DT READING IX: FAITH AND WORK

 Dear brothers and sisters,

The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We might ask then, what does it mean without faith? And are we supposed to do everything by faith? Furthermore, the Bible also tells us that salvation is by faith, healing is by faith, and relationship with God is by faith, etc. So why is faith central to our existence as disciples of Jesus? Another important theme that people sometimes get puzzled about is the relation between faith and work. They asked: how do faith and work go together? This week, we will briefly look at these important questions.

READING IX learning objectives

-          Biblical faith

-          Faith is absolutely necessary

-          Faith and evidence

-          Salvation: Faith and Work (A clarification) 

-          Healing: Faith in action

Biblical Faith

We need to make a distinction between Biblical faith and faith in other things (or gods/people). As one servant of God rightly said, Biblical faith is solely based on the word of God. It means having faith in what God says and His Words recorded in the Scripture.

Any kind of faith that is not based on the Word of God is not Biblical faith. For example, Muslims have faith in their prophet or Allah, or Hindus have faith in their holy books, or their gods/goddesses, or someone might say, I have faith in doctors, etc. these are also a valid way of using the word faith, but such faith is not Biblical faith.

Faith is based on reality or truth that a person believes or trusts (put his or her confidence), and it is in such an act of faith a person acknowledges the reality or truth that he or she believes to be the case. So when Christians, for example, have faith in Jesus, it means they are putting their confidence/trust in Jesus, and in such confidence or confession they acknowledge Jesus as the reality or the truth.  

One of the distinctions between Biblical faith and faith in other things (other gods, doctors, or machines) is the role of faith. In Biblical faith, faith is indispensable or absolutely necessary. Without faith there is no salvation, there is no forgiveness, or there is no healing. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

On the other hand, a person’s faith in other things (other gods, doctors, or a machine) can be irrelevant in the outworking of a reality he or she professes faith. For example, a person may never have faith in a surgeon to remove a stone in his or her kidney, yet a surgeon can certainly remove a stone in a person’s kidney. In this case, a person’s faith in a doctor can be irrelevant. Furthermore, even if a doctor is a murderer, or an adulterer, or abuses children and has no faith in anyone, he still can do his job successfully. However, Biblical faith is entirely different. Biblical faith is a response to God and His Word; it is an act of obedience and therefore a person’s participation (having faith) is absolutely necessary for the working of God.

Another important thing to understand is that Biblical faith is holistic. It includes the entirety of one’s life. Our behaviors, characters, thought life, relationship with God and people, attitudes, etc. all these aspects in one’s life matter. A person cannot live nor do anything he or she wants (adultery, addiction to drugs, loss of character, corruption, disobeying God’s word, etc.) and claim to have faith in God, for such faith is not genuine faith. A person who has faith (Biblical faith) will live a life of obedience to God and his or her life will be a demonstration of God’s love, characters, and words.

Biblical faith is based on the Word of God; to have faith is to believe God, to seek and obey God’s Word.

“And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 6:11).

Faith and evidence

One of the criticisms/clichés atheists often throw at Christians goes something like this: “You Christians believe in God without evidence (scientific evidence?); your faith is blind faith.” This I believe is a faulty charge and a huge theme in itself requiring a lengthy discussion. One may also ask questions like; do we need evidence to have faith? Do we followers of Jesus have good evidence for our faith? Is our faith really blind as theists claim (or accuse)?

Like I mentioned above, a lengthy discussion can be done on such charges/criticisms/questions, but we will look at just one example of evidence for our faith that Apostle Paul pointed out in his letter to Romans. To the men of unrighteousness, ungodliness, who suppress the truth, Paul wrote, “For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown to them. For God’s invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine attributes have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20).

The evidence of our faith in God that Paul stated in Romans 1 is the creation of the world, the universe, and the things God has made. The air we breathe; the skies above us; the sea below us; all that God made in the universe and in our world are the evidence of God whom we believe. From nothing comes nothing! The universe exists, our beautiful world came into existence, and they didn’t come out of nothing, but God who is the only self-existing, eternal, and perfect being made them all.

