February 20, 2015

From Gary... Timing is everything!!!



(taken from the NASA website)

An Evening Sky Conjunction 

Image Credit 

Explanation: Eight years ago, an evening sky held this lovely pairing of a young crescent Moon and brilliant Venus. Seen near the western horizon, the close conjunction and its wintry reflection were captured from Bolu, Turkey, planet Earth on February 19, 2007. In the 8 Earth years since this photograph was taken Venus has orbited the Sun almost exactly 13 times, so the Sun and Venus have now returned to the same the configuration in Earth's sky. And since every 8 years the Moon also nearly repeats its phases for a given time of year, a very similar crescent Moon-Venus conjunction will again appear in planet Earth's evening skies tonight. But the February 20, 2015 version of the conjunction will also include planet Mars. Much fainter Mars will wander even closer to Venus by the evening of February 21.

Today's post from NASA I found quite interesting, as the cyclical nature of Astronomy has reflections within our own lives. And, this calls to mind something from my past.

When I worked for Degussa in Piscataway, N.J., there was a man who worked in the Biocide lab opposite the coatings lab; I have forgotten his name, but I do remember his obvious intelligence and one specific discussion we enjoyed, so many years ago. Timing was the topic and he had thoroughly worked out his belief that timing was everything in this world. To a great extent- he was right!!! However, in retrospect, he downplayed the will of God for our lives. It seems to me that things "don't just happen" for those that try to faithfully follow the Almighty- there is an underlying plan and the source of that plan is heavenly. Much of our lives is the direct result of the choices we make, but I believe God works in this world and especially through Christians. The first chapter of Hebrews seems to fit in this line of thought...

Hebrews, Chapter 1 (WEB)
  1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.  3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Imagine a plan involving literally millions of people and thousands of years. God can. Continuing this thought, consider...

Galatians, Chapter 4 (WEB)
 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,  5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 

If God can do all this, isn't it reasonable to believe that God can guide us, and in fact is guiding us. How? Well, probably in ways that I will NEVER UNDERSTAND- but, I can understand The Scriptures and they will help me to do God's will!!!

One last thought from Paul...

2 Timothy, Chapter 3 (WEB)
15 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.  16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Follow the guidebook (The Bible) and become wise. Today would be a good time to begin. Remember: Timing is everything!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading February 20



Bible Reading 

February 20

The World English Bible

Feb. 20
Exodus 1

Exo 1:1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob):
Exo 1:2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
Exo 1:3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
Exo 1:4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Exo 1:5 All the souls who came out of Jacob's body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already.
Exo 1:6 Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation.
Exo 1:7 The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Exo 1:8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn't know Joseph.
Exo 1:9 He said to his people, "Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
Exo 1:10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land."
Exo 1:11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Exo 1:13 The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve,
Exo 1:14 and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
Exo 1:15 The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah,
Exo 1:16 and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."
Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and didn't do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
Exo 1:18 The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?"
Exo 1:19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to them."
Exo 1:20 God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty.
Exo 1:21 It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.

Exo 1:22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."

Feb. 20, 21
Matthew 26

Mat 26:1 It happened, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples,
Mat 26:2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
Mat 26:3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.
Mat 26:4 They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people."
Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.
Mat 26:8 But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor."
Mat 26:10 However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me.
Mat 26:11 For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me.
Mat 26:12 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
Mat 26:13 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her."
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
Mat 26:15 and said, "What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?" They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Mat 26:16 From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Mat 26:17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
Mat 26:18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples." ' "
Mat 26:19 The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
Mat 26:20 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Mat 26:21 As they were eating, he said, "Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me."
Mat 26:22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn't me, is it, Lord?"
Mat 26:23 He answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
Mat 26:25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it."
Mat 26:26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
Mat 26:27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "All of you drink it,
Mat 26:28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom."
Mat 26:30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mat 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
Mat 26:32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
Mat 26:33 But Peter answered him, "Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble."
Mat 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
Mat 26:35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the disciples also said likewise.
Mat 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there and pray."
Mat 26:37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
Mat 26:38 Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me."
Mat 26:39 He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire."
Mat 26:40 He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn't you watch with me for one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mat 26:42 Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup can't pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done."
Mat 26:43 He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Arise, let's be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."
Mat 26:47 While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people.
Mat 26:48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him."
Mat 26:49 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Mat 26:50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mat 26:51 Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Mat 26:53 Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?"
Mat 26:55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me.
Mat 26:56 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
Mat 26:57 Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
Mat 26:58 But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.
Mat 26:59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
Mat 26:60 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,
Mat 26:61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.' "
Mat 26:62 The high priest stood up, and said to him, "Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?"
Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, "I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God."
Mat 26:64 Jesus said to him, "You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky."
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death!"
Mat 26:67 Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,
Mat 26:68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?"
Mat 26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, "You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!"
Mat 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Mat 26:71 When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, "This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth."
Mat 26:72 Again he denied it with an oath, "I don't know the man."
Mat 26:73 After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known."
Mat 26:74 Then he began to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the rooster crowed.
Mat 26:75 Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly. 

