When Scripture says that Christians are “the called”, it is not merely an indication that they are given an invitation or an offer to enter spiritual life and blessings. More importantly, it also denotes that they have been effectually drawn to inherit and experience the spiritual life and blessings which have been promised to them in the Gospel.

In the last article, we have considered the first two of the manifold purposes of Christians’ calling, (1) “The Call to Salvation” and (2) “The Call to Sanctification”. In this article, we will consider four more purposes of divine calling that believers received from God.

3. The Call to Separation

God calls all His people to come out of every form of false belief and ungodliness. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). In the verses prior to this call to be separate from everything impure, the word of God expressly tells believers, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (vv. 14-16).

A similar call is given in Revelation 18:4, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This is a call to the people of the last days to separate themselves from the great spiritual harlot (“The Great Babylon”), which is the syncretic religion of the last days.

Those who continue in close fellowship with those who are in error will be partakers of their sins. As a people redeemed by the grace of God, it is most fitting that we keep ourselves undefiled from all uncleanness. We must be unpolluted temples of our holy God. So every Christian is called to separate himself that he may be pure from the corruptions of unbiblical belief and practice. A solemn call is issued by God to all genuine believers to leave every form of unbelief and ungodliness.

4. The Call to Fellowship

According to 1 Corinthians 1:9, God has given a distinctive call to Christians to have fellowship with Christ – “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Christians are marked out by their distinctive partnership with the Son of God.

“We are made partakers of Christ” (Hebrews 3:14), even, “partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). This is the design of the gospel call, that Christ may become ours, and that we may become His. We abide in Him and He abides in us, that we may be partakers of all His grace, wisdom, power and goodness (cf. John 15:4-9).

In Christ, we are called to partake of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4), holiness (Hebrews 12:10), suffering, glory and joy (1 Peter 4:13; 5:1).

Now when the Father gives His Son to us as our possession, He also communicates Himself to us without reservation. As John had written, “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

5. The Call to Sonship

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,” declares 1 John 3:1, “that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. It is all because of God’s love in Christ that we have the right to be called children of God.”

We were naturally rebels and enemies of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). It is His singular love that calls us to His sonship and not any merit in us. His great love is declared in His Word to assure all true Christians that “ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).

To affirm His calling of us unto sonship, God also gave us His Spirit who teaches us to lay claim to our position as children of God by addressing God in the most endearing manner. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16). This joyful truth is repeated in Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

6. The Call to Eternal Life and Inheritance

God calls His people unto a higher and nobler inheritance than all that this world can offer. Some people speak of God’s call for them as a call unto gaining earthly riches and fame, and they struggle to lay hold on the material wealth and comfort. But in 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul reminded Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.” The call of God makes us heirs of eternal life, God’s most wondrous gift. Eternal life is deliverance from eternal death, the doom of a burning hell. It is the blessing of a spiritual, abundant and heavenly life that God gives to His people through Jesus Christ. It also guarantees the pardon for the guilt of sin, and freedom from its tyrannous power. O how we should cherish this gift of God!

We are also told in Hebrews 9:15 that we are called to receive an eternal inheritance through Jesus Christ – “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” The curse of the law (the first testament) is taken away by Christ through His blood which He shed on the cross on our behalf. Now by His new covenant, we are called to receive an eternal inheritance instead of eternal damnation.

Eternal inheritance refers to all the eternal blessings that every Christian is promised in the Bible. It includes such promises as eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 9:12), eternal life, eternal home (2 Corinthians 5:1), eternal joy (Matthew 25:21,23; 1 Peter 4:13; Jude 1:24), eternal rewards (Matthew 5:12; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Colossians 3:23-24) and eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Peter 5:10). Peter explains the eternal inheritance that we are called to receive as “to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-5).

God’s Word speaks of Christians as “them who are the called” (Romans 8:28). Every Christian is called of the Lord; he hears and follows His voice. As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27; cf. vv. 4, 16). So Paul reminded the Roman believers that “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:6). Every sheep in His flock responds to His call by following Him.

God’s call to Christians is not based on the merit of their works, but based on His grace and His own purpose – “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9). The source of both our calling and our salvation is His gracious purpose. Romans 8:28 also reminds us that we are “the called according to his purpose”.

