact, Jesus' very name indicates His mission. In Aramaic, Jesus is Yeshua, which means Yahweh is Salvation or Yahweh Saves. Jesus Himself stated that He came not . . . to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). His mission was to save His people from their sins by giving His life as a ransom. He came to live the obedient life that Adam didn't live and die to experience God's full wrath on the cross in place of those who would trust in Him. A wrath that He did not deserve because He was sinless but that everyone of us does deserve because of Adam's sin and our many sins. He came to serve as a substitute. This was the mission that He declares accomplished. The ransom had been made and the substitution complete.

Mission Fully Accomplished
This Greek word is an intensive perfect, which means that it conveys a full completion of the task at a specific point in the past. One could actually translate it as It has been finished. There is a finality to Christ's work of redemption that He accomplished on the cross. The work had now been "fully finished" and "completely completed." In fact, this Greek word, tetelastai, was often used in the marketplace during the time of Christ's life. It would be stamped upon a receipt after a purchase of a good to indicate that the transaction had been "paid in full." The debt of sin had been "paid in full" by Christ's death on the cross. All of the sins of those who would trust in Christ were paid for; whether they were past, present, or future.

This means that nothing more needs to be done pertaining to our redemption. There is nothing that we can add to Christ's work. We cannot add our own works. The work has been accomplished because of Christ's substitutionary death. Former president George W. Bush has stated that one of his regrets during his time in office was giving a speech after the Iraq insurgency in front of a banner that stated: "Mission Accomplished." This communicated to the American people that the work had been done in Iraq when as we all now know, much more work needed yet to be done. However, Christ could loudly declare "Mission Accomplished" as His mission had been completely accomplished. Nothing more needed to be done for those who would by God's grace be brought to Him. He did all that was necessary. This truth is communicated well by the author of Hebrews when he writes Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins of all time, sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:11-12). The Old Testament priests were never allowed to sit down when they were doing their duty of offering the annual sacrifice for their people. This was symbolic of the fact that their work was not done. The sacrifice offered would only symbolically cover the sins of the previous year. They would have to enter into the "holy of holies" once again the next year for the sins of that year. However, Jesus is said to sit down as His work was finished when He offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. No other sacrifice for sin was needed after His death. His cry from the cross communicated this.

We celebrate this holy week the finished work of Christ. We celebrate the work of redemption that He has accomplished that Friday on Calvary. Praise God that Christ's work is finished!

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!

God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

One issue that many Christians struggle with concerns how God can be described as sovereign over all things and yet man be held responsible for his actions and decisions. Many mistakenly view these two truths as being contradictory. If God is absolutely sovereign, then they reason that man could not be faulted for his sins or since man makes choices and is held accountable to those choices, then God could not be properly described as sovereign. However, Scripture clearly teaches both points without any hint of them being in opposition. One cannot deny either truth. Often they are displayed side by side. The following are several examples in Scripture where both God is shown to be fully sovereign and determining that everything occurs according to His divine plan while man is identified as being guilty of specific sins that he committed under God's sovereign reign. My hope is that these examples and my explanations that follow will aid those who struggle with this issue.

The Treachery of Joseph's Brothers and the Triumph of God's Promise

After the death of Jacob, Joseph's brothers feared that Joseph would get them back for their treachery against him when he was a kid (Genesis 50:15). They had sold him to the Ishmaelites due to their jealousy over their father's greater affection for the young man (Genesis 37:25-28). Instead of retaliating, Joseph says to them: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today (Genesis 50:19). Notice here that there is one event and two intentions. Joseph's brothers meant evil in their action of selling him to the Ishmaelites but God, in permitting the brothers to do it (He could have easily stopped it in some way), meant it for good. God had a greater purpose in His sovereignty. His purpose was to preserve many people alive and keep His promise to Abraham. Think about it. Had Joseph not wound up in Egypt through the means of his brothers' sin, Jacob and his children would have all died in Canaan. Thus God would not have been faithful to His promise to make a great nation with many descendants from Abraham (Genesis 12:2). It was due to Joseph being in Egypt and having been given the ability to interpret the Pharaoh's dream that predicted seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, that he found himself placed into the position of being the second highest rank in Egypt and able to save and distribute food to those who would be hurting in the time of the famine. This would include his father and his brothers. Without God's provision in this manner, Jacob and his sons would have perished without the twelve tribes of Israel developing and then Abraham left without any descendants. This means of provision through the brothers' sin was exactly how God planned for it to happen as seen with the dreams given to Joseph when he was a young boy (Genesis 37:5-10). While the brothers were held responsible for their treacherous action, God is shown to triumph through His sovereignty over them. In no way is God accused of evil in His intentions or actions in His allowance of the brothers' deeds.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

