“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12.

At first glance, the opening verse may lead some to believe that Paul is emphasising salvation through works. If taken at face value, this interpretation could seem at odds with the historic orthodox Christian belief of salvation through grace alone. (Ephesians 2:8). But is that truly what Paul is conveying?

A critical rule of biblical interpretation is that the context determines the meaning. Another helpful thing is to consider the different genres of the biblical text which guide the interpretive approach. For example, we don’t read a letter (or,say, an email) the same way we read a newspaper.

In the case of the text in question, Paul is writing a letter to the Philippians, and just like when we get a letter in real life, we would have to read the whole thing to grasp the full import of the author’s meaning/intent, we must interpret each verse in light of the entire letter. This is what we mean by context: What came before the text and what is stated after.

So, let’s examine what Paul means by ‘working out our own salvation with fear and trembling.’

Here’s the full verse:

Verse 12 reads, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13.  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

I have added verse 13 because, as you can see, the sentence doesn’t end with verse 12, so it will be incomplete, i.e., we will do an injustice to the text to leave out the next verse. It is important to note that these verse divisions are artificial and do not form part of the original text.

The first thing to observe is that the Philippians’ have always obeyed.’ This gives us an insight into the fact that these are Believers in Jesus, fellow saints, Paul is talking about. He has already said this in the first chapter. In 1:1, he said these are Saints in Christ Jesus. Throughout the NT, this description is given to people who have already placed faith in Jesus for their salvation. Then, in v5-6, he again mentions that they have a partnership in the gospel, and then the Apostle affirms his belief that God, who has begun a good work in them, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. So, God has already begun a good work in these folk – which is another way of saying God has saved them and is living in them.

So, we can rule out the fact that Paul is now asking these guys to do certain things so that they can gain salvation. The context does not support such a conclusion. That would deplete the finished work of Christ Jesus.

Another reason we cannot take the verse to mean that Paul is asking the Philippians to do something to earn their salvation is that, in the broader context, specifically, Chapter 3:2-11, Paul rejects any teaching of salvation by works in no uncertain terms. In 3:9, he says this:

“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— “.

So, it would be contradictory to Paul’s own teaching in the rest of the same epistle to take his admonition here to mean that the Philippians should try to gain salvation by doing some work on their own.

So, what does Paul mean by working out their salvation?

Simply, Paul is saying that they should demonstrate their faith in how they live their daily lives. In other words, their continued obedience is a form of ‘working out’ (or living out) what God has already ‘worked into’ their hearts. This is why the text says to ‘work out’ instead of ‘work for’. Notice that he goes on to say, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

So, even the obedience that he demands of them, he says, flows from God (so they can’t take credit for it, just like the grace that saved them). The will to obey and the energy to do are both a result of God’s work within His people. They have been made new creations with new desires and affections as a result of God’s work.

Another way in which people sometimes capture this is with the phrase ‘we are saved for good works’. Martin Luther, the German Reformer, put it like this: “We are saved by grace alone, but the grace that saved us is not alone – it is accompanied by good works.” In other words, the proof that we are genuinely saved is in the fruit of obedience that flows from our lives. Because, as Ephesians 2:10 says, God creates the new creature (the believer) to walk in good works. He gives every believer the will and what it takes to do good works. So, if one claims to have been saved but we don’t see any evidence of progressive obedience, their claim to faith is suspect. This is precisely what Paul is saying to the Philippians here.

The context further sheds light on what the ‘working out of their salvation’ he is talking about looks like:

•  Do all things without grumbling or disputing (v14)
•  That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world(v15)
•  Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain(v16).

In conclusion, wresting a verse of Scripture from its contextcan lead to erroneous interpretation. Paul’s epistle to the Philippians exemplifies this, underscoring that salvation is not a reward for deeds but a grace-driven transformation from within, evidenced by our actions and conduct. The believer, indwelt and inspired by God, is called to live out this salvation in daily life, not to earn it, but to reflect the life-altering power that faith produces. As Paul illustrates, believers must illuminate the world with righteous deeds, standing as testaments to the profound work of God in their hearts. By understanding and embracing the holistic context of the Scriptures, we can appreciate the depth of its teachings and apply them with wisdom and clarity in our walk with Jesus.

The post Handling the Word Rightly: Philippians 2:12 appeared first on TGN.

Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

John 3:3

The venerable Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) commands immense respect in Church History. He was not only a prominent leader in his time but also profoundly shaped Christian thought, influencing the Reformation Era and beyond. His significant works include “The City of God,” “Confessions,” and “On the Trinity.” However, Augustine’s life wasn’t always virtuous. Before gaining renown, he lived in sin, “carrying out the desires of the body and the mind” and was “by nature a child of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). What caused such a profound change in this once wayward sinner? This article delves into the transformative journey of Augustine through the Doctrine of Regeneration.

Regeneration is the secret act of God, breathing new life into the Elect, igniting the conformation to the image of Jesus Christ. This act is likened to the mysterious movement of the wind, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) In his writings, the Apostle Paul draws a parallel between Regeneration and the act of creation, declaring, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

To be clear, just as the movement of the wind and the creation of the world, our regeneration is not within our control. We play no active role in this event. Similar to our physical birth, where we had no say, our spiritual rebirth is entirely a sovereign work of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). This truth is beautifully expressed in the profound opening prologue in the Gospel of John, where he writes, “…who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13) Considering God’s sovereign choice in salvation, Romans 9:16 reinforces this truth, stating, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.“

It is essential to recognise that Regeneration is not an isolated event but a sequence of divine acts set in motion by God Himself. From eternity past, God has chosen His Elect (Ephesians 1:4), and in His sovereignty, He sends messengers to proclaim the Gospel (Romans 10:15), effectually summoning those He has chosen. As the Good Shepherd’s voice is heard, the Elect are brought forth by the power of the word of truth (James 1:18). This quickening work is likened to the Resurrection, as they are made alive from spiritual death (Colossians 2:13). Only through this Regeneration can the Elect respond in genuine faith in Jesus Christ (John 6:44). Prior to this divine intervention, they were incapable of accepting or believing the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). In this remarkable process, the Elect willingly respond, but it is crucial to acknowledge that it is ultimately God who reaches into our hearts, bringing about this life-changing response (Acts 16:14).

In light of the Bible’s teachings on the radically corrupt nature of humanity (Romans 3:9-18, 23; Psalm 51:3-6; 1 Kings 8:46; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 5:6; 1 John 5:12), it becomes evident that Regeneration precedes saving faith. We can only believe once we have been made able to believe, i.e., Regenerated.

