Have we graduated?

Why is it that the Scriptures do not elaborate on the methodology of prophecy or healing or the like? We want to study more on these things and we find that the Scripture does not offer us very much. We would very much like to get an advanced lesson from Paul as to how to be an effective evangelist but all that we hear him tell Timothy is to do the work of an evangelist!

When we study the N.T letters which is our main guide to new testament living, what we mostly find is truths regarding the work of Jesus and the nature of our salvation. Almost every epistle of Paul talks about how to put off the old man and putting on the new. Surely we need something more. Where are our advanced lessons? Maybe there are epistles that are missing in the Bible and we need to hunt for them! Believers are desperately searching for more.

What we fail to realize is that when we build our foundations clear and strong, the rest will follow. If we have learned to deny self, surely we would see the fruit of that activity. God need not teach us how to pluck the fruit and eat. The Bible takes pains to teach us that the seed should fall on good ground. Our fundamentals are being emphasized. We make the tragic mistake of thinking we have graduated. We think we do not need the teachings as much as before. Let us understand that we are always called to relive the truth of the Scriptures. We are always to feed from the Lord's Table. The rest will surely come.It may take longer than expected but it will be fruit that will last.

The Wonder of the Incarnation

Have you ever thought in detail about the Birth of Jesus? Why did God take such pains so that Mary had to carry divinity in her womb just like any other woman? The wonder of the incarnation is that God did not just decide to appear on earth just like Adam did and claim to be a human. He literally took shape from the womb of Mary. He was not putting on a show for man. He had to become like us in every way. God did not just cover His divinity with humanity but He emptied Himself so that divinity did not hinder His humanity in any way. It should never cease to amaze us that God decided to become one of us in every way so that He could save us. The circumstances that surround His birth shows us that we are not called to be sheltered from the storms and troubles of life. Mary had to literally run for her life and the life of her Child. Indeed, great is the mystery of godliness (1Tim 3:16)

A heart for the lost

For a long time, my view on evangelism was that we had to find and receive that burden from the Lord before we could effectively do so. God had definite plans on saving people and we had to find out his agenda and carry out his proposals for the lost. However it dawned on me that God's heart is different from ours. He could be constantly grieved over the hardness of people's hearts and yet be working to bring His people to salvation. He is always longing for the lost to return to Him and yet He can be fully justified in condemning the rebellious. Just because He could save all does not mean that he has decided to save all. That is where I differ from Him because if I could save all, I would. It seems like I am more merciful than God but it just shows that He is Holy and I am not. He is full of mercy and yet absolutely righteous. I do not have much of both. Remember that the root meaning of 'holy' is - not like any other. 

So what is my conclusion? Just because God's ways are past finding out, I do not have to wait. Because I see my people being lost and I can stand on their side. I do not have to know God's mind regarding individual people because He is always wishing that all return to Him. I do not know whether God would finally touch him or her, but I can plead with them to turn to God. My burden need be only that God would have mercy. I am crying out that the wayward would return to the One who gave them a chance to live.