ED ROSS
From Ed Ross' Timbrel & Dance Weekly Publication - With A New Covenant Theology Twist
Loving Life
He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, ...do good, …and pursue peace. 1Peter 3:10-11
It is interesting that Peter does not say, "He who would love life and see good days is worldly and unspiritual. Seriously. In light of many New Testament admonitions, it would seem more consistent to castigate the Christian for desiring to love this present life and to see days of blessing. Did Jesus not say that if a man would be his disciple he must hate his life in this world (Luke 14:26; John 12:25)? John plainly says, "Love not the world neither the things of the world (1John 2:15). Paul admonishes us to "fix your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Col 3:2)." Apparently Peter didn't get the memo.
Actually, Peter is in no way suggesting that we should desire to have a life of carefree pleasure. Just reading the rest of the chapter will dispel any such thinking. In fact, Peter was writing this letter to strengthen and encourage those who were under terrible persecution and who were suffering wrongfully. As Christian, our worldview must rest on the perspective that we are indeed pilgrims and strangers on earth - fish out of water.
That being said, we must not think it wrong, or feel guilty if, in the midst of the darkness, or in the fray of battle, we love life and desire days of blessing. When days of tranquility come upon us, it is not worldly to freely enjoy the good gifts which the Father has afforded us (1Tim 6:17). But we must never allow His blessings to cause us to lose our pilgrim status.
Abraham was blessed often and prospered as a wanderer in the wilderness living in tents. But in the lure of blessings, his nephew, Lot, gravitated toward Sodom, and then moved in and settled there. As a result he ultimately brought upon himself and his family great tragedy. Though God, in shear grace, delivered him from destruction, Lot certainly didn't end up loving life and seeing good days.
The problem with this world is that it is hell-bent toward excess and idolatry. The lust toward pleasure, possessions, and self exaltation (1Jn 2:16), quickly turn God's blessings into rat poison, destroying the soul. Men become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (2Tim 3:4), worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator (Rom 1:25). This is the old life which we must forsake to follow Christ - which Jesus says we must come to hate. This old love of the world is at enmity with God (Jms 4:4). The Christian must guard his heart from its deception. This is only accomplished by remaining diligent in cultivating a supreme love for God, and a servant-love toward our neighbor. Then all the blessings of God will redound with thanksgiving to the praise of His glory, and become instruments to the blessing of others. As we maintain God as our greatest Treasure, the waxing and waning of "stuff" becomes secondary.
Now, please consider this carefully. It is solely of God's amazing grace and infinite wisdom that He should frame things in such a way that, in a world lost in darkness and sin and headed for destruction, His children should be encouraged to love life and see good days. Should we not be driven to continual distress at the evil that is so evident all around? Should we not live in constant sorrow at the death and tragedy that permeates the daily news? With souls perishing by the millions without Christ, dare any of us rest even for a moment, much less desire to love life and see days of blessing?
Ah..., how the knowledge of the sovereign God turns the tables on the world! He has created and gifted us in Christ to do the very good works which He has ordained for us (Eph 2:10). It is in finding our calling in Him, and living it joyfully to His glory, that we are doing the very best for this dark world. Thereby, we are salt and light to stem the tide of evil, and to point people to the Savior. The joy of the Lord, not the sorrow of the world, is our impetus and strength. We know that the battle is entirely the Lord's, and He will accomplish all His purpose. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Rom 11:35). In the midst of all the calamities of the world, "there is a river whose streams make glad the City of God" (Psalm 46).
Finally, Peter admonishes us that, if we would love life, we must take heed to our words and our actions, by which others know us. Do our words minister grace upon the ears of others (Eph 4:29)? Do our actions demonstrate a hope that defies circumstance, so that people actually ask us a reason for that hope (1Pet 3:14-15)? Does our attitude and demeanor promote peace in the midst of turmoil (1Pet 3:11)? Or does our tongue poison our own lives (Jms 3:6) and harm others? Do our actions contradict our confession as pilgrims and strangers, so that we appear to be creatures of circumstance - just like the rest of the world. If so, we must not expect to love life as a Christian.
All in all, we must realize that it is just as sinful not to enjoy and employ the good gifts received from a loving Father's hand, as it is to turn those gifts into idols which displace the love of God in our lives.
