Friday, May 10, 2013

Diapers and Decrees

Calvinists like to bring up the sovereignty of God and view everything through that lens.  Some even to the point of God decreeing what color car they will drive to decreeing their own sin. God decreeing sin sounds to me an awful lot like Adam upon being caught after eating from the tree of knowledge  of good and evil, "It's that woman YOU GAVE ME LORD."  Adam tried to pin his own sin on to God.  If God is responsible for our sin, then why would we need a strong savior?  We are responsible for our sin.  No amount of excusing and accusing will take that away, no amount of syllogisms can remove that fact.  Stop denying your sin by hiding behind God sovereignly decreeing your sin.

Was Jesus sovereign when he was dependent upon Mary and Joseph to meet his daily needs, including changing soiled diapers? When Jesus was on the cross being poked with spears, having vinegar presented to him to drink, being mocked by Roman soldiers, was He still sovereign?  As He died in pain and anguish, suffering, was He sovereign?  Or are you like those around him at that time that thought He should have saved Himself?

Often I will hear that it was only Jesus' body on the cross.  People say such things because they are offended that a sovereign God would allow Himself to be treated in such a manner.  Suddenly, the Nestorian error pops up in order to protect God's sovereignty.  "God can't die",  "It was only Jesus' humanity on the cross".  Have you heard those notions?  They are mortal men's notions, you know.  The Psalms are full of praising the God of our Salvation.  Of course, God died for you.

The whole of Jesus died upon the cross for the whole of you, He was sovereignly victorying for you.  What looks foolish and weak to the world, was our dear Savior's mighty act of power.  Behold your God.  Praise Him.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Boldly Going Where Angels Fear to Tread

Have you ever stood before a judge in a courtroom?  It is full of ceremony and stiffness.  "All rise!" says the bailiff as the judge enters the room.  "You may be seated!" the bailiff pronounces after the judge takes his seat.  "First case on the docket today is People of the State of California vs. James Smith."  Then the lawyers announce their presence, and off they go into formal presentation.

That used to be how I felt coming before our heavenly Father.  It was a fearsome thing to pray to God, the judge of all creation.  Groveling was the approach of the day, attempting to be humble, averting my eyes lest He see me in my ugly sinfulness.  "Lord, if it be your will .... "

God is still the judge of all creation, but I am His adopted daughter.  He is a loving Father and never gives me rocks or stones when I am hungry for bread.  I can bring all my emotions to Him and not be afraid of His answer.  Ugly emotions, scary emotions, ugly thoughts and scary thoughts.  He listens then shows me in His word that I am forgiven because of His grace, expressed in Jesus Christ, my savior.

Praise Him!


 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  ~Hebrews 4, ESV