Lazarus: I wish Jesus were here.

Jesus: Lazarus, come forth!

Lazarus: “Oh, that’s Jesus calling to me! I’ve been waiting for Him to come! Now, I can get out of this miserable tomb. Wait, I must be alive first. Ah, that’s it! I must breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Yes, I feel alive now. I’m coming, Lord! Just a minute. Let me get untangled out of these cloths first. Okay, I’m ready. Four days in there were plenty for me. Wow, it’s good to see you!”

Jesus: Well, I couldn’t come any sooner. But, I’m glad you still were able to hear me when I called! Hope this new life isn’t going to be too hard for you to get used to!

Sadly, it seems that this is the way many view salvation.

Here is what really happened:

Lazarus: (dead)

Jesus: Lazarus, come forth!

Lazarus: *Huh? What happened to me? Jesus! He made me alive!

We are dead until Christ breathes life into us. We don’t desire Christ. But when Christ breathes life into a person, that person comes to Christ. Our will to resist is no match for the life-giving call of Christ. We don’t do anything to improve ourselves before coming to Christ. Christ calls, and we come. And then He unbinds us.

See John 11:43-44

*personal paraphrase

Note: I am grateful to a teacher for making me aware of how the story of Lazarus illustrates salvation.

…is the story of Lazarus.

Think about it.

65. You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67. Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68. You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69. The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70. their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71. It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72. The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

65. God deals well with His children. All His ways are good and good for us. His goodness was, is, and will be. He will never stop being good and doing good. His Word is good and He is good. This does not only imply sweetness, but Truth. There is nothing that is more true and right than Him and His Word. And this is the One we can call “Master.”

66. Because God is the only good One, He is the best teacher of good. All the excellent books of solid Biblical teaching cannot substitute for God’s Word’s interpretation of itself. Unlike books written by men, the Bible stands on it’s own as a complete curriculum on God, His relationship to us, and our responsibility toward Him. It is worthy of diligent all-consuming study.

67. This is an amazing paradox. When I was comfortable with my sin, I strayed far from the path. But, now that I am bothered by sin, I keep to the path. When it went “well” with me, I erred greatly. When I became afflicted, I pursued rightness. This is not to say that God’s people don’t sin anymore. This is an illustration of life before and after conversion. Surely, it is good that God calls His people not to a path of ease but to one that is often ridden with stones.

68. God is completely good. Diligently remind yourself of this—one among most basic truths.

69. Though I am attacked by unbelievers, I must not allow any part of my heart to become anxious. I must diligently keep my whole heart focused on Truth and God’s Word—my greatest and unfailing treasure. I must not become distracted by lies.

70. Though their hearts are cold, and they don’t care about me, I must not be offended because I do not live for their approval anyway. I must continually delight in God and His Word. Therein lies true joy.

71. Affliction is good for the soul.

We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. -D.L. Moody

72. God’s Word is better for me than any earthly riches. I must remember this when I am choosing activities and investments (particularly of time).

Notes from a discussion about Chapter 13 of Knowing God by J.I. Packer.
(” ” indicate quotes from the book)

“Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”

The purpose of everything is for the praise of the glory of His grace.

—–

Truths we must believe if we are to properly understand grace:

1) man is totally (in every aspect) depraved

2) even if it does not appear so in the immediate, God always judges sin

3) man is totally unable to fix the problem of his depravity

4) God is free to give and not give grace to whomever He wills

—–

The only thing we can claim from God is justice.
 God always pours out justice. For His people, He poured it out on Christ.
 In Christ, we have gone from infinite debt to infinite riches.

“Grace is free, in the sense of being self-originated and of proceeding from One Who was free not to be gracious. Only when it is seen that what decides each individual’s destiny is whether or not God resolves to save him from his sins, and that this is a decision which God need not make in any single case, can one begin to grasp the Biblical view of grace.”

—–

1. Grace is the source for the pardon of sin.
“Justification is the truly dramatic transition from the status of a condemned criminal awaiting a terrible sentence to that of an heir awaiting a fabulous inheritance.” (and this is an understatement)

2. Grace is the motive of the plan of salvation.
“Believers may rejoice to know that their conversion was no accident, but an act of God which had its place in an eternal plan to bless them with the free gift of salvation from sin.”