Salvation: Faith and work (A clarification)

One of the roles of faith as we learned is to receive salvation which is given to us by God’s grace. Apostle Paul stated this truth clearly in Ephesians 2, that salvation is by grace through faith, and salvation is a free gift of God, and not by our own works. On the other hand, James wrote to his readers that faith without work is death (James 2:14f).

Many have claimed that Paul and James differed in the question of faith versus works (and that they are contradicting each other), however, in reality, the spiritual fruit that James talks about simply demonstrates the true faith that Paul wrote as such their writing are complementary and not contradictory.

For more discussion on faith and work (on justification), please click this link to read… (Faith and Work, an essay by Thomas Schreiner) https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/faith-and-works/

Healing: Faith and prayer

Another role of faith is receiving healing from God. We learn from the Bible that God is a healer and we can read numerous examples of God’s healing various people of all kinds of sicknesses.

In the Gospel, Luke tells us a story of Jesus healing a leper wrote, “While he (Jesus) was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched his hand and touched him, saying, “I will, be clean.” And immediately leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12,13).

Now, suppose the leper never came to Jesus or ask Jesus to heal his leprosy, will the leper receive healing? I don’t think so. A person claims to have faith, but if he or she never prayed or if someone never prayed on his behalf (asking and trusting God for healing/ coming to God in faith) he will not receive healing. Prayer is faith in action. We believe in God so we pray.

Conclusion

As disciples of Jesus, faith is absolutely necessary. The Bible tells us without faith it is impossible to please God. From this week’s lesson, we have learned what faith is and the need to know the distinction between Biblical faith and faith on other things. As we continue our walk with Jesus, may we continue to gladly read, study, and learn His words to obey Him, and may we continue to listen and hear His Word as faith comes from hearing His Word (see Romans 10:17).

God bless you!      

 

DT Reading VIII: Jesus Christ: His Life, His Works, and His Teachings

  "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for

Him," C. T. Studd 

Greetings everyone! 

This week’s lesson/reading is something about the person who changed the course of human history and turned the world upside. The person is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We will briefly look at some of the powerful and unique aspects of Jesus’ life, works, and teaching.

Week VIII learning objectives:

- The life of Jesus
- The work of Jesus
- The teaching of teaching

NO ROOM FOR THE BOOKS

Apostle John wrote the Gospel of Jesus and concluded with a statement, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). This of course is one of the ways of writing to make a point that the works of Jesus are indeed are innumerable.

I like visiting libraries and Christian books stores even if I don’t get time to sit and read in libraries or buy books at times, and I have been to several. As I reflect, I am thinking of those huge libraries and book stores having thousands upon thousands of books on various subjects that center on Jesus.

Jesus didn’t write a single book or a letter with His own hands, but millions of books have been written about Him. His life, works, and teachings have been studied and written by countless people throughout history and it will continue till the end of this world.

HIS LIFE

The birth of Jesus was foretold 1000s of years ahead by prophets. His birth was announced by the angles, and upon His birth, the hearts of many were stirred. At His birth some rejoiced and celebrated that the savior was born, some feared and their hearts shook that a new king was born (Matthew 2), and still others wondered who the child was (Luke 1).

The life of Jesus revealed a mystery that God took the form of a man. No one has seen God but Jesus and He revealed who God is, thus seeing Him, people saw God (John 14:9). Jesus is the exact representation of God (Colossians 1:15). He is the Word that was in the beginning and that Word became flesh (John 1).  

His life represents perfection. There was not a single action, word, attitude, or behavior that was sinful in Jesus. He was blameless and he committed no sin. Before the laws of Moses, he was guiltless, and when judged by the teachers of laws, they could not find him a fault (John 18).  

Jesus is the son of God, and yet He chooses to live a life of humility, servitude, and complete obedience to His Father, even to the point of death on the Cross (Philippians 2). He is the perfect example of truthfulness, holiness, righteousness, love, etc. He is the one and only perfect model for us.

