How to really love others

Over at Pure Church (see link on side bar) this extended quotation was posted from Jerry Bridges' book The Crisis of Caring: Recovering the Meaning of True Fellowship.

In one chapter Bridges outlines four possible ways Christians can approach the Christian life. "There are basically four ways to live the Christian life. The first way is to attempt to do it entirely on our own, by our own effort and willpower. This way is doomed to failure. Jesus stated very plainly, "Apart from me you do nothing" (John 15:5). If we attempt such a solo effort, some meager expressions of the life of Christ will remain in us, for, after all, we are still in union with Him. But in our daily spiritual life we will experience mostly failure, frustration, and, very likely, unsatisfactory relationships with other people. The fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.--will hardly be visible. Instead of growing vigorously in our lives, those gracious qualities will be stunted and withered. We may have lots of Christian activity and even apparent Christian success, but we will possess little genuine Spirit-produced fruit. Most of us have probably tried this solo approach to the Christian life and found it wanting.

"The second way to live the Christian life is frequently a reaction to the first. Having experienced the futility of the self-effort way, we go to the other extreme, deciding to do nothing at all. We just 'turn it all over to the Lord' and allow Him to live His life through us. We decide, perhaps because we have heard or read it some place, that any effort on our part to live the Christian life is 'of the flesh.' We conclude that we should not work at living the Christian life, but simply trust God, who does the work for us. Many of us have tried this approach and, if we are honest with ourselves, have discovered that this, too, is not God's way.

"A third way is the 'Lord, help me' approach. The chief characteristic of this way is a partial dependence on the Lord: the unconscious but nevertheless real attitude that I can of my own self live the Christian life up to a point but that I need the Lord's help after that point. It is the assumption--unconscious, perhaps, but very real--that there is a certain reservoir of goodness, wisdom, and spiritual strength within my own character that I should draw on for the ordinary duties of life, but that beyond that, I need the Lord's help. This may be the attitude of some people who like to quote the saying, 'Lord, help me remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle.' Sadly enough, this is probably the most common approach among sincere Christians today. It is the approach used by thousands of Christians who pray a prayer for God's help at the beginning of the day, but who proceed from that point onward as if it all depended on them--unless they meet a crisis situation. It is the attitude most of us fall into at various times if we are not watchful.

"But as the great Puritan scholar John Owen wrote, 'We do not have the ability in ourselves to accomplish the least of God's tasks. This is a law of grace. When we recognize it is impossible for us to perform a duty in our own strength, we will discover the secret of its accomplishment. But alas, this is a secret we often fail to discover.'

"The fourth approach to the Christian life is the abiding-in-Christ way. the believer who practices this approach knows that the self-effort approach and the 'let go and let God' approach are both futile. He has also learned that he needs God's help not just beyond a certain point but in every aspect of life. He doesn't pray for hep just during crises or stressful times. Rather, his prayer is, 'Lord, enable me all day long, for without You I can do nothing.' To illustrate, let's imagine that God has asked him to lift a heavy log (perhaps the log symbolizes a difficult circumstance he must go through, or just the day-to-day demands of the Christian life). This believer doesn't say, 'Lord, I've got a log that's too heavy for me to lift. If You will take one end, I will take the other end and together we will lift this log.' Instead he says, 'Lord, You must enable me to lift this log if I am to do it. To all appearances it will seem as if I am lifting this log, and I truly am, but I am doing so only because You have given me all the strength to do it.' This is what Paul was saying in Philippians 4:13: 'I can do everything through him who gives me strength.' The log in that instance was the challenge of contentment in the midst of changing circumstances. Paul was able to meet that challenge, not with God's help (God and Paul sharing the load) but with God's total enabling.

"John Owen again expressed this attitude of total reliance on Christ when he paraphrased Galatians 2:20: 'The spiritual life which I have is not my own. I did not induce it, and I cannot maintain it. It is only and solely the work of Christ. It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me. My whole life is His alone.'

"So the difference between 'Lord, help me' and 'Lord, enable me' is a matter of partial trust in our self-effort versus total reliance on Christ."

The challenge as we read the above is to be honest enough with ourselves to recognise which of those three approaches summarises the way we live. I need to recognise that I can do nothing without Christ's enabling power, and then review the day and praise him that he enabled us to do it!

