Trust AND Obey » God

What is God’s Sovereign Grace?

Dave Miller — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:14:52 +0000

Many friends, family and acquaintances of mine are suffering right now. Death, divorce, drug abuse, alcoholism and familial betrayal are but a few things that people I know and love are fighting at the moment.

I hear of others just outside of my circle who are afflicted as well. Loss of work and home, debilitating disease, dementia, depression, cancer and suicide are among the sufferings of the people who know people I know.

What makes these problems more heartbreaking is that many of those suffering these things don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They don’t know that God’s grace is sufficient to get them through their struggles (2 Cor. 12:9).

Poetry rarely appeals to me, but this poem by John Piper touches something in me that prose just doesn’t reach. Read it three times and then meditate on the words of Jesus, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What is God’s sovereign grace?

Not grace to bar what is not bliss
Nor flight from all distress but this:
The grace that orders our trouble and pain
And then, in the darkness, is there to sustain.

– John Piper

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/not-grace-to-bar-what-is-not-bliss

Lincoln – 29 November 2011

Dave Miller — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:29:20 +0000

The Love of God

Dave Miller — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:41:25 +0000

The seed of this article was planted by John Piper and watered by Matthew Henry. I pray that God will provide growth in your heart (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

God expresses His love in Mark 10:21-22 and John 11:5-6 just as much as He does in John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. Mark 10:21-22

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. John 11:5-6

Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die, yet when He received word of his illness, Jesus lingered for two more days before starting His journey back to Judea. Jesus could have healed Lazarus as soon as He heard of his illness as he did for the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:13). He could have healed Lazarus before he even got sick! But he didn’t. He let Lazarus die.

Verses 5 and 6 paraphrased: “Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Therefore, when he heard Lazarus was sick; he didn’t go to him right away. He waited around until he knew Lazarus was dead.” This makes no sense to our human sensibilities. Death is our greatest enemy, right? We want it to say, “Jesus loved them so much that he ran as fast as he could and healed Lazarus.” But it doesn’t say that. Instead, because of Jesus’ great love for them, He didn’t go right away. He put them through a miserable trial so the final outcome would make them even more joyful and bring God greater glory.

Jesus wanted to do something extraordinary for these friends he loved so dearly. He wanted to do something for them that he had never done for anyone else before, and would never do again. He brought his friend Lazarus back to life after four days in the tomb!

(Isaiah 54:7,8; 49:14-15; Romans 8:18)

How often does the love of God manifest itself in ways that are directly opposite what we expect?

How often do we thank God for this?

In Mark 10:21-22, the Bible says that Jesus felt a love for the rich young man who came to him seeking the way to eternal life. How did he show his love for the young man? He did this in a way similar to that of Mary and Martha; he put a trial before him. It was certainly not what the man (or the disciples for that matter) expected. Don’t you think that Mary and Martha expected Jesus to immediately come and heal Lazarus?

The point of this trial seems to be a test of whether the rich young man really wanted to be a part of the Kingdom of heaven or not. There is nothing you can lose in this life (including this life itself) that Christ cannot give back to you twofold or more in the next. (Job 42:10, Matthew 19:29)

Jesus spoke the truth in love for the benefit of the young man’s soul, but the man wasn’t willing to bear the cost of discipleship. Unlike the account of Lazarus’ resurrection, this one doesn’t have a happy ending. The young man went away grieving, because the cost was too high. From a salvation perspective, the rich young man committed suicide that day. He stood in the presence of the light of the world, and chose darkness. He stood before Him who was life itself, and chose death.

And Jesus let him walk away.

This is the natural state of the heart of every person on earth. Do we have free will? A right to choose? Yes we do – and we choose sin and death over love and life every single time. We have no ability, unless acted upon by God, to choose to love and trust Him. Even Martha and Mary failed to believe when Jesus tarried so long (John 11:21, 32).

In both cases, Jesus used these events to teach a lesson to His disciples. In both cases the lesson was the same. Believe, trust and obey, and you will have eternal life in His Kingdom (Jer. 39:18; Ezek. 36:26-7; John 11:40, 14:1; Rom. 15:13).