HIS WORKS

The works of Christ are innumerable. His works center on truth, grace, and sacrifice base on agape, the love of God. He gave himself to His Father’s Will, in the mission of redeeming the fallen creation. His works on earth were for the redemption of humanity; to reconcile the broken fellowship between God and his creation. The recreation of what was lost and broken. In Him, we receive life, and we become New Creations (2 Cor. 5:17).

Marked by love and selflessness, yet fulfilled the justice of God. He died that we may live. He paid the price to free us from sins and condemnation.

“Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4,5).

He came to serve, to save, to love, to guide, to heal, to forgive, and all his works were demonstrations of God’s great love.

 HIS TEACHING

Someone rightly said, upon reading the Gospel if a person is not astonished at the teaching of Jesus, he or she hasn’t really understood the Gospel. As Jesus began his earthly ministry, his first sermon, his teaching, the beatitudes (Matthew 6, 7) shocked people. He said,

-       “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on the account of me.”

-       “And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says, “Fool” will be sent to fiery hell.”

-       “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

-       “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.”

-       “But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins”

The teachings of Jesus were counter-culture in many ways and His teachings were beyond the traditions of humans. He spoke and taught the truth with love, authority, and perfect courage. He feared no threats from the human agency; no pressure, rejection, and persecution from people could hold Him. And to his last breath, he taught the truth and he died for the truth (John 18, 19).

He taught about His heavenly Father and told his disciples to call God our Father; He taught about heaven, a dwelling place of God; He taught about hell, a place of torment, a place prepared for the devil, demons, and all those who reject God. Someone said, Jesus taught about Hell or mentioned Hell more than any other subject. “And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.” (Mark 9:47-48). This warning of Jesus shows the severity of hell.

Jesus thought about several other things that are needed for us on this journey of life, love, sins, forgiveness, demons, money, salvation, mission, his second coming, and so on.

WHAT NOW?

As disciples of Jesus, or students of Jesus, we follow his life meaning we live as he lived. We live in humility and we live a life of obedience to God. As disciples of Jesus, we do the works he did. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28) and so shall we be. And we teach what he taught.

Someone has rightly said, salvation is a free gift of God and we receive it by faith, but discipleship will cost our life. At this point perhaps some may be thinking, well to be a disciple of Jesus is difficult and perhaps I am not ready or fit to be a disciple. I will also tell you that such thinking is true as well because the truth is none of us on our own merit can become disciples of Jesus.

The call to become a disciple of Jesus is a call of God’s grace. It is upon the realization of our inability; we will also know what the grace of God is. We are only qualified to be His disciple because of the grace of God and upon trusting in Him. By grace, we are called. By grace, we are saved. And by grace, we can and are his disciples.

“And yet one understands that to contemplate, write and learn His life, His works, and His teaching will require thousands upon thousands years, and to live as He had lived is only possible through the grace of God.”

DT Reading VII: The Bible and It's Authority

Dear brothers and sisters,

This week’s lesson/reading I believe is the foundation on which everything else will either stand or fall apart. Just like all buildings and bridges are built on foundations, our lives as disciples of Jesus are built on a foundation. The foundation is the Bible and its authority. If we fail to build our beliefs and lives on this foundation, we will fall apart like a foolish man who built his house on sand, but if we build on this foundation, we will stand like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).

As you go through and contemplate this week’s reading, I would also like to ask you to get your Bible, open it, and read it with much joy. 

WEEK VII: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

-          The Bible
-          The Authority of the Bible
-          The Bible has withstood the Test of Time
-          Life Journey Map
-          Read and Live

THE BIBLE

First, let us look at the meaning of the word Bible. The word “Bible” is from Late Medieval Latin biblia "the Bible", derives from the Greek word Biblia, meaning “books.” So the Bible basically means the Books. The same Greek word also means “scroll” or “parchment.” The first words of the scripture would have been written on parchments, and then copied to scrolls and distributed, and so on. When the movable printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg, he completed printing the Bible about 1455 working at Mainz, Germany.