Ten times Scripture describes God as hardening Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1,20,27; 11:10; 14:4,8,17) and ten times it refers to the king hardening his own heart (7:13,14,22; 8:15,19,32; 9:7,34,35; 13:15). I think that the best way to understand this is to view God as withholding His grace from Pharaoh which would result in him hardening his own heart. God certainly cannot cause someone to sin because it goes against His holy character (James 1:13). God in His sovereignty could have sent His Spirit to soften Pharaoh's heart and move him to release the Israelites sooner. However, God desired to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth (Exodus 9:16). Pharaoh is held responsible for the hardening of his heart and God is shown to have planned for it to occur. In fact, the first mentioning of this hardening refers to God determining that I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go (Exodus 4:21).

The Planned Rejection of God

In 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel sin by demanding that the prophet Samuel appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations (v. 5). This would be a sin because they in essence rejected God as their king (v. 7). They were indicating that they thought that God was not sufficient to lead them and that they would rather be like all the nations instead of being the set apart nation devoted solely to Him that God had called them to be. However, a kingship for Israel, although a sin due to it indicating their rejection of God, was planned from early on. In fact, it was part of the promise that God gave to Abraham. He told the patriarch that I will make you into nations and kings shall come from you (Genesis 17:6). Furthermore, through Jacob, God determined that The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples (Genesis 49:10). Thus, God planned for man's rejection of him through their demanding of a king. As was with the case of Joseph and his brothers, God permitted this disobedience to serve as the means of accomplishing His plan.

Another planned rejection of God can be seen with the Jews in their rejection of their Messiah. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him (John 1:11). Although Jesus was the "king of the Jews," the Jews rejected Him and had Him crucified on the cross. They failed to recognize the time of your visitation (Luke 19:44). However, Paul tells us that this rejection had been planned by God from the beginning. Speaking of God's righteous dealings with His chosen nation of Israel, he quotes two Old Testament passages that demonstrate that God planned for their hardening (Romans 11:8-10). This hardening was clearly God's doing as Isaiah 29:10 states that God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day (emphasis added). The truth of Who Jesus was and His importance was hidden from their eyes (Luke 19:42) Yet, the Jews are held responsible for their rejection. God's purpose in their rejection was to provide salvation to the Gentiles (literally in Greek the nations) and in turn the extending of salvation to the other nations will result in bringing a large remnant of Israel to obedience (Romans 11:11-12, 25-27). God once again used human actions, which man was held fully responsible for, to accomplish His divine plan for His glory.

The Punishers and Their Punishment

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declares the nation of Assyria as the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is my fury (Isaiah 10:5). To punish His people, the nation of Israel, God plans to send the Assyrians to capture them. Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of My wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets (v. 6). While God intends to use the Assyrians to attack the people of Israel and take them into captivity, they have a different intention. But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few (v. 7). Instead, they desire to make themselves look great through the conquering of the nation of Israel. Just as God used the wicked motives of Joseph's brothers for a greater intention that He had, here He uses the wicked intentions of the nation of Assyria. However, the Assyrians were still held responsible for their sinful intentions and punished. When the Lord has finished all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes (v. 12). It may be important to note that this states that God punished them for their attitude and intentions and not necessarily the act of capturing Israel. They are faulted for exalting themselves over God and not recognizing Him using them for His work (v. 15). God used wickedness to punish wickedness and made sure that none of the wicked went unpunished.

The Predetermined Sin to Take Away All Sin

As part of his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter refers to Christ's death as a product of both God's sovereign plan and man's sin. He describes Jesus as being delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23). Thus, Jesus' death occurred as planned and ordained by God. This plan was definite, meaning that God intended for it to occur and would ensure that it would occur. It was predetermined as indicated by it transpiring according to God's foreknowledge. He formulated this plan before hand. Yet, man is held responsible for the sin that was done according to the divine plan. Peter states that this Jesus . . . you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God ordained the sin of the murder of His Son to serve as the means to take away the sins of those who would trust in Christ. Basically, God conquered sin with sin!