“And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved?‘ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.‘”

Mark 10:26-28

On that momentous day when Augustine experienced his spiritual awakening in Christ, he heard children playing near his house. Their innocent voices resonated with a powerful message, singing, “Tolle, lege! Tolle, lege!” – an urging in Latin, meaning “Take up and read! Take up and read!” The melody seemed like a divine call, beckoning him to turn his attention to something greater. Moved by this inexplicable prompting, Augustine reached for the Sacred Writings of Apostle Paul and opened them with trembling hands. His eyes fell upon the passage, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:13-14).

The truth resonated within him, and he felt the embrace of divine grace. Augustine realised that this encounter was a turning point in his life—a moment of reconciliation with his Creator. “I had no wish to read further, nor was there need,” he later confessed. “No sooner had I reached the end of the verse than the light of certainty flooded my heart, and all dark shades of doubt fled away.” In that powerful encounter with the Scripture, Augustine’s journey of faith began. The words of the Apostle Paul had touched the depths of his soul, leading him to embrace the teachings of Christ and abandon his former life of moral depravity.

In the sacred narrative of Saint Augustine’s regeneration, we bear witness to the sovereign hand of God, orchestrating His eternal plan set forth before the foundations of the world. Truly, it is the Father of lights, in whom no variation or shadow of change exists (James 1:17), who orchestrated the divine moment when Augustine was made alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). In an instant, like the twinkling of an eye, Augustine was born of the Spirit (1 John 5:1), and a profound awakening occurred as he received the gift of new life (1 Peter 1:3). In this divine encounter, the person of the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a gentle, yet powerful, torrent (Acts 10:44).

Indeed, if you find yourself in Christ, pause in awe at the wondrous works of our Almighty God, who, as spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, breathes life into dry bones, bringing forth renewal and restoration: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews upon you and cover you with flesh and skin, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:5) Reflect on the marvel of Regeneration that has brought you from a state of death. Offer praise and glory to Him!

On the contrary, if you are not yet in Christ, attentively heed the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: “You must be born again.” (John 3:7)

In conclusion, the life of Saint Augustine serves as a powerful testament to the power of God’s grace. As we reflect on the Doctrine of Regeneration in his journey, we are reminded of the timeless message conveyed in the hymn “Amazing Grace” by John Newton. This cherished hymn beautifully expresses the profound impact of God’s grace in regenerating sinners. Just as Augustine’s life was touched by divine intervention, “Amazing Grace” continues to resonate with believers worldwide, serving as a timeless reminder of the boundless mercy that can bring about profound change in even the most wayward of hearts.

Verse 2:

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

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No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’

John 6:44

Why are you a Christian? What led you to place your faith in Christ Jesus? Consider the reasons that come to mind in response to this question. Is it your eloquence in speech or your ability to absorb vast amounts of information? Maybe your talent lies in evaluating options and reaching correct conclusions through analytical prowess. Could it be that your moral compass is finely tuned? Has your passion for evangelism played a role in your considerations? Where do you place your grounds for boasting?

The pursuit of self-aggrandisement, which characterises the present era, is far from a recent phenomenon; its origins trace back to the Garden of Eden. The temptation to become “like God” (Genesis 3:5) emerged there and escalated in successive generations to the construction of the Tower of Babel, a testament to the human desire to “make a name for themselves” (Genesis 11:4).

Adam’s rebellion against God’s design didn’t merely introduce sin into the flawless creation; it brought with it the inescapable shackles of death (Romans 5:12). This transgression expanded from an individual act to a universal condition, linking humanity inexorably to sin and its consequences.

The question of why one chooses to be a Christian, therefore, rapidly escalates to a cosmic scale. The Apostle Paul aptly conveys this enormous scope in his declaration, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins…, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2:1-3). This sweeping indictment leaves no one unimplicated. All humanity is found wanting before a God who is holy to the highest degree.

Having established this overarching context, let’s now ground ourselves in a biblical perspective to further explore this question. From the lofty heights of divine judgment, we shall delve into the Scriptures for enlightenment and understanding.

Let us not forget the unequivocal sovereignty of the God portrayed in the Bible—the triune God, the one and only God. He reigns with unparalleled supremacy and possesses absolute power and authority. As stated in 1 Timothy 6:15-16, He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” existing in an unapproachable light and possessing eternal immortality. As Psalm 135:6 affirms, God executes His will according to His own pleasure, exercising dominion over heaven, earth, seas, and all depths. It is this God to whom Paul refers when he declares:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

Ephesians 1: 3-6

This passage unravels a mind-bending reality, granting us a glimpse beyond the veils of time itself. It shatters the boundaries of our finite comprehension, revealing God’s sovereign hand in selecting specific individuals for redemption and everlasting life. Astoundingly, this divine choice was made before the creation of the world, magnifying the eternal expanse and timeless essence of God’s redemptive masterpiece.

The truth of Election underscores the need to quash any tendency towards boasting in any aspect of our salvation. There is absolutely nothing that we can contribute to this equation except our guilt and sin. It is an undisputed fact that even when presented with every opportunity, sinful man remains incapable of choosing God. The idea that man contributes to his own salvation (as advanced in altar calls and other Armenian propositions) is an affront to the holiness of the God who chooses us. The nature of salvation is completely monergistic, where it is solely initiated, sustained, and ultimately fulfilled by God. Sinful man does not possess even the slightest ability within himself to choose a holy God. Importantly, it is crucial to understand that God’s choice of individuals for salvation was not contingentupon Him foreseeing who would choose to believe in Him. God’s divine election was not an act of God peering down the tunnel of time, discerning those who would willingly follow Him, and then making His choices based on that foreknowledge. Rather, our Lord Jesus Christ declared,

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:25:30

Know for certain that, if indeed you are a Christian, it is crucial to acknowledge that your faith does not stem from any inherent qualities or accomplishments within yourself. No amount of talent, zeal, eloquence, ethnicity, or social status can claim credit for bringing you even a single step closer to receiving God’s grace. You were not halfway up the ladder and then God did the rest. You were not partially on the path to salvation, waiting for God to fill in the gaps. Nor were you treading water in a vast ocean until God tossed a lifeline in your direction. In reality, you were utterly devoid of God and devoid of hope. You were deemed as worthless, lacking understanding, burdened with shame, cursed, and comparable to an open grave (Romans 3:10-18). But, as Martyn Lloyd–Jones famously said, “BUT GOD… These two words, in and of themselves, in a sense contain the whole of the gospel“:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:4-7

The profound truth of God’s purpose in Election serves as a powerful force to obliterate any inclination towards pride and boasting. Moreover, it should ignite and propel us in our evangelistic endeavours. Armed with a proper understanding of God’s sovereignty and His divine Election, individuals need not be gripped by fear of failure or pursue boundless success. Instead, our aim should be unwavering faithfulness in obeying our Lord’s command to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Instead of seeking within yourself for the reasons behind your faith in Christ, turn your gaze outward towards God.