Like every book has an author (s), who wrote his or her thoughts, what in his mind, his views, and so on, the Bible also has an author who is God. However, God used various people (his servants) to write the Bible. God inspired his servants to write the Bible. The servants of God received God’s words and instructions in various ways and wrote the Bible. Some of them heard the voice of God, some were shown vision, and some through their inner voice and experience, and still others were given revelation. God inspired his servants to write the Bible in their own styles, using their own languages (Hebrews, Aramaic/Greek), and in different situations, places, and histories.

 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years. About 40 servants of God wrote the Bible.

 THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

The next vital truth we need to know as disciples of Jesus is the authority of the Bible. Without fully trusting, acknowledging, and relying on the authority of the Bible we cannot stand our ground in our walk and journey of faith.

I have read some books in the past that I don’t know the authors well. I am also not sure what they have written was based on rigorous studies and researches and universal truth. I am not even certain what was written in those books were reliable, trustworthy, or flawless? The Bible on the other hand is entirely different. The God of the universe is the author of the Bible, and He did it by using his servants to write His Words. The omniscient (knowing everything), the omnipotent (all-powerful), and the omnipresent God (present everywhere at the same time) is the source of the Bible; consequently, every word in the Bible is true, perfect, and flawless.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5); “the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6).  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Authority comes from the author and the author of the Bible is God therefore the authority of the Bible comes from God himself. Behind every word and command in the Bible is the mind of God. The Bible is God’s Words and God’s Thoughts. The Bible reveals God’s Will and Ways and they are flawless, reliable, and universal.

As disciples of Jesus, we rest our lives on the authority of the Bible

WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME

The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. It is the only book that has changed and completely transformed countless lives down history, and it will remain the same in the age to come. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). But at the same time, countless people have been killed because of the Bible, and so in that sense, the Bible is also the most hated book that has ever been written. Satan and demons hate the Bible, and the people of this world (those who love the world, those who follow the works of Satan) hate the Bible.

We learned from history that many people have tried their best to destroy the Bible. Many have burned the Bible, many have tried to distort the Bible, many have spoken against and tried to disprove the reliability of the Bible, and still many are trying their best to destroy the Bible in various ways even today in and around the world. However, the Bible has withstood the test of time.

Many who have tried to destroy the Bible are dead and gone, but the Bible is still available and alive. I know a certain atheist (a person who doesn’t believe in God or the Bible), a well-known British thinker- Christopher Hitchens. I have listened to his talks and debates with Christians a few times and have bought and read a little bit of his famous book, God is not great. It was a bitter book I should say. He insults God; he laughs and mocks at the thing of God and the Bible. He did his best to destroy the credibility of the Bible, but he didn’t succeed. I know also several people like Hitchens who are trying their best to destroy the Bible. Hitchens died in 2011. He is dead and gone, but the Bible is still credible, and it is still the bestselling book in the world. “The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

THE JOURNEY MAP OF LIFE

I assume some of you might have read the famous allegorical book, “The Pilgrim Progress” by John Bunyan. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend you to read it, not one time, but several times. In his book, Bunyan tells a story of a man named Christian, living in a city of destruction with his wife, children, and friends, and he later journeyed his way from the city of destruction to the celestial city.

Life is indeed a journey. We are all pilgrims, and we are traveling in this world toward a destination, either to hell, a place of God’s wrath or to heaven where God dwells. In this life’s journey, God has given all of us a map to read and follow. For example, we are instructed to follow the narrow path; we are counseled to run away from lust and sexual immorality and flee from idolatry (Matthew 7:13; 1 Cor. 10:14). We are to be careful in all our ways as we travel. The map of life God has given us is the Bible, His Word.

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11); “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

READ AND LIVE

If the God of the Universe is the author of the Bible; if the Bible is supremely authoritative; if the Bible has changed and transformed the lives of countless people; if the Bible has withstood the test of time; and if the Bible is the map of life that God has given to us, then we are the most fortunate people alive on earth to have the Bible in our hands and homes today. On the other hand, we are the most pitied or unwise people if we don’t take it, read it, or live accordingly knowing that the Bible is God’s Eternal Word.

