FACING THE GIANTS

Hi! It’s nice to be back to blog writing! I’ve been into lots of things and went through a sabbatical leave, seeking for God’s direction in my life. I went through series of circumstances which are really traumatic on my part but God made me survive! Hallelujah!

Beginning today, I write articles bilingually: with corresponding translation in our native language: Filipino. I will be sharing my articles in Facebook, especially to my country men who may need to hear these timely messages God is depositing in my heart. I would like to reach out both to my Filipino and Non-Filipino friends.

A few weeks ago, I watched the movie, “FACING THE GIANTS”. I love this movie. This movie depicts what most of the common people had to go through and how their faith in God helps them.

SOMEHOW, right now, we can relate to this movie. Let’s take a closer look:

Current national crisis. Political turmoil in the Philippines. The rise of unemployment rate in the country. The pandemic is not yet over, according to the government & experts, as it is widespread in the news. The arrival of vaccines in the Philippines But it is not enough, we need more. The sudden fluctuation of rates of infection.

What really surprises me is this, in the arrival of vaccines in the country, why is it that the infection rate immediately went up? What caused the rate the go up higher?

Annoyed & disappointed. Annoyed at the attitude of my fellow Filipinos: too critical, always complaining. Disappointed to some government officials for not doing their jobs properly.

JUST RECENTLY, I had a couple of personal problems. My sister is sick, terribly sick and was confined to the hospital. My mom is at home, all alone by herself. I can’t be with her. I can’t take care of her. I am unemployed & in great need. 

What do I feel about it? I feel helpless. I feel hopeless. I can’t do anything about it. I feel like grabbing every opportunity that comes just to settle what needs to be settled. I feel like I’m in front of giants making its way to devour me.

FOR ME: Overwhelming problems and circumstances = “GIANTS”

NOW, LET ME POSE 2 QUESTIONS:

What do you do when giants comes your way? How do you face the giants that comes your way?

I remember this very famous story in Bible when a small, untrained lad defeated a giant. His name was David. The bible tells us of his amazing story, how he defeated his greatest enemy, a giant named Goliath. Let’s turn our Bibles to 1 SAMUEL 17:1-4, 8-11, 23-24, 31-47 NKJV-RTPV05

1 “Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim.“Nagsama-sama ang mga hukbong Filisteo sa Soco na sakop ng Juda upang lusubin ang Israel. Nagkampo sila sa Efes-Dammim na nasa pagitan ng Soco at Azeka. 

2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. Si Saul naman at ang mga Israelita ay nagkampo sa may libis ng Ela, at doo’y naghanda sila sa pakikipaglaban sa mga Filisteo. 

3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. Magkaharap ang dalawang pangkat: ang mga Filisteo’y nasa isang burol, at nasa kabila naman ang mga Israelita; isang libis ang nakapagitan sa kanila.

4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. Isang pangunahing mandirigma ang lumabas mula sa kampo ng mga Filisteo. Ang pangalan niya’y Goliat, at siya’y mula sa lunsod ng Gat. Ang kanyang taas ay halos tatlong metro. Hinamon niya ang mga Israelita na makipaglaban sa kanya.

8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. Sumigaw si Goliat sa mga Israelita, “Bakit nakahanay kayong lahat diyan para lumaban? Ako’y isang Filisteo at kayo nama’y mga alipin ni Saul. Pumili na lang kayo ng ilalaban sa akin.

9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” Kapag ako’y natalo, alipinin ninyo kaming lahat; ngunit kapag siya naman ang natalo, kayo ang aalipinin namin.

10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. Hinahamon ko ngayon ang hukbo ng Israel. Pumili kayo ng ilalaban ninyo sa akin!

11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Nang marinig ito ni Saul at ng mga Israelita, nanghina ang kanilang loob at sila’y natakot...

23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. Samantalang sila’y nag-uusap, tumayo na naman si Goliat sa unahan ng mga Filisteo at muling hinamon ang mga Israelita. Narinig ito ni David.

24 So David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. Nang makita si Goliat, ang mga Israelita ay nagtakbuhan dahil sa matinding takot.

31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Nakarating kay Saul ang mga sinabi ni David at ipinatawag niya ito. 

32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine. Pagdating kay Saul, sinabi ni David, “Hindi po tayo dapat masiraan ng loob dahil lang sa Filisteong iyon. Ako po ang lalaban sa kanya.

33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” Sinabi ni Saul, “Hindi mo kaya ang Filisteong iyon! Batambata ka pa, samantalang siya’y isang mahusay na mandirigma mula pa sa kanyang kabataan.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, Ngunit sinabi ni David kay Saul, “Ako po ang nag-aalaga sa kawan ng aking ama. Kapag ang isa sa mga tupang inaalagaan ko ay tinatangay ng leon o oso,

35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. hinahabol ko po ito at inaagaw ang tupa. Kapag hinarap ako ng leon o ng oso, hinahawakan ko ito sa panga at pinapatay.

36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Nakapatay na po ako ng mga leon at mga oso. Isasama ko po sa mga ito ang Filisteong iyon sapagkat ang nilalait niya’y ang hukbo ng Diyos na buháy.” 

37 Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” Idinugtong pa ni David, “Iniligtas ako ni Yahweh mula sa mga mababangis na leon at mga oso. Ililigtas din niya ako sa kamay ng Filisteong iyon.” Kaya’t sinabi ni Saul, “Kung gayon, labanan mo siya at samahan ka nawa ni Yahweh.”

38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. At ipinasuot niya kay David ang kanyang kasuotang pandigma: ang helmet at ang tansong pambalot sa katawan.

39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them. ” So David took them off. Nang maisakbat na ni David ang tabak ni Saul at sinubukang lumakad, hindi siya halos makahakbang sapagkat hindi siya sanay sa ganoong kasuotan. Kaya sinabi niya kay Saul, “Hindi ko na po gagamitin ang mga ito.” At hinubad niya ang nasabing kasuotang pandigma.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. Pagkatapos, dinampot niya ang kanyang tungkod. Namulot siya ng limang makikinis na bato sa sapa, inilagay sa kanyang supot na pampastol at lumakad upang harapin si Goliat. 

