6/25/14- The Eternal Word

23for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.24For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you. (1 Peter 2:23-25)

6A voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.

8The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:7,8)

Thoughts: This contrasts our temporary nature to God's (and His Word's) eternal nature.  We are tied to the temporary as grass is tied to the passing weather.  But God is the Maker, and He made by His Word and makes us into new people ("born again") by His Word.  This is not just old language.  It is not that God made the world and stopped acting or making.  God shapes us, and cares for us.  If we do not believe that, then we should stop playing the religious game and get serious about a God who has the power to change us and change things.
    Disobedience is not new- though it always disguises itself as popular fashion.  We who are temporary, need to listen to the eternal voice.  To call that voice old-fashioned simply because it is eternal, or even because the older folk believe it, would be a terrible mistake.
    The Word is eternal in that God, who is eternal, is always speaking.  "Let there be light" is still working- in that light continues from that Word.  He is not silent.  He speaks in the fingerprints of creation- but that may be misinterpreted.  He speaks clearly in scripture- but the Spirit (who does not contradict what He has previously and eternally inspired/said), speaks convincingly and convictingly.  

Prayer: May I hear your eternal voice speaking to my heart today, O Lord.  

5/22/14- The Sufficient Sacrifice of Christ

But yet we avow that he remained the only, well beloved, and blessed Son of his Father even in the midst of his anguish and torment which he suffered in body and soul to make full atonement for the sins of his people. From this we confess and avow that there remains no other sacrifice for sin; if any affirm so, we do not hesitate to say that they are blasphemers against Christ's death and the everlasting atonement thereby purchased for us. (Scots 7b)

23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:23,24)

Thoughts: The uniqueness of Christ leads to the uniqueness of His ability to sacrifice for us.  Jesus is the one and only Son and as such has the one and only tie to the Father so that His love overcomes our sin.  Knox is careful to guard against the idea that another saint can sacrifice or pay for our sins.  He is careful to evade the idea that Good Works (or indulgences) can some how pay for our sins.  To bring another payment to the Father would imply that His Son's death is somehow not precious enough.  His sacrifice is sufficient and therefore precious and sweet to us. 

Prayer:  Lord, your sacrifice is special to the Father, but it is also special to me.  Keep me from trying to add to it and thereby taking away from it.  

(Ghent altarpiece- in the movie "The Monuments Men" this piece was said to be the centerpiece of catholic culture.)