The will of the Lord.

It was a couple of months ago that I shared with a Thursday morning group, in my former congregation of Bellshill - St Andrew's (now U.F.) Church. I had been informed that I could share some personal testimony, and that was what I had decided to do. My topic was "God's Guidance", and I shared some of the situations in which that guidance had been very clear - and others in which it was only with hindsight that I had realised that I had been guided!

Closely connected to the guidance of God is, of course, His will, as it is in His will that He guides us. And knowing that will is of the greatest importance. Paul advises the Ephesian believers: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.." (5:17).

Indeed, there is no more exalted theme in the world than the will of God, nor is there a more important practical question than how to know the will of God. Of greatest significance is the recognition that it is His will - not man's will - which is important.

 

God desires for us to know His will - both His will in general, as revealed in Scripture, and His specific will in each particular decision. The latter must in every instance, of course, be fully compatible with the former, as the Holy Spirit, Who leads us, will never contradict the Scriptures which He inspired. Thus, an indispensable prerequisite to finding the personal will of God is knowing His general will.

 

The general will of God is expressed, first of all, in the fact of special creation: "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for Thou didst create all things, and by Thy will they existed and were created." (Rev. 4:11). Of course, the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis (Beginnings) is the foundational section of the whole of the written Word of God! 

Then the Christ became man in order to accomplish God's will: "Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’" (Heb. 10:7) as our sin-bearing substitute; "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus, the Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10). It is His will that this should provide salvation to all who believe. "For this is the will of My Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40). This in turn entails the individual regeneration of all who receive Him, "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13).

 

Furthermore, His will includes absolute security in Him: "and this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise [them] up at the last day" (John 6:39); our sanctification: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification:" (1 Thessalonians 4:3); and ultimate glorification: "Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, may be with Me where I am, to behold My glory which Thou hast given Me in Thy love for Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24). Thankfulness in all things: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."(1 Thess. 5:18), and a virtuous life, are also God's will: "For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15).

A believer who understands, believes, and obeys God's general will is then prepared to know and follow His specific will. 

Eternal Life

The first letter from the apostle, John, has only five chapters (although, of course, John didn't write it in chapters and verses, any more than you or I would do so when writing a letter! These divisions were a much later addition provided to make it easier for us to look up a particular verse, or passage.). However, it is a powerful letter, full of vital insights into the Christian life, it is written to, among others, "little children" (1 John 5:21) - those who are young in the faith - so that they might "know" the majesty and wonder of eternal life - which is not the same thing as "everlasting life"!

He writes to: ". . . you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13) 

John begins his letter with a reminder of his close relationship with Jesus from whom the promise of eternal life came. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us —  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  (1 John 1:1-3; emphasis added). 

John, "the beloved disciple" was an eyewitness to Christ's resurrection: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;"  (John 20: 1-8), which is the most powerful proof of the claims and promises of the Lord: "... He (the Father) has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man (the Lord Jesus) Whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all men by raising Him from the dead."  (Acts 17:31).

 

Much of that which is applied in John's letter is based on the precise teachings of the Lord Jesus Himself, heard by John and recorded in his account of the Gospel, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31).

 

Those who believe will "not perish" (John 3:15-16).
The "water" of Christ springs up to "eternal life" (John 4:14).
Whoever has eternal life "has passed" from death to life (John 5:24).
Those who come to Christ will "shall not hunger" (John 6:35).
No one is able to "snatch" the believer out of the Father's hand (John 10:28-30).
"whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:26).

 

Based on the Word of God, John gives us, in his first letter, several experiential tests by which we can know that we "live":

 

We love and keep His commandments (I John 2:3).
We know and love the truth (I John 2:20).
We love the brethren (I John 3:14).
We have God's Holy Spirit (I John 4:13). 

If this has, in any way, whet your appetite for this letter, and the other two brief notes that John wrote, then I recommend my third book in the "Faith" series - "Defending the Faith" - a link to which is at the head of the blog. Remember that all royalties are sent, directly, to Release International to support those who are the persecuted Church. I receive no material benefit.

Prayer, and Meditation.

Some weeks ago, in my French language blog, I published a post entitled "Pray without ceasing" (in French, of course!). In it, I mentioned that one of my own problems with an extended period of prayer is that my mind tends to wander! A new friend, who receives that post link, contacted me and wrote (also in French!): "My mind also wanders when I try to meditate, apparently very normal." I did point out to my friend that, in fact, "prayer" and "meditation" are not synonymous words!

I had already prepared the post for this week but, yesterday, I received a regular e-mail that deals with the very topic of meditation. It is so good, that I am copying it, completely - with only a few changes: mostly the Scripture quotations that I am providing in the RSV translation (my personal favourite since away back in my Bible College days!), instead of the AV that the author (HMM) uses.

« “Make me understand the way of Thy precepts,and I will meditate on Thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 119:27)

The remarkable 119th Psalm, with its 22 eight-verse stanzas, is the unique “song of the word,” containing 176 testimonies or prayers concerning God’s Word—one for each verse. Eight times the word “meditate” or “meditation” is used, indicating the importance of this practice in relation to the Scriptures. In our text, its basic thrust is to exhort us to meditate on the wonderful works of God once we understand the way of His precepts.