The Golden Opportunity

Went to see 'The Golden Compass' yesterday, I've read the books and listened to all the concern about the film and what it has to say about God, the fall, the church, sin and freedom.

It is a fantastic film visually, the special effects are amazing, though Nicole Kidman steals the show with her cold turn as Lyra's mother. It is a film which raises many questions.

I am concerned at the way Pullman portrays the church (The Magisterium) - protectors of their own power rather than seekers of the truth. And how the authority (God) is being set up to be killed in the later films. And how the fall is being portrayed as a good thing.

But actually what a great opportunity it brings for us to engage with these issues. The film is all about the search for truth, it is what the Golden Compass of the books title enables its wielder to discover. And as our friends, neighbours and work colleagues think about it, what a great opportunity to talk to them about the truth!!!

The challenge is not to fear the film, but to use it to introduce people to a God so loving that he sends his son into the world to save the very one who have rebelled against them, why? So that they can spend eternity enjoying him. The challenge is to engage with our children so that they know what Pullman does and how the Bible answers the charges he makes against God. Charges that are easily answered by our God who is nothing like 'the authority'. In fcat who is the very opposite of Pullman's idea of God.

Work in the service of God

How do you view your job? A necessary evil? A means of simply putting bread on the table? Something that gives me value and worth? Something I enjoy?

We are encouraged today to live for the weekend, or if you are a teacher for those blissful 13 weeks of the year, when we stop our work and do what we actually want to do.

But the Bible has a lot to say about work and no where more so than in the book of Daniel. The big emphasis on Daniel is on the Sovereignty of God, its why 6:26-7 provide a neat summary of ch1-6 and a bridge into ch7-12. God is sovereign and one of the direct consequences of God's sovereignty is that Daniel and his friends are able to live as they do. They are exemplary in their service of the King (whichever king that may be), they excel, they stand hand and shoulders above everyone else in terms of knowledge, wisdom and understanding but also in terms of character. They serve the Sovereign God as they excel in serving the king.

So often we live for the holidays, or in church circles see church work as being the ultimate work in service of God. Such attitudes are rubbish. God uses Daniel and his friends excellent service to speak to kings! The work place is the front line in the battle between the temporary kingdom of the world and the eternal, indestructible kingdom of God. We are to excel in serving God as we excel in our workplace.

True humility

Humility is one of those attributes that we know are meant to characterise the people of God, but which we seem to struggle with. Either we put ourselves down whether by comment or comparison, or we ignore humility altogether.

Daniel is a great antidote to both. Daniels humility is seen in his service of both God and the king, and in his society just as in ours it makes him stand out as a man apart.

To be humble is not to think less OF myself but less ABOUT myself.

Positively it is to be focused on God's desires, doing what pleases him and accentuates his holiness, glory and grace.

