What steals your joy?




    John MacArthur's commentary on Philippians 1:12-18 is valuable for personal reflection and assessment of the condition our faith in Christ. He says this,

Now I have always believed that the measure of a person's spiritual character, the measure of their spiritual strength and the measure of their spiritual maturity is what it takes to steal their joy. At whatever point your joy breaks down, that's the level of your spiritual strength. You can find out how mature you are, how Spirit-controlled you are, how spiritually virtuous you are by finding the breaking point where joy is lost and bitterness and negativism, critical spirit, sullenness begins to creep in and take over your life. The measure of your joy is how you react not to things the way you'd like them to be but the things the way you wouldn't like them to be.

    A brief background on this letter to the Philippians helps us to understand it better. The apostle Paul is under prolonged house arrest in Rome and is chained to a Roman guard 24 hours a day (see Acts 28) while awaiting trial. There was the possibility of being sentenced to death but it did not break his joy in the Lord. Clearly, Paul's joy did not rest upon his present circumstances which is more dire than what many of us will ever experience in our lifetime. John MacArthur continues with the following point,

There should be no point in the life of a believer where joy is forfeited to sullenness, bitterness, negativism because of some things that aren't the way we'd like them to be. There's only one justification for the loss of joy and that is sin. And when you have fallen into sin, you will need to cry out with the psalmist, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation." But nothing short of sin should steal our joy, certainly not circumstances. And yet typically, I mean typically for everyone, a sudden change in conditions, a sudden change in circumstances in our lives, great difficulties, confusion, trials, hard times, attacks, disagreements, unfulfilled ambitions, unmet desires, conflicts, strained relationships, unrealistic expectations unmet, all of these things can throw us off balance and joy is forfeited and bitterness takes its place.

    So how did Paul possess such an unbreakable joy? The answer might surprise you but it's clear in Philippians 1. It was because of his life's purpose which is the advancement of the gospel. Again, John MacArthur beautifully writes,

So, here is a man who has negative circumstances beyond our ability to understand them, chained to a Roman soldier. And yet he's a model of joy. Why? Because his joy isn't related to his comfort. His joy isn't related to his self-indulgence. His joy isn't related to his freedoms. His joy isn't related to his success. We'll find out it isn't even related to his reputation. It isn't related to any of those things. His joy is strictly tied to the advance of the gospel, so he has joy in his ministry, in spite of trouble, as long as the gospel is advanced, as long as Christ's cause is extended. His chains, in a sense, became an effective line of communication to these elite soldiers of the Roman empire. And if they were converted, they would carry the message to the rest of the city and for that matter, the rest of the world. And so he was rejoicing in the progress of the gospel.

Is that where you are? That's really the question. As you look at your own life, is your joy that sort of ebbing and flowing tide of earthly things? Does your joy rise and fall on your pleasure? On your possessions? On your prominence, your prestige, your reputation, your comfort, your fulfilled ambitions? Your almost unrealistic fantasies being realized? Is that where your joy is? If it is, you're going to ride the crest and sink to the depths. You're going to ebb and flow with the times of life, the changing times, the shifting sands. But if your joy is tied to the progress of the gospel and your life is committed to that end, then your joy is ever ever undiminished.

Paul's desire was to honor Christ with his body by courageously sharing the gospel. When we live to honor Christ, then our joy rests on a firm foundation and nothing can ever take it away.

For more on this : Joy in Spite of Trouble by John MacArthur.

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Prayer For Thanksgiving

    Almighty Father, we thank you that all that we have and all that we are comes from You (Acts 17:28). Our health, our lives, our intelligence, and our abilities were knit together by You even before we were born (Psalm 139:13-16). Thank you, Heavenly Father, that You watch over us and care for us (Matthew 6:26-31). You are our peace and You make us dwell in safety so that we can rest (Psalm 4:8). Your word is powerful! In You, the universe is upheld, all things are sustained, and all things endure (Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:17). This world is not spiraling out of control for You accomplish all things according to Your will (Ephesians 1:11). Fire, hail, snow, frost, lightning, thunder, rain, and stormy wind are at your beckon (Psalm 148:8, Job 37:6-13). You use all things to fulfill your purpose - yes, even evil and suffering - for Your glory, and for our good (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:4). Human knowledge cannot fathom Your mind. We cannot counsel You about what's best for us nor can we blame You for our circumstances, because you are God from everlasting to everlasting, you are omnipotent, and you are the only All-Powerful, Almighty, Sovereign Lord.

