Tuesday, December 13th, 2005
What is the Father Like? – Edition #1
The three things (this will be appearing from here forward):
- Is there a fact to believe here?
- Is there a promise to trust?
- Is there a command to obey?
I have been reading this book from Phillip Keller, great book by the way, and he gives homework. This little series is going to be the homework and reflections I have from it.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Note: This has two: fact – Jesus is the author and perfecter of my faith, command – to fix my eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 13:8
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Note: This also has a fact – Jesus doesn’t change.
John 8:58
58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Note: fact – Jesus was around well before Abraham.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Note: Now, I see something of a promise here, as well as a fact, and that is Jesus came to give me life and to have it to the full.
John 17:3
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Note: This is what eternal life is, defined by the Bible. God wants to know me, as does Jesus. “Well done, good and faithful servant” or “I never knew you…” If I hear well done, then God knows me. The fact here is that to have eternal life, I have to know God and Jesus.
Deuteronomy 7:9
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Note: This is interesting. God is faithful and keeps his covenant to those who love him and keep his commands. The scary thing I see in all this: if I don’t keep his commands, then God doesn’t keep his covenant… If I am not reading this right, please let me know, but that’s how I see it…
Malachi 3:6
6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Note: Fact – God doesn’t change.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Note: God has a plan for me. It’s a good plan, but I think sometimes when I see this scripture and I am hurting, physically, mentally, or emotionally, I cry out saying where is this that you spoke of? You said not to harm you, you said this, and you said that, wa-wa-wa. Maybe I am way off base, but reading it now, I think that the plan may not be in this lifetime, but up in the great blue yonder (that’s Heaven, ya’ll). This is a great reflection of scriptures. I see that I have hope and a future, tutoring my sister (who called and told me she got a 99 in her college Algebra class), I see that education is totally down my alley. I can look to the past and cry about not making this decision sooner or I can look to the future and be grateful that I didn’t wait any longer. I will appreciate the here and now, for tomorrow has no guarantees. And let’s buy some socks for the homeless, OK? They need the socks.
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