Saving the Shipwreck

While caught in a storm sailing towards Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, Paul tells everyone on the ship that an angel had appeared to him, promising that God has granted you all those who sail with you (Acts 27:24). Due to God's word on this matter, Paul could boldly state that there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship (v. 22). However, when some of the sailors were attempting to leave the ship in fear that it would hit the rocks, Paul tells them Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved (v.31). Paul certainly did not forget God's promise that He would preserve everyone's life of those who were on the ship. The next day he reminded them of that promise. for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you (v. 34). Instead, he recognized that God not only ordains the end of His plan but also the means to that specific end. Had the sailors left the ship in their small boats, no one would have been left on the ship who were skilled in directing the ship to its intended destination and who would have been able to handle the shipwreck they would experience. God used the means of the sailors serving on the ship to ensure that they all made it safely to the land. In fact, God also used the means of the centurion to ensure that the prisoners would not lose their lives when the soldiers desired to kill them in case they tried to escape during the shipwreck (vv. 42-43). Through the means of the sailors staying on the ship and the centurion convincing the soldiers to spare the lives of the prisoners, all were brought safely to land (v. 44). God kept His promise through the means of these men's actions. Had the sailors left or the centurion remained quiet, lives would have been lost.

Our and God's Work in Our Sanctification

Paul commands believers to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is clearly a command as the Greek verb is in the imperative mood, which indicates a command being given. However, Paul goes on to explain that God also is at work within them both to will and to work for His good pleasure (v. 13). The implication here is that, although Paul commands us to work and live out our salvation, we cannot obey that command without God's work in us. We can work only because God is working in us to enable us to do so. Augustine understood this when he stated "Give what you command and command what you will." In other words, "command me to do whatever you wish, but give me the ability to obey that command." Thus, man is responsible for this "working" and God is sovereign over it.

Some Final Reflections

In all of these passages, you see God presented as sovereign over every person and event, yet people still being held accountable for their actions. In each case we have one action, two actors, and two intentions. Often the human actor's intentions differ from God's who serves as the other actor. However, one action results from the two actors and their two intentions. God uses the human actor with his intentions, though often sinful, to accomplish the action of His intention. He thus can be described as the "primary" cause of the action with the human actor deemed as the "secondary" cause. The human actor only does what God allows or enables the human actor to do. He is still held accountable for his sinful intentions and desires. All of this is to accomplish God's ultimate purpose. The Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes this point well: “God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.”

As students of Scripture, we must affirm that both God is sovereign and man held responsible for his actions and decisions, exercised under God's sovereignty hand. We may not fully understand how these two fit together but we cannot deny either. Let's always remain true to the text of Scripture, especially in regards to the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.


In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!

Christ and Him Crucified

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
~1 Corinthians 2:1-2

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church that his preaching to them when he had been with them was not with fanciful words nor persuasive language. Instead, he preached the word of the cross (1:18), the truth of Christ dying on the cross to suffer the punishment of those who would place their faith in Him so that they would be saved. He describes this message as being foolish to unbelievers but the power of God to those who are saved (1:18, 23). Recognizing that the power to transform lives came from the message of the cross, Paul focused on that central message. In fact, he states that he determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

All of Paul’s teaching revolved around Christ and His work on the cross. This doesn’t mean that the cross was all that he talked about. He discusses marriage later on in the letter as well as spiritual gifts. However, everything he preached and taught were done so in light of the cross. Everything that he said connected to Christ’s work of redemption. It was all done in the shadow of the cross. He always referred back to God’s saving work on the cross and how that enabled one to live a life that glorifies God. How that saving work enables us to obey God’s commands and walk righteously.

What about us? Does our teaching and actions all center on the cross and Christ’s work of redemption? Is everything that we do done in the light of the cross? Often we focus a great deal on the cross during the season of Lent and at Easter but does it occupy our mind in our day to day activities when the holiday season is over? After all, the cross represents the power of God that saved us from our sins through our repentance and faith in Christ. Should it not then be front and center in our life and thought? Should it not be the primary message we share with unbelievers?

Let us, like Paul, resolve to look at all things in light of Christ’s work on the cross and in that cross alone find our boast (Galatians 6:14).

The church can only live and breathe at the cross; without it, there is no life and reason to exist. ~Erwin Lutzer

Love in Christ,
Pastor Lee

A Biblical Perspective on the Earthquake in Japan

The following is a revised version of my original post about a little over a year ago: "A Biblical Perspective on Haiti." Much of the same questions and comments we saw over the current situation in Japan resemble those formerly discussed with Haiti.

