I am preparing to preach this coming Sunday from James 1:12, which says,
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Some years ago a number of Bible versions started using the word "happy" to translate the term "blessed". On the surface, this may not seem like a big deal, and it may even appear to be a good move because the words "happy" and "happiness" are so much a part of our contemporary culture. But over the years I have become more and more convinced that it is seriously wrong to translate the word "blessed" as "happy".
First of all, the word "happy" has to do with chance or something that just "happens". Happiness cannot often be planned for, it just happens. Usually when we least expect it and when we are not too focused on ourselves (hint, hint). I know that we Americans have the right to the "pursuit of happiness". But the truth is that while happiness can be pursued, it is rarely caught. On the other hand, blessedness is something that can and should be pursued and it can be had by godly discipline, obedience and determination.
Happiness is hard to come by, but being blessed is something within the reach of everyone everyday who knows the Lord. This is because happiness is pretty much a humanistic, secular concept, while being blessed refers to divine favor. Happiness does not have to involve God, while blessedness always does. But if all this does not convince you, look at Matthew 5:1-11.
As I said, a number of versions insert the word "happy" in this passage, but it just doesn't work under close examination. For instance, verse four says "happy are those who mourn". You cannot be happy and sad at the same time. But you can be blessed and sad at the same time. One can still sense and appreciate God's divine favor even through tears. But to say that one is happy and also sad is something even a child knows doesn't fit together.
The truth is, being blessed is much more closely connected with joy (see Matthew 5:11-12). Joy is a deep conviction that even though everything may be wrong or bad at the moment, ultimately all is well. Only a Christian can truly experience this because it requires belief in a sovereign and loving God to have this conviction. Blessedness comes from doing what is right (see Psalm 1:1-3) and knowing that God's favor rests on us regardless of what is happening at a particular point in time.
The person who perseveres in a trial and continues to trust in God is blessed by God's approval in that moment, and can look forward to the blessing of the "crown of life" in the future (see James 1:12). Happiness is fleeting and often lasts just a few moments. Being blessed is a feeling that can last for an eternity.
Mark Twain used to say that the difference between the right word and one that is close but not quite right is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. Quite a word picture! That is the difference between being happy and being blessed. Which would you prefer? Me too!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Problem with Presumption - Proverbs 13:10
"Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom."
I recently saw part of an interview by John Piper, the well-known pastor and writer. He interviewed another well-known pastor and writer, Rick Warren. These two men have become friends and I believe have taken some hits from friends and foes alike as a result. John Piper apparently wanted to demonstrate the areas of agreement between them, and clarify the issues of disagreement. By his own admission, Rick Warren thought he and John Piper were far apart on the issue of whether Christ's atonement was limited or unlimited. Shockingly, John Piper laid out his view of the atonement and Rick Warren said, "we are closer than I thought." I was amazed as well, because as John Piper described his view of the atonement there was very little that I would disagree with. He beautifully explained that although Christ's death was for the purpose of saving the elect and that purpose would definitely be fulfilled, he also said that God is reaching out with a "bona fide offer" to the rest of humanity to come to Him through His Son, and that we should not be reticent to share the gospel freely with everyone. That is the Calvinist Unlimited position and that is exactly what I also believe the Bible teaches.
I would never have thought in a million years that John Piper and I would be in agreement about the extent of the atonement, but apparently we are, because God cannot make a "bona fide offer" to the non-elect unless Christ died for them as well. Unless he misspoke or I completely missed something, we are in complete agreement.
This reminded me of a discussion I had not long ago with a young man in my church. He was convinced that he and I also disagreed about Christ's atonement. But when he sat down with me and talked about his conviction...it was the same as mine! A lot of people presume to know what I believe because I am a dispensationalist, but I surprise most of them when they actually dialogue with me. The truth is that there are a number of significant differences among dispensationalists, just as there can be among people who consider themselves Reformed or Arminian.
Now I am not saying that most everyone is really in agreement, and we just have to talk in order to realize it. There are still lots of biblical, practical and theological disputes among God's people that discussion is never going to change. But the truth is that we (including me) don't always verify what others believe, we just presume on certain issues that we are not in agreement. We look at where people went to school or what denomination they belong to, or who they hang and with, and just presume what a particular person believes without actually consulting the individual. I know this won't solve all of our problems with fellow believers, but it would really help if we stop presuming, and just allow people to tell us what they believe and why.
