Trust AND Obey » grace

Look to the Cross!

Dave Miller — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:31:16 +0000

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. – Numbers 21:4-9

Many Reformed Christians tend to focus on their sin so much that they quickly despair. We might think that by enumerating our every peccadillo, we’re somehow more repentant and therefore more loveable to God. That’s just not the case. We’re much worse than we can imagine, and God is much greater than we can imagine.

The gap (between Holy God and sinful man) that the cross of Christ bridges is larger than any mere human can imagine.

I found this quotation from John Newton online this week:

When the brazen serpent was erected in the wilderness, to cure those who must otherwise have died, the benefit was not restrained to those who had been bitten by the fiery serpent but once or a few times. The worst case amongst the people was relieved as soon and as certainly as the very slightest. The remedy was universally proposed to every person. The application was easy; it was only, look and live. But if a man had spent all his time in measuring or counting his wounds, instead of looking to the ordinance of God, he might have died, though the means of life were within his view. The sense of the evil of sin is given to quicken application to Christ, and not to discourage our approach. The Scripture has concluded all under sin, and as such we are all condemned already. But the Gospel proclaims a free pardon to everyone who, with the eye of his mind, looks for life to him who hung upon the cross. (Letters of John Newton , 198) [Emphasis mine]

What wonderful news!

What a grace that shames our shame.

Look to the cross and live!

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

No More Wandering

Dave Miller — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:48:00 +0000

This past Sunday, I was received into membership at Harvest Presbyterian Church in Medina, Ohio; ending a year-long search for a new church home. My wife and children were there with me and that made the day very special.

After a fantastic sermon by Josiah Bancroft, who was in town for the weekend giving a Christian leadership seminar, the service ended with two hymns and a unison recitation.

I love the Doctrines of Grace, and often get chills when reading a particularly meaningful scripture like 2 Cor 5:21 or Eph 2:4-5. These two verses are very meaningful because they show that God did it all. The only thing I bring to the table is the sin for which I so desperately need to be forgiven.

The two songs below plumb a depth in my soul that is seldom reached, even by scripture. I think because the lyrics of these songs are pure, unclouded, grace-filled doctrine put to beautiful music, these songs hold special significance to me now. Coupled with the Apostles’ Creed, it was a very memorable and meaningful service.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Lyrics

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

In Christ Alone Lyrics

With thanks to God for loving me enough to die for me, and with gratefulness to the pastors and elders at Harvest, I pray that I will continue to receive the daily grace needed to serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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

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.

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.

Something Stinks!

Dave Miller — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:19:48 +0000

For most Americans, a shower is a daily necessity. My wife and I have been married for 20 years and I know she has showered at least once, every single day we’ve been married. I don’t share her singular passion for cleanliness, so about once a month I go without a shower on a Saturday. These occasions are usually when I have nothing to do, nowhere to go and nobody to see. This doesn’t seem to bother anybody in my family because, quite honestly, it’s hard to get really smelly in just one day if you’re just hanging around the house.

Not long ago, I was enjoying a shower-free Saturday and working a little harder than usual in the basement. Just before dinner, I was sitting at the computer and I noticed an odd aroma. At first, I didn’t know what it was, and then it dawned on me that it was me. I immediately shuffled off to the shower before I spoiled my family’s dinner.

Until you smell yourself, you don’t even suspect that you might need a shower. The problem is, other people can smell you long before you can smell yourself. For some reason, we’re somewhat immune to our own scent and we don’t even suspect that we might reek until we’ve been really stinky for a really, really long time.

It is no different with our sin. We are somewhat immune to noticing the stench of our own sins until we’ve allowed them to pollute our lives almost completely. Before I was saved, I was great at comparing myself to other stinking, sinning people and convincing myself that I didn’t smell as bad as they did. Some people, some nominal Christians, go through their entire lives this way. They’re kind of like the ‘deadheads’ of old, thinking a little patchouli oil (good works) will cover up the smell.

God knew that I was rotten to the core and His Holy Spirit convicted me of my sins and let me smell myself for the first time. He put it into my mind (and my nostrils) that I definitely needed a shower. He did that through a preacher who could smell me and was bold enough to tell me that I stank. God also made it clear that no water on earth could wash me as clean as I needed to be. Only the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God could wash my soul spotlessly clean. Revelation 7:14

Though I still enjoy a shower-free Saturday once in a while and like to think I don’t smell *that* bad, I am much more attuned to the smell of my own sins. Praise God that He rescued me from the patchouli-tainted works of my “carnal Christian” life and led me to trust completely in His Amazing Grace.

Grace – Amazing or Mundane

Dave Miller — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:13:03 +0000

O mundane grace, how dull the sound,
Useless to one like me.
I am not lost, don’t need t’be found,
I’m good, why can’t you see?

