As we enter Holy week, we are reminded of the price Jesus Christ paid for our redemption. On Good Friday, as He hung between heaven and earth, He cried, "Tetelestai" which means "It is finished". It comes the Greek verb teleo, meaning finish, accomplish or fulfill. It was not a cry of defeat but rather of victory. The use of the perfect tense in Jn 19:30 conveys a completed action that has an ongoing result. A great exchange took place at the cross: we have traded
our curses for His blessings
our sicknesses for His health
our poverty for His riches
our doubts for His faith
our strife for His peace
our hatred for His love
our iniquities for His forgiveness and much more ...
Certainly Christ's death on the cross has made it possible for many to enter God's kingdom, no matter what their status in life is. The good news is that this door of salvation is still wide open. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." Jn 1:12 (NASB)
What work did Jesus come to accomplish on earth? In the early part of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His disciples, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." Jn 4:34 (NIV). He is referring to the work God the Father had given Him to do, and in the context, it had to do with soul winning. We all know that food gives us the energy to keep on going in life. Jesus said that the thing that sustains Him on earth is to do and accomplish the will of God. Some questions we should ask ourselves: "What keeps me going in life?", "Do I know the will of God for my life?"
Towards the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." Jn 17:4 (NIV). He recognised the hour of His death is nigh and that He would be going back to the Father. At Gethsemane, He agonised over the cup He had to partake and submitted Himself to the Father's will (Lk 22:42-46). He was judged and sentenced by human adjudicators, flogged, beaten and eventually crucified on the cross. In finishing the work of God, Jesus drank fully of the cup the Father had given Him for the sake of humanity.
The number 3 is the number of divinity as seen in the three persons of the Godhead. Jesus was hung on the cross for 3 hours before He gave up His spirit on His own (Lk 23:44). There were 3 attesting signs that followed Christ's death on the cross: firstly, God the Father tore the curtain in the temple, signifying man's free access to God without going through a human intermediary (Lk 23:45); secondly Jesus Christ laid down His life willing for humankind with the centurion commenting, "Certainly this man was innocent." (Jn 10:18; Lk 23:46-47); and thirdly, the Holy Spirit raised the saints of old back to life (Mt 27:52-53). John the apostle also spoke of three that bear witness, the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement (1 Jn 5:8). Jesus started His ministry by being water baptized by John the Baptist and was anointed with power by the Holy Spirit. After His death, it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that He was raised to life (Rom 8:11).
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the climax of His ministry on earth. How many of us can say on our death bed that we have accomplished what God has called us to do? Many of us suffer an untimely death but for us who are still alive and believers in Christ, we ought to ask God to help us redeem the time for the days ahead (Eph 5:15-16).
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Status, Stature & Substance
In his book Mentoring Paradigms, Pas Edmund Chan reflected on the foundation of leadership which I thought was insightful. Let me share and expand on the points he brought up:
Status: this has to do with the titles we have (such as Dr, Rev, Iman, Master, etc.) or the positions we hold (such as CEO, Director, President, Principal, Major, etc.). These so-called leadership status are usually conferred/ordained/appointed by an institution or organisation to recognise the capability of people. For political offices, they are being elected by the people and the party cadres elect appointment holders. In a performance-driven society, people are only interested in our status, with the result that we focus our energies on striving for higher status.
Stature: there are two aspects to this - our credibility and our confidence. Our credibility is derived from how people view us based on our work ethics and relationship with them. Our confidence is derived from how we view ourselves. If we have very low self-esteem, then we would not be able to carry ourselves well and as such would not project a good leadership stature. We should not neglect this aspect of leadership in the pursuit of status.
Substance: this is the most important attribute of a leader, which is how God views us. We are people of substance when we have cultivated an emotional stability, security and humility which enables us to handle crises, criticisms and compliments effectively. Joseph was a man of substance when he fled from Potiphar's wife, refusing to lie with her. True inner security is an expression of the substance in leadership, not being swayed by the temptations of the world. God is very much interested in us becoming (more like Him) than in doing (lots of things for Him).