Isn’t that what John 3:16 is all about?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God Told Me To ______

Dave Miller — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:19:47 +0000

You’ve seen it, you’ve heard it; you might have even said it. I have too, but now I question it.

I’m talking about direct, personal communication from God.

Usually it takes the form of something like, “I’ve been praying to God that my son will stop stealing from me. This morning I woke up and God’s answer was in my head, ‘Be as patient with him as I’ve been with you.’” This is the “answered prayer” form of direct, personal revelation. It takes the position that God speaks directly to people in words, thoughts, dreams or visions.

But how do you know that word is really from God? Do you have Caller ID?

It might sound right, it might feel right, and it might even be effective, but that doesn’t mean that it is from God.

Maybe you should be patient with your son and not provoke him to anger (Ephesians 6:4). But then again, maybe you shouldn’t enable his sinful actions anymore by being patient. It could be time for you to apply the rod for a change (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 23:13-14).

This supposed ‘word from God’ has a tendency to encourage the non-discerning Christian to “Let go and let God.” It’s a pithy saying, but it lacks something that is rather important:

Infallible authority.

God has spoken. He has revealed his Word to us primarily, unerringly and unfailingly through His Son, Jesus (John 1:1, 14, Hebrews 1:1-2) and through His Word as written by the Prophets and Apostles. The Holy Bible, in its autographs, is inerrant and infallible (2 Tim. 3:16). Our faithful translations are the only reliable, sure and authoritative source for knowing the will of God.

Ideas that pop into your head, dreams and nightmares, an odd pressure in the pit of your stomach and feelings you ’sense,’ do not carry the same weight as the Word of God found in the Bible. Temper your liver shivers with a knowledge that is deeply rooted in God’s word if you want to avoid chaos and confusion.

I’m not saying that God never ‘speaks’ to people in this way. I don’t know if He does or not. What I do know is that the God of the Bible is not the God of confusion or contradiction (1 Cor. 14:33). If the ideas or words that you “hear” from God are clearly opposed to Holy Scripture, then they are not from God.

On the flip side, if the message you received from God really is from God, then it is infallible and should be in the Bible, right? And you must be a prophet that can say along with Moses, “Thus saith the LORD:_________.” Are you really comfortable with that?

Be discerning, know your Bible, talk to your pastor or a trusted elder about what the Bible says. Be sure to test the things you ‘hear’ (Acts 17:11) before you obey the voices in your head (1 John 4:1).

Updates:

Dan Phillips of the Pyromaniacs blog has more to say about this subject.

Tim Challies chimes in on the subject as well.

Dorothy has been thinking about this too.

For a very disturbing, but powerful message on this subject, go to: http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2011/08/pornographic-divination.html

I also highly recommend a short book I read this past summer if you want to learn more about finding God’s will. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

Drive Me To My Knees

Dave Miller — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:27:53 +0000

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day. – Abraham Lincoln

Drive me to my knees, Lord Jesus. Drive me to my knees.

You hear my Pharisaical prayers; thanking you that I am not like other sinners.
You see me try to hide my selfishness; camouflaging it with pious works.
You know the pride that wells up in my heart; like a spring of acrid water from the stony ground.

Drive me to my knees, Holy Spirit. Drive me to my knees.

You hear my feeble pleas and groanings; and understand what’s in my heart.
You see my sinful self as I really am; not as I present myself to the world.
You know my confessions are incomplete; I’m not even aware of all the sins I should repent from.

Drive me to my knees, Dear Father. Drive me to my knees.

You hear my hurtful words against Your image bearers.
You see my shameful acts that reflect so poorly upon You.
You know me better than I know myself.

Drive me to my knees, O God. Drive me to my knees.

Beware of no one more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. – C.H. Spurgeon

Drive me to my knees, O Lord; so I can know Your grace.
Listen to my pleas, Dear Lord; and let me seek Your face.
Take my sins away, O Lord; as east is from the west.
Drive me to my knees, Dear Lord; in You I find true rest.

James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

An Assignment

Dave Miller — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:27:45 +0000

The Assignment: Read the following scripture and then answer the question at the end.

