My Thoughts, My World-View

    Category: Devotion

    • Re-aligning the Mind and Heart

      We live in a world that has a “broken” default state. This is the Christian point of view, if one were to align our view with the Bible. There are (of course) many Christian believers who may not believe in this – but if one is to source their belief from the authority of Scriptures, this is a conclusion that cannot be denied. The practical evidence of “broken” world is the inability to achieve bliss, peace and happiness that is continuous. Even the most ignorant (positive-compelling, negative-denying) person would admit that it is impossible to remain in a happy state or to expect things to go our way for periods of time; we certainly can have snippets of happiness and enjoyment, but these cannot last for long because the world is in a state where the little good that exist will quickly be overwhelmed by uncertainties, human sin, selfishness and calamities that often are beyond our control. If one would hedge on something certain for their business, it would be a safe bet on human suffering, a good example of such would be the news media business – can you imagine if everything was peaceful and going perfectly without any problems? There would be nothing to publish.

      “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

      This verse provides a timely reminder (to me) that it is always a necessity to re-align both our mind and heart to God’s vision. Man-made visions will always be plagued with the simple problem being narrow-minded and short-sighted. It is boastful to think that we have the capacity to see beyond our given limits (we have limits). Thus, it makes sense to subscribe to God’s view and vision – because His thoughts are not ours, His views expand vastly to the infinite canvas that we cannot hope to even comprehend. And it is true, our thoughts fold within us when we see things from our own human logic, and data that is confined to our senses and experience! How pitiful that we allow ourselves to be dictated by the ‘flesh’ in that manner. We end up majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors. The opposite can be true as well – our thoughts inflate our feelings to assume that things will be great… only to be confronted with the unknowns of time.

      Paul, the writer of the verse, was not delusional: he knew that God will not explain or detail out the future for him. He is not told the manner of his death. He was not told the path that will end his ministry and his life. And yet, he is assured that to set the mind on the flesh is death – not physical death, but spiritual death! The death of a thousand death – for we cannot allow ourselves to be united with the world/flesh – to do so is to disown the “spiritual adoption” that belongs to Christian believers. The life of the Christian is not liberty for sinful, selfish decisions and living, but liberty to submit to the Greater King who loves and saves. There is just no “grey” area in this. The Roman soldiers who have cast their lot with Christ, remain soldiers who are faithful to Rome, but ultimately greater obedience rendered to the Invisible, Omnipotent Ruler who dwells in the heavenly places. These soldiers are dutiful to their earthly king, but more so to their eternal King above – they gladly defy the evil commands of their earthly masters and suffer under the lashes meted against them. They are ostracized but not alone in the universal family of adopted sons and daughters of God.

      When man (flesh) has nothing to threaten, the Christian is invincible. The picture that often comes to mind is the scene from the famous Christopher Nolan film “The Dark Knight” when Batman brutally beats up the Joker in order to get information of the whereabouts of his childhood friend: the Joker rightly laughs/cries out to Batman – “you have no power, nothing to threaten me!” What can the flesh, the world, threaten the Christian believer? With our families? With our jobs? With our health? Nothing actually lasts. Nothing can last.

      This is something that hits me harder as each year pass by and time flies. Be prepared for things to pass. It will happen. But look for the eternal things instead. It is like the childhood that we will never get back – it is gone. We have the memories and the lessons and that’s it. We cannot wish for it (it does not change anything). Instead, enjoy the present, and the future before those begin to pass as well. Prepare for what the Spirit has in store for Christian believers – these will guard both our heart and mind. This is eternal hope that cannot be destroyed. I needed this re-alignment. It is just so easy to be caught up by the emotions, the events, the incidences, the troubles, the problems, the pain, the uncertainty – but fix our mind (notice, it is with our thoughts FIRST), and then the “life” and “peace” will be in us.

    • The Chief Parable of Christ – A Parable of Reality and Hope

      The parable of the sower or soils is the first parable that is recorded for us in the Gospels – this is consistently recorded for us in Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospel. What makes it the “chief” or most important of them all is not just the chronological introduction of it but the fact that it is the first parable to be interpreted by the Lord Himself to the listeners. This parable is also important because of the context of its introduction – it is in the midst of Jesus’ ministry that seems to be at the apex (in terms of the crowd that followed Him). We see this in the following passages:

      That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
      (Matthew 13:1-2)

      Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
      (Mark 4:1)

      And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable,
      (Luke 8:4)

      From Matthew, Mark and Luke’s Gospel Account

      One inference we can make based on this observation of the crowd and the parable’s prominence in the three gospels is this: the lesson(s) of this parable is absolutely important for the general populace – not just the close disciples of Christ (commonly known as the Twelve). This is one passage that can be used for both believers and non-believers alike. However, we must balance our application by paying attention to the fact that the interpretation of this parable was mainly given only to the close disciples of Christ in a private setting – not a public setting. Why the seeming discrepancy? Why is the parable preached publicly but the interpretation privately given?

