Matthew 13:47-48
47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
Jesus here is teaching the principles of the kingdom to His disciples and states this parable to explain an important aspect of God's Kingdom as it exists today - the principle of Co-existence of Evil.
The gospel is being preached every day across the world and it is very true that many are brought into the fold of "Christianity". Every moment, every hour, ever day someone, somewhere is being saved from eternal damnation. And that is how the kingdom extends its reach into a sinful world.
But we also learn that just as every fish caught in the net is not "good fish", every person professing to be a disciple may not be a true disciple. There are many who may claim to be Christians who may not be truly "following Christ".
Christ wanted his disciples to know and understand this. We also need to understand this - so that we will not be deceived. And it is something that God has allowed in His divine plan - the presence of weeds among the good seed. And that is the way it will be, till the end of the age when God will separate the bad from the good and each will go to his appointed destination.
So what we need to do in the light of this teaching? The Bible warns that in the last days there will be many who deceive and many who will be deceived. That is why it is so very necessary to have the presence of His Spirit in our lives to be able to discern between good and evil, between the right and the wrong, between the good fish and the bad fish. In fact the Bible even says that there will be people who will prophecy and do miracles in the name of God.
But the Bible says, "By their fruit you will know them". And that is what distinguishes the true from the false - the fruit of the Holy Spirit as evidence of the presence of God. And we also encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on the author and perfector of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ so that we will not be misled by the many who claim to be followers of Christ.
God Bless!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Secret to Revelation
Matthew 13:10-12
10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
If you are like me, this thought might have occurred to you - "Why do some people have more understanding of the word of God?" Or in other words, why do some people receive greater revelations from God?
The disciples had the same question. Just after Jesus finished speaking the parable of the sower to the great multitude, the disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables? They don't understand what it means".
And Jesus then goes on to explain the secret of understanding the mysteries of God. They can be summed up as below:
1. Revelations of God's word are for his disciples
2. Increased revelation is for those are faithful to what is given
3. Pay attention to what you hear
4. Hear with the right attitude
1. Revelations of God's word are for his disciples
For God to reveal truths of His word, He requires a commitment of discipleship from those who seek Him. There were multitudes who followed Jesus because of the miracles they saw and healings they received but they did not have the privelege to have Jesus explain the parables to them. That was restricted to His disciples who followed him.
Proverbs 2 4,5 says:
if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
In other words, we need to be desperate enough to receieve this understanding!
2. Increased revelation is for those are faithful to what is given
Matthew 25:29
29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
Jesus says this to explain the parable of the talents. Out of the three people who were given talents, one of them went and hid it. And since he was not faithful to what was given, he lost even the little he had. And the one who had been wise in handling in what was entrusted to him received more.
Let us ask this question to ourselves - are we faithful stewards of what has been given to us? Or are we neglecting it because we think it is small compared to what others apparently have?
3. Pay attention to what you hear
Mark 4:24,25
24"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
Or in other words, if we are not careful to obey what we hear, then it is unlikely that we will receive further instructions!
4. Hear with the right attitude
18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Are we hearing to the Word of God with an attitude of humility and a desire to obey? Or do we think that we know it all? Are we coming with a desire to change ourselves in the light of God's word or do we think the word applies to someone else?
The Lord wants us to be not just hearers but also doers of the Word. And when we are faithful hearers, we will recieve greater revelations to the word of God.
God Bless!
10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
If you are like me, this thought might have occurred to you - "Why do some people have more understanding of the word of God?" Or in other words, why do some people receive greater revelations from God?
The disciples had the same question. Just after Jesus finished speaking the parable of the sower to the great multitude, the disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables? They don't understand what it means".
And Jesus then goes on to explain the secret of understanding the mysteries of God. They can be summed up as below:
1. Revelations of God's word are for his disciples
2. Increased revelation is for those are faithful to what is given
3. Pay attention to what you hear
4. Hear with the right attitude
1. Revelations of God's word are for his disciples
For God to reveal truths of His word, He requires a commitment of discipleship from those who seek Him. There were multitudes who followed Jesus because of the miracles they saw and healings they received but they did not have the privelege to have Jesus explain the parables to them. That was restricted to His disciples who followed him.
Proverbs 2 4,5 says:
if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
In other words, we need to be desperate enough to receieve this understanding!
2. Increased revelation is for those are faithful to what is given
Matthew 25:29
29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
Jesus says this to explain the parable of the talents. Out of the three people who were given talents, one of them went and hid it. And since he was not faithful to what was given, he lost even the little he had. And the one who had been wise in handling in what was entrusted to him received more.
