Knowledge

I would say that “knowledge” must be high on our agendas when it comes to everyday choices. It is not something that the selected few alone are privileged to use. Sure the depth of knowledge varies from person to person. However we all use knowledge as we understand it for survival or to satisfying the itch we need scratched.

Take the beggar; does he not use knowledge when he chooses which traffic light would be best to beg from? Or a young man looking to fill his life with wine, woman and song, he also uses knowledge to uncover the best haunts to frequent. The millionaire or the Stock Market Broker all use knowledge to make money. What then of the criminal, or the rapist even the despicable pedophile do they not all use knowledge to get what they desire? As warped as it may seem in reality as life unfolds we all use knowledge to achieve our goals.

So where did this all begin? It all began with sin; with it came the knowledge of good and evil.

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:17)

The man and the woman disobeyed so death now a reality for both of them. Today we all understand death too well. But with that came the knowledge of both good and evil. This is now what we as individuals have been left with; what will we do with that knowledge, the knowledge of good and evil? I do not make reference to our human intellect but rather God understanding on the subject. Without Christ and His sacrifice the Bible teachers that it is impossible to do the right thing according to God’s holiness but with His covering we are now equipped to find grace in time of need to put off sin and to use our spiritual knowledge to glorify God. Obviously this is a process and we will be left with choices on a daily basis; we will not always make the right choice. However the pattern to our lives should change as time progresses. If we have gone backwards, we will be jolted to seriously examine our lives. It’s at times like these that I understand words like; God is good! Why would he be so long suffering with me; the answer is found in the Lord Jesus, praise His glorious name!

This then is my concern; there is a day coming when we as the human race will be left to face their choices and we will end up being exactly who we are. This may need some explanation; the knowledge we chose to use will eventually either take us to heaven or to hell…

“And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:10-15)

What then will we do with the knowledge we receive? The time for pretence is surely over; if it be that there are areas in our lives where we have turned a blind eye. Knowledge then is extremely important but how we use it is crucial.

Signing off

Tyrone

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Peace of God

(Philippians 4:7)  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Firstly Let us understand what it means to “understand” and then shall we only move onto the meaning of how to exceed the concept of our understanding.

How often are things said and even received with a nonchalant emphasis placed on what is actually meant? Not enough circumspection is given too much of what should be processed as it is meant. We often listen without actually hearing. I know that I am guilty; you will have to come to your own conclusion on the subject.

“Understanding” has many facets to it; one could say I understand; meaning that although I have not grasp the totality of the subject, I now however have a better understanding than before. Or one could have all knowledge on a subject that nothing could be added as they have fully comprehended every facet on the subject… e.g. “The Pythagorean Theorem: The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).” It is what it is and one either understands it or not, there is no in-between. This then is what I believe is meant in the quoted verse.

How then does one “surpass all understanding”? To surpass means; “to go beyond what was expected or hoped for, usually by being bigger, better, or greater” To think that there is something greater than ones understanding in the realm of “understanding” is an implausible concept; how can something be greater than ones understanding? This is an illogical perception, it goes beyond reasoning.

How then is this awareness obtained? When we first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness we enter the realm of faith which goes beyond carnal reasoning; “Faith is the substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen.” Although I am hard pressed and there seems to be very little sunlight in my day, I know that there is a day coming that will be full of absolute joy and that my final destination is heaven. Therefore regardless of the facts that surround me I am able to push beyond the realm of reality through faith, which in turn must “surpass all understanding’, which equips me to embrace this principle. It is not a state full of panic but rather a reassured reality that captivates my mind, body and soul. It then is “the peace of God that is able to surpass all understanding”; fascinating and yet a tangible reality. The peace of God is then something we should all strive for or rather we should seek out His grace as the need presents itself, helping us in reality, to enter this realm, the “peace which surpasses all understand.” For when we live in this glorious place it will guard our hearts and minds. Even the strength of our understanding as it deals with the reality of our surroundings will be no match for God’s provision, “the peace of God”.  