    Yet, we easily forget your works and your abundant kindness (Nehemiah 9:26, Psalm 106:7,13). As we become satisfied, our hearts become proud and we forget You (Hosea 13:6). Forgive our forgetfulness and our ingratitude. We are not self-made people. What we have did not come from our own strength nor from the power of our own hands. It is by your power, Lord God, that we have this ability to create wealth (Deutoronomy 8:10-18). For what do we have that we did not receive from You?

    When things are going our way, we acknowledge your provision and care. Thank you, Lord, for your benefits. Yet, take them away when our pleasure and satisfaction rests on them. Teach us to be content with the wonderful things that we have already received in Jesus Christ. Remove our eyes from focusing on what we do not possess. We die from being dissatisfied of Your love and care and from these harmful desires for more riches. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Our pleasure and our satisfaction rests in You because You will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). You are most glorified when we are most satisfied in You.

    When we experience loss and setback, spare us from the temptation to murmur and grumble. You have the right determine our circumstances even if it means taking us down to nothing. As you give and as you take away, blessed be Your Name (Job 1:21). Like Paul, sanctify us so that we will be content in whatever circumstances we are in by knowing how to live along with humble means and how to live in prosperity (Philippians 4:11-12). For even in times of wanting and suffering, your grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) and we can do all things by Your strength (Philippians 4:13).

    In You, we have everything we need pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from You (2 Corinthians 3:5). So on this Thanksgiving Day, we rejoice in you Lord! And we do so endlessly, not just once a year. For it is your will that we give thanks in everything and in all our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Amen!

A Most Lopsided Exchange

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

 - Luke 9:23 (NIV)

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

-Philippians 3:8-12 (NIV)

    The choice is on the table : gain what you can in this world or follow Jesus Christ. Both cannot be attained, just as you cannot have two masters. Trading the good life for Jesus Christ is the most lopsided exchange ever. It's like trading in garbage for gold.

Follow Me

    As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 

-Mark 2:14 (NIV)

    I'm reading through Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic book, Discipleship . While doing so, it is bringing me back to the simplicity of the command by Jesus Christ to every Christian, "Follow me." The simplicity eludes us. Nowadays, discipleship is treated as a program or as a curriculum. This practice, unfortunately, obscures the very essence of the call. The manner by which we follow is explained by Jesus Christ further in the gospels.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. - Luke 9:23 (NIV) 

    Following Jesus Christ is a call to self-denial. It is not a self-centered, self-satisfying, self-enhancing, self-helping, self-enriching, and self-fulfilling call. Jesus continues on to say, "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he's the one who will save it (Luke 9:24)." Would I truly abandon everything good about this life for the sake of following Jesus Christ? That's the question for you and me.

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”-Matthew 8:18-22 (NIV)

    Following Jesus is a call to give up comforts in this life. Would I stop following Christ if it means that I have to give up a comfortable lifestyle? That's the question for you and me.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple."       -Luke 14:26 (NIV)

    Following Jesus is a call to give up relationships in this life. For a disciple, the Lordship of Jesus Christ in his heart is far above his human relationships. Would I stop following Christ if it means that I have to put my family second behind obeying and living for Jesus Christ? That's the question for you and me.

Finishing the race and keeping the FAITH

 ¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

- Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

This is a post from my friend and brother, Jojo Carpio. These are his reflections on Hebrews 12:1-2. I realize is how easy it is for my eyes to wander. Faith is believing in the invisible, Almighty God and the temptation is always there to believe what is visible. Thanks Jojo, for the reminder.
  
    We have so many 'witnesses' that have gone on before us. So many men and women of faith (Hebrews 11) that are the examples the Lord has given us to follow. We are to lay aside every weight. Now, what are these weights? They are the things that bring about stress and worries. They are the things Jesus wants to carry for us! We also need to lay aside our sin. Sin is inevitable. Even the lives of the very witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 11 are fraught with sins and the remorse of sin! Even though we cannot be perfect by ourselves, we must lay aside our wants and desires and choose to follow the Lord (Romans 6:15). This is a hard thing to do, but we must run with patience.