In closing, consider the second verse of the great congregational hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” by Edward Perronet:

“Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,

Ye ransomed from the fall,

Hail Him who saves you by His grace,

And crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him who saves you by His grace,

And crown Him Lord of all.”

The post Ordo Salutis: Election appeared first on TGN.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:17 KJV

Tug of War! That’s the first thing that came to mind when I read this text. I trust you know what a Tug of War is? It is a sport where two opposing sides are at each end of a rope, with a line drawn and they are struggling for dominance to pull the other team across the line to win the game. If you consider the text again, a picture of a tug of war is plainly painted. In every Christian, there is an intense ongoing battle between the desires of the indwelling Spirit of God in the believer and their sinful nature for dominance. It is a tug of war.

The phrase “lusteth against” simply means the flesh, our sinful nature, desires things that are against the Spirit’s desire. You will notice the text also speaks of the Spirit having desires that are against the desires of the flesh: “and the Spirit against the flesh.” Notice what the next phrase also says: “these are contrary one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Do you see that? These—the flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another. In other words, the flesh opposes the desires of the Spirit, and the Spirit opposes the desires of the flesh.

The Desires of The Flesh

Though Christians are “washed…justified… sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV), we still live in a sinful world and a sinful body with residues of the sinful nature hanging around waiting to strike at the least opportunity. We live with an ongoing battle with the desire to sin. Often, unfortunately we actually do sin. If not regularly. So, there is a battle for dominance over the believer: “So that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

The desire of the flesh is to sin; indulge the old nature and please ourselves.. Regardless of how long you have been a Christian, you can testify to this sad reality.. You have the indwelling Spirit with new desires according to the new nature, but sin still lingers on with its desires according to the old nature. And both are opposing each other, so that you will go along with their desires.The desires of the Spirit of God in you won’t permit you to succumb to the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the flesh are opposing the desires of the Spirit. As long as we live in this fallen body, in a fallen world, we would have sinful desires –indwelling sin–to deal with. Consider the words of Charles Spurgeon:

“When we believe in Jesus Christ all our sins are pardoned; yet the power of sin, albeit that it is weakened and kept under by the dominion of the new-born nature which God doth infuse into our souls, doth not cease, but still tarrieth in us, and will do so to our dying day. It is a doctrine held by all the orthodox, that there dwelleth still in the regenerate, the lusts of the flesh, and that there doth still remain in the hearts of those who are converted by God’s mercy, the evil of carnal nature…”

Do you deny this? Can you honestly say this is not true of me? Look back your life just in the past hour? Consider the thoughts that may have run through your mind. And even, if possible, consider what you are thinking about while reading this article? Now the desires of the flesh are what lead to actual sins. The desires come, we don’t do anything about them, we follow them through, then boom, we sin.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death

James 1:14-15

Now, nobody can read what goes on in another  person’s mind. But those desires manifest by the way we live our lives. Paul calls this “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). You may argue “I do not do these things”. What we must understand is that the list in Galatians 5:19-21 is not the list of all sins in the world but a fair representation of almost everything. The phrase “and such” is like our modern use of etcetera.

Winning The Tug of War

Dealing with the desires of the flesh means checking and bringing your sinful desires under the control of the Holy Spirit. It means not fulfilling or giving in to your sinful desires.

This I say then, walkin the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5: 16

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 5: 24

In verse 16, Paul is saying “do not fulfil the desires of the flesh.” In verse 24, he says “crucify the flesh”. Kill it. Deal with it. Don’t let your sinful desires master you. This is theologically called mortification of sin, that is killing sin. The prominent English theologian, John Owen, stated it this way:

“Mortify: put to death; a metaphorical expression, taken from the putting of any living thing to death. To kill a man, or any other living thing, is to take away the principle of all his strength, vigour, and power, so that he cannot act or exert, or put forth any proper actings of his own; so it is in this case. Indwelling sin is compared to a person, a living person, called “the old man,” with his faculties, and properties, his wisdom, craft, subtlety, strength; this, says the apostle, must be killed, put to death, mortified,—that is, have its power, life, vigour, and strength, to produce its effects, taken away by the Spirit“

Hear what Scripture says on the matter.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do MORTIFY the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 8:13

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1 John 3:9

A superficial reading of 1 John 3:9 may suggest a Christian cannot sin. But that will go against the teachings of Scripture. Already John has addressed the sin of believers in 1 John 1:8,10. So, “cannot sin” here simply means doesn’t make a practise or habit of sin.

How Do We Deal With The Desires of The Flesh?

It’s A Work of The Holy Spirit!

Dealing with the desires of the flesh is not mere character modification. It is not simply stopping to do the things you used to do. It is more than that. It is an inner work of the Holy Spirit.  When we become Christians, a monumental change occurs. Our heart is transformed, and new desires are implanted in us. Desires to obey God; to live holy lives ;to be conformed to the image of Christ; to forsake sin and embrace holiness.

Salvation does something to our soul. It reaches down into our hearts and changes our dispositions. We who once didn’t love God, begin to love him. Our sins become repugnant and revolting to us. We yearn to live our lives to please God. These new yearnings are all a work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Holy Spirit works in us to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Notice, there is a constant comparison in this text between desires of the flesh and desires of the Spirit. Paul speaks of the works of the flesh in vv.19-21, then contrasts it with the fruit of the Spirit in vv.22-23.

The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in us to produce these holy desires. This work of the Holy Spirit in us is theologically called sanctification. The Westminster divines articulated sanctification in this way:

“Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God has, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.”

Note, “That they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.” This simply means we are growing in holiness. We are having a distaste for sin. Sin is not having dominion and victory over us any longer. Look at the definition of sanctification again: “through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God”

The first thing to note in this journey of dealing with the desires of the flesh is that, it is a work of sanctification God applies to our hearts through the operation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s desire is to sanctify us and conform us to the image of Christ so that we become holy (2 Corinthians 3:18).

