How Does Holiness Act? Part 3: Dissension and Jealousy
1 Peter 1.13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Romans 13.13-14
13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Hebrews 10.24
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
We have thus far studied our own actions in regards to holiness, but now we must turn to something a bit different: holiness in regards to our relationships with others. Specifically, this involves two crucial properties which we must avoid: dissension and jealousy. Paul says in Romans 13 that we must not behave "in dissension and jealousy." What does this mean, though, and what role does it play in holiness? Dissension is defined as "strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord' (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dissension). Jealousy is defined as " resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself." These are obviously two behaviors which we must avoid if we wish to remain holy, but why?
Let's first turn to dissension. We see that dissension involves a "strong disagreement" or "a contention or quarrel." Dissension involves "discord." What is the common link for all of these terms? They tear apart rather than build up. Beloved, this is a crucial point we must burn into our brains--quarrels tear us apart, not build us up. Many, many Christians practice dissension. It is a widespread facet of our culture. Dissension is everywhere, especially on television and movies. It is also especially prevelent in the upcoming generation. Often humanity in general is obsessed with arguments and drama. We look forward to confrontation during our day because it occupies our minds and makes us look better than someone else. We thrive on tearing others down to make ourselves feel better or to carry out our anger. Such things should not be! Hebrews 10.24 tells us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." You see, beloved, Christ has quite an opposite view on how we should treat one another. He wishes us to compliment one another, encourage one another, and build one another up in Christ. Yes, there will be times of disagreement, but disagreements should be direct and Christ-focused. We must not constantly criticise and chip and chop away at another for our own amusement. Let us not devour one another! Let us not gossip and backbite one another for the sake of entertainment! The love of Christ should always be our primary mindset with others. So when we go to work or school or home, let us not speak to others of constant criticism and negativity towards our brothers or sisters. Let us instead demonstrate love, for that is what holiness would act. Whether it's a customer, coworker, spouse, child, sibling, friend, or any other relationship, let us have our hearts filled with a spirit of love, for this is of God.
The second thing Paul tells us to avoid is jealousy. Jealousy can sure ruin holiness. When we are jealous of another's accomplishments, current position/authority, or possessions, the love of Christ is quickly replaced with hatred. I realize that is a harsh word, but it is quite fitting. Jealousy can sometimes stir us to hatred of another. Remember Cain's jealousy? It caused the death of his brother and the curse of Cain and his family as a consequence. So you see, jealousy does not merely affect us. Instead of jealousy, we should love one another. What does that look like? A state of holiness would mean that we rejoice when another receives that new job over us, or they get that new house while we are still living in our old one. It does not covet; it does not seek to outdo. Holiness always considers how one can react with a Christ-centered spirit of love and compassion.
What, then, shall we do? We will build one another up instead of tearing each other down! We love and rejoice when our brother or sister succeeds. We are not jealous, nor are we ill-tempered. We will allow the attitude of Christ to fill our hearts, "[considering] how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Are you doing that today? If you are guilty of any type of dissension or jealousy, ask Christ to forgive you today. Begin to consider all your thoughts, actions, and words to see if they are of God. Will they build someone up? Would you say it to them if they were there? Let us live today in holiness. Amen!
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
How Does Holiness Act? Part 3: The Proper Conduct of Sexual Morality
How Does Holiness Act? Part 3: The Proper Conduct of Sexual Morality
1 Peter 1.13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Romans 13.13-14
13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
As we continue our series on how holiness acts, we come to the second set of sinful natures which defile holiness--sexual immorality. Paul says in Romans 13 that we are not to behave "in sexual immorality and debauchery." Let me stop here, however, and make sure these terms are clear. Sexual immorality involves any sexual behavior within at least four distinct categories:
1.) Lust(such as pornography)
2.) Fornication(sex before marriage)
3.) Adultery(sex outside of one's marriage with another person)
4.) Defilement(homosexuality, sexual activity with animals, etc.)