Sometimes we perpetuate disputes because we want to have a problem with fellow believers. But that's not right (see Philippians 2:1-4)! That is a pride issue. Sometimes we hear someone say something or read something he or she wrote, and we just presume from that what that person believes about other matters. This may be because it makes us feel important to be in disagreement with others, especially when the individual is well-known or popular. But when we just presume that we have a difference with others without asking or checking, that is presumption and that will lead to nothing but strife. May God help me, and all of us as believers to do better in this area!
I recently saw part of an interview by John Piper, the well-known pastor and writer. He interviewed another well-known pastor and writer, Rick Warren. These two men have become friends and I believe have taken some hits from friends and foes alike as a result. John Piper apparently wanted to demonstrate the areas of agreement between them, and clarify the issues of disagreement. By his own admission, Rick Warren thought he and John Piper were far apart on the issue of whether Christ's atonement was limited or unlimited. Shockingly, John Piper laid out his view of the atonement and Rick Warren said, "we are closer than I thought." I was amazed as well, because as John Piper described his view of the atonement there was very little that I would disagree with. He beautifully explained that although Christ's death was for the purpose of saving the elect and that purpose would definitely be fulfilled, he also said that God is reaching out with a "bona fide offer" to the rest of humanity to come to Him through His Son, and that we should not be reticent to share the gospel freely with everyone. That is the Calvinist Unlimited position and that is exactly what I also believe the Bible teaches.
I would never have thought in a million years that John Piper and I would be in agreement about the extent of the atonement, but apparently we are, because God cannot make a "bona fide offer" to the non-elect unless Christ died for them as well. Unless he misspoke or I completely missed something, we are in complete agreement.
This reminded me of a discussion I had not long ago with a young man in my church. He was convinced that he and I also disagreed about Christ's atonement. But when he sat down with me and talked about his conviction...it was the same as mine! A lot of people presume to know what I believe because I am a dispensationalist, but I surprise most of them when they actually dialogue with me. The truth is that there are a number of significant differences among dispensationalists, just as there can be among people who consider themselves Reformed or Arminian.
Now I am not saying that most everyone is really in agreement, and we just have to talk in order to realize it. There are still lots of biblical, practical and theological disputes among God's people that discussion is never going to change. But the truth is that we (including me) don't always verify what others believe, we just presume on certain issues that we are not in agreement. We look at where people went to school or what denomination they belong to, or who they hang and with, and just presume what a particular person believes without actually consulting the individual. I know this won't solve all of our problems with fellow believers, but it would really help if we stop presuming, and just allow people to tell us what they believe and why.
Sometimes we perpetuate disputes because we want to have a problem with fellow believers. But that's not right (see Philippians 2:1-4)! That is a pride issue. Sometimes we hear someone say something or read something he or she wrote, and we just presume from that what that person believes about other matters. This may be because it makes us feel important to be in disagreement with others, especially when the individual is well-known or popular. But when we just presume that we have a difference with others without asking or checking, that is presumption and that will lead to nothing but strife. May God help me, and all of us as believers to do better in this area!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Is Heaven For Real? - John 14:2
"In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you..."
It has been a long time, about a month, since I wrote a new post. In one sense, I apologize to those of you who have faithfully come here looking for a fresh commentary from God's Word only to be disappointed. I truly regret that. But in another sense, I am not sorry because the last month has been incredibly busy and difficult. Besides all that, I just simply have not been moved to write about anything. However, this morning I just finished a book I have been trying to read for a couple of months.
It is a book that has been on the New York Times Best-Seller list for some time, but much more important, it is a book about heaven. I love books about heaven, though a good one is rare, and this is a good one in my opinion. Randy Alcorn's book on heaven is still my all-time favorite, but this may be second. Why? Because it is written by a pastor in Nebraska named Todd Burpo (no belching jokes, please) about his son, Colton, who had a near death experience (NDE), and supposedly was transported to heaven during an emergency operation to save his life. I say "supposedly" because not everyone believes that NDEs are real, including a lot of evangelicals, not just pagan skeptics. But having talked with down-to-earth, sensible, normal people who have had them, I do believe in NDEs, as long as what the person experiences is not contrary to Scripture. If it is, then I have to conclude that they were either deceived by Satan or that they failed to remember things accurately.