Matthew 25:31-34: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

v. 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

v. 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The Question: Do you believe this?

Do you believe that Jesus is coming again and that He will judge both the living and the dead?

Do you believe that He will separate all humanity into two groups?

Do you believe that one group will go away to eternal torment and the other to eternal life in the presence of God?

A simple yes or no is required. Either you believe it or you don’t.

If you don’t believe it and you call yourself a Christian, you either need to repent for your unbelief or stop calling yourself a Christian. I’m serious. You shame the name of Christ if you disbelieve His own testimony of what will happen at the end of days.

If you do believe it but don’t engage in personal evangelism, you either need to repent for your unbelief or stop calling yourself a Christian. I’m even more serious now. You shame the name of Christ even more if you say you believe his testimony, but disobey his commandments (John 3:36).

I think that there are only a few Christians who personally engage in evangelism to the extent they can. If you are doing so, may God strengthen you and bless your efforts.

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

In all likelihood, most of the readership of this little article believe that Jesus means what He says but, for some reason, don’t give much effort to personal evangelism. If this is the case with you, as it is with me, then we have some repenting to do.

If we really believed what Jesus said about a final judgment and eternity in either heaven or hell, then we would be far less complacent about our unbelieving co-workers, neighbors and family members. But many of us don’t really believe Jesus, even though we say we do. The proof is found in our action or inaction in the face of certain death and torment for those on the judge’s left.

O Father in Heaven: Your ways are so far above and beyond my ways. Except for your amazing grace, I would be counted among the goats. Forgive my unbelief and strengthen me to share the Good News with those who need to hear it. Embolden me to speak the truth with love and humility to my family, friends and neighbors. For the sake of Christ Jesus and his unforgettable work on the cross, grant that I might become a better witnesses to the transcendent love that is you, O God. Amen.

American Pickers (Part 2.5)

Dave Miller — Mon, 02 May 2011 02:48:12 +0000

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” — Jude 3

A reader (Jon D.) commented at the end of Part 1, “I must confess that this is my “default” setting far too often.” Mine too, Jon. This is the natural tendency of every human being and Christians are no exception. Those who think they are standing should be careful. (1 Cor. 10:12 )

Toward the end of Part 2 in this series, I related some ideas for what to do if you think you might be an American Picker. But I didn’t write much about what to do when you encounter a picker in your church who is unaware of his ‘pickiness.’ The reason I omitted this is Matthew 7:3-5 which states that first you must take the log out of your own eye, and then you can pick the speck from your brother’s eye. This wisdom from Jesus is timeless and especially relevant to the American Christian.

American popular society says that one should never judge another. Some Christians even take Matthew 7:1 out of context and say nobody should ever judge anyone. This doesn’t mean that we mustn’t engage in biblical discernment, though. Jesus clearly says that we can and should show love to fellow Christians by helping them when sin is affecting their life (“…then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5 and Luke 17:3) Paul teaches the same thing in Ephesians 5:21 and adds that the reason we do this is out of reverence for Christ; knowing, of course, that we will be judged by the same standard (Matthew 7:2).

I have met and conversed with many ‘great’ pickers, and responded to them with everything from silently walking away, to citing scriptural commands, to heated verbal conflict. I have never had a positive encounter with a picker when I approached the person with the word of God and beat him over the head with it. (Figuratively speaking, of course. I haven’t tried actually beating somebody with a bible…)

Pickers want so badly not to accept certain biblical truths that they usually respond with belligerence. The best result I’ve ever experienced after confronting a picker was agreeing to disagree on what the bible means and not talk about it anymore. The worst result I’ve experienced was having objectionable epithets and implied threats hurled at me. Either way, these encounters often result in the loss of fellowship and often friendship too.

There is a simple explanation for this, the thing we need to hear most is usually the thing we want to hear least.