A look at the texts (Galatians 5:16;18;25) shows that this is all the work of the Holy Spirit in us. As Christians, our desire is to be holy, please God, and be honest in our dealings.  The desire to avoidsin is not something we produce by ourselves. These are desires according to the workings of the Spirit of God. “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). God the Holy Spirit is at work in you dear believer: “not by might nor by power but by my Spirt.” (Zachariah 4:6)

The Cooperation of The Believer

If dealing with the desires of the flesh is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, does it then mean the believer is passive? There is nothing left for the believer to do? No! The believer actively engages with the Holy Spirit. The believer yields to the Holy Spirit.

The believer responds outwardly to God’s inward work of grace.

You will notice right from the beginning of Galatians 5, the believer’s active involvement is stated. Paul outlines certain responses the believer must have toward the work of Christ: “Stand fast, be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage… don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” in verse 1; and, “use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another,’ in verse 13.

J.I Packer, in his book concise theology, says “God calls his children to sanctity and graciously gives what he commands.” In the same verses where we see the work of the Holy Spirit at work in the believer’s life, we see the necessary cooperation of the believer with the Holy Spirit: “Walk in the Spirit” (v.16); “Led of the Spirit” (v.18); “Led” of shows that “we follow”; “Live in”, “walk in” (v.25).

All these are verbs calling us to do something. We are not passive in the work of sanctification. “Walk in…live in…” These verbs are a picture of an ongoing process. It means that you and I must not become stagnant in our Christian walk. We must grow. We must mature. And how are we going to do this? Brethren, there is nothing new here that I will propose. Avail yourself to the ordinary means of graces God has given us to grow. Pray often, repent daily, fellowship with the saints, study and read your Bible regularly.

If you are walking in the Spirit, then you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh (v16). That is, you will not give in to the desires of the flesh. This is an active process of choosing obedience over disobedience. Again, Look at verse 24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires. This basically means we have tamed the flesh. We have put it under control. We have killed it. Victory comes through death.

The Consequences of Not Dealing with The Desires of The Flesh

If there is no evidence of you dealing with the desires of the flesh and nothing about your Christian life shows the fruit of the Spirit, there are two possible options.

Firstly, you might not be saved. If you are giving in to the desires of the flesh joyfully, it may be a sign that you are not saved. I am drawing this inference from verse 24. If you are not dealing with the desires of the flesh, then you may not belong to Christ since “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.”

Secondly, you are not growing. You truly may be a believer, but not putting in the necessarily spiritual disciplines to deal with the desires of the flesh. The common means of grace are at your disposal.

Do you find yourself dear believer in a tug of war over your sanctification? Be encouraged. The Holy Spirit is on our side. Victory is ours in Christ alone. The flesh shall not have the final say. The flesh shall not win

Notes:

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It is an encouragement and a source of great pride whenever I hear about the growth and advance of the gospel across the continent. All over the world, Africa is touted as the continent with the fastest-growing number of Christian converts. I praythat this growth will be accompanied by growth in personal holiness and depth of understanding of God’s Word.

I address this letter to you, saints, for two reasons. First, it is the pattern we see in Scripture. The apostle Paul, in almost all his letters, did not address the pastors or overseers in the churches, but the members of the church. He believed that the members were the true guardians of the truth and purity of the church.That is why in Galatians 1:6-9, his frustration was not with the false teachers but the members of the church:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

The second reason why I have addressed this letter to you, saints of the church in Ghana and across Africa, is because false teachers have crept into the church. In the early days of the rise of ‘one-man’ churches—independent churches planted by individuals—around the 1970s, there was much speculation about whether these teachers were intentionally spreading false teachings or if their errors were simply a result of ignorance.Over the years, it has become increasingly evident that these false teachers are not ignorant of the truth but willfully deceiving others for their own gain. Paul spoke of such people in Romans 16:18, “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” It is futile to address them since they have no desire to change their ways. It is incumbent on us to grow in our discernment as believers, to recognise and avoid these harmful teachings that undermine our faith and bring disrepute to the name of Christ.

The Bible teaches that on the last day, everyone will give an account of themselves to God (Romans 14:12). This will be an individual affair, which means each of us must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). The more reason why we cannot leave our faith in the hands of others, especially pastors who care more about the “seed” we sow into their ministries and the size of their congregations than where we will spend eternity.

As we work out our salvation, we must bear three key principlesin mind. 

Don’t Assume Your Faith

According to Paul, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10). It is very clear from these verses that no one is born a Christian, and neither can the faith be inherited. Christianity is not like Islam, where one is born into the faith. Each of us must individually repent and put our faith in Christ Jesus.

As a people, we are so religious that there is a tendency and temptation to assume the Christian faith. Unfortunately, many of our pastors contribute to this confusion. I was once part of a church for two years, and throughout my time there, no pastor spoke to me about how I came to faith and the fruit I had borne after that. I remember one Sunday after the church service, all visitors who wanted to join the church were invited to remain behind. One of the ministry leaders spoke briefly about the process of becoming a member. Our photos were taken, and ID cards were issued. That is how I became a member of that church. No questions asked if I knew the gospel, believed it or was baptised as a believer. It didn’t matter which church I had attended and why I had left it. Perhaps, it may have been because I was disciplined. But none of that mattered.

This starkly contrasts what we read about Jesus in John 10:14, where he said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” The Greek word, poimen, translated as pastor,can also mean shepherd. Therefore, every pastor is an under-shepherd of Christ (1 Peter 5:2). They are representatives of Christ in their shepherding responsibilities. This means Pastors must know their members, and their members must likewise know them. Sadly, in most mega churches today, the shepherds do not know who the sheep are; the sheep have never interacted with the shepherds. Therefore, it is unclear how these shepherds intend to give account for the sheep they don’t even know (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17).

Moreover, the New Testament makes it clear the church comprises people who have repented of their sins and put their trust in Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-37). To that end, it is the duty of the pastors or elders of a church to act as the doorkeepers and lead the congregation in ensuring that whoever enters the local church has a credible profession of faith. Unfortunately, not many churches exercise this watchfulness. As a result, many churches in Africa are filled with people who are not saved. It is no wonder there are so many people in the church, yet the continent is known for corruption and all kinds of ungodliness. Some of our churches are more anti-gospel outposts than the pillar and buttress of truth they are meant to be (1 Timothy 3:15).

