The Crucifixion and the Sovereignty of God

"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." - Acts 2:23

The doctrine of God's Sovereignty, or His will and hand giving direction to everything, is perhaps the most strongly felt debate in Christendom. I myself have come from a strong opposition to this doctrine to a love of it and peaceful resting in it beyond my own understanding. Jonathan Edwards, the great eighteenth-century writer, pastor, and teacher, gives this account:

"From my childhood up, my mind had been full of objections against the doctrine of God's sovereignty, in choosing whom he would to eternal life, and rejecting whom he pleased... It used to appear like a horrible doctrine to me... but... now I saw further, and my reason apprehended the justice and reasonableness of it... and there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind with respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty. I have often since had not only a conviction, but a delightful conviction. The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God. But my first conviction was not so."

The most heinous sin ever committed was the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. In the light of the crucifixion any other evil you may imagine pales into insignificance. And yet, before the dawn of time it was "God's set purpose and foreknowledge" which caused this event to be, and at the end of time the crucifixion will be the most glorious act for which we will praise Him. May you praise our sovereign God today for the glory of his power!

Faith Stimulus

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21

Most of us will soon receive a check in the mail from the U.S. government. A lot of people are already planning how they will spend it, and some have even already spent it! The great majority are using that money to buy something they’ve been wanting… a new TV, some home improvements, exercise equipment… the list is endless. Whatever they may buy, I confidently assume that 99% of people are spending that money on their own wants and desires, perhaps masked thinly as “needs.” Few of us actually need this unexpected windfall to meet regular expenses or necessary emergencies.

A few days ago the blog “Desiring God” inspired me with this idea. If you are a follower of Jesus, I challenge you to use the entire sum of money you will receive as “economic stimulus” for God’s glory. Donate it to an orphanage, buy meals for the homeless, send it to a missionary, or buy Bibles with it and hand them out door to door. “Store up treasures in heaven.” It’s an investment that can’t go wrong.

Above and beyond the praise our Lord will receive from the beneficiaries of your giving, you will most likely have a more personal chance to bring Him glory. Within the next few months the question, “What are you spending your check on?” will become a hot topic around water coolers and in break rooms across the country. This may be a chance for opening the door to share your faith with someone who would never listen otherwise.

This is an opportunity for you to show your freedom from the love of money and materialism. I have been thinking of the people who will read this, and how each one of you will react. If you have a platform, a pulpit, or a blog, (and I know some of you do) I ask you to encourage others as well. Give glory to God!

It is Finished

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed His head and gave up His spirit." -John 19:30

I have recently been reading "Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor," a biography of the great missionary to China. In the book it relates how he picked up a gospel tract for entertainent, planning to read the "story" and skip the "sermon," and was struck by the words "It is finished."

"What was finished?'"
And at once I replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin. The debt was paid for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Then came the further thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?"

This week at church we heard a message which meshed perfectly with this. The pastor spoke on "Religion versus the Gospel." He emphasized that all of the things that we and other people do, many of them very "good" things, are not a part of the Good News that Jesus Christ paid the price and offered forgiveness. We cannot work our way into heaven, or into any merit with God. There is nothing left for us to do!

Throughout Jesus ministry in Israel He blasted the religious fervor of the Jews, condemning their public prayers, their scrupulous tithing, and their carefully preserved cleanliness. In your church and life would He find the same things to condemn? I think all of us, especially those who have grown up in the church, demand of ourselves certain good works. The insidious idea that we are "doing something for God," and therefore promoting ourselves, sneaks in so easily.

Remember today that in Christ "It is finished!" There is nothing left for you to do! Your sins are forgiven! It should be a natural response to this incomprehensible mercy to worship and love your great Forgiver with the utmost of your life and being. But this is always and only thanks to Him, and never merit with Him. Live in the freedom of accepting His payment for sins, and praise Him!