Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Hope

A boy (about age 12) once went about comparing the size of his palm with others. Apparently his palm is always bigger than his friends'. Then he came to me. We compared, and my hand is naturally bigger than him. He was like slightly disappointed, and then he brightened up and said to me, "Never mind. I will grow." He has hope.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Why Are We Saved By Faith?

Charles Spurgeon had a passage in chapter 10 of his book “All of Grace” to answer why faith is chosen as a vehicle of salvation which I quote below:

Why is faith selected as the channel of salvation? No doubt this inquiry is often made. "By grace are ye saved through faith," is assuredly the doctrine of Holy Scripture, and the ordinance of God; but why is it so? Why is faith selected rather than hope, or love, or patience?

It becomes us to be modest in answering such a question, for God's ways are not always to be understood; nor are we allowed presumptuously to question them. Humbly we would reply that, as far as we can tell, faith has been selected as the channel of grace, because there is a natural adaptation in faith to be used as the receiver. Suppose that I am about to give a poor man an alms: I put it into his hand—why? Well, it would hardly be fitting to put it into his ear, or to lay it upon his foot; the hand seems made on purpose to receive. So, in our mental frame, faith is created on purpose to be a receiver: it is the hand of the man, and there is a fitness in receiving grace by its means.

Do let me put this very plainly. Faith which receives Christ is as simple an act as when your child receives an apple from you, because you hold it out and promise to give him the apple if he comes for it. The belief and the receiving relate only to an apple; but they make up precisely the same act as the faith which deals with eternal salvation. What the child's hand is to the apple, that your faith is to the perfect salvation of Christ. The child's hand does not make the apple, nor improve the apple, nor deserve the apple; it only takes it; and faith is chosen by God to be the receiver of salvation, because it does not pretend to create salvation, nor to help in it, but it is content humbly to receive it. "Faith is the tongue that begs pardon, the hand which receives it, and the eye which sees it; but it is not the price which buys it." Faith never makes herself her own plea, she rests all her argument upon the blood of Christ. She becomes a good servant to bring the riches of the Lord Jesus to the soul, because she acknowledges whence she drew them, and owns that grace alone entrusted her with them.

Faith, again, is doubtless selected because it gives all the glory to God. It is of faith that it might be by grace, and it is of grace that there might be no boasting; for God cannot endure pride. "The proud he knoweth afar off," and He has no wish to come nearer to them. He will not give salvation in a way which will suggest or foster pride. Paul saith, "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Now, faith excludes all boasting. The hand which receives charity does not say, "I am to be thanked for accepting the gift"; that would be absurd. When the hand conveys bread to the mouth it does not say to the body, "Thank me; for I feed you." It is a very simple thing that the hand does though a very necessary thing; and it never arrogates glory to itself for what it does. So God has selected faith to receive the unspeakable gift of His grace, because it cannot take to itself any credit, but must adore the gracious God who is the giver of all good. Faith sets the crown upon the right head, and therefore the Lord Jesus was wont to put the crown upon the head of faith, saying, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

Next, God selects faith as the channel of salvation because it is a sure method, linking man with God. When man confides in God, there is a point of union between them, and that union guarantees blessing. Faith saves us because it makes us cling to God, and so brings us into connection with Him. I have often used the following illustration, but I must repeat it, because I cannot think of a better. I am told that years ago a boat was upset above the falls of Niagara, and two men were being carried down the current, when persons on the shore managed to float a rope out to them, which rope was seized by them both. One of them held fast to it and was safely drawn to the bank; but the other, seeing a great log come floating by, unwisely let go the rope and clung to the log, for it was the bigger thing of the two, and apparently better to cling to. Alas! the log with the man on it went right over the vast abyss, because there was no union between the log and the shore. The size of the log was no benefit to him who grasped it; it needed a connection with the shore to produce safety. So when a man trusts to his works, or to sacraments, or to anything of that sort, he will not be saved, because there is no junction between him and Christ; but faith, though it may seem to be like a slender cord, is in the hands of the great God on the shore side; infinite power pulls in the connecting line, and thus draws the man from destruction. Oh the blessedness of faith, because it unites us to God!