What’s grace, and why do I need it?
God knows my heart is pure.
He loves me just the way I am,
And my salvation’s sure.

Though I may sin, from time to time,
I’m not as bad as some.
At least I’m not a hypocrite,
Like all those Church-y scum.

And when I die, and go to Heav’n
And stand before the throne.
He’ll let me in, despite my sin,
For my goodness alone.

Sadly, there are many people who claim to know the Lord, who would think that there is nothing wrong with these lyrics. I have a very dear friend who believes that God is going to let her into His kingdom because of the good things she’s done. She is a universalist and my heart breaks whenever she tells me some of the non-biblical things she believes. I have talked to her at length about Romans 3:23, Titus 3:5 and Matthew 7:22-23, but she just dismisses those parts of the bible along with others that she doesn’t like. I pray for her every day. If you know people who take God’s Amazing Grace for granted, take time right now to pray for their stony hearts to be removed and replaced with hearts of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

“Beware of manufacturing a god of your own: A god who is all mercy but not just, a god who is all love but not holy, A god who has a heaven for everybody but a hell for none … Such a god is an idol of your own. The hands of your own fancy and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible.” — J.C. Ryle

The idea for this article came from an email I received from Ligonier Ministries last week announcing a new book entitled, By Grace Alone by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. The email began with the words, “Routine Grace, How Monotonous the Sound?” I haven’t read the book, but would recommend it based on the author’s reputation alone.

Merry Christmas 2009

Dave Miller — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:43:29 +0000

To my dear readers, (both of you)

I would like to wish you and your family a very happy and memorable Christmas.

The whole reason we celebrate is to commemorate the greatest gift ever given. Christmas is the time to honor Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, the Son of God, who was born in human flesh to live among His creation for a few decades. What he did, during what we would consider a very short life, was to teach us to love God and one another, to take our sins upon him, and to cover us with His perfect righteousness so we can once again be in full fellowship with God the Father now and forever.

If you only half-heartedly believe this, or don’t believe it at all, please think about it for a few minutes. Consider the fact that all of us will die someday and how many toys we have really doesn’t matter. Consider the fact that there is no way for anyone to live a life good enough to qualify for even a moment in the presence of a perfect, Holy God. The only way to earn a place in heaven is to live a perfect, holy life, and none of us can do that. But if you believe Jesus (not just believe IN Jesus) and turn away from your sins, God will look at your sinful life and see Jesus’ perfect life. Jesus’ work on the cross has assured all believers of this.

Everything else you may have been told that you have to do in order to gain heaven is extraneous. Repent and believe that Jesus is Lord and you are saved – by grace alone through faith alone, not by works. No other religion in the world teaches this, grace is unique to Christianity. Grace is the best kind of gift because none of us deserve it. What a wonderful gift! God loved us so much that he sent his Son to defeat death and sin, and give all believers the undeserved gift of eternal life in His presence.

May the blessings of Christmas be upon all of you.

-Dave

(Shawshank) Redemption

Dave Miller — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:30:31 +0000

There’s a scene early in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” where a character named Red, played by Morgan Freeman, sits before a parole board that is reviewing his case to consider whether he should be released from prison.

PAROLE BOARD MEMBER: We see by your file you’ve served twenty years of a life sentence. Do you feel you’ve been rehabilitated?

RED: Yes, sir, absolutely. I’ve learned my lesson. I can honestly say I’m a changed man. I’m no longer a danger to society. That’s the God’s honest truth. No doubt about it.

The next scene shows Red’s prison file as a rubber stamp in a man’s fist impresses the word “REJECTED” in bright red letters.

The movie goes on for about an hour and it is ten years later and the act is replayed.

PAROLE BOARD MEMBER: We see by your file you’ve served thirty years of a life sentence. Do you feel you’ve been rehabilitated?

RED: Yes sir, without a doubt. I can say I’m a changed man. No danger to society, that’s the God’s honest truth. Absolutely rehabilitated.

Once again, the rubber stamp impresses his prison file with the word, “REJECTED”.

The movie goes on again and ten years later Red sits before the Parole Board again.

PAROLE BOARD MEMBER: Your file says you’ve served forty years of a life sentence. Do you feel you’ve been rehabilitated?

Red doesn’t answer. He just stares off into the distance.

After a few seconds, the man says, “Shall I repeat the question?”

RED: “I heard you. Rehabilitated. Let’s see now. You know, come to think of it, I have no idea what that means. I know what you think it means. Me, I think it’s a made-up word, a politician’s word. A word so young fellas like you can wear a suit and tie and have a job. What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did?

Not a day goes by I don’t feel regret, and not because I’m in here or because you think I should. I look back on myself the way I was…stupid kid who did that terrible crime… I wish I could talk sense to him. Tell him how things are. But I can’t. That kid’s long gone, this old man is all that’s left, and I have to live with that.

