God uses a lot of sensory language to get our attention.
He appeals to our sense of taste by calling us the salt of the earth. What does this saltiness do? It comes into contact with others and becomes a part of their lives.
He appeals to our sense of sight by calling us the "light of the world" (Matthew 5;14) and a reflection of His glory, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18).
He appeals to our sense of smell by calling us the "armoa of Christ" - "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" (2 Cor 2:15).
He appeals to our sense of sound by calling Christ the "Word" (John 1:1,14).
1 John 1:1-3 is testimony from someone who walked and talked with Jesus. John said, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."
When God really wanted to get our attention and make a difference in our lives He sent Jesus who we could see and touch and hear. If we are going to make a difference to others we also have to be seen and heard. Those we do well but we also have to be touchable and approachable. That is not always easy. Who in your life is in need of a loving touch from someone who has been with God? God has appealed to us in so many ways but the best way was through His Son. Now we are sent. We are to testify. We are to proclaim it. We are to be touchable because our lives are supposed to be very close to those we are trying to reach. God has appealed to us through the full range of human experience and now we are to go and do likewise in a vulnerable way toward those who are perishing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Allow me to post below, it is longer that your post and plese give time to ponder after reading it:
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Do you know your God?
One of the wisdom I learned through our Presiding Minister, brother Eliseo Soriano, is to know, search and learn about my God first. Because knowing God, makes me realize my limitation as a human being, my obligations, and responsibilities. I learned to read the scriptures so that I will have the wisdom and understanding to differentiate the Word of Truth from inventions made by man.
One of the inventions, even you can notice, is the title false prophets use. Their followers address them opposite of what Jesus taught:
Matthew 23
8But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
So, Jesus said to them and their likes:
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'
How about you? Do you know your god? Do you know God? Can you distinguish inventions preached by your ministers, priest, pastors, preachers, teacher, etc?
1 Juan 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Is it enough to believe that you know your God because you love your neighbor, or your wife, or your family etc.?
1 Thessalonians 5
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
I have read a blog by Julie Clawson on her post entitled, "Biblical Interpretation, Language, and the Big Picture," and she ended up saying, "If people had a bit of perspective, a glimpse of the big picture, would such hateful and hurtful programs like the English only ones ever be introduced? I know I'm naive and idealistic, but I just wish people could see how small these petty arguments are in light of the big picture.Rant over for the moment. Or perhaps, fittingly, I should end with Caliban's words to Prosperso - "You taught me language; and my profit on't/ Is, I know how to curse."
Now, what I am insinuating here is that, no matter what the language used in the bible, as long as you interpret the bible in you own understanding, you will surely fall into the ditch together with the group you are leading.
What is our responsibility as Christians? We should not be a blind follower. We should test everything and hold to the truth and avoid every kind of evil. Now those who wanted to ban all other language in favor of english are those who have no understanding of the Scriptures. What does the scripture say about having different languages? What does God wanted to impart about this?
The author mentioned: "And if it was good enough for the Apostle Paul... And it didn't stop there. There is a whole tradition of Jewish Midrash on this story (an interpretative approach that assumes the validity of multiple interpretations). Some of the early church fathers took the Hagar and Sarah story to refer to monogamy, chastity, and asceticism. Luther and Calvin had their own assumptions about what Sarah must really have felt/meant. The list goes on. It was fascinating (and at times appalling) to read those interpretations, but what really struck me was the necessity of the historical perspective. It is so easy to get stuck in one's own tunnel vision if one refuses to engage the big picture (and yes, that is a lesson I am still learning)."
Let us here first what Peter said about Paul;
II Peter 3:15-17 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.
Now, is it a wonder to hear other writers interpreting the scripture about sarah and hagar the wrong way?
Paul said:
2 tim 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Know first who's giving the interpretation. We have been forewarned by Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew about false prophets. What is the sign of a false prophet? Let us hear what Jesus said: Matthew 24 :4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
You might have noticed that most of the denominations that calls themselves christians or born-again, not to exaggerate but some even call themselves, born-again-christians! They use the name of Jesus Christ as their groups' name. You can give an example if you want to of those groups nowadays!
Second, Jesus foretold too that: Matthew 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.
This becomes the primary doctrine of the false prophets to attract people. These charismatic gifts were then used to draw people away from the kingdom of God! Same as those writing their own inventions and fighting for something they do not even understand! But, do not worry, if we where forewarned by Jesus, of course, He gave instructions too so that we will be able to distinguish a false prophet from that of sent by God and Jesus Christ?
John 7:17-18 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Therefore, it is the doctrine of those speakers that we should be critical about if what they say is true or their invention. Is it in the bible? Is it logical and biblical?
Paul also gave a warning and said: Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Unfortunately, some people, some individual, even if they read the verses I mentioned, this is what they do:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I did not say that miracles and wonders will not occur in the church anymore but it is not the primary doctrine that we should use to attract people in believing the word: 2 Timothy 2:15 diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Those who do not handle the word of truth accurately are false prophets. They keep on tagging themselves as an apostle and offers miracles because they have established their own church. These anti christs have not reached the understanding about the composition of the church and to where a person should be affiliated with to become a Christian. It is the Church of God as mentioned by Paul where we should be affiliated. The church has been existing even before. It is the church where Paul belongs to, the body where Jesus Christ is the head. You can find there already the apostles, prophets, miracles etc:
1 Cor 12:28-30
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret?
All I am saying is that, since we have access to the bible, let as be critical and be biblical minded of what people say whether it be: "one nation, one language," miracles, salvation, etc. Because through the doctrine that they shall preach, they shall be known if they are correctly dividing the word of truth or not.
Paul said: Hebrew 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[d] and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
Jesus said in Luke 21:32-36, I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Now, who will teach you about God? Who can give you the information about Him?
Romans 10:
12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." 19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." 20And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
Jesus said in Luke 21:32-36, I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Going back to what Jesus warned the apostle, even to us who wants to follow his commandments, about the false prophets that will show great signs and wonders, what did Apostle Paul said about it? Paul said, If God allow, we will do so. Have not you noticed that Paul has written so much about the doctrines and what Christians should do in the house of God which is the Church of God? And this is what I am inviting you to learn about.
As I am too a student of the True Word of God, may I refer you to our website where there are clips about our doctrine, found in the bible, as discussed by our Presiding Minister, Brother Eliseo Soriano. If you have slower connection, you can visit http://www.angdatingdaan.org/. To God be the glory!
Post a Comment