41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. Si Goliat naman ay lumakad ding papalapit kay David, sa hulihan ng tagadala ng kanyang panangga.

42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. Nang makita niyang si David ay isa lamang kabataang may maamong hitsura, nilait niya ito, at… 

43 So the Philistine said to David, “ Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. … pakutyang tinanong, “Anong akala mo sa akin? Aso ba ang lalabanan mo at may dala kang patpat?” At si David ay sinumpa ng Filisteo sa pangalan ng kanyang diyos. 

44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Sinabi pa niya, “Halika nga rito at nang maipakain ko ang bangkay mo sa mga ibon at mga hayop.” 

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Sumagot si David, “Ang dala mo’y tabak, sibat at pantusok, ngunit lalabanan kita sa pangalan ni Yahweh, ang Makapangyarihang Diyos ng Israel na iyong hinahamak.

46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Ngayong araw na ito’y ibibigay ka ni Yahweh sa aking mga kamay! Pababagsakin kita at pupugutin ko ang ulo mo. At ipapakain ko sa mga ibon at sa mga mababangis na hayop ang mga bangkay ng mga kawal ng hukbong Filisteo. Sa gayon, malalaman ng buong daigdig na may Diyos sa Israel. 

47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.””At makikita ng lahat ng narito na makakapagligtas si Yahweh kahit walang tabak at sibat. Kay Yahweh ang labanang ito at ibinigay na niya kayo sa aming mga kamay.””

Lets carefully pay attention to these passages and see how it relates to you. Understand what God might be saying to you now.

1 “Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. ” NKJV “Nagsama-sama ang mga hukbong Filisteo sa Soco na sakop ng Juda upang lusubin ang Israel. Nagkampo sila sa Efes-Dammim na nasa pagitan ng Soco at Azeka.” 2“And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.” NKJV Si Saul naman at ang mga Israelita ay nagkampo sa may libis ng Ela, at doo’y naghanda sila sa pakikipaglaban.”

How many of you experienced this, that there are times problems come altogether at the same time? Sino po ang nakaranas na nito: na sabay-sabay ang pagdating ng problema? Hindi pa nga natatapos itong pinagdadaanan mo ngayon, meron na agad na kasunod! 

Unfortunately, many people are caught off guard when problems comes. Nakakalungkot man isipin, marami ang dinaratnan ng mga problema na hindi handa o hindi nakahanda. Kung kailan pa dumarating ang problema, saka pa kikilos para maghanda sa paghanap ng solusyon.

4 “And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” NKJV“Isang pangunahing mandirigma ang lumabas mula sa kampo ng mga Filisteo. Ang pangalan niya’y Goliat, at siya’y mula sa lunsod ng Gat. Ang kanyang taas ay halos tatlong metro. Hinamon niya ang mga Israelita na makipaglaban sa kanya.”

Here it is, the scary thing is, sometimes, the problem that comes to us are to overwhelming, over-powering! Ito ang nakakatakot, may mga problemang dumarating sa atin na masyadong malaki, masyadong malakas para sa atin. At ang mga problemang ito ay tila baga humahamon, hindi lang sa ating mga kakayahan kundi maging sa ating mga pagkatao.

11 “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” Nang marinig ito ni Saul at ng mga Israelita, nanghina ang kanilang loob at sila’y natakot.

Fear is usually our first reaction whenever these giants come. Then comes discouragement comes next. Pagkatakot ang kadalasang unang nagiging reaksyon natin kapag ang mga higanteng problemang ito ay dumadating. Kasunod nito ay ang panghihina ng loob. Ayaw na nating magpatuloy. Gusto na nating tumigil.

31 “Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. Nakarating kay Saul ang mga sinabi ni David at ipinatawag niya ito. 32 Pagdating kay Saul, sinabi ni David, “Hindi po tayo dapat masiraan ng loob dahil lang sa Filisteong iyon. Ako po ang lalaban sa kanya.” 33 Sinabi ni Saul, “Hindi mo kaya ang Filisteong iyon! Batambata ka pa, samantalang siya’y isang mahusay na mandirigma mula pa sa kanyang kabataan.”

There are times, we try to gather up hope and strength from all corners. But to no avail, there will be people who will always pull us down in discouragement. Sa mga panahong gaya nito, pilit tayong huhugot ng lakas mula sa lahat ng dako. Mga mga pagkakataon, kahit anung pilit nating palakasin ang ating loob, may mga tao na pilit tayong papang-hinain. 

They will point out your lack of ability, resources & even connections. Kanilang bibigyan ng diin ang iyong mga kakulangan, kawalan ng kakayahan, at kaugnayan o koneksyon.

And the funny thing is, they will even make you angry! Ang nakakatuwa pa dito, gagalitin ka pa talaga nila!

38 “So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail.”“At ipinasuot niya kay David ang kanyang kasuotang pandigma: ang helmet at ang tansong pambalot sa katawan.” 39 “David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. Nang maisakbat na ni David ang tabak ni Saul at sinubukang lumakad, hindi siya halos makahakbang sapagkat hindi siya sanay sa ganoong kasuotan. Kaya sinabi niya kay Saul, “Hindi ko na po gagamitin ang mga ito.” At hinubad niya ang nasabing kasuotang pandigma.”

There are tools readily available to help us kill our giants. But the question is, are we using the right tool? Maraming kagamitan para matulungan tayo na harapin ang ating higanteng problema. Ang tanung lamang ay, tamang gamit nga ba ang ating ginagamit? 

Using the wrong tool makes us ineffective and paralyses us, makes the problem worse. Ang paggamit ng maling gamit o solusyon ay madalas hindi rin nagiging epektibo o pumaparalisa sa tin. Sa halip na matapos na ang problema, lalo pa itong lumalala.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution! Walang iisang solusyon sa lahat ng problemang dumarating sa atin! Wag nating ipilit na ang solusyong alam natin ay magagamit natin para sa LAHAT ng problema natin.

