Ponderings on Uncleanness vs. Sin

 These are thoughts from my devotions this morning, not so much conclusions as meditations. Tell me what you think: I may have stretched the passage too far, but then again, it may be just right... (If you really want to "get" this and if you have time, read Lev. 11-15, otherwise, you may not recall some of the allusions.)

Leviticus 11-15

 Ponderings on explanation: The difference between being unclean and being in sin is interesting. Uncleanness could come through nature and natural causes (e.g. burying someone) or even through obedience (having children, as God commanded); whereas sin always came through a contravention of God's law. A sin offering was offered for either uncleanness or sin to remove the defilement and to bring purity. It is interesting that the results of uncleanness often lasted longer than those of sin. Why and how does this apply to me? How is this Scripture profitable to me?

 Ponderings on application: it seems that in daily life defilement will occur; it is inevitable. We live in the world, and it touches us. This touch does not mean we have sinned, rather it means we must seek the cleansing of the Word. To not be cleansed would be sin, but the pollution is not of our making, but of the world's. To fulfill the call of God, we may have to descend into the depths where depravity is manifested abundantly, but we must be renewed day by day. People speak of "feeling dirty" after being in the world (especially in work settings); they feel the defilement touching them. The answer is not to ignore it! Rather, we must be renewed each day in righteousness and godliness by the Spirit.

Political Islam

An interesting article on the nature of Islam and its system of thought. This article speaks of Islam as an essentially political system of thought with religious trappings involved for the individual Muslim. The author argues that religion is a minor factor for the non-Muslim to consider. However, it seems to me that he is really arguing that Islam is a completely different worldview (cosmology) from others, particularly Western thought.
The article speaks of the dualistic logic of Islam which allows two opposites to exist. Thus, while we might argue that the Koran contradicts itself, a Muslim would merely point to the fact that these opposites are both true. This dualism which the author argues is inherent in Islam makes much of the dialogue between East and West pointless, because there is no law of morality for the Muslim dealing with the "unbeliever." I wonder if this is why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world? Postmodernism swallowing dualistic thought?
The final point of interest is the discussion of jihad. In this, the author speaks of 270 million "unbelievers" whom Islam has killed in jihad over the last 1400 years. Then, he speaks of the reasons that this has been kept quiet. Why are these facts not taught in the West? He argues convincingly that essentially Western scholarship has an abuse victim mentality of fear.
In any case, the article was quite interesting to read and has some profitable thoughts, although it will also need some thinking through to see if it is all true.

Sacrifices and worship

"Sacrifice is at the heart of all true worship." So says Allen Ross in his commentary on Leviticus. Pause and think about your worship; have you sacrificed?

Now, in some sense, the answer is that because of Christ's sacrifice, we are always able to worship, but that ignores the heart behind what Ross is saying. As I was reading Leviticus 1-3 this morning, it struck me that if we truly understood the Old Testament sacrifices, we would understand our need to give whole-heartedly and abundantly to our Lord of our very best. Indeed, we would learn what it means to sacrifice for our God. Do we really desire to worship God? If we do, it would be good to remember that 3 of the 5 sacrifices were meant to be a "sweet savor to God," not to make the offerer have a pure conscience or feel better. Indeed, the guilt and sin offerings were usually followed by a peace, grain, or burnt offering; thus, even when the conscience was purified, the focus still was to be on the sweet savor to God whether that be in thanking Him for fellowship, His provision, or simply dedicating one's self to Him.
So, have you worshiped the Lord recently through sacrifice? Thank Him for the sacrifice of His Son that frees us from guilt and sin. Thank Him for the Peace that has given us access to Him in the Most Holy Place; thank Him for daily provision; thank Him that He is your King. And then show this through your personal sacrifice of what is pure and precious in your life.

Holey Socks and international politics

Read this if you have time for a vaguely humorous Turkish-World Bank incident.

I'm amused because of the situation, but partly because this is the former US Deputy Secretary of Defense. And that was just about 2 years ago, he might have had the holey socks then. :)

The Chalcedonian Creed

I've been doing some fairly extensive research on the deity of Christ (which I hope to post soon). And I came across the Chalcedonian creed, which is such an awesome confession that I thought I'd post it.
Apparently, this translation is from Philip Schaff's The Creeds of Christendom. Anyways, may you read with benefit.

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body;

consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

Priests of our God

What an amazing age we live in!!! As you read the Old Testament, think on the fact that there was no way for anybody to work up to Moses' position or any of the prophets'. Rather the man of God was a man chosen by God to a specific work, usually a servant who would readily obey, but sometimes one whom God had to chastise severely before he would obey.

