The Pastor’s Pen

Lincoln writes to encourage and build up God’s people with God’s Word.

God’s love, justice, and righteousness

The more self-absorbed this world becomes; the less people care about how God reveals Himself. Despite this, God clearly reveals Himself to us through His written Word and creation. Jeremiah 9:24 showcases God’s affections. Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.

God’s love, justice, and righteousness

One of the reassuring lessons from this passage is that God says it is possible for a person to know and understand Him. This relationship is to be their boast, or the confidence of that individual. This personal awareness of God is not the source of ego or pride, but humility and gratitude as one who observes God.

On this occasion, the Lord explains through Jeremiah that three facets of His unchangeable character operate in unison. What’s more, the Lord is steadfast in these three. That is, God is perfectly consistent in all His expressions of love, justice, and righteousness. These three are inseparable and mutually engaged in the operations of each other. There is never a time when God expresses any one of these three without the other two being in operation also.

Here the Lord confesses that in these things I delight. These bring God pleasure and heighten our realisation of the holy correctness of these three character traits. From our perspective, we see God on display through these three in all the earth. And we joyfully wait for the day when the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23) shall transport us to Heaven where we shall see all of God’s glory displayed without limitation or restraint.

Through him (Christ) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace (Justification/Innocence) in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2). Grace is a profound truth which only the Holy Spirit can enable us to grasp and appreciate. God the Father’s grace has made it possible for us to come to Him through His Son. Faith in Christ sees us declared innocent and standing in an irreversible relationship with the Father. Being awakened to the enormity of this spiritual transition, we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

There are two levels at which we rejoice. First, because we are eyewitnesses of God’s love, justice, and righteousness working in us unworthy sinners through salvation, which God initiated on our behalf. He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (2 Timothy 1:9). Now that’s glorious! So, we praise Him for His grace. We speak well of His Son Jesus Christ. We exalt the glorious character of our God. It’s as Paul celebrated with the Corinthians, I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4).

Secondly, we live in anticipation of God’s grace liberating us from this dark world into His glorious presence in Christ. God has made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-7). Heaven shall be our endless statement of God’s grace which enabled us to discover that He is the God of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.

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God’s holiness in love

The Bible tells us that anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8), which is confronting at two levels. First, this verse tests our understanding of God’s love nature. Second, this challenges how God’s love is, or is not, expressed in our behaviour as Christians.

God’s holiness in loveJohn declares that God does not simply possess love, His very essence of being has always been love from eternity past. God’s love has never been added to, it has never changed or been modified, and can never vary or diminish. God’s intrinsic holiness perfectly permeates all facets of His nature, including His love. More than anything else, holiness sets God apart as God.

The six-winged Seraphim who hover the throne of God continuously call to one another declaring, “holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:2-3). His holiness is formed through all His other Godly attributes, defining, and amplifying His unchangeable pure awesomeness. Holiness elevates His love far above emotion only. Nowhere are the perfections of divine holiness radiated more brilliantly than through His love.

It is God’s uncompromising holiness that distinguishes His love from human emotions and affections in every way imaginable. Therefore, with Jesus being God in human flesh (John 1:1-14), we see out-of-this-world love manifested throughout His life. Jesus’ selfless love is not only humble, patient, kind and affectionate, but continuously maintains perfect holiness without any imperfections.

Jesus’ love was one of obedience, I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father (John 14:31). Jesus explained to a group of argumentative Pharisees, for this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again (John 10:17). We do not see the extremity of obedient and sacrificial love anywhere as profoundly as on the Cross of Calvary and Jesus’ resurrection. The Cross displays a degree of holy love which transcends our human rationale.

Love this pure is the initiator, God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Christ and His Heavenly Father did not wait for us to come to them, because they knew that could never happen due to our sinfulness and spiritual deadness (Ephesians 2:1). So, they acted first.  This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). God initiated His love toward us long before we were even born. God the Father and Son took our guilt, our sin, to the Cross of divine judgement. There, justice was served for our sin upon the sinless Son of God and the judge was appeased, fully satisfied that the full penalty had been paid.

