I sometimes think that I have the sweetest daughter in the whole world. At the tender age of 4, she must tell me at least a dozen times a day that she loves me. She often adds a little addendum that I find particularly endearing. “You’re pretty mommy,” she’ll say. That always brings a smile to my heart. This morning, I was in a “pretty” rough state. I’ve been sick for a while. I was still in my pajamas and robe, my hair was disheveled and greasy. I hadn’t brushed my teeth. This was no Kodak moment. I was reading my Bible on my bed and my daughter came in for a little visit. After a few minutes, she decided to leave. As she closed the door she said, “I love you, Mommy.” Then, without even thinking, she added her trademark addendum, “You’re pretty.” After shutting the door, the reality of what she said must have struck her precious, tender, truthful little heart. She quickly peeped back in to say, in a whisper, “After you shower, you’ll be pretty.” Then she closed the door. I could not help but laugh. Her words stung a little, but they were true. I could not deny them. I was not looking “pretty” and my sweet, honest little girl could not tell a lie. I love her for that. But still she insisted on seeing the positive, the potential. How like our Lord! I love her even more for that. I got up. I showered. And I did look much better. I don’t know if I quite achieved “pretty” status, but I can tell you that I was far closer to the mark after my shower than I was before.
Sometimes the truth stings a little, or even a lot. That has been my experience. If we’re going to talk about tough topics, we risk the possibility of getting stung, or stinging. That must not be the goal. Truth must always be spoken in great humility and love. The addendum to the verse I mentioned in the introduction from 1 Peter 3 says that we must defend the Faith “in a gentle and respectful way” (verse 16). But even in it’s gentlest and most respectful form, truth may offend any part in us that does not want to hear it, any part of us that wishes to stay comfortable as it is. I pray that on this journey we will learn to hear opposing points of view. And I pray that somehow, as God begins to connect the dots, we will find that His truth showers down a cleansing rain that transforms us in the beautiful likeness of His Son. I hope we’re all a good bit prettier when we’re done.
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Amen! If we're not daily challenged then how are we supposed to grow, right?
ReplyDeleteYour girl is precious and a godsend.
Thanks Daniella! I'm so glad that you decided to join my blog. I look forward to corresponding with. God bless!
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about your blog, it will be interesting to see what happens here.
I have a tentative approach when it comes to Apologetics. My analytical mind and linear way of processing information loves this type of approach. However, I've found it to be a stumbling block in my walk because I have a really hard time accepting things I cannot or do not understand. My finite mind wants to understand everything about a God who is infinite. It's just not going to happen. I have a need to make an emotional connection to by beliefs, but I have a hard time accepting them if they don't "make sense". I pray for childlike faith and the ability to accept by faith the things I just do not understand - I worry about my lack of understanding becoming something that separates me from the Father.
Bonnie
Many Christians today are not able to "make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet 3:15). I believe it's primarily because we do not first "sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts."
ReplyDeleteOnce we become new babes in Christ, we are invited by Christ to first sit with Him in the heavenly places (Eph 2:8). This means to first get thoroughly familiar with where Christ is and and what's going on is God's heart.
Some years ago a Christian kept getting frustrated trying to get into the mind of God. After many frustrating years, God spoke to him and said, "If you would spend as much time getting into My presence and you spend trying to get into My mind, you wouldn't have so many questions."
After spending much time in God's presence, we are then encouraged "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called (Eph 4:1).
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:10-11).
Sit - Walk - Stand. Many Christians do not understand the progression of becoming mature Believers and try to walk and stand before just sitting with Him.
Blessings
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI think that you have hit on a very common frustration with many believers. It is hard to reconcile ourselves to those things that we do not understand in Scripture, and in life. I sympathise with your struggle and pray that this will be a place where we can all gain understanding.
Please take a look at John 10:10's comments above. I love what he said about getting into the mind of God. "If you would spend as much time getting into My presence as you spend trying to get into My mind, you wouldn't have so many questions." That hits a mark. People who understand the mind of God are people who spend a lot of time with God. There is no shortcut. Let us all determine to spend time "sitting" in His presence, in praise, prayer and Bible study. There we will learn His mind. There we will learn to "walk" and "stand" as mature Believers.
I'm so glad that you are here!
God Bless,
Catherine
Why not create more "Blog Archive" subjects where we can post comments on various subjects?
ReplyDeleteAlso, can those who respond create their own subjects which others can then talk about?
