The Practice of Piety/Spiritual Discipline

Lessons learned and reflections from Tabletalk Issue July 2010

We're saved/justified by faith, not by our works, but the work of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9, out of many, many verses that said the same thing) But throughout the ages, the people of God have recognized that the pursuit of the Lord is not a passive endeavor. It requires our effort, and we must WORK to know the Lord is we are to deepen our relationship with Him.

While aspects of personal piety ("piety" means religious devotion?) , such as music, prayer, Bible study, meditation and more are not what save us, God has purposes in giving us these spiritual exercises.

"Growth in grace is a lifetime process, aided by several spiritual disciplines outlined in sacred Scripture" (Tabletalk July 2010 p.29)

Salvation in History

Lessons and reflections from Tabletalk, issue March 2010

The salvation that Christianity proclaims is a salvation grounded in history. God enters into history, or I should say God create history, and work through real people, institutions, and events to save His people.

Through studying the Old Testament, we can see how Christ and His church are promised, through people like Abraham, Joshua and David. In events like the Exodus, and in the institution of monarchy. We can learn from them, these people and events from long ago, how to please our common God in our day.

The Ultimate Problem-Solver

If someone comes to me with a problem, I'm more inclined to solve it than to empathize with the person, a trait more stereotypically found in men.

Regardless of what problems we have or had, there is no bigger problem than sin. Sin separate us from God, and bring us condemnation to eternal torment of hell. What other problem can be bigger than that?

Our sins gave us the worst problem, God gave us the perfect solution:

1. Incarnated His Son on earth to live a perfect life, so those who put their faith in Him can be clothed with His righteousness.

2. Sent His Son to die a gruesome death for our place on the cross, so His justice can be done.

So what are YOU going to do with this amazing God? Ignore Him? Do good deeds to appease Him? Call on Him only when you're in trouble?

How about: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30

Sounds great, isn't it? But how's THAT going to be carried out?

To be continued...

All Theology Roads Lead to Romans?

Paul the Apostle's letter to the Romans has a special place in my heart. Not only it's because I love learning about theologies, and this letter is loaded with them. But also it was the book that was preached on when I became a Christian. When the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to understanding some of the doctrines taught there I had no choice but to surrender my life to this amazing God and His gospel.

The way Paul wrote the letter reminded me of how master film directors who don't waste a frame of film nor a line that doesn't further the plot nor character development. There is no "filler" verse in the letter. Studying more than a few verses at a time would surely set my head spinning.

My women's Bible study group has spent about four months studying the first five chapters. My plan is to review them this summer before we continue in the Fall so I can have a really good solid understanding. I pray that what I learn will not only satisfy my quest for knowledge of God, but through that, I'll draw closer to God.

How Not to Judge

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged". Matthew 7:1

A presidential candidate recently used this Bible verse to support his stance on a social issue. This verse is probably one of the most quoted out of context, misunderstood and misapplied verses.

In Romans, the "Do Not Judge" idea is repeated and expanded:

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Romans 2:1-4

The "therefore" in the verse 1 was referring to the previous verses, where the Apostle Paul was saying how NO ONE was righteous, therefore we shouldn't judge others.

So what should we do? Eliminate the whole judicial system? Keep quiet when we see the wrongs in the world? Tolerate, accept and approve all behaviors?

As Christians, the Holy Spirit in us enable us to discern what's right and wrong according to God, not man. And this is a good thing. However, what are in our hearts, what are our attitudes when we recognize sins in others? Do we:

• Feel great about ourselves because we don't/think we don't commit the same sin?
• Feel superior? Prideful?
• Have a sense of self-righteousness?
• Extend condemnation instead of compassion?

What we should be doing instead:
• Be humble and recognize that it's ONLY through God's grace and mercy that we can be free from any sin.
• Recognize that we too are sinners, not better than them.
• Be thankful for God's "kindness, tolerance and patience," Romans 2:4
• Be compassionate. Serve, minister and pray instead of condemn.
• Grief for their sins, and ours.
• Repent our own sins.

One of the impressions many has of Christians are that we are all too eager to wag our fingers at what others do. Unfortunately, it's true for many Christians, both true and self-proclaimed ones. I, too, have done this. When we are prideful and self-righteous, we are much less effective in ministering and being a light for God. Not to mention "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:2.

Now go read your Bible again, Mr. Presidential Candidate.

The Best Advice to the President

"Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalm 2:10-12

The Good Fear

As I read the Psalms 1-2 and Proverbs 1, I found a very similar theme:

Fear of the Lord=Wise, which leads to good consequences
No fear of the Lord=Foolish, which leads to very bad consequences.

It sounds simple but it's so true. How foolish it is for one to ignore, deny, scoff, rebel against, despise and/or hate God's word? Do we really think we can win when fighting with the almighty God, who create the world by just by speaking and can wipe it out the same way?

Sure, God is also a loving, caring and compassionate God. But many people focus just on the "warm fuzzy' part, and neglect the other attributes of God such as almighty, powerful, holy and just. The God in the Old Testament is the same never-changing God in the New Testament, the same God we have today.

So take heed to the wisdom of Solomon, and have a healthy dose of fear for our God. The other alternative is not pretty.

"Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices." Proverbs 1:29-31

Fruits and Lots of Them. A.K.A My Goal This Year

As I reflect on the year 2007, I think that while I've grown in the knowledge of various theologies and solidified my Christian worldview, I have not been reading the Bible and in prayer as much, hence feeling disconnected with God. It's like I know all the FACTS about a person, such as his favorite food and book, but if I never listen to him nor talk to him, I don't have RELATIONSHIP with him and we don't truly know each other.

Therefore one of my goals this year is to be more consistent in the Word and in prayer. Beginning with Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season" Psalm 1:1-3a

My prayer is that we'll plant ourselves by the streams of God's Word, and through the Holy Spirit, we'll yield more fruit than the farmers' market in the summer.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

How It All Ends

Oregon high-school science teacher Greg Craven's series of videos on global warming, How It All Ends, has made him somewhat of a celebrity. His simple argument, "the risk of not acting on climate change far outweighs the risk of acting," and his earnest and quirky appeal, has won him more than 4 million views worldwide through YouTube and other video posting websites.

But this is not what this blog entry is about. While the video title is "How it All Ends", it really doesn't tell us about the very very end. The ultimate end. The Grand Finale. The fat-lady-sing type of end.

To learn about that end, you have to read this.

Yes, that's the "final-showdown-between-God-and-Satan" end. To oversimplify, the following will happen:

1. Satan will be defeated once and for all: (not a big surprise, isn't it?)
"and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Revelation 20:10

2. Those whose names are in God's Book of Life will dwell with God, where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

3. I hate to do a "fire and brimstone", but the fact is:
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

If you think thank goodness I'm not a murderer, a sexually immoral...etc. Well, think again. In Roman 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". You can also read this again. (Yes, I actually finished reading that book, though I kind of just browse through the last few chapters. Got to go reread it again some time.)

The good news comes in the very next verses in Roman 3:24-25:
"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."

So if you don't believe the Bible is the Word of God, or if you believe you need or can add something other than Jesus work on the cross (good works, religion...etc.) to bridge the great gap of men and God, use the logic of Mr. Craven: the risk of not acting far outweighs the risk of acting. With an open mind, read the Bible from beginning to end. Don't take verses out of its context. Go do some research on how the Bible come about, pray for guidance. Don't believe something just because someone in authority tells you. Find it out for yourself. If the Bible is wrong, the most you'll lost are some time and energy. But if what the Bible says it's true, the worst-case scenario for you will be extremely far worse than those from global climate change.

Know Thy Creator

I think most people have had disastrous relationships. It can be family, a friendship, or a "what-was-I-thinking" romance. However, there's one relationship that's like no other.

Since the creation of men, God intends to be in a personal relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, He walked and talked to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He met with Moses in the Tent of Meeting and Mount Sinai, and He dwelled in the temple built by King Solomon. Then prophet Isaiah wrote about the promise of a child named Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), which means "God with us".

In the New Testament, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14). Jesus, the Son of God Himself, came and walked intimately with His disciples. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit, which is the third person of the Trinity, in live in those who believe in Him.

No other relationship is more important, nor satisfying like this one, for no one is perfect, holy, and never-changing like God. By studying and meditating on His word from the Bible, by constantly going to Him with praises, by presenting our petitions, and by seeking His wisdom in everything we do, we can get to know our Creator, our Almighty God. Not only to know ABOUT Him, but to know Him intimately in our hearts and enjoy His presence in our lives.

And this is ONE relationship you'll never, never regret.

On Forgiveness

According to some friends that recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, one of the most important elements in their long happy marriage is forgiveness.

How wise is that! As imperfect human beings, in all our relationships, sooner or later, we're all going to wrong and be wronged. There can be no healthy relationships without forgiveness.

Forgiveness is hard to give. Sometimes hold out on forgiving is a revenge, to hurt the ones who hurt us. Sometimes it is self preservation, as forgiving would seem like we're taken advantage of. Sometimes it is our way to enforce justice, as we decide whether the offender deserve our forgiveness.

The truth is, forgiving is less about us and the offender, but much more about us and God. Jesus illustrated it perfectly in Matthew 18:23-35, about a man whose debt was forgiven greatly, but turned around and harshly dealt with one who owe him much less. We all have sinned greatly against the most Holy God, and yet He offers forgiveness through His son Jesus Christ. It is only right that we forgive others as well.

Forgiving is to cease resentment. It doesn't mean absorbing the offender's responsibility. It's not a feeling, it's a decision. It's given unconditionally. It's not contingent on the offender's apology nor repentance. It's an act of love. It's being obedient to God. It heals and reconciles. It doesn't have a quantity limit, even if it's the 849 times he left his shoes all over the house.

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12

Job 1-2

My husband and I want to read through the whole Bible together in 2007. Today's reading is Job chapter 1-2.

The book of Job probably one of the books of the Bible that generates most questions. The premise is basically about this righteous man Job, and Satan tempted him by destroying everything he had, even his children, and inflicted horrible diseases on him. Yet Job remained godly and never said a bad word about God, even as his wife said to him, "curse God and die!" Wow.

The questions/debates for this book generally involves God's versus Satan's part in human suffering. Though I read Job before, I look forward to read it again and see what God wants to teach/show me this time.

The verse that stands out to me today is what Job said after he learnt that he lost all his processions and children:

And he said, "I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 (English Standard Version)

I think one of the most useful things to know in life is that God's the giver of all good things, and the God of the universe has every right to take away whatever he has given to us, for whatever His purpose is. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28 (ESV) It doesn't make losses easier, nor lessen the suffering. It does, however, gives us hope and peace to carry on.