From Mark Copeland... "CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?" Regarding Its Ability To Be Understood?



                       "CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?"

                Regarding Its Ability To Be Understood?

INTRODUCTION

1. Some will acknowledge that the Bible...
   a. Has been faithfully preserved and translated
   b. Contains the books that serve as our authority (canon) 
      in religion
   c. Is inspired by God
   -- Yet they contend that Bible cannot be understood

2. Or at the very least they will argue...
   a. That we need a guide to help us(such as some church authority)
   b. Or that we need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand it

3. Can the Bible be understood...?
   a. Is it so difficult that the common man cannot understand it?
   b. Is it so mysterious that only 'Spirit-led' people can comprehend it?

[In answer to such questions, let's first note that...]

I. THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD

   A. REGARDING THE OLD TESTAMENT...
      1. It was written for our learning - cf. Ro 15:4
         a. Jesus expected people to understand it ("Have you not read...?") - Mt 12:3,5; 19:4
         b. Paul expected unbelieving Jews to understand it - Ac 17:2-3
         c. The Berean Jews were commended for searching the Scriptures- Ac 17:11
         d. Timothy understood much of it as a child - 2Ti 3:14-15
      2. Didn't some people need help to understand it?
         a. Such as the disciples? - Lk 24:25-27,44-47
         b. Such as the Ethiopian eunuch? - Ac 8:30-35
      3. Yes, because it contained a mystery yet to be revealed
         a. A mystery kept secret since the world began - Ro 16:25
         b. A mystery now made manifest to all nations - Ro 16:26
         c. A mystery now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets - Ep 3:3-5
      -- With the aid of the New Testament, what was a mystery in the
         Old Testament can now be understood!

   B. REGARDING THE NEW TESTAMENT...
      1. The writers expected their readers to understand
         a. Luke wrote his gospel that one might know - Lk 1:1-4
         b. John wrote his gospel that one might believe - Jn 20:30-31
         c. Paul wrote for people to understand, to have his knowledge - 2Co 1:13; Ep 3:3-5
         d. John wrote his epistle that one might know - 1Jn 5:13
      2. Aren't some things hard to understand?
         a. Like some of the things Paul wrote? - 2Pe 3:15-16
         b. Like the book of Revelation?
      3. Yes, but that does not mean they cannot be understood
         a. It is the "untaught and unstable" that have problems - 2 Pe 3:16
         b. We are expected to grow in knowledge - 2Pe 3:18; Col 1:10
         c. As we mature, we are able to handle the "meat" - cf. He 5:11-14
      -- The New Testament was written to be understood, though in progressive stages

[Not only was the Bible written to be understood, but consider this...]

II. GOD EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

   A. HE EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND HIS WILL...
      1. He desires all men to come to a knowledge of the truth - 1 Ti 2:3-4
      2. He commands it of His children - Ep 5:17
      -- Would God desire and command that which is impossible?

   B. HE EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE...
      1. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers - Jn 17:20
      2. Paul commanded Christians to have the same mind - 1Co 1:10-13;Php 2:2
      3. There are essentials on which we must be united - e.g., Ep 4:3-6
      -- Did Jesus and Paul demand that which is unattainable?