In my study of Josephus today, I discovered something very interesting. Josephus records no mention of the gold calf incident as recorded in Ex 32, nor of the shattering of the first set of 10 commandments written by God in stone, nor of the 2nd 40 days wherein Moses ascended Mt Sinai to receive to 10 commandments written by God in stone. The 1st 10 commandments written by God in stone were God’s complete work (Ex 32:16), but God made Moses cut the stones for the 2nd 10 commandments. I wonder if Moses acted in unrighteous anger when he broke the 1st 10 commandments written by God in stone? (Ex 32:19)
ReplyDeleteLesson to be learned:
Be very carefull when we presume to represent God's anger. Moses did it again (Nu 20:10-12), and he was denied the earthly privilidge of entering into the land God promised the Israelites.
Blessings
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI did read the comments by John 10:10. Very insightful. What he says should be obvious, yet it's a concept that is so often missed. It is amazing to me that it's taken me so long to finaly "get it". I have been spending a lot of time praying and reading scripture lately and I'm amazed at who God is becoming in my life.
Sit. Walk. Stand. I think that's some of the best advice I've been given.
Bonnie
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteTime with God is the key to gaining all things in Christ. Sometimes we get so busy, we forget to do the one thing that is vital. Then we wonder why our life is crashing down around us. It like forgetting to eat and then wondering why your body is falling apart. When we get into His presence without an agenda, things start to become clear.
"Sit. Walk. Stand." is a reference to a classic piece of Christian literature by Watchman Nee. It is a great resource for learning to walk deeper in the Lord.
I'm not surprised that John 10:10 had some great insights for you. I've learned much of what I know from him. Thanks Dad.
I should have my first official blog up later this week. Still working on it a bit.
God bless,
Catherine
I was just checking back to see if there was a new post. I'm looking forward to reading and learning more. I think I'm really going to enjoy this!
ReplyDeleteYour dad? Wow. What a team;) I was thinking he wrote so beautifully he should have a blog. Nice to know he's related - means we can look forward to his insight. I will have to look into Watchman Nee, I had never heard that before...I'm showing my huge lack of knowledge here.
Bonnie
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Man by Watchman Nee is a very good book.
Many years ago as I was reading Watchman Nee, he helped to open my eyes concerning an aspect of Christian cosmology that I had never seen before. Christian cosmology means understanding who the God of our salvation is, how He reveals/manifests Himself, and how He desires to enter into relationship with His children.
ReplyDeleteThe Jewish cosmology of God never progressed beyond God's Old Covenant which was concerned primarily with matter and technique. Christian cosmology not only inherited this Jewish cosmology of God, but transformed it from being primarily concerned with matter and technique to one of relationship.
Now let's look at Acts 2:36 which says this:
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."
My question is simply this. If God the Father made Jesus both "Lord and Christ" at Pentecost when He was exalted to the right hand of the Father, which name/position in the Godhead did Jesus "not have" before Pentecost?
From Emily on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteTo answer John 10:10's question in the original blog....Jesus did not have the name Christ until Pentecost. Acts 2:34-36 refers to David saying to himself, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Jesus was refered to as Lord by David prior to pentecost.
Emily
Peter said this in Matt 16:16,
ReplyDelete"You are the Christ (which means "the anointed"), the Son of the living God."
Jesus responded in verse 17,
"Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
Therefore, Jesus was the Christ before Pentecost, but not Lord until Pentecost.
Nee shares this understanding of what happened at Pentecost:
"As regards the Godhead, the Son and the Father are co-equal; but His being the Lord is rewarded Him by God. The Lord Jesus Christ was made Lord only after He emptied Himself. His deity derives from who He is, for His being God is His inherent nature. His being Lord, though, issues out of what He has done, He was exalted and rewarded by God to be Lord only after He forsook His glory and maintained the perfect role of obedience. As regards Himself, He is God; as regards reward, He is Lord. His Lordship did not exist originally in the Godhead."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFROM EMILY ON FACEBOOK:
ReplyDeleteThis isn't easy, not being able to see the notes from the original blog but I will try to respond from memory to John10:10's response to the answer to my answer.
I respectfully disagree.
Jesus was refered to as Lord prior to the resurrection. In Mathew 16:15 Jesus asked, " But who say ye that I am?" Peter responded with the Christ, the Son of the living God. At that point Jesus called Peter blessed and said My Father, who is in heaven revealed this to Peter. And then in verse 20 of Mathew 16, Jesus charged His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
In Acts 2:36 it says, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. This was after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. His blood had been shed at that point.
In addition Jesus was referred to as Lord prior to Pentecost in Luke 6:5 and John 9:36.
In luke 2:11 Jesus is referred to as a Savior Who is Christ the Lord. The names Savior and Christ were used in the same sentence. The name Savior became applicable after the resurrection. At that point it was complete.