      The Lord explicitly refers to Isaiah 6:9 in Matthew 13:13-15, Mark 4:11-12 and Luke 8:9-10 – this is not coincidence nor is this merely about the “purpose of all parables” as many bible translators and commentators would put forth. The Holy Spirit inspired this explanation to precede the interpretation of “this” parable – thus, the explanation tells us that believers would gain more, spiritually speaking, from the lessons given in this parable.

      We are not going to give a lengthy exposition of this parable – this is not the purpose of this post. There are many good sermons and commentaries that give detailed explanations along with applications on the parable. Rather, I would like to focus on an application that is not commonly drawn from this parable – for believers.

      The three soils, hard, stony and weedy are realities the type of hearts found among sinful men in this world – in all generations. There is no time where we find the world filled with soft, good soil that is brimming with spiritual fruitfulness. For the believer, this is a caution – that we who believe in Christ (the Gospel symbolised as seed sown on the ground) are in the minority. The caution is for us not to take this truth for granted – many are called, but few are chosen. God’s gracious dealings with believers is not a small thing – in the Grand Scheme of things, we are truly blessed – infinitely blessed compared to many who either are hard-hearted, half-hearted (stony ground) and worldly-hearted (corrupted by the worldly influences and circumstances). A first-time planter would be extremely happy that a quarter of his efforts actually bear fruit and did not perish! This should be our outlook – what wonder and joy in God saving a quarter out of eternal damnation, when the whole lot deserves to die and remain fruitless. God is able to save all – but there is the reality of sin and the needful condemnation and damnation of sinners. For God to just wipe off the effects of sins in one brief moment at the start of Man’s Fall in Adam is to ‘cheapen’ God’s justice. A king who forgives the wrongs of his own son who does vile things will be looked down – here is a king who knows no justice, trivialising wrongs. God is under NO obligation to us to clear any of our sins – the fact that He does forgive the few (in every generation) is already a great condescension and a show of His remarkable mercy on an undeserving people. To save for eternity, not just temporary, is a grace that has no words that can ever be described by our frail and finite minds.

      Secondly, the description of the fruit that is borne by the seed that fell on good soil is usually downplayed by preachers. I have been guilty of doing so many times before. But let us give it the right place in the hearts and minds of believers. The passage describes it this way:

      But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

      Mark 4:20 (ESV)

      The hope for believers is that their lives will see a supernatural increase in spiritual fruitfulness. The most “unbelievable” part of this parable would probably lie here. Many cannot believe that this can ever be true – their lives may have changed, but in accordance to this measure? Two fold increase is already a very unbelievable increase in agricultural terms. Two fold is equal to 200%. For it to be thirtyfold – we are looking at 3000% at a very minimum! Impossible is the word that keeps popping in my mind. For believers who have lived longer in this world – there are deeper challenges and troughs in their journey to the Celestial City. Sometimes, we are tempted to look at the promised increase and become depressed – because the reality is far from the expectation given. Is the Lord exaggerating? No. He is challenging us to see things in accordance to His eyes – to perceive and understand things through His mind, not ours. Thus, the disciples found themselves echoing our sentiments in other times as well – one such instance was in Matthew 19:25-26 – “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” This is faith. Believing that God is the God of impossibilities. That the very thing that we constantly despair about – our lack of humility, our secret sins, our constant weaknesses, our “life long behaviours” – can be changed. The change is not superficial or cosmetic – but lifelong – eternal! When we measure it in accordance to the effect and lasting impact it has on our soul – we can see that it far exceeds 200% or 3000%… this is an infinite percentile that does not lessen. This is a dimension that we need to refocus our spiritual, inner eyes on.

      Can the Lord change our sinful nature – sanctify us in a real way – for eternity? Yes. Will the scope of the change be for every part of our lives on earth? No. For we still live in this fallen world. But the longer we live in this world, the more the Holy Spirit regenerates our being – preparing us for eternal glory at His coming or at our entering into that glory of His. This is the hope that the parable of the sower gives to us – especially those who are honest, real and seeking Jesus with all of our beings – weak, frail that may be. Amen.

    • Commentary on Philippians 1:12-17

      It is easy to be in a hurry to rush that we miss many important aspects of “growth” itself. This is certainly very evident when it comes to the spiritual dimension. Paul, the apostle who grew not just intellectually but in his character and actions, showed the type of maturity that is often neglected and ignored by many impatient Christians: an ability to look at life through God’s lens. In verse 12 of his letter, he declares and points out to the brethren that the unpleasant circumstances that befell him was not out of God’s control but was purposed for God’s glory.

      How can imprisonment, isolation and persecution be purposed for God’s glory? For a faithful servant of God, such things would be trying indeed – it is like facing a large clouds of negativity that would not be blown away. And yet the apostle makes it clear that behind these frowning providence there lies a hidden smile that can only be perceived by the spiritually minded. For Paul, he saw the penetration of the Gospel into the emperor’s “household” was reason to rejoice!