Similarly, there is debauchery--unrestrained sexual behavior. These are the people who are obsessed with sex. One could make an excellent case that our society is filled with debauchery. One cannot turn on a television show without the topic surfacing either directly or indirectly. It has invaded primetime television, books, magazines, the Internet, billboards, and our everyday culture. But debauchery CAN exist within marriages. If one's relationship with one's spouse is centered wholly on sexual activity, then one is engaging in debauchery.
Both of these practices are regarded as unholy by God. When we do these things we are not "[clothing ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ" but are instead "[thinking] about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." So what is the solution? The solution is to keep a pure mind. To be honest, sexual immorality is probably one of the toughest sins to avoid because it is a sin that results from(in most cases) wholly natural desires. Really the only sound way to avoid it is to "clothe [yourself] with the Lord Jesus Christ." We must do as Paul says and "prepare [our] minds for action." We must "be self-controlled, [setting our] hope fully on the grace to be given [us] when Jesus Christ is revealed." Self control of the mind by focusing on Christ is the most efficient way to avoid sexual immorality. One cannot enable himself to even consider what he knows is sexually immoral and unholy because the moment he allows such thoughts, the flesh kicks in and pursues all sorts of unrighteousness.
So what does holiness look like when acted out in regards to sexual morality? It is the sort of thing that gets one away from the computer/television/books when he or she is being tempted with lust. It is the sort of thing that says to the unmarried man or woman, "I will never put/be put in a situation where something COULD happen with my date/girlfriend/boyfriend." It is the sort of thing that says to the married man or woman, "My husband/wife is part of my own flesh--I will not defile myself by defiling the temple of my body." When we begin to take on this mindset, interesting side effects occur. When we stop lusting, we begin to see the value of a person and not simply as a mere object of our pleasure. We begin to see how true love does not blossom until its time has come fully. We begin to see our spouse and our relationship with them as a holy union between God, a man, and a woman. THIS, beloved, is how holiness looks. THIS is how sexual purity and holiness appears before our Lord Jesus Christ. When we follow His example, we will experience this action in the form that Christ designed at the time that Christ designed for us. We will remain holy unto Him.
Perhaps you have fallen into sexual immorality in some form or another. It is incredibly easy to do. Many of us are ashamed to admit it before God because we feel as if it is worth than any other sin. Remember that sin is sin is sin. Whatever you may have done or have thought, remember that we have a Savior who washes it all away. Allow Jesus to cleanse your eyes with His blood. He will wash you as white as snow. When King David committed adultery, we believe he wrote Psalm 51 afterwards. In it he pleads with God: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51.1-2;7). May that be the prayer today for anyone who is struggling or has struggled with sexual immorality. Allow Jesus to wash you clean and become holy, for He is holy. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
1 Peter 1.13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Romans 13.13-14
13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
As we continue our series on how holiness acts, we come to the second set of sinful natures which defile holiness--sexual immorality. Paul says in Romans 13 that we are not to behave "in sexual immorality and debauchery." Let me stop here, however, and make sure these terms are clear. Sexual immorality involves any sexual behavior within at least four distinct categories:
1.) Lust(such as pornography)
2.) Fornication(sex before marriage)
3.) Adultery(sex outside of one's marriage with another person)
4.) Defilement(homosexuality, sexual activity with animals, etc.)
Similarly, there is debauchery--unrestrained sexual behavior. These are the people who are obsessed with sex. One could make an excellent case that our society is filled with debauchery. One cannot turn on a television show without the topic surfacing either directly or indirectly. It has invaded primetime television, books, magazines, the Internet, billboards, and our everyday culture. But debauchery CAN exist within marriages. If one's relationship with one's spouse is centered wholly on sexual activity, then one is engaging in debauchery.
Both of these practices are regarded as unholy by God. When we do these things we are not "[clothing ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ" but are instead "[thinking] about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." So what is the solution? The solution is to keep a pure mind. To be honest, sexual immorality is probably one of the toughest sins to avoid because it is a sin that results from(in most cases) wholly natural desires. Really the only sound way to avoid it is to "clothe [yourself] with the Lord Jesus Christ." We must do as Paul says and "prepare [our] minds for action." We must "be self-controlled, [setting our] hope fully on the grace to be given [us] when Jesus Christ is revealed." Self control of the mind by focusing on Christ is the most efficient way to avoid sexual immorality. One cannot enable himself to even consider what he knows is sexually immoral and unholy because the moment he allows such thoughts, the flesh kicks in and pursues all sorts of unrighteousness.