[Yet is evident that many do not understand the Bible, nor do they understand it alike.  Why...?]

III. WHY SOME DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

   A. REASONS OFTEN GIVEN...
      1. "It can't be understood"
         a. We seen that it was written to be understood
         b. To say that man cannot understand is to impugn God's ability to provide a revelation
      2. "Only 'Spirit-filled' people can understand it"
         a. This belief actually contributes to much misunderstanding and division over the Bible
            1) Everyone claims the Spirit is leading them to their own understanding
            2) Others are wrong because they don't have the Spirit's leading
         b. It is based upon a misreading and misapplication of 1Co 2:14
            1) That one cannot understand spiritual things without the help of the Spirit
            2) Including understanding the Bible, that it requires the Spirit's aid
         c. But note the context - 1Co 2:6-13
            1) Paul is contrasting God's wisdom with the wisdom of this world
            2) The world with its wisdom cannot know what God has prepared
            3) What is known in the mind of God comes only through divine revelation
         d. Note carefully the process:
            1) God has prepared things which man cannot perceive on his own - 1Co 2:9
            2) God has revealed them to the apostles through His Spirit
               who alone knows the mind of God - 1Co 2:10-11
            3. The apostles received that which the Spirit revealed,
               that we might know the things given to us by God - 1Co 2:12
            4) The apostles speak that which they received, using words
               of the Spirit, not words of human wisdom - 1Co 2:13
         e. Here, then, is the proper meaning of 1Co 2:14-16
            1) The 'natural man' is one who depends upon human wisdom
               (such as the 'rulers of the age')
               a) Without the benefit of divine revelation
               b) Who therefore is unable to receive the things of the Spirit of God
               c) Who depending only on human wisdom considers the things of God foolishness
            2) The 'spiritual man' is one who has the Spirit (such as the apostles)
               a) Who has been given divine revelation of God's will
               b) Who is therefore able to judge all things, and is judged by no one
               c) For such has been given the mind of the Lord (Christ)
            3) Paul is therefore contrasting himself (and the apostles) with uninspired men
         f. Remember now what Paul wrote in Ep 3:3-5
            1) God has revealed what was unknown (the mystery) to the apostles and prophets by His Spirit
            2) Who in turn have written what they received
            3) Whereby when we read, we can now understand their knowledge!
      -- We don't need some special guidance of the Spirit to understand
         the Word; the Word of God itself is the Spirit's own revelation of God's will!

   B. THE REAL REASONS...
      1. Many make little or no effort
         a. They rarely read and study the Bible
         b. They therefore remain ignorant
         c. They remain babes in their knowledge and understanding
      2. Many study for the wrong reasons
         a. They may spend a lot of time studying, but with improper motives
         a. To prove themselves right (reading only to justify their conduct or beliefs)
         b. To prove others wrong (reading only to find arguments to support their position)
      3. Many fail to apply their God-given common sense
         a. Such as looking up words they don't understand
         b. Such as defining words in their context
         c. Such as taking into consideration all that God's word says on a subject
         d. Such as studying the Bible the way it was written
            1) Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse
            2) Starting at the beginning, reading through to the end
      -- The problem is not with God's Word; the problem is slothful,
         sloppy handling of God's word - cf. 2Ti 2:15

CONCLUSION

1. The Bible can be understood...
   a. By children
   b. By truth seekers
   c. By babes in Christ
   -- Though parts of it will always challenge even the mature Christian

2. God desires that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth - 1Ti 2:4
   a. He gave His Son as a ransom - 1Ti 2:5-6
   b. He sent His Spirit to guide us into all the truth - Jn 16:13
   -- Through His apostles and prophets His truth and salvation can be known!

The question is not whether God's word can be understood, but whether we
will make an honest and sincere effort to understand and obey it!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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Was Jesus Ignorant? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=818

Was Jesus Ignorant?