40 “Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.” Pagkatapos, dinampot niya ang kanyang tungkod. Namulot siya ng limang makikinis na bato sa sapa, inilagay sa kanyang supot na pampastol at lumakad upang harapin si Goliat.”

The use of simple tools, simple solutions to overwhelming problems! May mga pagkakataon, sa hindi natin inaasahan, na ang solusyon pala na ating hinahanap para sa ating mga naglalakihang problema, ay magmumula sa mga simple at pangkaraniwang bagay na hindi natin halos pinapansin.

Facing giants with simple, small weapons! Look at David, after taking off the unnecessary tools honed to him by king Saul, he immediately went out to look out for simple weapons he can use to kill Goliath. He immediately went out to meet his adversary. Unfortunately, most Christians still don’t want to face their giants inspite of the weapons they already possess! Tingnan nyo si David. Matapos niyang alisin ang mga sandatang hindi naman niya magagamit, agad siyang lumabas upang kumuha ng simpleng mga bagay na gagamitin niya para puksain si Goliath. Pagkakuha niya nito, agad siyang tumungo para harapin si Goliath. Nakakalungkot mang isipin, maraming Cristiano ang kabaligtaran ni Haring David. Ayaw pa rin nilang tumakbo upang harapin ang kanilang kaaway sa kabila nang taglay-taglay na nila ang mga sandatang kailangan nila!

USE THE WEAPON YOU ARE GOOD AT! David didn’t had any experience using the weapons King Saul gave him. He can’t even walk properly! David is used to his sling and stones! Para sa iyo din naman, gamitin mo ang sandatang sanay na sanay ka nang gamitin. Yung sandata na kaya mong dalhin at kaya mong gamitin anumang oras mo na kailanganin!

42 “And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. Nang makita niyang si David ay isa lamang kabataang may maamong hitsura, nilait niya ito, at… 43 “So the Philistine said to David, “ Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods… pakutyang tinanong, “Anong akala mo sa akin? Aso ba ang lalabanan mo at may dala kang patpat?” At si David ay sinumpa ng Filisteo sa pangalan ng kanyang diyos.” 44 “And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field! Sinabi pa niya, “Halika nga rito at nang maipakain ko ang bangkay mo sa mga ibon at mga hayop.” 

Whether you believe me or not, Satan, our enemy mocks you. He accuses you. He condemns you. He even belittles you. He even threatens to kill you and destroy you. He will even dare you to prove yourself that you can, apart from God. He doesn’t really care about your status, accomplishments, even your possessions! Sa maniwala ka’t hindi, si Satanas, ang ating kalaban, ay hinahamak at nililibak ka. Kinukundena ka niya. Binabantaan ka niya na kaniyang sisirain ang iyong buhay. Ikaw rin ay kanyang hinahamon na patunayan mo sa iyong sarili na kaya mo kahit wala ang Diyos o walang anunang tulong na nanggagaling sa Diyos. Walang siyang pakialam kahit anu pa ang kalagayan mo sa buhay, maging anuman ang iyong mga narating o mga naging pag-aari.

45  “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Sumagot si David, “Ang dala mo’y tabak, sibat at pantusok, ngunit lalabanan kita sa pangalan ni Yahweh, ang Makapangyarihang Diyos ng Israel na iyong hinahamak. 46 “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Ngayong araw na ito’y ibibigay ka ni Yahweh sa aking mga kamay! Pababagsakin kita at pupugutin ko ang ulo mo. At ipapakain ko sa mga ibon at sa mga mababangis na hayop ang mga bangkay ng mga kawal ng hukbong Filisteo. Sa gayon, malalaman ng buong daigdig na may Diyos sa Israel.” 47 “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands. At makikita ng lahat ng narito na makakapagligtas si Yahweh kahit walang tabak at sibat. Kay Yahweh ang labanang ito at ibinigay na niya kayo sa aming mga kamay.””

Our faith should be based, not on our (or someone else’s) ability or resources. Ang ating pananampalataya ay hindi dapat naka-base o naka-depende sa ating (o sa ibang) kakayahan o kagamitan o pag-aari. Ito’y dapat na naka-asa sa Diyos.

Whenever God do a miracle, it is always in the present, meeting your needs. His name “Jireh” was given in a context of a present need. Kapag ang Diyos ay gumagawa ng himala, ito ay laging sa “kasalukuyan,” upang katagpuin ang iyong pangangailangan. Ang Kanyang pangalang “Jireh” ay ibinigay sa konteksto ng kasalukuyan.

Wow effect! Kapag ang Diyos ay kumilos, hindi puwedeng hindi ka mamangha!

ONE MAIN POINT: THERE IS NO GIANT THAT CAN STAND TALL BEFORE THE GOD OF THE HEAVEN! Walang higante ang pwedeng tumayong nagmamalaki sa harapan ng Diyos!

Since time immemorial, the world has been infiltrated with giants! I am talking about literal gians and immaterial/spiritual giants. First mention of “giants” a.k.a. “Nephilims” are in Genesis 6. 

Different kind of giants:

Giants of Sickness & Death / Mga higante ng sakit at kamatayan.

Giants of Poverty & Problems / Mga higante ng kahirapan at problema.

What do these giants produce in us?

It causes us fear / Lumilikha ng takot

It causes us hopelessness / Kawalan ng pag-asa

It paralyzes us / Pinaparalisa tayo

Our GOD is more powerful and stronger than those giants!