Signing off

Tyrone

Acceptance

One could have many different approaches to this subject; sin and its hold on us…

The Bible puts it like this for the Christian; we are no longer under sin but under grace. So without spending too much time here this is one of Paul’s points; “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)  

It would be very unrealistic to except the entire human race to be of the same character and fiber with “sin” as our common denominator. Although we as Christians have been freed from sin, it is quite obvious we do not always live here. There is a day coming in the New Jerusalem that will unfold such beauty, but that day has not yet arrived. Why then do we expect so many who are incapable of walking like the pillars of our faith, men like Job or Daniel, to walk as if it should be expected of them? Not all are Model citizens; some seem to be a lot worthy than others and yet all fall short of the glory of God. But Christ is the express glory of God and His sacrifice was accepted by the only true God, the great I AM, Jehovah God, God almighty. It was a once and for all time sacrifice never to be repeated. Christians now are covered by His sacrifice, His righteousness and this is why we are accepted in the beloved; because of Him and not because of us. There are no ifs and buts in this truth. Christ has paved the way! Nevertheless we are instructed to walk worthy of the call in which we have been called. “What should we say, then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Of course not! How can we who died as far as sin is concerned go on living in it?” (Romans 6:1-2) 

Why then do so many of us fall far from the mark when it comes to this instruction. Obviously sin and it periods still having their effect on us, although it shouldn’t! We have been bought with a price; the blood of the Lamb! But I know I have failed miserably along the celestial road, throughout my journey as a Christian. The days of pretending have long eluded me, how I would love to have been a Paul, or one of the mighty warriors of old. The truth be told I am but a struggling pilgrim, weaker than most. What is a man to do? “While I have breath I will have hope” and until God says no more, by His grace I will endeavour to dust the dirt from my knees. There is no other option for God’s children…

There is “much to do about nothing” when we consider the psychobabble of the world and its systems and yet with that said not all should be ignored. As a young man having to confront the reality of HIV I most certainly needed to accept the truth before I was able to find a way to live with it. Up until that time where denial played its part in my life I was unable to find peace living with this disease. So too must we look into the mirror when it comes to where we are as Christians and honestly reflect before we can look to God to find forgiveness  and the aptitude to dust the dirt from our knees if need be. Where we can often go wrong is when we look at others and wish we could be like them. Not that we should not aspire to have examples, we must. Remember what the Apostle John had to say; “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” (3John 1:11)

Our goal then is to imitate all that is good, to put off all that which is evil and when we stumble and fall to get up and dust the dirt from our knees. God has promised to save all who call upon him, from the greatest to the least and not only the supreme. The truth has been declared; there is only one who was ever worthy of God’s complete requirement for sin, praise the name of Jesus!

When we find out that we are not like other "great specimens, it is not until we except whom we are in Christ that will we be able to be of any worth to fellow Christians and the body of Christ.

My life then has been a journey of much dirt dusting, which often leaves me feeling rather dejected, yet this has been the reality of my life, for me now to live in denial would be detrimental to my walk with the Lord. God help us all too honestly reflect into the mirror of our lives and come to terms with who we are in Him. Never to excuse sin but always looking to Him to find grace in time of need to overcome sin. And yes we maybe in such a hole that it seems like a pointless exercise, but there is nothing too difficult for our God, He is Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end and remember this truth; “For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."” (Romans 10:11)

Signing off

Tyrone 

Hardship

(2Samuel 23:1) “The sweet psalmist of Israel.”