So what does holiness look like when acted out in regards to sexual morality? It is the sort of thing that gets one away from the computer/television/books when he or she is being tempted with lust. It is the sort of thing that says to the unmarried man or woman, "I will never put/be put in a situation where something COULD happen with my date/girlfriend/boyfriend." It is the sort of thing that says to the married man or woman, "My husband/wife is part of my own flesh--I will not defile myself by defiling the temple of my body." When we begin to take on this mindset, interesting side effects occur. When we stop lusting, we begin to see the value of a person and not simply as a mere object of our pleasure. We begin to see how true love does not blossom until its time has come fully. We begin to see our spouse and our relationship with them as a holy union between God, a man, and a woman. THIS, beloved, is how holiness looks. THIS is how sexual purity and holiness appears before our Lord Jesus Christ. When we follow His example, we will experience this action in the form that Christ designed at the time that Christ designed for us. We will remain holy unto Him.
Perhaps you have fallen into sexual immorality in some form or another. It is incredibly easy to do. Many of us are ashamed to admit it before God because we feel as if it is worth than any other sin. Remember that sin is sin is sin. Whatever you may have done or have thought, remember that we have a Savior who washes it all away. Allow Jesus to cleanse your eyes with His blood. He will wash you as white as snow. When King David committed adultery, we believe he wrote Psalm 51 afterwards. In it he pleads with God: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51.1-2;7). May that be the prayer today for anyone who is struggling or has struggled with sexual immorality. Allow Jesus to wash you clean and become holy, for He is holy. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, October 18, 2009
How Does Holiness Act? Part 2: Revelry
How Does Holiness Act? Part 2: Revelry
1 Peter 1.13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Romans 13.13-14
13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Last week we began studying how holiness acts. This week we will get into the specifics of how that looks when carried out. What is it Christ wants us to do, and what does He want us to avoid doing? These are the questions we will answer. Beloved, learning how holiness should be displayed is a crucial part of our growth and maintenence in our relationship with Christ. Like it or not, God has called us to a set standard. We are told to "prepare [our] minds for action; be self-controlled," and to "set [our] hope fully on the grace to be given [us] when Jesus Christ is revealed."
We have seen how Paul has outlined some examples of both unrighteous and righteous behaviors. The first we will study is a topic that is not often brought up, but it is significant for our standards of holiness, nonetheless. I am speaking of this business of revelry. If you do not know what revelry is, imagine those high school parties without adult supervision, or a sports gathering where too much alcohol is ingested. This is revelry, and Scripture calls us out of it. I know that there are some of us who believe we can do both--pursue the flesh and the spirit, but Jesus tells us this in Luke 16.13: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Beloved, the Scripture is very clear on this fact--either our lives are devoted entirely to God or entirely to the world.
We know, then, that we ought to avoid revelry, but what does it look like? The Scripture outlines it here in Romans 13. Paul says that we should not behave "in orgies and drunkenness." I think all of us are pretty clear on what this means. Nevertheless, that does not mean that all of us are avoiding these unholy acts. There are those who call themselves believers and yet think very little of indulging in too much wine or alcohol, or with sleeping with someone to whom they are not married on a night of festivity. Usually the two occur together, for the alcohol corrupts and suppresses the spirit--it brings out the worst of our sinful nature.
This is why we should avoid alcohol. And that is not always easy to do. It is everywhere--restaurants, sporting events, among other festivities. Alcohol is a powerful force in our society and economy. The danger is not in the partaking of the beverage itself but in overindulging. The line is not always clear. That is why it is best to avoid anything but a small glass of wine altogether. As the sips get larger, our judgment diminishes inversely. Not only are the mind and motor skills affected, but the spirit is unable to reason with the body. How can we control our bodies through our spirit if our bodies cannot respond to our commands?