1 Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. Tanging sa Diyos lamang ako ay aasa; ang kaligtasa’y nagbubuhat sa kanya. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.Tanging siya lamang ang tagapagligtas, tagapagtanggol ko at aking kalasag; akin ang tagumpay sa lahat ng oras!” 5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. Tanging sa Diyos lang ako umaasa; ang aking pag-asa’y tanging nasa kanya. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Tanging siya lamang ang tagapagligtas, tagapagtanggol ko at aking kalasag; akin ang tagumpay sa lahat ng oras! 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Ang kaligtasan ko’t aking karangalan ay buhat sa Diyos, nasa kanya lamang. Siya’y malakas kong tagapagsanggalang, matibay na muog na aking kanlungan. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” Mga kababayan, sa lahat ng oras magtiwala sa Diyos; sa kanya ilagak ang inyong pasaning ngayo’y dinaranas; siya ang kublihang may dulot na lunas. (Selah)

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8 NKJ

Whether you believe me or not, whether you like it or not, there will be giants coming YOUR way.

What do you do when these giants come?

DO NOT PANIC / HUWAG KANG MABAHALA. Do not be afraid! Do not worry. God is on your side. Face your giant problem with faith. Huwag kang mag-alala. Naririyan ang Diyos para saiyo. Huwag mong hayaan na igupo ka ng iyong takot 

FACE YOUR GIANTS / HARAPIN MO ANG IYONG MGA HIGANTE. Unless you face it, its not going to leave you. Unless you deal with it, its going to stay longer than you realize. Malibang harapin mo, hindi yan aalis o mawawala. Malibang ito’y harapin mo, ito’y mananatili nang hindi mo nalalaman.

USE THE RIGHT WEAPONS / GAMITIN MO ANG TAMANG SANDATA! Use the right tool. You can’t use the same tools to every giant you face. Use the tool you are good at! Do not use weapons that will only impair you.

What are the five stones David used when he faced Goliath? What are the five stones we can use to face our giants?

FOR ME, they are: GOD’S HOLY WORD – Our Bibles! Read it. Confess it. Use its power! PRAYER comes next. This is very very essential for us believers in Jesus. Then comes WORSHIP. This really is energizing! Power flows through worship! Fourth, the SPIRITUAL GIFTS the Holy Spirit gave you. Never underestimate what it can do for you! Lastly, YOUR FELLOW BELIEVER!

But Saints, in spite of these five stones God gave us to use, we actually only have ONE very effective weapon that is sure enough will make us over-comers of these giants: His name is JESUS!

Trust Him and you will never be put to shame!

GOD WANTS TO MOVE IN!

Ephesians 2:19-22 says:

“19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together into a DWELLING OF GOD in the Spirit.”

God wants a resting place (Isaiah 66:1). He wants to dwell, not just to visit. Can you imagine a homeowner comes to HIS OWN home just to visit it on a regular basis? Do you know the meaning of the word “dwelling”? Dwelling means home. A place where you can rest and feel-at-home. A place where you can call the shots.

And we are God’s dwelling place.

I AM WHAT AM BY THE GRACE OF GOD

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Our knowledge of our identity as Christian is crucial as to our breathing. As human being needs to breath and so it is with us Christians. We need to constantly
remind ourselves of who really are – as God sees in us in Christ, and where we are standing at. Just like Peter, when the Lord Jesus invited him to walk with him
on the water, when he lost his focus on Jesus – and on what he is actually doing, he began to sink.

I remember a story of a man who was handed a business class air ticket going to the United States. It was his first time to travel via airplane. Sadly, this man
had a misconception about flying: everything in the plane is with a price. It means you gotta buy eveyrthing you want during the flight. Since this man wants to
save his funds during the course of his travel, he decided not to buy anything – including foods and drinks. In other words, he’s hungry and thirsty during the
whole flight. When they are about to land, one of the flight attendants asked him, “Aren’t you gonna eat or drink? I noticed you didn’t asked for anything.”
And he told the attendant his situation. And the flight attendant laughed-out-loud! She said, “Sir, you’re on the business class. Everything here is free.”

This same is true with so many Christians today. They don’t kow how to enjoy the life God already gave them in Christ. They don’t know who they are now
and what they already have.

Based on Paul’s statements, we ARE now what we are as Christians because of the grace of God. We cannot become Christians without grace. John said, grace
and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:16). And we are in Jesus Christ by the Father’s “doing” (1 Corinthians 1:31) as we come to him by repentance and
respond with faith.

Again, Paul said, “But I labored even more than all of them, yet knot I, but the grace of God with me”. Now he mentiones about labor. Grace believers doen’t
neglect the issue of labor. Grace teachers doen’t teach God’s people to be lazy. But laboring in the context of Christ.

The apostle Paul declared, “For it is HE who works IN you, both to will and TO DO, according to His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). In this same letter, he
made a follw up statement, “For I CAN DO all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

In otherwords, Paul was right. We labor. But it’s not actually us. It’s Him IN US and THROUGH US. Why and how?

Do you remember when this same apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians saying “For I am crucified with Christ. It is NO LONGER I THAT LIVE BUT CHRIST LIVES
IN ME and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY FAITH in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20)?

Paul made the following declarations:
1) He’s dead. The old him was dead (cf. Romans 6:6).
2) His life is now Christ (John 10:10).
3) He live his life by faith in the Son of God. Faith is simply defined as “rest” in the Greek language. What Paul means to say is, I live BY RESTING in the Son of God”.

Christ now lives in us. The life we have now is the very life of Christ. Therefore, we are no longer [to be] defined by who we are and what we have done in
our past. We are now “new creations” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are now partakers of His “divine-nature” (2 Peter 1:4). And this so-called “grace”
teaches me to “say no to sin” (Titus 2:11-12).

This is why I am SO passionate about grace!

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?

COMMUNITY, to my understanding is basically a compound word.

A compound word is a combination of two or more words to form a new word.

In this case, we “community”. Community comes from the words “common” and “unity”.

Common means ordinary and regular. Something we are all familiar of. While unity means “being-one”.

Google defines community as follows:

“A group of people living in the same place or having a particular charactersitic in common”.

Again, the word common is used to define community.

“A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing coomon attitudes, interests and goals”.

From these renderings (even though it is very basic), we can basically conclude that the definition doesn’t only give us the meaning but it also gives us the methodology on how to make a commiunity possible.