- ejr3
________________________
Walking with Jesus... a devotional minute.
The Straight and Narrow
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:13-14.
What does Jesus intend to communicate in these words? At first glance it may seem to suggest that salvation is only found at the end of an austere life of difficulty and affliction. Is that to be our view of the Christian life? It may appear that way to unbelievers. But Jesus also says in Matt 11:28-30, "Come... and I will give you rest… My yoke is easy and my burden light."
I do not believe that Jesus is emphasizing the extreme difficulty of the way of life, but it's exclusiveness. He, alone, is the Gate- the door (Jno 10:7); He, alone, is the Way beyond the gate, and the Life into which the pilgrim enters (Jno14:6). Among all the ways embodied by man's religions and philosophies, there is one, seemingly insignificant Gate. It is unattractive to the natural man. It is further to be despised because the pilgrims on the way beyond the gate seem only to suffer shame, ridicule, and persecution (Matt 5:10-11). The world is not able to discern the hidden manna of which the pilgrims partake (Rev 2:17; Jno 6:32-33, 41), the peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:6-7) which the world cannot take away (Jno 14:27), and the joy that is found only in the presence of their Lord (Psalm 16:11).
- ejr3
________________________
All the Way My Savior Leads Me Fanny Crosby
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way. - t&dw
________________________
Thought of the Week.
The blind don't need lofty lectures on light; they need eyes to see. The deaf don't need great discourses on the physics of sound; they need ears to hear. The dead don't need rules for living; they need life.
The point is this: the Gospel rests entirely upon the miracle-working power of God, and not in the wisdom or devices of man (1 Corinth 2:3).
- ejr3
________________________
Are there topics or questions you would like to see addressed in a future T&DW? Please submit them to pastored@springwoodchapel.com
_________________________________
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly
October 29, 2010
Vol. 1 No. 22
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly is published by
Pastor Ed Ross, Springwood Chapel,
2360 Springwood Road, York, Pennsylvania 17402.
Phone: 717-741-3616
Email: pastored@springwoodchapel.com
Visit us at SpringwoodChapel.com
Also available at ChristMyCovenant.com
Unaltered non-commercial republication of any content permitted.
He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, ...do good, …and pursue peace. 1Peter 3:10-11
It is interesting that Peter does not say, "He who would love life and see good days is worldly and unspiritual. Seriously. In light of many New Testament admonitions, it would seem more consistent to castigate the Christian for desiring to love this present life and to see days of blessing. Did Jesus not say that if a man would be his disciple he must hate his life in this world (Luke 14:26; John 12:25)? John plainly says, "Love not the world neither the things of the world (1John 2:15). Paul admonishes us to "fix your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Col 3:2)." Apparently Peter didn't get the memo.
Actually, Peter is in no way suggesting that we should desire to have a life of carefree pleasure. Just reading the rest of the chapter will dispel any such thinking. In fact, Peter was writing this letter to strengthen and encourage those who were under terrible persecution and who were suffering wrongfully. As Christian, our worldview must rest on the perspective that we are indeed pilgrims and strangers on earth - fish out of water.
That being said, we must not think it wrong, or feel guilty if, in the midst of the darkness, or in the fray of battle, we love life and desire days of blessing. When days of tranquility come upon us, it is not worldly to freely enjoy the good gifts which the Father has afforded us (1Tim 6:17). But we must never allow His blessings to cause us to lose our pilgrim status.
Abraham was blessed often and prospered as a wanderer in the wilderness living in tents. But in the lure of blessings, his nephew, Lot, gravitated toward Sodom, and then moved in and settled there. As a result he ultimately brought upon himself and his family great tragedy. Though God, in shear grace, delivered him from destruction, Lot certainly didn't end up loving life and seeing good days.
The problem with this world is that it is hell-bent toward excess and idolatry. The lust toward pleasure, possessions, and self exaltation (1Jn 2:16), quickly turn God's blessings into rat poison, destroying the soul. Men become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (2Tim 3:4), worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator (Rom 1:25). This is the old life which we must forsake to follow Christ - which Jesus says we must come to hate. This old love of the world is at enmity with God (Jms 4:4). The Christian must guard his heart from its deception. This is only accomplished by remaining diligent in cultivating a supreme love for God, and a servant-love toward our neighbor. Then all the blessings of God will redound with thanksgiving to the praise of His glory, and become instruments to the blessing of others. As we maintain God as our greatest Treasure, the waxing and waning of "stuff" becomes secondary.