I love it when wisdom hits the ear…

If we consider one of the very many profound statements that Albert Einstein makes; “two things are infinite in this life, the universe and the stupidity of man and I not totally convinced about the first.” So then when I hear many truths penned by a beloved brother in Christ who lived over a century ago, it often brings a smile to my face or a tear to mine eye. Charles Spurgeon had this to say…

“For a Christian to die, is, according to Scripture, an act of the most natural kind, for it is but to fall asleep.” And therefore his conclusion after deeply considering this true was this; “The more you think this matter over, the more clearly will it appear to you that there cannot be any pain in death; all pain must be connected with life, it is the living who suffer. In death, we forget all pain. That gentle touch, that divine love-pat that, shall end all pain and sorrow, is, the thing which men usually call death, but which the apostle rightly calls sleep. There is nothing to be dreaded in it.”

My thoughts then must consider life and the pain we are called to suffer because of it. David was a man who experience much of that pain thought-out his life and yet God calls him “a man after my own heart.” We or rather I am so often caught up with my own pity-party that I tend to forget there were others who were called to endure a lot more than I will ever have too. However with that said and with that considered it does not relieve the pressure as one would hope. The trials of life remain as real with depression and his friends relentlessly driving their blows home. But it must remind us that we are not alone in our struggle, others have endured the onslaught and victoriously fallen asleep. That now must be my goal and it should also be yours. Yes I still am without a job, with a bank balance lower than I can remember. I am constantly hard-pressed about my son and his next meal. Sin then taking advantage of my weakness causes many bad choices to once again take hold of my life. There is however two key ingredients that we must hold onto as if our life depended upon it, for it certainly does; repentance and faith towards God. Without these two aspects captivating our lives we will die a painful death. One may say, “do you now not contradict yourself”, and I will say, “Oh no sir, for those who die outside of the Lord Jesus will die a painful death, hell will be their final destination. The BIBLE puts it like this; “and will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:50)

What did David then experience? Throughout the history of David we see his experiences not to be matched by another, in part maybe, but certainly not on the whole, except for our beloved king and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. No man endured what He had to endure! And possibly others, the Apostle Paul, Job, Joseph but I cannot be certain.

David was a boy who grew up without any luxuries, a shepherd boy who spent his time with sheep and all the dangers that came along with it. It has been recorded that he killed both the lion and the bear, with only a staff and a sling for weapons. He then found himself facing a giant who brought terror to the whole of Israel, but not to David, once again, his weapon a slingshot and a pebble bringing down Goliath with a mighty thud. There was another key ingredient that obviously David never took for granted but understood the importance of his faith toward God. He hid in caves like a bandit on the run from King Saul who looked to hunt him down like a wild beast looking to kill him, and all because of his jealousy. He later became king and with that power took another man’s life as well as his wife. A wicked sin and yet after Nathan exposes his heart, repentance was then actively on display for all to witness. He mourned and fasted for his son whom the Lord still took. What heartache he endured through that time, I can only imagine. He found forgives and yet God took His son. For every action there must be a reaction and often we all need to pay the price for our disobedience. Not our sin that price has been paid, praise the name of Jesus. David not only lost his son but a decree was passed upon him because of his rebellion which later on in life haunted him.

"'Therefore the sword will never leave your household, because you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.' "This is what the LORD says: "'Listen very carefully! "'I'm raising up evil against you right out of your own household. "'I'm going to take your wives away from you right before your eyes. "'Then I'll give them to your neighbor. "'And then he's going to have sex with your wives in broad daylight! "'What you did in secret I'm going to do right in front of all Israel and in broad daylight as well!'" At this point, David told Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan responded to David, "There's one other thing: the LORD has forgiven your sin. You won't die. Nevertheless, because you have despised the LORD's enemies with utter contempt, the son born to you will most certainly die." (2Samjuel 12:10-14)

We see that in the latter part of David’s life that his one son sleeps with one of his wives and another son turns against him as he looks to overthrow his kingdom and yet David mourns when he hears of his son’s death. I wonder could he have remembered the judgement place upon him so many years back. Did he look at his son’s rebellion as his own fault and not his sons? How do we see so many of the trials we now endure because of our own mistakes?

Signing off

Tyrone