Community therefore is a unity as a result of having things in life in common. The keyword is “sharing” and this sharing means “partaking”.

We can have all things in common when we start to share a portion “of us” to another. And the recipient happily partakes of that portion, totally benefitting from it. He takes it to himself and enjoys every bit of it.

You are partaking of one another. You are partaking from One Spring-of-Life. You are enjoying the same benefits.

You have one source of life. You have one life, and i.e. Christ.

“²⁸ ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ (Acts 17:28)

You have “one Father, one God, one Spirit, one faith, one Lord and one baptism” (Ephesians 4:2-3). God has given us these vast resources. We ought to share it them. Our Lord Jesus said,

“Freely received, freely give” (Matthew 10:4).

With one another, just like the early Christians!

“⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”. (Acts 2:45-47, NIV)

The early church lived in total community. They have everything in common. Everyday, they continued to meet – even in public places such as the temple. They intentinally hang around with each other. What’s the result? They gained influence! People of the “community” loved them. Soul-winning and evangelism wasn’t difficult. Why? The gospel they are preaching continues to encourage people to believe in Christ because of their lifestyle. Whenever the people see them, they feel heaven has come down! As author Frank Viola used to say about the church:

“It is an interface where heaven and earth meets.”

Hear the words of the late great Apostle Paul!

“¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizenswith God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundationof the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22, NIV)

This is what we are being in Christ. Once we learned to live this way, Christ is expressed, God’s Kingdom manifests. Soli Deo Gloria!

THE SIMPLICITY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

As I read the pages of the New testaments, I am beginning to understand the following:

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS VERY SIMPLE.

It is not based on laws, rules and regulations. It doesn’t depend on our performances either.

The Christian life is basically living by the life of another person: the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, now living inside each of us.

It is also enjoying and benfitting from everything God has in Christ. He said,

“I came to give life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will make our home with him.” (John 14:23)

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the apostle Paul asks the Corinthian believers a question: “Or do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?” We might find this phrase, “Jesus Christ is in you” surprising, or perhaps we just read over it without thinking too much about its significance. But what does this phrase mean? And what is its importance for our Christian lives today? Let’s take a closer look at what the Apostle Paul said in his letters.

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)

We human beings were created by God with a body on the outside and a soul and spiriton the inside. Our spirit is our deepest part, created to contact and receive the Spirit of God. When we received Jesus as our Savior, He cleansed us of our sins and He came into our spirit as life. Thus, because Christ is in us, our “spirit is life because of righteousness.”

“Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, is the One who shined in our hearts to illuminate the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

The apostle Paul describes the believers as earthen vessels that contain “this treasure.” What is this treasure? It is Jesus Christ, in whose face we see the glory of God. Christ lives in us earthen vessels as a precious treasure, revealing to us the glory of God from within.

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).

Paul did not say “I live in a Christ-like way,” or, “I glorify Christ through my actions.” No, he declared, “Christ…lives in me,” telling us that Christ indwells His believers. The Christian life is not a matter of acting like Christ, but of letting Christ Himself to live in and through us.

“That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:17).

When we believed into Christ, He came to live in our spirit, the deepest part of our being. But Christ also wants to make His home in the rest of our inward being: our hearts and our souls. By living in our spirit, Christ is the new source of our new life. But our soul—our mind, emotion, and will—can still choose to ignore Him as our new source and go on just as before. In this case, Christ is in us, but He’s limited in us, kept only in our spirit. So He cannot be expressed through us very much. The Lord Jesus wants to make His home not only in our spirit, but also in all the parts of our soul.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

This verse shows that Christ is in us in a particular way: as our hope of glory. When we believed in Him, Christ came to live in our spirit. Now He is making His home in our hearts. In the future, when He returns, He will even spread to our body outwardly so that God’s glory can shine through us in a full way. The Christ who lives in us is our hope of such glory.

Such a realization will enrich our experience and enjoyment of Christ in a practical, daily way.

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS’ WAY OF LIVING IS VERY SIMPLE!

They lived as an extended family. They loved one another. They care for one another. They look after one another, as a normal family would do. Their family has just got bigger. Aside form their immediate family, God added someone to their family. And, they accepted him. regardless of their history or background. They simply obeyed the “new-commandment” Jesus gave them.

They lived as a community. They lived a “shared-life” principle. What are they doing? They are with one another. They meet everyday, eveery week. They eat their meals together with “simplicity and gladness of hearts” (Acts 2:46).

Hope to see these happening in these modern times.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAW-BASED versus LOVE-BASED OBEDIENCE

Please take a closer look at the picture, what do you see?

The picture depicts a dilemna. Does this sound familiar?

Before I got saved, that GOd loves me unconditionally. But after I got saved, they handed me a list of do’s and don’ts of Christianity – a list of conditions and instructions!

What the..?! Is this for real? I thought the Christian life is a life of freedom. A life where I can experience God’s unconditional love freely. But now, I have this lists!

Then, a friend of mine made his comments:

“This whole thing is so misconstrued at different levels, I’m not sure where to begin.

How about with “they give me a list of conditions and instructions”?

Who are “they”? And which “list of conditions and instructions”? Because I DO see apostles such as Paul, Peter, John and James giving “conditions and instructions”.

How do you understand Paul’s statement about obedience in Romans 1:5? (Is this idea repeated in 15:18 and 16:26?)

How about Romans 8:13? Sounds like a condition to me. The same idea in Galatians 5:16 and 6:7-8?

Just a sampling of what John says: First John 1:6 & 2:9.

And instructions? One does not need to go far in the epistles to see that it is chock full of instructions. But how about this all-encompassing one from Peter: Second Peter 1:3-11? Pay special attention to vv.9-10.”

His comments are indeed good. An eye-opener. But it doesn’t helped reconcile these two different views. But I thank him for his kind comment.

“Thanks for your comment and exposition. I really admire the way you articulate your points. Well done, brother!

Let me be straight to the point.