Rehabilitated? That’s just a made-up word, so you just go on ahead and stamp that form there, sonny, and stop wasting my time. Truth is, I don’t really care.

[Some language has been cleaned up here]

The parole board just stares, and again we see the stamp dropping onto Red’s prison file. It is lifted away to reveal the word, “APPROVED” in bright red letters.

That is the way I think of myself. I am not a role model. There may be a few things about me now that are worth emulating, but that is only due to the unimaginably wonderful Grace of God. The fact of the matter is that I am an ex-convict of sorts. A sinner who has cleaned up his act – or, more precisely, has had his act cleaned up for him.

I have done things in my life that I am too embarrassed to admit to anyone on earth. I’ve confessed my actions to God and begged his forgiveness. I never physically hurt anybody, but if law enforcement or my friends and family knew of some of the things I’ve done… Well… I’m certain that my life would have been very different than it is and it is quite possible that I may have ended up before a parole board just like Red did in this movie.

I know what Red means by wanting to talk sense to that stupid kid. I think back to the way I was and I want reach out my hand to him, put my hand on his shoulder in a very loving way and bash his head into the nearest brick wall to knock some sense into him. I want to tell him how things are.

The difference between me and Red is that the very first time I knelt before the only righteous judge in the universe and confessed my crime; He stamped my file, “APPROVED.”

Thanks to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, I know redemption!

Praise God!

Must every Q&A begin with a Q?

Dave Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:19:19 +0000

A. Mankind started out living with God, our maker, in a very personal, intimate way that nobody can imagine today. Then Adam and Eve sinned and we became separated from this way of being with God. The Gospel is God’s way of getting us back into this communion or fellowship by saving us from sin and His wrath. (Genesis 3:6)

Q. I believe in God, but I don’t get the importance of this “Gospel” thing or this stuff about being “Saved.” What is all this?

A. Believing in God will not reconcile you to Him. Remember, Satan believes in God; he knows and understands God better than any human being. If you want to be at peace with God and guarantee your eternal salvation, you need to know the Gospel and be saved. Believing in God isn’t enough.

Q. I’m getting along fine right now. Why do I need to be at peace with God?

A. You are getting along fine because God gives some grace to everybody regardless of their beliefs. He makes the sun shine and the rain fall upon both the good and the bad (Matthew 5:45). But just because things are going well for you now, doesn’t mean that they always will, especially when you die. The Christian is at peace with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We have the assurance that even though things on earth have their ups and downs, eventually we will be granted perfect rest and reward in His eternal kingdom. (1 Peter 5:10)

Q. So what does the Gospel have to do with getting this perfect life?

A. Because the Gospel is the only thing that can bridge the gap between you and God. Everyone is born in sin and most people live their entire lives as an enemy of God. Yes, God loves you, but most of us don’t love God as we should and we treat him like our enemy. Even people who are saved treat God like an enemy every time they sin. Without the Gospel, without the covering of Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death (called justification and atonement) we would remain enemies of God forever. (James 4:4)

Q. This is kinda crazy stuff. Why should I believe any of it?

A. Well, this might be foolishness to you. It gives me no joy to hear such a question because it means that the person asking it is still lost in sin. Until you realize and recognize that you are a sinful person, the Gospel will be foolishness to you. The first step to accepting the Gospel and being saved by Jesus is recognizing your sin and turning away from it. This is called repentance. (Mark 1:15)

Q. What’s the big deal about admitting that I’m not perfect? Everybody sins, right?

A. Yes, Everybody sins. (Romans 3:23) But not everybody considers what they do sinning. If you are outside of the saving grace of God, then you can do all the good things you want and it still won’t make you right with God. Nothing you can do will get you right with God; only God can make you right with Him and the only way that He makes you right with Him is by starting you out with a repentant heart and an understanding of His love for you.

Q. Okay, so let’s say that I admit that I’ve told a few lies, taken some little things that didn’t belong to me and I’m not exactly sexually pure. Is that enough?

A. It’s a start; a good start. Are you sorry for doing these things?

Q. Yes. What now?

A. If you’re sorry for doing these things, then tell God that you’re sorry, in your own words. Don’t try to sound like somebody else that you’ve heard pray. Tell God that He is more important than the sinful acts you have been committing. That’s called repentance. Then believe. Believe with all your heart that the God of the Bible, who made the universe from nothing, loves you and sent His son Jesus to live a perfect life and die a terrible death to reunite you with your maker by paying the price for your sins.

And the best part is that you don’t have to wait until you die. You are made right with God right here and right now. Praise the Lord!

If you are a new believer, read this survival guide. Tell someone, perhaps a faithful Christian you know, that you have found the Lord. (More accurately, the Lord has found you! – Luke 15:4-5) I recommend that you read the Gospel of John over the next week or so to learn more about Jesus and your new life.