And this leads to another abomination--sexual immorality. Although the word "orgies" is used here, it is clear to us that, in the connotation of Paul's day, orgies were strongly connected with festivals where sexual immorality were quite common. The King James version of the Bible uses the word "rioting," but here(in the New International Version), I think we can get a stronger sense of potentially what Paul could have been thinking when he described this. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states one definition of the word as this: "secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing." Another states that orgies are the "excessive indulgence in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving." I am sure these sorts of religious practices were incredibly commonplace in the Roman world. Paul knew exactly what went on. Unfortunately, so do we. Our society, while not nearly as loose as the ancient Roman world, still indulges in acts of unbridled passions. The mixing of alcohol, drugs, and an uncontrolled mind, body, and spirit lead mostly to sexual immorality and all sorts of other wickedness not appropriate for me to even mention.
So how are we to avoid these things? It is much more clear that observing them externally demonstrates just how filthy and reviling these practice are. They are certainly unholy and despicable in the Lord's sight. These are the sorts of practices we saw God destroy nations for in the past. There is a key to avoiding them, and it is very simple--be drunk and indulge in the spirit. Galatians 5:16 says this before mentioning all of the despicable practices of sin: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Very simply, beloved, if we wish to "be holy, because [God] is holy," then we must keep our focus on the spirit. When strong drink, sexual immorality, or any other perverse act tempts us, we must immediately begin prayer, recite scripture, and resist Satan by employing the directive of James 4.7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Beloved, when we turn our attention over to the Father and put out of our minds the incredibly tempting desires of the flesh, suddenly we will see how unholy and unnatural revelry is. We will desire to seek God.
If you have not been obedient to the Lord in this matter particularly, come to Him today. Ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to help you live in holiness, not in "orgies and drunkenness." Fill your spirit, mind, and body with the holiness of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and you will learn to hate the despicable acts of revelry. I pray, beloved, that we can be holy today. Let us hold to the standard which Jesus has called us! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
1 Peter 1.13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Romans 13.13-14
13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Last week we began studying how holiness acts. This week we will get into the specifics of how that looks when carried out. What is it Christ wants us to do, and what does He want us to avoid doing? These are the questions we will answer. Beloved, learning how holiness should be displayed is a crucial part of our growth and maintenence in our relationship with Christ. Like it or not, God has called us to a set standard. We are told to "prepare [our] minds for action; be self-controlled," and to "set [our] hope fully on the grace to be given [us] when Jesus Christ is revealed."
We have seen how Paul has outlined some examples of both unrighteous and righteous behaviors. The first we will study is a topic that is not often brought up, but it is significant for our standards of holiness, nonetheless. I am speaking of this business of revelry. If you do not know what revelry is, imagine those high school parties without adult supervision, or a sports gathering where too much alcohol is ingested. This is revelry, and Scripture calls us out of it. I know that there are some of us who believe we can do both--pursue the flesh and the spirit, but Jesus tells us this in Luke 16.13: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Beloved, the Scripture is very clear on this fact--either our lives are devoted entirely to God or entirely to the world.
We know, then, that we ought to avoid revelry, but what does it look like? The Scripture outlines it here in Romans 13. Paul says that we should not behave "in orgies and drunkenness." I think all of us are pretty clear on what this means. Nevertheless, that does not mean that all of us are avoiding these unholy acts. There are those who call themselves believers and yet think very little of indulging in too much wine or alcohol, or with sleeping with someone to whom they are not married on a night of festivity. Usually the two occur together, for the alcohol corrupts and suppresses the spirit--it brings out the worst of our sinful nature.
This is why we should avoid alcohol. And that is not always easy to do. It is everywhere--restaurants, sporting events, among other festivities. Alcohol is a powerful force in our society and economy. The danger is not in the partaking of the beverage itself but in overindulging. The line is not always clear. That is why it is best to avoid anything but a small glass of wine altogether. As the sips get larger, our judgment diminishes inversely. Not only are the mind and motor skills affected, but the spirit is unable to reason with the body. How can we control our bodies through our spirit if our bodies cannot respond to our commands?