The “they” here refers to modern non-grace and mix-grace preachers.

The “list of conditions and instructions” refers to literal lists and instructions that we used to hear being prezched in pulpits every Sunday which focuses on human/self-effort and performance, convincing them to believe that by doing those things we can earn God’s love and attention. “You gotta do this to have this (& that). You gotta do this to please God” etc.

I really want to agree in your statements, but have you considered the following:

1) The immediate context of the passage. To whom is the author basically addressing his letter or statements?

2) The Christological Approach to the Scriptures. Eventhough majority of the New Testament authors were Jews, and are familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures – aside from their rich cultural heritage, whenever the use the Scriptures, please take note that they have only one system of interpretation, and that is Jesus Christ.

Our undertanding of the passages you have just quoted must be interpreted and/or focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and on His finished work on the Cross.

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace”. (Romans 11:6)

Upon reading my reply to his comments, he made this reply:

“I suspect we have different understandings of what “grace” and “finished work on the cross” mean. However, these subjects are too wide and deep to be discussed with fairness in this mode of communication so I won’t go there. Anyway, thank you for your gracious words!”

I tried my best to avoid these issues. But in the year 2004 I was led by the Lord to a journey of a lifetime that made me to embrace these conclusions. Year 2010, I was so suprized after I found out that I was not alone embracing thisviews on grace and on the finished work on the cross, and about the New Covenant Theology.

And it was so hard for me to accept these views at first. I came from a classical pentecostal / charismatic background, then I became a pastor of a church belonging to a mainline protestant denomination.

Then, another friend of mine made a follow-up question:

“Pastor can you please clarify, in short and in layman’s term the post (lol :-))? People might interpret it as “because we are saved, we do not need to follow the do’s and don’ts of the new testament anymore”. Why are then we reading the verses that Sir Francis Tan enumerated above. We are under grace no need to do good works, its ok to do wrong. God has already forgiven us. (FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR FOLLOWERS).”

Our obedience is based on the obedience of Christ. BY Christ’ obedience, we are already sanctified.

“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by ONE MAN’s OBEDIENCE many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:18-21).

This is why Jesus said he came not to abolish it the law but to fulfill them ((Matthew 5:17). therefore putting an end to it totally (Ephesians 2:14-15 / Colossians 2:13-14 / Hebrews 8-10)

And our obedience will be based on what Christ through the Spirit, will lead us into (John 16:11-13 / Philippians 2:13). It is the life of Christ IN us who obeys God, not “actually” us.

We are not saying we are not to obey the law, but we need to stop trying because we can’t even if we try. We can’t obey the law perfectly in our own means (Acts 15:10 cf. James 2:10). And everyone who cannot obey the law perfectly is put under a curse (Galatians 3:10). So, this is a real dilemma on our part. We will always be in frustration, falling again-and-again. This, the failure doesn’t end. Then Jesus stepped into the scene. What we cannot do in accordance with the law, Jesus did it for us. That’s why Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness of everyone who believes (Romans 10:4; Ephesians 2:15-16 & Colossians 2:14-15).

That same question of yours was answered by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5 and 6.

The Amplified Bible translates and expound this verse well.

“For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him” (Romans 10:4).

I believe, this verse interprets Mattew 5:17 well..

The, she said:

We do not do or act according to the law because we want to be saved, justified or be righteous, (WE WERE MADE RIGHTEOUS THROUGH JESUS), we do good things ( like do not do idolatry, do not commit adultery, do not covet, etc. Etc) because we love God and JESUS who is now in us (the indwelling Christ), His goodness is now manifested through us. The Jesus who is in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, enables us to do good things. (Philippians 4:13). The laws in the Bible makes us realize how sinful we are and we need Jesus to cleanse us. (Am I right?)

What do youi think is the answer?

To be continued..

Modern churches seem to be imbalance.

Some focused on being MISSIONAL. They spend most of their time outside winning the lost, planting churches etc. They spend their resources and man-power to push more on “recruiting”. They build big sanctuaries to accomodate their “crowds”. Their goal is to expand numerically. Their satisfaction is based on congregational quantity.

Other churches focused on being COMMUNAL. They focus more on relationship. They enjoy one another’s company. They don’t go out. They don’t bother to win others fto Christ. They do this because they don’t want “corruption” among their ranks. They just don’t want something that will defile the sanctity of their “sanctuary”. They eat regularly. They hang out with each other every now and then but they don’t grow in numbers.

But, if you will read the New Testament, the church is both communal and missional.

RELEASED FROM THE LAW? Short Answer, YES!!

But now we are RELEASED from the law, having died to that which held us CAPTIVE … ~ Romans 7:6 (ESV)
—-
TORAH IS A CAPTOR
Romans 7:1-6

1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
6 But now we have been DELIVERED (“RELEASED” ESV) from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

—-
TORAH IS BONDAGE
Galatians 4:9-11

9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, HOW IS IT THAT YOU TURN AGAIN TO THE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS, to which you desire again to be in **BONDAGE**?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.
11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

—-
TORAH IS A CURSE
Galatians 3:13-14

13 Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE OF THE LAW, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through FAITH.

—
THE LAW DOESN’T APPLY TO A SAVED PERSON
Galatians 3:24-25

24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But AFTER FAITH HAS COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A TUTOR.

Special Thanks goes to my friend JC*

Leadership, not Ruler-ship

Let’s honestly admit it: “We,” as pastors, like being looked up, to for everything with regards to faith and spirituality.

When people starts to highly-value us, the temptation for manipulation steps in. We start manipulating people, making our instructions and commands the commands of God. When someone starts to question our leadership, we put a label on that person, and that label is “rebellious”.

Let’s take a closer look at what our Bible is saying:

Our Lord Jesus Christ once said,

“And Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that THE RULERS of the Gentiles LORD IT OVER THEM, and their great men HOLD THEM IN SUBJECTION [tyrannizing over them]. NOT SO SHALL IT BE AMONG YOU; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave– Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].” – Matthew 20:25-28 AMP

The Apostle Peter said,

““Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;” – I Peter 5:2-3 NKJV

I believe in Christian leadership. But Leadership is technically different from “ruler-ship”!