God’s holiness in love knows no limits. It is never constrained by selfishness or distorted by corrupt desires. We see His persevering and sanctifying love in that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Because God’s love is holy, it will never disappoint or fail us. Our end is as secure as our beginning was because Holy Sovereign God is in control of all the things we are not.

God’s holiness and love comforts, affirms, and encourages us, especially when we are broken hearted and in the darkest times of life. I encourage you to worship your God for His holiness seen so amazingly through His love.  

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God’s steadfast love endures forever

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3). While mortal man may not be able to comprehend the vast extent of God’s nature, we are able to comprehend that which has been revealed to us (1Co 2:10). In Psalm 40:5, David confesses his inability to tell everything about this incomparable God; O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told

God’s steadfast love endures foreverThroughout Psalm 136, the Psalmist catalogues God’s great love. Twenty-six times, the reader is reminded that the Lord, “his steadfast love endures forever.” Readers cannot help but have their thinking reinforced by this dependable part of God’s nature. As with any discussion on the nature of God, His love is not only inexhaustible but consistently manifests His holy compassion for His children.

As believers, we were physically born, then spiritually reborn (1Pe 1:3), for the purpose of worship (Eph 1:5-6). It is we who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 3:3). Therefore, our first response to information about God is to give thanks to the Lord (Psa 136:1-3) for He stands above all as God of gods and Lord of lords. Even though the Psalms expose us to the rainbow of God’s majestic greatness, they barely touch the infinite expanse of His wonderous character. A beautify part of God’s nature is that “his steadfast love endures forever” despite our many failings and unworthy natures.

The Lord’s love is dramatically different to mankind’s idea of love. Human love which we often see fleshed out in society and relationships is conditional, temporary, and unholy. Many of us can testify to the contaminated expressions of so-called human love which we have endured. But not so with God!

To begin with, God loves simply because God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is not just an emotion that comes and goes with Him as He feels like it. God’s love does not change or fluctuate as it is not impacted by circumstances or events. God’s love is a holy, sinless love – pure and faultless. His love is powerful because God all powerful. We should be very glad of this, because His love can not be damaged or reversed. As the supreme authority, God’s love is sovereign and therefore unchallenged. Therefore, Paul could say, I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

God’s love is intertwined with every other divine attribute that He contains within His eternal essence. It is therefore unmistakable that God is gracious and merciful in His love to we sinners. Martin Luther said, “God does not love us because we are valuable, but we are valuable because God loves us.” While we are not able to enrich God’s character, His love transforms, enriches, and sanctifies our characters as we live out the faith that He graciously gifted us with (Eph 2:8-9).

May we never think selfishly about God’s love, but always respond to His love in humble worship as we proclaim that “his steadfast love endures forever.”

 

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Shepherds of no real interest

Since the world has deconstructed Christmas to nothing more than a single sentimental day-gathering which involves spending lots of money, we turn to God’s Word for more accurate information. As we live in a world which places great importance upon personal recognition and acknowledgement by others, Shepherds of no real interestwe look to God for the qualities which He prioritises. It turns out, more often than not, God uses people of no fame, who have no spectacular abilities, and receive no public recognition. Such were a small group of nobody shepherds God chose to notify first about the birth of Jesus.

Yes, Christmas is all about JESUS. And every person in the Bible connected with the coming of God’s Son simply serve to amplify the greatness of Immanuel’s entrance into humanity (Mat 1:23).