Everyone is aware of the tragic earthquake that has ravished the nation of Japan and left mass amounts of destruction in its wake. The number of losses are still coming in. Several agencies and organizations have already begun to send aid to the country. The responses to the news of the disaster have varied. As with every major catastrophe witnessed, various questions have emerged with endless answers given. As with the tsunami in India, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and the earthquake in Haiti a little over a year ago, many question God's role in this situation and His purpose if any. Some are tempted to claim this as a sign of God's judgment. Others do not believe that God was even in control of the earthquake at all. How should we understand the massive event that occurred just a few days ago? Following are some things I believe we would be wise to avoid in forming our perspective of the earthquake and its aftermath.

We must be careful not to err by failing to recognize God's sovereignty in the event.
The Bible cannot be clearer that God is fully sovereign and in complete control over all things, including natural disasters such as earthquakes. Paul tells us that God works all things after the counsel of His will. This all things would include the earthquake that devastated Japan. In fact, Amos points out that If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? (Amos 3:6). This is part of a series of questions posed to get the people of Israel to see that God's judgment was certain. Just as no calamity or natural disaster can occur in a city without God doing it, God will not promise judgment without bringing it about as Amos has proclaimed (v 2). To say that God was not in control of the earthquake would be unbiblical. It would mean that the earthquake exerted power over God and He could not stop it. Instead, God is described as actively in control of all nature. He is the one who rained hail down upon Israel's enemies in Joshua's battle at Gibeon (Joshua 10:11-12) and has the power to both give and withhold rain (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1; 2 Chronicles 7:13; Matthew 5:45). God is in control of all the weather and orchestrates it as He sees fit. A single rebellious molecule cannot be found in existence.

We must be careful not to err by declaring a purpose that God has not explicitly revealed.
One of the first things that many people do when such a natural disaster strikes as what we are witnessing in Japan is to declare it to be God's judgment. We saw this with Haiti when Pat Robertson claimed that the earthquake was God punishing the nation for a "pact with the devil" that they had made. While it is true that God does judge both individuals and nations, both in ways currently as well as ultimately in the future, we need to be careful in being presumptuous in regard to this recent disaster. This could be God's wrath upon the nation of Japan for their sins but He also could have other purposes for the turmoil. Ultimately, we do not know for certain God's plans in bringing about this disaster as well as how He intends to reveal Himself in the earthquake's aftermath. After all, God states through Isaiah that "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, / Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, / So are My ways higher than your ways / And My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). Scripture counsels use to be careful in proclaiming something that God has not explicitly revealed. The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). God clearly brought the earthquake about for His intended purpose, whether that be for judgment or other wise reasons. We cannot say with certainty God's purpose without a direct word from Him and God has not specified the reason for this specific occasion in His revealed Word.

We must be careful not to err by failing to recognize that we deserved this calamity just as much as the people of Japan.
The major question asked in the wake of this earthquake has been "Why Japan?" A similar question was asked pertaining to Hurricane Katrina in regard to the people of New Orleans as well as India with the tsunami and just last year with the people of Haiti. What did they do that deserved such a disaster? In fact, Jesus was asked a similar question about 2000 years ago recorded in Luke 13:1-5. While speaking to a large crowd, a group informs Jesus about an atrocity which Pilate had committed. The exact situation is unknown to us today but we can infer that it had something to do with a slaughter of Jews during their sacrifices. Not only was this a terrible occurrence, but it took place during worship which made it even more horrendous. Jesus realized right away the question that they had concerning this issue. They thought that this plight was the result of them being greater sinners than all others. However, Jesus sought to turn their perspective completely around.

Instead of agreeing with their assumption, Jesus took the focus off the victims and placed it on the questioners. The reason this group was slaughtered was not because they were greater sinners. The ones who were killed were no more sinners than the ones commenting concerning them. (Note: This does not necessarily mean that the events God permits or causes to occur are always punishment for specific sins. John 9 makes it clear that, while a result of the curse of sin, not all infirmities and incidents are due to specific sins.) Those who died in the tsunami, in Hurricane Katrina, as a result of the earthquake in Haiti, and now those in Japan were no more sinners than those of you reading this note as well as the one writing it. We deserved the same! I will never forget a powerful sermon my pastor preached right after the tsunami a few years ago. He told us that the question is not "why them?" but should be "why not us?" We didn't deserve God's mercy to not have the tsunami happen in America, or not have a massive earthquake wreck havoc on the West coast. As Scripture tells us, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We get so used to God's mercy we have problems when He shows us His wrath.