‪#‎justAnHonestObservation‬

The “Grace Teachers” Lead Us Toward A Global Understanding of Salvation

I read an article that coincides with what God has been teaching me for the last 5 years: GRACE TEACHERS LEAD US TOWARDS A GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION.

A remarkable movement toward pure grace is emerging from both the Arminian (freewill) and the Calvinistic (predestination) realms of the Body of Christ. Whether your bottom line for salvation is man’s freewill or God’s sovereign choice the conclusion is the same: anything that adds to the message that Jesus Christ has done it all is being vehemently challenged. Any message that claims “Jesus+something=your salvation” is immediately suspect of being a different gospel. There is growing a collective mood of zero tolerance for law-based teaching. The radical grace teachers are attacking it head-on. They are teaching us to say no! to the mixture of law and grace. For this we wholeheartedly rejoice!

But there is one fundamental requirement if you want to teach or receive “radical grace:” By definition it can only be true, pure and radical if it’s freely offered to and effectual for all. In other words, it must be true before it is believed it in order for it to be “news” and it must not be a fear-based message in order for it to be “good“ news.

Radical grace teaching demands a universal application of the Gospel!

I will begin by highlighting the grace teacher Paul Ellis of Escape to Reality blog and author of The Gospel in Ten Words. His is the book I have enjoyed most recently and which gave me the most clarity on how this grace message is being presented in the popular sphere. Even though I disagree with his conclusion that “not all are saved” and that “universalism steals motivation” I was tremendously encouraged and strengthened by his beautiful treatise on the Father’s never-ending love and grace. It is an insightful and refreshing movement toward true grace. We would simply like to see him take it all the way. Indeed the cry for a pure unadulterated Gospel has no option but for it to be taken all the way. And here are a few reasons why…

These “radical grace” teachers lead us toward the paradigm of universal restoration in the way in which they offer us sweeping statements of grace without the necessary qualifications. The following is their conundrum: to give the qualifications would transform what they just said into the opposite of what they just said. The “grace-based” message remains a fear-based message unless it is applied to all.  For example, following are a few statements that I as a Christian Universalist can take at face value. But I worry about those who must consider all the necessary qualifications (if they are honest). For if they or their loved ones do not believe just right or if they are not lucky enough to be among the “elect of God” there still exists some form of eternal destruction or torment still threatening just under the surface of these statements :

“The Gospel is the glad and merry news that God is good, he loves you, and he will happily give up everything he has so he can have you…God is not mad at you. He is not even in a bad mood…God is happy, he is for you and he wants to share his life with you forever…he would rather die than live without us…not even death can separate us from the love that is ours in Jesus Christ…grace must be free or it’s not grace.” (Ellis, pg 6)

But we know that the above statements cannot be made as long as there is a possibility for eternal damnation. There is always the fear of lack of sincerity or strength of one’s faith.

“Forgiveness is not something God does; it’s something He’s already done” (Ellis, pg 31)

But the truth is that most believe that forgiveness can be revoked if you do not believe adequately or continue to believe. (Or some propose that all are “forgiven” even while existing in an eternal hell. Not much comfort!)

“He’s reconciling everything everywhere. The scope of Christ’s finished work is both individual and cosmic: it ranges from personal pardon for sin and individual forgiveness to the final resurrection of our bodies and the restoration of the whole world. Now that’s good news–gospel–isn’t it? As the beloved Christmas hymn ‘Joy To the World’ puts it, ‘He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.’” (Tchividjian, Jesus+Nothing=Everything, pg 83)

But if you are not assured of being one of the elect (Tchividjian is a Calvinist) then none of this applies to you. And it is not really the “world” that is restored but an extremely small percentage of persons. The reality is thatbillions of God’s own image-bearers will be lost and “remain in a cycle of sin and punishment forever” (D.A. Carson). This is not good news unless you redefine “good” and “news.”

“God does not leave you wondering whether you are saved or not. He tells you outright that you are His and that nothing can ever separate you from the love of Christ. Not even sin because His blood is greater than your sin!” (Joseph Prince, Destined to Reign, p.95)

But when and how can you ever fully rest in this subjective statement? How can this statement be made if all are not promised to be loved and kept by God? What if you have never heard that “voice” confirming you are His? Perhaps you have instead even heard, “maybe you are not really saved“? What do we make of that?

“Because a God who is ultimately most focused on His own glory will be about the business of restoring us, who are all broken images of Him. His glory demands it.” (Matt Chandler, The Explicit Gospel, pg 32)

But this is “scandalous” for Chandler to actually mean what he says! He would have to qualify this to mean rather that God’s sovereign plan is only to restore a few of His image-bearers. The rest He has predetermined will spend eternity in endless separation from Himself falling short of His glorious intention as His image-bearers …forever. (Chandler is a 5-point Calvinist.)

 

The doctrine of eternal hell leads to self-salvation

At face value the above quotes are absolutely breath-taking affirmations! But teachers like Ellis, Prince, Tchividjian and Chandler believe that those who do not believe in Christ in this life will suffer eternal separation from God in hell. Whether you subscribe to eternal conscious torment or eternal destruction (annihilation) the fear factor remains: You (or if you are a Calvinist, God ) might fail to decide your life is going to be “in Christ” and assurance is immediately hi-jacked. Since I have spent a substantial amount of time in both camps I will be able to show you what both versions look like.

 

The Arminian view

The Arminian/free-will teachers say that YOU are the only obstacle that would ever keep you from God’s love and salvation (Ellis, pg 9). I appreciate that sentiment on some level for it is better than believing it might be God Himself not “choosing” you for salvation. But it puts assurance in the realm of unstable subjectivity: have I done enough to prove I have saving faith? What if I don’t feel like a Christian?  What if I don’t act like a Christian enough? What if I don’t have a strong desire to pray–is it because I am not saved or is my lack of desire from a faulty view of the Gospel…the “mixture”? How many poor do I have to feed to know that I am a sheep? Am I a sheep or a goat…or both? What if I do more goat things than sheep things? What if I don’t get this “sheep/goat” thing ironed out before I die?