Faith is chosen again, because it touches the springs of action. Even in common things faith of a certain sort lies at the root of all. I wonder whether I shall be wrong if I say that we never do anything except through faith of some sort. If I walk across my study it is because I believe my legs will carry me. A man eats because he believes in the necessity of food; he goes to business because he believes in the value of money; he accepts a check because he believes that the bank will honor it. Columbus discovered America because he believed that there was another continent beyond the ocean; and the Pilgrim Fathers colonized it because they believed that God would be with them on those rocky shores. Most grand deeds have been born of faith; for good or for evil, faith works wonders by the man in whom it dwells. Faith in its natural form is an all-prevailing force, which enters into all manner of human actions. Possibly he who derides faith in God is the man who in an evil form has the most of faith; indeed, he usually falls into a credulity which would be ridiculous, if it were not disgraceful. God gives salvation to faith, because by creating faith in us He thus touches the real mainspring of our emotions and actions. He has, so to speak, taken possession of the battery and now He can send the sacred current to every part of our nature. When we believe in Christ, and the heart has come into the possession of God, then we are saved from sin, and are moved toward repentance, holiness, zeal, prayer, consecration, and every other gracious thing. "What oil is to the wheels, what weights are to a clock, what wings are to a bird, what sails are to a ship, that faith is to all holy duties and services." Have faith, and all other graces will follow and continue to hold their course.

Faith, again, has the power of working by love; it influences the affections toward God, and draws the heart after the best things. He that believes in God will beyond all question love God. Faith is an act of the understanding; but it also proceeds from the heart. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness"; and hence God gives salvation to faith because it resides next door to the affections, and is near akin to love; and love is the parent and the nurse of every holy feeling and act. Love to God is obedience, love to God is holiness. To love God and to love man is to be conformed to the image of Christ; and this is salvation.

Moreover, faith creates peace and joy; he that hath it rests, and is tranquil, is glad and joyous, and this is a preparation for heaven. God gives all heavenly gifts to faith, for this reason among others, that faith worketh in us the life and spirit which are to be eternally manifested in th e upper and better world. Faith furnishes us with armor for this life, and education for the life to come. It enables a man both to live and to die without fear; it prepares both for action and for suffering; and hence the Lord selects it as a most convenient medium for conveying grace to us, and thereby securing us for glory.

Certainly faith does for us what nothing else can do; it gives us joy and peace, and causes us to enter into rest. Why do men attempt to gain salvation by other means? An old preacher says, "A silly servant who is bidden to open a door, sets his shoulder to it and pushes with all his might ; but the door stirs not, and he cannot enter, use what strength he may. Another comes with a key, and easily unlocks the door, and enters right readily. Those who would be saved by works are pushing at heaven's gate without result; but faith is the key which opens the gate at once." Reader, will you not use that key? The Lord commands you to believe in His dear Son, therefore you may do so; and doing so you shall live. Is not this the promise of the gospel, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"? (Mark 16:16). What can be your objection to a way of salvation which commends itself to the mercy and the wisdom of our gracious God?

Sunday, November 23, 2008

The wicked live by faith

It is written, "The just shall live by faith (Habbakuk 2:4, Romans 1:7, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38)".
The wicked also live by faith. We need faith for everything because we are not all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscience) and all-present (omnipresent). We have no time to prove everything which we have not seen or have not felt with any of our senses. We also cannot be proving all the time whether our senses are deceiving us. Thus everybody lives by faith. The just and the wicked. But the wicked live by faith in everything other than the true and living God. Therefore God do not consider the wicked as "alive" (Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:60). They are alive only in our eyes, which why the Bible never says "The wicked shall live by faith".

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Quotes About the Bible - 1

Found in the Gideons International Bible:
The HOLY BIBLE contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Patience or Approval?

Divorce is allowed in Moses’s Law (Deuteronomy 24:1). Because it is in the Law of Moses, the Jews reasoned that God approved divorce. But God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). From the beginning God did not intend it to be that way, but for the hardness of men's heart, He wrote them this precept. (Matthew 19:8). God showed His great patience with men by regulating their sins, such as adultery (in polygamy and divorce laws), slavery and war in Moses’s Law.