Jesus actually warns the crowd of an even greater fate, much worse than what happened with Pilate and the latter example of the falling of the tower of Siloam. Unless they repent of their sins, they will perish (Luke 13:3,5). This is Jesus' urgent plea to those who are lost in sin. Repentance means a turning from sin. It is the flip side of faith. One turns from sin in repentance and then turns toward Christ by placing their faith in Him due to the work of God's grace. The likewise may refer to the sudden and unexpected death of those in the Temple and at Siloam. Those who went to the Temple that day to offer their sacrifices did not realize that they would not be returning home. The possibility of the tower falling on the group in Siloam probably never occurred to them. Likewise, if the crowd does not turn from their sins and turn to Christ they will suddenly and unexpectedly (to them) experience the punishment for their sins. The author of Hebrews tells us that it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We must not focus more on Japan's sins and forget the many sins that plague our nation but even more importantly, our individual lives. We deserve God's wrath just as much as Japan and anyone else.

We must be careful not to err by failing to pray for all those involved and affected by the devastation that occurred in Japan and helping them out in any way possible.
Even if this is God's judgment upon the nation of Japan (and we have no way of knowing this apart from a direct word from Him) we must not neglect to help them in their time of need. The Bible does call us to love your neighbor as you love yourself (Leviticus 19:18). In fact, it is referred to as the second greatest commandment, next to you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind (Luke 10:27). Jesus describes His true sheep as the ones who "fed," "clothed," "cared for the sick," and "visited those in prison" (Matthew 25:31-46). While none of these actions saved these He will gather to His right, they do show evidence of His saving work in their hearts. I praise God at the amount of aid that is currently being sent to Japan right now and pray that God will provide them with enough if it be His will. Of course, the most loving thing that can be given to the people of Japan who have been granted the privilege to survive this earthquake is the blessed good news of salvation found only in Christ. Many of those who were spared death would have wound up in Hell because of their sins and failure to embrace the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The greater need is spiritual and while God can and often does use the means of meeting physical needs to show people their greater spiritual need, the spiritual need must not be neglected. Otherwise, it would be like I heard a pastor once describe it as "giving cough drops to someone with tuberculosis." They are only dealing with the symptoms of the disease and not the disease itself. I pray that God would use this earthquake to reveal Himself to many and bring them to a recognizance of their sins and need of a Savior. May He open their eyes to Who the Savior is and move them to turn from their sin and embrace Him.

May we not err in any of these ways in our own continual evaluation of Japan but instead remember that God is sovereign and in control, has a purpose we may not understand nor be sure of, reminds us that we deserved His wrath just as much, and go out and minister to the people of Japan in any way the Lord may give opportunity. May God use this disaster to show His glory and accomplish His purpose!

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!

Problems With the Concept of "Free Will"

"Free will" has become a popular phrase that occurs in just about every theological or philosophical discussion, especially those involving God's salvation of sinners. It doesn't take long when someone talks about the biblical terms predestination and election for the phrase to enter into the conversation. Several times I have taught on Romans 9 where Paul argues that God has chosen certain individuals from among the nation of Israel to be a part of His promised plan of redemption while excluding others from that plan (Isaac and not Ishmael, Jacob and not Esau) when someone will politely remind me that "man has a free will" or that "man's free will must have factored into God's decision." Paul explicitly states that the choice had nothing to do with the actions of the chosen but because of Him who calls (v. 11). Later he says So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy (v. 16). In fact, Paul is not concerned in this chapter about man's will at all but instead God's sovereignty in His dealings with Israel. Yet, many often read the idea of "free will" into the passage. The assumption is that since man clearly makes choices, he then must have the freedom to choose to do good or evil and to choose to accept or reject Christ. However, such a concept actually goes against what Scripture teaches concerning man's freedom.

The Bible's Description of Man"s Nature

The Bible does not describe man as free in the sense that many people argue. Instead, Paul describes man as a slave. He tells the Roman Christians that they were slaves of sin at one time (Romans 6:17). The verb to be in the Greek of this verse is in the imperfect tense. This tense describes a continual action that occurred in the past from the perspective of the author's writing. This slavery was not just their condition whenever they sinned but was a constant ongoing condition that they found themselves in. Such a condition they are born with as part of their nature. Paul says in Ephesians 2:3 that the believers were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. David affirmed this as well when he recognized that Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, / And in sin my mother conceived me (Psalm 51:5). They sinned because they each were a slave to sin. This explains why sin is universal (Romans 3:23); all are born sinners with a desire to sin.