Take heart in knowing that it is impossible for you to change a person’s heart or argue them into the kingdom of heaven. God the Holy Spirit is the only person who can convict someone of sin. (John 16:8) He may use us to plant a seed, or water one that another planted, but it is God who gives the growth. (1 Cor. 3:6)

Confronting or correcting an American Picker in your church must be done with humility and brokenness. Removing a log from your eye should leave a scar; but Christ has healed you completely, so today you bear no scars. You see clearly when you should be blind. Tell your Christian brother or sister about the effect of sin on yourself before you repented. Let your humbling experience be an example to them of loving, obedient submission to God Almighty, the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and the healing power of Jesus. Rejoice in God’s forgiveness and let that be the contact point of your witness to your fellow believer.

I beg you; please don’t make the same mistake I did. I once (behaved, thought, believed, denied, etc.) just like you. I wasn’t even aware of it until someone said something to me about it and showed me in the Bible that God says it is a sin. At first, I didn’t listen; I even got angry with them for daring to tell me I was wrong. But afterward, the Holy Spirit convinced me that I really was sinning. The Word of God was clear. God led me to repentance and provided the means for my forgiveness and justification; the person and work of his only begotten son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please consider what I’m saying to you. I hope it is apparent that I’m doing this because I care about you. The most hateful thing I could do would be to say nothing and let you continue in the path I was on and be hurt as much or more than I was. I beg you; turn to Christ and trust in Him. He alone can give you the power to reject this sin you love so much; and He can heal you completely.

Leaving – Searching – Finding

Dave Miller — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:03:02 +0000

I’m taking a week off from American Pickers. God willing, I’ll have a video update on Thursday and publish pickers part three shortly after Easter.

In the meantime, I need to post an announcement to prepare for a continuing series that I probably should have started months ago.

I have left the church that has been my home since I was two years old. It was the only church I ever belonged to in 45 years of life.

This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done – and one of the most necessary. I won’t go into the specific reasons for leaving right now, but the words of Bill Hill sum it up pretty well, “I will not go on in compromise. I am ashamed that I have gone along as long as I have. The time has come to obey God and not compromise.”

I am searching for a new church home in the Akron, Ohio area, and have been since the first of February. I hope to post short updates on the process from time to time. My intention is that these will prove helpful or edifying for others who are searching for a new church home.

I’m not going to ‘review’ the churches I visit, but I will offer observations and insights from some of them and keep the reader more or less up-to-date on my search.

It took me three years to decide to leave my former church; it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I am now actively searching for a new church home and I don’t know how long the search process will take. I tend to be very methodical and thorough, so it could take a while to find the right place.

Trusting in God,

-Dave

American Pickers (Part Two)

Dave Miller — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:36:09 +0000

“Scripture is like a river, broad and deep, shallow enough here for lambs to go wading, but deep enough there for an elephant to float.” –Gregory Dialogus

Before I get into the first of three types of Pickers identified in the first part of this series, I want to make something perfectly clear to the reader. I am not saying that American Pickers are not Christians. I’m not saying they are Christians either. Since the First Century, when Jesus established His church, the wheat and the tares have grown up side-by-side. Jesus knew this would be the case (Matthew 13:24-30). Even though you and I can look at the fruit produced by others, none of us can know the heart of another. Jesus is the ultimate judge and His righteous judgment at the end of time will be the only verdict that counts (Rom 14:10, 2 Cor 5:10).

Having said all that: Onward!

The Scripture Picker

From Part 1: Simply defined, American Pickers are people who profess to be Christians, but pick and choose which parts of orthodox (biblical) Christianity they believe. For example, they treat the bible like a smorgasbord, taking their fill of what they like and passing on what they don’t.

Scripture Pickers are not unlike the History Channel’s American Pickers, Mike and Frank. They root around in the bible until they find something that they adore, something that they can take hold of and make their own; something that doesn’t cost them too dearly.

Scripture Pickers also overlook the things in the bible that don’t interest them; things they think are ugly or broken or for which there is no value in today’s marketplace.

But the bible is not a collection of interesting debris inside an old barn; the bible is the inspired Word of God and every single word is valuable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16)

Example 1:

Matthew 6: 9-13 is one of the two places in scripture where we find what we call The Lord’s Prayer. But can you tell me what comes right after these famous verses? (Mat 6:14-15) “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Whoa! Hold on just a minute! Does that say that if I don’t forgive other people, then God won’t forgive me? It sure would be a lot easier to just forget about those two verses and memorize The Lord’s Prayer, wouldn’t it?