Help in evangelism

On eof my convictions is that I need to sharpen up on loving people and that loving them means ultimately sharing the gospel with them. This list of books appeared on the Pure Church website, which there is a link to on the side bar, and I aim to get through a few this year to keep that desire alive. I have added a couple of my own at the end:
Harvie Conn, Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace (P&R)
Thomas Boston, The Art of Manfishing: A Puritan's View of Evangelism (Christian Focus)
Thomas Boston, Repentance: Turning from Sin to God: What It Means and Why It's Necessary (Christian Focus)
Rick Philips, Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel from the Book of John (Reformation Trust)
Jerram Barrs, The Heart of Evangelism (Crossway)
C.H. Spurgeon, The Soul Winner: How to Lead Sinners to the Savior (Eerdmans)
Bruce J. Nichols, Contextualization: A Theology of Gospel and Culture (Regent College Press)
C. John Miller, Repentance and 21st Century Man (Christian Literature Crusade)
J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (IVP)
John Benton, Evangelistic Calvinism: Why the Doctrines of Grace Are Good News (Banner)
Roger S. Greenway, The Pastor-Evangelist: Preacher, Model, and Mobilizer for Church Growth (P&R)
Richard Peace, Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve (Eerdmans)
Ronald J. Sider, Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works (Baker Book House)
Andreas J. Kostenberger and Peter T. O'Brien, Salvation to the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Theology of Mission (IVP)
Samuel Ling, Chinese Intellectuals and the Gospel (P&R)
Yuan Zhiming, Soul Searching: Chinese Intellectuals on Faith and Society (P&R)
James M. Boice, Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace? Rediscovering the Doctrines That Shook the World (Crossway)
Cornelius P. Venema, The Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ (Banner)
Ian Murray, Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching (Banner)
Peter Jones, Gospel Truth--Pagan Lies: Can You Tell the Difference? (Spring Arbor Distributors)
Steve Brown, A Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature of the Gospel (Howard Publishing)
Sinclair Ferguson, In Christ Alone: Reflections on the Heart of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries)
R.C. Sproul, Getting the Gospel Right: The Tie That Binds Evangelicals Together (Baker)
Cornelius P. Venema, Getting the Gospel Right: Assessing the Reformation and the New perspectives on Paul (Banner)
Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life: Turn to the Liberating Power of the Cross... Every Day (NavPress)
Michael Horton, Putting Amazing Back Into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel (Baker)
Mark Lauterbach, The Transforming Community: The Practice of the Gospel in Church Discipline (Christian Focus)
Horatius Bonar, Words to Winners of Souls (P&R)
C. John Miller, A Faith Worth Sharing: A Lifetime of Conversations About Christ (P&R)
Anthony A. Hoekema, Saved by Grace (Eerdmans)
Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington, The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness (Crossway)
C. Jack Miller, The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller (P&R)
James W. Sire, Why Good Arguments Often Fail: Making a More Persuasive Case for Christ (IVP)
Tullian Tchividjian, Do I Know God? Finding Certainty in Life's Most Important Relationship (Multnomah)
Randy Newman, Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did (Kregel)
My additions
Andrew Baughan The Because Approach (Authentic Media)
C.S Lewis Mere Christianity (IVP)
Mark Driscoll The Radical Reformission (Zondervan)
Ben Cooper Just Love (The Good Book Company)

Already defeated

It saddened me last week to read of a Theological college being taken to court by a former lecturer for unfair dismissal and by the news that the matter will go before an employment tribunal.

It saddened me most because it means we are utterly defeated, why do I say that? Because that is what Paul says to the Corinthians: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"

It saddens me because the name of Christ is done down in the eyes of the world. I don't want to comment on the specifics because we only know what is reported. But how should we respond to those who ask us about this? To those we say it proves Christians are hypocrites?

Firstly I think we want to say what it proves is that all have sinned. It proves that no-one is perfect, and that includes us.

Secondly, it proves that we all need grace, we all need God's forgiveness, God giving us what we don't deserve which he does in Christ.

Thirdly, it proves that knowledge never removes the need for repentance.

Christians are just sinners saved by grace.

Does holiness matter?

Am I bothered about the holiness of others? Am I concerned about what people looking on see as they look at the peopel of God?

Nehemiah 13 is quiet striking. This last chapter of a book in which there has been so much success against adversity is one where rebuke is the theme. Even after so many successes, after so much achievement compromise and decline is what Nehemiah finds on his return to Jerusalem.

1. Our biggest danger – we think the battle is over
There are a number of compromises made in this chapter; Eliashib gives Tobiah (one of those who has opposed the rebuilding) a room in temple, the people fail to provide for the Levites, so temple cult fell into disuse, the people engage in trade and business on the Sabbath, and in mixed marriages (with a priest even marrying Sanballat's (another who has opposed the rebuilding) daughter.

You would think with all the opposition the people would have be determined not to make the same mistake as their forefathers. You would think they would be incredibly aware of the holiness of God having just experienced 70 years in exile. But the people are halfhearted in their worship of God, and its shown in their actions. Actions that say holiness doesn’t matter. , worship can be halfhearted.

I need to look at myself and ask the question, we may recognise that our deliverance and salvation is great but have I become too familiar with it? Do I take it for granted? Over familiarity shown in my actions. But a real desire for holiness, for God’s glory, is seen in right worship, joyful giving, and God honouring living in all of our lives.

2. The only remedy – a call to radical repentance
Confrontation is not popular today – we don’t want to offend anyone. But Nehemiah grasps that something radical needs to be done and he does it: he throws Tobiah out and has the room purified, he rebukes the leaders and nobles, bars gates so traders cannot get in, rebukes people, drives out Joiada, and purifies the priesthood.