3. Grace is the guarantee of the preservation of the saints.
“I need not torment myself with the fear that my faith may fail; as grace led me to faith in the first place, so grace will keep me believing to the end. Faith, both in its origin and continuance, is a gift of grace.”

—–

“Love awakens love in return; and love, once awakened, desires to give pleasure. And the revealed will of God is that those who have received grace should henceforth give themselves to “good works”, and gratitude will move anyone who has truly received grace to do as God requires.”

57. The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58. I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59. When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60. I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62. At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63. I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!

57. “Food keeps me alive, therefore I promise to eat it.” God’s Word is more necessary to keep my spiritually alive than food is to keep my physically alive. There is no option but to treasure the Word of God.

58. All my soul should be devoted to seeking God’s favor – not in the sense of justification, but in the sense of ascribing glory to Him in the the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. What a great promise it is that God will bring the work in me to completion! Nothing will snatch me out of His hand.

59. When I consider this life, I must be turned to God’s Word. There is no other guide sufficient to chart these treacherous waters of life.

60. A mark of someone who loves God’s Word is eagerness to obey. This is proof of a regenerated heart. Period.

61. No obstacles will eternally phase the righteous. No hardships will cause the justified to reject their Judge. Rather, trials will be a force to send them straight to God’s Word for whatever comfort and strength may be found there. And they will not be disappointed.

62. God’s Word is, when rightly viewed, the sufficient incentive to rise from sleep. Sleep, though sweet to every soul, cannot match the sweetness of God’s Word to those who cherish it. Do we love God’s Word enough to get up from sleep early to spend time in it’s folds, word after word drawing us deeper into it’s ocean of meaning?

63. Can I stand before God with a clean conscience concerning those with whom I spend much time? Are my companions helping me in my walk with the Lord? Companions are not just people. Whatever I spend time on and with is a companion. Am I influenced for God’s glory by my companions?

64. In this verse, “steadfast love” refers to God’s mercy. His goodness, kindness, and faithfulness are evident to eyes that see. The earth and our lives are full of these things. If we cannot see them, the problem is with our perception, not with reality. When we have trouble believing God’s goodness in the midst of hardship, we should pray for a heart to believe what we cannot see and eyes to see what we would not recognize on our own.

Life is to be lived thoughtfully, not carelessly. Time is fleeting. Make the most of each moment with the mind God gave you to ponder Him. Study His Word with your whole being, determined to do so till you have exhausted it’s meaning. By the way, this will keep you duly occupied for eternity. And what better preoccupation could there ever be than sitting at our Savior’s feet?

49. Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50. This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51. The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52. When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53. Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54. Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55. I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56. This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.

49. Of course God never forgets, but we act like we believe He does sometimes. If we always remembered that God never forgets His promises but always fulfills them, would we ever be discouraged by our circumstances? This is an idealistic question, but it should be our goal. So much, if not all, of our sin is rooted in forgetting or not believing God.

50. God’s promises give life and comfort. Since God’s Word gave you new life, it most certainly can sanctify you till eternity. Do not let go of your trust in God and His Word. Nothing will prevail against it.

We Christians have been given the promise of all promises and hope of all hopes. Forgetting this ends us up in discouragement. When we are afflicted, we should have the most hope because it is only temporary. Our eternal future is full of joy!

51. No matter what kind of ridicule comes against me, I can still cling to God’s Word – which never fails.

Though I may be scoffed and mocked by unbelievers on this earth, their beliefs are a myth. I can remain steadfast because my belief is in Truth. Pursuing God’s way in my life can keep me from being discouraged by opposition.

52. God’s commandments are rooted in Who He is. They are also the best guide for our lives. God gives rules not just for His own benefit but for ours. This is an awesome truth. God, so great and high above us mere wretches, actually is concerned about our welfare. This should be enough to make us run to every command He gives. He is omniscient, and we are not. Therefore, we must trust His guidance.