Now, please consider this carefully. It is solely of God's amazing grace and infinite wisdom that He should frame things in such a way that, in a world lost in darkness and sin and headed for destruction, His children should be encouraged to love life and see good days. Should we not be driven to continual distress at the evil that is so evident all around? Should we not live in constant sorrow at the death and tragedy that permeates the daily news? With souls perishing by the millions without Christ, dare any of us rest even for a moment, much less desire to love life and see days of blessing?
Ah..., how the knowledge of the sovereign God turns the tables on the world! He has created and gifted us in Christ to do the very good works which He has ordained for us (Eph 2:10). It is in finding our calling in Him, and living it joyfully to His glory, that we are doing the very best for this dark world. Thereby, we are salt and light to stem the tide of evil, and to point people to the Savior. The joy of the Lord, not the sorrow of the world, is our impetus and strength. We know that the battle is entirely the Lord's, and He will accomplish all His purpose. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Rom 11:35). In the midst of all the calamities of the world, "there is a river whose streams make glad the City of God" (Psalm 46).
Finally, Peter admonishes us that, if we would love life, we must take heed to our words and our actions, by which others know us. Do our words minister grace upon the ears of others (Eph 4:29)? Do our actions demonstrate a hope that defies circumstance, so that people actually ask us a reason for that hope (1Pet 3:14-15)? Does our attitude and demeanor promote peace in the midst of turmoil (1Pet 3:11)? Or does our tongue poison our own lives (Jms 3:6) and harm others? Do our actions contradict our confession as pilgrims and strangers, so that we appear to be creatures of circumstance - just like the rest of the world. If so, we must not expect to love life as a Christian.
All in all, we must realize that it is just as sinful not to enjoy and employ the good gifts received from a loving Father's hand, as it is to turn those gifts into idols which displace the love of God in our lives.
- ejr3
________________________
Walking with Jesus... a devotional minute.
The Straight and Narrow
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:13-14.
What does Jesus intend to communicate in these words? At first glance it may seem to suggest that salvation is only found at the end of an austere life of difficulty and affliction. Is that to be our view of the Christian life? It may appear that way to unbelievers. But Jesus also says in Matt 11:28-30, "Come... and I will give you rest… My yoke is easy and my burden light."
I do not believe that Jesus is emphasizing the extreme difficulty of the way of life, but it's exclusiveness. He, alone, is the Gate- the door (Jno 10:7); He, alone, is the Way beyond the gate, and the Life into which the pilgrim enters (Jno14:6). Among all the ways embodied by man's religions and philosophies, there is one, seemingly insignificant Gate. It is unattractive to the natural man. It is further to be despised because the pilgrims on the way beyond the gate seem only to suffer shame, ridicule, and persecution (Matt 5:10-11). The world is not able to discern the hidden manna of which the pilgrims partake (Rev 2:17; Jno 6:32-33, 41), the peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:6-7) which the world cannot take away (Jno 14:27), and the joy that is found only in the presence of their Lord (Psalm 16:11).
- ejr3
________________________
All the Way My Savior Leads Me Fanny Crosby
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way. - t&dw
________________________
Thought of the Week.
The blind don't need lofty lectures on light; they need eyes to see. The deaf don't need great discourses on the physics of sound; they need ears to hear. The dead don't need rules for living; they need life.
The point is this: the Gospel rests entirely upon the miracle-working power of God, and not in the wisdom or devices of man (1 Corinth 2:3).
- ejr3
________________________
Are there topics or questions you would like to see addressed in a future T&DW? Please submit them to pastored@springwoodchapel.com
_________________________________
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly
October 29, 2010
Vol. 1 No. 22
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly is published by
Pastor Ed Ross, Springwood Chapel,
2360 Springwood Road, York, Pennsylvania 17402.
Phone: 717-741-3616
Email: pastored@springwoodchapel.com
Visit us at SpringwoodChapel.com
Also available at ChristMyCovenant.com
Unaltered non-commercial republication of any content permitted.