Let us ask this question to ourselves - are we faithful stewards of what has been given to us? Or are we neglecting it because we think it is small compared to what others apparently have?
3. Pay attention to what you hear
Mark 4:24,25
24"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
Or in other words, if we are not careful to obey what we hear, then it is unlikely that we will receive further instructions!
4. Hear with the right attitude
18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Are we hearing to the Word of God with an attitude of humility and a desire to obey? Or do we think that we know it all? Are we coming with a desire to change ourselves in the light of God's word or do we think the word applies to someone else?
The Lord wants us to be not just hearers but also doers of the Word. And when we are faithful hearers, we will recieve greater revelations to the word of God.
God Bless!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Watch what you say
Matthew 12:36-37
36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned
They say there is only one thing that you can give as well as keep - that is your word. And that is so very true.
Many a time we are careless about what we say. We say things which seem to be be "right thing to say" in a given circumstance. We might even say certain things because that is what our hearers want to hear. And then we might forget all about what we spoke.
But Jesus reveals one vital truth - even though we may forget what we say, heaven does not. And we will have to give an account for that on judgement day. Isn't that a scary thought?
The Bible teaches us that there is "power of life and death in our tongue". It is so true, that what we say shows who we are and who we are destined to be. That is why Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". In other words, the words that we sometimes "speak by accident" are not really accidents but a revelation of the condition of our hearts.
James 3:2 says,
2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check
Or in other words, our actions and our paths are determined by what we say! Not just on earth, but even our eternal fate hangs on what we speak. But the good news is that we are also justified by what we have said.
Romans 10:9 says,
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
Isn't that awesome? The confession of our mouth coming out a believing heart is what saves us from eternal damnation.
Let's pray and say "Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight". And let's watch our tongues so that what we speak are words of faith.
God Bless!
36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned
They say there is only one thing that you can give as well as keep - that is your word. And that is so very true.
Many a time we are careless about what we say. We say things which seem to be be "right thing to say" in a given circumstance. We might even say certain things because that is what our hearers want to hear. And then we might forget all about what we spoke.
But Jesus reveals one vital truth - even though we may forget what we say, heaven does not. And we will have to give an account for that on judgement day. Isn't that a scary thought?
The Bible teaches us that there is "power of life and death in our tongue". It is so true, that what we say shows who we are and who we are destined to be. That is why Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". In other words, the words that we sometimes "speak by accident" are not really accidents but a revelation of the condition of our hearts.
James 3:2 says,
2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check
Or in other words, our actions and our paths are determined by what we say! Not just on earth, but even our eternal fate hangs on what we speak. But the good news is that we are also justified by what we have said.
Romans 10:9 says,
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
Isn't that awesome? The confession of our mouth coming out a believing heart is what saves us from eternal damnation.
Let's pray and say "Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight". And let's watch our tongues so that what we speak are words of faith.
God Bless!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The cost of following Christ
Matthew 10:38-39
38anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Let's be straight about it - being a disciple of Christ is not the most fashionable thing around. If we want to be a disciple of Christ and at the same time want to be held in respect by the world, we will soon find that we cannot have both.
Jesus himself made that clear in no uncertain terms. There is a price to pay in following Christ as all the Gospels state. Let's look at what John writes:
John 12:24-25
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life
There is a dying to the world and the self that happens first. A dead man is not bothered by the praise of man. A man who is dead to the world ceases to look at his stay on planet earth as his "life". He is looking for a better life in eternity and knows that he is a pilgrim here.
Hence there is choice to make for every person who wants to follow Christ. Do we want to enjoy the passing pleasures of this world or are we determined to pay the price of living for Christ?
Matt 10:25 says,
25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
Friend, the Bible is clear that "all who live godly in Christ will suffer persecution". If we have not come there yet, it is because we have diluted the message to the point that it is no different from what the world has to offer. That is what the Apostle meant when he wrote "the offence of the Cross has been removed"
Let's come back to the Biblical standards of following Christ. There is a cost and greater the sacrifice, greater are the rewards in eternity. As the songwriter writes, "This world is not my home, I am just passing through"
Let's keep that perspective every day of our life.
God Bless!
38anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Let's be straight about it - being a disciple of Christ is not the most fashionable thing around. If we want to be a disciple of Christ and at the same time want to be held in respect by the world, we will soon find that we cannot have both.