By definition a slave is not free. In introducing the analogy of slavery, Paul explains Do you not know that when you present yourselves slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin to death or of obedience to righteousness? (v. 16). A slave is bound to his master. He will do what his master commands. Paul informs us that we are slaves but the question is to which master. We either are obedient to sin or to righteousness. Thus, if our master is sin, we will be obedient to sin. As it has been shown, our default position is being a slave to sin. We are born into this slavery. The only way that one can be freed from this constant slavery to sin is by the power of God. Paul mentions that this group became obedient from the heart to the type of teaching you were given over to and having been set free from sin you became a slave to righteousness (vv. 17-18). The Greek verb for set free here is in the passive voice which indicates that the "freeing" happened to them and that they did not do it themselves. The passive voice communicates that the subject receives the action of the verb while the active voice describes the subject performing the action. This becoming free from this slavery to sin was not something that this group were able to do but had to be done for them. Paul certainly has God in mind as the one who frees man from this slavery as He is the One thanked for this change of masters for the group (But thanks to God) (v. 17). Paul's point in using this analogy and its application to the Roman Christians in the greater context is to answer the anticipated objection that since the believer is no longer under the burden of meeting the requirements of the Law but saved by God's grace that he can then freely sin. Reminding them that they once were slaves to sin but that God has made them a slave to righteousness and the results of each, he encourages them to act as the new slave to righteousness that God has now made them and not the slave to sin that they once were (vv. 19-23).

Jesus uses this same analogy of slavery in a discussion with the Jews who believed in Him. He explains to them the evidence of genuine conversion to be the continuing obedience to His Word. If you continue in My word, you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32). This statement about the truth making one free sparked a question as to the Jews' own freedom. We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become free'? (v. 33). Jesus answers them by telling them that they were enslaved to their sin. Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who does sin is a slave to sin (v. 34). The verb do is in the present tense and thus indicates an ongoing practicing of sin. The one constantly in the state of sin shows that he is a slave to sin. He is just following his master. The only way one can be free from this slavery to sin according to Jesus is if the Son sets you free, then you will be free (v. 36). The Son must be the One to set one free for them to be free. The implication here is that we are not able to free ourselves but the Lord Jesus has to be the one to break our bondage. According to both Paul and Jesus, man is not born with a "free will" but instead is in bondage to sin and unable to break away from his slavery unless God or Jesus comes to his aid to free him.

Man's Nature Leaves Him Unwilling and Thus Unable to Come to Christ

The reason that man is enslaved to sin as both Paul and Jesus describes is due to the sinful desires that he has as part of his nature that he is born with. Every decision that we make is always based on our greatest desire or inclination at the moment. Our choices are in essence determined by our desires. For instance, I am choosing to write this article right now instead of sleeping (it is around 2:00 in the morning), reading, or watching TV since my greatest desire at the moment is to explain to many who are confused about the issue of "free will" just what the Bible says concerning the matter. The time that I have right now, my being a "night owl" who functions well in the late hours, and the burden on my heart to write this article, all factor in this being my most desirable option to me at the moment. My desire to write this article is greater than the desires for the other options available to me presently. Also, to use an illustration that I am beginning to become famous for (my Sunday School class just loved this last week!), we can see this principle illustrated with our choices concerning the different flavors of ice cream. If you would place strawberry and chocolate ice cream both in front of me, I would inevitable choose strawberry because it is my favorite flavor and I find chocolate ice cream detestable. Because I do not desire chocolate ice cream, I therefore will never choose it; especially when strawberry ice cream is an option. I am unwilling to choose chocolate ice cream because I do not like it. The only way for me to be able to choose chocolate ice cream over strawberry would be for my tastes for the two of them to change. Strawberry ice cream would have to become repulsive to me and chocolate ice cream would have to become delicious. Otherwise, strawberry will always get my vote.

We see this principle of our choices being determined by our inner desires spiritually. The Bible teaches that man is unable to come to Christ without the inner work of God's grace. Jesus said that No one is able to come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:44). God must draw someone to come to Christ because man is not able in and of himself to do so. This drawing should be understood as effectual since the same one that the Father draws, Jesus promises to raise him up on the last day. Jesus certainly would not be raising up those on the last day who do not come to Him since He stated that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Likewise, Paul states that Those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Those who are in the flesh refer to unbelievers who have not been converted as Paul points out that this is what the believers in Rome once were but that now they have the Spirit, indicating that they are saved (v. 9). Furthermore, the prophet Jeremiah told the people of Israel Can the Ethiopian change his skin / Or the leopard his spots? You also can do good / Who are accustomed to doing evil (Jeremiah 13:23). Just as the Ethiopian cannot "choose" to change the color of his skin and the leopard cannot "choose" to change his spots to stripes, sinners cannot "choose" to do good because of their evil nature. The reason for this inability spawns from man's unwillingness. He cannot come to Christ because he is not willing to take steps in that direction. Speaking to a group of Pharisees, Jesus says and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life (John 5:4). This unwillingness results from a strong desire for sin and a lack of a desire for God.