Having qualified my belief in NDEs, Colton, who was about four at the time of his operation and NDE, tells his father in the first year or so afterward many wonderful and scripturally verifiable things about heaven. A few of them are difficult for me to accept, i.e., that people have wings to fly. But there is little or nothing that I can say for sure is bibically wrong, and there are some things that are absolutely extraordinary. Colton says that he saw Jesus and that He has red "markers" on His hands and feet. Could he be referring to the marks of our Lord's crucifixion, which He still bears (see Revelation 5:6)? Colton also says he met a girl in heaven who claims to be his other sister. It turns out that his mother, Sonja, had a miscarriage. He believes that he met his sister in heaven, but he never knew about his mother's miscarriage. He also met his grandfather, "Pop", who died many years before he was born. Colton identified him not by a picture of him in old age, but in his grandfather's youth. But I'm not doing justice to the book. I recommend that you read it. Even if you don't believe in NDEs, or think that the kid was lying, or assume that the father made all this up to sell a book, you need to read it. It is at the least, very thought-provoking. At the most, it could convince you that, as Colton says, "Heaven is for real."
But the truth is that Jesus already told us that heaven is for real (John 14:2) and He even went so far to tell us that if heaven did not exist, and did not have a "dwelling place" for us, He would have told us and set the record straight. So even if you don't believe Colton Burpo, we really should trust Jesus on the subject of heaven. Who would know better than the Son of God !? But I still recommend that you read, Heaven Is For Real. This little boy's perspective on heaven is priceless!
It has been a long time, about a month, since I wrote a new post. In one sense, I apologize to those of you who have faithfully come here looking for a fresh commentary from God's Word only to be disappointed. I truly regret that. But in another sense, I am not sorry because the last month has been incredibly busy and difficult. Besides all that, I just simply have not been moved to write about anything. However, this morning I just finished a book I have been trying to read for a couple of months.
It is a book that has been on the New York Times Best-Seller list for some time, but much more important, it is a book about heaven. I love books about heaven, though a good one is rare, and this is a good one in my opinion. Randy Alcorn's book on heaven is still my all-time favorite, but this may be second. Why? Because it is written by a pastor in Nebraska named Todd Burpo (no belching jokes, please) about his son, Colton, who had a near death experience (NDE), and supposedly was transported to heaven during an emergency operation to save his life. I say "supposedly" because not everyone believes that NDEs are real, including a lot of evangelicals, not just pagan skeptics. But having talked with down-to-earth, sensible, normal people who have had them, I do believe in NDEs, as long as what the person experiences is not contrary to Scripture. If it is, then I have to conclude that they were either deceived by Satan or that they failed to remember things accurately.
Having qualified my belief in NDEs, Colton, who was about four at the time of his operation and NDE, tells his father in the first year or so afterward many wonderful and scripturally verifiable things about heaven. A few of them are difficult for me to accept, i.e., that people have wings to fly. But there is little or nothing that I can say for sure is bibically wrong, and there are some things that are absolutely extraordinary. Colton says that he saw Jesus and that He has red "markers" on His hands and feet. Could he be referring to the marks of our Lord's crucifixion, which He still bears (see Revelation 5:6)? Colton also says he met a girl in heaven who claims to be his other sister. It turns out that his mother, Sonja, had a miscarriage. He believes that he met his sister in heaven, but he never knew about his mother's miscarriage. He also met his grandfather, "Pop", who died many years before he was born. Colton identified him not by a picture of him in old age, but in his grandfather's youth. But I'm not doing justice to the book. I recommend that you read it. Even if you don't believe in NDEs, or think that the kid was lying, or assume that the father made all this up to sell a book, you need to read it. It is at the least, very thought-provoking. At the most, it could convince you that, as Colton says, "Heaven is for real."
But the truth is that Jesus already told us that heaven is for real (John 14:2) and He even went so far to tell us that if heaven did not exist, and did not have a "dwelling place" for us, He would have told us and set the record straight. So even if you don't believe Colton Burpo, we really should trust Jesus on the subject of heaven. Who would know better than the Son of God !? But I still recommend that you read, Heaven Is For Real. This little boy's perspective on heaven is priceless!
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