    Jesus has given each of us a race to run. Each of our races are different, this means that we cannot compare our race with others. At times, our race is difficult. We become tired and worn out, but then God reminds us of how much we need Him! We are not running alone! We have the Creator of the world running beside us and He is willing to carry us when we cannot go on! In order to run and run well, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus.

    There are so many things that can take our gaze off Jesus! People. Circumstances. Difficult struggles. Self-pity. But as Peter learned, it is when you take you eyes off Jesus that you sink! In all that we do, no matter the circumstances, we need to keep our eyes focused on Him for He knows all things (Proverbs 4:25-27)! If we fix our eyes on Jesus, our paths are made straight.

     Jesus has endured the cross for us! We are the joy set before Him! He went through so much pain and shame, for us! Think about it, Jesus, the SON of GOD came to EARTH as a MAN and was crucified as a CRIMINAL!! What a humbling experience! We often do not recognize how much shame He went through for us! But now! Now He is seated at God's right hand! And He continually intercedes on our behalf!

A Perspective on Perspective

   This is my reflection from an interesting blog post by author and minister Tim Keller. In it, he refers to the concept of 'tri-perspectivalism'. This simply means that there are threefold distinctions or triads, found in the Bible, that help give us both knowledge and perspective about God and certain Biblical truth. One example is the doctrine of Trinity : God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.

    Let me make this clear that there is nothing mystical about the number 3 as if it has good luck or sacredness associated with it. 'Tri-perspectivalism' is simply a tool to help us to understand certain truths. Certainly, we can look at both sides of the coin (bi-perspectivalism) or sometimes even 4 or more (multi-perspectivalism). The bottomline is that Scripture often describes truth from multiple, inter-dependent, and complementary perspectives.

   Jesus describes his kingdom using several different parables (Matthew 13). Here's another example that, at first glance,  may seem like contradictory perspectives :

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

-Proverbs 26:4-5 (NIV)

    Actually, they complement one another. There are situations where we should not stoop down to any foolish pattern of thinking. There are also times when it is appropriate to tell someone that they're being stupid.

    Having perspective can be very valuable. Only God is infinite in knowledge and wisdom. We are finite and limited. Therefore we cannot know everything at a glance and our knowledge is limited to one perspective or another. Here is how theologian John Frame describes the benefits of looking at the perspective of others:

One way to increase our knowledge and our level of certainty is by supplementing our own perspectives with those of others. When our own resources fail us, we can consult friends, authorities, books, etc. We can travel to other places, visit people of other cultures. Even to get a good understanding of a tree, we need to walk around it, look at it from many angles.



It often happens that someone’s idea will seem ridiculous when we first encounter it; but when we try to understand where that person is coming from, what considerations have led him to his idea, then our evaluation of it changes. In such a case, we are trying to see the issue from his perspective, and that perspective enriches our own.


In one sense, of course, it is impossible to transcend one’s own perspective. Even when we move around a tree, or consult a friend, or travel to another culture, we are still viewing reality through our own senses and brains. Yet it is possible for the perspectives of others to change our perspective, to make us see differently.

    I must clarify that I am not promoting relativism. I believe that there is one absolute Truth that exists outside of us and we must find and understand this Truth. The only true perspective is God's perspective. God reveals his perspective in his Word. And his Word uses multiple perspectives as a tool that helps us comprehend this absolute Truth.

   John Frame puts it this way :

God’s perspective is independent in a way that ours are not, for God governs all perspectives. But even his knowledge, as we have seen, includes a knowledge of all finite perspectives. And all finite perspectives must, to attain truth, “think God’s thoughts after him.” So in one sense, all perspectives coincide. Each, when fully informed, includes all the knowledge found in every other. There is one truth, and each perspective is merely an angle from which that truth can be viewed. 

For more on this :  A Primer on Perspectivalism

The Good News That We Forget Part 4 : the gospel-centered life

Most people’s problems are just a failure to be oriented to the gospel–a failure to grasp and believe it through and through.