Jesus himself made that clear in no uncertain terms. There is a price to pay in following Christ as all the Gospels state. Let's look at what John writes:
John 12:24-25
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life
There is a dying to the world and the self that happens first. A dead man is not bothered by the praise of man. A man who is dead to the world ceases to look at his stay on planet earth as his "life". He is looking for a better life in eternity and knows that he is a pilgrim here.
Hence there is choice to make for every person who wants to follow Christ. Do we want to enjoy the passing pleasures of this world or are we determined to pay the price of living for Christ?
Matt 10:25 says,
25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
Friend, the Bible is clear that "all who live godly in Christ will suffer persecution". If we have not come there yet, it is because we have diluted the message to the point that it is no different from what the world has to offer. That is what the Apostle meant when he wrote "the offence of the Cross has been removed"
Let's come back to the Biblical standards of following Christ. There is a cost and greater the sacrifice, greater are the rewards in eternity. As the songwriter writes, "This world is not my home, I am just passing through"
Let's keep that perspective every day of our life.
God Bless!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Christ Bridges the Gap
Matthew 8:1-3
1When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy
Imagine the scene - large crowds following Jesus, pushing, jostling, trying to get close to the Lord. There comes a leper. Society considers him an outcast - he was repulsive, he dared not get close to anyone. Even when he needed to be in the public place, he had to announce himself, "Unclean, unclean!". Imagine his shame when people would run to get out of range.
But here comes one who is different. He has made the difficult choice - he would rather endure the shame than miss an opportunity to get close to the master. And not for nothing - something within him said that this Jesus had the power to change his situation for the better. And again - he was sure that this Jesus was different - he would not turn His face away like others did.
That assurance made him come out to the open among the same people in whose eyes he was an object of contempt.
And watch how the master reacts. He does the unthinkable - he reaches out and touches this untouchable man. And in an instant, his leprosy is gone. God had honored his faith.
May a time, we are faced with a choice. Do we opt for the safer option which does not invite ridicule? Or do we have enough faith in the master to cross that barrier which seems so difficult?
Sometimes it is such a simple thing as standing up for the truth of the Word of God. Or it might be refusing to follow the crowd in enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Whatever the case - our father is waiting for us to cross that barrier. And we can be sure that our master will reach out to touch us and welcome us into his open arms!
God Bless!
1When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy
Imagine the scene - large crowds following Jesus, pushing, jostling, trying to get close to the Lord. There comes a leper. Society considers him an outcast - he was repulsive, he dared not get close to anyone. Even when he needed to be in the public place, he had to announce himself, "Unclean, unclean!". Imagine his shame when people would run to get out of range.
But here comes one who is different. He has made the difficult choice - he would rather endure the shame than miss an opportunity to get close to the master. And not for nothing - something within him said that this Jesus had the power to change his situation for the better. And again - he was sure that this Jesus was different - he would not turn His face away like others did.
That assurance made him come out to the open among the same people in whose eyes he was an object of contempt.
And watch how the master reacts. He does the unthinkable - he reaches out and touches this untouchable man. And in an instant, his leprosy is gone. God had honored his faith.
May a time, we are faced with a choice. Do we opt for the safer option which does not invite ridicule? Or do we have enough faith in the master to cross that barrier which seems so difficult?
Sometimes it is such a simple thing as standing up for the truth of the Word of God. Or it might be refusing to follow the crowd in enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Whatever the case - our father is waiting for us to cross that barrier. And we can be sure that our master will reach out to touch us and welcome us into his open arms!
God Bless!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Love your enemies
Matthew 5: 44-45
44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We live in world that all too often says "Treat others as they treat you". And it is so easy to get caught up in that mentality which dictates that some people just plain are "too bad to love" and it is downright foolish to befriend those who are "against you".
Think about a Bible believing Christian who wants to stand up for what he or she believes in. There is no doubt that such a person will face questions on how unreasonable his faith is and it is plain too narrow-minded to think that there is only one way to heaven. Such a person will no doubt have enemies who think that the world would be a better place without such people who spoke of sin, hell and the coming judgement.
When faced with such oppostition, the natural tendency is to think, if not pray "Oh God! Judge them!". We might be even so full of faith like the disciples of Christ who said "Lord do you want us to call down fire on them as Elijah did?".
But Jesus in the sermon on the mount teaches just the opposite. No matter, how strong the opposition, how bad the enemy - we are not given the choice to hate! In fact, Jesus goes to the other end of the spectrum and says that we are to pray for such people.