Only Doctor Luke slips the record of this group of shepherds into Luke 2:8-20. Virtually nothing is known of them; no names, no group numbers, and no background information, they simply appear. They were doing what they always did, caring for sheep in the countryside somewhere near Bethlehem. Unexpectedly, the quiet dark of night was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of an angel surrounding them with the glory of the Lord. The angel announces, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

As if that was not enough, suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14). Understandably, the shepherds were filled with great fear (Luke 2:9). The angel informed them where this baby Saviour was, and curiosity inspired by the anthem of angels singing in the sky caused them to leave their sheep in pursuit of Jesus. Their lives would never by the same. They believed and became the first respondents to heaven stepping into their small and seemingly insignificant part of the world.

These shepherds did not delay. There was no personal evaluation of beliefs, no approval from others was sought, and there was no procrastination; they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger (Luke 2:16).

Being first to arrive, even before the important Magi, they stepped into the animal stall at the rear of the local Inn, where Christ the Lord lay in the animal feeding trough. Every facet of this reeked of humility without any of the glitz and glamour our modern-day minds would imagine. These ordinary shepherds introduced themselves to Mary and Joseph with the amazing story of the angel’s announcement.

Just as the angels announced Jesus’ arrival with praise, so these shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen (Luke 2:20). These shepherds were the first Christmas evangelists. They were not the focus of their own stories. Their feelings were not up for public appraisal. No, they simply couldn’t keep the good news to themselves, others had to hear of it. They didn’t simply speak in a matter-of-fact manner about the events. No, they glorified and praised God for all they had witnessed and been enveloped in.

Today, we ordinary people of this world have the privilege and opportunity to proclaim the Jesus of Christmas. Like the shepherds, we get to be Christmas evangelists, declaring that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). We get to praise and glorify God for the gift of His Saviour Son – may we do this with much joy!

P.S.   I now sign off “The Pastor’s Pen” for 2020 and shall join you again in February 2021 should the Lord not return first. I pray the Lord keeps you safe and well as you rejoice in Him over this Christmas period.

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God’s Word – Unparalleled and Sufficient

As Christians, we realise our continual need for the truth of God’s Word. The Bible enlightens us with the fact that God’s Spirit empowers God’s Word to accomplish the things within us that could never be achieved any other way.

As believers, we are dependent upon the gift of faith (Eph 2:8) that God’s Word - Unparalleled and Sufficientcomes from hearing… the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Our reliance upon God’s living and active word never lessens, and it alone has the truth necessary for discerning (our) thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). We live in constant need of ongoing sanctification by God’s truth, and His Word satisfies that need fully (John 17:17). Scripture feeds us the required spiritual nutrition so that we will not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our mind, that by testing we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

Because all Scripture is breathed out by God it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, God’s Word is useful in all of life for the purpose of growing and enriching Christlike character in God’s children. Scripture is applicable in all circumstances and it is God’s resource for producing His desired results in your life. In fact, Paul says that God’s Word is so rich in spiritual resources, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

Even though we may fluctuate in our Christian walk, God’s Word is the constant foundation of truth that we stand upon. We come to it over and over for encouragement and refreshment when we are disheartened, for realignment of our thinking when we stray, and for wisdom to respond to life beyond our natural abilities.

We immerse ourselves in God’s Word as the wellspring of God’s knowledge. In Proverbs chapter 2, Solomon summarises the many benefits to be experienced when we explore and apply God’s Word in our lives. And in Psalm 19:7-11, David unfolds for us the comprehensive and practical nature of God’s Word. Therefore, we rejoice in its sufficiency, and we surrender to its supremacy.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11).

We are daily dependent upon knowing God’s truth and apply that truth through obedience. As we humbly apply His truth to our thoughts and behaviours, we experience the blessings. If we neglect or ignore God’s truth, it is always to our detriment. Therefore, our attitude to learning and applying the Bible is critical to our well-being. Then, as Proverbs 2:10 says, wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

I encourage you to bathe in the soothing Word of God. Invite God’s Spirit to wash and refresh your spirit. Surrender to the transforming authority of Scripture. Worship in awe of knowing the beauty of Jehovah and His Son, Jesus Christ. Then, share these realities with someone else as you speak well of the Saviour.

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