John tells us that This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3:19-20). The reason that man rejects the Light, which is Christ, is because he loves the darkness and hates the Light. In other words, he has a desire for the darkness and not for the Light. The unregenerate man loves his sin and hates God. He runs towards his sin and away from God. Quoting from Psalm 14, Paul states that There is none who seeks for God; / All have turned aside, together they have become useless (Romans 3:11-12). While man may seek the things that only God can give, such as the peace that passes understanding and full satisfaction, he does not desire God Himself. He would much rather sin than come to God. In relation to my analogy of ice cream, the unregenerate man would view God as the chocolate ice cream which appears repulsive to him and sin as the strawberry ice cream which he loves. He will always choose the strawberry ice cream of sin because it is more desirable to him and not touch the chocolate because he lacks the desire for it. He cannot choose Christ because he does not desire to do so. The only way for man to be able to come to Christ would be for his nature with his desires to be changed. In fact, this is exactly what happens in conversion or being born again as Jesus calls it (John 3:3). This being born of water and the Spirit (v. 5) more likely refers to God's promise through Ezekiel to cleanse His people and give them a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-27). While originally directed to Israel, this prophecy would also apply to select Gentiles that God draws to Christ as He has included Gentiles to share in His salvation and the New Covenant promises through Israel's rejection (Romans 11:11-18; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 10:15-18). The description of a new heart and a new spirit indicates that these are different than the old ones that the people had. Unlike the old heart and spirit with their love of sin and hatred towards God, these new ones would have a hatred toward sin and a love for God. The difference between the two can be inevitably seen by the actions that follow from their desires. Paul points out the deeds of the flesh which are characteristic of an unbeliever and the fruit of the Spirit which are the qualities that shine forth from a genuine believer (Galatians 5:19-24).

Forgetting the Fall

"Free will" proponents actually appear to forget that the Fall occurred and that it affected all mankind. They portray man as being in the same state as Adam and Eve were before their act of disobedience. Several times I have heard someone say, "man was created with 'free will' just like Adam and Eve." While Adam and Eve did have "free will" in the sense that they had the ability to choose to sin or to choose not to sin, they lost that "free will" upon their disobedience. The Fall affected all men and not just Adam and Eve. It was through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men (Romans 5:18; emphasis mine). through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners (v. 19). The sin nature described above, man inherits from Adam. He is not born originally righteous as Adam was created. He does not have the ability that Adam once had to choose to sin or to choose not to sin. Instead, he is born a slave to sin who can only choose to sin but is not able to choose not to sin. (For a more in depth look at why the good that man does is not viewed as good in God's eyes, see my previous post, "The Disappearance of Depravity") It is not until Christ frees the sinner through the granting of him the new heart with the new desires that he is free in the sense that Adam and Eve were. The born again believer can choose to sin or choose not to sin. This is why we struggle with sin and still trip up often. When our sanctification is complete and we are glorified, we will no longer be able to choose to sin. The only option we will have will be to choose not to sin. Those who hold to the concept of "free will" discussed in this article have to admit that there cannot be such a "free will" among those who are in heaven. The "free will" that they claim that man naturally has only applies to the one that Christ frees from their natural slavery to sin and that only after His work of doing so.

What About God's Commands?

Those who hold to the popular modern perception of "free will" argue that the reality of God's commands indicates the "free will" of the individuals to whom the commands are directed. They reason that God would never command someone to do something that he or she does not have the ability to do. Following this logic, they conclude that if God commands us to repent and believe in Christ, then that must mean that man has the capability to respond either positively or negatively. In fact, this claim served as one of the foundational arguments for Pelagius. He took issue to Augustine's prayer, "Grant what You command and command what You desire." He thought it was ludicrous to pray that God needed to give one the ability to obey His commands. However, a command in no way necessitates that the one whom the command is directed contains the ability to respond. In fact, we find a few examples in Scripture where a command is given which is impossible for the recipient of the command to obey without God's divine intervention.