And what is John 10:10's opinion on why Jesus told His disciples to tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
I appreciate what John 10:10 is saying about Jesus being made Lord in the Godhead but I would like to know which scriptures reflect this. Although I still firmly stand on my opinion and have scriptures to stand on, I would be very interested in reading the scriptures John 10:10 is using to form his opinion. Could he please pass these on?
Only a few hours before Jesus's crucifixion the Sanhedrin asked Him if he was the Christ and even then He did not answer yes.
I am keeping in mind that Peter was given his information by God, Who is omniscient and knows the beginning to the end.
Catherine Joy, I read your new entry and I think it is great. I look forward to reading topics you have in store and will try to enter gmail prior to responding for your sake and mine. Topics that will edify and information we call all learn by, unlike the topic John 10:10 and I are discussing now. We may have to agree to disagree,again.
Emily
Paul also confirms what happened on Pentecost when he declared this in Phil 2,
ReplyDelete5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The name God the Father gave Jesus at Pentecost was Lord. Jesus was always the Christ during His days on earth, but He was exalted and rewarded by God to be Lord at Pentecost.
Yes, we will just have to agree to disagree on when this happened. More importantly is allowing Jesus to truly be Lord of our lives.
Blessings
FROM EMILY ON FACEBOOK:
ReplyDeleteI thank you John 10:10 for question that peaked my interest.
Many years ago the Lord laid on my heart to witness to a good friend who was a Christian Scientist. I was new at witnessing in that manner and more than a little apprehensive but wanted to serve.
My friend had shared with me that Christian Scientist believed Jesus Christ was a good man but not the Savior of the world. The few tidbits she had shared with me was the extent of my knowledge about Christian Scientist.
I had no idea where to begin to prepare but God is so gracious, He did it for me. The Lord laid it on my heart that they had the name Christ in their title but didn't believe He was Savior of the world. We had lunch one day, I shared the word with her and about a year later she emailed to tell me she had joined a Baptist Church. God is so awesome! It was all Him.
Your question started my quest to find the answer to why Jesus didn't want to be called Christ during His earthly ministry. I now own a Hebrew/Greek key word study bible that I didn't have years ago. I found the root words and meanings and now the questions I had have been answered.
I thank you again for the question
Emily
We never know when God will use a word we speak to draw someone to our Savior, Redeemer and Lord. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Henry shares with us his insight into what happened in Acts 2:36 and what it means for us as Believers:
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that this truth has now received its full confirmation, and we our full commission to publish it, That God has made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ. They were charged to tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ till after his resurrection (Mt. 16:20; 17:9); but now it must be proclaimed on the housetops, to all the house of Israel; he that hath ears to hear, let him hear it. It is not proposed as probable, but deposed as certain: Let them know it assuredly, and know that it is their duty to receive it as a faithful saying, First, That God has glorified Him whom they have crucified. This aggravates their wickedness, that they crucified one whom God designed to glorify, and put Him to death as a deceiver who had given such pregnant proofs of his divine mission; and it magnifies the wisdom and power of God that though they crucified Him, and thought thereby to have put him under an indelible mark of infamy, yet God had glorified Him, and the indignities they had done Him served as a foil to his lustre. Secondly, That He has glorified Him to such a degree as to make Him both Lord and Christ: these signify the same; He is Lord of all, and He is not a usurper, but is Christ, anointed to be so. He is one Lord to the Gentiles, who had had lords many; and to the Jews He is Messiah, which includes all His offices. He is the king Messiah, as the Chaldee paraphrast calls Him; or, as the angel to Daniel, Messiah the prince, Dan. 9:25. This is the great truth of the gospel which we are to believe, that that same Jesus, the very same that was crucified at Jerusalem, is He to whom we owe allegiance, and from whom we are to expect protection, as Lord and Christ."
Hallelujah! Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
Since Jesus has been made both Lord and Christ as a result of what happened at Pentecost, let's also look at what happened in Acts 13:
ReplyDelete32 "And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers,
33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, `YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.'
34 "As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: `I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY and SURE blessings OF DAVID.'
35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm, `YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.'
When Jesus declared in John 3:16 that "God so loved the world that He gave gave His only begotten Son," Jesus was referring to His resurrection, not to His incarnation birth.
When one rejects the deity of Jesus, His atoning death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God the Father as Lord, then one is left with nothing but a false gospel.
To take this understanding of "begotten" one step further, consider these verses in Rom 5,
ReplyDelete8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
I like to quote John 3:16 like this,
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only resurrected Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Blessings