Why? Because, we are to show the same love that God shows on the unrighteous who do not acknowledge him. It would be a simple thing for God to plain destroy those who hate him or blaspheme His holy name. But no. He understands that man is all too weak and frail to bear His anger.
Let's make that choice daily to live a life free from hatred. Let's determine in our hearts that we will still choose to love no matter what we get in return. And we can be sure the Father in heaven will look down and smile at us and say "There goes my son. There goes my daughter".
God Bless!
44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We live in world that all too often says "Treat others as they treat you". And it is so easy to get caught up in that mentality which dictates that some people just plain are "too bad to love" and it is downright foolish to befriend those who are "against you".
Think about a Bible believing Christian who wants to stand up for what he or she believes in. There is no doubt that such a person will face questions on how unreasonable his faith is and it is plain too narrow-minded to think that there is only one way to heaven. Such a person will no doubt have enemies who think that the world would be a better place without such people who spoke of sin, hell and the coming judgement.
When faced with such oppostition, the natural tendency is to think, if not pray "Oh God! Judge them!". We might be even so full of faith like the disciples of Christ who said "Lord do you want us to call down fire on them as Elijah did?".
But Jesus in the sermon on the mount teaches just the opposite. No matter, how strong the opposition, how bad the enemy - we are not given the choice to hate! In fact, Jesus goes to the other end of the spectrum and says that we are to pray for such people.
Why? Because, we are to show the same love that God shows on the unrighteous who do not acknowledge him. It would be a simple thing for God to plain destroy those who hate him or blaspheme His holy name. But no. He understands that man is all too weak and frail to bear His anger.
Let's make that choice daily to live a life free from hatred. Let's determine in our hearts that we will still choose to love no matter what we get in return. And we can be sure the Father in heaven will look down and smile at us and say "There goes my son. There goes my daughter".
God Bless!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Steps to Restoration
Ezekiel 36:24 -28
24 " 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
With respect to Israel, we see here 5 key steps to a restored relationship with God:
1. A return from the places where they were scattered
2. A cleansing from impurities
3. A gift of a new heart and a new spirit
4. A return to obedience of the commands of the Lord
5. A dwelling in the appointed place
No matter where the child of God has strayed away from his appointed postition in God's Kingdom, the loving father always seeks that his son or daughter return to him. Sin always separates us from God and the Bible is emphatic that the wages of sin is death.
But it does not have to be that way. God says in Ezekiel 18:30
Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.
Again, if we look closely at the passage above, we will notice that all 5 steps have been God-initiated. Dear friend, more than our desire, He is waiting with longing for us to return to Him. He longs to give us a new heart and a new spirit much more than we long to be restored to God.
And that is why Jesus bore our sins on the cross. The gift of God is indeed eternal life.
But then we might have a valid question:
If it's all in God's hands, what do I need to do?
Ezekiel 18:31 says,
31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
Ezekiel 11:21 says gives us an insight into what could stop us from receiving that new heart and new spirit,
21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Dear friend, it is our desire for the sinful and the wordly that keeps us from receiving what the Father has for us. Let us renew our commitment to him and stay away from every semblance of sin. Soon we will find ourself in that blessed position of a right relationship with God.
God Bless!
24 " 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
With respect to Israel, we see here 5 key steps to a restored relationship with God:
1. A return from the places where they were scattered
2. A cleansing from impurities
3. A gift of a new heart and a new spirit
4. A return to obedience of the commands of the Lord
5. A dwelling in the appointed place
No matter where the child of God has strayed away from his appointed postition in God's Kingdom, the loving father always seeks that his son or daughter return to him. Sin always separates us from God and the Bible is emphatic that the wages of sin is death.
But it does not have to be that way. God says in Ezekiel 18:30
Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.
Again, if we look closely at the passage above, we will notice that all 5 steps have been God-initiated. Dear friend, more than our desire, He is waiting with longing for us to return to Him. He longs to give us a new heart and a new spirit much more than we long to be restored to God.
And that is why Jesus bore our sins on the cross. The gift of God is indeed eternal life.
But then we might have a valid question:
If it's all in God's hands, what do I need to do?
Ezekiel 18:31 says,
31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
Ezekiel 11:21 says gives us an insight into what could stop us from receiving that new heart and new spirit,
21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Dear friend, it is our desire for the sinful and the wordly that keeps us from receiving what the Father has for us. Let us renew our commitment to him and stay away from every semblance of sin. Soon we will find ourself in that blessed position of a right relationship with God.
God Bless!
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