This is an example of picking the things we like and passing on what we don’t because it is too costly to us personally.

Example 2:

Romans 8:28 is a verse that American Pickers love to quote, and I am foremost among them. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,” This is a wonderfully comforting verse, and all Christians should love it. But I wonder how many love the next two verses, (Rom. 8:29-30). For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;”

Now just wait a minute – what’s all this about predestination and foreknowledge? I thought I was in control of my life and that I chose to believe in God… Not so, God chooses us!

This is an example of overlooking the things we think are broken, or outdated in the Bible. Usually we think this because we revere societal values more than biblical values.

If you know a Christian, or if you are a Christian who ignores difficult portions of scripture, or focuses only on the easy parts, what should you do?

First off, recognize the problem. It is a problem of unbelief in God’s word and His promises. The scripture was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), and we either accept it or reject it in its entirety (Revelation 22:18-19). Take something away, and the Bible is no longer God’s complete and sufficient Word. Add something to it and it is now not wholly of God.

Secondly, and most importantly, confront the problem; confess your unbelief to God in prayer and ask His help in opening your eyes to the full majesty of God’s word. Pray that God would help you see that the Bible is overflowing with truth and grace. Without God, nothing you do will help your unbelief!

Finally, spend more time in the word. Seek out the portions of scripture you have trouble with and ask a trusted Christian mentor about them. Don’t feel bad about questioning God’s word, and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. Chances are you’re not going to come up with an issue that hasn’t been addressed before. Don’t worry; God’s word can withstand your questions.

So what makes this such a danger to Christianity? Because Christians are encouraged to share their faith; and Christians who are unconvinced of the veracity and authority of scripture spread their weakened and muddled views to others. It’s like a contagious disease passing from one susceptible soul to another. A pastor with a low view of scripture is terribly dangerous because he becomes a Typhoid Mary, singlehandedly infecting scores or hundreds at a time.

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Resources I have and use:

If you have another three and a half minutes. Dr. John Piper has a very relevant commentary on this subject.

American Pickers (First in a series)

Dave Miller — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:25:34 +0000

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, – Colossians 3:16a

Who are the American Pickers?

The ones I’m referring to don’t have a show on History Channel, though their names could be Mike or Frank. The American Pickers I’m referring to are the greatest threat to Christianity in the world today; and that’s not hyperbole. They are more dangerous than Islam, Scientology, Paganism, Mormonism, Atheism, Universalism or any other anti-Christian “ism” you can think of.

Simply defined, American Pickers are people who profess to be Christians, but pick and choose which parts of orthodox (biblical) Christianity they believe. For example, they treat the bible like a smorgasbord, taking their fill of what they like and passing on what they don’t. They dwell on the aspects of God’s character they find reasonable and deny His equally holy facets that seem distasteful. They heed Jesus’ teachings about love, acceptance and forgiveness, while disregarding His hard sayings about hell, sinfulness and judgment.

As Paul Simon famously sang, “…a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” This is what defines the American Picker.

Those who call themselves Christians and exercise these types of unbelief openly, are a great threat to Christianity because they infiltrate our camp and work for the enemy. They wear our uniform while they secretly poison our water supply. A lone spy within the walls of a city can do more harm than a hundred soldiers at the gates.

Every Christian who reads this is a ‘picker’ to some extent, at least privately. If we are human then we are sinners and our best attempts at holiness fall far short of the standard that God requires. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6). It is temptingly easy to apply the American Picker label to church-going folks I know, and I’m doubtless this tendency is in other Christians as well. But if you are like me, you should find a mirror and look for the picker in yourself before pointing a finger at someone else (Matthew 7:3-5).

My goal in this series is to describe the American Picker well enough that a discerning Christian can identify the threat quickly, protect himself and those for whom he is responsible, and take biblical action to neutralize the threat. Whether the threat is recognized in oneself or in another professing believer, proper identification and knowing what to do is crucial to correcting the error.

I hope you will join me in praying for this series to give God glory, to be edifying for the believer, and to be convicting for the American Picker we all know and (hopefully) love.