If you are part of a church where no pastor has ever spoken to you about your faith or how you came to know Jesus Christ; and the fruit you have borne subsequently, you are likely not in a healthy church. And in the case throughout your Christian life, your profession of faith has never been examined by any church, you should approach the pastors of your current church and ask them why no one has ever asked you about your faith. In any case, Paul’s advice to you would be to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourself” (2 Corinthians 13:5). I strongly recommend you read this article on God’s love; it will help you in your examining process.

Your Allegiance Should Not be to Your Pastor or His Churchbut to Christ.

When Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He meant it, and he is doing that all across the world. From Asia to Europe, Americas to Africa, wherever the gospel has been preached, it has borne fruit and the church of Christ is being built. This universal church, the Bible teaches, is the body of Christ.

Sadly, in Ghana and across Africa, churches have become personal properties of Pastors. It is their pictures that are on the signboards. In many places, the personal brand of the pastor is more popular than the name of Christ. If you are in a church where the preacher’s name is more known than the name of Christ, you should know you are in an unhealthy church; and leave as quickly as you can.

Over the years, many Christians in Africa have become more discerning and are beginning to ask questions. However, I continue to hear stories where members feel they have no alternatives, so they stick it out in these unhealthy churches. In other cases, members feel so loyal to the “Man of God” that even though they know something is not right, they feel they cannot leave because they would be branded as disloyal.

One truth we should firmly hold on to as Christians is that the church belongs to Christ; therefore, our loyalty must be to himand not to any particular individual. If you discover that your church is unhealthy and you cannot effect any change, you should strongly consider leaving. By God’s grace, there are many relatively healthy churches springing up. We should fervently pray that God, in his kindness, will raise more of such churches. However, even in cases where there are no viable options, you should pray for the courage to start a gospel-centred Bible fellowship which could eventually covenant as a church,

In Ephesians 3:10, Paul said, “Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” This means inasmuch as a true and healthy church is a powerful gospel witness, a bad church has a powerful destructive effect on the advance of the kingdom of God. As a matter of truth, some churches in Ghana and across Africa must close for the advance of God’s kingdom and his glory. Therefore, being part of a bad, unhealthy, anti-gospel church may display loyalty to a human being, but in the long run, you are doing damage to the advance of God’s kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Examine Yourself to See If You’re Bearing Fruit

In John 15:16, Jesus told his disciples and, by extension, all his followers, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” As Christians, we are in the fruit-bearing business. According to Jesus, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:19-20).

As Christians in Ghana and across Africa, we must constantly examine ourselves to see if we are bearing fruit and what kind.Each of us – not the usual pointing at the other person, must look ourselves in the eye and ask whether we are bearing abiding fruits; because it is illogical that the continent with the highest rate of Christian numerical growth would also have the highest level of corruption. In Ghana, for example, more than 70% of the population professes to be Christian, with the majority of this number in church every Sunday, yet the country is plagued with thick darkness.

In Galatians 5:22-23, apostle Paul lists “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” as the nine-part character traits produced by the Holy Spirit in every Christian. The effects of these fruit are not confined to the four walls of a church building. As we live our lives in the public square, evidence of these fruits would be seen in how we work, study, lead our families and raise our children as Christians (James 2:14-17).

It is not loving or faithful for a Christian politician entrusted with a public office to take for themselves resources belongingto the state. It is not kind, good, or faithful for a civil servant to take bribes irrespective of whether their pay is adequate. It is not a display of love that, as a trader, your goods are priced to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. The sad irony is that many corrupt officials and business people profess to be Christians and regularly attend church.

The state of Christianity on our continent is a colossal anti-gospel witness. One of the most striking truths in physics is that regardless of the thickness of the darkness, a single matchstick can dispel it. Therefore, if Christians are the light of the world as described by Jesus in Matthew 5:14, how is it that our continent is languishing in so much darkness when the majority of us claim to be Christian, unless it is the case that many of us hold an appearance of godliness, but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5)?Even though Africa is touted as the continent with the fastest Christian growth rate, sadly, the growth is cancerous. As Jesus rightly said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” The fruits many of us are bearing indicate we do not belong to Christ, andthe warnings of Jesus in Revelation 3:1-2 is timely for all of us, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.”

Having said all this, I am also convinced there are many faithful saints on the continent because God always leaves himself a remnant (Romans 11:4-5). It is because of them the continent is not consumed. It is my prayer that “our God may make you [the remnant] worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

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“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

Right in the middle of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we come across a verse that forms the very basis of our Christian faith; and reveals who Jesus is and His ministry as a whole. Christians over the years have had various confessions of faith deeply steeped in the Bible that we affirm and believe. Such confessions include the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Divines, etc. Paul here emphasizes the importance of what we confess: “…great indeed, we confess…” he says. Historically, Christian confessions span the 1st Century Church till now. The essence of confessionalism, an important aspect of our way of worship, is to ensure distortions against truth are corrected. They are also to build a solid defence for what we believe. It is a tragedy to believe what you cannot defend.

In our opening passage, Paul says that what we confess “is the mystery of godliness.” This simply means that what already existed is no longer hidden but has now come to light. This suggests that the person we are confessing existed, was kept secret (or not fully revealed), and is now made known to us. The confession Paul is referring to is more of a Person than anything else, referring to none other than Jesus, who is God and is the uncreated, formerly hidden, and now revealed. This is a confession in defence of the deity of Christ Jesus as God (His person) and His ministry (His work). This is the very foundation of our Christian faith.

What is this mystery of godliness? “He was manifested in the flesh…” Clearly, this alludes to the incarnation, or the act of God taking on human form and living among us. John the Apostle clarifies this when he wrote, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ Throughout the ages, false teachers have attempted to cast doubt on Christ Jesus’ divinity. According to the Gnostics, anything made of flesh is evil, so God cannot indwell flesh. Others contend that Jesus cannot be both God and God’s equal. Simply put, without the incarnation of Christ Jesus—God taking on human form—there is no Christianity. Every Christian should thoroughly grapple with and understand this fundamental truth to defend their confession whenever needed. In the Apostle’s Creed we affirm that ‘He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.’ 

