Spurgeon on Condemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation.”
Romans 8:1

Come, my soul, think thou of this. Believing in Jesus, thou art actually and effectually cleared from guilt; thou art led out of thy prison. Thou art no more in fetters as a bond-slave; thou art delivered now from the bondage of the law; thou art freed from sin, and canst walk at large as a freeman, thy Saviour’s blood has procured thy full discharge. 

Thou hast a right now to approach thy Father’s throne. No flames of vengeance are there to scare thee now; no fiery sword; justice cannot smite the innocent. Thy disabilities are taken away: thou wast once unable to see thy Father’s face: thou canst see it now. Thou couldst not speak with him: but now thou hast access with boldness. 

Once there was a fear of hell upon thee; but thou hast no fear of it now, for how can there be punishment for the guiltless? He who believeth is not condemned, and cannot be punished. And more than all, the privileges thou mightst have enjoyed, if thou hadst never sinned, are thine now that thou art justified. All the blessings which thou wouldst have had if thou hadst kept the law, and more, are thine, because Christ has kept it for thee. 

All the love and the acceptance which perfect obedience could have obtained of God, belong to thee, because Christ was perfectly obedient on thy behalf, and hath imputed all his merits to thy account, that thou mightst be exceeding rich through him, who for thy sake became exceeding poor. Oh! how great the debt of love and gratitude thou owest to thy Saviour!

“A debtor to mercy alone,

Of covenant mercy I sing;

Nor fear with thy righteousness on,

My person and offerings to bring:

The terrors of law and of God,

With me can have nothing to do;

My Saviour’s obedience and blood

Hide all my transgressions from view.”

Talk About Resonating in My Wheelhouse

Clay Travis brings the wood regarding the hypocrisy of Nike, and by extension, ESPN.

Wheelhouse Engaged

Spurgeon on Consolation

There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales—in this side he puts his people’s trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy.

When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to his crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit.

One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—he finds it full—he begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it.

Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this—then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.”

There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.

What Lies Beneath

A couple of nights ago I woke up with a stream of thoughts running through and around my mind.

They centered around sons and daughters, ours and yours. The main stream of consciousness was the thoughts we have, either voiced or unactualized as we process the "why's" of how our kids go "bad".

There are typically two responses to the why's, from the fan base:

1) They weren't disciplined enough as a kid!
2) They were disciplined too much as a kid!

Interestingly, there seems to be one of those two thoughts from casual observers in regard to this phenomenon.

To the observer, there are two simultaneous thoughts going on: 

I am thankful it's not happening to our kid, with a "you know, if they had just taken that toy away when he was 5, this wouldn't be happening" or "you know, giving them a car at 16 without doing anything spectacular other than chronologically advancing was a big mistake".

The other thought is "My God, I hope and pray my child doesn't do that" and running a close second is "What in the world would we do if that was our child?". Well, that's easy- advanced parenting people would simply purge the behavior with an authoritative declaration "That's not happening in our home" and that would be it. 

We quietly impugn our case studies while hoping we never have to deal with it ourselves. The dormant hope, lurking ever near the surface, is this: I hope my sons never chooses that.

In John 9, this is illustrated, to a varying degree, as the disciples posed a question to Jesus about the man born blind. It was asked of Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Friends of ours lost lost their baby when he was stillborn due to the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Devastating as it was, all she could think about was God was obviously punishing her for what she had done in the past.

Our first thoughts seem to bounce back and forth on the court of God's divine judgment when adversity manifests. "There must be something that happened to cause this".

Cause and Effect, right?

It is a window into our built in knowledge that points to justice. Albeit, it's a distorted view that was shared by the question posed to Jesus. The Old Testament contains numerous incidents of sin = death. Ground opens up, wars are lost, families destroyed, and crops lost.

Surely it continues?

Back to John 9- Why was the question posed to Jesus about the blind man? Well, they knew OT Scripture, to be sure, and probably were thinking of Exodus 20:5, "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.."

Jesus puts that idea to rest. He wanted to make sure people understood it isn't the nature of God to be punitive, rather it is the natural consequence of sin being in the world. In two other passages (Luke 13:2, Luke 13:4) he asks simply, "Do you think they were sinning more than others to experience this bad thing?"In other words, the way in which we are punished or die doesn't reflect the severity of sin. God hasn't decided to punish sin with certain calamities.

"Well, you did this, and as you may or may not know, that means a tower is going to fall on you and your family". In John 9:3, Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him".

The Pharisees, just like us, view the consequences of sinning as retribution from God. Well, we don't really say that; we think it. Then we go about our business hoping our sin doesn't catch up to our kids.