And this leads to another abomination--sexual immorality. Although the word "orgies" is used here, it is clear to us that, in the connotation of Paul's day, orgies were strongly connected with festivals where sexual immorality were quite common. The King James version of the Bible uses the word "rioting," but here(in the New International Version), I think we can get a stronger sense of potentially what Paul could have been thinking when he described this. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states one definition of the word as this: "secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing." Another states that orgies are the "excessive indulgence in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving." I am sure these sorts of religious practices were incredibly commonplace in the Roman world. Paul knew exactly what went on. Unfortunately, so do we. Our society, while not nearly as loose as the ancient Roman world, still indulges in acts of unbridled passions. The mixing of alcohol, drugs, and an uncontrolled mind, body, and spirit lead mostly to sexual immorality and all sorts of other wickedness not appropriate for me to even mention.
So how are we to avoid these things? It is much more clear that observing them externally demonstrates just how filthy and reviling these practice are. They are certainly unholy and despicable in the Lord's sight. These are the sorts of practices we saw God destroy nations for in the past. There is a key to avoiding them, and it is very simple--be drunk and indulge in the spirit. Galatians 5:16 says this before mentioning all of the despicable practices of sin: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Very simply, beloved, if we wish to "be holy, because [God] is holy," then we must keep our focus on the spirit. When strong drink, sexual immorality, or any other perverse act tempts us, we must immediately begin prayer, recite scripture, and resist Satan by employing the directive of James 4.7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Beloved, when we turn our attention over to the Father and put out of our minds the incredibly tempting desires of the flesh, suddenly we will see how unholy and unnatural revelry is. We will desire to seek God.
If you have not been obedient to the Lord in this matter particularly, come to Him today. Ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to help you live in holiness, not in "orgies and drunkenness." Fill your spirit, mind, and body with the holiness of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and you will learn to hate the despicable acts of revelry. I pray, beloved, that we can be holy today. Let us hold to the standard which Jesus has called us! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Unbridled Glory of God
The Unbridled Glory of God
Revelation 4.8-11
8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
I just recently got done listening to the opening to Bach's "Mass in B-Minor." For those who don't know, the Ordinary of the Mass is the set of texts sung by the Catholic Church that remain relatively fixed. The opening text sung by the choir is "Kyrie Eleison," the words of which state in Latin translated from Greek: "Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison." In English it reads, "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy." Bach's version in B-Minor can be listened to here(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi6fhfkZFoA). Keep in mind this is the OPENING choir song for a service. And Bach composes it in B-minor! I say all of this to illustrate a point--the early Christians(for this chant significantly predates Bach) were incredibly serious about their worship. They wanted to enter with an attitude of humbleness--an attitude that recognizes the sovereignty and mercy of Christ. Why? They understood the incredible glory of God--a lesson we can learn from.
In Revelation 4 we see a picture of four living creatures and twenty for elders seated around the throne of God. The glory is so great that "[d]ay and night [the four creatures] never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.' " Likewise, "whenever the living creatures" proclaim this, "the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever." What a powerful proclamation, and yet so true! The glory of God is enough to make us fall on the face and shout to the top of our lungs, "Holy, holy, holy!" It should make us cast down our crowns and proclaim God as "worthy to receive glory and honor and power."
We need to take God's glory seriously. I did not simply mention the Ordinary of the Mass to bridge into the lesson--it is also crucial that you understand the attitude of worship which these people undertook. They were serious and passionate about their worship, because they knew it was all for the glory of God. They did not wish to do anything to dishonor the presence of God. We, too, should possess a similar attitude. While worship can be fun, cheerful, and enjoyable for us, let us not forget its true purpose--to bring glory to the Almighty God. We come together in His presence, and this is a very serious ordeal. Sadly, many 21st Century cliches have slowly chipped away at the reverence we should maintain for God. We come into worship with sayings like, "Just leave your troubles and worries at the door and let's come to worship!" Is that really what God wishes us to do? As Pastor David Platt puts it, "No; bring your worries and troubles into the door." The glory of God is best manifested in us when we are completely humble and submissive to His will. This means that our hearts are honest and open to the will and call of the Lord. His glory overwhelms us, and suddenly "The Man Upstairs" appears too trivial a term to ever apply to Elohim--Him whose name is so holy that the modern Jews will not even speak it. Do we have that same standard of holiness in our worship?