His Word also teaches us that God’s call to Christians is unto several divine purposes. Without any distinction, every Christian is called to manifest the purposes of His call. “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:23–24). The purpose of God’s gracious call is not only confined to the Jews, but it is also opened to non-Jews, that all believers without discrimination may become vessels of His glorious purposes.

In the next few posts, I shall endeavour to explain to my readers, the manifold purposes of His call. May the Lord renew your hearts by the knowledge of the truth of His call to you.

1. The call to salvation

God, who has elected us before the foundation of the world, calls us through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul mentions our calling unto salvation by the Gospel in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, “…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Gospel preaching is a call of God to sinners to come to salvation He has prepared in Christ Jesus. So all of us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation are the called of God.

The truth of God’s call unto salvation is also expressed clearly in Romans 8:28-30, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose… Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” The election of God is effected in our hearts when He calls us by the Gospel of Christ, hence it is said, “whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” When we respond to that call by faith, we are justified – i.e. we are declared not guilty – for Christ has cancelled our sins and guilt by His suffering and death on our behalf.

2.   The call to sanctification

In Romans 1:7, the apostle Paul reminded the believers in Rome that they were “called to be saints”. In fact, Paul has reminded believers in other places too that they are called to be saints (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2). God’s people are those whom God has called out of their sinful lives to live as saints of God. So God’s call to Christians is to live a sanctified life. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

Have you been yielding to the temptations of sin? Are you cultivating a close relationship or friendship with the ungodly? Do you go to places of sinful temptations? How sad it is that many church-goers have yielded themselves to the allurement of sins. Worldliness and carnality are seen even in the church leaders. Fornication, immodesty, enjoyment of pornography and sensual movies, pubbing and clubbing, covetousness, self-prominence, selfishness, being unforgiving, jealousy, deceitfulness, hypocrisy and many more such sins are rampant in the lives of many who attend churches today. They seem to be at complete ease with sin and worldliness. Many seem to adhere to the notion that God has given them grace to continue in sin. What a malady! What a tragedy!

Dear reader, if you are a Christian, then know this: that God has not called you to an unsanctified life, but to a saintly life. You must repent and turn away from your sins at once. Linger no more in sin. Pull away from your sins, and pray for God’s forgiveness and for His strength and wisdom to live a sanctified life. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1–2).

The Lord who has called you is also a holy God. Therefore, His calling to you is to live a holy life. Peter clearly declared this truth about our calling unto holiness in his first epistle – “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15–16). Our God is thrice holy. Isaiah 6:3 says of our Lord, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.” Revelation 4:7 says, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” How can you praise Him if you live an unholy life?

The Lord who has called you unto sanctification is also a faithful God. If you have heard His Gospel call, you can now fully trust Him for the help you need to live a holy life. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24).

Likewise, in 2 Peter 1:3–4, the Lord promises His divine power to overcome the corruption of lust that is within us and to live unto glory and virtue. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Turn a deaf ear to the temptations of sins, lest you neglect the call of God unto holiness. But open your ears and hearts to take heed to His voice that calls you through His Word and His Spirit. If you obey His voice, you shall be holy.

Why should we go to the trouble of memorizing the Bible? Here are some reasons:

1. God has commanded us to memorize His Word – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6). Likewise, God says in Deuteronomy 11:18: “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul . . .” Memorizing God’s Word is our God-given duty. Therefore, every obedient child of God should engage in learning and remembering God’s Word.

2. The habit of remembering and meditating on the Word of God in our minds helps us to obey it. Deuteronomy 30:14 says: “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

3. The memorization of God’s Word would prevent us from sinning against God. Psalm 119:11 declares: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Likewise, Psalm 37:31 promises that the keeping of God’s Word in our hearts will prevent us from backsliding from God – “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”

4. Learning God’s Word by heart has the promise of great blessings, even spiritual and physical prosperity. Joshua wrote: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

5. It prevents our mind from vain and sinful thoughts by filling it with the truth of His Word. Since memorizing and recollecting the Scripture would require much exercising of the mind on the Word of God, it will crowd out less edifying thoughts. Through Scripture memorization, one can easily obey Paul’s exhortation: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

6. It equips us to fight off the temptations that the devil would bring to us. Christ is our example on this point. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, He resisted Satan’s temptations each time by citing Scripture. Paul states that the Word of God is a weapon in spiritual warfare: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

7. It increases our understanding of the verses that are memorized. To memorize, one must know every single word and dwell on every single word. While doing this, one naturally asks oneself, “Why this word?” Meditation on each word will, through the Spirit, give one a deep understanding of the verse and reveal meanings that are hidden in a cursory reading. Psalm 119:99 affirms this spiritual benefit, when it says: “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.”