Near the end of this encounter, the Pharisees still can't get over the fact this man was healed and still had no account for why. Clearly, he had sinned or his parents had sinned...where was the justice? Why is this man seeing? We know he is a sinner!

I don't know if my fellow humans fall into that trap, I just know I've wandered there. We are quick to give ourselves a pat on the back when what we see manifest in our kids is "good". Now, there is a certain humility in this- I'm grateful our sons are are the proverbial "right path". They are "good" young men. Whatever we mean to be "good" varies. Do we mean we approve of their conduct? Do we mean we get favorable reviews from others for their conduct?

There was some intention on our part. Good. Most parents have good intentions. Prayer, yes, but there are lots of parents that have prayed and seen the complete opposite. The grace and mercy of God operates outside of time, but manifests for us in this time-space continuum.

It isn't so simple of an equation or where rules of logic apply. Sure, we reap what we sow, but many times we don't get what we deserve. In the end, we certainly will. Whatever the verdict, it'll be precisely due to the justice of the Divine Judge based solely on the Cross.

Leadership and Jesus

How to Lead Like Jesus

Few people have influenced the day-to-day management of people and companies more than Ken Blanchard. In 1982, he wrote The One Minute Manager, which has sold more than 13 million copies. The book was so successful in such a short period of time that he had trouble taking credit for its success. He began to think about God. He started to read the Bible. He went straight to the Gospels. He wanted to know what Jesus did.

He became fascinated with how Jesus transformed twelve ordinary, and unlikely, people into the first generation of leaders of a movement that continues to affect the course of world history 2,000 years later. He became aware that everything he had ever taught or written about effective leadership, Jesus had done to perfection way beyond Ken’s ability to portray or describe.

Jesus was more than just a spiritual leader. He gives a practical and effective leadership model for all organisations, for all people, for all situations. As a result, Ken Blanchard co-founded the ‘Lead Like Jesus’ ministry to inspire and equip people to do exactly that – lead like Jesus.

Jesus was the greatest leader of all time. In the passages for today we see some of the characteristics of Jesus’ leadership together with those of two other great people in the Bible – David and Job.

Psalm 18:1-6

1. A leader’s worship

David was one of the greatest leaders in the history of Israel. He also wrote some of the most beautiful songs of worship ever written. Thousands of years later the Psalms of David continue to be used in worship by God’s people.

In this psalm we see that David’s worship and prayer was the bedrock on which his leadership was founded. In the midst of difficulties and opposition he says, ‘I called to the Lord, I cried to my God for help’ (v.6). The result was a great reversal in circumstances followed by success, which led David to express his thanksgiving in song.

Whether in difficulty or success, follow David’s example by seeking to build your life on the foundation of prayer and worship.

The starting point of worship is love for God: ‘I love you fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength’ (v.1, AMP). David goes on to express his love, praise and thanksgiving to God. He faced enemies (v.3b), death and destruction (vv.4–5) and distress (v.6a). When he looks back he can see how God heard his cry and saved him from his enemies (vv.3–6).

For the last few years I have written down a list of cries ‘for help’ (v.6a) in the margins of my Bible in One Year. It is amazing to see the ways in which God has heard my cry. So many of the prayers (although not all quite yet) have been answered. Keeping a record helps me not to forget to thank God.

O Lord, my strength, thank you so much for the many times when I have called to you for help and you have heard my voice. With all the challenges ahead, again I cry to you for help…

Matthew 21:1-17

2. A leader’s characteristics

What does it mean, in practice, to ‘lead like Jesus’?

Lead from who you are more than your position
Who you are is far more important than what you do or what you have, in terms of possessions or position. Jesus’ authority did not come from having a high position in some hierarchy. It came from who he was as a person. He had a natural authority. He had total confidence that all he needed to say was, ‘the Lord needs them’ (v.3). No threats or promises were required.
Be gentle and unassuming
‘Your king comes to you, gentle…’ (v.5). This is not a characteristic of leadership that the world expects. Yet it was right at the heart of Jesus’ leadership. The Greek word for ‘gentle’ means considerate, unassuming. It is the opposite of aggressive or self-seeking.
Avoid arrogance and ostentation
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. What a contrast to so many other leaders in history, secular and religious, who have travelled with pomp and ceremony and ostentatious entourages. Jesus’ mode of transport was a sign of great humility. It is the opposite of pride and arrogance, which can so easily creep into human leadership.
Have the courage to confront
People sometimes think that gentleness and humility mean giving way in every situation, but Jesus was not afraid of confrontation. He ‘entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers’ (v.12). One of the hardest aspects of leadership is to know the right moment for confrontation.
Conflict and confrontation are a necessary part of good leadership. Failure to confront is in itself a decision with consequences. Confrontation is never easy, but, wisely applied, it is a necessary part of courageous leadership.
Seek spiritual, not worldly power
The power of Jesus was so different from many of the leaders in the world. ‘The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them’ (v.14). Spiritual power is far more important than earthly power. It cannot be manufactured. It can only come from the kind of relationship Jesus had with God.
Make prayer your number one priority
In Jesus’ confrontation with the money-changers we see how passionate he was about prayer (v.13). Throughout the Gospels, we read of Jesus withdrawing (v.17) to be on his own with God. This was the source of his strength. Like with David, prayer was at the heart of Jesus’ leadership.
Lord, help me to lead like Jesus with authority, gentleness, humility, courage and power. Like Jesus, may my strength come from my personal relationship with you.