And what of the others of the nation? Well, they had no opportunity to go near God, ever. In fact, they were given only an indirect access to God through the appointed man of God, whether he was holy or not. Truly, God gave the same way of salvation by grace through faith, but this manifested itself through going to one's representative that he might carry your case before the LORD.

Think on the wonder of having "access" to God through the One Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, to redeem us! It is incredible that we so rarely think on these things.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18; 3:11-12; Heb. 4:16)

The Shifting Power Base in the World

Hey, this is an interesting article on the changes that are happening in the world's power structure. This earth's major powers used to be seen in nations or international bodies like the US or Russia, the UN and WTO, and so forth. Now, you have countries like India and Brazil, organizations like Microsoft and Walmart. Our old organization and nations are not meeting the challenges for various reasons, and the new ones don't have enough leadership clout.
The article is interesting reading in any case. TTFN

Thoughts from Miles Stanford, again

Thoughts on sanctification by Stanford
"In God and man working together, there is nothing of the idea of a partnership between two partners who each contribute their share to a work. Rather, the true plan is that of co-operation founded on subordination. As the Lord Jesus was entirely dependent on the Father for all His words and all His works, so the believer can do nothing of himself. What he can do of himself is altogether sinful. He must therefore cease entirely from his own doing, and wait for the working of God in him. As he ceases from self-effort, faith assures him that God does what He has undertaken, and works in him."


Thoughts on Faith through trials by Stanford
"You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us promises in a quiet hour; He seals our covenants with great and gracious words. Then He steps back and waits while we believe; then He lets the tempter come, and the test seems to contradict all that He has spoken. It is then that faith wins its crown. Then is the time to look into His face and say, 'I believe, Lord, that it shall be done as it was told me.'"
"Without trials of faith we should all be ruined. These trials give us opportunities of linking on to the mighty promises of God and finding through the trials come blessing that wonderfully glorifies Him, or else, missing God, turns the blessing into a burden that fills the heart with weariness and pain."

Entrepreneurial ministry

Below is a list that Reader's Digest took from sba.gov in their most recent issue. The essential traits for being an entrepreneur:

- Creative
- Innovative
- Driven to achieve
- Persistent
- Energetic
- Inquisitive
- Competitive
- Unafraid to fail
- Hard worker
- Independent
- Self-confident
- Risk-taker
- Visionary
- Problem-solver
- Organized
- Lucky

Obviously, for believers this list has to be revised. However, if you consider the basic requirements of going into a church-building scenario, you are looking at needing to be an entrepreneur. I found the list somewhat thought-provoking. Ponder the list through a Biblical lens... it will show short-comings in your life. And then, just be "lucky." :) Or rather, trust in a Father who loves you and cares for you.

Daily Loaded with Benefits!

Friends, when I thought how to open the New Year in the blog realm, I was reminded of the many thanksgivings which I have to make. It is a truly awesome thing to consider the individual mercies of God upon one's life; for when you stop and look at each one and then consider the manifold grace poured out upon you, you begin to understand afresh the love of God for His beloved sons and daughters. So, below I have given a partial list of what I wrote down elsewhere in thanks to Him.

- Most of all, for that great work of grace by which He made me a child of the Highest, a friend of my Creator, and the temple of my God. - Amazing love, how can it be?
- For a family that loves the Lord God with their whole lives, not perfect, but dedicated to serving Him fully with each area of their lives. And for a heritage filled with an evident abundance of His grace.
- For friends, so many of you who read this are the very ones of whom I do not have words to express the thanksgiving in my heart for the goodness of God in giving me so many choice companions to encourage and challenge me. For Josh, Miriam, Rae, Sam, Jon, Aud, Brandon, the B'rrills, the V'sters, the R'kers, the Gr'ngs girls, Tom, Mike, Jeremy, Joe, and many others. And for a special friend, Ba (Bethany), another gift of grace.
- For a school at which to grow in knowledge of my Lord and His Word. For a country, in which to live a quiet and peaceable life in godliness. For a church that loves the gospel work of Christ.
- For purpose: the gift of an impossible-but-for-God vision that was created through the Word.
- For the immaterial invaluables, peace, joy, hope, the Word, sanctification...
- For the material blessings, food, rest, shelter, education, books...

And what other conclusion can be arrived at but that I am unworthy of the least of these mercies. So then, to Him be glory and dominion both now and forever.

Rom. 12: 1 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (ESV)