In Ezekiel 37, God instructs the prophet Ezekiel to command dry bones to hear the word of the LORD (v. 4). Hear is in the imperative form in Hebrew, indicating that this clearly is a command. Dry bones are dead, lifeless bones. Because they are dead, they are not able to hear anything. However, through the power of God's word that He will breathe life into these dry bones, they came together and became covered with skin (vv. 7-8). God then commands the prophet to call on the wind to breathe into these men and it is so (vv. 9-10). The bones would not have been able to hear God's word until after He brought them to life. The life-giving of these dead bones resembles God's promise to restore the people of Israel. Another command given which was impossible for one to obey without God's divine assistance can be seen with Jesus' command to Lazarus. Jesus calls a dead Lazarus to come forth (John 11:43). Lazarus had been dead for four days. He in no way had the ability to respond to Jesus' command to get up and come out of the tomb. God had to give him the life needed for him to be able to respond. In both cases, a command is given to a recipient that lacks the ability to obey.

Actually, all of God's commandments are impossible for one to obey without God's grace. If we are honest with ourselves, we would recognize how incapable we are of never placing any other "gods" before the one true God. John Calvin put it well when he stated that "the human heart is a factory of idols . . . Everyone of us is, from his mother's womb, expert in inventing idols." Jesus equated hatred with murder (Matthew 5:21-22) and lust with adultery (vv. 27-28). He commanded perfection (v. 48), which is certainly an impossibility for everyone of us.

While faith and repentance are commanded (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 16:31; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20), they also are described as a gift that God gives (John 6:65; Philippians 1:29; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). Although the people of Israel witnessed the mighty works of God during the Exodus, Moses states that Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear (Deuteronomy 29:2-4). God commands that Israel love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5). Later Moses instructs that God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring (Deuteronomy 30:6). The purpose of this "circumcision of the heart" is so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. If the people are able in and of themselves to respond to the command to love the Lord with their entire being, why then does God have to change their heart for them to do so? The commands of Scripture do not indicate that man has a "free will" but only that man needs God's full assistance to obey these commands.

Upon an examination of Scripture, the popular view of "free will" cannot be found. Instead, the Bible portrays man as a slave to sin due to his sinful nature and thus unwilling and unable to come to Christ. Man's only hope is for the Lord Jesus to free him from his bondage and draw him to Him. Let's make sure that we describe man the way that the Bible does and not man-centered philosophy or secular culture.

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!!!

The Best New Year's Resolution

A popular tradition to start the new year is often to formulate a New Year's resolution of something you would like to do better in the year ahead. Many people resolve to loose weight or exercise more. Some make a commitment to be a better person or to specifically work on a certain character flaw. Most of these resolutions are superficial and do not last past a month or two after being made. In fact, it seems like many of the same resolutions are repeated every year due to the previous year's failures. So what would be a good resolution to make for the new year ahead? How about one that would be of spiritual and eternal significance? Why not resolve to do something that God has commanded all of us to do?

In 1 Corinthians 10, right after instructing the Corinthians to show regard to their weaker brothers in relation to the issue of their conscience with eating meat, Paul says that the real issue should be seeking to glorify God. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). If one is seeking to glorify God, he will be mindful of his brother whose conscience may condemn him in eating meat because he could not get past the knowledge that it would have been offered to idols. He would seek to Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God (v. 32) as Paul himself sought to do and not be selfish but look out for the interest of others for the sake of their salvation (v. 33). This principle to do all to the glory of God is not just limited to respecting weaker brothers in the matters of their conscience. It is a summary of what our lives are to consist of. The whatever you do includes everything that you do. From the drinking of orange juice or coffee that you start your day with to the brushing of your teeth right before bed. All of these actions should be performed in a worshipful attitude thanking and praising God for the resources and ability to do them. We should seek to bring glory to God's name in every decision that we make and action that we do. In fact, we were created for the purpose of glorifying God. Christ died for us so that we would live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15). The Westminster Confession summarizes this well when it states that "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan pastor in New England who played a major role in the first Great Awakening, put together his own resolutions for his life. Eventually these resolutions numbered to 70 and they all consisted of what he could do to glorify God. In fact, part of his very first resolution he made was "that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence." Another one of his resolutions was "never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it."

So, while you are pondering what resolution to make this year, why not resolve to do what God has actually called you to do, to do all to the glory of God? Like Edwards, let's seek, by God's grace, to only do what will glorify God's name the most. Let's seek to praise Him in everything that we do and in everything that we say.

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!