As the disciples of Jesus, we have no other books but the Bible; we have no other authority but the authority of God’s Word; we have no other map of life but the Bible. Let us read the Bible, apply our minds, humble before the Lord, and may God in His grace come and make us understand His word, so that we may live as his true disciples here on earth. Amen.

Prayer points:

1.      Give thanks to God for the Bible in our hands and homes
2.      Prayer of commitment to reading the Bible

DT Reading VI: A Student of Jesus

 “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.” 

In our week 1 reading, I pointed out that the word ‘disciple’ in the Greek New Testament is ‘Mathetes’, which is also translated as a follower, pupil, and student. When we think about followers or students, we normally assume base on our experience that it is the students who seek, apply, and join schools or places to learn from teachers and not the other way around. Similarly, we also learn that this was typically practiced in the Jewish world; a disciple would voluntarily join a school or otherwise seek out a master rabbi; however, with Jesus the story was different. Jesus who is the Master, Teacher, and Lord, He seeks out and chooses those who He wants as His disciples (Mark 1:17; 2:14; Matthew 4:18-21). Again, a dedicated disciple was generally expected someday to become a rabbi (or teacher) himself, yet Jesus teaches his disciples that he will always be their rabbi and they will have a lifetime of discipleship (Matthew 23:8; Luke 14:26-27) (Disciple, MED).

Reading VI: Learning objectives:

 1.  He chose us

2. A growing disciple keeps learning

3.  A growing disciple keeps practicing\

4.  A lifetime student

 HE CHOSE US

To His disciples, Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16). One thing should be clear to us- Jesus always made the First Move. He did not choose his disciples because they chose him; He first chose them. Also, Jesus never chose His disciples on the basis of their performance, righteousness, or status; rather He chose them because of His own great love and plans for them. The words of Jesus stated in John 15:16, are true for us as well. None of us has chosen Jesus first, but He first chose us and appointed us. He has chosen us to be His disciples not because we are good people, but because of His great love, mercy, and plans for us. And we are chosen to be His followers all the days of our lives. We are all recipients of God’s grace and love; and we receive by trusting in His Words and what Jesus did for us through His life, death, and resurrection.

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS LEARNING

A disciple or student's primary purpose is to learn, and when learning takes place the result is growth (mental faculty, life, and social skills, etc.). If a disciple stops learning, he or she will stop growing and become a stagnant or dormant disciple. There is also a saying that ‘decay begins when learning stops.’ We also know that there can be a colossal distinction of growth between a student who learned in a prestigious university under a renowned professor and a person who never went to school, or learned anything from teachers.

Learning is vital in the process of growth. As disciples of Jesus, we are to keep learning to grow and become godly men and women. We learn about God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Love, Church, Discipleship, Faith, Serving, Giving, Sin, Redemption, Mission, and the list goes on. Various things are involved in learning, but two important factors that stand out are intention and attitude or our mindset. Without intentional effort, what we learn will not remain in us, and without the right attitude, learning cannot take place. The disciples of Jesus ask, Lord, teach us how to pray! Do you and I desire to learn and ask questions?

Christ has chosen us to be His disciples and so we are not disciples of pastors or professors or anyone, but at the same time, let us also not forget that when Jesus died and ascended to Heaven, He has given the Church the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints (Christians/disciples of Christ/to make disciples of Jesus) for the service, so that the body of Christ may be built-up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,  attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). We are to learn from our leaders, our pastors, our teachers, elders, etc., and from one another. 

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS PRACTICING

In his letter to Timothy, describing the people in the End Time Paul says, “There are people who always learn but never able to come to the truth” (2 Timothy 3:6); similarly James also warned his readers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). Growing disciples are doers, not just listeners or readers.

There is no human being born on earth that has grown up and become a world-class footballer without rigorous exercise and practice, nor is there any human being on earth without practicing has become an expert in driving cars. Everyone who desires growth must put into practice what he or she learns.