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Some claim the Bible reveals that Jesus did not possess superior knowledge. As “proof,” these skeptics refer to such passages as Mark 5:25-34 and Matthew 26:39. In Mark 5, it is recorded that after Jesus’ garment had been touched, He asked the crowd, “Who touched my garments?” (5:30). In Matthew 26, Jesus, praying to the Father, said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (26:39). Do such statements reveal ignorance on the part of Jesus? Was His knowledge no greater than yours and mine? What is the truth of the matter?
First, for critics to make such a claim about Mark 5:30, they must assume that all questions are asked solely for the purpose of obtaining information. However, common sense should tell us that questions often are asked for other reasons. Jesus did not ask this question to acquire information. Rather, He asked it so that the woman with the issue of blood would “step forward” and confess to having been healed. In so doing, her deep faith and the greatness of the miracle would be manifested to glorify God. It is outlandish to take this question and claim that Jesus did not know who touched Him. Are we to assume that God was ignorant of Adam’s whereabouts when he asked him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). In the beginning of God’s first speech to Job, God asked the patriarch, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (38:4). Are we to believe that God did not know where Job was when He created the world? Certainly not! What father, having seen his son break a windowpane, has not asked him, “Who did that?” Obviously, the father did not ask the question to obtain information, but to see if the son would admit to something the father knew all along. On occasion, Jesus used questions for the same purpose. In no way is this some indication of His being less than divine.
Critics also jump to conclusions when they claim that the “ignorance of Jesus is very important, because without ignorance He could not sincerely pray in the Garden of Gethsemane that the cup of suffering pass from Him” (cf. Matthew 26:39). They fail to recognize that Jesus is not only 100% divine (John 1:1-5,14;10:30), but also was 100% human while upon the Earth (Philippians 2:7-8). Oftentimes we get the idea that the suffering Jesus endured was not all that painful because He was God—but Jesus also was a man. When praying in the garden, He knew that within a few short hours He would be mocked, spit upon, struck with the palms of hands, scourged, crowned with thorns, and nailed to a cross. However, this knowledge did not make his suffering any easier. Jesus could (and did) sincerely pray, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me.” This statement intimates no more than that Jesus was really and truly a man, and as a man He could not but be averse to pain and suffering. The law of self-preservation exists in the innocent nature of man, and no doubt existed in Christ. He did not desire a violent death at the hands of angry Jews, but He was willing to endure it to save mankind from the depths of hell. To lift such passages as Matthew 26:39 and Mark 5:30 from the Bible and claim that Jesus did not possess superior knowledge is a gross misuse of Scripture. Such allegations are false to the core, yet, sadly, they are typical of the kind of devices skeptics use to try and strip Jesus of His deity.

From Jim McGuiggan... 1 John 4, Love the cosmic witness


1 John 4, Love the cosmic witness

1 John 4:7-12 assures us that that those who love God and neighbour know God and that those who don't love God and neighbour don't know him. John wasn't speaking of the warm fuzzies or honourable romance though God knows we could use a lot more of that in the world. No, he was speaking of the love witnessed to in the Christian faith though not well practiced in Christian lives.
Just so that there's no confusion about what he has in mind John says this in 1 John 4:9-11, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love…he sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." Then he says, "If God so loved us we also ought to love one another."
What the Christian's faith bears witness to is not a humane kindness or even a deep and loyal commitment that has its origin in humans—to deny that these exist outside the Christian community is silly. To deny that they too are the work of God is also silly—so a Christian would say. No, what the faith of Christians witnesses to, in their allegiance to and trust in Jesus Christ, is the love of God and however feebly they practice it, because they themselves are so schooled in sin, they bear witness to it as the hope of the world.
The call to love like God is personal, of course. Each one of those who is confronted by the Christ of the gospel is called to embrace the love God has shown in Jesus but while it is personal it is much more than that. When a Christian—who is part of the body of Christ—hears and responds in God's love he makes himself an ally of God's cosmic purpose! He becomes a supporter of God's redeeming agenda and since it is God's agenda, he loves in hope and assurance despite the world's chaos and its opposition to God.
Is it not time to take our eyes off our moral fine-tuning and our church growth programmes and put them on the world that God has so loved that he has given his Son to redeem it? God's love in a Christian speaks hope to the cosmos for it is that that transforms creation!
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.