The second confessional statement in this verse, Paul writes, “…vindicated by the Spirit…” In other words, the innocence of Jesus was affirmed by the Spirit. What does it mean to be vindicated? This speaks to the fact that all the wrongful accusations that sinful men libelled him with in order to have him crucified and buried were proved false by the Spirit. In other words, by being raised again from death by the Spirit, he was exonerated from all the fraudulent charges brought against him. Thus, His resurrection proves His innocence, Hallelujah! And so, the Apostles’ Creed rightly affirms, “He was crucified and buried; on the third day, he rose again from the dead.’ Our Saviour did not remain in the grave; the Holy Spirit vindicated him by resurrecting Him from the dead.

Thirdly, Paul writes that Jesus was “seen by angels.” The day of his resurrection is implied here, when the angels appeared to the early believers and confirmed Jesus’ resurrection. We can also connect this to the moment of Jesus’ ascension when angels reassured the disciples that he would return to judge the living and the dead. The Christian confession of Jesus as having risen from the dead was corroborated by angels who testified and worship him eternally.

Fourthly, Jesus is “proclaimed among the nations.” Christians all over the world preach Christ as the central figure in salvation since the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit entered God’s Church, up until the present. The message of salvation is Jesus; the gospel of good news revolves around Jesus. That is the only message we have for the world. It is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to spread the Word about Jesus and make him known. Paul says “we have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). There is no other message of hope and salvation than that of Jesus; He is the Savior of the world.

Fifthly, we accept that with our hearts we believe, and with our mouths, confession in the finished work of Christ Jesus is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus is “believed on in the world.” He is the solution to human depravity. The act of placing our faith in Christ Jesus moves a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Beloved Son of God. We acknowledge that we believe in God the Father as well as “in Jesus Christ His Son.”  It is believing in Christ Jesus that transforms and makes one a Christian.

 Finally, Christians believe that not only did Jesus resurrect from the grave, but he was “taken up in glory.” We affirm in the Apostles’ Creed that when He resurrected from the dead, ‘He ascended into heaven. And is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty…” This proves that all authority in heaven and on earth resides with Him. Jesus’ glorification confirms his authority over all.

In conclusion, confessions are a significant part of our worship and the defence of our beliefs. It behoves every Christian to rejoice in these truths and be prepared to make a defence whenever the occasion arises. Amen!

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“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:26-27

Just the previous day, he fed five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. For the majority of his followers, this was it—finally, a miracle worker who would solve their perennial food shortage issues. There was no longer the need to till the land. Who cares whether the rains come in or not now that the food-producing king had arrived?

This characterisation may sound condescending and simplistic, but it is not far–fetched when you consider the actions of some Christians today. I have been to churches where the average person was there not because Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, but because of what they have heard he can do for them materially.

On April 6 2023, I came across a social media post attributed to the ministry of a prominent preacher with a large following. I want to believe this is not his real account and even if it’s not, it clearly tells what his followers believe. In the said post, 17 items had been listed from which followers could select one and they would have it by April 30 (don’t ask me, because I have no idea what was so auspicious about that date). The listed items ranged from cars to babies to visas. The most astonishing item on the list was number 11, Salvation. According to the post, salvation is one item among many that followers could simply pick from the shelf. No mention of repentance from sin, turning to Jesus, or God’s sovereign act in saving the lost. They could either choose a car, a visa or salvation. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Such is the state of Christianity in Ghana and many parts of the world today.

It is against this backdrop that Jesus makes his statement in John 6:26-27, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” Jesus knew why the throng was following him. It wasn’t because of his teaching or his impending death and resurrection and what that means for their eternal state; rather, it was because they ate their fill of loaves the previous day and had come for more. However, in verse 27, Jesus exhorted them to have a different mindset; he elevated their eyes and minds to that which is truly eternal. He offered them himself, the true bread that came from heaven.

I’m not sure why you are following Jesus, but his reproof in this verse is important for you too. One of our greatest deficiencies as humans is our inability to accurately diagnose our true needs. Perhaps this is why most of our problems remain: because we have not been able to accurately identify what will truly bring us joy and peace. Our felt needs are often not our truest needs. Jesus says, “do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.” Your greatest need is not a visa or a car or a baby or even good health. Your truest need is peace with God through Jesus Christ.

If you don’t have that yet, then earnestly call out to God to have mercy on you and restore you to a right fellowship with him through his Son, Jesus Christ. If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then you have everything you need. Don’t let anyone distract you with cheap and fleeting substitutes. Your worth is not in what you own, not in skill or fame but in the fact that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Remember, he will never deny us what he knows to be good for us, and he will never give us what he knows will be harmful to us. That is the confidence we have in our Heavenly Father as Christians.

Most of those who followed Jesus back then thought their problem was bread, but Jesus would have them focus on their true need, eternal life. This understanding is what led Paul to say, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him” (Philippians 3:7-9).

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“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3

Can you imagine the pain and anguish of this parent as they welcomed their little bundle of joy and realized he was blind? The questions that would have swirled their minds, and the blame games that would have ensued. In Jewish society in those days, it was believed that such occurrences were because of someone’s sin – either the father’s or the mother’s. This is evident from the disciples’ question to Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.” The response of the Jews, as you continue to read the passage, confirm this thought process, “they answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” In their minds, the fact that he was born blind meant he was born in sin (see John 9:34). 

Undoubtedly, the parent and this little boy, who is now a man, had lived their entire life under a cloud of suspicion and ostracism. From the beginning, his place in society would have been decided by events he had no control over; that’s a tough life to be born into.

It is, however, the response of Jesus that provides comfort, not only to this man and his parent but each of us who have lived some part of our lives undergoing suffering and trials of various kinds. In response to the disciples’ question, Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 

My initial reaction as I read that verse was a mixture of protest and confusion. So, through no fault of his, this man lives most of his life in suffering, so that the glory of God might be seen? I’m not sure how old he was when he met Jesus. Perhaps, he was even older than Jesus at the time. This means before Jesus was even born, this man had been born blind so that Jesus would meet him 30 plus years later to display the glory of God. That is mind-blowing! It means there is nothing greater than the glory of God. He would do anything for the glory of his name. 

God’s glory is so preeminent that a man being born blind so that it can be displayed is no big deal, even though our small finite minds would scream, unfair! The story of Job is often used to teach Christians how to suffer well, but as I read the story of this blind man, I’m humbled and, like Job, exclaim, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job‬ 40:4)

As a Christian, I’m sure you’ve had your own share of suffering and afflictions. It was a promise from Jesus that all who would come after him must take up their cross and follow him (Mark 8:34). In case you have not experienced suffering or currently not undergoing suffering, you must prepare yourself because it’sonly a matter of time. When those days come, and indeed, they will; the story of this blind man should be a source of comfort and encouragement. 