Is your worship like the four creatures and the twenty four elders? Does it contain the passion in the words of that mass: "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy." Beloved, may we seek the glory of God! Although it is too much for us now, one day we shall see it in full splendor. We will have no need to talk about it; we will experience it firsthand! If your worship or your relationship with God has not been sincere, then I urge you to come before the throne of God today and let Jesus cleanse you. God's glory shines on His children--He can heal us totally to place us in His will. Will you live your life in awe and reverence of Him? Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Revelation 4.8-11
8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
I just recently got done listening to the opening to Bach's "Mass in B-Minor." For those who don't know, the Ordinary of the Mass is the set of texts sung by the Catholic Church that remain relatively fixed. The opening text sung by the choir is "Kyrie Eleison," the words of which state in Latin translated from Greek: "Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison." In English it reads, "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy." Bach's version in B-Minor can be listened to here(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi6fhfkZFoA). Keep in mind this is the OPENING choir song for a service. And Bach composes it in B-minor! I say all of this to illustrate a point--the early Christians(for this chant significantly predates Bach) were incredibly serious about their worship. They wanted to enter with an attitude of humbleness--an attitude that recognizes the sovereignty and mercy of Christ. Why? They understood the incredible glory of God--a lesson we can learn from.
In Revelation 4 we see a picture of four living creatures and twenty for elders seated around the throne of God. The glory is so great that "[d]ay and night [the four creatures] never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.' " Likewise, "whenever the living creatures" proclaim this, "the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever." What a powerful proclamation, and yet so true! The glory of God is enough to make us fall on the face and shout to the top of our lungs, "Holy, holy, holy!" It should make us cast down our crowns and proclaim God as "worthy to receive glory and honor and power."
We need to take God's glory seriously. I did not simply mention the Ordinary of the Mass to bridge into the lesson--it is also crucial that you understand the attitude of worship which these people undertook. They were serious and passionate about their worship, because they knew it was all for the glory of God. They did not wish to do anything to dishonor the presence of God. We, too, should possess a similar attitude. While worship can be fun, cheerful, and enjoyable for us, let us not forget its true purpose--to bring glory to the Almighty God. We come together in His presence, and this is a very serious ordeal. Sadly, many 21st Century cliches have slowly chipped away at the reverence we should maintain for God. We come into worship with sayings like, "Just leave your troubles and worries at the door and let's come to worship!" Is that really what God wishes us to do? As Pastor David Platt puts it, "No; bring your worries and troubles into the door." The glory of God is best manifested in us when we are completely humble and submissive to His will. This means that our hearts are honest and open to the will and call of the Lord. His glory overwhelms us, and suddenly "The Man Upstairs" appears too trivial a term to ever apply to Elohim--Him whose name is so holy that the modern Jews will not even speak it. Do we have that same standard of holiness in our worship?
Is your worship like the four creatures and the twenty four elders? Does it contain the passion in the words of that mass: "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy." Beloved, may we seek the glory of God! Although it is too much for us now, one day we shall see it in full splendor. We will have no need to talk about it; we will experience it firsthand! If your worship or your relationship with God has not been sincere, then I urge you to come before the throne of God today and let Jesus cleanse you. God's glory shines on His children--He can heal us totally to place us in His will. Will you live your life in awe and reverence of Him? Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Unending Love
Unending Love
Psalm 136.1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."
Sometimes we forget God's love is unconditional and everlasting. We can become so tuned to man's concept of love that we forget just how powerful and precious the Lord's love for us is. Many people still cannot move away from the conditional sort of love. That is, the sort of love where someone says "I love you" as long as things are going his way. This is the man who says he loves the wind so long as it keeps his sail going about his business. When we speak of God's love, however, we are not speaking of conditions. It is not a love based on what we do for Him. God loves the vilest of sinners and the saintliest of saints equally. Why? Because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3.23). In spite of this, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3.16). You see, beloved, who we are has nothing to do with why God loves us. He simply loves us.