When we speak of worshipping God, we must always be mindful that we speak of Trinitarian worship.

That God is one, and that He is three is the very essence of who God is. The Trinitarian doctrine of God – One God, Three Persons – is thoroughly biblical, and uniquely Christian.

The great affirmation (Shema) of Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” bespeaks the unity of God as One. The baptism formula, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19), is evidence of the fact that the name of God comprises Three Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Many more of such Scripture portions can be cited to affirm that God is triune.

The Scriptures also have ample evidence that each of the Three Persons receives the worship of His people.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:14).

“That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” (John 5:23).

Matthew 28:19, which mentions the Holy Spirit along with the Father and the Son, testifies to the Spirit’s rightful place in our worship. Moreover, Paul’s well known benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 includes the Holy Spirit also as the object of our worship – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Admittedly, we have fewer records in the Scriptures concerning the worship of the Holy Spirit. This is not surprising because in God’s design of our salvation, the Spirit is the One who awakens us to worship the Father and the Son. Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13-14). Let us not forget that the One who awakens us from our spiritual deadness to true worship is God.

When we call on the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit, we call on each one as the representative of the Trinity. When we say, “Our Father, which art in heaven”, we are not becoming anti-Trinitarian. He is the Father in the Trinitarian relationship within the Godhead, representing the Son and the Holy Spirit. When we call on any one of the Divine Three, by implication, we pray to all Three.

If we were to render appropriate and acceptable worship to God, our worship must be directed to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21, Paragraph 2, states: “Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

The doctrine of Trinity, which declares that God is Triune, is fundamental to the Christian faith. We must believe this grand doctrine because it is clearly taught in the Scriptures. But it is a doctrine that defies human logic. It is beyond man’s ability to fathom and explain.

Why is this doctrine so incomprehensible? God is infinite; and hence He is beyond human reasoning. We can know Him only because He has revealed Himself to us by His Word. Whatever He has revealed concerning Himself in His Word must be received by faith and with humility. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The word “Trinity” is derived from the Latin word Trinitas, meaning “threeness”. It is not found in the Bible, but it has been historically used by theologians to define and defend the divine mystery that is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

Very early in the church history, the truth of the Trinity has been studied and affirmed. Trinity was the designation for the uniquely Christian monotheistic understanding of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as tri-unity. The church fathers vehemently defended the Trinity against those who denied it with their heretical teachings. In AD 325, a church council that met in Nicaea (now Iznik in Turkey) affirmed this eternal truth concerning God; and it has been known as the Nicene Creed.

Our Westminster Confession of Faith defines the Trinity thus: “In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son” (Chapter 2, Paragraph 3).

Truths affirmed by the Doctrine of Trinity

There is only one true God who must be worshipped and loved exclusively. The doctrine of the Trinity does not teach tri-theism, but monotheism. The Scriptures firmly declare in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Our Lord Jesus also reaffirmed this truth in Mark 12:29-30.

The essential oneness of God is taught by the biblical statement: “The Lord is one”. The Hebrew word for “one” (echad) denotes “compound unity” or “united one”. Here, both the uniqueness of God and the unity of God are underscored. God is a unity of three divine Persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. God is one in essence and three in person.

Christians are monotheistic in their theology. “The LORD he is God; there is none else beside him” (Deuteronomy 4:35; cf. Isaiah 44:6,8; 45:5-6).

All three Persons are coequal and coeternal. God eternally exists as three persons, and each person is fully God. They are equal in authority, power, glory and all the divine attributes. None is lesser than the other; they are coequal and coeternal, each partaking of the full divine essence.

Jesus’ words “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30) clearly give evidence that they are equal in essence and authority. The Baptism formula (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” – Matthew 28:19) which mentions the Holy Spirit along with the Father and the Son, testifies to their equal divine authority. Moreover, Paul’s well known benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 includes the Holy Spirit as the object of our worship – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

The Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God!