To think that God would find your life a worthy instrument through which he would display his glory should be a blessed thought, whether under suffering or at ease. It was this truth that led the apostle Paul to write, “it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). According to Paul, that would be a life well lived, as he wrote to the Romans, “for if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).

What suffering or affliction are you going through now, my Christian friend? Perhaps, it is that chronic sickness that would not shake off; or the recurring financial difficulties; or the fear of being single for the rest of your life; or the infertility; or the joblessness? Whatever it is, take heart because God may be at work even in your situation for his glory.

Unfortunately, many false prophets in our churches today place extra burdens on poor, wearied and suffering souls. Some pastors blame afflicted Christians, concluding that their suffering is because of their lack of faith or not giving or praying enough. These hired hands have no business calling themselves pastors because they are no shepherds. A shepherd doesn’t bruise the wounded sheep; he binds and comforts them. That’s why it’s so important to join a healthy church where the pastors are true under-shepherds of Christ, not professionals working for pay.

It is true that as a loving Father, God can use suffering as a disciplinary tool to bring us back to the narrow path, but stories like that of this blind man teach us that we need to be slow in drawing direct correlations between suffering and sin. Our initial response toward afflicted and suffering brothers and sisters in Christ should be one of compassion, and seeking ways to mediate the love and care of the Lord than pronouncing judgments on their situation. When it was all said and done, God told the three friends of Job, “to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right.” In their haste to adjudicate and apportion blame, they incurred God’s displeasure; Job’s suffering was not because of his sin but so that the glory of God might be displayed. That should be a lesson for all of us.

Regardless of your situation, the only question you should ask as a Christian is; is God with me? If you know he is, then you can take heart. You should be encouraged by Peter’s exhortation to exiled Christians in 1 Peter 5:12-16, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

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John 1:14a (HCSB)

The Christian life is an imprecise imitation of the unique Incarnation of Christ Jesus. The primacy of the Incarnation has been professed for two thousand years. Our definition of love must be shaped by the Incarnation: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Within the lifetime of the Apostles, even as they were laying the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20), there were false prophets (1 John 4:1), wolves not sparing the sheep (Acts 20:29), waterless clouds (Jude 12) and those seeking to stir up division (Titus 3:10). The early church spoke of the ‘deposit of faith’, i.e., the orthodox statement of the gospel. How have Christians contended for this deposit? The answer is found in the first four councils of late antiquity.

The First Four Ecumenical Councils

The Age of Constantine introduced a trajectory for subsequent emperors to order synods and councils to defend or articulate challenging theological disputes. The primary focus was the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Council of Nicea responded to the teachings of Arius. He taught that Jesus was merely an exalted human being, the first of all creation (Colossians 1:15), explaining “before He was begotten he was not.” As Jesus alone can save us (Acts 4:11-12) it is of necessity that Jesus is divine (John 8:58). As it was a matter of salvation, the council affirmed the full deity of our Lord.

“…that is from the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not, Consubstantial [homoousion] with the Father…”
Council of Nicea, 325

By the time of the Council of Constantinople another Christological error had emerged. Apollinarius supposed that in Jesus we see “God in a man”. It was as if the body of Jesus was an empty vessel and He was filled with the divine nature of the Son of God, devoid of a human mind and spirit. This Jesus was unable to sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15).The key assumption being “for that which He has not assumed He has not healed.”

“…for us humans and for our salvation he came down from the heavens and became incarnate from the holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, became human and was crucified on our behalf…”
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, 381

The Council of Ephesus dealt with the mysterious union of the humanity and deity in the One Person of Jesus. The patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, taught that there were two separate persons within Christ, one human and one divine. This sharp separation of persons was deemed heretical as Scripture does not distinguish between the operations of the divine and human natures, rather it affirms the One Person of Christ (Luke 9:35).

“…for us and for our salvation, born of Mary the virgin, according to his humanity, one and the same consubstantial with the Father in godhead and consubstantial with us in humanity, for a union of two natures took place. Therefore we confess one Christ, one Son, one Lord…”
Council of Ephesus, 431

The Council of Chalcedon is the triumph of Christian orthodoxy, the zenith high Christology. In a case of overcorrecting against Nestorianism, a novel teaching was sprouting in Constantinople. A leading monk, Eutyches, claimed that the two natures of Jesus Christ were mixed together into one new nature. He taught that as these two natures converged at the Incarnation the divine nature overwhelmed the human nature and “like a drop of wine into the ocean, so the humanity of Christ was swallowed up and lost, and that the divinity of Christ took over entirely.” Consider this noble response:

“We, then, following the holy Fathers, (Hebrews 13:7) all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:14, Ephesians 4:4-6), the same perfect in Godhead (Titus 2:13, John 1:18, Hebrews 1:8, John 18:6, 10:30, Matthew 16:16, Acts 8:37) and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man (John 1:14, 3:13), of a reasonable [rational] soul and body (Colossians 2:9); consubstantial [coessential] with the Father according to the Godhead (Hebrews 1:3), and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin (Hebrews 4:15); begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead (John 17:5), and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (Luke 1:34-35, Matthew 1:18, Galatians 4:4), according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1, Hebrews 13:8), as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us (Hebrews 1:1), and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.” (2 Timothy 1:13, 2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Chalcedonian Creed, 451

“What sort of man is this, that even winds and seas obey him?”

In Matthew 8:23-27, we find Jesus asleep in a boat while a storm is raging. He then rose and rebuked the winds and the sea resulting in a great calm. “Here we see Jesus’ weak human nature completely hid His omnipotence until that omnipotence broke forth in a sovereign word from the Lord of heaven and earth.”

Four truths had been affirmed: 1. Jesus is fully divine, against Arianism; 2. Jesus is fully Human, against Apollinarianism; 3. Jesus is One Person, against Nestorianism; and 4. Jesus has Two Natures, against Eutychianism. This is known as the Chalcedonian box. The contents of the box are filled with the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This was not an attempt to explain away the mystery of the Incarnation, rather it held on to the truths of Scripture and rested in the complexity. Mid-way through the Creed we find the heart of the confession with four negative statements:

Imperatives from the Incarnation

The Incarnation of Jesus is distinct from our experience. This means that we are unable to fully comprehend His Person. He alone tastes eternity and embraces flesh; uncontained yet contained; invisible yet now forever visible; omnipotence yet suffering; knowing all things yet in His humiliation limited in knowledge; being everywhere yet localized. That said, the Incarnation is the framework of our sanctification.