In every case Nehemiah stands for what is right as rebukes and calls the people to radical repentance. He takes steps to stop compromise and halfheartedness.

Why? In every case there is a little interlude after action – (14, 22, 29). And what is striking is that Nehemiah wants to hear God’s well done. His actions are prompted by his love for God, his desire to see God's people worshipping a holy God properly.

Do God’s words matter? Our biggest danger is taking liberties with God and his word. The only response is repentance, not words but in radical actions. Nehemiah’s concern is for the people of God to be holy – do I mirror that concern? Would I consider giving warnings like these, using words like these and taking actions like these to spur others on to godliness? Nehemiah did because God’s holiness mattered and his holiness is revealed to others by the way his people live. Do I share that concern?

Dealing with disappointment

I don't know about you but I always find disappointment difficult to deal with, when I have planned and planned something and then it just doesn't work out as I had hoped I find myself getting frustrated and annoyed.

I have found the last two weeks as I have been preparing talks on Daniel 1 and 2 to be immensely helpful, encouraging and yet at the same time challenging. Encouraging because God knows about the disappointment I am experiencing before I experience it and more amazingly he is going to take it and use it to achieve his purposes. Helpful because I can get too bogged down in what I can see which means when things don't work out the only way I can see I am tempted to dwell on it and become down hearted and yet God knows and is already working even it in the disappointment. Challenging because if that is the case then my disappointment and frustration shows that yet again I have failed to grasp that God is Sovereign, that it hasn't taken him by surprise and that he works through these things.

Daniel calls me to get my perspective right on my plans and planning, it calls me to seek God and to continually relearn to trust him who alone is sovereign and whose kingdom is not shaken and will rule eternally.

New Year New Books

Every year I try to read as many books as possible, here are the ones I'm working through at the moment, all are good if different:

Total Church, S Timmis and T Chester. Looks at what church is and or should be, calls us back to a gospel centred and saturated community
Above all earthly powers, D Wells. Examination of postmodernism and the gospel, is very insightful and calls us to engage intelligently with our culture.
Going the Distance, P Brain. Is a book I try to re-read every couple of years, its about staying fit for a lifetime of ministry. Particularly useful at this time of year for examining my bad ministry habits and calls me on my messiah complex!

I also read some great books last year which I'd highly recommend:
The Because Approach, Andrew Baughan. Makes us think about how we reach the lost and 'do church'.
The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd Jones. Brilliant Biblical Theology Bible for kids which I have found refreshing in the way it points to Jesus with every story.
If You Could Ask God One Question, B Cooper and P Williams. Great evangelistic and training tool.
The Word Became Fresh, Dale Ralph Davis. Small book but invaluable for insights it brings and training it gives on dealing with Old Testament Narrative.
Why Men Hate Going to Church, D Burrows. Makes us think about the gender gap in our churches and how to reach men.

Sovereignty of God

How do you view the world? Is it as a set of random events which are the result of individual and collective decision making? Or is it that God is sovereign and he is working out his eternal purposes in all things?

We may say that obviously it is the later, obviously it is that God is sovereign. But I wonder if we live life in the light of that reality, whether that knowledge saturates our actions or whether we live to all intents and purposes as practical atheists. I think the key to identifying which it is is seen in our responses to pressured situations.

That is not saying that we are atheists, but that actually because of the way we think we actually live as if we don't know that God is sovereign (practical atheism). We do believe in God and have a relationship with him through repentance and faith in Jesus but we just forget in the heat of the moment that God is sovereign and that we amazingly can call this sovereign God 'Father' and live as if we can't.

We allow ourselves to respond instinctively because we have not allowed the knowledge of God's sovereignty to saturate our thinking and our lives. So to take an example, a week before Christmas we buried my Grandad, who was a Christian but for the last few years of his life mentally degenerated seriously, to the point where he couldn't recognise anyone. A solid grounding in the sovereignty of God brings the comfort that God knows what is happening to my grandad and more than that amazingly through what is happening God is working out his purposes, though I still don't know what they are.

It is different from fatalism, because fatalism is the result of blind chance. Sovereignty gives us the comfort and assurance that a loving God who did not spare his only son but gave him for us is working through every circumstance for our good. The challenge, and it is a challenge we do not find it easy, is to live in the light of this.