All three Persons are distinct, but not separate: There are three distinct Persons in the Godhead. It means that the Father is not the Son, and the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. But the great mystery of the Trinity is that though the three Persons are distinct, they are not separate, but one in their essential being. The divine essence is not divided among the three Persons.

Furthermore, the designations – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost – do not indicate inferiority among them, but their eternal relationship within Godhead. The three Persons are distinguished by certain personal distinctions: the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, and the Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.

The three Persons of the Trinity do not act independently of one another. This was a constant theme of Jesus in rebuffing the charges of the Jews. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19; cf. John 8:28; 12:49; 14:10).

Conclusion

Trinity is triunity! This is one of the great mysteries of faith, and as such, it is far beyond our human comprehension. The Trinity must be acknowledged as a biblical doctrine. The clearest of all Scriptural passages on the Trinity is 1 John 5:7 – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Sometime ago, I posted a brief article in my blog (pastorkoshy.info) on “Should a church borrow money to do God’s work?” I noticed last week that there was a response to that article (http://pastorkoshy.info/?p=128&cpage=1#comment-3833). Basically, there are three major claims in that response. Firstly, the blogger says that if it is possible, borrowing from financial institutions to fund a church’s project should be avoided. Nonetheless, he claims that it is alright to borrow from sister churches and from its members. Secondly, he argues that my insistence on not borrowing for church projects limits the church from undertaking bigger projects and hence, it is being narrow-minded. Thirdly, he urges that the church must encourage the members to go on a “journey of faith” and make “faith pledges” to provide for the big projects of the church.

Here is my response:

I am glad you take the position that as much as possible, one should avoid borrowing from the marketplace’s financial institutions to fund a church’s project. I would go one step further to say “No” to borrowing for church ministries. I am aware that several B-P churches have borrowed heavily from financial institutions. Instead of following their worldly wisdom, I would rather heed biblical wisdom on this matter. God’s wisdom declares in Proverbs 22:7 – “the borrower is servant to the lender.” What tragedy it is that the church becomes a servant to its lender! Being financially obligated to anyone can bring about many impediments to the progress of the ministry. For instance, it can slow down other important Gospel work which the church should carry out. So let us be wiser to heed divine wisdom in Romans 13:8 – “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.”

From the second paragraph of your response to my article, it is apparent that you have wrongly concluded that I “limit the scale of a project or timing of a major undertaking on the basis that the money must first be available”. Please be assured that such a notion about me is far from the truth, especially if the project is perceived to be truly of the Lord. By the grace of God, I have taken leadership in my church to plan and begin several projects even before the church had sufficient money to start them, let alone complete them. In such a case, we sought the Lord in prayer, even with fasting, for all the funds we needed. We thank God that our faith has increased as each of those projects was completed. In those situations, our faith was firmly placed in the Lord who promises to provide for all our needs as we seek His kingdom and righteousness (cf. Matthew 6:33). Not once did we trust in financial institutions, sister churches or any wealthy Christian! This is not to say that sister churches and fellow Christians did not help. Many of them gave very sacrificially and generously to support our ministries; and we continue to receive their cheerful support with thanksgiving to God. But no one was a lender to Gethsemane B-P Church, neither was the church a debtor to anyone, except God.

I also take the view that asking members of the church to “make pledges upfront” is an unwise practice. I am aware that many a church calls their members to pledge funds which they do not have in hand or in their banks. They call it “faith pledge”. In fact, Scripture only teaches us to give from what we have received from the Lord. We only need to encourage members and friends to give from what they have. Certainly, it is wrong to teach people to vow to give what they do not have. Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (cf. Deuteronomy 23:21).

On several occasions, I have met Christians who felt very guilty because they could not give what they “pledged by faith”. They presumed that if they pledged “by faith”, they would surely be able to give. Once, I met a man who lost his job and income after pledging a large sum to the church, and as a result, failed to fulfil his pledge. It is so frustrating when pastors and leaders of the church go after the members who “pledged by faith”, saying, “Keep your vows.” Instead, let such churches teach people to give willingly and cheerfully when the Lord provides. If the members pledge to give what the Lord has provided, then it is biblically acceptable. But to urge them to pledge what they do not have, and then hold them responsible for not giving that sum is not a biblical practice.