Jesus did not covet His eternal wealth; He laid it aside in order to redeem His bride (Hosea). He parted with unfathomable riches for our sake. O sinner, run to Him today as long as it is still today. Make no provision for the flesh. Enter by that narrowest of Gates. Give yourself entirely to the King of kings. Spend yourself for His name’s sake.

This unique rendering ’likeness of sinful flesh’ emphasizes the context in which the incarnation occurred, i.e., among sinners for sin. Our need of Jesus is exclaimed in this phrase. So, consider your record of sin, could you even begin to list it? In Jesus you have one who took on all that it meant to be human yet resisted sin at every turn, even unto death. Pray that your ‘likeness’ be incrementally changed to match His with the grace that comes from above. Put away every weight of sin that might keep you from beholding His face, beloved.

We have received an eternal adoption through our divine Sibling. This One has brought the saints into fellowship so that we may become one in Him. He was sent on a mission, a mission that He accomplished resulting in an eternal inheritance. His account for ours: One perfect Substitute. Treasure the beloved saints.

Our High Priest Jesus the Christ, is able to fully sympathise with us. On our behalf before the Father and on the Father’s behalf for us. At this very moment He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He rules and reign forevermore. In that case, more than the Christian life being an imprecise imitation of the incarnation, He is able to intercede perfectly for us. There will be a Day when the fully divine and fully human Jesus will judge all of humanity. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and Jesus will never blot his name out of the book of life. Jesus will confess his name before His Father and before His angels. But, to the one who fails to repent: a grave and fearful expectation.

Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ truly is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Contend for the Deposit.
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At various places in the Bible, the necessity of Christian growth is commanded and Hebrews 5:11-14 is one of the clearest places we see this command.

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

One of the hardest things an adult can ever hear is “Grow up”. That phrase hurts. In the text, it sounds like the author is telling his audience, “Grow up”: “You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” That must hurt, and I can’t tell how the original audience may have responded. But clearly, he rebukes their immaturity.

For the rest of this article, I will consider three traits that are expected in every mature Christian. These obviously are not exhaustive.

Understanding Basic Christian Doctrine

If the charge is: “…you have become dull of hearing”, then the  antidote is, “you must become sharp in hearing”. The charge is undoubtedly a call for understanding and maturity. At the beginning of Chapter 5, the author lays out some truths and doctrines about the person of Jesus Christ. Then he draws a comparison between the High Priesthood of Christ and Melchizedek. However, he tells his original readers there are many things to say about this topic, but they were not ready since they had not grasped even the basics of the Christian faith (v.12c). Ponder over this. The immaturity of these people has denied us what more things the Holy Spirit may have communicated through the writer of Hebrew.

“This is a reminder that failure to appropriate the truth of the gospel produces stagnation in spiritual advancement and the inability to understand or assimilate additional teaching (cf. Jn 16: 12 )” .¹

A believer must not be dull in hearing. They must grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith. They must mature. If this is not happening, then they may not be applying themselves to growth. Every believer must grasp the basic doctrines and teachings of the Christian faith and must desire this to happen. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is instructive: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him” (Eph. 1:16-17). James also said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”(James 1:5). These texts point to the fact of desire. We must desire growth in our walk and in fact ask for it.

Ability to Teach Others

Linked to their dullness in hearing is the expectation of the author for them to teach others: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.” Every believer has a responsibility to pass on Christian truth to others. Therefore, one sure sign of Christian maturity is our ability to teach and instruct others in the Christian faith. We cannot tell how long they have been believers. But we can be sure if this is required of them, then they may have been believers for long. To be able to pass on the Christian faith, we must know and understand it. Unfortunately, there are many believers who have a disdain for Christian doctrine. They are all of experience and lacking in any knowledge of what they believe. R. C. Sproul calls them “sensous Christians”:

Sensuous Christians don’t need to study the Word of God because they already know the will of God by their feelings. They don’t want to know God; they want to experience him. Sensuous Christians equate “childlike faith” with ignorance. They think that when the Bible calls us to childlike faith, it means a faith without content, a faith without understanding. They don’t know that the Bible says, “In evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Cor 14:20). They don’t realize that Paul tells us again and again, “My beloved brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (see, for example, Rom 11:25).²

Such people, like the ones mentioned above, stand the danger of being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). We deny ourselves the joy of the Christian faith if we don’t apply ourselves to learning and maturity. In an age of great deception; believers would have to pursue growth in the Christian walk.

Now it is not all believers who are called to vocational or Christian pulpit ministry, nonetheless, every believer has a responsibility of communicating Christian truth wherever they find themselves. But if we don’t know what we believe, we would not be able to pass it on. When Jude wrote to his audience, he called upon them to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3). But how can one contend or defend the faith, if they do not know what they believe? Here, Peter’s charge is relevant: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Pet. 3:15). It is important you and I know what we believe to be able to pass it on and defend it. And this is Christian maturity.

Right Living

It is not enough to understand Christian doctrine. It’s not enough to be able to pass on Christian truth. Christian Maturity involves a practical application of Christian doctrine: “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” This is doctrine and practical living fused together. Our knowledge, our understanding and ability to teach must reflect in how we live. We must, as the author puts it, be able “to distinguish good from evil.” That is discernment. Can you identify an error when you see one? When you are living in disobedience, are you able to tell and repent? We are not tasked only to know and teach the truth. But we are to live the truth. We are to be able to apply the word of God to every area of our lives. What is required here is a proper application of the word to our lives, exactly what Paul charged Timothy to do “rightly handling the word of truth.” Proper handling of Scripture, its application and obedience in the Christian faith is a sure sign of maturity. We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. (James 1:22-25).

“If our theology does not quicken the conscience and soften the heart, it actually hardens both; if it does not encourage the commitment of faith, it reinforces the detachment of unbelief; if it fails to promote humility, it inevitably feeds pride.”³

*This article with updates was originally posted as Christian Maturity by the author on Sovereigngracegh.org

Notes

1. John MacArthur, The John MacArthur Study Bible ( Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2006), Kindle

2. R.C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (Downers Grove, Intervarsity Press, 2009), Kindle.

3. J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1990), 15.

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