So how are we to know what is approved of God, and what is allowed and regulated because of His great mercy and patience? We can look back at the Ten Commandments and how our Lord Jesus interpret them (Matthew 5:21-22, 5:27-28). You will soon realize how exacting the demands of God are and how impossible it is for you to fulfill the Law. And you will also realize how much you need a Saviour, or you will have to face the wrath of this God, when His mercy and patience end and His justice begin.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

In Christ, salvation is free

Salvation is free. It has to be received as a gift of God (John 3:16, Romans 3:24-25, Romans 5:15-17, Ephesians 2:8, Revelations 21:6). You cannot buy it (Acts 8:20). You cannot work for it (Ephesians 2:9).

But nothing is free (PAP, Singapore's ruling party). When you got something free, it is because someone has paid the price for you. God has paid the price of your salvation with the blood of His Son. You are redeemed from your sins by His blood (Romans 3:25, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23, Hebrews 9:12, 1 John 2:2).

Henceforth, you become the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:18). Other religions ask you to earn salvation by doing good works. Jesus Christ saved you to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).

What happens if you reject this gift? There will be no salvation for you, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which they can be saved (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 2:3, John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5).

Friday, November 14, 2008

In Christ, salvation is guaranteed

The minimum guarantee of any true Christian: eternal life in Heaven (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, 1 John 2:2). This is not a Lehman Brothers mini-bond guarantee. There are no small prints.

No other religion has offered this guarantee. No other religion can offer this guarantee legally and morally. They all teach you that a good man goes to Heaven and a wicked man goes to Hell. But what is "good"? What is the KPI (Key Performance Indicator)? How much "good" is needed? No religion state this clearly. Every good Human Resource Manager knows that performance is not exact science and how difficult it is to judge someone's performance. Those who do good works to earn merit to heaven just have to hope that their god or gods that he/she/it/they are a better or more perfect judge than the fallible Human Resource Manager.

I have asked a Muslim if he is going to Heaven when he dies. He replied, "Allah knows". He does not know. Nobody knows. Except the true Christian who believed in the Word of God.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Microsoft, Unix, fork and chopsticks

Microsoft Windows is like fork, more difficult to make, but easier to use. Unix is like chopsticks. Easier to make, but more difficult to use. Usually, you can only train one hand to use the chopsticks. Thus a right-handed person can only use his right hand to hold the chopsticks. given any two sticks, you can use them as a pair of chopsticks. But for the fork, you can use it with either hand. However, you cannot make you own fork easily.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

What Fifty Said by Robert Frost

When I was young my teachers were the old.
I gave up fire for form till I was cold.
I suffered like a metal being cast.
I went to school to age to learn the past.

Now I am old my teachers are the young.
What can't be molded must be cracked and sprung.
I strain at lessons fit to start a suture.
I go to school to youth to learn the future.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Second Generation Christians

How do Second Generation Christians know if they are saved? Unlike those who were converted from non-Christian religions, where there is clear break from the past, Second Generation Christians are taught Bible truths from young. How do they know that the knowledge they have are not just knowledge in their heads, but are truly believed and acted upon? After all, even the demon believe in God (James 2:19).

Monday, November 10, 2008

Manna is supplied in the wilderness, but not in the Promised Land

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. (Exodus 16:35 KJV)

Manna is supplied in the wilderness, but not in the Promised Land. Miracles occur so that we know that God is God. Once we know, the miracles stopped.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Even the demons believe there is only one God

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). Many second generation Christians believe in Jesus because their parents told them. They went to church from young and their Sunday School teachers taught them that Jesus is the Son of God. But this knowledge is not enough. The Bible tells us that the demons also know that (Matthew 8:29). The key issue is that have you received Jesus as your personal Saviour? Is the Good News good news to you? Or is it just news, like those news you read in the newspaper?

This morning, Rev Eric Elmer preached that he was struck by James 2:19, and realised that he is no different from any demon. They knew what he knew. Unless Jesus is your Saviour, you will tremble at the Day of Judgement, like the demons.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Is the Gospel good news to you?

Gospel means "Good News". Is the Good News good news to you? Are you overjoyed when you heard the Gospel? Why? Many retirees invested their life savings in what they though was 100% capital guaranteed fund the Lehman Mini-bond. Now it is worthless and they lost all their money. Let say they were told, "We you give you back all your capital". Do you think they would be overjoyed? Are you like that when you heard the Gospel, or it has no impact on you. You just felt that you have got a new Religion. You do not really understand what you are saved from, how much you have received. Many Christians are like that. They are not overjoyed. They just got a new Religion.