The other seven references to meditation in this psalm are as follows: “I will meditate on Thy precepts,and fix my eyes on Thy ways.” (v. 15); “Even though princes sit plotting against me, Thy servant will meditate on Thy statutes.” (v. 23); “I revere Thy commandments, which I love,and I will meditate on Thy statutes.” (v. 48); “Let the godless be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on Thy precepts.” (v. 78); “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” (v. 97); “Oh, how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (v. 99); “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon Thy promise.” (v. 148).

There is, of course, a counterfeit form of meditation (e.g., so-called transcendental meditation and other forms of mysticism), not to mention useless daydreaming. These forms of meditation involve clearing one’s mind of all subjects and allowing the mind to wander. In contrast, true, Biblical meditation involves pondering with awe and thankfulness God’s wonderful Word, His ways, and His works in connection with prayer and the study of the Holy Scriptures. As an exercise of the mind as well as of the spirit, it is a great blessing and most pleasing to God." »

In other words, what is often meant by "meditation" is emptying one's mind, or is maybe what I recall being introduced to almost 60 years ago - "guided thinking" (or something like that!). But "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of YHWH, and on His law he meditates day and night." (Ps.1:1-2).

Biblical meditation is actively focusing one's mind on Almighty God. There really is a big difference! It's also how we pray!

Foundations

As this is the fifth Sunday in the month, I wish to share with you about one of my own books. This time, I want to tell you a little about "Foundations of the Faith" - the second volume in the "Faith" series.

                                              

It is a simple fact of life that foundations are of prime importance. Whatever we seek to build, if the foundation is of inferior quality, then what is built upon it will not be strong and sturdy. The Lord Jesus, Himself, made this point in the parable of the two builders (Matthew 7: 24-27).

Having emphasised the importance of doctrine, the book takes the reader through the Apostles' Creed, and does so in language that does not require a prior advanced degree in Theology to be understood! 

One of those who endorsed the book, writes: 

"On reading this book I knew I was in the company of a gifted fellow-pilgrim seeking a deeper understanding of the Apostles’ Creed.  My mind was well-fed by this significant study, and by such thought-provoking sentences as “It requires a great deal of faith to be an atheistic evolutionist.” Brian articulates what he believes with freshness and clarity. It is clear that for him as for Berdyaev, the distinguished Russian thinker, Jesus is the starting point for learning Who God is, who we are, and what life is all about."

Very Rev. Dr. James A. Simpson

Former minister of Dornoch Cathedral

  Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland: 1994-5  

As with all of my books and, indeed, both of my blogs, I receive no financial benefit from sales (or 'clicks'). Indeed, I don't even see the royalties from book sales, as they are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church. So, purchasing one, or more, of my books is not only helpful to your understanding of the Christian Faith, but it is helping those who suffer - many in ways that are beyond the comprehension of those of us who live in the still relative safety of "the west" - for that same faith.

Please also remember that in March, 2023, I was interviewed for an online summit on the topic of “Death”.  I was able to provide a Christian perspective, and the interview may be watched here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPEfzYiPfcI&t=1s

It would be most helpful if you would watch, and leave a "Like"! As others point out, it costs nothing, but the algorithm places the clip at a "higher" level (or something like that! I am no computer expert!).

The Necessary Light.

Do you, like me, enjoy the lighter evenings? As I type it is almost 2200 hours, yet it is still not dark outside! Indeed, if I didn't have so much to do inside, I could still be working outside! 

All human experience understands the relationship between darkness and light. Speaking to the Pharisee, Nicodemus, the Lord Jesus said: "... this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19).  Those who love wickedness crave the darkness to hide their deeds.

That same Jesus insisted that He is "the Light of the world" (John 8:12). Writing to the young Timothy. Paul describes Almighty God as the One   "... Who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. " (I Timothy 6:16). This is not a mere metaphor. John, also, reminds us that "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5).

 

It is certainly clear in God's written Word, that those who have not yet been twice born must come "to the light" before they can ever receive the gift of eternal light (John 3:21). Indeed, the very process of "coming" is empowered by the drawing power of the Father Himself. Jesus said that: "No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him;"  (John 6:44). No one who is "dead through the trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) is able to come out of darkness on their own into the light, without the supernatural power of the "Light" Himself.

 

Once we are rescued from the darkness by the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and "birthed" from above by the power demonstrated in the resurrection of our Lord, we who are so redeemed become "sons of light and sons of the day;" (I Thessalonians 5:5). Thus empowered, we are to "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7) and have no "fellowship . . . with darkness" (II Corinthians 6:14). With the "armour of light" complete (Romans 13:12), we can openly let our "light so shine" that we become a "light of the world" (Matthew 5:16, 14). 

It was Paul's testimony that he had been sent, by Father God, to the Gentiles: "to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’" (Acts 26:18). May we be found doing likewise!