God has given His Word to us partly to show how He worked in times past. History is recorded to teach us. It is good for us to see people’s disobedience followed by judgment so that we may be more committed to obeying God in our own lives.

Remembering how God worked in times past should buoy me because He never changes. As He was faithful to keep His own safe in the past, so He will do so in the present and future. Though I may not see His faithfulness in a way that makes sense to me, I can trust in His Word that says: “…He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back? What He desires, that He does.” (Job. 23)

53. When we are angry about law-breaking, we should evaluate our hearts. Are we upset because they got away with it? Or are we upset because God’s glory has been in a tiny way obscured in their eyes? Are we envi0us of their “freedom” or jealous for God’s honor to be upheld?

54. What do we sing and muse about? If it is something other than God’s Truth, it is not the best it could be. As we are pilgrims on this earth, we should set our hearts on God and His Kingdom ways – for that is eternal.  Our time here is so extremely short. Eternity in God’s house is what we are preparing for.

God’s Word is not dull like a rule-book. It is the finest of all literature, and fit for singing all the day. It should capture our hearts like no other one or thing can.

55. It is by remembering Who our God is that we are strengthened in the dark seasons. Knowing Who He is will enable us to trust when we can’t see, walk when the path is not lighted, and be confident of deliverance when darkness overshadows like clouds.

56. Keeping God’s Word, in itself, is a blessing. It is a jewel worth leaving every other “gem” (trinket) behind for. If all we could expect would be the satisfaction of knowing that we obeyed God’s Word, we would be most greatly rewarded. Not only this, but we are promised so much more. For our little acts of obedience, God opens the floodgates of Heaven’s blessings. What reason is there not to obey?

“The Holy Spirit is no mere mechanical agent in the great work of a sinner’s deliverance. ‘I delight to do Your will’ is as true of the Spirit as the Son.

He loves the sinner; therefore He lays hold of him. He pities his misery; therefore He stretches out the hand of help. He has no pleasure in his death; therefore He puts forth His saving power. He is longsuffering and patient; therefore He strives with him day by day; and though ‘vexed,’ ‘resisted,’ ‘grieved,’ and ‘quenched,’ He refuses to retire from, or give up, any sinner on this side of eternity.

The extent to which we resist Him, and the amount of His forbearing love, we cannot know. This only we may say, that our stubbornness is something infinitely fearful and malignant, while His patient grace passes all understanding.”

—Horatius Bonar, “The Holy Spirit”

Pearls and Diamonds is doing a purity series.

This is a survey of what makes husbands jealous. You should read it.

Here are some further observations.

41. Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
42. then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44. I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45. and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46. I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47. for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

41. Here, again, is a request that will not be denied. God’s love and salvation are applied with the greatest security. Those upon whom God sets His love can be assured that it will last forever. The greatest sorrow one can experience is not knowing God’s salvation and love. If you have been blessed by these things, you have been given the greatest gift of all.

42. When the devil condemns me, I can rest secure because I know that Christ has made me clean. God sees me not in my sin but in Christ’s righteousness.

43. Beseech God to keep you growing in Him. He is pleased by earnest desire to hold on to Him. There is no other sure hope besides God and His Word. There is no other reward greater than that given to those who obey Him.

44. We should find ourselves more and more making promises to God out of love, and not fright. Do we love to serve Him? Do we love to obey Him? Do we love to seek Him?

45. True freedom is found in God’s way of living. If you see the Christian life as a collection of rules and regulations, and you find it a burden, something is wrong. You have not grown to love God as you ought. You have not tasted the sweetness of His love. If the freedom you desire is the license to do as you wish, you do not understand Christ’s lordship over you. You do not understand that you have been bought with a price and therefore owe your life to God.

The freedom a Christian enjoys is freedom from condemnation. Instead of life as a convict in a prison cell merely waiting for the day of execution, a redeemed sinner enjoys life as a servant in the King’s realm. The possibilities for rightly honoring and serving the King are endless!

46. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (Pro. 22:29) We sometimes think of the Christian life as one that lives above academia, and indeed, in some respects, this is true. However, God placed people on this earth to glorify Him not only in church services and “religious duties”, but in the whole of life. Leaving academia entirely to the non-regenerate is an unwise and ignorant choice. Christians should study as much as others, if not more, because the world of academia needs bright beacons of God’s transforming power. More importantly, we honor God by learning about His creation and studying for His glory. God gave us minds for a reason.

If we allow ourselves to remain ignorant of things in this world, we do not bring people’s attention to Christ. Rather, we are a source of dishonor to our Lord. We of all people should be the most zealous to learn.

47. Those who delight in God’s Word will be blessed. It is not my duty to enumerate all the rewards for doing so, only to obey.

48. “Lifting up hands” causes me to think of surrender or worship. We are to worship God, not His Word as an entity in and of itself. We are to delight in surrendering ourselves fully in obedience to God’s Word. It is hard to clutch anything tightly when our hands are opened and extended. Held out hands show willingness to receive and give. We must receive the commands of God and give ourselves to carrying them out.

33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
34. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35. Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36. Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
37. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
38. Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
39. Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40. Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!

33. If God does not teach me, I am taught in vain. In the footnotes of my ESV Bible, “keep it as my reward” is an alternate wording for the last phrase of this verse. Could it be that God’s Word (in written form) is not only our current treasure to sustain us on this earth, but will be our reward for the ages (in spoken form) as we see Him face-to-face? This may seem as a bland reward compared to streets of gold lined by mansions (as we are prone to imagine we have coming us in eternity, but has no basis in God’s Word). But, we have only to read what God’s Word says about itself to realize that there is no greater treasure than God Himself, and His communication to us is priceless. Relish His Word so much that you relish the thought of Him speaking with you face-to-face in eternity far above all the material joys that might be yours at that time.

34. Left to my own imagination, I am only prone to devising false applications of God’s Word. Therefore, it is necessary to pray for God to give me proper understanding of His Word. It is also important to discern self-help books and the like whether or not they rightly apply Scripture to life. Just because an application seems good to me doesn’t mean that it is God’s will.

Keeping God’s Word is not an activity I can do on the side. It must consume me. I must be fully committed to God’s Law and meditate on it daily despite what other things demand my attention. A day without time in God’s Word and continued meditation upon it is a day wasted.

35. Like Paul, I want to walk righteously, but my desire is often violated by my will. I do not do what I want to do. God must lead me in His way if I am ever to walk righteously. My delight in His law is not enough. I must delight enough to rely on His strength. And when I fall, I must delight to rise up and do so again.

36. I am not naturally inclined to God’s Word for His sake. I naturally may want to do right in order to benefit myself. A Christian must learn to desire righteous living for God’s glory alone.

37. I may be doing quite well in not looking at wickedness. But, there is always room for improvement. I must learn to discriminate between what is worthwhile and what is worthless. Time spent merely on leisure is appropriate at times, but generally I should seek to always use my time in the best possible way. Life is found in living as God desires.

38. God’s promises will be fulfilled. Asking Him for that, therefore, is asking in accordance with His will. They are, however, not always fulfilled in the way we expect. For example, the promise to children who honor their parents is “your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) I know of children who were honoring to their parents and yet died early. Franklin Graham was a rebel, but did not die during that phase of his life. While we may not understand God’s promises, we should always keep in mind that as long as He does not change, His promises will be fulfilled. We should trust in His character and leave the specific fulfillment of His promises up to Him because His ways are way higher than ours.

The wording of Exodus 20:12 can be properly applied to an eternal reward. Only Christians can truly honor their parents as God commands. Life on this earth is not the reward for Christians. Our reward is eternal life. If we see Exodus 20:12 this way, we can guard against wrong understanding of the promise.

39. In Christ, my reproach is taken away. I will not face the eternal consequences for my sin. I need not fear earthly reproach because I will never face eternal reproach. Praise the Lord!

40. The passionate desire of the psalmist for God’s Word is an example that I want to imitate. I want to long for God as much as I can. There is nothing with as much worth attached to it as God and His Word. True life is found in Him!