You charged me with narrow-mindedness and a lack of faith by saying, “I find some of your statements a bit too sweepingly ‘narrow’ and less faith-based.” If you think it is narrow-mindedness to be biblical, then I am. I have no intention to lead my church through the unbiblical broadways of many modern churches. I also believe that prayerful obedience to God’s Word will help us to fulfil all that He wants us to do for Him. As it is said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies”. We only want to do all that God wants us to do – nothing more, nothing less. We also believe that without faith in the promises of God, nothing – big or small, can be done for Him. Faith teaches us to abide in the Word, and do all His will. It is not faith to do big things in an unbiblical manner. It is not the magnitude of a project that manifests our faith, but doing all things, big and small, according to God’s Word. May God increase our faith in His Word to attempt great things for Him according to His will.

Sixth Anniversary of The Gethsemane Care Ministry

August 9, 2011, (Tuesday),   5.30 PM

Auditorium, 5th Level, SingPost Centre, next to Paya Lebar MRT

Have you been keeping up with the Bible reading program? I am glad to hear from some that they are keeping up with the reading program that I have given out. That is wonderful! Of course, every one has to overcome different kinds of hindrances – laziness, sickness, tiredness, busy school and work schedules, etc. Some have testified that when they have fallen behind the schedule, they took more time during the weekends to catch up with the schedule. That’s real determination and perseverance! “No pain, No gain.” Right?

Here are some tips for you to catch up, if you have fallen behind the schedule.

• Pray for greater discipline; and seek the Spirit’s help to keep your heart excited toward the truths of God’s Word (cf. Ephesians 1:16-18) .
• Start reading again from today’s reading. Then whenever you can find time, especially weekends or on Sundays read the portions that you have skipped.
• Make Bible reading your daily priority. Have a fixed time everyday. It will be good if you can read more on weekends (If possible, be ahead of the schedule, so if you become sick or overly tired in the future, you would not lag behind)
• Do not procrastinate. Have a “do it now” spirit.
• Eliminate unnecessary activities to create more time to read the Bible. Cut out certain daily activities which are not important like light reading, TV, video games, internet chats, etc.
• Get connected with others who are also following the same schedule, and build up mutual accountability. In fact, you can do that by just coming to this blog each week and sharing what you have learned. At least you can indicate your thankfulness to God for the help received in reading the Bible according to the schedule. Or you may request prayers from others, when the going gets tough. Let us encourage one another.

About those who delight in the Word of God, Psalm 1:3 says that “And he shall be like a tree plantedby the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

What a beautiful illustration of the perpetual verdure and fruitfulness! When a man feeds on God’s Word, he receives nurture and vitality from the ever fresh wisdom and truth of God. He is then sustained and refreshed by the wonderful words of life, like the tree whose roots are refreshed by never-failing streams of living water. This nourishment invigorates the whole tree – its roots, trunk, larger branches to the tiniest twig, leaves and fruits. What wholesome piety would pervade the life of a man who delights himself in the Word of God! Because his source of strength can never fail, his life will exude with vigour, verdure, and fruitfulness. Like the tree “planted” by the rivers of water, are we “planted” by the living water of the Word?

If your life does not bear “fruit in his season,” it is obvious that you have not been planted by the living water. Every person who is nurtured by the Word of God will produce the appropriate spirit fruit in his season. Childhood has its fruits; youth has its fruit; and old age has its fruits too. The Lord expects you to bear fruit in your peculiar season that He has appointed to you. Just stay by the living water of His Word.

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

Meditating on God’s Word is a Christian duty. Every godly individual take pleasure in this daily practice. Thus he becomes conversant with Holy Scriptures.

How do you approach the Holy Scriptures? With what sort of feelings do you view it?  Let joy be your first emotion when you think of God’s Word. You must read His Word and yield to its counsels with great enthusiasm. In Psalms 119:47-48, the psalmist declared, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Likewise, the prophet Jeremiah affirmed, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

He who rejoices in God’s law will be greatly affected by its wisdom and power. “He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season” (v.3). His life shall be rooted in the richest of soils; he shall never lack resources; his soul shall delight itself in divine favour and great fruitfulness. In Psalm 119:92, the psalmist testifies, “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”

So may we also say, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).