      The more calculative may object: just a few of these have heard the Gospel because of Paul’s imprisonment, how can that overturn the negativity of Paul’s circumstances and the intense rivalry of some Roman preachers who were seeking to tarnish Paul’s reputation and to get believers to decry Paul’s ministry? For Paul, physical numbers is not the measure of one’s success. The same God who would work salvation in the heart of a single Samaritan woman in the heat of the day, is the same God who goes across the sea to save a man gripped by the dominion of evil spirits – this same God glories in the salvation of sinners, small or large it may be.

      This perception takes spiritual maturity – for at the heart is a reflection of God’s own vision for His own glory. Thus, Paul is not affected negatively by the opposition by antagonistic brethren, but rejoices (v.18)! Paul was matured enough to understand the larger picture and to rejoice in that God-directed purpose.

      It is common to find Christian believers and ministers who make such bold statements of maturity and of love, but it is what they say “behind the scenes” that reveals the level of spiritual maturity in the person. Grumblings, complains and a ‘defensive’ spirit that seeks to justify their cause are clear signs of immaturity. Those with little children can almost recall the never-ending “Daddy, mummy, he took my things and he said bad things to me!” We expect that of children. Why then do we tolerate and worse, imitate the “childish” behaviour of professing believers who pretend to be spiritually mature? Best to imitate Paul’s response knowing that it reflects the character and heart of his saviour, Jesus Christ. As Paul writes concerning the beauty and glory of his Saviour in:

      Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  (6)  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  (7)  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  (8)  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  (9)  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  (10)  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  (11)  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

      Philippians 2:5-11

    • Commentary on Philippians 1: 1-11

      The Word of God is bristling with power. This “power” is not perceived by worldly measurements; it is of divine origin. It is such a pity that many Christians flock to the weekly meetings on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to be revitalised (in their mind), forgetting that we have the best fuel for our soul and body in this book (see 2 Peter 1:2-3). The natural tendency for the Christian believer is to take the Word for granted – to treat it like any other book. They insist that different books within the Bible must be held down by their own made-up pillars – often by their theological leanings and experience. When Scripture is caged and locked up to only mean what we believe it MUST only mean, we have effectively created our own religion much like the Pharisees of old. That is why we must always come and approach Scripture with reverence and openness of mind. Laziness and busyness are our constant enemies in this; we must guard ourselves against it, regardless of our theological leanings.

      This is why it is refreshing to re-read the letter of Paul to Philippians. It is a letter written while Paul was suffering in both body and mind – he was waiting for the verdict of his trial in Rome. On top of that, he faced opposition from certain church leaders who saw him as a competitor rather than a brother. Uncertainty of the future is never a nice situation to be in, but Paul shows us a Christ-honouring example through it… something we all need in the challenging phases of our life.

      Notice Paul’s humility in the very start of the letter (v.1) – he declares Timothy and himself bondservants of Jesus Christ. He does not boast on his contribution or gifts to the cause of Christ – he plainly and simply paints himself as to how he has always seen himself – a willing, happy slave for his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is something that I have appreciated when meeting with church leaders – the willingness and honest humility of the servant of Christ to be what he truly is: a servant of Christ and to those whom He died for! Be wary of those who are quick to shift the focus to their “history” and “achievements”. Be wary of ourselves – for such pride do not immediately show itself; it hides itself in our need for encouragement and in coping with uncertainty in the ministry. Many ministers “need” to prove to themselves that they are worth the effort, the money and the time given by the supporting church – and thus, they build up a ready-list of achievements and ‘wins’. Capping it with ‘praise the Lord’ does not immediately ‘purify’ the true intentions.

      It is worth noting as well that the greeting is given first to the “saints” in Philippi, before it is given to the elders and deacons of the church. Again, this is how Paul sees ministers – not as reverends with titles and positions, but as those who truly “come last” as the Lord Jesus constantly reminded His disciples: the greatest is the one who serves, just as He came to die for sinners.

      This thought holds true as we see Paul confessing his heart’s desire in verse 3 to 6 – his desire is for the brethren, Christian believers, to be built up and complete as the Day approaches when we see Him face-to-face. The command to love our neighbour is not a theoretical lesson but a practical action. It begins with the desire of our heart. Do we rejoice in seeing brethren? Far away brethren that we hardly meet? Paul does. It ought to cause us to be ashamed of our self-focus and our narrow view of what Christianity is about. Paul did not identify these as Gentile believers who were converted out of paganism – nor did he identify these as Jewish believers – they were merely “saints” and “believers” who are all “partakers with me of grace”. What a magnificent and challenging thought for modern Christians who are so quick to identify and preach their own “affiliations” and “groupings”, whether it is through theological leanings or by their practices.

      Whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in – whether in much or in lack – we MUST check our desires: is it for those whom Christ died for? Is it in serving the Lord with all humility, knowing how unworthy we are and how we are the least of all believers? Perhaps this week, this day, we need to pray for others and to pray that we can happily call ourselves “bondservants” of Christ – not one who is free to do as our hearts would want, but one who is moved and freed by the gracious love and act of the Holy One who gave Himself for unworthy us. Amen.

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