Learning and practicing are two sides of the same coin. One side cannot do away without the other. A person who learns about who God is but never puts into practice what God says cannot grow in his walk and relationship with God. The Scripture tells us, “In fact, this is love for God: To keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). A growing disciple keeps practicing what he or she learns from the Scripture; he submits and obeys a still voice of the Holy Spirit inside of him; he/she obeys and honors his parents, he receives counsel from the servants of God, he participates and serves in the fellowship of God’s people, etc.  

A LIFETIME STUDENT

Christ has chosen us to be his disciples for a lifetime, which also means He will be our teacher for a lifetime as well. What can be more exciting than to be a lifetime student of Jesus! And indeed, “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.”

“God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9)

Prayer points:

1.    Give thanks to Jesus for choosing you to be one of His disciples.
2.    Commit/recommit your life to God

DT-II October Class Q & A

 

DT-II October Class Q & A with Pastor Maurice & Mrs. Ruth Charman

DT READING-V: KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT: REDEMPTION & REIGNING WITH GOD

“Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near you”_ Jesus Christ

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am glad to learn together with you again. I hope you have read and thought through the readings we had in the last two months. May the Lord continue to encourage you even as you labor to learn and grow in the knowledge of God! Today we will look at a crucial theme, which is “the kingdom.” I believe as you read contemplatively you will be guided, encouraged, and helped in the Lord.

 READING V: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

-        What is a kingdom?

-        The many kingdoms

-        Kingdoms in conflict

-        With whom are you reigning?

-        Disciples reigns with God

WHAT IS A KINGDOM?

A kingdom refers to a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen, as in the Kingdom of Thailand.  In a kingdom such as Thailand, it is the king who rules the nation. His choice, his will, and his decision fundamentally determine what happens in his Nation.

A kingdom however also refers to a domain in which something is dominant; it refers to a realm that is uniquely our own, where our choice determines what happens.

We all have our own kingdom, in other words, we all rule, we govern, or are in charge of at least our own lives. When you come across a boy, who shout and scream at other boys not to come near him, or not to touch his toys, he is basically saying “I am in charge of these toys,” “I rule over them,” and you boys (have no right or) should not touch my toys. Well, that’s a kingdom thing. A boy is reigning and he rules over his toys.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, Your Will be done” (Matthew 6:9). The key to understanding a kingdom is “Will.” In His likeness, God has created us as free will creatures, we are made to exercise our Will, to rule, to govern, and that is what makes a human being unique. We are given a “Free Will,” power and ability to choose and reject, to build and destroy, to rule and govern, etc. that is what it means_  “to be human.” Dallas Willard poignantly wrote, “In creating human beings God made them to rule, to reign, to have dominion in a limited space. Only so can they be persons.” (Divine Conspiracy, 29)

THE MANY KINGDOMS

Not only do people have their own kingdoms, we learned from the Bible that even Satan has his kingdom. In Matthew 4, we learned how Satan tempted Jesus after 40 days and nights of fasting. Satan pointed Jesus to the kingdoms of this world and said he will give it (assuming his power over and reign over the kingdoms of this world) if Jesus would bow down and worship him. In Mark, we read an account where the teachers of the law accused Jesus saying that he is possessed by the prince of demons, and Jesus replied, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:20-24). So apart from kingdoms we all rule and govern, there are the kingdoms of the worlds, and there is a kingdom of Satan. Each one governs their own kingdoms.

When Jesus came to the world, he came to announce the Kingdom of God, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near you” (Matthew 4:7). Jesus announced the Good News that His coming to the world has now made it possible for all of us to be in God’s Kingdom here on earth, to rule and reign with God.

 

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT

The nation of Israel after the reign of King Solomon was divided into the Northern and the Southern Kingdom. They fought with each other, they fought against enemies, and they even fought with among themselves, in their own kingdom. As Jesus truly stated, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand,” so it was with the Nation of Israel. Both the kingdoms were totally destroyed by their enemies!

Do we also not see the countless divisions and conflicts in our society and the world today? It’s a kingdom conflict.