This view puts the enormous weight and responsibility of salvation upon the human frame where it was never meant to be.

The name Jesus means “God Saves”…

but free-will says “I save me…from God.”

 

The Calvinist view

The Calvinist teachers on the other hand believe God is ultimately responsible for salvation. This upholds His sovereignty while taking the weight off the person and making it entirely of grace including the gift of faith to believe (God sovereignly draws His elect to Himself). God is given all the glory for doing the saving. This would be great news if it applied to ALL people but it doesn’t. It only applies to a few called “the elect” or “a remnant.” This is just as subjective as the Arminian paradigm. One never quite knows if he/she is among the elect. One can feel like a Christian, do all the works to prove to themselves they really are the elect but in the end it creates the same angst and lack of assurance.

This view also puts unimaginable uncertainty upon the believer because the certainty of oneself or one’s loved ones being “elected” is never attainable.

The name Jesus means “God Saves”…

but Calvinism says “God doesn’t save most… only a few.” (…and I can only hope I am one of them.)*

“The true Gospel is rarely ever taught!” say grace teachers

A serious conundrum for the grace teachers is produced by their continual claim that the gospel is rarely being taught accurately in the Church today. Their mission is to rescue the pure grace message from its contamination by the law. I agree with their analysis but they have not faced the implications. Paul Ellis says “the true gospel is almost never preached.”  The reason he wrote his book on the gospel was because “most people haven’t heard the gospel…visit any church or switch on the Christian TV and you will hear anything and everything but the undiluted gospel of the kingdom.” (pg 2,3) What does this imply?

We are told by the grace teachers that God is love and God is good and that He offers free salvation with no strings attached. But, tragically, apparently God has left this message of how we can be saved in the hands of humans who have mucked up the message so badly that it is hardly ever heard accurately in His Church! They hold firm that it is through faith in the gospel of grace that we are saved yet they claim most have never even heard it! Ellis claims that 95% of Christians are unacquainted with the Gospel of grace. NINETY-FIVE PERCENT! (pg 98) Never mind how those who are now Christians became Christians in the first place if 95% have not heard it accurately(!)

According to the grace teachers we are ultimately saved by a Gospel message that is according to them rarely preached and hardly ever understood rightly. Instead it has been a perverted message of grace+law–a polluted message which we are told if you DO believe in, will damn you forever! Somehow God has allowed His Gospel revelation that determines “eternal life or death” to become contaminated with the poison of self-effort but still puts the guilt upon the one who doesn’t get it right. Ellis says, “The Gospel is true whether you believe it or not, but it won’t do you any good unless you believe it…The sole condition for receiving God’s gift of grace is you have to want it.” But if 95% of what the world is offered is a “poisonous mixture” of law and grace then how can they want and have faith in something they have never heard of or been offered?  So either God will judge the world for rejecting a “gospel” they never heard or He is having to save most folks with a half-true, different, gospel.

This is where I am grateful for a powerful bit from my Calvinist past: That it is God’s faith that saves, not ours. Let me explain.

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Thankfully it is not our thoughts about God that define Him!

Were we ultimately responsible for finding the “one faith” required for our salvation we would be lost indeed! With 30,000+ denominations the “one faith” Paul talks about in Ephesians 5 seems to be a mockery. How do we walk through this confusion and what hope is there? It is no wonder the world often gives up before even trying to reconcile the Evangelical Christian composite of a God who is shattered into over 30,000 pieces!

I have discovered that “it is not our thoughts about God that define Him but rather His thoughts about us that define us” (Francois du Toit). There is one truth He has proclaimed over us and while the Calvinist and Arminian grace teachers would disagree on their thoughts about God, regarding His thoughts about us they are united: We are the objects of God’s love created in His image for His glory. His death and resurrection were for the redemption of His image in us. The glory of God truly is man fully alive!

Thankfully our “One Lord” does not come demanding faith but supplies the “one faith” which is ultimately His faith. We are told that He is “the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Praise God there really IS only one Lord over ONE faith–and it is the faith of Jesus! He wants to share with us the power of His faith and perfect confidence in His intention “to reconcile all creation to Himself” and “make all things new” restoring His image in us. (Col 1; Rev 21:5) But tragically people are thrown back upon their own faith to believe without the confidence in a God who said He already “reconciled the WORLD to Himself” (2 Cor 5).

The finished work of the cross means only one thing!

Unbeknownst to those who teach it the radical grace message is an astounding voice in support of a universal understanding of redemption. They are not yet aware of its implications but the tension their assertions create have only one solution: If we are going to proclaim the finished work of the cross we cannot back-track into any conditions or we have undermined the very message of grace we are claiming to defend. This amazing movement toward a pure Gospel of grace is one more indication that the Lord Himself is revealing from within His Church the victorious Story of God!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and ALL are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23-24

Note: Some examples of popular Arminian grace teachers are:

Max Lucado (Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine),

Brennan Manning (Ragamuffin Gospel and All Is Grace),

Scot McKnight (Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us), 

Joseph Prince(Unmerited Favor),

Steve McVey (Grace Walk),

Paul Ellis (The Gospel In 10 Words, The Gospel In 20 Questions), and

Andrew Farley (The Naked Gospel).

Various examples of popular Calvinist grace teachers would be:

Dr. Timothy Keller (The Prodigal God),

Matt Chandler (The Explicit Gospel),

Jerry Bridges (The Transforming Power of the Gospel),

Tullian Tchividjian (Jesus+Nothing=Everything; One Way Love),

Scotty Smith(The Reign of Grace),

Robert Farrar Capon (“…the Outrage of Grace”)and 

Steve Brown (Scandalous Freedom: The Radical Nature of the Gospel).