Of late, there have been many cases of people with status and stature in life who have fallen due to lack of substance. It is instructive to read the proverbs of Solomon that personifies evil as a harlot: "at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks. She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: ...." Pr 7:9-13 (NIV)
Note the subtle work of the tempter; a clandestine operation that is carried out in the dark, when one is least expecting it. She lurks at every corner seeking someone to devour; she is not timid or mild but unruly, forceful and defiant. The Bible tells us to resist the devil and he would flee from you (Jas 4:7). This means to run away or not to put oneself in the way of temptation. It is often a battle in the mind that one has to wrestle with. Thus to cultivate the character of God in our life we have been encouraged to think on these things: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy." Phil 4:8 (NIV)
Status: this has to do with the titles we have (such as Dr, Rev, Iman, Master, etc.) or the positions we hold (such as CEO, Director, President, Principal, Major, etc.). These so-called leadership status are usually conferred/ordained/appointed by an institution or organisation to recognise the capability of people. For political offices, they are being elected by the people and the party cadres elect appointment holders. In a performance-driven society, people are only interested in our status, with the result that we focus our energies on striving for higher status.
Stature: there are two aspects to this - our credibility and our confidence. Our credibility is derived from how people view us based on our work ethics and relationship with them. Our confidence is derived from how we view ourselves. If we have very low self-esteem, then we would not be able to carry ourselves well and as such would not project a good leadership stature. We should not neglect this aspect of leadership in the pursuit of status.
Substance: this is the most important attribute of a leader, which is how God views us. We are people of substance when we have cultivated an emotional stability, security and humility which enables us to handle crises, criticisms and compliments effectively. Joseph was a man of substance when he fled from Potiphar's wife, refusing to lie with her. True inner security is an expression of the substance in leadership, not being swayed by the temptations of the world. God is very much interested in us becoming (more like Him) than in doing (lots of things for Him).
Of late, there have been many cases of people with status and stature in life who have fallen due to lack of substance. It is instructive to read the proverbs of Solomon that personifies evil as a harlot: "at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks. She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: ...." Pr 7:9-13 (NIV)
Note the subtle work of the tempter; a clandestine operation that is carried out in the dark, when one is least expecting it. She lurks at every corner seeking someone to devour; she is not timid or mild but unruly, forceful and defiant. The Bible tells us to resist the devil and he would flee from you (Jas 4:7). This means to run away or not to put oneself in the way of temptation. It is often a battle in the mind that one has to wrestle with. Thus to cultivate the character of God in our life we have been encouraged to think on these things: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy." Phil 4:8 (NIV)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Character First
There has been a lot of news in the media recently on the move by MOE to refocus on character and values education in our schools, and the debate as to whether good character should be extrinsically rewarded. The rebalancing of providing a holistic education to our children is indeed timely as we move into an age whereby morals seem to get thrown out of the window and men (and women) become more self-centred and conceited:
But realise this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of plesaure rather than lovers of God. 2 Tim 3:1-4 (NASB)
Unlike God whose character does not change over time, mankind is fickleminded. His ability to do good to help others is without doubt. Just look at the help rendered to the Japanese in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami last year. However, his propensity to do evil is inherent due to the carnal nature resident in each one of us. Many 'good' people have their souls wrecked by an act of folly which they would live to regret. The apostle Paul proclaims the sin nature as such:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. Rom 7:18-19 (NASB)
I think it was Warren Wiersbe who said, "People are like trees: the shadow of the tree is reputation, the fruit of the tree is personality, but the roots of the tree are the most important part – character." And because the roots support the tree, it is important that this foundation be strong, otherwise great will be the fall of that tree. Good character is built over time and has to laid in a child when he/she is still young. The home should be the first place where a young child should be imbued with good discipline and morals. Solomon, the wisest man on earth, brought this counsel to his son:
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Pr 3:1-3 (NASB)
Solomon continues his proverbs by mentioning seven things that the LORD hates (Pr 6:16-19):
1. Haughty eyes
2. Lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. Heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that run rapidly to evil
6. False witness who utter lies
7. One who spreads strife among brothers
As you would notice, the tongue is very deadly; it can cause a lot of harm and damage (Jas 3:8). We have talked about the wickedness of man's heart in the past. It again boils down to the carnal nature of man; we can only be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Rom 7:24-25; 8:1).
Only God is the best judge of a person's character because He is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12; Jer 17:10). We can certainly affirm good behaviours/attitudes of our children, not necessary through monetary rewards, to motivate them in the right direction. A simple word of encouragement is often good enough. At the same time, we have to watch ourselves, because we are often times role-models to them.