When Jesus came and announced the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the teachers of the law, the Pharisees, and many other people opposed Jesus. There were countless conflicts, kingdoms in conflict. The teachers of laws and Pharisees wanted to rule and reign even in the streets and the Synagogues. They strongly opposed Jesus and eventually with the help of the Roman government they crucified Him.

There was a group of people who opposed the truth of God’s grace and bewitched the believers in Galatia. Their beliefs and practices were in conflict with the Gospel of Grace and the teachings of the Apostles. In such context, Paul rebuked believers wrote, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you (to bewitch a person, frequently by use of evil eye and with evil intent) before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1). Apostle Peter wrote to believers to be alert and of sober mind, because their enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

The last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation ends with a great conflict between the kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of Jesus, a mighty war between the kings of this world led by Satan and the King Jesus Christ along with his followers. Of course, the victory was easily won by King Jesus because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19).

The kingdoms in conflict are real. History is loud and clear about the conflicts. The present-day is not without exception. There are conflicts and wars (physical and spiritual) happening somewhere even as I write, and there are conflicts and wars happening within each one of us, in the spiritual realm, every day, and every hour.  Indeed we must heed the words of Apostle Peter, to be sober mind because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

WITH WHOM ARE YOU REIGNING?

 “For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living,” writes Apostle Paul (Romans 14:7-9).

We all have our own kingdom, we live, we rule, and we reign, but by our will, our kingdoms are either given, and so controlled by the kingdom of Satan, or submit, and so received into the kingdom of God. Satan dominates and controls people to do his will- which are evil, destructive, and bad. God liberates and frees people to do His will- which is good, pleasing, and perfect.

If someone’s lives, deeds, and beliefs are opposite to how Christ lived and taught, he or she is living in his own kingdom and is reigning with Satan. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and other rulers of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:1-2).

Those who have surrendered their “will,” and said to God and themselves, I am no longer the one and only in charge of my own life, I am no longer the one and only ruler of my own desire, and have I submitted my life under the Lordship of Christ.  Such people will begin to reign their lives with God

Jesus reigned with God when He came on the earth for the redemption mission that is why He said, “My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not my will, but as your will” (Matthew 26:36-42); “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken” (John 12:49).

DISCIPLES REIGN WITH GOD

At the gate of the temple called Beautiful, a lame beggar begged Peter and John for money, but they don’t have it with them. Peter then looked straight at the beggar, said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! Then taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk” (Acts 3:1-8). Again on another occasion the Apostles were persecuted and commanded not to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God, but in such a thorny situation Peter and the other Apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29).

Without God’s power, Peter could never have performed the sign and wonder. The miracle event at the gate of the Temple was a manifestation of Peter reigning with God. Also in the midst of the life-threatening situation, the Apostles could courageously stand on their ground, to do the will of God which was to keep preaching the Good News. God was with them, they were reigning with God.     

What about us as disciples of Jesus? Do we see God’s working through our lives? We are very limited in our ability and power to bring about changes and good things; we have lots of limitations as humans. I would like to quote Willard once again, he said, “Now, what we can do by our unassisted strength is very small. What we can do acting with mechanical, electrical, or atomic power is much greater…. What we can do with these means (mechanical, electrical or atomic power) is still very small comparing to what we could do acting in union with God Himself, who created and ultimately controls all other forces.” (Divine Conspiracy, 30)

Wow! As disciples of Jesus, if we reign with God there is much we can all do… Do you believe that?

As we continue to seek, to learn, and to obey as disciples of Jesus, may the Holy Spirit teach us to know more about the Good News of the Kingdom of God!

 “When we submit what and where we are to God, our rule or dominion then increase”_ Dallas Willard

 PRAYER POINTS:

1.      Pray that you submit yourself to God, and then resist the devil (James 4:7)

2.      Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and for His Will to be done in your life, in our society, in our political realm (Matthew 6:9-14)

3.      Pray that God will continue to give you wisdom and knowledge to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus (James 1:5)

4.      Pray for RCFD Discipleship-II members.