Job 19:1-21:34

3. A leader’s perspective

Job’s friends continue talking ‘nonsense’ and ‘a tissue of lies’ (21:34, MSG). They attempt to comfort Job with ‘empty and futile words’ (v.34, AMP).

On the other hand, we see Job’s real struggle with his own suffering. As opposed to the simplistic analysis of his friends, he sees that the world is very complex. In this life there are many injustices. He cries out, ‘Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?… They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace’ (vv.7,13).

Don’t be surprised that sometimes there are those who completely reject God. They say to him: ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’ (vv.14–15). Yet they appear to live lives of prosperity and peace.

The Bible never says that ‘the wicked’ will receive justice in this life. Sometimes they do, but at other times they seem to get away with it. Don’t be surprised if you see ‘the wicked’ spending their years in prosperity. Don’t be surprised if you see ‘the innocent’ suffering. God seems to allow both in this life. (This is not to say that we should ever be complacent about injustice or the suffering of the innocent, but rather do all in our power to combat both.)

However, this life is not the end. God has all eternity to put things right. Job glimpses – in a way almost unique in the Old Testament – our future hope:

‘I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God’ (19:25–26).

Job’s insight foreshadows the New Testament hope of resurrection and eternal life. A godly leader has an eternal perspective, which gives a totally different dimension to Christian leadership.

Imagine someone important coming to visit your home. You would probably do a number of things to get ready. You would get yourself ready. You would ensure others in the house were ready, and you would ensure that the house itself was ready, looking clean and tidy.

A Christian leader has an eternal perspective and hope that, ‘In the end [my redeemer] will stand upon the earth’ (v.25). Focus on getting yourself ready, getting others ready (evangelisation, discipleship and pastoral care) and getting the house ready (the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society). These concerns are not just confined to church leaders. Christian leaders in all spheres of work and society should have these three underlying dimensions embedded in their thoughts, their decisions and their actions.

Furthermore, this perspective should transform your attitude towards your plans and goals. When situations do not work out as hoped, due to the injustice of individuals or organisations or systems, you can still trust in the fact that one day, total justice will prevail.

Lord, thank you that one day I will ‘see God myself, with my very own eyes. Oh, how I long for that day!’ (v.27, MSG). Help me to live each day with this eternal perspective. Help me to become more like Jesus and to lead more like Jesus.

Pippa Adds

‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’, from Handel’s Messiah, was sung at my father’s funeral. It is so beautiful and is such a great declaration of faith. It brought great comfort. It is amazing to think of Handel reading Job and being inspired to write such an extraordinary piece of music. I always thought it came from Isaiah, despite having supposedly read Job several times before. I think I must have skipped quite a lot of the dialogue. I’m glad Handel didn’t!

Chesterton On The Wonder of Life

A child is the very sign and sacrament of personal freedom. He is a fresh, free will added to the wills of the world; he is something that his parents have freely chosen to produce and which they freely agree to protect...He is a creation and a contribution; he is their own creative contribution to creation.

He is also a much more beautiful, wonderful, amusing, and astonishing thing than any of the stale stories or jingling jazz tunes turned out by the machines. When men no longer feel that he is so, they have lost the appreciation of primary things, and therefore all sense of proportion about the world.

People who prefer the mechanical pleasures to such a miracle, are jaded and enslaved. They are preferring the very dregs of life to the first fountains of life. They are preferring the last, crooked, indirect, borrowed, repeated, and exhausted things of our dying capitalist civilization, to the reality which is the only rejuvenation of all civilizations.

C.S. Lewis's Seven Key Ideas | C.S. Lewis Institute

C.S. Lewis's Seven Key Ideas | C.S. Lewis Institute