-Tullian Tchividjian

    The small group study titled the Gospel-Centered Life describes a common misconception about the gospel :

“Many Christians live with a truncated view of the gospel. We see the gospel as the “door,” the way in, the entrance point into God’s kingdom. But the gospel is so much more! It is not just the door, but the path we are to walk every day of the Christian life. It is not just the means of our salvation, but the means of our transformation. It is not simply deliverance from sin’s penalty, but release from sin’s power. The gospel is what makes us right with God (justification) and it is also what frees us to delight in God (sanctification).”

    Real change cannot come apart from the gospel. God intended for the good news to mold us and shape us in every way. The way we think, feel and live must be defined by the gospel. There's two ways that we live out a Christian life that is not centered on the gospel :

1. License –right or wrong is all relative. This is someone who does not recognize that there is an absolute moral truth that comes from God. This person downplays sin and moral depravity. Such a man emphasizes a forgiving, loving God yet does not repent from his sins. He minimizes sin and it’s effect in life. "I may not be perfect, but I’m basically a good person." he says. 

It’s a hokey way to live to say the least. According to DA Carson, it’s like committing murder and you stand in trial and this is what you say :

Members of the jury, I am not asking for mercy or pardon. I want justice. I am demanding a full acquittal. Yes, I committed murder of which I am accused. But I am not guilty. Members of the jury, you must consider all my good deeds – not merely as mitigating circumstances but as reason for exonerating me. The goodness of my other deeds outweighs the crime that I committed. My good deeds require a not guilty verdict. If justice is to be done, you must find me innocent.

In Romans 6:1-14, Paul says that grace is not a license to keep on sinning. We are dead to sin but alive in Christ Jesus. So sin no longer reigns in this mortal body, rather the body is now an instrument for righteousness.

2. Legalism or moralism – a legalist is someone who does all good works in order to be approved by God. This is the Christian who tries hard to be good by his own strength. His relationship with Christ is performance driven. The error of this approach to Christian living is that it is based on ignorance of the finished work of Christ. A Christian, who is saved by grace through faith, continues to live under the grace of God and walks in obedience because he loves God and therefore now wants to live for God's glory.

    Remember that our acceptance by Christ is based on what Christ has done for us – not on what we can do for Christ. By grace you have been saved through faith – not as a result of works – that remains true even when you are a believer in Christ. I think that sometimes our problem is that we are not used to “living under grace”. Our main problem is that we have not really comprehended the deep implications of the message of the gospel. We do not realize what we have in Christ. Some of us live in spiritual poverty simply because we do not know what we have in Christ- we try our best to live the Christian life and we fail miserably. We go straight to the how to’s (works) without thinking much about the basis of why we must live that way.

    The gospel-centered life is a life of daily dependence on God to have the strength to do good works and bear fruit (John 15:1-11).  Thanks be to the God who began the good work in us and will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ's return (Philippians 1:6). This is the gospel-centered life!

The Good News That We Forget Part 3 : What is cheap grace?

From Ed Stetzer's interview with Jon Walker :

Cheap grace is when we attempt to lower the standards of the gospel by ignoring the cost of the cross and down-playing the need for repentance. Cheap grace embraces an easy discipleship that requires little commitment. It assumes you can live in God's sanctuary, where Jesus fulfills the law, yet remain independent of the commands and desires of Jesus. Cheap grace justifies our sin. It is the thought that my sins are forgiven, so God will wink at me when I sin.

 Costly grace justifies the sinner. It demands that forgiveness be followed by obedience, that grace remain tethered to truth. When Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery (John 8), he says, "Neither do I condemn you ... Go now and leave your life of sin." His grace, which is freely given, offers forgiveness for her sins, but it includes an expectation that her life will radically change.

Costly grace means we change our habits, thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and relationships according to the will of Jesus. Nothing can remain the same because we are no longer the same: 'It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me' (Galatians 2:20). Bonhoeffer says grace is "costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."We are uniquely connected to the divine nature through Jesus and we no longer "live under law but under God's grace" (Romans 6:14 TEV; consider also Colossians 2:9-10).

Cheap grace, on the other hand, denies the incarnation and leaves the gospel abstract and impersonal. It allows us to give intellectual assent to the teachings of Jesus. Yet, the bloody death and resurrection of Christ is nothing but real and personal and it forces us to continually make the intimate choice of following the person, Jesus Christ, or following our own path.