Do not think that this is a love with limits either in time or space. Time and space, as we know, will fade. The Psalmist points out that "[the LORD's love endures forever." This sort of love is obviously eternal. It will exist for us and be manifested to us even when our physical bodies no longer harbor our spirits. This sort of love is reassuring. We live in a very conditional world. I know this well as a software designer. Motor vehicle laws here in Alabama where I live are heavily based upon "If/Then/Else" logic. There is often little rhyme or reason to these laws. That is not how our heavenly Father works, however. God's love is a constant; it cannot be moved. The Bible manifests it in thousands of ways. One of the most obvious is found in Luke 23.39-43. In it we see that one of the thieves on the Cross next to Jesus "said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' " That is so typical of God's love! It goes on and on, even when death has occurred. Jesus barely had the strength to breathe, but he found enough to forgive a wretched sinner.
He loves us the same way. We were all sinners condemned to the wrath of God, but Christ has provided us with eternal redemption through His sacrifice. He paid our debts and bore the wrath which was due to us. That's eternal love! If God did all that, don't you think He still loves us? Of course He does! Now may our lives return it. May we, too, have eternal love for Jesus and for the lives of those around us and distant from us. The Kingdom is here, right now. You do not have to weight for any thousand year reign; the Kingdom of God has come with power! It lives in us and will live in us even after our breath stops. If you have not ever accepted God's eternal love, do so today. Ask Jesus to come and be the Lord of your life and King of your heart. Or perhaps you have not been experiencing the eternal love of God. Maybe you have feelings that say, "I'm not good enough" or "I've done too much wrong for God to ever love me." Remember God forgave a thief on a Cross--He can and has forgiven you. Live today in God's eternal love! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Psalm 136.1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."
Sometimes we forget God's love is unconditional and everlasting. We can become so tuned to man's concept of love that we forget just how powerful and precious the Lord's love for us is. Many people still cannot move away from the conditional sort of love. That is, the sort of love where someone says "I love you" as long as things are going his way. This is the man who says he loves the wind so long as it keeps his sail going about his business. When we speak of God's love, however, we are not speaking of conditions. It is not a love based on what we do for Him. God loves the vilest of sinners and the saintliest of saints equally. Why? Because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3.23). In spite of this, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3.16). You see, beloved, who we are has nothing to do with why God loves us. He simply loves us.
Do not think that this is a love with limits either in time or space. Time and space, as we know, will fade. The Psalmist points out that "[the LORD's love endures forever." This sort of love is obviously eternal. It will exist for us and be manifested to us even when our physical bodies no longer harbor our spirits. This sort of love is reassuring. We live in a very conditional world. I know this well as a software designer. Motor vehicle laws here in Alabama where I live are heavily based upon "If/Then/Else" logic. There is often little rhyme or reason to these laws. That is not how our heavenly Father works, however. God's love is a constant; it cannot be moved. The Bible manifests it in thousands of ways. One of the most obvious is found in Luke 23.39-43. In it we see that one of the thieves on the Cross next to Jesus "said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' " That is so typical of God's love! It goes on and on, even when death has occurred. Jesus barely had the strength to breathe, but he found enough to forgive a wretched sinner.
He loves us the same way. We were all sinners condemned to the wrath of God, but Christ has provided us with eternal redemption through His sacrifice. He paid our debts and bore the wrath which was due to us. That's eternal love! If God did all that, don't you think He still loves us? Of course He does! Now may our lives return it. May we, too, have eternal love for Jesus and for the lives of those around us and distant from us. The Kingdom is here, right now. You do not have to weight for any thousand year reign; the Kingdom of God has come with power! It lives in us and will live in us even after our breath stops. If you have not ever accepted God's eternal love, do so today. Ask Jesus to come and be the Lord of your life and King of your heart. Or perhaps you have not been experiencing the eternal love of God. Maybe you have feelings that say, "I'm not good enough" or "I've done too much wrong for God to ever love me." Remember God forgave a thief on a Cross--He can and has forgiven you. Live today in God's eternal love! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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