But realise this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of plesaure rather than lovers of God. 2 Tim 3:1-4 (NASB)
Unlike God whose character does not change over time, mankind is fickleminded. His ability to do good to help others is without doubt. Just look at the help rendered to the Japanese in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami last year. However, his propensity to do evil is inherent due to the carnal nature resident in each one of us. Many 'good' people have their souls wrecked by an act of folly which they would live to regret. The apostle Paul proclaims the sin nature as such:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. Rom 7:18-19 (NASB)
I think it was Warren Wiersbe who said, "People are like trees: the shadow of the tree is reputation, the fruit of the tree is personality, but the roots of the tree are the most important part – character." And because the roots support the tree, it is important that this foundation be strong, otherwise great will be the fall of that tree. Good character is built over time and has to laid in a child when he/she is still young. The home should be the first place where a young child should be imbued with good discipline and morals. Solomon, the wisest man on earth, brought this counsel to his son:
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Pr 3:1-3 (NASB)
Solomon continues his proverbs by mentioning seven things that the LORD hates (Pr 6:16-19):
1. Haughty eyes
2. Lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. Heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that run rapidly to evil
6. False witness who utter lies
7. One who spreads strife among brothers
As you would notice, the tongue is very deadly; it can cause a lot of harm and damage (Jas 3:8). We have talked about the wickedness of man's heart in the past. It again boils down to the carnal nature of man; we can only be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Rom 7:24-25; 8:1).
Only God is the best judge of a person's character because He is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12; Jer 17:10). We can certainly affirm good behaviours/attitudes of our children, not necessary through monetary rewards, to motivate them in the right direction. A simple word of encouragement is often good enough. At the same time, we have to watch ourselves, because we are often times role-models to them.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Our "Palindromic" God
Before I tell you what I mean by "Palindromic" God, let's define what is a palindrome. It is a word, line, number etc. that is the same when reading forward or backwards. Here are a few examples of palindromic
Numbers: 21022012, 332233, 1234321
Words: level, poop
Sentences: Madam, I am Adam; Abel was I ere I saw Elba
For the last two sentences, when you close up all the letters and read them from left to right, you will find that it's the same as that reading from right to left. What this means is that the lines are the same reading backward or forward.
We certainly cannot read God backward nor forward. One thing we do know about God is that He has no beginning and no end. However, if one could go back into eternity past, way beyond the existence of the world as well as go forward into the eternal future, one will notice that God remains the same. That is, His eternal characteristics remain basically the same. Here are some Scripture verses that speak of this fact:
"I the LORD do not change" Mal 3:6 (NIV)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:8 (NIV)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Jas 1:17 (NIV)
Why can we take comfort in a God who does not change? Because as the psalmist David declares, "He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." Ps 103:8 (NASB)
When we sin against God and humanity, we can find in our God, one who forgives and would remove our transgression as far as the east is from the west, which is unlimited! (Ps 103:12). Apart from the fact that we can depend on Him to forgive us when we confess our sin (1 Jn 1:9), we can also rely on Him to fulfill His promises to us. The Bible tells us that as many as may be the promises of God, they are the yes and amen in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 1:20). And you know the promises of God (if not, start reading the Bible), begin to claim them by faith and see Him do wonders in your life. Let me share a verse you can claim, which is one of the verses given to my daughter on her baptism day:
"And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure." Is 33:6 (NASB)
Numbers: 21022012, 332233, 1234321
Words: level, poop
Sentences: Madam, I am Adam; Abel was I ere I saw Elba
For the last two sentences, when you close up all the letters and read them from left to right, you will find that it's the same as that reading from right to left. What this means is that the lines are the same reading backward or forward.
We certainly cannot read God backward nor forward. One thing we do know about God is that He has no beginning and no end. However, if one could go back into eternity past, way beyond the existence of the world as well as go forward into the eternal future, one will notice that God remains the same. That is, His eternal characteristics remain basically the same. Here are some Scripture verses that speak of this fact:
"I the LORD do not change" Mal 3:6 (NIV)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:8 (NIV)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Jas 1:17 (NIV)
Why can we take comfort in a God who does not change? Because as the psalmist David declares, "He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." Ps 103:8 (NASB)
When we sin against God and humanity, we can find in our God, one who forgives and would remove our transgression as far as the east is from the west, which is unlimited! (Ps 103:12). Apart from the fact that we can depend on Him to forgive us when we confess our sin (1 Jn 1:9), we can also rely on Him to fulfill His promises to us. The Bible tells us that as many as may be the promises of God, they are the yes and amen in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 1:20). And you know the promises of God (if not, start reading the Bible), begin to claim them by faith and see Him do wonders in your life. Let me share a verse you can claim, which is one of the verses given to my daughter on her baptism day:
"And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure." Is 33:6 (NASB)
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